Newspaper Page Text
times & sEisrTrrsTEjL
COLUMBPS, GEORGIA. ‘
TUESDAY EVENING-, PEB. 2, 1858
The Policy and Duty of Planters.
In ao article, a few days ago, upon the improved condi
tion of affairs ‘in the trading world, we incidentally allu
ded to the above subject- Since that time the cotton mar
ket has made a Btep forward and along with the induce
ment which the advanced price presents to the planter to
sell, comes yet a stronger appeal from the merchant for
relief. We think that the united emphasis of the* two
facts ought not and will not be resisted. Take the first.—
Good cotton in this market is now worth 10 cents, -n or
dinary times, when there are no commerc.al revulsions
and monetary panics, this is considered a good price. We
vemute the remark that there is not a planter in this bute
or m the South who would not even now agree to take l c
for all the cotton he may make in the next ten years ut
his hope of a better pricelis based upon the assumption o
a short crop. Let us seejif, in making this reliance, he may
not overstep the limits of a well considered probab,lity—
There are causes'besides the supply which affect the mar
ketable value of cotton o. of any other commodity. The
consumption or demand,exerts an.influence equally poten
in regulating its price. It must be admitted that a variety
of circumstances may affect the demfcd. When only these
two causes operate, when all other things are equal the
price varies directly as the demand and inverse y as the
supply. But other. thing* are not always equal- Banks
suspend-money takes the crump. That mysterious prin
ciple in trade, so necessary to its healthful operation, call
ed confidence, is destroyed. A long train of disasters en
sues, failure of banks-commercial houses—stoppage of
mills —fall of property and decline in cotton. It is from
exactly Buch a crisis that the world is now emerging. Un
der the influence of the causes above enumerated cotton
fell from fifteen to eight cents. Even at that price, facto
ries could not supply themselves, for they could get no mo
ney- Therefore they had to stop, discharge their hands
and close doors. At the North and on the Continent this
was almost universally the case. In England it happened
partially. We did not think this state of thiLgs would last.
We believe the worst is over. Confidence is returning and
cotton has reached a remunerative price. But will it re
turn to the extravagant figure with which the present sea
son opened?
We confess we have not the greatest degree of confi
dence in our speculations’ on the subject. Facts are being
developed continnally, which require a modification of
our opinions. Indeed, they oeeo rionally remove_the un
derpinning from the speculations of the wisest and best in
formed. Under the inspiration of the present moment, we
shall answer the above question in the negative It
seems to us the work of re-construction must, necessarily
be a slow process.
Factories which have been closed tor several months
cannot be got under way in a day. It will take onger
than that to grease the machinery. Operatives will have
to be collected, and numberless other arrangements made.
Besides many have failed beyond the possibility of re
sumption, and new combinations will take place-all de
monstrating that the return of trade to us former secure
and quiet channels will be a work of time It is estima
ted, moreover, that seven hundred and fifty million do
lars worth of property have been lost .by the recent revul
sion. This is a practical and valuable lesson to all
classes of speculators. In recovering from such a disas
ter, men will not rush headlong into similar excesses.
They will act with care and prudence. Convalescence
requires the same caution as the approach of illness. Not
withstanding these considerations, in spite of all hindran
ces, cotton may continue to leap forward. It is not so
high that it may not advance It is not bo low that it may
not fell- But we would advise our planting friends to be
gin to sell. So much for policy in the matter.
With the question of duty, bank suspensions, commer
cial disasters, universal bankruptcy, the price of cotton'has
nothing to do. When a mao owes a debt he is religious
ly bound to pay it. If he has the means of payment, re
fuses to employ them and ruins his creditor thereby, to his
conduct is attached a degree of moral culpability highly
aggravated. Now it cannot be disguised that the chief
cause of the great distress now prevailing in our Southern
commercial cities, is the fact that those planters, who. owe
money, still hold their cotton Having made ashort crop,
they expect with the enhanced price to repair the frugality
of the seasons. In the meantime, the notes of the mer
chant become due, and either his credit is injured or be is
forced to protect it by borrowing money at two per cent
a month. Now we submit it to the candor and moral
sense of our planting friends whether this is tair. Ought
they not .o sell, at least, enough cotton to relieve the
merchant? We could anticipate with certainty their re
sponse to this question, if they would rightly appreciate
their relations to the merchant, and his relation s to his
creditors We trust they will reflect upon this matter
and act as their duty may direct.
The Enquirer and Ourselves—Who is on the
Platform?
Question-If Congress shall ref use to receive Kansas
applying for admission with the Lecompton constitution,
will you, for that Icanse, advocate a dissolution of the
Union?
Enquirer’s answer—“We will not.”
Our answer—“We will.”
The above answers are inverted from the order in which
they were given—we propounding the .question to the En
quirer and answering it tor ourselves in the same para
graph. Oqr determination thus expressed, ’was and is bas
ed upon the assumption that, in the case supposed, there
will exist one of the contingencies mentioned in the “Geor
gia Platform,” upon the happening of which, the people
of this State, in solemn Convention, proclaimed that they
would dissolve thei Union. Our neighbor dissents from
the conclusion to which our mind has come, and thus the
issue is made.
Our duty in the present argument is ‘obvious. In order
to bring the case within the purview of the “4th Resolu
tion” of said platform, it is incumbent on us to show that
should Congress refuse to admit Kansas with the Lecomp
ton constitution, it will be because that Constitution toler
atesslavery. Now, we do not, of course, claim for this
proposition that it is abstractly, and by its terms, necessari
ly true. We hope that, as mean and cowardly as they
esteem us, even the Black Republicans will not have such
a contempt for our manhood and our sense of honor as
openly to place their vote lor rejection upon that ground.
The admission of Kansas will be factiously resisted by the
enemies of the South upon other grounds—upon any
ground—upon such, for instance, as are suggested by the
Enquirer, for fraud, force or opposition to the wishes of
the people. But we do maintain that the proposition is in
fact true, and the proof, by which it is ap
proximates, as nearly as moral deduction can, the rigor of
demonstration. The South has a large party in the north
arrayed against her; a party, the principle of whose asso
ciation,whose bond of union is a deadly hatred tor her in
stitutions and opposition to her rights and interests. Their
taunts, their threats, their denunciations are familiar to us.
They do not hesitate to declare, indeed, it glooms upon
their black banner, that no more slave territory shall be
admitted into this Union. In view of these facts we in
sist, if we shall demonstrate that there can be no legal
ground for refusing admission to Kansas, that our proposi
tion is established—acknowledged by reason as well as
proclaimed by fact.
We set out with the proposition that the Lecompton
constitution is the legitimate result ol the only authorized
and regular action which has been taken by the people of
Kansas to form a State Constitution. To support this
position, it is only necessary to advert to the several steps
by which this result has been reached. Fortunately, we
are furnished, for this purpose, by the Washington Union
with a succinct and luminous statement of these proceed
ings We use in this connection the following;
“The Legislature of Kansas which met next after the
passage of the Kansas-Nebraska act, provided, That in
October 1856, at the general election of the Territory, tbe
people should vote upon the proposition whether
a convention for forming a Constitution should be
called or not. The people of the Territory, at this elec
tion, decided by a large majority, that a convention should
be called. The next succeeding Legislature—that of 1856
-“57, in pursuance of this vote, enacted a law, providing
tor a census of the people and registry of votes, and for
the election of a convention. The provisions of this law
were complied with, and a convention elected. The con
vention assembled, framed a constitution, and in the exer
cise of a customary discretion, decided to submit the lead
ing question of controversy embodied in the instrument—
that of slavery—to the decision of the people.”
