Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, January 08, 1857, Image 1
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sa^iV^k^ton, l^p"610"' An Independent Journal: For the Promotion of the Political, Social, Agricultural and Commercial Interests of the South. | lb wis *. oeisi, r?buih?r.
VOL h ., YORKVILLE, S. C., THTJESLAY, JANUARY 8, 1857. NO.l. '
I Bill ? II II inMimBTMWlimwrrMlMm ??
<f jjoict l^lrrg.
From the Raleigh Standard.
. REdl/IEDI.
For Col. 1'. .11. Futlert Commander of the Palmetto
Fey intent, who fell at the battle of Churubuseo.
WOK PS ASl) MUSIC BY MRS. A. V. PESDLETOX.*
Mournfully, sing mournfully,
j The dirge note sad and slow,
For many a bright and shining head
Lies in its glory low.
Our noble chief lies low to-day.
Our gallant Butler, has passed away.
He fell, as the brave would aver fall,
At the head of his faithful band,
His breast to the foeman's cannon mouth,
His sword grasped in his hand.
But the eagle soaring to the sky,
Has fallen to the earth?to die!
Mournfullv. sine mournfully,
Our noble chief is gone!
His sword is broken,?his plume lies low,?
His banner is soiled and torn.
But peace to thy ashes,?thy race is run,?
Sweet be thy slumbers, thou gifted one.
Yes! well may we mourn that Southern hand,
For few will return to tell,
How boldly struggling, hand to hand, I
They bravely fought and fell!
A sad and mournful Requiem then
For Butler and his gallant men. '
*The music to which these words are arranged
was presented at the.State Fair in Raleigh, on the (
14 th.
Clje frrss.
ANNUAL ADDRESS
OF
WILLIAM B, JOHNSTON, ESQ , :
BEFORE THE PRESS ASSOCIATION*.
I dare not hope, my worthy co-laborers and 1
frieDds, that, in the brief address my limited
time has permitted me to prepare, I can
do justice to the Asssoeiation, or to the subject
most appropriate to the present occasion.
Until recently notified that, in consequence
of an appointment made two years since, our
worthy President expected an address at this
time, I was under the impression our organization
had been abandoned. The duties and
responsibilities of an independent press, its t
use and abuse, comprehend so many suggestive
points for deep and mature ihought, and (
require such high literary qualifications to j
discuss them properly, that I approach the a
subject with diffidence, and feel that 1 can
but very imperfectly discharge the duty assigned
me.
A free and well-regulated press is the
chief-ground-work and support of political
liberty. We have reason to be grateful,
that nowhere upon earth arc its blessings
more fully realized than in the United States.
There is Dot a habitation in the land where
its teachings may not be enjoyed. The
stroke of the pioneer's axe scarcely ceases
to be heard, his cabin rcaied in the wilderness,
or the virgin soil received the first
seeds from his hand, ere the printer, with
his types, begins to sow intelligence around
him. From the Atlantic to the Pacific, all
over this wide-spread domaiu of liberty,
there is not a spot that is not gladdened with
the genial influences of an unfettered press.
Everywhere, in the busy mart or iu the retirement
of the country, will we discover the
evidences of the high estimation which the
American people place on this mighty instrument
of civilization and enlightenment.
But while we have good cause to exult in
and appreciate the vast importance and manmanifold
benefits of a free press, it becomes
those of us who are connected with its management
to study carefully, honestly and
faithfully its duties, priviledges and responsibilities?to
seek out and become familiar
with the details necessary to the fulfilment
of its true mission, that we may guide and
control it for the best interests of our coun- j
try and society; that we may wield its |
mighty influence in behalf of virtue and .
truth; and in support of the Constitution j
and the public good ; and wield it, too, iu j
the defence of our rights against all en- j
croaehments from designing or ambitious
politicians, and the fanatical assaults of mis- i
guided or knavish philanthropy.
Gentlemen, we are called to a high and i
and responsible station when we undertake !
to conduct the free press of a free people.? j
While the only restrictions on this mighty ;
v engine, are those designed to prevent ifs li- j
centiousness, yet it behooves us to guard j3
well its purity and fidelity?to keep it strict- : 3
ly within its legitimate sphere. We con- i y
ceivc the first duty of a press, under a gov-1
eminent like ours, to be the inculcation of j0
a reverence for the constitution and a strict j
obedience to the laws of the country. So 1
long as the provisions of the compact which !
associates the States in political UDion are c
jealously observed, so long, and so long on- 1
ly, will our rights and liberties be safe.? 1
That masterly production of pure patriots ^
has withstood many a shock ; and although c
it may have been deviated from in some in- ^
stances, yet, thanks, to the indomitable pat- j ^
riotism of the American people, it still sur- j ^
vives?the beacon light to the people of ev- j ?
