Newspaper Page Text
Cj }t (ffimpin j&iait.
GRIFFIN, GEORGIA.
WEDNESDAY M3RYIYG, ,?JARCH 19, 1856
Masonic Signet & Journal.
We take pleasure in acknowledging the receipt
oF this excellent periodical for March. Besides a
great variety of other interesting matter, the pres
ent number contains a brief sketch of the life and
adventures of Bno. Doctor Kaxe, the celebrated
Naturalist, Surgeon and Navigator; the first civi
lized man that ever, stood in latitude 82 degbreath
ing an atmosphere whose temperature was 100 de
grees below the-freezing point, and looked out up
on an open sea, extending around the North Pole.
• •
Fine Shad.
Our market i3 now well supplied with this luxu
ry so highly prized by Epicures. The price is
rather high to justify Printers and Editors to in
dulge in this expensive article of diet, and our fra
ternity can only feast on it in imagination. Our
friend, Win. H. Powell, howerer, commiserating
the forlorn condition of the Editorial brotherhood,
a few days since, made us a present of one of the
largest and finest of the season, of which we par
took with a gusto, exquisitely delightful, lie has
our warmest thanks for this manifestation of his
sympathy, and trust that his labor of love and
kindness may not go unrewarded.
- Party Platforms.
Tn a Rcpuplican form of Government like ours,
political parties arc only beneficial in devising
measures of public policy, and effecting concert ol
action in carrying them out. While kept within
these landmarks, and laboring for the public good,
they are conducive to the well-being and healthy
action of the body politic. For a number of years
.past, a custom has prevailed in this country, for
those entertaining similar opinions upon great lead
ing political questions, periodically to meet in con
vention and consult upon the. necessary means of
securing the success of those principles, which M'e
common to .then! as members of the same political
fraternity. In order that there may be no mis
understanding among themselves, as to the nature
of those principles which bind them together as a
party, and that the whole country may know the
faith they profess, a scries of resolutions embody
ing the sentiments which they entertain, is usually
•adopted and published to the world. These reso
lutions constitute what is In political parlance
called the platform of the party. We hold this
usage in high veneration. Whenever any portion
of the citizens of our country associate themselves
together, without some such bond of union as this;
some great leading meaure of governmental policy
the object of their association, it degenerates in
to a faction, which has always proved the bane ol
Republics,'.both ancient and modern.. A struggle
to put down one man or set of men, merely for the
purpose of elevating another man or set of men,
never can result in any permanent public good :
unless there be'some distinct , prominent principle
underlying the whole party organization. The
opinions and doctrines, thus briefly enunciated,
though for years sanctioned by the two great par
ties which have for so long divided the people of
the United States, have recently become somewhat
unpopular with a certain class of politicians and
political Editors. Though; not prepared wholy to
repudiate the custom of erecting platforms, they
begin to esteem them of little value. Hence the
recent convention of the Know Nothing party at
Philadelphia, have established a platform, upon
which almost every grade of politicians can stand
without compromising their peculiar opinions.—
They have settled no important issue which now
divides the. people of the country. They have ig
nored the great question of the day, to-wit ; the
slavery question, and have taken a positive stand
only on one point, and that is opposition to the
Democratic party. This is the great end and aim
of their organization. True, they have expressed
a firm belief in the existence of a Supreme Being;
a matter which no political party in this country
lias ever denied, and declared, that “Americans
shall rule xhmcrica,” which they arc now doing,
and have always done heretofore, and are still like
3y to do ; but upon the great question of slavery,
the Missouri Cotnpromsic, and the Kansas-Ne
braska act, they are silent as the grave. Hence,
men entertaining opinions upon these vital ques
tions, diametrically opposed to each other, can
stand together upon their platform without any
sacrifice of principle. Filmore and Donelson, the
two leaders of this faction, stand side by side on
the same platform, though the former has been the
object of the most bitter opposition by the latter,
on account of a difference of opinion upon a ques
tion now paramount to all other questions, viz :
the question of slavery. Southern Nebraska men
have clasped hands with Northern Anti-Nebraska
men, and stand upon this accommodating platform
in one fraternal embrace. Such is the character
of the miscalled party, lately inaugurated at Phil
adelphia, and such the consistency of those who
are acting together as members of it. Away with
such platforms! We advocate the establisrnent of
another and more specific political creed. A creed
embracing the leading doctrines of the Democratic
1 arty a creed which shaM plainly and positively
define the position of the party upon the slavery
question, without dissimulation or equivocation.
Tender to the enemies of the Constitution,(whether
calling themselves Black Republicans or Know
Nothings,) the issue of Nebraska or Anti-Nebras
ka—Slavery or no Slavery. Upon this issue we
stand or fall. He that is not for us is against us.
