smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

Coffee was not known in Western Eu-
rope until the latter part of the seven
teenth century. Tea came with the open
ing of the China trade. In how brief a
time have they, like tobacco, spread over
the world. Their consumption, in all
civilized countries, is constantly increas-
ing. Psychologists and physicians differ.
as they do on almost all questions, as to
their beneficial or injurious effects on
health, but it is certain that an excessive
use of either deranges the nervous system
produces dyspepsia. and shortens the
term at human existence,


The importation of tea into the United
States alone, amounts to neary fifty mil
lions pounds per annum. That of coffee
is still greater. Our readers can estimate
the cost of these Injuries, which come to
us from the most distant regions; all our
tea being imported from China, and our
best coffee from Arabia and Java. 1--we
add to the cost Of tea and coffee, that Of
tho wine, spirits, and malt liquors we i'm
port, the aggregate would be enormous
the proportion of the necessaries OF life
to its luxuries is not more than one to
| ten.
Year: 1861

About oRe-Mira of the voters of the
United States say that Congress has pow
er under the Constitution to exclude Sla.
very from all the Territories of the United
States.


About t,oo-thirds Of the voters of the
United States deny this power in toto.


About one.third Of the voters (speaking
in round numbcrs) say, that the national
government failing to protect their prop
erty they have the right under thei, State
sovereignty to secede from tho original
compact.


The first third having obtained power
Of the national government under the forms
of the Constitution, insist on their inter-
probation of that instrument and are pro.
ceeding to take possession Of the same.


The last third having control of the
State governments, are proceeding under
their Interpretation Of the national com
pact to withdraw from it.


The other third say and believe that
Congress has no power under the ConSti-
tuition to create or abolish Slavery in the
Territories, nor have the complaining
States the right conStitutionaly to secede,
but believe in the right of revolution for
redress of wrongs when all peaceable
measures fail.


Now this, Just as near as wo can state
it, is the present actual condition of opin-
ions in the United States.


In this fearful strife, have we discov
cred all at once that we have provided no
arbitrament in our government before
which these questions can be settled?-
If not it was an oversight in our fathers
for which we can hardly frame an ex,
cuSe.


But tvo.thirds of the above disputants
say they did, and that the Supreme Court
was established for that and other pur-
poses, and that it has made n decision
covering the first case, and by which they
were willing to abide.


But the first Hid denied this authority,
and appealed, as they tell us, to the pco-
pie and reversed that decision at the bal
lot box.


The other tVo-thrds deny that there is
any legal or constitutional remedy to
thus reverse n judicial decision.


la this conflict of opinion. we are likely
to be led into the arbitrament of blood.


Now, if there is an appeal to arms and
military coercion is to be the law, who are
to be coerced, the first third, or the l0SI
third? These two would, o. course decide
that it must be their opponents, and not
themselves. But the second third will
have voice in the matter, and being as
conscientious rs the others. can only arm
themselves to keep the peace. and seek a
settlement more in accordance with ON
republican system of government. and the
idea on which it is based, viz that man
is capable Of self government.


We have thus stated the case as fairly
and clearly as we are capable of, and
cleared it Of its dross and subterfuges, and
and it will not be amiss to study it well
and without prejudice or feeling,-Crisis.
Year: 1861

CHILDREN Of any age can now have their pictures
~ taken perfect, we have built Room expressly
for their Groups Of Children also taken rsc-
ton of second, IN clear weather. Mothers need not
have the trouble 10 take them Gallery dozen
times. and at last put up with a caricature, they
will but go al once to


feblS-u HUGHES PREMIUM GALLERY.
Year: 1861

PROBABILITY OF MARRYING. "A table in>


serted in paper in the Assurance Maga-
CINE, exhibits results Of rather a startling
character, In the first two gunquenn:al
periods, 2O25 and $3.50, the probability
OF wldower marrying in year is nearly


three times as great as that of bachelor.


