smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

A PRAcTICAL JoKE.-My father told story
few days since that is too good to be lost
When he was young man, in Buffalo, about
thirty years ago. there were a number of his
acquaintance, who made it special boast
that they could not easily have joke played
on them and when any such thing was played
on them, it was rule that there must be no
backing down. One Sunday, two of them took
ride out toward Black Rock, several miles
from the city, and on their way :came to a
school-house, full of prople, waiting for their
minister. The two proposed 10 go in and hear
q country sermon. They went in, and waited
a considerable time, but no minister came. At
length one of the deacons arose, and said that
they had confidently expected minister, but
it was quite evident now, that he would not
come One of the young gents Immediately
after arose, and said that his friend with him
was in the habit occasionally of making ex-
hortations, and that if they were unable to ab-
tain any one else TO address them, he supposed
bis friend would


This was fix. But there was no backing
down, and as his frierd was young man of
intelligence, be went in" aud made a very
good address. Probably he was somewhat
inspired by an idea that popped into bis head
at the moment his friend had placed him in
that embarrassing position, namely, when he
got through to call his friend to pray. He
did so, and there was no backing down. in this
case either The young gent who offered pray
er wanted his friend to hush up, on their re-
turn to the city but the joke was too good to
be kept secret.
Year: 1861

The following lines, written eighteen year
ago, sound like prophecy fulfilled at the presen
crisis :


O! for God and duty stand,
Heart to heart and hand to hand
Round the old graves of the land!
Whose shrinks or fllters now,
Whose to the yoke would bow,
Brand the craven on his browl
Freedoms soil has only place
For free and fearless race;
None for traitors false and base.
Perish party perish clan,
Strike together while ye can,
Like the arm of one strong man
With one heart and with one mouth
Let the North unto the South
Speak the word beiitting both.
What though Issachar be strong,
Ye may load his back with wrong
Over mach and over long.
Patience. with her cup o'errun,
With her weary thread outspun,
Murmurs that her work is done.
Boldly, or with treacherous art,
Strike orr bloodwrought chain apart.
Break the Unions mighty heart
Work the ruin, if ye will.
Pluck upon your heads an i'll
Which shall grow and deepen still
With your bondman's right arm bare,
With his heart of black despair,
Stand alone, if stand ye darel
Onward with your fell design
Dig the gulf and draw the line
Fire beneath youl feet the minel
Deeply when the wide abyss
Yawns between your land and this,
Shall ye feel your helplessness.
Year: 1861

The man Of this country whose position nov
is at once the most important and the mos
hazardous is MajorGeneral George B. CcClel
Ian. He is to fight the whole rebel power il
arms, with the untold issues of the future
hanging on the result-and he is also to fight
an army Of politicians, routinists, contractors
Intermediates, advisers and aatterers. he
needs the energy Of a Napoleon and the weari
ness of a Wellington to carry him safely thro
such an ordeal. Only thrty-fve years old
with a name scarcely known to one man in ten
of the reading public before this war broke
out, he suddenly finds himself Lifted to hight
of popular admiration aud regard, which some
of the greatest captains Of the world have only
reached after decades of brilliant deeds. II
his head can stand the first sensations of the
change, he wil indeed, give good evidence Of
that surprising merit which most people are
now ready to take upon trust. He that
ruleth his own spirits is greater than he that
taketh city"


Gen. Mcclellan is human-and while he
may be framed for victory over all enemies in
battle, he may fall in advance before the COM
bined attacks Of willy politicians, corrupt ads
7enturers and mercenary hatterers. If he has
sterling friends, they will guard him at this
hour of trial Let him have only the open foes
of his country to deal with, and he is safe, and
we are all safe with him.


