smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1864

FRAUDS A MEANS OF POSTAGE REHoRX;
Even persons belonging to the middle
classes did not scruple to cheat the post
office in the days when letter-postage was
shilling instead of a penny. On the
covers of newspapers, which went free of
postage, they wrote in milk; the writing
when held to the fire became legible; and
the newspaper went back again with an
answer similarly inscribed. Another
method was to dot such letters IN the
printed paper itself as served to convey
the sender's meaning. Detection often
ensued, for the postal authorities were
wary but nothing came of it. No sigma
ture was used by which the writer could
be discovered, and the person to whom
the paper was addressed simply refused to
take it in, charged heavily as it was in
such cases as letter. Poorer people had
other means of cheap communication.
Children who went forth into the world,
and who loved to let the old folks at home
know that they were alive and well and
also to learn home news from them, not
being able to pay a shilling, perhaps, for q
letter, were wont, at periods agreed upon,
to send blank sheets of note-paper proper
ly addressed. It was in this address that
the parties concerned read the domestic
kilograms which they had been looking
for after looking at which they returned
the letter, as too expensive luxury for
them to purchase. Sacksfull of such let
ters were weekly carried backward and
forward over the country for nothing. 1t
took long years before the legislature
found out that they would gtin more by
carrying letters for penny, which was
duly paid, than by asking shilling or
whatever high charge the tariff allowed,
and which they never received at all. The
statistical logic of the day could not un-
derstand that pence could ever represent
more than shillings but when fifty penny
letters took the place of shilling one, the
excellence of the arithmetic was indispu-
table. ....
Year: 1864

MORE ADVANTAGES OF INVESTMENT
IN U. S. STocKs.-A correspondent writ
ing to the Boston Advertiser says: The
National Almanac states the product Of
the loyal States for 1868 to be nearly
1000, ,OOo,0 900. If every one will take U.
S. Stocks to the extent of one-quarter Of
his income, the Secretary will have means
for the year, and if he will take three
eighths he will have enough to pay his
way and reduce the national currency to
a specie basis. Surely many can afford
to invest portion of their capital equal
to half their income in securities and pay
ing according to the price of gold from 6
to l6 per cent, and to take enough more
to make up the proportion Of those who
are not SO fortunate as to be able to make
such investment. ... ~. w.. .. .
Year: 1864

WEAR A Sx11E.-You can, if you will,
live among beautiful flowers and singing
birds, or in the mire, surrounded by fogs
and frogs. The amount of happiness
which you can produce is incalculable if
you will show a smiling face, kind
heart, and speak pleasant words. On the
other hand, by sour looks, cross words,
and fretful disposition, you can make
others unhappy almost beyond endu-
rance. Which will you do: Wear a
pleasant countenance, let Joy beam in
your eye, and love on your forehead.
There is no joy so great as that which
springs from kind act or a pleasant
deed, and you may feel it at night when
you rest, at morning when you rise, and
through the day when about your daily
business.
Year: 1864

bank>swallow's nests. Then there are


graves. Away at the front q single grave
on barren sand hill; two or three graves
under a solitary tree; half dozen graves
in row on the plain; low mounds OF
yellow clay with head and foot boards OF
ammunition or cracker-box covers, rude~
| IL marked with the name and regiment
ofthe fallen soldier, and the date of his
death. A strange place for burial. No
rest even in death. The roar of artillery
and the rattle of musketry shake contin~
ually the dead soldiers narrow bed. At
times even his clayey covering itself is
torn from above him, as though he had no
right to sleep while the war went on.
Since l sat writing here rebel she'll has
struck and exploded in the very centre of
a Pennsylvania soldiers grave, but a few
yards to my front and right, and opened
it anew, as if to call its inmate again to
arms. ia -.7. r


'sThe lines of vidette pitts and of picket
trenches are so crooked and complex
that it requires careful observation to- de-
eide which is for friend and which for foe.
They seem to run all ways, right and left,
forward and back, over one hill and
around another, through raVine, now
almost touching the works where are seen
the rebel canon and the rebel flag, and
again widely diVirging therefrom. A
battery faces this way-that is the ene-
my's A battery faces the other way
that is ours. Yet they look as # both
were in the same entrenehed line. Other
batteries are seen right and left; still 9TH
ers in the rear. Covered ways run from
one line to the other, from one battery to
the nexl, from one covered way to covered
way again. BombSpoofs are everywhere
and so are the soldiers graves cluster
here and another just beyond. The brave
fellows were buried where they fell"
Year: 1864

