Funding for the digitization of this title was provided by R.J. Taylor, Jr. Foundation.
About The Democrat. (Columbus, Ga.) 1830-18?? | View Entire Issue (June 4, 1831)
By tiiis tirua the rest of the ap peared on the brow of the mountain'. Soil they rushed down tiic rugged puth like Heads at their sport, leapmg from era? to crap, as reckless of ganger as though they liad been immortal. .\s they threw their reeking bodies into the water, the fhgi tive M'ae about ascending the I.ank on the opposite side. Tangoras was close be hind bill), for ho had gained considera bly upon him in the passage of*the river. The race was now rtftumcd. The fugi tive darted oIT witii renewed vigour, and the old chief followed at a steady pace across the verdant plain through which the river pursues its way. “Tlie Indian once more outstripped his pursuer; hut as they entered upon the high lauds, his «peed diminished- The old chief perceived it, and as lie kept on Jiis even course, sent forth the war whoop as if in derision. The race continued o ver ridges and plains & through streams, until they arrived at the foot of the next -spur of the mountain. As they entered upon the steep ascent, the pursued strain ed every nerve to keep up his speed, while Tangoras followed with ns much ease in his motions, as if it had la in but a race of amusement. . “The fugitive now deviated from the narrow path, and entered upon the most dangerous and rugged ground, in hopes that his pursuer through fatigue would desist from the chase; but the hope was vain, for lie still followed with the same fixedness of purpose as at the outset. They soon found themselves in the depth of the wilderness. Higher and higher they clambered up in silence, assisting their ascent by clinging to stunted shrubs and the jutting pieces of rock. The oth er savages followed at a distance, yelling like fiends, and were guided by the e ehoes occasioned by the fragments of. rocks, which yielding to the tread, rolled down the side of the mountain. The young Indian had been hunted to despe ration, when an ascent almost inaccessi ble presented itself. He braced every nerve, and leaping up, seized hold of the ’branch of a tree that grew from the de clivity. Fortunately it sustained his weight, and lie drew himself beyond the obstruction. He sprang from the tree to a jutting rock, which yielded beneath the pressure, and as lie felt it moving, lie throw himself forward flat upon the earth as the only means of preservation. The stone rolled from under him down the mountain, and a fearful yell was mingled witii the crashing that it made in its pass age. He turned and beheld Tangoras prostrute on the ground. A second look disclosed that lie was bleeding. A laugh ol joy anil derision burst from the lips of the fugitive, who was still stretched upon tlie earth, hut his triumph was of short duration. Tangoras soon sprung upon his feet again; his rage augmented by tlie smarting of his wounds, and leaping up w ith the elasticity of the panther, he rea dily achieved the ascent which had near ly exhausted the remaining strength of his victim, who slowly arose and again exerted himself to escape his determined pursuer. “They had now almost reached the summit of the mountain. Taugoras pressed closely upon the young Indian, who with difficulty dragged along his wounded & exhausted frame. At length he attained the highest point, and as he cast a look down the western declivity he started back; for it was too precipitous for mortal to descend and live. His deadly foe was within a few paces, and a savage smile of triumph was on his countenance. The fugitive was unarmed, and hope for sook him when he beheld the other draw his hunting knife as he lcisurelv aseend cd, confident that his victim could not now escape. The young man stood erect, and facing his foe, tore off the slight cov ering from his liroad bosom, which heav ed as he drew his shortened breath, J hey were now face to face on the same rock a pause ensued—their eves glared upon each other—Tangoras raised his arm. ‘Strike!’ cried the fugitive, and tlie next moment was heard the sound of his collosjul body as it fell from rock to rock down the deep chasm, startling the birds of prey trofu their eyries. Tango ras stood alone on the rock, and the rays ot the setting sun shone full upon him. i he affrighted birds were screaming and flying in a circle over the spot where the body had fallen. When the rest of the savages had ascended the mountain, the old chief was still standing on the same w It'll tliu IwWaaiVt Ml In.. 1 J ( his mind absorbed by his feelings. They asked for the fugitive; he made no reply, but held up the blood-stained weapon, smiled, and pointed down the abyss. I'lie friend's ot the deceased silently with drew to search for the body, while Tan goras and his people returned to their vil lage.” “And what cause had he for the perpe tration of so merciless a deed?” “ f l ,e young Indian had a short time before assassinated his only son; and as his tribe refused to deliver up the murder er to punishment, the father in conformi ty to their custom took justice into his own hands, not dreaming that the whites would pronounce that a capital offence, which both the laws of the red men and their religious creed imperatively called upon him to perforin. He was, however, a|►prelim ! ••!, tried and convicted of mur der. lie did not speak during his trial, hut looked in scorn upon our jfratje de liberations; and sat in the prisoners’ bar with the dignity of u hero rather than the compunctious bearing of a criminal. He heard tlie sentence of death pronounced upon him without moving a muscle; ifnd as lie was led forth from the court-house to the prison, lie moved on with u firm step ami haughty demeanour, which showed that though lie had been condemned by ■ other#, be was not self-con derailed. The 1 ; miserable remnant of his tribe hud ds ! semb!*£4o-nwait-lJie issue of his trial. |TI icy fell back as lie appeared, and he moved through them in silence, without bestowing-even a look Upon them, and they followed him to prison, gazing at j him in stupid wonder.” I . “Did thgy witness his incarceration ' without an attempt to set htni free?” “Certainly; what else could you ex pect from those who have taken no more | than the first step imr.irds civd'.zatioii? There is no condition in. lit so abject as | theirs. They view the laws of society as ■ being at constant variance w ith natural ! privilege- and while they dread and groan | beneath the former, they have not the har i <hhood to assert tiic latter. They look upon the restrictions as intended for their ! abasement, and not to elevate them to an equality; and while you strive to teach i them the superiority of their nature, you only convince them that they were horn | free, and that the social compact has made them slaves.” “ And what was the fate of old Tango rasl” “ That will lie decided to-morrow. Look nut of the window towards the pris on, and you may sec the gallows tree pre pared for ids execution.” I did so, and beheld that the limb of a stout oak tree near the prison had been trimmed for the purpose: a ladder was reared against it, and three Indians were lounging beneath it. At this moment two Indian women passed the window; their countenances denoted deep affliction, and | their heads were bent downwards.” “Those women,” continued iny infor j mant, “are the wives of Tangoras. They i have been remarkably attentive to him du ring his imprisonment, and are now go j ing, doubtless, to take their final leave of | him.” \V e could distinctly see vvliat was pass ing from the tavern window . They ap proached the prison, knocked at tlie door and the jailor permitted them to enter. I expressed a desire to see the unfortu nate old chief; and my communicative friend, who by the way was the village schotilmaster, promised to gain me ad mittance to liis ceil on the following mor ning, as it was then near the hour of do sing the doors for the night. In a few minutes tlie Indian women again appear ed. They looked towards tlie gallows tree, and spoke to each other. As they passed beneath flic window of the inn, "l perceived that their countenances were much more placid than they were before they entered the prison.” The stillness of the evening was now broken by the sound of a distant drum, which gradually became more distinct. In an iustant the whole of the villagers were in the street gazing anxiously in the direction whence the sound proceeded; and even the sluggish savage felt sufficient interest, to arise from his reenmbent pos ture. While expectation was on tip-toe, a corps of military appeared winding a round the base of the mountain that ter minated the prospect on the eastern side of the village. A troop of ragged ur chins ran delighted to meet them. The soldiers had been sent for to a neighbour ing tow n, to intimidate the savages from interfering with the execution of the laws. I arose at day-lirenk the following mor ning, and on descending to the bar-room, found the schoolmaster already there, waiting to conduct me to the prison. It was a delightful morning in spring. As we walked forth, tlie birds were singing joyously, the green grass sparkled with dew, the morning air was refreshing, and laden with fragrance from the foliage of the surrounding