INTELLIGENCER & LANCASTER! AN.
OEO. SASDERBOS, EDITOR.
A* SANDBRSOHt Aiioolate.
LANCASTER, PA. f DECEMBER 22, 1857.
circulation, aooo cofibs i
KsiPTioic Puck, £2,00 ?er tannin.
THE CONTESTSD BLECTIOT.
At the time ohr paper went to press on
yesterday afternoon the Court had not yet
given a decision in the contested election case
for Prothonotary. The public are awaiting it
with great anxiety.
WHAT IS TO BE GAINED ?
The agitation of the Kansas question at the
present time might all be well enough, if any
good could possibly result from it. But we
should like to be advised by our Democratic
friends, at least, both inland out of Congress,
what they expect to accomplish by placing
themselves in an attitude of hostility to the
views and recommendations of the President
in his annual Message. e can very easily
account for the coarse of the Black Republican
newspapers and orators, inasmuch as the
continuation of this senseless agitation most,
of necessity, to a greater or less extent, enure
to their benefit. But how any Democrat,
having the good of the whole country and the
welfare of his party at heart, can consent to
play into the hands of the Abolition agitators
of the Northern and Eastern States, is passing
strange indeed .apd beyond our comprehen
sion, and what they expect to gain by so
suicidal a policy is more than we can divine.
For three years and more the entire Union
has been agitated with this Kansas question
in connexion with slavery—aud now, when
the whole subject was likely to be put at rest
by the introduction of Kansas into the Union
as a'State, with or without slavery as a ma
jority of her people might determine, and
after the President had devoted all his energies
to bring about so desirable a result, lo and
behold l an opposition suddenly starts up in
an unexpected quarter, and we are again at
sea without compass or rudder—aud all this,
too, the work of our own friends 1 The Abo
litionists are delighted, as a matter of course,
at the proapeot of a disruption of the Demo
cratic party, and are already anticipating an
easy triumph over the friends of the Union
and the Constitution in 1860. But we trust
in Heaven they are destined to be disap
pointed. The veteran statesman at the head
of the Government is strong in the affections
of the American people. He was a zealous
co-laborer with Andrew Jackson in repelling
the assaults of the United States Bank, and
aided materially the Hero of the Hermitage
in crushing the monster. Having passed
unscathed through the trying times of that
eventful period in our Nation's history, he
will not now quail at the puny assaults made
upon his administration by fanatical leaders
whose bucc6B9 would be a death blow to our
confederated Republic, and whose only hope
is the distraction and division of the great
Democratic party.
President Buchanan, in common with his
Democratic friends generally, is sincerely
anxious for the speedy settlement of this pro
tracted and dangerous controversy, which has
already estranged the northern and southern
sections of the Union from each other, and
which will inevitably result, if not soon
settled, in a separation of the slave-holding
and non slave-holding States. .He would have
preferred that the entire Constitution should
have been snbmitted to the people of Kansas
for their approval or rejection ; but inasmuch
as that was not done, and the Convention was
not bound to do it, either by the terms of the
Kansas-Nebraska act, which limited its pro
viso to the simple question of slavery, or by
any other instructions from any quarter, he
is content that the Constitution, with or with
out slavery, as the people of the Territory
might determine for themselves, and as they
did determine on yesterday the 21st instant,
should be approved of by Congress, and Kan
sas be at once admitted into the Union as a
sovereign State. This would take the whole
subject out ot the hands of the General
Government, and the people of the new State
would at once have sole and entire control
over their own domestic institutions. It
would immediately give peace to the country,
and if the good folks of Kansas should here
after choose to dispute and quarrel among
themselves about any of their local institu
tions,-they might do so to their heart's oontent,
without longer disturbing the peace and har
mony of the Nation.
We, therefore, again ask the question—and
it is a pertinent one at the present time—
what do our Democratic friends, who have
arrayed themselves against the Administra
tion on this important measure, hope to
accomplish by pursuing the any farther course
they have taken ? It surely cannot be the
pacification of the country and the integrity
and harmony of the Democratic party. If
that be really what they are seeking to effect,
they seek strange company in the persons of
Seward, Hale, Greeley and the Abolitionists
generally, and we hardly suppose either their
patriotism or Democracy will be much
improved by their new associations.
HON. WILLIAM BIGLER.
This gentleman is emphatically a working
• member of the U. S. Senate. To prove this
fnct, as also to show how high he stands in
the estimation of his fellow-members, it is suf
ficient to observe that he occupies a prominent
place on four important standing committees,
viz: On Commerce ; Post Offices and Roads;
District of Columbia; and on Engrossed Bills.
His able remarks in reply to Judge Douglas
will be found on our first page, to which we
invite the attention of our readers.
THE KANSAS LEGISLATURE
The Kansas Legislature was organized on
the Bth inst., by electing C. W. Babcock,
President of the Council, and G. W. Deltzler,
Speaker of the House.
Secretary Stanton recommends that the
Legislature pass an act directing an election
to be held for certain purposes, on the same
day and at the same places, as that provided
for in the proclamation of the President of the
Convention, authorizing the people to vote for
a constitution in either of the forms presented
by the Convention. The Governor also recom
mends the passage of a law making a fraudu
lent return of votes a felony, with suitable
punishment.
Kansas letters to the St. Louis Republican?
state that intense excitement, prevails among
all classes of people in the Territory, and the
probabilities are that the party opposed to the
Lepompton Convention will not permit the
eleotion on the 21st.
General Lane, and three hundred or four
hundred men, were encamped nearLecompton;
and threats had been made of driving General
Calhoun and the members of the Convention
out of the Territory, but no outbreak had yet
been attempted.
Whether the calling of an election on the
same day as that proposed by the Lecompton
Convention is or is not a virtual admission of
.the legality of that body, or whether it is done
expressly for mischief, by the bad men who
are intent upon seotional strife and civil war,
time will determine. If that personification
of utter, baseness and depravity, the notorious
Jim Lane* could meet with his deserts, all
would be quiet within a month. The quasi
Democrats :yf;ho are ctfrectly or indirectly
encouraging; this nest of traitors and disor
ganisers, most certainly see to what deplorable
results their efforts are tending.
“ “ .1
GOV. WALKER HAS REBIGHED.
Hon. Robert J. Walker has resigned the
office of Governor of Kansas, and, id doing
so, has addressed a long letter to the Secretary
of State, in‘ .which he takes ground against
the admission of Kansas into the Union under
the Lecompton Constitution. The letter is
very ably written, but we apprehend tihe Gov
ernor's argument relative to populair| sover
eignty is entirely too philosophical for the
masses, and will therefore fail of its intended
effect upon the popular mind. The plain, old
fashioned, common sense remarks of President
Buchanan, in that part of his Message refer
ring to Kaosas, will be much better.! under
stood and more highly appreciated | by the
.people. . 'jj
The subjoined remarks from a friend, after
having carefully read Governor Walker's let
ter, are to the point exactly, and will : be read
with interest':— j|
Messbs. Editobs : —I have read with some letter
of resignation addressed by Governor Walker to the Secre
tary ot State. It is unquestionably an able d/x-nniwnt.
and yet it contains strange, if not revolutionaryjdoc'riues.
