The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-09-06
"cRoAxEasu AND "cRoAK1No.n p

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s'croakers,'' whose daily business comprised the
utterance of desponding sentiments and the drawl-
ing of lugubrous prophecies of defeat to the cause
of the South. They seemed to enjoy special ex-
emptons from service in the field in order to bring
about despair and ultimate dissatisfaction 1t was
our fortune TO visit home several occasions, and
the encountering of this class was one of the least
agreeable features of the visit. They invariably
succeeded in arousing within US a feeling of re-
sentiment and anger, that such men, instead of
seeking to their country, should ingloriously
discourage those who were endeavoring to dis
charge faithfully the highest duty of freemen, an
obedience to 'the powers that be-" And we have
no hesitation in declaring our solemn belief that
this class of men, by their actions and words ac
compshed more directly the overthrow of our
cause than the most brilliant stretegies and most
powerful combinations inaugurated against our
armies in the field. We are painfully reminded of
the fact that the numerous desertions witnessed
during the last twelve months of the struggle were
superinduced by the lamentable s'croaking" which
was industriously pursued by those at home
Every intelligent soldier will at once recognize the
this spirit for its past mischief and wrong, we did
not intend to enter into any lengthy dissertation
V;4l, tl,o b1o bo,,
nothing to do, except so far as the experience of
that past may guide us Alright for the future.
Approaching the subject, then, with view to
improvement in the present hour, we are con-
strained to behold these lecherous vampires suck
ing the blood from the PROSTATE and bleeding form
of @ devastated country. Their most wholesome
diet is the misfortunes which have befallen them
selves and neighbors and their thirst is quenched
only by the draughts of s'cold water thrown upon
everything tending to hope and promise in the
future. In word, the ''croakers" are yet in abun
dance, and "croaking" abounds in the land Oh!
that the dawn of peace, prosperity and plenty may
soon break upon us, that these disturbed and un-
happy spirits might sink into the utter insignif-
canoe to which they belong. Like the ghost of
Banquo, they "will not down !" but are forever
fitting before our visions, bringing the sombre
pictures of want and gloom, and utter desponden-
cy, for our inspection and examination. They see
nothing in the political aspect that is cheering or
consolatory; their most elevated views of this sub
ject look forward to confscaton, expariation, ex-
termination or annihilation for the Southern peo-
pie, and their dreams are harasscd by gaunt
spectres demanding the ''pound of flesh" Star
vation and actual want is predicted whenever al-
lusion is made to the Provdential occurrence which
reduced an abundance of supplies to the narrowest
compass. The load of debt which hangs like
pail over 30 many of our impoverished citizens is
the very prolific source of comment and conse-
quent evil forebodings. All these things have the
sscroakers" spread before them to saiate their un
appeasable appetite, and the relish with which
they enter upon the repast is proof conclusive that
the meal is savory and delectable. We have found
the acme of our woes and there is, beyond perad-
venture, no moro favorable opportunity for their
unsatisfed maws to be replenished. May they be
filled to repletion!
While confessing.that our political situation is far
from encouraging; that the recent drought has
imposed necessities, and that the Indebtedness of
the country is source of vexation and trouble,
we have yet to learn that the introduction of this
system of general "croaking" will prove immedi-
ately or even remotely beneficial, and that the mis-
fortunes of the past, present future are to be
repaired, assisted and prevented by the pursuance
of this sublime righteousness The only sensible
and feasible plan of relief is to cease this nsuera
BILE and uncomfortable ''croaking," and extricate
yourself by LABOR and TOLL. "Six days shalt thou
work How many in this community obey the
divine injunction Certainly not those who are
lying supiney upon their oars, and have no word
of encouragement and advice to the weary mariner
on the voyage of life. They cannot discover the
beacon lights because their vessels are foundering
in the sloughs of despond, and they possess not
the energy to rise above the surface of this stag
nent water.
Reader, do you belong to the class herein de-
scribed? If SO, we pity you from the depths of
our inmost heart. Brave, courageous men will
not thus succumb to difficulties and only the cow
ard and recreant will shrink before the magnitude
of duty, and be engulphed by the despair of indo-
lence and inactivity