Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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- jjp* " $2 PER ANNUM. "ch?rI?Vn?T?'8!>) we ^iL^M-!,-ERE'BR IN ADVANCE. ^ NEUTRAL IN POLITICS?DEVOTED TO LITERARY, COMMERCIAL, SJB*' AGRICULTURAL, SCIENTIFIC, GENERAL AND LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. ^VOLUME II. , . LANCASTER, C. H, SOUTH CAROLINA WEDNESDAY MORNING, MARCH 16.1853. witudbi. D A ?* * EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. TERMS : Tut "LtDott" in published every Wed nesdnv morning, i?t the low price of T\V( DOLLARS per Annum, if paid IN AD VANCE ; Two dollars and a half, if pn\ went be delayed three months, and THRU DOLLARS at the end of six months. ADVwm'snro " Advertisements will be inserted at sev enty-fivc cents per aquare for the first inner tion, and thirty-seven and a half cents pei square for each additional insertion. Single insertion, one dollar per aquare. &plprteii Cnlrs, From tho Southern haditf Book. A NIGHT ON THE MISSISSIPPI It was on the irth of February, 184?, a cold and cheerless night as ever fell upon this sorrow-clouded earth. On the west strcached out the broad, interminable forrests of Arkansas ; on the east the fertile S'Ate of Mississippi ; between, with tawncy mane, and wild terrific roar, the mighty lion river rushed in solemn gran deur to the Ocean. Oppressed bv the weight of accumulated sorrows, I had left my home, to find, if it were possible, amid the pleasing vicisitndea of travel, some Lethean Draught. some bleat nepenthe for the anguish preying so relentieMly on my spirit*. With *11 the chamber* of my aoul hung with the table pnrapbrenalia of grief, I mixed with the denizen* of other cliinea?"among them but not of them,"?a ailent but observant spectator of their action* and emotion*. A large and merry crowd of passenger* wrre assembled in the apaciou* saloon of one of those first class steamers which ply ??|??n the water* of the yellow Mississippi, ('littering ekaodelier* swung their crystal { tidunts, and waved tlieir wing* 01 ltgui o\er a scene of almost Peraian splendor nod magnificence. Dainaak divans and graceful ottomans were scattered around in ri<h profusion ; an opulence of array, l?. ightcnod in effect by multiplied reflection from the costly mirrors, lining the whole length of ihc room. A handsome rose wood piano stood on one side, covered with scattered music, and supporting a forsaken guitar; for the service* of two celebrated harpists, fellow travellers, together with thoae of a vagrant fiddler, having been brought in requisition for the evening, it required not a prophet to predict that there was to he? "No sleep till mora, whem youth and beanty meet. To ehaae the glowing hours with fly lug feet" Lonely and a par* I leaned against the stern of the boat, partially shaded by Slanging* of brochetelle, rousing upon the tfolly and vanity of short-aighted men.? iff ithin, a gffJT saloon, the viol'* cherry strain?th* joyous dance?without the pitchy clouds, tiie iWaring winds, the restless wave. As I satloHl ?rill? *ijr?inino eye to penetrate the outer world ofgloom, the whole iltr, Hkg en Immense well ol starless gloom, loomed up with seeming .threat of instant drat ruction: every timber of our rwd creaked and shook beneath the pressure of steam with which site met the foaming waves and the fitful gust; while between the gaspings of that strange mysterious geniusof fire and water I could distinctly hear the sullen roar of the tur.bid flood beneath?that dark, hroad interminable grave ol hapless humanity which never criee Mit is enough. H How soon, thnught I, these fair and graceful forms, pale and fragile as white water Misa, may be been* along this wild and turbid current, in all the helplessness m dvwia i how soon the rf ?rU?*< wares may qnencii the brilliancy of then daasling lighu I bow aooa the huuriow lerisbment of mirrors and rosewood mas sink beneath tke silence of the rtvsri slime, and of our stately steamer, tke requi urn be? M ffoe weed Is hi her palace kails, X *8ke rides the surge no more,* \ * J ' J ? vTb? twisted trunk of some old (ores! Ires Vooted maid the sends beneath, may sud xldfcly pianos that slender plank, wkich n odr sole division from Eternity. Tk? thMafi log ta this impenetrable darknew "we may dash la filssas ad the melatxsboh i ^shdm, or fkte eftH) more fesrrtUe, go rspiJ 1 y down, out ht the midst of tkts broat rfaaft*rW<fr, In wild iiullhaiuft ?ridi * fellow i piltrim, (kt iu dotkM Auod. # I // ;i . ' It ?i a artpMof tfcankfclwaaa wkktlM la*# lamantad Haary Cl*jr, ifcat kia Cum Aot k*' gnran bio* a soul Mtcanabla of loaf Worn tbe wrt'h of mv V***na W biutMlf 2*X . ,h ofT.i3f,b.ISZ: "*" '* 3Z5 **??, a*w lliO MrB| togelo? of angr *?