ery nation, kindred and tongue who seek for e
liberty. Throughout the political history of s
the United States, I am gratified to say, the a
reader will discover that the people of the 1
South have been ever found among its warm- F
est supporters and most vigilant conserva- *
tors. South Carolina, among the faithful,
will be fouud pre-eminently devoted to the e
preservation of the Constitution. Her pub- c
lie men have been distinguished for their t
strict adherence to, aud ardent defeuce of j'
that magna charter of our rights and liber- a
ties. The name of Calhoun is identified with p
it, and the whole labor of his brilliant ca- j a
reer?the highest aspiration of his mighty fl
intellect?was to preserve it in its original j
strength, beauty aud vitality. Cliuging to p
it with a devotion which stamped his public s
career with the living impress of genuine s
patriotism, he stood forth among his com- a
peers the champion of the Republic, and o
struggled for its perpetuation in the oaljr t
way it can be perpetuated, by a rigid con- i
struction of its requirements and an unvary- 1
ing adhereuce to its wise provisions. Down 1
to his latest breath, breathed as it were, in (
the Senate Chamber, that Constitution was i
his guiding star. i
Nor is South Carolina now without her <
representatives in this fidelity. That vener- s
able Senator, whoso patriotism and dovotion ?
to the constitutional rights of the South so a
recently aroused the hate of the abolition i
horde and furnished a pretext for the viru- a
lent denunciation of a shameless slanderer? f
that statesman who bears a name indellibly 11
written on the historic p: ge of Carolina's v
patriotism and valor, whose locks have be- f
come snowy-white in the service of his State a
is known at Washington by the honorable r
. /?ii rt. iS._ 1
distinction 01 tne "guaruian 01 me uonsiuu- c
tion." Me has justly won the title and r
wears it deservedly. Before closing this di- a
gression I may remark, and it is with pride
and pleasure I do so, that fidelity to the Con- ii
stitution and unwavering loyalty to the b
South and their own State in these day of ii
wild fanaticism and fury, have characterized c
the public oonduct of all the representatives o
of Carolina in the councils of the Confeder- n
acy. s
Why is the Constitution so carefully guar- t
ded by our public men ? Because they u
know that it is alone under its saviug influ- n
ences the rights and liberties of their constit- v
uents can be. secure. This is especially true f
with regard to the political interests of the n
South; without the Constitution, its restric- S
tions and limitations, they would be at the r
mercy of an irresponsible majority, a ma- r
jority, too, whose aim and purpose, whether j
inspired by fanaticism, or dictated by more | s
unworthy or unpatriotic motives, is their tl
prostration and ruin. It behooves the Sou- k
them press, then, to battle for the Constitu- s<
tion, to be ever found among its defenders, a
ind to cling to it with unwavering devotion, o
50 that in the day of the final struggle, n
which I believe from present indications ii
must arrive, the people of the South may o
joine out of the contest with their honor uu- a
laruished, their rights and institutions main- jc
awed and vindicated, and tnatin tne iorui-1 u
ition of a new Confederacy, they may still si
ilaim as their own that unerring chart of w
epublican liberty. a
There are other duties devolving upon ti
he conductors of the press which more
mmediately relate to the welfare, virtue w
md happiness of the community. Edi- c]
ors, by all means, should jealously watch c]
>vcr their columns, lest the slightest taint of b
mmorality or impurity should be found vj
here. The newspaper once a luxury has cj
>econie a necessity to every family, arid no sj
uatter how attractive may be the garb in t}
vhich wrong teachings arc clothed, they p
ihould be rigidly excluded from its pages.? r(
?lash novelettes, highly colored descriptions fo,
?f fashionable vices, thrilling accounts of a
nurdcrs, robbery and other crimes, constant a]
mblications of the foibles and failings of a
luman nature, all teud to the demoralization fc
if the taste, especially of the young reader. jj,
'f we desire to see our children grow up p,
'irtuous,' the purity of our magazine and p(
lewspapcr literature must be assidiously ft
patched over and cultivated. And this must tl
>e doue, for the reasou that it counts its ^
housand readers among the young, while ai
vorks of a higher standard of literature are tl
otally neglected by them. In this respect,
hen, the conductors of the press have a res- a<
lonsibility resting upon them which cannot e,
/v; Uitag?ivv?.
It is reasonable to suppose that in this day ci
)f universal reading; the peace and happiness e<
>f very many must be affected and acted up- j
>n by what may be called their daily mental I e,
bod. It is much easier to pull down than | u
juild up, and all history teaches us that' e;
imong the peoples who have passed away, | c]
he seeds of decay first germinated in the <,;
:orruption of licentiousness, and that the I u<
irst steps towards the destruction and down- j 0|
all of ruined nations were those taken from | n,
he paths of religion and morality. Then, j :u
is a brotherhood of teachers, whose influence ; ni
jenctrates into the domestic circle of every t|
ireside in the land; as patriots, who de- c(
lire to transmit to those who come after t]
is our heritage of liberty; as men, as fath- p,
srs, and as brothers, we cannot be held justiiable
in the sight of flod or man if we fail jj
o discharge our duty in this respect with i jj,
he utmost fidelity. Happily for the South, i
ind it speaks volumes in her favor, the style J c(
ind matter of some flash licentious prints we j ,?i
lave seen emanate from Boston and Xew 1 (ji
fork, are not imitated in her latitude. They : ^
:ould not exist, because within her borders j ?(
hey would find neither patronage nor en- j f0
:ourageuibnt. ! jj,
A very offensive feature of the journalism J fe
if the day is the system of universal and ! tli
ndiscriminatc ''puffing" of every person aud o\
hing for which some slight equivalent may ! d<
lave beeu given. The public are fast losing ! b(
onfidence in editors' notices of exhibitions, j X
looks, quack medicines, charlatans and hum- i cl
tugs ; and, until the press shakes off the j di
labit, and abandons the idea that everything i fli
:ood, bad or indifferent, has to be commend- j ej
d, for a notice of which they have been j of
lightly complimented, the readers #f journ- j ai
,1s will think the space devoted to such no- j
ices very poorly occupied, and will very j ar
iroperly give up paying any attention to j ju
hem I si,
\ . ,.r j !
