smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

The Star OF Tuesday evening says:


The reception at the Executive mansion to-


day was a rather Ineagre one, compared with


some former ones. At II O'Clock the represent


atiyes Of the principal foreign Governments


attended in full official costumes, as also the


Army and Navy officers resident and tempo


rarily here, and the Judges of the Supreme


Court and Court of Claims, paving their re-


spects 10 the President of the United States.


At ~ O'Clock Nj the doors were throw open


to the public, but, as already stated, the rush


was not so great as on some previous New


Years receptions, a fact due not little, we


presume, to the awful condition OF the "slush-
covered" streets. The only noticeable feature
of the occasion was the fact that both secession
and Union cockades were visible upon the per-
sons Of not few present, females as we'll as
males, and that in more than one instance the
wearers of such badges evinced the fact that
they were endowed with more partisan bitter
ness than good manners, the latter being what
they should have NANTES ted, rat ther than the
former, on such an occasion at least. They,
however refused to manifest the lister, to the
extent Of declining the Presidents hand, and
sweeping by him with an effort at display Of
lofty disdaiD, which caused a suppressed litter
on the part Of all We'll bred persons who wit
messed the ill bred airs they thus manifested
We regret to have to add that some women ,
as we'll as men, were guilty of PARTICIPATION
| in this breach of the privileges Of the Execu-
tive Mansion on New Years day, accorded TO
all OH the theory that on this day at least all
who go there will at least respect themselves.
if not the authorities of their country at
other times
Year: 1861

METHODIST EPISCOPAL GENERAL CON-
FERENCE AND THE SLAVERY QUESTION
The act Of the General Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, which as:
sembed at Buffalo in May last, in regard
to slavery, has caused a great diversity
of opinion throughout the country, espe-
cally in some of the Border Conferences,
some believing it to be q new rule. aud more
stringent than the old one which is suspend
ed, while, on the other side, it is thought to be
without any legal or binding effect. So far did
the defficulty prevail within the bounds of the
Baltimore Conference, that Convention Of
Laymen was recently held at Baltimore TO
take the matter into consideration, the result
OF which was the adoption of resolutions re-
commencing the Baltimore Conference to
withdraw from the General Conference. 1t
may not, perhaps, be generally known to our
readers, that the Bishops of the Methodist
Episcopal Church are the sole expounders OF
ali laws passed by the General ConfereEce.-
Now, this question, whether the recent act in
regard to slavery is binding on membership of
the Church, is set at rest by resolution pass
ed by the House of Bishops at their meeting
held few days since at Cincinnati. The res
olution which follows was unanimously
adopted:


Resolved, That In our judgment there was no
action of the late General Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church which changed the
terms of membership IN said Church.
Year: 1861

ills not to be supposed for one moment that
the American people cannot furnish the ma.
teriais OF .as fine an army as the world could
produce. No one questions the gallantry OF
their race. They combine the "iuria Fran.
cese" with the cold courage of the Anglo Saxon.
But In their contests they have been made to
ieel that no dependence can be placed on mere
personal bravery, In which most men are equal
in military sense, as spoken OF by Jomini and
other writer's, and that bravery plus discipline
canDot ever fail TO prove more than an eous-
tiOn for the same quality minus discipline.
Year: 1861

Meantime the North Is in such mood that
the Government is encouraged to proceed to
the most extreme acts In repressing opinions
hostile TO their measures. IL is now crime
against the United States to denounce the war,
or even TO cry aloud for peace, and there is a
spirit sbroad which promises to make the strug-
gle last as long as men and money can be found
to bring IL to an end.
Year: 1861

RAILROAD AcCIDESr.-We learn from the
Petersburg Inteliigencer that as the South
Side train, Monday, was backing up from the
island, from some unknown cause the express
and mail ear was thrown from the track, and
breaking the coupling, rolled down the en-
bankInent near the bridge, turning a complete
somersault in its course, and landing on the
wall below upside down. Several persons
We're in the when it was thrown Off the
track, but all of them Immediately jumped
out OF the windows, with the exception OF
Mr.. j B. Blanks, the mail agent, who went
down with the mass, and when found was
nearly covered up with trunks and express
matter. MIR. b., however, escaped unhurt
while some Of the others sustained but slight
bruises. His escape from death was truly
miraculous.
Year: 1861

