davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-04-27
The ku.kIuX Law.

THE manifest determination of the
Radicals in Congress to revive the Ku.
KluX act may fairly be regarded as one OF
the political signs of the times. The act
expires by limitation at the end of the
present session of Congress. The Radi-
eals want to re-enact the measure, if pos
sible, but if they fail in that, as it is more
than possible they may, they propose in
stead of adjourning when the business of
| the session is finished, TO take a recess until
tie end Of Nocember In this way, by a
pleasant Congressional fiction, they pro-
pose to extend tile present session until the
| end of November, and so to prevent the
| expiration of the ku-Klux act by imita-
ton until that time
The object of resorting to this villain
Gus piece of legislative trickery is suffi-
GENTLY apparent. There is no pretence of
the existence of Ku-Klux disorders now,
nor has there been for long time. In
deed, it was admitted by the Radical
members of the Ku-KluX junketing COM
mittee, that most of the outrages which
they discovered, or pretended to discover,
were committed a long time before the
committee was appointed, and before the
ku-Klux act was passed, or even proposed.
1t was further admitted by the same
members of the same committee that the
disorders were confined to a few counties
in two or three of the Southern States.
The proposal, therefore, to continue the
KuKlux act in force, by a disreputable
trick, for six months after the time when
it ought by its own terms to expire, is not
proposal in the interest of peace
and good order, much less of freedom
and the purity of elections. Since the
Radicals themselves admit there is
no need for Federal legislation against
the kuK luX, they cannot possibly dis
guise the fact that their only object in
reviving the military force bill is to pro-
vide Mr.. Grant with the means of carry
ing the Southern States for himself next
fall The act clothes the President with
power to suspend the hdbeas corpus at his
sovereign pleasure in any State, and it is
very well known how Mr.. Grant has al
ready exercised that power in South
Carolina, where he had no personal end
of importance to subserve by the means.
Let him be clothed with the same power
next fall, when he will have a personal
end of very great importance to gain, and
1t need no prophet to foretell what he
will do. There will be no lack of carpet
baggers and mercenary correspondents to
fabricate heart-rending stories of Ku-kluX
outrages and prosecutions, to serve as an
excuse for placing districts of doubtful
political complexion under martial law;
and then what will be the prospect of
fair election.
Mr. Grant and political generals have
taken the alarm. They read their doom
in recent events, in New York and else
where. They at last perceive very clear
" that the reform movement is one of
most formidable momentum, and that
their only hope of salvation lies in the
direction of Ku-Klux bills and martial
law In good time they will also per-
ceive that even this fancied CLEAN of
hope is but will O. the wisp, Turing them
to final destruction Chicago Times,
4D,W II.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-04-27
Writing Letters.

l know shall he going straight TO the
mark when | observe that the first diff
Guilty of almost every boy or girl sitting
down to write letter or an essay is, Hoo
shall begin.
Let us first of all look at the case of
writing n letter. A boy who is, we Will
say, at school, or staying with some friend
or relation, thinks he will write home, or
he is told by his master, or the friend,
that he ought to do SO. He takes up a
pen, and is brooding over Il sheet of pa
per; but, unless he has some very particu-
lar news to send, or some very particular
request to make, he cannot get beyond
nv Dear Parents" This is partly be-
cause children at home are accustomed to
such ceaseless care from their fathers and
mothers that they have rarely to tell their
wants or to give any news.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-04-27
CANTON, MISS, SATURDAY, APRIL p, 1872.

executive power and patronage. If he
can carry a convention by means of cash
now, what is to hinder him carrying the
country by cannon four years hence?
The principle is the same, the means are
of no account. 1t is the principle that
we protest against as full of perils. And,
if the Republican party had not lost the
vigor of its early virtue, it would throw
the usurper from its shoulders in scorn,
and sweep his creatures from its councils
as so much otlal. There is but one way
of escape from the path that leads to the
fatal precipice, and that is by insisting
that no President shall be elected for a
second term. And it remains for the
people to put that safety clause, that
necessary amendment, into the COnstitu-
ton, by defeating the President who has
debauched the civil service of the country
to re-elect himself. All honor to the
hero of Vicksburg All gratitude to the
conqueror of the Confederacy! But to
the Executive usurper, defeat, disgrace,
infumy, that his fate may be an everlast-
ing admonition.-Golden Age.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-04-27
The Farce of Civil Service Reform.

