Newspaper Page Text
OLD SERIES, VOL. LXXVI.
(i'lirouitlr & Sentinel.
I|KMIY MOOItK,
a. it. vriumiT.
TEH '!> OK St HSUItiPT ION.
WEEKLY.
i Ua. 'fJJJJJJNJJ. «
a t <; t tSTA . GAi
W KDXESDAV MOKMXe, MU H.
At a meeting of the Board of Directors
of ttieftKirgia Railroad, held Wednesday
afternoon, the following officers wore
unanimously elected :
Ho?». John I’. Kino, President.
Cut. K. W. Com:. (leneral Superin
tendent.
I>v.. Joseph Mii.t.tgan, Treasurer and
Secretary.
Personal. —Mr. Montgomery Pepper,
General Superintendent of the Southern
Division of the Commercial News Depart
n.rut of the Western Union Telegraph
Company, arrived here Wednesday. Mr.
i’< ( per is now travelling throughout the
South for the purpose of perfecting the
Commercial News system, lining familiar
With the routine of this business, and the
want*of the mercantile community of the
South, we fee! assure I that he will be suc
eessfu! In his mission, and that factors and
brokers, who rely upon, this department
for the earliest telegraphic Information
from Liverpool and Now York, will be
served promptly and faithfully.
Rx-pKTSTrmtrr Davw.—lt is a matter 1
of congratulation that this great anil good
man, whom tlio Southern people delight
.to honor and revere, lias at last been set
at liberty. The shackles which l*iUod
him, anil the ignominies heaped upon his
devoted person, have served to render him
-till more dear to the Southern people,
who ull rejoice in his lilierty from the
modern Ins tile. Having exhibited, dur
ing his long and cruel imprisonment, the
fortitude and heroism of bis exalted
nature, may be yet liveto see the downfall
of his enemies and serve his people in the
e >ll noils of the nation!
Negro Cut.— A fracus occurred on
I lifts street, in rear of the Postofflce, Sun
day night, between some freedmen, in
which one was very severely stabbed. It
is supposed that the dilUouity grew out of
a gambling scrape.
The Fowl Baptist Cm tu n.—As the
Sexton of the First' Ilaptist Church was
opening the doors Sunday evening, prepar
atory t > lighting up for service, about
one-half the ceiling fell with u loud crash,
scattering and breaking up pews, and
enveloping the building in a cloud of dust.
The damage is very considerable, and it
w ill take some weeks to repair the build
ing.
The escape of tlio congregation was
providential, for had the members been
assembled the falling debris would surely
have resulted seriously and fatally to
many.
The accident resulted from two causes :
First the inferior manner in which the
work was executed ; and second—the con
tinued jarof the alarm bell and the bell of
the Church.
Georgia Railroad Convention. — j
The annual Convention of the Stock
holders of the Georgia Railroad, which has >
been in session here for two days, ad- I
journed Wednesday afternoon. The meet,
mg was largely attended and the session i
was satisfactory and harmonious. The
re-election of the old otllcors of the road is |
an evidence of the confidence reposed by j
the Stockholders in the gentlemen who
have so efficiently and faithfully dls- i
charged their duties. We are pleased to .
see that Hon. John P. King, Colonel K
W. Cole, and Hr. Joseph Milligan are
unanimously re-elected to their former
positions of President, General Superin
tendent and Secretary and Treasurer.
These gentlemen are assisted in their
arduous labors by an aide Beard of Di
rectors.
Iho President's Annual Report will bo
found on our fourth page.
A Lkoai. Pic-Nip.—We have often !
heard of children’s pic-nics, and young j
people’s pie-nics, but such a thing as a j
legal pie-nie we never heard of before last I
evening. On looking over Monday’s
Charleston News, wo sootliat the lawyers
in that city got up a pie-nie, to which they
invited Judge Munro, and on Saturday
the Judge closed the Court, all hands took
the ears and went fifteen miles up the
road, where they had a gay time. This is
certainly something new in the pic-nic
line, and suggests the propriety o£another
smoothing now—that of a printer's pic-nic.
Hut how can that be brought about?
Printers work on daily papers—tlio paper
must come out, as the greedy public cannot ,
brook delay In news. Courts, schools, etc.,
can be closed, and enjoy the pleasant pas
time of this most festive of months, but,
alas Itlie poor printer, his pie-nie is in the
nicking of the typo and sweating over
gaslight; while the local is scratching his
pate for an idea, and the editor up to his
eyes in polities, etc. Thus passes with
them the glorious month of May. Who
would not be a printer? That which is
legal w ith others is decidedly illegal with
them.
“Wiiat Doth Hinder ms. to he Baf
i m i>?" - This question received anew so
lution in Hamburg, S. ('., on Sunday last.
in all the colored Baptist Churches in and
around Augusta a great revival has been
going on for some weeks, and many had
lieen baptized or immersed. This eon I a
giou lias not eontined itself to the Georgia
side of the Savannah River, but spread
into South Carolina, with like glorious
results, until tlio raw material or that
which was accessible, was well nigh played
out. On Sunday, however, a solitary sub
ject was found, and he, headed and sur
rounded by the minister ami a large
crowd, took up the line of march for the
Savannah. On arriving beside the sw ift
running stream, and the subject WHS al
most in the attitude of the eunuch with
which Philip rode in the chariot, “Here is
is water what doth hinder me to be bap
tized," w hen the poor candidate’s eyes
w ere suddenly opened by the minister
propounding to him tho solemn question,
••Are you marrieds* 1 “No, sir.*’ “Then
you ran never be baptized so long as you
iit-i' living in illicit intercourse with a j
woman, though you may consider her
vour wife,” This fell like a bombshell into
an enemy's camp and sot him to thinking,
but not w ishing to si»oil the show, and
jeopard his elnuues for kingdom come, he
Siam made np liis mind and intimated his
willingness to comply with the letter of
the law, and the w oman dressed in a plain
calico, and standing unsuspeetiugly in the j
crowd to see him dipped! was trotted out i
before the assembled throng, the knot tied
on the bank, and her husband accordingly
immersed w ith all the rites and eerenio
n ins.
Memorial Ceremonies at Nkwbern,
N. O.—PROCESSION PROHIBITED. I’Ue
carrying out of the programme of the New
l>eru Memorial Association last Thursday
w as, as regarded a procession, prohibited
by the military. But, at a o clock, p. m., ,
a largo coueouree of citizens assembled in
tho cemetery to witness the laying of the
corner-stone of the vault prepared to re
ceive the remains of the Confederate dead.
The Newborn Jon mu! says:
The ceremonies were imposing and ap
propriate; the prayer by the Rev. Mr.
Vans w as a model'one, the ode sung by a
few of the ladies atid gentlemen was
solemn vet touchingly beautiful, the ora
tion was' chaste, admirably written, and
delivered in a style well suited to the oc
casion.
At the close of the oration, the persons
selected descended into the vault, and de
posited within the cemented pillar the fol
lowing articles: A copy of the Holy
ltible: first Confederate flag; second Con
federate flag; Confederate t>attle-llag;
photographs of Bay is, Lee and Johnston ;
a roll of officers composing the first Cabi
net of the Provisional Government; the
names of the officers of the ladies’ Memo
rial Association; the names of the Mayor
and City Council; Confederate money of
all denominations; a Mexican dollar con
tributed by a Confederate soldier; army
and navy buttous ; a United states silver
half dollar and other small articles, of
w hich we were unable to secure a list, —
Then the stone was capped, and securely
cemented, the doxology was sung, the
benediction was pronounced, and the
huge and attentive crowd retired from the
scene. ,
Vailandigham will deliver the commence
ment speech at Oxford University, Missis
sippi-
Richmond Riots.
