davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16
FIRE IN THE REAR, OR CROSS FIRF

Mr.. Buchanan must find the Presidentia
seat anything but pillow of roses; and ifv
does not realize the truth of that most truthfil
line of the poet,
Uneasy lies the head that wears crown"
we very much misjudge him. Who can eny
him his place? He came into power, like hi
poor predecessor, with triumphant majority
he seemed to be the idol of his party, and ther)
were many thousands Of people who had voted
for him, though not of his party, because they
believed that one who had seen so much public
service, and must have learnt wisdom from ex.
perience, and would be a conservative PresiS
dent rather than amere official partisan These
now look to him to settle quietly, prudently,
and justly the unhappy broils which the Kan
sas Nebraska act had brought upon US, and
confidently hoped that new era was about to I
dawn upon the land.
The appointment of Robert j. Walker as
Governor of Kansas, and the policy adopted
by him with the appreciation of the admins
tration, encouraged this hope; it was believed
that constitution was about to be formed and
submitted to the people Of Kansas, by which
all complaints would be removed, and all con-
tention between the North and the South
hushed. The triumphs of the Democratic
party in so many States, during the Summer
and FALL showed the confidence of the people il.
the administration. But suddenly change
came DER the spirit of this dream The un-
clouded sky was in moment overcast;
storm seemed to be rising; the clouds looked
angry and threatening; the blast came, and
away went the unity and harmony of "the
great Democratic party" Noise and confu-
sion and angry words followed; the party was
rent in twain, severed forever; there was now
a Northern and Southern national Demo-
cratic party, each section facing and scowling
upon the other.
In this division Mr.. Buchanan cast his lot
with, and headed the Southern national Dem
ocratic party, and Mr.. Douglas the Northern.
But presently comes up another disturbing
question which produces cross fire. Another
Walker comes into the field; Mr.. Buchanan
takes ground against the fiillibuster, while his
southern friends abandon and open fire upon
their leader in the rear. Mr. Douglas mean1
time stands by the fillibuster, and, quo adj hoe,
goes with his antagonists, the Southern Dem
ocratic wing, which give him no thanks?
Mr. Buchanan is therefore exposed to a
double raking fire from the two sections or
factions of the party which so lately bore him
in triumph into the Presidential chair. Can
he stand it? But one answer can be given to
this question; an emphatic NO. He has even
now no party in either branch of Congress
upon which hecan rely for support, and he has
no party in the country to which he can ap-
peal to sustain him. Denounced in turn by
the northern and southern wings of his late en-
tire party, he can look for no sympathy or
coincidence from either and like Xerxes of old,
he may now sit down, seeing his scattered CO
horts here and there-fragments of his grand
army-and weep that in short time they will
be no more.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

Although we are not disposed to concede to
Senator Douglas, much credit for political con-
sistency, and shall always believe his intro
duction of the Kansas Nebraska bill, the most
fragrant and pernicious act Of demagoguism
ever perpetrated in Congress, he is, certainly,
rs between himself and Buchanan, right, and
has the best OF the argument. The principle
of popular sovereignty, is no less true and sa-
cred now, then il was when the Missouri
Compromise was sacrificed upon its altar and
it has no such restricted and partial applica-
ton as President Buchanan would confne it
to- Slavery is not the only question, that in
terests human beings, there are other social
and domestic relations which have to be regu-
lated, and in which the people have the right
to be consulted. To restrict the application
of the rule to the single question Of slavery, is
q greater violence to the doctrine Of popular
sovereignty than the Missouri Compromise it.
self
Looking at the thing as mere outside SPEC
tator, having no special interest in this family
quarrel, we cannot see how the President will
be able to sustain himself in the conflict with
the little giant. II in that controversy, the
democratic party cleave to the President, il
will be the most astounding instance of party
trucking and servility on record-MdrysUith
Ky. Eagle
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16
You have already very improperly told 10

