smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

The undersigned have been among those citizens of the Southern States who have most earnestly deplored and opposed a dis ruption of the federal union, and the last to relinquish all hopes of its reconstruction.

 The recent action of the weak and per fidious administration of Mir. Lincoln has made the southern people united people.

 Its abrupt adoption of war policy in the midst of procrastination of pacific and conciliatory purposes has convicted it of duplicity and treachery towards the con servative portion of the southern people, only eaqualled in degree by the incapacity and stupidity which dictated it.

 Without abandoning our opinions upon the original question of the constitutional right of State to secede from the Union, or retracing our criticisms upon the initia tion year ago of the policy which has so quickly ripened into civil war, we feel it to be our duty to declare to the people of Arkansas. and to the government of which Mr. Lincoln is the nominal head, that we are ready to embark " our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honors," in the rebellion or revolution, as the result of the conflict already begun. shall determine its character to be.

 Tho employment by the federal govern ment of its military power and material resources, which have been supplied alike by all the States of the Union, to compel any of them to submit to its jurisdiction, is utterly opposed to the spirit and theory of our institution, and in q little while would reduce the States which constituted the weaker section, to the condition of mere appanages. or provinces to the dom- inant and stronger section, to which anar chy itself would be preferable.

 The South is "oUR CoVSTRY'-and while we are satisfied that up to the mo- ment, when the government at Washing ton committed the folly and wickedness of making war upon the seeding States, the conservative party in Arkansas was largely in the ascendant, we cannot believe that her soil is polluted by being base and cowardly enough, to stop to consider, in casting hia lot in the unequal struggle in which she is engaged, whether she " is right or wrong.'

 Our faithin the prudence and patriotism of the peoples convention, not yet dis solved, authorizes the hepo and helief on our part, that it's President will convene it at the earliest practicable moment, and that it will take such action as duty to our southern brethren prompts and the safety and honor of their own State and people demand si thair hands
Year: 1861

4 correspondent Of the Paris Sentinel commani-
Gates the following:


Eight miles from Hickman, On the Hickman and
Troy road there is young lady strangely affected.
She is the daughter Of poor widow, Mrs. GOdsey
This lady has been sleeping twelve years. visited
there some three weeks ago, arrived there at four
o'clock in the afternoon, when she happened 70 be
awake-she wakes up twice in the forenoon, twice
IN the afternoon and at night at regular hours
The following conversation l had with her How
do you feel tins evening ~ VERY sick )" she said
How long have you been sick =" Il do not know
my memory IS so very poor can recOllect anything
but q very short While.' What ails yOuw ~ Il
have the headache very bad, sir" what part of
your head achesr "A1 through it Her mother
then asked her few question s. and soon she fell
asleep and could not De walked or made to notice
anything. / laid her hands about in differ
ent positions. and moved her head about; they
remained just as placed them. Her fingers and
the muscles Of her arms were in a cOntinual state
of quivering OF jerking. After lying quiet some
twenty minutes she suddenly began to shake very
hard-more severely than any one with sgue;
her whole body rolled back and to about four in
ches rapidly any one can move his hand TO and
fro in that distance; it erked her so severely that
it almost frightened me. This continued about one
minute, she then lay quiet about another twenty
minutes, when suddenly her head raised perpen-
dicular to her body, which lay fiat on the bed and
she gave some distressing grOans, began to hold
her head but her mother said not In thirty see
onds she fell back calm as evar-this WAS 4 cramp-
ing spell In about thirty minutes shs took another
shaking spell-al the time sOunq asleep. These
spells are very frequent bat nOtreguar; were much
worse during the first three or four years
Of Cher aflctiOn just at ten O'Clock at
night she begins to shake very aeverely and con-
tinues one hour at eleven she wakes up few min
utes her walking spells last about fifteen minutes,
at some Of these times something nustbe ready for
hear to eat and given to her-she never asks for it.
nor does she talk a. sll unless spoken to- She has
been thus afflicted with but little change for twelve
years. was first taken with the chllls at the age Of
ten, while little girl and fell into her present
state; since then she has grown to be taller than
her mother who is an ordinary sized woman Her


finger and toe nails have never grown any, are just
even with the flesh, and have never been trimmed;
her hair is fine and beautiful dark chestnut, and
grows very fast her features fine al regulars her
skin fair; her face has no appearance OF disease.
We're she sitting up and nicely attlre0 she might be
called beautiful.


