davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24
VOL. XV---NO 49,.
The Decay Of Vital Power.

The Decay Of Vital Power.
"Burleigh," of the Boston Journal,
gives the following graphic sketch of
well known men:
Men will grow old-some by age, some
by care, some by premature decay
brought on by exposure, toll or dissipa-
ton. Man can live fast, financially and
physically; in either case bankruptcy
comes. saw crowd on the steps of
the Astor yesterday. They were watch
ing the attempt of the great pugilist,
His tall form was bent by disease; his
once firm step tottered; his great
strength had departed. With crutches,
and the aid of a strong arm of a friend
he slowly and with anguish took one
step at time, as an infant would go up.
1t was gall and bitterness to him to cast
his eyes around on that crowd, and see
how unlike their greeting was to the
crowd that cheered him on in his great
fight with Sullivan. By singular CO.
incidence Morrissey came along. But
how unlike Hyer. Morrissey is pro-
fessed gambler. tits his trade. He has
taken care of himself and keeps within
bounds. He is temperate, for his calling
demands it. He dresses in elegant taste
lis full jeweled-and would pass for
well-to-do banker with the upper ten
or as a Professor in college. Morrissey
has taken Saratoga under his special
charge, and intends to drive this year a
larger business than he did the last
He has taken his headquarters already,
and with an elegant exterior, smart adj
dress, cool and adroit habits, he will al
lure into his embrace many of our youth,
and send the curse into many homes in
the form of ruined but once-manly sons.
AS Hyer was attempting to go up the
steps man songht more quiet entrance
on one side of the crowd. 1t was n. P.
Willis. "Time has laid his hand visi-
bly, on you, my gay friend" I said to
myself. He needed the aid of cane to
faltered in its upward movement. The
auburn locks, still curly, were grizzled;
his face was thin and beard gray, as one
in the scar and yellow leaf of life. Few
would have recognized in the feeble and
slender invalid the nervous, hilarious
man of twenty years ago. He cast sad
look on the crowd, and the pugilist bro
ken down in middle life, and passed on.
The group was not complete. Passing
along the pavement was Commodore
Vanderbilt. Till recently he has been
among our most vigorous men. Age
seemed to have no effect upon him. His
DOuy was iron, MS nerves steel. Ola IN
years, his step was elastic. His hair was
white as snow, but his intellect sharp
and vigorous. His form slim as youth
OF nineteen, but erect as Mohawk war;
rior. Some months ago he was thrown
from his wagon. That fall did the work
of years on his system. He walks and
looks the old man, his step is languid
and that touch which none can parry,
and all must obey, is his. Such is life.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

ANOTHER REBEL REWARDED.-The
crime of treason, committed by such
men as the Right-Reverend-Bi Bishop Ma
jor-General Leonidas Polk, deserves
death, nothing short oft. The Chicago
Journal has information of the death of
this military Bishop, which seems to be
correct. Just such fate as we hope all
such fellows will meet. Killed by a
Federal! Served him right! That's
our verdict.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

&T Gov. Johnson, of Tennessee,
Union nominee for the Vice Presidency,
delivered speech at Nashville, on Fri
day evening, 18th inst. He accepts the
nomination which has just been con-
ferred upon him and addresses himself
in one place directly to the black men
among his audience, telling them that
they were free, and to use their freedom
rightly, and saying that he wanted to
see merit rewarded among both whites
and blacks; and he hoped to have Ten
nessee re-organized as free State, and
be filled up with Yankee colonists.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24
A Reasonable Brood.

