Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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f.* t?aa&ih ? ? .TTZAO J' SDnoz zat HOYT ?-GO., Proprietor^. ANDERSON C. H., S. C, THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 22, 1872. VOLUME VH~NO. 33. ?I. \.-~-7?1-?^^*^-gj ^ocej&ings of the Grand Chapter of Sooth -Carolina. ?7.TUK) IWiH'WCnARLWrW, Fab. 18,1872. i Tj^^Ml)CopTOcaty)n- of; the Grand Eoyal ft rfiTimiBl>imwl| fn\?*m i w hegun to bo holdeiSrtr Holmes* ,Lyctaiffl at 12 m. this day. J&i.xxaa Presente^mpanion, James lAv Hoyt, M. E. G. H. P.; Companion James Birnie, IL EL Dep. CK H. P.';' Companion E. W. Lloyd?. E. E Gr.: King; Companion.DJGaillard, E KGr. Scribe; Companion CvFrank Jaekson,B. R~Gr. Treasnrer; Companion Augustine T. Smythe, R. R Gr. Secretary; '(yompahipn "B." Z. Hern don, R R Gr^C.IL; Companion Harris Cov ington, R7? Gr. E. A. ?. ~ ' ~ . . i A constitutional quorum being found present, the Gw^ghiipter. was opened m doe and sol? emn form. a r , On motion of Companion Henry Buist, itj Resolved, That the reading of the "Minutes of the last Convocation be dispensed with, printed copies being in the hands of the members, and that the A!imites as printed be confirmed. On motion ?f ^ Companion 1'Ang^ine {Ik Resoled, That all Royal. Atc# 'JMasonkl in good standnrg/be allowed to 'W*n$ the? Convo? cation oftfefe Grand Chapter/. -T^< '"' ^Y At the rdj? bf ^ Grand High Priekt then presented his address, GEAND SIGH PRIEST'S ADDRESS, j j Cbtnpanims:?Once more we are assembled around the altar of Masonry, to counsel to? gether concerning the interests of the Eoyal Craft within this iirrisdiction. Anotheryear has been added to the cycles of the past, and we owe a debt of gratitude to. our Heavenly father for his watchful: care and: kind preser? vation. Let us recognise the deep obligations we are under to icve Him., supremely; and-as Ha was manifested to Moses from the midst of the burning bushat Mount fioxeb,?? we should humbly seek to have His dieine is.vor and be? nign countenance revealed unto us, that all our works may be pleasing in His sightj, and.-our feet be guided in the paths of duty and recti? tude. While convened in this' sanctuary of our sacred tabernacle, away from the rude gaze of the world and shielded from its' many tempta? tions, we should. strive to promote harmony and unity of purpose in all our actions, actua? ted by that fervency and real.which are ^right? fully denominated the principal characteristics of Eoyal Arch Masons. Relying upon divine favor foiiiuppbrt and guidance, and with pure intentions and zealous, purposes, the result of oar deliberations at this time must redound to the ho&or and .glory of the institution with which we are connected^-, a ?::'.' ./ ? i In nbmjtgng an account of my official trans? actions daring the past year, it may be well: to Eremise that private duties and engagements ave prevented any considerable effort upon my part to. asce rtai n the. condition ? of Eoyal Arch Masonry throughout this jurisdiction by personal visits to subordinate Chapters ; which would have afforded me unusual pleasure, 1 have no doubt, if circumstances had permitted. But it is a source of mraffiwpt^SttskO^itr^ mo that entire harmony prevails among the subordinate Chapters, so far as I am informed, and that naught has arisen during' the past year to merit censure Cr reproof from yonr pre aiding officer. The growth and prosperity of the subordinate Chapters, for the past several years, has been* unusually progressive; and it is my opinion that a period has been reached when we may take a 'retrospective, view and kam mach that is valuable. Masonry in gen? eral has been exceedmgty'' popular, *nd the Capitular Degrees- hare been, .sought by hun? dreds. An 'anxiety to Keep pace with this gen? eral progression has induced ? hasty growth ..of membership, and in many cas^s the zeal mani? fested atiihVrhresbhold of our sacred' taberna? cle has expired with the completion of the ritualistic usages. . Th3 candidate has received the degreesjin such an ?formal and hurried manner, thai he has failed to imbibe -the glori? ous principles -which lie buried beneath our symbolisms; and after a few visits to the Chap? ter, where he witnesses similar attempts upcn others, he drops away dtogethcr from attend? ance, andT>ecomes that tkwdescTtpt 'character ?an indifferent Mason. <?. I appeal to you, my Companions;,to sustain the' truth fulness of the picture, and that it has not been overdrawn.? But, allow me to repeat, the lime has arrived to look at these matters soberly and seriously. The surge oCpopularity has measurably rece? ded, ana among :he older Chapters- of this Ju? risdiction, especially, a vast amount of material has been exhausted; and'many R/. A.