Funding for the digitization of this title was provided by R.J. Taylor, Jr. Foundation.
About The banner of the South. (Augusta, Ga.) 1868-1870 | View Entire Issue (July 24, 1869)
2 think I wished that from any desire of display or bravado, but simply from a sentiment of self-respect. I did not intend saying' a word to the audience, or by any act of mine gratify the morbid curiosity which had drawn them there, it was for myself alone I acted, and in so doing 1 merely desired to preserve a proper course of demeanor. The fatal hour arrived, and the offi cers of the law, with such courtesy as the circumstances permitted, prepared me for the occasion; the scaffold was reached, and I was placed on a seat. I do not remember any peculiar sense of unpleasantness when I heard the death warraut read, and I can account for this only by the severe demand which I had determined to make upon my powers of endurance, which was not quietly responded to by them. The final prayer f|was said, the usual thanks tendered and greetings given; the cord was adjusted on my neck, I was placed upon the trap, 1 looked for the last time upon familiar objects, the cap was adjusted over my face, I felt an increased heat around my heart, a full ness of the throat, a slight weakness of the muscles of my limbs, then an involuntary shrinking of the nerves and a catching of the breath as I felt myself falling, then a fierce fiery pain shot through my whole frame, my head seemed bursting, and my consciousness was gone. How long I remained unconscious I do not know, but when sensibility re turned, it was entirely mental. The shock of my fall had evidently paraly zed the nervous sensibilities and de stroyed the physical capacity of sense, but my mental powers were soon resum ed in a wonderful manner, for my earliest remembrance of anything was the combination of all the colors of the prism glowing radiantly before my eyes. Os course I did not see them with my eyes, but 1 seemed to see them thus, as they glowed and waved and blended, then separated, then re formed themselves in new combinations and danced and laughed with a bril liancy far exceeding the rainbow’s paint ing or the prism’s power. This gorgeous scene began to fade away, and my next transition was into a sea of light; not the light of the sun, or such a light as is made by any chemi cal combustion, but a light of dazzling, glowing, glorious whiteness and purity of which my own mind seemed to be a part. I now began to observe my own condition; I knew that ray whole body was growing cold and rigid, the only perceptible warmth being in my heart and I wondered how long it would be before that too should become cold like the balance and I should entirely die. I even speculated upon the severity of the pa;n I should have to endure when that spot did grow cold—but I never knew. G bile I thus took note of the physical condition, ray mind with grandly in creased power was fully occupied Before mo in in review and then gathered around me were all the transactions— good or evil—of life; there was nothing forgotten —nothing absent. I saw them all, knew and recognized them all; even minute and insignificant circumstances, which at the time had made no impression on me, were now there, and I became fully aware of the fact that this sentiment being which had animated my body would not die, but would live on and on ami on eternally, and eternally surround ed by and in companionship with all the transactions of physical life. E verlasting lile was as conclusively shown to me as if the spirit of him who had been dead a thousand years had spoken to the fact- But how was Ito exist, where should 1 c xist? . I knew I was not a part of my body ,' in Tact, I desired to entirely sever the eouiK otion with it, and impatiently waited until IJIO warm spot of my heart should grow cola. Had I been at lib erty to acceptor rejt.pt an oiler of return to vitality, 1 should have rejected it. In vain I scanned the light around me for a revelation of my future condition* In vain I applied all the brilliant powers of, my purified mind to pierce the future, even to fully comprehend the present. I recalled my early instruction, and sought for yawning gulf and crystal gates, but on the one hand I found no devouring fiends, and on the other I saw no gleaming chariots. I heard neither ot joy nor wailiags of woo, nor touiid any otter being than ray own, 1 existea in my own lormor life, and so far as } c and discover, would continue to cxict there forever. This was not desi rable, but from it I saw no way of escape. 