davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Washington telegraph., 1856-04-02
SPORTING WITH THE Spirits.
BY \ BACkWOODSMAN.

The table moving was tried BY all pla-
eng our hands III ring upon the table
The effect was almost instantly seen.-
Our weight could not hold the table down
t, the floor Slowly it raised, but tip
ping little We fell headlong into the pan
cake batter, the table and butter raising
as we went down.
s would have laughed at our fall had
not H. trod heavily upon his corns In
stead of laughing he looked like cursing
He was grave and declared that the spir-
It's compelled him to step where he did
Itwas evident that we had 'got up the
Dutch of our unseen visitors.
Wishing to get at good understanding
with them We proposed TO learn by rap
ping a variety of matters particularly in
tercstine, and at the same time test by
mental questions and otherwise, their spir-
itual intelligence and vcracitv, perhaps |
cannot do better than to give the questions
and answers as they occurred:
Are the spirits prescnt2'
q. They am, sir."
How many of them -
Nor il You can shake stick at"
Are they good spirits -
Fourth proof and no mistake"
From what sphere ~
i-Thc Top notch,'
''Wlll they converse with Us
We'll, they will, hoss-"
These replies were raped out as We
drew cur fingers over the letters of the al
pliabet- Verbal questions were first ask
ed by different members of the circle
''Will any spirit called for appear and
answer :"
'-S-a-r-tain"
rs Cain present -
He happens to be-
Was the club with which he slew Abel
hickory or white ash. and what did he cut
1t with ~
''Twant either 1t was sumach ball
club; cut with butcher knife"
This important question settled, CAIN
StOol aside, and Belshazzar was called.
DO You remember the feast when the
hand writing appeared on the wall 2"
i make out to-"
Were you-hegging pardon, sir-un-
der the influence of Intoxicating liquors
that evening ?''
Drunk, gentlemen, rs billed owl"
''On champagne OF Monongehela s''
Neither. Owing to the scarcity of log
wood We went it on the black-strap and
clear rot-gut."
Any of the women tipsy ~
They want anything else, I reckon
Mrs Belshazzar was so limber-iike that il
playing snap and-ketch-' EN- she fell int
the oyster kettle and broke turtle-shel
comb all to smash"
Was it fright that made Your knee
sInIte together?''
''No, sir-I was so almighty tired
couldn't keep 'em from shifting together
hohUw.'
WAS Cyrus one of the b'hoys?"
We'll, no great scratch he took tn
advantage of US when we were on a bender
lie Evas cold water Fanatic, and an enc
ny 70 the constitutions
Are you in favor of the Maine law 2
Not By jug-full-"
DO You get anything to lake where 80
Not drop. I've got thunderin
hanhering after a snifter."
"lelp yourself TO the cold water 0
the table, old boy
Go to the devil with your cold W:
Is BalaaIn present ?''
What do you want of Balaam ?"
How old was that jackass of his n
lie would have been four years old Il
next general training
Washington telegraph., 1856-04-02

