smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

1t is night, and here is home. Gathered
under the quiet roof. elders and children
lie alike as rest. In the midst of a great
peace and calm the stars look out from he
heavens. The silence is peopled with the
past; sorrowful remorses for sins and short
comings-memories of passionate joys and
griefs rise out of their grave. both now alike
calm and sad. The town and the fair land
scape sleep under the starlight wreathed in
the autumn mists. Twinkling among the
houses light keeps watch. here and there
in what may he sick chamber or two.
The clock tolls sweetly in the silent air.
Here night and rest. An awful sense OF
thanks makes the Heart swell, and the head
bow. as | pass to my room through the
sleeping house. and feel as though a hush
ed blessing were upon it.
Year: 1861

BUCswHEAr CaKEs.--Stir buckwLeat
-four into lukewarm water; il viii take
nearly 4 quart of dour to pint Of water;
add a small cupfnll of yeast set it to rise
over night. ii wished for breakfast leave
plenty of room in the vessel containing il.
or il will oyerrun if it should be sour in
the morning. add soda until II is sweet.
These cakes shond not stand after baking
So as to sweat, as that destroys the crisp
ness. which should be part OF their ex
cellence they should be served when Ia
ken from the last batter to raise the next.
when you have them daily.


A DELICATE DEssERr--L Lay half a doz-
en- crackers IN lureen; pour enough boil
ipg water over them 10 cover Them In
few minutes they will be swollen TO three
or four times their original size. Now gials
loafsugar and little nutmeg over them, and
dip on enough sweet cream to make nice
sauce; and YOU have delicious and sim
pie dessert that will rest lightly upon the
stomach-and it is so easily Prepared
Leave ont the cream. and it is a valuable
recipe for sick room cookery. - Rurol New
Yorker
Year: 1861

The steamer Harmony, of this port, after taking
on board one of the rifle guns from the Navy Yard,
proceeded this morning about 81 o'clock to the neigh
bOrhood of Craney Island for the purpose of har-
RAISING Federal vessel lying at the mouth of Jsme
River.


We learn that the steamer, having taken position
near the battery Pig Point. began operations and
has already fired a number Of guns ct the vessel,
but with what success does not as yet appear. The
qualities Of the gun board of her, however gives
US much reason believe that the powder used has
not been thrown away. .......f


Since the above was written, we have visited q
position in this city from which observations were
taken of the whole engagement. The firing lasted
for ore hour. during which the Harmony fired 20
shells at the Savannah. the trigate above alluded to-
The Savannah fred A times at her in return, and
the battery at Newport News fired SIX


The Savannah lays about one mile off from the
shore at Newport's News Point aud the Harmony IS
snugly under the protection Of the Pig Point bat


Ne arrived on the spot too late to witness the
engagement but saw the position of the two CON-
batants The shell from the Harmony flew all
around and over the Savannah, and whilst hers
could not reach the Harmony. We understand that
one of the shellsrrom the Harmony was observed
to burst Just over the Savannah, with what effect
of course is lot known.


The firing from the HRrmsny only ceased when
their ammunition gave out. She took down only 80
rounds and probably one proved defective. The
object Of the expedition merely to test the range
of the shot aud shell of the new riaed gun and as
the Savannah presented such q good target they
availed of it. Ii is believed if they bal more am
muniton they could have disabled the Yankee as
soon after her opening fire on the Harmony, she
swung round at her mooFIDgs and was more at the
ne oV Of our long range.


The SavanDah's shet could not reach the Harmo
n.y. we understand, within mile, while the rihed
cannon sent them half a mile beyond the Savan-
nah.


