Standard of union. (Milledgeville, Ga.) 183?-18??, August 13, 1839, Image 2

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Fromt'w Boston Weekly Times. A MANUFACTURING POPULATION. In our list We stated tint the girls in the Lowell facto- . ties are ill fed, according to the labor required of them; ' nnd that thev stiffer in health in consequence. W e also ( •unposed lite question to beaked, why they did not leave the works, nnd go home, if they were so badly used tn | that respect. A question to that effect we are prepared, to answer. When the Merrimack mills were first put tn operation,be- , •ides the workmen employed from Europe, the proprietors , had to relv upon such girls as they could obtain to attend j their looms and spinning machinery. Girls gradually came | in from the suriounding country—daughters of fti mers j aud mechanics. They were genetally poor, but of un blemished reputations ; giilsot pure characters and ha.iHs, and able to live bv various occupations, though the high | wages of the Factories, with the low price of board, was an inducement to them to engage in that employment. Then all was well. The poor found nothing to con opt them. They did m ike money. Provisions were much cheaper than since, and they tai ed better; ami ior along) time the girls seemed to bo healthy and happy. I hey , dressed handsomely, ami preferred the light, though con fining labor of the'mill, as their own mistresses, to the p c . ■ cupation of sempstresses ot servants in families not their own. The fact soon became generally known. It was told in th* papers; and, from all parts of Ne’v England, girls flocked into Lowell, as new Factories. we,,c erected, all anxious to share in the independvr.t V.to, and handsome profits of tending a loom. Soy.ie of these, from time to time, having saved a considerable portion of their earnings, which, to the skilful and expert were great, retired to their homes, and quitted the onsiness altogether. To them it was a blessing. O.'ners adhered to the business,squander ed in dross and in eating and drinking more than they Could afford, so that they were compelled, as it were, to stick to the mills, be the consequences what they might. They were to be sure, independent, so tar that they could change from one mill to another, but they had no means of leaving the place entirely; or if they could get away, it would lie in poverty, with no occupation or resource. In the course of time, knowing this profitable occupa tion, there became a great desire on the part of poor pa rents to put their daughters, 14, 15, or 16 years < t age in to the factories, and still the supply did not equal the de mand; and men have been employee an ! paid by toe fac tories to scour the, upper country in New H ampshire, 1 er mont, and Canada, to bring down girls, without expense to them, if thev would engage in the mills. Thus from far and near,camo a population of females, for the most part yoi ng, entirely dependent on the mills for a living. Some of them probably had no home to go to, if thev left Lowell, and others, ot a shiftless character, cared not for the morrow, and plodded on, earning and •pending with equal disregard of their future wilt :re. In the midst of this w< re constant changes. Many who saw the evils of their condition would not submit ;O then’; others, who were not absolutely obliged to work, retreat to the domestic occupations ot their own homes, finding that servility, ill-health, starvation, and corruption were the common accompaniments ot lab')’ in a f ictory. Still enough more accumulated to turni<!» a permanent sup ply of a considerable portionof lent al’,. 1 .borers. During the spring and fall it is »’,ot uncommon for one hundred girls to ariive and denari. f rom Lowell every day, for weeks together. The numbers in the factories will average about the same ; bat, with the exception of that portion which miv be <. ailed permanent, the individuals change often. This tluctuating portion is composed of many of desultory habits and character, or of those who comets try an experiment, and retreat in disgust, because thev are not bound bv necessity. The nature of the case shows, at once, that the perma nent number of female laborers must increase gradually •nd steadily, in proportion to those who are able to retire at pleasure; because of the constant influx a certain portion will be incapable of getting away with advantage, and will settle down into the life of a factory gitl without hope of change. The number, therefore, that actually depend upon the factories, is constantly increasing ; and, being dependant, so that they cannot go from one null to another without an honorable discharge, (according to the agree ment of the agents) they must obey the orders and submit to the rules of the corporation by which they’ are employ ed. Tliev become gradually reduced in character, from a •lavish dependence, till they, in