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COLUMBIA. Monday Morning. Sept. IL 1865. Work for Lef-Jstation. Assuming that the members of tho Convention will confine themselves to the simple purpose for which they are brought together, and which involves, perhaps, no higher duty than the mere registering of a decree, nothing can be predicated of their action with regard to the. future policy of the State. This is* a matter which belongs wholly to the Legislature, and ?t is one which will task their abilities to the utmost. The first serions embarrass? ment to the domestic Government must be found in the financial poverty of the State, and, possibly, the utter baldness, at this juncture, of all financial invention. Money must be had for the maintenance of Govern? ment; yet the most experienced busi? ness and thoughtful brains may well be puzzled' in procuring a base of operations on'Which ito found a credit, effect a loan, fly a kite to any profit, or devise a single scheme of subtlety in banking operations, by which, if only for a time, ito- procure the means of simple State existence. "Where are salaries to come- from ? What shall be the measure or quality of taxation? How shall the people contribute to the support of a Government, when so few can procure the adequate means for their own support? What a volume of distress and misery is to be read in the case of the thousands of widows and orphans, whose resources were in b?nded debt, or other choses in action, in dwellings which have been destroyed and which they cannot re? build, and in the mutual support of communities, interchanging uses and offices in trade, the trade itself being subverted. To compasss a sufficient financial scheme fer the support of Government and the succor of the people, is at once the paramount ne? cessity and the unparalleled difficulty which the legislators will need to sur? mount. We confess our utter inabili? ty to discover the resources upon which our statesmen can build, or to which they cnn look; and unless the Government of the United States shall feel it incumbent upon them to repair the evils which their own action has occasioned, by an assumption of eur debts, the case becomes too fright? ful for contemplation. To annihilate three billions of property at a blow to achieve a great benevolence and a grand work of humanity-as negro emancipation is assumed to be, at the expense of one portion only of our peo? ple, and without according to the peo? ple thus despoiled any equivalent-is not only a monstrous act of legislation, but a destructive hostility to the snpe - ri or race: Lt should be a part of the plan of the Legislature, through a well chosen commission, so to bring this matter to the consideration of Con? gress, as to impress upon it the equal justice of our demand and the abso? lute necessity of its liquidation, if our country is to be saved from ruin. Why should not Congress assume our debt, at least'to the extent of the four hundred millions which Mr. Lincoln was prepared to grant? , This sum, though really but one-tenth of the value of the property thus taken from us, would at least enable our people to resume the work of building up their prostrate fortunes. The claim is founded upon the eternal principles of right and justice; and we protest against that charity which employs the money of another for effecting its so called schemes of benevolence. The problem of State support and popular support must necessarily come np. among the first for consideration by the Legislature; and we trust that this body will be so wisely chosen as to be ablo to bring to the discussion the necessary wit and wisdom for our escape from the meshes of a condition in which we are as helpless as the fly in the net-work of the spider. Jeff. Davis' health is improving. [For the Phonix.] Ho?. B. S*, ?my. The Convention, which will assem? ble in a few days, must doubtless speedily restore the State to her r former relations in and under* the Union. Her civil government re-or? ganized and put in motion, the deli? cate and responsible duty will devolve upon her representatives in the next Legislature to select wise and able statesmen to represent her interests in the Senate of the United States. After the experience by the people of this. State, of the capacity and wisdom displayed by her Provisional Governor in his successful administration of af? fairs during the present transition, the suggestion of the hame of the honorable gentleman for the high and distinguished position as a Scnatoi from South Carolina, in the councih of the nation, will not be deemed pre? mature. Thirty-five years of public service in the two branches of thc State Legislature, in the discharge o: which he was distinguished for hit independence of character, soundnes: of judgment, enlarged views, and i comprehensive policy, attest his supe rior qualifications, and prominently recommend him as the choice of th? people. His consistency as a publit man has singled him out before th? people of the whole State, and s< marked has been his devotion am attachment, throughout his pol?tica career, to the Union, that it earnet for lum the approving eye of th President of the United States. Hi appointment as Provisional Governo of the State is sufficient testimony e the high position in which he stand with the Administration at Washing ton, and is the surest guarantee th people can have for the promotion c the welfare and. prosperity of tb State. If political sagacity and wit dom, and decision of character, ar the attributes which fit men to guar the