The obstructionist, the red tapist, the plot>
ter, the do-nothing, the money-maker, the polls
tical parasite ard the traitor in bis hundred
disguises, are close about him at all times
Let him be shielded from their contamination
Let him be supplied with men and means for
his momentous work, and then let him have
control Of them commensurate with his respon-
sibility. Let his energies all have full swing,
for the cause Of the nation is in his hands,
under Providence Let him alone.
Year: 1861

Parson Browmlows Wing has been suspend
ed by order of Gen. Zollicofer, in command o
the Confederate troops at Knoxville, Tennes
see. The last issued number of the paper
spoke of the order as having come from Rich
mond. The brave editor, il that number o.
his paper, anticipating that it would be his
last, published under his name a long article
upon the deplorable condition of affairs, closing
thus:


q So far as we are concerned, we can suspend
our publication, in obedience to the dictates OF
tyranny and intollerenceAwe will yield to the
demands of an armed mob-turn over to them
our Office and what little property we have
deprive ourselves and a helpless family ofsmall
children of the necessary means of support
ard beg cur bread from door to door among
Union men who are able to giye-but we shall
refuse, most obstinatcy refuse, to the day Of our
death to think or speak favorably of such a
Confederacy as this, or 10 agree that honor,
patriotism, Or love of country, has influenced
the men at its head, who have plunged the
country into this revolution And whether
our humble voice is hushed in death-whether
our press is muzzled by the spirit ofintollerance
at Richmond, making this our last issue of a
journal we have edited for almost a quarter Of
a century, we beg all who may come after Us
and our paper, to credit no Secession falsehood
that may represent us as having changed our
principles from those Of an exalted devotion to
the old American Union, and of undying hos
tility to those who would perpetrate its dis
soutiopl
Year: 1861

Fuss FOR NoTHSG.-The Secession editors
and orators are making great howl about the
new Income Tax" They need not be so
savage about it, the law does not affect them !;
for how can one be made to pay an Income
Tax who has no income p Sac. Neps.
Year: 1861

LIE who puts aside his religion because he
is going into society, is Ike one taking off his
shoes because he is about to walk on thorns.


II is great bluuder in the pursuit of hap>
piness not to know when we have got il; that
is, not TO be content with a reasonable and
possible measure Of it.
Year: 1861

JUsr AS We ExPEcrED.-The prize national
hymn committee in New York, have given
up the ghost" in literary sense. Unable to
discover a suitable poem among the wagon
load sent in, they have rejected all, and dis
solved
Year: 1861

August 10th, 1861.


THE GTEAT MAN.-Would he not be some
what like this pattern? A man who was
aware he had power, and yet used not that
power for himself, but for others; not for
ambition, but for doing good? Surely that
man who used his power for other people,
would be the greatest-souled man, would he
not? Let US go on, then, to find out more of
bis likeness. Would he be stern, or would he
be fretful? Would be be a man who stands
fercely on his own rights and very ready to
waive his own rights gracefully and generous
ly? Would he be extreme to mark what was
done amiss against him, or would he be very
patient when he is wronged himself, though
indignant enough when he saw others wronged?
Would he be one who easily lost his temper,
and his head, and could be easily thrown off
his balance by one foolish man? Surely not.
He would be a man whom no fool, nor all
fools together, could throw of his balance
man who could not lose his temper, could not
iOSO Mo oSiliCo PNNb d l4ieiu NiiO OO"4u DSSi
with those who are peevish, make allowances
for those who are weak and ignorant, forgive
those who are insoent, and conquer those who
are ungratefu not by punishment, but by fresh
kindness, overcoming their evil by his good
a man, in short, whom no ilusagc without, no
ill-temper within, could shake out of his even
path Of generosity ard benevolence. Is not
that the truly magnanimous man, the great
and royal soul? Is not that the stamp Of man
whom we should admire if we met him upon
this earth? Should we not reverence that
man; esteem it an honor and pleasure to
work under that man; to take him for our
teacher, our leader, in the hope that by COP
ying his example, our souls might become great
like his ?-Reu. ChaS Kingsleg
Year: 1861

Lo THE Poor SoLDIERs-A member OF
the First Maine Regiment writes to the
Portland Argus, congratulating himself that
the three months time for which the Regiment
had enlisted was about up, and ready to return
home, and states +" it is well for the men that
the time is no longer, for if it was, most ol
them would come home in their shirt sleeves
and with q flag of truce flying in the rear, at
that"
Year: 1861

tions of our system. They are hanging from oul buttons-they bulge out from our eyes-our pock cts are full of them. We begin to think of Ovid metamorphosis, what have we done to the gods that we should be changed into a green gage tree ?-when To on the other side of the room another gentleman is caught with his pocket full of peaches and public distrust is still further dl- verted from us by the discovery of third person with a whole tray full of brimming: Rhine wine glasses in various recesses of his raiment,

