Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-09-12
STAUNTON SPECTATOR.
.-.zzosT AUNTON:@
WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER IL, 1855.
Yorro,a and pOrtsmouth--An Appeal.

Iotellirence from Norfolk and Portsmouth con-
tinues to be most appalling. The destroying an
oel still hovers over the "Twin sisters OF Inc
Sea- breeding the terrible pestence, and ganns
Famine has even made his appearance to help on
hedreadiul work Of desolatiOn and death. Wheh'
oh when will the dark pinons Of the fatal scourge
move themselves in flight, and reveal once more
the glad Sun Of Mercy with "heallng In MS
5eams?v The heart sickens at the details oisut-
ferino and restitution and fearful mortality that
reach us overy day. The deaths in Norfolk have
recently numbered, from fifty to nearly eighty IN
single day, and that in population reduced 10
six or seven thousand In Portsmouth the NOR
taity is scarcely less alarming. Business Is al
most entirely suspended, and the people, espe-
chilly those who lived by their labor, are depen-
dent upon the charities of persons abroad tor the
uecessares of life. The dead lie rotting In the
sun for the lack Of workmen to make collins and
dig graves. Little children of tender years
have been found sporting in happy unconscious
ness of their loss, around the purefying bodies OF
their dead parents. Physicians and nurses are
falling fast in the midst Of those to whom they are
administering, and there is constant demand ior
more. Starvation stares those in the face whom
the fatal fever spares, and the cry comes TO
us by every mail for bread Truly, truly, a
more heart.rending state of affairs cannot be lmag
ined, and surely the awful condition of the suffer-
ers will excite in every human heart, not only
willingness, but yearning desire to extend them
| some relief.
The citizens Of cur town have already consrlbu-
ted something of their means, but have they CIV
On as much as they can-as much as they ought !!
Has every man, woman and child in the com
munity east crumb of bread upon the waters g
We nost earnestly appeal to our citizens of al
classes and conditions TO move in this matter FOL
themselves. They need not let their right hand
know what their left hand doeth, much less wal
until called upon by some one of more active be-
nevolence. Any contributions left at this Office
will be promptly forwarded to those authorized tc
receive them in Norfolk and Portsmouth, and ap
propriated to the relief of the afflicted citizens.
We do not confine ourselves in this appeal tt
the citizens of Staunton, but would urge the peo
pie of the county generally to take tho matter IL
hand and devise liberal and generous things for TIM
laudabe object. The bOuntiful giver of all good
things has blessed them with abundant crops, ant
we trust that some of the -four destined for TIT
ware, houses of the Commission Merchants may
find its way to the furnishing families of Norfoll
and Portsmouth. We would suggest, too, tn,
propriety of taking up collections in the various
churches of the town and country. BY which meth
cd we doubt not large sum might be raised. Au
gusa County sent bread to the starving people o
foreign country will she not send as much ant
moro to those Of our own State, who are fast fall
ing, the victims Of both Pestilence and Famine