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CONSTITUTIONALIST.
ATJGHJSTA. »A.
FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE 8, 1866.
TIME TO QUIT IT.
As our readers will doubtless remember, the
North Carolina Convention —that hopeful
body which, as in our own case, was .to take the
State back into 11$ Union, and didn’t -reas
sembled in Raleigh ou the twenty-fourth of butt
month. Latest accounts say that, having re
covered from its first surprise at being thus
galvanized back into life, it has gone briskly
into the business of upsetting the laws And tin
kering the State constitution—the result where
of will doubtless be to make the pre#jit uncer
tainty and confusion in North Carolina ten
tpnes greater. Why this Convention was called
together again we have been unable to learn,
and with the trust that so utterly useless, and
even so really injurious, a step may not be
taken ift the ease of our own State, it is pro
posed to drop that matter for the present and
consider a very singular document laid before
the delegates present by Governor Worth on
the twenty-fifth ultimo. This, which comes in
the form of a “ message" starts out by implied
ly saying that he, the Governor, does not really
know why the Convention has been called on
to reassemble or what business there is for it to
do. In this view we very heartily concur.
These Reconstruction Conventions never had
any other purpose than that of a formal and
legislative dirt-eating—an’abasement, by the bye,
entirely in vain, since the hire of compliance
has never been paid—and being moreover utter
ly illegal and owing their existence merely to
military power cannot, of right, have any lawful
political jurisdiction since the issual of the
Peace proclamation. But to let this pass, the
message goes on to talk at some length about
nothing in a strain that, with all due deference
to his Excellency, we cannot but think the
merest twaddle, if indeed not something worse.
Thus it makes a liberal use of “ rebellion ,”
“ loyal," and one or two other terms that are
not only in themselves peculiarly offensive, but
in a state paper, emanating from a Southern
executive officer, highly-Mnipropcr and unbe
coming. Governor Worth should have re
membered that the late struggle between the
Northern and Southern sections of the United
States was in no sense a “ rebellion," but what
the Supreme Court decided in the Prize Cases
Black) to be “ civil war”; and, remembering
this, should have been at once accurate enough
and considerate enough to have spared ttie feel
ings of his people, aud the people of all other
States in like case, a term equally inapplicable
and insulting. “ Loyal ” also is a word that
positively stinks in the nostrils of every man
in this country not at heart tainted with servili
ty, and as another word equally inexact and dis
respectful should have been eschewed. North
Carolina in the past lias no sin of “ rebellion ”
to answer for, nor in the future is it the duty of
her people to be “ loc/al." Once site made war
righfully and now is bound to abide by the
Federal Constitution and the Laws thereunder
made.
Concluding his manifesto, Governor Worth
says lie had not intended at first “ to submit any
m essay e whatever ” and it would have been
much better, in the light of his final determina
tion, had he kept to his original resolve. There
are enough and to spare of Governors in these
United States who can lecture our people on
the heinous guilt of “ rebellion ” and the beauty
of being “ loyal," without that nauseous dose
being crammed down their throats at home.
Mr. Worth was elected over hjs competitor,
Mr. Hodden, by a handsome majority, on the
supposition that he would more iully meet the
views of his people, but in view of this fiunkey
isli message it would seem that the old North
State had indeed at the best, though not know
ing it, but an option between pot and kettle.
The one, doubtless, would have used the lan
gunge we object to, and would at least have
been, in so doing, consistent, but from the.
other it was unlooked for and thus doubly un
gracious. As ungracious—unwarranted—offen-
sive—and wholly without justification we pro
test against it, though occurring in another
State, and shall deem it a solemn duty hereafter
to take up a like testimony against any other
Southern Governor, who shall prate to his
people of “ rebellion ” —whereof they have
never been guilty—or of “ loyalty" that as free
born republicans they owe to no man or rnen,
person or party, policy or polity on the face of
tho broad green earth.
DIET EATING.
We find credited to the Athens Watchman,
the following article, which though it will
doubtless be read with some tremors by the
worshippers of expediency is indubitably as
wise and true as it is outspoken and brave.
Our brother of the Watchman, and lie. handles
a glowing pen, is right, emphatically right,
about the nauseous abasement he sacrifice,
deprecates, and condemns. All history can
hardly record so much giving way where there
was so little to fear, and it is a sad commenta
ry on human weakness that a people who have
shown themselves so pre-eminent in valour,
when facing war’s bloodiest visage, should have
displayed in peace such moral timidity. There
is of course, excuse, and abundant excuse,
for despair may overcome the stoutest
heart and momentary panic daunt the bravest,
but the time has come when there is no panic
and no reason for despair, and we are proud
and happy to say amen to our brothers’ —"Stand
up fellow countryman of the South. Take your
hands out of your mouths apd your mouths from
the dirt ?”
If there is any one thing the people of the
South have tried more thorougly than another
since the downfall of the Confederacy to con
ciliate those whom the fortune of war ordained
their couquerers, it is “ dirt eating. ” Such «a
spontaneous and wide spread exhibition of
abasement, since Honor and Manhood were
words of living meaning, has never been seen.
We were told that everything depended upon
it—Life, Liberty, Property—a restoration to the
least civil or political right.
So believing we tried it, and with what suc
cess, is now matter of history. The more we
ate, the more was set before us. The plate was
changed, sometimes, but dirt was the dish,
first, last and all the time. Our enemies
revelled in the spectacle of our self degrada
tion. They cried (through their noses ;) “ See
these haughty rebels —these lordly slave mas
ters, how low they have fallen—how they grovel
and fawn upon ns !” We heard their taunts
and jeers and groaned in bitterness of spirit,
but still ate on, hoping for a change and a diet
more suited to our palate. And now how
stands the case, after all these twelve months
dirt and degradation. Are we any mearer the
end sought for ? Let even the “ loyal ” May
nard and Stokes of Tennessee, cooling their
heels, with hats in hand, and bated breath at
the doors of Cotigress answer the question.
Verily we think it about time this thing
should end. It has been tried too long al
ready. Stand up fellow-countrymen of the
South. Take your hands from your mouths,
aud your mouths from the dirt. You have
sworn to preserve, protect and obey the Con
stitution and laws of the United States, and you
will keep that obligation. The wretches who
would degrade you still further are not your
masters, and have sworn eternal hostility to
that Constitution. Repay scorn with scorn—
insult with insult —defiance with defiance.—
Yield not an inch to their brutal, tyrannical de
mands, unless enforced at the bayonet’s point.
They, tell you now that it is treason to water
with your tears, and decorate with God’s sweet
flowers the graves of those who died that you
might be free; and that while you cannot be
received as equals and brothers in the Ameri
can Union. Answer them as Martin Luther did
the tVeak-knced friend, who persuaded him not
to confront his accusers at Worms. They said
that the German Caesar, tit that day, in point of
temporal power, the foremost man in all the
world, waS ins bitter and implacable foe ; that
his Spanish cavaliers were riding about the,
street* (swearing vengeance against Luther and'
his fktends, and that the church Os Rome, whose
' ecclesiastical censors then fulminated over
nearly the whole of Christendom,, would beat
Worms with hostile array thirsting and’crying
cloud for his blood. But Luther said,that he
would go, “although there were as many devils
to Vneet him in Worms as were tiles upon the
houses.”
Tell them that you will gather up and reinter
the bones of the Confederate dead, ornament
their graves, and cherish and honor their mem
ories, though every leaf and blade of grass upon
the battle fields where they poured forth their
blood becomes a howling and merciless Radi
cal. ....
Be true to your obligations—even; one of
them. Be patient under the ills that cannot be
removed. Stand by Andrew Jobuston and sup
port him at every point your arms can reach,
but In God’s name—as you revere, love and
honor the memory of the dead —do not attempt
any longer to conciliate this spirit that is horn
of hell, aqd which will not be satisfied with less
than your absolute ruin.
A New Variable Stab.— A variable star
has been discovered in the constellation of the
Northern Crown, and has been carefully ob
served at the United States Naval Observatory
in this city. The daily rate of decrease is about
four-tenths of magnitude, and It has changed
from the second to about the eighth magnitude.
[Naional Intelligencer , *9 th.
■■ ■ ———
Letters on the Wing.
Berzelia, June sth, 1866.
Messrs. Editors:
I left Augusta this morning in the 7 o’clock
train, with a few friends, and have spent a very
pleasant day at this charming summer retreat.
The morning was dork and murky, and soon
after leaving the depot, the rain descended “fast
and furiously,” but when a little beyond the
village of Belair the clouds passed away and
the sun came forth again, his rays tempered by
the balmy shower, the air fresh and fragrant as
the first day of Spring. Yesterday there was
quite a storm here, blowing down fruit trees
and many fields of growing crops. There is a
general complaint of too much rain, otherwise
farming matters, under the condition ot affairs
is satisfactory. I notice a considerable quantity
of corn being delivered by the railroad at this
point for farmers who reside near here. The
fruit crop in this vicinity is very fair.
Bcrzeiia has recently changed hands, ami is
now owned by Mess. Henry Merry & Co.
