davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28
Fall OF the Charter Oak nt Hart
ford. COnMeclicut.

The old Charter Oak at Hartford, Con-
necticut,- has fallen. Every school boy is
acquainted with the history Of this noble
tree and it has become so associated in our
minds with the early Colony OF Connecticut
that we feel almost as though an old friend
had gone. How many sacred and interest.
ing associations cluster around this old Oak.
For more than two hundred years it has
stood up bidding defiance to storm and tenn
pest, as a monument to remind US of the
early trials and the sterling independence Of
our fathers. Before the organization OF our
government before the revolution, It was
known and celebrated in American history.
Bancroft gives the following description
of the scene which rendered this old tree SO
noted:
ain the autumn of the same year, 1887,
Andreas, attended by some Of his council
and by an armed guard, set forth for Connec.
ticut, to assume the government OF that
place. How unlike the march of Hooker
and his peaceful flock! DongOn had in vain
solicited the people of Connecticut to sub
nit to his jurisdiction, yet they declined
least of all TO hazard the confluence Of lib
erty on the decree OF dependent English
courts. On the third writ Of quo Edrrdnt0
the colony, in a pe'ition to the King, asser.
ted its chartered rights, yet determined ir
any event rather to share the fortunes Of
| Massachusetts than be annexed to New
York.
Andreas found the Assembly in session
and demanded the surrender of the charter.
| The patriot Governor. Treat, pleaded ear.
nesty for the cherished patent, which had
been purchased by sacrifices and martyrdom,
and which was enshrincd by halcyon days,
The shades OF evening descended during the
prolonged discussion. An anxious crowd OF
! freemen had gathered to witness the debate
The charter lay on the table. OF sudden
the lights are eXtinguished; and as they are
rekndled The charter has disappeared
Joseph Wordsworth, Of Hartford, stealing
noiselessly through the opening crowd, con
cenled the precious parchment in the hollou
of an oak uhich ,raS older than the colony, dac
is get standing 10 confirm the tale"
But alas the venerable old oak is NJ
longer standing. 1t has lived through two
centuries. 1t has witnessed the rise of
glorious and independent republic. But it
strength and vigor are gone, and its trunl
has yielded to decay. In these dark day:
when clouds black as midnight, obscure tn
political horzon-when the timbers i
the great national ship are crelkng in tn
storm, let US hope and pray that the nobl
tree Of civil and religious liberty which OF
fathers planted, which has sheltered US fc
seventy years, may not like the Chartt
Oak, decay and fall into ruins.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28
gsgEE CONGRESS
EXTRA SESSION.
WASHINGTON, AUGUST

WASHINGTON, August 25
House-Messrs. Greenwood, of Arkansas,
Robbins OF New Jersey, and Benton, of
Indiana. hitherto absent, appeared in their
seats to day.
Mr.. CIingman asked leave to offer reso.
luton directing the Sergeant-at- Arms to ar.
rest and bring before the bar of the House,
all such members as are absent from the
city, and that the Clerk of the House cause
copies of the resolution to be telegraphed to
the capital Of each State, and have the same
published in two papers of the largest circu.
lation in each Stale-the expenses to be
paid ont Of the contingent fund.
Dir. Campbell, of Ohio, objected, on the
ground that the rule afforded an ample rene.
dy t. compel the attendance of the absen.
tees.
Mr.. Clingman moved q suspension ofrules
IN order to Introduce his resolution. The
motion was disagreed to--yeas 81, nays SO.
Mr. Morrill,, of Vermont, announced the
dpcease OF James Meacham, passing an eulo
gy on the public and private character of the
deceased, and submitted the usual resolutions
Of respect to his memory. .....
Mr.. Howard, of Michigan, also paid an
eloquent tribute to the memory Of the de-
ceased, Thom he claimed as d friend and ac.
qunintarce Of a quarter of a century.
Mr.. Etheridge said his heart yielded q
ready response to the remarks of the gen.
tlemen who had preceded him. Though
solemn the hour it was pleasing to know
that under the many conflicting elements
which control the conduct and opinions oi
the members, there was not one here to
withhold the tear OF sympathy.
Messrs. Dickson and Giddings severally
bore testimony to Mr.. Meucham as states
man and an honest man.
The resolution was adopted and the House
adjourned.
Senate.-Mr. Weller gave notice Of bis
intention to introduce bill to nbrogute GER
tain laws enacted by the Legislature OF Kan
sas. 1t is the same us the 18th section Of the
Senate Kansas bill abolishing test to voters
and providing for freedom Of speech and o
the press, and the security of the people il
their person aud property In accordance
with the Constitution, &c.
| A message was received from the House
announcing the death of Mr.. Meacham, o
| Vermont
Messrs. Foole and Douglas spoke briefly
The former dwe!t with eloquence on the
learning and usefulness of the deceased
who was removed hence, aged 46 years, an
traced the poor orphan boy from cabine
makers shop to the high position he occu
pied at the time Of his decease. Mr.. Doug
las stated that he was born in the sam
county as Mr.. Mea cham, and, in early lite
had been acquainted with him. He Dor
testimony to his honesty and elevated char
acter.
The usual resolutions of respect wer
tadopted and the Senate adjourned.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28