*?, ft MMiid to MUtal tfwa iin ' tbara, aran tW bram a tod lofty tpM ' migfet U*< trtod totoba awd vailed, whil <bd**Alm1gfct;'sfan? woawbaatef kaalf it ut?p,*ur A.farwfywaiCifNiwftbfcM Aym Citedu* aolalbn mm, kaljnK tUdwrf id<nt?d wot in >BU.n&>tr, nor the wi*d? ii viokwer. It via bitt<rly oold. AW, I Mint wroung uood, the moot expert swim- harm mor could scarcely hope to gain the shore. Mil With a vivid presentiment of danger, chief amounting almost to a certainty, I sought raidni my state room, where I fenrentlv eoramed- tempt |. ed myself to the protection of Him, who the la > '"rides upon the storm and rules the ra- the m > ging deep. I placed my preserver where throu, - it could be conveniently reached, and re- attun< 5 turned to my solitary station. * stirrin T had been so busily engaged with my tlio ei own thoughts and the appearances with- a vet} out, that the gay company, laughing and ller - chatting around, had made as little im- three - nression as so many moths circling in the portio r light of a brilliant lamp, or I had experi- she se enced but a momentary astonishment at pearo their total indifference to, or ignorance of ed ins ' the outward gloom. Most of them, and posset indeed all the lady passengers, 1 presume above , were unconcious of its existsnvlL for the Natur day had, until the latter part of\\o even- movei ing, boon a fair and cloudless lapsv^f sun, shiue; but on the countenances of tWo or three elderly gentlemen, I thought I could discern a slight shade of anxiety, which i , deepened as tney returned from frequent observation upon the guards. Such ind\\ She > cations were, however, unheeded, where O'et in the dreamy harp and the thrilling viol "l^h'kit < i were steeping the soul into delicious forgctfulness of earth : and ? ? * * A l' "" _ ? ? ? ? j "?1" WUIIU" |UH ed so gaily on the springing boards, could ere* . not know that they were quivering and arouV training, not beneath the tread of danc- band^ ing feet, but under the redoubled prow*ure small of steam, and beforo the buffeting pinions ilar br of the blast and si An old gentleman for whom I had for- waf tned quite a friendsli ip, entered the side thougl door oftho cabin, and approaching, seated massei himself upon the divan at my side. back 1 You have been out, said I, observing few the unprnuitious weather ! temph 44 Exactly, was the reply. I have been die fr< a constant passenger upon this river, for the last twenty years, and I do not re- ftn<f S member to have stemmed it upon a more R RmS wretched looking night than this." <><x 44 I am surprised at our captain," said I, 44 for running on snch a night- It looks SVSllV nePreSniy. the lives of ?o many fellow beings. I wonder that some of the passcn- "?ado^ gsrs do not request him to lay by till mor- "H?". ning. * They have?sereral hare urged him to desist, but he persists in Mying there is j . no dsnger in running. In troth the river is high, and there is not very much fear ^ of snags at any rate and he declares that V his pilot ia perfectly acquainted with the ? channel, ami that we are just as safe here " as we would be tied to the shore. But I suspect," says my companion, "the fact is, ca the suddenness of the storm has taken the ^ ^ captain by surprise, end in this impenetra- > . hki darkness, it would now be impossible to make a landing. However, don't be alarmed, the raoon rue* at tea, and it is ?ajK *1 possible the cloud* may break, and giro ino? w u* a clear night after alb" r T?" MOb, no, I am not alarmed. I know it >otra3 ia beat to preserve one'* presence of mind, |icart when auiroundod by danger, and then you know, you may console yourself with the reflection that it is only the body that is in jeopardy.* wh,ch M No," said be, " I don't know any *cn,t,i p such thing; I wish I did." no( Snch a remark surprised me exceeding- 1 1 ly; I had often noticed him perusing lbs #t mcI ' scriptures, and I obseired that he was a *ouUI Very devout christian, I thought. tance. "Oh, no, fkr from it, I read the Bible . . 