smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1877




Many intelligent men have con-


cluded that Brigham was honest in


his religious professions. can not
agree with them. / might reject all
other evidence of his hypocrisy,


but | cannot reject his own. Again


and again he has virtually admitted


that his religion was a mere conve-
nience. To a young Mormon
friend of the writer, whom he was


urging to return to the fold, Brig


ham said: at makes no difference
whether you believe in it or not; we
need y you; just come along and be
baptised, and pay up little of your
tithing, and it will be all light"
To another he said: ats no con


Germ what you believe; I've got as
good a right to start a religion as
Christ, or Mohammed, or any other
man." And yet again when speak
ing of the vote of each semi annual
conference indorsing him as
prophet, he said: 81 am neither a
prophet nor the son of a prophet,
but / have been profitable to this
people" Since then the Gentiles
have usually designated him ''The
Profit. There was a time, l think,
when he believed his religion and
worked hard for it; but as he rose
in the church he learned more, and
became what he practically calls
himself, a philosophic infidel. A
man whose conviction depends
largely on his interest, with hap
py power of self-deception, a great
deal of cunning, some executive
alb ility, and behind it all an i'm
mense physical potency, with little
mercy or conscience to temper it
such, in brief, is Brigham Young.
Year: 1877

The workingmen of Memphis
have organized a "workingman's
party and propose to enter the
municipal contest in that city. and
the next State election as separate
organization. The impolicy of this
character of movement by the work


ingmen we have pointed out in a
series of editorials. Our object was
the common good, and it is to De
regretted that the workingmen can
not see and profit by the supreme
opportunity now presented for CO.
operation with the rural masses I'M
der the Democratic banner. The
great body of our agricultural pop
ulation, and the people of the towns,
are now for the first time in
the history of the country, in full
sympathy with the laborers of the
cities, railroads and mines, in the
purpose of resisting the encroach


ments of capital and revolutioniz


ing the financial policy of the gov
ernment. But if the workingmen
of the cities persist in their sepa
rate organizations, they will inevi-
tably ALLEVIATE the sympathies of
the rural classes and it may be
postpone the day of deliverance.
This has been the history of all such
movements in the past and we see
no reason why the future shall not
be judged by the record already
made. Success against the grind
ing monopoly of the National bank
ing system, the harsh expressions
of bonded gold debt, the hurttul
exactions of a ruinoIs tariff system,
the insupportable prostration of
contraction, can only be achieved
by and through the Democratic
party, for the various classes and
interests struggling for such refor-
nation, cannot be concentrated in
any other political organization.
This fact, we have an abiding faith,
will be fully appreciated by the
workingmen before the period for
another National election rolls
around. In the meantime the
Democratic party will maintain
faithfully its traditional policy ofac-
tive sympathy with the masses in
their efforts to achieve true prosper
ity and happiness.-Jackson Tribune.
Year: 1877




Notwiths tan d in g Brigham
Young's boast that he was a great
financier, and the general belief that
he successfully conducted a number
of profitable business enterprises, it
is fact that every legitimate bust
ness enterprise with which he con-
nected himself was a conspicuous
failure. He made vast sums of
money and died immensely rich In
bank and other stocks, houses,
lands, etc.; but his wealth was the
spoil of the most gigantic and un-
scrupulous robberies ever perpetra
ted. He stole millions from the
people whom he invited here-stole
them outright, in the name of the
Lord. He extracted them in the
forms of tithes, gifts, temple funds
and other specious devices. For
nearly a quarter of century he
managed to keep 100000 people in
comparative penury and ignorance
that he and the favorities who sur
rounded them might thrive. His
avarice and his love of power, which
survived other lusts of the flesh act
i've in him in the days when Joseph
Smith revealed polygamy that he
and brother reprobates might with
impunity desecrate the beds of
neighboring husbands in Nauvoo,
enabled him to become opulent, III
spite of business incapacity which
was puerile.
Year: 1877

Ever since the world began this
has been disputed question, and
ever since the world began the ma.
jority of the people have generally
misjudged. Thoroughly dissatis-
fed with any present time we cast
about for a golden age. We cannot
find it in the future, as the cloud OF
uncertainty hangs on the horizon in
that direction. We are compelled,
therefore to explain the past


The immediate past, with its
facts and disappointnents, is too
fresh in our memory TO allow us TO
throw the required halo about It,
and so we continue our journey un
til we get to the point where memo.
ry grows dim and the imagination
works actively, and we cali that the
hale, halcyon period of life. This
distant future and distant past are
both creations of the fancy.


