smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1878

POPULAR IGNoRANcE.---Mr.
George Ticknor Curtis, in a late
lecture said: ~ have long be-
lieved that successive genera
tions of our people grow up
with far less knowledge of
American constitutional and po-
litical history than they ought
to possess. Even in our highest
seminaries of learning such his
tory IS not specially taught.
Our young men, whether college
bred or not, come forward into
life, join some political party,
and vote with it, without being
furnished with any accurate
knowledge Of the political insti--
tutions OF their country. How
many of them can tell why or
how We came to have a republic
can form of government; how
VIC came to have the Constitution
of the United States; what is the
general line of demarcation be-
tween the authority Of the Fed
eral Government and the autheri-
ty of the State; or in what sense
We are a nation? We have an
immense amount of spasmodic
energy in our political contests,
but it is not an energy that is
tempered or guided by any too
much knowledge. To be sure, it
Is not to be expected that every
citizen, or even every active
politician, should be a profound
constitutional lawer. But a little
accurate information on political
subjects will not do any harm,
even to the average voter or tho
average party manager.
Year: 1878

the infiction Of apparent injustice and
under an unmanly invasion of its rights,
and that above all has won splendidly the
only race in which it had fair play 1t may
be emphasized as the general opinion III
this part of the world that this is what is
considered gsntlemanly conduct with us,
and that we regret that the English, if they
h ave higher standard of good manners for
these occasions, do not put it in practice at
their races.


In what has happened to those of our men
who were not victors we see only the natu-
raj result of causes that it was easy for fore
sight to provide against. and if foresight is
as necessary to victory as muscle we should
not be surprised to see men lose who pos
sess only the muscle. Where two qualities
are called for one quality cannot
win. Lee, of Newark, only lost
by not knowing where the winning
post was; but what more capital defect
could there be in a rover than such
an unaccountable piece Of ignorance That
q man should cross the Atlantic to engage
in a race and lose it for want of know
ing where it ended does not honor
the acuteness of American perception.
In the conduct of the Shoe-wae-
cae-mettes there is much to regret.
They have in them certainly the stuff
out of which conquerors are made. 1t is
great pity that, for the sake of a ridiculous
exhibition Of boastful and bumptious indif-
ference to diet and other facts upon which
strength depends, their strength failed
them at the critical moment. 1t is q
pity also that their American spirit failed
them when they protested against the
Columbia boys having another chance in
the race in which their boat was fouled.
Year: 1878

The canal tolls collected during the four
weeks in June show an increase slightly
exceeding ten thousand dollars over the re-
ceipts of the same month last year. This is
an encouraging exhibit, inasmuch as il in
dicates that the prospects OF peace in Eu-
rope, now almost assured, have not slack
ened the demand for our breadstuffs for
expectation. There is still steady market,
and the receipts of grain in New York show
ON increase over last season. The entire
tolls from the commencement Of navigation
up to June 80 are over one hundred and
twenty-threc thousand dollars in excess of
last year; but portion of this increase is
due to the fact that the canals were opened
three weeks earlier this year than in 1877.
II the same ratio of increase should be main
tanned to the close Of the season the canals
will do very well, as while the income will
be larger the expenses under the new super
intendent system will be materially de-
creased. 1t is to be hoped, however, that
economy will not be carried to an injurious
extent in the hope of gaining credit for the
Year: 1878

The latest freak of the Western tramps is
to destroy reaping machines owned by
farmers. These enemies Of labor-saving
machines call themselves Communists but
they are nothing of the kind. They are
not laboring men for no farm laborer, no
matter how much of Communist he might
be, would destroy the machines which
tighten his severest toll farm laborer
who should prefer the scythe to the moving
machine or the sickle or cradle to the
reaper would be rightly judged an idiot.
The fellows who commit such foolish
crimes are tramps, who are according to
the old sea adage, ''looking for days
work and praying to heaven they may not
find ii"


A foolish agitation has recently been be-
gun in several parts OF the country against
Year: 1878