The bare .statements that have reached
us, both by telegraph and by uiaii, has oc
casioned considerable comment. A- a
matter of'course the opinions and expres
sions are a= diverse as the standpoints of
the parties who utter them. The facts in
relation to them do not a- yet appear to
be settled, and we -oppose will not be un
til they are brought out by .judicial investi
gation. An eminent Georgian, who was in
Richmond, and on the parade ground of
the firemen at the inception of the diffi
culty, informs us that, so far as he witness
ed and could gather by inquiry, the difficul
ty took its rise in this wise : The Wil
mington (Del.) hire Company had been
badly beaten in a contest for superiority ;
a colored man shouted hurrah for old
Richmond ! Jiurrah for (a particular
fire company). A Wilmington fireman
1 turned upon him, and told him to “shut
up. ’ 'J he darkey responded we can whip
them every time. Hurrah for old Rich
mond ! Whereupon the Wilmington fire
man struck the darkey, who, from the ef
* feels of the blow, jostled the Chief of the
I Fire Brigade. The consequence was a
i genera! melee. The following account is
furnished by the Richmond Enquirer :
During the engine trial at the Basin on
yesterday afternoon, (’aptain Charters, of
the Richmond Fire Brigade, while measur
ing the distance to which the Delaware
engine had thrown its jet, was jostled from
behind by a negro, whom lie ordered to
get out of Aha- way—ae order vhioh. by
virtue of Ha position, he had a perfect
right to give. The negro replied by strik
ing the captain a heavy blow on the back
of the head, which prostrated him in the
mud. A Delaware fireman, who was
standing by, retaliated by knocking the
negro down with a speaking trumpet, and
immediately afterward the negro was ar
rested by Policeman Southall, and a white
j man supposed to be the party who struck
; the negro, was arrested by Policeman
! Snooks.
The negroes present immediately com
menced an attack upon the police. Re
volvers were drawn, stones arid brickbats
hurled, and, at the corner of Eighth and
Gary, the prisoner was torn by the mob
from the hands of Mr. Southall, who
struggled desperately, and pursued the
negro, hut was assaulted by a large crowd
of negroes, one of whom struck him on
the shoulder with a brick, inflictinga, very
I severe wound. He succedcd, however, in
recapturing the negro, when he was seized
J from behind by negroes, who held both of
his hands and attempted to deprive him of
his revolver, when Sergeant J. B. Pleasants
coming to the fescue, drove off, tempora
rily, the assailants.
A running fight ensued on Seventh
Street, up which the police marched the
prisoner toward the station-house. The
cry of“f reed men to the rescue” was raised,
and from all quarters tho negroes flocked
to aid in the attack on the officers of the
law. Stones and brickbats were hurled,
and a furious, howling mob hovered around
| the policeman, whom they assailed with a
j continuous storm of missiles.
Martial Law.
The New York Journal of Commerce
confesses to liumifiation in the fact that
Republican America should be compelled
to look to the Kingdom of Great Britain
for the true principles of liberty, and dis
covers considerable uneasiness lest the
Shernian-Shcllubarger principles should
become, at no distant day, the rule for the
whole country. The Journal lias had
some experience in the operation of martial
law and, therefore, perhaps grows a little
nervous in watching the “progress” of
events ; while the apprehension may be
just that the S. S. principle may extend so
far over the circumference of the country
that it will include the City and perhaps
the State of New York. But it can never
prevail in Boston, Faneuil Hall, Bunker
Hill, and the Big Organ will prevent such
a dire calamity.
The Journal of Commerce says:
4 “ The opinion of an eminent judge,
speaking the voice of one of the highest
coprts in England, and declaring that mar
tial law cannot be proclaimed by the crown,
has arrested the attentjiyi of many who
have been led astray by passion in this
country. It is not a subject of congratula
tion to us, at this late day, that we must
look to England far the assertion of the
great principles of liberty ; but we cordial
ly repeat the words of the New York Tri
bune, which says : “It is surely something
“gained for the cause of constitutional
“ liberty to have this noble doctrine pro
“ claimed from the English bench, in a
“ tone and spirit worthy qf the times that
“ gave birth to the immortal Petition of
“Rights, or to our own grand Declaration
‘ ‘ of Independence.
“In America we have drifted very far
away from the truths on which the doc
trine is based. We have been taught that
the war power of the government suspend
ed all civil law, overruled all constitutional
provisions and immunities; and people
who do not read law books have gotten
very generally into the notion that martial
law’is one of the ordinary arms of justice,
wielded by the government and to be re
sorted to in any emergency. Men once
esteemed good lawyers have been misled to
teaching the same doctrine, and a strange
medley now remains as the result of their
efforts to show that martial law and mili
tary law arc identical. So thoroughly
have .he people adopted the views of the
passionate school, that Congress has ac
! tually been permitted substantially to de
, elare Martial law over a large portion of
the country in a time of profound peace,
i and the anomaly is presented of a republi
! can nation exercising a power which the
highest authority in England declares ean
-5 not be exercised by the monarch of Great
Britain, even in time of wav.
‘ It seems to bo beyond dispute that we ;
have lost a good part of our education in
free principles. And the serious question
is whether we are on the way toward a re
covery of what wo have lost, or whether
we are not losing more and more. It is
not anew thing for men to be lost in fogs
or in the woods, and when they think t hem
selves on the road out to find that they
have been moving in a circle. So often
times with what ardent people call pro
gress. ’ ’ The road seems easy, and the |
travellers looking hack on depotism think
they are rapidly advancing in light and
liberty, but find that they have only swept
around the mysterious circle, and are
travelling into the old gloom and horror
which they believed they were leaving far
behind.
Fashion fiiuostcr.K. —The New York
(i tzette contains n description of the fash
ions now in vogue in that Metropolis for
men's and ladies' wear.
“Everything for men's wear, in the
shape of'pants—with the exception of plain
black, which is always fashionable for
professional ami elderly gentlemen—is
striped. The favorite colors seem to he
black and white, blue and light gray.
I’hev arc every day growing smaller and
smaller in the'leg,' and some of the poor
creatures already look as if they were in
distress. White' vests and black and
brown velvet coals and vests were worn
lurch- yesterday, but the English walking
coat seems to be most'fashionable. 1 Ight
oolered kid gloves were everywhere «..s
--played, and low clowned hats are altogeth
er worn. A few men are seen leading
poodle dogs attached to long strings. The
smaller the dog more fashionable. It
: should l>e so small and delicate as to
i oblige its owner to take it up by the nap of
the neck between his thumb and ringer
and lift it over the horrid pavement, fit
only for horses and carriages.
“It is almost impossible to describe
the ladies' fashions; one might :ts well
undertake to speak in detail of a Western
prairie, full of wild flowers. Out of the
five or ten thousand ladies vesterdav to be
seen upon the avenues, no two of them
were dressed exactly alike. The small
French walking dress seems to be fin,lm -
mure favor than ever in the eyes of the
multitude, and these are made’ up in an
endless variety of designs and trimmings.
If anything can be said of them, the
tendency is for a still further contraction in
sue, and it would not be surprising to see
a dress made of two breadths before long,
cut goring, of course, so as not closely to
resemble' a meal bag. A esterday some
! very beautiful violet and mazarine blue
dresses were seen, trimmed with ribbons
i or satius of a darker shade, but all made
up t'n suite. Silver sheen silk is becoming
verv fashionable; more color and peplums
have been killed by their universal adop
tion, and are now nowhere to be seen.
Bonnets are of the smallest possible pat
tern. just a triangular piece to put upon
the top of the head, puffed rouud the
edges with ribbonsor velvets, aud fastened
w ith wide strings of tulle, crape or lace.
In parasols, white silk, tow-red with
black or white lace, falling like a veil
about the face, are the latest novelty ; the
last one of winter, left flourishing a ; one
upon the street, was made of black velvet,
bordered with swan s down. "
The season for sugar grinding ha- now
about come to a close in Cuba. It has been
in every respect a good one, and the quality
1 of the sugar is said to be excellent.
t
Fresliieut Davis.
Fortress Monroe. May lu.—There
wa.- a large crowd at the steamboat land
ing at an early hour this morning. Mr.
Davis left Fortress Monroe after two years
iof imprisonment. His leave taking was
touchingly impressive. Mr. Davis walked
ou one side and General Burton and Dr.
Cooper on the other. Robert Ou!d and a
brother of Mr. Davis, from Vicksburg,
who accompanied Mrs. Davis and sister,
; fol. ,wed by several friends. The counte
nance of Mr. Davis was cheerful. He
received Lis many friends with great cor
diality on the boat—was dressed plain, with
dark suit and felt hat with cane. His
face was pale, looks very thin and feeble,
and his hair is quite gray.
Richmond, May 11, p. m.—The steamer
John Sylvester, with Mr. Davis on board,
, arrived this afternoon at half-past five
, o'clock. Long before her arrival the mili
i tary arrangements had beeu made by Gen.
Schofield. A detachment of infantry
| from the 29 th regiment was present, and
sentinels were posted at intervals enclosing
i about one hundred yards square of the
1 wharf. In the rear of this line a large
, crowd of negroes and a few whites were
gathered; the brows of the surrounding
| hills were pretty, thickly covered with
I spectators.
