University of South Carolina Libraries
rrvu?__L F***t-'?? : i?M T ? |? ? F?SUTP?t WuCi la*!**. t>?ry ana Praotico 01 universal 10 Afc Waahiugton has been pro-J a. tetal (ailore. The plan ol a *?*government for the District of "Arabia meets tho commendation of /?President, and its distinguishing /eatore is tho exclusion of both blaoks | ?nd whites] from the ballot-box and from any ahare in the government at | all. The colored people in the Booth think they are strong in the inviola? bility of their new privileges, chief among winch they reckon the ballot. But they ate counting without their hoBt. When universal Boffrage shall ?ease to bo the mere tool of the party fcvpowe*. they, will not regard it with enoh favor as they have pretended to feel for it. While it aids them in se? curing absolute oontrol. it is a very good thing. When it faila them in this, they will not heeitate to abridge this or any other right of the colored people. ' In this State, party necessity has induced opposition to the most cbviouB and necessary reforms. It is I an up-hill business to get even n fair | consideration of the right ot the poo pl<> to elect Justices of the Peace, tied Constables, and Auditor?, and Tree ?nie**. The only possible ground ftpoo gftfofe the refceal of this constitutional j right to the people can bs based, is the exigency of party. These offioials mast mat beplaoed under obligation to the party leaders, ao as to secure their fealty and imbue them with a spirit | winon wiii induce them to work always .in accord with party objects. For simi? lar end, if possible, baser reasons, stre-! . aaons objeotiona are made to the . passage of a registration law. A re? gistration law will aid in purifying the 4>alIot. Bat that's the last thing wanted. The ballot must, in the judgment of some persons, be kept well in hand to serve corrupt purposes. The colored people ought to be able to aee in these tendencies and foots that the party whioh rules them really keeps them down to oorrnpt work. Uni? versal suffrage and the arrangements whioh permit of repeating, stuffing | and the like, are now popular, because they can be made to subserve the de? mands of party oorruptionists, bot] there is no telling when the wind will change. The New York Sun has some ?words whioh the colored voters will do well to ponder on: "This open condemnation of thel basis on which all the old slave-holding ( StateB have bad their citizenship re? constructed is, in every sense, most astonishing. Is the conclusion to be logically carried out in all its conse? quences? If universal suffrage is a1 dead failure right under the nose of tho Federal Government, in the living presence of the national representa? tives, with all the restraining and con? servative ioflaenoes of the entire Na? tional Administration, what is to be said of it in South Carolina and in Louisiana, and iu every Southern State where it exists in a erode, raw, undisciplined and wholly unbalanced condition, without one single modify? ing or redeeming oircumstauos?" CaiAKijii-: Ross.?Poor little Oharlio IRoss is not yet found. There can be hardly a doabt, from the story of the dying burglar Douglass, and the let tors and statements of Inspeotor Wall? ing, of New York, that MoBber und DonglaBS were the men who abdnoted him. Their detection aud a* umary punishment, for breaking into thel house of Judge Van Brant, have almost certainly established that they were the guilty parties. Wo sincerely hope that the child may yet bo reco? vered, but are upprehensive from the delay that ho may have been foully denlt with. Wo have known nothing lhat bus produced a profoundur im? pression of iudiguation than this atro? cious crime against un iuuoccut boy, perpetrated from tho basest motivos of gain, or a deeper aud more universal sorrow than thut folt for the little vic? tim himself. The responsibility for the late tragedy ! at Vieksburg is now conclusively sot-1 led ou Gov. Amos, of Mississippi. It io expected, in consequence of this shurroful complicity in crime, that the loudly issue in tho elections next fall in tlmstate will be his impeachment. I The Mhs?isaippi peoplo are sick of this J Massachusetts oarpet-boggcr. His judicial apoointr i.:uts, his many jobs, and his fondness for oorrnpt offioials, with whom h* habitually and by pre . for once oonsorts, have aroused a fierce pnblio sentiment, which is not con? fined to party or roue. Garry him back to Ben. Butler's bosom. i?