We might heroetop and ask every candid, fair minded
man, if there be a flaw in this whole record. We might
pursue the enquiry and demand to know by what ether
means could have been effectuated the purpose of Con
gress asexpressed in the organic act—that of leaving the
people to regulate their domestic institutions in their own
way. But an objection has been raised,and we will briefly
examine it. It is levelled against the last step in the above
proceedings. A northern Senator, whose ambition has
been disappointed, has submitted his ingenuity to the rack,
and discovered a pretext for breaking with the administra
tion and his party, in a denial £to the Convention of this
right of discretion. With the exception of Gov. Wise,
(who is thoughtto be crazy,) we believe the Enquirer is
the first to echo in the South, the doctrine of the Illinois
enator. We have seen or heard of a few who thought
ma. toe Convention should have submitted the eonstitu
ion to a vote of the people; but of none, except those
above mentioned, who denied to the convention complete
and plenary authority in the matter.
Seeing,therefore, that-the Enquirer has repudiated the
doctrine of the sovereignty of the Convention, we shall
proceed to establish it. The process is summary. We
might approach the question in two Ways. Cne theoretic
al, the other practical. We might interrogate the genius
of ou- -n titutions, and ascertain whether this principle
were in conformity to the spirit of enlightened republican
ism; or we might examine it in the light of precedent and
analogy, and demaud a response from the practice of out
government. For ourselves, we prefer, because of its grea
ter safety, to travel tbe beateo path ;ot “precedent, and we
enquire, wbat are the facts in the history of the country
which bear upon this question? How was it witti the
State of Tennessee! Her delegates, elected by the people,
in pursuance of a law paesea by her territorial legislature,
unauthorized by any “enabling act” (Mr. Douglas’s oth
er noouy au and a constitution which was not submitted
to the people, but in this irregular way, was presented to
Congress during the administration of George Washing
ton, was accepted and Tennesse sat down an equal beside
her sister sovereigns. The convention which framed the
constitution of Vermont sent it up toCongress, without ha
ving submitted it to the people, and it was admitted. So
itwaswith Illinois. So it was witii a majority of the
States which have been admitted into tbe Union.
it was with the original thirteen in .framing and adopting
the constitution ol the Uuited States. Nut a man voted in
the formation or ratification ol that instrument, except in
a representative capacity. A touveution elected by the
people Iramed it. Conventions, provided in the instrument
itself, to be elected by the people, ratified it. Nothing in
that instrument requires—no law of Congress directs the
submission of a constitution, iramed by a territorial Con
vention of delegates hack to the people, and in the absence
ofsuch constitutional requirement or legislative direction,
precedent must decide the questiou.
But we have another authority for our position, which
must have great weight, at least with our neighbor, towit,
his own opinion, lie will recollect (if he does not his
reaJrs will) witn what energy and eagerness, with what
an exhibition of th e gaudia certaminis, ‘he pounced upon
Walker and Buchanan for Walker’s interference with the
prerogatives of the convention, and belabored us for not
then condemning Buchanan for this outrage, instead of
his appointee and agent. The Enquirer was certainly in
earnest then. His condemnation was too strong not to
have been heartfelt. There was a glow about his sen
tences which would have fled from such as were forged
in the furnace of a feigned indignation, if he is right now
Walker was right then; for if the Convention had no pow
er to frame a constitution without submitting it to the peo
ple, tbe assumption of such authority would have been an
act of usurpation which it was his duty to denounce and
threaten with the prospective .opposition of the Govern
ment.
We think, therefore, we have estaolished the proposition
with which we set out, that tbe proceedings of the people
the Legislature, the Convention in Kansas, in the forma
tion of the Lecompton Constitution, have been in confor
mity to law and precedent. All other ‘proceedings look
ing to the formation of a constitution, have been irregular,
confused, defiant of all law, revolutionary; and we insist,
as a sequence from the foregoing positions and arguments,
that should Congress refuse to receive Kansas applying
for admission with the L jcomplon constitu lion, it will be
because that constitution tolerates slavery.
The Enquirer, in the course of his argument, asks the
question, “what will our neighbor say to the majority ol
ten thousand against the constitution, as exhibited by the
election on the 4th inst., when the “free white male inhab
itants” voted for or against the constitution?” We make
the same reply to this question which the friends of the Le
compton Constitution—the friends oflaw and order in Kan
sas have practically made to it—that thecasting a second
vote on the constitution on the 4th inst. was a solemn farce,
and wholly illegal. The friends of that instrument were
right in refusing to vote upon the question and in bolding
that it was finally disposed of in the election of the 21st
ult. They voted fbr state officers and members of the leg
islature (under the provision of the Lecompion constitu
tion) only ; and they wete right in so doing. With this
constilunon in charge, we learn, Gen. Calhoun is on his
way to Washington. With this constiiution, thus perfec
ted in form aud expressing the legally ascertained wishes
of her people, Kansas will apply lor admission into the
Union. We hope the democracy of the North will stand
by their avowed principles, and, in concert with our South
ern members ofboth parties—of every persuasion, vote that
she may enter. If, however, they should not; if the hope
of sectional aggrandizement or other unworthy motive
should seduce them from their faith, we hope that Georgia
stands ready to redeem her vow and vindicate her honor.
She will not be alone ; for though she were sustained by
no mortal aid, truth and justice are on her side and will
bring to her support an influence and a power which shall
be irresistible. Occupying this proud and eminent position
before the world, who can compute her strength, who
may resist her power, when she throws around her the triple
armor of her rights and hurls at her aggressors the burning
shafts of assailed freedom ?
The “Avalanche.”
This is the name of anew weekly paper published at
Memphis, Teon., by Messrs. Hutton, Gallaway S( Cos., the
first number of which we have .read with eagerness and
profit The Editor writes with great power, and has cer
tainly “struck” his ‘vocation. His thoughts seem to be
produced more by the stroke of a till-hammer than by the
scratch of a pen. Shou'd the succeeding Inumbers fulfil
the promise of the first, we predict for it E a Drofitable and
brilliant career. We subjoin an exlract from its editorial
on the “glorious Union,” expressing views entirely coinci
dent with our own. Gladly do we place it upon our list
of exchanges:
“Entertaining these views, we therefore, in this, the first
number of our paper, declare with all the force and im
press that language can give—THAT FURTHER IN
JUSTICE AND.; OPPRESSION UPON THE
RIGHTS OF THE SOUTH WILL CLEAVE THE
UNION IN TWAIN. This is a fixed,immutable, nev
er-dying and all-pervading truth. It is written deeply and
indellibly in the hearts of the Southern ‘people, and we
wish we could write it across the sky in letters of fire, that
the North could be induced to pause ere they force upon
an unwilling people an alternative so dire. If the sacrifices
and concessions and compromises the South has already
made, for the purposes of promoting peace and living in
harmony are not sufficient to appease Northern fanaticism
—then there is no degradation too humiliating for the task
masters, and rather than surrender another jot or tittle
our rights, we would rather see the Union perish.”
