Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-11-08
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Couesp0uderce Of the St Louis Republican
Having spent some time in Columbus, Ken
tucky, / tcok special pains TO learn the coudi
tion of the c0niTabsnds there, and I respectful,
ssk brief space IN your paper, in order to LAY
before the public such facts as l obtained, witt
the hope that something may be done to reliev,
the wants Of Jhst destitute class of beings. Their
sTe something over one thousand there, of whom
fourfiihs ara women aud children The sble
bodied men are provided with work by the gov
erumeut, at fair wages, and, where they repre-
sent a family, but hltle, II suy. sid is needed
provided they DO their duty. But hundreds o.
women 8nd children are there, with no NAL,
member 10 provide for or look after their wants
and unless something is done, many viii Perish
this winter. One child, 70 my knowledge, died
from exposure last Saturday night, and many
others suffered None Of them, hardly have
winter clothing, nor have they adequate bsd-
ding. and I know Of no steps being taken 70
supply them They mostly live in tents, but
some have to lie on the ground without any Gov
eTing. Some of these negroes left home voluu-
tsriy, and Others were forced Of by our soldiers,
bat 81 ssv they have been deceived, and want
90 20 back to their homes. Gentlemen from
Wisconsin. Iowa, and other N0TthT TesieTn States
come down a3d try tS induce them to 20 home
with them bat they nearly al prefer even their
present deplorsbe condition TO that of going
North They still hope to get back to their old
homes. 1t amusing 70 see these negroes turn
their backs on these Northern synpathizsTs, who
descsrt so eloqusutly TO them upon the privi-
leges and luKuIi5s they will have by going
\ 3rth and being free. / saw three women get
sbosrU Of the boat TO 60 TO Wisconsin with q
gentleman, and before she started they got away
from their Northern symEsthizer and ran back
70 their quarters. They fear the Northern eli
= els ~. n
bad by their masters as they are by Northern
men al Columbus One Northern man selected
. very likely girl, snd got 3 permit TO take her
North, but before she reached Cairo his conduct
toward her had been Of such g grossly profit
gale chsraeter, thst she reported her case TO
the captain, and he took charge Of and returned
her 70 Columbus.
Now, Nr. Editor, II is not my purpose, in this
article, 20 find fault with the government in
taking these negroes from comfortable homes,
End then not providing adequately for them.
But something must be done, OF they viii al
perish this winter. There Is terrible Tesp5usi-
biiity resting somewhere. These poor creatures
are 10 8 wretchej state, morally, mentally and
physically They don't want their freedom
They enly want & home. The oldest and wisest
ere like children, and when left 10 choose for
themsslves they prefer the evils they endured
ss slaves. 90 running their chances North
Now the elephant Is already on cur hands,
bot only in its infancy. Must we leave it TO
perish with hunger and cold, whilst our only
thought is 20 increase the uuwieldy animal 20
gigantic pI0poTti0nsl This would seem to be
the present plan Of our administration, and it
nay be unlawful 10 call It's wisdom and human
ity into question; but I write with the hope that
these lnes may fall uader the observation Of some
benevolent society in 81 Louis, which will tai
the ma Ter In hands, and re ieve the sutferings
Cf these uubsPpy negroes al Columbus IheJ
need winter clothing of every pattern and de-
EciptiOn a. well as bed clothes. An agent should
be at Columbus give bis entire steEtionto their
wants, and supplies should be forwarded to him.
There are mauy cases Of suffering from want OF
food and medical attendance, which do not come
under the notice Of The authorizes there, but
which could be relieved II tle proper steps were
taken 10 adequate sttps are taken to sscer-
tain who are suffering, because no particular
person Is provided for that purpose. Could not
some suitable person be assigned to this Partc-
u!ar work. who would receive the cooperation
of the government authorities in al well di
rectsd plans for relieving these destitute negroes
and also give them religious Instruction. !
make this sppeal with the hope that the mattel
viii receive that attention which is Importance
and urgency demands.