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Tlie Greorgia “Weekly Telegraph, and. Journal <fc Messenger.
Telegraph & Messenger.
MACON, DECEMBER 7, 1800.
Going to Texas.
Mf e are sorry to see a revival of the Texas
emigration fever in a portion of Northern Geor
gia. At the best, emigration from Georgia to
any other State of the Union is a donbtfnl ex
pedient Very seldom have we heard of any
nun w ho improved his condition and prospects
try fhe change; and we never yet satr snch a
nose. Bnt just now we hold such movements
peovliarily inopportune.
Landed property is fast rising in value in that
section,and probably this is the roason of the em
igration. People, for the first time for some
years, are ablo to sell ont at what they think afair
price, and they wish to improvo the opportunity
£h f e ar that it may not occnr 8gain. They forget
that what seems to be a fair price now, will per
haps look like a great sacrifice a fewyears hence.
yfo judge of prices solely by comparison, and
when they get off to Texas and hoar that lands
in their old vicinity havo got to bo worth twice
as muoh as they sold the oldhomestead place for,
they will feel cheaper than any property they
may havo bought in Texas.
Tho truth is, Northern Georgia will probably
improvo faster than any section of the State.
It combines the advantages of Northern and
Southern climates. It produces the crops of both
geotions and most of the comforts of both sec
tions. The whole of that great belt of country
stretching down along the Blue Bidge and con*
gtitnting tho great Virginia valley and fhe valley
of East Tennessee and Northern Georgia and
Alabama, is the grandest and most, valuable
oountry on the continent of North America, and
will soon bo peopled by perhaps tho most intel
ligent, prosperous and interesting population of
tho United States. It will be tho abode of
wealth, refinement and culture. A tract of land
there is going to be worth more than so many
aores in any other farming region—for here
mining, manufacturing, all tho mechanic arts
and agriculture are destined to an intimacy of
oo-existence and a profitable contiguity and re
lationship, which is attainablo no where else on
the American continent: because the same na-
'tnral conditions of exhanstless mineral wealth,
inimitable water power, extraordinary fertility
of soil, and length of season, mildness and
liealthfulness of climate are accumulated so
grandly no where else. The greatest facilities
foe progress in all the three grand divisions of
•fatimnn enterprise are here clustered together
with unexampled prodigality. We think the
people of that section should consider well be*
fore they exchange their interest in snch a coun
try for lands in Texas.
Specie Payment Uneasiness.
We learn there is some uneasiness in mercan
tile circles over the fnss of politicians about a
sudden return to specie payments. If there
'Were any probability that snch a desperate ex
periment would be undertaken, we should cry
“stand from under," with the most frightened.
The whole country, except a small minority of
bondholders and tho money ring, wonld be swept
by a simoon of universal insolvency. But it is
bosh. So far from resuming specie payments,
.we believe Congress will more probably stop
too contracting operations of the Treasury.
Tbe West is already in a terrible money pinch
and clamorous for more currency. Tho tele
grams say tho Western members are coming to
Washington with tho cry of “a money famine.”
The immense amount of currency required to
movo the Southern crop, is just about so much
temporarily withdrawn'from that section, and
some time will be required beforo it will find
its way back again in payment for horses, mules,
bacon, corn, hay, cats and flour. The South is
now subsisting, for a while, mainly npon bread-
staffs and forage of her own production, and
will not begin to empty herself into the West
until these domestic supplies run out.
Meanwhile, the Western money cramp will bo
fatal to tho bondholders’scheme of farther con
traction, spfit'ie'payments, insolvency and ruin.
Woato.&f Congressman from the West who
W®inoIi a scheme in the face ef such a heavy
Western indebtedness to the East—short pay
ments, low prices, slack demand for wheat,
and universal lightness in money. We feel no
apprehension of a worse result than that the
frnitless clatter abont resumption will keep up
a needless uneasiness and apprehension in busi
ness circles.
TiTm>T. TO THE MACON MANUFACTURING Cojt-
FAirr.—Tho prize.medal received by tbe Macon
M»lls from tho Cincinnati Textile Fabric Expo
sition, for the best sheeting, is beautiful. The
medal is enclosed in a gilded circle surmounted
by the National emblem—an eagle. The front
represents a power loom in relief, 'with the
motto, “ EnconragOj Home Industry,” and the
date, August, 18G9. The obverse bears the in
scription, “Exposition of Textile Fabrics—
awarded to the Macon Manufacturing Company,
August, 18G9, Cincinnati.” Tho Society also
received with this award fifty dollars in money.
The Company also took the premium for sheet
ings at the Macon Fair.
Great Northern and Western Route by the
Western and Atlantic Railway.—Tho WesU
• on and Atlantio Railway, having completed all
their arrangements, advertise their great West
ern and Northern^ routo to-day. Expedition,
. comfort and safety—clean and bright cars—no
changes—baggage checked all tho way through
—perfect connections and splendid sleeping
arrangements. In a word, activity, improve
ment and progress.
Progress.—We shall soon have somebody
clamoring for a new dictionary, or an enlarge
ment of the one in use now. Every day some
new definition crops out. For instance: An
Assistant Paymaster in tho Navy has just ab
sconded, with a deficiency in his accounts of
$20,000. His bond was $5000, and so be just
netts $21,000. And the official paper at Wash
ington calls it “inadequacy of funds!”
Vice President Fourth District.—We aro
.authorized to state that Mr. A. O. Bacon, whoso
name has been accidentally drawn into tho con
: troversy with reference to the Vice President
of the State Agricultural Society for this dis
trict, has peremptorily declined to be farther
.considered as having anything to do with that
position.
Pibtolic.—A gay and very festive Tribune
. attache named Richardson, who has been in
terfering, it is charged, with the marital rights
and appurtenances of one McFarland, a New
Tork lawyer, was dosed by tho latter last Friday
with a leaden pill, and is not expected to rc-
. oarer therefrom.
PuBorso the Alabama Legislature.—The
Radioals in tho Alabama Legislature have ex
pelled Magee, the Democratic member from
Mobile, andpntinMcKinstry, wbo was defeated
by a large majority. It is said, the other Dem-
ocratio members recently elected will also be
expelled.
Another Warning.—On Sunday last, Messrs.
-J. A S. A. Pace, living near Hatchechubbee.
