A JIHW 1. Blt If TON i Editor k Proprietor. CARLISLE, PA., DEC. 20, 1860. NO PAPER NEXT WEEK. Iu complianco with the usual custom, iind ft>‘ the purpose of giving tho hands employed on tho Volunteer a few days recreation, no pa per will bo issued from this office nest week. CT* The two Banks of this place will bo closed on Christmas day. MORE FINE APPLES.-—Our enterprising townsmen, Mqj. A. A. Lins, has just received another lot of those beautiful and unsurpassed New York apples, which ho will dispose of at moderate rates. Give him a call. Reduction in the Piuce of Oeothing ! By reference to our advertising columns it will bo seen that Mr. Livingston has reduced the price of Clothing, and now offers groat in ducements to those in want of good, substan tial, and fashionable clothes. Ilia assort ment is large, of tho best material, and made up in a workmanlike manner. UNION MEETING. The community has been suddenly start led by the cry of disunion; and public sen timent in the South seems to give' sanction to it. ■ There ate elements of trouble which are really threatening in their aspect, and the vast importance of peace and quiet, and .the enjoyment of civil liberty under the banner of those Institutions which our fathers formed for us, is so dear to us all, that it behooves every community to meet and consult togeth er about what is best to be done. Let us put off, for a moment, the armor of political war fare, and counsel together whether there is any better Government on the earth than that which wo enjoy, and whether we can do anything and what, to. save the Union from its threatened destruction. The citizens of Carlisle and vicinity, with out distinction .of political opinions, 'are re quested to meet together at the Court House, in Carlisle, on: Saturday Evening, December 11, at 7 o’clock, p. m., and express their opinions of the value of that Constitution, which ha's so ’ long protected us. Frcd’k Watts, J.H. Graham, • H* Miller, ■ Sam’l Ensmingcr, leidich, Sawyer & R. M. Henderson, T Win. 11. Henderson, John Williamson, Charles Ogilby, Heniy Newsham, James Mullin, Sam’l C. Huyett, R. M’Cartney, John B. Bratton, E; M. Biddle, W. M. Boetem, Win. A. Miles, Jno. B; Parker, E. Beatty. , J. S. Colwell, Jas. Hamilton, . H. S. Ritter, . R. Moore, Philip Arnold, N. Huntch, ”• W- Smiley, Joseph Wilson, : W. F. Wiso,. ‘ John Halbert, Weaver, Woodward & Schmid W-’ M. Penrose, Wm. Addams; J. W. D. Gillelen, Armstrong &, Hoffer, Henry Saxton, ' Henderson & Reed Robert Irvine, S. M. Hoover, John Irvino, Jacob F. Hoover, Peter Monver, J. B. Duncan, Tho fl D. Mahon, ~ J. R. Noncmaker, C. E. Maglaughlin, J. W. Marshall, W. D. A. Naugle, J. & 1). Rhoads, J. A. Humricb, ; Wm. Bento, Geo. S. Smith, N. W. Woods, J. P. Lyne& Son, R. A. Noble, Isaac Livingston, Michael Shcaffer, S. W. Havorstiok, C. J. Carmony, James Raymond, .R. B. Shapley, : Jacob Boas, David Scobey, J. Mi Masonheimcr, Peter Gutshall, Henry Glass, James Loudon, P.A. Ahl, J, W. Eby, Jacob Bixlcr, ■ John Hyer, John Hays, W. W. Dale, Thomas Conlyn, James Bentz, A. W. Bontz, J. K. Bonder, S. Elliott, - C, Inhoff, A. L. Spouslcr, I. R. Egbert, George Foote, ' A. A. Line, Jas. R. Irvino, Fred’k. Cornman, Wm. M. Porter, Sam’l Y. Ruby, A. S. Sener, Benj. Duke, Jacob Sener, ■* Sam’l N. Emingcr, Edward Shower,, D; S. Croft, J. Hannon, John Floyd, Wm. J. Shearer, S, B. Kiofier, Black & Delaney, E. A. Brady, A. Sensemnn, N. IL Bcklos, S. 11. Gould, J. Goodyear, David Smith, Goo. Miller, J. Armstrong, J. Rhoom, J. 11. Waggoner, E. Cornman. The President’s Proclamation to the People of the U. Slates—A Recommendation. Numerous appeals'have been made to me by pious and patriotic associations and citi zona, in view of the present distracted and dangerous condition of our country, to recom mend that a day be sot apart for Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer throughout the Union In compliance with their request and my own sense of duty, I designate Friday, the 4th day of January, 1861, for this purpose, and recommend that the people assemble on that day, according to their*'several forms of to keepfc it as a solemn fast. The Union of the States is at the present .moment.threatened with alarming and imme diate danger; panic and distress of u fearful .character prevail throughout the land; our •*kkoring population are without employment, and consequently deprived of the means of . earning their broad. Indeed, hope seems to have deserted the minds of men. All class es are in a state of confusion and dismay, and . the wisest councils of our best and purest men are' wholly disregarded. In this-the'hour of our calamity and peril to whom shall we resort for relief hut to the ,®od of oar fathers? His omnipotent arm only can save us from the awful eiieots of our own crimes and follies—our own ingratitude and guile towards our Heavenly Father. Let us, then, with deep contrition and peni tent sorrow, unite in humbling ourselves be fore the Most High, in confessing our individ ual and national sins, and in .acknowledging -the justice of our punishment. Let us in£ plore Him to remove from our hearts the false pride of opinion which would impel us to per -1 “°T? re ’? wrong for the sake of consistency, ° r t -‘ a ! l y iO W a just submission to the un sscßSkz&f ■vttXsvt&Sr 1 * ascend to His Throne that lie would nnt y lf a sort us in this hour of extreme peril, Cl rt member us as He d.d our fathers in the dark, ’ cst days of the revolution, and preserve our Constitution and our Union, the works • o». their hands, for ages yet to come, Ah Omnipotent Providence may’overrule existing evils for, permanent good. He can ~ “Of* the wrath of man to praiso Him, and , the remainder of wrath ho can restrain. Lot ,mo Invoke; every individual, in whatever '.sphere of life ho may be placed, to feel a per sonal responsibility to God and his country for keeping this day holy, and'for contributing , 1118 power to remove our actual and impen ding,calamities. Jambs Buchanan Washington, Dec. 14, 1860, "TOO LITE! TOO LATE!'» When the exasperated people of Franco, not many years since, assembled by thousands m front of the royal castle, and demanded the head of the then reigning sovereign, an at tempt was made to pacify them by assuring t icm that their prayers would be listened fo, . policy of the government changed, and I their demands acceded to. “Too late! too late!” was thro response from tfw crowd.