davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-01-19
Remarkable Events for the last Ten Year


Remarkable Events for the last Ten Years.
The year which has just expired termi
mated the ffties of the nineteenth century.
The decade Sas period filed with events
which will form a conspicuous chapter Of
the worlds history The California gold
mines, at toe commencement OF the decade
unbosomed their treasures to the world !,
followed soon afterwards BY the di>cove-
ry of the Australian mines, by which dou-
bic development TIVE Dty-two hundred nil
lions Of dollars have been added to the
took OF the precious meta,s 10 existence.
The British Corr laws have been repe aled
and the deserving poor Of Great Britain
base thus been enabled to obtain cheap
sread.
The magnetic telegraph has been intro
d0ces 10 general use, by which messages
of friendship or business can be inter
changed oser space of thousand miles
ia second Of time Horse railroads have
been introduced into American cities, and
the comfort and convenience of neighbor
hoods thereby promoted. The commerce
of the principal nations of the world has
greatly increased within the last ten years
that of the nited States having more
than doubled, whilst that o: Great Britain
has increased nearly as much, and that
Of France has increased sixty per cent.
as compared with the previous decade.
Europe, within the last ten years, has
been the theatre of two wars. Zachary
Taylor, President Of tho United States of
America, Louis Philippe. the dethroned
King Of France, and Nicholas the Empe-
ror OF Russia, have paid the great debt Of
nature. Arago, MetterDich, Hallam,
Humboldt, Miller. Havelock, Leigh Hunt
Wellington, DeTocqueville, and Steven
son, of European celebrity, aud Audubon,
Kane, Lewrence, Marcy, Clay, Calhoun,
Webster, Choate, Prescott and Irving, in
cur OVID country, have passed "the undis.
covered country, from whose bourne no
traveller returns" The continent of Af-
rios has been exteDsively explored since
1850. China and Japan have been open
ed to foreigners, md the interior OF South
America has been visited by expeditions
from our own country, and much has
been added TO our scanty kDowledge OF
that continent Within the last decade,
The u States have added twenty-five
thousand miles to their railway system,
and one and half millions of tons OF
shipping to their CON mercial marine
Other nations have also made great ad.
ditions in similar respects, and there is
now scarcely civilized country upon the
globe where the snorting of the iron horse
is not heard
Upon the whole, the decade, which ter
miuated on the last day Of the last week
of the last month of the last year, was
period of great commercial activity and
soclal progress. and We can hardly expect
the SiztaeS will Ia ske as great an advance
upon their immedisto predecessors. as the
tffties have upon the jortses of the present
Boston Transcript.
Tf roo,d NTH sivfaa m laos "a N Natoh
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19
The North Carolina Planter.

We have before US the December number
of this excellent State Periodical. This pub
LEGATION has now passed through a three years
Improbable existence, so far as pecuniary
reward to Editor and Publisher is concerned,
but Notwithstanding these discouragements,
they have determined to issue it in a new
and improved form for the year 1861, and at
the same time to reduce the price very ma
terially, hoping thereby to largely increase
the number of subscribers to the work. 1t
will take a large number of subscribers, at
the low terms proposed, to pay the expense
of its publication, but surely every North
Carolinian who has any interest in the indus
trial pursuits of his State, will feel called on
to do what he can to promote the interests of
this Periodical, so important to the dissent
nation of Agricultural information, and as a
stimulator to progress and advancement in
all the industrial pursuits of life. We call
attention to the following cheap terms offered
for 1861:
For one copy of the n. c.. Planter one year
IS cents; five copies for $3-or 60 cents each
for clubs of ten or upwards 80 cents each
We hope that all will give their aid in intro
ducing the n. c.. Planter to their friends ant
%neighbors.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19
How Young Men are Ruined.

