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COLUMBIA, S. C. Friday moraine. May 24, 1872. Th? Democratic Convention. The Executive Committee of the Demooratio party, or of what was ic 1868 the Demooratio party, has issued a oall for a State Convention of the part\ to elect delogatea to the general Demo oratio Convention, which meets in Balti more, July 9. The State Convention ii called for the 11th of June. As to thc Executive Committee, we presume thal they did not oonsider it an optional matter with them whether they should or should not annonnao a oall. They, doubtless, felt constrained to give thc people, who supported the Democratic ticket in 1868, on opportunity of taking partin the Baltimore Convention, should any feel so .disposed. If there be an} such, unquestionably they have the righi to meet in convention and send delegate; to the general Convention. But an there any soon? Are there a dozen met in South Carolina to-day who favoi even an apparent resuscitation of th? Democratic party, and who wonld bi willing, in oase the Baltimore Conven tion is crazy enough to nominate i straight Demooratio ticket, to work foi the Bucoess of that ticket? Further, if we are not willing to abidi the action of the Convention, have w< any right to take part in its proceedings If so, we mast accord the same right tc others, and say that they oonld, properly and consistently, bolt from the Conven tion and make a separate nomination should they be dissatisfied with the deoi sioa of the majority. We opposed, ti begin with, the calling of the genera Demooratio Convention. We deemed i unwise, useless and dangerous. If th press can be relied upon aa the exponen of popular feeling, it is undoubtedly tru that four-fifths of the Demooratio part; are strongly in favor of supporting Gree ley and Brown. It would have beoi much wiser, therefore, if no Conventioi had been called, and the party been al lowed quietly to take its choice betwoei Greeley and Grant. That question, however, is settled. I only remains to be determined whethc South Carolina shall send a representa tion to Baltimore. The pertinent quo* tion arises, what is to be gained by it We feel pretty certain that there is nc body who cares to go to the Conventior and few, if any, who feel tiny interest i it, except to hope that Groeley an Brown will be endorsed. Every on knows that the name of Democral which attaches to almost every wbil man in the State, is a great, if not th chief, obBtaolo in the way of bringin about that combination between tb races which, and ?which only, can eflei the desired reform in oar State Coven ment. We wish to Bhako aloof from tl Demooratio party, because it is injuriot to nfl hera at home, whom our more ic mediate interesta and pressing neceas ties command oar first attention. \\ accomplish this best by having no thin whatever to do with it. It is true that the delegates from Soul Carolina could cast a few votes at Ball more in favor of the endorsement < Greeley and Brown. But would not tl faut of our not, sending delegates at o exert a greater influence npon the D moorats of the North, if they really ha' any regard for our condition, than cou the few delegates whom we may sent Lot ns rather call at once a oonvontic or mass meeting of all the people of tl State who favor Greeley and Brown ai endorse the Cincinnati platform, to i tify them. In oar judgment, this is the most h nest and straight-forward coarse, ai will do more to influence- the Baltimo Convention to a sensible decision, thi oar going through the Bbatn of sendii delegates to an assemblage, to the ve meeting of wbjoh we are opposed. It ia idle to talk of a passive polic People will think, and talk, and act, < peoially on such-na important occasi' as a Presidential election. We are n going to vote for a Democrat. We oa not vote for Grant. We all like o Horaoe, aud why not say so at out openly and mani tilly ? Tb? Abos? of Mr. Voorbee*. It is painful to read, particularly Southern Demooratio journals, sa hasty aud envenomed attacks upon i Hon. Daniel W. Voorkees as have be drawn oat on account of his oppoBiti to Mr. Greeley. All through the v this able and earnest man stood firm bia devotion to Demooratio prinoipl aud firmly aud incessantly opposed 1 coeroion of the South. Almost alono breasted the storm of sectional aud pa hato at the