Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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_ COLUMBIA. _'' Saturday Morning, December 8,1366. The Situation. Tko National Intelligencer says that party strifes perish with tho pas? sions of tho men who give to them their fierceness and malignity. Prin? ciples aro eternal, and are enshrined in the public conscience ami affection, long after thoso who enunciated or . those who defended them.have sunk into dust. The animosities engen? dered by the war may keep tenant less the seats iu thc halls of Congress to which the mea of the South should Jong ago have been cordially wel? comed, but the principles that taxa? tion aud representation are insepara? ble; that-every State is the peer of all the others, and that each representa? tive constituency, nuder our organic Law, is entitled to be heard in the national council, are dear to the American heart; are so identified with thc natural thought, as to .form indissoluble elements of our political faith. From the cotton lauds and rice fields of the South, from its busy marts aud industrious homes, come their apportioned quota of thc na? tional taxes into the coffers of the national treasury. Their commerce pays its appointed imports; their citi? zens arc summoned to the jury box ?of the Federal Courts; they respect the process of the Federal judiciary : &ut the call of the roll of the national representatives embraces no name ?rom tho Old Dominion or from im? perial Texas. Tho chosen sons ol ^the South arc shut out, no longer by '?their own folly, but by tho formal .vote of thoir peers; the national faith, pledged to a speedy restoration, is 3iukept; the obligations of the Consti? tution are unheeded; the flag of thc nation, emblazoned with thirty-sis stars, floats over a legislature whicl ?excludes ten States from their having any voice in the laws which it is in eisted they shall be governed by. The President ofstho United State? anthe annual communications whicl he is charged by the Constitutioi <wilh the duty of making to Congress .would have been unmindful of hi trust, if he had not called the atten tiou of that body to this anomaly an. urged upon it the policy of restorinj alienated feelings, by admitting eacl State to its constitutional rights. H has done this. In language terse forcible and dignified, he has portray ed what the Executive has contri buted towards reconstruction, by rc moving the blockade, re-establiskinj the custom houses, enforcing interna revenue! laws, providing mail facili ties, urging the adoption of the con stifcutional amendment, and grad nail; withdrawing military authority a rapidly as the people were preparei 1? substitute the civil. Ho remind Congress that the judicial depart aient has recognized the secedin States as in the Union by all the prc Oedings that affected them a3 State in the Federal courts," and that th history of Congressional legislation is a continuous recognition of th same fact up to the time of refusin them representation. The dec?an: tion that the war was made "to pri serve the Union, with alltlie dignity equality and rights of the seven Stat's unimpaired," stands nun voted. Senators and repr?sentative were recognized from seceding State; though elected in several instance after the act of secession. The dirc< tax of twenty millions was apportioi ed upon the South as States, as als their representatives by districts. S< too, the recognition of Tennessee an admission that the functions of tl: State were not destroyed, but mere! suspended. Tho citations from Washingtoi Jefferson and Jackson, aro most o< portune. Legitimate amending < the Constitution so as to avoid ii .color of usurpation, strict, limitatic of ita powers and freedom from inte meddling, are ideas that should be f miliar to every lover of his countr Horace Greeley says, verysensibl; ?'Let us have an end to all controve sy concerning negroes and the righ ts, so as to be ready to go abo our busbies. If negroes aro idl they must go hungry and ragged; they steal, they must be punished not as negroes, but as mon. If tin have not yet learned that freedo means freedom to work, tho wint just coming on will teach them-wi a good many others-that wholesor. lesson." Thc Kepwblicun Caucas. We take the. following report from tho New York Herald, of Monday: An ?djonrncd caucus of the radical members of the "House of Represen? tatives was held last evening, in the hull of the House. About fifty mem? bers emly were present. The meet? ing was characterized by great una? nimity among those present. Hon. Justin S. Morrill, of Vermont, pre? sided. Hon. Thaddeus Stevens ad? dressed th*; meeting, stating the object for which it was called, which was to secure concert of action among the radical majority in Congress. He reviewed at considerable length the attitude of the President toward