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‘•ERROR CEASES TO BE DANGEROUS WHEN REASON IS LEFT FREE TO COMBAT IT.”—Jefferson.
VOLUME XVIII.
ATLANTA, GA., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5,1866.
NUMBER 48.
tDerhty Jutdlijirurcr.
PUBLISHED DAILY AND WEEKLY BY
JARED IRWIN WHITAKER,
Proprietor.
ATLAHTA, GEORGIA,
iWednesday, December 5, 1866.
The Radical Press.
The Radical papers continue to publish the
most wilful misrepresentations in regard to the
condition of affairs South, and charge that there
is a general feeling of hostility to immigrants
from the North. It is hardly worth while to
contradict these falsehoods. The disposition to
lie and misrepresent has become chronic with
large portion of the Radical press, Radical ora
tors and Radical letter-writers. The disease is
deep-seated—in mail}’ cases constitutional, and is
likely to continue as long as life lasts. Many of
these statements are of the most monstrous and
improbable character, and the more monstrous
and improbable, the more readily they seem to
be gulped by the deluded people for whom the
Radical writers cater.
We can speak for our own State—Georgia—
and assert, without, the fear ol successful contra
diction, that there is no State in the North or
West so free from crime, outrage and violence,
and none where the people arc pursuing their
business and avocations more quietly. There is
not a particle of hostility to immigrants from
any section or any country, who come among us
to settle and embark in the legitimate pursuits ol
life—to cast their lots here, to seek a local habi
tation and a name, and to identify themselves
with our social and industrial interests. And
what is true of Georgia in this respect, is true of
every Southern State that we know anything
aliout.
Arkansan.
We met with a gentleman, a day or two ago,
who had just arrived from the Hot Springs in
Arknnsas. He represents affairs in the interior
of the State as rather quiet, and that but compari-
tively few outrages of any kind occur; and those
few are confined to parlies known as Union
Leaguers and Jayhawks. In some portions of
the Slate the yield of cotton is pretty fair, and
there is plenty of corn. The supply of labor,
however, is short, and the larger planters are
making strenuous ellorts to procure it from the
older Southern Suites. The price paid is from
twenty to twenty-five dollars per month for good
hands. Our informant also stated that on the
Arkansas river and the larger bottoms, the mor
tality among the negroes is two-fold what it was
before the war, owing to their careless habits, and
aversion to take medicine when left to their own
choice in the matter. lie thinks the great cotton
growing region of the lower valley will continue
to draw on the older Southern States for labor,
until the supply is entirely exhausted, and that
oui people have no idea of the extent to which
this has already been done. The subject is one
that merits the attention of all more immediately
interested in the ecouomy of labor.
Tbe Alternative.
The New York Herald, which, like any other
merchantable establishment, deals in sucli com
modities as pay the highest profits, is rapidly
getting in advance even of the torch and turpen
tine party, whose programme it furiously de
nounced a few weeks ago. The reader will un
derstond what we mean by the paragraph be
low, taken from the Herald of tbe 23d:
In another column will be found a communi
cation addressed to us by Ex-Governor Perry, of
South Carolina, in which he vehemently de-
uounces the constitutional amendment. We are
not surprised at this. We must expect from the
South all sorts of arguments to prove that it will
snot do. But it will do, and must do. Where
is the patient that does not make wry faces at
*he medicine offered him? He may kick against
it, but it is not the less necessary to force it on
him. The South just now’ is one of the sickest
of the politically sick, and the worst feature in
its case is that it does hot know what is good for
it. Its friends and well-wishers feel that there is
hut one remedy adapted to its ailments, and that
is the constitutional amendment. If it will not
accept it willingly, the inevitable result will be
iliut this Congress, or the Congress that succeeds
it, will, acting on the sentiments of the people as
indicated in the late elections, take possession of
the country, appoint military Governors aud solve
the difficulty according to its own views. We
leave it to the Southern people to say whether they
will be gainers by forcing matters to such ex
tremes. It is a wise maxim which says, “when
you can’t have things your own way make the
wavs of those you have to deal with as smooth
anil pleasant as possible.”
Words of Truth aud Soberness.
We are not right sure but our cotemporary of
the Iberville South, is very near tbe solution of
tbe great labor problem in the following article.
He eays:
The foreigi. *rs, the coolies, and the freedmen
are all very well in their way, but neither the one
nor the other, nor all of tliem, will supply the
great void of labor, while we ourselves continue
to talk, grumble, loaf, and brag about what we
used to be.
The stubborn truth of the matter is this, that
Southern men aud women, and their children
have got to go to work, if they may reasonably
expect to repair theirshattered fortunes, and ren
der “tbe land we love" other than a Jamaican or
Haytian waste.'
The age of idleness is past; we must all work,
or all sink. We have no longer “father's planta
tion and niggers” to fall back upon. The old
homestead is well nigh valueless, and tbe former
slaves are freed men.
There is nothing left for us but brains and
hands, and plenty of employment for both.
Don’t lie so particular about the kind ot labor
in which you engage. There is as much of dig
nity aud honor attached to one kiud of honest
employment as another. Lay bold of whatever
vou may find to do with a whole heart, with faith
in the just awards of the future, and our word
for it, you cannot fail to achieve, at no distaut
day, wealth, comfort, and the esteem of the better
classes ot societv, such as the mere drone in the
hive i*f human life can never kuow or realize.
The Tax on Cotton.
The New York Tribune opposes the repeal of
the tax on cotton, on tbe plea that it will not do
to commence cutting off revenue at this time.
Whatever is calculated to relieve the South of
any of Uie burdeus which have been unwarrant
ably imposed ujxm it, is pretty apt to meet with
a hearty opposition at the hands of the Tribune.
Tbe Express, which thoroughly understands the
situation, says in regard to the tax: The tax,
under the circumstances, is unjust, and oppres
sive—unjust, as it is levied upon a people, who
arc not permitted to have representation in Con
gress—oppressive, as it is imposed up.m an inter
est. which has been so damaged by tlie derange
ment ot the Southern labor system, as to demand
tbe fostering care ol the Government to enable
it to recuperate—not heavier burthens, as il to
crush it out of existence.
Tbe Question of Immigration.
While negro labor is traveling in the direction
of the heavy cotton grow-ing regions of the
Mississippi Valley, the people ot the older South
ern States are turning their attention to the sub
ject of immigration. The Charleston Courier;
of the 26th says:
“It is a fact not generally known, that ob
stacles of an almost insuperable character, are
systematically placed in the way of panics who
attempt to invite or facilitate the immigration
Southward of any of the thousands of Europe
ans who laud every month at New York. We
leant that Mr. W. T. Ferloy, a gentleman who
recently visited New York, at the instance of a
number of prominent gentlemen in this commu
nity, who were anxious that South Carolina
should reap her share of the benefits of immi
gration, that it is almost an impossibility to se
cure newly arrived laborers for the South in
New York; for the reason that all Southern
agents are jealously excluded from the depot at
Castle Garden, the point at which the immigrant
generally fixes upon his plans for the immediate
future. Various motives are assigned for this
action on the part ot the agent of the New York
Commissioners of Immigration—one Casserly;
but the real object, it is believed, is to diminish
the competition for the labor of the immigrant
and thus render him a more certain and helpless
victim to the selfish schemes ot the agent.
“The result of this narrow minded policy, in
New York, will lie that the parties here who are
mo9t interested in securing European labor, will
abandon the design of seeking it at the North,
and will adopt the more sensible and only prac
ticable plan of engaging it at the ports lrom
which the immigrants embark and bringing it
direct to Charleston. Agents will be dispatched
to Europe at an early day, and it is anticipated
that little difficulty will bp experienced in divert
ing a fair proportion of the stream of immigra
tion to tbe shores of our own State. The matter,
we learn, will tie actively pressed upon the at
tention ot our State Legislature, which meets in
Columbia this evening. There are few subjects
that have so important a bearing upon the future
prosperity of South Carolina, and the Southern
States generally, than this question of European
immigration.
The Government Tax on Cotton.
It has already been stated that the New York
Chamber of Commerce bad reported in favor of
the repeal of tbe tax on cotton. The report ot
the committee, after suiting that only 40 per
cent, of the cotton consumed in Europe is of
American growth, continues:
“ Your committee are unable to find a satisfac
tory reason in favor of this tax. As a question of
revenue it may yield 18 or 20 millions, without
compensating lor the injury done to national
prosperity. The result oi' the operation then is,
that Government is paying high salaries to a mul
titude of men to collect the tax and to not a few
to pay it away again in drawbacks upon cotton
fabrics exported, when it would have been better
for all concerned if there had been no tax at all.
“Justice, and the public welfare, are supposed
to be the great aims of legislation. And it is im
possible to prove ttie justice ot this tax when
there is none upon wheat, and while tobacco
and petroleum are allowed to be exported in
in bond, and therefore free of tax.
“While refraining from any opinions on con
stitutional points, your committee must say that
it is very certain this tax is productive of such
evils as the prohibition ol export duties must be
supposed to have been intended to prevent.”
The committee then state that:
“Our Southern lands and climate are better
suited lor tbe cultivation of cotton than for any
other purpose—much better than those of other
countries, as is proved by the tact that, previous
to the war, we were supplying_eighty-lour per
cent, of the consumption ot all Europe, and, no
toriously, with great profit to ourselves. We see
uo obstacles to recoveting our position as chief
cultivators, if the business is no more discouraged
than that of growing wheat in Iowa, or of pump
ing petroleum in Pennsylvania.
“To continue a tax upon cotton is only to dis
courage its cultivation in the best cotton lands in
the world, as ours are, and to encourage it iu the
worse lands of India, Egypt, and Brazil, where
they would be ready enough to devote much ot
their soil to other purposes, as soon as we begin
to throw crops ot three or four millions of bales
on the markets of Europe at the lowered prices
which would naturally ensue.
Your committee must not be understood as
condemning the tax which was levied upon cot
ton left in the South at the close of the war.—
On the contrary, perhaps that tax might, with
out impropriety, have been twice or three times
as large as it was; because the United States, by
achieving a peace at au enormous expense, had
conferred a high value upon such cotton as had
previously "been comparatively worthless, and,
therefore, might be held to have some rights as
salvors oi the property which was perishing.
“ In conclusion, your committee find the pres
ent tax to be indefensible with reference to the
welfare of the whole country, North, South, East
and West, and mnst believe that it is inexpedient ,
unjust, oppressive, aud practically unconstitu
tional, and that the longer it is kept in force the
more injurious it will be found to national pros
perity.”
J [FOR THE INTELLIGENCER.}
OnrTrne Holley as a Southern People.
SCXEEK ONE.
A new era has dawned upon the jicople of
these States. What destiny is in store for us,
! none can foresee. No true patriot can be unso-
| licitous respecting it. And yet none can doubt
! that much, very much, will depend upon the pol-
j icy we adopt, and the fidelity and the energy With
i which we discharge our respective duties.
The writer of this article, having, in deep so-
| licitude for our welfare in regard to all our more
important interests, taken close retrospect of our
former status and policy; having taken wide
surveys of our capabilities*, our necessities, and
great advantages, proposes to state, in a few brief
articles, the leading features of a jiolicy which,
if we are true to ourselves, cannot fail to make
us, in a few years, the most comfortable, thrifty
and independent people on the globe.
The climate, soil, and productions of the South
ern States, far surpass those of any other portion
of this continent. And yet our former “policy”—
that of raising raw male rial only, and exchanging
it for manufactured articles—made us one of the
most dependent people’ on which the sun ever
shone! So numerous and costly are the neces
saries lor housekeeping and genteel living—many
of which manufacturers and the mechanic [arts
only can supply—that no people can long be
sustained bv “ agric ult'ire" alone! We once, un
der the best labor system the world ever saw,
cultivated the most valuable staples known on
the globe. Even then, while we enriched the
whole manufacturing and commercial world—
and, most of all, those who were the most hostile
to us and our interests—we laid up little or noth
ing, in most parts of our country; and but for
the increase of the negro population, which then
were “ property;” we must, for many years past,
in the older portions of most of the States, been
retrograde, as regards income, and means of sup
port.
But if so then, how certainly ruiuous must a
similar policy prove in our present exhausted
and crippled condition—destitute of capital, and
our labor system broken down. Three of the
most obvious features of a policy adapted to our
necessities are:
1st. The strictest economy in regard to all “un
productive” expenditures.
2d. The employment of the latest and most
improved styles of machinery, and the most skil
ful modes of achieving the most important re
sults, at the least possible expenditure of labor.
3d. The supplying of all our wants, so far as
practicable, by “home production thus furnish
ing our own people with employment, and means
of support, and retaining the proceeds of our la
bor at home, instead of sending it all out of tbe
country.
The soundest principles ot political economy
would, at any time, urge the above indicated
course, as an incumbent duty; but with trumpet
tones, and oft repeated utterances, she chimes in
with patriotism aud humanity in enforcing the
claims of a new and more rational line of duty,
instead of our former suicidal policy.
Monitor.
[for the intelligencer.]
Profession*, Benefactors, Producers, and
Consumers.
NUMBER two.
The Yankees in the Holy Land.
Our readers may remember a paragraph pub
lished a tew weeks ago, stating that a ship load
of downeast Yanks—men, women and children
—have left the United States with a view to
forming a colony in Palestine. The Philadel
phia Inquirer noticing their arrival at Jaffa says:
This emigration to the Iloly City will be but a
beginning of the hegira which will populate Je
rusalem with a dreadfully smart people. They
will introduce to the benighted Asiatics subsoil
ploughs, mowing machines, steam engines, and
the electric telegraph. They will transform the
appearance of the Holy City. They may put up
a cotton factory on Mount Moriah, and rim a saw
mill with the wifter of the Brook Kedron. They
will plant Indian corn on the Mount of Olives,
and perhaps pumpkins in the Valley of Hiunom.
Bean poles will support their legttmiuous trea
sures in the Valley ot Jehoshapli&L The estab
lishment of a Congregational Church on Mount
Zion, and the erection ot gas works opposite the
Hebron Gate, may be reckoned among the possi
bilities of this strange emigration, which recom
penses tbe world for the migration always hither
front the East to tbe West, by sending a few pion
eers back again.
Tennessee.—A bill with the following pro
visions bas been introduced into Brownlow’s Le
gislature :
*" That every colored male inhabitant of the State,
and of the couuty wherein he may offer to vote,
tor six months next preceding the day of election,
of twenty-one years, native born or naturalized,
not insane nor convicted of any infamous crime,
shall be entitled to the privilege of the elective
franchise, upon taking the oath before tbe Com
missioners of Registration, and obtaining the cer
tificate required for registered voters. Provided,
however, that such colored persons have served
in the army or navy of the United States, and
have been honorably discharged therefrom.—
Second, all those who can read the Constitution,
and all who pay taxes on two hundred and fifty
dollars’ worth of property.
It also provides that the Commissioners of Re
gistration shall opeu separate books for colored
voters, and that each applicant for registration
shall [lay twenty-five cents to the Commissioner :
as compensation for the trouble of the latter.
It further provides that after the fourth of J uly,
1875, it shall be required of every voter, white J
and black, to be able to read, and to have read i
the Constitution of the State, aud United States. .
Professional men of high endowments, large
attainments, and unflinching fidelity in the dis
charge of duty, are pillars of light and strength
to a nation. In this respect the South has been
eminently tavored. Her great men have been
her pride, her honor, and her glory. And yet it
cannot be doubted that there bas been too great
a rage for professional life. Many have entered
the different professions who had little or no
adaptation to the successful discharge of their re
spective duties. Disappointment, mortification,
and failure were thejresult. And yet, in another
calling they might have been successful, useful,
prominent, and influential. Genius, talent, en
ergy, and persistent effort are now demanded in
every department of life. Wide and inviting
fields are open. Every beneficent occupation is
honorable. It should also be the ambition of ev
ery citizen to be, in one sense, a producer, and not
a consumer only! Development of our vast re
sources, and opening new departments of enter
prise, should be the order of the day tlirough
the wide extent of our country. A place for ev
ery one, and every one at his place—making for
himselt a good livelihood, and enhancing the great
interests of our devastated country.
It lias been said in England, that he is a public
benefactor who discovers a new “ dish ” for the
poor. Far more is be entitled to that honorable
appellation, who furnishes the poor with suitable
employment, and thus enables^ them to fill well
and constantly the “dishes” they already possess.
Employment that is suitable, steady, and useful,
*} is the great source of comfort, thrift and happi
ness. For these purposes we need endlessly di
versified pursuits. With these, skill and appli
cation will insure the desired results.
Monitor.
John W. Forney.—Tbe following paragraph !
^appears iu the Philadelphia Pr<.« of last Friday :
Reconstruction is progressing in South Caro
lina. Au agent of the internal revenue has just j Turned Over to the Civil Authorities.—
been murdered. The assassins gave themselves l ... . . . ,,
mi, but there is little probability that they will 1 " ^“ngton : ' Ie ~ r ?- Br0 " n
be put to any inconvenience. It is no crime for j and Reese, of Taliaferro county, convicted last
year, by a military court, in that place, for tbe
It is uo crime tor
a high-toned Southerner to kiil a 5 aukee.
John W. Forney commenced liis career ol in
famy by trying to bribe Jatnetson, a drunken
play-actor, to swear a lie against Mrs. Edwin
Forrest, in the suit between that lady and her
liusbaud. From the above paragraph, it will be
seen that the dirty dog has not improved since
that time either in his morals or manners.
murder ol a negro woman, sentenced to be hung,
and afterwards indefinitely respited by President
Johnson, have been turned over to the civil
courts, after remaining in prison some eighteen
months. There may be some doubts as to whe
ther they can constitutionally be tried again for
the same offense.
Legislative Summary.
We find but little of special interest in the Le
gislative proceeding of the 26th. In the Senate,
the rejection of the bill to define and prescribe
the liabilities of stockholders of banks in this
State, was re-considered. The Senate took up, as
the special order, the bill to provide for Georgia a
system of common school education. The bill
was taken up by sections, and various amend
ments were proposed: but without reaching a
vote on the bill, tlie Senate adjourned till 3 o'clock
p. in. The afternoon session was consumed in
reading bills a second time.
In the House, 26th, the following bills were up
on third reading:
To pay civil officers, during ’61, ’2, ’3 and ’4.—
Lost,
To authorize administrators to perfect titles to
land in certain cases. Passed.
To give a lien upon the growing crops to pier-
sons who furnish planters, on the faith of the crop,
with stock, provisions, »S:c. The lien is prior to
all liens except for rent of land. Lost.
To punish persons who cut off the ears of hogs,
wheu slaughtering them, with the intent to con
ceal the mark. Lost.
The order was suspended, when the Finance
Committee reported the General Appropriation
Bill, and the Revenue or Tax Bill, which were
read tlie first time. A resolution has been adopt
ed in the House to allow the introduction of no
new matter jitter Wednesday, the 27th. A large
number of new bills were introduced in the
House on the2Cth', but most of them are of local,
rather than general interest
Among other resolutions adopted is one in
structing the Finance Committee to inquire into
the payment of General II. C. Wayne's salary.
Robbery.—The Washington, Wilkes county,
I Gazette. says :
i An outhouse attached to the residence of Hon.
! Robert Toombs in this town was broken open on
j Thursday night of last week and many valuable
l articles stok-a from trunks stored therein. On
1 account of the absence of the family, the robbery
was not discovered until Monday. An investiga-
| tion was immediately instituted' and the thief, a
j freedman named Reuben, formerly a servant in
. Mr. Toombs' family, was detected. He had dis-
| tributed many of the articles of costly jewelry
j among his companions, and had sold a gold chain
' worth $300 for $150 which led to his detection,
j Reuben was arrested and committed to Castle
I Glover lor trial.
FROM MILLEDGE V1LLE.
Special Correspondence of the Intelligencer.
MilleiniEYille, Tuesday, Nov. 27.
In the House of Representatives, this morning,
the re-considered bill was passed providing for
payment to Seago, Palmer & Co., of six thousand
and eighty dollars for that number of bushels of
corn, which they famished in May, 1865, to Gen
Foster, State Commissary General, for the relief
of the suffering poor of Northern Georgia. The
House also re-considered and amended a bill pre
viously passed, amendatory of the law regulating
the relation of parent and child among persons
of color. This bill construes the third section of
the act of March Slth, 1866, to declare as legiti
mate colored children born within what was re
garded as a state ol wedlock. It also provides
that when the parents have separated, and the
children remained with tlie mother, she shall
have the control of such children during their
minority.
The bill for extending the aid of the State to
the completion ol the Savannah, Griffin, and
North Alabama Railroad was lost in the House,
the vote being 62,, in favor, to 74 against. Its
provisions were, w general, the same as in cases
of Macon & Brunswick, and the Air-Line Rail
roads. The bill providing for the removal of the
school for the Deaf and Dumb from Cave Springs
to the building occupied as the Asylum for the
Blind in Macon, was also lost. Several local
bills were passed. The whole number of bills
introduced up to this date has been about three
hundred and twenty-five.
senate proceedings.
In the Senate, the bill passed yesterday, pro
viding for general education, and for establishing
a system of Georgia schools, was reconsidered.
A number of new bills were introduced. No
bills were passed in this branch of the Legisla
ture to-day. Pending the consideration and dis
cussion on the bill to modify the laws prohibit
ory of lotteries, so as to allow a lottery to enable
the Masonic fraternity to provide a home for the
education of orphans, the Senate adjourned till
ten o’clock to-morrow.
’ LAWS.
The following local acts having passed both
Houses, have been approved by the Governor:
To amend the charter of the town of Elberton;
repeal an act relating to the payment of jurors
in Tatnall county ; to amend tlie charter of the
city ot Albany; to incorporate Coweta Falls
Manufacturing Company at Columbus; to amend
charter of Southern Mutnal Insurance Company;
and to amend charter of the Central Railroad
Company. This last relates merely to the scale
of voting by shares of stockholders.
The Governor has also signed the following
acts: To extend tlie time of settlement by Tax
Collectors with the Comptroller and Treasurer
until the first Tuesday of February next The
act also provides, that all persons who failed to
make returns to the Receiver, may do so to the
Collector, and pay as other tax-payers, without
being double-taxed as defaulters. Also, an act
to authorize certain advances by the Treasurer
to officers and members of the Legislature; also,
an act to repeal section 940'of the Code, and
substitute for it a set^kin providing for the elec
tion of a State ■ Prints at tho same session and
in like manner with State House officers, to hold
his office for the term of two years.
THE GEORGIA CONFERENCE.
Ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
from various sections of the State, are passing
over the several railroads on their way to attend
the annual Conference, which will meet to-mor
row at Americus. Some very important ques
tions will come up for consideration. Among
them are propositions to divide the State into
two conferences, and also to extend the term of
appointment of stationed preachers. I am not
sufficiently informed of the sentiments of mem
bers of Conference to express an opinion as to
the action that will be taken, or to say even that
the measure will be formally proposed for adop
tion. There seems, however, to be a very strong
and growing feeling in the denomination in favor
of marked modifications of the system. 13.
Occasional Correspondence of tlie Intel*
llgencer.
Milledgeville, Nov. 25,1866.
Strolling about the capital and mingling pretty
freely among the assembled wisdom, a few stray
thoughts that occur to me, and a brief notice of
some of the things I see and hear, may not be
uninteresting to your readers. 6
The visitors to the capital have not been so
numerous as in ante beUum times. This may be
accounted for by the fact, that there are no elec
tions to come oft this winter. It is true, Gover
nor Johnson’s term of office as United States
Senator expires on the 4th of March next, and
the House passed a resolution to bring on the
election last Tuesday, but the Senate failing to
concur, nothing has been done in the matter. I
have heard ot no aspirant for the position. This
is not to be wondered at, when we consider the
anomalous position which Georgia, in common
with the other Southern States, occupies, in re
spect to the Federal Government.
Quite an array of beautiful ladies have, for
some days past, been crowding the galleries, much
to the relief of the dull tedium which attends
the ordinary routine of Legislative proceedings.
There was a very large attendance of them on
Wednesday last, and under the inspiration of
their presence, members vied with each other in
eulogies upon the Confederate dead, and in truth
ful and eloquent tributes to the devotion ot wo
man to the “Lost Cause,” its heroic defenders and
martyred dead. Social parties at the Executive
Mansion, at the hotels and private houses, are of
frequent occurrence, and the reminiscences con
nected with them will form agreeable episodes in
the Legislative experience of the junior members
of the House, who are enabled to unite business
and pleasure—to make laws during the day, and
to make love to the ladies at night
I see here from Atlanta, Ex-Governor Brown,
Colonel Jared L Whitaker, Dr. Westmoreland,
Dr. Powell, Colonel E. P. Watkins and Colonel
Boyd, who all seem highly gratified at tlie pas
sage to-day ot the bill granting State aid to the
Air Line railroad. By the way, this insures the
building of the road, and with its completion,
Atlanta is destined, at no distant day, to become
the great city of Georgia. The condition on
which the aid is to be extended, viz: that fifty
miles must be built and in running order, will
nec ~ 'sarily delay the date of the State’s endorse
ment, but the pledge, that the State will endorse,
will hasten the completion of the first fifty miles.
This Legislature has fully committed itself to the
principle of State aid to railroads. The Savan
nah, Griffin & North Alabama road, which is tbe
special order for next Tuesday, will as surely get
State aid as the Macon <fc Brunswick and the
Air Line. Some speculation is indulged in as to
the probable action of Governor Jenkins on the
measures—some asserting that he will veto them,
and others, as positively asserting that be will
not Governor J. is very prudent—generally
keeps his own counsels, and no one knows or
can know what he will do in this matter.
Colonel Watkins and Colonel Boyd have each
a project before the Legislature—the former to
organize and endow an Institution for the educa
tion of soldiers’ orphans by a lottery scheme.—
This seems to’be feasible, and is certainly very
laudable. The bill has not yet come up for a
third reading. ’ I can but wish Colonel W. the
most ample success. Colonel B. has also a prop
osition pending to raise, by lottery, funds to build
a widow’s and orphan’s Home in Atlanta. This,
too, is a commendable and worthy object, and if
carried out in the spirit of its inception, will ac
complish great good.
Mr. Hill, chairman of the Special Committee
ou that part of the Governor’s message, which
relates to the management of the State Commis
sary Department by Col. Jared I. Whitaker du
ring the war, made an elaborate report, (too long
for insertion in this letter,) in which Col. Whita
ker is highly commended lor his fidelity and ef
ficiency. It required no ordinary business tact,
and energy to manage so vast a concern, so com
plicated in detail, and involving so much pecu
niary responsibility. And when, to the business
proper of the department, it will be borne in
mind, was added tbe procurement and distribu
tion of thousands of bushels of salt to soldiers’
families, and the destitute of the State, some idea
may be formed of the onerous duties and im
mense responsibility of CoL W.’s office. The
late State Finance Committee recommended that
this Legislature pay him his accounts for rent,
and fo» money paid out by him in bringing up
the unfinished business, as also to remunerate
him for his services. This is all right and proper,
and the Legislature sustained the recommendation
of the committee. The report was adopted by
the House, and according to its recommendation,
the books and papers connected with Col. W.’s
administration were deposited in the Secretary
of State’s office, among other archives of tbe
State, to become permanent records of the libe
rality of Georgia to her soldiers and her poor,
and as a testimonial of the integrity and fidelity
of one of her public servants, who has sustained
his honor and honesty during the war.
The Representatives from Fulton stand high
as gentlemen of liberal and enlightened views.
Neither one of them is a speaker, but their in
fluence is none the less seen and felt on any
measure which they offer for the benefit of their
immediate constituents, or for the general good.
The session has now lasted twenty-five days,
and no one yet sees where the end will be. My
own opinion is, that thirty or forty days will
bring the conclusion. More than three hundred
bills have been introduced into the House, aud
about one hundred and twenty into the Senate.
But two or three bills of general importance have
been finally acted on in both Houses, and if I
mistake not, but two of public importance Lave
been signed by the Governor.
The Stay law, the Redemption bill, aud the
Homestead bill, have yet to be acted on by the
House. These are a portion of the relief mea
sures, and will consume much of the time of the
House. A resolution was introduced yesterday
to forbid the introduction of new matter after
Tuesday next, but ilie House would not take
it up.
It is rumored that there will be a levee at the
Governor’s on Weduesday evening next.
LaFayette.
The President.
All dates and papers from the direction of
Washington, and the North and East, are mainly
nade np of speculations as to what positions the
1: resident will put forth in his message to Con
gress next Monday. Many of them assert that
the President will change his ground upon the
questions more especially affecting the Southern
States, and some of our friends are apprehensive
such will turn out to be the case—that he
will alter and modify, in order to prevent a widen
ing of the breach between the Executive and
Legislative departments of the Government.—
For our part, we do not think so, and have seen
no authoritative outgivings from the direction of
the National Capital to justify such a conclusion.
On the contrary, our information, derived through
what we consider reliable sources, leads us to be
lieve the President will adhere to his original
policy. Every one familiar with the history of
Andrew Johnson will know he never takes posi
tion upon leading and jirominent questions with
out carefully studying all the bearings, immedi
ate and collateral, that can possibly grow out of
them; and that when once sure of his ground,
he is the last man to recede from it. As his mes
sage will be before the country in a few days, it
is hardly worth while to consume time and spjee
with the subject now, but we have an abiding
faith that the President will adhere to his policy
as regards the Southern States, and that no
amount of threats or efforts at intimidation on
the part of the Radical majority in Congress
will have the least effect in moving him from it.
The Boston Post.
Something has been said iD the radical papers
recently, in reference to the Boston Post having
come out for impartial suffrage. We find the
following paragraph on the subject in that paper
of last Friday:
“We had no fear of meeting this question then,
and we have none now; but it belongs to the
States, and not to the General Government Each
State for herself has, and of right should have,
the power to meet this question in her own way.
New York must not dictate to Massachusetts on
this question, nor Massachusetts to Connecticut;
least of all has the General Government (the cre
ation of the States and the people) the right to
dictate to us on this subject. The States them
selves should, for their own good, act, and act
wisely in the matter, each judging what is best
for its prosperity and honor.
So much for the position of the Post. Less
than twelve months ago, the notorious John W.
Forney, wrote and published the following on
the Object:
“ The Union party cannot be a national party
if it makes negro suffrage a test. Belonging, »s
that subject does, to the States, it must be left
to the States. To attempt to force it on the
South is simply to embitter the South, and to
endanger the Union party in the North, for it
most not be forgotten that until the rebellion
broke upon us, in not a single free State, not even
in Massachusetts, were the few colored men al
lowed the unqualified right to vote. Nor can
you build a national party by making the confis
cation of rebel estates on the plan of Mr. Ste
vens an issue or a condition.”
Here we find the Secretary of the United
States Senate opposing negro suffrage with as
much ardor as he now advocates it; and so his
party “turns about, wheels about, and jumps
Jim Crow,” to suit its own convenience.
Beast Butler at Brooklyn.—A New York
date of the 25th, to the Savannah Republican,
says:
Genera! Butler delivered a lecture at the Acad
emy of Music, Brooklyn, last evening, and was
attentively listened to on the subject of tbe re
organization of the South. He said neither po
litical expedients, conventions, President nor
Congress could compass it, all devices of State
craft must fail—even universal freedom cannot
accomplish it. and universal impartial suffrage
will only add to the danger. The only safety is
in universal education—intellectual and religious.
The common school and the church are the only
bases upon which the South can be safely and
permanently reconstructed. Butler argues that
there is power in Congress to establish schools
in the South, under the clause of the Cdestitu
tion which says, “ Congress shall have power to
provide for the common defense and general
welfare of the United States.”
Having, during the war, stolen eveiything he
could lay his dirty hands on, the Beast is now
engaged in preaching morality, religion, so-called,
and universal education. When they commence
that plan of re-construction we trust they will
send Hr. Butler forward as the pioneer in the
great work. It would be very appropriate.
The regular session of the South Carolina
Legislature commenced last Monday.
Sltall tbe Negro Have tbe Ballot?
The proposition of the Radicals for universal
suffrage, is beginning to elicit opposition from a
quarter which the astute leaders of that party
did not calculate upon, and there is a good deal
less danger of its being lorced upon the country
now than there was some time ago. Among
other well-informed parties who have recently
expressed themselves in opposition to the propo
sition, is General Tarbell, a Northern man, who
has been residing in Mississippi since the termi
nation of the war. This letter is addressed to a
Northern journal, and he says of the negro:
“Negro suffrage is a measure of the most stu
pendous wildness and humbug oi this or any
other age. Mormonism is fitly compared to the
depravity of the blacks, but to these vices, add
universal thieving aud lying, ignorance, incapa
city, and a total want ol politicians about the
loyal blacks, and the brave colored soldier, is an
insult to truth. The blacks were loyal to tbe
South, and it is not true that the colored troops
fought bravely everywhere, or on any occasion.
There was no rising on the part of the South,
though in whole counties and districts, for hun
dreds of miles, there were no males at home; in
fact, they were kept in subjection, and at work,
by the women! They nowhere in tlie South vol
untarily enlisted, but were seized and enrolled
with or without consent They showed signs of
welcome to our troops—but they were no less
demonstrative to tbe rebel armies.
I served bv the side of the colored troops be
fore Port Hudson, and know their conduct was a
poor burlesque on soldiering, as General Banks’
complimentary order on their bravery and good
conduct. All* the speeches in Congress advoca
ting “equality” between white and black soldiers
were keenly resented by every officer and soldier
of tbe army; but none dared speak out. No
matter what interested officers, partisans, politi
cians and demagogues may say, the black soldiers
did not earu their rations. The Union owes
them nothing to its support—as soldiers. They
owe a debt of gratitude to the government for
maintaining them from idleness and starvation.
They have not tlie integrity, capacity, or edu
cation for voters, and will not have for genera
tions. As allies of the Radicals they would prove
worse than useless, for they do not possess tbe
faculty or instinct of combination, and they
would disclose all party secrets to their secession
owners.
Were Henry Ward Beecher to come down
here and own a plantation iu person, we can im
agine what,from his well known piety and good
ness, he -would do for the blacks, both spiritually
and pecuniarily; yet, after all he would do, they
would study in a religious meeting, of which they
are excessively fond, and in which they are inor
dinately enthusiastic, liow to steal his last crumb
and his last dime.
“ Give the blacks tho best State in tlie Union,
with teams, seeds, grain, farming tools, a year’s
supply of all things, and five hundred dollars in
money each, with a "government of their own,
and they would starve to death the second year,
and relapse into barbarism in half a century.
“This is no exaggeration. I speak but the sim
ple truth, as any impartial man may see it for him
self. I am a true friend ol the negroes and to
progress. They need most education, both secu
lar and religious, lor years and generations—hon
est and fair dealing and justice from the whites,
but not the ballot, which would prove a curse.”
This may be regarded as a harsh judgment of
tbe negro in some respects, but in its main fea
tures is true.
The Fenians.
The following is the substance of the appeal
recently issued by tlie Fenians of New York.
To the men of Irish birth, and all lovers of repub
lican institutions everywhere :
Countrymen, friends and brothers: Every
item of informaiion reaching us from Ireland
proves it to be certain beyond all question, that
our countrymen, at home are determined on war
to the knife, and that this very year the final
struggle of our people with the foreigner will be
soon inaugurated. Tlie oppressed will meet the
oppressors foot to foot to battle for tlie very ex
istence of our race, and of our nationality. The
issue is potent; either we must succeed in this
our final ^struggle, and take our place among
the nations of the earth, or be defeated and
scattered broadcast as a people, dispersed, pointed
at only with the fmger ot scorn, and ready to
do battle for every country but our own, advo
cates of universal liberty, but especially of liberty
in Ireland.
We have resolved to do all in our power to
sustain those of our kindred who keep garrison
at home. That the struggle now so imminent
may be short and effective, we appeal to all your
kindred and American men and women, and to
the lovers of freedom everywhere, to give what
our brothers require. That no one claiming to
have Irish blood in his veins may have any
longer an excuse for not contributing in propor
tion to his means, a committee of gentlemen,
properly accredited, will call upon all Fenians
from whom aid is expected, that a permanent
record of those who will do their duty to Ireland
at so important a crisis as this may be kept for
the future, for the purpose, as well as those who
by their non-action wish it to be recorded as their
opinion that our race at last is conquered. The
committee instructed to collect arms, war mate
rial, and money for the use of the Irish Republi
can army will hand in their lists weekly at the
Central office, No. 19 Chatham street, in this
city. In the name of liberty, justice and human
ity, we appeal to all in behalf of a suffering but
noble-minded people to subscribe liberally and at
once.
Southwestern Georgia.—A writer in the
Savannah News & Herald says:
Southwest Georgia, however, promises to be
come tbe great cotton-growing region of Georgia.
The lands and climate are altogether adapted to
the cotton plant; and the labor, the past season,
has been more efficient and decidedly under bet
ter control than elsewhere. The planters are
embarking with energy into preparations for an
other crop, and lands ot a fine quality have rent
ed at the high figure of eleven and twelve dol
lars per acre. I have remarked this country
closely, and if labor is controlable and cotton
can be raised this is the place to do it, and a rail
road communication with your city would gi a
great impetus to production and contribute great
ly to the prosperity ot Savannah. The citizens
are anxious for such an outlet, and I am told by
a gentleman, cognizant of the wants of the peo
ple, that they would subscribe liberally to such
an enterprise. A connection from Ward’s Sta
tion on the Southwestern road with Bainbridge,
in a direct line, not over sixty miles, would ac
complish the desirable end, and would draw
away all the cotton, now shipped by the river to
the Gulf, to Savannah, and a radius of forty
miles from the above station would embrace the
following counties and parts of counties, viz:
Stewart, Webster, Sumter, Randolph, Terrill,
Clay, Calhoun, Dougherty, Baker, Miller, Early,
Mitchell, Lee, Dooly, Worth, Chattahoochee and
Marion. Will not the intelligent and energetic
President of the A. & G. R. R. examine this sub
ject by reference to his map, an exploration of
the route, and a talk with the people. We be
lieve it feasible and wise to open this highway
of trade to a rich section of Georgia, and the
time will speedily come when it “will ble3s him
that givetli as well as him that receivetli.” We
hope to see a move in this direction and think it
will meet with hearty co-operation.
Jefferson Davis and the Fenians.—The
Toronto editors are retorting upon Mr. Seward
for calling the Fenian prisoners “ political offen
ders,” and therefore deserving of clemency,
which could not attach to crimes of a criminal
character—retorting by asking such questions as
these :
“ How lias the American Government acted
towards political offenders ? At tbe very bead
of the list stands .Mr. Jefferson Davis. By the
united voice of all parties iu the United States,
not to say anything of the opinion of outside na
tions, Mr. Davis’ continued imprisonment in For
tress Monroe is a disgrace to the country which
keeps him incarcerated. Does 3Ir. Seward tiiink
that the way in which this man has been treated
by the Government deserves to be called “ emi
nently humane;” that the hardships, the palpa
ble cruelties which were associated with his im
prisonment until within a very late period, were
such as to give him the rigid to preach cleineDcy
to the people of another country ?”
Tennessee.—A bill rendering disqualified vo
ters incapable of sitting on juries lias passed
Brownlow's Legislature, and is now claimed to
be a law of the State.
The Final Fate of the Universe.
From the Scientific American.
If two bodies were placed in space without
any force acting upon each other than their own
gravity, they, would immediately start toward
each other, and would rush' together. The sun
‘and planets, which constitute the stellar system,
to which our solar system belongs, are prevented
from running together into one mass by their re
volutions about each other. The revolutions of
the planets around our sun, and of the satellites
about their primaries, have been ascertained, wi h
that wonderful precision which is the just pride
of astronomical science, and astronomers are
now engaged in the sublime problem of unravel
ling the revolutions of the countless suns that
make up our stellar system. Already the cluster
of the Pleiades is indicated as the proximate
locality of the centre around which our sun,
with his attendant planets, is sweeping liis vast
orbit; and it is suggested that it is probably the
common center ot the orbits of all the suns of
our stellar system.
If tlie force of gravity extends across the in
conceivable spaces which sepa rate the several
stellar systems of the universe, those systems
must rush together unless they are held apart by
revolutions aroud each other.
If light were an emanation, as held by New
ton, the spaces between the solid bodies of the
universe might be absolutely empty; and in that
case, the revolutions of the bodies around each
other might go on forever. On the other hand,
if ligl(t is a vibration in a subtle fluid, the fluid
must obstruct the motions of bodies revolving in
it, and they must finally come together in one
mass. The experiment so ingeniously devised
by Arago, and carried out with such honorable
regard for tbe fame of its designer by Messrs.
Foucault,' Fizeau and Bereque, to determine
whether there is a difference in the velocity of
light in its passage through air and water, "lias
demonstrated that light is a vibration. It fol
lows from this that, as far as light extends, space
in filled with a material fluid which resists the
motion of bodies revolving in it, and bodies with
in this space must gradually wind their way in
ward, aud ultimately come together into one
mass.
The moon must be drawing very slowly nearer
and nearer the earth, and the two bodies, iu the
far distant future, will come together. The solid
crust of the earth will be broken up by the shock,
an immense quantity of heat will be generated
by the destruction of the moon’s motion, and the
two bodies will fuse together into one molten
globe. As the new and enlarged earth is cooled
upon its surface, a second series of geological
deposits will be constituted accompanied, per
haps, by strange and inconceivable forms of
animal and vegetable life.
At the same time, the earth is winding its way
inward toward the sun, and must ultimately fall
an inconsiderable pebble, into the vast glowing
mass. The same fate awaits all the plan nets,
and our solar system must one day be but a single
globe. When this globe is cooled to the right
temperature, it may be covered with a multitude
of inhabitants, and astronomers may rise who
will watch its revolutions among the associated
suns of our stellar system. If their knowledge
and intellect are equal to the science of our as
tronomers, they will foresee the ultimate coming
together ot all these suns into one common
globe. And not this only, for they will predict
the final coming together of all the stellar sys
tems of the visible universe into one mass of
matter.
When this mass is first collected, it will be in
tensely hot from the destruction of motion in the
several suns and systems of suns as they come
together. The heat will be radiated outward
into the universe, and the one m;iss of matter
will be gradually cooled. During the cooling
there will be the same play and mutual inter
change of heat, light, electricity, magnetism, and
other imponderable forces that are now upon
this earth. As the cooling proceeds, the action
of these forces will diminish; when 977 degrees
is reached, light will cease and darkness will fill
the universe. As each vibration of heat leaves
the material mass, it will expand outward at the
rate of 192,000 miles per second in all directions,
in the form of a swift swelling hollow globe.—
When the temperature of absolute cold is reached
(—493-2 degrees) the last vibration of heat will
leave the mass of matter, and w’ill expand out
ward through all infinity of space and time.
Supposing, however, the ethereal fluid which
fills the visible portion of the universe is limited
in extent, so that the last vibration of heat will
reach its boundaries and cease, what then be
comes of the force of the universe and of the
doctrine of the conversation of force ?
Virginia Farming Convention—The La
bor Question.—This body, which has been in
session in Richmond for several days, adopted
the following resolutions in regard to the impor
tant subject of labor:
ResolvedThat while we should do all in onr
power to utilize all of the labor now in our midst,
white and colored, yet, as this supply is not ade
quate to the wants of the country, the landhold
ers in different sections should unite in offering
such inducements as will induce him to settle in
our midst.
Resolved, That a committee of five be appoint
ed by the President of the Society, whose duty
it shall be to memorialize the Legislature to en
courage immigration to this State, and to make
such appropriations as will be needed to carry
out this object.
Resolved, That it is deemed by this body as
most conducive to the mutual interests or the
proprietors and the laborers which we have to
employ, that they should be engaged for the
longest practicable period, and to pay them
money instead of a portion of the crops.
Chicago.—Chicago is certainly a pleasant
place. The following comes from that city un
der a late date:
One of the most horrible outrages ever perpe
trated in this city was brought to light yesterday
afternoon. A woman, whose name is at present
unknown, but who was neatly dressed, and has
every appearance of respectability, made appli
cation tor lodging at a house on Archer road,
near Halstead! On Sunday evening she was
found in a vacant lot, entirely naked and uncon
scious, and expired in a few moments. It was
then ascertained that her person had been viola
ted, and that her cruel treatment, together with
the exposure and shame, had produced death.—
This morning the police arrested sixteen men
and boys, who are charged with being engaged
in the affair. Eight of them confess their guilt.
The horrid affair is creating a profound sensation
here.
Tbe Georgia Legislature.
In regard to the business, professions and avo
cations of the members ot the Legislature, we
find them classified as follows, in the report com
piled by Messrs. Oberlin and Cameron: In the
Senate—There are, Lawyers 18, Physicians 6,
Farmers 13, Ministers 4, Merchants 3—Total 44.
In the House—'There are, Bankers 1, Physi
cians 15, Farmers 64, Planters 30, Lawyers 36,
Hotel Keepers 2, Merchants 11, Mechanics 2,
Timber Cutter 1, Clerk of Court 1, Distiller 1,
Miller 1, Minister 1. Total, 169.
Railroad Accident.—The Selma Messenger
of the 24th, says:
An accident of a serious nature occurred on
the Alabama and Tennessee River railroad yes
terday evening, causing the death of one passen-
ger, and seriously injuring three others. I he
train left here at 4 o’clock, as usual, and pro
ceeded on its way as far as Burnsville, about ten
miles from this 'city, when seme of 'he under
n-ear of the caboose became in some manner de
ranged, which, we are informed, was the cause of
the'accident.
Judge Finley, one of the most respected citi
zens ot Randolph county, was instantly killed.
A gentleman named Welch, and two others,
whose names we were unable to ascertain, w ere
seriously injured. One of Mr. Vt elcli’s legs was
broken.
New Questions.—The Washington Republi
can, which has a sort of semi-official character,
says of the approaching session of Congress :
New questions will arise at the next session of
such imjiortance as to overshadow and overcloud
all the differences which have arisen between
Congress aud the President. British America,
with our right to the mouth of the St. Lawrence
and the fisheries, on the one site, and Mexico
(with what is to be clone with it) on the other,
will come to the Congressional surface as the
prominent matters of the session. Exasperated
Congressmen will have, like the prodigal son,
come to their senses, and concluded that their
threats to impeach the President for disrelished
• 1 • „11 nAncimcn