Alabama, on the line of the Mobile and Girard
Railroad, bad thirty-one bales of cotton burned
by an incendiary fire without a dollar insurance.
If that cotton had been in a fire proof ware
house, the Messrs. P. would have been nearly
*$4,000 richer at these present writings.
The Seizure of Ihe Spanish Gunboats.
The reader is aware that last Wednesday tha
Government of the United States libelled and
seized thirty Spanish gunboats lying in the har
bor of New York in an unfinished condition. It
was no matter of concealment that these gun
boats had been built under contract with the
Spanish Government through Rafael Aragon, a
Spanish naval officer, by Cornelius Delamater,
a citizen of New York; and that they were to bo
employed in blockading the ports of Cnba and
harassing tho insurgents in that Island.
There was not the smallest concealment about
the matter, nor the smallest legal occasion for
any; because Spain, as a friendly power, had a
right to the good offices of this people and Gov
ernment, and to the purchase of supplies, equip
ments and munitions of warfor the enforcement
of its legitimate and acknowledged authority
over its own subjects—which subjects our Gov
ernment steadily acknowledged the people of
Cuba rightfully were—never having once inti
mated a doubt to tho contrary, although often
importuned so to do, and to recognize tho bel
ligerent rights of the insurgent Cabans.
But last Wednesday comes one Inacio Alfaro,
one of the Cuban Junta in New York, as
we suppose, and makes an affidavit beforo
United States Commissioner Geo. F. Betts,
which is not only a curiosity in its way, but, as a
ground woik for subsequent proceedings, is, wo
undertake to say, the most insufficient and in
consequential upon which a respectable pow
er ever based snch a proceeding. Alfaro swears
(1) that a war exists between Spain and its colo
ny, Cuba. (2) As to the contract for building the
gunboats between Spain, and Delamater. (3)
That Spain is at war with Peru, a friendly pow
er. (4) That the people of Cuba aro subject to
assault and destruction by Spain. (5) And that
said gunboats, he has reason to believe, aro to bo
omployed against Cuba and Fern.
Upon this affidavit a libel was served upon
each of the gunboats, and they are now in cus
tody of the United States Marshal of the South
ern District of New York, by direction of the
President of the United States. .
Such a proceeding a3 this might becomo a
Tombs shyster or a shaip connty court attorney,
but it is simply disgraceful in a power like the
United States. All that part of the affidavit
about Cnba has no more relevancy to the libel
and Seizure than wonld a similar affidavit abont
the Insurgent Republicans or Cariisfs in old
Spain; and why is it lugged in as a ground work
of the proceeding? It conld become such only
after the United States had notified Spain
that she considered her insurgent subjects in
Cuba rightfully contesting for self government,
and therefore could not permit her the use of
our resources against them.
But, in manifest confession of the entire ir
relevancy and insufficiency of the Cuba plea,
the war with Peru is brought in—a war which
has notoriously been two years dead and
abandoned by Spain, although no treaty of
peace has been made.
If onr government wants to back Cnba, let
her do it manfully and above board. Lot her
disdain the shelter of snch pettifogging, which
every body will seo throngh and despiso. It is j us t
such a proceeding as this which disgraces and
demoralizes a nation in the eyes of the world,
far more than defeat in diplomacy or on the bat
tle-field.
An Abominatiou-
Wo aro fully persuaded of the folly of enter
ing tho lists against the goddess Fashion. We
know full well how many trinmphs she has
scored in snch encounters against the wisest and
wittiest men and women, too, that ever bran
dished a spear or flashed a sword against her
authority. Wo remember howmany have raised
the standard of revolt, and how ignominiously
they have succumbed. Don Quixote, in his tilt
against the wind-mill, was a Solon compared
with such hair-brained enthnsiasts.
Nevertheless we propose to do tho desperate
deed to-day. Taking duty as onr motto, and the
pretty feet and ankles of onr women os an ob
jective point, we propose to strike a blow against
one of tho moBt abominable, inconvenient
ungraceful, and dangerous caprices that fashion
has ever yet invented. Wo mean the modem
lady’s shoe. It ought to bo.the last feather to
break tbe camel’s back. If it does not, we fear
it will break somebody’s neck. Ladies totter
along on it like paralytics. Thoy walk as if in
momentary danger of tumbling to the ground.
It is a Procrustean bed upon which aro remorse
lessly stretched the graceful and tho ungraceful.
Some women in their natural walk gloriously il
lustrate tho poetry of motion—others the ba
thos of unutterable clumsiness. But this shoo
levels all distinctions. Wo denounce it as a
device of the evil one to make tbo women
ridiculous, and put their limbs in jeopardy.
The London Lancet, high medical find surgical
authority, thus anathematizes it. Wo cry bravo!
“The custom of wearing high boot-heels, and
those, too, so mneb smaller than the actual heel
of the wearer as to afford no solid support, bnt
only a balancing-point, is a source of much
mischief. In the first place, it throws the cen
tre of gravity of the body so far forward that a
free and gracefully erect carriage is impossible.
Secondly, there being no firm support to tho
heel, ladies are very apt to twist tho ankle sud
denly by over-balancing themselves; and this is
not only bad in itself, but tho fear of its occur
rence makes them assume a timid, mincing
gait. And thirdly, tbe effect of driving tbo foot
constantly forward mio tho toe of the boot is to
produce a very ugly and patafuLdistortion.”
Every lady in Macon will admit tho truth of
this, but how many will act upon it ?
Wo scarcely dare hope that our rcmonstranco
will be heeded, iSat wo hero break the lanCo and
shoot the shaft. Achilles was vulnerable in the
heel, and we trust to tho very faint chance of
finding the “girl of tho period ’’ weak there,
too.
The Georgia Press.
Tho Savannah Republican is “still harping on
my daughter.” It replies to Mr. Howard’s de
fence of the Executive Committee, and reiter
ates the charge of incapacity, etc. It still thinks
that the next Fair should bo held in Savan
nah, but hasn’t a word to say abont those
“administrative minds” this time. Evidently
onr neighbor docs not consider that line tena.
bio any longer. So much for a well directed
fire.
The News notices tbo controversy between
the Republican and Telegraph and Messenger
with reference to holding the Fair in Savannah,
and says:
For onr own part we repeat onr opinion,, that
tho State Fair should be permanently located at
Macon, for the reason that it is eligible by rail
road and near the geographical centre of the
State; and that the auxiliary societies of the
State should be invited to unite in tho establish
ment of snch buildings and grounds as will af
ford every required facility and accommodation
for the exhibitors and the public at large. This
done, there will be cause for complaint.
