Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-04-20
SOUTHERN FAMINE AND NORTHERN
JACOBINS. .

.a.N JACOBlNs.
A meeting took place the other day at
Pittsburg for the purpose of raising
means to assist the destitute people of
the South. 1t was held in the Board Of
Trade room, and the President of the
Board of Trade, Mr.. George H. Thurs
ton, presided. His speech on the occa'
sion we find reported in the Pittsburg
Post, and for cold blooded malignity it
is without parallel, except in that pc
culiar style of oratory appertaining to
the Jacobin school. By way of showing
our readers the tone which characterized
the speech, we make an extract;
The loyal sentiments of the people
have been so outraged, that it is difficult
TO forgive. Many desolated households
have reason to feel indisposed to extend
the least succor TO those who have brought
hitter sorrow to their Preside. We should
not forget, however, that among those
now suffering for food, are friends as
we'll as enemies, and, while the most
ordinary Of human impulses lead us un.
solicited to feed our friends, it is the
teachings Of the Great Judge of all
human actions that direct US to succor
our enemies.
In my heart as well as that Of others,
prejudiees and passions may have been
engendered, and my judgment calls for
punishment upon those who, by so cause
lessly rebelling, cost the country so much
suffering, blood and treasure.
II is almost incredible, says the Louis
vile Courier, that men should be SO
wanting in magnanimity, so void of hu-
mainly, SO stepped in devilish malignity,
as 10 take advantage of an occasion like
that 10 give vent to their pent up malev-
olenee. 1t is plain that the speaker
gloated over the sufferings of the South.
1t is clear that although he affected a
sort of Pharasaical compassion for the
thousands who, he informed his auditors,
were dying of the slow tortures of star
walton, he yet drank in with keen enjoy
ment the plaintiye cries for help that came
up from them-that those cries Of despair
and suffering we're as music to his soul
Scarce taking the trouble to affect
a little show Of sentiment, he reveled in
base triumph over what he dared to call
the just punishment of the Southern
people for the crime of rebellion. Was
il a time TO talk of such things, even
though all this man said to stir up the
passions Of his hearers had been true
But against whom was it that be tried to
array still more strongly the prejudices
Of his Northern auditors, by referring to
their losses2 1t was against the people
of the South--a land'which scarce con-
tains family that has not been bereaved
OF some beloved member by the terrible
war of which he spoke
We have never heard Of this man
Thurston-this Pittsburg Board Of Trade
President-hefore; but we have measured
him by his speech, and we know HIM
know him perfectly. We fearlessly as
sert that he is a base aud unmanly cow
ard, for his utteranees show that there
can be no spark of manhood in him.
Nor is this all. He is full blown
Jacobin, one who is representative man
of that proseriptive and vindictive party
which acts upon principle of sectional
auimosity 1t iseasy to understand that,
like the controlling spirits of his party,
he has never had the daring to confront,
face to face, and in fair Eight, the heroic
people whom he so hates and maligns,
for if he had soldier feelings his heart
would respond in different strain to the
appeal which is made in their behalf, or
rather in behalf of their widows and or
phans The brave man seeks no such
qualifications Of revenge as this the
soldier scorns TO insult fallen foe, and
to take pleasure in the sufferings Of q
brave enemy.