davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

For Democrat, in any contingency, to vote
for distributionist, would be to strike deadly
blow at the consistency and time honored integ-
rity of the party to which lie belongs. No CO.
alition, surrending by a single vote the uncom-
promising hostility of the Virginia Democracy to
distribution, would bring with it any thing else
than ultimate ruin to our party. You
hold your Constitutional scruplus at cheap rate
when they can be so easily surrendered. Such
coalition, involving the terrible necessity OF O
Democrat voting for distributonist would
stultify the Democratic press and rending our
long and arduous abors worse than useless.
The above paragraphs we clip from the En-
quirer of the 18th inst that our readers may
see the spirit and temper of the leading Demo-
cratic newspaper in the State. The course thus
earnestly recommended to the Democracy OF
Richmond is the proper one for the distribution
party of this county to pursue at the approach
ing election. We trust that no voter in favor
of distribution will ''upon any contingency" per-
nit himself to be seduced from voting fearlessly
and independently in accordance with his opn-
IONS That man must indeed hold his convic-
tions of duty, patriotism and State policy at
'cheap rate" who will surrender them all upon
trivial reasons or to mere personal solicitations,
This canvass is not to be determined upon per-
sonal grounds There is involved in it measure
that will exert, if successful, permanent intiu-
ence upon the advancement OF the State in wealth
and population. Give to Virginia her share in
the "publc lands" and she can reduce her taxes
and complete her internal improvements,an and by
this means check that immense tide of emigra-
ton that is now diminishing her population and
gripping her resources.
We have every confidence that the Wings and
Americans of this county will on the 2sth be
found true to their interests, their opinions and
the solid glory and permanent prosperity of this
good old commonwealth.
Each and all of our candidates are in an en-
inent degree worthy of the support of the party
that has nominated them let there then, be
no swapping of votes or splitting of tickets, but
a ''long pull and o short pull and pull ALL TO-
GETuEI."
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
Fashionable colored Individuals.

On Friday night last, about II O'Clock, the
Chief of Police and his aids, surprised Jim, a
slave belonging to Mrs. Wilson, Charles, slave
in the employ of Mayor Trout, Aaron Shower, a
free negro, and "Cass," free negro in the en-
ploy of the Central Railroad, engaged in fash
ionable game of cards, at the residence of Jim's
wife. When the officers made descent upon
them, Charles and Shower attempted to escape
through back window, and according to the
testimony Of Mr.. Fifer, the latter inflicted
blow upon him in the scufle, whether purpose
ly or not he could not say. All four were arrest
ed, however, and after spending the night in
Jail, had hearing on Saturday morning before
Alderman Sterrett, who pronounced sentence OF
five lashes each upon the slaves, and twenty
lashes each upon the free negroes. Shower was
also bound over to answer an indictment for as
sault upon Mr.. Fifer
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

A Volcano IN GEoRGIA.-In Walker county,
Ca, about ten miles from the town of Lafayette,
volcano has come to life in Pigeon Mountain
which has been showing signs of eruption since
1856. A letter in the Augusta Chronicle, says !:
About midnight on the oath, the earth was
violently agitated several times. The citizens
in the vicinity were aroused and terribly fright
ened by the eommotion. When observing the
mountain they were more than ever terrified for
brilliant light was plainly seen issuing from the
summit The atmosphere soon became strongly
impregnated with disagreeable sulphuric odor.
On the following day a thick torrent of smoke
and ashes assembled from where this light was
previously seen. This was perhaps owing to the
elements being covered at the time with very
dark cloud. No blaze ! B yet been seen to issue
from the crater. 1t has continued about as a
bove described ever since, emitting smoke and
ashes without intermission. The crateris thought
to be about one hundred yards in diameter. No
one has yet ventured near enough to ascertain
anything of its general depth. Several springs
in the vicinity have totally disappeared.
Many of the citizens are very much alarmed,
and some are even moving out of the valley
through anticipation and fear of violent erup-
ton
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
A Colony of Waldenses.

