davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-07-11

public sentiment Of all classes win 90 change In
4 few years that what b now q bugbe4F vii
cease 20 excite comment IT county offers are
made elective, the incumbenls whether Demo
crats or otherwise win feel their responsibility 10
the elector, and many Of the evils Of which the
colored men low complain viii cease 20 exist
but he does not derive enough benefits from il 10
risk his franchise 10 attain il.
address this communication 10 you. Mr. Edi-
tor, believing you TO be aware Of the very gen
eral belief that your people erred in 1865 in not
taking the colored people under their protection
and tutelage, and by just treatment and q thor
ough appreciation Of their changed relations 10
the body polite, merited the political gratitude
that has been reaped by others. II requires no
great amount of political sagacity t0 foresee that
selfshness and ireachery is doing The work Of
ten Democratic victories for the Republican par
ty and as the head Of Democratic journalism
in the State. your influence may 50 shape the
policy of your contemporaries and the people To-
wards the colored race, that when demagogues
have disrupted the Republican party, and il be
comes necessary 10 choose between a live party
and the ghost of an Independent faction, intelli-
gent col0red men can choose without sacrifice
! of pride or principle Then elections By the peo-
pie of the " black belt will cease to be a ques-
ton of life and death, of order and prosperity As
opposed 10 disorder. corruption and ruin
The white and black races live in this
State without antagonism. and each enjoy their
civil and political rights distinctly or in c"m-
mon; and il yet remains for Florida, and the
"black belt" in particular, 10 show her Sister
Southern States a solution of the question with
out a sacrifice of principle TO either race Shall
il be so, Mr.. EdtOr9 H. = HARMON
p SIN relation to the EoonOAaist correspOn-
dent and semi-intelligent homeless. itinerant ink
singer, who writes his etfusions, can only say
that cannot stoop TO give bones 10 every NANCY
cur that barks at me from behind fences
II. sH-
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-07-11

CRAwFoRDrILLE- Pa Iulr fSSa
There are many IN their oificial capacity 10
present certain facts and expressions = hieh en-
give US a better idea sf Their useful chsrsc,-r
than their most splendid actions othsru Ne -
cause in the latter they gener4Ily sludy TIER
conduct, court the populace. prosecute shsf
which Is plausible. propose fhemsrlves - -
speak. 20 every voter they chance 60 ms-t
whereas in the former They from uaiurr Irs snd
give vent 10 free sentiments. which exhIhil thsu-
selves clearly. squarely, WIfilauf paint. raruish
or any disguise Whatsoever
A definition Of the Foregoing i iully EXEMPT
fed in the person Of Hon r 4 ~ DaEi.lsuu
He who deems me an encomi4sl 81 NJ Davis-
son, without the merit Fchly due him. Ia sulv
TO refer to the COngrussional rs-carl a. la m
the present date. which shszs Iar-e suns a
appropriations for cur rivers and ha1hsars Whaf
other person IS a Representative in q ReuuhIcau
Congress through his inssrumenfaliir osuId lave
gotten t4l4.0o0 as such Appr0priuliau. q ~
naught Of the numerous posi-..fHces esiahIishe.I
throughout The Slaies VITA the Escis mauitsf
before Us. then In The name af the ps.ule s.f tie
First Congressional Districf. would there D. zuF
wisdom OF moderation of tboaEhi. void Z uSf
be, in any cun~tTuciion cf Tie term. para.iaxiczl
and, last, would il not BE- an unmanly iujazsics
10 entertain The slighiesi IDEA af rrtiring I'm
whose merits deserve rexarf and supplauf An
BY one unharnessed and uufriess WuuId 4 be
pOlicys II 50. upon wh1I equitable ground
could the action be based ons Il cauld not be
# thai Of the length at time 81 Which h- las -
supereminently served Us IN The past A EeEaict
to that end would Be msEe thzn suPcriciaL Il
could moi be from actual sef aEEra1dizrmeHl II
so cover your bedlamiie EisAge ere ths CouEeu-
ton cOnFenes Al TaIlAhassec % The 19lhJ TAI
you would 50 fling barrier. No my preslir-
tian Is that the latter Ein never cume % p4ss-
A recognition Of his pasi se-Tiee Is bui IN iadex
u the wishes Of the people fsr many years b
follow All of rs matter 81 cnurse, have
personal preference a. 10 Eho should III fhe
humble position. bur The issue before i aat
enc &C persunalilieS. o. sbOuli not BE- Ne coz-
ceive in ID l. McKinnun. Esq . nan q aisisE.
hencr Earmid4bie apponeni. and take Hslhiag
for granted l. n sovereign eouHIersiEn- ToEh1i
enl Mr. D1vi.I~ssn. Ebo has manifested 50 m4u5
virtues. as E,rtiIude sn.l forrsiht tending . is
good Of his Constituency a. Isrgr. and his car
acIer and prohily and se1Liments Of h0aar
which has been universally Recognised. maks
him unqueStionably The masf sxzilable ezndil4ie
absolutely Wei may Uncie Toby.~ ne Wzsb-
ingt0n correspondent. exriaim Lei 81
enough alone There6ure. thass who have M
reckuned the question Of Candidates in the imA
of just bounds. do - Al oncr. Viii aFPoEtans
thought. weigh vel the sirnziian. and cauiea-
plate the dilemma oT which mighf follsE-
~OID NKr~
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-07-11
East Florida Seminary.

