Newspaper Page Text
£ton%nt (enterprise
(SEMI-WEEKLY. T~
L. C. BRYAN, : : : : Editor.
THOMASVILLE, GA.:
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1867.
STORES FOR RENT.
A good opportunity to rent first class
brick stores in Thoinasville, is offered
in our advertising columns.
CANDIDATE* FOR SOLICITOR
Wm. M. Hayes, Esq., is announced
as a candidate for County Solicitor, to
fill the vacancy occasioned by the re
signation of Robert 11. Harris. Mr.
Hayes is a young man of talent, and
we have no doubt will give satisfaction
in the discharge of his duties. The
eon ot an old citizen of Thomas Coun
ty, and raised among us, he possesses
strong claims upon our favor.
JEFFERS’ NEW GALLERY.
Our readers may not bo aware that
Prof. 6r. A. Jeffers, the polite and ac
complished genius of the Thomasvillc
Daguerrean Gallery, has removed from
his old stand up town, to the second
story of the handsome brick building
next door to Stark’s Confectionery.
We paid him a brief visit two days
ago, and found his rooms splendidly
fitted up and beautifully decorated
with the finest specimens of tne Da
guerrean art. Ill's light has been ar
ranged with great skill and judgment
for the best effect., and every conve
nience provided for the comfort and
pleasure of his visitors. Ilis Like
nesses recommend themselves, and we
need not write enconiums upon what
is already so well known. If you
have not been to Jeffers’ new Gallery,
embrace the first opportunity to do so
BE NOT ALARMED!
Let not our readers be alarmed by
the news we publish from Washing
ton, though it is of such a nature that
might well astound every freeman, and
call forth in thunder tones, every pa
triot to the rescue of his country. —
W’ith these things, however, the South,
at present, lias nothing to do. In all
her borders there are no freemen ex
cept the negroes, and no patriots ex
cept the members of the Southern
“ Loyal Convention ’’ at Washington.
Why then should vie be alarmed ?
Such alarms are for patriots and free
men. The Radicals in Congress have
surprised nobody, not even the most
simple. The South well knew that
defeat would subject her to every in
dignity a bitter and revengeful faction
could invent, and she looked not for
magnanimity or even justice, because
she knew the character of her ene
mies. Let them, therefore do their
worst, and if the measures now pro
posed are carried out against us, let
us stir not, hand nor foot in opposition.
Let us be deaf to injury as wo have
been deaf to insult, because we have
nothing to gain by action, and ti e
time has not yet arrived for the South
to begin her resurrection. It will
surely come however, and the inter
vening period is being vastly shortened
by the immense strides of tho Radi
cals toward anarchy and revolution.
Our present course should be one
of perfect tranquility, industry and at
tention to the recuperation of our for
tunes. The Radicals are not afraid of
our accumulation ofsubstance, for they
think we are too poor to gain much
under the burden of the Internal Rev
enue Tax Laws, but they stand in mor
tal fear of our political power, backed
by our military reputation. This, is
the ghost that ever appears to their
vision and will not be exorcised. Let
them alone then, in their work of ele
vating the negro and degrading tho
white man—it is an estate they are
laying up for their children, and in |
them, their philanthropy will bear its
legitimate fruit.
Let tho Southern people wait —lot
them bo patient, be not discouraged—
we still have our lands, our farms, and
are allowed to cultivate them—let none
cease their labors on nccount of politi
cal changes. Meat and bread must
bo produced in spite of reverses, and
every wise man will turn bis attention
from politics, to tho sure support of
those who depend upon him for suste
nance. Though the South should be
filled with Northern troops, and the
Legislative halls with negroes, our
people need not bo discouraged—over
grown power begets its own fall and
destruction.
U. S. DISTRICT COURT
For the Southern District of Geor
gia —Hon. Judge Erskinc, presiding
—in session at Savannah, on the 18th
inat. The case of Aaron A. Bradley,
under arrest, charged with inciting
others to insurrection, &c., was taken
up.
Our readers will remember Bradley
as the “gentleman of color,” who lately
aspired to practice law in the Courts
of Georgia, after a ludicrous display
of ignorance during an examination for
admission to the bar in a Northern
State, in which he was defeated.
Having been arrested in Savannah
and imprisoned, under the charges re
ferred to, the writ of haheus corpus
was sued out for his release. The
following appears as Judge Erskine’s
decision, as we find it in the Savau
cah Republican :
“ The Court decided after having
carefully read the petition and the oth
er papers in the case, it oould see no
cause for Bradley’s detention; that
there was nothing in the act cited, to
change its wind in that respect, that
the Court was unobstructed in the full
plenitude ot its powers by civil or mili
tary authority in the State; if the law
of the U. S. or of the State of S. Caro
lina or Georgia had been violated the
Civil Courts were in full force to take
cognizance, and its judgment in tho
matter was that the prisoner bo dis<
charged. An order was subsequently
granted to that effect.