You have already very improperly told 10
the HERALD how Banks sold out his friends TO
Steadman, and how in consequence St. adman
was elected and Wendell was defeated. can't
exactly see what business it is to you, though
don't pretend to be able to account for the in
quisitiyeness of Northern men generally How
ever, am glad you have not told that this
same Wendell is still doing the printing. ]
don't blame Banks and Steadman for this. AS
the fellow in the play says, It's their poverty
and not their consents" They did not go in to
do the printing better than it had been done or
cheaper. Certainly not. They merely desired,
as | did, to get the job, to make money for
themselves It is said they have taken care of
some of the correspondents of papers here.
hope yours are not in the list, for you have
done what you could to break the matter up
Still, there ought to be honor among thieves,
and do complain that when they are dividing
up the plumber among their poverty stricken
crowd, including regiment of consumptive
newspapers, /, who am as poor as any Of them,
should be overlooked. They say they can't
uiNiuo ~ w any lhoie, .hoe ohoy ohiJ 5oe WAY
House printing, and that Wendell, who does
the work, is mean enough to require some pay
for it. am in hopes, however, that may yet
get slice and in the meantime, for Gods
sake stop pitching into the matter and advoca-
ting the establishment of a printing bureau
This would put an end to all my hopes, and
force me to accept mission to Greece or some
other out of the way place where they speak a
language no free white American citizen, and
especially Southern gentleman, has any right
to know. .. 4 a'...
Jus. be good enough to discuss Cuba, or
Kansas, or Walker or anything else you please
but the public printing, at all events till | get
my share confess its first rate bit of plum
der, and having thus made clean breast it
will be ungenerous of you to keep on firing.
WASHINGTON Po1Ts, of Mississippi.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16
PUBLIC PLUMBER AND PUBLIC
PRINTING.

There is good deal of truth lurking in the
letter of /" Washington Potts." which we pub
lish from the New York Herald, under the guise
of unsophisticated simplicity and ignorance
AS the public printing and binding afford, as
managed, immense profits, and the public
printer can make, if he has not to share his
profits with too many partners, a large fortune
in the two years he has the work, it naturally
attracts the attention and excites the cupidity
of great many who 60 upon the principle of
getting rich, honestly if they must, but getting
rich any how. And, as the stake is so large,
and there are SO many after it, it has been
found judicious, by the Wendells and others
who have learned that It's better to secure half
than lose the whole, to enter into combinations
for the purpose of securing the prize. Men,
therefore, are taken in who are supposed to be
able to control a certain number of votes in the
House or Senate, and it matters not whether
they belong to the political party in the ma
jority or not; indeed, it is deemed necessary
usually, that one or more of the combination
should be Of opposite politics, in order to Sc
cure, if necessary, some opposition votes.
The public binding is another mine of public
plumber. That is now in The hands of Wen
dell, who obtained the public printing of the
House two years ago, some hoD, though the
majority of the body was opposed to him po-
lticaly. How bis election could have been
effected without bribery and corruption, we
shall not undertake at this late day to prove
especially as we think everybody's mind is
already made up in regard to the matter
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

James Buchanan's Administration will be
noted hereafter, for its general inconsistencies
Without abiding to its desertion Of the doc
trine of popular sovereignty under which it
was elected, we have but to state, as iniuatory
to series of inconsistencies, the fact that, az
ter the most violent TRADE in the message
against banks, irredeemabc bank notes, and
paper money generally, the very first demand
of the administration is, the issue of irredeem-
able paper promises to pay, in the shape Of
Treasury notes. This act is called for by a
hard money administration, and is passed by
hard money Democrats, while at the same time
the administration and the Democrats are de-
claring against the emission Of paper money.
How soon Buchanan will use the Federal power
against the State Banks, remains to be seem
Connecticut Courdnt.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16
THEDAY OF SMALL THINGS.

