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OLD SERIES, VOL. L V.
(Chronicle & J>extinct.
IIENBY MOORE,
A. It. WRIGHT.
TEIt.MS OK NLBKCRIPTION.
WEEKLY.
ft m'.nth* 75
6 uioiiUut 1 50
1 yinr 5 00
J. R. W. JOHNSTON ,
Buninew Manager.
A. I til rSTA, :
VVKIISKSDAV, MOKM.Mi, AIGIST *2.
The Convention Movement.
•I udging from the tone of the Southern
press, and the utterances of individual
opinion which reach us from every quar
ter, tire (>xupoaitjytt_ s yt. , _ the L'ongcivativc
Union men of the "North to hold aUonvcn
tion at Philadelphia, to wliich the friends
of Constitutional Government, from all
sections, are invited, meets with a degree
of approval never extended to a mere par
ty movement. Were the objects of the
Convention, and the conditions of member
ship in it more thoroughly understood, we
believe opposition to it would sink into in
significance.
Ihe fact that the call originated with
tlio members of a certain political club, led
to the impression—by no means legitimate
(hat the principles which governed the
Club were to he incorporated into the
tenets of the Convention, and that none
hut those who could take the iron-clad oath
would he admitted to seats. When it was
shown, by tin; most unquestioned authori
ty, that every white citizen of the South,
whether he fought m the (Confederate rallies
tor not,, if he accept* the, results of the
war m good faith, and is willing
to maintain, the union and harmony
of the entire country, with the rights of each
individual and of each State guaranteed
and fully protected under the Union of our
fathers, is entitled to, and is expected to he
represented ; it was believed thatall reason
for objection, on the score of the complex
ion of the Convention had been removed.
A number of influential journals withdrew
all opposition, and several came up earn
estly to the support of the Convention.
Mot a few still persist in their original op
position, arguing that we have no voice in
the government, and hence it is in had
taste to mingle in political agitation. Some
base their ground of opposition on the
charge that it is a party movement, and
prefer to let political fanaticism and ultra
ism run their length, rather than attempt
to measure arms with them. They “wish
to stand non-committal to all policies,
platforms, parties, and principles, until we
are admitted to our rights as States.”
\\ bile it is true that a voice in the gov
ernment is denied us, and that wo aro out
of the Union so far as the rights and ad
vantages of representation are concerned
we are constantly reminded that we are in
the Union so far as relates to hearing a lull
share of the expenses of the government;
and we cannot admit that it is good policy
to submit without a murmur or an effort
for relief, to the burdens of taxation with
out representation.
The Radicals have such a clear working
majority in Congress as to render the friends
of Constitutional liberty powerless. We
agree with a cotemporary that without
renewed energy on the part of Resident
Johnsons supporters at the Worth, coupled
with extraordinary discretion on the part of
the. people, of the South, the policy of Con
gress will inevitably succeed. Their suc
cess is the utter ruin of the South. It can
not he denied that our friends at the
North would gather strength under the
assurance of sympathy and eo-operation
irom the States seeking reconstruction.
We have no voice in the public counsels,
and little chance to impress the people of
the North with a correct idea of the spirit
a,id temper of our people.
It’ we continue to keep silent, we but
confirm the impression already made that
we are still sullen, deliaut and rebellious.
This impression weakens our friends, and
affords capital to 'our enemies. The ut
terances against the Convention have been
seized upon in this very spirit by the Radi
cals who iind it easy to keep up the false
impression in reference to the sentiments
of our people. If that impression were
removed, and the people of the North
could know that the Southern people are
sincere in their allegiance to the govern
ment. and to constitutional principles, we
believe the Radical party would soon lose
its power for mischief. Thousands of the
good and true men of the North will be in
attendance at the Philadelphia Conven
tion. We cannot doubt that it we
send true and able men to meet them,
much will be done to dispell this popular
ignorance, and to promote a spirit of re
conciliation.
It is not as a nucleus for tlie formation
of a party, that we attach importance to
this Convention. Nor is it as a tender of
sympathy and support to the President, to
whom we owe so much for his manly strug
gle against fanaticism. It has a higher
mission, and a deeper significance. It is
as a gathering of the best people—the rep
resentative people of two sections lately
at war. but now earnestly seeking peace
that we attach great importance to the as
semblage. and feel the highest interest in
its success.
Manufacturing. —The citizens ofa por- ;
tion of Macon county, Ala., recently met
at Aultorn, for the purpose of organizing a
Cotton Factory Company. Judge Kellum
was called to the chair, and R. Y. Jones
appointed Secretary. Campbell lvaiford.
Esc,., and Colonel \Y. 11. Fitts and Dr. O.
W. Stewart, addressed the meeting in
stirring appeals to the people to arouse
from their lethargy, put their shoulders to
the wheel, and move forward in the de
velopment ol the resources of the county.
Colonel t\ . 11. Fitts was appointed agent
to open books ot subscription.
Macon county, besides being the best
cotton-growing county in Alabama, has
abundant water power, and a population
nowhere surpassed for intelligence and
energv.
The Issue.
• Skeptical as to the “good to be accom
plished, but evidently desirous in case of
success not to be in antagonism, our es
teemed neighbor labors assiduously and
anxiously to instruct somebody u,s to what
should be done, and how to do it, in the
matter of Delegates and Platforms, now
and hereafter for all Conventions—Prima
ry, District and National. Rut in the
midst of bis sage advice, he discovers
great oppression, as from nightmare, or as
one walking blindly in the dark. The
Congressional Iron-clad Test Oath, which
a Radical majority has made for their own
mere party purposes, stands like a spectre
before his.eyes, whichever way he turns.
It will not down at his bidding. It is the
Nemesis of his thoughts. The ghost of
Kanquo never disturbed Macbeth moro
than this has disturbed our sensitive con
frere. We assure him that the Conven
tion is npt a Radical Congressional ma
jority. lie cries “aye! but there's the
Black Republicans!” Wc affirm that it is
simply a conference of all who will support
the policy of the President, now. He says,
“ Look at the Call! Look at the Platform !
