smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

% A FRENCH VIEW OF PRIvATEERING.-An
elaborate discussion on the subject of priva.
teering recently took place in the French
Academy. Among the speakers was Michael
Chevalier, who thus concluded his remarks:


At the outset l spoke OF the general har-
mony of earthly things. will again invoke
it to say that in virtue ofthis very harmony,
priyateeripg has in our day become impossi.
bic. While the moral sense of the civilized
world condemns it, the perfection of instru-
ments of naval warfare renders it impracti-
cable. Formerly these corsairs sailed fast
sailing crafts, which defied pursuit by war
vessels and even by frigates. They had thus
every chance to escape the cruisers sent out
TO take them.


With steam navigation this is no longer
possible. A privateer, in a condition to
escape our new cruisers, would certainly be
a ruinous speculation. This accursed trade
is thus cut up by the roots by the progress of
the industrial arts. To put an end to it com
pletely, but one thing is necessary-let the
two or three Great Powers declare that they
are resolved no longer TO tolerate it, and that
they will treat as pirates all found practcng
it. When those who are minded to enter on
this kind of business understand that they
run the risk of being hung, their enthusiasm
for this strange profession will no doubt
quickly cool. Let US hope, then, that one
OF these days the Institution of privateering
will be looked upon as thing of the past.
Year: 1861

We are mortified beyond expression to re. mark that there are men in the South who, in this war of independence, find the dictates of selfish interest stronger than that of patriotism, to degree which is only not criminal in the popular understanding because there IS no law that makes 1t amenable to criminal statute.- The Richmond papers state that certain persons have secured in advance the product of mum Der of mills which the government chiefly reii- ed on for furnishing the cloth for the manufac ture Of winter clothing for our soldiers at the Confederate factory ia that city. and now hold their bargains demanding an exorbitant profit on the prices of fabrics.

 If there is no law to punish such offense, it is simply because law makers never contemplated that human nature would assume so degraded a phase. The act-whether committed by native sontherners or merely men in the South, we know not-is worthy the Yankee contractors who are remorselessly sucking the life5lood of the Lincoln administration, andto sympathet- c fellowship with whom they should Dc dis. patched without delay. Their offense of prey ing On tho necessities of the government IS only more magnificent phase of that of less pre- tentious scoundrels at many points Tn the South who pocket e4utingly the vile profits accruing from preying on the necessities of the people.

 These small change plunderers and traitors to the spirit of patriotism which they affect, re- creants to morality and standing disgracers of the country of which they are oe must soon be- come citizens or leave, are every where practis ing their petty pilsge upon soldiers and abse 1t soldiers wives and children and upon all; secu ring monopolies of necessaries in local markets that they may exact exorbitant profits; playing into each others hands that they may force ne cessary articles up to iictiliops valuation which will enable them to make cent per eent de- preciatingthe credit of our patriot government by shaving it's currency; and practcing all the un- hallowed tricks of trade and finance which will enable them to wiring few more cents from the ill-prosded purses of the needy.

 We have no patience to discuss the turpitude of the creatures who coin the necessities of the people into profits for themselves; who give a dollar to volunteer aid society while they ex- tort an hundred from the people; who, in these fearful times, guage their profit on mercban- disc not by the cost, but by the necessity which compels the people to have it. who unblushingly continue their practices simply because there is no law to inhibit who dare to walk out before their fellow man and in the blessed sunlight of heaven without trembling 2 terror that bolt will fall from the just arm oi the Ruler of it's azure heights to punish their in- iauity as 1t exists before Him, their country and their fellows. Judas sold the Lord of Heaven for a price, and it is strange that there should be other Judases to sell their own worthless selves to Satan for price? Let them go to their purchaser.-Mobite Register.
Year: 1861