North, whioh the war creased there, as at tho Sooth, to aim overpowering vehemonoo and bittornc Ninety-nine-hundredtka of the Der, oratio party gave way before the ii sistible ruBb of public sentiment wk urged the fratricidal strife, and them? selves turned with it aud joined ia the effort to force the South back into tho Union. In the heat and excitement of battle they lost sight of the fundamental doctrine of their political faith and hushed their oonoienoes, which might have twitted them for their impious de? sertion of tho right of self government, by the false cry "tho Union muatbe pre? served." Not so with Yoorhoes. Earnest in his convictions, and sincere in bis politi? cal beliefs, he maintained them boldly and unflinchingly through all the terrors aud temptations of a seo'lonal war. Since the war he hos presented the same unshaken and fearless attitude. Tho South has had no champion-nor tho tyranny of Grant and tho infamous measures of the Radical party no de? nunciator-BO bold, so eloquent, BO pow? erful QB Daniel W. Voorhees. The ! mighty Fhillipio which ho hurled against the Radical party scarce two months ago, pioturing in glowing and truthful words tho ruin that Radical reconstruc? tion had wrought at the South, is B ti ll ringing in onr ears. When we think of the man, his noble record, and the un? deviating kiuduesa and sympathy he haB manifested for us, we experience a sick? ening consciousness of the base ingrati? tude and truckling pusilauimity of the Southern men who vilify and impugn his motives for opposing Mr. Greeley. When he declares for Grant, or shows one act of inconsistency, we will then, perhaps, suspoot tho sinoerity of his past professions, but surely not till then. We give preoedenoe to nona in advo? cating the support of tho Liberal Repub onus by the Democrats; but we will allow Mr. Voorhees at least the.privilege of differing with us, unquestioned and unsuspected. We think that in potting himself iu such violent antagonism to the Liberal Republicans, Mr. Voorhees has let his partisan zeal and a too vivid recollection of past animosities blind his j judgment. We have some hope that he may oome round yet, and be induced to take a more dispassionate and rational view of the situation, when he learns, as ho soon will, .that the vast body of the Democratic party is heartily disposed to support Undo Horace.. Bat even if he does not, and chooses rather to hold him? self aloof from what he oannot sincerely approve, he will deserve no reproach from tho South. The Pali Mall Gazette has made the discovery that disturbances of the inte? rior forces of the earth have a remark? able connection with political changes. Thus, iu 1855, the resignation of the Aberdeen Ministry was followed by a serious eruption of Vesuvius. When Lord Derby resigned, in 1859, the same volcano made another demonstration. After the Trent affair, and the release of Mason and Slidell, Torre del Greco, at the base of Vesuvius, was destroyed by a stream of lava. On November 12, 1867, another emption of Vesuvius began, and on Deeember 13, the Fenians attempted to blow np Olerkenwell Prison. This eruption continued until February, 18G8, when Lord Derby resigned, and the Dis? raeli Ministry coming into power, the mountain ceased its mutterings. Mount1 Mina, too, has been affected by the po? litical disturbances in England on seve? ral occasions. In 1832, when the reform bili was passed, iEtna boiled/over and destroyed the neighboring town of Bronte. There was a violent eruption of iEtna in 1852, when the Dake of Wel? lington died; and in 18G5, an emption, lasting from February to July, was fol? lowed by the death of Lord Palmerston and the accession of Earl Russell to power. The Gazelle is of the] opinion that the recent breaking out of Vesuvius will be followed by the breaking up of tho Gladstone Ministry. Accepting these views as well founded, it is not dif? ficult to aooonnt for the late earthquakes in this oouutry, which, beginning in California, made the earth tremble from the Paoi?o to the Atlantio Ocean. These internal disturbances were evidently the preliminary indications of the great po? litical earthquake which ia already be? ginning to shake the foundations of Grant's corrupt administration, and whiob, fcy November next, will result in ft general upheaval of political strata, the burial out of sight of numerous fossil politicians, and, a general purification of the political atmosphere. ANOTIIEU WARRANT AOUNST H. W. HENDRICKS.