Savannah Banks.
We copy below from the Savannah Republican,the con
tradiction of a statement which we recollect to have seen
in the Telegraph. We hope the correction here given
will at once remove whatever erroneous impression the de
patch may have created.
“A despatch was published in the Macon Telegraph
some days since, to the effect that the Banks of Savannah
have resolved to throw out all notes on Banks in Augusta
and Charleston. Upon enquiry we learn there is no foun
foundation for the statement-”
Thslberg’s Concert.
It will be seen by advertisement in another Column tha-
Mr. Tbalberg will give his “first and only grand Concert”
in this City on Monday evening Feb. Bth. The lovers of
music in our community will regret to learn that they will
have only one opportunity of hearing this talented and
world-renowned group of artists. Our Cotemporaries of
Charleston and Augusta speak in such exaltedjcommenda
tion of their achievments in those citnes, that we feel au
thorized to promise our Citizens an entertainment such as
we get only once in a century.
Waugh’s Italia.
We copy below a notice by the “ Savannah Georgian ”
of this work of art. The painter has certainly chosen for
his subject, the most attractive portion of theearths surface —
beautiful, gifted Italy. The shrine of poetry—the throne
of science—The theatre on which have been enacted tbe
most stupenduous tragedies in the world’s history, where
the human powers have received their highest development
and achieved their sublimest conquests- Our community
will not be slow to patronize and appreciate it.
This celebrated panorama was exhibited last
evening for the last time in Savannah, ad the fact
of its having been well patronized during tbe brief
teim of its stay in this city is proof of its uncommon
raon and artistic as well as instructive merit. In
deed the fact of such an exhibition being under
Dr. C. D. Beale, as proprietor and manager is suf
ficient guarantee to the public that it is no ordina
ry display of handi-work. Dr. Beale is well known
throughout the States for his good taste and cour
tesy as well as for his able management of exhibi
tions of the above instructive nature.
The various views in this panorama were paint
ed with much artistic science and skill by Mr. S.
B. Waugh after a long residence on the spot and
the fidelity with which the artist has pictured the
reality on the canvass will be attested by any trav
eller.
European travel is now fast becoming a portion
ofan American’s education and the advantage of
travel was even commended by Shakespeare who
says:
“He cannot be a perfect man
Not being try’d and tutored in the world,”
The tour laid out in the above panorama covers
the classic ground generally chosen by tourists, and
with Pr>f. C- Rhaesa, as companion and expositor
none can regret the journey, though such be in one
brief hour.
LETTER FROM KANSAS.
Westport, Mo., Jan. 16,1858-
Messrrs. Editors:—Glad tidings I send unto you—the
glorious triumph ot the pro-slavery party of Kansas; is
not the oonsciousoess of the fact, enough to arouse the
joylul sensations of every Southern heart—especially so,
when we conkfier the fraud and corruption (that has been
practiced by the abolition party; the treachery of Walker
and all the unjust and illegal combinations of intrigue that
have been exercised to defeat us. Yes, we have had many
obstacles to encounter, many difficulties to surmount, un
paralelled in the annals ol political history. Yet in the
face of all these, the true patriotism and indefatigable zeal
and energy of Southern men has won us this success.
I learn from a reliable aud authentic source, received this
morning the result of our election on the 4th, by a gentle
man who was at Lecompton during the counting out ol
the votes by the President of the Convention. He says
tthat Frank Marshall and all our State officers, except
Carr, ihe candidate for Congress, are elected without a
shadow of a doubt. The Legislature is 22 to 22 in the
house. Davis and Brown counties are contest and, which,
will be a tie if they get it. Senate one majority pro-slave
ry, which gives us a majority on joint ballot. So you see
we have every thing in our own hands, and if -we can just
make the “connection” i. e. the admission of the Lecomp
ton constitution, won’t we have the “dead wood?” and I
have but little doubt, that for an end of strife and the res
toration ol peace and order to distracted Kansas; and
from the present position of the administration relative
thereto, that Northern Democrats will be induced to sup
portthe Lecompton Constitution, with the slavery cause,
notwithstanding the power and controlling influence ol
the‘little giant’from Illinois. I cannot see how they can
honestly do otherwise, when-it is a palpable and undenia
ble fact, that the delegates who framed the constitution,
were elected under legal and constitutional authority. The
vote for the Lecom-iton constitution was upwards ol 7000
and the liberty of suffrage was not .controlled in any in
stance, The constitution must, will pass. There is no
just, no reasonable objection that can (.be urged against it.
It is republican in form, liberal and generous in ‘its provis
ions, and has received the commendation, sanction and
approval of the President, his entire cabinet, all true Sou
thern men and every liberal, rational thinker of the North,
and yet it has been branded as a base instrument, a foul
usurpation, by the- 5 sore-eyed Black Republicans- We
have two U. S. Senators secured, and there is but little
doubt that Calhoun and Cato will be the fortunate ones
Both are competent, true men, but the latter has ever been
true and forward in the fight, and for his self sacrificing
devotion to Southern.interesis, he certainly de: srves more
reward than his friends can possibly give him. In all our
troubles and difficulties, when other men bowed, knuckled
and trembled before the executive officers,he has ever been
found bold and upright, doing his duty and shrinking from
no responsibility.
Ai a late meeting in Topeka, the Black Republicans
■assed warlike resolutions, that if the Constitution passed
revolution was inevitable, and that they pledged their
lives, their fortunes and their sacred honors, in ceaseless
hostility to tne same. They may storm and rave and
commit depradations, but it will only be temporary; for
Frank Marshall is a man of the true stripe, a regular‘brick’
and no “ blue bellie” in his composition, and so soon as lie
takes the reins ot Government, and organizes a militia sys
tem, these hellish outlaws and myrmidons of Lane will
meet their reward in the State prison or an ignominious
end uuon the block of public justice
judge Campbell, of Johnson county, who was arrested
under false chargee by Lane’s men and taken to Lawrence
and tried, was released and returned here yesterday, giving
an account ol their continued determination to repudiate
the Lecompton constitution and resist unto death all laws
that emanate from it. Our country now occupies a .most
important and ctitical position. The political horizon is
growing darker. The breach betwc tn the North and the
South is getting wider and wider, and it is doubtful whe
ther we weather the storm. The arrest of Gen. Walker,
the Mormon rebellion,and Kansas troubles, all coming
upon old Buck at once, will present to him a “hard road
to travel 1 believe.” His justification of Comodore JPaul
ding in his arrest ol Gen. Walker is condemned by the
Democracy of Kansas, and the news of his misfortune has
enlisted a warm sympathy and great hopes for his future
success.
Ex-Secretary Stanton arrived here to-day enroute for
Washington, with the free State returns, and to give a hel
ping hand against the Constitution His attempts will be
futile.
Denver is considered pretty sound, but not strictly relia
ble. We have been so much swindled in Governors, that
they must be put through the mill before we place too
much confidence in them. Theodore Garrett, Jas. Finly,
Jack Henderson and others, have been arrested for alledg
ed frauds committed as Judges at the late election. The
writs are without legality, issued by a militia captain, and
■he words of the writ ran—for them and “divers other
persons,”—no name. Three cheers for Kansas and the
Lecompton Constitution. More anon.
Very respectfully yours,
OXFORD.
Congressional.
