smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1864

The Crime of Murder,

 That human life is daily becoming more and more cheapeued in this State, by the issue of the trials for murder and homicide, is evident enough to everybody. The grent difficulty of convicting man charged with the crime of taking the life of another, and the fact that for long series of years, criminals who are con victsd are punished only by confinement for a longer or shorter term in the State Prison, tends to render human life still more insecure, and affords guaranty to murderers, that they cSE give loose to all the baser passions which tend to culminate in tie commission of the heinous crime, and can commit with an almost certain impunitY to themselves tie crime for which they slould justly forfeit their own lives.

 In the case of homicide tried before our su perior Court in this County, last week there may and may not have been sufficient proof positive to convict the prisoner at the Bar of what is called murder in the first degree. There seems to have been some reason to sup pose that the murdered man himself cherished strong feelings of resentment and anger against the prisoner, on what, as he supposed at least, were sufficiently reasonable grounds. And there may or may not have been sufficient roa- son to doubt whether the prisoner did, with malice aforethought, strike the fatal blow. This was evidently the view which the Court took of the case. and the prisoner was entitled to the benefit of the doubt; and yet, with a logic inexplicable to us, it charged the jury to bring in verdict against the prisoner of Guilty of Manslaughter. for which it inflicted the highest penalty. namely, ten years impris. onm ent in the State Prison.

 Now, from careful hearing and review of the testimony, (which will be found in full elsewhere in this, paper it seems to us that ei- ther the prisoner was guilty of one of the most cold. blooded and fendish murders eyer committed, Gncited, undoubtedly, thereto, by llquor,) or that he was entirely innocent of the actual blow by which the deceased was killed. If he pas guilty, he ought to have been con- victed of murder in the first degree, and exc cuted by hanging. If he was not guilty, he ought to have been acquitted of the charge. The verdict of manslaughter in his case, does net answer the demands of justice, in our opinion, either to the public or the prisoner Burritt either was guilty of murder, or was guilty of nothing.

 1T he was not guilty of the murder of Brink the question then recurs, who was ;? We can. not answer this, nor do we heed to. Our on. ly purpose in these remarks is to illustrate one more case in which we conceive justice has not been meted out, and human life has been cheapened. Another of long series of mur. ders has been committed in this County the suspected murderer has been brought to trial :: links in tho chain of circumstances are want- ing, or are thought wanting there is state ment, bat no proof positive, of selfdefence and the prisoner is convicted simply of man. slaughter. If there uas proof of selfde. fence, ought he not to have been acquitted If there was no proof of such, beyond his own assertions, ought he not to have been hung?
Year: 1864

THE ANcrESf BOUNDARIES Of VIRGINIA.


The General Assembly, at its last session,
passed resolutions referring to the attempts
soi the enemy to form new State out Of the
Commonwealth Of Virginia, and declaring
that "it is the arm determination of the
State, and known TO be that Of the Confede-
rate Government, to assert and maintain the
jurisdiction and sovereignty of the State Of
Virginia to the utmost limits OF her ancient
boundaries, at any and every cost" These
resolutions having been communicated TO
Congress by the Governor, the House Of
representatives. yesterday unanimously
adopted Joint resolution declaring that sin
no event will this Government consent to a
division or dismemberment Of the State of
Virginia, but will assert and maintain her
Jurisdiction and Sovereignty to the utmost
limits OF her ancient boundaries, at any and
every COST
Year: 1864

Last evening the ladies sojournIng at Will
lards', partaking of the enthusiasm of the


hour, conSrcgatod in the principal suite Of
parlors in tho hotel, and signiAed by messen-
ger to General Grant, who was q guest Of the
house, that they desired an interview with him.
The General came down from his quarters,
and very pleasant leyee was held by him.
Many Of the ladies succeeded in getting the
Generals autograph, an object which was
eagerly sought for. In the course OF the inter-
view, an elderly lady applied to the General
for an autograph in behalf of a handsome
mother of six children who was present, but
when his sharp military eye fell upon the appli-
cant, he Immediately stipulated that she should
make the request in person. She did so, and
received the coveted bit of handwriting. This
impromptu affair was a very pleasant one to
the ladies and gentlemen present, and was like.
wise much enjoyed by the General as spon.
taneous tribute to the soldiery of the nation.
Year: 1864

