Newspaper Page Text
THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTIONALIST
Insult to"“The Flaj.”
Serjeant Bates marched all through the
«rebellious" States and received at the
hands of Confederate soldiers the kindest
treatment. It was reserved for the revolu
tionists at Washington to oft'er the only
insult to the flag. We copy from the A’t
tuniai. Intelligencer :
With the masses of our people the Ameri
can flag is the proudly and fondly cherished
emblem of their liberty, their union, and
their nationality. An insult, however
slight, offered to this flag, either at home or
abroad, has always been regarded as an
offense to the nation—to the whole people—
and one to be resented promptly and ef
fectually by the entire power of the Gov
ernment. if necessary, to obtain redress. It
was the tiring upon this flag at Fort Sumter
that aroused the patriotic spirit of the peo
ple throughout the North and West, and in
duced legions of the best and bravest of
those sections to rally to the defense of
their country’s flag, and peril their lives to
avenge the insult ottered to it, and to vindi
cate the national unity of which it is the
emblem. It was this sentiment in the
breasts of the people that tilled them with
admiration of the laconic order of Secretary
of the Treasury Dix to a revenue officer,
“If any man attempts to haul down the
American flag, shoot him on the spot.”
It was only this feeling of reverence and
devotion for the flag that has protected
Benjamin F. Butler from the imposition of
legal penalties for the wanton execution of
Mumford at New Orleans for having haul
ed down the American flag there between
the time of the surrender of the city to the
naval forces and its occupation by the
military forces of the Union.
returned to me my colors, “ I wish I could
• send Sergeant Bates a bouquet to President
Johnson! They would dismiss schools to
meet me, and many of the little girls would
want to kiss me and to wave my flag. My
rooms have been decorated with evergreens,
and in North Carolina girls strewed my
way with flowers and pinned boquets upon
my breast. In passing through North Car
olina and Virginia I had a bouquet in my
hand every hour in the day. I honestly be
lieve, sir, that in every State through which
I have passed in my long journey I could
raise a "thousand men for the defense of the
flag as quickly as I could anywhere in the
entire Union. I have taken by the hands
dozens of ex-Confederate soldiers, whose
warm grasp, quivering lips and moistened
eyes could not lie. In Georgia, for instance,
I met a man who had served in the rebel
armies, and who had been watching for me
along the road. He had been engaged in
chopping wood. I accompanied him to his
home, distant about two miles. On the
way he told me the grave of his brother,
who had fallen in the rebel cause, was not
far from the roadside. 1 went with him to
the spot. He stood upon one side of the
grave and I upon the other. A plain wood
en headboard marked the place, and as I
was reading the inscription he asked why
such a bad state of feeling should continue
to prevail. Reaching his hand over the
grave of his brother, I clasped it;
and will any one say I did wrong
in taking by the hand one against
whom I had fought, but who now
was willing to stand by the old flag?
This patriotic affection for the starry
emblem of their nationality is still cherished
by the masses of the people. An insult to
“ the flag ” is with them still, as of yore, a
grievous offense to the whole nation.
What, then, can more fitly arouse universal
popular indignation than the wanton and
• outrageous indignity offered to it by the
authority of the Senate of the United States
at the very doors of the Nation’s Capitol ?
Startled" at the just and natural conse
quences of this insult flung into the very
faces of the people, the organ in this city of
the Radical revolutionists, by whose insti
gation this outrage upon the flag was per
petrated, makes a feeble effort to palliate its
enormity, and seeks, by a torrent of infa
mous invectives and denunciation of Ser
gent Bates to distract attention from the
real offense. It publishes the following, as
a pretended statement of what occurred:
BATES AND HIS FLAG.
“ To the Editor of the Chronicle ■
“ About 11, a. m., on Tuesday, I learned that
Sergeant Bates would be here about 2 or 3. p.
m., to go to the dome with his party and fling
his calico tothebreeze. I called on Mr. Brown,
Sergeant-at-Arms of the United States Senate,
for instructions in regard to the matter. I was
instructed by him to permit no demonstrations
whatever without orders.
“ Between 2 and 3, p. m., Bates & Co. pre
sented themselves at the east door of the ro
tunda. I met them on the portico, and refused
to admit them. I was then presented with
what was called an order, but it was simply
permission given by General Michler to carry
and display his flag on the dome. I said that I
did not receive my orders from General Mich
ler, but that if the party would get the order
endorsed by Mr. Brown, I would admit them.
A gentleman took the paper to Mr. Brown, and
in due time he returned with the permission
given by Brown to visit the dome. I then
opened the door wide—meaning the door open
ing to the rotunda from the east portico. The
gentleman who returned me the paper from
Mr. Brown asked me for it, but I retained it,
saying it belonged to me. I now said to him :
‘ Sergeant Bates and ten or twclvejof his friends
may go up to the dome; but the crowd will
have to remain below.’ He said : ‘ All right.’
I then said 1 would go to the foot of the stairs
leading to the dome, and protect them from
the crowd. I did so. After waiting fifteen
minutes, I learned that the whole party had
left the Capitol.