Washington, Jan. 26, 1858.
The Senate to-day discussed the bill of Mr. Douglas for
the admission of Minnesota into the Union, and the bill for
the increase of the army.
In the House, the invalid pension bill was passed, and
Kansas and Nicaragua affairs were discussed.
Washington, Jan. 23.—The Committee on Foreign Af
fairs in the Senate, to-day, agreed upon the report, sustain
ing the President’s message and views in relation to Cen
tral America. They also recommend an amendment of
the neutrality laws, so as to hold as prisoners all persons
captured in the prosecution of plans against nations with
which we are at peace.
Washington, Jan. 27.—1n the Senate, to day, the Pa
cific railway bill and the bill to increase the army were
discussed.
In the House, there was some discussion on the bill re
gulating the public printing, and considerable debate on
subjects connected with Kansas, Utah, and the slavery
questions.
From Washington.
Washington, Jan. 28.—The Hon. John Hickman, ot
Pa., said in the House to-day, that the policy ofthe Ad
ministration in relation to the lecompton Constitution was
a fraud on popular rights, and a request of him to vote for
tbe'admission of Kansas under that Constitution, was a re
flection on his integrity. Other democrats coincided with
Mr, Hickman, Congressional proceedings generally unin
teresting.
General Walker in Mobile.
Mobile, Jan. 25.—An enthusiastic Nicaragua meeting
was held in this city this evening. Speeches were made
by Gen. Walker, Parson Brownlow and others. In his
speech Gen. Walker disclosed that the secret of the gov
ernment opposition was his rejection of a proposition to
go to Mexico to incite war with a view to acquiring terri
tory. Resolutions were passed demanding Paulding’s trial
and denouncing the Government.
Gen. Walker Arrested in Mobile.
A gentleman in some way connected with the United
States authorities for Louisiana, says :the Mobile Tribune
of the 24th instant, appeared yesterday before the United
States Commiseioner for this District, R. B. Owen, Esq.,
made application in legal form for the arrest of Gen. Wm
Walker,then in this city, in order that steps might be ta
ken for his transfer, as a prisoner, to New Orleans. The
gentleman exhibited to the Commissioner a certified copy
of the record of proceedings had in New Orleans in No
vember last, when a charge of violation of'the neutrality
laws was pending against Gen. Walker before Judge Mc-
Caleb of the United States District Court in New Orleans,
from which it appeared that as General Walker had then
failed to appear to answer to the charges against him, his
appearance bond was forfeited.
The Commissioner accordingly issued his warrant, and
Gen. Walker wastaken into custody by the Marshal. But
before he was brought before the Commissioner, his coun
sel sued out a writ of habeas corpus; by virtue of which he
was taken before Judge Gayle, of the United States Dis
trict Court for the District. After argument of counsel,his
honor decided that the showing presented by the record in
the case was not sufficient to justify Gen Walker’s deten
tion, and ordered that he be discharged.
Walker not Indicted.
New Orleans, Jan. 27.— The Grand Jury have
refused to find a true bill against Gen. Walker.
The Ocean Steamers.
The Europa reached New York in the forenoon of the
24th inst. The Anglo- Saxon arrived at Liverpool on the
7th, and the North Star on the Bth at midnight.
No tidings have beeeo received of the Ariel, now over
due many days.
Is Friday an Unlucky Day? —The year 1858 begins
and ends on Friday. January, April, July, October and
December, have five Fridays each. April and December
end on Friday, and January and October begin on Friday.
There are silty three Fridays in the year. We trust, how
ever, it will not prove more disastrous than 1867.
The'Cotton Ctop.
We copy below some remarks from the Augusta Con
stitutionalist, in reference to the Cotton, crop. There are
many gentlemen within our knowledge whose means >4
intelligence are reliable and ample, who concur with, the
writer in his views, and who attribute the reduced receipts
at the seaports to the scarcity of cottou in the country:
If the receipts of cotton, to the latest dales, at the sever
al ports, can be regarded as significant of the extent of the
crop that will reach the shipping points by the first Sep
tember next, the crop will not exceed 2,5000,000 bales.—
The quantity less than last year at the same time, appears
to MS too great to be attributed to any action on the part
of farmers to withhold their Colton for better prices. In s
measure we ’are free to admit that planters have withheld
their cotton, but they did the same thing last year, and
have done so for years before We look at the decrease
on as evidence of the shortne-s of the crop, caused by
the late spring, wet August, and unfavorable weather in Ihe
west for picking cotton. Whether these have been suffi
cient to reduce the quantity to 2,soo,ooo'bales, will appear
more lully during the next three months.
RECEIPTS OF COTTON.
1837-’8 1856-’7
New Orleans, Jan. 5 683,042 871,299
Mobile, Dec 31 194.711 275,998
Texas, Jan 2 52,391 44.876
Florida, Jan. 1 16.410 49,650
Charleston, Jan. 7..., 118,113 203,129
Savannah, Jan. 6 93,385 179785
North Carolina. Dec. 30: 3,621 9,722
Virginia, Dec. 30 2,800 3,000
1 164,473 1,637,359
1,164.473
Decrease in receipts 472,886
At the early part ofthe season, when prices were high,
t hereceiptsfell off—when prices declined, receipts fell ofi
—when the market rallied, receipts fell off—when the mar
ket was most depressed, the receipts fell off; and now on
an improving market the receipts continue to fell off, and
heavier than ever, and have reached 472,886 ‘bales.
At this time last year, several hundred thousand bales,
more than hall ofthe cotton crop of 1856—’7, had reached
market. How is it now?
Failures
The New York Herald publishes several columns of
commercial and other failures in the United States and
Europe during the year 1857, and arrives at the following
results:
Liabilities. Assets.
In Great Br.tain S 400,000,000 $ 80,000,000
Continent of Europe, 300,000,000 60.000,000
United States and fan. 300.000,000 144,000,000
Total, @1,000,00 ,000 @284,000,000
The Herald speculates as follows:
To this sum we may add, in this country alone, an an
nihilation in value in railroad and other securities, amoun
ting to not less than three hundred millions. In Europe the
finaladdition of these losses has not yet been reached, but
we can hardly suppose that in England it will bear the
same proportion to the commercial depreciation which it
does here, from the fact that their railway revulsion occur
red in 1848, since when their speculative temper has beeu
more thoroughly directed to kiting the trade. France,
however, presents afield where the most extraordinary ex
ertions are being made by an arbitrary government to
keep up the prices ol stocks and to repel the commercial
panic. The fear of large masses of unemployed workmen
impels the imperial government to extend to all needy
manufacturers, and the Credit .Vlobilier and other stock
jobbing coneei ns, are being let down easily and softly, so
as not to cause a panic by their sudden disappearance, but
these vast companies are hoi tow and rotten to the core,
and before long I heir names will disappear from the lists of
admitted wealth.
From Kansas.
We hear from Kansas that Gen. Calhoun whose life
had been repeatedly threatened by the Laneites, went to
Lecompton, under an escort furnished by Gen. Harney,
and that he would leave Leavenworth last Wednesday
tor Washington City,and may be expected here this eve
ning with the Lecompton Constitution, and the vote upon
it in hischarge. Other citizens of Kansas will accompany
him.
Gen. Lane was still employed with the Danites in dri
ving citizens out of the territory. So says the St. Louis
Republican ot the 16'h January.
