New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-07-19
THE PORTLAND SUFFERERS.

Quartemaster General Meigs has telegraphed the
Mayor Portland that in accordance with the act Of Con
gress wooden blankets coats pantaloons drawer bedsack
cooking stoves complexities tents and abundance
Of bedding win be placed at the disposal Of the city author
ities for the benefit Of the sufferers.
The following appeal has been issued by committee Of the
religious societies Of Portland;
The inhabitants Of Portland smen by terrible dis
than has fallen upon any American town Of like
population constrained to appeal TO er counymen
whom God Las prospered help them in this great calamity
The undersigned are subcommittee. appointed by repre-
sentative committee from oil the re gious societies in the
place TO solicit and receive contributions Tor The ree1 OF our
sufferers.
We would an have waited day or two till we could present
formal and definite statements OF our losses and our
wants bat already cheeIed by many generous gifts
come TO us from our sister this State and
beyond to know what We want and what they can do TO help
We hasten to answer respectfully but mploringy that
need contributions Of money in large amount and as
Many thousands of people homeless. The first
cessties Of food and temporary shelter supplied by the
activity OF our own citizens and the prompt Kindness OF The
neghborng greatly aided by the Of Qn0rermster
under the immediate and generous sanction q the Sec
resry OF War Bat every hour is revealing thousand dis
ressng wants. which only be supplied by the udcious sp
pcation OF cash resources in large aggregate amount
Thousands OF the sufferers have change Of clothing
bed nor blanket Never confagration so com
peey destructive Great Numbers OF families have nothing
g Large quantities OF household goods and other property
removed again and again to places Of supposed safety
but deyoured BY the flames at last
Our hearts bleed for the aged and for the
hundreds Of little children and for the helpless sick who had
through the horrors Of that dreadful night and
have no homes.
We eIaggerate this calamity. Synpabizing friends
who have III from other places declare that all rumors Of
the disaster were short Of the frghtlul reality
OF more than $50 in the heart OF city
but yesterday covered With beautiful dwellings with
houses stores manufactures and large number OF public ed
fces desolae and appalling waste. This coDnagra
ton ragged than IL hours without cheek and stopped
only 1t reached the lands outside OF the city,
More than SIX miles Of streets but Yesterday closely lined
both sides with buildings and thOnged by busy and happy
people scarcely afford fo0ipai through the universal
ruin We attempt find whore homes Of our friends
standing three DAYS and lose ourselves wilder
ness. without one familiar object for guide.
To relieve the nnumerabe dittese homeless towns
meo 10 sustain our aboring and while they
waiting employ ment 70 prevent far possible the
ration Of families 10 cheer the who
this moment do nothing but groups If
little children, 70 assist those who viii humble
dwellings the sites Of their lost homes and
and hope 10 all OF who bear the burdens Of
the wastes we need all such pecuriary contributions the
charity and good Judgment OF those who this appeal may
prompt them TO give.
Such the activity Of people, and their disposition to
take Of themselves, that with friendly hello
they wall rise above this caay but the great
Of eases TO be relieved demands large contributions
COuntrym Frleldsi Chrlsansi We know that you
will help We rely the impulses q your paoc brother.
thankfully acknowledge that still under OF
Almighty God and that he will dispose your
hearts work with Him for relief
Contributors earnestly assured that all lie will
be taken tho distribution Of tie bonnfy An
disbursements viii be under tie advce Of responsible gen
eral committee representing all classes aL Watching ali
suffering interests Every effort will DO used administer
the supplies simply in proportion to the necessities
MIR. Spring Of the members OF f Subcommittee Wi
act Qs ITeasDTcT " mOlty dOuutOuE