University of South Carolina Libraries
COLUMBIA. Thursday Morning, Sept. 19.1867. Gold ?nd Cotton. ;. We have beeu frequontly asked "why does not ootton keep paco in ad? vance of prices with the price of gold? The latter has already reached 45 premium. The flow of currency is abundant, and in excess of the mercantile wants of tho country. There is scarcely any demand ior paper at the great commercial cen? tres, even at low rates. Many causes are assigued for this anomaly of a differenoo in value be? tween gold and its legitimate repre? sentative-cotton. The political dis? turbances are assigned by some, as one objection to the rise in cotton. If, under these disturbances, gold can gallop up to 145, we cannot per? ceive why a bale of cotton, which wonld bring $100 currency, should not be worth 145 also. Wo know gold is easily influenced in its fluctua? tions, and the recent acts of the Pre? sident may have added some stimulus to its upward course. Another reason, and a much more plausible one, that the recent impor? tations have been very hoavy, and the importers have to purohase coin to pay tho customs-this, oi course, raises the price. These for? eign purchases will have to be made with coin ta an extent greater than for several years past. Before the war, the cotton and tobacco crops of the South furnished tho basis upon which the great bulk of our foreign purchases and importations were made. Since the war commenced, and during its progress, the North made its purchases on the securities of the Federal Government. Th? interest on these bonds being at the rate of 6 per cent., payable semi? annually, in gold, made them a very desirable investment for* foreign capitalists. Hence it was, that los? ing the entire cotton and tobacco crop of the South, Northorn importen felt somewhat independent in provid? ing for the payment of their bills, bj negotiating abroad large quanti tiet of live-twenties. To turn these fluctuations in golc to the benefit of tho cotton planter, an able cotemporary suggests thal the Southern people have it in theil power now to make their strength and influence felt at tho North, ant' throughout tho whole country. ?hej can sendgold up, np, up-till it shal cause the lordly bond-holders' lin an cial castles to tumble with a crash which will bury beneatli it, and for ever, the ill-gotten gains which hav< been wrung from tho distress of ? free and gallant people Let the cotton planters dctcrmim to receive nothing in exchange fo their cotton crops but gold. Le them, each one for himself, whethe he be a large or small planter, insia upon gold for every pound of hi cotton. If tho producers of cotto: will adopt this coarse, we beliov that in less than ninety days, gol will rise above 200. Cotton plantel should remember that gold is th standard of value for cotton. Th higher tho price of gold, tho greata will be their gains from tho prodin tion of cotton. Will our Southern planters h ec the suggestion ? - PAYMENT OF THE COTTON CLAIMS. - Tho Secretary of tho Treasury now paying tho cotton claims tin have been adjudicated by tho Unite States Court of Claims. Thei claims, it will be remembered, we: decided by the Court of Claims la winter, and wore appealed by Seer tary McCulloch to tho Supren Court; but the Court of Claims d cided that there could bc no appe from that Court. Tho cases we then referred to tho First Comptn 1er of the Treasury, for his docisu as to tho manner in which tin should be paid, and that officer ruli that they should bo paid from tl cotton fund, and not from tho Co gresaional appropriation. This rulii has enabled tho Secretary to sotl tho claims, which, it is understoo is being done os fast as they aro pi sentod. <-??->. "Chevalier" Wikoff is said to bi kind of a secret agont for tho N York Herald, furnishing that joun with information about prominc officials, which it uses whon occasi requires. Wealth and Labor. We have a few additional facts that we desire to present io our readers. Tho latest returns of the Commis? sioners indicate lt?f>,059 immigrants -about tho same' os for the corres? ponding time last year. A large majority of these go to the North? west, -where land is rich and cheap, and to he had in small farms, which are the chief attraction. Each fami? ly, it has been ascertained, brings with it $100 in gold. Supposing each family to number four persons, this will give over 40,000 families, who will bring with them between $4,000.000 and $5,000,000. This sum, or perhaps double that, will be expended by the