Weekly chronicle & sentinel. (Augusta, Ga.) 1866-1877, July 04, 1866, Image 1

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OLD SERIES, VOL. LXXV. Cfronirle k ieutind. HENRY MOOHE, A. R. WRIGHT, Railroad Intersection-. Wo hare taken occaeion to urge upon our readers—both those who are citizens, and those who trade in this market—for they are reciprocally interested—the importance of prompt action in the completion of onr rail road’ connections, to the end that we keep pace with rival interests, and develop the legi timate advantages resulting from our position and resource*. Scatcely a single Individual of ordinary comprehension, can now be found who, whatever his earlier prejudices to the contrary may have been— bas not become sati.fisd that railroad intersect.o .s form the nucltii, around which cluster the influences which build up and sustain towns and cities—thus controlling, as well as aiding the commercial development of the section penetrated by them. They add to the importance of towns ul ready in exist ence, and often almost annihilate those who ignore their importance, or chance to be re moved from tbe magic chain of railroad inter course. The cities of Atlanta and Worcester have qfton been cited as Illustrations of the results of making a given point a great rail road centre. Instances almost without num ber may be cited to show the blighting effects of Isolation from railroad influences. The neighboring town of Louisville, in Jcllerson county, once the capital of tbe State, and one of the most thrifty towns of the interior, in the midst of a most intelligent and thrifty popu. lation, entertaining the idea—prevalent at the time—that railroads were ruinous to the inter ests of towns and cities, petitioned for the lo cation of the Central itoad ten miles from tbe town, a distance deemed sufficient to prevent contamination. The petition was granted, and Louisville subsides into au lnsolated vil - lage, We may furtber illustrate the point in hand, by referring tp Marietta, which before tbe State Itoad was built was the chief town North of the Chattahoocboe. No sooner had the rude and sterile hills of Martbasville, with but a single log cabin to mark its existence, been selected as the focal point for the great railroad system oi the State' than Atlanta rose like magic into a thriving city, and Marietta, though possessing more natural attractions than any town in the State, iinds that her delicious clime and varied at tractions go for nought in tbe scale against the practical advantages which cluster around the railroad intersection* of Atlanta. All the towns along the lines which centre there, have be come tributaries to tbe growth of the railroad city. Madison, Covington, Nswnan,” Lafclrange, and other towns have contributed to swell its importance. Few of them have been injured, and most of them have been largely benefited by their contiguity to the railroad connections which swell tbe importance ot the intersecting -point. Such is ever the effect of giving to in terior towns a railroad outlet, while the inter secting points have invariably become distribu ting point*, and therefore centres of population —centres of commerce—centres of political importance. We give these illustrations, not because they are the best, but because they tiro offered at home where all can appreciate their force. The North, and especially the groat West, are full of examples. A sagacious judge once told the people of Cincinnati that their city, with all the advantages of the Ohio river, and with nil its fertile lands und the enterprise which distinguished her people, would be nothing, absolutely insiguitloant without railroads. This was the deduction of a sagacious miud, trained to abstractions; but it was at the same time the utterance of profound commercial wisdom. I'bu maxim is indisputable, attested by experience and euforced by numberless examples that rail road intersections creole commercial and manufac turin'/ centres. The smallest huckster coniirms this truth, and acts upon it. lie will toll you that ho goes to this place or that “because be has a belter chance,’' which moans thatfacilis ties extend the held, and utlord him a better opportunity for profits. The merchant of the most enlarged views Is governed by the same principle, and prefers those markets whoso Urieriun arms stretch out to grasp all the ad vantages of competing neighbors. We havo been led into tuis train of thought no less by the interest manliest in railroad connections in other cities than by the apathy of our citizens in reference to enterprises al ready commenced and to the projecliou of others of importance to the progress of our city. Let Augusta wake up. Let her citizens wake her a great Railroad centre for ali terri tory within her reach. The European Belligerents. Probably no contlict that has shocked conti nental Europe in this ceutury has arrayed more formidable belligerent elements than those which comprise the parties to the opouing Ger manic embroglio. The magnitude of the con test imparts a peculiar interest to all the parties to it, and a glance at their military resources, though repeating, perhaps, some facts wi’h which our readers have been made familiar, will, we think, be of general interest and value. Prussia—whose wily Prime Minister may be said to be the leading instigator of the strug gle—is no larger than the States of Georgia and Alabama, having an area of 108,212 square miles. It has a population of 19,304,843 souls a homogenius German people, in race, lan guage and religion. Her finances are in a healthy condition, and her army, which is 200,- 000 strong in time of peace, has been rais-. and t.i 700,000 men. besides the Landwher, or militia reserve, which is composed of those who have served in the army. The navy consists of So war vessels. The Prussians are a military peo ple, having retained the martial spirit which shines out so conspicuously in the grand strug gle of Frederick the Great. Iu the recent war with Denmark they displayed high military qualities. Their army is supplied with the most approved arms, and under the very best discipline. Au ia contaius nineteen provinces and twelve distinct nationalities, with an area of 236,311 square miles, and a population of 36,- 795,000 souls. Her army is about 675,000 strong, with a navy somewhat less than that of Prussia, consisting of 39 steamers and 20 sailing vessels, mounting about 800 guns. The Emperor Francis Joseph is 36 years of affe, highly esteemed by his subjects, and won mili tary reputation in the Crimean war. Her fi nances are not in good condition: her debt be ing already over *1,000,000,000 and her an. nual expenditures more than her revenues. The Austrians make good soldiers, and the Hungarian cavalry have historic fame. Aus tria has apportioned her forces as follows ; Two hundred thousand In the Quadrilateral and Venetia, one hundred thousand in Dalma tia, Frieste and the fortresses, and three hun dred thousand men in the field. This places her apparently at disadvantage, but all depends upon