Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-09-08
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

fearful scourge in neighboring State, for, in
that month, brief year ago, the yellow fever
attained its height. There had been forty
three deaths in all, in Portsmouth, Virginia.
and its neighborhood, on the third of August,
and twenty others died in the three following
days; but, On the second Of September-the
Sabbath day-thirty-two persons, one in
hundred of the population, ceased to live.
The mortality for the week commencing at
that particular period, attained the fearful
number of at least one hundred and fifty, equal
to five per cent. of the human beings in the
town at that time And this fact is shown by
the painfully interesting report of the Ports
mouth Relief Association for a copy of which
We are indebted to the kindness of Geo. W.
Mclean, Esq of the Portsmouth Transcript.
This volume comprises list of the victims
to the foyer, and as history is valuable,
while it reminds US of the death, by the horri-
bic disease, Of friends whom we so fondly
cherished-of persons of all ages and condi.
tions-leaving a long train of mournful recol-
leetions, associated with orphanage and the
desolation OF many a dwelling.
1t will be recollocted that the number of
deaths had become so great that cit was with
much difficulty that the most common Offices
of sepulture could be performed. Apparently
very little feeling, and less ceremony, was ex.
hibited in the burial of the dead. There
seemed to be an over. anxiety to get rid o.
the hapless victims as speedily as possible.
When all hope of recovery was gone, and
death was inevitable, its approach was
looked for with manifest Impotence. Even
before the poor sufferer had breathed his
last, his coffin was engaged, and other ar
engagements made for his speedy interment
and ere his limbs had assumed the rigldity of
death, and within an hour or two after the
dissolution, his body, without shroud or wind
iug-sheet, was placed in a common stained
cotiin, deposited in the hearse under tho sole
charge of the negro driver, and hurried off to
the cemetery, accompanied, save in a very
few instances by neither friend nsr relative,
to see the last sad rites performed, ere he was
shut out from their sight for ever. Nor were
there any religious rites over his grave" All
business, save that which the work Of death
prompted, was suspended and over the scene
hung deep gloom, appalling the stoutest
heart, as all alike were exposed to the infu.
ence of the impatient pestilence
But we would not essay to recapitulate the
prominent features Of that time of trial and
distress They are sufficiently familiar to the
public. Painful as are the recollect tons of the
past, it is matter for sincere congratulation
that those localities have not been revisited
by the scourge. Now, commerce, and arts,
and manufactures, and every manual occupa.
ton, are in the =" full tide" of prosperity, and
all the blessings consequent upon this condi-
ton Of affairs enjoyed, aTording striking
and bright contrast to the sad occurrences of
the past, and prompting every thankful heart
to gratitude and praise for the present exemp-
tion from such calamities as those which, q
year ago, visited the Old Dominion.
The Maine Election Much interest is nat
urally felt in the result of the Maine (State)
election, which takes place to day. A Gov
ernor, six representatives in Congress, and
members Of the Legislature are to be chosen.
The candidates for Congress are as follows:
Dtst. Democrats. ReyrbLicass.
L. .Josiah 5. Little. John NJ Wood
2..Eben. F. Pillsbuiy. Chas j. Gilman.
3..Henry ingalls,. Nehemiah Abbott
4..David Bronson Freeman II. Morse
o..Abraham Snnborn Israel w ashburn, jr.
o..Arno WisWell. stephen G. Foster.
r. Said to be Wing. Nominated also by the
Whigsl
The vote for Governor last year was as fol.
lows
For Morrill, (Rep. X N )......51, 4SS
For Wells dem ).............!S,3 1873
For Reed (Whig) .............1O,645
The political contest has been one of the bit
forest and most hotly contested ever known
in that State. The Fremont party has re-
sorted to every appliance of promises, coax
ing, threats, and bribery to carry the State
to-day, in order to influence the Presidential
election. 1t is stated that at least $50, 600
have been spent within the last fortnight to
carry Maine for the renegade Hamlin, and
every township and school district has been
stumped by striped and ring streaked Re.
publican haranguers, and frowsy- bearded
Kansas and Freedom shriekers Should the
Democrats achieve victory against such odds
they will have fought good fight indeed.
A Miserable Instrument. Cant Hilbus,
or Dennis, or some Of our expert professional
tuners take the organ in hand and screw the
ricketty old machine up to something near con-
cert pitch? The wretehed squad of "grind-
ers' who labor at the crank, depressed and
out of temper through the political and pecu-
mary ruin loo ming upon them, seem to have
lost all heart for tinkering up the miserable
old barrel. Yet they grind away, to the dis
continent of their handful of readers, at the
most lugubrious tunes.
rs last and most pitiful vail is elected by
the fact that while the Know Nothing party
ID tumbling to pieces in all directions, the
Democracy presents an united and undimin
a. ~