In our American custom of breaking up
our homes, and scattering our families to the
four winds, there are certain disadvantages.
There are desolate iresides, and parents left
lonely in old age. Sons, and Daughters Of
ten, are away, seeking a livelihood among
strangers and arc often more d~esolate in
crowded cities than those they have left be-
hind.
One Of the Saddest and most dangerous
things that can befall a young man, is to be
deprived Of v%iTtuouS female society. This it
Is to be truly alone Snd it is the loneliness
in which, We are told on the highest author.
ity, II is not good for man to be.
The young man who associates Gully with
young men, becomes a ~savage-savsge in his
habits, manners, and pursuits. Even his
dress assumes an appearance of savagery.-
His language Is often bad-his manners, how
eah they DO other than savageS There i.
nothing that ever does or ever can tone /,
young man down to proper refinement
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19
Ais Right when Daddy's Sober.

Such was the significant motto borne aloft
on his banner by a boy in Temperance pro-
cession- and there is a moral in it which W.
may apply to the present crisis. In these
times of peril and danger, it we'll becomes al!
who have the destinies of the State and the
Republic in their hands, to studiously avoid
indulgence in the use Of stimulating drinks.
that tend to infame the passions, and DESTROY
the prudence, the forbearance and discretion
SO much needed at this critical ~juncture of af
fairs. And all men know, that 4 man under
the influence Of strong drink, even partially.
is an unsafe counsellor. Deprived of that
caution and foresight necessary to wise DELHI
ration, he is incapable of calmly weighing
matters brought up for his decision. RASH
ness, if not recklessness, will almost surely
take tile place Of sober thought. and he may
commit himself and those whom he repre-
! scnts, to a policy not only unwise, but dan
gcrous and ~ruinous.
These reflections have frequently been
forced upon US during the present session of
our Legislature. Not so much on account
of seeing SO much dissipation among the
members, OF the contrary, it affords us
pleasure to say, that, so far, we nave seen
less Drunkenness among them than usual
but we sometimes notice flushed faces, and
hear infammatory language, that unmistake-
ably indicate that a patriotic appeal to The
bar has been made, that has unsettled the
quiet, calm, sober thought so eminently ne
cessary at this time.
With no intention or wish to reflect upon
any member, yet with a considerable appli
cation of cause and effect, we do earnestly
entreat that no bottle patriotism be introdu.
/ ced in adjusting our sectional or national
troubles The people are ready to abid,
the action of their Representatives, if they
are satisfied that prudent, cautious sober, re
e Election is the basis of their judgement-an
e this much, at least, they have a right t
insist upon.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19
The Legislature.

We give in other columns a SUMMARY of
the Proceedings of the two Houses. 1t will
be seen that the matter of our Federal Re-
lations is claiming no inconsidcrablc portion
of the attention of the two Houses. In the
Commons, it is true, they have postponed
the consideration of the reports of the COM
mittee on that subject till the Sd of January
next-but incidentally the question is al
most constantly brought before that lody.
In the Senate, the Resolutions of Hon. Bed
ford Brown, for the appointment of four
commissioner to visit the South Carolina
Convention which meets on the 18th, for the
purpose of appealing to that body, in the
name of North Carolina to defer for awhile
its final action upon the subject of secession
have given rise TO a wide debate, extending
from day to day, and calling out the ablesr
men in the Senate; and the large crowd il
attendance, together with the deep interes
manifested, are unmistakable evidences O
the profound feeling among people and lee
%islatorS, upon every subject touching ever,
question that has reference to our affairs 4
a nation. The resolutions were discussed o.
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, withou
coming to a vote.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19
THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE,
For 1881.

