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GEORGIA WEEKLY OPINION
THE WEEKLY OPINION.
Come to Light.—Tito much talked of
mysterious letter of Gen. Chant marked
‘•Private,” addressed to the President,
wherein he protests against the removal of
Sheridan and Stanton, will be found in the
columns of the Opinion this evening. It
will be seen from this corr?sj»ondence that
Grant, Sheridan and Stanton understood
each other.
J3T* An important feature of the pro
ceedings of the Convention on Wednesday
and Thursday has been most probably
overlooked by the genaral reader. We al
lude to the attempt to get an expression in
favor of Jkkfkhson La vis.
On Wednesday. Mr. Edwards introduced
a resolution proposing that the Convention
petition for the pardon of Mr. Davis. Mr.
itopgiNs,and other gentlemen of the Re
publican party, favored the passage of the
resolution at once. Under the rules, how
ever, It,went upon the table. Yesterday,
Mr. Turner—colored—endeavored to have
the rules suspended, and the resolution
passed, but failed. We allude to tills only
for the purpose of calling the attention of
those who are charging vindictiveness
upon Union men to the fact that Union
men—decided men-—have shown, and we
believe will persist in showing, every dis
position to discard the prejudices of the
l>i»*t. ,
Correction.— In justice to Mr. Taylor
Journalizing Clerk of the Omvcfition, we
Would stare that the welcome extended to
Gen. Pork, by Mr. Parrott, as published
in the Era tills morning, was furnished
him by the Assistant Secretary as a ver
batim report. On the reading of the Jour
nal to-day, the President disclaimed having
used the language published ami recorded,
saying it placed him in a ridiculous j*»sl-
tion. because of the statement that lie
thanked the Commanding General, without
saying what lie was thanking him for. His
language was, as lie could recollect, **£Jen.
Pock—In the name and In behalf of the
Representatives of the people of Georgia,
in Convention assembled. 1 welcome you
to the hall of our deliberations.*’'
Tills Is quite a different thing from the
report published this morning. Reporters
of great acquirements should l»e more
•careful.
Pro and Con.—It would internal some
jH-ople to know precisely how many “au
thentic” statements of Gen, Grant’s polit
ical status have beat made and denied hy a
certain class of toadies all over the coun
try. There seems sm> man so “intimate 1
with Gen. Grant but that Ids statement
In reference to Ids political status may not
lie “autlioratatlvely: n contradicted by a still
more intimate friend. The last instances*
the kind is the dental by Gen. Dknt tint
Grant wrote a letter (now going the
rounds) defining the platform upon wlikfti
he w ould be willing to run for tlie Presi
dency.
Another Sensation .—Gov. IIum marcs,
of Mississippi, has issued a proclamation
stating that he had received communica
tions from gentlemen of high official and
social position, hi different portions of the
State, expressing serious appresensions
that combinations and conspiracies are be
ing formed by the negroes to seize the
♦lands of the white inhabitants and estab
lish farms. Governor IIumfiirkyh warns
black people against lawlessness nnd vio
lence, atnI notifies them that tlie first out
break in insurrection will signalize tlie de
struction of their hope* and the ruin of
their race.
Tiik Cotton Tax.—The Tribune'-* Wash
ington special, of tlie 16th. says, tlie bill
for th« repeal of tho cotton tax came up at
1 o'clock, nnd was debated during tlie re
mainder of the session. It wa« strongly
opposed by Mc--i-. Mom'll of Vermont and
Fes-enden. and earnestly advocated by
Mevrs. Gherman, Wilson. Williams and
Jieverdy Johnson. 1 lie latter offered uu
uiiu-ijdiiiviit, making the repeal apply to
this y£uv’$ qrop in ca?c» where It is held by
tlie producers Mr. Morton offered a sub
stitute, reducing the tax to Ic. per pound
No vote, was readied, but tlie opposition to
repeal seemed much more.formidable tbau
Was exjiected.
HoS". A. IT. Steiiiknh and tiik IT; 8.
IhSTRibt COURT.—The Chronicle and Bcn-
tinel sayA the 1 statement going the rouhd*
of the press to the effect that Iloh. A. II.
