smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

twenty years in this question of Disunion. They
have longed and waited for the occasion; and
now that it has come, they have counted the
cost, and are ready to abide the consequences.
And what is true of South Carolina is true Of
all the seeding States, in a greater or less
degree, according to locality and circumstance.


We observe that in the Massachusetts, Legis-
lature a Mr.. Tyler has offered resolution to
provide food for the suffering people of Charles
ton. 1t would be as wise to offer them series
of tracts upon the right Of revolution. They
need neither. We beg leave to inform Mr..
Tyler that Charleston is not shut up in Fort
Sumter, dependent upon Mr. Buchanan for sup
plies; but that the State of South Carolina, with
which Charleston has free intercourse, is
bounded on the north by North Carolina on the
south and west by Georgia; that its westermost
border reaches nearly to Tennessee; that it has
connecting railroads with nearly every one of
tie Southern and Western States, and is, at this
moment, in no more need of eleemOsynary aid,
either in money or food, from the Massachusetts
Legislature, than Massachusetts, herself is of
supply of dried Goldfish. The proposition indeed,
is in other respects an evidence of the
entire misapprehension of the spirit that
governs the Southern people. We have no
doubt that Charleston would go to the verge of
actual starvation before she would accept such
charity from Massachusetts,. If the South is
bent upon madness, in the name Of common sense
let the North not rival her by rushing into
idiOcy. The danger of her attempting to subdue
the North by force of arms is, at this moment
far more imminent than that she will voluntarily
secede from her rebellious position. There
is nothing in her material circumstances that can
force her TO such step. She is in no need OF
food she is not yet distressed for want OF
money; there is no laxity in her internal police
the tyranny of public opinion is exercised over
very few where nearly all are Of one way of
thinking; commerce. for the present, she is will
ing to do without; and any Inconvenience, in
short which she is actually suffering, she accepts
cheerful,y as an inevitable but temporary sacri-
fee which precedes and enneryes the coming of
the glories of the separate COnfederacy. 1t is a
fatal mistake to encourage any hope for the
future upon any supposed condition Of Southern
distress.
Year: 1861

The first step in surmounting serious DIM
| Guilty, whether in public or private affairs, Is
recognition of the fact that there is serious
difficulty 10 encounter. No more fatal mistake,
| therefore. can be made in time Of extensive re.
| belion than to misapprehend the temper, the
| purpose and the resources Of the rebels them
| selves. A blunder sometimes is as bad as a
| crime, and if the Administration has not treach-
erously played into the hands Of the Secession
| lists. il has by its weakness and want of appre-


henpion of their purpose and spirit permitted
them TO achieve a success which must astound
| even themselves. The whole country is in danger
of falling into the same error, and permitting a
revolt to become formidable by failing to recog-
nze its actual character.


The South is in earnest she is not afraid; she
is ready to encounter danger and difficulty; she
ia ready to make sacrifices; and she is ready to
meet and bear up under the inevitable disasters
that attend state of war. Grant that she is
mad; grant that she is rushing upon swift de-


struction; grant that the very element for which


she means to do and dare SO much will be, in


the end, her certain ruin; grant that the idea


which governs her, that the Union is clog to


her prosperity and the destroyer OF all her rights


is az fatal chimera as ever lured people 10


destruction. Nevertheless she believes IN that
notion, and means TO MAINTAIN it to the bitter
end If this be true the country should recog-


nize so serious an emergency and call up all its
energies for the eventiul struggle that is impend'
ing over us.


Instead of this, the country is believing q lie.
They are assured that the secession movement is
in the hands of a mob that the respectable peo-
pie Of the South are cOerced to approval, or, at
least to sence that property is already unsafe;
that State loans are enforced, and that needy
rufiians extort money from the fears of the rich;
that business is destroyed; that starvation is
added to anarchy; and that to this disastrous
condition of affairs, when it is ne longer beara
bic, there must come speedy end, at the hands
of the South herself, who, with the intolerable
effect, will crush the mischievous cause.


There il precisely as much truth in all these
statements as there is in regard to any rebel
lion, and no more. In South Carolina, where
the movement is most developed, there Ire, as
we Know, some persons oPPoscu W il-'sono
from constitutional timidty some from dread Of
any change imposing new burdens upon the citi-
zen. But the party we are pleased to call the mob
embraces many Of the best men Of the State--re-
sponsibe and respectable from character and


intellect, and possessing the largest interest in
the common wesl and those who follow them
are from every class in the community, and who
are carrying out in acts the training Of Gve-and'
Year: 1861

