Newspaper Page Text
The Savannah Daily Herald.
BY S. W . MASON &CO ;
.t.VI lL w. MAHON KAttor.
\ . T. THOMPSON VMoritU Kditor.
•AVANNAH. WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER 6, 19«6
FOR LOCAL HITTERS SEE THIRD PICE.
■EVENING EDITION OF THE HERALD.
Bv an afoii'ent U) our press we were obliged to sus
pend our Krening Edition tempormrilr, and various
■ ircnmstances now lead us to announce its discon
tinuance for a few days longer. We snail resume Its
publication very soon.
TO ADVERTISERS.
Our advertising pstmns are reminded that adver
tisements inserted the doming Edition of the
tl rx»u> will appear in the Evening without extra
charge Advertisements sbonld be handed in as esriy
as possible, but will be received ae late **B 12 o’C-ocls
at night. We adhere to onr advertised * 8 except
for iong advertisements, or those inserted fT a long
time, on which a reasonable discount wfl! be made
HQiY TO OBTAIN THE HERAJ.D HEO
VIARLY.
We often have complaints from residents of Savan
nah and Hilton Head that they are not able always to
obtain the Pkhaud. The demand is sometimes so
crest as to exhaust an Edition very soon aAer Its issue,
and those who wish to hare the Hxarixi regularly,
should subscribe for it. We have faithful carriers in
Savannah and at Hilton Head, and through them we
always servo regular subscrioers first.
HI SINKS* DIRECTORY' OF SAVANNAH.
We are now publishing a column aud more of brief
business announcements, carefully classified, under
the general head of •‘Savannah Bu a iness Directory.”
ft Includes some forty leading Outness men and
firms of Savannah. We propose to retain tills as a
regular feature of the 11 frai n. The expense of In
serting cards in this department of the paper is very
small, aud we believe the advertisers will receive
more than a proportionate benefit. Parties wishing
to have their cards included in this Directory, can do
sdby sending then, to our counting room, orhand-
Tng them to Mr. M. J. Divine, who is authorised to
receive them, prepayment will be invariably re
ccice-C
AN APPEAL TO CANDOR AND PATRIOT
ISM.
The war has produced many forms of de
moralization. It is not aloue that the more
prominent rules of morality have been vio
lated, but lesser moralities which are even
more than those, the bond and cement of so
ciety. Misrepresentation, and even menda
city, are now the resource of designing men
who do not scruple to violate all ethical ob
ligations. which impose a regard for truth. Tor
selfish objects. The war bas thus led, by
rapid strides, to a corruption of moral prin
ciple, that, if not arrested must terminate
in national degeneracy. The passions which
are evoked in war are not allowed even to
slumber in peace. Revenge in the midst of
success still calls lor its victims. The most
malignant inventions find their way into our
.journals which task the belief of credulity
itself. It is thus that the Press which should
be an instrument of good becomes a weapon
of evil, darkens where it should enlighten
and exasperates when it should conciliate,
ft would appear aa if many of our leading
joiiticians and leading journalists were in a
conspiracy to disguise the truth and delude
the publie.
Before the war there were those engaged
in the mission of alienating the sections by
exaggerating the detects on both sides, for
u hich they obtained the wages of sin. They
were rewarded for the worst of offices—that
ot dividing those who ought to be united in
the brotherhood both of politics and religion.
TV ho can fail to recall to memory those slan
ders against the people of the South by
those who came among us with masks
on their faces, and which finally led to
social, political and religious separation?
Who can fail to see that this system
of misrepresentation and falsehood is con
tinued by the agency of the Press and
these missionaries of evil ? If the slightest
social irregularity or violation of order occurs
it is exaggerated and magnified into signs of
renewed rebellion. This in the face of de
monstrations of attachment to the Union and
the Constitution All the peculiarities of
the South are minutely narrated; all their
moral obliquities enlarged ou ; all their men
tal weaknesses described, for the liberal pur
pose of heaping on them ridicule. These
peculiarities and passages of Southern life
are transferred to their sensation sheets to
the infinite delight of their readers, forming
their daily mental aliment
The newspapers are not the only channel
of these falsehoods And misrepresentations.
The lecture room and the political meeting
are tiled with auditors who listen with zest
to efiusions of which the staple is misrepre
sentation of the real character and sentiments
of our peopie-
The object of all this is apparent enough.
The interests ot party hare become para
mount to public duty, and the obligations ot
morality. The leaders do not scruple to
utter falsehood to accomplish parly ends.
We are on the threshold of many important
elections Success with those ambitious of
power, sanctifies even falsehood, and history
teaches that a divided moral responsibility
weakens the force of public virtue. Politi
cians will subscribe to statements repugnant
to truth if they can attain their party' pur
poses, when they would disdain to make the
smallest deviation from it, for individual
benefit!.'
On the whole, the signs of the times are
very unfavorable to that moral culture, with
out which national degeneracy makes rapid
progress.
Thc CorroN Coop.— A. correspondent of
the Boston Post, writing from New Orleans,
estimates the cotton crop of Texas this year
at least at IsO.OOO bales. He thinks the
whole crop raised in all the South will not
fall much short of 500,000 bales. The amount
of cotton thus far received at New Orleans is
192,150 bales. He estimates the number of
bales in the South at the close of the war at
1,900,000. His calculations, he says, are
based upon careful investigations, and he
feels sure they will prove nearly correct
By military order any person except Gen
eral and staff officers of the United States
Army found in the streets of Augusta after
ten o’clock at night without proper passes
are to be arrested by the Provost Guard All
bars and places where intoxicating liquors
are sold within the city, are to be closed at
btven o'clock in the evening.
