Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-10-05
ALEXANDRIA.

been-liable when uurestrained, to the most
sogrowful exhibitions of folly and fanaticism.-
There is hardly any excess Of madness to which
ignorant and deuded people cannot be carried
when led on by pretenders in religion. We
have frequently heard people say, when speak
ing of wild and absurd movements among
masses Of people, and the impudent assump-
tions of their deluded or cheating leaders, that
such things could not happen in this country
andat this period 1t is mistake. Anything
that has happened, Of crime, or mischief, or
foolishness. or reckessness can happen again
in this land and iu this year. The human
mind, like human action, must be regulated by
Divine law-or, it will, occasionally, run riot.
Data, the Washington correspondent Of the
Baltimore Sun says: "Mr. West, chief clerk of
the Treasury Department, has notified Secre-
tary McCulloeh that, on account Of the reduc-
ton of work and failure of appropriations, it
will be necessary to discharge seventy-fve fe-
male clerks from the department during this
month. The second auditor, Mr.. French, has
also given notice that for like reasons there
must be discharged from his bureau over one
hundred male clerks Mr. McCulloch will be
compelled to putin execution these suggestions
which will unfortunately create great deal Of
distress by throwing out of employment many
utterly helpless females, as we'll as male clerks. -
The Post Office department has accepted the
proposal of the National Bank Note Company,
F. Shepard, president, to furnish postage
stamps at twenty-five cts a thousand, for four
years. This is to include enclosing and sepa-
rating and backing stamps in such quantities
as may be daily ordered, rot less than 200
proposal Of the same company to prepare re-
ceipts and direct packages OF stamps for mailing
at one haf-cent thousand, additional. 1t is
condition of this acceptance that stamps of a
new design are to be furnished, including a
combination Of colors in the same stamp.
TIE Prince Georgian says that the whole Of
the Baltimore and Potomac R. r. from Mil
lersville to Washington, and from thejunction
al Colington to Marlboro, is now under con-
tract to responsible contractors "whO will push
the work forward with the least possible delay.
The Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac
road has officially signifed its desire to CO. OPP,
crate, and its anxiety Tor a speedy connection.
The troubles about the right Of way in Anne
Arundel and the upper part of Prince Georges
have all been most amicably adjusted"
The New York Tribune publishes letter
from the deceased Thad. Stevens, characteris-
tic in temper and absurdty. 1t is vigorous
kick at his own party, whose Chicago platform
he stigmatizcs as 'lame and cowardy." From
his standpoint and theirs, the Richmond Wing
says the stigma is perfectly just. They all de-
sire universal negro suffrage; but they were
afraid to avow it, They therefore adopted the
ridiculous and contemplate expedient of re-
iieving the loyal States Of that blessing, and
imposing it upon the Rebels.
1t having been stated in the correspondence
to the New York papers that the counsel of
Surratt had assured the prosecuting attorney
that he would be forthcoming to respond to any
proceeding that might hereafter be instituted
against him, Mr.. Bradley and Mr.. Merrick
contradict this statement, aud say they have
given no such assurance. The case which
they tried having been decided and their client
discharged, they have nothing further to do
with the matter.
Gen. P. M. B. Young, an officer of the late
Confederate army, who was elected Congress.
man for the unexpired term in the Fortieth
Congress, was on Fridoy unanimously renoml-
mated for Congressman from the Seventh Dis
trict in Georgia, for the Forty first Congress.
i. Willis Menard, colored man, has been
nominated for Congress, by Radical Conven
ton in Louisiana, for an unexpircd term.
The New York Journal Of Commerce, COM
menting upon the peace which has prevailed
in Europe, and which it calls the peace of des-
potism, makes remark applicable to all coun.
tries. 1t says: "There is peace that is
worse than no peace. 1t is the peace of des-
potisu. 1t is bad Tor the ruled, and, when the
whirhgig Of time brings about its reveuges, it
bad for the rulers ALSO
The General Trennial Conversion of the
Protestant Episcopal Church will assemble in
New York city on Wednesday next. AS the
representative Of large and influential religi-
Gus body of this country, the Episcopal Con.
vention will naturally command the attention
of the public. The Episcopalians are the eighth
in point of numbers of the religious denomina-
tons in this country.
The National Intelligencer says, that since
the close of the war (30th April, 1869 the
annual interest of the public debt has increased
upwards Of forty-six millions of dollars. This
increased annual interest would represent
principal sum exceeding seven hundred and