[From the Independent, Februrary 9.]
Premium Question.
The New York Evangelist is endeavoring
to elicit from the New York Observer some
explicit avowal of its opinion on the subject
of slavery. Notwithstanding the evasiveness
of the Observer, the Evangelist has thus far
proved a little too sharp for it, and has at last
brought it to a stand with the following ques
tion. Having sard that " whoever can extract
from the New York Observer a clear and pos
itive opinion about slavery, (not abolitionism,
but about slavery,) can obtain for it a larger
reward than was ever offered for a premium
tract," the Evagnelist proceeds as follows :
"We have stated in former questions the
points on which we ask for light. They are
few and brief ; Is slavery right or wrong ?
Is it a good thing or a bad thing ; a blessing
to the country or a curse ; a thing to be cher
ished and extended, or repressed and done
away ? Is it a wicked and cruel thing to
seperate husbands and wives, parents and
children ? Have slaves a right to read the
Bible ? and is it a crime for the lnw to step
in and forbid them from thus coming to the
Word of God? These are short questions,
and can be answered in a few words. We
ask only that they be not vague generalities,
but frank and explicit, such as other religious
papers are wont to use."
A merchant who has watched this discussion
with much interest, has requested us to frame
upou the basis of these questions proposed by
the Evangelist, a series of questions ou siavery
which admit only of categorical auswers ; and
to announce that for every such answer which
the Observer will give to these questions in its
own columns, he will pay into the treasury of
the American Board twenty-live dollars per
answer.
We therefore offer these premium questions:
1. Is it wrong to sell humau beings, guilt
less of crime?
2. Is it wrong to hold humau beings as
property, subject to be bought and sold ?
3. Is it wrong to separate by force or law,
husbands and wives, parents and children,
when neither crime, uor vice, nor iusauity in
either of the parties calls for such separation?
4. Have slaves an equal right with other
persons to marry according to their owu choice,
aud should such marriage, when contracted,
be held sacred and inviolable ?
5. Has a slave woman an absolute right to
her chastity, and is the master who violates
that chastity guilty of a crime ?
C. Have slaves a right to read the Bible,
and is it a crime to forbid them to be taught
to read ?
7. 13 the system of slavery as it exists in
the southern states a blessing to the country,
which should be cherished and perpetuated by
national legislation ?
8. Is the system of slavery as by law es
tablished in the southern states morally right?
Each of these questions admits of a direct
categorical answer. If the Observer will
transfer these questions to its columus, and an
swer each of them by a simple Yes or No,
then for each and every such explicit answer,
we will pay over to A. Merwin, Esq , for the
American Board, twenty-five dollars. The
money is on deposite, and the Board is greatly
iu need of funds. Here is an opportunity
within eight days to secure to its treasury two
hundred dollars, a larger sum than the Ply?
moth Church debated over for a month. This
offer stands open for three weeks, and we will
thank the press. both religious and secular, to
give it the widest possible publicity.
Seniors ACCIDENT IN* WOODHCLL.—A young
inau named George Williams, says the Addi
son Advertiser of the 15tb, an employee of
C. F. T. Loche, tanner, on the 10th inst, was
assisting Mr. Loche in drawing a car load of
bark into the tannery. Mr. Loche was tend
ing the engine, and Mr. Williams was adjust
ing the rope upon the shaft, when it caught
his middle finger between it and the shaft,
cutting it almost off, also crushing bis hand
and carrying him over the shaft, the rope
passing around his neck fracturing his lower
jaw upon the right side, cutting the scalp on
the back part of his head, and tearing it al
most entirely to the top of his head and car
rying it completely over Lis face, and holding
him in that position until life was nearly ex
tinct, the blood gushing from his mouth iu a
most horrible manner. lie was taken out for
dead, Mr. Loche removing him from his peril
ous position, laid him down upon the floor
aud applying cold water, he soon gave signs
of life. Dr. Brcwn, of Addison, was sent for,
and with the assistance of Dr. Seeley, of
Woodhnll, his wounds were dressed, and hones
arc entertained of his recovery.
AN* UNWELCOME VISITER. —Last Wednes
day, in the absence of Mr. A. C. Morrison,
who lives on Washington street, in the vil
lage of Bradford, Pa., a large wolf came into
his yard, and commenced picking at some
bones which were about fifty feet from the
house. His little daughter was playing near
by, and within a rod where lupus passed, but
he only turned his head, without offering to
disturb her. She ran into the house and in
formed her mother, who drove the beast off
by throwiug sticks at him.