one or more discontented spirits, or to the in]u- dicious conduct ot some commanding 0ihcers-- Rut hero 1t Is evident that the whole volunteer army of the northern states IS worthless as military organization. 1t is a comment on the behavior of men who pretendingt to rush to arms for the salvation of their country, making off Tn thousands when the enemy comes m sight, ana leave their general to take care of himself. This Is certainly carrying to its further limit that right of secession which they flew 10 arms to punish In any other country such conduct would have been looked on as the extreme of baseness. But tho Americans do not visit It as such. and they perhaps, have an instinctive sense of the iustness of the case. They feel how nol low has been so much of the indignation express ed by their party-1how much the campaign arainst the South is sham, entered into in obs. disuce to Hsensation" policy, and differing widely from the earnest and steady resolve which animates men who are fighting for objects really dear 10 them. If England or France were invading the northern States, no one can:be- lieye that the whole American army would evap- crate because three calender months were up; nor. to bring matters nearer home, can we mag inc that the southerners will take the rail home ward while New York rowdies and Boston abol- itionists are desolating the villages of Virginia.

 In all ages success in war has inclined to the party which is fighting for an existence, and IS consequently steeled to a sterner resolve. There is want of this earnestness to be noticed in the conduct of the northerners. They take things easy to degree which astonishes an English man who recollects the frenzy which followed the first misfortunes of our army at the end of 1854. The whole story of the battle of Bull Run is given by the northern papers, of course with many variations, but we are bound to say with entire candor. The completeness of the defeat. the courage of the enemy, and the panic of their own army are not extenu ated or denied in any way. There IS, of course the usual tendency to lay the blame on the commanders, and to save the self love ot the army at the expense ofits chiefs. But. mak- ing allowances for this, it IS probable not only that the leaders were incompetent, but the mass of the troops felt that they were. From the first there seems to have been little purpose in anything that was done. The advance began at dawn, and one writer says that even ct that hour there seemed a lack of unity and direct purposes among the officers which sometimes was made too evident to the troops not to affect their spirit and demeanor. At the opening of the day 1t was plain to all that real and sound discipline was abandoned; on the other hand, the Confederates were evidently commanded by men who knew something of war.
Year: 1861

If the sole object of Govern nhent is to en-
rich ice-holdsrs, then we admit that the
existence Of more than one political party in
the nation may breed trouble, and divide
the Union sentiment" If however public
officers are mere servants of the people, then


we say let all loyal people be one party in


defending the integrity of the nation. and


half a dozen parties If they please,in the mat


ter of distributing the offices. In selecting
officers. every party convention is divided
into dozen parties. In awarding Govern
ment contracts there are numberless parties
within the Republican party. Let every
patriot stand by the Government, and freely
express his wishes as to who of his loyal fell
low citizens shall be elevated to public eta
tion. That is no more a division of the


Union sentiment, than it is a division of a
party for two men to 60 before a Convention
as candidates for the same office. The peo-
pie never did and never will all hit exactly
together upon one man for given Office
The only circumstances under which It is es-
sential that all Union men should agree to
vote for the same candidates, are when, by
dividing their vote, Secessionsts may cree p
into position. We have no confidence in any
mans patriotism who would not vote for any
candidate true to the flag of the country,
from whatever motives, and of whatever
partY> against any candidate who is in sym
pathy with treason and rebellion. That
means that we want Banks to whip john
ston, if they come together; and that in an
issue between Republican Union man and
a pretended Democrat who does not hate
Secessionism and treason, whether the issue
be on the battle field or at the ballot box,


we want the Secessionist to be defeated.
Year: 1861

The reckless correspondents Of the Eastern
Union press, will never have done drawing
spirited pictures of the trout" of our army in
the late battle 1t would seem as though
they were contending for valuable prize,
which had been offered for The man who
coald succeed in bringing the Federal troops
into the most glaring disgrace. The accounts
are batch of contradictions, and were prob
ably, for the most part, written simply be-
cause the frightened writer's saw nothing, and
must therefore rely upon their own fertile
imaginations. in furnishing the letters for
which they are paid. Who believes that
thousands of men could fight ten hours with
out food, and then run Senty odd miles over
a dusty road without water? Mupehausen's
tales read like calm history in comparison
with such stupendous lying. Geo. P. Put
nam the great New York publisher, and
man of unimpeachabe veracity. was on the
field, and says that the panic. though cause
less and disgraceful did not last more than
twenty minutes, and that he and others re-
mained for more than two hours thereafter
within two or three miles of Bull Run, hand
ing water to wounded soldiers, with perfect
safety. Here is his statement:


1t is due to our brave troops, and to the
New York troops especially-not one of
whola was 10 be seen on the roRd-that this
disgraeeful and demoralizing impression
should be promptly removed. We should be
wholly disgraced before the world if these
stories had been true. The truth should be
shown, whatever the consequences; but libels
on our whole army, after the noLle stand and
the heroic service done that day, are more
than wicked.


Let me add that it was the First New Jer-
sey Regiment, Col. Montgomery, coming up
from Vienna, at P. NJ, which so promptly
and elfectually stopped the stampede, put the
wagonsin perfect order, regulated everything
! on the road, and then, at =. NJ, marched ON
toward the battle field They deserve oil
credit for this important service. To show
how effectual it was, | need only repeat that
Tilley, Of Rhode Island, and myself remained
till 81 o'clock at the very spot where the
stampede was stopped, where We had tho
melancholy satisfaction of aiding with cup
of pure water the wounded and sick men who
came limping from the field. The whole
panic was stopped in twenty minutes. 1t
was causeless and dsgracetul during this
time, ard at the place where it occurred. The
day wss lost by it but, as far as the retreat
or fight was concerned, it was stopped with
in two or three miles. and in lees time than it
takes to write about it.
Year: 1861

IT is true that think q Government that
begins the work of putting down rebellion
by forming "eamps of instruction" or any
thing of that sort is likely to make very
long job of it. Greeleys Manifesto


White Coat probably has more confidence
in mob than in q well disciplined army.
his confidence is misplaced.
Year: 1861

How TO SHooT.-In shooting rife, If you
press the trigger gradually, SO as not to
know the precise second when the piece is to
be discharged. you will avoid the nervous
start which is the most common cause Of
failure TO hit the msrk
Year: 1861

BALL OF TIE DowNEy GuARps-The first
annual Ball of the Downey Guards takes
place in their Armory at Sucker Flat, to-
night They have a capacious and splendid
room, capable of accommodating q large
crowd ofjolly dancers. The crowd will be
there
Year: 1861

The Wisconsin newspapers, some time
ago, expanded considerably upon the sub
ject of an eagle which Chippewa In
dian had captured and presented to the
oth Wisconsin regiment, and which bird
the SAID regiment had trained to perch
patiently on the top of a long pole, car
ried by soldier str feet eight inches in
height, as the regimental standard. One
of the New York illustrated newspapers
seized upon the subject as happy one
for wood cut, and in the last number OF
said paper the wood cut appears-giant
soldier, long pole, bird of America at the
top Of it-grand combination Of patriot
ism and poetical subject!


The said 9Th regiment passed through
this city on Saturday last, and with our
expectations elevated by the Wisconsin
accounts and the aforesaid picture we look
ed to behold what stage manager would
consider grand scenic effect. The giant
soldier, however, wasn't there. A man
of ordinary stature carried pole, with a
cross bar of union sticks at the top, upon
which was perched a large bird of the ca
gle family; but not the one we saw in
that picture, by "long shot"


People who do the poetic or patriotic
in this line should recollect that the fans
lily of eagles is somewhat numerous, and
that it is not every bird Of prey which re-
presents the universal Yankee nation.
The one which was chosen for that pur-
pose is the bald or white headed eagle, a
very good specimen Of which may be seen
in the museum Of the Audubon Club OF
this city. 1As eagle is found in all parts
of North An erica, but most frequently
near the coast, or large streams, where he
perches himself on tree top, and when
the fish hawk catches fish, unceremoni
ously takes it away from him. The gol-
den eagle Ga bird of equal size, but some,
what different characteristics,) and the
common and smaller black eagle, are
found only in high northern latitudes. Il
was one Of the last mentioned kind o.
birds that the 9Th Wisconsiners carried
with them.


