davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06

PROSPECT OF UNITED oPPosTroN.-Ihe
Philadelphia North American, which has here,
tofore supported the Republican organization,
now repudates sectional party. 1t says!
"To repudiate such Chat is Southern) men, OF
to offend them with unnecessary exactions,
would be both unjust and ungenerous. We
want their aid, and, what is more, qoe aoant a
National Opposition. A sectional Opposition ::
doomed. The great material interests demand
attention. For years they have been put aside
for other and more Improbable concerns, until
the expenditures have run up nearly to one
hundred millions of dollars year, and oorrup-
ton and extravaganza have invaded almost
every department of the government. Upon Mt
basis Of general reform, the Opposition can
elect any proper candidate. Upon any narroa0
en- or merely slaoery platform the result OF 1856
aoiU be repeated, only more dlsastroasly." II
adds-s'Let it be remembered that in driving
off several of the Southern States, by the pro-
scription which is recommended by ultra Re-
pubiicans, that is not the only mischief to be ex
pected. Pennsylvania, as the New York tn
bune candidly admits, is not q Republican State
in the party significance of that term. Neither
is New Jersey, nor Indiana, nor Connecticut, mol
other states which might be named. The Op
position succeeded in all of them by fusion o.
the elements hostile to the Administration ant
its party, and thst is the only policy which viii
nut victory beyond doubt in 1860 The rule OF
ruin interest, which dominated in 1856, and dis
carded the advice OF Pennsylvania, may be able
to pack q Convention next year, and it may
make candidate, but 1T can Meier make a Pres
ilsnt.n
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06
Atmospheric Phenomenon

The remarkable exhibition which occurred on
Sunday night, the 2Sth ult., has been noticed by
the newspapers in various parts of the country
The same phenomenon occurred again on Friday
morning last, beginning about - o'clock and
lasting till near day light. A gentleman of this
place informs us that he could read all the mer-
chants signs in our streets as distinctly as du-
ring the day. There was general illumination
of the heavens, and no streaks of light as have
usually appeared The sky was not clouded as
on the previous occasions.
The display on Friday night, which commenced
about o'clock, resembled the ordinary aurora
borealis but was much more beautiful than any
thing of the kind we have ever witnessed.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06
Town Council.

at a meeting of the Council of the town O.
Stanton, on the I'd inst, resolution was a
dopted directing the Street Commissioners te
have Lamp Posts erected to wit; at East END
of Court house alley, at the intersection of Mar
ket and Frederick streets, at the East end o.
Frederick street, at j. n. Hendren's corner Oh
Frederick street, at corner of johnson and Wash
ington streets, near A. Fl. Il. Stuarts, and
on Court house alley near the gate leading to
Circuit Court Otfice-provided others than the
town will carry the gas in pipes to the point
named.
A remonstrance against removing the Pump
from B. Crawford's corner was presented, and on
motion was laid on the table.
a resolution was adopted directing that sew,
enty dollars be placed to the credit of the Street
Commissioners to be applied towards the dis
charge of the expense OF improving the side walk
in the direction of Thornrose Cemetery.
A resolution was adopted appropriating fifty
dollars to the Augusta Fire Association, to re-
imburse said association the cost of taking gas
into the Engine house.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06
The State Convention.