The Columbus Sun wants to know where “tho
great Radical party” of Georgia was daring the
late Fair. It boasts of a party large in num
bers, influence and respectability in the State,
but with tho exception of Messrs. Brown, Bnl
look and Halbert, they were not visible in that
immense collection of twenty or thirty thousand
peoplo from all parts of the State.
The Athens Banner pays a tribute to the hos
pitality of Macon daring the Fair. It says:
Macon did nobly—no city in the -State conld
have done better under such a pressure.
Tho Banner says that “CoL R. S. Taylor, who
has for some time managed the Athens Post-
office with marked acceptance to ail our peo
ple, has been forced'to retire from tbe office on
account of the political pressure at Washington.
The department demanded that no one should
be in charge of the office Who could not take tho
•iron clad’ oath."
An adjourned term of Walton Superior Court
was held last week. The editor of the Banner
fonnd the people paying their bills promptly,
and holding most of their cotton for better
prices. The crop is somewhat better than was
anticipated. Com is scaroe, and a large area
of wheat and oats has been sowed.
The Atlanta papers are brim fall of the mu-,
nicipal election. Four candidates are in the
field—Messrs. Alexander, Ezzard^Williams and
Markham—the three first Democrats, the latter
Bepublican. It looks as if the latter had a
pretty sure thing. So much for not importing
a sufficient number of “administrative minds"
from the sea-board to settle the difficulty.
The Rome Courier. notes the presence of a
number of “boozies” on the streets who came
to Rome and were so struck with its appearance
that they straightway got drunk—to drown
their disappointment, etc ?
The Commercial reports a brisk trade Satur
day. Cotton was active at about 22 cents.—
Com $1@1 10 in tho ear. Apples $2 00 per
bushel. Cabbage down to 4 cts. a pound.—
Wheat $1 40. Wood in demand. No coal yet
, The Constitutionalist devotes a column and a
half—with extracts—to CoL Forney’s letter. It
is rather caustic, though the editor says CoL
Forney, “in the greater part of his letter, has
been far more flattering and impartial than we
imagined ho possibly conld be.” Tho editor
thinks, though, that tho peroration abont Gov.
Bullock throws “tho fat into tho fire,” and dis
misses the subject with the reminder to CoL
F., that “the scream of Morcnry aro harsh af
ter tho songs of Apollo.” '
Tho Chronicle and Sentinel is enthusiastic
over a basket of strawberries—large, ripe, juicy
and luxurious—grown in the open air by Mr.
Nelson, of that city. Thoy are of the Wilson’s
Albany variety.
Registration in Augusta stands 10GI for I860
against 8SG8 for 1808, a decrease in the total
city vote of 280S—of which the whites loso 904
and the blacks 1804.
Tnoors in Wilkes.—The Washington Gazette
reports the arrival there of a detachment of Uni
ted States troops on Thursday. They have been
sent by Gen. Terry, wo presume, to examine
into tho recent raid on and destruction of the
papers in tho offico of James B. Wilson, Assist
ant Revenue Assessor.—Const., 28th.
A Lady Robbed by IJicktockets.—An elderly
lady reached this city yesterday morning, on her
way to Chesterfield county,* South Carolina,
from Montgomery, Ala., at which point she had
her pocket picked of $80, all her available cash.
A gentleman on the' same train lost $300. The
pickpockets in recent attendance on the Georgia
State Fair have transferred themselves to the
Alabama Fair, and aro doing a profitable busi
ness, it seems.—Ibid.
Tho Savannah News of Saturday reports the
arrival there of a cargo of coffee direct from
Rio de Janeiro.
Tho News also chronicles' the opening of a
new line of street railway, running from the
Exchange to the Central Railroad depot.
Savannah as an Exporting City.—The Adver
tiser of Sunday says:
Of the seventy-six Customs Districts in the
United States, Savannah ranks fourth in the
value of her domestic exports, which amount to
more than a twentieth of all the exports of the
country, New York, New Orleans and San Fran
cisco alone preceding her on tho list During
the year ending June 30th, 18G9, her exports
were in value three times those of Charleston
and one-third those of New Orleans. According
to present indications, Savannah will assume
the third ploco on tho list next year, and greatly
lessen the gap between herself and New Or-
lean, for, while the receipts of cotton at the lat
ter port to date are abont tho same as at this
time last year, thoso of Savannah have nearly
doubled.
The Republican of Sunday thinks that Savan
nah never had more shipping along her wharves
than at present. On a single day of tho past
week—Thursday—under a favorable wind, no
less than three ships, fivo barks, six brigs, and
eight schooners—in all twenty-two—entered the
riv^r and came up to the city, besides one river
steamer from above.
Scheme of Public Instruction for
Georgia—Xo. 1.
Editors Telegraph, and Messenger : Amid all
tho bustle and confusion,'and tho consequent
blaming and excusing, that were caused by tbe
late fair at Macon, there was a small body of
men called"together in a secluded apartment,
whose work, unnoticed, and unknown to bnt a
few, is fnlly as valuable and important as any
of tbe interests that then commanded public at
tention.
I refer to tho Executivo Committee of the
Toachers’ Association of tho State of Georgia.
By the appointment of the Association at its
meeting in Atlanta in last August, a committee
of five had been busily at work during the inter
vening months to prepare a well digested plan
for a State system of public schools.
Diligent inquiry had been made as to all the
existing systems of public instruction, not only
in tbe States of America, bnt also of Europe.
Their prominent features had been carefully
collated, and their adaptiveness to our own pop
ulation and circumstances studiously examined.
The peculiarities of our condition as a people in
their bearing upon tho question of public edu
cation bad been deeply considered, and as tho
result of all tho inquiry and adjustment that
theso men could bring to tbe matter, this com
mittee bad constructed tbe genoral features of
the plan for providing public instruction for all
the people of Georgia, equally, but separately.
This report was, on ono of tho days during
tbo opening of tho Fair, laid boforo tho Execu
tive Committee of the Stato Teachers’ Associa
tion, for their revision and emendation, and
this was tho work on which that body was en
gaged in the lectufe room of tho First Baptist
Church, on Tuesday, tho IGth instant. After
some happy alterations and additions to the
original report, tho Executive Committee found
themselves able to present what seomed to them
a scheme as well adapted to onr condition and
circumstances as a people, as could now be de
vised.
