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IJY J. \V. BURKE & CO.
GEORGIA JOURNAL & MESSENGER
j \v. lil RKK A. CO., Proprietors.
W>l. M. lIKOWAE, ' Editor
I( .. ; fiO SECOND STREET, MACON. GA.
RATE* OK HLPSCRIPTIO.V
~. j ..r Annum $lO 00
*.i \ Montli- 5 00
j Lr. •• Months 2 50
On,- Month 1 00
Wr' hi.v, jut Annum 5 <JO
Six M< ntlis 2 50
Tliroe Mot tin* 1 50
\V !>v, j,it Annum 500
Six Months 1 50
The Keitrn of king Cotton.
j. ] 1;l s been for many years the great ob
, ~f t Ik> statesmen and manufacturers of
1,,:.; Britain to emancipate themselves
f r in their dependence on the Southern
v • -f America foi their supply of cotton.
h. science, capital, and the power of
..•niiuent, have been ceaselessly eni
,, 1 to attain this object. During our
when our ports were blockaded and the
s-iv of our cotton was practically cut otF
thcr, the utmost efforts were made to
place bv stimulating the production
rotten in British India, and if these
had been successful, and Great
jii !niu could have made the staple grown in
i; i immense possessions answer the same
~-j ,or even nearly so, AS our cotton,
would have had abundant reason to re
that the “War between the States” had
ii pluco, because it would have solved, to
i- unalcuhible advantage, the problem
has so long engaged the attention of
l„. r h ailing minds.
'll- experiments, however, have not prov
iis. On the contrary, they have
f ,,ulted in complete failure. In the first
~ tlie ipiality of tlie Indian staple is vastly
.... |,,r to mid cannot be substituted for Ame
j mi cotton in the manufacture of the finer
In the next, cotton, even of this in
i. r quality, cannot be raised in India so
.. t,i give the planter any remuneration, for
i, than 20 cents per pound. Then the cli
mate is uncertain and unfavorable to the
i vith of cotton. Then the means'of trans
rtaimii from the agricultural region to the
ihniird ure ditficult and expensive; and
[!-Ilv, the attempt to raise a large cotton
pm India necessitates a dimunition of
r,.a ih voted to the production of bread
lull's, and resulted in Ist 111 in tlie death from
n-r.iliin India, of 1,300,000, and in
l; ; v j it, us :>.")( ),000 souls.
Wr take these tignresfrom a recent report
if lli, .Manchester Cotton Supply Assoeia
ii. ii, which may be fairly presumed to be
la ii . Highly informed on the subject, and
i'h"-c interest it manifestly is not to mis
i present the facts to its own disadvantage.
Under all the circumstances, after the ex
periments of years, and an outlay of uni
ons of money to shake oIF the dependence
f tin Ifriti di cotton-manufacturing interests
n the Southern States for their supply of
■ • raw material, they are compelled to ae
mnvledge that now and in future “Europe
and look to tin Southern States if America for
/ jiennanenl increase in the supply y if
U a ing Surat cotton at 1(1 cents per pound
n spei-ie, and at a cool per mop «n l.c.Mi.ono
urn de ni of starvation, would hardly pay,
-ii were the staple when raised not so iu
i, r in ipiality as to render competition be
,ii it and American cotton almost as
i: i: j i,»- - ible as between coarse wool and the
i.iuihrie thread of Holland.
I’ll,ise who have been pleased to regard
King Cotton as a dethroned sovereign, whose
,-plre was forever broken, may feel disap
i inted when they read the report of the
M in, lr ter Cotton Supply Association; but
i!i, sinner they become reconstructed, ne
cept the situation, and renew their oath of
nil. ■ iainu- to His Majesty, the sooner will
tii \ 1, n lieved from their disabilities.
It all the power and money and ingenuity
es England could not shake the old poten
! it.-'- throne, it is because lie rules by a “di
vine right” of infinitely higher sanctity than
' which corporeal nuniarchs arrogate to
themselves.
Tlu> Crop Prospects.
Wr vt tvivo most gloomy accounts of tlie
t "it, >n crop from Sonthwcstorn Georgia.
Tin- torching heat of the past fortnight has
injm. il it beyond recovery, ami though par
ties \arv in their estimate of the damage —
-"me believing that oWv half a crop will l>e
■ itliered, while others maintain that not
no o', than a third will be saved —all agree
that the los.-> will be very large.
M e h:ul a visit yesterday from a gentleman
of the highest character and intelligence,
who i> i practical planter, and has just made
a trip through the counties of Macon, Hous
ton and Sumter, and he informs us that,
though lie believes tlie area in those counties
planted in cotton this year is ten per cent,
gr, iter than that of IStiS, he is satisfied that
tlie crop of ISC.ff will bo fully twenty-live per
cent, less than that of last year. He has
seen several fields of cotton which presented
a most promising appearance a few weeks
ago, which he does not believe will make one
hah to twenty acres, and though things are
not gem rally as had as this, now here is the
cotton free from serious injury.
The fertilized lands are the worst injured,
ho says. This, we apprehend, is attributable
to imperfect preparation of the soil and too
s mllow plowing: because, in other parts of
ti orgia, where the drought has been as se
ra v and the heat as intense as anywhere
•■I-hut where we know the land was thor
< :gld\ sub soiled and well plowed, and s2r>
worth of manure applied to the acre, we
h.iv, recent news that tlu 1 crop is vigorous,
(-'towing still, an«l covered with fruit:
Wi 'Ti as, on adjoining lands which were not
a- well prepared, the plants have suffered
severely.
The stimulating ammoniated manures,
when applied in large quantities to shallow
plowed lands, will certainly do more harm
than good in the event of a drought like
that of this year. But if the soil is made
mellow and friable to a depth below the
reach of the sun's rays. then, it is proved
h yornl anv doubt, that ammoniated fertil
izers will largely increase the product and
hasten its maturity.
M e should like to be informed by some
body v lio has practical knowledge of the
fact, whether the fertilized cotton, even
though injured as it is, has not made more
111 its bottom crop, now nearly matured,
fhan the uumannred cotton which appears
to have suffered less.
" fTn: Cry is Still They Come!” —We are
more than gratified by the cordiality with
which the public are approving our efforts
to furnish them a first-class newspaper, and
W“ are more than grateful for the substan
tial evidences of their favor which we are re
aching every day. Within four days, one of
°ur agents lias sent us thirty-one new sub
bribers to our daily and tri-weekly editions,
f• °m the little district in which ho is work
ing.
! The Confederate Generals and the
Gettysburg Gathering.
We are much gratified to find, notwith
standing the telegraphic dispatches and
newspaper rumors to the contrary, that
General Lee and the great captains who
commanded the Confederate army at Get
tysburg have declined to accept the invita
j tion to follow the triumphal chariot of
General Meade, and take part in the show
in honor of their conquerors, originated by
j the shrewd hotel keeper who owns the Get
! tysburg spring, and who wants to get up a
| sensation that will pay.