The death of Mrs. Maxwell at the New
London picnic was terrible visitation.
The lady took refuge under a tree during a
severe thunder storm and the tree was
struck by lightning. The destructive fluid
not only burned the unfortunate woman
nearly to crisp, but tore open tire ground
Oh which she stood, digging grave, rs it
were, into which the mutilated remains
were thrown. There is something horrify-
ing in death by lightning, even more than
in any other sudden death. and tho vista
ton naturally caused the widest alarm and
confusion among the persons present. On
the same day yet more distressing calam-
ity occurred from similar cause in Penn
sylvania. There, also, the storm over
took picnic party, many of whom
sought shelter under large tree which was
struck and fell, killing several persons
and injuring many others. These sad
events ought to convince every one Of the
folly of standing under trees during thun-
der storms. There is an appearance of pro-
lection in large tree which causes the i'm
preston that one is safer under its branches
than out in an open field but such is not
the fact. 1t is very seldom that a person
is struck by lightning out in an open coun-
try, while such calamities frequently occur
when the shelter of trees is sought These
two accidents, happening on the same day,
ought to serve as caution to oil who are
exposed during thunder storm.
Year: 1878

new system or OF making political capital
for any party. There is rumor that the
reduction of the force of lock tenders and
canal hands has retarded the boats and thus
kept back the traffic during the past month.
This would be a false economy and an un-
fortunate mistake. Should there be any
good foundation for the rumor an imme-
diate rectfcation of the blunder should be
insisted upon. The canals are Of especial
benefit to New York, and neither parsimo-
nious management nor desire to make
political capital should be allowed to inter-
fere with their full efficiency.
Year: 1878

The famous protest Of "physicians and
surgeons"-by the way, were there any
veterinary surgeons among them ?-against
the terrible disease-breeding monster Of
rapid transit received some consequence
from having attached to it the name. of so
distinguished a surgeon as Dr. Lewis A.
Sayre. But DR.. Sayre promptly repudiated
the document, stating that the use of his
name was unwarranted and unjustifable.
He has since given his opinion of the famous
protest, which he regards as meddlesome,
greatly exaggerated, poorly put together
and in some of its statements arrant nom
sense. DR.. Sayre very sensibly says that
there are numerous noises in the streets
consequent on the transaction of busi-
ness which are annoying to citizens,
but that the traffic of the city cannot be
stopped on that account. The noise of
the elevated road, he admits, must be un-
pleasant to residents along the line, but he
has not heard of any person being injured
by it up to the present time, and he regards
the advantages of rapid transit as sufficient
to counterbalance all such individual griev-
ances. This is taking sensible view Of
the matter. At the same time it is desirable
that the noise of the trains be reduced to
the minimum, and this is the work the man
ayers of the road have manifested desire
to accomplish, and upon the consummation
OF which Professor Edison is now engaged.
Year: 1878

The victory of Columbia at Henley is one
at which all American oarsmen will rejoice.
Unable to get on a satisfactory race Mt home
she crossed the Atlantic, faced every student
crew in Europe that dared meet her, gave
them months of notice, SO there should be no
surprise, and the result is superb triumph.
She met them on their own most famous
course Among her opponents were gradu-
ates of years standing-a fact which would
have rendered them ineligible with us-men
culled with the greatest care from hundreds
of good oarsmen, though she herself had
hardly dozen from whom to select. and she
has rowed them all down; rowed them until
one man tainted, and until the famous
Oxford oarsmen actually ran into the bank.
She has borne herself throughout in way
most creditable to us, winning hosts of
friends, and in training, steering. coaching,
rowing, and all that makes race, proving
herself superior to the best student oars
men in Europe.


The victory of Columbia is in q measure
dimmed by the defeat Of the Shoe-wae-cae-
mettes. They were beaten by a stomach
that is to say, in the great race, the race in
which the four Americans whom most OF us
held to be the fastest, met the unquestion-
ably fastest amateur four in Europe, we
were beaten, one, and probably the toughest
and most enduring one Of our four going to
pieces in the middle of the fight. They
had shot to the front as promptly as usual
they were rushing ahead at the terribly
fast stroke which no other crew has yet
pulled successfully for any such distance
as they have But London, old, expe-
rienced and wary, followed the sinuosities
of the Berks shore, kept out Of the slight
current which the "Shoes" could only
breast, and finally, drawing level, began to
90 by. Then came the call for the "spurt,
the sharp, shrill, unearthly call of the now
far-famed '.Sweet Waters" which no man
stomach" said "No." It had been upset
for some hours back, but its owner, Cap
tain Nadeau, whose confidence at Henley
seems to have been as freely out
spoken as it was at Watkins-and there
it was very marked : thought he could row