1 as a literary curiosity, and with the hope of discovering the truth, if it is there ; but m"c" I will teava you now, a* I see yon are as .ec' brave a soldier as I." etyoy< It was a sad thongbt, that my silver- Jj8 ^ 1 haired friend had passed through nearly three score years, without discovering the ^"e ol I truth of revelation and the beauty of holi- "vj ' neas ; but I could but hope and believe I that so gentle a spirit as his appeared to "e.l 1 be would at last be led into the paths of P "1 l peace, 1 Insensibly I began watching the gay | surrounding groups of revelers, believing at least, so far with my friend, as to con1 elude it useless to harrow my soul with ini- jf j ages of what might ndt occur after all, as cotnt> he said. " 1 waa i ere wm, among our many law pa*ftengera, one who had from the 6rat, inter ap0UB ?ted me doepl . Shu vh from Florida, edooi 1 that lovely laud of flower*, and the warm |i),e f ' tint of ?ta glowing tuns bed been left upon r 1 ber roeeato cheek, ead amid the rioh ouw ?he d 5 ea of her waving hair. She had been at u af> 1 a boarding achooi in New York to receive McFi the Amah of her education,and after raiting U1y p the Northern Lakaa, vu returning home ^ under the protection of ber hrdther. Our the it acquaintance had programed rapidly, for rage* My own aad spirit rejoiced to gather light wfafc from the constant joyoueoeee reigning op- hoe*, on her broad open brow, and welling up varn forever from the depth of her bright blue halui eyea. .. > hanrt She weetdapcaag at the time, with a too 1 dwtingniahed looking young man, whoee diepo becoming uniform, had I not provionely yom? known the fret, wqnld have announced hie ,h,P t^naten to be^em^^^h^twn- ?j 1ST had norm earned a mere complete, yet of th iion" sneers from a reckless Byron. Free an linn graceful as a disenfranchised bird, sli i of glided in airy cycloids through its windinj live mazes, lier cheeks Hushed with tho cxei 0 to cise, and smiles of almost infantile deligh hile breaking over her bow-like lips, and dim ved p'ing the soft whiteness of her chin.? ccn Milman was still her partner, and 1 won 3ul- dered if it were possible that those dee| s of unfathomable eyes were not drinking ii was the sunshine of that joyous face, and lik onions contrast of hysical perfect Iman was tall, shaft-like as an Int and almost as dark, with masses glit curls, clustering over his o es, and lending even a darker hm ,rge shadowy eyes beneath ; w anly grace with which he mo gh the measure had evidently b ed to the martial roll of the " s< ig drum," and the shrill piping ir piercing fife. My little Alice < r fairy, light and airy as a sun-be: height was very nearly five f inches above mediocrity, but her j ns were so perfectly symmetric, t emed considerably lower. She J to have had the most accompli tructors in dancing, but to h ised a genius that scorned and r the rig?d geometrical rules of art e alone breathed through cv ment. the waving of houghs stepped graceful and free, he bending of flowers above the b tea." ? was dressed with extreme simplic tho perfection of taste. A cl of dark gay cloth, fitted high in displayed to tho best advantage I full v turned bust and falling sTioti A tiny ruffle of fluted cambric r :1 her delicate throat, bound bj ?>lack velvet, in which glitterec . handsome diamond pin. Si s and ruffles confined her wr ed her exquisitely shaped ban i her usual traveling costume, bu lit as she moved there uith her r ? of chestnut hair, cnrlossly gntliei villi a simple comb of twisted sh rebellious ringlets flouting down 1 .* here and there, as if to revel ,*e sunshine of lie spirit, that the m ehe costume te bal of rich brocai orgcous pearls could uothavo ad( lc ray of light to the lovely picti asionnlly, as she lifted her sinil es to those of her companion du?om rushi{igipifo?* Iter mirror-l g lip from her lucid eyes, ? fliit w which I had not before olwcr her countenance?a deep, dren iflection of thought, soft and fleet momentary gloom cast upon walla of a sun lighted chamber nions 01 a passing uirci. it watt icnsiou: she. like the root v 0 gay seductive dance, heard i itrifo of element* without, I tg in rich bursts of golden tuu that there was a world beyond < halls. man and herself had; until withii iys past, been ignorant even of ice of die oilier, but there was sot in tho manner of Alice, a "jo uoi," which, though perfectly fen ould break through the little c >nal knowledge aho possessed, i r that she had already suffered to dwell with unuaual pleasure u; 'aces and assiduities of her fell or. On the contrary, there ^ ?g in the deportment of Miln could famish a due to the strict ST by which to determine whet : his attentions to Alice s^rero in ? warm soutiinent of friendship, st a passing fancy which begun i 1 end with their traveling aequi was evidently an accomplished n i world, whom at an age not v under thirty, had thought, rend i :ed much, and who had tnoreo ed the fairest opportunities for stu tat intricate volume, human mui ad mingled in the best society f our large northern cities, and 1 less accustomed to breathe m the aoty complimentary phrases, i ry nothings, or, as Lriirs llani m ly cx preset. "To sigh yet feel no pain, To weep, yei ?earct know * hy To sport an hour with beauty's cl Tficn throw it idly by." lis eye* followed the fhiry steps rt anion through the dance, not!/ nvolred thereby: to did mine, J did ererybody's. |f ,,lie lin? id her at the guitar, when the olni npany in bo sib-wce with the punfh aultlessnesa of her voice, he lo iae and lead Miaa Arabella Ithe iano, Or immediately become ?>'c orbed in a game of chess wif M trland. lie waa a mystery ale, oor little Alice! he did aeem \ruL tier bet society, but perbapa it ? itawi with which tho idle acHoht da the fragile butterfly ere te m i hare despoiled it of its iauti aud fhr too fWlotly evipcod t> hi toted her io bestowing uponihim idle gift ae Iter fresh, ukorh , But my observations hi oa ate for warning, even had I be aed to give it; he bad afcedy tab asiou of her tool, as eenrj galls bursts into seas wfcfev* bar kiss tv iUd before. J te musicians sailed out hmA , olddashtooed Vi?K.nia ree^Mh Wl * *w?t*ie stiSsE^E at whlHigif whk?^36|P^B # a * e' f ^ flpTs *4 |J | nm. shaded camera obscura, painting its lov.sh eet, lineaments upon his soul in deep and im >ro- perishable line of light and beauty, hat Ieould not seo his face, but m a suddet ap- turn of the flying dance I caught the ex ish- pression of hers, lie was retaining he avo hand for a moment, as he bent down t< ose utter some remark, and that same inettabh .? look of angelic sorrow, which Iliad befor< ery observed?that shadow from the brigh wings of the bird of paradise?hoveret .t. for an instant over her fair white brow, am threw a beautiful gleaming on what bel'ort j had seemed almost too ntpirous, too in tensely cloudless for contemplation. 1 could not catch the slightest tone thai *y, was said, but I saw full well that love was 080 breathing it various lay of mournfu l',c swells and joyous symphonies, "its con ',cr slant chorus of continual change," across hi" the unswept harp-chords of her being.? What a look was that wlii.-li ^l... ........ r a upon liim! The native sunlight of hm f ft spirit seemed striving to gusli up througli im" itsbrighl blue windows, and penetrate tin ists impalpable cloud ot sweet sadness floating ids. over them?her lijw, too, quivering with 1 now atui unusual eiuoton, seemed sir tig ?h gling to arch into their wonted smiles o rot' merriment, us if they pendulated betweer e"? shadow and sunshine. '1^'r I question, however, if Milinau took ir ,n the whole of ibis reply, for suddenly r 081 wild terrific shock lifted our steamer ottl ^C8 of tlie water, and dashed her backward! 1**' up the stream with fearful violence. An other and another shock, upturning table ,nf? and chairs, destroyed every thing like per * * |tcndicularity in our cabin; and at llivsaim tpUrbJy...ho<iu\. .likevuiw\.v>iat|r..u ,nJ? leaping in long and thundering reverbcra tious out upon the sullen waxes ot tin "n* Mississippi. Then succeeded a slow care '"fs ening from side to side, like the roekinj l',t? motions of a settling ship, which produce* ??y the most sickening and deathlike sensa n?f lions. 'h? Instantly nil was confusion and distress ,lot wild shrieks broke from many a pallid lip ",lt Some, who bad been thrown prostrate remained kneeling xxitb clasped hands,in l,ur all the apathy of despair; others, frantic with alarm, flow in purposeless agony uj 1 R and down the cabin, while a few fount! the relief froin fear in the embrace of inscn ne" sibilitv. .ne It flashed upon me in a moment thai "n" no time was to lie lost in reaching the on| guards. The only Iiojhi for safety was J tlint the cabin would part from the liul and float off, in which case our sole refug* j*011 was the deck above. Already it secme. V to me that I coukl hear the gurgling o *!iS the waters rising beneath my feet: anotlie 1ftn moment would hear eternity upon it.