Newspaper Page Text
or.Hklfrniion the intoaPßt of the State in the
Card Factory.
HOUSE.
Pattbdat January 20.
The Speaker cf the House being granted
leave of absence on account of sickness. Mr.
Petti war < iected to the chair. On taking his
seat he spoke as follows : Gentlemen of the
IIou:-e, I return you my eincere thanks for the
honor you Lave conferred on me. and bespeak
in advance, of you, ycur indulgence for any er
rors I may commit while acting as ycur tem
porary presiding officer. The House aid now
proceed with the regular order
The annexed resolution;! wero adopted :
appointing a joint committee of three from
the Hou«« and two from the Senate
to take into consideration that portion
of the Governor’s message, relative to
the disposal of the State’s interest iu the Card
Factory ; r> questing His Excellency, the Gov
ernor, to request of His Excellency the Presi
dent of the United States, to restore to owntrs
of rs-al estate on Skidaway and Whitemarch
Islands, the !a ~da at present occupied Dy the
Fried men, under orders from General Sber
man ; requesting the resumption of inaiig on
the A'lantir arid Gulf railroad amended so as
to include the resumption of the mail service
over all route t in Georgia, adopted and trans
mitted forthwith to the Senate.
SENATE
Monday, January 22.
’1 lie annexed bills wore postponed : to au
thorize the sale of all lands in Okefenokee
sv/amp belonging to the State ; to authorize
any person maimed in tho war to peddle with
out a license ; to authorize H W L Craig to
practice medicine.
The annexed bills were passed : to require
certain criminal prosocutlons to bo nolle prono
qui; to repeal the acts amendatory of the
charter of the Macon and Western Railroad;
to aaiend the charter of the Dalton and Jack
sonviile, (Ala) Railroad ; to incorporate the
Georgia Express Company ; the House reso
lution requiring tho oponing of mail routes,
was passed.
iiili io allow 10 per cent interest to be col
iected if agreed upon. If more than 10 per
cent is contracted, only tho principal may be
collected. Where no rate is specified, the rate
of 7 per c ut is to be understood. The bill
was passed—yeas 25, nays 10.
HOUSE,
Monday, January 22.
The annexed bills,were introduced;: to change
the name of tho Milledgeville Railroad und
for otlier purposes ; to amend 4391 Section of
new Code of Georgia ;to amend Section 1770
of the new Code of Georgia ; to alter and re
peal certain Sections of the revised Code re
lating to tho payment of claims against the
estates of deceased persons; to repeal 742
Section of tho new Code of Georgia ; relating
to Bonds of Trustees ; to extend tho civil ju
risdiction of Courts in various counties of
this State ; to fix the Fees of Justices in the
Severn! counties in this State ; to change the
mode of empannelling Jurors for trial of
criminal cases ; for the relief of persons there
n named ; to pay expenses incurred in sup
pressing small pox in l’ike county, appropri
ates SISOO : amend Section 1385 of Code de
claring how estray property shall be sold ; to
authorize the Inferior Coupt to levy and- col
lect a tax to compensate P G Morro w and
others for expenses incurred in small pox
cases in Heard county ; to authorize sheriffs
or constables to pursue into any county per
sona charged with criminal offense, without
warrant being signed by a judicial officer ;
to amend section 4613, oi the Code; to incor
porate the Atlanta Canal and Water Works; to
incorporate the Atlanta Railroad Company,
und for other purposes; to authorizi all" per
sons engaged in the of medicene five
yeais prior to the first of January 1866, with
out license, to practice, charge and collect for
the same; to change the time of holding the
Court of Olay county, in the Pataula Circuit;
relating to the collection of executions in cer
tain cases; for tho relief of administrators, and
for other purposes; to incorporate the town of
Aornonburgb; to incorporate the Hydraulic
Compressing Cotton Press Company of Suvan
nan; to authorize the Inferior Court to pay
over the State Taxes of 186<i— one half for the
use of widows and orphans and the other half
to be appropriated to build a jail and court
house in Cults county; to amend the 1670 sec
lion of the Cede of Georgia; to cornpoH Rail
roads, Steamboats, and Express Companies t >
give r< ceipts tor freight when offered for traus
portation ; to authorize the county oi Cherokee
and other counties similarly situated to ap
propriate the State tax for 1866 for the erec
tion of Court Houses and Jails; to amend 2462
section of the Code; to define and establish the
sir Dames of the Freedmen and for other pur
poses; to authorize the Inferior Coutt of El
bert county to levy a tax for county purposes;
to incorporate the town of Elberton and to re
peal certain acts relating theroto; to repeal all
laws against the distillation of grain into spir
itous liquors; gtantiug certain privileges to
persons living along tho line ot W. and A.
R. R.
The annexed resolutions wero introduced :
requesting 'ha President to omit a portion of
the oath tube taken by Pos'musters ; in ro
lation to tho Confederate Cotton Loan ; in ro
terence to contracts made during the war, and
requesting tho Judiciary Committee to bring in
a bill to adjust all such contracts ; a resolution
instructing the Messenger to procure gunny
lagging, with which to cover tho tl >or ot the
Representative Hall, as soon as practicable.
SENATE
Tuesday, January 23.
An attempt to reconsider the rate of interest
bill was lost.
The annexed bills were introduced ; to pro
vide for the stay of executions ; to atnond the
Charter of the town ot Athens ; to amend the
2460th paragraph, part 2d, title 6tb, chapter 3d
of the (’ode—the bill provides that when all
the parties in interest reside in the county
where intestate dies, or where application is
made lor letters of administration, or letters
testamentary to allow citation to bo poifected
by giving wiitten notice of said application by
posting notice at the Court House door aud at
two other public places iu the couuty ; for the
relief ot maimed soldiers—it provides that the
State shall tutnish artificial limbs to such sol
diets ; to incorporate the Atlanta Street Rail
road Company, capital $150,000 ; to compen
sate Oidiu.-.rics for administering the Amnesty
oath ; to repeal Sectiou 3778 of the Code—it
allows parties at suit to be witnesses— the fact
ot their being interested to be considered in
giving credit to their testimony. Also a bill
to incorporate the Savannah Steamboat Com
pany with Insurance powers ; to incorporate the
Atlanta Loan Association ; to incorporate the
Savings Bunk of Augusta ; to make valid pri
vate contracts made during the war.