Maj. Vance, of Gen. Schofield's staff,
who was in command, had a detachment
of cannoniers, numbering about fifty,
mounted as a guard for the carriages. As
the steamer hove in sight, with the nation
al flag flying, the most intense anxiety
was exhibited by the crowd to get closer,
but there was no demonstration, no cheer
ing or hissing. When the steamer was made
fast. Hon. Jas. Lyons went ou hoard and,
after a feeling meeting with Mr. Davis,
brought 'MW*. "Baris ssfiureand conducted
her to a carriage, followed by the two
servants who attended her; in a few
uiiuutes Mr.-Davis came over tho gang
nlank, accompanied by Gen. Burton and
Dr. Cooper, lie looked very much changed
from what the citizens of Richmond re
member him, looking much older and
rather haggard and feeble ; a full grey
beard contributed much to the change.
He wore a heavy black overcoat, and came
ashore with a very firm step. Ihe party
immediately got into carriages and, sur
rounded by the mounted guard, drove
rapidly by a side street up toward the
Spots wool Hotel, thus disappointing the
large crowd which had gathered on -Main
street, near the wharf, to see Mr. Davis.
On the trip up Mr. Davis was quite
cheerful, and, as be had no guard, walked
freely about the boat,.conversing with the
passengers, who were all anxious to speak
to him. Ho said little about his imprison
ment, but spoke in terms of warmest affec
tion of Ex-President Pierce, who visited
him on Thursday last. He said there was
no man living for whom he entertained a
higher regard.
At Brandon, on the way up, a number
of ladies had gathered to speak to him,
who shed tears on seeing him. They
nearly all had been acquaintances of his
family during the war. A lady named
Mrs. Davis, of Richmond, who got on the
boat at Norfolk, died in the ladies’
cabin shortly before reaching Richmond.
Two bridal parties came up on the same
boat. There is a large and curious but
orderlycrowd around the Spotswood Hotel,
waiting to get a glimpse of the prisoner.
He wiil remain in Gen. Burton s charge
until produced in Court on Monday. The
citizens generally, in deference to the
wishes of the authorities, stayed away
from the docks, though many of them
were stationed in the doors and windows
along Main street to see Mr. Davis, as he
passed up, alter the procession entered
that street. He occupies the same suit of
rooms at the Spotswood that he did in
1861. It is the opinion expressed by one
of Mr. Davis’ counsel, that if bail is refused
him, the Executive will intervene to pre
vent his further confinement until his trial
comes off. Many of Mr. Davis’ friends
will visit him to-night and to morrow.
Richmond, Va., May 11, p. m. —The
crowd around the Spotswood Hotel dis
persed after vainly waiting to see Mr.
Davis. He has a private parlor and takes
his meals in his own room. This evening
he received tho visits of nearly one hun
dred of our most prominent citizens,
among them the Pastor of St. Paul’s
Church, where he first received the news
of tho breaking of' Lee’s line. There is no
restriction on his movements, and he has
the liberty of the house.
From Richmond—Release of President
Davis. *
Richmond, May 13, noon. —The United
States Court was packed this morning. A
military guard was stationed around it
and a strong police force inside. About
twenty ladies were among the spectators;
also fifty negroes. At 11 o’clock Mr.
Davis was brought in and took a seat next
to the prisoner’s box, with General -Bur
ton and the Marshal, a servant aeompany
ing him. Mr. Davis was fitting by an
open window, when he remarked : “It is
a little cold, isn’t it?” And he was then
removed to a seat near his counsel, in front
of the Judge. General Burton’s return to
the writ was read and the Judge compli
mented Burton in obeying the laws, and
relieved him of the custody of Mr. Davis.
The Marshal immediately served on Mr.
Davis a bench warrant to answer the Nor
folk indictment. Mr. O'Conor then took
tho floor and spoke of Mr. Davis’ long
imprisonment and feeble health, and asked
that lie bo bailed. There being no oppo
sition upon the part of the prosecution,
who fixed the bail at one hundred thou
sand dollars, the Judge announced his
readiness to acoept the bail, stating, at
the same time, that the responsibility oi
the delay in bringing Mr. Davis’ case into
court rested upon the Government, not
upon the District Attorney. He also said
half the bail should be given by persons
residing in the State of Virginia. The
sureties then came forward. Horace
Greeley being among the first; followed
by Schell, of New York; Jackman, of
Philadelphia, and others. A number of
| gentlemen residing in Virginia offered
their names as bail. Mr. Davis was con
j gratulated by several friends, but there
! was no demonstration or noise of any kind.
After giving bail to appear at the Novem
ber term of the Court, he was taken in a
coach to the Spotswood Hotel.
KicnAio.Nb, May 13, p. m.—As Mr.
Davis came out of the Court House and j
entered the carriage, after his release,
there was a loud cheer from the crowd of
negroes outside and about fifty of them
gathered around the coach and shook
hands with him. He has remained quiet
ly in his hotel ail the evening, and will
visit Canada in a day or two to seehischil- j
dren. The first names signed to the bail I
bond after that of .Jefferson Davis is j
Horace Greeley, then Schell of New York, j
and Jackman, of Philadelphia; a little 1
lower down is the name of John Minor j
Kotts; the Virginia residents who signed I
were prominent citizens of Kichmond,
merchants and lawyers. There seems to !
be a general feeling of relief among the |
citizens and authorities that Mr. Davis is !
at last at liberty.
It is stated that the Grand Jury has
indicted nee-President John C. Breckin
ridge. Judge H. W. Thomas of Fairfax,
and others, for treason.
Richmond, May 13, p. m.—lt was de
; cided to-day by those having Mr. Jefferson
Davis in their immediate charge that he
should bo conveyed to the Court room as
privately as possible in the hack. With
him were Gen. Burton, Dr. Cooper'and
Major MeElrath; and in the other hack
were Captain Millard, who was a Union
' officer during the war and is now one of
the courteous proprietors of the Spots
wood Hotel, and Dr. McGill and the Rev.
Dr. Miauegerode. On the return to the
Spots wood Hotel Rev. Dr. Minccgerode,
in the company of Mr. Davis and his fami
ly, and a few personal friends, offered up
prayer in thankfulness for the release of
his friend, his restoration to the bosom of
his friends and family and for his future
protection. A large number of visiters were
afterward received by him.
The following telegram was received by
Judse Underwood in the Court room to
day fa short time before he admitted Mr.
Davis to bail:
“Washington, May I;..—Judge Lnder-
wood: Beware of Greeley! Remember
Libby Prison. Audersonville and Belle
Isle. * Fifty millions are looking on, and
expect voii to devour duty, while three
hundred thousand patriots graves cry
aloud for revenge. A'our Friend.”
Jefferson Davis, on his release, tele
graphed his brother, Joseph C. Davis, in
Mississippi, of tho fact, and informed him
( that he would write him from New York.
Mr. Davis and wife visited the grave of
their sou this eveniug late at Hollywood
cemetery.
Ri< umon n, May 13. p. m. —JeffeVson
i'avts and his family went on board the
steamer A m gara at ten o'clock,
i , ue sa “ st P r York to-morrow morning,
lie goes thence to Canada.
An intimate friend of Mr. Davis savs he
has no fixed plan ior his movements until
November. Mrs. Davis will reside in
Norio:.:.
Richmond, May 14. p. m —General
Schofield has ordered the Lincoln
Guard coloreu to disband, and prohibited
their parade or drill.
The negro laborers in the tobacco ware
houses have struck for higher wages. No
disturbance has occurred.
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY 22, 1867.
Message of Got. English to the Connec
ticut Legislature.
j EXTRACT, j
Hartford, Mavl, 1867.
Fell me- Citizens of the Senate and House
of Representatives :
In entering upon the duties to which I
have been called at this interesting period
of our history, I am impressed with the
consciousness of my inability to meet the
expectations of those who have so gene
rously honored me with the trust: and I
should be destitute of feeling were I not
deeply affected by the confidence reposed
in me by my fellow-citizens.
NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
The situation of public affairs is in every
aspect important. Two years have elapsed
• since our country emerged from a civil war
such as the world had never witnessed ; a
war which had been waged to maintain the
supremacy of the Federal Constitution and
the integrity of the National Union. Over
the calamities of that unhappy conflict
which desolated so large a portion of our
country, and carried sorrow to so many
households, vie long shall mourn—but as
citizens of a common country, we should
strive to extinguish the vindictive resent- i
nients it engendered.
