(he VOL. 7. Stiscellangons, [For the “WarcuMaN.” How Does Christmas Find Us? Another anniversary of the birth of Christ is here. Three hundred and sixty five and a fourth days have come and gone since last the earth occupied its present position among the surrounding worlds of the universe'— What a mighty change has been effected in the history of America since this day twelve months ago. The departing year looks for the last time upon our nation. What start- ling scenes are presented to its passing mo- ments, and how important are the events which the fleeting seconds are weaving in the history of this Continent and the world. The earth is shaking beneath the stern tread of a milhon of armed men. The capital which bears the name of him whom Americans delight to honor, in the streets of which the people of both North and South once met in friendship ; the city in which have been de~ cided the most momentous questions with which thewisdom of manas ever beentaxed, is surrounded with the implements of war, and echoing hourly to the harsh music made by thousands of soldiers called together for its defence. The banks of the Potomac are bristling with bayonets, and crowded with the numberless ranks of two hostile armies, ready at any moment to be hurled against against each other in the fierce shock of bat- tle, there to decide, above the hallowed dust of Washington, questions raised and debated by those who hadstood side by siden the Rev- olution which brought this nation into birth, and huiibled the pride of the haughtiest ty~ rant of Europe ! And thus is verified the prediction of the hero of New Orleans, and «<the controversies once debated and settled in the halls of legislation, will be tried on the field of battle and determined by the sword. Our coast, from the mouth of the Chesa peake bay to the Rio Grande, is guarded by a multitude of vessels, such as at no former time was ever found in the American Navy. The whole continen: has in a twelfth month been changed from the most peaceful aud tranquil to the most warlike and disturbed on the globe. Mexico, our Southern sister, is threatcned by three of the most powerful nations of Europe, and her cry for assist. ance is not heard above the dir of our camp, for while she struggles for existence against an outside foc, ‘who sweeps with ruthless but with open hand,” we are endeavo ng to shake off the serpent - which has wound its dangerous coils about us, and to ward off the blow of a secret and crafty foe, nourish- ed in the bosom it seeks to strike. All Eu- rope is in a condition to unsheath the sword at a moment’s notice, and even now, her horizon grows dark with the storm-charged clouds of war, and perhaps another Christ. mas may behold her deluged in blood, and shaken to her foundations by the thunder of battle. The sword of England, ever thirst- ing for the blood of freedom, is uplifted and only waits a Jretext to burl its murderous edge, heated bg the fires of a thousand bat~ tles, and tempered in the blood of slaughter- ed millions, upon our Nation, already so se- yorsy wounded by internal enemies. ut all this is bat the effect of some cause or causes ; some man or set of men are ac- countabie for the terrible condition in which we are found on this Christmas day. Who is it that bas led forth the numberless host which crowds our Southern border, and swarms around the tomb of Washington, ready to lay in ruins the proud fabric he and his companions with co much labor and blood have reared ? Who has thrown bpen the temple of Janus? Who has planted such bitter hatred in the hearts of brothers, who once, shoulder to shoulder, stood and mingled their blood upon a hundred fierce fought battle fields, for their mutual de fence ? Dare we answer the question ?— Dare we say that the germ of the plant which has grown and flourished, and now bears such bitter fruit, was brought from England in the May Flower, two hundred and forty-one yearsago ? Dare we say that the restless element which dethroned and be- headed Charles the First, drove his son into exile, overturned tae throne of Plantagenets, and placed a brewer upon its ruins as Pros tector and defender of the nation's interests, has found its way to our shores 2 Does it not show itself in all the transactions of the «Pilgrim Fathers ;” the destruction of the Pequods, the burning of Quakers on Boston Common, of witches at Salem, and the ban, ishment of Rodger Williams ? Does it not make its appearance in all the doings of the descendents of the Pilgrims ? Is it not plainly visible in the resistance to the authority of Great Britain, in the de- stru ction of the tea in Boston harbor, and a the usand other acts in the beginning of our “volution ? And, in later times, is it not ) same element at work in the uncalled {oY interference in the affairs of Kansas, in .. ue