smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1862

Since the commencement of our ma
tional difficulties, four powerful squad
rons have been collected, organized, and
stationed for duty on our maritime from
tier, with rapidity and suddenness
which finds no approach to a parallel in
previous naval history, and which it is
believed no other country but our own
could have achieved These squadrons
have been necessarily maintaining
strict blockade of such gigantic proper
tions that eminent foreign statesmen in
the highest scenes Of legislation did not
hesitate, at its commencement, publicly
to denOunce it as |" a material impossi-
bility;" and yet, after this most impos-
sible naval undertaking had been fora
period of eighteen months in operation,
and after its reach had been effectively
extended along the entire sweep of our
Atlantic and Gulf coasts, from the out
let of the Chesapeake to the mouth of
the Rio Grande, the same eminent au-
thorities, with list in their hands of all
the vessels which had evaded or escaped
the vigilance of our blockading forces,
could not refuse in their official state
ments to admit with reluctant candor
that the proof of the efficiency of the
blockade was conspicuous and wholly
conclusive, and that in no previous war
had the ports of an enemys country been
so effectually closed by naval force
But even such testimony was not needed
The proof OF the fact abounds in the cur
rent price of our Southern staples in the
great commercial marts of the world,
and more especially in the whole indus
trial and commercial condition of the in
surgent region 1t should not be forgot
ten that no circumstance is wanting to
attest the magnitude of this greatest of
all naval trlumphs, The industrial ne
cessities and the commercial cupidity OF
all the principal maritime nations, arm
ed and empowered as they are by the re-
sources of modern invention, are kept at
bay. \ multitude of island harbors un-
der foreign jurisdiction, looking nearly
upon our shores and affording the most
convenient lurking places from which
Illicit commerce may leap forth to its
prohibited destination and purpose, are
so closel Y watched as to render the peril
Of all such ventures far greater than
even their enormous gains when success
ful. And finally, a vast line of seacoast
nearly three thousand miles in extent
much of it with double shore and al
most honeycombed with inlets and har
bors, has been so beleaguered and locked
up that the whole immense foreign com
merce, which was the very life Of the in
dustry and opulence of the vast regior
which it borders, has practically ceased
to exist
Year: 1862

Heavy firing was heard yesterday after
noon and this morning to the left of Rich
rmOnd, which was probably caused by our
gunhohts endesvoTing to force their way hp
the James River.


The weather is warm and plea ant during
the day, with heavy dsws at night.
bog The health OF the troopa continues remark
ably good Two rationB Of whisky and qui-
nine are now daily served
Year: 1862

Crime in England INDUCES in strange
eccentricfties. A ploughnan named
Gardner, was recently hung at Warwicl.
for the murder of Sarah Kirby. He
confessed the deed; expressed no regret
or compunction, and died as stoically as
Socrates. On being asked to give a
motive for the crime, ne said the girl
would never draw him the proper
quantity Of beer, and that veced hinsl''
1t did not take him long to make up
his mind to kill her, and his manner of
coming to conclusion had something
Of the classic in it. He says he was
ploughing in the field when the thought
occurred to him whether or no Sarah had
not better be put to death. This is how
he solved the problem:


Il tried MY luck in the field by
throwing up the spud of the plough,
which came oawn with the point in the
earth. If it had ie,2llen fiat should not
have killed her. but as 1t came down
with the point foremost, left the held
with the determination to do it,


The confession is exciting much at
tention; and the question whether a
man who could have thus acted and
reasoned was Irresponsible moral
agent, is being vigorously discussed


The story reads like a passage from
De Quincy $ ''Murder considered as one
of the Fine Arts"
Year: 1862

LAM YIN I'll SCpe. IL, u.


ar. .Editor:-There are a great many
different theories ali over the country,
and among all classes Of reople, with re-
gard to the policy the Government
ought to adopt in suppressing this attro-
cious rebellion. This difference of
opinion among the people arises chiefly
from the fact that they differ widely
with regard to the causes that have
brought it about. Some say the tariff
question; some say politicians and Office
seekers; and some say that the Aboli-
tionists are to blame for the whole thing.


