smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1879

When one sees the Greenback orator and
the Greenback organ repeating with the ut
most coolness tie statements which were ex-
ploded and shown to be false year ago. he
comes to the conclusion that the parties re-
ferred to are slippery adversaries. For in
stance, few days since a Greenback orator
deslared that the French Government obtained
the money to pay the German war indemnity
by giving the inhabitants of that country paper
money for the coin required, and that such a
policy had made France prosperous while ev-
cry other country was the reverse. Now every
intelligent man knows that there is not par.
ticle of truth in such statement-not even an
approach to a fact in such declaration. And
yet it is made to do duty in most Greenback
campaign speeches. 1t has been shown by the
best authority that the money to pay Germany
was obtained by the sale of interest-bearing
bonds of small denomination to people who
hoard coin because they have no savings insti-
tutions or other means of investment. 1t is a
well-known fact that the French Government
has not issued paper money for many years,
but has licensed the bank of France to do so
under certain conditions. 1t is also we'll
known fact that France brought about specie
resumption in that country after the German
war by the same plan which was adopted by
our Congress by fixing day for spe-
Gle payments and making preparations to carry
that plan into effect 1t is also worth while to
state that France was prosperous from Novem-
Ter, 1873, when the circulation of the bank OF
France was $602 100000 to December, 1875,
when it had been reduced to $404, ,903, 100
showing that contraction Of nearly one-third
of the volume of paper money did not check
the prosperity of that country.


We have only called attention to the above
because it aptly illustrates either the dishon-
esty or the ignorance of men who go about the
country preaching the fiat money heresy and
grossly misrepresenting, even to entire perver-
France. Can men who insist upon repeating
such glaring falsehoods be believed when they
assert that there are at present no indications
of better days?-Boston Journal.
Year: 1879

The henne6ec Journal says that a gentle
man who sent club of 35 subscribers to
The Honest Truth wrote: ''This was one
of the Greenback strongholds last year, but
| can assure you that that delusion is rapidly
on the decline here now. Davis stock is
above par and daily rising. I2ok out for a
good report from Piscataquis county in Sep
tember"
Year: 1879

SECRETARY SHERMANS critics in this
State will find him "a bad man. to hit He
hits back, as the Argus found to its sorrow
last night. 1t will have its hands full during
the rest Of the campaign defending the
Democratic Congress and its other political
friends
Year: 1879

The mosque of st. Sophia in Constantinople,
to-day the largest Mohammedan mosque, as it
was once the largest Christian church in the
world, was long jealousy guarded from Euro
pean intrusion, as if the supremacy of Islam
depended on keeping from the PROCLAMATION of
the infidel this visible proof of the success of
the religion of the prophet. When, shortly
after the Crimean war, Europeans began to be
admitted, it was noted by superstitious Mos
lens that the stucco and whitewash with
which the interior of the great dome was plas-
tered to hide the Byzantine mosaics of the 7th
century straightway peeled and crumbled,
bringing to view the dim and shadowy outlines
of an aureoled Christ, first seen for four CEN
turtles, and behind which lay the figure of a
cross.


There has always been superstitious dread
among Moslems that this building would be re-
turned some day to its earlier uses. A walled
door has its legend that Christian prince
would some day pass through it to the celebra-
tion of mass and other legends and supersti-
tons of this sort cluster around every corner of
the basilica of Justinian. These things ex-
plain the bigoted care with which the edifice
was once secluded to the worship of the faith
luh d care WHICH gives every IlDefal Cnange IN
the Moslem management of this great cathe-
dral mosque q peculiar interest as the sign and
proof of increased tolerance. A private letter
from Constantinople gives the last and most
extraordinary of these changes in the use of
the mosque in the notice of new service to be
held in this Mosem church for the broad and
catholic discussion of creeds to which men
without distinction of faith are invited; a SER
vice whose historical interest could only be
paralleled by notice from the sacristy sum-
moning all men in like manner to a conference
in the nave of st. Peters. A translation of
this notice with its curious mixture of oriental
hours and occidental thought runs:


Notice is hereby given that in the mosque of St.
Sophia, every Friday and Tuesday, just after noon
prayers, at o'clock, Turkish lesson will be given
from Iyhurai Huck IA very useful book newly COM
posed, reconcilng the differences of religion ANY
one, whatever may be his religion, may come to the
mosque at the said hour and hear the lesson free
change.


