The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-05-24
Items OF News.

Items OF News.
A CHANGED tone is already perceptible
even among the flercest Of the fire eating
journals Of secessionism. The tremendous
outpouring to maintain the Union, and
chastise treason, rebellion and robbery, is
opening their eyes to vivid consciousness
Of their true position and prospects. Not
all the lies they persuade themselves into
believing, as to the strength of their posi-.
ton, and the weakness or cowardics OF the
North, can cover up some Of the ugly facts
that now stare them In the face.
JOHN A. WASHINGTON, the late owner of Mt.
Vernon, is q nephew of the immortal Father
of his Country, and will assist in the present
contest. as member of Gen. Lees staff, to
preserve to ns that liberty secured to the whole
country by the efforts of his distinguished rel.
| ative.-Richmond D,spotch.
We confess we are not surprised to find
"the nephew of bis uncle" 10 such company
when we remember how he chartered about
the price paid him for Mount Vernon, and
of the driving speculation be kept up in the
| sale of canes, snuff boxes, &C., made from
trees around the tomb Of his illustrious
relative. he is indeed degenerate nephew
of patriotic uncle.
MADISON was lately fred in ten or a doz-
en- different localities by incendiaries. The
fire-engines were in continued requisition,
and the people kept in constant alarm. In
one instance the fire was deliberately set in
the middle of the room in an unoccupied
house. Owing 70 the vigilance of the citi-
zens no serious damage was done, though
all are in alarm. Three or four suspected
persons we're arrested.
The Savannah News says large supplies
of provisions are being daily received in
that city, so none need fear that there will
be any scarcity. In three days the Central
Road brought down 1000 barrels of -four,
1850 bushels corn, and nearly 100000
pounds bacon. Beside, the vegetable gar
dens in the neighborbood of the city are
yielding largely, none of which will now
60 North as heretofore; while the prospect
for an abundant grain crop throughout the
State was never more promising.
HoRAT1o j. PERRY has been appointed
Secretary Of Legation to Spain, position
he held under the ministerial dominion of
Mr.. Soule, much to the disgust of that di.
plomatic trickster, but with eminent useful
ness to our country. He will have the
charge of affairs at Madrid until the arrival
Of Mr.. Schurz, which will probably not be
under three months from this time, be hav>
ing leave of absence for that period.
The New Jersey Railroad and Trans
portation Company refuse to pass over their
road any soldiers or troops for the defense
of the Union, without exacting from each
individual the full charge to Philadelphia.
1t is we'll known for years past that this
monopoly has charged, and still charges, a
greater amount of fare than any other rail-
road in the United States, in proportion to
the distance travelled.
| D S. DICKINSON, of New York, denies in
a letter over his own signature, that be has
expressed desire to see the South wiped
out In this contest, as has been stated in
the public prints.
A NORTHERN journal, which zealously
supports the Administration, in remarkiDg
on the probabilities of a war between the
Federal Government and the seeded States,
very justly remarks as follows:
lis it not too hastily assumed that the con.
test now opening, though it may be sharp, will
be short2 The prediction is adventured that
tai, credit. food, the means of warfare, or even
of subsistence. No doubt the people of that
| section will suffer many things. But war NAV
be carried on when nothing else can be. While
the seven years war was raging in Prussia,
Macauley says: 'The coin was debased the
| civil functionaries were left unpaid in some
provinces. the civil government altogether
ceased to exist. But there were still rye bread
| and potatoes there were still lead and gun
| powder; and while the means of sustaining
and destroying life remained, Frederick was
determined to fight it out to the very last"
The applications to the Montgomery
Confederates for letters of marque, which
first stsrted out at 100000, and then fell to
5000, is now down to 300, and by striking
off another 0 we shall doubtless approx.
mate to the truth. Still another 0 may be
safely struck off to get at the number who
will be likely to risk their necks at the
business.
The following lines by Dean Swift, are
recommended to the attention of Jefferson
! Davis
Two beams standant,
| One beam crossant,
| One rope pendant,
| A scOundrel at the end ont.
| Two little boys at Clarence, New York,
aged six aud eight wears. caught the mill