davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04
Col. w. S. Mullins.

1t was universally conceded by the spe-
cial correspondents of the press during the
late term Of the extra session Of the Tegis-
lature, that this gentleman proved himself
to be one OF the ablest legislators in the
General Assembly. Possessing high or
der OF talents, a mind highly cultivated and
well stored with parliamentary knowledge.
great oratorlcaI powers, remarkable quick
ness sOf perception, and q rare acuteness
OF intellect, he seldom took position
that he was not able to fortifv with
arguments incOntrovertible. Resolu-
tlons were adopted and amendments
" tabled" " at his will, and he came
out of every debate he entered into with
flying colors. Opposed in many instances
by the most eminent men on the floor.
yet he In no instance failed to sustain the
exalted reputation he has won. AS an
orator he is eloquent and impressive. and
never fails to command the respect and Sc
cure the attention of his auditors; his ar
guments are clear and comprehensive, and
he speaks without apparent effort. Con-
troversy calls forth his powers, and under
the 1utiuence of such excitement, he dis
plays his ability to the greatest advantage.
and seldom fails to win new laurel while
receiving the sharpest shot from his adver-
sary. Colonel Mullins has shown himself
capable Of competing with the most acute
and lofty intellects of the State, and we
trust the day is not far distant when she
VIII bestow upon her adopted son the high
est public honors within her gift.
Marion Star.
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04

before the court, as above stated Neither
did I testify that the remarks were made
by President Davis in his speech outside my
house. a..s@
Therefore, as Col. Aston was not present
when and where the remarks were made, he
will see the impropriety OF his denying the
truth of my testimony.
The evidence, as published III the Wash
ington and New York papers, made me say
that President Davis used the remarks tes-
titled to in his address to the citizens and
soldiers, outside of my house. After the
receipt of the dispatch from Gen. Brecken-
ridge announcing the assassination of Mr..
Lincoln, and after my return home L had
the mistake corrected, upon its being brought
TO my notice by our newspaper here, the
! Wester7a Democrat.
The foregoing, it is hoped, will relieve
me of the charge of having volunteered
false testimony"
| have never given it as my opinion, nor
do [ now, that the remarks made by Presi-
dent Davis in my house indicated that he
had any connection with, or former knowl-
edge of, tho atrocity that had been COM
mitted.
It is also charged by Col. Aston that I
S02icitued the privilege of entertaining the
President with All improper motive and for
q base purpose.
The facts are that did not even suggest
it. Major Echols, then quartermaster of
this post, called upon me, and requested
permission to quarter the presidential party
at my house. My reply was that ''the
latch string was always out, and when
the party arrived they were brought to
my door, and was admitted durtng z2Y ub-
sence from the house
While I was quite ready and willing to
give my best efforts to entertain the Presi-
dent and suite it would have been pre-
sumptuous to have offered my humble tene-
ment when SO many larger mansions of
other citizens were ready to receive the il
lustrious guests.
Very respectfully.
t. f. BATES
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04

1HE TAX on COTTON, &C.--We publish the fol-
lowing letter, making enquiries of Importance to
the cotton producer, hoping that it may lead to
some arrangement whereby tho producer will be
enabled to send his cotton to market as he NAV
desire:
NEAR LAUREL HILL DEPOT, Sept. %, 1866,
10 NeSs's. Ehgelbard d Price Of the IV-Vn,joo,o,,
Journal:
DEAR S1Rs; The planters are now in the midst Of
S!a1lellnS thelr cotton, and many Of them (esne
Glally OF my nelShborhood are at a loss TO know
now 10 hlspose OF, on purchase it after il is rre
nared for market. The three cents - = -
certain, but of whom it is exacted- or to ynop' 10
PAID, or where to be paid, is the question wifi
many OF us-Whether the producer or holder
when weighed and marked is not known TO many
Ii the producer, there are many who have n halo
or more ready for market that have NOT the
sale. 4'A II"
Ihe general mode heretofore in ascertaining tbo
taXable property, was inventory given by the
owner, or III case of the cotton. of the producl lr
Ihe idea entertain on the subject is derived from
your paper-that Government officers would he
located at the different market stations where
cotton was sold for shipping or manufacturineS
purposes. But from the circumstance that orr
Rail Road Directory will not take bale of Cotton
to Wilmington Market unless the same is marked
taxes paid. 'iAso'
Please, il convenient, enlightcn the public mind
on the requirements of this Revenue Tax Law and
obhge me as well as probably many others.
Yours, very Respectfully,
ID. McIAURIN
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04
Hope ia tE.c Future.

