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UNION & RECORDER. Millkdgkyille, April 27. 188G. ATHENS. After an absence of more than Twenty years, it was natural that the writer should look forward with deep interest to the seat of his v enerable and beloved Alma Mater, to see what might be presented to his view, what fairy vision would burst upon his sight to eclipse the golden chaplet of his youthful vision, when for four vears, kept alive in joyous meiuorj, he was a proud and happy inmate of Georgia’s most cherished seat of learn ing. He knew that Athens had changed from a little unsightly town to a city of beautiful homes and ex tended business interests, but nothing had ever broken the sweet memories of earlier days, its friendships, its re fined emotions and gilded anticipa tions of the future. There was the University of the State and the young mind imagined in that, all that was great, glorious and sublime. That gave splendor to the wild glades, the sunny hills, and shady vales which surrounded the academic halls. .As small as Athens then was, the Institu tion gave it beauty and crowned e\e- rv cloud that lloated over it with love- lv splendor. It needed no spires and towers to satisfy youthful imagina tion; the Institution was the fairy vision that satisfied every want and added to the place a scene of unparal leled beauty. We left it as the en chanted city. Our interest was never wholly lost* after we had mingled in the active scenes of life and w r e look ed back to it as the sacred grove of our youth; and now' she stands in memory still the object of filial vener ation. Such ideas may seem to be weak nesses, but if they are, we plead guil- tv to them and would never have them erased from our heart. They exist in the early Spring-time of books connected with the kindness of belov ed preceptors, the joyousness of vouthful associations, the world of early thought—the w'orld of nature itself. Life is short and it is true philoso- phy to cling to all the stores of affec tion and kindly humanity from the beginning to the end. As we entered the tow n a few' days since the sun was sinking low in the west and its faded gleams rested upon the college buildings and added a gloomier aspect to their somewhat scarred and neglected walls. This dampened the previous ideas so nat urally entertained that the Empire State of the South, in its pride had so decked the face of its University as to secure the admiration of visitors from every quarter and maintain its proud name and fame among the sovereign ties of the Union. The setting sun soon obscured this unpleasant vision but still left us to indulge in unpleas ant regrets. Athens ought to be the Oxford of Georgia and she will yet rise to the dignity of its comprehen sion. Athens is a pleasant town of some nine or ten thousand inhabitants. Sit uated on a branch of the Oconee river almost due east of Atlanta, it is beautiful to look upon and healthy The doctors say, to an alarming ex tent. thus serving to keep the men of Medicine, if not in a bad humor, out of “patients." Thus with its delight ful climate and academic advantages it holds out tempting inducements for additions to its refined and w orthy population. Like Rome of old it is -ituated on seven hills, and has rail road communication with the outer world by means of two railroads, the North-East Railroad of Georgia being part of the Richmond and Danville system, and the Athens branch of the Georgia railroad. In the suburbs of the city, there are beautiful Fair grounds aiid a first- class Jersey farm. Athens can certainly lay claim to being the seat of learning of the State. It numbers the following as its educa tional institutions—The University of Georgia—Male Academy and for fe males the Lucy Cobb Institute, Home School. It has also numbers of pri vate schools and hits recently voted the establishing of a complete system of Public Schools to go into operation by the next Fall term. The various religious denominations are represented by a flourishing flock of each. It boasts of two Methodist, two Episcopal, a Baptist, Presbyte rian, Christian and Catholic churches and a Jewish Synagogue. The Young Men’s Christian Association has re cently fitted up an elegant suite of rooms for the benefit of the young men of the city. The Atheneuui is a club recently * established for social and literary pleasures. Three newspapers, Banner-Watch man (daily and weekly.) Athens Chronicle, ( weekly) and the Universi- ty Reporter, published by students of the University are regularly issued. Among the improvements of Athens within the last few' years, we note the following: In the neighborhood of the N. E. Railroad depot is a grain elevator, a cotton seed oil mill, an ice factory, planing mill and cotton compress. At the Georgia Railroad depot there is another cotton com press, guano warehouse, pottery works and cotton factory. An excellent system