smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

FROM AMONG THE SoLDIBRs-A letter from
washington says: L am living luxuriantly, al
present, on the top Of a very respectable fence
and fare sumptuously On three granite biscuit
day, and glass Of water weakened, with
brandy, high private in the Twenty-second
Regiment has promised to let me have one OF
his square pocket handkerchiefs for a sheet
the first rainy night, and L never 20 to bed on
my comfortable window brush without think.
ing how many poor creatures there are in this
world who have to sleep ON hair mattresses
and feather beds all their lives Before the
great rush Of Fire Zouaves and the rest of the
menagerie commenced, 1 boarded exclusively
on front stoop In Pennsylvania avenue, and
used to slumber, regardless of expense, in a
Hell-cOnducted ash box i; but the military mo.
nopolize all such accommodations now, and I
give way for the sake Of my country.


tell you, my boy, we're having high old
times here just now, and if they get any higher
shan't be able to afford to stay The CITY is
''in danger" every other hour, and, as a vete-
ran In the Fire Zouaves remarked, there seems
to be enough danger lying around loose on
Arlington flights to make n very good blood
and-thunder fiction, in Numerous pages. II
the yigilant and well-educated sentinels hap
pen to see niger on the upper side of the
PotOmsc, they sing out, Here they come ~
and the whole blessed army is Swapping cans
in less than minute. Then all the reporters
telegraph to their papers in New York and
Philadelphia that JEFF Davis is within two
minutes walk of the Capital, a few millions of
men" and all the free States send six more
regiments apiece to crowd us little more
shan't stand much more crowding, for nv
fence is full now, and there were six appIica.
tions yesterday to rent an improved knot hole.
My landlord says that If more than three chaps
set up housekeeping on one post, he'll be
obliged to raise the rent.


Those Fire ZouaVes are fellows of awful
suction, tell you. Just for greens, L asked
one Of them, yesterday, what he came here
for' Haho says be, shutting one eye, I've
came here to strike for your affairs and your
Year: 1861

Such Of our subscribers az have been chang.
ing their residences or place OF business, are
requested to Leave word at the counting room:
where they desire to have their paper LEFT here
.+.x -
Year: 1861

IL at first seemed little thing that q
few discontented politicians should be-
come excited over the result of Presi-
dental election, and that they should
talk of secession and rebellion; but see
to what destructive consequences this
wickedness has reached in SO short a
tine


1t does not now appear what effect
this conflict will have upon our national
sins. At present, Slavery has nothing
TO do with the war, except as it was
made pre,ext by the South for wag-
ing a conflict; but this small beginning
may terminate in its downfall. God
may be opening the way for its extirpa-
ton in the folly and madness Of its
supporters as He did the downfall Of
the Papacy by the excessive impudence
of its own strength and the arrogance
of its power.


We have a firm belief that the all
wise Disposer Of events is guiding and
controlling the events in this nation. and
that they will ultimate in final bless
ings. however grievious they may now
appear. But it may be that for our
sins. We must suffer baptism Of blood,
before the end comes.


May Heaven spare us and lead our
Republic 10 a glorious destiny. And
may His mercy spare us, while His
Justice shall chaslise.
Year: 1861

Canada away by their foolish course in
the present crisis of our affairs.


There is no excuse for the course the
British Ministry has taken. 1t appears
to have no foundation except in the
jealousy, envy or sel6shness Of the
Cabinet of the kingdom; and its react
ing force may yet shake that empire to
its very foundations, and dismember it
beyond the possibility of recovery.


Already has the government OF Brit
ain discovered its error. We may judge
from the tone of the recent dispatches;
but her mistake cannot be wiped out.
She may. and doubtless will. be less
favorable TO the rebels Of the South
than if the error had not been commit
ed, SO that we shall probably be rather
benefited than injured by it but after
all the record has been made up, and
time cannot blot it out. The effect
must follow the cause, and it will tell
with fearful effect when the day Of
retribution comes.


