Newspaper Page Text
(Times mtfo Sentinel.
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA.
FRIDAY MORNING, JANY. 11, 1856.
Education for the People ol Georgia.
We wish we had the voice of a trumpet that we
might proclaim to the furthest corner of the State that
there are 40,000 citizens of Georgia who eau neither
read nor write.
If we were a member of the Geprgia Legislature,
this would be our coostant and only reply to all the ar
guments urged against the bills now pending to provide
lor the education of the youth of Georgia.
Think of it ! Forty thousand Christians who cannot
read the Bible. Forty thousand freemen who cannot
read the constitution. Forty thousand citizens who
cannot read the laws. Forty thousand men, women and
children in the 19th oentury, shut out from all the
enjoyments of their age and tlmei
Can nothing be done for them, while millions are ap
propriated to build railroads j thousands to endow col
leges ; hundreds to clean out rivers, and dig down
mountains ?
Talk not to us of begging and robbing. They are
not the children—these unfortunate creatures—of the
poor couutiesin which they live, but of the proud State
of Georgia, and she owes it to her own honor, to rescue
them from the barbarism of ignorance and bid them
drink of the pure founts of knowledge undefiled, where
by their darkness will be illuminated, and their degra
dation removed.
Is it not known that 6-lOths of the crime committed
in the State is perpetrated by men who cannot read ?
Are jail fees and penitentiary appropriations more pleas
ant to pay than the tuition lees of the school master 1
Is the hangman more worthy of State aid than the peda
gogue ?
We call upon our brethren of the press to come to
the rescue of the unfortunate poor. This generation
may not appreciate their labors, but posterity wifi bless
the noble men who are now striving to rescue them
from the awful curse of ignorance, twin sister of sin and
first born of the devil.
Superior Court—Muscogee County.
The Superior Court of Muscogee county re-assembled
in this city'on the 7th inst., after a short recess, Judge
Worrill presiding. As usual, the business of the Court
is entirely too heavy to be dispatched in the limited time
allowed for transacting it. We hope the Legislature,
shortly to re-assemble, will take some steps to remove
the great obstacles which lie in the way of justice in
Muscogee county. We think we may safely assert
that for 10 years past the Trial Docket of the Superior
Court has never been cleared. This is a praotical de*
nial of justice and of a great constitutional right to the
citizen which calls loudly for reform. It would be
nothing more than right to establish Muscogee county
into a separate Judicial Circuit, and to confer upon the
Judge the power to hold Court from day to day until
the Docket is cleared. This however, we presume,
will not be done by the Legislature. In default of this,
it is absolutely essential that anew circuit should be
established out of the Chattahoochee Judicial District,
and a special Court be organized in the city of Colum
bus for the trial of all criminal causes, not punished
capitally. As we are now situated, it is a lifetime busi
ness to get judgement on a note of hand, and all petty
offenders against the criminal law go unwhipt of
justice.
Important to Kansas Emigrants—Jefferson
Buford in Columbus.
We invite especial attention to the call for a
meeting of the Kansas Emigrant Aid Society, which
takes place in Temperanoe Hall on Saturday night, 12th
inst.
Maj. Jefferson Buford, of Alabama, will be present
and address the meeting. We are very happy to an
nounce that Maj. Buford is very actively engaged in
organizing his company of emigrants. He informs us
that he will probably have more applicants than he will
be able to accommodate.
A full meeting of the society is earnestly solicited, as
matters of very grave importance will be submitted to
the members.
A Columbus Scene. —The night of the 9th inst.
was bitter oold ; the streets were wet and sloppy; all
doors were closed to shut out the piercing wind ; and
bright tires blazed in every hearth. As vve returned
from supper on this bitter night we stumbled in the
dark over a human form prone upon the wet side walk.
It proved to be a young man who was so beastly drunk
that he had lost all power of locomotion, and but for
the kind attentions of some good Samaritans who passed
that way, he must have inevitably perished with cold.
Look not on the wine cup when it is red.
