davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08
The Rcbri Coasarcss--Davis' Mes
sage.

4 u
MONTGOMERY, April 29-Congress met at
noon. President Davis message announced
the ratification Of the permanent Cons,itu-
ton. of~ the Confederate States, and that it
only remains for an election to be held for the
designation of officers to administer the gov
ernment 1t says the declaration OF war
made by Abraham Lincoln, renders it nee
essary to convene congress to devise means
toreplcnish the treasury, and for the defence
Of the country. The President then reviews
the relations heretofore existing between. the
States, and the events which have resulted
in the present warfare. Referring to the re-
suit Of tie mission Of the Commissioners to
Was linston, he says the crooked paths of
diplomacy can scarcely furnish an example
so wanting in courtesy. eandor and. direct
ness, as was the course Of the q. s. Govern.
ment towards the Commissioners. The Pres
ident incidentally refers to the prudent eau
ton observed by the feet at Charles; on dur
ing the bombardncnt of Fort Sumter, and
pays high compliments to the Carolinians for
their forbearance before, and heroism during,
and maenanimit; after the bo.ntardmcnt.-
He recommends the appointment OF diplo
matte agents He says, the Confederacy
through Mr.. Stephens had concluded con-
vention with Virginia, which has united her
powers and fortunes wi us. He has salts
factory assurance that other Southern States
will soon stake their fortunes with ours He
says the most of the executive departments
are in successful operation; the Postmaster
General can soon, be ready to assume the di-
rcction of postal affairs. In conclusion, he
congratulates the Confederacy on the patri-
otic devotion exhibited by the people of the
Confedcracy. The railway companies pro-
pose liberal rates fof. the transportation Of
mails, and will receive in compensation the
bonds of the Confederacy.
He says people thus united and, resolved.
cannot fail of final success. Our course il
just and. holy, and. we protest solemnly in
the face of mankind, that We desire peace at
any sacrifice save that Of honor or independ-
ence. We seek no conquest, nv agsrandize-
ment, no concession from the free States; all
we ask is to be let alone, that none shall at
tempt our subjuga,ion by arms. This we viii
and must resist to the dire st extremity. The
moment this intention is abandoned the
sword will drop from our grasp, and we shall
be ready to,cnter into treaties of amity, a
commerce mutually beneficial; so long as
this prctension is maintained, with firm
reliance. on that diyiRe poMer which, covers
with His protection the just cause, we wifi
continue to struggle for our inherent right
to freedom, independence and selfgovern-
ment.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08
Lyis,g ia he'd,

tits often a question amongst people who
are unacqua!ntc9 with the physology of man
whether lying with the head exalted or level
with the body was the most wholesome
Mos, consulting thir own ease on this point
argue in favor of that which they prefer
Now, although many delight in bolsterina
up their heads at night and sleep soundIy
without injury. yet we declare it to be dan
gerous habit. The vessels through which
the blood passes from the hcart 10 the lea /
are always lessened in their cavities when
The head is restiag in bed higher than the
body, therefore, In all diseases attended with
fever, the head should be pretty nearly on
level with the body; and persons ought TO
accustom themselves to sleep thus. and
avoid danger. - Medical journal.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08
what Constitutes Treason
A great many people are sensitive alb

