Chronicle & sentinel. (Augusta, Ga.) 1864-1866, February 28, 1866, Image 1

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N, S. MORSE. ' ; - * ■ 'J k '** ' ■ihhiiit f* f&W.t&i. A.MUIIKW Jiilf.YHOA This gentleman occupies to-day a grand pot i -and has the opportunity of placing hie fame upon the roil of those great heroes and states men, whom our country remembets with grati tude, and whoso fame constitutes the glory of the nation. Called suddenly and unexpected iytoihetirst tflJoo in the Government at a period of unnaual excitement and dangey when the Republic was just issueiDg from a revolution that well nigh sacrificed its exist ence, ho was regarded with fear and trembling by the greater part of the American people who ility to meet tbo exjgms cies of so alarming and critical an era in our history. His political record was before the country, but ip it there was nothing to excite special admiration, nor any very marked evi dence of; superior statesman ship—nothing to give a.miraueo to the popular mind that there was a bravo heart and strong arm at the helm, capable of guiding the hhip of State salely over the boisterous waters of unreason ing fanaticism and hitter sectional animosity, into the peaceful harbor of national security. The South particularly distrusted and dreaded Ids administration ; knowing lie bad been elected to (ho Vice Presidency by a party who have ever been j atons of our people, and whoso political creed w.‘m in direct antagonism to the institutions and interests of our section. Hut him: ‘ hin accession to the Presidt ncy, by his wise, prudent, manly and sagacious- states manship, be has dispelled from every;}patriotic mind, all doubts and fears, and has nobly vindicated bis claim to the confidence, respect •\nu giatitudeof every true patriot in the land. This position is a peculiar and tiying one, and be deservos the sympathy and cordial cor-operation of iflligood and true men in his heroic efforts to re-establish law and order throughout the broad extent ot' our country. With a debased and fanatical Congress to oppose him—taunted, jeered at and abused by venal politicians and a jacobin press, ire nevi tireless sits calmly and unmoved in the cat of Washington, undisturbed try the howl ing of the storm around him, looking steadily to tire tme interests of tiro whole country, relying upon the virtue and intelligence of the American people to sustaiu him; nobly and he roically striving to carry out those great prin ciples of constitutional law as laid down and expounded by our Fathers in the earlier and better days of tbo Republic, Ho has time and again stated his policy in language not to be mistaken. Without passion or prrdjudice he deals with all questions brought before him in a spirit of the utmost -candor. In his recent interview with tho Montana Delegation, he seemed loir imbued with tire spirit of ’7(l, and spoke with a moderation, dignity and wisdom honorable to himself, and boecmiingjthe chief of a great and ? powerful nation, that he loved ami wished tojjsave. iris reply to the colored delegation was .also admirable in its tone, and leaves no room for doubt as to Ills position on the negro suffrage question ; nor do we believe lie witl be driven from that position by any man or set of nrcu— no matter what may be their station or irrllu once. The President has fully demonstrated that, with the other high qualities that eminent ly fit liim tor bis high office at this trying hour, he possesses likewise a Jacksonian firmness that cannot be shaken when ho ouco takes a decided stand. We look to him hopefully as a faithful “sentinel on the watch-tower,” who will jealously guard the welfare and_honor of tho nation, and confidently believe he will succeed in adjusting satisfactorily and harmo niously tire disordered condition of our un happy couutry. Tub Loyalty of tiik South. —There is no reason to doubt the loyalty of the great mass of the Southern people. Loyalty does not mean devoti m to a particular party, but to the form et government. A futbful support to that form of government, love of aud ad herence to the Constitution, constitutes loyalty in the hignest sense of tho term, lie who would strike down the great barriers to des po ■: in the Constitution, is thoroughly dis loyal. Those who seek to remove these great safe guards in accordance with tho forms of law, seek to overthrow tho Government by unmanly means To bear arms against the Government, although a high crime, lias at least the virtue of boldness and chivalry. Those who seek its destruction by insidious measures are like tho assassin who strikes in the dark, hurling missiles of death from places of security. There has uot boon a time when the people of the South were not devoted to the Constitution and form of Government of the United States. When that most unfor tunate of all of her - took place, in lortr iug a constitution they made no mate rial change iu that greatest of all forms of gov ernment. The constitution of the Confederate Government was almost a literal copy of the Constitution of the Uuitod States. The great issue iu tbs late war was not as to the lonu ot the government. It was sla very. Slavery having (alien beneath the strong arm of the Government, the South acquisces in its fall and would not restore it if they were released from all obligauous from the Constitutional amendment. The causes that produced the war having been removed, the etf ot erases to follow. In th3 future, the South will bo the most loyal of the States of the Union. They will support the Govern ment with the valor of their brave sons against foreign and domestic toes. As in days of yore' :hey will be foremost in her defense. As sad and unlortnnate as has been her fate for til** hist five years, there are many circum stances that bespeak hope in the future. Radicals should remember that wi-est of all maxims of government given by Mentor to Telemachus —'• That authority pushed to ex cess never fails to recoil ou those who wield it ' The great efforts ot Stevens and Sumner are but spasmodic acts that precede dissolution. They were bound to the. extreme men of the South by ties as close as those of the Siamese twin.