smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

Quite an animated discussion sprung up vesterday between the two sections of the convention on the resolution offered by l)r. Echols recognizing the independence of the Confederate States of America. Judge Adams opened the discussion by clear, bold and manly statement of the loglc ot the proposition. He took the firm and tenable position that the convention had power, and was clothed with full authority to make such recognition; and secondly that it must make this recognition or aid and abet Lincoln in his attempt to coerce the seeded States. His arguments were pointed and incontrovertible, nevertheless Mir. Jesse Turner imaginel himself equal to the task, and contended in reply that the seeded States were still in the Union, that they had no right to secede, and other prop ositions equally absurd, which if carried out to their logical sequence would justify Lin coln in coercing by force of arms the gal lant States of the South which have de- clared themselves out of the Union. Of course. if the Confederate States are not out of the Union, if, as MT. Turner con- tended, they have not seeded, and have not the right so to do, then Lincoln IS right in coercing them into submission to Il | of tho hloalv taNu h.. lican majority in Congress. We feel ashamed of Arkansas if Mir. Turner eX- presses the sentiments of any considerable portion of her people. This position is far worse than that of Missouri, which has just instructed her Congressmen to vote against coercion, and to withdraw If Lin coin attempts it. We see now how sincere those are who pretend to want cooperation with the border States. They are willing to cooperate in abject submission, but when manly position is taken by a border State, we hear nothing of the cooperation of Arkansas from the glib lips that talk so fippantly on the subject.

 Judge Adams response was complete and unanswerable, upsetting every position which Mir. Turner had taken, and demol- ishing the sophistry and special pleading of the apologist for coercion.

 This demolition did not however deter MT. Stillwell from entering the list in SUD- port of Mr. Turner. Taking rp the argu- ments of the latter, and diluting them with
Year: 1861

SrcrssIoS A NE5EssITY.-We will not for a moment entertain the idea that any considerable portion of the people of Ar kansas seriously contemplate continuance in the northern confederacy, any longer than to become convinced that the Union is hopelessly gone, and that there Is no possible chance of reconstruction. A sen sible view of the situation of affairs will, it appears to us, force conviction on the mind of every sincere seeker after the truth, that all prospect of preserving the Union is gone forever. Seven States have seeded. If Lincoln attempts to carry out the doe trines of his inaugural, and to coerce the seeded States, that forces us at once to take our position by their side, to fight for them, and to go with them. It will not be safe for any man. even in Arkansas, to adyo- cate any other policy. But if Lincoln se- cedes from his present policy, absurd as such d supposition is, the Confederate States will remain an independent and distinct na tionality, that must eventually absorb every other slave State, which does not look to ultimate emancipation, or which is not already undergoing an abolitionizing pro- cess. Does not this view-the only one that can be taken by sensible men-impress conviction on every mind that secession IS aecessityS
Year: 1861

We copy the following merited compliment
from the New York World:


Rarely DO the office and the man confer
such fitting honor upon each other as in the
case of the Maior-Generalship of the New
York forces which has been proffered to and
accepted by the late Secretary of the Treas
ury. Known to the public by the military
title which he Bore so creditabiy years ago,
and which he now officially resumes accom-
piisfred in letters as well as arms, prominent
tor some time past among the highest class of
politicians in the great unbruken Frraocratic
party; abandoning a vigorous administration
of the involved affairs of the New FORK post
office, at the call OF the country that he
should suve its expiring credit, he is row
thought of by his fellow citizens not OILY as
the man who accomplished this task with a
success which iii itself would have won dis
tirction, but as the public officer who first
gave an order to protect the honor of that
flag which is tie symbol Of the nationality
that we have all sprang up in arms to defend.
His words "If ang ran =ttenfpts to haul
foTFtt' tie american flag, shoot him on the
spot" first made public in these cUlCrfns, few
rom lip to lip, and flashing along the wires,
first woke the spark Of that patriotic fire that
now flames through the land. 1t is we'll it
is becoming decus ct dec6rum est, he who is
sued that order should receive the highest
command which his State has to bestow
among the defenders of that flag, the sacred
inviolability of which he was so prompt and
so determined to maintsin. Fhe moves with
equal grace and promptness from the study
to the exchequcr and from the exchecquer to
the field. Tam Marie guam MercMrious.
Year: 1861

The treasurers Of some men is gold, and the
love of it grows so strong as to become idOla-
trous. Such men never rise above the merest
drudgery in the world. They eat and drink,
but it is to enable them successfully to toll on,
Morning, noon, and night, it is the same
drudging slavery and submission to the crav-
ings of vicious appetite. There is not one
noble sentiment or feeling can live in their
heart, because the last of gain fill it so COM
pletely as to leave no room for anything else.