forest. A number of Indians were standing beneath the gal lows tree, with their faces towards the cast; their heads were bent in sorrow, and they preserved unbroken silence as vve passed by them. The wives of Tango ras were among the number. The sun had not yet appeared above the eastern horizon as we entered the prison. We w ere conducted by the jailor to the apartment in which the old chief was confined. We found him standing in the center of the cell, with his eves raised to a small grated window through which tlie grey light of the morning was stealing*. His mind was too deeply engaged with its own reflections to notice us as wc en tered. The jailor accosted him, but he made no reply, and still kept his eyesfix “d on the «nw object. I'lio Hclinnlm<u> ter also spoke to him, but still he appear ed unconscious of his presence. A soli tary sunbeam now stole through the gra ting, which falling on the face of the old Indian, relaxed its austerity. Still lie moved not. My companions looked at hull and then upon each other in aston ishment, which was increased by the low sound of a number of voices joined in song. The music was varied by occa sional bursts of passion find passages of deep pathos. Tangoras joined tin* strain in a low guttural tone,* scarcely audible; \ h«* closed his eyes as lie sang, and listened to the v oices apparently witii deep iutcr «*■ . . » “ What is the meaning of all this?” I enquired. "it is the Indian death song,” replied the schoolmaster; “and they relate in their rude strains the most daring exploits of their favourite chief.” Tangoras stood motionless tor about a quarter of an hour, during which the song continued. His eyes remained closed, iV his countenance underwent various chan -es. Ihe expression indicated pain, and I finally it IxiC-ime so completely distorted : as to prove that he was labouring under intense torture, though he still continued I ito mutter the death song*. It was now ' with the utiuojjt difficulty that la cd himself: he staggered, his knees bet* underlain, and the sirs* mom “tit he foil to the floor, and shouted he war whoop as lie fell. They heard tin* signal f>*oni without, and immediately *1 r d< jib ,o*.g was changed to a wild burst of exultation. \\ e approached to supper 'ln* < M • ■fit, *'. who was struggling in lb* a.;' cv.s iif death, hut he waxed his baud ami forliaik us io ! toticii him. We inquired into the cause ! of his sudden illness, and in rep! < and with a smile of triumph,‘that nature impelled \ him to die as a man, v. hilc rite Christians would have taught him to die os a dog.’ “ The old Horn an virtue—consistent to tlie last !” exclaimed tlie schoolmas ter, Tlie dying Indian writhed oil the floor, and suddenly turning on his hack, threw out hisgigadtic limbs, and lav stretched at full length. His nroad chest heave.T, his teeth were clenched, Ins hands closed, his eves turned upwards, and a slight quiver ing ran through his whole frame. The song of exultation still continued w ithout. There was now a gentle knock at the out er door, and the joilor left us to attend to it. In a few minutes he returned, accom panied by tlie wives of Tangoras. They looked upon him as belay upon the floor, and then exchanged glances witii each other. The struggle was over; the body was now motionless. They bent down beside it, covered their faces, and having remained in this posture a few moment;, arose and left tlie prison in silence. The song of exultation ceased as the jailer closed the door after them. As I return ed to the Inn, I expressed astonishment at the cause of his sudden death. “ The cause is plain enough,” replied tha schoolmaster. “The women who visited him last evening, left a dose of poison with him. It is evident that the plan was preconcerted.” About an hour afterwards, vve beheld the dejected Indians slowly ascending the mountain, bearing the remains of the old chief to a spot where they might repose without longer being trampled on by the justice of the pale faces.” POLITICAL.- - illtlM THE CATAWBA JOIT(k*AL Mr . C.l LUOU.y d.YL) jY CLI.IF/C.l TIO.Y. The charge has been repeatedly made against Mr. Calhoun, that he was a mtl litier: and although his friends have de nied it, yet no denial has ever come from, or been authorized by him ; for the rea son perhaps, that he thought it vv ould be derogatory to his character to notice anonymous charges in the newspapers.