Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1867-03-21
AN APPEAL FOR HELP,
Forthe Starving Sufferers of the Soutl

At the Public Meeting held in Charlestown,
on Saturday last, the undersigned were appoint
ed as Committee TO prepare an Appeal, to our
more favored people, for contributions to relieve
our countrymen in the South now suffering from
want. We feel that we can best perform this
duty by brief statement Of the facts, which
show that extreme suffering exists, part of
which it is in our power to relieve, IN order to
call forth prompt and earnest action. 1t is
generally known and undoubtedly true that
when Gen. Johnston surrendered, and the war
ceased in Georgia, Alabama and South Carroll
ma. in May, 1865, Immediately after the rava-
ges of Gen. Sherman's army it was too late to
plant corn. After the little that had been
planted matured, an impoverished people strug-
ged through the ensuing year, having hardly
a sufficiency to support their population until
the next crop became available. The year
1866 after being very wet in the winter, was
one of remarkable drought. The drought was
SO severe as TO cause general failure Of the
corn crop-in themselves many localities not
producing seed. According to the carefully
prepared estimates Of the Agricultural Bureau,
published several months since, the corn crop
of South Carolina was only three-fifths OF the
very small crop of 1865. The cotton crop was
also injured to such an extent that it does not
afford means to purchase supplies. The inevi-
table result has been that much suffering has
already been endurei-some have actually
starved to death, and gaunt famine isnow press
ing upon large portions of these States. OF the
truth of this statement and the extent Of this
terrible suffering, we have abundant proof In
official reports, aud from private sources known
10 members Of Your committee to be above stls-
picion, with whom there can be no reason for
deception. We cannot quote all these, as TO 90
so would make our statement too long. we
give some briefly. Thereport of Gen. Howard,
sent TO the u S Senate, states from otncial
sources, confirmed by others, he estimates that
Sc $50 persons will need food from some source
before the next crop relieves them. This was
evidently an underestimate, probably includ-
ing only those who have made application TO
the Freedmen's Bureau. since he estimates
Georgia as having but 5000 that need aid,
while..the Governor Of Georgia telegraphs that
the destitute in that State number 60, 900 whites
and 10000 blacks. Gov. Orr, of South Caro-
lima, has written to the Secretary Of the South
ern Famine Relief Commission Of New York,
that 500. 600 bushels Of corn are estimated 10 be
needed to feed the people, over and above all
that can be obtained within the State. The
Legislature of South Carolina has tried 10 raise
$500 900 to buy corn, but could not sell their
bonds. The Governor of Alabama has made
similar statements.
Rev. J. Leighton Wilson, D. D., one Of the
most honored and trustworthy men in the Pres
byterian Church, writes from South Carolina,
March I'd Since making tour Of 200 miles
through the heart Of this State, ! have come TO
the conclusion that the distress Of the people is
unprecedentedly great. Many Of our people
are destitute, and without credit to get the
means of subsistence This distress is not con-
fined to any one section Of the State, but pre-
walls to greater or less extent in every portion
of it. A goodly number have raised cotton
enough to purchase food, but the greater mass
of The people hare neither cotton, money, nor
credit 10 buy the food necessdTyto prerent their
families from actual STARVATION" After
showing that the distress is beyond their pow
er to relieve il, he says that several hundred
thousand bushels of corn viii be required to
relieve the distress in South Carolina alone"
We have also vel authenticated instances of