The national Republican., 1866-07-30

- Appeal from Portland.-Ths inhabit-
ants Of Portland, smitsn BY terrible disaster
than has ever fallen upon any American town Of like
population, constrained TO sppeai to their eosntry
men whom God hath prospsrsd TO help them in this
great calamity.
The undsrsigned are a sub committee appointed BY
representative committee from all the religious seeis
ties In the place. 10 solicit and receive contributions for
the relief Of our sufferers. .,.
We would fain have waited day or two TIL we could
present moreorma and definite statements Of
and our wants, but already We are ehsered by many
earnest inquiries come to from siAter cities and
towns in this State and beyond to know what we want
and what they can do to help MS.
We hasten to answer, respectfully but imporingly,
that need contributions Of money In large amount
and soon as may be.
Many thousands Of people homeless. The nrst
necessities Of food and temporary shelter were supplied
BY the activity Of citizens and the prompt kind
ness Of the nsghborng towns greatly aided by the
Of qussrmastsrs stores under the Immediate and gen
erous sanction Of the Secretary OF War But every hour
is revealing thousand distressing wants. which can
only be supplied by the judieous application Of cash
resources in large aggregate amount.
Thousands Of the sufferers have not change OF cloth
Ing, nor bed nor blanket Never was naagratop
so completely destructive. Great numbers Of families
have nothfng le Large quantities Of household goods
and other property were removed again and again to
places Of supposed safety but devoursd by the flames al
last
Our hearts bleed for the aged men and women for IN.
many hundreds Of little children and for the hell
Sick who had to pass through the horrors Of that dread
fol night, aud now have NO homes.
We cannot exaggerate this calamity, sympathiring
friends, who have In from other places declare
that all rumors Of the disaster far short Of the
frigbtful reality. ......
space Of more than one hundred and nty acres, In
the very hear Of our city but yesterday covered with
beautiful dwellings, with warehouses, stores maunae
toriss and large number Of public sdihces Is aow
desolas and appalling waste. This connagration ragged
more than twelve hours without any check and stopped
only when reached the vacant lands outside Of the
city. More than sx miles Of Streets but yesterday
closely lined both sdos with budings and thronssd
by busy and happy people, now scarcely afford foot
paths through the universal ruin We attempt hnd
where the homes Of our friends were standing three
days ago, and we lose ourselves In wilderness with
out one familiar object for guide.
To relieve the innumsrabls distress Of our homeless
townsmen, to sustain our laboring men and women
while they are waiting employment, to prevent far
Is possible the separation Of families cheer the hearts
Of hundreds Of mothers who, at this moment, do
nothing but hover over their groups Of little children
to assist those who will erect humble dwellings
the sites Of their lost homes, and to courage and
hope to all Of u.s. who to bear the burden Of rsstor
ons as the charity and good Judgment Of those who
this appeal may prompt them to give
Such s the activity Of people, and their dispos
tion to take Of themselves that with friendly help
for time, they will rise above this calamity but
the great number Of cases to be relieved demands large
contributions.
Countrymsni Priendsi Christiansi We know that
you will help u.s. We rely the impulses Of your pa
trioic brotherhood-on the msrcies Of your Christian
sympathy. Humbly and thankfully we acknowledge
that still under the favor Of Almighty dod and
are that He will dispose your hearts to wsrk
with Him for our relief
Contributors earnestly assured that all possible
will be taken In the distribution OF the bounty we
may receive. All disbursements will be under the ad-
vice Of responsible general committee, representing
all classes, and watching over all suffering interests
Every effort will be used to administer the supplies sim
ply 10 proportion to the necessities.
Mr. Spring, one Of the members Of the sub commit
tee, will act a. treasurer Of money donations.
II any persons or communities are disposed, In addi
tion to pecuniary gifts, to contribute also breadstus
cured meats, shoes, eloth building Materials they
requested to give notice Of the same TO Mr., HENRY
FOX, chairman Of the Executive Committee Of Relief
who will advise rs to forwarding,
Editors Of newspapers are respectfully requested to
publish this appeal ?, BARNks,
JACOB MoCLBLLAN,
SAMUBL X SPRING.
PORTLAND, July 2, 1866.