| his illnatured insinuation was received
with enthusiastic raps By the spirits.
"Is the boss builder of the tower of
Babel present." inquired one of the COM
pany.
'He am"
"was the tower built of brick, or
stone?'
'sHow many thousand brick was in the
concern 2"
''An almighty heap of them, you'd bet
ter believe"
''How much did they cost per thou
sand Z"
.Four dollars and a half at the kiln" /"
allow many Irishmen did it take to car
~ mortar"
''Nine millions and rising"
'That's lie, | know" muttered III.
a smart rap on his sore shin under the
table made him aware that the foreman of
Babel was around.
The inquiries were continued.
'.Was there any confusion of language
among the workmen 2"
'.Considerable, L must admit-a perfect
hellabaloo"
"W hat did the King say when he came
to examine into the mattcr!'
''Nix for stay"
''One thing more, Mr.-Mr., whats
your name ~
''Smith, if YOU please
DWELL, Mr. Smith, one thing more
Was it true that Nebuchadnezzar was
made to mix clay on the Sweep"
''True, and a thundrin' good OK he was,
too. He ground all the clay for the Tower
of Babel"
'Did be have brass knobs on his
horns -
'.He hadn' t any horns-hc was mu-
ly"
..Was he a"
"Go to thunder, won't have anything
more to say to YOU
''Was he short-horned Durham or De
yon2'
No answer The foreman of the tower
of Babel had evidently, believing himself
quizzed, gone off in huff.
The cirrle continued its sitting, after
II. had filled his pipe, and had spent a
few moments in the open air,
present.
"Wcre YOU commander of that craft
called the -Ark!'
II was.'
sWas there much of shower about
those day ~
''Shower. why, my dear sir, it poured
like blazes'
"What flag did you sail under, English
OF French p
Dutch
.Who was pilot -
..Christopher Columbus
"How many animals did you have on
board ~
<sSeveral hundred
"Were there any Know Nothines among
them -
"Not one, they were all drowned
"Was it true that Belshazzar hailed you
on a life-preserver and told you to go to
thunder with YOUR old tub, and guessed
there wouldn't be much of a showery''
ale did
"Wby didn't you take him in ~
..He was taken in few minutes after
that-all over
.'Had you any of Barnum Fire Anni-
hilators on board 90
1.-Two or three hundred of them, to put
out the candles at night
Zone more question, Com Noah--
" hat become of the dove that went out
and never returnd %
"Some snipe hunter on Mount Ararat
shot it"
care Joe P-'s doves chickens of the
one shot ?''
$50 said to be; this explains why they
are sometimes shot"
"Was there any wharf at Mount Ara
rat ?''
.Nothing but white oak snubbing
post and Yankee grocery.
"Was the Yankee there HIMSELF"
oYes-he sat OH a herring box, whit
Ting"
eWhat did he say when you hove in
sight2"
"H-a-l-loo. what craft is that Been
looking out for you these two days, by
golly. Say, meow, spose you don't want
to buy any hams nor Weathersfield un-
yuns, nor nothing, dew ye:''
Washington telegraph., 1856-04-02
Toads.

To the gardener, the toad is a very use
full assistant, as it devours great many in
secis and worms that prey upon plants
La the darkness of the evening, the toad
comes forth from its hiding place. and COM
mences its work of exterminatiOn Noise
lessly it passes through the garden, RECALLING
itself upon the insects that have just begun
their nocturnal work upon the tender plants.
No one but those who have observed the
movements of this little animal, can form
any correct estimate of its usefulness 4
few evenings since | watched one a short
time, and observed that in the space of fif-
teen minutes, it devoured some fifteen or
twenty insects, of that class, too, that In the
day time. lie concealed from the observation
of the birds but at night go forth in armies
to carry on their work of destruction, to lay
waste the gardeners toll 1t would be a
matter of economy for those who TIL the
ground to provide the toad with suitable
place for retreat in the day time, thus vir-
tually saying to him: My little fellow, |
value your services, and will do all can for
your comfort.
With proper appreciation for his services,
and care for his preservation, the toad will
become quite domesticated, and will cOntin-
ue his valuable work for years, simply for
his "board and lodging"
Those who wautonly destroy the toad
should be classed with those who kill the
harmless and useful birds.
Washington telegraph., 1856-04-02

u Who is the Happy Man2 The man
who loves his wife and plays with his chill
dren; is kind to his neigh6Or; giveth to the
poor; subscribes to bis county paper and pays
for It IN advance. Try il &c that doubt.
Washington telegraph., 1856-04-02

SUPPORTING THE GosPEL.-The Hard
Shell Baptists seem to be furnishing a
rich variety of amusing matter just now
\ correspondent writes
.'This sect are in the habit of hold
ing a yearly association in our vicinity,
generally in piece of woods near to a
good spring. The brethren from abroad
are quartered upon those in the neighbor-
hood of the meeting; and these are re-
quired, of course, to lay in a good sup
ply OF the creature-comforts, and among
them, as the most important, plenty OF
whisky. A short time ago, such a place
having been selected, the brethren near
by were busy putting up benches, and
making the place ready, when Bro. Smith
said
"Wa'n, Brother Goblin, what prepara-
tions have you z4sde to home for the big
association :"
''Why, I've laid IN barrel Of -four or
so, and gallon Of whisky!
Brother Smith expressed great con
tempt at this preparation.
"a gallon of whisky for a big meetin'-
Wbv. I've laid in whole bari; and you re
Just as well able, Brother Goblin, as l am
to support the Gospel "'
Washington telegraph., 1856-04-02

