Keowee courier. (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, December 21, 1867, Image 1
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. ffff?^jggfjjmgmfi?_; ??BjWBSjBC? ffTM^^?." J. "2j|?"^...J_L.ll^J?n.-1.1''?^"J Jit- >?????-m?yii- i-ijrii r - - mmmi r ' J "tf'T-^ '?'?"?-' ' -ir-rr r ijilgr-, i- , j j- II IJ .im i_ ..j'UJ 1 L 1 * '1 ."****g****B?i?"y " ' " ' ' 'f*'" """i??'.-?*1""1*. >*I!!^W*!*****^^,*''*
" Tn (ni tic own self bc (ruc, and it mu ^ ^^^^^ us r/ns night thc dug, thou can'tt nat then be JaUe to uny man."
M ROBT A, THOMPSON & CO. P1CKKNS COURT HOUSE, S, C, SATUB|AY, SEPTEMBER 21,1867. VOL, ll,.NO. 52.
m." . . --.??- ?? tmmmmmtmimmmHmtmmmmmm*. i ni WM*.?^^IIM>.?W>IIII L^WIUIIHIUH-, - ? ? ? - ? -^, ?"M>MM^_ - . . ^ . .?i^iwini M ???.??? MIMHIW ???- ? ? - - - - . _. - - . _
Never Give Up.
Never give up, brother, never give up!
God Iiiisn blessing for llu.se who work bard;
Why should you murmur, ami grumble, and fret,
And envy Hie pleasure from willoh you're dc
barred ?
Work like a inan,
l?o Hie best you can ;
This is tho wisest, and best plan !
, Novcr give up, brother, never ?{'ve up!
Though Lhc future looks lowering,'?nd gloomy
and drear ;
Though tfie sun shine not now, yet lt may vor)
soon,
So keep up a brave heurt and tread Iowa yent
fear !
Soon'may come light,
And nil will bo hriglit,
Only struggle and strive to tte what is right !
Never give up, brother, never give np!
Though your burden be heavy, and dar* yoin
way,
The bow in the clouds only comes with the rvn.
And when night is deepest, then bursts forth
the day :
Soon troubles will cease,
And your sorrows decrease ;
Only Irust in thc bord and then all will be ponce.
? ^ O LITIOS rT
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
[6ON?T,UJ>I;O.]
Tho condition ol' our finances and the roc
rations of our revenue system nro sot fori h
and fully explained in the able and instruc
tivo report of the Secretary of tho Treasury.
On thc 30th of dune, ISM, the public debt,
amounted to 82,783, 125.870 ; on the 30th
of June last it was $2,61)2,109,215 ; show
ing a reduction during the fiscal year of $91,
220,004. During tho fiscal year endino
June 00, 1S07, the receipts were. $490,08-1,
010, and the expenditures, $340,729 129
leaving an available surplus of 81 18,?>04,SS0.
v It is estimated tied tho receipts for tho fiscal
TCa!:.0^jjyr J"ee^30, .IS08. will be S417,
1?. 151,02$, and that the cxpcndilu,i'Ofl will reach
.tho sum of 8393,209,220, Irving in the.
Treasury a surplus of 823,892,702. For tho
fiscal year ending June 30, 1809, it is esti
mated that the receipts will amount to 8881,
000,000, and that tho expenditures will be
$:172,000,000, showing sn oxoos of 89,000,
000, in favor of the Government,.
Thc attention of Congress ia earnestly in
vited to thc necessity of a thorough revision
of our Revenue system. Oar Internal Rev
enue laws and impost system, should be KO
adjusted as to bear thc most heavily on arti
cles of luxury, leaving the necessaries of life
ns free from taxation, as may be. consistent
with tho real wants of tho Government
?economically administered. Taxation would
not then fr'' unduly on the man of moderate
weans, and . ... <l none would be entirely ex
. empt from assessment, all in proportion to
their pecuniary abilities would contribue to
ward the support of tho State. A modifica
tion of tho internal revenue system, by a
largo reduction in tho number of articles now
.subject to tax, would bc followed by results
'equally advantageous to the citizen and the
' Government. It would render the execution
of tho law loss expensive and moro certain,
?romovo obstructions to industry, lesson thc
'temptations to evade the law, diminish tho
violations and frauds perpetro ted upon its
provisions, mabu its operations less inquisito
rial, and greatly reduce in numbers the army
ftf tax gauiteY.'^ creped by thc system, who
/'take from thc m??tn l>f hon<J3v labor the
bread it bas earned." Retrenchment, ruibr'U,
lind ccono-uy should be carried into every
brauch of the public servie?, that the expen
ditures of tho Government may be reduced,
find thc pcoplo rcliovod from oppressive taxa
tion. .A sound currency should be restored,
and tho public faith in rogard to the national
(l?bt sacredly observed. The accomplish
ment of these important results, together with
tho restoration of tho Union of thc States
upon tho principles of the Constitution, would
inspire confidence at home and abroad in the
stability of our institution*, and bring to the
nation prosperity, peace and good will.