the course of some years, forgot the associations of the world at large, and form what we call a distinct, peculiar, manufacturing population, which cannot go back to the occupations of domestic lile, and are unfitted by habit, debility, and general character, /or the duty of wives and mothers. After a sufficient time had elapsed from the commence ment, perceiving 'hat a large number of girls could be re lied upon to remain and work, because they could do nothin- else, the corporations by agreement, and simulta neously, reduced the wages--the same operat.on has taken place once since. On the first jetaston was tio c< e ira ied turn out, when a vast number of guls went md.gnam it • r r( . •uaincd; some of ly home. A great many of conrso ,( ’ the recusants came back, and new hands we.* c g o! , 10,11 ■ovary portion of the country. We do not find fault with the Corporations for i’ediK 'ng the prices of wages. They have a right to doit, in all proper and reasonable cases. The point to be made here is, that the tendency of such establishments is to accumu late round them a mass of people entirely dependent upon them forsupport, that they cannot go away ami must be subservient to any prices that may be offered, 01 to any rules that may be imposed. If this tendency is not coun teracted by the philanthropy and good management of tho«e controling the movements of the institution, girls will constantly be taken ycung and in health, and when they have learned the management of some portion of the business, thev will remain, to plod through a weary life, without health, education, or any other happiness or use fulness than may be gaineef from the same daily routine in the mill. In point of education, the factory girl who goes young to the mill, and children who grow up in the towns where factories are located, must always be sufferers. The cu pidity of parents induces them to place their offspring in one establishment as soon as possible. The law requires that they shall have at least three months schooling in each year, until they arrive at a certain age, and the corpora tions are liable to punishment if any child is employed by them the whole time. But this law is evaded by the cru el and mercenary owners of the children, who keep them nine months in one factory, and then lake them directly to another, with a lie in their mouths, that the children have had three months schooling. Nine months in this factory, fits them to go back to their old situation, and when the mills are short of hands, the superintendents are not very anxious to ascertain the truth: nor do they care much for the welfate of the children or obedience Io the law. Here again, is another source from which an ■ignorant, unhealthy, and permanently unhappy manufac- . luring population is raised, to swell the numbers of our j degraded, enslaved citizens of the country. We not only argue, apriori, that such must be the re- | suit, but we say tb it the facts coriespoml to the natural tendency. Thera has been created, and there is now i growing up, in Lowell, a manufacturing population, whose tendency in the scale of civilization, health, morals, and intellectuality, is manifestly downwards.—Their looks, mariners, condition, all prove it; and though the race is jnot, in any considerable proportion, so diminutive, wretch ed, and degraded, as the Spitalfields weavers, or the Man chester operatives, they, are rapidly descending to the •ame level. Some efforts are made by philanthropic individuals, to counteract this natural operation of the system. Lyceum lectures mid Sabbath School*are established. The pas tors of the various religious societies do wliat they can, to encourage attendance upon such institutions; but with very little benefit. A Jolmable number of the new girls, who have come in fresh from the country, with decent school education, may attend ; but (bo lutckney- cd factory girl, Worn with toil, depraved in her appetites, wretched in her feelings, will scarcely go to an intellectual ontoi tainment after 12 or 15 hours of labor. Gills bred and educated in the mills of large mannfac tm ing towns can scarcely think of being married. They! are never fitted for household cares, or domestic affec tions, even if their constitutions were not impaired. TUey are a mure automaton appendage of machinery, and in the course of time lose almost all that is Valuable in moral, intellectual and social character. They have no scope for the expansion of the affections, or the ’’mprovement of the mind—body and soul wither top’ether; and should they produce increase, their progeny, following in the same path, will but increase tho r urse o f their inheritance. What can bo done to checl.