Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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COLUMBIA. -tata,-??*-??MJ Saturday Morning, Sept. 7, 1867. Aa Anomaly. The country-that ia to say, the Government-is in a highly apparent prosperous condition; indeed, finan? cially, it never has presented a more favorable account current. The last exhibit from Washington shows that there are over $100,000,000 in gold and over $50,000,000 in currency in the Treasury, and that the revenue is coming in at the rate of $8,000,000 or $10,000,000 a week. It is esti? mated that the war debt can be paid in less than fifteen years, if the finan? cial department of the Government should be faithfully and honestly ad? ministered. Bat, even with this fa? vorable exhibit, the oonntry, in a business point of view, presents a most singular and anomalous specta? cle. The crops aro most abundant. In all the large commercial cities the great centres of trade-there is an almost unprecedented plethora of money, and. yet, strange to say, there i? equally an almost unprecedented stagnation in business. The under? lying canse of this curious state of affairs is as yet scarcely understood; bntthatitis, in a great measure, owing to the increasing burden of taxation npon the people, there can be little doubt. Business confidence is, moreover, greatly damaged by the adverse po? litical situation of the country. Not? withstanding the immense amounts of capital laying dormant and unpro? ductive, both in this country and Europe, the magnificent resources of the South, with her millions of acres of the finest cotton, tobacco, rice and sugar lands, are wanting for the ap? plication of capital-and, we might add, of reliable labor-to develop her vast resources. But, beside her fer? tile soil and genial climate, the South teems with mineral wealth, in iron, gold, copper and coal. The best wheat in tho country is grown here, and the best flour sent hence to the markets of the country. And what obstructs the development of these grand treasures of the soil? Nothing but the petty partizan spirit which now prevails and roles the country a contemptible ambition by those in power to hold on, to the last gasp, to that power which they are now wield? ing with such mischievous results. Oh! for the statesmanship of the post, when such minds as Webster, Calhoun and Clay ruled the councils of the country! And might we not add the prayer for one weok's Execu? tive administration of tho laws and maintenance of tho Constitution, which the honesty, nerve and firm? ness of a Jackson exhibited to the country and the world? But, nias! these aspirations aro in vain, and tho madness of petty politicians rules the hour. - .-?-?-. THE BANKUUPT LAW.-The New York World, in nn editorial on tho effect thus far of thc national bank? rupt law, re muries: The enactment of a bankrupt law had a somewhat different effect upon tho fortunes of merchants and traders who had failed than was expected. It was supposed that, as there was known to be large numbers of people who could not go into business be? cause of their unliquidated indebted? ness, that, as a consequence, there would bo a rush of bankrupts to take advantage of the now luw. It has not so turned out, though, undoubt? edly, when tho fall terms of the courts commence, wo will seo a much larger number of bankrupts put through tho legal mill than was the caso this summer. Instead of taking advantage of tho law to free themselves from their obligations by being declared bank? rupts, the delinquentand unfortunate traders aro "settling" with their cre? ditors. For one person who makes applications to the courts, there are twenty who privately como to an understanding with their creditors. This has boen done to so great an extent that throughout tho country thousands of old merchants will re? enter business this fall and winter. The law allows practically of three 'modes of settlement: Tho voluntary and involuntary baukruptcies of in? solvent debtors, or a compromise without legal proceedings; and this is what is now going on all over the country. The effect cannot but bo good Hundreds of enorgetio men will again find their way into busi? ness, and thousands of families will be relioved from tho burden of old debts. Tho law, so fur, seems to have worked well. Louis Napoleon is individually in dobt somo 6,O00,0U0f. . .Country ExohnnRtt"-"Changing Tactics." "We find the following remarkable and very self-complacent paragraph in an editorial article in the Charles? ton Newe, ot Wednesday: "A alight change of sentiment is perceptible in the editorial manage? ment of our country exchanges. From