davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
What Do You Mean

MOSQUITOES are not dangerous things. II can
not be denied, however, that they are annoying
creatures; and their capacity to annoy us grows
chiefly out of the circumstance that, by their
impudent trumpetings, they pretend to possess
potency for mischief which does not belong to
them. There is only one way to deal with them.
Killing off single individuals does no good for
other. The living take no warning from the
presence of the dead You must ''either raise
smudge," or permit them to sing about your
ears ad H5itHm.
Just so it is with the political mosquitoes who
call themselves Constitutional Union men. -
They are continually buzzing about. humming
the same monotonous song. "the Constitution,
the Union, and the enforcement of the Laws"
You may bring forth an argument and sweep
fifty of the little things out of existence with il,
in the immediate view and hearing of their com.
panions but, in moment afterwards, the same
old song is repeated in your cars by the surviv-
ing friends Of the defunct OF course. you be-
come wearied with such bootless warfare, and
begin to look about You for materials with which
to "smudge" your tormentors.
If cur readers desire 10 know how they shall
proceed in order to silence the hum of the
Union" bugs, we would inform them, that
when the insects become troublesome, they have
only to utter the talismanic question, "What
do you meant" and the fire of that searching
interrogatory will communicate itself to the plat
form occupied by the shrill Z" muscianers," and
"raise smudge" that will speedily stop all their
tuneful pipes. IT. after a few days any Of the
poor creatures begin to show sings Of returning
animation, a repetition Of the same question will
again strike them speeches.. There are, how
ever many variations of our prescription, either
of which will prove equally eflicacious with
that which we have given "What do You
mcanY is comprehensive query, covering ev-
cry one of the three verses of the. "Union" song.
The querist when weary of silencing the little
plaques upon the original plan, may agrceablv
diversity the operation Of sclfprotection by pro-
pounding questions of this sort -" What con-
struction do you propose to place upon the Con-
stitutony' "Will not any sort Of Union. if it
be Union, suit your purposes - "Do you
care. very much, what kind Of laws are enact
ed ?" "Do Won not think politician ought to
initiate St. Paul, so far, at least, as to become
all things to all men ?"v
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
The Columbus Democrat. Killed
or

We were grieved to discover, from the last
number of the Democrat, that that able journal
chad ceased to be no more" A calm and TEN
perate article, which appeared in the columns of
the Democrat, contained reasoning which few
subscribers could not answer with arguments;
whcreupon, those dissatisfied logicians proceeded
to assail the positions of the editor by request
that he would incontinently discontinue their
subscriptions and advertiser -nts. OF course
this KILLED off" the Democrat but, with a sin
gular perversity, the paper wouldn't stay kill
cd !" and not only so, but it does not even know
that it has been hurt. "Long may it wave!' "
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
The Great Eastern steamer.

TuIs gigantic vessel has greatly stimulated the
curiosity of the rural population around New
York. The number of persons who daily visi
ted her, while she remained in that port, ranged
from eight to seventeen thousand. She will re-
turn to England on the 10th inst. She took
2,0s7 passengers, few days since, upon an en-
cursion TO Cape Nav. A large proportion Of
them were dissatisfied with the arrangements
for their comfort on board. and not without rca-
son. as it would seem; for mattresses were in
no proportion to the weary passengers, and wa
ter was 50 scarce that it was sold at the price Of
wine
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
Weather ana Crops in Texas.

The Hon 7. j. Word formerly of this State
writing from Anderson county, Texas, says
1--WE have no rain yet. Every thing is burnt up
and do not see how sustenance Is to be had
The thermometer is now at 1914. 1t has often
reached / 10 in the shade. 1t is so warm that
butter becomes liquid in the evening"
The Matagorda Gazette draws the following
gloomy picture of things in that region:
The drought still continues its ravages upon
the growing crops and the picture ofdespair that
shadows the faces of those whose cotton is
rapidly departing, is anything but inviting. A
few weeks ago the corn crop received its doom,
but hopes were still chocred As the cotton con-
tnued to prosper in the driest places; and as
cotton is the principal and all-important staple
no very great loss was anticipated until within q
short time. Now il is ascertained that not more
than half crop can be realized from the most
favored places, if seasons could be had immcd-
ately. But should the drought continue, the
crop will be almost entirely cutoff.
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
Practical ALo:itionism In Texas.