for almost the identical cause which broke
Will Simmons nine years ago on the Put
ney course, before Harvard had rowed half
way. Unfortunate as it ali is, and espe-
cially that they cannot have another trial,
they must stand by their accidents on race
day. The "Shoes" have now known defeat
at the hands Of the London four abroad, as
they have from the Emeralds at home.
They have fought gallantly, grandly, in
boat it was shame to let them row in, in
such an important fight, and they have
been beaten. If London would only recon-
slider, and race them over the Putney to
Mortlake course, that would settle conclu-
sively where lies the superiority.


AS for Lee, even the Sportsman comedies
that he won the race, mistaking an old
stump for the finish post, and SO stopping
prematurely. But he is to have chance
for the championship on the l7th, and then
may the change Of climate which has let
neither him nor the Shoe-wae- -cae-mettes
alone have done its work, and may he in his
best form lead the way over the last twenty
feet of the course Us he has done SO far over
the rest Of it.
Year: 1878

The VIRGINIA REPuDhIoss nave not vet
given up their dishonest scheme to get rid of a
portion of their indebtedness. In circular Just
issued the members of the Assembly whose
plans were defeated by the Governor and in the
courts appeal to their constituents to continue
the fight The best thing the honest people of
Virginia can do with these unsclupulous persons
is to keep them at home
Year: 1878

machinery, on the pretence that labor-sav-
ing implements injure working people.
The fact is that wages have risen with every
advance IN the use of machinery, and the
comfort OF the working class has very greatly
increased at the same time. But the noble
order of tramps does not deal with facts,
and its leaders appeal only to ignorance
and prejudice.
Year: 1878

If TIE MONTREAL ORANGEMEN parade this
month it will be in defiance OF the authorities
The magistrates of the city have directed the
Mayor TO issue proclamation forbidding the
assemblage of citizens in public places on the
18th of July, and calling upon the loyal and
law-abiding portion of the population to aid the
authorities in preserving the peace.
Year: 1878

The WEATnER.-1hc relative positions of
the areas OF high pressure ana of the dcprcs-
sions have altered very little since our last
notice but the latter have assumed greater
proportions and Importance IN influencing the
state of the weather. The high pressure that
was OH Thursday over the LAX es NAMED there
during yesterday, but it's area and atmospheric
density are diminished. la the Northwest the
barometer continues to fall, with very
strong southery aud southeasterly winds; but
the depression has not advanced eastward
any considerable distance SO M to affect the
weather in the Missouri and Upper Mississippi
valleys. The reason of this is traccablc to the
existence of the low barometer in the Gulf
region, whence humid airs cannot flow north
ward TO increase the energy of the Northwest
ern disturbance. A low pressure has extended
over all the region OF New England and the
British Atlantic provinces. This organiza-
tion of an extensive disturbance from the
feeble depression that has passed east
ward from the lake region within the past
two days is "a phehomenon peculiar to the
district to which we have frequently called at
tcniion. Light rains have fallen in the Gull,
South Atlantic and lake districts, and at few
points in the central valley region. Except ON
the East Atlantic coast and in the Missouri
Valley the winds are light, but in the regions
named they are very brisk to heavy. Tempera.
lures have risen west of the Alleghanics, and
principally over the lakes and Northwest. They
arc relatively low in the British Atlantic prov
inccs. The weather in New York and its vicln-
iiy today will be warm and partly cloudy, or
fair with fresh winds from the westward. To
morrow it will be warm and fair with occa-
sional brief periods Of threatening cloudiness.
Year: 1878

GOVERNOR HAMProy's ADDRESS, elsewhere
printed, TO portion of his old Confederate
command, will attract attention far beyond the
limits of his own State The pledges made two
years ago in regard to the colored men must, Lc
says, be faithfully carried out in the future.
They are equal before the law and must be
treated as equals. The carpet-baggcrs will find
no comfort in "a policy of that kind
Year: 1878

HUNTER, the Camden murderer, begins at
last TO realize his terrible situation. The firm
ness exhibited by him all through the trial has
failed him, and he is said to be completely
broken down He will be sentenced next week
Year: 1878

To allay the unnecessary alarm in
regard to this disease being brought to
Milan Or any other healthy place, l
am fully authorized To say that no
well authenticated fact Has ever been
shown to prove that yellow fever was
erer transported from an infected dis
trict to one in good healthy or sani-
tary condition. Before this disease
can prevuil in a town, as an endemic
or epidemic, theie must be present in
the place the yellow fever poison, and
said poison must be generated in the
local conditions of the town.


