The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-13


SAY what we will about the selfshness
Of the age ON the universal worship of the
almighty dollar, catastrophes which from
time to time startle and shock us, show
that human nature is not given over to
total dcpravity, or cold cynicism, but that
still Zone touch of nature makes the
whole world KIM"
Not many months ago the Capitol dis
aster in this city, stirred responsive chords
in the hearts of many who knew Richmond
only by name, and others who knew her
better than they loved her. 1t was enough
to know there had befallen unexpected dis
aster, and that distress followed the calam-
ity. 10 relieve that distress was the only
desire which found expression, and widows
and orphans to-day live to bless the givers.
Though the ALTERATION Chicago de-
lenda est''--is not strictly true, still the
work of the Fire-fiend in that marvellous
city, ION the 9Th and 9th Of this month, is
of such appalling magnitude, that history
must be searched for a parallel; and not
only has property to a fabulous amount
vanished in night, but human life has
been lost, and thousands who saved life,
having lost all means of livelihood, find
themselves literally thrown upon "the cold
charities of the world" houseless and
homeless. The lightning-charged wires
flash intelligence Of this disaster, suffering,
and exposure; but though, in financial cir
cles, men pause to consider what its effect
may be upon their business interests, there
is no delay in deciding what must be done
for suffering fellow-beings; and before the
fire is cxtinguished, express trains are
laundering through darkness and storm,
bearing the spontaneous offerings of the
rich merchant and the toiling mechanic
each vieing with the other in prompt CIV
ing-asking not acho is to be relieved, but
hoao can gee ? and in this realizing she
gives twice who gives quickly"
Such facts stand out in bold and ample
refutation Of the common assertion that
''nan's inhumanity to man" has become
his second nature they make us think bet
ter of our species, and encourage us in our
hope that the cords of human brotherhood,
50 far from being eaten by the canker Of
worldly and political strife, are made strong
er and more sensitive by the discoveries Of
science, which are annihilating geographical
divisions, as they curtail time and distance Of
intercommunication between separated peo-
Piles and countries.
Shall we beconsidered as obnoxious to the
reproof of the poet
PHILOSOPHER? a tinl5ering knave;
i One who would peep and botanize
Upon his mothers gravel
/ if we give expression to thought which
forced itself upon us as we read the long
4 list OF notable buildings destroyed. o.
one it is said, Zone of the finest in the
country;o of another, 'was the finest
building of the kind in the world" and
contained, "the finest machine Of the kind
in the world;" of another, ''was the
largest hotel in American, and only sur.
passed in extent by two or three grand
hotels of Europe; still another, "said to
be the most beautiful structure for bust.
ness purposes in America" Such boasts,
land we do not wish to be understood as
intimating that they were idle boasts have
fallen on our ears and met our eyes fire.
quently; and the great achievements justly
credited to the enterprise and energy OF
+ Chicago merchants, but little allusion
made to the Supreme agency "that shapes
our ends, rough hew them as we WILL
Whata terrible assertion of the power of the
Great Disposer against the boosted works
and ends of these bold, but human, propo-
sers; and how forcibly appropriate the words
of scripture, Except the Lord build the
city, their labor is in vain that build it.
Except the Lord keep the city, the watch
man waketh but in vain" Fire and air arc
combined against puny man, who welds by
his artificial appliances, the third clement
water; but all in vain--Chicago burns UNI
til, as the dispatches read, failing RAJ,
checked the fearful work of destruction
That Chicago will rise like a Phoenix from
her ashes, is as certain as any possible hui
man event. We trust her days of mourn
ing and suffering will be few, and that hel
rebuilding and subsequent keeping will b'
marked as Providential blessings, as hel
present disaster is Providcntial warning
not to her people only, but to all the grea
family of man.