smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1863

to destroy the Government is turning in its
tide, and setting the other way. The cleo
ton OF a War Democrat as Speaker Of the
House OF Representatives, at the end of a
| struggle which called out and tested the
strength and exhibited the weakness of the
doubtful and the decided disloyalists of the
Empire State Legislature was severe blow
n blow yet heavier they received when
Gov. Morgan was elected to the United
States Senate. With a loyal Speaker to
preside over the House Of Representatives.
and loyal representative in the National
Senate, the diSloyalists will find it hard to
carry out any reasonable plot, and there
fore they will be by SO much the less likely
to plot treason.


The cold response given by their loving
cousins, or loving brothers at the South, to
their covert propositions by open slggcS-
tions Of willingness to overthrow the Gov
ernmcnt, in order to strike hands with
rebels in arms against it, nominally to re-
store Union upon the old foundations, but
really to yield the old in favor Of those of
the CONFERENCE.-The cold response givcn
by their Southern brethren to this trucking
Northern scheme has checked them lust
when they looked for help, and sent despair
from their chict fountain ofhope. The new
revelations Of precious scheme hatched in
cOncaYe, for which bankers are to furnish
money and editors brains, to turn all New
Hampshire and the loyal districts Of New
\ 1Ork away from their devotion to the couu-
try and its cause by means Of the press,
show in the very necessity for the effort,
and by the fact that they are ready to work
so hard and bleed 50 freely, that they are
conscious that a dark, desperate, and per
haps long struggle only can enable them to
compass their designs.


The want of success on the peninsula, the
delay to open the Mississippi, the defeats of
Gen. Pope and the invasion Of Maryland.
only partially retrieved by South Mountain
and Antietam; the possible prospect of
foreign Intervention, the changes of com
manders, the imprisonment of men suspect
ed of treason, and above all the procllula-
ton Of liberty, the enlistment of negroes.
and the proposition Of compensated cman-
cipation these, disloyal men have seized
upon to check hope, destroy confidence.
embitter prejudice, arouse passion and pre-
pare the way for revolution and they have
SO far succeeded as to raise the price of gold
to an enormous premium, for which there
is not the slightest basis except the possibl-
ity Of success to their own unhallowed and
diabohcal schemes. And they caused con-
tidence to sink to the freezing point by
their cold-blooded, villainous doings and
sayings.


They are, however, at their wits end, and
the game is well nigh played out. In New
York, the throne and rOstrum and seat of
triumph, the tide is turning and will turn.
l-IHjGL BuEItH
Year: 1863

heavy firing hoard yesterday and this morning. a.
though occurring the lower part OF Culpepper, out
from Keys Ford In the direction Of the junction OF the
Rapidan with the Rappahannock.


II Ia reported to-day, the authority Of surgeons In
the Army OF the Potomac that losses Saturday
about four hundred stated In the press telegram
last night. Two hundred aud sixty or these, who
wounded arrived here this morning. and were placed 10
the hospital


Tho premises Of tho Old Capitol prison are densely
crowded to-day, seventeen hundred and thirty rebel
prisoners who were taken IN Saturdays engagements
having reached here up TO two O'Clock this morning


The officers from whom this nfor nation derived say
q few more are on the way.


One hundred and twenty FIVE officers among the
rebel prisoners just brought from the 'front.' These men
represent that but few Of their companions rotreaed
across tho river, and their General commanding had
barely time 10 escape on bis horse.


They seem TO unite in regarding the movement our
part at having been or the brilliant and
cessful OF the


Information received from the Army OF the Potomac
to-nigh, mentions that aid Of General Kipstricks
rived from the front late Saturday night and reported
that that officer encountered and fought with body OF
rebel cavalry stevensburg, late the afternoon OF
that day.


Tho enemy's pontoon bridge over the river directly
behind their works fell into hands after
General sedgwicks defeat OF the rebels, and
placed in charge Of the Fifteenth New York En-
gineers The bridge consisted OF only five boats and
were the Same which were abandoned by the Engineer
brigade for want Of transportation on the Chckahomny
last year


The cannonadng on Sunday evening was probably
General Bufords light batteries and some OF the
rebel cavalry with guns, In the vicinity OF
the Yew Hills, northeast or Culpepper. Moth
ing authentic had up to ten O'Clock this morning
been received from that quarter at which time all
quiet.


