smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1868

Augustus Toplady gave to the world one of
the sweetest hymns in the English language
Since first it came from the pen of its gifted
author, human hearts everywhere have poured
forth their ongingS in the beautiful words:


Rock of ages, cleft for me,


Let me hide myself IN thee.'


The soul just bursting away from the thraIl.
dom OF sin has breathed forth it's new love and
trust IN these sweet words. The child of God
who has fought the good fight, who has finished
his course, has sung this hymn, standing with
feet bathed IN Jordan's waters, ready for the
conflict with the last enemy, and with the notes
OF that song of joyful trust still on his lips, has
made the passage Of the dark river, and reach
ed heavens gate in triumph.


In the dark places Of the earth, as well as in
the land OF light and peace, this song has been
sung.


He who set in motion this lay of Christian
trust, caught the inspiration which gave it birth
from one of Gods lowlest ones. The fire of
devotion which burned steadily and brightly to
the close of life, was kindled by spark


When lad Of sixteen, on visit to Ireland,
young Toplady one day stroed into barn,
Where an llllterate layman was preaching. The
great truths which he was striving to set forth
were couched in humblest phrase, but it was
the preaching OF the cross Christ was held up
as the sinners only Saviour The truth reach
ed the heart of Toplady, and from the time the
powers Of his active and brilliant mind were con-
secrated to Christ, his hope. He died in the
vigor of early manhood, but not until he had
done great work for the Master Through
his faithful ministry many souls were led to
Christ. Beside his cont, oversial works, he has
left rich legacy Of sound hymns, and through
them, he, being dead, yet speaks.


When In much weakness that faithful servant
ofGod preached Christ in that humble sanctuary
to a few owly followers, little did he think that
among his auditors was one who would be
brought to the light through his instrumental
ty, and who would do such work for God.


So we know not whom those with whom we
daily walk, God will call to highest service and
immortal renown. Happy indeed are We, if to
US is delegated the privilege of turning sinner
from the error Of his ways; and since God does
not disdain the humblest instrumentality, since
he designs to bless the smallest service born of
love to him. let US watch for souls as those that
must give account-S. s. Times.
Year: 1868

A young soldier, going to his barrack room
to sleep for the first time, quietly kneeled down
to pray IN the presence Of his comrades This
act was signal fer storm Kisses, shouts
and whistling flied the room with hdeous
noise. Belts were thrown at the kneeing SOL
dier one man leaped upon the bed and shouted
in his ear. But he was unmoved to the end of
the prayer, when he arose and silently went to
his repose The next night his comrades eager
ly watched to see if he would dare to pray
second time. 10 their surprise he again dropp-
ed on his knees, and they saluted him with the
same noises as On the night before. He did not
finch however. The third evening he kneel-
ed down and prayed regardless OF their continu-
ed mocking and noise. On the fourth evening
the noise was less On the fifth it was still less,
and on the sixth, one Of the soldiers exclaimed:
He stands fire, he stands fire. He's genu-
ine After that no one disturbed him. Re
had overcome opposition-he had won respect.
Year: 1868

The story was bruited about the streets yes
terday afternoon that General Grant had an
nounced to one of his friends in this city his
purpose to give General LEE portfolio. IF it
were known that Lee would become member
of Grants Cabinet it would also be known that
Grants words were not idle when he said Let
us have peace" Lees accession to the Cabi-
net would be the perfection Of moral, physical,
and political reconstruction acts.-.St. Louis
Times.
Year: 1868

A writer gives the following advice which we
fully endorse


Don't buy piano for your daughters while
your sons need plow.


Don't let your horse be seen standing at the
tavern door. It don't look right.


Don't give the merchant chance to dun
you. Prompt payment makes Independent
men.


Keep good fences they promote good feel
ings between neighbors.


Decent and substantial clothing for your chill
dren makes them think better of themselves,
and keeps the doctor away.


Don't starve your land, if you do you will
grow lean.


Don't become surety for him who waits for
the sheriff


Buy farm wagon before fine carriage.


Ii you have yoke Of oxen, don't be
ashamed OF them, and give your note for span
Of horses.


