smithclay/nortonstories huggingface dataset:
Year: 1876

The more the evidence in relation to the
the more we are convinced that in all re-
spects this gallant and gifted officer did his
duty It is clear that he was sent of on an in
dependent command-that his duty was to
find the Indians. If he saw no evidence of
their presence he was to return to the point
of junction agreed upon with Terry If he
did find the Indians it was his duty to fol-
low up the trail and attack them. This is
shown by the censurc visited upon Major
Reno by General Terry for not pursuing
the trail which he found, and which led to
the scene of the subsequent massacre We
see nothing either in the orders of Terry to
Custer or in the correspondence which we
have published direct from the expedition,
and which reflected the intentions and the
opinions Of Custer and his command, to
show that it was the purpose of Terry to
simply reconnoitre the Indians. This is
what Reno did. and for doing this Terry
censured him. Custer was sent with orders
to fight, and these orders he obeyed.


Let us suppose that Custer had discovered
the TRAIL had advanced to where he could
see tho Indian village and had returned to
the rendezvous to wait for Terrys infantry


What would have been the opinion of the
army? Terry might well have said :-"You
have done simply what Reno has done. You
tell me Indians are on the Rosebud, and that
knew. You came back for infantry, and
vor, know TINT my infantry can navar come
within fifty miles of the Indians" General
Sheridan himself would have said the same,
and, much rs he loved and honored Custer,
would never have allowed him to ride at the
head oi another cavalry regiment. IfSheridan
had found this Indian trail, as Custer did,
he would have pursued it. He would have
ridden day and night as Custer rode. If he
had found the village he would have at
tAcked it as Custer did. He would have
Year: 1876

We congratulate Senator Blaine. He will
be an addition to the upper house. He is
one of the best debaters in the party. and he
will be valuable reinforcement to debating
majority which already has Conkling,
Edmunds Morton, Sherman and Logan.
Blaine will make the republican forces in
the Senate very strong if he acts with the
party and does not quarrel, as he was dis
posed to do sometimes in the House,
especially when he came across strong man
like Butler. Blaine in the Senate escapes
the House investigation, which was taking
an ugly turn. Upon that he will receive our
warmest congratulation. He will not be
required to give up Mulligan's letters, nor to
answer to the House for contempt in tamper-
ing with n witness and offering him consul
ship if he would leave, and refusing to give
up to the House evidence which was the
property of it's witness. We cannot see
how Blaine could have escaped severe CEN
sure, or perhaps expulsion. If the House
had any regard for it's authority it would
have censured or expelled him. But all of
this he escapes by going into the Senate.
We hope he will recover his health speedily.
He is certainly one of the luckiest men of
the generation.
Year: 1876

We printed yesterday two brief letters, en-
closing subscriptions to the proposed monu-
ment to General Custer, which deserve
special note One is from Cuban giving
twenty-five cents as an ''humble contribu-
tion," while the other encloses ten cents
from "a poor boy, John Keegan." These
two sums, small as they are, show how the
popular heart has been touched by the gal
lantry and devotion of Custer and his men.
We would much rather see monument rep
resenting the mite of the widow and the ten
cents from the poor boy than one directed
by Congress and paid for out of the Treas
ury.


The real value of the monument such rs
we propose in honor of Custer is that it rep
resents nations homage to valorand duty.
In our hard, material age, where all that is
worshipped are money and power, nothing
is more becoming than that we should step
aside from our canvass for the Presidency,
our celebrating the Centennial our stern,
selfish pursuits, to do honor to the chival-
rous soldier and gentleman who rode
into the valley of death. We owe
it to ourselves to commemorate deeds
of this kind. When Cardigan rode into the
Russian batteries with six hundred cavalry
men military critics censured him, and
even Lord Raglan said he had thrown away
his command. But with a splendor far ex-
ceiling the victories at Alma and Inkerman,
with splendor which gains new lustre with
time, the charge of the Light Brigade stands
out in history. No man with English blood
in his veins but recalls it with pride.