DEPEscgs OF MoBIs.--A correspondent of
the Mobile Tribune indignant tly denies a state
that 1t would he impossible for even gun
boat to escape the fire of Fort Morgan, and
that a ba attery OF three guns, which could be
thrown up in a few hours at Grants Pass
would effec tually prevent the entrance of any
naval force.
Year: 1861

A HAy GROUND To DEATH.-On Saturday
last, at Cleveland, ltborer named john
Frank was rrn over by locomotive, and
literally ground 10 death he was rolled along
the track for 3. rod or more under the wheels
of the tender and the brakes, crushing the
body TO Jelly. Scarcely a bone half a foot in
length was left whole; both legs were broken
in half a dozen places, and the whole body left
Il shapeless mass OF flesh and clothing at the
side OF the track. The heart was found abou t
thirty feet from the main mass of the body,
the lungs We're scattered in various places,
and every part torn in pieces.
Year: 1861

"Change Of Color. Under this head, notice
was yes sterday made of the substitution of the
flag of Virginia for the Stars and Stripes con
the top of the large brick edifice on the north
west corner of Franklin and Governor sts."t
As the writer omitted all mention of the in
dividuality of the parties occupying the
building alluded to, we deem il proper to say
that our neighbor of the Wig was meant,
and that no disrespect was intended by the
accidental omission
Year: 1861

The damage done tn the works on the Rich
mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
by the late heavy rain storm, has been tho
roughly repaired by the energetic Superintend.
ent, and travel upon that popular line has
not been interrupted for several days. The
promptness With which the road was again
put in order reflects much credit upon the en-
most severe and long con iinued for the SeL-
son, that has been known in this latitude for
many years.
Year: 1861

.Canttoas.-The State authorities and those
having charge OF the political and social des-
tiny of the people, were as mum as oysters
esterday to what was to be done in fu-
ture. Not q word was to be gotten from any
of them. We advise the people to arm them
selves and prepare for q storm. We can con-
irol the elements, but let us have the unques-
toned ability to do So Then all will be well.
Year: 1861

No Fruu.-All lovers of fruit-and who is
not ?-wiil be sorry to learn that even the
most hardy species have been almost entirely
destroyed by the late extraordinary spell Of
weather. The fair reputation of the peaches
has been impeached, and the prospect for
cherries is no longer CHERRY. The crop of
apples will scarcely be worth a.pill and even
the leaves have been almost tempted not to
mt out y t.4
Year: 1861

The Citizens of Manchester meet might
for the purpose of forming u '.Home Guard ~ y
The necessity of such organizations, in these
squally times, must be apparent to our friends
on the south side Of the river, and we trust
that the young men of Chesterfield will re-
spond literally to the call OF Manc hes ter.
Year: 1861

The Var Ferer Is rife I'm Richmond New
military companies are springing in to exist
ence, and the ranks of those already organized
and uniformed are being rapidly augmen ted
by the accession of new material. Those of
the people who are not in arms soon Will be.
All, whether armed OF not, are eager for the
fray. Let the issue be made when it May. Old
Abe and his cohorts will find old Virginia q
specially hard and uncomfortable road to
traYel - =
Year: 1861

Truth IN NrrsHELL.-The Baltimore Ame-
rican thus alludes to the sudden conversion of
the New York Herald to the policy OF the
Administration


No journal in the country has done more to
preciPitate the South into secession, and to
urge the seeded States to extreme measures,
than the n. Y. Herald. 1t has given eager cir
culation to every Abolitionis:'s harangue that
could irritate and excite the South, and since
the commencement of the present troubles 1t
has continually held out 10 the seeded States
the lure that they would find the North di-
yided and Observation-Disclosures to take up the
challenge to q contest, no matter in what way
1t should be provoked. Yet, when the crisis
has come and the war spirit sweeps over the
North none are more prompt than the Herald
to chime in with the popular cry
Year: 1861

PRocLAMArIoN.-The Mayor Of Baltimore, on
the 9Th instant, issued the following proclama-
tions