Mr. and Mrs. Merry as host aid hostess are
fully maintaining the enviable reputation Iff the
house as a first class place to live at. They
are assisted by Mr. Brad. Merry, formerly as
sistant book keeper in your office, who, on
account oi his accomodating disposition and
invariable good nature, the ladies call Uncle
Braddy. The present Proprietors have made
already, considerable Improvement in the ap
pearance of the property, and intend to
spare no effort to render the place equal to any
summer resort in the State. They contemplate
the erection of a flue bathing house at the fish
pond, some three hundred yards from the house,
also a bowling or billiard saloon for the amuse
ment of their guests. The mineral spring here,
ispronouuced by those competent to judge, to
present strong tonic properties. Neiut this
spring is a fine free stone one.
of these springs runs upward of fifty gallons per
minute, and the water from them supplies the
fish pond. Bcrzeiia is about 16 miles from Au
gusta, as the crow flics, and ill by rail, and is
371 feet above its level. Those who contem
plate sending tlieir families from the din, dust
and heat of the city into the pure fresh air of
the country, should give Berzelia a trial, its
proximity to Augusta, its easy and cheap; access
by rail twice or oftencr every day. A quarterly
ticket can be purchased for thirty dollars. Its
pure water bracing air—reasonable terms and
accommodating proprietors will leave them
nothing to wish for.
I will leave here in the morning for Thom
son, from whence you may hear from me.
Augusta.
Gen. Fitzuuoh Lee.— The statement, says
the Petersburg Index, that this distinguished
son of the Old Dominion, and late cavalry com
mander in the Array of Northern Virginia, is
in command of the, cavaly wing of the Fenian
army, is doubted, not only by his friends here,
but in Washington. On Thursday night last,
lie was present at a social party in Alexandria,
and returned thence to his farm a few miles be
low that city. The National Intelligencer says
“ this statment should lie received with caution.
There are two generals in Virginia named Fitz
liugh Lee, the one a son, the other a nephew,
of General Robert E. Lee. A personal friend
of these gentlemen, now in this city, assures us
that neither of these oflieers are at all likely to
embark in such a movement, and is quite posi
tive that their own judgment and convictions
of duty, no less than the influence and counsels
of the great leader of the Southern armies,
would induce them to avoid all participation in
this rash enterprise.”
The Hon. Re verd.F Johnson, writes a letter to
John Hogan, of Missouri, in which he says that
the Supreme Court, at the last term, did decide
against the constitutionality of the Missouri
test-oath, and that the reason the decision was
not made public was owing to the fact, that the
Judge selected to deliver the opinion of the
Court, did not have time to prepare such an one
as tile importance and gravity of the question
required. This will be done during the recess,
and the opinion lie delivered at the next term.
Mr. Johnson adds that “when this is done,
the cause of constitutional liberty and religious
freedom will be secured against all attempts to
strike at either, that may be made in periods of
temporary 1 excitement, and oblivion of the
rights of the citizen and the true interests of the
country.”
Miss Evans’ Noble Conduct. —Miss Evans,
the authoress of lieulah and other noted works
of fiction, has generously purchased a marble
Mausoleum for the Confederate dead of Mobile.
She lias set agood example, that we are assured
will be followed when Soul,tiern finances recov
er from their present prostration. We cannot
expect the United States oo do anything for
those who fe’l in arms for secession, nor are
State Government now able do anything. It is
only from private muniflcience that our loved
and lost can now receive the monuments due
to their memories. All houour to Miss
Evans.
Hard on tub Rairoads, Ac.— The House
of Representatives, in Committee of the whole,
adopted an amendment to the tax bill, impos
ing :t tax of two-nnd-a-half per cent on
receipts for passengers and mails of all
canal, and steamboat companies. A provision
allowing such companies to add the tax to their
fares was stricken out. The tax bill will bear
with peculiar weight upon companies in the
South that are hardly aide to sustain tuemselve
without it.
Grand Tournament at Clarksville,
Tennessee. —A grand Tournament for the ben
efit of the widows and orphans of tile soldiers
of the Confederate army, came off at Clarks
ville, Tennessee, last Friday, and resulted in se
suriiig over $30,000 for that purpose. The first
prize fbi tilting at the rings Was won by W. A.
Elliott.
Fort Erie. —Fort. Erie, captured by the
Fenians, and fe-oeenpied by the. British troops,
was once a strong fortification of stone masonry,
but. is now dismantled and in ruins. It is sit
uated on the Niagara river, immediately op
posite Black Rock, New York.
New Poem.— A negro by the name of Francis
A. Boyd, a few days ago, applied to the United
States Court., at Louisville, for a copyright on a
book—a poem in three parts and entitled “Co
lumbiana,” which is dedicated to Lincoln, Grant
and Butler.
“ Nice Little Boy.”— Thait “nice little boy”
Stark wether, who thoughtless ly killed his mama
and sister, has engaged the attention of the Con
necticut philanthropists, who arc so pleased
with his amiable disposition tb at they wish to
save him from the gallows.
Caution.— Young ladies, in adjusting their
“false calves," should be careful and secure
them in the right place, else the limb will as
sume the appearance of deformity. A frightful
instance of this kiml was witnessed ou the
Avenue yesterday.— Washington Republican.
Ups and Downs.— Gov. Rutter, the first dis
coverer of gold in California, is supported by
a pension from that State. Comstock, who
found and gave his name to the great silver
lode iu Nevada, is a vagrant trespasser in Mon
tana.
Pardoned.— Brig. Gen. J. R. Simpson, for
merly a General in the Confederate army, was
pardoned a few days Rince, by the President,
his pardon having been strongly recommended
by prominent persons.
1 An English shoemaker recently succeeded in
eating an uncooked rabbit—fur, skin and all.
The wager cost him his life. *
Blondin Outdone—The Latest Sensa
tion.—The New York correspondent of the
Hartford Press writes:
You may recall one De Lave,-a tight rope per
former, who a long time ago astonished the na
tives of Rochester by his feats above Genessee
Falls. He has just returned here from many
years spent in South America and Mexico, and
is going to give the public a new sensation. He
proposes to cross the Niagara on a small wire
as “the American Eagle.” Y'o explain,lieis now
having a large leathern eagle made here in
the city, which is to be “st uck full” of feathers
and otherwise manipulated so as to resemble a
live one of monstrous pro portions. This is to
fit closely about his bodv, and on walking the
wire he will balance himself by flapping the
artificial wings. At the sa me time a rope is to
be suspended by him beloi n the wire, to wh ieh
his son, a boy eight years old, will cling and
go through with various a thlctic performances
as the father advances aero .ss the falls. De Lave
likewise proposes to walk over the falls, carry
ing his wife and son on bis back. This promi
ses to be the great sensatic mos the season- De
Lave has been performing at the city pj Mexico,
where be occasioned a coo siderable furore. He
brings with him a medal « jeeived from the Em
peror Maximilian.
The Habeas Corpus—lmportant Decision of j
Judge Nelson—Military Commissions in
Time of Peace Illegal.
The following abstract of an important de
cision by Judge Nelson, involving the validity
of a conviction aud sentence by a military com-'
mission iu a case .pot properly within the cog
nizance of martial law, k condensed from the
report in the Albany Argus:
In the Matter of James Egan, a Prisoner in
the Albany Penitentiary. —The petition and re
turn to the writ of habeas corpus issued ill this
case present the following facts : The prisoner
is a citizen, and by occupation a farmer in, the
Lexington district of the State of South Caro
lina, some eighty years of age, aird never en
gaged in the military setvicc connected with
the army of the United States or of the so-call
ed Confederate .States. He has been arrested
and tried before a military commission ; in pur
suance of orders issued at headquarters of the
District of Western South Carolina, Columbia,
upon a charge of murder, convicted and sen
tenced for life to the Albany penitentiary. The
specification in the record of the crime is the
killing of a uegro boy by shooting him on or
about the 24th of September, 1865. The trial
took place on the 20th of November, and the
sentence was pronounced on the Ist of Decem
ber following. The sentence is approved by
the order of Brevet Major General A. Ames,
and also of Major General D. E. Sickles.. The
only paper of evidence 'before ns, on the re
turn to tlie wait of habeas corpus, is the record
or order of committal in the hands of General
Pillsbury, the Superintendent of the Peniten
tiary, which contains the above facts.