Stephens applied for admission to practice
In the United States District Court at Sa
vannah. and was refused by Judge Erskine.
is untrue. We state, upon authority, that
Mr. Stephens made no such application.
Consequently the report Is without found
ation. *
Important to Soutukrn Rajlrpap*.—
The bill before Congress declaring forfeit
ed to the United States the lands granted
to (be Southern States to aid them In the
construction of railroads, has been report
ed by the Committee on Public Lands, and
will soon be called up for action. The
grants of these lands have expired, and tlie
passage of tlie bill, It la alleged, will give
up to homestead entry and settlement,
nearly five million acrea.
Qf*While Mr. Prince was addressing
the Convention, yesterday, he was asked
whether he favored the disfranchisement
of any. “I am In favor of universal suf
frage,” was tlie reply. Surely this Is com
prehensive enough to embrace those who
are disfranchised under the Reconstruc
tion bills.
£2»“The ordinance to levy a tax to defray
the expenses of the Convention, as passed
yesterday, will lie found In another column.
This is In accordance with tlie require
ment* of the Reconstruction acts.
JUNE DOLLARS PER DAY.
These figures should insure to the.pcopje
of Georgia an early accomplishment.of tlie
work the Convention Is expected to per
form. They should and will Induce honest
representatives to an earnest nnd speedy
discharge of their duties. Under the Re
construction Laws, the powers of the Con
vention are well dciiued, and certainly no
one can mistake them. The people will
grumble, of course, at paying three dollars
more per day than they did in 1865, w hen
money was more plentiful than it is now;
and delegates may rest assured that a ses
sion prolonged unnecessarily will cause an
up-rising of the overtaxed musses of the
party by whom they were elected that will
be heard in future elections.
To frame a “Republican Constitution”
need require no great amount of delibera
tion. We have hundreds of precedents,
reaching down from tlie formation of tlie
government. BUI* of rights, franchise,
educational, executive, legislative and tnx-
tion provisions are to be found in the or
ganic laws of all the State*. We have pre
cedents enough. We only need a consoli
dation of the best features of the Constltn-
>1911* of all the States to insure tlie in
dorsement of all, and a short time should
sulllce to secure this.
We have no fear whatever that the lurcc
majority of the delegates desire to postpone
tiieii filial action a mouieut longer than is
necessary, llut there are many who have
watched tlie proceedings closely who do
fear that selfishness is controlling tlie ac
tion of some who aspire to lead. With
these the formation of a constitution lias,
thus far, seemed to be a secondary matter.
Yet It is the first duty assigned them, and
lieyond its discharge, and die passage of an
equitable relief measure for tlie people,
they should not go. These were the only
questions Involved in the late canvass, and
tlie voters who participated in that election
will never endorse action upon questions
that were not presented in tlie canvass,
leaders should lie cautious. The party
that elected them is a fresh and vigorous
party. They are new' leaders, consequent
ly inexperienced. If they expect to load
hereafter, they must act wisely now. THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY CANNOT CAR
RY PERSONAL SCHEMES. They would
be a crushing weight. But if a<constttu-
tioti such us is required by tlie Reconstruc
tion acts, and some equitable rdQcf bill, Is
lircsented to the people, their verdict will
be nearly unanimous. Give usfthcsc, with
out delay, and all will be w©IL If these
are refused, or delayed by tike •eomldera-
tiun of extraneous mutters, the political
lives of the men of the hour mill be short.
*A word to tlie wise.”
GEORGIA «TAT£ ODHVaitrUtt.
JCLKVZNTU DAT.
Saturday, Bee. 81,1367.
Convention met at the regular hour.
Prayer by Bev. Geo. Harland, delegate
from the XXXVII District, Journal of
yesterday rend and approved.
Mr. DUNNING remarked<feat the seve
ral matters referred to oomnlttecs, for
want of time out of tho regular scs.fi on,
had not been properly considered, ami. In
order to glveitho committees time to bring
the work up, he moved that the Conven
tion adjourn until 10 o’clock Monday,morn
ing.
