davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31

FIRE.-About ten O'Clock onl Saturday
evening, q small brick house on Union Street,
occupied by Mr.. John Meyer, was discovered
by the neighbors to be on fire. A feeble
alarm (none of the larger bells being rung)
called out the fire department and q few of
our citizens, too late however to save the
building, which with its valuable contents
was totally consumed. Mr.. NJ eyer is q Ger
man, who has lately come to Burlington
with the intention of starting manufacto-
ry of SHIRTS. He had just completed the
furnishing of the house with new carpets
and furniture, valued at nearly thousand
dollars, and had also, in the building a
quantity of valuable linens, silver ware, sew
eral gold watches land other property amount,
ing as estimated by Mr.. Meyer to over three
thousand dollars worth in all.-The fire burnt
rapidly, and of the contents of the building
nothing was ,aved but u cook stove, and q
couple of silver pitchers, which were reached
through a window with a stick. The En-
gines were promptly on the ground, the Box
er reaching the fire first, but could do nothing
but to save the surrounding property, to which
they turned their attention with their custo-
mary energy and success. The building North
of and closely adjoining the burning one,
owned and occupied by R. S. Taft Esq, was
in great danger, when stream from the
Ethan Allan engine, followed after min
nutc's interval by one from the Boxer, came
into play, and soon settled the question of
mastery. There was but scanty supply of
water from the neighboring wells, but what
there was was well used and every drop told.
The powerful stream thrown by the Boxer
directly upon the burning mass as the roof
and walls fell in was especially effective. The
Hook & Ladder Company were on hand and
did good service
The origin of the fire is mystery, Mr. and
Mrs Meyer went out to ride and to make
some social visits, early in the afternoon,
locking the house, and had not returned
when the fire broke out. They state that
they left but little fire safely secured in a
stove, and the lapse of time, some seven or
eight hours, between their departure and the
breaking out of the fire, would seem to make
it probable that the fire originated in no
carelessness on their part Suspicious are
rife that it was an incendiary fire covering n
robbery of the valuables in the dwelling.
Mr.. Meyer had an insurance of $4,000 on
his effects. The building was owned by our
townsman Mr.. 7. D, Fletcher, and was in
sured for 5000.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31

We dropped in at the Engine Houses of
Boxer No. 3 and Ethan Allen No. 4, Tues
day, and found every thing in "apple-pie
order The Engines were in perlecqcondition;
the hose used at the fire on Saturday evening
had been carefully washed and laid out to
dry while a quantity of fresh hose was reel
ed upon the hose carts, and everything was in
readiness for immediate use We were, of
course. gratiied to sec these evidences of
efficiency and care for the property of the
Fire District, and were both gratifed and
surprised, when we were informed by Capt
WHEELER of the Boxer, and Mr.. B. B. SnALL-
rr of the Ethan Allen Company, that had
our call been made an hour after the return
of the engines from the FIRE Saturday, we
should have found everything in the same
condition of readiness for active service.
This is as it should be, and it gives our
property-holdcrs feeling OF security against
fire, to which they have till recently been
strangers.
We understand that the annual meeting of
the Fire District has been called, lat what
time we are not informed) and we trust
that the freemen of the District will meet
prepared to show their appreciation OF the
interest and efficiency exhibited by our gal
liant firemen.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31

AFRAID OF DIscussIoY.-A bill has been latel y
introduced into the Georgia Legislature to pun
ish all persons who shall sell circulate in this
state any copies of a certain work entitled Amui-
can Slavery, protesting to be debate in Phila-
dolphia between Brownlow and Pryne, as the said
volume contains matter insurrectionsry and sodi-
tious."
I" Parson Brownlow," OF Knoxville, Tenn. i,
is one Of the loudest and coarsest brawlers for
Slavery that disgraces the Southern pulpit
With great flourish of trumpets he came
oGfh, some months ago, to attack the " alb
the North opposed mo OF course, nobody at
us much as he liked, and at Pinto Slavery
Rev. Mr.. Payne mot him on the stand After
twoo three public discussions Parson Brown
low concluded he had had enough of it, and
went back 10 Tennessee. Talks for Slavery
are always in order at the south but not u
word must be said against it,-even when
their own champions arguments for II are
printed side by side,
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31


