Newspaper Page Text
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U A/
GEORGIA WEEKLY OPINION.
VOL. I—NO. 39.1
ATLANTA, GA., TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 28,1868.
ITERMS-13 00
From tho Sow York Times.]
Tho injustice and inexpediency of the
penal measures of Congress could havo no
more striking illustration than i3 afforded
l>y the canvass now in progress in Georgia.
There nre, as our readers know, two tick
ets before the peoplo of that State; ‘
headed by tho Radical candidate for
Governorship, with other nominations em
anating from the Constitutional Conven
tion; the other, embracing the nominees
of tlie opponents of tho Constitution, irre
spective of old party afllHations. The
chief position on the latter ticket was orig
inally occupied by Judge IRWIN, who has
been correctly described in these columns
us an anti-secessionist before tho war, and
a consistent, unfaltering Unionist through
out tho war. Ills loyal adherence to the
Union, and his earnest desire for tlie res
toration of ids State to tlie Union, are as
notable us tlie integrity of his character
and his general capacity for public service.
Reasoning on general principles, a candi
date less objectionable to Union men. or
less likely to fall under the proscrlptivo
clauses of tlie Reconstruction acts, could
not be imagined. Therefore, the telegraph
dispatch the other day, announcing Gen.
MkAim's decision that Irwin is ineligible
for office, seemed an inexplicable mistake.
Wo supposed it to be an error of the oper
ator or printer. * * * *
During the war tlie Judge occasionally,
and for wry brief periods, acted as the
sub tituto of tho Confederate District At
torney, who was incapacitated by illness.
That is tho sum total of Irwin’s offence.
His steadfast Unionism is unchallenged.
His opposition to tlie Confederacy, from
first, to last, none denies. But as a matter
of humanity and public convenience he
once or twice discharged the ministerial
duties of District-Attorney. For tills, and
lids alone, he is declared subject to the
penalties enacted by Congress for the
punishment of rebels*!
Tlie story is not all told. Another candi
date lias been found to take the ]>ositioit
thus unexpectedly v mated, to whom Gen.
Meade offers no objection. Gen. Gordon
is tlie man. He was. while the war lasted,
a Confederate officer. He went into the
Confederate service the Colonel of an Ala
bama regiment, fought with Lick to the
end. and retired to Georgia with tlie rank
of Major-General. A truer, braver, more
gallant soldier of the Confederacy served
not in the Held. Yet lie is eligible for
office under the Reconstruction Act. Tlie
District Commander, who rubai out Irwin,
concedes tin* eligibility of Gordon. Why?
•*IIc never held anv office prior to the war.
never took anv official oatli to support the
United Stab s Constitution, has received
the President's pardon'forhfs participation
in tlie relwllion.aiid is. so far as the law is
concerned,free from nil disabilities as to reg
istering, voting and holding office.” Such
is the explanation furnished by our cor
respondent. and we believe none else can be
given. Irwin, li&viiiT.liclore the war taken
the oatli of office, and having during the
war momentarily performed the duties of
a Confederate officer, cannot serve Georgia.
His life-long Unionism counts as nothing
Gordon, on the contrary, having never
sworn to support tlie Constitution, but
having as long as the war lasted fought
against Union and Constitution, may ac
cept the liiglie.-t office at the disposal of the
people of Georgia, ills participation In
the rebellion Joes not. operate as a hin
drance to the acquisition of civil distinc
tion. The faithful Unionist Is punished;
the dnsldng Confederate sold er goes Into
the canvass scot-free.
Observe, we are not trying to make out
a ease for 'the disfranehlsemcnt of Gen
Gordon. We have no de.-lre to produce the
impiv.-don that lie enjoys an Impunity to
which mor dlv or equitably he is not enti
tled, or that tlie law should bo rendered
more stringe it to cover ca*es akin to Ills
We believe that, individually, irrespective
of difference-* of opinion. 1m would fill the
Gubernatorial chair creditably; and. fur
ther, that the large chiHS of whom he Is a
tvpo may he freed from all disabilities " itli
a lvantag*' to the South and the Union. We
nre for olditeratlng nenaltles. not for mul
tiplying them. Hut the po-dthm of Judge
Irwin, reveals the uu| nut working of the
law and establishes the necessity of some
large modification of the proscriptive
clauses as now interpreted. It cannot be
that Cong* s» deigned to heap on good
Union nu n burdens from which men who
struggled lo de-troy tin* Union are exempt
It meant to punish* persons who violated a
solemn ontli by conspiring to destroy what
they bad sworn to conserve; but surely no
sensible legl-lator ever contemplated the
.disfranchisement of a most excellent class
■of Southern citizens by a technical Inter
pretation of acts in themselves unobjec
tionable The country suffers from tlie
exclusion from office of Southerners who
were compromised h participation in the
rebellion; and the difficulty Is now aggra
vated by the exclusion of those who.
though never engaged ill the rebellion, are
by blundering legislation involved iu Us
penalties.
