University of South Carolina Libraries
COLUMBJLAy r Tuesday Morning, January 28,1868. Thc Public Debt. A comparative statement of the public debt of the United States, on the 1st day of December, 18G7, and ?? the ist day of January, 1868, shows that in the space bf thirty-one days, that debt has increased six mil? lions nine hundred and nineteen thou? sand eight hundred and twenty-nine dollars and seventeen cents! ?r over $239,000 a dayl Thia is when the country is said, to he in a complete state of peace, with an army and navy reduced to the very lowest standard, and her foreign relations in the most satisfactory condition. In addition to and in explanation of this inorease of the public debt, the , Revenue Commissioner, Hon. D. A. Wells, reports that the internal reve? nue of 1867 !? $45,000,000 below that of 1866, the result of prostrated industry consequent on political agi? tation. At this rate, the public debt of the United States will go on swell? ing up sorao $60,000,000 to $80,000, 000 a yewr, and should any foreign war occur, the depreciation of its . public securities would be incalcula? ble. Yet, in the presence of those startling facts, within hearing of the cries of distress of 150,000 operatives . now begging their bread on the streets of tho Northern cities, or driven to procure it by crime or de? moralization, we find that the radical faction which styles itself the Con? gress of the United States is about to vote $4,000,000 or $5,000,000 to sup? port the freedmen of the South, who are fully able to support themselves. Congress has just appropriated the nice little sum of $50,000, as a "defi? ciency" for folding documents in the House of Representatives. $50,000 for the folding of speeohes to be sent ont into the land to bolster np the failing fortunes of Jacobinism. But this $50,000 is nothing. Mr. Spin? ner, the Treasurer, reports the ex? penses of holding the session of Congress of 1866-'67 as being $3,000, 000. Most of the time of that ses? sion was taken up in the presentation and discussion of "reconstruction" measures, and yet "reconstruction" is as far from consummation as evor. These are the fruits of radicalism, and, however bitter to the helpless South, is it not just and right that the Northern masses which submit to this mad rule should be made to taste of it?_ THE TRUTH m A NUT-SHELL.-Tho New York World, in reference to the cry of "hard times" that is heard now, in all parts of the country-but especially in the West-thinks "it is passing strange that, with very few exceptions, the people all clamor for hairs of tho dog that has bitten them. The cry of the people is for more irredeemable paper money, as if there were any special virtue in green? backs that would ease them of their trouble?. It is specie, not green? backs, that is needed. Just so long as tho taxes are high and Congress persists in keeping over one-fonrth of the country under [military rule at an enormous expenso; just so long as thousands of men are employed by the Government to do the work of hundreds; just so long as our busi? ness transactions are based on a cur? rency that is valueless tho moment it passes beyond the limits of tho United States, just so long must the people expect to suffer." That ic. ir. a iew words, tho morrow of tho mat? ter. -.+ ???-?-1 Tho Albany Argus publishes a state? ment relative to the colored troops, showing that fourteen deserted where one was killed, thirty died where one was killed, and twenty were mustered out for disabilty where one was killed in battle. The Reconstruction Convention. TENTH 'DAY. , (^RijarroN? Jaguar/ 25i<-The Convention waa called to order by the President^ Prayer was offered by Rev. ,T. W.* i>rwte. President Mackey having nnoounc od thav be would be oall?d oft* fr?? * day or two. Lemuel Boozed of Lex? ington, was chosen Chai minn. ". H. Judge Moore was elected printer to the Convention. " X J. Wright offered Ino following resolution: Resolved, Thai this Convention re speotfully request that Major-General Ed, R. S. Cunby, commanding the Second Military District, immediate? ly isano aa order exempting from levy or sale, for a period of font mon tba, ?00 sores Of land which now, or which may prior to the expira? tion of the four months, be under execution. He offered this resolution with the hope that it would be adopted, so that those persons whoee property is under ex?cution, may have 100 acree of land saved to them. It was the desire of the Convention, before it adjourned, to secure to every man a homestead; bat as there were execu? tions in process of being carried into effect now, he wished to secure a homestead to such persons as are in danger of being sold out. A debate ensued, whick v.