\ Masons are numbered among the non-affijiated. As the tide ebbs and flows, so we may confidently expect that the present almost lethargic condi? tion of many Chapters win not continue,' and that another wave will hear along numberless applicants for the Capitular Degrees. Such be? ing the.case, it is a propitious time to recom? mend remedial measures, and I would earnest? ly urge upon the subordinate Chapters a closer scrutiny into the fitness of candidates, in the first-place, and more careful exercise of patience in teaching the ritual. This topic might "be profitably pursued yet further, but I trust the reflectiona^lready.made will Induce- my Com? panions to give it serious consideration. Shortly After the last. Convocation of the Grand Chjpter, I received a communication from .G^jienion Henry Buist, of Charleston, informing me that he had been commissioned by the Grand Eoyal Arch Chapter of Maine, as its Representative, near the Grand Eoyal Arch-Chapter of South Carolina. In response to this communication, I extended to the dis? tinguished Companion a cordial recognition as the Eepresen tative of our sister Grand Chapter, and doubt not that my action will meet with ypnr warm approval. Companion Buist will probably submit his credentials as Grand Rep? resentative of Maine, at the present Convoca? tion, .and J would recommend that he be re? ceived and welcomed in an appropriate man? ner, j t Ihme likewise hcen notified that out "Br'. Jjj^Qnuttd.; Secretary, .Companion Augustine xtfSmythe,' has received the appointment of Representative, near this Grand Chapter, of the Grand Chapter of Kansas, and would reV commend similar action when his credentials are submitted. On the 5th of April, 1871, assisted by the B,% Deputy Grand High Priest, and R\ E.\ Grand Scribe, I constituted Honea Path Chapter, No. SS, to which jr. Warrant of Con? stitution was granted at the last annual con vo? cation. The ceremonies were made public, and the spacious hall was filled with specta? tors, including a number of ladies. The wis. dorn of the Grand Chapter in establishing a subordinate chapter at Honea Path, was con? firmed by a thorough preparation of the ne? cessary facilities to perform the authorized work-arid the famf liar acquaintance of the va? rious officers, with their respective duties. On the 6th of April, 1871, I constituted Greenwood Chapter, Ne>. 37, to which a char? ter was also granted at the last convocation of tho Grand Chapter. I was assisted by the R.\ E\ Grand Scribe and E. Grand Captain of the Host. The intelligence and assiauitv of the officers and members of Greenwood Chap ter afforded mach satisfaction to myself and the other Grand Officers present, and it is not hazardous to say that no Chapter was ever or Smized within this jurisdiction under'more vorable auspices. ? .The,twenty-first Triennial Convention of the General Grand Chapter of the United States was held in the city of Baltimore, Md., in Sep? tember last. It was not ray privilege to be pre? sent and participate in the deliberations of that I body, although it was my earnest desire; bnt I ' was compelled, at the last moment, to relin? quish my intentions and abandon the purpose of being present on such air interesting occa? sion. Our R\ E.\ Grand Secretary, Augustine T. Smythe, received the proxies of all the Grand Officers entitled to seats in the General Grand Chapter, and was the only representa? tive from the Grand Chapter of South Carolina. He will doubtless present a full report of the transactions of the General Grand Chapter, bnt I deem it appropriate to recur briefly to several important matters. The use of "anbstitates" in the Roval Arch sgree 'was brought to the attention of the Gen raJ Grand Chapter,' by a. resolution from the Grand Chap?r of Maine, asking that the ritual and installation charges to a H:gh Priest be so I changed that their language should no longer conflict with the almost universal practice of n$ng^ter?bstitutes" in conferring the Royal Arch Degree^' This resolution was referred to a Selee^.Cpinjnlttee', Which afterwards reported ih! substance that thie nse of substitutes is not In conflict with the O. R. of a Royal Arch Ma? son, and recommended the adoption of the fol? lowing resolutions: Itodlved, Thatthfe General Grand Chapter I decides that .the use'of substitutes is not a vio-1 latibn of the ritual of Royal Arch Masonry, or the Installation charges delivered to a High Priest, and that substitutes may be authorized by Grand Chapters working under this juris? diction^ '. ' ? . Resolved^ That while such 13 the interpreta? tion of the Ritual and. Installation by this Grand Body, Chapters are fraternally and earn? estly urged to use full classes of actual candi? dates, except in cases of emergency, for the best interests, of Royal Arch Masonry. A substitute for these resolutions was pro? posed, and which prohibited the use of "sub? stitutes," but it was lost by an overwhelming negative vote, and the resolutions submitted by the select committee were adopted by a three fourths majority. -It would appear to be neces? sary, from the language employed in the first | resolution, that this Grand Chapter take some action in reference to the decision of the Gen? eral Grand Chapter, and I would respectfully recommend the adoption of a resolntion au? thorizing the use of "substitutes," in conferring the Royal Arch Degree within this jurisdiction either with or without restrictions, as the Grand Chapter in its wisdom shall determine. A resolution was adopted by the General Grand Chapter, to the effect, that the State Grand Chapters be requested to pay annually, to the General Grand Secretary, the sum of j one cent for each Royal Arch Mason borne upon the rolls of their Subordinates at the date of their annual reports?the fund so created to be used in defraying the'expenses of .the Gen? eral Grand Chapter. This an anal contribution would not require any considerable sum from this Grand Chapter, according to the latest re? turns, and I would recommend the adoption of a resolution in compliance with the request of the General Grand Chapter to continue of force until its next Triennial Convocation, when the necessity of this contribution may no longer j exist Important action was had relative to the ritual of the Royal Arch Degree, which will be . communicated at the present Convocation off fiu$ Grand Chapter,.I presume, through bur [ Representative, the R.