, 1866-06-04

of iunln1cs around spot where ratlons we're
expected to be Issued. He approached her,
and was informed that the delicate little In
FAINT was actually perishing from hunger. the
mother not being able to afford sufficient
pourfshment, on account Of her NOT having
sufficient food for days.
It is frequently the case that delicate wo-
men aud iufirm old men walk Tor miles With
the hope of getting rattons; and hare IT.
turned weeping in their disappointment and
mothers, half frantic at the thought Of going
back empty handed, md of meeting their lit
tic ones without iood, have been SEEN crying
alqud IS they passed along the roads.
workF Thousands OF them are widows aud
orphans, sisters and mothers, who have no
natural protectors, having been deprived OF
them In the late war. They have no wealthy
neighbors. and there nre no Iactorfes and
workshops Of any kind, and there are aow no
facilities to organize system Of labor by
Which they may obtain work. Hundreds OF
themselves rather than rely on the q cold
charity OF the world" Most Of these people
live in the poorer counties of the State, and
have heretofore snbsisted themselves
hy their small grain farms and the
Ialsing Of stock, the &C cattle Era era.
little attention. These poorer counties con-
tained the largest white population, while
the richer ones, in the cotton growing re-
glon, mostly In the middle and southern por-
tions Of the State, were occupied by the large
planters and slave owners. The population
Of the poorer counties, being more numerous,
contributed most to swell the ranks Of the
armies under the CONSUMPTION Inv Of the
Contederacy, which was no rcspecter of cir
cumstances from the ages Of seventeen to fif-
IT,. These suffering people generally lost all
their little property during the protrncted
contest, aud its termination found them
Without food, or the means Of obtaining It..
The women and boys are endeayorlug to cus-
tiratc their ruined farms, but are without
to sustain themselves while they attempt to
dig with the hoe. They Gun expect but q
small return for their 1ahos,
The colored population before the var
we're, and are now, chiefly located in the
richer portions oi the State, on the larger
plantations, where both food and fabor could
be more readily obtained. The able-bodied
men who were willing to work, found no
difficulty In obtaining employment. Those
not able to help themselves, obtain relief
through, the Bureau agencies. where they are
not cared Tor nt their old homes. The re-
ports from the different agencies, tor the rea-
sons just given, show much less extent ot
suffering and hunger, compared with the
poor whites, and consequently larger
amount of relief extended to the latter.
Many more things might be recited in this
connection, but forbear. Enough has been
said to show the lamentable condition oi
thousands OF the poor population of Ala
bama, and to excite the attention Of the be
neyolent without regard to section OF opinion
It is difficult, By those not familiar with the
actual state Of affairs In this State, to con.
ceive that all this Is not IN exaggerated aud
hishly-colored picture. especially among d
nrnDie willing to work but much as it NAV
excite incrednlity, they are stubborn facts
and arc attested By a1l the officers Of the
State Covert ment, and every respectable citf
zen In Northern and Middle Alabama.