\
our Candidate lor Governor.
The nomination of Hon. David W itaor
as the Republican candidate fbtf Governor,
we are pleased to observe by our pumerous
exchanges, is hailed with delight throughout
the Stale. The says:
‘‘Judge Wilmot’s name is associated in the
minds of all, with the recent effort to restrict
the power of the slave interest—an effort in
which the Loco Foco parly originally partici
pated, but which they .have long since aban
doned, preferring the spread of aristocratic
to the spread of truly Democtatic institutions,
Mr. Wilmot is a man of the people. He has
.risen from their ranks, and has won his way
Ito distinction solely by the force of his char
acter, the purity of his public and private
life, the consistency of his course, and an un
swerving devotion to the great principles he
many years ago professed. As a member of
Congress, he distinguished himself chiefly,by
the boldness and courage »iih which he urged
the application of the Jefferson Proviso lb the
bill contemplating the acquisition of Territory
from Mexico. ' Whilst as a Judge and as a
man, he has so endeared himself to his im
mediate acquaintances as to have gained an
influence among them which is equalled by
■ that of no other man. A few years ago, he
was the rising Democrat of the Stale. He
was confessedly among the ablest of his par
ly, and he was sustained by such an influence
.as must have made him all-powerful in its
counsels. There was everything in the pres
ent and in the prospects for the future, lo
make him content with his position. But his
party failed to stand firmly where it has ar
rayed itself—on the side of humanity and free
labor. It reyogaded into the support of Sla
very, and ho left it; at a blow sundering the
ties that bound him lo it, and willingly bury
ing the hopes which were laid out to him.—
Whilst o'her democrats, with less position,
degraded themselves with their parly, he pre
served his personal and political integrity,
• preferring lo sink with his principles rather
than basely betray them. Such was his in
fluence—the influence which a true man will
always have who pursues the truth—that his
Congressional district sustained him; and
from giving 3000 Democratic majority, it now
gives 8000 Republican. This fact is the
highest evidence of his standing at home, ol
his power where best known ; for it is mainly
loihis exertions that this unparalleled revolu
iisn has taken place. "Besides being a trust
worthy, reliable, honest man, David Wilmot
is a great man. He has a large heart and a
great mind. He not only feels right, but he
thinks clearly and strongly. He would make
such a Governor as the Stale has not often
had, for he has the capacity to plan for its
good, and the nerve and ability to carry out
his purposes. If elected he will impress him
self upon oilr legislation, and will so fill (he
Executive office as lo give all a pride in his
eminent attainments.”
An administration paper says that if it had
not been for the repeal of the Missouri Com
promise and the Kansas troubles, the opposi
tion could npt have made a fight last year,
nnd the Democrats would have walked over
the course*.ln the name of common sense,
then, whyl did the Democrats repeal the Com
gromise, and make a “dark and bloody
ground of Kansas ? Surely ; ruling parties
are not so very fond of losing power as to
furnish their enemies with the means of effect
ing their overthrow? Men in office often
talk pm helically ot their troubles, nnd of the
bliss of retirement; but they never take arms
against that sea of troubles by which'lhey
are beset, nor does their love of retirement
often lead them To abdicate, Thoy cling to
place, and denounce all who would lake it
from them as do much belter than downright
robbers. If therefore, the'Democrats fur
nished" to their enemies the weapons with
which they fought them, with so near an ap
proach to success, the Democrats must’ be
something very like fools. Why, with the
cards all in their hands, (hey should have
. just escaped defeat, would puzzle any one
! who does not recollect that there is nothing
«o unwise as a parly which has long enjoyed
victory,- and which thinks it is entitled to rule,
whereas the most that a party can safely do
in a constitutionally-governed country is to
administer the laws. The Democrats never
meant to help others, when they re-opened
slavery agitation. They meant only to help
themselves, and, like other greedy people,
they burnt the/r fingers. The end of their
work is not yet, —Boston Traveller ,
An Interpolation or Sr. Paul’s Epistle
to the Corinthians The Rev. Henry
Ward Beeelier, on Sunday morning, prefaced
his serroorf by reading the twelfth chapter of
First Corimhians the thirteenth verse of
which is as follows: “For by one spirit we
are nil baptized into one body, whether we
be Jews or Gentiles, bond or free;’and have
■been all made to drink into one spirit,—
Pausing at the word “bond and free,” the
reverend gentleman said: How is this?