Let there be no middle ground between the South
and her f eucjtnies, Proclaim these cardinal princi
ples to the-werld, imprint them upon every banner
and let that banner float over every political bat
tle field North, South, East and West.
We wbukTnt give a copper for a platform that
leaves every thing in doubt and uncertainty. We
hold that a sound platform is essential to the suc
cess of the Oational Democratic Party. We have
no fears but that such au one will be adopted at Cin
cinnati. We are deeidedly in favor of the plan of
having a platform. Try every man by it, and
trust no one who will not avow his faith in it, and
pledge himself to sustain it and carry out its prin
ciples.
New Goods,
Messrs. W. R. Phillips & Cos., are now receiving tbeirnew
and splendid stock of Goods, for the Spring and Summer
trade. Want of space prevents us from inserting tlicir ad
vertisement in this issue of our paper; but it will appear in
our next. From a partial examination of soms of their
Goods, we are constrained to say, that a portion of their ar
ticles, in the fancy line, far excel any* thing of the kind we
have ever seen exhibited in a Georgia market. Their iot
of Silk Mantillas, and French Muslins, with Moiranlique
stripe, commanded our highest admiration. Their Silks are
of the newest and latest Jaspi and Aloirantique styles
But the Mantillas! ah, the mantillas! Her; is something
to delight the eye, please the fancy, and charm the imagi
nation, suited to every taste and every capacity’, ranging in
prices from SI,OO to One Hendued Dollars. Ladies, it
would pay fora days travel just to least the eye upon the
extraordinary’ specimens of fine articles in thfh assortment.
Come then to \V. 11. Phillips & Co.'s Store. Here the el
derly’ matron may adorn herself so as to make her look
young again, and the young to appear angelic. Come then,
come one and all, and come quickly', and buy goods fresh,
line and cheap !
New Advertisements.
We would especially call attention to Messrs
Piper & Whites advertisement, to be found in our
advertising columns to-day. Their stock is new
and fresh, selected for the Spring and Summer
market. Giving their attention exclusively to the
clothing business and being themselves practical
mechanics, g'ves them a great advantage over
others, not posse sed of like qualifications in judging
of the quality and true worth of goods they pur
chase. Work done in 1 heir shop has stood the te. t
of several roars experiment in this city, and we
trust that their well known fidelity and their liber
ality iu patronising the press, will meet an ample
reward in the patronage of a generous public.
Skies brightening in Illinois.
At the recent election in Chicago, for City OL
fleers, the Democratic party achieved a glorious
victory. They elected their candidate by a large
majority. The issue was Douglas and Nebraska.
Party lines wefe strictly drawn, and Chicago lias
endorsed the Nebraska Bill. Less than three years
ago, Senator Douglas was hissed and hooted at by
the people of Chicago, as a traitor or a malefactor;
now his name floats on the banner which bore his
friends to victory by an overwhelming majority.
The skies are brightening and the omens are fa
vorable to the success of the Democratic Party at
the coming Presidential election. Know Noth
ingism and Abolitionism combined can't prevent
it.
The “Bainbiidge Argus.”
Willis M. Russell has purchased the entire in
. tcrest, in the “American Standard,” lately publish
ed in Albany, Ga., and removed the office to Bain
bridge, and commenced the publication of the
“ Bainbridge Argus.” The paper will occupy a
neutral position in politics, except so far as the
advocacy of the principles of the Georgia Platform
is concerned. Mr. Russel! savs in liis salutatory :
.“‘Georgia’ simply will be our motto, and upon the
4th resolution of the Convention of 1850, we shall
stand ever ready to defend the honor, the rights
and the sovereignty of Georgia against either
Northern or federal aggression,” Go ahead broth
er Russell, wo are “sure you're right.”
New Hampshire Election.
The result of the recent election in New Hamp
shire shows a gain of oveivß,ooo votes for the Dem
ocratic party since the last Gubernatorial election
and a gain ol 125 members in the popular branch
of the Legislature.
The Washington Union says : “The doom of
isms in that State, is evidently sealed ! The hand
writing is blazing upon the wall! No intelligent
man can doubt that the vote of New Hampshire
for the Democratic nominee of the Cincinnati Con
vention, whoever he may be, is as certain as the
recurrence of the day of election.”
Proscription.
