davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-03-16
Terrible Collision.

\ passenger gives the following account of a collision, on the 10,h of February, between the steam ship North America, of or from Portland. Maine, aud the ship Leander, bound from Iiv- erpool to New Orleans.
 "The Leauder was fine shin of 900 tons and sailed from Liverpool for New Orleans. with fl le southeast breeze, at 9 o'clock on Tuesday morning, having on board the captain, his wife and son, one passenger, two mates, steward cook and fourteen seamen. She was in light ordcr, having about 300 tous salt and l5O tons ballast on board. We male Point Lvpas at B o'clock, SAerrles at ,, Ilolyhead at 6: havino run all ths tune eight and nine notS an hour with fresh breeze, and all plain sail set.
 All went on well until one or two A. NJ. on Thursday, when was awoke by terrible crash of timber, and the dyst impression was that the ship had been struck by lightning arose and tied on my life belt, and tried to open the state room door, but 1t was iammed fast. 1 heard the mates voice cry, Run to the passengers room, and immediately be and the captains son burst open the door, and the mate broke the window and got out, 1 following him that way. Going forward Of the cabin which is on deck with slightly raised walk round three sides of It, lound the captaln's wife, son, and second mate. l then knew we were run into and cnt t"o tiitiuo eh'puSh t'lS ucGh, Just aOaIL the rigging, starboard, on the ice side. The can. tain's wife exclaimed The ship is sinking: Oh save me, somebodyn
 It was ture; and while she spoke the shin settled last ln the water 1 went aft again to the pinnacle. man rushed past me, put the wheel down, and jumped overboard took one look forward and saw the waves rise on every side, and then pour in like cataract.- Then was carried far down with the shin. and came up to struggle with the waves. with the others Tn like circumstances. The time of these occurrences must be counted by seconds, as not more than five minutes elapsed from the first shock nntil the ship went down. The steamer that ran us down was short way off and in about twenty minutes 1 was picked up She turned out to be the North America, from Port land to Liverpool.
 When all saved were mustered we numbered twelve; viz; the captain and his son, mate, stew ard, cook, six men and myself; the captains wife, second mate and eight men being lost. The case of the second mate Is peculiarly distressing. He was the only son of his mother, and she is widow. We had every kindness shown us on board the steamer, and the passengers raised money enough to give the mate f5 and the eight crew Fl each. How the accident occurred know not nor who was to blame-this will,
Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-03-16
Political DeSerters.

It often happens in the history of the affairs of parties and of politicians, that leader or prominent actor in the van of the party be- comes inflated with the idea that he is the ern bodment of it's principles, and that without him they would fail of success.
 For some fancied wrong, or too tardv an ac- knowledgnent of his supposed abilities, or. as is more often the case, because he thinks he can control and bend the popular will so as to place him at once on the seat he aspires to, the politician suddenly deserts his party aud is found in the ranks of the enemy
 The history of the democratic party is full of these assertions, but of 10 successful ones The moral in each case is the same. And the failure of these renegades, despite their abili- ties and energy, was always owing to the fact that they overlooked the people and attached too much importance to the word and acts of mere politicians. The democratic element is in the masses. Its principles are the foundation ot liberty, sprngng from love of freedom it truths are simple yet comprehensive and 1t is in the great body of the people that all it's strengt h lies. politician more or less, great man for or against, cannot affect the great heart of the nation. So long as talent is exerted in further ance of the truth, in upholdng and defending the right, it mutually reflects honor on the man and the cause, but when that
 "Vauldng ambition which OCT leaps itself.n urges the aspraut to attack the right, to defend the false in the hope that it will prove popular and lead to distinction, then, the talent ceases to adorn and the aspirant falls.
 The democratic party in the present crisis has only to be true to itself and it must eventual ly succeed. Delections may thin our ranks but the great body of the people are true to their principles, to their country and to them selves. While they remain so we need never fear for our country and for the success of the true principles of liberty
Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-03-16
Summary of General News.

