smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

The following communication was intended
for last weeks paper, but was received too late
for publication.


To the Editor of the Press: II noticed in your
issue of the 10th April, an account of the "Last
Hope" company, which is engaged sinking
shaft at this place. for the purpose of testing the
richness of the Basin, in which your informant
states that the wealthiest citizens of this place
are those who contribute the least towards pat
ronising the enterprise. l wish to correct your
informant in that respect, for l know that all
our wealthiest citizens, with one exception, have
been exceedingly liberal towards rendering all
the assistance required to enable the workmen to
go to the bed rock; and, furthermore, they are
ready to give any aid hereafter which may be
deemed necessary for the completion of the en-
terprise. For what reason your informant should
include ALL of our wealthiest citizens, simply
because there was one among the many who
looked at the almighty dollar as lost if invested
in the enterprise, cannot imagine; but 1 feel
assured that the project can and will be COM
pleted without his assistance. The shaft is
steadily going down, with fattering prospects
ahead, and the company will get all the assist
ance which they may require. Yours, etc.


SPoNDULIx.
Year: 1861

PENNsYLvANIA.-This is the Commonwealth
of our nativity, and we are proud to see the front
rank she is taking in the noble effort to preserve
the Union. We have, perhaps, as much State
pride as any Southern man dare have, but we de-
clare openly and freely, that had she faltered one
moment in the great Union cause, we would
have plucked her from our heart as we would a
poisonous weed from our garden. Thank God.
we can rise above all such narrow patriotism as
belongs to State lines and State affections. The
flag of the country is ours-hallowed in its asso-
Citations and consecrated by the blood of Revolu-
tionary patriots!
Year: 1861

The crisis has come, and we are either for the
Union or against it. If we are Union men, we
will all join the patriotic Club that was formed
in this place last Saturday evening. If are
secessionists, it can't be expected Of us. There
fore every one will be branded as traitor if he
don't bind himself to support the Union and the
Constitution. | understand there are some
among us here who are endeavoring to deceive
you as to the effect these Clubs will have gener-
ally-that they will cause more hard feeling than
any thing else but, fellow-countrymen, have
created any hard feeling by joining the Union
Club Nonsense. Are we not bound by sa-
cred oath to support the Union and Constitution
of the United States of America We know of
only one Constitution and that we have sworn
to live by and defend. Therefore, my fellow
countrymen, pay no need to traiterous teachings,
but rally around the stars and stripes, and show
to the world and especially to traitors, that the
same blood flows in our veins that coursed
through those of our forefathers during the eight
hundred years they fought for their homes and
liberty on the Isle of Great Britain.


A WELsHMAN.


North SAN JUAN, May lst, 1861.
Year: 1861

WAR AN EvIL.-The secessionist papers,
without exception, deprecate the existence of a
war between the North and South, and yet, with
the same unanimity secretly approve of, and So
physically seek to justify South Carolina in her
attack upon Fort Sumter. They condemn war
which would strike down the seeding States,
but could smile to see secession army pierce to
the very metropolis of the Union, and possess its
capitol. Oh, no it will not do for the Govern
ment to :" coerce"-only the Southern Confeder-
acy is permitted to practice that measure! To
defend, is coercion" on the part of the former,
but to assail is defense SO far as the seeded
States are concerned!
Year: 1861

Election day, although some distance removed,
will be upon us in due course of time, and it is
proper every man should hold himself in readi-
ness to meet it. The terrible state of affairs
which has been precipitated by the attack upon
and capture of Fort SUMTER although not en-
tirely unexpected, finds the public in vacillat-
ing, uncertain condition of mind. Politicians
are reluctant to depart from old party usages,
even when it is evident these cannot longer with
safety be maintained. The country requires their
sacrifice. Policy can never hold successful con-
troversy with duty. Offices and the desire for Of
fee, must give way before the great battle of
principle which is to decide whether there is here
after to be necessity for such devices-whether
we are to have regularly organized form of gov
ernment, or an anarchy, in which the evil pas
sions of men are to usurp the place of law and
order. Let this question be first decided The
issue has been made; there is no avoiding it;
and he will deserve most who goes farthest in
freeing himself from party trammels and array
ing himself under the banner of the Union and
the Constitution.


