smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1861

/ 80


President Stearns, Of Amherst College,
preached an eloquent first day sermon last


week upon the war, one passage of which
cannot be too widely read or deeply ponder
ede q
"As another condition Of success, we must
be in earnest, and much more thaa we are.
The loyal States are not yet half awake
We trust in our unbounded resources, but
fail to employ them. We have great war
on our hands, but we think that there will
be soldiers enough to fight it through, and
some time or other our side viii win. In
the meantime we talk hopefully of the re-
vival of business, and prepare ourselves to
renew the old competitions of covetousness.
What many thus look upon as encourage
ment to my mind is portentous While
the nation lies bleeding, we turn supinely
away, and seek again for the loaves and the
fishes Many Of us seem to regard the whole
conflict as something outside, which does
not touch us in person, much less reach into
the depths Of our souls. Meanwhile, time
is passing on, and you make progress, in
many respects, only backwards. Months
have gone and still the capital of your ma
ton is in danger. You have had your great
uprisings and rushings to the scene of con-
fiict, and still in a.most every emergency,
your army is outnumbered by the enemy.
While the North is foolishly confident and
inefficient the South is terribly in earnest.
With them it is life or death struggle
They leave all business, sacrifice or leopard.
ize all property, offer up their lives, and
stir the blood Of all their people-and when
they fight, they fight with the courage of
despair. They are also inscriptions, and
full Of stratagems, and ready for desperate
deeds. Sucha rebellion, covering as it does,
nearly half Of our territory, cannot be put
down by rountrY-musters-or the froth and
foam of gala day patriotism. You have a
great and terrible work to do, and you must
undertake it with terrible determination -
You must comprehend the crisis and meet
It-offering your treasure, Offering your
blood, and, what is more precious, the blood
OF your sons; you must take hold Of it with
an awful solemnity and perform it. There
must be no halfway measures. The heay-
lest blows are now the most merciful blows


If you would not protract this war for years,
sacrifice thousands of lives and desolate the
land, you of the North should put forth the
whole of your strength. Presume not on
the lrosts Of Winter, on the stringency of
your blockade, on the great doings which
are to GONE. So you have talked from the
beginning, but your condolences have failed
you. Scott may be capable of infaIlible
strategies-Banks may have comprehensive
ability, and Butler dashing bravcry-and
you may admire the Christian wisdom and
heroism of Mcclellan, but the great soul of
the free North must be stirred down to its
dpDthS 0r all fhaSa u.;ll fail
Year: 1861

We the people of the Confederate States, each State
acting in its sovereign and independent character in
order tn form permanent federal government estab-
lish justice insure domestic tranquility, and
the blessings of liberty to ourselves and posteri
ty-invokng the faver and guidance of Almighty God
do ordain and establish this Constitution the
Confederate States of America.
Year: 1861

By coming down I understand this -
Learning from the many notifications, dis
appointments, and rebuffs which we must all
meet as we go on through life, to think more
humbly Of ourselves, intellectually, morally,
socially, physically, esthetically yet while
thinking thus humbly of ourselves and our
powers, to resolve that we shall continue to
do our very best and all this with kindly
heart and contcnted mind Such is my
ideal of true and Christian coming down /:
and regard as a true hero the man who does
it rightly. 1t is a noble thing for man to
say to himself +" am not at all what had
vainly fancied myself: my mark is far, very
far lower than thought It had been: had
fancied myself great genius, but find I
am only man of decent ability had fanci-
ed myself a man Of great weight in the coun-
try, but find have very little influence in
deed: had fancied that my stature was six
feet four, bnt find that am only five feet
two: had fancied that in such q competi-
ton never could be beaten but in truth I
have been badly beaten: had fancied (suf-
fer me, reader, the solemn allusion) that my
Master had intrusted me with ten talents,
but find have no more than one. But
will accept the humble level which is mine
by right, and with Gods help will do my
very best there. will not kick dogs nor
curse servants I will not try to detract from
the standing Of men who are cleyerer, more
eminent, Or taller than myself: will heartily
wish them well. I will not grow sourcd,
mopi9g. and misanthropic. know l am
beaten and disappointed, but will hold on
manfully still, and never give up!'' Such,
kindly reader, is Christian coming down =
Recreations eta Country Parson.
Year: 1861

