smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1875

Just now the attention of thoughtful peo.
pie is being very earnestly directed to the
interests, State and national, involved in
the historic site of Harper's Ferry For
sixty years a Government armory was To-
Gated there, but during the war it was de-
stroyed, together with all its works and
machinery. After the destruction the Gov
the armory had been located, including the
water power on the Potomac and Shenan-
doah rivers. This sale was unfortunately,
or perhaps fortunately, made to a company
of spectators, who were fthe opinion that
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company
were not possessed of the right of way, and
that for this right of way they could easily
charge the company sufficient sum to
raise their purchase money. BY the terms
of the sale they were not required to pay
dollar in cash, and they never have. To
the infinite surprise of the purchasers, the
Baltimore and Ohio Company presented a
title to the property in the shape of for


NAL document, officially giving the company
the right of way, from Mr.. Poinsett, Secre.

tary of War during Mr.. Van Buren's ad-
ministration, and also a deed from Mr..


Burn to the property. At this point the
purchasers gave up even the pretense of
ever paying for the land they had bought.
judgments in law and a decree in chancery
were obtained for the purchase money, and
a resale of the property was ordered, but
the spectators somehow succeeded in in
ducing the Government to join them in
q suit against the Baltimore and Ohio
Company, to determine the question
of the right of way and the title, and
this cause is now pending in the Uni
ted States district court at Wheeling. 1t
is probable that a decision will be given
about the 9th OF September next, and every
weIljudging person informed of the facts
is of the opinion that the decision will BE
fully and squarely in favor of the railroad
company. Anticipating this, it is under
stood that the purchasers are now willing
that the Government shall reinstate itself
Year: 1875

in its title, and we have the highest
authority for stating that early in the next
session of Congress Mr.. Charles J. Fdulk-
ner, member Of Congress from that Dis


trict, will introduce bill to settle the dis
pute in favor of the Government, and at
the same time accompany the bill with
proposition that the Government shall re-
build the armory at that point-frst as
national necessity, and second, as fair
concession to the South. Harper's Ferry,
only two hours and half ride from Wash
ingtonris one of the most picturesque places
on the continent, and if the great armorial
workshops of the Government should be
rebuilt there it would become still more at
tractive to visitors, and greatly enhance the
business and prosperity of adjacent COM
munities. This proposition seems practical
and most reasonable. The reinstatement
of the Government in its title is matter
in which all are interested, and, as itwould
be manifestly sound in law and in public
policy, the proposition will undoubtedly
command the serious attention of Congress.
At any rate, the interests of the Government
at this point are of a character much more
vital than those of spectators. Harper's
Ferry is situated in West Virginia, but the
time has come when its pretensions to be
classed as a city in Southern State should
be laid aside. 1t is entitled to the rank of
a border State only, and besides, its soil,
climate, productions and industries all par
toke nf the character of a Northern State


and in its fifty-six counties there are not
more than six which have colored voters
to any extent. 1t is probable that West
Virginia has no pride in being classed as a
Southern State. 1t certainly cannot feel
on this subject as South Carolina or Georgia,
and in political-territorial divisions it seems
to us it would be better TO rank it as a
Northern State. However this point has
little or nothing TO do with the question of
the rights and advantages of the Govern
mcnt i'll the Harper's Ferry property.
Year: 1875

If GENERAL SHERMAN had contented
himself, when writing his unfortunate
memoirs, with detailed description of
his "march to the sea" he would have
been much better off. As it is, he claims
TO have originated the idea of cutting the
Confederacy in two by that march, and the
consequence is an avalanche of facts to
prove that the idea originated with General
Grant. It will be remembered that Horace
Greeley, among others, originated the idea
of con to Richmond" but some one else
executed it, and has received all the credit
for the movement This would have been
General Shermans s fate if his vanity had
not overcome his discretion. A letter, a
copy Of which is undoubtedly in Sher-
mans possession, was written by Gen.
eral Grant to General Halleck while
the latter was acting as General-in- chief,
In which General Grant gave in detail his
plans for the coming spring campaign. He
was then at Nashville or Chattanooga, and
proposed to march upon Atlanta, and from
thence through the South to Mobile, where,
with the aid of the navy, he expected to be
able TO establish a new base of supplies no
the Gulf coast. The plan involved the
holding or destruction, as the case might
be, of the main lines of railroad running
north and south through the Confederacy.
In the meantime, however, before the
spring campaign was begun, General Grant
was promoted to be Lieutenant General,
and came East to assume command of all
the armies. Among his first acts as Lieu
tenant General was to send copy of this
letter to General Halleck, describing the
plans referred to, to General Sherman,
with an Endorsement in substance that the
information contained therein would be
sufficient without further orders. This in
dorsement virtually amounted to an order
Year: 1875

