Attempt to Excupe From Jail—A
- Brave M'oiuau.
From tiit Utica Herald t April 8.
Aboui 2 o’clock lasi Sunday morning, a
messenger came lo Jailor Baker, in ihe Jail
ni Watertown, with Ihe inielligence that a
prisoner n uned Spencer Wilson was sick,
and wished Mr. Baker lo bring him some
medicine. Mr. B. did not hesitate to attend
ihe prisoner, and brought him a drink cal
culated in Tilleviato his pain. While Mr.
Baker was holding the cup .for ihe consumaie
villain to dunk (for Wilson was feigning his
illness) three other prisoners, named Eddy,
Ward and Missic, stole slyly into ihe cell in
their slocking - feet (Mr. B.’s back being to
ward them) and seized him, bore him to the
ground, beat him terribly about ihe head,
und abused him shamefully. One of the
wretches s'epped on the throat of the pros
trate jailer, while the ihree other proceeded
10 g ig and hind him—not, however, until he
had made sufficient noise lo awakah his wife,
«ho, brave woman 1 seized a revolver, and
siaiioned herself at the outer dour leading
mm ihe hall, nhere she calmly awaited de-
velopments.
Mean'line the villains had picked Mr. Ba
ker’s pocket of his wallel, and the prison
keys and locked him into (he cell, coolly pro
-eeeded lo prepare for departure, considering
them.elvee ‘ - all hunk,” as ihe phrase is.—
They picked up iheir sachels, which were
carelully packed, (lung their coals on iheir
arms and proceeded to ihe ouier door for ihe
purpose of taking leave. What was their
consternation on looking through ihe hole in
ihe door, and beholding leveled directly at
Ihem an ugly concern with six holes in ihe
end of U, and a liule while finger calmly
resimg on ihe (rigger. “Advance one s-ep
into this hall," said the delicate, but firm
mice, “and you die.” The villains quailed.
“Come on,” said Mrs. Baker, “bill the first
man who steps from that door I will shoot.”
This was more than Ihe ft Hows had bar
gained for. Bui one of iliem was cool and
impudent. “Pshaw I” said be, “you don’t
know how to shoot it.” “Yes [ do,” said
Mrs. Baker, “1 have been practising this long
lime; if you dou’i believe it you can make
ihe Inal.” The fellows were completely
baffled. They retired for consul'ation. Wuh
a refmemcni of deviliry worthy ihe arch
fiend, they relumed with the inielligence ihat
Mrs. Baker might take her choice—either to
see her hu-bind’s brains knocked out, or io
retire and .lei ihem pass out I Here indeed
was a fearful trial I What did the brave
woman dn ? She quailed not an inslan'
her eye relaxed not Us vigilance—her finger
I rein lilt'd noi on ihe trigger—there she stood
pointing ihe deadly weapon thtough the iron
bars of ihe hall before ihe door, and repeat
ing her wanting to the villains not to come
forward a stepf’as they valued life! We
challenge history to produce an example
of more glorious heroism, on the part of a.
woman 1
A messenger had in the mean lime gone
after help, and il came in the shape of some
of the most resolute and hardy men in Wa
tertown, who speedily relieved the li'Ue
woman from her guard, drove the prisoners
back into their cells, and set mailers “to
rights.* 7
The fdulr men are now in chains. They
are named 11. D. Eddy, in for grand larceny
at Watertown ; Oliver Missic, in for attempt
ing to commit a rape in Rutland ; Lawrence
Ward, in for burglary in Watertown ; and
Spencer Wilson, in for burglary in Clayton.
Four more heaven defying and devilish
wretches probably Jefferson County boasts
not; at least we hope so!
Mrs. Baker is a small, slim uomon, with
very expressive features, in which courage
and firmness are displayed in the keen, clear
eye, and the resolute lines about the mouth
We asked her if she would really have shot
the men, had they disregarded her warning.
She said “Most certainly I would 1 Wouldn't
you
Following a Shark. —Some a
gentleman and one of his servants, a stalwart
negro, went fishing for rock on the Bay
shore, about ten miles from this city. They
oast their hooks and lines, and waited for a
-bite. The big darkey, after wading out some
feel from the shore, tied the line around his
body. His master told him there was danger
in doing sn ; but the sable fisherman suspect
ed no difficuly or accident. Soon am old
shark, a real old sea dog, came along "and
swallowed the bail with a good relish, and
Simbo held (he line with a firm grasp. The
powerful fish, however, drew him gradually
out in deep water, when, finding that he was
in danger of being carried out to sea, in order
lo cut the line,he made a desperate grasp at
his knife, which was fastened to his head
half shut, a portion of his hair being be
(ween (he blade and the handle ; but it was
too late. The hungry monster of the deep,
by rapid movement slackened the line and
dashed furiously oui from the shore, followed
by (he darkey, who alternately disappeared
beneath the waves and rose to the surface,
grabbing at his knife ns he rushed on with
almost lightning speed in the wake of ihe
shark. He was seen at (he distance of nearly
a mile, ns he occasionally rose to ihe surface,
but soon dissapp‘*ared entirely farbevond the
reach of assistance, and a victim lo his own
hazardous daring and imprudent temerity,—
Southern Argus.
