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THE BAINBRIDGE WEEKLY DEMOCRAT. VOLUME I. BAINBRIDGE, GEORGIA, THURSDAY, MARCH 28, 1872. NUMBER 42 The Weekly Democrat, PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY MORHWO. SUBSCRIPTION TERMS: one Copy ° nc y car ‘ * * 300 One Copy six months * • • 1 50 Ktadinff Matter on Every Page. A GLIMPSE Of' ST. HELENA. ORIGINAL SKETCH BY *A BECENT TRAVELEB. The appearances of St. Helena, seaward, impress one with the idea of a ljold* precipitous rock, perfectly inaccessible; but, on a nearer view, occasional openings show themselves along the shore, forming inlets by which it can be approached. Its apparent barrenness ahd sterility is greatly relieved by patches of verd ure and bush that peep out on the inland summit. As we steamed toward it the morn ing sun tinged its 'bold and rugged cliffs with richly colored hues, and threw intense shadows of deep pur ple and crimson into its ravines. 1 he remarkably stratified rocks, dotted with drooping clusters of lichen, had rather a curious effect. Wc anchored in the bay off James Town, which is built in the base of a narrow gorge. The town, ten years ago, had a population of five thous and five hundred inhabitants, and was considered in a thriving posi tion; but since the opening of the overland route and Suez Canal, the calling of ships has greatly fallen off, and 1 expect the number of inhabi tants decreased accordingly. The place is strongly fortified along the portions of the town look ing seaward; besides, the numerous jiaccs around where landing is pos sible, are also protected by strong batteries. There is a lofty ridge of calcareous rock running right through the island from cast to west, and in the centre of this is Diana’s Peak, one * thousand seven hundred fort high, and very conspicuous from the sea. Along the coast are many columns of basaltic rock—two, called Lot and Lot’s Wife, are the most re markable, being respectively one hundred and seven and one hundred and sixty feet high; and another, railed the Chimney, a noted hex agonal column, sixty-four feet in height. The total area of St. Helena is a little over thirty thousand acres;— only five hundred are under cultiva tion, and nearly eight thousand used for grazing purposes. The climate is considered healthy and salubrious for Europeans. Six hundred feet above the sea, at James Town, the temperature averages about eighty degrees; and through out the island, with the exception of some of the lowest spots, the tem- peratifl’e is equable. To the right of James Town, and cut out on t-he precipitous slopes, is Jacob’s Ladder—a marvelously steep aseetet of six hundred and filly steps, leading up to one of the forts. By its skle is a sigaag road, for those who prefer making lighter work of it; but both arc a very heavy under taking.* Oa the left slope of the town is another similar Toad leading to the Briars and LongVood. The town is rather picturesque from the sea, somewhat hidden by the long, straight line of battery— the cathedral spire breaking -the outline. The island is evidently of volcanic origin, as at the south side there are still remains of. a crater, from which lava and other volcanic matter h&vfc flowed in every direction. Earth- Taakcs are occasionally felt, and at times the surrounding sea has been much agitated. Some years ago an extraordinary VlVe rose about a mile out, and r ' tin g in gradually toward the shore ^gulfed everything before it, in- C u Jing a number of slave-dhows at a achor; it also did great destruction t-> the lrharf and other property.—. trange to some merchant f «ipping and men-of-war that were ^chored s °Ric distance out, scarcely fe -t its influence. soon as we landed, a dozen *mall darkies assailed us, each rusting a horse for hire in front, somewhat staying our progress, , ^ wiUl hope that, in a state nervous despair, we would gladly fl-d ourgeives of aoy qha n<y> tp escape their importunity. Spurning these ragged menials, we pushed on through the fort-gates into the public square, on three sides of which were the cathedral, post-offlee and Scott’s Hotel. A doctor's shop seemed wanting, and then the spiritual and temporal wants of the community would have appeared well cared for. At the square we procured some worn-out vehicles, with horses to match, ahd started for' Longwood and its prescinds. Passing through a street or two witli the most forsaken, dilapidated- looking houses on either side—these were abandoned on account of the white ants; the propensity of this diminutive insect for wood-work is extraordinary—we emerge on a nar row, steep road, hewn from the rock. An outeT wall of rough stone-work seperates the road from an embank ment of great depth. At every sharp turning, represent