The Weekly times & sentinel. (Columbus, Ga.) 185?-1858, July 12, 1853, Image 2

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

&inuß mxb Scntind. COLUMBUS, GEORGIA. TUESDAY MORNING, JULY 12, 1853. FOR GOVERNOR: 11ERSCHEL V. JOHNSON. FOR CONGRESS: A. H. COLQUITT. WEEKLY TIMES AND SENTINEL, FOR THE CAMPAIGN. Anxious to do our part in preserving the liberties of the people, and the institutions of the South, by elevat ing to office in every department of the Government, good and true Democrats, who will insist upon a rigid adhereuce to the Constitution, we offer the WEEKLY TIMES AND SENTINEL, for cash in advance, as follows : $ cts. One copy till 2d week in October, v 50. Five copies, u “ “ f.2 00 Ten copies, “ “ “ 400 Twenty copies, “ M “ 7 00 Fifty copies, “ “ u 15 00 One hundred copies a “ 25 10 We are just entering upon a canvass in which a Governor, members of Congress, members of the Leg islature, Judges of the Superior Courts, and a United States Senator will be elected. Every man in Georgia is deeply interested in the result. The contest will, therefore, be o stirring one, and afford abundant mate rial for thought and discussion. We will spare no labor to make our paper the vehi cle of the fullest information upon all points discussed, and the earliest and most reliable news from all points of the State during the canvass. Every citizen is interested in the political opinions of li is neighbor. Ilis vote affects bis life, liberty and property. We will devote our entire energies to the advocacy of the claims of the Democratic candidates, under the full conviction that the freedom of the States and the preservation of the Union are involved in the success of Democratic principles. Tlie Nomination tor Congress. Major Colquitt has many elements of popularity, lie is a plain, unostentatious citizen—a bona fide repub lican fanner, who has no interests, no hopes, no aspira tions, that are not shared in common by his constitu ents. He has borne arms in defence of his country and gained an enviable reputation for gallantry at Bue na Vista in the staff of General Taylor, lie is said to be an orator of no mean gifts. Besides all this, every body knows him to be one of the cleverest fel lows in the world, and if he is not elected it will be the fault of his party friends. Let therefore our gal lant young candidate buckle on his armor and strike for victory. It is within his reach, if he will de termine to have it. lie is opposed however by a wily opponent, who will bear watching ; but he is vulner able at every joint of his harness, and must succumb, if attacked with a steady lance and a bold charge. A sign of the Times. Straws show’ which w'ay the wind blows. The Columbus Enquirer failed to notice Mr. Toombs’ speech in this city. It could not praise it—it was sectional; it dared not condemn it. From recent observation we have ascertained that it is no small job to repair an organ. It may be that this will account for the silence of the Enquirer. Its old pipes could not reach the gamut of the new tune it was required to play. For two years past it has croaked of disunion until its pipes have forgotten every oilier air, and no matter what piece may be selected, they always run into “that same old tune.” The organ, therefore, has to bo repaired, new pipes inserted, new pieces practiced, and then we shall probably hear variations upon the favorite airs of the Southern Rights party, to wit: Northern aggres sion, corruptions of national parties, the imminent peril of the South, resistance, secession, disunion. Congressional. Mr. David Clopton lias consented to take the field against Capt. Abercrombie in the 2d District in Ala bama. Mr. Clopton is a gentleman of high character, superior attainments, and a good and true Southern Rights Democrat. He is one of the most popular men where he is known, we ever knew, and if lie shall find time to make the acquaintance of the people of his Dis trict before the election, he will run a fast race. Wo think he never made an enemy in his life. Let not his opponents, however, mistake their man. 110 is a man of firm purpose, of decided convictions, and of un tiring perseverance. Ilis popularity is the result of bland manners, unaffected modesty, and a disposition as gentle as a woman’s. We venture that during his whole life he never turned want and poverty rway from his door without relief—or looked upon suffering without cordial sympathy. Ilis intellect is also worthy of his heart. He took the first honor in College without an effort, and found no difficulty in mastering the severest tasks. Indeed, his power of acquiring knowledge is as tonishing. With such endowments, the early friends of Mr Clop ton predicted for him a brilliant future, in which we participated. While wo doubted the policy of his run ning for Congress at this time, and were disposed to compliment Capt. Abercrombie w ith the votes of our party for his ninnly opposition to the Whig party in the last Presidential election, we cannot refrain from giving our old friend and class mate a hearty support. He is eminently worthy of our support, and if elected to the high position to which he aspires, he will prove an able and true representative, not only of his party, but of the South, and never flinch from his duty, no matter how great the peril which may be involved in a patriotic) dis charge of it. The Canvass in Alabama. While the leaders of the defunct Whig Party in Georgia are building anew platform upon which to shel ter themselves in the general crash of the old temple in which they have so long worshipped, it is amusing to look across ihe river and see the devices resorted to by their old friends to save themselves from ruin. Like men wrecked at sea, they abandon the hull of the craft to its fate, and seize upon every floating plank and spar which can be made available as a float! but their main reliance is upon the tow lines of the Democracy. The system of Whiggery is abandoned, but particular prin ciples are still sustained. These assertions are fully ver ified by the animated canvass now going on in the Mo bile District between Col. PniLirs, Democrat, and Lockwood, Whig. On the subject of States Rights Col. Philips took strong ground, showing conclusively that the Democratic party, as far back as the days of Jefferson,, was the true States Rights party —announcing, as a fact on which the party might congratulate itself, that it still retains that position, by incorporating in the platform of the last Democratic National Convention the spirit and doctrines of the resolutions of (’9B) ninety-eight. Upon this ground Mr. Lockwood took no issue, con ceding the right of a State to secede for adequate cause, and denying the right of the General Government to coerce her back—a very different position from that taken by Mr. Langdon, two years ago. This Col. Philips very happily denominated, amid a general tit ter of the assembly, Progressive Whiggery. So upon the subject of the tariff, CoL Philips con tended that a tariff for revenue was the only constitu tional tariff’—while Mr. Lodkwoob at first avowed him self in favor of protection for protection’s sake, but af terwards changed his ground, and left his audience in nuhihus , as to his position. But on the subject of internal improvements by the Federal Government, Mr. Lockwood contended for the constitutionality of carrying out an entire system .of internal improvements by the Federal government. This whig principle in Alabama is emphatically de nounced in Georgia by the old whig leaders, both in their