Do you wish to know how to save the Union
and give an overpowering life to the now de-
spondent sentiment of patriotism We answer,
Sho,c that you mean to defend the Constitution and
maintain the Government. Had Major Anderson
fired dozen guns on Thursday of last week,
and brought the Star of the West safely under
the walls of Sumter, Treason would have been
stayed. That act alone would have saved Vir,
ginia from plungng into the fatal gulf of rebellion
Useless talk of compromises, and Of dragging the
Republican flag in the mire, can do nothing but
more surely precipitate her into it.
Year: 1861

The plot to seize upon Washington and pro-
| claim a revolutionary Government from the steps


of the Capitol was well matured, and complete


in every part. 1t rested upon the confident ex-


pectation of the secession Of both Virginia aud


Maryland before the 1st of March, and the con-
| tinuance in Office of the traitors who have been


elected from the Cabinet. Floyd was the un-
doubted center Of the conspiracy, aud expected
| to remain in Office and superintend its cOnsum-
| nation. The plan has long been the subject
Of general conversation in Washington, and we
are able 70 lay its details before our readers.
Immediately after the secession Of Virginia and


Maryland, concerted movement was TO be made
Just previous to Lincoln's inauguration, by which
| a hostile force was to be suddenly thrown into
Washington to seize upon and garrison all the
| public buildings, expel Congress, and hold the
town. A declaration to the effect that the rag-
lar Government had been superseded was next
to be issued, and q Provisional President and
Vice. President to be proclaimed on the 1th Of
March. The Departments, containing all the ar


chiyes of the Government, were at OAce to be


occupied by provisional heads, and orders prompt


ly issued therelrom to the Army and Navy, claim
ing from the officers everywhere obedience to


the authorities in possession of the capitalize


the Government de tacio. At the same time the


foreign Ministers were to be called upon to rec


ognize the new authorities, and to announce the


success of peaceable revolution in the United


States, to. their several Governments


II was expected that this programme, which,
but for its premature exposure, might have been
easily carried out, would divide the allegiance Of
tie Army and Navy everywhere, confounding the
officers by its audacity, so that all whose sym
patbies or proclyites were with the South,
would have a reasonable excuse to go over TO
the revolutionary Government without being
amenable to the charge Of deliberate treason.
In this way the Southern Slaveholding COnfed-
eracy expected to get its start before the world,
and be ready to maintain its claim to the nag,
and to be considered the actual possessor of
the Government Of the United States. 1t would
have the great advantage Of being in control
of the National capital and National archives,
AID whatever portion Of Army and Navy it
might be able TO seduce. Whatever contests,
successful or otherwise, might have grown ont of
this isattempt great object would have been gained.
The military and naval force of the country
would have been divided, and foreign nations
made to doubt and hesitate and delay, before
being able to decide whether the de jure or the
de faeto Government Of the United States was


ctualy in power.


IT. as we have said the plot had not been un-
expectedly exploded, by the diic6very of the rob-
berries in the Department Of the Interior, where
Floyd was implicated, and by Major Anderson's
occupation Of Fort Sumter, it might have been
executed with just as much case and audiences
Year: 1861

as the seizure Of the Florida, Georgia, Alabama,
and Louisiana forts has been executed by the
rebels in those States. It is here to be remarked
that the revelation of the conspiracy by Floyd
was accidental and unpremeditated. Through fear
that his confederates would dstrust his good faith
in the common treachery, he demanded Ander-
sons return to Fort Moutrie. To escape sus-
pcion. and as means of extorting that conces-
sion from the President, he resigned supposing,
from previous experience, that Mr.. Buchanan
would give way But it so happened that he did
not. Floyd Immediately saw his mistake, and
offered to remain, as is stated by the President
in his letter accepting Floyd's resignation. But
it was now too late. 1t was said at the time,
and has been said ever since, that the conspira-
tors were thunderstruck at this faur pas of
FLOYD; at any rate, they were loud in its con-
demnation. They supposed it would prove fatal
to their cherished plans, aud the event has shown
that there was reason in the opinion.


But the conspiracy is by no means destroyed.
Its total defeat, even now, depends upon two
grave contingencies, yet undecided. One IL,
whether MARYLAND will be held back from scced-





aratons in Washington are adequate to the
emergency. The rebels are desperate, as they
have been from the start OF course, they now
labor under the great disadvantage of seeing their
plans exposed, and of being Ousted from their IN
nuentia positions in the Government. Still, what
they can do they will do; and if they can yet sue
ceed in taking Maryland out along with the
other seeding States they will unquestlonably un-
dertake to carry Washington with them also. Then
il can only be preserved by force of arms. And
how are troops to be conveyed to Washington
from the North with Maryland engaged in the
rebellion Baltimore in the hands of an armed
mob. and railroad communication cut of 1t Is
even possible that the defense of Washington
may have to be begun on tho soil OF Maryland.