Whereas, In the present excited state Of the pub
lie mind, and In the geeat division of opinion
which exists In relation to the subjects of the
gravsst political importance, apprehensions have
arisei In the minds of many citizens that viola
tions;of the peace may occur; and whereas, our
character and welfare as a community are deeply
involved In the absolute preservation at all times
and tInder all circumstances, Of public order
which can be maintained by the public authori-
ties snly through the aid the people themselves
fraihfrom every act which could lead TO any out
break or violence Of any kind TO refrain from
harshness Of speech and to render in all cases
prompt and efficient aid, as by law they are re-
constant efforts will be exerted to maintain un.
broken the peace and order Of the city, and tC
ADM mister the laws with fidelity and impartiality
Gao. WIN. Brown, Mayor
Year: 1861

Ahk "Ah-Anhr AND NAVY NEWS


From our late New York exchanges We take
up the following particulars Of the war move
ments:


Work at the Navy Yard is almost as brisk
rs If the weather was fine. The Wabash will
be ready in ten or twelve days the Savannah
In about three weeks. The Perry is in a con-
dition to receive her crew now, but no men
have been ordered for her. The marine bar
racks still have two commissioned officers, in
stead Of FIVE. The labor rell contains over 900
names. The machine shops are all busy with
the machinery Of the Wabash and Roanoke.
The ordnance department is still "at the bat
teries."


The steam tugs which left this city for
Charleston in company with the late Southern
feet, have not been reported at Charleston,
and il now appears nobody has ever seen them
there. They have been expected to return to
our harbor this day or tomorrow, but there is
more reason to believe that their destination
In the first place was a more Southern latitude
than Charleston. The man who chartered
them for the Government knows nothing about
them.


Now that Fort Pickens is likely to be the
scene Of some military and naval strategy, it
may not be out of place to give statement of
the available force in Florida at the command
Of the Federal Government, both for land and
sea service. In a naval vessel, in war time a
certain portion Of the crew are told off for dis
embarking, should circumstances render that
course necessary. One Of our correspondents
lately stated that 800 men. from the ST. Louis,
Sabine and Brooklyn, had been put down for
going over to Pickens, at a signal from Lieut..
Slemmer. Annexed is a list Of the ships that
might be drafted from, together with the num-
Der Of men they could spare, should their ser
vices be needed
Year: 1861

caulkers painters, and laborers-and could
the sun be made to stand still as Of old, the
industrial host would continue their labors
through the night.


GA large force of laborers are employed in
getting in the Goals of the Minnesota, of which
she takes six hundred and fifty tuns The coal
is carried to the ship in gunny bags to prevent
the long trucks to the vessel in barrows,
through the portfolios.


a" A strong force of laborers are bending on
to the anchors, which will 60 on board to-day,
and machinists from the ordnance department
are busily engaged in fitting the sights to the
armament Of the Minnesota, which at present
lies in the ordnance park. All the masts are
in. the top gallant mast on end, the yards are
all aloft, the standing rigging set up, and now
the riggers are engaged in 'rattlng down the
shrouds, as the finishing touch to their part of
the work, the crew being required to bend the
sails. The hull is entirely painted black, with
the exception of the holes, the cutwater,
fgurehead, and stern, where the golden eagle
has yet to spread its wings. and other orna-
mental work will be applied. The machinery
is in al advanced state, and if necessary steam
could be got up at three hours notice. 1t is
confidently asserted that the Minnesota will be
ready to haul into the stream in ten days, and
perhaps sooner. About three hundred men
are employed upon her, besides those in the
shops. The officers of the Minnesota are Or
dered to report on or before the lst of May,
and to their credit be it said, a majority of
them have already arrived, and hold them
selves in readiness for service.


