New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-12-24

Tomorrow is Christmas Day; and, as we do not
intend to trench upon the proper province of the
clergy BY orestaing, parodying or SURPRISING them
in their line Of sermonzing we ask bearing on 9
topic somewhat connected with the duties of the
season.
The weather Is fercely inclement; there is snow
in the streets; there is ice in the river; business is
mainly at a stand; destitution sits shvering by
maLy a dreary hearth, and beggary invades nearly
every comfortable dwelling; there is much real and
more simulated or needless suffering; and from ev-
cry side admonitions that all who are blessed
with plenty should Remember the Poor"
Yes, let US Remember the Poor"-remember
them by almsgiving where nothing better can be
done; but let us not rest satisfied with this Aims
giving, though sometimes inevitable, is the lowest
and poorest form Of charity; it is eIcusable only
when all others prove impraeticsble. Give aims
even to the drunkard, the harlot, the criminal,
much more to the widow, the orphan, the fugitive
slave, rather than let hunger and frost add these to
the number of their victims; but let not this be the
end Of your charity. He who gives bread to tho
destitute and furnishing does well; he who profers
| them an opportunity to earn their bread does bet
ter but he who, by giving aims to the wantony idle
and profigate, enables and encourages them to per-
severe in their evil ways, does them great wrong
and the community grievous harm. In nothing is
popular sentiment at fault than with regard TO
what is called berevolence. There is no charity
in giving TO those able to earn for themselves.
Let two thrifty neighbors set out to help the needy
one giving them money, the other giving them
work-and the first may, by careful inquiry, guard
sgainst doing more harm than good while the other
will surely, if successful do great good and no harm
at all.
We urge upon the attention of the benevolent
and thrifty the necessity of some comprehensive
provision for employing the poor in Winter. While
our manufactures shall continue to be, in large
measure, fabricated in Europe, we cannot ration
ally hope to find employment in Winter for all our
poor. Our farmers near the great cities dismiss
one-balf their laborers on the approach of Winter,
whereupon these rush into the cities and large vii
lagos in quest of employment Building is arrested
and business contracted by the advent of frost and
snow, whereby thousands more are thrown out Of
work. We believe there arc this day one hundred
thousand able-bOdied persons within sight of our
City who would work if work We're offered them,
yet who are idle and needy because there seems to
be nothing for them to do And as it is now, SO is
it, substantially at each recurrence Of the first
severe cold of Winter.
Must this continue ever This army Of unwill.
ing iders would add not less than Two Million
n.l1a in kha
of the ten weeks Of our average Winter, to the
wealth of this community; and this Five Millions,
if earned. would all be promptly invested in the
Provisions and Groceries, Clothing, Boots and
Shoes, Hats, &c, which our business men would
gladly sell. These Five Millions, if earned, would
be turned several times before April, modifying the
stagnatiOn of trade and saving thousands from diff
Guilty and embarrassment. The City is poorer,
almost all who are above rude want poorer. be-
cause of the enforced ideness of this army of
unfortunates, thousands of whom are ticking their
first steps in beggary toward life of indelepce,
dissipation and crime. For no one receives aims
from strangers without being degraded corrupted
thereby; and the most fatal Lesson man or woman
can learn imports that begging dollar is easier
than manfuly earning it.
Philanthropists legislators Christians help US
devise and establish some system whereby there
shall always, at least in a wealthy, intelligent and
prosperous community like this, be work at some
rate for aTwho need and will accept it. Help us
to replace Charity, to a great extent, BY Wages,
and thus diminish tho moral degradation rs well as
the pecuniary burdens of Pauperism.