J here is no conceivable good reason why
General Lee anil his lieutenants should ex
pose themselves to the certain mortification
and probable insult of such a meeting. But
there are a hundred excellent reasons why
they should refuse to do so. It is pretty
certain that whatever account of the battle
of Gettysburg will best suit the purposes of
General Meade and his followers will be that
which will be written, published and ac
cepted at the North. Were General Lee or
any of his officers to dispute any assertion
made by Meade or his officers, beyond all
(juration the Meade -version would prevail,
and Lee would he insulted by attributing to
him false and ungenerous motives. \V»*—
they present, Lee ms comrades would
necessarily occupy a position of galling sub
ordination to which they should not bo sub
jected. This would bo so whether they
wore snubbed and treated rudely as ‘‘rebels
and traitors” by some lofty spirits like
Logan, of Illinois, or whether they were
patronized by the less vindictive but scarcely
less offensive characters they would he cer
tain to meet in such a crowd.
If they were to stand apart and decline to
participate in the “gathering” further than
to point out the Confederate lines and ex
jj®tin their movements, they would be ac
cused of sullenness and bad temper. If
they were to join frankly and cordially in the
show they would be denounced for their un
becoming assumption. And then they would
be severally and collectively “interviewed”
by the whole corps of reporters, thousands
of whom will tie present, and whatever they
might really say or leave unsaid they would
be represented to have said whatever suited
the reporter’s peculiar taste or the require
ments of his paper.
It is imj)os.sible that with such a crowd as
assembled at Gettysburg, under the auspices
of tlie tavern keeper. Confederate officers
could escape mortification and humiliation.
Such an idea as asking them to come at all
never would have entered the head of any
people on earth with any sense of delicacy
and refinement. Fancy Wellington, four or
five years after the battle of Waterloo, in
viting Napoleon and his Marshals to come to
tin l battle field to “stake out” the French
lines, for the avowed purpose of writing ac
curate history, hut for the real purpose of
putting a few thousand dollars in the pock
ets of an enterprising inn-keeper.
No, let Meade drive liis “stakes” where he
will. Let him write the history to suit his
tastes and his purposes. Let him be content
with the fame which accident bestowed upon
him, and let him not desire to humiliate the
great commander to whose misfortune he
owes his prominence. A. r. nm is
Stewart is dead. Ewell is disabled. Long
street- alone of the corjis commanders can he
present. Lot us hope that in this instance
ho will not make his old comrades blush
anew by forgetting what he owes to them
and to the fame he won at Gettysburg, and
that though he may have “accepted (a) situ
ation,” he is unwilling to consent to unre
munorative humiliation.
We expect to see the refusal of General
Lee and of his officers to attend “the gather
ing" treated as evidence of their rebellion
and unrepentant condition. Wo expect to
see them denounced and made the subject of
inflammatory and abusive articles in the radi
cal press. But every right minded man at
tlu> North, whatever his politics,—every true
soldier —will respect their motives, approve
their conduct, and agree that the “Gathering”
is no place for those' who “wore the grey.”
It is much bet terror all parties and for
the sake of peace, that the conquerors should
have the field of Gettysburg to themselves
to deal with as they may think proper.
Elephant Plows. —Among the usual agri
cultural implements now manufactured in
Great Britain, are large numbers of elephant
plows, which are forwarded by way of the
Mediterannean, the Isthmus of Suez and the
Bed Sea and Indian Ocean, to the place of
their destination. Every morning, at sun
rise. the elephant takes his mahout by the
waist belt, places him on his hack, and starts
into the fi-Id. Two assistants guide the two
plow handles, and as long as the sun is above
the horizon the elephant marches along,
throwing up a huge ridge behind him, the
furrow having a breadth of four and a half
feet, and a depth of three.— Exchange.
Here is the very thing we want for subsoil
ing. If every planter had an elephant and
a plow such as is described above, we could
defy drought, and rival the great cotton
planter of Hancock. We don't exactly ap
prove of the unceremonious treatment of
the mahout. It would be regarded among
us as an invasion of the Civil Rights Bill.
But the plowing, and the time spent at it
suits us exactly. By all means let us intro
duce elephant plows.
General Toombs. —Gen. Robert Toombs,
the distinguished Confederate General and
eminent lawyer of Georgia, was in town last
week, and was the object of much attention.
He was hospitably entertained at Dr. M. S.
Chipley's, an old friend with whom he served
in the Georgia Legislature, where he met
liis old confrere, Gen. John C. Breekenridge.
and other prominent citizens. Gen. Toombs
is one of the most agreeable gentlemen
in conversation it was ever our pleasure to
meet- abounding in anecdote, and with the
keenest relish for humor imaginable. It is
no matter of astonishment that the people of
his native State are so much attached to him.
for to abilities of the first order he adds the
manners that always attract men of all class.
Hi' visited during his sojourn here many
places of interest, including Woodbum.
where he was delighted with thorough-breds
and short horns and Alderneys and other
stock congregated on that celebrated breed
ing farm. /,..rinijtim {Ky.) Gazette, IS///.
Eine Wool.. We have received from Mr.
T. C. Briuley, the famous plow manufactu
rer of Louisville, Ky., samples of remark
ably fine wool, taken from the Cotswold
sheep of Mr. W. D. Calloway, of Henry
County. Ky., the largest of which are said
to weigh from 200 to 400 pounds each, and
to yield at a clipping an average of 10 TANARUS,
pounds of wool to the sheep. The wool is
exceedingly fine and silky, and measures
from 12 to 13 inches in length. Mr. Brinly
informs us that Mr. Calloway intends to en
ter some of these sheep for the prizes at our
coming Fair, and he further gives us the
gratifying information that many Kentucky
stock raisers will visit us at that time.
—The Savannah Republican is informed
that two of the children of Dr. Norton, of
that city, who were temporarily residing at a
place called Ebenezer, in Effingham county,
were taken sick with brain fever, a few days
ago, and that one died on Thursday after
noon, and the other on Friday morning, and
that the dead bodies of both the children
were brought to Savannah for interment on
Friday.
Correspondi-nce of the Journal and Messenger.
Letter from Macon County.
Montezuma, Ga., August 20, 1869.
Mr. Editor: Can you submit in agony to
one more bo rising communication concern
ing crojis and other interesting matters? If
so, here goes.
The cornucopia of corn, cotton, root crops,
Ac., which several weeks ago was in such a
growing and plethoric condition, lias grad
ually contracted its once distended propor
tions by reason of drought, rust, Ac.
We- are suffering agriculturally and hy
gienically in this immediate vicinity, from
continued drought. The absence of rain
much longer will be productive of increased
sickuess and decreased crops. However, if
the recent predictions of astronomers and
astrologers ho true, the collision that is to
occur between our “little” opaque sphere
and that immense volume of fire of the
“upper deep, ’ will render, so far as we are
secularly concerned, an abundant harvest
unnecessary. By the way, could we not get
Marshal Barlow or “Let us have Peace” to
issue an order directing the removal of our
little Ball out of the course of this calorific
monster, in order that the “Wards of the
Nation may enjoy a Jew more years of in
dolent freedom, and that the semi-stratocracy
now existing may continue during the pres
ent Administration?
If this order cannot be obtained, we must
submit to annihilation, or be regaled r ‘
time of thecolliei-- -^ rrm ** ■uTiutilul me
t mniwe)* analogous to that, but on a
more stupendous scale, which occurred in
November, 1833.