'.Do you think III getjustice done me?''
said a culprit to his counsel. "I don't think
YOU will. replied the other, for see two
men on the jury who are opposed to bang
ing
Washington telegraph., 1856-04-02
''SHow Me Il DEMOCRAT "A rather
rreen sort of well-dressed individual

"SHow Me Il DEMOCRAT "A rather
green sort of well-dressed individual
walked into Broadway saloon the other
day, and stretching himself mp to his full
height. exclaimed, in loud voice;
.Where are the Loces Show me a
Loco, gentlemen, and l will show you a
liar. -
A large number of quiet gentlemen
were present, and in an instant one OF
them stood before the noisy inquirer III a
war-llke attitude, and exclaimed:
Il am q Democrat, sir"
''You-are ?'' queried the incredulous
greeney.
"Yes, sir, l am
DWELL, just step round the corner, and
I'll show you a fellow who said couldn' 9
find { Democrat IN the rEd %
Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1856-10-27
County GOmScmss. o..

Pursuant to cali the Dele rates ia
the Democratic County Constitutional
Convention met at the rooms u the
Young Mems Democratic Association,
and on notion
John Forrest, Esq, was elected Pres
ident OF the Convention, and Geo. T..
Hubbell and Augustus Smalltield Sec
retaries.
On motion Of L. ID. Eagal, the con
vention proceeded to ballot for can
didate for delegate 10 the constitutions
" onv. non. The ballot being Ia
| a, tbcyote was found IL he unanimous
Tor Saumel K. Milar, Esq, a, candidate.
On motion OF Judge Mitchell. the
vote was ratified hy reclamation.
On motion, committee If three.
consisting OF I. H. Eagal, Austin Cor
bin and L. kerk,r, wcr, nominated !.
committee 10 make arran., a.ant> fur
canvasslng the county.
On motion, the proceedings of the
convention We're ordered t. T., publish
ed in the State Democrat, Elcuitns
News and Anzciger am Mississippi
On motion, adjourned.
JOHN FORREST. Prest.
A. SMALLfIELp,
Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1856-10-27

The present year 10 about 70 eonmencs~ ith fac
uisy c',mpossd o. flovs: n~a DAgby B-ii -.
ident; Thomas J sosn, A. n, wire Pre- id Mt and
Profess . Of D0aili Entry noos-he-pins and LStu.
ssr on the sci nee Of Accounts; D. D. Dackw i, To,
Professor Of Comm iai '; Bsn. Andr Hsrve
Professor of Political &c nomy end Laws Of Nations
H. o. Snow, Professor Of Msfhsm.ii:s; Alb IT Kid-
DIR, Professor Of ? nmlnshp. y. D Kockwe /, A.
scciate Prof ssor In the pa tmsnt Of Xxx -ping
ana i've Tutors. Tn Coli G. has Rosra OF Tru,-
tees and al@, Of kxsminsrs. composed . ..,m .,
our ahlesi and most widely kn- On ciiisens.
All VII" have pI's -an, r.coliectio the v.iul-
oil and ne tins enr- i lscEr r-ur he o.
! :. last virfs', aud hica = \ lite sly
Prs>ideit y lIsr d u ~ POI H.il.
g al will b. hts+d u, a. hat IE .
u 10 p -psrsii mt d coming ~
II J. mt smitt o. arp is ~
vrrance, billy and H. raliis j, ni'- le ~
agem nt OF thi' insitut.a IN is ,istrn
TO the pTcs'ht an tia ~ sp4s ia In
public esteem, be nior ihs the, ~
TRADE comm nd"db b. Hun :. y han a.
ana sass sihe N. .,us.r ~ 40.
III inrt-see, "rit d-.etves Aliths Il 4a
Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1856-10-27
Deaecratie Meetings
Every DWv This Week,

