Litchfield enquirer., 1860-05-17


 ern papers of the 18th of April, in the latter part of the afternoon, it grew suddenly dark as midnight-rain descended, winds blew, thunder roared, lightning flashed and hail stones, from pebbles to the size of pint bowls came down like shots from a battery Some of them weighed over one pound. Cattle were killed ny the merciless pelting,' and one man is so badly in- jured that he cannot live.
 A GunroRD CORRESPONDENT of the Palladium says that there is not little stir in that commu- nity, arising from the important question: Is there shaver amongst us?" For week past, n schooner of probably 300 tons, has been anchor. ed about q mile to the north and west of Faulk ner's Island and during that time no communica- ton has been had with the island or the main land. The fishermen rtport seeing quite too many men on board for an ordinary sound pack ct, and there are several other pecularties which lead strongly to the supposition that she is eith or waiting for an easy chance to run for the A f. rcan coast, or is engaged in some smuggling op- eration.
 FR1aHrfuL ACc1DEsT.-It has been amour ccd for several days in the New York papers, that on Thursday, Mir. A. NJ. Conner, pupil of Professor Wise, would make his first mrial voy- age in new balloon from Palace Garden. Sev- eral thousand people were present to witness the ascension. The balloon being frail one and the wind almost blowing hurricane, Con nerc fr;apIu ri t, do hin, the ascension but he persisted. At tho signal for lotting go the balloon, instead of going up. it was driven by the force of the gale in terly direction, demolishing various things in it's way. Suddenly the balloon collapsed, and with its basket and occupant, instantly disappeared from sight. A scone of the widest confusion now ensued Mrs. Conner, and 8 female relative who accompanied her, fainting and falling help less on the ground. Loud shrieks rent the air. both inside and outside of tho Garden, and the frantic people rushed hither and thither with out knowing why or wherefore. Conner was found lying upon the roof of building known as Concert Hall. lying in an insensible condi- tion, covered with the wreck of his balloon. He died at II o'clock at night, having received in ternal injuries.
 A LuNATIc IN THE WooDs-An apparently insane man is living in the woods in Branford. Mass, under very singular circumstances. He is described as being thirty five or forty years old, six feet two inches in height, with black hair and whiskers, and appears to have good aducation and bis Ioronronop+ coo,,v f., bo o,, nected with spiritualism, upon which he talks fuently. He calls at houses and purchases food, but lives somewhere in the woods, and refuses to give any information about himself. He work ed at farming last fall and has appeared again this spring, and when actively at work his de- rangement appears to increase. No clue can be obtained as to who he is or where he belongs 'sp' inDfeld Republican, May To-
 THE BALTIMORE UNION CONVENTION con- pleted their labors in brief session, by nomna- ting the Hon. JOHN BELL. of Teuncsee for Pres dent, and Hon. EDWARD EVERETT for Vice. Both are highly respectable men, upright, honest and conscientious Mir. Bell has long been in public life, as Representative in Congress from Ten nesee, as Speaker of the House, and as United States Senator. Mr. Everett writes for the New ! ork Ladger." There is no great prota- bility of their carrying single state unless Mir Douglas nomination should cause few states South, to wheel into the "Cnon ranks" but should the election be thrown into the House of Representatives, each of the two great parties might prefer this ticket to that of of their oppo nents. The following is the non-commital plat form" adopted: o@
 Whereas, Experience has demonstrated that all platforms adopted by political parties have the effect to misead and to cause political divs- icns, by encouraging geographical and sectional parties;
 Therefore, resolved that both patriotism and duty require that they should recognise no policy or principles but those resting on the broad foun. dstion of the constitution of the country, the union Of the states aud the enforcement of the lawa Great applause and six cheers and that as representatives of the Constitutional Union party and Of the country they pledge themselves to maintain. protect and defend these principles thus attording security at home and abroad, and secure inc blessings of liberty to themselves and posterity.
 Adopted by exclamation.
 SERENADE TO ME. BEl4L.-On Friday evening Senator Bell was seronaded at the La Pierre House in Philadelphia. The audience was neith- CT large, nor enthusiastic. The Senator returned thanks for the compliment paid him, and said that he trusted that the party to succeed would be party of tho Union and Constitution" with Mr. Bell thrown in as a matter of course.
 TIE OLD GENTLEMAss PARrY.-There was an eminent propriety in the place of holding the Convention yesterday Its effort to galvan- ize the venerable bones of the old Whig party into life again, was properly made in the City of Monuments. There was great fitness, too, in having the ratification meeting in Monument Square.
 But we fear the nominations were rash. The Convention was based on the idea of ignoring the questions of the Present, and dealing only with those of the Past. It ought to have nom- mated GEORGE WASHINGTON and JOHN ADAMS. on the platform of the original Articles of Con- federation. Messrs. BELL and EVERETT are too recent-too much mixed up with the political questions of the present century. Mir. Everett even came very near having a arecord on the Ne braska Bill. There is much popular respect for both Mir. B. and Mir. E., but not so much as