At 80 it is nearly four times as great and
it increases, until at 60 the chance of a
widower marrying in year is eleven


times as great as that Of a bachelor. 1t is
a little curious to remark from this table
how confirmed either class becomes in its
condition of life-how little likely, after a
few years, is a bachelor likely to break
through his habits and a solitary condi-
ton and, on the other h and, how readily
IN proportion does husband contract a
second marriage who has been premature-
ly deprived of his first wife. After the age
OF 30 the probability of bachelor marry
ing in year diminshes, in most rapid
ratio. The probability at 35 is not more
than half that at 80, and nelrly the same
proportion exists between each quinquen.
NAL period afterwards, Our bachelor
friends may learn very melancholy les.
son from the above startling facts.
Year: 1861

By the freside costly seated


With spoctaclSs riding her nose,
The lively old lacy Is knitting


A wonderful pair Of hose.
She pities the shivering soldier


Who is out In the pelting storm,
And busily plies her needles


To keep him hearty and warm.
Her eyes are re0ding the embers,


But her heart is OF to the war,
For she knows what those brave fellows


Are gallantly lighting for.
Her fingers MS veil rs her fancy


Are cheering them on their way,
Who under the good old banner,


Are saving their country to-day.
She ponders how in her childhood


Her grandmother used to tell
The story of barefoot soldiers


Who fought SO long and we'll;
And the men of tho Revolution


Are nearer to her than US,
And that, perhaps. is the reason


Why she is tOiling thus.
She cannot shoulder muskot.


Nor ridO with the Cavalry crew,
But nevertheless she is ready


70 work for the boys who do.
And yet in official dispatches


That come from the army or feot,
Her leats may have never notice


Though ever 50 mighty tho feet!
So rrithee, proud owner Of muscle,


Or purse-proud owner Of stocks,
Don't sneer ut the labors of women,
Or smile ut her bundle Of socks.
Her heart may be larger and brayer
Than his who is tallest of all
The work Of her hands as important
As cash that buys powder and ball.
And thus willie her quiet performance
Is being recorded in rhyme,
The tools in her tremulous fHgers
Are running race with Time.
Strange that four needles can form
A perfect triangular bound
And equally strange that their antics
Result in pertecting "the round"
And now while beginning "to narrow"
She thinks of the Mary land mud.
And wonders if ever the stocking


Will wade to the ankle in blood.
And now she is shaping the heel"
And uOv she is ready "to bind"
And hopes, if the soldier is wounded,
1t never will be from behind.
And now sheis "raising the instop,"
Now narrowing Off at the toe"
And prays that this end of tbs worsted
May ever be turned to the foe.
She gathers the last of the stitches,
As ii a new laurel was won,
and placing the ball in the basket
Announces the stocking as dome
Ie men who are fighting our battles,
Away from the comforts of life,
Who thoughtlully muse by your campfire
On sweetheart, or sister, or wife,
Just think of their elders little.
And pray for the grandmothers, too,
Who, patiently sitting in corners,
Are knitting the stocking for you.
Year: 1861

ORIGIN OF QuARSELs. The sweetest, the
most clnging affection, is often shaken
by the slightest breath of unkinGness, as
too delicate rings and tendrils of the vine
are agitated by the faintest air that blows
in summer. An unkind word from one
beloved often draws blood from many a
heart which would defy the battle.ax Of
hatred, or the keenest edge of vindictive
satire. Nay, the shade, the gloom Of the
face familiar and dear, awakens grief and
pain. These are the little thorns which
though men of a rougher form may make
their way through them without feeling
much, extremely incommode persons ofa
more refined turn in their journey thro'
life, and make the travelling irksome and
unpleasant.
Year: 1861

Tue affairs Of the Naval Brigade are now in
. measure settled by the reorganization of the
staff, and Gen. Butler has conditional instruc-
tons to make such use Of them as he thinks
proper, AID to call on the Government for arms
aud equipments.
Year: 1861

The latest intelligence from Europe Is cheering
b those who have looked with anxiety TO SEQ
what the attitude o foreign Powers toward the
United States was likely to be. The glorious
Year: 1861

MEMORY OF THE ELEPHANT.-A female
elephant, belonging to a gentleman at Cal
cutta. who was ordered from the upper
country to Chittigong. on the route thither,
broke loose from the keeper, and making
her way to the woods, was lost The kee-
per made every excuse to vindicate himself,
which the master of the animal would no,
listen to, but branded the man with care
lessEess, or something worse, forit was in
stantly supposed that he had sold the elc-
plant. He was tried for it, and condemn
ed to work on the roads for life, and his
wife and children were sold for slaves
About twelve years afterwards, this man,
who was known to be we'll acquainted with
breaking elephants, was sent into the coun-
try with party to assist in catching wild
ones. They came upon herd, and this
man fancied he saw among the group his
long lost elephant, for which he had been
condemned. He resolved to approach it,
nor could the strongest rcmonstrances oil
the party dissuade him from the attempt
Having reached the animal, he spoke to
her, when she Immediately recognized his
voice she waved her trunk in the air, as
a token of salutation, and spontaneously
laid down and allowed him to mount hel
neck. She afterwasd assisted in taking
other elephants, and decoyed three youns
ones totwhich she had given birth in he,
absence.