During the recent session of the DEM
ocratic Convention at Springfield, ILL.,, a
telegram was read from the President of
a similar convention in Hamilton, Ohio,
announcing that Vallandigham was
then addressing his friends at that place.
The announcement was received with
tumultuous cheering, and thereupon
one O'Brien, of Peoria, whom we know
by personal observation to be mean,
low-lived rebel, submitted resolution
"that this Convention sustain c. L.
Vallandigham in his rights and stand
by the State of Ohio in sustaining him
under the laws and Constitution of his
country" which was adopted bya unan-
imous vote.
They did SO because they were of the
same mind of the exiled traitor. None
but so-called Democrats would have
passed such a resolution. Still, that
party is loyal! OF course it is!
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

Hr General Butler is said to be ascer-
tanning, as rapidly as possible, how
many of his negro troops were certainly
murdered after having been captured in
recent engagements with the enemy,
and that man for man of the rebel pris-
oners in his hands will certainly be shot
in retaliation. This shooting will be at
the hands Of negro troops,
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

1% S. 8. Smoot, army contractor, has
been sentenced by military commission.
for willful neglect of duty, in violation
of the act of Congress, to a fine of ten
thousand dollars and imprisonment in
Fort Delaware until such fine is paid,
provided the imprisonment does not ex-
ceed three years.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

B9 The "Union Conservative" party,
being the remnants of the old Silver
Gray Whig and Know Nothing organi-
zation, has called "National Conven-
ton" at Chicago, July 4th. This is the
select little party that got together at
Cincinnati two or three months ago and
nominated Mcclellan for President It
is a procuring agency of the copper
heads.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24


How TO OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM
GEN. GRANT.-A gentleman recently
from the front tells the following good
story of General Grant: 4 1a4.
"A visitor to the army called upon him
one morning, and found the General
to one of his staff officers. The stranger
Of him as follows: g
General, if you flank Lee and get be-
tween him and Richmond, will you not
uncover Washington and leave it a
prey to the enemy?"
Gen. Grant, discharging a cloud of
smoke, with "a silver lining" from his
mouth, indifferently replied, II reckon
So"
Stranger, encouraged by the reply he
thus received, propounded question
number two:
General, do you not think Lee can
detach sufficient force from his army to
reinforce Beauregard and overwhelm
Butler?'
''Not doubt of it," replied the Gene
raj.
Stranger, becoming fortified by his
success, propounded question number
three, as follows:
General, is there not danger that
johnson may come up and reinforce
Lee. so that the latter will swing around
and cut your communications and seize
"Very likely" was the cool reply of
the General as he knocked the ashes
from the end Of his cigar Washington
Republican,.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

s9 General A. J. Smith, late of
Banks army, has been appointed to the
command Of the troopsaround Memphis,
and will at once reorganize that army
and enter upon an active campaign
against the enemy, and redeem our arms
from the misfortune that befell them
during the recent expedition under Cen
eral Sturges.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

na The Illinois "Democratic' State
Convention at Springfield, on the 18th,
appointed delegates to the National
Convention, but deferred the nomina-
tiou of State ticket till August, and
failed to adopt platform for fear of get
ting into quarrel over the attempt,
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

n@- Ex-Chief Justice Hornblower, of
New Jersey, one of the ablest and best
men that State has ever produced, died
at Newark on Saturday, aged 81. His
last words were: "Convention-conven
ton for the freedom of mankind"
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

PLEASE CORRECT.-The Sioux City
Register berates us severely for an article
which never appeared in our columns,
and which we saw for the first time in
the Register, credited to the "MUsCATINE
JOURNAL"
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24
Judge ISbell.

1t is said this gentleman, for many
years in i'll health, will resign his posi-
ton upon the bench. The Upton Id
vertiser suggests the name of Lieut.. Col.
J. II. Rothrock, of Cedar county, as the
successor of Judge Isbell. The sugges-
ton is good one, as we happen toknow
Mr.. Rothrock to be not only good
citizen, but good lawyer. The people
of that District might do much worse
than to have Mr. r. on the bench.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24
Soldiers' Pay.

