The Southern watchman. (Athens, Ga.) 1854-1882, October 07, 1874, Image 1

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Newspaper Page Text" jjV lOIIA H. CHRISTY. DEVOTED TO NEWS, POLITICS, AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION AND GENERAL PROGRESS. $2.00 per Annum, in advance, VOLUME XIX.I. ATHENS, GEORGIA, WEDNESDAY, OCTR 7, 1874. NUMBER 27. THE SOUTHERN WATCHMAN i 1 Bi.lSUED EVERT WEDNESDAY. foJ . ltf . r „/ Itrofut ami Wait .Strrrts, (up-stttir*.) '! KKMS. y.VO DOLLARS PER ANNUM, INVARIABLY IN AI'VANCE. A D VK risixo. .sorted at ONE DOLLAR t'r'NTS tm*t square for the first inser- 7KNTV-FIVH CENTS persquarefor • ?. f .r »ny \ irav under one month. For n lit-# ra! deduction will be made. lueti.u on v early advertisements, i AL ADVERTISING . j jricvv of I (I lines $500 V, .ales. rtO days 5.0C , t.\ A iministrators, Executors, or uardi; ash ip 4.00 editors 5.00 ,ch insertion 1.50 4.00 Administrator 5.00 Guardian 5.25 r t»f squares in an advertise- words—one hundred beinjr actions are counted a? full mw* AND BUSINESS CARDS. ( SRWI9. j HOWELL COBB,JR. conn. GUSEVS AT LAW. A T/IEXS, GEORGIA Huildinjr. Dcc21 AND HARNESS MAKER, WaTKIXsYII.LE, G*. A. ] i \VlvlUTT0Y.—Samuel P. Thurmond. j) Attorney-at-Law. Athens, G ‘ Harry A in Rankruptcy. ii AMP, all. R.NFT AT Law. C \ R NKSVILLE, GA. enti.<n ?•> nil business e .trusted r.d the Courts of Habersham. seplT-ly. *>'.[. \Si> A- OKI,*, i .---Mir- :.n.l Kernil .tellers. a:,.) COMMISSION MERCHANTS, Itil|,r«*e Hall Er >;vl St, Athetir, ■ • ■ V arrpin 1 t« .tore Cotton at 2i.-ents . . ; , Iva.i. r rq.t when de.-iro-i. Oct! ,I.I'll A CLASSICAL SCHOOL, i r i;..v5. «'• 1 r. Wray aud Lumpkin srs., Ath- up*'—.'*rn LEE M. LYLE, Erin. PEEK, LAW of We-1 ATHENS, GA. ii att wiLUtif. JUli, Lank.-, . Rabun and White, and other claims in March iy, l»7d. 'i'WAUl* 11. llAllOEN 9 Nebraska and l*tah, »" Jud 'e of Rrooks County Court) Attorney at Law, Co "y* d v i*. 1 "- . S. MADISON BELL. I.'VI'KS A HULL, Attorneys at Law, GAINESVILLE. GA. practice in the counties composing the and l>atr« r and Forsyth counties l^e tiroui;. They il 1 also practice in • art ot Georgia, and in the United States ta. may 14 WILE iYI> A S1LMAX. ATTORNEYS AT LAW, ; r ti ;iv-e in the counties of Walton and Jackson, t’l-'vn, j. n. silvan. ' . { ih. ruar4 Jeflermn, Ga. i. 0'KKLLKY’S 1‘HOTOtiRADII GALLERY, tr Voliiams’ Shoe store, Broad street, Athens, - *• sep3. II. IU'.gINS, > t»->! ^.Vu* ami Retail Dealer in :> ;i >0‘>S. GROCERIES, HARDWARE. Ac. Broad Street, Athens. Ga. •UN 11. CllKJSTY, I’.aiD aud Fancy BOOK AND JOB PRINTER, Broad St., Athens, Ga. -a? >rner Broad and Wall streets, over thestore 1*. P.ttard. tf LYLE, Attorney *t Law. WATKINSVILLE, GA. Mil N M. MATTHEWS. Attorney at Law. Danielsviile, Ga. ntion will be given to any business en- ■Are. Marcbl4. | AMES L. I.H-Vii, M. 1>. SURGEON, ACCOUCHEUR A PHYSICIAN f O r „r ,1/r. Thvma* Shtatt' Store,) Good Hope District, Walton co., Ga. r- hi* pr >!>»?; »nal services to the cuitent ot the ?Jr ’ couctry. aug27 ]y P-Elas. Attorney at Law, IVKitY, FKANKJLIN, n. c. i I the Courts of Western North Caro- Fe.ieral Courts. Claims collected in "'tate. ap!6 — ly Feed and Sale Stable, -*-* ATHENS, GA. GANN & REAVES, PROPRIETORS, y\ ILL l.e u-mnd at their old stand, rear Franklin Housebuilding, Thomas street. Keep alva>*s g'-t»d Turn-outs and careful drivers. • ' 1 *k well cared for when entrusted to our enre. a h;Htid tor s«le at ail times. dec25—tl -YL AY. HIDES, ATTORNEY AT LAW, l . 8. Claim Agent and Notary Public, Gainesville. Ga i?* office on Wilson street, below King A llro’a. ruarv ly, l 3 : 1 T L 1 , rs - E. P. ROWELL. jJEEPLES Sc HOWELL, X ATTORNEYS AT LAW, , v , (nu f 22, Kimball Houm, Atlanta, Ga. |J.w \lI1cE in the Slate and Federal Courts, and * ^ •» 1 regularly all the Courts in Atlanta, includ- citj ^ 5u I ,reUi « Court of the State, and will argue ;«■» upou brief# for absent parties, un reaionable c - a * f ' 5 practice in the Courts of theeounties con- *' r accessible to Atlanta by Railroad, (epll JpAYILlOX HOTEL, T ., T „ , CHARLESTON, S. C. '[ ^ 1 ‘^T-CLASS Hotel is situated in the very «re o, the business part of the city, and all who r c wiitdndevery convenience andluxary that ocured. Board, per day, $3.00. u^ltos, S*pu Mrs. L. H. liUTTKItriXLD, j JProprietrett. j be nr R. 1U Dec:: pI-Al.N' and Fancy Job Printing, At me Southern Watchman Office. P S. ADAMS, M. D., ^CkGEON, AcOOCCHECH AND POYSICIAN. u 7 , l . Mountain DUtriet, Walton eoun- y*’ —offers his professional services to the of the purrounding country. aug26—ly i- ^ 1! - ADAlli, D. D. S. '*• Gaijie.villk, Ga. ^ .Qihe.at coro.r Public Square. J «ne» KEwTO!i * Foreign and Domutie HARDWARE, No. C,Broad ttreet, Atbrai, Ga. K DOBBS, Eli,*. detail Dealer in Yob# “ Faoey DRY No, RT HOODS, GROCERIES, A«. • I? Broad Street, Atbeni, Ga. T A. SALE, Dentist, Otori hi. ^'foreneutlj loeatod in thii place, »Sd vt„.f. r - ru * ,it ' 0 * 1 'orricei to tha eitiaena of Alh.m rlcinitj TO THE VOTERS OF JACKSON CO. Fellow-citizens-. We have been favored with a communication signed by Green B. Duke, the independent candidate for the Legislature.* Now, most of people think that Mr. I). is only the god-father of the bantling—that it claims a more reverend sire than his Grace the Duke—and that, like a certain I >ill appointing commissioners for this county, it comes to us claimed by Church and State. It is tcell daddied—too well, in fact! But we leave “ them” to set tle the paternity, and proceed to answer one and all who'claim it. Tills Church-State paper details what are called facts (Heaven save the mark!) about some conventions; then it proceeds to set forth the vital issues of this campaign.