Speaking of crops and crop reports, I
am of the opinion that some information
concerning crops might be obtained from
the diurnal diary of the amanuensis of
“Let us have peace,” as he has been, since
his inauguration, like the famous Chinese
bird that lias no legs—constantly on the
wing; and even the most obstinate sanyfrutd
of the mighty Stadtholder could not have
prevented him from making a few casual ob
servations, which might be of some import
ance to the Agricultural Bureau, if not to
the public. Allow me to ask you, en passant,
if “Let us have peace” does not reflect some
of the qualities of several of tlie Roman
Emperors, to wit: Claudius, Nero, Trajan
and Hadrian ?
Like Claudius, by reason of his excessive
stupidity; like Nero, publicly dissolute, (I
do not know whether lie is a fiddler or not,
but have no doubt but what the walls of the
SIO,OOO cottage at Long Branch have re
sounded on more than one occasion with his
ditliyrambie melodies.) Trajan-like, ambi
tious of fame, but not possessed with motives
of fame akin to those of the Roman, but a
fame like that described by a Polish King of
the 17th century, Stanislaus—a desire of be
ing known by a people of whom he himself
knows nothing, and for whom he cares as
little. Like Hadrian, from his excessive
love of itinerancy, but in his travels notin
spired with wishes and feelings for the hap
piness and welfare of his country, as Hadrian
was, but solely for the gratification of a stu
pid and sensual vanity. His manner of loco
motion is also different from that of the
Roman. Hadrian, careless of the difference
of season and of climate, traveled bare
headed and on foot, over the snows of Cale
donia and the sultry plains of the Upper
Egypt; but “Let us have Peace,” when not
moved in a first-class car, reclining in a sans
souci position on the velvety conch of repose,
hois carried at a 2:40 rate, in a superbly
mounted and decorated carriage, by Cincin
nati and mate, properly groomed and capari
soned by one of the chiefs of a very import
ant department of the Government. View
ing “Let us have Peace” in all his convexi
ties and concavities, this far developed, he
is only
“An illinition of mythoplasm.”
More in futuro. Feint.
k»m ■—
Distinguished I’oitlshvi'• . ,
The latest sensation m new lorn lias been
the visit of Sing-Man and Choy-Chew, for
merly of China, but now of San Francisco,
Cal., where they are said to do a “good busi
ness” as “ship finders” or venders of naval
stores.
This pair of junk dealers, having made
larger profits than usual during the past year,
concluded to make a trij>, and as tlie Pacific
Railro.nl was just open for passengers, they
bought tickets for New York, via Chicago.
There is nothing to show that the Celestial
shij) chandlers intended to put on airs, or
pass themselves off for anything greater
than they are. But, no sooner liad they
crossed the Rocky Mountains, than the tele
graph was set to work in every direction to
announce their coming. Newspapers were
daily filled with the exjiloits of the two dis
tinguished Asiatics, and the most extrava
gant hopes were entertained as to the bene
fits to the whole Republic, “from the Bt.
Lawrence to the Rio Grande, and from
ocean to ocean,” [vide. Spread Eagle’s Fourth
of July orations passim) which would inevi
tably result from the mission of the Hons.
Choy-chew and Sing-man- Everything
they said, did and thought in the city of
connubial happiness was recorded with ad
miring fidelity, and by tlie time they
reached New York the popular excitement
was absolutely intense. The question was,
how shall tlie distinguished strangers be
received in the most distinguished manner.
Since the days of the little Japanese pantry
boy, Tommy, nobody created anything like
the flutter of excitement which the ship
chandlers caused among all classes iu New
York. If the Sun's racy reporter would only
tell “all he knows” he could relate how Dei
mouico was ordered to prepare bird s nest
soup and rat pies in the first style of his
art ; how certain aldermen put themselves in
training to eat these peculiar dishes with
apparent relish, and how Mayor Hall set to
•work to learn the jargon which “the pig
tails" ordinarily employ in their intercourse
with American sailors. The moment the
poor luckless voyagers reached the Jersey
City ferry they were captured by a deputa
tion, and from that hour to the hour of their
departure they belonged to the bublic. They
were shown all the sights usually shown to
foreigners of distinction, liiey saw black
well’s Island and the Herald Office, Christy's
Minstrels and Stewart's Store, Ludlow street
Jail and the Central Park. They were pho
tographed repeatedly, individually and col
lectively. Tue clamor for their auto
graphs was loud and long continued, and if
thev escaped without having their pig-tails
considerably shorn of their fair proportions,
they had reason to he thankful. Nothing
was omitted which could “do appropriate
honor to our distinguished visitors,” or
increase the torture indicted on the the two
unhappy wights, the object of whose trip
was pleasure. Had they been the twin
brothers of the sun and moon, and not two
obscure though enterprising subjects of the
distinguished young gentleman who claims
that degree of relationship to the two great
luminaries, they could not have been more
cruelly treated They were made to suffer
everything which the Prince of Wales had to
endure, and if no new cruelty was invented it
was not the fault of those who had them “in
i charge.”
It is not recorded that the Councilmen
' and Aldermen used chop-sticks instead of
knives and forks, or even that Messrs. Sing-
Man A Choy-Chew used their native “table
furniture” instead of that which Western
civilization employs; but it is reasonable to
suppose that in doing appropriate honor to
1 their Celestial guests, and making them feel
at home they came as near as they could to
following the lesson —“when you are in Tur
key do as the Turkies does.”
To be serious, the whole thing was degrad
ing to the dignity and self-respect of the
American people; and we trust, as it is prob
able in the immediate future, that several
Chinese ship chandlers and junk dealers may
visit our countrf. that they may Ik* allowed
to come and go without molestation,
that our newspapers may find something
more interesting to relate than their
movements and sayings, and that the
distinctions properly due to men of emi
nence and fame, may not be bestowed on
any foreigner that comes along merely be
cause he dresses in an outlandish manner,
and wears ear-rings and pig-tails.
—Dr. Sears, agent of the Peabody Fund,
lias made a donation of 51.500 for the sup
port of the public schools of Columbus, Ga.,
for the ensuing year.
—lt is reported that the cotton worm has
made its appearance on several plantations
pn the Rig Black, Mississippi.
Vita sine Literis Mors est
THE NEWS.
—lron ore has been found in Vann's lul
ley, Ga., with Go per cent, of iron ore.
—Georgia has forty-seven cotton mils,
against thirty-five in IHoO.
—The taxable property of Kansas is «sti
| mated at $75,000,000.
j —Tennessee, with but three counties to
j hear from, gives Sentar 04,987 majority,
j —The Battle House ill Mobile has bte>
I closed, and will remain so until Fall.
—There was a good rain in Columlniton
the 23d.
j —Newport dispatches say that the Presi
dent is everywhere feted by the idlers.
—Capt. John Jones is erecting a Steam
Cotton Gin on his lot in Milledgevillp on
Mclntosh street.
—Rust is general throughout Washington
comity. The planters say “the cotton is
done.”
—Captain Shaw, of the London Frei-
Brigade, reviewed seven companies of New
York firemen, recently.
—President Grant and family were at New
port, R. 1., on the 2Uth, guests of Senator
Morgan, of New Y'ork.
—Mr. Henry K. Walker, of tlie house o'
L. J. Gailuiartm & Cos., Savannah, died at
the Saudersviile Hotel ou Wednesday last. .
