The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1868-09-20

where the responsibility of its delay at Il
taches.
The Camp Street Asylum-lts Distress j
The Camp Street Orphan Asylum has
been for many years an institution OF
which our citizens were justly proud, and
of which the reputation has extended far
beyond our municipal limits. 1t was
almost the pioneer in that noble work OF
charity which has since-so much expanded,
to the glory of New Orleans and the good
of numberless little unfortunates.
This celebrated house has always been a
great favorite with benevolent persons,
regardless, frequently, of religious predi-
lections. In prosperous times, its patrons
were numerous and wealthy. Supplies OF
syrup, molasses, and sugar were abund-
antly furnished from the coast, the city
and State made liberal donations, while
fairs and voluntary contributions easily
procured the means to balance any deficit |
in the years account. In fact, as it became
unnecessary to solicit donations in money,
that custom was finally discontinued, and
for the last eight or ten years the Sisters
direct assistance of that kind.
But times have greatly changed, even
with this favorite establishment, since the
prosperity of our country persisted before
the breath of war; Few ever supposed it
possible for such an institution, 80 ancient,
so esteemed, SO identified with the honor
able pride of our city in its monuments OF
charity, to feel the pressure of immediate
want actually existing and only relieved
from day to day by precarious charity.
Some of it's warmest friends, therefore,
were very much astOnished on acct
dentally hearing, few days since, that
this was really the case-that the commu-
nifty had been in circumstances of great
restitution and distress for the last eighteen
months. Contributions in money and pro-
duce had long since ceased, the State and
city aid was given in money or warrants SO
deprecated as to reduce its actual amount
more than half, and the difidence of the
Sisters made them very averse to exposing
their necessities and asking the direct aid
, of the public in money, now that poverty
4 was SO general, and when it would be re-
suming q custom long since abandoned by
them.
) During the last eighteen months, then,
r or since the cessation of the supplies pre-
> viously furnished by the United States
Commissary Department, the house has
t been literally sustained and the children
}, fed by the charity of the market vendors
d At the earliest practicable hour, several o.
the Sisters take their baskets and proceed
70 trna in
o for the daily bread necessary for them
; selves and the little ones whom they have
,, adopted. He has never failed them yet
y Silent and patient, the Sisters stand, trem
d bling with cold or faint with the summe
Is heat, while the rich are served with thei
of delicacies and go away to the luxurles OF
l. sumptuous home, and while the poor ar
G afterward more carefully investing what
at ever they may have to spend.
y, Finally, the crowd is gone; the bus
ut butcher has time to look around, and see
ty the well-known white bonnet and til
e. empty basket. Whether butchers are, as
g. class. men of peculiarly tender and sympa
is thizing hearts, or whether they have speci;
1t and professional prejudices against hunge
or whether the phenomenon may not
lat scientifically accounted for in some oth'
to way. we are not prepared to decide; b'
he the baskets always come away =flled.1t-
eff pretty certain, however, that if the butche
we were rich men, they would have nothing
ay spare.
ey. The still poorer vegetable men al
w. women are equally as kind, and divi
es, with the orphans what they nave saved
ICY their own little ones at home' AS
ey. Sister passes out, abaker slips into her ha
to an order for basketful of bread, at ]
,bt, shop; and thus the venerable, time-honor