No repulsive sectarianism will be INDUCED
or countenanced. At the same time every ef-
fort will be employed to encourage and rem
der inyiolate the professions of Christians,
and to induce all to adopt the Religion OF
Christ. To all who respect Christianity and
its institutions, the welcome hand will be
heartily extended. To those whose influence
is prejudicial to Religion and good Morals no
protracted stay can be allowed.
Year: 1864

Tue ABOLITION OF SLAVERY. The
following is a correct copy of the BIZ offered
by Mr.. Arnold in the House TO Secure
Permanent Peace by removing the cause of
the War"


SECTION l. Be it enacted by the Senate
and House Of Representatives Of the United
States in Congress assembled, That from and
after the passage Of this act, slavery and
involuntary servitude, otherwise than in the
nunishrent of crime whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted, shall be and the
same hereby is abolished and forever prohib-
tied in every State and Territory Of the United
States, and every pat thereof


The Boston Con1nsorweaiM remarks on the
resolution, as follows: This hits the nail
solid on the head We sincerely trust that
our friends in Congress and out, will give no
more time and divert none of our energies to
the vain attempt to procure an amendment 10
the Constitution, abolshing slavery. Two
thirds of each House OF Congress, and three
quarters Of the States cannot be secured IN
five years-probably in generation
majority of each House may be secured
IN the Rext Congress, and legislative act Is
just as effectual That resolution will never
go backwards. Let us all unite in doing this
and the agitation and the education necessary
to carry this will be steps toward the Con
stitutional amendment
Year: 1864

% The ShuIisbuEg L0cu5 "copper"
head declares that his Satanic Majesty would
make better President than Abraham Lin
coin. Just the choice we should expect from
such source. Satan, as the originator of
the crime OF rebellion against just and right
full authority, is entitled 10 the favor of all
genuine CopperheadA
Year: 1864

a. We complete the publication
of the laws in this issue The law for the
registration of voters, published in our last,
should be preserved by every elector in the
county, and particularly by town officers
Cut it out and lay it away carefully.
Year: 1864

will surely save you.


Do not use the Drops when forbidden in
the directions, for although positive cure,
and harmless at all other times, they are 90
powerful and finely calculated to adjust and
govern the functions of the sexual organism,
that, if taken at improper times, they woa!d
produce results contrary to nature, against
which all, particularly those who would re-
produce, should carefully guard,
Year: 1864

Come to you as blessing, for is not preven-
ton better than cure?


If regularly taken, it is a certain preven-
tive, and will save you much peril and many
hours Of suffering,


Have you been afflicted for many years
with complaints incident to the sex, that have
baffled the skill of physicians, and ar: hurry
ing you on to an early grave?
Year: 1864

WHAT NEXT "A new French art of enamel
Ing the skin, which is said to enhance female
beauty in remarkable degree, has been intro
duced In Philadelphia by French chemist.
The ladies of the Quaker City were sufficiently
attractive before, but with the new spring bon
net and the Parislan cosmetic they will be per-
fectly irresIstIble
Year: 1864

We understand that the Governors Of the
Western States have requested the President to
call for one hundred thousand six months vol
unteers, instead Of two hundred thousand, as
was stated yesterday.
Year: 1864

CRusBING TAxATIoN.-The value of the
real and personal property in the United
States is estimated, by government off.
cials, at seventeen billions. Against the
Northern half of this stands debt of four
billions. Much Of this debt will be held
oy wealthy shoddyites, and is exempt
from taxation. This throws the burden
with crushing weight upon labor and, il
the debt is to be paid, the process will call
for every dollar the lAboring man can
earn, and will ultimately reduce US to the
condition Of England, where the masses
are virtually the slaves Of the moneyed
AristOcracy. LabOring men, what think
yOu Of Abolition legislation, which ex.
e~pts the wealthy from taxation, and
taxes your labor ruincuslyl Are you
willing to keep In power . party which
is pauperiziDg you in order to secure the
support Of IN ignorant, heartless and
worthless aristocracy?
Year: 1864