The people Of Texas, in the region about Dali
las, which was recently almost destroyed by fire
are intensely excited in consequence of dsclo-
sures, made by negroes, relative to projected
anti-slavery "raid," set on foot by abolition en-
issaries dwelling in their midst The revelations
made, if true, are of the most startling and hor
riblc character, as will be seen from the follow
ing sample:
Each county in northern Texas has super
visor in the person Of a white man, whose name
is not given; each county laid off into districts
under the sub-agents Of this villain, who controls
the action Of the negroes in said districts by
whom the firing was to be done. Many Of our
most prominent citizens were singled out for as
sassination whenever they made their escape
from their burning homes. Negroes, never before
suspected, are implicated, and the insurrectiona-
~ movement is widespread TO an extent truly
alarming. In some places the plan was conccv
cd in every form shocking TO the mind and
fightful in its results. Poisoning was to be
added, and the old females to be slaughtered
along with the men, and the young and hand
some women to be parceled out among these in
ftmous scoundrcls. They had even gone so far
rs to designate their choice and certain ladies
had already been selected as the victims OF these
misguided monsters. The negroes have been
melted to these Internal proceeding, by abolition
lists, and the cmiSsarieS of certain preachers who
were expelled from this county last year. Their
agents have been busy among us, aud many of
them have been in our midst. Some Of them
have been identified. but have fled from the coun-
t,v; others still remain, TO receive fearful ac-
countability from an outraged and infatuated
people.
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
H1niiV Enrings.

A DEMOCRATIC breckenridge Climb was formed
at Holly Springs on the night Of Friday, the eth
of July. Hon. W. S. Fcatherston was chosen
President About one hundred and twenty
names were obtained a. once. Among them are
the names of Major T. b. Cottrcll, r. L. Watson,
and W. II. Bishop, Esqs, and others, who have
hitherto been jealous members of the Oppo-
sition. Major Cottrcll was oncof the Opposition
candidates for the Legislature last wear. Hon.
Sam. Benton we understand, has declared that
breckenridge and Lane are the only candidates
who stand any chance to defeat Lincoln.
Thus the good work goes on everywhere; and,
in November, Mississippi will roll up such a ma
iorty for the candidates of the Constitutional
State Rights Democracy, as will astOnish all old
fogies.
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
The "NYum" Candidate.

WHEN any political questions arc propounded
10 Mr.. Everett, he does not answer the letters
himself, but hands them over to one Leverett
Saltonstall. who, as chairman Of tn Boston
Union" Committee, proceeds to say anything
he plcases in reply. OF course, Mr. Everett is
not responsible foi what Saltonstall writes. In
a letter to Mr.. Taylor, of Alabama, Saltonstall.
by way of proving that Everett is sound on the
slavery question, alleges that the anti.savery
press opposes his election. Well, the pro-savery
press also opposes him. Is not that argument
equally good to prove his unsoundness?y
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
The Cry is, "stiiI Tbey Come"

FoKrY Republicans Of Camden, Maine have
signed call for Democratic mass meeting at
that place. They are nearly all young men.
At the last meeting of the Democratic club in
LewiStown. Maine, were several young men who
have heretofore acted with the Republicans.
Such occurrences as the above arc becoming
very common. The young men especially seem
determined to take their stand in favor Of Mr..
Douglas. the man Of luck, pluck, perseverance,
and EMBELLISHMENTS very attractive to Young
America-Nemphis1 pPoaL
Y such occurrences as the above" show that
the Republicans themselves are beginning to dis
cover that ''squattcr sovereignty is short cutie
all the ends of Black Republieanism." v
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
That Is One Side.

THERE are two sides, at least to most things;
but the BeIl-Douglas papers seem to suppose
that they can persuade their readers to believe
that there are no political changes going on ex-
ccpt in favor of their candidates. IT. following
its instincts, any old Opposition" journal comes
out in favor of Douglas. yell of triumph echoes
through the columns Of the combined opponents
of Democracy, and the fact is chronicled as a
circumstance 10 show that Brtckinridge Is losing
ground That however, is only one side of the
story. On the other hand, if italy" were
carefully kept We apprehend that Bell and Doug
las would be found to lose about six papers and
votes where they gain one.
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
Var. CInpp and INr. HinyOn.