niiuuici uu iui tuuacu i;uaitiv;ici isuu ui UlUU- | a
rn political journalism is a growing tenden- j its
y to personalities, invective and abuse of j re
hose who differ from us. This is really in-1 lit
urious, not perhaps so much to the public, j pi
s to journalists themselves. Our own ex-! be
lerience, and that of others we have beeu | to
cquainted with, teach us that, after cool re- i te
lection, departures from the true mission of 1 cr
ourualisin bring nothing but regret to the ge
tarty who permits himself so to deviate. In I Tl
aying this, however, I must not be under- pe
tood as favoring any restriction on the just! sc
nd beneficial criticism?the free expression j lit
f opinion, whether of praise or censure, on i an
he publio acta of publio men. If eternal 1 se
rigilancc bo the price of liberty, it is cot ony
within the legitimate province of the press,
iut it is one of its highest and most sacred
luties, to arrest the triumphant demagogue
n his career?to expose his hollow-heartedless
and selfishness?and to point out the
laDger to public liberty by the elevation of
luch an one to any office of trust within the
jift of the people. From this duty, fortunitcly
for us connected with the press of this
State, we are comparatively exempt. There
ippears to be a noble guiding and ruling
>rinciple in the nature and composition of
he men whom the people of Carolina honor
nth their confidence, that prevents them
rom becoming untenable to the strictures of
i free but conservative press. The public
ecords of the State and of the country will
tear me out in this eulogium on the general
ectitude and fidelity of the public officers
nd statesmen of South Carolina.
But if a man's public acts, or'the manner
n which he discharges the duties lie assumes,
ie legitimate subjects of editorial supervisor
we must never forget that his private
haracter and reputation are exclusively his
wn. They cannot be made the theme for
lewspapcr gossip, or be dragged forth to
crvc political purposes, without the prostiution
of that great instrumentality placed
inder our control. I he publication that
oakes its columns the medium through
rhich the prejudices, spleen, or revengeful
eelings of its conductor may be gratified,
oust soon become a wholesale slanderer.?
luch a priut should he stricken from the
_n .n i.i~ : i:? ... ?.i.? ..e
I'll Ul IIUKJUIilUIC Jt'UI IKUIM1I il? UNUUIli'V Ul
ecognitiou by its compeers or cotemporarics. j
It is true that editors are men of like pas* I
ions and feelings as others around thciu, but
hose of us who have had any experience,
now that one of the highest and most oscntial
qualifications for the profession is the
bility to control them when truth, honor j
r virtue is required to be sacrificed. The j
tan who cannot absolutely govern himself
i this respect, is always liable to desecrate ;
neoftlio highest and noblest vocations,!
nd should never undertake to conduct a
jurnal in a civilized community. The inividual
who recklessly enters this profeson,
most wofully mistakes his calling, and
ill eventually be compelled to retire from
field of labor for which lie is neither tncnilly
or morally fitted or qualified.
There is another duty devolving upon those
ho conduct the press, which should justly
aim our attention. In endeavoring to disbarge
it properly, we should be governed
y the same general rule already mentioned,
iz : that the public good and welfare of soicty
should be placed above all other conderatious.
The duty to which I refer is
le exercise of a wise discrimination iu the
ublieation of articles from anunymous corispondents.
Indeed no correspondent should .
e unknown to the editor. I do not regard i
public journal as a sort of omnibus, where
1 who pay or contribute to its support have .
right to jump in and ride, without any re- j
: re nee whatever to the welfare, comfort or j
nppincss of others. I hold that no corres- j
undent, even should he be my staunchcst.
ersonal and political friend, and subscribe |
ir hundreds ot copies or rny paper, has ]
lereby any preemption claim to the use of ;
s columns for the indulgence of private
ninjosity or personal abuse, and I cannot
link that one who thoroughly understands
le duties and responsibilities of his position,
; the manager of a public journal, would
rcr conseut to sell his columns, be the price
hat it may, to any writer who has no highr
objects in view than those just mentioni.
In times of high political excitement this
ril in the management of a paper creeps in
nawares, escaping the vigilance of the most
sperienced editor; but when the boisterous
aims of party do not dim his usual clearghtedncss,
and when the public good canot
be subserved by the free use of the pen
f pungency, satire, or ridicule, be ought
ever to permit a writer to wantonly assail
i opponent, or to tear him from the retirelent
aod endearments of social and domesc
life?to hold up to the rude gaze of a
jusorious world his foibles and weaknesses, !
lat private uialicc may be gratified, or the ;
my triumph of a party or cli'iue secured.