Hotel at Lumpkin. —A friend gives us the follow
ing agreeable bit of information : “I have heard a great
many complaints about the Hotels in Lumpkin, Stewart
county, Ga., heretofore, but happening there a few days
since, I stopped at the Cuba House, and I take upon
myself to say there is not a better kept house in Geor
gia. Let those who doubt it, try it for themselves.”
County Elections.— Richmond. —The whole Know
Nothing ticket elected.
Bibb. —The whole Know Nothing ticket elected.
Fulton. —The entire Kuow Nothing ticket elected.
There was no opposition except for the office of Clerk
of the Superior Court. The Democratic candidate came
within 47 votes of an eleotion. The Know Nothing
majority was 400 at the October election.
Augusta Races. —The Augusta races commenced on
theSth inst.
First day.-—Mile heats. Ist heat. 2d heat.
D. McDaniel’s b. f. Carolina, 1 1
W. H. Gibbons’ oh, f. Julia, 2 2
W r . M. Woolfolk’s b. c. Kansas, 3 dist.
John Campbell’s b. f. Gamble, dist.
Time 1.50 1-2—1.51.
Democratic Convention. —Messrs. Charles Mur
phy, P. F. Hoyle, Daniel Johnson, P. K. Smith, J. W.
Fowler, F. H. Gay and M. H. Lively, are the delegates
to the Milledgeville Convention from the county of De-
KaHtfs*.
Closing Doors. —The City Council of Augusta have
passed an ordinance by which all Bar Rooms are re
quired to be closed on City, County and State election
days. Such a regulation will doubtless contribute to
the quiet and good order of the voters.
Resigned.— Col. Braxton Bragg, of the IT. S. Artj!- ‘
ler\, has resigned his position in the Army. It was <o ‘
Col. B that Geu. lay lor addressed the famous remark ■
at Buena V istu, “a little more grape, Capt, Bragg.”
Muscogne Democratic Convention.
A portion of the members of the Democratic party of
Muscogee county assembled at the Court House at 12 M.
on the 9th inst., for the purpose of appointing Delegates to
the State Convention which will convene at Milledgeville
on the 15th inst. Porter Ingram, Esq., was, on motion oi
Dr. A. J. Robison, called to the Chair, and James Ham
ilton appointed Secretary, on motion of Gen. C. J. Wil
liams. On motion of E. J. Hardin, the Chair appointed
M essrs. M. J. Wellborn, A. J. Robison and E. J. Hardin
a committee to suggest suitable persons to represent Mus
cogee county in the State Convention. The Committee
suggested Mes-rs. T. Lomax, A. McDougald, A. H. Coo
per, P. 11. Colquitt, James Hamilton and A. J. Robison,
and they were appointed delegates to the Convention.
On motion of C. J. Williams, the meeting adjourned.
PORTER INGRAM, Pres’t.
James Hamilton, Secretary.
Democratic Convention in Alabama. —The State
Convention of the Democratic and Anti-Know Nothing
party of Alabama assembled in Montgomery on the Bth
inst. We learn from one of the Delegates that a plat
form was adopted similar to that ratified by the Geor
gia Democracy in December last. Delegates were
also appointed to the Cincinnati Convention.
Among the delegates are John Forsyth, of the Mo
bile Register, who was ehosen by acclamation, John
Cochran, Sam'l Chapman, and John Erwin, for the
State at large—Judge Tate is a delegate from the 3d,
and J. L. Pugh from the 2d districts.
We have not learned the names of the other dele
gates. The official proceedings have not yet reached us.
Alabama Legislature.
Montgomery, Jan. 7.
This bo3y reassembled this day. Hon. George
Goldthwaite tendered his resignation a3 Judge of the
Supreme Coart. David Clopton, Geo. W. Stone and a
North Alabamian, are candidates to fill the vacancy.—
Somelooal bills were passed. The day was consumed
in the discussion of joint resolutions, introduced by Mr.
