davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23
Supreme Court Of the Unitod
States--GOld Contracts 10 be En-.
fnrcpd

forced.
WASHINGTON, D.. c., Feb. 15.-The
following decision was rendered IN ths
Supreme Court to-day.
No. 69.-FredericE Bronson, E1ecu-
tor, dc, Plaintiff in Error Us. Peter
Rodes, in Error to the Court Of AppeaH
Of the States of New York.-Chief Jus.
tice Chase delivered the opinion Of the
court, to the effect that contracts for tho
payment of coin should be enforced by
the court according to the intent of tho
parties. In this case mortgage was
made to secure payments Of 81 500 in tho
State of New York in 1861, and it was
provided that the money should be paid
in coin, the legaI.money of the United
States. In January, 1865, tender was
made in treasury notes, which was refus-
ed, and this action was brought to en-
force such payment and secure a ratia-
cation Of the mortgage in pursuance
thereof. The Court of New York held
that the tender was discharge of tho
mortagage, and directed it to be cancell-
ed. The Supreme Court now hold that
there are two descriptions of lawful mon
ey in circulation, both sanctioned by the
law and both thereof legal tender; that
in view of this fact contracts for pay
ment must be enforced, and that where
coin is provided to be paid judgments
should be for such description of money;
but where no description is named, judy.
ment should be entered generally with.
out specification. The Judgment of tho
New York Court of Appeals is reversed
with costs, and the cause remanded for
further proceedings in conformity to pro-
ceedings of the Supreme Court. JUS.
tices Davis and Swayne concured, briefly
delivering separate opinions, and Justice
Miller dissented.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23
Sales of Gold for Six Years.

The official recapitulation of gold and
silver coin sold on account of the Uni
ted States, from January, 1868, to Jan
uary 9, 1869, shows S23S,5O0,000. The
largest sales were in 1867, viz: Nearly
S59,000,000 in New York. In 1868,
over $50, 900, 600 at New York and St
Louis. The taxes on the entire amount
sold in those years were S14S,OOO; com
missions, S263,000; premiums, $685.
222 900; net receipts, about S346, $780,
600.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23
Land Thieves and the CherOke &c
Settlers.

!, Tho land sharks under the lead of one
JAMES F. JOY, of Detroit, are preparing
to rob the settlers upon the Cherokee
Neutral Lands in Kansas. The thieves
demand exhorbitant prices, while the
bona tide settlers, under the treaty OF
1856, claim that they should not pay
pay more than one dollar and twenty-five
cents per acre, which they are ready and
willing to do. The settlers have looked
Into the treaty of 1866, and find in the
18th article the following:
provided that nothing in This article
shall prevent the Secretary of the Int.
rior from selling the whole of said lands,
not occupied by actual settlers at the
date of the ratification of the treaty, not
exceeding one hundred and sixty acres
10 each person entitled to pre- empt under
the pre-emption laws of the United
States"
81 The settlers hold to that. The Con-
stitution and laws Of Kansas are also
brought forward in their favor-amons
the latter, one which declares that any
person or persons who have made bona
yfde settlement and inn provement of the
Indian lands in Kansas, shall be entitled
10 payment in full for the value Of their
Improvements upon the lands, before any
person proving better title to the lands
shall dispossess them; and the value OF
such improvements shall be determined
by a jury of twelve men, chosen from
the county in which the lands lie.
1.-THE settlers, with all these legal pro
sSisions in their favor, feel pretty well as
sured that in contest with the specula.
tors they will come out ahead; and they
propose that if JoY does succeed in oust-
Ing them, he shall pay for all that the
land is worth in settling for the improve
ment5.
3 The dispute which has arisen is OF
come Importance, for there are not les.
than eight hundred thousand acres Of the
lands, which the Cherokecs ceded to the
Government under the treaty Of July,
1856.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23
The BOndhOider's Bill.

