davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11
From the Louisville Democrat.
Louisville Disgraced.

No respectable man can think Of the scenes OF
yesterday without shame. We had farce or
rather a tragedy instead of an election. A. com
plete system of terror and blood was established
by the Know Nothing party or faction. The details
are disgusting.
The lawlessness was provided for by the city au-
thorities. in allowing but one voting place in a
Ward. The upper and lower Wards were taken
at an early hour, and the middle Wards were not
exempt
We have had no election in any American sense
Of the word. Our city is governed, not by law,
but by a set Of hired scoundrels who obey the Sc.
cret commands Of lawless men Il is not worth
while TO try 10 disguise the character Of this city.
There is no law, no police, and no Justice here.
Our poll books speak not the voice of the people,
bu the dictates of mob
Wensv heard Of such scenes much less have
we them anywhere. Nor have such ever
been. witnessed in this country. This sort Of
proceeding not anticipated II came fully up
10 all that had been threatened, and surpassed
anything anticipated, INSCRIPTIONS as we knew
the secret party. IL the election in Louisville
yesterday was legal and is TO stand, then right of
suffrage in Kentucky is a mockery. There is no
freedom here and no law. Scoundrelsm is
triumphant.
We have found means 10 subvert the law Of
numbers at the polls by violence and passed off
as legal. II the example ofLouisville were gener-
ally followed, the liberties of this country would
be ended. The country would already need
master We shall hear from Kentucky, however
in a few days. Perhaps we shall have good news
when II will be necessary for the State TO take
this city in hand, and reduce her 10 obedience TO
law.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11
WHAT WE EAT.

IL, at the end Of a year, any sound healthy man
could sec, piled up before him, the beef, mutton,
bacon, veal, fruits, and vegetables, that he had
consumed in the short space Of twelve months,
he would be shocked, unless he should be like the
glutton in the novel, who, when he finished
meal and was full, was accustomed TO regret
that he could not devour more
The quantity that we consume is immense!
Delicate ladies would start back in horror if they
could sec, alive and granting, the hogs they have
consumed; alive and believing, tho beeves they
have devoured; alive and blcating, the lambs they
have swallowed. II we add to these the ducks,
Chickens geese, turkeys, birds, eggs, fruits, and
vegetables, that they have mastcated with their
white teeth, they would be ready to die Of shame
and modification.
II is, indeed, astonishing how much we do eat
in one year. But it is more astounding-thc
quantity Of meat, fowls, bread, fruits, and vogc-
tables, consumed in the same period by the
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11

Of bringing all matters to healthy basis The
sitting out OF ideal properties OF values continues
steadily 10 progress, and il will probably CON
tinue until the power, at least the inclination,
Of Europe 10 draw gold shall cease. When this
point shall have been reached reaction will be
resumed, and all healthy branches Of business
will first begin to revive; after they shall have
attained certain degree Of advance, the tor
pdity Of the more questionable enterprises, now
scarcely breathing, will begin TO disappear II is
hardly, however, within the reach Of probability,
that what are called fancy operations, will be-
come vigorous and ascendant, until movements
in matters of unquestioned soundess shall evince
the change of tide.
The abundance of agricultural products will
enable us to export much, yet rule, that
country thrves most which raises food only for
itself, and manufactures commodities for export.
No agricultural country become rich except
it have monopoly in the production of certain
articles Machinery works SO much more cheaply
than human beings that manufacturing nations
must of necessity have the advantage. England,
by means of her machinery, has the labor OF
some three hundred millions of populations but
| agriculture cannot readily. adopt machinery To
| any such extent. Agriculture contends with
drought, rains, storms, mildew, fly, insects Of all
| kinds, and disease of all kinds among cattle.
That an agricultural life has many charms over
manufacturing one, there can be no doubt.
Yet we apprehend that more persons remove 10
cities from the country than go to the country
from the cities. The dangers of commercial ant
manufacturing life are more numerous and more
serious than in agriculture. A farmer need never
make bad debt, while the fortunes of those in
commerce in perpetual jeopardy from this
cause alone
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11
An Interesting Lawsuit I'm Psris-Ameri-
can Heirs 10 n French Duchess.