Paul could not have said this; it must bn an
interpolation, Ii certainly cannot mean that
a man with African blood in his veins, and
held as an American skave, oppressed by his
master, despoiled’of rights and outlawed by
oar Courts, is bap'ized into the same spirit
with the white man. It cannot mean that a
slave is equal to a freeman in the sight of
God—a black naan to a while one. Yet it
certainly seems K certainly reads so ;
and it would appear from this, unless we call
it an interpolation that wo are all the chil
dren ol one common Father, entitled to the
same rights, governed by the same principles
alike immortal and precious in bis sight. It
roust be an interpolation I”— N. Y. Tribune.
Lobd Palmerston.—A letter from n titled
English tanant to a gentleman of Philadel
phia, speaks of the wonderful efforts, both of
body and mind, maintained by Lord Pul
mersion, in his 73d year. “The leadership
of the House of Commons” ho remarks “is '
enough for any man of any age. He ac
complishes this, and a world of difficult and
responsible work, besides mounting his horse,
and galloping for a couple of hours, when he
can, and walking home from the House of
Commons every night, a distance of a mile
and a half, whatever be the hour or the
weather.”
The Boman Catholic Institute in Hcnrice
Va. was burnt April 15.
:*r
THE AGimTOE.
HI. H. C0bb,.,...........
WELLSBORODGH, PA.
Thursday Morning, April 30. 1557.
*,* All Business,and atherCom.mnniealiohs'must
be addressed to the Editor to insure attention. .
- Republican Nominations. ■
■ Far Governor, "
DAVID WILMOT, . ; .
Of Bradford County.
For Canal Commissioner,
WILT-,1 AM MILLWARD,
Of Philadelphia
Far Supreme Judges,
JAMES YEECH,
Of Fayette County ,
JOSEPH J. LEWIS,
Of Chester County.
Tiie big snow has departed and left no flood.
Mr. Thomas Fenton, of Elkland, was killed by a
falling tree on the 22d insL
Sugar-Cane. —We made application to the Com
raisbioncr of Patents for a quantity of China Sugar
Cane.seed and received in reply that the supply in
that quarter was exhausted* It can be obtained on
ly at tiie Seed Stores, and from the appearance of a
very small quantity received hst week, we cannot
confidently recommend the genuineness of the seed
so procured* Its cost is so great that we are not at
all certain that applicants would take it off our
hands should we invest a few dollars for them. . .
We cannot, therefore supply our friends as wo
hoped to do, unless they are willing lo pay 25 cents
per paper, containing a tablespoonful—just its cost
an New York.
Fiaat—Oar Mansfield neighbors have beeh called
to bear the loss of Ihcir very fine Seminary Jpnld
ing by fire, since our last issue. Smoke was observ
ed to Issue from the belfry on the morning of the
22d inst;, and the flames made such rapid progress
that the valuable furniture was with difficulty saved
from the conflagration. We have heated no particu
lars as to the origin of thisj disastrous fire, though
said to have been from some defect in the chimney.
-This is a heavy blow, not only to Mansfield, but
to the county, not only pecuniarily but progressive
ly. The people of Mansfield had nobly ana perse*
vcrlngly prosecuted this work to completion, and the
School had gone into operation with the most flut
tering prospects of success. It was the finest buil
ding in the county, and well ordered in Us appoint
ments throughout.
The building was valued at about $lB,OOO. In
sored for $12,000. We understand that the work of
rebuilding will be commenced immediately and vig
orously pushed to completion.
Dogmas.
The dogmas of sects and parties do not grow out
of any judgment of Right and Wrong. They are
properly the petty bulls promulgated by petty popes
wbo lovo their own narrow opinions infinitely bet
ter than they love the unadulterated truth. But it
does not therefore follow that all dogmatists ere, or
must be radically dishonest. Dogmatism is of two
kinds: First—that which results from persecution,
and second—that which results from ignorance and
conceit. This last named kind is sometimes the
creature of such as regard outward forms and pro.
fessions to the disregard of the weightier matters of
law and internal evidence. These strive to lead,
and in often cases succeed in leading sects and par
lies. As a general rule, dogmas relate only to the
Non-Essential. The Hindoo dis&llowsbips such as
presume to reject the doctrine of the Sacred Books
concerning The Three Attributes of Brahm ;■ the
Christian sectarian, such as reject the orthodox be
lief concerning the Trinity ; the Mohammedan as.
sumes a like altitude and hurls that mightiest weap
on of Selfßighteousnesa — u lnfidel dog /” at such
as refuse to cry with him:—“There is no God but
“ God, and Mahomet is his Prophet!” It is fair to
presume that neither Boodhist, Christian nor Mus
sulroan, raise these cries by reason of any recogniz
ed essentiality of their notions regarding this mat
ter, in the formation of a devout and Chrlst-Ukc
'character. We attribute it to a different cause.
