Newspaper Page Text
R, ELLIS & GO., Proprietors.
Volume XVIil.
CGLUiBIS* lUEBLAY, NOVEMBER 16, IKS.
Pest-OAce Change.
Mr. R. C. Forsyth, who has taithiully dischar
ged the duties of Postmaster in this Ci (y during
Gen Pierce’s and the past portion of Mr. Buchan
an's Administration, has resigned that office.—
Ilis frietfds will learn with regret that this step
has been taken by him in contemplation of a re
moval from their midst. The vacancy has been
tilled by the appointment of Dr. Henry M. Jeter,
The responsibility of the office could not have beens
devolved upon a more competent and worthy
geutleman.
Tile Atlantic Carle.—The late electrician
to the Atlantic Telegraph Company, Mr. White
house, has felt himself compelled to come forward
and oflbr his services again to the undertaking.—-
He does this from a feeling of duty, as being so
largely identified with the inception of the pro
ject ; anti also because he is convinced that the :
cable is readily recoverable. He therefore asked I
permission to make the necessary examination, j
and if that should be satisfactory to his judge- j
ment, he offers to re-open communications with I
Newfoundland at his own risk, and to maintain it j
open at a mxlerate.percentage on the receipts. j
WOe.V BETTING ON A PIUZK FIGIIT. Iti* Said
that the wife of Morrissey, who is the daughter of j
a wealthy man in Troy, won Si*,ooo on the result }
of the figlu with Ileenaa, and his father-in-law j
won Sit),ooo. In view of,this fact, the Boston j
Traveller wants to know if New York is not a ;
great State, and whether it does not speak well j
for the morals of a community when a woman i
stakes money on the probabilities of her husband
being able to pound and beat another man till he j
is hammered to a jolly'. Whereupon the N#w j
York Express asks if it is any worse fora woman !
to bet on a prize fight than to bet on elections,
figure in free love conventions, walk the streets in
masculine apparel, fcc., as sometimes happens in
New England.
France.—The imports and exports of France,
for the year 1357 amounted in the aggregate to
ten ‘hundred and sixty-five millions of dollars. In I
1317, ten years ago, umlor the government of i
Louis Philippe, they amounted only to four hun- j
dred and sixty-eight millions. The increase has I
been live hundred and ninety-seven millions, or j
one hundred and twenty-eight per cent: The in- j
crease in population has been small. The ad- j
vanoo.mady by France is perfeetlly astonishing. I
Her foreign trade has quadrupled in the ten j
year's of Napoleon’s reigu. During the seven- j
te?n years of Louis Philippe’s reign it only trebl- j
ed. French commerce, which, a few years ago. j
was far behind ours, now considerably exceeds j
it in value. Our foreign imports and exports in i
1357 were only eight hundred and twenty-three |
millions of dollars. This French precedence of j
us, after we had long ranked next to Great Brit- j
ain in trade, is not very flattering to our national |
pride. Her commerce, however, is carried on !
largely in foreign ships. The tonnage of the
United States is three times larger than hers. j
Consul to Geneva. —Win. Fell Giles, Jr., of j
this city, has received from President Buchanan, j
the appointment to the consulship of the United j
States at Geneva. Switzerland. Mr. Giles is a !
sun of the Hon. Wm. F. Giles, Judge of the Dis- j
triet Court of Maryland.— Baltimore Sun.
Gen. Win. T. Haskell, formerly considered tho |
most brilliant literary man in Tennessee, has be- |
come hopelessly insane.
jjESS*’ A few days ago Wm. Porter, a young man
of talent, and inheriting a large estate from his
father, Col. W. M Porter, - committed suicide in ‘
Memphis, Tenn., for the reason that he could not
support his wife as well as he wanted, his property
being in the bands of guardians. Ho was only
IS years of agfe, and had been married over a
year.
great has become the connubial fever
in the Wabash Valley that the LaFayette, Indiana j
Courier says it is in contemplation by the Bachel
ors Club of that city to organize a “Board of
Health.’*
Notice to Point asters.
The law and the instructions of the Post Office
Department imperatively require that the postage
on all transient printed matter shall b c prepaid by ‘
pottage stamps, and that such matter be distinctly
postmarked at the mailing office. A practice has
also become common, among a certain class of i
postmasters, of buying a patronage to their re- ■
spective offices, to the injury of these naturally
entitled to it, by allowing to the mailing party a
portion of their own commissions on the legal
postage.
We are requested to say that any neglect on the j
part of a postmaster to obey the above instruc
tions, or any such unfair practice for obtaining
patronage, will be considered by the department
good cause for the removal of the offender. — j
Washington Union.
Department New*.
The Troubles in the Navajo Country.—
Advices from Fort Defiance to the 26th of Septem
ber state that the train in charge of Capt. Lindsay,
with Government stores, had arrived at the Fort
on the 24th. 43 days ha 1 been consumed on the
route from Fort Union. M.tj Brooks arrived at the
Fort on the 24th, having made a 5 days’ scout to
Coleta and the surrounding country. The Indians
were seen in large numbers, but could not be
brought to an engagement.
Capt. Hatch, with I company rifles. Lieut.
Whipple, with B company iulau-try, and Lieut.
Dickinson, loft the fort on the 21th for Laguenu
Negra. Oil the 29th Col. Miles, with his entire
command, except a small garrison, left for Chusco
and Tuuicha. The force consisted of Col. Miles,
commander; LieuL W. B. Lane, adjutant; Dr. J.
C. McKee, acting assistant surgeonA company
mounted rules, Capt. Elliott; F company mount
ed rifles. Lieut. Averille; I company mounted
rifles. Capt. McLane; H company mounted rifles.
Capt. Lindsay ; B company 3d infantry, Lieut.
Whipple; K company Bth infantry, Lieut. Wil
laiM ; guides and spies, Capt. Bias Lucero. Total,
310 men.
Capt. J. P. Hatch and command arrived at the
fort on the 25th. They had had an engagement
with the band under the command of Zarzellos
Largos, the principal war-chief of the Navajocs.
Eight Indian’s were killed, and several horses
captured.
Extraordinary Memory of Sliiel, ihc Irish Orator.
Shiol. the celebrated Irish orator, was endowed
with an extraordinary verbal memory. His mode ;
of preparing his speeches was altogether singular,
lu the O'Connell case in ISI3 he recited his speech h
to the London reporters beforehand. “Great was
the disappointment of the reporters.’ says his hi- j
ographer. “at being told that, although lie-had the ,
speech in his head, nothing but a few memoranda
existed on paper. Far greater was their surprise ;
when he undertook to speak it for. them by antici- I
pation. With his hands wrapped in flannel, he
kept slowly moving up and down the room, repea
ting with groat rapidity, and occasionally with j
his wonted vehemence ot intonation, passage at- .
ter passage, and paragraph after paragraph : then; ;
wearied with the strange and irksome effort, he
would lav himself down upon a sofa, and, after a j
short pause, recommence his expostulation with ,
the jury, his allusions to the bench, and bis sar- j
eastie apostrophes to the counsel for the Crown.
On tie wont, with but brief interruptions, and tew j
pauses to correct or alter, until the whole was j
finished, and had been accurately noted down. ,
Written out with care, it was sent to the printer, I
and, at the moment when he arose to speak in ■
court, printed copies were in the hands of those ;
who had faithfully rendered his ideas previously. .
As he proceeded, they were thus enabled to mark j
easily and rapi ily any slight variations of phrase- j
ology t hut these, for the most part, were so few ;
and trivial as to cause little delay in the correc- ,
tion of the proofs. 1
Georgia Legislature.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Saturday Morning Nov. 13, 1853.
The House met pursuant to adjournment, and
a motion was made to reconsider so much of yes
terday's Journal tu> related to the resolution re
questing the Governor to furnish certain inform
ation in relation to the Western and Atlantic Kail
Road.
Messrs. Bigham and Milledge were strongly in
favor of reconsideration, to n which Mr. Huffman
was opposed. The motion, however, prevailed.