During the past few weeks, owing to the ne cessity of making room for our correspondents and of giving space to digest of the proceed ings of Congress, we have been prevented from detailing the current news of the day. We cull from our exchanges and present here such items as we think may be of general interest.
 The last advices from Liverpool are of rise of 14d per pound in cotton.
 The capture of Canton by the English with a force of little over five thousand men is sig ton of a nation becoming feeble and enervated for want of the infusion of new blood. The English will now, probably. be able to make their own terms with China and concentrate all their forces in India.
 The latest accounts from Utah show that the Mormons are determined on resistance to the troops The Mormon Legislature convened iii Salt Lake City, on December l4th, organizing by electins Heber c. Kimball president of the council, and John Taylor speaker of the House of Representatives.
 On the next day Brigham Young sent in his message In that document he says that the President has not notified i'm that his success sor has been appointed or that any change was to be made in the government of Utah, or that a military force was sent against him and the reo- pie of Utah, for which reasons Brigham professes to treat the army now eucamped at Fort BIdyer and the civil authorities there as all organized mob" against which he issued proclamation to disperse. The legislature passed resolutions supporting Young and breathing strongly of sulphur. Judge Eckols had organized a court in Green county, which had found bills of ill., dictment for high treason against Young, Kim ball and eighteen others. In view of possible requisitior for volunteers to march to Utah in the coming spring, companies have been already formed in Illinois. Missouri and California We presume that Arkansas will send her quota whenever she is called upon.
 Dr. Sirader, proprietor of the Pacific hotel, at St. Louis, by the burning of which, on the 2O,h ult, between twenty and thirty lives were lost, las been discharged from arrest Others arrest cd upon suspicion of the incendarism are still in custody.
 The rumorel assassination of Gen. George W. Clarke, formerly of this State, but of late years prominent actor in Kansas affairs, is con- tradic,ed; late letters reporting him to be alive and with many good fight yet in him.
 
 6T Presbyttry of Onachita, co. S.) stands adjourned to meet in Camden, on Friday, the 2d day of April, ensuing, at II o'clock, A M, in the Ntw Presbyterian Church on the hiII
 A. R. BANKS Statea Clerk.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-03-16

without fair notice, and composed, as sSd meet ing was of open and secret foes to our demo- cratic faith can not be considered democratic meeting; therefore,
 1. Reso1ved, That the holding of said meet ing and its entire action was gross outrage on the true democracy of Greene county, and an attempt to defraud the democratic party ot this district by foisting on them, as purely demo- cratic, the proceedings of bogus and packed assembly of Know Nothngs and disorganizers.
 3. Resolved, That the manly refusal oi our fellow-citizens, Wyatt M. Peebles and r. k. Lester, to accept the appointment of delegates rendered them by said bogus meeting, IS nght and democratic and entities them to the thanks of all true democrats.
 3. Res0lued, That the course of Dr. George B. Croft, member of the opposite party, who was invited by said meeting to take part Tn Its proceedings, but refused to do SD, on the ground that as one of our opponents he conld not pro perly interfere in the selection of dimocratc candidates, WIS high-minded aud honorable, and in bright contrast of L. L. Mack and other Know Nothings, who had little regard for decency and Iroprietv as to attempt by low trickerv to defraud the wishes of the. true de- mocracy.
 f. ResoIved, That the refusal of the friends of Col. T. C. Hindman to suffer his name to be defiled by presentation before said bogus meet ing was right and proper, and has our hearty commendation.
 g. Res0lued, That we, as the most numerous political convention that ever assembled Tn Greene and as representing the true democracy of the county, do hereby earnestly appeal to the democratic press of the State, and espe calv to the democratic voters of our sister counties of this district and their delegates at Batesville, to put the ma-k of stern centure and repudiation upon said bogus meeting and all concerned iu it.
 G. Reso'ved, That Co., T. c. Hindman is the first, last and only choice of the true and un- contaminated democracy of Greene county for Congress from this district, and that the presl- dent of this convention appoint a suitable num- Der of delegates to the Batesville convention, with instructions to vote for Col. T. c. Hind man therein; and ill the absence of our dele gates, that the president of said congressional convention, cast the vote of Greene county as aforesaid.
 Which preamble and resolutions, after hay ing been read and commented upon, were put to the vote of the convention and adopted o0itb- out single dissenting voice.
 As delegates under said resolution, the pre- sident appointed, ". NJ Peebles A. L. Stuart, A. Forbes, Jesse Paine, George Thomasson, John c. Graham, P. C. Straughan, Henry LoveIady, w. c. Rabun, James Clark, R. Gravson, W. c. White, L. B. McNei, F. $ White and H. w. Granade
 On motion, the president and secretary were added to the list of delegates
 On further motion, all the democratic papers in the district, and the True Democrat at Little Book, were requested to publish the proceedings
 And on further motion, the convention ad- ourned.
 ZACHETS PHELPS PresiZerf
Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-03-16
JOIN DALzELL, Sec'y.
Roc6port, March 9th, 1858.