There are some things which arc not susceptible
of demonstration ; because they cannot be brought
within the range of the sensuous 'perceptions. For
example, you cannot demonstrate the fact of an itn.
mortal existence unless you can exhibit to mortal
eyes the soul which has passed into that life. * You
cannot show that Instinct essentially differs from
Reason; for the phenomenal manifestations of each
differ only in degree, and yet men teach that there
is an essential difference. And so with many oilier
kinds of speculative knowledge, or knowledge not
demonstrable to tho senses. And it Uin behalf of
the innumerable theories invented and promulgated
by dogmatic leaders, that one half (lie world has
been endeavoring to cut the throats of the other half
for centuries.
The dogmatist, pure and unadulterated,” diff
ers radically from the dogmatist in ordinary. The
first invents the dogma, or, it may be, polishes up an
old one ; while the ordinary dogmatist simply ac
cepls that dogma as a truth to be incorporated in
his religious or political creed. He pays the first to
think for Aim, —the price being implicit obedience.
Thus, for example. Judge Taney has assumed to
think for the American people. He is a dogmatist
of the first water and grace any Papal throne
from that at Rome, down. The transccndcntly glo
rious and great democratic party is seen to play the
“ dogmatist in ordinary”—submissively swallowing
the opinion of its Pope as do all good dogmatists in
church or slate. ,Judge Taney has the life-leasc of
his office in addition to the savory incense of slain
consciences just laid upon the altar by the aforesaid
transcendent!/ glorious party, for regulating the
belief of the American people.
Well. Judge Taney, like any other Pope, big or
lillic, has a mortal dread of the facts
upon the minds of men. It is not strange, then,
that he should falsify history and deface the Dccla
ration of Independence with the slime and filth of
a base subserviency to the Black Power behind the
throne. He was bound to bespatter Human Rights
with tho blood and brains of the principles that di.
reeled the actions of those who laid the foundations
of this Government. His opinion is accepted as im
plicitly by the Shamocracy as the fanatic accepts
the decree of his Pope. Henceforth the M dogma
tists in ordinary,” are merged in Taney, think as
Taney thinks, vote as Taney's cardinals vote, and
await with open mouths for the last dogma invented
by Pope Taney.
Well. How is it better in the ecclesiastical and
moral organizations of the time 7 There is too
mudi of*the blind, intolerant spirit of dogmatism
loo little of that gentle and com
prcheimve distinguished tho judg
ment of the Master. Ignorance and intolerance is
ruler where-Wiso Benevolence should sit and govern.'
Men professedly reliant in the power of Supreme
Goodness to overcome Finite £vil in a field battle,
tremble with fear at the prospect of a conflict of be
liefa. They would cover up (he injunction of the
•THF. flO %A OjOUtK-TY AOITATOKv
\
featkss and reliantyPual, tearing fcr ttuth in; the
elect* calm lighter reason and ill vestigatiorC- Is
thatindicative oTa sublime trostjn the Almighty?
of a'inowiedge of HU altributcsT of faith in .His
wisdom? ol confidence in their own professions as
andraoral teachers ?■ We~trownofe—Jf
soch-s spirit evidence wiyiiiUig*jt evidences op ut
ter absence ©filial knowledge of God and Ills attri
butes which is deemed, and justly, one of the roost
glorious fruits of spiritual regeneration. _ He who
dares not submit bis religious belief to the'Crucible,
Is a stranger to the pdwet of Truth;* groping darkly'
with
Editor.
«no!igl
ed and
aoed
o*l oi
“ then
Ijr whi
Go
flict*
u ncv<
scare]]
when
owes
nor hi
The ll
voice of Truth speaking through Limna, nor can.
the devices ot the wicked, nor lire denunciations of
the fearful circumvent or intimidate her. She is in
herself a host—invincible. Away, then, with fear,
remembering the Apostle’s Golden Rule of Tolera
tion: “ Prove all Things; Hoi.d vast that which
“ is Good !”
There may be each a thing as hypercritical no
tices of works of fiction. We agree that “novels,”
os they are called, should not bq placed in the hands
of the young without first being closely scrutinized.
