davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23
Tendency Of the Age.

From a recent lecture of o.. B..
rockingham, delivery i'm New York
City, We publish the following extract
as worthy the careful, and as a rever-
end friend would suggest, the prayer
full consideration of the readers of the
APPEAL:
The power Of circumstance Is felt IN
this generation more than it was in
simpler times. Men resign themselves
to Fate. They let their destinies be
decided too largely by the Circunl-
stances of their birth, inherited wealth
or poverty, friends or the lack Of
them. We are too much under the
influence of the belief that ''man Is
the creature of circumstance" Nor is
this all or the worst. We have come
to be too familiar and lay too much
stress upon the fact of hereditary de
scent, transmitted influences, charaC-
teristics passed along. We feel too
much that we are children of the past.
the product Of our ancestors. that OUr
nerves, hbcrs, muscles, brains, our
whole organization, l. given to US,
and so that we are the PiaFthings Of
destiny and not responsible beings
Morality too much abanGOH5 the old
method Of Judgment, and adopts the
new method OF mercy. Moral indig-
nation gives way to piety. Does a
man commit q murder; d. Is moi MS
FAULT but that Of some ancestor who
had murder i'm his blood. Men are
no longer guilty, out insane or unfOr-
mnate. All belief in moral response
biiity. in the accountability of each
man for himself, gives way under the
pressure, and men feel that they are
but bubbles on the tossing sea OF life,
little foam flakes on the stream OF
eternity, atoms in the sunbeam, feath-
ers tossed before the wind. Now one
of the effects of this disposition OF
mind is to lead to insanity. Sanity Is
simply selEpOssessiOn insanity is the
loss of it. All Of Us are insane IN
sense. There is not One of Us that
cannot be thrown of his balance,
drifted from his mOorings, II an event
large enough cOmCs-sOme blow some
shock, some sudden stroke that shall
find our vulnerable part and abolish
US. But the strength to resist is great
iy diminished of late. The suicides
that occur lately, and seem to be rife,
show this. Mems minds are easily
unhinged, and, becausethey have lost
a little money, or have been uufOrtu-
nate in speculation, or disappointed in
love, or crossed in their affections, they
lose the courage to live. A feather
touches them and they go down.
Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23
LINES.

Hnaen by TIiEoDoLPHUs, Bishop Or Orleans T.
D. 1929, IN @ copgQf ne Holy Scriptures Trans
Iaaed By his arm hand.
Light Of Gods law dfvesting earth OF gIoom,
More white than SHOWS, more bright than
Beneath whose radiance good and virtue
From whom ell error flies.
Blest word Of Cod gin OF that wisdom whence
springs life and light what worth exceeds
Word that excels an words IN sound and sense,
As heaven eXcels the earth
W haie'er Of wonders human arts have taught,
Have here Their iountain-henee derive
OF an he grand achievements Of mans
Here wells the living source.
BY day. by night here mediate, here school
To holiness thy hands. and lips. and SOUL
Thou rulsSt others-be this BOOK the rule
That shall myself control.
This sharer OF thy couch-joy OF thine eyes,
Cllsped IN thy arms and on thy knees shall
Tbv watcber when son slumber ON thee lies
Thy earliest morning guest
Be not for knowledge only thy desire;
Pm virtues presence learning z Alm;
Deeds and not words the Almighty VIII re-
Yet offer both to him
BY ceaseless study Learn, By actions teach,
Entiriug seek Tor wisdom path Way mere.
This mediate "a light thy heart VIII reach,
And make all fair and clear.
Who walks a tangled forests briery way
By frequent treading makes IL broad ana
Ana what the quick mind wins from day to
SLOW study doth retain.
Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23
Norfolk, Va. as a Seaport.