Motion adopted and the Convention ad
journed.
ff"Tlie London Times,of tho 17th, de
votes a lending article to American
finances. It strongly objects to the finan
cial plan proposed by Secretary McCulloch
as involving an offer to exchange six per
ents. nnd its a violation of the axiom that
local taxation should lie met by local
loans.” Tlie Time* think® that the Secre
tary's plans would simply substitute new
■vlls for old.
Speculation’.—A New York letter to the
loiistitutionaHst, referring to the Presi
dential contest, says Chase and Grant will
be rivals for tho Republican nomination,
and adds:
Tlie Democratic candidates will be Gen.
Hancock, Governor Seymour and Mr. Pen
dleton, with the probabilities in favor of
Mr. Seymour, But cx-PresIdcnt Piereo is
coming forward. Tlie prospects of Gen.
Hancock are weakened by tho -unwilling
ness to uomiuate a General, however wor-
tlijr, whose only fame rests on bis exploits
In a civil war. Mr. Pendleton's currency
view* would weaken him at tho East,
where tho prospects of a Democrat who
has avoided committal on that subject
would be much better. Governor Ceyaionr
would carry New York, Connecticut and
New Jersey; with Mr. Pendleton the re
sult In these States would be very doubt-
iul. ... ,
Person a l.—Tho Constitutionalist, of tlie
84th, says: The Hon. A. ll Stephens prised
through Augusta yesterday, en roofs to
New York. 1 ....
The report of a correspondent, that be
failed In an application to “practice before
Jjfiga Ersklno, is untrue, for tho tost of
reasons, that nosucb application was made.
His relations with the aforesaid Jurfgo arc
of a cordial nature.
Program of Cmimk.—A man named
Meadows, residing in South Nashville, was
arraigned before the authorities of that
cltv. on tho 19th Inst, charged with viola
ting tho person of his ncice. He was com
mitted to Jail on default of bond for $2,-
000. k T m
Mrs. 8am. Houston.—The wife of Gen.
Sum. Houston, of Texas, died of yellow
fever at Independence, In that State, on the
0th instant. The other Mrs. Houston, in
Mid. lie Tennessee, died several years since.
Comm 11 nicn(ion from G«u, Uraiit. i comparatively so, to all classes of citizens, I nnd two arthritis ol tho Constitution. The
rur. «*» «,—«,• Tin: . ' 0 W p l ^»?ou'&MX
-— 1 .able of protecting ILclf. or until I “ U “ us ® umU,, « adeglanco to tho United
His Protest Against the Removal or Stanton and
Sheridan—lbs Letter Marked “Prisate.” j
Tiio Speaker laid brfore tlie House, on j
the 17th instant, a communication from |
General Grant, enclosing the papers in ac- J
cordanco with a resolution pissed on the
SOtli tilt., calling fur the correspondence
with the President on the subject of the re
moval of Secretary Stanton and General
Sheridan and General Sickles; also, any
uirreapondcnce or orders in Ills otllce allow
ing tho condition of tlie Fifth Military
District prior to the passage of the Mili
tary Reconstruction bill, and any recom
mendations that he may have made there
on, and what step*. If any, were taken by
civil authority in reference to such recom
mendation; also, all correspondence in
reference to the dlllieulties In Baltimore,
touching tlie police commissioners, and
other matters prior to the election of 1866.
ahd In reference to a proposed mission of
the General of the armies to Mexico In
1866.
The correspondence covered about two
hundred pages of foolscap, and was accom
panied with a large number of report.-
from subordinate officers oii duty in the
Fifth Military District, showing tliecondi-
tion ot uff iiis in that section. Nearly all
rids cpiresplendence lias been pubH-bed,
Imt among the nidst important paper*, is
the letter of General Grant to the Presi
dent marked “private.” and a letter from
General Shurfdnn to General Gruntr in re
gard to matters in his district while in
command. Tlie communication did not
include the papers In the case of the re
moval of General Sickles, but it Is expect
ed that a supplementary communication
in regard to the matter will be sent to tlie
House within a few days.
W*j present below the letter marked ‘ pri
vate,” and some further extracts:
[PRIVATK.]
