THE COUNTY POOR FARM
Page 274

While it is true that "man's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn," it is also true that in no age or country has the poor unfortunates of God's creatures been cared for as in the United States; and not one of the states of this Union has the facilities for caring for its unfortunates as does the State of Illinois. There is no more commendable object to which the millions can be applied that are expended on the noble edifices in which the deaf, dumb, blind, insane and feeble-minded are housed and fed, and tenderly cared for. For the unfortunate poor of our own county, the authorities have most amply provided. In contrast with the present, we here insert a description of the Parish Poor House in England. We quote from an old work issued from the press nearly one hundred years ago: "Behold yon house that holds the parish poor, Whose walls of mud scarce bear the broken door; There where the putrid vapors flagging play, And the dull wheel hums doleful through the day; There children dwell who know no parent's care, Parents who know no children's love, dwell there, Heart-broken matrons on their joyless beds, Forsaken wives, and mothers never wed; Dejected widows with unheeded tears, And crippled age with more than childhood's fears; The lame, the blind, and far the happiest, they The moping idiot, and the mad-man gay. Here, too, the sick their final doom receive, Here brought amid the scenes of grief to grieve; Where the loud groans in some sad chamber flow, Mixed with the clamors of the crowd below; Here sorrowing they each kindred sorrow scan, And the cold charities of man to man; Whose laws, indeed, for ruined age provide, And strong compulsion plucks the scrap from pride; But still that scrap is bought with many a sigh, And pride embitters what it can't deny. Such is that room, which one rude beam divides, And make the rafters form the sloping sides; Where the vile bands that bind the thatch are seen, And lath and mud are all that lie between; Save one dull pane that coarsely patched gives way, To the rude tempest, yet excludes the day. Here on a matted flock with dust o'erspread, The drooping wretch reclines his languid head; For him no hand the cordial cup applies, Nor wipes the tear that stagnates in his eyes; No friends with soft discourse his pain beguile, Nor promise hope till sickness wears a smile." Instead of the conditions above described the poor of Mason county are most amply cared for. A commodious home is provided them. A most healthful and a most beautiful country farm, in the best surroundings in the county, is their location. Ample amount of healthful food is provided them. The best medical attention is furnished those who may need it, and cleanliness, quiet and order is the characteristic of all their ample appointments. This feature of American philanthropy finds no counterpart in any country in the world, however boasted its civilization or its advancement. And it is with no feeling of regret. that we can record that the United States, Illinois and Mason county are high up on the roll of humanitarians. To the objects of these charities the question is never asked, How came ye here? Enough for the public, who is the dispenser of this beneficence, to know that the subject is needing their assistance.

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