Great excitement prevailed all over the city du-
ring the commanding. and every elevated position
on house tops that could be got at was filed with
spectators.
Year: 1861

LAY REpRrsENrAT1oS-The Pittsburgh
Adyocate calls attention to the coming vote
on Lay Representation. 1t remarks that
The vote will inaugurate new era in
Methodism. In no former period has ques.
tion Of the Kind been put to vote throug ghout
our societies The step is novel and yet a
very commendabe one. We lead the other
great denominations in the democracy of the
movement. None Others wo believe have
ever referred questions of Church polity to
the people. Metbodism has the honor of
initiating the movement


The question soon to be submitted to the
laity will also be brought before the ministry
in the Annual Conferences of 1862. Op-
portunity will thus be given to compare
notes, and see whether the ministry or laity
is most trcturcd with the spirit Of lay rep
resentation. We confess that we shall wait
with some impatience the statistics for ma.
king the comparison. It will help to settle
a matter long differently regarded by differ.
ent classes. The ministry has brought
about all innovations in our Church polity, }
has been the cry of cur conservative party
for years. The ministry responds the
class Of progressives, has retarded all need
cd improvements in our Church polity.
Both parties cannot be right. 1t would be
amusing to find both wrong. And this will
not be TAR from the fact should the ministry
and membership in about equal proportions
favor lay Representatives.


lions Herald says:


The Conferences in New England were
the earliest to secure anything like fair
representation of the Iaity in their bodies, by
system just as liberal as could possibly be
engratted on the present Discipline. We
hope that the lay members in this part of the
country will not be behind their brethren in
speaking their mind now upon this subject.
Many Of the Conferences nave specified the
day on which the election shall be held, but
none of the Conferences in New England
have done SO, except the Vermont Confer
ence, which has ordered the ministers to pre-
sent the subject to their congregations some
time in the mont Of September.
Year: 1861

soon shoot him as any other man, and rather,
if they knew him to be a Methodist preacher.
He should be in pcril-woud his old Illinois
friends remember him in their prayers and
sympathies


For him he knew no official promotion.--
When man has served twenty.seven years
in company with these men as pastor in our
Church, there is no higher position in this
world. He said : We have been together
at our altars, in our sorrcws and joys, our
conflicts and victories. You will remain here,
l will die in the fight but, brethren, whether
my place shall be in the weary march, preach.
ing the Gospel to my felIow.soldiers. caring
for the wounded, Or burying the dead, who,
dying, wish, next to the sight Of the Saviour,
to see the stars and Stripes, | am yet one OF
you. If l fall, whether by disease or before
the death-winged bullet, l want to say to you
that yonr brother will cross at the upper ford
This rebellion is no childs play; to suppress
it will demand blood and suffering. We must
not finch but 60 straight forward to the end.
Year: 1861

Slavery has much to do with the present
war upon our Government, and there is no
reason Why this fact should be concea'ed.-
Under existing circumstances, the only prop
er attitude of the Government is that Of hos
tility to Slavery. This is the only consist
cnt course, ard one that will meet the respect
and support Of foreign governments, The
London Watchmam shows how the bearing
Of our war on Slavery affects the English
mind. That, in fact, is the capital point to
which the English people look, in order to
decide how far they can sympathizc with Us.
The WatcAman referring to the Confsca.
ton Act OF Congress, says -


AS yet we have no reliable account of
this measure, but it has been described as
containing clause to the effect that When
ever, during the present insurrection, any
person held to service or labor that is, any
slave shall be employed in military or ma
val service, cntrenchments, etc., the person to
whom such labor or service is due shall for.
teit his claim to the same But, if the mas.
ter forfeit his claim to the labor Of the slave,
who else can have any claim and is not the
bondman free? Such clause must produce
intense excitement in those Border States,
which are not lost to the Union, and must
strike terror into the Planting States We
wait for confirmation of an enactment so full
of hope but so little expected. If true, it
is the beginning of the end, tho dawn Of
great troubled day, which at eventide will be
light. 1t is the signal Of Emancipation.
Year: 1861

At the recent session of the Illinois Con-
ference the presiding elders reported general
prosperity among the districts. Rev. Rich
ard Haney, who had been absent from his
post on chaplain duties in the army, address.
ed the Conference.


When he began says the North West
eyu Adrocate, to represent his district, all
whispering ceased. He said he now stood
before them in different relation from that
of the past He had received twenty seven
appointments from the Church, and had filled
them as best he could. Fifteen years, with
only break Of two years, he had done dis
trict work. He had gone on as usual for
three quarters Of the year, when he was
called into the service Of the country as
chaplain of the Sixteenth Regiment Illinois
Volunteers. Had accepted after the advice
of his brethren of the district and the con-
sent of Bishop Baker. He had been in
Missouri. Had full faith for the triumph of
our cause in that State, though secession vii
ainy had made it the battle-ground of the
Southwest.