Keep your sons away from horse races; they
are the highway to ruin


Don't run for constable; you may get it,
and let the plow stand


Teach your boys to look up and forward, and
never down and backwards.


Don't leave to memory what should be. writ
ten; it makes lawsuits.
Year: 1868

Recent official reports show that in some dis
tricts of England boys go to work in factories
when they are eight years old, and get about
sixty-two cents Of our money week for servi~
ces. After laboring many years one becomes a
weaver, and if very fortunate can earn pound,
OR five dollars week. He doe: not read Or
write; has no social enjoyment, no recreation
beyond that Of the rudest character-nothing
to say in political matters, and is not atogeth-
er so we'll off as his rich employers horse


1t is thus shown that white labor in England
is much worse off than negro labor ever was In
the South. There is slavery in every country on
the globe, and has been in every age Of the
world. Where it is not negro slavery, it is
white slavery, and if it is not such slavery as we
had in the South, founded on propriety and tt
tie, it is the slavery which capital and power
always have over labor. If negro does not
drive carriage, Or act as footman for the rich
in England or New York, white man does !;
and he is just as obsequious and obedient as
ever negro was in the South to his MASTER.
Factory hands at the North are as mueh slaves
to those who employ them, as ever plantation
negro was to the cotton planter of the South.
Wealth and brains are the power which rules
the world, and poverty and ignorance are their
tools --Lyach. Republican.
Year: 1868

If we work upon marble, it will per-
ish if we work upon brass, time will
efface it; if we rear temples, they will
crumble into dust; but if we work up.
on the immortal minds-if we Undue
them with principles, with the just fear
of God and our fellow men-we engrave
on those tablets something which will
brighten to all eternity.
Year: 1868

CATTLE


With larger number of cattle on
sale than there has been for several
weeks past, and but very few foreign
buyers, the market was little tame
to-day, though, In reality, 30 FAR as We
could see, there Is no change in prices.
Prime to extra cattle sold at from SI<
to exc which is fully as high as last
week; there are more good cattle on
sale than there has been for sey-
eral weeks past, and our butchers
experienced no difficulty in ma
king selections, though, IL Is true, they
had to pay pretty well for the privilege.
There Is q continued good demand for
stock cattle, and We can report sales of
common to prime western stock steers
at from 5H to 61<c, and even &c. How
long the present exorbitant prices viii
pc maintained It Is difficult at this writ
ing 70 conjecture; there Is usually n
breakdown in the market when grass
cattle commence to come in, and We
can see no reason why this spring
should be an exception, unless it hinges
ON scarcity.
Year: 1868

Every Democrat in Congress voted
against i: and the President withholds his
approval.


sion passed Funding Bill proposing to
place the entire Debt Of the United States
on a long loan at 4 l2 per cent. interest.


This would save THIRTY MILLIONS
IN GOLD each ear and this amount was
to be devoted to paying the principle of the
debt. In little over thirty years the
whole debt wosld be cxtinsuished by thit
process.


Remember that every Democrat in both
branches of Congress voted against this
wise and economical measure and Presi.
dent johnson to day by Democratic intlu
ence withholds his approval from it.
Year: 1868

men, of all parties and of all sec
tions, feel sure of justice and fair
dealing at his hands. The modera-
ton of his temperate tolerant
spirit which marks all his acts and
opinions-his profound respect for
and Difference to the will of tho Peo-
,Iple as the only rule and guide for
the conduct of the Government, and
his freedom from all ambition but
that of harmonizing the sentiments
and promoting the peace of the
whole country, give the great mass
of the people the most absolute as
surance of the justice, wisdom and
patriotism of his Administration


These are the qualities which give
him so strong hold on the conf
aence Of the country. They ex-
plain why it is that men Of the most
opposite political opinions concur
in their willingness to trust the ad
ministration Of the Government to
his hands. And they will give him
support at the ballot box which
will far transcend the limits of the
party which had the good fortune to
make him its candidate 1t is not a
platform, nor a party. which the peo-
pie desire for President; it is Man,
and his name is GRANr.-N. Y.
Times.
Year: 1868