— But the accusation has now assumed a shape w hich will no longer permit him to he silent, if it he in Ins power to prove his inoccncc. In the Globe of the lith ult. is an article justifying the President’s refusal to appoint Mr. Finlay U. S. At torney for South-Carolina ; and the mo tives which actuated tlie President, are certaiualy honourable to him. “He had been informed,” says the Glohe, “that Mr. Calhoun had avowed the doctrine; that the Tariff Laws might be annulled through the juries of South-Carolina, and he was therefore unwilling to appoint an Attorney for the United States, to en force the collection of the Revenue, who concurred in opinion with Mr. Calhoun oil this subject, and who might, holding the laws to be uuconstitutioal, refer them to the juries, with the concession they were not valid. We made'this statement,* continues the Globe, “while Mr. Calhoun was in this city, if he denied it, or the Telegraph for him that we could establish the fart by the most incontnstible evidence.'’ But Mr. Calhoun left the city without making a denial, or authorizing the Tel egraph, or any one else, to make it “for him,” We now come to the charges, which, .as vve have said above, have as sumed that shape which will no longer permit Mr. Calhoun to remain silent.— They arc as follows Sc concludes the ar ticle from which we have made tae prece ding extract: “We shall act in a plain arid direct way in regard to this matter. We will leave nothing equivocal, as to 1 lie course which vve have pursued or which vve feel bound to observ e in relation to this mat ter. In defence of the President’s conduct with regard to the South-Carolina ap pointment, vve assigned the reason upon which he acted. This involved the course “-lonmipriilrd hv Mr. Cnlhoun to <lolV>t»t the revenue Laws of the United States, and as a consequence, a charge against him of having proposed to nullify these laws. We pledge ourselves to establish it by ‘incontestable proof,’ if denied-by Mr. Calhoun, or by the Telegraph for him.' We were apprized that no gen tleman would volunteer evidence in a ease of this sort, unless it Were called for bv a Hernial from Mr. Calhoun himself, or by a person authorized to. do it ‘for him.’ ‘Andwe now have to say to the EditorVif the Telegraph, that vve are not at liberty to use the proof in our possession, unless a denial he made by Mr. Calhoun him self, or hv one authorized to do it in his name. Whenever this is done, we pledge ourselves to prove that Jfr. ('. did direct ly and vclieniinently urge' the principle of Xulfficatinn , in a conversation with sev eral, field (erne n, as a men ns of defeating the operation of the Tariff law. ‘flflmt oil another, occasion he. insisted that any.one State might successfully re sist the operation of the Tariff law, if at tempted ti b‘e enforced by suit. “ Txat he proposed as a mode of effec tuating this successfully, that inert hunts should refuse to pay their i ostom house bonds; and if the United fatales brounht suit on them, they ctndd pleat! the general , *sjft, wht■ it it'end lb. Ittg the yut et.on Lc ft/rr v J u ”, vr.d Unit rotJnry ettahf- V ob~ . fait cd / > South < 'ar'dina, which would i find a r> rdip.t for the Ueifed t-f tries. * that. pc. ditto Tlie dim U'sioit of Foot's r salutier, /*< i ■<l a member of >l;t' ,**« - naff tn ermmit h'vtsrlf in ferae of the 'i.l ! >■ dug dm trines. 1 1 oat lad intt:atd*-\ t. .it. j. . ?tng uprit i liiv Suuilt members «- i pm) tin.- point, and maintaining at ‘he srtkt | time, that an if intuit) r >f States trending . .it fourth of *lo whole, might by unit tag j for it, tit put /Hist, rtl'ttSf ll,e.ni- Ices rutin fy front ttu operation of the Vonstti-lioo I oj the Salt'll States. NV e repent that vve shall not hold our selves under obligation to give the oroof of these statements unless they are denied by Mr. Calhoun himself, in a letter ad dressed to us personally, or, in some pub lication authorized in his own name.* — The individuals who will sustain time, stand on the same level with Iniuseif, and i cannot deeend to an alteration with tin I Kditor, who contradicts without nutiior i itv and upon his own mere presumption. We will not hesitate to give Mr. Calhoun the names of the persons upon whose in formation we predicate our statement, if he reqires it as preliminary.” The cuarge, it w ill he perebived, are i now piv.-i nted with a “responsible cn j dorse,” —the proof, whatever it may he, i will be forthcoming whenever an author - ized denial is made—and the names <>i | the witnesses are ollered to Mr. Calhoun, Jif required as “ preliminary.” If tiedcf I these circumstances’he refuses to plead’ —it he passively sits down under the odi ous imputation which rests upon him’— the public will, tlie public nui.-t believe j that lie has not been falselv accused.