Hobhible Death. —Charles Davis, a lad
about fourteen years of age was drawn into
the mils of MrKniuhi's Rolling Mill, in Bir
mingham, Pa., about seven o'clock, on the
morning of Thursday last. It was his duly
in pull up ihe door of the heating furnace
whenever the roller wanted the healed iron
to be run through the rollers. The accident
occurred by his sleeves catching, when he
started lo get a drink of water. He was
drawn into the rollers and death followed in
an instant, and presented a most horrible
sight. His body was most dreadfully muti
lated. His head alone escaped being marked.
The ladies are fast gelling a reputation as
successful ■ lobbyists. A bill was passed
through the New York House of Assembly,-
a few days since, lo consequence of one of
ihe most active and influential opponents of
(he hill having been seduced awify just in
(he nick of time bv a rose.colored note ftom
some one in curls »nd flounces.
THE AGITATOR.
in. H. Cobb, Editor Sc Publisher.
WELLSBOROUGH, FA.
Thursday Morning, April 23, 1858.
*,* All Business,and otherComrounicalionsmust
be addressetito the Editorto insare attention. '
We cannot publish anonymous communications.
The latest news from Europe speaks of a war be
tween France and Austria as highly probable.
A. K. McClure, Esq., has our thanks for a copy
of Ills late Speech In the House on the sale of the
Slate Canals.
It Is hardly fair longer to doubt tbo permanent
sojourn of Spring in our midst. The weather is de
lighlful. The buds are swelling and the pastures
are clothed upon with green.
Wc have received the "Twenty-fifth Annual Re
port of the Managers of the Pennsylvania Instilu
lion for the Instruction of the Blind,” and will en
deavor to publish some of its statistics next week.
Dr. Eaton desires, us (o say that (its failure to
reach this village on the 13lh and 14th insls., arose
from circumstances beyond his control. He will be
hereon the 27th and 28lh insls.
The rains dl which mention was made last week
did not suffice to create a rafting flood in the upper
part of Pine Creek. We learn that a few rafts were
started down, but met with serious obstructions from
low water.
VVe are obliged to defer the publication of some
interesting portions of Judge Wilmoth* Defence un
til next week, for reasons elsewhere slated. As we
cannot publish it entire, it will be necessary tu add
a few comments.
Wc not'ce by the last Quindaro Ckindowan that
Mr. Frank A. Root, whose Utters from Kansas to
the Agitator have been perused with interest by onr
readers during the last half year, has become the
“ Local” of that excellent paper. He fills the post
creditably. May he go on prospering.
We have received a number of letters from staunch
Republicans living in different parts of the county,
endorsing our course in relation to the Fusion en
terprise. It is pleasant to have the good wishes of
those'whose opinions wc value, and our Iriends will
please consider absence a sufficient reason lor defer*
ring private acknowledgments of their favors fora
few days.
Newspaper Changes. — Tiie Luzerne Union has
been purchased by E. S. Goodrich, E«q., formerly
Dept. Sec T y. of the Commonwealth. The paper is
rabidly Lccompton.
The Washington Commonwealth and the .Report
er have been united and will be published hereafter
as the Reporter, It is one of the very be»t papers
on our exchange list.
Explanatory. Owing to unavoidable absence
from home, we are unable to bestow that attention
upon special matters which we had intended (Ins
week. The suggestions of several correspondents
to which we had intended replying, are therefore de
ferred until next week. The discussion of the prop,
cr organization of the pa Tty seems, in our mind, the
more important duty just now, and for this reason
we give considerable lime and space to that below.
Cold-Blooded Murder of two new* Converts !
—We have barely lime this week to notice the cold
blooded killing of two recently converted men, the
which took place in the jail-yard in Lancaster on
lh® StJi'inetant. We will not say that this rivals
(he old time persecutions of the Christians, but will
somebody inform us what right man had to punish
those men after God had assured them that their sins
were forgiven ? Perhaps we may speak more at
length of this affair next week.
