davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29

Mr.. WHITrEr'sP RoJEcr FOR A RAILROAD
TO H Pacific. Our readers have hereto.
fore heard something Of a proposition to
Congress, made by Asa Whitney. TO con-
s,ruct a railroad from Lake Michigan across
the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific ocean.
That gentleman is now in our city. tie
called at our Office. Yesterday. and left a copy
Of the report upon his Memorial, made to the
Senate. July 81, 1916, by Mr.. Breese. The
bill, which accompanied the report. We have
not seen but we infer from the general ten.
or Of the report, that the bill contemplates a
grant TO Mr.. Whitney of certain portion Of
the public lands. and that that is ALL he asks
of government, to enable him to carry on his
magnificent project to completion. We
soPe the grant will ultimately be made. II
the project should fail. the public will loose
nothing, for the old states will never get a
faithing from the sale Of the lands, and they
may az we'll be disposed %ofnow, and in thi.
manner. as at any other time. aud under 9TH
er circumstance. The committee seem TO
have entertained similar opinion.-[Boston
Courier.
The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29
TIE GREAT FIRE AT NIBLo's N. Y

We gave a brief account Of this FIRE by Mag
neiic Telee raph this morning. The n. Y. pa
pers furnish a few more particulars. Before
the fire was suhdncd, il destroyed all the bull
dings South of the Racket Club House to-
Prince street, AMI from Broadway. 10 Crosby
street, includin. the Theatre. the Saloon,
three story brick houses on Broadway, one
occupied by Mr.. Milo. and the other as a
Drug store BIZ ]. T. Smith. and The seed store
Of b illsIand and Son. The two brick houses
on Broadway belonged 10 the heirs OF the
late Stephen Van Rensselaer,, the rear of the
buildings to Mr.. Niblo.
The amour, of property destroyed is esii-
mated at $4,000. Mr., Niblo's house and
furniture were Insured TO the amount Of SIS
900.
The property on which the Theatre. &c.
stood. belongs 10 the Van Rensselaer, Estate
Of Albany, and Mr.. Niblo's lease expired in
about eighteen months. -BOSt. Mail.
The FIRE a, Niblo's Gardens was discov-
cred about o'clock on Friday morning. and
is supposed to have taken under the stage Of
the Theatre. The Rsvel family lost S5000
besides a profitable engagement for the sea
" - F-I-s-
The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29

the next 1913 miles is 1000 feet, or about 8 Ia
the mile ; that Of the next l07 niles, 10 ST
Vrain's Fort, is 1000 feet. or 9 10 the mile
that OF the next so il 1900 feet or l6 10 the
mile ; that Of the next Is miles is sou feet or
about AZ to the mile; that Of the next 81
miles is 1000 feet, or 2 IA 10 the mile.
The distance from the Great Pass to the
mouth of the Columbia, by the common trav
cling route is 1,400 miles, and TO the head oil
its ship navigation about $780, and as the
elevation of the Pass is 1890 feet, the de-
scent from this point to the ship navigation
gives an average Of about 6 feet to the mile.
From the Pass to a distance oil 3l9 miles, the
descent is 1,490 fee, or less than S 10 the
mile. For 234 miles more, the route is level.
For $40 miles more, the surface is irregu-
lar, and the next 17S miles end at an eleva-
ton OF 5000 feet; the descent from 5000 10
5000 feet over a distance Oils miles, Civ
ing an average OF less than 8 feet, through
that Of the last I7S miles is II feet 10 the
mile. From this point TO the foot Of the Blue
mountains, 2S2 miles, the elevations and de-
pressions give an average of 10 2 feet 10
the mile and the remaining distance to fort
Vancouver, the head of ship navigation 1868
miles gives an average Of 3 1-2 feet. All
these elevations were taken by Col. FIRE.
mont,over the route usually travelled, though
the committee suggest that future explora-
lions will discover routes OF less distance and
ascents.
These facts show that in a distance of
$3.50 milse, from lake Michigan to fort Van
the elevation OF the Great South
Pass, 1890 feet, and of the intermediate
points, present no obstacle 10 a railroad.
The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29
WHITNEY'S RAILROAD TO THE
PACIFIC.

