The Placer herald., 1868-12-05
Appeal to the Swiss and to the Friends
Of Switzerland in the United States.

A calamity has bsfalen the Cautons OF
Tessin. Valai,, Grissons, St. Gall, and Ur',
which, in it's immensely, stands unequalled
n the annals of Switzerland. On the 27tb
Of September rain commenced TO fall in tor
rents along the northern and southern slopes
of tho Alps, and continued to descend, With
bu. little intermission, for eight days. Du.
ring all this time powerful south wind
ragged furiously amidst the masses OF snow
and ice which had lain uDdsi urbed for cen
turies in their inaccessible Alpine strong
holds. st
Every mountain rivulet sweIled into a
rushing stream, every stream into torrent,
carving appalling Obstruction in its course.
The rivers of Tessin, the Rhone, the Reuss,
the Rhine, and the Inn, in their relentless
power, obli;eraled many Of the choicest
beauties OF nature, impoverished thousands
of families. and hurried hundreds to wat
cry grave. I.
Heart rending and vain was the struggle
of human hands against the overpowering
force of the watery element. On 1t came,
10 the dead Of night, terrible in its might,
scattering des,rucsion far and wide, and
pilng~p in the meadows the mountain de-
bris Of ages. Rocks weighing hundreds OF
tons we're torn from their resting places. aud
in their course joined the revelry of destruc-
ton. Whole forests, vineyards, and mead
ows stacked with grain, have disappeared,
and, in many places, not vesage OF
roads, bridges, and fences are left; houses,
mills, and factories are torn from their ionn.
da,ions, and even cemeteries and charnal
houses have been invaded, and their contents
scattered along the course Of the devastation.
Thousands Of cattle lie choked in the mud,
and thousands of our fellow beings are re
duced to affect poverty.
Along the Rhine, village upon village lies
half buried in mud anu debris, aud every
article of bedding and wearing apparel has
either been swept away or Rendered useless
in houses where comfort, and even plenty,
reigned; while their verdant meadows, pro
duclive orchards, and beautiful ga dsos, are
one mass Of grayish mud.
S xty millions Of francs will fail far short
of the loss sustained On such extraordinary
occasions it is meet that unusual measures
be adopted to alleviate, at least in part, the
sufferings of our brethren. The Fedora
Government Of Switzerland, prompted by
feeling which it knew would meet With a
hearty response from its people. at ouce
despatched its President to the suffering To-
cal,its, and ordered to the scene of devas
ta,ion the various corps of sappers and mi
ners to render all possible assistance.
Ere this, one million Of francs will have
been appropriated by the Federal Govern
ment. and like sum will, no doubt, have
been contributed by the several Cantons
Already convention of dele gates from all
Cantons have assembled in Berne, and relief
associations have sprung up in every section
of the land, whose offerings will be distrlbu
ted bv the Central Relief Association. organ
| ized under the auspices of the Federal Gov
ernment. Many individuals have given
most literally, and the people OF adjacent
countries are also busy, heart and hand, in
the noble work of relieving want. Among
Others, the King and Queen of Wur'emberg
made at once a remittance, and organized a
Relief Society, over which she will preside.
And we. felIow-countrym and brethren.
shall we stand aloof9 Shall we leave uu>
hceded the cry of distress, the pleading eye
cast over from beloved Switzerland! No..
no. must be the ready response of every heart,
The painful tidings from our sorely'vlsted
brethren will find an echo here in bounllfnI.
ly.bessed America. A mite from every
feeling heart, gift from every generous
hand. and this visitation Of Almighty God
will afford another proof Of the truthfulness
Of opr country's motto, One for all aud all
for one.' l.s
The unusual exgencies Of this national
calamity make an appeal to the phlanthro'
py Of bis countrymen and his connlry's
friends, on the part Of the undersigned, sr'
tually obligatory.
Fellow -coun,ry.nen in the United States,
up then, and be doing in the noble work Of
relieving our suffering brethren! Organize
and le. US labor promptly, uniledly, and
earnestly. .eup e... st..I. ..a
Donations can be sent, by mail or express
to the undersigned, or intrusted to the Swiss
Consulate at New York, Philadelphia
Charleston, New Orleans, Galveston, Ciocin'
natl. Chicago, ST.. Louis, or San Francisco
by whom they will be transmitted TO the un
dersigned, for remittance to the Central he
lief Association in Switzerland.
| God bless the giver!
- JOHN HITZ,
Political Agent and Consul General o.
Switzerland, Washington City, D. c.
| S.,he,r;n,;onc ro.o;vod he RrproN Swiss