smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

We record this morning such variations of the
Don Quxote exploits of the President elect as
we believe to be authentic and authorized by the
generally accurated reports of the Associated
Press, rejecting with incredulOus contempt the
thousand one exaggerations and inventions of
those unscrupulous reporters who filled this city
on Saturday with ridiculous and improved asser-
tions.


We regard the assertions of the sensation re-
porter of the Times as untrue on their face; espe-
cially in reference to the stetement that Mr.. Lin
coin skulked off himself and left his family to
come in the train which would be sure to carry
them to destruction. In fact, from the evidence
before us, we see nothing to justify the opinion
that there was any thing like conspiracy for the
assassination of Mr.. Lincoln; as Howard the
correspondent of the Times, alleges and if the
names of the Southern conspration in his pos
session, why did he not make them pl Dlic?
In truth, there is much in all the cir ,umstances
here narrated calculated to suggest he thought
that the whole affair was designed rs a coup d
etat to avoid apprehended difficulties in Baltimore
but we would prefer to take a more charitable
view and assume that Mr. Lincoln's presence was
suddenly required pending important action, in
the Peace Conference at Washington. Certain
it is, that unless the President elect possessed ev
dence very satisfactory to his mind that some evil
design against his person was conte mplated, his
action as finally resolved upon conveyed a very
ungenerous imputation on the Loyalty and patri
otsm of the good citizens of Baltimore, than from
whose minds nothing was more rem ote than in
suit personal injury to the President elect, OF
any member of his family or his accompanyin
suite. Some allowance should, there ore, be made
for the natural indignation of the Inhabitants o.
the Monumental City,


Should it prove thatany such diabolical schem,
was really entertainments certain newspaper cor
respondents allege-the whole country and South
ern men more than all, would deplore such al
atrocous demonstration of partisan malignity.-
Nelc York Journal of Commerce.
Year: 1861

The alarm of Mr.. LINCOLN and his friends in
reference to his passage through Baltimore ap-
pears to be entirely unfounded. The rumors of
intended violence came from irresponsible sources.
There is not doubt but that Mr.. LINCOLN would
have been treated with respect, as much so as any
where on his route from Springfield. WASHING
TON, in whose footsteps Mr. LINCOLN promises to
tread, and 'Old Hickory could not have been thus
intmdated. They wouldno have given council to
their fears and passed oyer the route disguised
in ga Scotch plaid cap and very long military
cloak" so as to be entirely unrecognizable But
Mr.. LINCOLN is not a soldier-never smelt gun
powder--and is therefore excusable. he has
demonstrated that he is for peace and we there
fore must conclude that his policy will be pacific.
We sincerely hope that it was not fear of per-
sonal injury that induced Mr.. LINCOLN TO take
his flight from Harrisburgh to Washington dis
guised, but that the public exigencies demanded
his immediate presence at the Federal Capital.
1t cannot be supposed for a moment that a
husband and father would permit his family
to pass over a road and on a train of
-
travel upon. Certainly Mr.. LINCOLN could not
occupy so unnatural position. We know that
selfpreservation is the first law of nature, but a
mans family is part of himself We are un-
willing to think so unkindly of the President elect


and in charity will attribute his sudden flight to
some great public necessity, which doth not vet
appear. 1t will be humiliating to the country to
place any other construction upon the motives
which influenced him. In addition, we do no de-
sire to think meanly of man whose policy
we NAV have to defend in a very short time


against the assaults of his present apologists
and who will probably turn upon him with


all the vindictiveness of partisan hate. We read
that nation may be born in day, and we shall


not be at all surprised if revolution in the pub


lie sentiment of our own country almost equal tC
that should occur within short period. We have
an account of one SAUL of Tarsus who met witt


very sudden and marvellous change, and il


would not be surprising if the scales should droI
as suddenly from the eyes of ABRAHAM LIScoL,
and he should look out upon the political horizon
with new and different vision. Watch and pray
Year: 1861