It is somewhat amusing to witucss how lustily
the Know Nothiug party cry out “proscription,”
when one of their brethren, holding official posi
tion under a Democratic Administration, is decap
itated. They ignore the old adage, “it is a poor
rule which wont work both ways,” and claim the
right of exemption from ‘political proscription,
which has been practiced upon by every Adminis
tration for the last quarter of a century. If any
party, which lias ever had an existence in this
country, since the first organization of the govern
ment, is completely estopped by their own acts from
setting up a complaint on account of proscription,
it is certainly the Know Nothing, or so-called
American Party. The members of that order are
bound by the solemn sanctions of an oath “not to
vote for a Catholic,” and if elected to office, and
have the power, they are “to remove from office
every Catholic and Foreigner.” Here is a pro
scription, not for political but for religious opinion
—virtually annulling that provision of the Con
stitution, which declares that “no religious test
shall ever be established as a qualification for of
fice.” The Democratic party arc not bound by an
oath to refuse office to any person on account of
either his religious or political opinions. Asa
matter of party policy, they usually in the exercise
of the appointing power, prescribe a political test,
which is not prohibited by the Constitution of the
United States, but utterly denounce all religious
tests as a qualification for office. This, then, is
the difference between the two parties. One is
bound by an oath to proscribe, by refusing to ap
point to, or remove from office, all those entertain
ing certain religious opinions; while the Democrat
ic party, freed from any such obligations, only ex
ercise a sound discretion in removing or notremov
ing those from office who differ with that party in
political opinions. Yet when the Post Master
General, for political or other good reasons, re
moves a Know Nothing Post Master, the cry of
proscription and persecution is forthwith rung
through the whole country. Witness the case of
the Post Master at Henderson, in Texas. He is
removed from office, and forthwith lie fills half a
column in a newspaper in the utterance of his dolo
rous complaints, and hurling defiance in the face
of the Ilcad of the Post Office Department. This
precious document is seized upon by some of the
Know Nothing Presses in Georgia., published to
the world-and eudorsed us noble. We give a few
specimens ol the beauties of this noble document.
This martyr, in his letter, speaks of Mr. Campbell,
P M. G., as “a member of that intolerant sect,
who have never been known so forgive opposition,
or hesitate at any iniquity to punish those who
might differ with them.” “Truckling to a thing
so mean as James Campbell, P. M. Gen. of the
United States.” “The petty tyrant ( meaning Gen .
Pierce ,) to whose corrupt bargain with the Pope,
your master, you owe your present official posi
tion,” &c. We might give a number of other spe
cimens of this chaste epistle, similar to the above
It abounds with such language, and proves conclu
sively, the propriety of the act of the P. M. Gene
ral in removing hint from office. Such a man
ought never to have been a Post Muster under any
Administration.
Mr. Stewart’s Pledge.
At a ratification meeting of the Know Noth
ings held at Washington City, a few days since,
Mr. Stewart of Virginia, who was in the Cabinet
of Mr. Fillmore, pledged Virginia for him.”
We think Mr. Stewart has taken a heavy re
sponsibility upon himself in making this pledge.—
’Tis true the thing was very easy to he said, but
we think it will be much more difficult to accom
plish. Virginia has yet to cast her first vote, for
a candidate for the Presidency, of Mr. Fillmore’s
party affiliations. Old Virginia lias never yet
missed fire. When the Democracy has been beat
en down in nearly every other strong holej,Virginia
has remained firm. Even in (lie trying times of
1840 and 1848, when the Democratic Party was
almost swept from the face of the earth, the Old
Dominion proved true to her ancient faith. Last
year, when the Banner of Know Nothingisni was
planted upon her soil, flushed with victory from
“a thousand battle-fields,” boasting of a majority
of thirty to fifty thousand, the resuit proved that
Old Virginia wa*Old Virginia still ! And tho’
Mr. Stewart has promised what his party friends
have often promised before, without fulfilling, we
venture the prediction, that if the vote of Virgin
ia is necessary to place Mr. Fillmore in the Presi
dential Chair, it will be a long time before he at
tains to that distinguished honor, unless he changes
his political opinions and party affiliations.
The Slavery Party.
The question of slavery is the leading measure
which now agitates this country frotn its centre to
its circumference. Disguise it as you may. this is
the question of all questions. The free States have,
to a great extent, been overwhelmed by the en
emies of the peculiar institution, who made it
override every other political consideration. Know
Nothingism in those States has been thrown into
the scale to complete the preponderance. A little
Spartan Band remains in that bleak region of po
litical desolation, who are yet true to the compro
mises of the Constitution, and are designated as
National Democrats These have stood aloof from
the embraces ol lilac!; Republicanism, as well as
of Know Nothingism, and constitute a force,
though few in {lumbers, to which the South can
look for succor in the coming struggle. The ene
mies of the Democratic party, i;. the free States,
charge that party as being the pro-slavery party.
They cite the messages of Gen. Pierce and Gov.
