Newspaper Page Text
SATURDAY, FEB. 16.
Mr. Pickett and the Hiwassee and Bine
Ridge Railroad Bill.
yfe chrorfully insert a letter from Mr. Pickett,
member from Gilmer, defining his position, and
reporting his remarks in the House on the above
bill. We do so from our respect for that gentle
man, and in order that both sides may be heard.
Having already presented our views in opposition
to his, we will not now resume the subject. We
will simplv reply one word to his enquiry. “ Union
aounty has a Railroad charter. My (Gilmer) coun
ty and the county below have railroad charters.
Why not let us build our roads from the main
trunk”? No objection in the world for all these
counties to build roads to the main trunk if they
wish, or any of them wish to do so. But there is
mo justice in seeking to compel a county, to do so
against its wish, by refusing it the privilege of
building to another road chartered, by the State,
which lies nearer to it than the State Road.
The apprehension of loss of trade and travel over
our Georgia roads, which may result by the con
atruction of the Hiwassee, we consider fanciful.
Even then Savannah will be forty miles nearer
to Chattanooga, by the State Road, than Charleston
would be by the new route. And were it not so,
it still cannot be doubted that there will be busi
ness enough for all the roads constructed, or likely
to be, for a generation to come at least. The pro
ductive power and resources of all that country,
and the immense regions beyond, are but begin
ning to be developed, and are beyond computation.
Railroads have never yet, at the South, kept pace
with the demand for facilities, and with the busi
ness pressing upon them. The railroad connec
tions and facilities between contiguous States of
the South cannot be too great. These facilities act
and re-act for the mutual benefit of all. Trade can
not well go out of a State without bringing in return
a reciprocal trade of equivalent value.
The supply to its citizens of the nmplest railroad
facilities to carry their produce out of the State,
and return with what they get in return, should be
a leading policy of the State, especially when the
eitizens agree to furnish the money to build the
road; or get their neighbors to do it for them. If
«ie people of other States are willing to bring their
money among us, and build roads with it, we should
be much obliged to them. It is so much capital
expended among us, which we would otherwise
bave to furnish from our own pockets.
The levy of tolls on the produce of other States,
passing through our own, is not the main objectfor
which railroads are or ought to be built or connte
■anced by the State. The stockholders have their
account in this source of revenue, and the State of
Georgia, as the sole owner of our road, gets profit
from this. But it was not solely or mainly to be
a rich railroad proprietor Georgia went into the
Milroad business. The main object was not to
taake money for her treasury, but to promote the
Interest of her own citizens, and enhance the value
and productiveness of their otherwise almost val
ueless and unproductive lands. In the same view
ahe should encourage the building of other roads
by her citizens. If there were fifty railroads in the
State, even if they paid stockholders but the small
est modicum of dividends, or only paid expenses,
they would still be immensely promotive of the
prosperity, power and resources of the State, and a
very great blessing to all her citizens near enough
to make use of them.
The State should pursue a more liberal and en
larged policy than simply or mainly to legislate
for the purpose of putting dividends in the pockets
as railroad stockholders, or into her own treasury.
It is not discrimination against existing railroads
to prevent citizens having new roads by a nearer
Bn," to market. It is discrimination against these
•itlzens to require them to build new roads by cir
cuitous routes to existing Roads.
Atlantic and Gulf Railroad.
The bill for tMs great enterprise, reported bv the
joint committee of the Senate and House, to con
struct a railroad across the Southern portion of the
State to the junction of the Flint and Chattahoo
chee, or Fort Gaines, or some intermediate point
on the Western border, from the Little Satilla, in
the Eastern portion of the State, commencing at
or near the intersection of the county lines of Ap
pling, Ware and Wavne counties, is meeting with
much favor among the members of the Legislature.
The bill is accompanied by a luminous and com- !
prehensive report from the committee—a commit- !
tee composed of ten of the most intelligent mem
bers of the General Assembly. It is said to be t
from the pen of Mr. Spalding, Senator from Mein- '
tosh, one of the most forcible and polished writers
in the Legislature. The details of the bill we will
be enabled to furnish our readers in a day or two. (
The Eastern terminus of the road will be about
»eventy-five miles from Savannah, and about forty
miles from Brunswick. It is directly in the line of J
the Savannah, Albany and Gulf Railroad, already
Marly completed twenty miles; and it is in the
direct line in which the first ten miles of the Bruns
wick Railroad poinls, so that an extension of these j
two lines would cause them to intersect at the Sa- (
tilla. It is true the Brunswick route deflects at or •
near the last named distance, from this direction, {
and turns southward, but there is not much work t
done beyond the deflecting point, nnd the loss of ,
railroad work would not be great if the original
route be abandoned for this shorter route to the j
projected uiain trunk.
This project would, if carried out, in effect be (
similar to the policy of the State in stopping its .
great Western and Atlantic Road at Atlanta, thus ,
inviting Macon, Augusta, Rome, Newnan and West
Point to meet at that point. It would, in one re- '
spect, be making a second Atlanta on the Satilla,
though it is not to be expected that as flourishing a c
city as Atlanta will spring up at that point of junc- j
tion. ,
One of the features of the bill is that the State I
should take stock in this Road to the extent of
-of the whole—not quite one-haif r
The private stockholders, owning more than half 5
of the stock, would control it, and thus save the 1
State from the embarrassments which the manage- 1
meat of her own great road imposes, and which c
the whole State recognizes as an evil. i
We merely submit the maiu outlines of this new
and bold project, deferring comments to another
time. We ore not yet prepared to advocate the C
plan as it stands, as so important a question calls '
for deliberate consideration, and much may be said '
on both sides. It will meet with strong opposition f
from mauy persons and many interests committed
to and connected with the Brunswick and Florida !