Senator MoRToN, from Indiana, IN dis
cussing Mr. SHERMAN's bill in relation to
the public debt and currency, said the
committee seemed to be at loss for an
appropriate title for the bill, and that he
thought they might have better called it
a bill to improve the value of the bonds
of the country; and he might truthfully
have added: "And to increase the bur
dens of the taxpayers" Mr.. MORTON
hit the nail fairly on the head that time
for the principal object, if not the only
one, of the SHERMAN bill is to raise the
value Of United States bonds and to in
crease the property of the bondholders
at the expense of the taxpayers: In.
deed, to have named it right, it should
have been called the bondholder's bill
From the extraordinary efforts made by
the financial duacks in Congress to ben,
eft the bondholders it might be supposed
by the ignorant that these bondholders
are a suffering and au oppressed class OF
pcople-that they have been and are
treated very badly by the government
These poor, hard pressed people gave
three or four years ago from fifty tc
ninety dollars for bonds worth now q
hundred and ten, are exempt from taxa
ton and draw regularly six per cent in
terest in gold, or more than eight pei
cent. in currency. The greater part o.
the bonds hare nearly doubled in ralut
ocer the pricepaid. for them originally
The interest on the capital actually in
vested at first amounts to something like
fifteen or sixteen per cent, to say moth
ing of the exemption from taxation
which is two or three per cent. MOLE
Yet this is the only class of the commu
nifty in whom many of our leading Con
gressmen appear to be interested or fol
whom they care to legislate. lis the
overtaxed people that Congress should
relieve by suitable legislation instead Of
tinkering with the finances for the bene
fit of bondholders, few capitalists ant
stockholders.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

HThe California papers state tina,
on the completion of the Central Pacific
railroad, the company intend to arrange
to send grapes through to New York tol
800 per ton, and furnish cars express
ly for the purpose on their road. The
price of table grapes-the white varie
ties-has ranged from fifty to seventy
five cents per pound, and scarce at that
In California they are worth three OF
four cents.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23
Cuba.

Dispatches from Havana state that
Captain General Duice had issued a proc
lamation withdrawing his offer OF am.
nesty to the rebels and establishing @
censorship over the press. In his pre-
amble he states that the rebels have re.
fused to accept his amnesty, and other
persons are continually joining them.-
The trial Of political prisoners will in
future be nv courts martial.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

EThe demands constantly made
upon Congress for the recognition Of
a Supreme Being points the first step tc
a union of Church and State in this
country, while that union is tumbling tc
ruin in all other countries. The goo
who is put before the people in the law
may have no longer virtiity in human
mind than the law has in human affairs
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

RLast Saturday night, in the Tam
many Theater, New York, a policeman
was seen marching out prisoner, who
had been detected in the act of cutting
off one of those beautiful blonde CHG
mons that decorate the heads Of the New
York bellies. The excitement for mo-
ment was intense, and every fair one
present was observed extending their
digits to that portion of the Uranium
usually ornamented by such appenda-
ges. The victim belonged to the Lydia
Thompson, troupe, now playing at Nj
bios Garden. The villain who perpe-
trated the outrage, has lately arrived
from Paris, where this class of thievins
is carried on extensively. 1t is supposed
that during the past few months he has
amassed nearly $4,000 at his trade, and
at the time of his arrest seven long pair
of curls were found in his pockets.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23
Room For HOPE.

There are at least ten thousand men
who expect to be in Grants Cabinet and
must necessarially be disappointed. II
will be bitter to them when they read
the list and do not find their names there
They need not despair, however, for the
first Cabinet may fail, and then he will
have second, or even third. Every
one can build hope on this. Did Grant
build this as golden bridge for his enc.
mics, fearful to make the disappointed
ten thousand too desperate?
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23


RE The Paris correspondent Of tho
Salut Public, of Lyons, who is generally
exceedingly well informed about every
thing going on at he,Tuilleries, writes:
"Two year ago already the Emperor
said to his attendants: i shall not wage
any more wars And, when his atten-
dants seemed surprised at this remark he
added, i shall wait until others wage war
upon me- On one occasion, 4 gentle
man spoke to the Emperor about tho
steps taken by Count Bismarck to eb-
sorb the South German States In the
North German c Confederation, and closed
by exclaiming. This time the cup ,
full to overhowingc NO. replied the
Emperor, but admit that tits hlllny."
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23
nrThe Atlanta (Georoia) Intelllge

EFThe Atlanta (Georgia) IntellIgen.
Ger concludes report of Hon. Dunlap
SCOTS speech in the House against the
resolution referring the question of he.
gro eligibility to Office to the Supreme
Court, as follows: "a most singular in.
cident occurred while Mr.. Scott was
speaking under the resolution passed
Yesterday. He was limited to fifteen
minutes, after he commenced the clock
in the hall stopped, stood still thirty
minutes, and started again just as the
speaker was closing, without the ai0 OF
human hands,"
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

EgA correspondent of the N. Y.
Tribune says much complaint is ex-
pressed by members of both Houses at
the large number of ex-Congressmen
now here, who avail themselves of the
floor, to act in the capacity of lobbyists.
Some of the biggest schemes now be-
fore Congress are being pushed and
urged by ex-members Of Congress.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