The New Liquor Law as passed by the House
and published last week, was taken up in the Senate
on the 13ili insl., and amended in several important
particulars. That part of the 3Oth section authori
zing the county Treasurer to issue licenses for the
sale of liquors was stricken out. Other amendments
were made and the bill us amended returned to the
House for its concurrence. The House did not con
cur, but asked for a committee of Conference.
One amendment leaves it at the discretion of the
Courts of the several counties lo issue licences or
not, as heretofore. The House is supposed lo slick
at this blow at free trade in liquor. As we said last
week, this feature of the bill may as well be retain
ed, since nothing but free trade in rum will awaken
temperance men (o a sense of duty. As avowed
friends of Temperance we have all been guilty ol
flagrant sins|of omission, and the re-cslablislimcnt
of free traffic would be a proper punishment. Wis
dom commands a ruinous price among the best of
men.
“Stand by Your Stand. 9 ’
u Take your stand and aland by your stand I” '•
was (he noble reply of the elder Adams to a young ■'
man who asked him tiie secret of success in life- ;
It was a noble answer and as replete with wisdom
as so few words could \\ ell be. We venture to say
that the key lo every true and nobly successful life 1
will be found hidden in the sentence which heads
this article. Show us a man who is ever balancing '
between two opinidns as lo the right , or the expedi -1
ent % and we will show you a shuffler in whom men 1
have no confidence, because lie deserves none. A
Blruilforward persistence in what is right Is the best
recommendation any man cun bear away with him*
Well; is it not so with parties ? Is there an in.
stance on record in which • parly has attained to
permanent sway by shuffling, compromising and
concession? To concede anything lo an opposing
parly is on ocknowledgmen l on the part of the con
ceding parly that Us position is not correct, or that
it kicks confidence in ihe unchanging principles of
right and justice. There can be no cession of prin
ciples ; they may be betrayed, or abandoned, but cc
ded, bartered —never; therefore, when men talk of
cession and compromise where principles are con.
cerncd, (hey either mean to say that there is no
higher principle than expediency, or that they in.
tend to betray the principles to which they pretend
allegiance.
We continue our expostulation with the ill-advised
men who teem bent on patching up a new Fusion
of political antagonisms for the temporary benefit of
the Republican parly. We aav “bent' 1 on patch
ing up a fusion, because such seems lo be the true
state of the case. The Press is silent with four ex*
ceptions,—three journals outspoken against it and
one. The Vedette, already half commiltad in favor
of another abandonment of onr platform. We do
not say that our colemporanes have not the right to
remain silent so long as it suits them to do so; but
wc do say that such a course does not well accord
with their ofUrepeated declarations as lo’Uie mission
of the Press. Is it to mould public sentiment, or is
It (o bo moulded by a few, whimsical and capricious
politicians? If the latter, then let it perish, and no
more bo toasted and lauded as “ Palladium uf onr
Liberties.** While it leads, temperately, bat firmly,
thrre \p no danger ; but when it Fubmils to bo led
THE TIOGA COUNTY AGITATOE.
bjr a few, who arrogate to themselves «*• wisdom ol
which their acts bear no witness,then ills no longer
the guardian of Liberty. Not that the Republican
press in this stole is less outspoken than that of the
opposition, but that it is verging on the same stale
of dependence and second-fiddle.a_ccompaniamenl
position which has make the democratic press of
Pennsylvania the laughing stock of the whole coun
try. The Press, in Jis true position, stands between
the crafty politician and the people. When it sec.
ends the ambitious designs of such, it is guilty of
treason to the massed. .
Brethren, is it asking too much of you to ask .a
frank opinion touching the policy of the past and
the proper course to be pursued in the future ? One
replies to our request of two weeks since that he
has made up his mind, but is not ready to speak it.
Delays are dangerous. It is high lime that the dis.
cussion of the entire question was commenced. A
week's delay brings lire July Convention so much
nearer and no plans of action matured. For one,
if wc are expected to fight the coming campaign
with the Fusion rope around our neck, we want to
know it, because we h.ivc arranged to disappoint
those expectations. ; We shall leave that for our si
lent cotemporaries to do. We have had enough of
the bitter pill of Fusion; and, if we mistake not, the
masses in Tioga have resolved to swallow no more,
even should a score of State Conventions prescribe
the compound asthe great political cure-all for 1858.