The editor of the Evansville Enquirer
thus speaks of the political prospects in In.
dana:
s.In three or four days travel through In
diana we have been much pleased TO find
the Democrats in such good spirits as they
manifested We found them all sangnine
Of success, in both County and State tick
cts. We confess that we found more Fill
more men in the State than we thought there
were. In all the Southern half of Indiana,
the Democracy seem to be perfectly united,
while the opposition to the Democratic par
ty seem to be about equally divided. But
the division is not general, but goes in
streaks, the same as showers have gone
abont the past summer. For instance: In
the Senatorial District composed OF Ohio
and Switzerland there is scarcely Fre-
mont man to be found. The race there is
between Buchanan and Fillmore; willie in
Jefferson, an adjoining county, there is
scarcely Fillmore man. Abolitionism
has taken the whole county. In Dearborn
there is very large majority of the opposi-
tun who are for r'mont. and the Fill
more men, believing that there is no chance
for Fillmore, are many OF them pledged to
vote for Buchanan, deeming him the only
national man who stands e chance Of elec,
ton. They look upon the Fremont party
as a set OF fanatics, who would dissolve the
Union to eve'vent to their love for negroes
Dearborn has always had a gnodly number
of these fanatics, md the people appreciate
them. Dearborn will give eight hundred ul
one thousand Democratic majority this
YEAR"
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28
's'lle CIOvcM Foot Sticking Osla.
Yours truly,
F. CAMPBELL.


We copy the following from an editorial
in the N. Y. Herald, the leading Fremont
organ in that city. The article is probably
from Fremont's own hand and was dictated
by him; at all events the Herald would pub.
lsh nothing which did not suit Fremonts
views. After learning the wailings and
lamentations over the institutions of negro
slavery by Fremont's northern organs, read
and hear how he courts the South: ...
"A little reflection upon the figures. facts
and conclusions, will serve to show that our
secessionists nre playing a false and rid:cu.
lous game that there is u superior weight Of
metal opposed to them, even in their own
section, and that there is nothing to fear
from the election of Fremont in the way
of disunion. We believe, too, that there
need be no cause Of alarm to the most credu-
lous of Southern slaveholdere from the
success of Fremont. On the contrary,
while we believe that from his past life, his
history, education and early associations,
his election would be the hurbnger OF peace
between the North and the South il peace
there is to be-ws also believe that the
election of Mr.. Buchanan would launch us
upon sea OF filbustering adventures which
would only end in mischief TO us all, and
most disus!rously to the South.
1--WE have no sympathy with abolition
agitators. Our views upon the abstract
questions of Southern slaves are well
known. 1t is q system under which the
African is enlightened, and socially and
morally elevated beyond his advancement
under any other system in the history of the
race-it is system from which the products
of the South, the manufactures and com.
merce of the North, the wealth Of both
sections, and the power and prosperity OF
the Union have been SO wonderfully devel
oped. So far, therefore, from entertaining
any of these modern abolition ideas that
Southern slavery should be abolished or re
stricted, we are decidedly in favor of its ex
4 tension from time to time, where climate
and productions favor it, for the purpose O.
preserving to the South selt-sustaining
balance Of power in the government.
"Finaliy, as Fremont is u Southern man
of the non -savehoIding class. and as he has
been favorably taken up in Kentucky as 1
Presidential candidate, we would admonisl
our secession brethern not to be alarmed
this Kentucky movement should be rapidly
followed up in every Southern State
because it may be safely done wilhou
prejudice to Southern rights or the Union
and without any very alarming reduction
even in the price of niggers."
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28
NTr. Douglas' Report OH Kansas