the majority of the loyal people of the country, and commented upon his policy and the reasons why Congress should effect a com plate and perfect reversal. At the closo of his remarks, Mr. Stevens submitted the draft of a bill, which, he gave notice, he intend? ed to introduce in the House, to govern Federal appointments. Thc principal feature of this bill is that the President shall, within ten days after tho meeting of Congress, sub? mit to the Senate a full list of all re? movals from and appointments to office made during the vacation there? of, with the reasons therefor; that the Senate shall , reject all appoint? ments made for political reasons; and that the persons so rejected shall be disqualified for three years there? after from holding any office under the Federal Government. In case of a rejection of any appointment made by the President, the office shall im? mediately revett to the officer pre? viously removed, and all appoint? ments made subordinate to the officer whose nomination is so rejected .shall fall with his rejection, and revert to those previously filling such places. On motion of a member, a committee was appointed to notify Senators of the sentiments, of the meeting, and request that no confirmation of presi? dential appointments made for politi? cal reasons bc given. Mr. Stevens suggested that the committee need not notify Mr. Cowan of this action, as he would perform that duty him? self. Mr. Boutwell, of Massachusetts, submitted some remarks, in which he opened up the subject of impeaching the President. He thought that a special committee should be appoint? ed, whose duty* it should be to in? quire into the whole subject, with power to send for persons and papers. The sugesti?n met with the hearty co? op?ration of every member present. At this stage of the proceedings. Mr. Stevens moved that a 'committee of ten be appointed, to whom all the various propositions be submitted, looking to a plan of action for Con? gress to pursue, and that said com? mittee report to the general caucus, which is called for Wednesday even? ing next. The following committee was then announced-Stevens, Bout well, Wasburue, of Illinois, Garfield, Allison, Schenck, Hart, Orth, Merrili and McRuer. The propriety of changing the time for the meeting of tho Fortieth Con? gress from thc 1st of December to the 5th of March was also discussed, but without arri vingatany conlusiou. Jndge Kelley, of Pennsylvania, j submitted the draft of a bill for the creation of a separate department, to be called thc "Department of Iuter ! nal Revenue." The bill was care? fully prepared, and had met, as Mr. Kelley said, with tho approval of the abl?st jurist iu the land. It was read at length to the caucus and unani? mously approved. The following is a synopsis of the bill: Section one provides that, for the purpose of tho assessment and col? lection of internal duties and taxes. stamx> duties and licenses or special taxes, which are now or may be here? after imposed by law, a department is hereby created, to be called the "Department of Internal Revenue." Section two specifies the officers of the department as follows: Onecom missioner, with a salary of $8,000, to be appointed by the Supreme Court, upon the nomination of the Chief Justice, to hold his office for the term of four years; one deputy commis? sioner, with a salary of $4,500; two assistant deputies, each with a salary of 83,501) ; one chief clerk, salary ?2,500; ono solicitor, salary 84,000; one assistant solicitor, salary $3,000, one cashier, salary ?3,000, who shall act as disbursing officer of the de? partment; seven heads of divisions, each with a salary of ?2,500, and not exceeding thirty-six clerks of Class 4, forty-live of Class 3, fifty of Class 2, fifty of Gloss 1; fifty-five female clerks, five messengers, three assist? ant messengers, fifteen laborers and eight watchmen. All the above clerks and employees to be designated and appointed by the commissioner. Section three defines the duties of the commissioner, in addition to duties now performed by that officer, to be executive officer of the depart? ment, anJ is authorized and required to appoint and commission all collect? ors, assessors, inspectors and other officers of internal revenue. Section four provides for the com? mencement of the term of office ol the new appointees, and that all ap? pointments made or commissions issued under existing laws shall bi annulled ut tho time this act take? effect. Section five defines the duties ol deputy commissioner and assistants I Section six provides that the coshiei shall perform such duties us may bt prescribed by the commissioner, ant shall give bonds with sufficient sure tics, to be approved bj the commis? sioner and Solicitor. Section seven provides that the. bond of tho. commissioner shall b?' approved by the Chief Justice of