--4 4 ? > An Indian war is threatened iu Da r>OI Monday, Dbobmbku 31, l?Tl! SENATE. The House returned, with amend mofurjbill to^ahTspP'opflattons lor theWjraedt If the Balnry end mileage of thjvmembas of tap GenerklvAsiem bly, *nd salaries of the subordinate, Of-' .floors end employees, and other ex? penses incidental thereto. The amend? ments were read, and matter discussed. Concurrent resolutions for appoint? ment of committee of both Houses to consider and report what measures are | nooessarj to be passed by the General Assembly; to direct Clerks of the two Houses to publish notices to holders of olaims against the State to present the same for registration. A message was reooived from the Governor, Btating that he had ap? proved an Act to amend an Act enti? tled "An Act retiuiriug u bond from , County Commissioners before entering upon the duties of thoir office." Mr. MyerB, from Committee on En? grossed Bills, reported as ready for u third reading, joint resolution to allow Mrs. Susan E. MeIIvain to redeem certain forfeited lands; bill to alter aud amend obarter of Union Savings Bank of Coinmbia. Mr. C. Smith introduced bill to amend an Aot to regulate sale of in? toxicating liquors, and to alter and amend law in relation thereto, so far as the same may relate to sale ef cider. Mr. Myers?Joint resolution pro? viding for the extension of the time for the payment and collection of taxes for County of Colleton. Mr. Jeter?Bill to require itinerant pedlars to take out licenses. Mr. Hope introduced a resolution, that it be referred to the Committee on Education to thoroughly examine the free sohool laws, and reoommend suoh amendments ns will free them of unnecessary and expensive machinery, and such provisions as look to the payment of unpaid olaims, and report as eoon as possible. Ordered for future consideration. On motion of Mr. Dunn, the State Treasurer was requested to furnish Senate, immediately, information re? quired of him relative tooortain bonds funded under the funding Act of the last session. Mr. White presented the report of the County Treasurer of York, relative to money paid out to widows and or? phans of persons killed because of their political opinions. The amount was 82,442, and was distributed among the families of five persons. After consideration of general orders, adjonrned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Mr. Simons, from Committee on Roads, Bridges and Ferries, reported on petition of oertain citizens of Lex? ington, for a public highway to bo opened in said County, by a joint re? solution authorizing aud directing the County Commissioners of Lexington to lay out and to open a pnblio high? way in said County. Mr. Spencer, from Committee on Engrossed Bills, reported as duly and correctly engrossed for n third read? ing, joint resolution to allow the heirs of James S. and Langdon Bowie to re? deem a store and lot in the oity ef Charleston, forfeitod for non-payment of taxes; Senate bill to make appro priatiun for payment of salary and mileage of memoers of General Assem? bly, and salaries of subordinate officers and employees, und other expenses in oideutal thereto. Ordered to Senate. Mr. Freeman, on behalf of Commit? tee oo Charitable and Religions Insti? tutions, reported back a bill to renew the charter Board Directors Theologi? cal Seminary of Synod of South Caro? lina and Georgia. Mr. Ramsey, from Committee on Grievances, reported back bill to pro? hibit itinerant peddlers from peddling goods in this State, which was rejected. Mr. Curtis presented accounts P. W. Kraft and others. Mr. Guffiu?Bill to amend Sections 55 aud 5G of Chapter CXX of tbo General Statutes of South Carolina. Mr. Freeman?Bill to amend Section 29, Chapter XXV, of Title VI, Fart 1, of tbo Revised Statutes of South Caro? lina, relutiug to fees of Trial Justices, Sheriffs aud Constables; also iutro ducod following concurrent resolution, which was ordered for future consider? ation: Whereas, it has been currently reported that grave irregularities have occurred iu the management of the af? fairs of the Btiuk of the Stale since the appointment of the l ist Receiver; and whereas, said assets of the Lnuk of the Statu uro u fund in equity, and the State responsible for its liabilities; that the Judge of the First Judicial Circuit is hereby authorized and di? rected to appoint a committee of live citizens of the city of Charleston to in? vestigate the liuaucial condition of the upsets of the Bank of tho State: Pro? vided, That said committee shall ro ceivo no compensation for services rendered. Mr. McL?ngh?u?Bill to incorpo? rate the Oburlestou Turnpike Com? pany. Mr. Trenholrn?Joint resolution au? thorizing tho State Treasurer to allow