The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1868-11-12
THE CALAMITY IN SWITZERLAND.
FrightfOI Flood and Loss of Life and
Property---AppeaI for Aid.

THE CALAMITY IN SWITZERLAND.
Frightfol Flood and Loss of Life and
Property---Appeal for Aid.
A calamity has befallen the cantons
of Lessin, Valais, Grisons, st. Gall,
and Uri, which, in its immensity,
stands unequaled in the annals of
Switzerland. On the 2Sth of Septem-
ber rain commenced to fall in torrents
along the northern and southern slopes
of the Alps, and continued to descend
with but little intermission, for eight
days. During all this time power
full south wind ragged furiously amidst
the masses of snow and ice which had
lain for centuries in their inaccessible
Alpine strongholds. Every mountain
rivulent swelled into a arushing stream,
every stream into torrent, carving
appalling destruction in its course
The rivers of Tessin, the Rhone, the
Reuss, the Rhine, and the Inn. in their
relentless power, obliterated many of
Tthe choicest beauties of nature, impov-
erished thousands of families, and
hurried hundreds to awatery grave
Heart-rending and vain was the strug-
gle of human hands against the over
poWering force of the watery element.
On it came, in the dead of night, ter
rible in its might, scattering destruc-
ton far and wide, and piling up in
the meadows the mountain debris of
ages. Rocks weighing hundreds of
tons were torn from their resting pla
ces, and in their course Joined the
revelry of destruction. Whole for
ests, vineyards and meadows stacked
with grain, have disappeared, and in
many places not vestige of roads,
bridges and fences, is left: houses.
mills and factories are torn from their
foundations, and even cemeteries and
charnel houses have been invaded. and
their contents scattered along the
course of the devastation, Thousands
of cattle lie choked in mud, and thou
sands of our fellow beings are reduced
to abject poverty. Along the Rhine,
village upon village lies half buried
in mud and debris, and every article
of bedding and wearing apparel has
either been swept away or rendered
useless in! houses where comfort, and
even plenty, reigned whiletheir ver-
dant meadows, productive orchards
and beautiful gardens are one mass of
grayish mud. Sixty millions of francs
will not fall short of the loss sustained.
On such extraordinary occasions it is
meet that unusual measures be adopt
ed to alleviate, at 1eastin part, the suf-
ferings of our brethren The Federal
Government of Switzerland, prompt
ed by a feeling which it knew would
meet with a hearty response from its
people, dispatched its President to the
suffering localities, and ordered to the
scene of devastation the various CORPS
of sappers and miners to- render all
possible assistance. Ere this one mil
lion of francs will have been appro-
priated by the Federal Government.
and like sum will, no doubt, have
been contributed by the several can
tons. Already atconvention of dele
gates from all cantons have assembled
in iBerne, and relief associations have
sprung up i'll every section of the land,
whose offerings will be distributed bv
the Central Relief Association, organ
lied under the auspices of the federal
government. Many individuals have
given most literally, and the people |
of adjacent. countries are also busy.
heart and hand, in the noble work ofre-
ieving want. Among others the King
and Queen of Wurtemberg made at
once a remittance, and organized,a re-
lief society, over. which, they will pre-
side. And we, fellow countrymen
and brethren, shall we stand aloof?
Shall we leave. UNDECIDED the cry of
distress, the pleading eye cast over
rom beloved Switzerland? No, no,
must be the ready response of every
leart. The painful idings from our
orely visited brethren will find an
'cho here in bountifully blessed Amer.
ca. A mite from every feeling heart,
gift from every generous hand, and
his visitation of Almighty God will
ford another proof of the truthful
less of our country's motto, rsOne for.
II and all for one."'.
The usual exigeneies of this nation
calamity make an appeal to the phi !
Of his countrymen and his.
ountry's friends, on. the part of the
Undersigned, virtually obligatory =
elbow countrymen of the. United !
tates, up, then, and be doing in the !
oble work of relieving our suffering !
rethren Organize, and let us labor, =
romptly, unitedty and earnestly.-lEnn =
'onations can be sent, by mail or ex7 !, :
ress, to the undersigned, OF intrusted y
the Swiss Consulate. at New York, v
Charleston, New Or y
ans, Galveston, Cincinnati, Chicago, e
t. Louis or San Francisco, by whom
ley will be transferred to the under ;,
gned for remittance to the Central =.
elief Association in switzerland.-- In,
cd bless, the giver! '.'.' '-'l ..' -'..'. ..' :,
10 .llt jCtE ijo'F6GT- -yn'f l.r gf.Fff-.. / IL
.,s .,,.;.,..,-.i.. JOHN HITz, Il,
pl ollitical Agent and Consul General .ii3 Of % "
Switzerland, Washington, D. G. -,
Alchurch Blown Away. 'i'i i'a5i' ~ y.
Yesterday morning about nine ~ ~