'liie Homestead bill, which was tbs special
order, v. as taken up anti alter some discussion
was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
HOUSE.
Tuesday, January 23.
The t evolutions of Mr. Frasier, relating to
the modification of the Test Oath iu Reference
to the Postmasters, were referred to the Com
mute- on State of the Republic.
A resolution to bring on the election of U.
S. Seuc.tors was offered, but was lost for want
of three foul th vote.
An effort was made to take up the Senate
resolution bringing on tho election of Supreme
Judges to-day was unsuccessful.
Bills on second reading being the Older of
day. quite a number of bills were read aud re
(erred to appropriate Committees.
Ihe resolution was passed in reference to
claimants upon the State Read for services
renders and under the contract of J. \\ G’eun
The resolution authorises claimants' to‘ make
out the r claims and present them at cnco.
SENATE.
Wednesday, January 24.
The Hons > resolution, authorising the Gov
ernor to pros vu' .• the claims of the State to
cotton captured iu Savannah by the Federal
army, was < ike ; up ..ml adopted.
beats on the li. i ot the beuaic wore tender
ed to Samuel Barnet and L. C. Bieckly, Esq ,
Commissioner;, :u pointed to prepare a code (ox
tltegoverr.un ;.t cl freedmen.
The special order of the day—the resolution
of the peuin 'diary system cf punishment was
tak-*u up aud discard but not acted upon.
Senate vou and to bring on the election of U.
S. Senators. Feb. 15.
A petition was received from Stephen D.
Boruet of the c. uuty cf Newton, which was re
ferred to the Committee on Petitions.
Mr. Stewart, of Spalding, was added to the
Committee on the Judiciary.
The anni zed bills tfcor
izug Justices of tin luf _‘ik>r Oojtt 11 fairtcw
county, to compromise with In d-n of Loads of
county ; to authorize budding , f Court House
ad Jail in Brrtow county ; to author z Supe
rior and Inferior Courts to ii i vacancies in
Board cf Trustees of Churches and Camp
Grounds ; to d<fino liabilities cf Guar and 0.-,,
Executors, &c ,to organ r ze a . swJu V.cial ti.
cuit to be called the Augu-t. Circuit :to pro
mote the agricultural in teres of G ■ rgii ; for
the relief of person - * practicing n:. ii i..e without
license ; to anthorze Justices of the Inferior
Court to grant rules nisi for foroc’osure oJ
mortgages in vacation ; to amend the Charter
of Newman ; to amend the CL: :rtcr of Atlanta ;
to incorporate the Gecreiaaod Alabama Min
ing and Petroleum Company ; io change the
name of the Confederate Marine and Fire
Company, and Fire Marin Aim jrauc- Company;
to require all bill* changing County lines to be
accompanied by diagrams show iag the change
to be made ; to compel Freed men to work ; to
exclude freedmen from other S:ate3 from this
State) to declare Olivia H. Wallace, the adopt
ep child of Stephen 15 Jcaos ; to require all
Railroads of this State to receive and forward
all freights offend on certai \ conditions ;to
nuthorizo Executors and Administrators to
employ hired labor and to ratify contracts ; to
provide for divisions of lands of estates ;to
regulate contracts with freedmen; to require
persons to take the amnesty o.rthjmfore entry ;
to prevent fire burning ; to . grant ieiief to the
Maiino Bank of Georgia ; to authorize and
require executors, administrators, &c., to m .ke
returns of Confederate and State securities
belonging to estates; to change the lino between
Irwin ar.d Miller was passed ; to alter the 2nd
and 3d eonetAeloaol Uiot-iolß, -O far ftc relates
to the county of Schley, was passed.
► TATE ITEMS.
Recently a soldier named James Hand killed
another named Patrick Welsh, at Columbus
Georgia.
Hon. Barrington Ivirg, died a few days
since from injuries received from the kick of
a vicious horse at Ih>weli.
Watrous, Judge Advocate of the military
commission for the trial of 6 ii Lamer, Jr.,
has received ciders from the Department Head
quarters to suspend further proceedings in the
caee. A nefv commission will probably be
organized withiD a few days, when tho trial
will be proceeded with.
Assistant Secretary of the Treasuavy, Chan
dler, is at Savannah, investigating cotton
frauds.
The troops stationed at Griffin are to be mus
tered out in a few days.
The aged wife o'John Lewis, Esq., of Sa
vannah, while attending ber invalid husband
one day recently, accidently set fire to her
clothing and was so shockingly burnt that sho
died in a few hours.
Alfred M. Nosbet has been ’ appointed by
Gov. Jenkins book keeper of the Peaitenfiaiy.
Some of the papers in this State are for
hanging people for burglary.
The bridges oa the State Road, between
Atlanta and Chattauooga will all be rebuilt in
a few days.
Biig Gen Robert H Anderson, late Corifer
ate Army, is Chief of the Police at Savannah.
Brigadier General A R Lawton is ip Savan
nah, and has entered upon the practice of bis
profession.
The 187th Ohio regiment, Col Dawson, sta.
tioned at Macon have been mustered out.
All the negro troops at Macon have also
been mustered out.
The Macon & Western railroad have given
five hundred dollars to the poor of Macon.
NEWS feUMMAUY.
Mr3. Grinder, the poisoner, was executed at
Pittsburg on the 19th inst. She made a full
confession on the gallows.
The new fifty cent notes have been issued
by the Treasury Department.
Now York furnished, during the war 473,-
443 volunteers.
A proposal for anew Presidential Mansion,
will soon bo submitted to Congress.
A company is now organizing in Chicago,
with«o capital of half a million dollars, to
build a cotton mill iu that city.
