The Southern watchman. (Athens, Ga.) 1854-1882, June 03, 1874, Image 1
jjY JOHN H. CHRISTY.
DEVOTED TO NEWS, POLITICS, AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION AND GENERAL PROGRESS.
i.OO per Annum, in. advance.
VOLUME XXL
ATHENS, GEORGIA, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1874.
NUMBER 9.
the SOUTHERN WATCHMAN
1TUHSDED EVERY WEDNESDAY.
rvrnrr of Hroad anil I rail Stnrtt, (np-ltaln.)
TERMS.
TWO DOLLARS PER ANNUM,
INVARIABLY IN ADVANCE.
advertising.
\ jvertDoment* will be inserted et ONE DOLLAR
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»n>i SEVENTY-FIVE CENTS per square for
neb continuance, fur any time under one month. For
longer periods, as follows:
r^, A liberal deduetiou on yearly advertisement!.
LEOAL ADVERTISING .
Sheriff’s sales, perlevy of 10 lines J500
• • mortgage sales, #0 day* 4.00
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(iuardians *•**
Citations of Administration or Guardianship 4.00
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To ascertain tbo number of squares in an advertise
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PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS CARDS,
HUAR cons. | A.S. anwis. I noWRLL COBB,JR
raiBB, ERWIN A- COBB,
I; ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
ATIIE.VS, GEORGIA.
Office in the Deuptee Building. Dec21
B A X K RUPTCY.—Samuel P. Thurmond,
Attorncy-nt-Ljiw. Athens. Gt.
O&eton Broad street,over the etorc of Barry A Son,
Wiil give spociel attonlion to eases in Bankruptcy. Al
io, to the collection of all claims entrusted to his car©.
TAMES R. LYLE,
• ) ATTonar.r at Law,
h e ,.-a WATKimVfLLE, OA.
,T
I5 S|
OHX M. MATTHEWS.
Attornet at Law,
Daniolsviilc, Ga.
Prompt Attention will befiveu to any business on*
nt«ii to his care. Marehl4.
XiiLAXllTORR,
Wholesale and Retail Dealers,
and COMMISSION MERCHANTS,
Dupree llall.Rroad St, Athens, Ga
are now prepared to store Cotton at 25 cents per
ind willndvuoce cash when desired. Oct2S.
g^ritultural Department.
U'XtiUSll k CLASSICAL SCHOOL,
J J For Bovs. cor. Wray and Lumpkin sts., Ath
ens, Ha. ap?>—3ia LEE M. LVLK. Prin.
T 11. HUGGINS,
, holosale and Retail Dealer in
DRV GOODS, GROCERIES, HARDWARE. Ac.
fehlft Broad Street, Athens, Ga.
JOHN H. CHRISTY,
tJ Plain ai.d Fancy HOOK AND JOB PRINTER,
Broad St., Athens, Ga.
Office coruer Broad and Wall stroeti, over the store
James D. Pittmrd. tf
PAVILION HOTEL,
JL CHARLESTON, S. C.
This FIRST-CLASS Ilotol is situated in the very
centra of the husiuoaa part of the city, and all
»top there will find every convenience and luxury that
c»n beprocured. Board, per day, $3.00.
H. Hamilton, Supt. Mrs. L. H. Butterfield, )
Doc2’2 tf Proprietree*. J
CUMMEY A NEWTON,
kJ Dealers in
Foreign and Domestic HARDWARE,
JnneV No. 6,Broad street, Athens, Ga.
Q C. DOBBS,
Wholesale and Retail Doaler in
Staple and Fancy DRY GOODS. GROCERIES, Ac.
FebV No. 12 Broad Street, Athens, Ga.
TTiMORY SPEER,
ljJ LAWYER. ATHENS, GA.
As Solicitor General of Western Circuit, will attend
the Courts of Clarke, Walton, Gwinnett, Hall, Banks,
Jackson, Habersham, Franklin, Rabun and White,
and give attention to collecting and other claims in
those counties. March 19, 1873.
K ELIAS, Attorney at Law,
. FRANKLIN. N. C.
Practices in all the Court* of Western North Caro
linn, and in the Federal Courts. Claims collected in
all parts of the State. aplfi—ly
Eli
I’ARD R. HARDEN,
(LatosludgeU. S. Courts Nebraska andlltah,
aud now Judge of Brooks County Court)
Attorney at Law,
uly23 ly Quitman, Brooke County, Ga.
T P. O’KELLEY’S
U , PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY,
Over Williams’ Shoe atore, Broad street, Athens,
Georgia. aep3,
B f. camp,
. Attorney at Law,
CARNESVILLE. GA.
Will giv> prompt Attention to nil business entrusted
Whim. Ue will Attend the Courts of llAbersham,
F.stkliu snd Hnil. sep!7—ly.
c. ritrLCS. E. P. BOWILL.
PEEPLES & HOWELL,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
30 and 23, Kimball House,
ATLANTA, GA.
P RACTICE in the Ststeand Federal Courts, and
attend regularly all theCourts in Atlanta, includ
ing tho Supreme Court of the State, and will argue
rate, upon briafs for absent parties, on reasonable
terms.
They also practice in the Courts of the counties con
tiguous or accessible to Atlanta by Railroad, sepll
M.W.BIDEN,
ATTORNEY AT LAW,
U. s. Claim Apt and Notary Pntilic
GAIXESVILLB, GEORGIA.
*#* Office on Wilson street, lelow King A Bro’s,
February 18, 1873.
For the Southern Watchman.
The Stock Law—Freemen of Georgia, Arouse!