< wings. I could not have stood motionlea "er for more than a second of lime,but in tha ore tiny atom of ineasurenient,my whole pas life, a vast and many-cob r-.d panorama . flew in rapid review before my vision un" which seemed suddenly endowed will fearful ubiquity, for its verv minutest dc tail .. I i ?" iitii'niKJTif*; v*ium i rn'iiuru ?|>iriiUHiiv l< stand afar off upon s< >ine invaihle emiiienei 1 and behold my own destruction hi \?r swift and wild as the melancholy ab * sorption of souie unrecorded meteor in B?" the fathomless depths of mtlnight chnoe I shuddered. Loudly exdaiming "Tin *** 1 deck! the deck T' 1 rushed cut utn?i> tin - guards. I Milinan pressed out behind me, lending almost bearing, the locely fi.rm of Alice "Fear not," 1 heard him say, "trust t< me: I will save you or we perish togetl / er." ' h a v c l^in We stood, all tbrei hesitating a moment Ts our < Tun, blinded by the glare we hr.< [Ids just left, wave, skv and shore were nlik< tug Umtfctingwmhabl*. The keen, cold wine j(| blustering around us, dashed the mac red spray in our faces, and pressed the wil< 'in- thought upon our come as gelid as thai fearful tide which flowed around and I.e. u)j nenth us. to "The deck is our only fmpc " said 1; "lei ep- us breath ooe prayer, commending our lis* solves?n for "You are right," interrupted MiIii.hii ^ "let roe lift you, Alice." '** Jle raised her as easily as a feather'. oy weight, and springing upon the guards ide was about to place her uporiMthe cjec'i ful al>ove, when 1 caught his arm. ive "Stop!" I exclaimed; "look, look!' o Just at this moment, balancing in un Ity clouded brightness above the dark stretch ?? of Mnaimlppinn forests, the moon rolled on staddarily and serenely up tho eastcri; skiss. The dark cloud* were n?ei? flying U?t like fruited genii* befi re her victorious i*-' march; * broad sheet of refalgenew l?ni , upon the wateve,*hile mil on the ?veai * a, aharp line of Firing tight defliM-d the whitr tea nn<l shore of Arkanwi*. tar I bud abeadj taken in the surrounding to objects, and never can I forget the fen see tnrea of that terrible ifcene. We were a I >p-1 aiost in the middle of the river, more than jHphalf mill foe evtbef eUorv. Heneatli *tb ] uc a score of white, upt^fn.d fafpfarvl HE #K j4m I; J ' dark forms were struggling foi cxistcm e amid the battling waves, while despairii g cries of "Save me! save me !" rose froi - the gurgling foam and pierced our liste t ing I carts with anguish. Just below 01 i- pro\ the battered chimneys and ha - sub .Merged cabin of a gallant steamer we: i- ! roc.:ing on the waves a mournful wrec p Ilcr ;orgeous chandeliers were still swinj it ing in melancholy mockery above the w; e | ters ; her hull had gone swiftly down wit y \ many ti perishing mortal. - | We stood gazing in speechless horn | oil the fearful drama. Like the writhin t anaeonJa, sinking into apathetic repot - tifter the demolition of his prey, the glass r river rolled with sinister smiles above i > j victims, anil settled into calm tratujuilit [? I beneath the cold rays of the pitiless mooi u Those wild despairing cries were hushc t | forever. I With hearts awe-strieken ttnd oppres; I | ed by all we had witnessed simultaneoui i ly, we turned to enter the cabin. Hut all was now tranquil without, a wild ac j mixture of pain and grief, of sorrow an t suffering, which no pen could describ* < | awaited us within. Mote than thirt I wretched objects were roaming restless! . I lift Q??/l ! -,J- ...... uun ./III VHOIII, Wl'lIlgUlg tllOl i hands, either in the anguish of mental wo - or the agony of physical suffering. Tli I helpless passengers of the ill-fated Swai p who had been rescued from a water i grave, shivering in dripping girmcnt they stood, bewailing a cherished w ife r j a cherub child sunk beneath the rushin i \\a\es ; or with chilled and lacerate - limbs, they mingled how ls und curses wit I the most piteous and impatient iinplor; i tions for relief. Involuntarily, I drew my hands acros i my brow, to sliut out the harrowing sp?i i taele. How fervently did I there otbr u L my thanks to llim, who had inercifull s preserved us from a similar fate But there was no time for inaction.