He distinctly affirms, if I am able to understand nim, that
delegated bodies are not, and cannot be, sovereign— that
sovereignty cannot be exercised except by tbejpeople as
distinguished from their delegates. He says: j|
“It will not be denied that sovereignty is the poly pow
er that can make State Constitutions, and that ft! rests ex
clusively with the people; and if it Is inalienable] aod can
not be delegated, as I have shown, then it can oifly be ex
ercised by the people themselves. Under our Government
we know no sovereigns but the people. Conventions are
composed of ‘delegates.’ They are mere agents on trustees,
exercising, not a sovereign, but a delegated power, and the
people are the principals. The power delegated!] to each
conventions can, properly, only extend to the framing of
the constitution, but its ratification or rejectioujcan only
be performed by the power where sovereignty alpne rests,
namely, the people themselves. We must not
sovereign with delegated powers. The provisional author
ity of a convention to frame a constitution, aud Submit it
to the people, is a delegated power; but sovereignty alone,
which rests exclusively with the people, can ratify, and
put in force, that constitution. And this is the'Jtrue doc
trine of popular sovereignty,—and 1 know of lino such
thing, nor does the Federal Constitution recognize it, as
delegated or conventional sovereignty,” Ac. Ac. !j
Now, this principle applies with equal force toj! Conven
tions and Legislatures, and the result is, that thef people—
the sovereigns—do make the laws by which they are
governed, but they are made by mere delegates-^jagents—
trustees—inasmuch as the laws are not submitted to the
people for ratification, but go into effect upon the author
ity of the delegates; and our boast that the people of this
country make their own laws is void—a mere fiction; they
are made for them by their subjects! lu order tdjbave the
laws made by tbe people they must meet in masses for.the
purpose of making them, as did the people of thlj aucient
Grecian Republics, or they must act upon them after they
have been framed by Congress and the State Legislatures;
neither of which is done, or has ever been done, jl
But why do not the people make their own constitutions
and laws without the aid of delegatus? The reason is gen
erally, and I doubt not correctly, understood to be, that It
would be exceedingly inconvenient, if not altogether im
practicable. Think for a moment, of a Legislative body
comprising all the voters of a large State or of the United
States! They, therefore, prefer to make their through
representatives selected from among themselves. And
these representatives are clothed la tbe first place, with
their own personal sovereignty, and, secondly, ijwith the
power of exercising, to a given extent, the sovereignty of
those who have elected them. The electors are ifnot sup
posed to have abdicated their sovereignty, but to have con
ferred upon others tbe right to act for them ift certain
ways, and to a given extent. But if the people cannot del
egate their power as sovereigns, (as Governor! Walker
would have it) either to make constitutions or [fews, and
cannot exercise their power to those ends either separately
or en-masse, is notour attempt at sell-government a total
failure—a mere sham ? I have always understood It to be
the theory of our government, that, in Conventions to
frame constitutions, and in Legislatures, the
present in the persons of their delegates. But, according
to the doctrino of Governor Walker, Conventions’! and Le
gislatures are not equal in diguity to Committeeajof delib-'
erative bodies, for these last are supposed to bqj equal to
those who appoiut them—whereas Conventions and Legis
latures are mere subject agents! ;•
The distinguished statesman finds it necessary for his
purpose, to deny that the Government of the; United
States possesses any sovereignty—it has only Relegated
powers. Congress, according to his doctrine, possesses no
sovereignty—of course the Supreme Executive does uot.
But are not making laws and treaties, declaring wai( and pr o
claiming peace, appointing ambassadors and receiving them
from foreign powers, acts of sovereignty? What, accor
ding to this theory, is the whole machinery and process of
government but an acknowledgement that the people,
though holding the sovereignty of the country, and claim
ing to govern, are incapable of performing auy ofl the acts
of government except appointing their delegates,lind thjt
they are compelled, though sovereigns, to be under the
control ultimately, of those subject agents ! if
Wo do not know whether the Governor and Mr! Douglas
agreo or not. If they do and ore right, the sovereign peo
ple cannot make a constitution for themselves unless ena
bled by a body not possessing the attributes of sovereignty;
and when the constitution is made, the making
it cannot become a State, or be admitted into the Union
until a non-sovereign body giveE its consent. It|j is plain,
that according to this principle, our whole Government
needs to be re-constructed to make It what it prpfesses to
be—a government of the people. ij
Such are Borne of the thoughts which this extraordinary
document suggests. Some of Ub abstractions a?e almost
too transcendental for criticism. I
LECOMPTOK OR TOPEKA;
The Washington Union, in an elaborate
article, reviews the late speech of Senator
Douglas, replying conclusively to thelj points
that gentleman essayed to make against the
propriety of the policy with reference! to the
State Constitution of Kansas urged ’in the
President's Message. The able writeri shows
first that Senator Douglas is in his
assumption that he finds justification in the
Message for his position; and next, that in
that position—that the entire submission of
the Constitution was necessary to give)] valid
ity to the action of the Lecompton Contention
—Senator Douglass takes ground against the
doctrines of his own report of 1856; aiijd more
especially wherein he holds that the Kansas
and Nebraska act required the submission of
the whole Constitution to a popular vots before
transmitting it to Congress. Tbe writeij proves
conclusively that tbe
was not only a legally constitnted bodly, with
power to do what it has done, but that if there
is a statesman in tlje land estoppel! from
denying that fact by the tenor of fijis own
record, that gentleman is no other than Sena
tor Douglas himself. And, also, that ]jto hold
the contrary position is to stand on the plat
form of the Topeka disorganizes and agita
tors. It will be difficult, indeed, for! one to
read the article in question without realizing
most forcibly the fact that the only effect of
the position and arguments of Senator Doug
las must be to strengthen the Republican
party organization against the principles,
measures and candidates of the Democratic
party. ‘j
WHO'S TO BLAME 5
Suppose the Free State men, who claim to
be in such an overwhelming majority, had
voted at every election appointed by flaw in
Kansas from the beginning, what would have
been the result ? Why, if it be true that they
have such a majority as is represented, they
would have carried every election since the
exit of Reeder. Legislature, Convention,
Constitution, “ Freedom,” everything: would
have been in their hands. Who, theft, is to
be blamed for the present condition of; things
in Kansas ? If a majority will not vftte, the
minority must inevitably carry the election.
EOF* The New York Ledger, the| great
Family Paper, has now attained the extraor
dinary circulation of Three Hundred and
Thirty Thousand Copies. The Prospebtua of
the Ledger, which contains all necessary
information in regard to it, will be found in
our advertising columns. j
The Power of .Congress to TaY|Bank
Notes.— Mr. Gallatin held that this jjpower
was clearly vestfed in Congress. In hisl “Con
siderations on the Currency and Banking
System of the United States,” page 75, edition
of 1831, he says : Jj
“ Congress has the power to lay [’stamp
duties on notes, on bank notes, and dn any
description of bank notes. That power has
already been exercised ; and the dutieb may
be laid to such an amount, and in such a
manner as may be necessary to effect the
object intended. This object is not merely to
provide generally for the general welfare, but
to carry into effect, in conformity wi|h the
last paragraph of the eighth section bf the
first article, those several and express provis
ions of the Constitution which vest in Congress
exclusively the control over the monetary
system of the United'States, and more partic
ularly those which imply the necessity of a
uniform currency. The exercise of the [power
for that object is free of any constitutional
objection, provided the duties thus laid shall
be uniform, and applied to the Bank of the
United States as well as to the State ]|anks.
The act of laying and collecting the duties,
which is expressly granted, is alone sufficient
to effect the object.” J
jj
Resumed. The Honesdale Bank, at Hones
dale, Pa., and the Philipaburg Bank, af Phil
ipsburg, N. J., opposite Easton, have resumed
specie payments. f
Indian Battles in Florida. I
Auodsla, Ga., December 19.— News; irom
Florida announce that more battles had been
fought, in one of which Capt. Parkhilt was
killed. Several soldiers, were wounded J
I®- To-day is the shortest day of the jjyear.
THE PRESIDEST»S MESSAGE.
We have seldom known a ‘public docu
ment of 'the kind to meet with a more hearty.
, response from the press than that which has
i greeted the first'annual Message of President
j Buchanan. Its plain, straight forward, manly
1 style is the theme for admiration- in all quar
i ters of the Union. could fill the Intelli
i gencer for weeks with the -warmest eulojgiums
! on this admirable State paper, but the foliow
. ing extracts will suffice of the present to shew
! the course of public opinion :
{From the Newark (N. J.) Journal.)
I The first annual message of President Bu
-1 chanan is before the people of the country for
their examination and verdict. We' do not
hesitate to predict that these will be trium
phantly favorable to the President, and that
the democracy of the country and all national
conservative men will unite in the support of
| the platform of principles so boldly and clearly
■ enunciated in the message. The patriotic
•people of the country, who appreciate a firm
and bold position, will rally around James
Buchanan as they rallied around Andrew
; Jackson when he boldly attacked the abuses
j of government, and called recreant States to
their constitutional allegiance.
*******
On the whole, we first message
of, President Bachanan will meet with the
cordial approval of the Democratic party, and
that all national men, irrespective of party,
will agree that its sentiments, principles, and
suggestions are in the main statesmanlike and
judicious. They are certainly not liable to
the charge of evasion and non-committalism,
but are put forth as an honest patriot will
always address the people, with a frankness
and boldness which must command respect.
