The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-03-31
THE DISTRESS IN FRANCE.

A French paper of the Goth Of February,
tains communication growing out of petition
Of 500 inhabitants of Clignancourt to the Senate
for relief in their destitute condition. The article
portrays the evils to which the working-men
subjected in their spinning and weaving occupa-
tons. We make extract to show the deep
distress, dctasement and degradation to which they
have been reduced by the want of Cotton, which
Hitherto has not only furnished them EN- poyment
md subsistence, but has been in its various rlmi-
tications the source Of commerce to large but
now suffering population. 1t is easy to see that if
the conflict between the North and South con-
.tinues much longer, and France is still deprived
Of the sta les and markets Of this country she must
either find some new undiscovered path to relief
or else submit to fate which revolution will
entail. The following is theextract:
GAS to the actual condition of the workmeu,
what shall be said of it which is not already
known? The weavers of some parts of Normandy
eat the leaves of the COLA rape seed. AT Rouen
single parish, ST Vivien contains 40 families
in state of desttution and these families have
their most indispensable effects in pledge with the
pawn-brokers. Mothers inscribe their daughters
names upon the public registers for prostitution,
and when the Registrar endeavors to turn them
from their fri 9htfnl intentions they answer, :'tcc
hare no Jread!" The peasants, in the middle
ages, gave their children to the wolves, and we
have now advanced one degree farther in misery
and shame. We are only yet in the beginning of
this doletul condition, and must await the deye-
opment of this "immense process
NEwspApERs.-The Richmond ENQUIRER has
list of the newspapers now published in Virginia,
and they number only II, of which 10 are in
Richmond and only in all the rest of the State,
viz: at Petersburg, 2 at Lynchburg, at Stauu-
ton, l at Harrisonburg, l at Danvie aud l at
Abingdon. We were aware that there had been
great mortality among the press of Virginia. but
had no idea that so few survived
In North Carolina we have lost about one half
Of the papers since the war commenced, but we
can still count 26, viz at Raleigh 8, Charlotte 8,
Greensborough ?, Fayetteville 2, Wilmington L
Iiillsborough I, Milton l, Salisbury l, Asheville
J, Hendersonvillc ], Tarboro' /, Wadesboro' /
Salem l, Winston ], Statesville 1.
How TO GET CHEAP NEwspApERs-The
Columbus Sun says
''If you would like cheap newspapers, good
supply OF writing paper and envelopes-all of
which are almost as indispensable as clothing
save your rags. Let the ragbag become recog-
;nized institution in every household. Nothing
would tend more to increase the quantity of paper
and cheaper lis price than the general Institution
OF the ragbag. Let every scrap of cloth, rope and
thread, refuse cotton and all waste material. of
which either cotton. fax Or hemp forms the fibre,
be diligently saved and sold to the paper mills
and paper will become abundant and be furnished
at reduced rates.
"People of the South, if you would read and
write, save your rags"
VENTRILooUIsM-Th Richmond correspondent
of the Knoxville Register, relates the following:
Last night called on Col. Scott, of the Louisi
ana Cavalry You have often heard of him in
western campaigns. While in Kentucky, his
bo1 ,bo hoe ell
war began, disrobed dead Yankee, and assumed
the garb of Federal Sergeant.-W lille on his
NAY to Richmond, ventriloquist, one of the tribe
of Benjamin, learped the story connected with
the Negroes apparel. After nightfall, while the
negro!was nodding with a valise between bis feet,
deep toned voice proceeded from'it.
Voice-I say, Sam, wake up here; tlNm's my
clothes you've got on. x ass
Sam-Who's dat? (The- Colonel says that
Sam's eye.balls protruded.a foot when the carpet
sack began the colloquy)
Foice-Im Ichabod Smith, of the 18th
Connecticut, killed at Lexington, Kentucky. You
robbed me of my clothes.
! Sam-'Fore God, massa Yankee, I didn't snec
you'd want 'em no more.
Voice-Of with 'em, d-n YOU
In less than minute Sam shocked himself
There he stood in the freless car, on cold winter
night. His teeth SCATTERING, his mapped wool
Strengthened, and his eyes, rolled about in the
agony of hopeless terror. Never since has Sam
touched the Yankees clothes.