Tho report of tho Secretary of War uti
interim exhibits the operations of the army,
*od of tho several bureaus ol' ?ho War W'
nsrtment. The nggrogoto strength of our
military force on the 30th of Sept. last was
50,315. The total est?malo for military appro
printions is 877,124,707,? noludi ng a deficiency
{n mst year's appropriation of 813,000,000.
Thc payments at tho Treasury on nccountof thc
scrvioo of thc War Department from Janua
ry 1 to October 29, 1807, a period of LO
month", amounted to 8109,807,000; tho ex
poneos of*tho piilitnry establishments ns well
ns tho numbers of tho army, aro now. three
times ns groat as thoy have ovor boon in tune
of poaoo, while tho discretionary power is
VQStOd in the Exooutivo to add millions to this
/ expenditure by an increase of tho army to the
maximum- stronptl* allowed-by tho law.
Tho uionueing attitude of sqme of the war
BsJSrf'?''"..' V
..u? uuiiua ?i mutans iniiubiting tho district
of country between tho Arkansas and Platte
Rivers, and portions of Dakota Territory, re
quired the presence of n large in i ti ta ry force
in that region. Instigated by real or imagi
nary grievances, tho indians occasionally
committed acts of burburons violence upon
emigrants and our fron tier settlements; hut
a general Indian war has been providentially j
averted. The Com missioners under tho act !
of 20th of July, 1SG7, were invested with
j full power to adjust existing diOloulties, ne.
j go ti nt o treaties with the disaffected bands,
i and select for them reservations, remote from
tho traveled routes between thc Mississippi
and thc Pacific. They entered without de
lay upon tho execution of their trust, but
have not yet. made, any olliieal report of their
j proceedings, lt. is of vital importance that
our distant, territorio*should be. exempt from
Indian out. breaks, and tint the construction j
of the I'.vihY Kdlroid, au object of national j
import mee, shod 1 not be interrupted by hos.
-i-i .i * i
tile trio is, ihese objeuh, ros woll as tho ma- ;
terial intorostn a id tho moral -.nd intolloetuil
improvement of the Indians, em he most ef
fectually se Hired hy concentrating t!- mi upon
port ions ol' country sot tipari for their exclu
sive use, and lo.iatod at points remoto from
our highways and cnuroaehiiig white settle
ments. Sine-: the commencement of t h e
second session of the. Thirty-ninth Congress,
."?10 mile? of road have been constructed on
th? main line and branches of the Pacific
Railway. Tito iino from ; * ? i i H i . t is rapidly
approaching the eastern b.vm of the R?ky
Mountains, while the terminus of the last. I
section of constructed road ie. California, sc ;
eepted hy the Government on tho 21th div!
of October last, was but ll inilcj distant from
tho summit of the Sierra Nevada. The re
markable energy evinced hy the Companies
offers the strongest assurance that the com
pletion of the road from Sacramento Ut Oma
ha will not be long deferred. During the
last fiscal year 7,011,11 ? acres.of public land
were disposed of, and tho cash receipts from
.sab-s nr J ?W3 ?. - , ....
realized from those sources during thc pre
ceding year. The amount paid to pension
ers, including expenses of disbursements, was
&18,619,956, ?nd 3P>,4S2 names were added
to the rolls. The entire number of pension
ers on the 30th of June Inst was 155,474 - j
Dieven thousand six hundred and fifty-fly*'I
patents and designs were issued durinfe tho i
year ending Sept. 80, J807, and at ?fiat dale ?