An hour or more was taken up, in the reconsido
i ration of a private bill, whic h passed at last. To
i the indomitable perseverence of Mr. Mintz of
i Jackson, Mr. Wilhite is indebted for this,
i The unfinished business of the previous day
j bat is the Macon and Brunswick Railroad bill,
| was taken up, the Keport, with the several amend-
I m-ius of yesterday were agreed to.
Mr. Harris of Glynn, desired to make a remark
i bes. re the passage of the bill. We were ready, Liu
| .-aid, to sink or swim, live or die on this bill, and
j were bound to carry it through, and stand Ly it
like the Spartan baud at Thermopoim, and so sure
j was he that the project would prove profitable
j that he was willing to accept the bill with all its
! restrictions.
Mr. Bigham: This is a question of principle;
it was inagurating a great principle. Though it
I’ came not in the same form as last winter the prin
ciple was the same.
Mr. Walker of Henry: The gentleman from
j Troup says we are on a raft again. I differ with
j him there. My motto is to live not for myself
j alone but for my neighbors. My God has blessed
i me with more than I ever expected to have orev
i r prayed for. I have lived economically, and
i now i can enjoy myself. lam as happy as any
j body else is. Georgia is my neighbor, and this
; road will pass through many lots of laud which
I will increase their value. People would go there
and become rich, and for this reason I will vote
for the bill.
Mr. Bigham: The gentleman from Glynn has
I -'"aid he was willing to accept the, bill with its re
j strictiong. Look at your sister State who has
given State aid. Leave the question of State aid
j ! o the people, the bone and sinew of the land.—
You propose to put a debt, not upon yourselves
but upon posterity. $200,0(H) is the amout of
debt you will put upon the State, and you propose
to pay that amount with the nett earnings of your
road, llow can it be sol’ The idea is preposterous.
Your first bonds wil become due in twenty years.
In 33 years a race of men becomes extinct, if it
is difficult to provide for the present, how much
I more so for the future? I ask my Southern Rights
j friends if they are willing to put the State into
! such a position as to cramp her resources. Look
iat the position of the country. What would be
j the condition of the State in case of a war? Ho
concluded with an amendment wishing to re coin
j uiit the bill, and refer the question of State aid to
| the people.
I Mr. Hardeman of Bibb, hoped the amendment
I would not pass. We are the representatives of
| the people, and if we are not disposed to take the
responsibility of passing bills, we had better go
home and let them send others. The gentleman
last year bad*cailed it a raft, and now he wished
them to vote for it, raft or no raft.
M'. Harris of Glynn: If 1 understand the
motion of the gentleman from Troup, he wishes
the House to avoid the responsibilty, and refer the
question to the people. It may be said that 1
seek to stifle the voice of the people. The voice
of tho people has reverberated from the mountains
to the seaboard: had carried 11. V. Johnson into
the Executive Chair, and kept Joseph E. Brown
there, la 1855—'6, the question had been be
fore the people, before the House, before Govern
or Johnson, than whom there does not exist a
more elevated miud, or more perfect gentleman;
in short there does not live South of Mason and :
Dixon’s line, a man so eminently qualified as a
statesman. Was not the gentleman from Troup
in Favor of selling the Western & Atlantic Kail
road, and devotiug the proceeds of the sale to aid
in the construction of other Railroad enterprises?
Members say that if the State can be secured un
der this hill, they will vote for its passage Is
there anything in the bill whteh will ir
u m me 3Ttttc: it is said that the
road will pass through a sterile country: the 12
counties through which the road will pass pay
1-10 of the tax of the State. They contain
000,000 worth of property. It is wise, itis prop
er to aid them; and instead of $50,000,000 it would
be increased to $500,000,000. Do I indulge in a
visionary dream? We are faithful to our State,
true to our section, when we ask for Slate aid.—
Cherokee Georgia, before aided by the State with
the Western aud Atlantic Railroad, was the dwell
ing of Indians, bears and wolves; and now, is it
not thu garden spot of the South? We come to
Cherokee Georgia, and like Peter, walking on the
water, cry “Help.” Shall this cry be unheeded?
Railroads will invite emigration and retain our
s ms upon the the soil where the bones of our re\ -
olutionarv fathers repose. The port of Brunswick
jis the best port on the Southern Atlantic. The
waters upon which Oglethorpe first looked—those
same waters—smile still as tranquilly under the
beams of the moon as they did then. It would be
come the granary of the world, and we could then
dictate to them who now dictate to ue.
1 have always been a Southern Rights man,
and this is a Southern measure. Yes, sir, a Geor
gia measure. Where is the cotton from this see
; non shipped; to Charleston. When great outlets
; of trade are opened, no port but Brunswick can
sustain the teeming fleets. I siaud upon the soil
! of Georgia, and may the day ebine when she may
depend upon no port, North or South to carry on
1 her commerce. I propose to rise in the might of
• our strength and tell our oppressors their reign is
| over. Ido not believe there is a representative
on this floor, should our soil be invaded,but would
gird on his sword and leap as lightly to the con
test as the bridegroom to his chamber. But to
day I invite you to uo such feast; this is apeacea
| ble measure of dollars and cents.
Mr. Findlay of Lumpkin: It is now a good
; time to give in my experience—a better timethau
when I was converted. The gentleman says be
is a Southern Rights man. lam proud to say I
am a l /non man. I never expect to be a candi
date again. lam just as willing to vote to aid
i Southern as Upper Georgia, I represent the
mountains but I shall vote it.
The bill was passed, ayes 71, nays 68.
Comptroller's Report.
We are indebted to Mr. Thwcatt, for a copy of
his Report to the Goveruor. It is neatly printed
by Mr. Lomax, State Printer. We have already
made copious extracts from advance sheets of the
Report furnished us by Mr. Thweatt, and such
comments as we felt called upon to make upon the
Report. We will only add, that the Legislature
would have done the State a good service if it had
ordered a thousand copies of this Report printed,
instead of about five hundred as was done. Tho
information contained in this Report can be ob
tained no where else outside of the State House,
and it is invaluable both to Legislators and to of
’ fleer* of the State, as well as to the people.— Daily
Federal l nion.
Fort Van Cos ever, V. TANARUS.)
October, Ist ISiS. j
Mean. Editor. .—Herewith I enclose extracts
of letters received from Col. Wright's command in
the Indian country east ot snake river.
| The war is now closed, peace aud security are
1 again restored to this country.
It is now to be hoped that such a course of pol
] m av be adopted towards the Indians as may
for the future insure peace between them and the
whites. The Indians now conquered, and deeply
impressed with the utter hopelessness of contending
with us iu war, are prepared to receive such iin
j pressions and assume such position as onr govern
i ment may in its policy assign them. If hat that
j- policy should bo, I think there can bo very little
| doubt about.
The effect of money annuities upon the Indian
! character, in the judgment of those best intormed
I on the subject, has proved to be docideftly corrup
i ring and injurious.
The establishment of schools, the ereetion of
grist and saw-mills, the distribution of seeds, ag-
J ricultural and tools ami implements,
; and the encouragement of husbandry and the me
j ehanic arts, judiciously and properly directed,
’ would bo productive of more real good to them as
! a people than one hundred times the same amount
paid to them in money.
But to effect any good results, from efforts of
1 any kind with the Indian, you must exclude him
’ f rom general intercourse with the white man,
only so far as might be necessary to have a su
pervision over him, and impart the requisite in
! struction.
i To the prompt and energetic action, the com
plete, and perfect appointments and organization, ,
i tie clear, decided, and uumietakeable course of
THE UNION OF THE STATES, AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OP THE STATES.
policy, marked out and adopted, by Brigadier
Gen. Clarke and the energetic and judicious exe
cution of his plans and purposes, by the officers
especially charged therewith, are due, the suc
cessful and happy termination of a war which at
one time threatened to boos the most serious and
trabiesome character. Honor, to whom honor is
due.
BALDWIN.
Extract of a letter from an officer under Col.
Wright* Command , in the Spokan Expedition.