violent opposition to thc mili? tary bill, they 'have drifted into silence, and, in a few instances, have been emboldened to advocate its mea? sures as the only basis of reconstruc? tion that can be expected. The Co? lombia Phonix, the Anderson Inlelli genoer, the Sumter News, and the Winnsboro Tri- Weekly News, have changed their tactics in this respect more fully than their cotemporaries." On what meat has our Crcsar fed, that ho deigns to notice the "slight change in sentiment" in his "country exchanges?" "Was it the pap received under the just defunct regime, when the News fanoied itself "the power behind the throne?" Whatever the nutriment may have been, it has set tho vanity of our cotemporary upon a lofty pair of stilts, and, high np in mid-air, he complacently condescends to note the change of tactics in his moro humble and unpretending cotemporaries-"our country ex? changes." Unfortunately for "the truth of history," and for the reliability of the allegations of this magnate of South Carolina journalism, his assumptions, as far as the "Columbia Phonix" is concerned, are not founded iu fact. This journal has constantly advocated reconstruction under the laws of Con? gress, whatever may have been the opinion of its "editorial manage? ment" as regards the right or justice of said enactments. Has tho News been as consistent? We have noted its "slight change of sentiment" to? wards the sotting sun-the dethroned monarch-and now, that we are pro? voked to it by tho fling of the News, we will watch, with some little inte irest, his attitude of worship to the rising luminary. Brother! "why be holdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" GOVERNOR ORR'S SPEECH.-Tho New York Tribune, of Monday, has an editorial article, from which we extract the opening paragraph : Governor Orr, we observe, has been making n speech at Belton, S. j C., where he advises his conservative brethren to register and rote. So far, so good. And we are neither offended nor alarmed at his reported suggestion, .as an argument for so doing, that "the attitude (?) of tho negro in the Conventioa and the Le? gislature will produce a wonderful re action in favor of the South throughout the North." Thc tele? graph is too saving of its words. We wish it had been moro lucid at the expense of beiug a trifle more copious. Whether it be the admirable or the scandalous behavior of our friend Pompoy, from which the Governor anticipates such good results, doth not certainly appear; but we appre? hend that he hopes for good-from the black's behavior in office being so bad. lu other words, Pompey who was a model of deportment whilo keptin his place behind Massa'? chair-will play "fantastic tricks before high Heaven." when exalted to a seat in Convention or Semite, and thus turn the stomach of the North. Pompey will thereupon be ordered to resume his old and fit position in tho cabin, the cotton-field, and behind Massa's chair, and "the king shall come by his own again." Such, we believe, is the latest-born hope of tho unreconstructed, which is impelling them to say quietly to each other, "Lot us give the North a surfeit of niggers. Let us serve them up stewed, broiled, fried, roast? ed and fricaseed, until her gorge rises at them. Since wo cannot our? selves gain access to Convention or Congress, because of the registry and the iron-clad oath, let us elect a big buck nigger to every soat wo can fill, and seo how tho radicals will relish their company." A method of making use of fowls, recently devised in France, is said to be of great agricultural value. Au old omnibus is fitted up with nest boxes and perches, and it is proposed that such a machino should be kept on every farm well filled with fowls, and should be transferred every day to tho spot where the most active farming operations aro being carriod on. Tho fowls would then follow tho plough and harrow, clear the land thoroughly of fly and worm, pick up all tho stray grain after har? vest, koep themselves high in health, and feed themselves without cost. Somebody has given utterance to tim following scrap of philosophy, which if it be not good is at least cool: Tho poor man's pnrse may be empty, but ho has as much gold in sun? set and silver in the moon as any? body." Th? Coming Amneily. It has bean a great question in the South, what practical benefit was to be expected from the promised am? nesty proclamation. Even those per? sons already specially pardoned are not allowed to register; and it was, naturally, argued that a general pro? clamation of amnesty, in the face of the provisions of the second sup? plementary Act, would not have greater