Rut works of fiction, so from being worthless as.
a class, are, in many instances, made to convey a
noble mural and Immanitary lesson. The works of
Charles Dickens have conferred incalculable benefit
upon the world wherever the English language is
read and spoken. Their pictures of real life among
Uie lowly are always fresh and natural, never over
wrought. They educate the sympathies—than
which no faculties of the soul arc more generally
neglected. Among religious works, none is more
generally read and admired than The Pilgrims Pro
gress, porcly a work of fiction. Trutli may be as
successfully taught in fiction as in a sermon. The
history of a good life is useful just as its events are
kept within the region of the Probable, We can
not see why the Life of Horace Greeley should be
more instructive to youth than 'it would have been
had no Horace Greely existed. It is not the sub
ject, but its lessen of unhulting Perseverance which
,renders that remarkable book valuable to youth.
The National Vedette takes occasion to scold
M rs. SbirrawoßTH, in its notice of Viria—her last
work. It thinks that its good are too good, and its
bad ones too devilisb. We do not tliink so; on the
contrary, we read m my biographies of real persons
jost about as goad as Mrs. Sonthworth’s Vicia. As
.for her Albino—why, the newspapers leera.with the
cold'.blooded villainies of hundreds of kindred char,
acters. Tbe Borgia was a real personage, so was
William Palmer, the English poisoner, and so arc
the hundreds of murderers who arc made notorious
in newspapers.
Its chief complaint, is, that the principal charac.
lers are Catholic#;, and that one of the most angelic
of them all -was the Lady Superior of a convent
Well, we don't object to that We like good men
and women in the aggregate, and don't care a fig
what churches they belong to. If their are
beautiful, that is all-sufficient Show us a good,—a
brimming good fife, and engage to show you a
good man or woman right ahead of it. And again,
we .find jroad pcoplA-tn l».v
some excellent Catholic Christians, also; and yet
the name, “ Catholic" made them neither good nor
bad. We remember how, when the yellow fever
almost decimated New Orleans a few years ago, (he
Sisters of Mercy performed almost superhuman la
bora of charily and love. Now, no gne stopped to
carp and cavil because those women were Catholics. 1
Their labors were doubtless accepted above without
reference to that fact During the cholera panic of
1849, we observed some rather undignified (to use
the least disagreeable term) stampedes from the field
of distress and danger, and of professedly pious peo
ple—not Catholics. We saw this defection cheer
fully supplied by adhered to no visible
church organisation^and by others who did so od
here. SncbTspectaclea tend to a judgment of men
by their lives rather than by their professions.
Mrs. Southworth educates the head and develops
the sympathies. ,
Organs, —Those American editors who copy our
remarks touching Know-Nolhingiam, from time to
time, and to give those remark! greater gravity,style
The Agitator “ Wilmol’a own organ,” will be good
enough to understand that The Agitator is the or.
gan of no man, nor of any set of men. Judge Wil
mol, so far as experience qualifies as to judge, never
employs other people to speak his sentiments. That
is a work for which by nature and inclination he is
peculiarly fitted—as our southern cotemporaries will
learn ere the campaign closes. In these columns
wC speak our own sentiments, and our likes and dis
likes of principles and parties, without special ref
erence to the sentiments, likes and dislikes of other
men. Wo oppose distinctive Americanism because
its policy is snli-democralic. We opposed fusion
because it is proved by caramon sense and experi
ence, that right principles cannot triumph by the aid
of wrong principles; and because, in this hour of
peril there is no time to lose in quarreling about the
religions of individuals. We object to the union of
civil and ecclesiastical powers as fully and unreserv
edly as docs the York Eagle ; but as for any over
throw of our institutions by the Pope, or his emis
saries, the idea is preposterously absurd. The Ro.
mish Church is just what any church organization
would become, invested with like dangerous powers.
We repeat,— The Agitator is just as much the or
gan of David Wilmot, as is any other staunch Re
publican and anti slavery paper in the State—and
no more. Wo do not assume to speak for Judge
Wilmot as regards Know.Nothingism. Wo sup
port him as the sworn foe of Oppression everywhere.
He is a noble, self-sacrificing champion of Human
Rights, and as such, will receive the unwavering
support of every friend of Freedom. It is enough
to say that he is a Republican up to the hilt.
We do not wish to be understood as meddling
with matters with which we have no immediate con
cern, but a few facts relating to the election of Co.,
Superintendents of Common Schools may not be out
of place, just at this time.
