The daily phoenix. (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, September 11, 1865, Image 2
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.