The Opposition State Convention u 10 n'-
in Richmond in December next, is attracting az
tention throughout the country, ana our POM.
cal friends in every part of the Union nave nan
ed the movement with the greatest satlsiaclion'
We regret. however, to observe that poruou
Of the Opposition press in this State seem us
,osea 70 find fault and even prevent the assem-
bling of the Convention unless everything goes
sc they could wish. The Petersburg lnteliigen'
Ger for instance, says: "For ourselves we are
fraa 70 saw, that we desire large Convention or
nopen If this spirit generally prevails, or intlu
ances n considerable minority of the party, the
scheme of q Convention had better be abandon
ed. Why such vast Importance should Do a'-
tacbed to "a large Convention" we are OF loss
to know. All the arguments OF our PETERSBURG
contemporary have failed to convince u.s. anu We
still adhere to the opinion that comparatively
small representative body will be more elio.e"'
and suitable than plomiscuous mass nee''"s'
If not why does the Intelligenoer call 'he pfo
posed meeting Convention, which Is unlSef'
ssl,v understood to mean an assembly OF dele
pates or representatives2 Why not throw oPeu
the doors and invite everybody to pome' anu
dispense entirely with the formaity aud trouble
of appointing delegates by primary meetings g
ga large Convention" would be composed for
the most part of persons from Richmond and the
neighboring counties, while the remote to"hS
and counties would each have small numoe'
of delegates present, and some perhaps Only
proxies This being the case we prefer TO place
all the counties on the same footing IN the Oon-
vention, as far as possible. But the question o.
large or small delegations is one which we &c
not regard as of paramount Importance, an'
therefore cheerfully leave each county meeting
to decide fer itself by how many delegates i
shall be represented.
There is another matter connected with the
Convention to which we attribute more lmpor
lance. We shall firmly resist any expression o
opinion by the Convention in favor OF or agalns
any candidate for the Presidency. Upon thi'
point we concur fully with the Richmond Wing
The Convention, says the Wing, "is to assemble
and deliberate, as we understand it, with othe
and higher views, and to accomplish other an'
HIGHER purposes. Neither we nor the great bull
of the Opposition party in Virginia, as we SIN
cerely believe, have any preference at all as Il
men, and care nothing for men--they are look
ing only to the unity and prosperity OF thel
marty. and tc its triumphant success in the grea
national battle of next year, And that is tn
high. upselfsh, prudent, safe ground, which TIT
entire Opposition throughout the country shoui'
deliberately elect to occupy, it they would pre-
serve the peace and harmony of their household
aud not bliudly blast the hopes they so fondl
cherish of a brilliant aud glorious Opposite
victory in November, 1860"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06
The Pardoning Power.

The administration of Gov. Wise will be sig
nalzed in history for the extensive exercise o.
the pardoning power by our State Executive
Within the last few weeks the Governor has
pardoned two more convicts in the Penitentiary
One of them, john Cronin, was convicted about
three years ago of killing his wife, and sentenced
to the Penitentiary for five years; and the other,
William White, free negro we believe, has
served about five months of term Of five years.
for stealing wearing apparel. The first criminal
was sentenced by the Circuit Court OF Rich
mond, and the second by the Hastings Court Of
the same city. Presumng, without knowing
anything to the contrary, that there are good
reasons for this frequent exercise of the Cover
nor's prerogative, We must lament that the
Courts and uries of the State so often err in the
discharge of their important duties
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06

Sw1NpL1Ne ExTRAoRD1NARY.-One of the most
remarkable cases of swindling which has ever
been perpetrated for long time, came to light
in New York on Wednesday evening, in which
it appears that as alleged, fifteen young ladies Of
Philadelphia were duped by a person named
Johnson alias Williams, who, under the pretence
of hiring them as teachers of music in Southern
families, managed to get them to New York, and
then decamped with about one hundred and tif-
ty dollars of their money, and much of their
baggage, amounting in value to between four
and FIVE thousand dollars. A despatch from
Washington on the I'd says that this swindler
was arrested in that city Friday night. He was
recognized as Hiram P. Leslie, heretofore tenn
porarily employed as a laborer in the Patent Of
fee. His valise contained large number of let
tiers from various parts of the country, the con-
tents of some of which showed that he had trav-
eled South, and was extensively engaged in dis
honest schemes. He has wife living at Wash
ington. Two large travelling trunks claimed by
him are at the Express Office, supposed to con-
tain many valuables belonging to his vlctlms.-
lie was committed to await requisition from
the Governor of New York.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06


The New York correspondent of the National
Intellgencer thus refers to the proposed Virgin
ia Convention:
"The determination of the Wings and Conser-
vatives of Virginia to hold State Convention
for preliminary consultation, with a National
Convention TO follow in the early part OF the
next summer, meets the appreciation of sound
thinking men here. The Convention need erect
no ambiguous platform, nor need they take ultra
ground in regard to the subject of slavery
Their mission is to rebuke and put down ultra,
ism in all its forms. They have the authority Of
the Hon. Alexander H. Stephens for saying that
the slavery question is virtually settled. 1t has
heretofore been the hobby of extremists to
frighten and deceive weakminded people. The
Republicans may talk of an "irrepressible con-
fict between freedom and slavery" and the
Democrats may rant about the danger of having
an abolition President, aud disunion as conse.
oueuce, but the masses OF the people are begin
ming to discover that these catch-phrases are
only used for effect at elections, to promote the
object of aspirants. Let the Opposition present
two reliable statesman as their candidates, and
let the babblers about abolition and dsunion
rave as much as they please"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06
European Affairs.