EDITOR TRUE DEMoCRAT-l see an article ln our paper of the 2d of March, and signed lot Spring Valley, which pretends to give the ublic sentiment in Hot Spring county, which oes injustice to some candidates; in the first ace. l.. A. Cook is the choice of the people enerallv throughout the county, his course in ie last Legislature has give entire satisfaction, i'd so far as have been able to learn, there is opposition to him. The young man alluded ) in the article, never has been spoken of.
 NIT. Stribling is a sound democrat and gen. ieman-he is our present clerk and there has cen no other calculation but to re-elect him to nat ofice-he has agreed to serve in that ca- .acity if elected. As to MT. Hardy, he is a .entleman, and we'll qualified to fill the office, ut will not oppose Stribling-ls to the sherilf's lection, we have six candidates, they are all de- locratS. and have agreed to submit their claims the county convention. They are all worthy len, and who will be nominated it is impossi- ,le to tell at this time.
 The author of the article alluded to is believed D be citizen of some other county, at least we II know that he is ignorant of the general sen iments of this county, so far as the men above pokeu of are concerned.
 As to Col. Warren, he is politically dead here the contest is between Flournoy and A. Rust; the result is doubtful Flournoy is gaining ground fast at this time.
 This county will forward the election of Gen. Hempstead for Senator. Please give this a place in your columns, as your paper is gene rally read throughout the county
 ROCKPORT.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-03-16
11-fN IT I4 v D IT ID P Ci T 7 t9 tIIt7FI. c. A. INGKUM, Sec'g
Columbia County-MagnoHa Township
 Meeting.

The democratic party of Magnolia township met in convention, at the courthouse, on S,- urdav, the 9th inst, for the purpose of appoint ing delegates to attend the county convention, 10 be held on the second Monday in April next On motion, Col. M H. ROBERTS was called to the char, who explained the object of the meet ing. On motion, Dr. J. c. SMITH was appointed secretary. On motiol the following gentlemen were appointed q committee to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting viz: w. NJ. Dod>on, Dr. L. Williams, w. H. Steel, A. G Bird and John W. Ross-who af.er few moments absence reported the following preamble aud resolutions viz:
 WHEREAS, The time is now at hand. when the democracy of this township is called upon to appoint delegates to meet in convention with the delegates of sister townships, on the second Monday in April next, to select suitable caudi- dates to fill the vacancy of those whose term of office will soon eXpire-and fully indorsing the time-honored policy of the party in hold ing conventions to select those in whom we can conhde and to whose care we can with conf dence and safety permit our political trusts therefore, be 1t
 Reso'Ue{ That having confidence in the ability and unwavering democracy of our late Representative the Hon. Albert Rust. and iu our talented fellow-citzeu Col. E. w. Can't we hereby recommend the Hon. Albert Rust as our first choice and Col. E. w. Can't as our se- coud choice to represent this district in the low er House of the next Congress-
 2 Resolcei. That we reatfirm the principles lild down in the late Cincinnati platform, and We renew our pledges to maintain those princi- pies an! stand by the ime-houored usages of tho democratic party.
 3. ResoiDet, That we urge upon the other townships ot this county tine necessity of hoId- ug conventions to appoint delegates to attend the county convention on the second Monday in April next.
 I Rcso'ced That Wm. Faulk, M II. Roberts. Wm. Dod>on, Dr. Thompson, Johnatan Par- ker, John Hardy and J. \. Jones, be appoint ed delegates to represent this township in the county convention to be holden as aforesaid.
 5 Re~icei That the proceedings of this meeting be published iu the True Democrat and other democratic papers published in the second congressional district.
 All of which, on motion, was adoptrd.
 On motion the meeting adjourned sine die.
 NJ. Il. ROBERTS, Chairman
Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-03-16
Assessing Lands.