ing an acute' angel, the driver allowed the animals great freedom of rein, and the same of whip, blended with a dash of emphatic language and excitable gesticulation. Sharing the box-seat with him, I received sundry mild digs in the side; qiy hat, besides, was unsafe. I expostulated. He informed me he wished to prevent the horses from “jibing” when going round these steep cortiers, for if they did, they would inevitably back into the outer wall, which, possessing no great science, in its construction, would give, and then—oh. horror ! I suggested I had better g. t off and walk at these places. The driver acquiesced. I believe that was all he panted. A few more of these awkward turns, and we arc in sight of the Briars, the first residence of Napole on when in exile, and from which an extensive view of the ’ valley, town and shipping is obtained; a call at a little inn at the top of One Tree Saddle Hill, and on through a bush road—a pleasant change from the barren one we -had.just left. We afterward skirt the side of a long, green slope above the valley, in which is Napoleon’s tomb, which we visited on out return; thcncc^along the top ot a mountain, to Longwood. From this point is a magnificent view of nearly the whole island, also many cheerful-looking homesteads, with their patches of cultivated ground. Drawing up our panting animals at the garden-gate of Longwood, we arc again assailed by a number of women and little girls, hajf black, who, belore one had scarcely time to move, thrust into tire carriage dried specimens of fern and everlasting flowers, supposed to .be gathered from the walks of the emperor; also a choice piece of cypress, gathered from the tomb. They follow ofce up patiently, and are as ceaseless in their appeal for you to possess this small piece of memento as the little button girls at Hougoumont are to press on you a reminiscence ot Waterloo. Longwood, the spot of such his toric interest, the home of the exiled monarch for five years, was simply a wooden, unostentatious building, quite colonial in its appearance, and very plain in its design. A green- arched verandah forms an entrance way, ami tho garden is enlivened by geraniums, fusehias, aloes *and all sorts of indigenous shrubs, plants, etc. There is an extensive plain around, the largest in the island, fifteen hundred acres, and at a higher elevation than any other, being one thousand seven hundred and sixty- two feet above the level of the sea. The Emperor Napoleon resided here from October 16th, 1815, until his deatjj, May 5th, 1821. His remains were deposited, at his own request, in the small, sequestered valley, which had been one of his favorite resorts. His body was afterward exhumed in October, 1840, and con veyed to France by an expedition under command of the Prince de Joinville. Having been enclosed in Roman cement,; his remains were in a good state of Reservation, the countenance, easily recognizable. A French soldier met us at the door of the cottage, and conducted us through the rooms. The one we entered was originally the billiard- room and the next, the room in which he died. Between the two windows stood a marble bust of the cjnperor, taken shortly alter his death, surrounded by plain wooden railings, and directly opposite was a simple, gilt-framed mirror, with the inscription beneath: “Saloon of the emperor. On the 5th of May, 1821. the emperor breathed his last in this room. Le chef d’escadron conserva- teur.” The other part of the establish ment contained sleeping, study and bath room. They were all perfectly barren of furniture. - A slight deception practiced upon a person when they are in a seriously contemplative mood is not relishable, yet I could not feel angry with a young lady of our party who, point ing to a uniform coat that was hang ing in the study, suggested it was the emperor's. I forthwith regarded it with feelings of veneration, ob serving tnat it was in a wonderful state of preservation, when I caught the wicked eye of the damsel and the smiling face of the sergeant. It was the latter’s full dress, donned only on important occasions. The tomb of Napoleon consists of a few stone slabs, enclosed by a neat iron railing. Willows, cypress and other trees are planted near; geran iums grow around the tomb. A few yards from it is a clear running stream. The whole ot this is enclos ed by a light wooden palisade. A notice at the entrance requests all visitors to enter the place with all becoming respect. We did so; and another soldier received us here with hat in hand, and very mournful visage, acquired evidently by long experience, forcibly reminding one ol' the people— “Who live upon the dead, By lotting out tli*»ir porsons by the hour To mimic sorrow when the heart’s not sad/' A gentle application to the palm of the hand, , and a visible change of the countenance. Joy was upper most. On went his chapeau, and tnvay he walked, humming the air of some popular opera. We gather ed a few geraniums from the grave, and retraced our road to James Town. Newspaper Propriety.