Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1880-07-07
SUFFERING IRELAND.


A Dark Day in Donegal A VIII.
laaIAk 1OslaM SaOUS AsesOIve.
The following letters will explain
themselves without any statement from
the Republican"
MEssRs. RDiToRs: - About three
months ago, l read in the Republican"
copy of letter written by Bishop OF
Raphoe, Ireland, to Bishop Becker, OF
this city, and read by the latter gen
tleman to his congregation in behalf
of the sufferers of starvation in Ireland.
| was surprised at the astounding an,
nouncement, that there were at least
60, 900 persons in the Diccess Of Raphoe,
depending on charity. / have heard
the assertion criticised, and for myself,
knowing there were no large cities with
in the bounds, Twas in hopes there
was some mistake.
made inquiry of several parties whs
had received letters from their friends,
and the accounts 30 far as l could find
out, were conflicting. then wrote to
the minister Of the church to which nay
parents belonged, without knowing his
name, and received his answer but yes
terday. The cause Of this delay is ex-
plsined therein. am siokened by the
thought that so many people are on
the brink of starvation, while SO many
of their friends here have enough and
to spare. ,
request that you publish this and
also the letter from the Rev. Mr.. Rog-
ers, which l hand you herewith.
hope it will reach the hearts Of some Of
the generous public, and prompt them
to contribute something to this worthy
cause.
will send whatever I can afford on
the 18th inst, and any sum that may
be placed in my hands by that time
shall forward with my own. AS the
appeal is made for 3 particular congre
CATION, should any wish to contribute
for the Roman Catholics or Episcopal
ians, l can guarantee that it will bt
faithfully delivered to their respective
representatives in Ireland.
Respectfully, JOHN PEOPLES,
of the Union National Bank.
| WILMINGTON, July 7th, 1880.
| LETTER CHURCH,
| COUNTY Donegal, IRELAND,
i June 20, 1880. )
Dear Mr.. PEOPLES Il, the ministe
of Letter Church Of olden memories, be-
to offer you my very sincere apolog.
for not Immediately replying to you
letter of kind inquiry respecting tn
state of your native parish In this sea
son of great and unprecedented. trials t.
which the poor are subjected, especial
ly in the highlands OF this country.
Your letter reached me in due course
and among the many which l received
by same post, yours was selected with
Isome others to be answered immediate
Ily. These were psrceled up and care
fully laid apart; but I am sorry to say
too carefully, as l never could, afte
} many a search put my hand on the par
eel since. Always hoping that your let
ter might turn up some day defer
red the answer as did not recollect tn
address.
, At last mentioned the matter to
member Of the congregation a person {
, your own name, and, / understood,
i connection as we'll. He replied that b
Q could give me your address and did SC
!, And now l write you at the first oppol
= tunity.
Mr.. Peoples, the distress in this par
!, OF Donegal is very great. | am now fo
thirty.s years ordained minister
$ this congregation, and we have ha
some trials through that period, bu
none like this year. Even the memol
6 able year Of 1S47, the year Of the pota
o to failure was not so trying as this fo
y in AT the other crops came in thei
Q usual abundance, but not so this yeal
d Oats this season was but partial. 30
y about / less fax ! less, and inferic
% quality and lower price; potatoes abor
!, ! of other years, no turnips, no fuel, I
II fruit, &c. The landlords are more pres
= ing and exacting, especially on II
l. Leitrim estate than in former years.
81 Now you will not be surprised
learn that nearly one half Of the col
u grsgation are on the relief list. I'll
n great bulk of the Roman Catholics, an
y Hpiscopalians, and few Of the Presb,
o terians are aid receiving, and many
l. them cannot get relief for want
funds. The poor small farmers al
in the most pitiable condition, the
pride fighting against their extren
poverty, and their continued silent
n covering great amount Of domest
3 suffering.
l. The Church Of England receives pr
" vate grants from the Bishop. II
'S Roman Catholics from their Source
D. but our Presbyterian people are largel
& left to ourselves. As there is still thrt
. months before any permanent reli
70 can come from the soil and this IL
|. worst trying period Of all. Perhaps 70
VI might feel disposed to interest yor
Is friends and all with whom you ma
1t have influence to aid you in raising
g Inscription on behalf of the Congreg
Is tion of Leister, such as would enab
g them to tide over this troubled sea.
IS The angry waves Of domestic affli
tion and privation, by which at tn
moment they are sorely tried, and
you will entrust the administration
your contributions to me and my SO
y sion, will promise to act in exact a
!, oordance with the wishes Of yourseiv,
~ and friends.
II Hoping to hear from you at your ool
d venience, believe me to be very tru'
% yours. N. +. ROGERS.