It is recorded in Sacred Writ that man was
made upright, bnt they have sought out maDy
inventions. These words have never been
more fully verified, in any ot tho affairs of go
vernment, than in the passage of a bill known
as tho contemplated stock law, as it cannot
becomo a law until it receives the sanction of
the people. There has been as yet very little
publishedon this subject which hasoomo within
tbe knowledge of the writer, bnt nearly all he
has seen offered to tbe public, seems to favor
tbe law. In tbe remarks which I may make,
I mean no disrespect to those who may differ
with me in opinion; but I must say, in all can
dor, that in my honest opinion, it is the most
provoking attack on tbe liberties of tbe com
munity at large, that has ever come np before
tho public in the form of a law.
In the first place, I shall address those who
are advocating tho law and seeking its enforce
ment, for what they believe to be their own
individual interest, without regard to the well
being of the peoplo at largo. I design to show
that the law is oppressivo aud unjust, and
would seriously injuro the great bulk of the
community, without beueficiug to a great ex
tent oven those who are its strongest advo
cates.
It is a settled principle of Republican Go
vernments, that all laws should be founded in
justice aud equality, aud any law which may
be passed for the exclusive benefit of one class
of the people, to tho utter ruiu of the other,
must be unrighteous aud unjust. I contend
that this law is intended to profit tbo free-
bolder alone, and can in no respect benefit
those who aro not. This is as plain as tho
nose on a man’s face, and I challenge my op
pouents for successful contradiction. Show
mo a person owniug no land that will be ben
efited by this act, and I will show you a leaf
that the breeze nover shook. When the Au
thor of naturo formed tbe earth from chaos,
aud created man andanima'.s and placed them
upon it, it is plain that ilo intended the earth
at large as a pasture for animals, aud to them
lie gavo every greeu herb for meat. It has
been discovered by botanists, that each class
of animals have their peculiar diet in the vege
table kingdom. Tho herbs which are eateD
by some, others wifi not touch. The horse,
the cow and the sheep all differ in taste, some
taking tbo refuse of others. The goat, it seems,
takes tho refuse of all. This proves that the
mountains and valleys, the hills and tho wide-
extended plains, were designed by the all-wise
Creator as a pasture at large, which they have
continued to eqjoy up to tbe present time, only
during the time that Noah had them penned
up in the ark. Is it not passing strange that
al'tor a lapse of more than six thousand years,
during which time tbe custom of stock run
ning at large has been handed down from geu
oration to genoratioD, some have become so
wise and sensitive as to discover that it is
wrong—even roguish—for stock to bite a bunch
of grass on laud other than that of their own
ers. What preposterous folly ! Can auy man
prove that a dime has ever been taken from
bis pocket by slock running on his land, out
side of bis enclosures? If this can bo proven
I would like to bear the argument. I think it
is only used as a pretext. It is said by some
that stock running on land is an injury to it,
by treadiug the soil. I admit that a number
of stock turned into an enclosdre wiil injure it
for a time, by treading the soil too much, and
for this reason: the pasture land must go up
if all tbe stock are to bo turned upon it. Very
soon it will become worthless and unfit for
vegetation, and the pastures must be changed.
As to the treading outside, it is but compara
tively little, owing to tbe vast quantity of land
over which they ramble, and uever will effect
any perceivable injury to it. Who would have
thought, that after so many ages of stock pas
taring on tbe broad earth, such a plea as this
would have been offered f Truly, ‘ man was
made upright, but they have sought out maDy
inventions.’
I will now refer to tho origin of the alleged
necessity of the law, and some may tbiuk it
remote from the subject, but I think I shall be
able to show that it originated in the cause to
which I allude. It is well known by all ob
servers, that tbe practice of most farmers in
tbe middle counties of Georgia, for many years
past, has been by no means calculated to save
tbo woodland or improve the soil. Farming
operations havo been conducted on the ex
hausting system. The general effort was to
cut down the land as rapidly as possible, in
order to make cotton, to get money, to buy ne
groes, to make more cotton, to bay more ne
groes. This was the state of things in Middle
Georgia for the last sixty years, perhaps, pre
vious to tbe war. It may be said, that it was
tbeir privilege so to do. Who doubts it f But
men often abuse their privileges to their own
hurt, and this is ono of the eases. Now, if the
consequences should stop there, nobody cares
bow soon they may have worn out tbe land,
nor how the proceeds were disposed of; but
unfortunately for poor men and women of tbe
present day, who do not happen to ha bond
holders, the effects are beginning to tell sadly
on tbeir rights. The law is not yet in farce ;
still, they suffer in anticipation of the coming] 1
Aalnmitv.
JOBS B. KSTRS. MADISON BELL.
ESTES BELL,
ATTORNEYS AT LAW,
GA JNESVJLLE GEORGIA.
ILL praetic in tfie eoua ties computing tbe West-
*’ urn Circuit, end Dawson and Forsyth counties
of the Blqe Rji]ge Cironit. They will also practice in
the Supreu.e Court of Georgia, and in the United States
Court at Atlanta. mrnyU
A. A, EDGE,
Boot, Shoe and Harness
MAKER,
sprint—iy WATKINSVILLE, GA
JAS. L. LONG, M. D.
Surgeon, Accoucheur aud Physician,
(Office at Mr. Thomae Shea Is’ Store,)
Ggoq Hope District, Walton co., Ga,
(jfferr his professional services totheeilisens of the
iHtfolindtog country. *pg27
Livery, Feed & Sale Stable,
ATHENS, GEORGIA.
®ANN & HEAVES, PROPRIETORS,
WJLL Wound at their old etsnd, rear Franklin
Housebuilding, Thom,a street. Keep nlwsye
"s, * 00 ^ T*rn-o«ts and earefnl driver*.