In the trial of the above case, Hon.
Iverson L. Harris, one of the Judges
of the Supremo Court of the State,
being in Court, was invited to a seat
on the bench and heard the trial. It
was peculiarly gratifying to see this
harmony between the State and Fed
eral authorities, evidencing the resto»
ration of civil power in lull plenitude,
and the judgment of the bench was in
conformity to the law as it exists fer
the protection of all classes, in which
the laws of the State and U. States
were so thoroughly agreed.”
[For the Semi Weekly Southern Enterprise.]
KEROSENE LAMPS.
Mr. Editor :—Many persons in
the country have Kerosene Lamps out
of service, because they cannot raise
or lower the wick, and attribute the
whole trouble to either a too tightly
fitting, or too loose (in texture) wick.
The remedy is very simple, as the
innocent wick has nothing to do with
the annoyance. Turn the wick up as
though to be lighted, then run down
by the side of it (without pushing it
down) a thin, narrow instrument, say,
a common narrow blade of a pocket
knife. When the point reaches the
neighborhood of the toothed wheels,
rotate or turn it from side to side,
drawing it slowly from one edge of the
wick canal to the other. Don’t bo in
a hurry, as by being careful and try
ing to move the wick after each pas
sage of the knife blade, you will have
the satisfaction to see your lamp wick
rise—i. e. The wick channel is made
or is a little tapering from below up
ward ; sometimes too much so. By
proceeding as above you make almost
a straight channel.
Very respectfully,
WICK.
[For tho Semi-Weekly Southern Enterprise.]
Mr. Editor Is the cause of
Temperance dead ? I have looked in
vain in all tho papers I have an op
portunity to read, both religious and
secular, for something refreshing on
the much loved and long cherished
cause of Temperance. Not one word
have I seen from any quarter, to bring
to our remembrance scenes long since
transpired, when you and I and many
others, used to assemble at the call of
the “ tentmabilum,” in Tkomnsville,
and h avc speeches, and read reports,
and do various other things, in order
to strengthen the work, to confirm the
wavering, and in the main, to help
each other in the good wotk in which
wo were all then so industriously en
gnged.
Tho reflection is a sad one, when wo
call up around us tho names then pro
minent, as members of the Order of
the Sons of Temperance; all in the
vigor of health, and enjoying tho primo
of manhood's days. But low arc now
living of our number, and how many
of those are yet, true to the cause they
espoused and loved. Alas ! 1 fear but
few.
Why is it that the pulpit and the
press, us well as tho voioo of philan
thropy aud religion, is hushed in si
lence on this all important subject?
Is it because of tho late war? Most
of drunkards were sober during the
war, because they could not get tho
accursed stuff to drink ; and now that
the war is over and the country flooded
with the heavily taxed old Bourbon,
and its kindred brands, the vice of in.
temperance is prevailing to an extent,
not hitherto indulged in by Inn South
ern people. Does the unsettled and
despotic tendency of otir Government
furnish an excuse for drinking? If
there over was a time when the inhab
itants of the Southern States should
be industrious, temperate and frugal,
this is the timo. VVhen it is evident
to all, that, it is alone by ottr own per.
sonal industry and energy, that our own
sunny South is to be restored to its
pristine days of prosperity and happi
ness.
That the South is rapidly tending
to become u nation of drunkards, every
sober and reflecting man will at once
admit. In our towns, villages, coun
try stores and cross road places of bu
siness, we but witness on every visit,
the increase of drinking, and partiem
larly among the young men of our day.
On the rail road cars, bottles are pack
ed in black satchels, and in the course
of ono day’s travel, I have noticed
among the passengers, and some too
in high places in society, that these
satchels were often taken in band, and
a move forward, with a nod to the
right and left as they went, would
gather quite a crowd, whose object
was to get out of sight of somebody,
and there refresh the weariness of the
travel, by swallowing down some of old
“ Bourbon’s ” exports, and again re.
turn to their seats quite exhilarated
from the effects. Is any tliiug to be
done ? \\ here is public opinion ? Is
it clean gone ? Is there no voice to
be raised, no pen to be taken in hand,
no press to wield an influence to save 1
the rising generation from the awful
curse of dram drinkiug ?