- The D moerss u soat County ain he al
dr ',ssd In pubie meetings In III sir.ret Towns and
Precincts Of tn County at the iImss AMI rlso.S
saned In the following Programme Pnvistn has
~sn made that each me ting shall rc addressed by
one 10 more eminent speakrfs
Let ey ~ Defnaarat be At nj pist AMI active the
canvas n IN this iii tn -'tion and rain
10 carry Iowa for tn Coost uiion and ~. unia 81
the Fourth ~ Nov mber, and tausr ,ucb l. y 4
and shtiekng 10 10 up nom NJ" camp of ei+ j fe,th
" oily Republican Know Nothing Ftcmont,r,. -
viii throw Ia the shade all their ''Dir,ring Kau.s.'
shr,rk,ng.
PLEASANT vALIty-M Monday, oct ~
EN'sGkONt-ru' stay oct -.
DANESPoHT-we dnr-diy, OF %
LIZ ola kE-ThuStay, oct. 30
WlNF'kLD-friisy Dot 30.
HCfHAII-
pkINCtfoN-ssturiay, Nov MIR ~
LHkkTY-
HICKORY GRoyE-Mjn iay, Aag MT 81.
oLUE GRASS
Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1856-10-27
Important Staie Paper.

OrTIcs OF Sect. OF STATE,
! NAsHlAGfoS, u G, Oct. 1856,
To His kxcellency, James w. Crimes,
| Gov. Of lowa-SiR:--
Your letter Of the date August 3Oth.
addressed to the President mas been re.
ferred by MN 10 this Department with
instructions TO reply as follows. The
President regre's bat you should shave
been receiving letters, memorials and
attiiayits from former citizens OF Iowa
m Kansas for whole year alledgiDg
that they are not protected by the Uni
ted States Officers IN the enjoyment OF
their liberty and property That your
EAceiiency should be subjected to such
IN annoyance is the more painful when
We consider. that you have no power 20
grant redress.
The state Il affairs in Kansas i. TO be
regretted deeply by all American ci,l.
zsns. The President is nos less sensitive
than you are as 20 the rights of the citi-
sens 10 Kansas. His power howcves y.
only kxecutive and that which he Is
sworn 10 execute. II therefore be- a,es
| Ms duty TO see that the laws are /. y.
fully executed. lie has 10 power J !.
regard, amend or set aside lave, - an
just or unconstitutional for to do 80
wouid be to invest bin With tho law m,-
King power, to make him 40 absolute
and irresponsible power-to make hun
not he President Of Republic, but the
stsluts Monarch Of the country, a DO
siuon to which the President does NOT
aspire.
The President hitherto has been. and
now il using oil he means in bis power
to suppress outrsges in Kansas upoo
private rights and to sustain and enforce
law and order. The difficulties 10 Kao.
sss have mainly arisen from q spirit OF
rebellion against the constituted author.
tiles, and determ nation to resist all
authority and all law; which BY its gen.
eral dissem instiOn has subvertsd civil
government and rendered the Law DOW
eriess and by destroying the power OF
the law has opened . general 6eld for
rapine, murder and the whole catalogue
OF crimes to be committed with impuni-
~ aud to go unredressed.
The President has taken every effec.
tive measure to secure to the o:tiyeus of
Kansas domestic tranquility and securi
ey sgsinst foreign Aggression. The sup-
preston OF insurfeSiionsry movements
's3within his POWER; but be cannot and
will not attempt 70 control traisors TO
their country. He will protect with
national arm, ell who are disposed to |
gather around the standard Of the Law
and 10 obey its behssss. The Presiden,
oonsoioos Of hsvine psrfornsd bic whole |
deity. 10 q . loss 70 know BY what ~.
Ihorisy your Excellenoy claims to arraien
him or 70 call upon hin Tor 90 saplaos.
lion.
Assaming that The General 0ovses.
nsot has failed to psrfoss iss dasy, you |
sseers, 'stbas is 10 0anifsssly the right Of |
zach OF the States 10 sdops messores to
protect tts foross oitissaa." You de-
hand sRsiu and again protection, but
|nnelude With What sesns 20 BE- The bur.
len Of oil yous gsisis-ses : demand eos
,roteesiea q eitiasas q &sasas, bus
|nnoo1 ~ - mi1aoonn nonon -. - |.
Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1856-10-27