THESE gentlemen met, few days since, at
Corinth, in Tishcmingo county, and had regu-
lar political discussion. From what We have
heard Of the wav in which he was handled by
Mr. Clapp, we fancy that Mr. Kinyon wishes
that his mother had sold vinegar, and that he
had staid At home to bottle it out. Mr.. Clapp
took the crowd by storm: he fixed the waver-
ing. convinced Douglas men Of the error Of their
WAYS. and persuaded old-linc Opposition men to
abandon Bel and Everett We don't pretend to
saw however that he converted erery body, for
"Dfferent men are Of different opinions:
Some likes apples, some likes mypns,
And some can be pleased with aspcech ofKinyon's."
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
"A Hundred Guns for the Old North
state.

The telegraph brings us information that
the good old State Of North Carolina has
gone for the BrcckinriAgc AMI Lane candi-
dates, in her recent State election, by ma
jority Of from eight TO ten thousand. And vet.
this is one Of the States in which the Bell
and Douglas papers have each been claiming
a majority for their candidates. How much
The accuracy of their judgment Is to be de
pended on. Is now apparent enough. They
are undoubtedly going to carry majority of
the States--iust as they carried North Caro-
lima. II
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
Crop Intelligence.

THBdry weather, the long and ruinous drouth,
are still the engrossing subjects of thought and
conversation. 1t Is now too late for rain to bene-
fit the corn, but there are other things which are
needing rain. The turnip crop, which, at this
present juncture, is of vast Importance, viii suf-
fer if We do not soon have rain. The boll-worm
is damaging the cotton, and the prospect for a
fair crop is anything but cheering.-Hess, Co
Piah County,
We are compelled TO admit that we never saw
more pitiable prospect for corn in any country
The corn crop looks fine considering the dry
weather, and If no accident tefalls it between
this and the middle of August, there will be
considerable over an average crop made.-Nag-
NOLAN, Pile County
TnE cotton crop as a general thing. is doing
very well. Some fears are entertained lest the
rust .and shedding of forms should injure the
yield There never was a finer corn crop made
in our parish than that of the present season,
especially on the alluvial lands.-Lake Prori-
deaee Herald la.
We have no idea that there viii be more than
a third of a crop gathered. The cotton crop is
by no means good one We anticipate trying
time-durng the next year. The people will be
compelled to adopt some measures for their pro-
lection. Never have we looked upon more
gloomy picture. Carthage Ueake Co.. Herald.
The crops in this countywill prove a total
failure We had conversation with several in
telgent farmers on the subject, few days ago,
and they state that about one-fiflh of an average
crop of corn will be made and one-third of cot
ton u ;Berfu Dam finite IN
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
National Democratic Platform.

Reported at Charleston Jya majority Of the Commit
Tee, and uaanimOusiy adapted at Baltimore.
Re.olued, That the platform adopted by the Demo-
cratic party at Cincinnati is affirmed with the following
explanatory resolutions:
FirSt-That the Government of a Territory organ
lied by an act of Congress is provisional and tempo
rary and during its existence all citizens of the Uni
ted States have an equal right to settle with their
property in the Territory, without their rights, either
Of person or property being destroyed injured by
congressional or territorial legislation.
Sccoad-That II Is the duty OF the Federal Govern
mcnt in all its departments TO protect when necessary,
the rights of persons and property in the Territories,
and where ever else its constitutional authority ex
tends
THird-That when the settlers in Territory, having
an adequate population form state constitution, the
right OF sovereignty commences, and being consumma
ted by admission into the Union, they stand on an
equal footing with the people OF other States and
State thus organized ought TO be admitted into the
Federal Union, whether It's Constitution prohibits or
recognizes the institution of slavery.
Resolved That the Democratic party are in favor
of the acquisition of the Island Of Cuba, on such
terms as shall be honorable to ourselves and just to
SPAIN at the earliest practicable moment.
Resolred That the enactments Of State Legislatures
to defeat the faithful execution of the Fugitive Slave
law are hostile in character TO- aud subversive OF the
Constitution and revolutionary in their effect
Resolved That the Democracy of the United States
recognize it as imperative duty OF this Government
to protect naturaized citizens in all their rights,
whether at home in foreign lands, to the same extent
as It's natiye-born citizens And,
WmgREAs One of the greatest necessities OF the
age, in political. commercial, postal and Military
point Of view, Is speedy communication between the
Pacific AMI Atlantic coasts; therefore, be il
Resolved That the National Democratic party do
hereby pledge themselves to Use every means in their
power to secure the passage of some bill, to the extent
Of the constitutional authority of Congress for the con.
s,ruciion of Pacific Railroad, from the Mississippi
river to the Pacific Ocean, at Tie earliest practicable
moment
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
" HighEnlutin.o