-. They cannot survive their co-adjutors. Their existence was mutually dependent on each other. The fuel being consumed, the fire rnustbe extinguished Radicals .ot the North must follow the fate of those of the South. Their destiny is to sink into obscurity. They will live alone to bo execrated by good men, into whose hands all powers of the Government will soon be placed. When Stevens and Sum ner shall have been forgotten, the name of Andrew Johnson will be remembered by a grateful posterity for reconstructing the broken fragments cf the Great Republic. The Fins Dti’ARTMtNT. —Some weeks ago, it was our pleasure to refer, in commendatory terms, to the efficiency of the Augusta Fire Department. All that we said then might still and may ever be repeated. Praise is always comely when bestowed upon the deserving, and there is that which graduates this meed by a constantly elevating process.. A little child may reach its acme, by perfect obedience. A lover may claim it as his own, by conscientious devotedness. A merchant may prove himself worthy its bestowal, by unwavering integrity; and the same may be said of those engaged iu the other pursuits of life. In those just referred to, the traits of char acter deserving commendation, are regarded as tho necessary sequence-of surrounding cir cumstances, or tbo advancement of individual interest. When, therefore, we meet those whq sacri fice comfort arid ease, and even endat ger their lives for tho common weal~a sense of duty, not a desire for praise, being the prompting motive, wo willingly and heartily encourage them with our plaudits. Which to admire most, the soldier who bares his bosom to the leaden storm, and, joining hands with comrades, circumvents, a3 with a fleshy wart, those who are incapable of self defense ; en dures unmurmuringiy the hardships incident to such a life, and esteems it glorious to crim son tho earth with his blood, and, if heed be, to offir up his life for the country’s welfare ; the sailor, having under his charge some great ship, freighted with immortal souls, and having in his hands tho very lives of hi; passengers— all dependent for safety, upon his superior nautical knowledge and experience—an in stance of the horoism of such a one, as was lately given to the world, in tire sad details of the loss of the Steamship London, on which occasion, when tin steamer was fast sinking, and tire passengers, preacher and dramatist, fathers, mothers and children were gathered together iu the cabin—death staring them in tho face, the gallant Englishman, Captain Mar tin, being proffered a means of escape from the perils that tirreatened and which* ultimate ly swept overall, declined to ho saved -pre ferring rathev, in all the nobleness of his great soul, to die with tho two hundred and seventy, who wero then bowed for tho last timo, on this errth, upon their knees before God, and whose fate was as certainly fixed as are the stars of Heaven ; or the fireman, who, quick of ear, is aroused by tiie alarm bell, aA tire hour of midnight, to see tho llames leaping madly from house to house, in which, perchance, there may he, all unconscious, a goutle maid, a darling ittle innocent, or an aged dame The winds wail as if saddened by the seen#, yet, iu the very exhibition of their sadness, like one con fused, they increase the danger. From the windows issue forth great volumes of smoke, and, in fury, the hissing flames follow. Down the sides and over the house tops, they run as if rejoicing in their work of destruction. And they might rejoice over tho charred remains of love and beauty, but for tho daring and tho gallantry of that noble class of men-our fire men. They are those, who, pressing through al these fiery perils, enter the burning build iug, and is lost to sight and hearing amid the flames and the smoke that surround them. As he enters the window, tho crowd encourages him with cheers. Now the multitude waves in doubt and fear—lest lie be consumed. Ea gerly they watch to greet him, but he comes not—and yet a little while he lingers. A migbty crash ensues. “Hu's lost! He’s lost!” echoes and re-cchoes every voice. Now a form is discerned at the window ; and yet there is hope. A gush of wind clears the smoke away, and reveals tho gallant fireman holding in bis anyis a beautiful babe. And now the crowd is silent and impatient, lest he should fall. Now ho is on the ground, and hands to a weeping mother, tynid the oft repeated shouts of the spectators, her heart’s jeweL Wit at is Wantbd. —The greatest want ot ti® South at present is capital to develops her resources. The most effectual and surest way for us to induce capitalist to come hither, or send of their abundance to this section, is to repeal at once all usury laws. Anti- Diluvian regulations iu regard to usury is out of date, aud should bo blotted from every statute book. We have our lands left ; and all that is needed to make those lauds a greater source of prefit than ever is mouey. One thing we are sure of, and we are certain time will veiify our prediction. Those South ern States which repeal all usury laws—which allow the capitalist to make .just such a bar gaiu as he pleases—will grow aud prosper ; will ii treasj in population and wealth rapid ly . Those States which continue to insist that they shali dictate aud legislate in regard to tho loaning of money, will neither increase in population or manufactures, e'r any thing else that tends to make a great Commouwoaith. Georgia wants capital. And nothing but the repeal of her usury laws will enable her to get it. A Cask of Trichina in this Country.