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Beecher to Brownlow.
Henry Ward Beecher has written
the subjoined letter to “ Governor’’
Brownlow: *
Brooklyn, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1867.
My Dear Sir: I have just been
talking with a friend returned from
Tennesse, and have learned a little
more in detail than I before knew of
your State, and what you propose to do.
Pray, do not think me meddling with
your business when I express my anxi
ety for your success in the thorough
and permanent.enfranchisemcnt of the
negro, for Tennessee is in some sense
the representative of the new nation. —
What the whole people above all
things need just now is that one of the
Southern States should of its own will
and by vote of its own people come up
fully on to the platform of “equal
rights and full citizenship for allmen.”
Then there will be a model to work
for in other States. They will have
courage to believe that such things
can be done. Suffrage for a whole
people I deem a natural right. I
should urge it as a matter of “justice.”
Should you secure it, it will raise the
conscience of the whole nation many
degress higher than it is. But in your
case, it is also a matter of political
safety. If some fear that such meas
ure will kill them, so 1 am sure want
of it will kill them. To die for prin
ciple is to make suro resurrection ;
while political death, without and ev
en against principle, is death perpetu
al and resurrectionless. Should Ten
nessee remain firm and work out this
great truth and duty of universal suf
frage, not fortified by crime, I shall
regard it as the turn of night. The
day star will have arisen, and light will
grow stronger and darkness weaker
every moment thereafter.
I hope that God will be gracious to
you and reinvigorate your frame. lie
has made your life precious to those
who wish well to the country. Into
the struggle of the next campaign you
n ;n uul only the State of Ten
nessee, but of the whole South, and
so of the nation. May God go with
you, and bless you, and bring you out
victorious. Then, if you wish to de
part, we will rejoice with your inherit
ance of that rest which remaineth for
,thc people of God.
I am, dear sir, truly yours,
11. W. Beecher.
Dr. ZJaycs Adventure with a While
/.Bear. —The following story is told by
; Dr. Ilayes, in his work on “The Open
PolarGea,” and gives us a somewhat
, different idea of Polar bears from that
whioh-we have been accustomed to
} hear from -travellers :
... Strolling one day along tho shore, I
*wa* tobsermr.g with much interest the
-effect tis theTecent spring tides upon
the ice foot,-«7hen rounding a point of
land, I suddenly found mysolf confron
ted in the faint moonlight by an cnor
t.mous bear. IHe had just sprung down
{from the-land-dsc, and was meeting
,meat a full trot. We caught sight of
, each other at 1 the same instant. Be
ing without, a-nfle or other means of
defense,. I-. wheeled suddenly towards
the ship, with, Lfuacy, much the same
, reflections about discretion and valor
as those wbioli. crossed the mind of
, old Jack Falstaff -when tho Douglas
- set upon him ; butrfiuding, after a few
lengthy strides,- that I was not gobbled
-zip,. I looked baek-awer my shoulder,
.when, as much to toy-surprise as grati
fication,-I saw the bear tearing away
to the open water with a celerity
.w.hich left no doubles to the state of
-his mind. I suppose .it would be dif
ific-ult to determine -which was tho
-.worst frightened—the hear or I.
The Word with the. Baric On. —ln
■the Southern News, of -the 21st, ap
pears the fallowing over the proper
.signature of the editor:
“We desire to state most emphati
cally that we hold ourself—politically,
morally and personally, responsible for
everything which appears under our
editorial head. Those correspondents
who write anything obnoxious to pub
lio sentiment, will have to shoulder
the responsibility ; and if they use our
columns to convey any offensive per,
sonalities, they will have, if any fight
ing is to be done, either to fight tlioso
■whom they have- assailed, or to fight
us. We do not mean to lend this pa
per to the utterance of private malice;
but we have given tho above hint, for
fear that without a careful examination
of tho manuscript, something of that
sort might appear. Ycrbum sat sa
pienti l”
The Germans. —It is noticed that
Germans havo settled in almost every
partof the world. Besides being round
in all parts of Europe, and forming a
large and valublo portion of the popu
lation of every State of (ho Union, a
large German society is flourishing iu
Hong Kong, in China ; and Rio de
Janeiro, in Brazil, has a population of
50,000 Germans. They have pene
trated to the most remote regions of
Africa, and in Abysinia have a flour
ishing colony, which controls the man
ufacture of gunpowder, and is regarded
by the king of that country as a valu
able addition to his people. Industri
ous and energetic wherever they go,
the Germans, in all parts of the world,
are held up as examples of thrift and
prosperity.
