The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-09-11
Aid for the Avondais Widows aud Or

Aid for tue Avondais Widows aud Or.
II any evidence were wanted Of the gen.
erous liberality of New York, or of the Ameri-
can people generally, when suffering humanity
calls for it, the prompt contributions for the
widows and orphans of the Avondale miners
would be sufficient; but our people never fail
to respond to the wants of the suffering,
wherever they may be. This was seen in the
Irish famine, in the distress of Madeira in con-
sequence Of the failure Of the grape vines,
and in many other cases abroad, as well as in
numerous cases at home. The vast number
of our charitable institutions also show this
fact. Just now we have the case Of the
liberal contributions to the family of General
Rawlins, and, as was said, that of the dona-
lions for the families of the Avondale miners.
Nor can 1t be said in the latter case that there
is any ostentation Of philanthropy, for the
contributions that are coming in to the
HERALD Office of five, ten and twenty dollars,
or more, are from those who do not wish their
names to appear-from those, for the most
part, who cannot well afford such sums-from
the humble business men and working people.
We have received in this way several hun
dred dollars, and donations are still coming.
The corporations, public bodies and theatres
of New York are responding to the charitable
movement. Considerable sums of money have
been subscribed by the Stock Exchange, the
Gold Board, the Erie Board of stock brokers
and others. A call, signed by many of the
prominent railroad managers and agents in
this city, has been issued for a meeting Of
their associates at the Astor House at noon
to-day, for the purpose of devising some means
Of giving aid to the sufferers. There is to be
an extra matinee given at the Grand Opera
House on Wednesday for this object. Her.
mann, the inimitable prestidigitateur and prince
of oonjurers, will give his first performance at
the Academy Of Music on Wednesday night
for the benefit Of the bereaved families. And
here it Is but proper to say that Mr.. Hermann,
who has just returned to America, made this
offer the moment he heard of the terrible dis
aster at Avondale. He is a prince in gene
rosity as we'll as Of conjuring, for in many in
stances, and in different countries, he has con-
tributed in this way, and contributed to the
extent Of millions, probably, though it may not
be generally known, to suffering humanity.
If we may Judge from the crowded houses
he used to attract when in New York before,
and from the fact that he has an entirely new
and surprising programme Of illusions,
large sum will be realized at his performance
next Wednesday night for the Avondale
widows and orphans. It is to be hoped that
at our other places Of amusement the example
may be followed, and that the distressed fami-
lies Of the miners may be saved as far as pos
sible from future suffering in consequence of
the terrible disaster. We may say here, as
applications have been made to us for opening
subscription lists at the HERALD Office, that
this can DO better and more conveniently done
at banking houses or other places, but that we
shall be glad to receive individual donations
for the sufferers, which will be forwarded to
the proper committee or persons who may
have charge of the distribution of such money.
NEW ZEALAND IN RRBELLION.-The Eng