— “Mercy on us, when the priest talks poli tics and the laws would expound!” We refer you to the documents, aud say, first, that the outrageous charges made by the Kev. P. F. G. B. Duke, of dishonesty, ini- nuity, trickery, chicanery and unredeemed pledges against such men as John J. Mc Culloch. J. u. Me Lester, M. Cowan, the Bev. Messrs. Cartledge, Kelly, Stark, Parker and a host of such men, from town and county, is too absurd to need answer. Charity sug gests that surety the folly of desperation dictated the foul slander. Before the hand of Green R. Duke had ever learned its cunning or his mind had ever conceived a slander, John J.McCulloeh, who was chairman of this “ clique” meet ing, and who is, in the circular, charged with falsehood, was known and honored by the people of Jackson for his perfect hones ty and unshrinking integrity. He has never forfeited his noble reputation, nor has be ever been accused of purchasing, on a cre dit, more than fi fty-three hundred dollarb worth of goods in the city of New York, of discharging the debt with twelve hundred and fifty d<illars, and pocketing over four thousand dollars by the neat little game.— Oh, shame! where is thy blush? Again: Mr. D. is made to say that the preliminary " meeting on Tuesday had de creed that the nominations should not he made by delegates selected by the districts Thos. Jefferson and Patrick Mell, come to the rescue of parliamentary law! Is Mr.l). or his Bev. Clerk so iguor.iut as not to know that the meeting on Tuesday could not have controlled the subsequent meeting on Friday, even if it had desired to do so ? Now. what must we “honest yeomanry" think of the first three columns of this won derful circular* Ah ! fellow-citizens, it took a vast deal of swaddling to make that bas- tjinl pass for the child of truth. The doings of both meetings are matters of history, not < if logic. Why all this argu ing to prove a simple truth of history, if it i»e truth at all ? Now, what arc the facts? Very briefly these: On the 1st of Sept, a part of the De mocrats of Jackson met at the court house to cor,.'lilt about putting out candidates for the Legislature (lower house) and it was agreed by that meeting to simply call all the Democrats together on Friday the 11th, and that the whole matter be referred to that mass meeting. That was all! Several plans were suggested, but not one was made to bind the future meeting. That would have been too absurd. This fact was stated by Col. J. B. Silman, the chair, and others, but the Kev. reporter was too busy with schemes and tricks to heed, or while he was •• moving heaven and earth,” he stir red up the enemy of truth. So much for facts; now for the logic, which all goes down under this one question: If a plan for nominacing had been arranged by the first meeting, where was the necessity for the second or mass meeting to make the no minations 1 Mr. D. uo doubt hoped a plan had been adopted, for it was reported that he and his friends said they would have all of his sup porters present' ou Friday and secure the nomination for him by the packing process. Just here we would ask if it has ever en tered Mr. D.'s brain that the people might have suspected him of tricks and cliques, and might not have chosen to give him time to “ develop©” and “pack”? Is not this just where the sore hurts? He was defeat ed in that game, aud hence this howl about “ cliques,” dishonesty and all that. In fact, the whole procedure of Air. Duke in this matter is most refreshingly cool. Was Air. Duke deprived of any rights asa Democrat? for, be it remembered, these were Demo cratic meetings—not meetings of the “peo ple” or “ voters,” as Mr. D. or his scribe would have us “ honest yeomanry” believe. Let us see: Did not Mr. Duke on the day ot the first meeting declare himself au inde pendent candidate? What right had he, then, in that last meeting at all f Again, had Mr. D. proven himself a good Democrat and worthy of our support, be fore that time? Was he not a leader in the Union League a few years ago?” — Did he, or did ite not supi>ort Mr. Cagle, (a Kadieal) against Mr. Hancock, the Demo cratic nominee, four years ago? Did he or did he not, two years ago, try to get the Democratic nomination ? and when he fail ed did he not run as an independent, and defeat the nominee by telling the colored people he was a Bepublican 1 So say these colored people; and no wonder they will not support him now, for did he not then go to Atlanta and enroll himself as a Dem ocrat ? Again, did he not come back here and tiT to reconcile the colored people to himself—then to get the nomination—then to be independent and prove all parties to be cliques and beds of corruption and him self to be the “ untrammelled,” honest can didate and about all the salt we have to save us ? Has he, after this, any rights in any party T Would any Bepublican, or any Democrat, or Bill Scruggs, or any other Scruggs, wish to bag such a “ call ” as that ? Let him go “ untrammelled,” fellow-citi zens. We don’t wish to test any further “that fidelity to our interests which we know to have characterized his previous ca reer in the Legislature,” And let us beware of his wonderful promises, for, « Tit Peril mat tiei and a taint It mculd be, Tit Peril got tcell—tie deril a taint mat leT' One other point, and we have done with this part of the circular: Even