Or CouRsE.-Jim Lane, the loyal vaga-
bond who was cowhided in Washington
by the woman whom he seduced and de-
sorted, wants the war made permanent
institution" Parson Brownlow, the Sian.
derer Of the old hero Of the Hermitage,
wants to carry on the war tiii we whip
out all creation" Both these bIackguard
loyalists were leading spirits in the shod-
dy Convention which nominated Lincoln
for President; both have made money out
Of the war both are Office holders; both
are speculating on the misery and blood
of the people and both are benefited by
the continuance Of the war. Stop it, and
they would be stripped Of their power
and deprived Of the privilege of robbing
the Government OF course they want
the war to so on.
Year: 1864

LASTING ENHIrY.-An exchange says,
"Civil war does not necessarily produce
lasting enmity. 1t has not in other coun.
tries, and it is not necessary that it should
in this. They mistake who say the Union
can never be restored to peace and affec-
ton after such bloody contest" That
is very true. If the Union could be re-
stored, with nothing but the recollection
Of this horrible strife to ALLEVIATE US here.
after, we should hope that both sections
would outlive that, and be friends again,
perhaps better than ever. But the plan
Of settlement proposed by the Abolition
fanatics who dictate the policy Of the Ad-
ministration is altogether impracticable,
in the first place; and, if it were not so,
it leaves . perpetual sting to annoy US
hereafter. Massachusetts, goes to the
South and tells the planters that they
shall fraternize with their negroes as po-
litical equals. They will not do it; they
will not accept peace on such considera.
tons; and there can be no peace until
the Abolitionists will consent not to inter.
fere with the domestic institutions of the
South. The South has not and does not
desire tc interfere with the domestic in
stitutions Of the North and il the North
would observe n similar forbearance we
should soon have peace and with it
friendly relations. The North would not
permit the South to dictate to her; she
would regard dictation as an insult; and
she should not demand from the South
what she would not yield herself.
Year: 1864

CoRRUrr ADMINISTRATIONS Admin
istration must be frighttully corrupt when
its own friends are forced, by public
opinion, to denounce its corruption. The
leaders of the party and their satellites are
all enriching themselves at the expense Of
the people. The country is rapidly going
to ruin, and hopeless bankruptcy, brought
about by the reckless extravaganza and
systematic corruption of those in power,
stares the people in the face. Comment,
ing on the recent revelations Of Weed.
Opdyke and others, at the charges which
the two wings of the Abolition party are
hurting at each other, even the New York
Herald is forced to say


&" But these acts are nothing compared with
the important and decidedly interesting devel-
opments on the rottenness OF the administra-
ton. II the opposite party had made these
statements they would have had but little ef-
feet upon the rank and file of the republican
party. But now that they are brought out by
most blind partisans Of the so-called Honest
Old Abe's administration cannot but believe
them, and if he votes TO continue Mr.. Lincoln
in office he votes knowingly for the extension
Of corrupt administration.
Year: 1864

STARTLING DIscLosuREs.-In . debate
in the United States Senate, on the 9th Of
last June, q disclosure was made which
ought to awaken the people to q realiza-
ton Of the frightful waste Of life and mon
ey which this country is suffering under
the rule of plunderers and imbeciles. 1t
is sad and humiliating to know that at q
time like this, demanding the highest Or
der Of statesmanship,we have at the head
Of our national affairs man disting 4ish,:
ed for Do,Sa@g OSA getting of staS4 .od
indecent jokes. Senator Wilson, Chair
man Of the Committee Of Military Affairs,
stated that since the 18th of October last
six hundred thousand white men and one
hundred thousand negroes have been add
ed to the Federal armies, and that one
hundred and twenty-five millions Of dol
lars have been expended in bounties since
that time. Seven hundred thousand men
furnished within six months, and the Ad-
ministration ordering a draft for five hun
dred thousand morel How large an ar
my does the President want to crush
the rebellion" which Seward assured the
country would be crushed in ninety days?
How long can the country stand such
enormous drains Of men and money? Is
it not time for the people to pause and
reflect and to change such extravagant
and incompetent rulers9 Have not men
enough been supplied and money enough
contributed since the war commenced to
end the rebellion, had those in authority
been honest and competent2 What
equivalent have we for this reckless sacri-
fee of treasure and blood? Is the freeing
Of a few negroes worth the sacrifice Of
two millions of white men? Answer, ye
worshippcrs of negro emancipation.
Year: 1864