1 have no idea of the time I had passed in this condition, but it must have been all the time required by medical judg ment to deprive me of life, for in the midst of my speculations I became aware of the removal and handling of my body 1 remember I thought they were about to hairy me; as I was not dead, I wished to protest against it. I loathed the idea of being incarcerated in the grave with my body, or having any further compan ship with it. I did not know what was being done, but I felt myself in motion for a time, then the motion ceased; then there was a quick, sharp, rending pain, a fearful shudder of my whole physical powers, of writhing, an anguish far worse than the anguish of death, and sensibility and sense slowly returned to me; once more my heart, which had never grown cold, throbbed, my vital functions were partially re-established, and again I became burthened with the cares, anxiet ies, and sorrows of life. To me it has been one long sorrow, and without joy or hope I await the time when I shall once more bathe in that sea of light, once more gather around me the radiance of life everlasting. My resuscitation was the result of an application of electricity and the skill of a surgeon. For a few days, until I had partially recovered my strength I was concealed, and then tied the country. NEW ORLEANS (LA) CORRESPONDENCE OF THE BANNER OF THE SOUTH. New Orleans, July, 1869. Dear Banner: An obituary is a painful subject at any time, since it is never written except in memory of those who were once dear to our hearts, and whose loss very naturally lacerated our sensibilities; but when these ever-present difficulties? are aggravated by such an intensely ‘‘heated term’, as the present, the writing of an obituary becomes a positive torture, absolutely "intolerable and not to be endured.” Consequently, 1 shall write none on the present sad occasien, but simply express my sympathy with the millions of good citizens who this month deplore the dis appearance forever of our dear, venera ble, old Fourth of July. For more than three-quarters of a century his annual appearance has been greeted throughout the country, by ourselves, our fathers, and our fathers’ father, with the greatest rejoicing, accompanied by martial and civic parades, the firing of salutes, the gleeful ringing of bells, and a grand dis play of banners, flags, wreaths, and streamers, to sav nothing of the shootirm crackers, sky-rockets and other fire works, all of which showed that the ova tion was not confined to citizens of any one class or age, but was universal. Within the past few years, however, a gang es shoddy upstarts, jealous of the majestic veteran’s hold upon the popular heart, have been covertly tapping and drawing off his life-blood, until his Con stitution beng entirely undermined, he has finally toppled over unto an untime ly grave, from which will annually spring a crop of such putrid fungi as Boston Peace Festivals, Yankee Thanksgiving Days and the like! “Let us have peace. ” The question of importing and incor porating amidst our already sufficiently depraved populace, some millions of the licentious, pagan Chinese, is looming up as an important Dsue in our near politi cal and social future. There is much to be said both for and against the scheme: and our Solons, (if any be left in the land) will do well to give the mat ter grave deliberation. The Baltimore Southern Metropolis thus thoughtfully considers the subject: • 0 “The immigration of Chinese to the Y\ estem shores ot America is becoming enormous. On one day last week no less than twelve thousand Chinese arrived in sailing vessels. In a few years, at this rate, the Chinese population will bo num bered by millions. The Japanese are also beginning to come. This is a strong counter wave to the great surge of ad vancing population and civilization that moves westward so rapidly. It is hard to foresee what will he the result. These people are industrious, frugal, hardy, and live on little or nothing. I hey will thrive wherever there is work to be done. Will they remain hewers of wood and draw ers of water, or will they become a wealthy and dominant class ? Will they remain separate and preserve their national traits as a caste among us, or will they intermarry and mingle with us, and make our future skin dark, our grandchildren’s eyes oblique, incline us toward Buddhism, an 1 give us a fond ness for rats and birdsnest soup; or will the resultant “coming man” of this poly got mixture lea mongrel, or a noble | creature with the virtues of both and the ! vices of neituer ! Urged on by a consideration of the same subject, the New York Metropoli tan Record boldly announces as a part of its platform: “The Supremacy of the white race in a Union made by and for white men.” “The subordination of the interests of inferior races to