New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-02-17
after THE FLOODS.

II appears reasonable to hope that III Clhclh-
natl at least the food has risen to Its greatest
height. The Signal Service Bureau still issues
doleful predictions of rains in the ONO alley'
but it is unlikely that the waters VIII again
reach the limit of two days ago. The centre
of devastation is moving southwark. Louis
vile IS suffering more kcenly, and the scenes at
Cincinnati are likely to be repeated ut Mem
phis and Cairo. Nor do we yet appreciate inc
extent of the area affected Ly these floods. 1t
is not merely Ohio and Kentucky, but Jefferson
vile and other Indiana towns are still at the
mercy of the waters, while portions OF Illinois,
Arkansas, West Virginia and Western Penn
sylyania are involved to n less degree IN similar
disaster. And when the cold wave which is
looked for from the Northwest reaches the
homeless victims of the floods, their suffering
must necessarily be much aggravated.
Yet with all the gloom of the picture there
are II few bright features. The pluck ana sell
reliance of the people OF Cincinnati cannot DC
too highly praised. They have not been over
come by their misfortuncs. Instead OF hllIng
all ears with cries for help. they have set to
work to help themselves The General Com
mittee and various public bodies have been
tbe speedy organization OF patrols, OF pioyl-
sions and clothing furnished by citizens WIFI
means. of the members of the Protestant
churches taking concerted action in behalf OF
the destitute, aud of the opening OF nails ana
Roman Catholic churches as places OF shelter
Louisville also announces her ability to care
for her own sufferers II has been noticeable
also that exceptional good order has prevailed
IL was feared that the demoraliznG effects
usual to great catastrophcs would follow, an"
that the rnvagcd city would be plundered 10y
thieves and pirates. This has not been the
case. Law and order have been maintained III
Cincinnati a result due both 10 the seli-com-
mand Of the citizen, and the prompt organza-
ton of guard, and patrols. The slight disturb
aucc reportcd Yesterday showed how close Il
watch is kept. The very tradcsmcn seem not
70 have taken advantage of the situation, aad
for once a great disaster Is unaccompanlcd by
nm equally great exhibition of schshncss and
greed. Most important and fortunate OF all
is the fact that these floods nave been attended
10y so little los, ol life.
just nj present il appears that outside aid Is
particularly needed at Jacksonville, New
Albany. and Lawrcnccbure, Ind. To these
points immediate relief should be sent. That
this will bc the case II shown by the generous
movement of this city and the spontaneous
offerings throughout the country. Every day
now for several days will increase tie number
who are dependent aud enlarge the area for
the distribution of supplies. New ork can he
relied upon Ia do her share. We arc glad also
10 see that the societies of the Red Cross are
engaging actively in the work Of relief. Yet
il is likely that the injury actually inflicted by
the Hood, is 10 greater than will be caused by
their subsistence. Sickness must inevitably
follow. With the ground, cellars and lower
stories Of buildings watcr-soancd and every
thing covered with slime add debris, there
must Ice expected violent outbreak of ma.a-
rial and typhoid feycrs, # nothing worse. \
warning has already come from Louisville,
where there is now much sickness, which Is eX-
pectcd rapidly to increase. The formation of n
sanitary commission and free medical stations
IN that city recalls the experiences IN The days
of yellow fever in the South but il may be that
Cincinnati will soon bc stricken with disease
There il good reason to fear that the floods
will be- followed by an epidemic. 1t behooyes
those who are beginning the work of relief tc
bear this danger in mind, and not to allow
themselves TO become weary OF well doing.