Daily constitutionalist. (Augusta, Ga.) 1846-1851, July 23, 1847, Image 2

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THE CONSTITUTIONALIST. JAMES GARDNER. JR. ' TBEB3S, Daily, per amiffm 00 Tri-Weekly, per annum *...G 00 If paidin adfbaces... 5 OO Weekly, pelr It paid ip advance. *. t .. 2SO To Clubs, COPIES arc sent. put <rtfr Weekly jhi per in the reach of new subgcrib|l?S lit TWO DOLLARS*A YEAR. who will pay up arrearages, and send four ne w subscribers, with the moneys can get the papei»at (TTAII new subscriptions must be f>aid|in ad vance. [pj- 1 Postage nrust be paid on all comianmcations and letters of.Business. ® r * The incarnation Prisoners. The Nevy Orleans Delta of the Itoh inst. contained a detailed account of tod' sufferings i experienced unfortunate men,'up to the |he escape of Capt. Ifeirie/ with which our readers were some time a/o made i acquainted, tlirough that gentleman. The Delta ofthc 17th, contains an accouSMf their sufferings since his escape, as follows M After the escape of Capt. Henrie thWpmou ers wore closely guarded, and proceeded on their journey to Son Luis. They had not gone far before they met Gen. Santa Anna on his way to Agna Nueva to attack Gen. Taylor. The General was in a large and showy carriage drawn by six beautiful mules, and escorted by a battalion of hussars most splendidly uni formed and mounted. As the prisoners pass ed, his carriage was stopped, the hussars drew up, and at the request of Santa Anna, Major Gaines was introduced to him. The wily Mexican was all smiles and courtly grace. He expressed his regret to find the Major and his party in their unfortunate situation, but prom ised them the most kindly treatment, and hoped that they would soon be exchanged and would be able to rejoin their friends. The manners of the Mexican General were certain ly very fine and prepossessing, but the pris oners would have been better satisfied with some more substantial proof of his kindly dis position. The contrast between the prisoners 1 and the magnificent retinue of Santa Anna formed a picture which would have taxed the highest powers of a Martin or a David. Th< ill-clad, ragged, unarmed prisoners, with their stalwart frames and bold and manly countc- I nances, without shoes or hats, and many witt out coats, but wrapped in their blankets, Indi an fashion, stood with erect and uuawed front before the array of the elegantly accoutred and well armed hussars, mounted on choict steeds with their long spears and heavy sabres. In deed there was not one of these proud but unfortunate representatives of the Anglo- American race, who would not have given all his prospects in life to have had one chance with his unerring ride and deadly bowie knife against the serried ranks of these bedizzened and bcwluskered hussars. But this interview was soon terminated, and Santa Anna and his retinue resumed their journey, and proceeded onward with great rapidity. The prisoners passed for several days large bodies of Mexican soldiery, who seemed to be pushing on- towards the Sierra Madre with great rapidity. They were in fine condition, well equipped and supplied with all the neces sary supplies. As they passed the prisoners, many of the soldiers would insult them by gestures, indicating that their throats wore to i be cut, or they were to be hung up ! The on ly reply our boys made to these cowardly jeers was a very significant gyratory movement of the right thumb applied to the apex of their nasal appendage, and a hint that Old Zack would give them a dose which would make them laugh on the other side of their faces. At night, the prisoners would encamp with some of the divisions of the Mexican* army, and from the soldiers they learned what wore Santa Anna’s designs. Ho had intercepted, they said, letters of Gen. Scott, showing that Gen. Taylor’s army was reduced to a few thousand ill-disciplined troops, and that the whole valley of the Rio Grande was without an adequate force to protect it. Santa Anna had determined to push on, annihilate Tay lor, recapture Saltillo, Monterey, Coniargo, and the whole valley of tho Kio Grande, possess himself of the immense supplies of our army, then push on to Corpus Christi, and thence proceed to the valley of the Mississippi and lay waste that whole vast country. Certainly this design was worthy of the Napoleon of the West. It was very wrong in Old Zack to in terfere with such a magnificent scheme. He should have allowed the Mexicans to come over here, when we could have caught them all alive and put them to some more useful and profitable undertaking than fighting A mericans. Clearing our swamps would be a much easier and more beneficial employment for Mexicans than fighting such battles as those of Buena Vista and Cerro Gordo. Such, however, were the confident expecta tions of the Mexicans, of the officers, even those of intelligence and information, as well cs of the common soldiers. No wonder with such hopes that they marched so rapidly, and bore so patiently the many trials and sufferings to which they were subjected in this unparal leled march. In the rear of tho Mexican army, the pri soners met Capt. Riley, with his company of deserters from the American camp. He had already eighty or ninety men, who constitu ted the main artillery force of the army., and said he w'as picking up more every day. He made a great elfort to persuade some of the prisoners to join him, promising them as much land and money as they wanted, and declar