As to the cause of her strange aHilc ton, no one
knows. Some physicians. among whom are Drs.
Cutler and Hawkins say the wrong medicines were
given her 10 cure the chills Those shaking and
cramping spells, although they resemble death,
probably keep her alive for this is the only exer-
else she gets as she is unable to sit up 1t would
pay any physician seeking knowledge, to visit
her.
Year: 1861

A Touch OF WINTER The first frost of the
season occurred at the White Mountains on
Tuesday night. The White Mountains have
been capped with snow for some days. On
parts Of the Mount Washington carriage road
depth. The rivers in the mountain districts
are now very low for the time of year, and a
general thaw of ths old and new snow is
greatly desired by those using the water
power for manufacturing purposes.
Year: 1861

One of the editors of a New Orleans paper,
soon after being put to learn the printing
business, went to court preachers daugh-
he was taken down at hearing the minister
announce as his text "My daughter is
grievoUsly tormented with devil"
Year: 1861

The West is sharing in the activity mani
tested in the manufacturing districts. The
surplus of farm products, essential to sustain
a large army, in the hands of producers at
the commencement of the troubles, was i'm
mense. The wheat crop of the present year,
though not so large as heretofore, and in
some sections seriously injured by the late
Tains, will yield a tair amount for shipment,
and the world can draw on the West for any
amount of corn without any fear of having
the drafts dishonored. Beef pork and pro
visions of all kinds are in full supply, aud no
fear should be entertained that the Govern.
ment will need supplies, even for a million
OF men, should that number be needed 10 put
down the rebellion. Our armies will con-
sumo most of the produce from the West,
which in former years has gone to Southern
market.


In addition to what the Eastern States and
the grand army will require of the products
of the West, il is-now certain that both Ed
gland and France will be large purchasers
of our cereals Prices here, stimulated by
this foreign demand, would be satisfactory
and highly remunerative, were it not for the
| enormous freights, caused by a scarcity of
vessels and the cloggiDg of railways by the
immense shipments which have been press
| ing on the seaboard. But, like all other evils
of this class by another season it will have
cured Itself, and the charges for freights will
no longer consume nearly all the profits OF
| the farmers. -..


So far, therefore, as present prospects will
warrant an opinion, the West can cheerfully
wait the progress of current events. She
has an abundance of food, aud our own eoun-
try and Europe are likely to require all she
can spare The money for our surplus il
rapidly placing the West in an independent
position, and, with the economy aud the en-
ergy practiced by our people for the past few
| substantial prosperity. Let the Government
vigorously prosecute the war against the
traitors THE West is ready and most will
ing TO do her part of the fighting and TO bear
her share of the burdens. Let the rebellion
be put down, cost whatever it may of blood
and treasure Chicago Tribune.
Year: 1861

RIGHT OF FRANKING.-The Post Office
Department has decided that members OF Con-
gress have no right to frank letters not written
by themselves, and in which they have no in
terest. All such letters must be held for post
age The Postmaster is to assume that the
frank is unauthorized when it appears clearly
that the member is not at the time, nor has re-
Gently been, in the vicinity Of the office Of mail
ing, or that the use Of the frank appears to be
utterly apart from and covering matter not
known 20 the member.
Year: 1861

INCREASE oP PosTA0E.-It may be we'll
for our readers to remember that the postal ar
rangements established on the passage Of the
law creating Daily Overland Mail, fix the
Rocky Mountains az the barrier beyond which
three-cent stamp will not pay the postage Of
letter going East. All distances therefore
beyond the Rocky chain require ten cent
stamp, the law applying as well to the letters
sent from California to the Atlantic states as
from the Atlantic States to California.
Year: 1861

A Series Of school and Family Readers.
Designed to Teach the Art OF Reading
in the most simple and practical way {:
by MARCUS WILSON.


