smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1867




The statements Of the fire insurance COM
panies in relation to the runous losses sustained
during the last two years are enough to startle
the community. While the reckless and inn
provident manner in which the business has
been conducted may account for the unsound
condition of some companies, and while in our
own. city the incompetency and ineficiency of
the Fire Department have great deal to do
with the increased destruction OF property,
there are also faults on the part of the owners
Of buildings which should receive the serious
attention of the public. The fact is, we are In
the habit, as people, of putting up stores and
dwellings in a hurry and in an unsubstantial
manner, and of using materials in their con-
siruciion which should, In this advanced age,
be entirely discarded, especially in crowded
city, Many of our large stores and warehouses
are OF such description that, once on fire,
there is no hope of Saving them. We might as
we'll allow the erection of wooden buildings in
the city as of such as are all the while going
up on many Of our principal streets. Ii our
property owners would use stone and iron in
their work they would find the increased cost
amply made up by additional security and
diminished rates OF insurance. II all the large
buildings in the city were constructed after the
model of the new HERALD building we might
bid defiance TO the flames head off any increase
of rates by the tottcring insurance companies.
and endure the present holiday fire department
without grumbling.
Year: 1867

There appears 70 he considerable anxiety
among The residents of hat part OF Long
Island embraced within The limits OF Fort


Hamilton, Bath and Coney Island-ail favorite
summer residences and watering places-lest
a quarantine station should be established on
Coney Island. A bill to this effect Il now
before the Legislature. and the Brooklyn Board
Of Aldermen have passed resolution urging
the members from Kings county to oppose its
passage. II must be evident TO every one that
any place on Long Island, which is in fact
part Of the city Of New York. would be most
undesirable locality for quarantine ground.
The difficulties which the State of New Jersey
has placed in the way Of establishing quaran.
tine station at Sandy Hook and the objection of
the residents Of Staten Island 10 have HOSPITALS
for patients suffering from infectious diseases
located in their midst, have produced serious
embarrassment on this question Of quarantine.
But the matter must be settled speedily in
some way. In few months tho time will
arrive when our quarantine system must be IN
operation, and we cannot afford to wait for the
decision of mere abstract questions. n we
cannot obtain quarantine station on Long
Island or Staten Island or Sandy Hook then
let US see what we can do in constructing II on
some isolated point, such as the West Bank
Shoals. II the Legislature were to decide
upon this plan It is not improbable that Con-
gress would lend helping hand to further
the measure. Taking time by the foreIock,
though an old adagc, has seldom failed. Il
will not do to wait until contagious diseases
are brought into our midst to put our quaran-
tine machinery 10 order. Now is the time 70
look after ~
Year: 1867

Senator Reverdy Johnsons support at the
eleventh hour Of the Reconstruction bill Of
Congress is remarkable incident and q very
encouraging fact. Every principle Of this bill.
from FIRST 10 last, Senator johnson has actively
resisted. He has been leading advocate Of
the Presidents views and measures OF Southern
restoration, and from his great reputation as
constitutional lawyer and ss a Southern con-
servative this Maryland Senator stands de-
servedly high in the Presidents confidence.
When, therefore, on the decisive test in the
Senate upon this radical Southern Reconsruc-
ton bill we find this prominent leader of the
opposition coming over TO the republican side,
We may say not only that /. is very remark
able, but very significant incident. His rea-
sons for this step are certainly very suggestive.
lie said that il che could have his wish he
would Immediately receive the Southern re-
personalities elected under the Presidents
policy into this chamber = but that rs mat
ters now stand he felt bound TO "acquiesce
with the majority in anything that held out
hope, however faint, Of accomplishing that
object;" that che would vote for the bill be.
cause he saw in II a mode of rescuing the coun-
try from the perils tina. now threaten it. and
not because he approved it in any particular"