''Free speech was one of the
earliest demands of the Republican
party. 1t did not exist, when that
party was formed, in any slave State.
nor in any Territory of the United
States where the spirit Of slavery
had sway. 1t was especially denied
in Kansas, while lynch law speedily
interposed to crush any attempt to
exercise it in any Of the Southern
States. Slavery has been abolished
but speech is no more free now in
the south than it was ten years ago
The recent bloody afray at Camilla
Ca grew out of an attempt to sup
press and prevent it. The apollo
gists for that slaughter concede
that the only offence committed by
the negroes, was their attempt to
hold a Republican meeting. Repnp-
lican meetings are prohibited il
Georgia. The spirit and pride Of
the white race" will not tolerate
them. Yet slavery is abolished
what worse than this was done while
slavery was in the ascendant? T? The
work of the Republican Party will
not be finished till the people car
peaceably assemble and express theil
opinions on political questions il
any part Of the country.-M. Y
Times.
Year: 1868

The FAMILY NEwsPAPER.-Dr.
Franklin remarks that man as Of
ten gets two dollars for the one he
spends in informing his mind, as he
does for Il dollar he lays out in any
other way. A man CAL eat pound
of sugar and it is gone, and the
pleasure he has enjoyed is ended,
but the information he gets from a
newspaper is treasured up to be en-
joyed anew, and to be used when
ever occasion or inclination calls
for it. A newspaper is not the wis
dom of one man or two men. it is
the wisdom of the age, and of past
ages too. A family without news
paperfis always year behind the
times in general information be-
sides they can never think much OF
find much to talk about And then
there are the little ones growing mp
wihout any taste for reading. Who
then, would be without a newspa-
per--and who would read one reg
ularly without paying for it?
Year: 1868

Now and then we hear of Republicans
who are dissatisfied with candidates on
the ticket, and threaten to scratch them.
We know there are often otjectional
candidates nominated, and it is impossi
bic to suit all voters, but Republicans
should consider the effect OF a general
scratching of tickets. Scratching tickets
Injuries more or less the entire ticket.
When regular members Of a-party go to
scratching their own ticket, doubtful men.
who might have easily been induced to
vote the ticket. will hesitate about voting
one upon which the party themselves dis.
agree. and they will be very apt to vote
the entire opposition ticket. We think
II any person is dissatisfied with any can
didare on the ticket, and feels that he
cannot consistently vote for him. the
most jndicious course would be to quietly
erase the name from the ticket, without
taking pains to make the fact notorious,
and to induce every body else to follow
suit. You cannot pinch a mans toe or
finger. without saffecting him unpleasant
ly all over; neither can You work against
q portion of the ticket, without damsg-
ing the whole. Besides, this is 9 matter
that works both ways. If We work
against snothsr mans friend this year,
that other man will be very apt to retail.
ate BY working against our friend, if he
is q candidate next year. We believe
that the present duty Of the Republican
party is to clean out the Democracy root
and branch. We propose to use our en-
ergies toward performing that duty. by
sssistiDs to elect every Republican csn-
didate, and to defeat every Democratic
candidate.
Year: 1868

~ Chase says that it is too late to
save the Democratic party BY bringing
out new men, bat he is still willing to
take the place. IL It is offered him. for fhe
sake Of the empty honor OF being q can.
didste for President. He never viii be
satisfied unti! he is q candidate. and now
Is Is good time % any to give him .
belly foil Of it..
Year: 1868

The n. Y. Tribune, unconsciously OF
course, has told us one Of the effects OF
Wade's accession to the presidency. 1t
says: "We have joyful hope that Ben.
Wade will be at home in the white house on
or before next moving g-day-May lst, 1868.
If the price of whisky does not rise and the
revenue collected therefrom does not exhibit
decided increase during the ensuing quar-
ter and thereafter, we viii join the World


in denouncing Republican revenue officers
as the confederates and tools of whisky
| thieves whatever the politics of the latter
| The price of whisky is to rise, because deal
ers are aware that Old Ben and his friends
will drink more than ever. He is full al
| the time now when he becomes president
| we may expect him to be absolutely drunE
most of the time. But he is the idol O


"the party of great moral ideas"
Year: 1868

Having sold the entire stock, fixtures and
good will of our retail grocery business to
Messrs. Welch 4 Gregg, who have removed
the same to the room under Darts Hall,
formerly occupied by Phil Helm, where they
will continue the retail grocery trade, we
desire 20 return our thanks to our customers
for the very liberal patronage We have re
ceived at all times during the eleven years
of our dealings with them, and to assure
them that Welch & Gregg, who were long
time in our employ, will continue the busi-
ness in a prompt and honorable manner
that cannot but please all who may deal
with them.