THE $30,000 DIAMOND ROBERRY. —Some time
since, $30,000 worth of diamonds were seized
by the Govei nmcnt officials in New York,
while being smuggled ashore from a Cunard
steamer by a couple of Spaniards, and placed
iti a public store house in Broad street. A
day or two since they were discovered to be
stolen. Suspicion fell upon Michael Murphy,
a foreman in the store, but upon looking for
him, he was not to be found, and it was ascer
tained that he had left for Boston, with a view
as is supposed, of taking passage for Europe.
M urphy was a prominent democratic politician
of the sth ward.
IHE SHOEMAKERS'STRIKE IN MASSACHUSETTS.
Ihe excitement among the shoemakers of
Ijynn has apparently reached its climax. On
Tuesday morning the disciples of St. Crispin
in that town formed a procession, and marched
to Marble head, where they were met by a
delegation of their who escorted
them to a public square to receive the formal
welcome. After spending the afternoon in lis
tining to some speeches, the shoemakers again
formed in procession and returned to Lynn.—
There were some fanny scenes at a meeting of
the women strikers, which was held in the
evening. In Haverhill the strike was inaugu
rated on Tuesday, bnt the movement there
has not assumed formidable dimensions.
KANSAS AND SLAVERY. —The bill abolishing
MedarVl SST* Wh ' ch WaS Vetoed Gov -
paaMd olcr kiel
iirtos front all Rations.
—A little daughter of Samuel Aultz, of
Lewistown, Pa., accidentally {swallowed a new cent, a
few days since, from the effects of which she took sick
and died shortly after.]
—Mrs. Confer, an old lady residing in
Morel&nd township, Lycoming county, accidentally fell
into a well on Wednesday last, while engaged in getting
some water, and was so severely injured that she died a
short time after being taken out.
—A Washington correspondent of the Anti-
Slavery Standard expresses the opinion that Douglas will
receive the Presidential nomination at Charleston.
—The Cincinnati Enquirer's Washington
correspondent, say 3, Ex-Governor Wise is spoken of as
Mr. Millson's successor in Congress, from the Norfolk
District of Virginia.
—Notwithstanding the apparent triumph of
Wise's friends in the late Virginia Convention, it is
claimed that Virginia will cast her vote at Charleston as
a unit for Hunter.
—Thomas Corwin and Abraham Harding,
jr., have been elected delegates to the Chicago Conven
tion by the Republicans of the Seventh Ohio District.
This is an anti-Chase victory.
—Mayor Wood has returned from Wash
ington, where be has been stopping for a week looking
alter his interests at Charleston. It is the general im
pression that he has no chance of getting his delegates
into the Convention, but politicians are very uncertain ;
and be may secure the admission of one-half, if not more
of his associates.
—The " Continental " Hotel, Philadelphia,
has been rented to l'aran Stephens, for a term of twelve
years, for $lO,OOO per annum.
—The large and commodious Halljin Phila
delphia, known as " Jayne's Hall,'" has been remodelled,
and is to be used as a jobbing room, which will make one
of the most extensive in the country.
—The Northern Central Railroad bridge at
t Dauphin was discovered to be on fire, on ibe 10th inst.,
but the flames were extinguished before any consider
able damage was done. It was fired by sparks from a
locomotive.
—The Wyoming Republican is the name of
a paper of the " right stripe," just started in Tunkhan
nock, Pa.
—Over one hundred persons have recently
joined the Pittston M. E. Church.
—Mrs. M'Cormick, mother of the coroner
of Dauphin county, Pa., while engaged in devotion at
the '* mourner's-bencb" in the United Brethern Church,
at Ilighspire last Thursday evening, suddenly fell to the
floor in a fit, and expired in five minutes time,
—Bishop Miles, (Catholic,) of Tennessee,
died in Nashville on the 21st, aged 70 years, and in the
of his Episcopacy. Bishop Miles was born in Mary
land.
—Panl Morphy has arrived at New Orleans,
his home, and is announced that he will enter at once
upon the practice of the legal profession.
—A little church in Blairsville, Pa, has
lately fallen heir to a coileeiion of Paintings, nine in
number, from Munich, Germany. They compose "what
is called the " Stilienger Gallery," and are valued at
570,G00.
—A negro sweep boy in Baltimore was last
week horribly eaten with rats, while in a helpless condi
tion from being severely frost-bitten . It was supposed he
had received iil treatment from the sweep masier who
employed him.