—A case of trichina has proved fatal at Detiiot. The victim was a Gorman woman who had been infected before she left her native coun try. Alter her death a post mortem examina tion was held, which has resulted in proving, beyond a doubt, that the disease was trichina. A small portion of flesh, about the sizs of a pinhead, was examined through the micros | cope, and found to contain large numbers of : animalcTu wound round and imbedded in j the fibres of the muscle, exactly similar in ap -1 pearaneo to the Uichica spiralis. It is to be hoped that our country will be j spared a visit from this terrible destase. Death from trichina mast certainly be an awful one. The victim dies gradually iu the greatest sur ! ferings. There is no remedy to cure ; noth ing thatjwill mittigate the torment felt but ! death itself. AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY 28, 1866. The True Policy.— The true policy cf the South, in this her great hour of trial, is so to shape every deed in such a way that it will tend to strengthen the President In bis present position. He and his band of supporters are battling in anew Thermopylae, for the pres ervation of civil liberty and the great princi ples of a Republican government. Every ill advised word or deed from us, weakens the hands of those engaged in the combat for right, and incites the radicals to renewed and fiercer attacks. At the present juncture of affairs, it will in jure us to make factious opposition to inevi table measures ; or to utter augry murmuriugs against what is, and what in the sternglogical sequence of events, must be. The greatest enemies the South has are those, who, while with their lips they profess much—uevertho less by their acts prove that they have not yet truly accepted the situation ; and conclu sively show by their deeds that they will not accomodate themselves to circumstances.— Men of this stamp injure much the cause they claim to love by their continued ridiculous display of, impotent peevishness. Much better would it be for us, and for those who are trying to assist us, if we all as one Vnan would remember “how sublime a thing it is to suffer and be strong.” The true hero and patriot endures misfortune with Jjprtitude ; bears wrong and loss with firmness ; and sub mits to those things ho cannot prevent with equanimity. Let us so act that the rancour ol radical ma lignity. now being exhibited towards the South will be neutralized. Let us do all in our power to sustain the President and his sup porters at the North. Then, alt will be well "Yith us-iu the end, add we shall come out of the great struggle, victors over those who are uow trying to oppress ua. —«ae>«a. Reconstruction in Virginia'— Several dir. ago, we noticed the action of the General as-> sembly of the Old j,Dominion, approving and endorsing the policy of President Johnson. Announcing the‘hearty manner in which tho result of the late struggle is by them ac ■cepted, they declare that they do not desire to renetv what has been so conclusively deter mined ; nor do they mean to permit any one subject to their control, to attempt its removal, or to violate any of the obligations, they are under the United States Government. The wise, just, and firm policy of the Presi dent’s meets their concurrence, and they are resolved to co-operate with him in it, with all their energy and power. These declarations, embrace and express the sentiments and purpose of the people of Vir ginia ; and tho efforts of those, who represent their views and intentions to be different, are denounced as guilty of cruel and criminal as saults on their character and general interest Tho presence among them of persons whoso interests are temporarily promoted by such - false representations, is sensibly regarded as' one of the greatest evils that afticts them in their present political condition, yet they rely on the intelligence and integrity of those who wield the powers of the United States Govern ment Heir safeguard such malignant influences. The Legislature also announces that Virgin ia wiil not voluntarily consent to change the adjustment of political power as fixed by the Constitution of the United States ; and to con strain her to do so in her present prostrate and helpless condition, with no voice in the coun cils of the nation, would be an unjustifiable breech of faith. The earnest thanks of every Son them State are due to the President for the firm stand he has taken against amendments of the Consti tution forced through in the presect condition of afiaiirs. Deterioration of English Cotton Goods.— The London correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer, says a sad revelation has jud been publicly made, calculated to effect seriously both the reputation and the pockets of British manufacturers. It appears that for some t ime past complaiuts have been accumulating from every quarter of the globe—from Australia, India. China and even America—of the condi tion in which English cotton goods are found on their arrival in the various countries. They are said to he greatly discolored, and often 'partially rotted with mildew. Instead oi being uniferca'v white or grey, they are bright yellow, or purple, or brown deepening to black. Some of the stains are in patterns, some throw out dust. The fabric is stiffened to the touch; tho fibre has lost strength; the very texture seems to be changed The quotation is the exact language of an official report on the subject made by the MildeW Sub-Committee of the Mancheste Chamber of Commerce, who, after investigating the matter thoroughly, have arrived at the conclusion that the mischief lies in the cheap soaps and other materials employed in the process of dressing tho cloth. At all events the complaints have been long aud loud, and in many instances the patties abroad to whom invoices have been consigned have refused to receive the goods, and they lie in tho custom houses a dead loss to the shippers. Losses in' England by the Cotton’ Famine.