This is the Publishers announcement of
New Series of Readers. They are con
structed, to great extent. on a new plan
and besides the one object Of teaching the
Art of Reading. they aim to cultivate the
pereeptive faculties of children, and to i'm
part much greater amount and variety of
interesting and useful information than 9th
er Reading Books have ever contemplated.
The CAristsas Advocate and journal intro
duces long and comnendatory notice of
the books in the following manner:


There are still many defects in our
Common School Education, some of them
hardly short of literary nuisances. The
multiplicity and incessant change Of text.
books is one of these, making confusion
worse confounded in our schools. and tax
ing enormously the families Of our people.
Many poor father pays a higher tax in
this respect than he does for the support of
the government. What is the remedy ?
We know of no other hope against the evil
than the possibility that q series Of books
may be provided. which by its oblivious
superiority, can command universal patron
age We know of none that comes 81 near
the standard as the one we now announce.
We nave examined it As . serious duty to
our readers" In conclusion, the editor
says: We have thus given an unusually
full notice to this fine series. because it real
1y deserves it. and few matters arc more
important. Teachers should examine these
books forthwith"


ISAAC B. HITCHCOCK,


General Agent.


WARD 4 SoUrHhAYD,


Agents for Van Buren and vicinity
Year: 1861

MBrINY ON ACCOUNT OF BAD FARE Washing
ton, May 1.-THE Federal troops are becoming
mutinous, bad fare being assigned as the reason.
The New York Seventh Regiment on Friday night
last had mock funeral over their "junk," salt
hnn
Year: 1861

CROPS IN ST. LANDRY PARIsH-Since our last
issue we have been visited by two refreshing show
ers, which must have gaddened the hearts of our
planters. The crops are beautiful. Corn was
never finer, cotton and cane more promising
Should the weather continue as propitious as it is
the harvest this fall will be very abundant.


ENnlInnsas Pntrint
Year: 1861




We hear the most encouraging news of our
crops from every part OF this county, and those
adjoining. There has, perhaps, been more wheat
made In this county, this year, than has been har-
Year: 1861

AT the commencement Of the struggle
between the North and South the abstract
right of secession was the predominant
question. That question has passed beyond
the sphere OF controversy. Secession has
become faH accompH. 1t has become
practical remedy, which caunot be met and
counteracted unless by application of force.
The question between the sections is non
coercion or peaceablc secession 1t is ra


pidly losing the aspect Of Union by COM
pulsion, and assuming the phase of the
best mode of pacific adjustment, by permit
ting peaceable secession. The border
States, itnot willing to acquiesce in the
abstract right Of secession, have arrayed
themselves unmistakably against coercion,
direct or indirect-whcther by land or sea
whether through the use of military lc-
gions or blockade. Who does not see the
signs of this changed condition of the qucs-
tlon, the consummation of peaceful scpara-
tlon and Southern Coniedcracy, after a
little more unavailing diplomacy p.
Year: 1861

A SHEEP IN WoLF's CLoTHING.-In the re-
ported proceedings of the Baptist Association
at San Francisco, we see some mention of a
terrible sputter made 10y Mr.. Somebody from
this city, in opposition to the adoption Of
certain patriotic resolutions. The person al
luded TO said that no man, or newspaper,
would dare to say that he was not loyal. AS
he is said TO be from Marysville, and as this
Is Marysvile newspaper, we suppose we
ought to say something. The whole affair
looks as though the challenge was thrown out
as sort of net to catch pntfs AS we Go not
know the man we cannot say anything about
his loyalty, lis professional ability, or his
general standing. AS lie gave notice that he
would bolt the Association if the resolutions
were adopted. and as they were adopted, we
do not see that the public have any further


interest in his case He says he is Union
man, but that the Kingdom of Christ has
nothing to do with politics If he calls the
the Union question political one, he is evil
IDENTIFY very poorly informed in regard TO
Christ's Kingdom The remarks of the per-
son., as reported, show him to be sounder in
heart than in head. Dr. Scots recent per-
formances were very cleary dictated by a
sympathy with rebellion. The weak imita-
ton of which we are writing was probably
a mere freak, such one as it would be for
an innocent sheep to array itself in a wolfs
clothing,
Year: 1861

Latest advices from North Carolina give
positive assurances that the revolution is 90
ing on rapidly throughout the State, and if
the Government will only afford the Union
lists protection for time, they will soon
bring North Carolina to her old moorings -
Union meetings had been held in HYDE and
other counties, in which many of the most
influential and wealthy men of the county
had participated. Resolutions were passed
with great unanimity, expressive Of their in
tention to remain at home on the approach of
our troops to offer no resistance to their
landing, and to furnish whatever they could
in the way of provisions, etc