Unwilling as some may be to confess it, there
are now no parties but friends and foes to the
country. One of these must conquer, and the
other fall God give the victory to the right


At the next election the Governors and all the
other State offices will be to fill, two, and perhaps
three Congressman to choose, in addition to the
choice of members of the Legislature. 1t is time
for the people to look about them for competent
men to occupy these positions There should be
but one test" Is HE UNION MANI" Not
Union man with an If or proUiso-not one who
uses sophistry in defining his status, or who af-
fects to take by-gone statesmen models of his
Democracy or Whiggery, or Republicanism-but
one who, in his heart of hearts has sworn,-who
by his daily course has acted out, and by his open
vows has given assurance of, love, loyalty and
devotion to his country, his whole country and
his country only.


tits well known that one of our late Congress
men is an avowed secessionist, and the other
fshy on this question and it is asserted that at
least five of the present State officers have afini
ties for the Southern Confederacy. These men
must be swept from place. Though their past
official record may be blameless, and their per-
sonal characters immaculate new-fallen snow,
luey cdnnot Oe uuSteu. IHey Wno are HoC lOT
us are against us. This must be so. While
fratricidal strife is going on, men who worthy
to be called by that name, cannot remain neutral
in feeling. They are for the Northern Union or
the Southern Confederacy. If for the first, they
would not be afraid openly to declare it; but if
for the second, subterfuge and evasion must ne
cessarily be resorted to- in order to conceal the
81 fn1c
all such, say we away with them, to the Tar
pean rock of public degradation they must not
be trusted in managing Government of the free !!
Year: 1861

GOOD FROM EyIL.-Advices have been received
from the Atlantic side, stating there was danger
of the Pacific steamers being stopped on the high
seas and robbed of their treasure by pratical
sells sailing under the flag of the Southern Con-
federacy. The insurance offices have refused to
issue policies, which has reduced the semi
monthly shipments of dust to mere fraction in
comparison with what they were formerly. This is
one good result for California. When her gold
cannot be shipped oa of the State with safety,
it viii be compelled to seek investment in it.
Year: 1861

Struck ITS CoLoRs.-In the details of the
pony news we see it stated that the New Orleans
True Delta newspaper, after standing up man.
fully from the beginning against secession,
has struck its colors and gone into the fold of
the enemy. One of our California editors had
so much confidence in the fidelity of the True
Delta, that he suggested the propriety of eircu-
lating subscription paper for its benefit. 1t is
to be hoped now, that no movement has been
made in the matter.
Year: 1861

How ABsURD.-Is it not the very quintessence
of absurdity to witness the efforts of leading COM
mittee-men and party wire-workers to rally the
people on the old and defunct lines of party,
when the country is calling aloud for her chill
dren to array themselves under her insulted ban
ner. The office-holders are mainly at the head
of these movements; but their doom is sealed,
unless they define themselves Immediately in
favor of the Union.
Year: 1861

Won't ANswER.-We observe written notice
tackled on the bulletin-board of the post office,
calling meeting for the formation of Douglas
Union Club. How many kinds of Union clubs
are we to have? If the politicians are determin-
cd to be heard as distinctive class in this mat
ter, SO that the offices may not slip from their
grasp, let them ''sort themselves, and the people
will make themselves heard.


This whole club question was commenced
wrong. A Clubwe ought to, and must have, and
inasmuch as examinations and determinations are
heard as to the manner of proceeding thus far,
we suggest that some one whu feels interested,
shall carry around paper and procure sigma
lures for the call of mass meeting to form a
Club for the defence, support and maintenance
of the American Union-its flag, its laws and its
Constitution-against the plottings of secret
enemies within the State, and open traitors with
out. Such Club we and hundreds of others
could join, who regard with scorn and contempt
any and every effort made to give so serious a
matter a filthy party bias.
Year: 1861

CoNGREssMEN.-A bill has gone through
the Assembly, aud will most likely pass the
Senate, calling a special election. of Con-
gressmen, to take place on the third Tuesday
of June, with view to having California
represented in the extra session which has
been summond by the President to assem-
BILE on the Fourth of July. Should this bill
prevail, our townspeople will see the neces-
sity for Union Club in which all parties
can meet, to choose delegates to a county
Union Convention, which, in turn, will elect
nominate sterling Union men to these Con-
gressional positions. No other party will
have diving show" in the race. 1t will
be Union against disunon, patriotism against
treason-and the triumph which awaits the
cause of the country, we are certain will be
so overwhelming as to silence the disafected
amongst us at once and forever.


