smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1863

The following extract from letter from Rebel
prisoner, to a friend in New-York State, is straw
showing tie change OF feeling at the South lately


"I was one Of the many, who, at the
breakng out Of the Rebellion, war misled by horrd
tales aud solemn promises to he fulfilled at the close
Of the war, TO 10 IN the army.


"I bad a start IN the world in Athens Clark
County, Georgia, at the beginning of the war, and
everything looked very encouraging, and all thought
that the war would not last Fix months; then could
return with all the honors Of d true Southern man,
and De regularly Installed aud ret up IN business,
soon to make IA fortune, and enjoy the rest OF my
life. In this have been sldly BITTEN.


Instead oi the war lasting SIX months or twelve
months have served twebty-eight months, and
there is 10 prospect of iIs coming to a close for
;w. I've months to come, and what LEFT at home !
have speni while in service, aud am now prisoner
of war with nothing but the prospect OF beng
Turned on, upon the world without cent to help
myself with.


- lie who will be deIuded to take up arms against
his country must safer the consequences. As FOR
me baye got enough OF the war and am about TO
take the and remain In the uniOu and let ReO-
-llom 70 TO the D.. Ihey have beat me out Of
TWO years work and 1850. think will quit,
and keep quiet for few days"
Year: 1863

and come to stay, and SO come as to
be worth the keeping in all future
time.


1t will then have been proved that
among free men there can be no sue
cessful appeal from the ballot to the
bullet, and that they who take such
appeal are sure to lose their case.
and pay the cost.


And then there will be some black
men who can remember that. with
silent tongue, and clenched teeth.
and steady eye, and well-poised BAY
onet, they have helped mankind on
to this great consummation while
fear there will be some white ones
unable to forget that, with malignant
heart and deceitful speech, they have
stroye to hinder it.


Still, let us not he over sanouine
of speedy final triumph. Let us
be quite sober. Let us diligently
apply the means,n never doubling that
a just God, in his own time, will give
US the rightful result.


Yours, very truly.


n. LINCOLN.
Year: 1863

TIE ARMY AND TIE NATION


We take the following passag,


from an article in The -lrmy qad Nars
Journal.


Speaking Of the past feeling of the
/ people to the army and the errors ol


opinion formerly prevalent concern


ing the military service, the writer


says:


Let US hope that in the future
history of our country. juster views
in these regards will prevMl-that Il
military spirit viii be cultivated. that
the army viii be cherished. I'm all
grades" says Marshal Marmont,
1.-The profession Of arms is noble, be
cause for all alike it is composed of
sacrifices, and is rewarded, before
all, by public estimation and glory.
To speak disdainfully of those who
compose the rank and file of armies
is a kind Of blasphemy. even to
speak of them with Indifference is to
misconceive the very conditions of
our nature" And more especially
is this true in our country. Under
our system the civil authority con
trolls the military. The NARROWER
is not the prerogative of the military
but of the civil government. The
prating, therefore, which is some
times heard in regard to the dangers
of Caesarism or military despotism
can arise only from 4 knayish spirit.
or a fundamental misconception OF
the genius Of our institutions. With
us the army is simply the arm of the
nation; not an arm orcr the nation
If it be truly its arm. therefore. It's
arm for protection and for vengeance,
it is Il living, incorporate part of the
body polite, sharing lis sympathies,
motives, desires. In the great vol
unteer army which has been in the
field during the past two years, a
million OF citizens have, for longer or
shorter periods. borne arms in the
public service We believe their
army life has made them better men
and better citizens. That it has
raised their sentiment OF patriotism,
no man who has seen our armies in
the field will deny. The feeling of
the army regarding the late attempts
to discourage the conscription strik-
in5ly illustrates this. We doubt if
these attempts would ever have been
made if their originators had fore /
seen what contempt and Indignation
they were destined to stir up in the I
army-what white fury sat on the
lips of men eager TO leave the rebels
in their front and come to settle ac-
counts with those whom they re
Year: 1863