Charlotte Thompson, an old Savannah fa
vorite, has anew American drama, entitled
Brmca, with which she will make a atarring
tour the coming autumn and winter.
Jenkins, the New York defaulter, is said to
°e downcast at the Insignificance of his fraud
compared with later ones. Poor fellow!
COMRETITIV* KXAMIWATIOXS.
It is difficult at all times to separate the
competent stem the incompetent in either
the mflitan or civil service of the country
among the numerous applican ts for official
position. The difficulty is much enhanced
during war. The cessation of the pursuits
of peace greatly increases the number of ap
plicants for office Aspirants then throng
al! the avenues to effi.ee, although the
j number of military poats to be filled arc cor
respondingly augmented.
We of course allude to the subordinate
situations in the army. Whtrethere exists
rules of seniority and a public military
sch-x)!, like our West Point Academy, no
embarrassment can arise to those who ex
ercise the appointing, power although it is ,
to be conceived that ihe public may be as
badly, if not worse served by those who are
in the line of promotiou, and who have re
■ eeived a military education as by those who
have been advanced from the rank and file.
How many have proved incompetent to the
command even of a battalion, both in the |
Union and Confederate armies (having en
joyed all the benefits of instinction) com
pired with those who have ‘‘won their
spurs," without any such advantages, it is
needless to say. Many a battle lias been
lost—many a well planned campaign has
proved abortive, from disobedience of orders
by those in subordinate commands. Per
sonal vanity or jealousy of superiors, not to
speak of cowardice, has in all ages and
countries led to defeat and disaster. Mili
tary history is full of such examples.
Legislation caonot provide a remedy lor
such moral defects, although it may make I
provision for intellectual deficiency. Would |
Competitive Examinations cure the evil aris- |
itig from military jealousy and pride of
opinion ? Scientific culture is not what is
alone required. Military schools will not
produce harmony between those in superior
and those in lower commands. A Board of
Examiners cannot extirpate the passions that
so often destroy the unity of military opera
tions. These passions very often have an
abiding place in the bosoms of those who are
the most enlightened.
Those countries are most exposed to these
evils which rush precipitately Into war, and
are compelled to raise large armies at the
shortest notice. Those European States
which have large standing armies and numer
ous military schools are able to supply any
imaginable void in the line, as they are able
to recruit to any extent for the rank and file.
The war in the Crimea brought in this
respect the armies of Great Britain and
Prance into striking contrast. While the
war found the former fully prepared, in all
the departments of its army for active hos
tilities, the latter revealed so marked a defi
ciency, particularly in its eommissUmt, as
led, not only to serious disasters, but to a
loss of military reputation. Both the South
and the North were compelled, in the late
war, to accept, in numerous instances, an
iuferior order of military talent from sheer
necessity. So much for the military part of
the question.
In the civil departments of the Govern
ment the system of Competitive Examination
of candidates for office, would result in pub
lic beuefit, because the fate and fortunes of
a country are not dependent on ihose en
gaged in the duties of civil administration,
as on those conducting its military opera
tions, The co-operative and conjoint efforts
of all parts of a large army are sometimes
essential to success, whMe the largest exer
cise of individual independence can do no
material injury in civil administration.
But Competitive Examinations ate still
more necessary in popular than it) absolute
governments. The frequency ol election
brings forth at quickly recurring periods n
host of candidates for public office. The in
terests of the country arc often sacrificed to
the interests of a party in the scramble for
office. The traffic of votes for official posl-
tion is of too common occurrence in our
country to require special remark. Com
petitive Examination would here do infinite
good. If candidates for office clearly under
stood that they would have to undergo a
strict examination as to their competency, it
would form an efficient check on those who,
guided by ambition or the desire for official
gain, thrust themselves into situations from
which retiring men of merit are excluded.—
It would also form a guide to Executive au-
thority, which would be influenced by the fa
vorable or unfavorable report of sn Examin
ing Committee in nominations to office.
Tbe only example in history of Competi
tive Examination is that of the Chinese, but
that is exclusively of a literary character; the
celestials have not reared statesmen or com
manders the result of tbeir system. This
subject was much discussed iu England in
1853, but was limited to the civil service and
to the subordinate offices in its various de
partments. A committee was appointed to
investigate tbe subject of which Lord Stan
ley was chairman. They reported tavorably,
but tbeir conclusions were disputed by near
ly all the Heads of Departments. The ex
amination was to be confined to literary
qualifications and did not embrace moral
fitness. A high standard of knowledge was
made the measure of competency. The sub-
ject slept until after the Crimean war. The
disasters of that war revived'it. A second and
third report were made and the standard, be
fore too high, was raised. Examinations were
made embracing questions in natural and
moral science of an abstruse character. The
number of applicants were lessened. The
public service suffered. There were
not a sufficient number of applicants to fill
offices of which the salary’ did not exceed
£IOO a year. The theory of such a plan
wan'ed congruity. It took for granted that
a learned man must necessarily make a good
officer. Such moral qualities as temperance,
diligence, patience and entire trusworthiness,
were ignored. The result was a failure,
Now that a Competitive Examination
of candidates for offices before their appoint
ment, would be an improvement of our sys
tem, both in the military and civil service—is
indisputable; but it should comprehend moral
as well as intellectual competency. In fact,
in some of the subordinate posts the former
is more required than the latter. Asa re
straining influence against improper appoint
ments, Competitive Examination would be
invaluable, such influence being more re
quired in popular than in absolute govern
ments
A Washington dispatch says that a farmer
near Steubenville, Ohio, baa made applica
tion to the Freedman’s Bureau, at Washing
ton, for one hundred blacks Jit is to be hoped
he will be promptly supplied.