“ The primary object in view in refusing the
crowd admittance to the dome was to prevent
accidents to bones and pockets.
“ J. Corson,
“ United States Capitol Folice.”
The contemptuous tone of this commu
nication, in alluding to the American flag
•carried by Sergeant Bates as “ his calico,”
is bom of the malignity which the masters
of this public menial have manifested for
everything held sacred by the American
people. Not only is this statement of this
policeman offensively impertinent, but, as
will be seen from the following certificates,
the truth of the latter part of it is abso
lutely denied by'Sergeat Bates himself, and
several other gentlemen of the highest re
spectability and unquestioned veracity, who
were present and cognizant, as close and
careful observers, of all that occurred.—
These voluntary statements all concur, and
all flatly contradict the shuffling prevarica
tions and falsehoods of the authorized agent
of the Congress of the United States to
palliate the infamy of the outrage offered to
the flag;
Metropolitan Hotel, )
Washington, April 16, 1868. $
To the Editor oj the National Intelligencer:
There seems to be some misunderstanding in
regard to my being refused admittance into the
Capitol, on the afternoon of the 14th Instant,
therefore, I make the following statement:
In company with the committee appointed
to receive me, I approached the Capitol by the
way of Pennsylvania Avenue, and expected and
desired to enter the Capitol grounds through
the gate fronting Pennsylvania Avenue. In
this, however, I was disappointed. Several po
licemen met me before 1 reached the sidewalk,
and told me that 1 could not enter the Capitol
grounds through that gate, and that they had
orders not to allow me to enter by the front
gate. ( This was heard by the committee and
'■ escort that attended me, and also by the two
policemen who had accompanied me from
Fourteenth street. The inquiry was then
made if 1 would be allowed to enter at all.—
The response was, “ Yes; go around and come
in at the East front entrance;” which we did.
When I reached the top step leading into the
rotunda, I was stopped by a policeman, who
placed liis hand against my breast, and told
me that I could not enter. The order of Gen.
Michler, allowing me access to the dome, and
permission to there unfurl the flag that I car
ried, was then handed to the police officer,
who quickly said : the approval of the Sergeant
at-Arms will have to be obtained before 1 could
be permitted to enter.
Another policeman took the order and went
in, as 1 supposed, to get the approval of the
Sergeat-at-Arms. I think I waited at least twenty
minutes before 1 heard that Mr. Brown had en
dorsed the permit. Just before hearing that he
had done so I said to the policeman, wiio all the
time stood immediately in front of me : “ Sir, 1
am wet and cold, allow me to enter the rotunda,
and get out of this crowd.” To which he said:
“No; you cannot.” Some gentleman on my
right then said : “ Why not? Why can’t Ser
geant Bates enter the Capitol; he is an Ameri
can citizen, and they are allowed to enter ?”
The policeman then said : “ Because no demon
strations are allowed here; he can go in, but
not with that flag.”
This surprised me very much, as 1 could not
see how carrying the American tag could alter
or change my position as a citizen, or lessen my
rights or privileges that as an American citizen
I might have. I saw white and black entering,
end yet admittance was refused to me. After
the police officer said that I could enter, but not
with the flag, I, uninfluenced by man or men,
made the remark myself, “ Well. 1 see that
there is opposition to my entering the Capitol.
I know not why; but I will furl the flag and
go to the hotel.” Some one said, “No, wait
and receive a positive answer.” I waited after
hearing that Mr. Brown had endorsed thq per
mit, and until I was told by the policeman and
others that Mr. Ordway’s consent would have
to be obtained before I would be allowed to
enter, and that Mr. Ordway could not be found.
I was the first and the last to propose leaving,
and did leave as soon as I was told that Mr.
Ordway could not be found.
In conclusion, allow me to say that I am not
one of a “ring,” noram 1 controlled or influ
enced by any man or men ; and I desire to in
form J. Corson, of the United States Capitol
Police, that the American flag that I carried
from Vicksburg to the national capital is made
of silk, and not of “ calico."
Respectfully, yours,
Sergeant G. H. Bates.
Willard’s Hotel, )
Washington, April 16, 1868. )
Sergeant Bates :
Dear Sir : I have just been shown your
statement relative to your repulse from the
Capitol on the afternoon of the 14th instant,
and will state that I was present at the east en
trance ot the Capitol when you arrived, and
heard the policeman call you to a halt, as you
landed upon the portico. I came up to him
immediately and said : “ Why can’t the Ser
geant enter the Capitol with ’ his flag ?” He
said they had received orders that no demon-'
stration should be made in the Capitol. I then
replied : “He does not desire any particular
demonstration, nor does he ask that this crowd
should be admitted ; nor even the band ; but
let him go in aloue with his flag. The capital
ot no Southern State has refused him that priv
ilidge, not even Montgomery or Richmond.”—
The officer said he could not help that, orders
had been given him by the Sergeant-at-Arms
that he could not enter, and he should obey
them. I heard him say you could enter with
out your flag, as any other citizen. At this
moment one of the committee came out of the
Capitol and said he had received the permit of
Mr. Brown. The policeman then said he could
. not permit you to enter without the permission
sos Mr. Ordway, Sergeant-at-Arms of the House.