But we are told that existing abuses
are being corrected, and that President
Grant has declared in favor Of Civil Ser
vice Reform, and has actually appointed
Commission to set it on foot. Yes, we
hear that mild attempts are made to cor
rect certain abuses-in the New York
Custom House, for instance-but we
know also that those who in Congress de-
nounced those abuses, and insisted upon
their exposure, are in their turn de-
nounced as traitors to the Republican
party.
Yes, the President has declared in favor
of Civil Service Reform, and appointed a
Commission to set it on foot. And when
you listen to the Presidents most trusted
friends, and the most Jealous advocates of
his reelection, you will hear
one say that ours is the best
Civil Service in the world and others
ridiculng the fundamental principles
upon which that reform is to proceed, and
still others express the wish that the at
tempt should be made in order to expose
practically the absurdity of the idea. And
when you look for the most earnest advO-
Gates of that reform you find them, with
a few exceptions, among those who are
denounced as traitors to the Republican
party.
Once, indeed, a plan of reform was
promulgated; but, no sooner was it an
nounced than it was suspended; and, in
the meantime, the patronage is Justify
handled, as before, and the political ma
chinery is doing its work. | have no
doubt as to the sincerity of purpose ami
mating the gentlemen now celebrating
rules and regulations for the Civil Ser
vice; but if they have not yet, they GER
tninly will, presently, come to the conclu
sion, that a true and practical reform of
the Civil Service will not be introduced
by those who strive to benefit themselves
by its abuses; nor will the people long
look for that reform under II President
who relies for the promotion of his own
interests upon the friendship of its enc
mics. The Presidents Civil Service re
form has been styled humbug by his
loudest friends, and the cause of reform
takes refuge with those who are dcnounc-
ed as his enemies. This is, suppose, &C
cording to the eternal fitness of things
And now, when you look at this whole
spectacle, what does it signify? 1t means
that the great problems, the solution of
which is most impcratively demanded,
have been lost sight of by the influences
which at present seem to direct the ruling
party. 1t means that through the long
enjoyment of power those who WELD it
have become reckless in its exercise 1t
means that the selfish consideration of
partisan and personal interest has risen
above the consideration of public good.
II means that partisan spiIit, looking af
ter selfish advantage, strives to cover up
existing evils and abuses, to discrcdit and
crush the spirit of thorough gong reform
and to stifle the popular conscience. 1t
means that the public service of the coun
try, with all its endless qualifications and
influences, is becoming, nay, has become,
a vast and systematically organized ma
chnery of political power in the hands of
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-04-27
Color Blindness.

A writer in Nature says Experiments
on color indicate very considerable differ
ences between the vision of different per-
sons, all of whom are of the ordinary
type. A particular color, for instance,
one person comparing with white, will
pronounce it greenish. This difference,
however, does not arise from any divers
ity in nature of the color sensations in
different persons. 1t is exactly of the
same kind as would be observed if one of
the persons wore yellow spectacles. In
fact, most of us have, near the middle of
the retina, yellow spot through which
the rays must pass before they reach the
sensitive organ. This spot appears yell
low because it absOrbs the rays, which
are of greenish blue color. Some of
us have this spot strongly developed.
see whether he has this yellow spot. 1t
consists in looking at a white object
through a solution of chloride of chro-
MUM, or at screen on which light Is
strongly absorbed by the yellow spot.
When it falls on the ordinary surface of
the retina it is of neutral tint, but when
it falls on the yellow spot, only the red
light reaches the optic nerve, and we see
a red spot floating like a rosy cloud over
the Illuminated field.
There are several interesting facts about
the color sensation, which l can only
mention briefly. One is that extreme
parts of the retina are nearly insensible
to red. If you hold a red flower and a
blue flower in your hand, as far back as
you can see your hand, you will lose sight
of the red flower, while you still see the
blue one. Another is, that when the
light is diminished, red objects become
darkened more in proportion than blue
ones.
The third is, that kind of color blind
ness in which blue is the absent sensa-
ton, can be produced artificially, by tax
ing doses of santonine. This kind of
color-blinduess is described by a DR..
Rose, of Berlin. 1t is only temporary,
and does not appear to be followed by
any more serious consequences than head
ache. must ask pardon for not having
undergone course of this medicine,
even for the sake of becoming able to
give information at first hand about color
blindness
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-04-27
Youths Department.
THE LITTLE BOY THAT CRIES