tire Supreme Court, aud, with that of the cashier, shall be deposited with . tho first Comptroller of the Treasury. All other official bonds to be approved by thc solicitor, and deposited with the cashier. Section eight defines tho duties of the solicitor, which are substantially flu1 same as now performed by that officer. ?Section nine provides that the seve? ral collection districts shall remain as now rived, provided that the com? missioner may alter or change such districts at his option, but in no case to iucrease the number. Section ten provides for the trans? fer of the present Bureau of Internal Keveline to the new department. Section eleven provides for an Auditor of Internal Revenue, with the usual duties pertaining to the auditors of the several departments. Section twelve provides that appro? priations for flu; expenses of tho de? partment shall be made from tho re? ceipts of the department. Section thirteen prescribes the manner of payment of the expenses of the department. Section fourteen repeals all acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this bill, and that this act shall take efieei on the 1st of January, 1867. The caucus adjourned to meet on Wednesday evening next. at. which time the Senators will Ix invited to participate in the proceedings. Mr, Broomall, of Pennsylvania, insists that Mr. Stevens' proposed bill, submitted to the caucus last night, does not reach appointments made during the present recess. He has, therefore, prepared a bill, which he will present immediately and press to a passage, requiring the President to send to the Semite for confirmation within ten days after the meeting of Congress, a complete list of all ap? pointments made during the recess, and in thc event of his failure to do so, the appointments to bo null and void. Also a resolution calling upon the Committee on Territories to bring in bills organizing as Territories the late seceded States not now represent? ed in Congress. A DEAD IJOCK.-Several prominent journals of radical proclivity acknow? ledge the existence of a political dead lock. The overwhelming triumph of their party has made action of some kind imperative, and how to act con? sistently and honastly seems to be tho grand difficulty. Commenting upon the situation, the Tribune says: "The loyal North has demonstrated her ability to keep the rebels out of Congress; the rebel South hus like? wise proved lier power to prevent in? definitely the duo ratification of the constitutional amendment. This dead lock affords to * * '' the more generous and far-seeing minds of either section an opportunity which, once lost, may never return." It is something to get an acknow? ledgment of this kiud from Mr. Gree? ley, and proof is not wanting therein that radicalism is sorely puzzled for pretexts and policies. We have only to keep quiet and let the North work out the problem to suit herself. Desperate efforts are being made to impeach the President, resolve the Southern States -into territories, ad? mit unorganized wildernesses to the rank of States for constitutional amendment purposes, etc. When matters get into an inextricable snarl, some Grant or Sherman may enact the part of Alexander. Consequent upon measures pushed to tho last ex? tremity, the South may peaceably in? herit her rights. OUR PiiATFOKii.-Let tho Southern people be sure to produce, as they easily can, an abundant supply of provisions, manufacture their own timber and iron in all the implements they need, spin and weave all tho cotton they consume, and let only the surplus of the staple, if any, pass aver to Lowell and Manchester, to bo paid for in hard cash. Let them do whatever may bo necessary to secure i free Republican Staco Government, iud steadily refuse, by any debasing compliances, to p?rchate tho privi? lege of enjoying their constitutional rights in the Federal Union. So em? ployed, let them manfully meet what? ever destiny may bo in store for them, seenro at least ia the possession :>f their own self-respect. NORTHERN MEN.-The Richmond Times emphatically denies that the people of tho South entertain any prejudice against Northern men, per ie. In the ranks of the famous Washington Artillery-, of New Or? leans, says tho Tunes, were many Northerners, and ono of the best soldiers we ever saw, who was never known to shirk a fight, was a Con? necticut school teacher in the 12th Virginia Infantry. Tri ???om anti Confiscation. We extract tho following from an article in tho Charleston Mercury. Wo have had frequent inquiries as to-the crime of treason and its penal? ties, and give the Mercury's state? ment, as a condensed and pretty cor? rect explanation: Treason, to be efficacious against any citizen, must be brongiit home to him by a trial and conviction; aud his trial and conviction must be by a jury, sitting in the State and district where the treason