platform, and more especially in their speeches. There is indeed such diversity of sentiment and opin ion among Whigs in varous parts of the country, that w'e really re at some loss to know what is whiggery. Here in Georgia, Mr. Toombs makes it a point in all his speeches to announce that the rights of the South were not secured by the Compromise, though the Union was saved, and has attempted to placeJiimself at the head of a Southern party, whose object shall be to crusade for Southern Rights. In Alabama, however, Mr. Lockwood announces to Ins followers, that the whole matter of States Rights ought to be hushed up forever, and strongly deprecates all allusion to the sub ject by his democratic opponent. The moral that this singular exhibition of contradic tion teaches, is that the whig platform is crumbling beneath the feet of whig politicians, and that to save themselves from dt-feat and ruin, each and every one ot them is setting up a mushroom of his own for the oc casion, from which he can leap upon the safest, surest and most popular platform, that may hereafter be built by bis old friends. Editorial Item. Judge Warner has resigned his seat on the Supreme Bench, and Judge Starnes has been appointed to fill the vacancy. Judge Warner’s judicial career has been a brilliant one, which we hope will be emulated by his successor. Judge Warner does not say the salary of a Supreme Court Judge is inadequate compensation for the labor and time expended, but w'e may reasonably infer that that is the cause of his resignation. Is it not a shame that the highest law officer in Georgia does not clear more than a first rate clerk in a wholesale Dry Goods Store in New York ? Camp Montgomery, July G. In my last communication I neglected to mention that a National Salute of 31 Guns was fired at 12 M. on the 4th, under the direction of Ordnance Sergeant Burros. If noise is evidence of patriotism the Sergeant is ahead and shoulders above all competitors. The crack of the rifle and even the fire of musketry are gentle sounds in the presence of roaring artillery. Yesterday the heavens were overcast and Camp Montgomery was flooded. A long table groaning with good things which the ladies of the city had kindly pro vided, was exposed to the pitiless storm, and the fair crea tures themselves were not at all respected by the God of rain and thunder, and were compelled to seek shelter from the shower in a hasty retreat to the tents of the military. Os course we were delighted with the incident, though we sincerely regretted the inconveniences to which our fair guests were exposed. Our accommodations were scanty, but they were ten dered with good will, and we are happy to believe that the abandon of our hospitality made amends for all defi ciencies. All that we regret in this connection was the necessity of changing the locale of the evening’s enter tainment. A broad platform 100 by 60 feet had been erected for the purpose of having a ball in camp. It was looked forward to with lively anticipations as the great event of the festivities, and we are sure nothing could have been more picturesque than 20 sets wheeling through the mazes of the dance under the broad canopy of heaven, all bespangled with stars. We were com pelled to resort to Temperance Hall by the rain, com forted by the reflection that if our pleasures were di minished, the country was benefited by its untimely outpouring. At nine o’clock the ball opened. The concourse was immense. We observed in the throng most of the fashion, worth and beauty of the city, who, we were happy to find, had a hand ready for every guest who sought it in the dance. The festivities were prolonged to a very lute hour, and went off delightfully. There was not a jar during the evening. At 2 o’clock in the morning many happy but tired men sought sleep in the tents so recently hallowed by the presence of the fair, to dream of the forms of grace and beauty which but so recently flitted before their eyes. The camp was aroused by reveille at an early hour—too early, we fear, for the tired sleepers, who awoke to learn that the fourth of July had passed, and the pleasant fes tivities were ended. On the fifth, the Macon and Columbus companies turned out for drill under their respective commanders. Engaged actively in this part of the exercises we had no opportunity of comparing the companies with each oth er. Indifferent spectators are divided in opinion as to the merits of the respective corps, but all agree that there never was a more soldierly body of men under arms, mid that every corps was well drilled, and did great credit to its officers by the accuracy and elegance of its evolutions. We are informed that the Macon Volunteers had the pleasure of meeting with the accomplished widow of their old Captain, Holmes, who led the company to Mexico and there sacrificed his life to his country. It is said that they were none the worse for the reunion. At any rate “Parade-rest” was an order of long stand ing in front of the residence of one of our citizens. At the appointed roll the tents of the citizen soldiers were struck, and the Macon Volunteers, Capt. Bivins, and the Floyd Rifles, Capt. Ross, were escorted to the Dopot by the Columbus Guards, and the Montgomery Rifles, Capt Thom, to the west bank of the Chattahoo ohee by the City Light Guards, and there delivered over to the friendly hospitalities of Capt. Abercrombie, We were unable to accompany them furthe-*, but learn that the whole company were conveyed in carriages to his mansion, where a bevy of fair ladies awaited them, and there speut the day in feasting and dancing until the sun sunk in the west. Just before the tents were struck, Capt Hall, Quar termaster, contrived a very pleasant surprise. At the sound of music a sergeant was seen to conduct a squad to the quarters of the Captain Quartermaster without arms and return with a basket between them to the quarters of the Macon Volunteers where they delivered it with appropriate honors and returned. The same ceremony was repeated at the quarters of the Floyd and Montgomery Rifles, and as the sergeant and his squad retired a loud huzza h rent the welkin. At length the same ceremony was repeated in the quarters appropriated to our own companies. There was much anxiety on our part to know the cause of the hilarity of our comrades, and we involuntarily crowded around our basket, but to our surprise our worthy Quartermas ter had presented us with a gross of empty bottles ac companied with his compliments, and a hint that our readers may guess at. If all of them came from his own quarters, he certainly dispensed a liberal hospitali ty inliis tent. That, however, is characteristic of the man. We noticed that our guests were very careful to place their baskets in a secure place among their baggage. We hope, therefore, that they found something more substantial in theirs than we did in ours, and that a free use of their contents will do them good in their long journey home. We now bring these hasty remarks to a close. We are sorry we can give no brighter picture of the festivi ties* We have written in snatches as we could seize a spare moment in the bustle of the camp, and after a night of laborious duty in the guard tent, during which we were watchers over the camp. Therefore, excuse all inaccuracies and ineleganoies and accept the purpose for the performance. If our guests go home as favorably impressed with us tis we are delighted with them, we shall not care if we have given a very poor description of a very pleas ant anniversary. Camp Montgomery, July 