davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21
GENIUS.

Genius was in CAESARS eNeni Nidi Wei"
1t was in the words of Nelson at Trafalgar,
England expects every man to do his duty
1t was in Napoleon's daring at Lodi, and
in Jackson's "By the Eternal" Genius
levels mountains, fills up valleys, bridges
the Atlantic, and hangs the railway on the
brow of the mountain cliff.
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21
Washington, February a, 1856.
GeuNemcn:-

GeuNem en-
In Z late paper from your
office. I see You nave animadycrtod with
some severity on a communication SAID to
have been addressed by a Steamboat Cap
tain. to one of the Missouri delegation III
Congress. relative 20 the Saint LOUIS mar
Dor. Justice TO that gentleman, Wh"m J
have lonr known and esteemed as one Of
the mos. active, enterprisiug and popular
Captains In the trade, and OF whoIn hone can
DC mere Jealous for whatever may concern
or promote the interest If our city, indu-
ces me to state, that | think some miscon-
~ception has been made Of his letter t. mc
seen BY different friends from ST. Louis,
who have called on me. The subject ofthc
letter was not considered confidential, bat
containing the views of a gentleman of SCI
entifc education and long experience as a
navigator on our western waters.
When on my way to this city, at St, Lou
is, Ihad the pleasure OF a conference with
Capt, on the manner of applying or
depending the appropriations for your har-
Dor and the western rivers, and was pleased
to discover, that very intelligent and eNpe-
rienced gentlemen occurred in opinion witt
me, as to the misapplication and waste OF
funds so difficult to be procured forthe pro-
&{,o. &C ~-acfarp oop,mcrcn
Can't, communicated to me in writ
ngfrom Cairo, the substance Of our genera
conversation at St. Louis, that the manner
of operating with the snag-boats was ineiii-
cient, as at present conducted in the Mis-,
souri, river. The draft of those boats was
too great to operate in that river at it
lowest stage of water, when they would be
enabled to reach the most dangerous snag'
and logs, and suggestedlwhatis is, in myJudg'
ment, an improvement. He was also OF O
pinion those boats were at each season
withdrawn too early from the upper rivers
when the waters were comparatively low
and in a condition best situated to operate
upon the concealed snags, on which on
boats are wrecked in low water.
Giving all due credit, weight, and i'm
portance to scientific skill, l think we have
had a little too much of it displayed in you
harbor, and on our western rivers of late
when unaccompanied with experience an
sound practical sense-and it IS felt WIT
some sensitiveness here by those who labo
long and hard to obtain appropriations
when they sec from returns, the manner i
which large amounts of those approprla
tions have been squandered in useless sur
veys and projectsithat become the object Q
Jest and ridicule by every experienced Cap
tain and pilot on the river. Turn to tn
different reports from the War Department
and see how often the st. Louis harbor ha
been surveyed, and atwhat expense, taken
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21

The Commercial Bulletin, is the nalne of
the new paper, soon to be established in
Boonville, under the control of Quesenber-
~. He is a great fellow; luck to his enter
prise.
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21
4 KS. OWSLEI.

This'gentleman charged with the murder
of Smarr, in Marion Co., was acquitted Oh
last Saturday night about II O'Clock. Tic
was prosecuted by G. W. Buckncr, Green.
Broadus and Pratt, and defended by S
Buckner, Anderson, Wells, Glover and
Wright.
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21

VIM. Calwell was a few days since pre-.
eipitated from an upper story in one of tn,
Quincy Ills, mills, and almost Instant,
killed.
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21
GLAD TO HEAR IT.

The Glasgow News says that the New
Constitution will receive a hoavy majority
in that section.
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21
WINTER.

There was a heavy fall of snow in Va, q
boutthe LIST ofthis month, and in New YorL
it fell to the depth of two feet.
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21
GOOD.

The Democrats of St. Louis arc rallyins
in glorious style around their ticket. \
Waterloo defeat awaits the %opponants.
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21
OHIO.