That scheme they wore called upon to lay be
foro the entire body of the Association, at its
called meeting at the City Hall on Wednesday,
the. 17th instant. The greater part of that day
was spent by" tho Association in discussing and
adjusting the details of tho schemo thus report
ed to them; and as a final result, a committeo
was appointed to present the scheme thus elab
orated in tho form of a memorial to the next
legislature, as tho basis of a law for cnactmont.
It la known, perhaps, to most of your readers,
that tho Constitution of the Stale requires the
legislature, at its first session, to onset a law
for public instruction. Three separate bills for
this purpose were introduced into tho last ses
sion of the legislature, no ono of which, how
ever, succeeded in passing both houses. There
is but little doubt that tbo legislature will feel
itself at its next session, more than ever bound
to agree npon some law on tho matter. This
posture of affairs seemed to tho members of the
State Teachers’ Association, sufficient warrant
for them to offer their help in tho preparation
of a wise and feasible scheme.
Certain it is, that very few legislative com
mittees even have the time, the ability, or tho
disposition s go through so careful an explora
tion, selection and constrnction of materials as
this body of experienced and praotioal teachers
have done. Their deep.interest in the matter,
and their solicitude that neither the State nor
the cause should be damaged by hasty, or parti,
san, or otherwise bad legislation—these, with
out any, the least expectation of reaping per
sonal benefit, were the sole motives that impelled
and sustained them.
A glance at the roll of membership, and espe
cially at the names of the officers, (who ex-officio
constitute the Executive Committee.) will show
that these men are competent to advise alcgis-
lature on such matters as this. There can be
no reasonable doubt that the legislature will
respectfully listen to what they have to soy, and
feel that any schemo recommended by them to
be enacted as law, will go before tho people for
practical accomplishment, under favorable au
spices. What that scheme is, it will be tbe aim
of a subsequent paper to set forth. I'
John Loose.
LETTER FROM FLORIDA. \ -
State Recuperating—Fair Crop Made—Im
migration—Land* Rising—Middle Florida
the Carden Spot—Society—St. Marks—Tho
Sentinel—The Floridian and its Senior-
Major Robert Walhcr—The Synod of
Georgia.
Tallahassee, November 27,18G9.
Editors Telegraph and Messenger ; Florida is
fast recuperating. For years Bhe has been af
flicted with military rule, Freedman’s Bureaus,
inefficient labor, carpet-baggers and the eater-
pillar—enough in all conscience to depress and
destroy any people. Notwithstanding, she is
just getting on her legs again, a fair crop has
been made the preset year, considering the
circumstances, and a people are more cheer
ful and hopeful.
Immigration is coming in, lands are apprecia
ting and everybody looks forward with pleasant
anticipations to the “good time coming.” The
St. John’s river country seems just now to havo
the most attractions for immigrants. That is a
region adapted more for fruit culture than any
thing else; bnt Middle Florida is really tho gar
den spot of the land of Florida, and the good
people here only ask that immigrants will come
and see for themselves, to be convinced that
this is to be the future seat of the State’s pros
perity. The country i3 rolling, well watered
and ha3 the best cotton and sngar lands in
Florida. x
Tallahassee is a city of seven hills, like old
Romo. There are hill3 everywhere, sm tho
north and sontb, oast and west. It is “beautiful
for situation,” and if not tho joy of tho whole
earth, it is the joypf its people. It was laid off
in 1824, three years after the exchange of flags,
then a wilderness, and persons are living who
havo seen deer, turkeys and other wild game
from their door-steps. Few of tho first settlers
are now living. At or np to the war it boasted
the best society of any place in tho State—Vir
ginians, Carolinians, Kentuckians, Tennessee
ans and Georgians dwelt here, who made the
place noted for its refinement and hospitality.
Persons who wish to spend a winter in this ge
nial climate, will find here all that is desirable—
clever peoplo, splendid drives through woods
with hard roads, lakes and hammocks for hunt
ing.
St. Marks, only 22 miles henco by rail, is the
shipping port on tho Gulf. It was once the outlet
of a large trade, and the time was when Georgia
planters, for a hundred miles or more wagoned
their cotton to this point for sale and shipment
from St. Marks. Thoso were the “flush times,”
when railroads were things of imagination.—
Tho people here think that when cotton drops
down to ante-war prices, the Gnlf ports includ
ing their own St. Marks, will once more lift np
their heads. They believe that if the Bainbridgo
and Cnthbert Railroad i3 built, of which they
have great hopes, St. Marks will regain its im
portance. That road throngh St. Marks will
put Georgia in direct communication with New
Orleans, Cuba, and all the "West Indies, and
make you hungry folks at Mason to feast on tho
finny tribes of the Gnlf, and rejoice over stews
and'pies of tho most delicious bivalves fresh
from their beds.
. The people endure the carpet-bag rule put
over them by a Radical Congress with becoming
fortitude and patience, looking forward to the
time When there will be a change. The Wiscon
sin Governor seems to have a hard time. “Un
easy lies the head,” etc. His own party, a year
ago, sought to get rid of him by impeachment,
and failed through the opposition of the Con
servatives, who did not think that tho proof of
rascality was conclusive, and who were afraid
that if he were turned out a bigger rascal would
take bis place. It was another illustration of
tho fable of tho fox and the flies. This breach
in bis party has not been healed, the old im-
peachers being as determined as ever; and sooth
to say, if whnt they allege is true or only half
true, he is a great scamp and ought to be got
ten rid of.
The old paper of the Senior of tho Telegraph
and Messenger, tho Sentinel—once the influen
tial organ of the Florida Whigs—is now a Rad
ical month-piece, chiefly owned by Gov. Reid.
“To wbat base uses,” etc. By the way, tho peo-
here remember Mr. C. with great cordiality and
admiration. They regard him as the prince of
journalism in Georgia, and as standing in the
fore-front of the editorial corps in tho South.
The Floridian was established here in 1828,
was burnt ont in 18G0, by which tho most au
thentic records extant of current territorial times
wore destroyed. Its present editor is tho oldest
in Florida, having been in the offico since 1841.
