A Specimen Yankee Christmas dinner for the soldiers.
The
New York Yankees, on Christmas, gave dinners to the soldiers of
Lincoln who are stationed there to watch them.
That given by the "
New England Soldiers' Relief Association" was characteristic, and we copy some of the proceedings:
After dinner, the Glee Club of the Association,
Mrs. Bloomfield presiding at the harmonium, gave "Rally Round the
Flag," and a new song, of which the lugubrious chorus, "No, no, Jeff., it's all up in Dixie," excited much applause and laughter.
Colonel Howe, with a few pleasant words, introduced "our bully minister,"
the Rev. Mr. Brown chaplain of the Association, whose often humorous and earnest address was much relished, and his closing words, "God bless you, soldiers, whenever and wherever you go, " heartily responded to by the visitors.
Colonel Howe then introduced
Richard D. Dudley, one of the crew of the
Hartford, both of whose arms had been shot off by the same shell at
Mobile.
His appearance elicited much sympathy, and three cheers were given for him.
The Hon. E. C. Bailey, editor of the Boston
Herald, was next introduced.
After referring to the brilliant achievement of General-
Sherman, whose next feat he did not think it would be talking out of school to say would be the capture of
Charleston, the speaker predicted that an honorable peace would be arrived at within six months, won not by negotiation, but by the bravery and bayonets of the soldiers.
The causeless nature of the rebellion was next touched upon; the
South had control of almost every department of the
Government, and had no cause of complaint that was not arising out of their own acts.
The atrocious treatment of our soldiers at
Andersonville was willful and unnecessary; the march of
Sherman had proved that there was abundance of food which could have been given them.
He had spoken with two ladies just escaped from
Richmond — they told him that
Jeff. Davis was buying up greenbacks by means of an agent, and would soon be running the blockade and escaping to
Europe.
Mr. Bailey concluded by proposing three cheers for
Colonel Howe, which were given with a will.
After the singing of the "Star-Spangled Banner," the audience joining,
General Hiram Walbridge was introduced.
He adverted to the contest in which we are engaged as between the principles of liberty, which landed at
Plymouth, and that of slavery.
To deny that this war was a contest between these principles was to deny the authenticity of God himself.
It was a contest of moral force with slavery, and this was now the sentiment of the world.
It was the destiny of the nation to expel slavery and make itself homogenous, and when we come to reconstruction we will lay the foundation of our prosperity bread and deep, and then can send across the ocean and demand of the two great Governments of
France and
England reparation for their action toward us. The General spoke of the Presidential election as the highest instance of moral courage on the part of a people which history ever made mention.
Speaking then of the emaciated victims of
Andersonville, he said that the locality of those prisons were to be appropriated to Northern soldiers, whom God would protect.
Peace cannot come by negotiation, but by the rebels laying down their arms — to speak otherwise was an injustice to the cause; we intend to have but one flag and one destiny.