Let us sustain the President.
(From the New Haven Register.)
In consequence of putting our paper to
press several hours in advance of the usual
time, we reserve our comments for another
day. We commend the message to an atten
tive perusal, and assure our readers that it
will be found unusually interesting. The
manner in which Kansas matters are discussed
will command the approbation of all candid
persons.
(From the Petersburg (Va.) Democrat.)
We have room only to notice general
tone of patriotism and statesmanship which
breathes in every line of the President’s mes
sage, and particularly to commend to the
reader's attention that portion of the docu
ment in which the Kansas question-is consid
ered.
(From the Troy Budget.)
We would not by giving this synopsis of
the message relieve any reader of the duty of
giving the entire document a careful perusal.
It is in every way worthy of this attention,
as it is worthy of the high source from which
it emanates. It is not immoderate in length,
considering the multiplicity of the subjects it
embraces. It is dignified without auy osten
tation in style, plain in language, direct in its
recommendations, forcible in reasoning, and
conciliatory in tone. Even those who dissent
from its conclusions must concede that its de
ductions are manifestly those of a man of
enlarged statesmanlike views, clear head, and
patriotic aims and impulses. It will inspire
the confidence of our own people in the destiny
of the republic, and be read with gratification
in every land where free institutions are
respected.
(From the Alexandria Gazette — Opposition.)
The President’s message meets with very
general commendation from the press of all
parties, and the mnnner in which it has been
received by the public should bean indication
to Congress that, outside of the halls of the
Capitol at least, there is a disposition to re
press and allay party excitement, and that
the people neither expect nor desire,at this peri
od, to see political heats and asperities revived.
The whole tone of the message is admirable,
and when any particular views are presented
which do meet with the approval of the
reader, they are presented with so much dig
nity, and in such a spirit, as to challenge
attention and respect. It gives a very dear
and satisfactory account of the condition of
our national affairs, and we trust that the
efforts of the President and the administration
may be always directed to the preservation of
the peace of the country at home and abroad.
(From the Brooklyn Eagle.)
The message of President Buchanan is a
calm, able, discriminating review of tbe rela
tions of the country at home and abroad ; with
no puerile effort of rhetorical display, but) a
masculine handling of the important interests
it disousses. It bears the marks of sagacious
statesmanship, and the sterling characteristics
of its author's mind.
We have detached that portion of the mes
sage which refers to Kansas from the general
Bynopsis we publish elsewhere, as it is of
leading importance and will aid to place a
full view of the matter before the public. It
seems to us that the simple history of the new
constitution and the convention that framed
it is all that is necessary to show the impreg
nability of the position the President has
assumed on this subject.
(FTem the Baltimore Sun — lndependent.)
But the President—conceiving that Con
gress designed that the question of slavery
should be decided by a majority of the people
themselves, and recognizing the Democratic
doctrine, especially as expressed in the “ Cin
cinnati platform ” of 1856 —maintains that
the slavery issue should be decided by the
legally and fairly expressed will of a majority
of actual residents. Hence he says, had it
“been insinuated from any quarter that it
would be a sufficient compliance with the
requisition of the organic law for the members
of a Convention, thereafter to be elected, to
withhold the question of slavery from the peo
ple, and to substitute their own will for that
of a legally ascertained majority of all their
constituents, this would instantly have been
rejected.”
Thus, in the present state of affairs, the
legal and equitable principle has-been observ
ed, and the especial Democratic theory of the
“ Cincinnati platform ” been vindicated. It
seems to us that the whole matter is thus ex
emplified to the dullest comprehension ; and
that there exists no just cause why Kansas
should not be admitted as a state into the
Union, under the Constitution as perfected by
the vote of the people of Kansas on the 21st
inst., “ with ” or “ without slavery.”
(From the Boston Courier — lndependent.)
The message of the President, presented to
the Houses of Congress on Tuesday, December
Bth, is now before the public. At the present
time it could not fail to command unusual at
tention, and it is, in our opinion, a document
of more than unusual ability, as it certainly
is of uncommon iuterest. Whatever may
have been Mr. Buchanan’s political associa
tions, we have always regarded it as a happy
circumstance for the country that he is a
statesman of the old school. Accustomed to
look at questions of national concern, there
fore, in a broader aspect than that in which
they are exhibited to mere political partizans,
the character of his mind and habits leads him
to discuss them upon general principles of
government, and in reference to the diversified
relations of the country at large.
Inevitably, there would be certain views
presented in a message embracing such a va
riety of topics with which we, like many
others, should be quite unlikely to agree; and
yet, disposed as we are to offer no. opposition
to the Administration on mere party grounds,
and feeling no inclination to see objections,
except so far as the doctrines put forth might
be inconsistent with our own notions of right
and wrong, we are glad to observe how little
there is objectionable on the score of policy ;
and, except as a point of policy, we see noth
ing in the message open to serious animadver
sion on the part of any intelligent and candid
man. Our foreign relations are discussed in
a just and liberal spirit, and it is gratifying
to observe that we are on so friendly a footing
with other nations. It is in regard its
domestic affairs alone that any difficulty or
danger is to be apprehended by thiß country,
and these present nothing of a serious char-,
acter, except in reference to the perpetual
Kansas brawl, which, we quite agree with
the President, “ has occupied too much of the
public attention,” as to which attention we
also agree: “It is high time this should be
directed to more important objects.” *
(Fi-om the Cincinnati Enquirer.)
We trust every reader of the Enquirer will
give a careful perusal to the President’s mes
sage, which we publish in our columns this
morning. It is long; but it could scarcely be
shortened, when we consider the many impor
tant questions that it beoame the duty of the
President to notice, and the detailed exposition
of publio affairs that he is bound to communi
cate to Congress. He who omits to peruse
this very valuable state paper will be very
badly informed in relation to the great and
absorbing questions of the day, and will de
prive hiinsel? of much useful information
relative to the practical workings of the. Go
vernment.
In style and oompositioD this message will
compare well with any that ever emanated
from the executive branch of the Government.
It is clear and explicit in narration and in its
argoniemts. and is equally free from ambiguity
and'from thatambitious qrnamentation which
is repugnant to a refined literary taste and
.propriety. In that respect it iaworthy of its
distinguished author, who bas-ever been noted
for the elegance and purity of his diction.
As to its matter, we have little fear what
will be tbe popular judgment.- Bigot# and
narrow minded partizans and disappointed
office -seekers may find fault, perhaps, and
cavil with some of its recommendations ; but
the great mass of the people will applaud their
wisdom and admire the patriotic spirit in
which they are conceived. With the excep
tion of one or two suggestions—which have
been made party issues— but little exception,
we imagine, will be taken to the general drift
and policy of the message.
The President writes like An earnest, sincere
man, and if there are any who imagine that
James Buchanan :has any of tbe elements of
non-commits! in. his character, this mes
sage will convince them of their mistake, for
nothing can be more decided, and outspoken
than its tone and character.' Upon the ques
tions of the public lands and the currency, the
message has the rfrjg of the true Democratic
metal. To keep the lands for the uses of ac
tual settlers, and ( to oppose their being squan
dered away upon combinations of speculators
and grasping corporations, which; of late
years, have been too much the policy of the
Government, is evidently the fixed determina
tion of the President, so far as he has any
constitutional power in the premises. The
views of the President in regard to the cur
rency, and of the causes which have produced
the present monetary derangement and busi
ness stagnation, are those held by the friends
of “ hard money," and it will be disastrous,
indeed, if Congress and other legislative bodies
do not give them practical effect, by widening
our “metallic basis"—and abolishing much of
the “bank paper" nuisance, which is the
cause, every few years, of such distressing
monetary crises as that we are now experi
encing.
(Prom the Gettyslmrg Compiler.)
The. President's positions are defined with
great calmness, clearness and power, exhibit
ing tbe experience and foresight of the states
man, and the fidelity and singleness of purpose
of the patriot. The manner in which the
Kansas question is handled is as thorough as
could be desired, and will carry great weight
with it. Should Congress and the people of
that Territory act favorably upon the Presi
dent's suggestions, the|slavery agitation would
doubtless soon cease, and quiet ensue—“ a
consummation most devoutly to be wished."
Read the message entire, and calmly digest
it.
THE KANSAS QUESTION.
