Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-02-05
The Destltut,on in Kansas.

The contradictory nature of the accounts
Of suffering in the West,'i the regions that
have been the scenes Of the grasshoppei
raids, has doubtless tended to check to some
extent the tide of sympathy and relief from
the East. But that there has been, and is,
a vast amount Of suffering in Kansas and
Minnesota, is beyond doubt and while the
need exists, those who can DO something to
relieve it should not be weary in well-doing.
Our citizens have been privileged to receive
reliable information accompanied by defn-
ite Instructions and arrangements to ensure
the proper receipt and distribution of any
aid they might render) from some portions
of Minnesota and Kansas, and they have
responded generously. But We do not
think their sympathies or their ability to
aid have been exhausted. The letters we
publish below will, we trust, appeal effect
lively to both. The first is a letter from
our friend, Major E. D. Redington, of Law
renee, Kansas, who is yermonter born, and
gentleman of the highest truthfulness and
responsibility, which, though private
letter, we venture to publish, in further
ance of the good object for which it was
written. The other we take upon his tes-
timony. to be an entirely truthful, as it is
certainly succinct and touching appeal.
VIII not our readers, in and ou: Of Burling
ton, draw once more on their supplies of
money and clothing, and help these cold and
starving thousands through the winter
LAWRENCE, Kansas, Jan. 20. 1875.
6. q. Benedict. Esq:
DEAR SIR.-Doubtless your attention and
that of your community has been repeat
edly called TO the great destitution which
exists in a considerable portion Of our State.
While there can be ne exaggeration of the
utter and complete prostratiOn of the sgri-
cultural Interests on our western border,
and while speedy and combined relief will
be necessary to prevent actual suffering,
and perhaps death, sc, Of chronic harpies
make this great calamity preteXt for prey
ing upon the generosity of the people of
the East, and the result works great wrong
and IN ustice to the really deserving and
needy. To illustrate: This county Is one
of the wealthest in the State. but two sue
cessive years OF short crops. and one year of
grasshoppers, to which should be added
the prostratiOn resulting from the financial
panic, and the unsettled condition of affairs
resulting from the no policy OF Congress on
the currency question, have lett US crippled.
Yet this city raised nearly 81 400 to aid
our suffering neighbors. and we are abun-
dantly able TO feed our own poor in the
county, although it may cause Us to make
sacrifices. Still. our County Commissioners
have endeavOred TO get commissions from
our State Central Committee to beg for
Doug lass county, and certain ". Ii.
Maheanny has written the y. Y Tribune a
tale of Woe. which lacks 50 many essentials
of truth as to make II ridiculous to those
who know the facts, and which causes IL
dlgnation among the better class OF our
citizens. Your people cannot exhibit the
practical value of Christianity in any better
way than by aiding IN relieving the wants
of the sufferers in Kansas and Nebraska. for
the necessity is far more urgent than it was
in Chicago IN October, 1872 but ii you are
disposed to do anything, send direct 10 E.
). StOrer, Topeka, Kansas. or 10 such per
sons as are authorized by him. have writ
ten you thus much, presumiDg you might
have encountered some of these professional
dead beats, and no; wishing that my adopt
ed State should gain a reputation from some
Of her citizens who are misrepre-enting her.
enclose letter from Rev. L. Il. Foster,
2 Congregational clergyman on our border,
thoroughly responsible man, and self
denying Christian, which truthfuily sets
forth the condition Of affiirs in his own
county. and the adjoining ones arc but
reflection Of Osborne. | sent to him $50,
received from q private source in Vermont,
and be distributed it very judiciOusly. and
sent me acknowledgment iro.i the parties
receiving the same. Please give my best
regards to Mr.. BrastOw, Captain Page,
Hsgar, and other old acquaintance in the
gallan: 18th.
Yours very truly,