* Our own passengers were still paralyze - with fear. Everything had transpired s l' rapidly that most were yet under the in C iucsmou that we were sinking, nor kne boat had sustained but very little dan e age. Prompt assistance was required for tl I unfortunate survivors, and few were in I condition to offer it. Alice was the on! " lady who seemed to have preserved an presence of mind. Milman was near he ? agitated, and, for the lirst time that I ha * ever seen him so, deprived of self-eontro , yet it was evidently not the effect < tear. * Our captain ami oflieers were, withgei ? erous humanity, making every effort to a 1 lev iate the suffering of the unfortunate pai | sengers. | There was a demand for scissors, to ci t | away the lacerated skin and flesh han^j : | ing in shreds from some unfortunate su . : ferer's arm. Alice sprang to seek the a I tide required. s "You set ino a good example," sai 1 Milman. "1 have some little skill in su f gery myself?and now is the time for i r exertion." It was well that he had, for the oul ? mmllnJ 1 ' - " , vumnvici Ull UUillU WltS COU1UIC 1 to liis state-room by illness, and unable t ' afford the leastassistance. Milinan, hov ever, immediately assumed the eomnian * ! of affairs, and, like a ruling spirit, infuse 1 someiliin. like system into the wild (iii I order and confusion reigning around.' With perfect self-reliance, he applied h f lowii remedies, dressing their wounds wit 8 ; the inns* careful tenderness, and at lengt succeeding, to some extent, in mitigatin * the intense anguish of the sufferers, ' Alice, too, stood near, pale, and wit compressed lips, yet energetic and usefi p i truly "a ministering angel." f It is only such scenes of uncommon tr al which shadow forth the real lineament of character, " is darkness shows us world ( of lights we never saw l?y day." 1 ha i Aiipposod thai Milman, from cotistant c.> l |a*ure to the guri?h light of ?>shiouahl ; | society, luiit become merely a briiSianf, bu 1 cold and iinimpressible crvstallizatior whose indurated spirit could scarce! ' move out of its own sphere, to sympathi* I VelV tl.'fiilv vvilli tlw, I.......... ' 1 ty ; nor li??l 1 dreamed of discovering sue 1 I strength of will ami powers of self-con ' i mam! jn the elmmcur of iffy inerry lit11 Alice. Kill Imw mistaken! Of all ou t I large complement of passenger*, the} j alone, seemed actuated by the tcude e> I spirit of companion, and capable of ret ; , dcring efficient and valuable aid. I'n* rtunately,however,* ilh many assii i tame was of no avail. During the nigh t more than a dozen had found relief froi t -nth-ring ii^gath. "We made their grave that mornffljK but U]K>n the solitary ah on - no hand of moui uein was there.no prayei were said, no hyirqu were sung, hut i train of melancholy^ bids swept howrlin | , hy, the silvery coUon-wood* above wer , whispering in sorrowful tones, and th great High I'riest, among Lite ritfW# < t earth, chanted a solemn requiem at thei ^ liasly burial. V On the same evening my own place < ! destination was reached. After the seem I had witnessed, the prospect of "terra fi' ma" was by no means disagreeable, yet was a thought ^fcphed with the keene. - rcgrtt tiiat I wjua^a>ut to ' pa*i with m I fair aim-browed PKjridian friend, in a i probability fnretaa^ . I Hut tbc boat hflFlamfod, and ihorg w r ce ! mo space for extended adieus or partinc ig ' scenes ; one kiss upon her snowy brow in a whispered farewell, and wc were sun n- dered. ir As the boat swung back into the river, It- she was out upon the guards. The same r<> j gray traveling habit displayed the exipiisk. ite contour of her figure. The rosy rays Lt* of the setting sun fell, like impalpable a- worshipers, around her, tinging the waves h of her shining hair, and blending with the ! kindred lucidity ofher joyous countenance. >r . '"Upon the hill I turned to take one last g fond look." "Milinau was standing near 5e her; he raised his hat; her fairy-like finIV I gers threw me a kiss across the waters, ts and as they floated away in the lengtheny ing distance, the deepening twilight n. gathered around, and I saw them no d more. Several months afterwards, I was seas' ted in my own little vine-clad portico, s- watching the gorgeous exit of the god of it day, and listening to the thousand bird1-, tuned harps which thrilled the dark inagd I u??lia trees around me. Memory was bup, sily engaged in linking her chain with the y | thoughts of my bright and beautiful fely I lowtraveier, and in retouching the lines ir she had left upon my soul, when I saw if her last, transcendent in her own loveli e ness, and glittering in the gorgeous mani, tie of the departing dav-god. I could sec V lior nut imnn flw? 1.^.