— ; Mr. Calhoun ovv s it to himself, even if he | he not ambitious of future distinction, to I meet this charge openly and above board; it is fill important to him at this time, while every effort is making to crush him. to clear himself of all taint of the disor ganizing, anarchial doctrine of nullifica tion. He must not deal in grnrrali’cs, hut his defence must he explicit, without any reserve or eqivocation, or the people, to whom he has appealed, will not sustain him. No matter how lightly the nnl/iji ers may esteem the Union— the people are devotedly attached to it: they know U is the rock of her safety, ensuring them peace and prosperity at home, and giving them a proud and enviable station in the great family of Nations; and they will give their confidence to no man, what ever may he liis tojnntg or understanding, who eiidungers it bv the inculcation of doctrines, which strikes at once at its very foundations. We are no pnrtizan of Mr. Calhoun’s —vve do not look to him to restore tljc government to its purity and save the Re public : hut wc dislike to see him put down hv the arts and intreagues of the .Secre tary of State. We trust he will he able to triumph over his enemies ; hut first and foremost., vve repeat it again, he must | clear himself of nullification. No public man lie his character and talents what they may, can bear up under that. FOREIGN. Iro m the A. K Com. Advertiser, Mnj/ IS VERY INTERESTING AND IMPOR TANT FROM EUROPE. The packet ship Canada, Captain Ma cy, arrived at this port last evening, hav ing sailed from Liverpool on the llUh ul timo. The Editors of Commercial Ad vertiser have received by this arrival, their full supply of foreign journals, inclu ding London of the lotli, and Liverpool of the 10th. It will lie seen by the very copious ex j trets we have given, that although the I probabilities of a general war have les- I setied, yet the alfuirs of the North of Eu j rope present a most interesting aspect, j The Poles, in a very brilliant action, j gained a signal advantage over General S Geismar’s division of the Russian army, | on the 31st of march, of which fact the ! Polish official account will he found a inoug our extracts. There are also re ports of another victory, still more brill iant, said to have been obtained on the day following—April Ist—the result of which was the total destruction of Geis tuer’s corps, and the captivity of himself. But there is some doubt upon this subject as will be seen by the following remark of the Times ofthe loth—“\Vc hope the in telligence will soon be confirmed, though, as it is again Geismar’s corps on which the attack is stated to have been made, it may be apprehended that the report i- on ly a different version of the news wc have : already given. However, if, us some of ! die Paris journals say, the account was | transmitted by the telegraph from JStras burg, there would be less reason to ipt»>- tion its accuracy'.” These events, together with the re newed reports of insurrections in Litlian ia and Volliiynia,—the reported disaffec tion of Finland, and the discontent be haved to exist in Russia itself, have impar ted high hopes that the valiant Poles may yet he succesfiil, fearful as are the odds against which they are contending. In the battle of March 31st, the Poles seem to have fought like tigers. Nothing could exceed the celerity of their movements, or stand before the impetuosity of their on sets. In addition to the facts and reports al ready mentioned, there are other rumors I which may as well lie noted, although less J prohnhdity is attached to them. ‘ Tin se ! are, thtjt even from Turkey collateral aid is expected, as hv this time the new En-! voy from the Polish Government to the Sublime Porte, is far on his way to Con- ■ stantinople; and it is belayed that the war like preparation of the Sujtan, ostensi- i hly id Crush revolt in some of hit Pachu liks, are, in reality, with the intuition of making war on Russia. A second is that Charles John of Sweden is determined to endeavor to re-take Finland. W« and.» not attach any credit to these rumors, nor much importance to the story of insum y tiouary movement in the remote eastern dominions of Russia. Meantime, if the account of an insurrection in Serna be Correct, the Sultan will have his bards full with his own affairs. There was another report on the Isre don Exeluihge on the evening of the 1 Itli stdl more improbable, viz: That the vic tor of the Balkiu had fallen into tlie hands of the Foies. On all hands, bower the opinion was gaining ground that tire Russian empire was in no very enviable condition and many suppose that a f.w monthft will bring forth events with r« - garil to tliif barbaric power,’ which will both astonish mid delight the civilized world. Paliauicnt met pursuant to adjournment on the Utli. The first subject, called up ia the I louse of Common* on that day was the Reform Bill, on tin* presentation Q f petitions against it from Manchester Sal ford, and Liverpool. The insufficiency of the returns of the population of differ ent boroughs, which hud Ixen urged lu tore tlie Latter recess, was again brought up. Lord J. Russell stat v| that every precaution hail beccn Used to gu«*:rd a gainst improper returns; hut that any me morial complaining of inaccuracy would meet, with rcspcoWul attention. The Ministers were determined to preserve tlie principles ol the hill, although they hud made alterations in particular part.