Commodore Boutwell, writes the
Hon. George W. Jones, in favor Of
Nor )ik, Va, as a seaport. He says:
j. ring the past two years, from De-
tOb = ], 1867, until October /, 1869,
eighty-siX vessels, Of all classes, were
wrecked in the immediate vicinity Of
the port Of New York. Their entire
value amounted to 81, S66, 500, Ofwhich
5,J00,00 was recovered, Sl,366, 800
lost. This large PROPORTION Of the en-
dangered property was saved by the
Wrecking companies OF that city, who,
at the same time, were also instru-
mental in saving upward Of three
thousand human beings from watery
graves.
The northern coast Of the United
States in the winter season., is the
most stormy and the most dangerous
in the world. / have known in years
past, before steam vessels were intro
duced into the navy, ships of war to
he six weeks of New York, contend
ing against storms and head winds,
before they could get into port; and in
many cases, after Inueh suffering Of
their crews, to be compelled to bear
up for the clpes of Virginia. Norfolk
ought to bethe principal naval station
on the Atlantic coast. The climate in
the winter Is so mild that there is not
a day in the year that men may not
work in the Norfolk navy yard.
Hampton Roads is 50 accessible that
vessels may arrive from sea. and de-
part again, at all seasons of the year,
without the loss Ofa spar. The Secre-
tary OF the Navy would save much
suffering of the crews, and the wear
and tear of the vessels, by ordering all
ships of war, returning home in the
winter season, to enter the port of
Norfolk. Vessels may be doeked, re-
paired and fitted for sea, at the Nor
folk navy yard, when such work could
not be done at either Boston or New
! York, on account of ice and the eX-
IRENE cold weather at those places in
the winter months. What / haveSld
in regard to naval vessels, applies
with more force to merchant vessels,
for the reason that they T not as
well manned and not as capable Of
~cOntending against storms as ships Of
war. In addition to the great schemes
connecting Norfolk and Richmond
with the West by railroads and canals,
lines Disclaimers should be established
to run between Hampton Roads and
| South America.
Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23
To Set Type for $1,000.

The New York SIN says: The ar
fists Of the cart p~reservative of all
arts" are in q iutter over the pros
poets Of match between New York
and Cincinnati cOmpositors. FoI
some wears Mr.. George A. Barber, OF
Cincinnati, has had a standing chal.
lenge to set type with any fellow.
craftsman for $1,000, g to work five OF
eight hours a day, on solid, straight
matter, the type not to be larger than
BREWER nor smaller than agate
Saturday Mr.. George Arensberg, en-
ployed in the Tunes Office, called al
the CligDer Office with a few friends,
and lett a counter challenge, at the
same time depositing 800 as an earn
est Of his intentions. MIR. Arensberg,
who is known among his friends as
"The Nelocipede,' accepts Barber's
challenge, the only change in the
terms being that he wants to work
ten hours only. He offers Barber
500 to come to New York, or will
take the same sum and 20 to Cincin-
natl. Barber is said to have set 1850
solid minion ia ten hours. This is
rapid work. The friends OF Arens-
berg do not say what he has accom-
plished heretofore, but are willing to
back him with their money. The
trial OF skill is to be made within a
month, providing the Western man
puts up. If he backs down, Arens-
berg will make a match with any
other man on the same terms.
Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23
1890.

Old Time M more in his career.
Has now begun another year;
On, may it most suspicious prove,
a year of plenty, peace and love-.
Nav trade increase and taxes fall,
And love and peace attend US all.
Deag g.. You say with this new
year you begin to make q serap-bOok.
It is a laudable undertaking, and if
YOU admit nothing in it but such as
are worthy a place, and have a divis-
ion for each subject, it will not be long
before YOU have a book that viii not
only be interesting to others to peruse,
but one that will hereafter afford you
pleasure and profit. | have often
thought that there was no place so APP
propriate az a scrap-book to preserve
important items which our daily press
teens with.
Have YOU ever thought Ofthe labors
of an editor Of a daily newspaper?
HenOt only extracts, but must make
items, and the public demands that he
shall always be right. All his pro-
auctions undergo rigid examination
and the dwarf in intellect can and do
find fault. You, to some extent, are
now placed in his position. 1t may
be that, not only this, but future gen
eratiOns may read your serap-book.
Try, therefore, to make selections as
will ensure the approval of child
hood, youth, manhood and old age.
You should, in your various divisions,
accommodate the parson, the poet,
the prince and the peasant, not for
getting the gay and giddy, the frugal
and industriOus-aS well as the mar
veIous and matter of fact. y.
Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23
Davy Crockett on Texas.