— Again the friends of the sovereign attempted to appease tiro anger of his subjects, by in forming them that the ruling prince vras ready to resign liis place, but ho asked the poor privilege of naming his successor and in vesting him with-power. “Too late! tool late!" again resounded from thousands of hoarse throats. Wo fear our own people—those of the South, particularly—who have so long and so patiently suffered from Abolition encroach ments, are in about the same condition of mind the French people were in when they cried “too late!” For years and years have the Abolitionists of tho Northern ’ States as sailed, with fiendish malignity, the people and institutions of tho South. But, the influ ence of these.desporato and devlish men was limited, for, all told, they amounted to but a ■ few thousand in each Northern State. Some five years ago, however, tho fragments of the i broken-up Whig and Know-Nothing parties feeling about, in the dark, as it were, for some resting-place—took, shelter in the Abolition camp and under Abolition leaders. A new name (Republicans,) was given to the con glomerated mass, but the principles of the old Abolition party were to be adhered to and carried out. Owing to the popularity of Mr. Bccuasan, this new party was defeated, after a desperate struggle, in 1856; but in 1860 the Republicans triumphed, and elected two Northern men President and Vice President Wo predicted before the election, that a dis solution of , the Union would follow should Lincoln - he elected; we predicted, too, that a smash up of banks and of business would also follow. But our fears were laughed at by wise Wide Awakes, and by Republican scrib blers, and our predictions scoffed at by un principled, corrupt, and ignorant stump spea kers. The people, now that our Union is on the verge of dissolution, our banks and facto ries closed, and tens of thousands of men out of work, are being brought to their senses, and aro devising means to quell the storm that a Republican victory brought about. “ Union Meetings” are being held in all sec tions of the North, and this is right. Let us all unite in a common effort to save the coun- try. Men of the North have produced the mischief—let them propose the remedy if they can. It may bo. “too lata,” but we have high authority for saying “it is never too late to do good.” Let the effort be made to save the Union! Let politics and politicians be for- gotten for a time, and let all join hands and hearts for .the preservation of the United States 1 Week-of Prayer.-— lmmediately after the suppression of the awful insurrection in In dia, the Missionaries of the Presbyterian Board at Lodiana, in that country, proposed, that the second week of January, annually, should be observed as a weekof prayer for the | conversion of the ■ world. This proposition endorsed by Christian men of various denomi nations throughout the world, was, the last year, acted upon quite generally, with great interest and with beneficial results. For the coming year, the following subjects have been suggested, as topics for thought, prayer and exhortation, viz: . Sunday, January 6th, The promise of the Holy Spirit. Monday, January 7th, An especial blessing on all the services, of the week, and the pro motion of brotherly kindness among all'those who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Tuesday, January Bth, The attainment of a higher, standard of holiness by the children of God. Wednesday, January 9th, A largo increase of true conversions, especially in the families of the believers. Thursday, January 10th, The free circula tion of the word of God and a blessing upon Christian literature. " Friday, January 11th, A largo outporing the Holy Spirit upon all bishops, pastors, and ruling elders of the churches, upon all semi naries of Christian learning, and upon every Protestant Missionary, among Jews or Gen tiles, upon the converts of his station, and upon his field of labor. Saturday, January 12th, The speedy ovei throw of all false religions, and , the full ac complishment of the prayer, “ Thy Kingdom Come.” Sunday, January 13th, Thanksgiving for past revival, and the enforcement of the sol emn responsibility resting on every Christian, to spend and he spent in making known the name of Jesus at home and abroad. Wo understand that, in Carlisle, these sug gestions will bo acted upon, by a union of-the ministers, in the following order, on Sunday, January 6, each minister will preach in his own pulpit, on the topic proposed. And af terward, through the week, there will bo a sermon each morning, in some one Church, with a union prayer meeting, in the evening, in the same Church, as follows: On Monday, in the English Lutheran Church; Tuesday, in the Second Presbyterian Church; Wednesday, in tho First Presbyterian Church ; Thursday, in the German Reformed Church; Friday, in the Methodist Church; Saturday, Emory Cha pel, with a mutual interchange of pulpits among the ministers, which will bo the case also on Sunday morning, January 13. It is