MERE success, it must be admit


ted, is not Legitimate test of The
justice of any human enterpri Sc


Not that retribution does not fol-


low crime, in the economy of God,
as effect follows cause; but to our
limited vision, the ways Of Provi
dence are often darkly mysterious,
and long periods of time may often
elapse before it shall seem good to
the Ruler of the world openly to
reward fidelity to truth. To meet
this moral exigency, Faith has been
given to us as a controlling element
of our nature, and with it to temper
the austerlty of its trials, Hope
has been given also. Faith in the
final triumph OF law and liberty
and order in these dark days of the
Republic has not been wanting.
How could the confedcracy succeed
In its career of sheer and unmlti-
gated usurpatlon and crime These
are times not OF brute violence on
ly, but Of enlightenment and civil
ization; and how could system,
the corner. stone OF which is an alb
solute and concrete defiance of di--
vine and natural right, be permitted
to found ;rlumphantly republic
which would be a misnomer, in the
name OF that liberty which it be
gins by despotically DENYING to so
many OF its population ? In the
murkiest midnight of the French
power, when the armies of Napo-
leon had overrun all Germany, and
his iron heel was pressed to her
bleeding and palpitating bosom,
the philosophical Fichtc bade his
indignant and well nigh despsiring
country men be OF good cheer. "phe
French Emperor he said, "is un-
jnst-and he must fail and fall at
"last.' SO may we say now: the
Coniederacy is unjust; it must fail
and fall at last. And certainly, it
we may credit plain enough por-
tents, the day OF its destruction Is at
hand. The territory stolen by
treason and violence and falsehood
and terrorism is coming back
again, not little by little, but by
magnificent and exhaustive install
ments. The superb operations OF
Gen. Blnnt in the Southwest, IN
which by forced marches aad Judi
cious fighting he has driven the IN
surgents from one hundred thousand
miles oi territory, must have future
results ofextraordinary importance.
Ia Arkansas, haltthe state has been
rescued ftom the rebels. Mean
while, the intelligence from
Charleston, though at this moment
not absolutely decisive, is extremely
encouraging. There il every rea.
son to believe that our operations
IL that quarter, where the treason
was hatched and where il first lifted
Its serpent head, Will be crowned
by success, the moral effect OF
which upon the worlds opinion
and action must ne inestlmably IN
our layor.-hdepcrdcm
Year: 1863

Minister Clay writes from ST. Pc
tersburgh to a gentleman in this city,
They have granted me n telegraph
line charter, the line TO run from the
mouth Of the Amoor River 10 Amer
lea 1t will unite all the continents
and be the great work Of the age
i will illustrate M mission 70 this
country
Year: 1863

~ A genius down east, intends apply.
ing for a patent for a machine, which he
says, when wound up and set in motion
will chase hog over ten acre lot, catch.
yoke, and ring him; or, by slight change
Of gearing, it will chop him into sausages.
work his bristles into shoe brushes, and
manufacture his tail into cork screw.
Year: 1863

A MEAN THlEF-Gn Thursday night some
tfiPf, who deserves The name OF the m-anest of
the mean, took a Grape from the door knob of
dwelling on the Navy Yard in which corpse
" as " ing.
Year: 1863

The threat lately so common in Copper
head circles, that as soon as possible after
the 9TH Of March, the Congressman elect,
or those Of the Copperhead species, would
assemble in New York, aud thence give
law to the Republic, was not wholly un-
meaning. We hear that the intention thus
expressed really under1ies many political
efforts that seem to be unaccountable, and
that tue conspirators only await the hap
pening Of some national calamity, to nut
their designs into execution. We know Of
no men who would look better through the
grated doors of some Government prison
than those who thus glibly talk about a
revolution; md when they dare to exc
cute what they threaten, we hope that the
constituted authorities at Washington
whose province it is to guard against trea-
son, will destroy their illusions by c1appins
them into Fort Warren, where they may
repent at leisure. In this case there should
be no hesitation.
Year: 1863

This gentleman, late the editor Of the
Vieksburg Wig and thoroughly loyal
man, who has recently been speaking in
the West, goes to Connecticut to aid the
good cause in that State, We bcspeak for
him warm reception from the friends Of
the Union and the Constitution. He is q
sincere, earnest and selfsacrifcing friend
OF the Government, and withal man ot
no mean oratorical Gifts.
Year: 1863

The following officers have been notified
that they will stand dismissed unless, within
fifteen days from March LIST, they appear be-
fore the commission, in this city, and make
satisfactory defense to the charges against
item:
Year: 1863

1t is worry impolte to come into Il
printing office, pick up paper and
commence reading aloud, greatly to
the disturbance of tho compositors.