Road. It is not expected that those living on and
near the line of the latter enterprise, and those !
owning lands ou and near it, though non-residents,
will willingly acquiesce in the abandonment of that
route for the new one. But the new route would '
probably accommodate quite as large a number of
citizens, and give an outlet to as extensive a terri
tory as the Brunswick Road. It would probably
o cr to the cities of Savannah and Brunswick as
arge and lucrative a trade, and place it within the
reach of both at much smaller outlay of capital
an Houd be required for both of their present
Georgia aDS or P ene^ra^n g to South-western
. proposed road would unquestionably be of
unmeuse service to a large and fertile region—
•,.V greatly enhance the value of lands, and sa
w-L! J* Bet tlement and profitable cultivation,
wnat the Weetem and Atlantic Railroad did for
Q® ro .*ee Georgia, this road would do for Southern
r pa. As a financial operation it would event
w >r ° V * e M ut^c ' OUB an( * successful, for the road
, e /^, an am °uct of trade and travel that
no *° ma *e it profitable. It would not
be liable to the objections that are urged against
“State Aid” projects which contemplate the in
dorsement, by the State, of the bonds of chartered
Companies owued solely by individuals. These
are first impressions in favor of the plan of the
joint committee, or of some plan embracing its
main features and objects, but are liable to be re
moved or weakened when the question comes up
for discussion. It is one of importance, inri
ting general scrutiny. Our present purpose is to
invite attention to it, more than to offer an argu
ment.
One sentiment, however, is quite prevalent in
the State, and we fully respond to it. Southern
Georgia has a strong equitable claim on the State
for aid in some shape her to enjoy railroad
facilities, and it is the interest of the State to re
cognise and respond to that claim. There is some
conflict of interests in Southern and Southwestern
Georgia, in relation to the route indicated in the
bill, and the-ie are rights vested by the Brunswick
and Florida Railroad charter, and contracts enter
ed into under that charter, which
detriment by the consummation of the plan of the
committee. This will require some modification,
in order to harmonize those interests. It is a fair
subject for compromises and mutual concessions.
It is essential that such harmony should be secured,
and that the representatives of that section of the
State should act together in a kindly spirit. It is
out of the question to expect that the Legislature
will do anything for that section, or any portion of
it, while it is divided by conflicting councils among
its own members of that body. The Legislature
will be slow to confer, by a large subscription, a
questionable boon upon a section of the State it
aims to benefit. A former legislature deter
mined to build the Western and Atlantic Railroad
in defiance of the votes and protests of the mem
bers from that section; but it is not to be expected
that the present Legislature would repeat the ope
ration for the sake of a few counties in Southwest
ern Georgia, in opposition to the votes of members
from other counties in that section.
The true and only policy for that section, then,
is for its members first to agree among themselves
upon what they want, and to ask for it in a body.
It is the true policy of Savannah and Brunswick,
to compose their strifes and adjust their rivalries
in regard to their favorite railroad projects, aud
co-operate for their common good, and for the ben
efit of all Southern and Southwestern Georgia.
That vast and fertile region has dormant resources
and an undeveloped trade sufficient to satisfy the
reasonable cravings of both cities.
Should the new project be carried out in con
formity to these views, it will not be the end of
railroad enterprises in Southern Georgia. It
will be but an auspicious beginning. Shorter roads
to accommodate the tiers of counties above and
below the selected line, will be built, and unite
with the main trunk. The Florida roads, on the
South will, sooner or later, do the same, and the
extension of the main line into Alabama on the
West, will finally put the Atlantic cities of Georgia
in communication with Mobile and Montgomery,
and their connections West and North.
To crown the whole, Southern Georgia will, by
the Americus, Albany and Florida Railroad, be
placed in connection with Cherokee Georgia.
We close the subject at present, by the following
extract from the Thomasville Enterprise :
“The railroad from Brunswick to Albany would
connect with the railroad now building from Amer
icus to that point, and give one continuous railroad
line from, the Mountains to Brunswick. Then, in
case*of a hostile fleet visiting our coasts, our men
from the mountains would rush to the sea-board,
choosing for their teachers and commanders those
that had been trained in military tactics at our
own school.
“ In reference to depredations committed by the
British oil our coast, in the war of 1812 and *lßls,
there are mauy now in the State of Georgia that
have a feeling recollection. The British fleets en
tered the ports, invited the negroes to leave their
masters, and join their standard, enlisting the men
in their black regimekt; abd actually carried off,
several thousands of />nr slaves.
“To show the utter helpless and exposed condi
tion of our ,sea-board in the event of a \gme win 1
Great Britain, I take (from the Tax Books of 1855,
the following—of four counties:
Camden county gives in 3,481 slaves—voters 268
Glynn “ “ 3,355 “ “ 108
Mclntosh “ “ 4,350 “ “ 205
Liberty “ “ 6,293 “ “ 307
“England is far moreabolitionized now than she
was then—for since that time she has abolished
slavery in her West India Islands, but a four days
sail of us, aud has established regiments of ne
groes there.
“ And now let me ask, has it occurred to our
statesmen, how exposed is our condition in case of
a sadden descent of a hostile fleet upon our shores?"