hoped that this Christian community will ap preciate tho movement and cordially sustain it. „ Übmv’s Mower and Reaper. —Our friend, Mr. Ciiaiu.es Franciscos, of this place, has been appointed agent for the sale of County and Shop Rights for this State of “ Urmy’s Improved Mower and Reaper, with Self-Ra ker.” Judging from the opinions of hundreds o farmers, this is ope of the best machines yet invented. It is simple in construction, and not liable to get out of order. Its dura bility, simplicity, perfect cutting, and ease of operating on all kinds of grass and land, must recommend it to all. Every farmer should have one of those machines. A Kegoi.aji Mor^ok— Dr, Hunter, who has served n term in the Now Jersey State Pris on for having thirteen wives, Ims been arrcs. ted in Brooklyn for marrying the fourteenth! The soaaon of merry making and ProsOirfs ia at hand, when joy and hilarity should fill every heart, and men should rejoice and feel peace and good will towards one another, as the Angels did when the Stars of the morning sang together and announced that a Savior was born in Bethlehem. . Tho torm Christmas is synonymous with gifts, and wo presume the practice of making presents on that day, was originated by the wise men of tho East, who brought fraukin sonoe and myrrh and other presents to tho in fant Redeemer. Like all tho beautiful pre cepts and practices of the now dispensation of love inaugurated on the birth of Christ, that of Present-making has descended from gene ration unto generation through tho long vista of centuries, impressing upon the youthful pund, and recalling annually to maturor hearts, tho anniversary of tho birth of Christ, and the scenes immediately attendant upon, and practicably .illustrating, tho “good will” and kindness which should control the children of one family, and one common Great Father, in the making of presents, which of themselves, though trifling, speak tho lan guage of the hcarj in acts of love and tokens of remembrance. To tho juveniles morn especially, is this season one looked for with anxiety and anti cipation, but those of more mature years, might with beneficial results practice gift making, which would tend to soften the aspe rities of our degenerate nature, and intro duce into communities and Wards one ano ther, that “ peace and good will” which tho birth of a Savior proclaimed, and which is i annually celebrated by the observance of the 2oth day of December, as the anniversary of the time when “God became man.” At this season of the year, more than any other, the better'feelings of our nature predo minate, and there scarcely exists in civiliza tion. or under the ffigig of Christianity, any one so humble in position, or so-hardened in crime, who does not, during this season, look' about for a trifling memento to present some loved one, as a small, token of remembrance and manifestation that all of the God-like na ture has not yet forsaken tho humble in cir cumstances, or the steeped in wickedness. The bonds of friendship, social and Christian —the ties of kindred , and family are renewed during this festive season—old acrimonies and heart-burnings are forgiven and forgotten un der tho mellowing influence which distributed by some unseen, unknown power, seems to pervade all hearts, and causes humanity to approximate nearer unto the Author of Love, who “spared not his only son to redeem a losf and fallen race." . Perhaps, few of the millions who will give and receive gifts on Christmas-day, and ob serve it as a holiday, will call to remembrance the scenes which transpired upon that morn ing, eighteen hundred and sixty years ago, and fewer still will bo ready to adopt and practice in life, the teachings of Him whose birth they annually celebrate. The mind wandering back through .the lapse of thou sands of years, wonders what effect such an announcement as Was then made, would have upon humanity now. Could we bo waked from our slumbers on next Tuesday tnorning 1 before the god of day commenced his diurnal carer, andtbehold the “ stars of the mornling singing together” and hear a'convoy of ■ An gola with rejoicings and songs proclaiming the advent of some long-looked-for. Messiah, with what wonder and astonishment would we regard the scene, and how few would follow the Star of the East, in its guidinga to whore the Savior might be found and worshipped,! The star of the Gospel, and the story of the Cross, remind us daily of the mission of Him who was born on Christmas, and yet how few are lured by the truth of the one or the bright ness of the other, to “ lay up their treasures in heaven,” and, obtain an interest in that “land of rest,” purchased by the blood of Him whoso birth'inaugurated the Christmas festival, commemorated by Christians ever since the glorious morn when it was first pro claimed that a Savior was born. Upon Christmas-day, we should all look around and seo if there are no hearts we might make glad by some token of remem brance. How many firesides can he made cheerful—how many widows comforted—how many'gleams of sunshine miiy ho shed in Orphan hearts, unused to acts of kindness ? How many families may be supplied with the necessaries of life, if not some of the luxuries, and as there is more true joy in giving than receiving, how much real pleasure might he enjoyed on Christmas-day,-ns well as all other days, if we would all practice the golden rule, and “Ho unto others as wo would that they should do unto us!” A Day of Fasting and Pbaver.