They can do nothing but grovel, like an
eaFthworm, eating dust and casting out their
slime in order to form pathway along which
to crawl. 1t is pitiable and sud to think Of
but it is a sight only to often seen in this sin
stricken world of ours.
Year: 1861

t, place on Charlie's grave. AS I reached
the house, on my return, young man,
sunburned and shabby, sprang up the steps
before me and rang impetuously at the door.


Turning he saw me at his side, and, with
a bow, inquired if I resided there. re-
piled that did.


''Is Mrs. Gray he commenced, but at
that moment the servant threw open the
door, and the inquiry was transferred to the
man.


us Mrs Gray residing here? Is she
within p


Something told me this was the bearer Of
some glad tidings. l dared not think, be-
lseve, what wished but I gazed earnestly
at his fine face as he pushed past the servant
and placed his foot firmly on the stairs.


At that instant, shrek of joyful surprise
rang through the house. A light figure,
clothed in deepest sables, flung itself madly
down the stairs There was bound, joy
full cries, smothered kisses and words of en-
dearment, and then the young man bounded
on up the long flight with Annie Gray ly-
ing insensible in his arms


Silent and joyful I went to my room.
was not needed there. had no partnor lot
in this great joy, which had come to my
friend. There might have been few jeal-
Gus pangs. as [ contrasted my loneliness
with her fullness of companionship, for !
am but very human but smothered them,
and let my spirit revel in imagining the
blessed peace and comfort that had so sud-
denly descended upon that sorrowing soul.


When Annie Gray came down to dinner,
leaning on her happy husbands arm, she
had laid aside forever the heavy black robes
of her hopeless bereavement She had not
forgotten little Charlie, but she had long
learned to think of him as an angel form
gone before her to his heavenly home, while
beside her now walked the angel of her life,
in the pride and strength of his manhood.
Through fearful pcrils he had, by Gods
providence, returned to her, and henceforth
to wear the symbols of mourning would
have blasphemed her pure and perfect joy.


No longer the Widow Gray" she is still
the favorite inmate of our boarding house
home. She and her husband delight to
honor their humble friend, and their home
is to be mine. We 60 together, often now,
to visit little Charles grave, but our sorrow
is no longer as that of those who have rs
hope. ].
Year: 1861

The CoUNTRY.-It is with sensations Of
pure delight that [ recur to the brief period
of my existence witch was passed in the
peaceful shade of Auteuil. There is one
kind of wisdom which we learn from the
world, and another kind which can be ac-
quired in solitude only. In cities we study
those around US, but in the retirement OF
the country we learn to know ourselves -
The voice within us is more distinctly audi
bic in the stiffness of the place, and the
gentle affections Of our nature spring up
more freshly in its tranquility and sunshine
-nurtured by the healthy principle which
we inhale with the pure air, and invigora-
ted by the genial influences which descend
into the heart, from the quiet of the sylvan
solitude around, and the soft serenity of the
sky above.


