The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-04-19
SUFFERERS OF CHIC.
to the People of America
for Aid.

tor Aid.
WASHINGTON, April ll.-Mrs. Blaine,
Mrs Sherman and number OF other
ladies prominent in Washington society
and we'll known throughout the country
make the following appeal to the people
of the United States in behalf OF the
sufferers from the recent disastrous earth.
quake in Chic:
WASHINGTON. April IL, 1881.
To the People of the United States:
The calmlty of Chic touches the whole
world. A disaster which no human eI-
ror caused, and which no human fore
sight could perceive or prevent has laid
waste the beautiful island whose songs
have been among the worlds most treas
ured possessions for FIVE and twenty GEN.
turies A single Sunday afternoon des-
lroyed the fruit of sixty years OF indus.
try and turned peaceful and pleasant
country into a scene of desolation and
horror. Without one moments war
ming, by the unheralded and irresistible
forces OF nature, 1000 human beings
were crushed and hurled beneath the
ruins OF their own happy homes. 10000
more have been extricated, wounded and
dying, and 10000 are left wandering
without roof or food or plan for the fu-
ture, stricken by an unseen hand, fam
ished, appalled,, desparing.
PRESSING SITUATION.
The situation admits of no delay.
The suffering is present and pressing.
No community could recover from so
mysterious and terrible blow, except
through the Glow laps OF time. The
neighhoring Powers have rushed to Chic
with instant aid. but the shocked and
sorrowful people must be nurtured
through many long day back to COM
fort and confidence, to hope and home
JOY, to moral strength and self.depen-
dence.
In this sudden and overwhelming an.
guish the accredited representatives OF
the desolated province have appealed to
US to implore the generous ass stance
of the American people. We do no,
appeal to the American people. They
need no appeal. In this sweet charity
the New World insists upon its right to
stand and share with the Old.
COLLECTION SUGGESTED.
But, gathered in the national capi.
tai from all sections of this great land
feeling profoundly that the Kings bust
ness requireth haste, and confident tha
in thus complying with the request o
our friends and neiebbors from over The
sea, We rightly interpret the eagernes,
of every American, to minister not only
sympathy. but prompt and definite sue
cor, we ventur earnestly to beg the pas
tors of all churches. Catholic, Protestan
and Hebrew. to take up collection i,
their several congregations at the earli
eel practicable moment And we pra,
the presidents of boards Of trade ant
the managers of all moneyed iDs,itu
lions to circulate subscription papers
thst the rich may have immediate op
portunity to give of their wealth and th
, poor of their poverty through channel
that shall soonest reach the faiutine sut
D ferers whom nature could not spare an,
and whom humanity must restore.
The we'll known banking house O
, Riggs d Co., OF Washington, has kindl
\ consented to receive all moneys collec
| ted for this purpose, and for convent
ence and despatch the several sums re
! ceived will be ackno wledged in the dali
papers of Washington.
J We ask from the editors of newsps
: pers the favor of giving this letter
prominent place in their columns.
: HARRIET S. BLAINE, of Maine.
8 ELLEN EWING, SHERMAN, of Oaio.
ALICE KEY PENDLEroN, of Ohio.
t MARY c MILLER, Of California.
i ANNA l. MORTON, of New York.
, MARY MONTGOMERY GIBSON, of Louis
ana.
0 LYDIA M'LANE JOHNSTON, Of Virgini'
: MARY S LOGAN, of Illinois.
3 MALvINA F. HARLAN, of Kentucky.