tho bataneo in tho treasury I ? I*?1 credit of
the patient fund was $286,U0r< The report,
of th<. Secretary of tho Navy states that we
have, seven squadrons actively and judiciously
employed, under cH?cient and able comman
ders, in protecting thc persons and property
of American eitiiscna, maintaining tho digni
ty and power of tho Government, and promo
ting the commerce and business interest of our
countrymen iii every part of the world. Of
thc 288 vessels composing thc present navy
of the United States, f)0, carrying 507 guns,
aro in .squadron service. During the year the
number of vessels itt commission h is been re
duced 12, and there are DI less on squadron
duty than there were at the date of the last,
report. A large nutnborof vessels were com
menced and in course of construction when
thc war terminated, and although Congress
had made the necessary appropriations for
their completion, the Department lins cither
suspended work upon thom or limited thc
slow completion of the steam vessels, so ?is
lo meet tite. contracts for machinery made with
private establishments. The total expendi
tures of the Navy Department ?"or tho fiscal
y,J?)'Ort'li?g June oil, IS<57, were. 881,03-1,
011. No appropriations luve been made or
required since the close et tim )WX lor f',A
construction and repair of vessels, for steam
nnohinory, ordnance, provisions and cloth
ing, fuel, hemp, eec, thc balances under these
sovefal heads having been moni ?han sufli
eiont for onrront expenditures. Tt shod ti:
also be stated to tho credit of tho Department
that, besides asking no appropriations for thc
above objects for the last two years, the Seo
rotary ol' the. Navy, on the 89th of Septem
ber last, in accordance with thc act. of May I ?
1820, requested tho Secretary ol' tho Tt'onsu
ry to carry to the surplus fund tho sum ol
?85,000.000, being thc amount received fron
. thc sales of vessels and other war properly
and tho remnants ol' former appropriations.
Tho report of tho Postmaster-General show:
tho business of tho Post-Ollice Do-parttnen
and tho condition of the postal service in i
very favorable light, and the attention of Cou
gross is called to its practical receommomls
tions. Tho receipts of tho Department fe
the year ending June 30, 1807, including ti
special appropriations for sea and laud soi
vico and for freo mail matter, were $10,078
003. Tho expenditures for all purposes wet
$?.0,285,488, loaving au unexpended balam
in favor of . tho Department of $718,211
which oan bo nppliod toward tho exponaos t
tho Department for tho ourront year. Tl
increase of postal revenue, independent
? specific appropriations, for Mic year 1*07, over
j that of 1800, was S.S?O.OU. Tho iucroaso
of revenue from tho sale of stamps ami stamp,
od envelopes wis $788,401. The increase of
expenditures for 1*07 over those of tho pre
vious voir 'Vis .)\vi og ch ?oliy to the extension
of thc Und und ocean malo service. During
the pel yoar new postal oouvontlOUl hava
hoon ratified mid exchanged with thc United
Kingdom of Groat Britaiu and Ireland, Bel
gium, the Netherlands. Swit/.erland, tho
North German Union, Italy, c>nd tho Coloni
al Government ot Hong-Kong, reducing very
largely tho rates of oocan and laud postages
to and from and within those countries. Thc
report of tho Act ing Ocmunisaionor of Agricul
ture concisely presents tho condition, wants,
and progress .if an interest eminently worthy
'.he fostering oare of Congress, and exhibits
a largo mostireof useful remit-achieved du
ring th- year to whioh it refers.
The rc establishment of peAco at home, and
the rommption of dxtendc 1 trad :, travel, and
u omni oreo ab road have served to increase thc
number and variety of questions ii? tho Do
part Merit for Foreign Altai M. Nouo of those
question's, however, have seriously disturbed
our re! tiona with other State?.
Tho Republic of Moxie.-) haying hoon re
lieved from foreign intervention is oamostly
engaged in cfiorls> re-optublish her constitu
tional system of govcrum Mit. A good under
standing continues to oxi.U between pur Gov
erin,?ont and thc Itcpuhlics of ilayti and San
Domingo, and our cordial relations with tho
Ccutr.d ?nd South American States romain
unchanged. Tho louder made in conformity
with the r?solution of Congress of tho good
dliccs of thc Government, with a view to au
unieablo adjustment and peace between Bra
it! and her allies on one side, and Paraguay on
tho other, and between Chili ar l her allies on
mc one side, and Spain on thc other, though
kindly received, has in neither case been fully
ioccptod by tho belligerents. War in tho
calley of tho Parana is still vigorously main
tained. On tho other hand, antur?g--'!!'?'? v d
....-v..^. . nwintl i.'iijuTl iiuy 1 * '
icen more than a year SUv,;',(h-!lh 1 shall,
>u any proper occasio- l,nt m?y occur, renew
bc conciliatory -commendations which have
tl ready bc*" made. Brazil, wich enlightened
sagapky "rid coniprehonsivo statesmanship, ;
,c.s opened thc great channels of the Amazon !