The project OF this mammoth Railroad
has been often seconded and perhaps as Of
ten regarded as a hun.bug by the graver
portion Of community. Other men and even
some ofthe most distinguished of the nation
are looking upon its accomplishment as
quite within the power of human ability
During the last Congress a committee ap-
pointed TO investigate its feasibility, reported
strongly IN its favor, and even urged the &C
complishment of the project as absolutely
necessary for US as a nation, and for all
mankind. They say the grant Of the sixty
miles asked by Mr.. Whitney, will be abun-
dainty sufficient for the end in view, and
have no doubt OF the expediency Of apply
ing the lands TO the end in view. We take
the following description ofthe route from the
Phila Ledger.
The route proposed BY Mr.. Whitney for
bis Railroad. proceeds from lake Michigan
across the Mississippi above the mouh ofihe
Wisconsin, thence across The Missouri above
the mouth Of the Great Platte, between the
Council Bluffs ard the Great Bend, a little
below lat. 43, and thence TO the Great South
Pass, about lat. AZ, 80, and thence along the
valley Of Lewis river, which IS the southern
main branch Of TIE Columbia, TO the head oil
ship navigation upon the latter, or 10 the bay
ofSt Francisco, as may hereafter be deci-
ded. Taking the Great South Pass as a
point Of departure eastward and westward.
our first object is to ascertain the respective
distances and elevations. According 10 Col.
Fremont quoted IN the report of Senator
Breese, the elevation Of the highest point in
this Pass, above the gulf Of Mexico, is T.
1900 feet. Col. Fremont who explored the
valley of the Great Platte, from IFS mouth to
this Pass, in 1912, describes it as an open
Prairie region, with an ascent almost or quite
imperceptible by the traveller. He was ac-
companied by a Mr.. Carson, who had resi-
ded in that region for II years. who had ire
quenily crossed the Pass, and was thorough
ly acquainted with the route. Yet with all
his experience, he was Obliged 10 watch very
closely, TO ascertain when he had reached
the eliminating point ofthe Pass through the
Rocky mountains. The distance ofthe great
Pass 10 the mouth Of the Kansas, is 963
miles, and from the mouth of the Platte SS2,
the latter being about 300 miles higher on
The Missouri Than the former; and as the
mouth Of the Kansas is 700 feet above the
gull of Mexico, and that of the Platte a trifie
more, the average ascent from either point
to The Pass, is only about Z feet TO the mile.
And as the distance from lake Michigan TO
the Pass is 1,400 miles, and that between the
lake and The mouth of the Kansas or Platte
a level country, the average ascent from the
lake to the Pass does not exceed 4 l-2 feel
to the mile. According to Col. Fremont,th h
mouth OF the Kansas is 700 feet above The
gull /; the crossing Of the Republican Fork
SIG mica farther, is 5000 feet,giving an as
cent oil i23 feet 10 the mile the ascent d
The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29

We find in the Frankfort Journal the fol.
lowing extract from a letter from Geneva,
dated August l8-'The French government
has just taken possession Of the Valley des
Dappes, on the southern side Of the principal
chain Of the Jura, on the c~enfine, Of the de-
partment Of that name, and of the Canton de
Wand, the right TO which has been long dis
pu;ed. Men employed by the Canton de
Vaud in altering the road between St. Ger
CUES and Rousses, have been ordered not TO
proceed with their work beyond the ~liiiga'ed
line. and the owners Of land in the valley.
who have been hitherto considered as Vau-
dois; and paid their taxes at Nyon. are now
called upon to pay them to the French col
lectors of the Jura. France attaches a great
or importance than it did formerly to the
possession Of this valley. on account Of The
lorti6 cations she is raising on this part Of her
frontier
The question Of the Jesuits was consid-
cred by the Swiss Diet; which was held at
Zurich on the 25th of August. On the ques-
tons being put TO the vote. the following were
the resulIs-For the abandonment of the
question, 8 l-2 states; to declare the question
a federal affair, 10 10 states; to summon all
The states to repeal the Jesuits. Q 10 states /;
10 invite the three other states to adopt that
measure, Z 1-2 states; TO prohibit any further
receptions Of the Jesuit.. 10 l-2 states.
The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29
RAIL ROAD,