- this horrible evil, ami yet allow out large manufactui : a) g towns to flourish, so far as the proprietors are cot< Pr ned in profits, we will not pre tend to say. Our pG-serl purpose is to state truths, upon w hich those who are interested may ponder. Sure wc aie, that it is ;1 day of calamity for any girl who goes to Lowell as a permanent operative in a factory ; and, so sure a* ( | )e S y Slen) shall continue under the present nian ""‘•'ment, so sure degradation, misery, and crime, will rest upon that portion of our people. A deadly atmosphere pervades the morals of the place. Thousands are sacri ficed for the increase of profit to the proprietors ; and t lie immolation of each year exceeds that of the last. We wish our readers to think of these things in earnest. It is for the community to be aware of facts first, that they may afterwards find a remedy. To appeal to proprietors in such establishments is vain, because it is asking them, in othsr words, to give away money. The few rich, who thrive by manufacturing profits, will hardly consent to decrease those profits though they may witness the gradual ruin, degradation, and suffering of the many who are en gaged in their employment. Tims far, wo have said but little about the morals of these female operatives, and their liability to be cor rupted. We have something upon those heads to speak of hereafter. i From the N. O. Louisianian. NEWS FROM MEXICO. The schooner Eclipse, which arrived h-ere ' t ne day before yesterday, brings a letter and papers addressed to us bv our correspondent. We have ma'ie some extracts from these papers, amongst others tb. Pl answer of the president of the chamber of deputies to the president ad interim, sent at the opening ot the chamber. We abstain from publishing the message aa it appeared in the papers of yesterday. It confidence c.ould be placed in the reports published in the Mex’ca’., journals, it would appear that the great est tranc u-'oty prevails in all the states of that republic. G ? nc-ral Jose Urrea having abused the clemency of the ? r n'_ral government, had been deprived of the rank of | b/igidier general, which was preserved to him after the defeat of the federal party, of which he was the chief. Bv a decree of the president, ad interim, a(J persons who had taken up arms against the authorities, as well as those who had been included in the capitulation or amnesty of the government, coidd not reside in the city of Mexico, nor in any capital of the department, or any fortified place of the republic. ' The following is the answer given by the Chamber of Deputies to the message of the President, ad interim, at the opening of the second session of the National Congress: In those days which followed our recent and glorious independence, we devoted ourselves to the first essays of our political liberty, and when it was allowed us, we gave ourselves up to sweet delusions and seducing hopes. The solemnity of our legislative assemblies producing like all public or private re-unions, expressions of the most vivid enthusiasm, and prophecies of prosperity and grandeur, which it appeared impossible for power to revoke. These days flowed on like an agreeable episode—to what good did it callus? the misfortune of to-day wills that our situation should be quite different. The past pre sents us only with bitter disappointments. Thank God that wo know how to turn them to good account.—But the motives of consolation offer themselves only at a distant future. We can scarcely imperceive them they me so uncertain nnd insufficient, when we compare them with the state of gloom and affliction in which we are now plunged. War in the exterior has ceased, that is true—the active and intelligent hand of the executive power has stifled in the inteiior, a disastrous revolution, whose roots were large and deep—but let us strike off the other branches of the public administration, and only occupy ourselves this day with that which relates to the minister of finance. Can it be argued with us that these ciying abuses attach them selves only to the recovery and distribution of revenues, and th t they oppose insuperable obstacles to all the efforts of congress. It is a fact true and incontestible, augment ed bv the arbitrary measures which have been resorted to, and by the loans with which the nation has been burthened; that the necessities of the state have reached the utmost extent! Ancient and honorable servants of their country, elevated and respectable functionaries, widows and or phans grown in almost lamentable manner, and add to their torment that of seeing themselves surrounded with •>roud speculators, brilliant with splendour and inagnifi ( "use, who have made immense and rapid fortunes from th e p.’blic: treasury. Now what C'eans are to be adopted to avoid these lavish expenditures and reme( b' ‘ lles « evils? Sliall we aug ment the imposts, when the people can scarcely support those that exist? T.'js is H hard and dangerous remedy, and one that will not attau? the .object which it has tn view inasmuch as the abuses will continue, which absorb and devour the national revenues, ’ll.’’’ ’’gfi* should not be exercised, those that exist are feebly su°P l?rtf • In presence of this state of things, congress approached with trembling the delicate task which exclusively con cerns it, or else it would renounce entirely the ente’rp. 'Ze, if, on the other hand, it had reason to calculate on the firm, declared and effective co-operation of government. It is convinced that the reception of the revenues will be entrusted solely to faithful and pure hands—that the same fidelity and the same purity shall preside over their employment. It hopes that in the taxation of salaries, a just impartiality will cut off the discontentment that unjust disproportions would produce. See the just and rational system, worthy only of a vir tuous government and a true republic, which extends to all the branches of the administration, which should in spire us with a lively confidence. The insurrections, without ceasing in the interior, have relaxed the foice of aws; opened the door to shameful conduct and to vices which accompany it. It is time that the laws should be respected and crimes severely punished. If it is wished that order and peace should continue; that the laws should not govern by the will of particular persons; that virtue and ability should be necessary accompaniments, then the efforts and vows of a legislative body and govern ments will obtain a happy accomplishment; then the state will have revenues, and be able to satisfy all public ex penses ; then the political machine will resume its regular movements, and will give us all those blessings which a civilized society can wish. Extract Jrom our Correspondence. Vera Cruz, 14th July, 1839. No news in the interior. St. Atta is expected shortly \n\i\s hacienda de manga del clavo. Bustamente should be on his return to Mexico to take the reins of govern ment. Two hundred thousand dollars of the second instalment are on the way from Mexico to Vera Cruz. The Mexi cans give this the greatest punctuality. This money will arrive only a few days after being due. Commercial affairs have a good appearance. Uli ere has not been as yet any arrivals from Europe, and the want of goods is immense. General Urrea is to go to Europe. 1 salute you cordially, L. From the Buffalo Com. Advertiser. TEPILLOUS ADVENTURE AT THE FALLS. An occurrence of most thrilling interest took place at Niagara Falls yesterday afternoon, attended with immin ent peril to the lives of two individuals, but resulting in a most happy and providential deliverance. The'new bridge to Iris island is plained in a fright ful rapid where the current is from 20 to 30 miles an hour, and is only about 100 or 150 yards above the brow of the great precipice or perpendicular fall. A carpenter by the name of Chapin was engaged with others in covering the bi idge, and while at work upon a staging about one iiun dred feet from Iris island, accidentally lost his footing and was precipitated into the rapids, and in the twinkling of an eye swept away toward the great cataract. Speedy and inevitable destruction seemed to await him ; but for tunately he was uninjured by the fall, and even in the most hopeless condition retained perfect self possession. Turning his eye toward the only point of hope above the fearful precipice, he succeeded, by great dexterity in swim ming, in effecting at landing upon a little island some twenty foot in width and length, the outermost of the gloup of little cedar islands situated some thirty or forty yards above the falls and about cqui distant from Goat Island and the American shore. There he stood for an hour, looking calmly and beseech ingly back upon the numerous spectators who lined the bridge and shores, but with whom he could hold no con versation ou account of the distance, and the roar of the rapids. There is a man in the village of the Falls by the name of Robinsori muscular power, great in trepidity,and withal an admirable boat-man—and he was probable the only one that could have been found within fifty miles—who generously volunteered his services, to attempt reaching the island in a boat and bring Chapin off. A light boat of two oars, similar in construction to the Whitehall race boats, wassoon procured and he embarked. fie proceeded with great deliberation and consummate skill, darting his little boat across the rapid channels, and at the intervening eddies holding up to survey his situation and recruit his strength for the next trial. In a few min utes he neared the island, but a rapid channel still interve ned, sweeping close to the island, and rendering the at tempt to land very difficult. He paused for a moment, and then with all his strength darted across and sprang from his boat—his his foot slipped, and he fell backward into the rapid current. With the spectators it was a moment of thrilling interest and breathless silence ; his boat seemed inevitably lost, and himself in fearful jeopardy. Retaining, however, his grasp on the boat he sprang it), and again seizing his oars brought up under tne lee of the little island. All again felt a momentary relief, but s.ill the great labor and hazard of the enterprise remained to be overcome. A cool head and a strong arm only could effect it—Robinson proved equal to the task. 