The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1871-12-14
THE ENTERPRISE.
Sweetwater, Thursday, Dec. IL. 1871,
NYhat Chlcngo Did tor Atlanta.

During the winter of 1865, and the
whole Of the Year 1866, there was a rush
of INDECENT persons from the country to
Atlanta. They were attracted to this
point by the rations which were issued
by the Government. The issue OF these
rations was suddenly stopped. These
unfortunate people were left without
food. In addition, the small pox broke
out among them and became epedemic
Sherman had left the city in ruins.
In this straight the City of Atlanta
issued circular asking aid from more
favored communities. This circular was
distributed throughout both the North
aud South. From the South, accord
ing to its means, the response was prompt
and liberal.
From the North of Mason and Dixon's
line there was one, and but one, favora.
bic response. That respone was made
by gentleman in Illinois, whose name
we have been unable to learn, who filled
railroad car with provisions, took
charge of it, and delivered it i'll Atlanta
All honor to him.
Among other cities, the circular refer.
red to was sent to Chicago, then in the
very flush Of prosperity. The city coun-
cll Of Chicago replied to it by addressing
a communication to the city council of
Atlanta, stating, IN the most curt terms
possible, that they had no legal right to
appropriate money for such purposes.
Not one word of sympathy, not the in
spiration of a single hope, but bald
naked, rude denial, based upon an al
legged legal inability. Silence would have
been less cruel and insulting. Suppose
other corporations in America and Eu-
rope had poured in cold statements of
legal inability, instead Of money and pro-
visions for the sufferers by the recent
conhagration of Chicago. That condi-
tion would be readily understood by one
who had seen Atlanta as it was.
But the conduct of the council of Chi
cago was qnite consistent with the con-
duct Of the people of Chicago after the
burning Of Columbia, South Carolina.
We are informed that, upon the rccep-
ton of the news of the burning of Co
lumbia by Shermar, Lerore the fires had
died out, before the vail of the house
less women and children had ceased to
pierce the air, grand torch-light pro-
ceSsion was held in Chicago in honor of
this most Christian deed
We are induced to write this article
by the whining of Mr.. Henry Ward
Beecher Over the lamentable want of
charity of the South MS evinced by its
general @ilare to forward contributions
to Chicago. What right has Mr.. Beech
or to throw stones? What did Ply
mouth Church give to Atlanta and Col
umbia? What did Mr. B1echer from
his atiuent salary, giveY 1t is true, we
had been enemies, but we were PROSTATE
enemies. The charity of which he
speaks, and for the want of which he
abuses the South would have then been
conspicuously illustrated by help to Il
suffering and helpless foe.
The South has in small degrees given
aid to Chicago. Why? In most parts
Of the South we were struggling for
bread, and therefore have nothing to
give. We are also human-we confess
the weaknesses of humanity. 1t is too
much to expect of this frail Humanity
that it should take the bread from it's
own mouth to send to Chicago, with the
icy reply to its Council yet chilling us,
and with the shouts of the Danced
Enfer" of its people after the burning
of Columbia yet ringing in our ears
PlQatatiOn.