Senator Douglas, from the Territorial
Committee, TO whom had been referred the
bill passed by the House of Represents.
tives, providing for the admission of Kan
sas as a State, under the Topeka constitu-
ton, made an elaborate report rejecting the
same. His objections to the House bill in
substance we're:
First, it Incorporates into Kansas por.
ton of the Cherokee country, which the
United States has by treaty pledged the
faith of the nation should never be incor.
porated into any State or Territory:
Second it also incorporates into Kansas
about twenty thousand square miles oI
Mexico; establishes slavery therein until
1858, and prohibits it thereafter, in viola.
ton of the compact purchasing the country
from Texas, and Of the Compromise Meas
ures of 1850, when guaranteed said Terri
tory should come into the Union with or
without slavery, as the people should de-
termne.
Third, it legalizes and establishes slave
ry in Kansas, and over portion Of New
Mexico until 1858, and provides that chill
dren heretofore born shall be slaves for life
and their posterity after them provided
they are rem owed into slave State or Ter.
ritory prior to 1858.
Fourth, it recognizes the validity of the
existing laws in Kansas, and provides for
the faithful execution of them, except those
furnishing murder, ROBBERY, larceny and other
crimes.
Fifth, it provides no guarantees against
illegal voting, frauds in conducting the elec
tons, or violence at the polls, but legalize'
all such outrages, by declaring that the Law
under which they could be punished shal
not be enforced.
The report recommends the passage o
the bill, which has twice passed the Senate
declaring all the obnoxious laws null an
void, and allowing the people to form
Constitution.-E Exchange.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28
The WOOliY Horse.

The following advertisement has been
raked up by some Industrious searcher
among old newspapers, from file of New
York paper:
COL. FREMONT's NONDESCRIPT,
" or Wooley Horse will be exhibited for a
few days. ut the corner OF Broadway and
Reade street. previous 10 his departure for
London. Nature seems to have exhausted
all her ingenuity in the production OF this as
tonishing animal. He is exceedingly com
plex, made up Of the elephant, deer, horse,
buffalo, camel and sheep Is the full size
of horse-has the hauLches Of dee and
the tail of an elephanl-has a finely curled
wool of camel's hair color, and easily jumps
twelve or fifteen feet hight!
Naturalists and trappers assured Colonel ]
Fremont that it was never known previous
to his discovery. 1t is undoubtedly Nature IS
last, and the richest specimen ever received
from California. To be seen every day this
week. ..
Admttance 25 cents; children half.price.
1t seems this wonderful WooIly Horse.
this "astonishing ANIMAL" was made up OF
about ss many incongruous parts as the
party which is now running after him.
There is no doubt but that this bob-tailed
buffalo one-horse party, with the ''haunches
of deer and the tail of an elephant" is
"nature's last" -...
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28
I'm Favor OF Monarchy.

The Boston Journal, paper that earnest.
ly supports Fremont, but very short time
ago gave utterance to the following sent-
ment:
"We are decidedly Of the opinion that
monarchy and hereditary monarchy is by far
the best form of Government that human
wisdom has yet devised for the adpinistra-
ton Of considerable nations, and that it will
always continue to be the must perfect
which human virtue will admit Of"
That sentiment, coming from Republi-
can, does not surprise us in the least. The
fundamental article in the Republican creed,
is distrust in the capacity of the people for
self.government, and hence it is very natural
for some of the most intelligent editors to
take position in favor Of monarchy. We
think that Mr.. Fremont and his hackers
will be thoroughly convinced in November
that the American people are not yet pre-.
pared to adopt the principles ofmonarcby.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28
Kausns Invaded --- civil War
aNE Murder.
SD. HARRIS, Jr..>
J. II. LEWIS, Com.
T.. WEBB, }