The Platform is made!” We point to the
endorsement of Call and Platform, and the
strong appeal of the Democrats of Con
gress, signed by Reverdy Johnston and
others. He assumes the oracle —“Well,
well, and we know, and we would if wc
could.” Mr. Seward writes a letter in fa
vor of meeting all “loyal” to the Constitu
tion and Laws, having previously said,
there is nothing more to be done; the
States ought to be represented in Congress
as speedily as possibly. Our brother cries
out “Loyalty! Loyalty!” and straightway
dives down into the great deep of the past
to pluck up drown’d honor by the locks,
and asks “Where is Pendleton and Vor
hccs ?’ ’
But Voorhces makes a speech and says
ho endorses the Convention and its object;
and Pendleton is chosen a Delegate. Our
brother contemplates the Virginia resolu
tions ; and having said oracularly—“if ’ tis
done, when ’tis done—it were well it were
done ala Constitutionalist and casting
aside the vestments of the Delphic Priest
assumes the speech of the petty gamester
—“Heads I win—tails you lose.”
The single issue presented for the con
sideration of the Southern people, is will
you sustain the President’s policy ? The
President has distinctly and emphatically
announced in favor of the prompt admis
sion of the Constitutional Representatives
of the South. This Radical majority oppose
this policy, and seek to impose conditions
precedent, to wit: the ratification of anew
amendment as a test of “loyalty.” The
Radicals in Congress and out of Congress, by
political harangues ami by the press, con
stantly affirm that the South is insincere
in its allegiance, and endeavor to inflame the
Northern mind by predictions that South
ern representatives, if invested with power,
will perfidiously plot ruin from revenge.
To permit such allegations to remain un
contradieted, to keep silent, is to strengthen
the hands of our enemies, and weaken the
influence of conservatives friendly to consti
tutional representation. It, therefore, be
comes the duty, r.s it is the acknowledged
interest of all who are in favor of sustain
ing the President in his patriotic efforts to
secure tlo immediate representation ol the
people of the South in the halls of the
National Legislature, and their full, free
and perfect enjoyment of all the rights and
privileges guaranteed to them by the Con
stitution of the United States, to co-ope
rate by conventions and in every other
proper way, with all persons and parties
without regard to antecedents, and this is
all the people are asked to do.
A Grave Charge.
The Constitutionalist, on yesterday, in
alluding to the Philadelphia Convention,
says:
“By devices well known to party, it lias
been made to appear that this State is al
most unanimous in favor of a representa
tion in this Convention.”
By “device,” in the above sentence, our
cotemporary evidently means scheme, or
artifice, which, Webster says, is usually
employed for bad purposes. The sense
conveyed, in connection with “party,” is
one of reproach, and, as applied to old par
ties, may be very appropriate. Our neigh
bor is experienced »u party drill, or, if tlie
term suits him better, devices —and in other
days acquired some eminence as a party
organ. He is welcome to cast as many
reflections, as seem good unto him, upon
the record of his party or his party record,
but we demur to tlie application of any of
his censorious adjectives to the Philadel
phia Convention movement. It is in no
sense a movement of party, nor is there
any evidence that it is destined to eventu
ate in a party organization. Parties arc
dead at the South, and all, save the Radi
cal conglomerate, are powerless at the
North.
The grand object of the Philadelphia
Convention, as we understand it, is a frater
nal counsel with the friends of a Constitu
tional Union Republicans and Demo
crats —and the defeat of those who now
stand iu the way of its reconstruction. Is
there not something in such a purpose
more exalted than mere party interest?
On the contrary, we see the patriotic
friends of the Constitution at the North
abandoning party affiliations that have re
warded them with high honors, for the
[•purpose of aiding in the exalted purposes
contemplated by the Convention.
We shall be glad to be informed what
“party devices” have been used in this
State, that could have created the impres
sion of unanimity which evidently so
troubles the Constitutionalist. Are its
friends signifying their disapprobation?
Are its subscribers protesting agaiust a
course which leaves that paper almost
alone among its old allies ? Such are not
the necessary “devices,'’ of party, of which
our honored eotemporary complains. They
may be the utterances of the popular will
—the “still small voice” which makes and
unmakes party, and controls the destiny of
events and of newspapers ,• but it is most
unjust to impute the singular favor with
which the movement for a Constitutional
! Union Convention has been received by
! the people of the South, to “the devices
well known to party.
There has been no time, and no effort,
if there were time, to put the old 1 'devices
of party drill into exercise to make de
monstrations in favor of the Convention.
On the contrary, few meetings have yet
been held, and at this busy season of the
year, it is not expected that those that arc
held will be largely attended. The people
are as sick of mere party, and party devices
as our coternporary pretends to be —they
feel that ..corrupt parties aye responsible
for the ills that now besot us ; but they do
not propose on that account to sink into
incivism, and abandon the country to the
spoilers who now control its destinies.
They propose to cling to the Constitution
as the ark of and hope, un
der its protection, to carry consternation
and dismay into the ranks of all parties
arrayed against it.
We regret that our cotemporary has so
little of argument to present against the
Convention movement, as to feel justified
in depreciating the earnest good faith oi
those who favor it.
I’uhli e Meeting.
Pursuant to a call published in the city
papers, a large number of the citizens of
Richmond county assembled at the City
Hall last evening, for the purpose of ap
pointing delegates to the District Conven
tion, to be held in this city on Saturday
the 28th inst, to elect delegates from the
Fifth Congressional District of Georgia to
the Convention to be held at Philadelphia
August 14th.
On motion of Hon. Wm. Gibson, the
following named gentlemen were appointed
officers of the meeting.
president :
JAMfiJS T. BOTH WELL.
