Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-01-17

AMONG the solemn P~rovidences
that have fallen so frequently and so
stunningly upon the ear within the
last twelve months none have pro-
duced such a terrible sensation in the
public mind as the steamboat disas-
ter we were compelled to chronicle
yesterday. The results Of this fright
ful calamity have already been made
known to the public through the col
umns Of the APPEAL in all their har-
rowing details, but the excitement in
regard to this dreadful accident has
not abated. The last twelve months
has indeed been fruitful in startling
events Of sgPalling fearlulness, by
fire and flood and crushing wreck.
There has been ruin, disaster and des-
olatiOn upOn the land, upon various
great thOrOughfares. There has been
wreck, sorrow and death upon the
sea, and steamboat disasters have
often sickened the heart. But the
burning Of the T.. /. McGiu on Satur-
day night last was, perhaps, the most
appalling calamity that human eyes
ever beheld. Those who witnessed the
awful scene describe it as possessing
such deep, concentrated, despairing
agony as TO make the blood curdle
aud the flesh culver. They seem to
think Of it as an awful dream too
h0rrid TO be realized, and gladly turn
from its contemplation. Come when,
how, where it may, the hour Of dis
solution is one that tests the soundest
philosophy and the frmest hope.
Sad, sad indeed is the stroke Of death
when it brushes one single Individual
10 the earth. But most terrible is it
when it comes upon Us as if it were
some Outburst from a tempest Of
heavenly Indignation. in no form
in which death can approach Us is il
more fearful than In that presented
by the overwhelming casualty to
which we refer. The I. J.. McGu
was aground. She was heavily
loaded. There were over one hun
dred souls on board. The lower deck
was crowded with animal life. In
the ladies' cabin there was a small
crowd Of joyous children, with their
young and g~uileless hearts brim-
ming full Of happiness. Man
ia his vigOr and pride and hope
Of long life was there basking in the
smiles Of woman in her purity and
beauty. All were building castles for
the future. The alarm Of the fire bell
was heard; a sheet Of fame wrapped
itself around the indammabIe mass.
The CONSERVATION is in~describable.
Everything was in connection. Men
were running 10 and fro. Women
were seer upon their knees with
faces lifted toward Heaven in earnest !
su~pplication. Afrighted children
moved hurriedly about as If engaged
ia play. All Tetreated from the adj
vancing fame Of FIRE like a vanquished
and defeated foe. The moaning OF
the burning stock added additional
10 the scene. The two boats
lowering close by, unable to afford
succ0r, were like fruit ia view Of
the starving captive, or the waters
to the lips Of the thirsty Tan
.aIus. They only Knocked the agony
Jf their doomed victims. Man and
wife entWined themselves In each
arms and plunged into the cold
aud turbid waters. A woman stood
upon the prov and when still she
looked like a hgurehead, and when
running 10 and fro before the
tongues Of flame, with dis
leveled hair and uplifted hands, she
re5embled some fiery goddess rejoic-
in her vi element. But there
was no arm TO save, no power to de-
liver, and when her clothes took fire,
she cast q long, imploring look to-
ward those on the steamers power
less to aid, and then buried herself be-
meath the angry waves. Imagination F,
Itself cannot portray the horrors Of the
awful scene. ]
Whether this terrible disaster i
has been the result Of human
oily, recklessness and wickedness it
Is not our province to decide. There F,
rests a fearful responsibility some J
but the commander Of the 1,
boat Is alike needless Of all censure or ,
for he persisted by the sad T,
wreck OF his vessel. This lesson Of a F.,
mysterious Providence should have (,
an abiding influence upon cur lives !
and a~ctiosa; increase our zeal In the +,
way Of wen doing, help US to form +,
and nObler resolves to an our (
lives with virtuous deeds. 1t sbopld
teach " that ali we canaesire. all that
we can possibly imagine and plan
the limits OF cur present hour.
soon vanishes, soon escapes from cur
thoughts, just rs the vapor OF the
EoTRing, ia myEteHQgs saddenness