immigrants, after buying lands from the Govern? ment, among their neighbors, for necessary supplies, until they can make a crop. A large majority en? gage in agriculture, and after the first year become themselves pro? ducers of surplus exchangeable pro? ducts, which enter into the commerce of the world and add to tho wealth of the State. Wo have but a few words to add to the above facts. Wo sincerely hope our principal planters will adopt the policy suggested. We will return to this subject, as the facts of the re? port are interesting and of the ut? most importance to the development, of the State. THE PROGRESS OF A GOOD WORK. The application of Northern capital and skill to agricultural and indus? trial improvements in the Southern States does more good than all the political discussions. Such "mate? rial aid" to reconstruction, for in? stance, is furnished in ' the recent purchase of mineral lands in Virginia by a New York capitalist-said to be Commodore Vanderbilt. This gen? tleman has bought a.large tract of land on the James River, in Nelson County, Virginia, which is rich in iron ore, and smelting works will be promptly erected upon the spot, thus giving occupation to hundreds of laborers, and practically adding to the prosperity and comfort of the region. The President claims that he has in his possession a fine collection of private letters from Republican mem? bers of each house, pledging their support against the impeachment move, and he thinks that the exigen? cies of tho situation may yet justify him in giving them to tho public. -? ? CONDITIONAL, PARDONING.-Tho country has already received tho in? telligence that Governor Orr, of South Carolina, has pardoned a ne? gro man named Smart Chisolm, con? victed of murdering his step-daugh? ter, on condition that he leaves the State for five years. The Columbus Sun objects to this as an outrage, and says that South Carolina is ?he only State that thus disgraces civilization. The Sun adds : It is time something should be done to abate this nuisance and dis? courtesy, by legislation or otherwise. We trust the press of Georgia will warn the people to look ofter this exiled murderer, and if found in thc State, to arrest and deliver him back to Gov. Orr, to bo turned loose, if he chooses, on the community iu which he committed the crime of which he is convicted. -1 ? ? > ANOTHER GEORGIA NEGRO CANDI? DATE.-"At the earnest solicitation ol many friends," Franklin Haynes, e colored individual, announces him self in the Cartersvills Repress, t candidate for Congress in the Ttl Congressional District of Georgia Franklin says he was "born a slave,' and is acquainted, ho says, "with al the changes and incidents consequen to tho lifo of au African slave;' though his "lines have fallen in com parntively pleasant places," his "oh masters having all boen endowed witl feelings of humanity and considera tion towards their servants." Frank lin is now in his 58th year, and thu defines his political position : l8tly. I am in favor of revokinj tho tax on cotton, whiskey and to bocco, tho three great commodities o trade in the land. 2ndly. I nm in favor of thoequalit of races. 3rdly. I cm in favor of tho Ken tucky resolutions of '98. 4thly. I am in favor of tho libcrt of the press and speech. 5thly and lastly. I am in favor c a republican form of govornment; c tho Constitution of tho United State and tho laws undor it, and desire thr it shall bo handed down to our po; tority unimpaired. A While Citizen Selmed by ? 0?ng of Negro?* and Dragged to Charleston. Saturnalia hy th* vray. The following account has been furnished the Charleston Mercury, of a recent occurrence in Christ Church Parish. It is written by a responsi? ble citizen, in whose statements con? fidence,may properly be r^oed : Mr. Samuel Fraser having the supervision and charge of a planta? tion and a number of negroes, in? formed the men that they most wait until Saturday to register their names. The registration began on Monday, and was to continue through the week. Some of - the men left the plantation on Monday, (the first day of the registration,) and returned late that evening, without register? ing. Mr. Fraser then told them that "if they left again before Saturday, they need not return." An alterca? tion ensued, in which tho negroes set up tho. right to bo absent from the' place "as long ns the registration lasted," without any liability to fine or deduction of wages for the lost time. Mr. Fraser, on the other hand, gave them to understand that his duty to his