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THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION'. ATLANTA. GA.. TUESDAY AUGUST 26 1884. TWELVE PAGES.
WEEKLY CONSTITUTION.
festered at the Atlanta PoatOffloe as seoosd-clus
MUl Batter, November 11,1878.
WMklf Constitution, 91.85 Per Annum,
Clubs of five, 91.00 each; clubs of ten, 91.00 each
8A5 a copy to fftter-pp of Club.
ATLANTA, GA., AUGUST 26, 1884.
The review of Ben Butler???s address pre
sented in another column Is from the pen of
a gifted, well posted and well known writer
of the state. It Is an interesting statement
of facta which now belong to history, and Is
well worth perusal.
The Virginia legislature has solved the
electoral trouble in that state by re-cnacting
the old electoral Jaw which existed prior to
the reapportionment It will be fortunate if
ibis muddle does not become a disturbing
element in the counting of the electoral vote.
The French bombardment of Foochow was
misted desjierately by the Chinese, who suc
ceeded in sinking two of the French vessels.
The Chinese minister to Paris lias taken his
departure, so that the war l??etween the two
powers may how be regarded as fully in
augurated.
Jr Charles Ktowart Parnell wants to main
tain [his character for good, common sense,
lie will call his mother homo. The scheme
which that zealous lady proposes for tiio sal
vation of Ireland is too ridiculous even to bo
referred to. A railroad to tho moon would
be fully as feasible.
At last it is reluctantly admitted by the
cattle breeders ilint pleuro-pneumonia in Its
most aggravated form is ravaging the herds
c<n the prairies. Only tho most rigid quar
antine can confine It within it* present lim
its. The national bureau of agriculture has-
taken tho necessary stejfs In the matter.
-e ????????
It appears that tho betting in all parts of
the country is rather more fnvorahlo to tho
success of Cleveland than of lilaine. In
Pittsburg. Columbus ujul Chicago sporting
men. are hanking heavily on Cleveland.
'While It is not to bo encouraged, still it is t
straw which shows which way tho wind
blows.
The merchants of Havannah have decided V
give a practical turn to tho, Georgia exhibit
at the New Orleans exposition, by aiding to
the fullest extent the timber, rice, and naval
stores capabilities of the city. These ex
hibits will be mndo under the sanction of tho
Pavannah board of trade, and cannot fail In
attracting attention to the trade of the forest
city. __
The governor of Texas lias been an object
of much interest during tho past few days.
On account of his official action In regard to
a miscegenation convict he has beon brought
??? under decree of the United States court, and
a warrant lias been issued for his arrest. .Ser
vice of tho warrant was jiostponed until
alter tho Houston convention.
Thk sensation in Montgomery county is
the assussination of a young lady by her
lover. It bus been developed the crime was
committed, not because tho lady rejected
him, but because he wisliod to silouce her
???gainst revelations which would have Jeo
pardised his life. The latest phase of tho
???eoiatlon Is that tho fugitive attompted to
poison his pursurers.
The International convention of tho Young
Men's Christian association, which lias just
closed In Berlin, was well attended by del
egatea from the Protestant nations. Tho
members wero shown around tho palaces nt
Potsdam, ???rendered famous by tho presence
of Voltaire in the days of the great Frederick.
It is to he hoped that the presence of tiio del
rgatra had tho power of exorcism In such a
place.
Tnc Catholics are rapidly turning Against
lllaine. Inferring to the testimony of the
Itev. W. J. Hamilton about the sufferings
???t AmlemmvHle prison, James G. Blaine
Md in his celebrated anti-amnesty speech
in 1870:
"He Is a southern man and a democrat and a
Catholic priest. And when you unite these thro
qualities In one man you would not And inueli
testimony that would be strained In favor of the
republican party." (Lauibtar.) *
la it remarkable then that the great body
<f good Catholics will rebuke at tho poll
this traducer of tho faith which his own
mother worshipped and in which sho be
lieved and died I
On Wednesday night a negro was lynched
In Villa Rica for a felonious assault on n
white lady. Yesterday a colored man was
arrested in Mmlbon county for a similar at
tempt. One negro lies in Terrell county jail
awaiting execution for this crime. The
lynching of three negroes???one in Fort
Gaines, one in LaGmngc, and the other iu
Blakely, are occurrences of the lost six weeks.
The mode of punishment is unlawful, but
the frightful nature of the crime committed
calls for decisive work. In country districts
Where women are necessarily much alone,
the question of their protection becomes a
serious one. Colored doctrinaires would do
Well to see to it that the patience of the
people is not tried too much. IS they offend
against the hearthstone they must prepare to
dangle from every convenient limb.
CLEVELAND'S LETTER.