SHENCE IN NATrRE.-It is remarkable and
very instructive that many of the most inn
portant operations Of nature are carried on in
unbroken silence. There is no rushing
sound when the broad tide of sunlight breaks
on dark world and floods it with light, as
one bright wave over another falls from tho
fountain, millions Of millions of miles away.
There is no crcaking of axlcs or groaning Of
cumbrous machinery as the solid earth wheels
on its way, and every planet and system per-
forms its revolutions. The great trees bring
forth their sboughs and shadow the earth
beneath them-the plants cover themselves
with buds, and the buds burst into flowers
but the whole transaction is unheard. The
change from snow and winter winds to bios
SONS and fruit and the sunshine Of summer
is seen in its slow development, but there in
scarcely a sound to tell Of the mighty trans-
formation. The solumn chant of the ocean.
as it raises its unchanged and It's unceasing
voices, the roar Of the hurricane, and tb6
mighty river, and the thunder Of the black
browed storm; all this is the music of naturS
"a great and swelling anthem Of spraise,
breaking in on the universal calm. There il
a lesson for us here. The mightiest worker
in the Universe is most unobtrusivc. sgst,
Year: 1861

TALMUDICAL EPILoUGE When Abraham
sat at his tent door, according to his custom,
waiting to entertain strangers, he espied an
old man stopped and leaning on his staff
weary with age and travel, coming towards
him, who was hundred years OF aye. He
received him kindly washed his feet, provi-
ded supper, and caused him to sit down. but
observing that the old man ate, and prayed
not nor begged for blessing on his meat. he
asked him why he did not worship the God
of heaven. The old man told him that he
worshiped the fire only, and acknowledged
no other God; at which answer Abraham
grew so zealously angry that he thrust the
old man out of his tent, and exposed him to
all the evil of the night and an unguarded
condition. When the old man was gone,
God called to Abraham, and asked him
where the stranger was. He replied, | thrust
him away, because he did not worship Thee
God answered him: | have suffered him these
hundred years, although he dishonored me
and couldst thou not endure him one night,
when be gave thee no trouble? Upon this,
saith the story, Abraham fetched him back
again, and gave him hospitable entertain
ment and wise instruction. Go thou and do
liekwise and thy charity will be rewarded
by the God of Abraham.-Tailor.
Year: 1861

A subscription is being raised in Virginia
to purchase the birthplace of General Scott
in Dinwiddie county-to be placed under a
trust which is to prevent another child from
ever being born on the same spot. The spot
that gave him birth needs nothing more to
make it illustrious.
Year: 1861

VERY BAD, But VERY Goop-A party of
negroes in Ithaca, New York, recently de-
cded to have a ball. 1t took place about
six miles out of the city, and they engaged a
splendid six horse team to take them to the
spot. The owner of the team, a well-known
white livery stable keeper of Ithaca, not
wishing to entrust his team to the care of
any one else, resolved to drive it himself
After the ball was opened one of the darkey
managers politely invited the gentleman to
go in as a spectator if he pleased, and he did
so. After awhile, the negroes becoming
aroused by the dance, the odor of the room
became slightly objectionable. AS the ball
progressed the aroma became stronger and
stronger until he concluded to leave. Just
at that moment he saw number of darkies
in consultation and one of them approached
him with much politeness, and informed
him that the ladies requested that he should
leave the room. The darkey stated that be
regretted to make the request, but that the
ladies insisted, because they sai0-he smelt
too much of the stable
Year: 1861

SINGULAR SrcRY--A singular story is
told of the apple tree planted over the grave
of Roger Williams. This tree had pushed
downward one Of its main roots in slopng
direction, and nearly straight course, to-
wards the precise spot that had been occu-
pied by the skull of Roger Williams. There,
making turn conforming with its circum-
ference, the root followed the direction of
the back bone to the hips, and thence divided
into two branches, each one following leg
bone to the heel, where they both turned
upward to the extremities of the toes of the
skeleton. One of the roots formed slight
crook at the part occupied by the knee joint,
thus producing an increased resemblance to
the outlines of the skeleton of Roger Will
Jams, as if, indeed, moulded thereto by the
power of vegetable life. This singularly
formed root has been carefully preserved, as
constituting very impressive exempli6ca-
tion of the mode in which the contents of
the grave have been entirely absorbed
Providence Herald.
Year: 1861