PROSTATE as the country is, financially !;
bankrupt as the public Treasury is, and driven
to the necessity Of resorting to loans and pa
per currency; suffering as our manufacturers
are, and compelled to shut up their mills and
dismiss their hands paralyzed as every branch
of industry is by the free trade policy of the
present and the two last Democratic admins
trations, and Democratic Congresses, and loud
as the calls of the people are upon the Govern
ment, executive and legislative, for such RENE
dies as shall restore prosperity to the country
by re-establishing confidence among business
men, and give strength and action to the arm
of industry, nothing has yet been done by
Congress to effect these great purposes, and no
member of either body, speaking for or in unison
with the administration, or belonging to the
dominant party, has yet proposed any RENE
dial measure, or suggested the propriety of do
ing anything for the country. The whole time
of Congress is taken up in discussing mere
party questions, splitting hairs upon the con-
structioD Of the Kansas Nebraska act, cavillng
as to who stands upon the Cincinnati platform,
who is within the Democratic fold, and who has
abandoned the platform and the party
Listening to the endless talk going on in
both Halls Of Congress- one would infer that
with the great interests of the people with
those subjects which occupy the thoughts of
statesmen in other countries, members of Con-
gross have no concern whatever. And in TAX
ing positions upon the questions that are there
talked to tatters, the inquiry seems to be, not
what is right and just, but how political capital
may be gained. Truly this is the day of small
things, and we fear of small men.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16
Arrival OF the North American.

The Canadian mai-steamer North American
has arrived at Portland, Maine, on the 14th,
with Liverpool dates of the 3oth ult. The mail
steamer America arrived at Liverpool on the
18th.
There is prospect Of further reduction in
the Bank Of England's rates of interest
Lord Harowby will be succeeded in the Brit
ish ministry by Lord Clanricarde.
The relief Of Lucknow is finlly confirmed
The slaughter of the rebels was very great.
The United States ship Minnesota, with the
American commissioner, had reached Hong
Kong. Speedy operations were contemplated
against Canton.
1t is said that all the exied generals are
granted unconditional permission to return to
France
The steamer Sarah Sands had been almost
destroyed by fire, but succeeded in reaching
Mauritius. She had troops on board.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16
W- aI wish | could he. a dnorl.eeno

Ell wish | could be doorkeeper, or
something else like it" said John, mu,ingly,
the other day. Why, John; why do you wish
SOP "Be ause," said John, with great sim
plicity, and not meaning anything in the world,
because then ! would appoint somebody's
little boy page, and perhaps his papa would
give me a full suit Of new clothes, who knows ?"
Now, we wonder what could have put such
strange idea into the boys head-thata man
would give him new suit of clothes for ap-
pointing his n pagei It's mighty stpangei
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16
How 1T In DONE.

Some very queer things are done in a very
queer way. Suppose, for instance, that Mr..
II. happens TO be doorkseper, and rs such, has
the removing, if he thinks proper, and the APP
pointing Of sundry messengers under him.
Mr.. S. is messenger, appointed by Mr. HIS
predecessor. Mr.. II. naturally prcsumes that
Mr.. s. desires to retain his place. They meet,
and sit down-have little cozy chat some
thing like the following:
Mr.. H. suppose you would like to 70.
main2
Mr.. s. Yes.
Mr.. H. Why, ! can make great deal of mo-
ney; see here, taking out half dozen letters. !
Here's one man offers me $25 month for a
place. Here's another who offers me $50
here's another who offers me 800, and here's
another who offers me $1,000 fog place.
Mr.. s. Well, Mr.. H., If you expect me to
offer you single cent as bride to retain my
place, you are mistaken, for win hold 1t on no
such condition.
Mr.. II. Oh, no, didn't expect any such
offer from you. don't take brides myself
Now, here comes Mr.. g., don't believe he
would think Of Offering me bribe, though he
would be glad to remain where he is
Mr.. G. No, should not; IL cannot hold
place without bribery, will not hold il at
all.
Mr.. Ii. / thought so, putting up bis letters.
The next day Mr.. s. and Mr.. G. received
from Mr.. H. notes sgnifying that he had no
further need Of their services as messengers
But we should like to know whether the
man who offered Mr.. II. $1,000, was appointed
70 hl the place held BY either Of these mens
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