+" Resolrod. That the uniform application Of
the great national principle Of absolute non-in-
reference with the domestic institutions Of the
States, Territories and Federal domain and the
District Of Columbia, by the Federal Congress,
will preserve the Union Of the States under the
Constitution in the bonds Of fraternal and recip-
rocal national brotherhood Holly Springs
Douglas Conrenti0n Of July 80
That is to say: 'Messrs. Free-soilers, you must
not exclude slavery from the Territories by Con
gressional legislation; but you may do the same
thing by squatter sovereignty, and we will still
be yours in the bonds Of fraternal and reciprocal
national brotherhood "
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
Waterford.

A BREcKNRrDGE Democratic Club was formed,
at Waterford, on Saturday, the 21st Of July.
Col j. A. Wooten was chosen President; Capt
John EiIlough and Col NJ. F. wilkins, Vice
Presidents; John W. Logan, Secretary; and w.
NJ wilkins, Corresponding Secretary. Fifty
two names were obtained Among them we no.
tee the names of Mr.. Hall, and one or two 9th
ers, who have hitherto acted with the Opposition
lists. Waterford is all right
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
Not to be Surprised.

A sAeAcIors correspondent Of squatter
paper writing, of course, from distant State,
SAYS: at would not surprise me if Douglas
should be elected by the electoral college" We
presume not We have heard of the lady, who,
when she was informed by her husband that the
COW bad eaten up the grindstone, simply re-
Piled II told you So" She was looking ont
for that very thing; and, We dare say, she is a
near relative of the surprising man who is not to
be surprised by occurrences of the most sur
prising character
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
The Reason Why.

One of those who was most actively engaged
in promising the Douglas sbortion meeting, in
Oxford, on the 21st Of July, has explained, we
understand, that he did not expect to do any
thing here: his object was "tO encourage the
Douglas men at the North"
Well they must be ingenious gentlemen If
tl,cy oan extract encouragement from the pro-
ceedings of that meeting. Doubtless, they could
perform the feat of extracting blood from turniPs
without the slightest difficulty.
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08

THE sauattcrites are making tremendous ef
fort to be horsepower what they facctiously style
the accessions to their ranks They name two
or three individuals, occasionally, and make
great parade over them, as being converts to
Douglasisln from Democracy; bnt we have freed
some Of these cases and found that the alleged
converts wcrc regular Know-nothingS. or old
fashioned Wings who never pretended TO be
Democrats. These changes" about which so
much is said arc always going on at a distance
When you hear men talking about changes in
favor of Douglas. call for the names Of the men
who have changed, and, il you know any Of
them, inquire into the fact, and you will be as
tonished to learn upon what slender basis a
rumor can be built. Hunting mp those who have
left breckenridge for Douglas is ike that bootlcss
search Of the traveller after an unhealthy neigh
borhood lie got very near such a region, often {;
but he always found, upon approaching il, that
il was little further on. u
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
Massacre of the Christians in Syria.

LATE European journals say that " the mas
sacre of christians in Syria had reached from
seven thousand five hundred to eight thousand.
One hundred and fifty-one villages have been des-
troyed. Sickening details are given of the bar
barities inflicted on all ages and both sexes
The Great Powers of Europe are about to inter
fere on behalf Of the christians.
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
I Letter of Chas. O'Cono r, Esq.

The letter Of this gentleman, on another page
viii well repay pernsal Mr.. 0'Conoris not only
one of the ablest lawyers, but he is also one of
the staunchest friends of the South, in the Union
He takes the ground that slavery is right, in
itself 1t Is only upon this ground that the in
stitution can be successfully defended; and we
would not give fig for the hollow support of
those who profess to be our friends, while they
fail to come up 10 that standard
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
The Cat Under the Meal.