Late advces from Europe, by the steamer
America, give an unsatisfactory account of the
progress of negotiations between the late bellig
Grants.
The Conference at Zurich appears to be making
no Roadway. The telegraph announces that thu
Austrian and French plenipotentiaries had {
conference on the 10th, and that on the It'll
the French and Sandman Ambassadors had {
meeting.
! 1t is asserted that the delay is partly attribu
table to Austria's sticking in matters of Ell
ouette. especially as regards the cession of LON
hardy. The Austrian plenipotentiares are rep
resented to have declined direct conference will
the representatives of Sardinia, who protest a
gainst Lombardy being charged with any portion
of the Austrian debt.
The last steamer brought US news that {
general amnesty for political offences had beer
decreed in France. This measure was followed
on the 18th by the publication of the annexed il
the columns Of the Monlteur:
"All warnings which have been given to the
newspapers in France and colonies are to be con-
sidered as non-issued.
"Nine hundred and twenty two soldiers, sen
fenced for various offences, have been pardoned
or the term of their imprisonment has been com
muted."
The amnesty is said to have created grea
surprise and given general satisfaction in Paris
and hope was entertained that the laws O.
public safety would be relaxed, and the liability
of persons to very summary proceedings on mere
suspicion of political offence be done away with
The Independence Beige mentions rumor
now current in Paris to the effect that Austria
declines to discuss with Sardinia the cession Of
Lombardy. 1t is urged that Lombardy is ceded
to the Emperor Napoleon, and not to Sardinia
and that Sardinia has DO more right to interfere
in the details of the cession than Austria will
have to interfere with the manner of the EN-.
peror Napoleon's after cession of the same terri
tory to Piedmont.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06

LITTLE SpEoK OF WAR.-The intelligence from
the Pacific by the overland mail announces that
the Island of San Juan between Vancouver's
Island aud the main land, claimed by our gov.
eminent as part OF Washington Territory, had
been occupied by sixty United States troops by
order of Gen. Harvey. Gov. Douglas had issued
protest, claiming the Island for the British
crown, and had also despatched some armed
vessels and two hundred sappers and minor:
there. The United States vessels Massachusetts,,
Jefferson Davis, Shubrck and Active, and
British vessels Tribune, Satellite and Plumper
were either anchored off the island or in it,
immediate vicinity. Notwithstanding the threat
ening position of affairs it was not anticipated
that either party would proceed to extremities
unit! the affair had been submitted to their. res
pectiye governments.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
MILLER'S IRON WORKS!
SALE WITHOUT RESERVE.
OCTOBER 10TH 1869.

T HAVE. as trustee of John Miller, made two at.
i tenpts to sell the Furnace Forge, Mills and Farms
constituting the extensive property known as MIL
LER'S IRON WORKS in the County of Rock
ingham.
now give fair notice to all who in any wise
concerned that on the 10th of OCTOBER 1859, will at
tend at the Forge and will then and there SELL scitb
out reserre the entire establishments at public auction
1t now becomes of the last Importance that all inter-
ested shall to the protection of their interests and
hope will fail to be present as the sale will as
suredly be made.
The Furnace and Forge are extensively known TOR
the superior quality of the metal they produce but it
may not be generally known that they are construct
ed upon large scale and with every appliance which
experience has suggested for conducting the Iron
manufacture to the best advantage. 1t 10 believed
that there are no superior Iron Works in Virginia.
The Merchant MILL Chopping Mill, and Saw Mill
are all of the best construction, and are abundanty
supplied with unfailing water-power,
The Farms. some seven or eight in number. and
containing in the aggregate more than three thou
sand acres Of arabic and productive land-naye oeen
laid off and divided with view to suit variety OF
purchasers, so that one wishing to buy hrm can
fail to find one to suit him.
Upon the whole can say, with confidence that
there has rarely occurred in Virginia such opportu
nity for an investment in really valuable property.
Persons disposed to examine the property are re-
ferred to Mr. John Miller, who will take pleasure In
giving any information on the subject
At the same time and place will sell SIX MULE
TEAM with wagon, harness and furniture complete,
and perhaps some other personal property.
TERMS:-For the real estate one forth in six months
and the residue in three equal annual payments
thereafter bearing interest from the sale and secured
by endorsed negotiable notes and o trust deed upon
the property.
For the personal property four months credit upon
JOHN B. BALDWIN, Trustee.
Sep. 6. 1s5s-tds.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06
Foreign Reviews.