This good example Of Senator Johnson, let
us hope, foreshadows the course OF President
Johnson. The Senator aces that further resist
ance is uscless that the contest Is decided. that
Congress has the case absolutely in its hands
and is prepared to remove even the President,
should he persist in blocking it, path. lie also
sees that Southern intrsctables have put
check upon Northern concessions, and that
since the defiant and contemptuous rejection
by all the excluded States OF the pending con-
stitutional amendment harshcr terms may be
exacted by Congress with the full approval Of
the North 1t ia the ancient Roman tradition
OF the sibylline leaves over again. The old


woman came first with her nine books Of the
Roman desiincs to Tarquin the Second and
offered them for three hundred pieces Of gold


He denied her, whereupon she burnt three Of
the books and still asked her full price for the
remaining six and next for the remaining
three. when her full price was paid. senator
Year: 1867

through, Should the high tariff men be able
to pass it, however, it is to be hoped the Presi-
dent will veto it. 1t is in reality "biii OF
abominations," as it has been properly charac-
terized. He could do no more popular or better
thing. But it is not probable he will have the
opportunity of using the veto; for the bill Is
not likely 70 pass. We congratulate our
heavily taxed people on the prospect Of TINS
monstrous measure being defeated
Year: 1867

PROsPEcr or THE TARIFF Bill BEING DE-
rsArsp.-We learn from Washington that the
friends Of the Tariff bill despair of 1t becom-
ing law this Congress- We are 30 near the
end Of the session, and there are so many con-
aicting and rival interests at work upon the
tarin. that Y Is hardly possible v get NE bill
Year: 1867


Our cable dispatches Of yesterday warrant
the inference hat hostiities by this time may
actually have broken out between Turkey and
Greece. The Panhel!enion, Greek ship, has.
for some time past in variety Of ways, been
rendering very elective assistance 10 the rebel
Candiotes TIE Turkish government has
hitherto been pleased to wink at the matter.
II appears, however, that the doings Of the
PanheIlenion are no longer TO be tolerated. A
Turkish man-of-war has been sent out in pur-
suit of her. The capture OF The PanhcIlenion
does not necessarily imply that war shall be
the result. II ID extremely difficult, however,
TO conceive OF a collision Of tho two ships
apart from The actual commencement Of war
between the two Powers. II Turkey and
Greece do go to war we may safely say that
we have Witnessed the beginning Of what may
prove to be the end OF the Eastern Question.
We shall see
Year: 1867




The Steamboet Expias,nu on the sIississsppi.


We published yesterday the painful news OF
the explosion OF the steamboat David White
on the Mississippi river, by which thirty per
sons were known TO be killed and sixty-6vc in
all were missing. Steamboat explosions on
the Mississippi or on our other great rivers have
becn too frequent at oil times. There has
always been TOO little attention paid 70 the con-
dition Ct the boilers and machinery and too
much recklessness of human life, especially on
the Western waters. Life hss been held very
cheap there. But there must be greater dan
ger now OF such fearful accidents. A great
many OF the steamboats,. particularly on the
Mississippi must have got greatly out OF re-
pair during the war. A good many Of these
probably have been put into use again or kept
in use when totally unsafe We want a strin-
gent inspection Law, with heavy penalties for
violating il. II should be known that every
steamboat is perfectly safe, in boilers, ma
cainery and hull, before il is permitted to leave
port. Unicss something be done TO prevent
such catasirophcs rs that Of the David White
we shall hear Of many more among the old
wornout steamboats, plying on the Western
rivers. We call upon Congress to look into the
matter and give us proper inspection law.
Year: 1867

The Raid Upon City Property-A Hitch I'm sbe


New Pest Once Job.


There appears TO be some hitch in the new
Post Ohice job which Mayor Hoffman has had
under his especial charge since the last State
election. The proposition to sell a portion of
the City Hall Park for onesixth of its value,
and to choke up with buildings one Of the few
breathing places of the city, has met with
popular opposition not anticipated by the
originators Of the scheme. In the Board OF
Councilmen yesterday Mr.. Gilmore presented
a resolution to rescind the resolution adopted
by that body in December last, ceding TO the
United States the lower end Of the Park as
Post O6ace site for the sum Of five hundred
thousand dollars, for the reason, as set forth in
the preamble, that this amount is not equal to
0ne-ffth Of the value Of the property, and that
the proposed location, from the noise, bus
tie and confusion, and from the danger
Of the crossings, would be inconvenient
and unsafe for the public. Certain Of
the Councilmen offered a strong but futile
opposition 10 the resolution, motion after mo-
ton to get rid Of it being hurriedly made and
lost, and il was referred 10 special committee,
consisting Of Councilmcn Gilmore, Lamb and
Hart