\ E.\ Grand Secretary. ? The next Triennial. Convocation of the Gen? eral Grand Chapter will be holden at Nash? ville, Tennessee, on the last Tuesday of Novem? ber, 1874. M.\ R*. Companion Joaiah H. Drummond, of Maine, was elected General Grand High Priest for the present term. Since your last Convocation, Companions, [the painful intelligence has reached me that j Companion Isaac T. Martin, Past Grand High Priest of Ken tacky, and representative of this Grand Chapter within that jurisdiction, has been called from the sphere of usefulness and honor which ho filled uDon earth,'and closed an active, earnest and devoted Christian life. Companion Martin died at Cynthiana. Ky., on the 29th of June, 1870. His name is indelibly fixed .within our memories, as' being associated with a. noble charity, when in a period of dis? tress he came to the succor and relief of desti? tute Masons and their families in South Caro? lina. His generous donation for this pur in 1867, which was handsomely acknowledged at the time by the Grand Lodge of South Caro? lina,, was au opportune bestowal of sympathy from a warm heart, which is now stilled in the cold grave, but whose generous emotions will long be felt in kindly deeds that live after him. It is eminently proper that the death of Com? panion Martin should be recorded in the ar? chives of this Grand Chapter, and I would re? commend that suitable action thereon be bad iat.this Convocation. Slqce your last meeting, Companions, I have , not been, called upon to .issue Dispensations, other th^an granting permission to elect and instal officers, and such matters of minor im? portance as do not require a more particular ireport, to the Grand Chapter. Neither have any questions of jurisprudence required deter? mination at my hands, nor any vexed questions arison worthy to be recorded in this connection. It is likewise gratifying to state that our for? eign relations are entirely amicable, and the Grand Chapter of South Caroliua maintains a friendly position towards all those in corres S^ndence with it, includingnearly every Grand hapter on this continent and across the waters. On tbe 17th of November, 1871, at Wheeling, West Virginia, tbe Grand Chapter of West Virginia was. legally organized, and its exist? ence has been recognized by the Grand Chap? ter of Virginia. Its official recognition by this Grand Chapter would, it seems to me, be fitting and proper, and I would recommend such ac? tion. Having briefly mentioned such matters as are deemed important, I now invoke upon your ! labors tbe blessing and favor of the Great I Am. humbly beseeching His guidance and pro? tection in all things, that He may incline our minds and hearts to the ways of Truth and Life, preserving us from the gins and snares of the works of iniquity, and enabling us to ex? claim. * For He is good, and His mercy en dureth forever." JAMES A. HOYT, Grand High Priest. Which, on motion of Companion A. T. Smythe, was referred to a Committee to report thereon to the Grand Chapter. The Grand Secretary then presented his an? nual report of his actings and doings during the past year, which was received and referred to a select committee of three, on motion of Companion Birnie. ? On motion of Companion Augustine T. Smythe, it was Retolve^ That a committee of three be ap? pointed who shall act as a Committee on Cre? dentials, to whom shall be referred all returns; who shall verity all proxies and report at this afternoon's session all duly qualified to sit as members. A petition from Delta Chapter, No. 20, to be allowed a new charter, was presented by Com? panion A. T. Smythe, and on motion of Com panion Henry Buist it was laid upon the table until after the regular committees were appoin? ted. The following committees were announced: Committee on Address of High Grand Priest. ?Zimmerman Davis, J. M. Eushtcn, T. F. Malloy. On Dispensations and Charters.?Harris Covington, A. F. Lumpkin, B. Z. Herndon. On Unfinished Business.?& A. Durham, A. J. Sitton, John Ogren. On Appeals ana Grievances.?James Binde, Jerome P. Chase, C. M. Miller. ? . On Finances?R. A. Thompson, C. A. 0.; Waller, F. Melchers. Oq the Books of the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer,?E, W. Lloyd, W. B, Milwee, S. A. Hutchinson. On By-Laws of Subordinate Chapters.?Wil mot G. DeSaussure, W. H. D. Gsilliard, C. Fronebergsr. On Per Diem and Mileagc-rG. T. Berg, W. A. McCorkle, J. B. Clark. On motion of Companion Buist the petition of Delta Chapter, No. 20, was taken up from the table and referred to the Committee on Charters and Dispensations, i Companion ??rg read a letter from Compan? ion Goldsmith, presenting a sword belonging to his Chapter, which was received, and tbe Grand Chapter returned its thanks and acknowledg? ments to Companion Goldsmith. Companion Brcns offered an amendment to the Constitution, making only High Priests and Past High Priests eligible to office there? in, which was laid -over to the next Convoca? tion. . r i:<fi Companion Henry Buist presented his com? mission as Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Maine; and Companion Augustine T. Smythe presented his commission as. Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Kan? sas, and were received and acknowledged ac? cordingly. On motion of Companion Henry Buist, the election of Grand Officers was made the spe? cial order for to-morrow, at one P. M. The petition of Eureka Chapter, No. 13, for reorganization, was presented by Companion A. T. Smythe, and referred to the Committee on Charters and Dispensations. A resolution to provide for visiting the sub? ordinate Chapters was presented and referred to a committee to report at the next Annual Grand Convocation. Companions W. G. DeSaussure, A. T. Smythe and B. R, Campbell, were appointed a Committee on Credentials. Companions James Birnie, C. F. Jackson and D. Fleming, were appointed a Committee on Grand Secretary's Report The place for holding the nest Convocation was-discussed, and laid upon tue table for tbe present. ' ? i The Grand Chapter was then called from la? bor to refreshment until 7 P. M. EVEKING session. The Grand Chapter was called on from re? freshment to labor at 7 P. M., Companion James A. Hoyt, presiding. Companion Zimmerman Davis presented the report of the Committee on the Address of the Grand High Priest, which, on motion of Com? panion Bruus, was adopted and ordered to be printed with the proceedings. i Tbe Grand Chapter decided to bold the next annual Convocation at Charleston. Companion H. Covington presented the re? port of the Committee on Dispensations, which was adopted. . Companion Lloyd presented the report of the Committee on Grand Treasurer's and Grand Secretary's Books, which was adopted. Companion S. A. Durham presented there port of the Committee on Unfinished Business, which was adopted. ? Companion James Birnie presented the re? port on Grand Secretary's report,, which was adopted. Leave was granted to Washington Chapter to change its place of meeting: from Bamberg to Graham's, and its dues for 1870 and 1871 were remitted. ? Companions R. S. Brant, Henry Buist and Wilmot G. DeSaussure were appointed a Com? mittee to prepare a suitable testimonial to the memory of Companion Isaac T. Martin. The Grand Chapter was then call off until 11 a. m. to-morrow. Charleston, Feb. 14, 1872, The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of South Carolina was called from refreshment to labor at eleven a. m., the M. E. G. H. P., James A. Hoyt, presiding. The Grand Chaplain offered solemn prayer, after which tbe roll was called and tbe min? utes of last evening's session were read and confirmed. . . Tbe following communications were laid be? fore the Grand Chapter: Charleston Board op Trade, ) . February 12,1872. ) ,r. Mr. J. A. Hoyt, Grand High Print Royal ? Arch Chapter ; < Dear Sir?In behalf of the Charleston Board' of Trade, I take pleasure in tendering the use of the rooms of this Board to the mem? bers of the Grand Chapter during their stay in the city. I am yours, respectfully. HvH. DeLeon, President. Charleston Chamber of Commerce, ) February 13, 1872. J James A. Hoyt, Esq., M. E. Q. H. P. Grand Chapter of South Carolina : Dear Sir?I take great pleasure in enclo? sing you a number of tickets of admission to the reading and other rooms of the Charleston Chamber of Commerce for the use of yourself and colleagues during your stay in Charleston. Should the number of tickets be insufficient, I shall be happy in forwarding more of them to you. Wishing you and ^our companions of the craft an agreeable time during your visit to the city, I have the honor to be, with much re? gard, very respectfully yours, S. Y. Topper, President. On motion of Comp. G. T. Berg, the invita? tions were received, and the thanks of the Grand Chapter were returned to these bodies for the courtesy extended. Companion Augustine T. Smythe presented the report of the Committee on Foreign Cor? respondence, which was received, and ordered to be published with the proceedings. Companion Thompson presented the report of the Finance Committee, which was consid? ered and adopted. Companion G. T. Berg, as Chairman of the Committee on Mileage aud Per Diem, made his report, which was laid upon the table. Companion W. F. DeSaussure, Chairman, Sresented the report of the Committee on Cre entials, which was received as information, and the committee continued. The hour for the Special Order having ar? rived, the Grand Chapter proceeded to the election of Grand Officers for the ensuing Ma? sonic year, with the following result; James A. Hoyt, of Anderson, Grand High Priest James Birnie, of Greenville, Deputy Grand High Priest E. W. Lloyd, of Florence, Grand King. W. H. D. Gaillard, of Peudleton, Grand Scribe. Rev. John M. Carlisle, of Sumter, Grand Chaplain. C. F. Jackson, of Columbia, Grand