Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-01-30
WORK FOR THE ORANGES.


known as the Patrons of Husbandry
could be made to serve very useful
purpose in furnishing aid to the thous-
ands of people who are on the verge of
starvation in Kansas and Nebraska, from
the loss of their crops by the grasshop-
per plague. 1t should be considered a
pleasure as well as duty, for this great
order, to extend helping hand to these
brethren in distress. They possess the
means for securing united action, and
better facilities for dispensing their
bounty, than other citizens, and it seems
appropriate for them to at least take
the lead in this great humane object.
Our remoteness from the scene of
want is no excuse for apathy in this
matter. The restitution is general,
and no hope of relief IS presented, for
many months to come, except in the
voluntary contributions of the people
of our whole country. That the call
is urgent, and that our people are ex-
pected to contribute their share, is in
dicated by letter to Mr.. Isaac Dotfie-
myer, of this place, written by his
brother in Kansas, dated Wichasaw,
Dec. 25th, which gives heart-rending
account of the privations and hardships
to which the people of the despoiled
district are subject. He writes " There
are thousands in starving condition,
who must perish unless relieved from
abroad. This State and Nebraska are
densely populated, and the suffering is
general. The worst of it is, that Win
ter is upon us, and there is no immedi-
ate prospect of our being able to help
ourselves. Aid is flowing in slowly,
but not enough to keep all from suffer-
ing the pangs of hunger or the chilly
blasts of severe Winter. Do what
you con for us, and do it quickly"
1t is stated in the Portland papers
that Wells, Fargo & Co., have resolved
to receive and forward, free of charge,
contributions for the relief of the
plague-stricken community. Let the
response be immediate and liberal.
What better object appeals to loosen
the purse-strings? What higher ambi-
ton can be subserved, than to furnish
our share of the means to feed and
clothe the thousands of our fellow crea-
lures, who appeal to us in their hour of
dire distress? Let no selfish feeling
intervene in question of life and
death. Let the Patrons take the initi-
alive. They will meet with generous
response, and prove that their organiza-
ton is blessing to the people and an
honor to the whole country.
The Secretary of the Relief Com
mittee at Topeka, Kansas, after recit-
ing some of the horrors of the situation,
says: "The people of the eastern
pOItlOu VI TIC Oldt6 ubfc oOIlo duu ulS
doing all they can to mitigate the rigors
of this terrible misfortune; and we had
hoped that we cauld save ourselves
from the humiliation of soliciting out
side help. But the fact being daily de-
veloped in the investigation of this
committee, makes it too sadly clear
that we are not, within ourselves, equal
to the emergency. We are not without
courage, and we hate to beg; but we
are not without humanity also, and the
sight of women and children eating
bran, boiled wheat and cracked corn,
and having only enough clothes to hide
the nakedness of their shivering Bodies,
is one that leaves us no alternative but
to appeal to the sympathy and charity
of the people"
Who will be the Good Samaritan, to
bring this matter before the public in
every county, so as to secure an imme-
date response
Nh,1o H. okao,oox. u,