— After a careful investigation, it has been esti mated that during the four years that the cot ton tamine lasted in England, the loss of manu facturers’ profits and of the interest on capital lying idle, amounted to about forty millions sterling, or two hundred millions of dollars— and that the loss of wages to the great body of operatives amounted in the same time to thirty millions, or one hundred and fifty millions ot dollars more. The latter especially, was a dead loss; nor can the former ever be thoroughly ret. eved. And the lessons learned from these facts and figures and others in con nection therewith, is that England as well as the balance of the world cannot get along well without Southern cotton. Although cotton may net.be king as was claimed until the late civil war, yet cotton has the power to disarrange the business and financial affairs of the world. Therefore, notwithstanding the great effort of England to ruinthis c iuntr.f in order that she aud her colonies might reign supreme over the commercial world in days to come as she did in days of yore—the great Southern staple will still in a great measure be king in future as it has in years past. The Freedman’s Bureau Bill —The treed rnan’s Bureau bill, which is now in the of the President—awaiting his signature or disapproval—provides or promised land, food, clothing and protection for freedmen, under certain conditions and circumstances. There is much reason to apprehend that it will exer cise a mdSff pernicious injluence upon them.— All remember the fineness and vagrancy caused among them, last year, by the preva lent belief that it wa3 the" design of the Gov ernment to support them until Christmas, and to divide amongst them the lands of their former owners. None can forget the solicitude of the officers of the Freedmen’s Bureau to disabuse their minus of these erroneous It was found neces.ary to send these officers into all the counties and neighborhoods throughout the South, and to appeal to the most prominent acd respectable white resi dents to aid them in tho correction of these false notions. Ail remember the appreheu eions that were entertained lest a negro out break should be the consequence of their dis appointment. With much difficulty the minds of the negroes were disabused of these ideas They became convinced that they were not to receive lands, food or clothing, and that they, would have to go to work. Many of them gave up their idle and vagrant habits,* and sought and obtained employment. Now conies this great land, food and clothing bill, whose provisions they, of course, never can understand. It is enough for them to learn that tho Congress has voted them land and other benefits, in order for them to take up thefidea that Lkey are all to bo provided for> and when this idea shall come to prevail among them, then farewell to work. The same con dition of affairs, only more intensified, will soon exist that gave so jrnuch trouble before and during the last Christmas, There is to be no -rest for the negro, and less for the Southern whites. This bill will occasion them another great'disappointment, which may bo followed by worse consequences than resulted from thoir former disappointment. Our candid opinion is, that if it were tho po licy of the majority in Congress to ruin the negro, and secure his ultimate extermination in this country, they could not adopt measures more certain to effect this result than those they are setting in operation. The Alantic & Gulp, Railroad. —The annu al meeting of the Atlantic & Gulf Railrod was held in Savannah February 13. The floating debt of the company is £138,000. During the war thirty-five miles of the road, and a largo amouut of material and stock was destroyed. Since the war the company has raise 00, 000 upon its securities to rebuild the road. The lolling slock is reported in bad order. It is now anticipated that the road will be opened through to Tnomagville in a short time, tho bridge over the great Ogeechee, which has caused the delay in opening, now in rapid process of construction. - £ The following gentlemen were elected DireiF 1 tors: Messrs. John Scriveu, John Stoddard, William Duncan, Solomon Cohen, R. D. Ar nold, Hiram Roberts, Charles Green, E. C. Anderson, Henry D. Weed, Wm. H. Willber ger, Wm. B. Hodgson,; A. T. Mclntyre, B. F. Bruton. C. A. Curry, J. W. Spain. G J. Fulton Esq., who has been Superin endent for a long time has resigned. —naUF-Oan—- A Law Suit of Twelve Years. —Twelve years ago it was discovered that the President of the New Haven Railroad Company,- Mr. Schuyler, had issued two millions of spurious st®;k of that roau, Lad sold it, and had fled to Europe. The spurious stock was in all respects like the genuine, was signed by all the proper officers, and the holders of it had bought it in good faith. But tho company repudiated it— aud although suits were brought against them to compel them to recoguize it, they contested the matter, from court to court, until the pa tience of most of the victims was worn out, when the company compromised with them at fifty cents on the dollar. But Cornelius Van derbilt held over a million of this spurious stock, and his patieneo would uot wear out.— His purse wss as long as that of the company, and ho followed up his suit, through these long twelve years, until finally, the other day. he recovered judgment against the company for the full amount of bis claim with interest. Georgia Historical Society.