There is much dissatisfaction all over the Stale in
respect to the law creating this office. The most
common objection we have heard urged is, that it
withdraws a large amount of money from the legit,
imale uses to which the School Fund was originally
set apart Therespems to be a misunderstanding of
the law upon this point. The salaries of Superin
tendenls do not diminish the appropriation to each
District as heretofore received. The salaries of Su
perintendents are paid out of a special fond; and'
therefore, if any county neglect or refuse to elect a
Superintendent, it docs not receive so much money
by the sum it might have chosen to pay that officer,
had the iDireclors elected. Should Hie Directorate
thfinsbunty refuse.to elect a Soperiplcndent for die '
eosoing-term, they would simply vole not to receive
$l2OO Which would come into the county otherytisej
We have no idea that the Pennsylvania Common
School Law is as good as it might her nor that it is
—as-we. once.heard-an.educated man-remark in ad-.
dressing an audience—“ The -best Sjfstem v in the
“world.” Either Connecticut, Massachusetts or
New_ York, have model systems in comparison.
Our system fails in that it is not democratic enough,
WCre each sub-district left to provide its own teach
crS,—.thus permitting the people, to choose by whom
iheir children shall bo taught,—there would be bet-'
ter schools and-less grumbling. However, it
it is.- ■ ■ '
6. M. Rjchsrt, Esq., late of the Pittston Gazette,
baa disposed ol that paper to Dr. J. H. Peers ton.
The Doctor is a native of Wales, and possesses the
respect and esteem of his countrymen in the Wyo
ming Valley] He did good service for Premoat last
year, and haa already rolled up his sleeves in sup
port of Wilmot. ! Mr. Richarl retires to be regretted
by the fraternity of which he has long been a faith
ful and efficient member. Success to him in What
field soever his future labors may be expended.
®amtmmicatcono.
Par the Agitator ,
A Card.
To the School directors of Elkland, Farm
ington, Chatham., Osceola, Knoxville,
Deerfield, Brookfield, Westfield, Clymer,
Gaines, Elk and Shippen.
Genteemen :—The appointments for ex
aminalion of School teachers in your dis
tricts, last week, failed of being met by the
Superintendent for two sufficient reasons, only
one of which is obvious to yourselves.. On
the Saturday night previous to this bard
week’s work, we were summoned to Elmira
on the occasion of the sickness and death of
a much beloved and venerated father. This
called us away ; but unwilling that so many
teachers and directors should be disappointed,
we secured a competentsubstilule and depu
tized him to travel far us till we could over
take him in this work. This he undertook,
and done through the first and second day’s
appointments, notwithstanding the violence of
Uie storm and the depth of the snow, till not
a single teacher appeared. Advised by di
rectors that these appointments would have to
be made over again, and further warned by a
pretty wet, chilling and weary experience for
himself and horse, that it was folly to fight
against nature’s dispensations, he desisted.—
Trusting that these two reasons ; the affliction
and the storm, both equal in suddenness and
violence, and each emblematic ol the other,
may be deemed fully satisfactory many, who
might, notwithstanding the going still have
expected us, we can now only say to the di
rectors of all'these districts that, in the next
week’s papers they may probably look for the
appointments of my successor—to be elected
in the mean time, to examine the teachers
for said towns, J. F. CALKINS.
Wellsboro,’ April-27th 1857.
P. S. Allow us to remind ibe Directors of
Brookfield, Deerfield, Elklnnd Boro’ and Sul
livan, that no certificate has been received
from them yet. Thai their schools have been
kept open four .months since last June, until
this is forwarded they can not receive their
warrant for the public money for the current
year. _ ..X EUC. ..
Caught a Tartar. —Bucher Swope, the
young man who made a Fillmore speech in
our Court House, last fall, became offended
recently, with something published by the
editor of the Raftsman's Journal, and under
took to chastise said editor, who gives the
following account of the attack and its results:
“On last Monday the notorious Bucher
Swope, pretty well known here as ‘the skunk,’
without provocation, assaulted the editor of
this paper, in ihe street, in a very tufiianly
manner, calculaiing to demolish us at one
fell swoop. The “valiant” assailant however
had overrated his own physical strengih, and
soon found himself sprawling ihe gutter,,
(a very appropriate place for hipA,) and hav
ing performed some very amusing feats in
“ground and lofty tumbling.” after picking
himself up he pitched at us again, when we
planted our lists in and about his eyes so ef
fectually afto blacken one very beautifully.
At this slags of the proceedings he discover
ed that he' was wanted somewhere else, and
accordingly left, undoubtedly well satisfied
of the truth of the adage that “the battle is
not always lo ihe strong."
The Packer organ wishes some of the
opposiiion press “to expound the platform on
which they intend to fight, in the coming
Gubernaloriol contest.”