interests and direct the affairs of commonwealth, he certainly possess* them. Burying past prejudices an forgetting former dislikes, all partit now unite in pronouncing him wis? If he did not sanction the carl movements tnat precipitated so drew fui a revolution upon the entire com try, it waa because his judgment coi demned the principle. This was tl best manifestation of his love for tl honor and glory of his State. Tin and events have since vindicated h course and approved his policy. L him receive the reward due to men loftiness of character, integrity of pu pose and enlightened wisdom, ai the people will then realize the gre advantage to be gained by selectii for the direction of the-affairs and tl protection of their interests, a mt sprung from their midst, arid^who, heart and soul, is essentially aevot? to the influence of THE PEOPLE. The latest European advices give report, on good authority, that tl steamship Great Eastern was to almost immediately despatched frc Sheerness to New Fouudland, a that on the way she would endeavor grapple and buoy the broken oce cable, in the success of which ent prise strong hopes were indulged, has been determined in England attempt the laying of another Atlan telegraph next year, making use the work of the recovered portions this summer's cable. Frauds of army officers, perp?trai by forging descriptive lists, signatu to passes and other military pape have just been developed in Baltiim are to be thoroughly investigated. 1 amount of money thus fraudulen procured has not been ascertained; 1 it is supposed to be very large. Wo ington despatches state that the G ernment has taken .mch precauti that the national Treasury cannot any event be a loser to any ?/onsid able extent by the reported tWind of paymasters in Virginia, or by ; other similar operations in the ] department. The receipts of intei revenue by the Treasury Depart np for the month of August were thi four millions of dollars, and the T sury is represented to be at presen an easy condition. On Thursday afternoon, a train tho South Shore Railroad, at "V Hingharn, Mass., ran into a si coach, which was crossing the tr carrying twelve ladies and gentles instantly killing one and serio injuring several others of the pas gers. Some of the injured, it believed, could not recover. I know not whether the Confederate flag is still flying on the Shenandoah, to the disgust of New Bedford and Nantucket, but it has been struck in LondoK The Index has been discon? tinued. The reason given is that its readers persisted in considering ii a Confederate organ, and an encourage? ment to continued opposition to the Federal Government. Wishing to end even the appearance of a useless op? position, it ceases to be. The Index has been conducted for some three or four years with talent and moderation. Its editor and its principal writers have been Englishmen, but the soul of the enterprise was Henry Hotze, formerly an editor of Mobile, Ala., and the financial agent of the Confe? derate States in London. He is a Swiss by birth, emigrated early in life to Alabama, and is considered not only a man of rare ability, bnt of singular integrity. Bosides the Eng? lish writers which it was his policy to engage in the Southern cause, and who carried the spirit of the Index and the inspirations of Mr. Hotze into half the journals of London, there were a few Americans who con? tributed to its columns-Southerners, or Northern Copperheads, and the two guineas an article helped some to Uve in London who would haye other? wise found it more difficult. I was a little astonished, a day or ago, to see the Confederate loan quot? ed at five to seven, aad to learn that the holders were anxious to have a report from the agents respecting the next dividends. J? the cargo of cot? ton attached, the other day, at Liver? pool, was intended to redeem a part of the loan, the subscribers may still realize something; or there may be a lingering hope that the individual States will, at some remote period of time, redeem their several shares, in good cotton bales, or that Congress, the legal administrator of the defunct Confederacy, will feel bound to pay its debts, as well as to seize and possess its assets. For example, why should not the Federal Government, in taking the ram Stonewall, pay its French builders, as well as the officers and crew discharged at Havana? What says Wheaton on this subject? By-the-way, Wheaton is being trans? lated into Chinese by an American missionary. Thc Chinese would not take his Testaments, so he gives them Wheaton. They refuse the law of j God, but may benefit by the law of ; nations.-Cor. New York Times. WHITE vs. BLACK TROOPS.-Monday ! afternoon an anray, which might ; have resulted more seriously under { other circumstances, occurred at the j junction of the Danville and South? side Bailroad. A detachment of several hundred negro soldiers are stationed at the junction, and a train carrying a regiment of white troops I en rovie for Petersburg, to be muster- j ed out of service, came down from i Danville. At the junction the troops disembarked to take the South-side train. One of the negro guards per? ambulating the platform is said to have remarked, "I wish I could get a sight of one of dem Louisiana rebels," or words to that effect. One of the white soldiers, who overheard him, cursed the negro. The two clinched, blows passed, and the white and black elements immediately took sides, and a fight ensued. No fire-arms or deadly weapons were used, I believe, but one white and one colored soldier were severely beaten. The