V&'ht a certain boarding house, not
far off, they had chicken soup a few
days ago. “They jest let a chickon
wade through it,” said one boarder.—
“If they did, he waded on stilts,” re
joined another.
Gen. Grant’s pay is 818,678 per
year, and Lieut. Gen. Sherman’s 813,-
518. Each is allowed fifty horses. A
Major General gets 85,800 per year,
and is allowed five horses. The pay
sis a Brigadier is $3,040.
SEMI-WEEKLY
jimiiljcnt (feterjitm
L. C- BRYAN, : : : : Editor.
THOMASVILLB, QA.:
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1867.
LECTURES.
Let it be remembered that Rev.
Josephus Anderson is announced to
Lecture at the Court House, on Mon
day and Tuesday nights next. These
Lectures are designed to edify and in
struct, and knowing the lecturer to be
a profound thinker, and thoroughly
acquainted with his subjects, wo pro
mise not only instruction, but a splen.
did entertainment to the lovers of good
literature. Come and hear him.
AMENDE HONORABLE.
That is to say, we would not have
our readers to neglect or avoid the es
tablishment of our friend on the other
side of the street, because wo told
them last Tuesday that lie was not
sufficiently enlightened to know tho
benefits of advertising. We are told
by a disinterested advocate of his, that
he is really in straightened circum
stances, notwithstanding his display
of merchandise, and that he is really a
clever fellow. We have always dpne
a great deal of gratuitous advertising,
and if the above be true and “ Greeny”
will send us his Card, we will try our
powers for his benefit, gratuitously.
One person has asked why we did
not notice some other persons in town
—he does uot know our record ; but r,
notorious character, named Ebcrharf,
was arrested in Savannah a few days
ago, for asking the police a like iuiper
tiuent question of “ why don’t you ar
rest white men V Is this answer
enough 7”
STRIKE AMONG LABORERS.
W e learn from the Republican , that
the laborers of Savannah aro on a
“ strike,” or rather a frolic of “ nulli
fication.” The City Council passed an
ordinance levying a tax of 810.00 on
laborers, for the privilege of laboring
in that city, and, determined not to
submit to so great injustice, instead of
paying the tax, all labor ceased on
Saturday last, and the Republican
represents tho city as having the ap.
pcarance of keeping a thanksgiving
day, and as having suffered great dam
age. How Jgng this state of things
will continue wo do not know, but the
city authorities are advised to repeal
the law to prevent further mischief.—
Tho towns and cities of the country
seem to be following in tho footsteps
of the General Government, and in
creasing tho expense of administration
in every way possible, and frequently
upon tho most frivolous and foolish
pretences. Why should it cost more
now to govern a little town or city
than it did a few years ago 7 Because,
perhaps, a greedy desire for gain , has
taken the placo of patriotism and hon
esty.
The “Strike ” Aoatn.— -We lenrn
from tho Savannah Republican, which
commended the strikers, and then ap
plauded the successful action of tho
city authorities, that the “strike”
among the laborers of that city culmi
nated in a demonstration of forcible
resistance to the tax ordim rice, and
the prompt putting down of tiro same
by tho polico f'oroo of tho city. All is
represented now quiet in tho city,
though much damage resulted to tho
prosperity of the city and many vessels
wero obliged to leave in ballast for the
want of hands to ship their cargoes.
CITY GOVERNMENT OF
♦ ATLANTA.
The citizens of Atlanta aro just now
in a state of bewildered excitement
over tho revelation of tho astounding
defalcation of their City Treasurer. —
Tho Finance Committee have investi
gated the receipts and disbursements
of tho City Government, ns well as the
general transaction of business by tho
City Officers, nnd the result has shown
a degree of peculation nnd corruption
existing in tho City officials that may
well alarm tho citizens, who have
borne tho burden of taxation. The
Treasurer had so imperfectly kept the
records, papers and so forth that tho
Coiumitteo found it impossible from
that source to arrive at his receipts
and disbursements, and could ouly do
so by collating the mass of vouchors
and receipts. Ho was however found
to bo defaulter to the amount of §47,-
000,00, and the whole City Govern,
tnent havo been requested to resign.
The Intelligencer confesses with shame
and regret tho criminality of tho City
Government, nnd proceeds toconuncut
with much severity upon their acts.