The Congressional Committee of Con-
ference on the bill to increase the pay OF
soldiers have agreed to report in favor OF
$16 per month to privates, and of re-
ducing army rations to the old standard.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

LAsT.-At the opening Of Gen. Grants
military career at Fort Donelson, he
sent proposition to Gen. Buckner, who
had requested a cessation of hostilities
after two days fighting, in these words:
IT propose to move Immediately on
your works." We have had but few
propositions from him till now, when
he makes another, after six days fight
ing: "Ipropose," says he, " to fight it
out on this line if it takes all Summer"
Both these proposals are very cool, but
terribly determined.-Zi Times
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

neA. The rebel cavalry are demonstrate
ing against Sherman's railroad connec-
tions. A party of Wheeler's cavalry
day or two ago captured six cars loaded
with wheat near Resaca, and intended
toattack the upward bound train. They,
however, abandoned this project, but in
stead put huge torpedo on the track
reaching Resaca. 1t exploded and blew
up the engine and cars Immediately fol-
lowing. General HOvey and a number
of convalescent soldiers were on board,
but were in the rear cars and escaped in
jury.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24
nA- All of the departments but

n@- All Of the departments but two
have responded to the inquiry of the
House Military Committee in regard to
the employment of disloyal persons in
said departments. They state that no
disloyal persons are employed in thesev-
| eral departments.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24
VIII they be HOncst9


The organs of the so-called Democrat
ic party have been devoting their col
umns of late to demonstrating the cow
ardice and general unfitness of negro
troops. The Courier, Statesman and
Constitution especially, have been en-
gagged in this dirty work. In Saturdays
issue we published theletter of Adjutant
General Thomas to Senator Wilson up
on that subject-a letter that was fully
corroborated by our telegraphic reports
in the same issue. The editors of the
Copperhead press have now official ref
utations Of the miserable falsehoods they
have published. Will they now be
honest enough to give the brave blacks
who are defending our common country
their we'll earned merit? or will they
continue to slander and libel men who
are in every respect their superiors
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24
Lost but not Abandoned.

The proposed amendment to our Ma
tional Constitution, whereby slavery
and involuntary servitude, except for
the punishment of crime, shall be for
over prohibited, has failed in the House
of Representatives for want of two
thirds vote. The Senate had adopted
the joint resolution, and we had hoped
that sufficient number of the House
would vote for it that it might be SUBJ
mitted to the several States before the
next assembling of Congress. The vote
in the House stood 05 yeas to IS nays
Four Democrats voted for the resolution.
The people will, however, see to it that
a Congress representing their views will
be elected in November. We are not
among those who believe our Constitu-
ton pro-slavery instrument. But the
various constructions that have been
put upon it convince us that plain and
unequivocal language in reference to
this question, as we'll as all others, is de-
sirable. Let the fundamental law of our
land be so plain in its provisions that the
wayfaring man, though fool, may not
err in understanding them,
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

It is not the multitude of applause,
but the good sense of the applauders,
which gives value to reputation.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

Poverty is the only load which is the
heavier the more loved ones there are
to assist in supporting it.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

Visitors to the "Great Central Fair''
are set down at p, 900 day.
Nothing like the "Union Avenue, ("
500 feet long, a towering Gothic struc-
ture, has ever been seen in this country
it contains many hundred flags, banners,
devices, etc. The Picture Gallery, of
more than 1000 works, is equally uni
que. The Floral Department is circu-
rooted and canopied, with circular
pond or reservoir surrounding a grand
cone of magnificent tropical plants some
25 or 80 feet in hight, and so in diameter,
with scores of jets d'eaasr, statues, etc.,
etc., and double Gothic arcady of ever
greens, encircling the whole with flow-
ers in every possible form and device,
and by the thousands-all this, fresh in
design, bewitching in effect, and grand
in proportions. The public schools have
a grand corridor, each school section
with it's own counter, and backed by
distinct device, the whole harmonious,
and the vista beautiful. The restaurant
is another grand department, some 600
feet in diameter, the central roofing
screened over diameter of 100 feet,
with canopy of bunting in the nation
al colors; with pillars around for sup
ports, variously decorated with emble-
matte devices. The department Of arms
and trophies is proportionately extern
sive. So are others, far too numerous
to chronicle here. 1t is show worth
hundreds of miles of travel to see-the
multitudes of lovely women and girls
being not least of the attractions.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