Ft is proper to remark, however, that a just |
iscriraination between the advocacy of potical
/in'm i/i/c, and the incre brawling for j
irtjf ascendency, should always be exercis- *
1. The public gnod is involved iu the le- j
rimate discussion of principles; but the,
sputes of party have seldom any higher aim i
inn the elevation of its members to office or J
.iwer?they are generally mere squabbles '
r the spoils. J'n'itcijiks can be freely, I
rmly and thoroughly discussed without af- J
cting the private character or reputation of j
inse who hold tlieni. while the wrantdim? :
.......t r -o
cr the trumpery issues of mere party soon ;
generate into personal abuse and scurrility .
itweun the opposing factions or cliques, j
o press that has any respect for its own ;
laraeter, or which fully appreciates the
gnity of its high position, can lend its inlence,
at the expense of truth and deceuto
aid in the elevation of any man or set
' meu who cau thus prostitute principle j
id talent.
There are many bright spots, and there
e very many pleasant associations, found
editorial life, and we could earnestly dere
that it was all made up of friendly coursies
and kind reciprocations, both among
s conductors and their readers. But we
gret to say it is not always thus. A few
ics written in haste, or during an excited
ilitical campaign, have too often separated
'St friends, and brought trouble and sorrow
many a happy household. What is writu,
and printed and distributed canuot be
ased. It is uot like u word tjwkm in anr
or haste?soon forgotten and forgiven,
be printing machine has given it such a
Tiuaneney aud currency that time itself can
arcely efface the one. nor extent of couutry
nit the other. It may be written as pleas- 1
itry, or deemed justifiable retort, yet that
Dteoce may wound au afflicted spirit or
goad to anger a prrud and sensitive nature. 1
Its consequences tna^ be such as were never 1
dreamed of by the writer, and may return s
to himself with such an accumulation of evil c
as he never imagined he would be called c
upon to suffer. It was a principle of an c
ejOMnent statesman of Ireland that uo politi-! c
caf advantage was worth a crime, and this j
principle applies with as much force to the J
conductor of a public journal as to the states- t
man. Wc may properly labor for political! b
victory, and the best feelings of our nature I o
will induce us to seek the approbation of I
those around us, qoth will be dearly pur- 1
chased if acquired by dishonorable means, j b
or if they brinu; with them the knowledge -
that they have been gained at the expense d
of another's peace, happiness and reputation, a
That knowledge will assuredly throw a bligiit- S
ing influence over ourselves, even in the g
brightest hours of our triumph and rejoi- r
cing. a
It is true that the stand poiut from which s
an editor looks out on the busy world, and s
the actors on that stage, affords him many
advantages, and supplies him with peculiar
facilities to be of service to his fellow-men ;
but at the same time it invests him with a 11
responsibility which requires a sound judg- ^
meut, a wise discretion, and a living active ^
moral principle to rightly discharge the du- *
ties under its control. We may not be able 0
to say when we come to lay down our pens j
that we never wrote a line we would wish to j ^
see erased; for that perfection can scarcely j J"1
be expected amid the cares and labors of a : ^
newspaper office; but we may have the sat- w
isfactiun of knowing, when we come to lay J n
aside these cares and labors, that honesty of i a
purpose and purity of motive have ever gui-1 0
ded our pens and dictated our compositions, j ^
If we can say this conscientiously, we must ^
have been instrumental in effecting some 81
good. And if all who have now the charge "
of the public journals of the country were "
to cleave to this rule of conduct, who dare | c
not believe that we would be more successful 0
in accomplishing the great mission of the ^
press? Who can measure the extent of the l(
results to society and to the country were its u
iniipriultum nnribwl r\f ovorr nntrnrlKtt mniri_
jvuiiiuiiouj pui pVU VI v.iv>t j uunuiiuj iuuiu- p
her, and controlled entirely by men of intellect,
high moral firmness and unsullied
integrity ? When that day in the annals of
journalism arrives, the country will be safe,
and will make more rapid progress in the
great work of securing the stability of her
republican institutions than she has done in [
the four-score years of her independence as
a nation.
A few words now in 1 Jatiun to our peri- J
odical literature, and the manner in which
that of the South has been supported by her
people. Numerousattctnpts have been made,
and much money expended, in efforts to establish
Southern literary papers and pcriodi- j
eals, but where, throughout the record to j
day, can be found any evidences of their j
success? The Southern Quarterly Review in j
its last issue publishes a "final appeal " to
its subscribers and the public for a support.
