smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

beyond all contradiction the increased
! power OF the defence is 10 be ascribed to the
| perfection of the modern rife Its long


range, its accuracy, the rapidity with which


it can be loaded, have made it the most for
mldable weapon that ever was invented. Walls
whose defenders are armed with it may be
literally unapproachable by an enemy Its
| fire is perfectly desolating Nothing can live
on the exterior slopes of works when they
are swept by its bullets. The dogged cour-
age OF the Turks has been the means Of dem


onstratiDg what modern rifles can do. We


believe that in the attacks on the lines of


Plevna on the Czar's birthday everything


that the bravest soldiers could do was done


by the Russians in their endeavors to take


the redoubts. Not only did they fail, but


hardly any Of them (in some cases not a


man) got away unwoun1ed. 1t is worth re-


membering that it was in the darkness, after


the close Of that eventful birthday, that


Skobeeff succeeded in getting into the Gra-


vita and the other two redoubts. One rea-


son of his success was that the worn out


Turks, thinking the struggle was over for


the day, had, except small guard retired


from the works. But we think that proba-


bly, another reason may be adduced-namcly,


that the guard which was left on the alert


could not see the enemy at distance, and


therefore could not take aim. 1t is hardly


too much to suppose that, had there been any


light to distinguish the assailants at a mOder-
ate]y long range, the men on duty could have
checked the attack until their comrades could
have returned to their posts. AS a corollary
Oh this observation, we may remark that in
future, when assaults are given, it will be alb
solutely necessary to return to the old prac.
tice of delivering them before daybreak
This practice not long ago was condemned,
it being thought the risk which the stormers
ran of missing their way, or Of making other
mistakes in the darkness, more than counter
balanced the advantage that might be gained
by stealing, unseen, up to the scene of oper-
ations. Now that the scene of operations
will be swept by the deadly rifle, the dark
ness will afford the only chance of attack
with success.-Blackuo0d's Maqdsine
Year: 1878

!From the Meridian (Miss.) Murcury 5th]


Mr. James Knox, young man of the east


ern part OF this country, has been strangely


afflicted for about a year. Hot or cold he


was always affected as freezing to death. His


case has been examined by several skillful
| physicians, and, we understand, has puzzled


them all. He was continually using all the
! devices to warm himself that q man mig ht


who had been chilled by exposure to extreme
cold, sitting around rOusing fires enveloped


blankets and the house closely shut up, and
this though the weather was at summer heat.
1t is said that he would sit by the fire and
hold his head down to it and almost roast it
in the effort to warm. 1t is fact that he put
clothes on his head to protect the scalp from
actual burning while doing thus, and the
clothes have actually been set on fire by the
heat he subjected them to in endeavoring to
warm his head. Some time ago he made a
visit to Livingston in the hope of being ben
Gifted by the artesan water, when DR.. Webb,
OF that town, saw his case. Lately he deter
mined to return to Livingston and try again
the waters, and again consulted DR.. Webb,
going to bis office for that purpose. He
seemed as one suffering from extreme cold.
and asked DIR. Webb if he had any fire in
his Office. He told him he did not. and that
1t was too hot to have fire and be comforta-
ble. He said he could not stand it and ran
out into the street for the benefit of the SUM-
shine to warm himself. The next day DR..
Webb had him in his office again to make q
more critical examination of his case, and
had him rousing fire. He carefully tested
with thermometer the degree of animal
heat he carried and found it near normal.
With all of this trouble he lost little flesh and
kept good appetite for food and preserved
a rather healthful look. On Friday he started
home again in wagon with MIR. Meadows
driving it. He had not gone far out of Liv-
ingston before he wanted to return, COM
planning that he was freezing to death, and
wanted to get somewhere to warm. Mead
ows insisted on continuing the journey on
home and drove forward. Knox jumped out
of the wagon and ran off Into the woods.
Meadows pursued him and compelled him to
return and get into the wagon again, and
drove on. He got as far as Mrs. Peteet's-
Green Grants old place-with him. Mrs.
Peteet had observed Meadows driving slowly
along the road, and knowing he had gone to
fetch the sick man home, went out to; the
gate to make inquiry. When Meadows drove
up and stopped, to her inquiry he said he be-
lieved Jim Knox was dying. He was lying
stretched helpless in the bottom of the wag-
on, and after it had stopped only gasped a
few times and died, apparently freezing to
death, last Friday, with the thermometer at
near so.
Year: 1878