“Headquarter* Armies ok tiik U. S.j
V* ashing rox, D. C M Aug. 1, 1867. $
His Excellency, A. Johnson, President of the
United Mates:
Sir—1 take the liberty of addressing you
privately on tlie siibjcet of the conversa
tion we had this morning, feeling as I do
the great danger to the welfare of tlie
•country, should you carry out the designs
then expressed. First, on the subject of
tlie displacement of the Secretary of War.
His removal cannot be effected against bis
will, without the consent of the Senate. It
Is but a short time since tlie United States
Senate was in session, and why not then
have asked for Ids removal. If it was desir
ed. It certainly was the Intention of the
legislative branch of the Government to
place the Cabinet Ministers beyond tlie
power of Executive removal, and it is pret
ty well understood that, so fur as Cabinet
Ministers are effected by tho tenure of of
the state Is returned to Its 9 'tall relation* 1 States Government paramount to that due
with the Union. the State Government. Referred.
T "°'.““.If! «u*«coiui.
.f these States would l»c a warning to all.
d. If necessary, could be extended to
id's. U. 8. Grant, General.”
GEORGIA STATE CO.WE.M’IOV.
twelfth day.
Monday, December 23,1867.
Convention met pursuant to adjourn
ment; prayer by the Rev. Mr. Traywlck;
journal read.
On motion of Mr. AKERMAN, the rule
fixing the hour of adjournment at 2 o’clock
m. was suspended for to-day. and upon
his motion tlie Convention took recess un
til 3 o'clock this evening.
fico bill, it was Intended specially to pro
tect tlie Secretary of War, In whom the
couhtiy fek great confidence. The mean
ing of the law may be explained away by
an astute lawyer, but common sense and
the view of the loyal people will give It
the effect intended ty Its framers. Second,
on tlie eutfject of the removal of the very
able commander of the 5th military dis
trict, let-mo ask you to consider tho effect
|f The Purls Pa trie Indignantly denies
that there Is any truth in tho report, which
lias been current, that the French Govern
ment has sent an Envoy to Mexico.
its frialc,and feared by those who wou5d
still be enemies of tho Government. It fell
to the lot of but fow men to do as much
against an armed enemy as General Sheri
dan did daring the rebellion, and it Is with
in tho sebpe of tlie ability of but few in
this or any other country to do what lie
lias done. Ills civil administration has
given equal satisfaction. Helios hod diffi
culties to-contend with which no other dis
trict commander lus encountered. Almost
If not quite, from tlie day ho was appointed
district commander to tho present time
the press has given cut that lie was to be
removed, that tho Administration was dis
satisfied with him. «So.
“This has emboldened the opponents to
the laws of Congress within Ills command
to oppose him In every way in their powi
nnd has rendered necessary uieasur
which otherwise might never have been
required.
•• I11 ronMfisJon. allow mo to say, an.
friend d< siring peace and quiet, tlie wel
fare ul* the wholeoountry. North and .South,
that it L in my opinion more Ilian the
loyal people of the. country (1 mean those
who s ippnrlotl the Government during the
grout ivl»eUionj will quietly Mibmlt to, to
see the va ry man. of all oijn rn. in. .whom
they have expressed confidence removed.
1 would not have taken the liberty of ud-
d fussing the Executive of the United States
thus but for tho conversation on tlie sub
ject alluded to in tkU letter, and from a
sense of duty, feel lag that I know I uui
right In tills matter.
With great respect,
“ lourwborilent servant,
“ (J. 8. Grant, General
Among the puiiers Is a letter to -General
Grant from Major Gen. Sheridan, dated
New Of leans, January 35,1857. In relation
to matters In Texas, and partlcnlarty re
ferring to the condition of Union men and
freed moo In different parts uf the State,
which he says is truly Horrible. He says
the Government is denounced, AvoJmen
are shot, and Union men are persecuted, if
they have the temerity to express their
opinions, etc.