What Fusion is proposed? What, but a coali
tion with a faction of the pro-slavery parly'winch
still clings to the bud doclilne, in opposition to
which the Republican party sprang up ? Fusion
with all opposed to forcing Lccomplnn down the
throats of a protesting majority ! Why, we may as
well talk of a union of all opposed to taking proper
ly without bo much assaying to the owner, “by
your leave!” There is not a respectable minority
anywhere in the North in favor either of Lecomptpn
or highway robbery ; and there is no essential point
of difference between Lecompton and highway rob
bery. Will anti Lecompton democrats consent to
stand upon the Philadelphia Platform and fight for
the principles enunciated therein 7 No sane man
believes anything so absurd. Then what will be
the nature of Use proposed fusion? An absurdity,
prom lop to bottom.
Republicans, it is written, “No man can serve
two masters.” We arc hostile to Slavery, or we are
not. It hostile, we cun do no less than oppose ils
spread. There is no middle ground between the de
nunciation ol the wrong and uncompromising hos
tility to its propagation. Are wc, us a party, oppos
ed to the extension of the curse into free territory?
If “yes,” there can be no such fusion as is contem
plated. Ii “no,” it is high lime the tael was made
known, that a new platform, in belter conformity
with the principles of the parly than that of ISSG,
make the basis of ils proposed operations. And not
only that, but that every Republican may know and
give a reason for the faith that is in him, so that the
policy of the party aud the reason of hie faith may
not contradict each other.
Those who look lo Messrs. Douglas and Forncv
to aid in building up the ran sc are dc*
ceived. Those men have token right ground in the
matter of Lecomplon, and it is far from our inten
tion to go behind their acts to inquire into liicir mo
tives. All honor and praise to them for what they
hove done to undo the wrong o! 1854. But let it
not be forgotten that these men stand just where
they then stood, endorsing the monstrous doctrine
—“ Slavery goes wherever the flag goes I” Have
they not sustained the Bred Scott Decision and do
they not sustain it still? Can any man point lo a
single word yet written or said by Douglas, Forney,
of any other prominent anli-Lecomplon democrat,
against that unrighteous Decision? We havtfhcv
er seen that word, nor do wc expect 10.
Then why do men urge a coalition with such a
faction? Why?
On Wednesday, 14ih insl., the House agreed lo
the Senate proposal lor a Committee of conlerence
to take up the Lccomplon matter and endeavor to
unite upon some plan for the admission of Kansas.
The vole on the motion stood ]OS to IOS, upon which
the Speaker voted in the affirmative. The Douglas
democrats in a preliminary caucus stood 14 for re
fusing the Senate’s request and 6 for the Conference.
It is said that those voting for the Committee dc.
dare their determination not lo agree lo anything
less than a fair and full submission of the Lecomp
ton fraud to the people prior to the admission of the
Territory as a Stale. Perhaps they will not.
But what is the effect of this vote in the House ?
It had passed the Crittenden Montgomery bill and
the Senate rejected it w ith scorn. The House then
voted to adhere lo the bill without amendment or
alteration. It said in so many words; “This is
the ultimatum' of the House. 1 * By its vole on the
14lh in«t., we understand that it is not yel firmly
anchored in its position. la there to be another fu
sion in high places? For the sake of Freedom we
trust that the Conlerence will not agree upon any.
thing less than the Crittenden bill.
The Senate must either he willing to accept the
House bill as ills, or it designs in accomplish in con
ference what it cannot hope to do in open field. It
doubtless intends to curry the fraud by stratagem.
The Administration is m a desperate strait and no
effort to its temporary rescue and restoration will be
spared. Promises of Executive, favor and patronage
will be freely plied. Threats for those who cannot
be readied with bribes, and bribes for those gov
erned more by avarice than by fears of affeefipns.
But the composition of the Committee rests with the
Speaker. He promises it shall faiily represent the
majority in the House. Messrs. English. Howard
and Stephens are that Committee. The first is an
anti-Lecomptun Democrat, but not especially relia
ble. The second is a sturdy Republican and can be
trusted under all circumstances. Mr. Stephens is a
rabid Lecomplon man. If English stands firm all
will be well. No news concerning its deliberations
has reached us up (o present writing (Saturday).
Tile Wayne Co. Herald ius been very officious
in Ihe in a tier of the proposed annihilation ol' the
13lh Judicial District. The Reporter bids Beards,
lee attend to his own business and charges him with
having apposed the appointment of Judge Barrett
to preside over Ihe Courts of the Wayne and Mon
roe District on the resignation of Judge Eldred in
1853. Beardslee denies the charge with a good deal
of heal. Being pretty well acquainted with the facts
in that case from personal observation, we happen
to know that the charge ot* our Bradford colcmpo
rary is not without foundation. The Dimmick-racy
of Wayne wap perfectly wild with indignation at
Barrett’s appointment, and wo very much doubt jf
there were a" hundred democrats in Wayne county
who did not oppose that appointment In sentiment.
