Daily Texarkana Democrat., 1893-05-09
TExARKANA's FoRaETFULNEss
Not a Step Taken to Relieve Cisco's 8
Distressed People.

We confess with regret that fol
once Texarkana has been neglectful o.
her duty, both as a progressive city
and humane community, composed in
the main of kind, generous and
thoughtful people, whose ready inn
pulse to aid the needy and succor the
distressed has never been found want.
ing. 1t is for these very reasons thai
Texarkana's present position, as the
only city Of Importance in the great
state of Texas, whose people have lg-
nored the touching appeal for help
from Cisco's unfortunate sufferers, is
all the more unenviable. Viewing the
matter in this light, we are prompted
to ask the question, "Can our people
afford, on any account, to remain thus
inactive III q matter which touches SO
nearly their individual feelings Of
charity and humanity, as well as their
own and their city's character and
standing in the eyes of the public at
largep Shall Texarkana's citizens re-
main silent, inactive and unresponslye
while the cry goes up from hundreds
of needy throats in Cisco for aid and
assistance? To-day the greatest need
of Cisco's sufferers is lumber with
which to shelter from the elements
the heads of the poor, the homeless,
the widow and the orphan.
Shall II then be said of our
city, situate as it is in the
midst of the finest timber belts in the
Southwest, that Texarkana alone, Of
all sister cities, failed or refused to
assist in the noble effort to erect
shelters over the heads Of u distress
ed and suffering people? We trust
not. The maxim, that "it is never too
late to do good" applies with peculiar
force and fitness to Texarkana's peo-
pie just now. Money sufficient to
cover the immediate necessities Of
the sufferers has already been received
in the stricken city, but the cry for
homes and for material with which to
construct even temporary abiding
places, grows louder and more press
ing day by day. In responce to this
urgent call, the rumble of trains may
be heard bearing car loads of lumber
and building material to the homeless,
from the charitable people Of other
cities and borne by every railway
company in the State free of charge.
Let this sound move us to sense Of
the duty we owe, both to ourselves
and to others, and inspire us to emu
late virtue in others which we have
permitted to slumber in our own
breasts. Let this action be not longer
delayed, having the ability to do let
us not hesitate to act. Texarkana,
with her score Of large saw mills and
nearly half that number Of prosperous
lumber companies, can easily send ten
car loads Of lumber to Cisco's home
less people.
Let the Mayors Of Texarkana, Tex,
and Ark, respectively, call n meeting
of the citizens of both sides for this
purpose and let them proceed at once
to accomplish this generous purpose.
Let 1t not be said that Texarkana, OF
all other cities, failed to respond to
this cry OF distress, lest at some time
even handed justice should commend
the bitter chalice to our own lips.
Read the following appeal for help,
and then act:
Iumbermen and manufacturers of
the State Of Texas and Louisiana:
Again appeal TO you on behalf Of
suffering Cisco. ] have been absent
from home for q week, and find sew
eral letters from those suffering peo-
pie who have lost their all, asking me
to appeal to my friends, the lumber
men, for lumber to build their houses
and churches.
My friends, let us come to their res
cue. Let their cries be heard. Let
every lumberman and manufacturer
respond whom the Lord hath pros
pered Let each one send one car Of
lumber and those who do not feel
able ship less than one car; but let all
do their duty and holp suffering hui
manity. Let 100 cars Of lumber be
shipped at once 100000 feet and
these people will rise up and bless you.
You will never miss this contribution
and am satisfied you win be paid
fourfold. Remember the cries of the
widows and orphans are heard in the
land. Lumbermen, do your duty.
This Is my first appeal to you in
over twenty years. We have gone
hand in hand together. We have
nrnenered. Lei na helm nnr nninrin-