^1: . I I fev.?..v.., UV-IIUIIIg s | to throw ino a kiss, as tho vessel, fair and >r j graceful as a swan, glanced swiftly down g the stream ; Iter lover was standilig at her d side, and again I watlied them melting h in the clustering twilight softly as the 1- bright twin stars of heaven fade before the pinions of the purple rain-mist. ? They w ere peopling my reveries, when 2- by a singular coincidence, my uncle banp ded ine a delicately scented envelope, }' bearing the l'ost mark, ' Tallahassee, Florida." "From Alice!" I exclaimed ; "coming d events cast their shadows before ; I was 10 just thinking of her!" a- 1 hastily tore open the envelope; it conw tained two wedding cards, one bearing a n- At l'b'.mc,' itintwrhyVitfi.?g\1 the other, in bold and decided calligraphy, ie "Clarence Milman." ? INAUGURAL ADDRESS t, ?ok? A PRE51DEN T PIERCE. J j j My CorxTHYMBN :?It is a relief to feci that no heart but m\ own can know the v personal regret and bitter sorrow over I which I have been liorne, to a position so suitable fi>r others rather than desirable for myself. The circumstances under which I have 11 ; been called for a limited period to preside I over the destinies of the Republic, fill mo with a profound sense of responsibility, but | w ith nothing like shrinking or npprehenj I sioli. I repair to the post assigned ine, not as ^ j to ono sought, hut in obedience to the unsolicited expression of your will?answers' blu only for a fearless, faithful and dili \ i gent exercise of my host powers. I sought to he, ami am, truly grateful ? for the rare manifestation of the nation's 'J confidence; hut this, so far from lighten' ; ing my obligations, only adds to their ! w eight. You have summoned me in my | weakness, you must sustain me by your T 1 strength. '8 | When looking for tlic fulfilment of ren, i sonahlc requirements, you will not be un^ mitulfnl of the great changes which have ? j occurred, even within the last quarter of a I j century, ami the consequent augmentation I | and complexity of the duties imposed in the administration both of our home and ] foreign affairs. Whether the elements of inherent force I* in the republic have kept pace with her * I unparalleled progression in territory, pop' ' illation and wealth, has been the subject c" ! of earnest thought and discussion on both ^ 1 sides of the ocean. ( ' Less than sixty-three years ngo, the ia' ther of his country made the (then recent) ^ | accession of the inqiortnnt State of North j. i Carolina, one of the subjects of his special I, congratulation. i- 1 At tnnt moment, however, when the ? agitation consequent upon the Kevolutionr arv struggle had hardly subsided ; wheu r, wo w ere just emerging from the week,t ucssea and embarrassments of the confed? ration, there w as an evident consciousness j of vigor equal to her great mission so wise\ !y and bravely fulfilled by our fathers, t, ! It was not a presumptuous assurance, n J but a enlm faith sprung from a clear view s i of the sources of power in a movement [>; constituted like ours. It is no paradox to rs *ay tliAt although comparatively weak, the a new Ikwu nation was intrinsically strong, g Inconsiderable in population and apparent a resources, it was upheld by a broad and o intelligent comprehension of rights, and an >f all-prevading purppae to maintain them ir stronger tliao armaments. It came from the furnace of thsrevols:?f tion, tempered to tho noeessities pf the s times. I'ho thoughts of the men of that r- day were as practical as thoir sentiments it were patriotic. Tliey wasted no portion .t of their energies uppn idle aud delusive 5 speculations, httt with a firmaad fharl?ws step advanced boym the gotlwdbiUr landmarks, which bafW|>ithe*t? eimirow scribcdMie limits of bum aw freedom, and at dte _ ? V # > ' planted their standard where it has stood , against the dangers which have threatened from abroad, and internal agitations which have at times fearfully menaced at , home. They proved themselves equal to ! the solution of the great problem, to understand which their minds had been illuminated bv the dawning lightof tho rcvo\ lution. \ Tho object sought wns not a thing ! dreamed of?it was a thing realized.? They had exhibited not only the power to . achieve, but what all history affirms to bo so much more unusual, the capacity to maintain it. The oppressed throughout the world from that day to the present have turned their eyes hilherward, not to find those lights extinguished or to fear that they should wane, but to be constantly cheered by their steady and increasing radicnce.? In this our country has, in my judgment, thus far fulfilled its highest duty to suffer-' ing