-The Atlanta Sun, of Tues? day, says: "The grand jory found an? other indictment against the kidnapper Hendricks yesterday, and a bench war? rant was immediately issued, oharging him with an attempt to kidnap. Verily the way of the transgressor is hard. He will have a hearing to-morrow, before the United States Court on a writ of habeas corpus." A lady in Iowa recently drew $30,000 on the death of her second husband, having drawn $20,000 from the samo company whoo her first husband died. DAVIS' BAIL BOND.-The New York World says the followipg correspondence was handed to it for publication : MAT 13, 1872. Charles O' Con or, Esq.- MT DEAJI Sin: Will yon allow me to call your attention to the enolosed extract from an editorial in the World newspaper of Friday last, and to ask yon whether. it does or does not accurately represent the facts in re? gard to the connection of Mr. Greeley with the release of Mr. Jefferson Davis? No man is HO competent as yourself to speak to this point. We will not do Mr. Greeley any injus? tice; we acknowledge that with a liberali? ty and a de?anco of party trammels which refleots honor on his generous impulses, he advocated universal am? nesty, when it cost him his chances for a United States Seuatorship, nnd that bo signed the bail bond of Jefferson Davis. But these commendable aots resulted from mere generous impulse, without much regard to principle. After tko court had decided to set Mr. Davis freo on bail, he could havo fonnd plenty of bondsmen, and Mr. Greeley's journey to Riobmond was quite superfluous us u means of benefiting Jefferson Ifcivis, while it impaired his influence in his own party as an advocate of universal amnesty. The impression of many persons is that this statement is not wholly just, and that Mr. Greeley's journey to Rich? mond was not quite superfluous, as a means of benefiting your client, tko prisoner. If you pronounoe this impres? sion corroct, may I ask you to favor mo with an exact statement of the facts, and with permission to lay it before the editor of the World for publication? I remain, with great respect, your most obedient, faithful servant, -.* NEW YORK, May 14, 1872. My DEAR SIR: From his capture until the hour within whick he was bailed, Mr. Jefferson Davis was in military cus? tody. He was thea confined as a prison? er of wir for about two years. From tho very commonoomont of this torm his counsel directed their efforts to procur? ing his delivery into civil custody, to the end that be might have his trial at once, or obtain liberation upon bail until the Govornment should think fit to bring on the trial. Tho counsel for Mr. Davis, having first solicited and obtained the consent of Mr. Greeley, Mr. Gerrit Smith and Commodore Vanderbilt, of? fered to givo bail in any sum that might be required, aud to procure those threo gentlemen to unito in tho bail bond. This offur was never formally accepted ; but, uudor tho belief that it was satisfac? tory, the counsel of Mr. Davis obtained a writ of habeas corpus, and brought Mr. Davis before the court at Richmond. Mr. Evarts attended by appointment, and, on the part of the Government, he acquiesced in bailing Mr. Davis in $10U, OOU. Conceiving himself bound so to do, tho counsel of M?\ Davis requested the attendance of the gentlemen iu ques? tion. Commodoro Vanderbilt's attorney acted for him; the other two gentlemen appeared nud signed the bond in person. They had every rsason to understand und believe that their attendance was abso? lutely necessary to the release of Mr. Davis. The counsel of Mr. Davis sup? posed it to bo so, and he has now no roa son to think otherwise. I am not aware of any officiousness on the part of Mr. Greeley in this business, and never sup? posed that he did anything beyond what be considered essential to the liberation of Mr. Davis. I am, dear sir, yours traly, CH. O'CONOR. ? ? m The Chester Reporter, in an article in opposition to tho attendance of Southorn delegates at the Baltimore Convention, referring to tho oall issued by the Cen? tral Executive Committed of this State, says: "Well, this call doesn't chango our opinion in the slightest. We still think that holding a convention and