of w-ater works comparable w ith any in the South is in operation. There are street cars, ga« w'orks, foundry and machine works, cotton factory, wagon manu factory, candy manufactory and a patent medicine manufactory. Two elegant public school buildings each to cost $10,000 are to be erected immediately—one for the whites, the other for the colored people. There is also, in contemplation, an other railroad, a new opera house, a new four story hotel. . A government building is aifo much desired. A union passenger depot is now spoken of. . In the Spring time as one strolls in “Cobham” lie is struck with the at tractions of the streets. Here we pass the houses once belonging to Howell Cobb Ben Hill and others of Athens’ gifted sons. On Milledge avenue, Athens’ prettiest street, is situated the Lucy Cobb Institute, a handsome three story building and beside it the Chapel built through the philanthro py of Mr. Geo. I. Seney of New l~ork; both placed in the midst of beautiful grounds enclosed by an iron fence. The Georgia University numbers eight buildings besides the Professors’ houses, all on a prettily laid out campus and w hat is known as the “Rock Col lege" being once a branch school of the University and situated in the suburbs of the town. The Faculty is as follows: P. H. Mell, Dr. LL. D., Chancellor, Professor of Ethics, Meta physics and Parliamentary Law; L. H. Charbonnier, Professor of Physics and Astronomy; C. P. Willcox, Pro fessor of Modern Languages; H. C. White, Professor of Chemistry; Chas. Morris, Prof, of English Literature; Williams Rutherford, Prof, of Math ematics; D. C. Barrow, Prof, of Engi neering; W. G. Woodfin, Prof, of An cient Languages; C. M. Strahan, Tutor. A Professor of Natural Histo ry is to be elected at the next meeting of the Board of Trustees. The University now has in attend ance over 200 students; possesses a fine Library of more than 16,000 vol umes—a fine Physical Apparatus, costing between $15,000 and $20,000, besides complete chemical apparatus and engineering models. Athens receives over sixty thousand bales of cotton. The Senate has passed the bill to admit the Territory of Washington as a state. The vote was 30 yeas to 13 nays—all the nays being Democrats. The bill will probably be defeated in the House. For Governor.—The majority of the papers which contain expressions in reference to the candidancy for Governor seem to favor Major A. O. Eacon for that exalted office. Of course it is expected that the nomina tion will be made by a Democratic Nominating Convention. We have ex pressed no preference but will heartily abide by the nomination w hich may be made by the convention. We have received from the Joseph Dixon Crucible Co., of Jersey City, N. J., one dozen of the American Gra phite Dixon Polygrade Pencils. The only Pencils awarded the grand med al for progress at Vienna, Austria, in 1873. Eighty-one first premiums have been awarded this company in differ ent countries for superior manufac ture of black lead. It will pay every reader of this paper to send 16 cents in stamps to the Joseph Dixon Cruci ble Co., of Jersey City, N. J., for sam ples of lead pencils. By mentioning this paper they will reoeive pencils worth double the money. WAYNESBORO. Mr. Editor: A recent visit to Waynesboro pre sented the tow n in a rather surprising aspect to the writer, who had last seen it as he passed through it a few days before Christmas, in 1864 At that time he saw the remains of a number of horses and mules, scattered here and there and the slight breastworks of rails which the cavalry in those times w ould hastily throw' up, to pro tect themselves in their frequent skir mishes—all bearing the evidences of some pretty severe fighting which had taken place betw r een the forces of Wheeler and Kilpatrick, as the army of Sherman swept on toward the sea, and made that infamous page in his- torv which he would now doubtless be glad to efface. Waynesboro seem ed then but a little, insignificant vil lage, with less than a hundred houses of very common appearance. Now, it is one of the handsomest tow’ns in the State. It has the appearance of being a new place, with many hand some residences; a business street of quite a number of attractive looking stores; churches for the different de nominations of chj istians, a good court house, hotel, &c., &c. Its pop ulation I w r us informed was about 2,000 and its citizens were of an excep tionally refined and intelligent class, go far as I could learn during a so journ of several days. It is not intended in this very brief communication to speak of the va rious enterprises which are in exis tence or in prospect there, but the writer will mention a most important one—the artesian well—which a wealthv and enterprising citizen, Ma jor Wilkins, had pushed forward till it reached a depth of 700 or 800 feet. At that point the breakage of the au gur, fur down in the bowels of the