Had Judge Tmvis been tho nominee of
the Radical Convention we should prob-
ablv have had »n aopcai to Congress for
special intervention In his behalf. An ef
fort lias ct, uiaue to have disabilities
lifted oil I'.e shoulders of Mr. Holden.
with direct reference to his nomination as
a Radical earn! date for the Governorship
of North Carolina. Gen. LoOANand others
holding his views have endorsed IIoi.dkn
as a Southerner whom Congress should go
out of its w ay to qualify for office. Y ot
Mr. IIoi.dkn. as editor of tho Raleigh
.Standard, zealous')' fosterpd resistance to
the Union authority* prayed .God to “de
liver the South from tlie cold-blooded na
tive Yankee Abolitionists.” and actually
published a suggestion pointing to the as
sassination of Mr. Lincoln and General
Scott. Up to a certain stage of the war
lie was a bitter, unyielding rebel. More
recently lie w armly espoused the Radical
•cause, has labored for it earnaity, and now
lioiies to lie elected Governor by Us Influ
ence. His Unit-Unionism Is mercifully
overlooked by the Logans of the Honsj&ftnu
lie will doubtless occupy a front seat In the
Radical synagogue. Judge lit win. op the
.other hand* lias had no*offer of help from
» engross, and is obliged to re Ire from the
ttchlby a rendering of the law which Is at
best technical; but lie happens to be a can
didate In the Opposition Interest. That
trilling circumstance constitutes the dif
ference between Holdkn and Irwin In the
estimation of Congress.
Exceptional legislation, however, Is not
tho thing most likely to meet the require-
ments of the South, or obviate the injus
tice of which Judge Irwin Is a victim.
•The whole subject of disabilities might
i most advantageously lie brought up fur
^revision before the admission of Southern
States finally takes place. On every ground
of right and policy, it U desirable that dls-
ihtncliivcmcnt be narrowed down until It
apply only to loaders of rebellion, who
may bo specifically designated. All others
cannot bo too soon restored to tho full
privileges of citizenship.
Progress of the Impeachment Trial.
Washington, April IS.—The Court was
opened nt 11 o’clock. By direction of the
Chief Justice the question pending yester
day was read, as follows: That tho counsel
for tho President oiler to prove that at a
certain Cabinet meeting all the members,
including Stanton and Seward, declared
llio tenurc-of-oilice act unconstitutional,
and sliat the duty of preparing a veto was
devolved upon Seward and Stanton, to be
followed by proof of what was done by tho
President and Cabinet to the time of send
ing in the veto. The yeas and nays were
called, resulting 20 to 20. So tho evidence
Was not admitted.
Mr. Welles was then recalled and counsel
proposed to oak whether tho question of
the applicability of tho tenure-of-office bill
to Mr. Stanton was considered in Cabinet
previous to its reeurti with tho objects of
the President, and whether the opinion
any of the Secretaries appointed
Lincoln.
Tlie evidence was not admitted.
Mr. Evarts asked if within the period
mentioned in the Cabinet discussion there
was anything suggested Or said about using
force In order to bring about the settlement
of the question at issue;
Butler objected, for tlie reason that it
was covered by the ruling of tho Senate.
The Semite sustained the objection by a
-otc of 18 to 20.
Mr. Wells on the cross examination, said
he had received but one commission us
Secretary of the Navy, which was from
Abraham Lincoln; called on tlie President
February 22. before 12o’clock; no nomina
tion of Mr. Ewing was then made out; Mr.
Stanberry had an engagement nt the Su
preme Court ut 12 o'clock, but that was
only his inference; docs not know why the
officers under General Emory’s command
called for the party to go to head-quarters;
did not hear it was to warn them not to go
to a masquerade; does not know whether
he stated to the President tlmt officers were
called, ami that the War Department was
unusually lighted up.
Edgar Welles, sou of the Secretary, and
Chief Clerk of the Navy Department, was
the next witness. lie certified to the form
of commission of navy agents, and then
stated what he heard at tho party, which
lie communicated to his father tho same
Right. Tlie lady of tlie house told him
about tlie call for officers to go to head
quarters.
Mr. Evarts then stated that the Secreta
ry of tlie Treasury, Secretary of State and
Secretary of the Interior and Postmaster
‘ lie same
from the
•Secretary of tlie Navy, but would not now
attempt to introduce it iu consequence of
the late ruling.