Thereupon, I remarked: “Sergeant, has any
such outrage as this been perpetrated upon your
flag during you trip ?” You replied, there had
not.
After waiting a short time, one of the com
mittee reported the House had adjourned, and
that Sergeant-at-Arms Ordway could not be
found. You then said : “ Well, I will furl my
flag and return to the hotel.” I replied to thia :
“ No, we will go down to Washington Monu
ment, and there you can unfurl your banner
without molestation.” Whereupon we left the
Capitol and drove immediately to the monu
ment.
It these facts are denied, I can pledge you a
confirmatory statement from both committees
and many citizens.
Very respectfully, yours,
E. O. Perrin.
Washington, April, 16, 1868.
Having read an article signed by J. Corson,
United States Capitol police, in this morning’s
Chronicle, I pronounce it evasive, and in many
particulars incorrect. I will only call atten
tion to the fact, that some five minutes or more
before “ Sergeant Bates & C 0.,” as Corson
clownishly and impudently calls him and the
gentlemen with him, got to the East front of
the Capitol, a gentleman of responsibility and
position approached Mr. Corson and said,
“ Sergeant Bates is coming.” Corson,in rather
jan excited manner, said: “He cannot get in.”
| “ What,” said the gentleman, “ will he not be
| allowed to enter the rotunda, and ascend the
I dome with his flag?” Corson replied, “No,
I sir ; I will allow no demonstration of any kind.”
’ The gentleman remarked that it was no demon
i stration, that a few friends desired to accom
i pany the Sergeant; and also stated that he un
derstood General Michler had given a written
permit for the same. Corson said, “ I do not
care for General Michler’s pass. I will not
permit him to enter. I am ordered not to.”
The gentleman said, “ Who gave yon the or
der ?” Corson said, “ The Sergeant-at-Arms.”
When asked which Sergeant-at-Arms,he replied,
“Os the Senate, Mr. Brown.” This took place
before Sergeant Bates and the committee with
him bad arrived at the East front steps. He did
not say then he would not allow any demon
stration "■without orders." His assertion was
unqualified and emphatic.
As to the “ bones" and “ pocket" part of his
letter, I believe he kept out of the war to save
his “ bones,” and for the “ pocket” part, I
would not like to trust him with mine.
Observer.
Washington, D. C., April 16, 1868.
To National Intelligencer :
Having been in company with Sergeant Bates,
the gallant bearer of the old flag, on the day of
his entry into this, the National Capital, and
also when he was refused an entrance into the
building, I consider it my duty, both to him
I and the true Union men of the country, to
i state the facts as they occurred. We arrived at
the West gate, intending to enter there, and
were refused—policemen being at the gate to
prevent an entrance ; we then went around to
the East front —the band which accompanied us
remaining in the grounds below—and ascended
the portico. When at the top we were stopped
by the Capitol police, and the Sergeant was very
rudely informed that they had orders not to
allow any demonstrations. They were then in
formed that he had permission from General
Michler, which was presented. They would
not recognize it unless approved by the Ser-
I geant-at-Arms of the Senate. After some delay,
| it was returned approved by that gentleman,
! and it was then stated that it would also require
I the approval of the Sergeant-at-Arms of the
I House, and the order was carried to obtain his
I signature. While waiting the Sergeant once or
: twice requested to be allowed to enter the
I building alone, as he was very wet and wished
i to get out of the cold, and he was told that he
could not enter with that flag. We waited some
time, and were informed tiiatMr.Ordway could
not be found. The Sergeant again asked to be
allowed to enter, and was again refused. He
stated he would furl his flag and go to the hotel,
when some one remarked, “No; go to the
Washington Monument and wave it there.”
Seeing that there was no chance to get into the
Capitol, he left the building and proceeded to
the monument. These are the real facts. I
was immediately behind the Sergeant, and after
reading the vulgar letter of the chief of the
Capitol police, I feel it but my duty to make
this statement. Respectfully, yours,
E. R. McKean.
These statements will be corroborated by
a number of other respectable witnesses.—
We have not space to-day to comment on •
the details ot the manner of offering the
insult. . They are unimportant in view of
the main issue. It is acknowledged that
the American flag was denied admission
into the Capitol by order of an officer of the
I nited States Senate. The objection was
not to Sergeant Bates, but to the flag. The
insult was not to the man, but to the stars
and stripes of our national emblem. Per
mission to enter the rotunda was graciously
accorded to this gallant Union soldier and
his companions, most of whom were his
comrades in arms, but he was rudely forbid
den to pass the threshold wifZt that flag.—
There was no tumult, nor any cause for ap
prehension of disorderly conduct. Tiie gen
tlemen who accompanied the bearer of the
flag were well behaved, and many of them
personally known to the Capitol police as
gentlemen of respectability and responsi
bility; some of them were members of Con
gress. The pretended fear of a demonstra
tion is a paltry subterfuge. The insult to
the flag was deliberate, premeditated, and
preconcerted, as we shall show to-morrow,
since the limits of our space prohibits us
from doing justice to the subject now.
