wants. The old negro and herself are
often together, conversing of the unfortunate family of her former
master, and their remarks teem with sympathy and abound with the
affection felt by every slave for a kind and indulgent owner. Although
of a servile race, we leave these negroes, regretting that in the
hearts of many of our white people the same generous feelings do not
exist. It is sad to think that, with all the advantages of birth,
education, and position, there should be found men of Caucasian
origin, who are below the negro in all the noble attributes of
mankind. But there are many such, and while they do not elevate the
servile race, they lower, to a considerable degree, the free born and
educated.

Vicksburg fell on the fourth day of July, 1863, and the anniversary of
American independence was celebrated by the Yankees in a Southern city
which had cost them thousands of lives to capture. A few days after
the surrender, the enemy advanced on Jackson, and compelled General
Johnston to evacuate that city, to save his army. These are matters of
history, and are doubtless well known to the reader. After retaining
possession a short time, the Yankees retreated from the place, but not
before they had given another proof of the vandalism for which they
have been rendered infamous throughout the civilized world, by setting
the city on fire. Luckily only a portion of the town was destroyed,
and we could almost rejoice at being able to write that among the many
buildings burnt were those belonging to Mr. Elder. Did not the homes
of many good and worthy men share the same fate, we would almost
attribute the destruction of his property to the righteous indignation
of God. He lost every residence he possessed, and as the insurance
companies refused to renew, from the aspect of affairs, on the
expiration of his policies, the loss was a total one, and reduced him
to almost beggary. With a few negroes he reached Mobile and is now
living on the income their labor yields. His brutal conduct had
reached the Bay city, before the fall of Jackson, and on his arrival
there, instead of receiving the sympathy and aid of the generous
hearted people, he was coldly met and all rejoiced at his downfall.
Those, in that city, who in heart were like him, might have offered
assistance, did they not fear that such conduct would lead to
suspicion and eventuate the exposition of their enormities. His
punishment is the just reward for his iniquiti