The New York Herald is busily engaged
in endeavorins to prove that the sentiment
of the people throughout the Northern
States is almost entirely i'll favor of Con-
gress and against the President, and urges
upon the South the prompt acceptance of
the Howard amendment as the only course
now left fcl them TO pursue. It cites the
elections in Vermont and Maine as an evi-
Gence, as it is pleased to call it, of popular
sentiment. No one, we believe, anticipated
any other result in those two States, or, in
fact, throughout New England. They are
all hopelessly radical, delighting in iSnas of
every kind, puritanical and bigoted, and
worthy descendants in every respect, and
inheriting all the vindictiveness of those
sanctimoniOus Puritans WHO burnt helpless
women at tho stake, ard then thanked
God that they were not like other people.
The Herald must have a poor opinion of
the character of the Southern people if it
supposeS for a moment that they will be
governed or Influenced by its teachings
1t calls upon them to commit an act of the
deepest perfdy, to be guilty of the basest
ingratitude towards the President, to desert
him at the very moment when he is bat
Ting so nobly in their behalf. That paper
little knows the character of our people, if
it supposes that for any consideration they
would commit such an act of self degrade
tion. We have suffered more, perhaps, ow-
ingto our habitsof life, education and pecu-
liar associations, than any other people in
the world-have been reduced from atflu-
ence to penury but poor as we are, and
anxious as we may be for political restora-
ton, we prefer eternal exclusion rather
than accept conditions which would COM
promise our honor. The Herald seems to
regard the success Of the Radicals in the
October elections as a foregone conclusion.
It may be SO, but we are not yet prepared
to believe it. We nave some faith yet In
the good sense and virtue of the people,
and great deal of faith In the luck of An
drew johnson. He has never yet failed in
anything he ever attempted; has triumph
ed over obstacles apparently insurmounta-
BILE, and is yet to receive his first defeat
He possesses more Of the elements of sue
cess in his composition than any other man
in the country since the days of jackson.
He is emphatically the man of the people;
more thoroughly understands the popular
heart, and Rmore capable of enlisting their
sympathy and dexciting their enthusiasm than
any other man now living. He has made his
appeal direct to the people; has called up
on them to sustain him in his conflict with
an unprincipled majority; has placed him
self and the Justice of his cause with no
BILE confidence in the hands of his constitu-
ents, and fearlessly asks their verdict. His
whole life has been one series of battles, and
every battle victory. Taking into view
the extraordinary character of the man, his
wonderful perseverance, his indomitable
viii, triumphing over obstacles that would
have appalled, the heart and paralyzed the
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04
In word, the Union stands IN stqtu ou0

In word, the Union stands in statu quo
ante bellana ~ X -
In this Conyention-whose members style
themselves the National Union Party
President johnson receives a most
important accession of strength. So
do the Southern States but the Union
itself receives it above all. We confess,
however, we are for the moment more con-
cerned with the chivalrous than the utilti-
tartan side of this question. Since the
Confederate States have failed to realize
the assertion of Mr.. Gladstone that they
had made themselves nation, all who are
alive to the claims of heroic resistance,
and a patriotism which fought to the very
defeat, will rejoice when the Confederates,
denied their independence outside the Un-
ion. shall at least be restored to liberty
within It. They have made infinite sacri-
fees. They have given up everything that
civilized men value in order to establish
themselves as free nation. Their suffer
ings have been such that at the late Con-
yention and in the streets in Philadelphia
the Southern delegates could be known by
the deep furTows of care marked upon their
faces. But they have made even greater
sacrifice than ALL in the franknesssin in which
they have accepted their fate, and have
bowed to it. Such men are not to be tram
pied upon. And the government or peo-
pie who would prolong the bitterness of
their misfortune would be marked either
by political decay or dishonor
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04
The Pittsbnrg Convention.