Interview Between the President and the
Sergeant—lnteresting Account of His
Travels through the South —Expressions
of Loyalty and Kind Messages to the
President from All Sections.
Washington, April 16, 1868.
Sergeant Bates called upon the President
to-day to perform what he considered a
very agreeable duty. That duty, he said,
was to deliver to the President the kind
messages for the Chief Magistrate of the
nation which he had received in the swamps
and in the woods along the stretches of pine
forest through which his route now and
then lay, at the lonely farm houses and in
the villages, cities and towns. “ Tell the
President,” said a gray haired man, “ that
we are praying for him.” “ Say to him,”
said hundreds, “ God bless him.” Many,
very many, begged the Sergeant to tell the
President that their hope was that Heaven
would bless Andrew Johnson in his efforts
to secure their rights in the old Union.
“ At Richmond, Va.,” continued the Ser
geant, “ a fine looking old lady, working a
passage through the crowd, came to me as
I was making my way out of the city, and
with the tears coursing her cheeks said,
as she took my hand, “ Tell Andrew
Johnson that he has the earnest prayers
of the matrons of Virginia for his wel
fare and happiness. Gray haired men,
trembling with age, invoked upon President
Johnson Heaven’s blessings. Just beyond
Montgomery, in Alabama, my flag was dec
orated with flowers and a laurel wreath by a
voting lady, who said to her mother, as
jNorth Carolina I met an old man who had
served in the rebel forces. He was quite
old for one who but a short time since had
carried a gun and knapsack. The poor old
man, during the war, had lost two sons and
a son-in-law—his only support. It was
eight miles to the Catawba river, the bridge
over which had been destroyed by Steed
man. It had been rebuilt, was very high
and bad to cross. This old soldier took
such interest in me—l had stopped over
night in the town where he lived—that he
went with me to the bridge and led me over
for fear I might fall-and hurt myself. Be
tween Selma and Montgomery, Ala., I went
to an elegant residence, occupied by a gen
tleman named White, on a plantation called
Whitehall. Mr. White himself came to the
door. My flag was unfurled, but he did not
know me, nor had he heard of my singular
journey. He, however, warmly welcomed
me, and I explained to him how I had come
to seek shelter under his roof. During the
war, he told me, Wilson had passed through
that country and destroyed all he had.—
During a talk of two hours there was hard
ly a moment that his eyes were not moist
ened with tears. In the morning I found
my flag all decorated by his daughter with
wreaths of laurel and flowers. He went
with me on my way about a mile, and final
ly said he would have to leave me. I took
him by the hand. A gentle breeze was
blowing and tlfe flag held in my left hand
was flying. The old man tried to bid me
good-bye, but he broke down, and for sev
eral minutes wept like a child.”
At the request of the President, the Ser
geant explained the circumstances under
which he had undertaken the long journey
which he has just concluded. “ Persons,”
said he, “ made assertions which I believed
to be both foolish and unfounded. I con
tradicted them, saying that I did not care
fortheir individual opinions; but, as per
haps thousands believed as they did, 1
would make a proposition that, if carried
out, would disprove their theory. I there
upon made an offer to do what I have done.
I did not think my proposition would be
accepted, nor did the principal person of
those to whom I refer think I would dare
to carry out my plan. He, however, at
o .ce accepted my offer, and dared me to
fulfill its terms. He had declared, for in
stance, that if the Governme it would with
draw the military forces from the South,
and leave the flag flying, the Union sol
diers would hardly be out of sight before
the colors would be torn down and tram
pled in the dust. 1 replied that I was a
poor man, that I was not in a condition to
undertake the journey, but that if he would
give me a dollar a day for my family while
I was gone, I would go to Vicksburg, and
would, alone, unarmed and without money,
carry the American flag from that place to
Washington. I was told that my life
would not be worth a cent; that, indeed, I
would never be permitted to leave Vicks
burg alive. Articles of agreement were
drawn up, and I was dared to sign them.
I did so, and thus bound myself to their
performance. I went home, thought
over the matter, saw that it was a
novel enterprise, and would attract some
attention, but did not think it would re
ceive the notice it has. I felt sure I would
be treated well, and that the flag would be
respected ; but I had no idea the people
would take so much pains to show their
respect for the flag or that I would receive
such an ovation. There was not, sir, dur
ing the entire journey, a breath uttered
against the flag or myself, whether in the
rich man’s parlor or the poor man’s cabin;
whether on the road or in the city, the old
flag received the respect and homage of all,
and I welcome and hospitality. I was de
termined to carry out the plan. I have
done so, and when I reached Washington I
had not a penny in my pocket. I did not
know where I was to get a meal or where
to find a resting place. I have had money
enough offered me on the route to make me
rich for life, but I have not accepted a cent,
nor have I sold a photograph, as some have
said. During my journey, Mr. President, I
recaptured one of our flags without ex
pending a shot. It was a flag that had
been taken from us at Chancellorsville, and
it was handed to me by an ex-Confederate
soldier, who had preserved it at his home.