FRKK TRADIWITH THE WITH. 1
The proem!:.- tfiou ot President .tiLmaon’s
order so. the icmovalol rll remaining trade
restriction* with the South, permitting the '
importation into ihe Sou'hern Slates of arms, I
ammunition and other articles contraband of '
war, on aud after the Ist of September next, !
is a gratifying indication that the National
Government considers peace as completely '
restored throughout the counuv. and that
trade is free to flow back through the old !
channels that existed before the war. It
will be remembered that two previous orders
were issued by the President for the removal j
of restrictions relating to specific subjects, !
but up to tins time, the importation of arti
cles such as were used in the rebel service I
during the war, was prohibited. For the j
firat lime since the c ommeneement ot our j
uational troubles, Southern trade is now j
wholly untramraeled.
That no untoward event may occur to
check the heaiine and readjusting influences
now prevailing In all parts of the country,
should be the earnest wisli of all who feel in
terest in the future welfare of the American
people.
THE Di'TY OF THE HOVB.
We copy the following very sensible re
marks from the Selma (Ala.) Times :
Several times heretofore we have referred
to the duty of the people of the South in this
critical aud trying time, but, the near ap
proach of the election for delegates who are
to return us to the Union and restore to U 9,
as a State, the rights and privileges once en
joyed, insists that something further be said
upon the same subject.
Immediately after the surrender of our ar
mies and the termination of the war a great
clamor was raised by a party North against
us, and this party demanding that the rebel
lious States should be dismantled of all rights
and privileges and continued under the rigor
of military rule.
This was intended as a punishment for our
sins, but there was a man who opposed this
policy and, with a determination as unchange
able as the laws of the Medes and Persians,
resolved that our lights as States, constitut
ing a part (if the United States, should he
granted ns; this man was President Johnson.
Consequently he appointed to each State a
Provisional Governor—and these appoint
ments were given to Southern men and citi
zens of the States over whicli they were ap
pointed—and empowered each to restore
civil law and rule in his State. This was
indeed lenient, even more so than we had
reason to expect.
There is before us a great and important
work, but it is simple and easily performed.
This work must be done, for, if neglected, we
will be tiie only sufferers. At the election
next Thursday, to begin the work we must
elect good men, and by good men is meant
men of ability and men who are not political
office seekers. The convention will be too
important a body to be filled with political
Iscariots, who scruple not to sacrifice public
weal for private advantage. These are not
the proper men ; the kind wanted are able
and conscientious men, who will look only to
the future good and prosperity of the State,
and not to the advancement of individual
ends and aims
All must qualify themselves to vote, and
after this baa beeu done they should cast
it for the right men. The people must
not tarry at home and wait, for the proper
officer to come to their door anil administer
the oath, but thdv must go to the officer. If
it is too far to walk, ride; and if no horse is
possessed, walk anyhow. The'“ oath must
and should be taken, and the officers will not
visit houses for accommodation ; it is not
their business, and they are only interested
because it is for the good of the people.
But, after each has rendered himself eli
gible to vote, and voted, the work is not end
ed. The government, both State and Fed
eral, must be supported and sustained.—
President Johnson is the South's friend, and
is to-day standing as a living bulwark be
tween us and the fanatics and fanaticism of
the North. Thia be cannot continue unless
he is sustained, and that immediately. We
must show ourselves worthy of the confidence
imposed iu us,and instead of placing malcon
tents in office, we must place good, able and
loyal men in power, who will enact
wholesome laws for us and for the perpetua
tion of the Union.
Qdai.ifications for Office. —The oath
prescribed by the act Os Congress July 1,
1862, to be taken by all persons elected to
offices of honor or profit under the govern
ment of the United States, reads:
I, A. 8., do solemnly swear that I have
never voluntarily borne arms against the
United States since I have been a citizen
thereof; that I have voluntarily given no
aid. countenance, counsel or encouragement
to persons engaged in armed hostility there
to, that I have neither sought nor accepted,
nor attempted to exercise the functions of
aov office whatever, under any authority or
pretended authority in hostility to the United
States; that I have not yielded a voluntary
support to any r pretended government, au
thority, power or constitution with the
United States, hostile or inimical thereto.
So help me God.
The qualifications of candidates for Con
gress in thp South, says the National Intelli
gencer, are guarded by law in all points af
fecting their loyally’, superndded to which
restrictions, is the power of Congress to re
ceive and to act upon evidence touching the
loyalty of any man who may obtain bis seat
in that body.
A New Orleans dispatch of the 19th says :
Gen. Beauregard's house was surrounded a
few nights sioee, and Beauregard, with
others, was kept in a cotton press until
morning. It was supposed that Kirby Smith
was concealed in the house. Beauregard
complained to Gen. Sheridan of the manner
in which the military had invaded his pre
mises. Gen. Sheridan was greatly annoyed
at the occurrence, and righted the matter
with Beauregard.
A lale despatch from Newburn, N. C.,
says Northern emigration to North Carolina
has already set In. People are arriving In
tbe State by thousands from all quarters.
The health of Newbern and the rest of the
State was never better than at present.
The Memphis Bulletin mentions a report
which had reached that city, of the kitling
of Isaac L. Baiton, a few days ago, by his
father-in-law, Col. John Pope. No particu
lars given. Col. Pope is one of tbe most
respected citizens of Shelby county.