Speaker Walker, upon the subject of our Federal re
lations. The resolution approving the Nebraska Kansas
act was attacked by Messrs. Belser ‘and Pryor, and
very ably sustained by Messrs. Walker, Beck and
others. The ground of objection was that the act recog
nised squatter sovereignty and allowed foreigners to
vote. It was contended in reply that by the terms of
the act, the powers of the Legislative Assembly were
limited ; and that the privilege of voting extended only
to the first election.
From Washington.
Washington, Jan. 5.
In the Senate nothing of importance was transacted.
In the House of Repiesentaiives a resolution was sub
mitted by Ethridge, that the Hon. John S. Millson, of
Virginia, be seleoted as Speaker, on account of his hav
ing voted against the Nebraska Bill, and not having
participated in the Demooratio cauous—he was there
fore suggested as a compromise candidate.
At Me. Millsoiva request, the resolution was with
drawn. A debate ensued, in which party politics, and
Know Nothingisin in particular, was discussed at large.
The Ho use then voted twice for Speaker. The last
vote stood as follows : Banks 98, Richardson 72, Fuller
29, Pennington 6, scattering 4. There being no choice
the House adjourned, -■
Eighth of January. —This day, memorable in our
history on account of the signal victory obtained by the
American forces over an invading army on the plains
of New Orleans, was celebrated by our volunteer com
panies on Tuesday last. The Guards, under Capt.
Semrnes, the Light Guards, under Capt. Colquitt, and
the Rifles, under Capt. Wilkins, paraded our streets in
handsome and gallant style.
South Carolina. —Forty-six members of the South
Carolina Legislature have advised their fellow citizens to
assemble at their respective Court Houses on the first
Monday in March to appoint delegates to a State Con
vention to be held in Columbia on the first Monday in
May, called for the purpose of sending delegates to the
next National Convention of the Democratic party.
Hon. George Goldthwaite . —The Hon. George Gold
thwaite has sent in his resignation as one of the Judges
of the Supreme Court, which was sent to both Houses
of the Legislature yesterday by the Governor. The
resignation is to take effect on the loth inst.
It* is universally conceded, we believe, that Judge
Goldthwaite has discharged the delicate and laborious
duties of his position with eminent ability and industry.
He will retire in possession of the highest respect of
the Bar and his fellow-citizens generally.
An election to fill the vacancy will of course be made
by the present Legislature, and we presume at an early
day.— Ado. ts- Gaz.
——
Abolition Spies. —The Cherokee nation have author
ized their Chief to open correspondence with different
missionary boards, for tbe purpose of remonstrating
against sending Abolitionists among them under the pre
text of being missionaries.
Central Railroad. —The following is the Board of
Direotors of this company elected yesterday :—R. R.
Cuyler, John W. Anderson, Thomas Purse, Andrew
Low, William Crabtree, John R. Wilder, John B.
Gallie, Joseph, W. Webster, C. A. L. Lamar, the last
in place of L. O. Reynolds, deceased.
Northern Legislatures. —The House of Representa
tives of.the New York Legislature, has not yet been
able to elect a Speaker. The last ballot stood Odell,
American, 40 ; Pendergast, Republican, 34 ; Bailey,
Hardshell, 28 ; scattering 9. All efforts thus far to
effect a fusion between the Hards and Softs have failed.
L. Wright, Democrat, has been chosen Speaker of
the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and W. M.
Platt, Democrat, President of the Senate.
In the Legislature of Massachusetts, Chas. A.
I Pheips, American, has been elected Speaker of the
) House, and E. C. Backer, American, President of the
| Senate.
Unfortunate Occurrence. —During breakfast, at Pat
rick Moore’s, about a mile from Bel-Air, yesterday
morning, a difficulty occurred between a man by tbe
name of HezeKiah Harris and Sam’l and Henry Mc-
Carty, (farther and son,) in which knives were freely
used. Harris was so badly cut that but little hopes
are entertained of ffis recovery. The two McCartys
are a!so very badly cflt. The parties are cousins, and
reside in Harrisburg, and originally from Elgefield dis
trict. They were under the influence of liquor.—Sa
vannah Courier , B lk.