Within the past week Worcester railroad
shares have advanced one nalf Of one per
cent, Norwich and Worcester one and
a half; East Boston Company one, and Bos-
ton and Maine one half. Westerns have de-
clined one eighth, and Old Colony one per
cent tho latter supposed TO be on account OF
the creation Of new shares, There is little or
no alteration in the other quotations. Bank,
Manufacturing. and Insurance stocks are NOT
in demand, and very few sales have been
made. The approaching dividends on these
securities, estimated at a million Of dollars.
have a tendency 10 keep these stocks out Of
The market,
The Worcester railroad in the past eishr
months has received a large accession Of bus
mess from.its great feeder. the Western road
and its shares in consequence have advanced
in price. and are in demand. The increase
on the Western railroad is already three and
q half per cent. over last years nett receipts
which were fire and half per cent. besides
the interest ACQUIRING on the half million in
The sinking funds, which is equal TO one per
cent. more on the share capital, making the
total ten per cent, subjected, however. to in
creased expenses, which will probably be
covered BY the gam in receipts for the re-
naming third Of the year.
The Boston and Maine road is said to have
gained S30,o00 in its receipts for the pasI
quarter. The Danvers branch of the Eeas-
tern road will be completed this fall, afiording
that section ar accommodation which may
present a bar to a renewed application for an
independent route to this city. The gain on
the Norwich road this year 10 the LIST inst. is
S10,79s, The Long Island road also exhib-
its a handsom increase since the raising ofthe
fares, from the formerly ruinously low rates.
The subscription to the Michigan Central
road has been filled. and the purchasers have
cause to congratulate themselves upon Sc
curing such a valuable and productive work
o finrernal improvement in the great West
Boston capital has entered largely into this
purchase, aud Boston management will Sc
cure its success.-Boston Courier.
The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29

the free states Of the income Of ths;r labor
and make them dependent on the sIave-labor
Of the south, or on the pauPer-labor OfEu-
rope.
II is Preposierous folly for Northern mer
to talk ofihe value Of the Union. They
must make up their minds to one Of two
t~hings;-they must submit to be governed
by slave-owners. OF break up this Union.
which operates SO ~unequally land has already
destroyed every fragment of poii'icalequality.
Ii to talk of the latter to appal the hearts Of
our young men, and shstier the nerves Of the
old onea, let them choose the former, and Tor
ever hereafter hold their peace. There is no
alternative, q Tie sooner you hoist tho flag oil
dissolution, or bend your knees for a negro
driver TO straddle your back and tickle your
sides with his whip. the sooner you ~ i'll cease
to feel the solicitude and responsibility Of a
FREE xAS.-lBoston Courier.
The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29

Destructive FIRE IN ALBAsY.-The
large brewery in Albany. corner of Arch ane
Tuesday night by a fire which swept along
the whole length Of Arch street to Green. de-
stroying everything except the store on the
corner. On the west side Of Green street,
five or six two story brick buildings were de
st.oyed. The store on the corner of Ferry
and Arch streets. The centre Of the block,
bounded by Green. Arch. Ferry. aud Frank
lin streets, including the Mineral Spring
Garden, were completely swept. Mr.. West
colt has $40, 900 insurance on his stock in the
brewery and the building is insured.
The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29

~ We have heard ofseveral instances in
Vermont Of the disconiinuance or partial
suspension ofimporiant business operations
since and as a consequence Of The passag.
Of Folks Tariff. The Vergennes Vernon
t:r gives the following account Of the disas-
trous effects Of POlkism in the City Of Yer
gennes:
EFFECTS OF THE NEW TARIFF.
il is not without much regret that we ave
compelled 10 announce the fact that the ex-
tensive Iron manufactures situated on our
falls, are about ceasing their operations. A
large number Ofmen have already been dis
missed from the employ Of the Vergennes
Iron Company, and the remainder are only
to be retained until the stock now on hand
shall have been exhausted which will re-
quire but a few weeks. The business of The
Boston Company will close next Saturday /;
when the hands, numbering between thirty
and forty, will be discharged.
The suspension Of these works " i'll he a Sc
nous blow not only TO the large number ef in
divlduals directly interested. bu, to the gen.
eial prosperity Of our city and vicinity. In
der their influence our population has mate
rally incroased-a large number of new
dwellings have already been built and occu-
pied BY industrious and WORTHY citizep,-a
profitable market has been afforded TO farm
ers IN adjoining towns for bundled Of thou
sands Of cords %ofwood, in the form of char
eoal-hundred OF Persons as overseers.
clerks, forsemen, moulders, choppers. cnI
lIers, transfers, boatmen, &c, have Le.n
furnished with employment aud thus the
market in this vicinity, been greatly increased
for the wheat, corn, oats. potatoes, beef pork,
butter. cheese, and other products ofihe far
mer.-And in payment for this vast amount
Of labor and material. little short Of On, hum
dred 1housand Dollars Of Cash hav. seen
annually paid out, and circuloted in this viii
l,ge.
The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29
Volume X1.
MISCELLANEOUS
VIRTUE ALONE is BEAUTIFUL.