4, 1853. Camp Montgomery is situated half a mile North, but in sight of the city of Columbus, and just in the rear of “Woolfolk,” in a lovely oak grove, so thick and shady that scarce a beam of sunshine can penetrate it. In front of the camp flows a murmuring rivulet, and to the right the swift flowing Chattahoochee leaps from rock to rock in its descent to the city. It is indeed a very Paradise; the land belongs to Col. Woolfolk, and was, we believe, selected and put in order by Capt. Hall, Quartermaster and Commissary of the encamp ment. On Friday, Ist mat., at 5 o’clock, P. M., the two Columbus companies took up their line of march for camp, and by the setting of the sun were in their quarters. No incident occurred for 24 hours worthy of notice. The time, however, flew by merrily, albeit there were no other than familiar faces of townsmen and friends* to cheer the scene. On Saturday, 2d inst., a delegation from the Macon Volunteers and Rifles ap peared in camp, with the baggage and camp equipage of the two companies. At six in the afternoon the en campment was under arms, and in full dress marched to the Bridge to welcome the Montgomery Rifles, Capt. Thom, to the hospitalities of the city. Arrived again in camp, a reception address was made in front of the Reception Tent, in which was crowded much of the loveliness and beauty of the city, by Captain John Forsyth, and responded to by Lieut. Poe. Both address es were chaste and finished productions, and were very cordially received by the noble men whose thoughts and feelings they had respectively so perfectly embodied. Again the shades of night crept softly over the camp, and the tread and challenges of the sentry which .guard ed it, fell monotonously upon the ear. During the earlier hours of the evening, the mirth and fun grew fast and furious. Columbus was “tipping’ Montgomery, but at tattoo, a deep stillness fell upon the scene, and all was as quiet as a well regulated household. The holy Sabbath was welcomed by a single dis charge of cannon. There is generally not much re spect paid to the Sabbath in camp, and it is a singular fact, that many if not most of the great battles of Eu rope and America have been fought on this blessed day. In camp Montgomery, however, all honor was paid to the sacred day. Every soldier was arrayed in his hol iday costume, and though there was no lack of cordial greeting and reciprocal interchange of pleasant thought and generous feeling, no one seemed to forget that it was the Lord’s day. At the invitation of Rev. John E. Dawson and the members of his congregation, the camp was deserted at an early hour in the morning, and all repaired to the Baptist Church and engaged in the worship of the Most High. In the afternoon the Rev. Thomas F. Scott preached a sermon in camp, characterized by his usual good sense and kind feeling—and we may rea sonably hope that the bread east upon the waters will be seen after many days. On the 4th, an escort of honor appeared at the depot at an early hour to welcome the Macon Volunteers, Capt. Bivins, and the Floyd Rifles, Capt. Rots. In the absence of Capt. Forsyth, who was appoint ed to this duty, the reception address was made by Capt. Cooper. and responded to by Lieut. Hardeman, of the Floyd Rifles—whose speech elicited much applause. At 10 o’clock, the encampment was teeming with the beauty of the city. It was indeed a lovely and be witching scene. The battalion was now formed and marched to the Saloon, where an appropriate prayer was addressed to the Throne of Grace, by Rev. John E. Dawson ; the Declaration of Independence was read by Hon. G. K. Thomas, in an impressive man ner, and preceded by a few sliiring remarks, which were well received by the audience. And now com menced the event of the day, the anniversary oration, by Edgar G. Dawson, Esq. We regret that the confusion and inconvenience of camp compel us to deny our readers the plea sure of an abstract of the address ; it will suffice to say that it was an appropriate and finished perform ance, and was received with unqualified pleasure by the audience. After the oration was ended, the camp was thrown open to the citizens, and our pretty girls did what arm ed men would have found it difficult to perform : they not only passed our line of sentinels, but entered our tegts and robbed them of their most valuable treasures ; the glances of their blight eyes were more fatal to brave men than bristling bayonets. This incursion of the fair was one of the most pleasing incidents of the occasion. At four o’clock, a very large company, consisting of over four hundred men, sat down to one of Perry’s very best dinners, at Temperance Hall. All the luxu ries of the South were strewed in profusion over the table. It was a dinner of which we were proud, though the eating was “fast,” too fast for enjoyment ; indeed, wo had hardly gotten through our first course before toasts were in ord* r, and eloquent men were on their ieet. It is impossible to give any id< aof the speeches made or the sentiments give: l . Messrs. Tiiom and Poe, of the Montgomery Rifles; Messrs. Hardeman, Iracy, and Stubbs, of the Macon com pa: ties ; Messrs. Lomax, Thounton, Hamilton, and Dixon, of our own companies, were called to their feet. About sun down the cry rang through the Hall “tall in, fall in,” and to our very great pleasure* and somewhat to our surprise, a goodly number of each company obeyed the order and were marched back to camp in good order and condition. Ihe festivities closed with a Pic-Xic, last night. Our Jlilitary Guests. Ihe Georgia Citizen of the 9th inst. says : “Our citizen soldiers returned home on . Wednesday delighted with their trip, delighted with the generous hospitality of the people of Columbus, and deeply impressed with the ne cessity imposed upon them of returning the compliment paid them, at no distant day. What say you, gentle men, to otic Grand Encampment, of all the volunteers of Georgia,at our Fair Ground, next October or November ? We believe our citizens generally will respond, in a libe ral manner, to such a proposition.” Winter’s Palace Milts. We are indebted to Mr. Livingston for a sack of flower ground at these Mills. If, has been tried by a gentleman connected with this office, who pronounces it a first rate article. A few more of the same sort can be had at the Palace Mills. Executive Appointments. Gov. Cobb has appointed the Hon. Ebenezer Starnes a Judge of the Supreme Court of the State, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of the lion. Hi ram Warner. The Hon. Andrew J. Miller has been appointed by bis Excellency, Judge of the Superior Court for the Middle Circuit, vice Judge Starnes, resigned. These appointments are regarded by those familiar with the legal attainments of the two gentlemen, very good ones, and we believe they will be very generally acceptable to the people. We are pleased to learn that both gentlemen have accepted, and will enter upon their respective duties immediately.