Anderson, or £dgelield t
The Knoxville Register, of Jan 81, says: “We
observe a controversy is being carried on through
the columns of the Augusta papers, relative to the
proper terminus of the railroad projected from that
city, and designed to tap the line of the Knox
ville and Charleston road. The two points in ques
tion are Anderson and Edgefield, S. C. If the
people of this section could have a choice in the
matter, they could point the citizens of Augusta
to a very weighty argument iu favor of Anderson,
in the fact that by making an outlet at Anderson,
from the Blue Ridge road to Augusta, much of the
trade that will necessarily pass over that road,
would thus find an easier access to market at Au
gusta and Savannah ; whereas, as it appears to us,
if the Augusta road be taken down to Edgefield,
all such trade will of necessity, go exclusively to
Charleston. This road is one of considerable im
portance to the people of this portion of the coun
try, inasmach as it would shorten the route to Au
gusta about one hundred miles.”
Ghx. Pierce. —ln the Diary and Correspondence
of the late Amos Lawrence, of Boston, is the sub
joined remark in relation to General Pierce. It
will be remembered that Mr. Lawrence was a
presidential elector, and cast his vote for General
Scott ; but in a letter to a friend in South Caroli
na in 1852, he said; “My nephew by marriage,
Franklin Pierce, seems to be a prominent candi
date for the White House for the next four years,
lie is the soul of honor, and an old fashioned Dem
ocrat born and bred, and can be depended *on as
such.”
F urthkr prom Kansas. —The Missouri Democrat,
of the sth, mentions the return of the Kansas cor
respondent of that paper from Kansas, and that he
reports “ all wist ” in that territory, “no further
outrages being feared, at least, until the assembling
of the Legislature at Topeka, on the first of March
next.” The thermometer had for six weeks before
his departure ranged from 27* below zero to 10°
above it. “Two thousand stand of rifles and twenty
breech-loading cannon had been received at Lawrence;
they were brought secretly through lowa and Ne
braska."
Singular Fact.— No citizen of the United States
was ever convicted of treason. It is quite proba
ble that this is the only government in the world
in which the same thing can be truly said. Our
people make the government, and they will do no
act that will tend to destroy their own work. Trea
son can only be meditated when there is no politi
cal liberty.
Imprisoning Witnesses.— The Grand Jury of
the U. S. Court, setting in New York, have called
attention to the abuses practised in the imprison
ment of witnesses, who are generally confined in
Eldridge street jail. Many are imprisoned as wit
nesses, while the criminals against whom they are
to appear, are out on bail.
1 Col. Gsoros P. Harrison has been elected
: Brigadier General, in the lower division of the
; State.
“ Votes from the Slaves States.”
Horace Greeley, in a recent letter, from Wash
ington City, to the New York Tribune, in reference
to the admission of Mr. Reeder as a Delegate from
the Territory of Kansas, and of course the ex
pulsion of Mr. Whitfield, counsels his Free Soil
friends to take a decided stand, at an early day, for
Mr. Reeder, says: “Let them take hold resolutely,
and the sword of the destroying angel can yet be
stayed; for there wtll be several vote* from the
Slaves States in favor of the sorely oppressed set
tlers whom they induced to put their trust in Squat
ter Sovereignty.”
Now, it is certain that Mr. Greeley cannot refer
to any of those who voted for Mr. Banks, for there
were no “votes from Slave States” directly in fa
vor of him. He must allude to those “national
Americans” who supported Mr. Cullom for Clerk.
He may be right in liis conjectures, for the man
who could vote for Mr. Cullom, is abundantly pre
pared to vote to expel Mr. Whitfield. We shall
see. Time works wonders.
u It is asked by the opposition press, what north
ern Know Nothing voted for Aiken on the final
vote? We reply, Wheeler and Williams, of New
York.— Macon Messenger , Feb. 18.
And what kind of a reply is it? Williams, of
New York, is, for the first time, claimed as a Know
Nothing. On what authority? We imagine the.
“initiated” editor will find it difficult to produce
any. Williams was the gentleman who voted so
long and so devotedly for Mr. Ore, of South Caro
lina? He never was claimed by the Know No
things, and never voted with them for Mr. Fuller,
and has never been reported such in any statement
exhibiting the political complexion of the House,
that we have seen.
Now, as to Wheeler! He is reported, by the
Messenger , to be a Know Nothing, but, if he is he
lias taken very good care never to vote with them,
or for them, so far as it has met our observation,
on any occasion of a party test. In the contest for
Speaker, he generally voted tor Williams, and
Williams for Orr.
The record is complete, that not one Know No
thing from the Free States voted for Aiken* for
Speaker, and it is folly to dispute it.
Politics of New Hampshire.— Mr. Orr, of
South Carolina, Mr. Cobb, of Georgia, and Mr.
Weller, of California, addressed a mass meet
ing of the Democracy of New Hampshire at
Concord on Thursday last. Mr. Weller condemn
ed Know Nothingism very strongly. Mr. Orr de
fended the South against the charge of aggression
upon the rights of the North; and, in turn,
charged the North with continually infringing
upon the constitutional rights of the South. He
defended the compromise measures and the Ne
braska bill. Mr. Cobb, according to the report of
the Boston Post , “expressed his pleasant feelings
at meeting a New England audience for the first
time, and said that if the people of the different
parts of the Union understood each other better
many of the evils which now arise from miscon
ception would be abated and the spirit of section
alism be lessened. The great principle of the Re
volution, which had been and should now be the
animating principle of the American Republic,
was self-government. The doctrine of non-inter
ference between the States in the matter of slave
ry was ably presented at length by the Speaker as
essential to the preservation and harmony of the
Union, and the errors of Nonw Nothingism were
fully exposed.
“The Wild Hunt*’ 9
“ H. G.” of the New York Tribune, in his jetter
from Washington, of 7tli inst., says :
“ There is an appalling pressure for office upon
the new Clerk and Doorkeeper of the House.