supposing that Mr. Duke had any right to present himself in the second meeting, of which meetinghe claimed two-thirds as his friends, was it not passing strange that the one- third could control the proceedings of the meeting, as he charges! But be says the chair falsely declared a mo tion passed, which drove him and his friends from the meeting, notwithstanding they bad a majority of two-thirds, la be so ignorant of parliamentary usage as not to know that he coaid have appealed from that decision t If so, then be ought not tq go to the Legislature; if not, he stands convicted of a more serious disability. Let him take either bom of tho oorifes arises’ dilemma In fact, fellow-citizens, be was hope lessly in the minority. He saw that meeting did not mean to nominate him. aud some say he tried to break it up. He did withdraw and proclaim himself an independent candidate, and now he comes to us with this “cock and bull” story about cliques, trickery aud dishon esty, and with slanders against as good men as the State contains. Thus, fellow-citizens. Air. Duke’s ugly facts and profound logic have vanished before the light of truth ; but as to his “ clique,” we guess he can still find it, but nearer home, aud we kindly suggest that “ people who live in glass houses should not throw stonesalso, that when next he writes he should have a better cause and an abler scribe. Now. as to the “ vital issues which the peo ple of Jackson county are called to consider in the forthcoming election.” We invite a calm, patient and dispassionate examination of the three issues made by the paper signed by Mr. Duke, and we confidently make the declara tion that we can demonstrate to any fair-mind ed man, that neither one of the three issues made is a proper subject-matter for legislation; aud we will charge and e.-tablish, either that he kuows this to be true and is trying to cheat you, or that, not knowing it, he is unfit to be come a legislator. Men who dare to presume that the honest, laboring mass of the people can’t think, or won't thiuk for themselves, will wake up, in the end, sadly disappointed. The mass of the people w ill think, and when the facts are before them, wiB conclude correctly. Hence, the confidence we™press in being able to demonstrate that not one of the three issues lie submits is a fit subject-matter for legisla tion. Mr. Duke’s paper says he believes that tho Martin Institute fund was intended to be used exclusively for tho benefit of the children (Ifo does not say whether white or black, or both.) residing within the limits of Jackson county, and that he will " vigorously oppose, as here- toiore. any distribution ot said fund in the pay ment of tuition of non-resident pupils." “Op pose, as heretofore •” How has he opposed it heretofore? By introducing a bill in the last Legislature th.it did nut pass. lie promises now, if elected, to introduce a bill, which, if passed, w ill remedy the evil. If passed is well put in. This cautious remark revea s his own w ant of confidence in the project. We charge that Mr. Duke knows, or ought to know, that the Superior Court, and not the Legislature, is the tribunal that has the power to interpret and carry out the provisions of a man's will. We charge that Mr. Duke know s, or ought to know, that his bill, should he be elected and offer it, will not pa^. for the one he otfered while a rtemberof the last House of Iiepre- sentatives failed, because the subject was not one for the Legislature, hut for the Courts, and the matter was so determined by the judiciary committee of the Senate, composed of such men as Hon. W. M. Keese, Hon. George Hillyer and other lawyers of like legislative experience and ability. If he does not know, then be has not capacity to learn, and that disqualifies him for a law-maker. But perhaps his amanuensis will say, in reply, that the reason he failed be fore was on accouut of the manner in which he presented the matter to the Legislature— that he made a mistake. Weil, w hat security have you that he will not make another mis take, and cne, perhaps, more glariug than the first? or that he is not now* mistaken in what he hopes to he able to do ? He has cautiously provided agaiust having his plan discussed and the errors of his scheme exposed before he catches your votes, for ho says: “ I shall in troduce a bill, the provisions of which 1 need not now explain." • I say, Josiar, do pervi- sionsob de bill." Perhaps he will have com missioners appointed to take charge'of the fund, w ho would not pay out any of the money to anybody till tlie graud jury should recom mend them to do so; aud in the meantime, particular friends might get the use of it. you know. Now, a little hill in equity, addressed to Hon George D. Rice, Judge of the Superior Court, would settle the matter, and if Mr. Duke is so very earnest about it, why does he propose to wait till he gets into the Legisla ture ? Why doesn't he go at it uow ? The question can be settled before the Court in a little over six months. The reason he does not. may be that he might have to pay out a little fee to au attorney to draft the bill in equity, he might have the costs of the proceed ing to pay, aud it might not lie so patriotic as trying to do the same thing for four years in tile Legislature, at seven dollars a day. Can’t a blind man see how it is ! In the next place, Mr. Duke's paper says that “ the trial by jury, in certain cases before the Jefferson municipal court, constitutes another distinctive issue before the people in the next