smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

Four Of the six rif1ed cannon of Whitworth's
patent, presented by loyal Americans in Eng
land to the American government, arrived by
the Persia, and one Of them has been to-day
on exhibition in the Park, attracting the at
tsntion of large crowd Of military gentlemen
and civilians


The gun exhibited is Of cast steel, a twelve
FOUNDER, weighing about one thousand pounds.
1t is nine feet in length, with rife bore three
and two-tenth inches in diameter, with one
turn in every sixty inches, making, for the
entire length of the gun, about two turns.
The quick turn and reduced bore are recog-
nized as being the special features of the Whit
worth system, both for rifed cannon and riaed
muskets.


The gun is breech-loading, being closed at
the breech end. when charged, by a cap,
screwed on something like the Gap Of pencil
except that handles are used in turning it.
The cap works in q hoop which is connected
by hinge joint to the breech of the gun.


The projectile is a long iron bolt, mechani-
cslly fitting the bore of the gun, which is
spiral hexagonal in section, with rounded cor
ners. The method of charging and working
the gun is as follows Two or three turns of
the handle unscrew the breech-cap, which is
received and supported in a hoop, and is then
swung to one side like an opened door, leaving
the breech end Of the gun exposed. The pro-
jectile is then pushed in, and behind it is in
serted a tin cartridge can, containing the pow
der, and shaped hexagonally to fit the rifed
bsre. The powder is kept in the cartridge can
by wad, or hexagonsl cake of lubricating
material, such as a mixture of wax and tallsw.
In the rear end of the tin case is a small ori-
fee corresponding with the vent, which is made
in the centre of the breech-csp. The tin car
fridge being inserted, the hinged hoop carry
ing the breech-cap is swung to, in oor-fashion,
and by turning the handles it is screwed firmly
on the breech of the gun. An ordinary fric-
tion fuzee is then inserted in the vent, made,
as stated, in the centre of the breech-cap, and
the piece is discharged, generally in less than
q minute from the time of beginning to load,
and that without any attempt at hurry.


When the piece is discharged there is no es-
cape of gases at the breech; and when the cap
is unscrewed and swung aside, the end Of the
tin cartridge is seized by hand, or by a suita-
BILE gripping instrument, and is withdrawn
from the gun. The case thus brings away with
it all the fouling deposits; and as the barrel is
thus completely fabricated by the wad, ne
sponging or cleansing by water is required; in
fact, the shots as they issue, clean the gun.
The gun, though breech-loading, is intended
to carry ball Of the proper size loaded at the
muzzle


Mr. Whitworth urges that his cannon may
be used as well for shOt as shell, and at mortar
elevations if necessary.-N. Y. Commercial.
Year: 1861

III While the ladies OF this city were recently
gathered in cutting out drawers for the soldiers,
Il appeared that after their labor was concluded
cloth WIS left for just one leg Of the same The
question being raised ss TO what should pe done
with this, one Of the number promp pity responded,
"Oh, that will do for use after they get back %
No.folk paper.
Year: 1861

H. PLUMBER AND GAS ETTTER,


Has removed to the corner of Twelfth and F ats,
He Is prepared TO introduce Water and Gas upon
satisfaction.


n e has on hand . lot of COOKING and other
wishes to get rid of them. no II
Year: 1861

a private let erjust received at this office,
from ar Intelligent and trustworthy gentleman
at Washington, assures US that the Administra-
ton is now thoroughly awakened to sense of
Its duties and responsibilities and hereulean
energy IS now manifest in every department of
the Government as well as in the army of the
Potomac.


Over two hundred thousand troops will be
at Washington and on the Potomac by the end
OF the present week, and the Grand Army
viii IN II few days, be swollen to magnitude
that Will inspire terror into the hearts of the
rebels


The reins are being frightened on rebel spies
and sympathisers, and. in the language of our
correspondent, ''the country may be assured
that from this time forth there will be no trifing
with traitors anywhere, and no boys play of
any sort, towards an enemy in arms against the
Government


These assurances are cheering and will be
hailed by all loyal men and patriots with graft
ieation.
Year: 1861

Have you never heard of a good Father Train
Who schooled so soundly and preached so


plain, -
And fought the devil with might and main
Small hire he got yet he always throve,
For he gave his heart to the trade ne drove,
''He taught for his living, and preached for