.nd its tributaries to universal oom meroo.- - j
)no thing more seems needful to aosuino ai
apid and cheering progress in South A mori
ta, f refer to those peaceful habits without
vhic'i Stales and nations ca:;:jot in this age
,vcll expect niateriid prosperity or social ad
vancement.
Thc Reposition Universal nf industry ai
Paris has parsed and sectus lo have fully real
zed the high expectations of the Kreuch Gov
ernment. If duo allowance be malo for thc
recen., political derangement ol' industry herc,
tho part which 'ho United States has boone
in ibis exhibition ol' invention and arl may be.
regarded with very high satisfaction. During
tho lOxpositiou a Conference was hold, of del
egates from several nations, tho United S tatos
being ono, in which tho inconveniences of
commerce and cotntnorcial intoroourso result
ing from divers standards of money value
wore discussed, and plans wore developed for
establishing by universal oonsont and common
principle for thc coinage of gold. These Ooo?
fovonoos aro expected to bo renewed with
tho attendance of many foreign St t?os not
hitherto represented. A report of thoso in
teresting proceed *s will bc submitted to
Congress, which .11 no doubt justly appro
ci ito tho great object, mid bc ready to adopt
any measure which may lend to facilitate its
ul; i mato accomplishment.
On thc 2?th of Fobrnatj, 13fi2, Oongrosf
jC[.?f;rcd hy law that Treasury note? without
interest, authorized by that ?ot, should be lo
cal tender in payment of all debts, publie and
private, within thc United States. Au anim
nt romittancd <*< WOO, less stipulated
penses, acoraos to cimenta nude- tho Cou
volition made with Spain in 1834. These xi
mittancos, since tho passage of that act, havi
boon paid in such notes. The. claimants in
?ist that tho Government ought to requin
payitiontin coin. The subject may bo doemci
worthy of your attention.
No arrangement hus a? yet boen roached fe
thc settlement of our claims for Dritish de?
rodations upon thc commoron of the Unite
States. I bave, felt it my duty t;> decline th
proposition for arbitration made by lier Ma
esta's Government, became it has li if Kori
; been accmnpaniod by reservations and limit:
! lions incompatible with the rights, iutorcs
i ami honor of our country, lt is not to bc Oj
j proben Vd that Great Britain will persist i
ber rofuvilto satisfy those just and reason
bio claims, which involve tho sacred prim
pies of non intervention--a principio hone
forth not moro important to tho Unitod Stat
than all other commercial nations.
Tho Wost Tndia Islands wore settled ai
colonized by Enropoan States siniultnnoou*
1 witt? tin setUmnenl and ..??Ionization of t
?
American Coutiacnt. Mont of tho eolouica
planted herc became independent nations iu
the olosc of the lust and the beginning of the
present century. ()ur own country embraces
communities which ut ouo period wore oolo
lilq-S ol Great Jintaln, Franco, Holland, Spain,
1 Swjdon, and Russia. The people in tho Wost
Indies, with thc exception of those of thc Isl
j au oof Hayti, buve uoithor att?iuod nor as
, pired to iudopondenoe, nor have they become
I prepared for eelfdefmice. Although possesa
j iog considerable oovumoroiaJ value, thoy have
beso held by several European Sute* which
colonised or at aoiue time cuuquorcd them,
chiefly for purposes of military and uav.\l utrat
op in carrying out Kuropoau policy and do
j sign iti regard to this coutinout. In our Uer
j olutionary war, ports and harbors in the West
i India ?slondi) wore u?ed by our enemy to tho
g?K injury and ciubarra^mont of tho United
j Stores. Wo had the same oxporieuoe iu Great
? Britain. Tho same European policy for a loug
! littju excluded us even from tindo with the
Wist ludios, while we wore at peace with all
nations.
