The Van Buren press., 1871-07-04

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been taken. The troops that defended
them are reported as numbering ll,000.
There WAS desperate hand to hand fight
ing in the citadel The ordnance was
destroyed, 4Sl pieces, principally small
brass pieces; very many small arms and
fifty flags were taken. I
We counted 243 dead Coreans AROUND
the citadel. We had three killed. They
were gallant Lieut. Mckee, Who was the
first inside the citadel, killed with bul-
let and spear; marine Dennis Hancahan
and landsman Seth Allen. Our nine
wounded are all out of danger and doing
well. JoHN RODGERS,
Commodore U. S. Navy.
.. MAINE DEMOCRACY. ... .....
. AUGUSTA, June 81.
The Maine Democratic State Conven
ton met here to day. Albert S Ric'
was elected president. General Roberts
the candidate for Governor last year, de
clincd denomination, and G. p. Kimbal
was nominated for Governor, receiving
445 votes, scattering %.
The following is the substance of the
resolutions adopted
Resolved, That, burying out of sight
all dead issues, we address ourselves t.
the vital issues and questions of the
hour, bringing them to and determining
them by the living principles of Democ-
racy, as promulgated by the fathers OF
the republic; that we recognize our bind
ing obligations to the constitution Of the
United States as it now exists, but de
nource the means by which the amend
ments became the supreme law of the
land that we will faithfully support the
constitution Of the United States, as il
now exists, and that we demand for it a
strict construction, so As to protect
equally the rights Of States and of indi.
yiduals.
Resolved, That we cherish the Ameri-
can system of State and local govern
mcnts, and we will forever defend the
same against centralized Federal power.
Resolved, That we reject the idea of
the reputation of the national debt and
believe it to be the duty of the govern
ment to pay according to law, and in
lawful money all its liabilities.
The fourth resolution opposes high
protective tariff; the fifth advocates civil
service reform the sixth fayors univer-
sal amnesty.
Resolved, That the action of the adj
ministration in using the power of ap-
pointment to override settled decision
of the Supreme court we regard as dan
gerous, an ominious indication, and as
demonstrating that since the grand CO.
ordinate devisions Of the government are
not safe from executive suipation, that
party upholding such an arrogant as
sumption Of power is unfit for the posi-
ton of trustees Of constitutional liberty.
The resolutions conclude by pledging
the support of the party to the nominees,
THE KU-KLUX COMMITTEE.
.. WASHINGTON, June 27,
Gen. Forrest was before the Ku Klux
committee to-day, and his examination
last four hours. He said if the ku Klux
organization ever existed in Tennessee,
it was on account of Governor Brown
lows proclamation in 1867, saying to
the militia that they would not be mo.
Tested for outrages and the punishment
of rebels, and because of apprehension
of injury to persons and property, many
negroes having left their homes and
prowled about the country with arms in
their hands.
Certainly no such organization has ex
listed in Tennessee since 1868 Every
thing is as peaceful there as in any other
State, and the people are as lawing- -abd-
ing, and depreciate disturbances as much
as those living in the North,
! Gen. Forrest, after the examination,
remarked to his friends that the commit
tee treated him with much courtesy and
respect
Five members of the committee will sit
here at least two weeks longer, and the
other three, namely Senator Scott, and
Representatives Stevenson and Van
Trump, will leave for the South in the
course of few days, in order to take tes-
timony as a special sub, committee.
IMPORTANT REVENUE DECISION.
Commissioner Pleasanton has decided
that the difference in premium realized
by banks in the exchange of various
classes Of government securities for oth'
orc must be returned as earnings for July
intcrna, revenue tax.
THE KU.KLtx COMMITTEE.
The Ku kluN committee today took
new departure AMI appointed Senator
Scott and Representatives Stevenson ana
Van Trump subcommittee to ylsIl
North Carolina and South Carolina, and
take evidence in the districts where dis,
turbanccs are alleged to exist. They Will
leave in q day or two. In the meantime
the committee here will continue to take
the testimony of some thirty witnesses
who have been summoned from Arkan
sas, Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama
Isaac +. Sheppard, chairman OF the
Republican State Committee of Missouri,
is expected to return with the president
to- morrow. Great anxiety is manifested
as to the success Of his mission for the
removal of Gen. Smith, postmaster OF
st. Louis. The petition for tits couched
in the strongest terms and signed by Col
lector Ford, L. w. Fox, Marshal New
comb, EN.Gov. McClurg and numerous
other uncompromising Eadicals, setting
forth that Gen. Smith is not considered
Republican, having refused to commit
l , =. Al kA ray