Not only this, but we feel certain that the Herald of
that date will do much' to sustain the Repprlej's
charge. This wo do know, that had Barrett's com.
petilor before the Governor been any other than p
Diminish, Beardslee would bare fought Barpelt to
the death.
Godeif « lady's Book for May was received too
late for notice last week. It is a very excellent No.
Peterson's Two Dollar Magazine for May has a
very pretty engraving entitled “ The Delected T|U
ant.” It has 41 original articles.
From Washington.
Special Dispatch to The N. Y. Tribune.
Washington, April 17, 1858.
The Conference Committee met lhis morn
ing. Mr. Stephens was present, though still
s.ck. Mr. Hunter was absent, as he was at
the previous meeting/- The Administration'
evidently wishes delay. Its plans are proba
bly not quite ripe for action. Money has
not yet done its perfect work.; There is no
indication yet that Committees will agree, nor
that any compromise will meet with favor.
The .majority of the House Committee
have agreed to make no proposition, because,
ns the Senate asked for the Conference, the
Senate Committee must propose modifications
of the Senate bill if they desire to have anv
adopted. Mr. English still professes to be
opposed to any serious modification of the
Crittenden amendment.
Washington, April 18, 1858.
Mr. English says that he has nntified the
majnriiy of the Senate Committee that un
less they submit some proposition to-morrow,
he will report that fact to the House, and ask
that its Committee be discharged.
The present indications are encouraging
for the defeat of Lecompton, and the belief
is general that no accommonation can be
effected in the conference. Messrs. Jones
and Pendleton are decided in their expres
sions in favor of adhering to the original
ground taken by the House, and Mr. English
is equally emphatic.
T lie Pacific Rond was defeated yesterday,
eigh een Lecompion Senators voting for Mr.
Benjamin's motion lo postpone till December,
winch Mr. Gwin pronounced before ihc di
vision, conclusive against any road lo Cali
fornia. Mr. Gwin justified his course - on
Kansas at home by assuring his friends that
it would gain voles for the road. The record
will show hnw it lost support. His prestige
.n California is gone.
Forney vs. Bigi.er. —The course of Sen
ator Bigler on the Kansas question and his
truckling to the South, has brought upon
him the contempt of all high minded and
honorable men. Col. Forney, of lhe Press,
thus speaks of his last effort in misrepresent
ing his State:
“But the most remarkable demonstration
against the patriotic action of the [louse is
that of Senator Bigler, of this State, an ab
stract of whose remarks appears in our tele
graphic report. There is nut a decent jamn
in Pennsylvania who will not cry “shame!"
upon such ignorant audacity. This man—
who is covered all over wi'h pledges in favot
of a fair election in Kansas, who voluntarily
committed himself against the Lecompton
Constitution because it had not been submit
ted to the people, and who knows that Kan
sas cnnhoi be made a slave Slate, save by
fraud of the most infamous character—now
comes forward to say that he had hoped to
sec Kansas coming into the Union a slave
State ! Our proud Stale has been repeatedly
humilitated by the weak and wretched tergiv
ersations of Senator Bigler. He was an
early and a voluntary , deserter of the prin
ciple of popular sovereignty when the Kan
sas bill became a law ; he is now eager to
signalize himself by destroying that princi
ple. But his present altitude demands a new
degredation to himself, and a new insult lo
his constituents. And he has been equal to
both. A more, studied disregard of the
popular will, and a more arrogant perver
sion of principles and of facts, never was
witnessed."
Singular Recognition - . —On the 23d
ultimo a passenger came to Portland by the
steamer Anglo-Saxon, and look lodgings at
one ol the city hotels. Next morning he
took the cars for this city, in company with
a gentleman who had remained at the same
house with him over night, with whose coun
tenance he somehow or other imagined him
self familiar. They got into conversation
in coming down the Eastern Railroad, but
nothing transpired to elicit the fact whether
or not they had been old acquaintances.—
When they had arrived at the depot, and had
at ended to their luggage, one nf the gentle-
men inquired, in the hearing of the other,
for a cab to take him to a certain street in
Charlestown. The other said he proposed
going to the same street, and 'he two engaged
the same conveyance. On arriving at the
slrtel in question, it appeared that they both
designed to call on the same individual. This
strange series of coincidences greatly puzzled
both ; but their mutual surprise and delight
can he imagined in a d"gree, when they
found that they were brothers, and that thev
had thus singularly met at the ( house of a
third brother. 'One of them had been in the
service of the Pacha of Egypt for twenty-two
years; the other has spent seventeen years
in the East Indies, while the third has been
in this country during nineteen years past.
