Newspaper Page Text
'i'll E CONSTITUTIONALIBT.
JAMES GARDNER, JR.
T ERItIS.
Daily, per annum, . .$8 00
Tn-W eekly, p«r annual, 6UU
if paid in advance, 5 00
W eekly, per annum,.. . 3 00
If paid in advance,. 2 60
$3" All new subscriptions must be paid in advance.
2Cri’n.stage must be paid on ail Communications
and Letters of business.
[From the National Intelligencer.]
TENT MIN TH CON GRES S.
SECOND SESSION.
Washington, Dec. 8, 1846.
IN SENATE.
The Senate met at 12 o’clock, pursu
ant to adjournment, and immediately af
ter the usual ceremony of the reading of
the Journahof yesterday’s proceedings, a
Message., in writing, was received from
the President of the United Stales. The
Message having been read
On motion of Mr. Speight, it was
j ßevolved, That 3,500 copies of the
message and 1,500 copies of the accom
panying documents and message be print
editor the use of the Senate.
On motion the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
The Journal of yesterday was read.
Mr. Boyd, on leave introduced a bill to
increase the pay of the non-commissioned
officers, musicians, and privates of the
Army of the United States, and the mili
tia and volunteers in the service of the
same, and allowing them bounty land
in certain cases.
Mr. Brodhead, by consent, introduced
the following resolution, which was read
and agreed to:
Resolved, (the Senate concurring.)
That a joint committee of three members
of each House be appointed ro direct and
superintend lire expenditure of all moneys
Appropriated for the purchase of hooks for
the Library of Congress, and all such
oilier matters pertaining to the said Li
brary not otherwise provided for by law.
Mr. Sawyer, on leave, gave notice that
he would, on to-morrow or some subse
quent day, introduce a bill to graduate
end reduce the price of tlie public lands,
and for other purposes.
The president s annual message.
A message was received from the
President of the United Slates, by the
hands of Mr. James K. Walker, his pri
vale Secretary. The message having
been read—
Mr. Brodhead moved the following res
olution :
Resolved , That the Mcssageof the Presi
dent of the United States be referred to
the Committee of the Whole on the state
of the Union, and that fifteen thousand
copies with, and twenty thousand without
the accompanying documents, be printed
for the use of the House.
Mr, Jacob Thompson moved to strike
out the words “and twenty thousand icilh
out.”
Mr. Payne expressed his earnest hope
that the amendments moved by the gentle
man from Mississippi would not prevail.
Mr. Smith, of Illinois, moved to amend
the amendment by ordering the printing
of five thousand copies in the German
language ; and, after a few remarks, he
asked for the previous question.
The amendment proposed by Mr. Jacob
Thompson was then agreed to.
So the House ordered 15,000 copies of
the message to be printed with the docu
ments, and none without.
Mr. Garrek Davis now rose and ob
served that there was one point in the
message which he did not consider as
sufficiently explicit. He could have
tvished that the President had given the
llouse some further information in regard
to it. He regretted exceedingly that the
document contained no satisfactory state
meet on the subject alluded to. He then
asked leave to submit the following reso
lution :
Resolved, That the President comma
tlicale to this House any and all orders or
Instructions to General Taylor, General
Wool, General Kearney, Captain Sloat,
Captain Stockton, or any other officer of
the Government, in relation to the estab
lishment or organization of civil govern
ment in any portion of the territory of
Mexico which has or might be taken pos
session of by the army or navy ot the
United Slates; also, what forms of gov
ernment such officers, or either of them,
may have established and organized, and
whether the President has approved and
recognized said Governments.
Objections being made, Mr. D. moved
that the rules be suspended, that the reso
lution might be received; and on that sub
ject he demanded the yeas and nays,
which were ordered by the House.
But before they were taken the House
adjourned»
I Correspondent of the Baltimore Patriot.]
Washington, Dec. 9, 1846.
IN SENATE.
The Report of the Secretary of the
Treasury was laid before the Senate by
the presiding officer, and lbs iisual num
ber of copies ordered to be printed.
The Secretary of the Senate made a
report respecting the sums paid to Blair
& Rives for public printing.
After notice had been given by Mr.