Before I leave I will call on you to show
you a sash presented to me by the ladies of
Montgomery, Alabama, and which I prom
ised when I reached Washington you should
see. I hope on Monday next to leave for
my home, near Edgerton, Wisconsin, where
I have a wife and two children. The last
work I did before I left was the cutting of
two cords of wood. I left a tree partially
cut, and I want to go home to finish it.” J
The firmer the attachment, the softer the
kiss.
' Meeting of Soldiers and Sailors at Indian
apolis-
A meeting of the Conservative soldiers
: and sailors of Indiana was held at Indian
apolis, on the Bth Instant, for the purpose
of forming an association to be known as
the “ Union White Boys in Blue.” General
Love called the meeting to order, and sta
ted that the object in the formation of the
association was to extend their influence—
-1 1. In securing a candidate to carry our
banner in the coming Presidential contest.
A In our combined effort to elect that
candidate, and thus rescue the country
from the grasp of the ruthless and destruc
tive party, now in power.
Generaj Love then read the following
letter from the Executive Committee ap
pointed by the Soldiers' and Sailors’ Con
vention, held at Cleveland, in 1866 :
1 Marble Building, 460 7th Street, )
Washington, D. C., March 1, 1868. J
, , S . n ‘ : Atthe mating of the National Cen
tral Executive Committee, and State and
territorial Auxiliary Executive Commit
tees appointed at the National Convention
, and Sailors at Cleveland,
18bo, held in Washington, Fedruary 22d
i last, it was
I Resolved, That a delegate convention of
i all soldiers and sailors who served faithful
ly in the Union army during the late re
bellion, whoare in favor of the Constitu
tion of the United States, the restoration of
the States now excluded to representation,
and opposed to revolutionary legislation of
Congress, be held at Cooper Institute, city
of hew York, July 4, 1868.
2. That the State and Territory Auxili
ary Executive Committees for the several
States and Territories make arrangements,
each in their respective localities, to secure
representation, as shall to each be deemed
most efficient.
3. That the delegates of each State, re
gardless of the number present, shall be en
titled to cast in convention double the
number of votes, and no more, to which
such State is entitled in the electoral col
lege. Each Territory represented and Dis
trict of Columbia shall be entitled to two
votes.
4. That the immediate formation of clubs
and other organizations be urged upon
those soldiers and sailors sympathizing
with our principles in every town, county
and State of the Union.
Y our attention is directed to the forego
ing proceedings of the committee, and your
earnest co-operation in carrying out the
suggestions herein made solicited. The re
ports from the various States are very en
couraging. It is believed that in some of
the States a majority of the soldiers are
j with us i 1° others a large and powerful mi
j nority, in the’remaining a very respectable
proportion. Organization only is needed
to make our strength felt. Will you not
attend to making it for your locality ? The
Central Committee will be glad to hear
from you frequently.
Please address communications to Gen.
Hugh Cameron, No. 460 Seventh street.
Very respectfully,
George P. Este,
C. D. Pennebaker,
Thomas Ewing,
P. H. Allabach,
J. W. Denver,
Hugh Cameron.
National Central Executive Committee.
At the conclusion of the speech of Gen.
Love, Col. J. W. Blake offered the follow
ing :
Resolved, That Gen. Hancock, by his mil
itary recognition of the principle that un
der our institutions the m.litary power, in
time of peace, is ever subordinate, and not
superior, to the civil laws of the land, has
shown himself the patriot citizen, as his
servicetfin the field proved him the gallant
and tried soldier, devoted to the Union and
Constitution of our fathers.
The committee appointed to prepare a
constitution and plan of organization then
reported the same, which was adopted.
Gen. John Love was then elected Com
manding General of the organization for
the State, and Col. B. C. Shaw was elected
Quartermaster General.
On motion, Gen. Love was authorized to
appoint the Adjutant General for the or
ganization.
On motion, the executive committee were
authorized to select the Brigadier Generals
for the several districts.
The meeting then adjourned.
£ From the Louisville Journal.
B ast or Angel.
The Hon. Reverdy Johnson, as we have
stated, presented recently a petition of sev
eral thousand negroes of South Carolina,
Georgia and Alabama, asking the Govern
ment to aid them in getting to Africa. The
Maryland Senator simply complied with
the request of the great multitude of ne
groes to have their petition presented, but
his action in the case, slight and simple as
it was, set Forney to raving. The latter
calls it “a discreditable attempt of the Cau
casian lawyer to take snap judgment on
the negro,” an attempt which, he says,
makes him “ blush for his race.” “ The
race ” that he has thus far run is certainly
one that he ought to blush for.
This unprincipled politician says that
“ the poor negroes in the interior of the
South are not capable of knowing what it
is they are asking for.” Perhaps they are
not, but they have heard such torrents of
declamation during the last two or three
years about the superior powers and merits
of the negro race and of its capacity, if un
trammelled by the whites, to accomplish
wonders, that they feel a natural anxiety
to get to Africa, where their people have
had full sway for thousands of years in
working out their noble destiny, and where,
of course, they expect to share in all the
glory of the supremacy of Congo, Guinea,
the Hottentot country, &c., over the rest of
the nations.