THE alarm of the Opposition regarding
The Third-Term bugbear suggests the idea
that they fear President Grants popularity,
and that he would make strong candidate,
stronger than any other man in the Repub-
lican party, and strong enough to defeat
the Democratic nominee. But they should
he satisfied now that he is out of the way,
and rejoice that their most popular adver-
sary has voluntarily withdrawn from the
contest
Year: 1875

THE proceedings of the Ohio Republican
State Convention yesterday are printed
elsewhere The ticket nominated is a good
one, although it is possible that the nominee
for Lieutenant Governor will encounter
some opposition, based upon his somewhat
Variegated record. The platform adopted
embraces everything that could be asked
by straightforward Republicans and honest
citizens. The allusion to President Grant
and the "unwritten law of the Republic
was expected. The convention honored
itself and the State by its complimentary
allusion TO his career as a soldier and states
man. This additional demonstration of the
regard of his party for him as a public
leader will serve to disprove the charges of
the Opposition that his Administration has
fallen into disfavor with the people
Year: 1875

that the projected Atlanta campaign should
BE- supplemented by cutting the COnfede-
racy in two" again by direct march to
tie ca. Subsequent events, including the
necessity of Withdrawing sixty five thou-
sand troops, used in guarding the lines of
the railroad north of Atlanta, induced a
change of programme, and Savannah was
substituted for Mobile as the point of des-
tination, the navy being permitted to cap
.ture the latter city without essential aid
from the army. And this was the origin
of tie idea of the march to the sea.
Year: 1875

wearing clean shirts There isn't a writer
living by his wits in this great city who will
not, in his serious moments, tell you that this
is good counsel. He may repeat 1t to you over
the mug of beer which you are to pay for,
warming you to do as he breaches and not as
he practices. Then he will drink the beer and
wait for YOU to offer him cigar.
Year: 1875

"THEEE is certainly some powerful mo-
q tive behind the ring in this dicker with
e the Sioux, writes the Washington cor
respondent of the Philadelphia Times. The
word ring is used here with malicious
intent to deceive the public into a belief
that a combination exists in Washington
organized to defraud the Indians. The
truth is exactly the opposite. The officials
of the Government are earnestly engaged
with efforts TO protect the Indians from
scheming plunderers. But the truth would
not serve the purpose Of the Times and its
correspondent Hence the unblushing at
tempt to palm off a falsehood.
Year: 1875

Il ESTREN,S, 61s Thirteenth street, all my en-
tire ready made goods, in best quality Of human
hair, must be closed out at and below cost. Never
will chance like this again occur for ladies to get
bargains. Our stock Is complete In all the new
styles. Call and and see for yourselves, myD-lm
Year: 1875

ENTLEMAN's TURNOUT FOR SALE.-KESTUCKY
" bay Mare years old, the most sty sh driver in the
city KIND and very fast top Buggy and Harness he
at Coggswes stable. Thirty third street and
Lexington
Year: 1875

The New York Sun, comment ing upon the affected alarm of the Grant organs on account of so many Confederate generals occu- pying seats in the next Congress, says that it should be taken as an excellent indication, instead of giving any cause for alarm; be- cause the men who ranked high in the Confederate service, were as a rule, the best representatives of the intelligence of their party ill the southern states. The Sun thinks eff the seats of every car pet bagger who disgraced the last Congress could be filled with a Confederate general in the next, the moral and political atmos- phere in the Capitol would be i'm proved beyond all measure" The conduct and sentiments expressed by prominent ex-Confederates within the past three months fully bears out the opinions of the Sun, and leaves no reason to doubt the patriotism and loyalty of this class of Congressman. Let us have peace"
Year: 1875