the style with which they are wielded. Italy, which is rushing into the conflict with the characteristic ardor of her people, has an area of 98,784 square miles, and a population of 21,705,910 Her army, on a war footing i consists of 400,000 men, and her navy of 115 men-cf-war and 2,439 guns. Victor-Einanuel, King of Italy, is 46 years of age, and is the son of King Charles Albert, of Sardinia, and Archduchess Theresa, of Austria. The smaller States composing the German Confederation contain a population of 19,000 - 000 and an army ol 300,000. They will all doubtless become involved m tbe struggle, and thus about one hundred millions of men will contend for the mastery of Central Europe, with a prospect that if either get the advantage, France on tbe one side and Russia on the other, will step in to preserve-that favorite theory of monarchists, “the balance of power,” and possibly become directly involved in the adjustment thereof. Editorial Correspondence, San dersvi lle, Ga., June 2G, 186 G. Chronicle & Sentinel: An adjourned term of the Superior Court for this county is now in sessfonhere—Judge Wm. M. Reese, of the Northern Circuit, presiding. This term is held especially for the trial of causes in which Judge Hook was of counsel previous to his elevation to the Bench. There are quite a number of cases for trial, as Judge Hook, whose residence is here, had a very large practice. I notice, among the members of the Bar, Gov. Johnson and Maj J. B. Camming, from your city ; Capt. Mercer, of the Savannah’ liar ; Hon. D. W. Lewis, of Sparta ; E. Cam ming, Esq., of Irvinton; Solicitor-General Whitehead and Col W. W. Montgomery, of OoTtirabia. The local Bar of this place is a full and very alia one. Prominent aipong them is- Col. B. D. Evans, E. 8. Langmade, Esq., Lee Wortheu, Esq., John Gilmer, B. W. Flournoy, W. Robson, present member of tbe State Legis ature, and Benjamin Jones, who has recently beep elected County Jadgo. The case of the State vs. T. J. Alford, for murder, will be takeu up to-day. Quite a num ber of able oounsel have been retained on both sides, and the case excite? considerable inter-' est in the community. The defendant was tried in 18G2, and a verdict of guilty returned by the jury. Counsel for tbo defence took the case up to tiro Supreme Court and obtained an order for anew trial. TUB COURT HOUSE In this county was destroyed by order of Gen. Sherman, it is said, when his army passed through hero in the Fall of 1864, The build ing occupied the centre of a large and hand some square in the heart of the town, and was, without doubt, the finest building of tho sort in the State. Tho people here prided them selves very much upon the architectural beauiy and finish of this splendid Temple of Justice. When Sherman rodo into tho town the splen dor of Us appearance attracted his attention, and caused him to give It a close examination. Upon'coming ont of the building he was heard to say, “ This is too fine a house to be left stand ing j” and in a few minutes it was enveloped in flame*. TUB RECORDS of the Superior aud Inferior Court were all de stroyed in tho Court House, and great embar rassment has been experienced here in getting the cases then pending restored to the dock ets, and the proper papers and documents re established. The records of tho Court of Or dinary were all saved, through the exertions oi Maj. Haywood Brookins, tho experienced, polite, and indefatigable Ordinary for the coun ty. '1 ho complete success of Maj. Brookins in saving his records, shows that many valuable, records, involving the tit-leß to many thousand dollars worth of property, which were de stroyed by Sherman’s angels in tbis State, might have been saved if the proper efforts had been made for their preservation. TUB TOWN OP SANDERS VILLE is situated on a very pretty elevation, three miles East of No. 13, on the Central Railroad, and contains some twelve or fifteen hundred inhabitants. The town is very handsomely laid out, and contains many fine residences and houses of business. The Masons have a fine Hall, three stories high, built of brick, which prosente a fine appearance. There are two handsome churohes and a commodious academy building. The trade of tbe town before the war, was very considerable, a large quantity of cotton and other produce sought a market here, aud the merchants did # a large and thriving busiuess. The citizens of the county, by joint efforts, built at very considerable ex pense, some few years since, a large and com modious hotel, at which 1 am now stopping. Tho house is well kept by Green Whidden, Esq,, the polite and accommodating lessee. the Antral Georgian, a weekly paper, Edited by John H. Gilmore, Esq., is published here. It is one of the oldest and best of the country paper* published in the State. The circulation ot the paper, wo were pleased to learn, is large, and is daily in creasing. We commend it to the patronage of your city merchants. general txllson, The commander of the Military District of Qeorgia, and Chief of the Freedmen’a Bureau, reached here yeste-day, and wo learn that he gives the freedmeu a “talk” to-day. The ac oouutß from the farmers in this county repre t *l>e negroes as generally laboring very vs. 1 Their labor is not so efficacious as before emancipation,,btit their personal deportment is Vfcry good. The back is at the door waiting for this let ter, aud I must close. I will write again to morrow. Insanity Among Negroes. Richmond papers declare that insanity Is be coming fearfully prevalent among the freed men. During the month ot May some fifteen or sixteen such unfortunates were placed in con finement In that city, while, in former times, that number would hardly have been tound in five years. • Insanity among this class of our population is almost a necessary consequence in view of surrounding circumstances and their manner of life. Heretofore they had nothing to tax their minds. Their masters cared for them in sickness and in health—and they were not even called upon to anticipate trouble, or misfor tuue in any possible shape. Os course, there were exceptions to this general rule—only a lew, however. Thus watched over, the negro was never schooled to contend with the changes Os fortune, c# to work out plans by which to surmount difficulties. This is anew and bur densome woik to them, and the majority are ill at ease in accomplishing it. Nothing teDds more p urely to the utter demoralization of men tban hunger, and this combined with feeble health and perplexing circumstances has a very damaging effect upon itie brain cf the stronger, much less the weaker. Debauchery and other things too numerous to mention, must work an inevitable result among the less favored of the freedmen. Botany Collegiate Institute. ‘ Messrs. Editors : I cannot revert to a day, for a long time past, which was spent on my part, with more unalloyed pleasure than that maiked in the calander as Thursday, the 21st of Jane. Availing myse’f of the Invitation ex tended to the numerous friends and patrons of Bethany Collegiate Institute and the