smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1869

Fearful Riot. which was Begun by Radical


negroes and their White Leaders.


MOBILE, August G.-Last night a
serious riot occurred here, beginning
in an out door Radical meeting to
celebrate the triumph of the Radical
candidate for Congress in this district.
The meeting was large and composed
exclusively OF negroes except a few
white leaders. During the whole Of
Yesterday rumOTS were circulated that
the negroes were very much excited,
defiant and threatening to burn the
Democratic candidates for Congress
in effigy. Several citizens called on
the Mayor, and some Of their leaders
advised them that it would be better
TO postpone the meeting. for if the
threatening to burn the cHigy was
carried out the whites could not be
restrained from an attempt to resent
the indignity by force. 1t was thought
that these representations had
had the desired effect, and
that there would be no meeting. At
S O'Clock however the tar barrels were
lighted of, and the negroes began to
flock in until they sWelied into
crowd Of 1000 or 1900. Many came
With guns and most all with con-
cealed arms, pistols, knives and raZOrS.
Nothing occurred except the infiama-
tory talk Of the speakers until about
10 o'clock, when a fierce dispute arose
between two citizen on a subject
entirely foreign to politics or the
meeting, which attracted some atten-
ton, and in passing UP to see'N hat it
d ~ ~ fol I1a-
trOd on a negrO's foot, and Just as the
alteration about this was
settled, a pistol shot was heard,
which was the signal for
general firing, and the whole crowd
dispersed Immediately. The firing
vas continued a few minutes as the
crowd scattered, and in ten minutes a
dead quiet Teigned, broken only by
the tread Of a white patrol.


A detachment Of United States
troOus was stationed at the guardhOUse
by request Of the Mayor in anticipa-
tion Of trouble. They took no part in
the fray except TO march up town and
put a stop to the firing. 1t is not
known who fired the frat ShOt.


Ihe casualties are small considering
the number Of shots fred. Three ne
eroes were killed and five wounded.
Four policemen and three other white
men were wounded.


The Register this morning comments
on the riot as follows:


Last nights work, done after our
editorial of this morning was in print,
is a sharp and quick commentary on
the dangers we forecast. From the
present aspect Of affairs it is a burning
shame that the community should be
exposed TO outrage like this, and the
community owe it as q duty to itself
80 prevents repetition. IS to where
The blame Iies there is no room for a
Question. These deeds are the direct
outbreaks of the malignant passions
of the negroes Influenced and lashed
into fury by base partisans.


1t is a question for the public to de-
eide how long these incendiaries shall
be allowed to expose the peace Ct sc
1iety sua the safety Of the women and
children. We hope public meeting
will be held TO answer this question: y


The First Congressional District Is
uncertain, and it will require the
official count to decide it.
Year: 1869




GENERAL GRANTS SPEECH. - General Grant
made a short speech to the committee appointed
to notify him of his election. He assured them
that in accepting the Presidency it was his firm
determination to faithfully carry out all the OBJ
legations of that office, and should call around
him men who would earnestly carry out princi-
Piles of honesty, economy land retrenchment.
Should the officers of sthe different departments
Of government be derelict in their duty he would
not hesitate. moment in removing them gen
eral Grant stated that he had concluded mot to-
make known the names Of the gentlemen he de,
sired in his Cabinet till he sent them to the SEN
ate for confirmation. His reason for this deter
mnation was because of the efforts that would
be Immediately made by various parties in the
interests of their friends to induce him to change
his mind in this respect. Grant said, in conver-
sation with Republican member of Congress,
that be would not select any one for his Cabinet
who was not aimember of the party during the
war or had not acted with it since."P eg4rs
Year: 1869