The right of a State voluntarily to with- 1
draw from the Union has been abandoned j
by those who attempted to carry it into
effect. Four years of sanguinary warfare
brought this result to the country ; and yet
the great object of that war has thus far
been defeated. The Union is not restored.
Ten States are. by the action of Congress, !
denied all participation in the National j
Government, the laws of which they are j
required to obey. Measures such as j
these tend to empire, not to union. If |
persisted in, they mustMniMtably Sesffoy f
the federative character of our govern- '
ment, and transform the Republic into a
despotism. The course of legislation pur
sued by Congress toward the ten States of j
the*South, is, in my judgment, wholly un- !
warranted by our fundamental law, and as i
fatal to the Union and the Constitution as i
the principle of secession which has been
suppressed.
From the adoption of the Constitution
there have, been conflicting opinions and
principles in regard to the powers which
have been delegated to the Federal Govern
ment, and those which have been reserved
to the States. In the opinion of one por
tion of our countrymen, the concentration
and exercise of more powers than was
granted, is essential to give strength and
efficacy to the central government.
Another portion insist that the authority
conferred was ample—that indeed its ten
dency is constantly aggressive and in
creasing, encroaching upon the reserved
rights of the States and upon the rights of
tile people, and that if not carefully held
in check, all the important powers of the
Government will be ultimately absorbed
in one great central empire. And around
these conflicting opinions, political organ
izations grew up at an early day in our
history.
Until a recent period, the good sense,
virtue and patriotism of our people so
modified and tempered the excess of party
spirit, that the public tranquility has been
preserved, and the Government and laws
universally respected. But the passions of
men at last gained sway. The restraints
of the Constitution chafed upon those who
were striving only for political power. One
extreme begat another, until a large por
tion of the people of the slaveholding
States madly took up arms to maintain the
asserted right of secession. Few will
question the sincerity of most of those who
voluntarily took part in this armed resist
ance. The sufferings, hardships and sa
crifices they endured, too clearly attest it. .
Overpowered by the armies of the Re
public, they surrendered, acknowledged
their allegiance to the government which
they had opposed, and accepted the legal
consequences of their acts. Their immense
armies quietly dispersed to their homes
under the terms of the surrender, and re
sumed their peaceful avocations.
To bring order out of chaos—to restore
to their legitimate functions the State au
thorities, and to re-establish their broken
relations with the Federal Government, be
came at once a work of necessity. As
Commander in-chief of the armies. Presi
dent Lincoln addressed himself to that
work. Under his plan, matured by Presi
dent Johnson, these States were reor
ganized. In obedience to its requirements,
their Constitutions and laws were changed
—and, by the act of the people of each of
those States, slavery was forever abolish
ed. By this process the re-establishment
of the Union was essentially consummat
ed. Little more was thenceforward re
qvdred for the country to move onward in a
harmonious and prosperous career, than
the admission of Senators and Representa
tives from those States to seats in Con
gress.
Unfortunately the tendency tocentraliza
tion had received new impetus during the
war, consequent on the exercise of extra
orninary powers by the Government, and
this developed anew and extreme partizan
spirit. It demanded the exclusion of the
late insurrectionary States from any con
stitutional rights within the Union. As
suming that the war in its practical results
was a failure, that the Union is really
divided, that the inhabitants of the ten
States which combined under the so called
Confederacy are alien enemies, and, with
the exception of the blacks, are to be
treated as a conquered and subjugated
people, Congress has arbitrarily excluded
the Senators and Representatives of these
States from the halls of legislation, and
refused even to examine their credentials.
By this means Congress has taken pos
session of the Government, and, under the
dictation of a committee, whose sessions
have been held in secret, has set aside
some ol' the most important and salutary
provisions of the Constitution, and even
menaced with its power the independent
action of the judiciary.
The legislation of the Thirty-ninth Con
gress was, to a large extent, a series of
usurpations and infractions of the Consti
tution, commencing with propositions to
enforce amendments of that instrument, in
the inception of which nearly one-third of
the States, and fully one-third of the
people, had no voice, and eventuating in
placing that people, in a time of profound
peace, under military domination.
The bill to establish military govern
ments over the ten Southern States, and
which assumes to annul the State and
municipal governments and the legal tri
bunals of that portion of our country, has
justly alatmed the apprehensions of con
siderate and reflecting citizens. It is in
effect establishing martial'law over those
States. But whence does Congress derive
the power to subject any portion of the
citizens of the United States to martial
law ? Martial law is not military law. It
embraces the citizen as well as the sol
dier. It is the substitution of the will of
the commanding officer in an enemy’s
country in time of war for the municipal
I law which previously prevailed. It is a
i creature ox necessity, and exists only where
j no municipal law is in force, or where the
j success of military operations renders its
j suspension for the time being necessary.
The deliberate enactment of martial law by
a Legislature is a solecism. For a Legis
i lature has time and opportunity to enact
municipal laws to be administered by civil
tribunals in conformity to the Constitu
tion or organic law. Congress has no power
not granted to it by the Constitution, and
martial law is something wholly wituout
the Constitution, existing only by the ab
sence of law. It has no more power under
the Constitution to establish military gov
ernments in the Southern States. than to
institute an order of nobility in New Eng-
land. , . ,
Within the last month it has been au
thoritatively declared by the Lord Chief
Justice of England, in a notable case, that'
•he power to establish martial law has
never belonged to the British Crown,
under any circumstances, and whether in
the colonies or at home; and that “it
should never be forgotten that whatever
might be the charge of which man might
be accused, though he might be a rebel
and the worst traitor ever brpught to the
block, yet, until he was convicted and un
til his life was taken, he was still a British
subject, entitled, when tried, to those
safeguards which were the essence of
justice.”
It is strange, indeed, that this power, so
extraordinary that no British sovereign
ever dared to claim it as a prerogative of
his grown, can be supposed to reside in the
constitution of a republic, established by a
people who revolted against Great Britain
that they might better secure their liber
ties by the safeguards of a written consti
tution with limited and well defined pow
ers. .
But the evil consequences of this legis
lation do not stop with the establishment •
of martial law. Congress has assumed that
power, only for the purpose of more
thoroughlv 'accomplishing the subversion
of State authority. By the military arm
it has not only stricken down all local civil
government in those States, but, by its
aid, it determines who shall, and who shall
not, participate in forming the govern
ments that may be allowed to them for the
regulation of their local concerns. It as
sumes the power to disfranchise the white
inhabitants of those States aud to enfran
chise the black—thus condemmg, without
conviction or trial, a large portion of their
intelligent population- and placing the
political power in the hanus of those who
have never participated in . the affairs of
government, and a !area. majority of whom
cannot read the ballots 4)ey are authorizdfl
to east. This is not rec'instruction. It is
not a measure of peace, hut a measure of
war. Local self-government is the very
corner-stone of cur Republican fabric. All
stable governments recognize its power as
a mere principle o! governmental policy.
For a Republic to discard it is suicidal.
It must be home in mind that when
these extraordinary powers were assumed
by Congress, our armies had beeu with
drawn and disbanded. Peace had been
proclaimed. Congress itsoli had acknowl
edged the suppression of the rebellion by a
public act. All departments of govern
ment, State and National, were peacefully
and without obstruction exercising their
functions in those States.. .1 be people 1
were adapting themselves with unanimity
and good feeling, and with remarkable or
der, to the chgngeJ social condition which
followed the abolition of slavery 'and the |
disbandment of their armies. /
If'Oongress can thus legislate for. those :
States, it is not difficult to forcsee,Jn the
not distant future, like interference in ether
States. If these powers, thus exercised, 1
have been rightfully exercised, then the j
Constitution of Connecticut and the an- \
cient right of the people, so often asserted
when a colony of Great Britain, to “regu- !
late their internal aflairs in their own
way,” are henceforth subject to the will
or caprice of a Congressional majority.
The Constitution requires that the Presi
dent shall take care that the laws are faith
fully executed; huCCongress has seen fit to
change the prescribed time of its meeting,
so as to secure a continuous session fck
thofmrpoeo of enforcing laws by .lT3»t>wr>
decrees, and to hold the constitutional au
thority of tho Executive subject to its will.
For this change, uncalled for and unex
pected, the country was unprepared. In
consequence of this, Connecticut was un
represented in the popular branch during
the late session, convened at an extraordi
nary time, during which laws of moment
ous interest were hurriedly passed in the
absence of the Representatives of seven-
teen of the thirty-seven States of the
Union. So broken and depleted was this
fragmentary Congress that it did not
venture to appoint the regular standing
committees, though adopting, without
hesitation, laws of vital consequence to a
large section of our common country, and
in conflict with the settled policy of our
Republican system.