— The Twenty- Seventh Anniversary of the Georgia Historical Society was celebrated iu Savannah on Monday night. The following officers were elected for ensuing year: President—Rt. Rey. Stephen Elliott, D. D First Vice President—John Stoddaid. Second Vice President—Solomon Cohen. Corresponding Secretary—Dr. R. D. Arnold. Recording Secretary—Dr. E. Yonga. Treasurer—Wm. S. Bogart. Librarian—J. F. Gann. Curators—Col. W. T. Williams, W. B. Hodg son, Dr. W, M. Charters, Thos. M. Norwood, H. A. Richmond, Hon. E. J. Harden. The officers were all re-elected, except Col, C. C. Jones, Jr., who was' obliged to tender bis resignation as Corresponding Secretary, on account of removing from the State. After the election of officers, Rt. Rev. B : ehop Elliot de!ivered*an address on ‘ The Past His tory, the Present and Future Prospects of the Society.” The address was worthy the reputa tion of tbe distinguished Divine, and deliver ed in his usual impressive and eloquent man ner. The people of Augusta. Macon and Miiledge vilie, aro moving in the matter of the road which has long been in course of con struction between these cities, leaving the Georgia Railroad at Camack, and running through Mayfield, Sparta, awi Hancock and Bald win counties to Milledgeville, where it will meet the Central Road to Macon. The above paragraph we find in an ex change. We wish we could announce it correct. We regret to say that no efficient movement lor the completion of the road le ferred to, has yet been made. There is one thing certain. The read ought to be buiit at once. And if oar citizens studied their own interests they would have it completed im mediately. If this road was in operation now, the trade of 'our city would be four time s what it is. A short sighted policy is it indeed that will not expend a lew hundred thousand dollars for millions of benefit. A great quantity of ground in Southern 111., will be planted with cotton and tobacco this season. LEt*IBIIA¥IV-iS Cl'HßK'l* JND* tifPJCe LKXTKJI ffRQM HOIS. Jh)S EPH E. BROWN. Hon. Joseph E. Brows; Dear Sir—The undersigned members of the Legislature of Geoffeia, respectfully ask your opinion In writing, as to the legislation which is proper, under existing circumstances, relative to the freedmen of this State. An t-arly with piivilege of publication, jis respectfully solicited. We are very truly, &e., _ «•»'/ R. A. T. Ripley, ‘ ■ F. A. Frost, * .-■< '* H R, Casey, and. E-. Bun*«, John D. Stewart, -Jesse A. Glenn,, Gentlemen—Your note asking my opinion as to the “legislation which is proper under cx isting circumstances relative to the freedmen oi this State,” is now before me, and as I enter tain no opinions' which I wish to withhold from my fellow citizens, who may feel an in terest in knowing my views on this or any ether subject of public interest, I reply without hesitation. The actions of wise men are always move or less influenced by the circumstances by which they are suirounded. The late war has caused a complete revolution in our labor system in the Southern States ; and an entire , change in ; the relations which the white and black races occupy towards each other. Action which would have been wise under our late system, would be very unwise now, and much which would have been unwise then would be wise now. The fact is undeniable that those who were our slaves prior to the war, are now free and, so far ns legal rights are concerned, are placed upon terms of equality with us. This is a fact which is mortifying to our people, but it is none the less true on that account The sooner it is realized to its fullest extent, the for us. Ido not say the negroes are the equals of the white race. God did not make them so, and man can never change the status which the Creator assigned to them. They are not cur equals intellectually or so cially, and unless .madness rules the hour, they will never be placed upon a basis trf political equality with us. AH intelligent men, who are acquainted with the race, know that they are not competent to the task of self govern ment, much less, to aid in governing a great na tion of white people. But they are uow placed upon terms of legal equality with us. If we desired to do so, we woulc. not lie permitted by the Government of the United States to enact and enforce one code of penal laws for the white race, and aifother for the negro race, or to establish one law of contracts to govern them, and another for our own govern ment. So far as the laws of rights and reme dies in our courts are concerned, the two races will have to be placed upon .terms of perfect equality. While the negro should not be allowed to occupy the jury box, or to exercise the elective franchise at the ballot box, he must have the same right to sue and be sued, ”and to testify in all the courts of the State, which the white man has. The credibility of the testimony iu either case, to be determined by the jury, un der the rules of evideuco which govern courts and juries on that subject. He must be made subject to the same penal enactments, and suf fer the same punishment for crime which is inflicted upon the white man. In a word, his rights of life, liberty and property, including the <fuii aud tree enjoyment of the proceeds of bis labor, must bo amply secured to him, by law, with all the guarantees necessary to their pro tection. And in tho administration of the law, courts and juries must seo to it, that equal and impartial justice is meted out to him. When this is done, I have no douht we will be re lieved from the jurisdiction of the Freedman s Bureau, and our owri courts allowed to take eognizance of all cases in which the negro as well as the white race is concerned. Until it is done no <*nu can reasonably expect any such result. * I thick it unwise and injudicious, for the Legislature to pass any Freedmeu’s Code, or any other law that discriminates between the races so far as sights and remedies in our courts are concerned. A short statute extend ing the provisions of the penal code of this State so as to embrace all persons of African de scent, and extending to them all'the civil rights in our