davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21

their places with men who are willing TO do your
bidding. You have sought to sanctify and can
onlze treason and 10 debase loyalty by eulOgizing
traitors and contemptnously spurning those who
fought to save and preserve the Republic
You have openly and boastfully declared on the
iioor OF Congress that you intend not only 10 re-
peal the laws for the protection Of the ballot box
which yon seek to do by this bill, but that you
will also strike from the statute book every yes-
tige OF legislation made necessary by the war, 10
that while yon cannot lay your impious and
sacrilegious hands upon the amendments 10 the
Constitution you will by repeating all laws passed
for their enforcement render them powerless
and Of no effect
You have forced this extra session NJ Congress
against the protest and determined efforts Of the
Republicans because You could not compel the
Senate NJ the United States to pass the army, and
the legislative, executive, and judicial appropria-
ton bills, loaded down with vicious legislation,
calculated to perpetuate the power Of the demo-
cratic party In the South and give them the con-
troll OF the ballot boxes in Cincinnati and New
York city Mt the next presidential election.
Learning nothing by observation or experience,
and taking counsel only Of those who represent
the worst element in your party, and having
gained control Of the Senate, yon now propose to
coerce the executive by threatening the govern
ment with starvation aud death unless he betrays
hiH trust and surrenders to your demands. In this
unconstitutional and revolutionary proceeding
you affect TO believe that the people are with you,
and will respond with their votes, Let me tell
you, gentlemen, that yOn are terribly deceived.
Instead Of the people standing by you and sus-
tanning you in this attempt IN destroy the purity
OF the ballot box and subvert the government,
you are solidifyng the people Of the North
publican party with recruits from your own camp.
Every patriot, every honest citizen, every lover
OF his race, and every Christian man and woman
in the North is to-day arrayed against you.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21
International Canal Congress.

1t is not generally known that the rep
ested in the construction of a canal between
the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, through
Central America, met last week in Paris in
order to discuss the merits of the various
routes that have been surveyed through the
American isthmus. There are many lines
proposed, and as each has ardent advocates
very interesting session is anticipated
Seven lines for the proposed canal have been
surveyed, four having an entrance on the
Atlantic side into the Gulf of Darien, one
into the Bay of San Bias, one into Navy Bay
and the other into the Caribbean Sea at
Greytown. The first six of these would al
low ships to enter the Bay of Panama and
the other into the Pacific ocean direct. The
best engineering talent of both Europe and
America has been engaged for years trying
to solve this great problem, and there is no
doubt that the route that will be adopted by
the Congress will prove the most advantage
Gus TO the commercial world. The question
of a ship canal to unite the two great oceans
is of the greatest Importance, affecting as it
does every nation engaged in ocean naviga-
ton and commerce. Consequently the de-
alterations Of this Congress will be watched
with interest in both hemispheres. Their
decision will, no doubt, be wise one, and
must lead to practical solution of a sub
ject that has long engaged the attention of
engineers. 1t is only question of time
when the two oceans will be united, and the
sooner it is done the better. With so many
feasible routes to choose from, the Congress
cannot fail to select one that will solve the
problem.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21

UNRECoNsTRUCTED.-A late number of
the Meriden (MississippD Mercury says
"The mysterious and certain death of the
negro "Fud," near the city, the ringing
peal of many pistols in the night time, indi-
eating numbers engaged, revive thoughts of
the kuklux-klan. That bloody organiza-
tion which seemed to rise up out of the
ground as weird spirits summoned by the
wall of imperiled civilization, mingled with
the soft muttered prayers Of southern white
women, in those moments when the maig-
nant ministers of hellish reconstruction
seemed willing and ready to give them over
to the direst fate, is thought to have dis
banded. 1t was God-given and God.sent,
and God blessed its works. 1t came to
meet the internal spirit of loyal leagueism
in the fullness Of time and not too late, and
TO drive it terror stricken from the land. 1t
came in the night time and in secret, as only
it could come. The situation, not their incli
nations, made them nightriders They would
have loved to have done their work in the
broad daylight, but that was to imperil the
success of their noble cause. Southern men
who have joined in the abuse of the khan
never had conception of the danger of the
precipice upon which they stood, and from
which they were rescued by many weary
night ride of the devoted khan, daring prison
walls, death, hell and the devil"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21
Enactments of a Higher Law.