In this connection, I may with pro
priety allude to tlio course of the Senate in
arrogating the power to select, as well as
to confirm, and in dictating to the Presi
dent in regard to his appointments. While
the President is responsible for the faithful
execution, of the laws, the Senate, which is
irresponsible, by an abuse of power, refuses
to allow him to select agents in whom he
has confidence, hut insists that he shall
only appoint, those who are opposed to
him, his measures, and the policy which
believes to he for the interest of the
country. Estimable men of admitted
ability and integrity, many of them having
served with fidelity throughout the war,
have been thus rejected for no other
reason than that they had received the
confidence of the President.
It was in. pursuance of this purpose to
absorb within its grasp the functions which
legitimately appertain to the other branches
of the government, that it was proposed to
take the pardoning power from the Exec
utive, where the Constitution has placed
it, and,. by an ex post facto proceeding,
confer it in certain contingencies upon
Congress. When tho insurgent armies
surrendered, their soldiers became amen
able to then existing laws. It certainly
could not have been supposed that they
were to be prosecuted under new and dif
ferent laws which were thereafter to he
enacted. Yet it is a lamentable fact that
Congress, during the past two years, has
employed no inconsiderable portion of its
time in devising new laws for the punish
ment of past offences—a proceeding bad in
policy and repugnant to the great princi
ples on which free governments are found
ed,. and to tho common sentiment of an
enlightened age.
1 have thus particularly brought to your
attention these acts of the Federal Con
gress, because, in my judgment, .their
tendency is to revolutionize the character
of our Government; and, therefore, they
vitally concern the people of' Connecticut.
That the inhabitants of the proscribed
States will peacefully submit to the rule
that has been provided for them, no one
can doubt. Their helplessness to do other
wise, if nothing else, assures this. That a
Union of co-equal States under the Con
stitution may result from their submission,
is my most fervent hope. But- questions
of serious import to us will still remain.
Will the precedent thus set by Congress
be. forgotten ? Will the Constitution which
is impotent to restrain the fury of a ma
jority to-day, become the sacred, shield it
once was for the minority to-morrow?
Will the sword that is so easily drawn to
establish a Constitution now, be allowed to
rest in in its sheath if needed to overthrow
a Constitution hereafter? It has been the j
honest boast and just glory of the soldier
that he has saved to our people their old
flag without a star displaced or a stripe !
broken —but useless has been the sacrifice :
if the people no longer retain their faith
in constitutional government. If the I
charter of our liberties has been lost, j
nothing has been won.
More than ever at the present time j
should any infraction of the Constitution
be regarded as a public calamity. By the
vast increase of our public indebtedness
every question which concerns the Gov
ernmenUcredit comes home to every per
son in the land. By that credit all values
arc measured. It lies at the foundation of
all our wealth, our industry—of society
itself. No calamities of the past can ex
ceed those which befall us if the public,
credit should give way. But how is it to
be preserved if the supreme law of the
land is itself repudiated ? In what mar
ket of the world is that Governmen t trusted
which is swayed by revolutionary factions,
intent only upon the gratification of am
bition or the indulgence of partizan resent
ment? Had tho efforts of Congress been
properly directed, the industry and trade
of the whole country would long since have
felt the grateful influence, and the public
credit been strengthened.
It has long been tho pride of the people
of Connecticut that within their borders
the first experiment was made to govern
man by a written Constitution. It is not'
strange that, they have been quick to ob
serve those signs which betoken danger to
their chosen .Government. They are a
law-abiding and freedom-loving people;
but solong as their own history is remem
bered, they cannot forget that” force, op
pression, military authority, are not the
instruments to bind a ration together—
that no Government can endure that ’has
not its foundations laid in the affections of
the people.
Trusting in the intelligence of the Amer
ican,people, let us indulge the.hope that,
from our experience of danger, we may
learn to secure our future safety—and that
when calmer times succeed, tho true prin
ciples of our republican system may be re
established by means of a legally consti
tuted Convention, and that the foundations
of the Union shall be relaid upon the en
during principles of civil liberty and the
equal rights of the States, with the limited
; powers of the Federal Government and the
indissolubility of the Union so clearly de
fined, that our continuance as a people
one and indivisible —may be perpetual.
The paramount importance which the
events of the past few years has given to
subjects affecting the Federal relation - o
our State, is my justification for dwelling
thus at length upon them at the present
time.
The Weather and Crops.—Every
where heard from in this section there are
favorable indications of an abundant yield
of wheat. Not only is the prospect flat
tering in the extreme, but the quantity of
land sown in wheat exceeds the ordinary
amount to a considerable extent. The oat
crop is likewise promising. . Cotton and
corn are looking well, .and the proportion
of the latter is largely in excess of former
years. This is truly gratifying informa-
tiou, for upon this important fact depends
the sustenance of thousands. . e need
provisions of«our own raising, in order to
lay the foundation of prosperity for the
future. The experience of the past de
monstrates the necessity ior our people to
become independent as regards the actual
necessaries of life. —Anderson {S. C. ) In
telligencer.
The crops in Florida, so far as we can
learn, were never more promising. ithin
a day or two, we have visited several plan
tations. The corn is looking well general
! ]With suitable seasons and work at the
rieht time, there will be plenty made for
the demand. Os cotton there is a good
stand. Manv planters have fini-hed
“chopping out.” The freeamen are work
ing better than thev did last year, and i(
thev continue in well-doing, there is ever*
reason to believe that a good crop will be
mad. — Tallnhatse^Fwjodtan. . J lay
It. Barnwell Rhett, of South Carolina,
is writing a history of the war. He is now
in Washington gathering material for his
work.
Georgia Jews.
Sale Day.— The heavy rains prevented
any general attendance of our country
friends on Tuesday last, and but little busi
ness was done. The administrator of S.
F Burns sold at public outcry 490 acres
of wild lands, in Worth county, which
brought ($66) fifty-six dollars. Also a
tract of 190 acres, together with the re
mainder after widow's dower in 112 acres
additional, sold by the administratrix of
11. J. Cofer, deceased, brought one hun
dred dollars. Money is very scarce, and
thegreat wantiscorn.— Washington (Ga.) ;
Gazette, 10th.
}Ye regret to learn, just as our forms are
going to press, that Captain G. G. Norman
is no more. After a long and painful ill
ness, his ready spirit took it% flight on
yesterday, the 9th inst., abdut 2 o'clock p.
m. The deceased has been the Ordinary
of Wilkes county ever since that office was
created, in 1846, we believe, and during
his long administration in that most re
sponsible position he has retained, and in
deed, added largely, to the respect and |
esteem in which lie was held by all classes
ol c.tizens,— Washington Gazette, May 10. j
Wheat.— We hear of some little com
plaint of rust or red mould on wheat, but, j
as a general thing, the prospect for a good i
yield is very promising. We make the :
lollowing extract from a note from one of
our farmers in the lower part of the county; |
“It is needless to say what is generally ,
known, wheat is looking finely ; it is head
ing out beautifully, and some is in full
bloom, and will be ready to harvest within
four weeks. Those who are buying corn
intend to feed with wheat as soon as it gets
in the. dough, in lieu of corn ; apd a very
JBSttd*' R if, 100, ibwwheat is quite.as
gooa as com for plow stock, and almost
every farmer sowed sofne wheat. So, you
see, three weeks more, and the sheer ne
cessities of the farmers will have ended.
Freedmen are still conducting themselves |
with marked decorum, and tho majority of
them express themselves in favor of the
abolishment of the freedmen’s bureau."—
Griffin Star, oth.
Crops, Fruits—The Prospect.— The
weather is just now unpropitious. On
Monday night we had a heavy flood of
rain. To-day (Tuesday) a cold rain with
blustering winds, raining from points east
by north to northwest. The crop and i
fruit prospects have been' very fair up to
the present time, and if May does not turn
into March, wo may march through the
fields, subduing Gen. Green and Colonel
Crab (crop) Grass with hope ofa crop both
of cotton, coin and fruits. Our substantial
farmers who expect toliveby farming, have
in a greater breadth of corn than usual.
Our speculating farmers, who would grow
rich in a year’s labor by renting fine farms
and employing large numbers of freedmen,
plant nearly all cotton, with perhaps corn
enough to feed mules and hands to the
end of the year. The less of this sort of
farming the better for all parties, and if
cotton should rule at a low figure next sea
son, as it probably will, this method of
speculation will he done for. The sooner
the better, if other cause than the low
price of cotton could bring about the re
sult.—South Georgia Times, Valdosta,
May Bth.