This letter General Grant, under date
u TIcad«f Quarters Army of tho United
Statoc, January 80, lkW,** endorses as fol-
forwarded, to the Secrcta-
i ehtlon U Invited to that
_ ion of the within communication
which refers to the condition of Union
men and freedmen la Texas, and to Che
powerlouness of the military In the pre
sent state of affairs to afford them protec
tion. Even the moral effect of the presence
of troopa la passing sway, and a few days
ago a squad of soldiers on duty was fired
on by citizens In Brownsville. In mr opin
ion tlie great number of murders or Union
men and freed men in Texas, not only an a
rule unpunished, bat uninvestigated, con
stitute practically a state of insurrection:
nnd, believing it to be the province and
duty of every good government to afford
*—■— to tftj 11^ liberty and prep-
TELEGRAPIIIC INTELLIGENCE#
From the New York Press Association.
Congressional.
Washington, Dec. 20.—Senate.—A pe
tition from citizens of Ohio was presented,
asking an Increase of currency, nnd was
referred to the Finance Committee.
A memorial was presented, signed by
forty Presidents and Professors of Colleges,
wking the abolition of the fas on Plillo-
ophical Apparatus, and referred to the
Finance Committee.
Local business ensued, when the cotton
tax was resumed. Wllle nnd Wells ex
pressed their views, when, without reach
ing the House bill amending tlie Recon
struction acts, to make a majority of votes
ratify the constitutions, the Senate went
into Executive session and adjourned.
House.—The bill forfeiting lands granted
Southern railroads came up. Mr. Julian
maintained that none except tho New Or
leans nnd Opelousas railroad had complied
with the terms of grant. This matter was
finally postponed to second Tuesday in
January.
The Reconstruction Committee was nl
lowed a clerk and tlie House went into
committee of tlie whole.
Tlie House adjourned.
ilfUccllancoiiw
Tlie veto of tho bill striking “white”
from the District ordinances, didn’t come
In. There U some difference of opinion,
but the presumption is that tills amounts
to a pocket veto.
There was a full Cabinet meeting to
day.
A count to-day indicates that the repeal
of the cotton tax, had the vote been taken,
would have failed by two votes. An ulti
mate modification of the tax Is probable,
but It will hardly apply to this year's crop.
Ethan Allen was nominated as collector
of the Teche, Louisiana, District.
A paragraph Is current that Gen. Han
cock was on the commission which hung
Mrs. Surratt, bnt it Is untrue. Gen. Han
cock, at that time, was commandant of the
Department of Washington, but had noth
ing to do with the Military Cotnmision,
and opposed her execution
Casserly, the Democratic caucus candi
date for Senator from California, is a promi
nent lawyer, formerly of New York.
John Mitchell declines the Presidency of
Fenlani3m.
Internal Revenue receipts to-day $326,-
000.
Another Fire In Vicksburg#
New Orleans, Dec. 20.—Another fire at
Vicksburg at midnight last night destroy
ed 857,000 worth of property. Insured for
$35,000. This Is three incendiary fires In
that city in three successive nights.
Another Order Revoked# *
Special Orders No. 214. tinted yesterday
revoke portions of spoeeial orders No. li»l
and 192, issued by General Mower, remov
ing the Judge uf the Fourth District Court,
and tlie Clerks of the 3d, 4th and 6th Dis
trict Courts nml the 3d Justice of tho Peace;
^tnte Tax Collector ot the Hand 4th Dis
trict*; Superintendent of Public Educa
tion and Secretary of State, and appoint
ing others In their places.
Those are the removals which were sus
pended oh orders from Washington.
Gen. Hancock’s order states that the evi
dence submitted does not sustain the alle
gations contained In said orders for their
removal.
Paragraph tour of the samo order con
firms portions of Gen. Mower’s orders, 173
aml l76, removing the Coroner nnd the
third Justice of the Peace, but makes new
appointments to those offices. The order
states that the charge of malfeasance in of
fice agalnpt tlie latter officers Is not sus
tained.
