davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18
THE REVOLUTION GOING ON,

The election of Elk. Governor Grimes of Iowa
to the Senate increases the number of Republi.
can Senators to twenty one. Thus steadily does
the Revolution 60 Oh. New England, with a
single exception, stands in the Senate a solid
phalanx for Liberty, and that exception, we
trust, will soon cease. Mr.. Aliens term expires
with this Congress, and the Legislature of
Rhode Island, to be elected in the spring. must
choose his successor. Let US hope that the
freemen of that State will put aside all local
Jealousies, mere personal considerations, and
take care to return men pledged to the cleo
ton of Republican Senator-to make New
England unit on the great question of the age
and the country. The Northwest is gradually
falling into line: Iowa and Wisconsin have al
ready taken their places: the changes effected
in Michigan and Illinois, give promise of a
speedy and complete renovation and the Re.
pubicans of Indiana will doubtless soon have
an opportunity of securing for that State in the
Senate its proper position. Pennsylvania and
New Jersey will be the last to yield to the de.
mands of Freedom, but yield they must-so
that in the course of few years, the Senate will
have ceased to be the bulwark of Slaveholdinp
usurpaton. ----------s
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18
DISSOLUTION OF THE UNION.

Nothing pains our Southern friends 80 much
as to make merry over their threats of dissolu-
ton of the Union. They bewail it as betraying
want of patriotism, due reverence for the
Union, to say nothing of a proper regard for
themselves. Senator Davis, the other day in
the Senate, was quite shocked that Mr.. Fessen-
den did not evince more feeling, when the dread
subject was talked about, and, for himself,
when questioned, denied most solemnly that he
had ever given utterance to any Disunion SEN
timents.
The New York Herald is exceedingly anxious
to impress New York merchants with the idea
that there Ia a combination of Souths~n men II
dissolve the Union, should Calhoun's Lecomp.
ton Constitution be rejected. The Alabama
Legislature has authorized the Governor, should
the virtue of Congress reach that point, to take
measures for calling State Convention, which
is then to ascertain what is to be done. One or
two other States have done likewise. Their &C.
ton is quite deliberate, and looks to no pre-.
cipitate conclusion.
The movement is almost too insignificant for
comment When such men as Walker, Stan.
ton, and Wise, come out against Lecompton,
and the Legislature of Tennessee cannot make
up its mind, as to what instructions it shall
give its Senators, and other Southern States
are silent, nervous people may 60 to sleep with
the comfortable assurance that the Union will
at Leaf survive James Buchanan's Administra.
ton.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18
THE NATIONAL ERA: WASHINGTON D. c, FEBRUARY 49, 1853

saders of the Democracy. 1t takes Chase,
!. man who had held no public station, puts
i'm in the Senate for six years, then elects him
Governor of Ohio, and reflects him, appealing
% the wisdom and purity of his deeds, in justi-
jeAtion of his claims. 1t reflects Wade to
be Senate, because, for its sake, he had absn.
joned the Wing Party, and returns to the
House Nichols and Letter, who had sacrificed
, heir position in the Democratic Party. Trum.
ull of Illinois, Doolittle of Wisconsin, Blair of
s.Iissouri, all Democrats, Grimes and Harlan
# lows, Wing, and Durkee of Wisconsin, An
nd Anti-Slavery man, acknowledging its power,
tand in Congress, the representatives of its
solicy; while Walker, Jones, and the Dodges,
.bedent to the Pro-Slavery Democracy, sink
, a powerless obscurity.
( Is not the record an instructive one? Does
t not show the power and the liberality, too, of
She New Movement? 1t deals with men rs
hey are, and cares nothing for their Party an
.jecedents. 1t asks but one question-Will you
sow and hereafter be true to Freedom7 Let
he young men of the country ponder the rec
rd. The Pro-Slavery Democracy may curse,
gut its curse shall be turned into a blessing.
even he whose only ambition is for place or
oower-a low ambition at best-would do well
70 recollect that in this great controversy be-
yween Freedom and Slavery, the path of Prin-
iple is the path 10 Honor.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18
For the National Era.
is CEREDO A FAILURES