To say that childhood is the hap
piest period Of life is to suffer IN
suit TO Providence. The child is al
best but a bundle of possibilities.
He is a creature Of unframed i'm
pulses, of undeveloped affections.
HIS mind is like a CRATE in a well
ordered house. The coal is there.
The kindling wood is there, and
the whole will break into a blaze
when touched with a match. Nov,
before the match has touched IL, is
it pleasanter and more profitable
sight than half dozen Jumps OF
camel coal enveloped in n royal
blaze, and filling the room so full OF
light and heat that one forgets the
wintry sleet without; childhood,
with its sugar plums and its toys,
will be inferior 10 manhood with its
burning enthusiasm and It's lofty
ambition.- Ex.
Year: 1877

In an article on "Big Crops and
Good Prices" the Chicago Tribune
says:


Good crops and big prices will
set She transportation interests on
their legs again. The railroads
can again earn money without op-
pressing the producing and shipping
community; they can pay interest
on their bonds and dividends on
their stocks, and they can in justice
to themselves restore to their en-
ployes something like their old
wages, and thus put a stop to the
labor troubles that are now so seri-
ously threatning the country. The
banks will come in for their share
of the generalimprovemento of things
instead of capital rushing into A
per cent bonds, it will be engaged in
moving the crops and promoting
the enterprise and speculation that
naturally grow out of lively ex-
changes. In the Northwest and
Southwest the grain crop in rich
abundance is already certainty;
nothing short of an extra natural in
reference can affect it disastrously.
In the South, the cotton and corn
can be seen to grow, so rapid and
hearty is the progress. All other
sections are similarly abundant,
with the exceptions of California,
where the dews of heaven have fall
en- very sparingly.
Year: 1877

sible advice from the Dallas TEX
as) Herald as worthy of serious con
sideratlon, before leaying The fer
tile fields of East Tennessee:


To the young man with his hair
parted in the middle, who is about
to put his college education and
sole-leather trunk aboard the Tex
as bound train, We say stop! To
the clever artist and honest me
chanic, who thinks he will fly FROM
the hard times where he is, to i'm
aginary well paid employment in
the Lone Star State, we also say
stopi To the adventurous rustic
who wishes to leave the turnips of
some New York farm to find a soft
thing in this land of prairies, we
emphatically repeat-stay where
you are. We would be inhabiting
the earthly elysium that few Texas
papers say we do, but we don't.
From the bottom of our heart we
would be glad that there was plenty
and prosperity for every one who
seeks to settle among us, but all I'll e
same there isn't. We do possess
something of the approach of the
eternal summer and the marvellous

growth the east is so tired of hear
ing us brag about, but that isn't all.
Sooth to say, there is no chance
here for men without money, all the
eager, new arrivals to the contrary
Notwithstanding.


In plain English, the papers that
speak of the magnificent opportuni-
ties this State presents to the new
conner lies, and lies in very gratu-
itous, criminal way indeed. The
unvarnished truth is, that our labor
market is already stocked to over
flowing, and every fresh arriving
train but adds to the miserable
multitude in our midst that suffers,
starves, and finally fights its way
back east again.