Rev. Berry Peeler, of Hancock, ami. V u t
of tlie oldest uiiuiste ru r s /’ -- ~° iU 6°*
ij «mrjoucnntt)ll, died a few days since.
—The Manufacturers us Fall River, Mass.,
have determined to run their works but
throe days in the week for the present.
—Reports from all parts of Oregon indi
cate a much larger yield of wheat than was
anticipated.
-Ex-President Jefferson Davis’ health is
much improved in consequence of his recent
tour through Scotland.
—C node’s last is to Delano: “Pleas lett
upp on to us with the Reverendue laws iu
Peunselvanie, es wee must kary the Stait.”
—it is estimated tliut at least 3,000 nn-n,
women and children are now engaged in
Delaware in gathering the peach crop.
—The proportion of wliito to the negro
population of Tennessee stands, 820,782 j
whites to 275,710 blacks.
—Tlie Labor Congress at Philadelphia
adopted a resolution denouncing the Chi
nese coolie trade, but favoring tue jirotec
tion of voluntary emigrants.
—ln consequence of the great drought,
many farmers in Virginia arc cutting their
corn for fodder, us it will not yield a barrel
to the aero in many places.
—Walton county has suffered greatly from
drought. It is thought that there vv ill be
bait a crop of com, while cotton is small
and unpromising.
—Father McMahon, long held as a Fenian
convict by tlie Canadian authorities, arrived
at Buffalo on the 23d utter an absence of
over three years.
—A guest at Saratoga mistook a large sil
ver-handled dinner knife for his pocket
handkerchief. A policeman pointed out the
error.
—The crop news from Mississippi is very
favorable. In some places there are signs of
the caterpillar, but the damage is very
slight,
—Mr. Thomas Nix, for more than thirty
five years a citizen of Columbus, died at
Whistler, near Mobile, Ala., ou the 17tli in
stant.
—Mr. John Bright has withdrawn from all
participation in the London Morning Star,
such being incompatible with Ins ministerial
duties.
—The three principal candidates for
United States Senator in Maine are Mr. Fes
senden, Speaker Blaine, and Governor
Chamberlain.
—Senator Fowler, of Tennessee, gives it
as Ins opinion that ex-President Andrew
Johnson will not be elected to succeed him
in the United States Senate.
—Edward Howland, son of the well known
-l-i'i, owner of New .Bed ford , yionililS
last, by f)i(i\vindHjui J iiis >t >)iHuis.’
—Tue New York papers generally criticise
unfavorably Judge Dent’s letter to Secretary
Boutwell as unwise and impolitic, greatly
damaging his prospects of success.
eluded between August the 7th and August I
14th show that the receipts from this source
amounted to four millions seventy-four Tho
usand four hundred and forty-seven dollars, j
Martin Green’s peach trees, 1,500 in
number, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, that
were maliciously girdled last spring by* some ,
scoundrel, are now bearing an enormous
crop of peaches.
—The Talbotton News says: “We had a j
fine rain in this section on Sunday. Crops, i
generally, are doing very well, though in
some parts of the county rust and drought
have greatly injured them.
—The Air Line Eagle says that on the
night of the 19th iust., about twelve miles
from Gainesville, a negro woman named Yi
noy Jackson, was brutally murdered by some
person unknown.
—Bishop Kemper, of Wisconsin, recently
field a confirmation among the Oneida In
dians at Green Bay. The service was in the
Mohawk language, and several persons were
confirmed.
—Commodore Vanderbilt was married ;
recently, at London, Canada, to Miss 1* rank
Crawford, daughter of Robert L. Crawford,
of Mobile, Ala. The bridal party will visit
Saratoga. 1
The reported finding,, in Wayne county,
N. Y., of a portion of the money stolen at
the great Express robbery near Albany,
proves to be incorrect A package of letters
lost from a mail bag was found.
A complete reconciliation has been ef
fected between the Sultan and the Viceroy
of Egypt. The English and French consuls
at Alexandria have congratulated the Viceroy
on the termination of his difficulties with the
Porte.
A big catamount was captured by some
negroes in Robertson county, Tennessee,
last Sunday. It had been running at largo
between Tyree Springs and the “White j
House,” near the Louisville turnpike, for
eighteen months past. |
—lt is found that the loss of currency by •
wear and tear is more than sufficient to pay 1
the expense of {inuring and issuing it. The
average life of a bank note is three years, and
that of fractional currency a much shorter |
time.
—The South American States, for a won
der, are enjoying for the moment political
tranquillity; but at Arequipa and some other
points, a recurrence of earthquakes keeps
the people in terror. The yellow fever, hap
pily, lias disappeared.
—A gentleman recently returned from
Saratoga reports that he saw the Hon. Mr.
Thompson, (colored) of the W ashington
Citv Common Council, at the Union Hotel,
exercising the functions of head waiter there
iu a manner entirely satisfactory to the
guests of the house.
—The Laurensville (South Carolina) Her-
aid says that on the night of Monday last,
the depot of the Laurens Railroad, at Lau- j
rensville, was entered, and the safediielonging 1
fi> the Southern Express taken to a car some
distance off', where it was broken open and
robbed of eighteen hundred and eighty-nine
dollars.
Canbv is satrap in Virginia, and is a can
didate for United States Senator from that
State. Ames is satrap in Mississippi, and
candidate for Senator. Reynolds is satrap j
in Texas, and candidate for Senator. Would
it not be decent for Mr. Grant to suspend
the functions of these gentlemen until after
the Senatorial elections?
—Still another submarine telegraph com
pany has been formed in England. This
is the West India and Panama Company,
with a capital of £650,000, and its purpose is
to extend telegraphic communication
throughout the West India Islands and to
form the central link of the telegraphic
communications of Brazil. Peru, Chili, Bu
enos Ayres and the other States of South
America, with New York. London and the
European continent.
—A New York correspondent of a Wash
ington paper predicts that if Gen. Canby
insists upon forcing the iron-clad oath upon
Conservative members elect to the A irgima
Legislature, and in ease of failure to comply,
to fill the vacancies by the selection of those
Radicals who may stand next on the tickets,
Governor Walker will urge the resignation
of those Conservatives who may not be able
to take the required oath, and then resign
himself, thus throwing the whole question
of the election of Governor and Legislature
back to the people,
MACON, GA.. TUESDAY. AUGUST 31, 1869.
j Correspondence of the Journal and Messeuger.
Letter from Houston.
Houston County, August 24.
Mr. Editor: In Twiggs. Pnlaski, and in
this county, the cotton crop will be the next
i thing to a failure. Present appearances in
dicate less than half a crop. A few weeks
ago the prospects were indeed flattering, and
i planters were buoyant and hopeful. Now
everything has changed. The rust and the
recent long dry spell have given all the blues
I wily. Planters are now despondent and
almost disheartened. Only the very highest
prices will leave money iu the pockets of
most of them after paying expenses. It is
1 now too late, and cotton too far gone, for
1 rain to do much good. Those who have
used commercial immures say they have l>een
benefitted, as without the manure they would
j have made an entire failure.
The corn eroj) will be short, but, by econo
mizing closely, enough will l>e made to make
a crop next year.
The Chinese emigration scheme is popular
here. Let us have them by all means.
Big Injun.
Correspondence of the Journal aud Messenger.