tn our record civil war, thc Rebels and
tb ir pir.iiioid blockado-brcaking allies found
facilities m the same ports for the work, which
tlyjy too .successfully accomplished, of injuring
any devastating tho commerce which wc are
onraged?in rebuilding. Wo labored (special
ly /Hider this disadvantage-that European
st i m vesi?ols employed by our enemies found
fnVidly ? In.Uer, protection, and supplies in
Wi I [udhui ports, while, our own naval op?r
ai/ . '0 necessarily carried on from our
Cf. .. t.;.ot shores. There was then a univcr
R?\;ci.?og of tho want of an advanced naval
ouipost betweeu the Atlantic coast and Ku
roK Tho duty of obtuining such an outpost
pejcefully aud lawfully, while neither doing
noj mcoaoing injury to other States, earnestly
cnbged tim attention of thc Executive De
pa^incut before thc close of tho war, and it
hwuot been lost sight of since that time. A
no/jin ti roi v di"<dmilA* ??-.??..1 ???1 wiuul-iii.
j&Sbt. Tho required foothold there was for
tmat. 'y secured by our lato treaty with thc
Wmperor of Russia, and it now seems opera
ive that tho more obvious necessities of the
\tlautie Coast should not be less carefully
provided for. A good and oonyonient port
md harbor, capable of easy defense will sup
dy that want. With thc possession of such
i station by the United States neither wo nor
my other American nation need longer appro- !
.nd injury or oitonso from any tra n sa tl au tic
.ueiny. I agree with our carly statosinon that
tho West Indies naturally gravitato to and
may bo expected ultimately to bc absorbed by
?ho Continental States including our own. I
.creo with thom also that it is wiso to loavo
tho question of such absorption to this pro
cess of natural political gravitation. The isl
ands ?if yt. Thomas and St. John's, which
constitute a part of thc group called thc Vir
gin Islands, seemed to oller us advantages ?rn?
mediately desirable, while their acquisition
could bc secured in harmony with thc princi
ples tu which I have alluded. A treaty ha?
therefore been concluded with tho King of
Denmark for the ocasi?n of those islands, and
will bc submitted to tho Sonate for considera
tion.
It will hardly bo ncocssary to oall tho at
tention of Congress to the eubjcot of provi
ding for thc payment to Russia of the sum
stipulated in thc treaty for tho cession of Alas
ka I'obsession baring ' ion formally deliv
ered to our Commissioner, the territory re
mains fer thc present in onre of a military
force, awaiting such civil organizations rn
shall bo directed by Congress.
Tho annotation of many small Germar
State? to Pnmeia, and thc ro-oTgar.iarf.ion. o
that country under a now and liberal oonsti
to.lion, hsvo induood mo to ronow the effor
to obtnin a just nod prompt settlement of tin
long-vexed question concerning thc claims o
foroign States for military servieo from thci
.subjects naturalized in thc United States.
In connection with this subject thc ntten
Mon of Cortge i? respectful.!; called to
singular and embarrassing conflict of laws.~
Thc Executive Department of this Govert
mont has hitherto uniformly held, as jt no'
hob's, that naturalization in conformity wit
the Constitution and laws of thc United Stat?
absolves thc recipient from his native nllog
ance. The Courts of Great Britain hold'thi
I allegiance to tho British Crown is indofcas;
bio, and is not absolved by our laws of ffati
rali/.iition. liri tish judges cito courts and la
authorities of thc United States in support i
I that theory against tho position hold by tl
i Executive authority of thc United States.
This conflict perplexes thc public, mind co
ccroing tho rights of naturalized citizens, a
impairs the. national authority abroad,
called attention to this subject in my last ?
huai Message, and no to again respectfully i
poid to Congress to declaro tho national v
unmistakably upon this important qucstb
Tho abuse of our latos hythe clandestino pt
ecution of the A frican slave trude, from Am
loan port? or by American citizens hus alto
j ?ether ccu:?cd, nod under existing oircumstan
j cc? no apprehensions bf its rcuowal in this
j part of tho world arc entertained. Under
I theso circumstances it becomes u question
I whether we ?Indi not propose to Her M nj os
j ty s Government a suspension or ?Hooutinu
I ,lU0e of tho stipulations for inaiutuining naval
force for tho .suppression of that trade.
AN DU KW JOHNSON.
Washington, Deo. 3, UsOV.
Prom Washington.
WASOINOTUN, Doocwbcr H. -Lo the Mon
ate, a petition ww prescuted from au ?ai
menso number of nataralilLzed oitiacus, oom.
plaiaing of grievances and asking their rights
to be defined by law; roforred to Committee
on Foroigu Relations. Mr. Anthony intro
duecd a bill dcohtring null the Confiscation
and Forfeiture Acts, passed by rebel legisla
tures ; referred to the J udiciary Committee.