Iho cause of temperance is not a
popular ono ; of this we are all aware. |
But have wo no patriots, no philan 1
thropists, who will date to meet the
storm of opposition, and “cry aloud I
and spare not!’’ against the prevaiFng j
vice? Tho Ladies were once power, j
ful auxiliaries in the cause, but I fear i
that now, they too wink too much at
tho vice in those who would court j
their smiles and seek their society.
My female friend, you oan do much
towards frowning down this pernicious I
habit; and will you not use your influ
ence in this behalf? The blessings
of them that were ready to perish may
rest upon you, and in doing this, you
will have that within which passeth
show. In various places you are do
ing much in honor ot our Confederate
dead —(peace be to all their ashes!)
But can you not do something for the
Confederate living, who aro binding
body and soul to a viler thraldom than
that from \jhich they fought and bloi
to be rescued? OLD FOGIE.
Important from Washington.
Washington, February II. —The
report of Elliot and Shillabergcrsays :
The Committee on the New Orleans
Riot was appointed on the 10th of De
cember, and commenced the examina
tion of the citizens of Louisiana here
on the following day. On the 22d of
December commenced the examination
at New Orleans, and closed on the 3d
of January ; resumed the examination
here on the 15th of January and closed
on the 2d of February. Examined
179 witnesses, forty-seven of whom
were examined at the request of citi
zens of New Orleans. Our history
shows no riot so destitute of justifiable
cause, resulting in a massacre so in
human and fiendish. The direct cause
of the riot was the reassembling of the
Convention, persuant to a call made by
the lion. R. 11. Ilowell, the acting
president. The committee gives a his
tory of the Convention and the riot.— :
Some of the policemen acted to save
life and not to destroy it. Several ;
members, inducing Fish, were saved j
by being arrested. Governor Hahn ]
was protected in passing from the hall j
to prison, though he received many j
blows from other policemen before |
falling into the hands that saved him. 1
There were some other instances of ■,
kindness by the policemen; there;
were some exceptions. The police and
mob, in bloody emulation, continued :
the butchery until nearly 200 were j
killed and wounded. Ten policemen j
were wounded, none severely; none ]
killed. If the Convention had been !
armed, or the colored people been call- 1
ed upon in advance to protect the Con
vention, this could not be the case.— !
The riot was not an accident; it was ]
tho determined purpose of the Mayor
to disperse the Convention.
The Committee proceeded to the
discussion of the question, quoting a
telegram from the President to Lieut.
Gov. VGothics, which they say assured
Yoo.hics of Presidential support in the
proposed action. The President is
censured for overlooking the Governor,
whom he knew tole loyal, in address
ing the Lieutenant Governor and At
torney General, who were known not
to be in sympathy with the Governor,
and giving directions which, if carried !
out as the Lieut. Governor and Attor< !
ncy General understood them would 1
have placed the military with the
Mayor in arresting the members of the
Convention. Tho president knew the
condition of affairs in July ; knew that
rebel thugs and disloyal men controll
ed Monroe’s election ; knew such men
chiefly composed the police; knew
Mayor Monroe to be an unpardoned
rebel, who was suspended by the mili
tary; he had subsequently pardoned
him. lie must have known voorhies’
and Heron’s rebel antecedents; knew
that riot and bloodshed was npprclictii
ded ; knew that military orders wore
in force ; yet, without the knowledge
of the Secretary of War, or the Gen.
oral ol tho army, gave orders by tele
graph intended to array soldiers and
rebels against men loyal during the
war.
The Committee discussed at length
tho right of Congress to legislate to
place Louisiana within the control of
loyal uicn—-the military must control
until the peoplo of Louisiana adopt a
constitution assuring safety to the re
public and receiving tho sanction of
Congress. These results follow a suc
cessful war—these results would not
follow had it been an insurrection in
stead of civil war, until a loyal State
of Louisiana exists in full accord with
the United States and tho objects of
the war. The unnttainod accomplish,
mont of this requires a temporary pro
visional government. Tho loyal people
of Louisiana must form such a Consti
tution. In tho meantime their safety
requires a provisional government. In
discharge of their duty the Committee
submits the following lull:
“ Be it enacted, That tho President
nominates and tho Senate confirms a
Governor of Louisiana, who holds of.
lice for a year, unless sooner removed
by the President with tho account of
the Senate, or unless sooner relieved
by a successor elected under the pro
visions of this act; tho Governor to be
a citizen of Louisiana; must at all
times have borne true faith and allegi
ance to the United States ; shall take
the oath of July, 1802, and in addi
tion swear that he has not done no act
which would work disqualification un
der the provision of this act.