wascommitted. The Constitution of. the United States says, in 3d Article. lld Sect ion : "Trea? son against the United States shall consist only of levying war against them, or in adhering to their ene? mies-giving them aid and comfort." In the 3d Article, 2d Section "The trial of all crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be by jury; and such trial shall be held in the State where; t4ie said crimes shall be committed." The States were not satisfied with this clause in the Constitution, and proposed the following amendment, Article G, which was adopted: 'Tn all criminal prosecutions, the ac? cused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been pre? viously' ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining wit? nesses in his favor, and to have thc assistance of counsel for his defence." The 5th amended Articles pre? scribes: "That no person shall be held to answer for a capital, or other? wise infamous crime, unless on a pre? sentment or indictment of grand jury." The course of proceedings then, in treason, appear to be this: 1. The indictment for treason must, be laid before a grand jury. 2. If a true bill is fourni by the grand jury, lui must be speedily and publicly tried by an impartial petit jury, in the State and district where the treason is alleged to have been committed. 3. He shall be informed of the nature anti cause of the accusation. 4. Be confronted with the witnesses against him. 5. Have compulsory process to obtain witnesses in his favor. (5. Have the assistance of counsel. 7. And at the trial, shall have the right of challeng? ing those'who are to compose the jury-twenty-one peremptorily, and as many more as he can ?how cause, from any expressions or acts, aro not impartial. And finally, when the trial comes oil', the winde petit jury (twelve in number) must agree as to the criminality of tho accused, ol? lie must be acquitted. If one man on tho petit jury thinks tin; accused not guilty, he is entitled to a verdict to that effect. These are the forms hy which all persons accused of treason, by the United States, are to be tried. If fairly carried out, it requires no ghost to help us to predict that no citizen of t.!ie Southern States, on account of tiie late war, will ever be convicted of treason against the United States. And threats of confiscation are as terrorless as threats of treason. As a punishment for treason, the Consti? tution expressly prohibits it. Itsays, Article 3, Section 3: "No attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during tho life of the person attainted." It is plain, from this clause of the Constitution, that even if a man should he convict? ed of treason, his property could "oe taken by the Government only dur? ing his life-time. After his death (which is generally shortly after his conviction) it goes to his heirs-at-law. But to be forfeited even to this extent, there must first bo a trial by jury, and a conviction for treason. Can the property of any citizeu of the United States, whether a supposed rebel or not, be taken from him, by tho Go? vernment of the United States ex? cepting in the qualified manner pre? scribed in Article 3d of tho Constitu? tion, on a conviction of treason? The Act of Congress, declaring that the property of all rebels iu the Southern States shall be confiscated, does not alter the matter. They must be tried and convicted of being rebels, before thc law can apply; and when itapplies. it is limited by the 3d Article of the Constitution. From theso views ol the Constitution, which wo believe tc be incontrovertible, our readers can judge of tho senseless cry in tht Northern States, for all the lands o! the people in the Southern States tt be taken from them by confiscation. They cannot take one single acre; and we do not believe, that to take ti single acre will he attempted. Tht Government of the United States may hold our property by military occu paney. But that is not title. It ii force. As the reign of peace is now established, we must presume thal tho wild demon and injustice of wai will cease, and reason and the Consti tution again prevail. THE COPTON Citor.