DENocRATsl why is II, think you, that the
Evolutionary foes of Democratic principles are
pretending to take the part Of Mr.. Douglas >
Is it not obvious that they are hypocrtically en-
deavoring to create dissensions among You, in
order that they may profit by your divisions
VIII you blindly suffer yourselves thus TO be
used by your enemies?
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
The Natural Result.

JoHx HIcKxAx, anti-Lecompton Democrat,
member Of Congress from Pennsylvania, has
dropped the squatter sovereignty Douglas mask,
and comes out squarely for Lincoln and Ham,
lin. This is what might have been expected
How far was Gov. Wise wrong in declaring that
Mr. Douglass squatter sovereignty doctrine was
but "a short cut to all the ends Of Black RePub-
licanism =
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
Public Speaking.

WE arc requested to state that Captain A. X.
BLYTHE Democratic elector, and j. w. c. WAT
SON, Esq, Opposition cleetor, will address the
voters at the following times and places:
Oxford, on Tuesday, August IA; Holly Springs,
on Wednesday, August Is; fernando, on Satur-
day, August 1s; Pamela, on Monday, August2O.
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
The HempIlIs Ayala1ehe.

NJ. W. CLUsKEr, Esq, late OF Washington
City, and one of the ablest and most effect
i've political writers Of the day, has become
one of the editors and proprietOrs of this
sterling Democratic journal The AralancAe
viii now "eome down." with even more than
is usual force, npon suqatter sovereignty,
and all other pestilent political horesies and
isms."
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
Death of Judge Reese.

Tue Hon. VIM. B. Reese, LID, Of Knox
vile, Tenn, is dead. He was formerly Su-
preine Judge Of his State and afterwards Pres
id.nt Of the University Of East Tennessee. He
was an able lawyer, profound scholar, and a
valuable citizen.
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
Bogus Democrats

IHE 'icksbarg Wig speaking Of certain
wei known bemocTatsr Of this State who are
supporting Mr.. Douglas, gives the names of X.
clinton and j. ii. r. TAYLOR. These gentlemen.
four years ago, we're rampant now-nothinCs:"
d they have ever abjurcd their anti-Iemocratic
heresies We have not heard Of It.
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
"The National Democr,cv e,

fHE eoOlness with which the squatterites as
sert Their title to be regarded as .NatiouaI Dem
ocrats Is positively refreshing during this sheat.
Cd term II they hada reasonable prospect Of
carrying two or three States, their inpudencs
would be little less ridiculous. V
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
"The Masses are for DOuglas'-
"OVer the Left"

THE editor of the Holly Springs Star attended
a meeting in Tiprah county last week, and,
among about hundred and sevcnty-five persons
who were on the ground, he found tro opPosi-
ton men-bOth Bellites.
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
Black Republican Temeriiy.

Or the 4th of July last, a small squad Of
Black Republicans, who reside in the vicinity of
Occoquan Virginia, formed an association, and
proceeded to raise pole, bearing flag inscribed
with the names Of Lincoln and lIamlin. The
people Of that region justly regarded the act as
one Of an incendiary character, and announced
their purpose to dcmolish the pole. The Eacl
Republicans applied TO the Governor for protec-
ton, sent off agents TO procure arms and declared
their intention to defend their pole to the last
extremity. At one time, it was apprehended that
a bloody collision would occur. The pole, how
ever, has been cut down AMI destroyed by an
armed band, without any attempt at resistance
on the part of those who raised it. Doubtless.
they considered that discretion was the better
part of valor" under the peculiar circumstances
surrounding them. \
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
Another Great Douglas Meeting.

We learn from the Prairie Nsas that man.
moth gathering Of five persons was assemble
in Okslona few days since, to ratify the nOmi-
nation of Douglas and johnson. OF course,
they expect to carry the county.I
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
University Of the South.

We observe that Bishop 0tey, President Of
the Board Of Trustees Of this institution, has
called meeting Of the Board for the 9th Of Dc
tober next, at University Place, Franklin county,
Tennessee.
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08

"a BELL and EVERETT electoral ticket viii soon
be in the field in Texas y VieksbWrg Wig.
And. like other noxious weeds IN the field,
will be destroyed, root and branch, where ersr It
sho--s itself
The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-08-08
syuod,caI COLLEGE, La Grange, Tenn.

The preparatory department Of this institu-
ton has been abolished; and il IS only under
peculiar circumstances that students viii here
after be permitted to pursue a partial course Of
.tudr IN the Colleca