“Second, The President shall nomi
nate and tho Senate confirm a Provis
ional Uouncil, to consist of nine per,
sons, qualified like tho Governor, and
taking the same oath, and shall eon,
tinuo in office unless sooner removed
by tho President, the Senate consent,
I »ng, until the Legislature duly elected
| under the provisions of the bill. The
j Council with Governor to he invested
J with legislative power; but in no ease
j shall such Governor or counsellor cn
j ter office until they are confirmed by
tho Senate. 'I he Council remains in
I perpetual session, with power to nd
ijourn not longer than 80 days. A
majority shall constitute a quorum.
“i bird. It shall bo the duty of tho
Governor to see to the execution of the
Ffdaral and State laws, lie shall
nominate, and with tho consent of the
Council, commission officers now exist
ing or hereafter created to hold office,
unless relieved by tho Governor Coun
cil consenting, until their successors
shall be elected and qualified as herein
provided ; all such oficers and members
!of the Convention herein provided
must be able to tako the oath pre
scribed.
“Fourth. The electors qualified by
j this Act, unless Congress ordei’3 other
wise, on the first Tuesday in June,
[ 1867, shall elect a Governor, Lieuten
| ant Govenor, Senate, Mouse of Rep
resentatives and other officers as here.
|in provided. Senators and Rcprescn
| tatives to be the same in number and
! from the same districts as now. All
I officers to hold office one year, or until
their successors, duly qualified, are
appointed, unless sooner relieved, as
herein provided. The powers, duties
fees, and compensations as now, unless
inconsistent with this Act.
“Fifth, None others shall vote ex
cept male citizens of the United States,
25 years old, regardless ol race or col
or, who shall have resided one year in
the State, and who never have borne
arms against the country; since he
was a citizen can truly take tho oath
of ju]y2, 1862, provided that any
other person otherwise qualified as an
elector, who never voluntarily gave aid
or comfort to the rebellion nor any
Government inimical to the United
States, or in any other cafaci
ty or rank than as a private soldier in
j open and pivilized warfare, may bo
i admitted to the rights of an elector by
I an order from a Federal Court of re
j cord, by cstablishingiacts in the.testi
! mony of persons who have always been
| loyal, and establishing facts as afore
j said, that after the 4th of March, 18-
| 64, never gave voluntary aid or com
fort to the United States. Upon es
j tablishing the above facts, and sub
! scribing an oath that those things are
t true, which bring him within the pro
-1 viso, and that he will bear true alle
i giance to the Government of the Uni
! ted States, at and perpetuate the union
| of the States thereunder, he shall re
j ccive a certificate entitling him to
| electoral rights.
“Sixth. The Secretary of War is
! authorized to make and publish rules
1 for a just and true registration of clec
| tors prior to any election herein order
j ed ; the time fur holding elections not
ordered in this act, the place and nian
j tier of conducting elections, the ap
j pointment and compensation of officers
of election, and every other thing nec
essary to bolding free elections but all
persons so appointed shall be electors
under the provis’ons of this act, and
shall take the oath of Jul/2, 1862,
j and to faithfully discharge the duties.
“Seventh. On the third Tuesday
j of October, unless otherwise ordered
j by Congress, persons qualified shall
j vote for members of a Convention to
| adopt a Constitution, framing a Gov
eminent for the State of Louisiana;
qualifications twenty-five years old and
all others required r.s in the case of
; the Governor under this act, number
! of delegates and districts the same as
now ; for tho House none to be entitled
j to seats unless they tako tho oath of
■ July 2d, 18152. The Constitution shall
j not permit a distinction rm nccount of
! color of race, and shall recognize the
I power and duty of the Government to
j enforce the perpetual unity of the
j States, and shall provide that no debt
I contracted in support of the rebellion
shall be assumed or paid ; that no pen
sion, compensation or gift shall be be
stowed or paid by the State to any
person by reason of anything done or
suffered in supporting the rebellion;
tho Constitution to be submitted to the
electors qualified by this act; tho elec
tion to be held under the rules pre
scribed by the Secretary of War, and,
if approved by a majority, to be sub
mitted to Congress.