Nebraska Legislature.
St. Louis, Jan. 25.—Governor Richardson arrived at
Omaha, Nebraska, on the 10th inst. In reply to a mes
sage from a majority of the Legislature now at Florence,
he expresses disapprobation of their recent adjournment to
that place, and requests their immediate return to Omaha.
From Mexico.
New Orleans, Jan. 19, 1858.
By ihe arrival ofthe steamer Tennessee at this port, we
are informed that the Republic ol Mexico is entirely in a
state of anarchy. Stales and towns are pronouncing
against Comonfort, and Zulooga is spoken of for President.
It is rumored that Vera Cruz has been bombarded by the
Spanish fleet, but it is believed that the rumor is untrue.
Tronlrles in Mexico.
Special despatches from New Orleans state that the city
of Mexico has been bombarded. There has been bloody
fighting for several days, and over 100 have been
killed. There is a large coalition torce marching on the
city. The partizans of Santa Anna hold the Citadel and
San Augustin. Civil war had fairly begun.
The News from Mexico.— From the Mexican
journals and letters received by the N.O. Picayune,
it appears that the recent revolutionary proceed
ings of Comonfort, assisted by Gen. Baez, in “ the
city of Mexico, has been received with much dis
favor in many ofthe interior portions of thecountry
and a large number of States had openly declared
in the most violent manner against the new order
of things. Many of the principal towns, including
YeraCruz, had also joined in opposition to Comon
fort, and a|formidable military coalition was in pio
cess.of organization to assist in the movement agansi
him. In several portions of the republic, troops
were .already in motion, and another change in the
executive power appeared at the date of the latest
advices, to be imminent.— Savannah News.
XfW From a notice of Surgeon General Lawson’s re
port in the American Journal ofthe •.Medical Sciences, it
is ascertained that the tallest men enlisted in the United
Statesarmy are from the State of Georgia, where, out of
100 enlisted, 39 were six feet and over; while the shortest
men are from New York, where only four out of one hun
dred were six feet The tallest recruit from Georgia was
6 feet 6? inches, i and the mean height ol the recrui's
thence was 5, feet 8 inches. The tallest enlisted man
from the State New York was six feet Ii inches, and
the mean height thence of the New York recruits
■vas five feet six inches. The Southern and Wes
tern States produce the tallest men, and the Middle and
Eastern States the shortest.
ITA bill has been introduced into the House of Rep
resentatives, by Hon. R. Smith of Illinois, which provides,
That hereafter all appointments of clerks and messengers
employed or to beemployed in or connected with the sev
eral departments of the government in the city of Wash
ington, shall be appointed from the several States and
Territories of the United States in proportion to the repre
sentation of said States and Territories in the House of
Representatives, and .the District of Columbia shall be
deemed for this purpose equal to one Congressional Dis
trict.
Fugitive Slaves and .the Railroad. —The Supreme
Court ol Illinois decides that a Railroad company could
not be held responsible for the escape of a slave. The case
is that of a slave who escaped over the road last summer.
His master pursued him ineffectually, and then sued the
Company for “aiding and abetting” the escape. The Su
preme Court, Judge Skinner presiding, has just rendered a
decision in favor of the Company.
A Bright Idea from. Eli Thayer. Talk about our
Yankees, who go to Central America, becoming slave
holders! Why sir, we can buy a negro power, in a steam
engine tor ten dollars, and we can clothe and feed that
power for one year for five dollars, and are we the men to
give one thousand dollars for an Atriean slave, and one
hundred and fifty dollars a year to feed and clothe him?—
No,sir. — Eli Thayer's Speech,
Can a steam engine pick cotton, gather rice, and cut
and dry indigo leaves? And yet the above paragraph is a
fair sample of Eli Thayer’s speech, which the abolition
papers are quoting and chuckling over. If anything could
equal Eli Thayer’s stupidity, it is the solemnity with which
ihe abolitionists Bwallow his nonsense.— N. Y. Daybook.
Decaying.—Foot Bennett fails rapidly. His teeth seem
to be gone, for he only mumbles when he tries to bite.—
His Herald now a days is much like a |rnangy, three (leg
ged, one-eyed, crop eared, stump-tailed bull dog, who has
outlived everything but his bad temper, and spends his wa
king hours in sleepy aud mealancholy snappings at people
out of his teach. For awhile the sight collects a crowd,
but it soon becomes monotonous, and for variety’s sake, if
nothing else, the boys begin to stone the animal, whose
ghaßtly snarlings have ceased even to be amusing:— N. Y.
Times.
In raising the heart above despair, an old fiddle
is worth four doctors and two druggist’s shops.
[From the Daily Advertiser ]
The Democratic Meeting.
Agreeable to a previous .notice, at 7 o’clock the
spacious ball ofthe House of Representatives was
crowded almost to overflowing with the democracy
and spectators, the latter eager to see what course
the dominant party would take, as to the great
questions that are now agitating the public mind ot
the South.
The meeting was organized by calling Hon.
Crawford M. Jackson, of Autauga, to the chair,
who, upon taking his seat, briefly explained the ob
jects of the meeting.
On motion of Mr. Williamson, of Lowndes, the
folio win “gentto men were appointed Vice Presidents
Hon. M J Bulger, of Tallapoosa ; Hon. R D Hucka
bee, of Greene; Hon. R N Walden, ot Morgan;
Hon. R M Patton, of Laudetdale ; Hon. C A Pol
lard, ot Montgomery ; Hon. Mr. Hill, of Talladega ;
Hon. Mr. McSpadden, of Cherokee ; Hon. T J
Burnett, of Butler, arid Hon. Mr. Chamberlain, of
Mobile.
Tne following gentlemen were then appointed
Secretaries : Messrs. Brown of Tuscaloosa; Scoti,
of Madison ; Aden, of Chambers; Cullum, of Choc
taw, and Caldwell, of Calhoun country.
On motion of Mr. Martin, of Talladega, the chair
appointed a committee to draft resolutions for the
meeting. The following gentlemen composed the
committee : Messrs. Martin” of Talladega, Wood,
of Lauderdale, Jones, of Greene, Clarke, of Maren
go, Bullock, ofßarbour, Nabers, of Pickens, Hern
don of Mobile, Rather, of Morgan, and Hilliard, ot
Montgomery.
Tbe committee having retired, loud, prolonged
and enthusiastic cries were made for Hon. Wm. L
Yancey, who, on rising, said he did not know
whether he could respond or not. He thought he
was somewhat arraigned, and wanted to see the
bill of indictment before he furiher addressed tbe
house. He could not tell whether or not he would
endorse the resolutions, because he had riot seen
them.
Afier a very brief period, the committee, through
their chairman, Hon. James B Martin, reported
the following resolutions :
1. Resolved. That in the opinion of the Demo
cratic party of Alabama, the conclusion to which
the President of the United Slates has arrived, as
expressed in his recent Message, in favor of the
admission of Kansas as a State of the Union under
the Lecompton Constitution, is just and right.
2. Resolved, That Congress has no right to look
further into the Constitution submitted by tbe
State of Kansas, in its application to be admitted
into this Union, than to see that the said constitu
tion i republican in its form.
3. Resolved, That it is essential to the peace,
harmony and perpetuity of this Union, that Con
gress should speedily admit Kansas as a State un
der the Lecompton Constitution, without further
conditions.