UNION ENTHUSIAsM.-The collision of the
"palm against the pine" has thoroughly aroused
the patriotism of the "loyal North" Thousands
and tens of thousands of volunteers, from every
town and city of the free States, are rallying at
the call of the President, to sustain the honor of
their countrys flag, and repel the invasion of the
rebel armies. The second blood of the civil con-
test has been shed in the streets of Baltimore.
Massachusetts, furnished the first Victims as she
did in the streets of Charleston at the opening
of the Revolutionary war. Maryland is the only
Southern State that manfests the least sympathy
for the cause of the Union, and even there it is
doubtful whether the unequal strife can be main
tanned for any considerable length of time. Gov.
Hicks shows some disposition to waver from his
Union sentiments as but recently announced.


No DAY FIxED.-An attempt was made by
the Assembly to induce the Senate to agree toa
resolution of adjournment which fixed the 18th
of May as the time for that event but the SEN
ate, it is said, will neither consent to adjourn
nor do hard labor. The Governor has already
signed upwards of two hundred and fifty laws
Think of that, for one session. At this rate, in
ten years more, the State will be required to
build an immense library room to contain SIM
ply its statutes.
Year: 1861

FJ- The Ladies of San Juan and the surrounding
country respectfully invited to call and patronze
their Home Dry Goods Store resting assured that the
quality and prices of the articles sold shall give entire
satisfaction. apr27
Year: 1861

Work FOR THE ARMY.-Almost all work
that is done for the army is, in some respect
or other, less faithfully done than it should
be. This fault has been corrected, to great
extent, since the war began, but continual
vigilance on the part of the Government In
spectors is necessary to prevent the frauds of
contractors. An intelligent workman on
army shoes, in New England, says that the
imperfect character of much of the work that
is done for the service is partly attributable
to the ignorance of those who make out the
specifications. In illustration of this he re-
marks that those who are employedto make
the shoes for our troops, are required to make
twelve stitches to the inch in the upper, and
six in the sole, which is too many, as they
frequently cut out the leather in drawing in,
thus making an inferior shoe at an increased
cost. He also states that while white-oak
tanned stock is required, nothing is said as
TO its thickness or quality, aud consequently
an article which might be termed leather
sbOddy is frequently used, stiffeued up with
shingles or paste-board, for soles. These
shoes, moreover, are manufactured without
counter for the support of the ankles, and as
the uppers will hardly stand alone, they in
evitably run down at the heel in wearing
and are rendered utterly useless on long
march, The Government is said to pay 50 25
for these shoes atwhich price it should COM
mand the very best article that can be put
together. sH..l Sd ..-.ff
Year: 1861

PREsEETIMRNTs.-It 1t is said that Baker had
q presentiment of his fate; so had Ellsworth;
and IL is said that an officer who fell on the
other side had the same Dreseutiment. All
this counts nothing in mental philosophy,
unless we knew how many had the same
pTesentiment and were not killed at all.
These latter are not published. The Temple
ofNeptune was filled with gifts of those who
escaped shipwTeck, to show the power of the
god; but where were the gifts of those who
did not escape, to show his lack of power2
Year: 1861

SENATOR TooMBs ON THE FLooR.-Senator
Toombs is thus described by a Republican
journal:


To get an idea Of the man and his speech
your readers must imagine big obese.
swarthy looking savage-a perfect speci-
men OF plantation overseer, who rolls
about with whip in hand, VITA hoarse.
gruT voice, ordering the hands like so
many dogs, and they have faint picture of
the Georgia Senator. Now, listen to his
roar in harsh, cracked thick, cultural ca
dences-pitching his voice in the middle Of
every sentence, so loud that he could be
heard all over plantation, league in ex-
tent dropping it at each end of the SEN
tence to conversational tone, and rattling
and jumbling his words together so fast
and thick as to defy the swftest phono.
grapher to keep up, and most practical ear
to understand all he is saying. All this
time he is swinging bis arms aud head vio-
lently, and jerking about him and looking
at Republican Senator'S with wrathful Wis
age.
Year: 1861