know little dumpy boy,
He's almost five years old,
And he Is but a baby yet
l grieye to have it told!
His eyes are black. but often dim
With tears that freely fall;
We've other babies in the house,,
But he out-cries them all!
Sometimes we have doleful wall
Before he's out Of bed,
And while he dressed, you'd be surprised
To see the tears he Ii shed.
He hurts his finger-then he screams,
Falls down-screams ten times louder;
And if you laugh, you might as well
Set off keg Of powder!
He cries for bread, and cries for cake,
And cries when some one leases;
And when he's washed, you'd really think
He'd cry himself to pieces!
But must say-to speak him fair,
He is not always screaming;
His black eyes often shine with fun,
His face is bright and beaming.
And he can laugh, and jump, and sing,
And am glad to tell You,
His lips can smile and kiss as sweet
As any little fellow.
And don't you think this little boy
Should try to stop his cryings
We all should love him SO much more,
It's surely worth the trying.
know he thinks when he grows big,
man he'll surely make;
But he must learn it won't look well
To cry for ginger-cake.
For little hurts, and pains, and aches,
He must keep back his tears,
Or he won't be a man, although
He live hundred years!
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-04-27
No Interest i'm their Work.

Light and trif1ing minds do not succeed
in life, for the reason that they take no
interest in their work. What they do is
done mechanically, without thought or
care, SO that they kill so much time and
get paid for it. If they talk or rattle, it
is about that which has no sense in it,
showing clearly smallness of caliber and
women, they are, or would be, constantly
on the go" and chattering about very
little something's, or about absolute moth
ings. An hour in such company is
enough. If it be young men of the same
class, the weightiest discussions are on
chow to make the hair grow" on their
feminine faces, or about somebody's fast
horse, fighting dog, or the late runaway
match of two silly youths. One seldom
hears from them any reference to the real
duties of life or to the work by which
they are to get their living. If a target
company or band of street MINISTRIES
pass the premises where they work" all
these eight weights" rush to the doors
and windows leaving their duties, il may
be, in confusion. Without exhibiting
interest in thoir work, without applica-
ton without energy or perseverance, and
with no economy as to the way in which
they spend their time, is it surprising that
their efforts are not appreciated by
their hard-hearted employer? These eye
servants, these giddy human soap-bubbles,
are now fixing things" for life. They
are sowing the wind and will reap the
whirlwind. Having ''no interest in their
work" they will come to naught, and per
haps assist in filling the poor houses,
asylums, hospitals and prisons.
Remedy-"What you find to do, do it
with your might" BE diligent in bus
mess; do one thing at a time, and finish
what you begin. Let nothing divert your
study of the interest of your employer.
Make his interest your interest; he will,
in time, if not at first, appreciate and
reward your efforts. Be prompt, temper
ate, Industrious, never Gin the drag"
always up to time, or n little ahead.
Think more than you talk-read such
books as throw light on your pursuit,
that you may become thoroughly posted
on all matters connected Herewith.
Attention to these things will call out
your faculties, develop your mind. and
secure to you good measure of success
IN IHIrn0l0qicM .yOuTnaL
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-04-27
Miscellany.
An Oregon Romance.


THERE were married in this city las
evening q couple whose lOve-making anG
marriage furnish us a theme upon which
to write q romance; but as we are moi
woodworking at present We shall narratt
the story as it comes to us, plainly and
concisely, leaving to some other one the
task of writing the history for publication
In book form.
During the spring of last year there ap
peared upon the railroad a fair-haired
smooth-faced muscular fellow, with rich
Irish brogue, who applied for work, ex-
pressing himself as willing to do anything.
He had "an ould father and mother in the
ould country that he wanted to help them
to America, and was willing to work hard
for good wages" He was given a pick
and shovel, and told to pitch in, which he
did with will. Although he was little
awkward at first, he soon mastered the
science of handling the shovel, and came
to be regarded as one of the best men on
the work. He had a pleasant voice, told
good story, and made many friends
among the other workmen, who regarded
him with especial favor. After a while,
Mr.. Hallett, the contractor, had his atten-
tion called to the new hand, and, finding
him quick at learning, gave him command
of gang of men, and found that his
confidence was not misplaced.
IL,
who was as 1.-the and active a young fel-
low as can be found in any part of the
country. Between the two q warm friend
ship sprang up, and when not at work
they were always together. The other
men became somewhat Jealous of Mike
for occupying so much Of Jimmy's COM
pany and drawing him away from their
company, but of course could not say
anything.
The summer passed away and the win
ter months, with their rain, came, and
when work got slack and men began to
drop off and come into the city, Mike
proposed to Jimmy to go to Portland,
take room and live until spring. The
proposition, however, was rejected by
Jimmy, who declared that he did not
want to come to the city. So the two
: remained at Eugene for several weeks,
awaiting for the recommencement of the
work.
Somehow or other during the winter
Mike made a discovery-and that was
that Jimmy was not what he had repre-
scented himself to be. That instead of
being man he was q woman. An expla-
nation was made and Mikes feelings soon
underwent q change, and he found that
Cupid had pierced his heart He pro-
posed to Jimmy to come to the city where
she would receive her proper habiliments,
and then they would form a co-partner-
snip for life and in proper time return to
work on the road as sub-contractors The
proposition was agreed to, and last night
saw Mike and Jimmy made man and
wife. They purchased tent and went
down to COwlitz River for the purpose of
assisting in the building of the North
Pacific Railroad from Humphreys to
Olympia. During the coming summer
Jimmy" will preside over the culinary
department unless Mike should get sick,
when, she declares, she will go out and
"boss" the men.-Portland (OregOn) Bulze-
tsn
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-04-27

