Raftsman's journal. (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, September 05, 1860, Image 1

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    BY S. B. ROW.
CLEARFIELD, PA., WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1860.
VOL. 7.-JT0. 2.
HIDDEN EMOTIONS
There is no heart but has its inner anguish ;
There is no eve but hath with tears been wet ;
There is no voice but hath been heard to languish
O'er hours of darkness it can ne'er forget.
There is no cheek, however bright its ro3es,
But perished buds beneath its hues are hid ;
No eye that in its dewy light reposes,
But broken star-beams tremble 'neath its lid.
There is no lip, howe'cr with laughter ringing,
However light and gay its words may be,
But it hath trembled at some dark upspringing
Of stern affliction and deep misery.
We all are brothers in this land of dreaming.
Yet hand meets hand, and eye to eye replies,
Nor dream wc that beneath an eye all beaming,
The flower of its life in broken beauty lies.
Oh ! blessed light that gilds our night of sorrow,
Oh ! balm of gilead, fur our healing found ;
Veknow that peace will come with thee to-morrow
And that afflictions spring not from the ground
fHOW GODFREY HOETON CHOSE A WIFE
BT MART E. CLARKE.
"Godfrey, oM boy," said Henry Clayton as
lie tilted back in his chair and put his toot on
the mantel-piece, "when is the wedding to be?"
"Whose wedding ?"
Mi9s Laura Somers, or Jennie, which is it ?"
I do not know, I am sure."
"Now don't be mysterious, uoatrey ; yon
know -ou are a constant visitor, and all onr
set' arc talking about the match, ion't pre
tend you have not selected one of the sisters."
"How do you know either or them will huve
me!"
Jianrtsome, talented, and with a large fortune.
need not be over bashful. Come, be frank,
which is the favorite sister I"
"Well, frankly, then, I cannot tell you. I
Jiave visited the family for several months, as
vou know, but I cannot decide. Laura is cer
tainly the handsomest, with her flashing eves
and queenly manner, but Jennie seems, al
though the youngest, to be the' most womanly
and useful or the two. let 1 cannot be sure
of that. My entrance is the signal lor cordial
welcome and smiles, and let me call at whatso
ever time I will, thoy are always well dressed
and apparently disengaged. To be sure, J al
wavs, in the morning, have to wait some time
before Laura is visible."
"Pop in unexpectedly and notice the inter
nal economy."
"How can I ? A card at the door will put
Any lady on her guard, or even the notice of a
gentleman visitor."
"Go there in disguise. As a washer-woman,
lor instance."
"Good! lwill!"
"Go there as a washerwoman !" cried Clay
ton. "Not exactly ; but I will obtain admittance
to a morning's privacy."
"Well, let me know the result."
Laura and Jennie Somers were the only
children of a widower, who, although in mod.
4-rate circumstances, moved in very fashiona
ble society. At the period ofmy short sketch
lie was a'bout to supply the lamented Mrs.
Somers' place, after nearly ten years mourn
ing, and although a kind, indulgent parent,
Lad no objection tobis daughters' marriage,
and, indeed bad told them so. Laura, whose
high spirit resented the probable supremacy of
a step-mother, had already selected Godfrey
Ilorton as her future husband; and Jennie
ho was the younger and gentler in spirit, tried
io conquer a concealed preference for the same
!erson. All his attentions were ascribed to a
brotherly regard, though every act of kindness
or courtesy touched her very heart.
It was the morning alter a large ball, and
the sisters were in the breakfast-room togeth
er. Laura, her glossy black hair pushed neg
ligently off her face, with the rough tumbled
Lraidsof last evening's elaborate coiffure gath
ered loosely into a comb; wearing a soiled
wrapper, torn stockings, and presenting rather
Alarming contrast to the brilliant ball-room
belle, was lounging oa the sofa. Jennie, in a
neat morning dress, with a large gingham
apron, little white collar, and hair smoothly
brushed into a neat knot, was washing the
breakfast dishes.
"There is an old man at the door with some
Artificial flowers," said the servant, opening
the dining room door, "will you see him."
"No," said Jennie.
"Yes," cried Laura, "send him np."
The servant departed to obey the last order.
