Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-10-10
THE GREAT FLEE IN CHICAGO.
The Duly Of Our Citizens.

Ire painful excitement in our city Yesterday
CaU>ed by the news of the terrible confiagration
in Chicago was a. intense a. il was general and
II undated to-day. Long before the appearance
on the streets of the EXTRA STAR issued about
noon yesterday, with the latest particulars of
the progress Of the fire, throngs of people gath
cred about THE STAR office to read the bulletins
and di. cuss the great calamity to a sister city
BY the light of to-day's dispatches we are ena-
blcd 70 state that the reports of yesterday were
not much exaggerated. very large part of the
business portion OF the city is in ashes and it Is
estimated that at least $50 900 people have been
rendered homeless. Most of the buildings de-
sJOyed were massive structures of stone and
brick. Among them was the fire proof build
ing Of the TriJua,, by far the finest newspaper
Office in the West, and ore OF the finest
in the world. 1t at first reported
that il had escaped destruction. but
last nights dispatches state that it, too was
enguphed in ruin with all OF the other build
ings in its vicinity. Every newspaper and
telegraph Office, and even the railroad depots
are involved in the general destruction.
The effect of such disaster to a great business
center like Chicago is not confined to the neigh
borhOod of the city itself. Ii is already felt in
the agitation of the stock and grain market and
the depreciation of Western railroad stock. and
large dealers, which will seriously damage BUSH
ness in many parts of the country. In many of
its features the Chicago calamity has never been
exceeded in any part of the world; even by the
burning OF Moscow or the great fire in London i'm
1855 The people Of Chicago have always been
famous Tor their enterprise. The progress of the
city within the last decade has no parallel i'm the
history of the country. In 1850, with but IO9 go
inhabitants, she ranked as the ninth city in
population in the Union, whereas she is now the
fifth.
We are rejoieed to see that the whole country
is resPO nding nOhly and generously to the APP
peat .OT aid for the sufferers. All of the great
cities have taken action, afOrding another proof
OF the lberality OF our people. Large sums have
already been raised and forwarded to the mayor
of Chicago, and the military branch of the gov
eminent, under the direction of the President,
Il doing all in its power to relieve present dis
tress. When the fact is remembered that over
one hundred thousand people have been reduced
TO beggaTy by this great disaster il will be seen
that the most generous benefactiOnS will come
far short of fully relieving the necessities No
one therefore should withhold his contribution,
however small il may be. for all of the funds
raised can be made available in the proper iii
rect;On.
The feeling among all classes of the citizens of
The Dlstrlct Ga Columbia Il one OF deep sympa-
thy, which, we are glad to announce, will take a
practical shape at the mass meeting called by
acting Governor Stanton, at MetzerOtt Hail. this
evening by his proclamation published elsewhere
IN our columns. We trust there viii be gene
raj turnout OF our people at this meeting. ard
that every one present will contribute something.
Not only that, but action must be taken looking
to an appropriation of at least $4,000 by the
government of the District of Columbia
III Is due to ourselves and to a suffering
sister city, that this should he done
The case l. one which admits of no DELAY. Aid
l. needed now, and it should be forthcoming at
once. Our citizens should not be one whit be-
hind Their brethren OF other citias We believe
they VII not be, and that The result will DEMON
S'rate that The capital OF this great nation j. de-
h'leh' Eelther Ia sympathy nor generO~ity when
appealed = by such an appalling calamity as
tLat which has Overtaken the euterprisin, eitx-
OF Chicago.