Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-12-11
HELP THE sUFFERING.


Gen Sherman has arrived at Knoxville
HELP THE SUFFERING.
There is, doubtless, a vast deal of suf-
fering in our city at present, in many of
the families of our volunteers who are
away fighting the battles of the country
To many Of these homes the winter sea-
son brings little else than cold, cherries,
pinching want. With the father, or hus-
band, or brother, or other protector alb
sent in the field, and no certain means of
subsistence other than the scanty pay of
the Government irregularly received, how
can it be otherwise than that distress
should show itself in many households
in which comparative comfort and plenty
have hitherto been enjoyed, especially
during the winter season The present
high prices Of nearly all the necessaries
of life, to say nothing Of the cruelty ex-
orbitant cost of fuel, add daily to the re-
morseless paugs of misery, and call loudly
to the benevolent to bestir themselves to
energetic action in the work Of mercy and
philanthropy.
While our people are packing up box
es and crowding luxury upon luxury to
send to the tents and camps of our brave
soldiers, we beg to suggest that their fam.
lilies are measurably left to suffer in dis
tress and want, from very neglect. Let
US remember that the amount Of pay of
the private soldier bears no sort of com.
parison to that of his wages were he at
home working at his usual employment,
and to man with even small family, it
is by no means sufficient to meet the de-
mands of the household, from one payday
TO another. No matter how much econo.
my is exercised, debt must be incurred or
his children must starye or go ragged
about the streets. Now this should not
be Nay it MUST NOT BE. The families oi
the fighting men of the nation are not to
he made paupers and Migrants because
Of the neglect Of those who stay at home
nor must they be considered as mere oh
,eets OF a cold and grudging charity. L
Is the duty Of our citizens to care for then
and protect them from the rigors of tn,
winter and the assaults of poverty. TIL,
community owes it to the soldiers to dc
this Every citizen who remains at HON,
is indebted to these families and is rcli-
giously bound TO contribute his full sbar,
towards their comfort and happiness, SC
long as the responsible heads of thos,
families are Drawing and breasting til,
storm of battle in defence of the nation,
life against treason and traitors.
We submit, then, in view Of this, tina
some organization should at once b
formed that will speedily raise the mean
Of alternating properly the suffering tina
now shows itself throughout our city. |
must not be mere spasmodic outburst q
lip philanthropy that will blow itself GU
in empty sounds at the street corners in
week or two, but permanent, systemati
reality, that will show itself in works AM
acts calculated to relieve the want
Of the worthy poor, stately an
certainly. Why cannot company c
gentlemen take this matter in hand a
once We certainly have enough 9
them in this city willing to make spt
cial effort in this direction. Once Oh
ganlzed and some feasible plan Of 81.
tematic beneyoleuce adopted, they vii
not want for funds to make their obec
practical. The great difficulty heretofore
and which always stands in the way {
the most benevolent enterprises has bee
and is the want of proper system in til
distribution Of charity. With this obie,
tion removed, a much smaller fund ca
be made to go farther and do more re
good, than the most bountiful means will
", eonfusedly and in hap-hazard mai
ner dispensed
We trust that these few remarks ma
have their intended effect upon the pull
lie mind and conscience in this behal
and that we may soon hear that plent
and gladness and joy shall cheer I'll
hearihstones of the loved and lonely ones
for whose protection and happiness tn
brave but absent soldier prays as he walk
his midnight watch or rests his weary
aehing body upon the hard and froze
ground-aoor of his fragile tent.