The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-10-17
Charleston and Chicago.

OF Charleston, who live in the midst OF the
gaunt relics of desolating fire, on opportu-
nifty OF conveying the expression OF their
sympathy to the shivering hosts who haunt
the smoking streets Of that Niobe among
cities-the once queenly Chicago. From
distant England come murmuriug over the
broad Atlantic waves golden words OF cheer
and hope. Germany, strong in the memory
of her victories, opens vide ler mighty
hands to comfort her children who sought
homes in the New World, and who forgot
not Fatherlaud when the Gallo legions
marched towards the Rhine Poor France,
out OF the riches Of her poverty-softened
and quickened by sorrow and defeat-sends
an argent olive branch to the Teutonic cit-
zcns of Chicago, who, like her people, know
what is hunger and thirst, and the bitterness
Of swift coming and inevitable misfortune.
The whole continent OF Europe throbs with
generous feeling towards the stricken city,
| and the leviathans Of commerce, freighted
with treasure, follow fast the electric spark
which bade America to know that distress
and disaster make all men kin. In this
country the universal thought is OF Chicago.
On the rocky shores Of New England, on
the prairies of the West, on the ruddy wa
ters OF the giant Mississippi-the desire has
been to give her instant help. Philanthropy
ist and railroad king, merchant and clerk,
millionaire and artisan, have We'd with each
other in sending substantial aid. And the
South spoke warmly and well. We OF the
South know how sharp is the sting OF
what is deemed an unmerited atfliction.
We know what it is to be reduced in the
twinkling OF en- eye from opulence to indi-
gence. And the South would have learned
i'll the long, hard lessons Of the war, had she
not given back love for enmity-kindness
for sharp neglect. Richmond and Savannah,
New Orleans and Memphis, Nashville, Louis
vile and Atlanta have spoken. Save one,
every city OF moment, within the limits Of the
Union, has stretched out its arms TO give of
its substance to Chicago. Charleston alone
is silent. And for that silence the Mayor OF
Charleston is to blame. The Massachusetts
politician, whose official life draws fast to a
close, has failed to give the white citizens of
Charleston the desired opportunity Of joining
the merciful throng which prays and works
for Chicago.
We have waited long enough. The
citizens OF Charleston must act for them
selves, without the intervention ef Mayor
Pillsbury. To stand idly by is to give
this people character foreign to their na-
ture-a character they do not deserve. OF
the fearful conhagration of 1861, which
burned out the wildly beating heart OF this
city, we do not speak; for the reason that
the sword was drawn and the North and
West could not help US. But in 1888, when
the entire business portion OF the city was
destroyed by fire, every important city in
the Union sent to Charleston words OF condo
lence and encouragement. The whole coun-
try offered Charleston that aid, which Chi
cago does not ask, but which mercy, gene
rosityand love compel US to give. We may
carp at the North and West, while they
prosper and grow rich. When they are
garbed in mourning, when the smouldering
fires light up their saddened faces, when
pail OF smoke wells them from the light OF
Heaven-then, as now, we have nothing
harsher to give than cordial words, and
part Of the little wealth which the war has
left this people. We dare not open an ac-
count with Heaven. We will not give in
the hope OF reward. But surely the bread
cast upon the waters will come back after
many days. and, as We forgive, we shall be
forgiven.
We now inv..9 the citizens of Charles
ton to subscribe their mite for the Chicago
sufferers. And, as there is little time Tor Or
ganizatiop, we have taken leave 10 open a
subscription list at THE DAILY NEWS Office,
where donations, however small, will be re-
ceived. We desire 10 forward Charleston's
contribution within three or four days, and
we trust that the people will respond hand.
some'y anil quickly 10 a call, Of which, in
their hearts, they must approve.