—It is not a very charitable or broad view which takes it for granted that such newspapers of the country as avoid sensationalism do so from fear of suits of libel- It might just as rea sonably be objected by profligate persons to men of good character that they arc moral and decent be-' cause virtue is economical. To meet such a cavil,.as applied to newspa pers, it .is enough to say that if editors choose to niake' them the medium of impurity, they can do so without incurring the penalties of libel. It is quite possible to make a newspaper an indecent publication without assailing any particular individual. The great aim of a journal in this regard should be to respect the delicacy and purity of the public, and whenever it becomes necessary to chronicle occurrences of a scandalous character, to dis charge the unpleasant duty in as brief and delicate terms as possible, and so as not to ministei to sensa tionalism or pruriency. This much is demanded in the interests of public virtue and decency, as Well as of the family circles into which newspapers find their way.—Baltimore Sun. Make a Note of This. “If any one speaks ill of thee,” says Epictetus, “consider whether he hath truth on his side, and if so, reform thyself, that his censures may not affect thee.” When Alexander was told that the very boys laughed at bis singing, he .said: “Ah, then I must learn to sing better.” Plato being told that he had many enemies who spoke ill of him, said: “It is no matter; I shall live so' that none will believe them.” •Hearing at another time that an intimate friend spoke dctraetingly of him, he said: “I am sure he would not do it if he had not some reason for it.” This is the surest as well as the best way of drawing the sting out of a reproach, and the true method of preparing a man for the great and only relief against calumny. An editoi who has been married a year, speaking of babies, says: “The delight of days, the torment o*' nights; elegant in full dregs, horrible in dis habille; beautiful on the smile, but maddening on the" yell; exquisitely in place in the nursery, but awfully out of place in the parlor or railway carriage; the well spring of delight, and the recipient of unlimited spank ings; the glory of “Pa,” and the happiness of “Ma”—who wouldn't have 'em ?” General Advance in (foods. There has been within the past few months says the Macon Tele graph & Messenger, ‘a general ad vance on almost every description of manufactured goods. As to tex tile fabrics this advance is due, in part, te a heavy rise in the price of the raw material. Cotton has ad vanced about fifty per cent, from last year, and Ohio wool which in February, 1870, was worth 48 cents— one year later was sold at 50 to 58, and this present month commands 80 cents. The advance in every other description of raw materials has also been gene.al and important. Bread- stuffs and provisions alone have de clined. In Europe labor ^has advanced almost universally—a fact due to causes too numerous for specification in our limited space. War and the maintenance of vast armies have taken millions away from productive pursuits,- and its terrible ravages have drawn largely upon the stores of supplies laid up for the future. The destruction in France has been im mense; and, on the other hand, a wonderful impetus has been given to demand throughout all Germany by the unparalleled pecuniary, politi cal and moral triumphs' of the strug gle. Germany is wonderfully en thused and exalted, and there has been a general aud vast advance in values all over that.country. As the great moneyed, Manufac turing and trading centre of the world, the relative position of En gland has improved vastly in the last decade. She was losing ground in 1860, and a considerable portion of her manufacturing trade was stealing over to the continent and to America. But then cqme the long succession of disastrous wars which crippled all her rivals. The United States ceased to be a rival either for the carrying trade or manufac tured goods; and oar heavy tariff duties exacted on the pica ol tlic na tional debt, throw ns entirely out of account as a manufacturing or com mercial rival for an indefinite period in the future. France, too, has been disposed in the same way, and Germany, for a year or too, has been altogether occupied with her great military aspirations. It seems probable that the genius of that coun try will hereafter take its principal development in tho same direction. In all