AT the last dates from the Ohio there wa
seven feet water on the falls, and rising.
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21
DEMOCRATIC MEETING

We are requested to say that a meeting
of the Democracy ofPike county, will take
place at the cour. house in this place, on
the LIST Monday in April next Let every
Democrat in the county attend; business of
importance requires the attendance of eve
~ Democrat in the county.
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21

" We have been asked by many OF our dem
ocratic friends to state the object OF the meeting
which is to be held in this place on the FIRST
MONDAY IN APRIL NEXT. Well, we
wish it generally understood throughout the
County, tina. the meeting will be held for the
purpose of selecting delegates to attend the Dis
trict Convention which is to be held for the pur,
pose Of nominating a candidate for Congress: fol
the purpose of placing upon the Democratic tick
ct persons calculated 10 concentrate the Demo.
cratic strength, at the ensuing election for mem
bers Of the General Assembly Of the State, anC
for County officers.
We have plainly stated the object Of the meet,
ing, and we hope that our friends who live at
distance in the county will turn out and meet her'
on the proposedday, that We may act understand
ingly.
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21
FRUIT TREES.

Every farmer should appreciate a pof'
ton of his soil for nursery purposes, whe'
a supply of young trees, such as apples
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21

Ex-Gov. Mcdowell, has been elected to
Congress from the Rockbridge District, in
Va. vice, DR.. Taylor, deceased
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21

From a perusal of Mr.. Minors valedic-
tory, some persons have formed the opinion
that he proposed leaving our county
that is a mistake-we are pleased to say.
that he is now permanently located in Bow
ling-Green.
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21

R. Nj. Sanders, of North Carolina, has
been appointed minister TO Spain in the
place of Washington Irving, who returns at
his own request.
Democratic banner., 1846-03-21

n. P. Minor, Esq, has withdrawn from
the editorial chair of the Bowling Green
Banner. During his management OF that
~i,urnal, it has been an able, consistent and
Jealous advocate of sound Democratic
principles. In leavinghis former position
he urges upon the Democracy of tins State
the necessity of cultivating more liberal and
tolerant sentiments towards each other, III
order that principles may triumph over sell
fish ambition. reason over mere phren2N.
and the public interests over the spirit oil de-
structiveness, which for time seemed to
have gained the ascendency in Missouri.
His parting counsel to his political friends
is worthy of his acknowledged devotion to
the cause of Democracy, and can be ioi-
lowed with profit.
That paper will be conducted Tor the
future, we suppose, by the co-edltor OF Mr.:
Minor, who is worthy of the confidence oil
the Demoeracy.-[Mo. Reporter.
Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-05-23

their proper function by laws of my
own creation. You must not break
them: they have their own limitation
and you must abide it-"Thou shalt
not kill" This is commando NOR
al command, and as moral command
is fixed and invariable. 1t is as much
in force now as when lived the father
of history and from the essential ma
ture of morality itself, must remain
unaltered and unalterable through time
and circumstance. This too is the
only moral command which the Al
mighty ever gave upon the subject:
and so far is it from transferring to man
the right TO kill as punishment, or
otherwise, it most imperiously forbids
it.
True, it was said to Noah and his
sons, "Whoso sheddeth mans blood,
by man shall his blood be shed"-but
this was not a moral command; it was
civil command and adapted to the
circumstances under which society
was placed at the time when it was
given. Then, and for many genera
tons afterward, the people were pas
toral in their habits and pursuits
They lived in tents and caves. The
art Of architecture was unknown,
hence the necessity of that sort of
protection to society. 1t could not
then be afforded, in any other way
But the circumstances which made it
necessary to inflict death as a punish
ment, in that age of the world, do not
exist with us. We can, without bur-
den, protect society by different pun
iJhment, and from the fact that civil
law is the creature of circumstances
is altered, abridged, or repealed to
suit them-that civil command tho
from God himself, like other civil reg
ulations, stands virtually repealed, be-
cause the necessity of its existence has
ceased. T..
Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-05-23

Heirs Found.-Tt will be reccollec-
ted that heirs of Miles Standish, the
pilgrim warrior of old Plymouth, were
not long since advertised for, as very
large estate in England had recently
been assertained TO belong to them
A Sandwich Mass paper says that
at least couple Of claimants have
been found. A lady in Connecticut
has set up her claim to the whole inner
lance; but a Massachusetts, man, Mr..
Ethan Standish, who drives a stage
from Sandwich, is believed 70 be en-
titled TO at least share in the estate, if
not to the whole Of it. He has. at any
rate, been offered one thousand dollars
for his chance, and has refused the Of
fer; and ne was wise enough in doing
so, as the annual income Of the estate
is said to be $40, 900 per annum.
Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-05-23
Suburbs Of Canton.