Governor Cleveland's letter accepting the
nomination for the presidency, which ap
peared in bur uews columns yesterday, is
worthy of more than passing attention. In
many respects it is a most remarkable docu
ment In tiio first place there is nut a line
in it that is of a merely perfunctory charac
ter, Every sentence contains a truth simply
and vigorously put; every word adds to the
pith of the letter.
In the second place, the letter Is remarka
ble for Its style, that quality which marks
the luau of intellect???the medium through
which he imprv-sos his individuality on
???bote whom headdresses. Ths letter pos-
ersfes tlifa higher quality of style in a marked
degree and the presence of this places it Car
above tl.e emanations from the polUIctaqs
Blaine and Butler. It is on a higher plane
than the letters of either of these and it will
attract more attention among thoughtful
men.
In the second place, the letter has tho
merit of brevity, not the brevity of mere
length, but the brevity that accompanies the
gift of expression; the brevity that makes it-
???rlf felt in the sbap?? of a certain crisp
freshness which revives interest in
old themes and gives importance
to new one*. This is one of the merits of the
letter???its fresh and vigorous method of
dealing with old, hut vital truths, that have
apparently been frayed out of shape by the
conscienceless demagogues who are aning *
ofllce. The vital issues Governor Cleveland
strips of their old perfunctory dress of par
tisanship and presents them as interpreted
by a mind accustomed to seek truth for the
truth's sake, and not for the sake of person
al advantage or advancement.
Nothing can be plainer than the fact that
the democratic candidate for the presidency
is far removed by habit and training from
tiio atmosphere of demagogy. Ho has
none of the arts of the professional politi
clan. lie speaks with the simplicity and di
rectness of an honest man with earnest con
victions, and his letter, in our opinion,
worth all the campaign documents that
could be issued. It bristles with the truth
and sooner or later the truth will prevail.
We advise our readers to compare the brief,
pungent, manly utterances of Grover Clev
land with tho dull and heavy letter
of Mr. Blaine, or with the wretchedly dog
matic, egotistic, and insincere vaporings
Ben Butler. Such a comparison may ha
made to form the basis of an interesting
study.
Governor Cleveland, iu his letter, makes
suggestion that the president bo ineligible
for re-election. Tho suggestion is a good one,
and to carry it out would place the country
several long steps forward In the direction of
that reform which the )>eop!e demand,
would put an end to the disgraceful intrigut
and downright corruption which have grown
up under the custom which invites tho occu
pant of the white house to use tho patron
age and influoncc of his office to secure
nomination to a second term.
The allusion to the importation of cheap,
skilled labor from the old world is not un
timely. While the workingmen are told by
the monopolists who employ them that pro
tection to American labor is one of tho car
dinal articles of thtir creed, they neverthe
less import cheap skilled labor from Europe^
and in this way seek to defraud American
Johor. In contrast to the vast amount
of nonsense that is written in regard to tho
workingmen, it may he well to reproduce in
tills placo what Governor Cleveland says:
True American sentiment recognizes tho dignity
of labor, and the fact that honor lies In honeit
toil. Contented labor is an element of national
prosperity. Ability to work constitutes the capi
tal and the wages of the laborer, tho income of
vast number of our population, and this Interest
should be Je alously protected. Our workingman
aro not asking unreaponuhto indulgence, but as
Intelligent and manly citizens they seek tho aanio
combination which those demand who have
other Interests at stake. They should recelv
their full share fit the care and attention of tho*o??
who tnnke and exeeute the laws, to tho end that
tho wants and needs of employers and em
ployed shall alike be subserved, 1 ???aml the prosperity
of tho country, the common heritage of Iwth, bo
advanced.
As related to this subject wbilo we should not
discourage the immigration of those who coma to
acknowledge allegiance to our government, and
ndd to our citizen population, yet as a means o!
protection to our workingmen, a dilTereut rule
should prevail concerning those who, If they c<
or arc brought to our laud, don't Intend to become
Americana, but will Injuriously compote with
those Justly entitled to our field lat??or. In my let
ter accepting the nomination to the office of gov
ernor, nearly two years ago, I mndo the following
statement, to which I have Iteadlly adhere I
"The laboring classes constitute the main part of
our |Kipulat tou. They should bo protected In
their efforts peaceably to assort their rights, when
endangered by aggregated capital, and all the stat
utes ou this subject should recognize the care of
the state for honest toll, ami bo frame'! with
view of improving thecumlltion of tho working
man, a proper regard for tho welfare of tho work
ingman I cing ItiM pitiably connected with tho
Integrity of our institutions. None of our citizens
are more interested than they in guarding against
nny corrupting Influence* which seek to prevent
ths beneficial purpose* of our government, and
none should U* more watchful of the artful machi
nations of those who allure them to self-iutlleted
Injury.