Sherman introduced a bill, providiug that
all balances from captured or abandoned
property be placed in thc Treasury, and not
drawn thence without the authority of law.
Shenuau ?tated that thc amount rouohod sev
eral millions. A discussion onsucd, during
whioh McCulioeh was charge! with illegally
disposiug of several hundred thousands; anil
tiie bill was postponed.
Sumner presented a memorial from Ooh.
lirisban and 30,001? Kentucky negroes, con
taining an allegation which Mr. i ?avis pro
nounced foul and mendacious ?bel* on Ken
tucky.
\ bill to raise legal tondors to pur, came
up. Merril delivered an elaborate speech.
After executive session, adjourned.
In thc llouso, thc Judiciary Committee re
ported back the bill relative to thc govern
ment of thc rebol States, and it was referred
to tiie Ueoonstruction Committee. The Com.
inittoo on Claims reported advorsly ou tho po
ife^ms^ HM.
Internal revenue receipts to day #300,000.
Secretary Wells roccived a dispatch from
tho Acting Conaul-Goneral at Havana, dated
December 10th, in which he: t?nje :? t( From
mr Consul at Jamaica, wo have furthW frews
>f tho earthquakes at St. Thoma?, ToTbia and
itirox. Thc earthquake began orr the 18th
)f November, and continued until tho 20th.
Tho destruction of lives and property was im
mense."
WASUINOTOX, Docombor 12.-In tho Son
nte, Sherman reported thc House bill repeal
lng thc cotton tux ; it will bo considered to
morrow. Thc biil covering proceeds captured
and abandoned property into Treasury wa* re
sumed. Fcssondon said it amounted to ?35,
000,000, but he opposed the bill, as there arc
claims now pending in the Court of Claims
for 320,000,000 worth of this property, to
whom the bill would work injustice. Tho
Btibjcct was postpoucd. Tho joint resolution
oensuring thc President was resumed. Thc
Senate refusod to concur in tho House resolu
tion to adjourn, until tho bill striking
M whito" from tho District laws becomes a law.
Adjourned.
In tho Hotiso, Ashley, of Ohio, offered a
bill relating to thc Froeduicu'g Hnroau, which
wai referred to tho Committee on Freedmen'*
Almira ; also, a bill to .acilitato tho rccon
atruction of tho Southern States. M ay uar c
offered a resolution, providing that diplomat
ic and- consular representatives to itnyti am
other African Governments, bo selected fron
negroes ; referred to Committee on Forotgi
Affairs. Schcr.ek made a point of order, tha
under thc Constitution, uo dist inctions shouh
bo made. "he Speaker said tho point wa
well taken.
Tho President's message to thc Senate giv
ing his reasons for thc ausp <*ion of Stanton
is regarded as masterly ..ml wonderful!;
shrewd. Tho President quotes Stanton's rc
ply to thc President's request that Stanto
should resign ; wherein Stanton says that cot
sidorations of a high public character lea
??2> to withhold his resignation until tho no>
meeting of Congress. This, tho Prcsid?i
holds, was notonly adcclaration, but was d?fiai
I and utterly wanting in thc respect due fro
I Stanton to his superior officer. Thc point
made, that Stanton could not appeal to tl
i law creating thc War Department, beean
I that law gives thc President thc right to i
! move Stanton. The tenure of office, bill alo
! supported Stanton ; but that law did not coi
pol Stanton to retain thc office of Scoref
I of War. Tho President argues the ncticss
of unity and harmony among his constitntii
al advisers ; alludes to his having with I
one exception, retained the cabinet of
predecessor; states incidentally that tho o
inet was unanimous on hisjpolicy of rec
struction, and upon the unconstitutionality
the tcnuro of office bill. Stanton, hav
1 boon United States Attorney, was specii
consulted, and was emphatic and absoluto
his condemnation of tho bill as unoonst
al-. Thc most pointed specific charge, rc
! to thc Now Orleans riot?. According to tho
1 narrative, Gen. Baird reported fo Stanton tho
danger of thc riots, aod asked advice. Stnu
. ton not only withhold instructions to Baird,
hut kept, the despatch from thc President aud
his Cabinet until after tho occurrence of tho
i riot. Thc President holds, had Stanton ac
ted himsolf, or made message from Baird
known to his superior, the riot would hnvo
been prevented. He produoes a lotter from
Sheridan, to tho effect that, had Sheridan
boen advised of the danger, the riot
i oould have been avoided. Tho President
? concludes, that tho publio cannot complain of
j thc ohsnge, because the iudicious measures of
I the new SocrUiry have already saved mc ny
' mill ions of public treasure.