When the American Constitution and


Union was first framed and consummat-


ed New England was the latent fungus


that was destined, ike a foul, corro-


ding, fostering ulcer, to vitiate and de-


stroy that great embodiment of human


liberty ant. Justice. And it does seem
that the Almighty had foreordained


the dissolution of the Federal Union,


by permitting this pestiferous race to
become component part of it, as the


most fitting instrumentality for such a


work, and as a visible and striking


warning to all other countries and peo-
| pie to keep, forever hereafter, clear,


separate and distinct from so vile race.


That's heavy on New England; but


we rather guess that section can stand


it The writer continues:


The New England puritanical scoun-
drels plainly see their fate in the ac-
complishment of great Northwestern
Confederacy Their vile, hypocritical
sheets, everywhere, are. exhibiting great
uneasiness about the matter, and are
spewing out their venom upon all those
whom they suspect They talk about
the West now as If they had bill of
sale upon every able bodied man in it.
This is true, and we call upon you TO
mark the character of the language
they use about you and and your rights
IN order to terTify you into submission


FULFILL YOUR DESTINY this is the
command of Heaven. The grand re-
suits of great "NORTH-WE ESTERN
CQNFEDERACY are not difficult TO
be foreseen; the magnificent realities
of such 8 glorious consummafion cast
their gorgeous shadows before yet we
have not time and space now TO lift the
veil and exhibit the gigantic proper
tlons and the brilliant future which
they portray We can only say to the |
people of the Northwest that New Eng
land can never subjugate the South, |
however long your blindness, or igno- |
rance may induce you TO aid her In this |
base design. We have further to say
to you that you are fighting the battles |
OF your enemies against those whom |
you ought to look upon as your best |
friends and customers. You are fight |
ing against those with whom you ought |
to be fighting, side by side, as your nat !
ural allies, and with whom, if you |
would study your greatest future good, |
you may be found, in future, fighting |
side by side, on all occasions necessary |
to protect and defend human liberty
and public right, or to repel foreign in
suit or aggression. These important
are left with yourselves
Strike aOhile yO,n. arms are free As to
the people of the South, they are de
to be free and to live under
that form of government which, in their
opinion, shall seem most likely to Sc
cure their future happiness and vel
fare.
Year: 1864

The venerable ex. Governor Levi Lin
coin, Of Massachusetts,, has written q
letter in favor of the nominees Of the


Baltimore Convention. DE says in the
course of the letter


In reference to the platform of the
Chicago Convention, and General Nc
Clellans letter of acceptance Of the
nomination, | do not see any coinci>
dence. With the most anxious solicit
ude for the safety aud integrity of the
country, intensified by the thoughtful
ness of age, / find in the structure of
the platform, as a whole" no foothold
on which | can rest There should be
no armistice, no withdrawal of the ap-
plicatiOn of force TO auell this atrocious
rebellion while traitors are in arms
against legitimate government Any
suspension of hOstilities could but en-,
courage their resistance and impair our
own means to Induce their return 10
loyalty, or coerce their submission to
law and rightful authority.
| believe in the entire honesty of pur-
pose, purity of motive, and devoted
patriotism of the President, and rely,
hopefully, upon the competency of the
present Administration, and the vigOr
OF gallant arm TO bring this terrible
war to triumphant close and under
the influence and direction of an Ella
waited public sentiment restore the
country to that safe, peaceful and pros
porous condition, which can only be
enjoyed in Union under a constitution
al Government and Just and equal laws.
Year: 1864

From the London News, Oct. ID.