Woodbridge and Mr. Breese, of their
intention to introduce bills relating to the
public lands. On motion, the Senate ad
journed.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The resolution of Mr. Ganett Davis,
offered yesterday, calling upon the Pres
ident for a copy of ail orders and instruc
tions given by the Government to Generals
Kearney, Wool and Taylor,,and to Com
modores Sloat and Stockton, respecting
the establishment of civil territorial gov
e fitment in Mexico, being first in order,
Mr. Haralson rose and observed that if
the resolution were amended, and he pro
posed that it should be, so as to make the
call, provided it should not, in the estima
tion of the Executive, be incompatible
with the public good he would not oppose
it.
Mr- Davis advocated his resolution at
some length, and commented with warmth
upon the extra Ordinary proceedings of
General Kearney, and Commodores Sloat
and Stockton. He denied that there was
any law or constitution for such proce
dures.
Mr. Douglass defended the conduct of
the said officers, and maintained that they
had done only their duly, even if the
President had not instructed them at all
in the mailer. They had acted as they
ought to act to protect the people of the
territory they had conquered, and in
justice to the United States. He called
upon the gentleman from Kentucky to
know whal he would have done under
the circumstances —if our Government
and if the law of nations had not sanction
ed procedures like those he complained
off
Mr. Davis rejoined and pointed out the
distinction between establishing military
and civil authority. He conceded the
right for a general or a naval commander
to establish a temporary military govern
ment over the territory he might conquer,
but not a permanent civil government, as
General Kearney and Commodore Stock
ton had done—and it was to ascertain
whether they had acted in this matter
under the President’s instructions or not,
that he had submitted his resolution of
inquiry. He cited the fact that General
Taylor had conquered a large portion of
the territory of Mexico, but bad made no
attempt to establish a civil or territorial
government over it, while General Kear
ney and Commodores Sloat and Stockton,
who had had no battles and conquered no
territory, were issuing proclamations and
establishing civil governments over vari
ous Slates in Mexico.
Mr. Rhelt followed and maintained that
agreeable to the law of nations the ter
ritory in question was only ours by mill
tary acquisition and therefore the gov
eminent established by Kearney, Sloat
and Stockton could bear none oilier than
a military character.
Mr. Schenck followed in a very ani
mated and caustic speech for an hour, in
which he viewed and commented upon
“progressive democracy,” as illustrated
by the present Administration, and by the
President’s message, w ith great eloquen
ce, ability and clearness.
Mr. Winfhrop next took the floor, and,
after agreeing in part with the views
advanced by the gentleman from South
Carolina (Mr. Rhetf) reviewed and com
mented upon certain passages of the Presi
dent’s message in terms eloquent and
scathing in the highest degree.
Mr. Holmes, of S. Carolina, followed
and took ground against both his colleague
and the gentleman last up. in regard to
the true import ot Valtel’s law of nations.
He thought the enquiry was proper and
that the President ought to be allowed to
inform Congress whether or not he au
thorised and sanctioned the conduct of
Kearney and Stockton. He hoped for
the honor of lire President that he had not
authorised it.
Mr. Darragh tlext obtainned the floor,
and it being near three o’clock,
On motion the House adjourned.
{Correspondence of the Bald more Clipjwr.]
Washington, Doc. 10, 1846.
SENATE.
Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Tustin. Read
ing of the Journal.
The Vice President laid before the
Senate a report from the Secretary of
War with the names of the killed and
wounded in the battles of Palo Alto and
Resaca de la Palma. Ordered td be
printed.
Mr. Crittenden offered a resolution in
structing the committee on Military Af
fairs to report a bill increasing the pay
of the officers and men of the Army, and
volunteers during the war; and also
granting certificates of merit to those who
distinguished themselves. Laid over.
The Vice President laid before the
Senate the annual report on the jCoast
survey. Ordered to be printed.
Also the annual accounts of the Unit
ed States. Ordered to be printed.
Mr. Yulee gave not ice of his intention
to introduce a bill to establish a dry dock
at Pensacola.
Mr. Crittenden gave notice of a bill
making appropriations for the removal
of obstructions in the Westesn rivers.
Mr. D. H. Lewis offered a resolution
authorizing the Vice President to appoint
the standing commillee of the Senate—
which the Senate proceeded to consider.
Mr. Westcolt opposed if, and wished
the commillee to be appointed by ballot
as usual.
Mr. Lewis urged its adoption.
Mr. Mangum opposed it on the same
mounds as lie had done at the last ses-
D
sion.