The Louisville Journsl admits a Democratic
majority in both branches of the Ksntucky
Legislature. It will be a fair working ma
jority. They have a majority of the mem
bers of Congress.
A MASSACRE OF WHALES
Capture nf at ScUoel In (lit Cnmgitliy
Firth—A slung).in of Inuorenti—Thlr«
t)-tll Killed In u Single Eight.
(From the Inverness Advertiser.)
On Wednesday morning an extraordinary *
capture of whales was made in the Cromsr- i
thy Firth, close by the town of Dingwall.—
On the previous afternoon a large shoal of
these gigantic creatures, afterwards ascet
tained to be of the bottie-nose species, had
been observed sporting themselves in the j
water about half a tniie di.-tant from Inver
gorden harbor, and were immediately pur
sued by stoats full of eager crews from In- \
vergot’deu, Saltburn, Balliotraid, aud the j
coast, the object of the pursuers being to run
them into shallow water and strand inem.—
The fish, however, kept compactly together,
all the while moving backwards aud for
wards about the centre of ibe channel, which
is very deep, lor the space of four or five
hours, aud several shots were fired at them
from the boats without any visible effect.—
Ultimately, about six o'clock in the evening,
they took a start up the Firth, whither they
were closely followed by the boats, and a
hot chase ensued. The tide was at tills time
on the ebb, and there was every chance of
the fi9h being driven into shallow water. —
The scene was animating in the extreme.—
The pursuers arrived at Novar Bay about 8
o’clock, having succeeding in keeping the
fish ahead of them ail the time, although the
frightened creatures took many turns aud
windings, as if in the endeavor to escape
down the Firth, or keep iu the greatest pos
sible depth of water. The water, however,
at this point, is extremely shallow in some
places, and as a stray fish occasionally got
separated from its companions it inevitably
went ag ound, aud was immediately sur
rounded by some of the boats, the crews of
wbicb, armed with all sorts of weapons, from
a shovel to a crow-bar, made short work of
the poor victim. In this way a good many
were captured from between the shore of
Fowlis aud the opposite coast all the way
down to Dingwall. Night did not stop the
operations ot those who had engaged iu the
pursuit. Love of sport aud the chance of
gain combined acted as a strong incentive to
the pursuers, and those who were not for
tunate enough to strand their whale, pre
viously pushed on to the head of the Firth,
gathering strength on the way, until a per
fect little flotilla |of fishing-cobles, rowing
and sailiug boats, aud pleasure yachts, had
arrived within view of Dingwall. The night,
was clear and favorable. Shortly after 12
o'clock and early in the morning those of the
shoal who had man Aged to get this length
grounded among the mud and sand opposite
the burgh, facing to the northeast. It was
uow that the work began in the right earnes'.
A number ot the townspeople were prepared
for what was likely to happen, and hastened
to the scene. A general massacre ensued,
and was continued until a late hour in the
morning, wheu no less than thirty-six were
tound to have been killed in this way, some
of the fish as large as twenty feet, and one,
we are assured, no less than twenty-eight
feet long, but. by far the greater number
being from fifteen feet to eighteen feet. The
total, number captured, including those on
the other parts of the Firth and ou the coast,
is estimated at between fifty and sixty, and
it is confidently asserted that tew, it any, of
the shoal succeeded in making their escape.
Condition of Southern Freedmen.
The Mobile Register, of the 9th inst., says
on this suhject:
Now, what are the facts patent to all men
here, Northern or Southern, who see with
unprejudiced eyes? Take this city. It is
full ot negro servants, yet we believe we are
within the bounds of truth when we allege
that nearly one-half the families in this city
are without cooks in their kitchens. The
negro women find it too hot to cook at this
season of the year. They refuse to work for
the really high wages which families are
anxious to pay for their services. Stepping
with a gentleman into his house yesterday,
he pointed to the pavement in front of his
dwelling ; he remarked, the only way 1 can
get these pavements swept is to do it myself.
1 cannot hire a i errant to do anything. He
was a man of fortune, lived like a gentle
man, and was a kind, good master to his
servants. Inside the house the gentleman's
wife informed us that she had no cook, and
that a boy she had hired from the Freedmeu s
Bureau was ill witlifever, and she had to
nurse himself. In the great majority of
cases, when a negro servant can be prevailed
upon to euter vonr service, ho is so idle and
so stuffed with false notions of his freedom,
that they are r itlicr a burthen than a help to
the family. With these facts before ns. we
read paragraphs in the radical press like the
following from one of their organs in St.
Louis:
“It is, perhaps, worthy of notice,that Vir
ginia, so long distinguished for her preten
sion iu superior civilization, is probably the
worst of all the rebel States in the treatment
which is pursued towards the emancipated
blacks. Her slaveholders appear to exceliu
the ingenuity of their expedients to rob the
poor negroes of their labor, without render
ing them more than the shadow ot remune
ration, and to make their condition as free
men intolerable. It is even charged upon
them that, in certain localities, they have
adopted the policy of turning their servants,
who have worn themselves out in doing
their bidding, upon the world to perish,
without care and without protection.”
So far from “robbing the poor negroes of
their labor,” the difficulty is to get their la
bor for wages which would be deemed ex
orbitant at tire North. The South is full of
work to be done, and in cities and on plan
tations the cry is for laborers for a liberal
compensation. In the face of Ibis demand,
the negroes are roaming about the country
or clustering around the towns picking up a
precarious existence, and, as a natural con
sequence, sickening and dying by thousands.