BY the kindness of Mr.. J. Bell
Crockett, we are able to lay before our
readers the following characteristic
letter of the great pioneer, Davy
Crockett, the man whose sayings have
passed into a proverb, and whose
memory is regarded with veneration
throughout the Southwest. 1t will
be seen that his opinion of Texas,
given thirty-four years ago, fully jus
titles the heavy immigration that is
pouring into that State, and that
threatens to rob the older Southern
States not only of their negro labor
but Of much of the intelligence and
farming skill. Here is the letter,
which for the first time meets the pub
lie eye:
ST.. AUGUSTINE, TEXAS, January 8,
lS36.-dLy Dear Son and Daughter:
This is the first time l have had an
opportunity to write to you with con-
venience. am now blessed with eX-
ceIlent health and am in high spirits.
Although | have had many difficulties
to encounter, | have got through safe,
and have been received by everybody
with the open arm Of friendship. /
am hailed with a hearty welcome to
this country, a dinner, and a party OF
ladies have hOnOred me with an invl-
tation to participate with them, both
at NacogdOches and this place. The
cannon was fired here on my arrival,
and [ must say, is to what | have
seen of Texas, il is the garden spot OF
the world; the best land and the best
prospect for health l ever saw IS here,
and | do believe it is a fortune to any
man to come here; there is a world OF
country to settle. 1t is not required
here to pay down for your league OF
land. i expect in all probability. to
settle on the Bodark ChOciaw Bayou
of Red river. / have no doubt that Is
the richest country in the world;
good land and plenty of timber, and
the best springs, good range, clear
water, and every appearance OF good
health. and game plenty. 1t IS in the
pass where the buffalo passes from
north to south and back twice a year,
and bees and honey plenty. l have a
ZlO1A AA}tC VI 6NAtiAA6 th1 ee0NANJ ~
settle that country, and l would be
glad to see every friend l have settled
there; it would be a fortune to them.
[ have taken the oath of the Govern
ment. and have enrolled my name as
a volunteer for six months, and viii
set out for the Rio Grande in a few
DAYS with the volunteers from the
United States, but all volunteers are
entitled to q vote for a member OF the
Convention from this Province. l
am reioiced st my fate; l would
rather he in my present situation than
to be elected to a seat in Congress for
life. am in hopes Of making a for
tune for myself and family vet, bad as
has been my prospects. l have not
wrote to William, but have requested
john to direct him what TO 10. l
hope YOU will show Zen this letter,
and also your brother John, as il is
not convenient at this time Tor me to
write to them. l hope you viii do
the best you can, and [ will do the
same. DO not be uneasy about me;
am with my friends. l must close,
with great respect, your atitctionate
father-f3rcWell.
DAVID CROCKETT.
Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23
Dramatic.

The legitimate drama was never in
a more fiomrishing condition in New
York than it is now. Satiated with
the ndecencies of the %burlesque and
boufSe performances weary Of the
Wretched sensational trash of the
minor theaters, the public has given a
generous support 10 Mr.. Edwin Booth
in his remarkable revival and per-
formance of " Hamlet" The debut
of Fechter has awakened a still great
err interest in high dramatic art, and
both of these eminent actors are reap
ing the fruit Of their years Of study.
The return of the legitimate drama to
the stage cannot but be regarded asan
encouraging sign of the Improvement
of the public taste, but of the presence
of more respect for virtue and merit
than would have been supposed. AT
one time it really looked as if all of
the theaters in the country were to be
given over for the future to the leg
drama and the opera bouffe. Fortu-
natey the public soon got a surfeit of
both, and was glad to have something
decent for a change.
Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23

THE Washington correspondent OF
the New York Herald gives a pretty
clear idea of the desire and intentions
of the House Committee at present
investigating gold gambling in Wall
street, when he says that although
the Committee on Banking and Cur
rencyO of the House of Representatives,
in their Investigations OF the gold panic
of September %, viii examine a num-
Der of witnesses, it is understood that
the object aimed at is not of personal
character-that IS, not with the inten-
ton ofimplicating any particular per-
sons or clique" Of course not. 1t
will not do to inquire as to the person
mel Of the gold ring. 1t might reveal
GRANT & Co. in q light unenviable
and discreditable to the Republican
party. And so GOULD, Fisk q Co.
are safe, because it viii not do to in
culpate the President or his relatives
Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23

WE haze been shown a letter from
a gentleman of high character in
Iowa, which states that he has discov-
cred in the hands Of an honest ex-
Federal soldier a quanty Of silverware
which he suppOses to belong to the
widow of w. X. SEBASTIAN. The
silverware was purchased from NEGRO,
who is supposed to have stolen it, and
it is now in this gentleman's hands,
ready to delivered on the proper
measures being taken and proofs made,
This is written in the hope it may
meet the eye of SEBASTIAN, or his
widow, or the ffends Of either. Other
papers will do well to give currency
| tnthis information.
Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23
Nearly a Tragedy indeed.