underground rail road, and in the hearts of a thousand ministers who prove by their ungodly exortations, that the same spirit Democratic date BELLEFONTE, THURSDAY MORNING, JAN. 9 1862. which caused the execution of the inoffensive Quakeis in 1659 is still alive ? And thus, that sleepless spirit which had its birth in England almost three hundred years ago, has agitated this nation ever since it had a nationality. Nor do we pretend to say that it did not sometimes accomplish much good, but whether for good or evil, it never rests. The question may be asked, do we charge New England as the author ofall the terrible calamities which have fallen upon this na. tion, and which are felt by every family on the continent 2 Far be it from us to charge the descendents of the heroes, who put mn motion the Revolution, which resulted so gloriously, as the sole authors of such an unpardonable crime. But we do say that the spirit which animated the army of Oliver Cromwell, contributed its full share in the work. This restless spirit would have con- tented itself in the invention of wooden nut~ megs and other articles, and would never have aimed at so high an object as the aboli- tion of slavery and the dismemberment of the Union, but for the existence of an oppos- ing element mn the South. While the New England States afforded a place of refuge for the Roundheads, the Carolinas and Virgina sheltered the escaped Cavaliers, and both brought with them ali the bitter animosities they had held in the mother country, These were for a time laid aside. while each needed the other in the struggle between England and her colo- nies. But no sooner was that difficulty overcome than the existence of the *¢spirit”’ was again made manifest. Though many differences existed between the two portions of the Republic, they excited little interest, until in 1832 the South Carolina Nullifica- tion threatened the dissolation of the Union. John C. Calhoun became the advocate of Se cession, though none knew better than he that it was incompatible with the spiro of the Constitation, and would inevitably, bring bloodshed and perhaps ruin on both portions of the Nation. A generation has been edu- cated since Webster and Calhoun were ar. rayed against each other in the Senate of the United States, and now on bloody bat~ tle fields will be consummated, the strife in- augurated by two of the greatest statesman of which America can boas. But let us not be discouraged by the dari- ness of the night which envelopes us, nor terrified by the howlings of the fierce tem. pest before "which our old vessel is madly urged o'er the ever rough and tempestous sea of civil strife. Though breakers sur- round us on every hand, and our straining ship pitches and rolls in the fierce strife with the demon of the storm, three quart- ters of a million of stout hands supported by stout hearts are at the pumps, and while a plank is left, we will one and all stand by her, and with our standard nailed to mast head we, will go down with her, and think not of escaping on any fragment of the wreck, for such a thought is madness. We would but drift farther out upon the shoreless sea, o'er whose bosom float the rent fragments of ma~ ny-a fallen nation, until rescued by the piti- less hand of some military wrecker, and coined info a jewel fur his crown. But we look forno such disastrous re- sult ; too many patriot hearts are beating throughout the land for such a fate to ever overtake us. Dark as is the night, the dawn may not be far distant ; furious as is the gale a harbor of safety may be in sight. Our sun which has set in such gloom, may rise in more than ordinary splendor, and set no more forever. Eighty-five years ago to day the Christmas sun looked down upon our infant Republic, and saw her surround- ed by more dangers than she is now. The army of Washington, on which depended our fate, had been driven from point, to point in disgrace, closely followed by the victorious British army; the Battles of Flat bush and White Plains, had resulted disas. trously. Washington, with his little band of 3000 men had retreated from the North, through New Jersey and on the 8th of Dex cember had crossed the Delaware into Penn: sylvania, the pursuing army of General Howe, consisting of 27,000 men, appearing on the left bank of the river, justas the Pa triot rear guard gained the opposite shore. To the Americans this was the most gloomy period of the contest; and all hope of suc- cess was given up save by the iron hearted leader of that little band of freezing and famishing soldiers. The sun went down upon the scene. Tts last rays rested upon the enemies camp and beheld their prepara- tions for the carousal of the night, or to dream of the conquest they would make when the river was frozen so that an army could pass upon its icy bosom. How differ- ent