It will be observed that this trial before the
military commission took place some seven
months after the termination of hostilities and
the surrender of the rebel army to the authori
ties of the United States ; and, further, that the
offence is one which, according to our constitu
tional system of government, is cognizable by
the judicial authorities of the State and not of
the Federal Government. Aud, also, that the
trial was not under the rules and articles of
war as established by the United States, in Con
gress assembled, m these are limited to the
government of the land or naval forces of the
United States, and of the militia, when in actual
service, in time of war or public danger. The
trial must have been bad under wliat is known
and denominated “ martial law,” and the ques
tion in the case is whether or not this convic
tion and punishment can be upheld by reason of
that authority. All respectable writers and pub
licists agree iu the deflnation of martial law—
that it is neither more nor less than the will of
the General who command the army. * * *
Martial law is regulated by no known or es
tablished system or code of laws, as it is over
and above all of them. The commander is the
legislator, judge and executioner. His order to
the provost marshal is the beginning and the
end of the trial and condemnation of the ac
cused. There may be a hearing or not, at liis
will. If permitted, it may be before a drum
head court-martial, or the more formal board
of military commission ; or both forms may bo
dispensed with, and the trial and condemnation
equally legal, though not equally humane aud
judicious. * * * *
This being the nature anti extraordinary char
acter of martial law, which, as observed by Sir
Matthew Hale, is not law, hut something in
dulged rather than allowed as law, all the au
thorities agree that it cap "be even indulged only
in case of necessity; and when the necessity
ceases martial law ceases. * * * This neces
sity must be shown affirmatively .by the party
assuming to exercise this extraordinary and
irregular power over the lives, liberty, and
property of the citizen whenever called iu
question. * * * * *
Applying these principles to the case in hand,
we think the record fails to show any power on
the part of the military officer over the ajleged
crime therein stated, or jurisdiction of the tffili
tary commission appointed by him to try tlir
accused. No necessity for the exercise ot this
anomalous power is shown. For aught that
appears, the civil local courts of the State of
South Carolina were in the full exercise of their
judicial functions at the time of this trial, as
restored by the suppression ot the rebellion
some seven mouths previously, and by tlio re
vival of tlie laws and reorganization of the State
government in obedience to and iu conformity
with its constitutional duties to tlie Federal
Union. Indeed, long previous to this, a Pro
visional Governor tiad been appointed by the
President, who is commander-ln-chief of the
army aud navy oftlic United States (and whose
will under martial law constituted the only rnle
of action,) for the special purpose ot changing tlie
existing state of things and restoring civil gov
ernment over the people. In pursuance of this
appointment a new constitution had been formed
a Governor and Legislature elected under it, and
the State iu the full enjoyment, or entitled to
the lull enjoyment, of all her constitutional
rights and privileges. The Constitution and
the laws of tlie Union were thereby acknow
ledged and obeyed, and were as authoritative
and binding over the people of the State as in
any other portion of the country. Indeed, the
moment the rebellion was suppressed, and the
Government growing out of it was subverted,
tlie ancient, possession, authority, and laws re
sumed their accustomed sway, subject only to
tlie uew reorganization of tlie*appointment of
tlie proper officers to give them operation and
effect. The reorganization and appointment of
tlie public functionaries, which was under the
superintendence and direction of the President,
as’commander-in-ehief of the army aud navyol
tlie country, who as such had previously gov
erned the people of the State from imperative
necessity by force of martial law, had already
taken place, and the necessity no longer exist
ed. We have not deemed it necessary, if pro
per, to look iuto the merits of the offence
charged against the prisoner, although it is in
sisted that it occurred in self-defence and in re
sisting a violent assault upon himself. Let tin*
prisoner tie discharged.
(From the Baltimore Sun.
The Great Armies of Europe.
Wliily it is an inspiring spectacle to witness
the sentiment of nationality asserting itself
among certain of the people of Europe against
the arbitrary divisions made in time past of
their territories in the interest of partiular
dynasties, it is yet a sad commentary upon the
boasted popular enlightenment of the age, that
hundreds of thousands and even millions of
men can be marshalled to deadly combat by a
few potentates claiming power and government
over them. This seems no less the ease now
than in the most semi-barbarous periods in the
world’s history. The higher development of
the feeling of nationality, the more cherished
pride of character and race which shows itself
among the masses in more cultivated nations
now, is in striking contrast with the boorish
ness of former periods ; but nevertheless there
is a lamentable degree of ready and deluded
submissiveness to the self aggrandizing pur
poses of the few on the part of the many. This
is shown in what are called liberal as well as
monarchal and more absolute governments; and
in this day that element of popular sentiment,
creditable to men generally, of attachment to the
ancient unity of country, and race, ot pride
in the memories of their past and the dreams
of their future, is relied upon more than any
other agency for the purpose of inducing a peo
ple to lend all their energies to the waging of
great wars. That sentiment is skillfully manip
ulated by politicians aspiring to rule, potentates
already in power and determined to perpetuate
or extend it. The destiny of nationalities is
skillfully appealed to in quarters where it is po
tent, and ignored where it is not, or would he
only dangerous. Hence we see equally in
either of these interests she stupendous limita
ry preparation now going on among the na
tions of Europe. The figures are on a scale
equal to if not exceeding those of our own great
civil war. The latest advices state that. Austria
I has 000,000 and will soon have 900,000 men- in
the field, while Prussia is estimated to have
500,000, Italy 430,000, and France 100,000, the
latter of course capable of being augment ed to
any number likely to be needed shonld she en
gage in the contest, with as great facility as
any nation extant. The figures may he
exaggerated as to the present state of
the armies, but the ultimate ability of the pow
ers to put such forces in the field —nearly one
million of men on the side of Austria and the
minor German flutes co-operating with her,
and about the number ou the part of
Prussia and Italy—is not doubted. This would
be in addition to the augmentation of forces in
Belgium, Denmark, Switzerland and other
Suites -within the radius of the impending Hos
tilities. In % the meantime Turkey and Russia
are both moving large bodies of troops, that
which disturbs their relations pertaining more
to the provinces of Wallachia and Moldano
than the quarrel of Austria aud Prussia over
the spoils of the duchies, and the eagerness of
Italy to re-aequire Venet'a. Yet neither Tur
key or Russia can be indifferent to the latter
quarrel, especially Russia, as the wnr would
impugn upou their boundaries. The immense
cost of all this, whether war comes or not, is of
course upon the people. They mnst not only
do the fighting, but must pay its price also in
money. And this is none the less the case in
republics than in monarchies, where war is
permitted.
The First Martyr. —Among the graves
visited by the ladies of the Richmond Memorial
Associated on the 31st of May, was that of Hen
ry Wyatt of Edgecombe, the first Confederate
soldier killed in regular action in the late war.
Wyatt was a Virginian by birth, but was living
in Edgecombe county at the commencement
of the war. and volunteered in Company A
Ist Regiment North Carolina Infantry, Captain
(subsequently Colonel) John L. Bridgers.
At the battle of Bethel, 10th of June 1801, he
with lour other men of Captain Bridgers com
pany, volunteered to lire a house which was
occupied by the enemy’s skirmishers, from
which an annoying and galling fire was made
Upon our lines. The duty was one of the most
ipiniinent peril; but there was no faltering or
hesitation on the port of the five gallant young
men, and they steadily, cheerfully advanced.
At the first fire young Wyatt was mortally
wounded, Charles Williams and C. Rodgers,
severely wounded. Wyatt had the satisfaction
of knowing that the position had been won,
and the work to which he gave his life, accom
plished.
We are glad to see that the grave of this hum
ble but patriotic martyr has not been neglected.
He rests in the sacred precincts of Hollywood,
beneath the Shnde of a little grove of pines.
The head-board bears the inscription, “Sacred
to young Wyatt, the first martyr; peace to his
ashes.”
On the 31st ultimo his grave was beautifully
decorated with magnolias and other flowers,
and on the centre was laid a handsome wreath,
the handiwork of Miss Alice Reach, bearing
the initials “H. W.,” in evergreens in the cen
tre Ribbons of white and blue were attached to
the wreath, on one of which was the Inscription
“The first martyr to the South. Killed June
10.1861.” — Wilmington Journal.
Georgia News.
Progress op Removing the Obstructions
prom the River. —We promised, as matter of
general interest to keep our readers posted as
to the progress made in removing the obstruc
tions from the river, which work was awarded
by city contract to Mr. A. Hartshorn. We take
pleasure in saying that the work lias com
menced in earnest. On Saturday last the steam
er Augusta was engaged in working up the
wreck of the ship Sebastopol, (sunk by the Con
federates during the war,) and succeeded in fish
ing up about 80 fathoms, (or 8 ton weight, of
her mooring chain. The wood w'ork of this
.ship was found considerably worm-eaten and in
’ many places very much decayed.
The Augusta also worked awhile upon the
ram Georgia (1500 tons,) for the purpose of
definitely locating, preparatory to raising her.
The accumulation of the mud inside of her is
at least 13 feet deep, and is supposed to weigh
about one thousand tons.
In the course of last week the hull of the
sunken Floating Battery, called the Tattnall,
was removed from the north side of the chan
nel to a bank on the south side —it being de
signed to make her a “ camel ” for removing the
other wrecks and obstructions in the river and
harbor.
We understand that Vir. H. F. Wells (late
President of the Brunswick Railroad Company)
has obtained a contract from the authorities at
Washington tor raising some of the vessels
which are included in the contract of Mr. Harts
horn with the city.
Mr. Hartshorn’s well known practical skill
and energetic manner In which he has under
taken the work, is a guarantee that lie will pro
ceed in ridding our river of those nuisances to
commerce, with profit to the city and also to
the company lie represents. — Sarannah Repub
lican.