Condition of Crops—Cotton Plan
ters' Convention.
Mr. Editor: Crops througnout Southwes
tern Georgia are suffering greatly from rust.
On all lands where fertilizers were used,
tlie middle croj) is damaged; the top crop
almost entirely destroyed; the bottom croji
has matured and will be gathered and sent
forward rapidly from this time.
In view of the combinations already being
formed at the North to get the cotton crop
for less than its value, 1 would suggest a
Cotton Planters’ Convention, to be held in
Macon during the Fair to take such steps for
mutual protection as the intelligence of the
convention may suggest. Let every county
in the Southern States, whose products are
cotton, Ih> represented. Great good will
grow out of it to planters. By united action
upon the part of planters they might induce
large numbers of laborers from the non-cot
ten growing States to come South, besides
they might adopt such other measures as
would greatly benefit themselves.
Kinchafoon: a.
Tin* Cotton nii]i|il}.
From the United States Economist.
The English Cotton Supply Association
have had under discussion the question of
procuring a sufficient quantity of that staple
to meet me demands of British manufactu
rers, and in their report declare that there
appears to be litt-le probability that the pro
duction of cotton in America will for many
years to come he adequate to the require
ments of this and other countries. For the
present they urge the adoption of measures
to increase tin* supply of cotton in India;
but, at the same time, announce that “to
the Southern States of America must we
look for any permanent increase in the sup
ply of the raw material.” Some of the dif
ficulties attending the growth of cotton in
other lands are thus stated in the report:
Out of 16,000,000 acres annually appro
priated to cotton growing iu India, the lar
gest yield for exportation was in 1860, (when
stimulated by liigb prices), and did reach
1,840,618 bales—decreasing in 18G7 to 1,508,-
903 bales, and in 1868 to 1,420,576 bales —-
averaging three hundred and forty-seven
pounds. In the District of Ovissa, and in
Eastern Bengal, when the large crop of 18GG
was made, over 1,850,000 souls perished from
starvation, produced from putting in cotton
lands which should have been appropriated
to breadstuff's. * * * * *
In Egypt, a more strict system of irrigation
is adhered to, and heavy expenditures for
canal dues, steam machinery and English
coal for fuel to raise water from the Nile,
with the high price of cotton lands, joined
to onerous taxes exacted by the Government,
- . =t. A J 1 V'VJ',?; y,* 11 1'sV".''
when a large attampt at cotton growing wits
made, some 350,000 of the population of
Egypt perished from actual starvation.
* * * * * * *
Smyrna cut down her fig and fruit trees in
1864 for the purpose of growing cotton, but
has now abandoned it, while the rest of the
Levant, except for domestic purposes, lias
given it up altogether. * * *
Brazil and Peru are dependent almost en
tirely upon irregation for the production of
their cotton crops. The Pernambuco, Bac
eio, Bahia and Santos cottons, so favorably
known in tlie European markets, are pro
duced by damming up the “rigollettas,” or
rivulets of melted snow that come from the
Cordilleras, and thus, during the summer
months, furnishing means of irrigation, so
necessary in that arid climate to the maturity
of the cotton plant. But for the terraces
and irrigating canals of Peru, which convey
the melted snow from the Andes, she could
not grow cotton at all —and even now her
crop is very small, for that imported into
Liverpool the past year amounted to only
58,911 bags, of 180 pounds—equivalent to a
little over 21,000 bales of 500 pounds
each. While that of Brazil, although it
amounts to 627,502 bales of 155 pounds each,
when reduced to 500 pound bales, amounts
to a little over 195,000 bales.
Some years ago, seed, tools, and expe
rienced planters and workers in cotton, were
sent from this country to India to test that
section iu the cotton producing line. The
experiment was a failure. Neither the
quantity nor qua’ity was such as to justify
the outlay of money to continue the enter
prise. Since that time other efforts have
been made in India and Egypt, but with
similar want of success. The climate in
those localities is not fitted for producing a
sure and steady yield of cotton, while rude
and insufficient means of transportation
from the interior to the seaport are also
hindrances of no mean magnitude to the
undertaking of rivaling the United States as
a cotton producing country. Besides, the
quauty of the cotton grown in the Southern
St ites makes it eminently desirable in the
m irkets of the world. American cotton is
used alone for warp, and, on an average,
nine bales of this to one of all other descrip
tions in milLs and manufactories. When to
these facts is added another import mt one,
that the consumption of cotton increases
faster than its production, we see at once
that the Southern States are the main de
pendence of the world for a supply of this
article. Here is an estimate of the total
supply:
Granting that East India and the United
I States may make full average crops of cotton,
the most favorable production cannot supply
the deficiency, say for the crop of the cotton
year i860:
Bales.
Eai-t India, more than last year 1,500,000
Egypt 230.C00
Turkey, Levant, etc 13,500
Brazil ~ t'eru aud West Indies, same as last
year 707,500
United States resources more than last
v,ar 2,500 000
All other sources 50.000
Making a liberal estimate «f 5,000.000
for the production of the world, while tlie
consumption is over 6,000,000, leaving the
apparent deficit in supply in the “raw mate
rial’’ over 1.000,000 bales of cotton at tlie
end of the present year.
How to increase the cotton yield of the
South is a highly important question, not
only for that section, but for the whole
country. With a full yield of cotton at fair
prices we can control the trade of the world
in this respect, and hence the whole ener
gies <>f the nation should be directed to
building up the cotton interests of the belt
of States producing this important article of
trade and commerce
Awftl Tragedy.— The quiet village of
Monroe was startled on Sunday night of
List week by the announcement that a young
lady—Miss Mary Cunningham, daughter of
Mrs. Cunningham, of that place—had com
mitted suicide by poisoning herself with
strychnine. She was found lying on the
lloor of her bed-chamber at 12 o’clock that
night, in violent convulsions and frothing
at the mouth. A physician was summoned
at once, but too late to relieve her. He ex
pressed the opinion that she was poisoned
with strychnine. The Coronor's jury found
a verdict to the effect that she came to her
death hy poison administered by her own
hand. .
There were many rumors in circulation m
reference to this tragic affair, but we forbear
giving currency to any of them, — Athens
Watchman .
Proclamations of the leaders of
the t iihun Patriots.
Barajagua, June 20, 1869.
Cohans —When I decided to come to your
country, in order to assist you in conquering
the tyranny of the Sjaanisli Government
that has so long oppressed you, I took the
supreme resolution to die with you should
fate decree that you were to Ih l vanquished
by that enemy, now the only power in our
America that is fighting for the maintenance
of despotism and tyranny. Favored with
the command of the Eastern State by the
General-in-Chief, I will endeavor to dis
charge that honorable charge if yon will
assist me by your valor and decision, already
so well known, and if your worthy chiefs
will eo-oj>ernte we will soon be on the road
to victory. The sympathies inspired for
your cause with th people of North Amer
ica are great. I can assure you that I am
but the forerunner of other Generals of that
nation who will come, accompanied by
thousands of soldiers, whose only wish is to
be at your side and to participate iu your
perils and glories. It is with deep feelings
of pain that I learn that many, misled by
false representations, are far from us with
the enemy.
May they repent iu time and return to my
side, where, by shedibmr their hlon/t in the
cfetence oi tmnr Country, they may yet be
queath nil honorable name to their children.