interest on overdue State stock; bill to revive and renew the charter of tho Charleston Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Gaillard?Joint resolution to restore to Charleston Library Society title to oertain lande forfeited for non? payment of taxes, and to declare the samo free from taxation. Mr. Russell?Bill requiring Trial Justioes of Charleston County to pass an examination before entering upou the duties of their office, aud for othor purposes therein mentioned. Mr. Coit?Bill to change tho names of cortain individuals therein men? tioned. Mr. Ferguson-Joint resolution to extend the time for tho payment and collection of taxes in Greeuville. .T;4<>M /? I ?? i /. , ., ,, ? . idMi>.t;t? 1 i 4 vTdiog for extension of ttjfte fovfajr meat and colleatf?n ,pf take*; for.jOolje-; ! Mr. Crittt^den-Bj^jtij .>uthfiirifte ?nd empower the County Commis? sioners o\ Greenville 'ty^lfr )o .Op?n ?rid HMtabli?n a public road is' said County, j ?-Mr. -Boston introduced concurrent reaolutiou, which was -Adopted and ordered to the Senate/that a commit? tee of five on the park of the Hoaae and-on the part of Senate, be ap? pointed to ascertain and report to the General Assembly what bills for tbe interest of the State and peoplo are most important to be passed this ses? sion. Mr. Henderson?Bill to exempt cer? tain property from taxation, levy or sale, belonging to farmerR iu thia State air. Bradiey presented the report of Commissioners of Piokens County. Mr. Woodruff?kilt to amend au Act for relief of widows and orphans of persons killed beoaose of their politi? cal opinion, approved March 14, 1872. Mr. Johnston?Bill to amend an Act to incorporate Samter Academical So? ciety. Mr. Kioe introdaced a resolution, which was adopted, that Committee on Railroads inquire into the causes of auoivilized detention of passengers at Alston, and of the extortionate and discriminating charges on freights and prod ace below Alston; to report any possible remedial action by this Legis? lature. Mr. Hirsch?Bill to prohibit the drawing of ohecks, drafts or orders on banks, bankers or factors by persons having no aredit therewith. Mr. Scott?Bill to amend Section 55 of Chapter CXX ot Title IV of Part III of the General Statutes, relating to liens on crops. Mr. Davis presented report of J. L. Watson, Treasurer of York County, as to disbursements under Aot for relief of widows and orphans of those killed because of their political opinions. A message who received from the Se? nate, refasing to oonoor iu House amendment to bill to make appropria? tion for payment of salary aud mile? age of members General Assembly, etc. A committee of conferenoe was appointed, consisting of Messrs. Hayne, Thomas, Simons, Connor aud Humbert. I Cm Mattbbs.?Snbsoribe for the pHcwnx?don't borrow. Beading matter on every page. Transient advertisements and no? tices must be paid for in advance. The Legislature takes a recess to? day until the 12tb of January, 1875. Call at L?rick Sc Liowranoe's family grocery for jonr Christmas supplies. Yesterday and to-day?December 20 and 21?are the shortest in the year. Sunday was a maddy, rainy, bluster? ing day; bnt yesterday made amends. If yon want a suitable artiole for a Christmas presont, call ut E. B. Stokes', and look at his fancy stock. L?rick Sc Lowrance, near Phienix office, keep the best of groceries, wines, liquors, etc The first Tom and Jerry of the sea? son was served up by Seegers' Henry on Saturday. He keeps the beverage constantly en band. What will it profit a man to till his Btore chock full of Christmas goods, if he fails to advertise the same in the Phozsix? Old type metal, at 25 cents a pound, ofin be obtained at the Pecsnix oQioe, for .'small quantities; 20 cents by the 10U pouuds?delivered at tho dopot. English walnuts, almonds, pecaus, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts, in great abundance, for salo by John Aguew A Son. Job printing of every kind, from a miniature visiting card to a four-sheet j poster, turned out, ut abort notice, from Fikexix office. Try us. Mosurs. Kiuard Sc Wiley luve issued an almanac for 1875; also, a comic illus? trated paper. Patrons und outsiders can obtain copies by calling. Messrs. Ii. & W. C. Swoffiehl toll tho good peoplo where useful presents Can be obtained. Those liberally in? clined will bear in mind. Mr. D, Epstiu, tho renowned clothier, id running off hid goods at satisfactory figures. Ho keens oota mou us well as lino articled, for largo und small folks. Notices iu tho local column are j charged for at tho rate of fifteen cents a lino, for nine