ing that it was impossible for Gen. Taylor to resist Santa Anna’s army, which was thirty thousand strong, and that the whole spoil of the valley of the Rio Grande would he devi ded among the troops. It is unnecessary to eay that the traitor’s proposals were received by our gallant volunteers with scorn and con tempt. The prisoners were much gratified to hear, sometime afterwards in the Carcel St. Jago, that Capt. Riley’s company was cut all to pieces, and but twenty ever returned to the city of Mexico. This twenty together with other American deserters, who had escaped from our army at Tampico and Vera Cruz, became so disordely and unruly in their habits, that they were ordered out of the city, and on their way were attacked by a large Mexican force and all put to the sword. On the first of March the prisoners arrived within nine miles of the city of Mexico, when the Colonel in command of the guard received orders to detain them at the place where he was until the revolution, which was then, rag ing in the city, had abated. But the revolu tion continuing longer than was expected, the prisoners were marched into the city on the night of the sth March, and were lodged in the secure prison-fortress of San Jago. * Here they found themselves in the society of all the principal malefactors and convicts of Mexico, and a more rascally, filthy, and villainous set were never before congregated. Their imper tinent and disgusting behaviour soon rendered it necessary that our boys should give them a little deciplining. Several of them were well flogged by the Americans, and quite a feud sprung up in consequence, which, reaching the ears of the good natured, pot-bellied old | Governor, he came down one morning after one of the rows between the convicts and the Americans, and proceeded very deliberately, with many grunts, much perspiration, and* a face full of wisdom and sagacity, to drew a chalk-line across tho floor of the prison, assign ; ing the American one side and the convicts | the other. And as he completed this sage and ingenious sch -me for preserving the peace, the jolly old-fellow chuckled very heartily over his wisdom, and left the prison with a very contented and self-satisfied air. The revolution in the city still continued. — 1 There was a most terrific din of cannon and ! i small arms, drums beating, bugles blowing, 1 | cavalry charging, &c. The prisoners thought, i from the commotion apperent among the people, and from the immense consumption of | gunpowder that seemed to be going on, that a very fierce and destructive battle was raging in the city. Great was their astonishment to hear from an Englishman, who visited them, that it was all sound and fury, signifying noth ing; that the revolutionary parties kept two or three miles apart, and fired their guns at ran lorn down the streets. No persons wore injured but those who happened to pass along the streets. The little boys would watch the cannon balls as they went booming along the street, and when they were spent, and began to roll slowly, would run and pick them up and sell them to the opposite party. For fifteen days did this fierce revolution rage in the city. The parties would rise early j in the morning, and while it was cool and plea- j sant, would fire away at each other, very com fortably retiring for their coffee and lunch. — ~ In the heat of the day they would suspend operations altogether, but at dark they would begin the battle with great ferocity, and fight the whole night long. Proposals were made by both of the par ties to our prisoners to release them if they would fight on their side. The Mexicans had heard I of the skill of our riflemen, and they believed that it was only necessary for tho prisoners to 1 join either party, to secure its success in tire i strife then going on in the city. But our boys j preferred looking on, like tire old woman in the fight between her husband and the bear, 1 rot caring a copper which whipped. In the midst of the revolution, the first news ! «f the battle of Buena Vista reached the city. There was a great ringing of bells, and much rejoicing on account of the joyful tidings* — i Bad news travels fast, and the prisoners were soon informed by Mexicans of the total rout and capture of Gen. Taylor’s whole army, the death of Gen. Butler, and several of our most distinguished officers. Although but little disposed to rely on Mexican stories there was ! such an air of probability about this report that j the prisoners were forced to give it some cre j deuce, and were overwhelmed with grief and 1 mortification by the disastrous result. But i soon other stories were circulated, conflicting | | statements were given, all tending to throw doubt upon the story of Santa Anna’s splendid triumph. At last the hurried despatcch of the | Mexican General was received, and the notes of rejoicing in the city subsided most percepti bly. A copy of this despatch was thrown down, ! by means of a twine string, from the room where the officers were confined to the main I court yard, where the men were, and was l eagerly and joyously perused by them. It was evident that Gen. Santa Anna had sus- | | tained a decided repulse, and the prisoners , could not restrain their exultation, but gave it i relief in three loud cheers, which startled the I inmates of the prison, and brought the Gover | nor down upon them, in the greatest terror j j and purturbation. On the next day, however, the spirits of the Mexicans were