YANKEE STEAMER BURNT
BY NEGROES.
The Steamer Gen. Sheplcy, taking
its name from Gen. Shcpley ot Maine,
and owned by northern nten, was burnt
at Ossabaw on Saturday night last while
lying at the lnnding of Capt. Fly’s
plantation, for the purpose of taking
on cotton. It seems that tho negroes
on the place were refractory on accouut
of the difficulty which reoently occur
ed there about the ownership of the
land, and having been ousted they
refused to contrnot for labor or leave
tho premises. The Sheplcy took down
ftom Savannah a file of soldiers to hold
them in check, and for this reason
they fired her tho following night, and
she became a total loes. Wonder if
Thad. Stevens will hear of it 7 This
Steamer was destroyed by the “loyal"
people of the South. The facts con
nected with the above were obtained
from the Savannah Republican.
RAILROAD MEETING.
We learn from the Argus, that a
Railroad meeting was held by the pco
plo of Decatur, at Bainbridge, on Tues
day, the 22nd ultimo, at which 830,-
000 were subscribed and the Inferior
Court recommended to subscribe $50,-
000 more to the stock of the Atlantic
& Gulf Railroad, on condition of the
completion of said road to certain
points within a given time. The City
Council of Bainbridge are also repre
sented as favoring the subscription of
850,000 by the City, for the same pur
pose. These amounts foot up 8130,-
000, which, if obtained, will greatly
facilitate the operations of the Com
pany. Once more, we wish cur Bain
bridge friends success in their under
taking—but wo do not wish the road
to stop at Bainbridge. AVe wish to
sec it running into Pensacola.
ALBANY PATRIOT.
This paper has been purchased by
Mr. S S. Sweet, recently of Macon,
and he has written a sensible and prac
tical salutatory. The Patriot is now
greatly improved in appearance, and
we have no doubt will be sustained by
the prosperous section of country in
which it is located. Albany is one of
the most flourishing towns in Southern
Georgia, but she needs the completion
of the South Georgia & Florida Rail
road, to give her a Gulf connection,
and open up to her Merchants and
traders, the sixty miles of country
which seperates her from Thomasville.
Let her people join hands with us in
tho construction of this road, and it
will give her an impetus which will
soon double her population and im
portance,
DEFUNCT.
By reference to the proceedings of
Congress, it will be seen that Thad.
Stevens’s “ Enabling” Bill, to reduce
the Southern States to Territories, has
been referred, says tho Macon Tele<
graph, to that “Tomb of the Capu
lets,” the Reconstruction Committee,
and Mr. Stevens himself considers it
a death blow to his hopes. He used
all his powers to prevent it, but the
bill was referred, and tho fact gives us
gratifying assurance that the arch en
emy ol the South is not omnipotent,
even in a Radical Congress.
RECEIPT FOR LONGEVITY.
Our Cook, “ old aunt Lina,” a col
ored woman, says she knew an old lady
who drank constantly from the skin of
a Rattlesnake, and lived to see twelve
years of Sundays. Os course, the old
lady was born a few centuries before
tho flood, as she diod within aunt
Lina’s remembrance.
Congressional Proceedings.
SENATE.
Washington, January. 28, p. m.—
A mnng a nttinhftr r\V potitiona, la ono
for tho National Bureau of Education.
The Millitary Committee reported a
bill forever prohibiting peonage.
The Library Committee reported a
bill amending acts regarding copy
rights, which was passed.
The President was directed to in
form tho Senate why the Governor of
Colorado was absent from his post ?
Why here 7 Who paid his expenses 7
When and how often nbsent from his
post ? Same inquiry was ordered re
garding other Territorial Governors
and tho Indian agents.
The Judicial Bill goes baok to the
House with amendments. It pro
scribes the machinery of the habeas
corpus, but exoepts from its operations
military offenders or those tainted with
rebellion prior to date of October.
The Tnriff Bill was taken up when
the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
Trimble, of Kentucky, introduced
a bill repealing the cotton and sugar
tax ; referred to tho Ways and Means
Committee.