The success Of the Underground Railway In
London has been so decided that Parliament
has chartered companies who intend to sur
round the city with tunnel roads, and connect
all the railway stations. 1t is said that twenty
millions sterling have already been subscribed
towards this vast enterprise. The cost OF tun-
nelling and laying the track ready for opera
tlon, is about a million dollars per mile.
Year: 1864

Edward Everett says that when the history
of East Tennessee for the first two years and a
half Of the war shall be written, 1t will disclose
scenes Of tyranny and oppression Of which there
are few parallels In the annals Of the world; and
this at the hands Of men who pretend to be
tect the rights Of the minority against the rule
Of a numerical Majority"
Year: 1864

20 Persons who have been indebted to us for
years back will remember that we take Confed-
crate notes at par in payment of old as well as
new debts, and would be very glad if they would
ct ne and settle their accounts in this way. Ad-
'nlnistrators of Estates, we perceive, very often
forget 70 pay the printer
Year: 1864

In addition 10 liberal interest the notes or
three years. this privilege Of conversion is worth
about three per cent per aunum for the current rate for
$40 Bonds is not less than nine per cent preaium and
before the war the premium six per cent u s. stocks
was over twenty per cent 1t Will be seen that the actual
profit on this loan at the present market rate a not less
than ten Der cent per annum
Year: 1864

A German who had fifty dollars in
gold in q drawer in the work bench in
Colts Armory, had 10 leave il there At
the breaking out Of the late FIRE On
digging IN the debris near the spot
where his bench stood, the gold was
found last week melted into one nugget
Year: 1864

We understand that the author of
the new work we announced come
little time ago, "The Fallen City, or
Nashville under Federal Occupation,
is busily engaged in finishing the vol
ume The exciting scenes of murder,
violence and robbery. will be graphical
ly described, and the volume will be far
more interesting than the one called
New York by Gaslight The author
with noble determination still con-
tinues his observations by gaslight and
has doubtless ere this, determined the
Status of every establishment worth
noticing. We believe that his CORES.
pondence with Miss Jennie NJ. is to be
added in suppliment Our public are
intensely eager for the work.
Year: 1864

Since we mentioned the fact of the
new steam ferry about to be established
between our city, and Edgefeld, we
have heard many warm Communications
from those whose business makes fire.
quent trips necessary. Those passing
over the ferry viii not have to wait for
boats passing through the bridge, nor
for the numerous trains that of course
have the right to the railroad bridge.
Messrs. Rogers d. Goodhue deserve the
thanks as well as the liberal patronage
of the public for their enterprise.
Year: 1864

A Maine officer recently applied Tor
a furlough, stating that if it was not
granted he should lose City thousand
dollars. This attracted attention At
headquarters, and the officer was de-
sired 10 forward statement Of how he
would lose it. He did 80 to the effect
that he had been in the army without
a leave of absence for two years that
he was engaged to a young lady worth
fifty thousand dollars; that there was
another fellow after her, and that she
had written TO him that if he did not
come home and marry her right away
she would have the other man. he got
his furlough.
Year: 1864

COLUMBUS correspondent of The cleave-
land Plain Dealer says the result Of the
Chic Democratic Conyenlion was signal
triumph Tor The Mcclellan element, and
that paper, in an editorial article, avers.lhai
The vote oi The National Convention will
be overwhelming for Mcclellan. We are
of the same opinion, and consider now his
nomination and election "6xed TACT"
Year: 1864

The Mobile Tribune says the valua.
DIE property belonging to Uriah P
Levy, an officer in the Yankee navy,
and known as the Monticello estate
has been ordered by the Confederate
States Court to be sequestered. and
the receiver authorized to sell the
same at public auction. This estate
was once the residence of Thomas
jefferson.
Year: 1864

and drawing the twist into the goods, thus
securely fastening every stitch, so that the
seam will bear to be cut at frequent intervals,
and in the case even, the seam is warranted
NOT TO RIp in wear. and under all circumstan
ces TO " suruire the ,cdshtub." Old worn out
family garments, bosoms, pants, dresses, &C.,
have been submitted at FAIRS where was the
greatest competition, and to this stitch premiums
have been awarded for its SUPERIORITY, DURA-
BILITy, ELASTICITY AND BEAUTY.


