Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-06-12
For the Advertiser.
Destition in Edgcfield District.

believe, Mr.. Editor, there are "a Boat Com
panics in Edgefeld; and there aro not provisions
enough in the District to feed half the population
until crops are made. There are hundreds of
families that must suffer unless they get aid and
this from some charitable source. The drought
of last summer, and tho poor chance of great
majority to make crop, was such thatmany arc
obliged to suffer now.
Besides the demands, of many disabled and
worn-out soldiers and freedmen Of fho present
day; the cry of the widows and orphans for food
may BIO heard all over the land. This is heart
rending to any individual. of sympathising mind
to any one one who has proper feelings of hu-
manity. There never has been such destitution
in our day. The hard time, of lS!7and lS45 and
4B ere nothing in comparison. Allow mo to
skctch'a Picture; or, rather, to give you some
facts ns they actually occurred. Not long since,
information was asked through tho Adrertiser,
concerning the names Of tho most destitute in the
District. In order to answer this cffectualy, the
citizens of Kirksey's Cross Roads called meet
ing After consulting and inquiring over the
matter, it was asccrtained that there were over
forty families Of widows and orphans, that were
entirely destitute This scope embraced the
Briar- Patch Beat Company. But to the tru. point.
We sent up recommendation to the Commits
sioners of the Poor of Edgcfali District for mid.
1t was granted at least in part. When the day
for distribution, there we're seen the maimed
the halt and the blind, coming to get small pit
tancc Of bread to sustain life. Small indeed it
was; for each applicant received only IL lbs. Of
corn. In that crowd were to be seen not only
the old and infrm, but tho tender infant, the little
smiling face of innocence, and the offspring of
brave soldiers who fell victims to the r. ntlcss
fury Of cruel war.
said that there were over forty families Of
widows and orphans in this Beat. Now if We
add all the small children that are not able to
earn support, We fnd that it will mako one hun
dred and ten applicants, all of whom are entirely
destitute. The committee appointed to investigate
the matter, have obtained the above number.
Let US nox make an estimate. 1t will take mt
least forty bushels of corn per month to feed
viii have to live in very scGuty manner ct that
It will only be about 2S lbs of corn Tor q half
bushel) per month, and one and half lbs. of
bacon per head. The question arises nom, how
arc these destitute persons to be fed? We an
swer, by charity for there are no surp.ls pro-
visions in al'thi, country. au glad that there
have been some provisions mado by our friends,
to help alleviate tho wants Of !ho destitute. But
Hin fearful that these will not extend far enough.
hare not pnrticuarizcd the other portions of
the District, but if the dcsiitution is as great
throughout as In the portion I have described, it
must be nv ul In the extreme. know that there
arc hundreds of widows aud orphaTs scattered.
hero and there, who are destined to suffer. There
seems to be no hope for son!c of them. This j.
no egera!ion. Facts arc too ain. We earnestly
pray for help in behalf of starving humanity.
Let it come from whatever sprrcc It may. May
the good providence OF the Lord help us in this
trying hour of distress. We are unable as y pep
plo to do much in alcvia,ing these wants Of the
poor by way of donations. But can we not do
fOWeiHtdy: lIel us u IL We hHib iVi
aid, some human beings may actually starYc be-
fore it comes. think, Mr.. Editor, would be
good thing if the people, instead of paying all
their tu1c, to the State, to hc!3 support insiu-
tions of miuor Importance, and certain obnoxious
c1trayngsaces which burden ps ct this critical
period, would only defiay SUCH expenses as are
actually necessary, VIC should get on puch bcttcr.
will not stop here to argue tho point farther on
the tax question. But 1iil Jusi add that are in
duty bornd, by all the ties Of nature and haman-
ty, not to let our neighbO,s suffer, if il be in cur
power to prevent it.
We again urge tho people to let every otlier
consideration be subordinate to hnt Of assisting
the destitute in their privsti0ns and great need.
1 know that there arc many who say they are
obliged 10 Obey oil the iniunc;ions that como from
high authority; and so VIC are to some extent.
But " charity begins at home"
have ALREADY been too long and tedious. But
excuse me, Mr. Editor, for very deeply feel for
tho pqor widows and orphans of. our country.
J. P. BoDIE.
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