lonthropy may rage in the bosoms O
frantic fanatics in the North, it can
never be permitted to invade the sa'
cred ark ofthe Z Constitution, TO destroy
or nullify any of It's provisions.
Do Abolitionists lash themselves IN
to fury about the condition Of the
slavel We say to them that Ia no
place on this earth, is the African race
20 enlightened and happy as in the
States Of the South. We say 10 them,
that aside from tins, they have no right
to iegislate upon domestic institutions
without the limits OF the States in which
they live W, say 10 them that they
are not wiser or hoier than The sagcs
who framed the constitution IN all il
glory, and III il provided tor the rights
of the States III such domestic lcgls,a
ton as was not forbidden II that Cot
stitutiun.
DO Abohtionlsts ,ympaiilzc with
the non-suvchoiiIn. whites oi The
South We sa, 10 them that thost
non slay ehoidln. whites spurn tilen
proiicred an, and scoin their seltmet
tality ANA folly. We say to them tnai
the whole population Of the South are
united AS one body against tins dctest-
able outside Abolition intrigue, having
no foundation Tor rs existence but
morbid ianatlcislu, aud no ultimate
ann but agitation and political spots
When the political issues which ;,
Iorg di,drd the Wing aud Democrat
ID parties were one ~ one decided IN
favor OF the .Inocracs, "a portion q
that Wing patty began to see that I'll,
only difference cNisiius between them
and us was III Il uame, ana cordial,
united 18th the national Democracy
The Nne puiters, the trio ksters, dcma
gogucr and small politicians ot Tie
Wing party, began to devise some
measure 81 platform upou which a
party could be rallied IN antagonism
to the Democracy. Know Nothinsism
was at tirst tired and found to lie I'M
practicable Next ali eyes were turned
toward, that small and contcmptihl.
ftellun winch had been the scoti and
-ceru At ~ true Amerlcans--the Abo-
liitonlsts li., passage OF the Kansas
TN, The stillr hrtW cen The Free State
kHlllals and the Border kuthan> IN
that territory, the horrible lies about
"HtiaGr- That @rlc never committed.
AMI ne assault ct Hulh Brooks apon
>auncr, wcr, Al. n,cd hv ,ca,lng wire
workers IL eteat, fe,Hn. OF excite
mcnt, ,uAtu"te &Hiiut,>itt>. and Hpr-
odyhia JhoLtott,z, III, gotjrt Morrill,
such va. the .thcm, u these dcsper-
ale ncu ihcy a ted .apVn tins plan
at Their convection IN Philadelphia,
Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1856-10-27
1l1E WILL az TUE PEOPLE

