The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-08-11


larly laid ont, comp-ctly built city, popu
lated by the rich and aristecratic of South
ern shareholders. But not SO. There
are no two streets which run parallel te
each other throughout their whole length,
| but cross each other at every conceivable
angle. cannot shy how large 1t is. II
covers more ground than Keokuk, but il
is not so compacty built. About as many
persons appeared on the streets as is usua
in cities of this size, yet there was seven.
ty-fve per cent. less fashion and hnery
than | ever saw before on fine day in Sc
large place. Another very signifcan
fact which | observed was, there are NOR.
FIRST class residences vacant than any 9th
er. My solution Of this rather singular
ph en- omena is that most of the very
wealthy aristocrncy are rebels at hear
and have ayailed themselves Of the bene.
fits of military order No. /. and fed to
the dominions Of Davis.
Our soldiers do not have to encounter
the contempt and insults here spoken OF
in some other rebel cities. I traversel
nearly every street in the city. and was
never treated otherwise than courteously.
! called at good many residences, and
in every instance found the people soca-
BILE and well disposed toward our men,
During the day ] conversed with more
than forty citizens on the President
confscation policy, and found every one
of them in favor of it, and most Of them
in favor of the negro policy. We have
lost friends by the "milk and water" pol
icy thus far pursued. Men see that We
make no distinction between our friends
and foes in our treatment of them, and
as the rebels do make great distinction,
it is every mans real interest to be rebel
where rebels hold the power, or where
they are likely to hold the power. The
negroes are very much elated with their
prospects. They are aocking to our lines
by hundreds. They are faithful laborers
and seem well pleased with the change
in their circumstances. Nearly every
one with whom l have conversed is not
only willing but anxious TO take up arms
and fghl for US and themselves. They
say they would rather die than return to
slavery. believe there could be good
regiment of as true hearted men raised in
this city, from among the colored popu-
lation, as ever shouldered musket.
The hundred national banners now un.
furled to the breeze, speak Of the Union
sentiments of the people in more glowing
terms than the tongue Of man can speak
The people of Memphis ought to know
by this time what is to their interest,"
Under the sacred folds Of the Stars and
Stripes they built themselves beautiful
city. In peace, happiness and prosperity
they reared their little ones. The rebel
lion came, and Memphis was plunged in
the awful vortex of ruin. Military des-
potism took the place of liberty, idlcness
of industry poverty of prosperity, and "a
fearful looking forward" for the Federal
gunboats destroyed their happiness by
day and caused them restless dreamy
sleep at night. Commerce languished,
schools went untaught, churches were
turned into hospitals, the pure teachings
of the minister of God were not heard
upon the Sabbath day, and vice took the
place Of virtue in hundred different
forms. Again the Stars and Stripes float
over Memphis. Again the people enjoy
peace and all its accompanying blessings.
and they are content. They have paid
dearly for lesson which they will not
readily forget. Well would it be for 9th.
eT cities if they would take heed in time
and return to the ways of virtue and
peace.
Your readers will be pleased to hear
that the Iowa 9th is in perfectly good
health. MILTON,
The Congregational Convention.
The Convention at Montezuma on