1t Is now announced that the De EIcto Execu.
tive ut Washington means to substitute the
bloody shirt policy for the South IN place of
the policy Of local sel.g government and Of peace
OH earth and goodwill TO man, with which
he sought in such pretty and pathetic sen.
tences in Atlanta and other places to please
the patriotism Of the country and to put TO
rest the outcry against the frauds and per-
jures that placed him in power.- Montgomery
lAia) AdreriSer.


We now begin to see what the South
means by the bloody shirt" policy. So
long as the provisions and requirements u
the Constitution and the Statutes of the
United States remain inert, and Rcpubli-
cans in Alabama and elsewhclcrrc dcspoilcd
of their rights of citizenship or their lives
with impunity, the "pcacc on earth ana
GOODWILL to man policy prevails, But
when the President Of the United States, in
accordance with his sacred oath, requires of
the people of the South that they shall re-
spcct the Constitution and the laws as they
are respected in every Northern State by
all classes, then he is charged with substi-
tuting the bloody shirt This is the
question in nutshell. Neither the
President nor any other Republican
desires to interfere with any policy
OF local State government so far as it relates
to the laws passed for the government. of
that Commonwealth and 50 long rs they are
not in conflict with the Constitution and
laws of the United States No one desires
to interfere with any of its laws for the
preservation of the public peace and the
punishment of crime, or for other purposes
within the limits of STATE jurisdiction, But
! it must be kept In mind that the sacred
right of citizenship Is guaranteed by the
Constitution and laws of the United States
aud that the Chief Magistrate Of the Nation
Year: 1878

AT the very inception OF the so-called
POTTER Title Investigation the Republican
press of the country demanded n thorough
exposure of all the secret history Of the
campaign of 1S76. The Hon" POTTAH
knew what this demand meant; knew that
it wOuld remove the Brand of Fraud, rs il
has been iacetiously called, from where II
does not belong to the brow Of the Demo-
cratic Claimant, and knew that such an ex-
posure would have no very pleasant inhu-
encc for the Democracy in the campaigns
that have just passed. Because Of this
knowledge the committee refused to take up
any branch OF the subject to be investigated
except those which it was supposed would
reflect upon the Republican managers. But
now the truth is out Tho New York Tri-
Juuc's trnnslations Of the Gramercy Park
cipher have accomplished all and more than
was to have been expected in demonstrating
the completely Of the Democratic candidate
in the frauds and attempted corruptions OF
that campaign. When Congress treassem-
bles the committee will not, dare not, refuse
any longer to take up the other side of the
question, although unlike their Republican
contemporaries, we do not note very unan-
imous demand lfy the Democratic press for
a sweeping inquiry.
Year: 1878

