Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-01-20
Staunton Moving in behalf OF the Famishns Peo-
nile of Ireland,

Moving in behalf OF the Famishins Peo-
pie Of Ireland.
In the last SPEC rAToR notice was made of the
of citizens held for the purpose OF de-
vising way to raise funds to assist in relev-
ing the suffering the famine-steicken people
of ireland.
On Tuesday night, a majority OF the commit
tee held a meeting, Mayor Balthis presiding
After some preliminary discussion, the follow
ing general plan was agreed upon. LIST. That ia
ther McVerry prepare letter for publlcatloh'
setting forth the distress of the Irish peasantry'
and the real condition of the country. Zno.
That general meeting of the citizens De heiu
in the Opera House on Tuesday night, January
10th, at which brief addresses pertinent 10 the
subject Will be delivered by prominent speak
ers and collection be taken up. 5ru. 1hat
subsequent to the meeting. a committee De ap-
pointed to canvass the town for SUBSCRIPTIONS
to the Relief fund 4th That the money SO DO
mated shall be devoted exclusively to relieving
the want and distress of the peasantry OF Ire
land.
An executive committee, consisting of w. l..
Balthis, chairman, VIM. Wholey, w. L. Bum
gardner, G. G. Gooch, nd ]. Yost, was then
appointed to make all necessary arrangements
for carrying out the objects of the meeting
That committee met and made out the follow
ing programme for Tuesday (to-night), Janua-
ry GOTH
The meeting will be called to order and pre-
sided over by the Mayor.
Col. ]. III. Skinner will deliver the opening
address, to be followed in five minute appeals
by the following gentlemen Rev. DR.. Hough,
Rev. w. E. Baker, Rev. w. @. Hullihen. Bev.
j. B. Haskell, Rev. j. f. Booker. Rev. Mr..
Hume Rev. Father McKeefrey, Messrs, II. L..
Hoover, ]. w. Stout, Judge H. W. Sheffey. Rev.
]. 1. Miller. Gen. Jno. Echols, G. NJ. Harrison,
w. E. Craig, Chas. Grattan, II. st. G. Tucker,
NJ. F. White. and perhaps others.
interpreting the addresses the Stonewall
Band will render appropriate airs, and after
the speaking, a collection will be taken up.
We do not deem 1t necessary to urge upon
our citizens the sacred duty of giving heed to
the cry of distress which comes to US across
the waters. They have never been deaf to the
cry OF humanity, and we are sure they will, In
in this instance, give literally of their means
for the relief of the miSfortunes and sufferings
of people who have so largely aided in the de-
velopment of our country, and whose cumua-
ted centuries OF misfortunes have always clio
tied the sympathy of the hearts of the Ameri-
can people.
We cannot better set forth the suferings of
Ireland and the great necessity for immediate
relief, than is done by Father McVerry in his
address, which we give below
LETTER FROM FATHER McVERRY.
Messrs. Editors AT the preliminary meeting
held in the Mayors office on Tuesday evening,
January 10, 1885, for the purpose OF raising funds
to relieve the people in Ireland, a resolution
was OF maj yn ane
the subject, wish to say that the move made
in the direction OF relieving this people sprang
spontaneously from the promptings of several
Of the best citizens of Staunt> n, aud am con-
WINGED that this is sufficient to speak volumes
in favor of their great charity towards those
who are in distress. | am also convinced as
long as an Irishmans heart throbs, who ever
heard OF this noble work, it will feel grateful to
Staunton. This is sure sign that there exists
between the Irish and American people truly
traternal and Christian feeling.
think, however, before making mention Of
the causes of the distress, that it will not be
out of pla @ to prove that it actually exists in
L great many sections of the country.
We can cite the authority of the Duchess OF
Marlborough, the wife of the Lord Lieutenant
Of Ireland, who is not apt to exaggerate. She
says in her appeal published in the Times (the
,rgan of the English government, that the
motive that impelled her to make it was that ::
There is no doubt that in parts of Kerry, Gal
way, Sligo, Roscommon, Donegal and in the
-outhern part of the County Cork, in fact, in
most of the western districts of Ireland, there
will be extreme misery and suffering among
lhe poor. owing to the want of employment
loss of turf loss Of cattle, and failure of the po-
tatoes
Most Rev Michael Logue. Bishop Raphoe,
'ays:-"Bere in Donegal the poor people make
very little noise but they are already suffering
very much, and the prospect before them is APP
oalling. 1t is only those into whose ear they
AN p ur their tale of woe without wounding
their Celtic prid. who know the full extent OF
heir misery" Then he says. "the ring at his
ioor- bell is almost incessant, and that words
IRE not needed to tell the sad tale that awaits
do little to comfort the sufferers" Mitchell
Henry. NJ: P. in his letter to the Duke Of MARI
borough, dat d the 18th of December, 1879, says
The condition of the west is becoming daily
worse. The people have neither food. nor
clothing, nor credit to buy them, nor work to
earn them" Then speaking of the men that
to mark ct there to sell their oats he says
II can truthfully say that | have never seen
men so changed; pale thin blood,ess; and
without hope. Flour and Indian meal they
cannot get, for they have no credit, and yet the
men who come here are the best among them
am assured by many persons of the most reli-
sble authority, that there are many who have
not left their mountain huts for weeks, because
they have no clothes to cover themselves with"
The Parish Priest of Boherbee, County Cork
iays:-"If aid does not soon come to 2.50O OF his
parishioners, that the lately cheerful and hap.
py dwelling OF labor will become an abode of
want and suffering in its cruelest shapes. The
father that used to sit after his days toll: so su,
prenley happy In the bosom of his family, Will
have the tor ure to see his loved ones wasting
away in the horrid agony of hunger before his
eyes, whilst his strong arms that ought TO
or losing their strength piece-meal by the grip
of want" 1t is notnecesSary for me to cite any
rore authorities to prove this fact, as 1t Is so
evident.
The principal cause OF the famine is the fail
Ire of the crops; then the exorbitantrents that
some landlords exact of their tenants, and In
I idition to these, lack of employment Tor the
laboring class. All these causes combined have
brought about this sad state o. affairs; butt as
have said the failure of the crops is the prnci-
pal cause, for it is wel-known fact that the
farmers of Ireland depend from year to year on
the production of the coil, and should q season
prove inauspicious. famine, with all its accom-
papying evils, follows. From the testimon es
above adduced. we can truthfully conclude that
there is sorrow sadness, and much suffering in
many once happy home. IT. then, there Is a
scene calculated to move the Christian heart to
charity ft is the spectacle that suffering Ire
land now presents to the Christian and pros
porous nations of the earth. In this sad hour
of need. she petitions this charitable Republic
to send a portion of its ample means. hoping
that the day is not far distant when He, who
ru es the destinies of men and nations, shall
lift from her beautiful hills and valleys the
dark cloud of famine. which is heavily freight
ed with suffering and death. Tothe charitable
people of Staunton this appeal is made in the
name of suffering ireland, knowing that they
will now as they have done in the past sus-
tain their weli-known reputation fer christian
charity.
January 18th, 1850. JOHN MCVERRY-
ONLY 10 cents for a dozen bottles OF best Lager
paer Of yvu WHoLEY's janl3