election.” Trial by jury before a municipal court ? Shades of all departed law-makers, brood over this new-born idea! Swathe it, Durse it, call it pet names, call it an amend ment. But seriously, wbat does this mean ? Al ready under the charter of the town of Jeffer son, it any one violates any penal law of the State, within the corporate limits, tho party, so offending, may .upon application, be bound over to appear before ilie Superior Court where he can have a trial by jury. If the of fense be only against the police regulations of the town, who ever heard of a jury being etn- panneled to try such a case ? We deny that any body ever did—if Mr. Duke says he has, we very respectfully ask for tho proof and whenever it is furnished will cheerfully ac knowledge ourselves vanquished. But we have purposely gotten a little ahead of the game. It is suspicioned that Mr. Duke himself wrote this “distinctive issue," and there is considerable internal evidence of the correctness of tho supposition, for there is no sense or meaning in it. He proposes to reme dy a “ confessedly great evil,” and no evil is complained of. Perhaps the “great evil” is ” understood,” as grammarians would say ; and then he proposes to do it in a novel way. by using his “ best efforts" to have a bill en acted upon the subject. We have heretofore understood that to perfect remedies for evils, by legislation, bills should be passed; but he proposes to accomplish the work by using his “ best effort ” We don't want to see any body suffer, but would like to look at him while un der the pressure of the " effort” that promises so much. No wonder there is confusion of ideas on such a subject—and there should bo a confusion of face, for it is as transparent as light itself that Mr. Duke has straddled a prejudice to ride into place. Drowning men will grasp at straws. Again Mr. Dukes paper says “ the question of erecting a new jail and coart house is an other distinctive issue before the people in the forthcoming election." He remarks •• By my election the project will be defeated, at least for the present." Startling statement! Sub lime assurance ! Where can the equal of Mr. Duke be fonnd ? Now for the law and the argument. We ask that it he remembered that the du ties imposed by these laws upon the Ordinary, in this county, devolves upon three comrais sioners. by recent act of the Legislature, and they are to be understood whenever the name of that officer is mentioned. Section 496, of the new Code, says: “ The county buildings are to be erected and kept in repair at tbe expense of the county, under the direction of the Ordinary, who is authorized to make all necessary contracts for that purpose.” Section 497, says: “ It is the duty of the Ordinaries to erect or repair, when necessary, their respective court-houses and jails and aH other neoessary county buildings. Section 503 is in these words: “ The Or dinaries of the several counties have tbepo wer to levy an extra tax sufficient to carry into ef fect sections 496 and 497 without a recommen dation by the Grand Jury whenever the we- Section 503 is in these words; If such Or dinaries fail to comply with the requirements of said Sections, or to levy the tax, or levy an exorbitant tax, or levy one when umtecessary, their conduct may be reviewed by the Jadge of the Saperior Court by mandamus or injunc tion, as tbe nature of tbe case may reqare, at tbe instance of any tax payer of the coun ty.” It will be plainly seen at once that tbe law leaves tbe question of erecting or repairing public buildings to depend upon the existence of a necessity. Now if a necessity exists will Mr. Duke’s election remove it t If no neces sity exists will Mr. Duke’s election cause it ! Suppose, for the purpose of illnftration, that our jail had been burned a few months ago and there was talk of building a new one,and Mr.D. or somebody for him should tell you, “ By my election the project will be defeated” would you believe him f What man who prides him self in his reputation for candor and fairness will say that Mr. Duke’s election will settle any such question ? How desperate then the fortunes of a man must be who, in the light of the law, in the face of reason and in the teeth of the truth, will make such a declaration. What! his election defeat a project T his defeat leave you helpless ? Then we have fallen upon curious times. We repeat that Mr. Duke’s election will not settle this question. His election has no relation to tbs matter unless be proposes to legislate upon tbe subject. In that event we submit the following proposition: If it be proper and legitimate to legislate against build a new jail and court house.it is equally proper ami legitimate to legislate in favor of building them, and may not the members of the General Assembly who are not identified in interests with you" settle the case against you t Are you willing to barter the rights you now have under the law for any advan tage you may acquire through the influence of Mr. Duke over that body T Would you ask better security for the protection of your rights thau to have them committed to your own keeping ? Answer as you find it in your hearts to answer. Honest, thinking tax payers; the control of this matter is in your bauds to day. Should a move be made towards build ing a new jail or a new court houso “any tax payer of the county” may file a bill for injunc tion and the work will he stayed until a jury of your own selection, composed of your neigh bors, and having tho same interest in the matter that you have, direct it to proceed. We speak authoritatively for the nominees when we say that they are in favor of having this question settled by our own people who, if new buildings are erected, will have to foot the bill, and not by men from Brooks and Berrien counties who will not have one dollar of the expense to pay ; and further—that it i3 not the truth whether said by Mr. Duke or any one else for him that their election will fasten upon the people tho “ burdensomo taxation” necessary to the erection of these public build- Sf.