-The pre:? anti speculators of tho North, repeal heir estimates of tho cotton crop monthly and weekly, making it niucl beyond what it really is, as they will learn in time. Well-informed per 3ons/frorc the South have no idea that it will exceed 1,500,000 bales Very probably it will not bo mort than 1,200,000 bales, compared witt 1,600,000 before the war. Plain Talk. Under this caption the Richmond Examiner gives thc following counsel to the people of Eastern Virginia, and the South generally : "The people of Eastern Virginia, are like the remainder of the South, flu; poorest population in the civilized world; yet, though it sounds a para? dox, there is no part of the country in which intelligent labor will more certainly insure subsistence. We will not enlarge upon the causes which have brought our people to this condition-everybody knows what they ave. We made a gallant tight, and the sons of the Old Do? minion displayed, on many a hardly contested field, and through many privations, tin; noblest qualities of manhood. "When her army surrendered, the Southern people lost in greater part the accumulations of all past labor, We, in Virginia especially, were brought down to the 'bed-rock.' bet us look fate in tho face. Does not every considerate mind recognize tho fact, naked as we state it ? " It is idle to rely upon help from outside; capital will not come here for the purpose solely of lifting us out of the mud; if it conics at ali, it will conic with tin! object to profit from our misery-to buy our lands at a nominal juice, or with thc ex? pectation of gains not withiu the reach of poverty such as ours. "A sterner courage and a higher intelligence arc now demanded from us than at any time in the past; nor will anything but resolute will, self denial and patient labor, rescue us from irretrievable wretchedness and pauperism. Neither is there any disgrace in thc g?rerai strait to which we ure reduced; and it would be but common sense to confess our im? poverished condition to tho world and to ourselves. " Then \y.t it not be said that we are in the condition of the most mise? rable creature in the world-a broken down gentleman. who, without profession, and without means of support, resorts to every contempti? ble expedient to gratify tastes and habits that belonged to his former prosperity. What is appropriate to the one condition is not honestly suited to a narrow estate; and there is hardly a man among us who can neglect the retrenchment now neces? sary. There arc some individuals who may have come out of the war unscathed; and a certain number who were enriched thereby. But the first class have claims upon them which they cannot ignore towards helping the less fortunate; and the second class, for shame, if not for humani? ty's sake, should refrain from thc dis? play of their ill-gotten wealth. "If patriotism required self-denial during the war, self-interest demands it now: and every man who lives be? yond his means is committing a so? cial crime. The working cyipital ol thc community is pitifully small, am: every cent beyond the supply of ban necessaries is requisite to secure au other start. Niiver was the adage sc true, that 'a penny saved is a penn} made.' It would be the very mad ness of thc hour to sacrifice presen independence and the future comfor of our families, in the vain attempt tc keep up appearances. There is de gradation inexpressible in the folly o; imitating the extravagance and luxu? ry of our conquerors. "These are homely lessons, bntw< nro bound-to take them to heart Every man and woman among ui who realizes the real condition of eui state will then have taken the sun step towards raising us from tin slough, and may iud.tige the jus hope of honorable independence. "Means are at hand, too. Tin ^xteut of our lauds is far more thai ideqnate to our population, as nov constituted, and circumstances per mit selection as to location and natu ral fertility. Forest and stream fur nish a great deal of food spontane msly; the labor at our command i io some sense cheaper than formerly iud, for a time at least, will be quit is effective. Neither are land-owner embarrassed, as before, by the sup port of numerous non-producers. W< dave railroads and other avenues ti joramerce, which aro valuable relic [)f tho past prosperity; easy acc?s still to numerous markets, where w ;an sell everything we can raise. "Our lands are still our chief re source, nor should wo lose the sub stance in grasping at tho shadow Outside of our great mineral re sources-as yet, so little developed the Old Dominion can maintain i comfort every industrious and thrift son-her war-scarred bosom can stil yield sustenance to the childre: ivhom nature has given her." Two soldiers made an unprovokei isault on a cripple-an ex-Confede .ate soldier named Atkinson-in Au msta, on Thursday last, when th atter fired on them, severely wound ng ene of "the boys in blue." Tb saptain of the company to which th loldiers belonged declined to prose Mite, as the act was in self-defence. Am rican intervention in Mexico] iffairs is considered by all residen oreigners in Mexico and by well-in brined Liberals to be only aqnestioi >f time. They say that European ire unfitted for pioneers and set tiers md that the Americans are the onl; icople on the earth capable of rc itoring peace and prosperity to Mex co. * LiOCal It033GLJH5. The-jPAcewix office is on Main street, a fovr doora above Taylor (or Camden) street. Ova. HEADING ROOST. - M< mbera of the Legislature ate' tin; Citizen? generally, aro invited to visit tho Pffjenix reading room, where they will find on file papers and periodicals from ever' section of the Union. Tho building is open day and night. Fou HISTORY-As HEUII-LOOM.