Before the door of nearly every
house in this city there daily begs
a swarm that would sadden the
heart of satyr. Men of brain and

culture, good clerks, excellent ac-
countants, business men of undeni
able energy, mechanics of ability,
walk the streets in dumb despair,
aud finally take to the chain gang
and the work house. The writer
of this cannot remember one even
ing for many that he has not been
asked for money to buy a meal, or
bed, by men who would have soon
er died on the rack than to
have asked aims in the light of day.
And some of them to die on the
rack-the rack of continued disap
pointment and misery. Yet some
journals calmly sing the old siren
song, and still this over crowded,
over traded, and financially pros
trated community is held up with
fatal perslstency as the proper
Mecca of the American youth.


We beg the journals in the east
and north to copy this. We ask
that the Truth and the whole truth
be told there as a simple duty to
humanity. In the name of the dis
tress we see around us and are pow
erless to relieve, in the name of the
tramps and vagrants that fill our
cities and towns, we solemuly
warn intended emigrants of all
classes, except farmers and men
with money to invest, that we are
overstocked with labor, and will be
for the next four or five years.
Though his ticket be purchased
and bis trunk packed, we say to the
man looking hither for employment
go back.
Year: 1877

I he Brandon Republican gives
the following preventive of hog
cholera: We have heard a great
many things recommended, both as
preventative and cure, yet the
hogs keep on dying. Our preven-
tive is soft soap, and we have had
no cholera since we commenced us
ing it. We give each hog an ear OF
corn dipped in soft soap about ev-
cry ten days. Ashes and salt put
in the slops we believe to be equal
ly good as a preventative. To cure
the cholera, drench with castor oil,
tuupentine and laudanum. Our old
friend, Willis B. Smith of North
Rankin, says he has cured them
with this remedy after they were so
far gone that they could not stand
on their feet.
Year: 1877

The surprising facility with which
the Republican newspapers cease
praising the negro and fall to de
nouncing him when he becomes a
democrat, is shown In the case OF
Pinchback. He used TO be colored
statesman. He has become n trai-
tor and a scoundreL Whenever
the negro becomes a Democrat or
allies himself in any way with dem
ocrats, be gets bulldozed by carpet
baggers, negro Republicans and Re
publican papers and politicians in
the North.
Year: 1877

The following very curious and
very ancient publication, entitled by
popular tradition Mother Shipton's
Prophecy" was published three
hundred and thirty years ago:
Carriages without horses shall &c.
And accidents on the world with voc.
Around the world thoughts shall fly
In the twinsling Of an eye.


The world upside down shall be,
And gold be found at tho root OF a tree.
Through hills men shall ride,
And no horse be at his side.
Under water mon shall walk
Shall ride, shall sleep, shall talk.
In the air moa shall be seen,
In black, in white, In green.
Iron IN the water shall float,
As easy as wooden boat.


Gold shall be found and shown
In a land that's not now known.
Fire and water shall wonders do,
England ehall At last admit a foe.
The world TO an end shall come
In eighteen hundred and eighty-one.
Year: 1877

The pencil marks You see around thi
paragraph (thus) mean that your


seription Is out or unpaid, and that you
are requested 60 pay mp at once. We
would take great pleasure In extending
credit to our friends and patrons. but
cash alone viii yay our expenses, and
we are forced to adhere to strict cash
rule. We hope you win comprehend
and appreciate the ne such a
course, and renew your subscription
without delay. We solicit your favor


~ We enter no new names on our
books without the money In advance.
Year: 1877

The late organs of the bloody
shirt are completely fabbergasted
over the record of the Georgia Con-
stitutional Convention. The idea
of a body of Democratic white-men
making a constitution so liberal that
the most suspicious negro can't find
anything to complain of in it is
rather too much for them Spring
field Republican.
Year: 1877

To WIvEs-Don't you ever be-
lieve that your husband gets drunk
on his own hook. It's his intimate
friend who prizes his mouth open
with a crowbar and pours cham
pagne into him by the basketful.
Year: 1877

An exchange thinks it strange
that man will spend hundreds OF
dollars to find a sinner in heather
lands, when with a twenty cent look
ing glass he could find missionary
work for lifetime.
Year: 1877