A gentleman just from Memphis tells us that
25,000 of these Nomade are squatted around
the outskirts of that city, the men doing
nothing, and the women dependent on what
they can gain from the troops. Sickness
ana death are holding high carnival In their
midst. And do we of the South not pity
these poor people ? From the bottom ot
our hearts we do.
The following are extracts from letters,
dated Constantinople, July 27:
“ Hiring the cholera many people don't
come to town any longer; many villages on
tbe Bosphorus have been deserted. Our
stock exchange (Consolide Khan) is open for
only two hours nnd a half daily. I don’t re
member ever seeing such a gloom, and well
may people fear, after the example of Cairo
ana Alexandria. At the Galetea Tower we
have two provisional hospitals. Up to the
present, 1 believe, we are on the increase,
aud although the number of attacks has only
been 500 odd per day, which, with a popula
tion of more than a million is not a very
great number, yet as no one can tell when,
where, and how it will finish, it is natural
that tbe alarm should spread. The greatest
number of deaths has been 180 per day, but
of course this may be doubled in the course
of a few hours, or it may be reduced as
much. One peculiarity is that up to the pre
sent moment it has, with one or two excep
tions, been exclusively confined to the poorer
aud indigent classes. It mu.st be admitted
in justice to this Government that it has no
means to come to tbe assistance of the pub
lic. Money, provisions, shelter and other
requisite or necessary have been furnished
with a liberality which must call forth tbe
praise of every honest person. Many, very
many of the inhabitants are deserting the
place altogether; and every steamer carries
away great numbers of the Constantinople
residents. The French steamer which left
yesterday was so crowded thnt tbe agents
were obliged to refuse tickets, although a
very large boat.
Rear Admiral Sbubrick is visiting Phila
delphia. He is, with the exception of Ad
miral Stewart, the oldest officer of the Navy,
having been appointed by Mr. Jefferson June
20. 1806.
The Mexican (tacittun la Europe.
We print below an article from the Lon
don Times in relation to the Mexican ques
tion. The French journals publish at the
same time a report of a project to annex Bel
gium to France, in return for which the
Duke of Brabant is to become the successor
and heir of Maximilian. This looks like
wild scheming ; but if an European PriDce
could be found foolish enough to go at Na
p>dean's instigation to Mexico, another may
be found to accept the succession to a crowD
not yei fixed upon any one's head.
“The embarrassments of the Mexican
question, though not unexpected, are begin
ning to assume unwelcome prominence, and
the dilemma, it must be confessed, is com
plete enough to disturb the ino9t prudent of
governments. The Americans have now
brought their civil war to a close, and if they
are burdened with an enoimous debt, they
have scarcely yet felt its pressure, and are
contemplating their prospects and character
istic confidence aud unabated energies. They
have powerful armies still on foot, conducted
by able and successful generals; their navy
is still formidable, and all the means of cam
paigning exists in readiness and abundance.
Under tnese circumstances they are left to
consider a kind of national challenge, given
at a time when they were unable to attend to
it, but still displayed openly before them and
the woild. Tlie emperor of the French, in
organizing and effecting the conquest of
Mexico, set the famous Monroe doctrine at
defiance. He did what the Americans had
declared no European power should ever be
permitted to do. He established a monar
chical government under the protectorate of
Franco upou the American continent, and he
holds his ground with as much success and
as hopeful a prospect as such an enterprise
admitted. Mexico is actually an empire,
ruled by a Eutopean sovereign, supported by
European bayonets. The Americans must
either let all this pass, or they must resent it
at the cost of war, and the perplexities of the
alternative may tie inferred from the contra
dictory reports which have recently reached
us. In one part ot' our intelligence yester
day it was stated that the Americans would
almost certainly fight; in another, and that
happily the latest, it is authoritively an
nounced that the army on which this fight
ing would have devolved is to be immediate
ly disbanded.
“We should hail such a decision with un
alloyed satisfaction, but it is probable never
theless that the question is rather suspended
than resolved. The Americans cannot fail
to draw encouragement from the notorious
difficulties of the case itself. They know
lull well that France has got a bad bargain,
and that Frenchmen are perfectly alive to
the fact. France would not only have to
fight the United Stales at a great disadvant
age, but. she would be fighting for a prize
held in no kind of esteem. For once, war
and conquest have proved unpopular in
France, and there is scarcely a party or
class in the State which does not regard the
Mexican expedition with strong dislike.
Nor D the Emperor himself at alTinsensible
to the charges and risks of the enterprise. It
has cost him much as it stands, and has re
turned very little; and an American war to
account, and the result would be alarming.
Naturally, therefore, the Americans imagine
that a time must come when a decided word
quietly spoken by their government would
induce the Emperor to take a step which,
after all, would be taken in his own interest
and to the certain satisfaction of his sub
ject. Os such expectations a temporizing
policy is the natural result. At present any
decisive action would only end in war, tor
the tmperor has said as much, and war the
Americans are not disposed to provoke. So
they reserve the question, in hopes that
time and events may bring about a more ac
ceptable solution.
Arrest of an Alleged Conspirator in Ire
land-Trying to Induce a Constable to
‘•Take tile Oath.”
[Dublin (Aug. U) Correspondence London Times.)
