Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-12-08


In cairo.
To answer mans Inquiries concerning the con
di,ion Of thc white refugees arriving in Cairo
from the South. We would respectfully represent
that:
With the tsiumphal march Of Oug armies thro
sections in rebellion, whole communities have
1ocked TO our lines for protection against mis-
rule they took no part in establishing, and des-
potsm they have been powerless to resist
The reign Of terror which exists throughout
the rebel States living IN and adjacent 20 the Mis-
sissippi valley. has no parallel IN the most bnr.
bsrous annals Of our country.
Their able bodied men have been consctiptec
or fleeing TO the woods and sTamps, have been
hunted with blood hounds and shot like beasts
Their crops have beea destroyed
Their lands laid waste.
Their cattle and teams driven of
Their grsnares robbed.
Their cotton burned.
Their houses sacked and seized
Women have been stripped OF their clothing
and turned naked upon the world.
Children interceding have been shot.
Mothers. imploring mercy, have had their ia
fants stabbed on their breasts.
sympathy with the Union cause has been made
sole occasion for atrocities uuhesrd of IN iates
tine war
Thus With cruel hand has rebellion mingled
bitter cup for is unwilling subjects, and is now
dealing out 10 them It's dregs. Ii has indeed
given them for happiness. misery for liberty,
tyranny; aud changed the JOY of their lives into
wormwood OF an intolersble existence
rHEIK SITUATION ~ CAIRO
They are sent here by the military authotities
on government transports and steamers, and
landed on our levee at all hours Of the night and
day There they are left skelteTless aud penni
less their future an aimless blank More than
two hundred have recently been set on shore At
late hour of the night and compelled to remain
exposed 10 the inclemeneies OF the weather until
morning The average number per month has
been near two thousand.
Nine tenths of all are women and children.
four ffihs Of whom children of tender years
They arrive impoverished and exhausted; they
are often clad only 10 few tattered garments:
children come without hats. shoes or stockings.
and hundreds without change Of clothing; they
have no bedding save few rags ON the ground.
aud they die daily of disease, exposure and want.
They come 10 u not as enemies. but sick and
ahungered suferins and sheterless. Such are
the particulars of their miseries.
During the last wear, 20 900 OF these refugees
from the tyranny of rebellion have landed al the
wharf in Cairo.
The Cairo Relief Association hare done all in
their power to alleviate the sniferings OF these
their behalf. 10 the citizens OF Cairo. These ap
peals have been literally responded to- The
work has grown upon our hands-the means are
now exhausted
Should these private enterprises fail on prove
inadequate. there is reason tdsapprehend, the
situation of new arrivals must become heart.
rending-verging on despair.
1t is not necessary to say that their indescrba
bic condition demands the most prompt aud Ell
cacious measures for their relief.
What is done must be done quickly. They
must die of cold and hunger this winter unless
immediate succor be obtained
Shall not the cry of the children, az they lie
on the leyee, with innocent hands, uplifted for
help, be heardy Never has helpless womanhood
appealed in vain for aid
We appeal TO all who have hearts 10 feel for
human misery-than which none greater exists
on the face of the earth: we plead for liberal
contribution from every Christian church in this
city on next Sabbath.
We entreat every pastor TO give W. his ntu
ence and aid 10 this end
We appeal to the ladies of this city, God bless
them TO collect a few barrels Of clOthing--es-
pecially for women and children.
We appeal to the large hearted men Of this
city TO furnish Us money.
No want, no suffering exists in our land this
day, which pleads with equal urgency for prompt
and generous relief
Whatever is contributed will be at once traDs
mitted Clothing will be sent Immediately to
Cairo. where il will be judiciously discussed.
and shall bless and relieve those who are literal
ly ready-o perish"
We solicit the assistance and co-opeJation OF
the benevolent and humane throughout the CITY,
pledging the strictcst integrity in the of
means committed 10 our trust.
We beg that every pastor in the city will read
this circular next Sabbath, from the pulpite, and
plead for liberal contribution from the congre.
CATION JOHN W. JOHNSON,
Agent and General Supervisor of White Re
fugees in Cairo.