davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13

found not to be so, they ara unceremoni-
ousy decapitated.
That it was not always so, the following cir
cumstance will show. While Mr.. j. @. Adams
was President certain prominent gentlemen
came to this city for the purpose of procuring
the removal Of the Collector of the Port of
Charleston, South Carolina, and the appoint
ment of another person in his place. They
first called upon known friend of Mr.. Adams
and told him what their errand here was, and
remarking that if this were done, South Caro-
lima might be carried for Mr.. A., If not, he
would not obtain her vote. The gentleman
upon whom they called, inquired of them
whether there was any complaint made against
the Collector as public officer? to which they
replied in the negative. He then told them
that if that were the case Mr. Adams would
not remove him. But they determined to try,
and did
Upon stating the case to the President, he
asked them what sort of a public officer Mr.
WASP To which they replied, very good;
there was no fault to be found with him in his
official capacity. Then, said Mr.. A., shall
not remove him. ] have no right to interfere
with him except as public officer, and if he
discharges his duties as such, ably and faith
fully, that is all / have to see to. AS 10 his
private opinions about men, whether he pre-
fers another to me or me to another, have
nothing to do with them he is freeman, and
has right to think for himself The gentle
men said that if he were not removed, Mr.. A.
would lose the vote Of that State; and if he
were, they thought he would get it. Mr. A.
replied that he could not and would not
remove any man from Office for political rea-
sons, even if his reelection or defeat depended
upon it ; and he did not
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13

that he was an Aboltionist.' He had written
letter to Free Soil Committee, when candidate
for Governor, saying that he was opposed to the
extension of slavery, and in favor OF abolishng il
4 the District of Columbia. William r. King OF
Alabama, was Chairman ofthe Committee on For
sign Relations, and reported against Mr.. Everetts
confirmation, and made a speech sustaining his
report. In the course of his speech he said, that
If men entertaining the sentiments OF Mr.. Everett
in his letter to the Free Soil Commi toe were to be
entrusted with high official positions and sent TO
represent our country abroad, the Union would
jon be at an end Henry Clay, during the speech
of Mr.. King, was walking in the rear OF the Presi-
dents chair listening all the while to the speech,
and when Mr.. King came to the part we have
quoted as above, he came round TO his place, ana
taking the words of Mr.. King, he drew himself up
to his full height, and pointed his long and skinny
forefnger at the Alabama Senator, hiseye flashing
fire, and his whole franc trembling with excite
ment he Numbered out in the fullness oil bis
magnificent voice, And tell you, sir, you re-
ect the nomination of the distinguished citizen OF
Ma sachusetts for the reason you have stated, the
Union is dissolved already
:" No report Of this scene in the United States
Senate was ever published. Mr. Morehead was
at the time colleague of Mr.. Clay, and was an eye
witness Of the whole of it. He said he never
Mr.. Clay so great as upon that occasion The effect
was electrifying, and when he sat down the case
was settled Edward Everett was confirmed"
We can confirm the statement of the Ohio
State Journal. We have often listened to the
accounts Of Senator'S Mangum, Morehead, and
Simmons of this scene, and have heard them
talk it over. They concurred in saying that
the speech delivered on that occasion by Mr..
Clay, was the most eloquent they had ever
heard from any human being; and they thought
it the most eloquent the great orator himself
ever delivered. Mr. Clay spoke on that occa-
sion about twenty minutes aud those who
were present declare that it was continued
stream of electric and electrifying eloquence,
which took Senators by surprise, and held
them in breathless silence during the whole
time.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13
from the editorial Washington correspondence Of
the Richmond Examiner.
JUDGE DOUGLAS AND THE PARTY.