The maxim that Mans necessity is Gods
opportunity applies to nations equally as
well AS to individuals. There are few in
tellgent people in this country, who were
loyal during the dark days of the great re-
bellion, but who now implicitly believe that
watchful and overruling Providence guided
the hand aud inspired the heart of our
martyr President in those supreme acts
which have made his name and his admins
tration immortal But with the letters
stricken from the limbs of every American
bondman, the spirit of slavery still remained,
and laughed to scorn constitutional pro-
visions and legislative enactments, until the
loyal heart of the nation has become sick
ened by the dawning conviction that all the
blood and treasure of our civil war had been
spent in vain. But he who stitch in the
heavens has not been an indifferent specta-
tor-and having undertaken the solution of
this great problem, shall he not accomplish
it2 Surely greater exigency never rested
upon this nation than now hence, is there
not abundant reason to regard it as the sea-
son of Providential deliverance Above and
beyond mans wisdom, secret seems to have
been hit upon whereby those proud and selfish
oppressers shall be brought to terms, and turn
suppliants at the feet of those whom they have
so long despised and oppressed. 1t is desola-
ton and ruin for them to be left alone in
their helplessness and they are wise enough
to see it. And so those despsed and OPP
pressed people are somehow led-Provi-
dentially, we firmly believe-to place before
the ruling class the naked alternative of bet
ter treatment or a long good-by. May it not
be that the achievements of arms and states
manship are to be outdone by the workings
of this divinely-inspired impulse to seek out
a dwelling place where freedom shall not be
kept to the ear and broken to the heart
One of two results will inevitably follow
The white population of the South will bear
itself more kindly and justly toward the
colored population, and give them decent
chance to secure their legal rights to !" life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness" or an
omnipotent hand will guide them to land
not smitten with the oppressor's rod.
These are decisive days for what remains
the old conflict The last act in the
drama is now to be executed, and justice
or deliverance must come, and that speedily.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21

THE WARNER BrLL.--The Warner silver
bill which the House has discussed more or
less for fortnight has few features that
the public should carefully scrutinize. 1t
has a section that authorizes any one TO take
bullion to the treasury and receive dollar
certificate for each four hundred and twelve
and half grains of silver. That is, the
treasury must give one dollar for an amount
of silver that now is worth just eighty.four
and half cents. The government will own
the bullion on which the certificates are
issued, but il cannot coin it, The only way
of unloading is to sell as bullion, when it
could be Immediately returned for another
issue of certificates. How much bullion
must the government receiver No limit is
placed. All nations could unload their
silver upon us and there would be no escape.
The thing would continue till the value Of
| the certificates fell to about the real value of
silver. 1t would be rare chance for the
| spectators who have lot of silver bullion
ready to unload at the doors of the treasury
The bill, however, cannot pass, and we pre-.
sent its provisions only to show the jobs
that find their way into Congress.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21
The Next Move.

The Presidents second veto has left the
democrats of Congress in a more perplexing
dilemma than before. They begin to real
ize that they cannot continue their attempts
to break down the legitimate national au-
thority without increasing to dangerous
degree the popular condemnation and odium
under which they now rest. Nor can they
recede without acknowledging that they
were foolish enough to enter upon this
course without knowing where they would
come out, and thus proving their incapacity
for public trust If they go forward they
meet new difficulties. If they go back they
suffer the humiliation of exposing their pur-
pose without accomplishing it, The more
sensible and liberal of the party are willing
to accept the course suggested in the petit
tions of some of their own constituencies
pass the necessary appropriation bills and
go quietly home. But the Southern Bour-
bon element, exasperated by the failure OF
their schemes, and bent on carrying out
their revolutionary performance at whatever
cost, are still fixed on exciting and annoy
ing the country. Senator Chandler, in ad
dressing these men on Friday, most truth
fully and forcibly said to them You have
your day in court make the most of it
Your time is short"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21
Divorce in Massachusetts, and Comparison.

Since we printed the divorce statistics of
Vermont, we have been curious to COM
pare them with other New England states.
We have succeeded in obtaining the number
of divorces and marriages in Connecticut,
Rhode Island and Massachusetts, for periods
ranging from nine to nineteen years. The
statistics of Maine and New Hampshire are
still uncollected. Those of Massachusetts,
have never before, we believe, been given to
the public. We are now able TO print them
from trustworthy sources We print them
for ten years only out of the nineteen which
we have, as the changes in the Massachu-
sets divorce laws within dozen years
bring that state down from the high plane
on which she formerly stood when absolute
divorce was granted for only one or two
causes. In nineteen years that state has
granted seven thousand two hundred and
twenty-three absolute divorces, more than
half of which have been within the last
seven years. In order not to be unjust in
our comparisons we give the figures for the
last ten years only:
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21

