Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1892-04-01
THE RUSSIAN FAMINE SUFFERERS.
An Earnest Appeal from Mr. Horne TO
The Parents Of BrRttlebOro.

To the Parents Of the Ch'tdTe" I" me Hc''o'S
bear Friends:-As a fitting introduction to the
matter to be presented to you in this communica-
ton I quote bodily from the Boston Dahy Ira'-
eller of March %, the following:
..sr PFryRsBrRG March % The committee
formed for the purpose Of providing reHet TOT
the children Of the famine-strickeh peasants or
This country has reported that. IN many OF the
districts where the famine prevails the children
are so poorly nourished that they are too feeble
TO undertake the long walk. winch IN many IN
stances requires an hour Tune 70 accomplish, 70
The schools where soup is doled out to those who
mai e application Being thus unable 70 ooJalh
any food the unfortunate chlldren, driven uts-
ppratp by the pangs Of hunger resort 10 the
most unusual means of securing something 70
STAY the cravings Cf their stomachs. 10 such
straits are they driven by the famine, that they
eat the most UNIV horsome and disgusting things
1T was found during the Investigations OF tine
committee, that thu children. when nothing IN
the form OF food could be obtained, were IN tne
habit of grepdily eating whatever rags fell into
their possession. and that when the rags failed
them their hunger was so great that they actu-
ally devuured quantities Of earth.
tThe deplora6le condition to which the suffering
children we're reduced by this unnatural diet can
easily be imagined. Those who were able TO sur
vive were in the most miserable plight and
were in such poor physical condition that they
were utterly unable to face the biting cold OF the
Russian winter, and were forced to remain in
their wretched dwellings. and hud lie together
for the purpose of obtaining the little warmth
which this cheerless companionship prod uced.
MANY of the teachers employed in the schools
in these districts also in famished condition.
They have received no salary since last autumn,
and, their only means of support being thus cut
of they in almost as miserable state as the
children
Now. dear friends this is a sad story Apply
the possibility Of ii to own dear ones, and we
may come to a better realization Of it. These
| unfortunate Russians are the one people of Eu-
! rope who stood by US nobly during the most
| irving crisis Of Civil war. They love their
children dearly we love ours. Those chill
1ren are perishing, perishing by the most horrible
J of deaths death by starvation. The whole
Christian world feels for these suffering peasants
and their children The American people especi-
! ally feel for them. And they not only feel for
! them with their emotions but they are giving no
! BILE material evidence of the sincerity of their
| sympathy by feeling deeply in their pockets and
| bringing forth of the abundance with which God
has blessed them substantial testimonials of their
Christian sympathy and national gratitude
| Now II has been thought by the teachers OF this
town that a grand opportunity here presents it
self to add little TO the great tide of help that
| is sweeping from ours to the Russian shores. and
| at the same time teach our own children a beau
tful example of practical benevolence. 1t is
therefore proposed that the school children of
the entire town of Brattleboro contribute in sums
not exceeding ten cents to each child to fund to
| be devoted TO the relief of the starving school
children and teachers of Russia, The teachers
| will join in this movement. The contributing
| will begin with next Monday. The name and Of
ferinR of each child will be duly recorded aud the
entire proceeds will be forwarded to the rightful
| authorities. by them to be used indicated
| above.
Shall we not all take vigorously hold of this
| matter regardless of sect or denomination. both
public and private schools and all districts Of the
/ town includeds Let us make ii a Brattleboro af-
/ fair without qualification The results from this
town in itself may not he large but far as they
g they will do great good. and if the schools of
this county in general should unite in a grand
I movement of this character. untold benefit would
result with practically no burden to a single per.
son or family aiding in the contribution. Who
soever shall give to drink unto one of these little
ones cup Of cold water only in the name of a
disciple, verify say unto you, he shall in no wise
lose his reward "
JAMES d. HORNE.
Principal of Brattleboro schools Dist No >