An extract which appeared in your paper a
week or two ago, would seem to convey the
idea that the efforts Of Mr.. Thayer, in coloni.
zing Western Virginia, had proved sbortiye.
My opinion is, that instead of proving a failure
the scheme is perfect success. As facts.
however, are preferable to opinions, let me cali
your attention to the exact condition of Ceredo.
Last July, about the time Mr.. Thsyer FIRST
commenced operations in Ceredo, there was
but one house on the premises. At the present
time of writing, Ceredo has been surveyed;
streets have been laid out and graveed the
river in the vicinity of Cercdo has been cleared
of distractions; good and substantial wharf
has been built; new paper-the Ceredo
Crescent has been established, the circuIa-
ton of which is rapidly increasing; more than
twenty houses have been erected, besides msny
cabins and cheap shanties; a school.house and
a Westinghouse are in process of construction;
post office has been located there; mill has
been built, which is driven by pair of double
engines, of about one hundred and twenty-five
horse power there are three other engines on
the ground, which will be put into operation
Immediately; large brick hotel is Just com.
pleted. Already in the city are three stores.
blacksmith shop, shoemaker's shop, tin
factory, and company of ship builders EN-.
igrants from all parts of the country are pour.
ing into Ceredo every day.
Nearly four hundred lots have been sold;
and when you remember that the condition OF
purchase is that they shall be built on within
a specified time, it does not require a great
stretch of the imagination to conceive Of a
busy, busting place. And all this, Mr.. Editor,
when the whole country has been almost para.
lyzed, and during crisis such as it has never
experienced.
Is Ceredo failure? DIP.
The foregoing statement is made on the su.
thority of one who claims to speak from his own
knowledge, and with the appreciation of Mr..
Thayer.-Ed. Era.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18
EXECUTIVE INFLUENCE.

Several newspapers, North and South, hav.
ing stated that Executive influence would be
brought to bear to secure the passage of the
Lecompton Constitution, and one of them hav
ing made specific charges against a member Of
the House, involving corruption by the Admin.
istration, Mr.. Hoard, of New York, introduced
last Friday resolution in the House for the
appointment OF committee to investigate
these charges, and ascertain whether Executive
influence had been used to secure the votes of
members. The movement occasioned much
irritation on the Administration side-mem.
bers secuted the idea of instituting a solemn
investigation to determine the correctness OF
mere newspaper reports: the purity of the
supporters of the President needed no sucb
safeguard. So the inquiry was refused, BY q
party vote, the Administration side voting nav,
Possibly the movement may do good. bv ad.
monishing all concerned in improper inAuen.
ces, If there be any such, that they are watch.
ed-so that it may be rather difficult hereafter
tor member who has voted against the Ad
mlnistration, to change his course, and vote
with it.
Congressional virtue is great thing, and We
nope 1t may be preserved in all its purity,
whether committees be appointed to watch over
1t or not And yet it will happen that PEOPLE
tail sometimes in selecting their Representa-.
tives. seat in Congress is not inaccessible
to brides. Public men have been bought
even the great Bacon yielded to temptation.
The history of or politicians for the last four
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18

tody until ie shall signify his Willingness to
answer the nestions propounded to him by the
select comm ittee. Mr.. Stanton gave his views
as to the pcyer of the House in the premises,
which he dlsmed ample, and denied that the
question q kurisdiction could now be raised.
After inS4ectual propositions to amend and
lay the whoae subject on the table, the resolu'
tons we're passed by vote Of l33 to IS.
Mr.. Waldron, of Michigan, presented resolu-
tons of the Legislature of that State, asking
aid for various objects of internal improvement.
Mr.. Bray.on, of Rhode Island, presented res
olutions of the Legislature of his State, in the
shape of Instructions to the members to vote
against the admission of Kansas under the Lee
compton Constitution.
Various bills and resolutions were introduced,
and Mr.. Sherman, of Ohio, moved to suspend
the rules to allow him to offer resolution of
inquiry as 70 expenditures in Kansas for a Leg
islative Assembly; pending which motion, the
House adjourned.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18
THE PROSPECT.