Alex. Randall, Postmaster General, was
then called, ami testified that Foster Blod
gett was relieved from rho office of post
master at Augusta in consequence of a
complaint, iu writing, of misconduct. He
produced tlie papers and letters which ef
fected the removal.
Mr. Evarts o fie red to put them in evi
dence. but the Senate refused.
Mr. Evarts n>-<* and stated that the con
tinued illness of Mr. St in berry prevented
the counsel from saying positively, but, as
they knew, their evidence was all in.
The Court then, at three o'clock and forty
minutes, adjourned.
Thk Erik Raii.hou Accident.—Terrible
Accident—four (Jura Thrown Down an Em
bankment—Sleeping Car Burned—20 Per-
sons Killed and 50 Wounded.—The train to
which tlie accident occurred left Buffalo
Tuesday afternoon. Tim train consisted
of the engine, tender, three sleeping ears,
two first class and second class, two bag
gage and one |H*.stal ear. About three
o'clock yesterday morning Ames and Hor
ton, of tlie General Post Olllce in New
York city, who were in charge of the pos
tal car, saw the belt rope straighten out
and break iu two. when Mr. Jutld remark
ed to one of the officers that lie luid lost
his rear ears. They run to tlie rear plat
form of the car. when four ears Were seen
rolling down a precipice from seventy-five
to one hundred feet high. The scene of the
accident is thirteen miles beyond Port Jer
vis on tlie Delaware division of tho road
The sides ot the precipice are formed of
jagged rocks, and in the descent the cars
were broken to pieces. At tlie bottom is a
tllvert, through which flows a stream
emptying into the Delaware river. The
disaster was caused by a broken rail, which
threw flu* rear car immediately in front,
and the whole were participated down the
embankment.*
The ears, in going over the embankment
turned several times I a* fore reaching the
bottom, and Were nearly demolished. A
sleeping-ear was entirely destroyed by tire.
n to res-
hodies of
the killed. Many of tlie hitter could not
bo recognized. Seven persons were burned
to deatli. and six others were killed by
coming in contact with the jagged rocks,
etc. The wounded persons were placed in
a train and brought to Port Jervis. Sev
eral surgeons were iimiiodintciy summoned,
and everything was done to alleviate the
sufferings of ihu injured. The bodies of
tlie killed were left to the ground. By the
latest dispa tones received ar the Erie Rail
way office, it appears that twenty persons
are dead and fifty wounded Of the hitter,
ten are seriously if not fatally injured.
About That Drink.—Tho official report
of the examination of General Thomas is
much more juicy than that furnished by
telegraph. Hen; is tlie account of the so-
el.il scene In the War Office:
Witness—Mr. Stanton turned to me and
got to talking in a very familiar manner
with me. I su'd: “Tlie next time you have
me arrested, please don’t do it before i get
something to eat.’’ {Laughter] I said: “I
have had nothing to eat to-day.” [contin
ued laughter] “He put Ids arm round ray
neck, as lie used to do, In a familiar man
ner, and run his hand through my hair,
and turned round to Ueii. Sclirlver and
said: “Schrlver, have \ou got a bottle
here? bring it out?” [Roars of laughter]
Schrlver unlocked ld» desk, and took out
a small vial; the Secretary then proposed
that we should have a spoonful of whisky;
i said 1 would take a Hue. Gen. Schrlver
poured it out into a tumbler and divided it
eq Mr!^tani)crry-He shared it evenly?
A—Yes, he took the glasses up this wav,
Indicating, and measured them with his
oye. Presently, u messenger came in with
* full bottle or whisky, and the cork was
drawn, and be and l took a drink together
Q—Was that all the force exhibited that
day?
A—That was all.
Ills Speech Before flic Press Club In
New York.
At the late Press Banquet given in New
York on tho 19th, In honor of Mr. Dickens,
that gentleman responded to the toast,
“Our Guest,” as follows:
Gentlemen: I cannot do better than to
take my cue from your distinguished Pres
ident, and refer in my first remarks to his
first remarks In connection with the old of
associations between you and me. When to
rerflni room of tho British Museum, was
assured by the English family with which
she resided that It was unfortunately Im
possible, becauso the place was closed for a
week, and she only had three days to stay
Upon that lady’s going, as slio assured me
alone to the gate, seif-introduced as ar.
American lady, the gate llew open as if by
magic. [Laughter and applause.] I am
honestly bound to add that she was cer
tainly young ami extremely pretty.