The Van Buren Press publishes a letter from an old friend of ours, Wm. H. Morrison, we'll known a few years ago as one of the popu- lar steamboat men of the Arkan- sas river. He is now in Colorado, and he states that there are the most dismal prospects ahead out there. There are ten thousand young grass-hoppers to every spear of grass, and the indication now is that the country will be completely devastated by them. He implores all who may have any notion of going to that state to abandon the idea.

 And right here we wish to ad- wise all those who are thinking of leaving Arkansas, to stay where you are. You will never find a place where you can make living easier then you can here. We have never seen a country where a man can live with as little exer- tion as they do here. And if the same industry and frugality was used by our people here, that is used by the farmers of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. we verify be- lieye our farmers would grow rich. Our advice is, give up all ram bling notions and settle down; use industry and economy and you will be certain to prosper.
Year: 1875

It is common in these days to hear men make the remark that tLey do not believe there are any honest politicians. There is so much corruption in our politics, so much political fraud, deception and rascality, and so much trading and intrigue among politicians, that many persons believe man cannot be honest and be politl- elan. So common is peculation and fraud in public officials that man scarcely expects anything else, and elevation to an office Is almost looked upon as license to steal and plunder.

 It does not necessarily follow that because man is politician he is dishonest. We see no reas- on why man could not be 6 pol itician and an honest man at the same time. And we see great reason why he should be so. If there is any sphere in life where we need honest men with snscept ible conscicnces and fine sensibif- ities. it is in official stations.

 When this matter is sifted to the bottom it will be found that public sentiment is to blame for the low moral tone of our politi- clans. Public sentiment has al lowed matters to come to the pass where we now find them, and public sentiment alone can regu- late the matter. We must elevate the moral tone of the public, and then we will arrive at successful solution of the problem how to se- cure honesty in the administration of public af- fairs. Public servants must be held to a more strict accountabil- ity. It matters not to what par ty an official belongs, if he is not honest, if he is discovered to be a rascal or thief he must meet the condemnation of public sentiment and he must be thrown overheard and his place filled by an honest man. Inefliciency and dishones- ty in office must not be counten- anced. The party mantle must not be made to cover up the dis honesties of any one. Public of iicials must be made to know that they are public servants and that the public is their master, and that they will be held to a strict accountability. We care not who he is or where we find him, if we discover an official or politician who is not . man of integrity and honor we will hold him up to the condemnation of honest men. Whenever public sentiment comes to this VIC may expect more hon esty in and among politicians.
Year: 1875

Through the columns of the DEMOCRAT we have commented frequently upon the increasing volume of crime, the seeming in difference of the public and the inadequate protection afforded against the desperate deeds of reckless men. We allude to this subject thus often because we see, almost daily, good reason to be- lieve that crime is on the increase, and public sentiment is becoming so bluntcd, that the most heinous crimes are but one days wonder. We believe the public feeling on thls subject must be brought to a proper realization of the danger of indifference to an adequate pun ishment for crime.

 The Evening Star in a late cd itorial in which this subject is discussed, puts the pertinent

 inquiry, "Is the jury system a fraud?' The article closes with an earnest protest against an ad-  ministration of the law that makes crime pleasure, passion an ex- cuse for murder, and punishment farce."

 It is to be deplored that public sentiment has allowed justice to grow so slothful as to call for such protests as this, but it is to be hoped that not until better protec- tion is afforded life and property, by more strenuous punishment of crime, will the press of the country cease to condemn public sympathy with violation of the law.
Year: 1875

There are newspapers and peo- pie in various parts of the country who make business of proclaim ing that in order to restore uni versal prosperity we must have more money. Make lots of green backs and bank notes, they tell us, and everything will revive as if by magic. There are even men of ability and learning who adyo- cate this doctrine, and newspapers of considerable circulation preach it as a fundamental article in their political creed.