— Chronicle dp Sentinel. Whig Nominations. The Whig party of Harris county met in the Court House on Monday the 4th inst., and nominated the fol lowing gentlemen, to be supported at the next October election, viz.: For Senate. Col. TOLIVER JONES. For Representatives. Col. JAMES M. MOBLEY. Dr. EIIASTUS C. HOOD. The Debts ami Property of the. United States. — The Cincinnati Rail-Road Record recently gave an ar ticle in relation to the indebtedness of the United States. The aggregate was nearly $1,700,000. But this included not only the National and Slate debts, but the debts of corporations and individuals. A later nuin bei of the Record contains an estimate of the value of the property of the United States, from which we copy the following Figures: Assessed value $6,010,000,000 Sixty per cent, added 3,606,000,000 $9, G 16,000,000 Increase from 1849 to 1853, under the increas ed eurreucy—4o percent 3,846,400,000 Value of the property in the nation in 185 4, $13,462,400,000 The writer contends, further, that the currency of the country amounts to $300,000,000 ; the debt to and the property to $13,000,000,000. His conclusions are as follows : First—That there is convertible property enough in action to pay off the entire debt of the country, (if such thing is supposable, which never happens,) without making sacrifices, or materially disturbing commerce. Second—That the actual currency of the country is sufficient for this purpose, and that the amouut of cur rency is rapidly increasing. Third —That in such a condition of things no gen eral bankruptcy can happen ; but that it is quite possi ble, in case of pressure, there may be many cases of individual failure, and also that some railway underta kings, hastily and imprudently undertaken, may fail. Fourth—That prices will he maintained, and the cap ital of the country continue rapidly to accumulate, as its vast undertakings, its increasing population, and its rich harvests, contiuue to go on. Navigation of the Amazon —An enterprise is in pro gress in New York, by an Eastern gentleman, under the auspices of the Peruvian Government, having in view the permanent establishment of a system of navi gation on the South American river, Amazon—the largest river on the globe. Messrs. Lawrence & Foulkes are constructing the pioneer steamers, two in number. Col. Alexander K. McClung, says the N. O. Bulletin , has announced himself as a candidate for Congress from the Third Congressional District of Mississippi. This district presents a rather close division between the two political parties. Mr. Chappell’s Letter. Mr. A. 11. Chappell, a Union Democrat, has ad dressed a letter to the Journal Messenger, in which he announces his purpose to adhere to ihe Democrat ic party. He had been suggested by a correspondent of that paper, over the signature of “Bibb,” as a candi date of the Conservative party for Congress, under the assumption that the Union party had been reorganised, and that he as a Union man would “resume liis proper position in it.” In allusion to this supposed state of facts, Mr. Chappell very forcibly and truly remarks: “The party now in the field (the Conservative) and to which ‘Bibb’ evidently adheres, and with which he would have me to act, does not even announce itself to the world as the Union party. The omission to do so in the pro ceedings of the late Gubernatorial Convention at Mili edgeville, is certainly a very significant circumstance. It plainly argues that the opinion of that Convention in re gard to the fact of the re-organization of the Union par ty, is quite different from the opinion entertained by ‘Bibb.’ “But it is not the name, or the want of a name, of the party to which ‘Bibb’ alludes, that creates the in supers able obstacle to my acting with it. I am a friend and supporter of the present Democratic Administration of tiie General Government. I contributed by rny vote to the bringing of that Administration into power. I have confidence in the great national party by which that Ad ministration was brought into power. Os course, I can not consistently with rny views and convictions on nation-* al polities, take position in the ranks of a party in Georgia, which is inevitably destined, as I think, to he an Oppo* sit ion party—a party antagonistic to Gen. Pierce’s Ad ministration, and to the National Democracy. The Nor” t hern Democratic party has, in rny opinion, from the days of Jefferson down to the present hour, been characterized in the main, by friendliness and justice to the South. They have stood by us in a thou sand trials; they have fought, and either conquered or fallen for us in a thusand hard political battles. Yes 1 and they were,as a body, with us in that last and greatest battle of all, the battle upon the Com promise questions growing out of the acquisition of New Mexico and California. I cannot bring myself to turn my back on such a Northern party, and on an Administration which I concurred with it in electing, until it shall mani fest a spirit and a conduct signally discordant with the general tone of its past history and character. My devo tion to the South led me in 1844, when representing the State in Congress, to east oft’ail political connection with the Northern Whigs, because I saw and knew for my self, that as a mass, they were intensely leavened, thor oughly penetrated with hostility to the South. From that period I have been led by the same devotion to the South, to advocate the policy of acting with and sustain ing the Northern Democratic party, because I saw and knew for myself, that that party was as a body, thorough ly imbued with just feelings and a friendly bias towards the South, and acted habitually under the influence of such feelings. “Under these circumstances, and entertaining these convictions, it is of course impossible for me to identify myself w ith any party in Georgia, under whose banner I woulJ inevitably, asl believe, soon find myself in a posia tion of alliance with the National Whig Party, and of hos tility to that National Democratic Party, to which T have long been attached, which I have just helped to carry in to power, and in which I still have confidence, although some things have transpired in appointments to office by the President, which I could have washed had beeu other wise. “Nevertheless, being an optimist in polities, (if I may borrow a phrase from that great statesman, Mr. Buchan an,) I shall continue to support Gen. Pierce’s Adminis tration, and tu act with the party by which it is supported, until something shall occur, (which Heaven forbid) mak ing such a course no longer the best which a Southern man can pursue. Your obedient servant, A. H CHAPPELL.” Honor to whom honor is due. —A correspondent of the Cincinnati Graz cite thus describes a visit to the estate of Mr. Peabody, an eminent horticulturist near Columbus, Ga. : “Mr. Peabody has a very healthy lo cation on a hill in the pine woods—over 600 acres ; | and when they went on it, thirteen years ago, not a tree bad been cut. He cleared a space for his house, and they moved in the next spring. lie has proved the most successful cultivator of many kinds of fruits, ber ries and melons, in this country. I saw 10U0 hills of | watermelons, on which will be ripe fruit by the 10th or J 15th of June; he says he has frequently picked them weighingso pounds. Ilis great peculiarity with Straw berries, is the quantity of fruit, its size and flavor, and the constant bearing of the vines ; always has plenty of fine berries for six months—frequently eight—and last season he had them every month in the year. Recol lect this is in the open air—in his open fields. I saw S acres of Strawberries ; the vines are very small, and covered (the ground literally looks red) with most deli cious largo Jlovey berries. These vines have been in just as full bearing since the 10th of March, and he says will continue until the middle of September, and as much longer as frost keeps away, if lie chooses to at tend to them. Mr. P. sends to this market from 150 to 200 quarts per day, and says lie could pick double the quantity if the market was larger.” ILF A Washington dispatch to the N. Y. Tribune says: “At the public reception, on Saturday, as the President was conversing with George G. Glazier, a New York Hunker, (Marshal in the Mayor’s office.) George W. Pomeroy, Appraiser at large, was spoken of as a Buffalo Platform man in 1848, and as still on the planks ; whereupon the President remarked, with unmistakeable emphasis : ‘No friend of my administra tion can stand, at the same time, on the Buffalo and the National Platforms;’ and pointing his finger toward the crowd, he added, in a stentorian voice : ‘I will mark any appointee who attempts to stand on two platforms.