smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1868

Under the Reconstruction laws of Congress


all the male negroes at the South, whether


they took part in the rebellion or not, are


invested with the right of suffrage. 1t appears
now to be settled fact that the Southern


States are all to be rehabilitated under these
laws, and as soon as they have resumed their
position in the Union, with their proper repre-
sentation in Congress, negro votes will play
their part in influencing our national affairs as
well as in shaping the local governments of the
South. We have had doubts of the wisdom of
incorporating into our body polite large
army Of ignorant and depraved Africans, but
recently liberated from slavery and wholly
incapable of self-government. We have
questioned both the justice and the expediency
of giving one-third of the States of the Union
over to barbarism and setting back civilization
half century or more. But we must submit
to the laws, and we accept the situation.
At the same time we must insist that
the extension of the suffrage shall
not be permitted to stop here, but
that at this propitious moment shall be
commenced in the American republic the great
movement of the age-the enfranchisement of
all human beings, saving and excepting only
Indians not taxed. To this end we call upon
Ignatius Donnelly to bring in bill to extend
the right Of voting to all American females,
and to push it through Congress with the
vigor, valor and vim so signally displayed in
his recent contest with Washburne. We have
conferred the right of suffrage upon negroes,
and who will undertake to argue that our edu-
Gated and refined American women are not
better qualified to form an intelligent judgment
upon political questions and more capable of
welding the power of electors to the advan-
tage of the country, than are the negroes of
Africa who have just been liberated from
bondage at the South? We select Ignatius
Donnelly for this work because he has shown
himself to be possessed of high principles of
honor, great delcacy of feeling and laudable
ambition. Let him avail himself at once of the
opportunity and introduce the great measure
before Washburne or any other envious rival
can forestall his action, and he will cast Phil
lips Greeley, Pillsbury, Ben Wade and the
whole set of timid, time-serving reformers into
the shade and win for himself an everlasting
and worldwide fame.
Year: 1868

monster was harmless mouse, and compared
with which the late slaveholding cotton oil
garchy Of the South, with its twenty-five hun
dred millions of capital in negroes, may be
proved to have been an inferior political party
machine.


There is still another clause in this suggested
Chicago platform, which distinctly proposes to
hold this national debt as burden upon the
country for generations to come, in proposing
to call in none of the loans till fully due,
twenty or forty years hence, within which time,
it is assumed, ''the currency of the country
will rise to the value of gold, unless the
enemies of the public credit shall meanwhile
destroy it" The people, we say, desire nothing
so indefinite as this, looking to the end of this
debt. They want to see the beginning of the
end, and with the present generation of our
taxpayers we believe this idea, or, we may
say, this purpose prevails-that they will sub
stantially be relieved of this debt before they
pass off the stage. Any financial policy, there
fore, which looks in practical way to this great
cOnsummation will attract the masses OF the
people against the evasive and do-nothing
policy foreshadowed as the Presidential plat
form of the republican party.


For instance, here are the national banks,
with their three hundred millions of currency
in circulation, for which the Treasury pays in
interest some eighteen millions year-an
item which would be saved by simply substitute
ing greenbacks for this bank currency. Next,
here are fourteen hundred and forty millions Of
bonds, touching the redemption of which gold
is not mentioned in the contract and is not in
the spirit of the bond, according to the con-
struction of the law by many of its most intel
ligent trainers. Let, then, the democratic
party, in addition to the universal negro suf-
frage question, make the redemption of these
bonds in greenbacks their ultimatum in con-
nection with feasible plan for the rapid re-
duction of the principal of the national debt,
against the indefinite postponement policy
which will doubtless be adopted at Chicago,
and we may have on this subject some sur
prising developments of public opinion in the
impending Presidential contest with any man
of fair national record as the democratic
candidate. We are inclined to think that the
money question may be put into shape by the
opposition which will be stronger than General
Grant.
Year: 1868