Altogether. the position of foreign
nations seems very favorable for US.
The rebels are likely to receive no sub
stantial aid from abroad, and King Cot
ton must fall by the hand Of his own
friends, who have wickedly raised a
storm about him which must prove fatal
to his reign and dominion.
Year: 1861

The decline in the securities of the border States
is easily understood by all who know the fOunda-
tion upon which they rest. 1t is q mistake to
suppose that the Northwestern and Northern States
are the sole posseors of railway enterprises based
on speculation, and that they only would suffer by
civil war, upon which many look cooy. The
entered D9taiy i7t"'i.o work of Internal improve
ment, and that they are in no degree behind the
free States in modes Of internal transit, based on
credit, safe operation in time of peace, or in a
foreign war; but one full Of danger when civil war
reigns. The following table will show about the
debts for internal improvements Of the four leading
States, but the actual amount is above the figures
given:
Year: 1861

The Salem (Ala.) Register thinks there is not
public work, single branch Of business of any
kind, single department of human enterprise in
this country, or one single individual in it, but has
suffered more or less by the present agitation. The
loss to the country it thinks, scarcely be less
than thousand millions of dollars.
Year: 1861

inh pihIslUN uF FLORIDA.


Florida, the Pensacola Observer saws. will soon be
called upon to furnish her quota of men for the
regular army of the Southern Coniederacy This
quota has been put down at 1000 men, With an
empty treasury. we cannot imagine how she can
enlist, equip and arm this number. If our State is
bankrupt at this early stage of the action we
think the sooner she sells out the better. If the
State Government cannot be carried on for want
of funds, let Florida be divided between our sister
States of Georgia and Alabama by the line of the
Chattahooche river The sooner this is done the
better, for to this it must come at last.


IMPORTANT MOVEMENT IN TENNEssEE-A STATE CON-
Year: 1861

DECAY OF ILoLATEY IN INDIA.-A traveller from
Madras to Jailna states that but few of the heather
temples he passed were in good order; those regu-
larly repaired and used are comparatively few.
Many Of the temples are gradually going to ruin
towers, walls and rooms where the idols sit, are
broken; many of the idols that were carried with
great parade resting in their places, with
one to wipe or clean them. Many idol cars once
drawn with great pomp and parade, are so neglect
ed that they only be used for fuel. The impress
sion is steadily gaining ground among the people
that their idol system has had its day, and that the
religion of the Gospel will eventually fill the whole
land.
Year: 1861

The Nashville Patriot, an influential advocate of
conservative action, publishes in its issue of the 26th
ultimo a communication, signed by number of
substantial and patriotic citizens of Maury county,
suggesting the proprety of each county in the State
holding primary meeting at its county seat, on
the first Monday in March, to instruct and urge its
delegates chosen at the late election to meet at the
Capitol in Nashville or before the third Monday
of March, that they may define the position of the
State of Tennessee in relation to the existing ma
tiona crisis. This suggestion the Patriot fully en-
dorses.
Year: 1861

it must go to the people and be distributed
among the people. 1t will permeate every
where, Immediately or atsly-revivifyin
all branches of business, with few if any ex-
ceptious This is not merely an nference-it
is certainty An armament surprising in
magnitude anything of the kind ever seen on
this hemisphere larger, almost, than we had
regarded as possible. is, in few weeks, to be
Sc m and put in motion. The expenses of its
equipment and support come to the North
Not cent is to go elsewhere.


We have not, like the traitor States, to
send our money abroad to purchase cannon,
clothing shot, brOgans, shells, bread and mus
kets Our own fouuderies are to cast the
caunon our taiors are to make the clothing
our own mechanics are to make the rifles, our
own shoemakers are to supply the brogans, our
own producers are to supply the ratious-and
they are all to get gold or current funds for
every thing they do or furnish. We have no
thing TO do with double government, credit
or currency that is not gold or redeemable in
gold. With traitors it is very different"
Year: 1861

