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“ERROR CEASES TO BE DANGEROUS WHEN REASON IS LEFT FREE TO COMBAT IT."—Jefferson,
VOLUME XIX.
ATLANTA, GA., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2,1867.
NUMBER 1.
’ PUBLISHED DAILY AM) WEEKLY BY
JARED IRWIN WHITAKER,
ATLANTA, GEORGIA,
Wednesday, January 2, I860.
SUues regard tliHl Dred Son it decision as a mark
of empiric shame and disgrace. As the court
now stands, away behind the war, we hold that
there is good reason to fear that its judgments
yet to cotnc in regurd to the doings of Congress,
during and siuce the war, including the abolition
of slavery aud llte creation ot our present
national debt, it not provided lor in season, may
rusnll iu a now chapter of troubles and disasters
to the country'.”
Reverence lor law.
The Natwiud Intelligencer asks: What is a
nation without law hut anarchy and social
chaos? What is law hut the lormally enuncia
ted will of the nation ? What is a constitution
hut the fundamental law? Substitute tor them
.the fleeting changes of public opinion, and a
mation drills iuto a lawlessness which recognizes
mo rights ami respects no obligations, ll was
English respect for law that kept the English
■people tree from the bloody revolutions that
have agonized France aud ended iu imperialism.
It is American respect for law that makes the
voice ot the Judge more potent than the might
of the sword—aye, that makes armies unneces
sary in a land where the baton of the policeman
is better obeyed than the bayonet of the soldier.
And despite the incendiarism of such revolu
tionary teachers as the Chronicle, while the law
remains on the statute-books, while the Consti
tution remains unaltered, they will do homage
to this majesty. Before its authority bow the
highest and the lowest The pimple may alter,
they may amend; but they will do it in the
appointed ways and through the prescribed
methods, not by delving its sworn ministers,
not by detying its solemn impositions. When
the people are dissatisfied with the organic law
tliev will concentrate their will in a national
convention; but until that day conies, and the
amended instrument is ratiiied by the public
voice, editors and jieople. Judges aud Congress,
are alike bound by its dieted obligations as in
terpreted by the supreme tribunal of the laud.
Tlie Supreme Court The New York
Herald.
The New York Herald is apprehensive that the
Supreme Court of the U uited Stales may pro
nounce against the constitutionality ol the ter
ritorial scheme, and that complications of a se
rious character will grow out ol the matter. We
think the Jhrahl need go into no alarm on the
subject, as the infamous proposition will not bc-
passed by tbc Senate, should the reckless ma
jority in the House put it through that body.
The Herald makes the occasion ol the recent
decision of the Supreme Court in the Indiana
case, the opportunity to a-,sail the integrity of
that tribunal and to question llte purity of inten
tion ol tbc Judges who compose it It also inti
mates in pretty plain terms that the highest judi
cature in the land should l»e made to bend to
what is placidly termed llte necessities of the oc
casion. In other uDd plainer language, that the
Members of the Court should violate the sanctity
of their oaths aud soil the ermine with which
they are invested, in order that the Radical ma
jority, an incidental ascendency attributable to
tlie late civil war, may carry out its wicked and
destructive schemes. The Judiciary is the last
hope and refuge of the people of the United
States, and God help them it such a policy as
the HeraUl indicates should prevail.
We copy a portion ol the article ol which we
have becu speaking, that the reader may under
stand the incendiary character of that journal as
conducted in the interest of the radical, or domi
nant party iu llte national legislature. The
Herald says:
“ But let us suppose that a majority of the
Supremo Court are men established in the old
democratic theory of the Constitution, which
culminated in the Dred Scott, decision—surely
lliere is ruasou lor Congress to look well to this
court before it proceeds another step iu Southern
reconstruction. Supreme Court judges are hut
men, and on political questions tire apt, like
other men, to shape their opinions of the law to
their fixed political notions. If, therefore, we
still have a majority in the Supreme Court of the
old democratic school of Judge Taney, we have
tui security lor the luture that even tiie constitu
tional amendment abolishing slat ery will stand ;
lor it the doctrine is not sound that three-fourths
of the represented States are eonqieteut to make
the amendment part ol the supreme law, it is
void (rum the lael Unit a number of the Southern
Stales required to make up three-fourths of all
the States were reduced to the ratification in an
Irregular way and liy federal compulsion on the
part of President Johnson, in his exercise ol the
discretion of a conquerer.
“The decision in the Indiana case may.be ac
cording to file strict letter of tbc consiiitiiion;
but. in adhering to this strict letter we must go
back to President Buchanan's decision—that he
could find no authority in the constitution to
interfere with a seceding State. We must go
hack to the Dred Scott. decision, and tail in with
the Chicago platform—that the war for the
ijnion was a failure and illegal and void. We
hold, however, that the war, tlmt Iasi appeal of
kings and peoples, has resulted in a great revo
lution, superseding the constitution as it was,
aud demanding from the results ol the war and
from the sovereign vole" of the people victoriotis
iu the war, a new interpretation and a new de
parture even by the Supremo Court. It is in
this view, from the Indiana decision, ignoring the
vitnl necessities of the government during the
rebellion, that a reconstruction of the Supreme
Court, adapted to (lie paramount decisions ol
the war, looms up into bold relief as a question
of viuil importance. In trespassing upon the
Issnes decided by 1 lie war, the Court may be
faithful to the letter of the constitution as it
was ; lint it is assuming a jurisdiction over the
superior tribunal of the war, which was an ap-
jh ;H from the constitution to the sword.
“But still the constitution, as if its framers had
foreseen this ditllculty, provides the remedy.
There shall lie one Supreme Court aud such
other interior courts as Congress may from time
10 time ordaiu and establish. The constitution
establishes the Supreme Court and provides that
its judges shall be appointed by the President,
by and with the advice and consent of the
Semite, and shall hold their offices during good
behavior; hut the number of these judges is
lcit to the discretion of Congress. Thus, by
increasing or diminishing the number of llte
judges, tbc Court may lie reconstructed in con
formity with the supreme decisions of the war.
Iu any event, it may bo interred that a court
largely composed of judges handed down from
Poik, Pierce and Buchanan, and having little
or nolhiug to do with the war, and still living
in the atmosphere ol the Dred Scott decision, is
not adapted to meet the issues decided by the
war, nor the demands of the great revolution
under which the sovereign people of the United
The Mexican muddle.