Now, sir, without entering into any
argument to show that the positions ta-
ken by the persons above referred to
are false, we fearlessly assert, and the
unprejudiced common sense of the peo-
pie will sustain US in it, that it is not the
tariff, neither is it politicians, Office
seekers, nor Abolitionists that are re-
spensible for the devastation and blood
shed that is now being brought about
throughout the Southern section of this
nation. L is found in one single cause,
and in that alone-and that cause is
slavery And whatever side-issues or
incidental causes may be dragged into
the argument, they nevertheless have
their origin in one great, paramount,
central idea, and thai is slavery IF
slavery had not had an existence, there
would never have been any demands for
free trade. If slavery had not existed,
it could never have been dragged into
the politics of the country. If slavery
had not involved, within itself, every
thing that is repulsive to the moral and
enlightened sensibilities of the people,
there would have been no Abolitionists;
hence we say that slavery is the cause,
and the only cause, and will be made re-
sponsible for all the dreadful ealamities
that are now being suffered by the ma
ton. 1t is we'll known to every intelli-
gent man, whose mind is unbiased by
party prejudice ard selfish motives, that,
in consequence of the existence of this
peculiar institution, there has also ex-
listed two discordant elements, possessing
principles in their constitutions as
widely different the one from the other
as the north is from the south poles
We mean the free and slave labor ele-
ments. These two elements can never
be made to coincide, and the natural and
inevitable results would be constant
and irrepressible conflict. You know
that this constant irritation-this wal
of ideas-this difference Of opinion
among the people of this country with
regard to the right or wroHg Of human
slsVery, has been in existenee from the
very dawn Of or. national being, ape
Year: 1862

the most deliberate preparations to strike
down the flag Of the Union at the first
opportunity that presents itself Ny in
formation is that part Of their scheme
includes my defeat. and tha, the rebe's
are now engaged in determining between
two men as the instrument with which it
is to be done. Being thus advised, hold
myself In readiness to take up the glove,
whenever and wherever the true men of
the district may require. am in their
hands, to be used BY them as may, in
their Judgment, best serve the interests
OF the country. Whether they shall de-
sire me to be their standard bearer in the
race for Congress or not, / shall be / n
hand as soon ~ can leave here. to strife
down treason, Open Or secret, wherever it
can be reached. shall be in the canvass
in southeast Missouri, and do al / can 10
expose the miserable hypocrites who, pro-
Tossing to be Americans, are yet found
engaged il destroying our nationality !;
who, claiming To be honest men. are found
sympathizing with and abetting the great
est fraud and blackest iniquity the world
has ever seen. If the rebels have the
power TO control the district, the sooner
We know it the better. Let the issue be
made at once Ii any man be traitor
there Is no more fit occasion for him to
develope himself than at the August elec-
uon. We want no more half way work
no more smuggling men into high places
under false pretenses We have been
forced to appeal to the sword to snAtain
fthc national authority let US know ut
The ensuing August election who are the
men We have to meet as enemies and who
~ friends. ] think we shall pans con-
fiscation bill that will reach the men who
may hereafter put themselves In opposi-
tion to their own flag. The men who
have despoled Union men, and murdered
some Of the best and most peaceablc citi-
sens Of the State because they were not
traiters like themselves, must stop their
hellish work and If, with all the warn
ings they have bad. they do not stop il,
they must be punished. / know not what
the feeling Of the people may be on the
subject, but for myself, am frank to say
that am for confscation, and win sus-
tain reasonable bill here, and will rrain-
tain it on the stump before my constitn-
ents This ! say openly. and hope it
may be thoroughly understood by the
people Of the district.


Hoping to hear from you, remain,


Very truly. yours,


JNo. w. NoLLL.
Year: 1862

DEFENcEs OF New YoRK HARBoR.-The
Fort at Sandy Hook was commenced recently,
BY the construction Of buildings required in the
prosecution of operations, and by grading and
planking roads leading from the wharf to the
site Of the fort. The works during the last few
months have progressed with great rapidity,
and 1t is now in condition to mount large
number Of guns. 1t commands the channel Of
the entrance to the lower bay, and the entire
anchorage around. hostile feet approaching
New York harbOr by the Narrows, would first
have to encounter the fire Of the battery at San
dy Hook, some of the guns Of which, with a
slight elevation, sent, by recent experiment, a
hundred pound shot distance of two miles be-
fore striking the water. After passing this point
the feet will come within the range of fifty Of
the guns OF Fort RichmOnd and Fort Hamilton
IN the first stage Of progress, and as it is ad-
vances the number Of guns increases, until the
neet will receive fire Of 215 guns. Should it
pass these without being disabled, it still has
10 encounter the batteries of Governors Island
and Fort Wood on BedlOe's Island.
Year: 1862