5. c* well eared for when entrusted to oar onre.
htook on hand for tale at all times. dec2S—tf
WALTON HOTEL,
MONHOE, GA.
Iwould i©spectrally infora travelers
of ih. Ijbllo generally that ho Lee taken charge
*lrcom d jipetre jto f>t <ffs to make
~ B.B.ADAIR, D.D.SL
GAINESVILLE, GA.
unco, tjoutbsa,: oornsr Public Square. mar27
calamity
I now pass on to tbo next principal cause—
I mean the late war and its effects. Tbe ef
fects of tbe war are demoralisation, inhuman
ity to fellow-men, selfishness and a desire in
mea to build themselves up on the ruin of
others, pod lastly, tbe abolition of slavery, the
great death-blow to tbeinterestaof the South,
[t is plain to every observer, that tbe worn-out
condition of Middle Georgia, together with tbe
freedom of the negroes, were the causes of tho
application for tbe law. Had tbe war never
taken place, and matters continued as they
were fifteen years ago, a stock law never would
have been thought of; but, so soon os this
mighty change has swept over tbo face of
things in Georgia, and tbe slaveholder has loot
the involuntary services of Coffee and Sambo,
he has set his wits to work to oempei his poor
fellow-man to bear, in a measure, the burden
of bis loss, by procuring the passage of a law
to force him to become tributary to him for
pasturage for bis stock t or keep qo stock at
all. It is alleged that it costa a great deal to
fence np the farms. Admit that it does, for
the sake of ai-gnment; what is that to tbe poor,
who are not landholders t Do yon expect
them to bear tbe harden of yoar misfortune,
by being timed with tbe expense of hiring pas
tures for their stook ? The scarcity of timber
is complained or. This is worthless as an ar
gument, as there is yet a great deal of forest
land; and besides, there are thousands of
acres of land now standing in second forest,
with a heavy growth of yonug plno upon it,
sufficient for fenoing purposes; and any lot of
land which Is so far exhausted as to render it
impossible to get timber sufficient for fenejt
is hardly worth paying tax for; but qvfin ,
that case, tbe hedge and dU^u' might be re
sorted to. 1 ‘ ’’
The writer Is a freeholder, but if I owned ten
thousand acres of land, I uever could favor
such a law—believing, a3 I do, that it is un
righteous and unjust, and would eventually
become a nuisance to every class of tbe com
munity, as I shall attempt to prove hereafter.
It is aristocratic in every feature, as none bat
freeholders are allowed to petition for it, and
those who are not, cannot petition against it.
This plainly proves that it is the landholder
alone it is intended to benefit. Now, I will
ask, has tbe man who owns no land at all no
right in the country ? Ifao.be owes nothing
to tbe government, and should be exonerated
from taxation aad all public duties. Bat to
the reverse, he mast bear the public burden.
Lock at the late war. Were they exonerated t
By no means. What class of the community
was it that was instrumental in bringing on
tbo war f Was it tbe poor of the land ? Sure
ly not. It was the wealthy, who were con
tending for their slave property. Now, it is
very true, that some of those men fonght brave
ly on the battle-fields, bled and suffered; but
many sought exemptions and remained at
home. Tbe ‘ wool bat boys’ were called upon
to tarn oat and fight, and those who did not
willingly volunteer were bunted up by tbe
conscript officers, and dragged from their weep
ing wives and children, to die on tbe battle
field, or to languish neglocted in a hospital till
death relieved them of tbeir sufferings; and
among others, their widows and orphans are
to be the sufferers, if you succeed in enforcing
this law.
It is not my intention to give a moral lecture
on this occasion, but let me suggest to you to
be cautious how you tamper with the rights of
tbe poor and needy, the widow and the orphan.
Their Redeemer is strong, and sure as tbe
word of Eternal Truth shall stand. He will
stand np to plead their cause. Hear tbe words
of Solomon, the wise King of Israel, on this
subject. They read thus: ‘ If thou seest tbe
oppression of the poor, and violent perverting
of judgment and justice in a province, marvel
not at tbe matter, for He that is higher than
tbe highest regardetb, and there be higher
than they.’—Ecclesiastes, 5; 8.
But I must pass on to other points. Since
tbe abolition ot slavery, it is not necessary for
farmers to fence np more than one-half the
land they formerly had enclosed. Any farmer
who owns land, may manage to get enough
under fence to answer bis purpos es. If you
cannot fence it yourself, lease it to freedmen
and let them fence it. Fence less land, put it
under a higher state of cultivation, and it will
pay you batter. It will be a difficult law to
enforce over a people who have been accns-
torued to liberty; and crops planted outside
of enclosures will be liable to injury from un
ruly stock, by breaking out of pastures,
cattle will be more liable to get over a tense
out of a dry pasture into a corn field, than tbov
would be to got over the same fence into tbe
field, out of tbo woods. Tbe gentlemen dar
kies, when riding in tbeir buggies to ebureb,
(for they are great buggy riders) would per
baps take across your eorn field for a near cut,
anil then you would want a double-barreled
shot gun. Should you come up with him, what
then ? You might throw lead at him, but you
could not touch him with tbo law under the
provisions of the stack law bill, for though the
bill protects farms from the depredations of
stock, it dees not prohibit persons from pass
ing over your land. If there is any law to that
effect, I have never seen it. There being only
surveyor's lino between the counties, tbe
stock of 0D6 county will pass over into another
aud if stock belonging to a county where the
law is not in force are taken up and impound
ed, the laws will conflict, and you cannot com
pel the citizens of another county to abide by
your actions. It will be tbe cause of constant
litigation and strife, and private injury will be
douo to stock and fences. It will cause ani
mosity between neighbors, and fences may be
burned or thrown down for mere malice and
vexation. It will cut off the means of keeping
stock from persons in'towns and cities, as it
would be almost impossible for all of them to
procure pasturage for their stock, especially
such as havo no land of their own, and would
be extremely inconvenient for them to drive to
aud from tho pastures without getting into
farms; otherwise, they would be compelled to
stall up their cattle the year round, or keep
none.