A great many people are sensitive about
the application Of the terms Treason" and
"traitors" to the persons, North or South,
who are aiding the cause of the Confederate
States as against the United States Govern
ment. We are r5t in favor ofan indiscrimi-
nate or unjust application ofterms of odiun,
for which we do not conceive that popular
excitement alone furnishes any excuse. But
let any one institute a fair and candd ex-
animation Of the law OF treason, and he will
hardly be misguided in his CONCLUSION as
to who are properly amenable to the charge.
Tho Constitution of the United States pro
viles Cart. III, Sec 81 that treason against
the United States shall consist only in levy
ing war against them. or~in adhering to their
enemies, giving them aid and comfort" 1t
also provides that Congress shall have pow
er to declare the punishment Of treason. In
pursuance of,this provision, Congress on the
3oth of April, 1890, passed law, of which
the following is the first section:
"Bo it enacted. That if any person or per-
sons owing allegiance to the United States Of
America shall levy war agaist them, or shall
adhere to their enemies, gicing then, aid and
comfort, Uithia tie United States or else
where, and shall be thereof convicted on the
testimony Of two witnesses to the same overt
act Of treason whereof he or they shall stand
indicted, such person or persons shall be
adjulgsd guilty Of treason against the Uni
ted States and shall suffer death.'
Under this definition of the crime of trea
son, it is plain enough that all who come
within either Of the following classes are
traitors against the United States:
l.. All who are found fighting against a
United States force, OF firing into United
States flag, Or attempting forcbly to take or
possess United States property
2. All who join actively on the side of the
enemies Of. the Government Of, the United
States, aiding them by their information or
counsels.
8. An who furnish the enemies Of the Gov
ernmcnt, in arms against it, with werpons,
ammnniticp, provisions or stores Of whatev.
er kind. =
4. A large portion Of those whose judg-
ment in jurisprudence is entitled to respect,
hold that all who adhere to the public enc
mics of the United States in the sense of adj
vocating their cause. by speech or by the
press, are within the purview of the statute
defining and Furnishing treason.
The Courts Of the United States have cog
nizance Of offences under the above law. 1t
is the plain duty Of Judge LEAvIrr to in
strnct the Grand jury Of his Court as to the
pnrport, extent and application of the law of
trcason,-and it is equally the duty of the
United States District attorney to prosecute
all violators Of the law who NAV come with
in his cognizance. Tn time Of public peril
like this, when powerful and determined
enemy is in arms against the Government
ofthe United States, within its own terrific
ry. this duty cannot be too soon, o., too rigid
ly discharged Gin. Com.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08
Connecticut.

HARTFORD. May 1.-The Connecticut Leg
iiiature convened to day. Gov Buckins-
hams message recommends an efficient
State militia, says forty-one volunteer com
pan'es have already been accepted. The
regiments wilnot leave the State until they
are fully equipped with camp and baggage,
trained and prepared to take care of them.
selves. The legislature will make liberal an.
preparation. for war purposes. The State
is out Of debt, and owns $500 0,o0o bank
stock
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08
Virginia..

WHEELING, May Ia meeting of mcr.
chtnts was held in this city to day to deter
terminc Whist action should be taken in re.
gard to the renewal of State license, which
expired yesterday.
\ committee was appointed to draft reso-
iuticns, and the meeting adjourned until to.
morrow. The feeling was strongly in oppo-
sition to renewal. Somo expressed deter
mination 10 close their stores, rather than
pay tribute to the Southern Confederacy.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08
Nebrassxa,

OMAHA, n. T., May 1.-Gov. Black has
issued a proclamation recommending a
thorough volunteer organization throughout
the territory. He has already supplied
companies with arms and equipments, and
seems determined to place Nebraska in the
best possible condition of defense. 1t is
supposed that at least one regiment of Ne.
braska volunteers viii be mustered into
She United States service for home defense.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08

New YoRK. May Capt Carson, of the
schooncriB B. Pitts, from Charleston, states
that he was at the wharf, near Fort Moul.
tie, during Sumter's bonn mbardment, and that
on Sunday night GO dead bodies were carri-
ed across his track to land, and Monday
night 40 more were carried cut q, one time
aad, 60 at another. Capt Carson and mate
saw and counted the bodies, and that all
the soldiers were sworn to deny any loss of
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08
Irrom the Springfield tMsss epabllcan ]
Ina.