Pennsylvania United States Senator. — A hill has
parsed the Senate of Pennsylvania setting apart the 14th
of tbe present month as the day for the Legislature of
that State to go into joint invention for die purpose of
electing a United States Senator in the place of Hon. Mr.
Cooper, whose term expired ou the 4lh of March, 1555.
A similar bill had previously passed the house.
For the Times & Sentinel.
Dedication ol the new Institute in Glennvllle.
Messrs. Editors :—While the merry Christmas week
was passing by with its joy and hilarity, infusing new life
into the hearts of young and old in all parts of our country,
the people of Glennville, more fortunate perhaps than others,
not only shared in the “flow of soul,” but were largely fa
vored also with the “feast of reason.” Her J enterprising
citizens having previously established a Female College,
and justly deeming the education of young men to be of
equal importance, have lately founded a sister institution
for the purpose of promoting this also ; and in order to pro
vide accommodations commensurate with the largeness of
their design and the grade of the Institution, they have just
elected, at a cost of several thousand dollars, an ample
and beautiful new building. Thursday, of last week, w'as
the day appointed for its inauguration ; and at eleven
o’clock, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather,
a large assemblage, composed of the intelligence and re
finement of the village and surrounding country, repaired
to the chapel. The services of the dedication were per
formed by Rev. D. S. Douglas, President of the Female
College, in an appropriate prayer, followed by a few hand
some remarks ; after which the audience were entertained
for an hour by an address from Hugh B. Dawson, Esq., of
Columbus, which, for justness of thought, elegance of dic
tion, and graceful, dignified declamation, we have rarely
heard excelled. Though but a young man, Mr. Dawson
shows the self-possession and ease of an experienced orator.
In a hasty sketch like this it is impossible to do justice to
the noble sentiments and many fine sayings and elegant al
lusions which characterized his effort; but we deemed bis
remarks upon the importance of cultivating the morals and
heart, worthy of profound consideration in these days when
that point is so much overlooked even by our best Institu
tions. His observations also upon the duty ‘of building up
our own seminaries of learning, instead of sending our
youth to the schools of the North, met, we are suie. With a
warm response in the heart of every patriotic Southerner
who heard them. .
In conclusion, allow me to say to all those who are in
quiring for a suitable place to which they may uend both
sons and daughters, and feel sure that they are enjoying all
the advantages afforded by good schools and the society of a
moral, intelligent, and refined community, that they will
perhaps find no place preferable to Glennville. In point of
health, beauty of location, and accessibility, it is unexcelled.
Glennville, Jan. Ist, 1856. BARBOUR.
The next Democratic Nominee for President
of the United States—Who shall he be ?
“Principles and not men/’ is a doctrine that every
true democrat boasts in announcing as the corner stone
of his political creed. It is one to which we cheerfully
subscribe. But let it not be forgotten, in our obedience
to its behests, that it is only by and through men that
principles can be put into execution, and effectually car
ried out ; and that the efficiency, fullness and complete
ness of their realization depends, in a great measure,
upon the character and ability of the man or men cho
sen for the purpose. The truth of this is considered
too obvious to require comment. Wo would at the
same time go a little further, and suggest that, in pro
portion to the magnitude of tbe questions at issue, we
should seek the very highest qualifications within our
reach ; a combination of most unquestioned honesty—
the most eminent ability, greatest experience, unflinch
ing firmness, and unerring judgment. And never, in
the history of this experiment upon Republican gov
ernment, were these qualifications more imperiously
demanded than at the present most critical juncture of
its affairs!” Designing demagogues, and bad men, in
one section of our confederacy, have given such au im
pulse to bigotry, fanaticism and intolerance, that its im
petuous sluices have will nigh swept away every hon
est man who has attempted to arrest its progress. The
glorious old Republican ship is seriously imperiled ; and
the patriotism of the country loudly calls for the b‘3t
pilot at the helm and all hands to the rescue.