commu nity at large, by Mr. L. A. Murphy, the Prin cipal, to attend the commencement exercises of. that institution of learning, I .drove to the village of Bethany at an early hour on the morning of the day mentioned. Many citizens had already assembled and were gtouped in social conversation uuder the adjacent shady oaks. The play grounds and the open space around the College Building was thronged with little girls and boys, and many youDg gentlemen and ladies, most oi them with books in their hands, tripping along with lightsonle haste and joyous anxiety, passing or crossing each others paths going to or from their resi dences and the school- rooms. Everything in - dicated a gala, day df unusual interest and im portance to tbe little community whose usual, monotonous routine of studies was seldom bro ken save by the passing of some pleasure car riage or market wagon. The day was a little waim but beautiful and calm and bright, and the scene was one ot rural beauty, entivenod by the gay animation of civilization and refine ment. At nine o’clock the College bell called the students and visitors to the school-rooms, and the exercises commenced in the presence of the largest audience that had ever assembled there for a similar purpose, of the intelligence, wealth and refinement of a populous district, and ono continuing rapidly to increase in popu lation. The lower classes were first examined in their studies, followed by those more advanced aud progressing to _ the highest branches of learning taught in the institution, consisting of English Grammar, Mathematics, Historyi Geography, Natural and Moral Philosophy and the Latin and French languages. With scarce ly an exception the scholars showed a thorough knowledge of their studies as far as they had advanced, and that what they were taught was thoroughly taught. M.r. Murphy’s plan of examining his classes was after the good old timo mannor. No particular portions of their studies had bean selected for the occasion, aud carefully coursed, as is too often tho case, but they were examined promiscuously throughout their entire course, and yet very few questions were incorrectly answered. Mr. Murphy ob served that he should fear a charge of decep tion wore his scholars, without exception, to answer every question correctly in the presence of such an assembly. Yet I bear cheerful tes timony that in so large a school I have never seen more promptness and accuracy in the an swers. Between tho dismissal and calling of classe 8 the audience was regaled with music on the piano, performed successively by each of the students of music. That Department, it may be proper to remark, is, and has been, from the first establishment of the Institute, under the tuition of Mrs. Maey J. Daniel, a highly inT teilectual, accomplished, and most amiable lady—a daughter oi our old friend, the late Rev. Russell Reuneau, for many years a pre siding Elder of the Methodist Church, and at one time editor of a Whig paper in Atlanta, and memorable among many of his friends for a singular intellectual contest with that “little villain,” Raymond, of the New York Times, in the National Convention which nominated Gen. Scott for the Presidency. It was doubt less, as gratifying to Mrß. S, as it was pleasant and entertaining to the audienco, to see the proficiency of many of her present and late pu pils, greeted as they wore, with such marked applause, for their performances. Without detracting in the least manner from the merits of any of the young lady performers, I cannot pass on without noticing particularly those of Mrs. Daniel's little daughter, Alice, Miss A. L., Miss C. W., and Miss J. S. The threo latter very beautiful aud accomplished young ladies. Miss W. was the admired and lovely Queen of the recent May festival. The latter, Miss S., closes with this term her educational career. May the future of tho present happy lives of these Interesting youug ladies be as fortunate to them, as indulgent nature has been to their gifted minds and charming persons. Tho exercises of the classes closed about half an hour after noon, when the scholars and visitors proceeded to the grove of oaks former ly within the enclosure of the old Bethany Camp Ground, where in Lang Syne the hymns of praiso had often ascended amidst the gloom of its dark green foliage. Here was presented “tables that groaned with the weight of the fea°t,” that gave evidence of anything but a' starving population. And here also was dis played in all its brilliancy, a sample of what Bethany and its environs can do in the way of “beautiful women and brave men”—for cer tainly brave men were there, who had often stood firm to the furious and deadly onset of. the battle, and many a gallant fellow carried the honorable marks of his indomitable cour age. While the occasion, doubtless, called to their minds, for a saddened moment, the ab sence of some of their less fortunate, but no less heroic comrades. The vicinity ot Bethany has long been cele brated for its handsome women ; fresh and blooming as the green fields ajjd flower-gardens of their country residences. Few cities can produce a congregation of greater female love liness, and no rural district can surpass it. I do net think the society of this portion of Jefferson county can ever be improved in the chaste beauty of its women, or that a higher refinement can make it more happy. It is, in almost every respect, one of the most desirable sections for a family residence I know of any where. And, Messrs. Editors, >1 you have any sorrowing bachelor friend, who will not be comforted where he is, advise him to take a tiight due South from your fair city, and alight in this neighborhood, where, I think, he may be cured of his old afflictions, or, perhaps, ex change them for anew and more pleasant va riety. The off as all good dinners will pass off. where every one is determined to en joy themselves, and make others do the same, if possible. It would be a curious and laughs able medley, no doubt, if one could collect all that was said by belles and beaux, dames and demoiselles, at such a time, while contributing to the general pleasure ot the occasion. There would be some nonsense, likely enough ; but that is not to be wondered at in gossiping and love -making. Besides, “A little nonsense now and then Is relished by the wisest men.” After a recess of an hour or two, we were again assembled ia the school-rooms ; and the afternoon was consumed in listening to ad dresses and speeches bj the young gentlemen and the reading of compositions by some ten or a dozen young ladies. Some ot the composi tions were very creditable to the hearts and heads of their authors. Some fine vocal and instrumental music interspersed the exercises ; AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING. JULY 4, 1866. at the close of which Winder Johnson, Eeq., was introduced by the Principal, and delivered a very chaste and impressive address upon the subject of Education, which was high ly applauded. Thus closed the Examination; and after again partaking of a light but elegant collation of various sweetmeats, cakes, fruit, &c., pre pared by the ladies, just before sunset, the day’s labors and- pleasures were finished with the acting, by the students of both sexes, of several comic pieces, dialogues, songs, &c.