lines or more. Less I than that space, 81. All local refer | once to advertisements.charged for. I Gov. Chamberlain very properly re i voked the appointment of a ISolary [Public for Edgefield, wbeu he found the appointee could not write, but j sigood his name with au X. Mistletoe in unlimited quantities oau bo obtained from tho oak trees in and around Columbia; while moss and holly predominate on tho Lexing? ton side of tho river?necessaries for Christmas decorations. Tho Independent Steam Firo Com? pany paraded, yesterday afternoon, to bury a deceased member?Mr. W. K. Evans. Poor Billy?he has been a sufferer for many months, and his death has been long looked for. A t ! M - ? <* / , i 1 i , i * ' J . > i ii')/ i bia Hotol Cjgar Store. ? The ohoicaat brands of imported and California oh*mp?gaea can be found in ?'re'it.abnudanoe at the Mora Of Jobji Agnew A Sou. }t " |f Oamel'a bair oloths, worth 50 cents a yard to import, ate being alien d-at W. D. Love ?: Co.'a at 25 oents. The oheapeBt goods, the ladies say, ever sold in this market. If yon really desire n good picture, call at Reckling's photograph gallery. Those who have never had a good pictnre, would do well to call. Satis? faction guaranteed, or no money asked. Since W. D. Love Sc Co. received those unprecedented bargains from I New York baukrupt stocks, and marked down their regular goods, the rush, we understand, has been so great that they have uot been able to wait ou the customers. At the regular communication of Columbia Lodge, No. 108, A. F. M., held last evening, the following of? ficers were elected to serve for the en? suing Masonic year: H. Noah, W. M.; J. Goldsmith, S. W.; H. Steel, J. W.; D. Goodman, Troas.; Past Master Z P. Moses, Sec. At a regular meeting of Gaza Lodge, I. O. B. B., held December 20, 1874, the following officers were elected to serve the ensuing term: D. Goodman, President; H. Noah, Vice-President; D. Epstiu, Treasurer; J. Sulzbacber, R. and F. Secretary; B. Bsrman, A. M.; J. B. Pollock, I. G.; J. David, O. G. Our young friend, Thomm M. Wilkes, Esq., o( this city, was married on Wednesday, loth instant, to Miss E. E. Murray, of Liucolu County. Ga. We congratulate him upon takiug this important step. It is not good for man to be alone. We invoke for the happy couple all the happiness and prosperity their hearts can desire. To be truly happy, and to enjoy those inestimable benefits derived from a condition of good health at this Christmas season, you must prepare yourself aud be in good order. Have a good appetite, a good digestion, u clear conscience, be well, do well, act well, take Heinitsh's Blood aud Liver Pills, aud snch other remedies as be may have to relieve you. See his ad? vertisement. The famous Goorgo L. Fox, the original "Humpty Dumpty," per? formed last night in Augusta. We should like, of all things, to see it played here. Whoever atteuds to our amusemeuts, will please use every ef? fort to have this aide-splitting panto? mime presented in Columbia. We are tired of the stunning wonderful prima donnas. Give ns something funny ? something laughter-provoking?and you shall have a good house und our best thanks. Appointments.?Gov. Cham bei lain made the following appointmouts yes? terday: County Treasurers?Barnwell, John C. Dowhng; RichlanJ, George A. Dar ling, vice 3. L Noagle removed. Au? ditors?Barnwell, Abrain Knoff, vicel i W, D. Duncau, term expired; Rich-1 ' land, A. L. Solomon. Trial Justices? [Charleston, John C. Driggers; Rich-! lland,;J. Q. Marshall, vice W. B. Nash, ? resigned. Orangeburg, It. T. D.tn uerlv, J. P. M. FoorcH, J. H. Furd Ihutn, W. n. Girardeau, W. H. Reed hsh, II. P. Cooke, P. M. Genual, W. J. IWestbury, J. D. Palmer, E. A. Web ' st er. He aUo removed J. L. Neogle, 1 Director State Penitentiary. Trial j Justices?Orangfburg, J. P. Mays, J. ! L. Rast, \V. C. Reeves, 1?. < r. Frede? rick, J. J. Mitchell. W. D. Monnt.-I. 1 H. Phillips, A. F. browning, J. U. Wahlers. I ! CllltluTMAS is Cominv..?Christmas is ! threo days oil. Next Friday tho liule ! cues will realize thoir bright hopes, ho j long eutcrtaiued, of llie visit of St. I Nicholas, or Kris Krfegle, or by what ' ever of the numerous n/i./.?vs thai pa? tron saint of good children is known j in the various households. It is a day, l too, when children of a larger growth are accustomed to exchange testimo , niald of friendship, aud would foci it to ; bo no Christmas at all if the immctno rial custom were omitted. Of all the holidays in the year this is the one1 ! which no man who is not a more hope? less churl thuu Scrooge, in Dickens' "Christmas Chimes," can afford to neglect. There are many, by the way, \ who think tho "Christmas Chimes" i tbo best thing Dickens ever wrote, aud j as a heart opener for tho G; leeu of tho I Festivals we recommend any of our readers whoso sensibilities may bo ren? dered frigid by the apprehensions of hard times, to get that little Christmas gem and let it cast its reviving light upon their disconsolate spirits. We apprehend, however, that there are not many whose feelings or memories will need to be refreshed as to keeping up the time honored holiday. 