Such is the outline Of the atrocious conspiracy
Ia overthrow the Government and take possession
of the capital as it circulates in the highest pO-


tical circles of Washington. We know that no
doubt is there expressed Of its being substantially
correct. by those who have the best opportunities
of knowing the truth. And we repeat that there
is no certainty that some such scheme VIII not
even vet be carried out. The most determined
efforts are still on foot to force Mary to Sc
cede. and the movement is extremely threatening
and formidable If it succeeds, nothing is GER
tain in the future but fight with the rebels for
the possession of the Federal capital.


Yet, in the midst Of these foul conspiracies, we
have men and presses everywhere begging and
praying that a compromise be made with the
traitors engaged in this dabolical business
Is il not amazing that every man Of every party
who desires to preserve the Republic, does not
hold with the grave and conservative Senator
from Rhode Island, who declares that he is
afraid to compromise in the face of such peril',
for fear Of demoralizing the Government, and
bringing on general confusion and anarchy
Year: 1861

Mr.. Sherman of Ohio spoke yesterday in the
House Of Representatives on the state of the nation
He advocated the maintenance of the Union and
the Government, remsrking that the United States
had been patient and forbearing to the last de-
gree and that South Carolina had wantOnly
made war on them. The free navigation of the
Mississippi must be preserved at all hazards
The question was not whether the Government
should coerce States, but whether it should de-
fend its property and its rights.
Year: 1861

We have private advices from Washington to
the effect that the danger Of the seizure of that
city by an armed mob of Southern Disunionists
is far more serious and more imminent than is
imagined by people abroad. The few companies
of regular troops whom Gen. Scott has stationed
In the District, with the newly-enrolled and un.
organized body Of the citizens of the District


cannot be relied on against coup de main e1-
ecuted By large force Of desperate men well
armed, and suddenly launched against the city.


DO those who prefer to stand quietly by
Year: 1861

ours, provided We charge fair price for ground
rent, supply of brine, &c, we say, Let themi II
is neither necessary nor right that New-York
should undertake TO undersell and supplant al
other Salt than her own. But we do not believe
the change proposed by the Governor would re-
duce the sale of New.YOrk Salt by even ten per
cent
Year: 1861

The large increase in the circulation of The TRIBUNE
renders necessary that it be put TO press at mnch
earlier hour than heretofore and we will thank adver
tses TO send in their advertisements as early IN the
dav aa nossibla.
Year: 1861

should plant no cotton for year, she would
get as much for the cotton crop she held
over, as she would have got for two regular
CROP. If in that lapsed year of cotton, she
devoted her whole labor to the raising Of
grain, she would have quantities which
would supply all the markets Of the world,
and close them against the North. If the
blockade could be enforced, and her cotton
could be confined to the South, no ultimate
disaster would befall our section; while q
ruinous competition in provision stuffs would
be built up against the North. In no man.
ner can the South be disastrously affected
by this war; in every manner will the
North be.
Year: 1861

as knife, and thick, tough, dark skin,
almost as rough as file. A grown shark
is twenty feet long, or more; and can cut a
man in twain at stroke, if you give him a
chance.


Twill now bid you goodbye for this time,
though I have great many more things to
tell you. I hope to write to you again.
YOUR EDITOR.
Year: 1861

THE GRAYsoN DARE Devils There
is universal feeling Of sympathy with
these gallant fellows in their modification
at not being received here. They mum:
Der one hundred men. all six feet high,
ana unfai!ing rife shots. The company
consisted Of one hundred and thi,ty five.
but it is said their commander informed
them that only one hundred would be al.
lowed TO come TO Richmond; aud to de.
eide which OF them should enjoy that de.
sired privilege they fired ut mark run.
ming, and the hundred who struck the
target nearest to or exactly in the centre
were accordingly detailed, to the chagrin
of the remaIner, who were as confident a.
their comrades that they could send a
ball at every crack through the vitxls of q
Lincoln poop Richmond Dispatch.


The company has since been accepted
Year: 1861

The Richmond Dispatch says: Stran.
gers in the city, of suspicious character,
should be carefully looked after by the
police, as we'll as private citizens. The
magnitude OF the crisis demands more
than ordinary vigilance, for we have men
to deal with who will use any means to
effect their object, and are as subtle and
depraved. as the Father of Lies himself
Year: 1861

There is something transcently virtuous
in the affections of warm hearted brother
towards his gentle and amiablc sister. He
can feel unbounded admiration for her beau
ty-he can appreciate and applaud the kind
ness which she bcstows upon HIMSELF He
can watch the blush steal over her features,
when he tells her of her innocent follies, and
he can clasp her to his bosom in consolation
when tears gush from her overloaded heart


