The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-29

The Association for the Improvement of the
Condition of the Poor; the Mechanics Relief AS
ISOLATION; private benevolence and the liberalitv
oil employers, who could not see the families of
worthy and industrious operatives suffer from
lack OF the merest necessarieS of life have up to
this time, done much in the way of relieving the
wants Of the most necessitous. But it is obvious
that even Charity is virtue which cannot be
exercised beyond certain limits. To the earliest
appeals OF philanthropic Associations ready re-
spouse indicates the willingness of the giver to do
whatever lies within his or her power, to provide
food and clothing and fuel for those who might
otherwise be cold, and hungry, and il-clad As
those appeals grow more frequent, the responses
become fewer in number, and the soliciting agents
are met with expressions of deep sympathy in
stead of substantial aid. 1t is natural that this
should be so. There are very few persons who
are in position that admits of con-
slant drain upon their means, without
trenching upon their own especial needs
There are many who can afford to give once or
twice, or thrice and who do so cheerfully; but
there must be point at which consideration for
their own family, constrans them to draw their
purse strings. So long as the distress prom
Uses to be but temporary in its nature; so long
for instance, as the belief prevails that when the
rgor of winter is passed, returning spring
will bring with it the usual activity of loom, and
plane, and trowel, and anvil; the clink of
hammers in the workshops and the busy
hum of reviving trade, in stores, and warehouses,
and factories; in the streets and on the wharves-
so long as that hope is entertained, the spirits of
those who are looking eagerly forward to the
good time coming" are not utterly depressed,
and people, who are in better circu instances pecu-
niarily, will strain point or two for "sweet
Charity sake, in further aid of the sufferers
But when-as, unfortunately, it SO happens with
us at this time-an exceptional state of affairs
arises, and in relation to the future we are walking
IN MIST not. knowing whether it will be sue
ceeded by fair weather or by storm and tempest
when-to drop the figure and to speak in the
saddest of prose-the customary "spring trade,
languishes, and no man may foretell when tha
existing depression will be removed, sometime
stronger than the mere generous mpnlse which
prompts the helping-band on ordinary occasions
is needed to meet adequately the exigency. There
are upon reasonable calculation, not less than
fifteen thousand operatives unemployed in this
city at the present time. There are vast number
o: others who are working upon half time or at
reduced wages. These latter may manage with |
economy to subsist; but the former imperativeIv |
need assistance, and it is the boundeu duty of
those who have the wherewithal and to snare. TO |
furnish it. 1t is not simply moral obligation.
Its observance is essential to maintaining
far ba 1ayt,s A.
social order. Men who are brought, through no
fault OF their own, to a condition of want. who
are willing, nay, anxious to work. and who. with
every desire to earn an independent livelihood
find their best efforts foiled, are very apt, under
the pressure of poverty to entertain strangely
heterodox ideas in relation to the rights of
property. No subtler tempter ever promnted
to wrong doing than hunger in the house.
hold. There exists no stronger incentive 70
lawless excuses than enforced idleness. IT loads
to low and degrading associations 1t tennis even |
men habitually sober to drown their cares in
strong drink; it perverts good habits into evil
ones, and in connection with absolute indulgence
olunts the moral sense and makes men who were
goou ciuzens' good husbands, good fathers, hon. |
est sooer anu laborious, careless and indffer |
ent TO the OPINION OF the community in which
they live, and from being at first moody and an.
vous only, to gradually become reckless and do.
perate. We do not say that our unemn1oroa
operatives have as yet reached this pass. We are
well assured, indeed, that they have not. Their
pride, and some remains of their old spirit of indie
pendence have kept them measuraby free, thus far
from communicating influences; but mans
strength OF resolution, under adverse conditions of
lor'une cannot last forever; or, if it is success
iuity maintained it can only be by the support
derived from acts of substantial kindness ex.
tended 10 him when he most stands in need
Of sucn attentions and we earnestly hone that.
difficult as 1t may be on the part Of Others ~ ,hs
time, to meet the continued demand mo, ,saS
own restricted means, they will not for ,ba;, 'e
sakes and for the credit and honor of onr wv wv
weary in well doing.