The Portland daily press., 1888-01-20
IN A NUTSHELL.
rnefrnit Trillllna-1
PERSONAL AND PECULIAR.

The Concord Monitor says: ''If Ensign
Stebbins' was welding an editorial pen to-
day, he would be likely to demur to the
Washington Republican attributing to Ma
jor Jack Downing his thunder on the Maine
law embodied in the remark 1 am in favor
OF the Maine law, but agin its enforcement
Major Jack Downing had a national reputa-
ton twenty years before the Maine law was
enacted, AID Ensign Stebbins was resident
of Maine"
Here is the sentiment recently enunciated
by Cardinal Manning which has caused con-
siderable comment. "All men are bound by
natural obligations. If they can, to feed the
hungry. But it may be said that granting
the obligation in the giyer does not prove a
right in the receiver. To which | answer
that the obligation to feed the hungry springs
from the natural right Of every man to life,
and to the food necessary for the sustenance
of life. So strict is this natural right that it
prevails over all positive laws of property.
Necessity has no law, and starving man
has natural rignt to his neighbours bread"
Chaplain McCabe, so recently in Portland,
is one of the characters that add spice to the
dry details of the Methodist Church man.
agement. The New York Press says-"The
Book Concern up Broadway is his occasional
headquarters, and the world has heard a
good deal about him for the last three or
four years. Standing one day on the plat
form, and facing great meeting of the
clergy and laity, who were discussing how
money was to be obtained for the missions of
the Church. be raised the cry Of "A million
for missi0nsW The old boys laughed at him,
but he looked over their doubling faces and
answered. Twill find it." And he did. One
into the treasury of the Church by this sturdy
and energetic beggar for missions, and men
who had never given cent before helped
the cause for the first time. He has gone on
collecting and his success still continues
phenomenal BE is in the prime of life and
was born out in Ohio. During the war he
spent half year in Libby prison, and car
ries in bis half-shrivelled left arm the re-
minder OF services done for the Union in its
darkest days. He is an orator of no mean
power. singer OF Church music far superior
to Sankey, a thoroughly religious man, and
genial, brotherly, good fellow, who realizes
the failings OF humanity and is ready to for
give its SINS"
General Francis T. Nichols, just MONT
mated by the Democratic party of Louisiana
for Governor, is native Of the State. His
paternal grandfather, Edward Church
Nichols of Maryland, was the first United
States judge in Louisiana appointed by JEFF
ferson. His father, Thomas Clarke Nichols,
mother was a sister of Josedh Rodman
Drake. author of the "Culprit Fay" and
" The American Flag" One brother, David
Crawford Nichols, was distinguished at the
battle of Lake Erie, and was among the off
GERS receiving sword and vote of thanks
from Congress. Another brother shared
with Captain Ayers, United States Army,
the honor of raising the first American flag
on the bishops palace in the City Of Mexico.
An uncle CT mmanded squadron of cavalry at
the battle of New Orleans, and was warm
friend of General Jackson. General Nichols
is graduate of West Point, but resigned
from the army some years prior to 1861, to
practice law. During the recent war be-
tween the States he commanded the Second
Louisiana Brigade of Sronewall Jackson's
corps, and lost successfully an arm and leg
in the service. Last year General Nichols
was president Of the Board of Visitors at
West Point. He was elected Governor of
Louisiana in 1876, and was recognized as
such by the Federal Government as against
Packard, the Republican candidate