effect than an individual amnesty granted before Congress had declared that an Executive pardon should not entitle any person, other? wise disqualified, to register or vote. The Philadelphia Press, a violent and unscrupulous opponent of tho President, believes, however, that Mr. Johnson will make hu amnesty effective, and that this will be done by a Presidential order, through Gen. Grant, based upon an opinion of the Attorney-General. The Press says: "At any rate, Mr. Johnson will assume to interfere with the registra? tion of voters, by ordering the re? opening of tho registration lists, as well as the postponement of all elec? tions that have been ordered; and in this connection, the long-talkcd-of amnesty proclamation, which is now promised to the public in a few days, is of great significance. It has been argued that the postponement of the elections ordered by Sheridan, and the re-opening of the registration, would not amount to anythiug, save confirming the opinion of all loyal I men that Johnson was opposed to congressional and districtional recou ' struetion; but tho preparation, of this amnesty proclamation probably dis? closes tho plot in all its hideous cri? minality. lu short, it is surmised to be tho intention of the Administra? tion not only to re-open registration where it has been closed, but by granting pardon to thousands of voters who aro now disfranchised, to over-ride tho Union majorities pro? mised by the present situation in the South, and insure rebel victories at the coming election, or, what is the same thing, tho election of support? ers of the Administration to all of the offices in the Southern States. "The mere promulgation of au amnesty proclamation will not effect this object, without another opinion from Attorney-General Stanbery, is? sued to tho Southern commanders as a military order by the Commander in-Chief. It will be remembered, in this connection, that the first opinion from Stanbery regarding reconstruc? tion was intended to be issued in that form, but tho intention was frus? trated by Secretary's Stanton's oppo? sition to it in the Cabinet. No ono ] can doubt for a moment that Messrs. Stanbery and Black can manufacture arguments for an opinion, which, issued by the military authority of, tho President, will evade the points in tho reconstruction laws which now apparently present insurmountable obstucles to the success of this scheme. Altogether, the situation is more muddled than ever, and while it is not safe at this juncture to make uny certain prediction as to the new developments of the Johnsonian policy, the public may feel assured that Mr. Johnson will not retrace any of the steps he has taken in the premises, but, on tho contrary, may expect new and moro startling evi dences of his madness, ns he has, within the past few days, earnestly promised his copperhead advisors to carry ont tho programme which he has begun to the bitter end, even if impeachment is sure to follow." SAD CASUALTY.-We learn that Win. Marshall, a lad about niueteeu years old, the son of Mr. Robert Marshall, of this District, was found dead near his father's premises, on Friday evening last, with a gun-shot wound in his breast. He had left home with his gun, for the purpose of hunting game, aud remaining out longer than usual, his father went in search of him, and found the body as above stated. It is supposed*, from surrounding appearances, that his death was the result of accident ; that he stopped to gather chinque pins, and attempted to lean his gun against a stump, when the hammer coming in contact with thc bark on the stump, the gun was discharged, tho contents entering the breast of the unfortunate youth. This is an? other warning to boys, who are ad? dicted to tho careless handling of fire-arms. -Lancaster Ledger. RAILROAD MEETING.-A respecta? ble number of the stockholders and bondholders of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad Company assem? bled in the Conrt House, on Saturday last, at ll o'clock a. m., for the pur? pose of consulting as to their inte? rests in the present condition of the Company's financiul affairs. After a consultation among the gentlemen present, resolutions wero adopted, looking to futuro arrangements, and a committee appointed to further tho object of these resolutions. Messrs. J. W. Harrison, J. W. Norris, jr., and B. F. Whitner constitute the? said committee. The meeting was presided over by the Hon. J. S. Mur? ray. -Anderson Intelligencer. There aro no fewer than 341 manu? factories of false teeth in Paris. Important l.cgtt.1 Decision. THOMAS R. AGNEW, ASSIONEE, VS. SIMPSON BOBO-Debtfor Negroes.