The CIrY..-I have an affection for a
great city. I feel safe in the neighborho5d
of man, and enjoy ''the sweet security Of
Streets" The excitement of the crowd is
pleasant to me. [ find sermons in the stones
of the pavement, and in the continuous
sound of voice and wheels and f otsteps
hear 'the sad music of humanity" I feel
that life is not a dream but reality; that
the beings around me are not the insects of
an hour, but the pilgrims of an eternity
each with his history of thousand-fold oc-
currences, insignificant it may be to others,
but all-important to himself; each with a
human heart, whose fbres are woven into
the great web of human sympathies; and
none so small that, when he dies, some of
the mysterious meshes are not broken. The
green earth, and the air, and the sea, all
living and all lifelcss things. preach the
doctrine of a good providence; but most Of
all does man, in his crowded citieS and in
his manifold powers and wants, and pas
sions, and deeds, preach this same gospel.
The greatest works Of his handicraft delight
me hardly less than the greatest works of
nature. They are ''the masterpieces Of
her own masterpiece" Architecture and
painting, and sculpture and music. and epic
poems, and all the forms of art, wherein
the hand Of genius is visible, please me
evermore, for they conduct me into the fell
lowship of great minds. And thus my
sympathies are with men. and streets, and
city gates, and towers from which the great
bells sound solemnly and slow, and cathe-
dral doors, where venerable statues, holding
books in their hands, look down like senti-
nels upon the church-going multitude, and
the birds of the air come and build their
nests in the arms of saints and apostles.


And more than all this, in great cities
we learn to look the world in the face. We
shake hands with stern realities We see
ourselves with others. We become acquain-
ed with the motley, many-sided life of man
and finally learn, like Jean Paul, to 'look
upon metropolis as collection of vii
lagos; a village as some blind alley in a
metropolis fame as the talk of neighbors
at the street door a library as learned
conversation; JOY as a second; sorrow as a
minute life as day; and three things as
all in all-God, Creation, Virtue. ."-Long-
fellow.
Year: 1861

of the pistol reached their ears, they rush
ed to the kitchen, from whence it proceed
ed, and saw their leader lying dead upon
the floor, and Anna upon the point of de-
sccnding the cellar steps. One of them
took his pistol and taking deliberate aim,
he fired, but fortunately for Anna, just as
the villain fired, the steps whereon she was
standing, broke, and the bullet whistled
over her head.


Seeing her fall, both robbers deemed
that the bullet had done the work upon
which it was sent, and stepped up to the
door to see if she was quite dead or not,
when seizing her other pistol she fired, and
one of them stretched himself out in the
agonies of death.


The remaining one drew his pistol from
his bosom and snapped, but it missed fire.


Anna now crept back into the cellar out
of his sight, and he retired from the door,
lest he should share the fate of his COM
panions.


The robber had the advantage of Anna,
inasmuch as he was on the outside, while
she was safely penncd up. After trying
various devices to get her to come out of
her hiding place, he threatened to burn
the house over her head if she did not
| come out.


Her condition was now truly deplorible.
She was at the mercy of despicable rob-
ber, who was bent on revenging the death
of his comrades, and she resolved to per-
ish in the flames, rather than submit her
self to him, she therefore did not reply to
his threat.


Her babe was screaming with alright,
and she began fondling him with all
mothers tenderness, expecting soon to SEQ
the flames burst above their heads and
that they should soon perish together.


While thus sitting fondling her babe,
she was startled by the report of rife,
and the sound of something falling heavily
to the floor above her head, and the next
moment she heard Harry calling her. He
had already returned, and heard the threat
of the rebel, when well aimed bullet from
his rifle sent him to his eternal home.


BY some strange Intervention of Provi-
l dcnce, Harry had returned from the set


tlemont by a different route from tha.
!, usually taken, and had thus missed the
i. company which Miller had sent to capture


him.


! Never after that day were Harry and
= Anna disturbed by the gang of robbers
? that commonly ply our western frontier
They both lived to good old age, and il
" peace descend to their graves.
o Their descendants are now very numer
J. GUS, and among the wealthics and most il
d fuential citizens of the State of Illinois.
Year: 1861

SENATOR IvERsON.-He is not man of
nigh order of ability or of any weight in
character. In his habits he is wretchedly
dlssipated, and it might not be improper to
attribute considerable share of his FIRE.
eating propensities to the consumption of
fire water. His appearance is that of an
elderly man badly used up with bad liquor,
but dressed with great care and assuming o
inord!nate dignity. His face is inflamed'
his hand shaky, his voice husky, and be
wears the thin sandy gray hair remaining
above his ears, elaborately smoothed over
the top OF his head. He represents simplv
the extreme folly and madness of the seces-
sion movement
Year: 1861