When the President elect harangued the five
thousand at Steubenville, on Thursday, he asks
the pertinent question, "If the majority should
not rule, who should be judge. We must be all
bound by the decision of the American people;
if not, then the minority must control. Would
that be right, just, or generous? Assuredly not.
repeat that the majority should rule" Now,
certainly the votes cast at the last Presidential
election show that Two-THIRDs were against Mr..
Lincoln? How, then, by the populor vote, can
he claim to be other than the head of a decided
minority? If so, do the majority whom he STYLES
the American people, rule? Is not the nation
to be actually controlled by the minority, which
he virtually deprecates? The majority of this
nation are Numerically opposed TO the princi-
piles and programme of the Republican party,
Accordingly. he should act directly contrary to
the policy of that party, if he really intends to
be bound by the majority decision of the people
When the ballots are two to one against a per
son, it can hardly be said he is in a majority; al
least. Thomas Jefferson's IDEA would not have
agreed with such an exposition of his favorite
principle?-Boston Post.
Year: 1861

Few men have led life more filled with stir
ring or eventful incidents than jefferson Davis
A native of Kentucky, born about 1906, he went
in early youth with his father to Mississippi, then
territory, and was appointed by President Mon
roe, in 1922, to be a cadet at West Point. He
graduated with the first honors, in ls2S, Brevet
Cd Lieutenant, and at his own request was placed
in active service being assigned to the command
of General (then ColOne) Zachary Taylor, who
was stationed in the West In the frontier wars
of the time young Davis distinguished himself in
so marked manner, that when a new regiment
of dragons was formed he at obtained a
commission as Lieutenant. During this time a
romantic attachment sprang up between him and
his prisoner, the famous chief, Black Hawk, in
which the latter forgot his animosity to the people
of the United States in his admiration for Lieut..
Davis, and not until his death was the bond of
amity severed between the two brave men.


In 1885, he settled quietly down upon cottO
plantation, devoting himself to a thorough and
systematic course of political and scientific educa-
ton. He was married TO 4 daughter Of Gen.
Taylor


In lS43 he took the stump for Polk, and in
1915, having attracted no little attention in his
State by his vigor and ability, he was elected to
Congress. Ten DAYS after he made his maiden
speech Soon the Mexican war broke out, and a
regiment of volunteers having been formed in
Mississippi, and himself chosen Colonel he re-
signed his post in Congress, and instantly repaired
with his command to join the corps darmee under
General Taylor At Monterey and Buena Vista
he and his noble regiment achieved the soldiers
highest fame Twice by his GOODNESS he saved
the day at Buena Vista. Wherever fire was hot
test or danger to be encountered, there Colonel
Davis and the Mississippi Rifles were to be found.
He was badly wounded in the early part
of the action, but sat his horse steadily
till the day was won, and refused to delegate
officers.


In 1913, he appointed to fill the vacancy
in the Senate of the United States, occasioned by
the death of General Speight, and in 1850, was
elected to that body almost unanimously for the
term of six years.


In 1851, he resigned his seat in the Senate to
become the State-right candidate for Governor,
but was defeated by Governor Foote.


In 1883 he was called to seat in the Cabinet
of President Pierce, and was Secretary of War
during his administration. In 1857 he elect
ed United States Senator for Mississippi for the
term of six years, which Office he held until his
resignation, on the secession of Mississippi from
the Union.


Personally, he is the last man who would be
selected as "fire- eater" He is prim, smooth
looking man, with a precise manner, stiff, sol
dierly carriage, and austerity that is at first
forbidding. He has naturally, however, genia
temper, companionabe qualities, and DISPOSE
ton that endears him to all by whom he may be
surrounded. As speaker he is clear, forciblt
and argumentative; his voice is clear and firm
without tremor.
Year: 1861

Here is an extract from speech by Henry
CLAY that some who profess great reverence for
the memory of the Great CommOner would do
well to read:


There are persons who are very wise in their
own esteem, who viii reject all compromises;
but that is no reason why a compromise should
not be attempted. 1 20 for honorable compro-
mise when occasion calls for it. Life itself is
but a compromise, until the Great Destroyer
finally triumphs All legislation, all govern
ment, al society, is formed upon the principle of
mutual concession. politeness, comfy, courtesy,
upon these everything is based | bow to you
to-day because YOU bow to me. You are respect
full to me, because am respectful to you. Com
promise is peculiarly appropriate between the
members of a Republca as of one common family
Compromises have this Recommendation, that il
you concede anything, youha something con
ceded to you in return. Treaties are compro
mises made with foreign powers, which is not a
case like this. Here, if you concede anything
it is to your own brethren-to your own family
Let him who elevates himself above humanity
above its weakness, its infrmit;es. its wants
its necessities, say. if he pleases, never will
COMPROMISED but let no one, who is not above the
frailties of our common nature, disdain compro.
mise.
Year: 1861

The following extract from late speech of
Senator DOUGLAS places in pretty strong light
the difficulties that lie in the way of proper ad-
justment of a tariff on imports:


A tariff involves two conflicting principles,
which are eternally at war with each other.
Every tariff involves the principles of protection
and of oppression, the principles of benefits and
of burdens. Every duty levied upon the impor-
tation of foreign article which comes in compe-
tition with home production is a protection to
that extent. Every duty levied upon a raw ma
teral which we do not manufacture here is a tax
upon the manufacturer of that article here Thus
you find that by protecting one interest perhaps
you will oppose another. For instance, if / am
engaged in the manufacture of pig iron, | want a
duty that will protect my interest. You give it
to me, and then man engaged in another branch
OF the iron business comes and says that the pig
iron | manufacture is his raw material and by
protecting me and my manufacture of this article
you put tax on his material, to his injury.
He has been injured to the same extent that |
have been benefited and then he wants protec-
ton on another point, to make up for the loss on
the raw material. Thus, when you attempt to
discriminate for the purpose OF beneftting one,
you are striking blow at another. The great
difficulty is so to adjust these conflicting princi-
Piles of the benefits and burdens as to make one
compens tie for the other in the end, and give
equal benefits and equal burdens to every class OF
the community.
Year: 1861

ity?-and they must know their own business
best. o


But there is something else in connection with
this business which the Republican journals have
not published, and that is, that they know of
still worse conspiracy which exists in Washington
to blow up the whole Capitol during The inaugur-
alton next Monday, and everybody in it, including
both President and Vice President, thus getting
rid Of the latter official also. Therefore we ad-
wise the ladies and other timid persons to keep
away from the ceremony, and indeed to clear out
of the hotels at once, and abandon Washington
altogether. The best way, however, TO ward off
this terrible tragedy would be for Congress to pass
law without delay removing the capital and the
Inauguration ceremonies to New York The
President elect will be perfectly safe here. We
will inaugurate him in magnificent style at the
Academy of Music, and will guarantee him against
all plots and conspiracies. He may leave his
Scotch cap and long militay cloak behind him in
Washington, for he will have no need of disguise
in New York.-N. Y. Herald
Year: 1861

WATCH AND PRAY.-That is what old Abe told
his friends and neighbors in his late parting with
them at Springfield, Illinois. They have no
doubt devoutly done as the President elect wished,
but they must have omitted one of the divine in
functions applicable to him in these latter days of
the Republic, to wit "Let not your flight be in the
winter" C)-Ciereland Plain Dealer.
Year: 1861

Mr.. PREsrDESr.-The undersigned, minority
of the Committee on Printing, TO whom were
referred the resolutions of Mr. johnson, and
others, inquiring into the expediency of abolish
ing the Office of State Printer, and letting the
public printing to the lowest responsible bidder,
dissenting from the report of the majority OF said
Committee made last Tuesday, would respect
fully submit the following minority report:


The undersigned do not deem it necessary to
enter into a lengthy argument in urging the i'm
Dortance of observing system OF strict economy
in all the departments of the State government;
for il is lamentably true that the cousumptive
condition of the peoples pockets and of the
States exchequer, speaks more eloquently TO
the truth of that proposition, than any words
that we can use; besides. II Is proposition, by
the truth of which, all profess to be controlled;
vet. we are sorry to saw all are not so ready to
practice upon, when party requirements are
brought to bear, or party interests to be sub
served.