ADVANCING BACKwARDs.-The grand
old Bay State has taken a surprising set
back in the matter of divorce, and seems
ambitious TO divide her doubtful honors with
Indiana and Illinois. 1t is reported that
last week before Judge Lord thirty young
married women besought His Honor TO sever
the bands matrimonial, which bound them
to husbands they no longer wanted. Most
of the wives are said to have been in their
teens and to have been married from three
weeks to three years. The kind-hearted
judge expressed great horror at the rapidly
increasing divorce business but the law
passed a few years ago, which makes a three
years desertion sufficient ground for a legal
annulment of the nuptial contract, must be
obeyed as long as it remains on the statute
books and, as these assertions are said to he
numerous, there is no help for 1.-THE di
vorce business must go on.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21

WELL CHosEN.-There is this advantage
about the negroes emigrating to Kansas; they
do not come into competition with other
laborers and so add to their own and the
distress of Others The prime need of Kan
sas is labor; her great want is willing hearts
and strong arms. There is room for mil
lion of these, and her broad prairies afford
the hand of industry the finest foundation
in the world upon which to erect comforta.
BILE homes. 1t is likely that the emigrating
negroes will suffer some at first, but 80 do
emigrating white men. Everybody has To
endure hardship and privation while laying
the foundation of his fortunes. The negroes
that 60 to Kansas will, in year or two, re
ceive such lessons in providence and self
dependence as will transform them from un
derlings and serfs to men.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21

THE BUSINESS Though there
are many who fail to recognize the signs OF
reviving business and regard such state
ments as Elusive, yet there is PROFESSIONALLY
much testimony of slow but steady growth
The Providence (Rhode lslanD Jound
fairly puts the case when it says "Tht
concurrent statements of the large and
small dealers agree that the demand fol
goods is increasing, while everywhere the
increase is conclusive of an almost extreme
conservatism in purchases, whether for sal,
or consumption. Perhaps the most encour
aging feature of the case is the entire alb
sence of all speculative trade, and the re
duction of mercantile expenses to a point
recalling the old-fashioned ideas of expendi
ture. If sales are increasing, profits are
small, credit is not very much asked, and il
only given with circumspection. When in
dividuals buy only what they need and cal
pay for at once, and gambling is abandoned
by the capitalists, the foundations will prov'
stable and sufficient. And to this com
plexion have we pretty nearly come as {
people," There are similar statements from
many quarters. The business of to-day i
of moderate and prudent character, but i
rests upon sounder basis and will advance
Economy has been encouraged, expense
have been reduced, and healthier method
established.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21
Grant on the Chinese Question.

foreign letter states that, while at Pc
nang, General Grant was the recipient of an
address by the Chinese merchants of that
colony, in which they referred to the recent
bill prohibiting the immigration of Chinese
to America, and expressed the hope that he
would upon his return to his home endeavor
TO have such a measure abrogated. In re-
ply, he stated that he was only one citizen
and had no more power in the councils of
the nation than any other. He said that in
all questions like this there were demagogues
who, in America as in other countries, pander
to prejudices against race or nationality and
favor any measure of oppression that might
advance their political interests. In this
question of Chinese emigration there was
something to be said in favor of those who
advocated bill limiting emigration of the
Chinese to America. 1t was not so much
an objection to the Cinnamon coming to
the United States, as to their coming in a
condition of slavery. lie intended when he
arrived in China to look into this question.
/ He said our country had been through a
great war to extinguish slavery and its peo-
pie would naturally oppose the emigration
of slaves. This, in BRIEF said the General,
was the objection to Chinese emigration on
the part of Americans, who had none but
the kindest feelings toward the Chinese peo-
pie, and who would extend to them, if they
choose to make their home with us, the wei.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21

THE PocAssET TRAGEDY.-Freeman and
his wife, the perpetrators of the Pocasset
horror, have been removed to the new county
Jail. As soon as Freeman got into his cell
he took off his coat and began to sing. On
his way down he seemed in good spirits, and
met the gaze of those he passed with calm.
ness and unconcern. Mrs. Freeman was
brought down about half an hour later by
Sheriff Harris, who had procured carriage
for her. She has a pleasant room, receiving
the sunlight and view toward the railroad
and depot. Freeman is still unchanged, but
his wife seems to be suffering in her mind,
and it is thought doubtful if she survives
the Summer. They will be confined here
until the grand jury meets at the October
term, and will be kindly cared for. Mrs.
Freeman has written letter to a sister-in.
law in Natick, in which she expressed her
overwhelming grief at the terrible death of
her daughter, but at the same time claims
that her husband is innocent of any crime
She admits, however, that she fears he acted
under a mistaken faith in God. She gives a
detailed statement of their feelings before
the crime was committed, and urges that il
they were mistaken, they both honestly aud
firmly believed they were commanded by
God to do what they did, and until the last
moment they believed he would interfere to
prevent the tragedy
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21
biennial Sessions.