Department News.—The Federal Union
publish the following information, derived from
the Executive Department:
Executive Department, (
Milledgevii.ee, Ga., May 38, 1800. s
lu conformity with instructions of the Gen
eral Assembly, in Resolution No. 48, page 338,
Acts of 1805 and 1800,1 hereby appoint Gen.
Howell Cobh, of Macon, Maj. Mark A. Cooper,
of Athens, and John H. Fitten, Esq., of Adairs
ville, “Commissioners to examine and report
upon the propriety of removing the present
Penitentiary, and locating it elsewhere, or of
establishing an additional one,” and for other
purposes, to which the attention rtf said Com
missioners is specially directed.
Charles J. Jenkins, Governor.
Executive Department, j>
Milledoeville, Ga., May 38, 1860. ij
In conformity with an act of the General As
sembly of the State of Georgia, entitled “An Act
to organize and establish an Orphan Home in
this State,” approved 17th March, 1806, (No.
333, page 338, of the acts of 1805 and 1800) I
hereby appoint Messrs. William B. Johnson, of
Macon, Richard Peters, of Atlanta, and Henry
Hull, Jr., of Athens, under tlic second section
thereof. And I further appoint, as Trustees of
“The Georgia State Orhan Home,” under the
third section of said aet, the Rev. 11. H. Tucker,
of Atlanta, Rev. Wm. H. Potter, of Auguste,
Rev. William Flinn, of Milledgeville, Rev. Wm.
C. Williams, of Rome, and Messrs. Warren
Aiken, of Bartow county, James Gardner, of
Richmond county, James M. Chambers, of
Muscogee county, John W. Anderson, of Sa
vannah, and Junius Wingfield, of Eatonton.
Said appointees will govern themselves by
the provisions of said aet, the first named of
each Board acting as chairman, with authority
to convene his body, until their first meeting
and organization.
Charles J. Jenkins, Governor.
Horrible Murder and Robbery.—On Sab
bath morning last, a fisherman on his way to
his basket, discovered the body of Master Riley
Martin, near the cemetery ot this city, lying
covered with blood, in a dying condition and
insensible. On examination, it was discovered
that some villain had shot him in two places—
first on the back of the head and then in the
right temple. He then dragged him about
thirty feet, to the foot of a live oak, where lie
rifled his pockets, securing the key of the store
of Mr. J. C. Martin, the uncle of the youth, for
whom he was clerking, which was, doubtless,
the only object of the assassin for thus murder
ing, in cold bloSd, his unsuspecting victim.—
The murderer then returned to the store of Mr.
Martin and robbed it of about eight hundred
dollars.
Suspicion was soon directed to one Dr. An
drew B. llahcoek, a sojourner in our midst,
who had himself written out a notice, offering
a reward of five hundred dollars lor the appre
hension of the murderer of young Martin, and
was, in an excited manner, procuring signa
tures to this notice from our principal citizens !
After his arrest, seven hundred and sixty dol
lars were found in liis boot leg; the coat lie
had worn the previous night, after a search,
was found in the bott< in of his trunk with
blood upon it; his pistol, also, was hid under
his matrass with two barrels discharged, and
the pistol itself was stained with gore. Much
other evidence, equally strong, was adduced be
fore Judge Crawford, of the County Court, and
Judge Avriett, of the Inferior Court, before
whom the trial of Hancock for commitment, on
the charge of murder, was brought. After a
] paiient investigation, the prisoner was commit
ted for tlie crime alleged, and was forthwith
sent to the jail in Albany, for safe keeping, to
await his trial at our next Superior Court,
which sits the second Monday in July prox.
Our community has been greatly outraged by
this atrocity. Young Martin was a pious, ex
emplary youth; a member of the Baptist
church, whose public appeals to the throne of
grace had distinguished him as possessing
gifts and graces remarkable in one ofhis years.
His general bearing, too, since he has lived
among us, evinced the meekness and quietness
ofhis spirit and the nobleness of hischaracter.
His parents reside near Cuthbert, Georgia, on
whom tills sad calamity ltas fallen with almost
crushing weight; hut who, we trust, are en
abled by faith to east their their henry burden
upon the Lord, who has promised to sustain
them in every trial. They have thesympathy
of this entire community.
[Bainbrtdge ('hart and tmnpass.
The Lumber Trade.—As an indention of
the extent of the lumber trade whichbas sprung
up on tlie coast of Georgia since the return of
peace, our attention has been called to the fact
that ou Thursday last, Messrs. S. L. Barns & Co.,
lumber dealers at St. Marys, Ga.. cleared a
British bark for Queenstown, Irelnid, with a
cargo of lumber, assorted as follows: Four
hundred and ten thousand feet of pitch pine
and one hundred and eighty-one bunlles of cane
reeds.
There are perhaps one hundred smv mills In
operation on the Georgia coast which are re
ceiving orders from all parts of the world for
every description ot lumber. — Newt Sf Herald.
Rain—Gloomy- Prospects.—Slight rains fell
at long intervals late Saturday nightand Sunday
morning about noon. Yesterday morning, be
fore day, heavy rains, accompanied with driving
winds, fell continuously until after breakfast,
and then up to noon. Clear skies followed for
about three hours, when the weather, extreme
ly sultry and oppressive, became showery. One
of the heaviest rains of the season fell late in
the afternoon. It the rain eontinnes, the pros
pect for cotton is gloomy indeed. It lias already
been greatly injured, and the fields are covered
with grass. Wheat, much of which has been
cut. and stacked, it is feared, will commence
sprouting and he ruined. Not a great deal was
planted, but that was looking finely.
On Sunday morning, before day, there was a
violent, thunder storm. Several tries in the city
were blown down and branches torn from
many.— Columbus Sun.
The Steamer Wm. Gibbons.—Tills steamer
which recenly took fire and sunk below Augusta
we understand is about to la; raised. The
steamer Two Boys left this city yesterday for
the wreck, having on hoard one ot Wood’s
valveless pumps to be used in raising the sub
merged hull. This pump is remarkable for its
great forcing power, and is spoken of in high
terms by the* engineers of this city.- News y
Hearald.
Louisiana Intelligence.
confederate contracts.
Judge Moise, in an argument of throe quar
ters of au hour, yesterday, appears to have de
molished Mr. Durant’s very able defence of the
validity of Confederate notes as a consideration
for a contract. This was in the case of the
Union Bank of Tennessee, against Nixon, before
! Judge Duplantier of the Sixth District Court.
The judge refused the new trial On the pro'll ml
of the decision in the ease ol Schmidt vs. Barker
which has already been published in this paper.
It may therefore be considered as the settled
law of this State, that contracts in which Con
federate money is the consideration cannot be
enforced at law.—,V. O. Pic.
OUACHITA CROP PROSPECTS.
The Monroe Telegraph says :
“ The crop in Bayou De Selard and between
here and the mouth of the bayou, we cay say
from personal inspection, look green enough,
but take their color from tlie weeds and grass.
We have never seen, this late in the season, a
gloomier prospect. In some places ave saw
corn and cotton, both ot which it would seem
a folly to w r ork out. And this untoward pros
pect is not the result of supineness ; lor greater
efforts have never been made ; but of the back
ward spring. Os course, no reliable estimate
can now be made of the harvest this year; but
from every indication it Is hound to be lamenta
bly deficient.” —A r . O. Commercial.
TTow an Elperok Revenges Himself.—■
The little speech atAuxerre, or rather the iit
tle addition made to it afterwards, cost the
speculators in Paris over 100,000,000 dollars.
Bome people lost by it whom it, was probably
a pleasure to Napoleon to punish, M. Feury,
for insjanee, is a deputy, and tlie president of
the Credit Foncier. Deputy he had the impru
dence, the other day to shake hands with M.
Thiers alter the latter’s fatuous peace speech.
It was M. Feury who urgently solicited the
Emperor afterwards to visit Auxerre; but
Napoleon’s speech sent down tlie shares ol
the credit Foucier so as nearly to ruin M.
Feury.
The Troy Whig says: A novel method has
been adopted to * clean out’ two houses of ill
fame. A patrolman has been stntio ned in the
vicinity of the premises provided with a note
book and pencil, with direction to tak* down
the name of every person, male and
female, seen to enter or emerge from the prem-
The consumption of champagne annually in
the different Countries is thus set forth by a
French writer : In America, 10,0000,000 bot
tles; Eugland, 5,000,000; India, 5,000,000;
France, 2, 500,000; Germany, 15,000,000. The
other countries make up a grand total of about
30,000,000 bottles.
(From the Baltimore Commercial.
Recollections of Edgar A. Poe.
BY L. A WJLMER,
Author of “ The Life of Ferdinand De Soto.”
[The following sketch of Mr. Poe has never
before appeared in print. It is the production
of a gentleman who originated “ The Baltimore
Saturday Visitor,” and for thirty years was em
ployed as editor of various papers in this city.
As the tribute of an intimate friend to the mem
ory of a gifted writer, personally known lor a
long period of his life to many Baltimoreans, it
cannot fail to prove highly acceptable.— Editors
of Commercial.]