— President Buchanan, in answer to numerous appeals which have been made to him by pious and patriotic associations and citizens, and in view of the present distracted and dangerous con dition of our country, has appointed Friday, the 4th day of January, 18(51, a day of Past ing, Humiliation, and prayer, and recom mends all people, according to their several forma of worship, to keep it as a solemn fast. In the message making this recommendation, the President draws a graphic picture of the alarming and imminent danger which threa tens the Union. Hope seems to have deserted the minds of menj-an<|, the only resource wo have left is an humble appeal to tl)o God of our Fathers, Ho invokes every individual to feel a personal responsibility to God for keep-' ing the day holy, and doing all in his power to remove our actual and impending calami ties. - ■ C7' lion. Herschel V. Johnson, of Georgia, late Democratic candidate for the Vice Presi dency. of the United States, has written a let ter to A. Belmont, Esq., of New York, on the present aspect of affairs. Ho thinks the Southern people are aroused and exasperated, and that South Carolina will bo out of the Union before the New Year comes in. She will bo sustained, if not followed, by Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Some thing must bo done to gain time for reflec tion. !C7” Sir. Buchanan has announced that he will collect the revenues at all hazards if any Southern State attempt to assume the power of the Federal Government in this respect.— When asked if ho would uso., force, he an swered, “ X will obey the laws. lam no war 'nm a n| en of peace—but I will obey nor- the laws!” CfIBIS msi tho next term the President shall bo chosen from the North, and the "Vice President from tho South. ' i Another proposes to elect the President and. Vice President for eight years. Another proposes to limit tho term of Judg es of the Supreme Court to twelve years, and provides that one'half shall bo selected from the North and the other half from the South. Melancholy Drowninoop a Philadelphia Lady in Maryland. —Miss Susan Needles, a young lady of Philadelphia, was drowned in St, Michael's river, Eastern Shore of Mary land on the 6th inst., while on. a visit to her relatives at that place. She was missed from her room in the morning, and a search having been instituted, traces of her footsteps were discovered leading down the lawn at the rear of tho house, and entering the water. Her body was soon after found near the spot, and Sent to her friends in this city. The only reason that can bo . assigned for this melan choly circumstance is somnambulism. It is supposed that sho arose, dreaming that she was going to bathe, as she had often done in tho summer time, at this same place, and at an early hour. Sho was partially clothed, when found, and she had a shawl thrown around her as if for a bath. Sho was a most estimable young lady, and never subject to aberration of mind. Qn tho. preceding day ; sho had given evidences of her usual cheer- • fulness and happy disposition. i Don’t Take Them.— The notes of the fol lowing Pennsylvania Banka aro quoted no sale in Philadelphia. They have gone under in, the financial crisis which-is now sweeping the country: Bank of Commerce, Erie, Bank of Crawford, Moadrille. Bank of Lawrence Co., New Castle. Bank of New Castle, '■ “ Brie City Bank, Erie. McKean Co. Bank, SmetlipOrt. Monongahela Valley Bank, McKeesport. Tioga County Bank, Tioga, The Corn Exchange Bank, Philadelphia, gives notice that the notes of the Shamokin Bank will bo no; longer redeemed at that Bank. ‘ The State Treasury.— -IVe are indebted to Auditor General Cochran for a statement of tho receipts and expenditures of the State Treasury for the year ending the 30lh of No vember, 1860. Tho receipts from all sources wore $3,479,257 31, which, with an available balance in the Treasury December 1,1859, of $839,323 09, and $41,032 of depreciated funds,' make a total of $4,859,612 40. The expendi tures of the year have been $3,637,107 32, leaving nn available balance in tho Treasury on tho Ist of December, 1860, of $681,432 08, in addition to $41,032 of depreciated and un available funds. THE REAinr. The fearful crisis which is now impending, and momentarily threatens to overturn the fair fabric of our National GoVornmont, has not taken by surprise. Wo apprehended' and predicted it, as the certain consequence of the sectional and aggressive teachings of-the Republican party. But now, that tho worst has 'come, wo would bo recreant to every im- pnlse and sqntimentof patriotism, did we seek to add fuel to the fierce flame, by resorting to criminations and recriminations. If our Re publican brethren have at lost been mode to see and feel their error, and are willing, to frankly acknowledge it. and to retrace their wandering steps into that older, safer, and bettor path of national and constitutional pre cedent, in which both political parties of the country were formerly proud to walk, wo would not be among.'.the last to take them by the hand, and bid them God speed 1 It may not yet bo too Into to repair the evil that has been done. When Webster, in his memorable reply. to Hayno, drew that graphic picture of dissolu tion which will live ns long as our language lasts, no one dreamed that it would ever be come a dread reality. Mon admired it—they could not do otherwise—ns d sublime hurst of oratory—a brilliant flight of the imagination —nothing more. But how swiftly has it as sumed the substantial shape of prophecy ful filled. Do wo not now see “ States .dissovor od. discordant, belligerent—a land rent with oiyit feuds”— not yet, indeed, “ drenched in fraternal blood,” but God only knows how soon that horror hiny bo super-added I 'Web ster’s prayer was granted. When his eyes “were turned to behold for the last time the sun in Heaven,” he did not “ see it shining on the broken and dishonored fragments of nonce glorious Union.” A merciful Providence spared him the sight of so ghastly a spectacle. May we, bur children, and our children’s chil dren, never live to see it! Union Meeting in Philadelphia.