Within three or four miles of the
city of Canton, one views with surprise
the immense quantity of boats. These
appear to be of four classes, viz: junks
or boats of burden, flower or pleasure
boats, passenger or Tankah boats, and
the small canoe, holding but one per-
son and his stock in trade. BARRIERS,
of whom it is said there are at least ten
thousand in Canton, generally traverse
the river in boats of the latter descrip-
ton, having apparently no other furni-
ture than paddle and pair of shears,
and the only notice one has of the
proximity of these "single gentlemen"
is the ringing sound occasioned by
striking their shears upon the head of
the paddle. Almost every one seems
busy upon this world of waters-the
only really inactive parsonage being
the Fan-qui, or foreign devil, "a name
given by the Chinese to all foregners)
who gazes with surprise at the many
novelties around him, though at the
same time he is himself the object of
equal wonder from the Celestials, who
sadly belle their heavenly title, for
they make most internal noise.
Upon nearing the city the passage
is many times INSTRUCTED, so numerous
are the boats, or 1 should rather say
numberless. And what boihers won
dering Yankee is, to know how in
heavens name he shall reach terra
irma. At last that feat is accomplish
ed, and offering up thanks that he has
not been obliged to land with suit of
wet clothes, he wends his way along
the almost impossible streets of Canton.
Again it is necessary to be cautious, for
the streets are SO narrow and the peo-
pie so numerous, that a stranger is very
apt to run against some bearer of bur-
dens coming toward him, or in endeav-
oring to escape such an affection, he
politely treads upon the toe of ceIes-
tial, whose opinion of the Fan-qui is
not bettered by that operation. Now
a Chinese has none of this trouble;
you see him sliding in and out as his
contrymen pass--apparently progress
ing with little difficulty. But the for
eigner, who initiates him in his evolu-
lions, must be made of sterner stuff, as
he is sure 10 be jostled from one side to
the other, as if he hired himself out
for foot ball for the Chinese. Old
and New China streets are the only
two deserving of special notice, though
there are others by no means to be
despised. In the two former are for
sale tie curious ivory work, japan
ware, &c.. SO much prized by strangers.
Most of the shopkeepers understand
some English, at least enough to do
"pidgeon" as they call it, or in other
words, business or trade. Like the
shops, however, Of the Chinese in
Singapore and Borneo, those in these
streets have not much vanity, for IL
Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-05-23
COMMUNICATIONS.
For the Wisconsin Herald.


Mr.. ED1ToR:--In your last paper,
was struck with an original article over
the signature OF 81. T. M" ! read
it with attention. 1t does credit tc
the author. 1t occurred to me as sin
gular, however, that the thousand and
one discussions upon the subject O
"Capital Punishment" which | have
read, in the last few years, have beer
confined principally to its erpediency
Now it does seem palpable that in
legislation the right to enact must be
primary to the expediency of enacting
If the spirit of an enactment were ia
trench on constitutional reservations
every impulse Of patriotism would
stifle inquiry as to the expediency Of
that enactment. Where, also, there is
a fundamental law, or Constitution,
the right to enact is as completely
withheld from the enacting, or delega-
ted power, by the inability Of the in
herent power to confer it, as it could
be by positive refusal, or constitu-
tional prohibition. Whence, then,
comes the power to enact death as a
penalty to law? Our government is
based upon delegated powers. These
delegated powers of the government
spring from the inherent rights of the
governed. What delegated power,
then, can government have to inf1ict
death as punishment for crime when
man has no inherent right over his
own existence? An individual cannot
transfer to an agent rights or privileges
which he in his own proper person,
does not inherently or by transfer,
possess. Nor can individuals associa-
ted for a common purpose, morally
embody rightin the aggregate, which
is foreign to them integrally. But it
is gravely said that we do hold the
right to authorize the enactment of
death as a penalty by actual transfer
and that from the proper authority
God himself. Strange perversion!-
Every manifestation of the Deity,
either natural or revealed, contradicts
it. In the Decalogue, that perfect en-
bodiement of ethicks, we read 1" Thou
shalt not kill" The command is SIM
pie, but sublime! ssThou shalt not
kill" That is as much and more than
to say "By The operation of my ply
zeal laws you exist. The atmosphere
you breathe. the blood that circulates
with SO much .wiftness, the stomach
that Celebrates crude nourishment TO
genial order, the ossious, the muscular,
the nervous and fibrous systems so dis
nnct, yet SO tremendously one. to say
nothing of that seat ofyour nobility
Tue mind-its powers and suceptibili-
ue', are all sustained and impelled to
Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-05-23
Beggars an Canton.-Most Of I'll