We shall continue in trade at our old
stand, doing an exclusively wholesale busi
ness, aud viii at all times be pleased TO see
our friends, and trust that We will continue
to merit the confidence We have so literally
HENRY DART's Sons.
Rock Island, April 9th, 1865. d6taw3m
Year: 1868

The National Intelligencer shows that, 1t
the radical Interpretation Of the rule Of sue
cession to the presidency be strictly entorc-
ed, every member of the senate will have a
chance to enjoy that position before the next
inauguration.
Year: 1868

Gen. Sherman has sent q preliminary report of
the business Of the Indian Peace Commissioners
this spring, in which was the following language
about the general situation: "I was OF the
opinion, and still am of the impression, that the
Peace Commission should do little or nothing more
TIL our report to Congress of last December, with
the bill reported by Mr.. Henderson, has been
fully and freely discussed in Congress- and action
taken In form Of the law. The Indians finding
our general provisions not sustained by the facts
are naturally tending to the conclusion that the
treaties and promises held out are of the same
nature as others OF this kind in former tines
Still, as rule. those whom we met last year seem
TO act on their promise of peace, whereas the
others, whom We did not meet and have not seem
are as mstrustful and seemingly hostile as ever
Several murders and robberies have occurred
along the line of the railroad and the people gem
orally ridicue our efforts at peace, and think We
are deliberately deluded and deceived by those
who have signed the treaties. | do not appre-
bend any general war this year. only, by prowi-
ing bands of thieying or numbering Indians
which the people, in this vast and sparsely In
hsbited region, sheuld be prepared to resist. Ia
time. we must take these wild Indians in hand. /
will do all that is possible TO give general protec-
uon. especially to the rapid progress Of the Pa
cinc railroad. But II were idle to undertake to
run down every horse thief, or to protect what
are termed the ranches scattered at wide dis
tances along the read, occasionally traversed by
trains of wagons. The Pacific railroad does not
make settlements in the strict sense of the term.
Every twenty miles is q station where few men
are Kept as repair parties, but they are so dis
persed that they are weakness nste ad Of strength
They are all clamorous for protectiop.- and Gen.
every station outside Of Omaha. The great ad-
vsntage of the railroad is that it gives Us rapid
communication and cannot be stolen like the
horses and mules of the trains OF old. But the
people along il are much exposed to depredating
bands of hostile Indians. They always charge
their loss TO the friendly Indians who have been
collected near, and it is Tor this reason that deem
it essential to remove them at once, even at our
military expense. without awaiting the lawful but
slow action of Congress.
Year: 1868

The frst Swedish theatrical perform
ance-a representation Of the life of Jesus
took place during the reign Of John II.
The man who played the part of the sol
dier who was apparently to pier'ie the side
Of the one who hung upon the cross. be-
came SO absorbed in his part that he actu
ally thrust his lancet through the heart
Of his victim. who instantly fell from the
cross aud crushed young girl at its foot
who was representing the Virgin Mary.
King John. enraged at the horrible deed,
leaped upon the stage, and with his sword
cleft the head Of the soldier. The excit.
. l'epettatofs, furious at The cruel severity
Of u eiking. slew him on the spot, aud
offered up his head as holocaust T.
the names of the murdered soldier.
Year: 1868

Rev. Henry Ward Beecher preached yesterday
morning to a crowded congregation in Plymouth
church. He commended TO the attention OF his hear
ers the American Home Missionary Society, and re-
quested that collection should be taken mp in aid Of
the objects included III the programme of that asso-
ciation.