II IS 10 be hoped that the Board of Council
men win adopt the resolution, when it is re-
ported back iavorably by the committee, with
out any unnecessary delay. The Job should
be nipped in the bud. and it can be done in
this manner without the trouble and expense
OF legal proceedings. The proposed site is
found 10 be undesirable in every respect inde
pendent Of The unauthorized and outrageous
attempt to dispose OF property set apart for
the health. and recreation Of the public and
pledged Tor shc nhy debt, at one-sixth of its
actual value. The architects find that no fitting
building can be erected there without setting
il back further than the site extends Every
person OF common sense perceives that
with the crowd of stages, cars. coaches,
trucks and other vehicles constantly passing
The lower end Of the Park on both sides
Post Cfficc built nearly even with the street
would be inconvenent, and at the busiest
times Of the day almost inaccessible. The
Board OF Councilmen cannot do more popu-
iar or more proper act than to rcscind the
resolution agreeing to the sale of the site.


The Post Office Department should set about
finding some other location for the new Post
Office at orcc. Whatever expense they may
incur for plan, !or the Park site will be thrown
away. The Asor House or 81. Pau!'s chapel
would be convenient .. approach afford ample
room for dre building, witt N inner court
yard for The mail carts. end meet with general
approval. Stcwor;s building ON The corner Of
Chambers street has also been spoken OF. and
either OF these would make mere desirable
location than The Park, even II al! the difficult
ties 10 the way OF tho sale OF the property
conld be removed. A
Year: 1867

The Herald, noticing the report that Napo-
leon is about to send feet to Vera Cruz to
inquire as to the health Of his Minister In
Mexico, says:


eff 1t be tho intention Of France. backed by Austria
and other Powers, to reopen war against Mexico, IL
will be impossible for the United States to look quietly on
and see neighb0ring republic crushed by the onsa1gns
OF European monarchy We shall be forced TO order Gen
Grant 70 cross the Rubicon and make fnai ana Dod
stand in assisting Mexico to fight out ON her own sO ne
wage for the overthrow OF the progressive civilization OF
this continent"


Have MT we had about enough OF Mexico
After the kicking that Juarez has just had 80
scientifically administered. it does seem that
we might revert to the good old George WASH
ington policy of minding our own business Tor
at least year. Mexico has just told us, in the
face of the world. that she owes us nothing
that she resents as insulting our interference
TO save the life of one of her prisoners-that
she has thrown off the yoke Of France and
Austria by her own valor. and will manage
her own affairs without giving heed to our inter
meddling. Suppose we allow reasonable time
for dgesting this dose before we squander the
lives and treasure of our people in lighting
Europe in defense of such progressive civlll-
"zaton" as has just been evinced In the
butcheries of Zacatecas, Queretaro, and the
Mexican capital-what would be the harm
Year: 1867

The Republicans of Congress held a caucus
last night, in reference to the political cam
paign in the South, and assurances were given
that nothing but work and money to publish
and distribute documents was required to secure
Republican success The Executive Committee
made an encouraging report.
Year: 1867

the nation. His counsel claimed that the law


Of October was only intended as terror, and
appealed TO the magnanimity of the vlctors.
To this report We append the last decree Of
the Emperor, appointing a Regency in case OF
his death. Juarez refuses to give up the body
of Maximilian, and declares it must be the sub
joct of treaty. Are nations to quarrel over
Year: 1867

''Mack" of the Cincinnati Commercial,
after peTambulating extensively through
the heart of the Southern country, has
reached Savannah. He reports having dis
covered one Jebel, and describes him as
follows:


Inmy travels through the South thus
far, I have met but one man whom 1 con
slider still rebel. He was native of
South Carolina. an old gentleman. who
had kept himself and his sons out Of the
army while the fgh: lasted, and is still as
he said. cas- much Of a rebel as ever In
asmuch as he did no fighting, if he will
only agree not to be any more Of > rebel
in the future than he has been in the past,
he will not do much harm to the country.
He talked of teaching his grand children
to hate the Yankees, and plainly told me
he should curse the flag Of the Union with
his dying breath. I told him he ought to
keep his dying breath for better purpoee,
as the flag of the Union wouldn't care q
cent for his last curse, and asked him why
he didn't work some of the bile of his
stomach by shooting at the flag if he had
such hard feelings against it. Well, be
said, he didn't know. He always felt like
going into the war. and yet be never went.
But, if it was to occur again. he would be
sure to go; and. once in, he never would
surrender. After awhile the old gentle
man went away from where had been talk
ing, and asked bystander if he knew
him. Yes. he did he knew him as a
man who wouldn't even join the home
guards while the war lasted, aud who tried
to get his sons through the blockade to
Europe to keep thom from conscriptiOn.-
He had never done anything for the South
during the war, except to get a beef con
tract in New Orleans, out of which he
made S25, 600 in gold; and never was an
out and out fghiDg man until he heard Of
the surrender.
Year: 1867

More than once we have endeaYored to
impress on the minds of our readers the
necessity of registering themselves as
voters at the election soon to be held un-
der the franchise act. We know that
there is generally disposition to procras-
tinate in such matters and, frequently,
even to omit exercising the right Of fran
chise except on some extraordinary occa-
sion of great political excitement. But it
should be considered that delay now is
very apt to result in total loss of the right
to vote and moreover, it must be born in
mind that no occasion can be more impor-
tant than one which, like the present, in
wolves the political status of the State, and
the direction of its policy with reference
to al domestic and national questions for a
long time to come. 1t nay appear super
duous to enforce these points by arguments,
but the necessity must appear plain to all
who have watched the history of Guberna-
torial elections in this country during the
last twenty years. 1t is remarkable fact
that such elections always fail 10 call out a
full vote.


We, therefore, again urge on those of
our readers who are entitled to vote by the
law, to go forward and register without
delay. There are thousands concerning
whose right there is no question whatever


none that can be raised by even the most
unscrupulous partisan. In the way of
such, we presume that no hindrance ewill
be thrown. AS to others who may have
been excluded by the capricious and lie
gal ruling Of the registers, they, too, will
have an opportunity to be registered as
they comply with the strict letter of the
law
Year: 1867

PAYING DEBrs.-One of our religious
exchanges has the following strong remarks
on this subject. They drive the nail on
the head and clinch it


Men may sophisticate as they please
They can never make it right, and all the
bankrupt laws in the universe cannot make
it right for them not to pay their debts
There is sin in this neglect as clear, and
as deserving Of Church discipline as in
stealing or false swearing. He who vio-
lates his promise to pay, or withhold the
payment of debt, when it is in his power
to meet the engagement, ought to feel in
the sight Of all honest men that he is
swindler. Religion may be very com
Portable cloak under which to hide, but if
religion does not make a man deal justly,
II is not worth having.
Year: 1867

KIND WoBDs FOR A "MorHER "-Des-
pise not thy mother when she is old. Age
may waste a mothers beauty, strength.
limbs. senses, and estate but her relation
as mother is as the sun when it goes forth
in its might, for it is always the meridian,
and knoweth no evening. The person
may be grey-headed, but her motherly re-
lation is ever in the flourish. It may be
autumn, yea, winter with a woman, but
with the mother, it is always spring. Alas,
how little do we appreciates mothers ten
derness while living How Needless we
are Of all anxieties and kindness But
when she is dead and gone, when the cares
and coldness of the world come witherng
to our hearts, when we experience how
hard it is to fnd true sympathy-how few
will befriend US in our misfortune-then it
is that we think of the mother we have
lost.
Year: 1867