Considering the high-sounding professions made
before the election by the dominant party of this
State, and represented by the majority of the
committee: and remembering the declarations
made, even more recently, by the present State
Executive, that the people expect and demand
that such professions should be carried into prac
tice by this Legislature, the undersigned are as
tonished, both at the character of the majority
report anu DIV tne eAtreineiN Drlel anu euinuhaIN
manner in which the subject of State printing is
disposed of After such loud professions, and
such apparently honest promises, the undersigned
have been slow to believe that all of such profes-
sons and promises were so soon to be repudiated
| by this "retrenchment and reform Legislature, y
without even "a why or a wherefore" thus caus-
/ ing the fond expectations of the people of the
"good time coming" like the "apples of Sodom
to turn to ashes before the people have had
the pleasure of even "touching" them; nor until
the proposition which we submit with this report
shall have failed, shall we render our verdict,
that all these professions and promises were mere
inventions to cheat and humbug the people.


But, however just these general observations
NAV be, we are not disposed to drop the subject
here but will present for the consideration of the
Senate few stubborn facts as further basis for
our conclusions. By the last two annual reports
of the Auditor Of State, it is shown that the whole
amount audited for the two last fiscal years end
ing October 81, 1860, on account of State print
ing. amounts to the sum of S47 ,e6S a. With
out stopping now TO inquire whether the tariff OF
prices fixed by the law of 1859, is too high ol
Year: 1861

The Republican majority of the Senate were
guilty of very great outrage yesterday, on the
rights of the minority. The majority of the Com
mittee on Printing having made report against


the ezpediency of letting thepublic printing to the
lowest responsible bidder, the minority of said
committee, by Mr.. WOLFE, made a report in fa-
vor of that proposition, which, contrary to all
parliamentary rules or decency, the Republican
majority voted to reject, and did so reject it. BY
that high-handed outrage the majority have
shown wantonness unheard of in parliamentary
proceedings. 1t is deliberate declaration that
the minority of committee have no right to be
heard unless the report suits the majority We
append the rejected report so that the public may
Judge its character and the obvious reasons which
induced its rejection by the Republican ma
jority in the Senate:
Year: 1861

DESTRUCTION OF THE Lock HAVEN AND WILL
LIANsPoRT BooNs.-On Saturday the Susque-
hanna river began gradually to rise, and by
Sunday morning had risen to twelve feet above
low water mark News reached here by tele-
graph that the booms at Lock Haven and Will
Transport had been swept away, and by ten
O'Clock the surface of the river was covered
with floating timber, and until nightfall the
rush Of saw logs down the swollen torrent con-
tinued unabated, and attracted thousands of
our citizens to view the magnificent sight:
The loss to the boom companies must be very
great, and no doubt reached one million and a
half of dollars. This is the second time with
In short period that these companies have
met with such heavy loss.-Harrtsburg Pa.
trfOt and Unio7
Year: 1861

This celestial stranger which had been striving
for several evenings to peep through the clouds at
US, made its appearance full-orbed on Tuesday eve
ning to the surprise Of every Its approach to
our planet so far as we are advised, had not been
heralded by the astronomers. So intent are they,
with the rest of mankind in looking after the tan
gled affairs of this mundane sphere, that they must
have forgotten recently to survey the starry heavens
Its appearance was exceedingly brilliant about
quarter to nine o'clock on Tuesday evening, in
north-westerly direction, being about 80 degrees
above the horizon. Its tail extended south heasterly
beyond the zenith. We have not seen so much
tail to any animal for long tine. As the night
advanced its inclination was Northward, and the
tail Southwark Whence he comes or what is his
name, are questions which the astronomers must
answer What is the object Of his visit is beyond
mortal ken. The day has gone by when the appear
ance of comet is alarming Some people however
will see in its appearance just at this time, and its
direction, grounds to prognosticate direful calami
ties from the war; But as its appearance is more
mild than otherwise, may it not portend, If any
thing, an early peaceP
Year: 1861

We learn that gentleman in this City, received
an important dispatch on Wednesday last from the
Confederate government at Richmond Its report
ed that President Davis will not object to receiving
from this State more than six regiments Of volunteer
troops, provided they rolunteer for the Uar


