davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-03-27

G- 1t will be long while before Mr.. Corwii
will adopt the suggestion of the lady spoken o
below:
WELL DONE FOR A LApY.-A respec
table whig lady, apparently much dis
gusted at the late speech and votes Of
Thomas Corwin on the war, has re.
quested US to state, as her candid opin.
ion, that the only alternative for Mr..
Corwln ever TO wipe away his political
disgrace is to seize musket without
delay, and with all speed join our army
in Mexico, and fight against the Mexi-
cans as hard as he fought for them at
Washington city. .
Sober Second Thought.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-03-27
Capture of Majors Gaines and
BorIand. '.
March "a, lS47.

COL HAnDIN, of the 1st Regiment of Illinois
Volunteers, has sent to the editors of the New Or
leans Picayune, a detailed account of the capture
of Majors Gaines and Borland, and the detach-
ments under their command The entire letter is
too long for publication in paper especially as
we have heretofore published some accounts of
this sad affair. 1t appears that Messrs. Borland
and Games had been sent out with party of about
80 men, as scouts, to ascertain whether there was
any truth in the reports of large Mexican force
being in the neightorhood of Saltlo. Having
proceeded on the road to San Luis considerable
distance, and finding no Mexicans in that part OF
the country, they concluded to return to camp
While encamped, on the night of the 22d of Janu-
ry, at Encarnacion, they were surrounded by 5000
Mexican cavalry, under the command of General
Minon, who had been stationed about 100 miles
from that place; and who, having been informed
of the number OF the American force, determined,
by forced marches, to overtake and capture them
The Americans, finding it useless to contend with
so large force, surrendered; General Minon Civ
ing his ,Dord of hcnor that they should be treated
as prisoners of war, and that the Mexican, whom
Major Gaines had compelled to 60 out with his
party as guides should receive a fair trial. With
the party OF Majors Gaines and Borland were sew
eral commissioned officers, among whom were
Captains Daniel Drake Henrie, G. M. Clay and
others Captain Henrie, Texan, formerly
Mier prisoner, who escaped from the Mexicans,
sswas known to many of the Mexicans, all OF whom
entertain the greatest hostility against the Texans
and Mier prisoners especially. Gen. Minon pledg-
ed his honor that Capt. Henrie should be treated
as a prisoned of war, and should not be hurt
COL Hardin says: "In FIVE minutes after the party
surrendered and gave up their arms, the Mexican
guide was shot doDn before them-thus giving
marked evidence OF the confidence to be placed in
the plighted word Of Mexican General"
The following is Col. Hardin's account Of this
matter, as narrated to him by Capt Henrie:
The whole party remained at En-.
carnacion that day. The next morn
ing, the Gath, the prisoners were started
under guard Of 200 men, Tor San Luis
Potosi. Majors Gaines and Borland
were permitted to retain their horses
and arms; the rest of the prisoners
were stripped of both. Capts. Clay
and Danley, and the other commission
ed officers, were furnished with mus.
tang ponies; the remainder marched
on foot. a,rd He3m mgg5 ia.-
The treatment Of the Mexican guide
induced Captain Henrie to- believe that
he might share the same fate. He had
no confidence whatever in the word
Of Gen. Minon. During the day he
remarked the officers talking to each
other, and looking at him. Manuel
Sanchez, who lives in Sal.illo, and al.
SO has received from our officers many
thousand dollars for corn, was with
Gen. Minon. He recognized HenrIe,
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-03-27