8bll7?On last Thursday, Atlanta sold a vacant lot, of nearly one acre of ground, ia tue centre of Uta oiir.Jor ?j friction over 3G0>OOO;-i Altbbofgh much' below tho Btaouht realized for similarly located property four ' years ago, (he prevailing impression isr that, considering the scarcity of money and the depressod condition of trade, the property brought a fair price. The proceeds are te be appropriated to the payment of the floating debt of the city. Have we any land well situated in Columbia, belonging to the city, that could be put to similar good use? Some mode of extrication from the toils of our enormous, increasing and oppressive city debt ought to he de vised, whenever it is correctly ascer? tained, and the false and fraudulent separated from the valid and genuine. The Ouphaxs.?Christmas is at baud. Times are hard. Business dull. Trade nut brisk. But everybody counts upon having a good time, by hook or by crook, on Christmas day. It would greatly add to our enjoyment of egg-nog and turkey on that day, if we should see to it that the little or? phans are also comfortably provided with a good dinner. Contributions of twenty live cents, each person, will se oore it. Santa Clans visits only those who can remunerate him. We hope that these children of bereavement will not be forgotten, and that contri? butions will at ouoe be made for their thorough enjoyment of Christmas. i I Thic New Postage Law.?On the BrBt of January, 1875, the new postage [ law ? requiring pre-paymont at the office of publication for all papers sent outside of the County?goes into effect. Residents of Richland County receive their papers free of postage. Subscribers to the Daii/t Phoenix will, therefore, enclose the postage with j their subscription, which will be us follows: One year, 50 oente; nix mouths, 2o cents; three months, 15 eents; one month, 10 cents. Tki Weekly, one year, 30 cents; six months, 15 cents; three months, 10 cents. Weekly Gleaner, one year, '20 cents; six months, 10 cents; three months, 5 cents. Where the postage is not sent wiih the subscription, the time will be shortened to that extent. The new rates of postage are less than half of the old. If Yod Please.?The Mayor of Charleston has issued a proclamation forbidding the firing of equibs, guns, pistols, ic, in the public thorough? fares, during the approaching holi? days and designates certain localities where euoh amusements will be per? mitted. We take the liberty of sug? gesting to Mayor Alexander that he follow this good example in Colombia. For several years, Christmas, New Year and the Fourth of July have been made hideous in this oity by turbulent noises of vile instruments, horns and tho like, and unearthly yells and screams, not to speak of the ehooks to delicate nerves from the crackers, guns, i'c, exploded in the most pub? lic places. The drunkenness and pro? fanity allowed on the streets at these seasons have made them revolting saturnalia, rather than the delightful, festive and joyous occasions they onght to be. Murders havo been com? mitted at these times, too. All this uproar, coarseness, license and crime could be prevented by an order from the Mayor, which would at least limit it to some more appropriate haunts, and by promptness, vigilaueo aod so? briety on the part of thu city police. Wo respectfully ask the Mayor to put a slop to this public disorder. A New an? Useful Invention.? We have exiuliued a new aud useful invention?