Bill to mend the District Franchise,
extending it regardless of sex, was in.
troduoed. A motion to refer it to a
Special Committee off) was lost; yeas
45), nays 73. Tho bill was referred to
the Distriot Comniittcov
An unsuccessful attempt was made
to rofer tho impeachment question to a
Committee of seven, on tho ground
that tho Judiciary Committee lacked
time. Tho Chairman said the Com
mittee had time, and in answer to a
question asking what the Committee
was doing, ho said. “It would bo
known at tho proper time, No one
outside of tho committee know, he
said, and he branded all reports sent
North as false.”
The bill passod creating a commis
sion to examine into the Treasury Do.
partment.
The Postmaster was ordered to ro
port what amount was duo contractors
in Tennessee on tho opening of rebel,
lion.
Stevens’ bill was taken up. Ju
lian opposed the bill, as ho favored
keeping Southern States from repre
sentation indefinitely.
Stevens modified his bill materially.
Ho appealed to Bingham to withdraw
his motion to refer, so tho bill might
bo completed. Bingham declined,
wishing tho House to deoide. Stc.
vens said the reference of tho bill
would be its death. Then ensued a
bitter colloquy between Bingham and
Stevens.
The Speaker called Stevens to order
for saying ho did not believe a word
Bingham said. The bill was referred
to tho Reconstruction Committee by a
vote of 88 to 05. The Houso then
adjourned.
Notice This, —Executors and Ad
ministrators are required novf, by-law
to state in their advertisement of sales
tho terms of the sale. Sheriffs must
advertise 40, instead of 30 daye, as
formerly.
Cable Dispatches.
Berlin, January 29, Noon —Count
Bismark has been nominated for the
German Parliment to represent the city
of Berlin.
London, January 29, Noon—Dis.
patches have been received here which
state that the Cretan war has been re
newed ; that the terms of the Sublime
Porte for peace have been scornfully
rejected by the Cretans; that a battle
has since been fought, but the result
has not been stated. Apparently there
was much enthusiasm on both sides,
and the war had spread to the neigh
boring islands.
Liverpool, January 29. —The Great
Eastern, on the 19tlx inst., was safely
placed on the Gridiron at Birkenhead,
opposite this city, by Captain Sir
James Anderson An examination
showed her to be in good condition,
and she will positively sail lor Ameri
ca on tho 20th of March next.
Florence, January 29. Admiral
Persario has been acquited of the
charge of cowardice.
Yiena, January 29.—The American
breechbading rifle has been given to
a portion of the Austrian army.
Paris, January 29, P. M.—The
United States bonds have made a fur
ther advance of 1-8.
Liverpool, January 29.—The cotton
market is steady and prices are unr
changed, with sales to day of 8000
bales. Tie market for goods and
yarns is quiet. The prices are dearer.
Athens. January 29.—The Greek
Ministry propose to raise the effective
force of tie army to 31,000 men, in.
eluding 14,000 reserves. The action
is taken on account of the military
preparations and tho threatening atti
tude taken by the Sublime Porto.
Abolition in Account With tho
Negro.
A few days ago, Qcn. Howard, the
Chief r.f tho Frcedmen’s Bureau, re
ported officially to the Secretary of
War the number of freedmen now liv
ing in eleven of tho principal late
slaveholding States, as follows, estima
ting by the latest and best reports
from his subordinates, with the excep
tion of Mississippi, where a census has
been taken during the past year :
Virginia, . . . 500,000
North Carolina, . . 360,000
South Carolina, . . 375,000
Georgia, . . , 400,000
Florida, . . . 62,000
Mississippi, (by census) 820,000
Louisiana, . . . 350,000
Texas, . * . 200,000
Missouri, ; . : 100,000
Arkansas, . . . 100,000
Tennessee, . . . 300,000
Total . . . 3,067,000
By turning t'o the United States
census of 1860, the reader will find
that the negro population of these same
eleven States, in June of that year,
was 3,335,000. This leaves » deficit,
in actual count, of 268,000 souls, lost
%o t-U* world by tho eiYorta of tbo
North to better their condition, Ilow
shall wc account for these missing
people 7 If an hundred thousand
from these States lost their lives in
fighting for “ the Union,” there is still
a deficiency of ono hundred and sixty
eight thousand whose bodies arc moul
dering in the grave to satiate the Mol
och of Abolitionism.
But this is scarcely a titho of the
actual state of the case. In the de
oade between the years 1850 and 1860,
the ratio of increase of slaves in the
eleven States abovo named, was, accor
ding to the last census, something
more than fifty-two per cent.