"The future position of Judge Douglas is still
matter of speculation here. But few Admins.
tratiou Democrats expect him to cooperate with
them hereafter. Almost without exception, they
characterize himas deserter, and strong r term
is not unfrequently applied to him. What theme
for moralizng on the ephemeral nature of the
fame Of the. party leader. Less than one brief
year ago, majority of the party that has nearly
always ruled this country would have crowned
Stephen A. Douglas with the highest honors with
in its gift. Now, he has utterly forfeited the con.
fdence Of the great body of that party, and finds
but few apologies even except among those who
not long since hung and burnt him in effigyl
And why should the editor express such
special wonder at the change that has taken
place in Judge Douglas prospects, Is it with
out parallel? BY no means The fate of
Buckingham, at the hands of Richard Ill, that
Of Wolscy, under Henry VIII and that of many
a man who served tyrant rather than his
country or his God, are similar and instruc-
tive lessons to pubic men. One may wade in
blood mile to serve tyrant, but if he refuse
to take another step, his head pays the for
felt.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13

ny We have devoted much more space Of
late to the subject of Kansas and Lecompton
than suits our own taste; but it is the all-in-
all subject here--the rod Of Aaron, which
swallows up everything else; and it is difficult,
almost impossible, and perhaps not advisable,
to avoid what is in every ones mouth and
thoughts.
Upon this subject, americans are by no
means united some going for, and some against
Lecompton. 1t is not party measure with
them. and therefore each one takes what course
he thinks proper and right, without reference
to his Americanism, and without disturbing
his party relations. For ourselves, we siren.
ously oppose the Lecompton Constitution, be-
cause we think it fraught with evil and will
prolong agitation but other Americans take
different view, and SO we differ amicably. If
we use strong language, so do they; but no
exception is taken by either. The American
papers of Kentucky, without exception, we be-
lieve, oppose the admission of Kansas under
the Lecompton Constitution, and SO do many
other Southern papers while nearly all in
Virginia, Alabama and Georgia take the other
side
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13
The use ofIron.

celebrated English writer thus forcibly
alludes to and describes the uses Of iron:
"Of what consequence the discovery of one
natural body and its properties may be to hui
man life, the whole great Continent Of America
is a convincing instance; whose ignorance in
useful arts, and want of the greatest part Of
the conveniences Of life, in country that
abouDded with all sorts of natural plenty,
think may be attributed to their ignorance Of
what was to be found in a very ordinary des-
picable stone-I mean the mineral of iron.
And whatever we think of our arts or improve
mcnts in this part Of the world where knowl-
edge and plenty seem to vie with each other,
yet to any one that will seriously reflect ON il,
| suppose il will appear, past doubt, that were
the use of iron lost among us, we should, in a
few ages, be unavoidably reduced to the wants
and ignorance Of the ancient savage Americans,
whose natural endowmcnts and provisions
come no way short Of those of the most -four
ishing and polite nations. SO that he who first
made known the use Of that contemplate
mineral, may be truly styled the father Of arts,
and author Of plenty"
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13
nombardment of Canton.

The whole Of the operations had been con-
cluded with view to occasion the smallest
possible sacrifice Of life. At the last. moment
the Chinese showed no signs of surrenderiny,
but continued TO fire at their adversaries from
the tops of houses The position Of the allies
was such that they could entirely destroy the
city in case Of continued obstinacy.
The official dispatches from the naval and
military commanders-in-chiefr report that the
city was escaled and captured with trifing loss
on the morning Of the 10th Of December
CANTON ON FIRE-THE SCENE AT NIGHT.
Then came the highland such a night
The ships almost ceased from their firing, but
tho city soon became like our own Shropshire
iron countries at night--a plain Of fire At
first il appeared as though the besiegers were
bent upon reducing the place to ashes but lit
tie by little, rs gained by change Of position
some idea of the scene rs a whole, the destruc-
lion was not without plan. There was n great
blaze at the northwest angle Of the city Tho
gate there is surmounted by Chinese guard
house, with the usual grotesquc upward point
ed roof shells and rockets were poured in
volleys upon this structure, and it soon became
sheet of flame through which the roof the
rafters, and the walls stood out in dark outline.
BY constant showers of rockets the flame was
led up and down the city wall, and in an in
credibly short time the long, thin line Of fire
shot high into the heavens, and then subsidized
into smouldering smoke.
While this was still raging those vengeful
rockets described a new parabola. They came
hurting through the moonlight along the limo
of the eastern wall. They sought out the three
spots which have been marked as the objects
Of the triple assault Of the English and French
troops tomorrow. As those dreadful twenty
four pound rockets flew, flames arose. They
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13
THE SPIRIT OF THE DEMOCRACY

