The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-15
MAxcnEsrsa, MospAr rronT. .

letters have produced. sits by me as write,
for the avowed purpose OF preventing me
from saying hard things OF |" Citizen, J" whose
article concerning myself Promised 70
and guarded, the credit win belong more to
her than TO myself. In fact, am not SO much
hurt by this assault OF Mr.. "Citizen" as my
unknown friends imagine
There Is nothing novel In the spirit which
evidently influenced stCitizen" in writing his
article. It is familiar temper which the
children of misfortune constantly meet. Had
his real object been to correct my mistakes,
without staying my ambition, he should have
had my gratitude. Such was not his aim, as
his article plainly shows. He appears as the
self appointed spokesman Of "those above
me-" In that character meet him.
I contest his haughty claim to superiority
over us, who are known as the working classes.
Now, let me explain myself: make no
envious bites ut those who are in any respect
superior TO myself. do not ask that ali
social distinctions be abolished, and everybody
be put on an equality. There are certain
standards by which society must, and always
will be, graduated, nor would wish IL other
wise,
There are some in these factories who,
according to every fair standard, are worthy
of welcome into any circle Of society. They
have personal beauty, amiable dispositions,
minds which atone for deficient cultivation by
natural yigor, and hearts as pure as can De
found. Not few, by the fortunes OF war,
seek their support by laboring here. They
bring with them the modesty and virtue
which won for them esteem elsewhere.
Now, all / ask is, that we may have fair
showing. Let not the bare fact of our being
in factory brand us with infamy. Try each
one upon merit. If we are ignorant and
coarse- hammered, reject us if we are beautiful,
modest, and sensible, do not allow our mere
employment to exclude us from the society Of
other people.
"Citizen" affects sympathy for me in my
misfortune. Is it genuine Let IL prove Its
sincerity by deyising some plan for bettering
our condition. The circumstances which sur
round US cry aloud for reform, and open q
promising field for the benevolence and SYM
pathy Of those who are able to help U.S.
Roughly as Mr.. " Citizen handles me, will
freely forgive him If he will show, by actions,
that he feels for us. Let him 60 heartily to
work to improve our condition. Let him see
that night work is discontinued. Let him
arrange for the education of those whe are
growing up in ignorance, and relieve us from
the social disgrace with which those /" above
u.s. so coldly and unjusrly stigmatize us.
This will be sympathy worthy Of the name,
and its labor will certainly get its reward.
l am afraid that, after all, his is lip sympa-
thy. Allowing heart could not have dictated
his letter. 1t has the ring of frozen steel
aboutit. His sympathy surveys my condf-
ton for amoment-drops word of pity, and
then brands me with falsehood and rudeness
Away with 1t / count it the nBsubstantial
world has ever given to the unfortunate. 1t
Is only compliment which pride pays itself
by assuming the guise of generosity. 1t Is
the method taken by the unfeeling to pay their
Indebtedness to the creatures of misfortune.
This cheap outlay of fanciful sympathy may
satisfy the conscience of the giyer, but goes
no way in helping our distresses. Ii 'sCiti-
zen . has no more substantial expression for
his sympathy than words, let him Keep them,
for they are cruel mockery.
/ can hardly bring myself to notice his re-
marks concerning some of my former state
ments. / innocently stated that we had no
trustees: he says we have. he may ne rlgnt,
and will not contend with him. AT the same
time, must say, that If a Board of Trustees
actually exist in this town, they are richly
endowed with the prudence of that man who
hides himself. Who are they? What are they
doing2 When do they meet? These facts are
known only to the " more in ntelligent people,
| W no. some how, know them without being told
So Citizen says. He comes TO the defence OF
the streets very feebly, as If conscious that his
cause was bad, as evidently 1t is. l may have
erred about those trustees for they are invisi.
! BILE and unknown except to the more fntelli-
gent people. But streets are not shrouded In
so much mystery. One can see the streets,
except at night, and walk them, too, IL the
weather is dry. What / said about streets is
so. On that point yield nothing. Citizen
may have his say about the trustees; for, In
my humble judgment, that is small matter
but concerning the streets l contend that am
right.
A thousand thanks, Mr.. Editor, to you, for
your sympathy and forbearance. In you
feel I've found friend worthy Of the name.
The nice lot Of writing material which you
sent me, as well as the books, are highly
appreciated-but dearer still were the encour-
aging sentiments contained in the note
accompanying them. The child Of woe owns
the power of kindness. STRUGGLE.
p. S.-My arm, though stiff yet, is rapidly
improving Would You like for me, in my
next, to give you some account OF the changei
by which / was brought from "Chestnu
Lawn" to the Factory
["Struggle" will excuse us for calling hel
attention to her volubility-woman's reputed
failing-and to the idea--(also woman's
that personal beauty y is necessary quail
fcation for admittance to good society.]