Wells, of Maine, and the speeches and votesof other
prominent members of the Democratic Party, as
evidence of the truth of this charge.-- The dema
gogical appeal used to excite the prejudices of the
masses against that party is that the Democratic
Party is favorable to the rights of the South. Be
fore this appeal, many a gallant spirit has been
compelled to fall, and his place been filled by some
vile fanatic. Below we give an extract from the
Oxford Democrat, published in the State of Maine,
a hot Black Republican, Abolition print. Speak
ing of the Democratic Party, it says :
“For what purpose but the partiality for slavery
and its extension was a Minister sent to the Span
ish Court, with instructions to purchase the Island
of Cuba at a price of $200,000,000. What other
object in purchasing an extent of barren territory,
at a cost of $50,000,000. The repeal of the Mis
souri Compromise, and overrunning Kansas with
border-ruffians, is claimed as the distinguishing
measure of that party, and what bat a partiality
for slavery lies at the foundation of that iniquity?
This same partiality for shivery lias prostituted
the whole power of this Government to the de
fence of slavery propagandism and the Nationali
zation of slavery. Partiality ('of slavery caused
the Administration ruffians in Kansas to frame
and enact a law by which any man should be im
prisoned two years, who uttered a single word
against slavery, and President Pierce in his proc
lamation says that he shall call out the entire fede
nil forces if necessary, to enforce this law among
others of jthe territorial sham Legislature. It is
for this same partiality that a Kansas Judge added
six men to the Grand Jury in the case of McCrea,
men who were known to be his enemies, because
the jury in attendance did not find a bill against
him for defending himself.
Does any person who has examined the special
pleading of Pierce or Wells in their annual mes
sages, question their partiality for slavery. It is
the leading idea of these documents, which they
have traveled out of all ordinary courses in such
papers to introduce. But both are endorsed as
containing sound Democratic doctrines. These
messages have become matters of record, and it is
not difficult to produce other testimony in abun
ancc from the records showing this partiality.”
British Enlistments.
For some months past the Brjtjch Government
has assumed to i.tsdlf the right of enlisting Ameri
can citizens,to recruit their army in the Crimea. —
This js in perfect keeping with the arrogance which
usually characterises the conduct of that nation
in all its diplomatic intercourse with foreign na
tions. Tt is a matter of some astonishment, that a
people so proud of their prowess,so vain of their
military fame, so boastful of their attainments m
science and civilization, and so pretending in re
spect to their high regard for the principles ot ho
nor and honesty, should so often compromise all
their claims to the lofty position they occupy in the
scale of enlightened nations, by openly violating a
well known principle of international law. But
such is the fact. Their public functionaries sent to
our country to represent their Government’s inter
ests, and enjoying our hospitality, have been rais
ing recruits from our own citizens to fill up the
wasted ranks of their army engaged in the war
against Russia. The President, with a due appre
ciation of the wrong thus attempted to be inflicted
on on our rights, has peremptorily demanded the
recall, not only of the Minister at Washington, but
of the Consuls at New York, Philadelphia, and
Cincinnati To show the groundless pretensions
of the British G overnment in their attempt to en
list within our borders, we subjoin an extract from
Vattel’s Law of Nations ;
Vattel on Recruiting. —Yattel, the most gen
erally accepted authority on international law,says,
“Whoever undertakes to enlist soldiers in a foreign
aountry, without the sovereign permission, and in
general, whoever entices away the subjects of anoth
er State, violates one of the most sacred rights of
the Prince and the Nation. This crime is distin
guished by the name of kidnapping or man steal
ing. and is punishable witli the utmost severity in
every well regulated State. Foreign recruiters are
hanged without mercy, and with great justice. It
is not presumed that their sovereign has ordered
them to commit a crime ; and supposing even that
they had received such an order, they ought not to
have obeyed it., their sovereign having no right to
command what is contrary to the law of nature
* * * But it appears that they acted by or’
der, such a proceeding in a foreign sovereign is
justly considered as a sufficient cause for declaring
war against him, unless he makes suitable repara
tion.— Vattel, Droit dcs Gens, 1 ni,ch., i.,p. 298.
VI is Partington, says Know Nothing
ism is the worst ism- on-earth except Reuinat
ism.
From the Federal Union.
The following Acts have been passed
by the General Assembly and ap
proved by the Governor.
An act to organize anew Judicial Circuit, to
be composed of the counties of Heard, Coweta,
Campbell, Carroll, Haralson. Folk, and Floyd, to
prescribe the times of holding the Superior and In
ferior Courts if) the same, and to attach the same
to the 3d Supreme Court Judicial Circuit.
An act to appropriate money for the benefit of
the Georgia Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, and
for other purposes.
