The Evansville Journal

LETTER FROM PIKE COUNTY.

Petersburg, Ind., March 10, '68.

Editors Journal:

Since my last the Copperheads have been very busy organizing the Young Mens' Democratic Association. They call it Young Mens', but they take in all ages, sizes, and conditions. (I had like to have said colors, but the nigger can't come in.) Some young men in the business are old, scar-worn veterans in the Sons of Liberty, such as Col. Jim Barker, &c., &c. They have taken in some men at fifty cents who don't buy fifty cents worth of coffee a year for their family, and never have any milk for their children to use. Yet (as when they bought revolvers) they find money to go into such societies. It is a very cheap thing up here to be a Democrat—just fifty cents to pay for documents to send to men who can't read. Now, if they would buy whisky it would look a little more sensible, for the faithful love the critter dearly, and it would get up their spirits wonderfully; but why buy documents for a set of men who can't read, and who had to make their X to the oath of the Sons of Liberty? One very enthusiastic young muckle-headed Democrat has suffered his zeal for the lost cause to set him to peddling books called "Youths History of the Late War." Of all low down, dirty treason that was ever in any land, written by any traitor, peddled by any rebel or endorsed by any set of scalawags and ragamuffins, this book beats all. It eulogizes Booth, Jeff. Davis, Beauregard and a host of other traitors too tedious to mention. It abuses, in the vilest manner, Lincoln, Grant, Sherman and all the men who worked for the country; calls Sherman a robber, &c. And this same book claims to be for the Government of our Fathers, is circulated by Democrats, read by Democrats and eagerly sought for by Democrats. It is good Democratic literature. They use it for breakfast, dinner and supper, and the pious old fools who can read, read a chapter the last thing they do at night, (except their horn of whisky.) Are these the fruits of Democracy? Is this that grand old party we hear so many Democrats say will save the country? Soldiers, are you blind? Will you give your vote, your aid, your influence to a set of men and a party who seek to make your noble and patriotic deeds infamous, and to make treason and traitors respectable? In the name of God and your country, wake up; look at these vile liars and seducers all around you, peddling out treason by the volume. A book in one hand which says you were Lincoln dogs, robbers, thieves and cut-throats, and the 8th of January platform in the other, returning you thanks. May God in his mercy save the country from these two-faced, dirty traitors, and make this nation still a terror to evil doers and a praise to those who do well. This picture may look dark and black, but it is not over-drawn. If any one doubts the character of the book, let them get one and read it, and they will see the half has not been told. The Copperheads are thoroughly canvassing this county for the sale of this same treasonable work. Yet I have trust in God, and my faith is well founded, and traitors will yet take a back seat. So mote it be.

Filo.