 We give below another letter on the subject of taxation, as apart from our consideration ior the writer. the matter is one of such general i'm portance that its discussion will interest and may profit many of our readers.
 Mr. EpIToR, A week or two since noticed in your paper an article on the subject ot asses sing lands for taxation, evidently written by an acting sheriff. I venture to add some remarks on the same subject growing out of my experl- ence as clerk of the county court.
 Our county was created in 1886, and sup pose that there have been, on an average one hundred deeds recorded in this office during each year since that date. At least one third ot all those deeds are now in this office, and on the majority of them the recording fees are un- paid To avoid paying the pittance due the clerk, the purchasers of lands let the deeds re- main here, and are forced to refer the assessors to the records, not having the numbers of the land at their homes, or, if they attempt to give description of them from memory, describe them wrongly. And upon exami nation It wlIl be found that these mistakes arise not only from carlessness and ignorance but also from meanness and knavery. A. sells B. a tract of land, and when the time comes for paying taxes both re- fuse to pay, one because he does not now own the land and the other because he did not own it on the first of January. In other cases, per sons about to remove, sell their farms but avold paving the taxes, and the purchasers, not having it assessed to them for the year Tn which they bought neglect it, so that the land being liable for it's taxes is sold as a matter of course. But a few years ago lands were depreclated in value, and hundreds of tracts were suffered by their owners to be forfeited for non- payment of taxes. Now, when lands have become more valuable, these former owners are hunting them up curslng clerks and sheriffs for having them sold, repre- setting themselves as injured men, when they know and know that it was the desire to save a few dollarg, or to speak more plainly and pro- perv, to cheat the State and county out of the revenue due from these lands, that led to their forfeiture and sale.
 A long experience as clerk has convinced me that our revenue lands are, at present, clumsy and defective. A simple plan of assessing lands was once presented to me. which, So far as I examined it, seemed to obviate great many of the existing difficulties, and render assessing and the collection of revenue arising from lands at once simple and thorough. In due time, after the members of the next legislature shall have been elected, and before the first Monday of November, will, with your permission, pre- sentit to your readers, in the hope that some of the members elect to the next General Assem- ply may canvass it, and reduce it to shape and form. Very truly yours,
 J. GAZETTEER
Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-03-16
Democratic Meeting in Monroe County


 At a meeting of the democracy of Monroe county, held at Lawrenccville, on Saturday, the 27th of February, 1858, for the purpose of ap- pointing delegates to the congressional convep- ton (or the southern district) to be held at Camden, on the second Monday in May next. to nominate candidate to represent said dis trict in the Congress of the United States,
 On nmotion ol R. E. Jackson Dr. H. D. GREER was appointed chairman, and JoHN DALzEI.L secretary. The object of the meeting being explained by the chaiIman-on motion the chair appointed committee of five to draft re- solutions expressive of the sense of the meet ing-corsstmg of Col. F. F. Redmond. R. K. Jakson, o. Il. Oates, J. P. Vann and C. ! Miles-whereupon, the committee after retir- ing short time reported the following resolu- tionS:
 WHEREAS, The time is rapidly approaching for the holding of the convention for the nur- pose of nominating standard bearer to repre- sent us in the next Congress of the United States-therefore be it
 ResolUef, That we the democracy of Mon- roe county, most heartily approve of the pro- prietv of holding said convention-bcHeving as we do, that such course tends to strengthen and confirm us in the time honored principles of democracy-to allay sectional and factious contention, and the better prepare our standard bearer to battle successfully against the arts and machinations of our willy foe
 Resolued, That we req affirm and most heartily indorse all the principles laid down in the na- tional platform of 1856.
 Reso'yed, That we approve of the course of ID. I D,,,l !, II
 course upon the exciting Kansas question: Resolued, That we earnestly recommend to all democrats in the State and county, an un- swerving adherence to democratic principles. and the support of men whose principles are in all cases known to be sound and true and a re- solve to main ain them at the ballot box and elsewhere
 Res0tUed That having entire confidence in the talents, patriotism, and unlnchiny demo- cracy of our highly gifted fellow citizen. the Hon. Thompson 5. Flournoy of Desha county. we hereby recommend him as our first cbojce and Col. A. Rust as our second choice, to repre- sent this district in the lower House of the next Congress of the United States
 Resolve{, That the several townships in this county be, and they are hereby requested to hold primary meetings to appoint delegates to a county convention to be holden on the first Monday Tn April nexta Clarendon, for the pur- pose of nominating candidate to represent this county in the next Legislature and that they be requested to appoint three delegates to re- present them in said convention. That in se. lecting candidate for Representative by said conventlon-that none but delegates with their credentials shall be allowed to vote.
 Said resolutions having been unanimously adopted--it was therefore,
 Resolved, That Col. F. P. Redmond. R. E. Jackson, 0. H. Oates and P H. Farr. be ap- pointed delegates to said convention.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-03-16
WhOleSale Pois0nin Q