How shameless and shameful is the posi
tion of Forney and his friends ! They pro
claim, when it suits their purpose, that the
Southern negroes are so dull, so stupid, so
destitute of comprehension and knowledge,
as to be “ incapable of understanding what
it is they are asking for,” even when thou
sands of them unite earnestly in the ask
ing, and yet the same demagogues contend
that the negroes are entirely fit to take a
leading part in the government of the
Southern States, and to exercise universal
suffrage, whilst the white race is disfran
chised.
The negro is made out by his Radical
friends to be a beast or a semi-angel just as
the occasion requires.
Who Choked off Grant’s Father?—lt has
been whispered about that the biography of
e < n ’ ,^ ran . t ’ by Grant’s father, heretofore pub
lished by instalments in the was sud
denly “ choked off” by somebody, and Rumor
said the choker was none other than Grant him
self—who, it was hinted, began to be ashamed
of its silliness. It now turns out, however
that Rumor was incorrect—a letter from Mr’
Robert Bonner {Ledger editor) to the Tribune
stating that:
“Gen. Grant had nothing whatever to do
with the writing or the publication of the
sketch of his early life written for the Ledger
by his father. The sketch was begun and fin
ished before Gen. Grant knew anything about
it, and appeared in the Ledger in full, just as
it came from the General’s father, without the
curtailment of a single word ; so that the Gen
eral could not have ‘choked off’ the old °'en
tleman, as you assert.”
[From the Minneapolis Tribune, Aprd 14.
Truth Stranger Than fiction.
AN ESTATE OF $ 150,000 FU ADULENTLY HELD
. FOR. FIFTEEN YEARS—TWO OF THE THREE
RIGHTFUL HEIRS LIVE IN MINNEAPOLIS.
From data before us, it appears that Mrs.
George Holt and Mrs. J.. W. Brigham, of
this city, with a brother residing at Chico
pee, Mass., are sole heirs to an estate of
$150,000, left by a brother who died in De
troit, Mich., twenty-six years since.
Jonas C. Brigham, the brother referred
to, son of Dr. Luther Brigham, of Chicopee,
Mass., removed to Detroit about the year
1838, and embarked in the dry goods busi
ness. Four years later he invented and
procured a patent on certain machinery for
generating gas, and entered into a contract
to light the city, but in experimenting, one
evening, an explosion occurred, and he was
instantly killed. At the time of his death
he was betrothed to the daughter of Col.
Brooks, a wealthy gentleman, and at that
time a Custom House officer. Col. Brooks
immediately wrote Brigham’s father, in
forming him of the death of his son, and
that, if he desired, he (Col. Brooks) would
act as administrator in settling up the es
tate, and forward him the proceeds ; taking
care to state, however, that the amount
would probably be very trifling. He was
accordingly made administrator, and, after
a little time had passed, wrote Mr. Brigham
that his sou left nothing but a gold watch
and clothing, which the administrator
thought should be given him for his trouble.
Knowing nothing of his son’s business
affairs, Mr. Brigham accepted the statement
as true, gave the watch and clothing, and
never realized as much as one penny from
the estate.
Thus matters have rested for twenty-six
years, none of the heirs for a moment
dreaming of fraud or unfairness until about
three months since, when Mrs. Holt and
Mrs. Brigham received a letter from the
person who acted as Judge of Probate at
the time the estate was settled. He wrote
merely to inquire their given names, “as
they might be made parties in legal pro
ceedings in regard to property once belong
ing to Jonas C. Brigham.” Their suspi
cions were at once aroused, and, without re
plying to the letter, a friend was sent to
Detroit to quietly search the records, and
to obtain an abstract of all property stand
ing in their brother’s name. The investi
gation revealed the fact that there is stand
ing upon the records, in the name of Jonas
C. Brigham, one piece of property in the
heart of the city, now worth $40,000 ; nine
lots, also in the heart of the city, worth
$50,000; eighty acres of land, a few miles
out, worth at least $8,000; a store house
and lot, and three acres of land in Newport,
and one hundred and sixty acres of land in
Illinois. The total value of the property is
about $150,000.
Judge Jones, as attorney for the heirs,
has been in Detroit for some days, and has
written them, corroborating the above.—
Col. Brooks died ten years since. The ad
ministration has never been completed, and
the gallant Colonel and Judge of Probate
have been collecting the rents and enjoying
a good thing. Since the death of the Col
onel the Judge has had it all his own way,
and his object in visiting the heirs was,
doubtless, to buy them off for a mere song.
When his term of office expired, he viola
ted the law by conveying the records in
this case to his home, where they remained
until he was forced to give them up re
cently.
It seems that seven years after Brigham’s
death, an individual came forward and pre
sented what purported to be a bond for a
deed to the property now valued at $40,-
000, but the instrument lacked seal and
witnesses, and the court has persistently
refused to issue an order confirming the ti
tle. The bond is believed to be a forgery,
and the property will undoubtedly be di
vided among the three rightful heirs.