A shoemaker named Christopher McDer
mott, of 4 Trinity place, Dublin, was charged
before the magistrate at Capel street police
office, on Saturday, with being a Fenian,
and attempting to administer the Fenian
oath to a sub-constable of constabulary in
the canteen at the constabulary depot in the
Phenix Park on the 4th of August last. Tiie
sub-constable stated that about 3 1-2 o’clock
on the evening of the 4th of August he was
in the canteen at the depot, where the pris
oner, whom he had not previously known;
aud a private soldier of the Tenth Hussars,
named Caldheck. with whom he was ac
quainted, were drinking. The soldier asked
the constable to take a share of the drink,
and in the course ol conversation the prison
er observed that Walshe was a “stanch
name,” and he told the soldier to go out, as
he wanted to have some private conversa
tion with the constable. When the soldier
left, the prisoner, who had written the con
stable’s name on a enrd, asked him if he had
“heard of the Fenians in America.” The
constable made no reply, wben the prisoner
added, ‘‘They will 'soon hare Ireland
free to themselves, for before five weeks
they will rise in arms.” The prisoner
having taken a small book out of
his pocket, asked him, would he be
willing that he should swear him in as a
Fenian. The constable said “be didn’t care ;”
hut refused to take the book until he heard
the oath which the prisoner desired him to
take. The prisoner then repeated the fol
lowing words : “I, Edward Walshe, in the
presence of Almighty God, do swear allegi
ance against the queen, and ali her subjects,
and that I will be ready to take up arms at a
moment’s notice.” He added other words
which the constable could not recollect. He
then tendered the book to the constable a
second time, and asked him to take tbe oath,
which the latter refused. The prisoner then
wrote his address on a card, “C. McDermott,
4 Trinity place.” which he gave the consta
ble. telling him to go there on the evening of
the Bth of August, when there would be 500
of them assembled, adding, that he would
engage the constable would then take the
oath. The constable then went into the bar
rack-room, where lie reported the circum
stances to his superior, who sent him back
with two constables to arrest the prisoner,
but in the meantime he had gone away. The
prisoner was somewhat under the influence
of drink. The case was remanded, bail be
ing refused.
An extraordinary and unprecedented case
has just been tried at the Assize Court of the
Var. A young man of twenty-four, named
Castellan, presented himself at the house of
a respectable farmer named Hugues, and
pretending to he deaf and dumb, obtained
supper and a night’s lodging. In the morn
ing he persuaded the farmer’s daughter, a
modest girl of twenty-six, to run away with
him, ana the indictment alleged that he ob
tained an irresistible influence over her en
tirely by means of magnetism. The moment
she came to her senses she was filled with
remorse, but whenever he magnetized her
she was a mere instrument in his hands, and
submitted to wba’ever he told her. Three
doctors of Toulon gave their opinion in ac
cordance with that of Dr. Tardieu, of Paris,
and many other medical men of the highest
reputation, that it is possible, by means ot
what is called magnetism, to obtain such in
fluence over a voung girl as completely to
annihilate her wit). Castellan boasted of bis
magnetic power while standing at the bar,
aud offered to magnetise the presiding judge.
He actually tried to magnetise the Proureur
Imperial, and frightened him so much that
he angrily ordered the prisoner to lower his
eyes. Being found guilty by the jury, be
was sentenced to twelve years Imprisonment
with hard labor. —Foreign Paper.
SecondCbof of Peaches.— We have been
presented with a fine specimen of rather
miniature peaches, of what is generally
known here as the “Finley" peach, by Mr.
J. A. Virgin, The tree produces those of
the largest size, and then a second crop of
smaller ones, of an excellent flavor, equal to
tbe first. This it has done for several years.
It is one among tbe unaccountable sports of
nature which occasionally happen in tne veg
etable world.— Macon Meunge-.
HIGHLY IMPORTANT ORDER.
HEADQ R 9 DEP TOF GEORGIA, >
Orricc Prov. Marshal Gun., »
Augusta, Ga . Sept. 1 )
Prov. Mar. Gkn sI
Order No. 3. )
Information having been received at these
Headquarters that large numbers of Confed
erate and United States firearms are distrib
uted over tbe State in tbe hands of designing
persons; and it appearing that the peace of
the State, the lives of the citizens, and the
security of property is hereby greatly en
dangered, it is ordered—
-Ist. That within thirty days next hereaf
ter, all such arms of every description, to
gether with all ammunition and munitions of
war whatever, now in the hands ot Drivate
persons, in this State, be turned over to the
nearest Provost Marshal.
2d. That after the expiration of said thirty
days, all Assistant Provost Marshals within
this Department are directed to seizeall such
fire arms and munitions of war found in the
hands of any one within their respective dis
trict, and all persons found with such arms
will be arrested and torwarded with the arms
to these Headquarters.
3d. Assistant Provost Marshals are hereby
authorized to grant permits to such persons
as in tbeir judgment, are entitled to them. To
retain private arms for sporting purposes,
using tneir utmost discretion to prevent im
proper persons from enjoying this privilege.
By command of
Maj. Gen. Sieedman.
C. H. Grosvenor,
Bt. Brig. Gen and Pro. Mar. Gen.
[Special Despatches to the Augusta Constitutionalist.}
EXPLOSION OF THE STEAMER REINDEER.
New Orleans, Aug. 30.
Tbe steamer Reindeer, of tbe Mobile line,
exploded her boiler, at the head ot the Rigo
lets, this evening. Twenty persons, inclu
ding tho captain and clerk, were badly
scalded, aud three were killed. What is left
of the boat is to be towed to New Orleans.
ALABAMA ELECTION.
Mobile, Aug. 31.
The election to-day for delegates to the
Convention passed off quietly, resulting in
the election of C. C. Langdon, C. P. Page
aud Jas. Bond. The vote is dose between
Overall and Hamilton; it is supposed that
Overall is elected.