courts enjoyed by white persons, except the right to sit iu the jury box, together with the same rights of marriage as between per sons of their own color, and the same rights of inheritance, with the same laws of guardian ship, apprenticeship, &e, is all the legislation relative to them which is expedient or proper. Hoping that the Legislature may be guided by Divine wisdom in arriving at a wise con clusion, and that such action may be had as will aid in restoring us to our proper position as one of the States of the Union, and in pro moting the future peace, posperity aud happi ness of both races, I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Joseph E. Brown. Messrs. R. A. T. Ridley, F. A. Frost, H. R. Casey, D. E. Butler, John D. Stewart, Jesse A, Glenn. Hon. Her;che:uV. Jounson’s Letter. —On Thursday, February 15, the annexed letter from Hon. Hershel V. Johnson, was read to the House of Representatives : Augusta, Ga , February 5, 1860. Gentlemen : I have the honor to acknowl edge the receipt of yours of the Ist instant, requesting ine, in accordance with a resoiu tion adopted at an inform al meeting of the Senate and House of Representatives, to ad dress the General Assembly on the present condition of the country. My engagements render it impossible for me to comply with the request for the present. Perhaps it may be practical beiore the session closes. In this connection I must express my grate ful acknowledgements to the General Assembly, for the hbaor of my election to the United States Senate. I did not expect, nor desiie the position, and I sincerely wi3h the choice had fallen on some other more worthy and oapabie. But the fact that It was unsought enhances my appreciation of the compliment. For more than twenty years, I have been an active participant in the politics of the country; during that tkne I have frequently been trusted with distinguished official positions. The peo ple have honored me beyond my desert; but though conscious oi having served them feebly, yet I have served them faithfully and honestly. After a career so protracted and so full of vicissitude, embracing as it does the years of the war through which we have passed, it is deeply gratifying to know that I still enjoy the confidence .of the people of Georgia. If this paragraph seem to bo egotistical, forgive me. The occasion justifies me in giving expression to the emotion of my heart, not to glorify my self, but to make a suitable acknowledgment of the generosity of my fellow citizens. I have the honor to be very respectfully your obedient *3rvant, Herschel V-. Johnson. Hon. Wm. Gibson, President of Senate, llon. Thomas Hardeman, Jk . Speaker of House of Representatives. The Freedman’s Bureau biil was placed in ■ the hands of the President on the 15th March, j Interest is excited as to his course concerning it. It is no secret that he does not approve at all of its provisions. An injunction has been issued against Thnr» low Weed, and others, to restrain them from disposing certain privileges granted by Sec retary Stanton, to build a telegraph from New Orleans to San Francisco. YOL. LXXV.—-NEW SERIES VOL. XXV NO. 10. Sound Doctei:>s. —The Democracy of Con necticut, in their late State Convention adopt ed the annexed resolutions : Resolved, That the Congress of the United States possesses no power under the. Atetila tion to determine who ShalFbe the right ot suffrage.. That ig *a i right belonging ami appertaining to, the States, or the people of the Stifles as such, aud * that any and all attempts upon the part of Congress to force upon ttaypeople of any State or States -any class aSTitizens thereof, and entitled to thß rights of’suffrage, are violations of the spirit and letter of the Constitution and infringe ments upon, the rights of the States. llesolvfdf By the Democracy of Connecti cut, that 'the-distingnished citizen now occu pying the Presidential chair, by his earnest ef forts for the 'restoration'ofVhe Union upon its proper basis—by his manly and statesman like position in 'opposition to negro suffrage— by his resistance to the insane and unwise efforts oi a congressional majority, who seek to de stroy the Constitution" ot our fathers by mis chievous amendments—has deserved well of his country ; and a courageous perseverance in the course so taken, will place the name of Andrew Johnson high upon the roll of renown and second to none of tire great statesmen who have illustrated the annuls of tho Uniou. It is gratifying to see that there are some at the North who are willing ta take a bold stand against tire aggressions and unconstitu tional designs of the .radical leaders, wa -aw Tribute to the Gallantry cf the Confed erates —Genera! Hooker, in his testimony be fore the Committee of Congress oji the conduct of the War, pays the following tribute to the gallantry of the Confederate troops : ■ “Our artillery had always been superior to that of the Confederates, as was also our in fantry, except in discipline, aud that, for rea sons not necessary to mention, never did equal Lee’s army. With a rank and file vastly in ferior 10 our own, intellectually and physically, General Lee’s army lifts, by discipline alone, acquired a character for steadiness and efficien cy unsurpassed, in my judgment, in ancient or modern times. We have never been able to rival it.” General Meade speaks of “the brave and gallant advance” of the Confederates at Gettysburg. Hancock talks of their “wonder ful spirit”—“nothing could have been more spirited”—and General, PieasantoD, describing the disgraceful running away of the Eleventh Army corps at Chancellorsville, accounts for it ‘ ‘by the combined effect upon the imagina tion of the sound of musketry, the yella of the Confederates and their increasing artillery fire It was a theatrical effect Stonewall Jackson could produce better than any othef man I have ever