4. Resolved, That the Administration ofthe Fed
eral Government should receive the hearty, zeal
ous and unanimous support ofthe South in its lau
dable efforts to carry out in good faith the princi
ples of the Kansas-Nebraska act, and that this meet
ing, on its part, tender it such support.
Hon. Henry W. Hilliard being called for, tie re
sponded in a speech of some length, in which he
stated that as the resolutions had been given him
as a precedent, lie would proceed. Questions of
great interest came up before the meeting, among
tbe rest, Kansas, which involved the principle of
slavery, and which was of vital importance to the
South. He thought the South could not now fall
back on her numerical strength, but must rely on her
moral position. ThePresidentrelies upon the South.
Shall we back him when Kansas is the Thermopy
iie, and lie looks us tor aid. Let us assure the
President if he stands in the pass, that a Spartan
band will back him, and not a Southern man will
flinch. He had in the President undimished confi
deuce in every particular. In regard to the Cen
tral American question he thought no man had a
right to organize forces in this country and make
war against a country with which we are at peace
—however, he did not pretend to say Walker had.
He also thought Walker was the President of Nic
aragua, “de jure.”
At the conclusion of this speech, a deafening
shout was made for Yancey, who appeared and
made one ofthe most eloquent, noble and excoria
ting speeches we have ever had the fortune to hear.
He literally tore our cotemporary, the Confederation,
into atoms, and wreathed his brow with garlands
of victory which will there rest in undiminished
glory, as long as one heart beats sincere for the
Southern cause, or one pulse beats tor the rights of
our native land.
Alter the conclusion of this speech, the resolu
tions were unanimously passed.
From the Augusta Constitutionalist.
The Paulding Medal.
Commodore Paulding, in arresting Gen. Walker
and his followers upon the soil of Nicaragua, and
sending them back disarmed to the United States,
exceeded his instructions —exercised a power which
did not belong to him, and committed “a grave er
ror.” So it is expressed by President Buchanan
in his special message upon the subject. The act
has been formally disavowed and disapproved by
the government. No one can find a law to sanc
tion it, or circumstances of argent necessity to jus
tify it, and the President has even thought it neces
sary to palliate the offence and excuse the or.or
which it involved by stating that it w .s evidently
done “with pure and patriotic motives.” But, the
Commodore, by exceeding his instructions and
committing this “grave error,” has succeeded in ar
resting a movement, which if it had been sue
sticcessful, might ultimately have resulted in the
extension of our limits and of the area of slavery,
and has thus commended himself to all those who
would deprecate such a result and labor to defeat
it. Mr. Doolittle, of Wisconsin, even thinks him
deserving of some distinguished honor—some es
pecial testimonial of the admiration and approval
of Congress, and has, as our readers are doubtless
aware, introduced a joint resolution in the Senate,
requesting the President to cause a medal with
suitable devices! to be prepared and presented to
Commodore Paulding, as a testimonial of the high
sense entertained by Congress “of his gallant and
judicious conduct, &c.”
The act, which it is proposed thus to character
ize and reward, was one fit to be celebrated only in
Hudibrastic verse—one which was not gallant, be
cause no boldness, bravery or adroitness was ex
hibited or required in its performance—which was
not judicious because it involved the commission
of “a grave error”—disobedience to instructions
and an infraction of the law of nations. Senator
Brown of Mississippi very properly ridiculed the
proposition to reward the hero ofthis exploit with
a medal. The following is an extract from his re
marks in reply to Mr. Doolittle, upon the resolutio-i
ol that gentleman:
The question with which we have to deal is,
whether w r e will vote Commodore Paulding a med
al for these services. Just think of it. The joint
resolution proposes that the President have a medal,
with suitable device-, presented “as a testimonial
of the high sense entertained by Congress of his
gallant conduct.” Great God ! Commodore Paul
ding, commanding as many, perhaps, as one hun
dred guns—l have not made the estimate of it, but
there were certainly so many—having disposed of
them at his leisure, with five or six hundred men,
captures what ? Walker and a handful offillibus
ters, who laid down tiieir arms at the very first
summons, and made no sort of resistance upon pa
per or anywhere else, and Congress is called upon
to vote a falsehood—that in this there was extra
ordinary gallantry ! I know very well that the
Commodore, writing home to the Government, says
that all his men behaved with extraordinary gal
lantry. Why, sir, I suppose the next thing will be,
ifour army should appr ach Salt Lake, and all
the Mormon men should be away, and they should
make a desperate charge and capture all the wo
men, they must all have medals for their extraor
dinary gallantry. [Laughter.] It would be a much
more gallant act than this of Paulding, and one
much more deserving a medal
Locomotive Running Through a Stone Wall. —
At Rochester, N. Y., recently, a train on the Gen
esee Valley railroad, upon nearing the depot, was,
by the misplacement ofa switch, turned off from
the main track upon a turn-table, and thence on a
track leading to a stone engine house, through
which it passed in spite of the engineer. The
rear wall o( the engine house was two feet thick,
but the locomotive passed through this obstacle,
scarcely causing a jar to the train, and plunged
outside its whole length, doubling up some old iron
rails lying on the north side as if they were withes,
and striking her nose downward into the soft earth.
Her lamps, smoke stack, dome and outworks were
ruined, and right down upon the cab, where the
engineer and fireman stand, the upper section of
the stone wall fell, filling up the space between
boiler and tender to the depth of several feet.—
The engineer and fireman jumped off in season to
escape injury. Two cars nearly full of passengers
were in the train. Not a person moved from his
place, and most of the passengers were, probably,
unaware than any accident had occurred.
A “Difficulty” between the Son of Gov. Wise and the
Ediior of the Richmond Whig.
A difficulty occurred on Friday last between
Mr. O. Jennings Wise and Mr. Ridgway, the Ed
itor of tne Richmond Whig, on account of articles
published in that paper in referenoe to Gov. Wise.
Cards are published in the Richmond papers in
in reference to ihe affair, and as it is ol course
extremely important that our readers should know
all about if, w’e give the substance of the statements
on both sides
Mr. Ridgway says that he was in his office; that
someone knocked, and was invited to enter and
to take a seat, in the usual way ; that the visitor
“muttered something about insolence to his father,
which lie said be could not stand any longer;” that
he a'sked him who he was, to which he gave no
replv, but immediately raised his stick and struck
a blow at his bead, which however he warded off
and received on his arm; that he then closed with
his visitor and struck him several light blows in
return with his fist,and then se'zed his stick, while
his opponent caught him by the cravat; that after
this, neither struck the other, while Mr. Ridgway,
supposed all the time that the visitor was an intox
icated man and a stranger, laboring under some
imaginary grievance, and with this supposition,
and not wishing to injure him, (which he says he
might readily have done, inasmuch as a sword
cane stood within his reach,) he called to the local
editor in another room for the purpose of putting
him out; that several of the employees of the of
fice entered, when, being informed of the name of
his assailant, he raised his stick to strike him, but
Mr. Wise asked him, “% what seemed to be an
imploring tone,” not to do so ; and that recollect
ing that none of his friends were present, he re
frained from doing so. In conclusion, Mr. Ridg
way says that he shall in the future, as in the past,
comment upon the conduct of Gov. Wise when
and how he chooses.