DAVIS’ TRIAL.
Fortress Monroe, Au£ I. '
The impression prevails that Djvi**;t
will take place immediately after tiie fr as 1 ? .-
Wirz. ' -
APPLICATIONS FOR PENSIONS.
Washington, Aug. 31.
Numerous applications for pardon have
been received from Southerners for pensions,
that have been interrupted by tiie rebellion.
IMMENSE WAGON TRAIN.
Five hundred wagons drawn by mules left
Washington for Leavenworth.
HOSPITAL STEWARDS.
The Second Comptroller has decided that
hospital stewards regularly discharged be
fore the expiration ot the period ot their en
listments, are not entitled to accumulated
bounties.
ARMY MOVEMENTS.
The regular regiments which have been
receiving daily a large number of recruits,
are ordered West lor duty.
RAILROAD CASUALTIES.
New York, Aug. Si.
The Herald publishes a list of railroad cas
ualties showing 209 wounded since the com
mencement of the year
DISCHARGE OF MUMFORD.
Mumtord, who was arrested for defrauding
Greeuleaf, Myers & Cos. by worthless checks,
bus been discharged upon explanation by his
counsel.
A YYAUXING TO FREEDMEN.
The great American political problem is—
what cun best be done for the negro ? The
race has been freed ; that is universally ad
mitted. The former masters have, without
action on their part, been deprived of the
services ot their slaves, and as an equitable
sequence are relieved from the care and pro
tection hitherto exercised. This is right.—
Without the labor of the freedmeu the
white population cannot support them. The
government does not ask them to do so. Its
policy imposes obligations on both races.—
The one must labor for their own sustenance;
the other pay for that labor. This is the
teaching of the government's freedmen’s
agents now laboring in tbe South, and these
admit to us they have found the whites ac
knowledging the fact of emancipation, and
willing to remunerate tbe negro for his la
bor. But of the latter they do not speak
quite so hopefully.
The address of Dr. French contains much
of direction and admonition to the blacks.—
He tells them plainly tbeir duty; gives them
to understand that their future welfare de
pends upou their own exertions; that their
old masters are not bound to support them
unless they work—neither can they be cared
for by the government. This is right, as it
will obliterate many extravagant ideas enter
tained by the ignorant and ill disposed among
them, and may cause them to become indus
trious and support themselves.
We were struck by one remark made by
Dr. French, at Albany (the repost of his
address being revised by himself), which
was addressed to the freedmen. He said to
them:
“ I shall not be disappointed if one out of
five of you, in your ignorance, love of sin
and dislike of labor, and tbe wholesome re
straints of law aud good society, make a
miserable failure of your freedom; still, if
the rest succeed, as I have no doubt they
will, the experiment will pay, the govern
ment will be justified and our whole nation
blessed.’’
This, it will be remembered, comes from
one disposed to regard the freedom of the
blacks favorably—who was addressing them
in the name of the government—who desires
their welfare, and was pointing out their du
ty—who has bad large experience with them
in their new status. We invite the attention
of intelligent treedmen to the point made.
We are presented by Dr. French with the
astounding opinion that one-fifth of all the
African population of the United States, or
about 800,000 souls, will make a “miseiable
failure"/)!' their new privileges. From the
parallel which he bad just instituted, between
the negroes, and the Israelites under Moses,
coming into freedom it is evident the speak
er expected, as the result of this failure, the
entire destruction of the fraction named. In
another speech, if we remember aright, he
so stated substantially, and yet, be says, if
it so turns out, “the experiment will pay;
the government will be justified.
This is as favorable a view as has been ta
ken of the future of the blacks. Other sa
gacious writers have expressed the opinion
that tbe race will gradually become extinct.
But neither result need be realized. Tbe ne
groes themselves can avoid such a destruc
tion of their race. They have had the way
pointed out by Dr. French, and others who
are laboring lor their benefit. If they refuse
to follow the counsel given them, or fail to
obey tbe regulations of the government,
then, indeed, they may expect a realization
of all that the Doctor fears for them, and
much more.
And, while tbe opinion quoted should be a
solemn warning to tbe black race, it presents
an important Idea to tbe white. One fifth of
tbe negroes will not perish, without causing
great trouble in tbe country. Therefore the
claims of humanity and tbe interests of so
ciety both demand that every effort be made
to avert the catastrophe, or make its effects
limited and controlable.—Jlfacon Telegraph.
The Tribune's Richmond correspondent
says: William Aiken, ol Surrey county,
owner of over 100,000 acres of land, and for
merly master of 200 slaves; bad his proper
ty released from seizure, notwithstanding be
held a commission in the Confederate aer
vice as Major.
Dr. ( ksrsita ou Cholera.
Dr. John Chapman has been the suUeet
of many inquiries from correspondents. H
it a phyaician in tbe city of London, who
has distinguished himself for recommending
a general disuse of drugs In medical practice
also tor his peculiar views upon the employ’
ment of cold on different puts of the human
body as a remedy for disease. Thus b s
remedy feT constipation is the application
of cold to the abdomen—an application
which observation would seem to confirm
as dysentery, cholera morbus, and other
complaints of the intestines are often oc
rationed and always aggravated by undue
exposure of that part of the body. Hr
Chapman has published numerous papers
in the London Medical Times and Gazette
upon the employment of his favorite remedy
for different complaints. 1
He has lately written an article upon the
cholera, in which he lays down the follow
ing propositions :
“The primary cause of cholera is, as a
general rule, the excessive heat of hot
climates, and temperate climates in summer
when cholera prevails.