The character and habits of Edgar A. Poe
have been fully and freely discussed in English
and American periodicals, and the public is
supposed to be well “ posted up” in relation to
the subject; nevertheless there ij good reason
to believe that some considerable mistakes have
found their way into the account. With the
hope of doing some justice to the memory of
that unfortunate man, I propose to give the re
sult of my own observations, made at a time
when my opportunities for becoming familiar
with the good and bad qualities of a poet Yvcre
extremely favorable.
My acquaintance with Poe commenced in
Baltimore, soon after his return from St. Peters
burg, “covered with debt and infamy, and con
firmed in habits ot dissipation,” as one of his
biographers represents. 1 can most conscien
tiously declare, however, that at the time fe
ferred to, and a long time atterwauds, 1 heard
nothing of his debts and infamy, and saw noth
ing of his dissipated habits. His time appeared
to be constantly occupied by his literary labors;
lie had already published a volume of poems,
and written several of those minor romances
whicli afterwards appeared in the collection
called “ Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque.”
He lived in a very retired way with his aunt,
Mrs. Clemin, and his moral deportment, as tar
as my observation extended, Yvas altogether
correct. “ Intemperance,” says the biographer
quoted above, “ was his master passion.” How
then did it happen, that during an intimate ac
quaintance with him, which continued for more
than twelve years, I never saw nun intoxicated
in a single instance.
His personal appearance and equipments at
the time I speak of, have been thus described ;
“He was thin and pale oven to ghostlincss; his
whole appearance indicated sickness, and the
utmost destitution. A well-worn frock coat
concealed the abseuee of a shirt, and imperfect
boots discovered the Yvaut of hose.” This des
cription is wholly incorrect., in his youthful
days. Foe’s personal appearance yvus delicate
and effeminate, but never sicklv or ghastly, and
I never saw him iu any dress which was not
fashionably neat with some approximation to
elegance. Indeed, I often wondered how he
could contrive to equip himself so handsomely,
considering that his pecuniary resources were
generally scanty and precarious enough.
My intercourse with Poe was almost con
tinuous tor weeks together. Almost every day
we took long walks in the rural districts near
Baltimore, and had long conversations on a
great variety of subjects. And however dry
might be tlie subject ol our discourse, and how
ever dusty the road we traveled, we never stup
ed at any hotel for liquid refreshments, and 1
never observed any disposition ou the part of
my companion to avail himself of tlie liberal
supplies of alcoholic beverage which were
always to lie had in the vicinity of Baltimore.
In short, his general habits at that time were
strictly temperate; and but for one or two in
cidents, 1 might have supposed him to be a
member of the cold water army. On one occa
sion, when I visited him at his lodgings, he
produced a decanter of Jamaica spirits, in con
formity with a practice which was veyy com
mon in those days, especially iu the Southern
and Middle States where one gentleman could
scarcely visit another without being invited to
drink. On the occasion just referred to, Foe
made a moderate ust'of the liquor; and this is
tlie only time that ever I saw him drink ardent
spirits. On another occasion 1 was present
when his aunt, Mrs. Clemm, scolded him with
some severity lor coming home intoxicated on
the preceding evening. He excused himself bv
saying that he had met with some friends, yvUo
had persuaded him to take dinner with them at
a tavern, where the whole party had become
inebriated—a circumstance for which many a
poetical gentleman’s experience might furnish
a parallel. I judged from the conversation be
tween Mrs. Clemm and Foe, that the fault for
! which she reproved him was of rare occurrence,
and I never afterwards heard him charged with
a repetition of the offc-nee.
The purpose of these statements is merely to
contradict the assertion that Foe Yvas, at every
deriod of his life, an habitual drunkard.
In conversation Foe was fluent, but not elo
quent. He was seldom enthusiastic on any
subject, lie had none of tlie conversational
fervor of Coleridge. He did not monopolize
the, discourse, but seemed to be quite as willing
to listen as to talk. Though he seldom said
anything very startling, his remarks Yvere gene
rally shrewd. On literary subjects Poe held
some singularly heterodox opinions. As for
Milton, Shakspcare and the whole array of
illustrious British poets, he professed to hold
them in great contempt. I never knew him to
speak in warm terms ofadmiratioh of any poet
ical writer, except Alfred Tennyson. Among
prose authors, Ben. D’lsraeli yvus his model.
Poe was an amiable eolloquist. When his
.favorite opinions were assailed or even ridicul
ed, he showed uneasiness, but no resentment.
I never knew him to exhibit any ill-temper in
eonY’ersation. In the most exciting contro
versy lie never became impatient or discour
teous. In short, no person ever conducted a
conversation with more strict attention to the
rules of good breeding.
NeY'ertheless, he bad faults,- and very con
spicuous ones too; —but strangely enough, his
real faults have been overlooked by his cen
sorious biographers in their anxiety to paint
him blacker than he was. He was singularly
effeminate in mind and person. His delects of
character were such as Pope attributes to the
female sex in general, when he makes tlie sin
gular statement that “ most women lnrre no
characters at all.” The conduct of Poe was
often'controlled by whims and impulses, and it
Yvas not easy to conjecture how lie would act in
any given case. He had no steadfast princi
ples, for.there was not substantially enough iu
his mental frame work to support them, yet
under the influence of correct feelings and a
sense of propriety, liis moral conduct Yvas gen
erally good.
i have seen an article in a British review in
which a comparison was made between Poe,
and Swift, Savage, De Quincey, Coleridge, and
other celebrated delinquents of English litera
ture. All the latter were admitted to have liad
6onie “ redeeming qualities,” hut Poe, said the
reviewer, had none, lie had no hitman sympa
thies, no amiable weaknesses, no vices of a spe
cially human consistency, “in short, he Yvas a
demon, and not a man.”
A trifling incident, Yvhicli just now occurs to
my remembrance, may properly tic placed in
juxtaposition with this Englishman’s Phillipic.
One day, Poe, liis cousin Virginia, who after-
Yvnrds became his wife, and I were walking in
the neighborhood of Baltimore Yvtien yvc hap
pened to approach a graveyard, where a
funeral was then in progress. Curiosity
attracted us so the side of the grave, where
we stood among a crowd of spectators who had
accompanied the corpse to the place of inter
ment. Ido not remember that there was any
thing particularly touching in these obsequies,
but Virginia became affected and shed more
fears than tlie chief mourner. Her emotiou
communicated itself to Poe, and if an English
revicYvcr could have seen him at that moment,
weeping at the grave of a stranger, lie might
have given him c redit for some “ littninu sym
pathy."
I could mention several striking examples of
Poe’s sensibility if my limits would permit. He
was unquestionably of an affectionate disposi
tion ; of which he gave the best kind of proof
when he labored cheerfully for tlie maintenance
ofhis aunt and cousin, before his marriage
with the latter, While he was editor of the
Southern Literary Messenger he devoted a large
part of ids salary to Virginia’s education, and
she was instructed in every elegant accomplish
ment at his expense. He himself became her
tutor at another time, when liis income was not
sufficient to provide for a more regular course
of instruction. I remember once finding him
engaged, on a certain Sunday, in giving Vir
ginia lessons in Algebra.
One of liis severe chroniclers says: “It is be
lieved by some that he really loved liis wife ; if
he did, lie liad a strange way of showing liis af
fection. Now it appears to me he showed his
affection in the right Yvay, by endeavoring to
make his companion happy. According to the
opportunities he possessed, lie supplied her
with the comforts and luxuries of life. He kept
a piano, to gratify her taste for music, at a time
when his income" could scarcely afford such an
indulgence. I never knew him to give her an
unkind word, and doubt if they ever had any
disagreement. That Virginia loved him, I am
quite certain, for she was by far too artless to
assume the appearance of an affection Yvhich
she did not feel.
From the biographies we gather that Poe had
many generous friends and patrons, who were
always willing to take him by the hand, to “lift
him out of the gutter,” &c., if his own gross
and brutal conduct had not constantly repelled
the kindness that was offered him. It is never
hinted that Poe could have found any difficulty
iu maintaining himself by his pen, if he had
made proper use of his opportunities. Noyv,
the truth is that Poe's writings, during his life
time, Yvere not “marketable.” I was often sur
prised lit the difficulty he met with in disposing
of some of liis best, productions. Publishers
generally declined them on the ground that
they Yvere not calculated to please readers in
general.
At one time he informed me that fie could not
possibly live by literary labor, and that he would
have to betake himself to some other pursuit.
At length he actually endeavored to acquires tlie
art of lithography, under the tuition of Mr.
Duval, of Philadelphia. He labored long and
painfully to make himself practically acquaint
ed with this business. Confinement In a stoop
ing position affected his health ; decided symp
toms of consumption made their appearance,
and liis wife and mother-in-law persuaded him
to abandon an occupation which was hurrying
him to the grave.
I have been giving an abstract of tlie history
of many years, commencing in Baltimore and
continuing in Philadelphia. During all this
time I can most conscientibuly declare thnt Poe
was no drunkard. He appeared to nte to lie one
of the most hard-working men in the Yvorld. 1 1
called to see him at all hours, and always lound
hint employed.