If we honor Cardigan for what he did,
how much more should we honor Custer.
If England enshrines the commander of the
Light Brigade among her heroes how much
more should we enshrine the commander of
the Seventh cavalry. Cardigan's enemy
were the batteries. If he fell it was as a
soldier. If he was captured or wounded
he was sure of humane, tender care.
Clusters enemy were savages, who knew
no mercy, who neither gave nor re-
ceived quarter, who tortured their
captives with every refinement of savage
cruelty. When Custer rode into that
Indian village, "the largest on the CONT
nent," as he exclaimed exultingly when his
brave eyes first saw the tent-covered plain,
and he gave the order to charge, he knew
the terrible alternative. He knew that he
must either win or die


What more fitting task in this Centennial
year than to honor such deed. Let us say
what we will about the degradation Of the
national character, and our Centennial prod
uct being corruption and national deca-
dence, the charge Of Custer is an answer to it
all. 1t shows that manhood and valor. self
denial and absolute conservation to duty,
even at the sacrifice of life, oil remain with
us. These are the qualities we honor in this
achievement of Custer Because we honor
them, because we would have them ever an
example to our children, as was the example
of Leonidas to the sons Of Sparta, we trust
that the people will build noble monu-
ment to his fame.
Year: 1876

The Governor and the Committee.


The speech of Governor Tilden to the DEM
ocratic committee was discreet and in much
company at Albany. There was touch of
pathos in the suggestion that if elected
President he would 60 into the White House
with that feeling of conservation which q
soldier feels when going into a battle. It
was cheering speech, and shows that the
black flag policy is to be carried on to the
end. Uncle Sammy means to give his op-
ponents no quarter, and his opinions are
echoed by Mr.. Dorsheimer and Mr.. Hewitt


The fact that the Governor avoided any
other theme but reform shows that we are to
have a canvass upon one issue, if such
a thing is possible. There were many ques-
tions upon which we should have been glad
to have heard from Mr.. Tilden. He is so
keen q master of phrase and knows so well
how to shade an opinion that we are sur
prised he missed his opportunity. There
was the question of one term-the question
which threw upon the republican party the
issue Of C@sarism and defeated it last year.
The Governor might have complimented
Hayes upon his manly avowal that he would
not run for q second term, and, giving the
country a similar assurance, withdraw that
issue from our politics. Perhaps he in
tends to do so in his letter. Should he fail
to do 80 he will ALLEVIATE large body Of re-
formers who think that the eligibility of
Presidents TO reelection is one of the pri-
mary evils of our government.


An assurance on civil service reform would
have come with good grace from the Gov
ernor We understand the difficulties which
would surround this theme in addressing
members of House which had shown its
appreciation of this reform by dismissing
the oldest and best servants, and in the
presence of Mayor Wickham, who represents
an organization which compels every laborer
on the boulevards to vote right or starve.
But even at the risk of offending the demo-
cratic House and the democratic Tammany
Hall tho Governor should have taken
ground on this subject, and should have
said that he would restore the Jeffersonian
example to public life and remove no man
from office who does not forfeit his place by
misbehavior. Perhaps the Governor re-
serves this declaration for his letter. These
are points upon which the country will expect
to hear from Governor Tilden. Reform" in
the abstract is o good cry, but it is very
abstract issue. The Governor can do his
canvass great good by explaining precisely
what he means by reform, and how he is to
carry out his plans.
Year: 1876

Let - LOOK AAtcr tno SOh8rosso.s


The declarations of Tilden for reform and
of Hayes for civil service are gratifying. They
show that whatever may be the result of the
election we should have a man Of honor in
promised. But let us remember all the
time that any President is helpless unless he
has the support of Congress. We see how
President Grant, who certainly went into
the White House with the best intentions,
was compelled to abandon his civil service
idea. He found himself confronted by
cabal of Senators who demanded their share
of the patronage, and under the pressure OF
this demand the President yielded. There
will be members and Senators of the same
kind in the next Congress. We know the
republicans We have the evidence of Fitz-
hugh. the late doorkeeper OF the House, as
to what the democrats would be apt to do.
If Tilden were President he would be asked
for fifty thousand places, and it would dis
turb the harmony of the party if he answered
the demand by copies of his letter OF accept
ance and the st. Louis platform.