A female camel with her young one.
arrived in Southampton yesterday, to


be sent out in the Bremen mail steamer
New York to the United States. They
were accompanied by an Arab keeper
BY no cOntrIVsnce could the cider camel
be induced to.cross the gangway from
the dock to the ship, although the Arab
tried by blows and by coaxing with
bag of oats TO get her on board. The
young camel, about the size of pony.
and covered with beautiful soft silky
hair, stuck TO his dam As the tide was
about 10 ebb, the pilot on board the
ship became impatient, aud called out,
Have the animal shipped" A number
OF the German passengers on board the
New York rushed on shore, and, amidst
shouts Of laughter, took the young cam
ell up IN their arms and carried him
bodily into the steamer, and the ship
was obliged to leave the side Of the dock
Immediately, leaving the she camel be-
hind. The young camel began to cry
IN the most pitiful manner on being
separated from his dam, and the latter
hearing the cries, moaned distressingly,
her eyes were mOistened with tears, and
her head was slowly and solemnly NOV
ing to and fro, looking for her young
one. AT length she was put into horse
box and slung on board a steam tug
and taken out to the New York, which
waited IN the stream for her.
Year: 1864

A neat little affray took place on
Monday evening at the Fifth Avenue.
Hotel in New York ,in which Mr James
s Phelps. OF KY, and q New Yorker
named Glass figured most eonspicuous-
ly. Glass undertook 10 cane Phelps
that gentleman resisted and fired
several shots with revolver at his as
zailant q ass also used a single-bar-
relied pistol which he had in his
pocket Fortunately neither party had
done the other any great damage when
the police stepped in and conveyed
both TO the station house.
Year: 1864

The new State constitution of Mary
land, the material portion of which
(the bill Of rights we publish to-day
having passed through every test, in
cluding the ratification by the popular
vote and the State courts, has been
proclaimed by Governor Bradford as
going into effect as the proper consti-
tuition and form of government of the
State, superseding the enc now exist
ing, on the first day of November next
The great feature of this new organic
law of the State lies in the article
which declares that thereafter in this
State .here shall be neither slavery nor
involuntary servitude, except in punish
ment of crime, whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted; and all per-
sons held to service or labor as slaves,
are hereby declared free"


Thus, on Tuesday, the lst day of
November, 1864, slavery ceases to exist
in Maryland for all the slaves therein
on that day become free-men, women
and children. What the aggregate
number thus liberated will be we have
no means Of ascertaining. According
to the census of 1860, the slave popula-
ton of Maryland numbered 81, lS9
against a free negro population OF SO,
g42, and white population Of 5l5,glS.
From these figures it will be seen that
against a pretty stringent code OF laws
for the protection of slavery, very near
one half the black population of Mary
land, and doubtless in the main from
economical considerations, had become
become free in 1860 The other half of
the African element of the State, with
the first year of the rebellion, had be-
come so generally demoralized as to
suggest the opportunity for the abso-
lutte abolition movement which has
Just been perfected We presume that,
considering the slaves that have been
moved from the State by their masters
southwark since 1860, those that have
removed themselves northward, those
that have been turned loose BY their
owners in disgust, or from a lack of
subsistence or employment, aud those
absorbed into the military service of
the United States, the whole number
emancipated by this new constitution
will probably not exceed forty thou
sand


The vote by which this free State
constitution has been adopted, however,
was close one from the heavy opposi
ton majorities Of the lower tobacco
growing counties of the State, in which,
being somewhat Gut of the way, the
institution remained comparatively in
tact against the revolutionary inhu-
ences Of the war


VOTE oN TIE NEW CoNsTIrUTION.
Year: 1864




A narrow escape. It is said, how
ever, that the emancipationists, regard
ing their success a sure thing,
were caught mapping but that had
they supposed the pro-slavery oppOsi-
ton intended 50 vigorous a fight, the
new constitution would have received
a good many thousand more votes The
elections for the reorganization Of the
State government under this new
regime in November, will tell the story,
one way or the other In any event
after to morrow Maryland Gomez over
among the free States and, before the
end Of the ensuing year, from the
present appearances. the list will be
considerably enlarged, leaving Presi-
dent Lincolns crude emancipation ex
periments entirely out OF the question.
N y. Hsald,