—The arming of the South, since the John
Brown raid, has been a benefit to Northern gunsmiths
and powder manufacturers. (Jne firm in New Vork has
been obliged to employ three hnndred extra hands to
meet the demand for knapsacks, cartridge boxes,and other
equipments.
—ln one of his late dispatches, Mr. Ward,
onr Minister to China, informs the government that the
Emperor of China was anxious to grant him an inter
view without other ceremony than that generally observed
in approaching the President of the United States, but
the matter being submitted to the Chinese Cabinet, the
Emperor was voted down by a majority of two.
—Hon. John Hickman is in a very preca
rious state of health. He went home from Washington
several days previously, intending to return on Monday
last, but his indisposition was found to he so serious that
it was deemed unadvisable to undertake the journey, and
his friends are fearful that he will not be able to resume
hi 3 Congressional duties for some time at least.
—The will of the late William E. Barton
is to be contested by his first wife, who resides in Eng
land, and claims that she was never divorced from him.
No proceedings will be taken under the will until the lady
in question arrives in this country.
—The President entertains the idea of par
chasing a rural residence near the city of Washington,
and settle down after the close of his term, having few
inducements to return to his homestead at Wheatland.
—Her Majesty's dominions saw a celebra
tion o _ Washington's birthday in several places. At
Ham n, C. W., there was a grand .dinner, and several
patr >t c Americans and liberal Canadians made speeches
on the occasion.
Dr. Keitt, brother of Hon. L. M. Keitt,
who had his throat cut a few nights ago by some of the
slaves of his plantation, in Georgia, was a member of tie
Senate of that State.
—The youthful widow of Oliver Brown,
the son of John Brown, killed at Harper's Ferry, gave
birth to a daughter, at North Elba, N. Y., on the 3d,
but the child of sorrow lived only three days.
—A Philadelphia paper states that nearly
all the Southern pnpils of the Bethlehem (Pa.) Female
Institute have withdrawn from the institution within the
past few days, for the same reason that the Southern
medical students left the colleges in Philadelphia. Five
young ladies, from Mississippi left a few days since.
—A woman named Sarah Jackson has been
arrested at Waukesha, Wis., charged with burning the
barn of Thomas Richmond, of Lisbon, in which seven
horses, eighteen cattle, forty sheep, eleven thousand
bushels of wheat, one thousand bushels of oats, two car
riages, hay and farming implements, were destroyed.
She confessed her guilt, and says she did it" through
spite."
—A jury in Parker, Texas, in the case of a
man who was on trial for horse stealing, and against
whom the crime was clearly proven, brought in a verdict
of acquittal because a handsome girl present had prom
ised to marry him if he should be acquitted, as the horse
for the stealing of which he was arraigned, was taken to
caery off the fair Helen.
—SpeDcer Wood, the residence of the Gov
ernor General of Canndu, was destroyed by fire on Tues
day night. It was owned by the Province.
—A San Francisco letter in the New York
Journal of Commerce says that California will go into
the Charleston Convention in favor of Hon. I>. 8. Dick
inson.
—The Senate of Ohio has passed a bill to
pnnish kidnapping in that Stat ?. The bill provides safe
guards only for free men, without any provision to in*
terfere with the rights of slave owners.
—The Wisconsin Assembly has passed a
bill to abolish all laws tor the collection of debts. It is
expected to find favor in the Senate.
—The Missonri Opposition convention met
at Jefferson City on Wednesday. Resolutions were pass
ed denouncing the Democratic party for its alleged here
sies in regard to slavery and other questions,and nom
inating Hen. Edward Bates fer President.
iiiraMoAlUporftr.
E. O. GOODRICH, EDITOR.
TOWANDA:
Thursday Morning, March 8, 1860.
TERMS— One Dollar per annum, invariably in advance.—
Four weeks previous to the expiration of a subscription,
notice will be given by a printed wrapper, and if not re
newed, the paper will in all cases be stopped.
CLCBBIJJO— The Reporter will be sent to Clubs at the fol
lowing extremely low rates :
6 copies for $5 00 Jl5 copies for... .$l2 00
10 copies for 800j 20 copies f0r... . 15 00
ADVERTISEMENTS — For a square of ten lines or less. One
Dollar for three or less insertions, and twenty-five cents
for each subsequent insertion.