The proposition to substitute biennial for
annual sessions is now pending before the
Legislature of the great state of New York.
In opposing the change the Albany Evening
Journal quotes the recent expressions of a
leading and observing citizen of Vermont
regarding the workings of the biennial sys-
TEN in this state. When the Legislature met
every year, he said a large proportion of the
old members were reelected, and both
houses contained much experience. But
now that it meets only once in two years, it
is almost entirely made up of new men.
The old members lose their hold on their con-
stituents aspirants are less content to wait
when the next chance does not come for two
years; and the less frequent elections make
more frequent and complete changes in the
membership. AS result, each legislature,
composed almost exclusively of new men
without experience, undertakes great deal
of crude, experimental and doubtful legisla-
ton. The fact that there is not another
chance for two years stimulates new schemes,
and the consideration that if they do not
work well there is no remedy for that period
does not operate as a restraint, because the
movers have confidence in their own wis
dom. Thus the legislation is not as well
considered as under the old system, and the
plan is not favorably regarded by the best
observers.
While we have no knowledge who this
leading citizen of the state may be, we can
attest that he is faithful observer and true
delineator of facts as they are demonstrated
in our experience, and as they are almost
universally attested by the most intelligent
and observing citizens of the state; and wei
may the journal from which we quote-on'
of the sblest in the Empire State-thus con
clude its article in opposition to the proposed
change: " There are evils of hasty and in
considerate legislation. Will they be rem
edied by crowding the work of two year
into one }? There are evils of crude and i'll
digested work. Will it be corrected by com
hitting it to less experienced hands ? The
true remedy for such wrongs as chiefly mari
our legislation is the elimination of TIL,
multitude of details and minor matters, ant
the application of broader principles. Thi
plan does not touch the key of the main diff
ficulty. 1t proceeds upon the theory tina
legislation is bad and that the people can
not be trusted to elect good representatives
and so the less of both the better. If tn
argument is good for two years, why no
for five 2"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21

INSURANCE IN New HAMPsHIRL.-State
Insurance Commissioner Pillsbury, of New
Hampshire, gives some valuable statistics
with reference to insurance in that state.
lie says the mutual fire companies of the
state and the New Hampshire stock fire
company lost $4,000 last year on risks of
Sl7000,0 00-a little less than half of one
per cent, while foreign companies licensed
in the state, with risks of S50,GiG,5j2, re.
ceived sil7,76i in premiums last year and
paid $500, SiS-eighty-six per cent of the
premiums-for losses. Such showing he
considers most discreditable, and he does
not believe that unavoidable accidents make
the record. lie considers over-insurance the
most prolific cause of fires, as it is not only
temptation to incendiarism, but it often
induces carelessness aud neglect lie takes
a more hopeful view of life insurance and
thinks the tide has turned in its favor.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21

SHOWING THEIR HAND.-It will not be
forgotten that majority of the present
House have voted for the restoration of the
income tax, and that they may pass such
measure at any time. When the nation was
in life and death struggle and forced to
resort to extreme measures for raising means,
the democratic representatives denounced
this inquisitorial tax. But now when it
has long been abolished and there is no ne
cessity for it, they propose to restore it. The
vote was almost strictly party vote. All
of the democrats present except ten voted
for it, aud all the Republicans except -four
against it. The democrats of the South
who would have nothing to pay want t.
put still more Of the public burden on tn,
North.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21

So fast has been the growth of the Repub-
lican states of the West that in the next ap-
portionment of representatives, Iowa, Kansas,
Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Illinois
and Wisconsin will gain forty-eight mem
bers on the present basis of apportionment
These states viii have one hundred and
twenty-one members TO one hundred and SIX
| IN the solid South.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21

THERE are symptoms that Thurman will
appear shortly as a peacemaker. lie says it
will be folly to talk about adjourning with
out voting supplies. This sentiment puts
him forward as a cooler of the hot heads in
his party, and will give him chance for
noble missionary work in the caucus.
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21

New York Herald; If the Republicans
are wise they will not allow any members of
their party to rashly commit them to the
nomination of a military candidate. Their
dubious position in the dispute about troops
at the polls makes it uncommonly danger
GUS for them to appear before the country
with military head. A slight imprudence
may arouse the jealous and suspicious anger
of the people and sweep them out of power
and into disgrace"
Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-05-21

TBE extreme state sovereignty doctrine
held by the Southern politicians, aud whose
practical assertion by secession in 1861 was
the Immediate cause of the late war, can no
longer be entertained, II the war definitely
settled any one question other than that of
slavery, it was the question of state soyer-
eignty.-Memphis (7'enn) Apaianche.