Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-11-23
EDITORIAL, BREYITTEs,

-"LoyaP rule has played smash with the
commerce of this country. From figures be-
fore us we find that American mercantile
tonnage has declined 1000, 900 in seven years.
In 1862 it was 100000 tons. Now it is
estimated at 100000. That of Great Britain
on the other hand has risen from 100000
to 100000. twenty-five of the fifty five
steamers in the port of New York are rotting
for employment Thirty out of forty one full
rugged American ships in the same port are
also idle. Three out of twenty American
barks. and six out Of twenty-four briggs owned
by Americans in the same port are IN active
emyloyment This is quite cheerful view
for such as deem Radical legislation essential
to national prosperity
From the last monthly returns of the
Treasury Department, it appears that the total
value of the exports of this country for the
year ending June 80, 1869, was s3l8, O33, $3.50,
gold value. This includes $40, 345, 1866 of
specie ard bullion. The imports for the same
period amounted in gold value to S4S5, 3D7,"
GAS. This may mean either that we have
been enriched to the extent of Sill ,6l4,26o
by foreign capital sent over here for invest
ment, or that we have spent that amount more
than we have produced.
Brownlow declares that he has not for
saken the Republican party. He persists in
doing nothing to atone for his past mlsdeeds.
He intends to die as he has lived, without
linking single virtue to his ten thousand
crimes He is either very plucky man or
believer in Universalism.
The next elections to take place are
those for State officers and members OF Con-
cress in Mississippi and Texas. Ihcy Will
be held under the bastard and unconstitutional
nc is of Congress, and if they g9 'loyar will
he ranked as reconstructed, like their neigh
boring sisters.
AT a session of the Massachusetts, House
one day, little bald headed man, with a thin
voice, interrupted the business by persistent
squeak of:
"Mr. Speaker! Mr.. Spe-e-kcr!' till finally
gaining the floor, he piped out TREMENDOUSLY,
sMr Spec ker, wan'ter announce the death
of Pelitiah Parkins. Brother Parkins de-
parted this life yesterday, full of fe>e-ar of
the Lord, and drops-e-y on the chlst"
- The total registration in Mississippi is
139, 1887, Of whom 59,176 are white, and
80. 76I colored. The Conservatives are con-
fident of carrying the State by quite large
majority, and it is very probable they will,
Notwithstanding that forty-fve "of6cers of the
army" supported by files of negro troops,
with fixed bayonets, are to do duty as inspec-
tors of registration. If the Conservatives
should succeed under such circumstances, it
will be terrible rebuke to the Grant admin
istration, which seeks by the power of the
bayonet, with army officers acting as judges of
elections, to control the suffrages Of the free
people of great State.
There has been so close fight in Min
ncsota that it will be impossible to determine
the precise result for some days to come
According to our latest returns, the result of
the struggle between the Democrats and Re-
publicansi is as follows on the vote for Governor:
Otis (Dem) 1884
Austin Gtep) 21,668
Dem. maj. 696
Later returns are expected to add to Otis's
vote, so that his majority may reach 1000,
though this is only probable. Last November
Grants majority over Seymour was 1888.
Keep the ball rolling.