Mr. Lewis withdrew the resolution
from sympathy with the reasons alleged
—but "a desire being expressed that it
should not be withdrawn, the question
was put and a division had—yaes 18,
noes 23.
Mr. Sevier moved that the Senate pro
ceed to ballot lor committees on Monday,
at 10 o’clock; which motion was agreed
to.
Mr. Ashely gave notica of a bill rela
tive to pre-emption rights—and also sun
dry other hills local to Arkansas.
Mr. Cameron’s resolution, offered yes
terday, authorizing the committee on
military affairs to report a bill for the re-
Hefcflhe volunteers—that is, to increase
the allowance for their expenses prior to
reception into service, was adopted.
The Senate resolved to appoint the
joint library committee with the House.
Mr. Semple offered a resolution to call
on the President for information relative
to the mode in which the volunteers’ let
ters are conveyed, aud whether any leg
silation is required to facilitate their
speedy transmission.
On motion, resolved, that when the
I Senate adjourn, they adjourn until Mon
day.
The Senate then went into executive
: session, and after a short time, adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Mr. Davis modified the resolution here
tofore submitted by him, enlarging the
scope, and asking whether civil govern
ment has been established by Gen. Kear-
I ney in the limits of the Slate of Texas,
and what specific object the President has
in prosecuting the war, and suggesting
that lie shall communicate such informa
tion as he may deem expedient to the
House, Silling with closed doors.
Mr. Darragh, of Pa., contended that
i the commanders of the army and navy
had no right to establish civil government
n o
in the conquered provinces.
The laws of nations justified merely
the power to protect themselves, and this
power was military, nothing more.
Mr. Stanton contended that the esta-
I blishment of civil government in the con
'' quered provinces was a matter of favor
; —instead of ruling by the right of the
sword.
Mr. Secldon said that the estiblishmerit
of civil government there was due to self
| defence; but now the civil forms adopted
were in the control of Congress, vvlio mo
dify, at their pleasure.
Mr. Woodward contended that the corn
rnander has a right to protect his army,
j but that he could only do so by martial
law.
The House adjourned until Monday
next.
[Freni the N. O. Picayune , Dec. 9.]
LATER FROM THE SQUADRON.
The 11. S. revenue schooner Forward,
11. B. Nones, Esq., commander arrived
yesterday from Tabasco, via Alvarado
and Tampico. The Forward left the
latter port on Friday, the 4th inst., and
anchored at (lie S. VV. Pass on the even
ing of the 7th, making the run in seven
ty-two hours from Tampico.
Lieut. vV. B. McLean, oflhe Forward
arrived in the city this morning, on a
towboat, with despatches from Com. Con
ner to our Government.
The Forward left at Tampico fonr gun
boats captured at Tabasco, the steam
schooner Spitfire, the Nonata and schoon
er Mahone, Com. Conner’s flag being
hoisted on the latter. For interesting
naval intelligence by this arrival we re
fer to the annexted report, for which we
are indebted to Capt. Nones. The coun
try will hail with pleasure the signs of
activity now exhibited by the squadron;
1 On the night of the 26ih of November,
; about midnight, the U. S. brig Corners,
then layiag at Greens Island, son 1 ’ or five
miles distant from Vera Cruz, sent a boat
with Lieut. Parker, Passed Midshipmen
Robt. Clay Rodgers aud J. R. Hynson,
with five men, and burned the Mexican
brig Creole, moored to the castle of San
c* 1
J uan.
The officers who distinguished them
selves on the night of the 26th November,
by burning the Creole, also succeeded it)
capturing seven Mexican prisoners. No
one injured except Passed Midshipman
Hynson, who was burned by filing his
pistol into some powder to set thebiig on
fire—he is doing well.
On the morning of tlie ‘2d December,
Corn. Perry sailed from Tampico on an
expedition not known, with the following
vessels of war: Steamship Mississippi,
' steamer Vixen, sloop John Adams and
schooners Bonita and Petrel. Corn. Con
ner, with the remainder of his force, will
in ail probability remain at Tmpico until
a sufficient number of troops arrive to
warrant his leaving. The health ot the
Commodore, officers and crew good.
Another Curiosity. — The last “Spirit
contains a catalogue of fresh curiosities,
one of which ought to have a conspicuous
place in the museum. It is nothing more
nor less than a “slab from the Marble
Halls the Bohemian girl drearn’t she
dwelt in.” The cabinet is now probably
filled.