He had also hope for Mcthodism. For
the first time in many years Methodist
preachers are IN Missouri The days for
men and churches favorable to treason were
rapidly passing. Reorganization had begun.
There is such a sympathy with US now as
never was before. Instead Of our men COM
lug from Missouri, we should prepare to send
them reinforcements. Not one OF our mem
bers or preachers has been found among
traitors. The people are turning toward us.


He would go from his brethren uncertain
to see them again. He should share the lot of
hisfellows in camp and rebel marksmen have
no sympathy for chaplain. but would as
Year: 1861

We published in our issue of last week.
the general order of Gen. Mcclellan to the
soldiers for the better observance of the Sab.
bath. We are confident that this order has
been read with gratitude in all the loyal States.
Many praying hearts have been made sad by
the dissertation of the Sabbath in our army,
and especially by the notorious disaster which
followed from the Sabbath attack upon the
Rebels at Bull run. Every enlightened con-
science takes the side of the Christian Sab
bath, and all men know that triaing with sa-
cred time is mean and dangerous. So long
as our armies we're outragiug the moral sem
timent Of the country and Of Christendom,
by making the Lords day the special season
for marchings, parades and battles, the hope
of success was dying out of the heart of
thoughtful! men, and a sense OF shame man
tied many loyal face. All this is instantly
changed The heroic young General, toward
whom so many millions turn, as, under God,
the hope of our country, has spoken the word
for which the country waited, and which wipes
out our reproach, and treasures our faith
And it is uttered with a heartincss suited to
kinde the enthusiasm of Christian citizens,
and to endear the name of Mcclellan to all
ranks Of military service.


Under this arrangement for the observance
of the Sabbath, Christian men will the more
cheertully enlist in the army. One serious
obstacle to cnlstments has been the demora i
lied condition Of the troops. Parents and
friends have been reluctant to subject young
men of good moral character to the ordeal Of
camp-life, so long as that life was understood
to be Sabbathless, and Of course immoral.
But, with new and better regime, under
such considerate and humane commanders as
Gen. Mcclellan, and with the discipline he
has inaugurated, Christian parents will give
their sons for the army with some hope that
they will not be ruined for time and eternity
within their own encampmonts, whatever may
be their peril from hostile bullets.


On every ground, We regard this radical
army reform as one Of the most important
and wide-reaching Of the events of the war,
1t will furnish an element Of thanksgiving for
the day Of national humiliation just at hand.
1t will give new impulse to the observance of
the Lords day throughout The nation. 1t
will furnish grounds OF nope that God will
return to US with blessing, as we seek to turn
to him iu the spirit of penitent obedience.
Year: 1861

The GATHERING SroRM,-Henry W. Beecher
says &c Every morning, when have aroused,
for a week or ten days past, have rushed down
expecting to hear the tocsn Of the battle But
as some lurid days that have thunders in them
will not storm, but hold themselves aloof, and
gather copper color in the sky, because the bolt
is to fall with more terrific violence; so it seems
to me that in the impressive silence which pre-
walls the storm of battle is only collecting, and
collecting, because the great conflict is coming
ere long like Gods thunder-crack When it
does come | have not not the least doubt as to
which side will triumph. loresee the victory.
rejoico in it, in anticipation not because it is
to be on our side, but because it has pleased God
in his infinite mercy, to make liberty our side
not because we are North and they are South,
but because we have civilization and they have
barbarlsm, because we stand on the principle of
equity and liberty and they stand on the princi-
pie of slavery and injustice 1t will be moral
victory more than a military victory.


May God speed the day, give the victory,
crown it with peace, restore unity, and make 1T
more compact and enduring because freed from
contamination, this poison, in our intestine sys-
tenn.
Year: 1861

In certain English parish Quaker bar.
Der received some time ago a note for church
rates, five shlIings and sixpence. He called
upon the clergyman Of the parish, and said
Pray, friend, what dost thou mean by this
note?'


'Mean! why, it is for the church rates
don't you sec?'