A patent device prevents the possibility OF
the machine being run in the wrong direction
or the balance wheel ever wearing or touch
ing the dress. BY another ingenious Patent
improvement,


THE NEEDLE CANNOT BE SET WRONG,
thus avoiding the great trouble of other ma
chimes In this it is SO easy that a child may
set it in the dark with unerring correctness
every time
Year: 1864

The blade Of the needle is less than of an
inch long. and is straight. 1t is less than
half the length of other machine need es, ma
ny of which are curved, therefore more easily
bent or broken-a great source of annoyance
expense aud trouble. The Hemmer ana Eel
Ter can never be set wrong Any one may ad-
just them in the dark. The hem may be Of
any width. No other hemmer or feller is like
this. 1t turns the hem on the right or un-
der side "fE1E4t #HEfsa
Year: 1864

While / was watching to day the endless
line of troops shifting By, an officer with q
modest escort rode up to the fence near which
L was standing, ana dismouassd. lie was
rather tall and slender, and his quick mcve-
ments denoted good muscle added 20 absolute
leanness-not .h;nness. His uniform was
neither new og old, but bordering on . hsxy
mellowness OF gloss, while the elbows and
knees were little accented from the contin-
uous agitation of the joints. The face was
one should never rest upon in . crowd, SIM
ply because to my eye there was nothing re-
markable IN 1T, save the nose, which organ
was high, thin, and planted with a curve as
vehement as the curl of Malay cutlAss. The
face and neck were rough and covered with
reddish hair, the eye light in color and ami
mated, but, though restless and bounding
like a ball from one object to another. neither
piercing nor brilliant; the mouth well closed
but common the ears large, the hands and
feet long and thin, the gait little rolling. but
firm and active. In dress and manner there
was not the slightest trace of pretension. He
spoke rapidly. and generally with an inouis
tive smile. To this ensemble | must add a
hat, which was the reverse ofdignifed or dis
tinguished-a simple felt affair with round
crown and dropping brim. aud you have as
fair description of General Sherman's ex.
ternals as can pen.


Seating himself on a stick of cord. wood
hard by the fence, he drew bit of pencil
from his pocket and spreading piece of note
paper on his knee, he wrote with great ra.
pidity. Long columns of troops lined the
road a few yards in his front, and beyond
the road, massed h series of spreading
green fields, whole division of infantry was
awaiting its turn to take up the line of march,
the blue ranks clear cut against the uniform
verdant background. Those who were near
the General looked at him curiously, for in 80
vast an army tn esoldier sees his Comman.
-in-chief, but seldom. Page after page
was filled by the Generels nimble pencil and
dispatched. For half hour watched him,
and though looked for, and expected ofind
them, no symptoms could 1 deteot that the
mind of the great leader was taxed BY the in
finite cares Of a terribly hazardous coup de
main. Apparently it did not lie upon his
mind the weight of a feather. A mail arriv-
ed. He tore open the papers and glanced
over them hastily, then ohatted with some
General officers near him, then rode off with
characteristic suddenness, but with fresh and
smiling couutenance, fling down TIE road
beside many thousand men, whose lives were
in his keeping. Correspondence Of Ailscdukis
Weekly.
Year: 1864

