smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

The plates for the gun boats building at
st. Louis were tesetd with Tifed cannon a
few days since, with very gratifying results.
The plates for the experiment az inches
thick were placed and firmly bolted TO oak
blocks about sixteen inches thick, and sta
toned in a firm position at an angle of forty
five degrees, and inclination the same as the
gun boats. At distance OF 800 yards quite
as far as the gunner could see the target, the
ball struck the iron under one Of the bolts,
tearing it out without injury to the iron, only
making its mark in a rakiug way. The
next shot that hit the iron, was fred at
distance Of Eve hundred yards. This made q
very decided mark, indenting the iron one
inch. The next shot at five hundred yards
hit fair, and also made dent about one inch
deep, starting the bolts. Next they came up
10 three hundred yards DISTANCE, and the eff
feet on the iron was the same each time, a
deep indentatation being made, but not q
cragk or sign Of breaking. Now the party
said they would see if one could be put through
so the iron target was set up straight, or q
little leaning towards the gun, which was
placed only one hundred yards of. All said
il must 20 through. The ball hit fair in the
centre, knocking the target around out Of its
place, and shattering the bali in q thousand
fragments, many pieces flying back to the
gun. It was now determined unsafe to try
it at a shorter range. It being decided by
Capt. Rodgers and al hands present that the
iron resisted beyond all expectations, and
proved to be of very superior quality, we
gave it up that we could not put ball
through it, and 1t was pronounced perfectly
satisfactory. Trials Of iron have been made
in England on from four to ten inch plates,
and balls have penetrated through, but it
must be remembered that the English iron
mostly, if not all Of it, is 'stoneeOal iron,
while the iron now being used for the guu
boats building by Capt. Jas. B. Eads, is of
the very best American "chsrcoal iron."
This accounts, 10 great extent for the won
derful resistance of two and half inch thick
plates.


This speaks well for the reputation of Gay
lord, Son & Co.'s iron. They have placed
themselves under a forfeiture of 5000 per
day for every days delay beyond the time
they were to deliver the iron. They had the
first lot here one day ahead Of the specified
time, and will be con time" with all oft
Year: 1861

Gated by the enemy, have burned houses
and destroyed property to q considerable
amount. This will be investigated, as
Mcclellan strongly condemned It.


The Whereabouts Of the enemy have not
been discovered. Their piokets are dis
cernible at distant points. The most prCb
able thing Is that the rebels are making
fsints of retreat as they did previous to
the battle Of Bull Run, with the view Of
drawing our troops into ambusoades-
Their enoampments show they had at no
time over 10000 men In front Of Washing
fon
Year: 1861

Our news from Washington to-day is very
impOrent The rebels have abandoned their
iOrti6cAtiOas at Munsons hin and Withdrawn
all their picket lines in front Of Washington
about four miles. Our troops have made a
corresponding advance. At the same time
the rebels ara showing intentions Of crossing
the Potomac both above and below Washing
ton with the design Of fanking our forces.
They doubtless hope to draw our army ont
in the centre, thinking to then surround it,
We have no doubt the great and decisive
movements of the war are at hand.
Year: 1861

ENGLISH SENTIMENT. Some of tho
papers speak of the better tone Of En-
glish sentiment towards this country
We do not see it. 1t seems TO us that
the tone of England toward this country
is about as bad as it could be, that it is
unjust, envious, carpine, exultins in our
misfortunes, desiring our disruption and
over throw The whole anti slavery pro-
te=sions Of England have fallen before
the cotton question as the whole morality
of England fell before the opium-ques-
tion and she would as soon viudicate
the principles in this case as she would
in that. The measure of her respect for
US is cur power; the measure Of her feel


ing towards ua is her interest
Jouaui
Year: 1861




particularly EOglish, papers which openly
or eevertly sspOuse the cause Of the South,
& is pleasure to read occasionally an
English voice which shows any appreoi-
alton q The actual state Of the case in
America. The Manchester Guardian, a
prominent Journal in that cotton consuming
community, hes an article urOn the subject
Of the blockade and its efficiency, saying
that 81 the South is en- independent Gev-
ernment In hostility to that Union Of
which it once formed a part, "the right Of
the latter to blockade its ports is as little
opea 10 dispute as any right that can exist
under The law Of nations" In this view,
the sdvOcates Of breaking the blockade, re-
Quire that England "should declare var
against The United States in order to pre-
vent them from using the Only weapon by
which, II BY any, they can hope to redeem
their adversariesto submission" Setting
aside the question as to whether the block
ade is The only method by which wo can
conquer 3 peace, the argument Of the Guar
dian upon the blockade should have some
little eject upon the hot hesds OF England.
Whether it viii do So it remains to be seen.
Year: 1861