Society for such action as may be judged
best.
but after all Shat may be done in tho way
OF legal cnactmcnts. it amounts to nothing
il the fri gnds of the law do not see that it Is
enforced. 1t may be as perfect in its provi-
eions as the Decaloeuo, but il through the
unc,, ct of its friends it remains dead letter,
it * not worth the paper on which it is en-
oro.scd IT il tho certainty and promptness
Of its execution that piyes to law it's mower
and makes it a terror to cYil-docrs. And in
regard to no law is this more emfba;i6ally
true. than in regard to a prohibt6ry liouor
law. The intens, love of gain on the one
hand and the terrible appetite on the other
make both the buyer and seller well nigh
desperate in this lawless work, nothing but
the certainty of experiencing in all its force
the penalty oflaw will terrify them from It,
With the certainty, therefore, with which
the steel trap clinches the foot of the wolf
that trcdds upon it. should the penalty OF this
law come upon its transgressor. If it brings
pccunafy ruin let it come. BY his nefarious
business he is spreading ruin in its most APP
palling form through community and it is
unspcakably better that one such man should
be pccuniarily ruined than that the whole
community should thus suffer. 1t is sick
" and not n healthful sympathy that deals
leniently with such transgressor
Neither the demands of justice nor
humanity are answered BY it. 1t is
unkindncss to the guilty and infdelity to
the community. 1t may be an unpleasant
task, but it is a stern duty, from which we
may not turn innoccntly away. And it is
just here, in the neglect OF its friends, in a
timid and vacillating policy, in total want
Incorporation and concentration of influence
and power, that our present law in many
localities has been crippled and rendered well
nigh nugatory. May we not hope that the
folly of the past will teach us wisdom for the
future.
Rut. wit, the beat law upon our statute
hoax and its most certain and rpid execu-
tion tbcr, will vet remain n vast work to be
done bv individual and associated effort to
inrlse and maintain n right moral sentiment
on This subject While. therefore. we seek
to ncrfect the law. and to enforce il to the
lnttnr VIZ NAV not abate n lot or little of our
endeavors to persuade men to shun tho path
Of intemneronce as the nath of death. and
10 he tem,,cronce men ont of principle. on,
Of a sinccro md intelligent regard to thei,
avn ;,trrests the ,rolfare of society and the
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31

QUESTIONS FOR THE UMPIRE AT WASHING
roN.-Tne president having undertaken the
business ofunvcrsal umpire in all matters Of
difference of opinion, the New York Evening
Post suggests the following forms of applica-
ton for executive direction
l.
Sublime Sir The boy, who run with "l56,"
of which company am a member, ere proposing
next Monday to ballot for foreman. Tho candi-
date, for tho post are Tall Sykesey, One Eyed
Bill and the Baxter Buffer. As I have no desire
to lose the valuable berth now occupy under the
collector of the port of New York, and at the
same time desire to exercise the unspeakablc pri-
village of the elective franchise on the occasion
ferred to, most respectively beg your csccllcncy
TO communicate at your c1cellcncy's earliest con-
venience, any predictions your excellency may
entertain for any of the candidates above named.
An early answer, either by letter or Geographic
rumor to the New York press, will greatly obligc
your cxcellency's obcdicnt servant
joins sroKER.
Immaculate Sir: blush to say that 1 au
in view. Tho eyes of one black-the eyes Of
the other are beautiful gray. ASH should moi
like to jeopardre my situation of gauger in the
New York custom house, by running counter to
your cxcellency's ideas of womanly beauty, beg
leave to solicit from your excelency expression
Of your excellency's views this interesting snb
ject, My individual approval of black, as color
might involve the party here In some trouble
about the great African question: while my choice
of gray eyes might subject us to some compiled
tion with the late hero Of Nicaragua. I there
fore await, with natural, and I hope excusable
impatiencc, your excellencys decision. Will
great respect and profound admiration.
T. JEFFERSON SMITH
III.
Mighty Sir The choir of the Methodist churcl
| in Broadway, Of which choir am member, ar
| about to elect leader. As my position in thu
post office renders my action this ntous oc
| cason of the greatest Importance to myself, TIL
| party, and the world take tho liberty to consul
| Mr.. Jones and Mr.. Thompson. Mr.. Jones has
| good voice but he is in favor Of internal improve
| mcnts, and his grandfather was member of tn
| Hartford convention. Mr.. Thompson's organ i
not frst-rate, but he is very ambitious vocal
ist and was in favor of Lecompton. I beg lenv
to throw upon the executive the responsibility o
choice between these gentlemen. Your excel
lencys obedient servant PETER FOG.
~.
Magnificent Sir My wife and 1 propose to hav
roast goose for dinner next Sunday. She insist
that it should be stuffed with sage and onions
prefer that it should be stuffed with onions alone
As am one of the few but unterriied democrat
in my ward, am DESTROYS that this di ference il
regard to an important internal domestic nsttu
tion should be settled in strict accordance will
the views of the administration, and I therefor
beg an early expression of your excellcncy's view
upon this new ''goose question: 1 remain, sir
with profound respect,
A. JACKSON DusHSBURY.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31
FOREFATHERs, DAY,