—The citizens of Philadelphia, to the number of nearly ton thousand, assembled on Thursday in Independence square for the purpose of testifying their unalterable affection the j Union of these States, and their firm deter mination to standby the federal constitution and the laws. Without distinction of party, people of all classes flocked to the meeting, and seemed deeply impressed with the impor | tanoe of the occasion. Mayor Henry pre sided, and after an impressive prayer by Bishop Potter, speeches Vero made by the President, Joseph R. Ingoreoll, Judge Wood ward, Charles E. Lex, Theodore Guylor and Isaac Hazelhurst. Resolutions wore adopted, I proclaiming attachment to the constitution [ and the Union', recognizing the binding force of the Fugitive Slave law, and the rights of slave owners in theTorritories; recommending a general convention of all the Stales, and appealing to the South for consideration and i forbearance in ttie present crisis of the Union. J- Propositions Before the Committee of 33. —The Cbmmittee.of 33 on the state of the Un ion, appointed byj Speaker Pennington, has had several sessiojis, and sundry propositions have been discussed. One ; the territory ho that any State preventing the return of fugitive slaves shall pay double the value of the fugi tive. ' • . Another proposes that the Constitution shall provide that tho President and Vice President be elected by districts—one of them shall al ways be chosen by tho North and the other by the South, and they shall alternate, so that. one. term the Vico President shall bo from the North and tho President from tho South, and North Westera Batik, AVarren. The Troubles of the laboring daises. Every succeeding day witnesses the closing of large manufacturing and mercantile estab lishments in our Northern cities, and the dis charge of numerous employees, who have be fore them the dismal prospect of a-hard win ter, no work, and no money. What is to be come of them and their families? It is mel ancholy to think. Among those are hundreds | and thousands of industrious females, who in ■ many instances support their families. They and their families will now be destitute. The Journal of Commerce, of Saturday, mentions the discharge of fifteen hundred hands from one clothing establishment. The -sinfulness and folly of trifling with the blessings wo en joyed, and the Government under which the North was prosperous and happy, begin,now to bo seriously felt. The policy of starving the honest working classes of the free States, in order to ameliorate the condition of the ne gro, who in the South is well fed, well clothed and happy, will not turn oat so well ns was expected. All these things arc the FRUITS of BLACK REPUBLICANISM, and the people begin to see it. It. begins indeed, to be feared thai popular resentment will break out in demon strations of a somewhat rough character. The following, from the Freeman’s (N. Y. City) Journal, is an ugly sign. Says that newspaper: “Look it in’ the Face. —Let the leaders of Northern fanaticism look to themselves. The breaking, up of an Abolition meeting on the 3d inst., m Boston—the hot-bed of fanat icism—is a faint indication of what is to come. The continuance of this political excitement will turn into our;strcets tens of thousands of i men, without work, without money, and fierce with want. Where are the leaders of the fa naticism that has brought this woe on the working classes to hide themselves from the fury of the hungry mob. Are not the names of these leaders already bye-words 7 Will it need a prompter to tell the maddened crowds who have been their tormentors ? Beware ‘ you have thought you were only exciting the blacks of the South against their masters. You will find the discharged white laborers of our Northern cities a far more instant and un- controllable clement, and you will bo the vic tims of their fury. Quell the storm in time, if you can:” A Bad op Wheat to Traitor Kelly.—The following letter', addressed to that prince of humbugs and traitors, Judge Kelly, of Phil adelphia, explains itself. It is from the home of the Bail-splitter: Springfield, Illinois, Dec. 1, 1860.. Hon. Win. D, Kelly, Philadelphia—Pear Sir;— You may possibly recollect, that in a speech delivered by you in our State House, on tlm evening succeeding the nomination of Mr. Lincoln to the Presidency of the United States at Chicago, you offered to Wager a bar rel of Pennsslvania apples against a barrel of Illinois wheat, that Pennsylvania would give Mr. Lincoln a larger majority at the Novem ber election, than Illinois, would. The crowd took the bet: it is neediest to say that wo lost;, wo acknowledge, the corn; wo give up the wheat. Enclosed, I have the honor on behalf of the Republicans of this city, to hand you Express receipt for the barrel of wheat, which we hope will come to hand in good order. We think that you will find the grain wor thy oven of your own great State. . Allow me, dear sir, in behalf of the Repub licans of this city, to return to you and through you to your gallant . State, our grateful thanks for the noble support which you have t-iven to our illustrious townsmen. * ° I (up sin, yours, .truly, B. A. WATSON. At tho time Kelly delivered his speech “in our State House,” at Springfield, wheat com manded at that place $1 20 .per bushel. Now, under the “Lincoln times," it is selling in Springfield for 50 cents. Are not tho Eepub lican neighbors of tho Rail-splitter .bound to make up the difference in the price of wheat to Judge Kelly ? Kelly is certainly enti tled to about four additional bushels of wheat, which we hope will bo sent him at once, that he may render assistance to the thousands of starving Wide-Awakes who were deceived by him and other demagogues. “A Little Previous. ’’—Somebody has sent ns a marked copy of tho prospectus of the Missouri Democrat, the loading Republi can newspaper-of St. Louis, which commen ces with the following words “ Now that the groat Republican party has , redeemed tho country and a lono era of na tural prosperity and glory may bo expect ed to set in-with the inauguration of the new President, &o.” God save the country from such redemp- tion as the Republicans have achieved, and from tho experiment vre are having of its “natural prosperity,” - /Visit of Old Santa Claus.