Ho is a chaste and vigorous writer, and sends
out weekly throngh this “land of flowers,” a
sheet richly freighted with tho true, tho beauti
ful and the good. The tone of his paper is cto-
oidedly conservative, and, therefore, commands
the confidence of tho wisest and best men of the
country. .
Allow mo to say a word in relation to mine
host, Major Robert Walker, who is well known
to fame, as the superintendent of the two most
important railroads in Florida, and who was
distinguished for his patriotism in Confederate
times. He is truly one of nature’s noblemen,
a scholar of no mean attainments and a most
valuablo vestryman in the Episcopal Church.—
Ho says you once sent him tho Telegraph for
favors shown to your agents in travel, but that
for some unknown cause this old and. highly es
teemed friend has failed to greet him with its
glad tidiDgs.
The Synod of Georgia has been in session here
for some days and were nover better entertained
than by tbo hospitable citizens of Tallahassee.
The most important matter that has received
the attention of the Synod is that relating to
the removal of Oglethorpe Collogo from Mid
way. There was very strong opposition to the
removal of tho College, but tho Synod was so
impressed with tho necessity of its removal that
after a protracted discussion it resolved to re
move it to Atlanta, where wo trust it may have
a prosperous and useful future. W.
What Commissioner Capron Says.
Hon. Horace Capron, Commissioner of Agri
culture, who was hero during tho Fair has re
turned home. What ho thinks is told in a spe
cial from Washington to the Courier-Journal:
The Georgia Fair.—Tha Commissioner of
Agriculture is back from the Macon Fair, and
speaks encouragingly of it and tho warm wel
come extended to the Northern visitors. Ho
says that cotton was tho chief object of interest
at the Fair. Specimens of this year’s crop from
different quarters, improved implements in its
culture, and in cottop gins; machinery for pre
paring it for market in improved stylo, made an
imposing show; bnt live stock and agricultural
machinery not conneoted with tho cnltnre of
cotton, die! not receivo muoh attention. At pres
ent prices this crop is giving tho planters enor
mous returns for their labor and investment;
but tho Commissioner thinks too exclnsivo at
tention is given to the product. Planters gen
erally are rapidly extending the area of its cul
tivation and stimulating the soil for extraordi
nary crops. This, with exertions in the same
direction in British India, Egypt and Brazil,
may bring the market down to the old prices of
1840, when it ruled at five and six cents.
Must Come in.
The Press, ono of CoL Fomey’s two dailies,
gives a very cold shoulder to the faithful in Vir
ginia who regard the recent election there as a
“.Confederate victory.” Evidently the North-
em Republicans don’t intend to give their
friends in Virginia another deal. We think
light is breaking all aronnd the horizon. Re
garding Virginia tho Press says:
Regarding the essence of the reconstruction
laws ns incorporated into the Virginia Constitu
tion as an ultimatum presented by Congress,
npon acknowledgment of which roadmission
should take, place, it would be manifestly wrong
to base any Congressional action upon the fu
ture intentions of those who seenred offices in
the State. They may or may not design to car
ry ont the intentions of Congress, and their
partial ratification of them may be a sham.
Bnt Congress con only accept the act. It was
tho criterion set np.
No.
92.
No.
93.
No.
94.
No.
95.
No.
96.
No.
97.
No.
98.
No.
99.
MASONIC.
Office of the j
Georgia Masonic Mutual 4
Life Insurance Company. J
For the information of the members of the
company, we annex a list of the October assess
ments:
According to our By-Laws you are assessed
eight dollars and eighty, cents, to pay the heirs
of Brothers—
Stephen W. Belsher, Ivena
Lodge, No. 258, Georgia,
age 57 years—due $4,003 00
Thomas J;. Peddy, P. T.
Schley Lodge, No. 229,
Georgia, age 43 years—
due $4,004 00
Robert J. Boyd, Clinton
Lodge, No. 60, South Car
olina, age 65 years—due $4,012 00
Edmund H. Ross, Austin
Lodge, No. 247, Georgia,
age 36 years—due $4,013 00
J. H. Demund, Ancient Land
Mark Lodge,No. 231, Ga.,
age 44 years—due $4,021 00
James M. Woodruff, Golden
Fleece Lodge, No. C,
Georgia, age 51 years—
due ,...$4,025 00
Dr. John W. Collier, Damas
cus Lodge, No. 263, Geor
gia, age 34 years—due...$4,026 00
Wiley M. Pearce, Twiggs
Lodge, No. 164, Geor
gia, age 38 years—due...$4,027 00
In future, all claims will be paid to heirs of
deceased members within sixty days after claim
is passed by Board of Directors.
Note.—The proceedings of last annual meet
ing will be forwarded to each member as soon
as printed.
Tho annual meeting in October, which ad
journed until the 28th November, committed
their joint deliberations, with the President’s
report, to the Board of Directors, wbo met du
ring the interval—reporting at the adjourned
meoting—when the following amendments to
the previous existing by-laws wore adopted. We
annex a synopsis:
By recommendation of tbo President, and
adopted by the Convention—
Art. 3d, Seo. 1st, shall read, after the word
“Macon”: “on tho night of the first day’s
meeting of tho Grand Lodgo in each yoar, at
half-past seven o’clock p. m. Art. 2d, Sec. 1st,
to be corrected as to its date of meeting as sta
ted here.
Persons who bold demits over five years can
bo admitted, provided they become members
of some lodge.
Art. 5lb, Sec. 3d, amended by striking out
tho word “ sixty” in the second line, and insert
ing “ fifty” so as to read: “A Master Mason in
good standing, and not exceeding fifty years of
age.”
Article 8th to be known as Section 5th of said
Article, and to read as follows: “Any member
of this company having a dependent family, for
whose benefit he desired to secure a homestead,
may hypothecate a portion of the amount to be
due upon his policy, at his death, for that pur
pose, upon such terms and restrictions as may
be prescribed by the Board of Directors: Pro
vided, that in all cases the wife of tho member
shall join him in bis application to the Board
of Directors for that purpose: and, Provided
further, that five members of this Company re
siding nearest tho applicant shall certify, that,
in their opinion, such hypothecation will be for
the best interests of said member and his
family.”
Article 7. Section 1st, amended so as to insert
in the ninth line, immediately after the words
“Lodgo seal," tho following: “or rather from
any cause, the seal of tho Lodge cannot bo ob
tained, then the certificate and seal of the same
from a Conrt of Record.” -
Section 2d, all claims by the death of mem
bers is altered so ns to read: “Payable sixty
days after thoy shall have been duly proven be
fore the Board of Directors at their regular
meetings, immediately followingtheir reception.