It is contended by some, that by fencing up
the stock farmers would have the opportunity
of cultivating tho best spots of grouud, which
lie scattered over tbeir land, and that they
coaid rent to freedmen without the cost of
feucing. To this I answer, that on the other
hand, the disadvantages attending the law will
overbalance those advantages. They have
conjured up, in imagination, a paradise on
earth, under tbe blessings of a stock law; bat
before five years are past, should they succeed
in enforcing it, this paradise will become a pur
gatory, and those who are now drinking down
the stock law doctrine like cordial, will vomit
it np os deadly poison. Instead ot begging for
its benefits, they will pray to be relieved from
its curses. The bill itself provides for endless
litigation among neighbors and friends, and it
will be a continual annoyance both to the taker
up and the owner of etock.
Let ns look at some of the provisions of the
bill. Tbe third section of tbe bill declares
that, if any animals shall commit a trespass, or
damage, or be found on the premises of any
other person than their owner, whether en
closed or nnenclosed, and whether sneb ani
mala wandered from their owner in the eonnty
in which the trespass was committed, or from
another county, it shall be lawful for the own
er of sack premises to impound each anima’s
and retain them until the owner of such stock
shall make fell satisfaction for the damages,
including costs and expenses. It is plain to
see that this section will conflict with tbe pre
sent State law in regard to fences. The pre
sent law allows every raaq the right to tarn
oqthjs stock whenever he pleases, and will
rotect him in that right nntil it is repealed,
.’he citizens of one county cannot be compelled
to abide by the action of those of another, but
every tab most stand on its own bottom.
Section fourth says : * Should any animals
be impounded under the provisions of this act,
it shall be tho duty of the impounding party
.to give them ail necessary feed, caB and at
tention, for which he shall have compensation
and he most also give notice to the owner, of
tbe fact of the impounding, in twenty-four
hours: and if not known or ascertained within
three days from the taking up, the animals
shall be disposed of under the provisions of the
estray laws. The proceeds of such sales, after
the payment of legal costs, inelnding adver
tising, &o., shall bo applied first to the pay
ment of damages sustained by tbe aggrieved
party, including compensation for feed, oare
and attention.’ Now, is it not plain that this
prooess ot law amounts virtually to a conflsca
tion of the property! Stock straying {Torn
their pasture at night might watfder for sev
eral days wittyWt being impounded, and many
irsqtw do not know the cattle of their near-
jt neighbors; and if the owner could not be
found in throe days, they most be sold
eetraye -, and after this process of law is goi
through and expenses paid, there would bs
little left to the owner, bosides depriving him
of his stook.
Bat now comes the principal litigation nteu-
tioned in the bill. Section fifth declares that
if any person shall, under pretext of this act.
unnecessarily or out of mere vexation,Take u?
and impoand any animals, or after having
taken np and impounded such animals, shall
fail to give the notice required by thiq gt
to estray them in case the qwn&r is not known
or ascertained within the time prescribed by
this qo$, of. shqll fail to give the proper care or
attention, as herein provided, or shall injaro or
maltreat such animals, such person so^offead-
dictment and conviction before any oaurl hair
ing jurisdiction thereof, shall be punished by
fine or imprisonment in the common jail, in
tho discretion of the presiding Judge who shall
try tbo cause—tbe flue not to exceed $100 and
the imprisonment not to exceed one month;
and in addition, shall pay to tbe owner of snch
animals double the amount of damages actu
ally sustained by a violation of this act. Thus
we sec that not only the owners of trespassing
stock, but tbe takers np, are liable to be ag
grieved by this law. Some may contend that
snch cases will never occnr, hat law is law any
way yon can fix it, and if this law is to be so
rigidly enforced against tbe owners of trespass
ing stock, why not enforce it with equal rigor
against the taker up, who may fail to comply
with the provisions of.the act! Litigation
will incite malice and hatred, and the law wiil
be poshed to tbe extent, I guess, that some of
our high-minded citizens would feel very cheap
going to jail, or paying $100, and that in con
sequence of impounding stock.
The sixth section says, that in case of dis
agreement between the taker up and the own
er of animals as to the amount of damages
sustained, or tor expenses for care, feed and
attention, the complaining party may apply to
a Justice of the Peace in the district, and if no
Justice in such district, then to tbe most con
venient Jnstiee in another district, setting
forth the amount claimed, and such Justice
shall issue a summons, as. in other suits, re
turnable in five days, requiring tbe claimant
of snch stock to appear at a time therein
named, when such Justice shall proceed to
bear evidence and give judgment against snch
claimant for such damages as shall appear just,
inelnding tbe expenses of feeding such stock
and all legal costs, which shall be enforced by
levy and sale, as other judgments, and pro-
vided that a special lien shall attach on the
animals for the payment of such judgment,
superior to all other liens; and provided, also,
that if the judgment shall exceed fifty dol
lars, tbe defendant may appeal, as in other
cases; provided, farther, that in case of any
litigation, as contemplated by this act, it shall
be lawful for the owner of sueh stock to give
the complaining party a bond, with security,
to pay all damages and costs which may be
recovered against him in such suit, and there
by recover the property, that in case of dis
agreement between the taker np and the own
er of trespassing stock, (now, is it not reason
able to snppose they would naturally differ?)
