smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1863

A prominent clergyman relates that he was
present at meeting of the Baptist denomina-
tion held in Rockford few days since, when


Elder Knapp was called upon to lead in pray
er. The eccentric but sound individual of
course coupled, and among other petitions to
the throne of Grace, offered the following: go
Lord God, save US from the Devil o Lord
God, save US from the Secesh O Lord God
Almighty, save us from the Democrats r'-
ssAmen, amen, I" resounded all over the house,
| and for a moment the endorsement came so


strong as to prevent the Elder from concluding
his prayer:
Year: 1863

The project of connecting the waters
Of the Mississippi with those of the Atlantic
by means of a ship canal, which has bsen APP
proved by both the Naval and Military com
mittees of the House, and the Military Com
mittee Of the Senate, will be brought forward
Immediately. It's strongly urged, not only as
a measure of military necessity, but one OF
great public importance on account of the saw
ing to the producer in the cost of transporta-
ton to market. 1t is estimated by those who
have carefully studied the statistics of produc-
ton and transportation, that the saving upon
single crop will be more than sufficient to pay
the whole expense of the improvement, nclud-
ing the enlargement Of the New York canals.
Year: 1863

letter IRON Cracow thus describes the dread
ed scythemen Of the Polish armv:


believe the soldiers of Russia have the credit
OF being able to stand a bayonet charge as well
or better than those Of any other nation except
one. which need not be particularized for the ben
hr of English readers. But at close quarters,
the Russian shrinks from the Polish scythe, as
from death itself: and. whenever it has been
found possible to get the Kossanieri-in however
small number-wthin something like reach of
the enemy, the latter has turned and fed This,
after all, IS not to be wondered at The Russian
soldier, who Is only Russian peasant,-shaven
shorn and halfchoked in tight military suit
Is creature of habit; he has learned that se be
skewered on bayonet is the sort of thing .le has
to expect. and to which the men in his regiment
have in collective sense been long accustomed
But to be slashed in the face by people who turn
their reaping hooks into sabres and their scythes
into two-edged swords, is more than ne ever bar
gained for, and he will not stand it.


On the other hand, the scvthemen are said to
have become quite unmanageable, when they
were exposed for any length of time to the fire of
the Russians. to which they were of course un-
able to reply. Accordingly, as general rule,
they have been kept out of sight-either in am
bush or behind ordinary infantry-untiI the mo-
ment arrived for them to rush forward and strike
terror into the ranks of the Muscovites All the
victories gained by the insurgents under LangIe
wicZ, (and | cannot think of one instance in which
they were really beaten) have been decided by
the scythemen. or the Zouaves, or the scvthemen
and Zouaves in combination, and generally by
the scythemen alone At Skala, Lanpiewicz not
only led the scythemen in person, but himself
carried a scythe, which lie took up at the last
moment before giving the order to charge
Year: 1863

In the New York Commercial Advertiser, of
Saturday, we find an official statement of the
strength of the army of the Potomac. Only a
few days ago, a newspaper publisher at Alexan-
dria and petty army officer were sentenced to
Imprisonment and hard labor for giving the num-
bers of division or corps OF the army. The
revelation comes in the shape of a letter from the
medical director of the army to General Hooker,
in which he says:


The whole number of sick were, on the 25th
of March ultimo. ten thousand seven hundred
and seventy-seven. The corps exhibiting the
greatest ratio of sick are those in which there is
the greatest number of new regiments. Thus,
the first corps having ratio of 80 " per 900,
has, according to the data in this office. eighteen
new and twenty one old regiments. The sixth
corps, with ratio of 46 l6 per 900, has only
four new regiments and thirty old regiments.
The ratio of sick for the whole army is 81 SO per
1000.