In a few moments the old man came in. He
was poorly clad, with a coarse blue cloak,
which was much too large lor him. His hair
was white, and he wore a beard and mustache
x the same snowy hue. Making a low bow, he
placed the basket he carried on a table and
opened it.
"I have "a bunch of blue flowers here," he
said taking them from the basket, "that will
ust suit your golden hair, Miss," and ho held
them up before Jennie.
"It was my sister who wished to look at
your flowers," said Jennie, quietly.
' "Yes, bring them here," was Laura's impe
rious command.
The old man's eyes followed Jennie, as she
.washed, wiped and put away the dishes, swept
the room and dusted it, and then gat down
.beside Laura, who was still looking over the
ibasket.
"See, Jennie, this scarlet bunch. Will not
this look lovely with a few dark leaves to wear
with my new silk ?"
"But," whispered Jennie, "you can't afford
(U just now."
"Yes I can. Father gave me some money
yesterday."
"To pay the hst dry-goods bill."
"Well, I can have that carried to ray private
.account."
"Oh! Laura, I hate to hear you talking
fit that private account. It seems so much
Jike cheating father."
"Nonsense ! It will stand till I am married
-and then I can easily save it out of my house
keeping money."
"I should not like to marry in debt," aid
.Jennie.
The old pedlar loooked at the sisters.
"You'd better take this bine bunch Miss,"
oe said to Jennie. If it ain't convenient to
pay now, I will call again."
MI shall not take them.'
'They are very becoming, Miss. Look in
"I wish my hair was light," said Laura.-
said last night forget-me-nots were his favorite
nowers."
Jenny colored, and placing the bunchMn the
uhkci saiu,
"Come, Laura, decide. You are keepin
one here waiting whose time is probably valu-
auie," ana then passing a chair she added,
re seatea sir, you iook tired."
"I am tired, indeed," was the reply.
"I will take the scarlet bunch and these
red camelias, and this white cluster," said
Laura.
"But sister, you cannot afford it."
Yes I can. Godfrey Horton is rich."
The old man bit his lip.
"lbink, said Jenny in a low tone, "if you
love him, how much it will grieve him, if he
should discover this deceit."
"Nonsense ! Well I'll tell you how to reme
dy it. Lend me some out of the housekeep
ing funds."
"So," thought the old man, "she is house
l . r - T
Keeper, anas i-.au ra always gave me to un
derstand that that was her post."
"Laura ! Steal from my father!"
"There, don't preach."
"Miss Jennie," said a servant entering at
that moment, "the dinner has come."
Jennie left the room, and Laura turned over
the gay flowers while the old man pointed out
their various beauties, his eye in the meantime
running over the disordered hair, shabby dress
and lazy position, whilst he mentally contrast
ed them with Jennie's neat attire.
"Jot decided yet 7" said Jennie returning
after a short abscence.
"No. Come here."
"I can't, lather has sent home a calfs
head, and I am afraid to trust it entirely to
Margaret. I must superintend the dinner,
make a pudding, and the parlors must be dust
ed, and there is mv u hitR mull tn ho finuliH "
"Before I would be the drudge you we
cried Laura.
"Drudge? nonsense. I have plenty of time
tor enjoyment, and father can t have a com
r a t i i m
lonauie uouse 11 some one does not superin
tend these things. When I marry you may
ao it," anl she laughed merrily.
"As if I should not marry first," said Laura
"There I have chosen all I want."
"Shall I cail again for the change ?" said
the pedlar. I shall be happy to put the Miss
es Somers on my list of customers."
"Yes, call again."
So the pedlar took up his basket, walked
home, threw aside his wig, beard and disguise
ana wrote an offer of his hand and heart to
Miss Virginia Somers, which was accepted.
Laura bomers has two sources of profound
speculation : One is, hy did Godfrey Hor
ton propose to Jenny instead of me ?"" The
other, "I wonder why that old man never call
ed to be paid for those exquisite flowers ?"
Tiie last of the Alcuemists. The last true
believer in alchemy, accordiug to Mr. Brande,
was Peter Woulfe, the eminent chemist, asso
ciated with Woulfe's Apparatus for conden
sing gaseous products in water, and a Fel
low of the Royal Society. Woulfe was a tall,
thin man ; he died in Barnard's Inn, Holborn,
in loUo, and his last moments were remarkable.