Mr. Wise, in his card, pronounces false many
ofthe statements of Mr. Ridgway. He says he
entered the office without any other weapon than
an ordinary walking stock ; that before assaulting
him, he announced his name and pronounced the
words distinctly; that Mr. Ridgway did not offer
him a seat; that Mr. Ridgway attempted to raise
a stick standing against the wall, when he sprang
towards him, struck him a blow over the shoulder
with his cane, seized his cravat w ith his left hand,
dragged him into the middle of the room, and struck
him “a few slight blows over the head and more
severe blows over the back and shouldersthat Mr.
Ridgway finally caught the stick with both hands;
that during the struggle he called loudly and repeat
edly for assistance, but had previously uttered no
word m his presence; that three gentlemen enter
ed the room and separated them; that Mr. Ridg
way then raised his arm to strike him, Imt that he
appealed to the gentlemen not to suffer him to do
so while he was held; that the man m-xt to him
accordingly held his arm ; that Mr. Ridgway gave
him no blow throughout the whole affair, but on
the contrary, seemed very much frightened. Mr.
Wise also says that lie has been previouly restrain
ed by his father and friends from taking any notice
ofthe attacks of the Whig, and that this assault
was undertaken without any consultation with or
the knowledge of any one. He appends to his
card a correspondence that subsequently took place
between himself an Mr. Ridgway. The first note
is from the latter, afrer stating that he did not con
sider h niseif under any obligation to notice Mr.
Wise any further, makes the following proposi
tion :
I propose that you and I select only one friend
each, and with one pair of pistols, we shall meet in
your office or mine, at an hour to be hereafter des
ignated—that after thus meeting, and the door be
ing locked, you and I shall be securely blindfolded
—that then the second shall load one of the pis
tols and leave the other unloaded—that they shall
next determine by lot for the choice of pistols—
that the pistols shall then be handed to us, and
th i your shall be placed directly against my breast,
and mine against yours —that next, and finally, at
the giving of the word, we shall both pull trigger,
and let the consequences take care of them
selves.
But, Mr. Wise declines this proposition. He
says:
“I might well return your letter unanswered,
since the first part of it contains language which
must be regarded as insulting. But, waiving this
formality, I must call your attention to the fact
that, bv the code of honor, the challenging party
is not entitled to prescribe the weapons nor the
mode of using them. Moreover, the mode which
you suggest is one entirely incompatible with the
usage which obtains among gentlemen ; since it
would leave the issue entirely to the decision of
chance. lam not willing to permit you to use a
weapon against me without an opportunity luliy
secured to me of equal resistance. Still less will I
consent, under any circustances, to use a deadly
weapon against an unarmed man.
He says, however:
Whenever you shall send me such a challenge
as I can accept consistently with the just sense of
honor and propriety recognized by established
usage, I shall then be authorized to accord you the
satisfaction which you may desire. Such a chal
lenge must not include conditions evasive of my
rights as a challenged party, nor must it embody
propositions inconsistent with the usage whicii
prevails among men of honor.
To this Mr. Ridgway replies, that in noticing
the proposition:
I was only following the example you had set
me of a violation of the “code,” the rights and priv
ileges of which you now claim. You should either
stand within the limits of the code or outside of
them ; and not first within and then without, as
may suit your necessities or your fancy. If within
the code, then, it was your duty to have demand
ed satisfaction of me, in accordance with the re
quirements of that “code.”
But you thought proper to act otherwise ; to put
yourself outside of the code and utterly disregard
“the usage which obtains among gentlemen - ” In
a word, you set out with a deliberate violation of
the “code,” and now claim to have conceded to
you all the rights, privileges and advantages which
the “code” accords to those was recognize it and
regulate their conduct by it. This unjust and ex
traordinary concession I am not disposed to make
to you, or to any other man. Under the circum
stances, therefore, you are not entitled to any re
cognition from me under the “code.” I have,
therefore, submitted to you a proposition outside of
it, which you are at liberty to accept or not as suits
you. It is a proposition which puts us both upon
terms of perfect equality, although, I admit you,
it is not within the limits of the recognized code of
honor. But I submit that it is not for you to ob
ject to such proposition upon the ground that it is
“entirely incompatible with the usage which obtains
among gentlemen.” Your course of proceeding
certainly had not the sanction, of such “usage;”
how then, can you reasonab.y object to my proposi
tion, for the reasons assigned in your letter ?
In conclusion, I have no other proposition to
make, and as you decline the one I have made,
this letter concludes my correspondence with you.
And here the matter ends so far as we have any
advices.
Desperate Negro—Awful Tragedy—Capture and Death
of the Demon.
The Portsmouth (Va.) Transcript of Wednesday
has the following : On Monday afternoon, a negro
man belonging to Mr. Seth Benton, of North Caro
lina, who had been hired out to work on a railroad,
was to have left Holy Neck, in Nansemond county,
on that day, with a number of others, for the place
of his labor; bat on the departure of the gang he
managed to be left behind. Shortly after he pro
ceeded to the house of Mrs. Holland,a widow lady,
whom he murdered. He then went towards the
residence of Mr. Whitewell Jones, but meeting him
ashort distance from his house, killed him also,
and with a large club mangled his head in a shuck
ing manner. He afterwards made for the house
of Mr. Uriah Rawls, where he would doubtless
have destroyed a whole family, had they not been
apprised ofhis coming. Mr. Rawls went out wiih
a double-barreled gun, and as the negro approach
ed he fired, but the charge being of small shot, it
did not stop him, aud Mr. R., then discharged the
other barrel, with no better effect The savage
then pursed him, and was just upon his heels, when
Mr. liawls suddenly turned and stuck him a se
vere blow with the breech of the gun, which tolled
him to the ground apparently lifeless. He, how
ever, revived in a short time, arose, and ran across
an adjoining field, when he discovered another wo
man, Mrs. Rowell, but she succeeded in making
her escape from him. By this time the alarm had
spread through the neighborhood, and the negro
was pursued by several persons well armed. He
made for the swamp and attempted to hide himself,
but was finally overtaken and shot.
The excitement created in all that region was in
tense. The news spread rapidly from house to
house, and it was supposed that a general insur
rection had commenced. Messengers were sent
in various directions. The people turned out in
large numbers, and repaired in haste to the several
points where it was supposed their services might
be needed.
Sale of Circassian <Girli.
The London Post thus speaks in a recent nurn
b-r, ofthe traffic in Circassian girls in Turkey :
“Perceiving that when the Russians shall have
re-occupied the Caucasus, this traffic in white
slaves wdl be over, tne Circassian dealers hat e
redoubled tneir efforts, ever since the commence
ment o’'the peace conferences, to introduce into
Turkey the greatestpos-ibie numbtr of women while
tiie oppori unity of doing so lasted. They have
been so successful, that never, perhaps, at any
period, was white flesh so cheap as it is at this mo
ment. There is an absolute glut in the market,
and uealers are obliged to throw away their goods,
owing to the extent of the supply ; which, in many
instances lias been brought by steam, under the
British flag. In former times, a ‘good middling’
Circassian girl was thought very cheap atjtiioo,
but at the present moment, the same description of
goods may be Lad for £s.’
Parson Brownlow.
