Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-05-01
Bread or Blood. -

Cushing, prophesied the almost utter ru
in Of the north in the event OF war be
tween the north and south, and loudl,
proclaimed that within period which /
already passed, our half-starved opera
tives and mechanics would in overwhelm
ing mobs sweep through the great thor
oughfares Of all our large cities, " visiting
the doors Of the rich and demanding
bread or blood" which it would not be il
their power to give. Two years Of the
struggle have now passed, and the proph
esy-terrible to think of-has proved
true in part. Vast multitudes containing
the gaunt and attenuated forms of star
wing men, women and children, have
risen and marched TO "the doors of the
rich, demanding bread or blood" as the
price Of ransom. But these gaunt null
titudes have risen in an entirely different
section of country from the one predicted
The south is the point of misery-the
seat of abject want-of squalid poverty.
The north is free from these terrible con-
vusions, and is as yet blessed with peace
and plenty.
Ia the many and each day increasing
bread riots in the south, we witness the
happies! omens of a successful and early
completion of the war. When nation
at war is so far reduced in its means that
it cannot subsst its home population, and
they are compelled to procure food 10y
force, it may be regarded as a sure indi-
cation that its days are numbered. Men
will stand up for years against wet and
cold, and fatigue, and gloom, aud despon-
dency. but they cannot endure the cruel
pangs of hunger. When famine gnaws
at the vitals Of the people, then comes
curses and imprecations upon their rulers,
and their anger must be appeased by
ministering to their appetite, or the throne
will be pulled down though it crushes all
beneath it.
Ia South Carolina, Gov. Bonham has
convened the legislature expressly to con-
slider the food question and to provide for
the wants of his starving subjects. II is
peculiarly gratifying 10 know that this
hot bed Of treason, where treachery was
first Matched, is the first TO call for popu-
lar relief
In North Carolina, too, the famine is
felt in all its terrors. Gov. Vance in O
recently published article says that it is
universally admitted that there is but one
danger to the rebel cause-but one thing
TO prevent their speedy and triumphant
success, and that is the failure of provis-
ions. He says everything now depends
upon the industry and patriotism of the
farmer" and urges "aIl who have to
spare to divide literally with those who
have none
A late Savannah paper states that such !
is the destitution there that even corn |
meal cannot be procured to satisfy the
cravings Of hunger.
In Mobile, on the 9Th of April, the
following placard was found posted all
over the city -
BREAD OR PEACE.
1t has not yet come o be a question
of bread or peace with us, but we are
fast coming TO il. If our government can
compel man with family of children
to fight for ii for eleven dollars a month.
it can compel, and must, those who stay
at home and enjoy their ease now, and
will enjoy our freedom when achieved, to
feed the poor children of poor fathers
the widows, whose only sons are fiehtinp
the battles, and enduring the terrible
hardships OF the march and camp, food
less, clotheless and shoeless. Forbear-
ance will soon cease to be virtue. Our
wives, sisters and little ones are CRYING
for bread Beware lest they cry for
blood alsol We have bad enough of ex.
tor!ion and speculation it is time the
strong arm of the law was extended
The people will rise. sooner or later =
There are lamp posts and rope enough to
cure this worse than treason-and the
remedy will be supplied by an outraged ,
people. BRurus IL
These facts let it be remembered are
gathered from rebel sources and there
can be not the smallest reason for dispu.
ting them. II is not likely the rebels will
wish TO convey the impression that they
are worse off than they are. Their true
policy is to conceal from US as much as ,
possible their real state of suffering, and 4
there is no doubt that they have for ,
months kept their distresses covered up.
aud even now many of their papers are '
ridiculing the idea of famine.
When the war first broke out manv a
sangulne patriots said that six months or b
year at farihest, would suffice to starye i,
hem back to their fealty. We never en-. $
'ertained such an idea. We had a great a
'r confidence in the ability, the determin. q
alion and the pluck of the southern peo- S