The Rev. Mr.. Lorvaux, Protestant French
minister, has recently visited this State and pur-
chased three thousand acres of land in Mononga-
lia county, for the settlement of colony of some
five hundred Waldenses. Mr.. Lorvaux thinks
the report he will bear to the French Protestants
will induce many thousands to leave country
where their rights are but poorly protected, and
where land, of no more value than that he has
just bought at seventy-five cents per acre, owing
to the crowded state of population is worth
from three to five hundred dollars. We regret
that Mr.. L. has fallen into the hands of the
Northern anti-slavery people, and appears to be
governed by their advice. Under other circum'
stances the Waldenses would be cordially wei
coined to the State.
Most of our readers are acquainted, to some
extend, with the history of this remarkable peo-
pie. Living among the Alps, in the immediate
vicinity of the Papal dominions, and surrounded
by Catholic nations, they have, from the days OF
the Apostles to the present time, preserved re-
igion in its purity. For many centuries they
were the victims of the bitterest prosecutions,
and their sufferings and heroic endurance have
excited the sympathy and admiration of the
whole Protestant world. The words of Scrip
ture apply literally to them :-"They were ston-
ed, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were
slain with the sword: they wandered about in
sheep-skins, and goat-skins being distitute, af-
Hcted, tormented' While Cromwell was at
the head of the British government, he exerted
his influence successfully in behalf of the Wal
denses, and at that time Milton wrote his SON.
net and beginning:
"Ayenge, Lord, thy slaughtered saints whose bones
Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold"
The present enlightened King of Sardinia has
extended to the Waldenses in his dominions a
degree of protection which they have never be-
tore enjoyed, but their country is contracted and
sterile, and portion of them now desire to emf
crate to the United States.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
Npw Franklin ExpEp1rroS.-We have un-

A New FRANKLIN ExPEDITIoN.-We have I'M
doubted authority for saying that the British
Government have refused to loan Lady Franklin
the bark Resolute, (recently presented to that
Government by the Americans,) to enable her to
make further searches in the Arctic regions for
her husband and his party. She has therefore
purchased, at Aberdeen, q new and beautiful
screw yacht, under the inspection of Captain
McClntock, of the Royal Navy, who will COM
mand the expedition. He is well known as hav-
ing made the greatest sledge explorations of
which we have any knowledge. Those who
personally know him, say that he strongly re-
sembles the late DR.. Kane, both as to body and
mind. 1t will be recollected that the Resolute
was returned to England amply equipped for an
other voyage of Arctic discovery, and Hartstene,
her late commander, with heroism worthy of
the cause, expressed himself in readiness to pur-
sue the search for the lost navigator and his
men, some of whom he believed might still sur
vive. The hopes to which this circumstance so
naturally gave rise, but lily prepared Lady Frank
lin to acquesce in the decision by which the
Resolute was dismantled and laid aside.-Jour.
Commerce.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
The Comet,

Several persons in this place profess to have
seen the comet, but after looking out for every
night for several weeks past we have given it
up. This is not the great comet which, accord
ing to fanatical prediction, is to destroy the
world on the 18th june but small affair of
which nobody is afraid Why the 18th of June
is fixed upon for the collision we do not know,
rs there appears to have been no scientific cal
culations which settle the time. 1t is even un-
certain whether the comet so much dreaded by
some people will appear at all. The only reason
for expecting it is, that the comet of 1866 is sup
posed to be Identical with the comet of 1856,
and, as it did not re-appear last year, at the ex-
piration of another three hundred years, it has
been thought probable that it would come this
year. Everything about it is matter of copjec-
ture. But should the comet appear again, and a
collision actually take place, astronomers say the
world would feel the shock as much as a Rail
road car under full Roadway would feel the con-
cussion of a fly.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
The Puhlic Lands.

