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

1t would appear that the damage caused |
by the overflow is much more considerable !
than was calculated on at first. There was
no torrent of water to sweep away houses,
stock and even families, as we read of in
billy countries, and therefore many were
inclined to regard the whole thing as kind
of Joke, a source of amusement to visitors,
and nothing more than q momeDtary
annoyance to those directly interested.
This is far from beirg the case. In the
first place, the flood is far from having dis
appeared, even now, after the Lapse of more
than a week from it's irruption. Its results,
too, were much graver :lan might be sup
posed. An overflow of three or four feet
in depth, as this is said to be in much OF
the submerged district, is complete destruc-
ton to poultry aud all small stock that
cannot he removed, When we consider
that it is our poorest class of population
| which inhabits the region referred to, the
loss of chickens, pigs, and goats becomes
matter of Importance.
| OF course, every garden submerged for
any length of time is utterly destroyed.
Many Of the residents invaded by this
overflow earned their subsistence by the
productions of their gardens. Others sup
ported their families by selling milk. 1t
must be evident that the dairy business,
with water -four feet deep over the COM
mons aud on.sthe stable floors, comes to a
stop.
Draymen and carmen are about equally
involv we'd in the disaster, for even with three
inches of water in the stables, it is impos-
sible to keep mules or horses any consid-
cradle length Of time. Their hoofs and
, fetlocks become diseased. Consequently
there is a general exodus of all such stock
r to dry ground, where new arrangements
) have to be made for their accommodation
In the meantime, most of these people
: live by their daily earnings. They can i'll
! spare day from paid labor, even to save
portion of their little effects from the
8 food. The draymen, the milkmen, the
t laborer, the washerwomaD, engaged al
o day in his or her own affairs, cannot at the
4 same time be laboriug for the accustomed
o days earnipgs'to buy the next days bread
d The real sufferers by this disaster are thost
who can least afford it.
6 1t is absolutely necessary, then, tina
: humane people should come to their relief
is We speak to those who acknowledge thu
D paramount claims of a common humanity
d Indeed, not only in regard to these suffer
q ers but as to many other members of tn
y community, and particularly the inmate
of charitable institutions, our people ough
q to make up their minds that their duties o
j. this kind will be far heavier and NOR
q, numerous than ever before. Privatio
)! and destitution are general; poverty
almost epidemic. National misfortune
% upon us /; sectional oppression, disorgan
lied labor, stagnated- commerce, all com
ia at once on an impoverished people.
", Let the more fortunate, therefore, arres
n, for the time their schemes of gain, and Sc
lie how much they can give. Human kind
ed ness, under such circumstances, rises almoi
ne into the region of charity; generosity i
the face of reverses becomes tinged wit
Y, the glory of heroism.
nd AS regards assistance for the victims
h, the overflow in the First District, no did
Is Guilty need be apprehended in the moo
nd and facility of its application. Donors a
ng relieved of all such trouble by the interveI
ol- ton of the Society of st. Vincent of Pa
of ST. Joseph's parish. AS will be seen
mt an advertisements elsewhere inserted, Q
ed contributions of money or material may
of left at St. Jeseph's new hall, corner
,he Common and Derbigny streets. The mer
lily bers of the society above named will after
tx personally to the thorough and equitab
ate distribution of all such aid, without rega
he to creed or color.