Jim Lane, that most notorious Border
Ruffian Of the North, man totally devoid
of principle, honor or honesty, who is in
tent upon involving this nation in bloody
civil war, has entered the territory of Kan
sas with force of armed dcsperados. He
is engaged in the work of burning and
plundering towns and villages, destroying
property and numbering innocent men wo
man and children. He never attacks a
strong party. He spends his force in mur
dering and plundcring the weak and help
less.
He is urged on to this work OF blood
and outrage, by the Republican party.
Beecher, Seward, Chase, Wilson and Wade
are his hackers. They opplaud him in
his inhuman proceedings. They encourage
him in his 'butchcry. In consequence o.
their appeals, money has been contributed,
rifles and bowie knife and weapons Of all
sorts secured, and placed in the hands ot
dangerous and unprincipled men, for the
purpose of invading Kansas. The work o
these Republicans has been planned witt
consumate and deviIish skill, and now it,
fearful results are becoming apparent.
Can any stronger evidence be required
to satisfy the people that our opponent
are determined upon revolution Treason
and civil war arc in the land. For it
fearful results the Republicans are solel!
responsible. Is it not time for the peo
ple to awake from their slumber? Th
Government Of our country is in DANGER
Traitors are in our midst. Let them b
put down.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28

Mr.. CHoATE's LETTER.-We publish to-
day the letter of RUFUS CHoATE. Read it.
OF the distinguished position occupied by
Mr.. CHoATE as lawyer, orator and states
man, we need say nothing. He is the lea
der of the Wing party in New England,
and one Of the most eloquent men of the
age. He loves the Union and he hates
treason. He has therefore taken ground
openly and boldly against the dangerous
movements of the Republican party, and in
favor of the National Democracy.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28
Hon. Robert C. winthrop.

This distinguished man and one of the
leading Wings of New England, has written
letter advocating the claims of JAMES BU-
cHANAN for the Presidency. Mr. WINTHROP
it is well known, only a few years ago, was
the Wing Speaker Of the House of Repre-
scntatives in Congress He regards thu
question now pending before the people as
one of great moment - one involving the
very existence of the government Shall
the Union be preserved" is in his view, the
al absorbing subject of consideration. In
such contest he is to be found on the side
of the UNION and the CONSTITUTION. Mr..
Winthrop is not alone. Thousands and
tens of thousands are following bis example
and fastening to the support o: Buchanan
and Breckenridge. Let the Democrats take
courage and go into the fight manfuly.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28
work TO be Done.

FREEMEM TO THE RESCUE when the
county is convused by the strife of fac
sions-when party founded on geographi-
cal lines is laboring to overthrow the Gov
ernment and the liberties of the people
when money by thousands and millions is
contributed to the work of dissolution,
shall we not do something to save ourselves
from ruinl Democrats of Portage county,
put on the harness and enter the field of La
Dor. THERE IS WORK TO DO ! Let no
man be idle. Organize, organize Up
and do your duty boldly, nobly and manfully.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28

RANDoLPH's SARcAsM.-One time young
man attempted to make his acquaintance
He obtained an introduction and among the
first remarks said:
81 passed by your house lately, Mr. Ran.
dolph."
81 hope you always will" was the reply.
Another one twitted him as to his want ol
education.
"The gentleman himself, reminds me.'
he replied, "of the land about the head wa.
ters of the Montgomery, which are poor by
nature, and cultivation entirely ruined them!'
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28

OTMr. George Walker, Of Delaware, O.,
met with a serious accident on Friday last
which resulted in his death. He was anus.
ing himself in front Of store, by getting on
on iron railing with his feet and balancing
himself, and while thus engaged. his feet
slipped and he fell across the railing, injur-
ing him so seriously inwardly, that he died
the next day.
or The venerable tree, known as the
"Charter OAK" at Hartford, CT, fell on the
morning of the 22d inst, with tremendous
crash.
6TLast Monday, Tom Thumb being ex-
amined as a witness in court, at Cincinnati,
declared under oath that he is now nineteen
years of age. Many years ago, the show
bills announced him as being twenty-one,
so that, unlike the generality of mortals,
the General is constantly growing younger.
6TCol. Geary, the new governor Of
Kansas, was to have left his home in West
moreland county, Pa, for the west on the
eleventh.
rRecently at the laying of the corner.
stone OF "a college at Baton Rogue, collec-
tion was taken up for the benefit of the in
stitution, and $4,000 was obtained on the
spot, being within $3,OSO of the entire sum
needed.
OEThe st. Louis papers Of last week.
contain accounts Of the breaking up of den
Of counterieters in that city. A complete
coming establishment was discovered, and
the whole gang of counterfeiters, as is sup
posed, arrested, consisting Of five men. A
large quantity Of unfinished bogus gold dol
lars was seized, as well as the metals anc
apparatus for making them.
or Gunnison's express from Boston tc
Eastport, was robbed last week, on boart
the steamer Admiral, while in Boston, of ,
trunk containing five thousand dollars.
(tFThe venerable Daniel L. Carney, on,
of the earliest citizens Of Cincinnati, die
ut his residence in Campbell county, Ky.
f on the llth inst, in the seventy
, , year OF his age.
, HFIt is estimated that from two to thrc
t thousand buildings, mostly dwelling houses
- are beirg erected in st. Louis, Mo-, durin
0 the present season. /! is said that any sol
C of houses will rent, no matter how uncom
Portable they may be.
j 0EFA confagration recently occurred {
: Belize, Honduras, by which the entire mort
side of the town was laid in ashes. Over
S million dollars worth of property was d.
> stroyed.
GFThcrc were several cases of yello
= fever in Charleston, S. c., last wce1
There is little apprehension, however, tn
y, the disease will become epidemic.
g o. Senator Sumner is reported by Il
Cambria county (Pa) newspapers to be
N the enjoyment OF the best OF health.
:" 6TOn Thursday afternoon last, a par
Of five ladies and gentlemen went on Il sa
" inc excursion down the Boston harbor, al
- the boat coming in contact with steame
capszcd the ladies', being unable to swiI
10 sank before any assistance could be render
- them.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28
Democratic Judlciai Convention.