nA- We have not seen Union paper
in Iowa which advocates the claims of
Fremont for the Presidency. Every
Union paper is for Old Abe and Andy.
That's the team which suits the style of
Western folks. Iowa will give the Bal
timore ticket majority anywhere from
10000 to $4,000! How are you, Free
meounters? How are you, Cops?-Des-
ne0ines Register.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

n@ The Copperheads, who looked for
the nomination of Grant at the Cleve-
land Convention, are greatly disappoint-
ed at the result, and have little to say
about it. With all the patting on the
back which the Copperhead journals
gave the convention, and not one of
them supports its nomination, and not
single paper, except one or two German
organs, has declared IN favor OF the tick
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24
What f. my CountrY?


An old soldier, in lately appealing to
his son to go and fight for the govern
ment and Union, said:
"Perhaps you have never thought
what country means? It is all that sur
rounds you-all that has brought you up
and fed you-all that you have loved
This country that you see-these houses,
these trees, those girls that 60 along
there laughing-this is your country
The laws which protect you, the words
you interchange with others, the joy
and grief which come to you from the
men and things among which you live
this is your country! The little room
where you used to see your mother, the
remembrances she has left you, the
earth where she rests-this is your coun-
try! You see it, you breathe it every
where. Think to yourself of your
rights and duties, your affections and
your wants, your past and your present
blessings, write them all under single
name-that will be Your Country! We
owe to it all that we are, and he who en-
joys the advantage of having a free
country and does not accept the burden
of it, forfeits his honor, and is bad cit
izen. Do for your country what you
would for your father and mother"
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

The following pertinent question was
addressed to lawyer in a neighboring
village: "If distance lends enchant-
ment to the view, and the view refuses
to return it, can distance receive any
legal redress?" Lawyer refuses to an
swer until he receives retainer.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24
DQVisegipatlOn.

Instances are common of the most al.
f1ictive separations of family relations
even parents and children, are found in
the ranks of the hostile armies. One of
the most touching cases of this kind is
that Of son of the Confederate Presi-
dent Jefferson Davis, who is serving in
the National cause on the gunboat Car
ondelet, fighting to crush the rebellion
which his father isleader of. The Davis
junior is the son,of Eliza, late slave to
the patriarchal Davis. An officer ofthe
army at Vicksburg who had heard of
the fact, verified it from Eliza's lips
How sharper than serpent's tooth
must be the grief of that parent whom
unrelenting fate compels to take sides
against his own son in war for free
dom.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

mA Johnahull of the Boonsboro
Times, a profound Copperhead commen-
tator, in speaking of the Cleveland Con-
vention, says: "If the Cleveland Con-
vention results in the defeat of Lincoln,
and the election of Democratic Presi-
dent, John c. Fremont and Emil Preto-
rious will have done good deed" If
two black cats climbing up the perpen-
dicular wall of ten story house, should
stop the rotation of the earth, and set
the globular arrangement to whisking
around the other way, they would throw
big thing! 0, Johnahull! Johnahull!
Sfofo PoOSofoy
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

Bay The amendments to the enroll
ment law, which have already passed
the Senate, provide that all future calls
for men may be for time not exceeding
one year. From this are excepted all
supplementary drafts to fill up quotas OF
calls already made. No person drafted
on future calls is to be liable to be draft
ed again until the present enrolment is
exhausted, and credit is to be given any
district for an excess of men furnished
on previous calls. The amendments
were adopted by vote of % against II,
Messrs. Brown, Carlisle, Chandler, Con-
ness, Grimes, Harlan, Anderson, john
son, McDougal, Morgan, Nesmith,
Pomeroy, Ramsay, Sherman, Sprague,
Ten Eyck and Trumbuu voting in the
negative. In the course of the debate
preceding the passage of the resolutions,
Mr.. Wilson said 100000 men had been
put in the field since the 18th of October
last, and $4,000 re-enforcements had
been sent to Grant within few weeks.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-06-24

Col. E. w. Rice of the Iowa 7th has
been nominated Brigadier General by
the President. d. sra.a
The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1864-05-18
Communication.