Ali, Teacher of Arabic and English.


1t is not surprising that the missionary who
writes of finding this remarkable notice left on
his desk of a morning adds, "We cannot but
look upon this as most remarkable departure
from the old path of exclusiveness. Surely the
underpinning of time-honored bgotries is go
ing fast" There are some Christian sanctua-
ries where meeting "recofciling the differ
ences of religion would not be out of place,
and it might we'll be begun by search for
truth in the spirit suggested by the Arabic til
tie OF the book mentioned in the notice.
Year: 1879

EVERY regular attache of the PRESS is furnished
with Card certifcatesigned by Stanley T. Pullen
Editor all railway, steamboat and hotel managers
will confer favor upon usby demanding credentials
of every person claiming to represent our journal
Year: 1879

We do not read anonymous letters and communi-
cations. he name and address of the writer are in
all cases Indispensable, not necessarily for publica-
ton but as guaranty of good faith.


We cannot undertake to return or preserve COM
municatiOns that are not used
Year: 1879

Is the PRESS a id fool? asked a prominent
gentleman yesterday of another he was talking
with. Oh, no, replied the latter-it only makes
believe it is-Argus.


HAD the question been put concerning
the argus that journal would not have had
the benefit of the doubt.
Year: 1879

The New York World of Wednesday had
a long leading article on Secretary Sherman
and the refunding operations of the Treas
uly, in which it inferred that he would in
his Portland speech claim the credit of re-
funding as peculiarly his own and due to his
individual efforts. AS it happened the Sec
retary did no such thing He gave clear
account of the operations of the Treasury
Department while it has been under his
control, but took no more than due credit to
himself, and that by inference and not in
words. 1t was as modest speech as ever a
politician delivered.


After its ''skit'' at Sherman, the World
went on to commend the refunding opera
tions as in the direction of economy, and
insist that s'the Congress of 1S70-71, and the
Grant Administration of those years, togeth-
er with Secretary Boutwell,, are entitled to
the credit of that legislation" With this
assertion we have no quarrel. On the con-
trary we admire the candor of the World in
making it. At the same time it should be
borne in mind that Secretary Sherman was,
during the years this legislation was per-
fected, at the head of the Finance Commit
tee of the Senate, and so had much to do in
shaping it. His connection with the refund
ing operations did not begin with his accept
ance of the Treasury portfolio, but is of
older date


One other point that the World seeks to
make calls for attention. 1t says Mr.. Sher-
mans work in refunding has been done un-
der the domination of Democratic Con
gress. This assertion is far from correct.
The work was done while we had Dem
ocratic Congress, but done in spite of that
Congress, not with its aid, nor by its COM
mand. The Democratic Houses have sought
to cripple Che Secretary and stay his finan-
cial operations. By Democratic House the
resumption act was repealed. By Dem
ocratic House the Warner silver bill with its
Congress the sinking fund was broken into.
BY Democratic Congress the sources of
the Government revenue were reduced and
the appropriations to carry the Government
on increased. All these acts and attempts
had a tendency to injure refunding, and
some of them did for time put stop to
the sale of bonds bearing the lower rate of
interest. What Secretary Sherman has ac-
complshed has been in the face of Dem
ocratic opposition and by the support of The
Republican party.