quarters EnglaiuThas found commercial and manufacturing rival ry suspended, and for nearly a de cade has been stimulated to the ut most of her productive capacitj by an eager demand for her goods from nearly every part of the habitable globe. Wealth has poured into her coffers like a flood. And all this time, too, the volume of gold and silver currency has been rapidly swelling by great acquisitions from the mines, to such an extent that the relation of other values to mon ey has been affected and labor has gone up in price. This advance has been added to the price of goods, and hence we heard Macon impor ters say that some bills of merchan dise could not be filled here without loss at prices which a year ago - ad mitted a satisfactory profit. The Coffin Under the Step*. He belonged to Heth’s Division and fell on that terrible Sunday morning’s fighting in front of Peters burg. He was a Georgia sergeant and his name was George H. Wil liams. His body was taken to the city by his friends and a coffin order ed. Mr. J. T. Morris made the cof fin and the body was placed iu it ahd set aside for his friends to have hur ried. But the cannons were boom ing, the shells screaming and burst’ ing, our boys retreating, and the Yankees pouring in, so the body was left to lay, in its wooden bed up stairs, in the undertaker s shop Mr. Morris could get no convey ance to bear i; away, and it had be come so offensive that he had it bur ied in the back yard under the steps. A few days since, and the Petersburg Progress recorded a fire, and the house that was then the un dertaker's shop, on Sycamore street, was burned. The workmen com menced clearing away the. debris, ami discovered a coffin, th. ougli the crack of which the remains ol a man could be seen. All was excitement, the coroner gathered his jury and sat in inquest over it, and Mr. Mor ris came and cleared up the mystery by telling his plain and simple story. Only a simple story, it is true, but how it carried his old comrades back to that day 1 how it will be read and hugged as a treasure even now in that old Georgia home! Poor old Confederate soldier ? Some sleep under steps. Some have turned to bone-dust. And some are under the plow on the stranger’s soil. Five brothers sleep side by side on a little mount right in site of their mother’s little white cottage, that stands down by a mill about twenty miies from Appomattox Court-house. She pointed them to us while the tears gushed from her’eyes. All she had! Two others we’know, killed, thud, thud, as quick as that! shot down face foremost, dead, and their bones left to bleach out in the dark thick woods of Spottsylvania. Couldn’t be helped. But what mat ters ? They are_dead. We are liv ing. Let us “draw straws” whieh be the worst? We have all been put “under the steps” and the fire has been roaring and cracking above us ever since that day at Appomat tox. Who cares ? Not the world. We have only got to care for our selves. The rest are too busy for politics and money.—Hillsboro North Carolina Register. A Brilliant* Lyric. The following lyric is from the bril liant pen of Dr. Frank O. Tlcknor, of Columbus. It is vivid with the flash of sabres and the clang of arms: “OUR LEFT”—MANASSAS. TO JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON. From dawn to’dark, they stood That long Midsummer’s day ! While fierce and fast the battle-blast Swept rank on rank away! From dawn to dark they fought— With legions swept and cleft, And still the wide, black battle-tide Poured deadlier on our left! • They closed each ghasllv gap !— They dressed each shattered rank!— They knew how well—that FreedonTfell With that exhausted flank ! “Oh! for a thousand-men ! Like those who melt away!” And down they came, with steel and flame, Four thousand to the fray! They leapt the laggard train—• The panting stream might stay! And down they came, with* steel and flame Four thousand to the fray! Right through the*blackest cloud Their lightning path they cleft, And triumph’came with deathless fame To our unconqucred Left! Ye, of youf sons secure ! Ye, of your dead bereft! ' '**■’ Honor the Wave I, who died to save Your_all,’upon our Left ! The New Negro Movement. We copy this cruel and unnatur al talk from the New York Commer cial Advertiser, a Grant newspaper: A brief account of the new politico- commercial movement among the ncgro'population was given in the Commercial last week. The black men of the Northern _and 4 Southern States are to meet in convention at New Orleans on the 10th of April, in order to ’‘promote a union of the whole colored race for commercial and political purposes. Negro farm ers, planters, manufacturers and merchants, are invited to send dele gates to the convention, in order that a lull expression of