ed to aud fro under the loss of her best blood
in the reckless charge of the light Brigade
How could our more mercurial natures bear
up under a similar disaster to the gallant
Seventh 1t is the duty of the members Of
the Cabinet to look the thing squarely 10 the
face and conscientiously ask themselves this
question Are we disqualified from age,
from inexperence in Executive action, from
constitutional timidity,or from mate reluctance
to face the horrors of war, to represent this
people and country in this hour OF travail ~
If Lot let them earn the gratitude of the peo-
pie by giving way courteousy to the exigcncies
of the hour, and laying their ambition on
the altar OF their country BY a timely act
of self sacrifice they may give relief to the
anxious heart of this mighty host Of earnest,
patriotic men who are unseIfshy exposing
their lives and fortunes without any other
object or motive than their country's honor
aud welfare,-th relief that follows the know
ledge tha; they are directed by bold, strong
and competent men, fitted 10y sterner natures
for this revolutionary epoch Of their country's
history.-N T. Times
Year: 1861

double our exertions, in addition to the fact
that the national capital is threatened with
an attack, which we trust will be triumphant
ly repeled, it should be found in the fact that
it is reported the invasion of our own State
is contemplated by the Virginia troops. While
we 90 not doubt the full power of our Com
monwealth to send any foes who may desecrate
its soil with hostile tread bowling back to
their homes, we must all unite as band Of
brothers in rendering it impregnAbe. Upon
US many fall the first .brunt of the mighty strug-
gle which is impending, and we must summon
up all our energies to enable US to discharge
the full duty which devolves upon Us.
Year: 1861

The following hints to our volunteers are
timely and should be heeded.-EDs


l. Remember that in campaign more men
die from sickness than by the bullet


2. Line your blanket with one thickness Of
brown drilling. This adds but four ounces in
weight and doubles the warmth


3. Buy q small India rubber blanket (onIy
81 soto lay on the ground or to throw oSsr
your shoulders when on guard duty during A
rain storm. Most of the eastern troops are
provided with these. Straw to lie upon 10
not always to be had


4. The best military hat in use ia the light
colored soft felt the crown being sufficiently
high to allow space for air over the brain
Iou can fasten it up as continental in fair
weather, or turn it down when it is wet or
very sunny.


5. Let your beard grow, so as to protect
the throat and lungs.


6. Keep your entire person clean this pro-
vents fevers and bowel complaints in warm
climates Wash your body each day il posi-
bic. Avoid strong coffee and oily meat
General Scott said that the too free use Of
these (together with neglect in keeping the
skin clean cost many u soldier his life in
Mexico


I. A sudden check of perspiration by chilly
or night air often causes fever and Death
When thus exposed do not forget your blaR-
ket


An OLD SOLDIER"
Year: 1861

A vigorous policy against treason is now
the only practical one which remains. The
comparative inactivity which has heretofore
prevailed, must at once be abandoned for O
more decided course While it may have
been for the best to refrain from striking the
first blow, and throw the responsibility of in-
auguratng the war upon the rebels, it is no
longer necessary to hesitate TO act whenever
we can do so efficiently. We have gained all
that is possible to gain from moderation, and
any further inactioG can only be betrayal Of
weakness.


The loyal North is suffering from its want
Of preparation for the conflict. 1t is only du-
ring the past few days that our people have
become aroused while those of the South
have been making preparations for weeks and
months, and hence, they have at first the ad-
vantage in any conflict


Prompt and decisi7e measures must now at
once be inangurated 1t must be an agrees
i've warfare, as that is the only one which we
can pursue with safety. We must carry the
war into their country and not allow them to
bring it into oars. If, as is nov pretty Ger.
tain, Washington is at present safe from at
tack, we ought at once send an expedition to
the South, as the best means Of dverting their
attention and preserving the Capitol. We
must keep them busy at home, il we would
not be molested ourselves They must be kept
entirely in the dark with regard to our inten.
tions, and hence be compelled to prepare at all
points 1t must be word and a blow and
the blow first We can thus throw them on
the defence, aud thus compel them TO sustain
an army that will speedily exhaust their treas
ury. They have begun the war, and let it
be waged around their own heartbstone