A ROMANCE OF WAR-We learn from
gentleman lately from Morganzia, Louisiana,
that there is now being tried at that place,
by court martial. young officer, attached
as Adjutant to New York regiment, charg-
cd with attempting to betray his men into an
ambuscade and desert to the enemy. 1t seems
that the unfortunate young man became en-
amored of young lady, the daughter of
wealthy planter, residing not far from the
sea coast, and that, desiring to make her his
wife, be proposed and was accepted on con-
dition that he would betray his command to
a Confederate force to be conveniently am.
bushed, be deserting to the enemy, who, it
was also stipulated, would give him a COM
mission in their service. In an ill-starred
moment the unfortunate man degraded him.
self and accepted the proposition. He con
sented to tho betrayal of his comrades, even
unto death, with whom he had fought and by
whom be was regarded as an honorable and
brave soldier, and looked to him for the faith
full discharge of ali the duties of the position
he had been placed in by his Government
Accordingly, plans were laid, and the COM
mander OF the rebel forces near by communal
Gated with. A proper pretext given, on the
day appointed. the whole force at Morganzia
was marched up in search of the enemy. who



upon the neighborhood plantations to degree
destructive of the interests of the planters,
who were. by the guerrillas, interdicted from
raising crop. However, before they had
gone far on the way, the Colonel commanding
from the awkwardness of the traitor, suspect
ing all was not right, halted the column and
posting pickets securely, immediately COM
menced an investigation which eliminated
in the confession of a sargeant of one of the
companies who had been intrusted with the
secret by the Adjutant. The Colonel there
upon marched his men back to quarters and
ordered court.martial for the trial
of the officer, who there is little doubt, will
be convicted. and of course shot. If this does
not smack of the romance of war nothing that
we have heard of in the past four years can
be so accounted. The situation, the time,
the characters, and the deed attempted
prompted by love are certainly among the
most striking features of the ordinary ro-
mance.-Nemphis 1,yus.
Year: 1864

QUINcY UNIoN.-This sound and infiusn-
tial Union organ has entered upon Its third
volume. The Union is we'll conducted, and
by an old Democrat who holds patriotism
superior to party. We would say to the
Union men of Plumas, give the Union lib
eral support. Don't subscribe for and pat
ronize foreign papers at the expense of your
local organ. Take the county paper first,
and then bes.ow your liberality upon the
Appeal, Union, or any other favorite. These
remarks spply as well to onr weekly exchang-
es. The Shasta Courier, Trinity Journal,
Mountain Messenger, Yreka Journal, Red
Bluff Independent, Oroville- Union, and our
exchanges from other parts of the State
Support the home organ literally, aud let
your local editors be independent and above
unwholesome influences.


There is a world of common sense in the
above paragraph, and we recommend the
public generally to give careful though. to
the suggestions therein. We have no COM
plant to offer so fer as we are concerned,
but we know That people generally are too
careless Of the amount of support necessary
to keep up a country or home paper in a
sparsely settled district, ss also of the great
benefits ensuing TO any community or neigh
borhood from the publication of newspaper.
Year: 1864

WHAT WARIs.-Wsr is a game of science,
not question of courage. An army of one
hundred thousand men may overthrow to-day
an army of one hundred and fifty thousand.
1t may kill and wound twenty thousand of the
foe, and lose but ten thousand men itself yet
the one hundred and thirty thousand of the
enemy. being demoralized and hors du COM
bat, will hardly venture, on the following
day, to renew the contest with the remaining
ninety thousand of the victor All nations
are brave, but history is full of instances
where the brave have laid down their arms.
The idea that any people cannot be conquer
ed is not even decent nonsense. The notion
that an army without money, leather or lead;
without a harbor or ship at sea; without
recognition or reputable cause, can defy the
laws of life and strength, and permanently
Withstand the mighty pressure of at least
equal courage and continually replenishing
force, is preposterous, and nothing else.
Year: 1864

Major General Don Carlos Buell., gives
the following reasons in letter to friend
why he resigned his commission in the army:


II believe the policy and means with
which the war was being prosecuted were
discreditable to the nation, stain upon civ
ilization; and they would not only fail to re-
store the Union, il indeed they had not al
ready rendered restoration impossible, but
their tendency was to subvert the institution
under which the country had realized unex-
amped prosperity and happiness, and to
such "A work could not lend my hand.