what else could be expected t
It is too often the case that men differ in
plain cases, where both sides of the contract
is fully specified, but where feelings of ani
mosity have been aroused, and the owner of
the stock believes the claim of his adversary
is not founded in justice or righteousness, is it
not reasonable that he should stick out to tbe
last cent ? Then tho complaining party, no
matter how urging bi3 business may be at
home, must leave it and go off and hunt up a
Justice of tbe Peace and Bailiff, and, perhaps,
there is no Justice in his district, for in many
districts in Middle Georgia there are no of
ficers, bnt be must go till he gets one, if he has
to travel twenty miles, a court must be held,
and the Justice proceeds to hear evidence and
give judgment for supposed damages and
cost; and provided, that in ease of any litiga
tion, as coutemplated by this act, the owner of
stock may replevy tbe same, as in case of prop
erty under attachment for debt.
A pretty state of things, truly, to be bronght
about merely to gratify the avarice of a few
aristocratic men, aud selfish too, for the prin
ciple is selfish and narrow contracted. Would
it not be much better while they aro banting
up officers and making preparations for court,
that they should be cultivating their crops un
der fence and nntonebed by stock? Which, I
ask, would be tbe most profitable, and which
affords the most pleasure ? And after be re
covers damage against his neighbor it will
not restore bis crop, and, perhaps, it is too late
to plant it, and the land must lie uncultivated..
Having glanced at some of the provisions of
the bill, I now procosd to some other points
which I desire to notice. I wish to call your
attention to the fact that by enforcing this law
yon plaee your own premises beyond yoar con
trol. If tbe country is thrown into a public
farm, your crops will not bo secure from the
depredations of stock, and besides, yon would
not have tbo privilege of turning yonr stock
upon yoar land to pick up the wastage. Sup
pose about harvest time there comes a storm
and blows down your grain flat on the ground,
there it must lie and rot. Yonr stock cannot
touch it. That is a clear loss. If yonr farm
is enclosed, then yon ean turn in the stock to
>ick np the waste grain, bat under the stock
aw, yon lose all. Thus you will find the dis
advantages to overrun tbe profit of cultivating
your land without being enclosed. Tbe whole
sum and substance of the stock law rests on
this po’nt. The people are unwilling to fence
np their old plantations. They need not plead
disability, any man wbo is able to own a large
lot of land, is able to have as mnch fenced as
will answer bis purposes for cultivation.
It is contended by some that it would be tbe
best plan to improve stock, admit it, but would
it be right and jnst to saddle down this law on
the community merely because yon wish to
improve your stock t It is your privilege to
fence up pastures, keep up your stock, and
improve them, that will not interfere with
others rights.
Even the Railroad companies have taken a
pull at this subject. In tbe judgment of tho
writer, these are tbe last men on earth who
ought to part their lips in favor of a stock law.
Their object, it seems, is to avoid the risk cf
paying for a cow or hog which may accident
ally be caugbt on the road aad killed, wbieh
accident very often results from tbe careless
ness of the hands employed on the trains, bat
after paying snob expenses they are making
enormous profits, aad could better afford to
fence np tbeir tracks tban to compel every
man in the State to fence up their stock to
keep them from the road. No family can lire
comfortably without stock. This law virtually
cats off tbe stock to, perhaps, less tban one-
half the present number, as there are thou
sands of persons (I mean in the State at large)
who now own stock, that coold not keep them
at all. Already we are depending on the West
for males and bacon. And what a state of
things may we not expect under this law t—
Families will become strangers to milk, bat
ter, and beef, also, pork and mntton, for they
will never get any hog meat except what ba
con they can bny, and that, no doubt, will be
mnch higher tban at present. Already we pay
high for shoes, boots, and all woolen goods. If
the stock are eat off uem the country, prices
will greatly advance. Seme will say, sow
clover and raise pastures for yonr stook. To
this I answer, a large land holder may raise
pastures for his stock, but for a man ownini
no land to go upon the land of another am
fence up pasture, aad break it np, and send
West to get the seeds of clover, or other grass
es, to raise pasturage, would seem to me a very
heartless and expensive job, especially if he
has to pay rent. Rather than undertake this,
most persons would abandon the idea of stook,
and poor widows coaid do nothing in that
taken away, and will yon sit tamely still and
suffer them thas wrested from yonr hands ? I
think yon will not. I believe yon will not.—
This is one of the effects of tbe late demoraliz
ing war. That war which has torn asunder
the heartstrings of thonsaifds, so to speak, and
left them to monrn in unavailing sorrow, and,
instead of sympathizing with snch and seeking
to relieve their sufferings, they are seeking to
add to their miseries by the enforcement of
this odious law, which will cruelly deprive
them of their liberties and oppress them.
Voters! come to the rescue. Stand up
shoulder to shoulder for yonr rights. Speak
through the thunder of the ballot-box en the
first Monday in July next, and proclaim to the
world that Georgia stilt intends to be free.
One of the People.
dieatoc: The following is worth a year’s sub
scription to your paper:
Pat China berries aroand the bills, or scat
ter them in rows, as you would cotton seed,
and no cat worms will trouble the yeang
plants. We have tried with eminent suceess.
Besides, China-berries are as good fertilizers
as cotton seed and cost much less. If they
could be crushed or coarsely ground, so much
the better, for then they would not sprout, and
would give out their enriching properties much
sooner.
fried Ipuellang.
Sweet Potatoes.
