smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

PRETTY ExpERIMESr.-Professor Rog-
ers has solved the problem of +" Seeing
through mill stone." In paper read
before the Scientific Association at New
port he says:


Take sheet Of foolscap or letter pa
per. roll it up SO that the opening at one
end shall be large enough to take the
full size of the eve, and at the other end
lei the opening be not half 50 large.
Take it in the right hand, holding it be-
tween the thumb and fore finger place
the large end to the right eye and look
through it with both eyes, open to the
light You piH sec hole through your
hand. If you take it in your left hand
and hold it to your left eye, it will be the
same. You will in both cases be aston
ished to sec hole in your hand. The
illusion is most complete"


From this and other experiments the
Professors concludes that an impression
made on the retina of either eye cannot
OF itself enable us to determine on which
retina it is received, and that the usual
perception belongs to the part OF the op-
tIcal apparatus near or within the brain
which belongs in common to both eyes.
Year: 1861

There is an old story Of a man, who
was an uncompromising Baptist, and his
wife, who was an equally strenuous
Presbyterian, who, after much angry
and profitless discussion upon sprinkling
and immersion, determined to bury the
hatchet for the future, each yielding
some portion Of his or her views in a
compromise which was to produce peace
in the family for all time to come. But
the husband insisted as the preliminary
of any settlement, that his wife should
renounce Presbyterianism and be i'm
mersed. and laid all the blame to his
help meet for an intractable spirit in not
accepting such conciliatory proposal.


The story illustrates the attidude Of
Virginia. Some time since her Legisla-
ture in laudable desire to preserxe the
Union requested such States as were
willing, to meet her by Commissioners
at Washington to adjust our national diff
hculties in some manner satisfactory to
every section. The request was gener.
ally complied with. But we were told
that before any negotiations could be en-.
tered into. the right of coercion must be
expressly abandoned, or Virginia would
cast aside her own bantling, and support
secession. And we began then to have
a suspicion which subsequent events
have proved to be too we'll founded, that
the object Of the Peace Congress was not
to compromise, but to secure concessions
from the North-not to give up any
Southern claim, but to receive the aban-
donmert of Republican principles.


The Convention met, and with closed
doors attempted their mission of peace,
with the Crittenden Compromise, al
ready killed by Congress, as basis, and
the sole business Of the Congress seems
to have been to dilute this compromise
into such form as to retain all Its OBJ
noxious portions, under such phraseolo-
gy, as might serve to deceive its oppo-
nents. After more than twenty days
labor the plan was successful, and the
deliberations Of the body presented to the
Senate and House Of Representatives,
and the old gentlemen went home.


But 10, among the bitterest opponents
Of the scheme. were Senators Mason and
Hunter of Virginia, who ridiculed the
whole scheme 10 unmeasured terms,
while the President of the Congress, the
venerable, if not venerated Capt. Tyler,
the father of the whole idea, hurried
from Washington to Richmond to urge
his State into secession. And he may
succeed in passing the Ordinance
through the Convention, but the people
have reserved to themselves the power of
rejection or ratification, which in the
light of Mr.. President Davis, they will
exercise with emphasis.


We commend this position of the Old
Dominion to Compromisers. The State
of Virginia calls Peace Congress, and
because exactly what she demands is
not conceded. she is the first to repudi-
ate its conclusions, even when they are
manufactured expressly to suit her. say.
ing in effect that the Congress was not
called for mutual discussion and benefit,
but only to hear and adopt what Virgin
ia dictated. What can the compromi-
sers do to satisfy her p Burlington
Hasrk. Eye.
Year: 1861

BY far the largest increase Of popula-
ton in the free States during the last ten
years has been in the Northwest. Only
two Of the original Thirteen show an
increase of more than twenty-five per
cent, while Michigan and Wisconsin
have increased at the rate ofninety per
cent, and Iowa at the rate Of over f,eo
hundred and .titiy per cent. The fellow
ing shows the population of the States Of
the North West with the gains:
Year: 1861