"The officers of the Mississippi arc ordered
to report for duty by tho Goth of May The
only officer at present on duty is Chief Engi-
neer Loring. who is assisting in setting up her
machinery. About one hundred and fifty men
are employed In fitting out the Mississippi"
Year: 1861




These men, with the ordnance and small
arms in the Yard and at the Armory, could
successfully protect from the assault of ten
times their number. Of course, if any serious
attempt were made to capture it, the army
troops in the vicinity would be called on. An
nexed is list of the vessels at Norfolk:
Year: 1861

Navy Yard is now a place to which consider
able interest attaches. There is an impression
abroad that the naval vessels and Government
property there are utterly at the mercy of any
body of men that may choose to seize them.
This impression is erroneous. The Federal
Government has the following force now within
hailing distance of the Gosport Navy Yard,
without calling upon Fort Monroe at all:
Year: 1861

SENATOR BAYARD, OF DELEwARE--In the United States Senate, last Friday Mir. Bayard, of Delaware, made a speech reaffir- ming the position he took in March last, when he maintained that the United States must acknowledge the independence of the Confederate States, or be involved in an in terminable civil war, and said subsequent events had proved his assertion to be true. he denied the power of the government to coerce any State He said he should not cavil about legislative proceedings just now, but would wait the sober second thought of the people. He denied that military law could ever supersede civil law, especially in those States where the courts were open to all the people, without the overthrow of republican government and the destruction of the freedom of the citizen. If 1t was necessary to suspend the habeas corpus, let congress do 1t, if you do not do this, but instead sanction the Presidents action, you involve the liberties of all future ages. The President of the United States has chosen to delegate power to a military general which he himself, could not lawfully exer- else, and which no king of England would attempt. Said MT. B., when you pass the resolution indorsing all the acts of the

 President, this will cease to be a land of liberty. If you cannot enforce your laws without suspension of civil authority then do you inaugurate unqualified despotism.- He was for an honorable compromise. In concluding, he said he knew nothing he could say would turn the Senate from its purpose, but he deemed it his duty to lift his voice against what he believed to be unjust and unconstitutional. .-Richmond Whig.
Year: 1861



 Congress has passed in secret session, the following bill, which will be of inter- est to our readers:

 AN ACT RELATING TO THE PRE- PAYMENT OF

 POSTAGE IN CERTAIN CASES. SECTION 1. the Congress of the Confeder ate States of America do enact: That all letters and other matter authorized by law to be transmitted through the mail, written or sent by an officer, musician or private of the army engaged in the actual service ot Confederate States, may be transmitted through the mails to any other place III the Confederate States without repayment of postage; but leaving such postage to be collected upon the delivery of said letters or other matters; Provided nevertheless, that in all such cases, the letters and other mail matter so sent shall be endorsed with the name and shall be on account of the indi- vidual sending the same, and shall contain a description of the party who sends the same by endorsement of his military title, if an officer, or of the company and regi msnt te which he belongs, if musician or private.

 Section 2d That letters and other mail matter sent to any officer, musician or pri- vate in the Confederate States army, at any point from which the said officer, musi- clan or private may have been lawfully re- moved, shall be forwarded toEthe post office nearest which he may have been removed free of additional postage.

 Section 3d. That on letters transmitted by member of Congress, with his official signature endorsed on the same, prepay ment of postage shall not be required, but the same may be paid on the delivery of the letters thus transmitted.

 Section 4th. Any persons attempting to violate the provisions of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty dollars, to be recovered before any justice of the peace having cognizance thereof.
Year: 1861

DENTAL NOTICE--Dr. H. N. gaEA CASE, office new building, opposite the VYTIrfS Gazette office, where he is prepared to operate in every branch of his profession. Artificial teeth with artificial gums. from to full set inserted so as to look perfectly natural. All full sets inserted on the suction, atmospheric pressure principle, feel perfectly natural and easy in the mouth and answers all the legitimate uses of natural teeth

 Teeth, if taken in time, can be plugged so as to preserve them for life.

 In reply to frequent inquiries-I would say, that

 am prepared to travel to any part of the state, and will go prepared to do everything in the inc of my profession in the neatest possible manner. Per sons wishing my services will please drop me line to that effect, as shall not have time to go except where have calls, and will only charge the regular Memphis and eastern prices, same as 1 charge in my office. N. CASE, Dentist.