“The proximate cause of cholera is of
precisely the same nature as that of 9um
mer or choleraic diarrhoea, but it is far more
developed, and consequently its aciion
is proportionately more powerful and in
tense.
“Cholera is neither contagious nor in
fectious in any sense whatsoever, except
through the depressing influence of fear. V
“Cholera may be completely averted, and
when developed, cured by the persistent an
plication of the spinal ice-bag along th e
whole spine so long as symptoms of the dis
ease continues."— N. Y. Evening Post.
SEW ADVERTISE.UF\Ts
ATTENTION: ~
MECHANIC FIFE COMPANY.
Attend an Extra Meeting of the Com
SggLxPa") at the Hall of the W«iungton
jggrg£_Flre Company, at S o'clock, this Wed
nesday Evening.
A punctual attendance is requested.
By order.
H. H. LINVII.LE. President
R. J. Gt>9SE, Secretary. sepC-i
lOTICE-POLICEMEN.
bf Application* of the following persons having
been approved by the Brevet Brig. Gen. Commandin H
the Post, all peraona whose names are hereto attach
-1 rt are requested to call at the offlee of the Provost
.vi sfehal at 9 o’clock a. m., September Cth, 186;,
v z :
Italone Lsaib, m Dingham,
H A Thomas, T E Benedict,
Michael Dowd, John .Green,
E F Rogers J E Vernon,
G T Rogers, George A Rose,
Thomas Mahoney, C W Harper,
Jeremiah Hagetfy, U S Brenn,
Wm Pill, J B Deugan.
T P Prendergast, W S tValah,
JE Conyers, WC Bradley,
E W Shaw, C P Patterson.
R N Harris, John Rilev,
Thoma> Wade. James Walsh,
Audrtw McKeon, Charles Fox,
Hugh Faulkner. A McHale,
Michael Cusack, J M Barber,
Nathaniel Lewis, William Hafesty
J’Tnes leonard, William McAllister
M Walsh, Thomas NeU,
SAMUEL COWDREY,
sepC Capt. and Provoat Marshal
WM, M. DAVIDSON,
WHOLESALE DEALER
IX
GROCERIES, WINES, LIQUORS.
TEAS, SEGARS,
ALE and Cider.
THE Subscriber announces to his friends and pa
trons that hi has iuvt returned from the Northern
Cities, where he has made arrangements with the
best Importing Houses, with whom he has deait lor
many years, for supplies of ever)' article In his line and
new offers for sale, on the most reasonable terms.—
His present Stock, selected by hlmseif with great
care, comprises;
BRANDY.
OTARD, DUPUY A CO..
PINET, CASTILLOS A CO.,
A. LEQNETTE,
PELLEVOISIN
GIN.
MF.DER SWAN AND IMPERIAL EAGLE.
COMET, tin owes.)
WHISKIES.
JOHN GIBSON, SONS A CO.,
MONONGAHELA, X, XX, XXX
CABENET, NECTAR ana PURE OLD BYE,
O. E. BOURBON, Very Old.
RUM.
JAMAICA AND St CROIX.
CHAMPAGNE,
OF VARIOUS BRANDS, In Quarts snd Pint*
T E A. Sri .
IMPERIAL, TOUNGIITSON, HYSON, OOLONG,
POWCHONG, In Caddies and Half Chests.
SttßAg, SOffit, SOAP, BTAB6H, AS., AS.
Also, Agent for the sale of Massey, colllna A Cos.
PHILADELPHIA ALE.
g-pB ts W- M DAVIDSO:--
For Doctortown
TOUCHING AT DARIEN.
THE well known light draught steamer COMET,
Capt. N. King, having been thoroughly over
banled. will leave for the above places on THURSDAY
MORNING, the 7th Inst., at 10 o’clock.
Freight payable by shippers on measurement.—
Goods 50 cents per cnblc foot by weight; $i per 100
pounds—Railroad freight added. ■>
Col ton will be brought at $5 per bale.
Fur freight or paasage apply on board at Upper
Cotton Press, or to
BRIGHAM, BALDWIN A CO,
sepS or to CLAGHORN A CUNNINGHAM.
FOR AUGUSTA.
NOTICE.
mHK Steamer OAK will positively leave THH
I DAY, st 6p. in- and take all freight and passen
gers that offer. Apply to
KEIV A CO..
sep6-l 114 Bay street
Merchants' Line of Sailing Vessels
FOR NEW YORK,
THE line Clipper Bark IDA KEMBALL,, Goatling.
Master, will h«ve quick despatch for the above
port. Apply to
sepd-tf CHAS.L. COLBY A CU.
Mule Stolen—s2s Reward.
OTOLBN from the Stable of the subscribe#* between
kj Abe r corn and Lincoln, on Broughton street Mon
day night last, one Iron grev Mule. The said Male Is
f raided on the left shoulder from the wearing of a col
or. The mouth of the male is considerably deep by
the wear or the bridle and bit. ' , 4 .
A reward of $25 will be paid for the return of the
male or for information where 1^£ aa Jj^QoD '^
At Demand’s Upper Cotton Prees.
gppC-i w foot of West Brosd street.
“boarding.
T”ggßnfflßaßjrAgs
rates, corner Jefferson snd Bay streets.
aep«-Sw J. BIBBER
CHEAP FREIGHT POE AUGUSTA,
THIS DiY ADD TO-MORROW. SEPT
6th and 7th.
aep«?P ITtO BItADT, SMITH A CO.j