Camp near Steptoe’s battle ground, j
September 23d, 1858. j
“On the 17th inst., a council was held with the
Couer-de-Leties, their head chief Vincent, opened
tho Council by rising and saying, ‘My people hav,.
committed a great crime ; we are fully conscious
of it now ; and are deeply furry for it. I aud my
people ure rejoiced that you are willing to forgive
us for it.’
Col. Wright replied : Colter de Lenes, as your
Chief has said you have committed u great crime .
you attacked Col. Step toe when he wat marching
peacefully through your country, and yon slew
some of his people. It has made angry your
great father, aud I have been sent io punish you ;
but you ask lor peace, and you shall have it, on
certain conditions; the great spirit hears me.
You see that you contend against us hopelessly;
I have a great many soldiers : there are as many
more at Walla-Walla, and lam expecting a large
number from Suit Lake ; what can you do against
us ? I can place my soldiers on your eamas plains,
at your fishing ground*, and in the mountains
where you catch game and gather berries, and
your helpless families cannot run away.
These are the conditions on which you shall
have peace : You must deliver to me the young
men who struck the first blow in the affair with
Col. Slop toe, I will take them to the General.—
You must deliver to me one of your chiefs and four
of your men with their families, I will take them
to Walla-Walla as security for your good conduct
hereafter. You must deliver to me all the proper
ty of every kind taken at the fight with Col. Step
toe. You must allow all troops ;id all other white
men to pass at all times - unmolested through you?
couutry. You must not allow any hostile Indians
to come into your country, and you must not en
gage in any hostilities against white men : be
sides* you must be at peace with the Nes Perees.
On these conditions you can have peace, 1 will
withdraw from your country, and you can have
peace forever.
Vincent said he wished to hear the Nes Perees
speak. U-chi-ma-li-kin, their Chief said;
You behold me before you, I will lay my heart
open to you : I desire that there shall be peace
between us. I will never go to war with you nor
against any of the friends of the white man.
Vincint replied : It does my heart good and
makes all my people glad to have you speak so, I
have ever desired peace between us. There shall
never be war between us, nor between us and the
white man.
The pipe of peace was then smoked all round.
The conditions wrote promptly complied with,
and we have with us four of the young braves,
and a chief and four men with their families as
hostages.”
Extract of a Letter. Still Later.
Camp on Lah-Too Creek,
Near Step toe*’ Battle-ground, Sept. 25.
We are now on our return to 1 Falla-walla, we
have been here three days waiting lor the Indians
to come in. Col. Wright has made peace with the
Spokans, Couer-de-’Lenes and Pow-de-’Orielles.
The Palanse’s have not come in yej.
We have three of them in irons, and Col. Wright
has sent word to their people “it they don’t come
in before he crosses ►Snake river he will hang
) them.” The Couer-d-’Lenes send with Colonel
Wright one chief aud four men, with their families
as hostages. The Spokans do the same. The
hostage* are to remain at Walla-walla one year.
Day before yesterday Owhi came in to make
peace, he was confined, and word sent to Qual
chin, (bis son) if he did not come in his Father
would be bung. Qual-cbin came in yesterday at
receive hie message sentry Col ho Peg
ged hard for his life. The last words he said, were
“G—dd—m.” Cami-a-kin. We have nine In
dian prisoners in camp. 1 expect two of them j
will be bung to-night.
We have recovered the two howitzers, (lost by )
Col. Steptoe,) also the remains of Capt. Taylor aud j
Lieut. Gaston, together with tome others.
Yours Ac.,
T. B. B.
Intelligence from the Paraguay Expe J
niTiox.—The Secretary of the Navy has received j
and from the commanding officers of sevc- j
ral vessels, which have already sailed for Para- j
guav. The Fulton arrived at Barbadoes on the ]
15th ult„ in feu days after leaving Norfolk.—
The Water-Witch arrived at the same place on the j
16th ult., eleven days our from Norfolk. Tue j
Harriet Lane also arrived at Barbadoes on the
20th ult., having made the passage from N. York !
in twelve days. The vessels stopped only a few
hours, for the purpose of taking in coal, and then
sailed for the rendezvous at Montevideo.
Nicaraguan Matters.—The State Depart
ment has sent an official note to Gen. Jerez, point
ing out the impropriety of his course aud express
ing the dissatisfaction with which the Department
regards his publication, warning the public against
purchasing tickets for Nicaragua by the steamer
W ashington.
Mr. White, yesterday, sent a note to the Assis
tant Secretary of State, with the request that it
be shown to slr. Cass, denying that any of Wal
ker’s lillibusters went to Nicaragua in the steamer
Washington, and saying that the company will
not knowingly permit such persons to go thither in
their vessels.
The collector of the port of Mobile has been ap
plied to for a clearance to a Walker emigrant ves
sel, but has referred the question to the Secretary
of the Treasury.
Proposed Methods for Enabling Ships
of War to Resist Shot.—The London corres
pondent of the New \~ork Commercial Advertiser ,
in his letter of October 19, says:
At a reeent dinner, Lord Hardwicke, as fke re
presentative of the British Admiralty, mentioned,
I in connection with the necessity for a liberal ex
penditure in maintaining our fleet, the result of
some highly important experiments on the value
of various methods proposed for enabling ships-of
war to resist shot. Ttiese experiments, he said,
were tried upon the side ot an oak-built trigate,
which was plated with iron in sections in various
ways. In one part was placed a sheet of wrought
iron four inches thick. Another part was covered
with iron four inches thick, but composed of seve
ral plates. There were also plates of iron cover
ed with India rubber ten inches thick, and various
other preparations. The frigate was fired upon
with 63 pounders, charged with ten pounds of
powder, and the result was that the four inch solid
wrought iron plate resisted every hall, and caused
them to break into dust, while ail the other
sheathings were shot through “as though they
were rotten eggs.”
Sir Gore Ousley's Mission to Nicaragua.
—lt is stated that Sir Mm. Gore Gusley is in
structed to relinquish to Nicaragua sovereignty
over Greytown and the Mosquito coast, at pre
sent under the British protectorate. This, howev
er. is not to be an unconditional surrender. The
j treaty to be negotiated provides for the protection
of the Indians, and also secure the vested rights
of British subjects. Metes aud boundaries are
described, within which the ludians have reserv
ed rights, somewhat similar to those of the North
Americau Indians within the territory of the
United States. They are also to have an annuity
secured them from the custom collected at Grey
town, which is to remain forever a free port, but
within the sovereignty of Nicaragua. All grants
of land made subsequent to January', ISSB, il not
over one square league, arc to be respected and
held valid by the new sovereignty. The Indians
are to have no power to sell their reservation, un
less it be to become merged in the Government ot
Nicaragua. The terms of the treaty securiug
these objects are cautiously worded. Great Bri
tain will only relinquish her protectorate alter
ample security iu the treaty covering these sever
al points.
Cincinnati, Nov. 10.—The Steamer Fulton
has been sunk near Buffington Island. The boat
and baggage are lost: aud twelvo steerage pas
sengers drowned.
One of tho severest criticisms ever pronounced
on an author, is that pronounced by the Atlantic
Monthly on a notorious usurper of a female sou
briquet. “If he will persist iu playing the part
of a woman,” says the Atlantic, referring to the
ettars of “Bell Brittan,” “let him bear in mind
that to be unmanly is not necessarily to bo woman
ly, aud that it does not follow that one writes like
a lady because he does not write like a gentleman.
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1858.
COLUMBUS, WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 17, 1858.
Opinions of Eminent Men in England on the i
Comparative Merits of the English and A her- ;
:cax Systems.—ln a speech before the Radnor- j
shire Agricultural Association, in Wales, by Sir i
John Walsh, a member of the English House of
Cpininous, aud whose opinions carry with them j
weight, utterance was given to the followiug j
comparison.