The Kansas Question assumes from day to
day as many different phases as there are Tel.
egraphic correspondents. A few days since, it
was settled that Mr.. Calhoun had acknowledged
the fraud in the Delaware Crossing returns, re-
solved, on consultation with the Cabinet, to
give certificates of election to the Free State
majority of the Legislature, authorized Judge
Douglas to announce this fact-snd it was also
settled that this stroke of policy would break up
the Douglas organization, and secure beyond
all doubt the speedy passage of the Lecompson
Constitution, accompanied by declaration of
the right of the People to change their Consti-
tuition at their pleasure. After the People had
been sufficiently excited by this New York tel.
egraphic news, then it was proclaimed that
General Calhoun had done no such thing-that
the Southern men would hear of no announce
ment of the returns till after the admission of
Kansas-that that functionary, on being called
upon by Mr.. Harris, evaded, mysti6ed, and
finally refused to give him any light
The next news by telegraph was, that the
Democratic caucus had resolved to dispose of
the army bill forthwith, then to report Tues
day) from the Territorial Committee of the
Senate bill to admit Kansas under the Lee
compton Constitution, put it through straight
way, send it to the House, and have it taken
up and passed there before the Select Com.
mittee of Mr.. Harris would have chance
to make a single inquiry-in fact, the whole
inquiry was to occupy ten days at the outside.
This was very exciting, of course, and the Peo-
pie blessed the enterprise of the newspapers
for supplying them with the stirring news but
another day brought change. Senator Doug
las, owing to domestic affection, was not able
to prepare his report in time-the majority of
the committee would not therefore be in such
haste, but put off their report till Thursday.
Judging from the past, the question cannot
be disposed of summarily. With Mr. Douglas
on the side Of strong majority, and the Re-
publican Senators not half 90 numerous as they
are now, several months passed before the Kan
Nebraska bill could reach the House. Now,
the Republican members number twenty-one.
Among the foremost in this struggle against
the Lecompton Constitution stands the man
whose energies secured the repeal of the Mis-
souri, Compromise, and he is sustained by at
least two Democratic Senators while the Na.
tive American Senators, if they do not op.
pose, will put forth little effort to sustain, LIE.
compton.
In view of these circumstances, to talk of
forcing through the Senate so obnoxious q
measure, in hot haste, is to talk nonsense. The
Opposition is too strong to be overawed, too
strong not to compel conformity to the rules
and usages designed to secure the utmost
deliberation in legislation. Such bill can
never be carried by coup de main.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18
For the National Era
K A N S A S.

Where lies in light the land love-
Beneath blse occidental skies,
With bold, unfettered wings, the bird ofJovs
The empyrean flies
And Freedom like that tameess bird
In every vale is seen, on every mountain heard.
I'm that far land which lies supine
Beneath the onents broad embrace,
The bird of Jove first tried his wing divine
In the eternal space
And Freedoms soul was with him there,
Baptising plain and hill, impregning all the air.
But faction rose, and fraud came in,
And crimes that should for aye appal,
Leagued with lewd goat and fostering sin,
Ruled with red hand DER all
Then swept through earth the din of hell,
And drunk with human blood, the Keeling nations fell
Ger Europe's western hills of snow,
And genial valleys scoop'd between,
+ Whose chequered deeds ofguilt and glory show
The mighty and the mean,
The bird of Jove undaunted swept fs
And there for many age the watch of Freedom kept
But priestly craft, and kingly power,
And fatering faith in God and man,
Brought on in time the sanguinary hour
When blood i'm rivers ran
And deep beneath its crimson wave
Embatlling nations sank, blent one general grave
Der this loved land, which lies in light
Beneath these blue and brilliant skies
That bound and bless proud and eager sig
The bird of Jove still flies
But startles, mid his sunward way,
AT sights and sounds that born of the elder day
Pause! ye who seek 10 rend the oak
You think feeble foe 10 find,
But dream not of the mighty backward stroke!
Pause! ye who sow the wind,
Or reap the whirlwind's sudden wrath
Mghter than dragons teeth lie in your path
Kentucky, JAM, 1858. W. D. @.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18
TUESDAY IN CONGRESS.

