The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-04-14
LOCAL MATTERS.

"CLOTHE THE NAKED. ."-The following
circular letter, which has been mailed to
the pastors OF the various congregations in
the city, and which explains itself, was
read in many OF the city churches on Sum
day. II is hoped by those interested that
the appeal contained therein will not be
passed by unheeded, but that all who can
do so will respond with some contribution ::
RICHMOND, VA, April 8, 1880.
Reverend Sir,-Tbe undersigned, the Ex-
ecutive Committee OF the Irish Relief Soci-
ETY.. beg to submit to your perusaI the fol.
lowing extract from q letter OF the Rev.
DR.. Hepworth to the New York Herald
OF March 20th. This gentleman is the
American member Of the Herald commit.
tee for the distribution OF its relief fund,
and is at present in Ireland, an eyewitness
to the scenes which he describes:
The Root Of the Eru.-The attention
Of your committee was some days ago at
tracted to the startling fact that children by
tens OF thousands are passing through a
heartrending experience. These little ones
are compelled TO remain in from school be-
cause, in the first place, they haze not eren
rags lCiM tchich TO COUer their ndkedneSS !;
and, second, because they cannot get food
enough to supply the physical strength
which is required for their long journey to
the school-room, and is equally requisite
in order TO keep their intelects bright
for the tasks which are set them when
there. This is one OF the most important
factors in the sad problem Of the misery
of Ireland. | have seen scores Of little ones
who are kept at home simply because II icaS
impossible and indecent to appear out Of
doors ,oith the fer tatterS uhiCh only hGtf
concealed their persons. When | remOn-
straed with one woman for keeping her
children from school, she pointed TO her
scdnty supply OF coarse Indian meal, the
only food she had in the house, and not
enough Of that. She told me, by way Of
apology, that when the children had enough
to eat they were always willing and ready
to 90 to school. but for some days they had
been so listess and weak that she had not
the heart to urge them. No one can quite
understand this state OF things unless be
has seen child's spirits gradually sinking
under the effects OF semi-starvation, as
have"
The people Of Richmond, having con-
tributed literally for the purpose OF buying
food for these unfortunate people, will not
refuse to aid III the work Of clothing them.
To people with "not even rags 10 cover
their nakedness," cast-off clothing, even
though much worn, would be a God-send.
II every church in the city should contri-
butte one box of such, how many persons
would be benefited II you, reverend
sir, will make the announcement TO your
congregation, and designate some member
thereof to receive the contributions, we
have no doubt that the merchants OF the
city will contribute empty boxes in which
to pack them, and the Adams Express
Company has promised to forward every
thing for the relief fund TO New York free
of charge. Once there the Herald takes
care OF it. Clothing is needed for adults as
ell as for children, although DR.. Hepworth
speaks of the latter more particularly. We
beg your aid in this good work.
A. NJ. KELLEY,
President Irish Relief Society;
JoHS PURCELL, Chairman
A. HIERHoLZER,
JOHN MAHONY,
JOHN NJ. HIGGINS,
JOHN II. claiborne,
FRED. X. SCOTT,
THOMAS POTTS.