1t is very impolte to read the prin-
ters copy, and still worse to read what
tho prossman may be printing, For
such i breach OF manners the press,
man ought to knock the offender
down. But some persons suppose every
thing in printing Office is for the pub.
lie


1t is exceedingly impolito to leave
the door open when you enter 4
printing office must bo kept warm.
Q,u c1pw !le .fatt
Year: 1863

sn~ Let our public men hiss the
shadow Of reputation. Our subiuga.
ton would be the involuntary result
of foreign violence; reputation would
be evidence OF voluntary, innate want
of principle. Let every southern states.
man and citizen adopt the language.
"I understand not the idea Of repudia.
ton, Let us hste it worse than Yam
kee tyranny, for the latter would be
our misfortune and the former our
crime"
Year: 1863

b6- The North have discovered from
this war the value Of Slavery to the South
as military institution and the procla
nations Of Lincoln have been designed to
destroy that power in our hands Rich
mond Enquirer.


Yes, the President struck you hard
lickihere. and your Copperhead friends
feel it as much and howl more than you
do about it. The sympathetic has throws
the vsllandighammers into convulsions,
and unlcss the President revokes the
proclamation, She party will die of these
sympathetic throes.
Year: 1863

treated them with hardly any degree oI
kindness whstever.


PRIVATE AND PUBLIC ARMs.


An order Was issued for the delivery oi
all arms at the Court House. A great
many Of the citizens did as required
Light towing pieces we're returned to
their owners. One hundred and fifty
stand Of arms were taken from the jail
and burned or broken up. Five hundred
stand Of Government arms were found in
. warehouse. and destroyed in the sams
way. The rebels wanted pistols very
badly, but did not get them. These were
hid away. Some one was traitorous
enough to tell them Who had arms and
who not, and by this means the rebels
were enabled to threaten persons whom
they would not otherwise suspect Of hav-
ing an intention to conceal arms. The
rebels did not search private houses,
though they did some public buildings
1t was in the delivery up of private arms
that the most humiliating scene presented
itself. The honest and respectable men
carrying their own property to be sacri-
feed at the shrine of mere guerrilla brute
force was something we had never ex-
pected to witness. The way the rebels
destroyed both public and private arms
was this: They took them to an open
square where there was but little danger
of the flames communicating 70 the ada
cent houses. There they piled the arms
in heaps. poured turpentins on them. set
them on fire, and got out Of the way
Soon the wooden part Of the arms we're
In bright blaze, and as many of them
were loaded, there soon commenced q
popping Of no pleasant character to the
close locker on. The balls went whizxling
by in all directions, but did not inlurs
any one for almost everybody took good
care to keep out Of the way.


DIscussrox Al rHE HsAHKIrS HOUSE.


The Es..kIin House is the largest holel
in town. 1t is a large red brick binding
and situated ia one corner OF an open
square known as ''The Diamond. Here
the rebel officers, Cor good portion OF
them came To take their meals. They
were very polite when at table, discussed
the war, &c., with much warmth, argu-
ment and sophistry, but always held they
were sure to come out FIRST best. They
one day discussed the question of copper
headism, and plainly said they were op-
posed to this class OF persons. They held
that the copperhead was like drone in
the beehive--of no use to either friends
or foes. They always kept telling the
people to observe how kindly they treated
them. and how differently from the man
ner in which the Union soldiers acted
when they invaded Southern territory
One morning as one Of the officers was
using the pepper. he remarked, "We
dom, often get any of this, and when we
do, it is never as good" Some of them
ate voraciously, and when they were do


ing so, attributed it the healthful effect OF
tie valley air, remarkiog that they had
come North for the health of the Con
federscy, of which they we're part They
did not all Of them pay their hotel bills.
They told the landlord that we had tried
it long enough on their soil, and now they
we're going to try and end the war on
O,lrs
Year: 1863

TAX PAYERs TAKE NoTrcx.-All per-
sons owing taxes to the city of Keokuk
will bear in mind that there 10 but two
days remaining to pay their taxes in
which thsy will receive discount of
per cent; and those wishing to save
money will take notice and act accord.
ingly.
Year: 1863

