smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1864

4 LONGITUDINAL RIVERA river that
runs east or west crosses no parallel OF
latitude; consequently, as it flows towards
the sea, it does not change its climate, and
being in the same climate, the crops that
are grown at its mouth are grown also at
its sources and from one end to the
other of il there is no variety Of produc-


tions--it is all ofwheat and corn, or WINE


or oil, or some other staple. Assorted
cargoes, therefore, cannot be made up
from the produce which such river
brings down to market. On the other
hand, river that runs north or south
crosses parallels of latitude, changes Its
climate at every turn, and, as the traveller
descends it, he sees new agricultural sta
piles abounding. Such river bears down
to the sea variety of productions which
one or another of the nations is sure to
want, and for which one will send 10 the
market at its mouth or the port whence
they are distributed over the world. Its
advantages are equally great for trade be-
tween the different sections through
which it flows, as the staples of those sec
tons are unlike, and productions lacking
in one part of its course are supplied In
another. The assortments of merchan-
disc afforded by such river are the life
of commerce; they give it energy, activity
and scope. Such river is the Mississip-
pi, and the Mississippi is the only such q
river in the world !-Scientifc american
Year: 1864

BRRvrTIEs OF NAPOLEON. : Opinion
makes men brave-nature forms them in
trepid. What is called the law of nature
is made up simply of two things-self-
interest and reason. To be a great man
requires only courage enough to support
adversely. Everything is easy, if you fol-
low the current of opinion; shallow
bark neither wants canvas nor oars to
glide down the stream. Nothing is more
imperious than weakness when it fancies
itself unhelped by strength; some weak
people, on the contrary, are sensible of
their weakness, and are able to make a
good use of it. On reverse of fortune
we always respect those who have re-
spected themselves in prosperity. That
would be most singular book in which
no falsehood could be detected.
Year: 1864

A HoUsEMAID, the other evening slip
ped from a chair upon " hich she was tenn
rarilY standing, and fell head foremost
into barrel of flour. To show the effect
of mental agony, we will state that her
hair became white in single night
BQu1or WHO, .
Year: 1864

Ben Perley Poore, in late letter from
Washington to the Boston Journal, gives
the following interesting chapter in the
life of the rebel chief:


Since the Democratic editors and ora
tors have so indecently and untruly at
tempted to accuse the Northern Union
men with having advocated miscegenation,
("I thank thee, Cox, for teaching me that
word,") a few of the thousands of in
stances in which the Southern chivalry
thus blended the shades of human color
have found their way into print. By way
of perfecting this record, l am permitted
to publish the following paragraphs from
a letter received by Senator from an Off
Ger of the United States Army, for whose
character he vouches. The letter is dated
St. Louis, April 9th, and goes on to say !:


"While at Vicksburg l resided oppo-
site to house belonging to a man who
once belonged to Joe Davis, a brother of
jeff. Learning this, I happened one day
20 think that he, perhaps, would know
something about the truth of story told
in the London Times, that there was o
son of JEFF. Davis, the mother of whom
was a slave woman, in our navy. The
next time l met the man asked him if he
had ever known Maria, who had belonged
to jeff. Davis, and was the mother of some
of his children. He replied that he had
not known Maria, but that he knew Massa
Joe Davis's Eliza, who was the mother of
some of Massa Jeff.'s children. l then
inquired if she had a son in the navy. He
replied that she had-he knew him-they
called him Purscr Davis. He said that
Eliza was down the river some thirty
miles, at work on plantation. The next
day, as l was walking down street, l met
the man, who was driving his mule team,
and he stopped to tell me that Eliza had
returned. A few moments afterwards he
came back, and, pointing to one OF two
women who came walking along, he said
that she was the woman of whom he had
been talking. When she came up stopped
her, and inquired whether she had not a
son who wished to go North. She replied
yes, and added that she would like to go
too. l told her that I only wanted lad.
She said that her son had gone up the
Red River on the gunboat Carondelet, but
that when he returned she would bepleased
to have him go. Well said 1, some say
that Jeff. Davis is your sons father-do
you suppose it's SOY Suppose! she ex-
claimed with offended pride, rs no right
to suppose what l knows am certain SO.
Massa Jeff. was the father of five of my
children, but they're all dead but that boy;
and then I had two that he wasn't the
father of. There's no suppose about it.
Perhaps, if the boy gets back safe on the
Carondelet, you may see him in Boston
some of these days"