The patties named aa proposing to take
tho bonds Issued by the Convention, hav
ing denied aUconnection with them, Judge
Coolby Introduced * resolution repealing
Blackburn's ordinance authorising the Is-
Sue of three hundred thousand dollars in
bonds, which was referred. It Is stated
that member* of (he Convention offered
their warrants to broker* for dlsoount, but
could get no takers at any price,
Vtrglsslw Csarsailsa,
Richmond, Dec. 20.—In the Convention
a resolution was Introduced asking Con
grass to retain all volunteer officers now In
the Freedmen’* Bureau in tho service of
Virginia till the State Is reconstructed.—
After a debate, in which it was generally
agreed that the bureau had proved Itself a
beneficial Institution, but bad some bad
men In It who ought to be mustered out.
Tho resolution was defeated. Ayes 23;
nays 49.
A rc'Otihitlnn was adopted yesterday
regucstlng ChngrcsM to pass a law ordorl
protection , „ ,
erty of its citizens, I would recommend
the declaration of martial law in Texan to «H p U ’ It land* #u!d bv the United Mat.
secure these ends. Tlie necessity for gov-
ernlng any portion of our territory by : * r *' ,l bd.-r pr<»« «•<* ui the Court:
martial luw Is to Iw deplored. It resorted to surveyed and sold In tracts of 1
to. It should lie Iiinitial in Its authority, more than one hundred nor less than l;
and should leave oil local autiioi itii
civil tribunals free and unobstructed until
they prove their inefficiency or uiiwfilin
id forbidding the sale of
* to perform their dntle..
“ Martial law. would give
f than one each of such tracts to one Indiv-
' ual or corporation.
rlty, or, The Commltte reported a bill of rights ^ hn been
Hleet a half Inch thick over the streets
to-daj'. No business doing.
Tlie Freedman's Bureau Issued three
thousand rations from Soup Houses, to tho
destitute white and colored, to-day.
Mobile, Doc. 10.—Tlie trial of Mayor
Ilorton, General Pope’s appointee, for vio
lation of tho civil rights bill, in the case of
Charles Archie Johnson, negro, was con
cluded to-day. This trial was occasioned
by the Illegal banishment of said Johnson
from the city. The case was fully and ably
argued before Judge Bustccd, of the United
States District Court. Being a precedent
case, It provoked considerable discussion
and Interest among tho people. It Is re
garded os a fair test of the protection af
forded by the bill, and resulted in a ver
dict of guilty, rendered a few moments af
ter the Jury retired. TI10 sentence will be
promulgated at 12 o’clock to-morrow.
Savannah, Dec. 20.—Tliere was a large
conservative meeting last nlgliti endorsing
tlie action of the Macon convention. One
of the resolutions Is as follows: Resolved
3d, That our object Is to maintain intact
tlie Constitution of our fathers and tlie
rights of the States thereunder.
Foreign.
Havana, Dec. 20.—Advices from Chill
and Poru of late date, state that tlie Su
preme Court Judges in Bogota were sus
pected of complicity in tho Marqueras
treason, but tlie Senate acquitted them.
Prado, President of Peru, had gained
another victory over tlie Rebels.
An insurrection took place In tlie Capital
of Yucatan on the 10th instant, occasioned
by the same ex-Imperialists who managed
to arouse the people and garrison to rise
against tho local authorities. Tlie affair
was a bloodless one, although Governor
Cesscda bad to take flight. The Rebels
proclaimed that they obeyed Juarez. They
made noisy demonstrations in front of the
American Consulate.
Nenteucc of mayor Horton.
Mobile, Dec. 21.—Mayor Horton was
sentenced by Judge Bustccd to-day. The
Judge said: “Mr. Horton, by a jury of your
peers, acquaintances, and townsmen, se
lected by yourselves from tlie entire panel,
you have been tried upon nn Indictment of
the Grand Jury and found guilty of the
offeuse laid to your charge, it now becomes
my duty to pronouuce sentence of the law
upon your conviction. The indictment
contains two counts, one for an occurrence
tlie 8tU of August, and tlie other the 11th.
1807. Each of these occurrences embrace
the offense of forcibly sending citizen tax
payers of the State into exile. The Gov
ernment might hare additional counts,
embracing other charges against you, for
a violation of the civil rights statute, but
the indictment is framed upon theso two.