— “'Twas the night before Christmas, and, all through the house,” is so old that everybody will like to have something hewer and better on that top ic. Hero it is, published by request of some of our juvenile readers: “Awake, dear mamma! and do come and see What Santa Claus loft in my stocking for mo; I’vo a doll, and a sofa, and many fine things; What beautiful presents old Santa Claus brings ! There's a whip, and a horso for, dear Johnny, and more, It moves like a live one, all over the floor;, Tho oyes of my dolly, they shut and they open, Much bettor, you see, than tho old one that’s broken, 80, dearest Mamma I do wake up and see I How strange that on Christmas you sleepy can bo I’ 1 And sissy pulled out from her own little stocking A tiny bit obair, all cushioned and rocking. “Last night, when old nursoy had put us to bod, And bid us.“ good night” when our prayers were all said, ■ I thought I would listen, for X waited to hear Old Santa Claus come with his tiny reindeer. I tried very hard my eyes open to keep, At tho funny Old Man to steal a sly poop ; So I looked at tho chimney ns hard ns I could, To watch till tho tiro had burned up tho wood; For X wondered, mamma! how it over could bo, From the soot and tho firo he’d keep tho things froo- Sp I looked and looked as hard ns I could— . ’ For nursoy had told us, if wo would bo good, He’d come down the chimney, ns sure ns hobamo, And fill up each stocking, for ho well knows tho name Of every good child, and tho house whore ho lives, And to all that ho loves pretty presents ho gives. So I tried very bard to keep open on© oyo, But it kept shutting up as fast as I’d try ; tllo flrBt . tha,; 1 knew was Johnny’s loud call, Merry Christinas I dear sisters, dear nursoy and all.” Then I ran to my slocking as fast as could bo. And found it fdled up with nice things as you soo. lam very sorry I indeed I am sol f” 1 wanted to soo them all dash through tho snow ; inttlo Basher and Dancer, and Prancor.and Vixen, initio Comet and Cupid, and Bonder and Biixon. uu I nursoy has told mo Such wonderful things nr nn “c 0 * 6 ,' tho flo(jr ’ ana< i! cer has commissioned George A. C. Seiler, Es?„ and Maj. JoknW. Brown, as Notaries Public for the city of Harrisburg. For the American Volunteer. "The Signs of the Times.” Mr. Editor.— Our country has fallen into evil times, such ms have not been experienced since tho Bovolulion of our fathers, and, un less our groat mcn—politioians, editors of public journals, and ministers of the Gospel—* will cease their sectional' tirade and abuse of each other with respect to slavery in the South, and seek to cultivate a spirit of recon ciliation and fraternal intercourse, as it once existed, our national glory and greatness may depart from us as it did from the Jews of old. Among all classes of professional men, there aro none that can wield more influence for good among tho masses of tho people than the faithful miuistcr of the Qospel and editors controlling the public press ;"and on the other hand there is no class of public men who can, through the power they hold on tho masses of tho people, do more to disturb the peace and quiet of tho country.. Fearful indeed is the responsibility of these men, and well may they tremble oswatebraen at tho doors of our glo rious temple,of national pride, lest they may be the means of placing upon its dome the burning epitaph Tchabod. The dissemination of maddened abolition views has undoubtedly done more towards the bitter feeling how,ex isting between the North and South of our land, than any thing else we know of; and when tho watchman upon tho walls of Zion departs from the sanctity of his clerical char l actor to sow tho seeds of discord by which doiidly strife between brethren will be brought to pass, ho should bo held up to the gaze of the world ns a wolf in sheep’s clothing; for such an one is ready to sell his birth-right for a mess of pottage, or thirty pieces of silver, God’s pulpit and the minister of reconciliation are one thing, and tho politician and stump orator another. Their vocations aro entirely separate and should always act as cheeks upon i each other. Both are necessary in' their pro- 1 per spheres, but out of them they are a curse ( morally and politically considered. X Attorney General Black on the Crisis. Judge Black, Attorney General of the Uni ted States, has written a long tetter to the President, giving his opinion Upon the right and expediency of coercing a seceding State. As the Judge occupies the position of law ex pounder for the position of the National Gov ernment, his opinion is a matter of much in terest. The following abstract gives its tenor and leading points t Tho Attorney General of the United States has furnished the President with his official opinion upon the questions of law involved in the present state of affairs in the South; and the course of action to bo pursued by the Pre sident in the event of a collision on the part of the Control Government with tho