New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-03
NREn EnR ER1NCE

A Committee, under the management Of the
MARQUIS of Exeter, was formed about two
months ago in England, to receive donations
of corn and other seeds for the Spring plant
ing in France. 1t has not been successful.
The English have individually shown noble
generosity TO their ancient enemies during
their terrible straits Of this Winter, but they
appear to have put all their strength into the
work of relieving the sick and wounded, and
avcrting the present imminent danger of star
walton. The Spring is now at hand, and
there are literally almost no seeds in
France. The peasant farmers make an
appeal to the farmers of America for
help. They say, "Wihout foreign relief a
1" famine next year is inevitable. rs terrible as
that caused by the drOuth in Eastern cOun-
tries" 1t must be remembered that the
fields of France are not like England. divided
into LARGE estates. controlled by men of
prncely incomes. Most OF these peasants own
the few acres they till. Replisidon has been
"madc upon us" they state, with a blunt, pa
thctic plainncSS, "nOt only for food, but
horses, cattle shCcp-eycry living and CON
sumabe thing in our possession all stock
" has been swept away, all savings dissipated,
" and in many cases the head or right hand of
" the family lies buried on one OF the battle
fields" The grain stored away for Spring
sowing has all been laid under rcllisition and
is gone In this case, help must come
immediately from our farmers IN the
shape Of material for planting. II money
is sent, the seed is not there 70
buy. The Hon. Horace Capron, Commi5-
sioncr of Agriculture, in commencing this
matter to the attention OF the people, suggests
rs especially desirable for contribution: " lhe
best local varieties OF Spring wheat, Of last
years crop-Wiuter wheat where The other -
"not attainablc the heaviest and most pro-
"ductiyc oats. rs the Excelsior swedish
".Surprisr' or Norway: the most thrifty
kinds Of barley. and the most prolific varie-
81 ties of bush-bcans. Especial care should be
"eXerciscd in avoiding seed injured 10y or
containing insccts.n Besides these, the peas
ants in their application, mention peas, ear
rots, turnips and potatoes. They are utterly
destitute OF forage plants, Of Yctrhrs. corn,
and clover
We have no need 80 urge mi, matter on
our people. II is one o. chose simple texts to
which the heart of every man breaches lt7
own sermon. Whichever may be Onr opinion
as 10 the merits and dement's Of he war, Or
orr ,ympatiics with France or Prussia, here
Is A plain fact which TRUSTS all logic aside.
The people of Our cities are giving generously
in money and provisions, but this matter must
be left TO the farmers aud farmers wives,
who can best appreciate the condition of ihcir
starving brother in Normandy or Champagne,
who sees his bloOd-staiBed fields waiting %
,.;,,, hin, fool aud toa M mpau. % tIl llpu.
A handful from their pcntcOus store promptly
given now viii suffice 10 give him and MS
hungry children bread for the coming year.
Nor il it q matter Of food alone. The peasants
Of France, simple, light-hcarted. home-liv-
ing people, who had 40 part IN the inception
OF the war, have suffered from d. he Yefy
bitterness of death.
Now is the time. If ever 70 give 10 them
helpful hand and cheerful words; the poorest
gift may serve 10 remind them what they have
lust now every reason to forget that all men
are brothers: the common seed sent 10 them
from those to whom they can never give
again, with hearty, brotherly kindness, will
bear year after year fa.irer fruit than It ever
bore befOre-a harvest of kindly thoughts OF
goodwill and of trust IN God and in their
fellow men. There il no need Of remember
ing these things, however, or dwelling on them
10 il the Elder Brother Of these starving men
as well a. ours 10 whom belongs the RAIN and
the sunshine, Che seed-tine and harvest; and
when ont of this gracious kindness He gave
to us our abundance lie issued the plain COM
mand "If thine enemy hunger feed him. iIo
left no place for argument.