SENSIBLE comment by the Boston Herald:
''The sad case of Wiscasset, Me-, shows one
of the evils of that speculative mania which
an irredeemable currency excites. Wiscasset
was not the only town that went into wild
expenditures under the mistaken idea that
they were wise investments. The same
spirit was displayed all over the country,
cutting up farms into house lots, running
up prices beyond reason, and expecting ev-
cry purchase to yield profit. Wiscasset in
creased its debt to nearly half its valuation
in what we called ''flush' times. and when
the inevitable crash came it found itself
bankrupt. No stronger argument can be
found against the theories of the imitation
lists, who think that money can be manufac-
tured out of rags dd libituna.
Year: 1879

With the rapid approach OF the Con
c,sssiopal session and the deepening
consideration Of matters relating there
Ia there is withal a certain manifest
apprehension as to the effect this ses-
sion will have on the political complex
ion Of the country. Some are disposed
to look upon it with feelings OF grave
concern. With the rumors that are
even now floating glibily from the Cap
ital. II is evident that there is some
thing astir which the tuilness OF time
alone is meant to reveal. There is no
disguisbling this fact. In the recent
announcement tha. provisions were be-
ing mads for the admission Of two ter
ritories into tho sisterhood OF states,
the country received the first intima-
ton and the idea that the dominant
party intended to legislate itself into a
majority that wonld save it when seri-
Gus reverses which now threaten do
come, broke for the first time upon the
nations understanding. This fell like
a flash, and before the dazed intellect
had fully recovered news came from
one corner of the continent that the
preparatory movement in the great Pc
litical drama was being enacted. 1t
was but the prologue. TIE scene is to
open in the halls of Con3ress. What
the development will be is only mat
ter of conjecture. This conjecture de-
fines That with the indication Of a
close and probably undecided Presi
Dental contest, the Democracy intend
to be prepared for an emergency, and
under warrant Of preconceived plan
resolve upon some measure whereby
the Republican party can be lesisiated
from power.


This is what comes from the Capital.
The events of the past week in Maine
press it before the country With uniala-
taxable distinctness. That there Is
some such scheme atloat there is no
doubt, az subsequent events Will short
ly show, and it lis we'll for the country
to be prepared for any unusual deYel.
opmeut. Any such act as this contem-
plated would be revolutionary
would be- dangerous. Were the sub
version successful, the effect woaid
prove disastrous, not only TO the perpe-
traitors but to the entire country. The
inetfacabie act would rise up in judg-
ment against them, and their political
star would sink in irretrievable ruin.
Such an infamous scheme would re-
csive general condemnation from the peo
pie, and the party committing it would
have visited upon it the severest re-
buke which a free people in their
righteous wrath are capable of iDtlict-
ing
Year: 1879




The editor OF the Asheville, North
Carolina, Journal in a recent number
says: ''In this issue Of the paper offer
my house and lot for sale. My object
is to quit the country-possibly for the
country's good. For the past nine
years 1 have endeavored to make a
livelihood here at the newspaper busi-
ness, and at this writing am good
breathing representation of the genius
of Famine, or an allegory of Ireland
during the potato rot. The day-star
of my prosperity has gone down be-
hind dark cloud of unpaid bills and
uncanceled obligations. As q dernier
resort, 1 propose to cast my lot among
the Mongolians of the Pacific coast,
and with this view my leisure mo-
ments are devoted to deciphering the
hieroglyphics on a Chinese tea-chest,
while l patiently await the advent of
q purchaser"
Year: 1879

MEMPHIS AUalunche If some of the
Bourbon editors were to think more
and lash themselves into a passion less
they would occasionally be able to see
an inch beyond their noses-s feat
never accom- plished to date.
Year: 1879

CINCINNATI, Feb. 25.-A dispatch
says, Jason Little and other convicted
prisoners of Breathitt county, KY,
made desperate attempt to escape
from Jail on the night before their de-
psrture for the penitentiary. They
hsd cut through the floor of the cell to
the room below, from which they could
easily have effected their escape had
the plan worked to suit them. They
had arranged with friends outside to
engage in sham fight On the opposite
side Of the Jail when they were to make
their escape, but the prisoners were
discovered in the lower room, and
Judge Jackson ordered them to he put
in irons.
Year: 1879