The brothers are natives of Scotland, and
had not seen each other fur fourteen years.—
Boston Ledger.
Printing Office Mobbed. —Mrs. Swiss
helm, the editress of Ihe St. Cloud (Min.)
T isitor, has been treated very scurvily by a
band of ruffians, who took some offence at
her editorial strictures. On the tilth ull.,
they broke into her office, and seized her
tvpp, scallerki it through the slreets, and
threw a porfion of it into the river. The
“men, wumejn tl a|id children” of St. Cloud
turned out ea masse and he|d an indignation
meeting. They passed strong resolutions
condemning the ruffians who commilled the
outrage. Thny resolved that the St. Cloud
Visitor should be sustained, and that they
would sustain it. The editor of the St. Paul
Daily Times placed his.office at the disposal
of tMrs. Swisshelm, so that she could con
tinue her paper without interruption.
Newspaper a Widow's Right.—A Ver
mont judge of probate has ineorporaled it as
a part of the law of his conn, that the ad
ininislralor of an estate must allow the widow
the cost of a newspaper, she making her own
selecting from the corntpot) fund. The com
mon law of America now recognises the
newspaper as a family and individual neces
sity. It is classed with pigs anti potatoes,
cashmere and calico, a thing to be exempted
like the family Bible, never to suffer from ra
pacious creditors, never to bo parted with in
ihe direst poverty.
&ommttistcaiCoiis.
fTliat is Republicanism T
Fhiend'Cobh: We live in jan extraordi
nary age, and-are daily witnessing new and
startling developments. We, see many curi
ous things, but orie ofithe most novel is the
reply of Gov. Seward to Senator Hale con
cerning the mission of the Republican party.
If he is correct then many ah honest work
er in our parly has been inosl-heautilully de
ceived. He coolly informs us|that the strug
gle between Right and Wrongitr this country
is merely -e political one; ;only for a-good
working majority of free ovier slave States;
that the contest is now virtually ended, and
now all we have to do is lojlay our armor
aside and bask in the ease j and sunshine ol
our already gained victory. |,”fhal in a very
short lime slavery will be driven to the wall
—thal it will be shorn of its strength and that
freedom will sit enthroned fhrotighoul the
entire length and breadth.ol] our country.
1, for one, must confess, while I would
gladly see the last sentence carried out to the
letter, that ! cannot see the object of true re
publicanism in this light, he declares
that we as a party are only (laboring.for poli
tical ends and party preferment.' Are our
labors to close if our present;-territories are
admitted as free Stales? Have the freemen
of Kansas for three long yeira been contend
ing as-thev have against the strong hand of
federal oppression—has hef soil been dyed
with the blood of her noblest sons—has a
Brown, a Dow and a Barber been immolated
upon their country’s altar;-tir short, have
they endured unheard of crimes—have they
beheld their children butchered—their cattle;
stolen—their barns burned jand their houses
sacked for the sake of the pefty spoils of of
fice ? | J
1 had thought thal they were nobly strug
gling to bo, Tree, and that they loved liberty
dearer than all things else,] riot even life ex
cepted ! If he then spoke!the sentiments of
the Republican party jimmy will bid. it adieu
forever, for thank Heaven!! there is one little
board of workers that carelnpt (or the spoils
of office, and they to-day stand as a beacon
light to cheer the strugglejr jwtth oppression
onward ! I had thought that our cause held
principles to be infinitely nb;ove party —that
measures was ever to be ourl motto, not men.
And if he is wrong in sentipaent 1 think he
is much more in fact when; he speaks of the
struggle as being already ojtey—when he tells
us of the slave power defeated and freedom
triumphant. Honest'reader;, is he not too
sanguine in his belief? Is Ije not becoming
jubilant too soon? Or, loj use a homely ex
pression, is he not “counting his chickens be
fore they are hatched ! VVould that he were
correct, but where he can find so much to te
jotce over as far as freedo|m! is concerned is
a mystery to me. 1 sufamtlj is not our coun
try’s record against his ovprjoyful effusions?
Has the slaveholder already Ibst his wonted
power? Has the slave deafer lost all desire
of extending the chief object of modern de
mocracy ? Is slavery, to-day becoming un
popular? 1 would answjef these questions
by pointing to the eight stave sunes ih.f have
been admitted—to the annexation of pro-sla
verv Texas—to Ihe increase of stives from
250,00 Q to 3,20-1,313 —to ipeFugitive Slave
Bill —to the repeal of the Missouri Cotnpn
mise—to Southern fillibustCnsm and to the
Dred Scott decision ; and fo cap ihe whole
thing, Lecompton praying for the admission
of Kansas under it wjten jit is a notorious
fad that it is the handiwork of Missouri Ruf
fians and the fruit of ballijn-;box stuffing, with
a majority in both houses ,'of Congress sup
porting it, and backed byjajpatlisan adtninis
t ration. Wfiete he can findlso much consola
tion is a mystery. j i .
