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Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 798, 6 April 1871, Page 2

The terrible sufferings of the French people occupying the devastated provinces cannot fail to evoke the sympathy of the generous of all nations. According to the latest advices, peace was anticipated, and, if happily restored, even at an enormous sacrifice to the French nation, the resources of that country will be terribly taxed to meet the exigencies of the war demands. With the all but total prostration of her manufactures and powers of production, and a third of her territory laid waste, France must find the means to pay the war expenditure of both belligerents, so that although rich and populous, money will not be forthcoming to restore manufactures and agriculture to their previous flourishing condition. It is to avert, in the necessarily impoverished condition of a large portion of her peasantry, the probable consequences of the war that appeals are now being made throughout Christendom. The accounts from many of the Departments present a heart-rending tale. The little properties of the peasantry are utterly destroyed; their horses and cattle have been carried away, their farm buildings and utensils are demolished ; and they possess neither the implements nesessary to till the ground nor the seed to raise this year's crops. It is indeed to be feared that plague and famine will complete the horrible picture. To avert such a calamity and to alleviate the distress of suffering humanity, must be the ardent desire of all who possess charitable instincts. The Committee, appointed to collect subscriptions in aid of the sufferers, will visit Addison's this evening, where a public meeting will be held. We heartily wish them success.