The account of New England Society cele-
brations on the 22d inst, the anniversary of
the Landing Of tho Pilgrims on Plymouth
Rock, occupy much space in the large city
journals. The doings at Plymouth itself are
related in the Boston Atlas Of the 23d, by
one who was present. The visitor speaks of
the ancient relics deposited in Pilgrims Hall,
among which he says
"Therc we saw the barrel of the gun with
which King Phillip was shot. There is the
sword, the old iron pot, and the tin platters
of Miles Standlsh There is model of the
Mayhower. There is a copy of Eliot's Indian
Bible. In an ante-room, off from the main
hall, in glass case, is the original charter OF
the Plymouth Colony, granted by Oliver
Cromwell The corner of the parchment on
which the name of the "Protector" was in
scribed had been torn off, doubtless by some
unprnciplcd collector of autographs. He
will never dare show it, for then the thief
would be discovered. The torn corner has
been pieced out by a paper substitute. on
which is written, in imitation OF the original
the manic of Cromwell In front of the hall,
the upper part Of the Rock is placed, sur
rounded and guarded by an iron railing.
DctVtcI Ino VII nun pi"eoo 81 VIZ
names Of the Pilgrims whose feet had hallow.
ed and immort ilized the inanimate ground
| inclosed within. But why dwell on these
things? They are as household words,
| known to all men who claim kindred with
the colonists of Plymouth and of New Eng
land
Elk. Gov. Everett, by arrangement.deliver-
ed his Grafton on Washington, and the result
was one hundred and ffty-two dollars more
added from New England purses to thu
Mount Vernon Fund. Before commencing
the grafton, the choir sang to the tune o
"Old Hundred the following beautiful
verses by VIM. c. Bryant
Wild was the day; the wintry sea
Moaned sadly on New Englands strand,
When first, the thoughtful and the free,
Our fl Tiers, trod the desert land.
They little thought how pure light
With years, should gather round that day
How love should keep their memories bright
| How wide a realm their sons should sway.
Green are the bays; and greener still
Shall round their spreading fame be wreathed
And regions now untrod, shall thrill
With reverence, when their names are breathed
Till when the sun, with softer fires,
Looks the vast Pacifc's sleep,
The children of the Pilgrim sires,
This hallowed day like US shall keep.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31
CHITTENDEN COUNTY TEACHERS
ASSOCIATION.

The recent meeting Of the Association Mt
Williston was attended by about one hun
drcd and fifty Teachers. DOUBTLESS the largest
gathering of Teachers ever collected in the
County,) and was very pleasant and profit
able occasion. Such meeting affords the
happiest auguries, both of success to the
Association, and of progress to the education
al interests of the County. We suhioin the
official report of the proceedings.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31

FATAL AcctDENT.-The St. Adams Mes
senger says that Mr.. Geo. W. Blake of Fair
fax returned home from fox hunting on
Wednesday evening of last week, and placed
his gun, which was loaded, in corner near
the fire to dry Mrs. Blake accidentally
knocked the gun down, which caused dis
charge, lodging the contents in one of her
feet, mangling it in dreadful manner, The
limb was amputated the next morning but
Monday.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31

