davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

PRETTY Coop CARIcATURE.-A little sheet
of the Punch order, published in New York,
contains, in late number, pretty good
caricature of the condition and members OF
our present Congress. That honorable body
is represented as large decanter or demijohn,
filled with gases marked 'buncombe, ,""bosh," I"
"blatherskite," "dsunion," treason" &C.,
and tightly corked with a volume of "Helper's
Impending Crisis" Uncle Sam, in the form
of rather green looking gentleman just from
the rural districts, stands looking at the
monstrous bottle full of whirling gases, and
soliloquzes thus: "Wall, if it contains nothing
better than that, I don't care if it remains
corked up to all etarnity." ...
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

A CURIOUS Recently at tho
Liverpool Assizes, one of tho barristers
engaged in case which involved som
peculiar interest in female evidence, made
the following observations -
The evidence OF woman is, in some respects,
superior to that of man. The power OF
Judging of minute details is better, and
where there are more than two facts, and
something is wanting, they supply the de-
6ciency. Wherever there is room for their
imagination, which is more powerful and
active than that Of men, they Immediately
bridge the thing over and supply the gap.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

~ An Alabama Senator in recent
debate on bill to prevent the adulteration
of LIQUORS. said Mr.. President = This is
the most important measure that has been
before this body at this session. Spirituous
liquors, sir, is beverage in which we oil
iudulge more or less. tits well known, sir,
that there are persons so lost to every sense
Of humanity, Is to put strychnine and
other poisonous substances in this popular
beverage. Sir, in my opinion, the villain
who perpetrates SO great an outrage ought
to suffer death.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

SIGNATURE OF THE CRoss.-The
mark which persons who are unable to
write are required to make instead Of
their signature, is in the form of a
cross (X), and this practice having
formerly been followed by kings and
mobiles, is constantly referred to as an
instance of the deplorable ignorance of
ancient times. This signature is not,
however, invariably q proof Of such ig-
norance anciently, the use Of this
mark was not confined to illiterate per-
sons for amongst the Sa1ons the mark
of the cross, as IN attestation Of the
good faith of the person signing, was
resuired 10 be attached to the sigma
ture of those who could write, as we'll
as to stand in the place Of the sigma
ture Of those who could not write. In
those times, if man could write, or
even read, his knowledge was consid-
cred proof presumptive that he was in
holy orders. The word .clericus OF
clerk was synonymous With yeoman;
and the la.ty, or people who are not
clerks, did not feel any urgent necessl'
ty for the use of letters. wa
The ancient use of the cross wa,
here fore universal, alike by those who
could and those who could not write; il
was, indeed, the symbol of an oath from
its holy associations, and generally the
mark. On this account Mr.. Charles
knight, in his notes to the Pictorial
Shakespeare, explains the expression Of
"God save the mark" as form Of
ejaculation approaching to the charac-
ter of an oath. This phrase occurs
three or more times in the plays Of
Shsk,peare but hitherto it has been
Left BY the commentators in its original
ObScurlty. az --a---qa.ts .r.r-. g G.. -a
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03
THE NEWS.

