The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1894-02-20
The Men Of Acadie" IN Another
Light.

w" ~ 'hfN fINt'tof ~ o r Nff'AtN tAf' VI
desyor to viudicate the British name
from the aspersions cast on Il b,
Longteliow'- "Evangeline.v Hequol-
es from French authorities 10 show
that when peacs was declared be-
tween France and England, French
priests stirredu savages to massacre
Englishmen, and French governors
supplied the murderers with armsand
ammunition. lie tells how a French
governor wrote: ''In order that the
savages may do their part courage
ously a few Acadians, dressed and
painted their way, could join them 10
strike the English
"The Acsdians, then" rejoins Dir.
Stephenson, "were not the innocent,
simple peasants Of The poetic story"
Able lie Loutre, Vicar-General Of
Acadie, ''ha5itually employed the
savages whom he had converted Cd
To terrorize those Acadians who were
disposed to dwell peaceably under En-
glish rule, and he was the contriver
aud patron of innumerable villainies.
"Ihe English colonists had abuud-
ant reason to fear the continued pres
ence within their borders of a popula-
ton belonging to an alien race under
the complete control of hostile and
unscrupuions priesthood; who were
notashamed, at least at times, TO assist
savages in their murderous raids. and
who declined to give, by oath or other
wise, any sufficient assurances of their
having accepted in good faith the
government under which they were
living in security and freedom.
"1et many attempts were made to
bring them TO better mind: and
long forbearance was exercised to-
wards them. They were absolutely
free of all taxation"
On their instantly demanding the
return of their weapons, of which
their hostile actions had compelled the
British authorities to deprive them,
they were told that they must take the
full oath of allegiance, and that IL
they refused eflectual measures ought
to be taken TO remove all such recu-
SAINTS out of the province" Their de-
pniies point-bank and twice over re-
fused to take the oath. Deportation
was thus the only alternative left to
the British Government. ait should
also be remembered that this was moi
the first deportation of Acadians.
What he.British did, after long years
OF forbearance and as a measure of
selt-protection, the French had for
years been doing, with all the power
Of the sword and crosier, as matter
THE deportation in "Evangelime's
country was entrusted to Lieutenant.
Colonel Winslow, colonial officer. de-
scended from the Winslows of "Mav-
flower" fame. He to have been
humane man, to whom his task was
very obnoxious, and who strove to do
1t with as much consideration as was
possible. The deportation was of
necessity forcible. If no stratagem
had been used, the men would have
aiken to the forests, and there, Joined
by the savages, would have maintain
I'd a fierce guerilla war, and the paci-
location of the province would have
been impossible for generation. The
men were therefore summoned to the
church to hear a proclamation on
given day. The proclamation told
hem their fate and reasons of it.
They were detained i'm, custody. but
heir families were allowed TO bring
hem provisions, and to hold reasona-
Die communications with them,
twenty each day were allowed to 60
nome TO settle their affairs, and every
,flort was made to secure not only
4 @
hat families should not be separated
out even that neighbors should go in
he same ship. The whole deporta-
ION occupied, no few hours, as the
poem states, but many weeks, and the
measure, stern, indeed, even though it
was necessary, was carried out with
Is much consideration as in the nature
If the case was possible.
IF this stern and lamen.able deed
lad to be done, it was only done after
ong forbearance, after plain and re-
oeated warning, and with such care