The way to clinch this business is to see
that the reforms are enforced in the repre-
sentative Districts. Let the district conven-
tions of both parties put their nominees on
the record. Let them exact a pledge that as
members they will not attempt to unduly
influence the mind of the President in ths
disposal of patronage. This is the only
way to insure this reform. We may elect
second George Washington for President
and yet unless the Senate and the House
unite with him there will be no genuine re-
FORM Therefore we urge upon honest men,
of both parties, the wisdom of looking
CLOSELY to the districts.
Year: 1876

If DIsRAE1I is really directing personally
The foreign affairs of England we suppose
that Earl Derby's retention of his place in
the Cabinet means that he has nothing bet
ter to offer, and that Ministerial breakup
would be fatal to the interests of the con-
servative party in England jus. now. The
defeat of the Servians would justify Disraeli
in all he has done, and render the coming
attack of Gladstone and company ridiculous,
for there is nothing in this world so success
full as success
Year: 1876

Centennial Dix and Governor Tilden.


If our readers suppose that our venerable
and illustrious friend Centennial Dix is in
sensible to current events, let them read his
letter on Tlden, which we published yester-
day. When the weather became warm the
old statesman AMI warrior, instead of loafing
around the city looking after delegates as
candidate for the Presidency, purchased an
enormous quantity of ammunition, cleaned
his weapons and started down to his sum
mer home, ''Seafeld, West Hampton" on
the Atlantic shore, to shoot ducks The old
warrior has had wonderful success. Our
correspondents write that such shooting has
never been known. We are glad of this, as
the General is one of the saints of the earth,
one Of the few who, as even Tilden will admit,
have not yet gone to the devil. When not
studying the wide horizon for ducks the
Governor studies the canvass. He sends a
line shot into Uncle Sammy 'It will enable
us to demonstrate by indisputable facts that
the government, for the chief Office in which
he has been nominated, would not now exist
if his example during the rebellion had been
followed by his countrymen." We might
answer this by saying that no doubt the
heart Of Tilden was as true to the Union as
that of Dix; but we do not dare to interfere
between the veteran sportsmen. We are
glad to find Centennial Dix in such good
trim, and no prompt and unerring in his
aims, whether at flying ducks or running
cau1;Jofac
Year: 1876

been justified in doing SO by every law of
Indian warfare.


The attempt, then, to blacken the memory
of this most gallant and lamented officer is
unworthy. The crime of this massacre does
not fall upon Custer. The more the evil
dence is developed the clearer it appears
that he was sent out to do his duty and died
in the effort. If we wish to censure the real
criminals let us push our inquiries in other
directions. Why did our military chiefs
underrate the Sioux? Why, with all of our
intercourse with the Indian tribes, did we
not know the possible strength of the Sioux? !?
Why, if we knew that strength, did we not
send men enough to overmaster it If Grant
knew enough to find out the force of Lee, to
organize armies to beat him and to wait until
he had his armies in hand and ready, why
did he not know enough to do the same with
Sitting Bull? If Custer was too weak
without the support of Terry and Glib
bon why was he sent away from
them on an errand where they could
met the Indians at any time? He was sent
OH with fifteen days ratlons, which alone
shows that the theory of the infantry support
is untenable. And why, we may also ask, did
Reno take to the bluffs, and not make an at
tempt to relieve Custer, or to so manGuvre
with the Indians that they could all have
moved into the hills together and there
waited in body defending themselves until
relief came, as it did come? Reno is gal
liant officer and has never failed, and no
doubt he will be only too glad to answer
question which all the world is asking.


