The Columbus journal., 1880-11-24
Relieve the Suffering.

We clip from the Lincoln State
Journal The article which follows,
written specially for that city, and
while we personally know of none
i'm this city to whom its charitable
features would apply, yet it is posi-
BILE that such cases exist, and if so,
we recommend the article to our
citizens who are able and willing to
relieve distress wherever found:
"For much of the poverty of which
we read, and that we see around us,
there is no necessity-not in this
country at least. For several years
past labor has been abundant, and
wages have been sure. There has
been no cry of hard times, no
mourning over unprOdHctive fields
and empty bins, no complaining of
scarcity of money, and no feeling
of doubt and uncertainty as to the
future or the present prosperity OF
the country. The times have been
as good as one could wish, ana the
general wealth of the country has
Increased wonderfully. These are
some of the reasons why the cry of
poverty, which is feebiy heard in
this and other cities, sounds strange
ly incongruous. So long as labor
is abundant, as it is in this state,
and wages good those who suffer
no bodily ills, the well and strong,
have no cause to complain OF pow
erty and want. Unfortunately, how
ever, there are those who are feeble
in body, men, women and children
who have been deprived by disease
or accident of the power to earn
their bread, and il is of these that
the Journal would speak, and for
whom it would ask sympathy and
assistance. The bitter cold weather
of the past few days should awaken
a feeling of interest in this matter
and make humanitarians of us all.
There may be very little real des-
titution in this city, and, again, there
may be more than will ever come to
light. 1t is not strange that people
should try to hide their poverty /;
this is, at best, a cold and uncharita-
BILE world, and it is often that the
really deserving are neglected and
sympathy and assistance are fire.
quently misapplied. To search out
the really destitute, the poor and
suffering of the city, should be the
purpose of those of our people, and
they are many, who are abundantly
able to give.
There is an organization of noble
women in this city devoted to char
liable purposes, and we have no
doubt it is even now at work re-
lieving such as are known to be in
want. This should be encouraged,
not by mere words alone, but by
contributions from the well filled
purses of those who are wealthy and
prosperous. A few dollars each
from the many who are able to give
in this city, might relieve great
deal of suffering this winter, and the
same could not be better distributed
than through this organization of
Christian workers. There is anoth-
er way of meeting the wants Of
those who are in distress, and that
is by individual effort. The city of
Lincoln is favored in the respect of
having few needy people, but the
cold winter, which may be long and
severe, will no doubt bring to light
many cases of real distress, and
these should be looked after at once,
whether by the charity of individu-
ais or through the effort of society
devoted to this aim. If we have any
poor in our midst who are unable 10
provide for themselves this winter,
they should be taken care of. 1t is
duty that the city owes to itself; /;
it is only common humanity to re-
lieve the destitute, and whatever be
the number of that class i'm this city
this winter, there should be no lack
of sympathy and assistance from
those who have plenty themselves
and something to spare"