SHAMEFUL BARBARITY.

Southland Times, Issue 736, 14 October 1867, Page 3

SHAMEFUL BARBARITY.

The " G-uelph Advertiser," of the 3rd ult., says : — " Shortly after noon on Sunday a long and heavily-loaded emigrant "train passed through G-uelph en route to the Western States. There were, we should think, 800 or 900 persona crammed into ten common grain cars, with tbe doors boarded up part way, and a small square hole in the upper rear corner to let in the air. These cars are built perfectly tight, for the conveyance of grain and other inanimate things. Cattle and pigs would suffocate in them, and so they have superior accommodation, their cars having strips up the sides, with space for ventilation between. These emigrants were from Germany, and had ridden all the way from Point Levi (near Quebec), boxed up in this fashion ! The train probably left there on Thursday previous, and might reach Sarnia on Sunday night, so that they would have to remain on board three whole days and nights, at the least. There was not a ghost of a seat to be had ; and if there were, no one would have had a chance to sit down ; even standing up, they were wedged in so tight as hardly to be able to move. It was not thought worth while to give the smaller children, girls, and women a separate car, or leave them enough room to sit on the floor once in a while, and rest their aching limbs. What a pitiable plight for poor old women, expectant mothers, and decrepit grandfathers — for stumpy boys and delicate little girls, who stood on tiptoe, turning up their pale faces, between their taller fellows, to get a mouthful of fresh air ! Every one who has ridden a good distance on a train knows very well how sweet it sometimes is to get a draught of fresh water — the mingled heat and dust of a crowded car making the traveller drink like a fish. By the time these poor half-famished wretches reached G-uelph they were actually panting for water; and when they caught sight of some pails which had been placed for theu on the platform, several sprang over the boarding before they could be handed up to them. The two or three buckets passed into the cars were seized by strong rude men in front, who dipped in their heads almost to the ears, and thus gulped down the precious liquid. Meanwhile could be heard from the midst of the car the tearful cry of mothers in behalf of their babes, the passionate appeals of old men and damsels, and the sobs and groans of children, who stretched forth their pitiful little hands with faint entreaties, ' Wasser! Wasser ! O ylbtwi wasser ?' In vain, however, as the gruff tones of the conductor were heard above all, 'No time ; get on ; get on !' They seemed scarcely to understand the order till they heard the engine whistle ; when they redoubled their cries, clapping their hands to their lips and exclaiming, ' Dursten ! Wasser f in the most affecting strains. The train rolled off through the town, amid the maledictions of the bystanders, who declared it the most shameful sight they had ever witnessed in Guelph."