Agents aro informed that six thousand copies
of the proceedings of this Convention will be
forwarded to them for the membership and oth
ers, as soon as they can be printed.
The founders of the Institution congratulate
themselves in contemplating tho relief which
has been cast about broadcast over the land,
having assessed and paid out to tho widows and
dependent children (when the above assessment
is collected) three honored and sixty-nine
THOUSAND AND THIRTY-NINE DOLLABS ($3G9,039).
During the stringent times of tho past year, our
numbers have been diminished—by death, res
ignation and default of payment of assessments.
Wo havo every reason to hope we shall not have
many more defaulters, as insurance in this com
pany is, on an average to its members, not as
high, by one-half or more, as it is hv the usual
insnranco companies of the day. Our assess
ment shows wo have yet more than $4,000 for
the heirs of our deceased brethren, and we fear
not but the classes will now fill np rapidly and
our object will be fully realized, and hope soon
to havo $5,000 as an assessment. Tho classes
B, C, D and E present inducements to all who
desire to have their lives insured, without pay
ing the mortuary fees of class A. As all these
classes will necessarily be light until class A is
filled, we may then certainly calculate thnt they
will be rapidly filled.
J. W. Burke, S. and T.
Tlie Georgia .state Fair.
Correspondence of the Charleston Courier.
Macon, Ga., November 2G.
Among all the gatherings of humanity—of the
rich and the poor, the white and black, the pub
licist and plebian, male and female, he, she and
it—ever assembled in Georgia, general testi
mony concedes that that which has been called
together by the State Fair at this place “takes
the dilapidated linen off the shrubbery. ”
Car traveling in theso latter days is not unu
sually adventurous, but a trip to Macon from
any part of the compass for the last four or five
days has been an exception to tho rule. Scarce
ly a train arrived that was not literally packed
with man, woman and child, until aisle, seat and
platform could hold no more. The remotest
cities and towns in tho State, and even tho ad
joining States, have had their representatives
by scores, and they comprised, as a mass, the
best men and the most beautiful women in this
section of the late “ So-called.”
I have been astonished, too, by the large
number of visitors from the North and West.—
As a class they are farmers and manufacturers,
and from more than one who fonnd his way. into
the editorial room on the grounds, you might
have heard expressions of genuine wonderment
at the exhibition of wealth, tosto and prosperity
presented to the eye. -
As a consequence of this immense throng
hotels and private citizens havo been taxed to
their utmost—indeed, beyond their capacity for
accommodation. For three days a bed could
not be had at any price, and both men and wo
men were to be found either sitting up all night
or catching cat-naps on the floor. Hundreds
slept in the cars, and as many more finding no
place to eat or rest returned whence they came.
Wbilo tho management of the Fair has been
seemingly imperfect, andbas elicited complaints
from every quarter, it is but just to say that the
residents of Macon have dona all in'their pow
er to entertain strangers, and to exhibit Geor
gia hospitality in its pleasantest phases. Bnt
thirty thousand people are not easily to be cared
for you know, and in such a crowd, there must
be some cotitre temps.
Getting More Light.
CoL Forney's visit seems to havo opened his
eyes to many things down South, among others
the true history and meaning of “reconstruc
tion.” He saw some splendid samples of what
kind of material it called into requisition, and
hero is his verdict. Of course, by tho people
of the South he means his sort of people, po
litically. Wo quote from tho Press:
The work of reconstruction has been an ear
nest thing with Congress, but the people of the
Southern States have not looked upon it as such.
Only the few have regarded it as the great step
ping-stone to enduring municipality, to pros
perity, to enlightenment. The many have en
gaged in a scramble for position, or, what is
worse, have remained listless.
A fish that broke, in the attempt to raise
him, a crane used-in lifting one thousand pounds
of rice at a time, was caught Friday near Wap-
po Cut, Charleston.
An ambitious youth, who has been brought
up with a sad misapprehension of facts, thus
pours his soul into verse:
If I was a lokio editor, .
Wouldn't I have a time ?
I wouldn’t print a cussed word
For less ’n a $ a line.
I’d got my grab and licker free,
l . & tickets to the shows.
I would’t pay for buggy bier,
& wouldn’t I ware good dose ?
FROM WASHINGTON.
The San Domingo Expedition—Its Object-
Railway Ratters in Congress—Shooting
of Richardson — Scan. Mag. — National
Cemeteries.
Special Correspondence of Telegraph and Messenger.
Washington, November 27, 18G7.
More than a month ago it was announced in.
special telegrams from Washington to the New
Orleans Times and Baltimore Gazette, that this
Government had taken certain steps toward the
annexation of San Domingo. Other papers,
whose correspondents were* not so well in
formed, hastened to oontradict the statement.
Becentiy the New York papers have published
columns of double-leaded speoial dispatches
and lengthy editorials, announcing the same
facts, ^nd little more, which they had previously
declared unfounded. They have, however, been
at a loss to understand tho object of the expe
dition which has sailed for San Domingo, and
have very generally connected it with a demon
stration in relation to Cuban matters. In this
they have gone very wide of the mark. Tho
real object of the expedition is to lend the moral
snpport of this Government to President Baez
against Cabral, and to sustain the present party
in power until the treaty of annexation can be
ratified. Gen. Babcock and Gen. Rnfos Ingalls
sailed in the United States steamer Albany, for
San Domingo, on a secret mission from this
Government in relation to tho annexation move
ment. This has been denied in some quarters,
but I have it on good authority. President
Grant and Seoretary Fish are both in favor of
the annexation of San Domingo to this country.
A treaty for the purpose has already been pre
pared, and will be submitted to the next Con
gress early in tho session. It is probable tho
President will refer to the subject in his mes
sage. It is understood tho treaty provides that
this Government shall assume tho debt of San
Domingo, which amounts to about one and a
half millions in gold. Tho Haytien minister
here has been interrogated on the subject, but
is very reticent.
Railway matters will largely engage tho at
tention of the next session of Congress,. As be
foro stated, the Memphis and El Paso Railroad
Company will renew their application for a
right of way. Mr. Garrett, the Preaiuentof the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, must
apply for an extension of time for the building
of tho Metropolitan railway, and an application
will be made for authority on tho part of tho
corporation of Washington to subscribe one
million dollars to tho contemplated extension of
the London and Hampshire railroad to the West.
The Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Compa
ny, (engaged in constructing a much needed
road between this city and Baltimore) must go
before the Maryland Legislature, which meets
in January, for a renewal of their charter, with
proposed important modifications. It is said
that surveying parties in tho interest of this
road have surveyed a route in lower Maryland,
which looks to crossing the Potomac below
Matthias’ Point, and thence to the Hanover
Junction on the Richmond and Fredericksburg
railway. This will divert travel from Washing
ton via tho Orango and Alexandria railway, and
the line of steamers via Acquia Creek.- The
project naturally causes some alarm here. The
Baltimore and Potomac road will connect at
Baltimore with the Northern Central railway, and
thus furnish a throngh line North, in opposition
to the Baltimore and Ohio. The completion of
tho Baltimore and Potomac road between this
city and Baltimore will, however, force the
building and working of Mr. Garrett’s partially
constructed railway to the Point of Rocks. In
the interests of the public it is to be hoped all
these schemes will bo carried out
The report of the shooting, in New York, of
Albert D. Richardson, Of the Tribune, by Mr.
MacFarlane, of that city, to whose wife Rich
ardson had shown a devotion which, to say the
least, savored of something more than platonic
love, created much excitement among the Bo
hemians here, some of whom were personal
friends of the wounded man. Vice President
Colfax, who had traveled many thousand miles
in the West with Mr. Richardson, for whom he
had contracted a warm friendship, was deeply
concerned ou hearing ihe news, and was at the
newspaper office until a late hour Thursday
night, for the purpose of hearing the latest in
telligence. The story of Richardson’s intimacy
with Mrs. McFarlane, as told by Mr. Colfax,
left, however, upon the minds of his hearers
the impression that, whatever might have been
the faults of the husband, Mr. R. was far from
blameless. Writing “love-letters” to a married
woman is certainly imprudent, to use the mild
est term, especially when they fall into the
hands of the husband. It will be recollected
that on a previous occasion, MacFarlane shot at
and wounded Richardson, and the affair created
no little excitement at tha time. Mr. Richard
son then published a card, saying that after
Mrs. MacF. had gained a divorce, he should
marry her, if she would accept one so unworthy
as himself. The lady obtained a divorce; and
although she-had not married Mr. Richardson,
the two went to Boston in company, and had
just returned when this second shooting affair
occurred. These are tho bare facts of the case,
as related by Mr. Richardson’s friends.
Tho Capital has been-greatly excited over
the cases of scan. mag. related in my last. Al
though no names wore given in connection with
tho reported suicide of a young girl, it appears
that the Commissioner of Pensions, Mr. Tan
Aernam, was brought into the matter; and the.
detectives employed to investigate it have is
sued a report fully exonerating him. It is not
denied that there was a suicide, and that the
facts were as related. The question now is,
who are the guilty parties ? As for the seduc
tion case, in which Mr. Finney, of the Third
Auditor’s office, was the offender, a suit for dam
ages of $10,000 has beeu entered by that gen
tleman against the Nationnl Republican. It is
said his friends attempted to investigate the
matter, but gave it up a3 a bad job. The Re
publican bids him defiance, and printed yester
day further damaging disclosures.
The report of Gen. Thomas on tho National
Cemeteries has been completed. The report
shows that there are but two of theso cemete
ries iu Georgia, Andersouville and Marietta.
At Marietta there are 6,937 white officers and
soldiers known and 2,923 unknown, and 225 col
ored,. making a total of 9,985. At Anderaonville
there are interred 12,755 white soldiers and offi
cers known and 839 unknown, and 111 colored,
making a total of 13,717. The grand total buried
in Georgia is 23,702. .
This administration is going into the “real es
tate business” with a vengeance, notwithstand
ing the President’s disclaimer last summer. In
addition to the proposed aevuisition of San Do
ming o, referred to abve, a determined effort
will be made for the annexation of the British
Provinces. To' this end propositions fjom Canada
for a new reciprocity treaty, have been refused.
Perhaps Mr. Seward's visit to Mexico may re
sult in an annexation movement in that direc
tion also. Truly we are a great people!
General Capron, Commissioner of Agricul
ture, returned to his post yesterday, from his
trip to Macon. He expresses himself as much
pleased with his visit.
A private letter received here from Texas,
says: “Hamilton will be elected by 30,000 ma
jority. Boulds Baker is sure to be Lt Gov
ernor.”
Commissioner Delano has returned from his
Georgia and Florida trip, and was at his office
to-day. He is well pleased with tho way in
which he was received by the people of the
Sonth.
An abstract
Secretary
paper to-day,
nearly
implt
It is
demanded
bnt he
in
the
matter,
The
expected
circles,
to the
tion.
Gov,
with
which ]
course <
t the
of the forthcoming reiw^T"'
of the Navy, published I
lay, is declared by the Secretly
, al1 P ure invention. The renort • ^
completed. port «isotj»[
denied that the Spanish*^.. '
ded the release of the SpanishIS**
had a long interview with Secret
ffihe expressed his dissatisf^^
our government hadp^J^
report of the Secretary of the T.
ed to create an excitement in
• H is understood it will be the
future financial policy of the
Walker, of Virginia, had an intfr J
s President yesterday.
Editors and Authors,
In announcing tho fact that Hiar I
Mobile, had a new book in press .
writer recently added, “the public
well as could be expected.” P y 'king,!