For two days past the telegraphic columns
of the HERALD have been enriched by the
opinions of the European press on the failure
of the impeachment. We do not care much
about the opinions of the European press in
matter of this kind, for Europeans generally
are seldom particularly happy in their judg-
wents of American political questions. 1t is
impossible, however, to look at these cable
dispatches from day to day without feeling
how widely different are the times in which
we live from the times of our fathers. Fifty
years ago-what an old-fashioned world that
now seems to us! Twenty, even ten years
ago-how we have been bounding forward
since then! Time and space were at either of
those dates great practical barriers, holding
the nations apart, localizing interests and
dividing humanity into numerous and antagon-
istic'sectons. Time and space have now be-
come as very little things. Science has bridged
the ocean and otherwise annihilated distance.
The most distant nations have been brought
near. The interests of one people begin to be
felt to be identical with the interests of every
OtHcI, uCCVmCo ohC' Aho AoPu
interchange of sentiment which has taken place
through the medium of the Atlantic cable on
this impeachment business is one of the most
striking illustrations which we have yet had of
the influence of modern science on the relations
of nations. A few years ago and the impeach-
ment sensation would have created a panic on
both sides of the Atlantic and involved thou
sands upon thousands in ruin. How different
it is now we have but to look at the facts to
know. Science continues to work her won
ders, and will continue ; and it is only just to
conclude that the world of to-day is not more
different from the world of twenty years ago
than the world of twenty years hence will be
from the world of to-day.
Year: 1868

The latest complaint against Fessenden,
Henderson and the other patriotic men of the
Senate is, not that they voted against impeach-
ment, but that they did not hunt up Tilton and
tell him how they intended to vote. Astonish-
ing depravity, of course All radicaldom
roars out in common against the suspicious
circumstance that the Presidents friends
'knew" how these men were to vote, while
the impeachers did not. The truth is that
nobody knew anything about it till the vote
was taken. On the radical side, only the day
before the vote, it was ''known" that enough
would vote in favor to carry the eleventh
article; on the other side it was ''known" that
they would not, and the knowing ones on one
side or the other had to be disappointed. Just
such knowledge" is always in possession Of
both sides in these cases. Yet this inevitable
disappointment is the whole ground of Buffers
new investigation. Will that fellow always
beat the air in this same wild style Will he
still keep on


Dropping buckets into empty wells


And growing old In drawing nothing upS
Year: 1868




A divorce case came before the Supreme
Court of this city, and was heard by Judge
Barnard, in Chambers, on Tuesday, showing
the ease with which divorces can be obtained
and the necessity of more protection by law to
the unfortunate victims of unprineipled people
and law shysters. 1t appears that Mr.. Smith
got divorce from his wife in the Supreme
Court here in December, 1866, on the ground
of alleged adultery. Mrs. Smith, with her five
children, the offspring of this man, was living
at Newport, KY, at the time, but never heard
or knew anything about the proceedings of her
husband to obtain q divorce. In fact, it was
not till Smith went home to his family in the
same month, and just before leaving them, that
he told his wife he was divorced from her. OF
course the poor woman was astounded at this
announcement and protested against her hus-
bands conduct; but she failed to obtain from
him any information as to where or how he
got the divorce. She ultimately found the de-
cree among the records of the Supreme Court
of this State. The case, as it came up on
Tuesday, was on motion to set aside the decree
as fraudulent and void. Smith, it appears,
had married again since the divorce was OBJ
tained, and had been actually appointed last
February to the lucrative position of United
States Consul at Honolulu, Sandwich IslandA
The case is to come up again for decision on
the 18th of June.