somewhat restored by the ar rival of the trophies of the battle of Angostura. The three little cannon of Lieut. O’Brien, one • of which, by-the-bye, had been captured from I the Mexicans by the Texans, and the colors of the Indiana regiments, together with a few i markers, were brought into the city in a tri ! umphal car, and were rccicvcd with great pa j rade by the people. The whole story, however, of the bloody | ■ fight of Buena Vista Was soon as familiar to i ; the prisoners as a “thrice told tale.” Their j ! only regret was their unfortunate exclusion \ ; from the honors and laurels of that glorious victory. The party of Majors Gaines and Bor- j land had been afterwards joined by that of j ■ Capt. Heady, and also by the party of Lieut. ; Barbour and Quartermaster Smith, who were taken hy Urrea, between Montery and Comar- ; go, making the whole number of American | prisoners in the Carcel one hundred and sev- ; enty. Although the men suffered considerably I from the want of exercise and bad diet, their health was generally good, and but one man I died of their whole number since they were captured. After they had been in prison three 1 months, the prisoners were told that they had I been exchanged and would be sent to Tampico. Their officers, however, were not allowed to see them, but they were told they would join j them in a few days. On the sth of June, the men were supplied with shoes, and in the night they were marched i out of their gloomy prison and through the ! gates of the city. They were then put in charge of a colonel and twenty lancers, and proceeded on their journey towards Tampico. The coun try through which they passed for four or five days was most beautiful, and highly cultivated. The dark foliage of the evergreens, the luscious fruit, the teeming crops, the springs of cool I water, gushing from the mountain side, the myriads of richly colored and variegated birds, | I the delightful variety of mountains and valleys, i rendered the journey of the long imprisoned , Americans one of great interest and pleasure. ; They were wsll treated by the officer who i conducted them, and generally by the people | of tha towns through which they passed, j There are, however, some exceptions to this 1 remark. At the large mining town of Rio del | Monte, the people assaulted the prisoners with j stones, and would have murdered them, if the : j English residents had not interfered and pro tected them. For the generous and humane ; conduct of the English, the prisoners express ; 1 their great gratitude and thankfulness. After i I a long journey of two hundred miles, the ! i prisoners arrived at the town of Huejutla, where they were received very kindly be Gen. Garay, and were allowed twenty-five cents a j day for their support. This money w'as raised by a forced contribution from the people. Gen. I Garay, however, c v d not consider that he was | authorized to send them on to Tampico with out such a guard as he had not then under his command. He was apprehensive that the people near Tampico were so enraged against the Americans, that they would attack them, unarmed as they were, and being a man of honor he did not wish to be connected with j such a disgraceful deed. He therefore de tained the prisoners some weeks, but gifting restless and impatient, several of them escaped out of the town and proceeded on their way to Tampico The five who arrived here in the j Home got safely into Tampico. Four others, j who escaped before them, were retaken and carried back to Huejutla. One of the same | party, and two others of another party, also arrived at Tampico. The five who are now in our city started from Huejutla in the night, armed with their jack-knives and one case | knife among the five. They had to travel chiefly at night, and avoided all the towns and ranches. On one occasion, however, in at tempting to go around a to wn of some size, they . took up a ravine, and suddenly found them- : selves in the very centre of it. They assumed, however, a very easy and in different carriage, and passed by the Guard-house where there ! were several soldiers lounging about. The 1 soldier on guard cried out “who goes there,” , in Spanish, but the men carelessly answering “ amigos , amidos kept on their course and got safely out of the town. Near Tampico, they carac suddenly upon a ranch, where there were fifteen or twenty Mexi cans, all armed with that formidable weapon, the lariat. Seeing that they were noticed, the Americans walked boldly up to the Mexicans and commenced making signs to them of their friendly intentions. The Mexicans looked very threateningly, and seemed to be adjusting their lariats for immediate use, but the Americans showed their knives, and were permitted to proceed on their journey. After many trials and sufferings, the prison ers at last arrived within sight of Tampico. The ecstatic joy which filled their hearts, as they saw the noble banner of our Union, with its broad stripes and bright stars, waving from the lofty flag-staff of Tampico, can be better imagined than described. [ From the N. O. Delta \lth inst] Late from Buena Vista, Saltillo, Iftontc rcy. Sec. M e had the pleasure of a conversation with 1 Dr. Johnston, of Gen. Wool’s staff, who arrived in the Palmetto, evening before last, direct ! from Gens. \\ 00l and Taylor’s camp, having | left Saltillo on the 27th June. Dr. * Johnston has resided a long time among the Mexicans, and when the Avar broke out was living in Durango. He