-:::; parti? cipated in by Moses Robertson, Cain, Mackey, Whipper and others. During which, high words passed be? tween Robertson and Moses. The question being taken on the adoption of the resolution, it was carried by a voto of ayos 57, nays 52. B. F. Whittemore offered tho fol? lowing, which was unanimously adopted : While we, the members of this Convention, will not favor any scheme for the r?pudiation of debts, the violation of the obligation of contracts, or the taking of lands from the hands of the lawful owners of the same, without reasonable com? pensation, yet we are willing to con? sider and further any measure of relief consistent with the powers delegated to us by the Reconstruc? tion Acts of Congress. On motion, the Convention ad? journed. ? ? ? ? AN EX-AOENT OF THE FREEDMEN'S BUREAU ARRUTJ?D.-An individual named Robert Hannon, formerly an officer of the Freedmen's Bureau in Mississippi, charged with abstracting some six or seven thousand dollars from that department, was arrested in this city, last week, through the vigilanco of Lieut Hendricks* de? tective corps. He professed to be a Fenian, and went under an assumed name, but was recognized by the detectives and arrested. A reward of 8500 was offered for bis capture. He was turned over to the military authorities and sent to Castle Pinck ney yesterday, to await a requisition from Mississippi. . [GJiarleston Courier. MR. DAVIS IN MISSISSIPPI.-Tho Vicksburg Times says: Long absent, but warmly loved, as well in the day of his power as when a shackled prisoner in Fortress Mon? roe, the hearts of our people yearn towards President Davis with un? utterable affection. For what be tried to do-for what he has borne and suffered in the cause of the peo? ple, he will always be honored and remembered. We cannot greet him, as in other days, with public mani? festations of respect and gratitude, but when Jefferson Davis again Btands amongst his old friends, though their voices may be mute, their hearts will throb with a wild tumultuous joy. TERRIBLE EXPLOSION AND Loss OP LTPE IN CHINA.-The Boston Traveler contains correspondence dated Shang? hai, November 27, which gives the following details of an explosion in Chitin, which was briefly alluded to in lato cable despatches: "News has just reached us of a terrible explo? sion in tho Chineso arsenal, at Wu nhing, opposite Harikow. The loss of lifo has not been definitely ascer? tained, but Homo pomona estimate it at u.OOU; probably 1,000 is nearer the number of killed and wounded. No Europeans were hurt. The report of the explosion was distinctly heard at Kinkiang, 120 miles distant." Arrangements are hoing made in London for the construction of a now tunnel, entirely of cast iron, under the Thames. The cost is esti? mated at the rate of about $300,000 per mile. ! . j3CJOOA1 T.t?rris. CASH-PA* Ut1.-From and after January 1, 1868, tho cast eyatona will ba Strictly enforced. Persons who are now indebted for subscriptions, and who wish their papers continued, will confer a. fawn* p-iyi^g ?p .+ once. Thoso who fail wilt have their i papers discontinued. Cash, will also bo required for all advertisements. , Persons forwarding advertisements from a distance, mu?t send a remit I tance. Job work casa on delivery. . The annual meeting of the Ladies' Benevolent Society, will be held this afternoon, the 28th instant, in the I Washington Street Chapel, at 4 o'clock p. m. 1 "COMFORT'S FOLKS AND FAIRTES." Mr. MoCarter has furnished us a copy of a neatly illustrated and tastily bound book, with tho above title, intended for the especial edification of the little folks. It is a combina? tion of the real and unreal, beauti? fully blended, and will be received with favor by the numerous class for whom it is intended. PERSONAL.-Mr. John Mullnly, editor of the New York Metropolitan Record, one of the most fearless ad? vocates of the Southern people in the country, arrived in Columbia yesterday, and is stopping at Nioker SOn's Hotel. Ile ison u tour through the Southern States for personal ob? servation of the condition of affairs, which he intends to chronicle faith? fully through tho columns of his paper. We regret exceedingly that he was not able to make a longer stay here, os numbers of our citizens would rejoice to give him a cordial shake of the hand. He leaves for Augusta this morning. Since tho above was put in type, we are gratified to state that Mr. Mullnly has been induced to ohange his programme slightly, and will de? liver a lecture in Gregg's Hall this evening, at half-past 7 o'clock, to which the public in general is respect? fully iuvited. . His abilities as a speaker