The railroad and telegraph the opposite side Of the
Rappahannock were found unipjured


Our cavalry reported at Culpepper.


AZ the latest accounts part forces Brandy
Station while another two miles tho other side Of
Kellys Ford. Some OF troops at other points
Year: 1863

All sensible men with respectable know
ledge Of recent and passing events have
the conviction that our nationality may be
preserved without slavery, and that if it is
destroyed, slavery goes with it. We hare.
then, only to choose between the Union
without slavery and a condition of things
indcscribab1e in words, in which there will
be neither nationality, Union nor slavery,
unless the latter is the lot of white men
now free. In such case, who can hesi-
tate, and what should be the punishment
Of the indictments who give their influ-
cnce to anarchy?
Year: 1863




It is not often that the political notions
Of tic New York Herald are worthy Of at
1ention; but in this crisis in the affairs Of
the Republic, when feather may turn the
scale against the interests Of law, order,
freedom, humanity and religion, even the
1clp TINT that shameless sheet, may give
toward the maintenance Of the authority Of
the Government, is not to be despiscd. It
is, to be sure, the tribute that vice pays to
virtuc-the obeisance that ycnality and
pro6igacy make to principle and patriotism
but as such NC do not underestimate its
value.


Our readers will comprehend what we
mean in admitting by implication that the
Herald can, By any possibility, say a good
thing, when they have given their
attention to an article from that
source which We reprint in another column;
and they will agree with us that, though it
may not have any pcrceptib1e effort in con-
firming the faith or strengthening the ranks
of those who have been unconditional
Union men from the beginning, it will be
like winters shower Of rain and sieet iu
the Corpcrhead camp, the inmates Of
which, whether they speculate in cotton
and The funds in Wall street, keep whisky
doggeries in the region Of the Five
Points, or find their maintenance in the
forms Of female industry most in vogue in
Mercer street, look to the Satanic, every
morning, for the market reports and morals
that take them through the day. Imagine
pirate crew, deserted by their leader,
while engaged in fierce fight for prize
rich beyond their power Of computation,
and We hnye faint conception Of the con-
sternation that will go shuddering through
the Coppcrhead ranks.


The Herdld's change Of front is only an
other evidence Of the power and compre-
hcnsiyencss Of that revolution against the
reyolutionists that is going on all over the
loyal States. The vehcmence Of the pro-
Test that is heard against the schemes for
which our domestic traitors are response
bic, has not yet reached its maximum, be-
cause the masses Of the Democracy have
not get learned how utterly Infamous these
schemes are, norhow far, in pursuing them,
the Woods, Vnllandigham, and fellows ot
that ilk, have gone. We have prophesied
from the first, that, before the expiration
Of the current half year, the Copperhcads
whose peculiar malignancy has attracted
the notice Of the country, would be hunt
ing their holes, impelled By the meanes
Of their instinct@that which tells them X
save their worthless lives. For them II
pray for the rocks and mountains to fal
upon them, would be aspecies ofcxpiatorg
Leroism Of which they sre not capable
And the course Of the HtraM is an assuz
ance that our predictions will be fulfilled
Year: 1863

TIE committee appointed to distribute the
relief contributed for the sufferers by the re-
cent riot in Detroit, report that they found
six men so much injured, as to be entirely
helpless. The number Of persons to whom
The Committee extended relief is about one
hundred and fifty; that is, including children,
ten Of whom arc white persons.


Some amusement Inns been had in Detroit
over match game Of billiards Of one hundred
points between two "champions,' the fun Of
the thing consisting In the fact that neither
one Of them had ever touched cue before
tile game Nas played. In two hours the game
Was concluded, one party beating the other
eleven points. The highest run made was
scyeu
Year: 1863

The Rev. THuRro3 WEED ON nw BACK
TRAcK-It was but the other day that the Hon.
Thurlow Weed, In high disgusa, left the repub-
lican temple Of which Greeley had been the
chief priest, and set up his tabernacle ON o
gentle elevation. half way between Governor
Morgan and Governor Seynour-a pretty good
position -


diplomatic halfway house Of rest.