•Sale Day. —Tuesday last, the day of
Sheriff’s Sale, was decidedly the liveliest of
the year. A considerable amount of
property was exposed at public outcry, and
most of it commanded prices in keeping
with the present tight times. Twenty
five Shares in the “Newton Manufacturing
Company” were sold at seven thousand
dollars. A tract of land containing about
three hundred acres, brought one dollar
and -five cents per acre. The owner of
this place six years ago was offered for the
place the sum of six thousand dollars. At
Sheriff’s sale it brought about one-twentieth
of that amount. Other parcels of land
were sold at prices merely nominal. —
Covington Enterprise, 10th.
Was it an Earthquake ?—About two
o’clock on Wednesday last, many of our
citizens heard a noise in the Southeast,
resembling that produced by an earth
quake. Two distinct explosions were
heard, and in some places houses were
jarred. We learn that the shock in Madi
son was much more perceptible than here
—so much so that it created some alann
among the people. To them the noise ap
peared like a distant explosion, and con
tinued for about thirty seconds.—Coving
ton Enterprise, May 1 0th
Crop Prospects. —Wo hear from sev
eral persons of the appearance of rust on
the wheat. This crop is a large one this
year, and many are depending upon it for
the support of their farms, in a great de
gree, until corn matures. Thft appearance
of rust so early in tho year is a matter of
serious concern. Corn is said to be doing
well, with good-stands very generally over
the county. Cotton is pretty generally up,
hut the cool weather makes it look blue.
The heavy Northeast storm of Monday
night and Tuesday does not improve it,
and is probably worse on wheat than cot
ton. — Washington Gazette, May 10.
Southern Rails. —The schooner Rho
della Blue, which arrived here a few days
ago from Richmond, Virginia, has on
board 140 tons of rails for the Macon and
Atlanta Railroad. They were manufac
tured at the Tredegar Iron Works in
Richmond, and are said to he superior to
anv now manufactured. —Savannah News,
1 0 th.
The frost was so severe in the vicinity of
Columbus on Wednesday as to seriously
damage the tender vegetables and young
cotton.
Stocks. —At the public sales in Savan
nah on Tuesday, (smtral Railroad stock
brought 896(90; Atlantic and Gulf Rail
road 43 ; City of Savannah bonds 78.
Rev. C. M. Irwin.— We regret to learn
that this excellent Minister, Pastor of the
Baptist Church of this city, has been com
pelled, in consequence of ill health, to
resign his charge, for the summer months
at least. — Albany News, 7th.
A Fowl Proceeding. —The editor of
the Sandcrsvillo Georgian advertises for
one thousand chickens. He says he is
getting ready to feed the Methodist
preachers at the approaching District Con
vention, which is to be held at that place
the last of this month.
Sale Stopped.— Notwithstanding Gen.
Pope’s assurance in his letter to Governor
Jenkins that he had m desire to interfere
with the regular course of civil adminis
tration in the State, we learn that a
Sheriff’s sale of property in this county
was stopped by his order Tuesday last.—
Macon Tel., f Ith.
Frightful. —Yesterday morning as Dr.
T. N. Pouiiiun’s carriage was leaving his
house, ami as the driver got down to shut
the gate, the horses dashed off with the
carriage and ran upon the public square—
a distance of half mile—where they were
halted. There were in the carriage at the
time Mrs. Moore, of Augusta, Mr. and Miss
McHenry, but, providentially, they escaped
uninjured. Grcenesboro (Ga.) Herald,
11th.
The Chop*.— -Reports from all parts of
tlie country in relation to the crops are
very encouraging. Most of our farmers
are looking forward with the hope of a
more abundant crop than has been pro
duced in this State for many years. The
wheat is heading up finely and promises at
this time a fruitful yield; aud may “He
who feeds the young ravens when they
cry,” make the promise good, for in this
is the only hope of thousands throughout
our State. We hear occasional rumors of
rust on the wheat, but not sufficient to
damage it. -—Madison (Go.) yews, 10*/*.
Melancholy. --In visiting a number of
neighboring counties, tills spring, we were
surprised at missing the familiar faces of
numerous old friends. On inquiry, we
found that they were no longer in the land
of the living. Robbed in the late war of
their property, unable from age and in
firmity to commence anew by personal
labor, mortified at their treatment and de
spairing of ever again living under a free
Government, their sensitive natures yield
ed under the pressure. Alas ! how many
more victims to the Radical misrule the
light of eternity will only reveal. TV e fear
many more graves will be filled from the
ranks of the high-minded and noble men of
the South, should Radical misrule continue
much longer. —J RRteigevitlc Recorder.
Another Sllmarine Cable. —The
managers of the Cable Telegraph are
manufacturing another submarine cable,
to connect the end of the oceanic cable, at
Heart's Content, with the provincial and
American lines at Sydney, Cape Breton
and Port Hood. This will be done by
running a land line about sixty-three mues
down the eoast from Heart's Content to
Placentia, along a good road, with every
facility for construction and repair, and
thence by submarine course to Sydney,
touching at the Island of St. Pierre, a
small French fishing station, to which, m
all probability, a French trans oceanic line
will hereafter run. From Sydney to 1 ort
Hood, the provincial lines will _ take the
eounection, and the Western union Com
pany will bring it to New \oru.
Senator Doolittle has been appointed by
the President a special agent to visit the
Russian Government on a secret service
mission. It is generally supposed that it
refers to the recently ratified Russian
, treaty.
Proceedings of the Georgia Railroad
Convention.
MORNING SESSION.
The Convention met, pursuant to call,
Hon. John P. King in the chair, Dr. J.
Miligan Secretary.
President called Convention to order.
Roll of Stockholders was called.
President submitted the annual report
in behalf of the Board of Directors.
[President's report will bo published to
| morrow.]
On motion, the President appointed as
Committee on Proxies, Hon. N. L.
Hutchins, Dr. E. E. Jones, and George
T. .Jackson, Esq.
On motion, Convention adjourned to
meet at four o’clock, p. in.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Convention met pursuant to adjourn
ment, lion. John P. King in the chair.
Judge Hutchins, chairman of Committee
on Proxies, submitted a report, stating
the difficulties which embarrassed a
perfect discharge of duties, and call
ing the attention of the Stockholders
to the miscellaneous character and age of
very many of the proxies of file, and the
frequent want of agreement with num
ber of shares belonging to the respective
Stockholders as appearing by the Stock
Board. He said the Committee, however,
had satisfied themselves that a legal
quorum was present, the number of shares
represented beiu* 25,905, of which 11,911.
was represented in person, and the re
mainder by proxy.
On motion of Hon. Samuel Barnett the
report was received and adopted unani
mously.
The President announced a quorum of
Stockholders, and the Convention ready
for business.
Hon. Samuel Barrett, after a few re
marks upon the character of the proxies
now in existence, and variety of forms
used, and the labor and difficulties there
by created, offered the following resolu
tion :
Resolved, That all proxies now in exist
ence be (leclared by the Convention re
voked, and from and after tho date of this
Convention, all proxies sltnll bo recognized
by the Convention of Stockholders for no
longer period than the year in wuicli they
are executed.
Judge Hutchins suggested the operation
of the rule should be confined to residents
of the State, and should not apply to For
eign Stockholders.
The President stated that formerly such
wus the rule, and that he thought it just
to Foreign Stockholders to make an ex
ception in their favor, as communication
could not be had so easily as with these
along the line of the Road, and that per
haps the omission might be the cause of
failure to make a quorum when it was
greatly to be desired.
Mr. Barnett accepted the suggestion as
an amendment. The question was then
put and carried nem. con.
lion. W. W. Clarke then read, as his
own views, the views of those whom he
represented, and of many Stockholders of
his acquaintance, a statement of the policy
which should govern the Board of Direct
ors, and he asked the sense of the Con
vention thereupon. This statement is
substantially as follows:
Ist. That a Convention of Stockhold -
ers has the right to dictate the general pol
icy for the government of each and every
Board of Directors in the general manage
ment of the affairs of the Company.
2d. That the Stockholders for each year
are justly entitled to the profits earned in
that year, except such a sum as might ap
pear necessary, to meet probable eon
tingences, which sum should he carried to
a contingent fund.