The press of tire country is lieginning to talk
out on the Mexican muddle pretty freely, and it
is too evident to deny that somebody has made
either a serious or ludicrous mistake in regard
to affairs in that distracted aqd unhappy land.
The Sherman-Campliell mission seems to have
resulted, so far as the public know, in a misera
ble failure, and there is little doubt that tbc Lib
eral cause, so-called, is lurtlier removed from the
control of the country at this time than six
mouths ago. The various chiefs at the head ol
the Liberal forces are without unity of sentiment
or object; without any good feeling one toward
the other; without patriotism, or that love of
country which prompts men to sacrifice them
selves or their individuality to elevate it and ad
vance its interests ; ill lael, they are destitute ol
every element calculated to lead to any other
result than a perpetuation of the evils under
which Mexico has suffered for more than a quar
ter of a century. As for Juarez, if he has ever
given evidence of his capacity lor the emergency
upon lus unhappy country, the facts have lailed
to r«n$h the public through the ordinary chan
nels of communication. Further developments
may place the condition of things iu a different
light, but at niesent it cannot be denied that the
indications ate decidedly unfavorable to anything
good resulting from the interference of our gov
ern incut in Mexican affairs.
The Cincinnati Commercial, of the 25th, has
an article on the subject, from which w e quote
as follow's:
The change iu the mind of Maximilian is a
fresh embarrassment and complication. We
attribute tbc early return ot General Sherman
and Minister Campbell to the resolution to staj'
aud light it out on the part of the Eini>eror,
who,
“ Like the rude Corinthean t>oor.
Against the houseless stranger shut the door.’’
Notwithstanding Mr. Seward’s assurance to
the French Government that the American Min
ister and his instructions wa re beyond recall, we
are prepared to bear that the non jiossimus of the
Secretary has given way to the exigencies of
events, and that new instructions have been put
iu bis hands.
What we predicted in tlie beginning lias come
to pass. Tbc Empire in Mexico Las been actu
ally strengthened by our needless interference.
Tlie apprehension of an American protectorate
lias revived the spirit ot the Imperial party, anil
we find the church—its most powerful element
—coming lbrward with au offer of $25,000,000
per annum, and the merchants of Vera Cruz,
Mexico, aud other cities, offering $12,000,000
per year to sustain the Empire which, at the
time a change in the policy of the United Slates
was announced, was ou the brink of dissolution.
Indeed, there lias been a sort of fatality attend
ing every step looking toward intervention on
our part. The unwarranted arrest ol Ortega
had the effect of transferring his friends to tlie
imperialists. The seizure <«i Matamoras en
abled an enemy of the Juarist Government to
heat one ol its armies aud iullic.L serious losses
upon the Liberal cause. The defection of Gen
eral Diaz, w ho takes over to the Imperial cause
some 12,000 men and his own influence and
abilities, is to be attributed to tlie actual or pre
meditated alliance ot our own with the Juarez
Government.
Tlie Umpire is in lietter condition to-day than
when its administration was divided between
Maxamiliau aud Marshal Bazaine. The French
troops are, it is true, to take no further part in
Mexican affairs, but many hundreds of them,
it is said, have enlisted under the Imperial ban
ner, and with the Belgian, Austrian aud native
troops now actually in the nay. and tor the first
MEMPHIS CORRESPONDENCE.
[r-PECIAL. TO THE INTEIXIGEKCBR-1
The Dreadful Calamity—Fearful Lo>b of Human Life
from Suffocation—The Titus Murder Case—Verdict of
Hit- Jury “Not Guilty”—Recovery of Stoleu Property—
Robbery of $£>,500 iu Greenbacks—Amendment to tlie
Metropolitan Police Bill —Memphis Must Pay Her Po-
Jice Expenses—Our Streets to be Paved—Religious
N«-ws—Grand Ball at tlie Overton Hotel—The Congres
sional Ramblers to Spend Christmas Day in Memphis—
Anmsememts—Ex-Alderman Burke Shoots Dan. Moran
—Fine Weather, etc., etc.
time miller the undisputed control of the Em
peror, the loss of French support ismoie than
made up. The effect of our interference lues
not been to hasten the departure of the French
so much as to consolidate the forces of the Im
perialist party and fire them with new resolution
to maintain the Empire or tall with it.
So intense is the hostility to the Americans
that the Juarists have at least to affect the same-
feeling and declare that there is no understand
ing between Juarez and our Government that
will bring about armeel interference iu Mexican
affairs. The Imperial party are making very
valuable use of what has been done by tbc Uni
ted States, and wliat they infer is to lie done, to
disufleet the Liberals and multiply desertions
from the Liberal cause. It will be made more
apparent, as time passes, that the effect of the
change ot our policy in Mexico h:is been to
weaken the Liberal interest and strengthen the
Empire. It the feeling engendered by Mr.
Seward’s diplomacy is not checked by a modifi
cation of the policy, it would not be amazing it
it lesultcd in the establishment of the Empire by
the people; in such case we should like to know
what excuse the Administration would have for
a refusal to recognize it, or under what pretext
we could further interfere.
We do not agree in all things indicated by the
extracts which we have copied. We certainly
think that our Government has as much business
on hand at home as it can manage successfully;
and that the Monroe doctrine never has and
never will amount to more than a mere abstrac-
In regard to the prediction, intereutially
turn.
made liy the Con) me read, that interference by the
United States may result in the establishment ot
the Empire by the consent of the Mexican peo
ple, its versification would perhaps be protuolivc
of more good than anything else that could hap
pen. ^
Verdict fob Damages.—We learn through
the Press, published at Athens, Tenuessee, that
a fellow named Hunt got a verdict lor twenty
thousand dollars against Col. Wm. H. Tibbs, on
what is called in Tennessee “ damage suits "—the
damages being for alleged imprisonment at some
period during the war. The case was tried in
the Circuit Court of McMinn county last week.
The suit of course will go up to the Supreme
Court, where a similar suit was recently disposed
of, as will be seen by the following paragraph
from the Knoxville Coniinereitd :
The case of Foster against H. T. Cox-, ot Louis
ville, iu a suit of $80,000 damages was disposed
ol during the late session of the Supreme Court.