The Vindicator still harps upon the fact that
Mr.. Stuart, while Secretary of the INTERIOR re-
commended appropriations ofpublic land to the
new States, and evidently considers it strong
point for his side in the present canvass NO"
the fact is that the sum total of Mr.. Stuarts Oh
fence in this particular, consists in the TACT that
he called the attention of the President to the
report of the Commissioner of the Land Office,
as containing important suggestions. This re-
port of the Commissioner recommended appro-
priatons of land to the new States, and the DEM
ocrats now pretend to make it appear that Mr..
Stuart sanctioned the suggestions Of the report,
because lie called attention to them in accord
ance with immemorial usage. But it MIR. Stuart
had recommended such appropriations, what OF
it2 There is no improperly in recommending
or voting for grants of land to Illinois, 1t Justce
is also accorded to the other States, as Mr.. Stu
art has always been ready to do. But now'
when we see the people of Illinois entirely re-
leved of taxation by means of these grants, ana
the people of Virginia grooming under burden
TOO neaVy 10 Dear, because our 1'ePieeen'@'''N
have failed to demand her just share OF the com
mon property, there is reason for crying out
The whole question is reduced to nut shell
Virginia is heavily in debt; hepeople are heav-
lily taxed here is a means of relief-millions OF
acres of public lands, and millions OF dollars OF
surplus revenue locked upin the Federal Treasury.
II the Democracy will not accept this means OF
relief, what do they propose9 Virginia Demo
Gratis may persist in opposing fair distribution,
but unfair distribution will be the only result
At the very last session Of Congress twenty-five
Democratic Senators voted for the Minnesota
land bill, and ten against it. Virginia Repre-
sentatives may continue to oppose all grants OF
public lands, but Congress will continue to pass
the bills by the votes of such Democrats as
Cass, Douglas, &c. Years ago Western men,
bers of Congress warned US that they would ul-
timately appropriate the whole domain, and the
time is rapidly approaching when they will
have the power Now is the time for us to as
sert our rights, or the opportunity will be lost
forever.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
ATTORNEY General-An Outrage.

The Democratic Convention which met i'll
Richmond last Wednesday, nominated John
Randolph Tucker, of Winchester, for the once
of Attorney General, on the first ballot we know
Mr.. Tucker well and there is no man ofany party
for whom, on personal grounds, we would pre-
fer to vote. He is gentleman of decided tai
ent and the highest personal character.
But notwithstanding our qualification at MT
fuckers good luck, we cannot represS the leei-
ings of indignation inspired by the action OF tho
Convention. For years past the democracy
have been in the habit of nominating none but
renegade Wing. for the best offices in their glft
AT the Convention held here in December, 1854
they were faithful to the hereditary usages OF
the party. and nominated Wise, McComas and
Bocock, all renegade Wings So, for Congress
they took Faulkner, Caskie, Bocock, Bayly, Goode,
and others of the same stamp. This uniform
course of policy was we'll calculated to create
reasonable expectation on the part otold Wings
who were disposed to rat, that they would be
rewarded for their apostacy. Wings have been
confidently relying on this implied pledge OF the
Democracy, and have gone over to the Demo-
cratic party and given them all the aid and COM
fort in their power.
But now, when pay day has come, the De-
mocracy have faithlessly repudiated their obliga-
tior. by refusing to nominate Judge Lyons for
Attorney General. This has naturally created a
good deal of feeling among the political rats, and
we feel called on to enter our protestin their be-
half against such profigate violation of faith,
and to say that unless the Democracy speedily
repair the blunder they have committed they
need look for no further accessons from that quar-
ter. There are many who have rated, but they
wish it to be understood that they did so for q
consideration; and if the consideration is not
paid, they will have nothing more to do with a
party which is so insensible to the obligations
of gratitude and plighted faith! We, therefore
say to the Democracy, beware The offices of
right belong to the rats and if the Democracy
refuse to come up to the scratch, the rats will
gnaw hole in the bottom of the Democratic
ship, which will let in the briny waters of dis
dissension, and cause it to founder in tunultu-
Gus sea of troubles
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
"WoRrH HER WEIGHT IN GOLD" is an old

