The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-15
THE FLOOD SUFFERERS.

The action taken by the Legislature in APP
propriating $4O,O for the sufferers by the
high waters was timely and commendable,
and the good accomplished thereby can
hardly be overestimated. Never was greater
need of immediate relief The necessities
of the people, driven by thousands from
their homes, are of such character that help
must be had at once to obviate intense suffer-
ing if not actual starvation. The magnitude
of this widespread disaster can scarcely be
realized. Aside from the monetary loss that
will result, the fact that hundreds and thor-
sands of homes have been swept away or are
now under water, and their inmates COM
PEELED to live as best they may in public
buildings, stables and tents, is enough to
convey some slight idea of the direful
situation. Even during the present
mild weather the distress will of
necessity be very great while, should a sud
den cold spell ensue, as is likely, the suffer-
ing will be greatly augmented. The none
tary loss will be millions. Many will be i'm
poverished by these unprecedented floods
while thousands will be called upon to en-
dure indescribable privations. The occasion
needs no advocate. The simple recital of
the facts must strongly appeal to the gener-
osity of the public everywhere, and it is
gratifying to note that the same spirit of
sympathy that sent thousands of dollars to
those who lost their homes by floods in Ger
many will send tens of thousands to the I'M
fortunate people along our mad rivers. Too
much cannot be done, nor can it be done too
quickly. Food and clothing and money, and
words of cheer, are pouring in from every
side. The nation is aroused, and a million
hearts will respond to this urgent call. A
private telegram from Jacksonville says:
Our city is flooded with water from two
to twenty feet deep Five thousand of our
people are made homeless, many of whom
have lost all they have on earth. large
number of cottage houses in the lower part
of the city are swept away. Hundreds of
people are quartered in the second stories of
public buildings and business houses. Food
is sent to them in skiffs The scenes of suf-
fering are appalling 1t is still raining. The
loss Will reacn $OUO,UUO
The situation at Lawrenceburg is even
more pitiable than this and at Madison,
New Albany and other points the distress
is great And what is true of these Indiana
towns is also true OF others, and of those
along the river in Ohio and Kentucky. All
should feel a personal interest in this matter,
and unite to afford immediate and adequate
relief
A few members of the Legislature made
conscientious opposition to the ap-
preparation, objecting to it on the
ground that the principle is not a good one,
and that the action is unprecedented. The
exigencies of the hour are such that technic-
alities must be swept out of sight to make
way for the demands of humanity. 1t is so
in all great emergencies. While such
an appropriation has no precedent, neither
has this erwhelming disaster precedent.
We must meet such things as they arise. and
in the spirit of magnanimity and liberality
equal to the OCCASION. 1t was so in the war.
When Governor Morton thought he saw
where battle was to be fought he antici-
pated the event by organizing relief corps of
surgeons and nurses. and chartered trains to
transport them to the proper place, all at the
expense of the State, thereby accomplishing
great good and alleviating much suffering.
In the presence of great emergencies of
untold suffering and possible wholesale
death, no formality should stand against
thos lie in distress The legislative action was
we'll taken, and supplemented as it will be
by contributions from every city and town
on the continent, the people of the
afflicted district will be made to. feel that
they live in nation quick to respond to
every call just as the people of Cincinnati.
Lawrenceburg and the other submerged
towns, would and have given generously OF
their means for the help of others similarly
afflicted .flt