Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1868-12-17

inc official account of the national calam-
ity in Switzerland has just been received OF
the Department Of State:-
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES.
air BERNE, Oct. TO- 1868.
SIR Switzerland has recently been sub
ie ted to what may Justly be termed ma
tional calamity. After an exceptionally
drv and agreeable season the country has
been visited by q heretofore unequalled rain
fall, and much Of the cantons Of GRisons,
Tessin, and Valais, Glaris and ST. Gall and
Un have, in consequence thereof, been ut
teraly desolated by inundations. The
mountain rivulets and cascades, suddenly
sweTled into torrents; swept villages, ham
lets, cattle roads, bridges, dykes, earth aud
stone as debris upon the fields below,
which are thus rendered forever hopeless
wastes.
The appeal of the authorities of the can
ton of Tessin to,their more fortunate fellow
countrymen officially sets forth the effects
OF the storm; and this description may be
TAKEN as applicable in o greater or less ex-
tentsto the other cantons named.
In the night Of the 9th and 28th OF Sep
tember our canton was struck by fright
fal catastrophe volume of water pre-
cipitated itself as deluge into the valleys
ofBledio, of the Levantine, and Rivieva,
the Nernaso and the Maggie This scourge
was accompanied by the destruction OF
buildings and by the fall of trees, by earth
and rock slides in such q manner as If all
the elements had combined to rival each
other in the work Of devastation. All the
beautiful country that extends from Glor-
nies and Ohyone to Biasca, unrecognlsaDle
to-day, is nothing but a mass OF debris
Roads, bridges, and dikes are destroyed;
houses, millSand stables have been swept
away, the rich forests, the fertile fields and
vineyards, but yesterday Aourishing; have
disappeared; cattle have perished bythou-
sands, and that which adds to the conster-
nation is the loss Of more than fifty per-
sons-some surprised in their sleep and
and others the victims Of their devotion
while attempting TO rescue and assist the
drowning, fathers and mothers OF families
have been crushed under the falling houses
and their bodies swept of by tho rushing
waters.
The disaster surpasses all that lmaglna-
ton can picture. Thousands Of families
have been struck by the calamity, and too
many Of them have been reduced to the last
extremity, without roof without clothes,
aud several deprived Of their fathers. The
losses, which TOR the moment cannot be
stated will rise to millions.
The authorities, the societies and the
citizens OF this canton, reserved by heaven
for 80 cruel an experience, are occupying
themselves in providing for the immediate
wants Of the victims, but oil our forces will
not provide for this immense burden. 10
you we address the appeal, which in this
supreme necessity, is-an utterance OF the
heart rather than the thoughts. We ask
of your brothers in confidence not to aban-
don us to these blows Of destiny, and that
they share with US the cross Of adyersity.
All species Of succors will be accepted by
US With thankful hearts, andthe canton ati-
thorities will take care that the most suffer
ing shall be the first to receive the Dement'S
Of your charities.
To the Swiss people SO blessed
by God the desolate of the valley Of the
Tessin address their appeals and their
prayers.
Subsequent information proves that this
sad picture is not overwfought The gov
ernments, both federal and local, as also
the people, are for promptly and generally
responding to the appeals of which this is
but one. The President Of the confedera-
ton, at the instance of the Federal Council
at once repaired to the scene of the disas-
ter. The military engineers were imme-
diately despatched to superintend and d.
rect the restoration and rebuilding Of the
highways and bridges and dikes, in order
10 restore communications, altogether sua-
pended. Citizen committees have been
organized IN the remaining cantons for the
purpose Of visiting each house for aseist-
ance, and every possible means is put into
requisition to relieve the sufferers and re-
pair the otherwise heavy public damages.
The disaster, however, has been so extend
ed, and the number Of people left at the
threshold of winter, without shelter, clothes
and bread, has been too large to be more
than scantily and partially repaired and re-
ieved by the local contributions how
ever generous they may be.
/ am not aware that appeals will be made
to the SWISS OF other residents abroad,
should such be addressed TO the resident
Swiss Of the United States. beg to state
thus briefly but officially that no human
foresight could have evaded this blow and
that the cry Of distress appeals with equal
force to the benevolent Of our countrymen
Of Whatever origin Of nationality they may
be.
With great respect, your obedient servant,
GEORGE HARRINoros,
Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of
State WASHINGTON d. G..