— Nor did the laughter and merriment cease> till near the “weesma’ hours ayontthe twal,’’ when the large assemblage of tbe patrons and friends of the Institution separated amid gen- 1 erai hilaruy and good humor, well pleased with everything and everybody. I will take the occasion to state, in conclu sion, for the information of those interested in education—and who is not ?—that there has existed an excellent High School at -Bethany for several years ; and its present advance ment to the higher order of a Collegiate Insti tute opens for it a wide field, and a high career of usefulness. It has been under the general supervision of the Masonic Fraternity, of which there is a large and flourishing Lodge at Beth any. The Institute is located in the Southern part of Jefferson county, within one mile of the 108th mile post on the Central Railroad, where a Postoffice and Depot are about being established. The location is one of unques tioned health ; and I believe the only one be tween that point and Savannah easy of access. The society, for morals and all the social re-' quisites for a good neighborhood, is unsur passed. And at this time, when circumstances beyond our control have changed so radically one of our domestic systems, and which will force upon us more imperatively the necessity of educating the rising generation, parents and guardians cannot be too strongly directed to institutions of learning like this, which effer such admirnbie means for educating their children and wards. Mr. L. A. Murphy, the Principal, is a graduate, I believe, of Midway University, and combines with the erndition of the scholar many of the highest attributes of a good and successful teacher, as is mani fested by the rapid and thorough advancement of his pupils, and the universal satisfaction he has given to the patrons of the Institution. B. [communicated j , Some of tbe Resonrces of Georgia. As the great civilizer ot the age, the press perhaps, ranks first, owing to its vast individ ual and general influences. When abused it becomes a hydra-headed tyrant, swaying'the worst passions of men to its peculiar views, but when used by the equity of calm reasoning, human happiness, the great desideratum of life, follows as a result of its agency. Being a ve hicle of the selfish passions of men, which are ordained by Providence to promote the welfare of society, I propose, Mr. Editor, to nse it in order to induce the enterprising and industri ous to seek a theatre for personal aggrandize ment, as well as to bring forth the resources of our noble State. The State of Georgia, by gave her public lands to her citizens in that part of the Stare known as Southwestern Georgia. They wore laid off in large tracts, the lota of some counties containing four hundred and ninety acres. At that time these lands were thought to be worthless, and many fortunate drawers of these laud lotteries never granted them, that is, paid tho sum of five dollars for the grant. About 1830, speculators begaq to buy up these lands, principally situated between the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers. In a short time they were populated with emigrants from this and other States, and so rapid were theim provements that in 1861, Savannah, Macon,Co lumbus, Albany and Ft. Gaines were connected by railroads. Also a road direct from Savannah to Thomasviiie, and one from Macon to Bruns wick projected and partially completed. An other from Brunswick to Waresboro was fin ished as far as Tebeauville, where it intersects the Savannah. Albany and Gulf railroad. So many of these great arteries of trade, so recently made in anew country, prove con clusively its great importance. I should have mentioned that east of Flint river the country is fast assuming the same air ot importance as on the west. The great and little Satilla rivers which flow in the harbor of Brunswick, offer a speedy and cheap transportation to one of tho best ports on the coast of the United States.— The Federal Government purchased an island in the harbor in 1856, for the purpose of establishing a navy yard, which has deservedly given it some prestige of value. With a men tion of these outlets for the productions, I will rehearse some of the very remarkable natural advantages of some counties lying contiguous to these roads and rivers. Appling, Wayne- Pierce, Coffee, Telfair, Ware, Clinch, Lowndes and Brooks, are yet sparsely settled, owing, in a great measure, to the late war. The charac, teristic timber growth of these counties is tho yellow pine, which has proclaimed and main tains its supremacy as a prince among vege - tation, Its growth here is very abundant, as much so as in any State South, and in size and quality, unsurpassed. All are familiar with the greatest source of wealth to North Caro lina—“tar, pitch and turpentine”—but this section of our State promises te ‘’filch” from old Rip Van Winkle “his own good name.’’ In a short time Brunswick will rival Wilmington, if not win for itself the enviable reputation of being the largest lumber mart in the world. The convenience of its location to these vast untouched pine forests, and the facilities for transporting lumber to it or Savannah present alone sufficient inducements to tbe enterprising capitalist. But for the Southerner, impoverished by the war, or the emigrant, it was never surpassed by the long favored land of “milk and honey,”—Ca naan was not a circumstance. The only dis advantage is to Doctors of Medicine, that is, if they * depended on a sickly population for a livelihood, for starvation would stare them in the face ; in fact, no country was ever more healthy. The greatest and best advantages of these counties are in the products of agriculture, among the most stable of which are corn, oats, rye and peas. Here are the bases of operation for the farmer to make sweet potatoes enor mous in size, and whose name is legion—for him to make his sea island cotton, so much greater in value than the shorter staple, (known as inland.) for the soil is peculiarly adapted to this variety, and produces it finely. The West India sugar cane is grown by every planter, so that 6ugar and eyrup are made sufficiently to supply the wants of the country about. One of the most surprising products of this conntry Is the upland rice, which is planted in exhaust* ed lands in checks or hills, and with two work ings yield from thirty to fifty bushels per acre and of a superior quality. So large a yield of the world-important grain, and the recent con firmation of Sherman’s order by Congress, re taining the negroes in possession of the fines* rice lands, and so little good being expected of these people, another locality is presented for the transfer of the producß The pea-nut is planted among the corn, and never gathered sard for seed, but left for the hogs to Red on during the winter. The oil from this nufe.