Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-28
wiTHnrT FOOD AVID FUEL.

Quite probably the sufferings of the
poor in the large cities of the North and
West are greater than they are here, but
there is no little suffering here.
We do not speak only of the houseless
and homeless poor-tramps VINO have been
caught here, by stress of weather in
their journeyings to and fro-but of men,
women. and children who have long lived
among us. OF this latter class there
are many who are well-nigh without
food or fuel.
There are many worthy persons in
Richmond who have never known real
want before who to-day do not know
where they will tomorrow get the barest
necessaries Of life. Nor are these oilers
or ne'er-do-wells. but honest and indus
trlous men and women, who have never
begged. and who would work if they
could get employment.
We must arouse ourselves and go to the
relief of these people. We must share
what we have with these famished and
half-frozen creatures. The more comfort
able our own firesides, the more richly
laden our own boards, the more thought
we should give, the more money We
should contribute, for the relief Of the
destitute in this city.
DIR. w. W. Parker long the pioneer
here in all such relief work as this. lies
m from disease, contracted in helping
the poor. and we cannot have his earnest
and enthusiastic leadership, but there
are charitable organizations through
which we may readily extend our help.
These organizations ought to be aided
bv liberal contributions. The city ought
also TO be very active in the distribu-
ton of food and fuel through its Com
mittee on the Outdoor Poor Now is the
time when succor is most needed; now is
the time TO give it.
But after our charitable organizations
have done their utmost, many worthy
moor will not have been reached. There
are people among US who would sooner
starve almost, than let their wants be
known TO aid societies. Many will call
this foolish pride" 1t may be so, but
IL proceeds from a noble spirit and must
be pardoned Employment is what these
men and women need, and wherever pos
sible il should be given them. But where
this cannot be done, our families Of
means must use their best tact to ex-
tend relief In some other way
There are not few well-reared chill
dren in this city who often so to bed
hungry and rise TO find little or no food
upon their parents tables. Go TO the
help OF these. Go TO the help Of all the
poor. Give. Give employment where
you can. Give food and fuel where they
will do better.
Don't say that you know Of no poor.
If you don't know any such. inquire Of
the charitable organizations, Of the
church-workers and of the police.
In many other cities where appeals
such as we are now making have been
made. the police have been used with
admirable effect in reporting cases of
destitution. II would be so here too,
we doubt not, il we awaited ourselves Of
their services.
Every chilling wind that blows, every
snow that falls, ought TO remind US how
keenly must suffer those who have empty
CRATES But think of IT, those who are
without fuel are generally without food,
too,
II may be that we do not have the extent
and extremity Of want here that prevail
in larger cities OF this land, but there
Is plenty Of suffering here to melt our
hearts and demand from US instant ex-
erilon and liberal alms-glNing.