Mr. EDIToR: Please allow me to state
through your columns, for the satisfac-
ton Of those that were present on the oc-
casiop, that the impromptu collection,
last Sabbath evening, in behalf Of
United States Christian Commission,
amounted to $40. The same has been
forwarded to MIR. E. G. Walker, as the
united contribution Of the Presbyterian
and Congregational Churches of this place.
An immense meeting was held in Phil
adelphia, at the Church of the Epiphany,
on Tuesday evening, May 8, 1864, presid-
ed over by reverend Bishop McIlvain, on
behalf of the U. S. Christian Commits
sion, to inaugurate grand national sub
scription of HALE MILLION DOLLARS to
repleuish the exhausted treasury. The
enthusiasm was unbounded. FIFTY
THOUSAND DOLLARS were subscribed on
the spot. The movement is intended to
reach throughout all the loyal States, and
similar meetings are to be held in all our
large cities. The Christian Commission
claims not to interfere with any other or
ganization whatever. But while it sends
comforts for the body, as freely as any
other organization, according to its means,
it seeks as we'll to eyangelize the army by
sending tidiugs of Christ and him cruel
fed. d. &c,
DR.. Kirk, at the meeting above alIued
to, forcibly aud eloquently observed;
"Tho facilities of reaching tho field
were now spoken of. The whole army is
accessible to the Christian Commission.
Their delegates are welcomed everywhere.
Their passes are acknowledged with a
courteous bow. Smiles and welcomes, no
frowns attend them. Steamboats,, rail
roads, telegraphs vie in doing them ser
vice. What does all this meanl It is
the invitation of Christ's Church to come
in and reap the great harvest. O, breth-
erenl said the speaker, in view of these
wonderful openings, could not help say
ING to my people on my return, Wa are
asleep! asleep! We do not appreciate
the day in which we live, or the work
God is rolling upon us. Our missiona-
ries in India and China meet with no
welcome, but with the averted eve, the
cold, scornful glance. This is the baptism
through which they have to pass for
years-and then the strange language
But here if you but speak the kings En-
glish, and can tell OF Christ from full
heart, you are ready to be a missionary.
o, is it not wonderful, gloriousl Shall
we not thank God, and congratulate
each other that we are christians in the
midst Of this WARP
The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1864-05-18
Democratic state Conyen,ion'

A Democratic State Convention will be held
at the City Hall, in Detroit, at eleven o'clock in
the forenoon Of Wednesday, the fifteenth day
of June next, Tor the purpose of appointing six
teen delegates TO the Democratic National Con-
vention. TO be held nt Chicago, on the fourth
day of July next, and for the purpose of Trans
acting such other business as may come before
the convention.
Each county, comprising one or more repre-
sentative districts, will be entitled to three times
as many delegates as there are representatives.
in the lower house Of the State Legislature from
such county aud each county which may not
be entitled to one representative in tho lower
house Of the Legislature will be entitled to one
delegate in the State Convention.
BY resolutions Of former State Conventions,
no delegate will be entitled to a seat in the Con-
yontion who does not reside in the county he
purports TO represent except with reference to
the counties Of the Upper Peninsula.
Dated Detroit April IL, 1864.
LEVI BISHOP, Chairman.
II N. WALKER, w. A. RICHMOND,
Srrpurv &. CLARK, ADAM l.. RoOF,
N. A. BALcu, AUSTIN WALES,
II. A. IYBRooK, III. IT, HARMON,
o. NJ. BARNES, WN' Nj. Miller
l.. d. NORRIs, JOSEPH COULTER,
Democratic State Central Committee.