It is an easy arithEietical feat to deduce from
the above data that the whole strength of the
army on the day named was l59 .23S. 1t can
scarcely be supposed that Gen. Hooker intended
TO give the enemy the roster of bis army; but on
any other hypothesis the publication is blunder
of the grossest kind--one which. committed by a
subaltern would justly be punishable by death it.
self.
Year: 1863

alt is the ancient and undoubted prerogatiye
of this people to canvass public measures and the
merits of public men. 1t is home bred right,
a freside privilege 1t hath even been enjoy ed
in every house, cottage and cabin in the nation.
1t is not to be drawn in controversy. 1t is as
undoubted as the right of breathing the air or
walking on the earth. Belonging to the private
life right. it belongs to public life duty,
and it is the last duty which those whose repre-
sentative am, shall find me to abandon. Aim
ing at all times to be courteous and temperate in
its use, except when the right itself questioned,
| shall place myself on the extreme boundary of
my right. aud bid defiance to any arm that would
move ms from my ground.


"The high constitutional privilege | shall de-
fend and exercise, within tins house, and in all
places; in time of peace, and at all times. Liv-
ing shall assert it; and should leave no other
inheritance to my children. by the blessing of
God / will leave them the inheritance of free
principles, and the example of manly, indepen-
dent and constitutional defence of them. ~ Dan
iel Webster
Year: 1863

We have come into possession, in very mys
terious manner. ofa document purporting TO be
copy of General Burnside's famous order No &,
referred to so prominently in the report of the
Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the
War There is something exceedingly strange
in the whole affair, and nothing stranger in any
part of il than in the mode of our coming into
possession of the document Where did it come
from? Who knows? Ii may he that Senator
Wade, who is suid to be quite good sort of per-
sor, in his social Intercourse, has taken this mode
of supplying what has been regarded as hiatus
in the history of the war 1t may be that Secre-
tarv Stanton. in some of the leisure moments that
he permits himself to enjoy in the intermission of
his labors, has thought proper to furn sh it to us
Or it may even be that it has come from some of
the radicals, who wished TO see the famous order
printed in good Union newspaper. But. from
whatever quarter il came, here is the document


HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoroMAc,l


January % 1868
Year: 1863

SFRrSe.-The genial days of Spring are upon
us. The delightful associations Of beauty, love-
illness and song greet Us in the full heartiness of
vernal JOY The winged warblers OF the forest
have tuned their voices to the season of buds and
flowers. and all nature is opening itself to the su.
perb spendor OF the delightful days of Spring.


The bursting buds look up


To greet the sunlight while IL fingers yet


On the warm hill side, and the violet


Opens its azure cup


Meekiy, and countless wild flowers wake TO fling
Their earliest incense on the gale Of Spring.
Year: 1863

Enforcement OF the COnscription Act.


The appointments of Provost Marshals to exc
cute the Conscription law are understood 10 be
complete. hut they are not TO be announced until
everything is ready for the immediate and practi
cal working of the system. A force in the Cen
sus Bureau is now engaged in preparing maps
ana statistical information for the use of the Pro
vost Maashals. There are many important de-
tails TO be ARRANGED. but it is expected that all
will soon be completed and the law enforced.


We copy the foregoing from the Washington
dispatches to the New York Herald A good
many influential Republicans have doubted
whether the Conscript act would be enforced, but
it appears that the details of the law being
ranged preparatory to its being put into operation
Under recent military orders. the Conscript act
is regarded as part Of the war policy Of the Ad-
ministration. hence every citizen is expected to
yield to it implicit respect and obedience. or else
be regarded as an enemy to the Government
Year: 1863

In a conversation with high Official, the other
day. he remarked that the Government was not
strong enOugh-thst needed a stronger Gov
eminent. We beg leave TO dissent from this
proposition There il no necessity for any
stronger Government than that provided b. the
Constitution. 1t has proven itself strong enough
for every crisis through which the nation has
passed. and If rightly administered il viii prove
equal to every emergency. A Government nav
be made strong in two ways One is through
the despotism of those in power, and the other
through the voluntary support of the people.
The strongest and best Government is that
which rests upon the affections of the people.


But to secure that respect, it is necessary that
equal and exact justice should be administered to
all. This is or should te toe object in founding
new State or Government. What saws the
unanimous declaration of the thirteen United
States of American Governments derive their
just powers from the consent of the governed"
This is the theory ofour Government. and il finds
a cordial endorsement in the Democratic party.
A Government of consent cannot but be the
strongest. 1t has had a free. voluntary and
cheerful support ON the part of the people, and
we trust that it may ever be so.