A number or two more will complete the
series of issues of this paper for the present
year. In issuing our Prospectus for the in
coming year, we beg leave to return our sin
cere thanks to the numerous friends who
have cheered and sustained us by their
patronage, and who have given that material
aid, which is indispensable to the mainte-
nance of our enterprise. The keeping up OF
a Paper on the cheap plan of the Spirit of the
Age--the furnishing of a large weekly paper
for 81 a year-was a very doubtful project at
the time it was started-but the practicability
of such a project has been demonstrated for
eleven years past-it is true, sometimes amid
fluctuations, losses and misgivings to the
Editor-but still the good ship has been kept
ahoat. OF late, our list of subscribers has de-
clined SO as to greatly discourage us; and we
therefore send our friends a Prospectus for
the new year, earnestly invoking each of them
to try and get us up a club of subscribers.
We stated last week the state of the case with
us-humiliating as it was to DO so-but it
was the truth, and we thought it due to our
friends they should know it. Having done
this, we leave the matter with the public to
decide whether the Spirit of the Age shall go
down for the want of support, or whether it
shall be supported. A very little effort on
the part of each one receiving a copy of the
Prospectus, will secure enough subscribers to
---- -. - " Az
can get one new subscriber; some can get
five, others ten, some fifteen, twenty, and so
on. To all friends of the paper, and ola cheap,
wholesome home j99uurnal-a literary, moral
and news paper-We lock, and to all of then
we appeal, for help in sustaining the paper
Let US hear from you, friends, as soon as
; possible.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19
How Stands the Case?

This is the potent, anxious inquiry all over
the land. Are the indications, North and
South, of a character to justify a reasonable
hope of a pacificatory adjudication of our ma
tional difficulties? With the view we have.
we see such conflicting representations, it is
difficult to arrive at any satisfactory conclu-
sion. One day we see a statement that there
is a prospect of reconciling all our troubles
that the clouds are breaking way and that the
sober, second-thought of prudent reflection
and action, on all sides, will open a way for
our escape from disruption and violence and
on the next, we are assured that all such ideas
are delusive, illusory, and that there is no
chance Of harmony. In this aspect of affairs,
we see no cause to change from our opinion
of last week, that a disruption is inevitable !;
though we hope the contrary.
Before this number Of our paper will reach
many of our subscribers, South Carolina will
have declared secession from the Union.
Georgia will sympathise with, if she does not
follow her. Alabama, Florida, Mississippi,
Louisiana and Texas will, no doubt, absolva
all allegiance to the Federal Government, so
that at least that portion of the confederacy
will be alienated.
1t is intimated that Eastern New York
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Mary.
land, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee
Kentucky and Missouri will form a separat,
government, with Washington City for
Capital. That the New England States, will
western New York, will swing off to them
selves; and that the Northwest will form
the fourth Confederacy. We give thes
speculations for what they are worth. n
human being can yet tell what the resul
will be.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19
The Stay Law.

We observe that the introduction of a bill
in the House of Commons, by Mr.. Wishart
of Robson, is exciting considerable comment
in our State papers. And we learn from the
tone of their articles, that while there is rea-
son for som such law, and while many may
desire its passage for safe and protecting pur-
poses, yet it seems to be conceded that its
provisions conflict with the Constitution of
the United States, which declares that mo
State shall pas any ex-post facto law, or law
impairing the obligation of contracts"
On the other hand, others contend that
the Legislature has passed q law for the D ro-
lection of the Banks, (whose bills bear a pro-
mise to pay and that as an offset, the people
must now be protected, or else distress and
pecuniary ruin await them. Public meetings
are called in some parts of the State to de-
liberate on the subject.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19
Christmas Is Coming

The great time of freedom from restraint
among our slaves-"Christmas times"-is
close at hand, and the times demand watch
fitness and circumspcction among all slave
owners. Keep your negroes at home. HUI
mainly to the slave, and safety to the owner
require 1t. A very slight improprietv, at
this time, might cause danger to one and
loss to the other. The slave population is
contcnted and conscrvative-but an exposure
to temptation and excitement, such as LIQUOR
and bad company, will corrupt and ruin the
best OF them Keep them at home.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19
What is now Doing?