PRAYER PROPOSED "A distinguished Profes :.
sor In one OF our Universities proposes,
through q Georgia paper, that at precisely
one O'Clock, every day, un til these calamities
be overpast, few minutes he set apart for
prayer by each individual in the Confederate
States, ior In States which sympathize
with the Southern Confederacy. There
may be no meeting for prayer at any par
ticUlar place, but let each one for himself.
little while in devout supplication to the al.
mighty. Let the merchant setre for a mo.
ment from his counting room, or if
this be not possible, let Rim lift up
his heart to God in pious Ell cLlation let
the farmer stop his plough in the fur.
row let the mec hanic stay his hand from Ia
Dor; let the physician pause a moment on his
mission of mercy; let the lawyer lay aaide his
brief; let tha student rest from his toll let
the busy housewife suspend her domestic
cares let every man, whatever his calling or
pursuits, suspend them let all business halt
and the whole land be still. In that moment t
OF quiet. in very midday, when stiffness is
so unusual, when it will be then all the more
impressive. let every praying soul remem ber
his country and its defenders before God.
1t would be best, If possible, to retire for
the moment, to some private place, and on
bended knees give oral utterance to the de-
sires of the heart. But if this cannot be
as we walk the street or pursue our journey,
or even in the midst of the whirl and dill of
business life. Thus shall every heart be en-
gagged, and every soul come to the rescue ;
tnns shall all the devOut of the land be
brought near to each other, for


Though sundsred far, by faith they meet,


Around one ctmmon mercy seat "
Year: 1861

SINGULAR ExPEKIMESr.-Take a round piece
or pas teboard and insert lit in a quill open
AZ both ands., and lay this On another
plece OF pasteboard Of tine same shane, in
which is stuck pin, so that the pin viii en-
ter the quill. Blow through the quill as hard
az you may, but the lower piece cannot be
blown off.


A common spool, such as is used for sew
ing cotton, forms suitable apparatus for
trying this wonderful experiment. Take 8
bit OF smooth writing paper a little larger
than the head of the spool, and run a pin
through the paper and into the bore of the
spool. Now, by blowing down it will be
found impossible to blow the paper off. BY
observing closely, it will be seen that the pa
per does not quite touch the head of the
spool. It is, OF course, necessary to hold the
paper up with your hand until you begin to
blow.


The explanation is this When currents OF
air are established, radiating from the central
tube horizontally between the disk and the
paper the greater area of the disk as com
pared with that OF the tube causes the air
above the paper to be rarfied, when the pres.
sure OF the air below, not being nterbal
anced, holds the paper up. The pin acts rs
an anchor to prevent the paper from being
blown away horizontally.
Year: 1861

A VOLUNTEER CHAPLAIN PROTECTING LONE
WoAAN.-A correspondent of the Traveller,
writing from Fortress Monroe, says:


!" Chaplains here are not in very good odor
just now. They don't seem to be Il G. ed to the
peculiarity of their position One went on
the Big Bethel expedition. He consen ted to
go to house near by and get some bedding
for the wounded. He did not return in time
and when another person was detailed for the
purpose, he was found sitting quietly in the
house talking with a pretty Secession woman.
His apology was that he thought the unpro-
teeted female should not be left alone He
mas been sent home"
Year: 1861

IF our readers are, to use the trits
phrase "tired to death" with hearing of
the abolitonists, We also are "tired to
death" with writing about them. Yet they
are to-day the chiefest and worst foes Of
the American Union and Constitution of
any who are now actively at work on
American soil, not excepting the extrem-
est South Carolina secessionist. We can.
not keep silen. about them without being
hostile to loyalty and false to patriotism.
We cannot be true to the honor and vel
fare, the reputation and the interests Of
the country if we neglect any opportunity
Of warning the people of the land against
encouraging them in any Of their plans,
either to elevating them to Offices Of pow
er and trust, or BY listening to their har-
angues from the pulpit or the lecture desk
or the political platform, or through the
press or by voting for any Of their cam
didates, or for any Of their measures.--
They are the real authors Of this unnata-
raj war into which we Of the North have
been forced by the South -Proridence
Post
Year: 1861

