smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1870

AN INTERESTING LEAF IN THE HIsTo-
RY OF THE REBELLION, FURNISHED BY
VANDERBILT. Commodore Vanderbilt tells
the following new and grievous story in con-
nection with his gift of his big steamship
Vanderbilt to the Government:


One day l received a telegram from E, M.
Stanton asking what would contract to run
down with one of my vessels and sink the
rebel iron clad Merrimack, which was now
about ready to come out OF Norfolk. To this
responded that it was an,affair OF too much
Importance 10 be negotiated by telegraph, and
l would be at the War Department next day.
l accordingly came over, was shown in to the
Secretary, and closed the door, and asked
him if there was any one else he wanted to
talk to about this. He replied, Yes, Mr. Lin
coin. l said, well, suppose we go over to the
White House, as do not want to talk il over
more than once. He consented, and we
walked over together. l at once informed
Mr.. Lincoln that l was determined that
would not allow myself to do anvtbing by
which could be ranked with the herd OF
thieves and vampires who were lattening of
the government by means of army contracts
that mad no vessels to sell or bargains to
make except one. l was told TO name it. l
repiled, will undertake to sink the rebel
lron-clad the moment she comes out. VIII
present the Vanderbilt To the government on
condition that she remains under my control,
and act with her independent of any control
from the navy. They assented, and asked
when l could get her to Fortress Monroe. l
said in 80 hours. They asked what my plan
was. and said to keep steam up, ard pro-
tec.ing my vessel as much as possible by va
rious means, to run right into the rebel and
drown her; that no vessel had been or could
be made by the rebels which could survive
the conclusion, or stand before the weight of
of the Vanderbilt, and that my plan was liza
BILE to fail only in one contingency, namely.
that of getting an accidental shot where it
would sink her. Well, in 40 hours she was at
Fortress Monroe, and l at once commenced to
prepare her to resist the shot OF the enemy
in ten days time the Monitor came ont and
sunk the Merrimac, and | never nut INV yes-
sci into action, but was there all the same,
and ready. Now what ought the government
to have donea Why, return me my vessel;
but no, they were too mean, and though she
cost me 81 100000, and l was willing to lose
her. If necessary, TO aid the government, yet
they meanly kept her and are letting her rot
down, OF no use to the government or to any
Year: 1870

The use Of English ivies for the purpose of
decorating living rooms, is more extensive ey-
cry year, and cannot be too highly commend
ed. Being very strong they will live through
almost any treatment; but study their pecu-
liarities, and manifest willingness to crafty
them and they will grow without STINT Most
houses are too hot for them, as indeed they
are for their owners. Neither plants nor peo-
pie should have the average temperature, over
sixty-fve degrees Fahrenheit. Take care and
not enfeeble your ivies by undue heat or ex-
cessive watering, and you will find that they
will not seem to mind whether the sun
shines on them or not, or in what position or
direction you train them. Indeed so much
will they do of themselves to render a room
charming, that would rather have an un-
limited number of them to draw upon, than
anything else in nature or art. Do you wish
the ugly plain doors that shat off your tiny
entry from your parlor were arched or curved
like those in the drawing rooms of your richer
neighbor? Buy couple of brackets such as
lamps for the burning of kerosene, are some
times placed in, and screw them on the side s
OF the door. Put in each plant of English
ivy, the longer the better, then train the
plants over the top, against the side, indeed
any way yonr fancy dictates. You need not
buy the beautiful but costly pots the flower
dealer will advise; but common glazed ones
Will answer every purpose, for by placing in
each two or three sprays of Coliseum ivy, in q
months time no vestige of the pot itself can
be discerned through their thick screen.
Year: 1870

The mistakes ofGrant's administration
If they were merely mistakes and moth
ing morc--havc been numerous enough
but now the acts purporting to be done
through the authority Of the Executive
are beginning to assume the appearance
OF crimes. The people do not want
another impeachment trial; but the Of
fetal correspondence in regard to st.
Domingo suggests something more than
the possibility of one.