| Hon. F. P. Blair, Jr., Of Missouri, gav'
lecture on s.Ihe Attitude, Of PARTIES
before the Young Mems Republican Union
in the great hall of the Cooper Institute
New York, on the evening Of tho 25th. Al
the close, three tremendous cheers were Civ.
en- for Blair, and Cassius NJ. Clay, and the
State OF Missouri. -sasaa 4. .-.-.. a.s ~
Tho Republican Convention ut Hartford,
c., on tho 25th, after re-nominating the
present State officers, selected the following
delegates to Chicago for the State At large
LIST dist. Gibson Wells, Of Hartford /; and
e. X. Foster, of New Haven; sd-C. F.
Cleveland, Of Hampton; 4th-A. Il. Holley,
of Lakeville. District Delegates-lst Con-
gressional district, O. o. Courier, of Farm
ington, and L. E. Pease, Of somers I'd dis
trict, E. W. Kellogg, of Waterbury, and A.
B. Cleaf, of ofMiddletown Sd district, james
Gallup, of Plainfeld, and H. H. Starkweath.
er, Of Norwich; 4th district, E. S Tweady,
of injury, and George H. Noble, Of New
Milford. Resolutions of . strong Republi-
can character, were adopted, and the Con.
vension broke up with rousins cheers for
the UAioD. ,t.dG-y- Et. .La-.'l ~ .'Io2 1913 o.
CoNaRrss. Another ballot was had for
Speaker, on Wednesday Oath inst, resulting
as follows Necessary to . choice lOS.
Sherman, 105; Bocock, 81 Smith, Of s. c.,
26; the rest scattering. Mr.. Sherman was
supported by his friends as formerly, in q
solid column. All the votes cast for Mr..
Bocock were from the Democratic side. The
Southern Opposition. with the exception of
Davis, of Md, Etheridge and Boteler, voted
fer Mr.. Smith, of N. G., together with Mr..
Clark of Mo-, De Jarnette, Keith, Pryor,
Smith, Of Va, and Taylor, Democrats. Mr..
Davis, Of Ind, received votes, and q
votes were divided among twelve other
gentlemen. .s.-sl. .-..
The Pixies Peak Express Company has
deeided to run pony express from Leaven-
worth to Sacrimento City. The time is fix
ed at ten days. The Post Office Department
has ordered the Utah mail service back to
its original time-monthly, instead Of semi
The winter in Salt Lake Valley is said
to have been very severe. Considerable
disorder existed ut Camp Floyd, at last
accounts, and a soldier had been murdered
ty an unknown assassin The Salt Lake
Valley Tan lays, of over 200 murders COM
mit,ed in that Territory within she past
three years, not o single offender has been
or punished ..r RS. a....t..
The Republican menbers of Congress
held caucus on Saturday. There was ful
attendance, but no result attained. Many
same away before the adjournment, leaving
others discussing, in short speeches, the
'ubject of the Speaker ship. In consequence
Of this non agreement, the Republicans
would go into the house to-day (Monday)
without any particu ar candidate among
themselves. as on the first dav of the session.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

TRIAL OF STEPHENS AND HAzLErr.-The
Legislature Of Virginia having authorized a
special term of the Circuit Court for the
county Of Jefferson, Judge Parker has
directed notice to be given that the term will
be. commenced on the 1st day of February
next. 1t is understood that Stephens and
Hazlett, two of the Harper's Ferry conspira.
tors, will then be tried. 4et7 =, . a2A
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

TnE War IN MoRocco.-The war between
Spain and Morocco has not yet reached any
decisive point. The Moors sppear to fight
desperately, and more skillfully than was at
first anticipated by their enemies. 1t is not
three months since hostilities commenced, but
our latest intelligence on this subject is only
to the goth ult The Spanish army, at that
date, numbered from IS, 900 to 10000. The
Moorish force is probably not more than half
As numerous, yet act at q great advantage from
better knowledge Of the country. if not from
the mode of warfare usually selected. Their
peculiar hand-to-hand style of fighting, as
heretofore described, is not very satisfactory
to the Spaniards, who seem to shun that sort
of encounter st Isa"
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03
:
Scattering, r.

] Among the Democrats who voted for the
American candidate were Morris and McCler-
nand, of ILL.,, English and Niblack, Of Ind,
Larrabee, of Wis, Cox and Vallandigham, of
Ohio, and John Cochrane, of New. ork. Mr.
Smith, also received the votes of Messrs. Mill
ward and Wood, of Pennsylvania, who have
heretofore supported Mr.. Sherman.-:Ch
Press. 28N, .sse D q. d. gsrs,s..fY es. ,..-f..,,
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

~ Fernando Woods branch of the NeY|
York Democracy are electing their threatened
rival delegation to the Charleston Convention.
They are chosen by district conventions, each
selecting two delegates and two alternates.
The other delegation was chosen in a lump by
the State Convention. 70 as .l.b o. 1at JJ
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

