Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-02-23
Tho Republican Pnrty-IIs Mission.

called 10 the citizenship OF foreigners.
The United States have already become a
sort Of Botany Bay to receive the out-casts
and overflow OF paupers and criminals.
The rotten monarchies Of the old world
send to our shorvs, the tit.blts and fag ends
Of decayed and worn out humanity. Our
prisons ard almshouses are already full.
Foot-pnds and tramps and confdcnce-men
with other well-nigh hopeless specimens
Of depravity, infest every nook and corner
Of the land. Demagogues and rogues Of
every kind bring these pests OF society to
polhte the ballot-box before they have cast
oH the slough Of despotism. The question
arises whether foreign governments ought
not TO be called to a more strict nc.
count for emptying out their poorhouses
and houses Of nasignation upon our
soil. II we must have them, let ne have
also some good reason for accepting such
gifts, and ace II we cannot possibly put
them to some good use. Europe and the
whole world ought to understand that it
huuiu IfhtIN NuGih "
spectiye governments to take care Of their
own progeny and thereby save uS the ne
ccs4ity Of building lazurettos, watch-houscs
and other domestic institutions for the ex.
press purpose Of making ourselves useful
to mankind in general. There is a large
ingress Of foreigners to our shores which
add thrift aud vigor to every department
Of industry, Let such receive a cordial
welcome. To such let any avenue OF busi-
meas and honor be thrown wide open.
There cannot be too many. Our ngricul-
tural, mechanical and mercantile and edu.
cational interests call for workers. But
even these need some insight into our gov
eminent before they are admitted to full
citizenship. II our government can do no
better, let every foreigner he put to some
useful employment as soon as he caches
our ports, do not let one Of them go n beg.
ging' Let every beggar be put to work at
once. II the army and navy are large
enough to enforce such law, let it be en-
acted that every beggar must go to work
for self-support, il bodily able, or feel the
force OF Uncle Sans moral suason.
In dealing with the worthy poor govern
mcnts cannot be too merciful There are
many whom misfortune has cast out oi
deep and mcrcilcss seas OF cnlamities upon
the shores Of Humanity who are sensitive
| above measure, and suffer more than tongue
can tell from the scorn and rough usage OF
| a cold world. Such children and tempest.
tossed souls ought to be tenderly cared for
| The republic has done II great deal for
| them. But ought it not to do more2 Poor.
houses ought to be so constructed as to
| give as much enjoyment of family privIl
eges as possible. Let the poor be grouped
in different apartments. Give them books
and social privileges, and above all lei
them have the consolation OF religion
Some poor-houses are mere dens; where the
poor are herded together and put to work
like ielons. Perhaps the Wood county poor
house may be an exception. But where il
the library Of select and good books? AND
where is the charel and the ministratior
ot faithful, sympathizing teacher anC
shepherd? Aud where is the slightest re
sembIancc to family group7 Those i'm
prisoned and belabored denizens cfour poor
houses may, off and on, sing some of Burn
melodies. But what is there about tn,
beastly habitation to remind one of sweet
sweet home? The Superintendent of sucl
an establishment must feel often time
called upon to Use muscular and CAD sua
sion In the almost total absence of the gen
tie and soothing influences of that benigl
religion which was taught by the Savior o
mankind and which has ever Justly claimed
the highest place in the civil and domestic
councils of this christian nation. Poor
houses! the bare thought of going to livt
in one is enough to drive an honest, ,uprigh,
sensitive poor man, to madness. Canno
| government revise the Statutes in relation
to poor-houses, bankrupts and other unfor
tunate men and women and children 3,
that they may dwell in farm houses, o
other human dwellings of which the in
mates may by industry become the owner
and thus kinale anew the embers Of man
hood we'll nigh extinguished?