JOB-WORK— Executed with accuracy and despatch, and a
reasonable prices—with every facility for doing Books
Blanks, Hand-bills, Bali tickets, frc.
jgSgr The office of the REPORTER has
been removed to the wooden building two
doors west of the former location.
The Executive Committee of the Re
publican National Committee met at Albany,
N. Y., February 28, and after due considera
tiou of the views submitted in writing of all
the members of the National Committee,decid
ed that our National Convention at Chicago
shall assemble on Wednesday, May 16th,
instead of Wednesday, June 13th, the day first
agreed upon.
The iY etc York Tribune, ot February 29,
says, after mentioning the above change :
"The National Convention meets eleven weeks
from this day : let us unanimously resolve to
have an active, working Couuty Club organiz
ed in every County, and in at leust nine.tenths
of the Townships before that day. Let nssee
that every citizen who will take a Republican
newspaper is provided with a good one ; let us
have the most efficient documents freely circu
lated in every neighborhood ; and let us take
special care that those voters who do not read
our language are supplied with facts and argu
ments printed iu their mother tougue. Re
publicans ! it is sheer folly to calculate that
your adversaries are bound to quarrel and fall
asunder at Charleston or elsewhere, on any ab
straction concerning Slavery in the Territor
ies or anything else. Theyjhave been too long
at the public crib, and found too good fodder,
there, to quit till they are beaten off. All the
quarrelling among themselves will relate main
ly to the best'places at the crib—as it is the
fact now. Let each live Republican bear con
stantly in mind that we are to win the battle
of 1856, if at all, by seassnable, presistent,
systematic, resolute WOPK, and that this work
cannot be beguu too soon nor prosecuted with
too much energy."
ORGANIZE! ORGANIZE!!
Now, that tue Republicans have in the field
their candidate fer Governor, the campaign
may be said to have fairly commenced. The
duty now becomes imperative upon the Repub
licans of the State to proceed at once to
' a thorough organization of their forces. There
jis no time to be lost. The issues involved in
the contest of next fall are of momentous im
portance. As goes the State at the October
election, so will it go at the Presidential con
test in November, which follows so closely up
on the heels of the first election. Defeat in
October is certain defeat in November. It is
but seldom indeed that ever a party has been
rallied so effectively as to achieve a victory in a
second contest, where it was badiy beaten in
the first. We experienced this in 1852 and
1856. We mast carry the State election by a
decided majority, and the result in November
will not admit of a dobut. In order to do this
our organization must be perfected systematic
ally and thoroughly. Nothing must be taken
granted—everything must be assured—made
certain beyond all possible contiugencies. This
[•reparation for the contest must not only era
brace a general State organization, but that
of district, city, borough, township, ward and
school districts. The masses of the people
must be instructed and enlightened upon the
great and momentous interests involved in the
contest. Primary meetings must be continu
ally kept up in every school district in the
Commonwealth up to the day before the elec
tion, and llepnblican newspapers and Repub
lican documents, the best exponeuts of our
principles, mast be spread broadcast among
the people. Intelligent, popular speakers must
be everywhere at work, and that unintermit
tingly throughout the campaign. The more
light and intelligence diffused, the more cer
tainty we have of a triumphant issue for the
Republican Cause—which is most obviously
aud indubitably the cause of the Free Millions
of this great country.
We have always been the advocates of the
School district system of organization and have
ever found it to work well. Thorough organi
zation always contemplates a careful polling
and classification of each separate district. The
reliable Republican vote, and the doubtful aud
luke w arm, should he registered, and the state
of the district fairly and surely ascertained,
then the arguments to convince the doubtful
and the influence to arouse the lukewarm and
indifferent can be brought to bear effectively
and to good purpose.
It must be borne in mind that our political
opponents will put forth such an effort as has
never before been witnessed in the palitical
history of this State. The defeat with which
inevitably awaits them is foreshadowed in all
the signs and betokenings of the times. The
hand-writing is glaringly upon the wall. The
verdict has been pronounced—" weighed in the
balance and found wanting 1" Aud though
divided counsels may appear to prevail, the
party and the ambitious leaders of factions
may strive and contend with each othef for
precedence ; and though two boisterous and
discordant segments of the same party seem to
war against each other with bitterness,we must
not be lulled and deceived by these appearances.
These bickerings will yield to the imperious de
mands of exacting party drill—-they will give
way before the alarming exigencies and extreme
necessities of the party, menaced with political
annihilation. When it is seen that the sceptre
is about to depart from them, bygones will be
bygones with them, and all will fall into line
—a united undivided democratic phalanx,with
serried column, marching to the polls under
their ancient battle cry of Democracy and the
spoils, forever!