The Democratic party lately held a conven-
ton at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to give in
their adhesion to KING JAMES L. and assure
him of their support in his Leoompton swim
die. The remarks of some of the members
arc rather striking, and Of a chara ter that
would please the car of the most despotic mon
arch in the world they would delight even the
Brother of the sun and father of the moon,"
his Celestial Majesty, Emperor Of China. We
select two specimens:
"Mr Hopkins, of Washington, addressed the
Convention in regard to his position. The county
convention which nominated him pas ed resolu.
J lions against the Kansas policy of the President
with the knowledge of his sentiments on the sub.
ject. He declared in the Convention that he would
never cast vote in censure of Mr. Buchanan
eitherin relation to the Kansas question or any
other measure. He spoke at come length in lau-
daton Of Mr.. Buchanan. He regretted that the
Lecompton Constitution had not been submitted to
the people; but he would sustain Mr.. Buchanan in
his position.
Mr.. Cassidy, of Philadelphia, gave in his adhe-
sion to the report of the committee. The Phila-
dephia delegation, he said, would stand by Mr..
Buchanan and his policy. Mr.. Buchanan had no
stronger friends than the Philadelphia delegation
He said, by authority, that William A. Porter
would stand on any platform the Convention might
adopt"
IN. B.--Mr. William A. Porter, son of the
late Governor David r. Porter, was candi-
date for the nomination Of Judge of the SUI
preme Court, and was nominated as such. He
was willing, it seems, in order TO secure NOM
ination, to stand on any platform the Con-
vcntion might adopt" That is to say, he was
willing to swear that white is black, and black
is white if the convention says so; that Lee
compton is right or ,orong, just as the eonren-
ton determines A very independent up
right Judge he would make, rery! But he
wilI not be elected.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13
Summary of Foreign News by the Europa.

The steamship Europa, which arrived on
Saturday evening last brings six days later
intelligence from Europe. Among her pas
sengers was Mohammed Pasha the long-ex-
pected Turkish Rear-Admiral. The Govern
ment had been defeated in the House of Com
mons upon the Conspiracy Murder bill, by
vote of 23+ to 215, and there were popular
demonstrations against the measure. The bill
to abolish Church rates, which was opposed
by the Government had been ordered to a
second reading by large majority. Further
debates had taken place on the proposed India
bill and there was decided vote in favor of its
introduction. Capt. Durham had sold the bark
Adriatic to the Russian Government or to a
Russian firm, and was on his way to England.
The trial Of the conspirators against Louis
Napoleon was to have commenced on the 25th
ultimo. The new penal law, slightly amended,
had been again reported by Count de Morny
to the Legislative Body, where some bold
words had been spoken against It. An appli-
cation for large amount Of secret service
money for the Minister of the Interior was I'M
der consideration. The Federal Council of
Switzerland had decreed the removal of the
foreign refugees into the interior; the Sandman
and Belgian Governments had yielded or were
about to yield, substantially to the demands Of
France respecting the refugees and other
obnoxious persons The Bank Of France had
lowered its rates Of discount from IL to
per cent Cotton and consols had advanced.
Later news from India had been received.
Sir Colin Campbell was about to commence
the subjugation Of Rohilcund, whence he would
march upon Lucknow, where the rebels wero
in great force All was quiet in the Punjaub,
and in the Madras and Bombay Presidencies.
Sir James 0utram had defeated the enemy at
Alumbagh twice with great slaughter. From
China there is no later news, but ample details
of the bombardment Of Canton are given.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13
LEFT in THE NEXT TRAIN.