If they do not act thus, they will be tlie vic
tims to their shortsightedness, for the lib
erty of Cuba is now tui accomplished fact.
I es, Cubans, the people of the United States
are decided to come in numbers to break
your fetters. You will soon see the coasts
surrounded by American vessels, bringing
thousands of valorous men resolved to drive
the last soldier or partisan of the Spanish
Government from this beautiful country.
Cubans, confide in me as I confide in you.
Let us lias ten to fight the enemies of vour
growing liberty, and your efforts will avail.
Viva Cuba ! Viva all free men !
Thomas Jordan, General-in-Chief.
Babajaoua, June 22, 1869.
To the Mobilized Troops of Cuba, dd Cobre and Pul
mu. Soriano:
Two great expeditions with arms and pro
visions have reached us. The Southern Gen.
Jordan, accompanied by Francisco Javiere
Cisneros and many valorous and intelligent
soldiers have arrived to assist us in driving
from our soil the hated Lion of Castile, who,
although his power here is expiring, yet hes
itates to cross the seas. Many of you, ig
norant of the purport of a revolution which
aims at independence aud deceived by
those whose intention is hereafter to impose
enormous taxes, which they are now levying
in the shape of blood and produce, still re
main in the ranks of the opposite party, to
the shame and disgrace of our future liberty;
nevertheless we foster the hope that when
-undeceived and repenting you will rush into
our arms that we may struggle together and
so make good the wrongs that yon thought
lessly have done to the cause of the Repub
lic. Mobilized volunteers, let us forget the
past. Come soon, so that we may break the
bread of peace and then tight united against
the defenders of a lost cause. Mobilized
volunteers, away with slaves and masters.
Viva tho new comers! Viva the Republic of
Cuba! Donato Marmot,,
Eklix Figuekedo.
Rumored Mob in Uurkc County.
From the Savannah Republican.
A report prevailed in the city yesterday
afternoon that great excitement existed in
Burke county in consequence of a colored
man being found dead on Sunday morning
in the woods belonging to the plantation of
a Mr. Jones, located near Station No. 9 on
the Central Railroad. That the negroes in
that vicinity having taken it into their heads
that two gentlemen named Jones and anoth
er named Moore had murdered the negro,
collected in a body, numbering some two
hundred and fifty, and arrested the gen-
Wltll IO lAann ... !-.-A \.-c —it
death by hanging, but that tho doomed in
dividuals succeeded, by some means unex
plained to us, in making tlicir escape. That
they crossed the Ogechee river into Emanuel
county, and proceeded to a church, where
they related tlie circumstances to the persons
in attendance, the result of which is said to
be that a body of white men, numbering
some two hundred and fifty, was organized and
passed over tlie river into Burke county, for
what purpose we could not distinctly learn.
We were also told that the organized body
of negroes had brought in several negroes
and turned them over to the organized body
of white men. For what purpose these men
were turned over, or with what offence they
were charged, our informant could not tell.
It is said that no white man believed that
the negro was murdered, but there was un
doubted evidence that he came to liis death
from natural causes. We give the rumor
as it was told, without pretending to vouch
forits accuracy.
The Disturbance in Burke.
From the Savannah Republican.
Herndon, Burke County, Ga., |
August 24th, 1869. j
Editor Republican: Permit me, through
your valuable columns, as one who feels in
terested iu the peace aud prosperity of our
county, to communicate a few facts con
cerning the late disturbance in Burke county.
Knowing the prejudices of political parties,
I propose to state these few facts, because I
was one of the only two white men who were
present at this lawless mob, trying to jmt a
stop to their wrath and violence. I will be
gin with supposed causes; On the night of
the 19th iust., one of Burke’s best and no
blest eitizens was informed that a dead body
was lying in bis woods, distant about one
mile from his negro-quarters. Though quite
unwell at the time, tho citizen consulted
with his neighbors, summoned a jury (I was
one of the number) held an inquest the fol
lowing day, 20th inst., over tlie body, which
was so mutilated by buzzards and hogs as to
render it utterly impossible to discover any
cause of the death, and only from the kinky
hair was it known to he a person of color.
Here the matter rested ; all was being
done that could be done. Next day, quite
to our surprise, this good citizen referred to
saw an armed squad of negroes pass through
his negro quarters ; very soon afterwards an
other and larger squad passed and went on
ill the same direction. Not favoring .such
warlike demonstrations on liis plantation,
he ordered liis buggy, when he and myself,
unarmed, proceeded to investigate the causes
of such gatheming of armed bodies of ne
groes. Unfortunately we were so far behind
a8 not to have overtaken them until they
had (some forty in number, all armed with
few exceptions) arrested two white men and
two colored, whom they suspected of being
guilty of the murder. They were on their
way to make a few more arrests, when they
were accosted by citizen, “Wliat is up ?”
their intentions, Ac. Hi re cries of revenge,
taking the law in their own hands, Arc., Ac.,
Arc., were made by a number of voices simui- I
I mueously. Some few were disposed to talk,
and it was only by citizen's long continued j
exhortations, commencing at sunset and last- j
iug till nine and a half o’clock, explaining
the severity of the law against their measures,
and particularly against their leaders, that
they were induced to disperse.
Long lx do re the dawn of day white men
were in their saddles, coming to the- scene of
danger. Humors of all kinds had spread, •
with unparalleled rapidity throughout the ;
adjoining counties. Fully intent on stop
ping such barbarous proceedings of the
blacks, early Sabbath morning sufficient
numbers had arrived at the scene of the late
disturbance, and the cry was “still they
came.” Warrants were immediately gotten
for all the guilty ones of the party we could
identify, and they were arrested and placed
under guard. The Sheriff and deputy ar
rived promptly on the spot and assisted in
ferreting out the guilty. Next day the ar
rested party were brought up for prelimin
• ary examination, and after sufficient evi
| dence, three persons of color (ring-leaders,)
were committed to the county jail, where I
hope they will reap a just reward.
AH is quiet now, and peace we must and
l will have. Peac h Blossom.
CoßPjynoN.—The Harvard jj/rafessor, the
espousals of whose daughter to I rid.
Douglas’ son were recently chronicled with
so much eclat, is not a white man. On the
contrary, he is a negro prize lighter, wno
has been engaged to teach boxing to the
students.
Decisions of tlie Supreme Court.
Delivered at Atlanta, Saturday, Auyust 21.
REPORTED BY N. J. HAMMOND, SUFRKME COURT
REPORTER.
B. F. Hardeman, plaintiff' in error, vs. Jno.
Dawner, defendant iu error. Homestead.
from Oglethorpe.
M. Cay. J.
1. Homestead aud exemption laws when
made in good faith, to secure to the family
of insolvent debtors a reasonable means of
! subsistence from the debtor’s property, do
, not even, though retroactive, fall within the
j prohibition of article IU, section Ist, of the j
! Constitution of the United States, declaring
j that no State shall pass any law impairing
j the obligation of a contract,
i 2. The Constitution of the United States
does not prohibit a State from divesting a
: vested right, except when that right is vested
| by virtue of mul under a contract of the
j parties.