w- We find it impossible to get sufficient
number of faithful, responsible boys to deliver
our paper to our city subscribers, and also
agents who will pay us the money they collect
We have tried this plan long enough to test it
to our cost, and we shall try it no longer than
till the last of this month.
With the lst of February we shall adopt the
plan of requiring payment quarterly IN a.
rancs All who want the WEEKLY AMERICAN,
or have Americanism enough in their bosoms
to prompt them to do little towards keeping
up party paper here, will please to call and
give, or send us their names, and sirfy.iee
cents, the price of the paper from the LIST Of
February to the lst OF May.
By this arrangement we shall be enabled to
have the paper distributed by two or three
men. and be sure that it will be promptly and
regularly delivered-which is not the case
now-at much less cost to us than at present.
Those who prefer receiving their papers
through the post-office, can have them thus
sent. .H
We may lose some subscribers by this
change, but we had better run that risk than
continue to lose money by the agents and many
of our subscribers, and to have our friends
continually annoyed by not receiving their
papers regularly. From the 1st of February
no paper will be delivered that is not already
paid for, as above .".
Our Office is in the building on Second street,
between Indiana Avenue and D street, north, in
the fourth story, entrance, on Second street.
Henry johnson, our Clerk, is the only per-
son authorized to receive monies for this Office,
after this month (January)
N.B.-Monies enclosed in letters and handed
to the carriers of the AMERICAN, or sent by
any other person, so that we get them, will
answer every purpose. After this month our
carriers names will be announced.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

The southern fire eating Democracy appears
to be taking fillibuster Walkers capture very
hard to heart. 1t goes down hard. AT New
Orleans and Mobile, we see, the brethren have
managed to get up quitea respectable indigna-
ton excitement on the subject "Sweet Will
liam" down there is looked upon as very i'll
used man-indeed maryland so acutely
do his friends feel the atrocious atfront which
Commodore Paulding has put upon him, that
they have determined to fit out another expe-
dition for Nicaragua, right straight off, and,
what is more-they do not care who knows it.
Enlistments are actively going on, and it is
estimated that in New Orleans and Mobile
there are no fewer than fourteen hundred men
enrolled and awaiting shipment
We cannot say we are opposed to the depar-
ture of these professional fllibusters from our
shores. They leave their country for their
country's good. We are not sure but that fill
clustering is real benefit to the country in
taking away from us a great many reckless
and bad men, who have nothing to look for
ward to at home, dissatisfied and restless
spirits who are continually seeking for excite
ment and must have it at the expense of our
own or some other country. What we par
ticularly object to is, the bad habit they have
of returning to this country after they have
been severely hogged by people whom they
want to kill and whose property they have en-
deavored to take by force.-FrankJort Com
monaoedLth.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16
A POOR INVESTMENT.

Gov. j. G. Jones of Tennessee, once.a Clay
Wing, was here some time ago, when he made
a rather humorous remark. Speaking of his
having come on here, he said he had made a
small investment in the democratic party,
some time ago, and had come on to get his
dividend; but he found, unfortunately for him,
tha' the whole concern had bursted up before
the first dividend was declared.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

Resolued, That we acknowledge with pleas
ure apd pride the services and cooperation of
the national wings who have aided the demo-
cratic party in the support of those cherished
principles, upon which the stability Of the
Union depends, and the equal rights Of its cit
liens are based.
The above is one of the resolutions adopted
at the late democratic State Convention in
Kentucky. England also acknowledged "the
services and cooperation" of the traitor,
Benedict Arnold, but she despised him, and
he had sensibility enough to despise himself
which we do not believe the apostate wings Of
XIV. and other States have.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