On the great practical question,
whether whatever may be the nature
and mode of propagation of yellow fe-
yer, quarantine and sanitary cordons
can afford any real protection against
its introduction and spread, | believe
there is now very general unanitnity
of opinion tsat they cannot.


/ further believe that there is the
like general agreement in this practi-
cal conclusion, that the substitution of
sanitary and hygienic measures for
quarantine, isolation and restrictions
will afford more certain and effectual
protection. Quarantine if you wish,
but above all things else, thoroughly
disinfect and cleanse your town, and ]
will guarantee as physician you will
escape this scouige.


NJ. L. T.. JORDAN.


Milan, Sept. 4, 1878.
Year: 1878

We are Wiling to receive twenty or
thirty cords of wood in payment OF
subscriptions for the EXCHANGE, and
we would be glad to receive it during
the summer months. Bring it in
while the roads are good, and before
'cetton picking time comes.
Year: 1878

Of Course You Haven't Heard


of 1t!
because we only received them yester-
day. Its the most beautiful line of
Ladies nice Silk Neckwear we have
had in cur show case during the sea-
son, we sell them cheap, bat the La
dies all expect goods cheap at odf
store; our doors are alwats thrown
open to them.
Year: 1878

pay out the s new silver silver dollsfss;, ana IN the
ordinary course of business 81, 200, 900
will be disbursed during the current
month. There is, we are informed, some
complaint Of the redundancy of small
silver coin and apprehensions that this
superabundance may lead to inconveni-
ence. It Is to be regretted that the gov
ernment has not provided means for the
exchange of small coin for bills or for
coin certificates. This, however, 1t has
done in the case OF the silver dollars, and
hereafter whoever finds himself burdened
with superfuity Of these shining discs
can without difficulty exchange them for
the new silver coin certificates in demon.
nations ranging from ten to one thousand
dollars. Thus a superfluity Of silver
dellars can always be prevented, 80 far,
at least, as any inconvenience may arise
from the mere handling or storing OF the
coins. We can but believe, however,
that the provision Of the silver law,
which compels the secretary OF the
treasury to coin two millions p month,
and forbids him to coin more than foul
millions, is not wholly wise, and that il
would have been better had silver no,
only been made an unlimited tender fol
all payments, public and private, but
that its supply also had been made tc
depend upon the demand tor it, BY
permitting any one to have silver bullier
coined on payment Of the seignorage
This is what is done with gold; ant
perfect equality between the two metal
cannot be reached as long as the govern
ment arbitrarily fixes the supply OF on'
Of these by a cast-iron rule, and leaves J
open for any one TO increase the suppl!
Of the other by sending ton or two o
gold bricks TO the mint. We are no
asking any fresh legislative action in tn
premises at present we can afford y
wait and see how affairs move under tn
existing regulations. Bat we point ou
what we c0nsicer TO be an imperfectio
in the Law and invite to the suhject tn
consideration Of the thoughtful
Graphic.
Year: 1878

The autumn wind is moauing in the leaves,
And the long grass Is rustling on my grave
All would you have me think your heart nov grieve'
For her You would not save'
For am dead know you not am dead ?
Why will you haunt me In my grave tonight.
Standing above ana listening overhead,
Where am buriei deep and out OF sightY
Have you not wiae aud music la your nome.
And her fair 10 IN, and eyes so pure and proud
With love Of you And wherefore do you come
To vex me. lying silent In my shroudi
Seek your new love She calls you, and the tears
Arc warm on her pale fac and her young breast
Is full OF doubt and sorrow- for she hears
Low whispered words that startie her f,om r,s'.
In from the night the storm begins 10 stir.
will be near and ghostly eyes shall see
How you will kiss her lips and say to her
Thine always, love" as once you said to me