LrFE.-Ah there is a touching beauty
in the radiant look Of girl just eros.
sing the limits of youth. and commen-
cling her journey, through the checker
ed sphere Of womanhood ! 1t is all dew
sparkle and morning glory to her ardent,
buoyant spirit. as she presses forward
sxulting in blissful an,icipations. But
the withering heat of the conflict of life
creeps on the dew drops exhale the
garands of hope, shattered and dead,
strew the path and too often. ere noon
tide. the clear brow and sweet smile are
exchanged for the weak look of one long
ing for the evening rest, the twilight,
the night. Oh. may the good God give
his sleep unto these many.
Year: 1861

The seizure Of the money is not con
sidsred by Northern doughfaces as an
act Of coercion against the government
nor even a wrong or indignity committed
on it. because the thieves claimed to be
acting by State authority. But if the
Federal Government shall send fleet 10
blockade the city until that money is re-
turned, universal shrek will ascend
from the throat of every turnkey: "Oh.
horrible you are coercing sovereign
State" Are not these men allies Of trai-
tors
Year: 1861

We are assured from a person
who has had the opportunity OF
personal observation, that the de-
inoralization of the northern army
continues, and the men are revolt
ing at the wicked work into which
they had been deceived, and are
deserting in large numbers. Rich
mond Enquirer.
Year: 1861

Picked Beef-f the war In
which we are engaged is to be a
long one-and no one Is wise
enough to predict when it vii ter {,
,ninate-tile people Of the South
.cFn Confederacy will be called up
on to look ahead and find q. sub
stitute for the quantity of North
western bacon they have generally
used. and the want Of which, since
the blockade, has caused us so
much Inconvenience. Every ct
fort that possibly can, will be made
to increase the amount ct pork
usually raised IN the Southern
Confedoracy; but we doubt whether
enough can be made to prevent,
during another year, the same IN
convenience to which we are at
present subject.
Year: 1861

There are rumors n the street that in advance Of the
negotiations under tie loan BILL just passed by Con.
eress the Secretary will want another I've millions on
iixty six per cent Treasury Notes The following
is list Of the takers of the FIVE millions awarded
few days since:
Year: 1861

We are now prepared to manufacture our
goods with dispatch, as our force is much larger
than heretofore


We have the best of worl1mon, and no effort
viii be spared on our part to give entire salts
faction to all who may favor us with their pat
TOnage. noIO-3m
Year: 1861

A CHANGE Fa REAL SERvICE.-The first Arkansas regiment, now in service in Virginia, having ben rendered fine How tiger battery, number of men have been detached from it to act as artillerists.- This leaves vacansy of about 100 men, and Dr. B. B. Ward. of Camden, has been authorized to recruit that number in Ar kansas As the volunteers will have only about nine months a serve, those who wish to see actual service tlris fall and win ter, have an excellent opportunity to do so. There will be no difficulty in getting that or ten times that number of men. The company will rendezvous here, and start for Virginia in week or ten days.
Year: 1861

Departed this life, at his residence in the city of Little Rock, on the 18th day of June, 1861, JACOB REIDGR, in the S5th year of his age.

 Thus in the midst of the exciting events of these latter days haspassed away from our midst, one of our oldest and much esteemed citizens Mir. Reider, Swiss by birth came to Arkansas about forty years ago. and during nearly the whole of that time, has been resident of Little Rock, where long course of patient, industrious atten-

 on to business and strict integrity in all his deal

 ngs entitled him to the reward of success, and the | respect and confidence of all who knew him. | An unettered man, he was endowed by nature with remarkable mind and memory, and sound judgment. He was for many years before his death | a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church, and died in that faith with the hope of blessed i'm mortality.

 The early settlers of Arkansas who yet survive will recognize in this passing notice, deserved tribute of respect to one of their number who has | gone the way of all the earth. |.
Year: 1861



 lM themselves in the rear, while led the three companies to attack them in the front. On reach ing the court house found the federal forces had agreed to surrender, and had already marched out, and we arrived in time to see them grosnd arms; they were informed before the surrender that they were surrounded on all sides.