was the scene in the American camp: Every soldier knew that some mighty deed was to be accomplished in the darkness of the night and that the first campaign wa$ to add another page.to its history. The ov- erweening confidence of the Britisk, in their own skill, had led them to scatter their army over a wide exteut of territory in order eve of Washington, ever on the watch, fail. ed not to observe the error, and ‘ now’ said he, ‘‘is the time to clip their wings. when they are so spread.” The sun looked in on our camp, upon a busy scene, The army was preparing for that grand stroke which entirely turned the tide of battle, astonished the world and gained for the leader of the enterprise a name among the greatest gene- rals of antiquity. At midnight the frail boats bearing the hopes of the colonies ware slowly crossimg the river, battling with the storm and drifting ice, and steadily bearing their living freight across the freezing stream to victory, safety and glory. Did the fate of America ever look so discouraging as on that night of cold and tempest 2 Who does not know the result of that enterprise ? Who has not heard of the almost bloodless vic tory that was gained on the morring of De- cember 26th 1776, over the Hessians at Trenton by Gen, Washington and his broth- er Patriots ? Eighty-five years have come and gone since then, and now, not one of that band is left; their descendants are to be found on the banks of the Potomac, near the tomb of him who on that Christmas night led their fathers across the Delaware to victory. But ro British foe is there, no forcign enemy threatens the life of the na- tion, but here is congregated two hostg which at no distant day will meet in the field of battle, and shake the dust of Washington with the thunders of the fatricidal contest. So, amid the fierce struggles of one Nation» already established, for existence, and ofan’ other for birth, the old year is taking its de- parture. J. P. MircngLr. Howarp, PA. Dec. 25th 1861. avo : For the Watchman Infant Benevolence. BY ©: GAY.’ «“ Won't you give me something, to buy a poor woman a d:ess,” fell on my ear, the other day, as I was sauntering along the street. 1 turned my hcad—the applicants were three little girls, yet on the verge of infancy» whose earnest faces plainly told of good little hearts within. I learned that these little ¢ Sisters of Charity,” Lidie Sourbeck, Mollie Cherry, and Gertie Butts, hearing of the destitute condition of a poor woman, on whom Pover- tv and misfortune had laid their iron hands, had not stood aloof and commiserated, the unfortunate with pitying words, but like the renowned Girard, had pitied her a dress and took this method to raise funds to buy it. The example of these hittle ones might be profitably followed by others of riper years ; othery who are basking in the sunlight of prospéiity, and who have forgoten- that many, Wry many, outside their own sphere, ling along in Poverty and Desti: tation. Yes ? ons having more advantages than these little \lirls might frequently receive small conti\butions that would cheer the hearts of Oh\shew many of God's creatures. who are stifjgeling and toiling over the rough places d life. Young ladies, would it not be a pleasure to present in {ie name of many generous friends, some tdsen of rega:d from the High to the Lowly ? So, then, whe necessity calls you, your simple offering vil be as acceptable as a diadem offered to joking. The “God bless you’, of the poor w¥ | rise from hearts over- flowing with gratyide and you, too, will pluck laurels, unfad\ 3, that will last eter nally. 0 Dame THOUGHT 1T WAS Nk USE.— Why don’t you go into business |" said a prospeious merchant to an old sf oolmate, who was down in the world and yuldn’t get a situa: tion even as a bookkeeplir. «« Haven't got the capyal,’”” was the dole- ful reply. : I suppose you know{\’hat 1 commenced on,” resumed the merchay., with something of sternness in his tone aiguir. « Yes—next to nothing. § “Well, why can’t you d «1 don’t know why —bu ‘Did you ever try 2” «t No—1 thought it was no That’s it! > ae same ?’ centres in the -act of trying ¢* Never give up the ship!” A New Erste —A good st§ at the opening of his sermon, that might be found in St. Paul’s epistl Minnesotians, section fourth, rang west. ee gH Wn WHATEVER is necessary to be done done. Nature 1s too wise and benificifat to to obtain more comfortable quarters. The yoke necessity with impossibility. THE CARRIERS ADDRESS TO 'IT°E3 EASE IRONT OF THE DEMOCRATIC WATCHMAN, ae BELLEFONTE, JANUARY fst, 1962. mime tl Dm meee ANOTHER year 1s hastily borne along, And left few traces of the Carrier's song ; But it has leftits traces of the past, Like leaves’of Autumn in the chilly blast. Another year has dawned upon the world, As if King Pluto (God of Hades) had hurled, The Old one down the