We know nothing of the merits Of the case
beyond this, but 1t shows that the laws of di
vorce and the practice in such cases need re-
vision. We know of another case where a
divorce, so called was obtained in Kentucky
against party in this State, who knew
nothing of the proceedings till after the decree
was issued. Indeed, there are hundreds of
such cases constantly occurring all over the
country. There are shyster lawyers in this
city who publicly announce that they can easily
get divorces for parties without. trouble or ex-
posure and in some of the Western States
there is no difficulty at all in doing this without
the husband or wife to be divorced knowing
anything about it. Need we be surprised,
then, that the marriage tie is held so loosely
and the grossest injustice and immortality fol-
low? This state of things is disgrace to the
country and our boasted civilization, and calls
for remedy. The Legislature should not
only make it criminal offence for those OBJ
tanning divorces in such manner, but should
make the judges of courts responsible and pun
ish them severely for issuing DEGREES of divorce
when both parties have not been heard or
have not had an opportunity of being heard.
The marriage tie is the most sacred bond of
the family and society, and it should be fully
protected. At present it is not so, and we are
fast tending to Mormonism or something worse.
1t is to be hoped the Legislature of this great
State will do something to remedy the evil and
to give an example to the other States.
Year: 1868

IMPEACHMENT DEVELOPMENTS - GENERAL
GRANT AND SENATOR Ross.-The Washington
correspondents say that General Grant has
been laboring to get the President convicted
and removed, and one of the reports is that
he visited Senator Ross as late as twelve
o'clock last Friday night-the night before the
vote was taken in the Senate on impeachment
for the purpose Of trying the power Of per-
suasion upon that Senator. If this be true
General Grant has brought disgrace upon his
name and the high position he holds, in the
estimation of all who love fair play and justice.
His great military fame will not save him from
the odium of such conduct. The reports are
30 direct and circumsAantial that he cannot
escape the consequences unless he publicly
declares they are not true. What does General
Grant say? Has he been using his influence
upon members Of the High Court Of Impeach-
ment to force verdict Of conviction against
the President Of the United States? Let us
have the truth.
Year: 1868

1t appears from q letter of Mr.. Van Dyck, the
Sub Treasurer at New York, to the Secretary Of
the Treasury, on the subject Of gold sales,
which has been laid before the House Of
Representatives, that there has been sold in
New York over two hundred millions of dollars
in gold, amounting to nearly three hundred
millions in currency, during the last seven
years, and that the commissions paid were
over two hundred and thirty-one thousand
dollars in gold. The greater part Of these
commissions have been paid to one firm.
Now, we think this Is only part of the loss to
the government and only small part OF the
profits to favored houses that have made the
sales, notwithstanding Mr.. Van Dyck's rose
colored account Of the business. The leading
member of the house which has derived the
greatest benefit is, we understand, q relative
Of the Secretary Of the Treasury, and these
commissions have the appearance of job.


There is no necessity to pay such high COM
mission. There are plenty of respectable
houses that would do the business for much
less. But, really, there is no necessity to pay
any commission. The Treasury could sell the
gold itself, realize quite as much or more, aud
1t would be much fairer way to the public to
make the sales in that manner.
Year: 1868

BLATHRR AND BUNcoMBE. IF there was any
one single sailor at the Soldiers and Sailors
Convention at Chicago he ought to have been
on his ship and If there was there any single
soldier now in the United States service 1t
would have been more to his credit TO have
been at his post. But there was probably
neither soldier nor sailor there, as the people
understand It; there was no man there who
was Of great account in the field or at sec
during the war. II was Convention Of old
case-hardened politicians, some Of whom, It is
true, thrust themselves into uniforms while the
war was in progress, just % they change party
always to keep in the current. Their rant and
twaddls would hardly be worthy Of note, Il 10
20 mach in their usual style, except that N
seems moro than commonly disgusting BY
comparison with The heroic charsctse thss
thsss artfal (edgsw jass nv sesxnM
Year: 1868