3d. That as the Stockholders of this Com
pany are numerous, it results that the
stock is always upon the market; that,
therefore, to secure Stockholders from loss
by fluctuations in the Value of the stock,
a course of management should bo pur
sued which will npt bo inconsistent with
permanent prosperity of the Company
and will secure regular annual dividends.
4th. That permanent improvements
which future Stockholders are to enjoy,
and reap the greatest benefit, should not
be paid for out oftlie profits of any one
year, but should be distributed according
to importance over a series of years.
Mr. Clarke considered his proposition
axiomatic, lie would not consume the
time of the Convention, but lie would con
fine himself to asking that the test should
be made as to how far they met the appro
bation of the Convention.
He therefore offered the following reso
lution :
Resolved, That the Board of Directors
about to bo elected, be and. are hereby
ordered and instructed to declare a divi
dend of 4 percent, in October next, and
another dividend of 4 per cent in April
next: provided the net income of the
Company shall amount to 8 per cent., and
if the net income shall exceed 8 per cent., I
then one-third this excess shall be added
to the dividends aud the remaining two
thirds shall be carried to the contingent
fund.
Judge Hutchins, while ho ai.nitted the
soundness of some of the views presented,
was opposed to any policy which looked
to an accumulation of debt as a ruinous
policy; “the legislative power resided in
the Board of Directors and not in the Con
vention,” and argued, with force and
ability, against the right and policy indi
cated by the resolutions.
Mr. Clarke replied at length, claiming
that the Convention created the Board
had unlimited power over the Boards, and
were restricted only by their character and
the laws of the State. That the Conven
tion could dictate to the Board, but the
Board could not legislate lor the Conven
tion, could not lay down laws for the
Stockholders.
Mr. Clarke spoke at length, both upon
the policy, necessity and justness of the
resolution, and thought the majority of
the Stockholders did agree with him.
Upon the conclusion of Mr. Clarke’s
speech, Air. Barnett moved that the whole
matter should be laid upon the table until
to morrow; at ten o’clock. Carried unani
mously.
Convention then adjourned, to meet to
morrow morning at nine o'clock.
SECOND day’s PROCEEDINGS.
Convention met pursuant to adjourn
ment.
Minutes of previous day and officers’
| reports were then read.
[These reports we shall lay before our
readers so far as our space will permit.
] The report of Col. Cole, Superintendent,
was evidently received with marked satis
, faction.]
Hon. W. \V. Clarke called up his reso
lution, laid upon the table for this hour
to-day. Mr. Clarke proceeded to support
his resolutions in a speech of some length,
lie expressed himself highly gratified
with the favorable reports of the Presi
dent and Superintendent. They were far
beyond what he anticipated. Indeed, far
beyond what the most sanguine could have
anticipated. The Stockholders would see
that their property was far more valuable
than they had estimated it—for beyond
the value indicated by Its price in the
market. The stock was now selling for 63
to CO. The reports show that the Com
-5 pany, starting with a road bgd\y torn
up, half of it utterly destroyed, with
no money ig the treasury, the worst crops
ever occurring in the State, and every im
aginable difficulty—difficulties which grow
out of the direst of all calamities, and the
most disastrous to every species of enter
prise -civil war; and yet, under these ac
cumulated difficulties, the Company had
earned a net surplus of twelve and one
hali per cent., not alone upon the value of
the road, but upon the cost of the road
and a defunct and valueless bankrupt
bank besides. He rejoiced in the pros
perity of the road, but was at war to the
| extent of stock, however small the stock he
I represented, and his influence was against
I that policy which converted this annual
earning almost wholly into a permanent
improvement, causing the Stockholders to
' suffer now for the benefit of posterity. It
i had been the policy of the Company to de
‘ dare meagre dividends, and to cast profits
into a huge reservoir, to be distributed in
bonuses at different periods. This was
what he warred against. He saw neither
j justice, nor equity, nor sound reason,
NE»< . .LUES VOL. XXVI. NO. 21.
nor good policy in such a course. ; —
1 He was frank to say that he had not heard
the first man who boldly defended sucli a
; policy. There was no good reason which
could be given. He wanted no more re
servoirs, but he thought it just that the
annual income of the road should not be
taxed with extraordinary repairs, or rather
a reconstruction which would benefit future
, Stockholders only, and force present Stoek
holders to part with their stock at an enor
mous sacrifice. He thought that this Con
vention had the right—the legal right— to
dictate to the officers of the road and the
direction the general policy of manage- !
ment, and he wanted to assert that right;
was willing to discuss that question as a
legal question with his friend who opposed
him yesterday, and those friends who op
t pose his policy to-day.
He regretted to say that it hud been in- i
timated that the question would be voted
down without discussion. He was bold
enough and frank enough to say he
wanted a full and free discussion.— |
He wanted to be right upon the record,
as well as in speech—hence he had offered j
his resolution, and now urged its eonside
ration upon the Convention. His conduct j
was governed by a conviction of right,
base'd upon principle. He thought that 1
posterity, reaping the greatest benefit, !
should share equally the burthens, and he
saw no other way than to issue bonds for j
their and _eoongel thgmto meet
At the conclusion of Ml Clarke’s re
marks Mr. Barnett took the floor.
Mr. Barnott was, and had long since
been, fully satisfied that it was the true
policy of every road to declare the
net earnings to the Stockholders each
year. This was no new principle to him.
It was good policy toward the officers —it
was sheer justice to the Stockholders. He
had always, as it was well known, opposed
the “reservoir” principle, as his friend
from Newton had called it. This wasa prac
tical question, and it would have practical
effects. The stock was now depressed,
depressed although the Company had de
clared dividends amounting to six and one
half per cent, upon the capital, and yet
the stock only brings G3 or 66. Why was
this ? It was because the public saw that
while there was a surplus of nearly one
million and a half of dollars (certainly
worth at current prices seven or eight
hundred thousand dollars) that this was
held in reserve, not touched, but the annu
al profits were forced to defraying extra
ordinary expenses. Men took a practical
view of such matters. If the Stockhold
ers did not got the earnings, people did
not want the stock. Fix the principle
that earnings would be divided, and the
price would be accordingly. The differ
ence between a bond and a share of stock
was certainty. The bonds were now worth
98, the stock 06. Had you made a regu
lar dividend of earnings, the stock
would now be higher than the bonds;
because there was no chance for a greater
sum than the stipulated interest on the
bonds, there would have been a greater in
come from stock. But, while lie opposed
the “reservoir” principle, he could go no
further with his friend from Newton. He
was opposed to a jionded debt always, if it
could he avoided, lie thought, however,
that this could he done now- -could have
been done last year. The Company had
ample means to pay off every liability and
put tho road in thorough repair out of its
surplus. Mr. Barnett then proceeded to
analyze the repoits in detail, and claimed
a deduction that the sale of them would
give the Company SBOO,OOO in cash, which
was more than that required, and leave
the capital sound and intact. At the con
clusion of his remarks, Mr. B. offered the
following resolution;
Resolved, That this Convention express
es its strong conviction that it is the true
policy of the Company not to convert the
annual income of the Company into cap
ital, hut to declare dividends out of net
profits upon liberal principles, and respect
fully request the Board to carry out this
policy.
Dr. Jones moved to lay the whole mat
ter upon the table. He considered it as
merely a reflection upon the present direc
tion. There could be no diversity of
interests. Every one wanted the greatest
amount of dividend. Interests were on this
point identical. There was, therefore,
some other motive.
Hon. John P. King then addressed the
meeting. He expressed great surprise
that there should be disagreement among
the Stockholders. lie could see no cause
for it. He was certain that there never
had been greater care and discretion exer
cised by the management. The Company
had dene well, better upon looking back
than any one had the least right to expect
So far as he could understand the question
at issue was what was the cause of the de
pression of the stock in the market? He
would answer that question simply and di
rectly.
The Company had met great losses. He
did not believe that there was another road
in the Southern States which had suffered
so much as the Georgia llailroad—certain
ly there was none within his knowledge.
Mr. King then instituted a comparison be
tween the losses of other roads and the
losses of the Georgia Road, botli in and
out of the State. He said that frequent
comparisons are made with the Central
Road, the Macon and Western Road, and
the Southwestern. The Southwestern
was hardly touched by the war. The Ma
con and Western suffered chiefly the loss
of a part of its road-bed, saved all rolling
stock, engines and work-shops. The Cen
tral Road had suffered severely, but all of
the connecting roads in which it held large
interest were untouehed— it owed nothing
before the war. It had gone in debt
to build anew road, and it is one
of the best located roads in the South.
