The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-09-14
The Man and the Hour
News and Couricr]
City OF CHARLESTON,

TO my Fello'o- Cittisens Of Charles-
ton.
| have thi" day returned 90 my loved
city, amid its widespread desolation, its
homes shaken to their foundations,
many of them utterly wrecked and few
without serious injuries, and l find
many Of you, my fellow citizens with
your dear and tender families, living
and sleeping still under rrail shelters,
and some under the sky, with the recent
terrible calamity and its awful suspense
still lingering in your minds. Amid the
ruins of this far-reachins and terrible
calamity, | am profoundly thankful that
so much Of life and property has been
spared, and rejoice that the same forti-
tude and heroic patience that in the trust
Of God and His providence, has always
characterized this people, is now their
stay in this time Of dire trouble, and l
am thankful to add that, in this past
week Of disaster, the good order and
helpful cooperation Of all classes Of our
citizens has conduced to the maintenance
Of the public veal
1t is inspiring to behold amid these
grave difficulties the resumption Of the
business life Of our city and quenchleSs
faith Of oar people in the future. The
open exchanges, banks and leading
houses in all departments Of business
the uninterrupted commerce, RAILROADS,
steamships and sailing feet, and the
ready wharves, the busy workshop and
the usual routine Of all the avocations
and employments of our city proclaim
that we are already going forward to a
new future. That future is based on
rorh:, not idlencss, and l call upon
every one to seek ac0rh; in any and every
way possible.
Although the situation is critical, it is
not tinsurmountablc. 1t demands from
every citizen in our midst calm judg-
mcnt-the broadcast charity-a resolute
determination, in work and act, an
unfaltcring trust in God, to tide over the
unparalleled calamity that has so
Unexpectedly come upon us. This dias-
stcr, that reoaches every home and every
part Of our city, can only be met and
overcome by the moral courage and the
united effort of the whole people. Tho
immediate and serious duty before us is
the protection and succor of the house
less, the sick and the INDECENT, the
unfortunates and the helpless, that
crowd around US. AS the Executive Of
the city it is my duty to create an
organization, looking to dealing with the
different problems before us and have to
act at once. | have therefore initiated
this ,Dorh;, by asking service of some Of
my fellow citizens, in a worthy attempt
to organize such plans as will mitigate
the suffering ind distress, so universally
around us. and which threatens such
| serious consequences to many OF our
people. These plans will be expanded
iffound in any way wanting in complete
ness as the, work progresses.
In this effort it is source Of great
gratitude to us know that we are not
graphing with this unspeakable disaster
alone.
The sympathy Of this whole Union
Of States has touched us deeply and the
spontaneous giving of practical and
! speedy aid in this our struggle shows
that the large and true heart of the peo-
pie of this great Country beats with US
now as twill hereafter.
In this hope, and cheered with this
promising future as part of great peo-
pie, whose helping hands are outstretch-
ed to US, let us turn manfully to our
heritage, and, as many times in the pase
on this very spot work out under the
blessing Of God, new future for our
now shattered but dearly loved city.
Under the authority Of resolution Of
the City Council Of Charleston, the
following "Committee on finance" has
been created, who will receive all money
contributions The Mayor, f. Il. Rodges,
A.. w. Taft.
Mr.. w. L. Camyyell has been ap-
pointed treasurer Of the committee.
Contributions can be sent to either o;
the committee or the treasurer.
propose to organize tomorrow such
other committees as will systeE,atize the
work to be done it has been impossi-
BILE to do this properly to-day.
WV. A. CouRrENAY, Mayor.