Tho Revereud Win C Blunt, of tho Metho
dist Church, Portsmouth, Va, was fatally shot
January 16th by an assassin
The Vera Cruz papers r. gnv ? „ V ~„ T n .- cer
tain between the United States and Frame on
Mexican affairs.
Several Ex-Confederate officers have ten
dered their services to tho Chilian Govern
ment.
Orders have been issued for the release of
R. B. Winder, late Quartermaster in the Con
federate States army. He was arrested through
mistake.
The South Carolina Legislature has passed a
law, giving the election of Presidential elec
tors directly to the people.
Very few applications for pardon are being
presented at the Attorney General’s office.
In one land office in Missouri, in December
last, 27,250 acres were taken for actual settle
ment. Ihe cash land sales amount to sß,°
262.
The North Carolina Legislature assembled
on January 18th.
General Butler’s reply to General Cjrant,
will soon appear in print.
It is surmised that the Reconstruction Com
mittee’s first report will propose an amend
ment to the Constitution.
The Parkersburg, Virginia oil refinory, was
destroyed by fire on January 18th.
Anew French evening paper, L'Eloile d’Ori
ent, has been started at Constantinople and is
conducted with much spirit.
The Prince and Pricee.-a cf Wales recently
paid a visit to Lord Suffield, and it cost that
nobleman $5,000.
Gen. Grant has taken up his. residence in
“Donglass Block,” Washington.
Hostile band’s cf Indians on the line of the
overland route to the Pacific have been com
mitting depredation upon emigrant trains.
The redemption divisiou of the Treasury
Department, has cancelled $150,000 in fract
ional and green back currency.
iwn an——
Se.MUKK OF HOGS PACKED IN THE WEST
FOR FIFTEEN YSAKS.
Believng it will bo interesting to the trade
to know the number cf hogs packed in (he
West, as reported by the Price Current the
past fifteen years, we have examined our files
and made up the following figures from
them. It Is evident that the returns were
not as full as they should have been for the
first three years, but the idea was then » ter
one, and a great deal of trouble was ex
perienced in obtaining them :
Years. No. of Hogs.
1849 50 1.('52 220
185 0 61 1,332,867 -
1851-52 .‘..1,482,840
1852 63 2,201,110
1853- 2,534,770
1854- 2,124.404
1855 56 2,489,502
1856- 2,818,468
1857- 2.210.778
1858- 1,465.552
1859- .2 350,822
1860 Cl e 2,155,702
861 62 2.893,668
1552-63 4 069,520
1863.64- 3,261.105
MILLKDLiEYILLK NEWS.
Tho daily sessions of the House exiends
from 9 a.m. to 2 p. m., and those oi the Senate
from 10 a. in. to 2 p. m. Thus the whole
afternoon of each day is left, and occupied, ioi
the present, in cancnssiog and electioneering.
It is very evident but litde business will be
done, until after ali fat offices are filled-
Miliodgeville letter writers think that there
is more working ability iu the Senate than
House ; ar.d more in the House who desire to
make speeches for bnneumb than in the Sen
ate.
Among tho prominent men at Middledgville
aie—Ex-Governor Joseph E. Brown, Hen. A.
H. Stephens, General Henry L. Beuuicg, Hon.
William H. Dougherty, Ceionei J. V. Ram
sey, Colonel Cinciunatus Peoples, Hon. John
D. Clark, Hon. Richard H. Clark, Ex-Pro*
visional Governor James Johnson. Hon.
Thomas P. Ssfield, Hon. Warren Aiken, Cap
tain George Uiiiyer. Hon. Joshua Hill, Hon
L'nton Stephens, Major JoLn T. Stephens.
Genera! L. J. Cartrell, Hou. D. A. Walker,
General JohD. K. Jackson, Hon. John Scbiey.
Hon. Richard F. Lyons, Colonel Joe lan, Col-
Lewis Tumiin, Hon. J. J. Fioyd, and Colonel
William Harris.
L StlEB FiiOMHOJf H. W HIUjIAHD
Wo republish from the Washington Chronicle
the faliowr.g letter from Hon. 11. W. Hilliard
;o a gentleman of New York, who is at this
time ri siling in Washington city ;
Mr Dear Sib : Your letter reached pte to
day. xou desire me to give yen my views cf
the state of the country. You are entitl.d to
the freest expression of my opinions upon all
su't j sets of public interest. Our long estab
ii h■ i political relations give you a claim cn
t.ie, independent of my high persona! regard.
for you
In tiro late momentous struggle, from which
the country is jus f recovering, you were at ibe
North, I was Lt the Sou h. We were borne
asunder by the tide of revolution, that rose so
high as to submerge the loftiest .monuments
reared by the old partie?of the Republic.
In the Titanic battle that for four ygars
shook this continent, those who had L.en pollt
icalallies up to that time, found themselves
rang 'd under different banners and maieha’ied
iu opposing ranks. Impelled by.y ;ur well set
tled opinions, your construction of the powers
of the Government, and your attachment to
the Union, you gave a prompt and vigproas
support to that Government.
I had been ih . firm friend of the Union. I
had declared, with all tho ardor of my nature,
in the presence of the representatives of all
the States, that no man should iiiake me cal
culate the value ti the Union.. I wag proud oi
my country. I had faith in * its government!
Even when the sectional party that had select
ed Mr. Lincoln for its chief, ascended the steps
ol the Capitol for the first time, with a!! the
pomp of a great national triumph, I was still
the steadfast friend of the Union. Opposed to
secession, confronting its leaders, I appealed to
ihe people to wait, to try the new Adrnfnistia
tiou, to respect the il ig of the country. I
insisted that every interest of the South would
be safer within the Uuidn than out of it. My
counsel was to make the great struggle for the
rights of the South within the limits of fire
Uuiofl. Not until the dread dinraiol war
opened, d:d I take part in any' act of hostility
to the Government of the United States.' Thou
sands, who, like myself, were opposed to the
wild measures that were precipitating the
country into the vortex of revolution, when
they saw the purpose of the Administration
clearly defined, and beheld the spectacle, for
the first time exhibited in this Republic, of the
General Government arming itself to coetce
States into obedience to its authority, took
their places under the new flag that was Heat
ing over the ranks of their kinsmen. They
believed that a great battle for constitutional
liberty was impending, and they could not re
sist the imperious sense of duty, and the gene
rous sentiment which impelled them to share
tho fortunes of the States of their nativity.