1t is disgraceful to throw the blame of this
most lamentable disaster upon Custer. The
memory of that officer comes out of the
ordeal stainless. He did his duty. He died
in doing it. The sacrifice does not lie with
him; others are responsible, and upon others,
sooner or later, the terrible responsibility
must fall
Year: 1876

The subscriptions to the monument
to Custer, received by the HERALD,
amount to 50, 1869 05. Mr.. Henry Hilton
sends q check for one thousand dol.
lars, in order that "the heroism oi
the gallant General Custer and his brave
comrades should be recorded upon some
thing more enduring than mere memory"
A New Jersey boy sends two dollars, and
poor entry clerk contributes ten cents.
These subscriptions show the popular wide
spread feeling in favor of commemorating
one Of the noblest deeds in the annals Of
the Republic. The way to do this work and
to make it national and representative is for
every town and village to form Custer
Monument Association. Let every one,
rich and poor, give as he may in behalf Of
the work. and then we can decide in what
way it can best be applied The main point
now is to honor in an enduring form the
valor and self-denial of our brave soldiers
and Of the gifted man who led them. The
spirit which animates the gifts of Judge Hill
ton and the others whose contributions we
to-day acknowledge is the spirit which
will stimulate high effort and noble per-
formance of duty and in doing so add new
glory to the American character.
Year: 1876

The LONG BRANCH RACES continue to
attract many visitors to that charming sea-
side retreat. Yesterday the weather proved
extremely favorable and the track was in
ine condition. -Four good races were run,
and the winners had to earn the victory by
gSod speed in each case.
Year: 1876

The REPUBLICAN MEETING at Cooper Insti-
tute last night if not rally was at least
ratification. man must necessarily be q
good republican who would attend such a
meeting at all on such night, with the
thermometer outside at eighty-nine and
the heat inside above n hundred. The
vice presidents who allowed the use
of their names on this occasion are
to be excused for staying away, and
the brave men who were present and
listened to the speeches made martyrs
Of themselves for the cause. 1t would
be a mistake to regard such a meeting on
vuch night as a failure, and the multitude
present. though not as large MS is usually
the case on like occasions, exhibited rare
courage and devotion. The speeches were
made by Mr.. L. W. Stoughton, Ex-Governor
Bnlomon and General Fitzpatrick, and are
reported in the HERALD this morning.
Year: 1876

WE ARE INFORMED that the friends Of the
second Washington, who is now about to
retire into private life, are incensed because
Hayes made no allusion to the great soldier
statesman in his letter Of acceptance. 1t is
odd that the Governor should have forgotten
this small courtesy, and as the President is
not man to submit to sights he may take
his own way of showing how he feels. He is
certainly doing all he can to show the
republican party that he cares no more for
it's candidates now than he did twenty years
ago, when he was democrat. It shows the
depths into which an administration has
fallen when the candidate of the same party
has no appreciation and shows that he has
no desire to be burdened with it. However,
Hayes does not think it worth his while to
write about him that he has had in the past
week letters from the Emperors of Germany
and Russia and the King of Italy-all calling
him their great and good friend.


The WAR IN TURKEY.-Out of the multi
tude of contradictory dispatches from the
seat of war in Turkey it is difficult to gain o
clear idea of the position of the contending
forces, but this much is apparent-namely,
that the Turks have checked the Servian ad-
vance, and the next important battle which
Tchernayeff will fight will decide whether
the Servians are to retire finally behind their
frontier or to continue to struggle for an adj
vance in the face of growing odds. The
Montenegrins, who make better soldiers
than the Servians, have lately been giving
some account of themselves.
Year: 1876

+ 1t was during fine evening in April
= that a number of men could have been
seen making their way down the San
Joaquin in one of those primitive vehi-
cles of navigation commonly called
"flat-boats.


The tortuous windings of the river
kept three of their number busy in keep
ing the boat in the current, while the
remainder of the company were gath
cred about an individual who was en-
tertaining them with rustic airs upon a
violin.


