Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-11-11
THE BOsTON CONsLAGKArIor.


Another disastrous fire has visited an
American commercial metropolis. Bos-
ton has lost one hundred million dol
lars in the course Of a few hours. Just
thirteen months after the great eonfia-
grafton which laid Chicago in aches. we
are called upon 90 publish the long and
painful details Of the calorific ruin Of
the wealthiest portion of classic, indus
tTious and accomplished Boston. On
Sunday night, the ninth Of October,
lS1, Mrs Deery's COW kicked over the
lamp, which lit the fearful flame
that gave two hundred and sixty millions
ofproPerty to the quick destruction-of the
dreaded element. On Saturday night,
November 9, 1872, another great fame
bursts forth mysteriously in the heart Of
Boston, and, famed by the strong winds |
which commonly prevail in that sec
tion, the devastating element swept on /
during the fearful and gloomy hours Of
night, tapping up, with every dart Of
those fiery tongues, a hundred million 1
dollars worth Of property. We had
hoped that the period Of great confiagrs-
tons in American cities was passed; /
that the solid and substantial growth of
our cities Of trade and commerce and
manufactures had precluded the posi-
bility Of such calorifc destruction as
was common in the earlier periods Of
our history. But it appears that neither
granite nor iron can Withstand the pecu-
liar force Of the element in this country.
We read Of solid stone walls and iron
bejoist structures cracking and crum-
bling into ruin before the fervent heat
that Is generated in the great fires which
start, no one knows how, and spread
despite all hamsn exertion to curb their
terrific force, until the sites Of whole
cities become scenes Of hot and smokingl
ruin. Chicago did not furnish a lesson.
It was a sublime miracle Of destruction
which no forethought or caution could
have averted. As Byron wrote Of the
Ocean, Nan marks the earth with
ruin; his control stops with the shore"
So his control stops, and his ingen-
uity and power stand amazed and
sbashed in the presence Of such fiery !
torrents as those that sweep through the
long, dark streets Of Chicago and the
stately, narrow ways Of Boston. These
two cities seem to be twin sisters in ,
iniquity and misfortune. They are also
twin cities in feeling and commercial in
rerest. The young, the beautiful and the
bold Chicago cherishes an affection for
her elder relative not 50 bold nor so beau /
tiful, Yet possessing charms enough to
evoke sympathy from al the world in
her misfortune. Last summer she war
oled enchanting melody in the listening I
ear Of the country. Last night {
.-She raised her. piercing orbs
Ana Hlied WIN light the Intervals Of sound.'' Q
1t was not, however, the calm light Of I
science and literature, but the lurid glare +
Of destruction. The richest portion Of {
the great and ancient town is laid in a
ashes. Vast granite warehouses that 4
contained the gathered treasures Of a Il
commerce were leveIlsd. b
and stately rows Of magnificent stores 4
at the touch Of frey death. :
The Oldest AID most solid part Of the city \
s destroyed, and the los viii notafall a
ihort-of seveuty-five million dollars. As Il
a the case of Chicago, the nation. no q
iouot, will express a prompt and ser +
1ceabie sympathy, and aid viii pour in
rom al quarters to relieve the suffering a
people. It is but fitting the suffering e
lister Of the West should be first in the Fl
way, and so, indeed, we find it. The y
Mayor Of Chicago has sent the follow ~ ~
ng message tothe Mayor of Boston. ei
MAJORS OFFICE, Chicago, Nov. 10, Is72, ftl
10 the Mayor Of Boston: el
The citizens Of Chicago tender their
ieepest sympathy, and all the material >
nd in their power to your afflicted peo- Z
}le in this hour Of their fearful misfor- n
unes. In what way can We help YOU "
nost2 have called public meeting 1
or noon tomorrow to consider the ways st
and means Of assistance. Signed, CO
JOSEPH MEDILL, Mayor u
The press Of that city also expresses o
5 sympathy, and the gentlemen Of the ~
Union are equally prompt ~
nd generous. They have held meet. =,
ng and adopted measures for the speedy n
elief Of the suffering brethren Of BOs- IA
on. 1t is not too much 70 expect that 81
u classes Of Americans will be quick o
nd liberal in giving comfort and sub a
tantial aid to the thousands that are left s.
q distress by this dire calamity. st