white troops retired apart to themselves, and though they carried their muskets they were unloaded, and their cart? ridge boxes were empty" The negro , guard at the depot were speedily re- j inforced from the camp, and for a few moments the aspect of affairs looked threatening indeed. Bailroad officials, residents and native negroes, hastily deserted the scene. Had the white soldiers had ammunition, the affair would probably have eventuated in bloodshed. Finally the troops were embarked, and the train left for Pe? tersburg. It is said that the troops that went on sent back a messenger towards Danville to notify other regiments fol? lowing to **pick their flints" and be prepared for the junction. Some six or eight thousand were to come down within the next few days, and serious difficulty was apprehended, bnt the officers know how to meet the emer? gency and prevent further trouble. The citizens of the neighborhood are getting np a petition to the military authorities, asking to be relieved of the presence of the negro soldiery. On Thursday night of this week, the wife of Dr. Maison, residing in South Dedham, Massachusetts, while in a fit of mental derangement, produced by continued sickness, shot dead her husband and her daugther, aged ten years, and concluded the horrid work by shooting herself. Local X-toixx?. " To insure insertien, advertisers are re? quested to hand ia their notices before 4 o'clock p. nw Special attention ia invited to the sale of an extensive stock of groceries, furniture, etc., in front of their auction room, to-mor? row morning. Brig. Qen. Ames, assigned to command on this station, with his staff; Col. Carlton and Capt. Lockwood, arrived in this city yester? day. For the present he has his quarters at the Shiver House. Gov. Perry failed to reach the city yester? day. He cannot arrive before Wednesday, as the trains from Greenville run only every other day. - See the advertisement of Messrs. Sulz hacher & Co., announcing a singularly large variety of dry goods and groceries; things for the toilet of ladies and gentlemen alike; clothing for autumn and winter wear; and, briefly, an ample supply to meet the needs and desires of the community of both sexes, and all colors. Any of our readers who may chance tc visit New York this fall would, perhaps, fine it to their advantage to cali on Mr. Thomas R. Agnew, of Mt?. 260 Greenwich street, whe has a large an<f"eomplete stock of groceries: 1 etc., on hand, and declares his intention te sell as cheap (if not cheaper) than any othei house. Our old friend, Mr. John Agnew will be found at this establishment, and wil endeavor to accommodate his friends. NOKTHEBN- NEWSPAPERS.-Wo are pleasec to acknowledge, from the thoughtful atten tion of Mr. Nickerson, copies of the Nev York Herald, the Times and thc World, U the 2d inst. From these, numerous extracb wiU be found throughout this day's Phoenix yielding ns as much of the world, the flesl and the devil as we can reasonably sustaii at a single sitting. THE SEASON.-A long drought, whicl dries up our wells; hot days, which dry u] our brains and the blood in our veins; sui tr noons and stifling nights, which make th' sense of breathing one of suffering, am deny comfort by day and sleep by night these are the conditions infposed upon u by this vindictive month of September Avoid the sun as much as possible, an< welcome sleep whenever yon can get it. THE CONVEHTKH?.-As thc proceedings the Convention may be expected to be c absorbing interest to all persons in th State, and as the Phonix will make dad reporto of its progress and the results froi it, besides publishing in full the new Cor stitution the moment it shall be ratified, i will be well that persons desiring to sui scribe should do so in due season. In tb present scarcity and cost of printing pape publishers cannot venture to print .upon mere speculative or possible demand. W shall publish but a few more copies tha will suffice for our customers, and unlai they come forward promptly, they may fin themselves too late for the supply. COURTENAY & TRENHOLH.-This now fin just established at Newberry, in the cor mission and forwarding business, are ent tied to the foll confidence of the comm nity. Both of the parties are well known ns as experienced hi the conduct of affai in general, and perfectly trustworthy i men of integrity and high character. M Courtenay was, for many years, associ?t) with his brother in the hook and publishii business in Charleston; subsequently, the Mercury newspaper, as its bfisinetts m nager; next, in the war, where he achiev< a captainc". Mr. Trenholm, his partn* was trained in the great commercial bon of John Fraser & Co., which is, perhaps, sufficient certificate of good conduct ai ability._ NICKERSOX'S HOTEL.-^Our ancient ai time honored host, Mr. Nickerson, ope his hotel, this day, in the Female Colleg and we are advised that all visitors will welcome who desire to see the preparatio which the proprietor has made for the e ter tain men t of the public. We can ventu to promise that cariosity will be well gra fled by an examination of thqj interior i rangements of this excellent establishing No abler host could be found, and no bul ing better adapted to his purposes. Wem take for granted that he has not been mi ing vain preparations for the last't months. We assume that all tl could be achieved by long experience tau natural fitness for the vocation, will hf been done by Mr. Nickerson-all that 1 within the possibilities of his situatioi and that his new house will not only ma tain the reputation acquired itt his old, 1 that he wiU not be shamed by any comps son with the hotels of the bigger cities. 