VICE PRESIDENTS :
Box. JOHN P. KING, HENRY MOORE, Esq.,
Huff. ROUT. 11. MAY, JAMES MILLER, Esq.,
Huff. FOSTER BLODGETT,CHARLES ESTES, Esq.,
Ohn. L. McI.AWS, W. 11. DAVISON. Esq..
Du. W. S. JONES, JAMES O. BAILIE, Esq.,
JOHN BONES, Esq.. JAMES W. DAVIES, Esq.,
JOSIAH SIBLEY, Esq.. Coi.. T. 1). CARSWELL,
Jvikib JAS. B. BISHOP, SAMUEL LEVY. Esq.,
THOS. S. METCALF. Esq., Col. E. W. COLE.
Oks. GEO. W. EVANS. Da. BENJ. F. HALL,
lloff HENRY W HILLIARDJAMES A. GRAY, Esq.
SECRETARIES .’
Col. CLAIBORNE SNEAD.J. R. W. JOHNSTON, Esq.,
PATRICK WALSH, Esq.
Judge Bothwell, on taking the Chair
addressed the meeting in a few chaste and
eloquent remarks, explaining its object.
Gen. A. R. Wright offered the following
Preamble and Resolutions, and supported
them in a brief and spirited speech :
Our people having accepted in good faith
the results of the late war, and feeling that
an early restoration to Georgia of her con
stitutional rights depends upon an earnest
and cordial support of tlio wise and liberal
policy of the President, Andrew Johnson,
we deem it advisable and proper that there
should be a Union of all conservative men
and parties, North, South, East and West,
to rescue the country from the control of
Radicals and disunionists.
lia it therefore Unsolved, That the pro
posed convention of conservatives, to ho
held at Philadelphia, on the 14th of August,
having for its object the formation of a na
tional Union party, and the early and com
plete restoration'of the Union under the
Constitution, meets with our hearty ap
proval.
Resolved, further, That this meeting ap
point six delegates to represent Richmond
county in the District Convention to lie
held in this city on the 28th inst., for the
purpose of selecting delegates to represent
the fifth Congressional District in the
Philadelphia Convention.
On motion, the preamble and resolutions
were unanimously adopted.
Repeated calls being made for Hon. H.
W. Hilliard, he responded in a spirited
and forcible speech.
On motion, the following gentlemen were
appointed a Committee for the purpose of
nominating Delegates to the District Con
vention :
Wm. Gibson, George T. Barnes,
T. R. Rhodes, Wm. C. Jones,
John J,. Cohen, George Cooper,
Joshua K. Evans, Alex. Phillip.
The Committee on Nominations reported
the following gentlemen as delegates :
Dr. B. F. Hall, Gen. R. Y. Harris,
Geo. T. Barnes, Foster Blodgett,
Jas. T. Botilwell, Wm. Gibson.
who were unanimously appointed.
Hon. Wm. Gibson offered the following
resolution, which was adopted:
Resolved, That as we have seen as yet
no feasible plan suggested for the appoint
ment of delegates for the State at large, wo
respectfully suggest that each District Con
vention propose four suitable persons, and
the four persons receiving the endorsement
of the largest number of District Conven
tions, be appointed delegates to represent
the State at large.
Moved and adopted, that the Secretaries
furnish each of the city papers with a copy
of the proceedings, .with a request to pub
lish them.
Claiborne Snead, ]
Pat’k Walsh, > Secretaries.
J. R. W. Johnston. J
The “Hub” Moving.—The Massa
chusetts Democratic State Committee held
a meeting on the 19th. at the Parker House,
at which a resolution was adopted recom
mending the assembling of a convention, of
all persons friendly to the policy of the
President upon tlie subject of the restoration
of the States; for the purpose of selecting
delegates at large and delegates from the
several Congressionaldistricts to the Phila
delphia Convention. It was also voted
by the Committee, that the call be so
worded as to embrace all who desire the
Union, and the restoration of the States
and the supremacy of the Constitution.
The Taxes. —Although the revenue of
the Government amounted to six hundred
and twenty millions of dollars last year,
says the New York Herald, thus largely
exceeding the official estimates. Congress
has not relieved the people of any portion
of their income tax. Those who make
more than si.V hundred dollars must still
pay five per cent, tax on their excess.
Even in tax-ridden England the income
tax is reduced when the revenue is larger
than the estimates.
Don't Be In easy.
"Hold your meetings, gentlemen, and
elect your delegates, let them only assume
to represent those who send ’em. — Consti
tutionalist.
Be not alarmed, neighbor, there is little
danger that any who are elected as dele
gates will wish to represent the forlorn
hope of which you are the oracle.
The Exposition building in Paris will be
turned into an immense circus, like the
Coliseum, after the show is over.
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, ISfiG,
Indian Affairs.—A special dispatch
to the St. Louis Democrat, from St. Jo
seph on the 20th, says that parties from
the Plains represent the Indians massing
for war, and old ranchmen say that as soon
as the corn is ripe nearly ever tribe on the
Plains will start on the war path. They
are well armed and have plenty of am
munition..
On the contrary, Colonel Taylor, Super
intendent of Indian Affairs at Omaha, and
President of the commission which recent
ly held a council with the Indians at Fort
Laramie, accompanied by General Thayer,
United States Senator from Nebraska, and
Mr. Paddock, Secretary of the Territory,
arrived at St. Joseph Thursday, and im
mediately left for Washington, Colonel
Taylor claims to be perfectly satisfied with
the treaty'made at Laramie, all reports to
the contrary being circulated by parties
who are interested in keeping up hostili
ties. He expresses liis firm conviction
th ,t if there is any trouble on the Plains it
will be commenced by the whites.
After Them.— Mr. Williams, the mem
ber of the Legislature in Tennessee, who
was arrested for non-attendance on the ses
sions of the House has brought suit for
false imprisonment, against those members
of the House who authorized liis arrest.
The damages are laid at $50,000. The
Union says that on Wednesday, as the
House was about to take a recess, Mr. W.