towards him, if his appointee turn Out
to be very unsuitable or incapable
Hence, have been told that the States
which have adopted this mode Of ap-
pointment, enjoy the benefit Of very
good selections. 1t tmay be asked, why
the subscriber does not propose this
mode of appointment, instead Of a pop.
ular election of the Judiciary. 1t is a
sufficient answer, that such measure
is not advocated by any man or any
party in the State. 1t will be discussed
whenever it is seriously proposed.
1t may be further remarked, that as
the representatives of those distant
counties, are under no responsible
ty to appoint good Judges for US, SO
they have nothing to fear If they
appoint US bad ones. They have no
personal interest in the choice. Iftheir
creatures make erroneous, or foolish or
corrupt decisions, they are out Of their
Jurisdiction and cannot be affected by
their decision. No doubt the ordinary
principles of philanthropy, and duty,
and rectitude, when not encountered
by strong countervaillng motives, may
incline these men TO make the best Sc
lection for US, which their limited in
formation will permit. But all these
motives operate with equal force upon
the electoral body at large, aide / by the
strong tie Of personal interest, which
men must necessarily feel, in selecting
important public agents to administer
their own affairs. In the present i'm
perfect state OF human virtue, it is folly
to rely, for the production of good re-
suits, upon one principle ofaction when
we can have the combined influence of
many. And 1t Unfortunately often hap
pens that the purest and most disinter-
ested principles are not the most pre-
vailing. Every view which we have
been Sable to take of the subject, leads
us to the conclusion that a great and
immediate improvement in the charac-
ter and qualifications Of the Judiciary
will be tie consequence of committing
the elections TO the people at large
Then, if improvementan and advancement
are laws of human nature, Instituted by
Heaven, we must have Convention to
amend our Constitution.
Most respectfully, &c.
. EDWARD ARCHBOLD.
March "a, 1S47. No. S.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-03-27

D5- On account of there being an error in the
following Section of the Tax Law, as we original.
ly published it, we reprint the entire Section. d
The word in italic was omitted.
Sec. 13. County Auditors in max.
ing out the duplicate of personal pro-
perty, money and credits, shall add fif-
ty per cent. to the amount Of the per-
sonal property, moneys and credits, Of
every person opposite to whose name
the Assessor shall not have noted in
his return,the words, ,"sworn to" ""sick,"
or ''absent," or such other word as will
express the cause of inability.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-03-27

MUTINY ON BOARD A wHALER.--ln
the Mercury is an account ola mutiny
on board ship Meteor, Of Mystic. Tho
captain, and first and second mates,
while cruising, fearing q mutiny, went
below for arms, and were shut down
by the; crew, where they remained
three days, and were finally rescued
by the ship Midas, after having agreed
not to prosecute the crew; upoh their
arrival at Oahu, ho weyer, the United
States consular agent investigated the
affair, and sent VIM. Taylor, John
Stanley, to take their trial. Journal
of Commerce. ~ ,''.ti33l ssW
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-03-27

Mexican Whig allies. Isittrue that the Treasury
has been "begging for pittance from every hand!'
No, so far from it, the capitalists Of this country
have been ''eager and anxious" to get hold of its
"notes and promises to pay" And, although it
may not be generally credited, yet it is true, that
during this last winter, creditors of the Govern
men did take Treasury notes in preference to gold
when they could be obtained. So much for Sena.
tor Corwin's veracity
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-03-27

Go- Let it be remembered, that the Hon. Thorn.
as Corwin, who now defends Mexico, denounces
the war rs unrighteous and unjust" and con-
year ago, to bring on this pery ,0w which he now
so eloquently deprecates and denounces, because
he desires to be talked about, and to be the next
federal-aboltion-whig candidate for the Presi-
dency. W
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-03-27
For the Spirit of Democracy.
TO THE PEOPLE OF OHIO.
friends and fello,O citizens:

IfteHuS uHu IcttoU CtttHeHo'
Long absence from home has
occasioned the interruption In the pub
lication of these essays, and not any
lack of zeal or ardor in the good cause.
1t is indeed cause worthy to be advo-
Gated with all possible diligence. We
live under and experience the evils and
difficulties Of a very imperfect order Of
things. Reformation Of abuses is un-
questionably attainable. The difficult
ties in the way, though great, are not
insurmountabIe. Then is it for the ad-
vocates of Improvement and advance
ment to be laggards in their path or
sluggards at their task? Not while the
spirit of revolutionary sires lives in
their sons!!! ...........
In the last essay some of the evils of
Legislative elections were pointed out.
Others deserve to be noticed; one of
which is the absence of all responsible
ty on the part Of the electors. The
members of the Assembly vote by bal
lot. If bad and incompetent Judge
be elected there is no legal means Of
discovering who voted for him, who
against him. And, unless in times of
party excitement, when the party ma
jority is small, it cannoteven be guessed
who in fact elect the judges. Tel'ers
are appointed-the ballots are counted
-one candidate is declared 10 have re-
celved majority of all the votes cast,
and there the matter ends. Fifty-fve
votes constitute majority in body of
one hundred and eight.
To this it may be added, that the po-
litical existence of the electors them
selves, is generally ephemeral and tran
sient. Their political life ''is as vapor
which appeareth little while and then
passeth away" They serve for a ses-
sion or two, and then pass from public
notice generally forever. If the vote,
instead of being secret, were open and
viua voce, how could such short-livea
agents be rendered responsible in per-
sonal character, or in political standing,
for the conduct of their appointees?-
Even if the old musty and dusty pages
of the journals be ransacked, to discov-
err who may have filled seats in the
General Assembly at the time of the
election of an obnoxious Judge, and if
it could be certainly known who voted
for him, the responsibility is so divided
as to amount just to none at all. What
kind of responsibility is that, which is
shared with fifty or one hundred other
men9 And if the temporary represen-
ta,ives Of Miama, Mercer, Montgome-
ry, Darke and Shelby, concur in an inn
proper choice Of Judges for Belmont,
Harrison, Guernsey and Monroe, who
is to enforce that responsibility, such as
it isl When Governor makes an inn
proper nomination to a Senate, his re-
sponsbiIty is undivided; and the slow
moving finger Of scorn will be directed
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-03-27

HlsroRY OF VlaeiNrA.- owison in
his history Of Virginia, states the
fact not generally known, that the
first slave introduced in that colony
was in august, 1920, when a Dutch
man-of-war sailed UP the James river,
and landed twenty negroes from the
African coast which they sold . the
planters, = 1e.s .'A &. 1850
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-03-27

New HAMpsHIRE ELEcrroN.--The
election in this State has, as we have
heretofore announced, resulted in 9
glorious democratic triumph. We will
publish the full returns as soon as re.
ceived. - 81
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1847-03-27
Il am in hopes that it will be found he was only
slightly wounded and his command dispersed.
MArAMoaAs, March 1, ls47.


Gentlemen This city was thrown
into the greatest CONSERVATION this
morning by the arrival of the steamer
Aid, with letters from Camargo aud
Monterey, stating that Gen. Taylor had
been attacked by Santa Anna at the
head Of $4,000 men. The postscript
informing us ofthe truth of the matter,
was added 10 the letter by Capt. Mont
geometry Of the 7th, now Quartermaster
at Monterey. The letter was dated
the Esd February, the postscript the
same day, which states that the fight
commenced on the 92d of February,
and that no further information could
be had. There are between 1000 and
5000 men between Camargo and Mon
The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-19
Foreign, News.

Since our last, the Steamer Washing
ton has arrived at New York, bringing
five days later intelligence from Europe
The Commercial distress in England
still prevails stoa an alarming extent and tits
fearedthat it has not yet reached its crisis.
Firm after firm goes by the board and
the amount of failures has probably reach
ed 100000, 900. The Government has
been applied to for relief but have not,
as yet, devised any means to change the
state of affairs.
The Cholera is still making fearful raw
ages in Russia and has extended to Ger
many. Its course is north and vast. In
the province of Astrakan, out ofa popu-
lation of 81 900, there has been 59l5 ca
ses and 3l3l deaths. The ratio is the
same in other places, where this dreadful
scourge has appeared.
In Ireland, disorder reigns to fright
ful extent and crime progresses with un-
diminished rapidity. Murder succeeds
murder and the social state of the coun-
try, it is feared, when winter sets in when
disorder plays its most daring feats, will
be dreadful in the extreme.
Switzerland appears to be on the eve
of bloodshed, and England, France, Rus
sia and Austria stand ready to interfere
and offer terms of pacifca;ion to the con
tending parties.
The other miscellaneous news is o
little importance.
One thing is certain, Europe is in {
state of great commotion, and while this
exist, no fears need be entertained of the
interference ofany European power il
the affairs of this continent. Each ant
all of them will have enough TO do t.
watch the passing events athome. Anc
cautious as they may be, we have nj
doubt but that some of them will be dis
appointed in the result ofthe present dif
6cullies. The people are awake.
The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-19
The ELECTIONS