was compelled, however, with all the other Americans residing there* to leave : the place; and proceeded to the city of Mexico. \ After the battle of Monterey, he detennined to j join our army, and accordingly started for | Monterey on horseback. He arrived at that place in January last, and immediately attach ed himself to our army. Dr. Johnston acted as an Aid of Gen. Lane at Buena Vista, and Was severely wounded— having been lanced and sabred, and otherwise so injured as to make his recovery almost a ; miracle. Dr. Johnston reports that Gen-. Wool was encamped on the classic field of Buena Vista, I with a force of 2700 men, consisting of Virginia, Mississippi and North Carolian volunteers, and j Sherman’s, Washington’s and Prentiss’ bat- , teries. Gen. Taylor is still at his favorite old camp- j ing ground, the Walnut Springs, quietly wait ing until the Government furnishes him with j men and means to advance on San Luis. Gen. : Taylor has with him the 16th regiment, Bragg’s ; battery, and two squadrons of dragoons. At Comargo, Geh. Hoppin has about 2000 troops of the new levies-. About the 13th June, Gen. Wool received notice that a force of about 1000 cavalry, under Gen. Avaloa and Minon, had left Matehula, and advanced within sixty miles of Buena Vista. This party constituted the advance of a strong division, which it was | reported by the Mexicans, was about to ad vance from San Luis Potosi, under Gens. Va lencia and Salas. By the last accounts from San Luis, there were but 4000 or 5000 troops there, but Valencia expected to be joined by a strong force from Zacatecas. We think the swarthy General reckons without his host. — The Zacatecanos are a shrewd, sensible people; they are too good democrats, and like and ad mire the Americans too much to take a very active part in the war. We are happy to see that our old friend Mi non lias been liberated from the darance vile into which he was thrown by Santa Anna, on account of that confounded lovc-scnpe at Sal tillo. lie is again at the head of a cavalry force, and whenever the opportuniti offers, he will no doubt accomplish somethin* worthy of the reputation he acquired at Yucatan. The citizens are generally returning to the towns occupied by our troops. In Saltillo and j Monterey nearly all the respectable families j have returned, and everything goes on very ; smoothly and quietly. The people generally are warmly desirous of a peace, and begin to prefer the American Government ;o their own. Especially in the town of ZacaloWt* docs the anti-war feeling prevail to a great extent. At a jhiblic dinner in the town sometime ago, Gen. Taylor and the American army were toasted with applause. The friends of Capt. Tobin will V? pleased to hear that he is doing well, beinj attached to i Gen. Wool’s staff, and having the cordial j friendship and goo d will of all t\e officers of i 1 the army. The gallant captain baa promised a full budget of news from his vaUable knap sack, which we hope to receive ly the next arrival from Brazos. [From the Columbus Times.] ♦ Whig- Trouble. The Marietta Advocate makes ai apt com ment upon the amazing Whig unanimity, vaunted by the lute Whig convention in favor of Gen. Taylor. The convention in making ; the nomination cheerfully “respond to the gen eral spontaneous acclamation of the American people,” &c., Sec. It is a little curious though ; true, that the most serious, indeed the only open and decided hostility to Gen. Taylor’s . success has come from Whigs. JTot many : weeks since we published a couole of columns of extracts from Northern and Western Whig papers, all warmly, and many indecantly abu- | sive of Gen. Taylor. The truth is, that Gen. | Taylor does not please the Whigs as a party.— Ilis intimate association and synvnthy with the war, must estrange him in feeling, how ever the contrary may be affected, to a party I that holds that war to be so shocking to justice and humanity. And it is scarcely possible that a man who refuses to lend himself to “party schemes” can be an agreeable candidate to this “party of schemers.” Certos, a “strict I observer of constitution” cannot be the accep : table candidate of those, all of whose favorite measures find their only basis upon a very loose reading of that instrument. The Whigs then are not so easy and unani mous for Taylor, as they would have the world believe. The true friends of Gen. Taylor in the Un'ted States, are the moderate or no-party men, and the Democrats. The former are wearied with old party lines and party squab bles, and hope for a milennial political peace, that never will, and never ought to come. — For when it does, despotism has set its foot on the neck of the people. The Democrats deep- Iv and warmly sympathize with Gen. Taylor. He is the fortunate soldier of their nurture, i They gave him the brilliant opportunities which he has so brilliantly improved. ' They have followed his banner with straining eyes and I beating breasts at every step of his victorious I progress. When gloom for a season hung round his path, it was the Democrats, who re j fused to give way to the dark progress of de feat and boldly maintained their confidence | that the gallant leader and his gallant men would yet pluck victory from seeming disaster, and hew his way through surrounding foes. , When triumph followed his eagles from field to field, it was the Democrats who most fer vently rejoiced, as Americans, in the glory of the success of a just caxise, and as party i