Why does the bud that Is near to It's break


ing


Wake sweetcr smiles than the full.bown


rose?
Why does the dream on the verge OF aWak-


ing


Stir deeper truths than deeper repose?
Why does the love that is broken with part


ing


Lift itself higher by the fullness of pain?
WHY'S the incomplete rapture of starting
Close ON completion we never attain?
why? For bOundless, unsatished longing
Lies deepest down in a warm human heart
Ever with this are the sympathies thrOnginS,
Ever by this do the heaven-tlowers start.
Grow with our spring-we can follow you


wholly


Only as far as its instincts are sent;
Summers q fact that Is hidden and holy,
We have not seen tive are not content.
Year: 1879

TIE fact is understood that eiviliza-


ton has generally reached its highest
state in northern temperate latitudes
rather than in the tropics. This has
been Ysriously accounted for. La-
Dor is the basis of ali civilization,
and the latitude induced by in
tense heat makes laziness common, if
not justiiable. But I have begun to
suspect that this is not the only cause
that our long winters, necessitating
rest, may be quite as important an ele-
ment in social progress as the Sc
we're toll needed in summer. Important


as labor is, ''all work and no play" is


as bad for grown men and women as
for Jack in the nursery rhyme. It is
nearly three thousand years since the


wise man remarked that ''the wisdom


of the wise man cOmeth by opportunity
of leisure; and he that hath little busi-
ness shall become wise, and in the same
connection, chow can he get wisdom
that holdeth the plow, and whose
talk is of bullocks?" So here we have
alternate work and rest recommended
as the best possible condition for social
progress. For the large class of our
farming population northern winters
afford the best condition of success,
and small as has been the progress in
agricultural arts and sciences until
within few years, believe that it is
demonstrable that the basis of the
superiority of northern civilizations is
found in the advantages of our winters
in furnishing needed rest and opportu-
nifty for study. The fact is too often
overlooked that not only many of the
wealthy merchants, bankers and busi
ness men Of the great cities spend their
bcyhood on the farm, but many leading
scientists, scholars and statesmen were
brought up under like conditions. !
Healthful outdoor work in summer IN
vigorates the body and mind alike, and
prepares for equally healthful study
when summer work is ended. It is a
fact of much significance that all really
great men have learned the habit Of
hard work in early life, and that this
habit has had probably more to do
with their success than the advenGtious
circumstances commonly called ''good
luck" There is no doubt also that
winters rest is an advantage to the
soil. The disintegration by frost
makes latent fertility available, while
the covering of snow prevents evapora-
ton and waste. In very warm coun-
tries the scorching sun burns out the
carbon in the soil, and very few crops
exhaust its fertility. Something Of the
difficulty of restoring exhausted soils
in the south may be due to the lack of
stock; but something more is also at
tributable to the continuous drain made
by crops growing nearly the year
round. While we think with feelings
of envy of pleasant summer breezes in |
southern elimes, it is only fair that we
should also consider the advantages
which northern winters confer. ''Thou
hast made winter" I" was the declaration
of the inspired Psalmist, Of One who
has made nothing in vain.-W J p,
in COatltT1f Gentleman.
Year: 1879

An experienced tanner is authori.
ty for the statement that if leather is
kept full of oil, and not Suffered to get
dry, it will last twice as long. With
out II the fbers become brittle and rot
ten, but with plenty Of oil they are
made tough and durable. This IS CON
trary to the notion some people nave
that grease rOts leather, and 50 they
never oil their boots or harness. Leath-
er should always be dampened before
oiling, and thoroughly cleansed, using
CASTLE soap, if any soap is needed, and
a little lamPblaok mixed with the oil
If necessary to give color.
Year: 1879

A good deacon In Davenport. Iowa.
driving aimlessly about the streets
one dark night. The deacon kindly
got into his sleigh and took the reins,
intending to take the drunkard home.
which was two miles away; but dis
liking the idea OF walking back. he
stopped at tavern to find somebody
who could more conveniently do the
job. While he was in the tavern, the
drunkard drove Off by himself, and a
young fellow arrived with his girl in
a sleigh. The young fellow entered
the tavern. leaving his girl, muffied
in a blanket, to wait while he got a
drink. The deacon found volunteer
to take his place as guide to the druk-
ard; but the volunteer. on going to
the sleigh that then stood in front OF
the tavern, discovered that the occu-
pant was not the diunkard. and said
to the deacon. Its a girl out there. "
NO. tain'r,' replied the deacon. who
thought she was the drunkard, He
put one arm around her and roughly
pulled away the blanket. She scream
ed for help. Hir lover ran out and
gave the deacon a severe whipping.
Then they took the good deacon into
the tavern. washed the blood from
his face, the girl k ssed him, and all
was forgiven.
Year: 1879