A New York chemist says he
wants nothing more than three pals
n barrel of cold water and twenty
cents worth of drugs to make six
gallons of just such champagne as
fools pay dollar pint for.
Year: 1877

A Western Michigan husband ex


planned: 81 am seventeen years OIL
der than my third wife, who is on
earth; nine years older than the one
who is in heaven, and the second
one is too busy sassing Satan to
care whether mention her or not" F"
Year: 1877

Her husband had been playing
base ball, and when the doctor came
she explained: "Poor Adolphus
He got a pitcher in his center field,
and he can't walk" The doctor
thought it more likely that he had
been playing short-stop to a jug.
Year: 1877

Kars has fallen and the victorious
troops Of the Muscovites are in possession
of that now famous city. On the other
field of conflict the Russians are closely
investing the Turkish forces in Plevna,
and its fall also seems to be only ques,
ton of time. With Plevna captured
:here is nothing to check the progress of
the Russians to the capital city of the
Turkish Empire except the armies which
the Sultan may be able to gather and
dispute the way. And if, when protected
by fortIfcations the Turks are not able to
resist their enemies successfully, they can
hardly expect to 90 better in the open
field.


1t may be said that the ultimate tri-
umph Of the Russian army was assured
from the first. For her strength and re-
sources were such that unless Turkey re-
ceived aid from foreign powers, she must
inevitably yield to her more powerful ad-
yersary. That aid has moi been forth
coming, nor do we judge it will be, unless
to save the Turkish Empire from total
annihilation. The sympathies OF Chris
tan nations have, in the main, been with
the Russians in the conflict and are yet
with them. The announcement of the
object for which the war was was waged,
whether true or false was calculated to
enlist our sympathes. The outrages per-
petrated by the Turks upon the Chris
tans under their sway were such, that
civilized Europe and America cried with
one voice tina; nation which permitted,
or sanctioned such atrocities should be
swept from off the lace the globe. We
forgot, for the moment that Russia had
bore down upon the unfortunate Poles
with as heavy hand, and if possible
with less excuse.


Russia is now in a condition to dictate
terms Of peace honorable to herself, and
ample to secure the ostensible object for
which the war was begun. We say "os-
tensible," for we do rot believe that was
the real reason why the Car called out
his levies. History tells us that one
great aim of the Russian Emperors in the
past has been, to secure for her ships a
free passage from the Black Sea into the
Mediterranean. And this Turkey has
jealousy guarded and refused to give.
Whether Russia will be content with this
privilege, and leave the approaches to the
Bosphorus and the Dardenelles in Tur-
kis h hands, or whether she cove.s also
the lands commanding these straits will
only be known when the terms upon
which she will make peace are published.
But from the grasping disposition she
has shown in former years we incline to
the belief that the Gar will push his ad-
vantages to the utmost and exact all
which the other powers of Europe will
permit him to obtain.
Year: 1877

HUGGING A DELusIoN. Our Demo-
cratic friend the Colusa SIN reprints an
item from an Eastern paper to the effect
that as the old Wing party did not sur
Vive the loss Of its eminent leaders, Clay
and Webster, the Republican party must
in turn dissolve and go to pieces. The
Wing party died, not because it lost its
leaders but because it did not take bold
stand on the question of slavery. Its
leaders coquetted withthe slave power
while its followers were devotees of free
dom. The Democratic party was pro-
slavery from the beginning its leaders
truckled and owned upon the slave breed
ers AM secured their support politically
by doing so. When the Republican par
ty sprung into life the old Liberty loving
Wings Aocked to its standard and gave
it its strength. There are no such cir
cumstances now. The Republican party
is itself the champion Of freedom, and
they who think that the loss Of few OF
its leaders is a sign ofdissolution will find
they are hugging deusion.
Year: 1877

COUNTY PRINTING.-The Hollister
Enterprise has commenced an action
against the Board of Supervisors of San
Benito county to compel the Board to
award it the county printing for the en-
suing year, it having, in response to an
advertisement for bids, offered to do the
county printing Of the county for the sum
of # quarter Of cent. The Supervisors
ignored this offer and gave the printing
10 other parties.