The steersman, tall, athletic speci-
men of manhood, was devoting all his
energies to shooting sharp turn in the
river. when his eye fell upon dark OBJ
ject which appeared in the meadow at
distance on the right.


b "It can't be blue heron watching
for gophers,' he muttered; "it's too
large. An I'm blessed" he said, after
taking keener look, If don't think
it's man. If it is, what fetched him
out in this lonesome cOuntry?"


Calling the others to him they looked
in turn, and the steersman's surmise
was pronounced correct. The wonder
fully clear atmosphere permitted them
to see that it was man standing mo-
tionless, and with his face turned to-
wards them.


The boat glided under bank of tall
reeds, and when they emerged from the
shadow of the waving screen and came
in full view'of the object they put the
boat in towards the bank and hailed
him.


i At first the motionless figure did not
seem to hear, but stood as though alb
1 sorbed in thought. When again the
vigorous hail was borne down on the
! breeze the figure started, and, raising
his hand in answer, strobe rapidly to-
q wards them.


i The men on the boat watched the ap-
preaching figure, the breeze blowing
out his long grizzly hair and playing
with the brim of the large soft hat. Be-


hind him came small animal which,
when they came nearer, the men per-
I Nceiyed to be dog.
Hs There were various speculations as to
the character of the stranger.
,s,,a, Sluice robber, an been druv out O
camp" said one.


Gambler out o. luck" said another


Left his conscience at Cape Horn,


and is livinl on his wis., said third
f BY this time the strange pair had
4 reached the river bank. The man al
s the bow extended his hand and drew
ri the newcomer ON board. The dog es.
q ssayed to follow his master, but in leap
M ing struck the gunwale and fell into the
' water.
With cry the stranger was about te
4 spring in to rescue the cur, when {
9 muscular arm was interposed. Tht
y steersman headed the boat for the banl
the strong current had swep


tnem out--and coming up with the ami
j. mai he was drawn on board. The mai


clasped the dripping creature to hi


oreast and sank down on the deck a


though he was about to faint.
Year: 1876

A singular railway decision was
rendered in an English court a fort
night ago. A gentleman named Ha-
mer sued the Lancashire and York
shire Railway Company to recover
Is. cd. expenses incurred by him
owing to the unpunctuality of the
train. The plaintiff set out from
Blackpool on September 7th by a
train which arrived at Manchester a
few minutes before IL o'clock, in
stead of 10 :l5-the advertised time
He missed connection with the fas,
train from Oxford Road Station, and
took a cab for Stretford, walking
thence to Ashton-on- Mersey. lie
claimed from the company the cab
fare from Victoria Station to STREET
ford. 1t was urged that the delay OF
the train arose in consequence OF
there being too many passengers, and
moreover that there was no special
contract in the case. The Judge held
that the company was bound DO their
time tables, uuless they could show a
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS for the non perform
ance of their contract. Here there
was no excuse, such as the breakdown
of an engine or truck getting across
the track. AS regarded the number
passengers, the company should have
put on an additional train, or have
done something to enable them to
keep their contract with the public
Judgment was, therefore, rendered
for the plaintiff with costs, the Judge
adding that had he been the plaintiff.
he should have certainly taken a
cab all the way to his home instead OF
to Stretford.
Year: 1876

Frost has kept away longer than
usual this fall. and orchardists and
gardeners have had a fine opportuni-
ty for harvesting their crops of fruit
and vegetables. If any of them are
caught by the approaching frost
there will not be much sympathy for
the losses. Apples are plenty and
cheap this year, but they should not
be allowed to go to loss on this ac-
count. Long keeping varieties should
be carefully stored for market or do
mestic use in winter and spring. and
fall fruit may be dried or ground for
cider. Wormy fruit should be picked
out and laid by in she'd for feeding
hogs or milch cows. Anything is bet
ter than to leave the fruit on the trees
or under the trees to be DESTROYED by
frost. The markets are glutted with
apples at present, but when cold
weather sets in the supply will be
greatly diminished. Good fruit may
be held over as long rs it viii keep,
with a fair prospect of remanera-
ting the owner.