I believe that there is no greater mistake in pol- j
.ties than to identify those very different wards i
tad principles—to suppose that democracy and j
liberty are synonymous. [Cheers] Pure democ- j
racy is not liberty; wo have only to cross the At- j
-antic ami we see a state of society far more demo- •
rrtle than our own, but far less free. [Cheers]
Any man who has really had a practical acquain
.aueu with the working of that model republic
which is so lauded by theoretical democrats, must
the conclusion that it its not only a less
jcrfect sta£e of society, but a less free communitt
han England—[cheers]—that is action in less free j
xnd all, that its thought is less free, for on every :
side the natives of thal republic are enchained by !
he despotism of public opinion itself—the despo- |
.ismofthe inferior intellect dictating to the supe- j
uior. [Hear, hear, and cheers.]
- The principle assorted in the abow extract is j
generally considered, in this oountry, to be a po- j
iitical hcre&y. There is a great disposition to re- 1
gard whatever the majority may do as right, aud
hence,as rational liberty does not involve tho priv
ilege to do what is wrong, the popular idea exists
that liberty aud democracy are convertible terms, j
A more erroneous and dangerous doctrine never i
took root in a republican government. It is based J
upon an essentially erroneous assumption that
what a majority of a certain number of people
think upon a given question is right. Upon this
theory it would not be difficult to demonstrate the
orthodoxy of the most monstrous and diabolical
dogmas that ever cursed the earth with their per
nicious sway. There is uo great principle, in
science, politics or religion upon which the faith
of the world has not contained, and its practice
developed, more of error than of truth. Strike
the record of governmental crime and folly from the
page of history and the chief memoranda of the
world’s existence would be destroyed. Across the
dim ages, truth would occasionally send her stellar |
beam, but, only, to illustrate widely separated |
epochs.
It is to guard against this fatal proneness to er- ;
ror aud change that Constitutions are framed. It j
is to make durable certain principles which are
recognized at the foundations of Government* that
limitations upon the action of majorities are in
corporated in the fundamental laws of every free
people. While we will not admit the inference of
the speaker, from a Comparison of the two govern
ments, to be just, we do concede that there ia such
a thing as the despotism of a majority, and that
thin despotism is even more terrible and grinding
than any other, because it is wholly irresponsible.
Reward the Faithful.
That Mr. Peterson Thweatt has made the besi
Comptroller General we have ever had, says the
Macon Telegraph , is the just award which both
parties in Georgia have pronounced in favor of ]
this meritorious, industrious and faithful officer,
and we hope the present Legislature will*endorse
the verdict of the public by a substantial evidence
of its good opinion of Mr. Thweatt’s zeal in the
service of the State. Will not some member in
troduce a bill to increase the salary of the Comp
troller General at least nine hundred dollars ?
Sixteen hundred is tne present pay. ana is •
gether inadequate to the amount aud character of
the labor required to be performed. Mr. Thweatt s
reports have brought before the Legislature in
formation of great importance, and we think the j
Legislature will be doing an act of justice to give |
him twenty-five hundred dollars—if he had a j
wife we would double the sum.
■ Report of President Church.—We ;
I have recieved from a friend at Milledgeville, j
; the report of the venerable President of Frank
! lin College, made to tbeScnatus Academicus du- I
ring their recent session. It is written in a plain,
; straightforward style, and places its author
among the advocates for the establishment of a
! magnificent State University and a general ays- ;
t-in of common school instruction.
flggp*A large planter in Burke co., under date
of the 12th. writes u* :
“I have within the last few days seen a good ;
many of the cotton fields of Burk'', and T can as
sure you I have never seen them look so black so j
early in the season; in fact the crop is gathered j
and sent “to market.”— Sac. Republican.
The Opening of Congress.—Congress will !
meet on Monday, the 6rh of December next, and j
I already a number of members of Congress are
here. The new hall of the House of Representa
tives, as well as the old Senate chamber, is the
scene of busy preparation, and no little confusion,
on all the doors a placard has been placed warn
ing visitors ofpaint, and inside you see workmen
actively employed in tacking down the carpet, ar- ,
ranging the chairs and desks, and making every - ;
thing ready for the transaction of the nation’s j
business. The appearance of the hall has been
much improved since the adjournment of the last .
session. It is true that the carpet appears to be
somewhat worn and faded, but still that does not
mar the general effect.— Wash. Union.
tab correspondence states that the lead
ing men sanguinely expect the admission of the
territory into the Union as a State during the
next session of Congress for ISSS-‘59. They
claim a population of one hundred thousand, and
that the United States has no right to withhold a
State government.
Japan. —The treaty concluded with Japan by
Lord Elgin, is said to be almost identical with the
Ameircan treaty. One year after its ratification
five ports will be opened to English traders. Cot
ton and Woollen fabrics are only to pay a duty of
five per cent, of the declared valuo on importation.
Almost all other articles are to pay 20 per cent.
A resident minister is to be permitted at Jnbbo.—
Exports are to be subject to a duty of five per cent.
The Dutch hadyiot as yet succeeded in obtaining
the priviliges granted to other nations. During
Lord Elgin’s visit to Jabbo the Emperor was un
well, which was given as an excuse for his not
receiving his lordship. (
The Legislature of North Carolina met on the
inst. Two U. S. Senators, two Judges and :
tate officers have to be elected.
Kansas News— Favorable lleport s from the !
Gold Mines, (fee.— Leavenworth Tuesday Aon 9:— !
Per United States Express to Booneville, Movent- I
b er jo. Favorable accounts continue to arrive ;
from the gold regions. Seven men, of Georgia j
Company, took out SSOO in five days. Upwards
of six hundred wagons, bound to the mines, were
met last week between Fort Kearney and the
crossing of the Platte.
Arrivals from Utah report six inches of snow
on the Sweet Water, and ice an inch thick.
Twelve hundred Indian lodges were erected in the
vicinity. On the military road between this point
and Fort Laramie, the ludians are peaceable. j
m —
SEWAnn s ßevoi.ctio.naby Speech.—TheNew j
York Tribune thus ckareierizes the revolutionary ,
speech of Seward:
••With the iustiuct of a statesman, the speaker ,
discards all minor, temporary and delusive issues, |
aud treats only of what is final and essential.— j
Clear, calm, sagacious, profound aud impregnable,
showingmasterly comprehension of the present as
pects aud future prospects of the great question .
which now engrosses our politics, this speech will j
be pondered by every thoughtful man in the land,
i aud confirm the eminence so long maintained by
i its author.”
! MILLEDGE VILLE CORRESPONDENCE. !
Milledgkvillk, Nov. 15fh 1858. j
! The proceedings in the Senate to-day wero !
j principally confined to the passing of bills, some
I of a general and interesting nature, but the mail ;
! arrangements arc such as preclude the possibility of |
j s.-uding you a report of their proceedings until to- !
| morrow, there were no debates at all, and very few !
t remarks even were made, there being so many of ;
j the Senators in the House as left scarcely a quo- j
| rum in their chamber. A bill in relation to the ‘
i manumission of slaves, which had been made tho j
, special order for this day, was postponed, so were j
! some other bills of interest. Tito bill providing j
for annual elections was defeated by one vote.
There was unusual interest excited early in the j
morning, it having been understood that the j
Macon and Brunswick Railroad bill passed yes- |
t_rday, would to-day be re-considered, and long I
I before the hour for calling the House to order ar- j
| r.vud, the galleries as well as the floor wire crowd- j
! ed; “ladiesfair” lent their smiles to counteract j
the influence created by the murky atmosphere,
1 and the members by their attendance evinced the
general feeling of excitement in regard to State
j aid. The Hon. Speaker, Mr. Underwood being
1 absent on leave, Mr. Milledge took the Chair, and
presided over the House with dignity, aud to this
gentleman may be in part attributed the order
which wa* observed during the whole morning.