The platform on which wo intend to fight
the Black, nigger-driving'and spoils seeking,
bogus democracy, is, (he indefeasable rights
of American citizens lo travel from one Slate
lo another without being molesled, that as
long as they violate no organic law, they are
entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of hap
piness, and shall be protected in the enjoy,
menl of their rights—opposiiion lo the union
of Church and State, and in favbr of the use
of thp Bible ns a text book in our free schools ;
and more particularly opposilion|'to (he bogus
democracy in whatever form it may present
itself lo Ihe public, and in favor of a just
recognition of the rights of the poor whiles
in our territories, as paramount to all the nig
gers in ihe country. VViih justice, humanity
and right on our side—with God for our di
rector, we intend these principles, sooner or
later, shall triumph.— Lockhaven Watchman.
A Veteran Traveler. —A resident of
Illinois, one hundred and ten years of age,
arrived in this oily a few days since, who
had walked the eotire distance from his home
in that Stale. The greatest day’s travel
upon this tedious journey was twelve miles.
The old gentleman came to visit the east end
of Long Island, in search of evidence of his
services in the Revolutionary struggle by,
which to establish bis claim to a pension.—
The reason of his walking was that he would
not incur the risk of shortening his mortal
career by riding on railroads. So strong was
bis prejudice against this mode of conveyance,
that while in the upper part of this city and
desiring to come down to the Brooklyn (fer
ries, on his way to bis destination on Long
Island, be could not be induced to ride on
the Second avenue horse-power railroad cars,
but walked down,.crossed the Iferry, and
pressed on to the end of his journey’.— N. Y, I
Tribune, 14 th. ]
■gs -
4 ( P^MntylvnHiaVXegUlatnre.
r House, April 23. — dFhe following debate
.look place upon tho bili.aupplementary to the
and -Erie R. R ; coropanv. This
bill proposes to appropriate $3,000,000 for
the construction of the Suobury add Erie
Railroad.] ;• - -V
' Mr. MtTMMA was in favor of this bill, not
only because it would be bi* immediate benefit
to his constituents; It was said that if the
State aided in-I he -construction- of this road,
■ Oliver railroads would come to the legisla
ture and demarid an appropriation. But this
road was peculiarly situated and of peculiar
importan.ee, ft was an improvement of im
mense and vital importance to the Stale of
Pennsylvania, and almost of that National
character embraced in the late letter of Mr,
Buchanan in relation to the Pacific Railroad,
ft did not stand in the same position in rela
tion to the prosperity of the Slate as other
rail roads,.and consequently was not liable to
the objections made against a general system
of internal,, improvement by the Stale. If
this road was not constructed, trade which
should come into Pennsylvania, would be di
verted to olher routes.
Mr. STRUTHER3 said, that if the State
consented to become responsible for these
bonds it would enable Ihe company lo com
plete the Sunbury and Erie Railroad, There
was no danger that tbe. State would ever be
called.upon lapay these bonds. There coujd
be no doubt that the road would do an im
mense business, and return a large profit be
side the S’ate would be secureij by the mort
gage upon the road. He proceeded at length
to show the advantages this road would have
over rival routes, and the immense trade of
the lakes.
Mr. BALL said, that the section proposed
to lend the credit of the Commonwealth to
theexienl 0f.53,000,000, to secure the com
pletion of the Sunbury and Erie Railioad.
We were about to sell the main, line. The
bonds given for the purchase money would be
deposited in the Treasury. It was proposed
to use these bonds, instead of allowing them
to remain idle in the Treasury, to the amount
of three millions of dollars, the Governor
endorsing upon their backs the lad that they
had-been deposited in the Treasury,; Practi
cally, ihe Sunbury and Erie Railroad was not
in debt. This money was to be expended oo
the middle division of Ihe road. The secu
rity they offered to the Slate was ample,
three fold the amount of the credit. It would
puzzle the most skillful and arful financier to
show where the State could lose.a dollar of
principal or interest, by this arrangement.
They now how ask Ihe poor boon that we
should say that their work had been well
done, and assist, without~danger to the Siale,
in its completion.
Mr. KERR contended that the tonnage tax
was in direct opposition to the terms of the
National Constitution, which prohibited im
posts by ihe States. This tonnage tax was
made one of the great hobbies to defeat the
sale of the Main Line, and also to defeat this
bill.