“Eigth. It shall bo the duty of
tho President to designate forhtwith an
oflicer of the army not under Brigadier i
General, to be stationed in Louisiana, !
and to bo military commander within j
the State. It shall bo the further duty
of the President to place under cotn
tnnnd.of such General, the requisite
force to execute the duty prescribed,
whenever the civil authorities refuse
neglect or omit the speedy enforcement
of the laws for the punishment and
prevention of crime against tho rights
of any person whatever. The Gncreal
shall first, hold such offender until the
I civil authorities shall prosecute. The
! General sh;g|l assist civil authorities in
j enforcing tho laws, regulate elections,
secure the enforcement of the laws
without regard to race or color
“Ninth. Tho laws of Council or
Provis oiial Legislature shall he cel ti>
fiod to tho Secretary of the Senate for
congressional approval ; should Con
gress disapprove, the fact shall be cer
tified to tho Chief Justice of Louisiana,
and such disapproved laws shall be
void after dale of their receipt by the
Chief J ustieo.
“Tenth. Until admitted to repres
entation as a loyal State, Louisana to
he allowed one delegate in Congress,
chosen at tho first election ordered
herein, must have the same qualifica
tions as the Governor, and shall have
the rights and powers of Territorial
Representatives now in the House.”
“Eleventh. All laws now in force
in Louisian consisent with this net
will remain in force until repealed or
modified, provided no person shall he
competent to sot on a jury who is not
an elector under this act. All expense
incident to tho administration of the
Provisional Government herein provi.
ded, shall he collected and paid ns now
done for support of the present Gov
ernment.’’
Boyer’s report is long, and supports
by evidence and arguments the version
ol tlu: riot published at the time, and
repeated since by the press ot New Or,
loans and the South, and concludes by
stating that the riot was local, origina
ting in local circumstances, showing
no hostility on the part of tho commu
nity towards the Federal Government:
that it was monstrous to hold the
whole people responsible fora riot pro
voked by incendiary speeches. The
same course would cause a rio* in any
city of the Union, The Conveution
j ists, in inciting the negroes, counted
| first on the military, then on Congres
sional support. It deqounces Judge
| Howell as heading a conspiracy, and
| afterwards abandoning his fellow con
j spirators.
; House.—Among the bills intro,
j duced were those to promote commerce,
! shipbuilding, and establishing a mail
j route in West Virginia.
Tho Committee on Ways and Means
made a report amending the Internal
j Revenue, which was made the special
order for Wednesday.
The Clerk was directed to pay the
Judiciary Committee a sum not over
j ten thousand dollars to prosecute in.
j vestigations.
Elliott reported the New Orleans
j riot report Boyer reported the minor*
j ity report.
Elliott reported a bill re-establishing
; the State of Louisiana, and moved the
previous question on the bill. The
i House seconded the previous question
I by a Vote of 79 yeas to 70 nays, and
i the previous question was ordered.--
j Filibustering motions followed, and
1 several motions were made to adjourn.
! The ayes and nays were ordered,
! when the House refused by a vote ol
! 31 to 126.
Elliott expressed a desire to post
i pope a vote, so that members Could
J read the bill, but was unwilling to put
jit out of his hands. The House, how
| ever, ordered the main question by 85
j to 59; but Elliot moved an adjourn
| ment, which was Carried.
[u the Senate the proceedings were
t generally unimportant. The Presi
j dent’s power to appoint Provisional
j Governors was discussed at length.
Dixon moved to amend by asking
j whether President Lincoln l ad power,
I and questioned the terms of the reso
j lutions applying Vice and acting to
j President Johnson. This was objcc
! ted to by Mr. Conness 1 Mr. Fessen
| den deprecated its present considera
tion, and finally the whole matter was
tabled.
The Invalid Pension and the Post
| office Appropriation bills were passed.
The bill forbidding the reception of
j President and Vice President vvaydis
i cussed until recess.
The Senate is in session to-night.
| Among the Americans who are re.
j ported at the State Department as
! having died in France are Maria F.
| Caziler Ilerz, of New Orleans, ai.d J.
] B. A. L. Lnr.mitrc, of Charleston.
The excitement in the House to day
J was intense. Stevens, was it is said had
j had a three-column speech on his bill
in type, resisted the previous question
oh Riot Committee bill, angrily but
ineffectually. Elliot was anxious to
have bis bill discussed, but was evi
dently mystified by the rapid proceed
ings. After every fillibusteririg mo.
tion ho wanted to know, before a vote,
where the proposed action would place
his bill. Mis repeated questions pro
duced laughter, and it is feared by
friends of his bill that the House will
fwvt n li-it-it of luu:>hinK at him and
destroy the effect of his closing speech
! to which Elliot is entitled as chairman
ol' tho Committee. The motion to ad
journ prevailed pending tho vote on
tho main question, and was lorcid by
a member desiring the reading of tho
bill, which would occupy an h >ur. —
The minority aro most resolute, ami
on the Repulican side there seems to
be much dissatisfaction.
j Asa matter of vital interest to our
readers, wc publish below the import
I ant military hill proposed by Senator
j Williams, of Oregon, and reported
j upon favorably by tho Committee on
Reconstruction, which hag been the
subject of much spirited debate within
j tho past few days :
j A bill to provide for the more efficient
Government of the insurrectionary
States.
