davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-06-30

A correspondent of the Baltimore Patriot,
says 1.-The underlined and loose notions,
that the American flag can rightfully protect
native or adopted citizens equally and every
where, have been among the potent and pop
ular means by which democratic administra-
tons have been so successful in deluding for
eign-born citizens to their support. while they
were made to believe that their opponents were
actual enemies. That our flag shall protect
all who sail under it upon the high seas we
all agree. But that it shall predominant, or
have such effect upon the territory and against
the iams Of other nations, is princi pie which
ifuppled to our country, would be at least
as promptly resented and resisted, as by 9th
er nations"
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-06-30
according to the political doctrine laid

According to the political doctrine laid
down by the government organ i'll Washing
ton, concerning democratic faith" at the
present time. and in future. the National
Intelligencer argues that,-"Ifasked by the
pcrverse disputers Of the Opposition" to
avow his present confession Of political faith,
the Democratic catechumen has but to reply,
IL believe what the Democracy believe, az
contained in the articles Of the Cincinnati
Convention" IL asked to define his views
upon certain obscure points not sufficiently
revealed in that comprehensive body of De
mocratic doctrines, he has but to reply, 1T is
not meet for me to exercise myself in such
great matters, or in things obviously too high
for me; but us humbly and joyfully assume
that the action of my party in the Charleston
Convention will be such as will approve, it
i enough for me to know that the principles
whatever they are) which ii may adopt, and
the candidates (whoever they may be) whom
ii will select, will be the principles and can
didates that will deserve and receive my
hearty support
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21
Tragedy at Lee, Maine.

The following are the main facts of an awful
tragedy enacted at Lee, Me-, ON the 9th instant
Marshall Potter murdered and robbed his aged
mother and two brothers, together with young
orphan, and then fred the dwelling in order to
conceal his hellish crime He was examined
before Coroner's on Monday, and made a full
confession Of his own accord. The following is
the material portion of the confession, which
was delivered in a rambling incoherent mall
ner
'' am guilty came home about 10 O clock
on Wednesday night my mother was up; she
told me it was fine time of night to como
home. One of my brothers told me had been
over to Mr.. Hanscom s. and carried bottle of
liquor with me; | told HIM | had not been
there; he told me that had told him did
not want any more stuff from him, or some
thing to that amount. He told me that if
didn' keep still should go ont doors told
him shouldn't 60 out doors. | went into the
other part of the house and got shingle maui.
IAN instrument made of hard wood, twelve
inches long and six IN width and breadth. with
a handle about foot long,) with Which took
the lives of them all. | went IN and struck
Alexander with the single maui hit him in
the face and on the head, and struck him a
number OF times, and then struck Oliver several
times on the head and face; they neither of
them struggled after | struck them.
My mother came into the room and got hold
OF me. swung round and struck her with
the maui, and she fell She did not struggle.
The house was on fire at that time. The candle
was sitting on the wood box, by the side Of the
stove. tipped it off the box into the box of
shavings. The shavings took fire, and I did
not try to put the FIRE out Then made a
clean sweep of all the rest in the house. then
left the house"
lie subsequently admitted killing the bow,
and then to searching the house and securing
the money, thirty-eight dollars in all, with
which he bought II bottle of liquor and started
for New Brunswick An examination of the
bodies of the deceased showed that their skuIls
were crushed or beaten in, and both arms of
both brothers were broken. The BODY of his
mother was so badly burned that no signs of
injuries could be recognized. Potter was COM
mtted to Jail to await trial.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21
Democratic Harmony.