You triumphed. We had slaked everything
upon the field of battle, and wo lost everything.
But the annuls of the world can furnish noth
ing to compare with the spirit of our people
siuce the contest has ended. If the strife was
fierce, tho tranquility that succeeds it is quite
as remarkable as that which came down Upon
the sea of Galilee when the voice of the Lord
said, “Peace, be still”—suddenly there was a
great calm.
I have said that wo lost everything. It
would be better to say, that everything that
wo went to war to vindicate was lost. But
when tho war had ended, we found that we
had still a Goverumant and a country.
In the order of Providence we are able to
stand up and feel that, the Government cf the
United States, is our Government, and that the
whole country embraced within its limits is
our country. Tho Administration of President
Johnson, by a policy as wise as it is magaaui
mous, is rapidly restoring fraternal relations
between those who were lately engaged in
deadly strife. Hie Administration is charac
terized by a spirit so enlightened, so compre
hensive, so national, and so beneficent, that the
people of the South, with one common senti
incut of trust and loyalty, are prepared to give
it tj.ieir hearty support. They have already
recovered their ancient confidence and sense of
security in their Government,
Thß President, by a wise statesmanship, is
obliterating the traces of war. The military
force is disappearing be Tore the advance of the
civil authority. This pacific policy is working
admiiably; and while it's author, with steady
hand, is guiding it to perfect completion amidst
the taunts and execrations of the Radicals who
desire to impose military rule upon the South
lor many years to come, he is achieving a noble
fame by adhering to a system of restoration
eminently wise. He will go down to history
crowned with the imperishable laurels that/
encircle tho brows of those who promote the
triumphs of peace. He will take rank as the
Restorer of the Republic. Here, at the South,
we accept the results of our recent struggle—
slavery no longer exists. Whatever regrets
may be felt by some at its destruction, the
great body of our people are oppose-d to any
attempt to revive it in any form. It belongs
to the past. The folding doors of anew era arc
thrown wide open before us. We shall adjust
ourselves to its conditions I firrniy believe
that, in the course of ten years, the South will
exhibit a greater prosperity and a higher civil
ization than at any previous period of its
history. There will be fewer great plantations.
There will be a greater number of well-con
ducted farms, instead of the constant strain
upon the muscle of labor to produce tho largest
possible quantity ot cotton, rice, sugar, and
tobacco for the accumulation of immense for
tunes, there will be a diversified industry, in
creased comforts among a greater number of
human beings. There will be fewer autocrats,
but more baypy families. Something like this
I said to a friend seated by mo recently at a
table in Willard’s Hotel. He is one of our
wealthiest arid best men. He could nolagrie
wiffi me, and assured me that it would require
five hundred thousand dollars to make good
his losses by the results of the war.
But you observe that my friend’s standpoint
was the door of the handsome mansion that
overlooks his omn broad fields of labor aud
thrift. He had lost half a million—but the
State has not lost it. The blacks no longer
labor lor him, but they will henceforth be pro
ducers for themselves. The .Commonwealth
wilt not be impoverished by the new condi -
tions of the parties. Ali belong to tho State,
whatever may be their relations to each other.
This is the view that I would impress upon my
countrymen. Let them accept the order of
events cheerfully aud hopefully.
Our fine climate, our fertile soil, our abound*
ing streams, our exhaustless mineral wealth,
all invite labor and enterprise. They should
be encouraged. Wo have no redundant popu
latioa. If the freed men will work, all will be
well for tho white and the black race; <snd 1 be
lieve that tho great majority of them wili werk.
They are accustomed to labor. Our’s is no
West India climate, nor is our’s a tropical soil.
The blacks are not enervated, and tho ground
does not yield its fruits spontaneously. The
condition requires labor. It wiil be bestowed.
Now that slavery exists no longer, there is
no cause of quarrel between tho North and
the South. There are no conflicting systems
of industry. We shall side by side compete
with a generous rivalry for the great rewards
which civilization yields to those who address
themselves to the tasks of life with a heroic
spirit. I have always believed that the North
aud the South'were essential to each other. In
other words, that both would attain a higher
prosperity under a common government t" an
if sundered aud supporting rival political sys
tems. No great mountain ranges divide them;
no Danube or Rhine rolls its waters between
them. The Mississippi pours its majestic cur
rent from the extrema North to taa Gulf of
Mexico. The Tennessee sweeps down th r cugh
the co’ton regions of the South only to return
| and empty its waters into the Ohio. The dis
; tact Pacific coast is becoming united to the
Atlantic s-aboard by great highways of travel
j and commerce. Let us be friends. Let us be
Ia nation.
Ti e attempt of a faet’on to forca the South
■ ern States to admit the blacks to political
| equality is too mischievous to enlist in its sup
port any considerable number ot the people of
I the North. The great boon cf freedom has
b. eu conferred upon the slave. Let us observe
what use he will make of it. We hope for
the best. He stands a freeman, protected be
equal laws. Let him develope his fitness for
hts new condition. The political iostitir ic L -.
of this country were constructed for iK," !
white man It would be rash to sav that
the freediian should never participate ia I
the admin is ration of the Government • I
but it wouli be -madness to confer u>--cn -
him a? this time all the privileges ec'oved by i
the white ruan, without some qualification.--’-I
The great principle that the governed should i
possess the right to choose their rules is too
generally comprehended in this country to re
qu’ eal ne to enforce it. I yie'd to it my
heart assent. Nor am 1 d’sposed to favor re
-trictiens upon suffrage. This right is much
abused ; bat lam for tho free.-t exercise o; it
among a homogeneous people. I have cot lost
f.\i;h popular formsofgovernm'“ht.They areat
taaii/d w ith th:- disadvantage of an abuse of the
eleoticual franchise, but thatj must be dera
ted. There are compensations. I prefer a
re. üblie to a monarchy. It scf ms to ms to be
bette- tr> subject the freedman to a probation
in his new- status, before advancing him to
political privileges, thm to attempt at this
time ;6 confei those privileges on a portion of
that race, under tho application of some ar
bitrary te.-t of fitness.