The news of the triumph of the Republican
party last night, drove away from our city in the
next train, a large number Of our most conspicu.
Gus gamblers, pi ostitutes and other offenders II
they wish to escape merited punishment the BAL
ance had better leave Tonight Chicago Demo
Graf.
The balance had better leave tonight p
BALANCE, .lanr-two dishes; equipoise,
equilibrium. The two dishes, the equipoise,
aor equilibrium, had better leave tonight
c Wewish our editors and members of Con-
gress would use and speak the English Ian
guage, and not corrupt it so villainously.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13
A SIDE BLOW,

Mr.. Senator Hunter, in his grafton at the in
auguration Of the statue of Washington, took
occasion to give. Mr.. Buchanan very severe
side-blow. Speaking Of Washington, he said /:
The very constitution Of bis Cabinet gave evil
dence OF hispeculiar genius and his own conscious
ness of power. He sought no unit Cabinet, &C.
cording TO the set phrase of succeeding times. lie
asked no suppression Of sentiment, no conceal.
ment of opinion be exhibited no mean jealousy
of high talent In Others seeking for inferior instru
ments because such only he could expect 10 COM
mand. But be gathered around him the greatest
public men OF their day, and some of them to be
ranked with the greatest men Of any day"
"Look on this picture, and on this" Who
could fail to see the contrast here presented be-
tween Washington and Buchanan.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13
From the Louisville journal I
EDWARD EVERETT.

Since Edward Everett commenced the delivery
Of his great Grafton on Washington, he has been
greatly abused by certain journalists at tho North
because he did not see fit to use language Of sec.
tior al character Thor condemnation has been
unmeasured; and one, after reading their TRADES,
must wonder what he has been guilty of to re
ceve such treatment. But the abuse of Mr.. f.,
as we have already said, is not confined to the
North. Tho Richmond South not long sine, as
but al such attacks, either from the North or the
South, fail of their effect he is not to be injured
in the least by such trsducers. The Ohio State
Journal relates the following, apropos 10 N, as.
sault upon him by the Richmond South:
"When General Harrison, in 1910, nominated
Mr.. Everett as Minister to England, the Save power
In the Senate sought TO dsfcat him on the ground
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13
SLAVE TRADE.

Many Southern papers, and among them the
Baltimore Clipper, theoretically oppose the re-
opening Of the slave-trade, considering it an
advance backwards" of just half century.
We have learned to be surprised at nothing in
these days, and should not be at proposition
to establish se.fage, or the FGudal system in
this country. We have no doubt there are
thousands in the United States who would adj
yocate the latter form of society, provided they
knew they would be Lords, and their neigh
bors their vassels, and that they would be put
in possession of baronial castles and estates.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13
DoINGs or CoNGREss.


Our summary of the doings Of Congress du-
ring the past week may be comprized in nut
she'll The discussion Of the Kansas question
has occupied nearly the whole time Of both
branches.
Mr.. Green, of Missouri, who heads the ma
jority of the Committee on Territories, having
given notice on Monday that it was the inten-
ton Of the majority of the Senate to take the
vote on the bill to admit Kansas on Monday
next, the whole time of the Senate, excepting
the morning hour, has been given up to this
subject.
Some significant votes were taken in the
House on Thursday. It is known that Mr..
Stephens of Georgia, heads the majority of the
select committee of fifteen, appointed sometime
since by Mr. Speaker Orr, who in that instance
placed on the committee a majority Of mem
bers who were opposed to the object for which
the House ordered the committee to be APP
pointed. Mr. S. prepared report for that
majority, and sought TO make it to the House;
failing in that he caused it to be published in
the Union, as the report of the majority, though
it had never been made.
Mr. Harris brought the subject before the
House on Thursday as a question Of privilege,
but the Speaker decided that it was not a
question of privilege, and that no question Of
privilege could arise out of it. From this de-
cision Mr.. Harris appealed. A call of the
House was then moved, and the ayes and noes
demanded; being taken, they stood, ayes-09
nocs--108.
The ayes and noes were then taken on a
motion 10 lay the appeal on the table, and
stood, ayes-97 noes--112. Being majority
of 10 against the friends of Lecompton, or Of
the majority of the select committee. A mo-
ton to adjourn was lost, aycs-s9 nocs-129.
Another defeat of the friends Of Lecompton.
The question was then upon sustaining
the decision of the Chair; but at the request
of Mr.. Marshall, of KY, the appeal was post
poned till yesterday at one O'clock
These proceedings created great sensation in
the House and galleries, and may be taken as
some indication of the present feeling of that
body in regard to the admission of Kansas I'M
der the Lecompton Constitution. Nothing so
significant has occurred since the select COM
mittce of 10 was ordered.
Among the extraordinary incidents Of the
past week in Congress, may be mentioned the
prescntment of the resolutions of the State of
Texas on the Kansas cmbrolio. They are
what may be called, and what are called by
the papers of that State, the ultimatum Of
Texas They threaten terrible things if Kan
sas be not admitted under the Lecompton Con-
stitution, and the State has made large APP
preparation of money to carry out her threats
Well, this is rather funny-Texas so lately
begging to come into our Union, and to whom
the United States actually gaze ten millions Of
dollars to enable her to be honest and pay her
debts, now threatening to dissolvd the Union
if ter ultmatumis not.acc ,pted by Congress!
| Who can help laughing?
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13
HOW CAN SUCH THINGS BET

