The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-05-09
DYING FOR WANT OF BREAD.

All accounts agree IN representing the
want and restitution in the south as i'm
mense, and on the increase, and that, until
the harvest time arrives, it must get daily
worse and worse One hundred thousand |
people without bread in South Carolina alone |
tells the tale Congress has done some |
thing, and the people everywhere are becom-
ing alive to the necessity which deyolves up
on all, of every sect, party, and creed to do
all in their power to relieve their southern
fellow-citizens, and prevent their defamation
and the depopulation Of that section by tam
inc. Private contributions are now beng
made, by the charitable and philanthropic,
to help save some human being from death
by starvation. The smallest contributions
are Of service,-even one dollar may save q
human life. ass 81
Our neighbor of the Union had a sensible
article, on this subject, the other day, in
which he said a s.s
There Is no question as to the fact that wi de-
spread restitution prevails in many sections of
the SOUTH Amid our plenty-plenty not only in
the necessaes but in the Injuries ct hfe 1t Is hard
to realize that fellow countrymen are starring:
The desolation poverty prevails in some parts OF
the south to such extent that suffering and death
are the consequence. Families once opulent and
rioting in the 1uxuriance of their abundance, now
wear the tatteres of beggary and eat the hard
crusts Of want. The mere change itself would be
hard, if there we're actual suffering connected
with it. But how strong comes the appeal to Us
as christian community, when we remember
that children crying for bread and whole com
munities are dependent upon the charity OF others
for the scanty fare that keeps starvation from
their doors.
at has been suggested to that Rock Island
should do something for the suffering people OF
the south. We in favor of making an effort.
They are no longer our enemies, but members OF
one common country. Let our citizens take hold
of the matter By binding these people to III
with the bonds gratitude we are laying the foun
dation for the surest reconstruction.
We second the suggestion that; Rock Is
of the SOUTH and respectfully ask the May
or to call pubic meeting to appoint com
mittee to raise funds for that object.
One of our citizens recently sent $500 te
Hon. Alex II. Stephens, to be used in ale
of the starving poor. He has received al
answer, acknowledging the receipt of thu
money, and we have persuaded him to ALLOW
us to publish the letter, in order to show tn
extent and character of the restitution AM
suffering in the south. 1t is as follows
CRAwFoRDsyILLF, GA,
April 80, 1867
My DEAR SIR ~ our very kind and gen
erous letter of the 22d inst, enclosing chec
for $500, and asking me to cause 1t to b
used for the relief of suffering and starvin!
humanity in this vicinity, in such manner a
my own judgement might dictate, was IT
ceived yesterday.
In reply. besides rendering grateful az
acknowledgements in behalf of those for whor
it was intended, for the very liberal and trul
charitable donation you have made for thei
relief (being entire strangers to YOU | Wi
state that the want of food here, with larg
class, is far greater than have ever know
it to be. Many are IN extreme destitution
and without aid from abroad could not live
You may be assured / will endeavor to US
the fund in strict conformity with the spiri
as well as the letter of your instructions.
Almost daily applications of the mos
urgent and distressing character are made
me for food. The greater number of thes
applications are by the colored people. But
with the aid and the contributions so geneI
erously made in other sections, and the ex
ertlons OF our own people, trust that non
will die for the want of subsistence.
The extreme restitution now existing j
owing to the failure of crops last year, from
protracted drought and the utter exhaustion
of the country before. The failure of tn
crops extended not only to the grain crop
but to the cotton; hence there is little none.
in the hands of those who have means to All
such as are in want.
There is no such thing now as credit 70
any kind OF provisions. Many of the planter
here would willingly give two dollars and
half per bushel for corn, payable next fall
to enable them to carry on their operation
this year but the cash has to be paid 70
everything to eat by man or beast.
With repeated thanks and acknowledge
ments, in behalf of the destitute amongst us
for your truly magnificent contribution te
wards their relief
am, Sir, Yours,