A Marvelous Story.—The Manchester
(N. H.) Union tells of an interesting case
which shows how little a thing will disar
range the machinery of man’s organism. A
resident of Manchester, Mr. Walter B. Cong
don, 35 years of age, a strong, robust,
hearty man, in the enjoyment of the sound
est health, fell suddenly ill, and was seized
with shivering pains in the body, especially
in the left side below the region of the heart.
Medical attention was had to no purpose
and his malady increased. He soon lost
the use of his limbs, was unable to help
himself in any manner, and remained pros
trate and bed-ridden for seven months.—
During this time he eat but little, his food
contisting principally of rarely cooked eggs.
He wasted rapidly in fish, and was reduced
from 170 to 101 pounds, losing at the rate
of a half pound a day, and leaving him
almost a skeleton. He had the care and ad
vice of the best physicians, and, as may
well be supposed, took enormous quantities
of medicine. Nothing did him any good,
and one after another the doctors gave him
up, assuring him that|his case was hopeless.
Finally, having already exhausted seven
different courses of treatment, at the hands
of as many physicians, he was induced to
submit himself to the action of a galvanic
battery, which had the effect of disturbing
and ultimately of removing the cause of his
disease. This was found to be no more nor
less than a common medium sized brass
pin, which he had undoubtedly swallowed
seven months previous, but of which he
himself knew nothing. He only suspected
from his sensations that he had swallowed
something, but what or when he was unable
to tell. Soon after the application of the
battery, the pin, having been dislodged
from its position, passed forth through the
intestines.
If, as is alleged by the impeachers, Pres
ident Johnson is the first President who or
dered the deposition of Cabinet officers
without previous consultation with the
Senate, Mr. Stanton is the first official on
record who lacked the manliness to resign
his position upon learning from his supe
rior that his room would be preferable to
his company. In this connection we quote
the following extract from a letter written
by James K. Paulding (at that time Navy
Agent, having been appointed by President
Monroe and continued in office by John
Quincy Adams,) to his friend, Washington
Irving:
“New York, 30th December, 1832.
“ There is a strong rumor here that ef
forts are making in Washington to super
sede me in my office, in favor of . * *
I know not whether the rumor has any
foundation or not, but if the President has
any desire to give my office to another per
son, my being apprised of the fact will at
once decide me to send in my resignation,
as I should from that moment consider its
tenure disgraceful.”
If Stanton were not the fellow that he is,
he could not read these words without a
blush.—W. Y. Herald.
A meeting of clergymen and laymen of the
Protestant Episcopal Church at Boston ap
•pointed a committee recently, to report on the
expediency and method of taking measures for
the maintenance and education of the daughters
of indigent Episcopal clergymen, many clergy
men in the Southern States having been re
duced almost to starvation. The object is to
prepare young ladies to support themselves by
teaching.
The Blue Stocking Club.—The above is
the title chosen for a new society in this city,
composed of women of literary and artistic
tastes. The “ Order of the Pen” was at first
suggested; but that was not comprehensive
enough. The first meeting was held a day or
two ago, circulars were issued requesting the
co-operation of lady members of the press, lit
terateurs, and artists in this and other cities.
■ Those set down as prominent members are
Mrs. D. G. Croly (Jennie June) Mrs. James
Parton (Fanny Fern,) Mrs. LuciaJGilbert Cal
houn, Mrs. Elizabeth Stoddard, Mrs. Ann 8.
Stephens, Misses Olive Logan, Kate Field, Alice
and Phcebe Cary, Amanda M. Douglass, Mrs.
Henry Field, Mrs. Mary Clemmer Ames, Mrs.
Mary E. Dodge, Mrs. Eliza F. Ames, Mrs.
Laura Leclair Phillips, Mrs. Ellett, Miss Mary
L. Booth, Miss Dunning (Shirley Dare,) Mrs.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Miss Susan B. An
thony, Miss Clara Jennings, Mrs. Alfred
Bierstadt, Miss Clara Louise Kellog, and a
score of other artists in words, colors, marble,
music and histrionism.
A large number of honorary members out of
town are proposed—as Mrs. Julia Ward Howe,
Mrs. Harriett Prescott Spofford, Mrs. Harriet
Beecher Stowe, Mrs. Rebecca Harding Davis,
Mrs. Octavia Walton Levert, Miss Abigail
Dodge (Gail Hamilton,) Miss Augusta J. Evans,
and many other ladies of literary ability and
reputation. The object is understood to be the
formation of a national society, with the centre
in New York, and the binding together by ties
of sympathy and spiritual sistership the lead
ing women of the Union.
It has been determined that for the better
carrying out of the purpose the members shall
meet once a month at a launch at the up-town
Delmonico’s, and shall have such reunions at
their own homes as may be found convenient.
[New York Sun.