Iove'' -. tss-ss


Noble and bold were the words which rung
In council and kirk from his godly tongue,
And noble and bold were the psalms he sung.
Long years hath the Veterans grave been made
But l prize the altar at which he prayed,
And the old bass-viol wherein he played.
1t Is leaning now by my study door,
And love its worn face all the more. -..-
That 1t lightened the burdens pars. bore.
love to think that far or near.
Though sense be lost to the palsied ear,
There's always music the soul can hear.
IloFe to think that early and late
Though the tongue with melody never can


mate,


Some thrill of song the soul may wait 49,
1t is mufied away in the breast alone.
gift, mayhap, to til heart unknown,
Till the joys of heaven unfold the tone.
But many, awake on earlier wings,
Will answer music to all sweet things
And copy their joy on earthly strings.
In bpii
He proved the cheer of the viol's chime.
And worshipped the Lord, in psalter rhyme,
So summer and winter came and weLt t4
While the songs and the fates grew kindly
bent


Of the man aud his chosen instrument; r---
| That when the soul of the saint arose,
| His track the soul of the viol chose
And the music-pulse in its bosom froze.
All stringless, beaten. and bent awry,
Into garret dark and high,
They flung the poor: dumb prophet by.
There, long in the curves of its shattered shell
The spider folded her silken cell,


And the death-watch tapped to his mate ''Alr.


A weIn


And many a summer't the earth-wasp came.
/ With wings that quivered AID flashed like
flame, s..sE
And glued its nest to the ruined frame. Il
| But for chance he had slumbercd vet,
With the lull of the death watches drowsy fret
And the fy-dirge droned from the SPIDERS net
l heard where the lorn old wizard lay,
And calling him forth from his nook one day
| won him back to his ancient play


l FURNISHED his faded form and wrung
His writhed joints till the old grew young,
And his grand-toned nerves newly strung.
Then l healed him many ghastly hole,


And gave him the grace that time had stole,
And tunefully came back his aged soul.
By the window l sit when the day beams wane
And he leans on my breast and sings his strain
Till l start at the voice of Father Train
And know that beyond the burial calm,


The saint is leaning with harp and palm,
And joining his old time viol psalm.
Year: 1861

1t is evident from the recent news from the
revolutionized region, that the conspirators are
entirely surprised at the prospect before them.
They anticipated, with confidence, that they
could drag the border States into their own
vortex, and that at any rate, if the border
States remained in the old Union, their in.
auence, combined with that of the Northern
Democracy, would prevent the execution Of the
national laws on the Gulf, and so leave them
in the secure enjoyment of the power which
they have wrested from the people by surprise,
fraud, and violence. They begin now to doubt
if these calculations were we'll founded, and
they are preparing, with what courage they can
muster, to face the stern realities Of their con.
dition.


This question of who shall have the customs
revenue in the seeded States, is the exact
question, upon which depends the possibility
of continuing the insurrectionary dynasty Of
JEFF. Davis. 1t cannot be kept along without
money, because it cannot be kept along without
military force to overawe the people, and it
can get money, for any length of time, in no
other way than by duties upon imports. Credit
is out OF the question, and these cotton States
are too poor to submit to direct taxation. Such
taxation is not thought to be popular anywhere,
and it must be specially odious, where it would
be specially burdensome. In fact nothing would
break down the JEFF. Davis dynasty SO speedily
as the imposition of direct taxes, and it does
not propose them.


Forced loans may be resorted TO for sea-
son. 1t is less odious, because the victims are
the few, instead of the many. But it is poor
and short.lived shift. The number who can be
subjected to it, must constantly diminish under
the general impoverishment of revolution, and
in many cases, it will be avoided by the fight
of the rich.


The Jefferson Davis dynasty must go down,
by the simple operation of stopping the sup.
plies, which can be accomplished without the
employment of much larger naval force than
we have long kept in commission, under the
Year: 1861

TIE Executive SEssIoN.-The vote of the
Senate yesterday, upon going into Executive
session, was tied, and then carried in the affirm
alive by the Vice President. Some nomina-
tions in the army and navy were confirmed,
but the Senate refused to act upon the Judicial
nominations of Messrs. Black and Petit.
Year: 1861

Company A, National Guard Battalion, beg
most respectfully to announce to their many
friends and the public that their Annual Ball
will take place at the Assembly Rooms, Friday,
February 22d. ...