Everybody who once held an office and by the turn
of the wheel lost It. fancies that he will be mar
tyred afresh should he not now be provided for;
while those who never yet were so lucky
.their uoses into the public #.r.
listing {hut they turn jjjrm '
some forty place*
thousand persons sev|F/vj//r , **Bnft*cd itk-bc'"lima®
to fill them. Os wmirPe 7*Mense'mnjvrok are
doomed to certain au« sure disappointment/
Judge A# K. Cochran.
The Milledgevillc correspondent of the Savan
nah PepuHican, pays the following handsome com
pliment to the very worthy, talented and efficient
gentleman who has lately received the appoint
ment of Judge of the Brunswick Circuit:
“ Yesterday I informed you that the Judge of
the new Brunswick Circuit is the lion. a. E. Coch-
“ The Governor in his appointment of this gen
tleman, has shown his anxious desire to provide
for the administration of justice in the newly cre
ated Brunswick Circuit, in the best possible* man
ner, and to gratify a very large majority of the
people of the circuit, by whom Judge Cocnran had
been warmly recommended for this eminent posi
tion through their representatives in the Legisla
ture. This gentleman has been for many years an
able practitioner in the Southern and Ocmulgee Cir
cuits, and has won for himself a high position at
the Bar, and is greatly esteemed by his brethren of
the Bar. During the last session of the Legislature
he represented the county of Wilkinson in the
Senate, and to all who watched his course then, he
manifested a desire by his course in that body to
promote the State’s highest interests. He will no
doubt prove himself entirely worthy the confidence
which nas been reposed in him by the Executive
—and will win new laurels as a judicial officer of
Georgia.”
Gen. Cass, in presenting a petition to the United
State Senate, on the sth inst, made the following
liberal remarks:
“ Mr. President, I hare been requested by our
Hebrew fellow-citizens of this district to present a
petition asking for an act of incorporation to ena
ble them to erect a place of worship, and to man
age the temporalities connected with it. I under
stand that the existing law iu this district makes
provision for those purposes only in relation to
Christian denominations. Such a distinction is an
act of gross injustice, and, if continued after our
attention is directed to it, it would be a disgrace to
our jurisprudence. It would ill become us to cast
reproach, by any act of ours, upon the faith of the
patriarchs aiid prophets of Israel, to whose keep
ing, for more than two thousand years, were com
mitted the oracles of the true and living God.
Considered in a historical aspect only, the rise and
progress and fall of the Jewish race constitute the
most interesting and remarkable, and, I may add,
romantic episode in the whole annals of mankind.
The incarnate Saviour himself, in his human ca
pacity, was a Jew, and he came, as he declared,
not to destroy the first dispensation—that of law—
but to fulfil it by the second dispensation—that of
mercy. His revelation is freely offered to all the
world, whether Jew or Gentile; and it condemns
every kind of persecution and intolerance, whether
civil or ecclesiastical. I trust that that fell spirit
leading to eternal conflicts between the jjower to
iufiict and the power to endure, will never take
possession of the American heart, nor write its
cruel and unchristian decrees in the volumes of
American legislation. I move the reference of
this petition to the committee on the District of
Columbia.”
The motion was agreed to.
Red River.— This river is reported as rising ra
pidly at Fulton; it had risen seventeen feet and
still swelling; some of its tributaries are bank full
This news is important to cotton men, as appre
hensions were beginning to be felt that both this
and the last year’s crop would be unable to reach
a market All fear, however, is now dispelled and
the Red River will add her quota to the heavy re
ceipts of this season. —Mobile Re/jtiter.
The river has receded to six feet. The steamer
. Talomicco arrived last, evening at 5 o’clock, and
leaves on Saturday morning.
Resigned. —The Rev. John Sets, for the last six
years the efficient agent of the Maryland Coloniza
tion Society, has resigned with the view of ac
cepting a similar agency in Ohio.
JoDGHOF THE SOUTH WESTERN CIRCUIT.—
Hon. Wm. C. Perrins having resigned, Governor
Johnson has apppointod A. A. Allen to fill the va
cancy.
Cotrespondence of the Constitutionalist.
GEORGIA LEGISLATURE.
Milledgbville, Feb. 14, 1856.
Finding that I cannot finish my letter in time for
the mail, i simply enclose to you the vote on the
bill offered by Mr. Crook, of Chattooga, in lieu of
the retaliatory bill, providing for Attachments and
Garnishments, offered by Mr. Jones, of Muscogee.
There was no debate on the bill; all parties being
afraid to “tech”—as 1 interpreted the silence. The
action of to-day may be reconsidered to-morrow,
but I do not anticipate it.
The other proceedings of the General Assembly
have not been specially important.
Yea*. —Messrs. Barron, Barton, Boyd, Boykin,
of Scriven, Brown, of Camden, Browning, Bur
nett, Connelly, Cobb, Cooper, Crook, Daniel, Dor
minv, Dozier* Edenfield, Graves, Harrell, Harris,
of Meriwether, Haynie, Hilliard, Hughes, Johnson,
of Carroll, Johnson, of Henry, Jones, of Lowndes,
Jones, of Muscogee, Kilgore, King, of Fayette,
King, of Mclntosh, Kitchens, Lawton, Lewis, of
Greene, Lewis, of Hancock, McClary, Mi Hedge,
Owen, Phillips, Phinizy, Pruitt, Reid, Richards,
Sherman, Sinquefield, Smith, of Bryan, Smith, of
Tatnall, Spinks, Stamper, Taylor, Thompson,
Whitworth, Wiggins.—so.