The people of the South may be COM
pelled at no distant day to take potion Of
their own medicine from the National Capt.
tai, where the Executive has the power to
sustain tho Constitution and enforce the
laws. In the Southern States the Demo-
Gratis declare that the Constitution and laws
Of the United States shall be subordinated
to State Sovereignty, and shall not be en-
forced within their territory. This is vir-
tually the state Of affairs in South Carolina
to-day, and this Is virtual revolution, and
may be so declared by the Federal power,
and that declaration will be sustained by
the people of the United States in the light
Of the history of this hour. The Republican
citizens of the South to-day are overawed,
trodden down, and deprived of their rights
by the authority Of the State governments.
The Constitution Is treated with contempt,
the laws of the United States are insulted
and despisod, and the President OF the
United States is openly defed and derided
in his authority, and so far the Government
is powerless, except under resort to arms.
The South is In insurrection and revolution
to-day, and by virtue Of the Statutes of the
United States the Executive is clothed with
full power to call upon the militia of the
several States to put down insurrecton and
crush incipient revolution. And If this
matter is pushed much further that call
should be made and this grave question
should be put to the test at once. If this
leads to war, let 1t come. 1t were better that
the North should be reduced to slavery
at the point of the bayonet, if it must come
to that, than that those who once saved the
nation from rebellion shall tamely bow
their necks to the yoke and submit to fet-
tiers without an effort to resist them under
the Constitution and by every means
within their reach while they are free.
Liberty or death should be tho watchwortl
ofall men who are not willing to be slaves
to those who are guilty of treason to the
Constitution and the laws. The President
has submitted to the insOlenCe OF proscrip-
tive and murdcrous party as long as pa
tienco will tolerate, and now let him rise to
the magnitude of the occasion and vindi-
cate the Constitution, the laws, and the
right at all hazards, and all loyal people will
stand by him in his constitutional efforts
to sustain the majesty OF the laws.
Year: 1878

Is the defense Of the right and for the
protection OF tie sacred privileges Of Amer
lean citizenship the President should not
hcititc in the South Carolina case to go to
the extreme limit Of the law, despite the
Democratic threats OF Impeachment and all
that sort Of thing, based, us they are, upon
the assumption that he cannot protect Re-
publicans in that State from outrage with
out violating the poss' comhofus act The
White League Democracy down there do
not hesitate to take the law in their own
hands t make laws for themselves and
thereby bid defiance to all other authority.
As a measure to offset this violence the use
OF every power at the Presidents tommanI
would be approved by every law-abidiug
and loyal citizen in the country. The OPP
portunity for an heroic assertion Of his de-
yoton to the principles of good govern
mcnt is at hand. Will he embrace it?
Year: 1878

THE simple name of. GRANT is to the
prosecuted and despoiled blacks of the
South very tocsin of safety, and to the
Republicans Of both races in that section
an encouragement which is the equivalent
of determination and ultimate victory.
The cane-brakes, piney woods, and wire
grass regions would pour forth votes and
voters by the thousands To risk everything
for his reelection, because the blacks look
upon him as their political savior. The
Solid South would exist only in the past,
in the event of his denomination, for the
machinery OF the polls, in Democratic
hands though it may now be, would then
be controlled by the overwhelming infiu-
ence of great national passion to secure
freedom of citizenship and honesty of elec-
tions throughout the length and breadth Of
the land.
Year: 1878

The New York Times is very earnest in
expressing the hope that Hon. S. d. CHIT
TESDEN may be renominated for Congress
in the third Congressional district of New
York. We feel assured that the Republicans
oil tho district can do no better than to
crafty the wish of the Times, for SIr. CHIT
rESDEN is not only faithful, but fear
less man in the discharge Of his duty.
Year: 1878

THEY say that the Hon. GoDLovE s.
ORTIZ has been returned to Congress by
" the skin of his teeth" The record shows
that he is elected by twenty-one majority,
which shows that his jaws must be in very
good condition-good enough to masticate
the political grub that will be set before
him during the next Congress, and that Is all
that Is necessaIH
Year: 1878

SUNSET Cox has announced himself as a
candidate for Speaker, and is so confident
of an election that he has ordered new
gavel of such proportions rs he can lift
easily. That used by RANDALL is too I'M
wieldy for his use.
Year: 1878

Democracy Of the House would have gone
to that extreme long ago-in fact, would
not have counted HAYES in" as they
phrase tiff HILL and some of his friends
had not stepped in to prevent it, This be-
lief is not based upon mere hearsay, nor Is
its public expression at this time intended
for political effect only. The conspicuously
conservative Washington correspondent of
the Baltimore Sun, in alludinHo the mat
ter, says, with Characteristic caution:


Those here who are thoroughly scquaintod
with Mr.. Hill believe that this sudden and
radical change in his opinion of the President,
put forth pretentiously at this time, when
there seems no occasion or excuse for II, is TO
be taken as q notice of Mr.. Hills intention to
attack the Administration on the opening of
Congress.
Year: 1878

New York paper Probably no1D1ng mas done so much to destroy the efficiency of detective work as the practice of offering rewards for the re- covery of property, and compromising with thieves for the sake of mitigating loss at the expense of justice. Unfortu- nately, most persons care more for their individual interest than for the safety of the community, and would rather have the maletactor escape, provided they get back goodly share of what has been stolen from them, than to have him brought to punishment if they must lose the whole. It is needless to say what encouragement the practice affords to criminals; but another and not less la- mentable effect is that of demoralizing the police. They become intent upon gaming rewards rather than upon per forming their duty as public officers. and where compromise is offered. they devote themselves to securing remunera. tion, possibly from both sides to the transaction. Their acquaintance with

 

 themselves which their character seldom prevents them from using to the utmost. They become brokers between criminals and their victims, and their self-interest stands in the way of a prompt and VIZ crous pursuit for the satisfaction of the demands of justice. Their efforts will naturally be directed to the opening of negotiations for the purpose of personal profit, condition of which will gen. orally be the ultimate escape of the of- lenders Delay and apparent difficulty will promote their designs, and whatever skill they have is likely to be directed to not accomplishing what is supposed to be their first duty-the prompt appre- hension of the guilty.

 What is here suggested as the natural and probable result is far from being mere assumption. It has become so far the actual course of things that it may be questioned whether even our public detective force, to say nothing of the numerous private agencies, is not en- gagged more in the profitable business of affecting compromises, gaining re- wards, and being bought off by thieves in short, doing the work that offers the highest brokerage in direct and energetic efforts to capture those who have committed crime and bring them to punishment. The mystery and secrecy which are so assiduously thrown over their work are as likely to be en- i ployed as shelter for this business as to be, what is generally pretended, necessary to prevent the baf1ing of pursuit. We question if there is 8 balance of advantage in this secrecy of the movements of the police authorities and their agents. Publicity is, in fact. an immense detective power in itself, and transforms the whole community into detective force. 1t is needed, not only for the exposure of criminals and the advertisement of their movements and of every suspicious circumstance. but for the purpose of holding the police themselves to faithful perform ance of their duties.
Year: 1878

The Philadelphia North American says People who look forth at the commercial aspect are somewhat dis heartened at the absence of business &C., tlvlty and enterprise. This discourage ment deepens as each successive pros pect of renewed spirit, to arise from some political event, proves to be de- lusive. In England the condition of business is no better. Nevertheless we believe that the Republic is about to make start on another era of expansion destined to be far-reaching and power full, and this idea is so extensively enter tained that many capitalists are eagerly waiting the opportunity of taking the tide at the proper stage. Through the whole of the revulsion Philadelphia has displayed so much courage, faith and endurance that we have high confidence of the ability of our people to do their whole duty when the time comes. All the private improvements of the present season bear witness to the dauntless spirit of our capitalists and business men and encourage us to look forward with bright anticipations to the business year 1879.
Year: 1878

Few wealthy persons have made bet ter use Of the income of large fortune than Mrs. Shaw, of Cambridge, Mass. Possessed of ample means, due to the success of her husband in the copper mining business, she has set apart ESQ., 900 year to be used for the purpose of establishing kindergarten schools among the poorest classes to be found in and around Boston. At the present time there are about eighteen of these schools In active operation, and the entire cost of teachers, rent, books, etc., is borne by the benevolent patron. Of course. these ew establishments go but small way toward meeting the demand. and hence the number of applicants for ad- mission is much larger than the supply. But in cases of this kind, the rule has been made that priority shall always be gwen to the claims of the poorest and most destitute children. Besides these schools, Mrs. Shaw has recently opened several public nurseries, for the purpose of providing place in which laboring women who are obliged to work away from their homes during the day, can leave their babies, with the certainty that they will be we'll taken care of. In these nurseries, as in the kindergartens, the number that can be provided for is necessarily small but to furnish this practical assistance to four or five hund- red families is at least a considerable service for one woman to perform.
Year: 1878