-In the United States Court at Green? ville, August 2, 1867, before Judge Bryan. This was an action on a note given for the purchase money of a negro slave sold by Mrs. -Walker to the de? fendant, in 1858, and warranted by her at that time to be s<vu nd and a slave for Ufe. Note for $1,000, inte? rest annually, due I860, was assigned to plaintiff. The defence rested upon was a failure of consideration in that the negro, warranted to be a slave for life, is still alive, but had been made free. And also upon payment-the debt being sequestered by the Go? vernment of the Confederate States as the property of an alien enemy, was paid under compulsion of that Government, while at war with tho United States. Hon. B. F. Perry appeared for the plaintiff. The de? fence was conducted by Messrs. J. P. Reed and Bobo. The case was re? ferred to a jury, and ably and fully argued by the counsel on both sides. In his charge, tho Judge said, sub? stantially: The amount is small-the principle of overwhelming impor? tance. I should gladly have escaped from the consideration of this case. The settlement of the question, how? ever it be settled, will carry poverty home to some one. Great invest? ments lie in bonds and notes given for the purchase money of negroes. In these, women and children have staked their all. Tho question is, who shall bear tho lo38? Poverty and hardship must come. In my opinion, the hardship must bo oorne by those who had tho misfortune to be owners. It does not come within the province of this court to adjust and equalize tho burdens of the war. That office, tanins componere, belongs to other than a judicial tribunal. Abolition grew out of tho war the position of these Southern States in the war they waged against tho Government. Negroes were, em? ployed in many of the essential ele? ments of the war; they created sub? sistence for tho armies, erected fortifications, nud, in fact, constituted the industrial basis of the great con? flict. The abolition of slavery thus became a military necessity-emanci? pation au inevitable moral result of the war. These States could not be recognized until they should recog? nize what the war had effected. It was competent for the United States to deal with slaves just as with other personal property. The owner must suffer. Who suffered, when mules or horses were taken? or cotton burnt or lifted, or ships captured at sea? Who but the owner of pro? perty? But the laws of property, regulating tho relationship of debtor and creditor, in the matter of tho mules, ships or cotton, were not ab? rogated. Debts or balances due on the purchase of such mules, ship or cotton, were not cancelled. Their obligations remain in force nt this day. The seller never made a guar? antee against the action of the war. Take the case of laud. A owns a fee simple. Ho sells and conveys tho title he got, placing the purchaser in possession of all the incidents of ownership with which he himself had been invested. If tho State, in tho exercise of its right of eminent do? main, should take the fee for public uses, the ?eller makes no guarantee against the State; he is not liable for acts of the State or against confisca? tion of the United States. In this case, tho ground of defence, failure of consideration, does not, therefore, appear to be mude out; the warranty was in everj' view good, at tho time it was given; its subsequent failure was due to causes for which the seller of the negro was in no wise responsi? ble. The other ground of defence, pay? ment by compulsion under tho se? questration law of tho Confederate Government, is equally untenable. That Government never had a legal existence, and payment of the debt under its regulations was, therefore, void. As the amount involved is under ?2,000, no appeal can be taken, and tho verdict of the jury in this case is, therefore, final. By a late patent, a species of net? tle, which grows luxuriantly and spontaneously throughout tho Mis? sissippi valley, is employed in tho manufacture of cord, rope, cloth, bagging and paper. The stalks, which grow from four to eight feet high, ure gathered in thc winter, and are ready for tho break without any rotting process. Tho fibre i.i said to be exceedingly fine, strong, and susceptible of a high" finish by dress? ing._ THE FUIST BALE OF SEA ISLAND COTTON.-Tho first specimen of tho new Sea Island crop mado itsappeur anco in this city yesterday afternoon, from the plantation of Messrs. Pat? ton and Weldon, Christ Church Pa? rish. It was consigned to Messrs. J. H. Baggott & Co.