What's the use to be unhappy,


What's the use to fume and fret?
What's the use to look behind you,
Nursing up the vain regret?
What if life is clouded ever


With its sorrors dark and wild?
What if fortune does look stcrny?
Hath she never sometimes smiled?
Why, if you must taste the bitter,
Will you fling the sweet away?
Fighting ever with the crosses


That you meet from day to day.
Why disquiet those around you
With complaint you should suppress
Weary those whom duty bids you
Still to comfort and to bless?
Look at yonder little insect,


Sporting in the suns bright beams;
Listen now, and hear the music
OF your laughing little streams.
Look ut nature all around you.
And above, where'er you stray!
Mute creations ever singing!
Happy |! it seems to say.
What IS the use to be unhappy?
What's the use to fume and fret?
Pluck up courage, laugh at trf1es,
And you may be happy yet.
WAR PoErRY.-An Eastern War poelizel
yets off the following:
War bringeth sorrow TO the land
To some it bringeth riches;
Contractors realize the last


By making Soldiers breeches.
Year: 1861

terests and Of sympathies, of which they
have given mutual proofs to each other


| do not wish here to approach any OF the
questions WHICH divide the United States.
We are not called to express ourselves in
this contest. The preceding considerations
have no other object than to attest the lively
solicitude Of the Emperor in the presence Of
the dangers which menace the American
Union, and the sincere wishes which hi;
Majesty entertains for the maintenance Of
that great wcrk so laboriousIv raised, and
which appears so rich in its future.


1t is in this sense, sir that desire you
20 express yourself as well to the members
Of the General Government as to the inhur
ential persons whom you may meet, giving
them the assurance that in every event the
American nation may count upon the most
cordial sympathy on the part of our august
master during the impo tant crisis which it
is passing through at present.


Receive, sir, the expression of my very
deep consideration.


(Slgneu, GORTSClIAKOFF.
Year: 1861

IMPRISONMENT FOR DEBT The Sacramen-
to Bee learns hat a case will soon be
brought before the Supreme Court in which
the whole question involved will be, whether
under the Constitution, person can be i'm
prisoned for debt Some Cinnamon, it is
said, have been imprisoned for debt, in fact,
although they have been charged with mis-
demeanor, and they intend to have he case
tested under the clause of the Constitution
which reads: "No person shall be imprison-
ed for debt in any civil action on mesne or
final process, unless in case of fraud"
Year: 1861

A SIMPLE SALvE FOR SOLDIERS FEET IN
MARCHNG-The Scientific 4merican has
received the following receipt for making
an excellent composition for amounting the
feet of soldiers during long marches: Take
equal parts of gum camphor, olive oil and
pure bees wax, and mix them together warm
until they are united AID become salve.
At night wash the feet well, dry them, and
then apply the saIve and put on clean stock
ings, and sleep with them on. Next day
their feet will be in excellent trim for march
ing.
Year: 1861

A FAMOUS DRuM-They have drum in
the Ohio Fifth Regiment, now on duty in
Missouri, which is carried by boy named
Bank His grandfather beat it in the old
Revolutionary tme-his father carried it in
the Mexican war, and it is thus a third time
made available during one of our great
historical epochs.
Year: 1861

The Sun GOING OUT-There are now
more spots on the sun than have been seen
for many years; some of these are visible
through a smoked glass to the naked eye.
Several stars-some of them of great brill
liancy, which from their ascertaned distance,
must have been as large as our sun have
totally disappeared from the sky; and the
mers whether the light and heat of the sun
are gradually fading away. AS this would
be accompanied by the destruction of all
the plants and animals of the earth, it is
rather an interesting question. The suns
light and heat are diminished by the dark
spots, at the present time above one per
cent.
Year: 1861

Republican paper of Massachusetts, the
New Bedford Mercury, is out for peace. 1t
says:


We have made mistake in our estimate
of the strength OF the rebels; have we made
another in the confidence we have placed in
our own2 Is it true that the South carries
with her the sources OF certain failure, or
shall we not rather be compelled to yield to
her demands, not as matter merely OF pol.
icy and self interest but of sheer necessity!