By his desire, his laundress shut up his cham
bers, and left him, but returned at midnight,
when Woulfe was still alive; next morning,
however, she found him dead ; bis countenance
was calm and serene, and, apparently, he had
not moved from the position in which she
had last seen him. Little is known of Woulfe's
life. Sir Humphrey Davy states that he used
to arhx written pravers and inscriptions of re
commendations of bis processes to Providence.
His chambers were so filled with furnaces and
apparatus, that it was difficult to reach his fire
side. Dr. Babington tout Dr. Brande that he
once put down his hat, and could never find it
again, such was the confusion of boxes, pack
ages and parcels that lay about the room. His
breakfast hour was four in the morning; a few
of his friends were occasionally invited, and
gained entrance by a secret signal, knocking
a certain number of times at the inner door of
the chambers. He had long vainly searched
for the elixir, and attributed his repeated fail
ures to tne want or due preparation by pious
and charitable acts. Whenever he wished to
break an acquaintance or felt himself offended,
he resented the supposed injuries by sending
a present to the offender, and never seeing him
afterwards; these presents sometimes consist
ed of an expensive chemical product or prepa
ration. He had a heroic remedy for illness,
which was a journey to Edinburgh and back by
the mail coach ; and a cold taken on one of
these expeditions terminated In inflamation of
the lungs, of which he died. rFrom limbs'
Curiosities of Science, Second Series.
The Author of "Sweet Home." It is
said the author of "Sweet Home," S. Howard
rayne, whose song has been sung all over the
world, w as himself a wanderer in life, and
never had a home. He was at one time Consul
of Tunis, and was a man of fine conversational
powers. A friend of his records that he eave
history of his wanderings, his trials and
cares incident to his sensitive nature and pov
erty. "How often," said he once. "I have
been in the heart of Paris, Berlin and London,
or some other city, and beard persons singing
or hand-organs playing, "Sweet Home," with
out having a shilling to buy myself a meal, or
a place to lay my head. The world has liter
ally sung my song until every heart is familiar I
witn its melody, let I have been a wander
er from my boyhood. My country has turned
me rutniessiy irora office, and in my old aee I
have to submit to humiliation for my bread."
I I ! 1 . ....
uis oniy wisn was to die f n a foreign land and
be buried by strangers, and sleep in obscuri
ty, liis wish was gratified. He died at Tunis.
Lorenzo Dow is still remembered by some
of the "old fogies" as one of the most eccen-
tnck men that ever lived. On one occasion
he took the liberty, while preaching, to de
nounce a rich man in the community, recent
ly deceased. The result was an arrest, a trial
for slander, and an imprisonment in the coun
ty jail. After Lorenzo got out of "limbo" he
announced that, in spite of his in his opinion J
unjust punishment, he should preach at a giv
en time, a sermon about "another rich man"
The populace was greatly exeited, and a crowd
ed house greeted his appearance. With great
solemnity he opened the Bible, and read,
"And there was a rich men who died and went
to;" then stopping short, and seeming
to be suddenly impressed, ' no" continued :
"Brethren, I shall not mention bVpJace this
rich man went to, for fear ho has some rela
tives in this congregation who will Bue: ma for
defamation of character." -'
: ! : .-i i V.'f
ABRAHAM LINCON AT HOME
A correspondent of the New York Herald,
found them at his own home
In a large two-story frame house bearing
uo sngnt resemblance to Washington's head
quarters at Cambridge, Massachusetts, now
the residence of Professor Lone-fell ow resi
des the Republican candidate for President of
the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Here
Mr. Lincoln has resided for some twenty years.