In one Of the towns in the Southern
part Of Virginia, as a regiment Of rebel
volunteers were about leaving for the seat
Of war, neighboring parson in address.
ing the rebels on their duty as soldiers.
&c., told them that having put their
hand to the plough they must never look
back" Rem ember," said he. the fate
of Lots wife, who, for looking back WAS
turned into Pillar Of salt At this june.
.ure bold secesh, who did not exactly
see the application, and had just been
.uxu rating on o piece Of fresh calf With
out seasoning, suddenly starting up, threw
his cap in the air and sung out Justify
"Hoosay for salt-Bully for Lots wife"
Year: 1861

"Charivari' publishes an engraving
which represents in the background the
two armies in America engaged in battle,
while in the foreground Uncle Tom lies
sleeping, and u gentleman is made to say
to him Rise up, Uncle Tom, it is time
YOU were doing something for Yourself
Year: 1861

tvERsE By OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES
When our and is ilinmined with liberty's
smile,


II foe from within strike a blow at her
glory,
Down, down with the traitors that dares to
defle


The flag of her stars and the page of her
glory. So
BY the millions unclaimed who our birth
right have gained,
We will keep her bright blazon forever un-
stained
And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph
shall wave
While the land of the free is the home Of


the brave.
[vERsE BY MISE sTEBBIss, THE sCULPTREss
When treason's dark cloud hovers black DER
the land,


And traitors conspire to shlly her glory
When that banner is Torn 10y a fratricide
band,


Whose bright, starry folds shine illumin-
ed in story,
United we stand for the dear native land,
To the Union we pledge every heart, ev-


cry hand
And the Star Spargled Banner in triumph


shall wave
o er the land of the free and the home oil


the brave
Year: 1861

HA Novel Adverisment.-A pew in
the meeting house is thus advertised foE
sale in the Amherst Express: "a pew IL
The first parish in Amherst. The man thai
owns the pew owns the right of a space
just as long as the psw is. from the bottom
of The meeting house TO the top of roof, AM
can go as much higher as ne can get II q
man will buy my pew aad sill in il on Sun
days, and repent and be good man. hs
viii go 10 Heaven if God lets him 90. Lss
a man start from the place, lei him go righi.
and be will go to Heaven at last, and my
pew Is as good place to start from as any
pew in the meeIing.hohss.
Year: 1861

gOn the appearance of a thunderstorm
the Indians invariably leave their pursuits
and seek shelter under a beech tree. In
Tennessee it is also considered complete
protection, as it is never known 60 be struck
with lightning while other trees are shat.
Year: 1861

ONF Result ATTAISED.-Taught by
the sharp lesson of the past few days, let
us hope that both sections have been
taught more respect for the prowess of
each other. Let us hope that the bitter
contempt lavished by the orators and pres


ses of both sides on the soldery of either
section will measurably cease, now the
blades of the opposing forces have been
crossed in fierce battle with each other
The taking and retaking of single battery
eight times in succession, during single
conflict, tells the tale for both not TO he
misunderstood; for whatever may be said
Of the rout of the Government troops
when overpowered by numbers, they had
fought valliantiy in the struggle that pre-
ceded the retreat Whatever NAV occur
hereafter, each will learn that americans
need not be underrated, no matter from
what section they may hail, and whilst
the battle field may be slow to settle poit-


cal questions, mutual respect may be
engendered that will leave more room for
fair reconstruction that could hsye been
compassed by endless speeches in Con


gress on the great issues of the day
Baltimore 1merican. .s, sa-.- ..
Year: 1861

How wCoL.CoRcoRAE WAS TAKEN.-It ap-
pears that he went to look after some of
his wounded men, who were in the hos
pital near the battle field, and was taken
while there. We take the following from
a letter received in New York from a
member of this regiment.