Is not the struggle assuming new features,
and instead of being contest for the pre-
servation of the Constitution, is it not grow
inc into war of suhjugaton, in which the
course frs, marked ont by the government
will be abandoned hv the necessity of
events!


Is there any longer a reasonable hope
that, after the bitter strife of States and
the sheding of fraterna blood, the Union
can ever be restored to its former position?
Year: 1861

The new tariff, and the bill imposing direct
and other taxes, have received their final shape
through committees Of conference, and are now
laws. 1t is hoped that they will be efficient to
protect the public credit.


The excise taxes were given up, as notlikely
to produce an amount which would compen.
safe for the cumbersome machinery necessary
to collect them.


The income tax is fixed at three per cent.
on all taxes exceeding eight hundred dollars.
The tax is reduced one half, where it is derived
from the interest on Treasury notes.


The direct tax is twenty millions, appor.
tionad nc Eollowa
Year: 1861

= The DISTRICT OF CoLuNBIA.-The movement
made in the Senate by Mr.. Grimes to restore
the old lines of the ten miles square of this
District as fixed by the founders of the Gov.
ernment, and run out under the immediate
direction of General Washington, although
not likely to be consummated during the pres.
ent extra session Of Congress, will doubtless
be successful at the next session, when there
there will be time to consider it.


The retrocession of so much of the District
as lies south Of the Potomac, made twenty years
ago without discussion, was most improvi-
dent proceeding. That portion of the District
embraces the heights which command the
capital.
Year: 1861

CHIEF JUSTICE TAYEY AND TIE INAUGURA-
rToN.-At dinner given by the President
recently, to the Supreme and other judges of
his district, it is authoritivey stated that Chief
Justice Taney said g that if alive he would
administer the oath of Office to Lincoln, if he
had to go to Springfield to do it '
Year: 1861

DEEP MINING CLAN-Tbe Scott Valley
Mirror SAYS the live Yankee Company, on Nc
Adams Greek have now reached depth of
one hundred and ten feet in their mining claim
They find considerable gold in the dirt al
though they have not yet reached the bed
Year: 1861

Il".ternal vigilance is the price of liberty"
tie people of the United States are entitled to
The largest liberty, OF amy people in the world
There are those among us who make ii their
constant business to study the details of every
movement made by the Union army. A negro
cannot come into camp, before constitutional
question is raised in regard to his status.-
They insist that the government should at
once establish precedent by which it will be
bound iE all future cases, because other me-
groes may stray away from theit masters, and


all into the hands f the Federal forces
The Northern sympathisers with secession,
think the army should be directed to suspend


its movements, until that deluded colored
brother, is restored to his rebel owner, and if
that Is done at once, they pronounce the omis-
sion to perform such an obvious duty, conclN-
sive proof Of diabolical plot to emaucpate
all the slaves, which they are not slow to ex-
pose and condemn On the other hand, we
hear it contended, by the abolitonsts, that the
army should be exclusively employed in pre-
pairing the way for the total abolition Of slave
ry, and that if the design of the administration
is to stop at that point, they can see no
ground for the prosecution of the war, and call
lor an immediate disbandment Of the army.


" think the army is composed mostly of
men who give themselves very little concern
about the disposition Of negroes who come
among them, and the President omits to make
any Recommendation or suggestion to Congress,
on the subject, from which we infer, that those
actually engage in tie contest, take compare
lively little or no interest in the questi on, and
leave the negroes exclusively in the hands OF
those who would rather talk about his rights.
than fight for their own- Nilcaukee Netcs:
Year: 1861

fwwhen Deacon Y got into bad hx,
he was very expert in crawling out 1t.
Though quick tempered, he was one OF the
best Deacons in the world. He would not
in sober moments utter an oath, or any.
thing like one, for his weight in cider: Al
the close of rainy day, he was milking
upon knoll in the barnyard, at the side o'
which was drtyslough, and near by a"
old ram, that, in consideration OF nus ns'i-
al quiet disposition, was allowed with t!e
cows. The deacon was piously humm'nS
Old Hundred, and had just finished ths
line exalted high when the ram. ooeying
sudden impulse to be aggressive. save him
blow from behind, that put him ups
short distance, only to fall directly in the
slough, where the dirty water was just
deep enough to give him good ducking
As he crawlcd out, and before he ,ose from
his all fours he looked over his shoulder AT
the ram, and quietly vociferated: You
id old cuss YOUR but looking around.
and seeing one of his neighbors &C the bars
looking at him, he added, in the same
brcath, eff may be allowed the express
sion
Year: 1861