A little cottage, close by a Iew England
seaside, was the home OF thr& &of nv early
fricnds--an old man, his wifs$nd Ina. his
daughter. From the cottaget 0town stretch
sd back beyond reach Of IN mass spray to
wooded hills at tho North, fSning one Of
those picturesque and active little villages
which enlivencd the coast so ldg ago as the
war Of 1912.
In, was on, of these sweet Il he blossoms
which burst late from the arlestral tree,
forming the exquisite contrast " youthful
freshness and contour with the sorm-shaken
and almost tottering forms father and
mother. mall the observations of my life,
I have not found a more pleasing picture
than that Of the three at The ttagc The
long line Of sons and daug ersl ,sd mel,el
away, soms into immortal Vie nd others
TO crystalze upon other hearth-sf fncs. Two
were resting in the Church-yard. lone had
gone down into the depths Of thesea. in the
,nanful discharge Of his sailor dud long,
bng way from home. Others wei still tos
sing upon the pillows of life, withAe usual
diversity of rise and fall. of ,pestuous
storm and glossy calm, Of smili snccess
and frowning defeat. Only one remained
at home; and she unlike the other Atleast
she seemed unlike them: though is possi-
ble that the contrast was snly tht differing
Of the plant in the shelter Of th window
from such as rooted along the ~ where
the winds eddy, and the rains swcp rough
" down.
Two or three times have diprd my pen
70 picture Ina, but have hesitated Ishc was
not subject for discreet paints He is
= rash artist who puts pencil to cil,ass, hap
ing TO catch that mos,ivc charm -hich lies
diffused in the nature and presenJ rather
than juttingin the salient points Young,
beautiful in feature and tint, petiteNd ele-
CANT in form. there was yet that r(er pres
snce which wishdrew attention frs these
tangible elSmShts of beauty to the floating
something that not only blghtensd but, in
sense, supersedod than. True tksiioatina
something was indiscribstjen1 terms, but il
J, produced the sffs1sr light radiating from
her whole littleelf striking cut into motion
and tone, mos effective as it kindled her
features, sho from her eyes and eifervesced
in her smile
Till now de waters, reaching broadly to
thc scuth, ,nd smiled or fretted with the bur-
don Of pe,eful vessels carrying the comforts
and sluxues oflife /; but recently the hawks
ofwar hs; driven these broods to their GOV.
erts an the ocean was smiling or frettins
with j capriciousness. but ,der less
kind burden. During all these changes
white cottage stood quito unconccrn.
ng boldly of towards the bristline
pm the summit OF its chosen bluff.
summer night, while the village Law
sleep, and the soft June breezes
ing dew from the grasses and bear
hr0gh open easements 10 the eye
run'N2leepors, and lingering there
y .
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08
Extremes Meet 40 Defend, the
HeDsa0lic.

The perfect fusion Of all parties and Sects
into one great patriotic mass of the North,
may be set down as the greatest marvel of
the age. The Puritan and the Catholic, the
Skcp.ic. anil the Drshol5y, the Republican
a.i DenocIat, the Radical and the Fogy,
have all united and laid aside their preiu-
dices and differences, and joined in the work
of crushing the treason against the Republic
One Of the strangest instances of extremes
meeting was witnessed few days since in
Boston, where two such representative men
as Wendell Phillips and Rev. Nehemiah IAd-
ans made speeches to the same al dience in
Music Hall, and advocated the same platform,
viz: "The Union, the Constitution, and the
enforcement Of the laws They both ex-
hortedthe peoplcto save the Government and
to punish treason; to make any sacrifice OF
blood and treasure to quell the wicked rebel
lion; to follow blow with blow, until the
head of the serpent was crushed and the
last spark of vitality extinguishcd.
1t must be an urgent national necessity
and just and righteous cause which brings
such men together. The bombardment OF
Fort Sumter was the wand of enchantment
which fused into one patriotic mass twenty
millions ofpeoplo. When the National Elm.
blen was smittcn down. and made to sue.
cunb to traitors, cry If vengeance resoun-
ded across the continent Every man and
woman felt that their honor was at stake and
their liberties assailed. The people voun.
teer for the war aud march to battles as i
impelled by a decree of the Eternal. The
conflict il commenced and there can be Meth.
er pause nor peace until the rebellion is put
down, obedience to the laws restored, and
the supremacy Of the Constitution vindica-
ted This war is one OF those terrible issues
that can only be settled by an appeal to the
God OF battles. The life Of the Republic is
at stake. Constitutional liberty and military
despotisrn have grappled and there can be no
compromise until one or the other goes down
in blood. Chicago Tribune.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08
The UuiOn Sentiment Il, Eaiti
more.

BALTIMORE, April 9o.-Threc spontaneous
Union meetings were held to nigh in differ
ent portions Of the city. Resolutions were
adopted in favor Of sustaining the govern.
ment, expressing appreciation of Gen. Scott,
and determination to maintain the honor of
the National flag. Union badges are quite
prominent in the street.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08
Douglas nt indianapolis.

