The Portland daily press., 1871-10-14
The Humane spiri, of mordern CiviIzn.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER IA, 1871.
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The Humane Spirit of MOrdern Civiizn-
ton.
Before the last halt of this century was the
spectacle of the Whole world rushing to res
cue, o comfort and to restore ruined city,
ever seen? In 1866 we of Portland saw it,
In 1867 Chicago sees it. From present ap-
pealances the calamity is itremediable only
so far as it involved loss of life and the
physical and mental anguish attending the
progress of the catastrophe. As for the
\ mel pecunary loss the country at large has
tacily agreed to share it. 1t will fall heayi-
ly on Chicago and also on Boston, New York
Cincinnati, st. Louis, San Francisco and
abundred other cities. Here is "solidaritv ",
the genuine thing. Here is practical COM
munion. The tens of thousands of neople
who are camping among the ruins or out on
the prairie, and who will to-day eat dinuer
cooked in New York, a breakfast prepared in
Cincinnati and supper that was sent from
st. Louls-whose fuel and clothing came
from remote parts of the country-will have
the best of reasons for believing that the
"brotherhood of man" is not myth. For
the moment the situation is almost millennial,
and there exists that ideal state of affairs,
which we have been accustomed to peer for
far into the future, when the whole world is
mutual insurance company, and each man
insures every other man from loss or harm.
Ia f,liv ha - h. 4,
human interests possess the minds of men
that the petty jealousies and animosities of
prosperous times have instantly disao-
peared. Does not every reader of news
papers remember the curious wranges
to which the rivalry between Gin
clnatti, Chicago and St. Louis gave rise! But
aid came to the distressed city from its rivals
while the smoke of its torment was yet rising.
Sill more curious was the magnanimity of
the New York Tribune which has habitually
spoken of the Chicago paper of the same
name as that sheet which in Chicago dis
eraces the name of Tribune" The latter
having lost everything in the fire, its New
York assailant, forgetting all about free trade
and protection, promptly offered it material
with which to resume publication from the
ample stores which it has long kept In reserve
Tor a like emergency.
And there are ether pleasant matters dis
closed by the Chicago fire. Those things
that have been regarded as an indication OF
The hard materialistic spirit of the age-as
The badges of its grasping, heartess, money
getting tendencies-haVe proved the swiltest
and most efficient instruments In this crisis.
What greater service have rail and telegraph
even done than to tell the tale of Chieago's
woes and carry succor so quickly? These
and like agencies will sometime render such
catastrophes impossible. They will bring a
city's neisebors in time not only to succor
but to save. The French maxim well saws
that I'VE look behind us for the golden az e,
when 10, it is betorep'
The telegraph gives US faint idea of the
destruction of life and property in the North
west by fires. In ordinary times the recital o.
this story would create widespread sympa
thy aud command universal attention.
Whole counties have been devastated Vast
forests, farms and farm buildings by hundreds
whole villages have been swept away, and
it is feared, hundreds of people have been vic
Tins to the devouring element.
One great fire is in Wisconsin, westward of
the North end of Green Bay. Another is on
the neck Of land in Michigan, between Sag
nav Bay and Lake Huron, and over 200
miles in direct line from Green Bay. Both
of these fires are in extensive lumber districts
from which theL Lake cities and the prairie
towns have received their supplies.
Chicago will feel these forest fires. That in
Michigan is particularly severe. Village after
village has been swept away, and many lives
have been lost. A third fire is in Indiana
along the line of the Louisville and Chicago
Railroad, and south of Lafayette. In Clay
County, on the Terre Haute Railroad, the
woods are all on fire. An extensive prairie
fire is also in progress in Minnesota.
WE have been called upon by distinguish
ed leader in the Methodist denomination to
make good the assertions in an editorial in
yesterdays paper entitled "Chureh and State''
so lar as it refers to the Convention held in
this city this week by literal quotations" of
its proceedings or "retract" our "misrepresen.
tations." The eminent source from which
this demand comes renders its notice a mat
ter Of justice. But we do not propose to re-
tract but rather to give some quotations from
several speakers as taken by a very reliable
reporter, many of which we were unable
TO print in our report for want of space. The
n0iinV Of SIata a III n OFT
RUS through all the addresses touching the
educational question. One said: 1t is the
duty of the State-laid down in the Consttu-
tion-to foster Institutions of learning. Di-
rectly after the same speaker says "institu-
lions of learning have no life unless fostered
by denominations"
And again: "The State owes duty to de-
nomnational schools and ought to foster all
schools that produce good citizens"
In another place: "All applications to this
state Tor AID have been followed by long and
vigorous contests. other denominations HAVING
turned the cold shoulder to u.s."
Another speaker said: OF State aid is to be
the policy, the Methodists can present more
valid claim than ally other denomination, She
1.-THE Methodist church) only asks simple JUS
tce."
Again: "The State should assist sectarian
schools In cooperation with the church. This
is Iollowed by recommendation for more
schools in Aloostook and at other points,"
Another said: "Tbe common schools can
only partially supply the needs of the State"
the whole drift OF the address by reference
and assertion enforcing the idea that it is the
duty OF the State to endow sectarian schools.
Similar remarks might be given to any
length, but these are sufficient to show that
there was TIE amplest ground for the infer
ence in yesterdays paper.
Political Notes.
Hon. A. B. ConnelI. Chairman of the New
York Republican Central Committee tele-
graphed Col. Forney of Philadelphia on the
eve oil election that considerable number of
Tammany's repeaters had gone to the latter
city to aid their friends and that large num-
Der OF fraudulent naturalization issued by the
New York Courts in 1868 had been sent to
Philadelphia for use in the election. Tam