Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-09-27
VOL. XIII---NO. 13.
...3,x BA1T1MoRE Sent 81

nj, g-f.s BALTIMORE, Sept. Il.
The Ameracam has been furnished with
late hlchmond papers by a Virginia refugee,
from which the following interesting items
and H correspondence are taken. The Richpond
ErGmaner of the 18th inst, says:
"it is eFidsnt to every intelligent observer
that the embitteredl remnant of the submis-
sionist party, which was fully represented in
the Virginia Convention, isbent on organizing
regular opposition to the government. Under
all the names that it has borne, that ele-
ment IN our politics has been invariably against
Southern interests, and although the events
OF last spring, annhilated it's ma
terai iorms, at least caused it to disappear
IRON public view, it exists with undimifished
viruence and awaits the opportunity to spring
into life again." ~
The following article appears in the Rich
inond Wig. ovec the Initials of .'F. MI no
doubt from the pen OF franklin Minor:
"To WHoM IT MAY CONCERN: The follow
ing private letter to the editor is from an old
personal friend, but long separated by party
and one first 10 position and in intellect in
tn" great county of Abemarle. 1t was OBJ
vlously not designed for pubhcltion, but on
that very account may be the better sign of
things unseen and the better serve to en-
| tighten the Administration respecting the
temper Of the public mind -, :. !, :
"Albem0rle, dag. 29tA, 1861. Dear
MouseIy: am utterly dsgusted with your
men-Jeff. Davis and his man Walker-and
want to know if you will publish my spleen
II l utter it. | have letter Just from Ma
nassas. Our troops there one day last
week, had nothing for breakfast but salt and
potatoes, and We.e sent s miles at double
quick to meet false alarm and got neither .
dinner or supper when they came back
Now, Hosely, it is evident to mo that your
government is rotten at the head. Davis
ought to be spiked up where men can see
hm. You have won great victory and got
no fruits from it. Yon have had charge of
the government for six months and have done
nothing. No meat to eat, no powder, no
wagons, no anything, but sal. and potatoes;
and you sing out the government has the
entire confidence OF the peoplen Now, it
has not mine; and ! want to know when [
can get fair hearing The only smart thing
have seen Is your proposition to postpone
the Presidential election. This is most ex-
ceiient. | trust this may save US. If
was in Congress would refuse every one of
the appropriations for the war, holy though
1t Is, Ill! Walker was turned cut and some
body put in his place with sense enough to
attend to the duties Of his Office | don't
know either Davis Or Walker, but I have
seen enough to raise suspicion in my mind
that neither of them was the right man in
the right place. Why, then, talk about the
confidence Of the people in the administra-
tion? l don't fcel any such confidence NV
>elt. | believe I am not singular in my dis
trust. If you editors would only speak out
in full terms about the abuses which stink
under your nostrils, things would get right.
It is shame which cries to Heaven for ven
geance, when you nell of the pen are talking
about confidence in the government and our
sol tiers are made to trot sixteen miles on
one meal Of salt and potatoes. There is rot
tenness enough in the medical staff alone to
damn any administrator. Why hood-wink
the people? Your government is rotten and
stinks. We must smell at last, and the SOON
er the better. You will not smell any stron-
cer to Yankee nostTils after you turn Walk
cr out and make Davis toe the mark. They
know you cannot advance upon them for
want Of victuals and vehicles; your weakness
remains patent 20 them until YOU reform the
abuses OF your administra ton. The smart
est thing England did in the Crimean war
ws the reformation Of abuses in the full
view Of the enemy, and her rival too. Your
enemies know YOU are rotten. You will not
tell them anything new by turning out Davis
and his whole crew, which | am decidedly
in favor # if they 10 not show themselves
more efficient. But all your editors sing
Halelujahs to Davis & Co. 1t first sees
your soldiers are starving, but SO long as the
President and generals can wear fine linen,
You sing,peons. It will not do, my friends.
Somebody must tell the people the plain
truth or we are ruined. Freezing and starry
ing stare you in the face for the next winter
and you call upon the women and children
to give up their blankets and work for the
soldiers. The women have supported the
war so far. You could not be in the field
without their needles. You have had the
government for several months and you con-
foss your inability to do anything by your
daily ways, and still you speak of confidence.
L is waning hourly, assure you,and unless
The press speaks out plainly and soon all is
lost. do not know any particulars and
90 not care for any, but do care for my
country, and the brave men who are fighting
FOR US, and it stirs my gall to see them treat
OF So -