Poe’s opportunities never were great. It is
remarkable that the salaries he received for lit
erary labor were generally less than others ob
tain for similar services. The only glimpses of
prosperity that ever he experienced were when
he was engaged in the editorial management of
the Southdrit Literary Messenger and Burton's
and Graham’s Magazines. While he held these
situations the circumstances of the family were
quite comfortable. How he lost these situations
is a curious subject of enquiry. It should be
remembered that Poe had few literary friends
and many enemies; the general severity -of his
criticisms led to these results. There were many
influences brought to hear "against him wheu he
held the position ot magazine critic. Efforts
were made to put him doYvn, to oast him Irom
a position in which lie had it in lus power to
annoy tluft class of literuti whom he did not
admire.
Nevertheless, as 1. am disposed to deal fairly
in tliis matter,' 1 will admit that Poe’s loss of
employment was, in some measure, tlie result
of liis own delinquency. From what has been
said, the reader must be satisfied that he was
not a habitual drunkard. It appears, however,
that on some rare occasion he was led astray
by jovial companions, and induced*to join in
their revels; anff' from the best information I
can obtain, I judge that intoxicating liquor had
a maddening effect on him, inciting him to tlie
most terrific acts of frenzy. Whoever could
sugceed in leading Poe Into a drinking frolic
was certainly his evil genius, making him the
instrument of his own ruin. It was one ofhis
unfortunate tricks, when intoxicated, to insult
his employer; or rather to make a statement of
his grievances, which the employer was apt to
think insulting. All of his employments were
lost in this manner ; a terrible calamitlons affair
for him; ancUyet, YVhen the truth comes to be
understood, it may be judged that less than a
half a dozen drunken frolics lead to all these
disasters. Perhaps lie did not transgress in this
way more that four times within fifteen years,
and yet those incidents furnish the material for
a large part of liis life, being amplified and dis
played to tlie best advantage, while liis years of
patient toil and heroic effort arc passed over
without the slightest notice.
After Poe’s removal from Philadelphia to Ncyv
York, I lost sight of him and do not know Yvhat.
changes may have taken place in liis liahits. The
loss of his Yvife, about this time, was an over-
YVhelming calamity, and liis intellect was crush
ed under the blow. During the remainder of
his life, liis mind appears to have been iu a state
of lunacy, with a few lucid intervals.
On glancing over tlie record of Poe’s life, we
find that the principal offences with Yvhich he is
chargeable, are acts of phrenzy, committed
sometimes under the temporary delirum of in
toxication, and sometimes from more deeply
seated mania—but always characterized by tlie
absence of any rational purpose. When this
fact shall obtain the consideration it deserves,
the attempt to represent Poe to the world as a
“moral monster,” will justly lie regarded us an
absurdity.
| Prom till; New York News.
Two Famous Books.
John Mitcliel thus writes from Paris*:
Two books have made their appearance iieie,
which will both make some noise. One is the
Emperor’s second volume of Julius Caviar; tlie
other the Apostles of Ernest Kenan, being tlie
sequel to liis Life of Jesus. Tlie second Y'Ol
ume of the Jules Ca-sar narrates tlie Yviiole of
his wars in Gaul, and brings down the history
just to the passage of the Rubicon and the
opening of the civil w ar. Tlie work is not so
rich in lore concerning tlie history, manners
and ethnology oi tlie ancient Gauls as 1 had
expected; but is very full and precise as a mil
itary .memoir. The account of the famous
seige of AAesia is especially interesting; and I
observe that*-the Emperor definitely lays the
scene of that conflict at Alise St, Seine, in Bur
gundy. As he conies on to narrate the cir
cumstances of Roman politics, Yvhich at last
determined Caesar to take the management of
affairs into liis own hands by the help ot his
veteran legions, the author becomes himself
more evidently interested in this subject. lii
dee.d he does not conceal a distinct intention of
suggesting a continual parallel, to every read
er, between the Roman Empire and tlie French
one, between the Oa*sars and the Bouapartes.—
It is evident, tod, that lie regards human histo
ry, and tlie actors therein, as altogether moved
by destiny; and this tendency of liis mind is
even more evident in this second volume than
in the first; so that as lie proceeds with the
narration of the civil wars this idea is seen to be
more clearly developed, and through every
stirring page we shall behold a Fate
“With sceptercd pall come sweeping by.”
For.the rest, the book is very yvcll written;
but before this reaches you the New York pub
lishers Yvill doubtless have brought out the
English edition.
As for Ernest Renan’s des Apotres, those
who"have read his -former Yvork Yvill know very
nearly Yvhat to expect in the sequel. M. Renan
is a very good Christian and Catholic, save in
the very trifling matter of not believing in that
religion. But lie regrets his disbelief ; for he
admires Christianity and its teachers with a
poetic passion. Christ and His Apostles are to
Renan what King Arthur and liis Knights of
the Round Table are to Tennyson : that, is to
say, they arc the very theological material
which M. Renan lias adopted for the theme of
liis poetry: for lie it known that liis works,
though not in meter, are fqlly as poetical as
any “ Idylls of tlie King.” It is according to
this lyrical theory that one must judge botli
the works oi Renan; and once you know tlie
key to them, you can enjoy the charm of these
prose-poems, in which the marvelous, while
reduced to mere human elements, preserves a
sort of ideal prestige. The author tints seeks to
impress with the mysteries of religion the
miserable sceptics of the age : for he abhors
sceptics, and declares most solemnly that.he
docs not. write witli the design oi shaking the
faith of a single believer. 80, while he accounts
for the Christian mythology from the manners
of the time, from the state of men’s consciences
and tlie exigencies of a developing civilization,
yet, by the aid of liis potent imagination, he
makes himself tlie companion of tile Apostles
in all their illusions, Yvhich he regrets not to be
able to partake. In fact, he writes a gospel of
liis own ; but I doubt that it Yvill ever become
canonical. The Pope will, I apprehend, regard
this fifth Gospel as only a fifth wheel to his
coach, the utility of which may. not be apparent.
Take, as an example of Renan’s work, his
account of the resurrection of the Saviour.—
Tin; women who had been praying and fasting
at the foot of the cross were in a state of the
highest nervous excitement, but especially Mary
Magdalen (who is indeed the heroine of M. Re
nan’s romance). Mary <tunes early on the
Sunday morning to the sepulcher, but does not
see the body—which, in tact, had been stolen
away by tlie prudent Nlcodemus ; slic runs and
tells Peter and John ; then returns to the se
pulcher in a state, approaching frenzy ; she has
a fit; she hears the Master call iter by her
name; she sees him in glorified vision, as St.
Theresa and many other women have since
done. Stie cries out: He is risen! And no
body doubted the fact . Then the author adds,
in his lyric style: “ The glory of the resurrec
tion belongs to Mary of Magdala. After Jesus,
it is Mary yvlio has done most to found Chris
tianity. The image created by the delicate sen
sibilities of Madeleine hovers still over our
world. Queen and patron saint of the idealists,
Madeleine win: better qualified than any other
to avouch her Y’ision, and to impose upon all
that holy image formed by her oYvn passionate
soul. Her grand assurance: He is risen! lias
been the basis of the faith of humanity. Be
gone, then, thou impotent reason ! Seek not
to apply your cold analysis to this master-work
of idealism and of love! If philosophy must
renounce the hope of consoling this poor hu
man face, betrayed as it is by destiny, let mad
ness try the task. Where is tlio sage who has
given to this world so great joy as the possessed
Mary of Magdala ?”
The system of accounting for visions by ner
vous exifitation once established, M. Rattan fol
lbws it out. The companions of Jesus could
not be behind Mary Magdalene. They all had
their, visions; and as for St. Paul, a very similar
incident happened to M. Renan himself, as lie
tells us, when he was traveling in the East. Ho
assures ns that he also had a slight sunstroke,
and I incline to believe him.
But, at last, to the despair of M. Renan, Christ
appeared no more to His Aposties, and thus the
romancer laments over the fading away of the
sacred phantoms of that image chamber: “It is
with sadness that we will bid to Jesus our last
adieu. To fiTnl him agaiu, after his crucifixion
living still vvitli his ghostly life, lias been for us
a great consolation. This after life ot Jesus, a
pale image of the first, is still lull of charm.
Borne up on ills cloud to the right hand of His
Father, He leaves us among mere men; aud
what a fall is there, Oh Heaven!”
Perhaps these extracts are enough to give a
sample of the sentimental mysticism of the
author oi' Les Apotres. It is a book written in
bad faith ; for while the author denies the whole
of the Christian religion, be makes believe to
venerate and exalt it. lie proves it to be a hal
lucination, and glorifies that hallucination witli
his giowiug rhetoric, and declares that lie would
have it eternal. He desires that the priest should
continue to teach a creed which lie. himself
teaches that priest to deny. Many readers will
believe in the touch of sunstroke, anttsorae Yvill
also suspect that M. Renan has studied with tot)
foud an ardor the lovely face of the Magdalene
in Guido’s picture, and has vowed himself to
the service of the beautiful weeper. J. M.
