The Van Buren press., 1866-02-24
From the Montgomery (Ala.) Monitor.
The Women of the South.

We had almost determined to pass I'M
noticed the frequent insulting illusions to
the women of the South which some of
our northern papers are disposed to con
tinue. The men who brought on the late
unhappy war by lashing the people ofthe
South to phrCnzy, are now endeavoringto
make perpetual the feud which springs up
between the two sections, and was quiet
ed only with blood and desolation. The
conservative men Of the South, however
much they despised many of the prevail
inc traits ofuorthcrn character and loath-
ed the despicable hypocrisy of Northern
Radicals, have been earnest in their cf-
forts to restore harmony of sentiment
throughout the country, and dispel the
error that the government is the north
ern people 1t has been the effort of this
class of politicians to impress upon the
South that the whole country is the gov
ernment, and the people of the South are
as much interested in endeavOring to
mould the policy of that Government, AS
the people Of New England, or any 9th
er section. With this view, we have cOun
selcd cordial support of the Admins
tration; and had hoped that leading men
Joined around the Presidential chair from
all sections, would lay aside the memories
of the past, and strike hands in behalf of
Constitutional States Rights in the Union.
These efforts to render less bitter the
cup of Southern sorrow are met, as for
merly, by party at the North, who cow
ardv as Falstaff during the war, are brave
as that hero when the battle is over. Cau
tious not to attack Southern men in the
day Of bullets, they do not hesitate to at
tack Southern women in the piping days
Of peace. "The women of the South are
illiteratc and unmannerly,' says the New
York Tribune, at whose heels few safe.
ltes follow, to catch up and repeat the
witticisms and bon mots of the philosO-
pher
The women of the South need no de-
fender. Their angelic virtues, in the days
Of darkness and desperation, often held
up the tagging hearts of the people For
years they labored for the cause, the sue
cess Of which was the dearest wish of
their hearts. The trials through which
they passed were severe and laborious,
preparing food for the soldiers from the
scanty supplies Of their own table, divi-
ding the last morsel of bread with the
ragged weary wanderers; sewing. night
and day, to prepare clothing for the ar
my; nursing the sick and wounded as
they chcered the hospitals with their
smiles, Daily would they resume the garb
of mourning for father, brother or
lover; daily did the shaft Of death enter
the household and make manly hearts
quail before the horrors of war but new
er for one moment, did the women of
the South, from the highest to the lowest,
fail to support the arms of the soldier,
and hold them up until the sinking of the
sun God bless them for what they did
in the hour of darkness and sorrow! God
bless them for what they are doing now
From one end Of the South to the other,
the women have joined in petitions for
the pardon Of MIR. Davis; and nightly
beside ten thousand beds, in the silent
chambers, kncel ten thousand sainted
forms, to offer prayers for the salvation
Of those we loved.
Such exalted devotion; such immortal
endurance; such sanity charity needs no
defence from Southern pen. History
will portray their virtues in colors more
splendid than those which handed down
through the mists of years, the majestic
pride Of Cornelia, and the patriotic fer
: vor Of Il Joan Dare
Let the war stand in history as it may,
let it be damned rs hated rebellion, or
lamentcd as IN unsuccessful revolution !;
let it pass down the corridors Of time with
the accamations Of the world, or with
+ the anathcmas of mankind, whatever it
may be declared by the verdict Of histo
ry, it will pass onward before the eyes Of
coming ages, with many glorious deed,
and many anoblc martyr to illustrate its
evcntful scenes, but with nothing more
glorious and beautiful to adom il than
the holy devotion Of the women Of the
South. Such women are worthy Of the
respect of the world, and will receive u
snecr only from towards and brutcs.
~" A poor fellow, sent to iail for