Treasu? rer. .Augustine T. Smythe, of Charleston, Grand Secretary. R. Z. Herndon, of Cokesbnry, Grand Cap? tain of the Host Harris Covington, of Bennettsville, Grand Royal Arch Captain. L. F. Myer, of Charleston, Grand Sentinel. Comp. Augustine T.:Smythe was elected, unanimously, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, and Comps, Harris Covington and Wilmot G. DeSaussure were appointed as the remainder of such Committee. The Grand Officers elect were then installed in due and ample form by Companion R? S. Bruns, Past Qrand High Priest Qn motion, the thanks of the Grand Chap? ter were returned to Union Chanter, No. 3, and Zerubbabel Chanter, No. ll, for the use of their regalia, ana to the Grand Lodge of South Carolina for the use of the Lodge Room du? ring the present Couvocation. The Grand Chapter was then closed in due and ancient form, until the next annual con? vocation, which will be held In the city of Charleston on the Tuesday after the second Monday in February, 1873. . ' .. . 1 ? H-' ' A Sfc-angc Story About the Battle of Sharps bor*. . Mr. A. O. Bacon, of Macon, Ga., writes to the. Telegraph and Messenger, as follows: Tour issue of the 7th instant contains an ex? tract from the Richmond Dispatch, in which a correspondent of that paper gives the outline of a "strange story," in connection with the battle of Sharpsburg. The facts of this story have been in my possession for several years past, and'as the matter has finally gotten into print, I furnish you the following details as they came to my knowledge. Aside from its being a remarkable coincidence, it is not unim? portant as a piece of the history of an eventful periotf: . I had frequently heard that on the day suc? ceeding the battle of Sharpsburg in 1862, com? munications passed between General Lee and General McClellan, the object of which was to secure a truce for ninety days with a view to the final cessation of hostilities; that they nearly had an interview upon the subject, and that General Howell Cobb, at that time an of? ficer in Lee's army, was very active in the effort to secure this result It had been for a long time my intention to question General Cobb about the matter, but I had never done so before June, 1868. when upon the cars between Cin? cinnati ana New. York, I formed the acquaint? ance of a lawyer from the former place named Key, ' I am not certain in my recollection about his name, but it was either. Key or some name very similar to it He was a prominent man in Ohio, and had been, since the war, sev? eral times the Democratic candidate for Judge of the Supreme Court of the State. In conver? sation with him he informed me that he was, during the years of 1861 and 1862, the confi? dential staff officer of .General McClellan. I embraced the opportunity to inquire of him concerning the truth of this rumor which I had heard. He replied that no communication had passed between Lee and McClellan upon the subject of a truce, for he certainly would have known it if there had. He stated, however that on the day after the battle of Sharpsburg, a very strong effort was made by a number of Srominent officers of the Federal army to In uce General McClellan to address to General Lee a proposition to declare a truce prepara? tory to a peace, which they urged the people wanted and would have if offered an opportu? nity to secure it General McClellan himself sympathized with the object,; but said that while under other circumstances he would favor.the movement and assist in forwarding it, he knew that then it would be useless for him to attempt it, for the reason that be was then, and bad. been for eight months previous, the subject of the most unwarrantable persecutions at the hands of the administration ; that if he should declare the truce it would be repudiated by President Lincoln, who would take advantage of tbe action to ruin him officially and disgrace' him before the people. My. informant added that the causes of Mr. Lincoln's dislike of General McClellan Were two. Even at that early day, Mr. Lincoln had bis eye upon the ; second terra, and very soon after he placed Mc Clellan in command of the army of the Poto 'mac, he discovered that McCIellan's popularity would make him a dangerous rival in the affec? tions Of the people: ' Again McGtelhm refused to conduct the war otherwise than in a civilized manner as he understood it. His campaigns ; weredirected against the armed foe?not against non-combatants, and not for purposes of pillage 1 and plunder. He'refused to carry the torch as the' companion of the sword, and would not wflge war against, the property of the country. During the last few days Gen. Cobb spent in Macon, just previous to his death, without re ! lating to him what I bad been told by McCIel? lan's staff officer, I took occasion to ask him about the Sbarpsburg truce. He also stated that no communication passed between the two Generals upon the subject of the truce, but that there was an effort made in the Confede? rate army to open such a negotiation. The fol? lowing is a brief statement of the facts which he related to me in detail. On the day after the battle. Gen. Howell Cobb, Gen. T. R. R. Cobb, and several other prominent officers of the Confederate army, had a conversation con? cerning