The most horrible case ever heard of gently come to light in Alabama, Ge county, New York. In Julv, 1856, Hoag, respectable citizen of that toWa quite suddenly. Six weeks thereafter tie daughter, five or six years old. died a- illness of twenty-four hours. Last sP-. infant child, born subsequent to Mr. death, died after short illness. Last la ther child died under still more SuSpidoa cumStauceS. A post-m1rtem eXamInatG had, but the chemist to whom the chlld' mach was sent neg lected to anavse its coat The community, however, had become &s that the death of so many members of ag ly, under such circumstances, required f investigation, and the bodies of all oi were exhumed, and the stomachs of tr three, and portion of the duodenum last secured, and upon analysis arsenic was in them all. Suspicion at once pointed wife and mother as the person who admlls the poison; and she was arrested and is y jail at Batavia awaiting the action of the jury. Since her husbands death she h& ' married again to a man by the name oi EP who lived with her but short time-soal, ficulty having arisen between them 'a years since three others of her children . quite suddenly, with symptoms almost " ly similar to the last ones, and it is inlerTsu. . she poisoned them also from the fact tlA. confessed that she had poisoned the trst GDT !. that she did it accidentally and throuSA take.
Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-03-16
Democratic Meeting at Chalk Bluffs.

At democratic meeting held at Col. w. c. Rayburns, in Chalk Bluff township, Greene county, Ark,
 Onmotion, II. W. GRANADE was elected chair man, and A. N. Vices secretary. Thereupon the chairman explained that the object of the meeting was, to consider what course the true democrats of the county, should take in re- Spect to the meeting held n the town of Gaines vile on the 1lth of January, 1858, which in structed for A. B. Greenwood for Congress. and had is proceedings published as the proceed ngs of the democracy of Greene county
 The vote being taken, said meeting and is action were unanimously repudiated.
 Afterwards, on motion the resolutions adopt ed by the democratic convention of the 23d ult., which instructed for Col T. II. Hindman for Congress, were unanimously confirmed and ratified.
 On further motion, the meeting adjourned
 H. W. GRANADE, Chairman.
 A. N Vices Ser'U
Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-03-16

BEAUTIES OF BANKING.-Another report has been made on the affairs of the Bank of Penn sylvania. From this it appears that S25OOO was given to one individual for cfIecting sale of the old banking on Second street to the United States government-that in four years SlO0OOO was paid to one house for interest at ruinous rates-that one of the book keepers was in collision with a NIT. Fry, and suffered him to overdraw his account in the sum of TO- GOO, dollars, etc, etc.
 During the last five years the bank made di- vidends equal to 47 per cent on its capital stock while, say the commissioners, we do not believe that after July, 1853, it was in a condition to make any dividend
 After these revelations, a comparison might be instituted between the Bank of Pennsylvania. and the former banks of Arkansas, that would not be to the disadvantage of the latter.