Tho season is now fast approaching when we must make our annual selec- tion of Christmas gifts. It requires both taste and good judgment to get such as are appropriate to the needs and wants of the recipient ; for oftentimes it IS the case that one receives mullplic- lty of articles that are of no use to them whatever, and they may at the same time be in actual need of something much less expensive, but of vastly more inn portance.

 remember reading in one of last years papers, of a young and popular clergyman, unmarried of course, who was the recipient of dozen dressing gowns and some twenty pairs of slippers, as Christmas presents, and the joke of 1t was that among so many pairs of slip pers none of them fitted his feet. What use he eventually made of them the writer did not say.

 l would suggest that he open a curi- osity shop, and exhibit them as samples of the skill and industry of his lady friends. If the same amount of money had been expended toward procuring him 8 library it would have proved far more beneficial in it's results.

 Some three years ago, gave silver fruit-knife as Christmas present to lady friend, and that made the third she received that day. made up my mind then that I would ascertain nearly as possible what the other friends were in- tending to give before I made my selec- tions. Whatever you give, give freely, without hope of return. My idea of Christmas gifts is the promoting of kindly feelings, and giving pleasure to those around us by some little token of remembrance.

 l never prize gift for its money value, but rather for the love and good will that prompted the offering. The little folks hail the coming of Christmas with delight, for they see as in vision myriads of toys and sweetmeats in store for them. How it warns the heart. and cheers the soul, to see around us so many smiling, happy faces as the result of some little effort on our part. Truly, 1t IS "more blessed to give than re- ceive"

 And hope while we are thus seeking to make glad the hearts of our friends, we shall not forget the poor and needy around us, who have been less fortunate than ourselves in their struggle with the world. Some little gift from us such as our means will allow, accompanied by kind and loving words, will cause some saddened heart to thrill with joy and gladness, and feel that the day is indeed one of "Peace on earth and good will toward men,"
Year: 1878

The popular belief in the incurability of consumption now seems to be on the road to complete overthrow. This change in sentiment has not been brought about by any new method in treatment, nor has there been percep- tlble enlargement in the number of those now living who can claim that they have had and recovered from this disease {; but the evidence upon which the revis- ion Tn opinion is based is even more con- elusive than that which could by any possibility be obtained from either of these two sources. It is simply this, that post naortena examinations have re- vealed the fact that pulmonary phthisis IS complaint of much greater frequency than has been commonly supposed, and that multitudes of people have had the disease, and have been practically cured of 1t, who have never so much as sus- pected the cause of their illness. In 8 series of examinations, made some time since at the hospital at Edinburgh, it was found that the lungs of not less than

 

 forty years of age were in condition that could be accounted for in no other way than by the supposition that at some period in their lives consumption had existed, and had afterward been checked or cured. Portions of the lungs had been destroyed, but the cavities formed had been healed by contraction and ad- heslon of their walls, or the disintegra- ted substance had been shut in by the formation of fibrous tissue. In the records of post n1ortena examinations at the Salpetriere Hospital, at Paris, a similar experlence is found, except that in this case the age was advanced to sixty years and over, and of this class, more than one-half were shown to have suffered from consumption at some period in their lives. There may be nothing new in this to well-informed medical men, but to the profession al reader the information cannot fail to be reassuring. The disease is to great extent hereditary, and there are proba- bly, thousands of people who every now and then are visited by the gloomy thought that they are liable at any time to fall victims to this deadly inheritance If these can be made to believe that they have already passed through the ordeal, supposition which, in the majority of cases, would probably be true one, no slight addition will be made to the sum total of human happiness.