But this halfway house didn't begin to- pay
expenses. The venerable Thurlow, In this DO
sition, found that the door Of the kitchen at
'washington'was or would be closed against
him, excluding him from all the marrow bones,
gravy dishes and other fat pickings OF the stew
pans and the pantry; and so II Is said Grand
father Weed Is working round again to the
windward. A fortnight ago he pitched into the
abolitionists with the win" Of one Of the old
Regency gang; but now. thoroughly sickened
by the rascally copperhcads and by tho poor
pickings OF the democratic coal hoal, he rallies
TO the defence OF the administration. Brudder
Greeley. he good enough TO open de door.
Year: 1863

THE THREE MILLION CrrY ORDMAHn-Tm
DRAFT MADE EAsY-The three million ordi-
nance having passed the Board Of Counciimea
and the Board of Aldermen, it only remains for
the Mayor to sign 1t to make 1t law by this
ordinance the Mayor Comptroller, the mem
bers Of the Board of Aldermen and Board OF
Councimen are constituted committee TO de-
termine Ii any drafted man sis in INDECENT cir
cumstances or q member Of the Fire Depart-
ment," and to give him certificate according
ly. In the case of drafted fireman, who do
sires not to enter the military service. the
Comptroller shall pay for his exemption the
sum of three hundred dollars, to be handed to
the proper officer of the United States govern
ment. In case of any person being drafted who
is in INDECENT circumstances or who is fireman,
if he procure substitute to serve in his place,
to him the sum of three hundred dollars shall
likewise be paid. The Comptroller is also au-
thorized to pay to any person who shall volun-
teer as q substitute, and be accepted and mus
tered into the service for some person who has
been or may be drafted, the sum of three hum
drea dollars, provided that no other payment
shall have been made to the person drafted or
his substitute BY this arrangement the pres
sure of the draft will be removed from poor
men with families depending on them for sup
port, and q class with no domestic responstbili-
ties will have to take theif place. This is
wise and judicious arrangement, which reme-
dies the defect in the bill making men with
families depending on them for support equally
liable to conscription with unmarried men. An
to the provision in favor Of fremen, it is only
just and equitable, and in accordance with our
State laws They joined the Fire Department
on the distinct understanding that they should
not be- called to do military duty, and faith
Ought to be kept with them. Altogether this
ordinance is great Improvement on the pre-
vious one, and we hope the Mayor will lose no
time in signing it.
Year: 1863

Our CRY RAuRoADs-Yesterday hundreds
Of workmen were busily employed laying down
rails in Fulton and South streets. The reason
for their working on Sunday is that on the week
days these thoroughfares are SO crowded BY
vehicles that it would be next to impossible to
proceed with the work. In another month all
the new lines for which grants have been made
by the Legislature will have nearly finished
laying down their rails, or will be in active
operation. No city in the world will then pre-
sent so many conveniences Of transit as New
York, or will offer so many facilities to its cti-
zens OF enjoying the pure air and scenery Of its
enyirons
Year: 1863

trality. has been actively aiding the rebels,
by furnishing them with ships. men, money and


means to prey upon our commerce aud to roam


the sea as pirates and buccaneers Both Powers


have, as far as they could venture to do 80,


given countenance and encouragement to the


Confederate movement, and have forfeited all


claims TO our friendship.


What, then, is the part which policy and a
regard for the national honor dictate to us! We
must first, Of course, complete the crushing out
of the rebellion by the dispersion of Lees
army and the capture Of Charleston and Rich
mond. With these achievements all further
necessity for the active employmentof of our arms
will cease. There will be no more armed
resistance at the South to the government OF the
United States If we had q wise, bold, saga
cious administration at Washington, there would
be an immediate call issued for an extra session
of Congress, and that body would be asked to
make declaration of war against England and
France, thus giving practical effect to the pro-
posed alliance with Russia. We know of no
movement that would be ct once more proper,
more popular or more calculated to cement the
new bonds Of union among all our people. The
ranks Of the army would be promptly filed by
volunteers to any extent required Canada
would be wrested from the grasp Of England,
and the people Of the South would be rejoiced,
in the congenial business Of driving the French
out Of Mexico, to bury In forgetfulness the sad
events of the past two years. Whatever of
truth, therefore, there may be in the statements
as to an American alliance with Russia, the
idea is pregnant with elements of the deepest
significance to both countries.
Year: 1863