Novel indeed, in the history of our
country, is this latest act on the part OF
the President. He has entered into SC.
cret compact with foreign power to
coerce, to the extent of his ability. the
action Of a coordinate branch OF the
Government to accomplish that which
the foreign power desires. This agree
ment is no longer secret; but it was
meant to be SO. AS the protocol says:


Z" Ills Excellency Gen. Grant, President
of the United States, promises pripately
to use all his influence in order that the
idea OF auneXing the Dominican Republic
to the United States may acquire such a
degree Of popularity among members OF
Congress as will be necessary for its &C
complishment and he offers TO make no
communication 10 that body on The subject
until he shall be certain hat 10 UW be ap-
prored by majority."


He "promiSes pricateiy." Was it for
fear the natives of st. Domingo should
know of the promise? Was it to satisfy
the representatives of that Republic in
any way? Or was it to guard against
the knowledge Of the millions of citizens
of the United States to whom the news
papers and the telegraph bore the news
Of this private promise on Sunday and
Monday?


But how plainly this st. Domingo
agreement shows the nature of the pro-
ject to assist which it was made Its very
secrecy is the sevcrest commentary on
the character of the negotiation which
the Senate is now asked to approve.
There is that about it which makes its
discussion more appropriate in the seclu
ded parlor Of the scheming diplomat than
in the free air Of u representative assem-.
bly,. 1t cannot bear the light. Its sue
cess must depend upon tho influence OF
the President; and who does not know
that this word influence is used in this
agreement with meaning that compre-
hends far too much to be honorable?


Never before has a President oil the
| United States been so lacking in self.re
spect us to authorize an act like this.
There have been instances in the world S
history where official position has be.
slowed something Of the dignity attach
cd to it in popular estimation upon the
incumbent OF the Office; SO that it would
seem ho must needs be somewhat
worther than before he attained it, by
force of the associations clinging about
his place. 1t seems not to be 80 here
and the President is restrained by none
Of those traditions of dignity and pro.
Year: 1870

i have heard some people positively
assert, that there is no such thing as
LOVE. 1t seems to me when person
makes such an assertion they must either
be lunatic or savage. No such thing
as lore +! Why all the world is love all
life is love; we could not exist without
love. There is just as much sense in de-
claring there is no hate, as there is in say
ing there is no lore II there was moth
ing but hatred existing between mankind
and no love whatever, what kind ofworld
would We have? What is the name OF
that sentiment, with which we regard a
devoted mother, a fond brother or sister
What is it, if it is not LovE2 / do not
believe there ever was woman or man
that lived to the age of forty, but what
has loved truly perhaps, more than once
in their lives. A man may gain the true
love of woman by his gentlemanly
bearing and agreeable manners. To her
he will seem pcrfcction-truthful, sincere
and manly, but after she gets better ac-
quaintcd with him and on more intimate
terms, she discovers he is shallow, heart
less and dissipated If her love begins
TO wave, aud at last dies out entirely,
does hat prove there is no such thing as
love, because he did not prove to be all
her fond Imagination had thought him,
OF her fancy had pictured; brt proved
to be of the poorest clay, more beast
than a man No indeed On the con
trary, it proves there is love, just what
she ielt for him, when supposng him to
be true to her imaginations, and what she
would have always felt, had he been So


Sometimes women are deceived until
after marriage. When they find out what
their husbands really are, they wonder
they ever could have loved them, and
finally come to the conclusion that they
never did; that twas only chimera Of
the brain. Had that man been to his wife
after marriage, as he was in the days Of
wooing, she would have loved him as
same as then; but love will not prosper
when it S all on one side--cven " woman $
patience will finally wear out.


l know that there are many shallow,
fickie beings that are incapable of loving
one object very long, or very fervently !;
but what they do feel is love, only their
natures are so shallow, that it cannot be
very fcryid.


People love in different ways--some
love passionately, some calmly, some
trustingly, and some suspiciously. That
argument that it cannot be love when
mixed with jealousy, is entirely unfound-
ed. Those who love the most ardently,
are generally the most jealous. They
lack what but very few in love possess :;
a perfect trust in the power of their own
fasinatons. MEDusA.


