The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-23
MANTANzA VERY GRATEFUL.
FERVENT EXPRESSIONS OF GRAFT
tube FOR THE RELIEF SENT.

Letter Addressed TO Capt. Niles
and Mai. Niskern From Citizens.
Americas InexhaustibIe Charity
Redeemed the People From the
Horrors of Famine Hunger Is
Now Checked and the Door to
Crime Is Closed Material and
Moral Relief.
Washington, Oct. 22.-One of the most
fervent expressions Of gratitude which has
just been uttered by the residents of any
of the Cuban communities that have fallen
under the military occupation OF the Unit
ed States government was that addressed
by the people of AIatanzas to the two ON
GERS of the United States army, Capt. L.
Niles and Maj Albert Decatur Niskern,
who were charged with the distribution
of relief supplies In that famine-stricken
community.
The teaA of the formal resolution OF
thanks was communicated to the war de-
partment and is as follows:
'Matanzas Oct. IA, 1S9S.-To capt. L.
Niles and Maj. Albert Decatur Niskern-
Gentlemen: The 'Matanzas central relief
committee comes to fulfil the pleasant
duty of expressing TO you the gratitude Of
this city for the succor you have brought
US. The task is pleasant and noble, in
deed. but 1t is far above our ability How
can we command language to give utter
ance to the sentiments that sway our pop
ulation? How can we faithfully represent
and transmit the thoughts and ideas that
vibrate in our hearts at seeing our fellow
creatures redeemed from the horrors of
famine by the inexhaustible charity of the
great American nation, so worthily repre-
sented by you?
Gentlemen, You have had a good op-
portunity to notice the difference there Is
In Matanzas since your arrival. Previous
to 1t crowds of men, women and children
wandered all over the city imploring char
| ity that we were not able to give, and
many were perishing I'm our streets, our
| hospitals and beneficent asylums unable
to shelter the homeless and feed the hum
cry, for they were just as poor and destl-
tute.
To-day, what a cantrast! Everything
seems to smile; hunger is checked In Its
cereer OF havoc, and our hospitals have
thrown their doors open to the homeless,
doomed TO die In our thoroughfares And
beyond this is the satisfaction of closing
the door to crime and to all the failings
into which misery makes human weakness
fall Thus, gentlemen, the relief your have
| brought us is both material and moral.
I'm the name, then, of all those that
have been rescued from famine; in the
name of the city of Matanzas; in the name
of all that is holy and Christian, we
give heartfelt thanks to the American peo-
pie for their timely assistance, which is
another link to the chain OF love and graft
tude which already binds US to them.
what shall we say to you individually
! Simply to repeat what Is on every lip
your solicitous care and undying atten-
| ton to all the details of large and COM
| plicated distribution have gained our ad.
I miration. You have set before us a noble
! example, you have fully identified your.
selves with the errand of mercy to you
| entrusted.
| ION bidding you farewell, Il is our ear
| nest request that you convey to the gov
| eminent of the United States the deeI
feelings OF gratitude of the whole city o
Matanzas. Very respectfully, your obedi
| ent servants, Julio Ortiz,
President.
Jose A. Pesslno Secretary"