These facts are well authenticated. 70
confirm the people in their good intentions.
Colonel Hawkins has issued tie following
proclamation which has been extensively
circulated on the main land, and the good
effects are already apparent:
Year: 1861

We would call he attention 7fJGstlres ofthe Peace
TO the assortment OF Blanks for sale at the DENocRAr
office They are of the latest and most approved
orms, and will be sold at liberal rates.
Year: 1861

BAD Practice. The Sacramento Grand
Jury in their report, condem the practice of
allowing prisoners to run at large. We
should say it was rather improper If they
are allowed their liberty, however, they
ought to be compelled to allow the County
something for their board and lodging
Year: 1861

THE NEws.-The Pony brings news of
another brilliant naval exploit on The North
Carolina coast, by which large rebel force
was driven back while morching by land to
attack our forces at Hatteras Inlet. Uncle
Samuels "war dogs are bowling" on the
rebel coast. We trust that no lack of rein
forcements will cause us to lose our impor-
tant foothold in North Carolina.
Year: 1861




What the eventual destiny of tho So


called border States may be; whether


they will link their fortunes with the


North or with the South or whether
they will form themselves into great
Central Confederacy, interposed between
and saving from hostile contact two differ
ent systems of civilization, to neither Of
which they wholly belong, and with both
of which they have natural sympathies-
these are political speculations Of absorb
ing interest but which afford no safe foun-
dation whereupon to erect the fabric of
our legislation. All sound practical legis.
lation must be based upon certainties and
framed with n view to present exigencies,
resting in no wise upon mere possibilities
or even probabilities. The ediiice can af-
terwards be enlarged when new occupants
seek admission, and its structure altered
to suit their requirements and needs. We
are now a Confederacy of cotton States;
we may or may not remain so. But ID Is
for q Confederacy of cotton States that we
must make laws. Our first, and for the
present only duty, then, is to the wants
and interests OF the cotton States, and not
10 that larger confederacy which as vet
exists only in our hopes as a vision of the
future.


As cotton States, almost all we produce
is consumed by others. What we produce
the world can buy only from US what we
Year: 1861

her benefit atthe Opera House tomorrow night.
She offers varied and attractive bill. Patti is to
sing prelude. The patrons of the opera will not
forget Mime Richer on this occasion.


ARMoKY HALL.-The fair for the benefit OF the
Industrial School will conclude tonight.
Year: 1861

SACRAMENTO, May 18th, 1861.


HoN. }. G.. DowNEY- Dear Sir: We have read
with much concern the concluding part of your
recent letter upon the subject of our national
difficulties; and while we discover in it nothing
to affect our coddence in your loyalty and de-
votion to the Union. there is no doubt that it is
liable to misconstruction in several important
particulars. 1t will be to us matter of profound
regret if the high position you have heretofore
occupied in the estimation of the people of the
State should be prcjudiccd by having sentiments
attributed to you which we are persuaded you do
not entertain and the suspicion of which may be
easily removed. That which is of most cQnse-
qucnce in the present condition OF aEniTs rs
frank and explicit recognition of the obligations
resting upon our State. as a member of the Fede-
raj Union, and we rely with great confidence
upon your disposition to maintain her integrity
in this respect by any sacrifice necessary to pre-
serve the honor of the nation. 1t is not our pur
pose to inquire into our personal views upon any
question of policy, but as doubts have been cx,
pressed, touching your fidelity to the Govern
ment, it is highly proper that these doubts should
be Immediately solved by an emphatic decara-
ton upon the subject. We beg to assure you
that this communication is prompted by the most
sincere feeling of friendship, and we hope that
you may agree with us as to the prorriety of an
explanation upon the points suggested.


We are, sir, with great respect ETC..