Hon. Stephen 4. Douglas was announced
for speech to the military and the p.ople
generally, at Camp Morton, Indianapolis,
Wednesday last.
He spoke the night before from the balco-
NY Of the hosel, and said among other things
of like tenor:
"Our country is in danger. our capital be
seiged, and piracy invited TO prey upon our
commerce that the Northwest can never con-
sent to have their access to the ocean in any
direction cut off by the States; that it Is the
du,y Of eur citizens, Democrats as well as
Republicans, to rise up and unsheath the
sword in defense Of our constitutional rights
and never sheath it until they are secure"
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08
Ehe Star spangled Banner.

BALrMonE, May IA. n2on the Star
Spangled Banner was raised with great de-
monstrations of enthusiasm from the Post
Office and Custom House, by oider Of the
newly appointed officials. 1t was greeted
with tremendous cheers for the Union and
the old flag. The crowd then joined in sing
ing the Star Spamgled Banner,n
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08

My Eve years old boy sometimes says
queer things. One day he said to his little
sister. get wings I'll take you up
where God is, cause you're too little to go
a,one-a then will you be afraid to stay
with the angels Willie So back aud get
mamma?"
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08

4 newspaper carrier in Lafayette, Indiana
who has been sorely annoyed. by dog, pur.
chased an interest in the animal and then
shot his half.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08

The last food sent to Sumter by tho
Cha,lestonians was rice mingled scih POM
dea glass. The Independent gives this as
reliable.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08

PIrrsBuRG. April 25.--Ycsteday was a
grand day in our patriotic city. In the
midst ofa pouring rain, 25 cars left the de-
pot, containing 1,600 ofthe finest set Of sol
diers your eyes ever beheld. So eager are
Pittsbnrg sons to resist the Southern insults
heaped upon them, that IS frequent to hare
$50 offered for a place asa private in one Of
the accepted companies. This county yet
can give 10000 in four days after the call,
notwithstanding We have already Far excce-
ded our quota. All we want here is call
from headquarters. Not a single traitor
among u.s. ~
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08
Jtsdge Koald of Baltimore wants
the Plug Ugiies Puni.hcd--A A
man iis peril for Esisui,iiig the
National Flag.

BALTIMORE, May Judge Bond Of the
Criminal Court, charged the Grand Jury
this morning. lie called attention. particu-
larly TO the attack OF the mob on the military
on the 18th Of April,-tbat the guilty might
be brought to punishment Rcciting the oc
currences of the 19.h of April. said It is
your duty, gentlemen, urdcr the solemn
oaths you have taken, impartially to inquire
into this occurrence and present such per.
sons as have taken nart ir the riot The
very existence ofsociety depends upon your
faithful discharge of this duty. You win
inquire whether there was preconcert and
preparation, and by whom. You are bound
to present them-yho aided in obStructing
the Rail Road prevented the safe march of
the troops, and assisted in impeding their
passage. At the same time it is your duty
to inquire whether any ofour own citizens
were without justification or provocation,
fired upon by troops and killed
Besides the loss of life, tie violence done
to property, the breaking into stores, the
assuming Of unlawful authority, the irregu-
lar and illegal arming Of troops and the at
tempt by organizations unknown to the law,
to usurp the lawful Government, also deserve
grave attention. The Judge concludes that
the potent voice Of Law should be heard
above the din of strife else all security and
stability is gone, and there will be nothing
left of our social frame verify Of an effort to
preserve.
After the crowd had left the Custom
/ House to-day man named George Lemor,
in thesnniform of the Maryland Guards, de-
liderately cut down the American Flag, which
fell into the arms Of bystander. He was
Immediately arrested by Deputy Sheriff
aud with some difficulty saved from the
wrath Oft few Union men present. and
conveyed to the police station, where he
awaits examination The Guard, ii is said,
will expel the offender.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08

Twenty three ScstheIn Cadets at West
Point refused to take the oath Of allegiance
10 the United States, and resigned their stu
atoms.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08

An exchange paper tells . story Of ne
gro boy yao fell into a hogshyal Of nlolasses
and wonders il they licked him when they
took him cut
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08