*l«t IgisttUaug. Now, if Mr. Duke did not wish to serve him self rather than tho people, why has he waited so long f What has inflamed his zeal for the people all of a sudden. Is thero a ”pocket" necessity in this “ pocket feeling" issue t Would seven dollars a day supply that necessity! With these questions we dismiss ourselves from the consideration ef the third and las. “ distinctive issue.” One that can write so earnestly and pocket- feelingly should have presented other “ dis tinctive issues.” He may have others in re serve—we shall see. It may occur to himthat there are several millions of fraudulent bonds afloat somewhere in tbe world, issued by the State of Georgia when the plunderers held the reins of power, and abont which statesmen talk in their addresses to the people. Or it may occur to him that a call of a Convention to give us back our old forms of administering justice and a voice in the selection of our Judges, our Solicitors and our ex officio Justices of the Peace. Or if these questions be too trifling, he may undertake to tell ns where he was when the law passed taxing the widow's cup-board and the orphan's bed. CitizenS'of Jackson county, the issue is made up. Ou the one hand we present you the names of W. J. Colquitt and A. C. Thompson men who have never been seduced by the love of money into dark and devious transactions, uor by thirst for oifiee into calumnious mis representations—men of moral worth, unim peachable integrity, and who, like most of us, make their bread by the sweat of their brow Happy day, and day of bright augury, when town cliques and the “ honest yeomanry” of the country unite in bringing such men to the front. What shall we say on the other band. We prefer to be silent. We would have been si lent but for the insult offered to the integrity ot John J. McCulloch, known so long and so well by all of us—and tbe corrupt, willful and untruthful thrusts at meu who bad established reputations for truth, sobriety and honesty before Mr. Duke was born. Respectfully submitted iu behalf of tbe Democratic Executive Committee of Jackson county. Will. I. Pike, Ch’m. A Feminine way of Putting it.—Ou the piazza of a Long Branch hotel, the other even ing, tbe following conversation between a pret ty young woman and her chevalier was over heard : She—' Why have tbe newspapers been making such a fuss about the transit of Venus ? Who cares anything about it !•’ He—• It is a matter of great interest to science. Your sox would not make a voyage to tho South sea, ex cept to find out how Venus might be dressed.’ She—‘ If I remember my mythology aright, Venus didn’t wear anything ic particular; and now I understand why the men have gone so far to look at her. Almost any man wonld go several thousand miles to see a woman who had neglected to put on her clothes.’ He was silent, having manifestly received new light on the subject, aud inwardly wisbiDg he had gone, too. The Code. reminiscences of a memorable duel. The celebrated affair of the Leopard and the Chesapeake, the latter commanded by Commodore Jas. Barron, resulted in Barron’s trial and sentence by the Court-Martial, in tbe proceedings relative to which, it is said, Com modore Decatur took an active part, and a duel was finally tha'resalt, at Bladensbnrg.— A correspondent of the Chicago Tribune de scribes the affair ts follows : When Elliott arrived at Bladensbnrg little knots of boys and men, knowing or guessing the matter impending, gave him interesting regard. A group of naval officers, particular ly, standing at the tavern, walked out across the bridge toward the place of meeting, and concealed themselves within bearing of the pistol shots. Almost every one of them was a friend of Decatur, and among them were Commodores Rodg;ers and Porter, his two col leagues in the Board of Navy Commissioners. Barron followed scon afterward, walking be tween bis second, Elliott, and his friend, Lati mer. His face expressed dignity and resolu tion. He walked flrmly, and the three also descended into tho Valley of Chance. Decatur and Barron bowed to each other formally. Hamblstou stood by Decatur, Lati mer by Barron. Bainbridge and Elliott confer red together, and the former, who had behaved fairly and equitably throughout, was appoint ed to measure the ground. He marked a line in the sod with his boot, and, placing his toe to it, stepped out eight times, a yard to a Btop, marking also the last step as a base. Four times a man’s length, or across your diniug- Toum, that was the distance Each second now produced the pistols from a pair of cases, loDg-barreled dueling weapons, of fine finish and bright steel, silver-mounted. They were charged and rammed in the old style, and presented to each principal by the second. During all this time no word was said except by the seconds. In like manner Elliott and Bainbridge toss ed for corners. Bainbridge won ; it was De catur's usual good luck! * Commodore Decatur,’ said Bainbridge, which stand do you select!’ The axis ot the two bases ran nearly North and South, obliquely from the brook. Decatur walked to the North, nearest the water, where he stood a few inches lower than Barron.— Both threw off their cloaks and stood confront ing each other. Gentlemen,’ said Bainbridge, raising his voice, ’ I shall give the word quickly, and as follows : Present—one—two—threo. Yon are neither, at your peril, to fire before the word one, nor after the word three.’ Commodore Barron turned his head, his pistol hanging at liis side, and said to Com modore Bainbridgs : * Have you any objection, sir, to pronounc ing the words in the manuer you intend to give them!’ ‘ None,’ said Bainbridge, and he repeated the formula precisely as he afterwards gave it. For the first time the antagonists look into each other's eyes. Sternness and the purpose to kill lay in both. • I hope, sir,’ said Barron, * that when we meet in another world, we shall be better friends than we have been in this.’ ‘ I have never teen your enemy, sir,’ ex claimed Decatur. Here Bainbridg;e walked behind Decatur, and took place twelve or fifteen feet to his left, Hambleton as far on his right. The same positions were reserved by Elliott and Latimer. * Gentlemen,’ said Bainbridge, • make ready.’ The antagonists swung round side-wise, and looked at each other across their right shoul ders. ‘ Present ’ The two arms vent up, aud each took sight ‘ One—two—’ One report rang out. Tho last word was deafeDed by it. On the word two, both pistols had been simultaneously discharged. There were two puffs of smoke, and in an instant Barron was down, groaning. Decatur straightened up a moment, pinched his lips, dropped his pistol, and the color went out of his face. He drew bis right band to his side, and then fell to the ground speechless. The seconds of both were beside them in Btantly. Decatnr was raised by his friends and moved to higher ground, near by Barron Ho opened his eye^lirectly, and said : or Bayard, to whom he had been compared, bleeding on the battle field. The carriage came, and they bore Decatnr to it, Bainbridge kissing his cheek. Ha had wrested Bainbridge from the dungeons of the Moors. Bainbridge, in return, had measured the ground for him to stain it with bis blood, Rodgers took Decatur’s head upon his shoul ders, the doctor, Trevitt, seated with them, and the carriage took its painfnl way back to the city. Bainbridge and Hambleton hasten ed to the navy yard, where the tng lay to car ry them back to the Columbus, that ship of discord. At half-past ten o’clock Decatnr re entered his elegant mansion, his wife and household disturbed at the breakfast table with the appalling news, and they were driven to tbe tipper part of the house. Around the city the evil news was spread. Friends crowd ed around the door and into the duelist’s dy ing chamber. He signed his will, refused to have the ball extracted from his wound, and spoke affectionately of his wife, whom he yet refused to see. Excruciating pains came to him. After one of the spasms, he said : • I did not believe it possible for a person to endure so much pain as I feel.’ The town was aroused, and his door-ways and pavements crowded. They stopped the drawing-room at President Monroe’s. Un complaining, in the midst of anguish to the last, the unconquerable soul of tho “ Bayard of the Seas ” yielded itself up without a groan, at half-past ten o'clock in the night. Next day the little old National Intelligencer came out with a leaded editorial head saying that it would be ‘ affectation to bo silent upon the fact that tho duel had occurred, and that the combatants wore mortally wounded. In a ’Postscript’ it related that Decatur was dead, and added in the crude apostrophe of that period, ’ Mourn, Columbia! for one of thy brightest stars is set!' Three days after wards the mail was robbed threo miles from Baltimore, the driver tied to a tree and shot dead, and the mail bags picked over in tho hushes near by. All this time while Decatur’s body was going from his residence, close by the White House, to • Kaloraiua,’ an estate on a hill overlooking Georgetown, and while Bar ron lay in the city, writhing in pain and listen ing to tho funeral drums. In Comtress, John Randolph offered consolatory resolutions, but they were objected to. The toue of the press commenting on tho duel, was respectful both to the liviug and the dead antagonist, but as sternly denunciatory of ‘the code’ as our newspapers now-a-dayscould bo. Barron suf fered dreadfully for many months, but recov ered at last, aud lived down to 1851, surviv ing, I think. Decatur's childless widow, who was represented in 1846 to be alive in the Georgetown Catholic College, ‘ in ill health and poverty, finding in tho consolation of re ligion alone alleviation of her sorrows,’ but hopeful of securing something from Congress. Barron went to sea again, and had charge of several vessels, but the shadow of the duel lay across bis life. People forgot the apology for it in the catastrophe of it. A new generation of boys rose up who read of Decatur’s valor, and learned to regard Barron as his assassin. Tho poor living victim could not explain against a dead man. He asked for a court- martial on Decatur's charge agaiust him, and was exonerated with meagre compliments. Decatur lies buried behind St. Peter’s Church, Philadelphia, in a venerable and spa cious graveyard, under an eagle-capped monu ment. His portrait is in Georgetown College. His name is conferred on many towns and comi ties in this country. What ho lived for he has obtained—glory in the eyes of bi's countrymen. Barron obtained ‘satisfaction ’—little more.