VIRTUE ~ ID BEAU LIE I'll.
The following extract is from a book euti-
tied The stranger in Lowell Of which J. g.
Whittier is tie author:
Handsome 10, that handsome does-hold
up your heads. girls" was the language Of
Primrose in the play, when addressing her
daughters. The worthy matron was right.
Would that all my female readers, who are
sorrowing foolish. because they are no; in all
respects like Dubufe's Eve, or that statute OF
the Venus which enchants the world.
could be %pursuaded to listen to her. What
is good looking, as Horace Smith remarks,
but looking good! Be good, be womanly,
be gentle-geperous iu your sympathies,
heedful Of the well being Of all around you,
and my word for IL, yon will not lack kind
words ofadmiration. Loving and pleasant
associations will gather about you. Never
! mind the ugly reflection which your glass
may give you. That mirror has no heart.
But quite another picture is given on the re-
tina Of human sympathy. There the beauty
of holiness, Of purity, Of that inward grace
which passeih show rests over it, soften
ing and melloring its feature, just as the full.
calm moonlight melts those of a rough land
nav 6al
Hold up your heads, girlsr ] repeat after
Primrose. Why should you not? Every
mothers daughter Of you can be beautiful
You can envelope yourselves in an amos
phere Of moral and intellectual beauty,
through which your otherwise plain faces
will look forth like those Of angels. Beauti-
full to Ledyard, stiffening in the cold OF a
northern winter, seemed the diminutive,
smoked, stained women of Lapland, who
wrapped him in ihsir furs, and ministered to
his necessities with kindness and gentle
words Of compassion.-Lovely to The home
sick heart Of Park, maids Of Sego, as they
sung their low and simple song Of welcome
beside his bed, and sought TO comfort the
white stranger who had no mother to bring
him milk and no wife to grind him corn!
o talk as we may of beauty as a thing to
be chisseled from marble or wrought on can
vaSs,-speculate as we may on its colors and
outlines, what is it but an intellectual abstrac.
ton. after all! The heart feels beauty Of
another kind looking through the outward
environment, it discovers a deeper and more
real loneliness.
This was we'll understood by the old pain,
ers. In their pictures Of Mary, the virgin
mother, the beauty which melts and subdues
the gazer. is that Of tho soul and the affcc-
sions-uuiting the awe and the mystery OF
the mothers miraculous allotment with the
inexpressible love. the unurterable tenderness
ofyoung nraternity-lieaveD's browning mi
racIe and natures sweetest and hottest in
stinct. And their pale Magdalens, holy
with the look Of sins forg iven. how the d.
vine beauty Of their peritenco sinks into the
heart; Do we not feel that the only real de-
formiiy is sin, and that goodness evermore
hallows and sanctihes its dwe placer
The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29
WENTWORTH ON THE HARBOR
VETO.

Hon. John Wentwo rth, NJ C. in his Chi
cago Democrat thus touches the Law Of
the dynasty which he helped to fa,ren on the
Country:
INTERPRETATIONS OF n VEro.-Many
Of the Representatives Of The Free Labor OF
this country. upon their return TO their con-
stituents. have put upon President Folks We
to message a construction which is not au-
iborized by this report oflS31. which the
Washington Union has published as en.bra-
cling his present views, and also unaufhOr-
lied by the votes which he always cast in
Congress. 10 voting upon the Tariff. Vice
President Dallas took a different course as
Vice President ofibe Union, from what he
did as a Pennsylvania Senator. From ap-
pearances. we think the President means to
preserve a full consistency between his course
as President and as Representative from
Tennessee. But, 10 spite Of the remarks OF
the Washington Union. his vrtes in Con
sress, his report oflS3l. and his last veto
message, some Of the Representatives OF in
diguaut constituents intsreste&j IN Lake com-
merce have labored ingeniously to prove that
Mr.. Polk would sign a bill for their own im-
mediate neighborhood with great pleasure.
but could not sign the works at a distance,
as some were very improper ones. On the
Hudson. these men would say, we would
have supported the Hudson and Mr.. Polk
would have signed the bill, but he was op-
posed to the lower rivers and Sc were We
On Ontario they tell one story. On Erie
another. On Michigan another. And on
the rivers another. The talk rs always BY
them that we would have supported our
own works and so would Mr.. Polk but
there are some improper works in the hill
which neither we nor he could support
What these works are. it is very strange that
no two Of them can agree
That the people will any longer be hum
The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29