are highly spoken of by papers in different cities where he has delivered lectures. Tarn out, one and all-ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls-a treat is in store for you. ^ The Gray Jackets-And how they Lived, Fought and Died for Dixie, with Incidents and Sketches of Life in the Confederacy. Com? prising narratives of personal ad? venture, army life, naval adventure, home life, partizan daring, life in camp, field and hospital. Together with the songs, ballads, anecdotes and humorous incidents of the war for Southern independence. By a Confederate. Jones, Brothers <fc Co., Richmond, Va.; Atlanta, Ga.; Philadelphia, Pa. ; Cincinnati, O. ; St. Louis, Mo. ; Chicago, lil. The above work, an advertisement of which appears in another column, hos just been issued, and as it is sold only by subscription, those desiring to obtain copies should address the publishers, when an agent will call upon them. The work is very hand? somely gotten up. Tho frontispiece is an admirable lithograph likeness ol Gen. Lee. Tho illustrations running through the volume consist of a series of well delineated maps of various important localities, and tho narra? tive portion a well selected succession of sketches, chosen from tho period? ical and newspaper press, presenting, or rather illustrating, an inside view of life at homo and iu tho army and navy of tho South. Tho work is on? which may be taken up and laid down at pleasure, so great is tho variety with which it is filled. Almost every page contains somotbing pleasing and refreshing. Its perusal will ro-awaken many agreeable associations in thc minds of tho Southern poople. pROVIDENTlATi Est'ArE.- On Sun day evening, about 9 o'clock, as s very respectable und elderly lady wat returning from church, with her grand-son, they became bewildered in $6 darkness nnd missed the path a foot or two; whoa she WM precipi? tated into a well, on the vacant lot, corner of Plain and Marion streets. The well-hnl? h??d hccn covcr?4 by several logs; but ono of them having been removed, the opening was suffi? ciently large lo make it a oom pie te pit-fall. Pieces of board, trash, etc., partially filled the well,, and broke the force of the fall. A colored man, who was among the large crowd which soon collected, descended, and relieved tho lady from her perilous position. She escaped unhurt, with the exception of several bruises. This is the second or third time that a human being has boen precipitated into this self-same well. Yesterday morning, as we learn, the city au? thorities ordered it filled up, and workmen immediately went to work to completo this necessary job. BURKS' BIRTH-DAY.-As "Sandy" is proverbially a great respecter of the Sabbath, and the festivities at? tendant on u genuine Scottish cele? bration generally extpnd into thc "wee sma' hours ayant the twal," the members of tho Burns Club, of thia city, unanimously resolved to post? pone tho celebration of tho birth-day of their patron saint, from Saturday to Monday, the 27th. The delay added to the zest with which the affair was finally carried out. At half-past 8 o'clock, lost night, about sixty gentlemen-members of th? olub and their friends-sat down to t supper, prepared by Mr. John Mc? Kenzie, in his large saloon; and that it was a sumptuous, as well as sub stantial repast, the bill of faro clenrlj proves. It consisted of wild duck cranberry jelly ; roast turkey-giblel sauce; beef a-la-mode; stewed oys ters; oyster and mutton patties chiokun and lobster salad; picklos beef-steak ond oyster pie; boiled han and tongue; apple merinjrue; calf foot jelly; cranberry jelly; cranberry pie; lippi'. pie; cake; fruit; nuts raisins; curruut bun; short bread besides iuuuiuernble bowls of tin smoky beverage, manufactured in tin highlands; but which is very palatabli to Highlanders, Lowlanders and al most every one else-"Scotch whiske; punch," and the unadulterated arti ole, ad libitum. President McKenzU took the [chair, and Rev. J. L Reynolds invoked a blessing; alto which the clatter of knives and forks with the accompaniment of gnashing masticators, was all that could b heard for an hour. Tho Presiden then read tho following regula toasts: 1. The memory of Burns-naturo'i sweetest poet. We cannot improv* on his own words, "The poetic gc niue of my country found me as th prophetic bard Elijah did Elisha-s the plow-and threw her inspirinj mantle over mc. She bade me sin, the loves, the joys, the rural scene and rural pleasures of my native soil in my native tongue. I tuned m wild, artless notes as sho inspired. Song-Robert King. 2. Tho Queen of Great Britain Her reign has boon promotive of th industry, happiness and prosperity c her eabjeets; may she bo ?ung spare to rule them. E. Hopo-"Brave Ol Oak." 3. Tho President of thet Unite ?States-May ho guido the country t repose and peace, guard tho Const tution intact and deserve the aj plause of posterity. Responded t by Capt. On ester. 