C. Shaw, deputy sheriff, entered the Hall
and served warrants on the following mem
bers, commanding them to appear at the
next term of the Circuit Court, to answer
the charge of falsely imprisoning Mr. Wil
liams: Messrs. Anderson, Arnell, Black
man, Doughty, Fuson, Grimmett, Hudson,
McNair, Mullins, Murphy, Norman, Pat
ton, Raulston, Rodgers, Underwood,
Waters, Walker, Wines, Woodcock and
Woods.
Warrants were also served on Captain
Heydt and his deputy, Frame, for being
the immediate agents in the arrest and im
prisonment of Mr. Williams.
——*g> «e»«
Mexican Affairs. —There is evidently
something very important about to trans
pire here, says a Washington dispatch of
the 19th, about Mexican affairs. Secre
tary Seward’s messenger has just returned
from Now York, where he has been to see
Gen. Ortega, with instructions from tie
Secretary of State. He was dispatched
with instructions to ask Gen. Ortega if. in
the event of our Government recognizing
him as the legal President of Mexico, and
of forming a treaty with him, lie would
consent to make Santa Anna Commander
in-chief of the Mexican army. It is not
known that the messenger saw Ortega, hut
it lias not transpired what reply he made
to the question.
Trot Out Your Lions.
“We have letters in our possession which
justify us in saying that the lions of North
ern Democracy—the straight-out, anti-war,
copperhead Democracy, the only real friends
we ever had there —have no idea of giving
up their identity by a fusion with this
sway-backed bantling. ’’ — Constitutionalist.
We do not know who our neighbor con
siders the lions of the Northern Democra
cy. We have considered Voorhces, Val
landigham, Fernando Wood, and men of
that stripe, ‘ ‘some in a hear fight. ’ ’ If the
Van Amburg of the Constitutionalist has
the names of any better game in his pos
session, we trust he will trot them out !
Cool.
Not the weather—but the assurance of
the Constitutionalist, which, after laboring
for weeks to prevent the people from send
ing delegates to Philadelphia, gravely
prepares a set of resolutions to be present
ed to the Convention, and Says :
“We claim the right to mould it, so far
as best we may, to our own purposes, sen
timents, and desires.”
We have no doubt our neighbor is good
at moulding, hut we fear he will feel,
“ —the silent stroke of mouldering age”
before he will be accepted as the pilot of a
ship which he has tried in vain to scuttle.
The Character of the Cholera in
New York. —The Commercial Advertiser
says facts show conclusively that the chol
era now raging in certain portions of the
city is epidemic, pursuing its incipient
steps, beginning in regions most favorably
disposed for its development. The facts
relative to the number of cases on Hart’s
Island are deemed so appalling that pub
licity is denied. Surgeon Calhoun, of that
post, has died of the cholera. An able corps
of physicians has been sent to the island,
also to Governor’s Island.
Bed-Bugs.—A correspondent of the
Fayetteville Journal communicates to the
public that as much sublimate of mercury
as two ounces of first proof alcohol will dis
solve will destroy those pests to human
nature, bed-bugs, large and little, if applied
to those places where they want to take
shelter. For the credit as well as the com
fort of our own humanity', let it be applied
at once. The preparation costs but a trifle,
and the receipt is "free gratis for nothing. ”
Counterfeit Money in the South.—
The Treasury Department has evidence
that the South is Hooded with counterfeit
national and financial currency notes. One
of their detectives while on an official visit
in one of the Southern cities, observed
that an immense quantity of tins spurious
money is circulating there among all classes,
who with few exceptions, accept it as read
idly as the genuine.
Meeting in Fulton. —The Era contains
a lengthy report of a meeting in Atlanta to
appoint delegates to the District Conven
tion to be held in Atlanta on the 28th.
Ex-Gov. J. E. Brown was chosen as Chair
man. and addressed the meeting at some
length. Mai. J. H. Steele, Hon. Wm.
Ezzard, and Hon. Bichard F. Lyon were
chosen delegates to represent Fulton coun
ty* M
More Counterfeit Plates Captured.
—The police made another capture, in New
York, on Saturday of a large number of
finely executed steel plates, two presses,
dies, rollers, paper, bogus money, and four
prisoners. The material taken amounts iu
value to $50,000.
Congressional.
We present the following summary of
the most important proceedings of Con
gress on the 19th:
In the Senate Mr. Morrill, from the
Committee on Commerce, reported the
joint resolution authorizing the Secretary
of the Treasury to pay a reasonable com
pensation to the persons he has employed
for the purpose, and who have been actual
ly engaged in collecting the revenue within
the States in insurrection, notwithstanding
the failure or inability of such persons to
take the oath of office required by law.
The bill for the relief of the sufferers by
the Portland fire was called up. Mr. John
son offered a substitute for tlie original
bill, directing the tender of $50,000 in the
name oi’ the Government of the United
States to the sufferers by fire, to he used
as may be-: deemed advisable. The _ bill
created a running discussion on the right
of Cohgresjjrto thus dispose of the public
funds, anifw motiuu to refer it was lost.—
It then passed—yeas 22, nays 18.
The Ilouse bill to revive tlie grade of
General was passed.
The bill to reduce the rate of interest on
the public debt, and for funding the
same, passed, and was sent to the House.