The Company pledge themselves that nothing
shall be wanting, on their part, to make this one
Of the most agreeable and pleasant Balls of the
aeaaon
Year: 1861

O. be not the first to discover


4 blot on the fame of friend,
A flaw in the faith Of lover,


Whose heart may prove true to the end
We none of rs know one another,


And oft into error we fall:
Then let US speak we'll Of our brother,
Or speak not about him at all
A smile or sigh may awaken


Suspicion most false aud undue;
And thus our belief may be shaken


In hearts that arc honest and true.
How often the light smile Of gladncss
Is worn BY the friends that We meet,
To cover soul full Of sadness,


Too proud to acknowledge defeat.
How often the sight Of detection


Is heaved from the hypocrite breast,
To parody truth and affection,


Or lull suspicion to rest.
How often the friends We hold dearest,
Their noblest emotions conceal;
And bosoms the purest sincercst.


Have secrets they cannot reveal
Leave base minds TO harbor suspicion,
And small ones to trace our defects
Let our be a noble ambition.


For base IS the mind that suspects
We none Of rs know one another,


And oft into error we fall:
Then let Us speak well of our brother,
Or speak not about him at AL.
Year: 1861

themselves and immense damage 70 US. Let
US entreat both sides to quit Dragging and
clustering and threatening war The sece-
ders may attack our forts and take them
they may thus spill the blood Of innocent sol
diers but this will not improve their pros
poets. It may and will fire some Southern
citizens, and prompt them to rush into the
conflict but this is all they will gain BY the
attack. It will be an act Of aggression, Of


coercion Of unwarrantable violence On
their part. They need not deceive themselves
with the hope that all conservative citizens Of
tie Border Slave States will 90 mad in de-
fence Of their wrongs and rush to their stand
ard against their own Government. 1t is true
that good men may be excited and led astray
for q time, but this game of fire and fury has
been played upon the people 50 long that their
reason does not now reel 50 readily for every
rash act Their sense Of right and sober
judgment will soon decide their action. Their
common sense will soon have its sway and
teach them that crime is crime and that bad
men are bad men, whether III the South Or
North. ! know this to be the case in my own
State Of Tennessee Our masses will not
help to tear down the Union or fight under a
Disunion flag. We have few who would
but they are II q hopeless minority.


Nor need the seeding rulers bring On war
to force 4 recogniticn Of their independence.
Their attack will have the opposite effect; it
will put recognition out Of the question 1t
will stir up 50 many conservative men against
them in the Slave States that il will surely
work ont the ruin Of the leaders Forbear-
ance will then cease to be a virtue


But, Messrs. Editors, have protracted my
remarks to a great length, and must end here


Your obedcnt servant, f. Ill GORDON
Year: 1861

SMITH COUNTY. frEN APRIL. 1861


To The Editors ef the Nat Ifeligencer:


In your journal Of the I'D Of March last
you take position in regard to settlement
lowing language Ifthe developments Of the
ensuing year sluV hate 40 e!nult respecting
the determination Of the people in the Secc-
ded States to maintain their present attitude
towards the United States We shall advocate
the policy Of thcirrecoynition by our Govern
ment. and this. among neothcrqucstions. might
be referred to the arbitrancnt Of national
Convention


| beg your careful consideration Of ny rea-
sons for an opposite position. The great
ability long controlling your paper may well
cause me a private citizen, unknown in the
political world) to hesitate to advance views
opposite to yours | sensibly feel the Unequal
ity of the contest and the inequality II made
more evident BY the consideration that where
ever your positions have been opposed re-
member no instance which did not end in the
complete reftlatlon OF the antagonlstic posi-


ton By facts, authentic records, and great
fairness Of argument, you have sustained
yourselves against them all hence would
not presume to utter word if some able
statesman would discuss the matter with you


But time advances, your opinion is having
great influence, and no one has yet come for
ward Ny interest iii the general welfare
must bc my apology.


