Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-01-20
Touching Appeal from the Frerch
Peasants.

The following affecting msmorial, which has
been extensively signed by the Projects and
peasants OF France, tells its own sad story:
To all neutral nations, and 10 those among beHiger-
ent nations toio htce not suffered hostile iHrIsion
IN he War Of 1870
We the people Of those portions Of France
which are occupied by the German armies, more
especially OF the Departments, MOsele, Meuse,
Meurthe and Ar1cnnes call upon you for aid.
Not for aid to enable us to destroy life, but for
aid 10 maintain human life, now and after the
advent Of the peace which all the world desires
Most generous sympathy for the sick and wound
ed has been manifested by those whom we now
address; munifcent hands have poured healing
bllms upon the direct victims OF wars dreadful
engines brave hearts have interposed to stay
the sweep of the Destroying Angels scythe I;
while yet other mseries, little farther from
view, but wider far in their threatened extent,
have been overlooked. The people Of France
depend for their subsistence on the grains which
they raise and the cattle which they breed. In
the sections of country that have been traversed
| by the German armies nothing remains OF the
| provisions that had been accumulated 10 time Of
peace. Our houses, stables and barns are
| burned or ridded with cannon shots. The fields
| and meadows are trampled down BY the tread OF
| embattled hosts. Neither cereals or grass have
been harvested this autumn. All our beasts OF
| burden, all cur beeves, sheep and swine have
4
pressed into the French army as soldiers. or in
| to the German army as teamsters. There remain 3
not even seed-corn We are destitute OF strength
to prepare the tramplad ground for seed for next
seasons harvest; destltue Of material to SOW;
destitute, in many places, Of ground to SOW up
| on, as miles on miles Of territory are made in
| Violable by the plough, by reason Of the sacred
| and terrible seed of human corpses with which
/ they have been sown. Starvation stares US in
| the face now; famine and pestilenee are Ihe leg
acies which war will surely leave to us for the
coming winter and spring the cry of children
| begging the Father for bread, which he has not,
is already upon the air; while the tears Of house
| less widows and orphans, falling upon the open
| field where these unfortunates camp, prevent the
blood-spots from drying.
| You, our British brethren, know the comfort
and security Of land where ''every man:
| house is his castle;" you have for centuries no
felt the ravages of invasion; fancy the destruc.
| ton of all your means Of subsistence, and ther
refuse, il you can, to help and help quickly
| your neighbors who are perishing.
| You, our American brethren, must know tn,
desolation in which we live; yet you have beer
quickly restored your country is naturally rich
| Ours is naturally poor; our resources bear NJ
comparison with yours the suffering here will
be ineifably greater than it was with you.
You, our brethren Of the entire human famil,
not even excepting those of victorious Ger
manv, who surely, we believe, do not wish ou
annihilatiOn-we implore you, come to th
rescue.