Whereas, The pretended State Go
vernments of the late so-called Confcd
eralo States of Virginia, North Caro
lina, South Carolina, Georgia, Missis
sippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida,
Texas and Arkansas, were set up with
out, tho sanction of the people; and
Whereas, The so pretended Gov
ernments afford no adequate protection
for life and property, and countenance
and encourage lawlessness and crime ;
a ml
Whereas, Tt is necessary that peace
and good order should be enforced in
tho so-called States, until loyal and
Republican State Governments can be
legally established ; therefore,
Be it enacted by the Senate and
llouso of Representatives ot the Uni
ted States of America in Congress as,
sembled, That the so-called States shall
he divided into military districts and
I made subject to the military authority
! of the United States, as hereinafter
! prescribed ; and for that purpose Vir
ginia shall constitute the Ist District ;
: North Carolina and South Carolina the
2d District ; Georgia, Alabama and
Florida, the Od District; Mississippi
. and Arkansas the -Ith District, and
I 1, uisiana and Texas the sth District
Sec. 2. And he it further enacted,
That it shall b » tho duty of the Gen
eral of tho Army to assign to the com
mand of each of said Districts an offi
cer of the Regular Army, not below
the rank of Brigadier General, and to
detail a sufficient military force to en>
able such officer to perform his duties
and enforce his authority in the dis- j
trict to which he is assigned.
Sec. 3. And ho it further enacted.
That it shall he the duty of each officer :
assigned as aforesaid, to protect a.!
persons in their rights of person and
pn perty, to suppress insurrection, dis
oider and violence, and to punish or
cause to ho punished all disturbers of
the public peace and criminals; and
to this end he may allow civil tribunals
to take jurisdiction of and to try of- ,
fenders, or when, in his judgment, it
may be necessary for the trial of offend
ors, ho shall have power to organize
military commissions or tnbuuals for
that purpose, anything in the Consti
tution and laws of the so-called States
to the contrary notwithstanding ; and
all legislative and judicial proceedings
or processes to prevent or control the
proceedings of said military tribunals,
and all interference by said pretended
State Governments with the exercise
of military authority under this Act,
shall be void and of no effect.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted,
That the Courts and Judicial officers
of the United States shall not issuo
writs of habeas corpus in behalf of
persons in military custody, unless
some Commissioner or person on duty
in the district wherein the person is
detained shall endorse upon said peti
tion a statement certifying upon honor,
that be lias-knowledge or information
as to the cause and circumstances of
the alleged detention, and that he be
lieves the same to be wrongful; and,
further, that he believes the endorsed
petition is referred to in good faith
and in furtherance of justice, and not
to hinder or delay the punishment of
crime. All persons put under mili
tary arrest by virtue of this act shall
be tried without unnecessary delay,
and no cruel or unusual punishments
shall be inflicted.
Sec 5. And be it further enacted,
That no sentence of any Military Com
mission or tribunal, hereby authorized,
affecting the life or liberty of any per.
son, shall be executed until it is ap.
proved by the superior officer in coin■
mand of the District; and the laws
and regulations for the government of
the army shall not be effected by this
act, except in so far as they conflict
with its provisions.
The bill, though proposed by Sena
tor Williams, of Oregon, was introduc
ed by Mr. Stevens, and is known as
the Stevens’ Military Bill.
An Irishman’s Letter.
New York, January 14, 1867.
My dear Mary, the darlint of me
heart and sow!, I am well, but bad
the favor and agor, and hope you are
in the same condition, thands be to
God. I wish you many happy New
Years, and the children, and hope
you’ll have thrse score and ten of them.
We had Christmas here, but the hay*
thens don’t keep it like wc used at
home. Divil reserve the one that iver
said to me, many happy Christmas, or
bad luck to ye, or any other politeness.
I didn’t get a Christmas box, until
I was going home that night, and a
night walking blagard gave me one on
the eye, and axed me for,me money.