- Buffalo and Baltimore are antipodes .’ ” Alabama Bank Dividends. —During the week most of our monied institutions have declared dividends as follows : Southern Bank of Alabama semi-annual dividend of five per cent, and extra dividend of five per cent. Alabama Life and Trust Company, eight per cent. Firemen’s Insurance Company, fifteen per cent. City Insurance Company, ten dollars per share of SSO. Merchants’ Insurance Company, twelve per cent. Marine Dock and Mutual Insurance Company, twen ty per cent. Fulton Insurance Company, twenty-two per cent. These dividends will be paid out during the coming week, by which means some $350,000 will be thrown into circulation.— Mobile Tribune. The Rail-Road —The Rail-Road subscription goes bravely on, about one hundred thousand dollars hav ing been raised in this place. It will be seen from the announcement in this paper that meetings will be held throughout the county, commencing at Clayton on Thursday, for the purp *se of calling public attention to the subject and increasing the subscription. We sin cerely hope that our intelligent and substantial planters will come up to the work in a liberal spirit. Let every mail subscribe in proportion to his means, be it much or little, and the success of the project is beyond a doubt.— Eufaula Spirit. LF Hon. Robert J. Walker, accompanied by his private Secretary, John Ross Browne, and Gen. James Keenan, of Pennsylvania, the new Consul to Hong Kong, expect to leave New York on the 20Ji of Sep tember at the latest, for China, via London, Suez and Ceylon. The Princeton is ready as soon as the order is g* ven - oO* The venerable Dr. Chapman died in Philadel phia on Friday last, aged 74 years. lie had been con nected with the Pennsylvania University since 1811, resigned in IS3O, and was elected Emeritus Professor. LF The Hon. E. W. Chastain has been nominated by the Democratic Convention held at Calhoun on the 29th ult., as their candidate for the sth District, for Congress. Monroe County. —The Democrats of Monroe have nominated Col. Z. Harman for the Senate, and Messrs. Pinckard & Redding for the House. The Maine Liquor Law in New Hampshire. —The Legislature of New Hampshire adjourned last Saturday. All the laws to regulate the sale of liquor were post poned. Cotton is being cultivated with success in Greece, and will probably be introduced into Algeria. LF The Rev. Dr. Wm. T. Hamilton arrived in Phil adelphia on the 2611i ult., in the steamer City of Glas gow. Fatal Affray. —We learn that a man was killed about fifteen miles above Jefferson, on Friday last, in a rencontre with some of the members of Robinson & Eldred’s Circus company. We have not heard the name of the man killed, or any of the circumstances. [Southern Banner. [FOR TIIE TIMES AND SENTINEL.] City Gas Lamps. Mr. Editor: —lt. is understood that the Col umbus Gas Company will be ready to let on Gas from their superb wot ks next week. These works have been erected at great expense and constitute an advance step in the improved civilization of this city, which eve ry well-wisher of it, should rejoice at. Gas light is one of the admirable inventions that along with railways, electric telegraphs, steam navigation, and sun-paintings mark the genius and progressive civilization of the nineteenth century. Its cheapness, its extreme conven ience, the total absence of trouble in the use, its safety and its brilliancy, have caused it to be regarded by phil osophy and utilitarianism, as one of the greatest and most wonderful discoveries of modern times. This in vention is now about to bo made available to this city and people. A convenience and a luxury, which eight months ago, no one dreamed of enjoying in Columbus for many years to come, is now on the point of realiza tion. The city of Columbus is a stockholder in this company, having very wisely subscribed its bonds at 25 years to the amount of SIO,OOO in aid of one of the most useful and beautifying improvements that could be made in a city. But I regret to say, Mr. Editor, that the City Council has not followed up this subscrip tion with the necessary action to make the improvement available to the city public. Within one week of a flow of gas through the principal streets of the city, it is almost incredible that the authorities have not taken measures to erect a single lamp post in the streets. I venture to affirm that the country may be looked over for a parallel ease—and that wherever gas works have been erected, the city authorities have always been the first to seize upon their use for the public enlightenment. Now, I am sure, there is not a man, woman or child, who has the misfortune to have to walk over our streets at night, who will not cry out in the agony caused by the bruised toes,, jarred frames and hard tumbles of the most uneven and abominable pavements in the world, “give us light,” “give us light!” The arguments are all for it, and none against it. The city is a large stockholder, that is one reason. Gas lamps are the best o( Police protection ; and are absolutely necessary to the safe locomotion of pedestrians on a dark night. There is not a darker hole on this earth, or under it, than you will find from Mygatt’s corner to that of Gundy, Daniel & Cos., on Broad street, on a moonless and starless night. The shadows of the trees and awnings fall upon the pavement there, with a thickness and blackness that one can almost feel. Without doubt, Mr. Editor, the city has been remiss in this matter—the public so regards it, and rightly thinks that in return lor the many thousands of dollars it pays for the sup port of a city government, it is entitled at the very first moment it cm be obtained, to streets so lighted as to render them safe for civilized men to walk in, and not dark holes only fitting as lurking places for Indians, midnight prowlers and thieves, “Give us light.” CITIZEN. for the times and sentinel. Blakely Mule and Female Academy. This institution closed its first term under the superintend ence of Mr. John M. Colby,principal,on Friday 24th inst. The two last days of the term were devoted to the examin ation of the pupils, which resulted in general satisfaction to the patrons and with credit to both scholars and teachers. Indeed, Mr. Colby seems to have combined all the most eomprehensiveand enlightened systems of imparting instruc tion, as was evident from the promptness exhibited by the classes in comprehending and applying the principles of their various studies. This was a feature noticed by all who gave attention to the exercises. The examination closed with a musical entertainment at night which was well attended by the citizens of the town and surrounding country. The performances of the class in vocal music were particularly worthy of notice. Considering the healthy location of Blakely and the growing condition ot Early county, it is hoped the enter prising principal of this institution will realize the success which he so jusdy merits. SPECTATOR. To the Public* Lagrange, July 2, 1853. An article having npcared in the Savannah Cou rier, entitled “Sickness in Lagrange,” calculated io produce an unfavorable impression relative to the health of this place, the undersigned, Physicians of the town, would respectfully call the attention of the public to the following statement of facts ; Ist. ‘The Typhoid Dysentery prevailed in the town and vicinity, from the middle of April to about the last of June. 2d. In a population of twenty-five hundred per sons, extending over an area of two and a half miles square, there occurred seventeen deaths during that time ; that is, one death to one hundred and forty-seven inhabitants. 