The keeper returned, and the singular
circumstances attending the recovery being
told, he regained his character, and, as re.
compense for his unmerited sufferings had a
pension settled on him for life. This ele-
phant was afterward in the possession ol
Warren Hastings, when governor general
of Hndos:an.- Popular NasuraL History.
Year: 1861

RhA1l extend to the emancipation Of his
alsyea, what do such men propose to do
about its Lett be remembered that every |
ma1 Hhe gives aid and comfort to the en-
'er1y Is himself q traitors. VIII these men
become traitors fer the sake Of BlRvery2 |
Do they prefer human bondage and the
bway Of irresponsible lust and power to
the preservation Of the Union and the tri-
umph of Justice and Right? We would
rejoice to administer this test to their pat
riotisn1. If there are men among Us who
will be true and loyal only so long as the
war is carried On just according to their
views Of propriety, what are they better
than the rebels who are seeking to over
throw the Government for no better rea-
scn2 For ourselves ne have no fears upon
this point. With lore for the Union and
devotion to the country that is limited by
nopersona1 considerations, we would risk
all upon the sanction by the people Of the
EXTREMIST action in this direction that the
authoritieE can be nerved up to take, Tie
masses Of the loyal men Of the country
will meyer sacrifice the Union'to slavery.
There will be no division among them. a
few may threaten and bluster, but they
dare not act We say to such men that
the great car Of human progress is rolling
on. It will crush every obstacle. Let
them clear TIE track when the bell rings.
It's also Eaid that emancipation will
dishea1ten and drive from Us the loyal men
Of the Slave States. That is mere as
sumption. We have failed to discover =
single indication to support it, On the
contrary, we believe there are thousands Of
true loyal men in Kentucky and Maryland,
and Virginia and Missouri, and even Tex
as, who would hail it with delight They


are not only loyal to the Government, they


are loyal to humanity. Living in the


midst Of slavery, they have been to some


extent borne down and enervated by its


Inevitable tendencies. Emancipation


would I'll them with new vigor and energy.


They would rally with renewed zeal


around the flag Of our Union, feeling as
sured that the defeat Of the rebellion
would bring to them and to the States they
live il, more than to any others beneficial
results, that it would wipe out terrible
| hereditary curse that they had feared
would forever hold them and their child.
ren in its sitting grasp. Indeed, they
| would almost bless the rebellion for crea


ting such golden opportunity.


| We1epeat the question then. Why not


Why not destroy the great fountain O.


treason, and leave the country safe agairs


the plotting and incendiarism Of traitor
forever after2 Why not strike the mon


stcr in vital part7 Why not take th


only step which will extract the creates


possible amount Of good from al this evil


we rejoice in the certain indications tha


public opinion is rapidly tending toward
this only manly, humane, sensible solutio
Of our troubles. The eyes Of the peopl


are not dim, nor their ears deaf The


zee already the distant fash, and hear II


muttering thunder that is to leave cur s
cial atmosphere more clearer and pur'


when the storm is over. In truth, there
no rational negatic to our quesaeu-WH
! NOT2
Year: 1861

Since Fort Lafayette has become the MILF
tary prison Of the Government in which are
confined all State prisoners, information in
regard to it will be of interest to the public.
We copy from the New York Herald:


The entranCe to the Bay of New York.
commonly called the nsrrows, is protected
by forts on either side. On the Staten Island
side are forts Tompkins and Richmond-the
latter above and commanding the former, the
front part of which is washed by the sea-
On the opposite, or Long Island side is Fort
Hamilton, on little island, the public road
intervening between it and the sea. Fort
Lafayette is erected on shoal, about four
hundred yards from shore, and nearly in a
line between il and Fort Tompkins, with no
other means of communication with the
shore than by boat.