To THOSE AT HoME.-A.l Of US can
not 60 to war. Age and physical iu6rm
tiles present to some ipsurmountable bar
riers. In some few Cases the pressure of
peculiar, and sacred social and business
bligations prevent it. 10 many more
eases on ecan be more useful in couDe;. and
in civic positions than IN the field. Let
us all be honest W. IT, Ives and act for
our country, as we can serve her best


But those who stay at home owe it All
the more to those who 90 to pour out their
means to facilitate their patriotic efforts.
Give! Freely, cheerfully, thankfully! l.
it nothing that this means Of serving your
country is left you? Can you not rejoice that
you too, may be thus instrumental in your
couutry's defence? What is all that man
can have to his portion on earth without
honor aud Independence? Spare nothing,
useful and proper to our volunteers! You
are false to your higher instincts if you
do. You would enjoy peace and security
bought by the blood and treasure Of 9TH
ers
Year: 1862

CouPoNs.-Many of our business men
here have determined to receive and pay
out detached coupons of war bonds, wher
due. This is right The faith of the
State is pledged to redeem them They
are as good as the original bonds The
Treasurer declines redeeming them until
the original bond is paid in, but that does
not affect the obligation of the State. All
genuine coupons will be paid at last
They may serve for change, and should
have currency.
Year: 1862

ns- We learn FROM several of our ex


changes, that Col. M'Carver, the com
mandant at Pocahontas, has received or
ders from the proper Confederate author
tiles, countermanding the general order
issued by Col. Borland prohibiting the
expectation of produce from that military
division. Ours is not the only journal,
which has taken grounds against the
right Of military men, TO interfere with
the civil pursuits of citizens not in the
military service. There is always great
Hanger to be apprehended from the too


common sentiment in tim IS of war, that


the citizen is beneath the soldier, and his
comp aints are to be answered with the
retort, that as he has not taken up arms
himself, he should not be too jealous of
his civil rights, against those who have.
If everybody became soldiers, the coun-
try would 60 to ruin as fast perhaps as if
none did. All the industrial pursuits should
90 on as usual. Each should serve his
country in the way he can do most good.


Let every one 90 to war who can. They
ought to go. Their reward is in the
hearts and affections Of those who stay
at home No pretext should keep, them.
But there are many who cannot and ought
not. Nor are all required. Let them to
the best of their ability serve their coun-
try if they will, but even if they live
supinely, ESQ as they do not actively or
indirectly serve the enemy they 'are
equally under the broad 9gis of the law,
which should always be sacred. ~
Year: 1862

COTTON PLAyTING.-There is a great
deaf Of hasty and i'll advised speculation
aud, here aud there, some rather question
able action, on the subject of our next
cotton crop. We have been an xious, no,
only from sense Of duty to our readers
but for the sake Of our own reputation for
good sense, to form correc; opinions on
this subject, and nc have never been able
to arrive at but one conclc


Our planters will unquestionably find il
for their own lest interests, as well as thai
of the country to plant profusely aud be
yond their ordinary custom Of breadstnffs
Enough to sustain the home market and
afford some for expectation, to the army
Fully enough to suffice, would be secured
by doubling the ordinary crop.


Beyond that. cotton is the only thing,
and they should make all the cotton they
can. The idea of effecting any good by
refusing to produce cotton has always
seemed to us a political absurdity. It is
means of coercing foreign nations which
will surely rebound upon ourselves with
destructive force. A the cotton we make
will sell. Why not make it and sell !: !!
II double crop should be on hand, that
would surely be compensated by the fac,
that the marts of Europe would be empty
and their demands would be go much
larger, for present supply, for speculation
and for storage.