Modesty and Mackerel. —The editor of
the Plymouth Rock mentioned an idea
which is prevalent in his neighborhood, to
the effect that the unusual scarcity of
I mackerel on the coast this year is occa
sioned by the great number of ladies prac
tising sea bathing in red flannels. Mack
erel, winds up the editor, are a very shy
and modest fish.
The Selma Reporter* (whig) speaks in
the following liberal manner of the return
of Col. Wm. R. King, to his home in that
county.
Hon. Win. R. King.—This gentleman
has returned to his home in this county.
He paid a visit to our town this week, and
I many friends were proud to see him—his
i friends being all. Perhaps there is not a
man in the Union more personally popular
than Col. King. He lives in the a lie e lions
of all who know him—not because ol con
nection with party, but on account of
personal worth.
Not so Bad.—The Boston Whig says:
“We are now engaged in conquering a
peace — a very large piece —from Mexico.-
o^7”The waggish editor of the Caddo
■ Gazelle renders the old saw “that lakes
i the rag off the bush”—that abstraetts the
j dilapidated linen from the shrubbery.
The Prize. Conundrum. —The beauti
fully chased silver cup, offered by the
Ethiopian Serenaders for the best conun
drum, w’as awarded on Sunday night, by
the prize committee aud the unanimous
voice of the audience at the St. Charles
Theatre, to Mr. J. C. Higgins. We are
glad of the decision, apart from its justice,
as Mr. Higgins is a worthy fellow, and
has long been connected wilh both the
CD
theatre and the press. 'The conundrum
was—,‘Why is it that, since the battle of
Monterey, Uncle Sam has become such
a general favorite? D’ye give it up?—
Becau>e his general worth (Gen. Worth )
has been duly appreciated.— Delta , De
cember 8.
The Preside ni's Message is received lie re
with general favor. Ills vindication of the
course of the Administration in regard to
Mexico, has convinced many who were be
fore unconvinced, that the war is fairly
chargeable upon the Mexican government.
There is however a universal desire that it
should be speedily terminated;—a desire
which we have no doubt is shared in by the
Government, as well as the people.— N. Y.
Journal of Commerce , Dec. 10 th.
Fatal Affray. —A Fracas occured in the bar
room attached to the Theatre, on Friday n ght
last, during which a man named Robert
Untack was stuck by Thos. Delane; the
keeper of the establishment. Lniackdied at
an early hour yesterday morning Irmn the
effect ot the wound.— Charleston Courier 14
ins I.
Tampico. —Major Gardiner, 4th Artil
lery, commanding at Fort Polk, (Point
Label) gave notice on the 20th ult-, that
Tampico was under the most stringent
martial law, and that no citizen whatever,
not connected by contract with tlie mili
tary service, would be allowed at or in
the vicinity of Tampico, and that no sut
ler would be permitted to send goods
thither, unless called for by the com
manding officer of that place. “Spirituous
liquors attempted to be conveyed and ;
trading vessels going there will be sub- j
jected to all tlie hgcr of existing orders ;
applying to the Rio Grande.”
Mountain Howitzers , —We have in our |
office a lithographic piate of the mountain i
howitzer intended to be used by bur army
in its operations against Mexico. This how- i
itzer, and all the parts appertaining thereto, |
are packed on faur.-es, and can, therefore, be j
conveyed with facility over roads, and
through passes inaccessible to ordnance j
mounted on wheels.— Charleston Courier,
14 th inst.
The amount of contributions in New
Orleans for the benefit of Kelly, tire faith
ful teamster of Ringgold, is stated ats24s,
the proceeds ofcollections made at the Ro
tunda and other places, aud was presented
to him by a committee ofgentlemen* The
amount raised by the spontaneous liber- !
ality of a few gentlemen here in an hour,
was about 'B2&U.
The case of this gallant man is pecu
liar. His term of service had expired
before the battle, but, at the desire of ’
Ringgold, who long trusted him, he vol
unteered to go into the battle with him, ;
driving bis artillery team He lost his
arm in the battle, and what wounded his
heart more deeply, he lost his friend. — |
Nut being legally in the service, he has j
no right nnder the law, to a pension— :
hence the strong interest fell to make j
some comfortable provision for him.
We have omitted to state heretofore j
that the body of Lieut. Cocltranee does
not accompany that of Major Ringgold.