The political history of partie in our State
in past times.affords a useful lesson to the Re
publican party of to day. We never dare
count with confidence upon dissensions in the
ranks of our oppenents. Their quarrels too
must resemble " lover's quarrels "—wrangle as
they will to-day, they are in a " wooing and
cooing " relationship to-morrow. Trust them
not; but let us arm thoroughly for the conflict
and fail not to do our whole duty as the cham
pions of just and righteous principles—the ad
vocates of a wise and liberal and fostering
policy for our country which shall be beneficent
in its influences upon the great industrial inter
ests of the Union.
We repeat, then, lose no time in organizing.
Let us go heart and soul into this contest, de
termined to achieve,as we deserve,a triumphant
victory.
DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION.
The Democratic State Convention, which
assembled at Reading last week, showed a
decided preponderance of friends of the Na
tional Administration. On the third ballot
for Governor, when the uominatiou of Mr.
Witle appeared certain, Mr. Dietrich of Ly
coming, moved that lion. HENRY D. FOSTER,
of Westmoreland, be declared the nominee for
Governor, which was adopted.
The following delegetes to the Charleston
Convention were chosen
DKI.EGATES AT LARGE.
William Bigier, John 1.. Dawson,
Mm. Montgomery, Joseph B. Baker.
DISTRICT DELEGATES*.
I.—William M. Riley, L.C. Cassidy.
2.—Josiah Randall, C. McKibben.
3 Hugh Clark, John Robbius. Jr.
4.—Henry M. Phillips, N. B. Browne.
5.—0. Jones, John Roberts.
6.—E. C. Evans, George McHenry.
7 T. H. Wilson, P. Vansant.
8 Hioster Clymer, F. L'tuer.
<).— H. B. Sivarr, H. M. North.
10.—C. 1). Gluninger, R. J. Haldeman.
11 —C. H. Hottenstein, F. W. Hughes.
1 H. B. Wright, W. J. Y/oodward.
13.—Richard llroadhead, Asa Packer.
14—C. 1.. Ward, H. A. Guernsey.
15 11. H- Dent, John Ross.
16.—A. J. Glossiircnner, John Reifsnydar.
17.—John Cessna, James Xili
15—A. H. Coffroth, George N.Smith.
19 If. W. Wier. Israel Painter.
20.—John J. Shutterly, James Lindsay.
21.—Roily Patterson. John C. Huun.
2 James A. Gibson, L. Z. Mitchell.
2 Thomas Cunningham. J. I*. Johnson.
24.—A. Phimer, K. L. Blood.
25.— W. A. Galbraith, Joseph Derickson.
The Convention adopted a series of resolu
tions, reiterating the fundamental principles
of the party, as proclaimed at Baltimore and
Ciuciuuati,deprecating the ugitation of slavery;
denying the light of Congress to legislate for
the people of the territories ; maintaining
that the legality of slavery therein is a judicial
instead of a legislative question ; that the
doctrine of an irrepressible conflict between
North and South is fraught with danger ; that
the Union is above and beyond all price ; that
the states are sovereign and independent with
in their own limits ; that any intermeddling
of one with the domestic institutions of an
other ought to be frowned dowu ; that the
acts of state legislatures to defeat the Fu
gitive Slave law are subversive of the consti
tution and revolutionary ; that the domestic
and foreign policy of Mr. Buchanan has been
eminently pure, patriotic, conservative and
just; that they concur iu the recommendation
of Governor Packer in regard to matters of
state policy, and praise him for his zeal in de
livering up fugitives who participated in the
Harper's Ferry outrage, and calling for ad
ditional protection to coal, iron, wool and
other great staples, also endorsing Mr. Bu
chanan's views on specific duties. Mr. Foster
is said to be an anti-Lecomptonite.
HON. ANDREW G. CIRTIN. —The Philadel
phia Press thus speaks of our nominee for
Governor. " The Oppositioa'Convention have
put in nomination Andrew G. Curtin, of Centre
county, for Governor of the State of PeDu
sylvania. It gives us great pleasure to speak
of this selection in terms of high praise. Col.
Curtin is a gentlemen of irreproachable char
acter, and more than ordinary abilities ; a
fine speaker, a thorough-bred, Pcnnsylvanian,
and a national man. He wields a great and
just influence in the region in which he lives,
and comes of a family that has entitled itself
to the confidence of the people of middle
Pennsylvania. His fine presence, generous
character, and noble nature, will attract to
his standard maoy voters. Mr. Curtin, while
Secretary of the Commonwealth under Gov.