The Radical Soldiers Convention Pitts
burg has assembled with the view to counter
act the influence of the Convention ofsoldier
and sailors in favor of the Presidents poll
! cy recently in session at Cleveland. Th,
bitter animosity exhibited by this class 0
people to the President, and their determi
nation to carry the Fall elections at am
cost, augurs unfavorably for the future.
The officers chosen to officiate at the de
liberations of the Convention were selected
from that class characterized for their yea
in opposing every movement of the Presi
dent l.. Edwin Dudley formerly
n clerk III the Treasury Depart
ment, who was instrumental i'll
bringing about the Convention, and who,
in his zeal and mistaken ardor for the
cause, on being refused leave of absence t.
attend the Convention, sent i'll his rfsigna-
ton, was chosen Temporary Chairman. -
Gen. J. ID. Cox, of Ohio, was subsequently
chosen Permanent President.
The most disgraceful part of the whole
proceedings, was the speech of Gen. Ben.
Butler, who, not content with abusing the
Southern people generally, directed his re-
marks at Gen. Lee personally; spoke OF him
as traitor, one deserving of punishment,
&c, the substance of which We published
under our telegraphic head in yesterday IS is
sue. Butler may scowl and aim his shafts
at the venerable head Of that distin-
grished warrior, but i'll feeling, SEN
timent and intellect, Gen, Lee is too far
to the mind which wouid accom-
plish his ruin for the shafts to take effect,
and in the end Butler will have the morti-
fication of seeing that the people of the
North rs we'll as those Of the South, revere
and respect the talents of that eminent SCI
der to such degree, that the poisoned
arrows OF unconccaled hatred will rebound,
md reflect disgrace upon The hand t.iat
fain would have reioiced to see them take
effect in the manner intended.
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04
TRANSFORMATION of Cotton to Market.

A delegation of Southern cotton factors
and planters are on a visit to Washington
City, seeking a modification of the existing
rules and regulations under which cotton
is transported to market They pre-
sent the memorials. Of the Chambers
of Commerce of New Orleans and
Mobile, which represent the difficult
ties attendant upon the marketing and ship
ment of cotton under The present regula-
tions. In order to comply with the law,
by the payment of tho three cent revenue
before the cotton leaves the plantation,
they assert the planter is compelled to
make serious sacrifices, thereby jncnrI1ng
great injury.
The delegation had an interview with
the Secretary of the Treasury, who eX-
pressed Willingness TO modify the present
regulation SO far as the law gives him any
discretion in the matter. but he is doubtful
that it will warrant anychange. The dclega-
ton consequently waited on the President
to ask that the question be referred to
the Attorney General for his opinion.
The delegation affirm, without any hesi'
tation, that under the present regulations
it would require more than q year to bring
the limited cotton crop of the present sea
son to market.
The object Of their mission is not MS YET
accomplished, but the indications are ia
vorable, if there is any discretionary power
vested by the law in the officers of the
Government
The difficulty, it will be seen from the
advertisement Of Col. Fremont, Superin-
tendent of the w. s, W. Railroad, to which
we referred yesterday, has been obviated as
far as the transportation of cotton to any
point achbua this (the 2nd) district is con
cerned, by an understanding with the Col
lector of Internal Revenue. We suppose
the same arrangement could be entered
into with the Collectors of other districts,
but it is positively stated that the three cent
tax must be prepayed before cotton is
| shipped from the district where grown.
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04
The Daily JournaI-Our New Volume.


This day one year ago, the publication o
our paper was resumed after q necessary
SUSPENSION of few months, under circum
stances both novel and embarrassing. We
were in the midst of the wreck and ruin o.
the unsuccessful issue of four years
bloody and devastating war. Our Govern
ment Confederate and State, had beer
surrendered, and military authority, with
no limit but the Will of arbitrary officials,
controlled both municipal and State affairs.
Our property had been destroyed ouI
slaves emancipated; our currency rendered
worthless, and our people despondent and
listless. A Convention, the delegates cleo
ted under the proclamation Of the conquer
or by a portion of the people Of the State,
was about to assemble in order to begin
anew the forms of republican government.
The press, IF loyal, was tolerated, and the
local commander was the judge of the
fact
In the face of all these difficulties we
concluded to renew the publication Of our
paper, conscious of the great responsibiI-
ties resting upon us. How we have per-
formed them rests with an impartial public
to say. We have ever attempted to i'm
press upon our readers not only consls-
tent observance of their duties under their
new relations, but also the Importance Of
going to work, and with brave hearts and
vigorous arms restore the former prosperi-
ty of our beloved State.
While the present condition of affairs is
not the best, nor the prospect before us the
most inviting, yet many changes for the
better have been made. Then we had large
armies quartered upon Us without our con-
sent;" o Provisional Governor, not of our
own selectic2; Military Commissions and
Bureau Courts to try all offenses; and thou
sands of our citizens unpardoned, and every
body in doubt as to person and property.
Now the military are almost entirely with
drawn; Governor of our own choosing has
control of the Executive Department, and our
own Legislature is free to act without intimi
dation; our Courts ofJustice are again open,
and the trial by jury restored and by
means of proclamations and special pardons
numberless disabilities have been re-
moved. But still, although taxed TO the
utmost extent that our impoverished fell
Iow-countrymen can bear, we are denied
representation in the Government. Terms
are held out to us that arc degrading, made
doubly SO by unlawful and invidions tests
and discriminating neutrality-suspicious.. We
can only hope that time and returning greason
will work changes III The Northern peo
pie, and that not only our honorable bear
ing In war, but our honorable conduct as
citizens viii yet win for us The rights
which we are now denied.
In entering upon q new volume, we can
only promise to continue 10 devote our time
and best energies to the interests of our
people. We shall always give that advice
and urge such opinions as, with the lights
before us, snail seem best for the honor
and well-bcing of North Carolina and the
common ccuntTy.-DaiLy ,J0,1wcd, 2SLb inst.
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04