It is as follows :
Re it enacted by the. Senate and House of
Rejiresentatives of the United States of
America in Congress Assembled, That in
lieu of the sinking fund contemplated by
the fifth section of the act entitled “An act
to authorize the issue of United States
notes, and for the redemption or funding
thereof, and for funding the floating debt
of the United States,” approved February
25, A. D., 1862, there shall bo annually ap
plied to the payment of the principal and
interest of the public debt tlie sum of SIBO,-
000,000, which sum is hereby appropriated
for that purpose out of any money not
otherwise appropriated; and so much of
said sum as is not required to pay
tho accruing interest on said debt shall
bo applied to the purchase or payment of
such of the public debt as tlie Secretary of
the Treasury shall from time to time di
rect.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, 'll vat
for the purpose of enabling the Secretary
of tlio Treasury to prepare for the. funding
or payment of tlie outstanding Treasury
notes bearing interest at the rate of seven
and three-tenths per centum per annum,
holders of such notes are hereby required
to advise the Secretary of the Treasury, in
sucli manner as lie may prescribe, at least
four months before tlie maturity of such
notes, whether they elect that such notes
shall be paid at maturity or converted into
bonds of the United States commonly desig
nated as five-twenty bonds, and the right
on the part of such'holders of converting
such Treasury notes into bonds shall bo
deemed and taken to be waived as to each
and every note in relation to which notice
shall be' given as above .prescribed, and
the same shall be paid at maturity in law
ful money of the United States.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That
all money received into the Treasury of
the United States lor duties on imported
goods, shall be specially set apart and ap
plied to the purpose following to wit :
First —To the payment of so much of the
interest of the public debt as is payable in
coin ; second—to tlie payment, as it
matures, of the principal of the publiedebt;
t hird—to the payment of such appropria
tions of Congress as are required to be paid
in coin. When the amount of coin in the
Treasury exceeds $50,000,000, the excess
shall be sold in open market, in the City
of New York, for United States notes, un
der sales to be prescribed by tlie Secretary
of the tJJjqjjgiwry, anA tlio "notes received,
therefor shall be canceled.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That
from and after the Ist day of January, An
no Domini 1807, tlio lawful money to be
held oil hand by the National Banking As
sociations under tlie 31st section of the act
entitled “An Act to provide a national cur
rency secured by a pledge of United States
bonus, and to provide for tlio circulation
and redemption thereof,” approved Juno
3, 1804, shall not consist, in whole or in
part, of interest-bearing notes or bonds.
A resolution recognizing the Government
of the State of Tennesse inaugurated under
and by the Convention which assembled on
the 9th day of January, A. D. 1865, at the
city of Nashville, as the legitimate govern
ment of the State, entitled to the guaran
tees and all the other rights of a State Gov
ernment under the Constitution of the
United States, was ordered printed.
Mr. Rridwell called up the motion to
reconsider the vote, by which the Senate bill
granting lands to aid in the construction of
a railroad and telegraph line from the Cen
tral Pacific Railroad in California to Port
land, in Oregon was, on July 3, recommit
ted to the Committee on Public Lands.
The vote was reconsidered and the bill
came up before the House for action, the
question being on a substitute reported
from the Committee on Public Lands.
It authorizes the California and Oregon
Railroad Company to locate and maintain
a railroad and telegraph line between Port
land, Oregon, and the Central Pacific Rail
road in California, and grants each alter
nate section of land, not mineral, to the
amount of twenty alternate sections per
mile, ten on each side of the railroad.
The first section of twenty miles is to be
completed within two years, and at least
twenty miles_ each year thereafter, the rail
road to be of the same guage as the Cen
tral Pacific Railroad of California, and to
be connected therewith.
The substitute was agreed to, and tlie
bill l is amended passed.
The resolution for the admission of Ten
nessee was called up.
Mr. Bhigham called up the motion to
reconsider the vote by which the joint
resolution concerning the State of Tennes
see was on the stli of March referred to
the Committee on Reconstruction.
[Note. —This action was taken on ac
count of intelligence having reached the
House that the Legislature of Tennessee
had ratified the Constitutional amendment,
it being the purpose of Mr. Bingham to
amend __the joint resolution by providing
for the mifnediate representation of Tennes
see in Congress.]
The following is the dispatch of Gov.
Brownlow announcing the action of the
Tennessee Legislature in ratifying the
amendment.
Nashville, July 19, 1866.
The battle is fought and won. The
amendment is ratified by a vote of 43 to
11. Two of the President’s tools refused
to vote.
Give my compliments to the man at the
White House. W. G. Brownlow.]
Mr. Stevens moved to lay the motion to
reconsider on the table.
Mr. Lynch moved to adjourn, which was
lost—Yeas, 59 ; Nays 69.
The vote was then taken on the motion
to lay the motion to reconsider on tlie table,
and it was lost by a vote of 31 Yeas, against
91 Nays.
Mr. Stevens moved to adjourn.
Mr. Johnson insinuated that the dis
patch about Tennessee was not genuine—
it was not in Brownlow’s hand writing, for
he always made his mark. [Laughter. ]
Mr. Conkling inquired what the condi
tion of tlie matter would be if the House
should adjourn now.
The Speaker said that tlie motion to
reconsider would come up to-morrow aitm
reacting the journal.
Some members having asked unanimous
consent to introduce resolutions,
Mr. Eldridge declared that he would ob
ject to everything out of order until the
State of Tennessee was admitted. [Laugh
ter.]
Tlie House refused to adjourn 49 to 71.
The House seconded the previous ques
tion on the motion to reconsider, and again
the motion to adjourn was made and reject
i ed 47 to 68.
_On all these votes the Democrats sided
with that wing of the Republicans led by
Mr. Bingham, as against the Stevens
wing; and during most of the time an in
formal caucus was being held to edit the
amendment to be offered.
The main question was offered to be put.
Yeas, 66; Nays, 34; which was, Will the
House reconsider the vote by which the
joint resolution was committed to the com
mittee on Reconstruction ?
Mr. Bingham suggested that he would
offer an amendment for the joint resolu
tion, and let it be printed and come up to
morrow.
Mr. Ward inquired whether he would
insist on a vote to-night.
Mr. Bingham replied that he would not
if his suggestion was agreed to, hut other
wise lie would force the matter through to
night.
Mr. Stephens proposed ironically, that
the House withdraw all further opposition,
and surrender to the gentleman from Ohio.
Mr. Price, resolutely. Not much !
[Laughter.]
Mr. Johnson, referred to the consultation
of members around Mr. Bingham’s desk,
inquired whether that preamble had been
sufficiently sugar coated to suit the majority.
Mr. Bingham replied that that would
depend upon the opinion of the House.
