Connecticut western news., 1881-07-13
The Charity Question.

ED. NEWS II have read with 8 great deal of interest the article in your last issue, enti- tied Mistaken Charity" say with interest T must also add with astonishment-tha there could be such sentiments expressed by a deep-thinking and well-meaping individual in our community. But whatever I may say, I wish it understood that speak only against the sentiment and not the author, who, for aught know, may be my next door neighbor. Were however to meet "An Observer" face to face, my first question would bc. "Have you, my dear sir, eyer been to New York2" Not in satire would ask 1t, but merely to ascertain whether or no it has ever been his lot as it has mine, to witness the filth, the degradation and the crime, not to speak of the sickness and disease which rage through all the lower wards of New York City. But it is not my purpose to attempt to picture the condition of these poor children. as doubtless those who listened to the lecturer have heard . more vivid des- cription than could give. My design is to refute the few arguments which "Observer" brings forward in antagonism to this charity, and as far as in me lies to lend my influence in forwarding this noble work.
 His first argument is "salaried." Evidently
 
 be judged also from the whole tenor of his remarks) had to do with city or perhaps even more than local, country charity. Had he ever thus exerted himself, he would have readily discovered how prevalent is the theory which he himself brings forward, that "Chari- ty begins at home, and that more often tire. mains there that great charities. those which have grand and noble ends in view, can be successfully carried on, only by the aid of money, and that the charitable part of the community is composed of two classes one, wealthy enough to give of their means, but unwilling to take personal, active part the other, those of limited means, with whom it Is impossible to give money and who are able to give personal efforts only for . compensation. Hence is evident the necessity of employing salaried men at whom, as set oyer against him who ''sits at the door and gives unsought and unasked," ''Observer" hurls his futile invec. tives. But, under s contrary theory, who would be aided2 Those who come before the door and stand and wait, until charity CD ,.nasked comes out and bestows its gifts C) Does such a feeble argument as this need fur ther refutationp Salaried Yes, thank God that there Is enough Christian charity in the busy city of New York to pay man to carry on the work And shall we not do our part Shall we not. by every means in our power, aid good work 80 well begun
 ''Observers" next query is, "Are there no poor children in our own cities and state2' True but because there are lwhile no effort is being made by those acquainted with their poverty, to relieve it shall we sit still and fold our hands and refuse to aid s delegation from charitable society in New YorkY ltmust al- Aa he held in mind that the association refer red to, does not fight against mere poverty it is not mere crime and degradation, it is dir ease, sickness, dedth, bred, it is true, by pov- erty and filth, but all the more incurable un- til it be removed from it's cause into cool, clean, country home, where alone can be found the pure air and the plain food, which will re- build the ruined constitutions and save the lives of these poor children. Can "Observer" show me place in our broad commonwealth from New London to Salisbury, where disease and death hold such firm and unremitting sway as in the filth of New York City? Is it not then of utmost moment that these seeds of disease be checked before they descend to form the unwelcome inheritance of untold generations2
 "Observer" says, 'It is the dot, not the amount that constitutes true charity" True. it is the act, but it is not the in-action. How would s'Observer" reply if were to meet him face to face and ask. "How many children l picked out of the highways and by-ways of Canaan have you ever discovered and aided 2n Mir. Editor, individual charity is & good thing, I do not wish to underrate that, but I tell you sir, when class of earnest, Christian, charita- ble men, such az those composing the associa- tion of which we speak. are united together in a common interest and with a common end. is it not probable, nay. is it not certain that the good they will accomplish will exceed that ac- complished by the same number working in- diyidually, more than ten fold9
 In lieu of combined assault against the poverty and wretchedness of our own com monwealth, let us all, heart and hand, take hold upon the work which God has placed be. fore us, and carry it forward to glorious com pletion, feeling repaid by the fact that we will gladden. the hearts, and preserve the lives of innumerable sick children who shall reap the benefits of this Christian charity. G. W. B. I've have received from New York another reply to Observer" on the Charity question, which our limited space compels us to omit from this issue, but it will appear next week