But why give out the necessity Of stronger
Government Has power ever been exercised by
any Government more absolute than by ours,
since the advent Of the present Administration
into power? The only apology for this limiting
at the necessity of stronger Government, is to
conceal purpose to convert it into one Of mill
tary rule, and none other can be more despotlc.
The safest wa is to adhere to the old paths. Let
US walk in the ways that a wise and patriotic
cestry trod The best. safest and strongest Gov
ernment il that which derives its just powers
from the consent of the governed.
Year: 1863

improved him, and he improved every
day of bis time by study and military ex-
ercise. He was on leave of absence in
London at the opening of the great Expo
sition in Hyde Park, and being the only
representative OF the American army
there, the Duke of W. llington was sent by
his Majesty to seek him and bring him into
the royal circle. His comrades in the ar
my were not little envious of this dis
tinction, which General Granger was long
afterwards in the habit of twitting them
with. The present war has developed
Granger still more, and be is growing ct.
Bold, fierce, energetic and enduring, and
as fearless as man can be, he is now the
beau ideal of corps commander, and
will give the country and the enemy a
taste Of bis mettle whenever he has the
next chance afforded him.
Year: 1863

The chilly Fall mornings are coming
on, or rather are on US now, and in many
families there are no hands but mothers
to tend the baby, dress the little ones, and
get breakfast. There is perhaps no hour
in the twenty-four 90 trying as this; and
no wonder that baby is neglected, and
tosses around in his little night-gown till
he gets cold feet and wind collie, and cries
as if "pins and needles were sticking in
him."


The only thing to be done then, is to
have out baby's winter stockings at once
put them on the first thing when you get
up in the morning, also flannel petticoat,
and long sleeved sacque; then he can
toss around at will until breakfast is over
and the mother can get time to wash and
dress him.


This is now emphatically the season for
Year: 1863

She rose from her delicious sleep.


Aud put away her soft brown hair,
And in tone as low and deep


As loves first whisper. breathed prayer,
Her snOw-white hands together pressed,


Her blue eye sheltered in the lid,
The folded linen on her breast


just swelling with the charms it hid.
And from her long and flowing dress


Escaped a bare and snowy foot,
Whose step upon the earth did press


Like sweet snowflake. soft and mute;
And then from slumbers soft and warm,


Like young spirit fresh from heaven,
She bowed that young and machless form,


And humbly prayed to be forgiven.
Oh God! if souls as pure as these


Need daily mercy from thy throne
If she upon her bended knees,


Our hOllest and purest one;
She with face SO clear and bright,


We deem her some stray child of light;
If she, with these soft eyes and tears,


Day after day, in her young years,
Must kneel and pray for grace from thee,


How hardly if she win not heaven,
Will our wild errors be forgiven.
Year: 1863

groups, coughs and colds far more than
mid-winter; the middle of the day is too
warm for Tick clothes, and the morning
and evening too chilly for thin ones. No
wonder that the Fall, on this account, is
the harvest for fever and ague.


TO every mother of family, then, let
US say, get out the winter clothes, put
them on gradually as they are needed, and
so secure health and comfort to your little
ones.
Year: 1863

pears every m 'rning in the daily papers,
does not Indicate that the rule of the dy-
nasty has been successful. We EXPIRE
the general conviction when We say that
If the military policy of the principal city
of Virginia were intrusted to native Of
the State, a marked Improvement in the
safety and peacefulness OF Richmond
would sOun be manifest.
Year: 1863

NAsHINGfoH, December Il.