This Seminary is located at Gainesville,
it is in fourishing condition, and efforts
are being made to secure the erection of
new and larger buildings. The annual
catalogue shows that during the term
ending June 2, 1882, there were l55 stu
dents in attendance, representing fifteen
counties and three States. In the cata.
logue appears the following address to
the people of Florida:
The Board of Education of East Florida Sem
mary desire to call your attention to this Insttu-
ton, which in its character of State School ap-
peals TO the State pride and patriotism of every
resident of Florida
AS now organized and equipped, East Florida
Seminary offers to the youth of Florida educa-
tional advantages equal 10 those offered by any
similar institution in the United States.
In fact The student cannot find superior advan-
tages anywhere, save in the richly endowed,
higher colleges and universities, which can be
attended only at heavy expense.
The courses of study have been so arranged as
to enable students at their option to secure a
classical education equivalent 10 that generally
furnished by colleges, or good English educa-
ton, or an education that will fit them for intel
lgent and Successful work as teachers or to Sc
cure an education which will be the best possible
preparation for the study of any of the learned
professions or for entrance upon the advanced
courses of our higher universities.
The military organization and equipment is
superior TO that of any similar institution in the
South. Military discipline and drill have proved
most efficient aids TO academic work, and the
whole system must commend itself to those pa
rents who wish their sons TO pass from the
schoOl-room to their life-work, strong in BODY
and in mind, manly in bearing and courteous in
demeanor, and confirmed in those habits oil
prompt obedience and respect for government
which will make them earnest, efficient and use
| full citizens.
| Nor has the Board been unmindfll of the in.
terests of yOnng-lady students. 1he literary
training of the Seminary is equal to that of the
| best female colleges and those students who de-
sire il can receive in The Seminary building in
structiOn in vocal and instrumental music from
a most accomplished teacher, and instruction in
art studies can be secured from private teachers
| in Gainesville al moderate cost
| Under such circumstances, the Board Of Edu.
cation feel justified in urging upon the people Of
Florida the claims of East Florida Seminary
and in asking those parents or guardians who
wish to give their children or wards a good ed
ucation to inquire into the merits of this Florids
State School, before sending their children OF
wards to schools in other States.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-07-11

any possible advantage to accrue from it,
they are certain it will be reaped by the
Democrats, and not the Republicans.
The men who are thus advising Mr.. Hub
bell, and the Republican COMMITTEES. for
whom he is acting, are understood 70 be
merchants, bankers and business men
persons who have heretofore been among
the most liberal contributors to the cleo
ton expenses, and who expect to do SO
again, though none of them are or expect
to be ofice-holders. 1t is not the first
remonstrance of the kind from the same
quarter, but it is uttered now in the inn
perative mood"
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-07-11
Union, July IL
Oar state COnstIfutiOn-Am ImGer.
estfng Chapter Of History.