While we write, these things are happen
ing: In q grogshop there is an old topper
raising another glass of liquor in a trembling
hand to his fcverish lips. At his side stands
a young man taking his grog and cursing
everything, while the dealer ratties the coin
in his box. At another grogshop there is a
fight now in high progress among a set Of
drunken rowdies, and before we make the
period at the close of this sentence, it will be
Overcome poor fellow stabbed to the heart
his last gasp made and his soul before its
God, even while we were VIZ ting from the
last period to this. Away somewhere under
the shadow ola hill stands a cherries home
and a wife and mother in it, weeping IS if her
heart would break. Upthe pathway comes
a drunken man singing, shouting and c%ursing
by turns; and entering that cherries home,
the terrified and half famished children fly
from his presence, while that wife raises her
hands to ward off the blows she knows is
coming Heavily-sorely the cruel blows
are now falling upon some poor wife from the
hands of a drunken, brutal husband. Up on
Il hlIISIuc SoHlc" ncie d gravy - ldhIHS--
They ~come-they come! the corpse and the
mOurncIs. 1t is a young man, and the sex
ton is now telling a stranger the sad story as
they lean on the grave yard gate lie was
in a hard drinking spree, and the night be-
fore last he blew his brains out with a PTS
toll" They arc letting him Town in the
grave now and the clods are rumbling on the
coffin boards, though we hear them not, and
an old mothers heart is breaking over 4:
grave, though we feel it not. The tragedie.
of rum are going on every minute thcs,
things have just transpir ed somewhere in
land cursed of rum aye. more terrible thar
these have happened even as We have wit
ten from one period to this last
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19
The Convention Question.

The Proceedings of Meetings in tho v4ri-
Gus counties of the State, are constantly
pouring into the Legislature. We think it
probable that a majority of the people are
in favor of a State Convention to take into
consideration what is best be done in the
present crisis, that is, Judging from the tone
of the resolutions adopted-but we very
much doubt whether the majority of the peo-
pie of North Carolina are at present prepared
to sanction a secession of the State from the
Union at this time. What they may do
hereafter, is a different thing.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19
Fallen by the Way:


A few weeks since we addressed a few
to the ''old guard" temperance men,
who had Withdrawn from the fight, but who
nevertheless were true to the principles OF
total abstinence, so far as they themselves
were concerned. We presented to them con
siderations and circumstances that we hope
will imp,l them to again engage actively IN
the conflict. There are others who ran well
for a season, but they grew weary as the
struggle grew hotter, and turned aside lcav-
ing others to defend the standa they base
ly deserted. They gave so much time, ex
pended so much money and never witnessed
any good Weak and worthless defenders
of the right. History taught them in valn-
Because a great revolution was not consuma-
ted in a day, they could not fight the good
fight and keep the faith, and leave results to
God, awaiting calmly the crown. With no
better soldiers, Christianity would have fail
ed when Christ died Freedom would never
nave had a Yorktown.
Such heroes are entitled to no credit for
past services. As well as might those who
deserted the American army in the dark
hours of Long Island and Valley Forge, have
trusted to those who were still true and hoping
for a Trenton beyond the angry Delaware
As the captive patriot said to Arnold, so
we would say to such summer friends: We
will bury with the honors of war the leg
lost at Quebec, and hang the rest of the
body in gibbets.
Let these friends never boast of what they
once did for a good cause. The same cause
never more needed its friends than to-day
and those deserving should blush that they
are not nou in it's ranks. There may be for
ty years vet Of wilderness before us, an,
graves waiting by the way but the bette
land is beyond, and the right leads US b.
night and by day. If the reform moves s
slowly with all that is doing, what would b
its progress, were all its friends to turn asid
and struggle no more?
ga French Marshal never surrenders
said the lion-hearted Ncy, as the mornin
fog cleared away and he suddenly foun
himself in front Of a living hedge bristlin
with deadly steel. When temperance me
so feel and act, they will cut through Il
serried ranks of the traffic, storm its stron
holds, and drive out forever the drunken p
litical Belshazzars from the places whe
they have reyelled in the sorrow and ruin
tens of thousand of people and homes.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19
SPIRIT OF THE AGE.