sending delegates to Baltimore will be impolitic and unwise. Besides, we don't know where tho Domocrats in this State are to bo found. We though the white peoplo oil renounced the Democratic party when they went into the Reform movement of 1870. We know the idea is held out the t the Democratic party has come over to the position taken by the Reformers in this State. If so, what's the uso for a Demooratio party, or what's tho differ? ence between it and tho Liberal Repub? licans? We are in a maddie. Has tho mou utain come to Mahomet? That's tho question." Tho Evergieen (Alabama) Observer says: "While Messrs. Choot and Robin? son, oitizens of this County, were oat DOW hunting, near Garland, one day last week, their attention was attracted by the carions capera of a squirrel, whioh acted as if confused or bewildered. One of the gentlemen proposed to oatoh it, and they dismounted for that purpose. In their pursuit of the squirrel they esme across a large rattle-snake, which they killed, and just as they did BO, the squirrel, whioh had gone up a tren near by, fell dead dose to them. There were DO wounds or braises of any description found oa its body, and the strange part of the affair is, what killed the squirrel? Some have a theory that when a snake akarms a bird or animal, if the snake is killed while it is under the charm, tho object charmed will die also. Who can axplain it? The gentlemen who wit? nessed the ooourreuce are men of un? doubted truth and veraotty." If anything oould account for Mr. Robert Hart, of Utica, N. Y., emerging from tho second fitory of his boarding house without going through the for malitios'of the stairs, it was the presence of four of his wives. An exohange wants to know how it was that Wm. Cullen Bryant happened to have his time-piooo stolen in Mexico. It was simply hooause some Mexican thief happened tobe "on tho watch." OPPOSED TO AN EXTRA SESSION.-Rep? resentative Harley, as will be seen by the following letter, is opposed to an ex? tra Bession of the Log isla Ure: CHARLESTON, S. C., May 22, 1872. A. Oi. Jones, Esq , Clerk of House of Representatives. SIB: I have received from the hands of the secretary of n canons of Senators, held at Columbia, a copy of an address proposing to call an extra session of the General Assembly on tho 10th of Jane nozt. I desire to say, that I oannot ap? prove of the movement. His Excel? lency Gov. Scott ia now a candidate for the ofllce of Vice-Pr?sident of the United States, and will, no donbt, be strongly urged for that position by the delegation from this State. Boing a per? sonal friend and warm admirer of his Excellency, and of his financi, I ability, his great love of truth, his steadfast adher? ence lo his friends under all circumstances, without an enemy, I would not do any? thing that would prevent his luuving the State to fill so honorable a position, whiob, in bis opinion, he is BO eminently qualified to fill. Should he be ?looted, and fill tho omeo with the same ability andpopnlarity (?) that bavo characterized his administration in South Carolina, ho cannot but receive, tho commendation of tho entire country. In addition fo the foregoing, I um opposed to an extra ses? sion, which would necessitate tho Go? vernor having weekly receptions during the heated term, aud at a time, too, when bo is almost penniless. I never expected to live to soe tho day when 1 should havo any personal feeling in re? ference to the President of tho Uuited States; but tho manner iu which ho has received tho many statement? of the Governor in regard to the condition of affairs in this State, politically and finan? cially, (see letter to Senator Scott, Chairman of thc Ku Klux Committee, card sighed Scott, Parker and Dennis, in Now York World, of November 5, 1871, inessugo to tho Gonoral Assembly, November 28, 1871, and any other state? ment you can imagine.) compels mo to desire that extremes should meet, aud that Gov. Scott should bo placed on the ticket with bim. For these reason?, I am opposed to an extra session, und they should be sufficient to every man who has at heart tho welfare of (our be? loved Slate ) Very respect fully, TIMOTHY HURLEY. The despot's heel is still upon our soil. Oa Saturday last, Mr. Meaus Sanders was arrested and lodged in jail, charged with violating the Enforcement Act. He was proffered buil on