In the House, on the contested election case of
Henry Winter Davis, Messrs. Phillips of Penn.
sylvania, Hatch of New York, Zollicoffer of
Tennessee, and others, discussed the case in it's
various aspects.
In the Senate, the case of the Indiana Sena.
tors was contested, and, by strict party vote,
Messrs. Fitch and Bright were allowed further
time to take testimony-a mere dodge, intended
to give those gentlemen an opportunity to vote
for the Lecompton fraud.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18

years shows that the rewards of Executive
power have not unfrequently compensated the
Representative for defying the will of his con-
stituents. The disapprobation of the People
has too often secured the patronage of the Pres.
ident. The profits of a conectorship or consul.
ship have been granted as rewards for patri.
otic disregard by the representative of the will
of his constituents. What has been, may be,
even under the lofty Administration of James
Buchanan.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18
VOL. XII.

Philo Judseus and of St. John, in the main a
translation from Dormer, one of the ablest
writers of Germany on the subject. As a
whole, the collection of articles are well pre-
pared, though not marked with equal talent.
The number has fine portrait of the late
President Fisk, one of the most valuable men
recently in the Methodist church, and whose
removal by death from the Wesleyan Univer.
sity, Middletown, Connecticut, was deseruedly
and deeply felt and lamented.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18

perpetual home of NJ gro Slavery and>they may
defy the world.
This is the sublime craftsmanship of Richard
K. Meade. Is it sustained by the President?
Give the People light. t
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18
WASHINGTON D. C..
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1858.

Bag Mr.: Wheeler is the accredited agent for
the Era, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18

D@ The Star of this city is trying to frighten
Henry Winter Davis for his vote against LIE.
compton. 1t threatens Baltimore with loss
of Southern trade, because Mr.. Davis votes
honestly
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18

There is to be a struggle in Congress ere long
upon the location of the route for the Pacific
railroad. The Fire. Eaters want a Southern
route, so that, in the event of a dissolution of
the Union, the road would be in the hands of
the slaveholdiug Republic. The North and
West will probably triumph, however, and the
Central or Northern route be chosen.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18

p@ The New York Express proposes, in
Gaze Virginia expatriates her free negroes, that
they go West, and form a new State, and send
their Senators and Representatives to Congress!
Perhaps Senators Davis, Toombs, and Green,
and Representatives Keitt, Savage, and others,
would object
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18

ray Gov. Wise has written letter to the
Philadelphia Anti.Lecompton meeting, in which
he combats the lame positions of Mr. Buchanan
in his recent Kansas message. What spec
tace is this A Southern bitter Pro-Slaverv
Governor is opposed to gigantic fraud which
Northern President supports, and endeavors to
force through Congress.
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18
Friday, February II, 1853.
The Senate did not sit to-day.

