Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-05-01
THINK OF III SERIOUSLY.

Within few days past, we have
learned of cases of restitution which
appeal strongly to Christian charity
for relief As the result of the drouth
of lastsummer, this condition of want
can not be charged to improvidence,
but IS one of the inevitable results of
natural causes and, therefore. deserv-
ing the greater sympathy of the COM
munity. We refer more especially to
Houston county, though in Stewart
and Montgomery there are cases in
which little assistance will afford
great RELIEVE allude to instances
in which small farmers have not the
fifty dollars with which to purchase
forage for the work animals necessary
to plant and raise crop. and to those
who have the forage. but not thezeam.
We have heard of one, or more, who
offered to mortgage their farms for the
sum of fifty dollars, that the means
may be procured for subsistence and
the wherewith to raise a crop.
Aud it does seem to US that in such
cases capital may, with perfect securi-
ty, do a good work in relieving indi-
vidual suffering and, at the same time,
promote the general prosperity by the
addition to the common stock of agri-
cultural productions what must other
wise be lost by the non production of
the disabled few. Not many, we pre-
sumo, are aware of the amount of aid
required, in this direction, even in this
county. Men, once well-te-do. are
slow to make known their wants, and
shrink from being considered objects
of charity, the greater, therefore, the
necessity that the more fortunate
classes should look up cases of dis
tress and provide means for prompt
relief-it is a matter Of public concern
and as such, demands public notice
and general CO. operation. Houston, is
one of the counties authorized by the
Legislature, to issue bonds for the re-
lief of its suffering citizens, but we do
not learn that the County Court has
taken any steps in the matter, although
the drouth was more destructive in
that locality than in any other in this
portion of the State. Churches and
the various benevolent associations
should look closely into the wants OF
their members and promptly meet
them, and the County Courts should
feel it their duty to take such steps as
will bring relief to those suffering from
cause neither to have been foreseen
nor averted. Upon representations
made to US, we base these remarks, but
without any intention to exaggerate
the amount of aid needed, or to suggest
the modes by which it may be obtain
red.
The cold spring, by keeping back
vegetation and farming operations,
makes it practicable, in due season, to
enable those to go to work who now
have no chance, without assistance, to
raise crop and keep the wolf from
their doors, during the next year. We
hope there are few in this condition
and, if SO, the lighter the task of re-
lieving them, though the duty to do so
remains the same. Meetings in the
Civil Districts can soon bring to light
all the cases of suffering within their
respective limits, and if the burden of
relief is too heavy for the neighbors
to bear, by voluntary contributions,
then other action should be taken,
either by the County Court, or general
subscription throughout the County.