The sole object of President Davis is to secure the
very best troops and the smallest possible number
of men that will answer his purpose, at the smallest
expense He makes no difference, if we are correct
ly informed, between what are called State troops
or regulars and troops who volunteer for the war.
But six or twelve months volunteers who disband
and 60 home at the end of those terms, are too ez
pensice, aud Of course are not SO efficient as men
thoroughly drilled. Every one can see this at a
glance Had cur authorities called for 10 or 20, 600
volunteers or the par, and left to future develop
ments the question of calling out more, no difficulty
would have occurred The ten regiment bill with its
Objectionable features was therefore unnecessary,
and has mainly produced the difficulty.
Year: 1861

War. under the most favorable circumstances, is
desolatiog scoorge. Apart from the loss of life,
and health and limb-the waste and destruction of
property-the prostration of business, and thou
sand other ills the actual cost Of carrying on war
even for year, is 3 serious matter.


We, Of the South, have been apparently very
anxious to know what the war costs the North,
without stopping to count up its cost to the South.
That, we know, is secondary matter. We intend
But it is Of the greatest importance that the war
should be conducted on strictly wise and economical
princples-at least that there should be no waste.


If the State Convention had left the conduct of
our military affairs to the State authorities alone,
the cost, if the programme devised by the Execu-
tive the Legislature and Military Board had been
fully carried out, could not have fallen much short
of $12 o0o, Geo or $15, ,0oO, 900 per annun.


This amount, or even half Of it added to our
present State debt, if the war be continued, would
prove so serleus aa incubus upon the industry of
our people, to discourage them. Yet were it quad
Iupe that amount it would be cheerfully borne if the
people were satisfied that our expenditures we're
wisely made ia accomplishing the grand object for
which We have enlisted to fight


We shall never complain at war debt or any
other debt made by our State or National authori-
ties, when it is made judiciously and wisely. Nor
could any one justly complain when the authorities
do the best they can or the best they know. Yet a
debt Of any kind is matter of such moment that
those whose duty it is to pay it. should keep their
eyes upon it and their agents. in order that if waste
or useless expenditure occur, whether from want
Of knowledge, or recklessness, the agents may be
removed, and the matter placed in more judicious
hands
Year: 1861

PATRIOTIC SUGGEsr1oN.-The Atlanta Lntelligen-
Ger has heard it suggested that all the members of
Congress and the Cabinet of the Provisional Govern.
ment will initiate the example Of VIM L. Yancey,
and pay into the common treasury the amount Of
their salaries during the The principal clerks,
who can afford it. also intend it IS said, to receive
only onehalf their salaries paying the other half
over to the volunteers.


The above sounds truly patriotic. We hope it
will be carried out in good faith at least so far as
those are concerned who are able to live without
the salary.


We commend their example to all our officials,
whether they hold writing or fighting commissions
The pay of the officers Of all grades in the army,
constitutes of the most serious items of the ex-
penses of the war. In a war where all should make
sacrifices, the pay Of officers is too high. Under
Other circumstances, the case would be different
But in this war, no man should accept more out of
the government than is really essential to his sup
port. ,.t - ... s.......-
Year: 1861

The travel on this Road has been unusually good
for some months. The profits from freight have,
however, fallen of, as was expected.


Col. Fishers Regiment being nearly ready for the
field it is understood he will resign as President of
the Road. Who his successor will be has been
mooted, but we have heard no name suggested. 1t
is Of much Importance to the State and to the Stock
holders and the public, that man of eminent tai.
ents and practical business habits should succeed
him
Year: 1861

We learn from the Newbern Progress, that since
it has been understood that President Davis will
not receive from this State more than six regiments
Of twelve months volunteers, that several of the
companies in camp at that place have resolved to
enlist for the war, and join the State troops Should
this feeling become general, the ten regiments of
State Troops will>be filled up speedily. The sooner
they are filed, the better.
Year: 1861

LEeIsLATURE.-The Salisbury Banner like great
many other people in this State, can see no good
reason for the re-assembing of the Legislature in
August. If there was no purpose to elect Senators
to the Confederate Congress, an act which many
believe it has no power to do, no one could see
reason for its session. That body has passed enough
bad laws to last the State at least thousand years.