A suit has been recently decided in the Tribu.
nal Of the Seine, in Paris, in which large amount
OF property vas involved, in which interesting
"reminiscences OF the Revolution were brought
up, and by which some Of our citizens are de.
clared co-heirs 10 the immense estate Of French
duchess. The facts briefly told
M. Barbe de Marbois, the French Charge d
Affairs TO the United States, marriedM philsdel.
phia, in l7o4, the only daughter of Mr.. William
Moore, AT that time President Of the Supreme Fy
ecutive Council and Commander of the forces Of
Pennsylvania. The fruit Of this marriage was The
lady whose, immense property was in dispute IN
this instance-the Duchess de Paisance She died
in Athens in May, 1854 without living proreni
tors or descendants, without sisters or brothers
nieces or nephews. Her property-worth nearly
million Of dollars-devolved upon her nearest re-.
latives in the male and female branches of the
family
The relatives in the male were an French and
and were represented by the Due de Valmy and
M de LeTy those on the female side were all
Americans. On the division Of the properly the
latter were unrepresented. But Mrs. Ridgwav
an American lady residing in Paris immediately
afterwards preferred her CLAIM 10 the share Of the
property devolving on the maternal branch and
fortified IL with proofs. These proofs were sub
stantially that she was The grand daughter of
Thomas Lloyd Moore brother 20 Madame de
Marbois.
".
less than nine months afterwards the case came
before the Tribunal Of The. Seine, and was dis.
posed of-an Instance Of legal celebrity which our
courts might well copy. The defendants sought
TO throw a cloud upon the Legitimacy Of the grand.
father Of the plaintiff, and by inference, on that OF
the mother OF the lady whose inheritance they had
snatched. They commended that il was necessary
TO prove the legitimate marriage the father aud
mother Of Madame de Marbois, as well as the
fation Of their children The court, however,
received as competent evidence copies OF the
entries in the family Bible, recording the marriage
and the birth Of their children, inssmuch as there
was no regular and compulsory system Of regis
tratlon then in operation IN this country. In
connection with this part Of the case a letter was
read from General Washington 10 Mr.. Moore,
him on the approaching union Of
his daughter, and acknowledging the love and
devotion he had shown TO his adopted country
The tribunal confirmed the titles avouched by
Mrs. Ridgway,. and ordered repnrtition Of the
propertys-N y. Her0h
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11
,24,O0O,OoO
Total.
s7l,5O0,O00

If, now, we add to this aggregate the picked
beef, the salt barrels, and labor used in packing
pork, and finally the value Of wool sold from
sheep, we find the commerce in animals amount
ing in value TO full one hundred millions Of dol
lars; an amount greater than the entire cotton
crop. Two-thirds Of this entire product comes
from the States in the valley Of the Ohio; and we
shall not be beyond the mark in saying that the
States Of Ohio and Kentucky create an exchange
ON the Atlantic States equal to twenty millions Of
dollars per annum, derived from the commerce in
animals.
In reference to the average weight consumed,
If the above number of beeves, sheep, and hogs,
be reduced TO their aggregate weight, and then
divided by four millions, (the aggregate Of town
or city popuation,) the result will be about Is
ounces to each individual per diem. Now, the
daily ration of solid meat allowed in tho British
navy is IL ounces, which may be taken as the
average for adults. The excess Of quantity found
IN the above calculation will be fully accounted
Tor by expectation TO other countries, and by the
consumption Of towns less than 5000 inhabitants
The general accuracy Of the above calculation is,
therefore, sufficiently proved, and the magnitude
of the result furnishes another illustration Of the
value Of internal commerce.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11
MOB LAV-ABOLITlON OF CAPITAL
PUNISHMENT.