Yes, friend; but what is that for p


why, for TIE repair of the church, and
for the maintenance of public worship, to he
lsure.'


'Wel', friend, but wha. have to do with
that? don't attend thy church 2


ooh, that don't signify the church is als
ways open, and It's your own fault Nyou
don't come. Besides it's the law, ana you
must pay


Well, friend, take leave to tell thee that
l think that a very unjust law that obliges
me to pay ministry aud religion which |
do not attend. Fare thee well.


A few days afterwards tho barber, by way
OF strengthening accounts with the parson,
sent his reverence a note Debtor TO limo
thy Salters, for shaving and har-cutting five
shillings and sixpence.' The receipt of this
note by the parson very quickly brought him
to the shop in no good humor either.


What do you mean by sending me this
bill You never cut my hair or shaved me
in your life


Nay, friend; but thou knowest my shop
is always open, and it is thine own fault if
thou dost not come to be shaved
Year: 1861

The Savannah Republican. of the 9th inst re
cords the following Instance of the existence in
that community of men whom it would be better
for the credit Of every community in the South
ifthey had never come among us The comments
of the Republican are just, and, If anything too
mild:


a number of merchants, chiefly small dealers
in the neighborhood Of Market Sqna e. were en-
gagged The whole of yesterday in packing up their
effects with the intention of shipping them and
themselves beyond lhe reach of danger, Our
city authorities took the matter IN hand, and laid
embargo on the export. This entirely
right, and we hope General Lawton will issue an
order for preventing any able bodied man under
sixty years of age, from leavi lg the city. This
cowardly deserton of US when the city for the
first time calls fer their services is dSgraceful and
should not be allowed. If necessary would
establish line of piekets around the town to keep
them in. We arc very sure DO Georgian will need
such compulsion TO duty.
Year: 1861

Fremont has had an immense demonstration
in St Louis where he made speech and de-
rcunced the Lincoln Wigwam. Throughout
the West and Northwest his removal causes
great dissatisfaction,


The latest news from Missouri does not
indicate an early battle Between the two main
armies.


In Kentucky skirmishing is going on all the
time but no general battle since that at Colum-
bus, where nearly one thousand Yankees bit
the dust.


Much excitement has been caused by the
treason in East Tennesssee, but really it don t
amount to much. There are some 1000 tories
banded together at two points there but suf-
iicient force has already been ordered there to
wipe them out


A forward movement by Mcclellan is con-
finally talked of at Washington but somehow
1t don't como off: Perhaps he is waiting for
the 1st of December so to give Old Abe S
Congressman a chance to be present.


Old Scott is in New York and leaves for
Europe soon.


Large numbers Of troops have been sent for
ward to join our army Oh the Potomac during
the past few days, and whenever the Hcssians
came out from their hiding place our Generals
will be found ready.
Year: 1861

Never two more barren victories than those
achieved by the Federals at Hatteras and Port
Royal. When the news of the capture Of Hat
teras first flashed through the North the Yam
KEGS ran maj with delight, and with Port
Royal, but see now how they talk of The splendid
treasure they possess in Hatteras. The following
was sent to a New York paper from Fortress
Monroe


It's understood that the late gale was SO de.
structive at Hatteras that the abandonment of
the position, except by gun boat or two is seri
ously contemplated. The fruits of the fine
achievement of taking Hatteras have been worse
than squandered. To abandon now the Union
men of North Carolina. who, accepting the pro-
lection offered them, joyfu!ly gave in their
allegiance to the Union, would be a cruelty and
pec of barbarious injustice little vigcr
would even rid Pamlico Sound of the rebel
steamers, and then, with gun boats in the Sound,
our camp might be moved from Fort Hatteras to
the lighthouse. 1t may be little easier to back
out than to go ahead therefore, since one or the
other must be done back will probably be the
DOlicy
Year: 1861

CONGRESS-T CONVENTION-SALT


On Monday next two important bodies are
about to reassenble the one at Richmond, the
other at Raleigh. The Congress Of the Con-
feClerate States at Richmond, the Convention
of the State of North Carolina at Raleigh.


We wish to call the attention of these bod
iest especially of the last named, to mat
ter which is rapidly acquiring the most
formidable proportions and assuming the gra-
vest Characteristic.