After all, this question belongs to the
several States, they will dispose of it. Con
noetic it has alri-ady dene so. Let us .leave
the .question to the Stairs.
I. hope to sec a great national party grow up
—ii party sincerely committed to the develop
mrnt of the power end the advancement of
the glory of the Republic. Now that the dis
turbing element of slavery is removed, wo may
hope for the growth of a larger slatesmiUbhip.
Questions will be discussed in their true rela
tions to the interests of the country. Politi
cal economy will be regarded, aud the materi
al interests of the Republic encouraged.
We enter now, I hope, upon anew cycle of
nation'll prosperity and glory. Emerging from
a dvil wav that taxed the energies and re
sources of the Republic to an extent unparal
leled in our history, the nation finds itself at
peace with the whole world. The extraordina
ry ability displayed by Mr. Seward iu tile ad
ministraiion of the department chaigeu with
Ihejfonduct of our foreign Effiirs, has enabled
The Government Os tho United States to take
rank to-day as one of tho great powers of the
earth, with an irflaence never possessed by it
before. That influence will be felt in the ad
justment of questions affecting the fortunes of
the world. Tho cautious non-intervention
policy Euittd to the condition of a ycuug and
feeble republic will no longer restrain cur pro
gress. 'While we shall not interfere with the
internal affairs of European States, we drill bo
able to exert a powerful influence in advancing
the cause of civil liberty throughout the woild.
We cannot remain iuuiffernt spectators of the
struggle of the peoples of Europe to attain a
higher political condition,- The moral in
fluence of our example will encourage and
strengthen them; while cis Atlantic neighbors,
looking to us for sympathy, will find us ready
to extend to them whatever aid we may be at,
liberty to afford, consistently with our obliga
tions to other Governments.
Oir financial condition affords the onfy
ground for real apprehension in tho future”.
Our debt is enormous, and it will require great
skill to avert a serious national disaster. But
we are young, and our resources are bound
less. II they can lie judiciously developed,
and properiy applied, we shall be able to return
in good time to specie payments—the only safe
sud solid system for a commercial people.—
Fortunately for the country, there is a gentle
man at the head of the Treasuary Department
who possesses the highest order of financial
ability. He has already earned a splendid
reputation, and his recent indication of his
policy is such as to inspire the greatest confi
dence in him. Mr. McCulloch is, I learn, as
much distinguished for purity and singleness
of purpose as for ability, and I look forward
to a suocesfui conduct of a department envi
roned with difficulties great enough to intimi
date and crush a feebler man.
You sue, then, that lam hopeful for the fu
ture of our country. For the fust time, wearo
really a nation. The cofintry enters now upon
higher destinies. It leads the way in the march
of civilization—all the clouds that hung above
our fortunes have disappeared.
We are seen by the whole world in our true
proportions. We are entitled now to the
proud name of the great republic. Very re
spectfully and truly yours.
Henry W. Hilliard.
LETTER FROM MR. 81'EPHEKS.
Eeply of Ilona Alexander 11. Stephens to invi
tation to address the Legislature on public af
fairs.
Mii.L3Daßvn.Lß, Ga., January 22, 1806.
Messrs. J. F. Johnson, Charles It. Smith, and
others :
Cfeiill» «*'■*> • vum uutoui invitation to me
to address the General Assembly on tfee State
of the country, and assuring- me that it is the
almost universal desire of the members that I
should do so, if consistent with ray feelings,
etc., was received two days ago. I have con
sidered it maturely; and be assured if I saw
any good that could be accomplished by my
complying with your request, I would cheer
fully yield my personal reluctance to so gener
al a wish of. the members of the General As
sembly, thus manifested. But as it is; seeing
no prospect of effecting any good by such an
ad Iress, you and your associates will,’ I trust,
excuse mo iu declining.
My reasons need Dot be stated ; they wiil
readily suggest themselves to your own minds
upon reflection; In reference to the subject
of the election of Uuited States Senators,
which is now before yon, allow me to avail
my a-! sos this occasion to say to you, and
through you, to ail the members of the Gen
eral Assembly, that I cannot give my consent
to taQ use of my name in that connection.—
This inhibition of such use of it is explicit and
emphatic. I wish it so understood by all. As
wil iugly as I would yield my own contrary
inclinations to what I am assured is the geu
eral and unanimous wish of tho Legislature in
this respect. If I saw any prospect of my be
ing able, by thus yielding to reader any essen
tial service to the people of Georgia; and, as
earnestly desirous as I am for a speedy resto
ration of civil law, perfect peace, harmony
and prosperty of the whole country, yet, un
der existing circumstances, Ido ‘not see such
prospect of the availability of my services
to these ends in any public position. More
over, no far as I am personally concern
ed, 1 do not think it proper or politic that tho
election should be postponed with any view to
a probable change of present circumstances, or
.a probable change of my position on the sub
ject; and do trust that no member will give
evei a complimentary vote to me in tho elec
liOli*
Yours, truly,
Alexander H. Stephens.
Pxtaoe Stamps.—Tho contract for furnish
ingtlro stamps was given in 1861 to the
National Bank Note Company, which now an
nually supplies 220,000.000 more stamps "than
in De first year of the contract. During 1865,
thai co*ncany furnished Government 400,-
000000 stamps and the demand has fre
quently excaeded a million and a half per
diem. The iollgwing will be lead with inter
est : •
The largest number ever delivered in one
day being 5,923,895. The consumption of
stamps of different values may be understood
from a statement of tho proportions manufac
tured in the mouth of March last, when Ihero
were delivered to the Government of
One cent s tamp3 175,200
Two cent stamps . 14,477,250
Three cent stamps" 85,933,850
Five cent stamps 275,310
Ten cent stamps 10,100,640
Twelve cent stamps 322,000
Twenty-four cent stamps 480,300
Thirty cent stamps 140,656
Ninety cent stamps 19,490
Total 111,925.620
The value represented by these stamps is $3.