-[William Winter
Year: 1878

TIE Ninety-six q. C) Guardian,
chronicles the birth, OF colored parents,
of a very singular child. From the
waist to the crown OF the child's head, its
skin is pure white, from the hips to the
knees the skin is of a coal black, and
from there down the skin is white. The
head il covered with hair as white as
driven snow, and is unusually long for
child of that age The child is large
and healthy.
Year: 1878

The New York Herald says of Morris,
sey; at may seem parsdoxical to men,
ton honesty as the strongest attribute
ofsuch man; but we think it would be
the general verdict of those who knew
him best that confidence in his honesty
was the chief ground of his political
euccaas -
Year: 1878

A COMPARISON made between two
Atlantic steamers, one built in 1910 and
one of to days shows that the modern
steamship carries fifteen times as much
freight as the old one did, at nearly
twice the speed. The consumption of
coal per ton of cargo was, in 1910, nearly
eleven times as great as at present.
Year: 1878

Gen. Hawley, of Connecticut, Is the victim
of his own good luck and popularity. He is
the most prominent candidate for United
States Senator from that State, and would
assuredly be elected to that office but for one
unfortunate circumstance-his recent election
to Congress. The district In which he was
elected Is strongly Democratic, but such
was Hawley's popularity that he ran ahead
of his ticket and carried the district by a good
majority. II Hawley is sent to the Senate, a
new election will be necessary in this district:
it will then be carried by the Democrats, and
the Republicans will lose, not only a Con-
gresham, but a State, in case the election Of
President is thrown into the House, as the
election Of a Democratic Congressman in
this district would evenly divide the vote Of
Connecticut. Hawley's popularity, therefore,
while it sends him to Congress for two years,
prevents his going to the Senate for six.
Year: 1878

The attempt upon the life of Count An
drassy seems to be a part of widespread
plot to exterminate the rulers of Europe, be-
ginning with the efforts to assassinate the
Emperor William, and followed by the
attempts upon the lives of Kings Alfonso
and Humbert The conspirators may create
uneasiness in the minds Of individual rulers,
but their murderous purposes and the means
adopted to carry them into effect will have
no force In the extinction Of monarchy. On
the contrary, they can only result in the
adoption of repressive measures from which
fhe masses will suffer The cause Of liberty
cannot be fostered by the bludgeon or the
knife of the assassin.
Year: 1878

The saffron-hued Senator from Mississippi
reports that he met Gen. Grant in Paris and
broached the subject OF third term. The
General said that he would not seek o nomi-
nation, and that he would rather not have it;
but if it was rendered him he would not feel
at liberty to decline. Conkling and Blaine
will please take notice. If Grant means any
thing by this language, he intends to make a
warm canvass for the Republican candidacy
A third term, however is an entirely different
matter. Eight millions of voters will have
something to say about that
Year: 1878

Now that the yellow fever has disappeared
quarantine restrictions been removed. and
free intercourse with the interior re-estab-
lished, we propose to Issue on the fret Of De
cember O. comprehensive statement of the
commerce of New Orleans for the past fifteen
months


On that occasion we design issuing one OF
the largest editions ever sent forth from a
newspaper office In the Southwest. and we
respectfully suggest to our advertising
friends to make note Of this announcement
and govern themselves accordingly.
Year: 1878

It has been wisely said that there are enough
Democrats for one party, but not enough for
two. In eight of the twenty-five congressional
districts of New York carried by the Republi-
cans, that party had q minority Of the votes.
A little common sense management will pre-
vent this sort Of thing In 1880.
Year: 1878

The refusal Of the Baltimore bankers and
the non-action of the clearing houses of other
important cities have LETT the New York and
Boston banks alone in the attempt to nullify
the silver bill. In fight between the people
and the national banks of the two cities it is
easy to predict which party to the struggle
will 20 to the WALL
Year: 1878

The Southern Pacific Railroad Is now COM
ing East at the rate of two miles day. II
Congress gives to 1t the aid that 1t deserves,
and that the interests Of the country demand
it should receive, 1t will soon be completed.
That the work may be steadily continued
government assistance is necessary. 1t is
hoped that Congress will act In the matter at
Year: 1878

regarded as suitable for the gander. IT the
indignant North does not like the remedy


supplied by the local State laws, under the
plain letter of the constitution, we cannot
suggest another that is likely to bring it any