The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-04-26

by death. in its most appalling shape. In
the presence of such catastrophe exaggera
ton sits dumb. Neither private charity nor
public charity alone was equal to the emer
gency, however great the efforts put forth
10 meet the demand; indeed, both
combined fell far short of TIE require
ments. 1t was a case for prompt action
which Individuals could not meet. To hold
meetings appoint Committees, receive sub
ssriptions, purchase provisions. etc. re-
quires time. Only the Government could
act '01ly the Government could meet I'm
any decree the demands Of eire occasion. a
letter written from East Carroll Parish.
Louisiana, gives a graphic account of the
Toss CT life and property at that point. The
wfitsr says:
An eyewitness, who vent tie the rescue of
drowning humanity, tells me the waste e water
was almost covered VITA the carcassesof dead
mules, oxen, COWS. pigs and poultry-sshat he
ne1 er saw such picture of destruction. People
were sitting ON the topsSf tek houses crying for
help. These last were mostly colore6 people,
II any of whom were swept sway and drowned
before assistance could reach them. y
lis impossible 10 fully detersRine how
Gnany Of the missing were really
drowned for fre food created such
a panic that many left this section, end all VINO
were sbse to reach the river landing were tS3-en
up the ever by STEAMBOATS, to the higher lands
Every planter of course Knows she number of
he ads ON his place. but owing to tbs manner of
ex Od1s he is unable TO saytlow many succeeded
in reaching place of safety or how mang were
d ,owRed. The Orly means of escape in many of
t. Ie houses and cabins after the break vas by
f. orciEg way through the roofs of the houses.
The white and esiored people beth saved them
selves in THIS way. What picture of Sistressl
Men, women and little childrS sitting on the
roofs, reckoning help. surrounded by the surging
waters aud witnessing the aw<1l destruction OF
their property perfectly helps ess to extend
1 hand, and well satisfied to know their families
were still alive. although clinsing 10 Che house
| tops exposed Is the -Tsin, and patiently waiting
| the arrival OF assistance. Seine families were
forced to rensin in this preearious position FEC
| twenty-fogr hours sead even longer. wilhOut.a
mOrsei to eat and exposed part of thes.ime 70 IL
scOrehiRg rays OF the sun or the damplight air
For our part. we are glad thai Congress
took the Ezatterin hand, end nothing thst1t
has done during the present session meets
with such anive-satapproval as its appro-
priations &c save the sufferers by the great
flood, and no pert OF theimmense surplus in
the Treasury has been nor ever will be de-
voted to a better purpose. What Govern
ment has done to 'Gid the suf erers byyshe
great flood is little compared with the euf-
ferings the great cslaclity entails upon tkose
who survived II, but itsmay be said thai if
the Government had not responded to the
cry of humanity, the loss Of life would have
been a hundred times greater than it was.
Congress has set a noble precedent L. re-
spOnded proGeIly to sentim emit peculiarly
American, and those members of Congress
who were quickest to act are deserving OF a
double share ef gratitude.