AT the evening service Mr. Beecher addressed q
large body Of the Young Mems Christian Association.
He called upon then in very forcibe ternis, to be
earnest In all their efforts to be enthusiastic in the
cause OF God, and he remarked that In proportion
to their hidden life would be their power TO
do good. They should exhibit in all their actions
the working OF internal religious spirit and devotion,
and upon taking in hand any cause that was worthy
the blessing and protection Of Heaven they should
be thoroughly impressed with the conviction that
they would be able to carry it through 1t had been
stated that on one occasion, when Admiral Dupont,
one Of the ablest men Of the American navy, was
explaining TO Admiral Farragut the reasons why he
had not been able to enter the bay OF Charleston and
capture the forts. Farragut said to him:-"Ah, Du-
pont you did not believe you could do it, and that Is
The reason" Lo, if young men had work before
them TO do, and believed tney could not do it, they
WOuQ do III
Year: 1868

Reuben J. Parsons, D. d. last evening read before
large and apprecative audience, at this church, u
carefully prepared paper entitled rhe Union OF Re-
ligon and Patriotism or, What Catholic Irishman
Should Be-" The learned Doctor prefaced his lecture
with the remark that in the history Of nations there
are certain periods In the history Of peoples which
bring out their patriotism; but in all periods religion
and patriotism go hand in hand, and should be in
dissOuble Love of country s old as the diversity
Of civilized communities; but it is seldom found to
exist In the hearts OF tyrants and demagogues 1t is
our duty therefore, to contribute to cement the union
which tyrants and demgaogues desire to discover.
In all ages the priesthood nurtured liberty; but in
English-speaking lands the putting Of priest
In the condition OF constable interferes with his
usefulness. Lately we have read In respectable
Irish journals sentiments which we only look for in
infdel continental journals. There Is no good reason
for the expression of such sentiments for the soldier
Of liberty need never leave the lines f the Church.
There is kind Of patriotism In vogue which is nothing
more than selflove. 1t is this which impes England
to keep its hold Ireland, Russia Poland, Turkey
on Crete. But true patriotism Is that love Of country
which causes man to labor for the welbeing OF his
compatriots and religion combined with patriotism
brings forth the civilization OF nations. Dr. Parsons
concluded by paying glowing tribute to Washing
ton, who combined more than any other man religion
and patriotism.
Year: 1868

The Rev. Prof George l.. seymour, d. D., repeated
by special request last evening, under the auspices
Of the American Church unon, his sermon recently
delivered in Zion church. The text was "In
fastingsn second Corinthians, sixth chapter, part
Of the nth verse The argument was briefly ths:-
God enjoins upon men In he most solemn manner
the observance OF the seventh day sacred to Him


self. He includes the command in the Decalogue
which lie gave from Mount Sinai under the most
awful sanctions. He wrote IL with His own finger
ON table Of stone. Almost all however, who pro-
fess and call Observation-Disclosures do not now keep the
seventh day holy as God commanded but observe
instead The FIRST day What authority they plead
for thuseupersedng an express and reiterated com
mand of Almighty Cody Can they a1lege the Bible
az their warrant for the changer They cannot since
there Is nothing In Holy scripture TO justify them In
setting aside Gods most solemn injunction. The
texts In the New Testament which mention
the first day contain nothing which can pos
sbly be made to lmny . repeal Of the
fourth commandment All who observe the first day
instead OF the seventh, must ultimately appeal how


reluctant they may be TO do So to the authority
Of the Church to justify their practice. But II this
authority be sufficient warrant for superseding an
Year: 1868

very large and fashionable congregation assent
bled at this church yesterday, osensbly for the pur
pose OF Divine worship, but more probably in antic
patton of the reading OF the "protest" by Rev. Dr.
Tying, which he had prepared against the admon
tlon Of the Right Rev. Bishop Potter to Rev. Stephen
n. Tying Jr, on Saturday. At the close Of the intro
ductory services Dr. Tying ascended the pulpit and
announced rs his text portion Of the third verse OF
the ninth chapter Of the book Of the prophet Jere
mah:-"But they are not valiant for the truth upon
the earth.n This theme aroused somewhat of an
expectation that its application would be to the
cent events connected with the charges, trial. SEN
tence and recent of the junior Tying; but the
edge was completely worn Off when the reverend
gentleman In an early stage of his discourse an
nounced that he did not intend to treat the subject
in controversial manner, but wholly in relation to
its religious bearings, statement which rigidly
adhered to throughout to the poignant regret the
QutdnuncS.