The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-09-18
An Appeal to the NatioD.

WASHINGTON, Sept. s.-The following ap-
peal was issued to-day:
| TO the Chambers Of Commerce and the Charita-
be associations Of the chief cities Of the
Union:
The cry of anguish from the stricken cit
les and people of the South has been an
swered by a noble burst of charity from
citizens aud people of the whole communl-
ty- contributions, great and small, have
been extended to the sufferers. The Secre-
tary of War has generously extended the
aid of. the government To the poor and
needy OF the pest-ridden cities, but great as
has been the charity, the necessity is yet
greater, and the sums subscribed are yet
inadequate TO the wants of the suffering in
New Orleans. Vicksburg and Memphis, as
we'll in the smaller towns OF Holly
Springs, Grenada, Port Gibson. Canton,
GreenVllle, Brownsville, Baton Rouge and
Delhi. AL business is suspended. 1t is
estimated that in the suspension of business
On the Mississippi river south of Memphis
over fifty steam boats are tied up and their
crews discharged. Longshoresmen and
gangs of steVedores and other labOrOrs, who
were engaged in receiving and diScharging
of freight, are without employment. Four
great railroads are paralyZed and their en-
ployees are idle. Nearly every place OF
business in cities and towns where the te-
yer prevails is closed and the Employees
discharged. These employees are poor, and
dependent upon their labor for support. 1t
is estimated that OF these unemployed men
there are in New Orleans 10 900, Memphis,
900, Vicksburg, 10000. smaller towns
600, making a total of "a 900 discharged
workingmeD, most of whom are heads of
families, and represent total population of
not less than 100000 in actual ana desOlate
want. These people have no means to get
away from the pest-ridden cities. For
them there Is no labor, no wages, no bread
nothing but death and starvatiOn-anG
this condition must last at least tor fifty
days; for there will be no stay of the pesti-
lence, no resumption of business until frost.
Averaging the support of each individual
at twenty cents per day, which is ten cents
less than the cost OF an army ration for
fifty days, the support of the destitute aud
suffering will cost $1,080,000, and this for
subsistence alone. Nothing tor medicines,
clothing and proper sustenance for the sick
and burial OF the dead has been taken into
account in this calculation. It has occurred
to the undersigned that a comprehensive
system of relief should be at once inaugur-
ated to avoid the appalling distress which
will shock aud sicken humanity when, to
the awful destruction of the plague, are
added the horrors of famine. We suggest
that in each of the great cities of the Union
a central depot for the reception of supplies
be at once opened. where contributions of
provisions tea, coffee, wines, medicines and
clothing may be sent. The lines of trans Or-
cation over both land and water have vol
en- cities free of charge. Let New Orleans,
which is the most accessible by sea AID land,
and which has more facilities for transport
tation, be constituted a central depot for
the reception of supplies which can be for
warded to the Howard and Peabody Asso-
Citations of that city as fast as they are col
lected. Let Vicksburg, Memphis and
smaller towns that are affected send to New
Orleans their agents to aid in receiving,
distributing and forwarding pro rata sup
plies to the respective towns and cities for
which they are distined. We appeal to the
chambers of commerce of the great cities
to inaugur9te this movement forthwith
We appeal to the charitable and good. We
appeal to ministers of God for their influ-
ence and their congregations. Even the
smallest donation CT provision, money or
medicines will be acceptable. The charac-
ter of the noble gentlemen who compose
the Howard Association and Peabody AssO-
citation ana Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton are guarantees that all charities donated
will be properly and honestly applied. In the
name of our common country and kindred
humanity, we invoke for our stricken dy-
ing aud starving people the charity of those
whose homes aud loved ones are secure
from the pestilence that walketh in the
darkness and the destruction that wasteth
at MONDAY.
GSignedl E. JOHN ELLIS, Louisiana.
r. l.. GIBSON, LouIs!aua.
JOHN S. MORGAN. Ala.
VIM. II. MCCARDLE, Miss.
CYRUS BUssEY,
President n. 0. Climber of Commerce.