"WoRrH HER WEIGHT IN GOLD" is an old
saying, but not many can boast of its truth in
their own person. In the olden time, in Mas:a-
chusetts, tile Office of Mint Master was held by
Capt. John Hull, who had an only daughter,
whom he gave in marriage to Samuel sewell,
and to whom, besides her intrinsic value, she
proved her weight in silver. At the wedding,
her father placed her in one sue o, his large
Weighed her down. The popular story was, that
her marriage portion amounted to thirty thou
sand pounds which would be considered great
and pleasant Valentine Mr.. Sewall had-was
enormous. The Massachusetts damsels of that
ace were stout, hearty, usty girls, fit to become
the wives and mothers of men who were sengag-
ed in founding an empire, and VINO would nave
mt Nautilus on the pllory and Martineau in
Bridewell, had they then lived and had dared
to driyel about the laws of population and the
prospect of falling off in the supply Of food.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

A BRIDEGROOM RUsTIoATIYG.-John Dean,
who recently kicked up great hubbub among
the Goldfish aristocracy by marrying the wealthy
Miss Boxer, is rusticating in the pleasant little
village of Franklinvile, few miles east of Riv-
erhead He Is boarding in the family of Mr..
John N. Sayer, and is being tutored and polish
ed by the Rev. Mr.. Reed, a Congregational cler-
gyman, preparatory to his debut among the fash
ionabes of Fifth avenue. 1t seems he was sent
down there by his lawyer, and to avoid recog-
milton he assumed the name Of John Johnson
The manner in which his true name and char
acter leaked out was this wise: A few days
after his arrival letter was received by the
worthy Postmaster of that village, directed to
John Johnson, and as there was young farmer
living in the neighborhood by that name, he
took it out of the Office and opened it. 1t prov
ed to be from Deans wife, and as it was filled
with such matter as only q good wife knows
how to write to an absent husband, John John
son, farmer, concluded it was not for him, as he
was not the owner of such piece of animated
luxury; so he returned it to the Post-office, and
in day or two John johnson No. "a. e., Jno
Dean-called and claimed t.-Bufalo Republic
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
Important Notice.

Next Monday being the first day of the May
Court, an opportunity will be afforded to many
persons from the country to call and settle the
small amounts we have against them. We ear
nestly request all who know themselves indebted
to us topay up soon as possible, without waiting
to be applied to personally. Those who settle
within reasonable time will be charged for
subscription only 81 year; others who post
pone the matter and require us to collect the &C.
counts by agents will be charged the full price,
$3.50,
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

CABINET AFFAIRs-We obtain from the reve.
lations of one of the most reliable Of the news
paper correspondents the annexed items of in
formation relative to our diplomatic affairs:
The appointments for the diplomatic and con-
sular offices are now to be made, but the
number of vacancies is very small in pro-
portion to the number of applicants. These
posts were never so eagerly sought for as at
present. For the consulates there are several
hundred applications. There is also G great
pressure upon the President for diplomatic mis-
sions from almost every State in the Union.
For the twelve first-class missions there are
not less than two hundred applications. AS yet
there seems to be much doubt whether the sys-
TEN of rotation is to be generally applied to a.
ny of these offices. Only two of tho ministers
now abroad will, of their own volition, return,
these are Gov. Vroom at Berlin and Gov. Sey-
mour at ST. Petersburgh. 1t is understood that
the London mission will, some six months hence,
be offered to Robert j. Walker.
There are but twenty. nine foreign missions
the salaries of which are from seven thousand
five hundred dollars to seventeen thousand five
hundred dollars. The ministers resident have q
salary of seven thousand five hundred dollars
Two of the ministers, one for Chill and the 9th
er for China, have been recently appointed. A
number of the incumbents will not be removed
under any considerations.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
TRADE OF New YoRK.-A letter from New

