The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-14
APPROACH OF THE CHOLERA.

L I06 RTduudt OuU ibCNtpetOiS "PPAOoSi
of this terrible scourge to Western Eu
rope is regarded everywhere with tn
most anxious alarm. News has arrive,
at the State Department, that it has al
ready reached the Island of Malta, tn
former stronghold of the knights of 81
John, but at present under the protec
/ ton Of the British Crown. From thi
island, situated midway between Europ
and Africa, in the Mediterranean, Their
Is but step for it to reach Europe, an,
as ills a disease;that travels in currents O
air and is not considered contagious
going wherever the winds wish to bea
the monster-its course may prove SUI
ficently erratic. 1t is not without cause
then, that great excitement is felt in Eu
rope, and that it is fast extending to thi
country: for we know not the day moi
the hour when its terrible presence may
bring death in our midst, and strike ter
ror to the boldest hearts. We have had
sufficient experience heretofore of the
rapidity with which it travels, and the
certainty of its journeyings, to warn us
now to put our house in order and pre-
| pare ourselves against its coming.
Whether cleanliness, and the use of dis
injecting, agents will. have any power or
effect in diverting its course, or keeping
it away entirely, we are not prepared to
say, as the subject is one that has been
more studied by physicians than editors;
but, we think. in the absence of scien-
tifc knowledge on this point, every pre-
caution should be taken, andall sanitary
measures and regulations adopted, at
once, and then if it does come, we will, at
least have the qualification of feeling
that we did all in our power TO prevent
it, and that it is not our own faults of
omission that recoil upon our heads, but
the hand of God that visits us for our
sins.
How are our cities on the Atlantic
coast prepared to receive this expected
visitor? Were it not for fear of being
accused of levity on so grave subject,
we would reply, ''Not as they were pre-
pared to receive other distinguished visi-
tors, or great plaques, such as Kossuth,
the Prince of Wales, or the japanese en-
bassadors." No, the Atlantic cities could
expend millions for such ostentatious
receptions and mutual-admiration glo-
rifications, but when the dread angel
of death signifies his approach, we fear
they are disposed to listlessly fold their
arms and await his coming with that
calmness and serenity of aspect which
distinguished the venerable Senators of
Rome, who patiently and silently retain
ed their seats in the market place till
the cerulean-eyed soldiers of Brennus
pulled their boards to ascertain if they
were statues or living men. We can an
'wer this question for Norfolk. We are
lot prepared; and unless little more |
mercy or little more fear of personal |
can be infused into the |
'ody polite, now in charge of our city |
lfairs, we fear that we must meet the |
cholera if it comes, even as the Senators
net their fate. --
Measures should at once be taken to
sieanse and purify the city in all its
parts, and especially in the neighbour
lood OF the docks. This should be done
egardless OF expense, for what is the |
'alue OF any amount of money compared |
o the lives of our wives and children
he desolation of our hearths-the de- |
truction of our household gods ? Let
IS be awakened, then, at once, to the
Of the work before us--for
his direful disease is no respecter of sea-
ons. 1t comes in the dead of winter the
sme as in the heat ofsummer, amid the
lowers OF spring, and while we are
altering the golden fruits of autumn
md Its march is more fearful than the
march of an army with banners. The
Mourning and sorrow of the four years
If war through which we have lust
passed would be as nothing compared to
single months visitation of cholera-for
var taxes only our strong and healthy
men, whose duty and whose glory it is
o fall amid the roar and carnage of bat
lie, but pestilence respects no age, nor
ex, nor condition; but in every house,
lold there is weeping and wailing for
he loved ones-for the fair child, the
'eauteous maiden, the loved wife, the
loble husband, the reverend father and
be venerated mother. Sad and mournful
the march of the pestilence! |,
Then let us prepare for it at once; and
OF only we of Norfolk, but every city
! the neighborhood or on the Atlantic
,ast should put its house in order. We
, not desire to create panic, but mere [
to point out the impending danger
I'd invoke ournuthorities to exert their
most efforts to save us from the scourge.
ANOTHER HIT AT NORFOLK. Is
There is a set of hungry looking b.
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