[Laughter and applause.] Still the porter
“it institution is of an obese habit, and,
.best of my observation, not very lin-
aoclation of tho members of the press of i refer to these triiles ns collateral ussnr-
New York, to dine with them to-day, I ac- j once to you that the Englishman who shall
cepted that compliment in grateful remem-j humbly strive, as I, hope to do, to boas
brance of a calling that was once mine, and j faithful to America ns to Engljuul herself,
In loyal sympathy towards a brotherhood j haf no previous conceptioncontend
which, in the spirit. I have never deserted, against. [Applause.!
[Applause.] To the whole soul-training J Finally, gentlemen. I leaver this subject
of severe newspaper work, when I was a i to your convlncion. 1 do believe that from
very young man. 1 constantly regarded my J the great majority of minds on both sides
first success. [Applause.] And, too, my of t' e^ewn there cannot lx* absent the
sons wlH fcaraafter testify o§ their father "
that lie was always proud of that ladder by
.... . . ' if ft
which lie rose, [Renewed applause.]
were otherwise, I should have but a very
poor and mean opinion of that father
which perhaps,upon the whole, I have not.
[Greut laughter.] Thus, gentlemen, under
any circumstances, this company would
have been uncxceptionably interesting
and agreeable to me; but where, as I sup
pose, that, like tho fancied pavilion of the
Arabian Knights, it would be a mere
handful, I find it drawn out like the same
pavilion, capable of comprehending a mul
titude. So much the more proud am I of
the honor of belt g your guest, for you will
readily believe that the more widely rep
resentative of the press in America my
entertainers are, the more 1 must feel the
good will and kindly sentiments towards
me of that vast institution. [Applause.]
Gentlemen, so much of my voice has lately
been heard in tlie land; [laughter;] I have
for upwards of four hurd w inter mouths,
had to contend against what 1 have been
sometimes quite admiringly assured was a
great American catarrh; [great laughter;]
a visitation which I have thoroughly and
highly appreciated, [applause and laugh
ter.] though I might have prefer
red to t>e naturalized by any oth
er social or phylscal means. [Laughter]
I say, gentlemen, so much of my voice
has lately been beard in the land, that 1
might have been contented not to trouble
you any further, from my present stand
ing point—were it not a duty with which
I henceforth charge myself, not only here
but on every suitable occasion whatsoever
and wheresoever, to express my high and
gratcfiil sense of my second reception in
America, and to bear my honest testimony
to the national generosity and magnanim
ity. [Great cheering.] Also, to declare
bow astonished I have been by tlie atnaz
Ing changes that I have seen around me
on every side; changes moral, ciianges
physical, changes in tlie amount of land
peopled, changes in tho rise of vast new
cities, changes in the growth ot older
cities, changes in the graces and amenities
of life, changes iu the press, w ithout whose
advancement no advancement can take
place any where. [Great applause.] Nor
am I. believe me, so nrrvgniit as to sup
pose that In five and twenty years there
have been no changes in me, and that I had
nothing to learn, and no fdse impressions
to correct, formed when I was here first.
[Thunders of applause.] But. gentlemen,
this brings me to a point on which I have,
ever since I landed here last November,
observed a strict silence, though sometimes
tempted to break it; and in reference to it
I will* with your good leave, take you Into
my confidence. [Great inerriine.it and
cries of “hear, hear."] I fi <1 the press, be
ing tinman, may lie sometimes mistaken
or misinformed. [Laughter ] But I rather
think I have in one or two rare instances,
know n its information to he not perfectly
correct, [roars of laughter.] with reference
to invself. [Renewed laughter.] Indeed.
1 have now ami again been more surprised
by printed news that I have read of myself
than by any printed news that I have read
In my present state of existence. [ Applause]
The vigor and perseverance with which 1
j for many iumths been collecting
materials and hammering away at a new
book on America, [laughter.] Is much, as It
might seem; that ail that time it has been
perfectly well known to tny publisher*, on
both sides ot the Atlantic, that 1 positively
declared no consideration on eartli should
induce me to write. [laughter.] but what 1
have intended, what 1 have resolved upon,
and tills is tlie confidence 1 seek to place in
you, that on my return to England, in
every English journal, inantully, prompt
ly, plainly, in my own person, to bear, for
the behoof of my countrymen, such testi
mony to the gigantic changes in thiscoun-
try as I have hinted at, [Applause.] Also
t» recall that wherever 1 have been, in the
finallcst places equally with the largest, I
have been received with unsurpassable
politeness, delicacy, sweet temper, hospi
tality, consideration. and with unsurpass
able respect for the privacy daily enforced
upon me by the nature of my’a vocation
here uud tlie state of my health. [Ap
plause.] This testimony, so long as 1 live
and so long as my descendants have any
legal right in my hooks, shall I cause to be
published as an appendix to every copy of
those two books of mine iu which 1 have
referred to America. [Thunders of ap
plause-] And tills I will do, and cause to
be done, not in tny loving thankfulness,
but because I regard it us an act of plain
justice and honor. [Applause.] Gentle
men, this expression of my own feelings of
an interest In America, and those or the
most of my countrymen, seems to me but
a natural one, whetner or not do 1 make it
au express object. I was asked In tills
very city, about last Christinas time,
whether an American was not at some dis
advantage in England us a foreigner. Tlie
notion of an American being regarded as
a foreigner at all; of ids ever being
thought of, or spoken of In that character,
was to incongruous and absurd to me that
my gravity was, for the moment, quite
overpowered. [Applause.] As soon as it
was restored I said that for years past I
had hoped 1 had as tniny American
friends, and recelveo as many American
visitors us almost any Englishman living.