'l’aking his companion on board, in the same careful and deliberate manner, though at infinite ly great hazard and labor, they effected a safe landing on Goat Island. There the spectators assembled to give them a cordial greeting. A scene of great excitement ensued—the boat was drawn up the bank, and it was moved and carried by acclamation that a collection be taken up on the spot for Chapin and his noble hearted deliveier Robinson. It was a generous one and was thankfully received; but the re flection to Robinsoi; that he has rescued a fellow being un der such circumstances will be to his generous heart a much richer one. After the collection, Robinson and Chapin took their seats in the boat, and were carried in triumph on the shoulders oi’ their neighbors to the village. The intense interest of the whole scene was heightened by the presence of Chapin’s wile and children, who stood on the shore watching with unavailing horrer and agony what seemed his inevitable and fearful fate. With what devout and heartfelt gratitude must they have thanked God, when the husband and parent once more stood by their side safe and sound. ARRIVAL OF THE BRITISH QUEEN. Yesterday morning about ten o’clock, arrived, the steam ship British Queen, after a passage of sixteen days from Portsmouth. The vessel left London on the evening <>!' <ii<: lOlil, . <1 tin. off of .1.0 r r;.u.ia><fa oil tffw 14111, and sailed from Portsmouth harbor at midnight on the 12th. She made the Floating light, below Sandy Hook, about one o’clock on Sunday morning, and shortly afterwards the Highlands, where she was detained in waiting for a pilot. 'Though during the whole time of her passage the wind was blowing freshly against her and the sea running very high, she was easily controlled, one person being suf ficient at any time to manage the helm. We are indebted to Captain Roberts for files of the London Times. Morning Herald, Morning Chronicle, Morning Post, &c. till as late as the 11th July. The news they bring does not materially change the aspect of com mercial affairs. The sales of cotton have been few, and at a decline of from three-eights to one half of a penny. The spinners, it is stated in the London prints, continue to work short hours, under an anticipation that there will be a still farther fall in the price of cotton. On the 11th the Governor and Directors of the Bank of England were in session, when it was supposed that the rate of interest would be advanced to six per cent, but no order to that effect was published. It was, however, reported that such a notice would be issued on the 18th July. Exchange upon Paris, Amsterdam, Hamburg, and other continental cities, being against London, the report was very generally credited. In this condition of things there were of course little or no sale for American securities. . Favorable accounts of the state es the crops are given from all parts of the continent. Partial injury has been done in several districts of the south of Europe by storms of rain and hail, but still the prospects of the coming har vest were promising. In Ireland and Scotland, though an excessive fall of rain has retarded the growth of grain, it is expected that the crop will be abundant. The proceedings in Parliament are not without interest. On the sth uh, the Chancellor of the Exchequer opened his budget, and in the course of his remarks spoke of the influence which the new plan for a penny postage would have upon the finances of the kingdom. In the House of Commons on the 9th inslant, Mr. Jos. Hume moved the appointment of a select Committee *to enquire into the pecuniary transactions of the Bank of England, since the resumption of cash payments, and par ticularly to ascertain how far these transactions produced the crisis in the manufacturing, commercial, and financial affairs of the country in 1825-6, and in 1836-7 ; and also to enquire whether, as the Bank is at present constituted there ever can be stability in the currency, or confidence in the commercial operations of the country. The mo tion was lost by a majority of sixty-four. On the same day in the House of Commons Lord Palm erston. in answer to questions from Mr. Milnes expressed a hope that the quarrel between the Turkish Sultan and the Egyptian Pacha would be arranged ; and that, in the matter of Persia, the Ambassador for that Government would not bo received till certain conditions suggested by the English Government had been accepted. In answer to Mr. O'Connell, his lordship stated, that as it was known that the British Minister at Mexico had suc