-an improved nutmeg grater?for which Messrs. II. D. iBrieu x Co., of Atlanta, Ga., are the general agents. It is simple, choap aud effective. There is no waste, as the smallest piece is consumed. State aud Couuty rights are offered for sale. One of the firm can ba soon at the Washington Hjuae, corner of Gervais and Assembly streets, for a few days; after that, at Atlanta, Ga. Mail ahuanoemests. ? Northern mail opens G.30 A. M., 3 P. M.; oloses 11 A. M.,6 P.M. Charleston openhS A. M.,5.30 P. M.; closet S A. M..GP. M. Western opens G A. M., 1 P. M.; closes 0, 1.30 P. M. Greonville opons 13.45 P. M.: closes G A. M. Wil? mington opens 4 P. M.; closes 10.30 A. M. On Sunday open from 2.30to 3.30 P. M. :Apple butter, peach bntter, plum butter, raspborry butter, and every other kind of butter, (exoeptsuet,) eon always be obtained from Hardy Solo? mon. Beit lanpdrv soaps for sale br John Agnew A oon, at reauoed prices. Hotel Cigar Stare. ,.., Freeh peer! grita and bolted meal for aale at the store of John Agnew & Son. Oo to Fine's saloon to get the finest oysterB in town. John Agnew A Son sell ohoioe New Orleans syrnp at reduced prices.' All the choice brands'of tobacco kept at Columbia Hotel Cigar Store. Crackers?eating and fire?can be obtained at Hardy Solomon's grocery. BeBt of cigars at Columbia Hotel Cigar Store. Fine Norfolk oystora at Fine's sa toon. Anything end everything in the gro? cery line at Hardy Solomon's. Choice brands of champagne and other wines at Hardy Solomon's. Buy canned gumbo from John Ag? new & Son, and enjoy a plate of nice okra soup. The Granger is the best 5 cent eigar. It is sold only at the Indian Sqaaw Ci? gar Store. If you want Christmas groceries, go to Hardy Solomon's family grocery, Columbia Hotel Bow. Buy your Christmas goods from John Agnew A Son. Their stock of groceries and hardware is unrivaled. Buy your Ohriatmas goods at the store of John Agnew & Son, and isve your money. "Economy is wealth." Promptness aud attention are the rnles at Hardy Solomon's grocery es? tablishment. Give Hardy Solomon a trial, if you want anything in the grocery line. His stock is fresh. The boot and Bhoa stock at Love A Co.'s excels anything in style and prioe we have seen. Brandy fruits, preserves, jellies, jams, etc, at Hardy Solomon's gro? cery. A splendid line of holiday goods and Christmas gifts at W. D. Love A Co.'s at half price. Go and see them. All the necessaries for oomponnding egg-nogg can be obtained at Hardy Solomou's. j Be sure and call early at W. D. Love & Co.'s. Never were auoh bargains of? fered as they are giving to their oub tomers now. Hardy Solomon keeps the largest collection of groceries of every kind to be found in the oity. Examine them. List of New Advertisements. W. 8. Pope?Turkeys for sale. C. J. Iredell?Notice. W. 13. Stanley?Holiday Goods. B. O. Shiver A Co.?Shoes. Capital Building and Loan Abb'u. R. & W. O. Swiffleld?New Goods. Meeting Eutaw Encampment. E. H. Heinitih?Medicine. C. J. Laurey?Auction Sale. Extra Communication Acacia Lodge. A. Crawford, Jr.?Aoaoia Lodge. C. Hamberg?Eggs. Bicbland Volunteer Rifle Company. HotEii Arrivals, December 22.? Mansion House?L E LaOonte, Andrew Crawford, city; J P Philips, W H Limbecker, Ninety-Six; J OP Sims, Riohland; G T Reed, Cokesbary; J S Bowers, Newberry; G M Wilson, Charleston; D Johnson, Jr, Union; A E Blitob, Alston; J Coates, oity; E T J Woodward, G A O R R. Hendrix House?M Robinson, E M Wrenn, S Robertson, Md; W King, Charleston; D H Sanders, A K San? ders, John I'urman, Mrs J Furman, Miss K Furman, Master J Furman, Surater; S M Pearson, Orangeburg: B J Singleton, Newberry; B Holmes, Gu; W U Joues, R S Heriots, Snmter; jj Buzzard, Newberry; W S Smith, W J Edge, W M Eug'lisb, M W Edge. Fish Dam; J K Cook, Fairfield; J M Kirklaud, Alston. It is strango that a phase in the Pre? sident's messuge which, if applied to i utmost any other country than Spain, I would likely have produced war, has I been passed over with but little com? ment. Referring to the insurrection in Cuba, ho said that if the state of uffairs now existing continued it would likely make "some positive steps on the part of other powers a matter of self ?necessity/' The sentence is a silly one, to say tho least of it. How could a little insurrection in Cuba make "positive steps ou the part of other go? vernments a matter of self-necessity?" The existence of the United States is certainly not involved in the petty broil, uud we know of no other power that is any way imperiled by it. The < allusion, however, had the effect of ex? citing bad feoliug in Madrid, whioh moy result in delaying tho payment of our so-called claims. Spain oannot, lof course, go to war with a foreign power now, aud Bbe may be insulted with impunity by any bully who cbooseH to tuke ndvantugo of her weak? ness. Cheering. The New York Times says: It seems to bo the general opi? nion of oar tradespeople that a better bnsiness has seldom been done at this time of year than that whioh is now going on. The iufiaenoea of tho Christmas season are opening tho hearts and pockets of all classes, and j for the present stagnation iff trade has disappeared, we hope not to return.