I gave him all I could about a score ol
pounds which knocked the cents out of
him. They tell that the r-agur is goin
to be the white man in future, and
that tho white nagurs in Congress (a
big publick house in Washington),
are going to try the President, for be
ing a white man. If they find him
guilty, and thcr’s no doubt about it.
for they aro accusers, witnesses, law
yers, judges, all in one, theyre going
te execute the executive, make a fel
low oalied Coldiuots, pro/tuicut, anti re
move the sate of government to a place
called Bosh- ton, cclebrafcd for its Re
publicans and sinners. Thim is the
same as the ridiculous fellows they call
ridicules—no radicals —saving your
presence. They want to continue
their power—God bctunc us and all
harm. They say the Southerners must
go down on their knees to them.—
They forget that the poor divils are
flat on their backs in the dust already,
! and theyre a mane set to kick a man
whin he’s down. Bejabers it makes
n.e blood bile to think of it, and that’s
the rason I’m running over on this pa
per. One war is no sooner over than
they commence the beginning of aru
other in Washington, and God only
knows where, or whin it may end. 1
lost one fine leg in the last, but I have
another left for a good cause, and I’ll
fight for Johnson, for I hear his great
grandmother by bis forefather’s side
was an Irishman. * * * * We
have .snow and frost here now, and it
is likely we will have more weather.
'Elic temperance men —God save the
mark-—in a plate called Albany, where
tho peoplo send Ji’xjj-rescntatives to
chate them, have stopped our grog,
only by daylight. Divil a much mat
ter any ways, for they don’t keep a j
dhrop of dacent drink in tho country — j
no ralo mild Irish potheen, a tumbler
of which would charm the hart of a
wheelbarrow, or mage a shovel dunce
—nothing at all but stuff tint would |
kill a pig il he had to live on it, much
less a Christian baste. * * * *
Remember me lo Jim > tell him he’s
well, and ask hint hoW 1 am. I’m sor
sty to hear ot the death of the hull,
and hope your likewise Her milk is
a h ss. Xt II T.aly McFinn if he comes
out here, he’ll see more of America in
one day than if ho staid at home all
his life. I’m glad his wife got over
the twins, and hope that she'll do bet
ter next time. I here's room for ini'
provement. I like this country, hut
there’s no place equal to ould Ireland,
where you'd grins much whiskey for
a shilling ns would make tay for six
people. It you don t get this write
and I tmo know. If you don’t wriio
soon I may be dead, for life is oncer
tain under the Radicals, hut dead or
alive I’ll answer your letter. Address
your dear brother Jimmy, Now York,
America, and I'll axe for a letter from
me darlint sister.—Acte York Sun.
Sketch of a Federal and Confed
erate Camp.
Here stands a Federal camp. A
thousand and ten thousand snow-white
tents sweep farther than the eye wav
reach. The Star Spangled Banner of
richest silk floats on the breeze, which
swells with the “Hail Columbia’’ or
“Yankee Doodle” of some grand band
of brass which lias figured in the sa
loons of the metropolitan cities. Sleek
and well fed war horses neigh and
prance; great herds of lowing cattle
are seeu in the rear lu yonder tent
officers with l lazing inrignu and rich
broadcloth, send the jest around over
all the viands of Fulton market and
wines of trance The champagne
pops. Ihe fume of regain scents the
uir. /Velvety mats and cushions and
cunningly-devised camp equi pa .- e are
spread around. Books, newspapers and
stationary, maps, charts and pictures l
Enter again. This time you are in the
soldiers’ tent. Whatcomfortable blank
ets and oil cloths and overcoats which
might defy the snows of Greenland ;
wiiat well filled haversacks ; a little
stove warms him ; good coffee cheers
him; ali of those oxen bleed for him ;
and well-baked bread crowns his board!
See that yellow flag. It covers the hos
pital. Enter if you please. There are
piles of bandages, pills and portions
and specific-s in neat boxes, and vessels
of glass crown the shelves. Those
cases are the most exquisitely One in
struments of surgery. Those surgeong
and those nurses are practised and ex
pert. There are cordials and wines in
those bottles. There lemons and ice
ami all the delicac.es of the tropics id
those enclosures. Those sick are
clothed in linen and repose on genial
couches That body is being embalm
ed to be sent home.
Oh, dreary contrast ! We are in a
Confederate camp; no tcnt3 are here;
the war lias worn them out. No silken
banner floats—it is shreds and patches
and cannot be replaced. The solitafy
fife an 1 drum discloses the inspiring
strains of “Dixie.” Lank and wonq
the war horse plucks the leaves and
barks the trees ; a few cows, tough aud
old and attenuated, await their fate.—*
Under that tree grey frocks, faded and
worn, with some lace aud embroidery,
an old newspaper printed on one side
an eld map and a spy-glass, which was
used in the Mexican war, tell that
Stonewall Jackson and forest are'
there.