the war, its character, probable dura? tion, result, etc. The conclusion at which they arrived was, that from the evidences of earnest determination which each section had given I during the .eighteen months of the war, they were convinced that unless ended by diploma? cy, its only termination could be found in the utter ruin and exhaustion of one section or the other. They then agreed that that very day was the time to bring about a settlement. Tbe last battle had terminated a terrible campaign in which each army had shown great courage and prowess. Those two armies then lay con? fronting each other from the opposite sides of the battle-field upon which neither could claim to have achieved a victory. It was as near a drawn battle as would again be fought during the war. If the armies declared a truce of nine? ty days the people of each Bection, who by that time nad come fully to realize tue difficulties of the tasks they had undertaken, would refuse to allow hostilities to be resumed. Impressed with the strength of these views, they deter? mined to submit them to General Lee. They at once secured an interview with him. When they entered his office General Leo had in his hand a letter from General McClellan, relative to the return of the horse of the Federal Gen? eral Kearney, who had been killed a few days before at the battle of Chautilly. General Cobb laid their views upon the subject of the truce before Gen. Lee, and urged their desire as strongly as the circumstances would permit, General Lee expressed himself in full sympa? thy with them, hut could not be brought to be? lieve that tbcir efforts would be attended with success. He distrusted President Davis' ap? proval of such a step, and was satisfied Mr. Davis would disapprove of a request for an in* tcrview with McClellan. General Cobb replied that if he would allow him to answer the letter in General Lee's name, which he then held in ills hand from McClellan, he pledged himself that without writing about anything but Kear? ney's horse, he, General Lee, should in less than twelve hours receive a letter from General McClellan requesting an interview. General Lee was very sad, and they left him very much in doubt as to his proper course in the premises, but with the understanding that if he desired to.move in the matter he would: notify them and require their assistance. These officers beard.nothing further from General Lee, and the matter ended there. After the close of this statement General Cobb, for the first time, heard from me, in the relation of what had been stated by McClellarrs staff officer, rhat a similar effort had been made by the officers in the Federal army to end the A Remedy fob Croup:?We have been in? terested in reading the following statement made to us-bv an intelligent mother. We give our readers the benefit of it, or at least give them the opportunity to see whether it has any benefit A remedy for croup was given me by a sister who heard it from Professor Bronson, a physi? ological lecturer, since deceased. Let a healthy person fill'his lungs with pore air, then slowly breathe upon the patient's throat and chest, commencing at the point of j the chin, and moving slowly down to the bot? tom of the windpipe. Repeat for a few' min? utes and it will give relief in cases where all other means fail. My boy was always subject to croup: came near dying with the rattling, noisy kind, at about eleven months old. I saved him with water and ever after prevented a serious attack by watchfulness and water. But when three years old I let him play in the brook one warm, rainy day, and he took a severe cold, and had a still kind of croup the first and last time he ever had it. In spite of all I could do he grew J constantly worse until he could only gasp and breathe with his head thrown back. We thought bis last moments had come, when I thought of and applied Branson's remedy for a minute. When I stopped he looked up and said ; "Do so again, mother, do," though he could not speak when I began. You may be assured that I did so again, and I believe it j saved his life.?Laws of Life. Queer Eggs.?A subscriber in Charleston, S. C, writes an interesting letter graphically describing the effect produced upon the colored people of his neighborhood by black eggs which have been laid for two seasons by a duck which he keeps. Snch an occurrence as a black egg may, naturally enough, be construed into an omen by 'the superstitious, and is quite as ano? malous as a white black bird. He says: "The duck is of an ordinary English breed, with a white neck-ring arid breast: She* lays about fifteen eggs, then stops awhile and resumes. The first egg Of each laying is'as black as the ink with which,.your journal is printed, and each successive one is a shade lighter, until a dark slate color is reached. The color cannot be washed or rubbed off, but can be Temoved by scraping with a knife." Our correspondent asks us to explain the occurrence. We can on? ly say that in many cases of discoloration of variors animal secretions, carbon is the pig? ment deposited, and very likely.it is in this in 1 stance. The eggs must be considered abnor? mal., yet they may produce ducklings that are perfectly' healthy. It is worth while to raise some in