employer required him to make a deduction for their absence on Monday, and for any other day, except the day allowed them for the purpose of registering. Having ab? sented themselves on Monday, they failed to receive their rations when the other laborers got theirs; and having expressed their determination to leave again on Tuesday, and for every day of the week, Mr. Fraser refused to give them the rations for that week. They then left "for the registration precinct. Arriving there, they made complaint to tho two re? gistrars, Mr. Smith, (white,) and Aaron Logan, (black,) thnt Mr. Fra? ser had forbidden their coming to register, and threatened to turn them off if they left the plantation. Aaron demanded that Fraser should be arrested. All tho negroes present, (about one hundred and fifty,) cla? mored for the arrest. Mr. Smith advised against it, saying there was no affidavit of the facts, and a bare statement was not sufficient. He re? fused to sign tho warrant, ut least until he could think the matter over. But Aaron would not be delayed a moment. He grew furious-threaten? ed his white colleague-swore he would take the responsibility on him? self, and thereupon scrawled off a 3ort of mandate "to bring Sam. Fraser before him to be dealt with," &c. Aaron called for volunteers "to arrest the villain." A hundred voices 3ried out, "I'll go," "Gib me de warru m." Aaron picked out a dozen men armed with guns and mus? kets, (about thirty present had these weapons,) and commanded them to "bring tho villain beforo him," "PU show tho white scoundrel how ho dare to fine you for coming here," &c. Tho negroes took tho paper and pro seeded to tho house of Mr. Fraser. They found him lying down on a bench. They rushed up to him, socked their guns, levelled them at liim and cried out, "I arres you," "wo come to fetch you, dead or alive, bo Mr. Logan." They commanded liim to go with them. He mounted his horse, and, guarded on nil sides by tho negroes, was conducted into tho august presence of the dusky dignitary. A little beforo sun-set, Mr. Fraser, with tho armed escort, was brought boforo the sable Aaron. Tho negro laborer who had made the complaint was told by Aaron to make his state? ment again. He did so. Another negro was then called up to corrobo? rate that statement. Unfortunately and unwittingly, he lot out that Mr. Fraser had told them that "they could go and register on Saturday," but that tho "condition of the crop did not admit of their absenco moro than one day;" and that "the v/ork they were engaged in could not be delayed," and they must therefore "put off registering till Saturday." Tho two negroes having given their statement, Mr. Fraser asked if ho "could say n few words." He began by calling attention to tho fact that what the first nigger said was not supported by what the other nigger said; and he was about to weigh tho two in tho scales of truth and justice, and show which should be believed, when Justice Aaron, who had it all his own way, (there not being ono white man present to help Fraser. ) declared tho audience at an end, and announced his deter? mination "to take the fellow (Fraser) to Charleston, anyhow;" and "ho didn't want to hear 'nuffin farrer' from him?, nohow." Eight armed negroes aro selected by Aaron as tho guard. Mr. Fraser is put in their charge. Aaron mounts his horse; Mr. Fraser attempts to mount his. Tho whole pack yell out, "Git off dat boss, you dam white debbie you." Ho is forced to dismount. Aaron alone rides; all the others walk. Mr. Fraser is then marched by this guard, headed by Aaron, through swamp and jugnlo, bramble and bush, by the most indirect, blind and circuitous pathways, in tho direction of Charleston. Those various diver? gencies from anything Uko a fre? quented pathway was to bring him to tho numerous negro quarters, which, within distances varying from 100 yards to a half mile, wero stretched on cither side of tho main road which led to tho city. At each of these negro quarters, Aaron commanded a halt. The negroes were aroused from their sleep; lights were ordered and the negroes assembled. Then Aaron paraded Mr. Fraser before them, and proceedod to explain "who ?as the white villain he had in cos tody; how he had ordered his arrest, and what he intended to do with him," tte, tte. This outrage was repeated ellalong the route to the caty, which was not reached till 8 o'clock next morning. Arriving in Charleston, Aaron and his guard delivered Mr. Fraser to the military stationed at the Citadel. At 9 or 10 o'clock - that day, Mr. Fraser was called before thc officer in com? mand, and was informed that he had been illegally arrested, and was dis? charged. It is gratifying to know that Aaron is under arrost by order of the military. Hear Both sidon. Mr. Henry Clay Denn, of Iowa, hos issued the following circular, to the prisoners of the late Confederate armies. It is intended as an offset to the investigation as to the treat? ment of Union soldiers in Southern prisons, ordered by Congress: At the late session of the Congress of the United States, that body pass? ed a resolution, on July 10th,' 1867, appointing certain parties os a com? mittee to investigate "the treatment of prisoners of war and Union citi? zens held by the Confederate authori? ties during the late rebellion," at the same time refusing to extend tho in? vestigation to the prisoners of war, victims of arbitrary power, and mili? tary usurpation by the authority of the Federal administration. The partial, vindictive and wicked pnr pose of the Congress to pervert, dis? tort, and suborn the truth of history, has made it the duty of every Ameri? can citizen to look to the honor of his country and the preservation of the truth of history. We all might well imitate the ex? ample of the better son of Noah, and walk backwards and throw tho man? tle of oblivion upon the nakedness of our drunken parent, and forget all of the past; but since a partial and false representation of our pub? lic affairs is to be made by members of Congress for the unholy and fiend? ish purpose of perpetuating sectional bitterness, and prolonging the un christain and unnatural strife of s ruined people, that justice may be done to every man and the truth ol history may bo vindicated, I hereby most respectfully request that all persons in possession of important information in regard to any of these subjects, ns well as the city burnings, plantation devastations, the murders, rapes and robberies, perpetrated un der official sanction, either civil oi military, of the Federal authority are earnestly requested to address th< undersigned, stating in precise, sim pie and unexoggcrated terms, a ful statement.of all the facts known t< the writer touching his own impri sonment, or treatment of others either soldiers or citizens, giving, a far as possible, names, places am dates, with the names of Federn officers in charge, and those iustigat ing those crimes. - The great body of the officers am soldiers in both armies were mani festly honest in purpose in the prose cution of their terrible work of death The history of wars demonstrate that the vilest men havo charge c prisons. A history of the craelty t prisoners on both sidns in the lat war, is ono which will "make he ashamed and turn the cheek of dari ness pale," and be, for our own hit tory's sake, forgotten; but if told, i must be truly told, that eaeh part may be shamed into silence by thei crime. Not having the - people money to waste in postage to kind! the fire of revenge, I will trust to th kindness of the sufferers to transm to me, by mail, all communicator upon tnis subject nt their earliest coi venience. I am, very respectfully your obedient servant, HENRY CLAY DEAN, Mount Pleasant, Iowa. THE PEABODY FUND.-The No York Tribune says: "The trustees of the Peabotl fund having determined to apply tl funds which tho munificence of M Peabody has placed in their hands i encouraging the introduction of tl system of free schools into tho Soutl ern States, by supplementing tho woi of the people in thc cause of populi education, tho Rev. Mr. Amos, tl Southern agent of that fund, is no on a visit to tho North, with tl object of obtaining contributions : aid of the available means at the di posai of tho trastees. Those mean though ample, aro far from adequa to the wants of the population whi< it is sought to bonefit. Honce tl necessity for further help. M Amos is furnished with testimonie of character from Generals Grar Thomas and Howard, and sever influential gentlemen in tho Nor have already signified their war approval of his mission. In view the immense benefit which will t crue to tho South, and, indirectly, tho whole Union, from tho success the plan which tho trustees of t Peabody fund havo adopted, we ca not doubt that tho appeals of Al Amos will bo liberally responded by all who havo faith in education an ally of free government." ?joual T.teTTi.?. The lucky owners of Confederate eight per cent, bonds will find a notice of interest to thomby refer? ring to or.r advertising columns. Mr. S. H. Myers is opening a new stock of dry goods, and offers them at pri?es to make it an inducement for his down town friends to give him a call. TUE LADIES' INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIA? TION-SOMETHING TASTY.