 At length we all banquet heartily. The fruit wine and cake cut up no further didoes until the great and frequently attempted act of their dis appearance has been naturally consumated. Ar ter supper we have chat with the good natur- ed Musio-hear his history of all the celebrated pupils to whom he has taught operatic stage business listen to some music, and are about to go home when madame Herman kindly con- sents to assist her wonderful husband in q very successful though extra professional exhibition of ofimparted diablerie

 Madame Herman hides her young and win some face in a corner Monsieur Herman with inconceivable rapidity, runs about the room among his half hundred guests-whispers to to then-and asks each what article in their possession he shall touch. As they whisper their reply he asks Madame with the utmost rapidity, What is this, "A button y "Right -dHu tuiS | lie dCe Ol Hcai tS. - IeiSHI again .-and this?' "A coat sleeve" "Oncc more right" And right always through as ma ny trials as there are guests present. All this time there is not the slightest variation in his tone, or the form of his question. He says does-nothing that can afford the slightest indi- cation of his secret. And any preconcerted formular seems utterly impossible considering that every man is allowed to select his object for himself. Then we part from Hermann with the conviction that Cornelius Agrippa is great, and Hermann is his prophet.
Year: 1861



 DEAR HUMPHREY, JR. Another week has passed way, and yet we tarry at this ancient city.

 it IS now more than four weeks since our ar rival here. Yet it was generally understood that we were to sail for further Dixie in about two weeks after our arrival, but the probabilities now are that we remain here till we leave.

 Our boys are very anxious to leave for the land of cotton, and the rumor that we were to be stationed at the Naval School Buildings for the winter as guard to the city, was received with about the same amount of grumbling as a dinner of hard bread and salt pork.

 Our quarters here for the winter would be very fine, and our fare and duties would be much more agreeable than if we go further South. Bat the boys have enlisted to see the thing through, and they think it can be seen to the best advantage by landing upon the sacred soil of South Caro. lima.

 It is thought that we may have some little work to do upon the south bank of the Potomac before we go down the coast, against the rebel batteries there and hope we may.

 Last week the Regiments now in Camy here, (eight in number) were formed into two Bri- gades, the lst under Brig. Gen. John c. Foster, and the 2d under Col. HarIand as Acting Brig Genl. The 10th Conn. is in the 1st and the 9th in the 2d Brigade. It is uncertain whether Col Harland will have command of the Brigade otherwise than temporarily or not But I think his chances for promotion are good. Lieut. Col. Cunningham (of Norwalk) bears command with much meekness, and believe with satisfaction to his men. Several changes in the daily rou- tine of duties have been wrought lately, which makes the duties much less onerous, but there is yet room for improvement.

 A box of the good things of this life reached us from cur friends of Harris Plain few days since, and much joy was the result. Such re- membranes will always be we'll received by sol diers from their friends at home, and they do very much relieve the tedium of Camp life.

 The weather here now is delightful and re- sembles October in your latitude but We ex- pect to wake up any morning, and find the snow whistng around cur canvas dwellings.

 Monday we are to receive cartridges, and will practice target shooting, so says Major Terry, ant he ought to know. 1 will send the register of shots to you that you may see how well / shoot. J. II. V.
Year: 1861

We, the people OF Confederate States each state
acting in It's sovereign and independent character in
order u form permanent federal government estab
ish justice insure domestic tranquility and secure
the blessings OF liberty ourselves and posteri
ty-invoking the fsyer and guidance of Almighty
do ordsin and establish this Constitution for the
Confederate States Of America.
Year: 1861

Rotert j. Walker, who is here, asserts
with gIea. positiveness that the rebel
treasury will completely break down be,
fore next March, and that the rebellion
will by that time prove an utter failure.
Mr.. Walker has had an extensive exper-
ience in the South, and understands the
capabilities of the rebe! States as well as
any public man not engaged in the rebel
lion. Other Southern men here assert
that while he does not underrate the ma
terial resources of the South, he does not
give full credit TO their desperate energy
and bitter hatred OF the North. Promi.
ncnt Kentuckians, who are unquoslioned
friends Of the Union and the Government
say that from their knowledge Of South.
ern character, they are convinced that it
will take two or three great victories up.
on the battle field to cure the rebels Of
their folly. They assert that the South
cannot be starved into good citizenship;
but that anything which shall convince
the great mass of Southern people Of
their infSrioIity on the field of battle, will
plunge them instantly in the depths oil
despair.