Another year has gone. and we are
brought to that period, when, following
the example Of our Puritan Fathers, we
are accustomed to offer our public Thanks
giving to the Author of all good for his
mcrcltul providence towards us. Wonder
full changes have occurred daring the past
year, and adyersities seem to have over
taken us as a country and people; yet
we have manifold blessings for which 10
be thankful For the bounteous harvests
OF the field, for the general good health of
the past year, for the peaceful relations
we occupy with nations abroad, for the
aroused patriotic spirit Of the People
which promises in due time to restore
peace at home and triumphantly place our
civil and religious institutions OF Freedom
on a firmer foundation than ever before
for these and many other blessings we have
abundant cause for Christian gratitude
With Civil War raging in our midst, the
banner Of Rebellion waving along all the
Southern border, hostile armies marching
10 the conflict, and walls of mourning al
ready swelling from thousands OF stricken
hearts and househo holds-that we can still
recognize manifold causes of gratitude and
acknowledge Ills kindly prosidence- Fnd
confidently place our trust in His bar to
control this storm for the Nations good.
may entiile u to the renewed favor Of Him
who doeth all things we'll


To this end, /, Samuel j. kirkwood,
| Governor Vi the State OF Iowa, do hereby
appoint Ihurfday, the 18th dsy Of No.
vcmher next, a. day Of Thanksgiving;
and earnestly recommend the people oi
the State 10 abstain On that day from their
usual avocations, and assemble at their
respective places of worship to offer Thanks,
Prayer and Praise TO Him in whose mercy
now more than ever Il our great trust
SAM Ill j kIkkWOOD,


Governor of Iowa.
Year: 1861

Marshal, spare that dog. touch not a
single hair he worries many hog. from
out his muddy lair. Oh. when he was
pup, SO frisky and so plump, he Tapped
his milk from a cup when hungry--at
jump. And then his funny tricks. go
funny in their place. SO full of canine licks,
upon your hands and face. You will
surely let him live Oh, do not XIII him
dead he wags his narrative. and begs
for life--not lead. Go, get the muzzle
now. and put upor his mouth, and stop
that bow, bow bow and tendency to
drought. He is your children's pet. COM
panion Of their JOY you will not kill him
yet, and thus their hope destroy. No.
Marshal. spare that pup, touch not single
hair oh, put your pistol up and go away
from there
Year: 1861

R1- The following article We take from
the New York Age. 1t is true, every
word Of it. Seven States can NEVER be
brought back at The point of the bayonet
1t is utter madness to think of i'll 1t can
not be done! We may inaugurate civi
war; We may deluge the land in blood
We may PROSTATE trade, and reduce to
beggary halt Of the people; but we assure
our people in the most solemn manner
that when the war is ended (if, indeed, il
would ever end) those states would still
be out of the Union! Then, we ask, what
is to be gained by civil war?
Year: 1861

Tn education it is the same as in bust
ness. Whatever you undertake. let it be


a fixed principle with you TO keep on till
you have accomplished your wishes. And
here habit of observation will also be of
great assistance. By observation is meant
the paying attention to what is going on
arouod s-making proper use of our eyes.
There are thousands Of persons who never
see auythiug--that is they shut their eyes
10 everything but the mere mechanism OF
Iife-the three meals day, dressing and
undressing. But observation will show
US thousands facts tha, will ado to our
knowledge and experience. Note well the


different characters of the peope you
work with. of those you meet in your
daily business, and by and by you will
find out that they are not all alike, and
learn to value the bsst. Pay attention to
handicrafts; how many hints you may
pick up which otherwise you would never
have known! Are you taking a country
walk Y-you will find in the trees and
hedge rows, in weeds and stones, very
many things TO make you thoughtful and
increase your pleasures. 1t is not all bar
rem there is multitude OF delights fol
those who will take the trouble to look IOT
them. Observation leads'a a man to form
correct judgments. Ifhe has any notions
in his head, he can 'alway test their value
by observation-by comparison with others


And what is not least, by observation al


home you will learn to understand differ


ences in the character Of your children


and to train them so as 10 bring out the
good that is in their nature, and thus AVOID
the error of governing them oil by on'
limited, uhcompliant rule.
Year: 1861