With woman there is a feeling of pride
mingled with regard which she has for a
brother. She looks upon him as one fitted
to brave the tempest Of the world--as one to
whose arm of protection she can fly for shell.
ter, when she is stricken by sorrow, wrong
ed by oppression--as one whose honor is con-
nected with her own, and who will not see
her insulted with impunity. He is to her
what the oak is to the vine--and though she
may fear all others Of mankind, she is secure
and confident In the love and protection of
her brother. ... .. .-..H


Nothing affords such satisfaction, nothing
entwincs sister SO effectually among his
sympathies and interests, as profound reliance
on her virtue, and an abiding conviction of
her ditfidence and delicacy. AS these two
latter arc by far the most delightful qualities
Of female, so they are the strongest spells
for cnticing away the affections of the other
sex. A female without telicacy, is woman
without principlc--and as an innate and
shrinking perception of virtue is true
characteristic Of pure hearted creature, SO
It is the most infaliblc union between hearts
that truly beat in response with each other
There is more tenderness in the disposition
of woman than of man; but the affection of
a brother is full of the purest and most gem
erous impulse; it cannot be quenched by
aught on earth, and will out live all selfish
and sordid attachments. A deep rooted =
gard for gentle creature, born of the same
parents with ourselves, is certainly one of
the noblest feelings Of our nature; and were
every other feeling of human nature dead
save this there would still a bright hope re-
main that the fountain Of virtue and princi-
pie were not yet scaled.
Year: 1861

SINGULAR TRADITION. Among the Semi
mole Indians there is a singular tradition re-
garding the white mans origin and superior
ity. They say that when the Great Spirit
made the earth he also made three men, all
Of whom were fair complexioncd; and that
after making them, he led them to the mar.
gin of a small lake and bid them leap therein
and wash. One Immediately obeyed and
came from the water purcr and faircr than
before the second hesitated moment, du-
ring which time the water, agitated by the
first, had become slightly muddicd, and when
he had bathed he came up copper colorcd (;
the third did not leap in until the water be-
came black with mud, and he came up with
its color. When the Great Spirit laid before
them three packages Of bark, and babe them
choose, and out of pity for his misfortune in
color, gave the blackman his first choice. -
He took hold of each of the packages and
having felt the weight, chose the heaviest,
leaving the whiteman the lightest. When
the packages were opened, the first was found
to contain spades, hoes and all the imple-
ments of labor; the second unwrapped hunt
ing, fishing and warlike apparatus the third
gave the white man pens. ink and paper
the engine of the mind the means ofmutual
improvement--the social link of humanity


the foundation Of the white mans superiority.
Year: 1861

Next to poverty, delinquent subscribers
and duns, to which most editors are subject
the greatest difficulty is to please the public
So great is the variety Of taste and feeling,
that had the conductor of a periodical paper
as many heads and as many pens as his pa
per has readers, he could never hope to please
them all, for they cannot please themselves.
Docs he speak out in language plain and
simple? it is mere commonplace, the taste of
the learned is not gratified it is fit only for
the vulgar. Docs he aspire to elegance, the
unlearned cannot understand, and the learned
regard him as pedantic fellow, dabblng in
what he has no real pretensions to. Does he
show his coIors and boldly contend for his
ground, he is too severe. Does he hide him
self beneath mass Of unequivocal matter, he
Is tcmporizing hypocrite. If he publishes
extracts which are better than he can write,
he has no talent of his ewn to display. II he
fills his paper with original matter, he might
have given. something better from the works
of others. If he attempts to philosophise, it
is dull and uninteresting and ifhe writes on
plain and familiar subjects, everybody knew
them before. Does he attempt to instruct,
he needs to be instructed. Does he use his
endeavors to amuse, it is light and triiing.-
People generally, are fond OF being praised; !;
and one would suppose this might satisfy
them. But let an editor try the experiment
and he will soon find out his mistake. For
such is the power ofenvy, that every one will
hate him for praising others; most people are
fond Of hearing their neighbors slandered !;
but If you make an attempt to point out either
the vices or follies ofmankind, every one will
find something applicable to himself; and
here. again, you encounter the hatred Of the
whole mass. Every person can tell you how
to conduct a paper to please himself. and OF
course, to offend every one else. These be.
ing stubborn facts. there is nd alternative, but
for an editor to please himself II he can, and
hazard the consequence. II he do this he
will be certain Of satisfying one, which Is
more than be can say. ifhs tries 70 please m.
-Er.
Year: 1861

~ In olden times, unmarried women
nsed TO wear scarlet perticost during the
leap year. If they showed the eIre of
this garment TO any man, he vas bound
TO marry them, but could buy himself off
by presenting the lady with new gown,