Fort Sumter, says Georgia paper, will
hereafter be a sacred place. Precisely, for il
Il has not been SaEctfied. it has at least
been canoniz ID. B49ala Espress.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08

TnE TRAIroRs HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN
THEIR owN CAusR.-Senator Wigfall, aid to
General Beaurcgard, has sent his mother
and children to Boston, aud they aro 10 re-
main there during the Southern rebellion.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08

The object nearly all great takers seems
to be to excite their own admiraton-and
they never fail.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08

Tie Rev. Mr.. Bennsti of Lockrort, thinks
tvesy rebel should be raped on tie head
until hc er,es Ises he thirty four stara il
t,s Ceps'flst;or IF Li1evfg.'. ~Y ~
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08

Souru CAsoLIsA JunIsrRuDEScE.-Se
sion is nine points of the law!
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08
.From the NJ phls Bulietin.l
Ts.cy Cali ss,a Traitor, Now.

The following HE Fere suggest ID by see
ing an old man inter grzirg at the Amer
lean flag as it hoaset rom the dome Of one
OF the hotels in Memf --"I live," said he,
'in Mississippi, whvthey won't let that
flag he raised, but lvesthat flag; I bore i,
through the indian ars, and at New Or
leans, under General ackson. am sixty.
nine years oragc. J ~ born and raised il,
this State. Ny iathcrsn old Revolutionary
soldier, was one Of the Arliest settlers. Nv
country has been very bod to me and gave
m, land love. My cjntry love. love
Tennessee; I am sorry lsSer left her. wan,
to live where tina. hagvhvcs. don't like
the people Of Mississippi thsy call nae a trai
tor, noU"--
Itsve borne that dag In eay years,
To conquer a satage toe,
Whose ravaging deeds on Ithen frontier.
Brought terror. death an doe
And how suffered mid ti1nd pain.
'ris history will tell you
Yet those. whose peace thos vhrs did gain,
Can call rae q traitor now.
bore that Gag in New 0rlea
Which cty's doom was tho 80
Ere the III 5ds Eighth wss 3as;
Bat when saw to the stripes 36ars
The British lion bow,
little thouglf, In nv gratefu kyers.
To be et1led traitor now.
40 relican iag as heard OF I.
Nomoon's lone star was fou
No palmetto bush, with i:s sha stem,
And the serpent coiedl arou
Du, the stars and stripes alon,r nained,
Andpray can you tell me ho'
That he, who bore that 1ag, upt ned,
Can be called traitor n, W.
on. had 7 rcmalnes in nv natl e bate,
Where my chieftain's grave m1de,
Or had zen doomed TO sim arfste,
And nv homes near his been iaI:
o, had he been spared for his rys good,
I:aia sure he'd not allow
Those friends who in arms bv hh bad sto I'd,
fShould be branded a. traitorsstw.
bltwhy, In my age, am a. s@ailedf
To my name why apply thhtVn?
Have to my country ever fail&
Or IN society proved a bane?
No no such charge or kipdred4ime
Can he stamped. on my furrouH brow;
but because reb eliion must dome,
They call me atraitornow.
hns yet, In my heart, can't de1air-
Wy country, so free and pure
Whose tolls and triumphs held to share,
For ages will vet endure.
When rnadmen cease. and calm tsct -
And reason their minds endovt
ThsyYl then these cruel words )rset
That make me q traitor now. 4
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08

A PAINFUL SITUATION. -!n Portland, on
Moniay. horseput his hoof through Ia
dy's hoop skirt, and to cxticate il, three
men were required I, hold the horse and two
to hold the laly.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08

you discharge ajest at friend or gun
at a woodchuck, be sure that it isn't out of
season.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08

When, with the vivid recollection of all
that yc have said Of John Bell during the
Pre-, idential canvass, we look at his present
position and read the language that he utters,
we cannot but recall the striking advice
given by some prudent sage" Never praise
a man ill M i Iead w. LoHisrille .yovrnal.
The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-05-08
Ohio.

CLEVELAND, April 30.-The Ohio State
Journal say 81 ,0oo troops have been offer
ed by the State Of Ohio since the Prcsiden
proclamation. Thirty-one thousand, they
are assured, would beacceptal.