A correspondent of the Southern Cultivator,
who signs himself ‘ Bolton,* famishes the fol
lowing letter on the caltare of this important
and mnch neglected crop:
Much is being said in tbe agricultural pa
pers on every subject except the sweet potato,
vriiicb I think is one of tbe most important
crops raised Sooth and a crop that has been
shamefully neglected. I shall try in a few
words to give yon my plan of growing them
which I think will give any of the readers of
the Cultivator suceess, it they try. In tho first
place, I select for bedding just such potatoes
as suit my taste, viz: rather large and of
smooth skin, of tbe pure’yellow yam. To pre
pare tbe bod I spade up sufficient space,
which should be of rich, mellow earth, and
raised several inches high. I then put on
good layer of stable manure, then rich earth
about one inch thick, then the potatoes, about
} inch apart, then rich earth- again, finishing
with a heavy coat of manure. As soon as the
potato begins to sprout, tbe tep-coatingof ma
nure should be taken, off, and more earth well
pulverized pnt on.
In the next place, I select land of a dark
color—where there is bat-little or no red clay.
About the 25th of March I plough this land 10
inches deep, breaking it broadcast. Wbeu
the potato slips are large enongh for planting,
I prepare my rows, by laying off 4f feet apart,
and plowing from 12 to 14 inches deep, and I
am careful not to bave a high bed as was tho
custom before tbe war, and is now with many
planters.
In cultivating tbem, tbe first ploughing is
done with a bull-tongue, which is put- in the
ground as deep as a good mule cau puli it; thou
I hoe well, and keep the grass ont all the year.
Tbe next ploughing is done with a turning plow
put in the furrow made by the bull-tongue,
throwing the dirt to the potato, and this plow
ing continued until the middles are broken out,
and ever afterwards cultivated with sweep
and boe.
As to gathering—after the first frost if the
ground is not wet, I gather my crop—haul the
potatoes where I expect to bank tbem, and if
the weather permits, I let them lie ont three
or four days, in piles of about ten bushels each
,—taking care to cover tbem at night, and
tearing down at every morning. This pro
cess is continued till the potatoes cease to
sweat, and then properly banked away, where
they will remain good for twenty months.
Many wait till several frosts have fallen.
This plan, I think, is arninous one, as I be
lieve all of tbe sap of tbe vine makes back to
the potato as soon as tbe frost touches it; in
which case yon have a water]’ potato to eat
till they all rot, which they will do, no matter
how well yon put them up. The low bed3 re
tain the rain, while the high-drawn up
beds become as dry as powder, and are
never wet two inches deep by the heaviest
rains; therefore, plough deep, and low beds
will make yonr potatoes. I made at the rate
of 540 bushels per acre last year.
THE LANGUAGE OF THE HEART.
There is a love that speaketh,
But is not heard aloud;
Its sacred language breaketh
Not on the busy crowd.
’Tis heard-in secret places
Its sorrows to disguise -,
’Tis writ in anxious faces,
And meditative eyes.
It ever comes to render
Kiud thoughts when fond ones part;
Its tones are sweet and tender—
’Tis the language of the heart.
No art of man can can teach us
This secret speech of love;
Though here its tones may reach us,
They echo from above.
’Tis heard in gentle praises,
In pleadings soft and weak;
It tells in silent gazes.
What lips could never speak. A
With strong electric fleetness, J
Us holy breathings start.
No speech cau match its sweetness—
The language of the heart.
Having' given a few hints to the advocates
of the law, I now, in conclusion, address those
who may have taken no stand in the matter,
and, perhaps, are undecided. Tosuchl will say,
the crisis is near at hand, tbe time is near
when yon will be called upon to decide whether
S i will maintain ynnr liberties or desert tbem.
e people of Georgia should ever be jealous
qf their rights. Wo should remember the toil,
the sufferings and dangers our forefathers en
dared for liberty's sake, the great struggle of
the Revolution they sustained to preserve the
liberties we now enjoy, and which we are now
called upon to vote away. For eight distress
ful years they contended with a foreign foe,
and hand to hand, in arguments of bloody
eteel, they plead our cause, or faced the can
non’s moc.th. to guarantee to' their posterity the
rights of man. People of Clarke and Walton
counties, tbi3 address is to you, I know no
other counties who have yet applied for the
law. Will you maintain yoar rights, or will
you vote away those liberties so dearly bought I
with blood ? Step by step our liberties are (
The Stitch in Time.
There is no branch of business to which the
old proverb of ‘ a stich in time eaves nine’ ie
more applicable than to faming. A little re
pair iu a fence, a hedge looked after in tbe
proper time, may save a crop from being root
ed np or trampled down by stock; or tbe lit
tle repair thus early made will prevent a great
er deterioration in the farm inclosura. A dol
lar’s worth of labor to-day may save ten
month hence. The same principle is applica
ble to farm buildings. One loose board soon
begets another, and one nail driven in time,
may save a half day’s labor if delayed. Then
we may carry the same principle into crops.
Early planting in properly prepared beds pro
duces early crops; early vegetables bring
good prices. It is the people who plant late
who can never make any money on vegetables
sent to market. He wbo takes a stitch as soon
as the slightest rent appears, is sure to save
time and money in the end, so the farmer who
avails himself of the earliest good weather to
prepare his land and plant his crop, will save
time and money. He works while others are
working. His crops will be shewing the green
spronts above the surface of the ground when
the seed of others is jnst being settled in the
soil. Thus, he gets ahead of tbe weeds, and
his plants are up and vigorous befor the weeds
get a chance to choke them; hence, his labors
all through tbe crop season are less than those
of his neighbors wbo did not early delve and
early sow. Tims it is that the stitch he took
in his soil in early time saves him fall qine ere
the year is over. He who early sows will
early reap, hence, again, he eaves in being
able to get labor before it becomes high-priced
by the great demand from the many farmers
and, we might add, that with his grain all
garnered, the thrifty farmer can then' show
bis generosity by assisting his more dilatory
friends.