-Preservo tb? record of the destruction of Columbia, written by one of Soutli Carolina's histo? rians, who was present during tho whole Kacie and destruction of our city, lt is tho most authentic account published: FOB CHIUSTXAS.- If von are on thc look? out for something for the little folks, call <>n Mr. McKenzie-ho has a beautiful as? sortment of plain, fancy and mechanical toys, fire-works, French confectionery, Ac. But if your presents aro designed for tiioso of o!.1er growth, drop in at Major Radcliffe's new store, and make your selec? tion from among the handsome articles to be found in his show-cases. Don't bo afraid of tho price -for, should your pile of greenbacks bo never so small, he will suit yon, as his slock is varied. . LEGAL.-In I he Court of Appeals, on yes? terday, the following causes were heard: Divings ct al. vs. Farrow ri al. Mr. Sullivan concluded tiis argument in reply. Tlios. i. Pickens ct al. ad*. Ezekiel Pickens. Mr. Th os. Thomson for motion. Mr. Noble, cont ra. W. J. Major .7 al. mh:. The State. Mr. J. II. Whither for motion. No reply. Hugh McCelvcy vs. Wm. McCelvey and A. L. Welch. W. ]). Mars vs. A. 1?. Con? nor, heard together. Mr. Noble, for ap? pellants. Hall vs. Hall ads. Barksdalo and wife, was continued. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. -Attention iscall ed to thc following advertisements, which ire published this morning for the first time: R. lt. King-Have you a Congh? Fanning's Restaurant -Lunch. Proceedings of City Council. Lunch at Pollock House. A KINGDOM EXTINGUISHED.-Lato cable despatches announce the recall of the foreign ministers of Hanover, and the winding up of the affairs of that kingdom-which henceforth will be no kingdom, but merely a part or State of Prussia. Hanover has an area about twice as great as that of Massachusetts, and nearly twice tho population of that State; hut though so small, thc; kingdom leis played a conspicuous part in thc history of Europe, and has itself known many changes. Tho ancient inhabitants were conquered by Charlemagne, who made Hanover a part of his empire. It remained a duchy of Saxony until 1C92, when Earnest Augustus received the dignity of Elector. From this elector descended Ge?rge Louis, who in 1714 inherited the throne of Eng? land as George I. From 1711 to 1837 Hanover had the same sovereigns as England, but its own administration. In 1801 it was occupied by Prussia, in 1803 by the French, and again by Prussia in 18015. lu 1810 Napoleon united it to Westphalia. The death of William IV separated Hanover from England, as the crown could de? scend only to male heirs. The Duke of Cumberland ascended the throne as King Earnest Augustus, from whom, in 1851, it descended to his son, George V, the last kiijg who occupied thc throne of the lato king? dom. AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES.-The Lexington (Ky.) Gazette, speaking of tho agricultural department of. tho State University, says: This department of the University is fast rilling to the capacity of ac? commodation. There areabout eighty students, and a fine and more gentle? manly set of young men are not to bo found in any college in the country. It is a handsome sight to sei; them on parade, with their new uniforms and martial air, stepping with the preci? sion of veterans to the drum and fife. There are no students taken under sixteen years of age, and those now entered are fine grown, athletic young men, in the very picture of health. They present a marked contrast to most college students, with their sickly, bent forms and cadaverous countenances. This is tho result of the out-dor exercise and work which they do. The drill, which they go through, straightens their forms, and their mental discipline deprives them of the brutal expression which is ob? servable in the mere soldier. They have a special law in Missis? sippi to put a stop to cotton stealing in the five Counties of Amite, Wil? kinson, Claiborne, Adams and Jeffer? son. lt forbids the sending of cot? ton to ma ket "otherwise than iu bales, put np in the usual way," and makes the sending of cotton "in loose bags, sacks ami bundles," prima facie proof that it has been stolen. The offending party is subject to arrest aud fine, and the ci 'ton, if condemned as stolen, is to be re? turned to the owner, or, if no owner be found, sold, and one-fourth of tho net proceeds paid to the officer muk ng the seizure, and the remaining three-fourths paid into the treasury of the County. The eilender ou conviction, is made punishable 'or petit or grand larceny, according to tho amount in value of the stolen cotton. There has been a trial under diis law lately in Adams County, re? nting in a conviction.