Xaus. —Messrs. Anderson, Amiss, Avery, Bran
ley, Butts, Cannon, Carlton, Causey, Cornwell, Da
vis of Polk, Dawson, Felton, Fields, Gordon, Gra
ham, Graybill, Harris of Fulton, Harrison, Headen,
Hill, Hudson of Gwinnett, Hudson of Harris, Irwin,
Johnson of Cass, Julian, Kirkpatrick, Lowe, Mat
thew’s, Mayiior, McCants, McConnell of Gordon,
' McLean, McLennan, Murphy, Pafford, Parks, Par
ris, Peterson, Pickett, Porter, Powell, Rumph, Slo
cumb, Simmons, Solomon, Smith of Clinch, Smith
of Union, Stephens, Swearingen, Tatom, Terhune,
Walton, Ward, Watts, Williams—ss.
Absent, or not voting—Messrs. Barrett, Bartlett,
' Battle, Beall, "Bird, Bradford, Brown of Burke,
Brown of Talbot, Caldwell of Pike, Caldwell of
Walker, Callownv, Cottle, Durden, Faulk, Guyton,
Griffetli, Hale, Harris of Dougherty, Henderson,
Hoyle, Johnson of Elbert, Jones of Warren, Lane,
Luke, McConnel of Catoosa, Mobley, Montgomery,
Moore, Myers, Rozier, Sapp, Shipp, Smith of Han
cock. Tharpe, Thornton, Wood, Warthen, Wimber
ly, Wynn.
Explanations— On the taking of tho Ayes and
Nays, several gentlemen, when their names were
called, made explanations. Mr. Harris, of Ful
ton, said he voted against the bill because lie con
sidered it unconstitutional. Dr. Hill, of Troup,
included himself in the same category. Mr. Jones,
of Muscogee, voted for the bill because he believed
it teas constitutional. Mr. Smith, of Union, voted
against it, because it did not “ come up to the Geor
gia Platform.” Mr. Tkrhune, of Floyd, voted
Nay, for the same reason that actuated Mr. Smith.
Mr*. Montgomery, of Newton, asked to be excused
from voting, because he had been absent for sever
al days, and did not feci sufficiently informed as to
the merits of the bill. He was excused. A:
[COMMLXICATKD.J
James Gardner, Esq., Editor Constitutionalist:
I cannot refrain from making public the intense
gratification T feel at the course recently pursued
by President Pierce. After voting for him, in the
last Presidential struggle, my feelings became en
tirely estranged from him on account of his ap
pointing policy, and especially on account of his
policy towards the Democracy in New York. In
conducting the Independent Press , I felt that duty
constrained me to denounce the conduct of the
President, in allowing the “Softs” to sit down at
the table of Democracy, as a weak and short-sight
ed policy; though I always believed, and main
tained, that Gen. Pierce was actuated by the purest
motives of patriotism in the course which he pur
sued. The soundness of the views put forth in his
state papers, and his wholesome administration
dehors some of his appointments, could not entirely
appease the wrath and the prejudice of a Georgia
“Hard.” 1 intended that if Pierce should be the
nominee of the National Democracy, I would sup
port him. For if I did not go w ith the Democracy,
in the language of Mr. Webrtbr, “where could I
go?” Isay I should have given Pierce my sup
port; but my feelings or prejudices would not have
gone with my judgment. I preferred the nomina
tion of some other man.
Now, however, “a change has come over the
aDuanaf mv dream.” lam fully, unreservedly and
a Pjeuck man. I had rather see
eminent, and* Ins diagnosis of the negro mania,
presented in Ids last message to Congress, were the
John the Baptist which was the forerunner of the
mightier document that cnnle afterward, in the
message referring to the Kansas difficulties. When
1 read the first, my prejudices against the president
were so far removed, that I became a “competent”
juror to judge of hi* cast*. And when the.last doc
ument came out, I said, “surely the sjarit of An
drew Jackson is upon the man who has the nerve
to take the posit ions assumed by President Pierce.”
My dear Franklin Pierce, in his last mes
sage to Congfress, occupving the position that he
does to give his views force, has done more to se
cure the stability of this government, than has
been done by auv other statesman since the iron
heart of the old Kero ceased to beat at the Hermit
age. It is true, Calhoun and other men from the
South, have spoken in this way before. But their
dicta were regarded as the language of sectional
ism and ultratun. It is true, that vour Casses, and
Dickinson#, and Douglases, and Buchanans have
enunciated -similar sentiments, some with more
and some with less boldness. But these were rc
firded as the opinions of private individuals. But
ranklin Pierce, standing upon an eminence from
which he is seen and heard by all the nations and
kindred oT -Me earth, raises His voice, and says to
the waves of fanaticism, “ Peace, be still.” When
did a President thus speak before? His utterance
is not looked qpon -imply -s the private opinion of
an individual. But it is regarded as the mandate
of one of the mightiest nations of the earth. The
voice of the American Government says to Aboli
tionism, you shall not lay your traitorous hand
upon the fail* fabric of American greatness to raze
it to the earth. For the heart, that plans the trea
son shall, as certainly as the suu shines, feel the
dagger of the law.
ft is not the South alone that should thank Pres
ident Pierce for the position assumed bv him. The
whole country owes him a debt of gratitude. The
South is do more interested in putting down, at
the point the bayonet, if need be, the ranting
hordes abolition than the North. Under aboli
tion regime, this Government cannot exist. And
I have yet to learn that the Northern States of this
Confederacy can get along any better without our
Constitution, than the Southern States. It is a
gross error to look upon the contest between slave
ry and the Abolitionists, as a fight waged for the
South alone. It is the battle of the whine country,
and every inhabitant of this wide domain is deeply
interested An the result. Slavery is not sectional
in the warfare waged against it' It is national.
And the cause of slavery is the cause of the coun
try. It i*Jn the Constitution, and no other hand
but that <<wm. Southern States can pluck it from
its place, without causing the whole fabric to totter
to its fall. Bo tear ft from its place in the Consti
tution, by Bie Federal hand, would be no less de
structive to this Government, than to smite off
from the coronet of the Constitution’ habeas corpus,
or the right of trial by jury.