Yet this same Jeff. Davis faunts abroad
his professions of Christianity, and sneers
at the Puritanical habits of New England.
His own life is a fitting exemphtication OF
the " Barbarism of Slavery"
Year: 1864

CORAL IsLANDs.-It is a singular cir
cumstance arising from the instability OF
the crust of the earth, that, with only
three or four exceptions, all the smaller
tropical islands in the Pacific and Indian
Oceans are either volcanic or coralline,
except New Caledonia and the Serchclles;
and it is a startling fact, that in most cases
where there is volcanoes, the land is rising
by slow and almost imperceptible degrees
above the ocean, whereas there is every
reason to believe that these vast spaces,
studded with coral islands or atolls, are
actually sinking below it, and have been
for ages. An atoll or lagoon island con-
sists of chaplet or ring of coral enclosing
a lagoon, or portion of the ocean, in its
centre. The average breadth of the part
of the ring above the surface of the sea is
about quarter of mile, oftener less,
and it seldom rises higher than from SIX
to ten or twelve feet above the waves.
Hence the lagoon islands are not discerni-
Bile at very small distance, unless when
they are covered with the cocoa-nut,
palm, or bandanna. On the outer side of
this ring or circlet shelves down to the
distance of one hundred or two hundred
yards from its edge, SO that the sea grad
ually deepens to twenty-five fathoms, be-
yond which the sides plunge at once into
the unfathomable depths Of the ocean,
with more rapid descent than the cone
of any volcano. Even at the small dis
tance of some hundred yards, no bottom
has been found with sounding-hne
mile and half long. The coral is of the
most varied and delicate structure, and OF
the most beautiful tints. Dark brown,
vivid green, rich purple, pink, deep blue,
peach color, yellow, with dazzling white
contrasted with deep shadows, shine
through the limpid water, while fish OF
the most gorgeous hues swim among the
branching coral, which are of many df-
ferent kinds, though all combine in the
structure of these singular islands.
Year: 1864

viuced Of It's reality. But it was only half belief;
an idea rather theoretical than practical. II was


just enough moved to render active In recruiting the
divisions which Lee had with him on the Rapidan. IL
was not so satisfied OF tho truth to collect all the dv
sions OF Lees army In their place In the state
Is made no unusual collection OF material In Virginia
But throughout TIE ,ointer the enemy MARCHED up his
from eery quarter of he United States 70 me outer If


Vir0inia. Fully determined 10 make the btow de-
cisiue, he spared cost nedns-dcted pih
cut regard 10 future cdmpdigns Uninterrupted by
any disturbing cause no placed his armies in positions
whence they could be brought upon vital points OF
attack In few hours OF movement. when all was
quite ready and tho roads entirely dry the signal was
gwen and the two Of destructive material struck
US, warned, but i'll prepared at tho instant That


was indeed critical moment. But the ship had an
oflgna strength sufficient 10 stand the shock Lee thin
army beat the chief force OF the enemy tho Wilderness
the second blow deadoned by fortcations
Drury. Every moment since elapsed has been gain
Time all wo wanted to bring 10 Beauregard,
and We got time. When he forced the enemy from his
inrenchments and reopened communications and when
Lee had given final to the question whether
able to stand up against the full weight Of Grant tho
chief danger danger being crushed the rush Of
avalanche, ceased to exist is true that the chance Of
battle may ye dav, fa aaans but is certainly
far less probable than them and therefore, think
there convincing solid reason TO believe that the mill
tary situation at this moment Is much favorable to
US than when Grant crossed the Rapidan.
Year: 1864

H-HIhIKfhtI0h.


Hon. Robert ]. Walker writes from London
that great revolution in public opinion In
England in reference to the financial strength
of our Government is now going on.