The HoTrEsr THAT EVER wAs.-A gen.
tieman at one of the hotels in an eastern city
sat beside a countryman, who, from appear
ances' had just come down. he used 'slittsd
spoons as he termed silver forks, with &c.
markabie agility, and the f~iacasee de poulel
ana other viands, were sent TO their long &C.
cou"t with magnetic speed. 90 the opposite
rue o. the table stood a plate Of peppers, the
genuine red hot ones, strong enough to shak,
man to pieces. which the cuuutryman eycd
l"t a moment and then plunged his fork over
and conveyed one entire TO his month. He
fnuaeaed, and munched. and muuched away,
unti ne conld stand it no longer, for he wa.
tne color OF crimson, and the tears ,oured
down his cheeks. He hastily took il from III,
mouth, and laying if down aside of hi, nlare
exclaimed There! hay there and cool, viii
YOU
The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29
MR.. POLK's COLLEGE LIFE.

The Government, editor. referring to rhi,
very interesting period Of Mr.. Poh's life.
says:
1T is said. and We believe upon reliable
authority, that when at college he never
tailed TO attend a single recitation. or 10 mar
form any other duty required of him,
As MIR. Ritchie's information, toucbinr
Mr. Folks history while he was al college, Is
so meagre, we will take occasion 10 ,efer
him TO sou 9 other incidents which occurred
al that time. that strikingly illustrate the
grandeur Of The man, and which will, xe have
no doubt. greatly delight the Government
editor. 1t is said, and ne believe upon re-
liable authority that. when Mr.. Polk wrs IT
college, he was in the habit Of retiring to
bed when he felt sleepy. a virtue uhich he
has ever since scrupulousIy maintained.
Whenever he had a dreadful bad colS in The
head, he was occasionally seen to place his
right hand in his coat pocket and To draw
iherefrom a handsome flag handkerchief.
which he would deliberately convey TO his
nose, and then shutting both eyes. ne wpuId
emit sounds which seemed like n remote i'm
itation Of a trumpet. lie as never guilty. Of
the sad improperly Of plugging his legs into
his coat sleeves. nor Of bnttDnins his waisteoat
bellyside behind. but, on the contrary. lie in
variably dressed himself with becoming erav-
~. always putting on his stockings before no
placed his feet in his boots, and pulling on
his pantalo"ns before lie put on his coat. lie
was addicted 10 eaiiI g when he grew hun
cry. and many a corn -dodger. alter being
well buttered and duly muslicated. d-,cen-
dsd to his stomach and performed groi ser
vice towards nourishing the physical man
and enabling him TO undergo his Studies
without distress ofbody or mind. " hen
his beard became very stuhby, he called for
warm water. with which. aided by Il brush
and soap. he contrived to make a lather. and
rubbing it on his chin, he took up his razor.
and, looking at The laibrred rehreiion OF him
self in a mirror, he commenced the manly
business Of shaving himself to the great cn-
ih%ancenen, of his personal beauty. Not be-
Ing afflicted with left handedness. he held his
book right side up sheneVer he wished TO Pc
'ruse the published thoughts Of great men.
Al IN: time that the news of the war wasrd
for free trade and sailors 'riSb,s' reached
the college, several Of his fellow students.
having more patriotism than devorion Co
literature. threw aside their books and maiclirs!
off to the batIle field. while Mr.. Polk very lu-
.diciously put his books under his arm nnI
marched of to his home
Where rumor of oppression and dccei,
or unsuccessful and successful var
could not pain his ear. and there ne secnrnn-
lated much Of that knowledge which has gar
nishe1 the delightful essays and 10 currents
that have since emanaied from his brilliant
pen.
The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29

DEATH or Ex-GovEESoR Foor. Hon.
Samuel II. Foot died at Cheshire. CT. on
Saturday last. In early life he WI. engaged
IN mercantile business IN New Haven. lie
was afierward a member Of he state Legisl1-
iure and Speaker Of the ilonse Of R-prcscn-
iarives-then a Representative in Congress.
and aiterw ards Il United States Senator
After the expiration of his term. "a Senator.
he was again elected to The lower House. and
while a member. was made Governor of the
state. in 1884.
The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-09-29

A Coop JoKE.-A well known physician
in towns very much anHUyedl by anoid la, '
whs is always sure to accost him in the street
for the purpose Of telling over her ailments.
Once she met him in Broadway. and he wa.
III avery great hurry. 'Ah! | see you are
quite feeble said the doctor; shut yonr eyes
aud show me your tongue She obeyed, and
the doctor quietly moving off, left her stand
ing there for some time. in this ridiculous DO.
si.ion, to the infinite amusement of all who
witnessed Its funny scrne.-Boston Eagle.