men. that the soldier of their appointment had vindicated the judgment of the President and justified the expectations of the country. Everything indeed, conspired to cause the hearts of American Democrats to lean towards Gen. Taylor. Had they chosen to take him up as their military candidate, victorious in their cause, the hery of their war, who does not see that they could have swept the po v tical board of all-opposition and achieved an easy victory? But, the Democrats were mindful that they j had principles to defend, and measures of policy, now in felicitous operation, to take care of and preserve. They were after some thing higher and nobler than a mere party triumph, and they would not, like the Whigs, I seize upon the succesful soldier, for his avail i ability, and trust to luck and the adroit man- i agement of Messrs, Clay and Crittenden for , his principles. Winch was the honest course? ; which the manly course? We leave it to Gen. 1 Tavlor and the people to decide. But the Whigs worst enemies could not wish them more humiliation and botheration,thorn they reap in their indecent haste to appropriate old Zack. The General himself repudiates their embrace j and scornes such “aid and comfort” as they can offer him. At home, too, there is anything but peace. Tbc Advocate thus enumerates I some of their troubles: “The Whig Central Committee of the State 1 of Ohio has issued resolutions disapproving the nomination of General Taylor for various rea- j sons, and intimates a preference for some other candidate. This is a Whig State, without the aid of which a Whig could hardly be elected j President. We believe that Thomas Corwin, whose patriotic conduct has become a sort of i episod to the history of Buena Vista, is the fa | vorite of Ohio. There is another competitor I out West among the Whigs. Judge McLean has been nominated. The Eastern States, in -1 eluding Massachusetts, which refused even a j vote of thanks to Gen. Taylor, will have a Northern or Western candidate from the free i States. We have said nothing of Mr. Clay, the most consistent Whig of them all, and who is not without adherents. This looks very lit tle like “the general acclamation of the Ame rican people” in favor of General Taylor, and wc submit it to the consideration of those who look with complacency and hone upon “the ! benign influences” of Whigery.” Another Lr+te’*. Taylor Whigery has suffered another shock \ \in a fresh letter from Gen. Taylor. We are I reminded of Clay and Granger—“ D—nit how | he nicks ’em !!” It is to the same effect as I the other. The following emphatic passage I occurs in it: “But I will not be the Candidate of any party or clique, and should the nation at large j ; seek to place me in the chair of the chief ma i gistracy, the good of all parties and the nation al good would be my great and absorbing aim.” Wonder how the “National Whig” and oth er papers feel, who pronounced the “Signal” ! letter a “base loco foco forgery,” and a “slan • dcr” upon Gen. Taylor ? The letter proving genuine, how are they ever to get back their good opinion of the General, and unsay their back-handed compliment to his sense and in j tegrity. The Whig papers are playing a perfect j “Comedy of Errors” about these letters.— : While some apx»rovc of the first, they pro- j nounce the second a “hoax.” The New York ; Mirror, which receives the first, says that the latter “proves that Gen; Taylor has icritten | himself oat." The “Boston Atlas” strikes its gaffs into the ! old hero, for being a “rto-party man”—declares 1 that no partyism is a deception—a misnomer.” 1 The “Boston Courier” copies from the Atlas, and Concludes with this refreshing announce ment to the General. “If General Taylor wishes to be President, he had best say which party he belongs to, without any further nonsensical gabble about be ing the candidate of no party/’ The Hamilton (O.) News, says the Whigs arc guilty of “moral destitution” if they sup port Taylor, simply “because he smells of blood and gunpowder.” It declares that the j whigs must cease “trilHlng,” and bring out a man, who is a whig, and is willing to be called so. The Whig Convention of Georgia, should have had these facts before them, when they penned and passed the “ spontaneous ” pream ble. [From the N. I'. Journal of Commerce.] j The Journal of Commerce, which of course knows better, has fifty times held up the high prices under the present tariff as the result of the Locofoco experiments in political econo- j my. What will the Journal of Commerce say, now that famine, the great ally of Locofocoism, 1 has withdrawn its support from the cause ? Providence Journal. It will say that the whole operation shows i how utterly fallacious is the high tariff doc trine that the foreign market for our bread stuffs, &c., is of little consequence, because the amount exported is but a pittance compared j with the amount consumed at home. This rank heresy in political economy has been ; i scattered to the winds by the experiment of the last few months. Every bodv knows that our j crops last year wore immensely large, and that : without a foreign demand, flour could not have ruled higher than $4 or $44 a barrel. But instead of that, it went up to SO, and over. — What caused it? The demand from abroad, j And what has now caused a decline of more than $3 a barrel ? The prospect of good crops :on the other side. The despised foreign mar- 1 kot, then, is the regulator of our own. It 1 drives our flour up