Though the whole secession movement is
unjustiliable III all respects concc 'e it would
be unwi>e to attack and conquer the sccedcrs
and force them into the Union | conccde
that republican government cannot be sus-
tanned by standing armies and perpetual force
| admit that civil war in Republic is the
greatest of all social evils, and should be
avoided in all cases where self preservation
will permit. But insist that we ought to be
slow, very slow and reluctant, to acknowledge
and allow IN independent sovereignty in our
territory | cannot forescc any permanent
good to the seceders or to the United States
admit that there is desperate and overpow
ering necessity for such fatal step. 1t may
come, but we ought to hold out, resort to all
prudent measures, and exert our utmost en-
n ergy and wisdom before we admit 50 dire a
4 necessity. because this will DC the last death
B struggle Of liberty | hold to the following
propositions:


lst. Our duty to the private citizens of the
Seeded States does not require or permit us
to acknowledge their independence.
3D. They will be certain to come back. and
do it sooner, without recognition.
3d. Our own safety would be endangered.
our rights impaired and our Government
would bring on it the contempt Of the world
4th The recognition would not prevent
war, but would insure it; it would not make
US and the seceders friends, but permanent
enemies; and it would abolish slavery
5th There is no safety or prosperity Of the
seceders or US but in restoring the complete
integrity Of the Union.


lst. On what ground can it be claimed that
we are under obligation to allow the seceders
an independent sovereignty within our terri
tory? Have they any good cause to demand
IT We're they oppressed? Al know that
Year: 1861

THE ORDINANCE OF SECESSION.
The election for Members of Congress
Abrogated and Annulled-Th State
plunged into anarchy Voting to be
done outside the State, by anybody
and everybody, SO that an Ordinance
Of Secession shall be carried.
Year: 1861

Many newspapers avow the opin-
ion that the Government will not free
the slave if it can possibly put down
the rebellion without resorting to that
measure. Even the N. Y. World, with
its professed Christian sympathies,
says in reference to the possibility
that it may be necessary to emancipate
the slaves in order to save the Un-
ion:


:" When there is danger that II will come to
that, let shareholders beware. The day it Is
settled that either slavery or the Government
must perish, that day slavery will be doomed.
The Northern people are determined not IL
yield to this accursed rebellion and il il
shall prove that they cannot conquer it with
out emancipation, they will conquer it with
emancipation"


1t is certain that the primary OBJ
ject Of the great body of the people
of the Free States is to put down the
rebellion, and restore the sovereignty
of the United States over all the States
and territories. The means they use
will depend altogether on the action
of their antagonists. Republicans,
Democrats, Union Wings, are al
agreed as to the end. If the end can
not be reached without emancipatine
! the slaves, the slaves will most Ger
Year: 1861

Every farmer, to make his farm a
source of profit, should make it q
source of pride. Whatever portion Of
the land is cultivated, should be we'll
cultivated. The point should be, not
to have many, but rich acres. The
means whereby husbandry is improved
and facilitated should be studied and
employed. BY such careful attention,
continued pleasure will be found
in agricultural pursuits, which will
heighten the rewards of good tillagc.


The farmer, with no Inheritance but
health, with no riches but industry,
and no ambition but virtue, is sole
king among men, and the only man
among kings.


No farmer ought to undertake to
cultivate more land than he can stock
and manure. 1t is better to till fifty
acres well than one hundred in slow
enly manner.


Industry, prudence and economy arc
essential to insure success in any busi-
ness whatever. Aregular system is al
so indispensably necessary, and in
none more so than in farming.
1t is not the abundance of land, but
the thorough and skillful cultivation
of it, thai fills the barn with hay, tho
cribs with corn, and the mansion
house with plenty.


Economy is essential to success.
Judge Peters, in his valuable Mott.
ces to Young Farmer" published
some years since, says :" Do not COM
mence with erecting costly buildings,
but apply your time, efforts and pecu-
MARY means to your farm" Want Of
calculation in this respect has been
the ruin of many.


The pursuit Of agriculture, with dill
igence and prudence, seldom fails
yielding, if not wealth, a moderate in
dependence. For the farmer who is
not in debt, and the produce of his
farm is sufficient, with industry and
|frugality, to support his family, is. in
reality, as independent in his circum-
stances as though he were worth q
million.


A practical farmer, whose liveli-
hood depends on his calling, should
make it the pinnacle of worldly ambi-
tion to excel in it. If he neglects his
farm for almost everything else, he is
generally miser both in interest and
credit. Solomon, the wisest observer
of men, tells us of his disgust at the
sight of slovenly farmer: a. went
by the field of the slothful-and 10, it
was all grown over with thorns, and
nettles covered the face thereof, and
the stone wall was broken down."