But it is especially la the-case of farm tools
that this old maxim shines ont to its greatest
strength. No ono thing so much detracts from
the profits of a farmer as to have farm imple
ments in bad order when they are wanted. A
loose bolt daily becomes looser, and one broken
nut throws a double strain on some other,
hence, to care for all the points, and to ever
watch that no part is out of order, weak er
defective, should bo the first and constant
eare of a farmer. An apparently little defect
if unattended to becomes slowly, it may be.
but sorely worse, until the implement is worth
less. A cold neglected may cause consump
tion 5 a loose bolt unattended to may cause
breakage of the mowing machine which will
entail serious loss.
Cut Worms.
Says a correspondent of the Farmer’s Yin
An Innocent Granger.
A farmer, we will call him Smith for short,
lives in Madison county, and would bo known
at least by reputation, to many of our readers
were bis right name given. Bnt the incident
we now relate, though coming to us in a relia
ble way, was known to fow outside of hie
neighborhood. Farmer Smith lived in a qui
et way, and supposed to bave accumulated
something ahead besides having a pretty good
farm. After his second son bad been married
about a year, he concluded to settle near the
old man’s, if bo could rent a place.
Hearing of this, Mr. Thompson, again we
withhold the true name, thought there might
be a chance to sell a Certain place on pretty
fair terms. Mr. Thompson was a money loan-
, and nothing suited him so well as good in
terest ; backed by good security; and he was
moreover generally considered a pretty shrewd
trader. He rode over to see old man Smith,
but the farmer 6aid be did not feel able tobuy,
he mignt buy on a credit if the price was low
enough and the interest was not too high. His
son “ Jakey,” ho said, would bave to pay for
the farm himself if the trade was made, but
his son was a good farmer, and, bo thought it
would, be all right, at least the land would be
there, and would be good for what remained
unpaid if bis son should fail. Wbat seemed
to startle tho bid fellow was twelve percent,
interest that Thompson wanted.
Finally, however, after a great deal of talk,
the price was agreed on at twenty thousand
dollars, ouo-fifth cash, and notes at one, two,
three and four years, with twelve per cent,
interest from date for the remainder. The
contract was drawn, and they were about to
sign, when the farmer suggested that if he
shoald at any timo get any more money than
was due oa the notes he wantod to be allowed
to pay it and conut off the twelve per cent.
Tbe position eeemed reasonable enough to
Thompson, and he could not object to its in
sertion in the contract, and so tbe document
was signed in duplicate. Tho deed was to be
ready, the notes drawn, and the first payment
made on tho following Saturday.
When tho time arrived, both were punctual
ly on hand, tho first $5,000 was paid, and the
notes were ready forsignature. ‘ Mr. Thomp
son,’ said farmer Smith, “ I’ve been thinkiug
about the interest, and it seemed skerry, so I
thought I’d gotber in some little money I bad
out, and pay part of it, and"—pulling from
his breast-pocket a roil of money—“just count
that.”
The money was counted, and with twelve
per coot, off, the first note was paid.
When Thompson had pocketed the money
again Smith said: I’ve got a son livin’ in Mis
souri, Mr. Thompson, and as soon as he heard
I was buyin’ a farm for Jakey, he sent me a
little money," pulling a roil from his right
side breeches pocket, “ aud so whatevor it is
we’ll credit it on the next note, if yon bave no
objection.” Again the money was counted,
and with the twenty-four per eent. ofi, jnst
paid the note to a cent.
“ Well, that’s lack," resumed tbe old man ;
and now, Mr. Thompson, tbe old woman has
been selling right smart of batter and aigs,
and some chickens now and then, when they
come ’round the country a buying, and she
told me this morniu’ that I better take what
she had, and maybe it wouldn’t come amiss.
A roll was produced from tbe left aido breech
es pocket, and when counted, just paid tbe
third note after thirty-six per cent, was de
ducted, and Thompson said not a word
Smith seemed to bo considering for some min
utes, and then, raising bis head, as though a
sadden thought struck him: “ You know my
darter Sal, didn’t yet Leastwise you’ve seen
her. Sal was a fine gal. About five years
ago,at< hog-killin’ time, one o’ my hands tnok
sick, and what did Sal do but turn in and
help us, and, I tell you, she could sling a hog
across her shoulder equal to ary man on the
ground. Well, yon know, Sal married year
before last, and her husband, Bibbell, yon
know Hibbell, is doin’, they tell ine. as good
a grocer business as any man m Kirksville
Jakey, he went over to see Sal and’Hibbell
tbe other day, and they was talkin’about
this hsra interest business, and Sol says to
Hibbell, says she—"
“ Nevor mind wbat they said^ Mr. Smith;
broke iu Thompson; “ jnst hand over the mon
ey you were going to say they sent you.’
And sore enongh the old man produced still
another roll from some secret pocket which
when counted, proved to bo the exact amount
necessary to pay off the last note when the
forty weight per cent had been duly taken off.
a
He, She and They.
HE.