An act to appropriate money to compensate the
State Treasurer for extraordinary services.
An act to compel all incorporated Mining Com
panies of this State to give in and pay taxes on
their stock in the counties where the mines are lo
cated .
An act to appropriate money to erect a necessa
ry building for the accommodation of the pupils at
the Institute for the Blind, located in the city of
Macon.
An act to amend the several acts now of force
in reference to the Public Printer.
An act to add an additional section to the Pe
nal Code of the State of Georgia.
An act to give endorsers control of fi fas in all
cases in which lie may have paid them against the
principal or any prior endorser.
An act to authorize the admission in evidence of
certified copies from the Executive Department
and other officers connected therewith, to be used
as evidence in any Court of Law or Equity in this
State, &c.
An act to fix the time of holding elections for
Judges of the Superior Courts, Attorney General
and Solicitors Generals.
An act more effectually to compel the payment
of the legal tax heretofore imposed on agencies of
foreign Banks.
An act to alter, change and amend the second
section of an act entitled an act to regulate the ad
vertising of Clerks, Sheriffs and other State and
county officers, and to provide for the preservation
of the newspapers containing said advertisements,
and for other purposes, approved Jan. 22d, 1852.
An act to alter, amend and add to the Penal
Code of this State.
An act to incorporate the Warren ton and Ma
con Railroad Company, and to confer certain pri
vileges and powers upon the same.
An act. to Charter the Exchange Bank of the
State of Georgia, at Griffin.
An act to provide compensation for the commis
sioned officers, non commissioned officers, musi
cians and privates of certain counties, and for oth
er purposes.
An act to incorporate a Bank in the city of
Rome, Floyd county, Ga., to be called the Bank of
the Empire State, and for other purposes.
An act to authorize the Governor and Comp
troller General to correct mistakes of Receivers
and < ‘ollcctors of Taxes or of any tax payer, where
by more money is paid into the Treasury than is
required by law, to refund the same, and the Gov
ernor to draw his warrant on the Treasury for said
amounts. The Comptroller to settle up the busi
ness of his office of other years. The Inferior Courts
or Grand Juries to allow insolvent lists before the
15th of December of each year. Comptroller to
settle up the old and unfinished bus iness of his of
fice, his duty therein, making out digests, to make
indexes to the Books of his office, his compensation
therefor, and for collection of debts due previous
to 1855; and eiver Tax Collector’s Bondsin a book
and file them.
An act to provide for the selection of Grand
and Petit Jurors in certain cases.
An act to allow any joint tenant, tenant in com
mon, or other person having a part interest in
lands; tenements, to maintain a separate action of
ejectment or trespass, and for other purposes.
An act to alter and amend an act to alter the
law in relation to interest on money, approved 17th
December, 1845.
An act to alter and amend an act entitled an act
to amend an act passed the 17th day of December,
1847, to authorize parties to compel discoveries
at common law, approved 20th February,
1854.
Ar. act to repeal an act approved 7th, Feb'y
1854, entitled an act to alter and amend the fifth
section of an act to regulate the weighing of Cot
ton and other commodities in this State, approved
Bth December, 1846.
An act to authorize Judges of the Superior
Courts of this State to appoint receivers during va
cation, and to require the complainant in all cases
asking for writs of ne exeat quia timet and all ap
plications asking for the appointing of a receiver
or for an injunction to give bond and security to
the respondent for any loss or damage which he or
they may sustain by suing out of said writs, and
for other purposes.
An act to repeal so much of the law in reference
to change bills, as makes it the duty of the Judges
of the Superior Courts to give the act passed 10th
December, 1841, in special charge to the Grand
Juries.
An act to change the January and October
Elections in the State of Georgia from the first
Monday in January and October to the first Wed
nesday in January and October.
An act to authorize the Governor to call a con
vention upon certain contingencies therein speci
fied.
An act to incorporate the Savings Bank of Grif
fin.
An act to authorize parties complainant either
in law or in equity, to perfect service of writs
against corporations under certain circumstances
therein named.
An act to make executors and administrators
liable for costs in certain cases.
An act to give to defendants damages for frivo
lous suits against them.
An act to authorize the to estab
lish lost papers to the amount of their jurisdiction,
and charge for the same, prescribed by this act.
An act to alter and amend the 12th section of
the first article of the Constitution of this
State.
An act to change the time of holding the Infe
rior Courts in the counties of Sumter, Butts and
Bibb.
An act to authorize the issuing of attachments
and garnishments, and to regulate proceedings in
relation to the same, and for other purposes there
in named.
An act to require the State Printer to cause to
be reported the proceedings of the Legislature.