A NARROW EscAPE.-A young son Of Mr..
Murphy, says the Placerville Californian,
came very near losing his life on New Years
day. Several Juveniles took it into their
heads to have general hunt, and having
provided guns and ammunition they started
into the chaparral. Master Murphy acted
as magazine for the party, and was in the
act of turning powder out of canister in
to his hand, when gun was fred so close
to him that the wad ignited the powder in
bis hand and canister. The explosion which
followed, happily resulted in no serious in
jury, only cutting open his hand, and SINCE
ing his hair.
Year: 1861

THE LIEUTENANT GOvERNOR.-Don Pablo
de la Guerra has been chosen President of
the Senate, and is, by reason thereof, Lieu
tenant Governor. Don Pablo is a very poll
ished gentleman, overhowing with suavity
and geniality and is the friend of every
thing and everybody. And he is practi-
cal man withal, as we propose to prove. He
was nominated and elected Senator by the
Anti-Lecomptons in 1859, and we believe
acted with them during the last session. In
1860 be was nominated to the honorable DO
sitiOn Of Elector on the Douglas ticket-ac-
cepted it freely, and thus indorsed the
Douglas policy and doctrine in the strong
est sense. Well, in answer to Mr.. Clark,
who charged that Governor Downey had
employed all his tact and energy to elevate
Don Pablo to the position in order that he
(the Governorl might thereby aggrandize
his own power, the new Lieutenant Govern
or said


"He has called me a Democrat; and am
Democrat. AS Democrat, will explain the
condition of things. 1t is very well known that
/ ran for Senator on the Douglas ticket. At
that time / considered that there was broad
issue between what what you call Breckenridge
Democracy and Douglas Democracy. took
the side Of Douglas for reasons not proper to
be recapitulated on this occasion. But in my
estimation he is finished he is no more.
think il is time for us to commence
shaking hands with brother Democrats. That
is why have pursued the course have adopt
ed"


Don Pablo is eminently a practical man
-[Bee.
Year: 1861

TRY.-Try for a day, beseech you. TO
preserve yourself in an easy and cheerful
frame Of mind. BE but for one day, instead
OF hre worshipper Of passion, the sun
worshpper of clear elfpossession; and
compare the day on which you have rooted
uot the weeds Of dissatisfaction, with that
on which you have allowed it to grow up;
and you will find your heart opento every
good motive, and your life strengthened,
and your breast armed with panoply
against every trick Of fate; truly, you viii
wonder at your owD Improvement.
Year: 1861

Until quite recently the orders received from
Washington We're to the effect that the Reg
mcnt lately in camp at Detroit, and those al
Grand Rapids and Adrain should assemble in
one camp. for the purpose of more thorough
military Instruction with the intimation that
they would not be needed for active operations
in the field before the fall months. But within
the past week orders have been received for
them to proceed to Washington at the earliest
convenient period.


This shows change in the policy of the
Government. and that an active summer cam
paign is intended. The rapid concentration OF
large armies at Washington. Fortress Monroe.
Wheeling and Cairo. indicate that a forward
movement is 10 I've made upon a large scale
and that results may he speedily looked for
which will satisfythe anxious desire of the people
that death blow may be speedily struck at
treason. at least in Virginia


Ii seems an interposiiion of Providence
that circumstances should compel Jeff. Davis to
shift his quarters to that State and there place
himself in the very jaws of the lion His late
speech on his arrival at Richmond brea tbes
anything but the overweaning confidence and
hragadocio which characterized his inaugural
at Montgomery
Year: 1861

THE MICHIGAN REGIMESr-We take the fol-
lowing extract from letter recently published
in the Detroit Tribune, "Thc Michigan First are
winning golden opinions from all sorts of people,
for their soldierly bearing and gentemanly con.
duct. A great compliment was paid us by the
citizens of Alexandria When We went into
Camp the Pennsylvania fifth took our place in
the city, as guard. The citizens yesterday cot
up petition to have us brought back to the city,
and the others removed. gentleman speaking
to ME about it last evening, said, II Col Stone
would not grant the prayer of the petitioners, he
would take it to Gen. Scott himself Every one,
men, women and children, are loud in praise of
the First Michigan Regiment It is very srasi-
tying to ns. as it must be to our friends at home
to know that we are so well thought of A gen.
tleman present, a resident here, saws he has not
heard ono word spoken against anv one of the
Regiment, but every one is praisiug them: and
it the army were composed of such men, the
war would soon be ended could repeat much
more OF the same sort, would my extreme mod
esty permit. Hurrah for Michigan and the First
Regiment"
Year: 1861