It had declared large dividends.
Its stock was worth $ 127 to $ 150 before
the war; what is the price now ? $98 —a
loss of $37 per share. Compare the prices
of the Georgia Railroad of those times.
He believed the Georgia Railroad had lost
at least $3,000,000. If it had not been
for the surplus audits management, avoid
ing debt, m iking good the road by its
earnings, the comparisons which these
gentlemen are now instituting would be
far above their reach. The Bank circula
tion had been paid and provided for. The
debt and liabilities of Company were
insignificant. Tim rolling stock and en
gines had been rebuilt and repaired and in,
creased, all within the means,
giving employment to our jwople, and re
storing the road t«a a good working order.
This has boon done, and the Company doos
| oat owe one dollar which it is not pre
pared to meet. He saw nothing in this
management to regret- But as some gen
tlemen want the blessings of debt, let
them consider for a moment the situation
of such roads as were found at the close
of the war blessed with debt. Railroads
are being sold out ; to put them upon the
market is of common occurrence. lie
| would cite an instance of the blessings
which debt brings, whicli the Stockholders
could appreciate through their interests.
The Nashville and Chattanooga Road is a
well-located road. Its earnings and net in
come last year was $1,500,000. Its stock
brings thirty cents on the dollar. He had
no doubt that this road will recover its
losses at no very distant day. But the
interim would allow the blessings of debt ,
to be enjoyed by its Stockholders.
He thought that the Georgia Road had
done well and would continue to do well,
and its prospects would be greatly increas
ed upon the establishment of a stable gov
ernment, if we ever get one.
Mr. Butler rose to express his own
individual views, and his only. He
thought there was no cause for ill-feeling
[ among Stockholders. There was no occa
! sion for it. It was a matter of business —
| of policy. He differed with both the
i gentlemen from Newton and Wilkes. lie
j did not understand that his policy was in
! conflict with that of the President or re
j fleeted upon the Directors. The hoarding
| principle did not originate with the
J Directors; it had ' originated with the
Stockholders themselves. The Board was
not responsible for it. This fact, he be
lieved, had been tested by an injunction ;
it was to the Stockholders he would address
himself. A mere discussion had always
received attention. He thought we had
entered upon anew era, and now was the
time to inaugurate anew policy.—
The Stockholders had selected the
President year after year, re
posing the utmost confidence in his
integrity, financial skill, experience, and
successful management. That confidence
is unabated. But the surplus is large
enough. The foresight of the past did
not foresee civil war—nor could present
foresight forecast the future. The road
was now free from debt. He desired, in
behalf of the widows and orphans, and all
fiduciary' trusts, to prevent subscriptions
to new enterprises, and to give to suffering
people what they most needed, the
largest amount which could be spared
them. It was their just right—it was
good policy, now that suffering and almost
starvation pressed upon them, Jtjtvas a
new doctrine to him, that we sTwaM-lay
up in times of want' for a time of plenty.
That was not the manner in which Joseph
managed his surplus. He dispensed it
in times of want and laid up in time of
plenty. But he did not ask for a distribu
tion from the grand reservoir. He would
simply ask that the net earnings for the
future should bo distributed among the
Stockholders as a primary policy. He was
glad that this discussion had been pro
voked. He thought better of liis stock
than he had ever done, and he appreciated
the labors of the officers. He thought that
the Superintendent’s Report was the best
that had ever been issued from his office.
He proceeded to discuss the present con-'
dition of the road and its future prospects.
After an analysis of the past policy, lie
said he would not offer his resolutions, un
less it was desired.
Dr. J ones rose to make an explanation.
He said he waived the motion to lay on
the table. He thought, at the time, that it
was intended simply as a reflection upon
the Directors. Ho would withdraw it.
Colonel Clarke rejoiced that he had
been the instrument of provoking this dis
cussion. It would have the happiest effect.
He had no fears for the future. He with
drew his resolution. He was glad to meet
his friend from Madison on half-way
ground.
Mr. Barnett renewed his motion upon
the resolution he had offered.
Mr. Butler begged leave to offer his
resolution as a substitute :
Resolved, That the Stockholders should
receive the net earnings of the road, and
that the Company should be managed with
reference to this as a primary object.
The Chair announced the substitute first
in order. The question being put (lie
substitute was adopted by a large majority.
The Chair announced that if thero was
no further business the election was next
in order.
On motion, the Chair announced as the
Committee on Elections:
Gen. Geo. W. Evans,
Dr. I. S. Hamilton,
M. P. Stovall.
Convention then adjourned to 4 P. M.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
G eneral Evans reported in behalf of the
Committee, giving the details of the bal
lots cast. He announced that the whole
number of votes cast Was Cos, 5~2,-and that
the following named gentlemen had received
largely over the requisite majority and
were duly elected:
John P. King, President.
DIRECTORS.
Elijah E. Jones, Ben.t. 11. Warren,
John Bones, N. L. Hutchins,
Ewd. E. Ware, J.no. Cunningham,
T. J. Burney, Sam’l Barnett.
Jas. W. Davies, Geo. W. Evans,
Richard Peters, Steven S. Thomas,
Jas. S. Hamilton, Antoine Poi llain,
Geo. T. Jackson, M. P. Stovall.
On motion the report was unanimously
adopted. The President said lie simply
rose to return his unfeigned thanks for
the renewed expression of confidence with
which he had been complimented. Tt was
charged that he and the Board were old
fogies. This was true. They were gov
erned by principles which might be con
sidered old fogy, and they were pressed by
the heaviest of old fogyismage. When ho
looked around him, he found hut two or
three who stood by him in younger days.
Camack, Cumming, Dougherty, Miller,
D’Antignac, and many others had passed
away. The recollections of them often
pressed upon him. Ife could not but ex
pect that those who now remained would
soon follow. As for himself he was con
scious that, even in his vigorous days, lie
was not equal to his conception of
proper management, but he could say
that it had been to tho extent of his
ability, and, in all honesty and recti
tude of purpose; as for those who had
counselled and sustained him, the fruits
of their wisdom, foresight, sagacity and
energy, can never be effaced from the
records of the Company.
On motion of James W. Davies, the
time for return of Stockholders, free of
charge, was extended ten days.
On motion of Hon. Foster Blodgett, the
Convention adjourned sine die.
! A Bull Butts a Locomotive off tiie
j Track.— The Savannah Be/mbUcan is re.
I sponsible for the following:
| On Friday last as the down train of the
, Central Railroad was making its usual
time for tho city, on nearing Station i»J, a
' belligerent bull on the track allowed fight
against the sturdy steam monster, who,
i with his freight, was snorting fire anti
rushing madly forward. Tho bull seemed
j determined to dispute the passage, anti a.
: collision was tho consequence. Another
; consequence was that the locomotive and
; tender were thrown oil the track, while
! the bull, who tiius ruthlessly made tin
attack lost his life.
r J lie train was delayed several hours in
i consequence.
i Hon, John Bell. —Tne lion. John
Beil, of Tennessee, is now living at his
home, near the Cumberland Iron Works,
! a few hours’ steamboat travel below Nash
ville, on iho Cumberland river. Ho is
j about Wivcnty-tbree years old, badly bro
. ken down pliysicaJlyand pecuniarily. Uo
| fore tho war he owned six hundred ne
groes, worth a quarter of a million at
least, and was the principal owner in the
I large iron works at Chattanooga, which
; were burned in 1802. It is stated that he
i is very much disgusted politics and
affairs generally, and has no sympathy
with the new condition of affairs.
Radical Party in New Jersey.—
[The Radical party in New Jersey has
hopelessly split in twain on the question
of black suffrage, and the distress thereat
among the faithful is really painful .to
people afflicted with a charitable bias.
The same elements ol discord are at work
* among the party in other States where it
1 has hitherto been predominant, and tho
signs indicate the probability of its disso
lution at no remote period. A parly
moved by no higher objects than that
which characterises Radicalism cannot en
! dure. The madness aud passion which
gave to it its ascendancy must soon pass
away. It had its origin in diseased minds,
and drew its strength and growth from the
violence and corruption of the times. A
sober, wholesome popular sentiment must
| necessarily prove fatal to it, and what is
now taking place in New Jersey will soon
be occurring in every other State in that
direction. The leaders of the party see it,
and hence their efforts to build up an or
ganization of the kind at the South.—
Exchange.
A company of Russian speculators have
purchased the entire materiel of the Paris
Exhibition building, iron work, pillars,
everything, for removal to St. Petersburg.