4. Scotland-Tho laud of our birtl tho home of our boyhood; her hint* ry brings tho tinah of prido to ou cheeks and incites in our breasl emulation of tho great and good wh have rendered her name endeared t every lover of freedom. "Breathes there a man," Ac. Song-John Joans. 5. America-The land of our ado] tion; a refuge for the oppressed ( every olime. May her future bo moi glorious even than her past, and wi Som, moderation and patriotisi govern statesmen in all their action: 6. Washington-The savior of his country, the soldier and the states? man; his nobility of character in whatever i relation we find him en? dears him to his kind and commands our veneration. ' The people's love for him is a san- euiranteo that those noble prirfciplco he embodies will forever secure the safety of the Re? public. Song-J" Courtney. 7. The Ladies-God bless them; in childhood they guide our totter? ing steps; in manhood our helpmate and joy; in old age our comfort and j pleasure; with them thia world isa I paradise, without them a blank. Song-^John Jeans. Mr. Mnllaly (of the New York Me? tropolitan Record) was here intro? duced, and was received with "three cheers and a tiger. " Mr. M. returned bin thanks for the pleasing manner in which he had been received, and poid a glowing tribute to the poetic genius of Burns. Several gentlemen were called on, and responded with song and sentiment; by which time "the mirth nnd fun grew fast and furious." As lifLor-supper speeches are very much like champagne-effervescent and sparkling at the time, but stale and flat the next day-we omit fur? ther meution of what was said and done. The Life of Jeffersoii Davis, by Frank H. Alfriend, Richmond, Va., lute editor of the Southern Literary Messenger. Published by National Publishing Company, Atlanta, Ga. To be issued in one handsome ochavo volume, of from 500 to 600 pages; embellished with a portrait on steel, engraved in pure line and stipple, from a recont photograph from life. Price, bonnd in the best English doth, $3.50 per copy; bonnd in half calf antique $5.00 per copy. i The above work is now far ad I vuucod in its preparation, aud will be I published at nn early date. It will j be sold exclusively by subscription, and a bound prospectus is now ready for agents. In the collection of materials, the author says he had the co-operation and assistance of pro? minent officials of very high position in tho lato Confederacy, and has en I joyed facilities unsurpassed by any writer upon the subject of the war, for obtaining information from ori? ginal sources. The work will be looked for with eager interest. The following extract, taken from page 73, will serve to show the ndmirablo manner in which Mr. Alfriend uses his pen: "The development in Mr. Davis of the high and rare qualities, requisite j to parliamentary leadership, waa rapid and decisive. His nature in? stinctively aspires to influence and power, and under no circumstances conld it rest contented in an attitude of inferiority. Independence, ori? ginality and intrepidity, added to earnest and intelligent conviction; unwavering devotion to principle and purpose; a will stern and in? exorable, and a disposition frank, courteous and generous, are features of character which rarely fail to make a representativo man. After the death of Mr. Calhoun, he was in? comparably the ablest exponent of States rights principles, and oven during the life of that great public? ist, Mr. Davis, almost equally with him, shared tho labors and responsi? bilities of leadership. His personal courage is of that knightly order, which in an age of chivalry would have sought the trophies of the tournament, upon tho solid rock of principle, indifferent to the incon? venience of being in a minority and in no dread of tho storms of popular passion. His faith in his principles was no less earnest than his con? fidence in his ability to triumphantly defend them." There is a good deal of the brute in maj}. Fur example, ho is gene? rally dog-matio, often pus-illanimous and sometimes easily cow-ed; occa? sionally cat-egorioal, aud is always ready to bo made a "lion" of. NEW ADVESTIHEMKNTS.-Attentien is call? ed to the following advertisements, pub? lished this morning for the first time: W. Stieglitz-Notice. D. C. Poixotto A Son-Auction Salo. J. ft T. It. Agnew-Flour. Ac. Mis? Henry-School Notice. J. D. LOTO-Bouohardt's, Ac. Jones Brothers A Co-Agonta Wanted.