[Applause.] Add that my unvuried ex
perience, fortified by others, was that
it was enough In England to be
an American to be received with most
earnest respect and recognition anywhere.
When an American gentleman of cultiva
ted taste lor art fouud himself, on a certain
Sunday, outside the walls of a certain his
torical English castle, famous for Its pic
tures. lie was refused admission there, ac
cording to the strict rules of the place on
that day, but by merely representing that
ho was an American gcntlcmnn on his
travels, and hod yet to sec that picture gal
lery, the castle was placed at his immediate
disposal. [Great applause and laughter.]
There was a lady, too, being in (.ondon,
and having a great desire to see the famous
conviction that’ it be better for this
globe to be riven by an earthquake, fired
by a comet, run over by an ice-berg or
abandoned to Arctic foxes and bears, than
that it should present tlie spectacle of these
two great nations, each of whom has in its
own way striven so hard and so success
fully for freedom, ever again being arrayed,
the one against the other.” [Thunders of
applause.]
“ Behind the Nceiics. 1
We have heretofore referred to a book
with the above title, of which Mrs. Eliza
betli Heckly, a slave for thirty years, and
subsequently servant of Mrs. Jefferson Da
vis, and for four years an inmate in the
White House, during Mr. Lincoln's admin
istration. U author. It has just been pub
lished and contains some curious disclos
ures; among them something about the
campaign of 1804, and Mrs. Lincoln’s pe
culiar method of conducting it:
In 18G4. much doubt existed in regard to
the re-election of Mr. Lincoln, and tin*
White House was beseiged by all grades of
politicians. Mrs. Lincoln was oftc
blamed for having a certain class of me
around her.
“1 have an object in view, Lizabeth,” she
said to me in reference to this matter. “ in
a political canvass It is policy to cultivate
every element of strength. These men
have influence, and wo require influence to
ru-elecl Mr. Lincoln. 1 will be clever to
them until after the election, and then, if
we remain at the White House, I will drop
every one of th m. and let them know very
plainly that 1 only made tools of them.
They are an unprincipled set, ami I
don’t initid a little double-dealing with
them.”
“Docs Mr. Lincoln know what your pur
pose is ?” I asked.
“God! no; he would never sanction i
a proceeding, so I keep him in the dark,
and will tell him of it when all is over.”
Mr*. Lincoln was extremely anxioti!
that her husband should lie re-elccteu Pres
ident of the United States. In endeavor
ing to wakt, a UDplny becoming her ex
alted position, she hud to incur many ex
penses. Mr. Lincoln's salary was Inade
quate to meet them, and she was forced to
run in debt, hoping that good fortune
would favor her, ami enable her to extri
cate hers if from an embarrassing situa
tion. She bought the most expensive goods
on credit, and In the Summer of 1804
enormous unpaid bills stared her in the
face.
Mrs. Lincoln has a long conversation
with Mrs. lleckluy in regard toiler debts,
and her plans for meeting their payment.
We quote: “1 owe altogether about 827,000,
the principal portion at Stewart’s, in 2’
York. You understand, Lizabeth, that
Lincoln has but little idea of tlie expense
of a woman’s wardrobe. He glances ut my
rich dresses, and is happy ill the belief that
the few hundred dollars that I obtain from
him supply all my wants. 1 must dress in
costly materials. Tiie people scrutinize
every article that I wear with critical cu
riosity. The very fact of having grown
up In tlie West subjects mu to more search
ing observation. To keep up appearances
1 must lmve money—more than Mr. Lin
coln can spare for me. He is too honest to
make a penny outside of Ids salary; con
sequently 1 had, and still have, no alterna
tive but to run in dubt.”