slippery Steep of Time. And left 1t struggling in the Gulf of Crime. pe] How many changes? could the old year tell, (I hear the whistling winds—the storm) how na- tions tell. And others rose. their places filled again, To live awhile and flourish in their turn. Yes! many changes since the year began, Many an eye grew dim, with tears in vain, Many from misery found a peacrful home, In Heav’'n where sorrows—earthly—never come. The Trumpeter of War has biown his blast, As fiercely o’er the battle field he passed, A skull and cross bones on a field of red, He waved the awful banner o’er his head ; Oh! Hideous War! return within thy cave, No more on earth thy cursed banaer wave, But like the swelling of a peaceful sca, Quietly sink to rest in—amity. He scattered to the wailing winds the seed, And Traitors sprang to execute the deed, “¢ One Star, ye cowards, from that azure field, For Leroes must to craven cowards yield,” « Another Star,”’ the hellish monster cries, «« Your flag disgraced—exalited to the skies, I'll pull it down, I'll cut the field in twain, And never more shall Freedom rise again.” Ten thousand Patriots sprang to shield the trust, Placed in their hands by sires—long in the dust, Sires that fought and weltered in their gore, And carried war and death to Britain's shore. Ah! many Hero unk beneath the frown, They fell—their bleaching bones, lie strewn around, "louched by the poison of War's scorching breath, Camly they passed within the vale of Death ‘Silent they sleep,’ to dream of wars no more, They sleep the sleep of death, their nativo shore, Has drank their blood—their spirits passed away, War! War! withhorrors! holds its dreadful sway, Virginia's ruins, could a tale unfold, Of rapine, blood, and murders manifold, Enough to taint the virtues of a race, And blot {rom History every loyal trace. And other Stateshave cause to blush with shame, Their plains are lit by Rebel fires—the slain Arescattered o’er the hill-tops, ard the wood, And lawn, are erimson with their bloed. Other nations feel the thundering tread, The rattling musket and the fatal lead, Austria’s steeds have champed the bit in vain, And left their bleeding riders on the plain. Italia with her skies and. balmy air, The home of sculptors, painters, poets—rare, With totterine pillars shaking neath the State, Crumbling away—they’ll leave her to her fate. All Europe feels the deadly scourge of war, No nations raise their voices from afar, To blend their sighs with others in the brecze, And waft them back, in echoes o’er the seas. Away with war, I hate the very theme, I have no thought of it—except some dream, That rises in imagination’s sight, And baunts me in the silent hours of night. My heart is sad, I feel old winter's chill, My clothes are worn, I work agoinst my will, How aches my head—how weary are my feet, As trudging round—I go from street to street. Ah ! happy you, tosit beside your hearth, And watch with careless eyes, the snow-clad earth, The whirlwinc—storm—or drizzling rain without Or noisy children tossing snow about. Oh! will you not, one happy thought employ, And give a wish to cheer the Carrier Boy, Along with it please don’t forget your mite, ’T'would make me feel so verysad to-night. WILLIAM GRAFIUS. ——— Mgs. DouGras.—Very few people indeed have been placed in a more trying position and sacrificed more for the sake of the Union than has Mrs. Douglas. She has persistent- ly réfused to entertain the proposition for- warded to her by a special messenger under a flag of truce from the Governor of North Carolina, asking that the two sons of the late Senator Douglas be sent South to save their extensive estate in Mississippi from confiscation. If she refuses, a large proper- ty would be taken from the children, and in her present reduced circumstances, they may thereby eventually be placed in straitened circumstances. [ere then, was an appeal m-de directly to her tender regard for them, which, if she should refuse, would work dis- astrously against them in after years. But her answer was worthy of herself and of her late distinguished husband. If the rebels wish to make war upon defenceles children, and take away the all of little orphan boys, it must be so ; but she could not for an in- stant think of surrendering them to the en- emies of their country and of their father.