Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-07-26
Base Ingratitude-What Two Massachu-
setts Abolitionists Did.


On Sunday afternoon last, while the still
ness of the sultry Sabbath air was,broken by
the pealing of bells, we witnessed a scene on
Bay street that is worthy of record, andfor
/ two reasons first, to show the cruelty and
and ingratitude of one class, and to reveal
the Christian, forgiving spirit OF another
much abused race of people. The sun pour
ed down It's fierce rays with an intensity
that caused man and animal to swelter while
| striving to seek a cool retreat. The streets
were hot and dusty, and all nature seemed
parched and in feverish condition. At
the foot of tree on Bay street two parolled
| Confederate soldiers reclined in the shade,
! both of them clad in the filthy and ragged
uniform that is so repulsive to the eye.
These poor, jaded privates had just ar
rived on one of the steamers from Augusta,
and were on their way home in the interior
of the State. They were greasy, dirty, des
| pondent, hungry and exhausted A great
many people walked leasurely past the spot
where these friendless and pennyless soldiers
were seated but watched closely to see how
many Of the most blatant and vindictive
Rebels would approach the poor fellows, for
we felt that indeed it was pittiable picture
that must appeal to the generous sympathy
| OF every passer by.
We saw quite number of noted Seces-
sionists stroll leasurely along the hot pave
| ments, and as they passed, gave a careless
glance at the half famished men, but to their
great shame be it said, not one of. them had
enough of the milk of human kindness flow
ing through his bosom to prompt them to
| speak to their suffering fellow-men men
whom we shortly afterwards learned were
forced into the rebel service to fight against
a benign and glorious Government that had
always protected them. The church bells
tolled their soothing invitations and sum-
moned Christians to the temples of Divine
worship, but no one came to those sick and
feeble soldiers to offer as much as
word Of sympathy.
A couple of noted and detested Massachu-
setts Abolitionists happened to notice IA
group of Yankee soldiers In conversation
with their unfortunate and defeated enemies
and supposing the Rebels were sick, they
stepped up to offer assistance. One poor
fellow was just able to tell that he was suf
fering from a protracted fever, and severe
alta; attack &. Of chronic diarhea, while his sunken
ly of natures final surrender.
The Abolitionists hastened to an adjoining
building and procured a tumbler of fine
sherry wine, and the prostrated men speed
lily drank, the contents and soon felt sufficient
ly revived to walk short distance, when
Massachusetts, number two escorted them to
an eating saloon, paid for their meals, gave
them some money and departed. The as
tonished men were very anxious TO know II
their generous donors were Southern men,
and they were eager to ascertain their names.
The only reply that they received was mag
unanimous one, according to the mode OF
reasoning. Never mind the name. We
are men, Massachusetts, Abolitlonlsts, who
have been fighting you for four long years,
but the State we hail from has taught her
sons to practice humanity, and that is all
we have done for you. Our creed is to help
our fellow-me whenever we see them IN
distress, if we are able. You two men are
privates, and though we have been your en-
emies in the field, yet we entertain no hostile
feeling towards any Of you now Our ha-
tired and contempt is reserved for the real
guilty ones, the educated, arrogant leaders
who, by their influence, forced such men as
you to battle for cause which, If success
full would only have wrought the chains OF
bondage for the poor whites of the South.
We have no names to give you, but Ii any
one asks you who befriended you In your
dark hours of sickness and adversely tell
them two rabid Massachusetts mudsills or
Abolitionists, and saying this with deep
earnestness, the two Yankees disappeared,
leaving the grateful hungry Confederates to
enjoy what the soldiers call in the army YER
nacular "a good, square meal, and most
probably the first one these famished men
had tasted for years.
Now that is the kind of Abolitionism we
like to read about, and doubtless a great
many of our readers who have been very
willing to believe all the Rebel press have
said about the natural instincts Of barbar-
ism that dwell in Yankee hearts, viii now go
into fit of Mysteries because we have dared
to reveal the particulars OF this atroclous
Yankee outrage.
We know one thing, and that is, this lit
tie incident ought to refute the calumnious
charges we so often hear on the streets, In
the drawing room, and even at the public
tables of our hotels in regard to Yankee
measures Here was a strong case for the
exercise Of charity, but 1t was left for Mas
sachusetts men to relieve the wants Of two
sick and suffering Confederate soldiers in
the Secession city of Savannah.
1t is glorious sign of the return OF that
fraternal spirit which ought to exist forever
between the two sections of our land, and
we wait for similar manifestations from
Southerners who have been Secessionists.
This incident aptly illustrates the universal
spirit of the Northern people towards the
South, for Gov. johnson corroborated it, and
hundreds of others confirm the statement.
Then why is it that such obstinate, vlndic
tive, unrelenting spirit of hatred is exhibit
ed towards Northern people by the majority
of the Southerners? Is it not high time to
bury the axe, forget the past and link our
selves together in the bonds of fraternity,
and live encompassed with friendship sa-
cred tie I? Who says no o?-Sardnnah Re
publican, July s.
g. p Reed, editor of the Indiana Amer
;.o,, d;od s,,d donJ,, ~, T,,d,ono oonnfv ou tho