, 1872-11-18
RELIEF FOR BOSTON.
The Chicago Donation.

The Chicago Donation.
Fra. TIC Boston Journal, Nor. 49,.
The fact that Sl00, 900 have already been
by the FIRE, ID so marvellous that gratitude is in
danger OF being confused BY the extraordinary
associations it suggests. Never Was there such
case OF bread being thrown upon the waters
and returning ere many days. Only little over
which none OF US can ever forget, We hurried our
contributions to Chicago. We hoped they
would help to keep her people alive, till
they should get fairly started in the long,
weary work Of rebuilding their city,. and
glorious sum, in charge OF q glorious Com
mittee, for the relief OF Boston! That they can
do such thing at this time is as encouraging to
all our business sufferers as the fact that they
have the heart to do it is grateful and refreshing
to us all.
Let us add that the innumerab1e evidences Of
sympathy and charity which have been invoked
throughout the country by onr misfortune have
not failed OF heartfelt appreciation here, though
our New England reserve may affect its public
recognition. Boston is notsuch centre OF kin
ship and Investments, spreading over the whole
country, rs Chicago was. Our business rela-
tions were built up, like the burnt warehouses.
high and narrow, comparatively speaking; and,
beaides, it was said that Boston was cold and
unsympathetic. We want no better proof Of
the groundlessness OF such ineinuations than
the keen and eager interest, the generous out
pouring Of sympathy the prompt Offers OF aid,
and the noble contributions that have been
evoked on every hand by this great calamity To
each and all Of our donors we return our wa1m-
est, Heartbeat thanks, with the assurance that
the donations will be disoreetly used, and the
good wishes will all be funded in grateful hearts,
whether they are ever needed in return by the
benefactors or not.
From the Boston Adgerttser, Nou. 10.
Before the hremen had been successful IN
hemming in the fire so that they could assure US
that it should spread no further, Chicago, which
suffered so much more than ne only thirteen
months ago, telegraphed the Mayor that she
would send us help. Other cities speedily fol-
lowed with generous offers OF assistance. We
have not seen any Of the replies made to these
dispatches, but We learn from Chicago that
Mayor CASTOR has telegraphed to the Mayor of
that city that Boston will gratefully accept pecu-
mary assistance. We can appreciate the feel
ing which prompted the Mayors reply. We do
not wish to seem ungracious when friends, far
and near, are SO generous. But We think the
Language used Was calculated to convey wrong
impression. We cannot imagine how the money
to be sent us can properly be used. Up TO the
middle Of yesterday forenoon, but twenty-five
applications had been made at Chardon street
for relief in consequence of the fire. The dis
t1ict destroyed included but small numter Of
dwelling houses. We do not believe that
500, 900 in all would be insufficient to makegood
was destroyed by the fire. Should millions
be given US it would be misapprop1iation IT it
to bestow it upon others than these poor people.
We could not grant the use Of it to merchants
we ought not to to give food and clothing to
persras who are simply thrown out OF employ
ment, and who will very likely get other oca1pa~
ton.
Boston is exceedingly grateful, and her peoEle
have been greatly touched by the universal ea-
Pressions Of sympathy in our great misfortune,
Were the case different We should most thank
fully accept aid in doing what we might be
unable to do for ourselves. But the
truth is that the sufferers IN Boston are
well-to-do merchants, or are at least left Wrh
credit and enterprise to start again. Il "ou1
require five times the sum given to Chicago to
eet them back into anything like the condition
they were 8 week ago. This We could not ask,
and could not accept il rendered The absolute
distress is by no means sufficient to call forth
any outside contributions. The city is amply
able to take care of them. We trust, therefore,
that if the reported assurances OF our willingness
to accept aid for the poor have been given, they
will be recalled with the heartiest expressions Of
our gratitude to those who have offered help, for
their good will.
There is one kind OF help which merchants in
other cities can give, and about accepting which
there might be no scruplea.. Our merchants
have lost their stocks Of goods. They need all
creditors can give them. From the former
prompt payments. from the latter accommoda-
tion. We can get through without inficting
blow on the business interests Of the country,
if We receive generous treatment from those
with whom ne have relations. 1t is quite as
important that the customers Of Boston NOR
chants be not only assured Of our ability to
serve them, but persuaded to continue to buy
here. In a very short time our stocks will be
fully replenished, and our merchants will main
tain their ablished reputation for prompt
ness and fair dealing. This is the really impor-
tant point for the people Of other cities to con-
slider, and while ne have no doubt that their
generosity will induce them to favor those who
that under nc circumstances will they suffer the
calamity that has befallen them to cripple their
power Of doing business, or to Eerlously dimin-
ish it's amount for very long time.