opinion may be obtained, and, if possible, a defi nite system of operations be estab lished. It is intimated that the blacks are’ inspired by. a clannish sentiment ill this movement—that they seek to confineJJie advantages afforded by their contemplated league to those of their own race, and that they- cherish the hope of building up a strong conlederation among themselves. The whole busi ness is the natural outcome of the political pri^leges awarded to the' negro under the amendments to the Constitution. Having the right to vote, to hold office, to engage in business pursuits, to hold land, and to exercise all the prerogatives of the citizen, he sees no good reason why he should not labor for the ele vation of his race through the agen cies of business combination and po litical machinery. Pompey Howard, of Alligatorville, the colored Member considers himself entitled to become a merchant, if he can find the capi tal, as well as to be a legislator, when he receives the requisite num ber ot votes. The thoughtful may and do protest against the evident evil of elevating an ignorant and impressible race to positions of trust and power without first subjecting it to the discipline of education; but the thing is done and we must take the results that follow- There is al ready a sufficient degree of strength among the negroes, North and South, to enable them to carry into effect the combination which is the purpose of gathering at New Orleans, and the proceedings of that body will accordingly be regarded with curious interest. The event will mark a point in our current history. Cost of a Narrow Gauge Rail road per Mile.—Just now figures on this subject are interesting. A narrow gauge road seven miles is projected in Texas. The ground to be gone over presents about the average number of difficulties. An able engineer was chosen to examine the route carefully, and.hcre is the report on the three feet gauge: Cost per mile—56 1-2 tons of rails, of 36 lbs. per yard, at $75, $4,237,- 50; 3,520 lbs. spikes at five 'cents, $176; 340 spliced joints at 60 cents, $240; 2640 cross ties, 6 by 5 inches by 6 feet 5 inches, at 30 cents, $792; 1000 yards of ballasting, at 50 cents, $500; laying one mile track, $320; graduation and masonry, $3000:— making a total of $9224,50 per mile, or $64,641,50 Tor the seven miles. I Would Forget. Ok ! bid me not recall the past— Too many joys with it have fled; And many hopes, which once were bright, Like aatamn leaves, lie crushed and dead. Oh ! say not that 'tis sweet to think On hours I ne’er again can see, The memory of tne scenes and friends Of other days, is sad to me. How many hearts congenial, true, And forms too fair to last, And.sunny smiles, and jocund scenes, Life buried in the gloomy past. Then, say not that ’tis sweet to think On happier hours forever flown, Oh ! rather teach me to forget The joys I could once call my own. The Story of General Ewell and Ilis Wife. Mrs. Ewell was the daughter of the late.Judge Campbell, of Nash ville, and was born in St. Petersburg, while her father was the representa tive of the Government at the court of the Czar. In early life there was a settled melancholy, almost bordering on moroscncss about General Ewell, which impressed his army friends with the belief that he had been the victim of some fickle, ialse one’s heartlessness. This, however, was not the case. He had scarcely at tained his majority, when he first met Miss Mary Polk Campbell, the lovely and accoinplishe^daughter of Judge George W. Campbell, of Ten nessee, and a mutual admiration sprung up between the gallant young army officer and the fascinating belle, which soon ripened into love. But the fates were not propitious. The parents objected to the match so persistently that General Ewell, becoming piqued, did not press his shit as vigorously at the time as he would otherwise have done. The duties of military life carried him to the frontier; yet, throughout all the stirring campaigns in whieh he bore a conspicuous part, he carried with him the image of his early love, dreaming, in the pauses of the battle of the time when he might yet win from the unwilling hands of fame a distinction which should commend him te the father’s.esteem. Meantime, the daughter, with that high sense of honor peculiar to her, and a filial devotion almost without parallel, addressed herself as best she could to the meek observances of a dutiful life, ceasing to communicate with, yet in secret cherishing her heart’s idol. Another won her hand and in her twentieth year she was married to an estimable gentleman and settled with him on a beautiful farm, near Spring Hilf, Tennessee. A short time before the war she was left a widow, free to bestow her hand again on whom she would.