Pollock, made numerous friends by the liber
ality of bis course and the uprightness of his
action."
*©- Wisconsin has chosen a very able and
respected delegation to the Chicago Conven
tion, headed by Carl Shnrz, and instrncten it
unanimously to present and support WILLIAM
H. SEWARD as the Republican candidate for
next President. The unanimous choice of that
staunch Republican State will naturally be well
weighed by the Convention.
B6F*Thelate3t information from the Rio
Grande is of an exceedingly warlike charac
ter. Gov. Houston has advised the raising of
volunteer corps, and over eighty application®
to raise these volunteers have been made. A
system of espionage is to be adopted, and a
war of extermination earriad on.
LOCAL AND GENERAL.
PAINFUL OCCUKRENCE.-O a Tuesday or Wed
nesday of the last weak in February, the wife of Mnxi*
VANDOOSEN, of Litchfield,told her step-daughter FRAKCKS
who was 16 yean old, to spread some butter upon a small
piece of bread and sprinkle arsenic upon it and place it
where the rats could eat it. This was done about twelve
o'clock, noon, FBANCIS soon began to vomit, and became
very sick. It is alleged that she told her mother that
she tasted of what was on the bread. but she did not
want her father to know it, consequently he was kept in
ignorance of the canse of her vomiting till near the time
of her death, which occurred at one in the morning—
-Bhortly before she died a neighbor was called in, and
when asked by him how much poison she took, she said
that she only touched the end of her tongue to it, aud
immediately wipedjoff with her hand what stuck to her
tongue. This is all that is known that she said about the
matter to any except the family. The day after her
death Dr. CADTS of Nichols, held a post mortem exarni
nation, and found a large quantity of arsenic in the
stomach. Esquire WOLCOTT, of Litchfield, summoned a
coroners jury and the facts stated above were elicited
during the a examination and their verdict was that the
girl came to her death by poison.
Much excitemeut prevails in the neighborhood, and
numerous stories are in circulation, as there always is in
such cases, but we believe we have stated above all that
is known about the matter, as we received the account
from an individual who has been in the vicinity since the
occurrence.
School Directors are reminded that the
warrant for the State Appropriation will not be forward
ed to the Treasurers of the several districts, until the
annual report for the school year ending on the first Mon
day of June, 1800, has been received by the State Super
intendent, as well as the four months certificate, and both
must be forwarded before the close of the school year, or
the warrant will not be sent at all. For in structions in
this matter, sec the official department of the School
Journal, pages 135, 481, 33d.
THE HAUNTED HOMESTEAD. —With an auto
biography of the Author, by Mrs. EMMA D. E. X. Bocrn-
WOKTH, author of" The Lost Heiress," " Deserted Wife,'
" Missing Bride," " India," " Wife's Victory," " Retribu
tion,"" Curse of Clifton," " Vivia," " The Three Beau
ties," " I.ady of the Isle," etc. Complete in one large
duodecimo volume, neatly liound in cl)th, for One Dollar
and twenty-five cents ; or in two volumes, paper cover,
for One Dollar.
The Publisher;, take great pleasure in being able to
present to the American public another new and charm
ing work by the popular American Authoress, Mrs. EM
MA D. E. N. SOUTH WORTH. She is excelled by no living
female writer in the world. Her style is free from in
sipidity on the one hand and bombast on the other ; and
though wc meet with forcible, we are never startled with
inflated language. Her characters are rarely under, but
never overdrawn. Her scenes are life pictures, her inci
dents founded on facts, and her sentiments arc character
ized by a singular purity both of conception and expres
sion. She has the rare faculty of saying what she mean*
aud ot saying it in such a manner as that her meaning
cannot be misinterpreted. In short, she possesses in an
eminent degree those qualifications which are the pecu
! liar prerogatives of a good writer ; while she delights
the reader's imagination with her descriptive beauty, she
applies home truths to their understanding with the force
of rational conviction. The " Haunted Homestead " has
been pronounced by those who have read the proof-sheets
,to be her best work. This is sufficient to commend it to
perusal, and we anticipate for it a great popularity. For
sale by all Booksellers.