He was yonng, he was fair, and he parted
Us hair, like an average beau, in the middle;
he was prond,.he was bold, but the troth must
be told, he played like a fiend on a fiddle.—
Barring bis voice, be was everything nice, and
bis heart was so loving and tender, that he al
ways turned pale when he trod on the tail of
tbe cat lying down by the fender. He clerked
in a store, and the way he tore off calico, jeans
and brown sheeting, would have tickled a
calf, and made tbe brnto laugh in the face of
a quarterly meeting. He cut quite a dash
with a daring moustache, which be learned to
adore and cherish; for one girl bad said, while
she dropped her proud head, that ’tnould kill
her to see the thing perish. On Sundays he’d
search tbe straight road to cbnrcb, unheeding
the voice of the scoraer; and demarely he sat,
like a young tabby cat, with the saints in tbe
amen corner. He sang like a bird, and bis
sweet voice was heard fairly tugging away at
long metre; and wo speak bat tbe truth when
we say that this youth could ontsing a hungry
mosquito.
SHE.
She was young, she was fair, and she
scrambled her hair like the average belie of
tbe city; she was proud but not bold, yet the
troth must be told, the way she chewed wax
was a pity. Barring this vice, she was every
thing nice, and tbe world admired her bustle;
and tbe Athens bo^s, being calmed by tbe
noise, walked miles to hear it rustle. She cut
quite a swell, did this wax chewing belle, aad
men flocked iu crowds to meet her, but she
gave tbem tbe shirk, for she loved tho young
clerk, who sang like a hungry mosquito. So
she hemmed and she hawed, and she sighed
and she “ chawed,” till her heart and her jaws
were broken; then sbo walked by the store,
while be stood at tbe door awaiting some love
token. She raised up her eyes with a mock
surprise, and tried to enact tbe scorner -, but,
to tell tbe truth, she grinned at tbe yontb, wbo
loved tbe amen corner.
THEY.
• • • They met—alas! what came to
pass was soft and precious; they wooed, they
cooed, he talked, she chewed. Ob, how they
loved, good gracious! They bad to part, he
rose to start, her grief can now bo paiuted:
these are tbe facts; she swallowed hor wax,
then screamed, then choked, thon fainted.—
Her pa appeared; her beau, quite scared,
pushed out to get some water; tbe watch-dog
spied his tender hide, and bit him where he
“ onghter.” The tale is sad, tbe soquel stern
—so thinks tbo youth thus bitton. He sings
no more, as of yore—be gave that girl the
mitten. 0
FINIS.
She pined apace, her pretty face looked
eleoder and dejected: her father kind, but
somewhat blind, beheld ber and refleoted.—
His income tax he spent for wax; she smiled
and called him clever. Sbo went to work, for
get the clerk, and chewed in bliss forever!
Maxims for a Yonng Man.
Never be idle. If your hands cannot be
nsefnlly employed, attend to tbo cultivation,
of your mind.
Always speak the truth.
Keep good company or none.
Make few promises.
Live up to yonr engagements.
Keep your own secrets if you bavo auy.
When yon speak to a person look him in the
face.
Good company and good coversation are the
very sinews of virtuo.
Good character is above all things else.
Never listen to loose or idle conversation.
Yon had better be poisoned in yonr blood
than yonr principles.
Your character cannot be easily injured ex-
copt by your own acts.
If any one speaks evil of you, let yonr life
be so virtuous that none wiil be'i“vo him.
Drink no intoxicating liquors.
Ever live, misfprtunes excepted, within your
income.
When yon retire to bed, think over what you
have done daring the day.
Never speak lightly of religion.
Make no haste to be rich if you would pros
per.
Small and steady gainsgive competency with
tranquility of mind.
Never, play at any kind of game.
Avoid temptation through fear that yon may
not withstand ic.
Save when yon are young, to spend whan
you are old.
Read some portion of the Bible every day .—
Counsels for Life. ■
Tonics for Women.
Nothing makes a woman age more rapidly
than overwork—tbe regson, probably that
American women fade so soon. Sunshine, mu
sic, work and sleep are the greatest medicines
for women, who need more sleep than men.
Their nerves are more sensitive and they are
not so strong, exhaustion from labor or pleas
ure takes place sooner with them tban with
men. Never permit yonreelf to be roused out
of a deep sleep in tbe morning. In fact, one
shonid never be wakened. The body rousps
of itself when its demands are satisfied. Take
a warm bath occasionally before going to bed
—at least once a week. Retire as soou as you
feel sleepy in tbe evening. Don’t rouse your
self and go to work* You need rest then, snd
will pay, for the trespass-on yonr physical na
ture the next day it you disobey.
Please Stop my—What!
We clip the following sensible hints from
tbe Baptist Watchman: * Times are hard, bu
siness is doll, money is scarce, retrenchment
is a duty—pleaso stop my*—whiskey t * O,
no; tiine3 aro not hard enough for that. But
there is something else that costs me a large
sum of money every year, which I wish to save.
Please stop my’—tobacco, cigars, snuff f * No,
no, not these; but I must retrench somewhere,
please stop my’—ribbons, jowels, ornaments
aud trinkets? ‘Not at all; prido must ho
fostered, if times aro ever so hard; but I be
lieve. I can see a way to effect quite a saving
Thompson pocketed the raouey, wentfWaight
in another direction ; pleaso stop rav’—tea,
coffee and unhealthy luxuries ? ‘ No. no, no,
not those,! must thlnkof something olaSRj AhggSMvjB
to the court house, aeknowledged the deed, 11 have it now. My paper aosta $2 a year; I
and handed it over with only this r<ima((|c: Lmst save that!. Teat will carry uio through
“ You are the grandest old rascal 1 ever saw Jjjjj^Wtoauic easily. I believe iu retrenchment
—Lexington (Ky.) Gaiette. MBpcouomy, especially iu brains.’