Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 January 1875 — For Sweet Charity’s Sake. [ARTICLE]

For Sweet Charity’s Sake.

Editors Union: In any newspaper one chances to pick up are reports of the deplorable condition to > which thousands of people in the States of Kansas and Nebraska have been reduced by the ravages of grasshoppers last summer. Situated far out on the Western frontierymany with large families, everything which they had planted destroyed, without money to buy food or clothing, a long dreary winter season closing around them—their condition should excite the profpundcst sympathy in every human heart. Patrons of Husbandry in Jasper county, in accordance with resolutions adopted sometime since by Union Grange, No. 33, permit me to urge upon all of you to respond promptly and generousiy to the cry of our suffering brethren and countrymen in the stricken districts for aid. Enemies brand our order as a combination of everything bad and its members sa utterly devoid of principle and the generous virtues which are the truejewels of manhood. Union Grange last month donated $10.50 from her treasury for the sufferers in Nebraska, and on the 2nd instant sent $lO more to Mr. N. C. Weathers (whose letter was published in The Union last week) to be distributed where it was needed among his neighbors in Kansas. Marion Grange No. 39, at Rensselaer, recently donated $lO for sufferers in Nebraska, and the pupils and teachers of the Rensselaer sclioo 1 set a noble example worthy of praise and emulation by sending upwards of $lO to Kansas. I would also appeal to the merchants and professional men of Jasper county. Can not you also make donations of shoes and clothing for the women and children and contributions of money to relieve onr friends and acquaintances in the West? Think how terrible must be the sufferings of those who slowly perish from exposure and

famine.

EZEA C. NOWELS.