We heard fact related the other day,
upon uuquestionable authority, which
saddened and amazed us. 1t was to this
effect, that at the birthday party" i'll
this city, given by little girl, and at
tended by her playmate boys and girls,
five different kinds of wine made por-
tisn of an entertainment which was
partaken of with great gusto by the
happy crowd. This was supported by
another fact-that little boy whose
birthday was approaching, and who
greatly desired to give a party in honor
of it, was deferred from so doing by the
parental nterdict of wine as a portion
of tue feast, and by the feeling that so
many unpleasant remarks would be
made if such party were given
without wine, that it would be pre-
ferabe TO ignore the occasion alto
gctIcr. 1t seems we'll nigh in
credible that such state of things can
exist in nominally Christian circle of
society; and that parents who expect
their children to grow up IN such n
world of temptation as this is, should
dare to take the fearful risks insepara-
BILE from such domestic training. No
father and no mother could possibly
contemplate, without shudder, the
probable ruin of child by drunken
ness. How, then, can they bring them
selves to look with indulgence upon a
state of things indicating tastes so de
praved, almost in the very nursery J
And if, when they cast wheat into the
ground they expect wheat crop, how
can they fail to anticipate harvest of
temporal and eternal wretChedneSs and
ruin from such a sowing All questions
of mere law sink into insigniticance in
comparison with such question of the
practices of "good society" as this.
-BOStoR CORgregdtiOHdIist.
Year: 1869

The Rutland, Vermont, Herald says
As hunting party were going up to
the top of Pine Hill they heard splash
ing of water in brook near by, aud on
looking, discovered an adder with live
fish in his mouth, struggling TO escape.
The adder, however, succeeded in bring
Ing the fish ashore, Notwithstanding the
diameter of the two were about equal.
As they reached the dry land by the side
OF the brook, one of the party threw a
stone at the adder, upon which the tish
escaped and got into the water again.
The adder again entered the stream and
seized the fish a second time, and after
doing so retreated in good order down
the stream, and escaped the vigilance OF
those who sought his life.
Year: 1869

The late Temperance Convention at
Chicago is in keeping with politics
generally. The good men who composed
that convention see great evil. Forth
with they conceive the purpose OF
crushing it to death by legislation.


These people commit the error of sup
posing first, that every Legislature has
authority over all questions; and
second that legislation is omnipotent,


No Legislature has the right (we new
81 Oack OF constitutions to say what
Hsn snail buy and drink. Neither, the
Year: 1869

We have the pleasure of announcing
that Vermont has not gone Democratic
Many feared, in view of the political
revelation now going on throughout
the country, that States like Vermont
and Massachusetts might change from
and thus bring the movement into dis
repute. 1t is gratifying TO know tha
so far as Vermont is concerned no suct
calamity is likely to occur.
Year: 1869

In his new book of travel Mark Twain
says: The gentle reader will never new,
or know what coDsummate ass he can
become until he goes abroad. speak
now, of course, in the supposition that
the gentle reader has not been abroad,
aud therefore is not already consum-
mate ass. If the case be otherwise
beg his pardon, and extend to him the
cordial hand of fellowship and call him
brother. shall always delight to meet
an ass after my own heart when | shall
have finished my travels.
Year: 1869

Now that the season has arrived for the an
nua migration TO the country OF our toworn citizens
painting for the nyigorating Of the mountains, we
feel that do readers greater service than
to refer them TO the advertisement OF the new and ee
MissisquO Springs In Franklin County, Vermont. We
cordially indorse all that is there stated OF the e&
hlarang qualities OF the atmosphere the tonic proper
ties tho waters and the charm OF the scenery In that
part OF the beautiful State Of Vermont With these
advantages and the attraction also OF rstcass hotel
aud experienced and popular landlord are sure
that this ely spot will take the highest rank
among our fashionable Summer resorts Express
Year: 1869

The Memphis appeal assents to everything
THE TRIBUNE has had to say concerning the Nlcoson
Pavement and their difficulties with the Northern
tocors and their anxiety to get other Northern capital
ists to make investments the South But it asks
deny that they have any Ill opinion OF the contractors
We hnsten make the correction.
Year: 1869

THE ROGERS MURDER.-The man who wrote
the letter to 'James Logan, by the hand Of
Tom, knows what James Logan he meant it
for, and If he meant it for the James Logan in
custody the next question will be did James
Logan ever receive it9 for this will help to do
termine whether the pocket ip which the letter
was found was Logans pocket or the pocket
Of the bearer Of the letter. The writer Of the
letter may be able to help us here also for he
may have received some answer to u. > Have
the police made satisfactory hunt at Logans
home for the letter itselfs Only the envelope
was In the pocket. Where ID the letter?
Year: 1869