THE Boston Pioneer publishes petit
ton 10 Congress, demanding an amend
nnant to the Constitution to provide for
the abrogation Of the Presidency in the
United States, and for Congress to appoint
an Executive Committee from among
its own members, or other capable citi-
zens. A permanent deputatlon, consist
ing of certain number OF members OF
Congress, during the adjournment OF both
houses, must control and guide the
Executive Committee, and the people
shall have the power to remove Repre-
sentatiyes in Congress, even during the
term for which they were elected, in
case they incur the dlspleasure of their
constituents.
Year: 1868

ally those Germans who have been
lately so disturbed or distributed in the
changes that have taken place, that they
do not well know or care to whom OF
what they belong-sinee they cannot be
rightly said TO belong to themselves.
The military conscriptions of these
umbrsgeous' and predatory Kings oi
Europe will help to crowd our emigrant
ships for many a year to come.-NetU
York Times.
Year: 1868

The Picnic of the Rockets Methodist
Episcopal Sunday school was well attended,
and in every respect great success. Re-
freshments were abundant, and every ap-
propriate species Of amusement patronized.
Mr.. Franklin Stearns received the thanks
of the whole company, not only for the use
of his grounds but for his kindness in
opening his house to the merry ry-makers as
soon as the rain came up.
Year: 1868

The method of initiating a candidate into
Lodge of Good Templars is but slight inn
provement upon the same programme so long
in vogue by the ancient and honorable frater-
nifty Of the Sons of Malta. A "chap" was
taken from lager beer saloon, where he
got tight" without knowing that lager
would intoxicate, was put through cold.
water treatment by the Good Templars, q
few evenings since. lie peaches" on the
Templars, and gives the following exposure
OF their Initiation ceremony, for which, no
doubt he will be put through another course
OF cold water sprouts" at the next meeting
of the lodge,


In the first place, the victim for initiation
Is blindfolded, bound hand and foot and
thrown into cider press and pressed for
| five minutes. This is done for the purpose
of clearing his system of cold drinks" He
is then taken out of the cider press and by
means of force-pump, gorged with cistern
water, after which a sealing plaster is placed
| over his mouth, aud he is rolled in barrel
four or five times across the room, the choir
at the time singing the cold water song He
is now taken out of the barrel aud hung up
by the heels till the water runs through his
ears. He is then cut down and beautiful
young lady hands him glass of cistern
| WdlcI. "A Cuiu WtttT Udtu Is Iuen IuTDlS0eu
him, after which he is showered with cistern
water. He is then made to read the Water
Works Acts ten times, drinking a glass of
cistern water between each reading. After
which the old oaken bucket is hung around
his neck and fifteen sisters with squirt-guns,
deluge him with cistern water. He is then
forced to eat peck of snow, while the
brothers stick his ears full of icicles. He is
then run through clothes-ringer, after
which he is handed a glass of cistern water
by young lady. lie is again gorged with
cistern water, and his boots filled with the
same, and he is laid away in refrigerator.
The ination is now almost concluded
After remaining in the refrigerator for the
space of half an holr, he is again taken out
and given glass of c;stern water run
through clothes-wringer, and becomes
Good Templar.
Year: 1868

A MosT IMPORTANT BILL.-On Thursday
Mr.. Jenckes, of Rhode Island, reported,
from the Committee on Retrenchment a bill
. to regulate the civil service of the United
State and promote its efficiency" This is
no doubt the same bill introduced by him
during the last session. 1t proposes to strike
at the root of official incompetency and cor
raption, by taking all subordinate offices
entirely out of politics. 1t provides for a
system of competitive examinations for the
different branches and grades of the civil
service all vacancies to be filled in order OF
merit by those who have passed these exam
nations; promotions to he made in the same
way All subordinate officials to hold office
during good behavior, and only to be remov-
ed after regular examination into the
charges made against them. In short, it
proposes to make political service no longer
claim for office, but to apply only the
Jeffersonian test, - Is he honest; is be pa
ble " We do not hesitate to say that this
bill is of more Importance than any before
Congress If passed, it will annually save
the nation millions upon millions which are
now lost through wasteful. dishonest and
incompetent public servants; and will place
the public business in the hands of the best
men that can be bad instead of the very
worst, as is now frequently the case. But
this is only small portion of the good it will
do. 1t will check the tide of corruption
which is now rolling over the Republic, and
do more to purify politics and give us good
legislation than any measure which has yet
been proposed in Congress. 1t is too much
to hope that this bill will be passed, unless
popular attention is called to the subject, and
the people demand it of their representatives.
and we hope that the press throughout the
United States, without distinction OF party,
will give it their support There is nothing
partisan in the measure and 1t appeals to
every man who values good government and
wishes the perpetuity Of our Institutions
S T. Times.
Year: 1868