A. HAYWARD,


JOHN DOUGHERTY.
Year: 1861

Doesiicks saws he is "a fellow with blue
bag having sleeves to it for "A coat; with two
red bags without sleeves to them for trous
ers; with an embroidered and braid ID bag
for vest; with cap like Il red woolen
sauce pan; with yellow boots like the fourth
robber in a stage play; with n mustarhe like
two half pound paint brushes, and with a
sort of sword gun or gun sword for weap
on, that looks like the result Of a love affair
between an emorous broad sword and Il lone
" musket, indscreet and tender-tha, is a
Zouave. A fellow who can 'pulI up hun
dre,l and ten pound dumb bell; who can
climb up an eighty foot rope, hand over
hand, with barrel Of flour hanging to his
heels; who can do the giant swing on a
horizontal bar with a fifly-six tied to each
ankle; who can walk up four flights of stairs,
holding heavy man in each hand t arms
length; and who can climb a creased pole
feet first, carrying barrel Of pork in his
teeth-that is Zouave. A fellow who can
jump seventeen feet four inches high with
out a spring board; who can tie his legs in
double bow knots round his neck without
previously softening his shin bones in p
steam bath; who can walk Blondin's tight
rope with his omach outside of nine bran
dy cocktails, suit of armor outside his
stomach, and stiff north east gale outside
of that; who can take a five shooting revol
yer in each hand and knock the spots off the
ten of diamonds at eighty PAGES, turning
summersaults all the time and firing every
shot in the air-.that is a Zouave."
Year: 1861

(now Los Angeles county, BY washing
the sand in a plate any person can obtain
from one dollar to five dollars day of gold
that brings SIT an ounce in Boston, the
gold has been gathered for two or three
years, though but few have the patience to
look for it, On the southeast end of the Is
land Of Catalina, there is silver mine from
which silver has been extracted There is
no doubt but that gold silver, quicksilver,
copper, lead. sulphur, and coal mines, are to
be found all over California, and it is equal
ly doubtful whether, under their present
owners, they will ever be worked"


Bancroft's Hand Book of Mining.
Year: 1861

Among the beautiful pictures
That hang on Memory's wall
Is one Of dim old forest,


That seemeth best of all:
Not for its gnarled oaks olden,
Dark with the mistletoe;
Not for the violets golden


That sprinkle the vale below;
Not for the milk-white lilies


That lead from the fragrant hedge,
Coquetting all day with the sunbeams,
And stealing their golden edge;
Not for the vines on the upland,


Where the bright red berries rest,
Nor the pinks, nor the pale, sweet cowslip
1t seemeth to me the best.
once had q little brother,


With eyes that were dark and deep
In the lap Of that dim old forest


He lieth in peace asleep:
Light as the down of the thistle,


Free as the winds that blow,
We roved there the beautiful summers,
The summers of long ago;
But his feet on the hills grew weary,


And, one Of the autumn ewes,
made for my little brother


A bed of the yellow leaves.
Sweetly his pale arms folded


My neck in meek embrace,
As the light of immortal beauty


Silently covered his face:
And when the arrows of sunset


Lodged in the tree tops bright,
He fell, in his saint-like beauty,


Asleep by the gates of light.
Therefore, of all the pictures


That hang on Memory's wall.
The one of the dim old forest


Seemeth the best of all.
Year: 1861

CoNFIsCATED, Mrs. Gwin is or lately was the
owner OF considerable property in this state.
She s now in durance vile on the charge of trea
ron. If this be proved against her, her property
is confscated to the nation by virtue OF recent
act OF Congress.
Year: 1861

MAKE TIE FIREsIDE PLEAsANT.-My
friend, do you want to make home delight
full to the young folks? Then don't come
creeping from your business, with all the
days cares and trials hanging, like forty
mill-stones, about your neck? Leave them
in their proper place Come smiling to
your freside. as if you expected to enjoy
yourself, and want the rest of ''the folks
to DO the same thing If pleasant cir
cumstance has come under your observa-
ton keep it for discussion at your freside;
if smiie-waking thought has occurred to
you, divide it with the home circle. Don't
shrug up your shoulders and draw down
your mouth if few young people happen


i'll" to see your juveniles, Don't complain
about the noise they make! You were
young yourself once, and if you go to work
to help them have a good time, our word
for it, the noise will soon cease to annoy
you. The world has very rigidizing in
huenee ON its disciples, and if you don't
take the evenings to unbend in, you will
become an absolute automation. Forget
once in while, that life is not all sun
shine-forget your cares, and they will di-
minish in proportion. There never was a
day so dark but that happy home even
ing cOnld gild its shadows! Make your
freside something, for all to look forward
to. and think abOut-make it a resting
place-and you may depend upon it, life
will be a pleasanter affair to you!