3rd. There is not a single case of this disease now in town, and there is no case of serious sickness of any kind in the community. 4th. Our L’terary Institutions are, and have been, remarkably healthy during the present year. sth. As the tendency {and perhaps the object) of many of these reports is to injure the success of our worthy Institutions of Learning, we would here state that the health of the town will compare favo urably for the last ten years, to that of any town or {village in the State. 6 h The character of our population, in one respect, is worthy of consideration. Besides the perma nent, residents, there is a transient population of fniore than one thousand, many of whom are Rail Road hands and brick and rock masons, whose la bors and exposures rerder them peculiarly liable to sickness. Add to this the fact that there are five or six hundred young persons in attendance upon the Schools, and it will he admitted by every can did mind that we have no reason to complain. It is also reported that there has been a great deal of mortality attending this disease in this place. We testify that this is not the ease. The per vent age of deaths has been very small. In conclusion, we would express the hope that the effort on the part of the uninformed , the envious and the malicious , to decry the reputation of this place for hea'th, may prove unsuccessful. The es forts on the part of our citizens and onr indefatiga ble Teachers to erect and sustain Literary Institu tions of the highest order, have been crowned with the most gratifying results; and we hope that the public mind will not be affected by the stratagems of those who expect, by slander , to effect what they cannot do by genuine merit. Drs. N. N. Smith, R. A. T. Ridley, Thomas E. Gorman, N. Ren wick, J. A. Long, J. T. Broughton, J. E. McMillan, Cicero Holt. To the Teachers of Alabama. The advantage to be derived from mutual intercourse, counsel and discussion on the part of those engaged in the same pursuit, is obvious to every one. Hence such associations have been very generally organised and sus tained for religious, agricultural, mechanical, literary and scientific purposes, and have been the source of intelligent progress in all these departments. Nor have the advantages been less from such associa tions for educational purposes, in increasing the zeal and efficiency of teachers, in elevating their professional standing, and in awakening a deeper and more general interest in the cause of education. Believing, therefore, that a Teachers’ Association for the State of Alabama, would be attended with signal benefit to our profession generally, and to the cause in which we are engaged, the undersigned teachers respect lully invite their fellow teachers of every grade through out tin* State to inec-t at Auburn , on Monday, the 27M day of July inst., for the purpose of considering this question, and of organising such an association. July Ist, 1853. (Signed) D. S. T. Douglass, Auburn. John P. Lee, “ W. B. Jones, PI Tlodsden, “ Wm. Johns, Tuskegec. J. K. llooten, “ Henry 11. Bacon, “ Thomas G. Pond, “ A. J. Battle, “ A. C. Stevens, “ Thos. J. Johns, Chambers Cos. S. F. Churchill, “ J* F* Hand, Oswichee. B. T. Smith, I Mdeville. Jas. T. Ntrman, Villula. J* F. Yarbrough, Loachapoka. B. P\ Crittenden, “ H. M. Noisier, Summerville. Geo. W\che Rives, Sandy Ridge. E. J. Farwell, Jefferson. Restricting the Sale. —The police court of Kemper county, Miss., have raised the license fee for drinking saloons to SI,OOO. One of the two establishments of the kind in DeKalb has already been closed, and the other will share the same fate in August. It is now said that Mr. Medary will de cline the Chilian mission, and take the editorial charge of the Union . CUBA* Its Commercial and Military importance to the United Slates. 1,. iter from J. S. Thraslter , Esq. New Orleans, June 20, 1853. Gen. John A. Quitman : Dear Sir -I hail the honor of presenting, at the late Memphis Convention, a series of resolutions, with the design of awakening public a'tenlion in the South and South west to the important posi tion and influence which the Wand of Cuba holds, and will ever continue to hold, as regards their commerce. Matters, deemed to be of more impor tance, precluded the consideration of these resolu tions, and they were laid on the table, in presen ting to your consideration the on the subject, I am confident no apology is need ed That distinguished ability which you have shown in the military operations of our armies, will appreciate the true value of tiie question in its mil itary point of view ; wh'le the pure love of country, which lias ever marked your career, will preclude your taking any other than a truly patriotic interest in it. The security and defence of commerce lias ever been a matter of solicitude with commercial na tions. Without going into history to demonstrate this, we need look only to the policy that lias so long marked the career of England. With a wise foresight, iter statesmen have taken possession of many apparently isolated spots upon the face ol the earth, until they have fotmed a complete chain of fortresses for the protection of her world wide commerce. Santa Helena and the Cape of Good Hope guard one route to the Indies, while the Falkland Islands watch Cape Horn. Gibraltar, Malta, and the lonian Islands completely enchain the Mediterranean, and Aden, at the Straits of Bub ei-Mandel, commands the entrance to the Red Sea, and that route to her pos-essions in the East. Her establishments iu Australia rule the South Pacific, while Puget’s Sound and the inlets North of it give security to her commerce in the adjacent waters. Thus has she protection and refuge in every ocean, and a wise care seeks to increase the number of her commercial fortresses and the strength of their position. V\ Idle such has been the course of our great commercial rival, a very different one has marked our lolicy. Our commerce abroad has been left to look after itself, and any attempt to inculcate a pru dential foresight in regard to our own coast has been termed, in a spirit of opprobrium, “filibuster ing.” Four States, —Texas, Louisiana, Mississip pi and Alabama, with a large portion of Florida, — lie immediately upon the Gulf of Mexico, and have no other outlet fur their products. According to the returns of the seventh census, these States pro duced, in the year 1850, in round numbets, six hundred million pounds of cotton, two hundred and fifty million pounds sugar, seventy million bush els Indian corn, and incalculable amounts of other agricultural products, all of which found their only markets for sale and supply on the Gulf of Mexico. Besides these five States which lie immediately upon the shore of that vast inland sea, there are nine others lying upon the waters that pour into it. These are lowa. Missouri and Arkansas, west of the “Father of Waters,” and Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee, east of it; and a large portion of their countless products fol low the rolling waters to the Gulf. The grain and cotton of Arkansas, the corn and minerals of Mis souri and lowa, the grain and meats of Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio, the Tobacco and hemp of Kentucky and Tennessee, ail find their most ac cessible and best market upon the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and pour their agricultural wealth into the lap of New Orleans, from whom they re ceive in return the varied products of every clime to supply their necessities or to contribute to their comfort and luxury. The true value of this mighty commerce, which centres thus upon the American Mediterranean, is beyond the power of enumeration. It is not to be counted by the number of bales, and boxes, and barrels which it shows. Its true estimate is to bo found in the labor of millions of American hands upon which it confers a value,—in the thousands upon thout-ands of American homes which it adorns with every luxury and grace, and the mil lions of American hearts to which it brings happi tte.-s and content. Yet this mighty trade is but the germ of future development. The surface of the Great Valley of the West is barely scratched,—not tilled by the plow. The fires ot’ industry blaze only here and there at long distances ; while in many portions of the country, the cleared spaces are siill surrounded by vast tracts of forest, or of untilled lands.— When the advancing tide of population shall have in some degree filled tiie space cast of tiie Missis sippi river, and extended itself over the vast tracts which lie west of that great stream, the mass of wealth that shall seek a market upon the shores of the Gulf of Mexico will be vastly increased. The States east of tiie great river may seek by means of railway, a partial outlet upon the Atlantic shore ; but all beyond its western bank must follow the rolling tide down to its union with the ocean. Great as is the stream of wealth thus pouring into the Gulf of Mexico, it is still further increased by tributaries of unparalleled magnificence.— The mines of Mexico keep up a silent but contin ued outpouring of the precious metals, which will be vastly incrersed when order shall have been restored in that distracted country. During the past year it is estimated that one hundred thousand passengers have gone to Califor nia and an equal number returned, crossing the isthmus routes of Nicaragua and Panama, and sev enty millions of treasure have been brought over the same line of travel. Tue isthmus of Tehuan tepec, which will now soon he opened, will pour all this great trade and travel into tho Gulf of Mexico. At the present time a large share of it passes through the Southern portion of that Gulf. The peculiar character of the currents and prevailincr winds in the Caribbean sea, leave no exit for sailing vessels but through the strait between Cuba and Cape Catoche and out through the Gulf stream. When the Panama railroad shall he finished, the trade of the South Pacific Ocean will be diverted through this channel. I have thus endeavored, in a cursory manner, to sketch the immense traffic that concentrates within the Gulf of Mexico. History has taught us to ex claim with wonder at the rich trade of the East, acd the mighty cities which it built up. The trailo of the West is far more rich and has built, within half a century, more and mightier cities than was built by the trade of the East in twenty centu ries. The magnificent remains of Tyre and Sidon, of Alexandria and Venice, what are they when com pared with the rich cities that republican labor has built in this Western world ? They were the fruits of centuries—these of a few single years of Re publican toil and trade. To all this accumulation of the commerce of out Southern and Western States, there is but one out let, and that is through the narrow strait between Cuba and Florida. It must pass within a few miles of Havana. Baron Humboldt, in a work on Cuba, written thirty years since, uses the following re markable language: “The political importance of the Island of Cuba is not comprised solely in its superficial extent, although this is double that of llavti; neither iu its maritime resources, and the nature es its population, composed three-fifths of freemen; but it is even more imnortant through the advantages presented by the geograpuical position of Ha. vana. The Northern part of the sea of the Antilles, known under the name of the Guff of Mexico, forms a circular inlet of more than two hundred aud fifty leagues diameter—as it were, a Mediterranean with two entran ces,, the coasts of which, from Cape Florida to Cape Ca toehe, in Yucatan, appertain exclusively, at the present time, to the Confederations of Mexico and of North America. The Island of Cuba, or, more properly speak ing, its coast, front Cape San Antonio to the Bay of Ma tanzas, resting on the entrances of the old channel, closes the Gulf of Mexico on the south-east, leaving to that ocean current, known as the Gulf Stream, no other opening than, on the south, a strait between Cape San Antonio and Cape Catoche, and on the north, the Bahama Chan nel. between Bahia Honda and the reefs of Florida. “Near the northern passages, exactly where, so to ex press it, a multitude of highways, that serve lor the com* merce of nations, cross each other, is set, the beautiful city ot Havana, strong by nature, but yet still more strongly fortified by art. The fleets from that port, built, in part, of the cedar and mahogany of Cuba, can defend the en trance to the Mexican Mediterranean, and menace the op posite shores, as those from Cadiz can command the ocean near to the Columns of Hercules. The Gulf of Mexico, the “Oh* Channel,” and that of Bahama, unite with each other under the meridian of Havana. The op|Hsing cur rents, and the violent agitations of the atmosphere, par ticularly at the opening of winter, give to this point, on tho extreme limits, of the Equinoxial Zone, a peculiar char acter.” Recognizing the very great importance of this passage, our Government is now fortifying, at a vast expense, the barren rooks of the’ Tortugas. Its closure, at any time, would produce incalculable damage to all the commercial and agricultural in terests of the South and West, and disturb the com merce of the world. Tho possession of the island of Cuba by us, would secure us, forever, against such a calamity,—would guarantee the security of our Southern coasts,—would confer upon us the dominion of those waters, — and, I might even say, in the words of Napoleon regarding Constantino ple, “the sovereignty of the world.” Several circumstances combine at this moment to draw our attention to the present situation and probable future of the island that thus closes in the Gulf of Mexico and commands its outlet. Any change in her political condition must he of great importance to us. How soon such a change may occur, is the only point to be solved. The growing discontent among the inhabitants will produce, sooner or later, its natural revolutionary fruits, if other circumstances do not forestall it; and the strength of the mother country is not sufficient to suf focate the ti ones ol rebellion if they are once light ed. Tiu; Army and Navy that now hold the island is an involuntary vassalage, anti supported entirely by revenues raised in Cuba, and it barely suffices for the exigencies of peace. Any commotion with in her borders, however insignificant, would, in