In Louisiana, we have elected ono
Wing to Congress and stand a small
chance ofanother. The Legislature, on
Joint ballot is claimed to be Wing.
In Mississippi, the Wings have been
ugreeably disappointed. They have e.
lected Wing in the Sd district, which
gave Polk 33l majority.
The result, in both these States, as far
as the returns have come in, is gratifying
to the Wings and has disappointed the
Locofocos. They had hoped to beat
Thibodeaux, in the I'd district of Louis
lana, from the fact that an Independent
Wing was on the track. But notwith-
standing this latter gentleman drew of
some 300 votes. the Wings gave their can
dilate handsome minority.
The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-19
mnrlin Ynn huron.

This distinguished individual has writ
ten letter, wherein he declines being a
candidate for the Presidency and says
that he cannot conceive of any Estate oi
things" where his determination could
conflict with his "duty to his party" OF
course his duty to his Country is of less
weight in his estimation.
He, too, proves himself, in his letter,
an excellent artist and thus cautiously
gives a background view of the "harmo-
nious Democracy" in speaking of pre-
serving the unity ofthe party:
whether these desirable objects can he accom-
plished, mainly depends upon the course which
is pursued 10y the respective friends OF those
prominent ci itizens among us. who are made can
didates Tor the Presidency. Should the capita
ofthe Union. during the approaching session
Congress- become the rallying point of their par
nzans, and not only their attention but the atten
ton those who are charged with the direction
OF public affairs, be devoted to president-mdkinl
instead of their appropriate duties we shall hav
| little to hope in this regard"
The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-19

Mn. Polk AND Mn. WTsE.-We find
in the New World the following little
anecdote Of these distinguished persons:
Mention has been made of Mr.. Wise s
having visited Mr.. President Polk since
his return. Such an interview must have
been extremely interesting to contem'
plate. They used to hate each other
ferceIy when fellow members of Con
gress. A challenge passed between them,
aud Mr.. Wise used to bully Mr.. Speaker
Polk on all occasions. A friend Of ours
was present when these two redoubtable
personoges happened to meet in the
chamber Of portrait painter. Polk was
in sitting attitude when Wise Stalked in.
The artist, perceiving that the gentlemen
did not seem to recognize each other
pleasantly undertook to introduce them
"Mr. Wise," said he allow me to make
you acquainted with Mr., Polk, of Ten
nessoe." Mr.. Polk turned as pale as q
white sheet, as Mr.. Wise turning savage
ly towards him strutted up from the OPP
posite side of the room and shook his
lank long finger in Mr.. Polk's face, 81
near to his nose that it touched it. OK
claiming in his particular tones-"l have
met this creature before!"
The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-19
The Cincinnati Gazette,

DR.. and S. S. L'Hommedieu having
transferred their interest in this paper. it
will hereafter be conducted by Messrs,
Wright, Fisher & Co. 1t has been one
of the best papers West of the Noun,
tains and will no doubt remain so. There
is no change in the editorial department.
The Gazette commenced its career in
1904, The first daily was published in
1927. Since that time, the paper has
steadily advanced in its career of useful
ness, while the patronage of the office
has increased each successive year. One
of the retiring publishers says, "that the
prosperity of both city and paper was
never greater than at the present time" !"
And we trust that it will so continue.
The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-19
NIr. Rerricn.s RESOLUTIONS.

The Scioto Gazette, we almost said
Gales of Ohio, is out, in an able article,
in favor of the resolutions of the distin-
guished Georgian-no more territory.
This is the proper ground, that upon
which the Wings of the Union can rally,
and sorry are we to see that some still
insist upon the "Wilmot Proviso."
Should the time ever come when mere
territory is annexed, then we will join our
feeble strength with theirs to resist the
extension Of slavery" But why endan-
ger the great principles of the party for a
mere abstraction for such is the "Pro-
viso" at the present time.
The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-19