In another column will be found detailed
account of the infiiction of Lynch law on fiend
in human shape, who, to possess himself OF a few
dollars, attempted TO murder whole family. This
case took place in Wisconsin The crime of the
wretch was marked by unusual turpitude and
extraordinary malignity. 1t excited the horror
and the Indignation of the community to such
degree, that the murderer was wrested from the
hands of the officers, and executed with a cruelty
that almost equalled his own.
The cause of the infliction of mob law in this
and in another late instance in the same State,
was that the death penalty has been repealed in
Wisconsin, and that Imprisonment for life was
deemed by the community an inadequate punish
ment for crimes of such signal enormity as the
felons had committed.
The abolition of capital punishment is a part
of that wretched system which crack Drained
philosophers sentimental philanthropistsa and reck-
less radicals have invented in these distempered
times. When capital punishment is prescribed
for heinous crimes, and when courts fairly and
honestly carry out the law, mob violence will
scarcely ever occur. People, however much ex-
cited, will patiently wait for the law to take its
course. Indeed, they prefer that the law and not
themselves shall be responsible for the death of
the criminal.
But when crimes of uncommon and startling
enormity are perpetrated, which every man, even
the most humane, feels in his heart should be
visited with death, and when there is no law ar-
thorizing such punishment, then men will rise up
in all the majesty of outraged justice and nflict
the merited punishment.
The two things that tend more than all others
to foster mobs and lawessness are the abolition
of capital punishment in the of great crimes,
and the failure of judges and juries to enforce
such law when it does exist.
If the optimists and humanitarians and infidels
go on to increase in influence they have done
in the last few years, society in America viii be
perfectly demoralized.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11
WHAT Is VIRTUE IN A COMMUNITY

IL il the black letter law upon the statute book :
Or does the evidence Of its virtue or want Of il
appear in the action and conduct Of the commu-
nityi
If the first constituted virtue, il could be
cheaply and safely engrafted upon community.
Which is the more virtuous communicated
in which vice and crime Of every shade and de-
scription greatly abounds, or that community in
which it, comparatively, little appearsi Which is
the wiser and better of the two-that one in
which vice and crime so overwhelmingly abound,
devoting itself TO a bitter and remorseless perse-
cution Of the other for alleged evil, which has
had the sanction and participation of the fathers
Of the prosecutors, while it allows almost un-
checked the Astounding, brazen, law-de6ant crimes
habitually TO stalk in open day, or the other
community which devotcs itself 70 the subiu-
cation Of the few evils which aiflict il.
Such the relative position Of the freesoI
and slave States. The fact--the clear MONDAY
revealed fact, Of the incomparably more abound
ing evils and crimes at the North than at the
South, would show that there are seeds OF vice
AT the North moro numerous, more prolific, and
more rank than any existing al the South. And
yet these States, inky dyed with every species Of
guilt, arc the accusers, denouncers, and persecu-
tors Of the slave States, who are barely tainted
People at tho North are very ready 10 inter
marry with those Of the South; and feel il no
cause Of roproaeh, and indeed carry on every
species Of intercourse, commercial and social.
and yet pretend that il is a shame, uncomfortable
TO them, to be connected in a confederation with
slave States, or TO admit another
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11

We publish below the accounts of the late dis
graceful and sanguinary mob at Louisville which
we extract from the several newspapers of that
city. 1t will be perceived that these accounts are
tinctured with the peculiar prejudices of the Jour
nals from which they are extracted. The Louis
vile Journal, an out-and- oat Know nothing pa
per, throws the whole blame of the election riots
on the Foreigners, while the Democratic journals
boldly and iearlessly charge the whole blame on
the Know nothing party. When we come TO re-
fleet that week in advance of the election the
Democratic papers predicted that scenes OF law
less violence would take place il our naturazed
citizens attempted TO go to the polls, and that
plan had been organized with the view of pre-
venting them from exercising the right of suf-
frage--when reflect upon these things, it
would seem that the Know things are mainly
responsible for the mob Nor is il to be supposed
that foreigners who were kept from the polls by
the fear of violence, would themselves commence
that violence.
However, we do not mean to impute all the
blame to the know-nothings. But the very ma
ture of the know-nothing organizations the in
cendiary elements of which il is composed, the
bitter hatred it feels towards foreigners the mobs,
riots, and bloodshed it has caused in various
places, all concur to render it most probable
that the know-nothing party is mainly response
| bic for the disorders i'll Louisville. We are dis
| posed to regard the Kentucky, and more espe-
cially the Louisville, know-nothings as the most
turbulent and magignant of the whole tribe.
Yet we shall not permit our political preudices,
or rather opinions, to affect judgment in re-
spect of the parties to the riotous proceedings OF
which we speak. We publish below the accounts
| Of both sides.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11
The Lords Prayer.