The question of calling Convention 10 revise
the present Constitution, having been SO gener-
ally discussed in the State press, UaioH re-
porter, thinking some account of the formation
of the present Constitution would be Of interest
at this time, set out TO find some one who had
been a member of the Convention that framed
IT, with view of subjecting to an interview.
He met up with Major Couani, who was Secre-
tary Of the Convention, and he kindly gave us
the following facts concerning that body:
When the Convention met in Tallahassee, il
divided into two factions, one led by Billings
who favored ra'lical, proscriplive Constitution,
and the other led by Reed and Osborn, who
were in favor of a more Conservative Constitn-
ton. These factions quarrelrd, and the Con-
veniion divided, the Reed party Withdrawing
and going 10 Monticello, and the Billings party
re:sssining in Tallahassee. The Billings party
had less than quorum of members but they
made up the deficiency by swearing in some
members who had not been elected. They went
on and adopted Constitution to their liking,
which DISTINGUISHED every person who was de-
barred from voting under the Reconstruction
Acts of Congress, and provided that all State
officers should take what was known as the iron
clad oath. 1t also provided for The election Of
officers. and established a high scale OF salaries
This document was sent to General Meade, who
was in command of the District, with head
qarters al Atlanta.
On the night of the day on which the Billings
Convention adjourned, the Reed faction having
had all the time quorum. returned 10 ITALIA
hassee and took possession of the Assembly
Hall. They went On 10 adopt Constitution,
substantially the one now in force.
The quarrel however, between the two fac
tons brought Generals Meade and Sprague to
Tallahassee. After several consultations, the
two factions were brought together and organ
lied anew, with General 6pngue presiding. until
the election of Jenkins as permanent president
The bogus members sworn in by the Billings
faction TO make quorum were set aside, and
the membership Of the Convention stood Is when
it first assembled The Convention agreed 10
strike out all that had been done by either fac
ton and to commence de n0oo
The present Constitution was the result. But
In the process Of perfecting it, the old antagO-
nism between the Billings and Reed factions
was kept up, the influence OF the Reed party
prevailing. Several of the leading features OF
the present Constitution, notably the appoint
ment of local officers and the restricting represen-
taiion in the Legislature to four Assemhlymen
and one Senator 70 each county, were adopted
10 difference to the views Of the Democrats At
Tallahassee Among these Democrats there
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-07-11

The speech of General J. B. Wall before the
County Convention last Saturday, was an able
and patriotic address, and no doubt will effect
much in restoring harmony and unity in the
Democratic party in this county. Like all true
Democrats the General has poor opinion of sOI
diSGnf Independents, and said that such men
should be labelled to let " to the highest bidder
The General took advantage of the occasion to
declare that lac was not nor would be a candi-
date before the 1st District Convention for NOM
ination to congress. Not having been permitted
TO hear the speaker through we are unable TO
give full synopsis of the speech.-Sunland Trt
bune, July Oh.
The GmLf Coast Progress, of the
same date, contains General Wallis excel
lent and patriotic speech, which we sub
join:
Mr.. Chairman, and Gentlemen Of the Convention :,
The time is approaching when we, the Demo-
Gratis of Florida, will again be called upon 10 grid
on our armOr Tor the purpose of battling with
the hosts of Radcalism The word has gone
forth from Washington that every means must be
used to gain additional members of Congress
from the Southern States, and as the Republicans
have despaired of carrying these States as Re
publicans, they have adopted the policy of los
lerng and supporting Independents, men who
enter the political market for hire, and should
have branded upon their backs To let" as they
are, 10 De DOuRnt by the nlSHeSL Dluucr. A so
called Independent is in the field in our own Dis
trict, hoping, by division in our ranks, and with
the aid of his Republican allies, to win in the
approaching campaign. The fight before us will
be a hot and an earnest one, and no means must
be neglected by US 10 achieve victory.
The convention to meet at Tallahassee, and
10 which you to-day elect delegates, should make
a wise and strong nomination. In connection
with the various names mentioned, would say
in my opinion, ii would be unwise to substitute
any for that of our present Representative, Hon.
Il. II. NJ. Davidson. While he has not achieved
that national reputation earned by some Others
he has done as much and as well for us, his con-
slituents as the circumstance by which he has
proven a watchful and faithful guardian to our
interest.
repeat, that think it would be unwise, at
this juncture, to substitute any other for him.
(Applauscl My own name has been mentioned
in connection with this nomination While |
feel deeply grateful for the compliment so paid
me, the sacrifice involved would be too great,
both of time and means, and one which could
not well sustain. | therefore hope my friends
will not deem it incumbent upon them tO bring
my name forward in the Tallahassee Convention.
We must enter upon the struggle before us
with firm and united front. Let all differences
and animosities OF the past engendered by county
and local matters be forgotten and buried with
the past Let all Democrats, regardless of jeal-
Ousies that should be forgotten, come forward as
one man and support our nominee for Congress,
whoever he may be. (Applause)
This is the right way to talk.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-07-11