SUNDAY LAw.-The public must bear
in mind that the city ordinance in rela-
tion 70 Offering articles of any description
for Bale on the Sabbath will bs strictly
enforced hereafter. All those who fear
they may suffer any Inconvenience from
the want Of their regular Sunday tod had
better moisten their clay well on Saturday
night, and perhaps they may survive un
til Monday morning.
Year: 1863

Consumptivss. and all invalids, and in
deed persons in health, are cautioned to
avoid the night air. Do those who offer
this advice forget that there 10 no other
air at night but "night air % Certainly
We cannot breathe day air during the
night. Do they mean that we should
shut ourselves up in air-tisht rooms, and
breath over an over again, through halt
the twenty -four hours, The atmosphere We
have already poisoned We have only
the choice between night air pure, and
night air poisoned with the cxhalations
from our skins and lungs, perhaps from
lungs already diseased.
Year: 1863

fE The Copperheads were in high
feather here on Saturday, and there were
more Of them on the street than We have
observed any day since the " Capture oi
Richmond"


By the way, an attenuated sickly little
soldier struck Copperhead bully with 8
brickbat on Main street somewhere, We
understand, during the day. We did not
learn the origin Of the inuss, but il may
furnish the sppointmen, Of another Militia
ry Commission OF Investigation.
Year: 1863

The Next Congress strongly for the War.


The New York Herald, in a table which
is copied and exulted over by every Cop
perhesd sheet figures out a majority Of
six in the next House of Representatives
against the Administration but in order
to do this it classes all the nine members
from Kentucky Opposition, claims the
doubtful district in Missouri, allows the
/ Republicans only two instead Of three in
Vermont, and makes other anomalous ar
rangements Of its figures. 1t is forced to
acknowledge however, that on all ques-
tions relating to the war there viii be
found an overwhelming majority in favor
of vigorous prosecution for the suppress
sion of the rebellion and the re-establish-
ment of the Union" Not only will there
be an overwhelming majority in favor Of
a vigorous prosecution eff the war, but
that msjority will unite in the election of
a firm friend Of the Administration as
Speaker, and will be found working to-
/ gether during this session.
Year: 1863

The westher Down East was so hot dur
ing. the late Democratic State Convention
in Maine, that many Of the Democratic
delegates were obliged to put bricks in
their hats to prevent melting the copper in
their heads.
Year: 1863

GOOD GOODS,
(We say GOOD, for we sell
that kind Of Stock), to be
found in any House of our
acquaintance East or West.
They were bought for Cash
by one of the firm who
spends the greater part of his
time East for that express
purpose. With many years
experience in the business,
we fatter ourselves that we
understand it well, and with
facilities at our command, we


~an e>z2a VIII
Sell Goods as cheap as any
Jobbing House in the coun-
try, we care not where that
House may be located; if in
the East. we will add trans
t,or ta1on. We would re-
specially call the attention
OF Cne Crade 70 scn cxanlina-
ton OF our Goods. We like
to sell good Goods; THEY
speak for us wherever they
go.


MORGAN, READ & &C.
Year: 1863

\ FrAIAiE Soi.niER.-Ie esterday. Il
rather prc2ossessiug locking lass was dis-
covered ON Belle Isle, disguised among The
prisoners Of war held there She rave her
real name as MARY JoHNsoN. belong
Ell to the Sixteen h Maine Reeimcnt. and
had been prisoner for some time She
gave as an excuse Cor adopting the soldier
forgery, that she was following her lover,
to shield and protect him when in dang
He had been killed in battle. and nov she
would have no objection to return To the
more peaceful sphere Tor which nature, by
her sex. had better fitted her.


The heroine OF a novel yet to be written
in Yankeciom was considerably suuburned
and roughcuel by the hardship she had
encountered but still retained marks of
some womanly comclness, which would be
heightened by a calico irock aud crinoline
pom the discovery of her sex, Mss JOHN
soS was removed from Belle Isle, and is
row confined at Castle Thunder She viii
probable go North BY the next FLAG of truce
She is about - years of agc-Richmoad
Ia. Enquirer, Dee l..
Year: 1863

The passengers by the Central train last
night brought nothing new with reference
TO the position Of affairs. on the line of the
Rappahannock, except vague report that a
body of the enemy. supposed to be cavalry,
were marching on, Orange Courthouse The
report is hardly entitled to be considered re.
liable, as it is scarcely probable that they
would attempt to penetrate so far in the rear
of Gen Lees army.
Year: 1863

ed widely from this principle; no condi>
tions have been prescribed upon which
those who have scruples of conscience
should be excused from bearing arms
Exemptions have been multiplied until
large classes are not only relieved from
military duty, but also from giving any
equivalent for such relief. They include
numerous officials and other classes who
have no. claims to exemption beyond those
which belong to every citizen engaged in
useful pursuits.