and dclicacy of manners, but feminine socie-
ty. Bring him into daily or frequent inter.
course with elegant women, and he will
dress and behave for their eyes, speak for
their ears, lay himselfout to gain their ap.
proving smiles, and bring out all that is no.
blest and richest in character and conduct
under their genial influences.
There are thousands of young men, in all
our towns and cities, who arc deprived of
these MISUNDERSTANDING offemale society.
Their homes, mothers, sisters, are far
away. Living in hotels and boarding
houses, clubbing in bachelors halls.
where is their society," 1t is seldom that
they are invited to visit the families of
their employers, and how are they to form
suitable acquaintance elsewhereP
From this utter loneliness comes every
form Of dissipation, tending to the most ig-
noble vices; and from these bad habits, and
vices, and immoralities, how easily might they
DC saycd, were there a little more courage
and a little more charity2 There could be
no better missionary work in any town or city
than for good women to c~onspire together
to invite young men into their families, and
giye them some Of that watchful oversight
and maternal kindness which their own
mothers would be SO happy to give, if they
had the opportunity.
And why is this not donef For three or
four reasons, none of which are sufficient.
Mothers who are so happy as to have mar.
riageable daughters, fear that they will be
considered match-makers or they are
afraid that their girls may possibly get at
tached to young men who will not be desira.
bic matches. There is some selfshness al
the bottom,
Our presentation Of the case may not eff
feet the needed reform; but we have tn,
faith to believe that we have a great many
lady-readers who will be led to think the
matter over, and to consider whether there i
not some lonely and desolate young ulal
whose life they can make happier and bet
ter, at a very triding expense of kindness an,
charity.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19
Congress.

In the Senate, on Monday, some discussion
took place on the proposition to appoint a
committee of thirteen, to whom should be re-
ferred the question of slavery and the Union.
Messrs. Mason, Douglas, Foster, Davis, and
others, took part in the discussion. In the
House, on the same day, the question of ex-
cusing Mr.. Hawkins, of Florida, from serving
on tie committee of thirty-three, was dis
cussed at some length.
In the Senate, on Tuesday, the bill to ad-
init Kansas was made the special order for
Tuesday next. The resolution to appoint a
committee of thirteen was taken up, and a
debate occurred, in which Messrs. Bigler,
Iverson, Pugh, Douglas, Green, and others
participated. No final action was had on the
resolution. In the House, on the same day
Mr.. Hawkins was not excused from serving
on the committee of thirty-three by a vote of
95 to 101. Mr.. II. then said he would not
serve. Mr.. Boyce, of S. g., and Mr.. Nor
rill, of Vermont, then asked to be excused,
but the House refused. Without compile
ting the committee the House adjourn
cd. The Committee have since gone to work
and some signs of compromise are offered.
G
LETTER FROM Ex-Governor JOHNSON
Hon. Herschel V. johnson, of Georgia, late a
candidate for the Vice Presidency of the
United States, has written a letter to A. Bel
mont, Esq. of New York, on the present as
pect of affairs. He thinks the Southern peo
pie are. aroused and exasperated, and that
South Carolina will be out of the Union be
fore the new year comes in. She will OF
sustained if not followed, by Florida, Missis
sippi, Alabama and Georgia. Something
must be done to gain time for reflection. Th'
people of the South will remain in the Un
ion, if permitted to do, so and enjoy thei
constitutional rights. Mr.. johnson sums u
the total of Southern grievances, and think
the South has been remarkably patient il
its relations with the North. The Nortl
must act promptly and decidedly, or the Un
ion is gone.
Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19

PErERsoN's MAGAzIsE.-We have roco;vsd
the January number of this entertaining lite
rary periodical, and find TITLED with the usual
variety OF choice selections and fashionable
plates.
COSMOPOLITAN ART JoURSAL.-This Quar-
terly journal has been placed upon our table
by the Publishers. They can be addressed
at box 1924, New York City. The number
before US is fully calculated to please the
tastes of the family circle, and contains one
of the most beautifully designed engravings,
adapted to that circle, which we have ever
witnessed We recommend it as fully meet
ing all the promises of the Cosmopolitan Art
Association.