He also predicts that heavy tide of emIgra.
tion will set In towards this country in the
spring, aud with Congressional legislation 1t
may be swelled to half a million of persona
year. He proposes that Congress shall enact
that no emlgrant shall be liable to conscriptIon
during the war. This would disarm suspicion
abroad,
Year: 1864

The sPon OF THE CHESAPEAKE PIRATEs.-
The Halifax Journal says the revenue officers
have returned to the city from the trip to the
eastward in search of goods sold from the
steamer Chesapeake, after her capture. They
arc said TO have been very successful In their
mission. Twenty-Five bales of cotton and a
schooner-load of various articles have already
reached the city, and moro goods still at Lunen-
burg and Bridgewatcr for shipment. But few
caskh Of the wine sold have been recovered,
and none of the sugar. The property ls ali
taken charge of by the Provincial Government.
The wine and sugar were owned in Canada,
while the Sotton Is principally owned In Lewis
ton.
Year: 1864

IHE JUDGMENT IL THE ALEXANDRIA CASE


The Judgment pronounced by the Court


OF Exchequer in the Alexandra case, re-


fusing new trial, has the force of reaf


firming the previous verdict in favor of
the defendants-a verdict which makes


it not unlawful for British merchants to


bulld, ft out and sell to the rebels war
vessels, provided they are not armed and
equipped but it is far from settling the
question. 1t is in the power of the
Crown to carry the case to the Court of
Exchequer Chamber, and finally up to
the House of Lords. This will, without
doubt, be done, for the British Govern
ment has it really at heart, we think, to
have the Foreign Enlistment Act so CON
strued as to put stop to the fitting out
OF war-vessefs for the rebels. Should it


be found impossible to do SO, we have
the promise of Earl Russell to call for a
new legislation on the subject, if the law,
as it now stands, is insufficient. The
point ofpracticaliimportance to us is that
the Alexandra being test case, no more
Alabamas or Floridas will be allowed to
escape until her fate is decided. And it
may be found the most polite way to
keep the ship in kind of legal blockade
by the claws delay" and the resources
of the circumlocution office till the war
is over-a course which will present the
double advantage of satisfying justice
toward the United States, while it win
save the British Government from the
embarrassment of making decision to
which their fears might seem to have in |
part contributed.
Year: 1864




CoPPERHEAD De PKoFUNDIs. "A cor
respondent of the Chicago Telegraph
puts this in the mouth of the Copper
heads


For that the nation is letting the op-
pressed go frec-Lord have mercy upon
us


That the Emancipation Proclamation
is unreyoked-Lord have mercy upon
u.s.


That an unconstitutional exercise of
power sent Vallandigham to Dixie
Lord have mercy upon us


That Seymour can't be President lust
yet-Lord have mercy upon us


That lot of traitors tenant Fort La
Fayette-Lord have mercy upon us
That there is a small chance of spec
dy deliverance-Lord have mercy upon
us


That Abolitionists won't be check
mated by us-Lord have mercy upon us
That though all Governor Seymour's
friends do their best they can't better
the look of affairs-Lord have mercy
npon us


That Lincoln don't consult us in his
plans of reconstruction-Lord have mer-
cy upon us


In spite of the $500 clause the nigger
regiments, and everything we can try,
we can't raise successful muss, for that
we We're beaten in all fall elections, and
that so many in Dixie are accepting
the Presidents amnesty-Lord have mer-
cy upon us
Year: 1864

A CoMPRoNIsE.-When a suit for 800
recently brought by citizen of Cabot
and a manin Peacham, was just coming to
trial, the parties talked it over and came
within IS of a settlement. But there
they stood, both determined not to bulge
cent, till somebody suggested that the
s6 might be given to the sanitary COM
mission. To this both assented, and a
long course Of litigation was nipped in
the bud.
Year: 1864

MCCLELLAN. - The Army and Navy
Journal makes fair review of some
portions of fMcClellans report, and comes
to this general conclusion.


awe have not hesitated to speak in
praise of General McClellan's ability as
q cabinet strategst. We think him en-
titled to the highest praise in this re-
spect. But when we come to consider
him as commander in the field, it is
more difficult to render him exact JUS
tice. With all his ability, which is un-
questionable, we find him lacking, at
the start, something of the dash of a
successful fighting general. We detect
In his early campaigning a caution that
/. argued a lack of self-contidence. and
while his theoretical combinations and
tactical movements eyinced generalship,
there was deficiency of boldness and
rapidity. But watching his career in
the field 1t was easy for close observer
to see growing confidence in himself
and greater ease in welding large
masses of men without confusion. and
to produce desired results. The Seven
Days Battles were admirable in this re-
spect, and at Antietam he evinced fine
qualities as fighting general"
Year: 1864