The policy Of trying TO conciliate the bor-
der States by this inaction. is, we imagine,
pretty much played out" If the so-called un
ionists Of these States object to the assertion
Of the rightful authority of the Union, then SO
much the worse for them We have already
seen enough to convince Us D: the futlity OF
attempting to save such unioHistS. If they
will not stand by their country at such time
as this, they are mot worth saving, but had
better 90 over TO the rebels at once We do
not want allies TO tie our hands while we are
supporting them. Let Us know who our
friends are, and in whom We can rely.
Year: 1861

The LoAFER.-Here is an accurate descrip-
ton OF class of men who infest every COM
nunity The most miserable hopeless scrap
of humanity is an idle mana nan whose
chief aim of life is TO "loaf"-to waste in
listless lounging aud mental and physical in.
action the years Of his short life. There are
scores Of such beings in every town and city
miserable loafers whose sole occupation is to
AVOID employment Of any kind-whose lives
can scarcely be called lives-wh die one az
ter another, AID leave behind them-what
vacancy to be mourned ? No, for they are
IN themselves vacancies, not men. To these
atoms society ows nothing The history OF
the worlds progress ignores their names and
their existence and being dead, the grave
contains no more inert, worthless earth than it
did before. They become chronic nuisances
they have have no local habtation or name in
so far as regards their worth or value, and
from day to day, 10 the haunts of busy men,
they pass as uncurrent funds-at SO much Of A
discount that they cannot even buy them
selves. Such are loafers-miserable worth
less beings, who die only when they get too
lazy aud indolent to use their respiratory or.
gaas.
Year: 1861

Gratefully acknowledging the very liberal pa tronage they have hitherto enjoyed, they affirm that no effort shall be spared to render the Institute all that its generous supporters may de sire. The most thorough training will be given in all branches of complete English Education, Mathematics, Modern and Ancient Languages will be taught as far as in any coege and in the depart ment of Music, Painting. Dra,sing, etc., none but teachers of the highest qualifications will be en- ployed. The government of this Institute is char actcized by the utmost kindness; the sense of pro- priety and individual responsibility will beappealed to rather than fear of punishment and the moral tra ming receives unremitting attention. Tuition will be charged from the time of entrance to tine close of the session. No deductions from tutions except for protracted illness. The scholastic year is divided into two sessions of 2l weeks each. The Institute will embrace three Departments - the Primary Junior and Senior.
Year: 1861

LEGIsLATIvE-W once saw letter to young
member elect of the California Legislature, from
his kind old mother who lived back in the State Of
Illinois. 1t was in reply to one he had written in
the fulness of his heart and PRIDE the honor
conferred upon him by his fellow citizens. One
sentence struck us as singular and amusing, at
the time, especially as it gave our young legisla-
tor much annoyance, and paid decided ieft-hand
compliment to his ambition. 1t was this


"My son, little dreamed you would ever so
far forget your dignity and selfrespect as to be-
come politician, and be elated at becoming a
member of the Legislature-a CalJorn'a Legisia-
ture, at that ~


Any person who has spared time to read reports
of the doings of the present Assembly, since the
7th OF January, will fully appreciate the good
old mothers hit at California Legislature. We
have heard it more than once remarked, that the
conduct of Assemblymen for the past four weeks
would disgrace backwoods debating society.
Their action has never risen above low comedy,
and more frequently was broad farce. On Sat
urday week that body excellcd itself in buifoon-
ery. Piercy introduced a resolution declaring
the Republican party the cause of all our national
troubles. The debate which followed beggars
anything to be found in the popular farces of the
day Conness was in fine voice, and did credit
to himself in his peculiar line. Those who at
tempted to preserve some show of respect for the
Legislative Hall were rdculed to silence.
Shame
Year: 1861

THERE Is touching beauty in the radiant
look of girl just crossing the limits of youth
and commencing her journey through the check
cred space OF womanhood. II is all dew-sparkle
and morning glory to her ardent, buoyaut spirit,
as she presses forward exulting in blissful antici
patons. But the withering heat of the conflict
of life creeps on the dew drops exhale the
garlands of hope, shattered and dead. strew the
path and too often ere noontide, the brow and
sweet smile are exchanged for the weary look of
one longing for the evening rest, the twilight,
and the nj ght.
Year: 1861