THEY MUST BE WHIPPED INTO ORDER.


Up to the time of the success OF tho
naval expedition at Port Royal, the South.
ern people were proudly confident Of tbeir
power to sink our entire navy, if an at
tempt should be made to attack their
forts With our ships. A panic suddenly
followed the Government success, aud it j.
running all over the South. The South
ern people have the same blind confidence
in their troops The latest Southern news
papers are filed with boasts Of the superi
or courage and ability Of the rebel troops
The succesSes Of the rebel arms in East
ern Virginia have, led many Southern
people to suppose thai the rebel troops ar


really better fighters than the Gov2rnmen
soldiers. They must be disabused o
this idea before they will acknowledge th
Government. Tns view taken by MI
Walker very generally obtains in Wash
liugton. Everything passes SO quietl,,
that some Of our people imagine that tn


rebels are about ready to flock in and Ia
down their arms. No. man in Americ
/; believes, less in tbls theory than Gensr'
f McC Clsllsn. He believes that thorebe


must be soundly thrashed-beaten on Ii
Year: 1861

feld-tefore the rebellion will succumb.
1t s because be has an adequate idea Of
the immense power Of the rebellion. that
he takes his own time 10 meet itin the
fele Those who urge him prematursIy
on do not comprehend the difficulties in
the way, nor comprehend the terrible
risks Of another defeat. Gen. Mcclellan
says proudly that he does rot mean to
give battle to the enemy until lie consid-
ers success to be reasonably certain.


TIE ARMY.


Two more Brigadier. Generals are a.
bout to be made at the War Department,
making in all one hundred and thirteen
now in the pay Of the Government.


Before the pay Of the troops across the
rivor and on the side arrived, which WAS
but day or two sinoe. the number Of
drunken soldiers picked up on the streets
by the Provost Marshal numbered on the
average hut four per day. Since pay day
the numI er has run up above two hundred
and one day as high as two hundred and
seventy.four. These singular fscts have
arrested Abe attention Of the Government,
and. If possible, some arrangements will
be made 10 obviate the evil effects Of a
postponemen, Of payday. is found to
be very much better to pay of the regi-
ments often than it is to allow two oI
three months to pass away; a. the eud Of
which time the men have no control over
themselves, and,,very many throw away
their entire earnings -a
Year: 1861

CHILDREN of any age can now have their pictures
~ taken perfect, we have Quilt Room expressly
for their Groups of Children also taken in frac
tion of a second, clear weather. Mothers need not
have the trouble to take them to Gallery dozen
times, and at last put up with caricature, they
will but go once TO


feb1s-tf HUGHES PREMIUM GALLERY.
Year: 1861

GUN SLEIoHs IN CANADA 1t 10 stated that the
Canadian troops have had q new addition TO their
armament, OF curious character. Fearful that an
attack might be made upon them during winter
at which time the snow lies deeply on the ground
for many weeks, and that thereby their movable
artillery might be rendered comparatively use.
lesa-contracts have been made for building gun.
sleighs One Of these contracts have recently
been awarded to a carriage-bullding firm In
Montreal
Year: 1861



 Editor True Democrw. The good work goes bravcly on-every day new accessions are being made to the secessonists, and 1 think by the first Monday in August a majority of our county will be for Arkan- sas going with the Confederate States

 The submission leaders in this county. Judge Walker and Col Gunter, have become alarmed at the rapid change that IS going on, and have commenced canvass ing the county to sustain their course in the convention, and to have people submit to negro equality. They gave an account of their stewardship, in this city, last Sat urday, in which it was stated that the secessionists gave the Union men in the convention to understand that large amounts of money, 1 believe $50, 1000, was at their command also, that they could have choice as to the official positions they might desire in the southern conlederacy. But they stood firm and saved the country. The Judge announced that he intended to can vass the State; Maj. Reagan, who was not present, on hearing of his declaration, i'm mediately addressed note to him request ing an equal division of time; but the acknowledged leader,of that gallant band. who are content to sleep under the bed if they are kicked out, has not as yet made any response, and it is rumored that "his honor" will have pressing engagements of q different character. Mai R who has already done gallant service in the cause, if he cannot get in with the Judge, will make list of appointments of his own and canvass the State. He, however, prefers the Judges company.

