The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-10-11
Hard Times.

Hard Times.
Pecuniary Distress il, probably, more
general now in this community than it has
ever been before, even during the WIT.
Occupation during the past sumpef- has
been scarce and Improbable, and the em-
barrassments Of the city treasury have
added materially to the general distress.
One Of the surest symptoms Of this condi-
ton is the frequent appeal, met with ON
every hand, id behalf Of charitable institu-
tions. They are all, OF nearly 80, in the dir
est poverty and restitution.
The question presents itself, at last in q
practical form, shall the public abandon
them to destruction, or deliberately make
up its mind to sustain them, no matter how
onerous may be the burden.
In times of great and general misfortune,
such as pestilence, famine, etc., no humane
person, however prosperous himself, expects
to be exempt from his share of loss. he
does not calculate to increase his superfu-
GUS stores while people are starving around
him, but voluntarily involves his own for
tune, to some extent, in the general decad-
ence. The history of human misfortune is
beautifed by the halo of self-sacridce in
many illustrious instances.
Next Wednesday evening, the admirable
institution known as the Camp Street Fe-
male Orphan Asylum, will be an applicant
to the charitably inclined of this commun-
ity for assistance, through their presence at
the Opera House. The public are, doubt
less, we'll aware that splendid concert
will, on that occasion, be given in its behalf.
We could hardly be expected to urge
upon Catholics, the propriety of their earn
est cooperation in this. effort. They have
been informed of the instant necessities OF
the house, and they are well aware of its
claims upon their support. They know
that what they give as charity is never
missed, but always comes back with inter
est at the proper time. They know, too,
that what they have is not theirs absolute
~, but is a sacred deposit, which they have
no right to retain while Gods poor-equally
his children with themselves-are suffering
Are you, in your luxury, any nearer and
dearer to God than the beggar in his rags
Do you imagine that you have anything
that he has not given you, or that you de-
serve more enjoyment than another, te
whom he has given nothingf Only thu
blindest pride can make a man esteem hi
possessions as anything but deposi
confided to his administration.
But, apart from considerations of tina
character, and without regard to creed o
doct.iue, this call appeals most potently t.
human nature, through all its nobler sym
patbies. To the poor, in their knowledge
what poverty means; to manhood, throug
, in its compassion for tue weak; to woman
with her mothers heart.
For earnest sy mpatby with privation an
want, always 60 to the poor man. He ha
heard his own children crying with hunge
/. without knowing where to get them bread
7 he has seen their little frames shudderin
8 with cold, having no means to buy fuel {
8 clothing; he is familiar with the pinche
J, features of little innocent, while disease
whitening its life, with the doctor and tt
druggist both beyond his resources. Their
@ fore, when you speak to him of other CHI
e dren who are hungry OF cold, or sick,
g knows at once just how they look, and h
hand goes naturally to his pocket. The rit
y man does not understand you.
However, true manhood will tell, eve
u when not fully Informed. There are plen
of men in this city who spend, daily, in pc
u sonal indulgence far more than enough
buy one of the tickets for this concert. T.
~ billiard-t table, the bar-room, the afterno'
q drive, the theatre, all cost a good deal
- money to their votaries. Some of the
70 persons are, it is true, thoroughly selfish, al
u ,;r 4,