The Philadelphia Argus, of Wednesday
evening last, concludes a very able article in
relation to the action of the Lecompton Con
vention as follows :
Why did the Lecompton Convention decline
to submit the whole Constitution to a vote of
the people? For the very best reasons in the
world. The disorganizes and mischief-mak
ers hisl emphatically determined to crush
down everything, right or wrong, that should
be proposed by the Convention, for the pur
pose of prolonging this fruitless controversy
until another Presidential election, if it was
possible. It was their only hope, and they
were resolved that the difficulty should not be
settled without a desperate struggle to prevent
it. The friends of peace, law and order very
wisely determined not to submit the Constitu
tion for their factious rejection, but only the
great point about which there could be any
difference of opinion—slavery or no slavery—
the very point, and the only important one,
before Congress when tbe Kansas bill was on
its passage. The anti-slavery men profess to
have an overwhelming majority in the Terri
tory, and if they were really and truly
sincere in their professions, they would rejoice
to meet the naked question, and settle it by a
decisive vote that would put the question for
ever at rest. ;No. This is not what they
desire. They care only for the question of
slavery as it secures them votes.- So long as
they can keep up this useless agitation, so
long they may be able to keep a vanquished
party from utterly disbanding.
We take the position, and it seems to us an
impregnable one, that in submitting the slavery
or no slavery question to a vote of the people,
the great principle of popular sovereignty
has been vindicated. The Lecompton Con
stitution is admitted on all hands, even by the
candid portion of the Black Republican press,
to be a model Constitution ; that, taken as a
whole, it is equal if not superior to any other
in the United States. . In all its important
features it must commend itself to the judg
ment and approbation of all right-minded
men ; and yet if it had been submitted as a
whole to a vote of the people, the Free State
fanatics would have carried out their pre
determination, and would have voted it down
by a large majority, for the express purpose
of keeping up this mischievous agitation.—
The decision to submit the only question in
dispute to a decision of the popular vote,
knocked all their plans into confusion, and
they howl accordingly—shriek for “freedom”
to embarrass and annoy the whole country
perpetually, louder than ever. ‘ The Troy
Budget , which was a strong advocate for the
whole Constitution being submitted to a vote
of the people, says:
“ It may not be wisdom to look very closely
into the shadow, as long as we get the sub
stance. If Kansas comes as a free State,
with a free State Constitution and unobjec
tionable in other respects, why quarrel over
the order of her coming? In taking positions
upon this question, it strikes us that the
Democracy Bhould act in the spirit of Augus
tin—on non-essentials, forbearance ; on essen?
rials, unity.”
The Budget has some other judicious re
marks on this subject, which we subjoin:
“ The next question, whether under all the
circumstances of the case—the people of Kan
sas disagreeing upon no point of the Consti
tution except that relating to slavery,, and the
Lecompton Convention having submitted that
question to the popular vote—would it be safe
and wise to erase all that has been done
towards bringing about the final settlement, of
the question, for the sake of maintaining and
carrying out the principle of submission in
its entirety? is, it must be conceded, a most
perplexing one, and one that demands the
exercise of mnch discretion. The President
himself makes no recommendation on this
point. Senator Douglas and some others—
how many we cannot say—are for upsetting
the entire Constitution and commencing the
work anew. This is a delicate matter, and
we are glad to perceive that the New York
delegation and the majority of Democratic
members of both Houses prefer to stand
uncommitted upon it until it shall have taken
a shape requiring decision and definite action -
Very important events are to transpire in
Kansas within the next thirty days, and be
fore the question of admission will be passed
upon by Congress."
The Cincinnati Enquirer, which has been
looked upon as strongly in the interest of Gov.
Walker, as well as an ardent admirer of
Senator Douglas, has the following sensible
observations upon this subject, which cover
the whole ground:
“ But the original Nebraska act made no
requirement as to how the Constitution of the
Territory should be made; how the popular
will should be ascertained ; whether by a
Convention chosen by the people or by a direct
submission of their work.
“ The Convention which made the Consti
tution at Lecompton, and has just adjourned,
was a legal body, and had authority to de
termine this point. They have sent their
Constitution direct to Congress, with the ex
ception of submitting to the popular vote the
question of slavery, which is the only one
that has entered into the polities of the Terri
tory or of the country, or about which much
diversity of opinion is known to. exist in
Kansas. On the. 21st of December the people
vote whether Kansas shall come in as a free
or slave State ; a. majority of the votes cast
will determine that point, and be a substan
tial fulfilment of the pledges of the original
act..
“ If a portion of the people of the .Territory,
animated by- partisan considerations and $
desire to make political l capital for a party
outside of the Territory,, choose not to vote,
and to voluntarily deprive'themselves of that
fright, they must be prepared to take the con
sequences, and abide by [the decision of those
who do vote.” .
CITY AJTI> COCJT TY AFFAIRS.
Wnrder and Robbery In UanUelm Twp*
Horrible Tragedy in Manhei6 Twp.—
UukDEB op Two Women—Anwar op the Murderess—Our
community was startle! on Tuesday aflerunnu last by the
*tmnuneem*rit that twtjjadles had been murdered ip Man-'
helm township. soraeffour miles north of the city, and
about a mile from thefrillafr* [Of NeffWille J. The names of
the murdered women'tire M*a.-<3krber and .Mrs. R**™ two
as respectable ladies as'llved in:the cnuutjqand the motive
for the murder,wasplunder. The murder took place abont
nooo. and the house was robbed of some $9O in money and
several articles of clothing and other wearing apparel.
The discovery of tbe murder w»a made, abont 1 o’clock,
p. m . by a daughter of Mrs Garber, who Is married to a
eoo of Mrs. Ream, and whns- residence is not more than a
hundred yards off. Sbe had gone to keep the old ladies
company, and was horrified at the sight before her. She
found them with their throats cat from ear to ear, and
their skulls mashed and crushed in a horrible manner.—
She immediately gave the alarm and in a short time hun-
dreds of neighbors were congregated at the scene of murder.
The sight presented to them was truly awful: the whole
upper end of the floor was one pool of blood, which bad run
around the bodies of tbe murdered women and glued them
to the floor. Their hair was matted and elnng to their
faces, while dprk clots of blood covered their features. The
deep and ghastly‘‘wounds in their threats were open, and
revealed the severed portions of the neck, as far back as
tbe spine.
In the morning Mr. Conrad Garber, at whose house the
murder was committed, and who is Road Supervisor and
Tax Collector for Manhejru twp., left home for the purpose
of attending to some bnsiness, aud did not retnru until
afternoon, when he was struck with horror, on entering
the house, at the spectacle which met his gaze.
Two men, one a negro and the other a mulatto, were
seen to enter the house about fifteen minutes before 11
o’clock, and do other person was 6een near or around the
house uotil abont 1 o’clock, when Mrs. Garber’s daughter
made the discovery. These men were seen to enter by Mr.
Isaac Kauffman, at whose house they had been 'asking
alms. They went directly from his house to that of Mr.
Garbor, where they must have knocked the women down
with their clubs. One of then* in falling struck the door
by tbe side of tbe stairs, which descend into the kitchen;
here were found large pools of blood, while along the side,
it could be seen by the marks, that a person had fallen
against the door. From the kitchen they must have been
dragged Into the small sleeping room, whore their throats
were cut, so as to almost sever tneir heads from their
bodies. The blood had run down the floor on both sides of
tbelr bodies. Tbe doctors present stated that their persons
must have been violated. Nothing was disturbed in this
room except the bed clothing, which was thrown upon the
floor. Marks of blood wero found upon different articles
in the room, as if they been handled by persons with
bloody hands.
From this room the murderers went into an adjoining
one, in which were two beds, two bureaus and a large
chest. The beds wore not disturbed, but the bureau draw
ers were pu.led out and their contents thrown upon the
floor. The lid of the chest was broken open, and the con
tents were also thrown about the floor.
Two inquests were hold upon the bodies—one by ’Squire
Kurtz, and the other, late in the evening, by Coroner
Summy. In the first ioque.st post mortem examinations
were made by the Drs. Bowman, of Neffsville, and in the
latter case by Drs. Ehler aud Atlee, of this city—the latter
of whom agreed in every particular with the former.