Leading Republican papers are not
disposed to agree with the rose-colored
estimate of the New York Times, which
would make the next House of Represen-
tatives consist of l73 Republicans and 1852
Democrats. The Cincinnati Commercial
says that New York, instead Of sending
% Republicans and IL Democrats, may
elect a majority of Democrats that it is
presumptuous to claim ls Republicans
from Pennsylvania that Ohio is the most
uncertain of States, and may reverse the
figures of Is Republicans and Demo
Gratis, aud that "the calculation that
yields 8 Republican Representatives from
Indiana is careless in many details" And
as if to throw general cloud of uncer-
tainty over the whole matter the Com
mercidt adds: More than all this, there
is just popular dissatisfaction with the
present Congress. 1t refuses to mitigate
taxation or seriously to consider revenue
reform except according to the tariff ex-
perts who do not care for revenue, and
its profigacy appears in all sorts of ex-
penditures. The Democrats are as bad
as the Republicans, but that does not
help the matter. The Republicans have
the responsibility of the House, and they
have all the odium of the committees,
the true inwardness of which ia illumina
ted by the visage of Robson, shining
like carbuncle."
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-07-11

wsss thoss We werE 60 ~
prominzf rsprzsslzEiEa e. lAsws.~.......-
Tall4ha@se b w@ enu9duuaIr - i. -
leaders Of he Can.rvnnps w@xd Ne -.
hczn pariy. thzs 10y cnz.is--uhI- -.
support wuuid Be- Eis-a 10 - 60
But they werr miz1nksn h -
Afer the CossnEinn nd5uurzs.s ruu -.
can Couvsnfiaus wssr heid- - o. -
ing the Cons=rvalise uzzE 81 fhe -
no@inaied Red inr Goseranr. 40 - L
favor of rAiifyiaE ne Conalazzzuu 80 -
the Other, rrFrs~sndng ths Bias lue.iuu =.
mated s~mu-l WaAEsr. - K=y W-.r 80. -.
that time changes IN rrsidenoe 81 -
They oppo-sd ne coas-uri.a- IL -
Also he'd q Coaxennon- and unuuiuslrI -
" Scoti. and d-ei4r-d 4.zizsE ~ uuriEc.,... =
The Consiiiufion- QuiIe a uumtes ~ ~ -.
ocrNis n TaIl4h4-s-e. ha~ex-r. uaiI- -
Vored The el-ctisk 81 Scusf, zrr.ue.i a.. q. =.
iaxar af rzfiiyinE ne C.susllzzoa-
Here the CAaan aaked Mr Cuuauf 4 L..
Hilton. who now nppu~-s shs CaussirIrsuu -.
smong the numher- NJ CaazuI r-rIi-l r.,
les am Eofaily mislaken. Ia.ize H.Iian -.
favor Of the rz1l6czIiuu oT ~ c.
although Al the same ume ar3enfiF IN asssr !,
Tie erection Of scsEL rumezairr .r...ls ~. -
him several tines during illzl c4uu,.i.s - -
ence IN the Constitution. and ma-f csr...l.
understood that he Was heartily IN farar a. :.
ratification He seemed 10 shluk lhc suIsf =, -.
Republican, party wouid eie1i Scuu. aas ~,
with Scntt AZ Governor and he aI,T.aiuissarf 81
al local offers Ia his hand he STATE E...ls =.
freed from all the troubles which uere a-r...7.-.
reconstruciion in the other STATS r-m~ws.-
his saying 10 me only day or tEo b-Ere -.
election that he hoped The Reed parry x..a.iu-r
20 hack on the Consultation and Eole 49,, -.
raiihcafiau-
We all know thai Reed waS declared sl.~-.s
the Constifution ratified and Red uruf iuss
once The history o. Reds admiuistras5su ..
well known; Il was q disappoinfmenI d -
Conservative Republicans ~ vel a. - lle n.-.,-
Ocrais. but there can be no qIleslion ihaf fEs -,
which Reed and his party then made azaiass =,
Billings faction. and the facf that Iher slrrp--l
in defeating the radical measures of tIaf uis- 81
the Republican party and secured some ssrin-
clauses, in deference - Demscrzfic s-ufmruT
saved the people Of the state much tr,p,lisle ura
a vast deal Of money
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-07-11
st. Johns Weekly, June SOL
Strange Views as 90 N Change I'm
Ghe COmsGfGuafOm.