DEMOCRATIC ECONOMY. - Portrait Of q
Democrat By Democrat. 1.-THE Desmoines
correspondent Of the Upton Democrat thus
speaks of Judge Ciagget, member Of the
House from Lee county: d 70 2"' Enr.'.
"On the right again, and about the center
of the body, will be seen bald-headed man,
with tuft of gray hair around the crown,
and who occupies the floor about two-thirds
of the time This is Clagget, of Lee. He is
overcharged with high estimate Of himself,
and looks with jealousy upon the rising infiu-
ence of Baker. Clagget is struggling hard to
be leader; but oh, his speeches-they will
kill any man; yesterday, he occupied the
floor twenty-five times during the forenoon.
He is bore, and no one heeds him." r9
( Very true; but we are surprised to find a
Democrat honest enough to s2y so. The
Judge may well pray to be delivered from his
friends. Our readers will bear in mind that
Clagget is the leader Of the faction which
endeavors to be considered, par excellence, the
economists of the House. Here we have the
testimony Of one Of his party friends that he
consumes more time than any other member,
and is,xegarded by all as a bore. Such are
the lsadss of the minority in the Legislature,
who, ,p4werless for any purpose of their own,
appear to take delight in clogging the action
of the majority. and doubling the expense of
the session while they prate about economy!
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03
4 Speaker i'm Prospect.
CRepe.tsd for the Journal. j.

g, "A speaker An KrOSPCCS. .g.l. ..
| 5agay.5 ITO. crow New Y0RK, Jan. 28.
Tho 7ri6unss Washington correspondent
says Mr.. Sherman has called convention +
meet at noon, to-day, and will withdraw
another candidate can be elected. He ha'
been prepared to do 50 for two weeks, ane
was only restrained by the fact that additions
votes had not been demonstrated upon Mcssrs
Pennington, Corwin and Morris, as had beer
repeatedly promised. Mr.. Pennington viii
probably be nominated. Mr.. Smith will b.
dropped by the Democrats, and the South
Americans be allowed to select Democrat
upon whom they can unite. a'.. .l ia
The Times correspondent says that the
chances now are that Corwin will be elected
On Monday. Furrf aii 1:a-v 74.- ao
Herald Correspondent: The proceedings
in the House, to-day, demonstrated the fact
that Sherman cannot be elected. Six Of his
friends, from Pennsylvania and New Jersey,
went over to Smith, of North Carolina, more
to tantalize the Democrats-not from any
supposition that the latter would concentrate
upon Smith, he being an American but, to
the CONSERVATION of these gentlemen, all the
Dem scrats except Messrs. Holman and Davis,
of Indiana, and Allen, of Ohio, voted for him,
which would have elected him, had not five
of the Sherman men taken the back track,
and changed their votes from Sherman to
Corwin and Pendleton, They did so until
Mr.. Sherman arose and recorded his vote for
Corwin, making an additional vote necessary
to choice, which was the signal for danger.
Many Of the Republicans would like to vote
for Corwin, others for Hickman; but it is
evident, from the canvass of opinion tonight,
that Pennington can reach more men outside
Of Sherman's strength than any other man,
and the friends of Sherman will not object to
him if the majority Of the Republicans declare
for him. Mr.. Adrian refused to vote for
Smith, Southern Wing, because he under
stands him to be in favor of protecting slavery
in the Territories, but says he will vote for
Northern Whig like Mr.. Pennington, which
ne will probably have an opportunity Of doing
Monday. -,-
Mr.. Seward had public reception at his
residence, tonight, which was numerously
~ lid .a.t
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03
IOWA NEWS.

.--On the 18th inst, a meeting was held
at Aaquoketa to take into consideration mat
ters relating to the navigation of the
Maquoketa river. A contract was entered
into with Nessrs. Perham & Williams to
furnish steamer and run her on the river
The navigation company have already ex-
pended $4,000 in clearing the chanxel OF
tho river, and are to spend So 500 more.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

