The weekly union record., 1866-01-27
"Buncombe.'

which csstom attaches to tnis word, il The
origin of its incorporation among the trite
sayings Of the age is net so generally under
stood. We believe the Yankee nation ia
indebted to a member of the Legislature
of North Carolina, who represented Buncombe
county. for its present application. This
Smith, or Jones, Of Buncombe had bat one
idea, which governed his whole action in the
Legislature. In short. be was fanatic on the
subject Of "Buucombe ;" be knew of but one
place in the world, and that was "Buncombe
county" If any subject of legislation came
up, the member from Bnncombe considered j,
bis first duty TO ascertain whether it was
iotended for the especial benefit of Bunconbe
If it was not, he was bitter, uncompromising
opponent OF the measure No iuhabitant OF
the great walled Celestial Empire ever felt
more Infinite contempt fer the outside barbara
ans than "the gentleman from Buucombe"
exhibited for those so unfortunate as to reside
outside Of Buncombe county. This, or some
thing like it, is what gave the great county of
Buncombe, 10 North Carolina, an immortality
which will never forsake it as long as Bun
combe' speeches are made in Congress and
State Legislatures, and "Bunconbe" editorials
are printed in newspapers.
These predatory remarks bring us to the
subject to which this article is intended TO be
devoted-the "Buncombe" editorials of that
great metropolitan journal, the Chico Courant
The editor of that paper seems to possess all
the characteristics of "the gentleman from
Buncombe,' in more intensified form, if pos
sible. Discovering the utter impossibiity of
crushing the Union party of Tehama county,
and organizing OF its ruins great national
party which should, through its great influence,
revolutionize all the world and the rest of
county the great center of the universe, the
comprehensive and mighty intellect who had
ruled, determined to abandon that county and
town to their fate, and look elsewhere for an
opportunity for the display Of bis great creative
powers. Tho opportunity was offered in our
neighboring village Of Chico. For years, q
few individuals in the place had talked vaguely
of division of Butte county. aud the estab
lishment of county government at Chico. A
printer had been deluded into starting an organ
for the new county in prospective; but, owing
to unfortunate traits of character very unpopu
lar in the embryotic metropolis-originality
and independence-he was obliged to abandon
the enterprise, and seek more hospitable
though less pretentious region, where the
natural wealth consists Of copper instead Of
brass. This brings us again to the subject
After lapse of two or three years, the new
county," that is to be, again rejoices in an
organ, the editor of which rejoices in pendant
to "rule or ruin The "outcroppings" of this
disposition in the editor Of the Courant are so
plentiful in that paper, that II is not necessary
to mention them to any one who has glanced
over its columns His pet idea-for the time
being-is the division Of Butte county, the
creation of new county out of Chico township
aud such fragments as can be picked up by the
lord!y grantholders and, the acme of the
whole, the transformation of the village of
Chico into county seat, with, as he lin
common with interested parties in and about
Chco) vaiuly imagines, q brilliant future
before it. The Courant produces no good
argument in favor of division, and its assertions
are "Buncombe" in the fullest sense of the
term, and not worthy Of serious consideration.
II Chico is really possessed Of such great
natural advantages as are claimed for it, the
trifing additional advantage of being county.
seat is not worth the effort that is being made.
As we have said before, We repeat (aDd time
will prove the truth Of the assertion), the move
for division Of Butte county is not made in
nor for the interests of the people, but for the
aggraDdlzement of q few individuals 10 Chico
township-the Courant's "Buncombe" editor
als to the contrary Notwithstanding
STARTLING 'FIGUREs.-The total number
of men who received, respectively, S4OO, $500
or 500 bounty, during the war, as appears
from official statements, was l,730, $40, and
the bounty, in the aggregate, amounted to
S3,0l5 100000. The total enlistments during
the war were 2,46l 900 men, OF whom 73l 900
cod M b,nntr r.,