Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-05-10
whole case at once before us.
UAIRO hELIEF AssOUIATIUN
February 22d. 1864,

lection against misrule they took no part
in establishing, and despotism they have
been powerless to resist. The TACT OF their
having lived in rebel States is hastily and
wrongly seized upon as evidence conclusive
Of their disloyalty. While this is true in
some instances,ye yet we are satisfied from much
personal intercourse with them, that had
they been surrounded by loyal influences,
the mass would have been quite devoted
nnionists as thousands amongst us whose
loyalty is unquestioned. TO the union men
and women OF the South we must look for
the most brilliant evidences Of devotion to
the old flag under trials OF which we, in the
full tide OF peace and prosperity, can form
no adequate conception.
A SKETCH OF THEIR CONDITION IN THE
SoUTH.-The reign of terror which exists
throughout all the rebel States lying in and
adjacent to the Mississippi valley, has no
parallel in the most barbarous annals Of our
country.
Their able bodied men have been con-
scripted, or fleeing to the woods and swamps
have been hunted with blood hounds and
shot like beasts.
Their crops have been destroyed.
Their lands laid waste.
Their cattle and teams driven of.
Their granaries robbed.
Their cotton burned.
Their houses sacked and razed.
Women have been stripped of their cloth
ing and turned naked upon the world. Men,
deserting from q service they hated, have
been caught and made to ''dance wild on the
wind" from the branches of trees which over
hung their own dwellings.
Children, interceeding, have been shot.
Mothers, imploring mercy, have had their
infants stabbed on their breasts.
Sympathy with the Union cause has been
made the sole occasion for atrocities unheard
of in intestine war.
The rich and poor alike are postrate
smitten and suppliant from their very desti.
tuition.
The presence of our troops brings security
Their advance is the signal for the conscrip
hunters" to impress the men, for the flores
men" who know law aud respect no age, SCI
or condition, to rise up, pillage and destro!
what contending armies had left, and To pre-
vent those from escaping who would flee from
the horrors OF starvation which awaits the
thousands who remain.
Thus with cruel hand, has Rebellion
mingled bitter cup for its unwilling subjects
and is now dealing out TO them its dregs. II
has indeed given them for HAPPINESS Misery
for LIBERTY, Tyranny; and changed the JOY
Of their LIVES into the wormwood of an in
toierGble existence.
What should christian people do fo
exiles in such case?
THEIR SITUATION IN CMRo.-They are sen
here by the military authorities, on govern
ment transports and steamers, and landed OF
our levee at all hours of the night and day
There they are left, shelIerless, and penniless
their future an aimless blank. More thar
Two hundred have recently been set on shore
at a late hour of the night and compelled tC
remain exposed TO the inclemencies of the
weather until morning. The average
number permonth now exceeds two thousand
with prospect of an increase rather than
dlminutiOn of arrivals.
A few have teams or money enough to
take them a hundred miles into the country
by railroad. Some have friends in the Nortt
who would assist them on their reaching
them. Nearly all are anxious to get into
the rural districts, where they can find homeI
and make an honorable livelihood by thei
labor. Some, indeed, who have been taught
and accustomed TO look upon labor as menia l.
may have to learn by sad experience the
blessing and dignity of manly toll.
Nine tenths of all are women and children
four hfths of whom are children OF tender
years. But very few are infrni from age.
OF late, the proportion of men is increas
ing, owing to desertions and the rigor with
which the conscription is enforced Every
religious denomination and fraterna brother
hood have their representatives among
them.
They bring with them some articles oftheir
"household plunder" and the tattered rem.
nants of wardrobes that have not been re-
plenished during the three years of suffering
since first their "troubles came" Children
r.s4L L.N1 -Laa ..so. 4
hundreds without a change of clothing
Those who have lived in affluence are reduc
ed to equal extremities of want with the
poor. Of course, cleanliness is impossible
in their condition.
The health OF the most is reduced by ex-
posure and by bad and scanty food. Many
are sick requiring immediate medical atten-
dance and tenderest nursing care.
A mother and her four daughters have
died of exposure within the space of one
week The widowed mother Of several
children, is now sick with but little prospect
Of recovery. The number Of sick is increas
ing rapidly.
GovERNMENT AiD-The only gratuity they
receive from the general government after
arrival is rations of -four and bacon, with
fuel, and the occupancy Of one small barrack
Neither stoves, straw for beds, medical
attendance, nor transportation beyond this
post is furnished.
The local organization which we represent
was established to aid "any sufferers who
might be cast among us by the casualties ol
war or the unioward events of civil life -
After providing for every needy person in
the city, our efforts have been engrossed by
the wants of the White Refugees. 1t has
been our aim to look after the very needy,
to provide them with shelter, suitable food
and medical attendance for the sick, to pro
cure homes and employment for the we'll.
A Refugees Rest and Hospital is being
established, and such general assistance
rendered as may be required. The physicians
of the city and the ladies have volunteered
their assistance and rendered very important
and timely service.
The work has grown upon Our hands,
Demands are made upon us each week for
transportation and aid in various ways,
sufficient if met, TO exhaust our means.
Should these private enterprises fail or
prove inadequate as there is reason to ap-
prehend, the situation of new arrivals must
become heart-rending-verg on despair.
Some of the railroad companies have al
ready expressed their readiness to transport