ORARK, Ark, July 2,'70.
Year: 1870

l went to sleep in the car appropriated
to funky blankets, questionable shirts,
close atmosphere, and live stock gener-
ally, to be wakened by the colored petson
who glorifes your boots and votes the
republican ticket under the fifteenth
amendment, as we approached New York
As travelled along the platform to the
ferry boat hggmg my valisc, / fell in
with couple had just seen disappeaf-
ing behind state room door the night
before. / had a feeling that did not
amount to recollection that had en-
countered these dons sightseeing at the
capital The he was an American imita
ton of an Englishman, and quite crazy
at that. His auburn hair was parted in
the middle of his chronological develop
ment, while side whiskers of the mutton
style threw out his intellectual counte-
nance 50 boldly that one saw at glance
that he had no brain back oft. The wo-
man was not what one would could call
spring chicken-.- and yet had in her dress
and ways certain grish air of dress and
manner that went to prove that, while
she might lack the charms Of youth, she
had yet all its indiscretions. noticed
the two because the moment they appear
ed in sight, after New York was announc-
cd, their manner changed. From an easy,
sclfpossessed way, they passed to a eau
tious, unhappy way really ludicrous.


IL is odd when two people, like unto
this, attempt to avoid attention or sus-
picion, they do that which create both.
In the ears when retiring to their state
room, not caring a cuss whether they are
seen or not, l had taken them to be man
and wife but the moment they touched
the platform and began to look abont un-
easily, the facts came out. Seated on the
ferry boat baggage man was beckoned
to, and the gentleman tried to tell him I'M
a confidential way all about the trunks.
But the stupid beast of baggage-master
would not receive the directions colh-
dentially, but reared out his responses,
with demands for explanations that
brought the blood to the countenanccs
of the pair learned much sooner than
the baggage. master that the trunks were
to be delivered at different houses, and
read easily the hidden history that few
words made plain. The poor womau
kept looking uneasy towards the landing
and soon as the boat touched l saw her
uneasiness leap on board and fight his
way through the crowd to where he saw
her. He was matter OF fact, ordinary
looking duck Of husband, who kissed
his embarrassed wife, and thanked her
companion for his kindness and atten-
tons to her The actors of my little
comedy disappeared in the crowd, losing
their only spectator, the ugly Mephisto-
phcles, who had been cycling them so
closely, with evidence of amusement in
his I" blarsted countenance." "Ah,me,"
/ thought, "more water runs under the
wheel than the miller wots of"-and it 10
we'll for the peace of society and the pur-
ity of domestic life that ignorancci is bliss.
For one infuriated husband who goes
about pistoling his friends on suspicion,
how many innocent ducks live and die
model husbands, under the most aggra-
waiting circumstances.
Year: 1870

priety with which so many great men
have surrounded the highest Office in the
nation.


In secrecy and to foreign State the
President has pledged his word to cocrcc
as best he may the representatives Of the
people whose servant he Is. In secrecy
aud to foreign State ne mas pledged
himself to make no communication to
Congress concerning public measure OF
the highest Importance until satisfied
that the measure will be successful. The
people cannot forget these things. They
are so many blows struck at the integrity
and even the existence of free govern
mcnt and republican institutions, and
blows of such character that free ma
ton cannot survive many of them. The
terrible devastations Of war were not
more dangerous to us as a people than Is
the spirit manifested In these scts Of
the Administration and II. .issGd tot think
that he who did SO mualy 70 free a. from
the evils of war should = soon bring up
on us these dark forebodings Of deeper
i'll.
Year: 1870

A full confession has at last been ex-
torted from the guilty individual who in
fiicted Grant upon the people. 1t is
Charles A. Dana, and he makes a clean
breast, as follows:


As for Gen Grant, personally, we have
neither spite, grudge nor revenge. He
never refused us any personal favor for
we never asked anything of him, save
only the appointment of Horace Greeley
as Minister to England, and as he sent a
man there who isn't half as fit for the
place as Mr. Greeley, we have never
borne him any grudge on that account.
But toward Gen. Grant rs President, we
confess that we cherish very profound
feeling of disappointment and dissatis,
faction. There were few men in the
country who had taken more stock in him
than we had. During the war, when he
was digging canals at Vcksburg, and was
on the point of being relieved from his
command, Mr. Dana did what he could to
have him retained at the head OF the army
in the Mississippi Valley; and the effort
was successful But for his agency
Grant would then have been sent back to
Galena and in that event he could neither
have become Commander-in in Chief Of the
army, nor President of the United States
Next, when he was candidate for the
presidency, we did what we could to Sc
cure for him the nomination of the Re
publican national convention; and then
we helped to get him the votes Of a ma
jority of the American people All this
we did because we thought it best for the
country; and all we demanded Of Gen.
Grant was an honest, sensible, disinter-
ested and patriotic administration of his
Office. Does anybody think that was too
much to expect of him?


But instead of this, his administration
is bad, foolish, weak, cowardly, corrupt,
anti American, contemplate at home, and
more contemplate abroad. 1t is impos-
sible to speak the truth and deny that
this is so. it is impossible for on indie.
pendent journalist, anxious to discharge
his obligations to the people, to conceal
or palliate facts so fearful and so notori-
Gus.


The President is incompetent, lazy,
neglectful Of his duties, unable TO com
prehcnd them, and careless about per-
forming them. He appoints men to Of
flee simply because they have made him
presents, or are his relations, or because
some foolish caprice prompts it. He de-
grades the country in the eyes Of all the
world, and stands trembling like cow
ard for fear Of a corrupt and bankrupt
power like Spain. The man who saved
the nation as soldier is covering us with
shame as a President.
Year: 1870

-





The PRESIDENTS (INsURANcE) Policy.
AS we predicted, it has turned out that
the story of the $4,000 insurance policy
for Grant has an ample foundation in
fact The New York Ecening Post
which some days since advanced a sort
Of negative contradiction of the report,
now furnishes the following confirmation
of all that has been rumored:


1t is reported to us, on what we believe
to be trustworthy authority, that there is
this foundation for the report that paid
up life insurance policy for fifty thousand
dollars was to be given to the President
1t is said that General Horace Porter
one of the Presidents secretaries, and
Mr. James Wheeler, his brother-in-law
have been for some time soliciting sub.
scriptions to this end also, that in Phil.
adelphia ten thousand dollars were sub
scribed; and that in this city nearly q
dozen subscriptions were obtained, and
among them that of Collector Grinnell


No policy has yet been issued, and
probably none will be, so it is now said
That is to say, the project does not meet
with favor. We hope this is true. 1t is
not pleasant to be told that such a piece
Of begging originated in the President s
household; and if the story is true, as VIC
have reason to believe it is, General
Grant ought to rid himself of so injudici.
Gus secretary as General Porter, who
evidently does not know how much such
an act as this Injuries the fair fame of the
President.


Gen. Grant deserves well ofthe nation
but it is not fit that subscription papers
should be handed around for him, as
though he were pauper; and everybody
understands that Of the persons who put
their names on such subscription papers
for men in high political place, at least a
part are moved by selfish considerations,
and arc pretty sure to get their money
back.


We leave the admirers Of the Presi-
dent to digest this at their leisure, mere
ly remarking that General Porter is evil
dently not the "injudicious secretary
the Post takes him for' lie knows the
character Of his master better than out
sidcrs can, and "moved by selfish con
sideratons." no doubt, invested in n lit
tie enterprise which he had good reason
to expect would be remuneratvc. If il
shall fall through, and the loyal Office
holders get their money back, it will not
be because Of Grants aversion TO such
movements in his pccuaiary behalf. That
is ccrtain.-Bggaio " Y } Courier,
Year: 1870

ES- Hon. ID. W. Voorhees,. in speech
made at indianapolis lately, while speak
ing of the funding bill now being advo-
Gated by the Radical party, and which 10
about to become law, said: During
these forty years in which the bonds arc
to run, the nation will pay an interest on
the five per cent. bonds Of eight hundred
millions; on the four and half per cent.
bonds, seven hundred and twenty mill
ions; on the four per cent. bonds, six
hundred and forty millions. making in
all, rs interest alone, two thousand ono
hundred and sixty millions in gold, being
more than the entire debt is at this hour,
and nine hundred and sixty millions moro
than the entire amount funded, and still
not one dollar Of the principal paid, nor
the original debt diminished single
farthing. And this is the wise policy Of
fered to the people as a measure ofrelief.
That is al I"
Year: 1870