Two Children in One.—A Remarkable
Freak of Nature.—The Washington Star, of
Saturday afternoon, gives the following account
of a wonderful birth near that city :
On Thursday morning, tlie wife of Mr. John
Barnhardt, residing in Untontown, was de
livered of a child which is a great curiosity iu
it's way, almost outrivaling the Siamese Twins.
This child has two perfect heads, Yvell covered
with hair, and are beautifully featured, four
arnis>the bodies being united just below them,
two spiitul columns vniieh unite in one pelvis,
two breast bones, but only one pair of well
formed legs. The physicians who have seen
this wonderful freak of nature, are under the
opinion that there arc certainly two hearts, two
lungs, and that perhaps a portion of the digest
ive organs are also double, the two bodies not
apparently losing their individuality until they
reach the pelvis, and even at this point, where
it is apparent one body is male ; there is some
sign the other is female. The features of one
bears the resemblance of a female and tlie
other a male. One of the bodies, or rather one
side of the body, Yvas boin alive, and lived
some time after birth, and the other died in the
birth This is tlie first product of tin* marriage
of the parties. The mother is a young and
healhty woman of about twenty y«*Mofage,
from the neighborhood ol Lynchburg, Vaginal,
mid the father is a native of Ge-many, about
twenty-five or twenty-six years old. The father
was in the army, and served n the neighbor
hood of Ly.icidu.rg, where he married.the
mother on the Mth ot August last It has not
been definitely determined, as to what disposi
tion will be made ot the bodies, but at the
present they are at Dr. Seo'.lay’s etnbalmiug es
tablishment, where they have been placed in
alcohol. Notwithstanding the bodies are fully
developed, and measure nearly eihgt inches
across the shoulders, the mother is dping re
markably well.
BY TELEGRAPH.
ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCHES. .
ONE DAY LATER FROM EUROPE.
[FIRST lilSPATrtl.]
New York, June 6.
The steamship Africa arrived this forenoon
at Halifax with Liverpool dates of the evening
of the 30th ult. Cotton closed buoyant; sales
Saturday, the 36th, 10,000 bales.
Consols closed at 87@87%.
Five-twenties closed at 65%@65%.
[SECOND DISPATCH.]
Halifax, June 0.
The steamer Africa, from Liverpool 30th,
arrived this evening. Cotton tinner, but un
changed. Sales, 10,000 bales. Breadstuff inac
tive. At London ontlieevcning of the 36th Con
sols, 87 to 87}*:. Five-twenties, 65%a65%.
Erics, 41%a43%. Illinois Central, 76a70%.
General improvement on stock exchange.
Advices of the 37th, via Queenstown, by Afri
ca confirm the report that the three neutral
powers addressed identical notes W> Berlin,
Vienna, Florence and Frankfort, inviting a
conference. It is believed that all will assent,
but the reply of Austria was not received.
Warlike preparations continued. Continental*
news unchanged. >
Kossuth is acting in concert with the Italians,
endeavoring to excite a Hungarian revolu
tion.
Large arrivals of specie from America caused
a better feeling and reaction set in on the Lon
don Change.
Austrian consent to congress has not yet been
given.
Reports are current at Prague that Prussian
troops arc advancing on the frontier.
Kossuth is concerting action with Italy, and
endeavoring to raise a revolution in Hungary.
Paris Bourse closed buoyant.
Lord Cowley was summoned from Paris to
London for consultation.
It is expected that the Congress of Powers
will assemble on the sth or'lOt.h of June.
The Times says the result of the conference
will in no event affect, the position of England.
It is stated that the Prussian and Italian treaty
names May 38th for the commencement of hos
tilities. Entrenchments near Vienna have been
commenced. It is reported that an Italian
patrol appeared on the frontier of Caftaro and
took away half the bridge, on the Italian side
of the river. Garabaldi is reported to have left
Caprertv on the 3d and for the Adriatic, coast.
Financial and commercial affairs of England
show great depression. The pressure for
money indicates that the crisis is not yet over.
The Times suggests the issue of interest bear
ing credit notes to relieve the pressure.
Among the late suspensions is W. 11. Cou
brough, American cotton dealer. Liabilities
one hundred and fifty thousand pounds.
The Spanish Foreign Minister referred in the
Cortez to remarks in English Parliament made
about the bombardment of Valparaiso, and
stated that Spain would continue to act vigor
ously it South American Republics continued
the war.
Cotton declining at Bombay.
Six hundred and twenty Coolies were burned
on an Italian ship, which they set fire during a
revolt.
Arrived at Bremen 33d steamer Hero from
New Orleans.
Nine hundred bales of cotton were landed on
the quay at Liverpool from the ship J. 1,. Bo
gart from Apalachicola, damaged by lire.
FROM WASHINGTON—PROOL A MAT ION
BY THE PRESIDENT.
Washington, June (i.
It is understood nt tlie State Department that
a contract has been made by the French Gov
ernment with the Trans-Atlantic Steamship
Company to transport the first detachment of
French troops from Mexico to France in Oc
tober, Marshal Bazaine accompanying this de
tachment.
The President has issued a proclamation for
the purpose of maintaining the public peace
and national honor, and warns all good citizens
from aiding or abetting unlawful expeditious
of those evil disposed persons against a nation
with which this Government is at peace; au
thorizes all magistrates and other officers of the
United States to exert their authority to defeat
unlawful proceedings and bring to justice the
offenders. General Meade is also authorized to
use. military force to prevent carrying out such
expeditions.
HAMBURG AND COLUMBIA RAILROAD.
[Bpecial Dispatch to the Charleston Courier. |
Augusta, June 5.
A meeting of the citizens and planters of
Edgefield District, in aid of the Hamburg and
Columbia railroad, was held at F.dgcfield Court
house on Monday, 4th Inst.
Addresses were made by Col. Wm. B. John
ston, Governor M. 1,. Bonham and Luke Cul
breatli, Esq. Fifteen thousand dollars were
subscribed in aid of the enterprise.
Governor Picketts is very ill, and, consequent
ly, did not attend the meeting, as was expected.
A barbecue in aid of the project is to be given
at Aiken on the fourth of July. Governors Pick
ens and Bonham, Gen. M. C. Butler and other
distinguished speakers are expected to be pre
sent on the occasion.
THE CASE OF PRESIDENT DAVIS.
Richmond, June fi.
lu the case, of Jefferson Davis, District At- .
torney said he was not in custody of Court but I
a prisoner of State. Attorney General Speed j
could not be present; he, therefore, moved the 1
Court adjourn until October. Brady said his
client wanted a speedy trial, and waived all
forms ; but he knew they could not control the
action of the Attorney. Judge Underwood,
said Justice Chase expected to preside, and had
named October as convenient, and as Attorney
General not be there now he grant
ed the motioft of the District Attorney. He
advised the counsel of Mr. Davis to make ap
plication to the President for relief, as all pow
er rested in him. Court adjourned.
PROCLAMATION AGAINST THE FE
NIANS.
Washington, June (i.
By direction ol' the President, Mr. Speed,
Attorney General, issued circular to district at
torneys and marshals, instructing the arrest of
all prominent, leaders and conspicuous persons
cabled Fenians, who may lie guilty of a viola
tion of the neutrality laws.
Fenian prisoners at Buffalo have been re
leased by order of the Government; men on
their own recognizance, and the officers in live
hundred dollars bail, all to appear at Cana
daigua when required, and to subscribe that
they will not take up arms.
CIIOLERAAND FRNIANS.
Nev/ Yokk, June <i.
Cholera still prevails at (Quarantine. There
were six new cases and five deaths on yester
day; 87 cases arc still under treatment.
General Hooker has Issued orders to inter
cept all Fenians ; several hundred were caught
at High Gate, in the vicinity of St. Albans.
They were without any conn nander mid seemed
about to invade Canada on. their own hook.
They were poorly armed, ami depended on
citizens for food.
FENIAN NEWS.
Washington, June 6.
Official advices receive at here leave no doubt
that a large body of Fenians still threaten Cana
da. Great alarm prevails in Montreal, with a
-monetary panic and run on savings bauks.-j-
Gohl is at a high prcmiui n.
Tokonto, June 0.
News from all quartern to noon says all is
quiet. The excitement i s subsiding.
CHARLES l AJMD THE PRESI
DENT.
. I Vashington, June 0.
Charles O’Connor, sbriior counsel of Jefferson
Davis, had an interviews tiffs morning with the
President and Attorne; f General Speed, in re
ference to to the case of' the prisoner. , r
shipment":>f GOLD.
• New York, June 6.
The Aleppo and City of Cork took two mil
lions and twenty thousand In gold. The Cuba
from Boston, took dn« million six hundred and
twenty thousand.
FROM NEwToKK,
* New York, June <>.
Alexander’s Merri .11, by Lexington, won the
Derby stitke at the I ?utterson races yesterday.
Nine started. Tim ve, two minutes and fifty
five seconds.
P / iRDONS.
Was Hr. vgton, June 6.
The President ha g pardoned 161 criminals,
and number of pfli .tlcal pardoi is Is 13,381.