A young man from the country was
in town yesterday. and he entered a
photograph gallery to have his picture
taken. After seating him. the operator
told him to assume q pleasant express
sion. aThink Of something cheerful.
be said; think OF your girl A ter
rlble scowl took possession OF the
young mans face. and jumping up he
exclaimed, think OF the deucel She
went home with another fellow last
night. and che can go to thunder, Tor
all mel" he evidently thought OF her,
but the pleased expression was not
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Herald,
Year: 1879

tion from changes OF temperature,
and the absorption Of moisture, which
favors decay. Much will depend on
the apartment In which the expert
ment is tried, dry or cool one being
best. This is not a new discovery.
The Pennsylvania Dutch farmers
have long practiced this way Of keep
ing apples.
Year: 1879

General Robert f. Lee, soon after the
close of the war, gave the following opin-
ion of Webster: Il pever saw more
striking object than Webster in the Sen
ate. The effect of his fine figure and
princely air, when speaking, was like
that of livid flash in the midst of dark
ness. What Paganini was in music that
Webster was in oratory the one charmed
Europe with one string, the other cleo
tri6ed multitudes with his eloquence.
He once complained to me of the wrongs
done him by the reporters, but in vain.
The world would read whatever bore
his honored name, and the grubworms
were ever ready to crafty the desire by
fragments or rather caricatures of his
mighty eloquence. His speeches indi-
cate the powers of the great orator-they
are lofty but not impassioned, correct
but not fluent.n
Year: 1879

was no humbug. We hope that an ct
fort will be made to kill him, as he wills
no doubt, be often seen in his new ele-
ment. 1t is now rendered pretty GER
tain that the cavern under the bank of
the creek discovered at the hunt in I84S
Is where this big snake concealed him
self. A farmer who owns the land there
and has erected a dwelling-house. is now
sinking well, and having reached a bed
of limestone, is doing a good deal of
blasting with nitro-glycerine. This well
is about fourth of mile from the
mouth of the cavern, and is fifty feet
deep. 1t is believed that the blasting of
the rock in the well disturbed his snake
ship, and probably frightened him out,
owing to the proximity of the well to
the cavern, or, perhaps, its actual con-
nection with IL.
Year: 1879

A lady who lays some claim to hav-
ing studied human nature in its mascu-
line development says that the man
who is of sufficiently calculating mind
to ask his sweetheart before marriage
how many yards it takes for a silk dress,
will snort terror into her soul after mar
riage if she asks him for sixpenny
calico.-AndTeaOS' Bd2GT.
Year: 1879

The case Of State VS.. Thomas Slane,
accused Of the crime OF committing
rape upon the little girl Maggie Moss,
was finished on last Friday evening.
Every exertion was used by the officers
to summon all witnesses for both State
and defense, and they succeeded without
single exception in getting them all,
although the Court was compelled to
resort to writs Of attachment to get
some Of the witnesses for the defendant
into Court, and the sheriff was put to
extraordinary exertions and expense to
execute the same. We would like to
publish verbatim the testimony Of the
poor little victim Of q mans british
passions, when giving her evidence on
the witness stand, but to do SO we would
be compelled to put in print much that
would shock the modesty of every
reader of our journal. To those who
would like to see il, we refer them to
the clerks Office, where all the evidence
for State and defense was written down
and is on file. Suffice to say our District
Judge, after setting upon the bench
for five days, listening to the evidence
did not take fue seconds, after hearing
the attorneys for the defense and tue
district attorney for tie State, to give
his verdict, which gas to the effect,
that the accused be remanded to Jail
without benefit of bail, to await the
action of the grand jury. In October
or November ne1t, a jury Of his peers
will decide upon his case, and to their
sense Of justice we leave it.