"Col. Corcoran acted with the regi-
ment up TO the last, and when all were
reireating tho Colonel formed the regiment
in squares TO receive the charge Of the
rebel cavalry who were pursuing the re,
treating army. Gen. Mcdowell ordered
the square TO be broken, to allow q mum
Der Of garages filed with politicians and
other civilians to pass, after which the
regiment bad no time to form second
time before the enemy's horse was close
up with US, we Lad to retreat with the
others"
Year: 1861


Sweetest love, Pm forced to leave thee;
To the war l must away,
My belsved country calls me,
And the call must obey.
Do not weep at my departure,
From your embrace let me flee
To our bold beloved banner
To the ensign of the free.
Tyrants quake whcu they behold 1t,
Rebels at its sight will run,
Like the dew of summer morning
Before the rays of the rising sun.
Soon again twill wavc as proudly
As it ever did before,
From the great Atlantic ocean
To the broad Pacific shore.
When we've wholly laid Secession
In its grave, no more to rise,
Filled with glory I'll return
To cement our fractured ties.
Then united we will travel
On the peaceful path of life,
Hoping that again we'll never
Witness such discordant strife.
N eeme, Wis. }. U.
Year: 1861

CHILDREN Of any age can now have their pictures
~ taken perfect, We have built Room expressly
Tor their Groups Of Children also taken in frac-
tion of second, clear weather. Mothers need not
now have the trouble To take them Gallery dozen
times, and at last put up with caricature, they
will but go


febIs-n HUGHES PREMIUM GALLERY
Year: 1861

STARVATION OF CATTLE.-The Red Bluff
Independent says that in all directions cattle
are literally starving to death. The large
droves of cattle that cover the plains and hill
sides, depending upon spontaneous nature for
subsistence, have eaten almost the last spear Of
grass, and browsed the last green twig, and
have waited long for the early rains to start
the green grass but it came not, and the cat
tie have wasted away to weak, walking skele-
tons. And when at last the long looked for
rain die come, it was a cold and pelting storm
that carried death and destruction to the half
famished herds, and their carcasses dot the
plains in every direction. Farmers must not
only fence their ranches, but cut hay to feed
their cattle for the short period intervening be-
tween the rains and the starting Of the new
grass.
Year: 1861

The leading Republican and independent
papers have latterly been advocating q un-
ion and concert of action Of all the Union
members Of The Legislature. The idea is
to have the Republicans and Union Demo
crats meet together IN caucus to nominate
candidates for the Offices at the disposal OF
the Legislature, and If such an arrangement
could be effected the Democrats could un.
doubtedly manage 10 secure two or three
cierkships for their friends. This might be
matter Of great advantage to some few
aspirants for lucrative Offices, but we know
Of no.other object that can be attained by
suCh q union as is proposed, 10 both
branches Of the Legislature the Union
members are largely 10 the majority, and
whenever proposition comes up involving
the question Of sustaining the Government
ii Is expected that Union Democrats will
vote with other Union members. To do
this II is not necessary to meet in caucus,
aud plot and bargain for petty Offices.


A bill will be introduced providing for
the collection OF the direct tax levied by
Congress- This tax can be collected by the
State much more economically, and with
much less annoyance TO taxpayers, than II
left to be collected by U. S. officers !. con-
sequently, every member favorable to sus-
tanning the Government will support the
proposition for the collection Of the tax by
State officers A vote upon this question
will be better test Of loyalty to the Union
than upon any other question likely to
come before the Legislature of the State.
The really Union members will vote to-
gether on this subject, however much they
may differ on other matters
Year: 1861

THE NEW CAPITAL.--The Sacramento Bee
says that the contractors for building the foun-
dation of the new State Capitol are progressing
with the work as rapidly as its character and
some unlocked for difficulties willpermit The
northern and central portions are nearly ready
for the courses of stone. and excavations for
the southern wing are being dug and prepared
for the conglomerate. The brick work is so
far advanced that the contractors expect to
have the whole completed within the specified
time, which expires April lst, next, although
they have been greatly retarded by the failure
of the sub-contractor for the stone work, to ex-
eeute his contract in manner satisfactory to
the State Superintendent and Architect.
Year: 1861

TIMELY WARNING.-It is understood that
Governor Nye has notified a certain class OF
men about this town that they had best either
put themselves upon their gopd behavior or at
once leave this Territory. The warning is re-
garded by all who know the Governor as sig
nihcant Of a stern purpose to purge this COM
munity Of its more obnoxious members, by
terrifying them into a fight or bringing them
to the bar of justice for any infraction of the
law.-lSilver Age.