to $9, or lets it drop to half that rate. Even now, the foreign market keeps the home price $1 or sl4 higher than it | otherwise would be. We have never contended, or pretended, that the late extravagant prices of breadstuff were | exclusively the result of the new Tariff. If we have, “fifty times,” as the Providence paper implies, it can doubtless quote a single instance. We have said, and repeat it now, that “Provi dence having withheld its blessings from the people of Europe, Free Trade [not the Tariff of 1846 alone] allows us to reap the advan tages of the calamity;—and allows them to buy food of us, and so to mftigtate the calamity.” All the benefit we have derived from the scar city of breadstuffs in Europe, and all the bene- i fit which Europe has derived from us for the mitigation of the calamity, is the result of Free Trade , more or less complete. Had the same rate of duties advalorom been charged upon breadstuffs in Europe, as was charged upon various articles of European manufacture by the Tariff of 1842, (for the restoration of which wc suppose the Providence Journal is daily and nightly sighing,) not a bushel of bread stuffs could have been sent thither from American ports, unless our own prices had been reduced one-half, or unless the prices in Europe had been doubled. Let this be contradicted if it can be. Os course, upon articles of export from this country, our own Tariff upon imports can have only an indirect effect; though this indirect ef fect may be large. When the Tariff men de precated a reduction of duties on the ground that it would inundate the country with for eign goods, they asserted the only fact wdiich is necessary to prove this indirect effect; for it is a law of trade established by the experience of ages, that facility of payment increases the price of the articles purchased. If we sell only for specie, on- sales must be small, and our prices low. If we buy little, we can expect to sell but little. Very high duties check, if they do not prevent importations; and for the same reason they diminish exports, both in quantity and price. They do it, likewise, or are liable to do it, by reciprocal legislative action. High duties beget high duties in return. In the ap proach towards Free Trade, England generous ly led the way, and breadstuffs were among 1 the articles particularly favored. The duties ( on these articles, on being imported into Eng land, are now little more than nominal, and are soon to bo repealed altogether. Other European nations, partly from necessity, and partly through England’s example, have "adopt - ed a similar course, —at least temporarily. But what assurance had we, that without some cor responding action on our part within a reason able period, England would not return to her old system of high duties? If we had any such assurance, it arose from the fact that Free Trade is good in itself; good, even with ! out reciprocity, though, better with; and that , England would find it so by the experiment. —Fortunately we met her promptly and hand somely in this movement towards freedom, and the result is, a cordial good feeling be tween the two countries as to our commercial (and other) relations, prosperity at home and respect abroad. Instead of having all the Banks broke, and the abomination of desola ! tion set up in our midst, as the tariff men pre dicted, we have money plenty, the Banks in a , perfectly sound condition, public and private | credit good, and every thing else as it ahould be, except and notwithstanding the Mexican war, which it might reasonably have been ex pected would more or less derange the curren cy and distuib the regular course of business. But all this, the Tariff!tes will toll us, is in consequence of the famine. Famine and the Devil, they say, i. e. some of them say, have come to the aid of the Free Traders, and help ed them out off a slough in which they would otherwise have been sw r amped. The Devil, (owing to the partiality of friends,) gets credit for many gone! deeds which he never performed. The Jews ascribe to him the cast ing out of devils, —preferring that he should have the credit of it, rather than the true au thor of the miriclo. So the Protectionists arc ready to ascribe the kindly workings of the new Tariff to any than its intrinsic merits, as an approach to Free Trade principles. Even so they are obliged to admit that it has worked well, and that is more than half of the battle. Augusta, (Georgia. FRIDAY roOENIKTG. JULY 23, 1847. FOR GOVERNOR HOH. 0. W. TOWNS. OF TALBOT. The Wilmot Proviso meets with more favor from Northern Democrats than from Northern Whigs.— Chronicle & Sentinel, July 20. The above assertion made by the Chronicle, we promptly denied, Considering it as we do, grossly unjust to the Democrats —at war with all the facts —contrary to the Whole histo ry of the Proviso—the recorded votes in Con | gress, and the entire tone of the public press in the North. Whoever believed, for a moment, the truth of the above assertion would be mq£t widely led astray. We have so little idea that it will be believed, that we would not even re fer to it again but from respect to the aditor who put forth yesterday morning the follow - | iug lame apology for the assertion. lie dig nifies it by calling it a reason. We believe that Whigs and Democrat; are unanimously iii its favor in the non-slaveljold i ing States. But it originated with Democrats, and we say, it meets with more favor |om them than the Whigs, for