the interests of the su perior.” “The adoption of immediate and effec tive measures to stop ike tide of Chi nese immigration, and to preserve this ~ lit ijj -< Union and iis territories for white men and their descendants.” These allusions to "superior and inferi or races,” bring to mind the consistent inconsistencies of the consistenly incon sistent Yankees in regard to their new found "man and brother” Sambo. For four years those Northern beauties risked their own lives and took a hand in murdering many thousand of our best citizens, with a view to placing their ebony idol on a "brotherhood” level, and now that they have succeeded, and one or two of tli • ir more aspiring "brethren” are appointed to places in the Govern ment Printing Office, Navy Yard, and other positions of equality and fraterni ty,” these same consistent beauties raise a most consistent howl of indignation, and threaten, thro’ their Unions, to sweep their darling "brother” completely oft the deck into the dark sea of extir mi nation, ten thousand times worse than any fate that was possible to poor Sam bo while under the protection of his late Southern master. Oh Consistency! thou art a jewel rare indeed in Yankeedom, As the readers of the Banner proba bly do not read the local police reports, I can’t resist the temptation of telling a little "tale out of school” even though yonr own sober agent be the victim, it appears that last week one of the members of his family was seriously in jured in the face by an oyster shell thrown by a vicious little imp of darkness who resides near by. Your agent forth with proceeded to the street, caught the little miscreant, and instead of spanking him on the spot, delicately caught him by his waistband and carried him in, yell ing, to his venerable Air lean parent for flagellation. The hoary savage, instead of complying with the moderate demand of your .-gentle agent, began to abuse and threaten him "wid de law” for mal treating his innocent black lamb! The amiable agent of the Banner withdrew, discomfßted, to meditate upon man’s "onsartinty,” and to regret lie had not whipped the little darkey himself, and disposed of the matter. He hadn’t meditated long, however, before a nigger policeman (an appointee of the young man from Illinois, now act ing Governor of Louisiana), appeared at his domicil and arrested him on a charge of “assault and battery” with specifications of having “beaten, knocked down and kicked the youthful son of the complainant !” The old darkey had made good his threat. Your conquered agent was permitted to put on his coat and hat and bid adieu to his wife and children, and then march ed off to the police station, escorted all the way by the aforesaid armed African policeman. * Bond was required for his appearance before the Recorder, (another creature of the Illinois youth), and when the case was called the next morning the vera cions old darkey, quietly swore that he saw your ferocious agent do all the beat ing, kicking, and knocking down, as specified, altho’ he was inside his cabin, inside of his yard fence at the time the “assault and battery” was said to have occurred out on the public street ! The Recorder, Campbell, (the Illinois youth’s appointee) of course was bound by “loiity” to find your agent guilty, and sentence him to a fine of two dollars and a half! Your agent will please par don this little “notis.” It is given only to illustrate how conscientiously our Scalawag officials refrain from making any “distinction on account of race or color or previous condition.” Pe* C. Verb. From the Baltimore Mirror. [official ] PASTORAL LETTER OF THE MOST REV, ARCHBISHOP OF BALTIMORE PROCLAIMING THE JUBILEE- Venerable and Beloved Brethren: The great event of the nineteenth con tury is, undoubtedly, the General Council ot the Vatican, convoked by our glorious Pontiff, Pius IX., for the “Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the eighth of December next. For the first time in more than three hundred years—since the close of the last General Council of Trent in 1503—has the Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth—appointed by him in the person of Peter to feed the sheep and lambs, comprising His whole flock— deemed it useful or necessary to summon all the Bishops of Christendom, to as semble from ail parts ot tne earth m sol eran Council, to take into consideration the wants of the Church under present circumstances, and to devise the most suitable measures for supplying them. When the wolves had already gathered together around the sheepfold, and with glaring eyes and gnashing teeth threat ened to devour the tlock, it was was time that the Chief Pastor should call together