On this conviction you might be sent to
the State prison for two years, and fined
two thousand dollars, at tho discretion
of this Court. Its discretion upon this be
half must be exercised In view of its re
sponsibilities to God and man. I am of
opinion that the ends of public justice nnd
the rights of citizens have been vindicated
In your conviction, and that to Imprison
you would not add Its moral effects, the
sentence of Court is, that you pay a fine of
two hundred and fifty dollars, in a short
time after adjournment.” Mayor Horton
paid the fine nnd was discharged from
custody.
Railroad Accident.
Boston,Dec 22.—A passenger train from
South Bridge for Boston, on the, Eric ami
Hartford road, was thrown oft* of the track
yesterday by a broken rail. One ear was
turned over. Several passengers were
badly bruid, butse none seriously Injured.
Orders have been received at the navy
yard discharging 30 per cent, of the me
chanics.
Judicial Convention.
Nashville, Dee. 23.—The Radical .Tudl-
lal Convention met here yesterday. It
wnsoi eofthe most stormy political conven
tions ever held in Tennessee. Nearly two
tliousahd negroes were present, and the
Convention, after adjourning from tho
Court Home to the Capitol, broke up In
confusion without nominating an Attor
ney General. The following nominations
were made: For Chacellor, H. H. Harrison;
Criminal Court Judge, John H. Smith;
Circuit Court Judge, Eugene Corry.
A Memorial to Coagroee.
Wilmington, N. C., Dec. 22.—A memo
rial Is In circulation among the cotton fac
tors here, praying Congress, In view of the
prostrate condition ot the planting Inter
est, to make an appropriation to assist the
factors In making advances to planters,
■olasiro of Dlstltlorloa#
Philadelphia, Dec. 22.—Four large dis
tilleries were seized yesterday on the
ehargt of defrauding the Government by
false revenue returns.
Foreign.
Paris, Dec. 22.—The Army Bill was In
troduced Into the corps legislatin'. Grassier
defended it, not as a preparation for early
war, for It reduced the present effective
force, but for future contingencies. Rouher
declared the bill dftl not Indicate wur, but
ns intended ns a permanent measure.
The London Observer says recent pre
cautions of the Government was taken
with full knowledge of Fenian plan®.
Jeddo and 0.<aha in Japan will bo opened
to commence Jan. 19th.
Havana, Doe. 2!,—Cnptiln General Ser-
mdi, arrived at the entrance of the l.ar-
Courta. | bor.
\Vjvi:xgivs. Per. 23.—A number of
per on who went South at the beginning
ot the war.and \\hr>*e property in this city
was confiscated, have entered suits for the
of tho same. Eminent counsel
place in January next. Win. Smithson,
formerly banker in this city, who was con
victed on charge of sending Information
South and sentenced to the Albany Peni
tentiary, but afterwards pardoned, has en
tered suit against ox-Seeretary Stanton for
fifty thousand dollars damages for false im
prisonment.
Memphis, Dec. 23.—General Orel has is
sued general orders sending 31 r. Gillein,
Assistant Commissioner of the Freedmcn's
Bureau, to Washington to represent the
starving condition of the freedmen in por
tions of his Sub-District. Ho also declares
in another order that freedmen shall work
the Incoming year or bo arrested as. va
grants, If work can possibly be had.
Markets#
New York, Dec. 23.—Excliango 10,’L
3Ioncv 6 jior cent. Gold 133)£. Flour quiet
and stcadv. Wheat quiet and firm. Corn
a shade better. Rye firm. Oats higher.
Pork dull; mess 22.80. Lard steady. Cot
ton quiet at 15‘gC for uplands. Freights
dull.
London, Dec. 23.—Consols*92j^. Bonds
72*.
Liverpool, Dcc.’.23.—Cotton quiet; sales
10.000 bale*. Breadstuff's unchanged.
JUDOE ERBKINE*AND OEN. TOOMBS.
SLANDER REFUTED.
A statement made by some Bohemian
connected with a Louisville paper, in re
gard to what purported to have been an
interview between Judge, Euskixk and
Gen. Toombs, lias been industriously olr-
ulated by the press. This statement bore
the marks of falsehood so plainly’ upon its
face, that few persons paid any attention
to it. All understood the motive by which
it was prompted, and the object to be ac
complished by It.