HAT Copies of either edition of the work, will be sent
to any part of the United States, frte of pottajtc. on re
mitting the price of the edition they may wish, to the
| publishers, in a letter. Published aud for sale at the
I Publishing Establishment of T. B. Prrutsox A BXOTUEKS
; 306 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
SINGULAR.—A gentleman from Cherry town
ship, this comity, informs as, that one day last week, a
large liear entered a dwelling house, in that place, and
seizing a little-child, which was playing about the floor,
commenced caressing and fondling with it in the most
tender and fondest manner. The child, as well as the
bear .seemed highly delighted with each other,and strauge
to say, this singular proceeding coutiuued for several
minutes, til! the territied mother—the only person about
the house—seized npon the opportunity to bar the door
ui>on the rough intruder while he chanced to be on the
outside. \ erily, the lion and the lamb bis laid down to
gether.
ACCIDENT—On Friday last, as Hon. GEO. D. JACKSON
and wife, were returning from Harrisbnrg, Mrs. JACKSON
met with quite a serious accident. While descending a
hill between this place and Muncy, the road being very
icy and unsafe, Mrs. JACKSON got out of the buggy and
attempted to walk down the hill, but unfortunately slip
ped and broke one of her ankles. She was conveyed
hume, and is now doing hs well as cooid be expected.—
Sullivan County Democrat.
We have been well-abused, and praised
somewhat, in our life, but the following, from a subscri
ber in Illinois, with a year's subscription, " takes us
flown":—
" Your paper gives the current news of the day, aa well
as any other paper in your place, so said, and as regards
politics, the most placid."
By an advertisement in another column,
it will be seen that the Bindery at the Argus Office is
again in operation, the services of a workman having
been secured.
DEATH or WIR. B. FOSTER JR.— We learn
that WK, B. FOSTER, Jr., died suddenly at Philadelphia,
on Sunday last, aged 45 years. Our citizens will hear
the news of his demise with universal regret. Mr. F. had
for many years been a resident of this place, and by his
upright deportment and affability gained the respect of
this community. He had been Canal Commissioner, and
for several years Chief Engineer upon the Upper North
Branch, which latter position he resigned, to become con
nected with the Pennsylvania Central Railroad. At the
time of his decease he was Vice President of the latter
rood, and to his knowledge and skillful management may
be attributed in a great measure, the success which has
attended it.
THE WEATHER. —We are now having quite
a " spell of weather,'" and very pleasant weather at that.
March, for once, has left off its blustering, and seems de
sirous of emulating its milder sister, April.
The ice passed down the river, last week, aud wc no
tice, following it very closely, a number of rafts, the
owners of which will at least, be the " first in market,"
even if the result is not a high price.
Rev. I. CHILD lectured on Temperance to a
large audience, in the Baptist Church, on M'ednesday
evening of last week. Mr. C.'s remarks were practical
and delivered in a style and manner which engaged the
attention of hig hearers.
i The next lecture will be delivered this evening, at the
Court House, by Rev. B.J. DOUGLASS.
ATTEMPT TO KILL.-OD Tuesday last, DANIEL
T. HORTON armed with a Colt's revolver, attempted to
kill ADAM -SNYDER, in Leßaysville, under the following
circumstances. HORTON'S wife, who has applied for a
divorce lias been living at BNYDER'S tavern, and on Tues
day HOKTON called at the tavern, and requested to see his
wife, which request was assented to, when ADAM went
down cellar, and upon returning to the liar-room HORTON
fired at him, the ball striking him in the jaw, knocking
out several teeth, and injuring him severely, 'N. 1).
SNYDER came in at this moment, and HORTON levelled
the pistol at him, but lief ore he could fire, he was seized,
overpowered, and the pistol taken from him, and found
to contain five charges.
HORTON is said to be insane. He was committed to
jail on Tuesday evening, to answer the charge.