order to find _ whether the trait will prove hereditary, as it inay.?Agriculturist. Patent Rail Splitting.?We were one of a party of gentlemen on Saturday afternoon, who witnessed the riving of au immense pine by the' blasting process of Col. A. R. Wright? Nbtin ng can be simpler or more effectual' than :the contrivance. A small-iron cylinder, or tube, about half an inch in diameter and six inches long in two ] equal segments fitting closely together, is in? serted into au orifice made with a common au? gur in the centre of the fallen log. This is . filled with powder by means of a slender tube i surmounted with a funnel, the charge amount? ing to about an ordinary musket load. A fuse is then attached and fired, and the whole story is told. We saw a section twelve feet in length of a tough and twisted second growth pine, two and a half feet in diameter, split in two like an acorn,. by this powerful apparatus. The whole affair can be apprehended and re? duced to . practice by the most thick-skulled African, and we regard it as a grand labor-sav? ing invention, in these days when freedmen .won't build or repair fences. The cost of the] implement is very trifling, and it will soon work Ha way into general use.?Macon Telegraph and j Messenger. Parting the Hmr.?Effeminate men have long considered it the thing to part the hair in the middle, while, on the other hand, dashing young women, given to masculine ways, de? light to appear with short, curly hair, parted at the side. In both cases the parties show them? selves in their true characters. It would be well if the law allowed them to change cos? tumes with each other. By a Paris letter it appears that this side-parting is to be the fash-1 ion. We doubt it, mainly because such a di-1 vision cannot be becoming unless long dresses arc sacrificed, and few of the belles will con? sent to that. It is fortunate this is the case. We do not deny that a handsome girl adds to ?can we say her beauty ? no, rather her style ?by parting her hair at the side, but it gives such an air of fastness that we should not like the custom to become general. We are of the same opinion in the matter as was the gentle? man or tilting hoops, who said: "Well, I rath? er do like tilters, so long as they are only worn by other fellows' wives." Tiie House Afire.?A man once offered to bet that he would empty the whole of a good winter fire in a drawing-room out of the gwte, and place it upon the carpet in the room, the company to be seated around it in a circle, and that the room should not take fire. Mr. Braid wood, formerly Captain of the London Fire Brigade, said that he would have backed such a bet, and that the (ire in such a case would probably have died out of itself. It is not easy to set fire to a house without first lighting curtains or other articles that produce a lively flame. This fact, however, should not make us less careful respecting the causes of fires. Nearly all fires can be managed at the outset by the inmates of the house. By shutting the doors and windows, so as to prevent the supply of air to the fire, and by resolutely attacking the flames with water, nigs or blankets, door? mats, &c, the larger part of fires that occur in dwelling-houses may oe smothered. ? Breeches of Trust are pantaloons on credit. The Joys of PoTertr, Diogenes was onco seen rushing to the thea? tre at the moment when every body else .wee leaving. On being asked why he did so, he replied: "I have learned that the multitude is always wrong.7* Hie experience of the world has long since demonstrated that the old snarl? ing philosopher was correct in his judgment The multitude was, no doubt, wrong in his day, and it is wrong' to-day, and probably, will al? ways be wrong about" every question of vital importance. The common opinion is that the man of ease is happy, and the man who toils in the cold of winter, and beneath the beating rays of a summer's sun is miserable. This is a grand mistake. The man who folds his acme in ease, and fares sumptuously everyday, is the miserable wretch whose pi!low is full of thorns; and the man whose bread is dug out of the ground by his own brawny hands is the happy man. In the veins of the former, the blood flows weak as if the fountain was about to fail; in those of the latter the crimson current goes* rippling on like some meny stream. Notwith standing all its hardships, there is something truly romantic in commencing life surrounded by poverty. He who is the heir to a vast ice tune, knows only the one side, and the worst side, too, of human existence. There is some? thing heroic in a single individual, like Daniel Boone, settling in a dense forest, surrounded by wolves and savages, and isolated from every genial companion. Instinctively, we ?