The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-09-29
glle MloEtelk s.ust.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1865.
THE PEOPLES COLUMN.
THE SANITARY CONDITION OF
NORFOLK.

NORFOLK, Va, Sept. 9Th, 1860.
EDITOR PoST:-I want to second
your suggestions of yesterday morning,
respecting preparations for the much-to-
be-dreaded approach OF the cholera.
1T is so easy, so habitual, with most
people to let Incidence, or, at least, in
difference, carry them beyond the point
of safety when danger threatens, and
then wien they are III the grasp of the
foe, begin to deplpre their want of pre-
paration for the trial and, perhaps be-
fore they can sufficiently recover from
the first surprise, to make one real eff
fcctive effort to meet the danger, they
are so securely tettered and fastened as
to make effort useless.
All this is especially true ofthe time
when disease threatens. Habits and
sanitary conditions which, viewed III
| the light of reason and prudence, would
| shock and alarm, are permitted TO eXlsl
and exert their weakening, destructive
| influence, upon individuals and the
| community, without one serious thought
by those most deeply interested.
| For example No other part Of any
| city ever suffers us much from an invas
| ion of disease as the poorer, densely'
| crowded portions, where dirt and degra
| datlOn run riot, and accomplish theil
| work unchecked. Yet, if warning
| voice is heard, or friendly hand out.
stretched to save the endangered, it is
| the voice or the hand of some favored
one, whose own life is secure The i'm
perilled walk their death darkened
streets, and breathe their death-lader
air, with apparent heedlessness of theil
danger. For this reason there is a mora
responsibility resting upon the well-to-
| do, the wealthy and strong, which vii
! not permit them, innocently, to wait 70
| the cry of distress from the poor deni
| zeus of the hovel and the hut
1t is known that the occupant
of the miserable Gens which crow
so closely every narrow, filthy lane
our cities, are ignorant OF their DANCE
and so, though death stalk right throug
their homes day and night, will pass o
and become an easy prey TO anyyirulen
disease that may casually be Introduce
among them. But this is not plea 70
the poor, the degraded alone, but for tn
rich, the refined, as well. Ii chartabl
motives will not induce the better to al
tempt the relief of the poorer portions {
the inhabitants, yet should selt-intere'
operate to lead them TO the work, for tt
sway of an epidemic is not confined
its first victims, its place OF bcGinnin
1t may, ere its course Is run, have visit'
the palace and have destroyed wealth
fairest and richest treasures, as well
have given deeper shade to the dal
life of poverty.
So, rich. happy neighbor, when,
your way to the place OF business
pleasure, YOU pass the street or nov
| ,ci, tho N a tIY.p1 firm
of poverty and ignorance are fast m
turing, do not let the sad sight pass u
remarked, or the terrors which SUI
: scenes foretell pass unrebuked. Spe;
| out your thoughts; tell the people tn
; something must be done, or the power
do may soon be lost. Seek to save Il
+ blinded children of wretched power
5, from the fate their own ignorance hid
: from their eyes, and so place anoth
+ barrier between death and your oW
+ household.
d Especially in Norfolk should we thin
4 of these things. No city is more e.
Q posed to infection from foreign port
for, though less intimately and less e.
tensively connected with such ports
commerce than some other of the A
lantic cities, yet it is at any hour lab
| to receive the seeds of some mallSnal
diste upper, which, in Il few short week
mipht destroy one-half of the city.
THAT the present condition of the low
narts of the city is just such as won
help to develop and hasten the work
such germs OF death when once plantt
here. is patent to every clear-sight'
nerson of clearly habits and good tas
who has had occasion to pass throuG
,anv of the narrow, closeiy-packed alle
or lanes leading North and South fro
Main street all the way from the Custo
House to Church street. -, -,
IT is no eXaggeration to say that u
offensive stencil arising from the gutter
YES. from every square foot of pavemee
in these lanes, is really shocking, ana
= does seem as though the occupants
; such places must die OF sheer disgust
their situation. :,
1t may be almost utterly impfacticaf
to nreyept the inmates of these places
filthy misery from living as they q
without any regard to personal or 9th
tJecency: but it is practicable to cause
streets where these dens are to be clea
al aud disinfected thoroughly, and to
jxant so day and night through eve
week in the year.
Labor and lime are cheap. Busih.
is flourishing aud profitable. Moni
men. all men of any commercial
other importance Whatever, can well
ford to pay the light tax which would
imposed upon them were this work
;, cleansing and renoyating performed ,. .
The authorities are responsible for I
york. and they should look to the pr
p n expecting not only full support
he effort to put the city in safe con'
ton, but severe eensafe II they On s1
c. ouch effort.