The NEXT House OF REPREsENTArIvEs.-
From an informality under which many Of
the votes cast for Daniel E. Sickles, Thomas
J. Barr, George Briggs, Horace F. Clark.
and also rs it is said, for John Cochrane and
w. b. Maclay, were returned to the Board
of State Canvassers. as votes in each case for
Member Of Congress" instead of Represen-
tative in Congress" it appears that the case
OF said members respectively will be submit
ted to Congress without the regular certif-
cate. The State Canvassers say, that while
they "cannot give to the members elect in
the districts named their official certificates.
in consequence of the informality in the
returns, they yet recognize the fact of their
election according to the law.
Thus. we presume that these gentlemen
indicated upon clerical informality, will have
to await the action of the House of Represcn-
tatives before they can take their seats or
can act as members of the body. And what
then? Why, as without these members the
opposition will, almost to dead certainty,
have the House, and as with them the scale
may be turned in favor of the democracy, We
perceive the delicacy and the possible impor-
ia nee of this technical issue, which will be
sprung upon the next Congress with the or
ganization call of the roll Of members from
the several States. Thus, indeed, the cleri-
cal blunder of our country canyassers may
result in giving all the spots and plumber Of
the next House of Representatives TO the op-
position, and from this vantage ground per-
haps the next President of the United States.
Who knows? Considering the present con-
fusion and dislocation of parties, tho Preei-
Dental election may be carried in'o the
House, and when once there, from the close
dizzy .hsdx.v tbs. .weisht IF a. straw
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31

FIRE.-The house of II. z. 4 S. L, Chur-
chill in Brandon, was destroyed by FIRE, on
the 18th inst. Loss estimated at $500. In
sured for $500.
The blacksmith shop of Willard NJ Hodge
I on the lis.- -,
Stock anl tools a totSfa'ior about 800.
400 The f,e was discoveretmated at
O'Clock, Supposed u have caught from tN
forge.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31

Court, is said to Do o-r.h. q. s. Supreme
distinguished public character ~.
wears, and his death would be serious loss
to the country at this time; in particular
As his scat would probably be given to some
worthless political lawyer ready to do ms
party's work in tho Federal tribunals
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31

A Monument to the Signers of the Declar-
alton Of Independence will probably be
erected in Independence Square, Philadel-
phia. Ten States are said to have agreed to
cooperate in the matter, and others have it
under consideration.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31
MORE OF THE STATE HOUSE.

The Montpelier Freeman comes to us
freighted with column article on State
House affairs. We have examined it only
enough to see that, though appearing as
editorial, it was not written by the editor of
that paper, and that It contains an elaborate
attempt to fix charge of bad faith upon
Burlington and her Representatives. We
shall take an early occasion to give it such
attention Is il merits.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31
VERMONT AED CANADA RAIL.
ROAD.


1t will be seen by an account from the
Boston Journal, of the meeting of the stock
holders oftb" Vermont and Canada Railroad
Company, held in Boston Friday of last
waaH, that the stock hollrs voted to accept
tic act Of the legislature for extending the
charter 81 tac corporatI N. The company was
allowed, hy tho act. i'rty-fvc days to make
and file its acceptance Of the act, failing to
40 which the charter would be void We
never doubted the acceptance of the act by
the company. 1t would make r.o expense
TO the company to do 50, and would give it
time to look about and see how TO take the
steps which are to follow. OF these the first
one is the location Of the branch from here
north to junction with the present road in
Milton, and an expenditure of $500 on
the work north side OF the Onion river, be-
lore September next. The French pro-
verb, sit is the first step which COSTS"
does not apply t, this case. The step already
taken is the first, under the act. The second
is the costly one, and it will not be taken
probably. unless the company can see its
way pretty clear how the costly ones to fol-
low can be taken also. If the stockholders
can be made TO see that their stock will be
really benefited by the operation. so as to
make it worth more to them, there will be
no great difficulty in getting the money to
complete the work II it looks to them as if
it would be only putting money in "a bag
with holes, Il iruitless attempt to fill a bucket
left, it will be an uphill piece Of work
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31
THE DECLARATION OF INDEPEND-