WHERE DOES THE DAY BEGIE ?-The
first beginning of the day is somewhere
between America and Asia. The precise
locality of that somewhere has not been
determined. If the Pacific Ocean were
thickly populated with men the place of
the beginning of the day would be a mat
ter of great consequence, and would pro-
badly be settled by statute. The day
would start from a meridian line ex-
tending from pole to pole, and the longi-
tude of this day line would be so accu-
rately fixed that man might stand astride
it and realize the paradox of having one
foot in Monday and the other in Tuesday.
Many of the readers Of this will long
enough to hear this matter discussed in
national councils.
Year: 1867

There's a little girl that meets me,
and with laughter ever greets me,
and to KISS her oft entreats me,


As / stray
Long the path Of life so drearv,
w here the saddened heart and weary
Shades the sunlight, shining near me


On my way
bhe has Dyes as blue as heaven,
(Only aged about eleven
And unto her God has given


Such heart,
That forever she is singing,
And her sweet voice ever ringing,
Beaaty per the rapt heart bringing,


Sweet as art.
With her sunny hair so curly,
With her teeth so white and pearly,
have met her late and early,


By the way,
And take heT hand and press it
IN my own, Just to caress 1t
Pretty little hand-ifod bless it g.


Z do say.
May the world smile kindly on her,
Benediotions fall upon her,
An gels be her guard Of honor,


As she goes
Through this world of OUs singing,
Peace to troubled spirits bringing,
No grief her pure heart wTinging


With its woes.
4. May the sweetest harp in heaven
Brightest crown that ere was given.
Where the waves Of life are driven


Past the throne
Echo to her dainty finger,
'Pon her pure brow ever inger,
While each Angel be a singer,


Coming home
Year: 1867




We commend the article below, from the
Knoxville Commercial, to the consideration
oS colored people of our section:


During the progress of the war it be-
came military necessity, and Abraham
Lincoln issued his proclamation, and the
colored citizens became free. But alas,
by the song of the syren large proper
ton of the colored citizens of Tennessee
have lost their liberty, and they are again
enslaved. The colored man in all the
other States is free. He is free to act for
himself, free to think for himself, free to
vote for whom he pleases, and in each aud
every particular, he is free man. But it
is not so in Tennessee. We have a class
of men who came among the colored oit-
zens with what they call League. These
men, by deception, persuaded the colored
man that the League was good for him to
join, and by fair promises they succeeded
in getting large numbers to sign away
their liberties, and to place themselves in
worse bondage than that which they had
just been released from By the emancipa-
tion proclamation.


When the colored man joins the League,
he then by solemn oath sweare away his
liberty. He can then 0 longer act for him
self-he can no longer vote as ho pleases,
and support such measures as his judg-
ment shall convince him is best for his
own interests, and why ? He has sworn
an oath to do as these League managers
tell him to do. He has sworn an oath to
vote for Just who, and what, the League
tell him he must vote for. He has sworn
an oath that he is no longer free man, and
therefore, he swears to let the League do
his thinking-his acting, his voting, be-
cause he must vote as they say. He swears
that he will not be free man, but slave
to the League Little did the colored man
know that a trap had been set for him, when
he Joined the League. Little did he dream
that by SO doing. he was selling his liber-
ties, and his manhood. to future i'll for
himself, as truly as ever mortal sold his
soul to perdition. These leagues are form
ed by designing men to control the weak
lnluQ6u anu u uOIdut5 anu Ilahe LueLu
their slaves and tools, and as soon as the
men who control them have accomplished
their own selfish purposes, they laugh at
the victims of their treachery, and the
League has answered the purpose for
which it was brought into exirtence, and
becomes a thing of tie past.


Colored men, you who have not fallen in
to the snare, shun it as you would the
poison of upas tree. You who have been
caught, and are now held in bondage as
sert your rights as free men, aud regain
your liberties as soon as you can. It does
not become any race Of men to be herded
like cattle, and be driven to the ot-box,
and made to vote as few designing lea
cues may want them to, and for their ben
eft alone. Let the colored man in the
League compare his situation with the free
man, who is at liberty to be free and in
dependent man.