1t is mystery to us, past finding out, how
men of character, standing and high position,
who are respected by their neighbors, and who
respect themselves; men who would scorn as
individuals, TO be guilty Of, or be in any way
mixed up with fraud or falsehood, or do in
justice to others, can, as Senators and Mem
bers of Congress, consent to become the apollo
ul frauds as have BEEN practised and are now
attempted to be practised upon the people of
Kansas Can such men suppose that their
Senatorial or Congressional robes will protect
them from contamination, when they take fast
hold of this Kansas carcass, the odor of which
fills the whole Union, to bear it through the two
halls of CongressH If they fatter themselves
with any such idea, we think they will greatly
deceive themselves; no man can handle tar
without some of it sticking to his fingers; and
no public man can take part in pcrpetrating
great wrong, without losing that high charac-
ter for stern integrity and lofty craftsmanship,
which it should be the ambition of all public
men to maintain. Is it possible to feel high
respect for men who deliberately and willfully
perpetrate, or sanction the preparation of
fraud and injustice And is tbs fact that it is
demanded by the despotic decree Of a party,
any excuse or palation for wrong? Such an
act was once pcrpctrated in the Senate, when
the records Of that body were sacrligiously
mutilated and expungcd and the actors in that
dark scene will never be forgotten. And when
the Lecompton Constitution shall be forced
upon a people to whom it is detestable, by the
votes of Senators and Members there will be
Termed record that no time can effacc; a re-
cord that will forever rise in judgment and
condemnation against every man who records
his vote in the aft NATIVE.
If the measure is carried through the House,
it is well known it will be done by the cor
rupt use Of Executive patronage, and the force
of party drill and fealty. It's well known that
the uninhuenced judgment Of members would
without moments hesitation condemn the
measure; it is well known that members in
tend to vote for il, who admit that it is a great
outrage, but excuse and justify themselves
upon the ground of party fidelity and party
duty, as if their duty to their country were
not for moment to stand in the way Of their
fealty to the President, as the head Of their
party! But how those acknowledging no
SUCH fealty, but arrayed politically against the
President, can become the allies of that party
in the rerpctration Of fraud and oppression, is
TO us uncomfortable.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13
MIR. SEWARD ON THE AMERICAN
PARTY.

:" At this juncture the new Federal Adminstra'
ton came in, under President who had obtained
success by the Intervention at the polls of third
party-an ephemeral organization, built upon n
foreign and frivolous issue which had just strength
enough and life enough to give to pro-slavery
party the aid required to produce that untoward
result"
The abNe is an extract from Mr.. Stewards
speech in the Senate last week. 1t is thelatest
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13

~ A bill has been reported from the Judi.
ciary Committee Of the New York Assembly, mod
flying and amending the usury laws; It makes the
legal rate seven per cent, but authorizes the col.
lection Of the pncpaa and the legal rate Of interest
where higher rate has been paid. Also, TO
amend tie law against gambling by imposing a
fine $1,000
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-03-13

eg- g 1t is said that 3. +. Pratt, sonin-law OF
Hon. Rufus Choate, viii be appointed Assistant
Treasurer at Boston"
Choate supported Buchanan for President.
The laborer is worthy of his hire.