Such being the case, President Pierce, in this
“ war against the devils,” has—
“Above the rest,
In shape and gesture proudly eminent,
Stood like a tower.”
He is a tower of strength to souud constitutional
principles; and the whole country should rally to
his support J. A. Turner.
February 11th, 1856.
Hancock Manufacturing Company.
The C«itral (Sparta) Georgian, of 13th ult.,
says: “ Mr. Monroe, of the Montour Company
arrived last week, after more than a month's pas
sage from New York. We understand he was de
tained by sickness. The necessary arrangements
not having been made, the sheriff has again taken
charge 'if the properly purchased by them % from
the Hancock Manuflftturing Conipaay, and adver
tised a sale. It is hoped that a private arrange
ment c&i) be made by a trausfer of the former sale,
that be satisfactory to all parties.
Material Aid. —The people of Hampshire coun
ty, Virginia, have decided, by a majority of more
than two-thirds of the whole vote cast, in favor of
a subscription by the c-ourdy of SIOO,OOO to the
Alexandria. Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad.
I Edward Everett will deliver an oration in Boston
I on Washington’s tyrthday.
BY TELEGRAPH.
Congressional.
Washington, Feb. 14.— 1 n the Senate a bill was
presented for an overland mail to the Pacific.
In the House, notices were given that the seats
of Messrs. Whitfield, of Kansas, Allen, of Illi
nois, Gallegos, of New Mexico, and Eustis, of La.,
would be contested.
Election of U. S. Senator.
Baltimore, Feb. 14.—The Maryland Legislature
has elected Anthony Kennedy, American, U. S.
Senator.
Petition to Congress.
Boston, Feb. 14. —The Board of Underwriters
have petitioned Congress to send a steamer to re
lieve vessels on the coast.
Arrival of the St. Louis.
New York, Feb. 15.—The steamer St. Louis
has arrived with $1,000,000 in gold. A treaty of
amity and commerce had been concluded with
Chili.
Later from Mexico.
New Orleans, Feb. 15. —The steamer Texas has
arrived with Vera Cruz dates of the 11th. Tain
orez had captured Puebla, and was fortifying it to
resist Comonfort, who had sent troops against
him. Uraga had been defeated by the Government
forces. It is said that Tamorez is without money.
Markets.
Charleston, Feb. 15. —Sales to-day of 2400 bales
Cotton at unchanged rates.
Congressional.
Washington, Feb. 18.—In the Senate, Mr. Wells
made a speech on the Central American question,
in which he advocated the abrogation of the Clat
ton-Bnlwer treaty.
The House ballottcd three times for Printer with
out result.
Washington, Feb. 13.—The House, to-day, elect
ed Mr. Wendell, Printer.
Washington, Feb. 13.—The Speaker to-day an
nounced the committees. The committee of Ways
and Means consists of Messrs. Campbell, of Ohio,
Chairman, Howard; of Michigan, Cobb, of Geor
gia, Davis, of Maryland, Sage, Phelps, Campbell,
of Pennsylvania, and Dewitt, of Massachusetts,
leaving one vacancy. A majority are in favor of
a protective tariff. The committee on Foreign Re
lation consists of Messrs. Pennington, Chairman;
Bailey, Clingman, Aiken, Fuller, of Pennsyl
vania, Mattbson, Sherman and Thurston. The
committee on the Territories consists of Messrs.
Gow, of Pennsylvania, Gildings, Purviance.
Richardson, Houston, Granger, Zollicoffkr,
Merrill and Perry. The committee on Elections
consists of Messrs Washburns, of Maine, Stephens,
Watson, Spinner, Oliver, of Missouri, Colfax,
Smith, of Alabama, and Bingham.
New York, Feb. 12. —Cotton firm. Sales of
three thousand bale 9. Flour firm, except State,
which is 6c. lower. Wheat $1.90. Corn dull.
Washington, Feb. 14, p. m.—The Senate to-day
discussed the action of the late Naval Board.
The House referred the President’s message rel
ative to Kansas, to the committee of the wh«de.
Both Houses adjourned till Monday.
Destructive Fire.
Bristol, R. 1., Feb. IS.— The Pokannolct Cotton
Mills at this place was destroyed by tire to-day, in
volving a loss of SIIO,OOO, on which there was an
insurance for $70,000.
Halifax, Feb. 11.—We have, as yet, no tidings
of the missing steamer Pacific.
The steamer Canada, now teu days out and about
due at this port, has not yet been signalled.
Providence, Feb. 11.—An engine belonging to
the Hartford and Providence railroad, exploded
this morning in the locomotive house, Killing
John Vaughan, the engineer, and partially demol
ishing the building.
Washington, Feb. 11. —Francis C. Treadwell, of
Norfolk, yesterday caused the arrest of Albert
Rust, a member of the House of .Representatives,
charged with two assaults upon Jforaee Greeley, n
few days since, /flris morning Mr. Rust gave se
«*mtr in the sum of SSOO, for fits appearance at
thp-Uriminal ‘Court. 1
’ Erie, Pa., Feb. B.—The Hopt'liomas Sill, a dis
tinguished lawyer and politician, died in this city
last evening. *-
Washington, Feb. 10.—The impression exists
here that Mr. Crompton will shortly retire volun
tarily, and not in consequence of any demand on
the part of this government for his recall.
Gen. Almonte has left Washington for -Mexico
at the urgent solicitation of his friends.
The Constitution in that country is now being
remodelled, and his presence is deemed necessary
for present and future contingencies.