Beggars IN Conton.-Most Of the
streets are covered with mats extend
ing across from the roof Of one house to
the other, thus sheltering the traveller
from rain and the oppressive heat Of
the sun. Burthens are carried by a
class of people called 'cooiies,' who
use only the rope and piece of bam-
boo about six feet in length and three OF
four inches in breadth. With this
slender affair they manage to carry
immense weights, and are consequent
ly exceedingly strong and well built,
while the shop-keepers are generally
weak and sickly. Nothing can be said
in favor of the houses in Canton; they
are low and mostly of wood, though Of
late years many have been construct
ed of brick. The foreign hongs situa-
ted upon the bank of the river, are
the most beautiful and convenient
houses in the city; they are built upon
the European plan.
The immense number of beggars in
icotiiiS tuc StIcctS Vi IdiItUN give 10
strangers at first an unfavorable i'm
preston respecting the poorer classes;
but as in other countries the surplus
population tends towards the cities
so in China, Pekin, Marking and Cam
ton are the only pace where beggars
exist. One fact concerning China is
worthy Of notice, which is, that it can
boast of more agriculturalists in pro-
portion TO its population than any
other country on the globe. Most Of
the beggars to whom have referred
are blind and are truly piteous objects.
This calamity is owing to disease
which affects the lower classes, and to
which they pay no attention until too
late to arrest its progress. / have seen
hundred Of children, most Of them
hardly able TO walk, afflicted with
blindness. Like all Chinese children,
they are handsome, and as playful as if
God in his goodness had not imposed
such calamity upon them. But |
will not dwell upon this painful sub
iect.
Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-05-23

Chinese Pagodas. the eth
of June the American steam schooner
Midas, Capt. Poor, arrived from Can.
ton. Sine had on board the American
consul, Paul st. Forbes, Esq, and sew
eral of the foreign and Chinese mer-
chants. The customary honors were
paid, and the party, after having ex,
amined the ship and remained several
hours. took their departure, highly
pleased with their visit to "Old Iron
sides" The Midas is a fine craft, and
plies between Canton, Macao and Hong
Kong. She was sent ont as an expert
ment, which | believe has succeeded as
well as could be anticipated. Taking
into consideration the many difficulties
that have to be met and surrounded in
this part of the world by the project
ors of such an enterprise, the estab-
lishment ofthe Midas as steam pack
ct between the places mentioned may
be considered an era in our mercan-
tile marine. rejecting lasting honor
upon those who by such exertions are
endeayoring to give our name an in
creased character abroad. The Amer
leans in China may well be proud of
their steamer. Thanks to the energy
OF our countrymen, the "Star Spang-
led Banner is not yet swept from the
Eastern seas, but every day brings forth
evidence that it receives an increas-
ed lustre. Captain Poor, of Charles.
town, by whom the Midas is command
ed, is tar of noble worth, aud has
won to himself host of friends by
his urbane manners and undivided at
tention to the wants Of those who come
under his charge.
The passage from Whampoa to Can
Ton is an extremely pleasant one,
when the weather is fine. The view
on both sides of the river is extremely
beautiful. The land for miles around
| is well cultivated, and the whole land
scape plainly shows that the Chinese
farmers are not an indolent race. Va
rious kinds Of fruit trees grow upon
the banks of the river, while farther
back the paddy or rice fields put one
strongly in mind of his own" dear ma
tive land" The several pagodas be-
tween Whampoa and Canton give
pleasing variety TO the scene. These
stupendous monuments, it is now gen
orally believed, were built rather for
ornament than use. They are COM
posed Of kind Of tile or brick. are
octagonal in shape, and have inches in
the sides the whole distance up and
down; while around the edges at the
top are hung numerous bells, though
for what special purpose it would be
hard to tell. | should suppose their
height to equal if not exceed that of
the Bunker Hill Monument, though
being placed upon high mounds Of
earth they appear much higher. The
Chinese say the age of these immense
works ofart is upwards of one thousand
years, and the fact that none have been
built for many years back, gives an air
Of truth to their assertion. They will
outlast every thing but time, like the
pyramids Of Egypt will show to future
generationsto what height the ancients
carried the arts.
Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-05-23