 The fact is, however, that it is not an additional supply ofmoney that we want. There is already in the country a great deal more money than is required for all the present operations of manufacture, agriculture, and trade. It lies idle in every large town waiting to be used. Give us securities that are known to be good, and we can borrow a hundred millions in Wall street in half an hour at three per cent. interest. Instead of having too little money, there is too much of it.

 What we really need is more business, more activity, more de- mand for goods, and more con- sumption of them, with more en- terprise, more confidence, and more life. The addition of a thousand millions of paper money to our present stock would not produce any of these; but what will produce them in due time is that spirit of rigorous economy and prudent living which, we are happy to say, now pervades the millions of our agricultural popu- latlon, and is felt among every other class, of the people. We are saving up what we earn and paying our debts; and when we are ready again, we shall begin to build new houses and buy new clothes, and to increase the pro- ducts of our farms and our mills, and set the wheels of commerce once more in motion. The coun try is getting into sounder condi- tion every day; and the manufac- ture of whole stacks of irredeema- ble paper tokens would only delay and not hasten this process of restoration.- N. Y. Sun.
Year: 1875



 Our people may think they can effect but little by organizing an immigration society, but we tell you that the mere fact that you are too indifferent to make a trial is enough to discourage immigra- tion from coming to our county. The mere exhibition of a willing ness to do what you can, be it ever so little, will be encouraging to those seeking new homes. Stran- gers would like to know that they will at least be welcome, even if no other inducements are held out.
Year: 1875

Our state legislature meets again early this winter. In the meantime our people would do well to consider their wants and find out what legislation they wish enacted. The columns of the DEMOCRAT are open to the dis cussion of any matter bearing upon the welfare of our county and state. There are several very important measures that should have attention, and we doubt not our members of the general assem- bly, would chcerfully obey the wishes of their constituency if they know them.
Year: 1875

A great deal of excitement has been created by the detection of gigantic frauds which the whisky rings have been perpetrating upon the revenue department. The frauds have been carried on sys

 lematically ever since the govern
Year: 1875

A

 White county paid into the state treasury s2,5oo in green backs, and our polite sheriff, MT N. B. Petty, thinks he will have several hundred dollars more, as soon as he gets ready to settle up. Proportionally speak ing, our sheriff wears the horns in the greenback line-haying paid most. Record. { x

 WOODRUFF.

 TIE WHEAT CRor.-On several occasions we have spoken of the large wheat crop sown ill this county; and we are still more de lighted to learn that the yield promises to be the most abundant ever known here. We hear of no farmer (many used to wheat coun- try who counts on less than 30 bushels per acre if the season continues favorable. This is all cheering indeed. d.-Bulletin.

 WASHINGTON.

 The prisoners confined in the county jail made an attempt to escape last Sunday night, and came very near succeeding. They had broken out of the cage @and were prizing at the outside door when discovered by the guard. We would like to ask which is the. cheapest, keeping Il guard con stantly employed, or making the jail secure at a small expense?- Fayetteville Democrat.

 We learn from farmers living in different portions of this county that the rust is getting in the growing wheat crop. Serious damage to the wheat is thought inevitable by some, while others are of the opinion that very little injury will be sustained by it. A failure of the wheat crop, at this critical season, when the whole country is impoverished, would fall heavily. upon the people. We trust the. damage occasioned by rust will be light.- Monticello nian.
Year: 1875

Tue stringency in the money market, and the
paralization OF trade which has existed for nearly
two years past still continues, (ssys an American
journal notwithstanding the wealth of the country
10 natural resources One the chief causes Of diff
Guilty is what has been for long time the curse Of
the country, reckless expenditure not only the pro-
fusion Of the wealthy but the foolish extravaganza
OF people in a condition OF life which makes every
dollar Of the utmost importance to them. The con-
sequence Of this way Of living is peculiarly money
less condition, without any reserve contingencies
consequent upon general arrangement Of business
aud scarcity OF money. II would be well If Ameri-
cans especially the class We more particularly refer
70 chose in the middle walks Of ife) would learn
lesson from the examples furnished by their French
and German fellow citizens, who sre proverbial
for prudence, frugality and business like habits.