 We captured in all some one hundred and twenty or thirty prisoners. Hearing of a provision train being about nine miles from town with supplies for the federal forces, immediately ordered Capt. Carroll with his company to bring it in, which order was obeyed quite promptly; all the officers and sol ders under my command were ready and eager for the conflict, and I am happy to state more gal lant set of men were never led to the field have the honor to be, General, Your obedent servant

 T. J. CHURCHILL,

 Col Comd'ing lst Reg. Ark. Mt. Rihenen.
Year: 1861

lE- We call the attenlon oi cotton piah- ters to the following article from the. N. O. Delta.

 Cotton-what shall we do with its

 The policy and plan of our cotton prod ucers, which appear to have the general sanction of the factors and capitalists oi this city. are, we think, clearly set forth m the instructions of one of our largest ana most intelligent merchants, who writes as follows to his planting friends, "How long this war will last is beyond the ken ot nor tals. As long as 1t continues, and the blockade of our ports is maintained, 1t would be unsafe and impolitic to send your cot ton to market. If the blockade Is raised by the power of the Lincoln government it would be an act of virtual disloyalty to the independence of the Confederate States to allow pound of cotton to go forward Our advice, therefore, Is to you to DICK your cotton and stow 1t unseeded Tn pens, we'll covered, and abide events. 1.-the enc my approach, commit it to the flames; Ii foreign governments make any arrange ment with Lincoln by which their vessels will be permitted to come for the cotton in ballast, it will be equally obligatory up- on us to decline acquiescing in the arrange ment and refuse to sell the cotton"

 This is sensible advice. 1.-the British government has not the manhood to dlsre- gard sham blockade, and is willing and able to provide charity fund to support the five millions of people who will be thrown out of employment by the stoppage of the cotton supply, we, at least, of the South ought not to complain, and may be able to ge, along quite comfortable without selling ou. cotton. The course, therefore, in relation to this staple Is very plain one. Noforeigner can get any of our cot ton during the continuance of this block ade We have factories enough of our own | to make all the cotton cloth we noed Tor our own consumption. Our people VIII thus be abundantly supplied with ths nec- essary of life. All over and above tbe sup ply for our own mills will be storef on the plantations. So much for the presnt crop; In relation to future crops, our P lsnters VIII prepare to reduce the product D a very low fgureand devote their labf and land to other productions which vi be needed for consumption during t war We must act on the presumpti9ol ol long war and make our arrngement% Accordingly.
Year: 1861

The Assembly Districts are appointed In the
New York method Of allotting to each county
the number Of members to which it is entitled
By population, and then dividing the county
into an equal number Of districts, SC that one
member is chosen in each district, The fol-
lowing are the number Of districts given to
each comfy:
Year: 1861




Editors Chicago Tribune:


!: 4 circumstance has lately come to my
knowledge, connected with the tornado Of last
sumner, which think worthy Of notice.
Some two weeks ago, a Mr. Josephus Smith,
whose house was swept away by the tornado,
received through the Post Office an old letter
which he had received In 1858 from his son in
South America. This letter, he thinks, was in
an oyercoat pocket at the time the house was
destroyed, and WAS carried away with every
thing else. AS it bore the old post.mark Lima,
s. Al he has no means Of conjecturing where
it was found. Fee1ing 9 little curiosity to know
hoy far the letter Was carried in safety by the
wind, have written to your paper, hoping
that your wide circulation might bring this
notice under the eye Of the finder Of the letter.
Should this be the case, trust the finder will
take the same means to enlighten the public,
respecting his part In the matter.
:" s. M FE1rawE
Year: 1861