cessfully negotiated between France and Mexico, instruc tions had been sent out to endeavor to effect a siriiilur ar rangement between Mexico and Texas. In reply to a question from Lord Mahon, Lord Palmers ton observed that every thing would be done to humanize the war in Spain; that the Russian Government had ex pressed a strong wish to put an end to the disgraceful atto cities which distinguished it, but that no particular plan had yet been announced. The Lower Canada Government bill was brought for ward in committee of the House of Commons, on the llth but the debate had not closed when the steamship sailed. The disturbances at Birmingham had not wholly subsi ded, the Chartists having been again excited by the seizure by the Police of Mr. Lovett, Secretary of the National Convention, and Dr. Taylor and Mr. Harvey, two of the speakers of that body. STATE RIGHTS ANO JJNITED STATES TfflE TRUE ISSUE. Shall ours be a GOVERNMENT OE THE BANKS, ora GOVERNMENT OE THE PEOPLE? Shall we have a CONSTITUTIONAL TREASURY, or an UN CONSTITUTIONAL NATIONAL BANK? Shall we have a CONSTITUTIONAL CURRENCY of gold sno silveh oroue of IRREDEEMABLE PAPER? Shall we live under the despotism of a M ON IED AR ISTOC RACY, or under the safeguards of a FREE CONSTITUTION ? [Washington Chronicle. TUESDAY MORNING, AUGUST 13, 1839. DEMOCRATIC TICKET. FOR PRESIDENT, MARTIN VAN BIREA FOR VICE PRESIDENT, JO HIV FORSYTHs FOR GOVERNOR, CHARLES J. MCDONALD. MERIWETHER RESOLUTIONS. The people are beginning to speak out against the spirit of dictation which has been stalking through the land. We publish to-day, the proceedings »f a public meeting, lately held in the county of Meriwether, upon the subject of the petitions set on foot by Mr. Flournoy. They speak the language of independence, and display a spirit worthy of freemen. We hope to see their example followed wherever the dic tator shall show his head. “THE GREAT WESTERN.” We publish to-day, the prospectus of a news paper to be called “The Great Western,” which will be issued in the city of Now Orleans in October next, under the Edito rial direction of our talented and worthy fellow citizen. Doc tor Edward Delony, of Columbus. We congratulate the democracy of Louisiana, on the ac quisition of so able a coadjutor, and knowing as we do, the energy and talent of Doctor Delony, as well as his devotion to the true principles of the constitution, we look with confi dence to the “ Great Western,” as a powerful auxiliary in promoting the republican cause. EDITOR’S CORRESPONDENCE. From Western Georgia, we received a letter a few days since, from which we make the following extract; and as the writer is a man of superior intelligence and well acquainted with the western people, the information it contains, may be safely relied on : “In reference to politics, I can assure you, our prospects were never more flattering ; and it seems to be the general impression of our friends in the several counties through which I have travelled, that Judge McDonald’s election is certain, and that no conlbinatiou of circumstances can defeat him. “The Cherokee counties will be more united in our cause, than they have ever been, upon auy former occasion, and it is confidently asserted that McDonald’s majority or*> Dougherty, will be a thousand more than Schley’s over Gil mer. •* As to the cornpls-xion of the Legislature, there is but one opinion in this section of the State, that is, that our majority ou joint ballot cannot be less than twenty. In the Senate, it cannot fall below teu, and my impression is, that it will reach fifteen. "The temperance, or rather anti-retail petitions, as was to be expected, arc producing the greatest excitement amongst the people, who are rising in the majesty of their strength, determined, as they say, to put down all attempts toiuterfers with their natural rights, and unnecessary encroachments up on their privileges.” JONES NOMINATION. The following Union Democratic Ticket has been nomina ted in Jones county, aud will be actively and zealously sup ported by the party. The gentlemen selected, are advantageously known to the people of Jones; three of them having been long tried in (he public service, where by their ability and devotion to the support of sound principles and wise measures, they have justly entited themselves to the confidence of their fellow cit izens—and the fourth, although not heretofore in public life has beeu long and well known for his adherence to the con stitution of his country, and the interests of the people. “Jones! you are right—go ahead.” Gen. John Gordon, for Senate. Joseph Day, I James Gray, > Representatives. Daniel McLeod, Esqrs. ) ELECTIONS. North Carolina. Four Congressional Districts heard from, in which three Democrats and one Whig are elected, as follows : C. Shepherd, Democrat. Hawkins, do. Bynum, do. Stanley, Whig. Tennessee—Governors Election. Washington county only heard from. Polk, Democrat. 