conditiou that ho would confess; but, us bo bad too much sense to bo caught with such chaff as this, he is likely to remain in jail some time. On Sunday, John McCullough and Allen Parks, from Bullock's Creek, York County, were brought to jail at this pince. Tho former of these was dis? charged on Monday-tho only charge being that ho had curried some letters to mon who aro avoiding arrest; and the Enforcement Act, with all its India rub? ber qualities, not being ablo to stretch wido enough to cover this charge. He says that he hud his horse saddled, and begged to bo allowed to rido, but by the wanton inhumanity of those in charge of him, was forced to make tho eighteen miles to the jail on foot. When turned out on Monday, he could scarcely pat his feet to the ground. Comment on such nnnecessary oruelty as this is not needed.-Chester Reporter. Messrs, Geo. Aldnn. Rauru Bros., J. ?fe T. L Jones, W. C. & W. J. Gerald, D. L. DeSaussure & Co., Charles Elias, Mrs. Amelia Elias and E. J. Conaway, have returned from Charleston, where they were heavily mulcted. The charge against them was having in possession tobacco illegally stamped, the penalty for which is fine and imprisonment, but the Government compromised the cases. In addition to tho loss of the tobacco, the affair cost each ono of them about $200, except E. J. Conaway, who got off much lighter. Wo aro further informed that Coates, tho Deputy Marshal who came up and arrested theso gentlemen, obtained for that service over 330 from each one, which pays splendidly. Tho gentlemen are completely dis? gusted with the entire affair, and con? sider themselves as having been made the victims of unscrupulous and de? praved tools of a tyrannical Govern? ment. There is ono significant featuro in tho matter. Mr. E. J. Conaway, the only colored man and Republican in the party, escaped with a fine of only $25! Who can fail to see the extreme partiality thus manifested?-Camden Journal. BROKE UP IN A Row.-The Radical rnral ready-relief convention, whioh was warranted to cure all evils and heal all wounds, existing among tho various faotious of the Radical country party, assembled last evening at Mount Plea? sant, pursuant to call. What transpired within is doubtful; bnt after a stormy session, wherein the Mackeyites and the Bowenites were striving for the npper hand, the convention broke up in con? fusion, and the various delegations went their way, highly excited and very much disgusted. What next? [Charleston News. We regret to announoe the death of Mr. N. D. Redmond, of Blackville. This gentleman, apparently perfectly well when ho left home, went in com? pany with other parties to bathe in a creek near Blackville a fow days ago. Shortly niter arriving home, he was taken sick, and soon breathed his last. I Aiken Journal. A case of abduction occurred in Wil miugton, N. C., on Wodnesday night lost; tho daughter of a whito woman, ro sidiug in the Elstern section of tho city, being taken off by some adventurer on the night in question, and has uot since been heard of. XZa ocal lt? Tn ?. ? .? ? . Orxr MATTERS.-The price of single copies of the PHCBNIX is five cents. There is to bo a bnrbeoae to-morrow, on Galla Island, nearly opposite the foot of Upper Boundary street, under tho supervision of Mr. B. Franklin. ? new bridge has been erected over the canal, and a now flat and rope arranged for crossing the river. 2 o'clock is the hour. Mr. W. F. Brittain, (of the dry goods house of Corcoran, McOlain Sc Co., New York,) picked ap a roll of greenbacks, amounting to $200, yesterday morning, and immediately called at the PUCBNIX office to advertise for tho owner. In our peregrinations iu search of items wo dis? covered the loser-an attorney, who furnished tho necessary proof, and was gratified at receiving his money. Gov. Scott heard of tho oireamstanees, and was so astonished at the discovery of an honest individual in our midst, that he proposed to appoint Mr. B. to the first vacant office in his gift. Tho honor was declined (as was also any compensation) with thanks. The only loser in the whole transaction was the PHCENIX-in tho amount of tho advertising bill. This delightful weather attracts num? bers of our citizens to the garrison grounds every afternoon, where, through the consideration of the officers, an hour is agreeably spent in listening to