Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-09
THE AID BUSINESS.

In spite of all in terested the cry that
| there is suffering in western Kansas
! still goes the rounds There never was
a new settlement made in any country
without privations. hardships and suffer
! ing and of course the new counties of
this state are no exception to this rule.
| There is, however. a wide difference in
individual cases of suffering requiring
charity on the part of a city, county or
village. and wide spread restitution,
embracing in its scope large districts
which appeal to the charity of all man
kind. That no such general restitution
exists in the new counties we fully be-
iieve, and the EAGLE has tried to say
that much. No community is an object
of charity that is able to take care of
itself. All the enterprise and inventive
genius that has blessed mankind is the
result of necessity.
Ii is an instinct of our human nature
to supply our wants and necessities at
ton. Ignore the fact as we may, but a
fact it is. that there is not human being
on earth who would not prefer to live
off charity rather than at the expense of
his own exertions if it were not for his
pride. If it were considered as honora-
BILE to receive charity as to toll for our
bread, labor would never be in excess Of
demand. If Kansas were stricken with
famine her people would not only receive
outside aid with thankful hearts, but
such aid from our fellowmen would give
us more exalted ideas of the nobleness of
humanity and of the goodness of God.
But We're such donations received when
we are not objects of charity, the donors
would not only be injured, but the re-
cipients stultified.
1t is a fact known to the world that
Kansas today is not only not a
pauper state, but that her prosperity is
marvel to all people. This being the case
it can not be wondered at that the pride
of our energetic people should be wound
ed by these reports. To say there are
not individual cases of restitution in
any new country would be foolish.
''The poor We have always with you
Kansas is abundantly able to take care
of her own poor, and it is simply ridicu-
lous to talk anything else.
In a business point of view, however,
the blizzard swept country of the north
west can not be blamed for taking adj
vantage of the situation to advertise their
own country by raising aid for western
Kansas. They we'll know that the tide
of emigration is flowing to Western Kan
sas and they want to stay the flood.
That these reports will have an effect in
that direction may as well be admitted.
People have gone to these new counties
to make farms and build cities knowing
that their property would grow in value,
and increased comforts would come
with increased population. 1t is there
fore a shame that a few persons in those
communities by crying, Justify for aid,
.'to be heard of men, should injure
entire sections of what in the near
future will be rich and populous sec
ton of great state. If faith IN the
great country west of line of the
counties OF Harper and Kingman is de-
stroyed it can be restored by series of
abundant crops. We can only cheer
our friends in those new counties by
reminding them that ''all things work
together for good to them that love
God"
These remarks are intended to apply to
all Western Kansas. Now for the ap-
peals made by people in only small
Localities in that great section we have
this to say. There are undoubtedly some
there who need assistance. and the peo-
pie of the state.should see that they re-
ceive it, and receive it promptly. These
people in most cases are worthy and will
make good and valuable citizens. They
are the skirmish line of the great force
that is developing Kansas. To help
them is to help ourselves. The people of
this great state. who are noted or their
generosity, should not allow their repu-
tation to be injured by appeals to other
states for charity when.s there Is no occa-
sion for it. Once let it be understood
that accredited agents have gone from
this,state to solicit aid and immediately
every dead beat east of the Missouri
would so to begging for suffering
Kansas and thus the entire state would
he disgraced. Kansas can take care of
her new counties. Let us give the world
to understand that so as to prevent any
impositions being practiced on charitable
people.
Notwithstanding the diplomatic SPAR
ring and military maneuvering going on
in Europe just now it is doubtful whether
there will be an open rupture. As to terri
torial situation. Russia is far better off
than any of the powers. Russian Poland
pushes in. like great buttress. between