A friend tells us an anecdote of Booth, the
great tragedian, which we do not recoect hav-
ing seen in print. 1t occurred in the palmy days
Of his fame, before the sparkle Of his great black
eye had been dimmed by that bane of genius
strong drink:
Booth and several friends had been invited 10
dine with an old gentleman in Baltimore, of dis
tinguished kindness, urbanity, and piety. The
host, though disappearing of theatres, and thea
tre-going, had heard so much Of Booths remark
able powers, that curiosity to see the man had,
in this instance, overcome all his scruples and
prejudices. After the entertainment was over,
lamps lighted, and the company reseated in the
drawing-room, some one oquested Booth as a
particular favor, and one which all present would
doubtless appreciate, to read aloud the Lords
Prayer. Booth expressed his willingness to afford
them this qualification, and all eyes were turned
expectantly upon him. Booth rose slowly and
reverently from his chair. II was Wonderful TO
watch the play of emotions that convulsed his
countenance. He became deathly pale, and his
eyes, turned trembling upwards, were wet with
tears. As yet he had not spoken. The silence
could be felt. IL became absolutely painful, until
at last the spell was broken If by an electric
shock, as his rich toned voice, from white lips,
syllabed forth, "Our Father who art in Heaven -
&C., with pathos and fervid soIemnty that
thrilled all hearts. He finished. The silence
continued. Not voice was heard or n muscle
moved in his rapt audience, until from remote
corner of the room subdued sob was heard,
and the old gentleman (their host) stepped for
ward with streaming eyes and tottering frame
and seized Booth by the hand. "Sir,' said he,
in broken accents, ''you have afforded me plea
sure for which my whole future lifo will feel
grateful lam an old man, and every day, from
my boyhood TO tho present time, thought had
repeated the Lords Prayer, but have never
heard It before, nerer," "You are right" re-
piled Booth; "to read that Prayer as il should be
read has cost me the severest study and labor for
thirty years, and am far from being yet salts
fed with my rendering of that wonderful produc-
ton. Hardly one person in ten thousand com
prehends how much beauty, tenderness, and
grandeur can be condensed in space so small
and in words so simple. That prayer of itself
sufficiently illustrates the truth of the Bible, and
stamps upon il the seal Of divinity
So great the effect produced (says our in
formant, who was presently that conversation
was sustained but short time longer in subdued
and almost entirely ceased; and
soon after, at an early hour, the company broke
up, and retired to their several homes, with sad
faces and full hearts.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11
The Tragedy I'm wisconsin.

II has already been mentioned that Young
man named George Debar, aborer among the
farmers in Washington county Wisconsin, had
attempted 10 massacre the whole family Of Mr.
John Meyer The Wisconsin Of the Sd inst has
the following particulars ofthe tragedy:
During the evening he called at the house of Mr..
Meyer, saying he would like The money for his
labor done few days previously. Mr.. Never
said he bad money enough, and il he would sit
down he would go and fetch il. After the money
was given him by Meyer from package of about
slOO Debar asked, him for drink Of water Mr.
Meyer told him that he had none in the house
that was fresh, and that the spring n long
way from the house; Meyer, however, told Debar
that he could give him mug Of beer, and imme-
diately went 10 fetch il from the cellar, which was
entered by trap door.
As Meyer came up Debar dealt him n blow inst
~ his head appeared above the trap door. which
FRUSTRATED HIM 10 the cellars bottom. Mrs Mey.
or, seeing her husband thus struck ran for the
woods to call neighbor. The murderer chased
her, armed with knife and overaking her
aimed stab at her neck, cutting her head severely
A small boy set UP cry, but Debar render
ed him seHseless with blow and then riged The
house and fred il. In the meanwhile Never. bav-
ing recovered fron' the effects Of the blow came
ont Of the cellar and ran for assistance while No
bar was trying to throw the boy into the flames
On the arrival OF assistance the murderer was
gone. Mrs. Meyer had been able To crawl from
the building. and the boy was drawn from The fire
IN shocking burned condition. The woman has
since died, and the boy is in dying condition
Mr. Meyers wound was not so serious ms 10 cause
apprehensions.
This wholesale murder was committed for The
purpose OF obtaining sixty dollars. Should not
death be The punishment of the miscreant who,
for the love Of gold woud slaughter a whole
family? The murderer was arrested He pro.
tests his innocence. Unfortunately the death ne.
nalty has been abolished in Wisconsin.
Sequel to the above:
MILWAUKEE August S.--A special court was
held yesterday nj West Bend Cor the trial of
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11
From the Alta California.
Trouble Among the BANKERS and Law

