Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1865-02-24

Benjamin on the Rebel sstuation-Whas
eaTast be Hady
Below We give extracts from a full report Of
j. ?. BESJAxIy at the war meeting in Rich
nlOnd on the 9ths from which it viii be seen
that the rebel cause has come to pretty narrow
straits Hesays nothing but the anigger" can
save it and is not entirely sure that he can:
What is cur present duty. Ne loanf means
Are they In the countrY5 Ifs0, they belong 70
the country, not 10 the man who chances to hold
them now. They belong either to the Yankees
or to the Confederate States. would take eve
~ bale OF cotton in the land. have few bales
lett IN my Southern home, which Is a free gift to
my country. But why speak of myself ]
speak OF my noble State Of Louisiana. Let me
point you back 20 1862 when the city Of New
Orleans tail under the domination of the enemy.
AS Farragut S fieet ascended the river and round
edthe crescent approaching the CITY. what greet
ed his eyes on that bright and balu,v snrins
day? The air was murky with smoke erery
thing was lined with cotton burning up the
levee. The citizens did not ask to whom il be
lOnged, the Yankees wanted it aud they should
not have 1t. But few weeks ago, with fun
time for the citizens to prepare in advance Sher.
man penetrated Savannah, and what was pre-
sented there2 With the thousand plausibls ex.
cuses of interested selfshness, the cotton was
left, IN belief that the Yankees would give them
something for It. This alnow goes to the Yam
KEGS, who gloatingly said Not that we have pot
Savannah, but that we have got eighteen NIL.
lion dollars worth OF cotton, and this while ON
the banks of the Mississippi and waters border
ing on my State, three hundred thousand bales
OF cotton were sacrificed to the cause. I now
ask has any man Alright to withhold bale of
cotton from his country9 No. say the same
thing in regard TO tobacco Take All the cotton
and tobacco, and make it the basis Of mems,
l0'f'oHt 'o5tch zee eaas'o! go on (ApPlsuse.)
want more. I want all the bacon, eUeygahing
.chtch cda feed the soldiers, and / want It as :
free gift to the country. Talk Of Rightsl What
rights do arrogant invaders leave you2 War is
game that cannot be played without men,
(Cheers.)
Where are the mem am going to open nv
whole heart to you. Look to the trenches be-
low RichmondF Is it not a shame that the men
who have sacrificed al in our defense should
not be reinforced by all the means in our power7
Is 1t any time now for antiquated patriotism to
argue refusal 70 send them aid, be it white or
blackE "a yoice-~Put in niggers, and cheers.
Let us say to every negro who wishes to 20 in
TO the ranks, on condition Of being made free. 90
and fgbt-g0ls aTetres. If tre press thenE tssg
t0lHgo dgcizst u.s. We know that every one who
could fight for hrs freedom has had no chance.
The only side that has the advantage Of this ele-
ment is the Yankees. A people that can beat
US to the end of the year In making bargains
let us initiate. would initiate them in moth
ing else. My own negroes have been to nae and
said, Master, set US free, and We will fight for
you; we had rather fight for you than for the
Yankees. But suppose it should not be 70.
there is no harm in trying. With all my ear
ly attachments and preIudices viii give no
ALL 1t can only be done by the States seusr.
ately. What State viii lead off in this thing
"A voice "Virginia.")
When shall it be done? Now, now. Let
your Legislature pass the necessary laws and
We viii soon have twenty thousand men down
in those trenches fighting for the country. You
nlass make up y0lg mind to tTy that, OF see your
army loithdralea from before your tolcn. Icame
here to say disagreeable things tell you You
are in danger unless radical measures be taken.
kaow not lChere the lohite men are Il is said
there are quartermaster's clerks, railroad enl-
ployers, and men in bombproofs, but I tell you
there are not enough able bodied white men in
the country. Do you suppose We have worked
night after night by this infamous gss-light you
have here, and not found out this thing? Nv
honorable friend has told yOu that deserters and
skulkers may possibly come in; but lUhere Is
Tennessee a,d The otie, States that ,oere former
ty relied 0N2 You have part of Virginia, part
OF n ofth Carolina part OF South Carolina, and
parts OF other States; what elseg A voice, Tex
as. Fexasl she is beyond our reach; would
that she was not. There isone other thing want
ed. After you have given US all the means and
all the men zee rant The croaksrs 20 be hanged
Good They should be put in the trenches
and let the soldiers come to town and take
their places. That IS the sort ofeapital punish
ment would accord to them These eroakers
say this or that general is whipped" Gold Is
sixty and calico ninety" They have no right
TO talk IN this manner. man recently came
to my house and commenced croaking. when l
took up my hat and left saying that l would
not listen to him. (Applause.) These men,
who have not spent one night out Of their COM
Portable beds since the war began, are uttering
their dismal complaints while soldiers are pass
ing resolutions that if they do rot cease they
viii fight them and the Yankees too.