The Daily Dispatch: January 9, 1862., [Electronic resource]

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[for the Richmond Dispatch.]
the Mempton sufferers.

I noticed in the issue of the Whig, of the 2d inst., an article over the signature of "T," calling attention to the sufferers from the burning of Hampton. I agree entirely with the writer of that article. Although the writer of this is not a refugee from Hampton, yet for two years he enjoyed the hospitality and kindness of its citizens. He knows of many who, during his stay in that beautiful town, were wealthy, possessing all the comforts and luxuries of life, who are now wanderers from their once-loved homes and who with the greatest difficulty can barely find the means of support. There are very many who suffer for the necessities of life, and why is it that our State Legislature can appropriate fifty thousand dollars to the sufferers of Charleston, and allow these gallant and chivalrous people, who are willing to apply the torch to their own houses and destroy all they possessed for the advancement of the glorious cause they loved so well, to suffer.

We do not object to the contribution to the sufferers of Charleston, but we do think that while this contribution is being made to the citizens of a distant State, the Legislature ought not to be unmindful of those of our own State, who, with patriotic purpose, fired their own houses, and consumed all they had rather than they should fall into the hands of our enemies. We know that the feelings of those, who have been accustomed always to enjoy the comforts and blessings of life, when they are suddenly deprived of them, although they might suffer most severely, will not allow them to condescend to ask for those things which are necessary to relieve their wants. Now we urge the Legislature to make an appropriation for these people; and to the churches of every denomination, and the good people, not only of this State, but of the Confederate States, we make an earnest appeal that they contribute something to this deserving object.