ine eaince affords no indications of ostenta
tion. It has no ornaments, no flowers or
shrubbery, no marble vases or cooling foun
tains, no fashionable fences surround-ing it ;
but is built plump out to the sidewalk, the
steps rather encroaching upon the walk. It
is like the residence of an American gentle
man in easy circumstances, and is furnished
in like manner. It is not near so aristocratic
an establishment as tho bouses of many mem
bers ot your (Jommon Council ; in short there
is no aristocracy about it, but it is a comfor
table, cozy home, in which it would seem that
a man could enjoy life, surrounded by his
iamiiy. immediately opposite the residence
of Mr. Lincoln, is a mansion that was once the
Western home of Lemuel Uigbee.a sentleman
who left the btate of Massachusetts, some
thirty years ago, settled in Springfield, and
for his honesty and integrity was placed bv
his fellow citizens in prominent positions of
trust ana confidence. "Honest Old Lem"
was as much a favorite phrase in those days in
this region as "Honest Old Abe" is now. The
widow of Mr. Iligbee is now living in Wey-
nioutn, Massachusetts. Mr. Lincoln and Mr
Iligbee were associated in several enterprises
ot public interest, and the early efforts of the
one, and the more recent efforts of the other,
have contributed largely to the reputation
Springfield now enjoys as one of the best and
most honestly governed cities in the West
Enjoying life in an easy manner, and yet a
practicing attorney in all the courts of the
State and of the United States, Mr. Lincoln
seeks repose in the midst of his family when
ever the duties of his profession and his po
litical engagements will enable him to do so.
Mr. Lincoln came ironi the best among our
Revolutionary stock, and from among those
who were the first to penetrate the Western
wilds, and sacrificed their lives in clearing
the road lor the advancing tide of civilization
His grandfather, whose ancestors came origin
any irom iMew England, whence they were
driven by the persecutions of the Quakers a
society with which they were presumed by
the fanaticism of that day to be affiliated
was born in the county of Berks, Pennsylva
nia. Removing in after life to the valley of
the Shenandoah, in Virginia, the father of
the subject of this sketch was born. Moving
westward before the Revolution, Mr. Lincoln's
father penetrated the wilderness, and in com
panionship with the renowned Col. Boone,par
ticipated in many of those heroic conflicts
with the savages the records of which crim
son the pages of our early Western history.
The "dark and bloody ground" are words fa
miliar to all readers of American history, and
upon that sanguinary ground the father of Mr
Lincoln fought, and finally perished beneath
the tomahawk of the savage. In what was
then called Harden county, Kentucky, but
in that part ot n which now constitutes Larue
county, Abraham Lincoln was born, in the
year 1809. His mother was the daughter of
a man of nerve and energy, and she herself
possessed those distinctive characteristics
which have since rendered her son a man of
mark in our country. Lincoln had a limited
education, and, removing to Illinois, he passed
through various spheres in life, at one time in
as humble, as he is now in an exalted,position
n the estimation of his fellow citizens. He
exhibited the grit of his progenitor when the
ravage chier lilack ltwk commenced nis
warfare upon the citizens of our Northwestern
frontier, and he entered into that contest of
brief duration when fairly commenced with
all his then youthful energy and spirit, which
now seem to be but little impaired. In this
war he held the rank of captain, but he was
deserving the title of colonel, and by those
who knew him best was not nnfreqnently so
addressed. Passing over his subsequent ca
reer as a practitioner at law, having studied
law with a son of Ninian Edwards, of Ed-
wardsville, Illinois, as a member of the Illi
nois Legislature for several sessions during
which he directed his attention to the interests
of the people more than to personal aggran
dizement and as a member of Congress du
ring the term of '47 and '49, the country at
large became acquainted with his name by
his political battle in 1858 with the then in
vincible "Little Giant," Donglas. nere his
political history becomes identical with that
of the present day.
Mr. Lincoln married a Miss Mary Todd,
daughter of Robert S. Todd, Esq., a highly
respectable citizen, living near Lexington,
Kentucky, where Miss Todd was born. Mr.