But ihe battle is. not pet over. On ihe
contrary ii is butcomineiicijd. Freedom has
but fairly begun to marshal'her forces for ihe
great battle to be fought between those great
antagonisms—Liberty ant? Slavery. The
advance guards have only begun to skirmish
briskly. The scouting parties may have had
a few engagements, but ihetmam bodies h ive
not yet fairly met eachj ojher, but ere the
smoke of the advance clears away their en
tile forces may have wlatjmly entered the
fight. These great opposing elements can
not forever exist under Ute[ s une fl tg. One
must surely be driven frtJtn|the field. There
is no evading l he issue! |lj has been forced
upon us and by us must it;be decided ! True,
i' mtyattd ought to be (decided peacefully,
through the medium of (he ballot-box, but if
that fails us, still it must 'be decided let what
will come! Our fathers provided a means
by which we might seek; a; redress of gnev.
ances. They told us thatfwe might change
our rulers and express ourfcherUhed convic
tions through the bailotj-hlox. But what, I
submit, is Ihe true remedy when that becomes
a failure, and a nuisance, grid serves only to
rob freemen of their dearest rights and then
create a despotism that mt'ghl caused Nero
Ito blush? - The answer is obvious. When
j men fail to defend their rights they are unfit
j to be their own rulers ! ; When they basely
1 fawn at the feel of legalized wrong they are
j fit only to be slaves ! ; i
Force must be met wijh|force. If modern
democracy forces Leconipton upon the free
men of Kansas, we must help force it out!
The South 10-day say jtljey are only til to
govern, and we of the NVtrlh to be governed.
And she spe-iks the truth if we lamely sit
idle and allow this document which has em
anated from the hired minions of power to be
saddled upon our brethren!in Kansas.
I believe Gov. SewartJ to be right when he
says freedom will ultimately prevail, yet it
may be purchased at a fearful cost. The
battles of 1,76 may bej fought over again;
Kansas may be the scene of a second Bunker
Hill and Yorktown. Sije'has already offered
up her Warren and Phlaski, and when she
is admitled under the Lecdmplon Constitution
has not Ihe hour arrived; when forbearance
has ceased to be a virtue? And while #e
implicitly pm our trust in Providence ought
we not to keep our pow’detr dry ! j. b. w.
! 1 I
_ ! For Thft Agftatcr.
Something new, is the cry of the
Yankee in this our Yankee land. Change
in swift succession plies hdr round, and things,
new yesterday, are becoming old and tedious
to day. New theories,; new inventions and
new discoveries, or the life of the Yankee is
monotonous and intolerable. Among the
new ibinjja of the present day, and noi i o i -
slighted, is the system of teaching child,* -
l'o read prior to learning the alphabet. D ;
be. startled, and say, impossible! hun,b a y '
for actual experiment convinces that the ihjj, ;
may be done, if argument and reason ',:
Allow mejo give you the result of
ligation pf the system. In January | asl J
took Sarah Bozard, of Osceola, (a girl *
years old) under my charge. 1 used S er ;
eanl’s first render, a work arranged after ihj
plan. In three weeks, one lesson
she was able to read several pages readtlVS
and pronounce at sight over one hundred igi
forty words ; or rend them, arranged in
ever sentences you pleased, and that.withov
the dull, drawling tone usual to children
her age —so much the dread and horror c r .
teachers. When 1 began she did not koo*
'a single letter. She learned two—>A’ and |' :
not as letters however. Others judge »I®j. ;
er it was a succrss or failure, and nut [. f r ,
old system of having the child stand by 1(1.,
teacher’s side and repeat each letter as th; ?
are pointed nut with dexterous fingers, uj
sure wav of learning the alphabet alter a p,. t
riotl of from six to nine months; but, o|j,"
how tedious ; away with it ? and have some,
thing new, if it be belter, or even as good,—
This system conveys ideas to the child’s mind
from the first, and renders the school room
delightful, not a gloomy prison. Again, 4on,
the reader call the words as they meei’nsf
eye on the page before him, from acitnl
spelling, or from the shape and form of rhtf
word? Ninety-nine one-bundreths of fr.e
from memory. Then why have the ch':
delay to learn and remember words? Wy
dom answers, delay not! But when lean
t the letters? It will be impossible for a cbf
to reao long upon this plan without
the abstract, arbitrary characters that fu:;
words ; or should this not be the case, it n
be much more easy to leach the--letters, alia
their use and application are known.