At the same rate for the past six
years, tho natural increase of that class
of our population in the States named,
would have been 1,040,000 —and
there should have been in June, 1866,
4,375,000, instead of 3,067,000-
showing, according to all statistical
rules, a deficit of 1,308,000 in the ne>
gro population of thoso eleven States ?
What could bo moro startling—what
more meloncholy or distressing to tho
true philanthropist than the sacrifice
thus made!’
Instead of an ansrcl of mercy, the
hypooritical friends of the black man
buvo come to him as tho angel of
death, and has darkened every cabin
in the South with the shadow of mour
ning, ami substituted destruction and
discontent. — Nash. Union and Dts
patcch.
Military Tyranny in Texas.
Galveston, Jan. 25.—There is
great excitement here over (Jen. Gril
tin’s interference with Gen. Johnstou’s
obsequies.
Gen. Griffin demanded pledges which
tho Mayor refused, under which he al
lowed the remains to bo taken to tho
Epicopal Church for services. The
body remained in tho open air all day
and was visited by thousands. Busi»
ness was suspended and the house drap
ed in mourning.
Htf-Tlio Lincoln Monument Asso
ciation now has 8130,000 in funds, tho
Illinois Legislature having appropria.
ted 850,000 to the object. The sum
of 8200,000 is, however, still required
to carry out the designs of tho Associa
tion.
Hajj-Thcre are in tho United States
30,000 miles of railway, which cost
$1,380,000,000. In Europe, 35,000
miles, costing $3,500,000,000. In
America there are 90,000 miles of tele
graph, and in Europe 60,000.
was decided in tho New \ ork
Court of common I’leas on Thursday,
that the liability of a baggage express
man was not limited by the words ex
pressed on a check, “will not be liable
lor an amount exceeding SSO upon any
article," and that the word “article"
applied to each item of the contents of
the trunk, and not the trunk itself.
RECONSTRUCTION.
An Interesting Debate in the Ilonse—
Sterens Dissected b j a Radical.
From the proceedings of the United
States House of Representatives (so
called) on the 16th instant, we extract
as follows. It will be borne in mjnd
that all the speakers are Republicans,
save the last, Mr. Dawson :
SPEECH OF MR. PAINE.
The House then took up the bill
introduced by Mr. Stevens for the re
construction of the rebel States. Mr.
Bingham, being entitled to the floor,
yielded to Mr. Paine, who spoke at
length in opposition to tlje second sec.
tion. He declared that he could not
vote for the second section of the bill,
recognizing the present State Govern
ments for municipal purposes, and if
that section were not struck out he
would vote against the hill. He de
nounced them as practical Govern
ments, which up to this time had rest,
ed on the souls of Andrew Jehnson
and his Northern and Southern satel
lites, but would henceforth rest on the
soul of the rash youn J gentlemen from
Pennsylvania, (Mr. Stevens.) AVhy
was that gentleman so anxious to share
the responsibility and guilt of Andrew
Johnson 7 The diabolical outrages
perpetrated under those piratical Gov
ernments were daily this
hall; and yet here was"an effort to re
cognize them. If this had been pro
posed eighteen months ago, there
might have been some excuse for it,
but now there was none. That gen
tleman had intimated something about
the Presidential expectations of Mr.
Spaulding, but it would really seem
that, that gentlemen (Stevens) himself
had some longing for the Presidential
bread and butter. [Laughter, j
SPEECH OF MR. BINGHAM.
Mr. Bingham culled the attention of
the House to the departure by the
proposed measures from what had hith
erto been done and sanctioned by the
Committee on Reconstruction, by Con
gress, and by the people. He would
not limit the power of the people to
establish guarantees and safeguards.—
It was because he recognized the right
that he opposed tho measure proposed
by the gentleman from Pennsylvania,
(Mr. Stevens,) arid liis own colleague,
(Mr. Ashley.) The Committee on
Reconstruction, representing the judg
ment of the loyal people, came to the
conclusion there was no safety for the
future of the Government, except by
such an amendment of the Constitu
tion as made all men born in the couiv.
try citizens of the Republic, as dc.