I Mr. Irwin of Wilkes, rose. I gave notice to the
; House that I would move a re-consideration of the
j bill passed yesterday lending the credit of the j
j 6uue to the Macon fc Brunswick Railroad. If I !
can gam the attention of the House, I propose to
show that this bill is based upon nothing so far as
we know, but the credit of irresponsible stock
holders. The gentleman portrayed so beautifully
the bay and country surrounding Brunswick, that
I eegplm st imagine myself looking out upon its
bronrexpanse of waters. The gentleman said
that his section was true and loyal io the South,
and I believe, sir, a* he stated, nli his constituents
would take up arms against a common enemy. I
have yet to learn, sir. that although the sun still
lends its beuiticeut rays to gladden the waters of
Brunswick Bay, and though they sparkle in the
placid beams of the moou, that this, the best Buy
on the Southern Atlantic claims the aid of the
State to the Macon fc Brunswick Roilroad. I
come now to the discussion of this question : If I
am correctly informed, it takes 815,000 or $20,000
a mile to build a road; at this rate it would take
three millions of dollars to build the road. Now,
j sir,deduct then SBOO,OOO, and the State would have
| to endorse bonds to the amount 0f51,100,000, and
the company borrow tho same amount. Under
the mast favorable circumstances, and considering
it the most profitable enterprise that has ever been
started, it would take the company fifty years, at
a liberal calculation, to pay up this amount. But,
sir, they propose to pay their bouds iu twenty
years, it cannot be done. What then would be
s he consequences ? The State would have to step
forward and pay these bonds. I* there any pro
vision made for this? They say that if the bouds
are not paid, why the road and equipments .shall
be sold at public outcry, how much would the
road bring under the hammer of the Sheriff?—
Not 10 cents on the dollar. What would be the
consequence ? why, sir, the State would have to
step forward and pay for the road, and she would
then own another Road. One section of this Bill
says that the individual property of the stock hold
ers would be mortgaged to the State. The Su
preme Court has decided that when a charter ex
pires, the debts due to and form the corporation ex
pire with it, then when the road becomes bankrupt
the charter is at an end. Now who are the stock
holders ? Who will they be 20 or 50 years hence ?
The men who originally subscribe, or may they
not be men of straw—besides only SBOO,OOO will
he owned by private individuals. Will gentlemen
run this risk of prostrating the credit of the State ?
They say that the State will be secured- Twenty
(inference between States ami ImlTvi luala. I call
the attention of the House to the motto of our
State Wisdom, Justice cunt Moderation,” let
gentlemen bear this in mind. Look at the Geor
gia and Central Railroad*. Did they have State
aid? and look at tlmm now ! To lend aid to this
railway, sir, would be injustice. Suppose a pri
vate individual to have built a mill or factory on
a stream in his own county, would it be just and
right for the State to ruin nis enterprise by build
ing another ? Would it be just or wise to lend
aid to an enterprise, which will ruin another, one
gotten by individual energy aud industry? Look
at your beautiful Savannah, the empire city of
your empire State. Look at the millions she aas
contributed to the developement of our resour
ces in building the Central Railroad. Look, sir,
at the Georgia Road, an individual enterprise.—
Shall the Scale be so unjust as to lend aid and
uuiid roads to injure the industrious citizens ol
Savannah and Augusta, who never asked State
nd, sir. Let every tub stand on its own bottom;
.et this road be built, sir, by individual industry
aud enter prize.
Our State has progressed rapidly. Let us move
on as we have done, by sure aud steady means,
and difficulties may arise. Commercial crises
may spread over the country, and our State wilt
be enabled, like the sturdy the forest, whose
roots have expanded aud winch have grown with
us growth, and strengthened with its strength, to
de y t e wuiriwiud and the storm. But if we
take a backward step, retrace our steps and em
bark iu these enterprises, Georgia will be placed
in a condition where her faith and credit will be
; liable at any moment to prostration. Let u*
stand as we are, and move forward by reguiar and
uniform steps by that wise and well founded pro
! gross which alone can make us prosperous and
nappy.
Mr. Walker of Henry : There is nothing flowery
about me. I know nothing but what I have learn
ed from observation, aud I am in favor of giving
aid to those poor boys of Southern Georgia. 1
! have no doubt if you will give them aid, open a
J market for their produce they yrili work, Sir. The
j gentleman don’t want to give State aid. 1 have
I been in Savannah fc Augusta, but they never work
more than two hours a day Sir, that s not the
way I was raised Sir. I say help em Sir, and it
wifi be like a grain of mustard seed Sir, it will
| take root in the 27-foot waters of Brunswick bay,
j and grow and wax strong sir. 1 shall vote against
; reconsidering the Bill.
! Mr. Howard of Muscogee, If I had known on
’ Saturday that there would have been no opposi
tion, I snouid have attempted to give some rea
| sons in opposition to the bill. I do not feel
i that I should do my duty were 1 to keep quiet,
when the State is on the eve of inaugurating so
j dangerous a principle. The gentleman from Glynn
i .Mr. Speaker, in his eloquent speech of Saturday
showed a good knowledge of human natur •. 1
honor those who used their influence for the devel-
I opment. of Cherokee Georgia, why ? because there
was no hope that, that country would ever be de
veloped by individual enterprise. The gentleman
from Glynn said that the 12 counties through
which the road will pass, pay 1-1 Oth of the taxes of
the State, if they do this they have the means, and
only want the energy to build the roau and devel
ops their resources: but the gentleman from
Glynn stopped by the way side to cull flowers of
rhetoric to adorn aud beautify his eloquent ad
dress. It is the same with individuals as with
States. If you wish to tie their hands, all you have
to do Sir is to involve them in debt. I know not
whether my bones will repose in the soil of this my
native State, but I shall carry with me wherever I
go nothing but the love of Georgia enshrined iu
my “heart of hearts’ aud a desire other good.
I have been told that the building of this road
j will benefit my native city Columbus, but I ean
j not allow a love of section to influence my love for
j the whole State, and should we aid this enterprise
] wc would have to aid in others and there would
! be no end to State aid. I am opposed to the Bill
! upon these grounds.
Mr. Kenan, I have the highest regard for tho
j city of Macon, for the Section and for this enter
prise ; but I am opposed to leuding State aid to
; any private enterprise.
The learned gentlemen from Glynn mistook the
‘ views of Ex-Gov. Johnson. It is truo that both
Governors Johnson aud Brown have vaguely
hinted at the idea of State aid, but that wag to
aid the State and not a section. I voted for State
aid to the State Road, hut then we had a redun
dant Treasury arid I only voted tor excess iu
tho treasury, but I am told that in doing ibis, I
allied myself to that side of the question. I deny
1 this fact. Am I by that vote bound to tax my
! people for.every enterprise asking State aid—l
I voko the spirits of Jackson, ot Jefferson and \1 ash-
I ton. Let me read their opinions on the subject of
; national debt. (Mr. K., read several articles.) —
1 They held that the highest good of the State ex
! isted in a freedom from debt.
If a gentleman living in Slacon or on the line
j of this road says he will not subscribe, where have
; you the right to tax him. thus making him aid in
j it whether he wishes it or not, I tell you, Repre
sentatives if you pass this Bill you must pass tho
Eiijav and Air Line Bills, but Macon alone is able
I to build this road if she needs it, the others are !
| not similarly situated, and I should vote to aid
j them, before I should to aid this one. Because I
voted that the State should become a joint owner
; to the amount of $120,000 in the Milledgeville <k
I Gordon Road I am bound to vote in aid of this.
L <ok at the difference, the State owns property
’ here, aud individuals had subscribed $175,000.
1 The power of the Representative to tax his peo
i pie for a general purpose, is different from taxing
j them to aid in apYivate enterprise. Arc they sy
nonymous? Did voting the surplus funds in the
■ Treasury of Georgia to aid the development of
i Cherokee Georgia, commit me to vote for the eu
| terprize now? This bill Is inaugurating anew
and great principle. Brunswick has; hud two
. Railroad charters,. What has been the coase
; quenee? Has she built her roads? They have
! languished and died. Still, a few years ago when
j Brunswick appealed for aid, we said let us do the
I same for that us for the other portions of Goorgiu,
i and wo voted the State a joiut owner in the Main
I Trunk Road as a feeder. What Hid Brunswick
| promise? She promised to build approaching
I roads; but, sir, having done no such thing, she is
: back hero in two years, asking the State to build
I her a road which will not aid the State in general
j but only Brunswick. Now if they get this ehar
| ter with State aid. what will they do? Why com
mence at Brunswick, and build up a gap of forty
miles, which w ill connect them with the Main
Trunk, and that is their object. The prudence of
our Executives has so far restrained the expendi
tures. Why not submit the question to the peo
ple. and see if they are in favor of taxing them
selves to bulid the Road, and lend State aid to
private enterprises?