Those people are the largest depostors in our saw
ings Banks institutions which we are fain to boast
so much about as affording indubitable evidence Of
a superabundanee Of wealth.


There are no people iu the world so extrayagant
in the article OF dress and reckless expenditure Of
money as Americans. The wife Of clerk with
a salary OF $50 per month, and five or six chill
d-en to provide for, is not content unless she can
dress as finely as the wife Of her husbands em-
ployer whose income msy probably be ten or twen.
" times that Of bis clerk This state Of things is
applicable to the merchant the store keeper in


small business, also 10 the artizan and mechanic
The baneful effects are not felt so long as credit
lasts but when that is gone hard times press heayi
ly, and added to this, when monies due cannot be
collected, then the real trouble commences, and
there being nothing TO fan back upon, ruin, bank
ruptcy, modification and often disgrace are the con
eomitant results Of thoughtless eItravagance and
lack Of thought
Year: 1875

The roof Of Westminster Abbey, long sup
posed to be Of oak, is found to be perfect and is
discovered TO be Of chestnut It has stood for
eight centuries already, showing that chestnut
timber may stand for any similar purpose now
very exceIlenily. Another valuable quality the
Chestnut possesses is that its growth Is many
times more rapid than that Of the oak.
Year: 1875

The radical leaders are trying to dodge
the real questions involving the rights
and liberties Of the people, and the re-
storation of gooda and honest government.


We are glad to see that Democratic
journals and Democratic speakers are
earnest and persistent in holding the
party in power to their past record-to
their acts Of omission and commission,
These Architects of ruin" seek to raise
side issues and draw attention from the
present condition Of the country and
their rule of robbery and ruin. I


Hence it is that they have been yelling
over Geghan and the Act of last winter
securing liberty of conscience-that they
denounce the Pope and the Catholic
Church and seek to raise alarm over a
division of the public school fund among
religious denominations, when neither a
Democrat nor Democratic paper pro-
poses anything of the sort.


In Stark county the radical leaders are
in ertremis, and in their alarm are making
lavish promises and spending money
broadcast. Their last performance was
getting one oftheir hired tools to speak Of
McGregor. They are endeavoring to res.
cue and relieve the fellow from the con-
sequences and odium of his water works
operations and gas fitting performance, Z


We are too busy just now taking care
of Governor Allen, whom they did not
defeat two years ago, Sam Cary and the
other Democratic candidates, to fool away
time and space in vindiCating the fair
fame and consistency Of A. McGregor.
After election, however, we shall take
great pleasure in talking over and meet
ing any ofthese questions, whether they
pertain to ourselfas County Auditor over
20 years ago, to Tom Saxton, u or IA
years ago, to distinguished water works
man, gas fitting buyer. and buttermilk
champion Of later date, or, indeed, any
thing else Of a personal character, or
otherwise.


In the meantime, the radical ring here
may get up as many monkey shows as
they please, and may enjoy themselves
with the performing ape, as they did two
years ago. We hope to take our enjoy
ment after election over the glorious re-
election of "Old Bill Allen" and the rout
and utter defeat of Grant radicalism and
intolerance, o tI-H
Year: 1875




COMPEL THE GOVERNMENT TO
RECEIVE ITS OWN ISSUE OF CUR
RENCY AT PAR, AND THE GAME
OF THE GOLD GAMBLER is AT AN
END. PERMIT PEOPLE TO USE
THEIR PERSONAL OR STATE
CREDIT IN DEALING SAMoNG
THEMSELVES AND DECLARE
THAT ALL DUTIES AND DEBTS
DUE THE GOVERNMENT SHALL
BE PAID IN SUCH PAPER AS THE
GOVERNMENT ISSUES, AND
THERE WILL Re LESS DEMAND
FOR GOLD.-P0meyey's Democrat. :
Year: 1875

We would recommend neighbor Bascom
to put on Horace Greeley's white hat Of
honesty and independence, but we fear
the hat would be much too large for the
head, and his heart too much contracted
to suit the noble old hat. 1t ought not
to be turned into ridicule by letting


monkeys wear it.