Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-06-13
RUTLAND, HERALD.
SATURDAY, JUNE 8, 1867.
Famine I'm the south.


conquered community are dependent for
aid upon the magnanimity of those who
have been victorious. We fear that the
terrible character Of the famine now
prevailing in the Southern part Of our
country is imperfectly understood by
the public, as to the extent and severity
of the distress existing among all classes.
The amount OF suffering for the necessa-
ries Of life is most appalling. The
lower classes Of society and freedmen
are not the only sufferers; some OF the
most elevated are in furnishing condi-
ton.
The horrors Of starvation are staring
alike some of the proprietors of large
plantations, who are unable to derive
any benefit therefrom for the want Of
capital, and the poor freedmen, who are
renters of land. The small farmers, who
have large families dependent upon them
for support constitute a large portion
of those in distress. The agricultural
interest at the South is almost prostrat-
ed, and its condition at the present time
is more helpless and hopeless, its future
more gloomy and cherries, than at any
pormer period of its history. This con-
dition of the cotton. growing States is
owing TO various causes. The total
subversion OF the former system of labor
and the very natural arrangements
thereby produced, the stock, fences, and
farming implements, which have not
been replaced, the great scarcity of sub
sistence for man and beast, and, in many
sections, the scarcity Of even seeds the
past season the almost entire annihila-
tion Of capital in the hands of the agri-
cultural class, and the partial failure of
cotton, and nearly entire failure of corn
crops the past season. These, together
with other causes which we need not
mention, have placed vast numbers of
the farmers of the South in such q con-
ditlon that until their crops are harvest
ed, they must have aid or perish.
The Southern Famine Relief Associa-
ton, whose headquarters are in New
York, have received large amounts
which they have expended in purchas-
ing corn and articles of food. Nearly
125,000 bushels of corn have been pur-
chased, sacked and shipped for distribu-
ton in North and South Carolina, Geor.
gia, Alabama, and within a few DAYS
10000 bushels of corn will be sent by
government ship, A few extracts from
letters will show how appalling is the
restitution that prevails, the character
of the distribution and the spirit in
which it is received. The Rev. William
Williams, D. D., holding one of the
highest positions in the Greenville South
Carolina Seminary, writes;
~ cannot give you facts in detail, or
any statistical statement showing the
extent aud severity of the restitution in
South Carolina. | wish | could for
humanity sake. | can only assure you
that 1t is very great and very severe to
8 wide spread extent, urgently requir-
ing speedy relief; for it will become
greater every day till the new crop
comes in, unless large supplies from
abroad are sent In"
Another writes:
II have not been over five miles from
home, and have seen and heard direct
from three hundred and sixty-six per-
sons. The most of them are now with
out bread, and are actually subsisting
upon corn-husks, and whatever they can
get to preserve life upon, while there are
others who have one or two bushels OF
corn yet, without any means to get
more. Some have a horse or two and
are trying to raise little crop, but have
little or nothing to live upon"
Isaac Beach, NJ D., writes from Able
vile, s. c.:
with grateful hearts we acknowledge
the receipt of $40 bushels of corn. We
are advised that 800 bushels have been
shipped from Charleston, but the above
is all that has reached US. Some ladies
have walked twenty. five miles for their
two bushels each--the mosS we have
been able to furnish any one-and have
walked back again with hearts overflow
ing with gratitude to God for this timely
supply. We had no conception of the
restitution until we were placed on this
committee. We are certain that it will
require 5000 bushels to supply the
positively destitute. If you can posi-
bly, furnish us with further shipment
you will gladden. many an anxious
heart"
Col. John B. Palmer, we'll known as
reliable gentleman, thus speaks of the
desperate efforts that are being put forth
to procure future crop for themselves:
"Our stricken people are struggling
faithfully to ensure future subsistence.
Instances have come to my knowledge
of farmers who, having lost their horses
and mules, and being unable to buy or
hire others, are actually trying to break
up their old fields with hoes, in their
desperate efforts to raise scanty sup.
port for their families during the COM
ing winter"
We need not multiply extracts to
H. 3 h.