 Little Rock, Ark. Feb g '59-ly
Year: 1861

When the first agony Of bereavement has
subsded, 50 as to allow the succession of
calmer Thought, memory often becomes to
us tender and solemn pleasure Somes'
times people may fall into the error Of sup.
pasing that there has been no deep afec-
lion, and but lettle real, grief. because the
VIOLENCE OF sorrow passing away, 1t is fol
lowed by calm cheerlulness. But that
state OF mind may more truly hOnur the
NemoryO of the departed, than floods of
tears. FOR then, perhaps, we just begin
To understand them, and truly to life with
them. Recolected in the tender light Of
affection. all its features gathered up in
sympathy, every ieible softened away,
and only the good made prominent, the
image thus rising before us sheds upon
our barts a stronger and better influence
than when it was embodied amidst the evils
oe the world, and beheld only iu fragmen>
tary revelations. The worst of us NAV
leave behind some gentle memory, that to
fond hearts will almost cancel the evil we
have done. The most degraded may be
remembered by some good trait, awaken
ing, here and there, a sympathy which
viii drop in kindly dew upon his grave


Death makes beautiful appeal t. char -
ty. When we look upon the dead form, so
cold and still, the kindness and love that
are in US all come forth, despite the wreck
and wickedness, the enmily and shame to
detect some trace Of better humanity
That life must have Seen barren of good,
aud degraded indeed from which we can
not gather one little flower of memory that
we are glad to cherish, and that always
sheds a fragrance around the departed
name. And if even the worst may thus
create some good influence by dropping
from our sight, how much more the noble
and the good


As to the worthier Of our race, it is only
after they have gone that they are truly
appreciated. Ouly when they have re-
oeded from earthly contact, and become
orbs in the armament of history, DO we see
their. full proportions and receive their
concentrated light.


And concerning the more obscure but
not less loved, has not many a home or
many heart some record Of its own, which
becomes developing revelation of their
virtues and their influence rs time rolls on?
How little we knew them, anPhow slight
ly their real excellence touched US, when
they sat by our side and ministered to our
wants, and bore with the endearing faith
fulness we did not recognize until nothing
OF them was left but what they did for us
Yes, often is it so that forms of affection
and sacred duty must fall into the ground
and die ere we gather their blessed fruit.
Year: 1861

an oa'h 70 oe ade II snail De made by some olcer
of such corporation ."


SEC ~. BE fwtler enacted That the courts are vested
with jurisdiction and required by this settle all part
nerShips heretofore existing between citizen and who
is alien 10 separate the interest the alien
my, and TO sequesate it, And SHALL alsn all joint
rights when an alien enemy concerned, aud sequestrae
the interest of such alien enemy.


SEC 90. Be IL furtsr enacted That in all cases of ad
ministration of matter thing, under this act The
court having jurisdiction may make such orders touching
the preservation of the property effects under the dec
tiOn control of the Receiver inconsistent with the
foregoing provisions it shall proper And the
Receiver may any tme ask and have the instructions of
the court judge respecting his conduct in the dspos
ton or management of property effects under his
control.


SEC 81 Be IL further enacted That the Treasury notes
of this Conederacy shall be receivable payment of oil
purchases OF property or effects sold under this act.


SEC % Be THrtsr enacted That nothing in this act
shall be construed 10 destroy impair the lien other right
Of any CREDITOR citizen resident of either of the Con-
ederate States of other person. citizen resident
Of any country State Territory with which this Coned
friendship and which in hostility
to this COnfederacy And any lien debt claimed against
any alien enemy within the meaning of this act shall be
prupounded and fled the court in which the proceedings
of sequestratiOn had within twelve months from the
institution of such proceedings for sequeStration and the
court shall all proper parties to be made and notices
to be given, and shall hear and determine the RESP ectve
rights of all parties concerned Provided however, that
sales payments of money shall be delayed for by
Of such rights proceedings; but any money
allied by the Receiver whether paid into the court treas
still in the Receivers hands, shall stand in lieu of
that which produced said money and be held the
demand of the creditors aforesaid in the manner
that which produced such money was And all claims not
propounded ard filed aforesaid. within twelve months
aforesaid shall exist against the estate proper
ty effects sequeStated, or the proceeds thereof.


APPROVED August 80. 1861