FOBEIGN NEW?. —The steamer Africa, which
arrived at New York on Suuday,brought three
days later news from Europe, ller dates arc
to the 18th February. The statement that
Lord Elgin was to be sent to China ag u j„
was contradicted in the House of Commons
by Lord John Russell, who also stated that he
woald introduce his Reform bill on the Ist of
March. He also stated that a correspondency
was going on with a view to admitting British
vessels to the coasting trade between the
eastern Uuited States aud California. The
proposed annexation of Savoy to France had
been noticed in the House of Lords, and in re
sponse to an inquiry addressed to hitn by Sir
Robert Peel, Lord John Russell stated that
Sardinia had informed England that there was
no engagement or intention to code Savoy to
France. Also, that England had informed thy
Swiss Government that, in case of the aunexa
tion, Englaud was not prepared to abandon
the neutrality of Switzerland, guaranteed IN
all the Great Powers, and was determined not
to do so. It was the opinion of her Majesty's
Government that if there was to beany annex
ation, Savoy should be annexed to Switzerland
The commercial treaty with Franco had been
criticised in the Uouse of Commons, and thu
Conservatives showed considerable hostility t,
it. The French Government has concluded,in
the matter of the annexation of Savoy,to deft r
to the decision of the Great Powers of Europe,
It is stated that a commercial treaty simiiar
to the one between France ar.d England i.i
about to be negotiated between France an]
Prussia. No new engagements between Spanish
forces and the Moors are reported. A dis
patch from Madrid states that a messenger had
left for Tetuan with the conditions upon which
peace will be firanted. It is believed that tie
war will be continued. The Austrian Emperor
was still making use of the most rigorous eflbrls
to stifle the liberal sentiment of his people.—
Largs numbers of political prisoners froia
Venetia were being sent to Sclaronia and ei.v
where. It is stated that the Emperor of China
is disposed to make every renso nable conces
sion for the satisfaction of England aud to
avert lurther hostilities.
tk3T A dispatch from Halifax states thut
it is now ascertained beyond a doubt that
there are no survivors of the disaster to the
Hungarian. Only three bodies have been found
—those of a woman, a man, and a child two
years old. Three buildings have been obluir.-
:ed at Harrington in which to store the goods
which are constantly drifting ashore. The
ship's articles, which have been found, sho>.r
that the crew numbered seventy-four. The
passenger list had not yet been found. The
ouly passengers known to have been aboard
nre Win. Doultenhouse, of Sackville, N- 15 ,
and Dr. Barrett of New-York. Beside a bo
belonging to the latter, three trunks have been
found, one belonging to Margaret Roberts;:,
of Montreal, one to Robert Martin of Toronto
• and one to W. R. Crocker of Norwich, Conn
It is to be presumed tlie.se parties were also
;aboard.
j fca?" The delegates at large from Maine to
\ the Republican National Convention, chosen
tby a legislative caucus,are as follows : George
F. Talbot, Machias ; Win. II MoCrillit,
Bangor ; John L. Steveus, Augusta ; R. Cram,
Cortland. Substitutes—Arthur F. Drinkwa
ter, Ellsworth ; Triia Harmon, Thomdike
; Thomas W. Herrick, Waterville ; and TILOV
: Moulton, Porter. It also declared itself en
thusiastically for the nomination of Mr. Fcaseu
den for the Presidency.
The leading manager and orator of the
j shoemaker's strike at Lynn is but 24 years of
age. But he is well educated—having taken
ievery prize in the public and high schools of
, Boston. During the intervals of bis labors as
a journeyman Shoemaker, be reads law, ard
j will soon enter the profession. His name is
j Alonze Draper.
ftsß"* The lowa Legislature is considering an
appraisement luw requiring the estate of insol
vent debtors to bring two thirds of their actual
value, or failing to do so, not to ire offered for
sale again under one year for real estate,and a
less time for personal property. This is to
put off the evil day of debtors.and giving theru
a better chance to recover themselves.
Vice-President Breckenridge, who has
been represented as being present to assist Mr.
Edmundson in his assault on Mr. Hickman,
aud that, being armed, were prepared to kill
the latter if he resisted, has published a letter
in the National Intelligencer, in which he
denies the charges. He happened to be present
accideutly, and witnessed the scene at some
distance, lie interfered only to stop any fur
ther mischief, lie performed what ho con
sidered a good natnrcd act, and has been ex
tensively abused for it. Mr. Breckenridge
says, for reasons satisfactory to himself, he has
uevcr carried a weapon of any kind upon his
person.
fta?" The House, last week elected THOMAS
H. FORD, of Ohio, as printer, and on correcting
the journal, next day, he was declared Reelec
ted—but ou Friday last, he was again elec
ted by two majority.
FROM THE LEGISLATURE we have nothing of
importance to publish, and the letter of our
Harrisburg Correspondent has failed to reach
ns, probably because there was nothing to write
about.
OHIO. —The Republican State Convention
resolved that SALMON P. CHASE was their
first choice for the Presidency.
The delegates at large at the Chicago Con
vention, are David K. Carter, Thomas Spoouer,
11. C. Bradbcck, and V. B. Ilorton.