1119. Cannon, Whig. 796. From the Georgia Argus. Dear Sirs—l presume by year argument against a law to regulate the sale of intoxicating drinks, that you have undesigaedly, I hope, brought in much foreign matter; aud among other reasons why this trade rhould not be regulated by law is a suggestion, that it is now spoken of as necessary to begin to require pripeity qualifications to enable a man to vote. I hope you did not intend to insinuate this as my course, nor as having any thing to do with the proposed law to regulate the sale of intoxicating- drinks. You will upon reflection see how important it is that no one should feel him self authorised to inflame the populace against the friends of this reform ; and most especially should it not be done by in troducing subjects that have no connection with the regula tion of a traffic which is full of evil and only evil. For myself, I seek to have this trade arrested upon the ground. Fit st—of having my negroes destroyed, some killed, and others valueless. Secondly—my peace and happiness disturbed, my life en dangered from drunkards; fur no one knows what a drunk en man will do. Thirdly—the danger of having my children ensnared, by having the temptation to drink, thrown all along the path of life. • Fourthly—having lost many valuable and near relations, as I think, by the operations of a law which patronizes schools set up at all convenient distances and places to make drunk ards. Now whatever may be the vicious propensities of men, it docs appear to me that the laws should not sanction crime, much less encourage schools for crime. Here is a diploma for ofie who Jias graduated : y This is to certify that the bearer D. P. having, at the ag® of eighteen, commenced attendance at a primary school, (to wit, a retail shop) set up under the law of Georgia, near his father’s and bejng as apt as usual, by the time he was twen ty-one years, was a confirmed drunkard, and being pressed for funds to get drink, stole a horse in the neighborhood ; ho was pursued, and being intoxicated, was easily apprehendod, and committed to the county academy, (to wit, the jail) where ho remained a few months with several others of the like class, he was then examined by the proper authorities, and adjudged worthy of a four years residence in the state college, (to wit, the penitentiary) when having been associaied with a very large class of pick-pockets, negro stealers, cutthroats, and counterfeiters, he may uow bo considered as A. M. in vil •iny. and is turned out well prepared to do auy job iu crime that the public good requites. Keeper of the Penitentiary. Fifthly and lastly—l seek to have this trade at rested, be cause of the general mischief doue the country by the retail of intoxicating drinks. JOSIAH FLOURNOY. MR. FLOURNOY AND THE RETAIL LAW. We frankly confess, that until we read the foregoing arti cle from the pen of Mr. Flournoy, wo were wholly ignorant of the causes which impelled bitn to embark in bis preseut en terprise. We had at first, supposed that he was moved by an impulse, having for its aim, a higher and holier purpose; of no less magnitude than the moral teformatiou of his fellow citizens; and however we may have doubted the policy of his measures, we were disposed to allow him credit for zeal and sincerity. We had taken it for granted that his sole ob ject was, the advancement of the great and good cause of tem perance, and although he might have misconceived the means of effecting “ a consummation so devoutly to be wished,” that he had only in view, the promotion of morality, religion and philanthropy—until we were startled with the disclosures con tained iu the article above referred to. The question as presented by his shewing, stands now be fore the public, disrobed of all the doubt and mystery which previously hung around it, and nothing is left to conjecture or construction, because by the evidence which be has fur nished, the fact is conclusively established, that ho has not been influenced by a proper regard for the moral elevation of the people, but by calculations of the most narrow, selfish, aud mercenary character. The article iu question, was intended as a reply to the ve ry able and pregnant Editorials which have lately appeared in the Georgia Argus upon this question, and is only char acterised by its weakness and arrogance. Its weakness, be cause it does not meet the Editors upon a single material point in controversy, or offer the shadow of an argument to sustain a solitary position assumed by the writer. Arrogant, because it has the audacity to declare in the face of the world, that ho seeks to carry his measure for reasons involving alone, his private interest, personal security, peace aud happiness; aud in proof of this assertion, we shall proceed to examine the rea sons which ho has advanced in support of his project. He says, “For myself, I seek to have