humanity. It has spoken, and will continuo to speak, not only by its words, but by its acts, the language of sympathy, encouragement and hope to those who earnestly listen to tones which pronounce for the largest national liberty. But, after all, tho most animating encouragement and potent appeal for freedom will ho its own history its trials, and its triumphs. Pre-eminently, the power of our advocacy reposes in our example ; but no example, be it remembered, can be powerful for lasting good, whatever apparent advantages may be gained which is not based upon the eternal principles of right and justice. Our fathers decided for themselves, both upon the hour to declare and the hour to St I'lko TllAV wnro An-n ?iwlo#ac ^s.1* ^ . JL MVJ M Vtv I.UVII vnu JUW^WJUl VIIU 1 circumstances under which it becamo them to pledge to each other their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honors, for > the acquisition of the priceless inheritance 1 transmitted to us. The energy with which that great conflict was opened, and under the guidance of a manifest and benificent 1 Providence, the uncomplaining endurance iiiation, :wW6 <Miy'SWj)l/&4dn ity 1W 1 dom and patriotic spirit of concession which characterized all the counsels of the early fathers. One of the most impressive evidences of that wisdom is to be found in the act, that the actual working of our system has dispelled a degree of solicitude which at the outset disturbed bold hearts and far-reaching intellects. The apprehension and dangers from extended territory, multiplied States, accumulated wealth, and augmented population, has proved to be unfounded. The stars upon your banner have become nearly threefold their original number, your densely populated possessions skirt the shores of tho two great oceans, and yet this great increase of people and territory has not only shown itself compatible with the harmonious action of the States and Federal ! vioverumeut in tlicir respective eonstitu| tional spheres, hut has atforded an nddi! tional guarantee of the strength and in1 tcgrity of both. With an exjiericnee thus suggestive anil cheering, the policy of my administration will not be controlled by any timid forebodings of evil from expansion. Indeed,. I it is not to be disguised that our attitude as a nation, and our position on the globo render the acquisition of certain possessions, not within our jurisdiction, eminently important for our protection, if not, in tho future, essential for the preservation of the rights of commerce and the peace of tho | world. Should they be obtained* it will he through no grasping spirit, but wftli a view to obvious national interest and security, and in a manner entirely consistent w ith the strictest observance of national faith. We have nothing in our history or position to invite aggression, we have everything to beckon us to a cultivation of relations of peace and amity with all nations. l'tii-jtoses, therefore, at once just and pacific, will be significantly ruaikod I in the conduct of our foreign affairs. I intend that my *uiuia?Uoi. M. shall leave no blot upon our fair incord, and trust i iuay safely give the assurance that no act within the legitimate scope of my constitutional control will be tolerated* ou the part of any portion of our citizens, which Mnnnl nKollunrm o K.. V..I...VV vaiMKVii^u a* I WUU J j UBl IUUR V IUU IA " fore llie tribunal of the civilized world.? An administration would be unworthy of confidence at home, or reaped abroad, should it cease to influenced by the conviction that 110 appareut advantage can be purchased at a price so dear aa that of national wroug or dishonor. It ia not your privilege, na a nation, to apeak of * distant past. The striding incident ofjjftir history, replete with instruction, and far I1 nisbing abundant grouuds for hopeful confidence, are comprised in a period comparatively brief. But if your past ia limited, your future is boundleas. Its obligation# throng the unexplored pathway of advancement, and will be licnitleaa as duration. lleoce a sound and coroprahsnaiva policy should embrace*, not leas the distant Adore than the urgent present, ' The great objects of our parmuit, as a people, am best to bo attained by peaee, and arc entirely consistent With tie tranOrfffitfr an4>l?re*U of the rest of mankind. W?. Uie -Anighboring natfona upon Our continent, wo ahoiihl cultivate kindly and fraternal relations. We out daaire notbcoacttnMrt on rouatH r*?rt. L a _ ? ^ . %