American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-08-10
To the Editor of The Citizen /:

DR.. SIR Permit one who is not IA th
habit of scrEsbling for the public eye, to pei
"a few thougats, which, hope viii meet viii
favorable consideration BY al interested
and who are not Every patriot III our en-
tire Confederacy sees and feels that we ar
now called upon TO put forth our best effort.
TO protect and perpetnate the inestimabi,
blessings which our fathers struggled for
through war Of sesea@npg years. wherein
they suffered pain ana Vail of soul, ever
unto death, that they and children might b,
free. Yes, and u y God they did, through
great tribulation, achieve their object, to wit
freedom for themselves and offspring. Yes
freedom from the behests of all earthly kings
and potentates. Let their patience and he
role ralor be embalnaed as @sweet incense,
+ in cur every heart, as we are now battling
( for a Continuance of the same blessings
Let Us, their children, go forth asone man in
the name and strength of the God of our
fathers-and we humbIy hope Heis the God
of US, their children-and emulate that spirit
which led them to victory, independence,
Fpeace and prosperity. Events thus far, lead
ns to hope that the God of our fathers is with
rs, their children, and that the spirit of the
re resteth upon the son.
Nr. Editor, when began this epistle in
ended to say but little. It is this as the
eluntary principle enters so largely, aud I
night say altogether, in support of our gov
eminent and armies in the field, it is the duty
ever way they can, to render comfortable
our fathers, brothers and sons, who are on
the tented field.k Much could and would be
done by those at home, for the comfort and
sustenance Of our dear friends in camp, if
any plan could be arranged by which eatables
could be forwarded to their friends, free of
cost. l think it is not too much to ask the
of our rail roads to look at the subject mo-
ment, and see if they cannot arrange some
such plan, by having car set apart for this
purpose. We know the government gives the
soldiers their rations; but while resting in
camp, vegetables would be welcome addi-
ton to their fare.
There are some reasons for such notions
on ourpart. 1st, Who has built these roads
or furnished the means to build them Our
countryn,en, who have gone and will go to.
battlareer our rights Stockholders, in these
roads, = gain, many would send boxes Of
eataB1es, but have not money to pay freight.
We think al interest, corporate or not, is
dependent on the success of the government,
in this contest. This is not day for money
making. 1t is to live and fight, and fight to
live. So believe MANY.
We agree fully with the views of our cor
that It's the duty of corporations
as well as individuals to do all in their power
to ameliorate the condition Of the soldier, and
to add to his health and comfort, and mifi-
gate the hardsbips of camp life all they pos
sibIy can. We think it the duty of the rail-
road companies to do their share in this good
and patriotic work, and that they should
transport all vegetables aud fruit-and even
other provisions in small quantities-to the
soldiers in our armies free 81 charge, or at Il
cost merely nominal, to cover absolute ex-
pense.
1t is as much the duty of the railroads to
do all their power TO sustain the Government
and sustain our army in the field as it is the
duty of the planter, the merchant, or any
other class; for they are as deeply interested
in the success of our Government as any
others. The railroads are reaping a large
harvest by this war-provided we succeed in
our independence, of which there
can be no reasonable doubt-by the trans
portation of troops. They charge half fare
for carrying troops, and they carry them like
they would sheep or hogs, IN Doc cars, about
thirty to the car. Sometimes they have soc
or 1000 troops on train. 1000 troops at 81
a head is S4000for one trip from New Orleans
to Canton. We think the railroads ought to
be satisfied with these profits, and should set
an example of liberality, and do 'the clever
thing" by.offering to take fruit and vegeta-
bles to the soldiers without charge
If one of our roads viii move in the matter
and set the good example, it viii doubtless
be followed at once by all the others Which I
one win take the initiative in such a lauda- /
bic and praiSeworty deed of benevolence?
We shall be happy to hear and record it.