Salt was selling here on the 10th OF last
April at the rate of rs to go cents per sack
What it is selling for to-day would be unsafe
to state, since there is no knowing what point
it may reach before sunset. There Is certainly
no limit. We suppose it would be stating the
thing very mildly indeed, were we to say that
salt has risen twenty fold. We would not ven
ture to say that it has stopped rising.


And all this within an hours drive of the
briny ocean, which roarS around our coast tor
hundreds OF miles. Is it net little strange
that it should be so?


With fair appliances and a reasonable in
vestnent of capital who doubts that salt could
be made from sea water at q very reasonable
costa A very considerable portion of the salt
used throughout the world is produced from
sea water by evaporation. The salt OF turks
Island and of other points in the W est Indies
is so made and we see that as late as April
last it could be brought here and sold, sack
and all, for 70 to 90 cents per sack OF nearly
bushels, being not over 90 cents bushel.-
We question if the salt cost mo,e than hall
that where made. Professor Thomassey is
confident that salt can be produced on this
coast, after the process shall have got into op-
erations at cents per busnei


1t is admitted that there would be immense
profits realized from the making of salt at rates
inconceivably lower than those which now rule
and still more so as compared with those which
are likely to rule, if the machine keeps travelling
up such steep grade as that which has already
brought to its present Dizzy haight. The reason
given why those who make salt charge sc
high for it, and why others do not go into 1t, is
the risk supposed to be attached to the invest
ment. Those in the business say that inasmuch as
the blockade may be raised at any time. they must
look out so as to secure themselves and get theil
money back in the shortest possible tine. The same
Year: 1861

consideration which prevent those in the sbusi-
ness from goIug into it extensively, also prevent
those not in it from going into it ALL that
really the few small salt works the coast have


no visible effect in restraining speculation ex-
torion.
If the risk is one from which private parties
shrink. it IS certainly clling FOR public ac-
ton since the matter has really risen TO the di-
mensioDs of public grievance. Private individ.
uas might not and would not like to risk many
thousands Of dollars in enterprise which they
might suppose liable to be ruined at any time by
the fortunate event that would remove the
shackles from our commerce. TEs State OF
North Carolina ought TO take the matter in hand


and the risk well as the PROF.: opght to he
shared i'll common. Nay. why should not the
COnfederacy lead in movement absolutely
called for by the condition of the country and the
demands of the service.


Say that the State of North Carolina should
go into this matter to the amount of 500, 900
or that she should extend guarantee of that
amount to some private parties, on certain con-
ditious, might we not feel assured that her doing
would save the people much moro than the
whole cost in very short time and render
them hereafter independent, and not liable to
be bled at both arms, paying prices that would
be regarded as fabulous, did we not unfortu-
nately find them to be grave and painful real
tiles.


1t will not do to depend upon getting salt
from abroad by running the blockade That
Is evidently as much ana as purely Specuta-
ton as anything else, and when salt brings
twenty times it fomer prices real value,
there are other and very different Inducements
from those of self sacrificing patriotism to slim
ulate men to the attempt, and that tits not often
er made, with such inducements, shows the
weakness of any dependence upon that
source OF supply.


We be and ought to be Independent Of
al! these Interested parties. 1t private parties
cannot run the risk, the State can and ought to
take it, aud at once, and we earnestly call upon
the Convention to take this matter III hand. If
two hundred thousand dollar we've cheerfully ap
propriated to finish the Coalfield Railroad, that
was enable supply Of coal and iron to be
speedily obtained. Why should not the State
cheerfuy appropriate one hundred thousand dol
lars to obtain and secure supply of another and
equally Indispensable necessary of life, and re-
lieve her citizens from most onerous tax. 1t
would not be over sixteen cents per head for all
the white people In North Carolina nor a dollar
for each family in the State, less than onethird
of the extra cost &" charged on every bushel Of
salt and what family of six white persons and
three negroes does not consume several bushels


in any one year This is practical matter and
surely it is not the less worthy of public attention
on that account The smaller Sounds of Norih
Carolina afford the safes sites for carry iug
this business of any points on the Southern coast
from Cape Henry TO the BIO drande.