this trade arrested upon the. ground, First—of having my negroes destroyed, some killed, and others made valueless.” Here then is a positive, unequivocal admission on the part of Mr. Flournoy, that so far as the first reason goes, that he ie acting entirely for his own interest, and that so far from being induced to undertake the enterprize in view, as a measure de manded by the general welfare of the community, it is only intended to prevent the injury or destruction of ("my") bis “ negroes.” Verily, a modest request indeed, that the whole country is to be agitated into a tempest—the world turned upside down, and the political elements of the country wrought into madness, because Mr. Flournoy has takeu it into his head, that some of his negroes may be injured, “ killed or rendered valueless!” If this system of legislation is to be introduced into our country; if the whole community is to be thrown into ex citement and turmoil at the instance of any individual who tuny conceive his person or property in danger, or who may desire to innovate upon established usages, then indeed have we boasted in vain of the freedom of our institutions. Grant his request now, and next year, his imagination will conjure up some other ghost of alarm, and the same scenes which are now passing before the public eye, will bo acted over again, and so on to the end of the chapter, until we shall find the great interests of the country cast aside, to make room for the demands of Mr. Flournoy. We protest most solemnly against this attempted innova tion upon our State legislation. Has it beeu the habit of our republican fathets to traverse the country with petitions for the passage of laws upon subjects well understood—to im portune men, women and children for their signatures, and that too by individuals seeking nothing but their own self in terest? Never, aud whenever, (which may heaven avert,) it becomes the settled policy of the State, we shall find ourselves, within one short step of despotism ; and as this is the first in stance upon the record of our history, in which an attempt so audacious, has been made to use a majority of the people to. • purpose so grovelling, we hope aud trust that it will receive all the contempt which it so justly merits. Mr. Flournoy is afraid his negroes will be “killed or made valueless,” by the use of ardent spirits! and the whole coun try is called on to stand guard around his interests, as if no other citizen owned property of a similar character, or requi red the interposition of the law to preserve it. VVe have known people to. lose negroes from various causes, and far more than those destroyed by the use of ardent spirits, and what baa beeu their course? We knew a gentleman to lose a very val uable slave by his falling from a tree, which he had impru dently climbed, but he did not petition the legislature to pass an act to have all the trees iu the State cut down, to prevent a similar occurrence. We knew another who had one burned to death, and two others greatly injured from the same cause, hut he did not ask the legislature to abolish the use of fire, to save his property from the ravages of that destroying element; and we knew another, equally respectable with Mr. Flournoy, and having superior claims for revolutionary services, who lost a brother, dear to him as his heart, by a gun-shot from the hand of an assassin, but he has not demanded of the leg islature to prohibit the use of fire arms, to protect his survi ving relatives against a similar fate ; but Mr. Flouruoy with his hundred and eighty, or two hundred negroes, is to eom maui a consideration and importance which has not been heretofore claimed by any citizen of Georgia. What is aris tocracy ! As Mr. Flournoy has evinced so much solicitude for the safety of his property, particularly for the bedily welfare of his slaves, how does it happen that he has not manifested some interest for their future welfare also? but as that is a matter between himself and his God, we leave the question to be answered before a higher tribunal. t We will, however, offer him a word of advice. Let him abandon his preseut crusade—return to his home—attend to his own people, and so modify his domestic police, that his negroes shall bo kept within his own boundaries. This he can do with proper regulations, and then he will have nothing to apprehend from the effects of intoxicating liquors. So much for the first reason assigned by Mr, Flournoy, and now for the second. “ Secondly—My peace nnd happiness destroyed, my life endangered from drunkards—for no one knows what a drun ken man will do.” Know ye, people of Georgia! that the peace and happiness of Josiah Flournoy, Esquiro, of the county of Putnam and State aforesaid, is greatly “disturbed ;” and that such an out rage upon his dignity is no longer to be tolerated. And be it further known unto you, that his “ life" is “ endangered from