The shape of the fort is quadrangular, with
the angles pointing to the sea and bay and
either shore, diamond wise. Facing Fort
Hamilton are two tiers of heavy cannon, in
bomb proof easements. On this side, which
is less protected than the others, appear to
be barracks for the troops, and other neces-
sary buildings the roofs of which are seen
rising above the walls of the fort. There
are, consequently, no barbette guns here.
This part of the fort, however, is completely
commanded by Fort Hamilton, opposite





On the other side guns are mounted en-
bdrbette, in addition to the heavy easement
guns below. In fact, the entire structure,
whatever may be said of its capacity as
defense against foreign invasion, seems to
be more than sufficiently strong to keep in
security as many State prisoners as are
likely to be entrusted to the hospitable care
of Colonel Burke.


1t would sorely puzzle Jack Sheppard or
RaTnn Trpnpx
thies alive and confined in Fort Lafayette,
to make their way out of that stronghold,
surrounded as they would be by granite
walls, with the sea washing their base on
every side; and yet there were wsacres who
could seriously advise the Sheriff of Kings
County to call out the militia of the county
to reduce the fort, in order that the Sheriff
might be enabled to arrest Lieutenant. Col
onel Burke on warrant of attachment
for refusing to obey Judge Garrison's
| writ of hGbedS corpus in favor OF the Bal
timore Police Commissioners, in obedience
to his superior, General Scott. The Law
may not be exactly IAN ass" to employ
the elegant phraseology of Mr.. Rumble, thu
beade OF the parish, in requiring Mr.. Sheriff
Campbell to make formal application for the
militia to aid him in serving and executing
the writ, but the individuals who imagine
that Fort Lafayette can be reduced by ter
times the force that Kings County can bring
to bear against it, must have very long ears
Indeed, isolated as Fort Lafayette is, anG
commanded completely by Fort Hamilton
with the sea open to the Federal forces, the
officer of the day on Saturday at Fort Hamil.
ton seems justified in the remark he made tc
our reporter, that the entire force of New
York City, several times over, would no
suffice to get possession of Fort Lafayette
and the prisoners confined therein.
Year: 1861




EprroRs APPEAL: The South is In thI
Greatest need Of al and every help abe ear
possibly get. The writer would respectfully
suggest II it would not be well to urge it upon
the ladies' Of Memphis and the South to do al
in their power by economy and industry, and
resolving not to use any but southern made
clothes Of every kind that they msy need


For let them know Of a certainty that il Il
only to the courage and efficiency Of the men ol
the South, under the blessing of Provldencs
that their lives, and what is infinitely more,
their honor is safe, for the northern hordeI
would gloat in their ruin and murder, and
you'd net and could not be restrained by their
own lswherever they got possession In any
part Of the country. The abolition govern
ment at Washington have designs en- Mem
pbis to seize and make it the base Of opera
tions in the Southwest. and for them once to
obtain Il would result In the greatest ruin to
the whole South, OF the greater part. There
should be every preeaution taken to guard and
defend it at every hszzsrd. Let the people
here be vigilant.
Year: 1861

Last Saturday another bearer of dispatches arrived from Washington, and demanded a passport and conveyance to Fort Pickens. He was at once sent over by Col. Lomax, but the character of his dispatches is not yet known. Some two hours after his arrival, a signal flag was raised upon the Fort and heavy gun fired. At intervals through the day the gun was fired, but for what purpose We could not learn. The next morning the masts of the Wyandotte came in sight, and immediately after another gun was fired from the Fort, the stars and stripes put at halfmast, and, although daylight, rocket sent up. The Wyandotte came secretly into the harbor, and under a flag of truce, run up to the Navy

 yard, and a little to the Fort, where she is now lying. Nothing new appears this morn ing, except the smoke of several fires upon Fort Pickens, and two extra derricks and sling-cart for the purpose of mounting heavy guns They seem to keep busy over there, and mount two or three guns day Now they have more than double the number than when we came, and in addition, two heavy Cocorn mortaas. [Cor. Columbus Times
Year: 1861

The House of Congress has stricken from the tariff bill the amendment of the Senate imposing tax of one and half cents per pound on coffee, and four cents per pound on tea, in addition to an. ad yaloren tax of ten per cent.
Year: 1861