While there may have been more or less
of personal ambition mixed up in the move
ment of secession--as there must generally
be in the management of political affairs
yet do not doubt that it was mainly deter
mined by honest conviction in the minds
of those who engaged in it that the control
of the Government had passed permanently
into the hands of a sectional party, which
would soon trample upon the political rights
of the South. This apprehension was shar
ed in by very large portion of the people
who did not favor secession, and who were
anxious for the preservation OF the Union
that even coercive measures, II tempered by
Justice and mercy, would not have estrangeJ
them. Under these circumstances, the use
Of military force to put down armed resis
tance was not incompatible with a restora
ton Of the Union with its former glories and
affections, provided the means were employ
ed in such u manner as to convince the peo'
pie that their constitutional rights would be
respected. Such a policy, therefore, in the
use of force, if force must be resorted to, had
the manifes: advantage of weakening the
power Of the rebellion and strengthening the
Government, independent of the moral force
which dignity and justice always lend to al
thoritv


A policy which recognized these principles
was wisely declared by Congress in the be-
ginning Of the war; and from a fervent de-
sire for the preservation Of the Union, in
which pride of country and all my interests
as citizen centered, not less than from a
natural impulse, | gave that policy my earn
est support. Unfortunately it was too often
cheated of its due effect by the infusion of
sectional rancor, and the injudicious or un-
faithful acts of agents of the Government;
and when at the expiration of year, sys
TEN of spoliaton and disiranchisement was
inaugurated, the cause was robbed of its
sanctity and success rendered more difficult
of attainment
Year: 1864

| | have come to the conclusion that il YOU
want to make out anything in this world, the
surest way to do is to brag. 1t makes no
difference what your calling is, just make
people think you know it all, and you will
slip along well enough. 1t isn't those per-
sons that have the most education that make
the most show; the more man knows the
less he thinks he knows. But the world,
taken as a whole, looks to the outside, and
those who make the most noise and the most
show generally have the name of being the
smartest. Now, | do not say anything
against education; | would that everybody
should gain all they can for their own plea
sure, if nothing else; but l do say, that
though your head may be crammed full Of
all the "ologies" under the sun, and though
you may speak every language, if you cannot
speak the language of brag, and tell what
you know, somebody with not half your
sense will get ahead of you. So my advice
is, brag. Are you a mechanic? Brag.-
Make people think you understand every
crook and turn of your trade-tell them
how much you can do; and "stick to it," If
you have a profession brag it up--tell how
much business you have and how much you
will be likely to get more. Are YOU min-
iser! Tell how smart you are and how we'll
you can preach. Brag Of your eloquence,
and you will find your milk and water dis.
courses will slip down as easy as though they
bore the ring of the true metal. DO you
teach ideas to shoot? Make erybody think
you know all there is to know-cultivats
the gift of brag and you will be a popular
teacher


DO you say this is strange philosophy
Ask yourself if it is not true. Go where
you will and pick out those persons who ex-
ercse the most influence over the crowd,
and see if it is not those who possess the
selfsuilicient Dragging propensity. If you
don't have a good opinion of yourself who
will? Again | say to everybody, brsg.
Year: 1864




CANDID ADMIssIoN.-ll Hon. John A. Col
Iins, Of Virginia, and by far the ablest man
Of his party in Nevada, is attempting to stir
up the "loyal' faithful Of Storey county by
his eloquence. In a speech, the other n ght,
over at Virginia, he made the following can
did, but, at least to him and his partisans,
gloomy admission:


"rhe other day went out in the morning
around this town, hopeful and confident and
| felt satisfied that we could carry the coun-
ty, when | carried around for signatures the
petition to Governor Nye, to convene the
Legislature in extra session, so registry
law might be passed to prevent frauds at the
ballot box, and Union men signed that petit
ton; but saw many men who told me that
they were good Union men, that they want
ed the Union preserved, but they would yote
the Democratic ticket. Not one nor half
dozen, but score or more; and fear to be,
leve that we already have men enough to
carry the election here. Let us work and
feel that though there is a large majority of
Union men in the county, yet through the
delusions Of the other party they may vote
against the Union ticket. We have a
mighty work to do, and must be in earnest.
We may decide the fate of the nation. The
chances are possible that Mcclellan may
carry States enough in the East to throw
Mr.. Lincoln out of the Presidential chair"