Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-11-01
MisreIIaneous.
TO NORTHERN DEMOCRATS.
An APPEAL WHICH SHOULD NOT GO Uy.
HEEDED.


Miss VAN LEW, THE SrAuNcu Usrox1sr
OF RICHMOND, Va, ON THE SrrUATIoN
Views OF THE WOMAN WHO Be.
FRIENDED THOUSANDS OF UNION Sol
DIERs-DANGER OF A "SoLIp SoUrH.
Miss Van Lew, the Postmistress of Rich
mond, Virginia, who belongs to one oftbe
first families of the Old Dominion. and
who was staunch friend of the Union
soldiers confined in the Confederate cant
tai during the rebellion, presents the fol-
lowing stirring address to the Northern
democrats
TO THE NORTHERN DEMOCRATS.
hope you will pardon me for address
ing you, but am impressed with the idea
OF your patriotic desire for the well being
Oh the country, and that many of you have
also the noble impulse of sympathy for
those whom you consider suffering from
the fortunes Of war. Believing you en-
urely misunderstood the disposition of the
South-at any rate the State and commu-
nlty in which l live-I desire to give you
iacts as they really are. A cultivated and
enlightened people are always liberal
people. Prejudice and ignorance never
reason, and. are always intolerant. A
people brave and intelligent would value
those who for principle dared for years to
orave obloquy, danger and death, as we
loyal people of the South did, who never
rendered evil for evil, who have shown no
Vindicllvtness nor malice .unwavering.
answering in kindness and courtesy; but
slavery was jealous idol, and never per-
mitted word or doubt of her divine ORR
gin. 1.-The man who says slavery is wrong
should be hung for murder" said men,
Der OF the Virginia Legislature to me
shortly before the war broke out. This
spirit still lives and rules, and Is a crush
ing power. -latl
TIE PERSON WHO DAREs DIFFER
from the South. and thinks the South was
wrong in the late struggle, who took part
with the North, has never forgiveness:
the idea of the Southern mind is, that the
United States Government and its sun.
porters have need Of forgiveness, and the
word is frequently used with this charm
ing reversion. Witness an article in the
Dispatch. leading journal of this city.
after the Ohio and Indiana elections: il
speaks of Mr.. Harrison, who was the re-
publican candidate for Governor of Ind-
ana. as man of Southern origin, and
holds him up to execration, and saws he
should be regarded as ''social and polit-
ical renegade" etc., etc.
The prescription of republicans here is
something of which no idea can be formed;
from a transient visit to the South You
can know pothing-you have only a par
lor view Having been since the close of
the war looked upon as a representative
person, representative of loyalty to the
Government. l feelsit my solemn duty to
make this statement to you. l was born
ana al brought up in this city; was ever
faithful to the United States Government
and did all that | could to serve it, though
| never compromised myself by any be-
trayal OF trust or honor. Ilive-and have
lived for years-as entirely distinct from
the citizens.
AsIF WERE PLAGUE STRICKEN.
Rarely, very rarely, is our door-bell ever
rung by any one but pauper, or those
desiring my service. In this city are two
nephews of my mother, one an Episcopal
the other prominent member
of the Young Mems Christian Association,
who gave her up entirely. never noticing
or visiting her. Their principles would
not permit" them. "You do not know
me-" mother remarked to an old friend.
Il know you well enough" was the reply
as the lady turned upon her heel. Ny
mother and | have been refused board in
the summer season on account of our re-
publican principles, and told ITO apply to
a Northern gentleman" Insulted at sum-
mer resorts, and forced to 90 North.
September, 1873. nv mother was taken
from me by death. We had not friends
enough to be pall-beafers. .Mr. G. is a
Radical" said one lady to another. "Oh,
no" was the reply. "But he is" why
10 you say SOP" Because he went to
Mrs. Van Lewis funeral, and was one of
the pall-bearers, and none but Radical
would have gone" This solemn occasion
was ridiculed and called the "nigger fu-
neral"
"DID YOU SEE THE NIGER FUNERAL? ?"
In your kindness you are misled. Talk
not OF bayonet rule. There is nothing so
terrible as united public prescription, and
| am qualified to speak on this subject, for
have felt it under Confederate rule, God
only knows how terribly; and now. under
this rebel rule, in the guise of democracy,
have felt the full blast of its power.
When a people al thing and speak one
way, you may be sure there is not much
liberty left amongst them. Here the peo-
pie are unit. Many a man has told me
he dared not differ, for bread and butter
for his family depended upon his silence.
An avowed republican can get no business
situation, and republicans stand no chance
in our courts of justice. Let me give you
an extract from the Raleigh Sentinel. and
see how the great God of heaven and earth
is spoken Of. After an account of con-
cert given at the White Sulphur Springs,
in 1870, in which Blacque Bey sung ten
or, it says; 1.-The concert was q grand
success, and put $500 in the pocket Of the
church. beneath whose humble roof the
great virginian regularly and reverently
bowed his gray head in homage to the God
who had defeated him and overthrown the
cause he loved and fought for--the God
who in his case seemed for once, at least,
to permit might to triumph over right"
AS iar as we are concerned the colored
people have made no innovation. not the
IA