Let us not be told that it is premature to agitate the
question of a Democratic nominee for the next Presi
dency ; that the selection is the business and peculiar
province of the nominating Convention ; that its dis
cussion is impolitic and unwise, creating heart-burnings,
jealousies and prejudices, detrimental to the success of
the very cause we would serve. So far as the De
moeracy are concerned, the nomination is equal to an
election—it is virtually their election, unless they ig
core the acts of the National Convention. There is
uow but a little over four months before that body con
venes ; and surely it cannot be too early for the people
to begin to interchange views and opinions as to the
most suitable person to be nominated for their suflia
ges for the first station in the country or .he world.—
We expect to support tbe nominee of the Convention.
But why 1 Because we expect its delegates to repre
sent the opinions and wishes of the Democratic mass
es in making that nominee. And woe be unto that
Convention, and to the party, and the country, if it
should not reflect the will of the Democracy.
It is not our purpose in what we shall say, to assail any
of the great and good men, who are considered in cem
mon, parlance “leaders’’ of our party. This is not
at all necessary 5 nor is it to our taste or liking, even
were it not impolitic ; for, thank God, we have no en
mities to revenge or avenge against any of them. The
cause is sustained by the arms of all her sons. There
is not one whese services should be dispensed with.—
They are all indispensable, integral parts of the great
arch that supports the fabric. But there can be but one
“Key Stone,” and because we make a selection of one
for this purpose, it does not diminish the importance of
the others.
So rnuoh by way of preface. Let us now take a
survey of the field.
The sound policy of making our selection of a nom
inee from our democratic brethren of the North, I take
quite for granted, is pretty generally conceded at the
South. It is theie that we are weakest, there where
we most need support at this time ; there , in fine, from
whenoe the Democratic votes are to come to aid th<
united South in sustaining the Constitution, the sove
reign rights of each and all the States, and every sec
tion of the Union, and the Union itself, by the election
of a Democratic President. The Democracy of the
South has been made strong and triumphant because
the Democracy of the North—and the Democracy
of tbe North alone , be it ever remembered —stood up
manfully for o'Ur constitutional rights in tbe las. ‘Con
gress. I'hey have, i oousequence, been weakened.
The faualieal, demagogical, and dishonest leaders ot
every coneeiveable faction and ism, at the North, took
advantage of the prejudices of the people in favor o
free territory, and literally preacheda crusade against ah
those who had voted for our constitutional rights in thi
Territories. The struggle that has been going on thert
tor the last eighteen months is 100 familiar to all. We
know how gallantly otir friends have fought and fallen
fighting with their principles emblazoned on their colors,
“back to the field and feet to the foe.” Though beaten
they were not dismayed. With an unflinching devotion
to principle, whieh was the cause of truth, they rose
again to meet the enemy. They rallied their forces,
and in the late elections have trimphantly carried five !
free States—votes, enough with the South to elect the
President. These are Pennsylvania, Indiana, Maine,
New Hampshire and Wisconsin. Then, if we can get
a Statesman from the North, am? especially from one
of these five States, who is fully equal to the station,
and right in principle, does not sound policy, justice
and good sense—and may we not say gratitude —alike
oounsel the South to cast her vote in Convention
for him ? If the struggle for our constitutional rights
is again to come off in the free States, should we not
gracefully and judiciously yield to our friends tnere, the
leader of the hosts to battle in the approaching contest ?
One from among them would naturally inspire more
zeal and enthusiasm—more pride of State and section,
which, added to wonted devotion to principle, would
render our cause triumphant beyond contingency. By
such a course, too, we should show our devotion to
principle, at the same time exhibit to our friends there
a proper acknowledgment for the sacrifices they have
made in our cause and which is that of the Constitu
tion.