— His last words were : «Tell them to obey the Constitution and the laws of the coun try,” and Mrs. Douglas will not mace her- self the instrument of disobeying his dying injunction. The children, she says, belong to Illinois and must remain the North. Tlli- nois and the North, we take it, will sce to it that they are not sufferers by the devoled ness and patriotism of their mother. Singular Career of Gon. Schoepfl. A Frankfort, Kentucky, correspondent] of the Cincinnati Gazelle says: Just now when all eyes are turned to Somerset and Shoeft's brigade, it may be interesting to supply some particulars in the career of the General who is leading our forces there, and whose skilfull general- ship alone we canrely on for success against the overwhelming odds. Tt is one of the mortifing humiliations, of which the war is bringing so many to the rebels, that the aristocratic Tennessee Con: gressman, who commands the rebel army, has been once ignominiously defeated by, ani is'now again opposed to, a late New York hotel porter. When (Gen. Schoepff came to this country he was without means. Nothing better of~ fering, he asked and procured the situation of porter in one of the leading New York hotels, and many a lady who reads the Ga- zette this morning has had her trunk carried up and down stairs by the present brigadier general, whose second victory we are hourly expecting the wires to flash over the coun- try. After a time he went to Washington, where he continued as porter in one of the hotels, until his unvarying politeness and industry brought him under the notice of Mr. Holt. Pleased with his appearance and Cetermined to sce whether he would rise if he had a chance, Mr. Holt gave him a sit- uation in the Patent Office. At first is du- tics were very humble—carryi g bundles, arranging models, and the like ; but he was gradually tried on more important labors, and it was stiil found that whatever he done was well done. A position was then ar- ranged for him more suitable to his newly discovered abilities. Mr. Holt continued to take great interest in him, and missed no opportunity for his advancement. When he was transfer ed to the War Department he took Schoepff with him. An important survey in Virginia chanced to be, needed, and Schoeft was en- trusted wit it. This brought him under the eye of (en. Scott, and his military edu- cation and acquirements were for the flrst time brought to light. Thenceforward his Ife continued to be employed on important business 10 the War Depart~ ment till educated officers began to be de- when the New rise was sure. manded for our volauteers, York hotel porter was appointed brigadier general, and sent to protect the state of his benefactor Mr. Holt has alvcady the proud satisfaction ®of knowing that the man he took from hotel drudgery in Washington, won Wild Cat; let us hope it may speedily be added that the same leader has held Somerset. Blo A Reaper of the dmerican Agriculturist states that he entirely destroyed the weev ils that had badly infested a grain bin for two or three years, by keeping it filled with plaster of paris a few months. It should be understood that this insect is a small beetle, and not that which infests wheat 1m the field, and which is sometimes improper- ly called the weevil. Midge, or wheat fly is the correct name of the latter. We do not see what better effect could be devised from plaster of paris, than from the same quantity of fine sand or soil.—Lime should be better than any of these theoretically. at least. from invasion. aa aries GENERAL JACKSON, while in command of a large force at New Orleans, and after re- maining there for some time the p ovision began to get short, and the soldiers com” menced to show symtoms of mutiny for want of provisions, when General Jackson went to them, and in a speech said, ** Sol- diers we will have provisions te day. Gen. George Gibson said he would be here to-day with provision, and George Gibson was nev- er known to tell a lie.”” At the conclusion of this sentence Gen. Gibson made his ap- pearance upon the ground with provision when the soldiers exclaimed, ¢ Youare an honest General.” —eeeel- DO --O— 'I'HE customers of a certain cooper in a town out west, caused him a vast deal of vexation by their saving habits and persistence 1n getting all their tubs and casks repaired, | buying but little work. «| stood it, however,” smd he, * until| one day old Sam Crabtree brought in an old bung-hole, to which he said he wanted a new barrel made, Then I quit the business | in disgust.” { ———— G1 mm A Keen Repry. —John Wesly. in a con- siderable party, had been maintaining wi hy great earnestness, the doctring of Vox Dei, | against his sister whose talents were not un- | worthy of the family to which she belonged. At last tie preacher to put an end controversy put his argument in the shape of a dictum, and said: «[ tell you sister, the voice of the people is the voice of God,” « Yes,”” she replied mildly, ** 1t cried cru- cify him, crucify him.” | to the | e chain, every link leads to another; present mercies as- Gop’s mercies are like a la sure you of future ones. / haan, an NOE From the Toronto (Canada) Leader. Extraordinary Case of Robbery in : ugland, A robbery, accompanied by some extra- ordinary novel features, has just been com= mitted, and deserves to recorded, as showing a