The following which appeared lit the
cio Era, of Sunday, effectually vindicates
Judzre Ejiskink touching tills ridiculous
story; and in iusticc to all concerned we
lvc it the benefit of our circulation. Jus
tice to Gen. Toombs demands that those
papers which have so industriously circu
lated the falsehood should now give place
to the letter of Judge Dougherty :
Atlanta, December 21,1867.
Editor New Era—Dear Sir: I shall be
obliged It you will publish the copy of a
letter to Judge Erskine, which I now here
with enclose. It Is nn act of Justice to tlie
Judge, and perhaps to myself, also, that the
incorrect statement of what occurred at an
interview between Judge Erskine and
Gen. Toombs, should be contradicted.
Yours very respectfully,
W. Dougherty.
Milledgkvillk, Dec. 15,1867.
Hon. John Erskine, Atlanta, (fa^
Dear Sir:—On my way to this place, my
attention was directed to what purported
to be an account of an Interview between
yourself nnd Hon. Robert Toombs, In Sa
vannah, and In your room, during the ses
sion of the Circuit Court of the United
States for that District, furnished bv a cor
respondent of a paper In Louisville, Ky M
anil copied Into some of the papers of this
State.
It occurs to me that Justice both to you
and myselfi require that some notice should
be taken of the article referred to, and the
impressions ft is calculated to make should
lie corrected.
It Is not true that I was Invited by Gen
eral Toombs to accompany him to your
room, nor U It true that I did so. I hesi
tate not to say that there is not the slight
est foundation for tlie statement nor any
I iortion ot It. 1 was in your room, ns you
mow. on your invitation, when General
Toombs entered; nnd I declare to you that
I had no more Idea or intimation of his
coming, than I have that he will appear
before me whilst lam writing this. If/
fact, I have no remembrance of meeting
with Gen. Toombs previously on that day
—certain I am that 1 had no conversation
with him on that subject nor any other.
Tlie correspondent Isas unfortunate in
stating what occurred during the inter
view’ as lie has been in detailing what pi -
ceded it. llis account of neither is true.
It U much to lie regretted that those u
undertake to give information to the pi; -
lie are not better informed themselves 1
io not think that you believe me eapa- \
>f lining what i- ascribed to me in the i**i- -
d to. I
dio km
ell will not.
erf’ll!
\v. 1),
-d and a bearing to take
Relief,—Tlie ordinance, passed by Un
constitutional Convention during the iii>:
kVsession, suspending the collection
of debts under legal process, lias had its
olVeet upon 'tho trade of Atlanta. Busi
ness, which was before drooping, Is now
almost entirely suspended. Tills was not
contemplated by the Convention; aud in
as much as the ordinance was designed to
be temporary only, we hope It will soon
give place to some equitable and legal pro
vision of a permanent nature. It Is the
uncertainty, the state of expectancy, crea
ted by this temporary arrangement, which
has demoralized trade. There should be
something definite, something permanent,
tu order to Insure confidence and restore
business. We hope, therefore, now that
the offices have all been disposed of, the
committees formed, and the work of the
Convention all becu cut out, that It will
address Itself to the legitimate work before
it; and that among its first acte will be an
ordinance relieving public nuxtety on this
sensitive and all important subject of rc-
llef. _
Tiir Democratic Candidate for Pre
sident.—Tlie Washington correspondent
of the Boston Post says that General Han
cock Is rapidly growing In Democratic fa
vor, “nnd would stand some chance for the
Presidential nomination, were It not for Ids
record on the trial of the conspirators.
Tho members of that military court, of
which Gen. Hancock wna one, can never
iitilvo the memory of a sentence which
nmiemned to death nn innocent woman.*
Fast.—A little Democratic paper in
Middle Tennessee ‘•hoist*” the names of
Andrew John-on mid Gen. Han cock for
Pro.-Ulent and Vice-President
tar Virgin!* iYjH»rt* four hundred and
sixty .five eases in bankruptcy, and the ap
plications come tn faster than ever.