"THE UNION AS 1T WAS, AND
rHE CONSTITUTION AS IT IS"
III hold that THIS Government was made
sn the WHITE BASIS. by WHITE
MEN, for the BENEFIT of WHITE MEN
sHd their POSTERITY forever."-&e-
rhea A. Douglas.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

EESenator Fessenden, of Maine, is
in favor of authorizing the Secretary ot
the Treasury to issue bonds for green
backs. This, of course, will be a cap
ital thing for the taxpayers, the bonds
bearing interest at six per cent. in gold
while the greenbacks bear no interest,"
Exchanging note without interest fol
enc with heavy rate of interest, illus
trates the financial capacity Of the ole
Secretary of the Treasury. We car
hardly believe, however, that he would
manage his private business upon tha
principle. ..
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23
EyThe New York Times editoriallv

EgT The New York Times editorially
says the "Bulls'' and "Bears" of the
gold room are having fiercer fight
than since 1866. There is q known
"short" interest of forty millions, and
it is surlnised the aggregate must be
close to double that amount, while free
mention is made in the gold room Of
four bankers who are daily borrowers Of
twelve millions in gold. A powerful
clique, on the other hand, has been buy
ing heavily. and it is "nip and tuck be-
tween "Bull" and "Bear" just at present
and whichever goes under will be pretty
badly Submerged
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

EyPensions due on the 4th of March
next amount to sl5,O0O,OOO. The Sec,
retary Of the Treasury has made ar
rangements to have the necessary funds
ready for the pension agents,so that they
may be promptly paid
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

wIn the joint Convention to count
the votes for President and Vice Presi-
dent the following scene occurred:
Ben. BUrLER-Screaming at the top of
his voice. II appeal from the decision
of the Chair !"
BEN. WADE-In his most winning
manner, appeal and be DID,"
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23
Take Notice.

The Editor of THE ESPRIT has removed
his Office, to the front room Of the dwell.
ling house, one door South of the print
ing Office, where all business connected
with TnE SPIRIT will be transacted. No.
lice the sign: e@ SPIRIT OFFICE.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

~The Missouri Legislature, few
days since, rejected bill to enfranchise
ex-rebels. That's Radicalism for you:
The war ended in 1865. Great is scala
wag Radicalism
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

EEThe Radicals are agitated over
GRANTS acceptance speech. They wont
repeal the Tenure-of- Office Bill, because
his talk don't warrant them in so doing !;
besides the whisky ring might be broken
up. "Let US have peace"
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

@General GRANT, IN order to carry
out his declared policy of retrenchment
and reform, will of necessity be com
PEELED to give the Radicals the cold
shoulder. We don't believe he'll do it.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23
Mrs. General Gaines.

New Orleans, which has for so many
years accustomed itself to consider the
suit of Mrs. General Gaines a sort of
romance, is about discovering it to be a
reality, and a very serious one at that
Mrs. Gaines holds the key of the posi-
ton, she has passed the skirmish lines
of the Courts, high and low, and is now
in an attitude to demand an uncondi-
tional surrender This lady's claims,
with interest for thirty four years, cover
real estate to the amount of more than
two and one-half millions, which sum
she can recover from the present. pos
SCISSORS or from the city. The munich
pality is liable as warrantor of all lands
sold under the title before 1856; but it
is claimed that the purchasers of the
Gaines property bought under cloudy
title, paying less than sound price and
accepting the risk. In this complicated
state of affairs Mrs. Gaines shows her
self considerate conqueror. She pro-
poses to save the city and all interested
parties from expensive and tedious liti
CATION by executing her deed for the
whole tract in question, reserving two
squares, one for herself and the other
for an orphan asylum, if the city will
pay her 81 100000
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23
What Ii Costs to Soap Congress.

The latest illustration of the retrench-
ment policy Of the House of Represen-
tatives is the purchase by the Clerk of
that body of combs, brushes and soap
to the amount of 81, 400. The Clerk is
authorized by law to make such purcha-
ses as he deems necessary and his bills
must be approved by the Committee on
Accounts, of which the independent
statesman Broomall is chairman. The
bill for combs and brushes and soap is
now before the committee, and three of
its members refuse to approve it. 1t
might be supposed that Sl,40O worth of
brtisl1cs, combs and soap would be suffi-
cient to comb, brush and wash two or
three Congresses; but it docs not apre@r
that they have been equally distributed b;
for many members complain that they
have not received either a comb, brush
or a piece of soap during the whole
session. The question is where did the
articles go? And this is what the three
members of the Committee on Accounts
who refuse to approve the Clerk little
bill are trying to find out.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

