The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-09-21

A SoLpIER's WIDow's LETTER TO TIE
PREsIDEsr.-The Philadelphia Press Of
Friday publishes a letter from n soldiers
widow ofthat city to President Johnson, in
answer to that portion Of his Cleveland
speech in which he asked his audience =
"Who made greater sacrifices In the wal
than ?" "Who suffered mort than p
&C., and submits to the just judgement o.
the world whether on the score Of suffer.
ings and sacrifices his claims to popular
sympathy and support bear any comparison
to hers. She says:
"Before the rebellion. sir. had . husband
kind, loving, industrious, economical, who for
myself and our four little ones made CON-
Portable provision. Our home was the abode o
peace and plenty. What has become Of him
lie ras starred 10 death at .fRdersonriii, and
that by the "chiyalric" men whom your spoil
icy" would fAin restors, without repentance,
to the head VI 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 employ ment has failed me,
have been obliged to stand, from early morn
II
ers, steady men, kind and generous. Had the
rebellion left them As It found them, pinching
poverty I should never have known. Alas
alas! one NJ them perished from exposure and
want on Belle Island. and the other had bis
right arm taken of by rebel shell at Antie-
tam. lie cannot assist me. The privations
and hardships have hsd to endure have 90
shattered my own health and strength that
feel at times unable even to endure the fatigue
Of plying the needle. SO that except my
trust In q merciful God, have sacrificed for
my country my ALL--husband, brothers, house,
home, liring-and am cast, . beggar. on the
cold charity Of the world. Aud oil this owe
10 the Southern Shareholders, and TO their iniq-
uitous attempt TO murder my beloved country,
a. they did murder my husband and my broth
Now, Mr.. johnson, sincc you invite = COM
parison, What have you suticredf Exhibit your
scars, and wounds, and bruises! Did you loss
leg or an arm or we're sos even - h,o %Scn
shedf Would II stain q white cambria pocket
handkerchief How much property did 20,
lose Why, II report speaks true, during
most Of the time Of the war, you were living
CD ''iat Of the land, Yin Nashville, out Of harm,
way, protected, as YOU were, by Union bayou
cts. Out VI Uncle Sans overAowiug commits
sary stores you drew plenty to eat and Z
\ drink-the best of meats, and what was ot SUI
more consequence to you, the ehoieest OF zig
uors. Add TO this yonr handsome salary q
| Military Governor. Then the great U uion par
ty, whom YOU have since 10 foully betrayed
made you Vice President, With salary Q
S., 900 per annum. Then, to crown 1t all
John Wilkes Booth made you President, ant
there you are yet, to the tune OF so, 600
year, with '.frins" The rebellion found you
learn, comparatively q poor man. Now yo'
are rich. with sound body, not to speak o
your mind, whose soundness is not 20 certain
| You, Andrew johnson, talk Of your sacrih
ces and your suiirrings, and challenge q com
pari.on. Fie ne! upon you! Why, sir. OF
that score ought To be Americas Queen, an
you ought to be sweating over the wash-tub
1 And now. sir. are your questions a. to who SUI
fered more than you, who SACRIFICED more thai
you, answered. ibid, Sir, and know hun
| dreds Of POOR women, tossed from the hight
Of sfnuencc into the vale OF PERJURY and want
who have suffered and sacrificed ten THOUSAND
times more than you. and are making 20 osten
tatious parade Ut 10, either.
| Yours respectfully. -.r.
! MARY JANE CATHERwAITE.
A soldiers widow. and the mother OF four father
less children