SERIOUS ACCIDENT FROM A Spring Gun
We regret to learn that Mr.. r. O. Weeks.
one Of our oldest and most respectable citi-
zens, sustained a severe injury by the dis
charge OF spring gun at his mill near
Campbel's bridge yesterday morning.
This gun had been placed in the mill as a
protection against rogues, but, unfortu-
nately, as Mr. Weeks entered the establish
ment, he accidentally sprung the gun and
received its contents, the load passing
through his left and lodging in his right
thigh. He was taken home and medical
assistance called in. -PeterS6wq Express.
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04
Letter nro,n u. E. Moore. Eap.
EAIEIcH, Sept. l., 1866.
Nh. RICHARD SHORT

Dear Sri have received yours, ashin&, my
"opinion, in d few words, whether private debts
can be repUdiated OF not =
am greatly surprised that 1t IS deemed neCcs-
sary to ask this question fter national eAis-
tence of neal eighty years under tho Constitution
Of the United States, one clause of which declares
that 'uo State shall pass any law iinpairing the
obligation of contracts
Now every man is bound to support the Con-
stitutiOn, and every sentence of 1t. And every
person, who may become All officer the State OF
a member of the Legislature, is compelled, as q
necessary qualification, before taking lis seat to
swear that he will support said Constitution
which he cannot do and will not do, if lie shall
pass or by to pass, any law imparing the obi
cation of contracts. Every law which annu!s Il
contract or repudiates it, inipars the obligation
of a contract, and is therefore unconstitutional
and void. Every man who votes for it commits a
perjury and lifts his hand against the majesty and
honor Of his country.
Surely, sir, no in our county would Il he
could so ishonGr himself or his State, as to in
vie all men to break their faith each with the 9TH
er, ana atlix stigma OH the name Of North Caro-
lima. which no time may efface, God forbid that
nv ewes should ever behold this disgrace upon the
:" Old North State" Such condition would place
her lower than any people OF whom we have any
account.
have answered your question, and Son" some
what bcvond-but my surprise is the cause.
3. T. MOORE.
P.S. 4h, Courts Of the United States, and of
every State, have declared such legislation void.
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04
A Teacher Wanted,

4 ANE OF Practical experience. who is wen
" versed in the various branches Of Mathe-
matics, and thoroughly qualified in all the rudl-
ments Of the English language, and who is cap
able of impartlng instruction with and facRtY'
Apply to j. l.. Moore, Nathaniel Barbour, A. n.
Colvin, and others of the Trustees of Colyin's
Greek Academy, New Hanover County.
Sept. 25 Eeod3t-w3t
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04
JOHN ID. KELLEY,
EHregn Opinion o. Political Affairs II, tine
United States.