Arounu that fire, smoke-dried, re
clining on the naked earth, two or
j three on a blanket, as a matter of
economy ; the overcoat is in tntters,
I the haversack is turned inside out, tho
canteen lias been traded for from a
\ ankec prisoner, the cloak has been
! picked up on a buttle field, you have
the Confeder .te soldier ! Thou boots
| gape and let in the cold and rain;
that bat has been shot to pieces ; those
pantaloons have lost six inches of their
extremity—but when can they be re.
1 laced ? The soldier cooks his hard
bread and toasts his bacon on the em
bers, atid in bis tin cup he has "con
trived a substitute for coffee, which is
not honored by either mi k or sugar.
Noble soldier ! lie is not cursing the
commissary quartermaster, but re
counting the adventures of yesterday
in which many a dear comrade went
down, telling rough jokes of the day,
or rejoicing in the glorious conflict of
arms which the morrow will bring
forth.- —De Bow's lie view.
Presentments of the Grand
Jury for Thomas County.
We, tho Grand Jurors, chosen and sworn
[ for ilio December adjourned Term of llio
I -Superior Court of Thomas County,
do make the follot+ing Presentments :
Selected fifider the provisions of our Sts
tu!e as tho Grand Jury is, it is cxpcctca
that they should not only be promoters of
peace, preservers of good order, etc., but
vigorous in condemning crime, reproving
ilio turbulent and disorderly, and punish
ing the violaters of law, of whatever grade
or character, without regard to person ex
position.
Tl-e opening charge of your Honor, so'
plain, practical, and of a liusinosS-liko
character, pointed out to us clearly what
we had to do, and as a body, wc have dili
gently and without favor, fear, or affec
tion, discharged our duty.
Wc have the pleasure to preseht to you-
Honor, a much more prosperous condition
of our County, than what was prcsentoiT to
you at the lnsL regular (June) Term of
your Court. Then wo found the Trer.Wiry
exhausted, the Public Buildings dilapida
ted, and the Public Bridges almost impas
sable—all of which havo been much im
proved, but not I) completion. Wc still
find the Court House in bad order—(ho
walls defaced, window glasses broken, the
rooms in a dirty and filthy condition, from
having been occupied by I'nftcd Slates
troops ns bed rooms, shoe shops, cooking
rooms, and offices for the Freedman’s liu
renu—the lattes of Which we Consider is
damaging the Court House to a great ei.
tent. We therefore, respectfully recom
mend the Inferior Court to a completion of
the work, and to adopt some plan (if in
their power) by which the house may b*>
properly cared for.
We still find the Jail wanting some re
pairs. Some of the doors and locks are
out of order, fencing down, etc. All of
which wc respectfully recommend to tho
! proper authorities.
" o find the Records of the Ordinary,
Clerk aud Treasurer, ncally aud elegantly
kept; reflecting much credit upon tho
Clerks of the different departments. We
however, find the Ordinary’s and clerk's
Hooks nearly exhausted, and would there
fore recommend a Suitable appropriation
for iho purchase of a now outfit for those
departments.
We find in the Treasurer’s hands, public
funds to the arnouut of One Thousand
(1000) Dollars.
We also find the County still in arrears,
relative to the Poor School fund, snd
would therefore, recommend the Inferior
Court to levy a las sufficient to cancel Sne
thinl the amount Cne. The sum paid to be
the value of t'oirfedevate money nt the time
it was due.
We would also call the attention of tho
proper authorities to the condition ol the
Public Roads and Bridges. It lias beery
the custom heretofore to present the Itoa ls.
The Roads as his Honor charged us cannot
help themselves. Wc therefore recommend
the Inferior Court to notify the Commis
sioners of each Road District, that they
shall keep, or cause to be kept, the roads
under their charge in good order ; and in
case they should fail *o to do, they will bo
dealt with according as the law direct*.
W- also recommend some repairs upon the
Bn tge across Big Creek, or to be replaced
with anew bridge.
Having received a communication from
his II nor the Mayor, that it was probable
that there were tracts of land within the
incorporated limits of the Town of Tboraas
vtlle, the titles of which vent in the Infe
rior Court, ty reversion or by original
sale. We therefore recommend the Infe
rior Court to pursue a coarse relative to
the matter, as in their ju.lga:«nt sceraeth
proprr.
Wc would also «ogge»t to the Inferior
Court, the propriety of establishing a
Thain Dang for th« punishment of eriavn
a!s who may cctnc under that sentence
of ths law . and would respectfully rec: = <