A GOOD Sion FROM THE SoUTH.-The
Albany (Ga.) Nsos congratulates itself upon
the decided falling of in the number of vagrant
freedmen in the streets, most of them having
contracted and gone home to commence the
years work. This can be ascribed to one
particular cause above all others; there is no
material political agitation in the interior of the
South at this time, and the negroes, being freed
from the craft and tricks of rascally politicians,
naturally yearn for the comforts Of the ''snug
little cabin on the old plantation. Let the
blackies alone and they win come out all
right.
Year: 1869

General Buffers Bill nnd speech on the


Finances and Currency.


General Butler introduced an important bill
in Congress yesterday to authorize the issue of
a national currency, to provide for it's stability
and elasticity and to reduce the rate Of inte-
rest on the public debt. Upon this he made an
able and comprehensive speech. Both the
bill and speech are published in another part
OF the paper. This movement Is intended, no
doubt, as the platform Of its author for q new
departure in political affairs and inrhe reor-
ganization Of parties. 1t has been apparent
for some time past that General Butler meant
to make himself the leader In Congress on this
subject Of the currency and our national
finances, which, with his usual sagacity, he saw
must become the most important one before
the country. In his speech he has fairly taken
that position. He goes to the root Of the mat
ter, and Is more radical In this than In politics.
He cuts up the old systems Of currency and
finance bya powerful argument and a thorough
historical review Of their Inconsistencies and
failure, and shows that this new and rich coun-
try should have . system OF its own, adapted
to its institutions and peculiar circumstances.
lie shows that our financial system has been
an exaggerated ofTshoot Of those Of Europe,
subject to the changes, the needs, the wars,
famines and distresses Of other countries, and
that 1t was in no sense an American system
nor adapted to the institutions OF free an
cnterprising and Independent people.


General Butler starts with the proposition
that the currency Of a highly CONNER
cial, expanding, industrious, productive
and free people should be uniform,
sound, cheap, stable and elastic. He
considers that our present legal tender
currency, or that which he proposes shall take
It's place In the form of government ''certif-
Gates OF value" based on national securities,
which shall be lawful money for all purposes,
would be both uniform and sound.


As TO a cheap currency, be argues that all
financial writer's agree that paper money is the
cheapest medium Of circulation. But while
our present currency is cheap enough as re-
CARDS the cost Of its supply, and because II
suffers no loss Of interest as capital while in
circulation, he maintains that II fails 10 be so
in another sensc-in the sense of the enor-
nous price at which 1t, as money or capital,
is furnished TO those who use IL. ssWhen
called into use as a representative OF capital
our money 10 enormously dear" We all
know how high the rate OF interest ordinarily
Is In New York and other commercial centres
Year: 1869

Hanging, If successful-that is, il it break
a mans neck-is the most sudden death he
can die. 1t ruptures the spine in the imme-
diate neighborhood of the meduna oblongaso,
and thus breaks up the communication Of the !.
nerve force or vital power to the organs that
carry on the human machinery. If the mans
neck is not broken the first action OF the cord
is to close the trachea, or windpipe, and thus
stop the supply Of air. 1t also congresses
the large veins in the neck which return blood
to the heart--the jugulars-but does not en-
tirely compress the large ,arteries that carry
blood to the brain, for these lie deeper. The
immediate physiological effect is congestion
OF the brain--a congestion not dissimilar in its
commencement from the congestion Of drunk
enness, which is generally regarded as agree
able, and the consequence Of this congestion
q consequence that perhaps follows in three
minutes after the pressure of the cord is felt
is the total abolition Of conscious sensation.
The man may struggle and writhe in q way
terrible to see, but these struggles are like
those of convulsions generally-painful only
to the beholder. Therefore, if a man is hanged
successfully he feels only the one sickening
sensation Of the plunge before he gets to the
end Of the rope-three seconds of horror, II
he is hanged unsuccessfiliy, by strangulation,
he feels the same three seconds, and in addition,
between the pressure of the cord and deep
congestion of the brain, three minutes Of
swimming, drowsy, uncertain uneasiness-at
the worst, three minutes and three seconds;
and this is all we give Of misery to murderers.
Compare with this the pain that man suffers
before he dies from any ordinary illness, the
drawn out wretchedness Of his three weeks Of
fever, the days of agony with rheumatism and
the bent forward, restless nights before this
rheumatism finally brings his damaged heart
to standstill, the months Of slow death en-
tailed by cancerous stomach; in fine, COM
pare the history of any fatal disease with the
short shrift of hanging and then reflect that
our humanity now obliterates the murderer's
three minutes and three seconds by the use Of
chloroform. Really it is fine age, and II a
man is tired of this world and wants to get
out of it on easy terms the thing for him to do
is to cut his neighbor's throat and be hanged
under chloroform.
Year: 1869