It shared the honors of the funeral pro
cession in New Oi leans, but remains
there lo be transported to Philadelphia by I
sea, pursuant to the direction of his family.
—Mobile Register.
A Spanish Beauty.— The Duke de j
Montpensier’s bride, Duma Louisa, is
thus described in a French journal :
“Never did a more delicate or finer flow
er bloom under the rays ot a Castilian
sun. Her form is of a wasp like slen
derness, her hand like an infaiu’s ; her
foot is small and delicately arched us
that of the gazelle ot the desert ; her ,
cheeks have the color of a layer of snow
slightly tinted with strawberry juice, as if
the incomparable Marid sun had cast |
upon this snow its purple reflection. Don- j
na Louisa’s large eyes sparkle like two
rubies encased in two topazes, beneath
the slight arch ofher ebon eyebrows. Her
air and demeanor ate noble. In a
wotd, the young Infanta, who has seen
but fifteen springtimes, is thoroughly
French and Parisian iti all that pertains ,
lo grace and sparkling wit.”
Maine. —Another trial for the choice of
Representatives in the fourteen vacant dis
tricts took place last Monday. The only one
heard from, is Limerick, Cornish and New
ficld, which has elected a Democrat. This
makes the House stand, thus far, 09 Demo
crats, and 69 Whigs and Abolitionists, in
cluding the member from Madawaska, whose !
politics are in dispute. In the Senate there
is a Democratic majority ol live; and conse- ,
quently, as parties now stand, a Democratic
majority of live on joint ballot. The remain
ing districts will probably increase that nia- i
jority. The vacancies in the Senate, eigh- |
teen in number, will be filled by the two
Houses in convention. Consequently, it j
may be presumed that the final Democratic
majority on joint ballot will be from 25 lo 30.
—Journal of Commerce , Dec. 11.
A Growing Country. —xi vessel cleared at the
New York Custom House for Tampico, coast
wise. This implies that Tampico is regarded as
part of the United States, —Journal of Com
merce, I Ilk inst.
[From tke Portland Argus.]
The tanlf of ‘42 protected Monopoly at the ex
pense ofthe masses. The tarill of‘4fi protects the
masses, but not at the expense of monopoly. The
latter to be sure, may find their monstrous profits
diminished, hut they will still make more thanany
other class of the people. As a proof ot this, we
need but refer to the new factories that are spring
ing up, almost magically, to commence operations
under the new tariff’s,.
The war has but just commenced on this ques
tion “A Protective TaritT : ’ will bo the battle
cry ofthe Whigs in 1848. The democracy will
be prepared to meet them on that issue. The
people have gained a point from which they will
never recede. Wc are willing to submit that
matter to the ballot box. '
“And though his life has past away,
Like lightning on a stormy day.
Yet shall his death hour leave a track
Os glory, permanent and bright,
To which the brave of after limes,
The suffering hrave shall long look back,
With proud regret.”
The body of the lamented Ringgold, in charge
of the Baltimore committee, reached this city
yesterday by the Orgoa from New Orleans.
They were reverently deposited in the city Ar
mory, where they were visited timing the few
hours oflneir slay by multitudes, anxious to pay
them the tribu e of respect. The Mayor, by
band-bill, made known to the public the presence
of these sacred relics, and announced the hour at
which they would be removed to the boat.
At four, all the military companies of the city
were out in fall unitbani, and escorted the Fmicra
Cortege to the H. Kinney, upon which they are
to be carried up the river. The Revenue Cutter,
Captain Harby, lired minute guns during ttie
procession—the hells of the city lulled a funeral
dirge —and, notwithstanding the state of toe
streets from the storm of ram. a respectable body
of citizens followed the hearse!
The Ba timore Committee, by Maj Griffiths, on
their departure, acknowledged, in a feeling man
ner, the reception they had met wi li in rViohik*.
Sargeant Kel y, the faithful teamstsr of Ringgold,
who lost his arm on the day Ringgold was killed
having volunteered for the love of ids command
er, after his term of service was out—was remem
bered. One of our public spirited citizens, Mr
Ellis, passed a paper round,and in an hour or two
codec led tiie sum of $250, which he presented to
the maimed soldier on the boat —a testimonial
richly merited by bis generous and affectionate
gallantry. —Mobile Hcj inter.
AUGUSTA. GEO..
TUESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 15, lcH6.
o*The United States Gazette announces
that it is understood that Lieut. G. H. Tal
cott is to lake command of the Howitzer and i
Rocket Company, now being organized for i
the Mexican War.
Lieut. T. was for time in command
of tiie Arsenal near this city, and is favorably i
known to our community. He has here
many warm friends, who feel confidence in
his proving an efficient and gallant com
mander.
Xy Both branches of Congress adjourned on |
Thursday, the 10th lust., to meet again on the |
14th, {yesterday.)
O’We have seen a letter from one of the !
Old ’9(i Boys, to a friend at Hamburg, from
which we are permitted to make the follow
ing extract. It needs no comment from us,
but it discloses a want of hospitality which
is by no means gratifying to the friends of
tiie gallant volunteers:
Charleston, Dec. 3 3rh, 1846.
My dear Friend—l lake this most favora
ble opportunity of writing to you. We ar- !
rived safe and sound in the city and imme
diately took up our quarters on tae grounds
near the Citadel. The people iri Charleston
did by no means show their generosity as ’
did the people in Hamburg: They did not even i
cheer us with a glass of grog, and the first j
night we lav on the cold ground: without
G J
even a blanket or oven straw.
CHURCH HARMONY.
That was a happpy thought ot ours to is
sue a paper on Sunday morning, and we are ;
pleased to find that it is popular with our city j
subscribers. We now go occasionally to ,
Church, and we can sit comfortably and IF- j
ten to a good sermon and fine Church music,
without having our mental vision disturbed i
by apparitions of huge piles of exchange pa
pers in yellow wrappers, waiting to be open
ed and ransacked for news, and of ink-be
grimed compositors standing around our \
editorial table crying for “copy/’ while we
sit as perplexed as JSam Weller was des
cribed to be, with pen brandished and finger S
in mouth, looking intensely into the vacant
but for an idea, and exclaiming
“What shall I write ? ”
It was in that placid frame of mind which
the consciousness of exemption fur one day
from these diurnal requisitions ot printer's
devils, would produce upon an Editor, who is
also willing to be exempt from a too close
proximity to their great namesake, we went I
a few Sabbaths since to that venerable house
of worship, the Presbyterian Church.
As we took a seat amidst that respectable
and orderly congregation—as we saw and
felt the air of repose from Hie cures of life,
and the toils and strifes of the world it pre
sented, and thought of the contrast to every
wearv hour we had spent amidst the harass
ing care of political editorship in the conduct
of a daily paper, those beautiful lines rose
to our memory, commencing
“There is an hour of peaceful rest.”
Yes, indeed, thought we, This is an hour
of peaceful rest: And when rich volumes
of music pealed from tiie large organ and
rolled 'along those solemn aisles in de_
Jightfui concord with the fine voices of the
well practised choir, imagination rose with
that swelling tide of harmony and plumed
its lightning wings for a flight afar off into
ideal realms. It flew back with magic speed
to the “green fields of childhood.” It re
called childhood’s happy thoughts and im
pressions, when at that impressible age we
sat in the same spot, with our little head
filled with Sunday School lessons and our
little pockets stlifted full of tracts and
caiechsms. And we contrasted our primitive
ideas of life, of the world, its pleasures and its
dangers, its temptations and its snares—of the
few good people and the many bad people in
it—and how delightful a paradise it would
be if we would eschew the worldlings and
their vanities and strifes, and learn to live
and move amid that purer and higher circle
of society who fashion their walk and con
duct upon the divine injunction,
“Peace on earth, good will towards men.”
In comparison with these thoughts, how
petty and vain, “how stale, flat and unprofit
able” seemed the dull reality of manhood,
with childhood’s pure and glowing hopes—
how turbid the stream, compared to the lim
pid current of its early years—how sullen
and dark its flow, compared to the once placid
surface which mirrored the bright morning
sun, and the fresh flowers of life.
Tiiese w ere wholesome, as they were plea
sant reveries. We felt while indulging in
them, that even to grown up children ling
would be a very pleasant world, and its sur
laco would reflect pleasant images, if memo
ry would be only present, always, to conjure
tip with talismamc wand those early impres
sions of childhood. We certainly felt im
proved by our reflections.
vOur) “bosom” Lord sat lightly on his throne,”
and the assistant editor (i/e. our scissors)
repo-ed quietly in our vest pocket without
seeming to pnek us on to cut out bitter ar
ticles against our Whig friends. We would
feel even some “compunctious visilings of’
conscience” for harsh things written occa
sionally about them, and fully persuaded our
self that there were a good many clever fel
lows and good citizens among them, and that j
Democracy while it goes lota cveto against
monopoly, did not have a monopoly of the
patriotism.