207,199.50. Tho entire number supplied by
the National Bank Note Company up to the
prurient time is one billion three hundred mil
lions. To mess a demand so vast, the presses
ate sometimes run night and day, and to avoid
error'in accounts, a daily balance of the busi
m iis struck. In furnishing this imfnense
number —representative of a vaine of $40,000,-
oCC— not a single loss involving censure to the
company has occurred, and the stamps are
printed,"perforated, gummed and packed—for
der. very from the company’s office to ail the
United States Post-faces —for twelve cents a
thousand. _
The Tennessee Legis'ature has resolved that
no more elections sha'i be held in that State,
until t .c list of voters is purged.
E a Joan G. Davis, long a member of Con
giit's, from Indiana, is dead.
A horse is bring exhibited in Berlin, which
ha- attained the patriarchal period of eighty.
Ojv Cattin, of Pennsylvania has returned
from Havana.-
ijpniclf $ j&erdtttfi
« EDSESOAY V.ORVIVU, FUURKAIIY I.
Change of Bates.
The Cheapest Weekly Is
sued iu the. Country.
THE WEEKLY
Chronicle &* Sentinel .
Is issued every Wednesday.- It will contain
all the latest markets, both foreign and domes
tic, as well as all the current news of-the day
Subscriptions will be received at the annexed
rates :
One copy one year, § 2
Three copies one year, 5
Five copies one year, 8
Ten copies one year, 15
Any larger number addressed to names of
subscribers $1 50 each. An EXTRA COPY
will bo sent to any person who will get up a
club of ton names and forward the same.
These ra' ea maketheAUGUSTA
CHRONICLE'& SENTINEL -the
•cheapest publication in the country.
THE NEW FIiyANCB BILL.
There is an increasing confidence in Secre
tary McCulloch, as tho .details of his policy of
finance are being gradually unfolded. It now
appears that his efforts at contractions are
chiefly directed to the funding of-the maturing
$830,000,000 of Seven Thirties into long bonds,
and the conversion of the outstanding Treas
ury certificates and legal tender interest bear
ing notes. It seems evident that he will make
no further direct effort to contract the aiftua!
currency circulation. The lesson of the late
conversion loan has not been lost upon the
Secretary, and ho appears to shiink from the
consequences of a direct reduction of the vol
ume of greenbacks. He expects to accom
plish his object by ti more indirect, but no
less efficacious means. This course has many
advantages. It confronts him mote directly
with the greatest difficulty, the solution of
which may involve the settlement of the mi
nor points of embarassments. The conversion
and funding of t&is immense mass of securities,
is a work of no slight magnitude. Ail other
questions may be safely postponed for it.—
This is more especially the case with reference
to the contraction of the volume cf currency,
as the funding of the new bonds will largely
depend upon the ease of the money market.
In this view, the ccurso of the Secretary of
tho Treasury, as it is now understood, is in ac
cordar.ce with the ordinary laws of finance.
The process of funding the Seven-Thirties and
the compound legal tenders will be effected
quietly and without any direct interference
with business. If the money markot should
continue very easy, there will be a gradual
absorption of the currency, and if not, it will
remain in the channel in which it is most
needea by the community. The derangement
of prices and credits that would otherwise take
vlsir**. thus,J>.a minion*
transition and shock which is to be so much
deprecated, and the fear of which excites a
constant alarm, may be almost entirely avert
ed.
The extraordinary power conferred upon the
Secretary of the Treasury by Hr. Morrill’s bill,
excites considerable Attention, and some op
position. Some of these objections, we regret
to observe, are of a political and personal na
ture.
It is manifestly beyond the wisdom of Oongres
to anticipate tha various contingencies that
may eli'ect the future credit of the government.
It cannot bo predicated with any degree of
certainty what proportion of the Seven-Thirty
bouda falling duo next year and the year after
may be presented for redemption, or convert
ed into forty year bonds under new
finance bill. The success of the entiro
measure also largely depends upon the sale of
government bonds in Europe, Even this Is a
matter ot uncertainty. It is true that the
foreign demand for ohr bonds is large just now,
but their continued populaiity depends upon
the future political aud social condition,of
countries of which it is unsafe to predicate any
thing. W e believe that the credit of our
securities abroad, will increase all.the more in
tho midst ol foreign revolutionary storms. Tho
resources of our people are ample to discharge
the principal and interest of all our obligations
Indeed, as matters now stand, United States
'ecurifles are steadily increasing in value
abroad, while those of other countries—even
England not excepted-—are depreciating. As
the sale cf our bonds abroad must largely effect
their credit, or rather our capacity to absofb
them at home, the propriety of investing the
Secretary of the Treasury with, discretionary
power to act as circumstances may dictate, is
the more important. Tho quantity of bonds to
oe absei bed :s absolute aud definite, and any
that are not sold iu Europe, must be disposed
cf bore on such terms aa may be feasible.
The financial problems to be olved demand
tho exercise of the largest discr tioary powers
and the country kae full confidence in Mr. Mc
wullochs ability and integrity. He has the ex
cellent qualification, of being able to profit by
experience, and of constantly seeking tho ad
vice and counsel of those who are qualified to
give an intelligent opinion upon the questions
iii haul. There is probabiy few financiers of
the day, to whom it would be safe to delegate
so large an authority, and the fact that the
proposition does not meet with more opposi
tion than it has yet encountered, affords tne
possible proof of the estimation in which Mr.
McCulloch is held by the public,
A review of the financial situation is calcu
rated to inspire confidence in the measures
so far proposed for the consideration of Con
gress. Mr. Morrill’s bill, although calculated
to contribute to the grand objects of placing
the eutiro debt upon a uniform, permanent
basis, and faciiiate a return to specie payments.
Biqiit.— -The stay law just passed by the
Legislature of Virginia has been so far modified
as to except debts contracted since tho close of
the war.
We think such a course eminently right and
proper. No man should be shielded from
paying debts made since the close of the war.