If an acorn be suspended, by a piece
70 thread, to within half an inch of some
water, contained in hyacinth glass,
and SO permitted to remain without being
disturbed, it will, in few months, burst
and throw root down into the water. and
shoot upward its tapering stem. with beau
tiful green leaves. A young oak.tree
growing in this way on mau,le-shelf Of
a room is very interesting object.
Year: 1861

term of service. have the power to re-organ- ize themselves into companies and elect their company officers, and said company shall have the power to organize themselves into battallions or regiments and elect their field officers; and after the first election, all vacancies shall De filled by promotion from the company, battalion or regiment in which such vacancies may occur: Provid cd that whenever 9 vacancy shall occur, whether by promotion or otherwise, in the lowest grade of commissioned officers of company, said vacancy shall always be lIl- Cd 6y election: And provided further, that in tho case of troops which have been regularly enlisted into the service of any particular State prior to the formation of the Confederacy, and which have, by such State, been turned over to the Confederate government, the officers shall not be elect ed, but appointed and promoted in the same manner and by the same authority as they have heretofore been appointed and promoted.
Year: 1861

retained at all. The ancient flag of France was one of the most beautiful and useful that ever existed. It was pure white, with three feur-de-lis of gold in the centre No smoke or fog or distance could obscure or confound it--its beauty and effect was un- contested. As it is no longer used by any nation, we might perhaps take hint from it, and find that for simplicity, elegance, durability and utility, we could have noth- ing better than 8 white ground, with the arms or emblem of the country, Whenever Congress shalIf find committee of sufficient taste and knowledge of heraldry to make one) emblazed in gold or scarlet on the union or in the centTe.-R Rjcdm0nd E.raaa- iner.
Year: 1861

From the report of the treasurer of South Carolina we see that the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars was paid into the treasury by patriotic citizens, as donation to the State to help her carry on the war.
Year: 1861

SOLDIERS PAY.-The Legislature of Tennessee has
passed resolution favorable to the measure Of the
increase of the pay of the volunteers of the Confed
crate States from eleven to fifteen dollars per month


We hope the Legislature Of Georgia now in session.


will pass resolutions recommending the same thing,
and that the Confederate States Government will
act in accordance Herewith. For ougselvesFwe
would say that the Tennessee Legislature has not
gone far enough-that in our opinion sum not less
than twenty-five dollars per month should be paid
them. We have never yet been able to see the me-
cessity the justice Of making such wide differ
ence between the soldier and the officer, of giving
the latter rations per day than isallowed the
soldier -,


1t cannot be said that intellect or even experience
for there are many hundreds-yes, many thou
sands-in the ranks bearing muskets, who have
more intellect and more experience than many in
command of companies, regiments and of brigades.
Nor it be said that it is for superior patriotism
for it requires more selfdenal in the soldier than
in the general officer TO fight for his country When
the war is over, an6 the war debt has to be paid,
the soldier is as heavily taxed in proportion to his
pro erty as those who suffered less in camp than he
did, by reason Of being able, on account of better
and protect themselves better from rain sleet cold
and poisonous masma. =sss


The dictates of humanity and of justice mpera-
lively demand that the soldier IN the ranks should
be better paid, whether the general officers receive
less or not We sincerely hope that our State Leg
islature and the Confederate States Government will
take this matter into consideration and legisate
cordingly.-Atlanta Commonwealth. "a
Year: 1861

n0-We intended to say in an article in this
paper on Saturday, that an attack on Wash.
ingtou was "Me least desperate Of the courses
open to the enemy" but were made by the print
ers to say that such an attack was she most
desperate of Tie causes" &c.
Year: 1861

p6r There is said to be no scarcity in the
Gulf States, Of what as yet passes current there
as money, that is, the notes of suspended banks.
It was that class of banks, who were the chief
takers of the Confederate" loan. Their notes
are intrinsicslly worthless but they answer the
temporary purpose of concealing from the COM
munity the burdens imposed upon them.


Property in all forms is being used up by the
war, but the owners have not yet discovered
that the paper they are taking for it, is good
for nothing. But that is discovery which
cannot long be postponed.