The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-10-05
From the Lancaster Intelligeneer
LET EVERY CATHOLIC IN PENNSYT-
WANNA READ.
Brutal Treatment of Sisters of Charity
by J0!In W. GeaFY.

John w. Geary, with his narrow in
telIect and bigoted nature, we have no
doubt, made a mostacceptable member
of that infamous political organization
which prescribed men on account of
their birth or religious belief. His ha-
tired Of Catholics did not end with the
shOrt-lived triumph 0fthe Know-Noth-
ing party. 1t adhered to him, and was
afterwards displayed in the most often
sive manner possible.
One Of the most intelligent, wealthy
and respectable citizens of Frederick,
Maryland, sends lis the following state
ment ofan occurrence, which shows in
its true light the bigoted and tyranni-
cal character of the vain upstart WHO'S
the Radical candidate for Governor Of
Pennsylvania. We give the facts in his
own language:
To the Editors ofthe Atteiligeltcer:
DEAR SIRs:-It occurs to me that
justice demands that the rude and bru-
tai manner in which some Sisters of
Charity were treated by John w. Geary,
should be known, in order that the
Catholic citizens Of Pennsylvania may
understand the character and the spir-
it Of the man who appeals to them for
support at the coming gubernatorial e.
lection. Thelacts will besufficientw with
out any comment, though you are Of
course at liberty to use them as you see
fit.
In the fall Of 1861, under protection
of a pass from General Scott, some four
or five Sisters of Charity left the st. Jo-
seph's House Il Emmitsburg on their
mission to nurse the sick and wounded
soldiers of both armies. They had per-
mission tovisitany point along the line
of contest from Winchester to Rich
mond, as theirservices might be need
ed. While travelling on the cars of the
Baltimoreand Ohio railroad, underper-
mission from the commander in chief
at Washington to go where they pleas
ed in discharge ofthe duties Of theirsa-
cred mission, they were arrested at
Point of Rocks by Col John w Geary.
In rude manner they with their bag
gage were removed from the cars and
left tamong crowds ofsoldiers and rough
camp followers, sitting without shelter
on their trunks by the roadside. 1t was
not until after repeatedsolicitations that
Col. Geary consented to grant an inter
view to the principal sister, lady of
education and refinement, as were her
associates. Finally this military digni-
tary gave orders to have her led into
his august presence by a guard.
Invain did she explain fully the char
liable character of her holymission; in
vain didshe exhibit the generaland un-
restricted pass given her by the Com
mander-in-Chie at Washington, au-
thorizing her togo, with her associates,
wherever their holy mission might call
them, or wherever they might be need
ed to nurse the wounded and console the
dying lin vain did she beg to be allowed
to proceed as several parties of Sisters
had been allowed to do unm0iested be-
! fore, over the same route; in vain did
she speak Of the crying wants of the
wounded, the sick, the dying soldiers
of the Union army, to relieve and sue
cor whom was great part of her mis-
sion; in vain did she assure this petty
| tyrant (Geary) that she had nursed the
sick and wounded soldiers ofall parties
in the Crimean war, without m0leSta'
ton or hindrance, receiving from Turk
and Russian no less courtesy and kind
ness than she did from F'renchman ol
Englishman in vain did she protest
with fearful entreaties against such u
sage in her native land, after having
travelled on similar mission all owe
Europe unmoleSted. John w. Geary
a bigot by nature and petty tyrant il
his position, thrust herdnd her eompan
ions into the carsand sent them back t
! Frederick City, on their way to tn