pupils have learned a number of words, a;;
have their fac-simtle in the minds eye,> 3 y
the alphabet h-is been learned, and there hu>
pben drills on the elementary sounds, the?
will make ten-fold more progress in spell,;,
than by cdlmg them into a class and pi;,
nouncing detached words to them, tviifer
meaning or applica'ton, as has long been t;;
wre ched custom. Teachers of Tioga com ;
| investigate this system, and if it be won 1 -,;
1 be not tardy in. its adoption and use. On
1 persons, the teacher should not bebehtnd b
t age, and should there be one who doesne
i keep pace with the present progressive ,-|i.r'.
> he is unworthy the profession, and should 2'
I ousted iostanter. The interests of the r:.-,g;
| For The Agitator
generation are too vast and precious, to if
trilled with by bigoted old fogier. Theei-f
perimenl will cost but little,-and if a 'adu.T[
is easily borne ; if successful, who shill ms;
sure the benefits that coming generations n't
receive; and who shall tell the heir:.’!! 1
thanks bestowed by a grateful progeny. Si
confident am 1 in this-plan that 1 verily
lieve in two years the child will learn nra,
and have a much better idea of win'. ;i
learned than by the old system.
The Tioga Agita f or asks ojr oprs.~
(among o’hers) as to the Union policy* 2:
vised by the late informal Republican S-’f!
Convention at Harrisburg. Our judgrcetf
our experience, our observation, and
sociaies, heartily concur in the conclus*3
that it is the course'best adapted to advas-s
the great principles of Republicanism. Wre
Union for the Truth has been faithful!*
tied out—not only in our own, but in o'S
Stales—it has proved highly successi-; -
There is now, apparently, a more gfl I **’
appreciation of ihe ol union,M
heretofore. It is fnllv to go lo logoer*ii«J
about lt is ihe name o(
rnev** that has cursed the nation, for t-'
past ; and we s'and prepared, now a* «*•
10 join the great body of its *ipp menu 1013
he-si ad-ipied measures to stop ns evil inl
and overthrow the bogus party, (n 4*
causes—m moving masses—we must** 1
px'rpme*, and look 10 the general gn.vln**
than to our individual preference**. F* lll ' 2,
biolh^r!
“Distinct as the billows, yelone as these*’-
—Lewisbvrg Chronicle.
A Distressing Case.— Ihe Mifflin l0 * 1
p'apers chronicle a dis’ressihg case »i!
pox, which developed itself last week,
person of a young girl residing at
She had been employed in the larm-y•'
Adam Holliday as servant. The fever’-*
ally accompanying this loathsome
brought on delirium, under which she * L ‘
dered off. and could not be found for
day*. One night she, remained out f
nothing for shelter but a fr'endly hay-n*
and the pnle moon and stars as her s.t*
watchers. Returning to town, she conceu
herself in the stable attached to the cec l
Hotel, where, by her suffer ' B:
she was discovered by Dr. James L. K- ,f
The Dr. at once about to have her p r: ‘*
erly cared for, and in the nfiernonn
hep to ihe country. AU who have b*
suffering from this disease are rapidly retf
ermg, or are entirely well of it, ani 3
above is the only case which has occiH*
since our last report, some weeks since.
Wants ms LTgaER-hLL.—For some' 3
pass an old, dilapidated, faded cotton ' 3
fare!la has been l\ing neglected in'h*' .
baggage room at the Michigan Central a-'
road depot. Everybody wondered who
be the uvtrner of such an article, as t 1 *'
absolutely too poor for anv bodv lo
a phenomenon, perhaps, never before U 3^
It accordingly lay neglected and dn"* -j
un il a day or two since, when a rent I ' l ', <
interest was attached lo it by a receipt ot - 1
following : • r-r 3
“To the Baggage Master at detriot i? j
baggage room det riot Post Office. ,
Chester Co. Pa., March 24th, l j
“Seir you will Pleas to loured my ■;
ell that 1 left in the Cairs on the_fi rst •
January or neir that the time, it air 3 * \
handle and bent at the end somethin? -j
cain handle and I will pay for trouble ,
I gels it from Philadelphia.” J
The precious i‘umber-ell ! ’ was “ on el j•'< J
fourteen sheets of pappr, and “ fou, s(t!l i :
express to its qiyner, who will h a,e j t! .
dollar? of express charges to P^. v J
way of a goad joke.— Detroit Fret *
H. N. VVIIIHM: