The national Republican., 1866-08-06

~ Appeal from Portland.-Ths inhsbit-
ants Of Portland, smittsn bya terrible disaster
than hss ever fallen upon any American town Of like
population, are eonstrsnsd 70 appeal TO their country
men whom God hath prospsred to help them In this
great calamity.
The undsrsigned are sub committee, appointed by
representative COMMITTEES from sl the religious socie.
ties In the place. 10 solicit asd receive contributions for
the relief Of our sufferers. -... f 81
We would fain have waited day or two, I'LL We could
present formal and definite Of our losses
and our wants, but already We are chesrsd by many
generous gifts from abroad anticipating appeal and
earnest inquiries come to from sister ciss and
towns, In this State and beyond TO know whatws want
and what they can do to hsip us. .....
We hasten TO or, respectfully but mploringly,
that We need contributions Of money in large amount
and Is soon a. may be. .E ..'" g. -'
Many thousands Of our people homeless. The nrst
nsossstss Of food and temporary shelter were supplied
By the activity Of sitssns and the prompt kind
ness Of the nsghborng towns greatly aided BY the use
Of quarsrmassrs stores under the Immediate and gen
srous 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. bed, nor blanket. Never was conaagration
80 completely destructive Great numbers Of families
have ndthfno ie Large quantities Of household goods
and other property were removed again and again
places Of supposed safety but dsvoury the flames At
last .... ..
Our hearts bleed for the aged men and women for the
many hundreds Of little children and for the helpless
ek who had to pass through the horrors Of that dread
full night, and now have NO homes. ..'.
We cannot sxsgssrsts this calamity sympathiIing
risnds who have come In from other places declare
that all rumors Of the disaster were far short OF the
frishtful reality. ~ If. = > =
space Of more than one husdrsd and hny acres, in
the very heart Of city, but yesterday covered with
beautiful dwellings, with warehouses; stores. mauufas-
toriss and large number Of public edt>es, is now
desolats and appalling waste This nagraton ragged
more than twelve hours without any check and stopped
only when II Rachsd the vacant lands outside Of the
city. More than sig miles Of streets, but yesterday
closely lined both sides with baildings and thronged
BY busy and happy people, now scarcely afford foot
paths through the universal ruin. We attempt to ind
where the homes Of our friends were standing three
days ago, and lose ourselves 10 Wilderness with.
out one familiar object for guide.
To relieve the innumerabls distress Of our homeless
townsmen, to sustain our laboring men aud women
while they are waiting employment to prevent as far
as possible the separation Of families to cheer the hearts
OF hundreds Of mothers who at this moment can do
nothing but hover their groups Of little children
10 assist those who will erect humble dwellings on
the sites Of their Lost homes and 10 give courage and
Ing these wastes, We need all such pecuniary contbu
ons " the charity and good judgment Of those who
this appeal may prompt them to give.
Such Is the activity Of people, and their dispose
on to take care Of themselves, that With friendly help
for time they will rise above this calamity; but
the great number Of to be relieved demands large
contributions,
Country men Frsndsi Christiapsi We know that
you will help We rely the impulses Of your pa.
trohc brotherhood-on the msrcss Of your Christian
sympathy Humbly and thankfully We acknowledge
that we still under the favor Of Almighty God and
we that He will dispose your hearts to work
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 bs under the ad
Vice Of responsible general committee. representing
all classes and watching all suffering interests
Every will be used to administer the supplies Sim
ply in proportion to the necssstiss
Mr.. Spring, one Of the members Of the sub commit
tee, will act aa treasurer Of money donations.
II any persons or communities are disposed in add
tion to pecuniary gis to contribute also brssdsuf
cured meats, shoes. CLOTH building Materials they are
requested to give notice Of the same to Mr.. HENRY
FOX, chairman Of the Executive Committee Of Relief,
who will advise as 70 forwarding.
Edor. Of newspapers are rsspsetfally requested to
JACOB MCMILLAN,
sAhURL T. SPRING.
PORTLAND, July 7, 1865.
CIrY OF PoRTLAsp,l q.
MAYoR's OFFICE, July 2, 1855.
earnestly commend the object Of the foregoing ap-
peal to tho friendly consideration Of all benevolent
persons AUGUSTUS Z. STEVENS,