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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