PosTPoNEMENT. - On account of the
severe storm yesterday, the geological
lecture was omitted last evening, and
may be expected this evening, at the
Town Hall. Remember, it is to be
free lecture
Year: 1864

Let every loyal New Yorker now in the city
take the train tonight, and go home and de.
posit his vote for the cause of Progress, Free
dom, and Humanity. See your friends, and
infuse into their hearts the patriotic enthusi-
asm which inspires your own. Leave nothing
undonei and victory more magnificent than
any which has ever yet entered into the annals
of time will constitute your ample and glorious
reward. Go HOME and prove that New York
is not only true to the Union, but foremost Il,
her loyalty, largest in her vote, and most ma
jestic in her majority. Put your trust in Lin
coin and johnson, your shoulder to the wheel,
and push on the column.
Year: 1864

That Pendleton, the twin candidate with Nc
Clellsn upon the Chicago platform, in all his
public speeches, and by all his Congressional
acts, gave aid and comfort to the traitors who
have for three years been fighting against the
Government and firing upon tho old nag OF the
Union and that he never gave vote or spoke
. word for the gallant defenders OF the nstion.


Let 1t be remembered
Year: 1864

Immediately after the receipt of this
dispatch, a number of rumors were
started through the city, and specula-
ton was rife as to where Grant was
making for Some thought that with
his army beaten and demoralized, and
himself smarting under the disappoint-
ment of not being nominated at Balti-
more, he was Withdrawing his army to
Washington. Others that he was ma
king back to Fredericksburg Others
again thought that he vas making for
Suffolk, to move against the Railroads
in North Carolina Others that he was
sending off the bulk of his army to re-
inforce Sherman in Georgia. And still
another opinion was that he was NOV
ing off TO the south side. Ridiculous IS
some of these were, they were the ru-
mors of the day, and IS such we note
them. To heighten this speculation, a
deserter who came in yesterday report
ed that Grant was under arrest for
drunkenness; that he had been dead
drunk since the day of the fight near
Hanover Court House, and had 10 be
borne in an ambulance All this tended
to increase the anxiety, and to give
color TO every rumor that was heard in
the streets; but by night il was pretty
definitely ascertained that Grant, or at
least the greater portion Of his army,
had crossed over to the south side We
heard Of no official intelligence Of this,
but from information we received last
night we see no reason 10 doubt IT,
Year: 1864

My books viii show that for the past Eve months
my practice has increased hundred per cent. over
the last year. until It ie not to be surpassed by any
in the State. With my general practice in the city,
treat the following
Year: 1864

The crew Of the ship Sparkling sss recently confined
in the Albany Penentiay, have been fully pardoned By
tho President and released from confinement


viii be recoIecsed that the Sparkling Sen vas one Of
the transports Of she Banks expedition. whose loss
Florida Reef Instrumental In delaying The progress
OF the sxpediiion


The crow placed in the day after the vessc
stranded, and sent 10 Key wcst whore tho mas ter
tWalah) and mate tCunnugham) preferred charge or
nutiny against them for refusing do duty after the
vessel In the hands OF the wreckers Having no
witnesses for the defence they were convicted their plea
beng the ship Ioet By design gross
potency and that the charge against them made on
" their knowledge cf the circumstances attend
ing the Ioss.


The and mate Of tho Sparkling sca rcspec


lively and of the famous chip Sensor the
OF which has boon before civil and criminal
courts more OF lees during the past year. tN1
Year: 1864