3. A creditor under an ordinary contract |
requires no vested right in the property of I
his debtor, and it is within the power of a j
State to declare which of the elaimauts j
against an insolvent debtor, a stranger or j
Jiw wife and family, who bv law, have a !
legal right to a support from him, shall have 1
| preference.
j 4. The condition of this State iu tlie for
! matiou aud adoption of the Constitution,
of 1868, was anomalous, and it was compe
tent for the convention and tho people with
the exjiress consent of the United States, to
adopt as a p;u - t of the Constitution the ar
ticle therein providing for a homestead, or
any other provision designed to adjust tlm
eviLs and inequalities produced by the rav
ages of the win, aud the emancipation of the
slaves; such provisions stand upon the foot
ing of a compact between the State and the
United States, at the close of the war, in ad
justment of the inequalities produced be
tween individuals by the settlement imposed
upon the people by the United States.
The Constitution of 1868, was made for a
pooplo without civil government, aud no
Court established by that Constitution, can
take up itself a jurisdiction therein denied |
to it, by assuming a jurisdiction belonging i
to some Court of the civil government de- j
ntroyed by the revolution. If the new Con
stitution tails to carry over to the new or
ganization such jurisdiction as is necessary
to enforce a legal contract, it is a failure, not
in the power of the Judiciary to remedy.
The evil, if it be one, is political, and rests
with that power wherein is deposited the
sovereignty of the State.
The homestead provision of tlie Constitu
tion of 1868, is retroactive, and applies to
judgments, executions, and decrees, loumled
on debts contracted before its adoption, even
though reduced to judgment before that
time, and is without exception, save as there
in provided.
The exception* in said provision are also
retroactive, and cover debts of the excepted
character whenever contracted.
Each of the exceptions is to bo read in
connection with the words “judgment, exe
cution or decree,” and with such other
words as are necessary to complete the
sense, so that before such of said excep
tions is to be understood, the words “judg
ment, execution or decree,” founded on a
debt contracted for the purchase money, etc. !
Brown, G. J., occurred as follows :
1. The same propositions which are an,- (
nonneed in the ease of Shorter vs. Cobb i.« «
to the denial of jurisdiction to the Courts o.f
this State, to eniorco debts for slaves or the
hire thereof, are equally true and applica
ble to that jiart of the new State Constitu
tion which secures to each family a home
stead, and declares that no Court or ministc- i
rial officer shall ever have jurisdiction or
authority to enforce any judgment, decree
or execution against tho property so set
apart, except for taxes, etc., as therein ex
rendered prior, us stll>s,*■<j'iV-Vd 1 / Vo''file 11 'ilHli)i s
tion of said Constitution.
2. Amidst the general wreck of fortunes
and destruction of rights, caused by the
war, the State, by her Convention, called, as
required by Congress, to form anew State
Government, had the right to propose this
measure to the conquering Government,
which had the power to approve and sanc
tion it, as a means of equalizing losses to
some extent, and of retaining and inviting
population, by securing to each family a
home, free from old liens, which were ex
peeted by both debtor and creditor to have
been satisfied by property which was swept
away by the deluge of instruction, which
reduced an opulent and proud people to
poverty and drove them to tho verge of des
pair.
3. In this state of things, the homestead
measure was a necessity, and its adoption
was dictated by sound public policy, to save
a large class ol intelligent, patriotic citizens
and their families from despondency, by
placing it in their power again to become
useful niem!>ers of society, and by honest
toil and the exercise of frugality uml econ
omy, to maintain a competency, if not to
acquire, even in a greater degree, the com
forts of life.
4. Sound public policy required the adop
tion of this measure as a part of the terms
upon which the State was to be re-admitted
to her rights in the Union, to prevent mo
nopolies, and the reduction of a large ma
jority of her population to a condition of
tenuntcy and vassalage. While rights and
property of every other description had
been lost or destroyed by the war, to have
held that judgments, mortgages, etc., in tin*
hands of note-shavers and money-lenders,
were the only property that had been in
sured by the government, aud that was too
sacred to be touched, an<l to have made no
arrangement, with the assent of Congress,
in re-adjusting the status of the State, to
prevent the sale by the Sheriff of the vast
extent of territory in the State covered by
these old hens, at a time when there was
very little money in the State witli which
to pay debts or to purchase property, would
have resulted iu the sacrifice of the hind',
of the State under the Sheriff’s hammer,
and their purchase by a few wealthy per
sons and companies, which would have
built up a landed aristo« racy more lordly
and controlling, and much more exacting
and oppressive than ever existed under ti.e
old shivery system. The Convention had a
right to propose a remedy, and Congress
had a right to interpose and sanction a Con
stitution which prevented this great public
wTong. In the plenitude of its power over
the conquered State, Congress did so; and
it acted justly and wisely in so doing.
5. That part of the Constitution of this
State w hich denies to the Courts jurisdiction
to enforce any judgment, execution, etc.,
against the homestead, does not violate the
tentli section of the tirst article of the Con
stitution of the United States, as the said
State Constitution was formed under the
dictation and control of Congress, as the
representative of the conquering govern
ment, and is the act of Congress, because it
derives its validity from the sanction of Con
gress, and not from the free choice or con
sent of the State; and it matters not whether
the }*art of the State Constitution now under
consideration was dictated by Congress or
proposed by the Convention and accepted
and approved by Congress, the legal effect
; is the same, as the whole instrument was
j invalid and of no force till it was approved
i by Congress, whose power is not limited by
i said section of the Constitution of the
j United Stab’s.
6. It is not the business of the Courts to
inquire whether the homestead is larger than
was actually necessary. That was a ques
tion for the consideration of the Conven
; tion which proposed the measure, and for
: the decision of the Congress which approved
and ratified it.
7. The. word incumbrances in the Ist sec
j tion of the 7th Article of the Constitution of
this Shite is not to be construed in its broad
legal sense, and to embrace att judgments,
decrees, mortgages and executions. To say
that no court or ministerial officer in this
State shall ever have jurisdiction or author
: itv to enforce any judgment, decree or exe-
I cation against said property so set apart as a
! homestead; except that they may enforce all
i “incumbrances thereon,” which means any
I null ail judgments, decrees and execution
J which may at any time exist against the
same, is to say that the Convention and the
i Congress were guilty of the absurdity of de
fying jmi&dictiqp in all eucti case* by the
k r OL I,XL, NO. 12
body of the act, and restoring it by the pro
riso or exception, which is contrary to all
true rules of construction.
8. We are to construe this jwirt of the Con
stitution in connection with the whole in
strument, when we are attempting to ascer
tain what the law-givers meant. Taking the
whole together jus proposed by the Conven
tion, all jurisdiction wasdeuiodto the Courts
to enforce any judgment, execution or de
cree rendered uj>oii any contract m ule prior
to the Ist June, 18<x», except in certain ex
eepted cases. Now. it seems quite clear
after this denial of jurisdiction, that they
did not intend l>v the use of the word in
cumbrances, in tli*' section now under con
sideration, to restore the jurisdiction iu all
eases where it might authorize the sale of
the homestead; the protection of which was
one of the special objects of their labor and
care.
Wabneb, J.—Dissenting.