We must not forget that the. planters
cannot cultivate their lands or even let
their hands or stock lie idle without ex.
pense. They cannot 90 into quarters like
bears. They must have means Of sup
porting themselves externally Of their
plantations. Clothing, medical attend
ance, iron, blacksmithing, thousand
things must be paid for, aud money must
be had. Grain will not bring money be,
yond definite supply. 1t would not bear
expectation. The market would be glut.
ted if We all make grain. What could
not be eaten would rot, or, as is now the
case LII Illinois be used for fuel.


We sincerely hope our planters will
make all the cotton they eau, after being
sure of a surplus of grain. 1t will bring
nerve and slnew in many ways to the
Southern Confederacy, as well as keep our
planting interest from becoming hope
lessly crippled.
Year: 1862

Left alone, and too restless to re-
turn to the piano, or employ her
self in any way, she lowered the
lights and again sought the win
dow. The rain had ceased, and a
faint star-gleam shone down the
vacant street, where only a solitary
pedestrian or q carriage now and
then passed; but afar came the
roll of a drum, and an occasional
bugle note rang shrilly out.


She had been standing thus
perhaps a half hour or SO absorbed
in her thoughts when she became
Year: 1862

We deeply regret our inability
10 present our readers with a bet
ter paper this week ; sickness has
prostrated us, and we have been
unable to procure any assistance.
We hope, however, to come to time
next week, with more news.
Year: 1862

war with Peru notwithstanding that the latter Power
M nAA no nssf with which to c.v . . the Esqsdoran
Of Guayaqu is being strengthened TO meet any attack
that may be made upon it, and orders issued Tor the
whole available male population TO hold themselves IN
readiness for Business Of course under such state
Of things, 10 very dull and dnrsmdh9fative.
Year: 1862

a Washington correspondent Of the Baltimore
AmericaA says:


Ia conversation with the wounded, who are
constantly arriving here, find that they have
no faith in General Pope's capacity to command
great army, and ridicule the pretentious an
souncements he put forth at the commencement
Of the campaign, with % headquarters in the
saddle" etc. They complain of bad generalship,
and say that the whole campaign has been with
out plan or strategy, and that he has walked into
every trap they set feT him, without foresight OF
common prudence.


As to General Mcdowell, his withdrawal from
the Army Of Virginia is a necessity that the
President can no longer resist. Not only his
own command, but every other division, de-
nOunce him in terms end language that it would
not, perhaps, be proper to. repeat. Suffice it to
say that those lighting Under him complain that
his orders led them constantly to disaster, while
he kept himself in safe position and other com
manders charge him with having failed to prop
erly guard and protect the points assigned to
him. In fact, his longer presence, whether
these charges are true or false, will have d most
denoraliziug toadeucy
Year: 1862

to him. That no man ever hintsd to Col. Ere
mont wish to be paid by him for political
services in aid of his nomination aud canvass
for the Presidency, need hardy be stated but
that Col. f.. while scarcely known by sight to
one in a hundred Of bis leading supporters,
was nominated and CALAMITY sustained by a
great party whose leaders knew right well that
be could spend no money in the canvass and
requite no political service save with gratitude
is a fact which if it does not particularly honor
human nature certainly casts strong light
on the ruling impulses and natural Instincts OF
John Van Buren.


Gen. Wadsworth is understood to be wealthy:
yet we venture TO say that no man lives who
dare suggest to him the expedieDcy OF paying
to secure his own nomination TO any post
whatever. He was nominated by sponta-
neous impulse of the great body of freedom
loving yeomanry of our State-men who live
by their own industry, and are politicians only
so far as they are impeiled by sense Of duty.
They nominated him, because they discerned
in him the qualities aud purposes they honored
and loved, and because they felt that he was
prominently the man for the eSleency. Not
one of them ever paid or received money 10
influence a nomination, nor ever VIII.


But wc waste time in exposing Tho iabri-
cations and repeng the insinaations OF this
political tumber. Among all our partisan de-
claimers, there is no other whose speeches
are so uniformly calculated as John Van Bu-
rens to corrupt aud debauch the minds Of our
youth, by inculcatiDg belief that politics are
a low, degrading scramble for place ard peli,
that patriotism is a name, and public virtue q
iast
Year: 1862

vassed. A few clerical errors were discovered and
corrected. TIE official vote does not dner materi-
ally from that already printed.