*?Wi^ land and extol the brave man who takes up his abode in the middle of some dense forest, and by persevering toil reduces the brakes of the Wilderness to fields waring with luxuriant crops, i The man who does such deeds, experi? ences a delight almost ecstatic in rehearsing to his children the toils of his early manhood. Historians dwell with rapture upon such* % theme, and the eye of the orator sparkles with {'oy, and the bosom of the poet sWells with de ight when the deeds of such an individual are mentioned. Is not the case of the poor boy who commences life with poverty for a patri? mony, but rises to eminence and distinction similar to that of the man who settles in a dens? forest which, by incessant toil; he reduces to a cultivated field ? There is joy in the one case as well as in the other. The victories over the wilds of the forest are not more glorious than the victories over the huge impediments which poverty presents; it filled the heart of the cel? ebrated Ben. Franklin with delight to think that,he once, poor and unknown, walked the streets of Philadelphia with a gingercake un? der his arm. The toils and struggles of the days of his poverty, are those upon which he dwelt with pleasure when he felt that he wan numbered amongst the first men of the na-, tion. There is a pleasure in doing the whole of anything. Being led or helped, or pulled or pushed, is not pleasant The reflections which arise from such a state of things are mournful to the soul. The individual who-is conscions that what he is Is mainly due to others, moat feel as if be were seated at a table covered with Che choicest v.'ands, but with no appetite to en joy them. There is a romantic joy connected, with the thou gbt of commencing life, at the very bottom, and toiling until the highest cliff is mounted. This reached, we can look down upon the jungles and defiles through which and over which we have passed. The trials of our early struggles are converted in tojoys which are congenial to a noble soul, . Even such a man as Henry Ward Beech er, experiences more joy in reflecting upon the -days when he wore the old cast away clothes of Judge-, than the Prince of Wales can .experience when he mounts the ?throne of-the Georges. Henry Ward Beech er can look down from the proud eminence which he has won by manly effort, and contemplate his former poverty with de? light. He has the consciousness that merit has elevated him to this present position. When' the Prince of Wales ascends to the throne of England he will have the mortifying conscious? ness that he was lifted and set upon by other 1 bands. The sceptre came to him as a patrimo? ny. Poverty begets gratitude, and the feelings, of gratitude arc pleasant. The pb^hoy who, now and then; recdves some trifling blessing, is more grateful than the sons and daughters of the rich'who revel in wealta .and .ease. The man who watches' the' increase of a few acres, experiences more ^resFjoy than he'wbo is a stock-holder in a National" Bank, the income of which is counted bj thousands, ?J The poor boy has his troubles. Cares and anxieties are inseparable from humanity. Bat the sons of the rich are beset with troubles on i every side. Their joys are all adulterated, and ' their triumphs are few and ~i nsigmficant The happiest mortal on earth is the- toiling, sirag* gling, poverty-ridden youth who is by honest effort making his way to the temple of fame and to a position of usefulness. His sleep ie sweet, ana his triumphs will be great and gto rio^-?Yortviiie.?nguirtr. roll Washington's Dog.?Washington, it is sta? ted, was out bunting in the Virginia forests, accompanied by his favorite hbttha, Governor. A heavy storm of rain and mist coming up, he lost his way, his powder was rendered useless, and, to add to the perils and inconveniences of his situation, he found that he had not his pocket compass with him. Ih this sorry plight he wandered in circles, as people do wnea mt in the bush, wetted, weary, hungry, for he hadj no food save wild berries. He was almost ex? hausted when a happy though t occurred, to himv Tying his pocket-flask and his powder-flask to* his dog's tail, he fastened his long sash around; the animal's neck, holding one end in his hand* Then he planted a tremendous kick in the dog's* lumber region. The animal was so completely surprised at this treatment, that he stood- for a moment paralyzed, then wheeling about he struck a bee-line for home. It is a curious but undoubted fact that any sadden alarm or attack will quicken a dog's preceptive faculties, ren-* der more subtle his scent, and powerful his memory, and induce him, like Marco Boxsaruu to strike for his home. So the dog fled, ana Washington followed desperately, over stumps, through bogs, into briars, until finally the sash, gave way. With one tremendous yell Wash? ington scared still further the frantic animal, the terrible banging and clattering of the flasks at his heels added to his speed, and in a mo? ment he was out of sight After a hearty laugh at the incident, Washington leisurely marched in the direction the dog had taken. It was easy to do so by observing the mossy side of the trees, the direction of the longer branches, and the other signs with which an experienced hunter is acquainted. It was not long, there? fore, before he reached a clearing and was Once more in safety. But. he adds, the dog, once faithfully attached to him, could not to the day of its death endure his presence, or even hear his voice without relapsing into an agony of terror. ? An Irish doctor advertises that all persona afflicted with deafness may hear of him in a house on Diffey street, where also blind per* sons may see him daily from three to ton, o'clock. ? When is it right to take any one in ?? When it rains.