-is almost equal to that of the olive. TbiSi together with the sweet potatoes in great abundance, are the corn-saving ele ments in fattening pork. The mulberry of Lombardy does’ not flourish in greater pro fusion than here, and from its very prolific yield.of fruit daring four months of the year, the pigs and poultry enjoy an annual desert and thrive in a manner suitable to the most epi curism taste. This being suggestive of fruit, I will say that the peach, grape and melon are reared to great perfection. The wire; grass is the only form of pastur age presented, but it nutritive qualities is not behind that of timothy or blue grass, and the extensive forests are one great meadow, on wWeb* tti» -native* cattle feed from May until December. They are during this period as fine beeves as produced in any country or sold in any market, though smaller with respect to size. They multiply rapidly and require no more attention than do these of the Northern praries. Sheep are the stock which make the best return, doubling their numbers every two years and continue in excellent condition for tan months of the twelve.' They are never housed or fed. No effort as yet has been made to improve the native treed, but when it is done the rearing of sheep # will provo the most lucrative occupation in the country. Thus, Mr. Editor, I present faithfully and truthfully theyesun;s ot close observation and inquiry, and I predict that 'this portion of Georgia will noe the grandest legacy of her citizens, *• * h, J9TTII?«9 FROM THE CAPITAL. [FROM our own correspondent.] Washington, June 22. More than a week ago it was foreshadowed in this correspondence that trouble would in evitably grow out of the insolent atti ide of the Radical majorities in Congress mre .rd to the Constitutional amendment recentlj Missed by a two thirds vote in both Houses, ibe ro sult has verified my prediction. The friends of the Amendment, flushed with i.liei/ extraor dinary success in carrying their pet measure through Congress by a vote whic gathered in, all tke recent stragglers from the Republican camp, determined amongst themselves, upon ft , A BOLD ATTEMPT TO EVADE THE rRESIDENT®pISAP PROVAL. ( With this view, they mado arrangeßiM'ijby which the Joint Resolution proposed Article, was formally fimPrfjpiie State Department, as a perfected a- , gress, without having been sent tcjjyfi-esi dent at all. Their next step was juqidoph concurrent resolution directing to transmit the proposed • Amendm?^; t< - Executives of the several States, iuSPv.'de it might receivo the ratification oft, es >r of the Legislatures, requisite to gi va •. i ’ as a part of the constitution.' I. **s« t ... ning and carefully devised schem // , jtfS examination, that, technically, tbsi posn the Radicals was correct. Strictly speaking, the joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment does not require the signature of the President. Yet, in the past, it has always been the custom, by courtesy, to submit such joint resolutions, in common with other Acts of Congress, to the Executive, on the principle, perhaps, that if his approval does not add to the’r force, it can certainly do nothing to weaken it. This was the first in stance in the legislative history of tho country, in which there had existed any DOUBTS AS TO THE PRESIDENT’S ACTION. The Radicals were resolved to avoid the risk of letting their amendment encounter the vig orous and stubborn logic in which tho Presi dent always clothes his obj -ctions to any meas ure submitted to his judgment, and they there fore carried out tho plan I have explained above, regardless of iho glaring discourtesy which it involved towards the Chief Magistrate of the nation. Their object was to gag his official utterance, and they were rather pleased than otherwise at the slight that they were thus inflicting upon him, in the effort to accom plish their end. Thus things stood until to-day, and the head devils of the Radical organization were com placently exchanging congratulations and lusti ly crowing over the success of their scheme to out wit the great Tennesseean. Theirs, how ever, was A SHORT-LIVED TRIUMPH. They knew not the nerve and self-confidence of Andrew Johnson. They had done their best to ignore him ; out he would not be ignored. They had strives to snub him; but he refused to stay snubbed. They imagined that they had gagged him; but to-day his voice, raised in solemn tones of warning against the insidious proposal of a Ramp Congress, reverberates throughout the land, wherever the wires can flash the patriotic eloquence of his message, A SCENE ON THE FLOOR OF CONGRESS—RECEPTION OF THE MESSAGE. I chanced to te present in the galleries of the House of Repiesentatives when the message was received and read. It was a complete surprise. Words can scarcely convey any ade quate idea of the rage and dismay of the lead ers of the House is sentence after sentence of Executive rebuke came pealing upon them in tbe sonorous tones of tho Reading Clerk, pierc ing their sophistries, as round shot tears through the ranks of an ill-disciplined battalion. It was plain enougi to any observer that they felt the crushing force of the President’s objec tions, so tersely ana yet so courteously pre sented. They kaew, as the last words of the document, “Signed, Andrew Johnson,” rung in their ears, hat they sounded the death knell of the ameidment. If there ever was a chance that so itiquitous an enactment could receive the sanction of three fourths of the States of this Union, that chance is now, I trust, destroyed. It was exceedingly amusing to hear the MALI INAST UTTIBANCES of the bitterest cf the enemies of the President, in commenting amongst themselves upon the style in which, unasked, he had entered into their game aud delivered check-mate. Said one, “It amounts to this, that Andy Johnson is ; nt willing to recognize tho validity of any act we may pass, until the rebel traitors are admitted here amongst us to legislate for the loyal people of this country !’ : Another opined that “The next thing we shall see will be the rebel representatives escorted to their ‘vacant seats’ by Presidential bayonets !” These are fair specimens of the familiar comments of the Badicals upon the message. But most provok ing of all to their ears was the cool, business like style in which the President condescends to “waive the question as to the constitutional validity of the proceedings of Congress.” That, they think, was the unkindest cut of all. BIDDING FOR TLNNESsBE. Although much disheartened by this terrible and unexpected blow from the President, the party-managers hero do not despair, as yet, of being able to induce Tennessee to ratify the proposed amendment. With this endorsement at the hands of a Southern State these wily tricksters hope to save their project before the Northern Legislatures, where, otherwise, its fate would be worso than doubtful. To win Tennessee, nothing that desperate and unscru pulous men c.