earth and the failure of every effort to extract it, put a stop to the work. The water is far from good in some portions of the town. The procure ment of good water (and the artesian well i«ems the only resource for it) would be such a blessing to its citizens that the writer feels convinced that a new and successful effort will be made to secure it. If that should be effect ed. it would doubtless have an impor tant and most salutary effect in im proving the healthy and adding to the comfort of its citizens and likewise promote its general prosperity. Burke is one of the most populous and fertile counties of the State and its county site is worthy of it. The question of prohibition will, ere long, be settled by a popular election, with a fair prospect of the success of its ad vocates. The w’riter regrets that his time was so occupied while in Waynes boro as to prevent his getting the ma terial for a better account of the place but what is said above may be of in terest to your readers. He found Mr. Tom Moore, formerly of this city, in charge of the Arlington House, the principal Hotel in the place, and was gratified to learn that he was pleased with his present condition and future prospects. H. April 24th, 1S86. The marriage of Mr. Billups Phinizy and Miss Nellie Stovall, of Athens, unites two prominent families in the State, and blends the lives of two popu lar and highly esteemed young people. The Chronicle extends congratula tions to Mr. and Mrs. Pliinizy, and wishes them a future of happiness and prosperity.—Augusta Chronicle. USE OF OUR ERRORS. Greensboro Home Journal. Sitting before my fire on a winter evening and musing, as old men are apt to do about their acts, their er rors, their successes or their failures, it occurred to me what I would do if I'hadthe power and was compelled to wipe out twenty acts of my life. At first it seemed as if this was an easy thing to do. I had done more than twenty wrong things for which I had always felt a regret, and was about to seize my imaginary sponge and rub them out at once, but I thought it best to move with care, to do as I had done to others, lay my character upon the dissecting table, and trace all the influence which had made or marred it. I found to my surprise that if there wrere any golden threads running through it, they were wrought out by 1 he regrets felt at the wrong; that these regrets had run through the course of my life guiding my footsteps through all its intrica cies and problems, and if I should ob literate all these, the act to which the golden threads w’ere attached whose lengthening lines were W'oven into my nature, if I should obliterate all these I should destroy what little there was of virtue in my moral make up. Thus I learned that the wrong act, followed by the just regret and by thoughtful caution to avoid like errors, made me a better man than I should have been if 1 bad never fall en. In this 1 found hope for myself and others. I tell you who sit before me as I would say to all in every con dition, that if you will you can make yourselves better men than if you had never fallen into error or crime. A man’s destiny does not turn upon the fact of his doing or not doing wrong, for all men will do it; but of how he bears himself, and what he thinks after the wrong act. It is well said by Confucius, the Chinese sage, that a man’s character is decided not by the number of times lie falls but the number of times he lifts himself up. I do not know why evil is per mitted in this world, but I do know that each one has the magical power to do good. Everyone can, if he will, make his past errors sources of moral elevation. Is not this a grand thought which should not only give us hope, but which should inspire us with firm purposes to exercise this power which makes us akin to the Almighty? He has given it to us, and has pointed out in his word how we shall use it. The problem meets us at every step.— There is nothing we can do which will not make better or worse. I do not speak merely of great events, but of the thoughts upon our beds, the toil in the workshop, and the little duties which attend every hour. God in his goodness does not judge us so much by what we do ; but when we have done things right or w rong, our destiny mainly turns upon what we think and do after the oc currence. It is then we decide if they shall lift us up to a higher level or bear us down to a lower grade of mor als. Our acts mafniy spring from im pulses or accidents—the sudder temp tation, imperfect knowledge of erring judgment. “It is the afterthought that gives them their hue. The world may not see this ; it may frown upon the deed and upon the man who nev ertheless by his his regrets makes it one which shall minister to purity and virtue in all his after life. Let it not be thought that I prove wrong may be done so that good may follow. With St. Paul, I protest against such inference from the truth that all men are saved by repentance of their sins. Though we are unable to recall the errors of the past, we may so deal with them that they will promote our virtue, our wisdom and our happiness. Let us take the case of our errors. We could find if we could rub them all out that we should destroy the wis dom they have given us if we ha v T e taken care to make our errors teach us wisdom. Who could spare their sorrows?