Mr. Allison moved that the House ad
journ, which was lost—Yeas 43, Nays 63.
The vote recommitting the joint resolu
tion was then reconsidered —Yeas 70, Nays
27.
A SUBSTITUTE OFFERED.
Mr. Bingham withdrew the motion to
recommit, and offered the following as a
substitute for the resolution:
Whereas., The State of Tennessee has
in good faith ratified the amendment to
the Constitution of the United States, pro
£3sed by the XXXIXth Congress to the
egislaturc of the several States, and has
shown otherwise to the satisfaction of Con
gress, by proper spirit of obedience in the
body of her people her return to her due
allegiance to the? laws and authority of the
United States ; therefore, he it
Resolved, &c. , That the State of Ten
nessee is hereby declared to bo restored to
her former proper practical relations to
the Union, and again entitled to be repre
sented by Senators and Representatives
in Congress, duly elected and qualified up
on their taking the oaths of office required
by the existing laws.
Mr. Bingham moved the previous
question, and then at 6 o’clock the House
adjourned.
Summerville Seminary Examination.
Messrs. Editors; —There is, in Emanuel
county, a “Number One” Institution of
learning, bearing the above name, under
the direction of Messrs. W. H. and J. J.
Davis—the former a Baptist minister, the
latter a regular-bred lawyer. The musical
department is conducted by Miss M. N.
Rhodes, of your county, who is a lady of
the first rank, in every sense of the word.
This Institution was once in full operation,
previous to the war, under Mr. Richards,
whose death, together with the effects of
the war, broke it up. It was re-opened
last February by the parties above named,
under pretty nearly all possible disadvan
tages, but, in spite of them all, it has been
a decided success thus far. At the close
of the session, which was last Tuesday,
there were seventy-four pupils on the roll,
notwithstanding the impoverished condition
of the country.
Before alluding to the examination, per
mit me, for the love of the cause generally,
and this place in particular, to set forth
some of its claims for patronage. First of
all, it is under the control of good and com
petent instructors —men of high intellectual
ability and literary attainments—both with
large experience as teachers, both born and
educated in Georgia, and, best of all, both
Christians—the only kind of persons who
should ever be allowed to teach children,
according to my notions of such matters.
And, again, Summerville is one of the
healthiest sites in the State, being founded
and built up solely on account of its sa
lubrious air. In addition to thjp, it is away
from every element but that for which
it is now used —health and literature. _ It
is in the midst of the pine-woods and wire
grass peculiar to Emanuel county, and is
convenient enough to the Central Railroad
to reap all its benefits, without any of its
annoyances. The public buildings arc ad
mirably adapted to the purpose, and there
is kept up an elegant Sabbath School, with
Union books, and a union of teachers as to
denomination. Though the teachers are
both Baptists, it is not intended as a de
nominational, but a literary Institution,
with “the fear of God” as its motto.
There is preaching nearly every Sabbath—
sometimes by the Baptists, _ and sometimes
by the Methodists. It is intended as
both a Male and Female Seminary, and
that, too, a permanent one. The teachers
are not salaried servants, subject to the
whims of a Board of Trustees, but have
charge of the property and conduct the
school upon their own responsibility, which
I regard as the best plan to carry on such
an institution with success. Their process
of instruction is analytical and thorough ;
their discipline is positive, but mild, hu
mane —such as is calculated to make the
pupil feel a proper self-respect, and yet
yield to law and order. They do not ignore
the rod, but hold it in reserve as the der
nier resort. But to conclude upon its
claims, I regard it well adapted to answer
all the ends aimed at.
As previously intimated, the examina
tion has just passed off: and I think every
one who witnessed it will agree that its re
sults more than sustain its claim, as above
set forth. The Examining Board have
very likely presented you their report for
publication, so that it is needless to par
ticularize. It was opened with a sermon
on Sabbath by the senior teacher, and con
tinued till Tuesday: _ and everything was
done “decently and in order.” The ser
mon, though an impromptu one, was co
herent, instructive, and applicable. The
examination of the classes was entirely
satisfactory, and as thorough as the time
appropriated would allow. The evening
exercises, which consisted of declamation,
composition, tableaux, and music, were
highly interesting, and the young people
acquitted themselves very creditably. Boot.
Falagant, Esq., of Savannah, delivered the
literary address at the close of the exami
nation, and an elegant address it was, too.
It was pithy in some parts, glowing m
others, and beautiful altogether, and de
livered in a very chaste and impressive
manner. Though not acquainted with him
previous to this occasion, I predict for nun
a successful career in his profession, due
Seminary will be opened again the 3d Mon
day in August, and such as desire to put
their children at a school like the one 1
have described, will do well to seek out
Summerville Seminary. It is located seven
miles from Station 9j, Central Railroad.
I will add that I have no
interest in the school or its property have
no children old enough to go, and am m no
way related to the teachers —hence 1 have
been induced to say this much for the
Seminary through no personal or interested
motive.
Our crops are destined to be extremely
short —will not be over half a yield. Our
citizens are keen for the Philadelphia Con
vention, but, as yet,, we know of no move
to elect delegates in our District. It cer
tainly promises some good, and can do us
no harm. Then, by all means, let us be
represented by our best men. Romeo.
NEW SERIES, VOL. XXV. NO. 33.
The New Freed men’s Bureau Law.
The following is a copy of the new Freed
men’s Bureau hill which has just passed
Congress, over the President’s veto :
An Act to continue in force and to amend
“An Act to establish a Bureau for the
relief of Freedmen and Refugees,” and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the United States of
America in Congress assembled, That the
act to establish a bureau for the relief of
freedmen and refugees, approved March
third, eighteen hundred and sixty-five,
shall continue in force for the term of two
years from and after the passage of this
act.
Sec. 2. And be it farther enacted, That
the supervision and "care of said bureau
shall extend to all loyal refugees and freed
men, so far as the same shall he necessary
to enable them as speedily as practical to
become self-supporting citizens of the Unit
ed States, and to aid them in making the
freedom conferred by proclamation of the
cammander-iu-chief, by.omaU'iination un-
der the laws of the States, and by const!-'
tutional amendment, available to them and
beneficial to the Republic.