A Douglas democratic State Convention was
held at Harrisburgh, Pa. on the 18th, which
was largely attended and characterized by the
most bitter denunciations of the President.
Hon. John Hickman made IL speech Of an
hours length, in which he said
"Tlose who talk of Cancellation and COM
promise between us and the self-constituted ora
cles OF the Democratic party, can have but u
feeble appreciation OF the real condition Of
things. Let this truth be made prominent
that there is eternal antagonsm between free
dom and slavery. The struggle between them
is but just begun, and is going On in our midst
We have acted honorably, benevolently, and
longer forbearance with the South not only
ceases to be virtuous, but becomes cowardly
and base The North has rights, long held in
allegiance, truly, yet not lost We will gave
them by walls and fire and blood We will
resist aggression on the part of the South, but
not her Constitutional guarantees, and will
force plain, distinct, unequivocal recognition
of the rightful claims of the North--nothng
more and nothing less.
Further, usurpation has been accomplished
which saps at the very foundation of our po-
litical structure. Mr.. Buchanan has demanded
the absorption of the powers Of Congress in
those of the executive to carry out his treachery
He has assailed the representatives OF the peo-
ple-brlbed the venal, rewarded the aspiring,
alarmed the timid, deserved the honest. More
recently, however when the recommendations Of
the President were thought to favor the agricul-
tural and manufacturing States when the pro-
priety Of new tariff law was suggested when
the so-called members Of the Senate and House
even the cabinet offi9ers--raised the voice of
denuDciatory oppositon--it was all right, and
rebellion became loyalty. And yet Pennsyiva-
MIA sees nothing wrong in this; nay they COM
mend it. Chains never clanked upon the limbs
of beings more servle and debased
We charge further upon the administration
of Mr.. Buchanan one main cause by which we
have reached the point Of national insolvency
"a reckless prodigality in the expenditure of
the public money, and the prevailing vice in
the departments of the government.
He referred to the Van Buren, administration,
when the expenditures of the government were
thirty-seven millions. This he pronounced very
extravagant, but nothing to compare with the
present time, when the expenses are increased
to one hundred millions.
lie then alluded to the Navy Yards all crowd.
ed with pernumeraries, while the expenses Of
the Post Office Department are greatly aug
mented These proceedings, which he charac'
tcrzed as outrageous, are endorsed as genuine
by convention purporting to represent the
Democratic party of the State. He then de-
clared that Mr.. Buchanan and his cohorts were
incompetent, and concluded amid overwhelming
applause.
His address was quite lengthy, and produced
considerable effect. A series of resolutions was
adopted, and the convention adjourned amlc
great enthusiasm.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21
The sickles' Trial.

The trial Of Daniel Il. Sickles, for the murder
of P Barton Key, bus been going on at Wash
two weeks. The interest in the pro-
ceeding is intense on the spot, arising not so
much from any doubt as to the result, us from
a prurieAt curiosity. Tie questions to witnesses,
and their replies, and the arguments ofcounsel,
pro and con, upon every question, are teie-
graphed to the City papers, and each morning
spread out before the greedy eyes Of millions of
readers Nothing new has been elected, except
the confession of Mrs Sickles, and that was not
allowed in evidence But the public were graf
fled By IL opportunity 10 read this story Of the
guilt u q deprayed woman, told with dis
gushing and indecent recital of particulars. If
Sickles had been a pure-minded, virtuous, loving
husband, he would, like Posthumous, have cried
"spare me your arithmetic" instead of com
polling the abandoned wife to multiply the in.
stances d her shame. But the frenzy to which
the knowledge of his wife S guilt is claimed tO
have excited him has shown Il perfect method
throughout. His purpose would seem to be sure
and have u sufficient cause for insanity, and
then to DO INSANE and murder his victim. His
counsel now take the same view Of the matter
They arc constantly attempting TO prove that
Sckles ought to have been crazy, and to draw
from that the inference that he was crazy
The real ground of the defence however, is
that husband not only has a right. but is un-
dor the highest Obligation both to himself and
sociessss ssssssfS down the violator of bis mar
riage bed, and that jury who will not acquit
the man who has thus, with the red right hand
redressed his wrongs, are false to their oaths
and commit q grievous crime against morality
This defence will, without doubt, prevail al
Washington, though it rests upon no received
notions Of law. Mr.. Sckles is quite too prom
inent man to be hung, and his neck is not ir
the least danger
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21
A Good Example,

The people of Hartand, on the afternoon Of
Fast Dayassombcd at the Methodist Church for
the purpose of listening to discussion Of the
merits of the New School Law. Hon. Hamp-
den Cults of Hartand and Col. Daniel Need.
ham of Hartford in favor of the LAW, and Hon.
John Colby and Ward Cotton, Esq, against it.
The discussion occupied nearly four hours, and
was eondsctcd in the best spirit, its object being
only to ,Elicit truth. The Church was well
filed and persons were present from every
School District but one in the town; showing
the very general interest in this new Law. The
closest attention was given throughout the en-
tire discussion and although the meeting did
hot break up until near dark, no one appeared
willing to leave until its close
Many who came to the meeting doubling the
policy Of this now feature Of cur School system,
left fully confirmed of its necessity and many
who were among the strong opponents of the
Law, were convinced that their prciudiccs were
based upou an Ignorance of its provisions.
We like the manner in which the people o.
liartland have treated this important matter
And if the people in every town in the State
would hold meetings and read over carefully the
Law and discuss its provisions, we know they
would soon discover the reasons which influenced
the Legislature, without division, to enact it,
A far and honeS trial alone can dettYntiae us
characters Mos of its provisions hare been
s'sccessfs1y fried all tie other New Enq'and
States, III New York, and in some of the West
ern States, and 1t 1r0ud be remarkable If then
should MT operate as eGcient'y in Vermont 1t
will be time enough to condemn it, when it has
failed to produce the results anticipated by its
friends then it may be amended or repealed
as the facts will justify
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21

LOCAL HISTORIES gives us pleasure to
note the increased attention that is given to the
collection and preservation of facts and incidents
connected with the-early settlement and progress
of the several towns in this State. An indca-
ton of this progress may be seen in the passage
of an aet,at JA3iast session of the Legislature,
authorizing towns to make appropriations for
the preparation and publication Of their early
histories Under the provisions of this act
three competent men were appointed by this
town to make collections for material for the
History of Brattleboro. The town of Benning-
ton appointed Gov. Hall as her historiographer ;
Montpelier selected the Hon. Daniel P. Thomp.
son and Coventry has her work done by Rev.
Pliny Ii. White We presume other towns
have also made provision for similar works.
Now is the time, before octogenarians of the
present day, whose recolections extend back to
the very earliest settlements, shall all have de.
parted, to make the necdful inquiries. If all
the towns in the State would enter upon this
work the best possible material for a complete
history of Vermont will be collected. We sug-
gest the propriety of placing five copies of the
history Of every town in the State Library,
where they will be quite likely to be preserved
Posterity will remember us with gratitude fol
80 doing 4 hgaia.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21

CONSUMPTION OF FooD BY CATTLE.-A cor
respondent Of the Mark Lane Express gives
his views upon this subject as follows -
" For the last half century there have been
many disputes whether large Or small animals
are the most profitable. In my opinion the
mlddic-sized animals, whether cattle or sheep,
are the best, and the extremes are bad. The
celebrated and far famed Mr.. Blackwell, of
Dishley, Worcestershire, the man who lived a
century before his day, was heard to say that
hat-sided animals with straight bellies q
mean bellies within straight line drawn
from the breast to the bottom part of the
thigh and that large-boned animals were
great consumers of food. And the same great
luminary in agriculture, proved what he
asserted, by weighing food daily to different
ly formed animals, great and small, the lesser
consuming much less food than the larger !;
all Of which was much in favor of Mr.. Bake.
wells new Leicester sheep, that have the
least garbage Of any kind of sheep in pro-
portion to the weight of mutton-which has
led the breeders of Lincolns, Cotswods, and
Downs sheep, to initiate the Blackwell barrel
form, with small entrails. Common sense
says large insides have entrails in proportion,
and Of course take large quantity of food
to gil them, which is worth consideration, as
an animalmay be great and not good and good
and not great size has nothing to do with
profit 1t is not what an animal makes, so
much as what it costs making"
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21

WHAT ARE WE COMING To?-lt is a positive
fact that there is such thing as a Republican
Association at the City of Washington in the
District of Columbia, right under the eye of
the President of the Democratic Pro-Slavery
party But what aggravates this intelligence
and makes it still more omnous, is the fact,
that this association actually had the efrontery,
last Wednesday night, to celebrate Jefferson s
birthday, at the Odd Fellows Hall in that
City. Francis P. Blair presided and Daniel R.
Goodloe delivered an grafton. The d" glittering
generalties' Of the Declaration of Independ-
ance were read on the occasion, and no doubt
allusion was made to the ordinance of '87. The
only reason we can find why the whole affair
was not suppressed by King James, as of dan
gerous, ianatical example, Is the trial of his
friend, Dan Sickles, for the murder of his other
friend, Barton Key. He may have become SO
interested in that as to forget, for q moment,
the success of the party. Or, perhaps, he was
intent on the Geographic news from Harris
burgh Of the action of the Democratic Conyen-
ton denouncing his administration, and so be-
came oblivious of the danger nearer home.
However it happened, this celebration was not
disturbed.
And SO in the City of Washington, slave
mart, some noble words were allowed to be
spoken in honor of the Declaration of Indepen.
dance, and its great author,-some words in ia
vor of human freedom and against human
slavery SOME words in favor of free Terrific.
ries and against Slave Territories What are VIC
coming to when such things are allowed in the
City of Washington?
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21

UNIFORMITY OF BooKs.-As our schools COM
mence shortly, we advise all parents to provide
their children at once with the books selected
by our board of Education. In the first place
it is for their interest to do so, as q selectionhas
been madefor the period Of five years, and will
certainly come into general use. The Law we
regard as a good one, 1t seeks to prevent fire.
quent changes and give us the benefits of uni
formity. 1t should then cheerfully be complied
with. If we are to have the benefit of sys
TEN, let us adopt it at once, and have the benefit
of 1t. Those of our schools that have taken
the new Readers, have already more than been
repaid for the expense of them, in the increased
interest tbN have created. We have seen
enough Of the evil and confusion of great
variety of books in our schools.
Now, for the first time in the history Of Yer
mont the sake is laid to the root of the tree,
and the work.eommenced right. The people
can ask for no moro protection, and it is Ger
tanly expected that they will avail themselves
of the system now adopted. To parents, teach
ers, superintmdents, and all interested in our
Common Schools, we say, give a really and an
efficient cooperation to our new School Law
1t is useless " have good system unless its pro.
visions arc taken advantage of.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21
The Beauties of the Fugitive Slave Law.


twill be recollectcd by our readers, shat some
time ago, indictments were found against thirty
seven citizens Of 0berlin, Ohio, in the United
States Court for the Northern District in that
State, on the ground that they had aided in the
rescue OF one John, negro, claimed as fugi-
tive from labor The facts appear to be these.
Last September, the negro John was arrested at
ObeIlin. The only officer among the party ar
resting him, was DeputyMarshall from the
Southern District of Ohio, armed with a process
issued by Commissioner Of the same Southern
District. Neither the process nor the Marshall
had any authority at 0berlin which is in the
Northern District of Ohio Some citizens of
0berlin believing it to bea plain case Of kid
mapping, got together and rescued John. For
this offence, one of them has Just been tried
The government did not pretend on the trial
that the warrant of the Marshall helped the
case for the prosecution. The District Attor-
ney put his case wholly on the ground that the
respondent knew that John at the time of the
rescue was in the custody of the agent of the
owner to whom John service was alleged to be
due. The Court, no doubt, SO held the law to
be, and we learn that the respondent was con-
victed What punishment will be inflicted
upon the man who is such wretch as to have
heart in his bosom, does not yet appear
Such trials, and such convictions, don't do the
cause Of Freedom any injury. Republicanism
will take long step forward in Ohio for every
one of THO 0berlin Rescuers who are punished
The time has long since gone by when Tho tor
lures of the Inquisition advanced the cause of
those who adjusted the rack. and turned the
thumb-screws We trust the time cant be far
ahead, when man who in a free State attempts
to seize and hurry off to Slavery fellow man,
shall be compelled to show some legal process,
some color of law, for his proceedings, or be
himself amenable to punishment.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21

We were last week surprised with a flying
visit IRON the Editor of the st. Adams Messen-
ger, while in the midst of general turn out of
our old quarters, and turn into new, we
assure him that zoe iUere the Editor uotwith-
standing any {" mudsil > dress from which he
may have taken us for the "devl." Friend
Whiting is whole-souled Editor, and makes
good-looking paper besides, he looks we'll him
self. May he live till we catch him in just as
dirty a scrape.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21

CUBA.-The next Havana Steamer is expected
to bring intelligence of new raid upon Cuba.
at least so say the New York papers. The
fllibusters left New York some time ago, though
knowledge of their movements has but Just
been published. No vigorous attempts have
been made by the government to enforce Ncu-
trality laws. In fact Buchanan is quite in IA
vor of stealing Cuba himself, and is expected to
wink at all these piratical attempts to get the
command of the Gem of the Antilles. What
an animal modern Cuba-stealing Democracy is !!
And Buchanan makes fit head to the monster.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21

all the information in his power The subjrcs
was preached by the Chief to Nlaloy. whose re-
collections of the transaction at tho Police OF
fee were so clear that the letter was Immediate
ly answered. Mr.. Wing was informed that be
was not only married, but that his wife was
now IN this city. A reply was received frola
Mr.. Wing last evening, and this morning Off
CT Maloy found Mrs. Shaw and tbc witness.
who expressed their willingness to 90 10 Mont
prll,r when their attendance is required ty tho
authorities Of Vermont. The TrsoUt indica-
i ms are that JOHN Burton Shaw will specify
ahtlu, justice IA the Green Mountain State,
ven il h. did escape it l'y A eng from this
city.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21

FREE.-A negro, named Daniel Webster,
was arrested atfiafrisburgh, Pa, recently, as
fugitive slave, and taken to Philadelphia for
examination-it being deemed unsafe to try him
at Harrisburgh. Tho Philadelphia commits.
sioner believed that the debt of labor " and
- the escape of the slave y were proven, but
not the identity of the man. He was three
inches taller than the proof, and proved himself
to be in HarrAburgh year before the alleged
time of escape. So he commissioner discharged
him. {" The decision was greeted with immense
applause Dapel was carried on the shoulders
Of his friends through the streets. Watch
man
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21

The following toast, lately given by Hon. R.
j. Ryan of Indiana, we had considered i" rather
strong" for our columns, but since it appears
very conspicuously in the Washington Union,
we copy it for the amusement of our readers /:
8" give, in conclusion, as sentiment, the
bright and spotless administration of James
Buchanan of Pennsylvania. When thrones are
crumbled and dynasties forgotten, it will stand
the landmark OF our country's history, rearing
itself and legal ruins and nations dissolution
political pyramid in the solitude of Time, be-
meath whose shade kings shall molder and
around whose summit Eternity must play".
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21

With the exception of Virginia will
hold her election on the Doth of May--there
will be no more State elections held until Au.
gust when Alabama, Arkansas. Kentucky, Mis-
sour, North Carolina and Texas. will enter the
field
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21
Good Bye.
p. o., MONTPELIER, Vt, April l6, SO

P. O., MONTPELIER, Vt, April l6, 80.
As my relations with this Office close to-day,
it will afford me pleasure, ere returning to my
home in Woodstock, to leave this expression of
my sincere thanks for the friendliness and for
bearance uniformly manifested by all in this
vicinity, and especially by the Editors, toward
me while in the difficult situation of head-clerk
during the last two years and to assure them,
each and all, that their kind words and actions
will ever be cherished by me with grateful re-
membrance LESTER A. MILLER.
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21

John Mitchell's paper, The Citizen, draws
this moral from the result of the recent slave
case in Philadelphia. that " no save-owner will
ever more recover runaway, or stolen negro,
from any place north of Mason and Dixon's
line "
Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-21

The annual Fair of the Windham County
Agricultural Society will be held at Newfane,
Oct. and 6, 1852 Officers, o. S. Howard,
President Alonzo Dutton, Ira A. Pulsifer,
Vice Presidents W, A. Stodman, Secretary
and Treasurer.