ANOTHER VETo.-President johnson
has sent up to the Senate his veto of Q
certain bill concerning the colored
schools of the District of Columbia, ant
this time, even on the black mems rights
we think he has Sumner on the hip.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

EIt appears from a dispatch pub
lished in this issue of the Spirit, that
MULLINS and ARNELL, two scalawag Con-
gressmen from Tennessee, are seriously
implicated in the School Fund swindle in
that State.
What better could be expected from
scalawaes?
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23
wThe big-bellied Radicals, WI

gThe big-bellied Radicals, who
have grown fat and saucy in Government
stealings,. fear GRANT and threaten to
serve him as they did ANDY JOHNSON
Tenure of Office Bill him. We don't
think there is any reason to believe that
U. S. will prove otherwise than apliant
tool in their hands. But we are in favor
of the fight. Get ready, gentlemen.
Time!
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

tEs-New York papers say of GRANT {
acceptance speech:
The H1orld says: The speech Of Gen.
Grant is no ordinary exhibition of char,
acter, and the man who thus quietly
holds politicians at bay evinces reso'
lutte self-reliancc, which is one of The
most respectable qualities that can be
possessed by a, man clothed with great
responsibility. 1t considers the burden
Of his speech rs virtual demand for the
repeai of the Tenure of Office act.
The Tribune says: His ideas relative
10 Cabinet appointments are frank,
straightforward and business like, and
comrnends his reference to economy and
the payment OF the public debt.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

EF Men who three years ago were
BARRIERS and gentleman's wallets, now strut
the streets of Madrid with the stripes of
Colonels on their coat sleeves; and, not
withstanding the boasted equality, which
allows street-porter to light his cigar
cite under the nose Of the Duke OF Us
suna, there is ranking bitterness in con
sequence. The ladies' in provincial
towns where troops are billeted, inquire
whether the officers are Of the old OF
new regime, and if the latter they order
them to the kitchens.
The war in this country has brought
the same class to the surface. Forproof
look at the Radical carpet-bag Congress
men and the powers controlling the Gov
crnmcnt from President down.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

~The Philadelphia Enquirer calls
Breckenridge a "miscreant." This is
pretty tough, but it might have been
worse. He might have been called a
Radical.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

IA union OF hearts, a union of hands,
A union that none may sever;
A rnion Of lakes. . union of lands.
The AMERICAN Union FOREVER"
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

~If you want to see q Radical foam
and swear, just say to him, "Let us have
peace" That will bring him, certain.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

@Congress will not legislate this
session to interrupt BRIenAM YorNs's
polygamy programme.
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

Ta1 "a Thank the Lord the present Con.
igress viii be deflnct in a few days more.
Win Tie. eomiu. one be any better: is
the ncxi question:
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

EFSANFoRD CoNovER, convicted and
sentenced to the Penitentiary for perjury,
has been pardoned by the President
The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-02-23

Lucy Stone is stated TO be ian orna-
ment to both sexes"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-12-15

no one on account of race, color, or previous con-
dition Of seryitudo empowers the President 70
enforce the act, using the army and navy ii nee
essary, and makes the Legislature provisional
until further Congressional action. Bills were
introduced to fund the maturing national debt by
seli-iunding bond 10 regulate the importation
of immigrants under labor contracts, virtually
prohibiting 10 and 90 provide thatrctiring Judges
of the United States Supreme Court, when physi-
,ally disabled, shall continue % draw their fall
pay for life The bill Of Mr. Duke of Missouri,
10 restrain the Supreme Court from deciding on
the constituu1naliy oincts Of Congress, was de-
bated, Mr. Drake making the opening speech
lie was followed by Alcssrs, Elmuuds Of Vermont
and Salisbury Of Delaware, who opposed it.
In the House, a large number OF bills were I'M
troduccd, the most important Of which were for
a iree national banking system, by Mr.. Poland,
and one relating 90 the currency and another re-
pc8lmg the thanking privilege, by Mr. Willard
a bin was reported from the Reconstruction Com
mttce for the admission of Virginia Quite %
spicy debate took place between Nlossrs Butler
OF Massachusetts,, and Cox, Of New York on the
passage of bill relieving certain individuals from
political disabilities. Resolutions, among others,
were introduced declaring against another Reel
nr0city Treaty with Canada, and requesting the
Committee of Banking and Currency 10 inyesti-
gate the late gold panic. The latter was adopted
Mr.. Butler offered q resolution 20 tax the income
derived from United States bonds five per cent
a concurrent resolution was adopted for nm nd
ioummunt from December y 20 january 3, 1910
A message from the President was received, COM
tanning the announcement from the Secretary of
State of such States as had ratified the Fifteenth
Amendment