Congressional.
Washington, Feb. 11.— Senate. —On motion of
Mr. Fisk, the Secretary of War was requested to
report whether any, and if so, what additional for
titkations are necessary for the defence of the har
bor of New York, and'Brooklyn Navy Yard.
House.— The Standing Committees* were not an
nounced to day.
The House re-adopted the resolution to proceed
to the election of Printer. The first vote stood—
Follett 68, Wendell 66, Farham 16, Nathan Sar
gent 9, “ Scattering” 14. Necessary to a choice 87.
Washington, Feb. 12.— Senate. —Mr. Douglas,
in presenting a petition from a Naval Officer, com
plaining of the action of the Naval Board, proposed
the passage of a law granting a trial by Court Mar
tial, where charges have been made, to test their
truth. This would be doing justice by separating
the worthy from the unworthy.
Mr. llale introduced u bill*to repeal the act to
■promote the efficiency of the Navy. Referred to
the Committee on Naval Affairs.
House. —The House again resumed voting for
Printer as follows:—Follet 65, Wendell 69, ram
ham 9, Sargent 6, Scattering 15. Nocessary to a
choice 83.
New York, Feb. 13.—The steamer Granada from
Havana is below, with dates up to the Bth inst.
News from Cuba is of no great interest.
The Northern Light lias also arrived with Cali
fornia dates up to 21st ult., and $248,000 in specie,
principally consigned to Drexel k Co.
At present the forces of Walker the intrepid adven
turer number over one thousand strong adherents
to his cause and plans, and all seem to promise to
make him a name in history.
President Rivas has with a sort of coup d’etat
propensity, issued a decree suspending an official
communication between Nicaragua ana the United
States through th« IT. S. Minister. He has also
recalled his plenipotentiary Parker A. French.
By the Northern Light, we learn that the schoon
er (jnkahie had arrived at San Juan on 31st from
Blewfields brining in full regal state and all the
splendor the schooner conld afford, his most gra
cious majesty Sambo King of all the Mosquitoes!
Annapolis, Feb. 18.—The Know Nothing cau
cus in its efforts to effect something—nominated
Anthony Kennedy, brother of John P. Kennedy,
as Senator for the* election on Thursday.
Baltimore, Feb. 13.—Flour, 2000 bbla., on hand
of Howard street, at $8 00; sales were small;
Corn at 60 to 62cte. _
Mr. Toombs’ Ledtiirc in Boston.
We commence to-day the publication of Mr.
Toombs’ lecture, delivered ou the 28th ult., in Bos
ton. It us unnecessary for us to accompany its
publication with one single line of commendation
—the lecture will be read, at the present time, and
be referred to in the future, as one of the ablest
expositions of the constitutional powers and du
ties of the Federal Government in relation to do
mestic slavery that lias ever been delivered.
We shall conclude the lecture to-morrow.
English Banks. —The banking institutions of
London show larger profits than our own. The
London and Westminister Bank (the leading joint
stock institution) hasTfecently declared a dividend
equivalent to sixteen * per cent, per annum, viz:
Five per cent, regular dividend, and bonus of five
per cent, for the half year. Capital, £1,000,000;
deposits, £8.744,000, loans and securities, £9,120,-
000. Thus the sums drawing interest arp pine
times the amount of capital.
I Fatal Affray. — A fatal rencontre occuiTcd at a
log-rolling in this District on Saturday last, be
tween one McMillan and a man by the name of
Madison King. The latter was killed, and the for
mer lodged in jail.— BarmceH Sentinel, Feb. 9.
From the Montgomery (Ala.) Journal.
The Sick Man’s Dream.
This beautiful piece of poetry was written by the
lute .Judge Robert Karmond Reed, of Georgia, af
terward Governor of Florida. It has never appear
ed in print before, and the lady for whom it was
penned, now a resident of this city, has kindly
permitted us to give it to the public through oar
columns. It is one of those choice, yet unobtrusive
gems, struck out from a rich mine of thought, that
has only to see the light, to ha\*e its beauties ap
preciated : r
A SICK MAN’S DREAM.
Methought that in a sacred wood,
I slumbered on a bank of flowers;
Soothed by a streamlet’s wandering flood
That gurgled through the whispering bowers;
And dreams did visit me—so bright, “
An Elysium only could beget diem.
They brought me such intense delight,
I never, never can forget them.
It seemed that thou was present there,
Thine eyes with living lustre beaming-
The star of morning deck’d thy hair,
And all arouud its radiance streaming
Imparted to tby lip—thy cheek—
The brightness of immortal glorv,
0 ! wc can ne’er such visions seek.
But in some old romantic story!
And near thee hung a lyre of gold.
Beneath a bow of shadowing roses—
Roses—like these that love enfold.
When from his toils the God reposes;
And when thy fingerrs touched the strings,
They yielded numbers rich and swelling,
As when some spirit sweetly sings
At evening, from her viewless dwelling.
Yet changeful was that Music’s strain.
It told of Hone, and Youth , and Gladney;
Os Pleasure's Wreatli, of True-Love’s chain.
And then of blighted Joys and Sadness.
At last an answering Voice there came,
From a bright cloud that then descended.
And while it spake—a quivering flame
Was with the fleecy whiteness blended.
I may not tel! the words so kind,
By that same plaintive voice then spoken,
For the dark night-storm’s rudest wind
Came o’er my dream, and it was broken.
But lady, tranquil be thy hours,
And smooth the nnth of life before thee,
For surely, from ceicstinl bowers,
Some Happy spirit watches o’er thee!
Death of Hon. Andrew J. Miller.