What, say our Black Rrpabhcan
friends, us II not rignt that ii frcm.Ht
Is elected President. the VIII Of thc
majority should b, submitted to bv The
South q We answer, no. Wbcnc,-
CT the majority of the people substitute
their own will, for constitutional IAN +.
nd measure jnstiee, right and honor
the ballot box and the whm- al
ajority for the infcxible Con>titr-
lal guarantees then. that "mill II
people" ought net to be obevcd.
will Of the people was sought 10
strained and limited l., the check,
balances Of the Constitution, and
eminent Judicial system which It
vides, to test aud settle all disputed
.ghts of the States, and their relations
{, the General Government. The viii
OF the majority must be consistent with
the character of our liberties. Ii can
not act at random, whenever the
whirlwind of passion shall be- set in
motion by the arts Of demagcgucs. =
Can it be maintained for moment
that the will of the majority is TO pre-
vail against the rights OF the minority,
30 long as the Union remains. The
viii Of the majority is supreme when
directed in constitutional channels. and
governed by legal rules. But any at
tempt to substitute the will of the pco-
pie for the Constitution and laws. is
open, undisguised revolution. This is
what the Abolition party contempla.
ted when they constructed their Atri-
can platform, and nominated an adj
veuturer for their candidate. If Free
mont was placed by his party upon a
national platform, and was extended
into the Southern States. instead Of
buing arrayed in deadly hostility to
the South and its institutions, his elee-
ton would not bring upon the country
that sudden and fearful crash which
must now ensue If the Black Republi-
cans succeed. With the entire South
alienated from its government and ex-
cluded from its offices, not many moons
would come and 60 before terrible and
b. , ~ Al would rage along the
b .r4.ry line OF separation and
oceans Of blood be spilled by those
Who ought to live in the bonds of UNI
On and love, and enjoy the glory and
greatness ofthe United Republic.
TIE will Of the people of France ei- !
svatsd that tyrant usurperto the throne
which hs now occupies, and Louis Ma.
polsoa rules his euslaved subjects with
nsscilcn severity, only to stifle every
movement calculated to enlighteu the
will n the people" upon the subject
4 ssk.governmeul in which the gov.
sssd impose rsstraints upon them.
sisss. th.s libssty may Be enjoyed by
y iauaeaa q bsiag restrained Ly ".
~ vheu ~ nsjesity 10 . 1t of
49, ~ 49, 1zm1A 0rl "a a.
Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1856-10-27
okebs u Il ting the Money,

The New Orleans Picayune sfate- hat
liz Kansas relief committee of TIA, city.
have concluded Ia refund the money TO sub
scrI3ers "a, the General Government had
taken III ran0 tn settlement OF II. K asa
oHicrlties, An shy interference al hs
bar OF individuals tsouiu b, irxf.-
Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1856-10-27

~ NJ he ncwN 0b kan.a- i-au- u
tA" belief nat The efforts u u ~. Geary to
suppress agitation ant restore quiet the g,
Herald
Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1856-10-27

~ tie GOv-rnors # Missouri. " -
cousin, MAJ yiand. Name, Cann.et!c,i e.d
New Hampshire have u ecn,nn.nd4, i
Thu siay, 2uth . Novemt.-., ., AK
" general '"ahA s,s'' ~, N 'heir --p.'t We
state
Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1856-10-27

Dove ei'' the fore,gner. aul
IN ~s'b ~ Negro.s.' "a H. xora q,
NJ - oI4-
Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1856-10-27
evRlc Goods!
JUST Il ECElvED AT
SMITHS VARIETY STORE,
oA Won port
IN THE
Dress Goods Department,

NEW designs PRINTED French rim Cloths IN
IN diess :; Xtra riot black Gtoss Rnip.
fiad Val@nci.f.n :; PIN prit,t PaFi. Lain;
'.BischoMs' Biatk SIX. Wool Plaid; Frf.h Mpii-
nus, all col"rs aud prices. vrfy rich ia r ombra
Strip Paid AMI Other styles Fancy Silks ,,an
Cashmefss; Lupin's Komhazhrs priu I'd " app ~:
black Armner ilks. Rich Br adj ri k. Satin ~
Illus; French Ssek flames: black Irap Mori,
tnoutning >ilk) Sax ny Pisds. Moirr Antiques
printed Fiann-is for eents' Wrspp A. p. ench
Shntyrs; AfseH;intS "a new article tor travelling
aress.s;l wide Black veNets ~. MaHtilias and
asques; white French VI tinot.. printed i,et fat
Children: 100 pieces uev styles printed D lame al
70 cents; epvi black silks AZ 81 per yard 80 m ces
Ly nes Cloths for drsss4s fr. m % cents III ward:
bay State" flannrls; Plsid Po.iin; Mourn Per-
sian D. LANES; al. co'ors 81 Lupus al iainr:
1000 pircesuf ints, ut all prices from ~ % II
cent. Nous Inc bags; Ginghams. Alpaca; god
plain isin's AT ~ cents s'fttm Aurti ~ lot Of
Fancy Silks, remarkably .hesp. ucl24 DIFF