If a party is unabie to pay up what he con
tracted to do before or during the late struggle,
he is entitled to leniency. But to pass a law
to shield a man from paying an honest debt
contracted since the war, is simply to make a
I bid for dishonesty and unfair dealing.
J! El tiSHItKTiOS.
This word has giown into comt.on use. It I
is now almost universally applied to tho means
in operation for the rest ration of the ancient
order of things in tho United States.
When used in this sense, it is misapplied. It.
is a mischievous perversion of lauguage. To
reconstruct, is to rebuild that which has been
destroyed. To say. therefore, that the work
of reconstruction is going on in this country,
is to assume that the Government of the United
States has been destroyed, and that the pro
cess-of rebuilding is progressing.
Now we hold with the President, that the
Union of these States has never been over
thrown. That the stuctuie was a3 complete
during the late civil war as tt is to day. An
attempt was made to destroy the Union. It
did net succeed. A revolution was inauguia
ted. It failed to accomplish its object. The
citizens of the Sculhern Elites took up arms
to vindicate tho declaration they'had solemnly
made, that the several Sta.es engaged iu the
revolution were uo members of the Union. If
they- hud succeeded, they would have made
good their declaration. Failing iu arms, they
are net conquired provinces,\mt stiil States of
the American Union. Just as if the Colonies
had failed to make good their declaration of
.Independence. They would stiil have been
Colonies of Great Britain. Indeed the great
commonwealths jthat undertook {o secede
from the Union, hold by a nobier title their
Claim to be still States of the Federal Re
public.
The general government has no right to
make war on the States. The Congress did not
undertake to do tbia No suoh monstrous as
sumption of authority wa-r proclaim, and. The
President undertook to suppress what he styled
“an insurrection.’’ Congress by its legislation
co-operated in this object. That power the
general government certainly dees possess. It
derives the power directly from a grant iu the
constitution. What does that very important
phrase mean ?—“to suppress insurrections.”
The insurgent inhabitants of a Stats may be
put down. Order may again reign. The au
thority of the United States temporarily pros
trated may be restored. What then follows ?
The “insurrection” being suppressed, the au
thority of the United States being restored, tho
State is retrieved from military rule. Tho
civil government is re-established. Represen
tation is once more admitted. The harmoni
ous working of the system, which was for a
time disturbed, once more exists. The
State is the State still. Georgia is Georgia to
day. For a time the State was in the hands o
thus? opposed to the government of the United
States. But they have been defeated. Loyal
citizens now controlled the State. Os course
no condition can ba imposed on the State, af
fecting its relations to tho Union. The inhabi
tants may be dealt with. Those who took part
in hostilities directed against tho United State u
may bo punished by that government. But
the Commonwealth is unchanged. England
was England under Cromwell, as it had been
England under Charles the first, and as it was
again under Charles the second.
If the Southern States had succeeded in
atms they would have been out of the Union
Had they at any subsequent time been con
qured by the arms of the United States—then
they might have been held as conquered pro
vinces. Or if they ha.d voluntarily sought to
re-enter the Union, then terms might have
been imposed on them.
To-day the Southern States are States of the
Union. No recon*truction is necessary to re
store to them.their rights. No terms can be
imposed on teem, ixo conditions can be held
over them by their sister States. Thoir people
may be punished, if guilty of any offence ;or
they may be pardoned. The latter policy
far the Wiser. But the free, great, recognized
States are still members of the American Re
public, and wo trust that the true spirit will
oou breathe in them all from Maine to Texas.
The Peoplb of the Booth in accepting the
new order of things, have no desire to oppress
or be unjust to their former slaves. The asser
tions of tho “freedom shriekers’’ iu Congress,
to the contraty are incorrect, and without
foundation. Some people are endeavoring to
impress upon the minds of our coloied popula
tion the idea that the modicum of justice meas
ured cut to them by the separate tribunals es
tablished throughout the country is so much
wrung from our white people, reluctant to
give them justice, and which would not be ac
corded to them by their own civil courts. The
course of the agitators is wrong. I hoy arc pur
suing a policy injurious to the best interests
of the country. What is tho use of attempt
ing to fasten upon tho minds of the freedmen,
who are to continue residing amidst the white
people of tho South, the apprehension that the
whites are unfriendly to them, inclined to
oppress them, and loth' render them jus
tice ? Such is not tho case. Their former
masters are the negroes’ best friends, and they
should know it.
Those who are trying to fill the negroes’
mind with suspicious prejudices, and dislike
towards jthair former owners, are doing the
freedmen an incalculable injury. The former
masters will continue to be master still, al
though the relations between the employer
ana employee will be different. It is, there
fore, in-the highest degree, important to eetab
lish, cn both sides, sentiments of esteem and
confidence; without these, harmony cannot ex
ist, and without harmony no profitable co-op
eration can take place; and consequently, no
genuine prosperity can ensue.
The Law of. Libel—lmportant Decision .
The recent decision of Judge Jones, of New
York, in the caso of McCabe against the
Sunday Mercury, jvhich resulted in the plain
tiff feeing non-suited, is of interest to the
newspaper press of the country. The Court
held that an editor or reporter is not legally
liable to prove the absolute truth of any
charge or accusation which may be embod
ied in a fair report of proceedings before a
leeal tribunal, and that it is sufficient justifi
cation to show that the facts reported have
transpired as they were narrated. If the
decision were otherwise, oveiy conductor of a
newspaper cculd be forced, at the will or ca
price of a litigant, to become the plaintifF or
defendant ailuded to in any report which
might appi-ar in his journal, the [accuracy of
which might be questioned. The ruling thus
decides lhat an editor is a mere publisher of
actual occurrences, and cannot possibly assume
in law the position of a litigant in cases of
which he must necessarily be wholly ignciant.
Had this Court ruled differently, an Editor
or Reporter could be compelled to take the
places of a dozen plaintiffs or defendants in a
day—the number to be only decided by the
reports which cither party to a suit might
choose to consider libellous.