Mr. Hardeman; I have not time to cull flowers
by tho wayside; hut 1 wish to present the true
features of the bill. I would ask the gentleman
from Wilkes, if the State is not secured why he
Hid not secure it. But sir, the State is secured.—
First by the road and secondly by the property
of the Stockholders. Gentlemen say this road
is to break down the State road, to break down
Savannah. Two years ago gentlemen from Chat
ham opposed a State aid till the Main Trunk
was turned towards Savannah, and how different
ly they aeted. We want money, we don't care
what name you give it—State aid or not. The
►State will be beneiitted by the road; it will devel
op this portion of the State. Let the State give
ussßoo,ooo or $1,900000 and become a copartner.
The road will induce Competition, and by lower
ing freights enhance the return of products to the
producer. The history of Railroads is that capi
tal and population follow iu their line. 1 would
not pluck one laurel from the brow of Savannah.
One seaport is not enough. Cotton is piled up
all over her streets, and she can’t accommodate
the growing business. Mr. Hardeman alluded to
the fall in the price of Cotton when yellow fever
broke out in 1854. (Did cotton remain at the
same figure during that season, when other South-
ern cities were similarly afflicted?) Mr. Harde
man thought cotton enough went to Savannah
from the way stations on tho Central Railroad,
and that building this road would lower the Tate
of freight on the Central R. R., and so benefit
Cherokee Georgia by opaning another market for
her wheat and mineral ores. He was evidently in
favor of having an opposition to tho Central Rail
Road, fcc.
Mr. Gordon followed Mr. Hardeman. To-mor
row we will send a continuation of the debate.
After Mr. Gordon and the gentleman from
Gwinnett, a question arose in regard to who should
have tho 'Concluding speech. Mr. Milledge made
the decision which was confirmed by the House.
file afternoon session has been long and stormy
—they are still at it. We will try to do justice to
all concerned in to-morrow’s letter of this after
noon’s proceedings. R. G.
COLUMBUS, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 185S.
State Aid in the Legislature
In our issue of yesterday, we presented our rea
ders with speeches on the above subject, from
Messrs. Irwin, of Wilkes, Howard, of Muscogee,
and Kenan of Baldwin, in opposition, and Messrs.
Walker, of Henry, and Hardeman of Bibb, in fa-
Tei\TfasTurulshecTftie speeches of Messrs. Gordon,
of Chatham, and Colquitt of Baker, on tho one
side, and Mr. Harris, of Glynn, on the other.—
Messrs. Hardeman and Harris, are the mostproip
iuout champions of the measure. The former is a
gentleman of undoubted talents, and makes a skil
ful and energetic debater. The latter has won
considerable reputation by his eloquence, and
lias, at Least, captivated the reporters.
Their opponents, however, are fully equal to
them in abiiitity and have the immense advan
tage of being on the right side of the question.—
The remarks of Mr. Irwin, which appeared in our
paper, yesterday, were forcible and unanswerable.
He comprehended the material points embraced in
the question, and presented them with clearness
and vigor, without any of the confusing concomi
tants, impertinent adjuncts of rhetorical nonsense.
Ho was followed on the next day by Messrs Gor
don & Colquitt, both, gentlemen of ability and
earnestness, whose sound views and impressive
utterance must have contributed largely’ to induce
the House to review its previous action. We are
truly gratified that such has been the result of tho
discussion. Not that we are unfriendly to the in
terests of Macon or Brunswick. On the contrary,
if we could be brought to sanction the principle
and approve the policy’ of State aid, we arc free to
say that we should prefer to see that road, above
any other of which mention has been made,reap the
benefit of its application. But we are gratified,
because a system, which we believe to be wrong
in principle and dangerous in practice, and which
we feared had already won its way to favor, had
thus received the seal of reprobation from the rep
resentatives of the people.
MILLEDGEVILLE CORRESPONDENCE.
Milledgeville, Nov. 16.
HOUSE.
The question being a motion to reconsider the
action of the House in relation to the Macon &
Brunswick Railroad Bill, Mr. Gordon, of Chatham
obtained the floor aud said :
He had forborne speaking upon this or any
other question which had been defeated at the
last session of this Legislature from the convic
tion that the people never intended us to consume
the time in the discussion of issues already voted
upon. The langaage of the constitution admits
the legality of our present organization by the use
of the word session. This is a different session
but the same Legislature. It was never intended
that we should come to Milledgeville, remain for
ty days, draw mileage and pay, discuss aud de
feat important measures, and then one year after
wards return, draw pay and consume the entire
term in discussing the identical measures of the
year before. But this House has acted upon a
different principle, and were doing little less than
fighting over the tights of the last session. Iu
view of the faot that the bill now before us had
been lost at the last session, it became the duty ot
everv man whose opposition to the Bill was found
ed upon principle, to give a reason for the faith
that was in him. His opposition was based upou
principle, and therefore, he asked the indulgence
of the House fora few moments. The gentleman
from Bibb, (Mr. Hardeman,; bail argued with
great vehemence the utter inability of the City of
■Savannah to meet the demands of the trade which
poured iu upou her, aud pointed to the Cotton
now lying in her Streets, unable to be shipped for
want of commercial facilities. lie could show the
fallacy of this position before he sat down, but he
wished toeall attention to the .inconsistency of the
gentleman who hud asserted in the House, that
the Macon A Brunswick road would benefit Sa
vannah. Mr. Gordon argued this latter proposi
tion. Macon was as near Savannah by that road
as she was to Brunswick. With the capital and
advanced age of the former, he had no doubt the
building of that road would enure to her benefit.
But he asked, if Savannah could not now ship oft
her produce, how could he advocate a road which,
by his own showing, would increase receipts at
Savannah. There was au inconsistency sorne
wbero.
For himself, (Mr. G,) was glad to show by his
vote, that notwithstanding his constituents might
secure a portion of the benefits of this donation,
he aud his people were governed by principles of
right aud justice. He was glad to shew that he
was governed by conscientious convictions of
right.” lie said that the restrictions of the Bill
which were supposed to make the State secure,
amounted to uothing. The bill was cunningly
and adroitly drawn ; it had a dozen doors by
which Stockholders might escape. The sinking
fund of 2 per cent wass2o,ooo per annum: it wuulu
take fifty years to make up the amount of endorse
ment. The bonds fell due in twenty years; who
was to pay the State? The friends of the Bill
profess to have put in all conditions required by
the Message of Gov. Brown. Not so. The Go%
ernor said expressly 7 , the system must be univer
sal to meet his approval, and he called upon the
friends of the Bill to go back into Committee and
amend their bill to that effect. But, grant that
the restrictions are perfect one of two things is
true. Either the Stockholders are able to build
without aid, or ilioßill is a deception. Any per
sons who will take stock under such restrictions
cau build the entire road. The gentleman from
Glynn said that the counties along the line of the
road pay 1-1 Otk of the tax of Georgia. If so. they
do. not need help. Mr. Gordon entered into a his
tory of said Roads iu Georgia, and showed at
what cost the men of “36-had instituted a system,
now perfect. The people of Middle and Southern
Georgia then agreed io tax themselves to build
the State road, and to build branch roads to the
Georgia terminiff. They did both. The ques
tion now was simply, whether, after individual
enterprise had Guilt a costly road, the State
would step in and give oue million dollars
to this road. This is the question and the princi
ple. The Central R. R. had been built with
out a dollar of State aid: The Brunswick Road
will he its direct rival. If the latter can be built,
he it so; but let the Stockholders, and not the
State, build it. If this Bill is passed, what prin
ciple do y’ou publish to the youth of Georgia ? In
effect, you say, the day of labor is over, bare not
your arm to work, trust not to industry, enter
prise and honest effort as your fathers did, but
educate yourselves to the science of log rolling,
train yourselves to the profession of begging, and
trust to the State Treasury and not to yourselves.