Wc gave in a posteript last week in a part of our
paper the sad intelligence of the death of this
truly worthy and highly esteemed man. For the
last twenty years he has been known almost as one*
of our community. During that time lie has been
a member in one branch or the other of our Leg
islature. and always, with an enlarged liberality,
i friend of Milledgeville. As a statesman, he was
more intimately identified with our legislation t han,
anv man in the State. The prime of life and the
vigor of his intellect, have all been devoted to
her service Uniting thorough business habit*
with great practical wisdom, the impress o£ fria
mind will remain through all time an imperish
able monument to his worth and usefulness in oar
statute books.
As to his social character, the qualities of his
heart, and high toned Christian principle, we dare
not trust ourselves to speak. Suffice to say, he
was known to us as a brother and friend, and a*
such, mourned. It was around the domestic
hearth his best qualities were known, and our
sympathies are Keenly alive to his sorrowing
household thus suddenly deprived of its honored
head.
We regret that in consequence of the cars not.
running as usual, from extreme bud weather, that
the committee from both Houses of the Legisla
ture were unable to attend his funeral. But this
is a small matter. The graver question is on whom
will descend the fallen mantle of Andrew J. Mil
ler, and who fill the void—the place made desolate
in the State by his death!
Milledgeville Recorder, Feb. 11.
This distinguished gentleman departed this lif«
at his residence, in the city of Augusta, on the 3rd
inst. At the time of his decease, lie was the act
ing dilator from the county of Richmond, in the
Legislature of Georgia, wliich honorable position
lie had filled for the last twenty years. He was a
man of high order of talents, a profound lawyer,
and an able statesman. He was much beloved in
his neighborhood, and among his acquaintance*
generally, fof.liis many amiable virtues, and hi*
loss will be seVorelv felt by his family, the people
of Augusta, and the citizens of the State generally.
Griffin, Empire State.
Action of the City Council of Millsdgkville,
—The M«v«»r nod Aldenficu of Milledgeville, re
calling to remembrance the steadfast friendship
manifested towards this city through.a series of
years, commencin'; in 1836. and continuing down
to within a few days nnst, oy the late Andrew J.
Miller, Senator from the county of Richmond, can
not permit, this hour of public grief, occasioned by
his recent death, to pass, without mingling our
sorrow w ith his own Augusta, over his tomb :
Resolved, That having w itnessed for near twenty
years his untiring devotion to the interests of
(Seorgift— his zeal in promoting the prosperity of
Augusta—and having repeatedly received his aid
and coithsel in inuking"this place \forthy of being
the permanent Seat of’Government, he has placed
this community under a debt of gratitude which
made us reject and admire him whilst living, and
will make us fondly cherish his memory now that
he is tro more.
The reported death of Mr. Miller, which we an
nounced last week, proved too true. Another of
Georgia’s ablest and most honored sons has passed
away, at the moment of her greatest need. Few
men in Georgia will receive this sad intelligence
without the .most sincere regret; for Mr. Miller
lias been to his native State, a public
faithful and true, and “his mark” lias been made
upon a record that will stand the test of ages. Tho
able lawver, the prudent and sound legislator, tlm
go, d men, and the fri-.nd of humanity -the inde
fatigable advocate and friend of woman—has gone
down to the grave-mid long, long will it be ere hi*
place be filled, “all in all.”
The proceedings of the Legislative last Tues
day, especially iu the Senate, of which he was ss
long and deservedly il»e Nestor, truly attests the
extent of the public bereavement ou this occasio*.
The city of Augusta will feel in every fibre of her
large and diversified business interest, the loss of
her best friend ami safest counsellor. In the death
of Mr. Miller, Milledgeville has sustained a great
loss. Here, he was the welcome stranger. Here,
political friends and enemies alike honored and
lOved him for his devotion to our people and their
interests. Long will his memory be kept green ia
our hearts.— ted. Union , Feb. 12.
Andrew J. Miller, Deceased. —Months ago we
heard a geutlcmau of Augusta remark of Andrew
J. Miller, *‘ When that man dies, the poor of this
city will lose a great friend.” We though it one
of the highest eulogiums that ccolu be pronounced*
and the universal testimony is, that it was entirely
merited b} him upon whom it was bestow ed. Yet it
is not only the poor who are sufferers by the death
of their tried and faithful counsellor* but the
city of Augusta mourns the departure of her chief
f»ride; and the State of Georgia grieves over the
oss of one of her brightest ornaments. It wa*
our good fortune to know Mr. Miller personally,
socially. And we can but record the impresaio*
which always possessed us when in his presence:
it was, that we were with one of the best and purest
men. The beaming generosity of his [aornl
shone above the brightness of his intellect. Yet
there were moments, even in social converse, who*
the tension.of powerful thought rendered rigid hi*
otherwise placid feature and made every one fool
that a master mind was there. Most sincerely d*
we condole with the family and friends of the do
ceased iu this, their irreparable breavment.
Edgefield Advertiser.
£3?“ Mr. Kiddoo, of Randolph county, has bee*
appointed Judge of tho Pataula Circuit, by Gor.
Johnson.
The post office at Jones’ Creek, Liberty
county, Ga., has been discontinued.
BY TIIE PRESIDENT —Ry find
the advice and consent of the Senate. — George P.
Scarbcroh, of Virginia, to be judge of the Court
of Claims, iu place of Joseph U. Lumpkin, do
clined.
A. C. Seaman, of the District of Columbia, t*
bo Superintendent of the Public Printing.
Death ok Prof. Channino. —We learn from Ac
Cambridge Chronicle , that Edward Ttrrbl Chai
ning, for thirty-two years Professor of Rhotori*
and Oratory in Harvard College, died on Thursday
night of congestion of the lungs, aged about sixty -
five years.