WHISKY IN THE CAMps--The followingis
from the Martinsburg correspondence OF
the World:


Gen. Williams made what Tire boys call
a monster toddy yesterday by knocking ir
the heads Of two hundred and fifty barrels
of new old rye alias corn whisky at the
still owned by Lieutenant Colonel Stuart,
of the Confederate forces, and pouring most
of it into the neighboiing brook. A guard
was at first put over it to protect it, but
the smell of the whisky was so strong that
it overpowercd them and they slept on their
posts. Then came the thirsty ones and
their names were legion, and drank Of the
liquor with evil consequences to themselves
and the public. Hence the Generals great
toddy making. A drunken soldier now IL
like snow in summer.
Year: 1861

For the Times.


The Coquette.


BY. H. ouRNBY.
Some sing the grandeur Of the Earth,
Some OF old Oceans foam
While O. hers tune the trembling Tyre
To sweeter songs of Home;
Some sing of Glory, some of Wealth,
And some of Pomp and Power;
And some let Memory thrill the heart,
And sing of Childhood's hour:
But sing mo song for the game play
The joyous game fthe Hearth
And let 1t as light and Joyous be
As the game play is light to me,
For winning or losing its all the Same,
A fascination still follows the game
Tho exciting game of the heart.


They may sing who will


or the murmuring rill
Or the bending sky that kisses the hill
In the dusky eve, when the dews distill
From its mystic depths 50 calm and chill,
But tame is the happiness these can impsrt,
When matched with the soul stirring game Of the


There's signing and crying, heart


And mute ways oflying,
And soft looks of languor whene'er am trying
To make some new victim believe am dying
For him. till bewildercd aud lost in the play,
lie gives up the game with sigh and start,
And I take up the forfeit--a love stricken heart
Poor moth! It was lured by the caudles rays,
And its funeral pyrc is the dazzling blaze


And mock its pain


With calm disdain,
And turn to my wild, wild game again.


Then sing me song,


A soul-stirrins song,


For the roy al game OF the heart;
For winning or losing--but ah forget,
There's person l vainly have tried to forget,
For spell Of en- nchantment whene'er I've met
Ills calm searching eyes, on my spirit has set
A seal that will never depart.
Yet feel a. meet his eyes calm ray,
That he scorns in his heart the game play;
For they lsok into mine with . curious stare
That tells me he's reading the ssldshness there


Yet strive as may


To drive him away
From my hearts lonely musings bynight or by day
lie still fingers there on my spirit to play
In low thrilling cadence, passionate lay,
Whose Wild hopes and fears are distressing my
breast.


And breaking with nervous unques my rest.
If he'd tell me he loved me I'd love him more
And so be revenged--but it puzzles me sore
lie hides all his heart with such consummate skill
To know if he loves me or scorns me-bu still
cannot but love him deepis the spell
OF Ofenchantmeut that ever my spirit hath fell
In the desperate game have played;
And bitter the tear drops of anguish that start
For I've lost in the desperate game Of the heart
And sadly the forfeit I've paidl


Then sing me song,


A sad sweet song


For the gloomy game Of the heart.
For winning or losing its all the Same,
love no mere the exciting game


The perilous game of the heart
Year: 1861

OSE OF TIE NEW Colonel s.-A corres-
pondent of the Springfield Republican,
writing from Washington, says:


1.-THE Young West Point Cadets have q
little fun over some Of our impromptu vol.
unteer officers OF course man can't
grow into familiarity with military phrases
in day. 1t was but few days ago that
I overheard newly elected Colonel crying
out to one of the companies under his
charge-"Whcre in thunder are you goinsy
Go back to where you were-right back OF
the other company" There was quiet
smile resting on many a face among the
spectators present, and the general feeling
that the aforesaid Colonel would doubtless
make good officer in time, but that ho
needed little drilling
Year: 1861

vLord Campbell said he himself
heard judge at Stafford thus sentence
prisoner to death for forgery: "And /
trust through the merits and mediation of
our blessed Redeemer, you may experience
that mercy in another world which
due regard for the paper currency of the
country tor6ids you to hope for here"
Year: 1861