TRADE OF New YoRK.-A letter from New
York to the Philadelphia Inquirer, says:
The principal cause assigned for the universal
depression Of trade is the inability to collect
moneys due from the West, where funds are re-
presented to be extremely scarce, in consequence
of inordinate land speculations. The pulsations
of these speculations are felt here through led
gers and note books, in overdue accounts and
protested drafts and notes. The customers OF
dry goods jobbers, importers and commission
merchants, far West and North, have bought
immense tracts of land, and have readily paid
four, five and six per cent month for money
really belonging to New Workers, but which, if
withheld from them, will only be seven per cent
per annum.
This state of affairs naturally creates much
anxiety among our merchants and many affect
TO believe that commercial crisis not dissimi-
lar to that of 1886 '37, is impending. There can
be no doubt that we are buying too much a.
broad, and adopting the credit system on too
large scale at home, for general and unalloyed
prosperity,-but whether the country is to be
speedily overtaken by financial ruin, is matter
of conjecture if not OF doubt, in the minds of the
best informed of our political economists. Seve-
raj small failures have occurred here and in Bos-
ton, on account of the difficulty OF obtaining
funds from the West, and the large sacrifices on
goods sold through the auction rooms, but there
have been no more suspensions, taking the entire
season through, than the average of former
years.
The spring trade, however, leaves off this
year more unsatisfactory than for many seasons
past.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
Westminster Review.

The April number Of the American reprint OF
the Westminster Review has been received
Contents as follows: l. Present State of The
ology in Germany, 2. The Hindu Drama, 3.
Gunpowder and its effects on Civilization, f.
Glaciers and Glacier Theories, 8. Progress: its
Law and Cause, 6. The Danubian Principalities,
z. Literature and Society, 8. China and the Chi
nese, Q. Contemporary Literature.
Published by L. Scott e Co., New York
Price So year. Price Of Blackwood and any
one of the Four Reviews, So, the tour Reviews
and Blackwood. $40.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

CHNA.-The LIE Nord says that the French
authorities will formally demand permanent
embassy at Pekin, and in case of refusal will en-
deavor, in concert with the English forces, to
penetrate the capitol by water and there dictate
terms to the Chinese
The coolies on board of the Peruvian ship
Carmen, bound for Calao revolted at sea, set
fire to the vessel, and all on board two hun
dred in number, persisted. Those on board the
British ship, Fnlmare, also reyolted and set fire
to the ship. The flames were extinguished but
twenty-seven coolies were killed or wounded
before order was restored. From Sha cha it
is stated that band of rebels had burnt Hewhew
in the province of Kiangse, and some fifteen
chests Of tea were destroyed.
The Mandarin Government of Whampoa had
sentenced three Chinese merchants to death for
having conversed on commercial relations with
the English, contrary to command.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20

Mrs. CUNNINGHAM AND THE BURDELL MUIR
DER.-A letter from New York on the 18th
says
An extraordinary excitement was occasioned
in Bond street yesterday, by the gathering in
front of Mrs. Cunningham's residence of an
outrageous assembly of disorderly women and
hoys. The women, aboutthirty in number, held
q sort of drum-head court martial and unani-
mously agreed that Mrs. Cunningham was gull
ty of murder, and ought to be driven from the
city With the help of the boys they made an
attack on the house, stoning The windows and
doors, ringing the bell, making hideous faces
and shouting their opinions in no very delicate
way The attack was continued until the arri-
val of an officer, who took the most active of
the Amazons to the lock up.
BY the way, the mystery shrouding this MUIR
der has brought Mr.. B. Brandreth out in very
lofty card, offering to be one of ten or twenty to
subscribe $1,000 each as reward to be offered
for the detection and conviction of the culprit..
This he proposes to add to $4,000 to be offered
BY the Governor and the same amount by the
Mayor This Mr.. B. thinks might perhaps ex
cite the memory Of '"those who know" to
healthfnl activity.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
Another distribution Democrat.

Mr.. R. Z. Byrd, one of the most prominent
Democrats of the Valley, has published an able
and conclusive address in favor of Distribution.
Mr. B., says the Charlottesville Advocate, repre-
sented the Frederick District in the Oonstitu-
tional Convention, has been q member OF the
Legislature. is now candidate for the Senate
from Frederick, and has been all the time
leading and talented member of the Democratic
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

We tender our sincere thanks to those OF our
contemporaries who have complimented in such
hattering terms the past editorial management
of this journal, and expressed such cordial good
wishes for its future prosperity. 1t is pleasant
to feel that our labors have been appreciated by
those who know us best, and that our efforts to
make the Spectator" useful and entertaining
paper have not been altogether unsuccessful.