VELocrpRDRs IN THE PAgK.-The prohibi-
ton OF velocipedes In the Park by Mr.. Green
or the Park Commissioners is one OF those
questionable measures that viii hardly be
sanctioned BY public opinion. As healthful
recreation the use Of the veloclpede is quite as
beneficial as any outdoor exercise that we are
acquainted with, and may be enjoyed at the
time OF year when other amusements are either
out Of season or cannot be availed OF. The
Commissioners seem TO think that the veloci-
pede Is a terror 10 horsc1esh, but In our
opinion II Is no more so than many other
sights OF daily occurrence. Horses soon be-
come accustomed to the sight OF strange OBJ
jects, and they will soon become 80 familiar
with the velocipcde as to exhibit no alarm at
It's presence In the Park. When the drives
are made wider, particularly on the east side
Of the Park, there will be ample space for
every description Of carriage and velocipede
without coming in contact with each other.
velocipedes must be allowed TO traverse the
Park. Why not2 The Park was made for
pleasure ground. Let the people enjoy them
selyes there In their own way.
Year: 1869

FoRTY-sEvEN started in his Presi-
DENTAL career with forty-seven savage radicals
to fight, and by his own stupidity drove all
Congress over to the side Of the forty-seven.
Grant will start with the same number against
him-start the same as Johnson did but we
doubt if he will reinforce the forty-seven by
similar blunders.
Year: 1869

BEN BUTLER AND THE GOLD GAMBLERs.-
The redoubtable General and Congressman
created furry in Wall street by his bill and
speech. On the expectation of the latter gold
jumped up clean half per cent, which is q
good deal for these times, but settled little
when the full tenor of his plans was made
known
Year: 1869

THE LEefstArtRE AND WALL STREET.
Wall street is dull and uhexcited these days.
The adjournment Of the Legislature post.
pones action with reference to Erie aud New
York Central. Wall street operators would
like to see the rubbish of the Senatorial contest
cleared away, so that there may be clear field
for the great railway fight.
Year: 1869

for one dollar a month.


The postage being only thirty-6ve cents a
quarter, country subscribers by this arrangement
can receive the HERALD at the same price it is
furnished in the city.
Year: 1869


and nays-that is, to put their names upon the
record in opposition to this repeal. It win be
observed Qeaving out West Virginia) that in
proportion to the whole State delegation Of
any State Tennessee turns out the largest
vote against this repeal but the Tennessee
radicals are of the Brownlow stripe, and
cherish such deadly hostility against Andy
Johnson that they would deny him the pleasure
of signing this repeal even for the benefit Of
Grant, New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio,
from their heavy delegations, furnish, of course,
good share of this negative vote; but their
proportion each is less than that Of Ohio or
Illinois. Strangely enough, Grants own State,
Illinois, from her eleven republican members,
furnishes four Of the forty while Massa-
chusetts, from her ten republican members,
furnishes only one of said forty-seven. From
this it would appear that radicalism, hit or
miss, is stronger in the West than in the East,
and that, excepting the State Of Andy Johnson
and Parson Brownlow, it is very weak in the
South.