Todd is now dead. He was Clerk of the Ken
tucky House of Representatives, filled other
positions of trust, and was allied to some of
the most enterprising and worthy families in
the State of Kentucky among them the
Helms, one of whom was formerly Governor
of the State ; the Wintersmiths, a family of
influence, and others, some of whom have
lately called upon Mr. Lincoln, at his home in
Springfield, and renewed the remembrance of
those family ties which, in some cases, unhap
pily sink into oblivion. Miss Mary Todd was
a pretty young lady, and the graces and ac
complishments of former years still serve in
malurer ones to adorn a happy family house
hold. They have three children all boys
one or whom is now studying at the academy
in Exeter, N. H., where Daniel Webster be
gan his actual educational career. The two
other boys are at home with their parents,
bright little lads, and seeming to care co more
lor the hurrahs with which their father is re
ceived than If tbey were bestowed upou any
other man. They appear to take the enthu
siasm as a matter of course ; for, as they love
their father and their mother, no applause
seems less than their deserving.
After a pretty thorough investigation. I find
that there is n? man in this region who says
a word against the honesty of Abraham Lin
coln. They like his sociability and his famil
iarity. He is universally regarded as a plain,
unassuming man, possessing strong common
sense, wedded to a quickness of perception
that detects the right from the wrong and win
nows the chaff from the Wheat, whether the
qustion be one of a legal character or the se
lection of a true man from an impostor.
u uds recently ueen on a visit to Springfield, mm as a man, and everybody else can't help
i tt13-' thus desc,ibes the nest President of but do the same. He is honest, talks sense,
the United States, and his surroundings, as ho and is notion nrnmi tn .; .:
a man ?"
"I like
- .. - i
lino
ieps in bis shirt sleeves, and chat with his
neighbors. 1 have always been a Democrat,
uul a am almost inclined to go for Lincoln."
"Will the split In the Democratic party prove
of any service to Lincoln in Illinois ?" Yes,
sir. Egypt is almost wiped out as a Democrat
ic stronghold, and with scarcely a hope to e
lect Douglas to the Presidency,there are ma
ny who will, from State pride, vote for Lin
coln, as they think there is a good chance for
ui election."
We called upon Mr. Lincoln at his residence
last evening.and were readily admitted. There
were present Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. J add, the
latter the wife of the Republican candidate
ior Lrovernor in the State; the Hon. E. B.
Washburne, member of Congress from the Ga
lena district, and Lincoln's two little home
ooys. I he ladies were esneeiallv cranions
and entertaining, while "Old Abe" and vour
correspondent took a chair together and talk
ed upon almost every topic now attracting the
attention of the public. We have conversed
with many gentlemen in prominent political
positions, but to Abraham Lincoln must we
accord the palm of frankness. He had no
disguises. The subject of Southern slavery
was touched upon, and Mr. Lincoln emphati
cally declared that it was his principle not to
touch it where it exists, but to prevent its
spread into Territory now free. He spoke of
slavery as an institution that did not meet the
universal sanction of the Southern people
"rubuc opinion is not always private onin
ion," he said ; and instancing Lamartine's ac
count of the execution of Louis XVI., where
in it appeared that although the leading revo
lutionists were publicly obliged to declare In
favor of that deed, they were privately oppos
ed to it. He said that it was the same with
many people in the South ; they were obliged
to sustain slavery, although they secretly ab
horred the institution. lie would protect the
South in its institutions as they exist, and
said that Southerners did not comprehend the
position of the Republicans in regard to sla
very, ine southern mind, be said, was labor
ing under the delusion that the Republicans
were to liberate the slaves, who were to ap
ply nreorands to tne fields and dwellings of
their masters, massacre old and young, and
produce a state of general anarchy and blood
shed in the South. He swept this assumption
away by a decisive denial of its correctness
He said he would like to go South and talk
to the Southerners on this topic, were it not
that the minds of some were so inflamed a-
gainst him that they would not listen to his
reasoning, but, on the other hand, might be
inclined to inflict Lynch law upon his person
should he appear among them. He had, he
said, on one occasion been invited to go into
Kentucky and revisit some of the scenes with
whose history his father in his lifetime had
been identified. On asking by letter whether
Judge Lynch would be present, be received
no response ; and he therefore came to the
conclusion that the invitation was a trap laid
oy some designing person to inveigle him into
a slave State for the the purpose of doing vio
lence to his person. The conversation was
lively, and occasionally interspersed with some
brilliant flashes of wit and good nature from
the Kentucky lady, his wife.