.E~'My yoke is easy and my burden is
light as the young fellow said when u
pretty girl was sitting on his lap with her
arms around her neck Our devil says he
would give premium for that chaps sit
or he would not mind acting as sub for
him.
Year: 1861

saw the temple reared by the hand Of
man standing with its high pinnaclos o;
the distant plain--the Storm beat upon ii
the God Of nature hurled its thundsrs
against it--lnd yet it stood firm as ada
mant Reyelry was in lis halls Tie gay
the happy, the young and the beautiful
were there. | returned, and lie temple
was TO more--,,s high walls lay in scatter
Ell ruins; moss and wild grass grew there,
and at thei midnight hour the owls CRY add
ed to the desolation of the scene; the
young and gay who had revelled there had
passed away.


saw the child rejoicing in his youth -
the idol of his father. | returned, aud the
child lad become old aud infirm. Tremh
ling with the weight of years. he stood,
the last of his generation. a stranger amid
the desola;ion around hln.


saw the old oak stand in all Its pride
on the mountain the birds were carroling
on its boughs ] returned. The oak was
Ieafess and sapl,ss; the toads were playing
their passtmes through tie branches.


Who is the Destroyer said to my
guardian angel.


1T is time said he: when the morning
stars sang together with joy over the new
made world. he commenced his course !;
and when be shall have destroyed all that
is beautiful on earth, plucked the sun from
his sphere, veiled the moon in blood; yea
when he shall roll the heavens and the
earth away rs a scroll, then an angel from
the throne of God shall come forth, and
with one foot on the sea and one on the
land, lift up his hand towards heaven and
heavens Eternal saying: Time is, time
was, time shall be no longer. - Pa~ld-
iuq
Year: 1861

GROWING OLD. --rhere are different
ways of finding out that we are growing
old. One is the looking-glass another
the alteration in your absen. friend since
you saw b,m ; another is the enlargement
of your library apother is the addition of
new drawers ~ memoranda or cores
pondcnce another is the growth and at-
cumulation of I'll sorts Of rubbish about
you; that You don't know how to deal
with whether 10 bury or burr /; mother is
the lengthcn list Of past residences IL the
memory another is he change Of opinions
All these tests do not apply to all pers ons
but some TO one ard some TO another
Year: 1861

The following piece Of Abolition poetry shows
the drift of the pretended religious journals of
this country. Instead Of preaching and publish
ing the teachings Of the Bible, they seek to widen
the breach between the different sections Of the
country. Such Abolition journals, and many OF
the preachers of these times, will be instrumental
in sending more souls to destruction than they
will ever save.
Year: 1861

If we are to recognize the belgerency of the
Southern Confederation, and if we respect the
'blockades" of the North, it follows that our
commerce with America will be closed until the
quarrel ends Meanwhile, it does not seem to
occur to our statesmen at home what Lancashire
IS to do for cotton, or Liverpool for freghts The
Congress of Paris came to resolutions in accord
ance with the humane notions of the present age,
and II America did not choose to Join in that
Convention, 1t is yet open for Europe TO enforce
upon the High Seas the doctrines on which the
Representatives Of the Great Powers agreed in
1896. The ports Of the Two Sicilies were not
blockaded against the Stars and Stripes, and so
the ports of America ought not now 10 be scaled
against the commerce of Europe. Asbetween na-
tons, We can know nothing of civil wars, we may
not intervene on the soil where the strife RACES,
but we surely have the right TO prevent the ex-
tension of the quarrel into every sea on the globe
u hls right is mot SO much principle a fact y
The Americans are seeking to settle by arms on
one side, and apparently by words and threats on
the other, dispute in which Europe has no inter
national interest. But il is our interest to pre-
vent the vessels of neutrals beng Inconvenience
by nrlvateers and Illegal blockadcs. Europe will
not discharge the duty she sought to take upor
herself to teach the world in 1856, unless now
when the great maritime power of the West could
scarcely resist an unanimous expression of Euro
PEN opinion-it insists that privateering is M
much out OF place on the seas as piracy. and thai
blockades can only be effective and be respected
when they are proclaimed and carried out accord
ing to the common sense and understanding o.
the Laws of Nations and Maritime Warfare
England and France have too much at stake in
this great contest not 10 be the foremost in AM
attempt TO soften the barbarous notions Of age.
long gone by.