Opium Smoking 1t is a wonder
to me that Canton, containing at the
lowest computation two millions OF
people, cannot BOAST Of more variety in
its amusemenis. Theatrical perform
ances and opium smoking, if the latter
can be truly called an amusement, APP
pear to be the only pastimes enjoyed
by the people. | have seen specimens
of both during my stay in Canton, and
of course the novelty pleased me. "The
theatre is held in an open square, and
consequently every one sees the per-
Torrance, and pays as much towards
defraying the expenses as he chooses.
There is no scenery, and the players
enter and exit by the same way. Men
perform the women's parts. and the de-
ception is as complete as any thing
ever witnessed. With few exceptions
their system is the same as ours; but
must confess that | never have seen,
even in the Olympic at New York, such
extravagant acting as | have witnessed
IA Canton. For instance a mandarin in
the play kills another, and begins to
chop eff his head. After few strokes
with his sword the man is supposed to
be dead, but he quietly gets up in a
trice and walks off, turning the whole
play, in the opinion Of the unsophsti-
Gated, into ridicule. could amuse
you, were it worth while, with the re-
cital Of other queer transactions, or
rather customs of Chinese players. The
opium smoker is an object of much in
terest to the foreigner, and is generally
sought for by him, though it is at great
risk that the icrmcr discovers himself.
There are no houses licensed here as
in Singapore, the government having
made severe laws in relation TO the
consumers of the drug. | believe
death would be the penalty were the
laws rigidly enforced. Thereon | Wis
tied to witness this exhibition contain
ed no other furniture than a table COW
cred with a mat, a bamboo pillow, a
lamp and the opium pipe. The smo-
ker extends himself at full length upon
the table near enough for him to light
bis pipe. After commencing opera
tons he rarely alters his position until
the effects of the opium have disap-
peared. There is said to be certain
hilarity attending this enjoyment--but
upon increased smoking this changes
into stupor, or almost utter unconsci-
business Of the surrounding objects. -
Those who pursue this mode Of enjoy
ment to excess become weak, and ex-
hibit all the signs of a deep seated con-
sumption. In spite of the cxertions of
the authorities, the sale Of this drug is
on the increase, occasioned in part by
the willingness of the lower orders OF
mandarins to receive brlbes, while they
ostensibly use every effort to prevent
the smuggling.
Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1846-05-23
NO.
! ~

their intimate friends, with their elder
relatives looking on. We trust the
Tract selected will consider all kinds
OF dancing, and not sweepingly, reck.
lessly condemn the good for the faults
of the bad.
but the notice copied above sug-
gests to us some other subjects on
which we think Tracts are needed
subjects which are beginning TO attract
the thoughts of not few, and which
are, like dancing, Of practical moment.
We would suggest premiums to be of.
tered, as folows:-
$50 for the best Tract on "Tha
rightiulness and consistency ola Chris.
tian's spending IS 900 to 10000 wear
on the appetites and enjoyments orhin,-
selfand family when there isa thousand
families within mile of him who are
compelled to live on less than 5000 a
year.
Slo for the best Tract on the right
fitness and Christianity ofa Christians
building house for the exclusive resi-
dence of himself and family, at cost
of $50, 1000 to 100000. within sight Of
hundred families living in novels
worth less than 800.
SIS for the best Tract on the Christi
anity of building Churches which cost
100000 each, in which poor sinners
can only worship on sutlerancc, and
in the most ont-ofthe-way corners. &
I'VE would not intimate that these
topics are by any means so important
as that of Dancing---far from it. The
sums we suggest will shield US from
that imputation. Yet we think these
subjects may also be discussed with pro-
fit, and, that there may be no pecunia-
ry hindrancc, we will pay the prcmi-
ums fthe American Tract Society will
publish the Tracts.