These favored classes are usually in a
better condition to give an equivalent than
the mass Of those upon whom these liabil-
tiles now fall There should be no such
unjust distinctions; Ill seitizens of
suitable years should be equally liable; if
those who are unfit to perform duty are
drawn, they should pay such sum as shall
be deemed just by suitable tribunals. If
they are unable-to pay, the amount can
be remitted, or, like fremen, they might
render an equivalent in an equally honor
able branch of the public service. If the
lot falls on officials, they can procure sub
stitutes or pay such combinations as may
be prescribed by law. 1t is glaringly un-
just to allow those enjoying all the honors
and profits of official station to go free of
all liabilities, while the only son of the
widow; Or the sole support of the family,
may be forced upon distant and danger
Gus service.
Year: 1863

Mrs. Douglas The Washington
correspondent of the St. Louis Bull
letin takes the following liberty with
this lady's name:


A paragraph is going the rounds
of the press stating that Mrs. Douglas
widow of the late Illinois Senator, is
about to contract an alliance matri-
monial with Chase of the Treasury,
no doubt founded upon the court the
Secretary of the Treasury is known
to pay to the acc omplished lady, but
it is understood here that the happy
man, that is to be, is General Rufus
ingalls, late Chief Quartermaster of
Army of the Potomac, under General
Mcclellan. One or both of these re-
ported engagements may be the in
vention of lively Washington gossips,
though it is pretty certain that the
lady can have for a husband either
the susceptible Secretary, or the gal
liant General; and Judging by her de-
lay in coming to conclusion upon
their respective merits, it may be pre-
sumed the contest is about even be-
tween the two aspirants for her hand
It is a love tilt between craftsmanship
and greenbacks on the one side, and
soldierly qualities and epaulettes, on
the other.
Year: 1863

Gov. Seymour, in his inaugural mess
age, says of the skulking Abolitionists who
avoid the draft:


[ urge your Immediate attention to the
inequality and injustice of the laws under
which it is proposed to draft soldiers for
the service Of the General Government.
During long period of peace but little
attention has been paid to our military
system. For the purpose of a conscription
it is entirely defective; it contains none
of the provisions which in the European
systems mitigate the evils of compulsory
military service it pays no just regard on
one hand to the evils which it may inhict,
while on the other it makes numerous ex-
.emptions which are inconsistent with fair
ness and with the spirit of our Constitu-
ton, that contemplates that all of suitable
ages alike shall perform military duty or
pay some equivalent. This purpose is
fully expressed by the first Constitution of
our State:


fsIt is of the utmost Importance to the
safety of every State that it should always
be in condition of defense; and it is the
duty of every man who enjoys the protec-
ton of society to be prepared and willing
to defend it."


The present Constitution has provision
to tue same effect Not only the organic
law of our State, but justice demands that
every man who enjoys protection of socie-
ty should be prepared to defend it. Re
cent legislation on this subject has depart
Year: 1863

MAKING CoFFEE.-Coffee as very COM
monty prepared, by persons unaequainted
with its nature, is decoction, and is boiled
for some time, under a mistaken notion
that the strength is not extracted unless it
be boiled. But the faetis just the reverse.
The fine aromatic oil which produces the
flavor and strength of the coffee, is dispell-
ed and lost by boiling; and a mucilage is
extracted at the same time, which also
tends to make it fiat and weak The best
modes are, to pour boiling water through
the coffee in bag or strainer, which is
found to extract nearly all the strength
or, to pour boiling water upon it, and set
it on the fire, not to exceed ten minutes.
The Turks and Arabs boil the coffee, it is
true, but they boil each cup by itself, and
only for moment, so that the effect is, in
fact, much the same as that of infusion,
and not like that of decoction. They do
not separate the coffee itself from the infu-
sion, but leave the whole in the cup.