The first section of the seventh article of
the Constitution of this- State declares that
“each head of a family, or guardian, or tru*
tee of a family of miuor children, shall bo
entitled to a homestead of realty to the
value of two thousand dollars in specie, and
personal property to the value of one thous
and dollars in specie, l«>th to Ih i valued at
the time they an* set u|>art. And no Court,
or ministerial otOeci in tins State. shall ever
have jurisdiction or authoriiv, to enforce any
judgment, decree, t# execution against said
property so set apart, including such im
provements us may bo made thereou from
time to time, except for taxes, money bor
rowed and expended in the improvement of
the homestead, or for the purchase money of
the same, and for labor done thereon, or ina
terijil furnished therefor, or removal of en
cumbrances there* >n.
Although the foregoing provision of the
Constitution does not, in express terms, in
clude contracts made prior to its adoption;
still, the words employed are broad enough
to include judgments ‘obtained on contracts
mode before that time. All remedy is denied
for the enforcement of “any judgment” by
denying jurisdiction to the Courts. If it was
intended that this provision of the Constitu
tion should have aretroaotive operation, and
apply to past contracts, then it isc.r /**gf f<uto
in its character and is violative of the funda
j mental principles of the social compact, as
waa held and decided by tliis Court iij thu
case of Wilder vs. Lumpkin 4th (leo. Itepta.
‘2OB, and also is in violation of the fundiuia n
tal principles declared by the first, fifth,
and twenty-sixth sections' of the first nrti
ele of the Constitution of 18f»8, this pm
vision of the Constitution takes proper
ty of the value of three* thousand dollars
in specie, which was subject to the pay
ment of the debt of the creditors at the
time the contract was made under the then
existing laws of the State, and which, in
honesty and fair dealing, just ly belonged to
him. and without his consent, transfers it to
the debtor. When we take into considera
tion the gross and flagrant ■injustice which
will be done, by making tile general wolds
of the Constitution embrace past contracts,
wo ought, as a Court, in all decency, to pie
sumo that it was not intended by the fnuners
thereof to have a retrospective operation,
but only applicable to such judgments ns
might be obtained on contracts made aft< r
its adoption. But if it was intended to em
brace judgments on contracts made prior to
its adoption, then this provision of the State
Constitution is in violation of the 10th section
of the first article of the Constitution of the
United States, which declares, that ‘‘No State
;diall pass any law impairing the obligation
«ts contracts.” Although the Constitution of
.£b<- State is its fundamental law, still it is a
law of the State, anil if any of its provisions
impair or destroy the obligation of contracts,
it it .-«* much within the prohibition of the
Constitution of the United States, as any
otburliaw of the State, and to that extent, is
null a»<B void. The first section of tin* sev
enth article of the Constitution of the State
of Georgia, in my judgment, not only im
the debtor's property does not exceed in
value thu sum of three thousand dollars in
specie, it destroys tint obligation by the de
nial to one of the contracting parties all
remedy for its euforcenn.'it under the laws
which existed at the time the contract waa
made, iunl is therefore a palpable violation
of the Constitution of the I'nitcd States,
which is the supreme law of the laud and
consequently, is null and void. This clause
lieing void ijoe* not therefore defeat, or take
away, the jurisdiction of the Superior
Courts “in Jill other civil eases,” as express
ly conferred by the third action of the
fifth article of the Constitution of 180fc
Toombs k Dubose, for plaintill' in error.
NVm. Reese, for defendant in error.
Insurance < onipanics.
Maj. Madison Bell, Comptroller Gcnmd
of the State, has very kindly furnished us
with a list of insurance companies authorized
to do business in this State. We are assured
that no company that has not been furnished
with a certificate of authority has the right
to transact business in this State, yor ha*
any agent such right without a like certifi
cate. By observing this list, the public can
learn what companies have complied w ith
the law, and thus"be protected against “wild
Cuts.” other companies have tiled their
papers, but have not yet fully complied w ith
the law; but, we suppose, such ol them as
shall do so shortly will be duly licensed. Tlia
following is a full list of those that have fully
complied:
ltoyal Insurance Company, Liverpool,
England; Washington, N. Y.; Security and
Annuity, N. Y.; Connecticut Mutual Life,
Conn.; Commercial lire, N. \.; National
Life, L>. C.; Yonk rs and New Y ork, V Y.;
Home N. Y r .; City Fire, Conn.; Norwich
Fire, Conn.; Continental Life, N. Y.; Mu
tual Life, New York; Manhattan Life Com
panv, N. Y r .; Merchants, Conn.; Putnam
Fire, Conn.; Continental, X. Y\; /Etna,
Conn.; Phoenix, Conn.; Phomix Fire, N. V ;
New York Life, N. Y\; Commerce, N. Y.;
Home, Conn.; North American Fire, N. Y' ;
Hartford Fire, Conn.; Atlantic Fire, N. Y;
International, N. Y.; Lori Hard Fire, N. Y.;
Bailway Passengers, Conn.; Security, New
York; "North .American, Conn.; National,
Mass’; Aster lire, N. Y.; Pacific, Cal;
Washington Fire, Mil; Niagara lire,
N. Y.; Republic Fire, N. Y\; Hanover
Fire, N. Y.; Germania Fire, >*. Y.; Liver
pool and London and Globe, England ;
Monumental Fire, Ml.: Georgia MuiuaJ
Fire and Life, Ga.; Southern Insurance and
Trust Cos., Ga.; Citizen*’, N. Y.; .Etna Lite,
Conn.; Howard, N. Y.; Standard Fair, do.;
Brooklyn, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Eiterpri Eire
and Marine, Cin., Otiio.; Knickertxx-kcr Life,
N. Y.; Cotton States Life, Macon, Ga.;
Phomix Mutual Life, Conn.; National Cap
ital Life, D. C.; Union Fire, Md.; Firemans,
X. Y.; Merchants and Mechanics Fire, ML;
Equitable Life Assurance Society, N Y.;
Mississippi Valley Life, Covington, Kv.;
Empire Mutual Life, N. Y'.; Lamar Fin-, do.;
Eufaula Home, Ala.; Southern Mutual,
Athens, Ga.; Georgia Home, Columbus, do.;
Widows and Orphans Benefit Life, N. Y.;
North America Life, do.; Excelsior, do.;
Southern Life, Tenn.; Queen of England,
England. —Atlanta X-n- Era.
Recoxstbcciios N eeiied. —If tic ( alifor
nians do not need te l>e reconstructed, w m
doe*? Four companies of the Caliior -ui
militia recently refused point blank to p u y‘ o
with the colored troops who “fougid
When Congress meets, let their S- na o
excluded from their seats, let bo (
duce a reconstruction act, aw Jl “ ‘ ,
oath be framed which nobody j*
cept he lie a colored individual, or «ome
thAndWtS'California 1.,. - refused to permit
the greenback curroiiey t
at all. Even . Ir> plains, the moment
cent excursion of California, was
she crossed « , j( . r alu l biscuit*
compcUiHi to this 1S --flat burg
m gold and • thi _ remedy the evil but
larv ,” w ith a sup
plement or two. as the emergency may rc
"'Zlr Court Journal givi the following as
tIK movements present and prospective of
Pre*Sentgive a reception at Newport
nudav at Senator Morgan’s villa. Geue
'Tsix rman and Messrs. Bone and Robeson
present. The Presidential party will
jeave soon for the YVlntc Mountains, by way
p f Boston and Concord.