The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1860-11-14
DRLUsIoNs-CHAR1rY.

ceive themselves and others; and pro
jects THAI at first appear plausible and
praissworthy. may. on closer inspec
lion. prove the very reverse. 1t no'
unfreQuenlly happens, too. that indivi'
duals with really good motives are
blinded by personal interest and deceiv.
I'd BY the guide Of private gain.
Al the present time theie is project
on foot for the relief Of the distressed
in Kansas. which We fear is Of ,hi.
kind.
That our people need aid. need il
badly and quickly. is beyond doubt;
but the idea OF building railroads ou, OF
the product of the benevolent sympa
,hies Of the people OF the States towards
their brethren in the territory, We think
is mistake. Like paper town. it locks
well on paper. and sounds well in
speech; bul il has to our mind certain
look Of fabulousness which DESTROYS
the charm Of lis exterior show.
We do not wish TO be understood as
doubling tie purity Of motive Of those
who are the originaIors Of the move
ment; We give them credit for all the
benevolent feelings they profess and
feel; but it appears tp-ns as palpable as
daylight, that pirate interest has given
sAape and contour to these emotions. and
led them cut in the direction they hsy.
;xken.
Al The 6rst blush it struck US tina.
the construction Of railroad At this
time in Kansas as benevolent mea-
cure. MAS decidedly good thing; but a
further examination of tho scheme has
snsirely dissipa,ed these first favorable
impressions. The scheme is esiden,ly
one that has been hastily conceived and
is very lame for the accomplishment Of
lis prsssn; proposed object.
In the first place. the exsct location
Of the road proposed to be made, is
probably no, We. determined upon-,he
route still to be surveyed and settled.
II will lake lime to 20 this. In the
next place. the money is 10 be raised
BY the slow process Of subscription 10
carry forward the enterprise; aud. il
these two are accomplished. then notice
mus. be given for hands TO come for
ward and work.
II is no more than reasonable to SUP.
pose that u, least three months will be |
consumed in these pT-liminaries. with
the utmost speed tina: can be made, be-
fore work can BE- commenced in carnes,
SAY TO the beginning OF February;
and by that time farmers will need to
begin preparations for the spring work
upon their lands: SO lha, this class Of
citizens. who probably need aid the
worst. will not be benefited BY the ar
at all.
But suppose the prcliminaries were
already over; the road definitely located
and the funds in hand 10 proceed; how
many OF the settlers in the TERRITORY
could find employment ! Probably
abous five hundred. certainly not more
Than one thousand. Many would be
prevented by distance, others By the
greater need Of home cares, SO that the
fewess number could be benefited, and
he great body. rto could not avoa item
'elres Of tho ofef Of lcbor on tie road
would be LEFT to sgfer; for it is well
.nown fact that large schemes Of be-
,evolence direct attention away from
'maller ones; and the word going out
hat hundred for Two or five hundred {
Is the case may be) thousand uollars
'ad been raised 10 give employment 10
he sufferers in Kansas would at once .
tut an end 10 minor efforts for l:l.e re-
lei of The sies,itu.e Who are in the ter.
tory Ask man to contribute aid. 4
nd he would meet you with the decla- |
alton that half million of dollars had !
lready gone there. and what need was
here for more /! The few, therefore. I,
Tho obtain work on the road (wllo could n
o so would be benefited a. the cx-
euse Of the many. i,
Nothing viii paralyze SO effectually Il
,e general feeling of bencyolence. e
'hich viii send forward thousands of n
ollars in small contributions from every Al
art of the country. Ike little rivulets 81
elected into great river. as the pro- Il
ulgasion Of the fact that a vast scheme ol
charity on a scale Of superlAtiye mag IL
6cence has gone into operation. which 0l
to prove panacea TO the ills Of