it so righteously deserves. The Southern j
Literary Messenger, although one of the old- j
est and among the best conducted monthlies j
of the day, receives a very inadequate sup-1
port. Literary papers have been started in j
Charleston, Augusta and Columbia, but they j
had only a brief and poverty-stricken ev" ,
eticc?are now dead and forgotten. Otner
efforts are still being made to build up a periodical
literuture of our own?but with what
success time alone can determine. Notwithstanding
this condition of affairs, our people
are a reading people. Harper's, Putnam's
and Graham's Magazine, and a host of literary
and so-called "family papers," pub- ni
lished at the North, count their thousanu (j)
*1 1 1 ?1,? I
upuu luuudiiiiu ui ruuui-ia iu iuu uuuiuv;iu ^
States. Indeed it would appear that the af
word "Southern" inscribed on the title
page of a periodical or journal is sufficient
to ensure its failure. Who can solve this es
mystery?who explain this straDge inconsis* n)
tency? It is not because the talent is wan- te
ting, for the records of literature will show j jf
enough of that commodity at the South. 0I
Wc have thought of ouc cause of the de- j ^
pressed condition of our periodical publica- m
tions, and it is this?it is that talent is not | w
freely enough given to sustain the efforts of | CL
Southern publishers. It may be said talent; j?
finds a better market at the North than here 1 Uj
?that the old and well established periodi- j m
cals there can aud do pay better than those ! ^
at the South. Admitted; but Southern!
writers should not be entirely mercenary ' ^
wlieu patriotism and devotion to the South 1 ec
and her institutions claim some pecuniary : m
sacrifice. Divide that sacrifice with the en- I pC
terprising, but struggling publisher, and j t0
relieve to some extent from the necessity of j c
going to other sources to procure literary i ^
matter for his publication. Let our native j ),?
talent arouse from its unpatriotic inditfer- j jr
encc, and give a hearty co-operation to every j jn
deserving effort put forth to build up a liter-! ^
ature of our own. Let that literature bear j jthe
impress of Southern genius, thus giving I ejj
it, aye, a sectional toue and character, and w
we will then be relieved from an entire de- j
*!?.?+ ftf o c/mfiAn wlincfl nrncc I
pcuuuuv;c UIJ tuuv w* ** Cvuuuu, ??*tvov j
as a whole, is inimical to us, and whose voice ! ar
as a people has so recently and so emphati- ^
eally pronounced against us and our iustitu- n,
tious. | wj
But literary contributions alone will not to
ensure success. The brightest intellects of se
the day may enrich the columns of our peri- co
odical press: but if the means to secure such th
talent, or to give the literary efforts now be-1 br
iug made, a fair trial to attain permanent vi- E
tality be wanting, then will all be in vain, to
Where a literary jourual of the South has C<
oue subscriber it ought to have a hundred; wl
and instead of a Southern Review or Peri- ti<
odical counting its subscribers by hundreds, gl
it should number them by thousands. With la
proper effort it can be done. Let the duty br
of extending the circulation of these publi- E
cations be felt by all, and ere many years Ji
elapse we can point to a periodical literature pe
which will equal, if not excel, that for which
we have been so loo{ paying tribute to New at
o.fcv - ,#k..
England and the North. Let those who th
lave the means contribute out of their w
ibundance to the good work, and they will pi
lo as much for their section, for their chil- wi
Iren, and their family circles, as they could ti?
lo in auy other service which patriotism may ed
ilairn at their hands. dc
I do not deem it inappropriate on the in
>resent occasion to linger a few moments at ta
he tomb of a friend and co-laborer. The Fi
irilliant intellect and distinguished talents T1
>f one of the most gifted of our corpse no fo:
onger illume the journalism of South Caroina?they
are quenched in the tomb. He be
las fallen in the strength of early manhood so
?but he fell with the harness on. In his og
Icath the South has lost an able, earnest, It<
nd eloquent advocate, and the press of this ex
state one of the most briliant stars in the cit
;alaxy of its contributors. Poesy has al- R<
eady woven many beautiful garlands to til
doin his tomb; but let bis memory be en- gli
hrined in our affections and perpetuated by ga
oftie testimonial of our appreciation of his T1
jfty talents and his unwavering devotion to m<
'outhern Rights and Southern Institutions, st:
In conclusion, my co-laborers, I would say su
t was not my intention in preparing this ad- be
rcss to write a homily, or in delivering it, an
0 preach you a sermon. Those with whom ce
am more nearly connected?the members 1
f this Association, the editors of South ab
'arolina?need no lectures from me; but it ; it
ehooves us all to sustain the well-earned i of
pputatiou of the South Carolina press. Let ph
'ruth, Honor and Integrity, be our watch- po
ord and motto?let the promotion of virtue I N<
nd the suppression of vice be our highest i ha
itn?let strict fidelity to the best interests of j thi
ur State, and not loyalty to party or faction, j
e the rule of our conduct. We will then j an
avc fulfilled our mission with honor to our- ; thi
elves and with advantage to our country wi
nd Commonwealth. A press so conducted m<
1 one of the greatest blessings under Heav- an
o o
n a people cau enjoy ; - and, in the language TI
f an orator and statesman, it ? will shake pa
own from its height corruption, and bury po
; beneath the ruins of the abuses it was it.
icant to shelter.
Select leabhtg..
?de- b
bv iiow.vnn h. caldwei.i.