prived States of the right to deny per
sons within its jurisdiction the equal
protection of the laws, as placed re
presentation upon population, as dis
franchised rebels, as made tho national
debt inviolable, and as authorized Con
cross to enforce those provisions. He
believed that tho safety of the people
depended upon the incorporation into
tho Constitution of that great Amend
ment. He stood upon the proposition
that Congress, by its vote, did give
out that Amendment as the basis of
restoration, and the people of the Uni
ted States accepted it. Many mem
bers owed their re-election to the fact
that State Republican Conventions ac
cepted tho Amendment as such basis
of restoration. That, however, did
not restrict Congress from further leg
islation in regard to those States, not
inconsistent with tho Constitution. —
But this bill neither stood with the
Constitutional Amendment, nor with
tho duty of Congress to give due pro
tection to citizens of the United States
within tho disorganized States. This
bill gave no such protection to any
body, loyal or disloyal, therefore he
opposed it; and he opposed it also bo
cause it was at variance with the Con
stitutional Amendment. Let the fu
ture safety of the Republic rest upon
irrepealaldo guarantees, embodied in
the Constitution, and not upon repeal
able legislation in the insurgent States.
The American nationality, as a po
litical organization, never existed an
hour cxcep' through the governments
of regularly organized States -nd or
ganized constitutional State Govern
ments. There could bo no represen
tative branch of legislation savo thro’
organized States. Ho repeated, there
was no American nationality save
through tho States. Tho gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Stevens) had sta
ted, the other day, that it was absurd
to supposo that one of the lately rebel
States could take any act in ratifying
the Constitutional Amendment, but
the Committee on Reconstruction had
thought otherwise, lor it proved by
the ratification of it by those States
half the States of the Union to-day had
exercised tho functions of Stato Gov
ernments beforo they actually bccauio
States, and tho ratification of those
acts by Congress made them legal
from tho beginning. So ho would
have the lately rebel States go on and
perform acts for the ratification of tho
Constitutional Amendment, even tho’
they were not regularly organized
States, and the ratification of their acts
subsequently by Congress would legal
ize them. As to the Supreme Court,
its powers wore limited. Its appellate
powers depended upon the will of Con
gress. If gentlemen were apprehen
sive of tho improper exercise of those
powers, there was a very easy remedy-
Congress could take away the appel
late powers of that Court, and let it
sit simply to hear cases arising out of
treatise, See, The gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Stevens) had frequent
ly expressed the idea that the rebel
States were not States of tho Ameri
can Union, but were alicd enemies,
subject to all tho penalties of con
quest; and had often quoted tho prize
cases to sustain that view; but he
(Bihgham) denied that the decision
in the prize eases covered any such
ground.
This bill was very offensive to him.
It attempted to restrict thb r jgi,t 0 f
petition. The Father of All exuded
that right to all bis people, ana the
Constitution of tfae United States
clared that Congress should pass no
law restricting the right of petition ;
but this bill proposed to do so. It
looked as if diawn by a crowned des
pot. It declared that all persons who
were in the rebellion, and had once
taken an oath to the Constitution of
the United States, and could not be
come so ezeept through the form of
naturalization. He submitted to tho
Houec and to the country that the
Congress of the United States had no
colorable authority for declaring, first,
that a million of the people of this
country were no longer citizens; and,
second, that they could take no steps
for organizing State Governments un
til Congress passed an disabling act
permitting them to do so. Tn answer
to a question, what remedy he himself
proposed, he said he wished the meas
ure to be referred to the Joint Com
mittee on Reconstruction. The sixth
section of the bill disfranchised a mil
lion of men, which was a clear depar
ture from the Constitutional Amend
ment, which imposed no disability ex
cept the disability to hold office. This
bill not only decitizcnized a million of
people, bnt it disfranchised them also.
Mr. Maynard inquired whether the
rebels had not denuded themselves
of citizenship, and whether the ques
tion was not now one of franchisemcut,
and not one of disfranchisement.
Mr. Bingham admitted that when
citizens engaged in arrnel rebellion
against the Government they were
subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of
the Cos ogress of the United States. —
Congress had already legislated on the
subject, and declared to what disabili
ties those persons shall be subjected.
These disabilities wero deprivation of
the right to hold office, State or Fed
eral.