-We exa? mined with much pleasure, at tho storo of this useful and fully-appre? ciated institution, some specimens of preserves, etc., prepared by an aged lady, a former resident of Beaufort Mrs. Bythewood, who has seen her seventy-third birth-day-which are a perfect curiosity, and will repay u visit. She has carved shaddock, for? bidden fruit, water-melon, etc., in various shapes-such as bunches of grapes, forget-me-nots, lilies, rose? buds and flowers of various kinds, n just description of which it is impos? sible to give. As there will be a full display of these articles this morn? ing, purchasers ns well as admirers of tho beautiful are invited to call. Mrs. Bythewood has put np several cans for shipment to New York. Our lady readers will also find articles of fancy work, embroidery, &C., at the show-room of the asso? ciation, which are offered for sale at fair prices. The ladies in charge are prepared to have any aud all kinds of needle-work done in tho very best manner. Lend a helping hand, all who can possibly do so. REGISTKATION.-The following ad? ditional regulations have been issued for the guidance of tho officers of registration. We publish it as a matter of information. This settles tho militia officer question : There are, however, certain muni? cipal or town officers within tho in? tent and meaning of the Acts of Con? gress, and who by subsequent acts in aid of the rebellion, would be dis? qualified. For example, a mayor of a city, or intendant of a town, who may have been, by virtue of his office, a magistrate, having authority by law to hear and determine com? plaints for petty offences, and to im? pose punishment by fine and impri? sonment upon offenders; or to arrest, commit or hold to bail persons charg? ed with crime. Municipal or town officers, having authority to force mero local ordi? nances in the nature of police regula? tions, for the preservation of order, tho regulation of trade, and the abatement of nuisances, or other strictly corporate matters, aro not within tho disfranchising provisions of tho Act. Officers of militia, employed in the execution of the patrol laws, or other laws having relation to the domestic order of the State and tho government of the slave population therein, and who afterwards engaged in tho rebel? lion, are disqualified; such officers, although military in name, aro civil and executive in their duties. Certain employments, licensed by authority of State laws, having rela? tion to tho administration of justice, are not offices within the meaning of these acts-for example, lawyers. All offices auxiliary to Courts, such as Clerks of Courts, Masters in Equi? ty, etc., etc., created by general laws, for tho administration of justice, aro within the meaning of tho Acts of Congress. A Notary Public, being a mere ministerial officer, and performing no executive or judicial duties, is not within the disqualifying clauses of tho Acts of Congress. Local officers, having executive powers and duties defined by general laws, and embraced within the civil polity of tho State, although chosen or appointed by tho people of the vicinage, aro disqualified, if, after holding such offices, they voluntarily engaged in tho rebellion, or afforded aid and comfort to persons so engag? ed-for example, overseers of high? ways, land commissioners, overseers of tho poor, Captains of Beat Com? panies. Naturalized citizens, having abjur? ed allegiance to all sovereignty other than that of tho United States, and having taken upon themselves tho obligations and duties belonging to citizens, and acquired thereby the rights and privileges of citizenship, who afterwards renounced voluntarily their allegiance to the United States, and acknowledged allegiance to and became citizens of tho protended government of the "Confederate States of America," and voluntarily took up arms against tho United States, or gavo aid and comfort to tho enemies thereof, havo ceased by their own act to bo citizens of tho United Statos, and will bo deemed aliens until again naturalized as citi? zens of the United States. Tho cases of all such porsons will, howover, bo specially noted on tho books of registration, for further con? sideration before tho final revision prior to on election. "Wo havo already announced tho receipt of the first bale of new cotton I in this market. Tho second lot two balea-waa bought yesterday, by Hardy Solomons, Esq., at 18 cents quality fair. Having a complete printing office, superintended by tho proprietor, we can execute every description of book and job printing-bill and letter heads, circulars, labels, posters, pro? grammes, business, wedding and in? vitation cards, railroad receipts, checks, drafts, &c. Our friends will find it to their interest (and ours) to give us a call. Head Udolpho Wolfe's advertise? ments in to-day's paper. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.-Attention is call <tl to tho following advertisements, which are published this morning for the first timer 8. II. Myers & Co.-Now Goods. J. P. Eisenmann-Merchant Tailor. J. ?fc T. R. Agnew-Wagon Findings. M. J. Calnan-Registration. H. Ri. Geiger-Estato Notice. Jamo? H. Taylor-Lost Certificates. Jacob Levin-Horso and Wagon. D. C. Peixotto ib Son-Sundries. W. E. Lowrance-Wood's Mowers. Extra Mooting Chicora Base Rall Club. Edwin J. 8cott-Stocks, Bonds, &c. H. M. Gibson-Hardware and Groceries. SQUIB - A FACT NOT GENEBATXY Arrnr. CIATED.-When a merchant changes his stand, ho is certain to sell goods very cheap for a long time, to havo bis cus? tomers follow bim, and make his move fiopular. Mr. R. C. Shiver has moved bis argo new stock of Dry Goods to Main street. NEW YORK AND BROOKLYN.-It has been already noted that it was pro? posed to erect a monster bridge over the East River, to connect Now York and Brooklyn, and thus relieve those cities from tho continued and in? creasing pressure upon the ferries. According to the .statement, this bridge is one of tho greatest works now projected. The entire length of tho bridge will be 5,981 feet; the length of the river span will be 1,433 feet, and tho height of the bridge from the water will bo 130 feet; so that navigation will not be interrupt? ed in any manner. The towers will be immense, the height being 2G8 feet from high water mark. The outside of the pillars will bo of gra? nite, the interior concrete. The floor of the bridge will be made firo and water-proof. From a detailed account of the bridge, we extract the follow? ing interesting description of its width and purposes: "Tho under-framing which forms tho bridge floor is eighty- feet wide, divided in five spans by six piers of iron trusses. The two outside spans are fifteen feet wide, and form road? ways for all kinds of travel. Iron tramways are laid down for the wheels to run on, the same os on the Cincinnati Bridge, leaving four feet eight and one-half inches in tho clear for the horses to run on. The next two spaces are each thirteen feet wide, provided with steel rails for two passenger trains backward and forward alternately, propelled by j an endless chain rope and stationary engine on tho Brooklyn sido. These cars can safely have a running speed of twenty miles an hour, but forty might bo made in the centre of the bridge. Two sets of engines will always be in readiness, lest an acci? dent should occur to the one in use. 228,000 persons could be passed over this road in twenty-four hours in one direction, besides those who might go on foot, which would reach nearlv 500,000 in ail. It is stated that the bridge could accommodate the entire travel of all the ferries as they are now constructed, which is about 40,000,000 annually. The fifth divi? sion of tho bridge is reserved for au elevated promenade for people of leisure." THE PRESIDENT'S POSITION.-On this vexed question, tho New York correspondent of tho Louisville Cou? rier says : w Tho decided policy adopted by the President "recently exercised a good influence in this city and State. It came at a late hour, but perhaps not too lalo to savo tho country from anarchy and ruin. It seems ns if he invited impeachment and defied his political foes. He has thrown down thc gauntlet, and it is to bo seen whether the rump Congress will dare pick it up. v. His courso is understood better hero, perhaps, than in tho West. I am not permitted to reveal all I know; but this I can say-ho does defy Congress with its usurped powers, and ii they attempt to re? move him from office, they will find ho is prepared to resist anything beyond their legitimate powers. Tho Presi? dent has bold ns well ns able coun? sellors, and such ns will stand by him in his grand omi patriotic efforts to preserve a constitutional govern? ment. Gen. R. S. Ewell is in "big luck." Ho is ablo to sell 708 acres of land in Giles County, Tennessee, for S2C 918.