Wherever there are two or more pa
pers in "A small county, business rivalry
starts each after the county printing, and
each aims to get It away from the other
even if it does the work at a sacrfce.-
The result of this competition is that one
paper hurts the other and does itself no
COOL. There Is no reason why competi-
lion Of this kind should be indulged in
any more than any other kind Of adver-
tisng. County business should be plac-
cd upon exactly the same basis as any 9TH
er legitimate. The law prescrbes what
printing shall be done, and the Supervis-
"rs acting for the people are willing to
pay journals established rates. But
there are other things than mere lower
bill which Board should take into con-
slderation. a new paper is established,
and all conversant with the printing bus
lness know that it has up hill work to
make its expenses for the first year. 1t
grabs at the county printing as so much
clear gain, let the bid be what it may
The Board accepts the bid because it is
"tho lowest" But this is not always
right.


In business we should help those who
help us, and rot throw of an old friend
for the chance Of making new ones. The
Old paper is one identified with the county
ani its interests it has helped to build it
up, paid taxes to its support, publish
cd the developments of its resources and
called public attention to them. The new
plp1r may be here to-day and there to-
morrow, or it may become permanent.
That j. thing to be tested. Even if the
rates OF the old paper are little the high
est; it is false economy to reject them


Such contract as that proposed to
San Benito county is no contract mt all.
1t proposes to do the work Of the county
for nothing, and that is more than the
people want. The people are willing to
pay for their printing, rs for any other
service performed for them and do not
ask something for nothing.
Year: 1877

THE DIFFERENCE.-As this State has
a law which may be found in the amend
ments to the Civil Code passed two years
ago defining the privileges and duties of
inn keepers, the late decision Of New
J Nork court may be of interest. General
Hancock sued his hotel proprietor for
$4,000, the value Of certain jewels which
had been taken from his room. The loss
OF the jewels was proven, as was the fact
Of the absence Of the usual notice from
the room. But the verdict was rendered
for the defendant, Hancock not being a
guest, but n regular boarder, received at
lower rates the inn keeper was not re-
sponsible under the law.
Year: 1877

a DISGUISED man broke into house
at johnson, Mich, and demanded of a
little boy large sum of money known to
be in the building. The boy was alone,
and going into the next room to get the
money, brought back gun and shot the
would-be robber dead. Then the little
fellow went to the next farm house to tell
the news, but found the farmer not at
home. When the disguise was taken
from the dead man the discovery was
made that it was the neighbor himself.
Year: 1877

THE Senate Judiciary Committee have
unanimously agreed to report favorably
on Davis bill transferring jurisdiction in
divorce cases from the Probate Courts of
Utah to the United States District Court
for that territory. The bill is designed
to put stop to the wholesale system Of
granting divorces which has been so no.
tnrinup
Year: 1877

The Liberian emigration fever now
prevailing in some ofthe Southern States,
and particularly in the Carolinas, is like
y TO take away considerable numbers of
the more thrifty and intelligent colored
people. A pioneer colony of about seven
hundred is to leave Charleston his month
for the African Republic.
Year: 1877

EVIDENTLY Speaker Randall knows
how to gauge the men he has served with.
We Judge this from the fact that he let
Luttrel down from third to fifth on one
committee, and from fifth to- eighth on
another.
Year: 1877

SHORT SENTENCE.-One Zumwalt who
had more living wives than the law al
lows, was sent to State Prison from San
Benito county for three months. The
Court had better ordered him to live with
all the wives at once.
Year: 1877

TIE Senate has confirmed the nomina-
ton Of John Welch as Minister to Eng
land. Welch is 72years old which strikes
us as pretty good ways along in life to
commence the study of either politics or
diplomacy.
Year: 1877

A STRONG effort will be made to repeal
the National Bankrupt Law during the
coming winter. A number of petitions
are in circulation for that purpose, espe-
cally in the Western States.