suit was commenced on the evening of july
18th, by Page. Bacon CO., making extraord-
nary charges of this nature against /. G. Woods
and A. A. Cohen.
The complaint charges that the defendants
adopted the plan of procuring gold first, and
changing its color and general appearance by
chemical processes, so az 10 resemble the gold
dust yielded by the Southern mines, which was
OF superior value The plaintiffs say that, trust
ing to the appearance and color Of the metal,
they purchased at different times large amounts
from the defendants, about 2OO. 900 ounces in all
and paid a large price by about ~ for each ounce
than the same was actually worth, paying the
full value Of the gold dust usually yielded by the
Southern mines. Tho plaintiffs also aver that
the facts, constituting the conspiracy and fraud
referred to, were discovered by them for the first
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11

Debar, the murderer of the Never family a
days since A verdict of murder in the first
gree was rendered, and while The prisoner was(
about being conveyed back TO Jail, guarded by a
military company, the mob made rush and the
military giving way, Debar felled 10 the
ground by stone, the mob falling upon
and beating him. They then tied rope 10
his heels aud dragged hun through the streets,
after which they ended the tragedy by hanging
him up 10 tree head downward. Thus horribly
persisted the perpetraior Of one OF The too many
horrible murders that have lately disgraced the
country
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11

The fowls over 5000 inhabitants each in the
United States contain at present four million of
inhabitants, about one-fourth the population of
the country. The large towns consume eight
hundred thousand beeves and two and n half mil
lion Of sheep and lambs. At an average of $50
each for the beeves, and 50 each for the sheep,
which is not too much, we have the following re-
suit:
Value of SOC, 900 beeves. sac, 900, 900
Value of 2, SOC, 000sheep lambs 100000
Let us now add to this the hogs
of commerce:
100000 at IS. "a 100000
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11

FATALITY AMONG FIsHEs-We learn saws The
indianapolis Sentinel from the best authority, that
for miles in the waters of the Beech Fork OF Salt
River, Kentucky, the fish are dying by thousands.
The shore is covered with their dead bodies 10
such degree that the atmosphere is loaded with
an offensive smell The hogs have been turned
loose TO feed upon them. No reason can be given
for this fatality. Every kind of fish ever seen in
that region, with the single, exception Of the cat
fish has been found killed. Can our wise ones
give reason.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11
FIN NGIAI.

The universal curtailment in all branches Of
business, while j necessarily occasions scarcity
Of funds with all who have not State stocks Or
securities Of that character, win have the effec
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11

POPULATION OF ALBANY.--The census returns
for Albany show the population of that city TO be
1889, which is an increase of little more than
1000 since the census of 1850
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11

IF Mike Walsh, who sailed for Europe on
Wednesday, is bound for the Crimoa TO which
place he will go overland through Germany and
Russia.
Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-08-11

time within the last month A Judgment is de-
manded for the sum of $500, 900, and cost Of suit.
Tho complaint was accompanied by strong
affidavit of David Chambers distinctly charging
the fraud and conspiracy.