After the murderers had loft tbo house, they started
towards this city, by way of the “Old Manhelm road.”—
When they had gone about half a mile, they turned back
and went across the fields towards Neffsville on the Litiz
Turnpike.
t Information was immediatelysent to Mayor Zimmerman,
who directed the police to keep a strict look out for the
murderers. Officers Myers and Gormley were despatched
to the first Toll gate on the Litiz pike, and on arriving
there wore informed that the suspected murderers had just
passed through the pate towards the city; from thence they
cut across the fields to the Railroad Bridge.
The murderers were discovered by some boys, who were
playing “shinney” near the Locomotive W> rks, and imme
diately word was conveyed to that effect, by one of them,
to the Mayor’s Office, when Officers Baker, Huffnaglo and
Kuhns started in pursuit. They were captured In Middlo
street, near Stoney Alley. Their names are Henry Rich
ards and Alexander Anderson, two worthless negroes, who
havo spent q greater portion of their time in the County
Prison. The evidence, though circumstantial, is of the
strongest kind. Amid tbe most intonse excitement they
were conducted to tbe Mayor’s Office. Loud cries of “lynch
the d—d niggers” were heard from the large crowd which
followed, but the officers wero allowed to conduct them
unmolested to the place of bearing. A partial examination
was had, and they were committed to prison for a further
hearing on Saturday morning, at 10 o’deck, before Aider
man Musser.
The funeral of the murdered women took place on Thurs
day morning at 10 o’clock. It was probably tbe largest
which has ever taken place in this county, over four hun
dred carriages alone being in the line of procession. The
two murdered ladies were held In the highest esteem by
their neighbors and acquaintances, and were extensively
known in the northern part of the'eounty and in this city.
The ago of Mrs. Garber was 55 years; that of Mrs. Ream
about GO.
Mr. Isaac Kauffman, who lives but a short distance from
Mr. Garber, and at whoso house the murderers bad been at
11 o’clock on Tuesday morning, and who saw them enter
Mr. Garber’s yard, called at the prison on Wednesday after
noon, and identified Richards and Anderson as the same
men who had been at his house.
Officer Baker wsw notified on Thursday morning that (he
men accused of tbemurder had left a number of articles at
a place known as the “Cottage 4 ” or “Spook House,” near
the Railroad Bridge, about a mile east of the city. The
officer went to the spot and found a mantilla and pair of
stocks with marks of blood on them, a pair of ear rings,
and some other articles tied in a handkerchief, all of which
were identified by Mr. Garber as his property. The shoes
worn by Anderson, when arrested, have also been identified
as having belonged to Mrs. Garber.
Two other negroes were arrested by some farmers, living
in the neighborhood, on the afternoon of the murder, and
taken before ’Squire Kurtz, who committed them to prison
as witnesses in the case. It appears that they saw Rich
ards and Anderson after the murder, and had boon in their
company. They denied all knowledge of a murder having
been committed until after their arrest.
Such are some of the particulars of one of the most
shocking tragedies which has ever startled this community.
A more cold-blooded murder has never been committed in
this county, not even excepting the butchery of the Ford
ney iamily by Haggerty, in this city, some ten years ago.
Great credit is due to the Police for the promptness they
displayed in arresting the murderers.
The examination of witnesses took place on Saturday
morning. We copy the following report from the Express
of Saturday evening:
SCENE AT THE HArOR’B OFFICB,
This morning at ten o’clock having been fixed for the
hearing of Alexander Anderson and Henry Richards,
before Alderman Mussar, long before the hour named a
large crowd collected in and around the office, and the
most intense excitement prevailed, especially among those
from the country. When it was learned, that, as we stated
last evening, the prisoners would not be brought
down street, much indignation was manifested, and the
crowd freely expressed themselves in favor of hanging the
“ wretches ” Some of the farmers from the neighborhood
of the tragedy declared that “ hanging was too good
for them,” and a very respectable gentleman, and of a
peaceable and law abiding reputation, said that they had
the wood all ready to burn the murderers, and intended to
take them out for that purpose, and thus “save the county
the expense ot trying them !” Others expressed their ap
prehension that the prisoners might break jail or escape
through some technicality of the law, and they did this in
terms not very complimentary to the justice of Lancaster
County. Wo learned from conversation with several per
sons (strangers to us) that there was a determination, on the
part of several persons, to take the law in their own hands
if an opportunity presented.
A number of citizens tried to reason against such &
course, but the reply generally given was a reference to the
details of the fiendish mnrder and to the precedents of
others escaping, who, in their opinion, were guilty of the
crimes charged against them. Finally, when it was ascer
tained that the prisoners would not be brought down, the
majority of the crowd dispersed, but a large number still
remained, half believing that there was EOme kind of a
ruse attempted upon them.
At the conclusion of the usual morning hearings before
the Mayor, he gave orders for tHe office to be cleared of all
except the witnesses in the murder case and the reporters,
who were then admitted to Alderman Mnsser’s office in the
back room, District Attornoy Dickey, officer Baker, and a
few others beiDg present. Mr. Conrad Garber, and his
two daughters, Miss Susan Garber and Mrs. Mary Ann
Ream, clad in the habiliments of mourning, with the evi
dence of deep and overwhelming affliction stamped upon
their countenances, were the first witnesses examined, in
a general way, and who fully identified the articles found
on thojprisoners and those obtained at the “Cottage” by
officer Raker. We give a complete list of the articles iden
tified: Black silk shawl, black silk mantilla, three cotton
cravats, pair linen stockings, two linen pocket handker
chiefs, pair knit gloves, silk neck tie, two silk cravats, red
silk pocket handkerchief, silk parasol, razor, pair gold ear
rings, pair silver spectacles, pair scissora, pair shoes and a
chimney scraper.
A neck handkerchief was produced that was found on
Audersons neck, corresponding with the other half in the
bundle, and which Mr. Garber said his wife bad cut and
hemmed for him. They were both taken from his houSe.
Miss Susan Garber positively identified the red handker
chief la which Anderson had the money tied as belonging
to her; she also identified the stocking garter with which
the money had been tied iu the salt sack, as one belonging
to them.
Mr. Garber identified the money as nearly as coin can
be identified, with the exception of some pennies In the
lot (which were obtained by the prisoners on their way to
the city, ia change for payment of some whiskey, as will
be shown ou the trial.] lie said this was the same kind
of money'(describing it;) Mrs. Garber bad chargeof.it,*nd
had kept it back to pay interest on the purchase money, of
some laud he had bought; she put nothing away forthat
purpose but gold coin, half dollars and new.quarters; this
money was in the chest; kept her small change, for ordi
nary use, in the cupboard in the kitchen.
All the other articles were identified by them os belong
ing to the family, except the razor, which had been left
there by Mr. George Fink who identified it as bis.
Mrs. Mary Ann Ream testified that she discovered the
murder first, at about a quarter before one o’clock; she
went down, to Garber’s from her boose, and-upon opening
the door saw the bodies lying in the condition described;
this was the first intimation she had of anything- being
wrong; 6he went down to keep her mother and.mother-inr
law company; her mother-in-law had left home about'ba)f
past nine that morning; she just lookedin, and when she
saw tho bodies, gave the alarm; her mother In-law had
gone to keep company with Mrfc. Garber, the rest of the
finally being away from home..
Mr. Isaac Kauffman, who lives about 400 yards from
Garber’s house, said he saw these men go into Garber’s
yard, in the manner heretofore described by our reporter;
aaw neither of them hare a bundle when they left bis
bouse;, is pretty sore they bad Done. •
'Gjk'Daeer was working on the turnpike about one mile
this side of Garber’s, and saw the. prisoners coming ' along
the Dike in the direction of Lancaster; the largest one
(Anderson) had something under bis coAt, like a bundle;'
he also saw two other darkies going in the opposite direc
tion ; he identified them on Tuesday after their arrest;
[Mrs. Meeze, who is said to hare seen them coming
across the fields, from the dlrectiun of Garber’s, was not
present, but will, bekubpoeoed for Court.]
Emanuel I>. Keller saw the prisoners going out the old
iianheim road between nine and ten o’clock on the day of
the murder; wheu he saw them they were about one sud
a quarter mile Aide of Garber’s.
ham’l Longsnepfe}r saw them beyond the toll gate coming
in the direction if Lancaster; the biggest one had % bundle
under his armwitnpta passed them twice on. the road.
David .Ford Bsw'thdm’para the toll'gate near two o’clock;
one of them had a bundle.