the magnificent music produced by Mr. Bu char's fully-equipped brass band. The following is the programme for this after? noon-half-past 5 is the hour: Ch?rry Qaickstep-Wiegend. Overture-Opera Nabueco-Verdi. Ixion Polka-Vinatieri. Cavatina from Lombardi-Verdi. Fort Dodge Galop-J. F. O. Smith. In the Court of Common Pleas, on Wednesday, Judge Melton presiding, tho caso of Mrs. Sallie P. McCollum vs. Itobert McCollum, application for di? vorce, was decided in favor of plaintiff. Yesterday afternoon was far from plea? sant-the wind blow in fitful gusts, re? minding ono forcibly of March. Owners of lois in Elmwood Cemetery complain of tho robbery of flowers from their lots. Stealing flowers from gravee is a mean business, but there is no busi? ness too mean for some people. Thieves are again around. The dwell iug of Mrs. George Wright, on Lumbci street, was entered on Wednesday night and robbed of a watch, besides a variety of other articles. The noise caused bj tho dropping of some of the property attracted the attention of tho inmates when the depredators made off. MATL ARRANGEMENTS.-The Northen mail opens at 2.30 P. M.; closes 10.41 A.M. Charleston day mail opens 4.31 P. M.; closes 6.00 A. M. Gharlestoi night mail opens 7.15 A. M.; closes 6.01 P. M. Greenville mail opens 6.45 P M.; closes 6.00 A. M. Western mai opens 12.30 A. M.; closes 12.30 P. M Wilmington mail opens 2.30 P. M. i closes 10.30 A. M. On Sunday o flic ' open from 3 to 4 P. M. PHONIXIANA.-Hays a Northern paper "There aro strong and controlling infla enees why General Grant should bi elected President of the United States.1 ? What? Bayonets? The Woodhull, through her organ peremptorily calls upon Mr. Greeley ti withdraw from the canvass in her favor and strangely enough, the old Ohappa qua chap remains obstinate. He shoal* boware, since "Hell knows no fury liki a woman scorned." Why is Grant displeased with Mr Greeley's old hat? Because there is m Dent in it, though after the election hi expects to find a Presi-dent under it. If you wish to destroy flies, boil to gether equal parts, by weight, of glu and molasses, spread it over oommoi brown paper, while hot, with a brush Plaoe a sheet of the paper in ever; room in your house. It will captan every fly in the room within the day The paper can be thrown in the fire ant a new one used, when oovered with th oaptured flies. We are told that the Richmond En quirer does not favor Grant We can not see how any honest inquire? int? his official rascalities oould possibly favo: him. Persons with tender ekins, wishing t< avoid persecution by the mosquitoes would do well to bathe in coal oil o peppermint essence. Don't say any more that it is niootin that hurts you when you smoke, bocana it has been discovered that it is piooline whioh is a great comfort. He who avoids temptation avoids sin A now stylo of coffee pot has a littli steam whistle attached, which warm people when the coffee is ready. An imaginative editor says: "N< jeering skoleton mocks him from tin battlements of melancholy's lofty peaks.' The English papers have ceased do riding tho Tichborne claimant, and ad mit that his case is "rising almost to it former dignity and interest." TOT NEW BANK BUILDING).-We were shown yesterday the plan of the build ?cg which is to be erected on the corner of Biohardson and Plain streets, by the Central National and Citizens' Ssvinga Banks. The drawing is by New York architects-W. T. Beer & Son-and pre? sents a magnificent appearance. The structure, which will extend 150 feet on Plain street and 27 feet on Biohardson, will bo of brick, with granite pilasters and mouldings, and columns pf block granite, at regular-intervals, to strength? en the walls. There are to be four floors. The first, the basement floor, will bo de? voted mainly to the banking room.and offices attaohed thereto of tho Citizens' Savings Bank. On the second floor, which is the first story, the Central Na? tional Bunk will have its offices. The third floor will bo used as offices for va? rious purposes, and the attic will con? tain rooms and halls for the use of Ma? sonic and other societies. The roof is of the Frenoh Mansard style, and will be covered with slating. When finished it will be the handsomest edifico in the city by odis, and will bo highly orne? mental to our Main street. Tho work, we are informed, will be commenced as soon as the specifications and estimates aro received, which will be in a few doye. LIST OP NEW ADVEBTIBEMEKTS. Hoatetter's Stomach Bitters. J. 8. Chambers-Stoves. P. Cantwell-Boasted Coffee. A. B. K.-Tell lt. Building and Loan Shares for Sale. HOTEL. AQIUVALH, May 23, 1872.-Columbia Hotel-$ i eldmau, T lt Phillips, A W Bille, Pa; B G Pincknoy, Bouthcrn Expresa Company: J R Hamilton, London; D M Cobb, P P ? O; J S Pennington and wife, Alabama; W Dudley, Charleston; H W Burnley, New York; W B Cash, N C; H L McGowan, Laurena; John W Bruff, Ballimore; H T Farmer, Mias Farmer, Flat Rock; E C Groen, DeL Fillyaw, N C; B Q Mazzick, Charleston; W A Bradley, Augusta; G P Cotohett, Bouthern Express Company; H Beattie, J A Broaddus, James P Boyce, Greeuville;M L Kinard, Union; RL HcCaugl rin, Newberry. Nickerson House-L M Miller, Abbeville; V7 B Grifflth, Charlotte; R Caldwell, Charleston; H ll Smith, cit vj L Stern, N Y; O O Barr, W A Gomilliau, Edgefield; H B Bell, New Ma? drid. THE NABBOW GAUGE.-On the 19th of June, a narrow gauge railroad conven? tion will be held at St. Louis, at which there will be a thorough discussion of the respective ineritu of the Darrow and the broad gauge railway systems, of the difference in the cost of construc? tion, operating and keeping .them in re? pair; the freight capacity of the new sys? tem, and its safety and accommodation for passenger traffic; and what general plan ought to be adopted in its construc? tion and management, to render it suc? cessful. The advantages claimed for the narrow gange system rest upon the gen? eral principle that, with sufficient width of track for safety and speed, all further increase of width renders imperative an increase in the weight of engines and cars in greater proportion than it in? creases capacity, or, in other words, the "dead weight" of a train increases with the width of the traok. The friends of the narrow gauge system assert that their roads can be built and equipped at a cost not exceeding one-half that of the broad gauge; that they earn aa m nob money per mile aa the latter; that they are equally as rapid in transportation, and far more ceoure. The convention is an important one, and its deliberations will be watohed with interest in all parts of the country. COMMON IN THE CITIES, BUT VERY UN? USUAL IN THE COUNTRY.-On Monday night, the 6th instant. Mr. William Gib? son and his wife, who live just over the Fairfield line, wera {'awakened in the night by hearing the' cries of an infant. Bising and searching about the house, they found, in an old hat on the centre table, a white male infant, about twenty four hours old. No cloe has been ob? tained as to the parents, or to the per? sons who deposited it io its strange but appropriate nest. Having recently been bereaved of a child, their hearts warmed at once towards the little foundling, and they determined to keep and raise it as their own. Several childless couples sought to secure it for adoption, but Mr. Gibson and wife persistently refused to part with the little stranger.. One of the poetic vagaries about the origin of babies is, that "the gates of heaven are left ajar," and that the little fellows unconsciously wander forth into terrestrial scenes. We doubt very much whether this one caught in an old hat had so pure an origin. [Chester Reporter. The Nation recently published a letter from Franoe, in which the situation of Protestantism in that country was drawn in rather an unfavorable light. In re? ply, the Renaissance, a Protestant paper ot Paris, takes issue with most of the statements of this letter, and calla at? tention to the prominent positions held by numerous Protestants in church and State. It asserts that seventy members of the legislative body are of the re? formed faith. During a violent whirlwind whioh Sassed through a section of country outh of Marine, 111., last week, a far? mer's wagon-bed was carried up in the air upward of thirty feet, where it was firmly retained by the branches oi an oak. The bed, whioh was very large and heavy, still remains suspended in the tree. A French colony in Franklin, Karma, bas established a velvet manufactory at that place, the first ono in tho United States. Aside from this enterprise they are said to havo fine farms under cultiva? tion and own numer?os stores, dwell? i ogs, etc