All the democrats present and voting voted





thirty-two. Had they voted with the forty
seven in the negative, however, the repeal
would still have been carried by the republi-
cans voting in the affirmative, and by ten
majority. This first victory Of President Grant
in Congress, then, gives him the present House
without the aid Of the democratic guerillas,
and in the new House which meets on the 4th
Of March, though largely made up Of the ma
terials Of the present. he will be still stronger.
At the beginning Of Johnsons administration
had the democrats stuck to the republican con-
servatives they would have given Johnson the
victory but they played into the hands Of Old
Thad Stevens, and this disgusted the mode
rate republicans and drove them over to Ste
vens en- masse. But Grant will be too strong
for any such democratic bushwhacking, and 80
the best course for the democrats, we guess, will
be to follow the lead of Butler for, though not
very successful in the art Of war, Butler is first
rate general of the old democratic school in
the strategy and tactics Of the politician.


The extreme radicals are afraid Of Butler.
They tried their utmost to shelve him in the
late faction fight in his district, but he was too
much for them Now they have reason to
dread him more than ever. We may be sure
that he has some grand programme chalked
out for the turning Of the republican party by
short cut into new channel--some grand
idea like that Of turning the James river by his
Dutch Gap canal. That Dutch Gap canal was
grand idea, and though not yet quite finished
1t will be, and when finished it will last to the
end Of time. In short, Butler is man OF
grand political ideas and comprehensive
schemes on a short cut, Ind has shown himself
in Congress the very man, on new tack, to
take the place of Old Thad. Stevens. There
viii, we suspect be desperatcbstruggle by
the faithful to head him of; but Butler, in plant
ing himself by the side Of President Grant, has
shown that already the game Is in his hands.
Year: 1869

Trade with Canada-The Reciprocity


We publish to-day report on the CONNER
cial relations of the United States and Canada,
made by Israel I. Hatch, the commissioner Of
the American government in the reciprocity
matter, in response to resolution of Congress.
1t contains some interesting and important facts
in relation to the reciprocity question, now
invested with new interest by the strong lobby
movement on foot to secure the restoration Of
the old treaty, and makes an elaborate COM
parison between the value of the route from
Canada, and that by way Of the lakes, the
Erie Canal and the Hudson river to the sea-
coast at New York.


The old Reciprocity treaty was swindle
upon our government. 1t was all turkey for
the Canadians and none for our own people.
While it was in existence the Canadians stuck
to their exclusive or Preferential system of COM
merce on all points not covered by the treaty.
They compelled manufacturers on this side
who depended on Canada as market for their
wares to remove to the province, and they dis
criminated against our boats on their canals.
They have discriminating laws in favor Of a
railroad through our own territory, but made
subservient to their commercial ambition and
exclusive profit, to the prejudice of other lines
through the United States and to the great
injury of the merchants of this and our other
Atlantic cities.


The report shows that while the so-called
Reciprocity treaty was in existence we col
lected only seventy-fve thousand dollars
annually in duties-a sum less than the expense
of collecting it and guarding an inland frontier
some six thousandemiles in extent. On the
other hand, Canada during that period col
lected annually between one million and half
and two million dollars on the products
of American labor. For the two
fiscal years since the abrogation OF
the treaty we have collected fourteen mil
lion dollars, or seven millions annually, in
duties, and the trade with Canada has in
creased rather than diminished. These facts
place the renewal Of the treaty out Of the
question as a practical measure, and will rem
der all the efforts and expenditure of the
Canadian government and their hired lobby at
Washington useless. All our representatives
are required to do Is to let the British pro-
vinces alone and treat them as we treat oil
other foreign nations. When they come to us
as an Independent republic for free trade, or
when they become part and parcel Of our gov
erpment the question win be different. At
present we should have just the same COM
mercial relations with Canada as we have with
the home government.


The report presents some sound and SEN
siblc views on the question Of inland COM
merce, and elucidates the true State and
national policy, that ''the right Of way Is the
right Of the Million" and that no part Of the
Union can Justly levy tolls or tribute on the
products Of other States passing through 1t.
The conclusion Is that 90 soon as the Erie
canal debt shall be paid navigation from the
West to the New York seaboard shall be
entirely free, subject only to the necessary
cost Of the uaintepance and repair Of the
public works.
Year: 1869

IT MADE THEM sIoK.-The Bohemians who
ssanalyzed" and otherwise tried Dclmonico's
whiskey complained that u made them sick.
No doubt Of 10. Their stomacbs were used to
another sort Of article. Men who train on the
red eye Of the Bohemian taps are always upset
by good whiskey.