iur. Lincoln's personal appearance has so
otten been described in the newspaper prints
that it is unnecessary tor me to enlarge upon
it here ; but as 3 great deal has been said about
his ugliness, I will say a word or two on that
score ; if only for the purpose of enlisting the
attention of the ladies North and South. Men
of the West may care for personal beauty in a
woman, but in a man beauty constitutes a very
small claim upon their regard. But Lincoln
is not an ugly man. His features may appear
rugged to tne casual observer, but when en
gaged in earnest and interesting conversation
they assume an aspect at once pleasing and
engaging. Many meu called handsome by belles
lack expression in their features when in con
vetsation, whereas the man of genius tele
graphs bis mind to others not only by his lan
guage, but by the masculine charm of facial
expression. Else how could Mr. Lincoln have
courted or wedded so charming a young lady
as she whose realm is now his domestic hearth?
If Lincoln ever gets into the White House,
you may be bound for it there will be thous
ands of beauties from all parts of the country
who will acknowledge that the pictures and
the prints have sadly belied him, and that his
cheek bones are not so large, that his mouth is
not so big, that his figure is not so lank,as they
have been led to imagine, and that altogether
he is not far from being a tall, good-looking,
middle aged gentleman, who has offices at his
disposal.
Among all the candidates for the Presidency
of the United States now in the field, Abraham
Lincoln, of Illinois, seems to be regarded by
the people here as the only one who presents
the appearance, emphatically and literally, of
the man of the people. Without ostentation,
without reserve, without any of those exquis
itely polite attentions one finds in the man of
the world, and especially in the aspiring pol
itician, nurtured in the patrician atmosphere
of Washington, Lincoln both looks the man,
acts the gentleman, and mirrors at once the
keenness of the astute statesman and the firm
ness of the rigid executive officer. The peo
ple say tbey have long wanted a President
free from the corrupt influences which a long
official residence at the seat of government is
calculated to entail ; and from what 1 have
heard and seen, within the space of a few
months, a majority of the people of the North,
and not a few at the South, are satisfied that
in Lincoln they have found a man who comes
nearer to a representation of their Ideas in
Ihis respect than any other named candidate.
President Harrison and Taylor good men in
their own way did not, it is true, vegetate in
the hotbed of Washington political influences ;
but, unfortunately, they both soon withered
and died under them, after a brief ocenpancy
of the Presidential chair. Harrison and Tay
lor were old ; and one was superannuated be
fore he assumed the reins of government, and
the other became so shortly after he did.
Lincoln is in the prime of life and vigor as
strong, lithe and energetic as almost any pub
lic man of his age, and showing iu his fea
tures, his movements and manners his intel
lect, his knowledge of law, government and
the organic rules that sway men and found
systems, evidences that cannot be easily swer
ved from a purpose he conceives to be just to
his countrymen. That's what nis friends say.
"What do you think of Lincoln as
I asked of a resident, nf Srrin(TaM
O J I f"tww0tvifcimiiuLSVlllll3 UUUI -
A LOST WORLD.
The past quarter of a century, disinterring
from the dust of ages the hidden secrets cf
generations so long gone by that the very
names of many of the nations who once'fieur
ed so conspiciously in the world's annals have
perished with them, has developed many
strange tacts with regard to aucient America.
It would be strange, alter all, if instead of
having "no past," "no antiquity," as has been
aueagea by her detractors, the continent dis
covered by Columbus should prove the older
oi tne two. Throughout its entire length and
breadth, traces have been discovered of a race,
or rather a world of people, who performed
their part in the great life drama at so early an
epoch that nearly every vestige of their exis
tence must have disappeared centuries before
the discoveries of Columbus.
The hardy northmen who visited the Atlan
tic coasts as early as the fourth or fifth centu
ries, found them occupied by hostile races
in such numbers as to repel every attempt to
penetrate the interior; the uorthmen who
made the first authenticated discoveries in the
Western Hemisphere, in spite of the fact that
uoiumbus has always received that honor, and
who must still have been preceded by others,
whose accounts of the strange lands they had
visited, and the wonders they had seen, in the
ausense or corroboration, were received as fa
bles by their countrymen, nad there been in
those days such things as newspapers, the
whole world would have learned of the exis
tence of another continent. It would have
been interesting in a historical point of view,
as it would have developed the existence, and
perhaps have preserved the records ot a num
ber of nations of which the last vestiges are
now fading from the earth.