There can bo no question that it would greatly aid
our friends at the North, by depriving their enemies of
any advantage that might be obtained by appealing to
the prejudices of the Northern mind, which is pecu
liarly sensitive at this time on account of the repeal of
the Missouri Compromise, against a Sonthern candidate*
By this, we do not advocate the abandonment of prin
ciple, nor a sacrifice of one iota of our rights, but
merely reoommend the observance of a sound policy,
in order that we may the better uphold and sustain
both ; for, as already indicated, we speak upon the hy
pothesis that the nominee is to be a Statnman in all
respects sound, and satisfactory to the South. We
frankly admit that, if a different policy were prnsued,
and the Convention should nominate a Southern man
at this time, that we should have great apprehensions
as to the result. We might not doubt the honesty and
devotion to principle, of the great mass of our friends
at the North ; but we all know how easy it is under
false prejudices, to lead even honest people astray for a
time. A few thousand, and even a few hundred votes
have, and may again, tnrn the election in so large a
State as Pennsylvania. We, of the South have, so far
as legislative enactment is concerned, all that we re
quire. The important question is to have those laws
maintained and faithfully executed ; and whether this
is done by a Northern or a Southern man, matters
little to us, so it is done.
Let us now stand by those who have so gallantly stool
by us in times past, and give them every adventitious
aid in our power, which compromises neither honor nor
principle. A contrary policy might result in defeat ;
when the terrible consequences that would surely follow,
would be in no small degree chargeable to us, if we aid
ed in it.
This point conceded, as we think it must bo ; that
we should take a Northern man. The next is, to dee'de
as to who he shall be? To determine this, two things
are mainly to be taken into consideration. First, and
foremost, the superior qualifications of the man, his
honesty, devotion to the Constitution, and the policy
particularly in issue ; and then his popularity or strength
to carry the requisite number of Northern votes, by
the aid of the South, to elect. It seems to us that
the past political history of the country, and the recent
elections at the North, will readily point out the man.
The great State of Pennsylvania, the “Key Stone” of
the Democratic arch, stands out in bold relief as the tri
umphant champion of the Constitution, amid the gen
eral defection and desertion at the North. Her noble
Democracy have just emerged from the fiercest politic
al contest that was ever fought within her borders—in
which they effectually put down the combined factions
of freesoil, abolition, and every other fanatical organ.za
tion for mischief, by a majority that was hardly to be
hoped for by the moot sanguine. Looking at the pros
trate position of New York and Ohio, the other two
great States of the North, and, in fact, the great body
of the Northern Slates—her position is a proud and
elevated one. There she stands, proudly bearing aloft,
the principles of truth and the Constitution ; against
which the mad waters of abolition and fanaticism, gath
ering in concentrated fury, have dashed in vain. Let
us call to mind, the despondency and general gleam
that pervaded the entire oountry just previous to the
late October elections in Pennsylvania. Maine, it is true,
had given some evidence to a return to a more whole
some political sentiment, but the contest wrs mixed tip
with so many local issues, that we were afraid to look
to it with rr.nch hope ; the S'.ote, too, wes too small to
effect much by her vote in the Presidential contest. —
All else was utter darkness and gloom. Not another
State remained to us throughout the entire North. But
how the political firmament brightened up, when the
glorious Democracy carried the old Key Stone! We
then began to coeour way. Here were nearly vot-i
enough, at a single blow, to elect our President, by the
aid of the Sooth. Is there a patriot in the land, let us
ask, who did not breathe freer and easier—sleep sound
er, and have more buoyant hopes for the future of our
country, after he kDew that Pennsylvania had been car
ried by the Democracy ?
Then to this noble old Key Stone let us give the honor
ol the nominee. It is fairly her due. She has never yet
had a President, great and true as she is, and Jhas been to
our principles. Now, above all others, is her time
Without her vote we can't elect a Democratic President
for New York and Ohio, with three fourths of the .free
States, are dead against us. A President has never yet
been elected without the vote of one of these three great
States—N. York, Pennsylvania and Ohio; nor is it now at
all within the rauge of rational probability. But one of
them is reasonably certain in the next election. Shall we
put that certainty in jeopardy by ungratefully demanding
her Democracy to put aside her great son —their favorite
whose prominent qualifications and fitness for the office
are not surpassed, if indeed they are equalled, by any in
the whole country; and go for some second or third
irate politician from some other State., who.e vote could
effect but little in the general result! Really, such a course
it seems to as, would be violative of the piainest dictates
of common seuse,good judgment and sound policy, and
iuvitive rather of defeat and disaster, than of success and
victory. The questions at issue at this juncture are too
vital, not only to the well being, .but to the very existence
of the country, to admit of the feast temporizing or exper
iment, to put anything in risk that can possibly be avoid
ed. What has been said points too plainly to Mr. Bcc*
tiANAN to require any formal announcement of his name.