The Government it is said, has received
information Of rebel plot to rescue the
prisoners, now at Point Lookout, under
charge Of General MarstOp, of the New
Hampshire brigade. 1t is said, however,
that the prisoners deny all knowledge Of
the affair and many of them who are very
comfortably quartered would not join in
an insurrection even if an armed force Of
rebel made their appearance. Precaution-
ary measures have been taken at this
point, and if any such attempt was under
taken it would not succeed.
Year: 1863




The New York Dsily News, the most oper


Peace organ of the Empire State, gives


some advice to the Peace Democracy which


should open the eyes Of ali to the wiles Of


The demsgogues vino now assume 10 control


tbs Democratic party. The News reviews


the late elections and shows that the open


declaration of peace principles was too


unpopular to be successful. Holding that
the success Of the Democracy is and must
continue to be the fundamental article Of
the Democrats creed, the News then un-
dertakes to engineer such a success under
different circumstances It says of the
Peace Democrats:


"In leaguing with the Wsr Democracy,
they do no: vote for prosecution of the
war. Their mission ia the present cam
paign is to defeat Black Republicanism,
and on that point they accord with the
War Democracy. When Black RepubH-
csnism shall have vanished before the
united strength Of the Peace and War De-
mocracy, then will come the hour to con
front the War Democracy, and give them
battle upon the direct issue. The lesser
error is our present ally against the great
er one, and as that alliance has been en-
tered into for the State campaign, it is the
duty of the Peace party to exert them
selves as strenuously as il one sentiment
animated themselves and their coadiutors.
1t will not do to remain inactive and su-
pine because no perfect bond unites us
with the party whose aid is essential to
success against the common enemy. A
victory over Black Republioanism is the
hrst step toward a triumph Of the peace
sentiment. We must attempt that step,
however distasteful may be the compan-
ionship Of those who lack our sympathy
upon the war question. There is no alter
native. We do not yield our advocacy of
peace, but simply hold that issue in re-
serve"


This is, then, the platform of the Peace
Democracy: TO announce just such doc
trines as are most likely to win. If the
"Blsck Republicans can best be beaten by
8 peace platform, then go into the cam
paign upon it, and if upon War Demo
cratic platform, then stand upon that until |
election day enables them to throw off the
mask. Be all things to all men, so that
their vote is secured. Give no thought to
the falsity or hypocrisy of your position,
but put on every mask thst will win.


Let true Union men take warning by
his open confession. Let them beware of
Ill pretensiOns on the part of those who
nave haor ~ tIs pa~sa Demncrsn-- "'--
may appear in the guise Of loyalty, but it
IS only q blind, covering hearts black
With hostility to their country.
Year: 1863

It mas been stated that the Opposition
elected just one Senator in Maine at the
recent election lin Lincoln county, but it
now appears from the official count to be
g mistake. If all the votes intended for
the Republican candidate were counted,
he would have been elected by twenty
four msjOrity. AS it is, the matter has
been left by the Governor. and Council for
Ihe decision Of the Senate. -.
Year: 1863

ment is necessarily in the interests of
treason.


Should the President feel that the pub
lie interests required he shall exert the
power with which he is clothed by the
18th section of the act of 18th of July,
his action should be in subordination to
the constitutional principle which exacts
that compensation shall be made for prf-
vate property devoted to the public uses.
A just compensation to loyal claimants
to the service of labor of persons of AZ
rican descent enlisted in our army.
would accord with the uniform practice
of the Government and with the genius
of our institutions. e- SIX


Soldiers of this class, after having per-
lied their lives in the defence of the re-
public, could not be re-enslaved without
national dishonor revolving and unen-
durable for all who are themselves wor-
thy to be Free The compensation made,
therefore, should be such as entirely to
exhaust the interest of claimants, SO that
when soldiers of this class lay down their
arms at the close of the war they may at
once enter into the enjoyment of that
freedom symbolized by the flag which
they have followed and defended.


Very respectfully your ob't serv't,


(Signed) J. HoLT,


Judge Advocate General.
Year: 1863

in which Parson Brownlow was confined
On the wall of it, in large black letters,
is written: DEATH TO OUR PER-:
SECUTORS.p Ittft


''In one of the iron-grated cells Union
man has been kept for months chained
with his hands to the top of the cell dur
ing the day, and pinioned to the floor
during the night He was carried off
only few days before we arrived.