Waking Up.—The cotton lords of New
England are at last seriously alarmed at the
results of unfriendly legislation and the gen
eral policy of the Radical majority in Congress
towards the South, upon cotton production
in tbe United States. We see that a cotton
manufacturers’ convention is to be held in New
York, at the St. Nicholas Hotel, on April 29th,
to consult on the general interests of their
business. The call for'the convention is issued
by six of the leading cotton manufacturers of
Massachusetts, and the object is said to be “ to
observe legislation with constant care, and
with all proper influence to guard against
enactments hurtful or erroneous, and promote
those who shall be right and beneficial; to
collate, digest and disseminate among tbe mem
bers all the attainable information and statistics
that shall be acenrate and trustworthy ; to pro
mote cotton cultivation in our country, and a
recognition of the identity of interests between
the cotton grower and manufacturer ; and gen
erally, to accomplish by associated efforts
whatever may be found right and expedient for
the common good and within the sphere ot
the association.”— Charleston News.
Sergeant Bates and the Radicals.—The
Tribune naturally enough does not think much
of Sergeant Bates, nor the old flag that it used
to call the “ flaunting lie ” —but its carpings are
well answered by the Journal of Commerce,
when it says:
When Bates arrived at Washington, on the
14th of April, he had demonstrated that the
heart of the South is as free from treason as
Hudson river is from ice in the month of Au
gust. Though Radical journals and Radical
politicians may decline to accept any evidence
of the real condition of the South which runs
against their theories and schemes, we cannot
refuse to believe that the majority of the Repub
lican rank and file will welcome and credit all
testimony, even from so humble a source as
Sergeant Bates, that establishes a community of
sympathy as of interest between the masses of
the people iff the two sections of country. If
there are those who still doubt, let them shoul
der the flag and follow in the track of the Wis
consin soldier. Under that sign they will find
their passport, and learn the secret of the only
practicable reconstruction.
Singular Explosion.—A friend of ours
while suffering from the effects of a severe head
ache was recommended to bathe his forehead
with hartshorn and chloroform—equal parts.
He procured a small bottle as directed, and ex
perienced a decided and almost immediate relief
from pain on applying the mixture, or rather
the prescription, for hartshorn and chloroform
will not of themselves mix, to his forehead.
Pleased at the result he stood shaking the bot
tle and watching the almost instant separation
of the. liquids that occurred as soon as the
motion cased. The idea struck him that a little
cologne might improve the prescription, and
removing the cork the cork he poured in a
small quantity of cologne, which affiliating
with neither of the other fluids remained float
ing on the surface of the chloroform, the harts
horn being beneath. Replacing the cork he
was about to shake the bottle when an explo
sion occurred. A large portion of the side of
the bottle was blown out, and almost all the
contents thrown some feet, ruining the varnish
ou the stand of a pet sewing machine. The
surprise of the gentleman may be imagined.
His headache was cured. Will some of our
friends, skilled in chemistry explain the cause
of the explosion ?— N. O. Picayune.
Death of Robert Thurston, Esq.—We
are pained to announce the demise of Mr.
Robert Thurston, for a number of years the
able and efficient President of the Charleston
Gas Company. He has been taken away from
us in his prime, when bis career of usefulness
seemed but fairly commenced, bnt his talents
and experience had already caused his advance
ment to the responsible position he held at the
time of his death, and rendered him one of the
prominent men in our business community.—
His loss will be severely felt, not only by his
bereaved family, but by the large circle of his
friends and acquaintances. In addition to
many offices of trust and responsibility, Mr.
Thurston also held the position of Worshipful
Master of Franklin Lodge, No. 76.
[Charleston News, 20th.
Fenian Correspondence Seized.—Mont
real, April 17.—A1l the correspondence which
has passed between the Fenian lodges in New
York and Montreal has been seized by the Gov
ernment, and a grand exodus of prominent
Irishmen from Canada to tbe United States
commenced this afternoon in consequence.
Over 400 persons are implicated in the corre
spondence with O’Neill and O’Mahoney, and
the entire affair will be brought before the
court in Ottawa. It is reported that an inter
national case will be made of it, as documents
have been discovered ■which tend to show that
the murder of McGee was plotted in New York,
and approved of before a comini ttee in Mont
real.
Arrest of a Delegate.—Frank Arnim, a
white delegate to the convention from Edge
field, was arrested a few days since by the
United States Marshal for fraud and embezzle
ment ot Government funds, and is now confined
in the jail. The charges were prefered against
Arnim while in the convention, but his posi
tion prevented bis arrest at that time. He has
since been nominated for the State Legislature
by the Republican party, but neither his post
nor prospective honors could save, him from
the clutches of the law. The case will be tried
before the United States Court.
[Charleston Mercury, 20th.
Is it True ?—Au old fisherman stated the
other day that if a man wants to catch fish
whenever he visits the creek, let him not pick
the lull moon days to do it in. He gives a
philosophical reason for the advice. He says
when the moon is full, thejnights being bright,
enables the fish to do all their foraging in the
night time. Os course having their wants sup
plied, they lay up all day, and consequently
there Is a scarcity of “ bites.” Under a new
moon season, the fish sleep at night and
work by day, which makes the difference in
the fisherman’s string— Mississippi Index.
The horn of a sea unicorn was lately’ extract
ed from the side of the ship Pocahontas, now
at Boston. It had passed through a thickness
of four and a half inches of Southern pme, anil
about twenty inches in length was left tn the
ship, showing that it must have been driven,
with tremendous force.