the following tea son. They are in favor of acquiring territory fram Mexico for the purpose of making it free. T|ie Northern Whigs are in favor of making it t|ee if acquired, but they are opposed to the acqui sition, because it may endanger the Union. This is tile difference between the Northern Democrats and Northern Whigs on this ques tion; The Democrats are so wedded to the ac quisition Os territory and the Wilmot Proviso, that they go for them at all hazards. The Whigs are willing to give them up for the sake of harmony and peace; If this reason is a specimen of the reasons On which that print feels justified in making broad j assertions on so important a fact as the one a bove alledged to bo true, its assertions must be ] very carefully watched. Its reasons must be, in future, scrupulously called for. Who but the Chronicle would ever have dreamed that | the reason above given proved the assertion made? Who else would expect to sustain the assertion by such proof ? But another assertion is made by the Chroni cle, which says: “It is acknowledged on all hands that the North is unanimous in favor I of excluding slavery from the new territory.” No such thing is acknowledged, “on all hands.” The Northern whigs, and “their allies” the abolitionists,are unanimous on this point. But the Northern democrats are not. A portion I of them are in favor of settling this question on the principles of the Missouri compromise. They were found with the South before on that question, while the Northern whigs and abolitionists were unanimous against the South, as they ever have been and ever will be. We | believe that the following view’ of the case ! taken in a recent letter by “Lowndes,” the ntelligent Washiington correspondent of that able paper the Columbus Times, is much more to be relied upon than that the Chronicle pre . seats, and for much better reasons: It is becoming a general impression among our friends that the Democratic masses of the North are fast repudiating the Wdmot provi so and settling dow a in favor of the Missouri compromise line. I have lately conversed freely with many well informed public men, w’bo know’ the tone of popular sentiment at the North and West, and find them all agree | in the belief that a considerable majority of the Democratic representatives will stand by the compromise. It ■will then depend upon the Southern Whig representatives alone, whether this vexatious question of the exist ence of slavery in territory to be acquired sh all be next winter definitely and peaceably i settled and in a manner satisfactory to the ! South. If they vote with the Southern De mocrats for the compromise, it w 111 be a thing ! done. If, on the other hand, they vote with Giddings and his crew against it, to effect federal ends, as they voted on the Wilmot proviso last winter, we shall have upon us a frightful train of the evil consequences with which the “ally” in New' Hampshire—aboli ! tionism, is so pregnant. The Democrats of the North, with the ex ception of politicians attached to the fortunes | of a single Presidential aspirant, are in fact ; adopting the sentiment of all the speeches de -1 livered by the President on his late Northern tour. “The Union, it must be preserved.”— This is destined to become the rallying cry of the friends of the Missouri compromise line in the next Congress. You will find Gen. Cass, perhaps its leading defender in the Senate, while Messrs. Woodbury and Buchanan, 1 hough not in the National legislature, will probably | give it their emphatic and influential endorse ment. As I remarked, it will remain with the Southern Whig representatives by their votes to secure that line to then constituents. I take it, if they prove untrue to the interests committed to their charge, the subterfuge that | they demand the existence of slavery in all ter ritory to be acquired, will hardly, this time, serve to blind the perception of their constitu ents to the fact that in taking their measures in this connection they act, counsel, and vote ! cheek by jowl with Giddings & Co. But we are not left entirely to speculations on this subject. We can name at least two democratic papers at the North which take open ground in favor of the Missouri compro ‘ misc, and against the Wilmot Proviso. These J are the A. I". Globe, the organ of the New York i City democracy, and the Worcester Palladium a democratic paper in the very heart of i blue-light Massachusetts. This is the ground upon which w r e hope to sec the great democratic party of the North planted. Upon that ground, as of yore, they will rally to the res cue of the South and of the Union. Upon the preservation of that great party depends in an j eminent degree the preservation of the Union. I Could the whig and abolition fanaticism bear sway—the Union would be rent into a thou l sand fragments. The only check which has ever been put upon it has been by the North ■ ern democracy which has in times past steadi ly fought the buttles of the South against the spirit of Northern aggression and fanaticism, both upon thenegro and the Indian questions. When the final test is again applied, we do not despair of finding the Northern democracy again standing by the South for the compro j mises of the constitution—for the Missouri compromise, and in practical hostility to the ( Wilmot Proviso. IWcedag - of Editors in Georgia. The following suggestion of the Savannah i Republican meets wdth our hearty concurrence as to the object in