Prepared for and sung at the Masonic Banquet on ~
Saturday evening la*t.~\
Fur in tlie twilight of old Time, Pr
Fair Masonry her life began ; frc
And saintly deeds and rites sublime rei
In every age, in every clime,
Thro' her were given to man.
aic
For in her solemn Council Hall a |
Are taught each moral, social good ; ,
To rich, to poor, to great, to small,
Alike her heavenly accents call ha
Man one great Hrothcrhood! J0(
In life, her voice to virtue leads,
And sets each mind from error free ; fee
She points the way to noblest deeds,
And o'er a brother's grave she spread? ,
The green acacia tree. j "ei
fro
' Light from the East!" to every laud 0f
The universal symbols go,
To guide, instruct, restrain, command, a'1
And with a tender mother's hand
She wipes the tenrs of woe. a-.
Her countless benedictions draw an
Their power and unction from on high ; th<
All Hiram knew, all Enoch saw
Are Iter's ; and that most perfect law,
The great Taskmaster's eye! W'1
PIS;
From Haydcn's Dictionary of Dates. a I
? riv
CURIOSITIES OF HISTORY. aft
Copper.?It is one of the six primitive tin
etals. Its discovery is said to have preee- ne'
h! that, nf iron. Wo read in the Serin- thr
ires of two vessels of fine copper, precious | bel
i gold. Ezra, viii. 27. The great divisi- j Be
ility of this metal almost exceeds belief; a j thr
rain of it dissolved in alkali, as pearl ash- bei
i, soda, &c., will give a sensible color to av
ore than 500,000 times its weight in wa- firs
r; and when copper is in a state of fusion, est
the least drop of water touch the melted of
e, it will fly about like shot from a gun.? out
he mine of Fahlun, in Sweden, is the cro
ost surprising artificial excavation in the cur
orld In England, copper mines were dis- at i
>vercd in 1501, and copper now forms an ' abc
imense branch of British trade; there are ]
Dwards of fifty mines in Cornwall, where tha
ining has been iucreasec since the reign of ly j
'illiam III. ent
Copper Mump.?The Romans, prior to | vio
c reigu of Servius Tullius, used rude pie- j in
s of copper money. In England, copper \ pro
ouey is of extensive coinage. That pro-! son
>sed by Sir Robert Cotton was brought in- get
use in' 1009. Copper was extensively thii
liued in 1065. It was again coined by the tral
rown, 23 Car. II, 1(572. Private traders ply
id made them previously to this act. In ]
eland, copper was coined as early as 1339 ; ref<
Scotland, in 1400; in France, in 1580. \ ber
rood's coinage in Ireland commenced in j froi
'23. Penny and two-penny pieces were Sta
itensively issued 1797. The half-farthing j ter<
as coined in 1843, but seems disused. i the
Cum.?The origin of its cultivation is whi
tributed to Ceres, who, having taught the ' me,
t to the Egyptians, was deified by them, ]
109 B. C. The art of husbandry, and the exc
ethod of inakiug bread from wheat and j seq
ine from rice, is attributed by the Chinese i and
Ching Noung, the successor of Fohi, and 1
cond monarch of China, 1998 B. C. But the
irn provided a common article of food from que
e earliest ages of the world, and baking gra
cad was known in the patriarchal ages.? Rn
xodus, xii. 15. Wheat was introduced iu- trie
Britain in the sixth centurv bv Coll an i8r
? J -J r
>11 Frewi. The first importation of corn of culi
bich we have a note, was in 1347. lloun- ]
;s were granted on its importation into Ea- oro
and in 1680. Its importation from Ire- 18t
nd to England has long formed a vast ]
anch of trade. The new London Corn- cro
xchange, Mark Lane, London, was opened Mr
ine 23, 1828, and was erected at an ex- sho
snse of ?90,000. Lai
Cork Tree.?Called the Quercus subers one
id resembling the helm ; it is a speoies of jj
-* ' /
le oak; its fruit is an acorn, and its bark, cn
hen burned, makes the cork used for stop- dc
ug bottles, casks and other articles. Cork sh<
as in use among the ancients. The Egyp- Mi
ins made coffins of cork, which being lin1
with a resinous composition, preserved crc
sad bodies uncorrupted. The tree grows VV
great abundance on the Pyrencan moun- sh<
in3, and in other parts of Spain, iD Fo
ance and in the north of New England, fro
le cork tree was brought to England here
1690. prt
Cosmetics.?Preparations for improving Mi
auty were known to the ancients, and thi
me authorities refer them even to mythol- as
y, and others to the Grecian stage. The
3man ladies painted; and those of Italy the
celled in heightening their charms artifiilly,
by juices and colors, and by perfumes, cro
)uge has always been iu disrepute among tua
e virtuous and well-ordered women of Ensnd,
though some simple cosmetics are re- cro
rdcd as innocent, and arc in general use. at
le females of France and Germany point fou
)re highly than most other nations. A tha
imp was laid on cosmetics, perfumery, and
eh medicines as really or suppositiously see
autify the skin, or perfume the person, inc
d the venders were obliged to take out li- ext
nses. . In
Cucumbers.?They grew formerly in great on<
undance in Palestine and Egypt, where, wh
is said, they constituted the greater part tha
the food of the poor and slaves. This est;
int is noticed by Virgil and other ancient thi
ets. It was brought to England from the avt
jtherlands, about 1538. English culture In
smuch improved the cucumber, of which thi
& framr-grown is most prized for its flavor, one
Dates.?Dates were first affixed to grants tie
d assignments 18 Edw. I., 1290. Before Sta
is time it was usual at least to pass lands tan
thout dating the deed of conveyance. Nu- one
;rous instruments of assignment enrolled Re
long our early records establish this fact, ed
le date is determined by the names of the ma
rties, particularly that of the grantor; the fall
ssession of land was proof of the title to is e
?llardie. the
OV(
From the Charleston Mercury.