a greater or less degree, dry up the sources of tier present revenues, and the Spanish power there would fall to pieces of its own weight. That such civil commotion must, sooner or later, take place, is evident to all who are in any way conversant with Cuba, and with the growing spirit ofdiscont’ nt among the Cubans. It is only a qtu-s ----t on of time. Our great commercial rival, England, lias long endeavored to extend her influence over Cuba, and a very slight recurrence to the pages of history will demonstrate that a spirit of intense selfishness, rather than of true philanthropy, has been her mo tive. The idea that she holds toward us any other feeling than one ol desire to prevent, by all means, the increase of our physical power and our com mercial supremacy, will vanish when we remember her intrigues during the movement which resulted in the annexation of Texas. It is now many years since she obtained from Spain the establishment in Havana of a mixed Couir of Justice, composed of one Spanish and two Eng lish Commissioners, for the purpose of trying cap tured slave-ships. For a long time site has been laboring at the court of Spain to have the pow ers of those commissioners extended, so that they may go upon the plantations aud inquire into the right by which every negto is held in servitude. It is a well known fact that large numbers of negroes have been imported fiora Africa, with tho open connivance of the Spanish authorities in Cuba, since the stipula ted extinction of the slave trade in 1821 ; and the concession of this power of inquiry to the English Commissioners would cause a commotion among the laborers, now held to involuntary servitude, that would result in the decay of industry and values, the extinction of commerce, and the overthrow of the whites by a savage, intractable and indolent race—unless, indeed, they adopted that course which despair w ould indicate. Yet England pur sues her p dicy with characteristic tenacity. Any effort on the part ot Cubans to establish their independence, would naturally attract the sympathies and even the practical assistance of the more enthusiastic part of our population. Auy partial success of European intrigues to establish another free negro island in our vicinity, and so near our shores, w-ould render necessary the physi cal intervention of our Government. True wisdom should, therefore, urge us to solve this intricate prob lem before it becomes so entangled with other questions as to endanger greater and more materi al interests. It will not do tor us to wait the,devel opment of “manifest destiny.” There is no destiny except as it is worked out by men. Others are up and doing. Such area few of the reasons which led me to present this subject to the Convention at n.emphis, and winch imluco me to deem the acquisition of the Island of Cuba important to the proper protection of our constantly increasing commerce, and to the security of our Southern waters. I w-ould urge its consideration upon the people and Government of our country as a question of national necessity, and of national supremacy. I have the honor to be, respectfully, Your very obedient servant, J. S. THRASHER. [ From the Mobile Tribune June 28. ] Mobile and Girard Bailroad. A meeting of the citizens of Mobile and the stockholders of the Mobile and Girard Rail road, was held yesterday at tho Alhambra, to take into consideration the subject of said road. On motion, W in. D. Dunn was appointed Chairman, and 11. O. Brewer, Secretarv. Capt. Seale, one of the directors of the road, on being introduced by the chairman, entered into explanations in regard to the progress and condition of the road, after which Win. H. Red wood offered the following resolution : Resolved , That the views and wishes of the cit izens of Mobile, in regard to subscribing to stock to tho amount of ,51,000,000 in the Girard Rail road Company, as expressed at a public meeting held at the Alhambra on the Ilth May last, r<T main unchanged, and it is deemed impertant that the corporate authorities of this city fake immedi ate action to carry those views and wishes into effect. Dr. It. L. l earn approved of the resolution, but it did not go quite far enough, and he sub mitted the following provisions and amendment; Ist. Provided that the location of the road near and at the Mobile terminus, shall be tinder the con trol and direction of tlie city of Mobile. 2d. Provided that the authorities of the city arc assured by the most satisfactory evidence, ot the ability of the company to put trie whole road iu complete tunning within three years. 31. Provided that branches from Montgomery and Selma, and other poinis in the State of Ahi buma, shall be permitted to join the road at any time and place they may select, and that no discrimina ting charges shall be exacted at any time on any part of the road. At the conclusion of Capt. Seale’s remarks, the resolution reported in the proceedings was offered. Dr. t eam had no objection to the re solution, but he did not think it went far enough. 1 or that reason he submitted bis amendment, the adoption of which, bethought, would quiet all objections, and induce the city legislature to take final action at once on the subject. 1 bat, Captain beale stated, was all the compa ny asked for at this time. With a pledge from the city authorities of a subscription of SI,OOO - to be consummated by the consent of tho state legislature at its next session, the compa ny could go to work nt once and close con tracts for graduation, masonry, Ate., on the portions now ready for letting. They would also be enabled to locate other parts of the road and largely increase their subscriptions for stock. G. N. Stewart warmly seconded the proposed measure, and showed that Montgomery, although she was now making so much noise about con necting herself with Pensacola bay, would “o to work with a better heart to form a connexion with Mobile by tho Girard railroad. This would not be the result of any particular affection for Mobile, but simply because it would promote her interests. Judge Martin, of Montgomery, who was pre sent, thought Mr. Stewart was a little too severe upon the metropolis, and asked permission of the chair to Say a word in defence. Fie protested that Montgomery was not hostile to Mobile.— On the contrary, she entertained sentiments of profound respect for us, was devotedly attached to us, and was animated by a proper degree of state pride in all she did. But Selma was striv ing to take tiie lead of the capitol—would use every effort to draw off trade that should centre there, and might, he left us to infer, become a rival for the seat of the government. It was, therefore, desirable to connect herself with IVtt sacohi bay. How that would benefit her to a greater degree than if locked in our arms, lie did not state. C. C. Langdon, Mayor of the city, followed and made the closing speech. He was forcible, eloquent and convincing, and we feel certain, that it all the real estate owners of tho city had been present there would not have been a dis senting v-oice to the proposition before the meet ing. As it was, the resolution and amendment were unanimously adopted after he closed. — From the feeling manifested on all hands, we have a right to believe that the boards of Alder men and Common Council will take up the sub ject at their next meeting—Thursday and Friday next— and pass an ordinance in pursuance ol the resolution adopted by the meeting yesterday. Three slaves, the property of Wm. 1 ■ Winston, of Hanover, Ya., were killed hv light-