To admit that the present Constitution OF this
State is good enough, and that il had better be
allowed TO stand Tor fear that ii convention
should undertake its revision or the making Of a
new one something worse might be the result, -
TO admit Democratic incOmpeiency and lack Of
craftsmanship. And this is what pretended
Democratic Journals tell their Democratic read
ers who must be highly fiatiered TO be told in 50
many words that il is impossible for them tO i'm
prove on what the carpet-baggers and negroes
have done for US. Now, if this is SO, and il IS
certainly the logic of the anti-conventiOnsts the
quicker we acknowledge our iOOlishness and re-
nit the Slate back TO Republican control, the
better.-SuRLdnd Tribune.
Really some of the brethren of the State press
seem to be so radical upon the subject of a new
constitution, that their ideas can only be ex-
pressed in a heated and extravagani manner.
The above remarks would appear to be a reck-
less proposition upon broad grounds, and is en-
tirely unworthy the good sense Of the writer Of
them and the very important subject upon which
they reflect. No member of the press from whom
we have as yet had an expression, has even in
situated, much less admitted, that the present
constitution of this State is good enough" and
those who have opposed change have not done
so on general principles of opposition to the
question of a new constitution, but have. so far
as we remember, simply stated opinions touch
ing the certain destruction of Democratic rule in
particular localities in the State and the conse-
quent political suicide which must ensue. Taken
as a whole we by no means endorse our present
constitution, but we do not propose to lend our
voice or influence TO a change or cancellation of
the fundamental law of the land by the unwar-
ranted and illegal action of a mob who choose
TO attempt usurpation of power, and attempt
TO overthrow or ignore that which can only be
altered or annulled by certain provisions and
means plainly prescribed and undersiandingly
clear.
We, as Democratic journal, have told our
readers that a change in the present constitution
can only be legally made by vote of two sue
cessive legislatures, and then the proposed
changes submitted 10 the people, or by conven-
ton called in the same manner. In this we do
not deny the sovereignty of the people, but
counsel their adherence TO the manner, and ad-
wise such action rs Will be strictly within he
pale of law, and without the semblanoe Of NIB
dominance, which must bring chaotic result. and
probably entire revolution in our now prosper
GUS, iourishing State Although our constiiu-
ton was born of obnoxious parentage, still We
cannot afford TO pander to prejudice so blindly
as to advocate change simply for The sake Of
wiping out unpleasant "reminiscences of carpet
bag rule at the expense of our present peace
happiness and prosperity. If we must have
change, let the act be well weighed and deIiber-
ate!y performed.
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-07-11

--Brooksville Crescent, "The Comp
troller of the State has furnished our Tax
Assessor with complete list of all the
unassessed private lands in this county,
and he is now busy assessing and placing
them on the Tax Books. The list is a
very large one and will add materially to
the taxable resources of this county.
These lands have been purchased from
the State or the United States, and the
deeds have never been placed on record,
or given in for assessment, so that they
have escaped taxation for several years.
This step is wise one and perfectly just.
The administration is to be highly COM
mended for having looked into this i'm
portant matter and attempted to correct
the evil. AS it has been done for every
county in the State, the effect will be to
lessen taxation and place all land owners
on an equal footing in this respect"
The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-07-11
Excursion Rates.

We are authorized announce that half
fare tickets will be sold at all stations on
the Florida Central and Western Rail-
road to all persons desiring to attend the
Congressional Convention, to be held in
this city, on Wednesday, July 10Th. To
obtain the benefit of this reduction par
ties must purchase tickets. Tickets will
be put on sale on the 18th, and will be
good until the oath.