New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-16
THE COMING DANGKR.

THE COMING DANGRR. sal
Death seems to be riding his Pale Horse over
desert, plain, sea, and city-and we trace his
march from Asia and Africa to Constantinople,
thence through the countries Of the Danube and
over the mountains to Spain-until his advance
when last heard from was eneamped in Man
chester, England. Whether he has time to
cross the Atlantic or not before the frosts come
we cannot say, but Manchester is not many
DAYS distant and Death seems to travel with
the swiftness of tho morning. We should not
be surprised to see his grim majesty any day
debarking at Castle Garden and riding up
Broadway. We do not expeotthe fros's tor SIX
or eight weeks, and no might have busy time
during that period, with time to prepare
ior the coming Summer. When We know
that cholera IL comfortable disease,
and that the mcrcst prudence on the part OF
ei,izep or State would stay its progress, it seems
almost madness for US to hesitate. Measures
should at once be taken TO put the country in
condition of sanitary defense. 1t might be done
BY the regular authorities, but they never do
the right thing at the hight time Somebody
should do it. Every man in ms own spnee
can do much toward preventing this pes,''cpee'
All plaques, cholera, and yellow fever
especially, assail the intemperate aud unwary
first. If a man lives life OF dissipation and
|recklessness, drinks vile liquors, allows his
system to become Initiated and delilitated by
disease, he will pass away before the
contagion like breath. We invite dis
ease when we wrong the laws Of nature.
We become easy victims to pestilence when we
allow the liver to become deranged, and the
lungs TO lose power, aud the brain to become
heated and oppressed by long hours Of sloth and
intemperance Every man, therefore. should
mount guard over himself and his homo to re-
sent the progress of the invader.
This, however, will not meet the great duty
that lies before us. Everybodys case is no.
body's case, and TO drive back disease we must
organize the proper effort. A correspondent
suggests the Sanitary Commission as a proper
organization. He thinks the city should be
divided into small districts. and that benevolent
and shrewd visitors should 60 into each district
advising and suggesting the proper hygienic
measures. They should have 1t in their power
to apply dishfcctants of all kinds, and at all
times, so as to destroy the unhealthy exhala-
tons. Our tenement houses should receive
special attention, and every effort made to
secure pure ventilation, and induce proper d.
ctary laws among the poor. III cases OF extreme
or helpless poverty, money might be distributed
to aid in the purchase of clothing or bedding or
removing impurities in the furniture Of the
houses While, ofcoursc, it would be impossible
to remodel our sewerage, this correspondent
thinks that it might be greatly improved,
SO that tho miasma that burdens the ar
with death should be prevented. Properly
aided, the Sanitary Commission might do the
whole work, and save thousands OF lives.
Our correspondents plan is perhaps as good
as any. Voluntary organization may do some
thing, but we hardly think it viii reach the root
Of the danger. A number Of good people may
yet together and passresolutions against cholera
and subscribe hundred thousand dollars
for sanitary purposes-and number Of needy
people will spend it. WheI the money end
the labor will end--ind when the good people
=, are called upon for more they will probably in
vite you to call on somebody else. ""o" ~
aaanger really oomes-when 10000 men ant
\ women are dead-wc shall SEQ noble evidences
Of courage and energy, self.sacrifce and self
denial--Our people daring death himself in thu
effort to destroy his horrors. These sacrifices al
ways come too late. We do not want devotion
merely-romantic struggling with death il
the hour Of his highest triumphs. Let us taxi
the housewives maxim as she locks the cream
away from tho cats" al ounce Of prevention
Lis worth pound of cure" What We want il
Systematic, authoritative action. We want {
Commission of wise and active men, who car
60 to those nests Of disease and death witt
power to act" Let New-York be purified from
palace to hoyel-give disease no resting place
cleanse, drench, purge and sweeten' give vi
fresh air, water-and plenty OF it. DO moi
exact exhausting labor Aid the poor man Il
buy house in the suburbs without paying
fancy prices for land and lumber. II Is
mighty task, with an endless variety OF socia
reforms, and worthy the genius and devotion o.
our people. Let it be done, and done quickly