? on
THE COTTON CROP. . m\{
Washington, Dec. 22, 185G. hot
Gentlemen :?Relieving, as I do, that a has
stematic effort has been carried on for years, the
this country and in England, by specula- 3^3
rs and manufacturers of our great staple, fou
)tton, to swell the estimates of the annual as
oductioD, in order that it may be obtained, wh
>m its honest producers, at less than'its 8tm
il and intrinsic value; and desirous, if I inc
n, to afford the planters of the South some 0fl
1 by which they may be induced to realize can
setter price, by holding their crops until the
e demand forces a fair and just value?I the
ve concluded to send you the result of an ]
]uiry, which, for my own satisfaction, I in- tioi
tuted here, and which may have some ef- due
:t in accomplishing my object. ne?
I see that several estimates have recently ing
en published and sent to England, varying con
m 2,800,000 to 3,200,000 bales, neither gta
which, in my judgment, will likely be re- the
zed. cot!
It will be recollected that, last year, we the
d the credit of making 3,500,000 bales, Th<
d, I believe, about that quantity went to mal
; ports; but it is well known that, of that, wc
ionsiderable portion was of the crop of 1854 e3ti
lich had been retained in Alabama, Mis- tots
sippi, Arkansas and Texas, and perhaps in wj|]
)art of Louisiana, in consequence of low ce(j
ers and want of transportation, until long J
er the month of September, the usual
le of making up the estimates. I have flne
rer heard that portion estimated at less fon
in 200.000 hales, and. T am inclined to .
* 7 7 ? irui
icve, it would nearer approach 250,000. gro.
this as it may, 3,500,000 bales were (w}
qwn into the market from the 1st Septem- 0f j
, 1855, to September, 1S56; and during Dea
rar in Europe, for about five months of the <jou
t of the season, with a high rate of inter- not
for money in Eng and, and a higher rate t0 g
prices for provisions than usual through- j?fc
; the civilized world, and yet the whole y0U
p was sold, leaving no extraordinary ac- by I
uulation in Liverpool, and commanding,
the very last of the .sales in this- country,
>ut 12 cents per pound.
In addition to this, it is very well known
t the crop of last year was more complete- I
sold out at the commencement of the pres- ^eet
than has been known in many years pre- ?f
us; and the present season found Europe ^ect
peace, with no serious falling off" o| the t^ei
vision crop anywhere, with no known rea- oom
why money matters should be as strin- Per'
it as last year, with prices of almost every- PaP
ng ranging higher than usual, and Aus- co'?
lia and California yielding their usual sup- 8001
of gold. ?tte
Bearing these facts in mind, let me now ^ ^
ir to the result of my inquiry, among mem- W,DI
s of Congress (without concert together) J5*101
in different parts of every cottOD-growing lDe.
te in the Union, many of whom are plan- unD;
>, and nearly all of whom left br-^e after ^ee^'
pickiug season was far advanced, and ??V?
ose statements, in writing, I have before raor
but
^n Texas, Gen. Rusk thinks the crop will broa
eed that of 1855, by 20 per cent., in con- dep<
uence of increase of land in cultivation, ^P1
I hands from immigration. If y
.n Arkansas, Senator Johnson estimates mor
crop at 10 per cent, increase, in coDaesnoe
of extended cultivation from immi- c'rc
tion. Mr. Greenwood the same. Mr. 0<^:
st thinks the crop will be short in his dis- aD(^
120 per cent, on the lands cultivated in *rea
)5, but makes no estimate irom extended ky t
tivation. ^
'.n Louisiana, Mr. Sandige estimates the jt
p as 20 per cent, short of the crop of ^
. . mot
in Mississippi, Mr. Bennet estimate* the ((j
p at one third less than the crop of 1855;
. Barksdale the same, that is, at one-third
rt; Gen. Quitman at one-third short; Mr.
le at one-fourth short and Mr. Wright at Qr(j(
fourth short.
[ft Alabama, Mr. Shorter estimates the 1
^ -
>p at one-fourth short of 1855; Mr. DowII
one-third short; Mr. Harris one-third
art; Mr. Cobb at one-fourth short, and
r. Houston atone-half short.
In Georgia, Mr. Crawford represents the
>p at 371 per cent, short of last year; Judge
arner one-third short; Mr. Cobb one-half
jrt; Mr. Stephens two-thirds short; Mr.
ster at 60 per cent, short, and Mr. Frip
m 37* to 50 per cent, short.