Nor is it necessary to dwell at any length upon his superi
or qualifications for t the position. liis political history
may be said to be that of the country for the last thirty five
or forty
measure ot great public importance, within that time, thai
las not received the light of his ; and whether
in the Legislature or the Cabinet, his Irieuds can proudly
challenge the production of a single vote that was not giv
en in strict conformity the Constitution, and in equal
justice to all sections of the country. So far as the South
is concerned, an exanrnation of the records will show an
unswerving support to every proposition to keep an unnec
essary discussion of the subject of slavery out of the halls
of Congress. Such is his position to-day. We do not
speak unadvisedly when weproclaim that Mr. Buchanan
will give every aid in his power, in whatever position
lie may be placed, to the maintenance and carrying out
of the present existing laws relative to slavery, the Kan -
sas-Ncbrask'a acts included. It we did not know that
auch was his position, we should not advocate his nomina
tion. No man, Noith or South, should receive the sup
port of the Democracy, that could not stand this test. Mr.
Buchanan’s intensely Southern position, too, upon th o
Cuban question—standing by our own Soule and Mason
of Virginia, iu the Ostend Despatch, both from the South,
and extreme Southern Rights men at that, should com
mend him to our support at this time. No better evidence
could be given of his reliability than this, so lar as we are
concerned; lor we should be perfectly sure, so long as he
might be President, that no officious intermeddling ot any
other power, however great, would be permitted to our det
riment with Cuba, or that it would be allowed to be turn
ed into a free negro Colony. Such is the high, plain and
unvarnished announcement in the Ostend Despatch.
One word more and we are done.
Mr. Buchanan is among the very few survivors ot the
compeers of those great and good men so lately removed
irom among us —Calhoun, Olay, Webster, Wright, &.C.,
that is of an age and position suitable lor the Presidency.
We solemnly appeal to that sober judgment that is even
now beginning to down upon the history ol the
country for the last twenty years, whether the people have
acted wisely in putting aside our greatest and best states
men, and elevating over their heads comparatively obscure
(though honest and good) men, who have little or no ex
perience in the management of great political questions,
either of domestic or foreign policy. We gladly indulge
the hope that the good sense,that tne sound political philos
ophy of the day is already arousing itself against the luture
pursuit of such a course. We solemnly ’believe that it is
fraught with the greatest evils to the country in the future.
An adhesion to such a policy will tend to the subversion
of the morals of all public men. For as it is now being
practised upon the very fact of prominence, prominent dis
tinction eliminates our statesmen from the possibility of
becoming President. It is worse than the ostracism of the
ancient Greeks, for they usually elevated their countrymen
before they ostracised them. The greatest incentive to politi”
cal virtue and laubable ambition is removed, and we install
in its stead a timid, time serving, double-dealing policy in
men, that is tending rapidly to bring our country and its m
tutions into disrepftte, and finally disgrace and ruin. A
more favorable opportunity to inaugurate another and far
better and rational policy, could not present itseli. The
elevated position of the man; the important attitudo of his
great Siatepthe attendant political circumstances of the’
country, all conspire to designate the mosst elevated states
man of our country as the most suitable candidate of tfifc
Democracy for the next Presidency. That he would bo
the most triumphantly elected, hardly admits.of a reasona
ble doubt. We all must admit that more or less hope and
confidence has been lost in our great experiment in the sta
bility and permanence of our institutions. We sincerely
believe that the Administration of Mr. Buchanan would
go far, if it did not entirely restore, our lost confidence; —
that faction and fanaticism would be put down and kept
down, and that a more general interest would be felt and
taken in the progress, prosperity and happiness of our com
mon country. JEFFERSON.