clever scheme to well carried out, and only failing to be suc- cessful by neglecting a precaution that would have struck any one. It appears family residing at Vauxhll agreed to ae company some friends to the the theatre one evening lately, only leaving the master, a Mr. Barker, and the servant girl, Mary New- hall, at home. Some time afier their de- purture. Mr. Barker went out, saying he should return soon. On arriving home about nine o'clock in the evgning, he could get no at ention paid to his repeated assaults on the door knocker, although the gas was alight in several of the rooms, which were appar- ently occupied. Thinking this strange, he applied to his neighbor, and with the latter's assistance, succeeded in entering his house by means of an open window. Once inside a most extraordinary scene presented itself. In the passage a poker broken in two, - with a quantity of blood and buman hair adher- ing to the thick end, was found on the floor and near it some moze hair and a pail full The whoi€ house was in a most disordered state, proper. ty bei Mr. Barker, whose surprise at the tragic appear- ance of his house can be imagined, sought for his servant, but frui lessly—-she was not to be found. He then called in a policeman, and the search was resumed, with no further result than the discovery of the girl's two bonnets, which proved that she had either Len taken or had departed out of the house without one. All over the house property was either. packed up, ready for removal, or actually removed, and the servants’ boxes were open, and the clothes thrown about the floor, like the rest. Two trunks and a carpet bag were missing, and it was evident that the thicf or thieves had takan the stolen p oper y cut of the house by these means. — Among others a box made up into the shape gto a Mr. Heath, a gentlemen residing in the house, was taken, and by the peculiari y of the form of this thicf cventualy traced. ghted upon the servant, but on it appearcd that one of them had driven a young gentle- be avoid capture that a of what appeared to be blood. ng strewn about in all directions. of a settee, belo box was the Saspi- cion first al inquiry among the cabmen ; man {rom that street in which Mr, Barker's house is situated, to the Eastern Counties’ Railway, who had luggage cxactly corres- ponding to the trunks stolen. Inquiry at the station elicited the further facts, that after walking about the platform for an hour, smoking cigars, this individual had train for Brentwood. Here he hal slept all night in an apartment to him - self, having declined to share a double bed- ded room with a person he had picked up an acqnantance with while en route. In the morning it was found that the curiously shaped box and its owner had departed for Great Yarmouth, where he was afterward traced by a de cctive, living in furnished Heath, — agrecable, and taken the lodgings, under the name of Mr. He had made himself very had smoked continually, dressed hiwself out in handsome cloths, and got so much into the good graces of the landlady as to take her to the theatre on the night of his arri- val. The detective arrived on the following Sunday morning at Yarmouth, and soon dis- covered where this mysterious gentlemen lodged. Me found him out, having escorted his landlady to church—but ouietly taking up his quarters in the new lodger’s apart” ment he awaited his return—previously sat isfying himself that he was on the right scent, by discovering the settee shaped box among the luggage. On Mr. Heath’s return he found hiwself arrested, and a very cur- sory examination enabled the practiced cye of the detective to discover his prisoner was not a Ae at all, but a member of the softer sex, and no less a person than Mary New- hall. the servant herself. She was brought to London and examined in her mail attire It was clearly proven that she alone had car- ried cut the robbery, everything sto'en be ing found in her posession. On the applica- | tion of the detective she was remanded until next week when the cham of evidence will be complete. : How she learned to smoke cigars with impunity, and accustom herself to trowes and coats, in so short a time is a mystery. But for taking that unfortunate box, possibly { she might have made good her escape.— However, in these times, a novel mode of robbery rarely occurs —and Mary Newhall { deserves some credit for her ingenuity.— The idea of breaking a poker, covering it with hair and blood, to throw suspicion off herself, and lead people to suppose she bad been murdered, was something quite out of the common. Possibly some poor cat had to provide these tragic accessories. Lorn ParnMersroN recently said a speech thata manought to know a great deal to acquire a knowledge of the immen- in ) sity of his ign rance.
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