This forenoon, Prof Ia Mountain made
a novel ascension. He took his balloon
on board the steamer Fanny, and vixen
she was about midway the Roads. ascend
ed about two thousand feet into the air,
ropes attached TO the balloon still being
held on board. The steamer then started
slowly down the river, passing very near
Sewall's Point and then across toward
Pig Point and Newport News. The re
connoisance was complete. La Mountain
could look down upon their work At Sc
wells Point finely. lie reports that be
hind the line of woods which skirts this
side the Point. the rebels arc working ac-
lively upon batteries, and mounting guns
which viii be made to bear upon the Rip
Raps, upon the shipping and the Fortress.
There are a number Of encampmcnts.
When the rebels saw him nearly above
them, they concealed themselves as soon
as possible in the works, and watched him
from behind them or the trees near BY.
Other information obtained is not made
public. The method of the ascension was
entirely new, and the reconnaissance de-
cidedly the most satisfactory ore which
has been made at this post Cor. Phila-
delphia Inquirer.
Year: 1861

The tax on Land and on Capital.


The Enquirer, whose mcanneSs of spirit
is only matched by its hypocrisy, has been
trying to excite bubble odium against the
direct taxations provided for by Congress
ON the ground that it is extremely burden
some and grossly unjust to the agricultur-
lists of the West. Now, in point of fact,
the direct tax falls with far less weight
on the farmers of the West than on the
capitalists of the East. Look at the
figures:


The share which Ohio has to pay of the
direct tax of twenty million is just lis
mills to the dollar Of her land valuation.
That's for every thousand dollars worth
of real estate, the tax is 81 30. 1t is ac-
tually even less than this; because
homestead valuation to the amount of
$500, is exempted from taxation entirely.


Now this is the whole direct tax that
the farmer of Ohio has got t" pay. His
aud being taxed, he has got 10 further
tax to pay on the income he derives from
It, How many farmers III Ohio, think
you, reader, will it break to pay dollar
and half year on each thousand dollars
worth OF their property


Now look at the ether side. The CAPT
talist OF New England, be he merchant,
manufacturer or banker, has to pay three
dollars ON every hundred dollars of income
above $500. If he makes only six per
cent on his capital, this is 80 on every
thousand dollars worth he owns, But as
six per cent is two or three times less than
the trading classes actual tax paved them,
i: honestly levied ami paid, will he two or
three times as much, or say 81 30 on each
thousand dollars of capital This Is just
three times what the farmer of the West
whose hard fate 50 excites the sympathy
of the Enquirer has to pay on like
amount of capital.


Besides this, the professional man, who
has no capital, pays three per cent upon
all that hc receives over $500 per annum,
while the well-to do farmer ict him make
ever 50 much on his crops, pays only the
the one and half mills per dollar on the
valuation of his farm.


The truth is that although no system
of taxation whatever is free from inequal-
itics, this direct and income tax dstri-
butcs the burden, as between agricultural
and other classes OF cit izcns, with far
more impartial hand than the covert en-
emies of the Government are willing to
have appear Commercial
Year: 1861

\ man may chain his appetites and


hold the realm of knowledge within the


cincture of bis brain, and vet in the sad


dest aspect of all, be overcome by the


world. And again | say, how startling Is


the fact that one may hold on steady up
TO a particular point, and there all gives


way. o. my brother man, meaniag to
live the life of duty. the life Of religion


The world is a mighty antagonist, subtle
as it is strong; more TO be dreaded in its


whispers to the hearts secret inclinations
than in gross shapes of evil. And let me
say to YOU that it is great thing in this
respect to overcome the world Ii is
great thing, by Gods help aud your own
effort, to keep it in its rlacc, and say to
its eager pressure, Thus far aud no far
ther." \ great thing, . merchant. TO
carry the clue of rectitude through the lab
yrinths OF tralli c, and to feel the woof of
eternal sancti ons crossing the wary of the
daily interests. A great thing, O politi-
clan. to withstand the tickle teachings of
to scorn tho palatable lie, and
keep Gods signet upon your conscience
4 great thing, 0 nah. whatever your
to resist the appeals of envy
and revenge, of avarice AMI pleasure,
and to feel that your life has higher ends
than these. Strenuous must be the endea-
vor, but proportionately blessed is the
history of him who in these issues over
comes the world-Rev. +. II. Chaplin.