The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1868-01-28

the language. The whole appearance,
conduct and condition, presen. and pro-
spectiye OF many persons who bad been
more or less burnt, we're brought for
ward ia confirmation Of the correctness
II the opinions now advanced Much
light and argument also we're derived
from other places, where similar fires
had been bnrumg II was found that
the evil was not confined 70 ono town,
county on state. That this destructive
element was sweeping over the whole
hand that there we're al least BOO. 900
victims IN the country 80 600 Of whom,
II was computed, went down annually,
in torture and misery to their graves
Every statement from abroad, rs well
ais every new examination at home, on
ly confirmed the conviction Of the peo-
pie as to the extent Of this desolating
scourge, and that something must be
done to stay the progress Of the burn
ing plague.
Some pretty plain hints now began
10 be gwen to the fre-makers, that their
services we're no longer desired, that
their vocation must come to an end.
But here was a difficulty. These men
had entered upon their business as a
means Of livelihood, under the sanction
of law, and the most of them at time
when their employment was considered
useful and honorable. Some of them
had studied the curious frts connected
with their profession, and had supplied
themselves with materials for keeping
/ up their respective fires, with varied
colored flames, for long time to come,
which could not be sacrificed without
loss. Such indeed was the interest
which they felt in keeping the fires
burning, that but few Of them could at
! first be persuaded to let them 90 out
Thus, Notwithstanding all that had been
said and done to prevent it, or show the
cruelty of it, the burning Of men, wo-
men, children. shops, farms and cattle
continued, and the smoke of it went up
as the smoke of u furnace.
Az this junctnre of affairs, and while
the fire was still raging extensively
through the town, an effort to exiting
uish it was made from new quarter.
Woman-whose courage and resolution
had many times been tested in the hour
of trial-when from the difficulties
of the work to be done, the men had
pretty much ceased from effort, and
stood in doubt and perplexity, only
looking one upon another. Woman, l
say,in this emergency, brought her gen
ius and moral force into the contest,
and engaged resolutely in the effort
to check the fiery deluge.
Some of the venerable actors in this
effort, had had abundant opportunity
for observing the destructive tendency
and rapid progress of that element with
which they were now called to contend.
The sighs and tears Of many a ruined
family were distinctly il their view,
while the personal experience Of others
who cordially united with thcm, fur
nished all with armor and energy that
could not be easily withstood.
1t was Immediately perceived that no
satisfactory result could be reached, by
attempting to extinguish the fires at one
point, while men were zealously engao-
ed in lighting them up at another. 1t
was resolved, therefore, as the first step
to make respectful, decided, and ear
nest appeal to those whose occupation
sustained the employment Of that dan
gerous element, which had been SO fruit
full in producing ruin and misery among
the people.
BY far the greater part Of the female
population of the town united in the APP
peal they plead for themselves, for
their husbands and children, that these
| fires might be put out But some there
were whose husbands had been badly
burned, and who themselves wished
heartily to join in the appeal, that were
not permitted to make any demonstra-
ton of their wishes and feelings.
/ The makers had now to contend
with new species of force. They saw
arrayed against them an influence which
they mostly professed to respect. Nc
rudeness, no railing, no uncourteous
reply could be expected to such an APP
peal. He who should thereafter con.
tinue his fires, would no longer be en-.
titled TO those sympathies which are as
necessary to man as bis existence.
The appeal was not made in vain.
The influence of woman-her power to
convince and parsuade was apparent
Several who had previously been enga
ged in this work SO fruitful Of suffering
} and misery had decided to relinqulst
{ it. Others now gave the assurance tha
J for the future, 50 far as their decision
might avail, the work Of burning should
stop Others, who bad not yet come Il
this honorable conclusion, received tho
petition courteonsly They expressed
great regard for the character and re
spectabiiity OF that memorialists, anC
though hardly convinced Of the imme
, diate duty Of relinquishing their EN-
ployment entirely, yet gave the assu
rance that the work should not be con
dncted as formerly they intended
{ to be conscientious about it, and no
burn indiscriminately, as before, bn
, only III such cases as might seem to ren
der it proper.
Thus by all these efforts the fires il
: those days were considerably diminish
I ed-oniy a few places remaining wher'
! the public burning was continued