The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1882-03-09


houses IRE swept away Or rendered unin' /
habitablo, railroads are destroyed, plantn'
lions are ruined and the country len
desolato. Nothing like II has been
seen for many years. The distress
In the Hooded regions Is beyond the power
Of words TO describe or rccollcct' The
general then exhorts the north 10 so to the
rescue and aid In assisting these distressed
people until they are able again to clothc,
feed and shelter themselves. He displays
the magnanimous patriot by rising above
section and demanding from those who are
able that they should generously give OF
their means from reasons of humanity.
GENERAL HANCOCK has on more occasions
than this one shown his friendship
for the south, but it was never en-
listed in better cause than now.
While Michigan and the middle states and
northwest were suffering from fire and
flood last year the south was comparatively
prosperous and happy, and felt itself able
indeed to succor the suffering. Now large
section of the south itself, and thousands
of its citizens, are feeling the heavy hand OF
unavoidable misfortune laid upon them,
and not only should the north and west,
| but the other portions Of the
SOUTH step quickly to the rescue
of those who have been turned out home
less and moneyless by the floods of recent
date in the Mississippi Valley As sugges-
ted by GENERAL HANCOCK, there is an album
] 4 Of nd in ct
at this time, to ameliorate the condition OF
these people and relief committees and
charitable institutions ought to commence
to see to it that this surplus of provisions
and clothing and money is at once sent
where it is most needed. When the fever
ragged in various cities in the
south, there was TO trouble i'll OBJ
tanning prompt and generous responses
but here is an evil greater than that, more
widespread in its ruin and more lasting in
its effect, and so far as we have said, we
have remained comparatively inactive and
unsympathetic. 1t is the duty of the press
of the south now, but particularly of the
southwest, to awaken feeling and procure
action in the premises such as will meet the
exigencies the case. And another recon-
mendation of GENERAL HANCOCK in refer
ence to an old subject has additional in
terest attached to it IN view OF
these recent disasters and as coming
| from an eminent and experienced officer
and engineer, who has been over the field
and knows just what is needed. This is
the matter of levees, and just at this juno
ture the representatives and senator's in
congress from the Mississippi valley cannot
too vigorously press the government for
speedy Intervention in the premises, and
the passage of the much needed appropria-
tons fer the Mississippi and its tributaries.
As suggested by GENERAL HANCOCK, this is
question of national importance. He
saws: "a bill should be introduced into
congress for the survey of the Mississippi,
| Missouri and Ohio rivers, as well as their
principal tributaries, such as the Arkansas
and White. The survey being made, a
plan of levees should be devised which
would be sufficiently strong to protect the
country. Whether the government or
states, or parishes build them,
| they should be constructed on the
same plan. If the southern states can't
afford to build levees, the government
should help to protect the vast bodies of
Land now overlooked in the south and west.
In my opinion that is of national import
ance and should be so regarded by con-
gress, but whether the government builds
or helps to build levees, it certainly can
afford and should cause a survey to be
made" The general indeed should know
that there has been and still is legislation
before congress of the character referred to
by him, and we only quote his remarks as
the Endorsement of prominent man Of the
propriety and necessity for generous legis-
lation, where there has heretofore been so
much delay and niggardly assistance.
/ n