Gen. Atchison.
Under the caption of “A Good Scheme Defeated,” an
abolition letter writer from Lawrence, Kansas, relates the
following;
“On Monday afternoon, a messenger came jin with the
news that David if. Atchison was encamped on the Wa
karusa with only twenty- five men. The Captain of the
Free State Cavalry company entreated Gen. Robinson for
permission to go with his men and capture him. The
General refused to let him go. The Cavalry expostula
ted; promised to bring him into Lawrence within four or
live hours; but the General was immovable. He said
that he had buried the hatchet and meant to keep it bu
ried.
The decision created a good deal of dissatisfaction, but
of course had to be submitted to. 1
To which the St. Louis Herald replied:
“This, he it remembered, was alter the treaty and sur
render, after peace had been declared, and the hatchet bu
ried.
The people of Kansas, and of the whole Union, may
thank Gen. Robinson for preventing so villainous an out
rage, for had it been committed, Gov. Shannon, with forty
thousand other Governors at his back, could not have
prevented the immediate annihilation of every vestige of
Abolitionism in Kansas Territory.
The Herald says that Gen. Atchison was in Kansas as
a peace-maker, and that it was probably owing to his hu
mane interterence, that the lives and property of the peo
ple of Lawrence were spared by the indignant volunteers.”
From the New York Herald, December 5.
William A. Richardson, the Democratic Candidate
for Speaker.
Mr. Richardson was born in Fayette county, near
Lexington, Ivy., January 16th, 1811. His father was a
Virginia farmer. He died when William was only six
years old, leaving four children to the sole care of their
mother. She belonged to the Edmonsons, “one of the
first families of Virginia.” Her lather and seven of his
brothers died in battle.
William’s lather provided by his will, that his estate
should be expended in the education of his children, and
most of it was expended in that way. William was ed
ucated at Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky. He
commenced reading law at the age of 19, in the office of
Allen & Simpson, Winchester, Ky., and was admitted to
t-he bar before he was 20. He practiced a very short
time at Winchester, and at the age ol 21 removed to Mi,
nois, and commenced business in earnest. He was at
Shelbyville a short time, but soon went to Rushville,
where he got into a good practice. In 1834 he was elec
ted Slate’s Attorney lor the District in which he lived
over Browning-, the same man who ran against him for
Congress, two years ago. In 1836 he resigned that of
fice to accept a seat in the lilino.s Legislature.
Asa member of the Illinois House of Representatives
he took a leading part in the discussion of the political
questions of the day, always advocating with vehemence
and determination the doctrines of the Democratic
party. In IS3S he was elected to the State Senate of Ill
inois. For the next nine years he was a member of one
house or the other of the Illinois Legislature. Jn 1814
he was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.
In 1846 he raised a company of volunteers to join the
army in Mexico ; was first elected Captain ; on the field
>f battle at Buena Vist°, after the Jrath of Cos!. llardie
lie was unanimously elected Major. In the battle of Bu
na Vista, he greatly distinguished himself. He was
wounded but did not faint. Before his return from Mex
ico he was nominated and elected to Congress, and has
since remained a member of the House. He is a Dem
>crat in the technical sense ol the term, to the backbone ;
is in favor of the Fugitive Slave Law, and all other com
>romise measures—Nebraska and Douglas. He is what
s ealled a ‘good fellow,’ jolly, stout, large, how-fare-you
Ooking and seeming, and the most popular man his party
•ouid have nominated.
In spite of the Col’s good looks, the following anecdote
s told by some of the wags : When he first came to
Washington, among the distinguished men to whom he
vas introduced, was Mis. John C. R;ves. “Mr. Rives,*’
<aid the Col., “you are one of the first men 1 ha ye ever
net whom rumor has not belied ; you have not been rep-