-.n do will be left undone. The aid of “Governor” Browalow and the Tennes seo Rump Legislature is confidently counts upon ; and the support of most of the Tennes see Representatives, who remain here, waiting to get ; nto the much coveted seats, has been bought by liberal promises. Occupying a bad eminence amongst these representatives, stands Horace Maynard, who has lately become an enthusiastic convert to extreme radicalism. He will do all he can to barter his adopted State (for he is, originally, a down-easter) for a mess of Federal pottage ; but I trust that Tennessee will yes have thd firmness to hear ken to the warning of tho greatest ot her liv ing sons-the honored occupant of the White House. Towering far above ail other financial and commercial topics in interest to the Southern people at this time stands the uotton question. The majority in the House of Representa tives, I heer, are quite wroth at the action of the Senate in cutting down the internal cotton tax from five to two cunts per pound. The differences of opinion of the two Houses on this subject will eventually bo referred to a Committee of Conference ; and the upshot of tbe matter will probably be a compromise upon a tax of three cents per pound. And while ou this subject, I must not omit to notice an adufirable letter on the profits of cotton raising, under the new condition o things, communicated to the National Intel ligencer of to day by Milton Brown. Mr. Brown, who ie President of (he Mobile & -Ohio Railroad, which runs through Alabama, Ten nessee, Mississippi and Kentucky and which passes through more cotton fields, than any other road, ia evidently au fait iu the matter about which he writes. He sums up his con clusion in the following propositions : First. During the existence of slavery the largest portion of tho income of planters was from the increase and growth of slaves. Second, The actual profits made on raising cotton, when separated from the increase and growth of negroes, was not greater than the profits made on wheat, corn, mules, cattle, &c., in the free States. Third, Slavery being abolished, the planter must rely for his future income solely on the products of the soil. The soil in the South is being cultivated by free labor, and the pro ducts of the soil produced by free labor can no more bear taxation in the South than in the North. It was by reasoning of this character that the Senate was induced to fix the cotton tax at ’ vo, instead of five cente. • t THE MEXICAN QUESTION. {'«ve may believe what every body save, is a •tion no longer. “The nephew of his un . ' las re-iterated in the most solemn and it mariner to the U. S. Minister his in ;• to withdraw bis French troops from : and Vend no more to replace them. W.eU be doeb this, the Maximilian Empire,— so every body tells us—must tumble over as a matter of course ; and then we shall have an other joily anarchical republic on our conti nent onca more ; and tho Mexicans will be re mitted to the chronic misrule and disorder which have been their inheritance of woe from time immemorial. Wo shall see. Butternut. Washington, June 24. Ths impatience of “the assembled wisdom of the Nation” to get homo has been increasing, of late in an exact ratio with the heat of the weather an J the many other discomforts inci dent to SUMMER LIFE IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL. The present temper of Congress on the sub ject of adjournment renders it quite certain that the present session will be brought to a close by the middle of July, at the farthest; and, indeed, there is a very respectable minor ity, both in the Senate and in the House, who are clamorous for such action as will enable them to spend tho “glorious Fouth’’ with their constituents. Probably the hard-working members and the legislative drones will com promise upon an adjournment about the tenth or twelfth of July. When the flags which, floating from either wing of the capital build ing, announce the presence of the co-ordihate branches of the National Legislature, shall have been hauled down for the last time during the First Session of tho Thirty-Ninth Congress, there will be a sudden scattering of the thous ands of strangers now gathered together with in our city limits, and Washington will be left to the dust and wonted dullness of the dog days. The hordes of Congressional hangers-on will disperse to their homes, if they have any we shall miss tho smirks and smiles ol the gen tlemen of the lobby, now all hard at work, like so many leeches seeking to bleed the pub lic treasury ; the great hotels which dot the Avenue will shorten by half their huge dining tables, and assume that air of dreariness and desertion which they always wear during “the recess,” the Executive and other fashionable receptions will cease ; the Theatres will close their doors, and those of the residents ot the city who cannot afford to hie away to the watering' places, must content themselves with such diversion as they can find in the inter change of social courtesies amongst themselves and the enjoyment of the semi-weekly prome nade concerts of the Marine Band, which, from time immemorial, it has been the custom of the Government to provide gratis for the amusement of the denizens of Washington in the summer time, Such is the dull prospect before us. Meantime, Congress is evidently determined to make the most of THE LAET THREE WEEKS OF THE SESSION. It has been determined to dispense with the ridiculous fashion of devoting the sessions of Saturdays exclusively to frothy political har angues and radical buncombe ; and the remain ing Saturdays, like the other week days, wil be spent in the labor of Legislation. The re marks appear to feel that the reign of taikj is over and the time for work begun. The com mittees are all busy closing up their reports’ and, in the House, measure after measure is despatched with a celerity hitherto unkaowa during the session. The last ten days previous to the adjournment will probably include a very heavy mass ot legislation, and during that period there will be a corresponding in crease of the interest which attaches to the proceedings. During the pa3t week, the Sen ate as wtil as the House of Representa tives, besides disposing of a very large num ber of private bills, have taken action upon several measures ot a public character, some of which possess features of interest to the South ern reader. The Senate, in jiasing. THE NEW FREEDMEN’S BCRBAC BILL which originated in the House, has made a very considerable reduction in tho various items of appropriation which the bill includes ""cutting dowu the aggregate sum appropria- NEW SERIES, VOL. XXV NO. 27. ted for the Bureau, from eleven to nine mil lions. But even this latter amount ia regard ed by the mass of tho Northern tax-payers as an enormous imposition upon the Government, and, in tho approaching October elections, the responsibility of continuing the existence of an institution so burdensomelito the people at large as this Bureau, will be one of the heav iest weights that the Republican party candi eates wtll have to carry ia the