Mr.. Wolcott, beiug brought to the bar of the
House to purge himself of contempt, asked and
obtained further time till Monday, to consult
with his counsel.
A Question Of PriUilege.-Mr. Fenton, OF
New York, rose TO a question of privilege
Various rumors had been afoat, of the interior
ence of the Government in the legislation Of
the House. These runners had taken some
shape IN the correspondence of newspapers, tc
which he desired to call the attention of the
House. If such interference had taken place
it was right and proper that the House should
vindicate its dignity.
Mr.. Florence. of Pennsylvania, objected tc
the gentleman's proceeding, unless be stated
his question of privilege.
Mr.. Fenton stated that he was Just about tc
do that, and sent up the following resolution
ResolOed, That q committee of five be an
pointed by the Speaker, to inquire and investi
gate whether any improper attempts have beer
made, or are being made, by any persons con
nected with the Executive Department of this
Government, or by any persons acting under
their advice or consent, to influence the action
of this House, or any OF its members, upon any
questions or measures upon which the House
has acted, or which it has under consideration
directly or indirectly, or any improper promise
oue1S w iu1HodouS oiAPioylncut, patronage
Office, or favor, under the Government, or ia
any department or service, to be conferred OF
withheld in consideration of any vote given O,
to be given, withheld or to be withheld, with
power to send for persons and papers, and with
leave to report by bill or otherwise.
Mr.. Warren, of Arkansas. declared the resolu
ton to be nothing more nor less than an insult
to the House. He understood the gentleman
from New York as proposing that resolution a.
matter of privilege, but it did not 60 far enough
to make it such. If the gentleman would pu
bis finger upon the party to whom the PROPOSE
ton was made, then it would be q proposition
for which he would be willing to vote; but be
was not willing to sit in his seat, and see the
whole House insulted.
Mr.. Stephens said there was no statement Of
fact in regard TO any officer of the House. II
the gentleman has any statement to make, lei
him reduce it to writing.
Mr.. Houston, of Alabama, remarked, that Il
the gentleman would state, upon his RESPONSE
biIity, that improper attempts had been made
to influence members, then that was something
tangible, upon which they could act; but if he
proposed 10 read articles from irresponsible
newspapers, then it was not q question of priv.
iege at all. The gentleman must state upon
his own responsibility who had been tempered
with.
Mr.. Fenton said he proposed to state to the
House what he knew. He had raised this ques.
ton in what he believed to be the discharge Of
his duty to the House and to the country. He
then read from various newspapers, to sustain
The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-02-18

Charles Kingsley's new volume of poetry, an
nounced last year, is now in press, and will
shortly be published in London. Its title is to
be Andromsda, and other Poems"
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-11
kOkknIh ARRIn,

The New York Express publishes the fol-
lowing extract from a letter written by Kos
smith from Pittsburp. January %, 1852. to
David Urquehart, NJ. p:
"DEAR SIR: You have heard what rerer-
ton | have met with in America. THEY hare
Jorca me wjM hiUmphGi entries, and ,HUita-
Ho,.s, and addresses: Gm Ly submitting 10 this
a,utoyng part otmy mission, had the oppor-
tunity OF drawing their attention 10 their for
eign policy. | have spoken to the masses,
and with the leading men, with those now in
office, and those who are TO 90 into Office; and
though am not sanguine at all, can tell
you, in strictest confidence, that have sue
ceeded already, so far, that even the present
Wing Cabinet has given orders to strengthen
the Mediterranean Squadron, and that in
case of new rising, America will 90 to the
same length as England for the protection Of
the liberal cause"
This letter must be highly gratifying to
the people who bored" the Hungarian lion
with triumphant entries" s.. We are
glad that Virginia cannot lay claim to the
honor of this boring" and that the preten.
der was treated in cur own city with toe
cool contempt which beftted his character.
To chose whom it concerns" however, be
has given another lesson on the folly of lion
izing "illustrious foreigners" Dickens ought
to have cured the American people Of such
nonsense. DiSp.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-06-11
The Atlantic Telegraph.

WASHINGTON, juno 9.--The Atlantic Te!e-
graph Coupany's scheme on the United
States is defeated. The government will
not conclude contract with that COM
pany. The judiciary committee of the Uni
ted States Senate reported to-day the reasons
why the government cannot make any fur
ther arrangements with the present Atlantic
Telegraph Company.
The report says that mo contract has been
concluded with the company. The act of the
British Parliament incorporating the Atlan-
tic Telegraph Company, seems, in some Of
its provisions, to render any contract with
that company inadmissible within the intent
of Congress, as evidenced in the act author
izing q contract. Tho act Of Parliament
certainly embodies a controlling power for
Great Britain over the company, Incompatible
with the provisions of the act of Congress"
The indications are that the report of the
judiciary committee to-day will be adopted,
by which the United States will be left free to
encourage at any time such line or lines as
shall promsise to be conducted on honorable
principles and free from the odium either OF
monopoly or dictation. tits proper to add,
that some of the papers say, all these tele-
graphic dispatches relative to the Atlantic
Telegraph are prepared by Messrs. Amos
Kendall & Co., for purposes Of their own.