The native American., 1838-08-18

censured, and in some papers even coarsely abu-
sed for the part they took on that occasion
Grateful indeed to the mourners, after two months
of sorrow and trouble, was the sympathy OF those
warm-hearted individuals who met around my
brothers grave, to minge their tears with those
of his weeping relations. Their kindness came
upon our agonized and lacerated feelings, like oil
upon the troubled waters. 1t Gained the grief of
my aged parent and soothed my sisters passage
to her early tomb. 1t dispelled the gloom that
darkened my oUn soul, and saved me from the
consequences of despair. And here let me pause
moment, while render to those kind and sym
pathizing friends and neighbors the homage of a
grateful heart; heart witch on that day felt, and
which still continues to feel that they were friends
indeed.
My brothers remains having been rescued from
Irish outrage, and brought from New Orleans, in
the manner have related, were conveyed to my
mothers plantation in West Feciana, where we
formerly resided, for interment. Here, where
twenty-five years ago my parents had pitched
their tent, new comers in then lonely wilder
ness, and by the side of that bubbng spring
where they and their little ones first quenched
their thirst, repose the ashes of my honored father
and seven of his children. 1t was i'll this spot,
and among those of his kindred who had gone
before him, that we dug the grave of w ashington
Whitaker. And many who had known him and
his family before msfortune's hand was laid upon
them, came to share in the last obsequies of the
dead, and by their presence mitigate the suffer
ings of the living. 1t was not to exhibit the fac
tious spirit of misrue and disorder; it was not 10
cast odium on the law, or treat with contempt its
ministers, as Northern writers have imputed,
that ''unformed militia" and numerous other
citizens assembled around the grave of my de-
parted brother. 1t was the spontaneous move
ment of a generous, warm-hearted people, who
could not stand aoof at such an hour and calculate
the cost of their friendship. True, their neigh
boris son had, in moment of unprecedented
frenzy, shed the blood of fellow being; true, he
had been convicted Of wilful murder. and was
sentenced to death; true, he had died by his own
hands; but there sat their NEIGHBoR with that son
lying cold and manimae before her, he needing
nothing but his little spot of earth but she de-
mandng consolation. Few who came knew of
the treatment the deceased and his family had
received at the hands of power and miscalled JUS
tice. 1t was enough that the house of mourning
stood open to receive them. Not until the funeral
acas over, was the assemblage made acquainted
with the course pursued towards their fellow citi-
zen by the constituted authorities of their State;
and not until then, was that expression of their
dissatisfaction made, for which shall not attempt
to offer, nor do the inhabitants of Felicana re-
quire, an apology. ~."
The day of my brothers funeral was to the
members of his family one of mingled emotions.
They had drank deep of the cup of atflction, but
the good will and friendship which was shown
them on that day, somewhat allevated its bitter
ness. We thought the worst had happened, and
looked forward to happier days. Alas, how tran
sient was ourrespite! In few weeks my young
ILL., - -. 4 Ill
side of her necessarily mourned brother; and hard
ly were her ashes cold, before that system of afro
cious calumny commenced, which is now
branding us as the greatest monsters of the hu-
man race. Three respectable FEMALES and my
self are exhibited upon the shambles of a lcen-
tous press, loaded with the epithets of '.fiends, "
"desperadoes," and ''assassins," and accused off
crimes dlsgracefu to humanity Robbery, MUIR
der and every species of cruelty, are made to ap-
pear familiar to ''this horrible crew. that the
wayfarlng man and the stranger within our gates
are cooDy massacred in the mere wantonncss of
our innate wickedness!
To stay such flood of accusation and nvec-
tive by reason or argument were vain. | shall
not attempt it. Here, however, it may not be
amiss to introduce some of those kind testimonials
Of friendship and regard for my family and my
self. which reached me when it became known
that contemplated the present undertaking. The
first is letter from General John B. Dawson,
Parish Judge Of the parish of West Fcliciana.
Nothing that could be here said can add ought to
that love and respect which his virtues have gain
ed for Gen. Dawson, among all those who have
the happiness to know him; and TO endeavor by
words to express my feelings for him, would in
deed be useless. Let the letter show tho man.
WYOMING, (La.) Sept. 49, 1896.
Dear Uarren: our communication of YES
terday has this moment been handed to me, and
l hasten to reply to the request it contains that
would give you my opinion of the recent publ