race. POLITICAL CHANGE i EXPECTED. From the indications, so tar, it is admitted on all hands the Fall elections will increase the numerical strength of the Democrats on the floor pf the House of Representatives,) now consisting of barely thirty-three members) to at least eighty, and perhaps ninety members. Besides theßo, it is expected that a large of the [present „ Radical Representatives will have 1 to yield their seats to Republicans of more conservative views. So that, unless some unexpected issues should ariso to change the current of popular sentiment, there is every probability that, in tho next Congress, the present overwhelming Radical majority, if not reduced to a minority, will at least bo effectually neutralized and stript of all its power sos mischief. The clauses of the new bill for the re-organization of THE UNITED STATES STANDING ARMY, which declares the ineligibility of the late rebels to army appointments of any grade are exceedingly stringent, and bears the traces of the malicious bitterness of that hoary fanatic, who never loses an opportunity to inflict a blow upon the South—l mean Tbaddeuß Ste vens. The practical result of the bill, if it should become a law, would be to make the Northern people, as far as the army is con cerned, a superior and privileged claes. But I am glad to Bay that there is every reason to bolieve that the Senate will summarily reject the measure. .MERE MENTION. The House has passed a bill “to establish a National Bureau of Education.” It is nothing more nor lesß than a scheme to give fat offices to half a dozen threadbaro and dilapidated Yankee School masters, whoso nominal duty will bo the collection of educational statistics. Harris, the lion-hearted representative from Maryland, whose recent speech in the Mouse attracted eo much attention, has declined a re election . Tho Senate has passed a joint resolution to provide for the publication of a “History of the Rebellion,” to be compiled from the official records. Tho Assistant Commissionership of the Freed men’s Bureau for Florida has been vested in Gen Foster. Secretary Staunton has been quite sick, but is getting better. Dead Duck Forney has annonneed himself as a candidate for U. S. Senator from Pennsyl vania. Butternut. Decimal System of Weights and measures. Congress having passed a bill legalizing a decimal system of weights and measures simi lar to that of France, the following tables, comprising the French measures in inches, feet, and grains, will be valuable, if tbe sys tem shall, as some predict, supercede that now ia use : LONG MEASURE. Inches. 10 millimetres make 1 centimetre 0.393809 10 centimetres make 1 decimetre 3.938091 10 decimetres make 1 metre 39.38091 10 metres make I deaimetre 308.80917 10 decimetres make 1 hecatometre 3938.0917 10 hecatomotres make 1 chiliometro 39380,917 SQUARE MEASURE. Squere feet. 10 millares make 1 centare 10.7698 10 centares make 1 decimare 107.698 10 decimares make 1 are 1079.98 10 ares make 1 decare 10768 SO 10 decares make 1 hecatare 107698.00 SOLID MEASURE. , Cubic feet. 10 millisteres make 1 centistere 0.35374 10 centisteres make 1 decistere 3 5375 10 decisteres make 1 stero 35.375 10 steres make 1 decastere 353.75 10 decasteres make 1 hecatostere 3537.50 10 hectatosteres make 1 chilistere 35375.0 LIQUID AND DRY MEASURE. Cubic inches. 10 millilitres make 1 centlllitre 0.6707 10 centillitres make 1 decilitre 6.7074 10 decilitres make 1 litre 97 074 10 litres make 1 decalitre 670.74 10 decalitres make 1 hecatolitre 6707.40 10 hecatolitres make 1 chiliolitre 67074.00 WEIGHTS. Trey grains. 10 milligrammes make 1 centigramme 0.15433 10 contigrammes make 1 decigramme 1.54332 10 decigrammes make 1 gramme 15.48315 10 grammes make 1 decagramme 154 8315 10 decagrammes make 1 becatogramme 1543.315 10 hecatogrammes make 1 chilio gramme 15433 15 Bishop Qulutard and the Negro. The Bishop of Tennessee, who served through the late war as Confederate Chaplain, has inaugurated a movement in regard to the freedmen, which ought to convince even the most prejudiced and purblind Radical that the South intends to do justice to the black race, and that it is no idle boast when our people declare themshlves the “best friends” of their former slaves. Bishop Quintard, in his annual address to his Diocesean Convention, recommends tbe amplest provision to be made for the education of the blacks. He goes even farther than this. He recommends that, after a while, when tho fruits of education begin to develops themselves, a number of the more intelligent young freedmen shall be selected and pre qmred for the ministry. The idea, dovbtlesa, is to give the colored people a fair chance to organize and establish, as a branch of “the Catholic Apostolic Church” and auxiliary to it, a Church of their own, with their own teachers and preachers. State Items. The revival in the Baptist and Methodist Churches in Macon still continues. Last Bun day ten persons were baptized in the Baptist Church. About thirty persons have joined the Mulberry street Methodist Church recently, and one nundred during the year. The young men of Macon held a meeting on Monday evening for the purpose of organizing a debating society. “There never haa been as poor a prospect in Heard for a cotton crop. What little came up from the old seed and did not die, locks badly, and numbers of the farmers have plow ed up and planted com. The corn crop looks tolerably well, considering the great quantity of rain. The wheat crop is only tolerable, though better than it was supposed it would be.” ' An advertisement lately appeared headed “iron bedsteads and bedding.” We suppose the linen must be sheet-iron. AdmirarLennock, just dead in England, at the age of nioety-one, entered the British Navy as Captain’s servant, on board the frigate Blanche. At Trenton, N. J., a few days ago, the Grand Jury indicted two membeis of the last btate Legislature, and three lobbyists, for corrup tion. TBE WAR Vi EUROPE. Three Pays Later Sen's. Oar space forbids more than a few items from the deeply interesting foreign news, which reached us late on yesterday : Protest of Austria. Count Mensdorff has sent a note to Count Karolyi, protesting against the entry of the Prussians into Holstein, declaring this step to be a violation of the Gasten Convention, which treaty existed in right until a definitive settles ment of the question of the Duchies was arrived at. It denies also that Austria has violated existing treaties by her declarations at the Federal Diet. This declaration is not contrary to the Treaty of Gastein, since that treaty contains nothing respecting a definite settlement ot the question. Austria throws the responsibility for the consequences upon Prussia, and reserves to herself her liberty of action tor the future. The Prussians Advancing. Vienna dispatches of the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th, allude to the advance of the Prussians, through Bramstedt, Horst, Itzehoe, ani Al tona. Hanover gave permission for the Austrian Kalik brigade to pass through her territory, and to make use of the Hanoverian railway. A dispatch of the 12th states that all the Austrian troops have evacuated Holstein, and have marched toward Harburg. The Duke of Augustenburg left yesterday oveniag, and Gen. Von Gablenz early this morning. Vienna, June 12—Evening.