Oh what will become OF that flag when part


Shall il drop DER the tomb Of our national fame
Shall stream oer the wreck when each hope Of the hear
Has abandoned the wreck to oblivion and shame
When that banner Of glory forever is fured


Shall each gem be set and translated ATARI
Shall the bright constellation that lighted world


Be replaced by distant and desolate star
Rather heap its proud trophies and over them cast


This all Of our honOr-this shroud Of our shame
Fire the pile fling the ashes abroad on the blast


1t was born amid storm-let it perish in flame
Year: 1861

THE CREDIT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The enormity of secession is exhibited with great
force when we come to contemplate its effect
upon financial matters When the bids for the
new five million U. S. loan, at six per cent, were
opened at Washington, it was found that only
half the amount was bid for and that at rate
of discount ranging from seven to thirty-siX per
cent. The bids were all made by northern capt
talsts A correspondent of the Alta says the
above fact proves that the credit of the govern
mcnt-so high only year or two years ago is
worse than it was during the war of 1872. a
week before these bids were opened, the State OF
New York opened bids for q seven per cent loan
of twelve hundred thousand dollars, when 1t was
found that there were bids to the amount OF hve
millions, at n rate ranging from par TO two aud
a-half per cent premium! Truly secession Is
not profitable. even when confined to one State.
Year: 1861

FIRST BApIEs-A somewhat extended observa,
tion, and solitary experience, have convinced
us that first babies have bard time. Parents
must have two or three children before they
know what baby is-know how to treat II prop
erly, The poor little fellows that have the mis-
fortune to come along first, have to educate
par ents to their task and in the process they get
spanked, and shaken and abused After man
has three or four children, he learns that whip
ping or striking child less than two years OF
age is barbarsm. We know one "paternal head
who struck his first child when only six weeks
old. he actually believing that the child knew


better than to cry, aud that he stopped crying at
that particular time because he struck him. We
carry certain notions of children and of family
government into married life, and the first child


Is always the victim of these notions And not
alone of these, for the parents have not learned
self.control, and baby is whipped quite as often
because the parent is impatient or angry, as be-
cause il is vicious or intractable. We inlilct on
our first children the iloggings we ought to have
for our own impatencc or fretfulness This
pounding children before they become in Gods
eye morally responsible beings is very strange
business Patience, good people, unwearying
patience Don't wait to learn it until one OF
your little ones shall be hidden under the daisies
Year: 1861

1t was cold night in winter. The
wind blew and the snow was whrled fu-
riously about, seeking to hide itself be-
meath cloaks hoods, and in the very hair
of those who were out. A very distin-
guished lecturer was to speak, and, not.
withstanding the storm the villagers ven
tured forth to hear him. William Ann
sley, buttoned up to the chin in his thick
overcoat accompanied his mother. 1t was
difficult to walk through the new fallen
snow, against the piercing wind, and
William said to his mother.


"Couldn't you walk more easily if you
took my arm"


"Perhaps / could" his mother replied,
as she put her arm through his and drew
up as close as possible to him. Together
they breasted the storm-the mother and
the boy who had once been carried on
her arm, but who had grown up SO tall
that she could now lean on his. They had
not walked far before he said to her.


81 am very proud to night, mother"


"Proud that you can take care of me?'
she said to him with heart gushing with
tenderness.


"This is the first time you have leaned
upon me-" said the happy boy.


There will be few hours i'll that child's
life of more exalted pleasure than he en-
joyed that evening even if he should live
to old age, and should in his manhood low
ingly provide for her who watched over
him in helpless infancy. 1t was noble
pride, that made his mother love him, if il
were possible. more than ever; and made
her pray for him with new earnestness,
thankful for his devoted love and hopeful
for the future. There is no more beauti'
full sight than aifectionate, devoted, obe-
dent children. | am sure that he who
commanded children to honor their father
and their mother, must look upon such
with pleasure. May he bless dear Will
am, and every other boy whose heart is
filed with ambition to be blessing and
"stalfp to his mother