seen on the field of battle, You could tell one of hia attacks anywhere—and the turn of the battle was Stonewall Jackson’s death.” Good Advice. —Henry A. Wise, a most in veterate talker as he is, sometimes says a good thing. In a recent speech to the “Richmond Blues,” he gave this sensible advice : “He‘ their General, had surrendered, and it was a bona tide surrender. If his hearers, those who fought in the ranks of the Blues, would allow their General to issue his last or ders, he would say surrender, and let it be a bona fide surrender; not a crouching, servile surrender, but a surrender upon the point ct honor. If oaths are requited of you in order that you may return to your occupations, take them, i you possibly can, and "go to work. Lay aside your old gray regimentals; they have served you well, and you never disgraced them. But go to work. It you oan’t get a dollar a day, take the half of it; if you can’t get a quarter, take a cent; if you can’t get meat and bread, get bread alone; and if you can’t get a whole loaf, take a halt. But go to work ! work ! work ! A highly important case was decided by the United States Supreme Court on tho 14th, in voiving the validity of tno acceptances issued by J B. Floyd as Secretary of War to Russell, Majors and Waddell. The Court held that even when in the hands of an innocent holder,’ they were not to be paid by the United States. The President has approved the bill provid ing that no American vessel, which shall have been licensed to sail under a foreign flag, and to have the protection of any foreign Govern ment during the war, shall be registered as American vessels, or have the rights and privi leges of American vessels, except under an act ot Congress authorizing such registry. ‘ Georgia Legislature. HOUSE Wednesday Afternoon February 14. The annexed biils were passed; to change the time of holding Superior Courts of Musco gee county ; to extend and define the corpo rate limits o f the town of Newnan ; to alter and amend the charter of the city of Atlanta ; to iucorporate the Atlanta Canal and Wat%- Works ; to incorporate the North Western Min ing Company ; to incorporate the Georgia.Man ufactoring and Paper Company ; to incorporate the Dawson Manufacturing Company ; to in corporate the Georgia Petroleum and Mining Company*; to incorporate the Vulcan and Coal Manufacturing Company. * . SENATE. Thursday, February 15. The annexed resolution was taken up and agreed to, and transmitted to the House : Whereas, The people of Georgia have quiet ly and peacefully acquiesced iu the results of the late revolution, and have with entire unanimity by their conventional acts, and by their Legislative proceedings demonstrated their willingness to ado;it any and all meas uies demanded or intimated by the National authority that were necessary or proper to establish justice, to form a more perfect union, and ,to insure domestic tranquility ; and where as, notwithstanding al! these acts of amity, obedience and fraternity, cur towns, cities and villages are now being garrisoned by U. S. colored troops, thus placing «ar former slaves with in their bands, to arrest, fine and imprison and lord it over their former owners, and as a necessary result of recent emancipa tion and self aggrandisement, to maltreat our citizens, and insult their wives and daughters ; and whereas, such conduct will inevitably tend to irritate and influence the public mii.d, and produce scenes of disorder, violence and bloodshed ; and whereas, if garrisons are deemed necessary no such results would ensue bv sending here wh.te troops under officers. Therefore, be it. Resolved by the General Assembly, That his Excellency the Governor be Instructed to immediately send a commissioner to Washing ton City to properly represent the above facts, and to urge with ail his power upon the R reii " dent, the Secretary of War, and General Grant the justice, wisdom and propriety of removing the colored troops. . _ , Be it further resolved, That this p enel .f‘ Assembly will provide the means to defray the expenses and pay the services of such com missioner. The bill to legalize marriages of first coubiqb was iecOESidered. , , . The annexed bills were introduced • to pro vide for the establishment of an Orphan's Home reported a biil for that purpose—-the bill proposes to establish at or near Atlanta such a home—the orphans of deceased soldiers to have the preference; to provide for the ad mission of oral testimony; to repeal section ■4435 of the Code; to give certain powers to the city judges of Savannah; to incorporate the Rome Gas Company, The annexed resolution were introduced : so provide for raising a commission to fix a site for the State Penitentiary; that the judicial committee be instrucsed to inquire into the expediency of establishing the value of notes, bills, &c during the late war, and report by bill or otherwise. The annexed bills were passed ; to reduce the sheriffs’ bonds of Baldwin, Hancock and other counties; to extend the corporate limits of the city of Rome; to incorporate the Oosta naula Steamboat Company; iu relation to the City Council of Augusta; to incorporate the Mining, Manufacturing and Improvement Company. Bill to require licenses for the distillation of spirituous liquors. Lost. Mr. Owens submitted report adverse to bill to change the charter of railroads with refer ence to charges. HOUSE. * Thursday, February 15. Bill relating to jttie requiring solicitors to have lived twelve nffVhths in their judicial cir cuit betore being eligible to office was r 3-con sidered and passed. The annexed bills were passed :to author ize Inferior Courts to fill vacancies in boards of trustees and in ail private corporations ; to declare Olivia K Wallace adopted child of Stephen B Jones ;me king it penal for rail roads to charge more for freights than allowed by charter ; to legalize