— Yet I think the latter was throughout the ag grieved spirit. Who led out the Israelites!’ ‘ Moses,’ was the prompt reply. * And from whence did he lead them !’ 1 From bondage,’ answered several.. * And to where did be take them ?* 4 To a Promised Land, sir.’ * That’s right, my little dears. Now what did that land flow with ?’ ‘ With honey,’ said three or fonr. * And what else !’ (Here was a stick—no reply.) 4 Come, children, some of you sorely remem ber. When yon were babies, what did yoor mothers give yon. What else did tbe Prom ised land flow with beside honey !* Again a blank pause. 4 1 know, thir,’ said a little five year-bider, springing to his feet and elevating his little hand. 4 1 know wbat it wath, thir; I knew, thir. 4 4 1 was sore some of you would give the correct answer,’ said the teacher. * Wbat is it, my dear F * Why, it wath titty, thir !* That Superintendent, amid a cachination of tbe adnlt spectators proceeded to change the subject by singing tbe hymn, beginning: 44 Children of the Heavenly King, A« we journey eweetly king.* After the Confession*-A Story of two Boys. There is a man living on fifth street who is a good man, endeavoring to train up his children in the way they should go, aud as his flock is numerous and two of them are boys, he has anything but a sinecure iu this training business. Ouly a day or two ago the elder of these male olive branches, who has lived about fourteen wicked years, enticed bis younger brother, who has on>y had ten years’ experience in boyish deviltry, to go ont on the river in a boat, a species of pastime which their father had many a time forbidden. But the boys went this time, trusting to luck to conceal their depravity from the knowledge of their pa, and in due time they returned and walked around the house, the two most inno cent looking boys in Burlington. They sepa rated for a few moments, and at the expira tion of that time the elder was suddenly con fronted by the father, who requested a private interview in tbe usual place, aud the pair ad journed to a wood-shed, whero, after brief but highly spirited performances, in which tho boy appeared most successful as ‘heavy villain,' and bis father took his favorita role of 4 first old mao,' the curtain went down aud the boy considerably mystified sought his brother. 4 John,’he said, 4 who do you supposo told dad f Have you been licked !’ John's face will never look more peaceful and resigned when it is in his coffin than it did as he replied: ‘No, have you T’ 4 Have I ! Come down to the cow-shed and look at my back. ’ John declined, but said : 4 Well, Bill, I’ll tell you how father found us out. I am tired of acting this way, and I ain’t going to run away and come home and lie about it any moro. I’m going to do better after this, and so when I saw father I couldn’t help it, and went right to him and confessed.’ Bill was touched by this mauly action on the part of his younger brotbor. It found a tender place in tho bad boy’s heart, and ho was visibly afiected by it. But ho a.skod • 4 How did it happen that the old man didn't lick you !' 4 Well,’ said tho penitent young reformer, 4 you see I didn’t confess on myself. I ouly con fessed on you : that was the way of it.’ A strange cold light glittered in Bill’s eves. 4 Only confessed on mo,’ ha said. * Well, that’s all right, but come down behind the cow shed and look at my back.’ And when they got there • * • * • The Whole Matter in a Nutshell. The Bridgeport (Conu.) Farmer nays: 4 The people of Louisiana elected McEnery and Penn Governor and Lieutenant Governor of that State. When these officers carao forward at the proper time totako possession of tho offices to which they had been chosen, they were con fronted by an armed revolution and Kellogg, who was not elected, illegally and with tho aid of Grant’s bayonets seized the office. Grant said Kellogg, no matter whether elect ed or not, was de facto Governor and as such must be sustained. Now, McEnery and Penn have been by an uprising of the people placed in the position to which they were in fact elected, and McEnery is now de facto Gover nor as he is dejure. But Grant, who was so ready to sustain the one revolution is equally ready to put down the otbor. It makes a great difference whose ox is gored.” The Farmer takes a very different view of the overthrow of civil government and the es tablishment ot a military despotism in Louisi ana, from that entertained by Mr. Stephens, who exonerates Grant from all blame in the matter.—Sac. News, G7*All kinds of gent's hand-made, box-toed , boots and shoes at Snead’s. I am mortally wounded, at least I believe and I wish I had fallen in the service of my country!’ Barron looked up to them all, and said : 4 Everything has been conducted iu tbe most honorable manner. I am mortally wounded. Commodore Deca’.ar, I forgive you from the bottom of my heart!’ Immediately down the pathway to the Yal ley of chance came many gentlemen, all friends of Decatnr—Rodgers and Porter, and Bolton, two doctors, Bailey Washington and Trevitt, Gen. Harper and others, friends or idlers. There were anxious looks and utterances of Tot! tut!’ or 4 Dear! dear!’ Tbe doc tore proceeded to loosen the clothes of tbe sufferers and ascertain tbe nature of their wounds. The little green valley at the breakfast hour bad become a surgeon’s hos pital. In it were represented nearly all tbe naval victories in the Republic—Tripoli and Algiers, Lake Erie and both oceans; they held solemn congress in this nnholy ampitheatre. Barron was struck in the hip and about the groin. Decatnr had caught the ball on his hip, and it had glanced upward into his abdomen, severing tbe large blood vessels there. The two doctors exchanged glances; there was no hope for Decatnr; his pulsation had almost ceased. Now began on the ground, as they lay upon cloaks spread for them, that dying interview of mingled tenderness and recrimination which Wirt has compared to the last intercourse of Hamlet and Laertes. Each striving to clear np his lame, and prove that this crime was a mistake or the work of officious enemies.— Barren, certain that his boors were numbered, wished to be at peace with his enemy, that they might enter the court of judgment friends. Decatnr was lees relenting, but be consented to forgive Barron, though not his advisers. It was a sadder scene than Nelson, Decatur’s admirer, dying in a cock-pit during the battle, How to Avoid ’Jury Duty. As many people had rather have tbe seven year itch than serve on tho jury wegivethefol- lowing recipe that they may try it during the coming session of tho court, provided they think they can pull tho wool over the Judge’s eyes in this style : A few yeare since a Dutch vessel landed at Mobile a goodly Dumber of the inhabitants of 44 Sauer-kraut”-dom, one of whom found his way up the Tombigbee, and seeing on its bank an opening for an enterprising Dutchman landed and built him a warehouse. A short! time after naturalization, the sheriff summon ed tbe aforesaid Dutchman to servo on the jury. Dutch was very anxious to be excused, as the cotton bales were coming in very rap idly and a rival warehouse was being trouble some. While the jury was being empanneled ho went to Mr. L. , a distinguished lawyer, in order to have him excused. Mr. L told him the judge would not ex- Pleasant to Contemplate. The Baltimore Gazette says: 44 Our neigh bors of Philadelphia are to be congratulated on the spectacle which Louisiana promises to furnish for tho ‘Great International Exposi tion 4 with which they have decided to cele- brato the close of the first hundred years of our national existence. It would be morti fying enough, we should imagine, for the peo- plo of the United States to look one another in the face on that occasion, and remember Louisiana, and not Louisiana only, but a large majority of the Southern States. We are bound, however, to have oar fashionable friends I from over the ocean present with us also, and a very pleasant meeting we Bhall all have to gether, no doubt. cuse him on tho plea of attending to his busi ness. 4 Never mind,’ says Dutch, 4 you tell do judge I vauts to be excused aud I vill tell him de reason.’ So when the court convened, Mr. L. rose and said : May it please your Honor, a juror wishes to be excused.’ 4 On what ground, Mr. L !’ asked the judge. 4 There he is,’ says Mr. L. , ‘he will present bis excuse.* While this conversation was taking place up rose tbe Dutchman. » What is yoor excuse ?* inquires the judge. Snax Snooks. 4 What did you say V Snax Snooks.’ Come nearer, sir, I cannot hear wbat you say.’ Snax Snooks.* Mr. Sheriff, take that Dutch man ont of tbe court; and, sir, I shall have you fined for neglect of dnty in summoning a man who can say nothing bat Snax Snooks !* Dutch permitted himself to be carried ont of court, mattering Dutch as be went. After getting ont of the coart house, some one who bad witnessed tbe scene asked him why be did not go when the judge gave him permission. * Ob, 4 says Dutch, 1 1 vos ’fraid if I under stood 4 you may leave,’de judge wonld think I speak English.’— Griffin News. Sum Total of a Lord Mayors Talents. King James the second, passing through Colchester, it was resolved that the mayor should compliment him on his arrival. It so happened that this chief magistrate was eminently stupid, which is looked upon aa no strange thing in England. The town clerk was appointed to attend him at kis back, and whisper wbat be was to say to tbe king. Wben they came into his majesty's presence, tbe clerk desiring to en courage the mayor, whispered in bis ear : 4 Hold up your head and look like a man!’ 4 Hold up your head and look like a man 1* did tbe mayor bawl to tbe king. The clerk, astonished, whispered: 4 What the devil do yon mean !’ The mayor bawlod ont: * What the devil do yon mean !’ Tbe clerk, sweating with tear and vexation, whispered: * By heaven! yon will min ns all!’ The mayor immediately repeated *- * By heaven! yon will ruin us all!’ The clerk, in a violent rage, said : * Oh ! yon Wandering puppy, I wish you had never come here!’ Tbe mayor again bawled : * Oh 1 yon blundering poppy, I wish |you had never come hsie 1’ The clerk, on this, immediately took to his heels, and the mayor followed him, leaving the King in a violent fit of langhter, though not without rajge. BTLadiee and gent’s overshoes, all kinds. Arctic self-acting and ventilating water-proof gaiters at Snead’s. . .A tall girl named Short, long loved a cer tain big Mr. Little: while Little, little think ing of Short, loved a little lass named Long. To make a long story short, Little ptoposed to Long, and Short longed to be even with Lit tle’s shortcomings. So Short, meeting Lang, threatened to marry Little before long, which caused Little in a short time to marry L Query: Did tall Short love big Little because Little lovedLoDg!

Georgia Historic Newspapers

The Southern watchman. (Athens, Ga.) 1854-1882, October 07, 1874, Image 1