In Goldsmith's story of the "Vicar Of
Wakefield" all the travels of the family
| were from the blue room to the brown,
and in that kind of life there does not
seem much occasion for letter writing.
But what 1 earnestly advise boys and
girls to do is what used to do myself
| when child, and what / have seen other
children do with great advantage: Begin
as early as possible to practice writing
letters, and, in general, writing things
down. L am now supposing that you
have learnt to read a little, but do not yet
go to school. 1t is plain that no child
who is young enough to need OF use this
advice is old enough to read it, but older
| brothers and sisters can, and in helping
| selves. The italic characters of common
print are much like those of common
| handwriting, and are easily used by
young fingers on slate or with lead
pencil on .paper-a lead-pencil is good to
begin with, because it must be held firmly
if strong stroke is to be made.
A child of nine or ten may most USE
fully help to give a child of six (who can
read) simple lessons in the use of written
language; and, in doing this, the elder
child will be gaining at least as much as
he gives.
I will suppose that you, Bob, aged
twelve, who can read this, have a sister
dScu SlA WIZ CduuOt, WIZ Cdu SILL
read some things, and can write a very
little. "You can say to her" Write
down on the slate what sort of a day it is
--write where mammals gone to-
write down what you think it is o'clock,
and what you were doing a little while
go,"-and SO on. We will shortly say
more about the $50 on"
But it cannot be too often repeated
that an older child that teaches a younger
in this way will be teaching himself q
great deal more than he at the time has
any idea of.
There are at least three cases in which
perhaps most children feel desire to
write to father or a mother even when
they are all at home together list, when
the child has something particular to ask
for; I'd, when he has something particu-
lar to offer thanks for; Sd, when he has
something particular to say he is sorry
for In either of these cases child may
feel just enough shyness to make him in
clined to write rather than speak. And
the use of such opportunities makes good
practice, to begin with, in the art of COM
position.
But besides this, there are, perhaps,
few children who do not invent and tell
stories.
And say to any Bill, or Tom, or Jess
or Alice, who reads this, practice as far
you can the writing out the stories you
think of.
You will make many mistakes at first,
and will still more frequently fall short
of what you ought to do; but never
mind that at the starting. Good Words
for the Young.
American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1872-04-27
4 FAMOUS BARGAIN;: AND HOW
IT FELL THROUGH

SAYS Forney TO Ulyss, 1--WE are in hard spot
Unless you come forward and aid us
You surely won't see the concern 90 to pot,
By letting the Copperheads raid US.
1.-THE country once more have the goodness to saw,
(No other man ever could do it,
On you we depend, and pretty close shave
The thing will be then, we view it.
Your name must have in order to win
BY the skin of our teeth the election;
So hope you at once will decide to 20 in
Our party to save from detection"
Says Ulyss to Forney, "You know very well
As to stamps there is one little trouble;
won't take the place for one little spell.
If take it, the time you must double.
s. Nor I'm nicely provided for all of my life,
And cannot regard 1t my duty
To help you along in political strife,
BY losing too much of my booty.
AT the rate am raking the dollars just now,
I'm having fine little margin;
If your sure you can manage do not care how
To give me ttc0 terms, it's u bargain"
Says Forney to Ulyss: "Prccisely! oh, Yes!
I'll fix il, you never need doubt it;
know how to handle these matters, | guess,
And I'll speak to some Others about it,
But when the time came to put the thing through.
This little arrangement was shivered;
And Forney got blue, and Ulyss did, too.
For The merchandise tr0snI deiirtred.
Beware how you decker ye shoulder strap men,
HoweAer you banker for pageant;
When schcmer ike Forney comes trading again,
DsDdsad his credt,ttidiS Us n0efst'
-LHdd0o Daily Neus.