Bandmann, the tragedian, has ere
ated a sensation at the Theater Royal,
Melbourne. In one of his representa-
tions of OfheHO he stabbed Mrs. Steele,
who fell to the ground uttering pierre
inc shrieks, which for a moment We're
mistaken by the audience for part of
the business Of the scene; bat II was
Immediately obvious that her cries
were the expression OF terrible pain.
The curtain was Immediately lowered
amid great excitement. a surgeon
who wa in the house FASTENED TO the
stage, and prompt attention was paid
to thesufIerer and in about an hour she
was enabled TO be removed TO her
home. When it was as~certainet that
the wound was not dangerous, the
fact was announced to the audience,
who received it with %unbOunded de-
light. IL seems that Bandmann's
sword became entangled in the thick
folds of Mrs. Steele's velvet dress, and
that, as She stood somewhat obliquely
at the time, the sword, instead OF pass
inc across her back, penetrated through
the dress aud pierced the flesh. The
latest accounts say that Bandmann
himself has suffered great mental dis
treSs.
Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23
Combining Business and Pleasure.

A Florida correspondent of the
Richmond Dispatch gives some queer
revelations Of Northern invalid life
land DEATH down there: There was
one fellow who died in Pi!dtka a short
time before my visit, of whom l heard
from many sources. When he found
his end approaching he sent North Tor
a metallic coffin, and had it brought
into his bedroom tried it, ana found
it would lit him exactly. He was
thereupGn very much satisfied; and
during the few remaining days Of his
life always spoke of himself as dead.
He requested mis- wife to find out
whether he could send it by express.
She dutiiully inquired, and found
they could not carry it. He then told
her 20 have a box made, and have 1t
made large; to put it IN it; and as
there was plenty OF room, to pack IN
some sweet pOtltOes and oranges for
the children; and "be very careful,
nay dear. not to let them turn it over,
lest the oranges should be mashed"
So this careful, economical father died,
and his wife carried out his wishes,
and very carefully carried it home to
Vermont; and the children enjoyed
the potatoes ani oranges, and wished
their dear father would go and die IN
FlOrid& every winter.
Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23

AT the WoInan's Suffrage Conven-
ton, lust now in session at Washing
ton, a young girl just fresh from the
Lowell factories, was introduced at
the Thursday night session, and of
course made a speech. 1t did not fall
very musieally upon the ears of the
New Englanders present. She made
a comparison Of the black slaves Of
the South with the white factory
slaves of the North, and declared that
the Southern slaves of q former day
knew nothing of cruelty and
tyranny. 1t was necessary to
have been a factory girl in
New England to appreciate the high
est order of slaves. Miss COLLINS ex-
pressed the opinion that while Congress
was comforting equal rights in some
sections, it should direct its attention
to the factory operatives, and pass
some laws tor their advantage and
benefit. The speech, of course, created
quite a sensation.
Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23
THE DOORSTEP.

The conference meeting through AZ last,
We boys around the yestry waited
To see the girls come tripping past.
Like SuOW-birds willing TO be mated.
Not brayer Ire that leaps the wall
Is leVeImuskeJ flashes litten.
Than I, who stepped before tbcm OIL,
Who louged TO see me get the mitten.
But no, she hIushed and took my arm!
We let the old folks have the highway
And started toward the Maple Furm
Along a kin of lovers by-way.
7 can't remember what We said.
Twas nothing worth a song or story,
Yet that rude path by which we sped
Seemed all transformed and in a glory.
The snow was crisp beneath our feet,
Themoou was full, the fields were cleaning.
BY hood and tippet sheltered sweet
Her face with youth and health was BEAM
ing.
The little hand outside her mUd-
Osgulpt0r7 If you could but mold it,
SO lightly touched my jacSet-cuu,
TO keep 70 warm had TO hold tt.
Twas love, ana fear, and triumph blended
At last we reached the fOOt-worn stone,
Where that delicious Journey ended
She shook her riuglets from her hood,
Aud with "a Thank you, Ned, dissembled
But yet, KNEW she understood
With what a daring wish tfeuloleu.
\ cloud passed kindly overhead,
The moon was siyly peeriug through li,
Yet hid its face, as if il said,
Come, now or ueverl-dO IL! do it.'
Ny lips til then had only known
The kiss of mother and of sister,
But somehow, full upon her own
Sweet, rosy, darling MOUTH kissed her.
Perhaps twas boyish love, yet still,
o ~IiStlesS wOmani weary lOVeri
To feel once more thai fresh, wild thrill,
Td givc-Dut vino can live youth OVerf
n {. Sie1laGR.
Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23

