Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-11-10

Who shall feed the destitute and needy the
coming Winter ? is a question of great sgnif-
canoe at the present moment, and one which, de-
mandiug immediate solution, neglect to do this
will as certainly bring trouble and suffering, its
legitimate consequence, as will any effect follow
its cause.
Nor will the evil fall wholly upon those who
are to be fed, but more probably upon those who
| should feed them. People must eat. The ami
NAL nature in man is now for the most part
strongest, and will control. (What change sub
sequent development and condition may effect, 1
leave for the metaphysician and psychologist to
determine) Hence the demand of empty
stomach will be stronger than that of right or
duty the calls of hunger more imperative than
those of conscience so that the body will COM
pei supply OF its needs, however hazardous and
unrighteOus the means, however perilous the
consequences-be they even such as, under ordi-
nary circumstances the soul would rebel against
or fear to encounter.
Now, would those who have the means, live
secure and feel safe through the quickly approach
ing Indictment season, they must give this matter
immediate attenton-must act without delay !;
remove at once the temptation to the poor to
dishonesty and crime, rather than leave them to
be overcome by what they have not strength to
resist.
4 The poor must be fed warmed, and sheltered,
the coming Winter. That's undeniable fact.
How shall it hest be accomplished is the prob
lem. Shall it be at the public expense, by indi-
vidual effort, or by combination of the two
Associated action, under such circumstances,
would seem preferable to individual, as being
more likely to prove effectual However, this
may be decided by those who wise and far
sighted enough to do so, in consultation with
each other-tO effect which, series of meetings
should be Immediately commenced to devise and
act upon the best means of relieving the present
and coming wants of the poor.
Probably nearly quite enough of " broken
BITS" of 20 the crumbs which fall from the rich
mems tables" are daily collected by the street
beggars, if judicously prepared and distributed,
10 give one wholesome, nutritious meal to each
needy one in the city. But those who collect
this are injudicious in its use; they lack econo-
my-the ability to husband their means to the
best advantage, and So much of its use is lost
Gould not all that the wealthy have to spare in
this way be better placed at the disposal of some
one competent to it efficiently The City
Missionary says that beggars frequently come to
him, and he supplies them with many meal
But he cannot afford to do this from his own
means alone. Could he not take charge of the
donations of food, cothing, &c, or recommend
some one that would do it, and husband them
with more economy than could the poor them.
selves?
Soup houses have proved very satisfactory in
their results in London, Paris, and even in New
York, where they have been opened. In the two
former cities, crushed bones, even, have been
used for making soups, which, as all who are ac-
quainted with the nature of the geatinous sub
stances which they contain, know would be both
palatabe and nutricious. And thus the 'broken
bits which would doubtless be freely contribu-
ted, and could easily be collected, might, in the
hands of judicious and competent persons, be con.
verted into plain, yet nutritious, soups and pud-
dinuS and iOr UPWARDS
the cravings of hunger, but checking the Iavages
of crime, by destroying its ineentlves-cold and
hunger.
Without some similar or perhaps some better
means, we may reasonably expect daily cata-
logue OF crimes fearful to anticipate-how much
more to experience How cheaply might the
rich, in some such way, purchase security against
the painful annoyance of street beggary and the
dread Of burglary and theft, of their houses and
property. How much cheaper for the city to thus
prevent crime, than to furnish and support its
perpetrators.
. The present fearful crisis is but legitimate
retTlbutlon for excuses in trade and commerce,
which have their laws truly as has nature and
God, and which can no more be violated with i'm
punity And the prime movers in these excess
es and violations, by which they have perhaps &C
oumulated fortunes, may think they purchase alb
solution from farther punishment very cheaply,
ii they can do SO by helping to support the poor,
who have been tools and victims, for little sea-
son. Besides, by doing this, they but fulfil the
command naturally inferred from the declaration,
1.-THE poor ye have always with ye'" Could the
destitute be supplied with labor, and TINS earn
subsistence, so much the better.
Let those competent to arrange this matter set
directly about doing so. B.