Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1866-07-20
VOLUME 80. NO. 30.
Appeal from Portland.

The inhabitants Of Portland. snitfen bv a
more terrible disaster tkan has ever fallen
upon any American town. of Ike popula-
ton. are constrained % appeal % their coun-
tr.-nen. vhon God hath prospered. 90 help
them IN this great calamity.
The undersigned are a sub-comrnitfee. ap-
pointed oy representative committee from
All TIE religious Societies IN The place. 20 90
heit and reeve contributions for the relief
Of our sufferer
We would fam hsve waited A dsv or two.
al Ne could present more formal and def
nIte statements OF our losses and our wants:
but. already. Ne are oheered by manv gen
erous gifts from abroad. anticipating our
appeal. and earnest inquiries come 20 US
from our sister cItIes and towns. IN this State
and beyond. 90 know what are want. and
What they can DO to help Us
We hasten % answer. respectfully bat i'm
ploringly. that We need contributions of
money. IN large amount. and a. soon a. may
be.
Many thousands cf our people are home
less The hrst necessities Of food and tenn
Porary shelter we're supplied by the activity
OF our Own eIiizsns. and the prompt kind
ness of the neighboring towns. ere atly aided
BY the use Of quarterniaster's storrs. under
the immediate and generous sanction Of the
Secretary Of War. Bot every hour Is re-
Eealing Thousand distressing wants. which
can only be supplied by the iudicious appli-
eaton OF cash resources. IN large aggregate
amount.
Thousands Of the sufferers have no, a
change Of clothing. nor bed. nor blanket.
Never Was a conhagration 90 completely de-
struciive Great numbers Of families have
nothing leit- Large quantities OF household
goods. and other property. we're removed
again and again. % places Of supposed safe
ty. bot devoured by the flames AZ last
Der he-rts bleed for the aged men and
women. for the many hundreds Of little
children. and ior the helpless sick. who had
20 pass through the borrors Of that dreadful
night and now have no homes
We cannot exaCgerate this caiaruitv.-
Sympathizing irends. ~ho have come IN
from Other places. declare that al rrnnors Of
the disaster were iar shor; of the reality.
space of more than one hundred and e.
o acres in the very heart of our ci.v. bat
yesterday covered with beautiful dwellings.
Nth warehouses. stores. manufac'ories and
large nsmbcr of public edifccs. is now a
desolate and appalling waste This cOnfa-
grafton ragged more than twelve hours with
out any check. and stopped onlv when il
reached the vacant lands outside the city
More than six miles Of streets. bat Yesterday
closely lined on both sides with buildings,
and thronged hy busy and happy people.
nov scarcely afford foot paths through the
universal rum. We attempt 20 find where
the homes 81 our friends we're standing three
days ago. and We lose ourselves IN a wilder
Ness. without one familiar object for a guide.
To relieve the iunGmerable distresses Of
our homeless t0wns1ncn. 70 Sustain our Ia
boring men and women while they are wait
ing employment, % prevent a. far as posi-
bic the separation 81 families. % cheer the
hearts of hundred Of mothers. Who. a. tins
moment can DO nothing but hover over the
groups Of hitle Children. 90 assist those Who
viii soon ercc, humble dwellings on the sites
Of their lost homes. and 20 give courage and
hope % an fus. who arr % bear the burden
Of restoring these wastes. We need all such
pecuuiary contributions. a. the charity and
good ind gnent Of those who see this appeal.
may prompt them 90 give.
Such is the activity OF our people. and
their disposition % take care II themselves.
that. with friendly help ior a time. they viii
soon rise above this calamity bot the great
number of cases 90 BE- relieved demands
large contributions.
C5untrymcn. Friendsi Christians, We
know thar you will help u.s. We rely on
tie impulses oi rour patriotic brotherhood
o. tbe mercies ~ rour Christian sympathy
A.A NlalllNaA.lAlN NlllA
~ ar stl under the as0r oil Almighty
God. and We are sure that lie viii dispose
your hearts to work With Him for our relief
Contributors are earnestly assured that
All possible cars Will be taken m the distri-
button oi the bouuty &c NAV receive All
disburscments vii bc under the advice Of
responsible general committee. represent
ing 81 classes. and watching over an suffer
Ing interests. Every en0rt vii be- used 30
administer the supplies IN proportion 70 the
necessities.
Mr. Spring. one of the members Of the
sub-commiftee. viii act a. Treasurer Of
money locations
II ans persors or communities are Dis
posed in addition % peruuiary gifts. 20
coufribute also. brradstuffs. curcd meats.
shoes. cloth. or luilding materials. they are
requested o. give n0tice of the sane % Mr.
HESET Fox Chairman Of the Executive
Comm.ffre of Relief. wbo I'll advise az %
lorrardinr.
Eiifurs of uewsparers are respectfully
rcqacsfed to pubiish tbs appeal.
i. BauxFs.
JsCon McLUrLaN.
SawrEL = srnISo.
PoErLsSD. Jolly 2 is66.