A nice little game has been stopped in the
New York Custom House. Some of the men
have been accustomed to wear stomach
csnteens," fitting about the body under the
coat. into which they would symptom off
liquor from casks unloading, carry it away,
empty it safely, and return.
Year: 1870

In the Mordaunt divorce case Lord Pen
zsnce has consented TO hear in full the bench
argument on the right of Sir Charles to
proceed with the case, notwithstanding the
decision as to Lady MordauLt's insanity.
Year: 1870

P~nchinello gives the following version of
the "Bill to Enforce the 18th Amendment
and the remarks of Radical Senators:


l. That any person of darker color than
chrome yellow shall hereafter be entitled to
vote to any extent at any election, without
reference to age, sex. or previous condition,
anything anywhere to the contrary notwith.
standing.


2. That any person who says that any such
person ought not to vote shall be punished by
fine to the extent of his possessions, and shall
be anathema


3. That any person who shall, with intent to
prevent the voting of any such person, strike
such person upon the nose, eye, mouth, or
other feature, within one mile of any place OF
voting, within one week of any day of voting,
shall be punishable by fine to the extent OF
twice his possessions, and shall be disentitled
to vote forever after. Moreover he shall be
anathema.


d. That any person who shall advise any
other person to question the right of any per-
son of the hue hereinbefore specified to vote,
or to do any other act whatsoever, shall be
punishable by fine to the extent of three times
his possessions, and shall be anathema.


5. That oil the fines collected under this act
shall be expended upon the endowment OF
"The Society for Securing the Pursuit of Hap
piness to American Citizens of African De.
scent" And if any person shall call in ques.
tion the justice of such disposition of such
fines, he shall be punishable by fine to the ex.
tent of four times his possessions, and shall be
anathema.


Mr.. Wilson objected to anathema. He said
nobody in the Senate but Sumner knew what
it meant Besides, it was borrowed from the
syllabus of degraded superstition. He moved
to- substitute the simple and ineligible ex-
preston "Hebedam."


The Senate settled their little dispute about
who was entitled to medal for coming first
to the defence of the Capital. They decided
to give medals to everybody. Mr.. Cameron
was satisfied. If the Senate only medalled
enough, that was all he asked. There were
about five thousand wavering votes in his dis.
trict, whom he thought he could fix, if he could
give them medal apiece.


Dir. Conklin said he would like to medal some
men. But he did not like such meddlesome
men as Cameron.


Mr.. Drake moved to deprive anybody in Mis-.
souri, who differed from him in politics Of prac
ticing any profession. He said that many O
the citizens of that State were ncarnate de
mons-so much so that when they had an i'm
portant law case they would rather intrust il
To somebody else than himself Was this right
He asked the Senate to protect him as native
industry
Year: 1870

MONTANA PENITENTIARY.-From the Deer
Lodge (Montana) Independent we learn that
the corner stone of the Montana Penitentiary
was laid with appropriate ceremonies on June
I'd. Various documents including late num-
bers of the Independent and Ne,c North


Vest, papers were deposited in the cavity, in
the rock, and in addition to these documents,
several greenbacks and coins of different kinds,
and an eight ounce vial of Bourbon Whiskey
Theoretically sealed, was also deposited along
with the other articles We should think the
corner store would be the first place selected
bv convict to bore his way out ut, if they are
stuffed with greenbacks, coin and whiskey as
the one described by our Montana neighbor.
Year: 1870

AS will be seen by official Notice
elsewhere in this paper, the election
in Knoxville Township on the Rail-
road Tax question is called for the
10th OF next month. Nobody has
the slightest doubt of the result.
Old Knoxville Township will come
up to the mark even better than two
years ago. There is no need Of any
further argument here. We have
seen and felt the need of Railroad
too long ard szdesply to~ssed~-a ~-asy
more urging now. Put yourselves
on the record, gentlemen, that this
time you voted in favor of the Tax.
Let us roll up such a majority as
shall be a bright example and slim
uIus to all the other Townships along
the line.