George D. was running the night ex-


press, and was some thirty minutes behind
time. Nv freight train was waiting on the
switch for him to pass. He came on at about
thirty-fve miles an hour, as near as can
Judge. and | was watching hun all the time.-
He was within about three times the length OF
the switch-was blowing the whistle0when
T saw and he saw the switchman run madly
out of his shanty, grab the switch and turn It


so that it would run him directly in therear OF


nv train jumped, instinctively. TO start
nv engine heard HIM whistle for brakes.
and those that stood near said that he revers


ed b engine-but my train was too heavy
for me to move quickly, and he was too near
to do much good by reversing, SO soon felt a
heavy concussion, and knew that br had
struck hard, for, at the other end Of As cars.
it knocked me down, and the jar broke INV
engine loose from the train. He might have
jumped from his engine with copoparatiye
safely, after he saw the switch changed. for
the ground was sandy there and free from OBJ


structions, and he could easily have iumped
clear of the track and escaped with slight
bruises But, mo- Behind him, trusting to
him, and resting in comparative security. were
hundreds to whom life was as dear as n MIN.
his post was at the head; to the great law of


\
self-preservation, that most people put first in
their code of practice, his firm duty required
him to forswear allegiance, and to act on the
principle, ,'others first, myself afterwards -
So, with bravery of heart such as is seldom
found in other ranks of men, he stuck to his
iron steed, transformed then into the white
steed of death, and spent the last energies of
his life, the strength of his last pulse, striving
to mitigate the suffering which would 6ollow
the collision.


His death was instantaneous; he had no
time for regrets at leaving life and the friends
he loved SO dearly. When we found him. one
hand grasped the throttle, his engine was re-
versed, and with the other hand he still held
on to the handle of the sand-box lever. The
whole middle and lower portion of his BODY
was crushed, but his head and arms were un-
touched, and his face still were resolue ex-
preston, such as must have lit up the counte-
nance of Arnold Winkerlald, when crying.
Make way for liberty he threw himself upon
a sheaf of Austrian spears and broke the col |
umn of his enemies
Year: 1863

Ever 'gainst the time that season comes


herein our Savior's birth is celebrated,


The bird of dawning sngeth all night long,
The nights are wholesome then-no planets strike,
No fairies walk, or witch has power TO charm,
SO hallowed and SO gracious is the time ~
Year: 1863

WHEREAS objects of interest to the United
States require that the Senate should be convened
at twelve o'clock on the fourth Of March next, TO
receive and act upon such communications as may
be made to it on the part Of the Executive:
Now, therefore, ], ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Presi-
dent Of the United States have considered it to be
my duty to issue this my proclamation, declaring
that an extraordinary occasion requires the Senate
OF the United States to convene for the transaction
OF business at the Capitol, in the city of Washing
ton, on the fourth day Of March next, at twelve
o'clock at noon on that day, of which all who shall
at that time be entitled to act as members of that
body are hereby required to take notice.


Given under my hand and the seal Of the United


States at Washington, the twenty-eighth day of
L. February the year Lord one thousand eight


hundred and sixty three, and of the Independence


ofthe United States of America the eghty-seyenth


ABRAHAM LINCOLN
By the President:


WILLIAM Fl. SEWARD. Secretary of State.
Year: 1863

The Thirty-seventh Congress Of the United States
yesterday came to an end by constitutional limita-
tion, and adjourned without day.


Never before in the history of the Government
has Congress assembled under circumstances SO
difficult and momentous. The exactions made on its
intelligence, its business capacity and its patriotism
have been great beyond all precedent, and it is not
too much to say that the measures it has adopted
unexampled for the magnitude Of the issues they
involve.