We al.-o came to the conclusion that it
was a good thing for Editors to go occasion
ally to church, to leant charity and forget
strife. We do not recommend the Fresby
terian Church particularly. Some other will
do quite as well, particularly in these coulee,
tiuus times.
THE BEMI-ANNUAL PAR VliE OF THE
FIRE COMPANIES.
Next to the President’s Message, which
reached us only the night before, we felt
constrained to chronicle the parade of the
Fire Department of Augusta. The sensa
tion produced by the former document, took
complete possession of the public mind du
ring the morning of Saturday; whether in
praise or in commendation, we will not now
conjecture. All we have to say now is that
without distinction of party the whole broth
erhood of Firemen, assembled at their several
places of parade on Saturday evening to
commemorate tbeir semi-annual parade. Dis
tinguished in that array, was the Hamburg
Fire Company, under the command ot their
President Mr. Robinson, who with a frater
nal feeling that heeds not the conventional
lines which divide sovereign Stales, came
among us, as a part of us, and played no
obscure part in the exercises of the evening.
The companies formed on Green-street
and marched into Broad to the enlivening
strains of music, and thence to the front of
La Fayette Hall. Ranged in a circle, tho
several companies played oflT, concentrating
their strength on a single point, and as the
various jets d'eau mingled their sparkling
waters, upon which the evening sun shed iis
parting lustre, it seemed a fit emblem ot that
fraternal union which unites the whole
brotherhood of firemen. Nature has marked
upon the earth which boundaries divide
States, but the current of social life flows
free and untrammelled, and the stream of the
Savannah is but a type of that mystic tye (
which reminds the citizens of Hamburg and
Augusta that in the hour of danger they are
as but one community.
All tiie fire companies were represented
on 'he occasion, and did credit to their re
spective sections. But we cannot forbear
paying a compliment to the gallant appear
ance of the Hamburg Fire Company, who
were out in full force, and whose showy uni
form of green and White, were suggestive of
the most pleasing associations. The ci de~
r ant Neptune, No. 1, appeared under their
new title of the Washington Fire Company,
with the venerated Father of our Co no try
admiraJdy painted by that accomplished ar
tist Mr, \V. Wilson, upon their engine. It
will hereafter be known as the Washington
I'ire Company.
'Fiie Independent, 2nd Division has also
undergone somewhat of a metamorphosis,
and appears like a butterfly from the chry
salis as the Mechanic, No. 2. The engine
looked beautiful and showed to great advan
tage.
Nothing can be more gratifying than these
exhibitions, and we have noticed this, even
amidst the press of most important milters,
as evidence that there are some who even
amidst tiie storm and tempest of popular ex
citement, are not unmindful of the gratitude
due the brave and energetic protectors o( our
fire sides and our (tomes.
tTThe following comments on the Presi
dent's Message, arc from the New \ork
Sun, a neutral paper, and one that has the
largest circulation in tiie United States.
The great mass of its readers will accord
with the justness of its criticism and the pro
priety of its comments. 'l’hey speak the
sentiments of the great body of the people,
and the prediction will unquestionably be
verified which the editor makes. “The con
scientious firmness exhibited by President
I*ol k must eventually outride the jarring ele
ments which now surround him.”
We have no doubt also of the correctness
of the following prediction: “His (the Presi
dent's) recapitulation of the historical facts
bearing on the question, and bis simple ear
nestness, must conduce even those who for
private motives have no desire of conviction ,
that oar present stand against Mexico is a
necessity which she has forced upon ns."
JSuch will be the eniighted judgment not
only of the American people, but ot an im
partial world. Every true patriot should re
joice in such a consummation,
“The President's Message. —This docu
ment is now before our readers. In reading
it, one reflection must occur to all.— Fbc
classical simplicity and perspicuity,that mark
sthe statesman only studious for the general
good. How unlike the pompous addresses
of “We, Autocrat of all the Russias;’ and
the stdflv studious mandates that emanate
, from the thrones of royalty. Whatever may