-Charleston Courier. Tho contractor for watering tho stroets in a New Hampshire city was busy at his duty recently during a heavy shower. "Why don't you stop sprinkling?" asked a citizen, "don't you see that it rains?" "I do," was tho repb/, "but I am always willing to work when the Lord helps me." -: Political Meeting at Belton. In aooordanoe frith previous notice given in this paper, a large number of citizens assembled at Belton, on Friday last, 29th ult. We were not present, and ara indebted to others for the information which follows: Major John B. Moore was the first speaker introduced. He announced himself in favor of th? Convention; declared the interosts of both races were identical, and that it was their duty to treat each other kindly; told the freedmen that their white neighbors were their only and best friends; denounced in strong terms all secret political societies; admo? nished all classes to avoid a conflict of races, and assured the freedmen that arraying a black man's party against the whites would prove dis? astrous to them. Col. W. D. Wilkes next addressed the audience in a lengthy speech, mainly directed to the freedmen, and entering fully into their history as a race and introduction into this country, giving them praise for past behavior, but especially during the late war. F or this and other reasons, tho .wales of the Sonth were not only willing, but anxious to promote their welfare. He favored the State Convention, and declared that while some good .soldiers were opposed to it, he knew that the greatest opposi? tion came from men who were in soft places during the late war. Hon. J. S. Murray was then intro? duced, and in an able manner ex? plained the object of tho Government, and demonstrated the necessity for a stable Government at this time. He then gave a brief history of the intro? duction of slavery, and of the con? tests to which it led. Having re? marked that all were citizens of a common country, that Cod had cast our lot together, and that we must live together, ! either, as friends or enemies, he then warned the colored people against emissaries from the North, whose motives were selfish, and whose designs aro destructive of their best interests. He also urged them not to ider':fy themselves with any party; showed that the Republican party discrimi? nated in favor of white labor, by heavily taxing cotton, which was un? just and oppressive. The speaker explained their civil and political rights, and declared that when these were secured to them, their destiny would be in their own bauds, and that with industry, economy, educa? tion and moderation, a bright career was before them; but if they reck? lessly made the white man an enemy, aud brought about a conflict of races, their destruction was certain. Hon. J. Ii. Orr was then intro? duced, and, addressing the whites, advised them to register and vote for a Convention, as it was folly and madness to attempt to defeat that ob? ject. There were 00,000 negro voters against 30,000 white, and as tho Con? vention would look to the interest of the black mau, it could not be ex? pected that one of them would vote against it. Ho then admonished the freedmen that they must be indus? trious and save their money, and re? minded them that if they attempt oppression of tho whites now, while in the majority, it might be visited upon them in the futnae, when the balance of power would bo different, as no moro negroes were to bo brought to this country. He dis? abused their minds of the idea that they would obtain lands from the Government, and showed that this was not evon desirable upon their part. The Governor presented every phase of the issues before the people, with great force and ability, to the satisfaction of his hearers. We re? gret that fuller notes of his speech aro not at our command. The regularly invited speakers having concluded, it was requested that J. P. M. Eppiug, of Charleston, bo allowed to occupy tho stand. That gentleman mndo a short speech, endorsing, for tho most part, the speech of Gov. Orr, but advised tho blacks to adhere to the Republican party, and recommended to them tho Union League. Ho favored high taxes upon land, but told tho negroes they were to have; 110 land given to them. He admonished them agaist a conflict of races, declaring that they would find 32,000,000 whites against 4,000, 000 blacks, and that tho conflict would bo short, and resnlt in their extermination. Wilson Cook, of Greenville, and Elias Cannily, of this village, both freodmeu, also made speeches. Wo learn that Cook told tho negroes, they wero to have no lands given to them, and that confiscation would work to tho detriment of their race. It would bo tho means of inaugurat? ing a war of races, and in that event, he