The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1859-09-15
Insurance Against Fire.

There is a subject to which We wish to
call the especial attention of every reader
of The AHeghanian, and it is the subject
of INSURANCE. Amongst all the various
institutions of the day, it looms up as one
of the most important and useful. Modern
times have furnished to mankind variety
Of inventions and means for improving
their condition, but certainly none of
them can better or more worthily excite
our admiration or gratitude than the
system of Insurance. 1t has become a
part of our civilization, and gives unmis-
taxable evidence of the wise policy and
constantly progressive spirit of our people
We live in an age of progress, and Insu-
rance is one of its concomitants. 1t is not
a new system, comparatively speaking, but
it is one which has recently been developed
and properly brought before the people.
The benign influence which the system
Of Insurance exerts upon our present So
cial organization, should commend it to
the patronage of every property-owner in
the land, and to the encouragement of
every philanthropist, whether an owner
of property or not. There live but few
individuals who would care to part with
property, without some fitting equivalent
either in present or in prospect. There
are few, no matter how rich in this world
goods they may be, who have property
that they feel able to lose, even though
that property be trifing and of little val
ue. And yet, how often do we find it
that many who are enjoying the comforts
of hard-earned home-many who are
fast pressing onward to independence, are
nearly if not entirely ruined by their neg
lect to insure. The earnings of whole
life may be swept away by single fire,
and the party neglecting to indemnify
himself against such calamity be plunged
into state of hopeless destitution-
Thrown upon the cold charities of the
world, his youth and energy gone, he
perhaps seeks consolation from the intox-
icating bowl, and drags out miserable
existence, rendered still more SO by the
consciousness of his own folly and neglect
Perhaps, too, he may have family. If
so, how bitterly must he realize the truth
OF the saying, "If a man provide not for
his own household, he hath denied the
faith, and is worse than an infdel." What
change is thus wrought in the social
position of that household! Home and
its endearments gone, husband and faith
er unable to provide for their necessities,
the mother untitled to earn a livelihood
the children without education-and all
without hope-they too are cast upon the
cold charities of the world-they too are
made to feel the bitter pangs of penury
and want This is sad picture truly.
but not overdrawn. Its counterpart MIGHT
readily be produced but comparisons are
| odious.
Against reverses like these, Insurance
furnishes adequate means of protection.
1t has been well said, that ga stitch in
time saves nine,' and nowhere does the
maxim better apply than to insurance upon
property. But small pittance from your
income is required to secure yourself
against the probable loss of your house or
your barn. If they are not DESTROYED by
the destructive element, you will not feel
the amount you have expended for their