Mr. WILLISTON said that construe or
turn this matter as you may, this amounted
lo a direct appropriation by the Stale for pub.
lie improvements. He had thought that it
was well settled that no more appropriations
were to ba made ia public improvements.—
This was a great work. A single appropria
tion of 83.00C(,000 would not complete this
road. It would soon be expended, and an
oiher.applicalibn would be made for a further
sum, and the old argument would be used
that the Stale had embarkedin this measure,
that it was of vast importance, and if it was
not completed all that the Slate hud expended
would be lost. And so, if this system was
to be adopted, the Stale would be involved, in
a new system of internal improvements. He
had hoped that ihe proceeds of the Main Line'
would be applied directly to the'payment of
the State debt.
Mr. BALL replied that the gentleman was
in error in supposing that this was an appro
priation by the Slate. It was merely a propo
sition to make the dead funds oG ihe Treasu
ry the basis of a living credit to the Sunbury
and Erie Railroad. It was a small boon,
which would enable the road to be completed
beyond all question, and develop a country
from which taxes would flow ipio the Treasu
ry of the Commonwealth. This small request
granted, and the road would be completed in
two short years.
Tjie bill to incorporate the Tioga County
Bank, was taken.up in order and passed-com
mitlee of the whole (Mr. Chase in i he Chair.)
On the second reading of the hill,
The yeas and nays were required by Mr.
ROBERTS and Mr. NICHOLSONj and
were as follows, viz: 6
Yeas —Messrs. Backhouse, Backus, Beck,
Benson, Bishop, Brown, Campbell, Chase,
Dock, Eysier, Gibboney, Hiestand, Hine,
Hoffman, of Lebanon, Jacobs, Jenkins, John
son, Kauffman, Kerr, Penrose, Reed, Steven,
son, Slruthers, Thorn, Wngonseller, Warner,
Williston, Wintrode, Witherow and Zimmer
man—3l.
Nays —Messrs. Abrams, Anderson, Ar
thur. Bower, Calhoun, Carty, Etit,-: Fausold,
Gildea, Hamel, Hancock, Harper, Heins,
Hill, Hoffman, of Berks, Housekeeper, Im
brie, Knight, Leisenring, Longaker, Menear,
Maugle, M’llvain, Mumma, Nichols, Nichol.
son, Nunnemacher, Pearson, Petrikin, Pow.
nafl, Purcell, Ramsey, of Philadelphia, Ram-,
sey, of York, Reamer, Roberts, Shaw, Smith,
of Cambria, Vanvoorhis, Waller, Wharton,
Wright and Getz, Speaker— 4l.
So the question was determined in the
negative, and the bill fell.
A Specimen of Virginia Cbivalrv.—
In the third Congressional District of Vir
ginia, Mr. Lipscomb announces himself as a
candidate, in an* address. He says he is a
“progressive Democrat,” and promises, if
elected, to “cowhide the first Northern rascal
who dares to Insult his constituents by making
an offensive speech on the subject of sla
very !” and that he “would like, to have the
pleasure of stripping the hack, of Burlin
game.” ' He promises to “treat the Northern
bully worse (ban the lamented Brooks did
bis colleague in the Senate, old Sumner I”
George W. Johnson, one .of the largest
sugar planters of the Mississippi, below New
Orleans, died recently, leaving, an estate val
|ued at 7,000,000, He bos, by his will man
,omitted all his slaves, I,‘JOO in number;
FROM KANSAS.
Item ot News.
Correspondence of The'lT. T. Trilmae.
Lecomptojj, K. T., April 8,1857.
Official Mukder. — l have just beard of
the shooting and death of a Free-State .man
named Martin Kline, at a place between this
point and Leavenworth. The murder, being
“official,”- is of course s “Law and Order"
transaction. The individual who performed
this “National Democratic” service for the
Pro-Slavery parly, is a man named Merrill
Smith. H e is, or preiends to be, Deputy
Sheriff of Leavenworth County. The de.
ceased was arrested last Fall on, the charge
of being at the battle of Hickory Point.—
Then nothing could be proved against him,
and he was discharged. He was not really
present at that time. A warrant had been
issued against him on which be was charged
with horse-stealing. The stealing was al
leged to have been done at the time of the
Hickory Point affair, but, I have np doubt,
was also untrue. The probabilities are that
some of his Pro-Slavery neighbors . dislike
him, or want bis claim. Deputy Sheriff
Smith tried to make the arrest on Sunday.