John Delong, who lives at the Cottage or “Bpook Howe,”
said that Anderson and Richards left the bundle he gave
to officer Baker at h!s house; they were left with his wife
while he was away at work; the. bundle, was there when
be came home; told his wife he would have nothing to do
with it, ns it did not belong to them.
Mrs. Mary Delaog testited that sometime In the after
noon Anderson and Richards came to their house; they
•at down and talked awhile; Anderson had the money un
der hia shirt in his bosom!; he.took H ont and threw it on
the bed ;' be said they hadworked at Manhelm and earned
the money; he picked it up and threw it on the bed two or
three times. In answer to a question from Mr. Dickey, as
to how the prisoners came to stop and leave the bundle
-with them, shueaid they had rented a. room from them and
lived In it about a month, some, months ago; about two
weeks ago they had been there again and wanted t<> rent,
and in that way they had become acquainted. When they
Jeft the bundle they said they were going into town to bny
"new clothes, and told her to take good care of their things
until they came back; Andersen had the bundle and the
money; Richards had tbe parasol and chimney scraper,
the former he said he paid $2,50 for. He also bad a big
botcher knife in his pantaloon-4 pocket or concealed in some
wav in his clothes; she saw him have it.
Margaret Snyder, a little girl, daughter of another ten
ant of the Pottage, corroborated Mrs. Delang’s testimony,
and said farther, that when Anderson ’ thre w the money on
the bed he said “there was a great deal of money, but they
had earned it very hard ; that they had got the money by
cleaning chimneys, and had to take the (roods from persons
whose chimneys they had cleaned bat who had oo money
to pay them. She said that Anderson made np the red
bundle in the house from the articles which he had con
cealed under his clothes, she also saw the butcher knife io
Richards’ possession.
[Tbe Garbere testified to their batcher knife being mis
sing from the hoase after the murder.]
Mr. John Gundaker was working on the railroad on that
day, an d they enquired of him if Delang was at home, but
said that Mrs. Delang would do [and Lewis Stone and John
Painter saw them previously crossing the plowed field near
Tomlinson’s spring house; they then had a bottle of whis
key with them.]
Lightner Sharp, who lives on the Litiz turnpike, said
they stopped there on their way out and wanted to clean
his chimney, the tallest one asked him in German.
Edward Croup, Isaac Kauffman, Wm. Mcllhenny, Jacob
Stamp, Henry L. Landis* Lightner Sharp, Jacob Lorentz,
and three or four others, who had not seen the prisoner*
since their arrest, said they thought they could identify
them, aud Mr. Dickey directed (hem to go np to tbe prison,
with himself the Alderman and the Garbers, for that pur
pose.
THE SCENE IN PRISON.
We took this opportunity to visit tbe prisoo ahead of tbe
crowd, and saw and conversed with Anderson and Richards
in their cells. Anderson appeared to be very much de
pressed, bnt Richards seemed to be in a good humor and
apparently unconcerned. In answer to a query whether
his name was Rfchards or Richardson, he replied that it
was Henry Bichardt.
The Alderman, District Attorney and witnesses having
arrived, they were seated in the’office while the prisoners
were brought down stairs and directed to dress in the sam»
clothes they had on when arrested. When told by the
under-keeper to come down stairs, they showed considera
ble trepidation, aud one of them said, *• fit- don't want to go
down street ßeing Anally dresSud in their sweep’s garb,
they were brought, into the store room adjoining the office,
and directed to stand on the side opposite the office d-n>r
Tbe witnesses were then taken in and arranged themselves
in a semi-circle arouadthe prisoners. All the witnesses
who had seen them in the neighborhood of the tragedy at.
once identified them. Mr. Kauffman entered into conver
sation with them, first asking them if they knew him.—
Anderson replied that be did not. Bnt when Mr. Kauff
man related the circumstance of their coming to his house,
and what conversation they had with him, they admitted
that such was tbe case, no then, in a somewhat excited
manner, went on to relate how he saw them go across to
Garber’s and enter there, and was adding—“then you
steepod your guilty hands io the blood of those poor help-'
less women”—when Mr. Dickey interrupted him aud said
they were now clearly identified, which was all he wanted.
The prisoners, as they stood in tbe store room, were much
changed in appearance and manner, from what they were
when we saw them in their cells but a few minutes before
—especially Richards, from whose face tbe uriouing smile
had taken a sudden flight They stood as if transfixed to
tbe spot, and fearful that a glance or a word might call
forth some sudden vengeance upou their guilty heads.
There was one feature of this scene which was deeply
solemn and impressive. In the middle of the cemi-circle
army, stood Conrad Garber, the husband of oue of the
murdered victims, supporting on either arm one of bis
daughters, clad in mourning garb, their hearts pierced with
a recent, suddeD, and terrible sorrow, while right before
them stood the two guilty authors of their grief, the def
lators of their late happy home, whom they now proba
bly looked upon for the first time. No word informed the
murderers that their unslaio victims stood before them,
but with an instinct which ever lives in the gui'ty con- j
science, they seemed to realize the dreadful personality, as |
tbeir eyes fell suddenly, from & hasty glance at those sor- i
row stricken faces, to the floor At their feet. !
The identification being complete, and a perfect chain ot
circumstantial evidence of their guilt fully established,
Alexauder Anderson and Heury Richards wero finally
committed to answer the charge of murder at the next
term of the Oyer and Terminer, commencing on tbe third
Monday of January.
While this scene was enacting within the prison walls,
one somewhat different, but not less exciting, was wit
nessed without. When it was known that tbe parties were j
going up to tbe prison, there was a general moving of tbe !
people in that direction, and a large crowd was soon col- [
lected in front of tbo prison gates, among whom a good :
deal of impatience and excitement was manifested. When 1
they found, however, that there was no chance of gaining i
admittance, they quietly dispersed: but while wo write
this, the tragedy is still the general subject of conversation I
among* groups of excited countrymen collected at the ho- j
tels and on the street corners.
New Mail Arrangement.—The following
notice of the closing of the mails was banded to us by the
Postmaster. The new arrangement went into effect on
yosterday. It will be seen that hereafter there will be no
night mail to Philadelphia :
Through Mail
Tbrougn and Way.
Through Mail
Way Mail
Through Mail
Via Philadelphia.
Good News. Arrangements are making to
to resume operations in No. 1 Cotton Mill about the first
of January. The others also will probably resume oper
ations before Spring, though nothing definite has yet been
determined on in regard to Nos. 2 and 3.
A Merry- Christmas.— A “merrie Christ
mas” to all our readers. May you all have a “glorious
time” at your annual Christmas dinner. Wo hope “ Old
Santa Claus” will not be unmindful of tbe numerous wants
of the iu these "hard times”’ We presume, as
usual, all the stores and other places of buAness in shis
city, will be closed, thus giving a holiday to all concerned.
The Teacher’s Institute.—This body,
after a harmonious and interesting session of a week,
closed its labors on Saturday at noon. The sittings of the
Institute were attended by largo numbers of our citizens.
Over one hundred and fifty teachers were in attendance,
and a good deal of talent was visible in the body. We are
certain that they have not spent a more pleasant week
during the whole year. The Institute wm presided over
by the able and efficient County Superintendent, Rev. J.
S. Cruwbauuh, and among the active participants in Us
deliberations was the “ old war horse ” of tho common,
school system, Thomas H. Burrowes. We were present two
or three times during the session, and were very much
gratified with our visits.
The Watchmen.— These faithful guardians
of our nightly slumbers will be about, as usual, on Friday
morning next, with their Annual Christmas Offering. We
bespeak for them a kind reception, and hope to hear of
their being entirely successful in their efforts to collect a
little of the “needful.” They are worthy men, and deserv
ing of our most unbounded liberality.
Photograph of the Murderers.— We are
indebted to our friend Looser, of No. 10 West King street
for a photograph of Anderson and Richards, the murderers
of Mrs. Garber and Mrs. Ream. They are said to be capi
tal likenesses. Locherhas them for sale at his Photograph
Gallery. Price 25 cents.
A Chapter of Robberies.— We clip from
the Express of Wednesday evening the following account
of a robbery and two attempts at snch, the night previous,
in this city:
Dabing Attempt at Robbery—The Supposed Thiep shot
at. —A daring attempt at house robbery was attempted this
morning about one o’clock, the particulars of which we
gather from Mr. Absalom Fairer, who resides in Duke &t.,
between Walnnt and Lemon. He informs us that at the
hour stated he was awakened by his son, who is about
eleven years of age, calling out that some one was getting
in at the window of the room in which he was sleeping.—
Mr. Fairer was sleeping in an adjoining room, and replied
to his soo. “I guess not,” but at the same time sprang oat
of bed with a revolver in his hand, which he takes the pre
caution to keep under his pillow, and discharged the first
shot in the direction of the window, where he supposed the
robber was, the ball striking the window frame. He then
htzrricd to the window and found the shutter wide open
and the 6ash raised to its full height. Mr. Falrer’s view
was somewhat obstructed by some clothes banging on the
balcony, bat he discharged four more shots in the direc
tion he supposed the villain was making his escape from
the balcony, hut found no evidence this morning that any
of the shots had taken effect.
The shutters to tho secohd story windows are Venetian,
and were locked; but it is supposed the thief drew baek
the bolt by inserting a hook between the slats. It is sup
posed that the object was plunder, the robber no doubt
supposing a tax collector would have money in bis house ;
but should the attempt be made again he will find, instead
of money, a still warmer reception, as Mr. Fairer has pro
vided himself with.an additional six shooter—a precaution
which, we learn, has also been taken by many others 6iuce
the tragedy of yesterday became known.
Another. —Mr. Dana Graham, residing at the corner of
Prince and James streets, discovered this morning that
about $75, which he had pnt in his pantaloons’ pockets on
going to bed last night, was missing. lie did not discover
the loss till after he went to Ills place of business in the
morniug, and on returning to the house to make search for
it, he learned that tho hired girl had found the back door
unfastened when she got up in the morning, though she
bad locked it before going to bed. The money was nowhere
to be found, and Mr. Graham has no doubt that some thief
entered during the night and rilled his pockete.
Still Another. —We learn that the dwelling of Mr. John
A. Scheirenbrand, corner of North Queen and James sts.,
was also entered last night, the person evidently gettingin
at the second story window, over the porch. Some of tho
family, who slept in an adjoining chamber, hearing a noise
in the front room, got up and struck a light, when they
found their room door open, which had been locked before
they retired, and also the window referred to. A bureau
in the front room had been rummaged, and tho entry door
down stairs was open, it also having been locked the night
before. It is supposed the robber was in theact of entering
the bed chamber when alarmed, aud escaped down stairs
aud nut of tho entry door.
The following we clip from (he same paper of Saturday:
Daring Attempt at Highway Robbery.—Dr. John R. My
erly, residing in South Qneen-st., in this city, who has be*D
travelling through tho country recently, and selling an
article called “Goodman’s Universal Salve,” on crossing a
bridge on the. Philadelphia pike about three miles from
this city, this looming at 10 o’clock, stoppod and sat down
on the wall of the bridge to rest himself. While thus seated
a man emerged from nnder the bridge and asked Dr. M.
whether be had any money; he replied he had not any or
veiry little. The man raid he wanted what be had, and
Immediately caught hold of the Dr. when a struggle took
place, and the highwayman drew a knife, the blade of
which was about six inches iu length. On seeing the knife
• the D. screamed murder very lustily, which attracted the
attention of a farmer Dear by who came to the rescue, and
the man put off across the fields, and was lost sight of. Peo
ple who travel in the country just now, had better provide
themselves with a “six-shooter.”
Another Daring Burglary and Attempt to Murder.—
Sometime last night two men broke Into the house of Mr.
Hiestand, s farmer living near Landisviile, about five miles
west of this city, and proceeded through the dark to the
room occupied by Mr. and Mra. : Hiestand, and while one of
the men dragged the latter out of bed by the throat the
other indicted a number of wonds with knife on the body
of the £>rmer.ind also cut a deep wonnd in the leg. Mr.
Hiestand, as soon as attacted leaped from the bed, and de
fended himself with a chair, which he used with so much
effect that the villains were glad to beat a retreat, carrying
with' them some severe bruises on the head and face. The
room was too dsrk at the time to distinguish the men, but
Mr. H. thought one was a tall man and the other short and
stout. Mr. Hiestand’s father lives a short distance from
him who is advanced in years and reputed wealthy, and it
.was no doubt the Intention of the sconndrolato murder and
rob the oldman; bat had evidently made audstakeio the
house, wthey discovered to their coat. The wonds on Mr,
Hiestand are not dangerous, bat It Is hoped that the bruises
on the heads of the burglars are deep enough to lead to
their apprehension.
Another Outrage.— Two negroes, from
Columbia, were committed to prison on Friday, charged
with assault and battery and highway robbery. One of
them is an old nffender, for who a a warrant had been
toned some time sloce. They knocked a man down on the
public highway and robbed him of a pair of shoes, bnt
failed to find money on his person, which was, doubtless,
what they wero aftor.
The Farmers’ Bank op Lancaster.— At
a meeting of the Stockholder* of the Farmers’ Bank of
Lancaster, convened at*tbe Banking House, on the 11th
Inst . to hear and act npon the report of the Committee to
whom was referred the statement made by the Directors,
at the annual meeting of the Stockholders on the 3d ult.,
the Committee made a detailed report of their examination,
and of the condition of the Bank on December 1,1857. The
report beiog unanimously adopted, it was resolved, that
the Committee furnish an abstract of their report tor pub
lication :
It is with pleasure that the Committee, aftor a most
careful examination, are enabled to exhibit the following,
as the result of their inquiry:
LIABILITIES.
Capital
Notes In circulation
Discounts
Dividends
Exchange Account
Interest do
Due to Banks
Fund reserved for State Tax.
Due Depositors
Total Liabilities.
Bills receivable
Bonds and Loans
Banking House
Farmers’ Bank Stock
Other Stocks
Notes of other Banks. Checks, - )
Certificates, Gold and Silver, J
Expenses
Due from other Banks
Total
Liabilities.
Leaving a Surplus of.
Tbe above exhibit leaves to the Bank after having made
deductions for all losses, known and estimated, its capital
unimpaired, with a surplus fund of 114,938.17.
GEO. M. KLINE,
JNO. L. ATLEK,
SOL’N DILLER,
JEREMIAH BROWN,
SASTL M. REYNOLDS,
Committee.
More about Mrs. Showber.— A new de^
velopment baa been made In regard to the Identity ot Caro
line Showber, now In prison to answor tbe charge of the
series of bold larcenies recently committed in this city.—
She was identified In prison, on Thursday last, as Mary
Smith, who was convicted some years ago in Philadelphia,
for a similar series of larcenies, and for which sho served
three years at Cherry Ilill. When first arrested, being near
her confinement, she was taken to the Almshouse and
lodged in the third or fourth story, where it was supposed
she was perfectly secure; but on the second day after the
birth of her child, she escaped by making a rope out of bed
clothes and letting h-rsolf from the window—cer
tainly a very extraordinary feat “under the circumstan
ces.” She was not seen or heard from for eighteen months
after her escape, and to this day it is not known what
became of her child. Sho was finally re-arrested, tried,
cnnvi.-ted and sentenced to three years in the Eastern
Penitentiary, as above stated, serving out hor term. But,
as the seq uel shows, the punishment inflicted did not effect
the desired reform, as sho resumed her old occupation,
under an assumed name soon after her liberation, and has
since, in concert with other parties; carried on an extensive
scheme of house robbery in Wilmington, Philadelphia,
Reading. Carlisle, Lancaster and other places She is a
bold, ha<l woman.
St. Mary’s Fair. — Thn followiog card,
which was handed to us at too lato andiour for insertion
in last week’s paper, we publish with great pleasure. The
congregation of St. Mary’s have certainly reason to be
proud of the liberal spirit which has been manifested
towards them by the members of all other churches, and
we know that the kindnesß has not been unworthily be
stowed They feel that they owe u deep debt of gratitude
to the citizens of Lancaster, and should an opportunity
occur it will be repaid in the proper spirit. We were glad
to sue the good feeling which exhibited itself at tbo late
Fair. No bigotry or gcctari.in prejudices were observable.