An act giving the election of County Treasurer
of the counties of Taylor, and other counties there
in named, to the legal voters of said counties.
An act to authorize bills of sale to be proven,
recorded and admitted in evidence in certain cases
therein named.
An act to alter and amend the nineteenth sec
tion of the first article of tne Constitution of the
State of Georgia.
[to be continued • j
For the Empire State.
Mr. Editor : In your paper of the 20th of Feb
ruary, I notice an article speaking most truly of
the novelty and change in the Colleges and Schools
Now I do not think it is the citizens of Griffin who
are to blame for this, but a few ambitious individ
uals, among whom there is always one more ambi
tious than the rest, he more than others is the cause
of novelty and change. The one who puts himself
forward, constitutes himself head man, goes and
wishes to interfere with the President of a College
in the management, and because the President
knows his duty and his business better than the in
terferring one, lie is worried, assailed, has every
difficulty thrown in his way in the discharge of his
duties, and at last is compelled to resign to save
himself from further trouble. Again, other teach
ers that have been teaching in a College, are not
wanted any further, because they were in favour
with the persecuted President, and because they
were not of the same interferring individual's flock.
Will any body wonder now that such things create
hatred, jealousy, envy, &e ? We are not in the
habit of giving rent to our feelings often in this
way, but seeing the article, we know that the wri
ter was right, and perfectly impartial, wc don't
presume to judge. Wc are certain and conscious
of what we are saying, for ae it says in some old
stories, “once upon a time” we taught in a College
ourself, and know something about teaching. We
would further say, let those who are at the head of
a College, be unmolested and free in the manage
meat of it, and it will be seen that it will be more
prosperous than otherwise. Let those who preach
attend to their sermons, and see that they be able
to preach a sermon of some account, and credit
to themselves, and not loo): a.l the while as if they
were swallowing a dose of . 1 agree with the
proverb, *‘if you can’t dme him over, whip the de
vil round the stump but I would add, “hit him
a crack at every jump.” It would be a good thing
if some of these wolves in sheep’s clothing were
served once in a while in that style
Hoping that someone who feels himself touch
ed in a tender spot, will give this a careful perusal,
and mend his evil ways,
I remain most profoundly,
MO. SE. BIT.
For the Empire State.
Mr. Editor : I notice in the last number of the Ameri
can Union. the re-publication of a letter written by Mr. Clay
sometime before his death, in which the distinguished wri
ter alludes to Mr Fillmore interms of commendation. I sup
pose the editor of the A merienn Union thinks it necessary,as
he gradually ascends the Fillmore and Donaldson platform,
to keep a shield in front sufficiently broad _to ward off the
numerous blows he very rationally concludes will he leveled
at any southern paper inclined to advocate the election of a ■
man north of Mason & Dixon’s line, who is unsound on the
great question of the day. If Mr Fillmore is to be a can
didate for the Presidency, and the American Union intends
to support him, the people of Georgia, and the entire South,
have the right to see in “black and white ,’’ the political
principles that are to control his administration, if elected.
The Union must come out with the platform on which Mr.
Fillmore stands ; tell us his position upon the Kansas
question. Was he favorable to the repeal of the Missouri
restriction ? Will he sign a bill, if passed by Congress, for
the restoration of that line ? Wiil the American Union
publish the platform of principles established by the Con
vention that nominated Fillmore and Donaldson ? These
are particular times ; it will not do for a Southern paper
to simply say, Mr. Fillmore is a great “conservative,’’ a true
American, a friend to his country, Ac , without distinctly
locating him on one side or the other of the all absorbing
question of Southern Institutions. The people of the South
must and will know the political position of the man for
whom they cast their suffrages. But the American Union
wishes to supply all this by publishing a short letter from
Mr. Clay several years since, in which he speaks of Mr.
Fillmore as a safe man generally.
Now in the first place, the issues are quite differen t from
what they were when Mr. Clay wrote the said letter. Then
the Black Republican Party had no organized existence ;
no man then believed a party, so reckless of theconsti
tutiona! rights of the South, would so soon have control of
the popular hrancli of the National Legislature. But so it
lias happened, and Mr Fillmore Isas not condescended to
say one word against that parly, neither did the Conven
tion that nominated him speak out against such an organi
zation. It must Le remembered, that the vital question to
be determined by the coming election, is, shall the abroga
tion of the Missouri restriction stand, and the South have
her rights ? Or shall that restriction be restored, and there
by Black Republicanism triumph ? This is the question,
disguise it as you may. The issue is now distinctly pre
sented. The Black Republicans have inscribed on their
black Hag of abolitionism, “Repeal or Civil War.” -Shall
we have it said at this time, that the abolitionists number
but few ? No man in his senses will utter such a fatal de
lusion longer. No man entertains a warmer feeling of grat
itude for the many good deeds of Mr. Clay, than does the
writer of this article ; but it must be remembered that Mr.