 As 1t has been suggested that the notice of discontinuance which we gave our friends was LOO short, we have determined to ex- tend 1t to the first of October. that when the qay arrives no one who is in arrears shall have 1t to say that he was cut off with out sufficient warning. It will be no pleasant duty to us to sever the connection that now exists between the True Demo- crat and single one of it's five thousand readers, but if that duty shall be forced upon us by their neglect to do us single act of justice we shall rigidly perform it in all cases. In times like the present, when we cannot obtain paper. ink, printers, or anything. without the cash in hand, it will be an utter impossibility for us to supply a newspaper to any one who will not aid us by promptly paying his small propor- ton of the expense. At this time, when every day is big with events, curiosity, if not patriotic interest, prompts every one to inquire the latest news. The newspa- pers alone can furnish that desideratum- alone can inform the public mind of current transactions-and as money only will sus- tam the newspaper money must be con tributed. We therefore make this appeal to our subscribers-pay us promptly and we will furnish the True Democrat regu- larly.

 We announce with pleasure that the brief notice heretofore given has induced hundreds already to forward the amount of their indebtedness. If the same spirit should actuate the balance of our subscri- bers in arrears we shall be spared the un- pleasant task of pruning down our subscrip- tion list, and be enabled throughout the war to supply our readers with the latest news every week. Let our friends take heed in time.

 No moro new subscribers will be

 hpon our books without the cash in
Year: 1861

MR. EDlroR-I am thus far on my way to the Confederate Congress, and in my trip down l ob- serve fact which certainly calls for warning to our people. I refer to the continued shipment of cotton to New Orleans by our planters.

 My merchants have already forewarned and ad vsed me to ship 10 cotton to them at New Orleans until the ports arc opened and there is market for it. They don't want it.

 Reasons seem plenty for this course, as long as tle ports are closed, which may last until January or till spring for Ill we know. If shipcotton as usual it will accumulate till there is no warehouse room iu the city for it.

 The merehans will be impoverished to pay freight and charges. The cost of storage and insurance will fall On them and on the planters. The cost of both storage and insurance will probably be increas ed The danger of fire and loss will be much greater; and worse than all, when the ports are opened the market will be choked up, and the price of cotton for while under the first pressure for money will fall very low.

 These things must strike us all as probable, and from the statement of gentlemen around me, I un- derstand that merchants of New Orleans in seve. ral instances have declared against the wisdom of shipments of cotton, and in one instance refused to pay charges and receive it.

 The merchants of New Orleans ought, and I l>pe, will speak out on this subject.

 Yours, R. W. JOHNSON.
Year: 1861

z

 It has been wisely suggested by CO., ten porary that the patriotic women of the country should knit socks for the volun- teers.

 In addition to this we beg leave to call the attention of the true hearted women of the country to some other points.

 There will be, if the war continues. scarcity of blankets, woolen, cloth, flannel, etc. These our soldiers will need. As re- gards blankets, each family can spare some. Those who stay at home can use counter panes and comforts. The latter are easily and cheaply made, are warm and will sup ply the places of blankets in the house. Let the ladies, or to usea better and nobler word, the women, set about making com forters for their beds, and be enabled to send blankets to the army. Except in cases Of sickness, the use of blankets in houses can be dispensed with.

 There are great many sheep in almost every county in the State. Every pound of wool should be saved, spinning wheels and looms brought into use and the wool made into yarn and cloth. We will need every yard that can be woven. Jeans and linsey will be the fashion for years to come. Which county in the State can turn out the most homespun cloth and socks? Pu- laski county will do her share.

 Our volunteers will need woolen under garments. So these are warm and thick, they will not care about their fneness.- Our State is to clothe the troops transferred to the Confederate service. Those who have relatives in the army can prepare these and by tying them up in neat bundles, with plain directions have them forwarded to their son, husband or brother. A cen tral point in each county can be designated as place of deposit for this clothing, and the proper State authority will take steps to have them conveyed to their destination.