Dming the war, or near its close, in the absence
of Mr. Cox, the Circuit Court awarded Foster
$80,000 damages, and withheld property to that
amount. An indictment for treason was also
tound against Mr. Cox by the Federal Court,
which confiscated and held a large number ot
valuable papers belonging to bun. The Supreme
Court, belorc which the "judgment for damages
was takeu, reversed the decision, and ordered Air.
(.'ox’s properly to be restored, and nearly at the
Oflirlal Dornmrnt.
The official document Ix-low appears in the
Journal and Memeugcr ot the 25th. The facts
set forth may interest some of our readers:
Tbeasiky Pep arte ekt, )
Office of Internal Kkvknce. t-
Washiognm, Dec. 1Z, 1S*> }
Sjk—I reply to yours of the lOtli insiaut. (en
closing letter ol Mr D. \\. \ :ison,) that the law
regards all receipts for farm or plantation pro
duce, derived from *de* in the year of income, as
income of said year. It also allows the expense
of carrying on such farm or plantation, which is
due to said year of income, to be deducted irom
your income. But no allowance is made for the
deduction of expenses pertaining Ui any previous
year whatever.
If the products raised in 1895 are not sold iu
said year, their value is not returnable as income
of said year. Very respectfully,
Thomas Hasukd,
Deputy Commissioner.
J. C. McBurmrt, Collector, Ac., Macon.
same time the Federal Court dismissed the
diet meat for treason.
“The Fruits ok Fanaticism.”—We copy the
ensuing paragraph from the Southern Recorder,
Milledgeville, ol' the 25th :
Our streets on Saturday last exhibited the
freedtneu iu a painful aspect. They were com
monly iu from the country, trading, preparatory
for the enjoyment of the Christmas holidays;
lmt to judge from the unbridled conduct of many
they took their Christmas in advance, and traded
at the wrong stores iu town. No day w ithin the
List fifteen years has exhibited to our view such
a moral deterioration in them, or presented such
a dissolute example to the rising generation.
The sight was instructive to the mind of the re
flective as to what will be the future ot this once
fair laud and happy people.
So far as we had an opportunity of noticing,
it affords us pleasure to stale that the freeduieai
of Atlanta generally have conducted themselves
with at least ordinary propriety through tlie hol
idays.
Tue Colliery Explosions.—The ultimate
effects of English colliery explosions is the sub
ject of an article in the Philadelphia INlger,
which says: “ Coal mining iu England has been
overdone, and there is little doubt that much cap
ital now invested in it will seek new fields of
labor. Our coal and iron mines will thus, from
natural causes, draw both laborers and capitalists
from Europe. The former, when here, often be
come the latter. There are mines owned iu the
interior ot this State by men who worked in
them years ago, and there are banks whose pres
idents formerly were coal-miners.”
Memphis, Dec. 24,18G6.
I only refer to the dreadful calamity which oc
curred at SiK-cht’s restaurant and confectionary
tlie other night because of the fact that the build
ing is only a few doors from where I “lay me
dow n to sleep” o’ nights, and necessarily being a
witness of the terrible occurrence, it has so in
delibly impressed itself ou my mind that 1 find
it even now—nearly a week since it happened—
unable to check my thoughts. The re,*orters ot
Hie city papers have all done their best to give
an idea of the awful scene, but each in their
turn, have signally failed. It was not their fault
It was one of those most terrible disasters, tor
which the best of us are at a loss for words to
describe. To be startled out of peaceful and
much-needed sleep at 34 o’clock in the morning
by the cry of “fire,” is bad enough, but the feel
ings produced by seeing human being leap
ing out of a fourth story window and the
knowledge of the faet that in the burning build
ing are other beings suffocating to death, with
no hand to rescue, can only be imagined. Our
gallant firemen did all in their power, aud this
fearful loss of luuuau life cannot be attributed to
any ncgligeucc on their part. The sole cause ot
the calamity seems to be in the fact that there is
hut onejjtairway to tiic upper stories of the build
iug. The fire, which broke out in the cellar iu a
pile of charcoal and materials for coloring can
dies, sent the dense volume of smoke naturally
caused by such combustibles, immediately up
through the only means of egress, and thirteen
human beings thus came to their death by suf
location. The building was little injured by the
fire, the steam pumpers soon settling all fears on
that score. But I do not propose to give the
particulars. Your readers have already seen
full accounts—from other sources.
The argument before the Criminal Court;
Judge Hunter, was closed last Wednesday even
ing, and the next morning at 9 o’clock the jury
returned their verdict “not guilty.” The Judge,
after expressing himself satisfied with the verdict
and a few remarks ol admonition to the prisoner,
discharged him. It was the general impression
toward llte latter part of the trial that the priso
ner would he cleared, and in answer to the ques
tion, “Why do you think so?” the knowing ones
would say. “Look at the jury.” It is said there
were three murderers iu that body. Young
Titus made a most gallant member of tlie famous
154th Tennessee regiment, entering the service
when only seventeen years of age. He is repre
sented to he of a most amiable disposition when
sober, but when drunk the cold-blooded murder
of the peaceful, quiet Monroe, proves him an
equally desperate character. He ought anyhow
to have been “caged” aw’liile, though 1 should be
sorry for him if lie had been sent to Nashville,
under Brown low’s surveillance, with the prestige
of having been a “rebel.”
The diamonds and other valuables, I men
tioned in my last as having been taking from the
safe in the Brilliant Saloon on Main street, have
been recovered. Beaumont, it he ever got on
track, held off, seeing Sheriff Winters (an honest
man) ahead of him. Our worthy Sheriff imme
diately delivered the articles to the owner with
out any ceremony. Mr. T. C. Lowenhaupt left
Helena, Arkansas, on the steamer Ned. Tracy,
with $25,500 sewed up iu the lining of his coat.
On waking up in liis berth, as the boat had reach
ed the wharf at this city, he discovered his coat
(which he had put under his head) was gone.—
Those that have are the ones to lose. I guess he
will not forget the next time the value of bank
ing facilities and express companies.
The Legislature has amended the Metropolitan
Police bill for this city. They say we shall sup
port them. The amendment provides that the
Board of Mayor aud Aldermen shall assess a
special tax not exceeding $15,000 per month,
for the city, aud the County Court, for the county
not exceeding $5,000. This sum—$20,000 per
month, with the fines and forfeitures ought to be
enough, aud tlie credit, ot tlie Metropolitans is
looking up. The Board of Aldermen have decided
that we shall have the streets paved with the
Nicholson pavement, and the work will probably
commence as soon as the mud subsides, though
several of our Main street merchants threaten to
“injunct.” That’s quite a common term in this
country, and I beiieve it meaus something like
"protest” with the bark on. At any rate it is the
same thing that stopped the work last summer.—
We are to see if it will do so again.
Tlie bazaar held nightly during the past week
in Stillman Hall lor the benefit of St. Lazarus
parish was a success. It was largely attended
and while it proved a most agreeable diversion
the proceeds will go far toward building a house
ot worship for this flourishing parish. Rev. J.
W. Rogers is the rector, and the edifice is to be
dedicated the “Monumental Church.” Rev. Mr.
Brooks, of Baltimore, the new rector for Grace
Church has uot arrived yet, but is expected by
the first Sabbath iu January.
The grand ball of the season, so far, was given
at the Overton Hotel last Friday night. It is rep
resented to have been a sumptuous affair in every
respect.
All the necessary preparations are being made
by the Board of Aldermen and Chamber of Com
merce to give the Congressional visitors ajeordial
reception. A committee of the Board left with
a special train this morning to meet the distin
guished personages at Grand Junction. To
morrow they are to be feasted and gazed at, at
the city's expense. Something must be done to
wipe out the disgrace of last May. I hope old
Thad. Sievens, Sumner, and others of that crazy
clique, are along. I’ll go something on getting a
peep at them, aud will give you my impressions
In my next.
Laura Keeue is drawing fair houses at the New
Memphis, but the great attraction for the week is
the Hanlon Brothers, at tlie Greenlaw Opera
House. They are certainly wonderful perform
ers, in their line, and that large building is
packed every night.
Ex-Alderman Burke shot Dan. Moran at a
Finnegan Ball tlie other night. This is the se-
coud instance during the past few months where
our worthy Aldermen have engaged in such
pastime.
This is a lovely day. I never saw our streets
more crowded. Extensive preparations appear
to be making lor the proper enjoyment^of^the
holidays. Merry Christinas!
J.B.L
The Fenians is Ireland.—A Dublin letter
to tiie Sunday News says the government officials
are frequentl v sold by stories that Stephens had
landed at different points on the coast, keeping
troops and gunboats constantly on the move.
Phoenix Park, in which is situated the govern
ment pbwder magazine, lias been surrounded by
heavily manned earthworks and palisades
Troops are continually arriving from England,
and suspected Irish regiments are transported to
England and the colonies. Despite the exertions
of the authorities, midnight meetings tor drill are
held all over Ireland, and the people evidently
are awaiting Stephens' arrival to rue, in spite of
Ute great odds against them.
Written especially lor the Intelligencer.
The morning Ride, by John Randolph
of Roanoke, and William II. Crawford
of Georsla, To an Old Virginia Christ
man Dinner, December 35, 1810.
“The misletoe bung on the castle hall.
The holly branch shone on the old oak wall;
Aud the Baron’s retainers were blithe aud gay.
And keeping their.Christmaa holiday.”
In the first quarter of the present century,
there lived in Charlotte county, Virginia, John
Randolph ot Roanoke, the most remarkable man
of his day and generation. He was universally
and profoundly learned. For eloquence unsur
passed; for withering sarcasm unrivaled; and
for eccentricity unequaled, he was, and will
ever lie a study; lot’ he was the peer of any
man, in all things which men call greatness,
attributable to genius and intellect. Indeed,
wbat. Byron said ot Sheridan, we think equally
applicable to John Randolph of Roanoke,
“Sighing that nature made but one such man.
And broke the die iu moulding Sheridan.”
Mr. Randolph peimitted but few men to enjoy
his intimate friendship, and of that very few we
may mention the names of the following gentle
men : Dr. John • Uil’V»gb. of Richmond;
Francis S. Key, of !'*•’ .*,^1, (the author ot the
Star Spangled BaniiC x jjf Judge Roane aud Lit
tleton Waller TazewSfil, of Virginia; Nathaniel
Macou, of North Carolina; and William II.
Crawford, of Georgia. All men remarkable for
learning, genius and intellect.
Mr. Randolph was born June 2,1773, in Prince
George county, Virginia—at the junction of the
Appomattox liver with the James—at Cawsous,
the family seat of bis maternal grandfather, Col
onel Theodrick Bland, Sr. Inheriting large
landed estates and many negroes in Charlotte
and Prince Edward counties, he moved, the win
ter of 1794, to the Bizarre estate, in Priuce Ed
ward county, and sopn thereafter commenced the
cultivation ot the Roanoke estate, in Charlotte,
about thirty miles distant from the Bizarre estate.
In the spring of-1796, he visited Charleston,
South Carolina, and Georgia. At Charleston,
he met his old friernl Rutledge, and also formed
the acquaintance of Sir John Nesbit, a Scotch
baronet. The object ot the visit beiug the
Charleston races, aud the scenes and incidents
connected therewith being over, and in the mean
time a close intimacy having grown up between
Sir John Nesbit ant! the distinguished Virginian,
a banter was given* aud accepted for a race, in
which each was to ride his own home. The
race came off, aud Mr. Randolph won.
He then continue ! his visit to his friend Bryan,
near Savannah, au J spent the winter—returning
to Virginia in the spring. From that lime until
the spring of 1799; he spent his time chiefly in
looking after his lafae estates; but in the spring
of 1799—being onlj; tweuty-six years of age—he
was elected to represent the Charlotte district
in the Congress of’ the United Suites. He re
mained in Congress, until 1813, when lie was de
feated by John W. Epps, his competitor iu the
spring ot 1811. S*;tlie spring of 1815, Mr. Epps
was a candidate for re-election, but be was de
feated by Mr. Randolph by a handsome majority.
In tlie spring of 1810, Mr. Randolph moved to
the Roanoke estate. This estate is located on a
small stream by that name, at its junction with
Staunton river in GVarlolte. Iu tlie late uar, &
veiy considerable battie|took place between the
Virginia militia and the Yankee cavalry, at the
Staunton river railroad bridge, immediately on
the edge of the Roanoke estate.
Overlooking the Roanoke estate was an eleva
tion covered witli a dense forest of native oaks,
untrimmed, uncared for; in fact, just as nature
made them. In the midst of this wild forest of
his own native oaks, surrounded alone by au or
dinary rail fence, was tlie unpretending home of
the great Virginian—simple double-log cabins
with stick and dirt chimneys. Tiie cabins were
chinked from the inside and daubed on the out
side with common clay mud; a cellar well stored
with the most choice wines and brandies, ran the
full length of the cabin. Juba and Johnny, his
trusty body servants, were alone permitted to en
ter that cellar. Immediately opposite the first,
stood a second cabin, distant about fifty yards,
built of the same material as the first, the same
in size, but uuchinked. In this unchinked cabin
Mr. Randolph spent the summer, and in the
chinked cabin the colder months. About half
way between the cabins, and on the highest ele
vation within his rail enclosure or yard, stood an
oak of great size, facing the East, aud twelve
feet towards tlie West was an enormous pine of
immeuse height and majestic mien. In this
space, between the stalwart oak on tlie East, and
lofty pine on the West, Mr. Randolph, at an early
day, selected for his final resting place. His
wishes in this respect'were not disregarded; for
in that memorable space, without tombstone or
monument, and with ouly the oak and the pine
as nature’s sentries rest the ashes of Virginia’s
brightest intellect.
In close proximity to the residence was an im
mense park filled with deer, and hard by was his
kennel and stud. He owned many bounds,
Black-TaDS and Beegles, as well as pointers ; all
>f the most choice breeds, the pedigree til each
being as familiar to Mr. Randolph as that of his
thoroughbred horses. Ot thoroughbred horses
he owned and raised many of great celebrity.—
Wm. R Johnson, of Chesterfield county, known
as the Napoleon of the turf, an accomplished gen
tlemen ot the Old Virginia School, usually train
ed his colls and fillies; and with them, often in
three and four mile heats, defeated all com
petitors.
Whilst Mr. Randolph rarely, if ever, bet on
racing, yet he was a great admirer of the sports
of the turf, as it was his custom to attend all
races between horses of established or supposed
celebrity. As a pistol shot, or on the wing with
a double-barrel gun, he was unequalcd. He has
been known io mount one of his thorough-bred
horses, with dueling pistol in hand, and strike a
particular window-sash at full speed. Also to
stand with double-barrel gun in hand, aud hit an
ordinary size marble thrown with tlie utmost
velocity in any direction. As a horseman and
fox hunter, he was no less celebrated. He al
ways rode with very short stirrups, at a rapid
trot or sweeping gallop. In person, Mr. Ran
dolph was very feminine and diminutive in stat
ure. He was five feet eight inches high, perfectly
formed and very erect; his step quick and elasi >c;
weight never exceeded ninety pounds; complex
ion dark, with very large black eyes—and such
eyes mortal man never had before nor since.—
His hair was a lustrous black, and parted in the
middle, over a low forehead which resembled a
white band around a black hat. The rest of
the features were iu perfect accord with the
whole face, and whilst young he was regarded
not only as handsome, bat almost beantiful.—
He had not a sprig of beard, and as age and
disease wore upon his fragile frame, his whole
appearance was much changed. He suffered
from manhood to his death with gout iu the
most excruciating form. In fact, his physical in
firmities, the constant gnawing of disease, made
him a confirmed misanthrope, and doubtless had
nnu* to do with that eccentricity which was so
notable a feature ot uis character. When a can
didate for Congress for the Virginia State Con
vealion of 1839-30 (which by-tbe-by was the
ablest body of men ever assembled on the Amer
ican continent, for it was ccsnpoeed of Ex-Presi
dent* Madison and Monroe^ Chief Justice Mar
shall, Benjamin Watkins j Leigh, William B.
Giles, Charles Fenter Mercer, Abel P. Upshur,
Philip P. Barbour, Robert Morris, Chapman
Johnson, John Tyler, Littleton Waller Tazewell,
John Randolph and many others distinguished
as jurists and statesmen) he never went amongst
the crowd shaking hands as is the usual custom
of electioneering, but it was his habit to take a
stand, and ouly converse with those who ap
proached him. With such, lie was very cordial
and communicative, never looking to the right or
left duriug the conversation, but steadily at the
inau lie was addressing. His first speecli was
against Patrick Henry, his last in the United
States Senate, it we mistake not, against Henry
Clay, in which he charged that the election of
John Quincy Adams to the Presidency, through
the treachery of Mr. Clay, was a “combination
between the puritan aud the black leg.” This,
of course, led to the celebrated duel betweeu Mr.
Randolph and Mr. Clay—the former refusiug to
shoot at the latter. They remained friends for
ever afterwards.
Mr. Randolph represented the Charlotte Dis
trict in Congress for many terms, and was never
defeated but once, aud that was by John W.
Epps, a soii-iu-law of Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Ran
dolph said afterwards, that Mr. Jefferson import
ed his son-in-laM'into the Charlotte District to
defeat him because he, Randolph, had beaten
him at a game of chess.
John Tyler, afterwards President of tlie United
States, defeated Mr. Randolph by one note only.
in a re-election to the United States Senate.
When Hie news of Mr. Randolph’s deleat reach
ed Washington city, a friend said, “ What will
you do now Mr. Randolph ? ” “ Ask that gentle
man,” said Mr. Randolph, pointing to Dr. Crump,
the representative at that time of the Charlotte
District in Congress. Dr. Crump replied, “ Mr.
Randolph means, that he intends to represent
the Charlotte District in tlie next Congress.”
And he did.
His friend, William H. Crawford, of Georgia,
was born in Amherst county, Virginia, on the
24th ot February, 1772, but emigrated to Georgia
at au early day, soon became renowned as a law
yer and statesman—was elected to the United
States Senate in 1800, and again in 1811. Whilst
members of Congress, the intimacy commenced
between these distinguished politicians. Iu the
month of December, 1810, Mr. Randolph had
an attack of periodical gout, and went home to
Roanoke.
But before leaving Washington, he learned
that liis friend Crawford intended visitiug Geor
gia during the Christmas holidays on important
business, and as he lived immediately on the
route, the Georgia Senator had to travel, he made
him agree that he would call at Roanoke, and
eat his Christmas dinner. To this Senator Craw
ford agreed; and true to his promise, reached
Roanoke, the home of Mr. Randolph, on Christ
mas eve, the 24th of December, 1810.
The usual custom of those days with gentle-
mou traveling, was iu the old-fashioned two
wheeled gig. Mr. Randolph was, of course,
much pleased to receive so distinguished a guest.
Senator Crawford says he found Mr. R. greatly
improved in health since he parted with him in
Washington City, and in a fine flow of spirits.
They sat up till a late hour, disclosing the politi
cal news ol the day, and men as statesmen, -war
riors, poets and philosophers. On retiring to
bed, Mr. R. remarked to his distinguished friend
that he had been iuvited to take Christmas din
ner with an old and esteemed friend, and that, in
asmuch as he did uot know whether he, Craw
ford, would come or not, he had promised to
attend ; and added, that if he, Crawford, would
consent to go, they would “ ride over in the
morning.” Senator Crawford, thinking Mr. R.’s
friend lived only in the neighborhood, consented
at once. At this, Mr. R. bade him good night;
the weather being clear but intensely cold, and
Mr. Crawford much fatigued from his ride from
Washington City to Charlotte county, slept
soundly. About half past three o’clock, how
ever, Senator C. says he was aroused from his
slumbers by Mr. It., and a servant, who informed
him that he must “ be up, as it was time to start
on the ride to dine.” Mr. R. approached the
bed with a large howl of strong coffee and bran
dy, and said to liis friend : “ Drink this, Craw
ford ; it will open your ej’es, brace you for the
ride, and give you an appetite for dinner.” Whilst
the Senator was dressing aud sipping the coffee
and brandy, Johnny approached and adjusted
a huge pair of old English spurs, of the purest
metal, of great age and artistic design. The
spurs on, the Senator was admonished that the
horses were ready at the door by the pawing and
champing of the bits; at the same time Mr. R ,
in that peculiar voice like the mellifluous notes
of a silver trumpet, baid: “ Crawford, all is ready
—let’s ride.” Tlie distinguished Georgian ap
proached llie door, and by the light of numerous
pine torches, he saw three horses in readiness.
Mr. 11., pointing to an immense black stallion,
champing, pawing and snorting, held by tw*o
stalwart negro fellows, said: “ Crawford, mount
that horse.” Mr. C. being a very large and cor
pulent man, said: “ Mr. It., I cau’t ride that
horse.” “ Mount him, Crawford, mount him,”
was the reply. Mr. C. remonstrated, by saying
that lie was not accustomed to horseback exer
cise, and be doubted liis ability to ride that
animal—pointing to the restless black stal
lion. Mr. Randolph seemed irritated, and
replied sharply: “Mount, sir; mount him!”
Mr. C. saw' that no excuse would do, and he fin
ally consented to mount, which he did, after
great efforts, the stallion neighing, panting,
pawing and rearing, but the negroes held him
securely till the ponderous Georgian got fairly
and squarely in tiie saddle, well in the stirrups,
and the reins well in hand. Mr. R then mounted
a large bay stallion of high metle, and then came
forth Juba, the trusty body servant, dressed in
full livery, with cocked hat and trumpet. Juba
mounted the thoroughbred mare Trifle. Mr. R
then said, in a clear shrill voice, “all ready” at
that the negroes unloosed the grip on the black
stallion, Juba brought one long loud blast on his
trumpet., and the horses for a moment, stood as
if poised in midair, and then, with a tremendous
plunge, they started. Juba led the way, followed
next by Mr. R and the bay stallion, then Mr. C.
last, on the impetuous and hard-mouthed black
stud. The weather being cold and dry, and the
roads hard frozen, the morning atmosphere
smote the face as with a shower ol needles; aud,
the clattering hoofs of those thoroughbreds upon
the bard and frozen ground in tbestillnessof the
winter, soon resounded through those old Vir
ginia hills, like the roar of a cavalry charge.
Mr. C. being a man of great muscular power,
made several efforts to stop the headlong career
of his stalwart charger, but tiie more he pulled
the faster he ran; he hollowed finally to Mr. R
to “ stop—stop, that he could not stand it;” but
to all of his entreaties Sir. R turned a deaf ear,
and the only response he could get would be the
bugle blast of Juba, far in the van, mounted on
the mare Trifle, who flew through the air like an
arrow. Every time Juba blowed the trumpet the
black stud ran faster and faster, until the corpu
lent Georgian felt that all was lost But on they
sped, anbl nearing the flat lands of the Stanton
river, when the cry ot hounds were heard.
And to the left Mr. Crawford cast his eye, be
held an immense pack streaming around the hills
towards the Christmas riders. On came the
hounds, and on went the horseman. Soon the
Staunton river came in full view, which, lor tiie
moment, promised great relief to Mr. Crawford
ot Georgia. Consequently' he watched Juba aud
the mare, considerably in the advance, as they
neared the turbid and foaming river. But as
Juba and tlie marc struck the river bank, to the
great mortification and disgust of Air. Crawford,
in they went; then followed Air. Randolph on
the mettled bay stallion; and finally. Air. Craw
ford felt that all hope was now gone, and with a
secret reservation to make one more desperate ef
fort to check the wild career of his mighty char
ger, he pulled with all the power ot a giant
against the bit; but it was not of the slightest
consequence, for the first plunge the black stud
made he was in swimming water.
By this time Air. Randolph’s full pack of
honuds had caught the party, and were swim
ming and yelping as though they were within fifty
yards of a wounded stag or a red tox. The cur
rent of the river was rapid, aud the water in
tensely cold, and whilst swimming and drifting
to the other bank, the thought aud hope struck
Air. Crawford, that when safely across, the ride
for the balance of the trip would be at their lei
sure. lienee it wax that Mr. C. watched again,
with no little anxiety, Juba and tlie mare, still
nearing tlie opposite bank, when to his hor
ror as the mare ascended the bank, Juba
again brought a blast or two on bis trum
pet; the mare switched the water from
her flaxen tail, and on she went—Air. Ran
dolph second, aud Mr. Crawford aud the black
stud third. The hounds having au even start
from the south-side ot the river, now kept up
with the Christmas party, and iu full cry as
hough they were on the warmest trail. Soon
a second pack joined the first pack, and so on
for every few miles a new pack would join the
chorus, aud on they went, finally, Juba and
the mare quit the road and struck out through
the fields, followed by Air. It. and Mr. C., across
gullies, ditches, over lenees, through briars,
ponds, creeks, and everything that obstructed a
straight line. At last relief came, for the party
readied Col. Barksdales about one o’clock. Air.
Crawford was greatly exhausted, and his pants
having slipped above his knees, his legs were
scratched by briars, bruised by fence rails and
saplings, and chafed no little by the stirrup leath
ers. The premises were thronged with some half
dozen packs ol hounds that had joined the Christ
mas party on the route. The distinguished guests
were received with much satisfaction and great
consideration. The old-fashioned Virginia gen
try were present in full force. The first thing
that greeted the visitors on their entrance into
the mansion, after tlie usual salutations and in
troductions, was an immense silver bowl full to
overflowing with hot apple toddy. Whilst Air.
Crawford enjoyed the warm toddy,yet he was suf
fering greatly from the terrible morning'ride; still,
neither Mr. Randolph or any of the party made
any allusion to it. Dinner being announced Mr.
Crawford found much difficulty iu getting to the
table, still there was no allusion made to the
morning ride. After being seated around the
table for at least live horns, and after liaviug eat
and drank through a truly Christmas course, aud
undergoing the excitements of the rich food aud
viands, discussions and speech making, in addi
tion to liis corporeal suffering from the ride, sud
denly the distinguished Georgiau wished to be ex
cused. He informed Col. Barksdale that he would
be glad to retire. But little sleeping was doue, as
tbe phantom of the black stud constantly
aroused the great Georgian, who awoke himself
more than once, by hollowing “ wo—wo, sir /”
and holding to tbe bed post. About eleven
o’clock on tlie next day Mr. R. went to the room
of his friend, and said: “ Crawford, if you go to
Georgia next winter call and see me ; good-bye
old fellow.” No allusion was made to the ride.
Senator Crawford never got away from Col.
Barksdales for about six weeks. From Col.
Barksdales to Air. Randolph’s was forty-two
miles. Such was an old Virginia steeple chase,
more than filly years ago.
Cava lieu.
TIi a<l. Sti veiix Iu tlie Senate.
Alack, the Washington correspondent ot the
Cincinnati Commercial, gives tlie following pen
and ink sketch of Thad. Stevens:
‘As matters stand just now, it is safe to pre
dict tlie election of Stevens to the Senate, and
with it his decline, as a man of prominence, in
American politics; his eclipse, rather. While
in the House he had things pretty much his own
way. He is not so much of a giant among pig
mies as a crafty politician and experienced legis
lator among men who are easily led and not
given to serious thinking as to consequences.—
He is not so much a leader as a driver, perhaps.
But liis chief ofstaft is the previous question, and
in a body like the Senate, where that is not re
cognized, he will have to take a comparatively
back seat. He can’t crack his whip over Fes
senden and Sherman and such men, and tell
them they must vote for his bill or with the Cop
perheads, within an hour or two hours, or with
in two weeks—for they can talk till doomsday in
the Senate, and no previous question can be
brought iu to molest them or make them afraid.
Without this legislative thumbscrew, Tliatl. Ste
vens would have been, as tbe saying is, nowhere,
as the leader or driver within the past few years.
Then, again, he must abandon bis smutty jokes
in the Senate, and thus be no longer known in
his favorite role of Alaster of the Rebels. Tak
ing all things into consideration, it will lie a bad
day for bis fame as a politician when be aban
dons tbe beet garden in the South wing for the
sepulheral chambers at the other end of tlie
Capitol building.”
An Ominous Prediction.
The late Lord Macaulay, iu Alay, 1857, wrote
a letter to H. L. Randall, of New York, author
of the life of Jefferson, in which lie expresses
his earnest convictions in relation to the future
of the United States. He said:
It is quite plain that your government, will
never be able to restrain a distressed and discon
tented majority. For with you the majority is
the government, and has the rich, who are al
ways a minority, absolutely at its mercy *
* * * * * I seriously ap
prehend that you will, in some such season as I
have described, do tilings which will prevent
prosperity Irom returning ; that you will act like
a people who should in a year of scarcity devour
all the seed corn, and thus make the next year a
year not of scarcity, but ol absolute famine.—
There will be, I I ear, spoliation. The spoliation
will increase the distress. The distress will pro
duce fresh spoliation. There is nothing to stop
you. Your Constitution is all sail aud no anchor.
As I said before, when a society lias entered on
this downward progress, either civilization or
liberty must perish. Either some Caesar or Na
poleon will seize the reiDS of government with
a strong hand, or your republic will be as tear
fully plundered and laid waste Jny barbarians in
the twentieth century -is the Roman Empire was
in the fifth, with this difference: That tlie lluns
and Vandals, who ravaged the Roman Empire,
came from without, aud that your Huns and
Vandals will have been engendered within your
own country by your own institutions.
Dil Mcdd.—It is stated that, on last Wednes
day, application was made before Chief Justice
Chase for a writ of habeas corpus in the case of
Dr. Mudd, imprisoned at the Dry Tortugas for
alleged complicity in the assassination ot Lincoln
The application was made by A. Sterrett Kidgly,
of the Baltimore bar. lion. Revcrdy Johnson is
retained in the case.
North Carolina.
The inaugural address of Governor Worth
w r as delivered in the presence of both Houses ot
the General Assembly, on the 22d instant, and
appears in the Wilmington papers of the 25th.
The address is eminently pair’otic, and replete
with sound aud wholesome sentiments. The
opening portiou is devoted to the peculiar con
dition of affairs under which the State has been
suffering, aud to the efforts of tlie faction that
has been laboring to have the sovereignty of the
commonwealth annihilated by the institution of
a territorial government, to be set up by Con
gress. It also alludes to the extraordinary con
duct of Sickles iu interfering with the civil laws,
and to tlie action of the Government at Wash
ington iu promptly rebuking that officer. Iu
regard to the relationship of the State to the
General Government, and the rule of action
which will control him in the discharge of his
duties as its chief magistrate, Governor Worth
says:
I ardently desire, independent of my official
oath, to maintain and defend tbe Constitution of
the United States aud the Constitution of North
Carolina, and can not, therefore, assent, to any
scheme ol Compromise based- on the idea that
North Carolina is not a State of the American
Union; nor to any scheme of amending the
original compact, which the State shall have no
hand in proposing. I feel as prolouudly as any
one can feel, the necessity of Compromising, on
a permanent basis, our national dissensions, and
have been unable to conceive ot any other means
so well adapted to effect this eqd, as that pre
scribed by the wisdom of our fathers, in the
fifth article ot the Constitution of the United
States. : 7
Aly intercourse with the people of the North
leads me to believe that the great body of them
do not entertain towards Its the destroying ma
levolence, which we would infer from the
speeches of many ot their intemperate partisan
leaders and a portion of the press. The great
mass ot the nation is patriotic, with becoming
charity for what they deem the errors of other
sections; but the partisan fury of ambitious
demagogues keeps in restraint the. will of the
great aud well meaning masses. If a national
convention could be called.as contemplated in tbe
Constitution, these masses, as I believe, would fill
it with sober, and wise, and patriotic men. In
such a convention, proper concessions would be
made to the feelings and views of every section.
All could be beard. The spirit of compromise,
b} r which the parts ot a great nation can alone be
held together, would have its due weight. Under
the provisions ol this article, tbe amendments to
the Constitution, which such national convention
might propose, would liaYe no validity until rat
ified by three fourths of the. States.
If my wishes could prevail, North Carolina
would be the first State iu the Union to hold up
to tlie nation this constitutional olive branch.
I trust that I need not assure you that no act
of mine, official or personal, under any circum
stances, will give any countenance to the parici-
dal scheme ot erasing North Carolina from the
galaxy of States of tlie American Union. In
making this declaration I desire to deny the pos
sible implication that there is, within my knowl
edge, any other patriotic citizen of the State who
would voluntarily assent to such degradation.
Further on in tlie address, the Governor,-al
luding to the persistent efforts being made, and
with too much success, to mislead the minds of
well meaning people in the dominant States,
adds:
Let us not despair. We still have the Consti
tution, which, in the language of tlie great and
good Gaston, “with all its pretended detects and
all its alleged violations, has conferred more ben
efit on man than ever yet flowed from any other
institution, and which, uflder God, if we be true
to ourselves, will insure the blessings of liberty
to us and our posterity.’’ If this temple of lib
erty is to be destroyed, I pray that North Caro
lina may have no hand in this act of vandalism.
Let us, in our forlorn condition, emulate the ex
ample of the present Chief Magistrate of the
nation, who, amidst the tempest of party fury
which assails him, firmly steers the ship of State
by this chart of our liberties, and is thus inscrib
ing his name high on the temple of fame.
Besides the protection to our constitutional
rights, which the Executive may give us, I trust
and believe the Supreme Court ot tlie United
States, the ultimate arbiter of such questions,
arising under the Constitution, as can be brought
under its jurisdiction, may be relied on for an
intelligent and fair discharge of its high func
tions, and I do not entirely despair that Congress
may become better advised, and cease to engen
der dislike to the government by unfounded sus
picions of our loyalty.
As remarked, the address is sound in its views
and opinions, and must convince all who read it
that the “ Old North State” was fortunate in the
selection of a man to fill the office of Chief Alag-
istrate in the emergency now upon them in com
mon with the rest of the South.
Two month* of Grace.
The New York Times, which a few days
ago, was a little reasonable in its remarks upon
the question, has gone off on the other tack, and
now gravely notifies the South and the Southern
States that only two short months of grace arc
left them. In that brief period they must accept
thb constitutional amendment, or something
worse and much less palatable will follow. It
says:
If any Southern State shall accept and ratify
the constitutional amendment, that State will be
admitted to representation, through loyal repre
sentatives and in accordance with the law, in the
halls of Congress. They have two months more
in which to decide. The amendment will fall
with the Congress which proposed it on the 4tli
of March next. After that time the whole ques
tion will be opened anew. If the South thinks it
can get better terms from the next Congress,
very well. In that case it may be acting wisely
in taking the chances. But our own conviction
is very clear that it is making a most serious mis
take. Certainly tlie device Ot a constitutional
national convention is one from which it can se
cure no aid.
The Times, however, we believe, speaks for no
one but its editor, and frequently, it is said, not
lor him. The question ot impeachment having
no longer a lodgment anywhere except in the
brain of some mad fanatic, and the proposition
to territorialize the States being regarded by all
sensible men as entirely too impracticable to be
seriously entertained, we are left in ignorance as
to tbe alternative, but suppose it must be some
thing dreadful.
Alabama Item*.
The items below are copied from the Alont-
omery Mail, of the 27th:
Louis Reese, in a bar room fight at Lowndes-
borougli, killed a citizen by tbe name of Rochelle,
ou Monday evening. Tbe particulars were not
•riven, and the information is “contraband,” yet
we know enough to believe the above true, aud
will furnish the particulars as soon as we get
them. Rochelle is represented as an estimable
citizen, whose loss many will mourn.
We are pleased to see in our city Senator Par
sons, who is just Irom Washington and on his
way home. Governor Parsons asks the people
of Alabama to stand firmly by the President,
and repeats the language of Ids dispatch to Gov
ernor Patton. It is gratifying to meet at least
one man who is indisposed to acknowledge di
rectly or indirectly, that Alabama is out of tiie
Union, and we hope that his words of encour
agement will confirm the purpose of our people
to stand by the Union and the Constitution.
Kerosene.—Accidents from the use of kero
sene are multiplying fearfully. A Hartford dis
patch records the following:
A sltocking accident, from carelessness in the
handling of kerosene, occurred here this evening,
which resulted in the burning to death of Alice
Gilmore, eight years old, daughter of Air. George
Gilmore, residing at No. 62 Retreat avenue.
And Still Another.—The following canard
is from the re-lie-able Washington correspondent
of the radical Cincinnati Gazette:
In view of the strength which the movement
for territorial governments are assuming, the
Conservatives are taking alarm, and have sent
messengers and dispatches into the South to in
duce tlie legislatures to ratify the amendment,
promising immediate admission. The argument
tliat the test oath will probably be set aside, is
also used; but as the test oath was considered by
all at the last session as much a part of the plan
of restoration as the amendment itself if the
Supreme Court shall set the former aside, few in
Congress would teel bound to admit the repre
sentatives of the Rebel States even if all ratified
the amendment. t