The author of “Benlah and “Sf n . !
certainly no favorite of the critics • bnt v ’ 1 1
Southern writers in general, mi 8 tiV,v7 8 ’* i l
tionwhea they attribute unfavonAk
or downright neglect to sectional I
Ig like manner, the conductors of Nqh>T Spi ~!
predation in the South to political v °.-5l
The genius of literature-pure and unfe '-'l
is cosmopolitan, lust-quenchine r ,. 3 '|
killing; and it is absurd to suppose tLi^Z I
of culture, who are for tha mo<:> i * : 1 ' • [
from the influence of violent partisaa flTvjl
would deny themselves a really fin®
poem because of tho writer’s opinioa j
pics having no relation to his literary wort “ I
Longfellow and Holmes are sincerely «,w I
in tho South; and Poe is read nil over al
North.* Q l
Literature, for reasons that are not Wi I
find, has never been n Southern pro-V? VI
want great libraries, ready .• I
countries and wealthy publishing W £ S|
offsprings of dense population andthe sea wl
—to creato that literary atmosphere which is^ I
dispensable to the writing of books. J
It is an error to suppose that editors are ml
erned in their estimate of the value of am* I
buttons by any other standard than the inhinil
merit Gr availability of tho material offeredfil
publication. A prejudiced tui-dc of j-.". I
would be most unbusiness-liko and nltimato I
most destructive. Doubtless, ail things beijl
equal, an editor would prefer the common-phiA
of a friend to tho common-places of a p f . n ,|
unknown; bnt wo venture to say tint a ft-1
oughly brilliant novel or poem offered bjJ
Southern writer would not bo rejected by £|
one of tho leading magazines of the North h|
cause of its origin. |
There have been as few literary sncccsaai|
the West as in the South, and for the renal
named; but it is not unlikely that, if Amain |
literature does not dwindle’ out altogether ^
best representatives will hereafter come frccl
“fresh fields and pastures new,” this ride of til
Alleghany mountains and the Virginia ridel
There is abundant material in the West ail
South, which the Utcraieur has not worked a: |
and except that the forms, conditions and p!s|
of modem poetry and fiction have been vt|
nigh exhausted upon the varied aspects of b|
man nature and intercourse, which are cre>|
where very much the same, we know of t|
reason why the verse maker and the iwc|
writer may not find in the exceptional phases!
our provincial society and the odd exp;riHijl
of the frontier, with all their mottled elemai|
something original and inspiring. The coc|
patch; the settler’s cabin; the old political a|
domestic regime; the foreign, particularly d|
German emigre; the fore«t, the river ands|
prairie, are yet untouched by one single am
hand. They are certainly suggestive. Tttl
are good comedy and pathos to be drawn osil
the camp-mceting, the barbecue and ihe ca|
shucking. There is dramatic action in the u|
covered wagon, the coon-hunt and the »a|
pile. There is poetry in the mist of these \
rivers and their craft and crafts-people, wh
might be flecked with curious yet life-like e
tail?, and infused with colors quaint andvhi
Hitherto nothing better than the stories ofM|
Evans aud Emerson Bennett (excepting ci
Uncle Toni’s Cabin, which got into polities,a
the Household of Bouvcria, which is morbida
supernatural) have appeared; and wchaveiej
regaled with New England pictures A
ly from the antique of Hawthorne to
home-life of Whittier and his followers ia p
and rhyme. These are losing their hold. |
riet Prescott does not bear out the promif
her youth. “Norwood” and “The Gaii
Angel” were comparative failures. Higci:
Hale, Rebecca Harding Davis, Robert
Owen, DeForest—among the novelists 1
dard, Aldrich, Holland, Stedmaa, Si
Carys and others among the poets—do i
tainly assure us of the perpetuity of Am
letters. Already the press, by superior intoj
ments, draws off the wine of literature, sf
may, and we think will, continue to do so. I
ter pay and a better audience, readier access!
the public, tbe dearth of material that has*
been touched in any way either to eihaej
deaden its charm, are strong temptation J
journalism; and readers themselves prefer
details of a tragic or romantic or amusing t
action in every day life to the same thieg d
at length by the imagination. Everyday!
reporter is identifying himself closer with J
society which ho sketches, and everyday (
sketches grow more life-like, full and gr»S
The newspaper is coming to be a sort
romanco in which the characters and s®
aro real; and the journalist of to-day t 5 ’
tho dramatist and novelist used to be. Hew
onr libraries overflowing with books wM- -
of- us have time to read aud no one won-- ?
tend to excel—books, too, on every cancel^
subject which have accumulated during r
hundreds of years—we think the end of •
tore—of tho artistic sort—novels ssd P
and essays—has been in its bookish fon^
nearly reached aud that it will bencefow'
its most accepted and acceptable m*- c ]
pression throngh the press.
Still wo do not deny that Iheremsy ba >
yet left to purely literary work and ilOtP.
will doubtless discover its material out«
old beaten tracks of song and story.
ern or Western writer should suddenly W*]
in Boston or New York with a brilliacU.^s
thing the publishers would jump stit.
must be t^Uiant Mediocrity will not '■
and so. Mrs. Evans, whose books illuito
exceedingly respectable and ambitions ©
cannot look to receive of Southern or.
criticism the free and spotaneons uea
tions of pleasure that always meet the »
of true genius. ,
An intelligent, but as we must tak« '
add, an over enthusiastic writer in » e (
Post controverts onr general idea 0
points; and he arrays a number of ,
temporaries—Dickens, Grote, Bakins,
Froude, Thackery, and so on—ia ^
are wrong in estimating the decline ^ot •
His names, and an hundred mare ^ e , (h L a
added to them, sustain us. Most of ^
had their day, and all of them hav 0
to exhaust the sources of literary
aud to fill up the book cases, l- 11 ' ..,,
will, of course, go on asserting j
way; but we are speaking chiefly oi ^ j
rather than the matter-of-fact. t> a
troit writer has a mind to test the 9 a
pose he try his hand upon the adven ^
of Auerbach’s peasants in the ir 0 mefl c!
give us a steamboat borror in Bo /j
sure. We are inolinod to think he ^
the newspapers—by their currant, . ^
peculiarities—will bother him no*.^
J ” flil®
Smart Boys.—Barwell and
—Frank Hill, near Greenville ^
i»y, and grand-sons of Jaog 8
aged ten and twelve
made this year a heavy pal®
attending school. This the.v^ ^
i other boys have been f? ii#
will become men in fact, u &pd*u
[LaGrangi w I
[e Ancients and the
1770 the English Parhamente^j,
-oever should lead into ma jjrf
iale subject of her Majes y. J (
or powders, perfuses «*enc* (
, false hair, Spanish cotton, ,
line, high-heeled shoes,
d be prosecuted for sore® pjjsrl
declared null and void.
70 was very ungaUant, *
But it is a question whetfler ^ t(t \
as muoh necessity in tjj . jneie 0 *-!
ich a law as there was in^
The farm in Yorktown, Va-^nP^j,
Cornwallis surrendered his fo«e^
of Mr.
county,
uer, i
have
sides
when
boys
The
year
* '■ Whoever
any male
rouge
teeth,
crinoline
should
riago
of r
it.
quite
for