Tne Democracy of Trumbull, Portage and Maho-
ming countless requested to meet hy delegates in
Convention, at Newton Falls, on Saturday, August
3Otb, at 10 O'Clock, a. NJ, for the purpose putting
In nomination candidate for Common Pleas Judge,
to be supported by the Democracy said counties, at
the ensuing election.
BY agreement Of the Committee, Portage Cots en-
title to delegates In said Convention and Trumbull
and Mahoning to ej each.
SD. HARRIS, Jr.)
J. II. LEWIS, : Com.
TIE, WEBB,
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28

AN 1NToLERABLE PUNsTER.-Theodo
Hood, once walking with friend, passed
pastry cooks shop, in the window of which
was the usual inscription I: "Water Ices and
Ice Creams."
"Dear me-" said Theodore. 'swhat an ad-
mirable description of the effects Of hydro
phobia." @
Show can that be-" said his friend. "what
have water ices and ice creams to do with
hydrophoba."
"Ob," replied Hood, "you do not read il
right. I read it thus Water ssss and I
screams"
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28

THANKs.-We have received through the
kindness of Hon. RoBr. ]. ATKINSON, third
Auditor Of the U. s. Treasury, a bound
copy Of the "Reports of Explorations and
surveys to ascertain the most practicable lie
and economical Route for Railroad from
the Mississippi river to the Pacific ocean,"
1t is work of value and one which we
have long been desiFous to obtain.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28
Democratic County Nominating
Convention,

Democratic County Nominating
Convention.
The Democrats Of Portage county will meet in Con-
vention, at Raveuna, on SATURDAY, THE 6Tn nAY
OF SEPTEMBER 1856, at 10 O'Clock, A. NJ, to put in
nomination candidates for the following County offices:
One Auditor,
One Sheriff,
One Surveyor,
one Commissioner,
One Director of the Innrmary.
The Democrats requested to meet in their rc'
snective townships on THURSDAY EVENING. the slst
of August 1855, ut O'Clock, and appoint seven dele
gates in each township to attend said Nominating
Convention.
And at the same time to choose delegates to the
Democratic Judicial Convention to be held at Newton
Falls, on Saturday, August 3oth In which Convcn'
ton the townships will be entitled TO delegates as fol
lows, viz: Atwater, Aurora. Charleston. Edinburgh
Deerfeld, Freedom, Hiram, Mantun, Paris, and Wind
ham one each; BrmfcId, Franklin, Nelson. Palmyra
Randolph, Rootstown, Shacrsville, Strcetsboro, Suf
field, two each, and Ravcnna three.
Also one delegate from each township to the Con
gressional Convention, TO be held at Alliance, OF
Saturday, August 30h.
BY order of the Democratic Executive Committee
A. HART, Chairman.
The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-08-28

GEN. ScoTT OPPOSED TO FREMoNT.-It is
stated upon good authority, that Gen WIN
FIELD ScorT is opposed to the election of
Col. Fremont. This old veteran is unwiI-
ling to train in the ranks of a disunion par
ty. He is unwilling to elect man as COM
mander in chief Of the American forces,
who when in the army was tried and convic-
ted of mutinY.