 We beg our brethren of the press to call the attention of their readers to this. Let us go back to the good old times when the hard and horny hand was the only badge or sign of true nobility; when we wore clothes of our own manufacture and were a happier people, Set your carding ma chimes, the spinning wheels and looms at work. No matter if the piano is closed and dancing lessons neglected. There is brave music in the hum of the spinning wheel and the clicking of the loom. And the exercise in performing these labors brings roses to the cheeks and light to the eyes of our madens.
Year: 1861

It was, certainly, desirable that there should be no occasion fora call of the State Convention, although in some of the States of the Southern Confederacy, it was found necessary or expedient, for corresponding bodies in those States to have continued sittings And it may become a matter of importance, perhaps of necessity, that the people of Arkansas should be again assem- bled, for brief space, in convention.

 The permanent constitution of the Con federate States, provides that Senators shall be chosen at the first regular session of the legislature held prior to the time of taking their seats in the Confederate Sen ate. It is thought by many intelligent persons, that if an extra session of the General Assembly should be convened by the Governor, it could not elect Senators, for the reason that it would be special session, and that the convention will have to be called for the purpose sf declaring or ordering the same to be the segalar session and if so, it ought to be the first of a regular series.

 Should there be necessity for it, the convention will have to be called without regard to the expense of it, though the cost would be inconsiderable when compared with the lavish expenditures that have been, and are now being made in carrying out the war measures undertaken by our military authorities, and some portion of which, 1t is hoped, might be saved or avoided by judi cious policy on the part of the convention.

 Again: We have heard it suggested that under the present constitution, the election for Governor will have to be held on the first Monday in October, 1862. Whether that was so intended by the convention, we do not know. It may be denied, and it IS our duty as public journalist to call the attention of the people to matter so inn portant. Even if there was no more than a doubt, as to the proper or unavoidable construction to be put upon the provisions of the constitution, it is one which ought to be resolved by the only authority com potent to do it.

 In case provision is made for the election of members of the General Assembly at the fall election, it may be proper subject | for inc convention to consider whether il would not be we'll to have the election oi Governor brought on at the same time, SC as to take fresh start in the organization of our State as well as in respect to oul new and altered federal relations. It i; well known that all the State elections O last wear were made without reference tC the extraordinary events that have occurrel with such startling rapidity and fraugh with such momentous importance and con sequences.

 If change should ever be made in oul State organization, though ever so mucf needed, such change should not be madt without an expression of the popular minc and will in regard to it. Such an expres sion it is our object to elicit, and to 1t we in common with all our fellow-cit will yield cheerful acquiescence.
Year: 1861

HoME GUARD OF PULASKI COUNTY The atten Gon of the citizens of Pulaski county is called to the proceedings of the county court in relation to the organization of Home Guard of minute men for each township. It will be seen that an election will be hedi in each township of the county on the first Satuidsy in August next. Wehope that each township will elect officers and perfectits organza ton as soon as possible. It only requires two or three public spirited men in each township to take hold of this thing in order to put hc system into operation. Read the order of the county court.
Year: 1861

We neglected, or forgot, last week, to call the attention of our readers to the pro- clamation of the President of the State Convention, in relation 10 the election of delegates to that body.

 In those counties where resignations have been made to tho presiding judge of the county, or where there are vacancies occa- stoned by death, removal, Or other cause, the presiding judge should order elections to fill the vacancies. IL is not necessary that this order should be made in term time, but 1t may be directed to the sheriff at any time.

 It may be necessary to call the eonven- tion together and every county in the State should be represented. The known char acter of the president of the convention tor calm judgment and deliberation is suftl- cient guarantee that that body will not be convened unless for sufficient reasons Matters of the utmost importance may re- require call of the convention. We are afraid that in those counties where elections are to be held sufficient attention will not be paid to it. They should select then best men, and we hope all political distlnc- tions will be overlooked, so that they send men with clear heads and pure hearts. IT such cases and at this juncture, old polltl cal prejudices should be forgotten and nc party or wing of party have anything te do with it.

 2 If the convention should be called, 1t ls desirable that every county should be fully represented.
Year: 1861

Il Mahony,of the Dubuque. Herald, threat
ems the Editor of the Times Of the same city,
that he shall be prosecuted for libel at the next
term of the District court for his persistent al
legations as to the disloyalty of the author of
the Democratic "call."t .