Parson Brownlow, in a late letter, thus accepts
the invitation recently extended to hint by Horace
Greeley :
Horace Greeley has announced that when I reach
N. York, as I expect to do in the Spring, the arrange
ments are to have my arguments and statements re
futed by Fred Douglas, one of the colored orators! 1
have arranged to meet his case. I shall lake with me
a servant, acting here in the capacity of a barber,and
known a6 Alf Anderson. He is a large, fine look
ing negro, between the years of 25 and 30—reaos
and writes well—has some experience as a public
speaker—has stentorian lungs—ts a strong and
forcible speaker—rather eloquent than otherwise—
and is a native of East Tennessee. He will meet
colored orators —advo-ate and illustrate Southern
slavery, and oppose abolitionists. In the meantime,
if you can induce him to go with you upon an un
derground rail-road to Canada, or to remain in
your glorious land of freedom, I will let him do
either, and give no opposition to stealing him.
The St. Lawrence Hotel Tradgedy. —Judge Alli
son, in his charge to the jury in the case of Thos
Wasliington Smith, for the murder of Richard
Carter, in Philadelphia, tost November, makes use
of the following language, on the plea of insanity :
In order to justify a verdict ot acquittal upon this
ground, you must find that the defendant, although
conscious ofthe act he was about to perpetrateand
its consequences, yet governed by an uncon
trollable impulse, bis will is no longer in subjection
to his reason, owing to the excited and continued
impetuosity of his thoughts; the contused condi
tion of a mind enfeebled by disease and goaded by
a sense of greivons wrong; that he was wrought
up to a frenzy bordering Upon madness, which ren
dered him unable to control his actions or direct
his movements. If the tempest of grief and pas
sion which swept over him prostrated the strong
man, so that he no longer had the control of his
will, he is not responsible to the law for his acts;
but if he was possessed of this restraining power
sufficient, if called into exercise, to stay the hand
which took the life of Richard Carter, and the de
fendant were otherwise sane to a degree of respon
sibility for crime, then he is guilty of ihe offence
charged against him, and ought to be convicted of
wilful, deliberate and premeditated murder.
Appointments by the President. — By and with
the advice and consent of the Senate. —Beverly L.
Clarke, of Kentucky, appointed minister resident
of the United States to the Republic of Guatemala :
to be also minister resident of the United States
to the Republic of Honduras, pursuant to the 9th
section of the act of Congress ofthe 18th of August,
1856, entitled “An act to regulate ihe diplomatic
and consular systems of the United States.”
Fayette McMuliin, of Virginia, Gov. of Wash
ington Territory.
Abraham Rencher, of North Carolina, Gov. of the
Territory of New Mexico.
Alfred Cuinmiti“,of Missouri, Governor of the
Territory of Utah.
John Hartnett, of Missouri, Secretary ofthe Ter
ritory of Utah.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE IN THE COUNTY OF WASH
INGTON.
Wm. Cooper, Chas. R. Queen, Richard Bur
gess, Richard R. Shekell, Wm G. Palmer, Ter
ence Drury, Henry G. Murray, Geo. Mattingly,
Patrick, McKenna, Franklin Darly, Jno R. Queen.
The Beauties of Holding Cotton. —A cotton
factor illustrated to us, on yesterday, the effect of
advising planters to hold their cotton in this wise.
“A, who makes 175 bales, sent me a portion of
cotton when it was selling at 14 cents. Cotton
commenced to decline, and, at this time, it would
not bring enough to pay my acceptance on it. The
draft is due to-morrow, and I must either pay ihe
draft myself, get extensions or iet the cotton be
sold, making up the deficit out of mv own funds,
and incur the displeasure of one of my best custom
ers. I shall sell this cotton.”
This is not a solitary instance. Nearly every
factor in the city has experienced similar results
from the determination of farmers to hold on. —
And this is what keeps the banks, and the mer
chants, and the people in distress for money. The
money drawn on cotton in the fall was chiefly ap
propriated to speculative purposes, buying land,
negroes, or shaving paper. Debts were not then
geuerally due, and now that settlement day lias
come, the response is—l have not sold my cotton
and cannot pay you. So we go.— Augusta Dis
patch.
Important from Utah.—Alliance ofthe Mormons
r-ithlhe Indian Tribes. —A dispatch front St.
Louis, dated January 19, says a trader of that city
just from F >rt Laramie, reports having met seven
hundred Cheyennes and Camanches returning from
Salt Lake City, where they had been in conference
with Brigham Young. They were accompanied
by twenty Mormous, and it was the intention of
the whole party to remain in eamp this side the
mountains till spring, when they would fall upon
Col. Johnson’s rear. In the meantime, they would
harass and cut off, if possible, any expedition sent
out to their relief or assistance. The Mormons
gavp the trader to understand that this was but a
small part of their Indian allies, which were verv
numerous among the various tribes.
On Cen. Walker. —The noisy notoriety of the
President of Nicaragua has made itself heard in all
quarters, and the other day it reached the ears of
the old colored woman, who, when the General
was resident in New Orleans, had the honor of
washing his distinguished linen, and at one time
had also been his brother’slaundress. She is much
puzzled by the tnougbt of her very sedate and
quiet customer making so much noise in the world
and the other day exclaimed, “Now I dozen’t un
derstand how dat is, dar.s Mass William, mighty
quiet man, never make no fnss about his shirts,
makin’ ail dis fuss all over de country ; and dar’s
his brother, always making tuss about his shirts,
when I did my verv bes,’ I don’t hear nothing ’bout
him ! I don't un’erstan’ how dat is, for Mass Will
iam is mighty quiet man, an’ never make leastest
might o’fuss about his shirts, never cuss, no matter
how bad dey done up.”
This venerable colored lady is not familiar with
the proverb—“ The still boy gets the sugar.”
Bogus Kansas Dispatches —The dispatch pu -
lished in the papers on Friday last, concerning the
elections in Kansas, emanated from the St. Louis
Democrat, and is pronounced “bogus news’’ by the
Washington Star. We copy from the Star the
following statement:
Our reliable advices from Gov. Denver are even
later than those ofthe St. Louis Democrat. They
were derived from a gentleman who personally
knows the facts ofthe case. He has satisfied us
that the election of the 4th inst. went against the
Topekaires by at ieast a majority of 1000 votes.
The returns received up to the time he left the Ter
ritoiy renders that facl certain, past per adventure.
So we assure the Star’s readers that there can be
no truth in this dispatch, wherein it alleges that the
Topekaites, rather than the Democrats—the friends
ot the Lecompton Constitution as carried in the
election of (lie 21st ult. were triumphant on the 4th
inst. The latter have carried, not oulv the State
officers, but the Legislature also, the news from
the correspondence ofthe St. Louis Deniociat to
the contrary notwithstanding.
The tornado which swept over New Orleans, on
the 15th inst., also visited Galveston on the saute
day with terrible violence, causing much damage to
the shipping in the harbor,and some serious acci
dents to life aud limb.
The Supreme Court.— Hon. Nathan Clifford, ot
Maine, having been appointed aud confirmed as an
associate justice of the Supreme Court, was for
mally inducted into his office yesterday morning.
Alter his commission had been read in open court,
the oath of office was admintstered by Cheif Justice
I aney ; and Justice Clifford, having received the
congratulations ot his associates, took his seat on
the bench.— Washington Union, Jan. 22.