The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1857-12-02
Relieve the Poor.

Every winter gives US sad stories OF
the wrstchetuess aud suffering witnessed
among the poor in our great cities. Hut
seldom has there been one, that hiss
brought with il as much widespread
desti,ution, as the present season will
record Many circumstances, 10 them
selves distressing, have now united to
throw our middle classes into such
truly desperate condition as cries aloud
for prompt relief from every quarter,
The abundant crops, with which we
have been blessed. have no. yet moved
from the R,ansries Of the Wsit. Though
our citlcA have never been SO flooded
with specie as now, it is all carefully
stored in public and private vaults.
And manufacturers, uoabl to procure
money. have turned adrift Thousands
and tens of thousands, of male and fe.
male operatives, whose daily wages have
but supplied their daily wants. No
work--po money-provisions high
thrice crowded cities--and a cold win.
ter-Ihese are the combined evils that
have long been staring in our faces, bu.
are now fully upon us With all their ter.
rors. Already do We see resp ectably
dressed, hale and hearty men following
coal carts Ihr ugh the streets, eargerly
seiaing the triaing pieces as they chance,
| TO tall. Even tidy and modest women
are forced to gather up the coal.dust on
the pavements before the dwellings Of
the rich This has always been an ocau
patton, but never for those who pursue
it now They have seldom tasted pow.
erty Many Of them have earned five
aud six dollsrs day in the iron found
cries, and glass factories az ambitious
to spend as faithful to earn, they have
not laid by single dollar. and now in
moment are completely crushed.
When we reflect upon the condition
of these men, shall we not cease to be
surprised that thus driven to utter de.
spair. disappointed in every lawful strue
gle for subsistence, they resort to those
that are unlawful and revolting' Con
slider the moral weakness Of these poor
creatures and can sou wonder that "tbe
Broadway and other gambling bells we're
never better pstroniscd than they are
new2 l, 10 harvest time for gamblers,
when other men fail. Faro and roulette
fascinAts their reckless or despairing vic
'ims until broad day light Men with
not enough to meet the morrow's lisbiIi-
ties, rush to these dsns, 10 the hope OF
suddenly winning sufficient to discharge
their debts they play oil night, and, as
the dawn glimmers through the shuttsrs,
aud palss the CASA lights, they are toe
cruelty made aware that The little they
had il gone, and that, instead Of winning
enough to pay their potss they have only
increased the burden to an intclsrsbls
extent"
| Never shall | forget sad case which
occurred in one OF our criminal courts a
few years since A man of no humble
position va, found guilty Of the crime OF
murder, and When asked if be had any
thing 20 cay Why sentence should not be
paused upon him, he exclaimed 10 the
most sutdued, and affecting earnsstnsss
May it please your honor, l confess my
crime, End cast myself on your mercy
Onee, with my little family about me,
lived in comfort add case. but suddenly
adversely swept over me. end left moth
iDg but my pride, struggled with every
nerve 10 rise, but in vain. day after day
/ lived on, l know not how, till at length
my poor furnishing child turned to IN,
and impIoringly cried for food almost
uneoncious of my actions, / rushed forth
and in the madness Of my heart laid in
wait snd destroyed . fsl bowman, that
might have that with which to procure
bread for my starving child Sir the
agony | have since endured no tongue
can tell
| To seek out ana save such tempted
despairing souls, is the noble object Of
many benevolent city associations. Blu,
unless supported they can do nothing
Modesty, but mos, earnestly do they ask
from every friend Of humanity, in city OF
country their generous assistance. And
shall We wiibold ia Wil."suo. rather