DEATH FROM WANT OF SLEEP.-A Chinese
merchant mad been convicted of numbering
his wife, and was sentenced to die by being
deprived of sleep This painful mode of
death was carried into execution under the
following circumstances: The condemned
was placed in prison, under care of three of
the police guard, who prevented the priso.
ner from falling asleep night or day. He
thus lived nineteen days without enjoying
any sleep. AT the commencement of the
eighth day his sufferings were so intense
that he implored the authorities to grant
him the blessed opportunity of being guillo
tined, strangled. burned to death, drowned,
shot, garroted. quartered. blown up with gum
powder, or put to death in any other con-
ceivable way which their inhumanity or
ferocity could invent.
Year: 1868

FRON Mr.. THOMAs.-We have used Henley $
Royal Balsam in my family this winter. There is
talking. 1t throws everything in the shape
of Cough medicine in the shade that | ever saw.
My wife troubled with asthma or smothering
spells for years and could get nothing to have any
effect until l struck this Royal Balsam' She is
now about. well. 1t cured me of the worst cold
| ever had in my life in night. Whenever our
children have anything like cough, a few drops
given ON going to bed-that is the last of the
cough. never intend to be without it in the
house.


B. THOMAS the paper man
Year: 1868

Challenges the world to produce anything in the
shape of Medicines that will remove aud eradicate
a Cough or soreness in the Chest prompt. no
matter what form the disease might assume Hen
ley's Royal Balsam" is the best Medicine in the
world for Bronchial Pulmonory affections For
Group or Hopping Cough, there is nothing on
earth that can equal it. All motherers and Nurses
ought to have bottle close by them, it will give
child relief in two minutes. 1t is entirely veg
family.
Year: 1868

The EXECUTION AT Snow HILL, Mp.-The
Snow Hill Shield gives The particulars of the
execution of Lucy PuTnell, colored for the
murder Of Hanson Robbins, also cOlored The
>eaffold was erected in a field, near PurnelIs
Mills, short distance from Snow HILL and the
execution was witnessed by a large throng of
spectators. The Shield publishes confession
made by the criminal to Howard Moore, Esu..
one of her counsel. After narrating the cir
cumstances under which Robbins and herself
got into an alteration, late at night, in house
where they both resided the Shield says:


She cOnfesses that she seized a pestle crept
up behind him, without his seeing her. and
knocked him over senseless. She then struck
him second time whilst he was lying pros
trate. That, seeing that he was worse than she
intended, she struck no more. At this stage of
The tragedy her elder daughter made a noise IN
coming down stars, as she stood over the
body. The younger daughter, who slept i'm
The same room, woke up, and the three took the
deceased was then alive, as Indicated by
his groans. She bade her daughters 20
back to the house, dug a hole herself and
placed the body in it, Having covered il with
dirt, she placed shavings on top to conceal the
place OF burial. After placing the shayings on
the newly made grave she heard the most un-
earthly groans proceeding from the buried
man Cons stricken she turned and fed
from the scene OF her horrible crime. She
seemed, however 10 be drawn TO the spot by
some terrible fascination, and some time after
wards discovered i'll one of her visits past the
grave that the hogs had rooted up part Of the
skeleton, which she carefully reinterred
AGAIN she discovered that dog had scratched
up the skull and carried ii into the ad Joining
field This she took with her, and ma king a
circuit around the field. buried; il i'm the woods
under a cedar tree.