"That jail has many sad and cruel
tale of wrong and oppression to swell
the annals of this wicked rebellion
When we came in on Tuesday the gal
lows was standing upon the railroad at
the side of the town, where the Union
men were dragged from the jail and
hung, contrary to all law and civilized
warfare. ..hung like felons, for faithful
ness to their Government.


II rode over to see it as soon as /
could on the morning after we arrived,
to place guard over it, but some en-
ragged soldiers and citizens had gone there
before me and had cut it down and burn
ed it. was sorry for it, because it was
in a prominent place, and l wanted it
preserved as a monument of the cruelty
end wickedness of the prosecutors of this
people.


eve had this morning fresh out
break of patriotism. The news of the
Federal occupation of Knoxville had, by
last night, spread into the adjoining
counties, and the people focked in from
every direction. A large delegation of
men and women of every age formed in
procession, from seven counties, carry
ing the American flag, paraded through
the town and out to camp, and the town
again rang with patriotic joy.


MEN who had been hiding among the
rocks and caves of the mountains, and
who had not seen each other for years,
or since the rebellion broke out, stood
grasping each Others hands beneath the
folds of the old flag, while tears of Joy
streamed down their cheeks. l have
heard of tears of joy, but never saw SO
much of it as here
Year: 1863

HAPPINESS AND DUTY.-We know of
nothing more contemplate, unmanly or
unwomanly and craven, than the ever
lasting signing for happiness. Those who
have the most Of it, think the least about
it. But in the thinking about and doing
your duty, happiness comes--because the
heart and mind afe occupied with earnest
thought that touches at thousand points
the beautiful and sublime realities Of the
Universe; the heart and mind are brought
we say it with rayerence--in contact
with the Creator and Father and Ruler Of
all-the perfect bliss. z
Year: 1863

INDIANAPOLIS, Marcn a.


There is no quorum in the House yet the Re-
publicans still standing out, and no business
done beyond reports on claims for incorporation
in the specific appropriation bil.-[ Telegraphic
Dispatch


D.ty alter day, for we know not how long, this
announcement has appeared regularly in our
telegraphic columns. Ii has become an eyesore
to thoughtful patriots, as it is a reproach 10 the
men whose contumacy it publishes. The action
of these men is revolutionary in example. Thev,
being members of the party in power at Wash
ington. DEFY the forms of the Government, in
order to resist the enactment or a law alleged to
be unconstitutional This is their case as they
themselves state it. We accept their own state
ment. The case is wholly indefensibe; so much
is obvious; but, what is more than this, it is
directly leveled with the whole force of example
at that popular sentiment of devotion to law and
order which now constitutes the sole barrier be-
tween the nation and anarchy. and which the
party in power, by its own unconstitutional acts,
is and has long been stFaining to the very ut
most. The inherent revolutionary tendency OF
the case is aggravated irightfully by all the cir
cumstances attending it,


When we think OF the fearful strain the Re-
publicon Administration is putting upon the
patience of the people, we are amazed at the
recklessuess with which prominent Republicans
set the example of trampling upon the forms of
the Government. Are these Republicans mad?
Or do they really desire to promote anarchy?
The Republicans claim a monopoly of disinter-
ested patriotism. But how does their conduct
tally with this modest claimi What do we see?
While the loyal people body, under the ter
rible pressure of Republican usurDation, are stand
ing heroicaly by the Constitution and nobly
avow;ng their determination to seek redress
through the forms of the Government alone, the
Republicans ia the Legislature of Indiana. under
the mere apprehension of legislation which they
deem unconstitutional are rushing into revoin
tionary resistance and trampling the forms of the
Government into the dust


And the Republicans in the Legislature of llli-
nois have done the same thing under pressure
still more slight. Certainly this is most un
seemly as we'll as a most pernicious and danger
Gus exhibition of partysm. IL deserves the earn
est rebuke of patriots everywhere. Of all times,
this is not the time for such an exhibition, and,
of all men. the Republicans not the men to
make il. With what grace can they ask others
not to resort to revolution under provocation
when they themselves rush iuto il without anyf
IL appears to us impossible that these men have
reflected upon the obvious character and inevita-
bic tendency os their conduct We entreat them
10 do SOL Louisville journal.