The Pennsylvania Journal of .InIy II, 1776.
contains the following account OF the public
reading of the Declaration of Independence
to the Army in and about New York
July 10, l77G.-Ths afternoon the De-
claration was read at the head of each brig
AIDE of the Continental Army, posted at and
in the vicinity of New York. 1t was received
everywhere with loud huzzas, and the utmost
demonstrations of joy and tonight the
equestrian statue Of George H., which tory
pride and folly raisel in the year l770. has
by the sons Of freedom been laid PROSTATE
in the dirt-the Just desert of an ungrateful
tyrant The lead wherewth the monument
was made is to be run into bullets, to assim-
iate with the brains of our infatuated adver-
saries, who, to gain a pcpper-corn, have lost
an empire- A gentleman who was present
at this ominous fall of leaden Majesty. look
ing back to the originals hopeful beginning,
pertinently exclaimed, in the language OF the
angel to Lucifer,
" If thou best he But ali, how fallen how
changed ~
'Lord Clare, in the House of Commons, declared
that peppor-corn in acknowledgment of Britain $
right to tax Ainerica was Of more Importance than
millions without it.
Cold WEATHER We learn by Telegraph
through the Am. Telegraph Co., that at Is.
land Pond, Dee. 80, at A. NJ, the Their
mometer stood at 80 degrees below zero
At Burlington 1t was 10 degrees below zero
at a somewhat later hour,
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31

TEAT.-In the list of paten,s issuei
Dec. 6, We notice one to Eluathsn Sampson
d,.S,,, Johnsbury, VT, for impairment in
--aleS
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31

ESSEX was, on recommendation of the Commit
tee, designated as the place of the next meeting
Votes were passed-in favor of supporting an
Educational Journal, if established thanking
Messrs. Pease, Cilley, Byington and Tyler, fer
their several Addresses and Essays, and the People
of Williston, =" for their generous hospitality, so
cordially givon for the entertainment of the Asso-
citation and instructin; the Recording Secretary
"to prepare concise report of the proceedings of
this meeting, and furnish il to the several Papers
of the County for publication"
Adjourned.
J. II. WORCESTER, Prs,rdeni.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-12-31
THE NEW YEAR,

The year 1883 closes to-day, and we
wish happy new year, 1859, to the SUBJ
scribers and readers of the Free Press,
generally. We wish them health, pros.
perity and happiness, peace with God and
good will to their fellowmen, not only for
the year but for many to come.
We have done our best to make the
FREE PRESS useful and interesting
weekly visitor to them thus far. They
may be assured that our efforts will not be
relaxed for the twelve months to come.
We will not close the year with dun to
those who are delinquent, though we doubt
not that in their thoughtful movements
those who are behind hand will consider
that to maintain the paper costs us a large
sum ofmoney, and that large sum can only
be made up from the little ones to come
from our customers
We hope our friends will show us their
good estimation of our work by doing what
they can, severally to add to our subscrp-
ton list BY bringing the merits of the
Free Press distinctly before the minds of
such of their ncighbors as pcrchance do
not take it, they will confer favor not
only on us but on every new subscriber.
THE GOVERNMENT ANDC ONMO-
DORE PACLDING.
We do not know of any thing more scurvy
IN Its character than the course pursued by
the Government at Washington, towards
Commodore Paulding. It sent that gallant
officer to intercept flibuster Walker, and he
did so, as he supposed according to the nten-
ton of his instructions. Not content with
double dealing towards him which deserves
the contempt Of all honorable men, of the
Administration leaves him to defend himself
from thr attacks in the civil courts of
such unprinrinlod individuals as think thew
Can haF"'s or punish him for alleged trespa.s
on their rights while they were fillibusterino
III NicAragt". 1t is the usage Of decent civ
liz ~ rnm"nts to bear tho trouble and
expense of .etcndng cir own officers in
court tor executing what they suppose to
De the orders of their official superiors. But
Mr.. Buchanan, and'Mr. ,Cass, and Mr. Floyd,
decline t. do any such thing. Irne, they
wo"d have broke him if he had not obeyed
his orders, and they do not court-martial
him on charg' Of di-obeying them, but
they refuse to protect or to assist him when
attacked by individuals for doing what he
felt obliged to do in carrying those orders
out
Salts, II is well understood have been
brought against him by some of Walkers
vagabond associates in State OF New
YORK, ana We believe in New Jersey. These
would be "tdel in a moment if tie Govern
meat Wer' to order it's own law officers to as
sumo the charg" oi the defence, as it ought
to do. We do not believe there is another
Government in Christcndom which would act
IN this way towards ITS own officers. No gov
crnment which docs. 80 can EXPECT to have
faithful and energetic officers long. But the
reason is plain. The fllibustcrs were to help
the Cause Of S|arery, and Com. Pauldinc
checknated their progress, and he must be
made to suffer for il.