Sec. 3. And be it farther enacted,
That the President shall, by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate, appoint
two assistant commissioners, in addition
to those authorized by the act to which this
is an amendment, who shall give like bon is
and receive the same annual salaries pro
vided in said act, and each of the assistant
commissioners of the bureau shall have
charge of one district containing such
refugees and freedmen, to be assigned him
by the Commissioner, with the approval of
the President. And the Commissioner
shall, under the direction of the President,
and so far as the same shall be, in his
judgment necessary for the efficient and
economical administration of the affairs of
the bureau, appoint such agents, clerks
and assistants as may be required for the
proper conduct of the bureau. Military
officers or enlisted men may be detailed for
service and assigned to duty under this
act; and the President may, if in his
judgment safe and judicious to do so, de
tail from the army all the officers and agents
of this bureau ; hut no officer so assigned
shall have increase of pay or allowances.
Each agent or clerk, not heretofore au
thorized by law, not being a military offi
cer, shall have an annual salary of not less
than five hundred dollars, nor more than
twelve hundred dollars, according to the
service required of him. And it shall be
the duty of the Commissioner, when it cau
lie done consistently with public interest,
to appoint, as assistant commissioners,
agents, and clerks, such men as have proved
their loyalty by faithful service in the ar
mies of the Union during the rebellion. —
And all persons appointed to service under
this act, and the act to which this is an
amendment, shall be so far deemed in the
military service of the United States as to
be under the military jurisdiction and enti
tled to the military protection of the Gov
ernment while in discharge of the duties
of their office.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That
officers of the Veteran Reserve corps or of
the volunteer service, now on duty in the
Freedmen’s Bureau as assistant commis
sioners, agents, medical officers, or in oth
er capacities, whose regiments or corps
have been or may hereafter be mustered
out of service, may be retained upon such
duty as officers of said bureau, with the
same compensation as is now provided by
law for their respective grades; and tlie
Secretary of War shall have power to fill
vacancies until. other officers can be de
tailed in their places without detriment to
the public service. ■
Sec, 5. And be it further enacted, That
the second section of the act to which this
is an amendment shall be deemed to au
thorize the Secretary of War to issue such
medical stores or other aid as may be need
ful for tlie purposes named in said section:
Proivded, that no person shall be deemed
“destitute,” “suffering,” or “dependent
upon the Government for support, ’ ’ with
in the meaning of this act, rvho is able _to
find employment, and could, by proper in
dustry or exertion, avoid such destitution,
suffering or dependence.
Sec. 0. Whereas, by the provisions of an
act approved February sixth, eighteen hnn
dred and sixty-three, entitled “An act. to
amend an act entitled ‘An act for," tlie
collection of direct taxes in insurrectionary
districts within the United States, and for
other purposes ‘approved June seventh,
eighteen hundred and sixty-two,” certain
lauds in the parishes of Saint Helena and
Saint Luke, South Carolina, were bid in
by the United States at public tax sales,
and by the limitation of said act the time
of redemption of said lands lias expired ;
and whereas, “in accordance with instruc
tions issued by President Lincoln on the
sixteenth day of September, eighteen hun
dred and sixty-three, to the United States
direct tax commissioners for South Caro
lina, certain lauds bid in by the United
States in the parish of Saint Helena, in
said State, were in part sold by the said
tax commissioners to ‘ ‘heads of families of
the African race, ’ ’ in parcels of not more
than twenty acres to each purchaser ; and
whereas under the said instructions the
said tax commissioners did also set apart
as “school farms” certain parcels of land
in said parish, numbered in their plats
from one to thirty-three inclusive, making
an aggregate of six thousand acres or less :
Therefore be it further enacted,. That the
sales made to “heads of families of the
African race. ’ ’ under the instructions of
President Lincoln to the United Staest
direct tax commissioners for South Caro
lina, of the date of September sixseenth,
eighteen hundred and sixty-three, are
hereby confirmed and established : and all
leases which have been made _ to such
“heads of families,” by said direct tax
commissioners, shall be changed into cer
tificates of sale in all cases wherein the
lease provides for such contribution ; and
all the lands not remaining unsold which
come within the same designation, being
eight thousand acres, more or less, shall
be disposed of according to said lnstmc-
Sec. 7. And be it further enacted.
That all other lands hid in by the United
States at tax sales, being thirty : eight
thousand acres, more or less, and now in the
hands of the said tax commissioners tlie pro
perty of the United States, in the parishesof
Saint Helena and Saint Lake, accepting
the “school farms.” as specified in the
preceding section, and so much as may be
necessary for military and naval purpose
at Hilton Head, Bay Point, and Land’s
End excepting also the city of Port Royal,
on Saint Helena Island, and the town of
Beaufort, shall be disposed of in parcels of
twenty acres, at one dollar and fifty cents
per acre, to such persons, and to such only,
as have acquired, and are now occupying
lands under and agreeably to the provis
ions of General Sherman s special field or
der dated at Savannah, Georgia, January
sixieenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-five,
and the remaining lands, if any, siiai. be
disposed of in like manner to such persons
as had acquired lands agreeably to the said
order of General Sherman, but who have
been dispossessed by the restoration of the
same owners: Provided, That the lands
sold in compliance with the U
this and the preceding section shall not be
alienated by their purchasers within six
years from and after the passage ot this
UC Sec. 8. And be it further enacted,
That the “school farms” in the parish of
St. Helena, South Carolina, shall be sold,
subject to any losses of the same, by the
said tax commissioners, at public auction,
on or before the first day of January, eigh
teen hundred and sixty-seven, at not less
than ten dollars per acre ; and the lots in
the city of Port Royal, as lain down by the
said tax commissioners, and tlie lots’ and
houses in the town of Beaufort, which are
still held in like manner, shall be sold at
public auction ; and tlie proceeds of said
sales, after paying expenses of the surveys
and sales, shall be invested in United
States bonds, the interest of which shall be
appropriated, under the direction of the
Commissioner, to the support of schools,
without distinction of color or race, on the
islands in the Parishes of St. Helena and
St. Luke.