News FRGM THE GovERSoR.--The Richmond
Wing furnishes us with the latest intelligence
from the Gar of Virginia--as follows:
We have been frequently asked If our dear
neighbor wasn't dead-he having been toler-
ably silent of late, writing neither letters nor
messages. Our reply is that he was certainly
alive during Christmas week---for he fred off
more Christmas guns than any man in town,
and was otherwise unusually lively. We sus-
poet he was on what is called bender, but we
cannot exactly say-for he is in the habit of
making himself deliberately funny sometimes
just for the amusement Of the public.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

AT the late special session Of the Kansas
Legislature, but two laws were finally passed,
the one providing for The submission of the
entire Lecompton Constitution to the people
on the 4th Of January, and the other making
the preparation Of election frauds felony.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

DECIDEDLY RIoH MnK.--An advertisement
in a city paper announces that the subscriber
has made an arrangement with gentleman
living short distance from the city who is
making large quantities Of clean, pure, rich
milk, which he will furnish to those desiring
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

The census Of the United States shows that
we have two million and half of farmers,
one hundred thousand merchants, sixty-four
thousand masons, and nearly two hundred
thousand carpenters. We have fourteen thou
sand bakers to make our bread; twenty four
thousand lawyers TO set us by the ears; forty
thousand doctors to "kill or cure" and fifteen
hundred editors to keep this motley mass in
order, by the power Of public opinion CONTROL.
cd and manufactured through the press.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

Hon. Francis w. Pickens, of South Carolina,
has been nominated TO the Senate for the mis-
sion at ST. Petersburgh, and not Mr.. Buchanan,
Of Maryland, rs rumored.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

The Columbus, Ohio, JournaIsays, there are
now upwards Of one hundred regularly educa-
ted practising female physicians in the United
States
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16


RUssIA--In 1862 the Gar of Russia will
erect a monument commemorative of the one
thousandth year of the Russian empire. The
national life Of ten centuries has an imposing,
venerable aspect. The government has always
been the samoan autocracy. The admins
tration has varied according to the character
and fortunes of each ruler. The devotion of
the people to the sceptre is still, as heretofore,
unlimited, like the imperial power--a royalty
reaching religious worship. The recent adj
dress Of the Metropolitan (the high prelate) Of
Moscow to Alexander III on his visit to the cap
ital shadows out the relations between the SOW
ereign and the subject Most pious sover-
eign, the heart of Russia-for you are in her
bosom and heart--the orthodox people vene-
rate you. Peace will facilitate your efforts to
elevate and improve the eternal life Of Russia,
to preserve and augment the good bequeathed
to us by our ancestors In your sacred per-
son the orthodox church reveres the quality Of
her defender and protector, one of the greatest
prerogatives OF the Lords Amounted" In the
chapel of the Convent Of Miracles, the Empe-
ror and Empress remained for some time on
their knees before the relics of St. Alexis. The
Emperor soon after mounted his horse and re-
viewed the troops and cadets Egbert, the
first sole monarch Of England, began his reign
in 1877; thus the monarchy is upwards of
thousand years. More than fourteen hundred
are claimed for that of France. The republic
of ancient Rome did not endure half as long
Mr.. Walsh's letter from Paris Of November
o. .... ......
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

A word once spoken, coach with four horses
cannot oyertake il and bring Il back.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

Joy Is the proper element of the human mind
gloom Is akin to moroseness, and moroseness Is
wickedness
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

The worst of an imaginary danger is, that IL
often leads us TO overlook a roal one.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

He dies like beast whoha done no good while
he lived.
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

1.-THE UNION OF THE UNIONIsTS, FoF
THE SAKE OF THE UNI0N!!"
Weekly American. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1858-1858, 1858-01-16

The man who is without an idea, generally has
the greatest idea Of himself .