This is the whole thing in a nutshell. It
is a wine and patriotic expression of a pur
pose and desire to look carefully after tho in
terests of the laboring men. Ou the whole,
democrats may read tiio letter of acceptance
with a dearer idea of what manner of man
their candidate is. Ho !??? worthy tho support
of every honest voter.
A YEAR OF PLENTY.
The crops thin year nr?? unexampled,
abundance, variety and excellence they are
without parallel. It la truly a year of plenty.
In cotton, trusses, com, fruit, vegetables tho
yield has been enormous, ami Georgia soli
has never given such harvests.
Will the surplus wo have made l>e prudently
gathered and carefully husbanded? We fear
not. The Georgia former is not a great saver.
The very atliitcnco of his soil and the mild
ness of his climate bus made him careless
and lavish. It is hnrdly too much to say
that millions of bushels of peaches will rot
on the trees iu Georgia this year, and millions
of dollars l>e rent out of the state next winter
to buy canned ami preserved peaches from tho
north. Rich uml succulent grasses will
watte by the thousands of tons for the lack of
curing aud our stock be wintered on western
hay at $'JO a ton. Even corn itself will be fed
Invirhly or wasted, and next year the farmer
will buy coni of Ids commission merchant
ami pay forty per cent Interest on the money.
There is no computing the value tho rich
crops of this year would bo to Georgia if they
prudently used and the surplus careful
ly put away. Many a farmer will make
enough corn to do him for two or three
years, and fodder, that if cured properly
would bo sweet aud wholesome food for his
cattle four years hence. If there were ensilage
pits wn well small farm, they might be
filled this season aiul enough forage laid
away at a nominal cost to carry forty or fifty
cattle through the winter. If our surplus
peaches, pears, tomatoes, berries, and vege
tables were preserved or canned or pickled,
we would keep millions of dollars at
? next winter that is pow sent
awa fyor the refuse of other markets. If our
grasses were cured aud packed, we should
not have train load* of western hay draining
ur farmer* pocket** and impoverishing our
state next fall.
The l aru is the important feature in Geor
gia's farm economy this year. The hay-rick,
the ensilage pit, the fodder-stack, the pre
serve*??? closet, are the points to which the
eorgia farmer should address himself. The
crops are assured in exceeding fullness and
variety. Man and beast cannot possibly ex
haust them. It is a simple question as to
whether the enormous .surplus will l>o waited
or raved. If U is saved, it will stand as a re-
source against the possible abort crops of two
or three year*. If wasted, this grand harvest
that providence srema to have exhausted
itself on, will result in simply a short season
of lavish extravagance, and then empty
barns, poor stock, and another season of de
pendence. That man is the benefactor now,
who leads the way in saving tbp surplus of
the season's richness, and who makes plain
the methods by which the produce not need
ed for the present, can be stored away cheap
ly and safely, to supplement the harvest ef
the poor seasons that must follow this won
derfully rich one.
MR. HENDRICKS'S LETTER.
The formal letter of Mr. Hendrick's ac
cepting the democratic nomination for vice-
presiden t is short and sweet, brief but ex
pressive. The letter is even more formal
than is usual in such cases, but it is rendered
so by the fact that Mr. Hendricks publicly
accepted the nomination a few hours after
the adjournment of tho convention, and
scaled his acceptance by opening the cam
pafgn in Indiana with characteristic liveli
ness. IIo gave the cue to tho democrats of
his state and from that hotir to this the dem
ocrats, under his leadership, liare had the
republicaps on tho defensive. Mr. Blaine
thought to change the tide somewhat by su
Jng the Indianapolis Sentinel for libel, but
his sensational telegraphic order failed to pro
ducc the eilect its author intended it should.
Mr. Hendricks also took occasion, before the
campaign was fairly open, to give little Billy
Chandler a lesson in political polomic3, and
the result is that little Billy has not been
publicly heard from since. Mr. Hendricks
is not disappointing his friends. He will bo
heard from a great many times before the
campaign is over.
THE CONSTITUTION AND ITS FRIENDS.
We would be more or less than mortal, if
ire did not appreciate the kind words with
which we are overwhelmed, silica Thk Con
stitution occupied its new home. It really
looks as if everybody is gl id. It is a pleas
ure to open tho mails, for wo know thpt they
bring congratulations. When tho elevator
discharges its load of passengers on theedi
torial floor, we know that our rooms will be
promptly invaded by cordial friends who
have dropped np, if wc may use that expres
sion, to say a good word, and express a hear
ty wish for tiio future. As for*our con
poraries they arc simply pi ore than gracious,
and while differing with us often, are clever
always.
The Constitution 1ms come to be a pretty
considerable paper. We never want to see
it grow so big that it will get apart from
the people. It is a paper of tho people and
for tho people. It is working with them ami
for them, and is effective only with their
consent and Bup|??ort. The humblest man in
the state, and the highest, who is doinj
aught to advance the interest ef our city or
state or section, will find The Constitution
his side, a willing comrade and
friend. Wc have a great state, and
a great work ahead of tis. To do its
part properly in that development and to
deserve the appreciation it receives, Tiie
Constitution must stand close to the popular
heart and must do its work not apart from
the people, but standing shoulder to shoulder
with them, and moved by tho same ambition
and inspired by the samo sense of comrade
ship.
It Is our purpose to give every reader of
The Constitution, ns near as possible tho
value of Ills money In a good and entertain
ing newspaper. But every reader of this
paper, who pays his subscription, has helped
build the homo in which
lives. If every dollar of his money
lias been returned to him in ink and paper,
his good will uml his friendship stiffen tho
wails about us, and strengthen the oomor
stones beneath us. Wo aro always glad to
sec the friends of The Constitution, uml to
welcome them. The necessities of civiliza
tion have removed us from the lutch-striug,
the primitive sign and token of hospitality.
But adapting our invitation to the circum
stances. wo say that tho elevator bell pro
trudes from tho wall, and that tho folding
doors stand ajar.
A BLAST FROM BEN.
Elsewhere will ho found sorao of tho re
marks of Ben Butler, tho man who is only
prevented by tho length of his eyc-tlaps and
some other things from saving the country.
We presume these remarks are to be regarded
as Butler's letter of acceptance, but lie calls it
an "address to his constituents." Once upon
time, ns the story books say, there was a
steam exhaust pipe set up in Atlanta. It was
connected with a cotton press. It was tall
and narrow from top to bottom, and whpn
the steam rushed through it the noise it
made could be heard several miles. It was a
general nuisance. It not only exhausted the
steam, but it exhausted all the people that
lived near. Young men with marble brows
and Roman noses became gray-haired as they
listened, and young maidens with alabaster
countenances anil* Grecian profiles grew
wrinkled and decrepid in tho course of a few
weeks. Tho older citizens would stand on
Castleberry's hill, watch for the noise, and
stick their fingers in their ears. Various de
vices were proposed for deadening the terrific
snort of the pipe, but all failed. At last otto
day a ead-eyed man from Uickcns county,
seeing the trouble of the people, slipped up
to a caucus of citizens and exclaimed: "Give
room." At first they thought he was af
flicted with mouiitaiii dew, but be repeated
his exclamation until some one, noticing the
fires of sanity burning in lib eyes, asked an
explanation. "Give it room; cut it offish??
replied. His advice was followed; the tali
pipe was sawed off even.with the roof, and,
instead of the terrible snort, a noise was heard
of tjucen Titania clearing her dainty
throat.
The incident hears directly on Butter. His
letter afioids him an outlet, it saws him otf
fact, and hereafter we shall hear of Ben
ly In the answers to correspondents to be
found in the New York Sun. It affords him
on Get, and when your typical demagogue
hse an outlet there is no more harmless ele
ment In our politic*. We judge from But
ler's letter that he is the champion of the la
borers and the farmers. But lie is a self-
constituted champion. He was chosen by
his own vote, and the farmers and tho lsbor-
have had no voice in the matter. They
???re helpless. They cannot prevent any per
son from lifting up his voice and declaring
that lie Is their representative. Robeson
might ray that he represented the fanners
???ud lal*orers of the republic, and there is no
law,to heng him for offering such an insult
honest people. Neither liava the farmers
and laborers any remedy for the insult offer
ed them by this arrant Massachusetts dema
gogue. To the end of hb most impotent
campaign, he will continue to, pose as the
champion of the farmers and laborers though
he knows nothing of labor and nothing of
forming, and cares nothing for either, except
as they give him a farcical excuse for hb ca
pering and vaporing. The farmers and la
borers of America will be in a deplorable fix
when they are driven to the necessity of
choosing such a disreputable person as But
ler for their champion.
It is to be hoped, however, that Benjamin
will feel better after his letter. According
to hb own account he had a monkey and a
parrot time at the democratic national con
vention, and with his usual versatility he
represented in hb own person both par
rot and monkey. He was appointed a mem
ber of the committee on resolutions, but
arrived at the committee???s meeting-
place several hours too late to save the coun
try. When he had arrived, and was intro
duced, he at once attempted to take entire
charge of the whole affair; but he had pro
ceeded in this direction but a few strides
when he suddenly had hb attention called
to the fact that the other members of the
committee would have something to say, and
then he subsided, comparatively speaking, for
he continued to jower until he discovered
that jowering would do no good, and then
he mustered his forces and marched back
home again???following the precedent set by
the esteemed king of France, who first
marched up the hill and then marched down
???gain.
We judge from the tenor of Butler???s letter
that he b not satisfied with the democratic
platform. It isn't explicit enough; it dosen???fc
include Butler. He gives an account of all
the foolish resolutions lie proposed which
were voted down, and this is about the ex
tent of hb letter, which sets forth at great
length the whims and cranks that this hu
morous demagogue proposed to vex the dem
ocratic party with.
He went to Chicago determined in hb own
mind to manage the convention, and, failing
in this, lie returned home and informed the
Massachusetts democrats who had voted for
him for governor that he was no longer un
der any obligations to them. Taking all the
circumstances into consideration, he con
cluded to become a candidate for the presi
dency, and thus revenge himself on tho
whole country and on all partiel. Ho is
running on a ticket by himself. The tail has
become the head, and now this letter is the
re Ault. No doubt Editor Dana will crow
over it ns a master piece of political writing.
As a matter of fact, it is as cheap and fool
ish a picco of writing, coming from the
source it does, as could bo conceived of.
FARMING DOES PAY IN GEORGIA.
Wc print this morning a strong letter from
Commisssoncr Henderson, in which he do-
lares in the most positive terms that farm
ing docs pay in Georgia.
We are glad that our commissioner does
not formally commit himself to the contrary
statement that lias been attributed to him.
For while-sucli a statement could be abund
antly and easily disproved, hb of-
eial opinion would give it great
weight, and do tho state serious
injury. It lias been tho fashion for certain
pessimists to claim that every day???s sun
sets on a poorer people than it had lighted tho
day before. The wbest and the fairest of
these???tiio lamented Governor Stephens-
reversed his opinion before he died, and ac
knowledged the steady and gratifying prbg-
rera of Georgia's agriculture.
The Constitution lias steadily held that
the formers of Georgia are os prosperous a*
the farmers of any state in the union, and
that farming is tho safest and happiest bud-
nes open to our young men. There are, of
course, many farmers who do not make
money, but who on the,contrary loso money.
But the fact is indisputable that wherever a
man of modi rate intelligence and industry
hns '-???00-ncrcs of land in Georgia, and b will
ing to stay on it and work it honestly and
steadily, that man hns a competency and can
lay up something for his old age. Thero Is
no like territory on the earth that can pro
duce better crops or more variety of crops
than Georgia. There is no climato that is
better, no people moro hospitable, and no
home where a man can make a better or safer
living and enjoy more comforts than right
ere.
GOVERNOR M'DANIBL AND THE EXTRA
TAX.
The nimpr that Governor McDaniel will
restore the state tax rate to threo mills, from
which point it was reduced by tiio last legis
lature, is of a part with tho wisdom and pru
dence that has characterized his administra
tion.
It was our opinion that the tax should not
have been reduced when the legislature first
proposed it. Three-tenthsof one"per cent b
very low tax rate, and to reduce it by ono-
sixtli is a daring exi>enmeut.
It has proved that it cannot bo maintained
and Governor McDaniel will act wisely in re
storing the old rate, and preventing such an
emergency as arose last month when the state
found itself $150,000 behind and liad to ap
peal to its citizens to save it from discredit.
Our taxable property is increasing at tho
rhtc of about $20,000,000 a year, while our
debt Is being reduced at the rate of $100,000a
year. We shall tie able tn a tew years to re
duce the tax rate permanently, but it cannot
be done safely nt present. It is better, under
wire and prudent administration, such as we
have, to have a ifmnlt surplus in the treasury
than a big deficiency. _
WESTERN ENTERPRISE IN THS SOUTH.
The following significant editorial b taken
from the Philadelphia Record:
Several months a*o it was announced in tbe
newspaper* that the largest hotel in Atlanta, the
Kimt nil house. hn*t burned to the ground, (fine*
then very little hns lc??n ni l about it. But on
luesday lost the new Kimball house, a far hau l-
somer itructui * than the old one, ws* opened
o the public; and the event was celebrated bv a
'high tea" ou the roof of the buttling, 148 feet
above the pavement. The new structure is said
by The Constitution to be the finest hotel yet
built south of Cim-inurti or PtilUdalphla.
We do cot spaak of this event from a desire to
advertise this particular hotel, or to putT Atlanta,
although that city has shown a more liberal and
proitreMirtt spirit than auy other in the south,
uml be* ri* ??? * ???
yean ago,
of ft hvrsui
of which-J __ ,
live city. s-ays TnnCOX*nrrTiuv: "Yesterday'i
event men t that Atlanta can't be downed. It
meant that whenever you confront Atlanta with
an emctcvucy, she will rise superior to the o.\.\
sion." This Is a kind of spirit that we
do not generally give the south credit for.
snd perhaps the very fact that the rebuilding of
this Louse means to much to Atlanta, shows that
the spirit is recognized as a nsw one.
It is {*-asib!4 too, that such energy
would not have been display el in any other
southern city. But notwithstanding all this, the
spirit of cnurprise.the determination to get ahead,
the resolve to conquer all obstacles to success, tho
public spirit that takes pride in the city as each
and is willing to rnaka sarrif ces for the general
good???all these traits, which wa deem specially
cluuacteristk of the west, exist mow In the south.
end the fact of their existence is a most hopeful
sign for the future of Georgia and its neighboring
states.
We call the editorial significant because it
shows that the north b rapidly coming to give
the south the reputation for energy she has
deserved for some years. It has been the cus
tom to attribute to the west the energy that
builds towns in a year and cities in a decade,
and the enterprise that has transferred the
monopoly of manufacturing many articles
from the east. With equal persistency the
south has been considered slow and slothful,
and her people inactive and indolent.
The injustice of this is rapidly becoming
apparent. The south can show cities that
match in rapid growth the most famous
cities of tho west. She can show propor
tionate grow th in manufactories. We do not
believe there b a city in the wc3t
that can show a record superior to that of
Atlanta. Indeed when it is considered that
the south has been rebuilded from ruins
made by the torch of war, by a people im
poverished by the emanaipation of $1,000,
000,000, worth of slaves, and the destruction
of their homes and property, they have filled
up their waste places in spite of a prejudice
that kept emigrants out of the south, and
inducements that carried them west.
The record of the south for the past ten
years is equal to that of the west. We pre
dict that for the next ten years it will sur
pass the record made by the west. The tlmfr
will come when there will be an amendment
to the shibboleth ???Westward the star of em
pire holds its way."
FROM THE EDITORIAL WINDOW.
Away to the left this morning, purpled
and silent in the August sun, stands Ken-
nesaw. Peaceful to-day are the wooded
slopes up which, twenty years ago, tho cap
tains of the federal Army led their soldiers;
and rich are they with the red rain of that
awful day.
Had one looked out of this window in
June, 18GJ, he would have seen that crest,
above which the noonday haze pulses now
so quietly, quake with tho red, intermittent
Hash of Johnson's artillery. There lodged
in the clouds was entrenched the Xenophon
of onr day, nerved for the last struggle
of his marvelous retreat. Along that
majestic front, was the flower of the south,
waiting to do battle for their homos that
stretched at their feet and for their families
that lay expectant within the sound of their
guns. Through those woods, the deep stiU-
ncre of which is now broken by the songs of
birds, or the bells of grazing cattle, plunged
corps after corpsjof the union armies, swarm
ing gallantly to the crest, but beaten back as
waves from a granite cliff. In the deep re
cesses beyond the mountain sits New Hope
church, that famous rural sanctuary,
through whose quiet shades Grane-
bury's Texans rode like destroying An
gels, darkening with human blood the
soil, upturned by the ploughs of cool-veined
countrymen to-day. Around tho right of tho
mountain Sherman swung hb shattered but
countless battalions, nntU they rested on the
Chattahoochee. Down tho mountain-side,
faltered the grey army, and into tho volley
fluttered the stars and bars. Tho last grand
barrier was passed. Tho armies that were
beaten on the mountain marched across tho
river without challenge or hindrances At
lanta was doomed when the enemy passed
Xennesaw. With Atlanta???s full, fell Mc
Clellan's hope of carrying the country and
the north turned to Lincoln with revived
courage. The fate of tho republic was pur-
linps decided in tho foot-hills that cluster
dimly about that mountain.
And yet thero it stands, peaceful this
morning and dumb. Who can read the se
crets of its eternal heart? About its base
have lived peoples of which evon traditions
are lost, and on its crests may yet be fought
battles by peoples of whom no living man
has dreamed, and decided by agencies of
which wo cannot conceive. For all that,
Kcnnesaw is historic in our generation. It
was the theater of one of the grandest trag
edies of modern times. And healed as are
Its scars of war, and lost ns is the roar of bat
tle amid the ineffable stillness of this Au
gust day, it still serves to catch the attention
of an editor who turns absent mindedly
from a droning bore, and leads hint to "snutl*
the battle from afar oft'." ".Which," as a
forgotten philosopher hns remarked, "b very
much the best way to snuff it."
* WHEN DOCTORS DISAOREE.
Diphtheria is prevailing to an ularmiiujcx-
tent in North Carolina and Tennessee, and
will probably spread over a large area of ter
ritory. When such a scourge menaces hu
man life, people naturally look to the doc
tors for preventives and remedies. Unfortu
nately, however, many reputable medical
men differ so widely in their views that peo
ple become bewildered and, not knowing
what advice to take, adopt i^prious remedies
or none at all.
Tiio present diphtheria epidemic in Tonnes
see and North Carolina lias called forth the
following from Dr. J. II. Wells, of the Ten
nessee Journal of Medicine:
"As diphtheria is prevailing in this city and ad
joining country to an alarming extent, and will
rrorably continue its ravages for some time, the
following suggestions way prove valuable. Diph
theria commences with blood pohouiug, lienee,
extends through the entire system, and is accom
panied by ninny serious throat trouble*. It* fiist
>yn>i toms arc, generally, loss of appetite and a
v.r.njy discharge from one or Imth nostrils, and
the ruin nr Mimes a dark or Mulsh tiut. and the
cxtnmt-tics become chilled. The above trouble*
K??ru tally appear before the throat affection. I ad
vise when diphtheria I* prevailing a* now, that
uh HimulsufK and Ionics as whisky toddy bo
fnilnbtetcd \yithout stint, and that rich food
snd plenty cl pure air and water be furnished.
The result of tnis treatment will be gratifying."
Thb doctor, it will be seen, recommends
whisky, rich food, pure air and water, whether
you Lave diphtheria or not. Bat Dr. Delthil,
a French physician, has quite a different rem
edy. He-eays that when diphtheria is taken
in time it can be cured iu three days. This
is hb process: He poors equal parts of tur
pentine and liquid tar into a tin pan or rtlp,
and sets fire to the mixture. A dense, resin
ous smoke arises, which obscures the air of
the room. "The patient," Dr. Delthil says,
"immediately seems to experience relief; the
chokingand rattling stop; the patient falls
into a slumber, and seems to inhale the smoke
with pleasure. The fibriuous membrane soon
becomes detached, and the patient cougjis up
microbicides."
' The Tennesseean and the Frenchman differ
widely. The one prescribes whbky toddies
and the other relies upon burning tar and
turpentine. Now, people who know nothing
of medical science lose their heads over such
conflicting remedies, and in the presence of
genuine diphtheria they would not know
what to do. There b but one sensible coarse
for them to pursue, and that b to
stick to one physician In' Whom
they have confidence. When they* once be
gin to lbten to the theories of disagreeing
doctors they are lost. And they must let
newspaper remedies alone unless their family
physician approve them. Many of the pre
scriptions and remedies In newspapers are
misprinted, and otherwise unreliable. Let
them alone.
ECHOES FROM THB PEOPLE*
The Columbia County Mads tone.
Mrs. 8. E. Cunningham, Talladega, Ala.: I saw
in your paper ICth lustuut, that Mr. Al Gibson, ot
Columbia county, has ??? veritable madstone. I
would be glad to communicate with him if I could
get the name of bis postoffice. If you know or
cau find it for me you would confer a great favor
upon me by giving it as early as possible tn your
paper. I have a stone in my possession that has
been called aadstone by two persons that hava
seen one long years ago. It has never been tested.
I would like to get a minute description ot hb
from his own hand.
Old Coins.
N. T. H.. Bartow. Ga.: What b the valne of the
old coins described in the accompanying diagram?
If is difficult to settle the market value of old
coins. Write to Scott & Co., 721 Broadway, N. Y,
They are large dealers in old coins.
???Snm???l of Posea.???
J. W. C??? Atlanta; Is Samuel of Posen considered
"higu" or "low comedy?"
It is rather mixed, but the low comedy features
predominate.
The United States Court.
Subscriber, Sand Mountain: When does tho
United States court begin it* fall tenn in Atlanta,
and whnt weeks are devoted to civil business?
The first Monday in October. It cannot bo as
certained in advance what weeks will be devoted
to civil business.
Irish Potatoes.
Subscriber. Rock mart, Ga.: Please give me tho
name ot a firm who will buy Irish potatoes.
Address nny cf the retail grocers and produce
dealers whose advertisement yon sco iu Tiie Con
stitution.
Tho Stock Law.
Subscriber, Powder Springs, Ga.: When & mili
tia district by vote, adopt* the stock lav, is tho
Theory of EnHhqaake.*.
Editors Constitution : In referring to the earth
and the knowledge of its nuture, it is essential that
thelimlted extent of that knowledge should always
be had in remembrance.
Our information of that which b known iu tho
erust of earth is very limited. In proportion to
the immense bulk of the earth, tho highest moun
tains are to be considered merely as unimportant
inequalities of Its surface. Our acquaintance does
not extend in depth more than one-fourth of the
elevation of thoso mounts Ins above its general
level, consequently our knowledge of the earth b
extremely superficial, extending merely to its
crust. The term "crust ol tho earth" therefore re
lates only to the comparative extent of our knowl
edge beneath Its surface.
There are many theories advanced with regard
to the cause of earthquakes, and the general opln-
J revnlls that the convulsions ???which have re-
y been of so constant occurrence In various
sections of the earth, are produced by the action
of its Internal fires upon its crust, ana not to any
other causc. We cannot concur in this opinion,
as our experience in a section of conntry iu which
earthquakes arc of constant occurrence, proves
conclusively that they are attributable to outward .
and not to inward influences.
tfofl
??? country where iron abounds, and where
quakes ore of more frequent occurence than else
where.
Throughout the entire "crust of the earth,"
the evidences of the electric force aro apparent,
and in all mining sections, where it bus been
delved into, will be found convincing proofs,
that the convulsions o! the earth are attributa
ble to outward as well as inward causes, and that
the electric batteries in tho heavens and thoso
within the "crust of the earth" becoming polar
ized, produce the convulsions which are supposed
to be earned by the internal fires of the earth.
It frequently hnpi>cn* thnt men working In tho
deep mines are not aware of nn earthquake having
occurred iu the earth above; until they havo left
off work in tho shafts and gone to the surface and
i Ihcappnllirg evidence of the fact: and do
suffer from .the sulphuric gas, widen invaria
bly fills the atmosphere immediately preceding
the occurrence of an earthquake. I might state
ether facts to prove that earthquakes are not cant
ed by the internal fires of tho earth, but refrain.
Respectfully, Wm. W. Habuuuax, M. JC.
Jny Gould???s Address.
B. F. 8., Mllltown. Als.: l'lcase give me in full
the address of Jay Gould.
Jny Gould, 71 Broadway, New York, Mr. Gould
hns no special claim to any title, but In applying
for a church donation it might bo woll to fiut
'Ron." before his name. Iu corresponding with
1dm about au ordinary business matter ft would
perhaps have a happy effect to address him os
Colonel."
Fast Tima.
J, C. N., Greenville, 8. C.: What was tho fastest
time ever made on any railroad in this count y?
The Chicago News is our authority for the state
ment thnt the fastest time ever made for a dis
tance over eighteen miles was 111 miles in OS
minutes.
Revernl Questions.
C. 8., Rome, Ga.: 1. What Is the origin of tho ex-
prcmlon "drawing straws," as applied to tho eye*
of one who is drowsy? Is it common? 2. How
did "Hobron's choice" originate? 3. What does
the ex pm; Inn "you have driven up the geese'*
mum and how did it originate?
1. Tho origin Is unknown. It is not common.
2. One Robson, a live ry stable keeper, was a very
humuuo man, and always refused to let ft custo
mer drive a horse unless the animal was In prime
condition. He was in tho habit of telling his cus
tomers that he must take "Hobson???s choice or
tmuc," 3. It means some action which warns or
puts the opposite side on guard, and was suggested
by the old story of the geese saving Rome by their
cackling.
Tight Breeches, Etc.
E, T. Athens, Go.: 1. Whnt makes the young
men of Atlanta v.csr such tight brecchcz? 2. What
isthenameoisuch breeches? 3. What will cure
bash fulness?
1. The Atlanta young mot) like to keep up with
the style. 2. There Is no ??|>celal name.- 3. Peter
the Great learned to conquer by being beaten over
and over again, aud the bashful youngster mad
overcome his weakness in the same way, that is
by placing himrelf In'positions where his seli-poe-
icsslon will be tested.?
A Majority ot the Whole.
C. J. C??? Scticca. S. C.???Iu 'an election where two
arc to be elected by a majority of the whole vote
cast, A receives I.OtiO votes, B 980, C 712, D 700, ??
???i'-fl, how mony votes are nccersary to elect?
The first two received 2,000 votes. If they had
receivedonly 1,K0 they would have had a majori
ty of the whole votes, but no one man received
such a majority.
Tapioca.
W. A., Gainesville, Ga.: What is Tapioca?
{ It is made from the root of the janipba manihotl
Apoisopous plant of South America. The poison
is dissipated by heat, and the starch mqdefronx
the fibrer is converted into Tapioca by beating 1$
on hot plates and stirring it with iron teds.
Baseball.
A. II. C., Thomson, Ga.: Is baseball on the de
cline?
No. Several western psper* have recently com
plained that the playing of the present real--3 did
not compare with that of former yean, but base
ball will probably hold its own as the national
gixnt. _
He Appreciated Poetry.
Frc m the New York bun.
"I* there cnyotte about this cttablUhm eut who
loves poetry?" he said as be opened the door and
glared around the editorial room with a doubtful
look.
"Certainly there is," said the edUor, "have yen
got some there?"
"Yet, four poems, al! of 'em on spring."
"Good! That's just wbnt we want. John*
sprinkle a little mint sauce on these and take ??? cm
down stain."
"Whst for," demanded the poet.
"For the goat. He is the only one about the
establishment who loves poetry. But be won't
cat spring poetry without mint aaaot."
.INDISTINCT PSlwfl