The experience of the past two years
has demonstrated the necessity of altera-
tions and improvements in the laws gov
erning mining interpretations. 1t is evi-
dent that they are at present far from per-
feet; and that unprincipled sharpers, and
operators possessing extensive means, are
daily taking advantage of the limited capi-
tai of poor stockholders to '.freeze them
out" Of mines that exhibit the slightest
likelihood of proving rich. It is clearly
the duty of the Legislature to protect the
class of people who are being victimized
in this manner, and to provide by statute,
as far as practicable, against the system Of
swindling now so successfully carried on.
Under the present laws, nothing is easier
than for Board of Trustees to outlaw the
stock of poor holders by piling on unnec-
essary and frequent assessments. This
game has been so universally practiced
that the instances of original owners in
valuable mines holding any interests after
development, are exceedingly rare. 1t
might, perhaps. be difficult, if not alto
gether impossible, to establish an unvary-
ing rule that would remedy this evil with
out incurring another evil equally as OBJ
iertionable; but if limit to the amount
of each assessment levyable were made to
conform with the character Of the mine,
the capital stock of the company, and the
nature of the improvements required to
work the lead, q powerful check might be
placed on the "freezing out" process. We
hear of several instances in which compa-
nies have piled up at the mouths of their
mines tons of good ore which the Trustees
refused to have crushed whilst at the
same time they continue from month to
month to levy crushing assessments. The
poor stockholders in these companies are
perfectly aware that the con6scation of
their shares is aimed at but they are
powerless to avert the blow. They can
not compel the Trustees to crush the ore,
and thus obviate the necessity Of further
assessments; but must finally succumb to
transparent swindle. We might cite
number of mines that are considered good,
that are now undergoing this cut throat
process but they will suggest themselves
to every one who has paid the slightest
attention to the subject. Here is q chance
for the law to step in and protect those
who are weak and powerless. Trustees
should be held to personal liability for
neglect or refusal to make mine pay its
way when sufficiently developed to do SO;
it should be as much penal offense to
rob the stockholders of their stock by
.freeze out" assessments as it would be to
rob them or their dividends after they had
been paid over and the fact that the law
gives the Trustees almost unlimited power
in the management of mine, is an argu-
ment why it should also hold them to the
suictest responsibility for the abuse Of that
powers, F, Call.
Year: 1864

We extract from recent discourse, re-
plete with patriotic sentiment, by Rev.Dr
Brace, of Milford, the following:


sit has devolved upon me since 1 came
to this town to keep neurology or record
of the dead. Such register was kept by
pastors before me, and will be kept by
pastors after me, and the latter will look
at my record, as I have looked at theirs,
As they note the record have made, they
will see against the name of one and an
other, sleeping his last sleep, G. V.-Con-
necticut Volunteers. -.s-


And how think you, they will regard
those namess will tell you. If they
believe what Scripture says, that : civil
government is an ordinance Of God-that
magistrates are invested with authority
from Him, and those who resist them in
the exercise of their rightful authority are
to be punished if they IRE loyal to the
government which blesses and protects
them, (as ministers in our commonwealth
generally are) if they are not craven souls
If their opinions are worth anything,
they will dwell upon them in thought,
they will thank God for them. They will
say, these are but names, indeed, names
of those whom I never knew; but that c.
V. standing against them tells the story,
They were no rebels-they were no trail
tors-thcy were no towards, they were
true patriots and discharged patriots
duty; they were true to the flag of their
country. they perilled their lives for it,
they died that the country might live.
am indebted to them, the country is in
debted to them for the peace, security and
prosperity enjoyed.


Thus will our lamented boys, who sleep
the sleep of the fallen brave, be estimated
in coming time. They will be considered
as having excelled others. They will bt
enrolled among the heroic dead. Many
will rise up and call them blessed, and
be able to claim kindred with them, to
have bsen even remotely related to them
will be counted an honor.


''Twcre sweet indeed to close our eyes


With those we cherish near


And waited upward by their sighs,


soar to some calmer sphere;


But whether on the scaffold high,


Or IN the battles van,


The fittIst place for man to die


Is where he dies for man.


I hope the period is not far distant
when an appropriate monument will
stand in your graveyard to the memory OF
those noble ones. Already have we a
Soldiers Monument there, erected under
the patronage of the State in 1852. Let
another shaft to the memory of gallant
soldiers rise in our marble planted field
and hallow it. They deserve such tes-
timonial at your hands; and when a
movement is made thus to do them JUS
tice, shall, if am alive, feel gricved if /
am not applied to for my subscription.
Indeed, I will start the project now with
contribution of one hundred dollars"
Year: 1864

If, as the saying goes, the death of the
domestic animals foretells the death Of
the master of the house, think yourself
secure us long as all the wild animals in
the menagerie of your bosom are alive
and kicking.
Year: 1864

States, and leave osr national capital
surrounded bY rabel territory.


We abandon to the tender mercies of
the rebels al the Southern Union fami-
lies who have embraced our cause in the
conquered districts and have taken the
oath Of allegiance, so that they will have
to abandon their homes and lose all
their possessions V go o.
We, in fact give 70 the rebels more
ground ihan they have had at any period
Of the war, = better beginning for a new
contest, and prestige which it would be
almost impossible to destroy.