 The secessionists contemplate eevating flag here tomorrow. The submissionists first sworc in their wrath that no such trait orous flag should go up, and if elevated, that they would cut 1t down. Finding that the southern rights men had resolved to put it up at all hazards, they quietly " took in their bills." and are now making preparations to elevate what was once the glorious flag of the United States, but which now is the dishonored ensign of a sectional government with A be Lincoln at it's head--the arch traitor who hypocriti- callv says that he has taken solemn oath to maintain and defend the constitution and uphold that disgraced flag. This they intend doing to appease the wrath of the aforesaid ''Union savers,' as they say, and avert the shedding of blood.

 The notorious ''cockeye" is absent, much to the chagrin and detriment of the grocery keepers.

 l send you a goodly list of subscribers to the True Democrat, and will soon send more. After the flag raising I will write you again.

 Truly, c
Year: 1861

INSULT ADDED TO INJURy.-The appoint ments of Mir. Lincoln seem to be made with a view to heap insult upon the South The appointment of the notorious Joshua R. Giddings as consul general to the Bri- tish North American provinces is one of this character Gidding's whole life has been spent ill maligning the South. In one of his speeches he uttered the follow ing atrocious sentiment:

 "I look forward to the day when there shall be a seryile instruction in the South; when the black man, armed with British bayonets and led on by British officers shall assert his freedom, and wage a war of exteFmipation against his master; when the torch of the ineendiary shall light up the towns and cities of the South aLd blot out the last yestige of slavery. And though l may not mock at their calamity, nor laugh when their fear cometh, yet l will bail it as the dawn of political mi!enipm.'
Year: 1861

The news by telegraph, though not un expected, is nevertheless startling. It is news too, the truth of which has been con- tirmed. The first blow has been struck the first battle has been fought Southern military skill and courage have been glori ously vindicated, and to-day the flag of the Southern Confederacy proudly floats over the hitherto impregnable walls of Sumter.

 Lincoln has at last but two plainly indi- cated his policy. After six weeks of un- manly deceit and hypocricy-professing peace and yet preparing for war--he has entered upon his long considered plans. He has determined to coerce the South, or to conquer it. The |" irrepressibe conflict" is upon us in reality, and this mighty go- vernment is already broken into fragments before it. The war is indeed begun, and the end of it the wisest of us cannot foresee. We are no longer left in doubt The terrible uncertainty of the last two or three months has been dispelled, and it is now certainty that Arkansas must fight. Which side will she espouse? Will it be the side of the aggressor, whose rapacity and fanaticism have brought this war upon us? Or will she take up arms for her friends, her sisters, her natural allies in blood, in- tcrest and honor?

 We cannot doubt her decision. At once, generously and bravely. she will declare for the South and carry to its aid all the means and forces at her command. This her honor and interest demand of her-the ties of blood and friendship call aloud for it. At once, and without hesitation, let the people assemble in mass meeting in every county in the State, and demand that President Walker call the convention together without delay, that it might ab- solve us from the bonds of this unholy Union. Let our people be united-let them forget all past party distinctions and bury all past party feuds. Let them be as one man, glorously and bravely willing to sacrifice all--eYen life itself if necessary upon the altar of their country's cause.
Year: 1861

CALL ON PRESIDENT WALKER.-The people of Johnson county, to the number of one thousand, held meeting at Horse head, and passed resolutions calling upon the President of the convention to convene that body at once, and in the event of his failure to do so. they ask the Governor to call the legislature. Judges Batson and Floyd addressed the meeting Another meeting was ordered for next Saturday at Clarksville Johnson county is wide awake. We received the proceedings at Horsehead too late for publication this week.