London QaGrterly.-Contents: l. Life of E
rasmus, 2. Life Assurance, 8. Popular Music o
the Oden Time, 4. The Progress of Geology, B
The Islands of the Pacific, 6. Burgop's Life o
Tyler, Z. Invasion of England.
North Bitisb.-Contents: l. Guizot's Me-
moirs, 3. Painters Patronized by Charles First
8. Syriac Church Hstory-John of Ephesus, 4
Wanderings of an Artist, 5. Glaciers, 6. Patrick
Fraser Tyler, 7. Idylls of the King, 8. New Eng
land Provincial History, 9. Botany and Scottish
Botanists, TO- Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Bohe
mia, IL. Napoleon and Italy, 12 Recent Publ
cations.
Re-published by L. Scott & Co., New York
at So each, or Blackwood and the four Reviews
for $40.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06

KANsAs.-We have news from Kansas of q re-
newal of the border troubles. Armed bands OF
Missourians have invaded the Territory of Kan.
sas, and on the 9Th of August one of theses par
ties forcibly seized on Wright, at the town Of
GAINESVILLE, and conveyed him to point distant
fourteen miles from the line. Captain Montgom.
cry interfered, and demanded the release OF
Wright. A conference was agreed to, and me-
gotiations were commenced, but at last accounts
neither the man nor his captors had been deliv-
cred up. At public meeting held in Lawrence,
August "a, Captain Montgomery made a slate
ment of the facts of the case, and there was in
tense excitement in the town. Montgomery
states that he has received reliable information
that indictments have been found in Missouri
against large numbers of persons in Kansas, and
that armed bands of Missourians have avowed
their intention to capture these parties at all
hazards.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06
Senator Douglas.


This gentleman publishes in the September
number of Harper's Magazine an elaborate ar
ticle in exposition and defence of his favorlte
doctrine Unpopular sovereignty" he has been
fortunate il the selection of his mode of com
municating with the public, as Harper, with its
issue of some twenty or thirty thousand copies
month, has no superior in the country as
medium for advertising quack nostrums or the
eiectioneering documents Of Presidential candi :
dates, except perhaps Bonner's Weekly New
York Ledger. Bonner has not shown his usual
enterprise in this instance, or he would have
secured the Little Giant" as contributor to
his columns; unless, indeed, Gov. Wise has
! -'bagged" Bonner, and obtained the influence OF
that widely circulating sheet for himself. But
We fear that the Harpers, by securing the copy
right according TO law" have stolen a march up
on the Senator. They thus prevent the re-pub,
LEGATION of the article in other journals, and re-
serve 70 themselves the exclusive right to print
and sell in Magazine or book form the Senator'S
essay. Very likely it will soon be issued from
the press in a neat volume, bearing the imprint
"Harper & Brothers, New York"
We have not read the article, but the Rich
mond Enquirer has and comes to the conclusion,
that so far as the great question of principle is
involved, there is no material difference between
Douglas and Seward. Mr.. Seward holds that
Congress may rightfully exclude slave property
from the Territories, and Mr.. Douglas contends
that this power resides in the local authorities
of each Territory. The Enquirer says, there
fore, that Douglas cannot now get single
Southern vote in the Charleston Convention.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06