—How much that is kind and sympathetic in our nature w'hich leads to minister to the griefs of others, and thus to make our own give us conso lation and sympathies to grow out of what are felt as keen calamities when they befall us? When I assumed that if 1 had the power, and was compelled to drow'n in Lethean waters certain acts, 1 found I could not spare errors which call forth regrets, mistakes which teach us wisdom, or the sor rows which soften character and make us sensible to the sympatiiies which give beauty to the intercourse of life. As I had to obliterate twenty events, 1 found I could best spare the suc cesses or triumphs whicli had only served to impart courage in the bat tle of life, and had but little influence in forming character. It is true that wherever and w’hatever we are, we can so deal with the past that w r e can make it give up to us virtue and wis dom; we can by our regrets do more than the alchemist aims at when he seeks to transmute base metal into gold; for we can make wrong the seed of right and righteousness; we can transmute error into wisdom; we can make sorrows bloom into a thousand forms like fragrant flowers. These great truths should not only give us contentment with our positions, but hope for the future. I wish to call your minds to that amazing truth that there is a Being w’ho rules the world with such benev olence that enables the weak and err ing mortals, if they will, to turn their very sorrows and errors into sources of happiness. Here we have a truth not only given us in Holy Writ, but proved by our own experiences that mental regret will convert a material wrong into a blessing, or if the offen der will, it will make the same a hun dredfold more hurtful if he rejoices in his wrong-doing or hardens his heart again stregret. Materialism, evolution, pantheism, or any of the theories which deny the government of an in- 1 telligent God, are confuted by the truth that we can, by conforming to his laws which demand repentance, convert evil into good or by violating ; them, making evil tenfold more dead ly and destructive. We can, by our minds and sentiments change the in- * lluence of material events and vary the action of laws which govern the world. If man with all his -weakness, can do this, it can only be by the aid of a higher power, which shades, di rects, and regulates. The Democratic State Executive Com mittee. The Democratic State Executive Committee, -which is called to meet on Mav 20, will consider preparations for the* approaching gubernatorial cam paign and manner of selecting dele gates to the same. They will also de signate the time and place for holding the convention and other questions of importance to the party in the State. The following is a list of the commit tee: State at large—Dupont Guerry, Americus; Thomas R. Jones, Dalton; R. C. Humber, Eatonton; Walter G. Charlton, Savannah. First district—J. L. Sweat, Horner- ville; J. H. Estill, Savannah. Second district—W. A. Harris, Isa bella; W. A. Graham, Ft. Gaines. Third district—A. S. Cutts, Ameri cus; A. G. McArthur, McArthur post- office. Fourth district—G. E. Thomas, Jr., Columbus; F. M. Longley, LaGrange. Fifth district—John S. Candler, At lanta; F. D. Dismuke, Griffin. Sixth district—C. A. Turner, For syth ; Robert Whitfield, Milledge- ville. Seventh district—R. R. Harris, Rome; K. H. Davis, Cole City. Eighth distric—J. S. Turner, Eaton ton; C. E. Smith, Washington. Ninth district—T. M. Peeples, Law- renceville; F. C. Tate, Jasper. Tenth district—W. Daniel, Augusta; Jas. Whitehead, Warrenton. J. H. Polhill, chairman, Louis ville; John S. Candler, secretary, At lanta. The Prohibition Election in Washing ton. Sandersville, April 22.—As a re sult cf a salutary registration law the prohibition election yesterday was quiet and orderly and free from any fraud whatever. The prohibitionists felt determined to win if possible, and organization throughout the county was reasona bly perfect. At least five-sixths of the white voters of the county w'ere pronounced prohibitionists, and a number of the betterclass of the color ed people worked nobly with their race. At Tennille only one barkeeper voted, Mr. Judson West, and he voted an open “angel ticket.” In Sandersville, R. T. Walker, pro prietor of a bar, also voted a prohibi tion ticket and w'ore the prohibition badge with the motto “Close the bar rooms and save the people,” in which course he was followed by Paul Dyer, a colored employe. Thus it will be seen that Washing ton county’s white men, by a large majority, have endorsed and sustain ed the Hon. C. R. Pringle in his course as a temperance reformer in the Gen eral Assembly, and a fair proportion of his colored constituency rallied to the polls and helped to win the vic tory. The official count is: Against the sale 1,187 For the sale 945 Majority against the sale 242 —Macon Telegraph. The Georgia Medical Convention. Augusta, April 22.