would not live in tho State, though he was given 1,000 acres of land. From all that wo can learn, the speakers iudulged in plain talk, without exception. Indeed, wo are assured that tho discussion was of that character to allow no room for doubt us to tho opinions o? both white and colored, and wo tru: . that the impressions made will be deep nnd lasting, especially in regard to the result of thoso extreme moasures referred to by overy one of the speakers. -A nderson Intelligencer. What crop is that which is none the worse for being backward? Tho pork-krop. If you don't believe it, try it backward. IioOAl T.teme. We have been requested to state j that extra linc beef can be found in tho Market, at Stall No. 1, this morn? ing- _?_^_w_ BOARD OF TBADE.-A meeting of merchants and citizens was held yes? terday morning, in Janney's Hall, during which arrangements were en? tered into for tho organization of a Board of Trade. Dr. Edward Fisher was in the Chair, and Edwin J. Scott, Esq., acted os Secretary. DON'T BEAD THIS.-Having a com? plete job printing office, competent workmen, and superintended by the proprietor himself, we are prepared to execute every description of book i and job printing-bill and letter I heads, circulars, labels, posters, pro? grammes, business, wedding and in? vitation cards, railroad receipts, checks, drafts, &o. Our friends will find it to their interest (and ours) to give us a call. Much inconvenience has recently been caused to the traveling public from a change made in the schedule from Columbia to Bichmond. This resulted, as we are informed, from tho North Carolina Bailroad officers changing the schedule of that road, without consultation or the concur? rence of the officers of the Charlotte and South Carolina, Richmond and Danville or Haleigh and Gaston Rail? roads. This caused a break in the connections at Charlotte and Greens? boro; but we are gratified to report that, by a change of schedule on the last mentioned roads, the delays aro , overcome, and the line is now conti? nuous from Columbia to New York. REGISTRATION-CAMP GROUND FIRST SESSION.-We are indebted to Chairman Windsor for the following return of registration for tho first session at the Camp Ground, Rich? land District: Whites 88; colored 1G4. Twelve whites (one of whom was blind) could not register their names, and none of the blacks could do so. FORD'S MILL-FIRST SESSION. Whites 120; colored 34. Fifty-six whites (one blind) could not sign their names, and not one of the blacks. LEXINGTON.-SECOND PRECINCT The following is the result of the first session: Sandy Run-whites 33; colored 112. Brooker's-whites 33; colored 23. Wise's-whites 63; co? lored 17. ALL HAIL TO THE PHOENIX.-Bro? ther Selby need not expect a puff, for though he deserves many, we intend him none at present. We merely wish to allude to tho extent to which the custom now prevails, at the South, of adopting the Phoenix as a motto, indicating our efforts to create anew the beauty of our country from the ashes of her desolation. In this con? nection, it has been our good fortune to see the irrepressible bird por? trayed a hundred times, but never more beautifully, nor with more effect, than on the glass doors of tho paint and oil establishment of Mr. David Briggs, 101 East Bay. [Charleston Mercury. * Thank you kindly, Brother Mer? cury, for your insinuation. May you continue to illustrate Webster's inter? pretation of tho name you bear. Per? haps Mr. Briggs may be disposed, through the columns of his proto? type, to let the people of tho upper portion of tho State know that he hos risen from tho ashes. Read Udolpho Wolfe's advertise? ments in to-day's paper. The gift entertainment for the re? lief of the destitute poor of the South will be given in Washington City, on the 30th of this month; Persons desirous of obtaining tickets will apply at onco at tho Plurnix office, as returns are to bo made prior to the 10th, so that necessary arrangements can bo completed. The drying ny> of a singlo tear ha3 more of honest fame than shedding seas of gore._^ ^ ^_ Nr.w AnvEimsEMENTs.-Attention in call? ed to the following advertisements, which aro published this morning for the tlrat time: , J. C. Jannev-List of Letters. Mrs. ll. E. Levy-Sunday-School Notice. J. A T. It. Agnew-Lard, Pickles, etc. C. A S. C. It, lt.-Connection Ntf?h. Tho. H. Wade-Boarders Wantey Fisher A Lowrance-Safe for SflBft Richard Allen-Butter and CracleVd. A fino lot of Dosirable Goods have just boon opened by Mr. R. C. Shiver, who still adheres to his proper principio of good articles for little money. Bead his adver? tisement, and then examiuo the goods.