How Col. KELLEY WAS WOUNDED.-A cores.
pondent of the Wheeling htel7igeHccr in his de.
scription of the battle of Phillippa, makes the
following statement:


"Col. Kelley, who, with a bravery amounting
TO rashness, was foremost from first to last, was
raiiying his men in the upper part OF the town.
the enemy having all apparently fled, when he
fell by shot from foe concealed either behind
fence or in a house


The shot was fired after the engagement wss
over, and was just such piece OF assassination
as that by which the larnented Ellsworth fell.
lhe assassin was an assistant Quartermaster in
the Confederate force. His name is Simms, and
he halls from Chesterfield, across the river from
richmond. tie was Immediately seized, and it
Is great wonder they didn't make mince meat
of him instanter. The pistol with which he shot
Col Kelly is an oli-tashioned Virginia horse pis-
toi, carrying large ball, and iaiictinc most
dangerous wound. The ball entered the left
breast, and passing clear through lodged beneath
the skin, just underneath the shoulder blade
1t human skill can save him he will be saved
Year: 1861

SOUTHERN DEsPoTI-N-That old. bald headed
pie of Virginia in a letter. just previous to the
late election:


II it be asked what are those TO do who in
their consciences casnot vote 70 separate Vir-
ginia from the United States, the answer is sim
pie and plain. Honor and duty alike require
that they should not vote on the question: If
they retain such opinions they must leare tie
State


There is a model and progressive system Of
government for you!
Year: 1861

The . chivalry" affect Ia dcspisc tn low
breeding and vulgar ways of those who work
for their living. and claim to posses higher
sense of propriety, and a much more refined
taste than we. Perhaps this i all true, yet we
find some very marked exceptions to this rule.
We are permitted to take the following eN-
tract from private letter received by friend
in the city from lady correspondent engaged
in teaching in the State of Georgia. 1t well
exhibits the indignant spirit which burns in the
breasts of those who are compelled unwillingly
to succumb to the reign of terror existing in the
South.


"GREESSBORo GA. May %, 1851.


You cannot imagine how hard it is to sit
tamely and quietly by, and hear all we hold
dearest on earth abused and slaudered-to hear
the land of our birth spoken of with contempt
TO see the glorious Stars and Stripes that from
our earliest childhood We have been taught to
venerate next to our God and Bible, trodden
upon in disdan. Only day ago Il
young gentleman of my acquaintance asked me
if | had any friends at the North going to the
war | said yes, very many. and drawing him
self up proudly, and pointing 10 his pistol. he
said: We'll Miss - Will Kill them for
You, and if you have one you love more than
all the Others, | will bring you his heart ~
Do not imagine | am a coward not to resent
such insulting words, but it is impossible. The
rage of the people is ungoyernable. and one
word for our cOuntry's flag would infuriaie
A. 4. Il
most find vent. but discretion is the better part
of valor and that which is holy ought not to
bc thrown unto dogs" write soon.
You can say anything you wish, prorided You
suppose me of an opposite opinion-but be- sure
not to implicate me.


Ever your friend -
Year: 1861

MEssRs -, Yours of the ID is at hand
While we want money very much, let NE tell
you that the Michigan Regiment stopped here
land went to Washington in the same train with
my son, who is in the advance Pennsylvania Reg
iment,) and the people of any State that will SO
splendidly prepare their sons to defend their
country as yours have done, deserves all the
credit they want. Order of me on any reasona-
bic time you want, and anything you want.


Truly yours,
Year: 1861

: The flchest treasure mortal times silUrd
is-spotless reputation
The First Michigan Regiment seems TO have
superabundance of this wealth, as the following


letter addressed to firm in this city shows


We do not often trespass upon the confidence of


correspondence, but this is really too good to be
lost