-T- —- —-Op -'s s -}—i f- ; - - ‘—.
FEARFUL TORNADO AT BAMBURG, S. C.
SEVEN CHILDREN KILLED.
Buanohville, June 6.
A terrific tornado p;isscd through Bamburg,
on the South Carolina railroad, yesterday aftar
noon, between 6 and 4 o’clock, demolishing a
school house and killing seven children, four
boys and three girls, and wounding nine others.
Trees and fences Were blown up for some dis
tance.
THE FLOOD AT ALEXANDRIA.
The details of an overflow at Alexandria, La.,
are heartrending. The people were driven to
rafts for protection. An immense amount of
pro pert wwere destroyed. No relief is possible
till the flood subsides.
NOVA SCOTIAN’S MAILS.
New York, June 6.
The Nova Scotian’s mail leaves thisafternoon
for the South.
ARRIVAL OF STEAMER MONTEREY.
New York, June 0.
The steamer Monterey, from New Orleans,
Isis arrived.
NEW ORLEANS COTTON MARKET.
New Orleans, June 5.
Cotton nominal. Sales of two hundred hnles
low Middling at 33(3185 cents.
Gold 43%. Sterling 56.
NEW YORK MARKETS.
New York, June 6.
Cotton firmer at 38a40. Gold, 44%. Sterl
ing quiet at 10.
New York, June 6.
Cotton 38@40c\ Sales 15,000 hales. Sugar
quiet. Coffee steady. Molasses dull. Gold
144%.
Augusta Market.
Wednesday Evenjno, June 6th.
GOLD - Brokers buying at 143 and selling
at 145.
SlLVEß—Buying at l.'!.*? and selling at 138.
River News. —No arrivals or departures.
River, 17 feet.
Wholesale Lead Poisoning.
Midth.eton, N. Y., May 30.
It is now nearly two months since the peo
ple residing along that portion of the Walkill
Valley, which lies in the western part of Orange
i county, were attacked by a disease which for
sometime baffled the skill oi the physicians,
they being at a loss to divine the cause. The
malady, it is true,exhibited the most positive
symptoms of lead poisoning, yet all the suffer
ers stoutly denied having used anything that
could, in their estimation, have been contami
nated with lead, even in ils mineral condition,
in some cases whole families were stricken
down, while In others only one or two mem
bers of a family were attacked. Sometimes the
disease assumed a violent form and caused
death, and again ii was ol a milder type, and
the patients were relieved. To-day hundreds
are suffering from its effects, many ot whom,
will never be able to do anything, and will in
time waste away and die, the victims ol this
terrible disease. The symptoms most promi
nent in these eases have been obstinate con
stipation. severe pain in the abdomen, nausea,
and persistent vomiting colic, difficulty in,
voiding urine, and in many instances the
evacuations being mingled with blood, pain and
heat in the region of the kidneys, cramps and
partial paralysis of the upper extremities, and
an anxious, gloomy expression of countenance.
The above are the symptoms which have been
present in a greater or less degree of promin
ence and severity in every ease. The doctors at
first were sorely perplexed, hut in two weeks
after the first violent cases came under their
notice, they bad traced the lead in the system,
so that there was no longer auy doubt on that
point. It now remained to ascertain the source
from whence it came. Attcr considerable re
search it was found that the lead was conveyed
into the stomachs of the sufferers by bread and
meal, and as a greater part of those staples
were manufactured at a mill nt Phillipsburg, an
investigation was at once made in that direction,
and the following facts were elicited, greatly to
the surprise of every one, the millerhimsell in
cluded : It appears that the proprietor of the
mill had gained an enviable notoriety for the
superior quality of his flour and meal. Aside
from this, lie exported largely, so that the mill,
which lias four sets ot stones, was kept con
stantly going—by night, aq well as by day. One
set of t hese stones were set apart for his “ cus
tom ” work. This was an old set, constantly
needed repairs, and large cavities frequently
manifested themselves, which, instead of being
tilled up with the cement, generally used for that
purpose were tilled with common lend. Some
of these holes were as large as lien’s eggs, one
being as large as the palm of a man’s hand. Os
course the attrition caused by the velocity of the
stones detached particles of lead from the stone
and mingled them almost imperceptibly with
ihe flour. It is believed that to every pound of
flour there was enough lead imparted to make a
small buck shot. Bread made of this flour was
, hut little better than bread spread with white
lead.
Were it. not for the fact that the lead was
taken in such large quantities as to produce a
a counter state of action, hundreds would have
died helore the cause could be discovered. As
soon as it became apparent that the disease
sprang from the bread ol which the sufferers
had partaken, Dr. Darrance and Mr. King, a
very skilful chemist of Middleton, at once de
termined to analyse the Hour. Samples were
procured, and to their astonishment they found
that the lead could be discerned with Ihe naked
eye. All the flour which had come from the
mill, and could he found, was immediately re
turned, hut the mischief was already done.—
The young and old were stricken down, those
who were aifleieted with any chronic disease
being the greatest sufferers. Os course, a panic
was the result, and the doctors were kept busy
day and night. Ido not. care to pain your read
ers with a recital of the terrible agonies endured
by these unfortunate people, but the scenes
throughout a radius of twenty or thirty miles
of the country were truly heartrending. Only
j those who have suffered can form any idea of
[ the horrors of the inward fires which were eon
, Burning the patients, or the agonizing cramps
j contracted every muscle of their weakened
j frames. To-day i have visited most, of the lead
's iug physicians here, and find that the cases
treated from the middle of March to the present
j time number 313. This only includes the re
t gion in the immediate vicinity of Middleton,
and docs not embrace Goshen and its environs,
hut I am informed that, there have been over
one hnndred cases in that neighborhood.—
On of the sad cases here is that of Col. Wick
ham ; Justice of the Peace, and his wife. He
will probably never recover fully tronx the ef
fects, and Mrs. Wickham, who has for a long
time been in delicate health, is wasting away to
the grave under the influence of this frightful
poison. A well known employee of the Erie
Railroad Company has died from its effects. A
child of Dr. Johnson has also died. I could till
two pages of your paper with facts which I
have obtained here to-day in relation to this
peculiar case of wholesale poisoning. lam in
formed that a large quantity of the poisoned
flour was sent, to New York city to be made
into starch. If it had been made into that article
all is well, luit. if speculators have placed it in
the market for sale, the citizens shall soon sec
the effects. At any rate it is the duty of the
Board of Health to take some steps to ascertain
if that flour is in the market now. Early in the
morning 1 leave for the mill, to see the miller
and obtain additional facts in relation to this sad
affair. Scores of men, whoa few weeks ago
were in the full enjoyment of health and
strength, are ruined for life and totter to and
fro, their faces haring the appearance of drv
parchment; their eye sunken and encircled by
a dark ring; their lips blue, their muscles con
tracted and their limbs distorted ; lor them to
move is intense pain ; relapse follows relapse
till in time they snCeuinb to the effects of this
fearful malady. B. 8.0.
Tiie Poems op Henry Tim rod, Ksq. —The
desire is general throughout tlu* country that
Mr. Timrod shall give to the world another vol
ume of his poems, so .well known and widely
read, especially during the war. if this desire
will assume a practical shape, and if parties de
siring to subscribe for the hook (say one dollar
and a half, to be paid on its delivery,) will send
their jinnies to this otllce; or if any of the.
agents of the Smith Carolinian will net as
agents for the book, at a reasonable percentage
on the above minted price, we may soon ac
cumulate subscribers enough to make the en
terprise pay its author. It is proper to add
that, although associated hi the conduct of the
South Carolihian, Mr. Tim rod is not aware of
the penning of this paragraph.
There is not a poet in the South who has
written sweeter lines, touched tenderer chords,
or aroused stronger emotions in the heart than
the above named gentleman, and his friends
will unite with us in saying that a publication
of the kind referred to, will not only lie a valua
ble addition to literature in general, but it will
illustrate in particular the best literature of the
South, in which our people take pride.
[ South Carolinian , sth.
The Poor Boy.— Don’t be ashamed, my lad,
it vou have'a patch on your elbow; it isvio
mark of disgrace. It, speaks well lor your in
dhstrious mother. For our part we would
rather see a dozen patches on your jacket than
hear one profane or vulgar word from your lips,
or to smell the fumes of tobacco in your breath.
No good boy will shun you because you cannot
dress as well as your companion, and If a had
boy sometimes laughs at your appearance say
nothing, my good lad, but walk on. We know
many a rich and good man who was once as
poor as you. Fear God, lay I oy, and if you are
poor, but. honest, you will be respected a great
deal more than if you were the son of a rich
man, and were addicted to bad habits.
A Lost Art Re-discovered,—A corres
pondent of the Cincinnati Gtofh* states that a
Mr. Dismati, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, has
discovered a process of hardening copper, an
art whieh has been lost since the days of King
Solomon. It is well known that the ancients
possessed the art of hardening copper and mak
ing it equal to the best of steel, but for nearly
threfe thousand years all knowledge bf the
method has been in oblivion.