The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1863-04-01
An Old Maid after Conrad.

! Let the following letter published in the Mis-
sissippian, 90 the rounds of the press, to be pre-
served for future reference:
| Mr.. ED1ToR:-You tender to US your columns
in reply to Mr. Conrad's speech in congress and
! in Justice due to that much abused class OF my
sex, deem response necessary. have long
waited for something on the snbjecttrom SPINS
ters more capable Of meeting to the offender,
his merited remarks; but it appears that they
have concluded to pass by in silence, or have not
sufficiently recovered from their anger to be ina
mood for writing.
This Louisiana "cengasation congressman adj
vocatcs the CONSUMPTION of the editors on the
plea that "theyare doing more harm than good.
should think Mr. Conrad would be the last man
in the South, who would wish to send the editors
TO the war Why, the very newspapers have
eimortaised" him. Had they been silenced by
conscription, this famous speech OF his would
have never been heard beyond the halls of con-
gress as it is it has been published by every
paper read by every preacher and scrowled at
bv every old maid in the Confederacy
7 fear Mr.. Conrad, is something like Erastatus
who wishing t0render his name immortal, set fire
to the magnificent temple of Diana, at Ephesus,
and burned it to the ground. Thus. with our
veritable congressman. He was not content to
quietly pursue Lle even lGIlOI Vi HIS way III tilC
discharge Of his duty-the consciousness Of being
a living congressman, did his self-complacency,
sufficiently; he must do something to particular
" distinguish himself from the common class Of
individuals and forth set his inventive genius to
work to devise pathway to fame. At last it
fell upon an expedient. That speech was to lead
him to glory and renown.
Some one has said, cali = woman il!-temper-
ed, stupid anything but ugly, and not despair of
forgiveness" Now differ with the gentleman
and say woman can forgive any offen8c easier
than being treated with utter contempt. Mr..
Conrad has done Thu; he says, preachers can
be better employed, than preaching to empty
meeting houses, old maids and grannies." Now
if this be true, | wish to offer an amendment,
which is, if preachers are not needed at home;
there is no use in congressman being allowed to
stav, to make laws for 'old maids and grannies."
George Land says, "Woman's ire pardons
not" Then | forbear further comment, there
are vet others to be heard from. l beg however
in conclusion, any one agreeing with Mr.. Con-
rad, will recall to mind horrors Of the French
revolution, and see how fatal to governmental
is to interfere with peoples religion. If cur
government wishes to be suhjngated, then Mr.
Conrad has shown the way Close up the churches
suppress the influence Of religion--stop the
voice Of prayer and subjugaton is certain. a
pure Literature is the palladium of nations
greatness. Then if our press is silenced, where
is our public safeguard? See the soldiers far
from home weary and sad hearted; with bright
eningS~g he seizes the welcome paper and be-
guiles the lone dreary hours Truly it is the
soldiers frend-it speaks to his very heart; it
tells of home and kindred dear, of his country
her glories and her wrongs; it whispers courage
in the hour Of dependency, and hope amid the
darkest goom-Then away $ UGH ideas as Mr..
Conrad 5; let our country's religion be undistur-
bed and let her presSo forever be free and I'M
trammeled.
An "OLD MAID"