“And Mr. Lincoln docs not even sus
pect how much you owe? ”
“God, no!”—this was a favorite expres
sion of hers—“and 1 would not have hi in
suspect if he knew that Ids wife was in
volved to the extent to which she is. the
knowledge would drive him mad. He Is so
sincere uud straightforward himself, that
lie is shocked by the duplicity' others. He
does not know a thing utxmC any debts,
and I value Ids happiness, not to speak of
my own. too much to allow him to know
anything. This is wlmt troubles tne so
much, if lie D re-elected, 1 can keep him
in ignorance of my affairs; but. if he is de
feated, then the bills will he senl iu, and he
will know all;” and something like a hys
terical sob escaped her.
Mrs. Lincoln sometimes feared that the
K liticians would get hold of the particii-
•s of her debts, and use them in the
Presidential campaign against her hus
band ; and when this thought occurred to
her she waa aluio&t crazy with anxiety and
fear.
When In one of these excited moods she
would fiercely exclaim:
“The lb-publican politicians must pay my
debts. ILiiidreds of them are getting (in-
mens- iy rich off the patronage of my hus
band, and it is but fair that they should
help me out of my embarrassment. 1 will
make a demand of them, and when I tell
them tlie facta they cannot refuse to ad
vance whatever monev 1 require.”
A piquant chapter is that upon the cxlil-
tlon and sale of tlie wardrobe. All the cor
respondence is given in full, and the whole
affair is paraded at length.
Important Decision in Bankruptcy.—
In a recent case brought before him, in
Smith county, Tennessee, United States
District Judge Trigg holds as follows:
It does not appear, by the agreed state
ment of facts, whether the bankrupt’s peti
tion was filed before or alter he had made
his declaration claiming his homestead.
If the dtofaration was made before tlie
filing of tho petition In bankrutcy, til my
opinion the bankrupt will be entitled to
have his homestead exempted from tlie
clalma of creditors, except such of them as
may have acquired a vested right In tlie
tame, before making and registration of
hU declaration as stated alxive. and pro
vided by lection ‘1)15 of the Oode; but if
the declaration's-made subsequent to the
filling of his petition In bankruptcy, then
he will not be entitled to f clalm the ex
emption*
Wlmt Fluid* are Explosive and
what are Safe.
The subject of illuminating fluids has
since the many alarming accidents with
kerosinc'and other mixtures used in almost
every household, engaged the attention of
the scientific world quite extensively.
When, therefore, opinions like those quoted
below emanate from such high authority
as the Journal of Chemistry, published at
Boston, it Is a matter of public duty,
less than interest to reproduce them. The
authority from which wc quote Is nmon,
tlie highest known to the scientific world:
Wc regret to find so much misappre
hension existing among all classes regard
ing tho character of iUuminating liquids In
common use; and further, wc are surpris
ed and sorry to learn of tlie extent to which
dangerous naphthas and naphtha mixtures
are used among our patrons.. We think it
fair to infer, from information given, that
nearly one-lialf of the liquids used in tlie
country are fraudulent and dangeroug. A
class of Kcotinnrels are traveling about the
country, ami from our correspondence we
judge they nre quite plentiful in tlie West,
selling receipt* for making cheap inexplo-
slve burning oils.
First, we wish to state wliat we think of
the man engaged in making and vending
such liquid*. He is a dangerous imposter;
and wherever he appears, or any one else,
selling cheap oils, or receipts for uafcing
them, have the parties arrested at once. A
person offering for sale mixtures of naph
tha or benzine, inffamabie at less tempera
ture than 110 deg. F n can be, under United
States revenue laws, punished by fine and
imprisonment. A special act was passed by
Congress March 2, 1867, to punish just
such offenders.
Second, we cannot reply to our kerosene
correspondent individually. We are only
able to do r.o in a general way:
1. Let it be understood that there is no
substance or number of substances known
to chemists which can be added to ben
zlne, gasolene, or naptha, capable of
rendering them safe, without destroying
their combustibility or illuminating pro
perties.
1. All illuminating oils offered for sale
at less than a fair market price for standard
kerosene, should las looked upon with
suspicion.
3. Do not be deceived by the experiments
of charlatans who. to prove tlie safe char
acter of their oils, thrust lighted tapers or
matches into lamp or into tlie vapor.
This is wholly empirical. No oil or vapor,
neither naptha, benzine or gasolene, are in
themselves explosive; the vapor of these
liquids must be mixed with atmospheric air
in order to explode.
Speaking of tliis subject the Scientific
American enquires: “Who will invent an
inexpioaive kerosene lamp?” Accepting
as true the theory, above quoted, such a
lump is not really necessary, because kero
sene proper may be burned with safety in
any lamp. Tlie suppression of the manu
facture of dangerous fluids, .would super
cede the necessity for non-explosive lamps.
The Virginia Constitution
We have just received a copy of
the Constitution proposed by the Virginia
Convention. In most of its features it is
not unlike the one proposed for Georgia.
But tlie darkest feature is the sweeping
disfranchisement respiting from its adop
tion. That our readers may fully under
stand its force, we give the section iu full:
4. Every person who has been a Senator
or representative in Congrcs, or elector of
President or Vice President, or who held
any olllce, civil or military, under the Uni
ted States, or under any State, who, hav
ing previously taken an oath as a member
of Congress or as an officer of the United
States, or as a member of ny Legislature,
or ns an executive or judicial officer of any
State, shall have engaged in insurrection
or rebellion against the same, or given aid
•r comfort to the enemies thereof. This
lanseshall include the following officers:
Governor. Lieutenant Governor, Secretary
of State. Auditor of Public Accounts. Sec
ond Auditor, Register of the Land Office.
State Treasurer, Attorney General. Sher
iffs, Sergeants of a city or town. Commis
sioner or the Revenue. County Surveyors.
Constables, Overseers of the Poor. Commis
sioner of tho Board of Public Works,
Judges of the Supreme Court, Judges of
the Circuit Courts, Judges of the Court of
Hustings. Justices of the County Courts;
Mayor, Recorder, Aldermen, Couneilnieti
of a i icy or town, Con,nr*, KscUt ators. In
spectors of Tobacco, flour, Ac; Clerks of
the Supreme, District, Circuit and County
Courts, and of tlie Court of Hustings, and
Attorneys for the Commonwealth; Provid
ed, That the Legislature may, by a vote of
three-filths of both Houses, remove the
disabilities Incurred by this clause from
any person included therein by a separate
vote in each case.
OATH OK OKKICK.
The oath of office and the “test oath” are
the next attractive features of the said
document. We give them also in full:
Section «. All persons, before entering
upon tlie discharge of any function as oltt-
eers of this State, must take and subscribe
the following oath or affirmation:
“I, —% do solemnly swear (or affirm)
that I will support am! maintain the Con
stitution and laws of the United States,
and tlie Constitution and laws of the State
of Virginia; that I recognize and accent the
civil and political nualitu of all men before
the law; aid that 1 will faithfully perform
tlie duty of -to the best of uiy ability.
So help me God.”
Section 7. In nddition to tho foregoing
oath ofoftice. the Govereor, Lieutenant Gov
ernor. members of the General Assembly,
secretary of State, Auditor of public ac
counts, State Treasurer, Attorney General,
all persons elected to any convention to
frame a constitution for this State, or to
change, alter or amend or revise tills Con
stitution In any manner, and Mayor and
council of any city or town, shall, before
they enter on the uuttes of their respective
offices, take and subscribe the following
oath or affirmation: ’Provided, The disa
bilities therein contained may bo Individ
ually removed by a three-fifth vote of the
General Assembly:
“1 do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I
have never voluntarily borne arms against
the United States slnoe I have been a citi
zen thereof; that 1 have voluntarily given
no aid, countenance, counsel or encour
agement to persons engaged In armed hos
tility thereto; that I ifitve never sought nor
accepted, nor altera it*i to exercise the
functions of any office whatever under am
authority or pretended authority in hos
tility to the United States; that I have not
yielded a voluntary support to any pre
tended government, authority, power, or
constitution within the United States hos
tile or inimical thereto. And I do further
swear (or affirm) that to the best of my
ability, I will support and defend tlie Con
stitution of tlie United States against all
enemies, foreign and domestic; that 1 will
bear true faith and allegiance to the same;
that I take this obligation freely, without
any mental reservation or purpose of eva
sion, and that I will well and faithfully
discharge tlie duties of tlie office on which
I «m about to cuter. So help utcGod.”
We may mistake tlie character of tlie
people of the -“Old Dominion,” but wc
think we do not when wc say that they
will not ratify any Constitution vagabon
ding themselves by tlie wholesale, and pro
hibiting the intellect and honesty of the
State lrom any participation In its govern
ment. If they do adopt it, they arp un
worthy of citizenship in the State that
gave them birth, or even of the decent
respect of mankind.
