Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-06-21

20 EeFsoue teaflhS the CITY 10 spend the sum-
mer, can have the Patriot regularly forwarded to
their address, for any length of tine, by Leaving
their address at the Office OF publication
TIE UNcLEAS CONDITION or THE CITY-Within
the past few weeks, we have frequently been re-
quested, and in some instances, importuned, 20 call
attention TO the filthy condition OF the city and so to
speak OF it, il possible as TO induce more efficiency
on the part OF the proper authorities and impress up
on orr people generally, the importance and neces
sity Of contributing, to the extent OF their abilities
towards bringing about a different state of things
than at present prevails in our midst To be can
did, We have RETAINED, with the hope that few
days delay would bring with il beneficial change
and one and all would be spared the modification
Of having it known abroad, that Nashvie-the Ne.
tropoGs of Tenuessee-the proud important and
vastly growing City of Rocks, with her intelligence
enterprise and chivalry-is one of the most filthy
cities in this or any other country That il ssuch
place is daily the testimony of many persons both
citizens and strangers. The admission is made with
sorrow and chagrin, hut the existence Of the fact
With 10 prospective improvement at hand, brings
it forth act due to csndor, and as a reminder
70 those whose duty it is to apply an immediate
remedy.
The city truly is in a most deplorable condition
in this particular. A gentleman from another city,
in short drive few days since through PORTIONS
Of our town, after we had remarked upon her PROS
perity, business and prospects, replied that Nash
vile was evidently destined to be a very important
place, but one, of whose people, stranger forms
very opinion so lar cleanliness is concerned
Passing at the time, locality which was infested
with a stencil from unclean alley, we were pre-
vented from Offering anything by way of an apology
in consequence of sudden effort to close the pas
sage to our Clfactory nerves.
That particular place is not the only one similar.
ly situated There numbers of streets and al
leys particularly the latter which are reeking with
fostering filth, the reccptaces of all manner OF foul
substances and decaying matter ..he paradise of
SWINE and ally of disease and death. And right
here, We trust sincerely that the "hog law" NAV
be triumphantly passed by the Board of Mayor and
Aldermen These animals stop up the cutters and
thus prevent the running off of water, create ten
times the amount of f th they obgate, cover the
pavements with mud, and are the source Of many
other annoyances.
There are pools Of standing water in every drec>
ton, themargins Of which corroded with green
border Of poison which 10 the process Of evapora-
ton exhale a fluid nearly poisonous in its effects
the deadly Upas tree. The atmosphere is every
day becoming charged with tbs noxous ,ffuvium
and if it is allowed much longer to be Inhaled by the
inhabitants ofthe city the meet serious consequences
may follow. OF all the causes Of epidemics and
plaques which have been known in the history of
the world and scourged its inhabitants, this has been
most fruitful. The plague which smote Thebes so
terribly, that Of Athens, at a much later day, the
black DEATH that terrible pestilence of the middle
ages, and those modern epidcmics, the cholera and
yellow fever, traceable ia great degree, to the
same cause.-The great heat and action Of the sun
upon foul, decayiuy substances. A well informed
writer SAYS, that Z" the narrow bitches about the
cities foul with all manner of impurities aud meats
about castles, must have poured clouds of miasmas
into the air" Like causes produce like effects,
and if We would avoid being ridden down with the
deadly pestilcnce the city should be ceasned
Should such a calamity beal US, the fame of those
who contributed TO it 10y inattentiOn now, will be
as unenvable as that Of him who fired the Ephe-
rian dome, that other nceudiary who applied the
torch to the Alexandrian Library.
That individuals are TO blame n a great measure
for the present situation of our streets and alleys,
does not admit OF doubt. The habit ofthrowing
all kinds of matter into the street is by far too
prevalent, and doubtless is the principal cause of
much filth. Il there is ordinance against such
a practice in the name Of all that is good let us
have it enforced. Let the City Marshal and his
assistants Immediately bring such discrepancies to
the notice Of the Recorder, and let a few examples
be made Of offenders. aud others as well as them-
selves will soon get tired Of violating the law To
say that is impossible prevent these abuses is
absurd it is to say that laws mpotcnt for good
1t is done elsewhere, and il can be done here
On behalf OF the city, its health it's prosperity,
its fame, we call upon it, citizens &c use every
means Of keeping il cleany, and especially is il de
sirable for the proper committee upon municipal
affairs TO make use Of every means in their power
TO cleanse, renovate aud purify every locality, aud
make the city at least cndurabe. If they do so,
the blessings Of its inhabitants will be their portion
il not, full measure of curses will follow them.
With this much, for the present We dismiss the
subject with the most profound disgust