his associate, but subordinate, brother shepherds, to take counsel with them as to the best means for guarding against the menaced danger, in order to impart anew sense of security and anew life to the dear sheep entrusted to their care by the great Prince of Shepherds. Pius IX. has done this; and trusting in the good providence of God more than in the wisdom of this world, he has done it with rumors of wars ringing: in his ears, and at a crisis in the world's his tory when European society, particular ly, seems to be on the very brink of a terrrble volcano, and when any day may startle us with an eruption such as has not probably been witnessed since the beginning of the world. Pius IX. trusts in God, and he has accordingly convened the General Council, fully prepared for any emergency which may arise; even for one, rather possible than probable, which may temporarily delay the meeting of the Bishops, should almighty God in His unsearchable counsels permit such a trial. Knowing well, that we can do nothing of ourselves, as of ourselves, and that all our sufficiency is from God, the ven erable and saintly Pontiff calls all Chris tendom to prayers on an occasion so very solemn and momentous for the interests of Christ’s kingdom on earth He says: "And that God may the more readilv grant what We wish, and may incline His ears to Our prayers let us implore the help of the Almighty’s right arm and the heavenly light, that in this Coun cil We may be able io decree all those things which may most conduce to the common salvation of the whole Christian people, to their utility and to the greater glory, happiness, and peace of the Catho lic Church. And as it is well known that the prayers of men are much more grateful to God, when they come to Him with pure hearts and with souls free from crime, hence We have determined on this occasion to open to the faithful with Apostolic liberality, the heavenly trea sures ot Indulgences, that being inflamed unto true repentance and released from the stains of sin through the Sacrament of Penance, they may with the greater confidence approach the throne of God, and may obtain H;s mercy and help in seasonable time.” This general union of prayers poured out from pure and earnest hearts through out Christendom is truly beautiful, even approaching the sublime! God never resists the fervent prayer of His servants thus united, since He promised that even where two or three are assembled together in His name, lie would be in the midst ot thorn. Such a season of grace and spiritual benedictions thus brings a ju bilee of joy to the religious soul, lifts it above itself, gives it a glimpse of para dise, and makes it exclaim, “0 Lord! it is good for us to be here !” In allusion to this general jubilation of hearts raised to God in world-wide prayer, the highest and most ample form of Plenary In dulgence, usually bestowed on such oc casions. is called a Jubilee. We beseech you, Venerable and Be loved Brethren, to enter fully into the spirit of this acceptable time, of these days of salvation. Let your faith rise to the height of this great, almost unique occasion; and let your piety burn forth even more warmly and more brightly tnan ou any previous occasion of Jubilee, when tnc objects were not so elevated nor the emergency in the Church’s history so great. To gain the ample and most precious Indulgence of the Jubilee, yon will please bear in mind that a strict compliance with all the con ditions assigned therefor is indispensable; the wilful or negligent omission of even one of these, without proper com muta tion by the spiritual Director, would suf fice to deprive you of the priceless boon. These conditions arc stated by the Pon tiff in language so clear and precise, that We cannot do better than to reproduce them in a literal translation. After statiim as the first Condition, the visit of three churches to be designated by the local ecclesiastical authority, or of one of these twice, he says that at such visits they shall “devoutly pray, during some space oi time, for the conversion of ail who are unhappily wanderers from the truth, for the propagation of the most holy Faith, and for the peace, tranquility, and triumph of the Catholic Church; tast ing on three days, even not continuous that is on Wednesday, Friday, and Sat day ot any week, not one ot the Umber weeks; aim within the time assigned shall reverently receive the holy (tonsmu ni on alter Having confessed the ** F>« - and shall give some alms to Pie poor as each one's devotion may prompt. In behalf of travellers, the sick, pvis oueis, and others who are in any way unable to comply with all ihe conditions for gaining the Indulgence, the spiritual