1 space is ample, his rooms excellent and v arranged, and we take for granted that resources for the table will satisfy, in qu tity, qnality and variety, the gourmand less than the epicure. In connection ? this matter, by the way, we may suggest the country farmers that they will here f the most ready market for their prodi Butter, meats, poultry, eggs, vegetable all are grist to the Nickerson min; and calculation is that the consomption of < establishment alone will suffice to constit a sufficient market for almost everythi in thc shape of food, which may be brou into town. And this suggestion she conduct to another; and we trust soon behold tho proprietors of all the farms ? rounding the city, addressing thcmsel to the work of ?heir renovation-to tl thorough tillage, according to the Eng! or the German plan, making every acr< ground responsible for its fifty bushell c ira or its fivo hundred bushels of rata bag?._ NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.-At u ntion is called to the f?Mowing advertisements, which are published for the first time this morning: T. 8. Nickerson-Re-opening Hotel. MolvimM. Cohen-Northern Cabbages, Ac Shiver House-Manure for Sale. Courtenay & Trenholm-Com'n Mcr'ts. O'Neale A Son-Commission Merchants. Simons* A Kerrison-Liquors, Ac. P. F. Cuttino-Groceries. Jacob Levin-Gas-light Stock. ** " -Furniture, Ac Sulzbacher & Co.-New Goods. " " -Cotton Wanted. Durbec & Walter-Groceries, Ac. John Agnew-A Card. Dr. W. M. Scarborough-Medical Card. SCENES IN THE Wira TRIAL.-A scene of sn unpleasant character oc? curred yesterday during the trial of the Wira case, growing out of exces? sive zeal or lack of judgment on the part of the prisoner's counsel. The President of the commission not un? derstanding the statement of the wit? ness on the stand, asked the latter a question,* with a view of having him repeat ' the statement. Thereupon Mr. Baker, defendant's counsel, in a petulent tone and offensive manner, broke out: "I do wish the court wauld not interfere with the witness while I am examining him. I have difficulty enough to make out my case against this kind of testimony, without being subjected to these interruptions of the court." This ugly temper was al? lowed to pass without rebuke and in a few minutes it broke out afresh, the witness Kellogg, in making his state? ment, said: '?I came near being shot myself." Mr. Baker, in an improper manner, ordered the witness to stop. The court informed the attorney that this was not a proper way to examine a witnesF. Baker replied insultingly, concluding his remarks with these words: "Nobody was hurt, yet some? body must be hung." ^Gen. Thomas remarked: "I thinkflpese remarks are very improper ar4T out of place, and, for one, I do not feel inclined to submit to them. I wish to give the prisoner a fair trial, but I am not satisfied to sit here and listen to such language." Gen. Wallace added: "This is of a piece with the general character of the defence. But the court has a remedy, and it will be applied if these remarks are continued." This was a settler for Mr. Baker, and he subsided. [New York Times. According to announcement duly made throughout business circles, a meeting of the creditors of Messrs. Ketchum, Son & Co. was held yester? day afternoon. The meeting was con? vened through the following circular : Nnw YORK, August 23, 1865. DEAR SIR: Since the events of last week, which disclosed to ourselves the unfortunate condition of our house, and drove us to assignment, we have been busily engaged in ef? forts to secure our property to our creditors, and to give early informa? tion of the state of our affairs. We are now able to say, for the first time, that, according to the balance on our books, our liabilities are, in ro-.ud numbers, $4,000,000, while the avail? able assets applicable to the payment of our liabilities and the expenses of winding up the estate cannot, proba? bly, realize more than $2.5 0,000 to $3,000,000, and in aiorced realization, probably less than either sum. Some claims, amounting to $250,000, have been made upon us, which we think we are not hable for, and there is a faint prospect that our assignees may regain a very small amount of the assets of which we were fraudulently deprived. The amount of funds and securities abstracted from us without our knowledge at the time, and to our so great loss, is now definitely ascer? tained to have been no less than $2,800,000. _ Advices from Buenos Ayres, South America, as late as the 25th of July, have been received;. but they contain little or nothing additional regarding the war between Brazil and Paraguay. It is reported that the Paraguayans have been defeated with heavy loss near the town of San Borgia, though, as no date is given, it is uncertain whether the fight alluded to is cot the same one the account of which was given in the Herald, of the. 11th ult., wherein it is stated that the Paraguay? ans had been victorious. The fugitive reports relative to this war, like those in reference to the contest between the Republicans and Imperialists in Mexico, are very vague and confused. It would seem that the Emperor of Brazil himself designs having a per? sonal supervision of the contest, as at the date of last accounts he had ar? rived at Buenos Ayres. Our corres? pondent in that city, in his letter which we publish to-day, gives a his? tory of the war np to the 12th of Jnly, and some account of South American affairs generally.-New York Herald.