In Tennessee, Mr. Rivers (Memphis) reisents
the crop one-half shoit ofl?55j
Wricht one-half short; Air. .Tones one
o 7
rd short, and Mr. Reedy (Middle Tenn.)
mnoh as last year. ... *
In North Carolina, Mr. Craig estimates
s crop at one-third short of 1855.
In Florida, Mr. Maxwell estimates the'
ip as short, "decidedly, but makes no estite.
In South Carolina, Mr. Orr estimates the
ip at one-fourth shurt of 1855; Mr. Keitt
one-third short, and Mr. Brooks at oneirth
short Mr. Boyce and myself at more
in one-l'ourth short.
By reference to these estimates, it may be
n that Texas will make twenty per cent,
rcaee extreme; Arkansas ten per cent,
xeuie; Louisiana twenty per cent, short.
Mississippi three estimates make the crop
j-third short, and two one-fourth short,
ich would justify an estimate at more
u one-fourth deficit. In Alabama two
imatesgive one-fourth falling off, twoonerd,
and one one-half, which indicates an
>rage of a little less than one-third deficit.
Georgia, the greatest falling off is two- ,
rds of the crop, and the least is more than
third, giving, as a fair average, but litmore
than half a crop throughout the
ite. In Tennessee, the two roost ithport
districts are estimated one-half of a crop,
at two-thirds, and one full crop, (Mr.
addy's,) where the cotton is manufactnrat
Nashville, and does not affect the estitc
at the ports. North Carolina gives ft
ing off of one-third. In Florida, the crop
stimnted as short. In South Carolina,
i average deficit is estimated at slightly
sr 2o per cent. It will be seen from this,
it a general estimate of one fourth deficit,
the entire cotton crop, would be less than
?ht be stated upon the above data ; still,
vcver, let us make the estimate upon that
lis, and assuming, as I think, correctly,
real crop grown in 1855 to have been ,
00.000 bales, and the present crop ga ouerth
short, being 825,000 bales, we have,
the crop grown this year, 2,475,000, #
ich will not be greatly exceeded, notwithnding
there is, in all the Stated
reased cultivation, and a greater number
lands employed. Many of these hands
i only produce au increased quantity in
ir new fields, while their labor is a loss to
States from whence they were taken,
ft may be well remarked in this counec*
1, that while there is an increase of pro*
ition from extended cultivation in the
rer States, there is a corresponding faH*
off from the deterioration taking {dace
stantlv on old plantations in the older
tes. It is, however, equally true that
re are hands carried oat from the nonton-growing
States, whose labor -adds to
annual increase of the culture of cotton,
jrefore, in view of all these things, in
king a liberal estimate of the actual crop,
may add 225,000 bales to the number
mated above, which gives the outside
il as 2,700,000 bales, which, probably,
I be found to be about the amouDt produpresume
it is hardly necessary for me to v
, that no speculative inducement has inneed
me in obtaining the foregoing innation.
I was actuated, in the beginning,
n a desire to inform myself as a cotton
wer in regard to the sale of my own efop,
lich is more than one third short of that
ast year,) and seeing no reason, whilst
rly all other products in this country have
bled their former price, why cotton should
keep pace in some degree; and wishing
;ivc its producers at large the benefit of
irmation that may be important to them,
may publish" this letter, to be received
them for what it is worth.
Your obedient servant,
jno. McQueen.
POINTS IN A GOOD HOB8E.
n purchasing a good horse, sight, wind,
and limbs must be the uppermost objects
aquiry; for nine horses out of ten are deive
in one of these particulars. First,
), examine his eyes, and do this before he
es out of the stable; see that they are
ectly clear and transparent, and that thet
ils of the eye arc exactly alike in siae and
r. Next examine his pipes; if good and
)d, ou being nipped in the gullet, he will
r a sound like that from a bellows; but
is luDgs arc touched, and he is broken
ded, he will give vent to a dry, husky
oam/vK IaaIt M Kia Yimka Qnrl in ttoaa.
? .W? ? -.w ?" J"*""
your hand down his legs, If you find any
atural protuberance, or puffiness, or if
ing first one leg then the other, you dis:r
any difference between them, disease,
eor less, is present; he inay not be lame,
he is not clean upon his legs. If he is
id and full between the eyes, he may be
jnded on as a horse of good seitAfe, and
ible of being trained to almost anything,
ou want a gentle horse, get one with
e or less white upon him; many suppose
, the parti-colored horses belonging to
uses, shows, &c., are selected for their
ity; bnt it is on account of their docility
gentleness; in fact, the more kindly you
A. Iaavmmam ih A AM ?1 AM M?I1 Wik
i uuraes, iuc ucuci juu vviii itc ircaicu
hem in return.?Spirit of the Times.
p" Mother," said a younger brother, " is
ght for James to take all the best of the
to him?" "Certainly not," said the
her. "Bat," said James in his defence,
only took half the bed." "Yes," said
ether boy, " but you lie right in tho
die, and take the soft part so that I am
ged to lie on both sides of the bed, in
sr to get my half!" ' 7
'hers is bo to-morrow for Mffhinf frisid? '
* '
: . ^