-*, which would he laid before the House on the following Monday, (the 18ih.)lu re ply to some remarks from Sir E. Sugden and (ien. Gascoyne, on the increased minuter ol represetations from Ireland, w hile those from England were decreased la* said that Ministers had not dinged their minds ustothe number, should appear to he the sense of the House that the whole nuniherof 658 members should he retained, the government would not feel they Were altering a vital or essential part of the measure by agreeing to that proposition. (Hear hear.) With res pect to the number of representatives for England, Ireland, ainhScotlarid, he* do med that the question was finally fixed at the period of the union. ?•!.'. C Connell supported the provision ol the bill. Mr. Hunt, much as it would seem to the surprise of the House, stated that in its present form he should vote a gainst it* He had been he saiil in War wickshire and Staffordshire, and had ad dressed *JOO,OOO of the'people: he could assure the house, that those not included in the lranelise were much disappointed and that a general reaction had taken place. In Birmingham, Manchester, Bolton, and Preston, the people believed they were deluded by the hill—they ex pected bread, meat, and clothes at a cheap rate* hut they were disuppoiiitcd-*-uud,ou being uskeil whether in electing represen tatives they would prefer jCIO household ers or the gentry. —(Hear, hear, from the opposition.) The Spitalfield weavers* from whom he, had received a deputation declared tliut tlwy were not now as mad as formerly, lor they did not expect to de rive any benefit from the hill, not being represented' by its provisions. The subject again etrtue up on the 13tb , and led to long and animated discus* 1 sious. Mr. Stanley, in the absence of Lord John Russell, repeated what bad been said by him on the day previous .as . to the intentions of Ministers. ’ Sir Robert | Peel contended that the alterations, and ; the submission of the number to tlxrl louse j made altogether anew bill—Lord ,?. ; Rnssell, having entered the House, suid he | would reserve further explanations until I the 18th. Very hard words passed be tween Sir E. Sugden and Mr. O’Connell, j in relation to a charge of corruption in buys I ing his seat, brought by the latter against j the former. Lord .1. Russell agreed that j the character of the House demanded ; that the Inc case should be cleared up. 'Flic w hole conversation was remarkably animated and personal, laird Nugent ob ! tained leave to bring in a fill to abolish tlie greater part of 101,596 oaths in the ( ustoms, and 194,0160aths in flic Excise j ,u, d to substitute declarations, with penal j ties of £IOOO for false OIK'S, j * * Brien afterwards brought forward the distressed stale of Ireland which cai iod forth agood deal of discussion' What ] cm r differences there vvelire on part.ie.u --j lur points, almost all the lion. Members | who spoke on that subject admitted the necessity ot introducing poor laws into j Ireland, ns the only means of means of : protecting the poor, and securing them, a ! gainst the constniunccs ol’ asentee land i lords. In the House of Lords on ta« 1 Ith, in jicply to iipir.es made py tbs Martpiis *it Londoiiarv Learl Grey gave simi lar explanations to those made in the commons, in relation to the Ministerial plan of reform. He (Earl Grey) stood pledged, for one, to the principles of the bill. An extended discussion ensued. 'l’be Lord Cauccllor earnestly defended the measure. LATEST FROM EUROPE. New York, May 20, Af the very moment of putting this pa per to press, wc have received by the London packet ship Sovereign, the Lon don paper of the evening of April loth. Ihe letters train Pantzic, received on tne l.*th in Loudon, contained very in teresting news from Warsaw. Informa tion had been received by a mercantile bouse in Dant/.ie, from Warsaw, the 95th Regiment of Russian troops, with some other soldiers, had deserted and joined the