—The Georgia medical Society to-day discussed the uses and abuses of alcoholic stimu lants as medical beverages, listened to an able annual address by Dr. C. W. Hickman, and elected officers as fol lows: President, T. O. Powell of Mil- ledgeville; first vice-president, G. W. Mulligan of Washington; second vice- president, E. H. Richardson of Cedar- town: censor, long term, S. B, Haw kins of Americus; censor, short term, Robert Battey of Rome. Atlanta was selected as the next meeting place. The discussion of malaria was ex haustive to-day.—Macon Telegraph. Life Imprisonment. Atlanta, Ga., April 20.—Eugene Beck, the murderer of his wife and sister-in-law, had his sentence of life imprisonment affirmed to-day by the Supreme Court. Beck was a man of fine family. He married Miss Ella Bailey, the belle of Gumming. She was about to return home with her sister to attend the wedding of the latter when Beck shot them dead in their sleep. Powerful influences were brought to secure Beck’s acquittal, which were successful to the extent of having the punishment fixed at life imprisonment instead of death. BLOOMFIELD’S GRIT. He Will Not be Forced Into Hir ing Men He Does Not Want. Athens, Ga., April 22.—[Special to Constitution.]—Some time since, Mr. R. L. Bloomfield, president of the Athens factory, dismissed Mr. John W. Black, superintendent of the up per factory, from his services, it is charged, on account of Mr. Black being a Knight of Labor. It was published in Chicago that this facto ry had been boycotted, and to-day a Banner-Watchman reporter met Mr. Bloomfield and asked him if it was true. “We have not been boycotted as y^t,” was the reply, “although I am hPconstant receipt of letters from offi cers of the Knights of Labor demand ing that I reinstate Mr. Black in his place. Mr. Powderly, also wrote me but I never replied to his letter, as he is too far away. I did not discharge Mr. Black, but gave him notice that at the end of the year I would have no further need of*his services, and he resigned. I do not know what will be the result, but I certainly shall not employ Mr. Black, or any other Knight of Labor, as superintendent of one of the factories under my con trol. I am on good terms with my hands, and anticipate no trouble.” A problem, no matter how difficult of solution, can best be met and set tled by wisdom, justice and modera tion, on both sides. Hail to SpringnTime! After much delay, we are now ready with the Most Select Stock of Goods In this vicinity. If large assortment and low prices will accom. plish sales, we are confident of success. Our stock of BLACK DRESS GOODS IS IMMENSE GIPSEY CLOTHS, NUNS VEILING, EXAMINE in plain and Lace Stripes, HENRIETTA CLOTH, FRENCH VEILINGS and CASHMERES. Our White Goods Department Is replete with all the Novelties. 20 styles of India Linen Robes w T ith Embroideries, complete, from $2.50 to $15.00 per suit, in White and Echru, elegant in patterns and quality. Plaid Organdies in White, Echru and Black. A SPLENDID ASSORTMENT OF Lyons’ Black Gros Grain Silks! After all the most useful Dress. We can sell you anywhere from 75c to $3.00 per yard. Look at Our Summer Silks. Hosiery in Endless Variety. Our Imperial Lisle in black and colors, at 50c, is immense. LADIES’ SILK GLOVES In the New Tan and Gray Shades. Carpets, Mattings, —AND— RUGS! A matchless variety in Ginghams and Scotch Zephyr Cloth. The most beautiful wash goods made. An immense stock of Ladies’, Gents’, Misses’, Boys’ and Children’s Shoes, representing the best makers in the country. CLOTHING! Our own make and selection. One of our specialties is 100 all xvool Cassimere Suits, at $7.50 to $10.00, well worth $15.00—the nicest goods for that money we have ever shown. A full line of Straw Hats, and with them an immense assortment of Misses’ and Children’s Sailor’s and Sun Hats, at about one-half their value. See our Stock of Domestics, Prints and Goods for Men’s wear. |3f°Determined as usual to do our share of business withou abusing our neighbors and competitors for whom we only wish thi most abundant success, we invite your kind inspection of oui stock. If we fail to please you, we charge you nothing, for ou: efforts, and if you fail to see us ere you buy, it will be to your disad vantage. Competition is the life of all trade. We expect it, but we ar( able to meet it. We can sell you goods as well as you can birj tliem in the largest markets. ADOLPH JOSEPH, AT Joseph’s Corner. Milledgeville, Ga., April 20, 1886. 8 ly.