That in some respects Congress thus called to
act should have fallen below the height of its mis-
sion was perhaps to have been expected from the
infrmity which attaches as to all men, SO also to
legislators, when we consider the limitations of
human wisdom and virtue. 1t was the misfortune
of the present Congress that its members were
summoned duties of which there was no foresight
on the part of the people when they were chosen
to transact business for the nation The course of
events thrust upon men who had been selected with
paramount reference to issues of political agita
ton the tremendous responsibilities of a gigantic
war arising between States bound to common
allegiance under common Constitution-a war
plusguana civile. For time the spirit of party
seemed to have been abashed in the presence of
events SO novel, affecting, and momentous, but in
the latter terms of its sessions this spirit resumed
an unhappy prevalence over its discussions its de-
liberatons, and its decisions Party received the
homage and the devotion which were due only to
country, and, at time when the undivided energies
of the nation should have been concentrated on the
work before it, we have seen measure upon measure
pressed with untimely zeal to hurried consumma.
ton, and sometimes with the indirection belonging
to the "cankers of peace" rather than with the
singleness of eye which, incumbent at all times,
became the highest of duties at the present critical
period of the Republic.


But it is no part of our present purpose to write
the epitaph of the Congress which has just expired
Impartial history will sum up and appreciate the
results of its labors and record with pride that in
day Of surprising trial there were some at least
of its members who understood their epoch"
however little their counsels may have weighed in
determining the form and the complexion of some
among the measures finally adopted.
Year: 1863

proceed to his confirmation, II for no other
because of the signal illustration it will afford in
rebuke of the mistaken servlity of those who have
thought to please the President by always insisting
on an unquestioning" concurrence with him in
his war policy. We have here candidate for tile
highest diplomatic honors who takes the liberty of
dissenting from the policy Of the President until
that policy is altered to suit him, who is ready to
serve his country " in the field" when he can at
the same time serve his reputation, who carps at
the General in-Chief whom the President has
chosen to carry out his military ideas, and who
ends by mocking at the Premier of the Admins
tration under which he has constantly held, and
proposes still to hold, high and lucrative appoint
ments.


We are the more anxious that the Senate should
proceed to confirm the Presidents nomination in
the case of Major Gen. Clay with all dispatch, be-
cause We are not without apprehension that, if
suffered to remain much longer at large in Wash
ington, his great influence with the President
Especially if the proclamation Of last September
22d was issued for the reason we have surmised)
may lead to the summary dismissal of Gen. Hal
leck and the appointment of Gen. Benjamin f.
Butler in his stead. We frankly confess that we
do not favor any such change in the Office of Gene
ral-in- Chief, notwithstanding the high military
qualities ascribed to Gen Butler by the distin-
guished phrenologist, Prof Fowler, who has re-
Gently subjected that officers bumps to scientific
manipulation which attest vast quantity of unde-
veloped capacty sufficient 10 secure success in al
most any profession, (unless we except the clerical,
because of his imputed lack in the organ of reve-
renee, which Mr.. Fowler found to be hollow in
stead of protuberance.) We hope we shall not be
suspected of intending any disrespect to Gen. But
ler or to the science of phrenology if we avow a
preference for Gen. Hallecks retention in the
place he now holds, though we could wish that he
might conquer his pro-slavery" prejudices where
they stand in the way of the military advancement
Of such eloquent speakers and complete letter
writers Mr.. Clay
Year: 1863

These words, from the Albany Erening
Journal, are "worthy of all acceptation:"


"What does our country demand of US
now? How can we best serve it in this hour
of darkness and peril? Shall it be by sus-
tanning or opposing the war? Shall it be by
Strengthening or weakening the hands of
those in authority Shall it be by insisting
that the conflict shall 60 on or by clamoring
for dishonorable peace? Shall it be by raj
lying around the Union or by deserting its
standard? Shall it be by yielding the Ad-
ministration a generous support or by de-
nouncing the President and his Cabinet and
Generals as "roguesr' and imbeciles -
These are the questions that come home to
the business and bosoms of our people,
and that must be promptly and definitely an
swered.


"Do you say the war has been badly man.
aged? But does that afford an excuse for
turning your back on your country? Do you
claim that attempts have been made to per-
vert its objects But does that make your
obligation to stand by the flag any the less
Do you grumble because the old ship has had
an inefficient commander? But does that
justify you in deserting your post before the
mast, and leaving her to the mercy of the
waves?


'There is but one course for patriots to
take: To stand by the country; to sustain
those who administer the affairs of the Gov
ernment; to forget personal and party differ
ences and 10 insist that the war for the
Union shall go on