THERE is a petition in circulation
in the city, (and 50 far as we have
heard, il has been very numerOusly
signedl praying the adjustment Of
the ranking privilege. We hope this
and like prayers from other sections
of the country viii be entirely sue
cessful with Congress. This ranking
privilege has come to be one Of the
worst abuses known TO our system of
government. For ten years past it
has been made use Of by the Radical
party for the dissemination of all their
infamous documents; and publishers
nave not scrupled to avail themselves
of it through conniying Congressman
To advance their schemes, and SOW
broadcast h~ee-love, spiritual, wOman's
rights and other publications, thus
cheating the government and people,
and Offering a competition that those
less favored could not prevail against.
By all means, we say, abolish EMS
ranking privilege.
Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-01-23
GEORGE y. PRENTICE.

Louisville is in mourning for her
wit, poet and editor. GEORGE DEM
son PRENTICE is dead. The sad event
transpired at his residence, in Louis
vile, yesterday. Not Unexpectedly
comes this announcement of the de-
parture of the Nestor of the press Of
the Southwest. He has been sick for
some months, and has vainly sought
relief. He has but suecumbed to the
inevitable, and followed his beloved
wife, whose recent death he has never
ceased to u Born in Preston,
Conn, on the 18th of December, 1902,
he was educated at Brown Univer-
sity, Providence, r.. l., where heiwas
graduated in 1923. He shortly after
engaged in the study of the law, but
giving up fair prospect for its prac-
tee, entered the then thin ranks Of
journalism as the Editor Of the Nee
E1gl0ad Heekly Berie'r, a literary
paper published at Hartford, which
he continued to conduct successfully
and acceptabIy for two years. At the
end of that time he removed to Louis
vile, which he has ever since
/ made his home. In 1881 he
| established the Journal, and con-
tinued until last year its Editor-in-
Chief, winning for himself the highest
credit in the profession Of his choice,
for pointed wit, keen satire, brilliant
fancy, logical accuracy and remarka-
bic acumen in political discussions.
He was a strong Wing, and, 50 long
AS that party existed, supported it
with great vigor and up to the fullest
test of his varied abilities. With many
Others of the Wing leaders, he fell oil
from his lifetime political faith and
Numbered into the heresies of Know
Nothingism, the brutalities and Ii
cense of which in Louisville,
he had at the time, the credit
Of encouraging. His second want
of political sagacity he afforded
in 1861, when he lent the aid of his
great intellect TO the support of the
absurd Kentucky neutrality, which
ended, as was predicted, by those
who favored it becoming Uniouists.
In this position he was opposed by his
sons, two Ofwhom entered the Con-
federate service, one of them being
killed in action, the other surviving
the war, through which he served
As a conspicuously gallant sol
der. Since the war Mr.. PREM
TICE has been devoted to the
true interests of the whole country
and has labored increasingly, often
with his early vigor, for the rehabili-
tation Of the Southern States
and their restoration to the
Union without conditions. 1t may
truly be said of him, in sight
Of his mistakes and failures, that he
did the State much service. lie was
q giant. Kentucky has no editor that
can take his place. He welded
a powerful, incisive and brilliant
pen. His poetry breathes a pa
thOs, sweetness and tenderness seldom
equaIled, never eNcelled; and his
prose articles are notable for smooth
ness, polish and power. As Il politi-
cal partisan he was almost unforgiv-
ing; as a son, husband, father and
friend he was everything that these
relationships call for in a true man.
He rests from his labors: may it be
i'm peace.