CSTThe following correspondence ex
plains tlie cause of the removal of tlie
Treasurer of Virginia by Gen. Schofield:
Excutivk Office. /
Richmond, Va„ April 15,18G8.j
Major General J. M. Schofield, Commanding
Fist Military District:
General: I have tlie honor respectfully
to call your attention to the fact that John
S. Calvert, tlie Treasurer of the Common
wealth, received in August, 1805, from J.
M. Bennett, then acting us Auditor of Pub
lic Accounts, tlie sum of $2,207 in gold,
part of tlie. sum of $21,000 borrowed by the
State Government at Richmond, in tlie
name of the State, from the Bank of tlie
Commonwealth, during the same year, the
exact date not known. After tlie Pith of
August In the same year, Mr. Calvert dis
bursed to various parties, some of whom at
least were not untitled to receive It, the
sum of $995.70, part of the same funds,
without, as 1 believe, any authority in law
for sueli disbursements. The balance,
$1,211.30, has not yet been paid into tlie
State Treasury, nor does the same, as I am
informed, appear in the accounts of the
Treasury.
I therefore respectfully recommend that
John 8. Calvert, Esq., be* relieved from tlie
olllce of the Treasurer of the Common
wealth; that lie be required to deposit in
the Treasury tlie amount so retained by
him.
I have the honor to remain, with great
respect, yours truly, XL II. Wells,
Governor of Virginia.
[Official copy of extract.]
IPdq’rs, First Militari District.)
State of Virginia. >
Richmond. April 17, 1808. )
Special Order No. 74. [Extract.]
Sec. 2. Mr. John S. Calvert is hereby
impended lrom the office of Treasurer of
the State of Virginia, and Mr. George Rye
is np|K>iuted Treasurer ad interim
Schofield.
Official: S. F. Chali /x, A. A. G.
Mr. John S. Calvert, through his Excel
lency the Governor of Virginia.
H nq'ns First Military District.)
Richmond, Va, April 17, 1808. (
Mr. John S. Calvert. Richmond, Pu, through
11 s Excellency, the Governor of Virginia:
Sir: I am directed by the commanding
General to enclose with tlie order issued
to-day, suspending you from tho ofllce of
Treasurer of Virginia, an extract from a
rcjMU t made on tlie 13th Inst, by his Excel
lency. Governor Wells, and to ask such ex
planation as you may have to make of the
matter therein referred to, together with
the reasons, if any exist, why tlie balance
of$l,211.30 should not be deposited in the
Treasury. Respectfully, your obedient
survunt, * u
Mr. Chase and the Presidency.—The
odore Tilton, who has just returned from
a visit to Washington, writes to his paper,
the Independent, as follows:
Ot Mr. Chase’s desire for tho Presidency
(whatever it may always havo been)* we
have no comment to make, except to say
that, during our long acquaintance with
him. we never once heard him utter a word
or drop a hint which could be construed
as the expression of such a desire. If
others among Ids admirers can give a dif
ferent testimony, this at least is all that we
ourselves can give. If Mr. Chase has kept
a Pre-ldontlul hope within his breast, lie
has carried it like a hid treasurer* which
ho may lmve exhibited to other friends,
but which he never once laid before our
worthy eyes.
A short time ago wo thought that the
greatest gilt which this journal could of
fer to the coming Chicago Convention was
Mr. Chase’s illustrious name. We have rea-
o believe that Mr. Chase would not ac
cept the Republican nomination, even if it
were tendered. We have equal reason to be
lieve, also, that he would accept the Demo
cratic nomination if it could be tendered on
a platform not inconsistent with his weT.-
known views of negro suffrage. No one who
kuows the man will expect him ever to
change, modify, or compromise his life
long au I ineradicable convictions in favor
of liberty, justice and political equality.
Solemnly and earnestly he holds now, as
he has held always* to the equal civ'il and
political rights of all American citizens,
without distinction of color, and let us add
also, without distinction of sex. Nor have
c| anv doubt that he will remain, in h.s
own judgement, sacredly true to those
> and high convictions during the rest
ot his life.
lie Concludes by say Ing:
If at this late day it were not wholly
useless to substitute another man, It might
be the name of Charles Sumner or Mutiny-
ler Coliax. or Ren. Wade, or Gen. Butler.
But* of curse, the Chicago Convention
will go pell-mell for Gen. Grant. Never
theless, we shall go on dreaming ofifr day
dream of the h ippy day when only a great
statesman shall be eligible to preside over
tlie Great Ucpublic.
Paper Collars.—Most of tlie lending
jobbing houses of this city have made up
their minds to purchase any collar that
suits their trade, notwithstanding the pre
tended claims of the Union Paper Collar
Company. The Chicago house* liave held
a meeting and intend to do tho same thing.
N. 1\ Times.