SUICIDE AND DRINK. More than
two-thirds of the suicides in the cities
Of the United States last summer, were
occasioned by delirium tremens /; .
large proportion of the, cases was
from tho foreign population, and the
names of Germans predominate. aar.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

wPerhaps no State has a taller set of
officers than Iowa. John W. Jones, Treas
urer, is six feet, three; Jonathan w. Cattell,
Auditor, six feet, two; A. B. Miller, Register,
six feet, and Thomas H. Benton, (not Old
Bullion,) Secretary of the Board Of Education,
is also six feet. The Secretary of State, Elijah
Sells, makes up in width what he lacks in
length. = Chicago Journal.
The Journal might add that Judge Baldwin,
just elected to the Supreme Court, is nearly
six feet, six, in his boots, and weighs about
four hundred pounds. Gov. Kirkwood is
nearly six feet high, and 1t. Gov Rusch is
over six feet. What is better, every one of
these elongated gentlemen is staunch Re-
publican. We venture to say that Iowa can
exhibit a greater length of Republican State
officers than any other State in the Union -
DaUenport Gazette.
With such stall TIMBER for the support of
the Republican platform, in its length and
BREADTH, it is certainly all OAK!
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

@The Philadelphia Ledger complains
that business in that city is thoroughly pros
trated there is literally nothing deing. The
present stlte Of affairs is supposed to have some
connection with the breakdown in 1857.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

EpIrAPH FOR DoUGLAs.--Carl Schurz, in
recent speech at Springfield, Mass, gave his
hearers the following epitaph for Stephen A..
Douglas: "Here lies the queer sort Of a
statesman, who, when the great battle Of
slavery was fought, pretended to say that hsa
did notacare whether slavery be voted up or
voted down., Igsurl IN tl.l.. ~ .yg as 10
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

RErRENcHMENT.--A bill has been adopted
by the Minnesota lower house, cutting
down all departments of the government, both
in salaries and number of officers, reducing the
Legislature one-half, Ito 10 Senators and AZ
Representatives, y and in this and other ways
simplifying the governmental machinery, and
very much reducing expenses. a.- & ..m
This reform ought to be adopted in Iowa.
Our Legislature is now composed Of l26
members-s3 in the House, and % in the
Senate. Just one-half the number can enact
our laws as wisely, and at half the expense
now required. Will not the present Legisla-
ture take into consideration the propriety Of
cutting down the number of members
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

~Mr. James Noffsinger is about to start
new Republican paper at Abba, in Monroe
county, to be called the JefSrsonian BLADE.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

TIE CHARLESTON CAND1DATE.-The Louis
vile Journal has an article on the Democratic
nomination for the Presidency, in which the
opinion is plausibly maintained that Hon.
Alexander H. Stephens will be the candidate,
through the management of Douglas and his
supporters, after the Little Rebel is thrown
overheard. ,.-,....-. -
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

PLuRAL1rY MEN-There are at least a hall
a dozen Democratic Representatives in Con
gress that cut rather an inconsistent figure in
opposing the adoption of the plurality rule,
inasmuch as they owe their election to the
very same rule. The following list is made
from inspection of the returns Of the election
in 1859: Daniel E. Sickles, Thos. j. Barr
W. B. Maclay, New York; Thos. B. Florence
Pennsylvania; VIM. Howard, Ohio; j. R
Barrett, Missouri.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03
= r. .-Es El, III 70 lI-t.- = q !. -rrl
A SENSIBLE DEMocRATlc PAPER. = The

A SENSIBLE DEMOCRATIC PAPER. The
Dubuque Herald, in speaking of Gov. Letch-
er's proposition to go out Of the Union in case
of the election of Republican President, says:
"Now, it is difficult to see how Mr.. Letcher
could help himself, providing a Republican
should be elected in the fair and regular way
pointed out in the Constitution. A majority
of votes in the electoral college will elect a
President, and the simple fact that the majority
might be given for Republican, or Know
Nothing, or a Democrat, would constitute no
sort of justification for the opposition to the
successful candidate to raise the standard OF
rebellion.
"When we shall cease to be law-abiding
people, and shall have fallen to the degenerated
level of Mexican and other rSpanish-American
States, where the unsuccessful party, finding
it has been out-voted, always issues its pro
nuncianento, raises the standard of revolt,
and sets up for itself, then we may do as those
States do, and follow the advice which Mr..
Letcher gives to Virginia and the South.
"This threat of secession and dissolution
of the Union which has become so fashiona-
BILE of late among Virginia and other rampant
politicians of the pronunciamento. and fill
clustering school, speaks badly both for their
patriotism and for the cause they advocate
''Has it come to this that any one section,
or any one party, may declare with impunlty
to the people of this free country that, ''G"less
you keep us in office, sre Oill dissoloe the ORION
and destroy the Contederacy? Yet this is the
sum and substance of Gov. Letcher's inaugu-
raj, and for this reason deserves to be
condemned" ,:5 e.. ..-. .cg..r .. ..l
This is sound doctrine, and comes unex=
pectedly from the Herald. We are sorry,
however, that it is the only ergan of the
Democratic party in this State which dares
to utter it's honest sentiments. 81.
CoRwIN's SPEECH. = Hon. Thos. Corwin
spoke four hours, on the 25th inst, in defense
of the Republican party. In regard to the
dissolution threat, Mr.. Corwin remarked:
ut had been said that the election of Mr..
Sherman would be the initiatory step for the
dissolution of the Union; If followed By the
election of Mr.. Seward to the Presidency, that
calamity would he accomplished; but no
menace or threat from any section could make
him shrink from exercising the rights be
queathed him by his forefathers. Were he
to submit, that very moment he would be
disfranchised, would have collar about his
neck, and tread as serf"
Mr.. Toombs clustered out threats Of dis
union in the Senate, and declared the election
of Republican President would he cause for
secession,
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