Mr. Bingliam’shourherc closed, but
he was permitted to proceed for a
quarter of an hour longer. Resuming
he recapitula’.ed his objections to the
bill. Although the people of the South
had been traitors, he still recognized
in them the rights which this bill
would annual, of meeting and petition
ing Congress for a redress of grievan
ces. He denounced the provisions of
the fourth section as a most monstrous
atrocity, declaring, as it did, that no
person should be deprived of his right
to vote because of conviction and sen
tence for any crime other than the
crime of treason, insurrection or mis
prison of treason. It was declaring
in effect that thieves, robbers, murder
ers and midnight assassins should nev
er be deprived of tho elective franchise
on accouut of their being convicted of
such crimes. While he was willing to
assert all the rightful powers of this
Government, he would never consent
to incorparate by law in the status of
the nation a provision that would de
prive the people of the right of alter,
ing or am nding their legislation—a
provision wliioli tliU bill contained. -
Congress had not even the color of a
right to pass such a law. lie was not
going under pretence of protecting the
colored people of the South, to declare
that the pcoplo of any State were not
to have the right to alter and amend
their laws at pleasure. This provision
not only attempts to fetter the States
in this way, but it also attempted to
fetter future Congress in the same way.
lie declared that this bill, instead of
being a bill of reconstruction, was a
bill of destruction; instead of being a
bill of restoration, it was a bill of dis
union and perpetual dismemberment.
Referring to Mr. Ashley’s bill, ho
showed how absurd it was to deny that
the rebel States were States, for the
Executive, the Judiciary and even
Congress had recognized them. Con
gress had made appropriations for
Judges of the United States in the
States of Florida, Alabama and other
districts. The bill of his colleague
was nothing but a bill of anarchy, for
it swept away all the laws now exist
ing there, and a people without law
were as miserable as a people without
God. lie looked upon both bills as
departures from the constitutional
amendment. It might be but justice
to punish tho rebels severely, but
there was something grander in mag
nanimity and mercy titan in even
handed justice. He knew that those
rebels had ridged tho land over with
graves. He know that 400,000 citi
zens had fallen martyrs to their faith
to tho country and the Constitution,
and it was in view of their great trans
gression that the proposed act of uni
versal forgiveness rose in the sublime,
nnd challenged a parallel in history
since man began to be on earth. He
protested against the bill as being for
eign to the purposes of tho constitu
tional amendment.
It was inquired of Mr. Bingham
how many of the rebel iitates had ac
cepted the constitutional amendment.
Mr. Bingham admitted that all the
rebel States, which had considered it
in their Legislatures, with the excep
tion, perhaps, of Arkansas, had rejec
ted it, but it did not follow that they
would not yet accept it, and if three
fourths of the organized States adopted
it, it would bind the rest and give
them the benefit of it, while in the
meant-mo it would bind Congress
For these reasons he asked that the bill
ho referred to the Committoe on Re*
construction.
SPEECH OF MR. DAWSON.
Mr. Dawson followed in an argu
ment to prove that the Presidential
policy was the true solution of the na
tional difficulties. He showed bow the
rebels, having laid down their arms,
and abandoned the objects for which
they had taken them up, had since been
submissive to the laws and had con
ducted themselves as good citizens.
And that on the other hand, the course
pursued by Congress had been based
on tho assumption that the reconstruc
tion of the Government, as to thow
States*was what it was called upon to
achieve. Congress had assumed that
the old Government and the Constitu
tion of 1789 have been as to those
States destroyed. If sd, wherein add
’*ow 7 Not certainly by the decisive
success of the Union armies, anM not
by tu» surrender of the rebel armies,
their complete abandonment of the is
sue for vhich they had resorted to
force of arias, and their prompt return
to obedience to the paramount law. Tho
Government therefore had not been
broken up, and no reconstruction was
necessary. He argued that there was
no warrant in the Constitution for iib
posing the Amendment as a condition
in re-admitting the rebel States to rep
resentation in Congress. He imputed
to New England a scifisb purpose in
Wishing to exclude from Congress tho
representatives of the great agricultu
ral interests of the South, lest, in con
junction with the representatives of tho
agricultural interests of the West, her
practical policy might be endangered
and her manufacturing interests injur,
ed-
In regard to the punishment of tho
people South, he submitted that thd
failure ot the rebels was a sufficient,
penalty on them, and he argued, as a
matter of law, that no person can be
legally punished for rendering Obedi
ence to de faelo Government, illustra
ting that argument by reference to
English history in the time of tbO
Commonwealth of the accession of
Charles 11. In contrast with the
course of Congress he eulogized the
patriotic and humane policy of tbtf
President. The storm of partisan
fury would rage against him in vain.
He might break under, but ho would
not bend. Whatever obstacle might
oppose him, lie would, he trusted,
stem the torrent and gain the shore in
safety. The historian would record
that chiefly owing to the efforts of Mr.