Dilector nas the faculty to commute into others all or any one of the works en joined, except Confession, or to put off to a more convenient time the performance thereof; with the further power of dis pensing even witu the Communion in favor of children who have not yet made their first Communion. Toe time for g'ainiug the in the Archdiocese of Baltimore y-nff" tend from the Feast of the Assn» - of the Blessed and Immaculate Vi-of August 15th, next ensuing, until of the General Council; each pastor vX mg the privilege of appointing the ml' ticular time or tiint a when those u,‘.jV his charge may have the opportunity i maybe strongly urged to* comply the conditions, without however abn cU' the time above assigned for gamin* V* Indulgence. Pastors are requested T aid one another, and to arrange, if V - \ ble, for Eight Days’ Missionstn the larger and Three Days’ Retreat in the smaller Churches or Congregations. Our be loved children of the Laity are earnestly exhorted to avail themselves fervently and generally of the precious season of grace now presented. For many 0 f them it may be possibly the last opportunity offered for their return to God, or for their advancement in virtue and sanctity In brief, the Conditions for gaining the Plenary Indulgene are the following 1. To visit three churches designated by the proper ecclesiastical authority, or one of them twice; — 2. Praying therein according to the in tuitions of the Pontiff, as above indicated —no special prayers are prescribed’ either those indicated iu the small Minna! of the jubilee, or even five Our Father and Hail Marys, will suffice: 3. Fasting on three days, even not consecutive, other than those ot the Em ber weeks; — ‘ 4. An alms bestowed according to each one’s ability or devotion; — 5* Finally, a good Confession and Communion. The three churches to be visited in the cities, or one of these twice are: for Baltimore, the Cathedral, St James’, and St. Peter’s; for Washington, St. Patrick’s, St. Mathew’s, and St. Peter’s; through out the rest of the Archdiocese, the parish Church may be visited twice, and in convents, the conventual chapel also twice. In each church of the Archdiocese the Pastor will have a closed box placed in a conspicuous place, inscribed JimixE Alms, in which the faithful may deposit their offerings; one half of which th Pastor will apply to the charities or poor of the parish, and the remaining half he will forward to Rev. Edward McColgan, for the support of St. Mary’s Industrial School for boys of the city of Baltimore. According to a notice issued in a pre vious Circular, and which We deem it well to explain more fully, the Reverend Clergy will please remember that the Collect De Spirit,\i Sancto is to be always added, as of obligation , according to the injunction of the Pontiff; while there is no obligation, but simply a request, that the low Mass of the Holy Ghost should be said once in each church, on all Thursdays not impeded by a double feast. Venerable and Beloved Brethren I The time draws nigh when it will he our sacred and agreeable duty to obey the summons of the Sovereign Pontiff’to the General Council. We will, however,lin ger among our dear children till the l ist moment, and propose to sail only on \h 20th of October. We commend our selves to your holy mementoes and pray ers. Viewing the uncertainty of life, it may well be, that we may not be allow'd, in God’s inscrutable provi ier.ee, to vv.aca nevertheless even when most inseraW • we must bow down in the most lowi. and loving reverence, that We .-hail n be allowed to see you again :n the ilosti. But whatever may happen, in life and m death, We shall continue to Lear y o in our neart of hearts, as children whom We love, and for who:.e so We shall have to render a dr.c. account at the dread tribunal ot Christ. Venerable and Beloved Brethren pro for us, while We will never forget y< - at the holy altar. This Pastoral will be read in ah me churches of the Archdioe -e on the Din day after its reception. , . Given from our residence in bum more, on the Feast oi US. Peter Paul, 1869. Bv order V The Most 11 ev. Ai.chb:sb ?• Thomas Foley, Chan — Confirmations by Arch' - ; ixg.—The Most Spalding, of this dioeesm ' u y;,' J °, . • visit to the lower counties or • L confirmed eighten humir; t ai - Dm persons, of whom tw : a Ricis * u, y - were converts. In Prince George v. - three hundred ands renty e confirmed, sixty-five of whom -, ~ verts. In Charles county ix hun fifty-three received the saeranum-, _• two of whom were eouvi rts, ai. \ y Mary’s county eight hundred —y* , . one hundred and touty-Dm* converts. — Mirror y The Banner of the South *- y ‘of all News Dealers in the l into - •
