The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-17
THE SITuATION.

The Journal gives this morning the fullest
and completest possible details of the great
flood, the destruction it has caused, and the
suffering that exists. Jacksonville, New
Albany, Lawrenceburg and Aurora are
specially reported upon by staff correspond
ents, sent to these places at the earliest pos
sible moment, and their Geographic letters
are the first reliable personal reports the peo-
pie of the State have had of the fearful dam
age and distress entailed by the unprece-
dented disaster. Not line of this terrible
story, not alone from these points, but from
all Others covered by our special and regular
Geographic service, will be omitted by the
reader, and nothing more than the reading
will be necessary to emphasize to everybody
the critical nature of the situation, and the
pressing demand for continuance of the
generous charity that has spontaneously and
so richly spoken all over the land.
Before another issue of the Journal can
reach its readers Sunday will have come and
gone. The people will be gathered into the
Chu4ChCo tO-lAOIIOW Will LudIlkSSlNl0S anu
prayer-thanksgiving for safety from such
suffering as has come to so many com
munities, and prayer for such measure of
divine benevolence as is required for the
occasion. Abstract theology is we'll enough
in its place and at the proper time, but it
would be an offense in the presence of this
calamity to let the opportunity pass without
vindicating Christianity by a prompt and
liberal outpouring of money and supplies
We do not regard the hint as atall necessary,
but in the face of the extraordinary pressure
we shall be pardoned for giving it. The
Louisville Courier-J Journal of yesterday says:
ut is proposed, Sunday, to take up a col
lection in all the churches for the benefit of
the food sufferers. This is practical
Christianity, and we doubt not the results
will be all that is desired Our people are
not disposed to ask for outside assistance;
indeed, there is nothing in the local situation
to justify it. Those who are not afflicted by
the waters should, and WILL provide for the
unfortunate Aid from other quarters should
be sent to localities where the need is more
pressing-to Lawrenceburg, Jacksonville
and New Albany"
Olo VI tuo ISIndIkdDle l0dVuCeS OF Tile Cnar-
table movement has been the liberality of
stricken cities to other stricken cities GIN
cinnati, with 5000 people to be fed by char
ity was the first to respond to the necessities
of Lawrenceburg; and so it has been at all
quarters. Out of their own misery and dis
tress every city and town has found some
thing to give to those even more unfortunate
than themselves, while those places merci-
fully spared the scenes of desolation which
mark the course of the raging rivers have
poured out of their abundance with an I'M
sparing hand. In the presence of this uni
versal exhibition there is no room for jere-
maids from dyspeptic pulpits about the de-
generacy of the times, or the oft
repeated nonsense that the world
is growing worse. The sufficient
and complete answer to all such twaddle is
the magnificent spectacle of Christian benev-
olence and Christian work revealed by the
Geographic reports from every quarter. But
the necessity will not be over for some time.
The strain will be felt yet for many days
Cold weather is probable. and that means yet
greater suffering, and possibly death to many