Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-12

fire. The couAagrations of great cities
have marked in the histories OF various
nations periods never TO be forgotten. He said
he had Just looked over an account of the great
London fire, which began on the 81 Of Scptcm-
Der, 1866, and lasted five or six days, till nearly
all London lay in ruins, and had observed that
human nature exhibited the same traits then as
now; there were conspicuous cases of dCprNCd
mcanncss, as well aS the brighter ones oicxaltcd
generosity. He was sure that here in Worcester
only the better side of nature would be mani
Tested. He spoke Of the telegraph as making
the sufferers seem like ncighborS, by its giving
us au account of the flames so soon us to make
it almost seem to us that we can hear them hiss
and crackle. We should put our hands in our
pockets and help the sufferers with the same
lberalty with which we would our near neigh
borS; it is no hour for mere talk. lie doubted
the legality of the suggestion made by the pre-
yiouS Spcakerthat the city in its corporate capac-
iiy should act in the matter, thinking it might
be called in question by and by; but we should
leave thar out of the question and do our duty
Individually. He hoped the example OF Mr.
Crompton would he widely followed.
Mr.. Moen was called upon for speech, but
said on rising that he did not come to speak
he came to report, and had to report that the
wOrkmcn in the mills of the Washbun & Moen
corporation had expressed desire to give one
days work each, which would amount to $1,000,
and that the directors had voted to give another
S1OOOI
The announcement that Hon. W w. Rice had
given $500 was received with enthusiasm, after
which the chairman read communication from
the ladies Of Plymouth church, saying that they
were preparing box of clothing for the dcst-
tute, and that contributions to the same would
be GLADLY received at Mrs. 0Sgood Bradlcy'S on
Front street.
Mr. }. II. Walker said that there was proba-
bly, no man there who would lose more by the
fire than himself; he considered the loss was
felt by every man and woman in New England
but no matter what is taken from any one of
us, it behcoves us to divide whatever is left
in our larder and store with the dcs-
titute and suffering /; there is nothing
so eloquent as Il gift to the poor
and needy; and in this case there can be moth
ing in our conscicnces which will Justify us in
giving any less than the utmost we can afford.
He closed by making a gift of $500 and ex-
pressing the hope that the subscription of the
city would roll up to $50, 600.
This fairly opened the pockets, and contribu-
tons began to come in rapidly. As they were
announced from the platform, cheers were
heard from all parts of the house, and the
treasurer and secretaries were kept busy dur
ing the remainder of the evening. Commit
tees were appointed to g among the
audience with papers, and names with
the amounts contributed set against them
were rapidly brought in. Mr.. Hoar said Il few
more words, calling attention to the fact that
in this work of relief all religious differences
are generously set aside, and Catholic and
Protestant alike work together for the good of
the suffering, as had been made manifest by
several liberal gifts during the evening. Mr.
A.A. Reed announced that he was a poor work
ing man, at present out of employment, but
ready to give two days work to the suffering
if any one would give him employment at his
trade.
1t was announced that fifty dollars of the
large sum given by Crompton's worlmcn was
by gentleman at present guest of Mr.. Cromp-
toms, neither resident of the city or even of
the country-Mr Randolph Rogers, the cclc-
bratcd sculptor, of Rome, and formerly of New
ENGLAND