— But she had never forgotten her girlish vows. Through all the stormy life of him who first won her affec tions, she followed, with hep prayers and tears, her idol—her hero—who was winning laurels on distant fields. A ltd when at the battle of the Wilderness in May, 1864, he was stricken down at the head of his col umns, Mrs. Mary Polk Brown laid aside all minor considerations, and flew on the wings of love to his bed side, nursing him through all of his sufferings until he was again able to take command.. It was shortly after his recovery that the dream of a long and eventful life was realized by the consumma tion of his early hopes and these twain, devoted in youth, parted for the quarter of a century, met at last in the shadows of declining years to pledge anew that faith which had waxed stronger through the trying ordeal of a long seperation.—Charles tOR Republican. Fashion Notes.—The white dresses which were so fashionable last yehr will be quite as popular the ensuing summer. They are not al ways neat and taseful, but they are economical, since they wear a long time. Pretty pique suits are made up for the promenade, consisting of tight- fitting polonaise and skirt trimmed with embroidery and braids. Piques and Victoria lawns now come plaid- ed, striped and embroidered with small patterns. , Stripes are to be much worn, both in silks and other materials. The new Genoes, stripe, whieh comes in white goods, has a peculiar gloss like that of silk, aud will be much used for summer dresses. The latest style of veil for spring* weal is called the Donna Maria. The two new colors in dress goods are to be called Paris-in-ashes and couleour de choux. A new style of sleeves for dresses is a succession of small ruffles reaching to, the elbow. Straw fringe and leaves are to be very much used this season for trimming bonnets, dresses and parasols. Charitable Advertising. An exchange has some very sensi ble remarks touching the Intolera ble inflictions and impositions to which newspaper publishers are dai ly subjected under the specious plea that it is their duty to gratuitously advertise everything that presents itself under the name of “public en terprise” or “charity.” We extract: Societies and individuals expect and receive benefits from this style of ad vertising, and there is no valid reason why it should not be paid for. Every line of type set is an actnal outlay to the publisher, and there is no more reason for ask'ng him to stand this ex pense than there is for asking the groctryman to gratuitously supply a festival with sugar or confectionery. Printing a newspaper is a business— just as much'so as selling dry. goods or groceries. No one thinks of ‘spong ing’ his wants from a merchant. Why should not the same views prevail when dealing with the printers I Many have formed the habit of think ing that publishers should devote half their space to show up the good ' in some project that lie cared nothing about. It may be a church or chari table object, hence they think that great injustice is done if a charge is made for such work. Now, it is a very easy matter to be charitable at the printer’s expeuso; but let as sup pose the printer charges fair prices for work 0/ this kind and then donates one-half of the money to the society. Who supposes that the printer wonld not be Considered a very liberal and charitable mao ? But if he makes no charge, and gives nothing, most peo ple look upon him as too poor to he charitabje, and regard him as an alto gether nnfortunate individual. This ft elirg will speedily pass away when publishers exact pay tor all such work, and use their own judgment as to when and where they will contribute to charitable objects. Business is one thing- and charity quite another. The Beautiful Around Us.—The odore Parker relates a beautiful fable, to the effect that a young man once picked up a sovereign lying in the road. E<er afterwards, as he walked along, he kept his eye s • idilv fixed on the ground, in hope of finding another. And, in the course of a long life, be did pick np, at different times, a gopd amount of gold and silvjr. But all these days, as he was looking lor them, he saw not that heaven was bright above him, and natare was beautifnl around. He never once allowed his eyes to look up from the mud and filth in which he sought the treasure, and when be died, a rich old man, ho only knew this fair earth of oars aa a dirty road in which to pick np money as you wafk along. Ah ! we shonld look at the beautiful in life, even though we may lose a penny now and then. Mother, I should not be surprised if our Susan gets choked some day. “Why, my son?” “Because her beau twisted his arms around her neck, and if she had not kissed him to let her go, lie would have stran gled her.”