SOMETHING NEw.-It is asserted that
aletter has been received in New York,
from distinguished citizen of London,
predicting that very considerable emf
grafton of particular kind is shortly TO
commence. Many of the most distin-
guished capitalists, men of wealth, and
even of the nobility of Great Britain and
the Continent, have, in consequence of
the bankruptcy and rottenness which per-
vades the old world, and which is de-
stroyiug all business confidence and safe
chances for the investment of funds, de-
termined to withdraw their capital and
wealth, sell out their estates, or interest
therein, and emigrate at once to the Uni
ted States. They have been driven to
to this determination not only by the
reasons above given, but by the superior
inducements offered to capital in this
country, where enterprise is young and
vigorous, unsurfeited by competition, as
it will be for centuries hence. Another
reason stills the probability that the En-
glish people will soon repudiate their ma
tional debt, and every sensible man who
holds British consols will dispose of them
at the best possible rate, aud place his
funds in the market surest to reward
him
The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-19
"GIorious Old MASSACHUSETTS" !"

The result in Massachusetts is glorious
The Wings have elected their Governor
by about 1900 majority over all other can
ddates. He leads the Locofoco caudi
date over 1000. The Senate is all
Wing aud the Wing majority, in the
House, will be over90
In the language of her distinguished
Statesman. -" We shall pass no eulogium
upon Massachusetts. She needs mono.
There is her history; the world knows
it by heart The past at least. is secure.
There is Concord and Lexington and
Bunker Hill-and there they will remain
forever. The bones Of her sons, fallen
in the struggle for Independence, now
lie mingled with the soil of every State
from Maine to Georgia and there they
will lie forever. And, sir, where Ameri
can liberty drew its first breath-wherc
its infancy was nourished and sustained
there it still lives in the strength of it
man hood and full of its original spirit"
"Glorious old there
she stands"
The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-19
The Capitol nt washington.

The capitaliis being fitted up very ele-
gantly for the reception of the wise men
of the nation.
In therotunda we notice chandelier,
which is very handsome. The scaffold-
ing inthe dome has not yet been taken
down.
The Senate chamber has been densOl-
iShed. All the furniture, carpets, &c.
have been taken out, in order that the
room might be thoroughly cleaned.-
There is also very splendid chandelier
in this apartment
The furnitare has been removed also
from the hall of the House of Represen-
tatives into the rotunda, and new car
pet put down. A chandelier like the
senate chamber is here.
Suspended from the centre of the east
ern portico is large lamp, with three gas
burners. This is very neat
Throughout the building-in all the
rooms, passages, &C., have been placed
gas burners.
Along the stone foot way, which ex-
tends Immediately around the capital
have been placed iron lamp-posts, with
gilded tops, and intended to be supplied
with gas. When all the improvements
are finished they will add much to the
beauty Of this already splendid edifice.
-NattOnaL Whig.
The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-19
Frernont,s Trial.

This trial is in progress in Washington
city. Itis not of sufficient interest to in
duce US to publish an abstract of The pro-
ceedings in cur columns. 1t is said that
one important fact will be disclosed be-
fore the trial is closed and that is, that
the President did authorize the establish
ment of a civil territory in California with
a view to its permanent acquisition.
When this was charged upon the Admin
istration, it was stoutly denied by every
partizan press in its favor.
The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-19
From the Army.

The telegraphic reports of the Zanes-
vile Courier brings news from Vera Cruz
as late as the I'd inst. Congress is said
to be favorable to peace. Pena y Pena,
the new President. has summoned the
Governors ofsix ofthe central States to
Queretaro to consult about measures to
continue the war. Santa Anna has been
court marshaed. Brazos dates to the 2d
state that the government mails have been
captured by the Mexicans, with the ex-
ception ofthe official letters. In the skir-
mish, two Americans were killed-the
rest escaped.
Pena's government is acquiesced in by
the people.
The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1847-11-19

shall continue to be prosecuted, are desi-
rous that its purpose aud objects are de-
fined and known; who are anxious to a.
vert present and future perils and DAN
gers, with which it may be fraught; and
who are also anxious to produce content
ment and satisfaction at home, and TO el'
evate the national character abroad, to
assemble together in their several COM
munities, and to express their views,
feelings and opinious.