—Gen. Von Gab lenz had originally received orders to main tain his position in Altona, but under all cir cumstances to avoid firing tho first shot. The General declared, in reply, that the Prussian troops being six times superior in number to his own, the order was impracticable; and that either the Austrian brigade must be sacrificed or withdrawn. It was thou that Gen. Gablenz was instructed to retire. Twenty-six members of the Holstein Estates have entered a protest against the arrest by the Prussians of Herr Lesser, tho Holstein Government Commissioner. Gen. Von Gablenz, having by order of the Vienna Cabinet declined the summons of Gen. Von Manteuifei to reestablish ajeommon ad ministration in the Duchies and to withdraw the one-sided convocation of the Holstein Estates, Gen. Von Manteuffel has appointed Baron VonScheel-Plessen as chief President of anew Government for the two Duchies. Bar on Von Scheel Plessen has issued a proclaraat tion stating that Gen. Von Manateuffel will proceed against any acts which the Prussian Government may regard as illegal either on the part of the former Government of Holstein or of the Estates about to meet. Regdiburg, June 10.—Geo. Von Manteuffel has issued a proclamation to the Iloisteinera to-day. He says that he recognizes the orderly con duct of the Holsteiners upon the entry of the Prussian troops. He orders that all political societies are to be dissolved, and suspends tho publication of ail political newspapers unpro vided with legal authorization until such au thorization be gi anted. The General proceods to announce that the Holstein Government, which had been appointed by the Austrian au thorities, is dissolved. Baron Scheei-Plessen assumes the civil administration as Chief Pres ident of both Duchies, under the authority of the highest military power, with residence at Kiel. The proclamation states, in conclusion, that it is the intention of the King of Prussia, ip conformity with the principle of the unity of Duchies, to convoke the estates of Schleswig and Holstein in order to prepare this unity. The necessary preparations for the convocation have already been made. The Prussian Representative in the Federal Diet repudiates - the charge that Prussia de signs to annex the Duchies by force, and de clares that Austria has, by her declaration «f the Ist of J une, violated the engagement made between the two powers. The Austrian Representative denied that Austria had violated the foregone treaties. Appeal of Austria to the lliet. The entrance of Prussian troops into Holstein was announced in the Diet, and the Austrian Representative declared that the Diet was bound to prevent Prussia, as a member of the Bund, from acts of aggression or self-redress. He moved that the whole of the Federal army, except the Prussian contingent, be mobilized. Reply of Prussia. Prussia has officially declared that if the mo tion for mobolization prevails, she will consider the Germanic Confedertdion dissolved, and be guided only by motives of military expe diency. Austria, on the other hand, now proposes the convention of a national Parliament, and the establishment ot a Directory, to consist of three members. A minister of Hesse Darm stadt had stated in the Legislature that the Federal Diet would soon recognize the Prince of Augustenburg as Duke of Holstein. An Interesting Case.— The following inter esting case, unavoidably crowded out of our issue of yesterday, was decided on Monday by R. J. Morgan, special judge, who was appoint ed to decide the case owing to a legal disabili ty of the presiding Chancellor respecting the case. The facts are as follows : Sarah Green, by George Fleece, her next friend, vs. Robert L. Smith and others. Sarah DeGraffenreid married Solmon Green. At the date of the marriage, her father by parol, gave to her several negroes, which her husband took into possession, and held for more than three years. Afterwards her father made a written gift of the same slaves to her sole and separate use, free from the control and liabili ties of her husband. Her husband’s creditors obtained judgment against him to the amount of $4,800, and had their execution levied on the negroes. She filed a bill claiming the negroes, and seeking to en join their sale under the execution. C. C. Gleaves became her surety on the injunction bond. In November, 1860, the Chancery Court gave a final decree, declaring the slaves subject to the execution and ordering the cierk and master to sell them to satisfy the credi tor’s claims, and if the negroes were not de livered to him on demand, then declaring the complainant and her surety on the injunction bond liable. The complainant appealed to the Supreme Court; that court at the April term, 1861, affirmed the decree of the Chancel lor, and remanded the cause to the Chancery Court for further proceedings. The procedendo from the Supreme Court was filled July Ist, 1861. Cleaves then took -possession of the slaves, and tendered them to the clerk and master repeatedly during tha fali and win ter, but be declined to receive them. The Chancery Court held its regular session in No vember, 1861, and continued open to April, 1862. The negroes were freed by the Consti tution of Tennessee in 1865, and Cleaves insist ed he was no longer bound, as the performance of his bond was rendered impossible by law. The court held that the obtaining of the in junction was wrongful, and the complainant and surety liable as wrong doers, aud though the property was destroyed by enactment, of the law, yet they were liable, ami that the principle, that if an act is lawful at the time of the contract, and becomes impossible subse quently by act of law, tbeobliger is discharged, did not apply to this caso. —Memphis Avalanclte, June 21. The Prussian Tfusket. A foreign letter, speaking of matters connect ed with the impending war. says : * These Prussian guns arc well known in America, that is, as well known as anything can be which is kept so profound a secret. The ex plosive ma'crialavhirh is used in manufacturing the cartridge is a compound of ingredients known only to one man—the inventor—and so determined is the Government that the secret shall not escape, that that man is guarded night and day by a squad of twelve soldiers ; every letter which he writes is inspected, and he is not allowed to communicate orally with any person, except in the presence ot his guard. The same man has applied his invention to a different pur pose than that ot a cartridge, inflammable at the touch of a needle. He makes a kind of shell, not much larger than a bullet, which ex plodes after it enters the body of a man, tearing the limbs to pieces with resistless force. These two secrets are supposed to make the Prussian army invincible. Madame Ilurbide has left London for the United biatee.