Johnson in Congress the great Home
stead Law was on the statife book. He
contended that it was impossible to
act jut the principal embraced by tbe
majority in Congress, without estab
lishing a consol dated centralized forttl
of government.
The Speaker’s hammer fell on the
termination of the hour, and before
Mr. Dawson had concluded his
speech. Mr. Spaulding moved an ex*
tension of time, but Mr. Stevens ob«
jected, stating that he had given no
tice when Mr. Bingham’s time was ex
tended that was the last extension of
time he could consent to.
Mr. Dawson said he then gare »o
tico that there should not be another
extension of time so long as he was a
member of the House,
Mr. Scruggs, former editor of th«
Era, and of Columbus papers, is about
to start anew daily in Atlanta, to bo
called “The Daily Opinion.”
TO THE PUBLIC.
Important Lectures-
The Itev. Josephus Anderson may be
expected to deliver two Lectures in Ihoin
asville, in tbe Const House; tlie first on
Monday night, Feb. 4th, at 7} o’clock, on
“ The Bible and Astronomy and the se
cond on Tuesday, Feb. 6th, at 7$ I’. M.,
on “ The Bible and Geology.”
These Lectures will embrace matured
views of a deeply interesting character on
these important subjects.
I’riee of admittance 50 cents. Tickets
to be had at the door, and at the store o-f
Hardaway & McKinnon, and G. A. Jeffers
& Son. jan 22
OICITLAKI.
Departed this life on tho night of the
.4th of January,
MARY GERTRUDE HARDJVICK,
Only daughter of T. W. & M. E. Hardwick ;
aged thirteen years, 4 months and twenty
nine days.
Full of life, endowned witii fine intellec
tual abilities, and possessed of a most do
cile, amiable, and affectionate disposition,
Frkdik had closely endeared herself to all
who knew her.
Having faithfully accomplished her mis
sion on earl it, she has exchanged its scenes
of disappointment, care, sorrow nnd deatii,
for the more congenial and abiding homo
of the pure nnd blessed.
God loved her and took her to Himself.
“Early, bright, transient,
Chaste as morning dew.
She sparkled, was exhaled,
And went to Heaven.”
ATTENTION FIREMEN!
\KPTUjj[E Engine, Protection No. I—yon
will attend a Regular Meeting of vour
company at the Secretary’® Office, on Tuesday
next, 6t)i February, at 7 o’clock. P. M.
Ily order of the Foreman.
L. DFKLE, Sec’y.
The attention of the company is called to the
following Resolution, passed at a Special Meet
ing, held on the JHf li ult:
UlAor.VKn, That from and nft«*r thia dnto, ih«
laws of this Company as to Dues uud Fiuee,
will he resumed and enforced.
Approved and ordered to be pnhlished.
Ily the Foreman,
G. A. JEFFERS.
Feb 1 2t
LOST HORSE.
MY Pluck Horse escaped from me on Wed*
nesday morning last, the 30th ultimo,
while out on a hunting excursion, seven or
eiffht miles south of Tbomasville. and in the
ncighborho«»d of OchlockoLee Church. He
had on saddle and hridle at the tim# of his es
ca|>e. Any information concerning him *ill
he thankfully received hy
H DICKEY.
Feb 1 ts Duncanvills, Ga.
Administrator's Sale.
CKOKOIX—T !»•«•»
A GREEABLE to an order of the Court of
i\ Ordinary of Tboma* County, will he *oNj
at public omrrv. before the Courthonee door in
the Town of thomatville, the following indi
vid-ml notes belonging to tbe eeUte of j. 8.
Neely, deceased:
Note on Henry Morgan for 1186 00. dqe Mar.
let, 1861
Note ow John M Dyson for (460 00. dee Mar.
8.1861.
Note on A Holline for SSOO 00. doe Jen I. *63.
Note on J h W-nn for SJ73 7'J, due March 20,
18J?
Note on D S R*y for $lB7 13, due Jan. 9, '6l.
Note on II C Bowen for sls*B 48, doe Mar. 4,
1861
Note on Gilbert Donaldson for S2OO 80 inter
est from April 27,1857. doe Jan. 1.1858.
Note on T U Danes for $1037 46, dee Jen. 4,
Note on W A I»ey for $75 00, doe Oct. S. *B4.
I Term* cash. JAMKS N WINN,
reb 1 304 Ada r.