Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-11-30
THE TAR AND TURPENTINE STATE
GETTING THE WORST OFT!

The Hon. I. o. III. Smith of Indiana is
writing series of very interesting reminis-
cences of his Congressional life, which are pub
lished in the Indiana State Journal. Here is
one
NORTH CAROLINA INrELLIGEyCE.-There
arose personal debate during the session, be-
tween Judge Dorsey, of Maryland and Samuel
P. Carson, of North Carolina, which became
highly interesting to the House, as il was car
RED on with the utmost good humOr on both
sides. 1t was evident, however that judge
Dorsey had decidedly the advantage of his
North Carolina competitor. The debate ulti-
mately turned upon the comparative intelli-
gence oil the constituents Of these gentlemen.
Mr. Carson had charged that the people of the
eastern shore of Mary land were ignorant of the
history Oi the country, owing to their inability
TO rea1 or write, and closed with most Iulic-
rous account of the subseryiency of the Mary
landers to the supposed great men of the coun-
try. The good humor of the House seemed to
be on the side of North Carolina, when judge
Dorsey rose to reply, his face covered with fun;
John Leeds Kerr. afterwards United States
Senator, whispered in my ear: dorsey SAYS
funny things / give a sketch of his speech
from recollection THE gentleman saws NV
constituents are ignorant and illiterate 1 will
not retOrt uDOn those who sent him here but
relate few facts and leave the House to iu 1ge
between US. Dates are important The late
war was declared in 1872 and the British army
ingloriously burned the capitol in 1914, to the
lasting disgrace Of that nation The whole
scene was Immediately published in the Ma
tlonal lnteillgencer, and copied into every
paper in the United States
The war was over and peace restored by
the treaty of Ghent. Just ten years after the
burning of the capitol, my business took me
into the gentleman district l was approach
ing the principal town, when heard the sound
OF drum and fife emerg ing from q yellow
pine woods, near the town, where thew were
making tar and turpentine. / saw before me
the waving plume and tho marching, with
quick steps, Of a regiment of men, the stars
and stripes borne alOft, with the motto, North
Carolina now and forever in gilt letters. I
| rode directly up to the principal hotel, kept by
a landlord who evidently lived we'll and knew
how to entertain his guests if he was pleased
with their standing. The moment was seated
on the porch he addressed me: Have you
heard the news" What news?'' "Why
the British have burned the capitol and our
army is moving forward, as you see, to meet
the enemy. When did you get the news ?''
1--WE got it last night, about seven o'clock.
That you may understand how this happeued
just before the fast, we held IL great meeting to
give information to the people. 1t was found
that there was but one man in the county that
could read. lie was elected county reader
We then voted to take the National Intelli-
gencer, and that every Saturday afternoon the
paper should be publicly read, beginning at
the first page and reading it regularly through.
advertisements and all; ard since then our
reader has kept constantly at it every Saturday
afternoon.
"Last night he read the burning of the
Capitol by the British We at once few to
arms. The old revolutionary spirit is com
pletely aroused Dinner was announced. and
/ took my seat at the head Of the table, when
out sprang my landlord, and in o moment an
nounced that the President of the United States
was approaching in a coach and four, with out
riders; and sure enough up drove the coach
with four splendid grays, and out-riders in full
livery. The distinguished parsonage stepped
| from the coach, and was bowed into the parlor
| by the landlord, hat in hand. Curiosity led
me to place one ear to the opening. The land
| lord bowed to the floor The President of the
| United States, presume % ''Not exactly. -
The Secretary Of State?' Not exactly. -
g The Secretary of War? ?" "Not exactly"
The Secretary of the Navy" mot exact
ly." The Governor of North Carolina ?'
= Not exactly" Joseph Gales, editor of the
| National Intelligencer ?'' " Not exactly. >
| Then raising his voice and stamping his foot.
" Tho in the thunder are you p "I am a
merchant tailor from Washington city, and have
come here to collect some bills" % You can
| pass on; have no room for you The Judge
| closed amidst thunders of applause; his tri-
| umph was complete. Mr.. Carson laughed heart
| lily, and the matter ended in the best Of per-
sOnal feeling