As if still further to show his contempt for
everything sacred, he waited until his victim
was in attendance on religious services. Being
evidently bent on mischief, he took a “posse”
with him, who, no doubt, felt themselves au
thorized to disturb the public worship of
“Abolitionists.” The warrant was read in
church.. No doubt this is part of the services
of the “Democratic’’ teligion. professed by
the Rev. Marlin White. .Mr. Kline refused
to go with the Deputy Sheriff then, but ex
pressed a willingness to dor so otrMobday, or
any other week day. On his persisting in
his refusal Smiih drew his revolver and com.
menced firing at Kline. He discharged every
barrel of his pistol. One of his “posse"
fired a con file of times. .By one or both he
was mortally wounded, as he -had' several
severe wounds. He has since died. The
house was crowded, and the incident occurred
during service. Luckily no other person was
shot. As Smith and his band of miscreants
were the only persons who appeared lobe
armed, they made good their retreat, I would
commend the claims of this man Smith to
the consideration of Mr. Buchanan. Had
he merely murdered a Free-State man, he
might have been entitled to no more than the
immunities of carrying on such a pleasant
pasttime ; but his violation of an “Abolition”
sanctuary, his delicate perception of the
proper day to make arrests, and the fact of
his firing resolutely in among a crowd of un
armed Free-State men and women, all point
him out asn fit subject for Executive reward.
He is almost as and
the services of .Moyer Murphy pale before
him.
Amusement of the Lecomftonitks.—
There are various ways by which ihe Law.
and Order men of this place vary the mo
notony of Ihe present comparative peace.—
Two men are confined here on a charge of
murder. One of them, a person named
W right, who has a claim near the Wakerusa,
was brought here two days ago by the indig
nant and suspicious neighbors. Another
roan, his neighbor and friend, had sold his
claim for a few hundred dollars and disap.
pea red. The neighbors were suspicious. A
search was made, and the body of a mur
dered man found, supposed to be the absentee.
Several circumstances seemed to attach sus
picion to Wright. He protested his inno
cence, but was seized and carried to Lecomp
ton. As he was a Freej-State man, he was
taken and committed. Hearing that an Abo.
liiionist murderer was in jail, a crown of Le
compton loafers-paid him a visit for the pur
pose of amusing themselves. They told him
they had come to hang him ; and as their
past course rendered such a spontaneous ex*
ercise of judicial might at least probable, the
unfortunate wretch was beside himself with
fear. Tearful and fearful he protested his
entire innocence, and besought them at least
to let him have a trial. They told him no,
and placing a cord around his neck, threw it
over one of the joists of the miserable frame
shanty used for a prison. The blasphemous
wretches told him to pray. Trembling and
protesting his innocence, the poor wretch
knelt and poured out his agony in a supplica
tion—in an agony of fear. , Imagine the de
light of the Border-Ruffian spectators. Fancy
Nero tickling bis sentimental vision with the
expiring throb of a dying gladiator, or a
Caligula listening to the music of the dying
Christians’ scream as the wild beasts sprang
upon them, and yon can realize the exquisite
delight of our Lecomptoniles.
I passed close to the building during these
performances, arid saw the man on his knees,
and heard theshoutaod laughter, but thought
it was merely some drunken frolic, and went
on. Learning the facts from a young man I
went down. The house' was cleared when I
got back. No one was in it but the two pris
oners, and two men guarded the door. In
answer to my inquiries, the latter informed
me, with vehement protestations, that the
report was false. I had seen enough myself
to know that this was false, and I have since
learned that it was too true. Wright was
bound and lying prostrate on the floor of the
building in evident exhaustion. The other
prisoner had his hands tied, and was pacing
backward and forward like a hyena in a cage.
Poor fellow, he is insane. There is no doubt
but this man took the life of another in a
frightful manner, but it was an- idiot’s wild
ness. This Winter he bad been found by
Captain Prather in a perishing condition, his
mind evidently disturbed. As he seemed to
be harmless, he was kindly cared for, but in
a-moment" of idiotic fury he chopped an un-r
fortunate man named Hopper to death. Ho
now has a wild, haggard look. He has made
his escape from custody once or twice, b at
does not go away. Ha got out two nigh l *
ago, and was found in the morning sitting oo
the stones that form the foundation of the
future capital of,Kansas. " ;
The Delaware Lands. —lt is still re
ported here that no part of the lands will be
sold, and that Robinson, the Indian Ag enl >
will drive off" all settlers in a few days. Ae
the people hereabouts have not given up the
hope of bolding it, I receive this statement
with grains of allowance. The remainder ot
the Delaware Trust lands will be sold harem
Juno. The Land-Office will be open for ptj-j
cmption on Monday for all the Geverninem