authori ties of South Carolina or any other State. The opinion is elaborate, Tho Attorney Gen eral, does not think that the will of a State can absolve its people, from allegiance to the just and constitutional requirements of a Con trol Government, nor can any aet of the Con tra! Government displace tho jurisdiction of a State. Its Jaws are supreme and binding only so far as they are passed in pursuance of the Consitntion. The duty of the President is only to execute the law to, the letter ns it is written. Wo have no common, law to fall back upon when the written law is defective. In the collection of customs or revenues ho has a particular method, pointed out for him to adopt, and .if the machinery furnished by Congress for tho collection of duties should become so deranged or broken up that it could not bo used, there would be no legal reason for substituting a different kind of machinery in Us place. The Government is the owner ot the public lands and national property, and the Attorney General thinks the President will bo justified in taking such measures as he may deem necessary for their protection. It hod the right ot keeping exclusive possession and repelling intrusion, and could take its proper ty from any powor by force, as was the ease’ at Harper's Perry, in 1859, when the Unitbd States forces took tho arsenal from John Brown. By tho act of 1807 the President is empowered to employ such parts of the land i and naval force -as lie shall . judge necessary for the purpose of causing tho laws to be duly executed. On the President alone devolves the responsibility of deciding whether tho ex igency demands the use of military force, and m the exercise of this power ho should becaro ful not to overstep his authority. A military force can only bo called into tho field when othormoans are found to he useless. Even then Us operation must bo purely defensive, and cart only be used to repel an assault on the public property, and aid. tho courts in the performance of their duty. In the event Of tho retirement of a State from the Union, the action of tho President must not depend upon the rightfulnoss of the cause upon which such declaration is based. He cannot recognize her independence or absolve her from her Fed eral obligations. That is a matter for Con gress or a Convention of tho States, lie must see that the laws are duly executed, acting generally upon tho assumption that the pres* out constitutional relations between the State and the Federal Government still exist. War, therefore,. is only necessary to execute the ■ laws, suppress insurrections, against the States, and to repel the invasion of a State by enemies. It was never calculated “to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and se cure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.” Military force Would be per nicious as a means of, holding the States to gether. The right of the Government to pro tect its property does not warrant it in pun ml,n£? the misdeeds of a people.—- The States arc colleagues, and to conquer or subjugate ono of thorn would be to destroy the theory of our Union. The Attorney General thinks that the Union must utterly perish at the moment when Congress shall arm- one part of the people against another for any purpose beyond that of merely protecting tbo General Government in the exercise of its proper constitutional unctions. John Bell on He Crisis. John Bell, of Tennessee, tin's written a let ter on the present state of affairs, from which wo make an extract: Ist. AJr. Lincoln, it is well known, does not horn extreme opinions on the subject of sla rory. It is certain that he has expressed a decided opinion that the South has a constitu tional right to demand the faithful execution ot the fugitive slave law; and that under cor tain circumstances ho would feel it his duty not to oppose the admission of a new slave ofcrtto into the Union. Upon the whole, if Mr. Lincoln's public declarations upon the subject of slavery are to bo considered as the true exponents ofhis fu ture pohey, and if he possesses the moral cou rage to adhere to them in opposition to the counsels of the extreme men of his party, (and itisjust and fair to presume that he docs possess that virtue,) no serious mischief can be apprehended during his administration, ex cept the usual evils attending the perpetual agitation of tho slavery issues. • 2d. That it is assumed by somo that Mr. Lincoln has disguised his'true' sentiments: that his true character has not been uhdor stood; and that he will bo under tho control ot the worst men of his party. Ido not think so. I have every confidence that his future policy wUI fae found to bo in strict conformity with hia.past declarations. But, apart from this, it is now generally known that he will be powerless for, mischief except to a very hU l 3 urin K 1110 first * wo year a of i l Adm rn Stratlon - unleaß tho Southern Sen ators and Representatives elected to the next Congress should rashly, and, as-1 think, in their, seats, or retire from Congress, and thus voluntarily surrender the control m both houses-to the Republican par- g, which surely they will not do to Houses opposed to„him, Mr r' ) v ‘ appoint his Cabinet Ministers torn! 11 cos of high grade without the *. 81 Senate, or, indeed, of fthyinfoi-:^ 888 * that of a blork or petty dom t „ rfiradl He will bo able to carry no mL!? pos,) With the subject of slaved wS? commend itself to the South and j yative members from the North* * lB ' 3d. As to any apprehensions't|i„i „ pubhoan party, oncotfriSged and I ; 1 further effects by their late mBll so strengthened in the result 0 f ,1?!’ :r of Senators and Representatives, V 1 time, as to obtain a majority ini;, of the Thirty-eighth OoSiW h the last two years of Mrf Linco ? I',,' 1 ' tration—while it may bo well ta / 1 " an event as possible, 7 tho M ist for the confident belief that no sTf 01 tunato result will attend Mid North, which are to decide the enm° , S “ the Thirty-eighth Congress, ' p Cli .Of the whole number of votes cost Lincoln in the recent election, from i Ol personal knowledge, and from ceived from other sources, of the South, and those of this Middle Sm 6 ' 1 the States north of the Ohio, I am JS', ard nothing in stating that a large n u l at least one-third-are devoted tftft and, although opposed to slavery Z a I am, also satisfied that hot morcth,. third part of Mr. Lincoln’s Supporters extreme in their nnti-slaverv seniim.. " bo wholly indifferent as Union of the policy of « Of the remmmnc: third of Mr supporter, I think f am vamnteO in? that they arc attached to the Union $ > anti-slavery in their sentiments I i,'■ fident that the Thirty-eighth exhibit a falling off in Uio strength of - pulibcnn party,'instead of on increos 4th. All of the existing griew wh.eh the South may justly complai redressed in the Dllioli. As to then not to say insnlt, offered to the South matingjmd electing the candidates 1 two highest offices of the Govenmioj sectional party, on principles which p, ly excluded the SqUthorn.States ftoni in the election, contrary to establishei and in violation of the spirit of the C( tion, they may be pardoned fur the peace and harmony, and In consldcrnl the South has not been, guiltless of contributed, and .that in no small d ( increase the violence and asperities slavery controversy between the two [ GEN. GASS RESIGNED! Gon. Cass, the venerable Secretary ol tendered his resignation to the .Pram' Friday last. Wo see it stated that nt I meeting of the Cabinet (before hcTfii he wept like a, child,, and gave it 113 li: ion that it was too late now to save tl ion. “ Lost! lost he muttered to hiras he left the Presidential mansion for lb time. 1 The Washington Constitution of Sal states the reasons that impelled Gen. C; resign. That paper says; To avoid all misconstruction or misstate of - the reasons which caused this event have {a,ken pains to ascertain the true' It is not that General Cass differed froi President in regard to.any portion of li mospiige. On the groat question of cot a State to remain in the Union by ini force, the President and General Cass perfectly united in opinion, Tho di arose from the fact that General Cass i that a naval and military force should immediatly to Charleston, to reibfyi torts in that harbor, and that the Pr was of opinion that there was noneces ■ any such moauiro ;i against attack; This heitig.itSSr-jfa/ con viction, ho would not sanction a mov I which might lead to collision and bloodsi [ the present excited state of fooling in Carolina and otter Southern States, an tune when every friend of the Union is his heat efforts to prevent its dissolution, that bo not possible, to avert tho adopt' any measure which would render its struction hopeless. Wo understand that the Peesidcnt hi solved to appoint Attorney General Mr the vacant Secretaryship of State, and (I nomination will bo scut to the Senate oi day. [ From the Washington Const ltd The designation of lion. Howell Colt We are authorized to announce the resip tion by the Hon. Howell Cobb of the, and responsible office of Secretary ol r Treasury, which he has held since the r tion of President Buchanan’s Cat' the President’s acceptance of the sa The following are Mr. Cobb’s let irig his resignation, and the Pros) ply:. Washington City, Dec. Mr .Dear Sir : A sense of duty ft of Georgia requires me to take a st( makes it proper that I should no ; lon tiiiue to he a member of your Cabiiu In the troubles of the country .cm upon tho late Presidential election, f and safety of my State arc iuvolvt people so regard it, and in their opin ly concur. They are engaged in a where tho issue is' life or death. My ask for my views and counsel. Not pond would be degrading to mysblf just to them. I have accordingly pt and must now issue tothem, an adore contains the calm-and solemn contii my heart and judgment/ The views which I sincerely enfettoit which, therefore, I am bound to ciprai er in some respects from your own. ® ! istence of this difference would ojjk® if I should remain in my preseoij™* unjust suspicions, and put you it/"®* sition. The first of these could bear well enough, but I witt'*'-" you to tho last. My withdrawal has not been occ»' c anything you have said or done. ering from your message upon so® theoretical doctrines, as well as fro® so earnestly expressed that the Uni™ be preserved, there was no .pTiw 11 likely to follow which required ro° from your Administration, That®” created by what I feel it my duty W tho responsibility of the aot> " ,crc alono upon mysolf. ; i. To say that I regret —deeply 'Mg® necessity, but feebly expresses t 1 with which I pen this commumca nearly four years I have been assoc you ns one of your .Cabinet officers, ring that period nothing has ooclirr i even for a moment, our personal a relations. In tho policy and m , your Administration I have cor currod, and shall over feel proud o hie place which my name may oc ," history. If your wise counsels a r warnings had been heeded by 7°* men, the fourth of ;Maroh: next J! rou j, found our country bappy> „ ft united. ; Thatitwill.net be so, is yours. ' : , u.„nnii Tho ovil has now passed ' bs? , u ,t and must bo met by each and on our responsibility to Cod'and o . f If, as I believe, history will hav , * yours as the last Administration ont Union, it will also place it sido j the purest and ablest of those tn With tho kindest regards for y° ur .A i I 1 *4 t a S fW'-