From the Paris (France) Times, Of Sept. s.
In the National Union Convention, which
assembled recently at Philadelphia, there
is the best proof that whatever is just or
manly in Northern sentiment opens its
arms to give u brotherly welcome to the
Southern States. There is much bluster in
the American character-far more of the
fo1fiteT IN re, and less of the suarite, IN
ano0o, than at times is agreeable. But
there is &, genuineness about it too, by no
means insensible to emotions of generos-
ity. Thus, the best Americans, the men who
most truly understand and appreciate their
Constitution, and not that only, but
their national interests as well-say -
1.-The war is at an end, the Southern
States have accepted the situation, the
Union is restored, and all is as it was be-
fore the first fatal shots were fired upon
Fort Sumter. The Union is now more
powerful than it over was before, and the
great blot of slavery has been removed
from it, the South heartily consenting, for
ever. What is to prevent its resuming it's
old course Why should not the repre-
sentatives of Massachusetts, and South Car
olina sit, and speak, and vote in the same
Congress ?" This is the Presidents view.
but it is not the view which Congress takes
of the matter. There are, however, signs
of q coming triumph for Andrew John
son over his Radical Parliament.-
There is, above all, the meeting
of the National Union Convention at
which, in the presence of 1900 people, as
sembled under the roof, the delegations
from Massachusetts, and South Carolina
the representative States on either side of
the civil war, fled into the main hall arm
in arm, amid such demonstrations of de-
light at this symbol of reunion that the
beholders shouted and even wept with the
thrilling enthusiasm such spectacle was
calculated to excite.
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04
Notice,

FNHE SUBSCRIBER having. at the Auonst term,
= 1866, of the Court OF Pleas and Quarter Ses
slons, for the County Of Sampson, qualified as ex-
ecutor OF the last Will and testament of NJ G.
Biount, deceased, hereby notifies all persons hav-
ing claims again the estate of the said deceased
TO present them to the undersigned duly au-
thentlcated, within the time prescribed by Law,
otherwise this notice will be pleaded in bar Of
thelr recovery. And all persons indett ted to said
estate are requested to 1nske payment to the
undersigned.
j. &. SWITZERLAND, Ex'r.
Wilmington, n. c., Aug. 29 1866. 284-2wd4tW
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04
Pareufhetical Letter,


-Mr. Edit0r Il have abstained from max
ing any attempt at correcting the statement
in the papers as to MI. Davis having said
that he was TO be tried by military and
civil court, have even partially been mis-
led by the papers, i'll their representation
Of Bishop Green's and my visit, into ac-
quleScence IN their correspondence repre-
sent&tlon OF the two trials ; but on refec-
tlOn, l. well remember that this is a mis-
take-that Mr.. Davis did not acquiesce at
all, neither would his counsel admit for
a moment that he would by possibility be
tried by a Court Martial. The papers, ali
that L have seen, having assumed as it
were a fixed fact, the ground that the illus
trlous prisoner was amenable to a
Military and Civil tribunal-that he
acqulesced In the abstract legality
OF lthls procedure, would seem to
indicate, If true, that his mind was more
debilitated than his body. There is no
man within the sphere of christian civili-
zation, i'll this age of tolerable education,
who does not know that military tribunals
are only properly applicable to persons in
the military and naval service of the Uni
ted States. Mr.. Davis, instead of acaui-
escing in the correctness of the Govern
ment's procedure, blamed it much for it's
injustice, cruelty and absurdity. He
thought the President could and ought to
hberate him on bail
Neither is the statement in the papers
respecting his counsel and their opinions
of his case correct They, too, think, that
the President ought to admit him to bail
on the civil charge, and to dismiss the
military charge altogether.
1t is impossible to tell how these mis-
takes getcurrency; when they are harmless,
they may be allowed to PASS unnoticed, but
when, as in this case, they may lead to Sc
rious mischief, they ought to be corrected.
JOHN d. KELLEY.
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04
Respectfully, j.. I. BATES,
Charlotte, n. {.
CHARI orTE, n. e., t.&pt. !,

DEAR Sir Il have this moment read an article
published in your paper, and copied in the Angus
ta Ga. Chronicle and Sentinel, of the 10Th August,
over the signature of Colonel r. A. Aston, da-
ted Meadow Nook, De halb county, Ga, July 81,
1866.
knowing that Colonel Alston is d gc'.t,cn1a" and
one who would not Intentionally indulge in mis-
representations, hasten to make, and ask that
you will publish explanation Of my connection
with evidence obtained by the Federal Govern
ment for the purpose of duplicating President Da-
Wis i'll the assassination plot.
On Sunday, May u, 1865, the following or
der was exhibited to me hv Lieut.. Rinnfy, L. S.
Wilmington journal., 1866-10-04

Mr.. John L. Thornley, has been appoint
ed superintendent of the Greenville and
Columbia Railroad, South Carolina.