BE not above your profession, and
always consider tia the first any man
can follow. Never shrink from doing
anything which your business calls
you to do. The man who is above his
business may one day find bis bust.
ness above him.
Year: 1861

Any person obtaining five subscribers and forwarding
the money, shall be furnished with copy Of the ntc
gencer for this service long the number shall he
kept good.


Business pertaining to the paper can be transacted
with the Publisher any day at the Office Of Publication


Communications may be addressed to the Editor, who
will promptly and faithfully respond to them.
Year: 1861

Oh, the flag Of our Union twas woven with light
From the bars Of the rainbow the stars of the night
In the vesture Of Freedom, il swept from on high,


And its hucs all blended with beams Of the sky
Twas the blood Of martyrs that crmsoned lis bars
Year: 1861

From the Southern Faith Finder, New Orleans, La.


Try them you that afflicted and we arc sure
that your testimony can be added to the already nu.
meIous list that has received benefits that no other
mcdi inc can produce.
Year: 1861

Maj Gen. Wool has been returned to Troy
Previous to his leaving New York he wrote, in
answer TO letter:


For myself may truly say that 1 desire no
other reward of any kind. have come here to
aid in this crisis, and to do everything in my
power to put down the traitors to the Govern
inent. For one, l shall never consent to any
compromise or submission until those who are
in rebellion to the Government shall lay down
their arms restore the forts, arsenals, and prop
erty that have been stolen, and the flag Of the
United States-our Stars and Stripes, identified
with all our renown and glory-to their proper
places.
Year: 1861

The American Union.


LIBERTY


The starry flag


The Revolution of I776


The affections Of the people
The confidence Of the nations
The payment Of the public debt
Honest administration Of government
The execution Of the laws of Congress
An army and navy everywhere honored
Volunteer army paid by the people themselves
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
The SOntheGn OOnHederacy.
REBELLIONi ROBBERY
The Rattlesnake and Pc lican banner
Suspicion and Oppression Of the People
Contempt for the Revolution Of l776
Crushing debts on ALL the States
Inability to pay simple interest
Violation of Oaths and of Laws
Army of Officers and no Navy


Volunteers and no pay


Taxes and terror


UDIATIoE.
Year: 1861




The remarks of Lord John Russell upon the
subject of the American difficulties create some
remarks here. / am not sure that, while these
views create much exultation in the South, they
viii carry CONSERVATION to the navigating and
commercial interests of the North The bellige-
rent recognition which is proposed sanctions the
act of the Confederate States in issuing letters of
marque and reprisal. 1t s, in fact, the first stage
of recognition. But it also involves certain OBJ
legations of neutrality on the part of Great Brit
ain. That government can not permit trade in
arms and other articles contraband of war be-
tween her subjects and either of the belligerent
powers. At the same time, il will be observed
Lord John Russell recognized the blockade 50
far as IL may be made effective. Thus the ques
tion between the North and the South now is
whether the Washington Government can en-.
force the blockade Can they prevent privateers
from going out, or coming in with priest How
much naval force will be requisite to guard two
Thousand miles of sea coastl


Ii IL apprehended that the large mercantile
fleets We have scattered over the seas may be the
prey of privateers, especially since the Federal
Government have Withdrawn our naval force
from abroad. This may have been wise step
however, because the blockade was the most OBJ
vious mode of suppreSsing priyateering.


Perhaps, however, Lord John Russell's ex-
temporized views may not be those which, upon
reflection, will govern the opinions of the law
officers of the crown.


The consequences of the blockade to the cotton
trade are TO be considered. The Federal Gov
ernment propose by blockading the Southern
ports to prevent the expectation of cotton or di-
vert it from those ports to the ports of the North
Atlantic States, where they may impose an ex.
port duty on it. an excise that will be equiva-
lent to an export duty But the Montgomery
Government will prohibit the export of the cotton
by any overland route to the Northern ports.
They will suppress the cotton export or controls it.
They will say to the British Government, if you
want cotton, you must send your ships for it to
our ports and break the blockade


So now, the Federal Government is to consider
how many mOnarchies they have to fight, besides
the monarch of the Southern people.


But foreign powers must recognize our block
ade-eotton or cotton. The question now is,
therefore, whether the Federal Government can,
with the aid of volunteer navy from the North,
enforce the blockade.