Virginia Conservative Convention.
RICHMOND, Dec. 12.-Tho Conservativo
Convention met this morning. The Commit
tee reported a scries of resolutions, which
were adopted unanimously as follows : Tho
first recognizes that by thc resuit of thc war,
slavery has been abolished, and it is not tho
desire of thc people of Virginia to ?duce to
slavery again a people emancipated by tho
events of tho war, aud by amendments to tho
Constitution of thc United States. The sec
ond assert? the right of Virginia to be re
stored to tho Union, and declares her inten
tion ie good faith to perform her duties to tho
Union. The ..ard protests against thc gov
erning of Virginia in any way not defined in
the Federal Constitution. Tho fourth adopts
tho language of thc resolut iou adopted at tho
Cooper InstiiUto, New York, that Military
Governments are subversive of thc fundamen
tal ideas of our Government, and its object,
which is to subj cot tho people of thc Southern
States to thc rule of a race just emerged from
davcry, is abhorront to the civilization of man
kind, ami the Northern people, in surrender
ing, ns it does, one third of tho Senate, and
moquartcr of the House of Reprcsenjtativosf
irlib aro without auy of tho training, lrffl>T&f
>r traditions of self-government. Fifth dis
claims all hostility to thc black population,
md asserts that tho people of Virginia sin
jerely desire to soo their advanoc in intelli
gence, and are willing to extend to them lib
jral protection ; but While any Constitution
idopted by tho State, should make all men
jqual before tho law, yet this Convention dis
tinctly declares that Governments of thc States
ind Union were formed by white men, to b ?
jubjoct lo their control, and suffrage should
itill bo regulated so as to oontinuc both under
control Of tho white race.
A resolution vas adopted, authorizing tho
Central Committee to take steps for testing
the constitutionality of thc Reconstruction
Acts in the United Stales Supreme Court.
In discussing this resolution, Gen. Imbodcu,
who had sued out a mandamus against Gen.
Schofield, stated that his oaso, with similar
ouos relative to suffrage iii Alabama and Mis
sissippi, would bc onrried to tho Supreme
Court.
Thc President was authorized to appoint a
oommittoe to prepare an address to tho poople
of Virginia and of tho United States, and tho
Convention adjourned sine die.
After thc adjournment, Hon. R. M. T.
Hunter made a short addross, in answer to
calls, iu which bc said that between slavery
and military rule, bc preferred the latter-for
the mon who wioldod tho latter wore of his
own race. He" cited llayti and Jamaicans
results ot negro rule, and believed that the
radical majority in Congress, if they expected
to control thc blacks and provont their excess
es, would find themselves woefully mistaken.
To give the blaoks thc power of governments,
in the Southern States would be tho highest
crimo against naturo, and he boliovod "whot
t.bn Midrib ?aw- tim rounW?, tV?/?*rt .?..>?*,vl 1>U
ro-action Which would sweep sm\u govorr
meats from the face of Amcric?.. This got
oration has suffered, and riv.y Raffor moro
but tho State will live and loo1* baok at th
period as only a dark ei'?sodo. Tho scout
now passing may make men truer to tho Sta
willoh gave them birth.
ATLANTA, Doodtnbor 12.-Tho Reco
st ruction Convention passed a ruliof ordinnn
? this morning, introduced by R. B. Bullook,
j Richmo'idv which reads as follows :
" Jl it enacted, <fc, That from and af
the pitssing of this ordinance, all levies wh
ha.ee been or may bo made under exe
?ion, issued from any oourtof this Stato, si
bo susponded unfci&this Convention shall li
taken, or refused to taite, final action xi]
tho matter of relief ; and that all sales un
executions, in . violation of this ordinal
shall bc null and wid, and of no effcot."
The Georgia Supremo Court 1ia"?nig d
ded that the stay laws of tho last Hoglsjat
?re unconstitutional, this ordinanoo, whiq
is understood will ty onfofecd. by Gdtt.'r;
commanding this Military Btstriet, tm! ?<
rate rn? a barrior to. all legal notions tipo?
vate debts, until tho Convcn^on eau, a,o,tj