Sec. 9. And be further enacted, That
the assistant commissioners for South
Carolina and Georgia are hereby authorized
to examine the claims to land in their re
spective States which are claimed under
the provisions of General Sherman’s spe
cial field order, and to give each person
kaviug a vaM warrau.Wupou the
direct tax commissioner? so? rsnftifh ftSW**
lina for twenty acres of land, and the said
direct tax commissioners shall issue to
every person, or to his or her heirs, hut in
no case to any assigns, presenting such
warrant, a lease of twenty acres of land, as
provided for in section seven, for the term
of six years ; hut at any time thereafter,
upon the payment of a sum not exceeding
one dollar and fifty cents per acre, the per
son holding such lease shall he entitled to a
certificate of sale, of said tract of twenty
acres from the direct tax commissioner or
such officer as may be authorized to issue
the same ; but no warrant shall he held
valid longer than two years after the issue
of the same.
Sec. 10. Andbeitfurther enacted, That
the direct tax commissioners for South
Carolina are hereby authorized and requir
ed, at the earliest day practicable, to sur
vey the lands designated in section seven
into lots of twenty acres each, with proper
metes and bounds distinctly marked, so
that the several tracts shall be convenient
in form, and as near as practicable liave an
average of fertility and woodland; and the
expense of such surveys shall be paid from
the proceeds of the sales of said lands, or,
if sooner required, out of any moneys re
ceived for other lands on these islands, sold
by the United States for taxes, and now in
the hands of the direct tax commissioners.
Sec. 11. And be it further enacted,
That restoration of the lands now occupied
by persons under Gen. Sherman’s special
field order dated at Savannah, Georgia,
January 16th, 1865, shall not be made un
til after the crops of the present year shall
have been gathered by the occupants of
said lands, nor until a fair compensation
shall have been made to them by the
former owners of said lands, or their legal
representatives, for all improvements or
betterments erected or constructed thereon,
and after due notice of the same being
done shall have been given by the assistant
commissioner.
Sec. 12. And be it further enacted,
That the Commissioners, shall have power
to seize, Hold, use, lease, or sell all build
ings and tenements, and any lands apper
taining to the same, or otherwise, held
under claim of title by the late so-called
Confederate States, and any buildings or
lands held in trust for the same by any
person or persons, and to use the same or
appropriate the proceeds derived there
from to the education of the freed people ;
and whenever the bureau shall cease to ex
ist such of the late so-called Confederate
States as shall have made provision for the
education of their citizens, without distinc
tion of color, shall receive the sum remain
ing unexpended of such sales or rentals,
which shall be distributed among said
States for educational purposes in propor
tion to their population.
Sec. 13. And he it further enacted.
That the Commissioners of this bureau
shall at all times co-operate with private
benevolent associations of citizens in aid of
freedmen, and with agents and teachers,
duly accredited and appointed by them,
and shall hire or provide by lease buildings
for purposes of education whenever sucli
association shall, without cost to the
Government, provide suitable teachers and
means of instruction; and he shall furnish
such protection as may be required for the
safe conduct of such schools.
Sec. 14. And be it further enacted,
That in every State or district where the
ordinary course of judicial proceedings has
been interrupted by the rebellion, and until
the same shall be fully restored, and in
every State or district whose constitutional
relations to the Government have been
practically discontinued by the rebellion,
and until such States shall have been duly
represented in the Congress of the United
States, the right to make and enforce con
tracts, to sue, be parties, and give evidence,
to inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and
convey real and personal property, and to
have full and equal benefits of all laws and
proceedings concerning personal liberty,
personal security, and the acquisition, en
joyment, and disposition of estate, real and
personal, including the constitutional right
to bear arms, shall be secured to and
enjoyed by all the citizens of such State
or district without respect to race or
color, or previous condition of slavery.
And whenever in either of said States or
districts the ordinary course of judicial pro
ceedings has been interrupted by the re
bellion, and until the same shall be fully
restored, and until such State shall have
been restored to its constitutional relations
to the Government, and shall he duly rep
resented in the Congress of the United
States, the President shall, through the
Commissioner and the officers of tlie bu
reau, and under such rules and regulations
as the I‘resident, through tlie Secretary of
War, shall prescribe, extend military pro
tection and have military jurisdiction over
all cases and questions concerning the free
enjoyments of such immunities and rights,
and no penalty or punishment for any vio
lation of law shall he imposed or avowed
because of race or color, or previous con
dition of slavery, other or greater than the
penalty or punishment to which white per
sons may lie liable by law for the like of
fence. But the jurisdiction conferred by
this section upon the officers of the bureau
shall not exist in any .State where the or
dinary course of judicial proceedings has
not been interrupted by the rebellion, and
shall cease in every State when tlie courts:
of the State and the United States are not
disturbed in the peaceable course (n jus
tice, and after such State shall be iul'y re
stored in its constitutional relations to the
Government, and shall be duly represented
in the Congress of the United States.
Sec. J 5. And he it further enacted, i hat
all officers, agents, and employees of this
bureau, before entering upon the duties of
their office, shall take the oatli prescrilied
in the first section of the act to which this
is an amendment, and all acts or parts of
acts inconsistent with the provisions of this
act are hereby repealed.
The Catholic Convent, an extensive in
stitution situated hack of the Ciifton
House, in Canada, near Niagara Falls,
was totally destroyed by fire recently.
A negro man in Heard county recently
obtained a license —through a third party
—to marry a white woman, and the cere
mony was performed by a Justice of the
Peace, after the intended bride made affi
davit that she had negro blood in her veins.
'The Grand Jury have found a true bill
against them, and they will be tried at the
next term of the court.