He objected to the method of this loan. If the
loan is to be made do it like men ; put your hands
iuto the coffers of the State now, tax yourselves
note. He had witnessed many hard struggles by
the fathers of this State to lay up competences for
their children, Ac. But never before had he wit
nessed such a spectacle as that be.ere him, where
a congregation of fathers, nay, the guardians of
the State, were solemnly striving osa Idle upon
their posterity a ruinous and onerous burden. Our
children were to tax themselves to pay this debt.
For one, he could not approve the measure. He
concluded, by invoking the spirit of justice to
temper and restrain the wild schemes ol mistaken
progress.
Mr. Pickett of Gilmer, should indulge in no
fancy sketches. Mr. P. made a few remarks iu
favor of State aid, but preferred to hear from the
gentlemau^rom Glynn. The rules were suspend
ed ; the house adjourned to 3. P. M.
Mr. Glass of Newton, opened the discussion of
the afternoon. Mr. G. was opposed to .State aid
in a Speech which did him credit. He said, that
had he believed Mr Hill to be in favor of State aid,
a* much as he respected and loved him, be
would have voted against him, if he had been the
only man in Georgia who did it.
Mr. Smith of Towns, went in to the details of the
bill, and as his Speech covered substantially the
same grounds as other* iu favor of it, we omit
tho remarks, not meaning, however, by this, to do
any injustice to Mr. S., who always speaks well
and to the point.
Mr. COLQUITT said:
Were he to consult his personal interests or be
governed by his sympathies, lie would be content
that Ihe bill on the table should be transmitted to
the Senate with the announcement that it had
passed the House; but the instincts of self inter
eresfc, and the promptings of sympathy, though
safe as guides in business and social life, are mi
safe when admitted into public counsels, life had
no particular animosity to this meaauie. If ii
stood alone he would remain silent, but in iff
track were following an innumerable company o.
like measures. Should we not resist the first and
all. In all our legislation, we should act upon
an enlarged principle, the principle of equal jus
tice. If we subscribe to this undertaking, where
shall we stop? What company shall we deny?—
What work shall we refuse to aid? Will you aid
every road of equal extent? every road 170 miles
in length? one hundred miles long? sixty? thirty?
twenty? If we do not shall we not lie justly
chargeable with injustice? Pass this bill, and no
man can calculate the number, of similar appli
cations we shall have at this and the ensuing ses
sion. Will we stop with railroads and oorpora
w?io arc srrrrn<?~rjy reason or mcir tnmm-, ***•■-re
fuse individuals who are weak and unable to do
but little? Is it not rather the duty of govern
ment, if it aids at all, to aid the weak? Couid we
oppose such applications? There is below this
city an immense swamp, which if drained and
saved from the inundations of the river, would,
lam told, equal in fertility the richest bottoms ol
the Mississippi. At present it is worthless and
pays nothing by way of tax into the Treasury.
Why not lend the aid of the State to the proprie-.
tors that they may bring it iuto cultivation, Aug
ment their property, increase tho lax, aud to that
extent develop the resources of the State? ‘there
were many of his acquaintances who would haar
with satisfaction that the State had become a
money lender and that without usury. Here is
one who owns SUOU acres of pine land—unclear
ed and uncultivated it is worth only one dollar
an acre. He proposes to clear it and make a
farm upon it, which will increase its value to ten
dollars; he will put upon it one hundred negroes
brought from Virginia, and increase the wealth oi
the State that much—he will erect a steam mill,
furnish lumber to his neighbor* and the county,by
which they make improvements and increase their
taxable property; and.to effect all these desirable
objects, all he wishes is the bonds of the State
payable at twenty years, with interest, and ii
he fails to pay interest aud principal, he will turn
over laud aud negroes to the State. \\ ill you la
vor his application? This is said to be an ex
treme ease, and that we should limit the principle
by exercising a wise discretion. Do the support
ers of this measure and others of a kindred cha
racter, impose such a limit upon themselves? Are
not the friends of this bill the friends of every
similar bill? Is there a Representative who will
vote for aid to this road that will not vote lor aid
to any other road? I ask for a reply. No re
sponse. What do we see here? When a proposi
tion of this kind is before us, is not an appeal
made to tiie friends of the system to “come up,Tor
if the system fails, they will fail t<> get aid for
their particular section; ‘ ami if there should be
an impracticable section, whose votes and influ
ence arc needed, how easy i3 it to run a little
out there and hush all disturbance? By such ar
rangements and combinations, each project,
though weak in itself, is strong by reason of its
union with others, and receives its pass-port by
the company it keeps. There was noi a member
who would not repel the influence of local inter
ests and sectional feelings, but such are the de
coipts of the human heart that they insensibly in
fluence us. We should discard such kclings, we
should scrutinize our motives lest ihe tempting
baits that are held out to our cupidity may lead
us from the discharge of our duty. There was a
moral and keen insight into human nature iu that
saying of the man of Pella; that “an ass laden
with gold will find his way through the gates of
the strongest city.”
If such be the extent to which this principle
will be carried, ought we not to pause before we
adopt it? Mr. Calhoun once observed that the
points of resistance in the animal and vegetable
kingdoms, lay upon the surface; and he instanced
the skin of animals and the bark ol trees—one*/
penetrated and the heart was soon reached. The
same is true of moral and political questions—a
principle once infracted, it is almost impossible to
repair the breach. •
We have had glowing descriptions of the value
of Railroads. They advance the value of lands—
diminish the price of transportation—disseminate
wealth and intelligence—build yp towns —popu-
late cities and in thepoetie language of the Repre
sentative from Glynn (Mr. Harris) fill the tranquil
Sleeping waters of our sea-ports with teeming fleets.
This was the splendid illusion which charms and
captivates. The beauty of the picture deludes
our judgments. Pleasure has ever been portray
ed by poets and painters as clothed with smiles
and adorned with jewels ; but those who are se
duced by her blandishments enter the snare of the
fowler and become a ruin ere they are aware of it.
Mr. C. was not unfriendly to Railroads. He could
behold with as much delight as the advocates of
this measure, mountains levelled and valleys filled
up; but the question was, how and by whom.
the proposition of this bill aud others was that
the several companies upon completion of a certain
number of miles of railway should mortgage the
same to the state and receive bonds at the rate of
seven thousand dollars per mile. The projectors say
with this aid they will build their roads. That is
questionable. There may be accidents, failure
aud misfortunes. The funds may fall short.—
The stock-holders may become alarmed aud aban
don the enterprise. Many of the projects stimu
lated into existence by the hope of aid will be wild
add visionary and will fail of themselves. What
will be the result ? Incomplete roads will be
thrown upon the State at a dead loss—or ii com
pleted it will be done by direct appropriations.—
Should the roads be constructed the State wiil is
sue her bouds at $701)0 per mile. There being five
hundred miles or thereabout of rail-way now in eon
templation as will be seen by the bills introduced
here, bouds will be issued for three million five
hundred thousand dollars payable twenty years
henceand bearing interest fr--m date. The compa
nies say they will pay the interest a* it becomes j
due. Will they doit? How? From the nett |
PEYTON H. COLQ.TJITI, ) Editorg
JAMES W. WARREN, S ’
Number 46
earnings of the road? Muchas had been said
about the profits of rail-roads in Georgia there is
not one known to him that had paid an average of
7 per cent from the date of its construction.
The Central Railroad, that great monopoly which
in the figurative language used here bad usurped
the power and commerce of the State had not paid
six percent. The State road running through a
region rich in minerals and agriculture'find bear
ing off on its track not only the ore of tlic moun
tains aud the products of the soil that lie on its
;ine hut supported by a country as rich beyond,
had not paid one cent on the cost of its con
• rruction.
