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
sociation private benevolence, and the liberality
of employers, who could not see the families of
worthy and industrious operatives suffer from
lack of the merest necessareS 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 philanthropc Associations, a ready re-
spouse indicates the willingness of the gver to do
whatever lies within his or her power, 10 provide
food and clothing and fuel for those who might
otherwise be cod and hungry, and iIl-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 a position that admits of con-
slant drain upon their means, without
trenchng upon their 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, constrains them to draw their
purse strings. So long as the distress prom
Uses to be but temporary in its nature; so long,
for instance, the belief prevails that when the
rigor 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 10 the
'good time coming" not utterly depressed,
and people, who are in better circumstances pecu-
niarily, will strain point or two for "sweet
"Charity's 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 a 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
aaddest of prose-the customary "spring trade"
languishes, and no man may foretell when the
existing depression will be removed something
stronger than the mere generous impulse which
prompts the heping-hand on ordinary occasions
is needed to meet adequately the exigency. There
are, upon a 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 subsst; but the former imperatively
need assistance, and it is the bounden duty OF
those who have the wherewithal and to spare, to
furnish it, 1t is not simply moral obligation
It's observance is essential to maintaining
respect for the laws, and to the preservation Of
social order Men who are brought through nc
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, very apt, under
the pressure of poverty to entertain strangely
heerodox ideas in relation to the rights o
property. No subher tempter ever prompted
to wrong doing than hunger in the house
hold. There exists no stronger incentive to
lawless excuses than enforced idleness. It lead
to low and degrading associations. 1t tempts ever
men habitually sober to drown their cares il
strong drink; it perVerts good habits into evi
ones, and, in connection with absolute indulgence
blunts the moral sense and makes men who wer
good citizens, good husbands, good fathers, hon
est, sober and laborious, careless and indiffer
ent to the opinion of the community in whicl
they live, and from being at first moody and en-
vious only, to gradually become reckless and des
perate. We do not say that our unemployec
operatives have as yet reached this pass. We ar
well assured, indeed, that they have not. Thei
pride, and some remains of their old spirit of indie
pendence have kept them measurably free, thus far
from communicating influences; but man
strength of resolution, under adverse conditions c
fortune, cannot last forever; or, if 1t is success
fully maintained, it can only be by the supper
derived from acts Of substantial kindness ex
tended to him when he most stands in nee,
of such attentions; and we earnestly hope that
difficult as 1t may be on the part of others at tbi
time, to meet the continued demand upon thei
own restricted means, they will not, for their ow,
sakes and for the credit and honor of our citv
weary In well doing.