The eagles are royal race Of birds
but like most other royal races, they viii
not bear very close inspection. DIR. Frank
lin said: "For my par:, wish the bale
eagle had not been chosen AS the represen
tative of our country. he is bird of bac
character he does not get bis living hon
estly"- Chicago Post.
Year: 1861

JUNor.-Napoleon alwas made a point
of observing the brnvery and capacity Of
soldiers in miner positions, and giving
them sudden promotion. His very best
field officers were taken from the ranks.
When ne was at Tonlon, sent there by the
convention to resist the seige, he had oc>
casion to call for some one to write him
despatch on the earthworks, A young
subaltern stepped forward and performed
the task. Just as be had finished, can
non bail from the enemy ploughed up the
earth near him, and covered his paper
with dirt. "They have sanded our letter
for US" said he young man, coolly, fold
ing up the dispatch and politely handing
Ii to Napoleon. The hero marked the
CHARACTERISTICS of true soldier in the act,
and when he himself become the greatest
General in the world that young man,
Junot, was his favorite Marshal and boon
companion.
Year: 1861




cause of our pEesent national troubles.
Nothing could be more absurd. In the
days Of Washington and Jefferson and
Madison, slavery existed as it does now,
and in greater proportion of the Union
than now; yet slavery was no source of
national discsrd. While the subject was
left to the control OF the constitutional
tribunals, and to the communities whose
interests were Immediately affected by it.
slavery was a source Of no danger. 1t
has been the action of fanatical politicians
which has produced discord and dissolu-
ton. The interference of sectiona. men
for sectional purposes in the affairs of their
neighbors was the original source of all
treason. Washington himself declared
that such state Of affairs would produce
precisely y the result which we now behold.
We know no reason for impugning his
wisdom in this articular-certainly not
now, when we see his prophecy fulfilled.
If the States cannot live together harmo-
niously and tolerate the diverse interests
Of each other, then the government is not
worth the attempt to preserve it. 1t has
been the glory Of our Constitution hereto
fore, that all interests, all pationalities,
all institutions could be protected by that
constitution, nohe suffering restraint or
interference except by the local law. The
right of each individual to govern him
self in his individual conduct, is personal
liberty; the right of each local commu
nifty to govern itself, choosing its own in
stitutions and fostering OF prohibiting such
local interests as it may please, is right
without which there can be no national
freedom, unity or perpetuity. A govern
ment which cannot endure unless based
upon a uniformity of interests and local
institutions, is in itself despotism, and
very different from the government which
our fathers established. d.-Rocine Press.
Year: 1861

Lord Lyons has issued circular to all
the British Consuls in Southern ports that
they shall take for their guidance the law
of blockade as announced by the State
Department, which does not permit ves-
sells to take in cargo in blockaded port.
after the announcement Of the blockade.
Year: 1861

The GATEWAY OF THE CAPITOL A
letter from Munich says: The work on
the grand gateway o. the Capitol of Wash
iugton is on the point of being terminated
in the royal foundry, and in about sors-
night Will be publicly exhibited in one of
she large rooms Of the establishment. 1t
is q work of the grsndest style, and the
6asso relieve representing the principal
scenes in the War of Independence excite
great admiration
Year: 1861

retary of War and the Secretary of State
is responsible by law before the highes
judicial tribunal Of the Republic, and anne,
nable also to the judgment of his country
men and the enlightened opinion of the
civilized world.


| The British Government have candidly
conceded, in the remonstranee before me,
that even in this country, SO remarkable
for SO long an enjoyment. by its people Of
the highest immunities of personal free
dom, war, and especially civil war cannot
be conducted exclusively in the forms and
with the dilatory remedies provided by
municipal laws which are adequate to the
preservation of public order in time OF
peace. Treason always operates, if posi-
BILE, by surprise. and prudence and hu-
manity therefore equally require that vlo.
lence concocted in secret shall be prevent
ed, ifpractieable, by unusual and vigor
Gus precaution. | am fully aware of the
inconveniencies which result from the prac-
tiee of such precau.ion, embarrassing
communities in social life, and effecting,
perhaps, trade and intercoure with foreign
nations. But the American people, after
having tried every way to avert civil war,
have accepted it at last as stern necessity.
The chief interest, while it lasts, is not the
enjeyments of society, or The profits of
trade, but the saving of the national iife.--
That life saved, all the other blessings
which attend it will! speedily return, with
greater assurance Of continuance than ev-
erbefore. The safety of the whole people
has become,in the present emergency, the
supreme law, and, SO long as the danger
shall exist, all classes of society. equally,
the denizen and the citizen, cheerfully &C.
quiesce in the measures which that law
prescribes.


This government does not question the
learning of the legal advisers of the Brit
ish Crown, or the justice of the Difference
which her Majesty pays to them. Never
theless, the British government will hard
ly expect that the President will accept
their explanations of the constitution of
the United States, especially when the
constitution, thus expounded, would leave
upon him the sole executive responsibility
of suppressing the existing insnrrection,
while it would transfer to Congress the
most material and indispensable power to
be employed for that purpose. Moreover,
these explanations find no zeal support in
the letter, much less in the spirit of the
constitution itsef He must be allowed
therefore, to prefer to be governed by the
view Of our organic national law which,
while it will enable him to execute his
great trust with complete success, receives
the sanction Of the highest authorities of
our own country, and is sustained by the
general consent Of the people, for whom
alone that constitution was established


l avail myself of this opportunity to Of
fer to your lordship renewed assurance
ofmy very high consideration.


WILLIAM II. SEWARD.


The Right Hon. Lord LYONS, &C.,
Year: 1861

as bis advisers, among whom are the Sec
retary of War and the Secretary of State,
is responsible by law before the highest
judicial tribunal Of the Republic, and ame>
nable also to the judgment of his country
men and the enlightened opinion of the
civilized world.
Year: 1861

ts~ The Hon, John J. Crittenden, in
spite of his advanced age, is said to be the
first private in the Frankfort Home Guard
and has declared hi, intention to go into
camp and remain in service until the Con-
fcderates are driven from the soil Of Ken
Year: 1861

81 warned you master. he said, as be
came up painting, his eyes half starting
from his head, and his countenance ex-
pressing commingled terror and pity.


''You did you did % cried I, but oh !
forgive and save me !" e
"You are already forgiven. master, and
[ vii save you if can-save you or per-
ish with you"


Instantly he set to work With his iron
pointed stick to break the lava around my
limbs, but had scarcely made any progress
when the earth trembled and the blocks
parted, one of shem rolling down into the
chasm with a dull, hollow sound. I sprang
forward seized hand of tho guide-we
both struggled hard, and the next moment
we both had fallen, locked in each other S
arms, upon the solid cart above
| was free, but still upon the verge Of the
Fit, and any moment we might both be
hurledto destruction.


Quick, ma ster up up! and run for
yo1r life %


staggered to my feet with wild cry
of hope and fear. and half supported by
my faithful guide, hurried up the sloping
sides of the crater As we reached the
ridge above, the ground shook with a
heavy explosion; and, looking back, I be-
held with horror dark, smoking pit,
where we had so lately stood.


And then, without waiting to see more,
turned and fed over the rough ground as
fast as my bruised limbs would let me. We
reached our horses in safety, and hurrying
down the mountain. gave the alarm to
the villagers, who joined US in our fight
across the country till safe distance was
gained,


Here | bade adieu to my faithful guide,
rewarding him as a man grateful for the
preservation Of bis life might be supposed
to do.


A few days later when the long extinct
Hecla was again convulsing the island
and sendirg forth its mighty tongues Ct
fire and streams of melted lava, | was far
away from the sublime and awful scene,
thanking God I was alive to tell the story
of my wonderful escape from burning
tomb,