Clay was tiie father of the Missouri restriction. He had
passed away when its repeal was effected. How he would
have cast his vote, on the question of repeal, we are not
informed ; but sure it is, the originator of the odious Mis
souri restriction, is the last man whose evidence should be
quoted to establish the soundness of a “mum” candidate.—
The identical question attempted to be established 1 y this
evidence, makes Mr. Clay shift sides in his grave. It wont
do!
Again, we must have a President sound upon the subject
of State Rights and State Sovereignly, for upon the strict
adherence to these important principles will depend our
Southern Institution. Here again the American Union is
unfortunate in the selection of liis witness. When the
State of Georgia was denounced by the Federal Govern
ment in 1525 and ’2(5, because of her honest effort to sur.
vey her own lands, when Mr. Adams and his Cabinet, and !
a horde of Federal agents, with the Federal Army, was deal
ing in the most derisive epithets against Georgia, ‘.-corning
the idea of State Rights and State Sovereignty, then where
was Mr. Clay ? Was he -a nu mber of John Q. Adams’ Cab
inet ? Did he then raise his voice on the side of State So
vereignty ? Or did lie side with, and agree with all the op
pressive measures of Adams’ administration against Geor
gia ? Let these questions be answered, and if they can he
arrayed on the side of ourpresent inierest,thcn the evidence
introduced by the. American Union will be competent.—
Uutil then, the people of Georgia will reject the evidence,
and put Mr. Fillmore on the stand to speak for himself.
I*RE C A RITA.
For the Empire State.
Mr. Editor: I perceive by the last two papers of this
place, that something like forty names have been presented
to our community as carnlb atesfor the different Municipal
Offices of Griffin. lam sorry to see this. It presents a sad
feature in the condition oi things with us. It gives the
appearance of much poverty and want here, and that many
of our citizens are out of employment, whether the fact be
so or not. So much competition for petty offices, dero.
gates from the character of the place. I know every free
man has the right and the privilege to be a candidate for
any place, but Iliad rather be a dog,and bay the moon, as
a night watch, than be one under such circumstances.
. C. F. I).
No American —all Africans. We are
pained to see that in Philadelphia to day the
Americans have alredy caught the African
distemper, and are sick of it, of course. The\
had better take the yellow fever.”
How He Died—Epitaph —Col Eastman
of the Union & American sometimes gets
poetic A late number of his paper perpe
trates the following paragraph.
There never was a party withs sudden a
rise and so sudden a fall as the Know Nothing
party. Its history is well told in the nursery
rhyme:
“I had a little pig and I fed him on clover.
When he died he died, al i over.“
■ he above lines will do both for the history
and the epitaph of sam.’’
Disturbance in the South Carolina
College.
Columbia, American Hotel, )
Feb. 20, 1856. J
To the Editors of the Patriot and Mountainc
ecr.
Gentume*-:—! came here yesterday tinder
a summons to attend an occasional meeting of
the Trustees of the South Carolina College,
to supply the plate of I)r Henry.
Before reaching here, 1 met, the account of
the fearful ‘ entente ’ of the preceeding night It
was, as is to be expected, very much magni
fied in the rumor. It seems that three of the
students, who were out of the College walls,
met with the guard as they were about turning
out. One of the students Was, unfortunately,
very much intoxicated. He having some pique
against one of the guard-men, separated from
his companions, and approached the guardmaii
end struck him; he instantly, with his stick,
struck diil knocked the young man down, wher
lay f> r -tune -minutes; but on being raised up,
made further demonstrations of resistance, au<l
thereupon w.t.s taken to the guardhouse. The
students, who were with hjm, returned lo the
College, with the usual cry, ‘The College.' 1
All the students turned out fur the rescue,
and proceeded to the guard house, and by
force, took the young man out, broke the
windows and injured the door. They bore
their prize off to the College. Ihe President
remained, and was talking with the guard
man who had been struck, and who knocked
the student down, asc. rtaifiing frofti him
the facts, when two of the students forced
themselves in, and commenced an attack on?
the guardmaii, striking him, and he retaliat
ing very severely on them. They were pr'o-n
----ably struck, too, by others of the guard'. They
were forced out of the guard house. By thi#
time the students had again assembled. The
President and Mayor were unable to quell the 1
riot; the alarm bell was i mg, and the citizen.?
called up out of their beds, to witness, and
suppress, if necessary, the action of the stu
dents. At length they leturned to the Col
lege.