Ifow n. nv of :he roads to be built under the
system p p- -. *i will do tiny better? If they uo
not pay the interest, at the expiration of twenty
years, w ; hull have an indebtedness of 10 or 12
.niUior.s of dollars exclusive of the present debt.
•Vill you visit such a burden upon our children
and those who follow us ? If, however, contrary
to the experience of every road in Georgia they
should be ; >i< io meet the installments of intcr
■st as i hey become due—the principal sum of three
million* five hundred thousand dollars will re
main to be paiil they will not hove a dollar to
meet it. “mm State then must pay it. For reim
oursemen; the roads will he sold by the Shtrifi at
public outcry, Or be taken by the State as Tm*
property. What they will bring ot a forced sale
no man can tell. They * will go at an immense
sacrifice every body knows. If the State takes
them they will be an expense rather than a pay
ment of her bonds. In any event the State los
es. There were those who looked with indiffer
ence on a large public debt and avowed that taxes
were imp riant to preserve the allegiance of tffe
people, -h’ claimed no sympathy with any such
doctrine. Who of the Representatives here did
not hail w ;h gratification ihe announcement umue
in the Governor’s Message that she credit of Geor
gia si nod prdeminent among her sister States.—
Will on icstroy ii ? Will you break it down by
flood ’ng t very market, town and city with her
bonds? Let ns preserve her character* Let us
present t< ihe world for once the rare spectacle of
a St;;fc v si in resources, boundled in wealth, and
without • ilMlar of debt \ Mr. C. referred to the
injustice h; t would be done to the Central'rail
road if; .* . ’ tales liould unite in building a ccmpe
•iug ron !. C. 11. R. was built at great, expense at a
lime wh :: rail roads were an experiment* and
when ih to was uo outlet Uwthe sea. A few en
lorprisi.jg men embarked their all in it, life, labor,
capital were spent in iis construction. Will you
lay the strong arm of tho government upon it ?
Let private enterprise build a competing road if it
vill, b: ihe .Slate should take no pin t. He re
gretted to bear insinuations that members acted
tore under Savannah influence. He was indiffer
ent as to the motives to him. lie would
not be worthy of a seat on the floor, or the respect
of gentlemen if he could be driven from the con
scientious oLobarge of duty by the fear of such a
.suspicion. Os Savannah he knew but little, of her
citizens he knew but little, lie had ho doubt they
were generom- and hospitable, it was a city ofGeor
gia and he proud to say that there was no city
.North or : mii.of the same population aud wealth
that in building roads, opening communication in
the outlay of capital and enterprise had done so
much.
Allusions had been made to this measure.in
connection with the rights of the. South. The
gentlemen from Glynn advocated it as a Southern
Rights measure—The gentlemen from Lumpkin
rallied the Union men to the cry. It was a proud
day for Georgia when on a measure purporting to
have for'one ofits objects, the defence of her honor
and interests past feuds arc forgotten—past ani
mosities. and.Southern Rights and Union men
•shall 10. k their shields in a common cause. Many
think the day not distent when we shall be com
pelled to seek under our State Government a ref
uge from ihe usurpations and wrongs of a federal
Legislature. If we would prepare for the emer
gency—if we would he ready when the day comes,
let us husband our resources —let us gather up our
scattered energies—that, when the devouring de
mon walks abroad, clothed with the mantle and
armed with the sceptre of power and stimulated
by t lit; insatiable ‘spirit of fan atavism, %e may
arise like the Eagle renewed in his strength and
drive him hack bowling from our borders.
lie never deluded any man, upon the hustings, or
any-where else.
Who does not know (lint in 1833, we passed
through a trying ordeal? Then we had entered on
no great system <•!’internal improvement. Then tho
principle of mtem&l improvement received its first
impulse. Ho read from the message of Govenor
Lumpkin. He woufd try the gentleman from
Baldwin by his own record. He read from the
Journal of M 34.
Mr. Kenan rose to explain.
Mr Harris had no objection to the position of the
gentleman in 1834. Though* toe was right then
wrong now. Ue read from the journal of the
House in 1835. Georgia’s geographical position
makes her the empire tstatc of the South; the key
stone of the arch. He intended to show that ;he
gentleman from Baldwin had voted for State Aid.
He read from the journal of 1835. Is this anew
loctrlne? lie read from the journal ol 1836. lie
read from the journals of several previous Legis
latures, showing that the State aided in numerous
railroad enterprises. These were days, when no
pigmies sat on this floor, He was accused to-day,
>i traveling oul of his way to cull flowers to be
deck the brow of II V Johnson—he needed no in
cense of his, on his altar. His monument is in the
hearts of his countrymen. lie spoke of Messrs
Toombs and Stephens in highly complimentary
terms.
He was a representative from the first congress
ional District, lie knew he represented that Dis
rrict, when he asked for State Aid ; lie came here to
represent the whole State of Georgia, lie was too
good a brother in law to the Methodistjchurch to
misstate a fact. He read from the Message of
Gov. Johnson. YVe ask you this day to lend ns
your aid to make the very connection Gov. J.
recommends. As the gentleman from Henry said,
he would now produce a “battering ram.” Ho
read from Gov. Brown’s Message. This bill was
framed in accordance with his recommendations.
Why is it that, these objections were blown away
from the great minds of the Representatives of the
Bth Congressional District, aud your Senator in
Congress.
\V here does this opposition come from ? the Cen
tral Railroad: must the interest of 10,000 voters
be sacrificed to this juggernaut of the Central Rail
road. The building of the Main Trunk has in
creased the facilities of that portion of the State.
He spoke of the Road from Charleston to Savan
nah. He spoke of the connection of the Railroads
at Columbus and Augusta carrying our exports
to Charleston.
We tried to 101 l owl he train of Mr. Harris’ re
marks. till forced by his eloquence and the late
ness of the hour, dark coming on, we sat so en
tranced that we forgot our business. We reiter
ate our remarks of Saturday, with the additional
one. that in our judgment, he has more popular
oratory than any man in the House.
Mr. Irwin of M iikes, explained his position
this morning—asked gentleman not to be carried
away by the oratory of the gentleman lrom
Ulvnn. He Mr. I* had not argued *bo principle
of State Aid—he had only spoken of this partic
ular bill. He stated in bis place on Saturday, and
agaiu this morning, that the security placed upon
the bill was not worth the paper upon which it
was written —pass this bill and it will take Gov
ernor Brown and all the men who will follow him,
to bunt down these broken stockholders. In the
name of all the patriots you have invoked, we beg
you to reconsider this bill and let the proper re
strictions be put upon it, £</., Ac.
Mr. Irwin sat down, and cries of the question
were heard from all quarters. Such a moment of
suspense: we have seldom seen. Friends aqd op
ponents alike afraid of the rcsnlt.
The yeas were 74—nays 03. So the motion to
reconsider prevailed.
The House adjourned to 10 o’clock to-morrow
morning.
In closing our report of these debates wc beg so
say that if we have misstated any member
shall be glad and ready to correct the error. It
we hare not given as full synopsis of their speech
es as would have been desirable we beg them to
attribute that, to the “fault of “ur head and not
our heart.” The debates were long and stormy
and it is generally conceded that the speeches of
yesterday were on the whole the best delivered
in the House since the days of those great men,
Colquitt, Cooper and BlacK. R G.
A genuine sou of the Emerald Isle, finding only
in attendance upou his proposed lec
(iire’made the following address: “Ladies and
gentlemen, as there is nobody here, I’ll dismiss
you all. The performances of tjii.- night will not
be performed, but they icill be repeated to-morrow
evening.”
Good-Bve, Filibusters !—.Gen. Walker was
here last Saturday and left that night by rail for
Mobile. lie is more confident, apparently, than
wo have ever seen him, and believes that neither
British nor Yankee cruisers will molest him.
Ho expected to sail to-day, or at farthest, to
morrow, for Nicaragua.— Montgomery Hail,
Nov. 16.