This is as it should and we trust ever will bo. We learn
that the amount realized, after paying all expenses, was
$2946.10, aud with a few articles yet remaining on hand, it
will be over $3OOO. This, considering the tightness of the
times, is certainly a munificent sum:
A Caod. —Feeling deeply gratuful for all the kindnofuTw?*
have received, we take this method of returning thanks to
the public. From many we have received very lurge dona
tions. others again have sent us smaller, but to all we feel
the most unbounded and heartfelt gratitude.
From all the*iS(litors we have received the greatest of all
• helps, “words kindly aud aptly said.” and by a oharitable
public wo have been liberally patronizod.
Dissonsious may exist elsewhere, but, as heretofore, in
“Old Lancaster” all denominations have come kindly for
ward and assisted u» iu paying off part of our debt; and
never, perhaps, has the golden rule been more aptly exem
plified, “Do unto others as you would wish to bo done by.”
Tbo Ladies have, iu all instances, volunteered their services
and rendered us efficient aid.
The Fenciblofi' Brass Band cheered us with their “soul
stirring strains,” and, Indeed, it was In a groat measure
owing to tbe Influence of their music that harmony and
good order prevailed to the extent it did. And last; but
not least, to the officers of the law who attended there; and
to Mr. Mi Di-uald. the janitor, wo r. turn maQy, many
thanks. To the Messrs. Williams and Lebar, who assisted
at tbe supper, tbo only barm the Ladios wish thorn Is, that
they may always have a well-filled board.
The Fair is now over, but to all aud each who aided as
in any manner, from the artizan to the banker, (as all have
done thoir part,) although to them It may be sufficient—
“that it is more blessed to give than to receive,” yet we
leol that our gratitude must be life loug, aud words are
but poor to express tbe feelings of warm and generous
hearts, and such we claim to have.
THE LADIES OF ST. MARY’S.
The Robbery and Fire in Little Britain.
—Discovery of Part of the Stolen Goods —Amresr or
Parties Implicated—Full Particulars. —We briefly noticed
in tho Express of laßt evening the robbery and burning of
tho store of Messrs. W. k F. Poxson, in Little Britain twp..
since then we have received additional particulars, which
we lay before our readers. The building in which the
Messrs. Paxson kept their store (formerly known as “Klim
Hall”) was about three hundred yards from their dwelling,
the second floor or hall being occupied by the Odd Fellows’
Lodge. The first intimation that they had of what was
going on at the store was about three o’clock on Wednesday
morning, when tho neighbors were aroused by tho noise oi
a loud explosion, which was followed by two others in
quick succession. Upon repairing to the store they found
the building (which was frame) envoloped In flames, and
that-it was impossible to save anything from the ruins.—
The three reports haard proceeded from the explosion of a
keg of powder, a canister and a powder horn which were
in the Btore, and this servod to send tho fire through the
entire building with fearful rapidity.
The loss of the Messrs. Paxson is very heavy, the build-
ing and stock being estimated at $6OOO, and their notes
and book accounts worth nearly as much more. Thera
was no Insurance upon the store, stock or books. The Odd
Fellows also lost all their books, papers, regalia and other
property, worth about $4OO.
It was ascertained that the robbers had entered the
store by pryiDg off one of the window shutters, and the
presumption was that after carrying off what goods they
wanted they fired the buildiDg. This theory was confirmed
the Dext day by two bags full of goods, such as clothing,
shawls, handkerchiefs, «fcc., being found concealed under
leaves in the woods about half a mile distant.
On Wednesday night* six colored men wore arrested on
suspicion of being; implicated in the robbery, five of whom
had a hearing before Esquire Hanna, and the other before
Esquire Housekeeper. They were brought in and com
mitted to prison Jast nizlit. Thejr names are Samuel Tay
lor, J. E. Downs, Josh, John, Henry and George Foreman.
Taylor, who has lived about Peach Bottom, was held as
principal, ar.d the others as witnesses. Another negro,
liviog in the neighborhood, is supposed to have been the
ring leader, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest,—
His parents live in this city, and he is known varionkly
by the names of George Williams, Simms Williams, George
Slmma and George Armwood. The Foreman family also
live in tho neighborhood, and have been in the habit of
harboring Taylor and Williams, and aro supposed to havo
ot least some knowledge of the crime.— Friday's Express.
Columbia Affairs.—We glean the follow
ing Columbia ‘items” from the Spy of Saturday:
The Anniversary of the M. E. Sunday School, of
Columbia, will be hold io the M. E. Church, on Christmas
evening Dext. Rev. Mr. Mecaskey, the former Pastor of
the Church, will deliver an address. The scholars will
also take part in the exercises;.a number of dialogue and
singio pieces will be spoken, and several appropriate pieces
will be sung. Tickets of admission can be had of the
teachers, and at the door of the Church in the evening.—
Services will commence at o’clock. The pnblic are re
spectfully invited to attend.
Dedication.— The newly bnilt Church edifice of the Uni
ted Brethren in Christ, near Cordelia Fninace, two miles
from Columbia, Lancaster county, will be dedicated as a
hous-j of worship on Sabbath next, the 20th Inst. Bishop
Glossbrenner will prench ou the occasion—no preventing
Providence—assisted by other ministers. All persons,
friendly to the canso of God. are invited to attend.
Splendid Monument. —Mr. Lewis Haldy, of Lancaster,
has recently erected a Monument on the lot of Thos. A.
Scott, Esq., in the New Cemetery of this place, which for
beauty and tostcfoJneSS tar surpasses any in our Cemeter
ies. It is composed of a series of bases, die and cap sur
mouoted by two more bases, and the obelisk on which is
an urn with appropriate drapery. The two lower bases are
of blue, and the rest of the Monument is of tho finest Ital
ian marble. The height from the groand is about fifteen
feet Tho workmanship of this monument reflects great
credit on the skill of Mr. Ualdy, everything about it
setitiug an appearance of symmetry and neatness.
Volunteer Meeting.— Pursuant to notice given, a large
and enthusiastic meeting of our young and patriotic citi
zens, assembled at the Towu Hall in this Borough, on
Tuesday evening, tho 15th lost., for the purpose of organ
izing an independent ••Volunteer Company.” whose ser
vice will be offered to the U. 8. Government, for the Utah
Expedition, when, on motion, Col. Daniel Herr was chosen
President: Lieut Thos. Welsh and Thos. Collins, Esq.;
Vice Presidents; and Col. G. 11. Bardwell, Secretary,
The object of the meeting was stated by the Secretary,
and a few well timed remarks made by the President and
Vice President, when thirty-five names were signed, aod
the meeting adjourned to meet again on Saturday evening
next, at the Town Hall, at 7 o’clock, p. m. .
G. H. BARDWELL, Secretary.
Arrest of Aubison.—On Friday last, through the exer
tions of Justico Welsh, a sum of money was subscribed by
the victims of this bold burglar’s depredations, and other
citizens, amounting to sixty dollars, which was offered as
a reward for his apprehension. Mr. Scott Patton and Mr.
Snyder, of this place, put themselves on the track of the
thief and followed him to Lancaster, where they arrested
him while he was awaiting the arrival of the cars, at the
depot. Ho was brought to Columbia about four o clock,
and after an examination, committed by Justice Welsh
for triaL He was taken down by his captors, the same
evening.
The return of the officers with the captive in their train
was an ovation. They were everywhere greeted by cheers
and shouts, and the vehicle in which they toted the pris
oner was followed by an Immense crowd of boys, old and
young; they beseiged the ’Squire’s office, and filled If to
suffocation, paying little respect to justice, and even
mounting the back of the representative of the law, in the
eagerness of curiosity. If la not every day that we have*
lire burglar In our town.
Aubison corroborated the statement of Messrs. Tredenick
and Martin, that he had escaped by the window whllethey
slept- He tapped Mr. Shuman’s lager top freely In his sec
ond exploit, and it is probably to this tittle indulgence of
a pardonable partiality for that great beverage that he owes
his present captivity. We trust that we shall have noth
ing farther to chronlele concerning this gentleman, excep
ting his conviction and sentence. • -.
. The thanks of the community, are due Messrs. Fatton
and Snyder for the prompt energy with which they earned
that reward.
.$450,000.00
. 540.255.00
. 2,403.25
. 2,610.00
.$888,523.96
■ 4625,884 77
.. 103,282.74
.. 10,000.00
.. 23,050.00
.. 15,000.00
.$903,462.13
. 888,523.96
$14,938.17