The onu3 of proving tho truth of a charge
made before a legal tribunal will thus devolve
on the party who prefers it, and cot on tho
editor who gives it publicity as a part of the
news of the day.
Central Railroad.—Tbo annual report of
the President and Superintendent of this road,
containing a statement of his Affairs up to the
l9t December, gives the earnings and ex
penditures of the road since the company
commenced to receive and pay’ out U. 8. cur
iincv, as follows:
For Freight $59,525 04
For Passage 53 697 47
Total Earnings $ 113,122 51
Expenditures have been 190 986 00
Showing Expi-nscs in excess of Earuincs
°f 77.5C3 49
Total uumbor of miles ofroal now iu ope
ration, including Eatonton and Waynesboro
branches, one hundred and fifty-one. Tho
machinery is in bad condition and will need
extensive repairs. But few cars or engines
were lost during tho war, but they are all in
bad order and mach scattered over the country.
Tho total destruction of track and.btidgea will
reach about. 139 wile3. The only statiou houses
left standing are at. Nos. 2, 2 1 2, 10, and 14.
Tho process of repairing bus been greatiy de
layed by the difficulty of procuring aticlte
taining labor, of purchasing cr hiring teams
and wagons and of getting timber for cross'
ties and bridges. The superintendent says
these troubles are now removed, and tho work
will heroafter progress according to contract.
llox, A. H. Stkpuexs, —lt will bo seen by a
Milledgeville dispatch, that Hoe. A, 11. Stephens
declines to make any public address at present
and also adheres to his deteiminatiuu not to
allow his name to be used id connection with
the U. S. Seuatorship.
It is to be regretted that Mr. S h is concluded
not to represent Georgia in the Halls cf the
National Legislature. No man is better fitted
for the positiou. No man would tako care of
tho interests of Georgia more faithfully. No
man is more competent to discharge the duties
of the place. Pure and patriotic in all his aa
peiatioue, ho commands not only the love and
admiration of his frieuds, but even the respect
and esteem of his enemies. Besides, ho is a
statesman in the fu’lest sense of the word. It
is such men as these who should be elected to
plates of honor and trust, for amid nil trials
and troubles their influence is always for good;
and is rdvvays felt. Their voices are ever
heard above the roar ofyingry political strife, —
no matter how iempestuos it may be.
Gmisa Alarmed —Some of tho Northern
journals are getting alarmed at the enormous
importations being made; they do not sec where
the money is to come from to settle European
balances; they use every agument ana induce
ment for tho raisiug of a large cotton crop. If
they will do one thing at the North--juet let
the South arrange her own domestic affairs in
the same manner that Northern States are
permitted to do, a largo crop wili be raised.
But if a continual intereference is made with
the planters, we do not see how any kind of
a crop can be expected. Let the employer
and employee make their own baigains, a3 tho
same classes do at the North; let there be no
intermeddling by third parties, and an immence
orop of all kinds will continue to bo produced at
tho South.
The South wants peace. Her condition
demands that she have rest. And il rest be
given her, if fanatic aud those disposed to
keep up excitement within her borders aro
compelled to leave her to manage her own af
fairs— Bho soon will yield of her abundance aa
bountifully as ever.
Happilt Done. —Several days ago, a resolu
tion was Introduced in the Virginia Senate, by
Mr. Meade, appropriating, the sum of “ten
thousand dollars, or such amouut as, in their
judgment, would appear best’’for the benefit
of the widow of the immortal patriot and hero,
Stonewall Jackson.
The resolution was adopted with but one
dissenting voice.
This is right. The mother of statesmen, who
have long since crossed the river of death, and
of soldiers, living and dead, moves timely and
gracefully in this good work.
It Is meet that she, upon whose bosom the
great chieftain’s life blood was poured out,
should throw her arms of protection around
his wife and children.
Those who died for us became our children ;
their kindred our kindred ; when storms
threaten them, we should shelter them. When
want stares them in the face, we should hasten
to their relief. The oil cruse should ever be
full and the measure of meal not bo wanting.
Notes on Mattkbs of tub Day.—Compari
sons are said to be odious; consistency is
claimed by some to be a jewel. Here is a
comparison which shows the consistency of
radical republicanism :
i Gen. Howard, of tho Freedmcn’ft Bureau has
ordered that negro children shall be taught in
tho public schools of Maryland the samo aa
white children.
Per contra.
An application of a colored girl for admis
sion to the High School in Troy, N. Y., which
was refused by the principal, was taken to the
Supreme Court, where it was recently decided
against the applicant.
Comment on the above is unnecessary. It
eimply shows that the radicals desire the
South to do for the negroes what they them
selves are unwilling to do.
im-in I
The Late Wait wa3 pros cuted by the North,
not to force the South out of the Union, but
to keep her in. Now that tho object for which
the war was carried on has been accomplished,
every sensible man ought to be willing to do
away with all war measures at oace, and allow
peace aud quiet .once more to resume full
sway with all altendan t blessings, throughout
oar entire land.
All war congressional acts, all war move
ments in Congress, ought to have ceased
aa soon as the South accepted the new
order of things, and throw down the sword,
if this had been tho case, and ail useless agita
iocs ceased, the country would have been In a
far better condition than it now is.
A Blood Thirsty Governor. —Tho Governor
of Wisconsin has issued a most blood thirsty
message. Such men ought lo recollect that
tho war between the two sections of the coun
try ha3 closed, and that all such documents only
tend to keep up an injurious agitation. The
policy, of all leading men ought now to be to
conciliate—not to inflame. What the coun
try desires is quiet, not political harangues and
excitement. The true stalesmm will seek
“to pour oil upon the troobled waters,” —
demagogues will adopt a contrary course.
Wo trust the people will soon thrust the latter
from the places they now occupy, and fill
them with men better qualified.
The Scctu Carolina Railroad.—lt is tho
Intention of the President of ithis road to have
it finished through to Blackville some time
during the present moDib. As soon as this is
accomplished the “journey over the break’’
can be performed by daylight.
The company will then establish a complete
connection by wagon train, and al»o adopt,
through rates of freight.