certain unlawful mar riages in the State ; to incorporate tho Musco gee Insurance and Industrial Association. The annexed bills were lost : to reduce the. bond of sheriffs of Clay and other counties ; for the relief of Asa C. Jackson ot Muscogee county ; to authorize ordinaries of the State to administer oaths. Bill for the reliqLpf Lester Masham, Thomas Hollis and David Dyer, of Morgan county ; re ferred; SENATE, • Friday February 16. A resolution was introduced providing for a recess after February 20. The resolution instructing the Judiciary Committee to report by bill or otherwise, some measure to establish rules for estimating the value of notes, drafts, bills, &c., made during Confederate times, was passed. Resolution authorizing the Governor to ap - point a commission to select a site for the Pen itentiary., Laid on the table for the present. Bill to authorize the payment of certain c’aims against the Western & Atlantic Rail road. Lost. The annexed bills were passed : to relieve from jury duty persons above sixty years of age ; for the relief ot Isaac Hardeman,’ of Jones county ;to perfect service against ex press companies ; to allow the redemption of lands within tho last six years for taxes—it allows non residents whose lands have been sold during the war tor taxes, to redeem such lauds by paying taxes at the rate such lands were taxed in 1860, and ten per cent addition al, if redeemed within eighteen months ; to amend section 1.350,0f the of the Code ; to amend the charter of the Oglethorpe Insurance Company of Savannah ; for the pardon of Terry L Cox A resolution was introduced authorizing the Governor to appoint "one or more competent persons to aid the Hon David Irwin in revis ing the Code. A bill was introduce 1 to add an addi tional clause t ejection 2521 • of the Code. ■HOUSE. Friday February 16. The annexed bills were introduced; to in corporate the Columbus Manufacturing Com pany ; to change the line between Putnam and Jasper ; to incorporate the Biunswick and Al tamaba Company to allow Joseph J. Kirkland to peddle without license in certain counties. The annexed rosolutions were introduced ; that on and after the 17th instant, no member shall be alloweu to speak olterler than twice on the same subject, nor longer than ten min utes, except on the tax bill; to appoint a com mittee to examine the State library ; also, a bill to alter and amend section 648 of the Code; requesting the Comptroller General to furnish the Legislature all the information in his pos session as to the amounts of money loaned by the. banks to the State, when and for what pur pose ; that the Legislature adjourn on the 2d proximo ; that on and after 21st instant no new matter-be introduced. The annexed bills were passed : to repeal paragraph 183 of title 4, chapter 1 of the Code ; to submit the question of the abolition of the penitentiary to the voters of the State ; to authorize an extra tax in the county of Clarke; to change the line between Pulaski and WiL cox ; to place the county of Scriven in the fifth Congressional District; to change the line between Pulaski and Dooly ; to revive the military code of Georgia ; to abolish the office of Adjutant and Inspector General; to change tho time of holding Superior Courts k fo Lee county. The annexed bills were lost: to abolish the Penitentiary: to reduce tbe number of mem bers of the Legislature; to alter the line be tween Newton and Jasper counties; to relieve certain counties overrun by the enemy. A resolution to require banks-to make a re turn of the business operations was adoptsd ; also a resolution in reference to the ’ Deaf and Dumb Asylum. A resolution relative to the appointment of a committee to examine the State library was passed; also a resolution in reference to money loaned by the banks pas ed. Bill to alter and amend section 1307. It re fers to inebriates. Referred to Committee on Lunatic Asylum. Bill declaratory of the law touching debts, contracts, liens and obligations, made and en tered into piior to l3t of June, 1865, when the credit given was based in whole or in part upon slave properly, and prevent the collec tion of the »ame, except in the ratio which the value of all property other than slave, bore to the value of slave property. Referred to the Judiciary Committee. The annexed b ! lls were passed; to incorporate the Georgia and Alabama Mining and Manu facturing Company: to change the line between Lee and Terrell county; to change the line be tween Terrell and Wilcox counties; incorpora ting the Chattabooche Mining Company; to incorporate the North Georgia Mining and Manufacturing Company; to incorporate the Kenesaw Mining Company of Georgia; to amend the charter of Smithville, Lee county; to incorporate the New Era Manufacturing and Mining Company; to incorporate Ellijay Mining Company; to incorporate Atlanta and Boiling Mill; to amend the Act incorporate the Brunswick Improving Company; to incorporate the Bucks Manufacturing Company of Schley county: to incorporate the Southern Mining Company; to incorporate Grand Bay Manufac turing Company ot Berrien county. SENATE, Saturday, February 17. The action of the Senate in the rejection of the bill to allow certain claims against the Western & Atlantic Railroad to be audited was reconsidered. , On the call of the roll no new matter was introduced. The special order for the day—a bill to re lieve from personal liability the stockholders of the several banks of this State. Mr. Bowers opposed the bill in a speech of considerable length. He was followed by Mr. Gibson on the op posite side. HOUSE. Saturday, February IT, The action of the House on the bill to in corporate the Kennesaw Mining Company, was reconsidered. , Mr. Ridley, of Troup, introduced a resolu tion that no new matter after the l&th instant be entertained by the House. , The special order of the day—the bill from