A SOUTHERN DIsuNioNrsT.-A man who
threatens to cut off his nose to spite his face.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03
STATE PR1NrER.--F. w. Palmer, of the firm

STATE PRINTER w. Palmer, of the firm
Of Palmer, Gilmore & Co., publishers Of the
Dubuque Times, was the successful candidate
for State Printer. His most formidable COM
petitor was j. B. Howell, editor of the Gate
City, whose long and able services gave him
strong claims for the Office. Locality, however,
was against him; the southern half of the
State having been given all the other offices,
the north demanded the State Printer Mr..
Palmer is gentleman Of fine abilities, and,
although he is comparatively new resident
of the State, we think the honor has been
worthily bestowed. The new State Printer
does not enter upon the duties of his office till
May 1st, 1861. .....r.- .... ........
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03

CoNGREss.-Two ballots were taken on
Thursday (26th) for Speaker, in each Of which
Sherman lacked five votes of an election. Mr..
Hamilton, of Texas, developed the fact that
the State of Texas had voted s., 900 to sustain
its Representatives in their factious course to
prevent the organization of the House.
The Senate, after dull debate, adjourned
until Monday. "7 Ea F."y
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03
An OLD-Tl VIRGINIA >"ABeLlrloNIsr."-

An OLD-TlAR VIRGINIA "ABsLlrloNIsr"-
George Mason, one Of the great men to whose
memory Virginia has erected bronze statue
in Richmond, uttered the following language
in the convention to form tho first constitution
Of ofVirginia: e94a ts.&9 9at az 3 ri
"Slavery discourages arts and manufactures.
The poor despise labor when performed by
slaves. They prevent the immigration Of
whites, who really enrich and strengthen a
country! They produce the most pernicious
effects on manners. Every master Of slaves is
petty tyrant. They bring the judgment Of
Heaven on . country. He held it essential
that the General Government should have
power to prevent the increase OF slavery"
Northern Democracy would now denounce
his sentiments as abolitionism, while Southern
Democracy award tar and feathers a the
penalty for uttering far more mild sentiments.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-02-03
Young Mems Republican Organ
....G 5Al i'm Hon. al ...s..H1.

A meeting of young men from different
parts of the State was held at Desmoines,
Jan. 18th, at which the preliminary steps
were taken for separate organization of the
Young Republicans of Iowa, with auxiliary
associations IN every county. A committee
of five was appointed to issue an address to
the young men. 1t is proposed to hold a
State Convention of young men at the Capital,
some time during the Summer, to perfect a
thorough organization for the Presidential
campaign. 5siy ,t.aasa sa-i.aa al g.. nI
1t is an encouraging omen to see those who
are just entering upon the duties of citizenship
taking hold in this manner. There are at
least 5000 young men in this State who will
vote for the first time for President next Fall,
and it is highly important that they should be
enlisted on the right side. In no other way
can this be better done than by associations
of this kind, by which Republican principles
may be discussed and disseminated. We
hope the undertaking will receive the cordial
approval and cooperation of all Republicans
'AA sAAS SSssS' .r