The President, n< xt morning, by the con
sent of the Mayor, proposed to submit ‘her
whole matter to the arbitrament of twelve
named gentlemen To this the yonng men
acceded at one time; but the two young men
! engaged in this affair the preceeding night,
1 finally prevui ed on a majority to reject this
i proposition for peace and good order. It is
i stated that they hid agree] to seek and ob
j tain satisfaction out of tin; guardmaii,-they left
the college without the knowledge of the sto
i dents, and were seen, with their cloaks around
; them, approaching the guar hiv.in, who was
i speaking on the subject of withdrawing from
the guard, as he regarded his life in danger*.
As soon as the young men were near enough,
I they dropped their cloak-*,, aud both struck
1 the guardman —one wilk an iron and the oth
!er with a wooden bludgeon , lie fell to his
knees, but rose and struck with his stick, and
others assiting him, beat the yonug* men very
severely. The guardman’s leftliaud is. I am
told, broken by the blows- a,ad. Yg and the?
two young men are mirier the cam* .f physi
cians, from the injuries w-hu !i they lively
1 received.
The cy of ollege*” was- bonne by a single
student to the campus. The young men, with
their accustomed devotion to their brothers in.
distress, were soon in tile field. The arlarm
bell was agian rung, the citizens wen* turn
ed out. and as the possecomTfahiSj^cre■ prepar
ed under arms. The beys returned, to the
I College, forced the room where the rilca of
; the College company were kcpt.possosed.them-
I selves of them, and returned.to the field.of ac
tion. The scene thus presented was such as
Columbia never before saw r aud which, I. hope
she never will again see Two hundred arair
ed citizens, with guns loaded, with ball car-
I tr.dges, opposed to inure than*a hundred en
’ raged young men, with riffesdu their. Lands-.
The oritur to lake aim was given,, aud. a fire*
might have followed, had no-t Cob Goodwin,
j and others thrown themselves between,, and:
j called on the citizens not to fine. After much*
persuasion by Drs Thormvell, Laßorde,, Lie-
I her, and others of the faculty,, the students
were induced to return to the College.
Last night we went to the College in the*
discharge of our duty—every thing. wass-qpietL
1 did not hear even a ‘ichov p,’ which is. very
unusual, i o-day was equally quiet., and fe
have been assured by the young men thafc
there would be no further outbreaks on their
part. To-day on the requisition of the Boards
the rifles were deposited in the room, where
they were firmly kept. The Governor,, under
the direction of the Board, will take the armsi
and place them in the Arsenal. The musters
of the < ollege Company are directed: tb bo?
suspended, and the propriety of suppressing:
ami disbanding the College com pany was- re-*-
fenc’d lo the couiniitte, who report next Mayv..
This statement, gathered from the best:
sources in my power, place the facts before
yon. lie unfortunate violence of the guard
man in knocking down a student, who, whem
ciruuk, struck lum, is the cause of this affair,,
which ma\ so much injure the College
* he tact ot drunkenness among the students*
shows to the Legislature the necessity ot re
moving this fearful curse of mischief from the:
town of Columbia.
Tue occasional meeting of the Board had
no j owi i* to iib mure than they did. A great
duty will devolve on the Board at the stated
meeting i.. May, to examine into the College,
both as to its internal and external govern- -
meat, and full a> and adequate justice must be
done to the faculty, the students and the
tate. Mr Givers of Charleston, was elected
to fill Dr. Henry’s chair until the stated meet
ing in Aiav. Your friend.
JOHN BELTON O’NEAL.
Important to Applicants for Bounty
Laml.
Pension Office, Jan. 15, 1856.
The frequent applications made to this office for
information about particular claims for bounty
.ami pending before it, render it proper to call par
ticular attention to some suggestions, the careful-,
observance of which,by those thus applying, is ne
cessary to enable this office to give the informa
tio:. desired.
‘The system of the registration of such claims in.
this office, requires that both the name of the ap
plicant fur land, and the number of his application
be stated, in order that the office may readily turn
to the papers in the files. In all acknowledgements
of the receipts of applications at this office, the
number of each application is given, and by refer
ence to those, the * numbers can always be ascer
tained. It, however, from not having received any
such acknowledgement, or from having subsequent
ly lost it, the number cannot be stated, the partic
lar time, the month and the day ot the month,
when the application was forwarded to this office
should be stated as nearly as may be.
Without these peculiar statements, this office
connot undertake, with the force now at its com
mand, to make these examinations for particular
claims which are necessary in order to give infor
mation about tnem. The amount of time and la
bor whieh would be required in a. general exami
nation for a particular application among, the over
two huudred and thirty thousand now received
will readily be seen. <J. MINOT, ConufiV*