The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-09-20
WHAT ONE OF THE NUMBER sAID--bID
He EXPECT A P O.
A Soldiers Widow Answers One
of A. J.'S Silly Questions.


aud suferings by reason of the war, it
would be difficult to conceive more arrant
and contemplate clop-trap. His appeals,
in this respect, indeed, almost remind ore
of the trembling mendicant, who, cap 10
hand, and out at the elbows, begs his way
from door 20 door. But the sober truth
of history is just this, that these tales of
woe, peddled by the Presidential pilgrim
from place to place, are purely fictitious
the coinage o. his own distempered
Imagination Their falsity is most efec-
lively exposed in the subjoined letter,
addressed to the President himself by the
widow of one of the brave men who fell
victim to the shareholders rebellion
To Mr. Andrelc johnson, President of the
United States Of america.
DEAR SIR: In the speech delivered by
you at Cleveland, Ohio, on your way to
Chicago, and which, | suppose, was re-
ported correctly, you ask: 9 who made
greater sacrifices in the war than [ Who
suffered more than 2" &c Now, take
for granted that to these questions you ex-
pect from some quarter reply, or yor
would not have ptopounded them. So far
as my knowledge extends. up to this time,
fore, | myself: although but very hum
bic woman, scarcely known beyond the
street live in, will venture to fur
Dish an answer. And when l have
done so, [ viii submit to the just iudg-
ment Of the world whether, on the score
Oe {" suferings" and " Sacrifices" Of
there be nothing else), yom claims to
popular sympathy and support bear any
comparison to neine.
Before the rebellion, sir, [ had hus-
band, kind, loving, Industrious, economl-
cal who, for myself and our four little
ones, made comfortable provision. Our
home was the abode of peace and plenty.
What has become of him He seas starred
to death at AnderSonviiIe, and that by the
A." chiyalric men whom your "policy"
would fain restore, without repentance, 10
the head Of our Government. Since then
have been trying my best to earn bread
for my little ones by plying the needle. At
times, when that kind Of employment has
failed me, I have even been obliged TO
stand from early morn till night, over the
odshtub! [ had two brothers, steady men,
kind and generous. Had the rebellion
left them as it found them, pinching po-
alas One of them perishe0 from expo
sure and want on Belle Island, and the
other had his right arm taken off by a
rebel shell at Antietam. He cannot assist
me. The privations and hardships | have
had to endure have SO shattered my own
health and strength, that feel, at times,
unable even to endure the fatigue of ply
ing the needle. SO that, except my trust
in a merciful God, | Lave sacrificed for
my country my ALL-husband, brothers,
house, home, living--and [ am cast,
beggar, on the cold charity Of the world
And all this | owe To the Southern slave
holders, and to their iniquitous attempt
to murder my beloved country, as they
did murder my husband and brothers.
Now, Mr.. johnson, since you invite a
comparison, what have you suffered Ex-
hibit your scars, and wounds, and bruises
Did y0u lose leg or az arm, or were uOu
even so much as scratched or bruised
Where is the blood you shed? Would i
stain a white cambria pocket handker-
chief? How much property did you lose?
Why, if report speaks true, during most
of the time of the war you were living
on the &c fat of the land" in Nashville,
out of harms way, protected, as you were,
by Union bayonets. Out oc Uncle Sans
overfowing commissary stores you drew
plenty to eat and to drink--the best of
meats, and, what was of still more conse-
quence to you. the choicest of liquors.
Add to this your handsome salary as mill
tary governor. Then the great Union
party, whom you have since SO fouly be-
trayed, made you Vice President, with
salary of $4,000 per annum. Then, to
crown it all, John Wilkes Booth made
you President, ard there you are yet, to
the tune of $4,000 year, with q Jfcips."
The rebellion found you, [ learn, com
paratively poor man. Now you are rich,
with sound body, not to speak of your
mind, whose soundness is not certain.
You, Andrew johnson, talk of your
sacrifices and your suherings, and chal-
| lenge a comparison. Fie, fe upon you
Why, sir, on shat score, [ ought to be
Americas Queen, and yoW ought to be
sweating over the wash-tub And now,
sir, are your questions as to who suffered
more than you, who sacrificed more than
you, by reason Of the war, answered? I
did, sir, aud I know hundreds of moor
women, tossed from the heights of aflu-
ence into the vale of penury and want.
who have suffered aid sacrificed ten thou
sand times more than you. ard are making
no ostentatious parade of it, either.
Yours, respectfully,
MARY JANE CATHERwAITE.
A Soldiers Widow, and the mother of
four fatherless children.
PHuAOEIpuTA Sank 1oca