On the night of November the bark Jane An
derson was driven ashore on Barnegat Shoal and
went to pieces before morning. All the crew were
drowned one of them having been
found Yesterday morning south of the Inlet


The Stock market opened firm, but was some,
what depressed later ia the day. and at the Second Board
there decline ranging from cent Government
were quite firm OF tho close 1891 Tor Gs Of 1884, and O3


for 73s The decline In gold unsettled the market for For
eign Bills and quotations cannot be giveu with certanty
God fell of to l3Oi but recovered to l3 ln money tneI
was an advance In rates of about cent Flour was les
active and Ice lower Wheat dull Provisions more active
Year: 1862

PLANT! PLANr!-This year promises to be
a golden one to the farmers of the State
More money will be made by that worthy
class of our citizens this season than they
have made in the last five years. Oregon,
which has always raised q large surplus, will
raise comparatively nothing this season
certainly not more than enough for immedi-
ate home consumption. Cariboo, Salmon
river, Humboldt and Washoe must look to
California for their food, and in these locali-
ties there will be one hundred thousand men
to feed. This fact alone is sufficient to prove
that farming will be the most remunerative
of all occupations this year. There can be
no danger of raising too much. The fear is
well grounded that with all our efforts enough
can not be produced to supply the demand
BY the provisions of Cranes bill, which will
become a law, our farmers need have no
difficulty in raising means to carry on their
farm ing operations. We therefore say,
plant as extensively as possible.
Year: 1862

The vessels we need to blockade and harry
the Southern Coast, or to sting England on
the seas if she NEEDLES with us, are swift,
light steamers, carrying one heavy rifed
pivot gun each. Every shipyard in the
Union should ring with their construction
without delay.-.Sac Union.
Year: 1862

COMING Our.-Buchanan' history of his
administration is nearly ready for the press.
1t is devoted to showing that while he was
President majority of his Cabinet were
scoundrels, which is rather an easy task, and
also to showing that he is not traitor, which
is more difficult.
Year: 1862

THREArs.-Davis says that if Government
Furnishes any bridge burning rebels, that he
will retort by hanging the Federal prison
ers in his hands. This is something that the
Mountain Democrat would say, is sunheard OF
in civilized warfare. The choking process is a
game at which more than one can play,
which Davis will remember in time.
Year: 1862

We are in favor of the war, as the only means
of preserving the Union. Cancellation and com
promise are "payed out" The rebel leaders
ask or desire no compromise. therefore why
should the Union men keep on ctprnaly prating
about conciliation?-Red Bluff Beacon, lGM.


Boldly spoken, Fisher, but in striking contrast
with a mighty host of war sentiments uttered
through the Beacon during your absence. For
one, we heartily rejoice that the Beacon editor
has had opportunity to satisfy himself in regard
to the necessity of vigorously prosecuting this
war to the end. and that Cancellation and CON-
promise are played out" in his opinion.
Year: 1862

A HUNDRED THOUSAND MoRE.--The following
acknowledgement has been received by he San
Francisco Relief Committee of the receipt of the
second 100000 forwarded for the relief Of the
sick and wounded of our armY j.:
Year: 1862

The Augusta (Ga.) Constitutionalst, in re-
monstrating against the policy of burning the
cities Of the South as the Federal army advances,
says;


"a captured city, for instance, may serve only
a temporary convenience to an enemy, for the
occupation of troops If it be a strategic point,
he would hold 1t through its buildngs were
heap Of smOuldsring ruins. His tents would be
pitched among the rubbish or on the outskirts.
No General would leave il because his troops
did not have houses to live in. Nor would he
keep his army in the best built city. on account
of it's fine houses, if the plans of the campaign
required them elsewhere, or il the position could
not be held against superior force moving to
re possess il.


la referring TO rumor that Savannah would
be thus destroyed in case the enemy make good
their attack, the writer says:


eve protest against il as unwise, as iruitless
of any good result as not calculated TO be Of any
serious disadvantage to the enemy, while it
would infict q siupendous, permanent injury
upon the people of the city and Of The State. 1t
would involve q destruction of buildings that
otherwise might stand hundreds Of years TO
beautify that fair city, and subserye the uses Of
her people for ages after the present atrocous
set oil Yankee vandals have been driven back TO
their Northern homes To destroy the city
under the presumption that it could never be won
back would be to act as an unmanly fear, and TO
imply doubt of southern prowcss aud courage