davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24
A Noisy Item.

Noise indeed, is the weakeet thing in the
world. As Robert Nude pithily says: "In
the discharging Of fire. arms, it is the report
which fIightcns both men and animals, and
not the bullet, though tho report is perfectly
innOcont, and tho bullet carries wounds aud
dcatb on It's wings Lightning. too. is not on
ly much more sublime than thunder, but its
powor is, in many instances, tremendous; so
yet it is tho harmless din Of the thunder
which torrifies. The motion OF the mir
which produces sound seems to DO quite
different from that which overcomes resist
ance, ana affects tho skin and muscles -
Tho car will catch the tones of boil at
tho distance of eight or ten miles on q still
evening, though the vibration of the bell
does not at that distance produce motion
of the air that will bend the spiders most
slender thread and yet the same car gives
no notice of the approach of a bullet. by
which il may be tho n0xt instant dashed to
pieces aud the first notice given, whother
the bullet striker. or passes near, is q mus
cular impression, and 'the wind of a bullet
is u wind that blows, not a wind that stings
1t Is much tho same with noisy people
they arc always less effective 10 proportion
as the noise is louder. A deeply honey
combed ball, which whistles as it flies, goes
less forcely and directly to its mark, and
does less execution, than one which speeds
on in silence; and, in blasting rocks with
gunpowder, il 10 the stifed, smoulderiue
shots that do the execution. Thus it would
seem, even in insnimate things, that sound
is tho wall of weakness-the crying. the
childishness Of the creation, as il were"
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24

A Little Delay Fatal.

II is well known that julius Cesar
might have escaped assassination in the
Senate Chamber, il he had read delibe.
rately letter put into his hands by one
informed Of the conspiracy. The same
fact is true OF one or Two French Mon
archs, who perished by the assassin's
knife. But the delay Of few hours to
open these important letters rendered the
escape impossible. We have never seen
the following incident before, but it is
vouched for BY DR.. McChesncy, Of Tren-
ton, reliable authority.
The success OF Washington, at Trenton, ,
has been generally considered the turning
point in the war Of independence. Ye,
few perhaps are aware upon how slight
an event this great critical action wa:
made TO hinge. On Christmas eve when
Washington crossed the Delaware, Col
Rail, the commander ofthe Hessians, sa
in private room near Trenton, engaged
in drinking wine and playing cards.
A tory, who had discovered the move
ments OF the American troops, sent note
10 the Colonel, with orders TO deliver i
into his own hands. The messenger
found his way to the house. and negro
opened the door, but refused him admit
tance, took the letter and delivered it tC
the Colonel, who was just shutting for ,
new game. Surprising the letter to b.
unimpor'ant, or not stopping TO think n
all, he went on with his play. The read
ing Of the letter would have thwarted the
design Of Washington. But the love o.
play conquered the ColonePs prudence
and gave success to a worthier cause in.
volving the loss Of his life and army. ant
ultimately the freedom Of the Colonies.
Little did The Colonel think, when b,
was shutting the cards, that he was losing
the greatest game that ever was played
among the nations Of the world.
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24
Ancient Inks.

According to the Roman naturalist, Pliny.
and other authors, the basis of tho ink used
by ancient writer's was lamp-black or the
black taken from burnt ivory, and SCOT from
furnaces and baths. Some have also sup
posed that tho black liquor which the cuttle-
fish yiolds, was frequently employed. Ono
thing is certain, that whatever were the
component ingredients, from the blsckness
and solidity in tho most ancient manuscripts,
from an inkstand found at Horcuaneun, in
which tho ink appears as o thick oil, and
from chemical analysis. tho ink of antiquity
was much more Opaque, us we'll as oncaustic,
than that which is used in modern time.
Inks OF different culors were much in vogue;
rod, purple. blue and gold and silver inks
wero the principal varieties. Tho red was
made from vermillion. cinnabar and car.
mino; tho purple from murex, ono kind of
which. called the purple encaus,ic, was ap-
propristed TO the exclusive use of the en-
perors. Golden ink was much more popu-
lar amongst the Greeks than amongst the
Romans, During the middle or dark ages
tho manufacture both of it and Of silver ink
was IN extensive md lucrative branch Of
trade, and the illuminated manuscripts
which romnin area striking proof of the
high degree of perfection to which the art
was carried. The making of the inks
themselves was distinct business; another
connected with it.and to which it owed its or
gin was that Of inscribing the titles. capitals,
as we'll as emphatic words, in colored and
gold and silver inks.
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24
VIM. Pennington and Henry Clay.

A Lexington correspondent of the Cincin-
natl Commercial writes that the election OF
Mr.. PENNINGTON, of New Jersey, as Speak
or, gave much satisfaction in Lexington, and
adds:
think il was either in ls45 or 1876 that
Henry Clay became embarrassed TO such an
extent that he had to mortgage Ashland.
In tho mean time, movement bad boen
started in Now Orleans BY sone of MIR. C.'s
friends, that they would pay his debts and
reieve him from his cmbarrassments, aud
Mr.. A. II. Trotter, agent of the Northern
Bank in l,ew Orleans, was sont East to con-
fer with Mr.. Clay's friends. The conse.
ouence was, that about fifty thousand dol
lars were subscribed, and the Hon. VIM!
Pennington was sent to Kentucky with the
money, and camo 10 Lexington without any
one knowing it, He walked into the North
ern Bank, asked for MIR. Scott, the Cashier
of tho Bank, and upon being shown that gen.
tleman, asked If there were not several notcs
of Mr.. Clay's that were due in few days,
and was answered that there was. MIR. 8.
was requested 10 give the whole amount Of
MIR. Clay's Indebtedness, which was done.
and draft on one of the Now York banks
was handed him, and Mr.. Pennington lefs
the Bank with oil MIR. Clays notes paid
In few days Ar. Clay came to town to ar.
range for a renewal OF the notes if possible.
and was shown in tho side room of the bank.
After sitting few minutes, he asked Mr.. S.
! if there could be any arrangement to run
the notes for longer time. Mr. S. looked
at Mr.. Clay to see if he was not jestiDg. and
finding that he was not, told him that gen.
tleman from New Jersey had callod yester-
day, and paid all of his Indebtedness. Mr..
Clay started when Mr.. S. spoke. looked at
him few seconds, burst into tears, and lett
the bank overwhelmed. No man ever had
such friends. Such, Sir, is q brief narrative,
an incident in the life of the Speaker elect:
and here, sir, whero Mr.. Clay lived, his per-
sonal friends are rejoced that he has been
honored with the SpeakersEip.
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24

A mothers love for her son is never weak.
oned, never dies. Tho mother of VIM. A.
Choice. under sentence Of desth at Atlanta,
Goorgiu, for the murder of young man
named Webb. while under the influence Of
llqnor, has petitoned the Legislature that
her son may be saved from tho gaIlows, on
the ground that he was subject to frequent
fits Of alteration of mind. 1t appears she
was prevented from bringing this fact before
the jury at the trial, in consequence of being
prostrated by illness. In her petition she
uses the following words, an appeal that
could only como from mothers heart -
"Tho law, which cannot show mercy. has
doomed him to die on tho gallows, but am
still his mother, and that tie which nature
creates and makes holy is most sacred-it is
not weakened even BY his impending fate
If any among you be inclined to deem me
intrusive, let him remember this-!et him
remember his own mother, and say whether
she ought to be silent if cruel destiny was
about to consign you to such fate" The
Senate. after an able debate passed. the bill
granting a pardon to the condemned by a
large majority.
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24
CHOICE VARIETY.

THE hcart-strings will snap, just like harp.
strings, from excess of cold and neglect.
HE who can reconcile poetry with truth
and wisdom is the only true poet in its real
sense.
TnE heart is nursery OF the tenderest
plants to which tho least chill ofton proves
most destructive.
SIDNEY SMITH said that tho Anglo Saxon
race was made for two purposos-to manu-
facture calico and steal land.
WHITE hair ia the chalk with which Time
keeps lie score-two, throo. or four score as
tho caae may boon a mnn's head.
THE thing most like happiness in tho
world is peaceful conscience, and the
strong serenity of . soul wholly devoted to
duty.
LANGUAGE is solemn thing. II grow,
out of lite, it's sgonics and ccstacies, it's wantt
and its weariness. Every language is tom
Pile, in which tho souls of those who speak
il arc onshrined.
THERE 10 no engine by whch wo might dc
so much good, nor any BY which wo really
do so littlo, as by conversation. There il
rot much enjoyment in conversation, with
out en- equality Of understanding.
WHEN Wnshington's secretary excused
himself for the ateness of his attendance
and laid the blame upon his watch, his mas
ter quietly said, "then you must got another
watch. or l another secretary. ."-SmiieS!
SELF. Help.
I1EINE. the German poet, was asked by hi
friend Alphono, as thoy stood before the
great Cathedral Of Rheims, why cannot
tho present age build such cathedrals NJ
that :" "That structure, replied Hcino
was reared by an ago of convictions; ours
is an age of opinions"
TINE wears slippers Of lint, and his troad
is nosoloss. The days como softly dawning
one after another; thoy creep in at oil the
windows; thoir fresh morning air is grateful
to tho lips US tcey pant for it; their music
ia sweet to the ears as they listen to it; until
before we know it. whole lifc of days hal
possession of tho citadel, and time has taker
US for its own.
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24
The London Examiner on the Presidents
Message.

The London Examiner has severe article
on the Presidents Message. Speaking of Mr..
Buchanan's assertion that no human power
can interfere with the right to bold slaves
in tho Territories, 1t says:
"But how is il that human, or rather In
human, powcr has had the authority to os-
tablsh tho right which no human or humane
power can abrogate ? A race has been sto-
len, and tho theft sanctioned by the law
Tho President passes from tho vindication
of Slavery to the condemnation Of the Slaye-
trade; but morally and religiously how does
stealing mon in Africa differ from keeping
possession Of the stolen man in America
The answer may be that he was not stolen
in Africa, but that he is distant descendant
Of the stolen man, one of stolen race, but
this only confesses the otense to be on the
largest scale"
1t concludes its remarks as follows:
"True civilization spurns whatever is
tainted with wrong, and will not give tho
namo and protection of an institution to o
thing originating with robbery and per.
petuating robbery, for what else is tho pos
session of another mans body, and denial OF
his right TO it: The President has we'll de-
tcribcd the horrors that would follow the
re. opening of the slave-trade in Africa, bus
lttlo Africa exists in the Slave States
Of tho Unior; the scale and intensity Of the
evils and denominations are indeed less. but
they arc of kindred nature. The defense
of tho thing is however, no more apologetic,
it takes loud and peremptory tone: bus
there is a retribution always working against
Slavery and tending to its fall, in iis OK
travgant costliness and demoralizing effects.
Tho limo will come when tho Southern
States will discover that they cannot afford
vice go expensive in money and morals. .
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24
Newspapers in 0lden Times.

Whom newspapers were first established
they werc quite destitute Of advertisements,
and nothing was more common than for
papers to be printed with q blank pago.
The fret newspapers printed in America had
only three pages of reading matter, as there
was not foreign or domestic news enough to
fill OFT all the columns In England, after
a while, new method was adopted to Oil
up the space not required for the current
news, by publishing selections from the
Holy Scriptures, and many an old news
paper Is now oxtant Sith whole page copied
from the Bible Chapters from the New
Testament were placed at the head Of the
column. and the space below was filled out
with psalm Of tho required length. At tho
time this to US novel proceeding was re-
sorted to. to fill out the paper, the Biblo
wasn't so common or SO cheap as at present,
and doubtless much good resulted from tho
practice. But what would some of the sub.
scribers to "our paper say, were it to como
TO them with seven or eight columns selected
from the Scriptures Doubtless in some
quarters. even in our day. extracts from the
Bible would be "new indeed"
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24
Truthfulness.

am acquainted with persons who would
think it was great insult TO bo called liars,
yet they allow themselves to toll very large
stories. And, after all, there is no middle
ground betwcou truth and falsehood. Either
a thing is true, or it is not true. A story
may be partly truo and partly false, yet the
truth and the lie contained therein must DO
judged according 10 thoir respective charac-
tiers. A hundred truths cannot sanctify ono
lie. 30 as 10 mako it other than an abomina-
ton to tho Lord. Beware, then, of extrava-
CANT words,
Susan was teaching her little brother to
read. and she had gone patiently over the
alphabet several times. what 10 that =
she said. which tho little brother found il
bard to learn.
at is a crooked lettor." he replied.
"But what is its ndme'' inquired Susan.
"Como, now, tell sister right off"
"I1e namo bo hook" said tho boy.
20, what o stupid boy T. exclaimed Su-
san. have told you that letter thousand
times this morning" Grandfather shook
his head. "Woll. havo told him at least
a hundred Iimes, persisted the little girl.
Still tho conscientious old man shook his
head. "Well," said Susan, II have told him
sir times, for hero it is marked upon my
slate"
Alas for Susan ! She should have come
nearer TO tho truth than sir is to a thousand.
Perhaps tho children may think this is q
small matter but it is not. The slightest
deviation from the truth blunts conscience.
and prepares US to approach falsohood with
fear and trembling. If people are not de-
ccived by extravagant words, it is only be.
cause thoy have learnt to make allowances
for falsehood. Do tho children want any
such allowances for them: No, indeed
they do not want lilo to crowd itself into
anv word proceeding from their lips.
You have seen shopkoepers to try suspi
cous coin, ringing 1t to hear If it would give
tho right sound. Our words, too, will bt
tried, for their echo will ring when tho lip:
which uttered ;hem arc cold in death lie,
rs 500 that they give true sound.-Fdmii,
Tredsuru
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24

VEsUvIUs TO BE ExTNGUIsHED. IF thore
be any truth in the rumor of proposition
to extinguish the volcano of Vesuvius,it cer-
tainIy must be tho product OF some mad.
dened brain. According TO most eoologists,
earthquakes are often caused by the iErush
of waters upon volcanic free, and the con.
sequently rapid generation OF imprisoned
steam. But to the point. Some Of tho
German Journals announce Seriously shat Q
company of English capitalists have made
application to the King of Naples for con-
cossiou for the extinction of Vesuvius. The
principal seat of FIRE of that volcano is sit.
uatod several thousand feet below the level
of tho sea. By cutting q canal which would
cary the waters into the crater the fire
would be completely extinguished. and the
operation which would cost only 1000. .000f.,
would restore 10 cultivation, lands of ten
times that value. Such Is evidently the
opinion Of few visionary dreamers.
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24
The Distinguished Dead Of the Last
Ten Years.

Within the last ten years death has Ia.
ken the scep.re and closed the reigns Of
sovereigns on the thrones Of Russia, Aus
tria, Sweden, Denmark, Hanover, Naples,
Portugal, Brazil, Japan and the Sand.
wich Islands. One President Of the Uni
ted States and one Ex.President have
died, while Louis Philippe has joined the
scep,ered host, having previously lost his
earthly crown. Numerous illustrious
men have departed. prominent among
whom will be found the name OF Webster,
Clay, Calhoun, Peel, Wellington. Soult,
Theirs, Chautaubriand, Metterhich,
Wordsworth, Moore, Rogers, Lockhart,
Wilson, Macaulay, Hallam, De Quincy,
Irving, Prescott, Crawford, Sedgwick.
and numerous others, while the names Of
of Jane Porter, Jane Taylor. Miss Milford.
Miss Edgeworth and others have added
brilliant lustre TO the roll Of eminent and
ilustrious women.
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24

The LOVING KINDNESS OF GoD.-Tbo
loving kindness of God what q beautiful
expression How rich and copsoling the
thought contained in it 1t is not mere good
will, nor more complacent friendship, nor
mere neighborly kindness of human beings,
although these are of high and precious
account; it is tho good will, the friendship.
Of love- of the love of God, who is love
isself. We know something of the loving
kindness of father and mother. We have
been gently tended and nursod by this kind
ness; or, parents ourselves, we know full vol
the tbrobbing of patornal affection. Deep,
earnest. selfsacrifcing is human love in
many tender relations.
We trust in il fervently and without fear.
o If fthere were no human love in which
we could trust, what would this earth be
But the loving kindness of God, of that in.
comprehensive Being who fills tho universe
with his presence, and before whose majesty
the pillars of heaven remblo-what loving
kindness that must be the kindness of in.
finite love welded with infinite power
There 10 nothing that love can conceive of
or wish to do for It's object, but is contained
here and rendered not only possible, bul
absolutely certain.
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24

COLONEL STONE. q practising lawyer,
and Doctor Mason, a practising physi-
clan, were rival candidates for the Senate.
and were stumping the district together.
Dr.. Mason was an advocate for law and
reform, and, in arguing its necessity, he
referred to a certain case in which his
competitor had been consulted upon some
technicality. "Now," said DR.. Mason,
1--WE need 10 have the law reformed, or
Col. Stone i, incompetent to bring a suit
correclly-he can lake either horn Of the
dilemma"
Cal. Stone replied: "Fellow.citizens.
the Doctor has the advantage OF me-
When make mistake in my profession,
have only TO go TO the records OF the
court and find ii and publish ii to the
world; but when he makes o mistake il
his profession, he buries ii six feet unde
groundp'
The people appreciated the lawyer
ready wit. and forgavs him the blunde
charged on him for the sake OF the clev
er retort be made scthe Doctors expense
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24

A TOUCHING ANEcDorE.-Hon. A. H.
Stephens, of Georgia, in recent address
at meeting in Alexandria, Virginia. for
the benefit OF the Orphan Asylum and
Free Schools Of that city, related the fol-
lowing anecdo:e
A poor little boy. in a cold night in
March. with no home or roof TO shelter his
head, no parental or maternal guardian or
guide 10 protect him on his way. reached
at nightfall the house OF a rich planter.
who took him in, fed. lodged and sent him
on his way with his blessing. These kind
attentions cEeered his heart, and inspired
him with fresh courage TO battle with The
obstacles of life. Years rolled round
Providence led him on he had reached
the legal profession his host had died
the cormorants that prey on the substance
of man had formed conspiracy to get
from the widow her estates. She sent for
the nearest counsel TO commit her case to
him. and that counsel proved to be the
orphan boy. years before welcomed and
entertained by her husband. The stimu'
lus of warm and tenacious gratitude wa:
now added to the ordinary motives con
nected with the profession. He under
took her cause with will not easily to bt
resisted he gained it the widows es
tates were secured TO her in perpetuity
and, Mr.. Stephens added with an empha
sis Of emotion that sent an electric thrill
throughout the house, "Ihat orphan boy
stands before you"
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24
THE EQUALITY OF THE GRAVE.
BY JANIS SHIRLEY.


Tho glories OF our blood and state
Are shadows, not substantial things;
There is no armor against fatc-
Death lays his icy hand on kings.
Scepter and crown
Must tumble down,
Aud in tho dust be equal made
With the poor crooked scythe and spade.
Some mon with swords may reap tho field
And plant fresh laurels where they kill
But their strong nerves at last must yield,
They tame but one another still.
Early or late,
They sioop to fato,
And must give up their murmurine breath
When they, pale captves, croop to Doath.
The garlands wither on your brow,
Thon boast no more your mighty deeds
| Upon Deaths purple altar now,
500 whore tho victor. victim blecds
All heads must como
To tho cold tomb
Only tho actions of tho just
Smell sweet and blossom in the dust.
The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-02-24
The Prison at HAVANA.

It has no appearance of Jail without, but
rather of palace or court but within, it is
full of live mems bones, and all uncleaninosS.
No man whose notions were derived from an
American or English penitentiary Of the last
twenty or fifty years. can form an idea Of
the great Cuban Prison. II is simply hor-
rible. There are no cells except for solitary
confinement Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS are
usually political offenders. The prisoners
aro placed in large rooms, with stone floors
and grated windows. where they are left
from twenty to fifty in each. without work,
without books. without Interference or in
tervention of any one, day or night-for the
weeks, months or years Of thoir sentences,
Tho sights are dreadful. In this hot eli
mate, so many beings with no provision for
ventilation but the grated windows-so uu.
clean and most of them naked above the
waist-all spending their time in walking
talking. playing, aud smoking, and at night
without bed or blanket, they lie down on
tho stone floor, on what clothes they may
have, to sleep if they can.