THREE PERSONS OVER NIAGARA FALLs.--A
telegraph dispatch states that boat containing
three persons was carried over the Falls OF Nj
agara on Thursday last. The names OF the par
ties were Rosseau and Morse and Mrs. Morse
1t appears the boat was struck by gale and
capsized. They were observed by persons on
shore to get on to the boat for safety: They
were soon carried away by the current into the
rapids, and were last seen above the "Three
Sisters" The wind was blowing gale at the
time Rosseau was saved from fate like this
only about year ago.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06

1t is officially reported to the Emperor of the
French that chloroform was used in thirty thou
sand surgical operations in the Crimea by skilled
assistant surgeons without single death. A
similar success has followed its administration at
Solferino and Magenta but in English hospitals
there have been about QUE hundred deaths in
ons.third of this number of operations, IN the
Orimea. The London deaths from chloroform
begin to be so common that coroner's lnquests
are rarely called for. Everything depends on
the mode OF administration.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06
Iowa and Missouri Railroad.

We have received copy of the stock book Of
the Iowa and Missouri State Line Railroad Com
psny. This road will run between the Missouri
and Mississippi Rivers, and will be of great SER
vice in developing the resources and enhancing
the value OF lands in that section. We observe
that our friend Il. Q. LESLEY, son OF Mr.. James
LESLEY of this county, is one of the Directors.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06
Gov. Wise and Disunion.

The Vicksburg Wing of the Oath ult. tells
good story about Gov. Wise. We hope it is true
and that the Governor is at last Disguised with
the talk about dssoving the Union, although ne
formerly INDUCED in il himself quite extensively.
Very likely his Presidential aspirations have
contributed to make him more conservative, as
il would be more gratifying TO his ambition 10
nreside over the whole country than mere
fragment OF It, -.
The Wing says gentleman from Mississippi
who had O conversation with Gov. Wise al hicn,
Inond few weeks ago. was anxious to Kno" II
the latter did not think the Union should anc
could be dissolved, IN the event of the election
of a Back Republican. The Governor was
careful not to express any opinion, but with q
twinkle of the eve, and an emphasis peculiar to
himself remarked that she had had some little
experience in such matters on q former occasion
AT one time in 1866, it was confidently believed
in Virginia, that Fremont would be elected
President. and crowds of fire. eaters, who swore
that death was preferable to submission, and thai
something mast be done, fooked around him tc
| find out his opinion, as to what should be done
in such terrible crisis. Resist, by all means
Gentlemen, said the Governor, never think OF
tame submission to such an outrage. But how
said one, by calling State convention? bJ
converting the Legislstpre2 said another BY
convention of the Southern States? said third
"Oh, mol" said the Governor, "by none OF these
means-they are too slow-too tiuctuatlng ant
uncertain" "How, then2" cried the excited
aud resolute assemblase. "What shall be done 2
qWhy,p said the Governor, ''tear up the railroad
and take possession of the National Armory-
appropriate all the public property-take pos
session of the Government stores at Norfolk
whilst will march fifty thousand men to the
Capitol, under your lead, and resist the Inaugural
ton by force, and take possession of all the pnb
lie property. It is true, that IN few days Their
will be force enough in Washington to hapt
every one of US, but every man should hav'
patriotism enough to die for his country. Come
Gentlemen, what say you2" said the Governor
land as he shifted bis guild to the other cheek,
scornful smile crept over his pale face) The.
tnrned as white as sheet, and, like the GROVE
that accused the woman taken in adultery, the.
commenced going out, until not one was left
This is the last l have ever heard said abou
disunion in Virginia" 1t is nothing to talk, t.
threaten and to buster, but when you come t
"tear up oarrieadse," TO set the Government
defance-to see the country involved in CIV
war. and feel cold steel in the gzzard, it
quite different affair.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06
Election of Judge.

The election of Judge of the Circuit Court il
place of Judge Nash deceased, took place OF
Thursday last, aud the returns indicate that T
S. Gholson, Esq, of Petersburg, has been elect
ed almost by reclamation. We are gratifed a
the result, not only because Mr.. Gholson is wei
qualified for the office, but especially because his
competitor undertook to electioneer among the
people. Both candidates are Democrats, ant
politics therefore had no influence in determin-
inc the result