view. But to the time and place wc would offer an amendment. We would beg leave to recommend Stone Moun tain, DeKalb county, as the place, and the 13th of next month as the time. The Agricultural Association will hold a 1 . fair at Stone Mountain on that day, and it is I anticipated that the occasion will be in a high ! degree interesting and the concourse of citi zens very large. It is a point probably more convenient to the editors of the State than either of the others suggested, and independ ent of the business in view, it will afford a most agreeable trip to our brethren of the press. There is not a more attractive spot in the State as regards pure mountain air, and ! splendid scenery. ; This meeting would be preliminary to a j grand Convention of the Editors of all the l Southern cities on the line. Such a Convert - | tion will be found highly expedient. To Our Brethren of the Press. —The ne* eessitv of an Editorial Convention, for the purpose i of making some arrangements for the rate of pay ment for Telegraphic Despatches, has been ac knowledged by our whole fraternity, and it is im portant that prompt action should be had in the premises. If we postpone the consideration of this matter until the Telegraph goes into operation, wc will all of us suffer severely. We therefore suggest the eighth of August as a suitable day for meeting, and Sisk those interested to “pass the word.” The place we leave others to fix. Augusta, Savannah, or MacOn, either will suit us. Augusta Free School. Wc invoke the public attention to the steps taken bj r the Board of Managers of this Insti tution to revive it, and again extend among the children of our less favored fello-tf-citizens* j the blessings of education. It will be pcrceiv | ed that the Board advertize for a male and a ; female teacher, to take charge of the two de partments of the School. We copy the fed* lowing editorial on the subject from the Chron icle, and Unite in the hope that a large majori ty of our tax paying fellow-citizens will cheer fully become members of “The Augusta Free j School Society,” on the terms prescrilw** by j the legislature• | Augusta Free School.— Wc take pleasure in calling attention to the advertisement of the ! managers of this school, by which it will b« | seen that teachers are to be elected for the en ! suing year. By an act of the Legislature, it is I made the duty of the Tax Collector of llich : mond County, in collecting faxes to invite each tax payer to become a member of the “Augusta Free School Society,” and by the payment of one dollar, each subscriber be comes a member for one year* The School has been closed for' want of j funds for several years, and now, by the bber- I ality of the late Augusta Home Industry So i ciety, and the enlightened judgment of the J ns* | tices of our Inferior Court in giving us a por tion of the Poor School Fund of the County* j the Board of Managers have determined to open the School, trusting and believing that they will be supported in their efforts by the Hearty co-operation and aid of our citizens in paying the small annual subscription to the Tax Collector. Wilkes County Hail Hoad Convention. The Savannah Republican of the 21st inst. contains the proceedings of the convention held at Washington on the 15th inst. to take into consideration the expediency of constructs ing a rail road from Washington to the Cen tral Rail Road. Garnett Andrews presided, and J. 11. Snead, was appointed Secretary. After the reports of Committees were receiv ed, the convention was addressed by R. R. Cuylcr, President of the Central Rail Road, A. R. Lawton, Esq. of Savannah, Mr. Thomas of Hancock, and Mr. Toombs of Wilkes. A Committee was then appointed to repre sent the citizens of Wilkes in the approaching Rail Road meeting in Hancock county. Mr. Toombs then offered the following as a convenient and proper form to be used in sub scriptions to the capital stock of the contem plated Rail Road, which was read and adopted: We, the undersigned, promise, each in con sideration of the subscription of the other, to subscribe and pay the suins annexed to our names, respectively, into the capital stock of a ; company, to be formed for the construction of a Rail Road from Washington,in Wilkes coun ty, to some suitable point on the Central Rail Road, with the following conditions and pro visos:— , Ist. That a Charter, for that purpose, can . be obtained from the Legislature. 2d. That the sum of two hundred thousand t dollars be subscribed by persons living North of the Georgia Rail Road, and one hundred f thousand by persons residing between the L Georgia and Central Roads, and the sum of two hundred thousand dollars by the Central Rail Road Company, the citizens of Savannah, ’ and other persons, making a total of five hun . drad thousand dollars. And provided, furthermore, That terms of , union, satisfactory to a majority of the subscri , bers in Wilkes County, can be made with the r Central Rail Road Company, which is to be 5 determined by a majority in interest, of the - before mentioned subscribers. On motion of A. L. Alexander, Esq.— ( Resolved, That a Committee of in each ’ | Militia District of the County, be appointed by , the President, to procure subscriptions of j Stock, from the residents of their respective j Districts. The Hamburg Republican. ||f v ) Wm. M. Bobo, Esq. has retired front the 3 editorial chair of the Hamburg Republican. - The paper will hereafter be conducted by 2 Benj. Baird, Esq.