Whatever may have been the origin of our
Aborigines, it is certain that large portions of
what are now the Unithd States, and of conn
tries farther south, were inhabited by a numer
ous people, wearing comfortable clothing, and
being somewhat advanced in the arts. Some
of them, as those of" Mexico and Central Amer
ica, have left behind them vast ruins, proving
that the cities which they founded were not
unworthy of being ranked with the proudest
of olden time. Thoughout the northern coun
try numerous traces of a vanished people have
been from time to time discovered, but faint
er and less absolutely defined than those of the
Aztecs showing conclusively the great an
tiquity of the northerners. The mound build
ers, indications of whose industry and engi
neering skill have been found by the archaeo
logist Squiers, scattered over the middle and
northern States, must have been more numer
ous in their day than the enlightened people
who have supplanted them, yet thev have van
ished so entirely from the scene of their earth
ly labors, that, unless we adopt the theorv of
retrogression and accept the North American
Indiaus and the Southern Aztecs as the lost
representatives of ancient America, we have
not the slightest clue to them.
ine most remarkable circumstance in con
nection with these "peoples" is that they left
behind them no utensils or other implements,
and that in cases where records have been dis
covered, tbey were in an alphabet so unlike
anything before known (the tablets of Copana
and Palenque, for instance,) as to defy all re
search. Traces there are of customs similar to
those of the Asiatics traces of an identity of
language, but all too vague and uncertain, as
yet to base a theory upon. It seems as though,
at some far gone period of the world's history,
Almighty Providence, as a punishment for its
sins, bad blotted at once from existence, an en
tire world, whose very monuments mock the
proud and vainglorious spirit which led to their
erection. But there will doubtless arise per
sons competent to the task, who, from their
knowledge of dialect and hieroglyphic writing,
may yet succeed in clearing up this most won
derful and impressive of modern mysteries.
Fdad Pacha, the Turkish Minister of For
eign Affairs, who was sent from Constantino
ple by the Sultan to stop the Syrian disorders,
is acting energetically and eflectively. He
has deposed the Governor General at Cyprus
and confiscated bis property ; has commenced
an investigation into the conduct of the Gov
ernor General at Beyrout; has arrested six or
seven hundred of the participators in the Da
mascus massacre; ordered their immediate
trial, and the execution of such as are found
guilty; has restored a large amount of tho
plundered property, and is stationing troops
to protect the Christians who are nienaced.-
11 is action has lnghtened the Druses, who are
now beginning to protest their readiness to
obey the laws and to respect the rights of the
Christians. He has the support of the . Turk
ish troops, who, though they connived at the
massacres, do not now venture to disobey bis
orders,and he derives a strong additional mor
al support from the prescence of the French,
English and Greek fleets at Beyrout, and the
knowledge that an Expedition is coming from
France and Russia for the defence of the Chris
tians.
It Leaks. A friend, says an exchange, re
turning from the depot a few mornings since,
with a bttle of freshly imported Maine' Law,
saw a young lady whom he must inevitably
join, bo putting the bottle under his arm, be
softly walked along side. "Well," said the
young lady after disposing of health and weath
er avohnt. i that hunrflA nnrtoi vmif arm ?"
from which she discovered a dark fluid drop
ping.
"O, nothing but a coat the tailor has been
mending for me."
"Oh, it's a coat, is it ? "Well, you'd better
carry it back and get bim to sew up one hole
more it leaks."
A remarkable inundation occurred in Scot
land in the year 1771, whichever since that
period has been known as the "flood." A
little town called Paradise is situated within
the district which suffered from this disaster.
At a recent trial, an old Scotchman of sixty
years of age, who was a witness, was asked if
he knew Mr. . "Noa," be replied,"
"butawkend hisfaithur, 'before the flood."
"Now, my man," inquired the learned coun
sel (who knew nothing of the flood of 1771,
and thought to be down upon the witness.)
"where did you live, then ?" In Paradise, to
be sure!" A roar of laugtcr completed tho
amazement and discomfiture of the. cross-examiner.
The capital invested io the coal lands of
Pennsylvania is said to be nearly $324,000,000.
The canals and slack water connected with
the anthracite coal trade measure 816 miles in
engtb, and cost 540,000,000.
t l '
IETTEB FEOat JUNIATA COUNTY, Pa.
Tcscarora Valley, Acc. 25th, 18C0.
Friend Row : I drop you a hasty note from
this "old Democratic county," where "the
faithful" have held the reins for years. The
usual Democratic majority has been from one
to three hundred in this county ; and this, ta
ken in connection with the present state of
things, is a sort of index to the coming strug
gle for the Presidency. At the Democratic
Convention held in Miffiin a few days since,
the Douglasites, being in the majority, nomi
nated the Prothonotary, Commissioner and
Auditor, and then passed a series of resolu
tions endorsing the Administration, after which
tne "jjougs" and "Brecks" united on a Breck
ite for Congress. The two factions, however.
do not approve of tho action of the conven
tion, and each wing being represented by a
paper, each paper puts up the names of their
own men. and leaves those ,f the nti.r r.r-
out. And now the Breckinridre orrun i nut
for a new convention a straight-out Breckin
ridge one. All efforts to patch up a peaco
have as yet failed and are likely to do so. and
they have adopted the Bell and Everett trame.
A meeting was appointed for last night, in
Mifllin. There is no doubt a two-fold object
in this first, to distract the Opposition as far
as possible; and, second, giving notice that
iney are lor sale to the highest bidder.
And now a word on the other aide. In a
ride of nine miles np this valley we passed
three "Lincoln, Hamlin & Curtin" poles, bear
ing flags with appropriate inscriptions. Thn
enthusiasm in favor of the Republican nomi
nees will carry this county bv a handsome m
jarity this fall ; and if this is the case in soma
of the strongholds of Democracy, what, is to be.
the general result is a question, that. admits of
but one answer. The friends of Lincoln and
Hamlin, here, look upon their election as cer
tain, and this conviction has been forced upon
a i. r-v . .
iue democracy to such an extent that they
have given up the contest with Republicanism,
and have turned all their energies, to the de
vouring oi one another.
Yonrs, Yobick.
For the "Raftsman's Journal."
Mr. Editor : One question from the vuvil
is considered as worth ten from the teacher.
Therefore I would like some of your politi
cians to explain to me a littlo difficulty that I
nave gotten into by reading the President's
speech, delivered in Washington, July 9th.
He tells us in that speech that the Supremo
Court has declared that Slavery is constitu
tional, and that slaves are property. He then
asks the question, "When was property ever
submitted to the will of the majority 7" And
answering it himself, be savs. "Never. If vou
" hold property, you hold it independent of
" Congress, or of tho State Lecislature. or of
" the Territorial Legislature it ia yours, and
your constitution was made to protect your
" private property against the assaults ot legis
" lative power." By this it would appear that
any citizen of the United States can take his
property slave property into any of the
States and enjoy the possession of it with im
punity, independent of the will of the people
amidst whom be lives, and independent too of
the laws and regulations of the State to which
he has migrated. Thus, a Virginian may pull
up stakes and come over into Clearfield with
his farming tools and niggers, and settle down
in our midst and where is onr remdv T
When we read to him our laws prohihitine sla-
Tery.he can hoot at oar presumption laugh at
the absurdity of our idea of makiDg laws con
trary to the constitution and sustain his posi
tion, too, by the construction placed upon that
instrument bp the immortal Buchanan ! Here
is a dilemma that needs a little explanation
ere my untutored mind can comprehend it. If
Buchanan is right, all our talk and, trouble a-
bout States free and lare, ia mere nonsensa.
because our whole confederacy is a slave con-
tederacy, and the freedom that does exists, ex
ists in spite of the constitution. Do I reason
correctly? Wm.Carb.
Liberty Hill, August 22J.
There is little doubt that the position Bu
chanan takes, will inevitably lead to tho con
clusions which our correspondent has reached.
John Bell as Understood, at the Sorrn.
Mr. B. R. Hill, one of the electois at large on
the Bell and Everett ticket in Tennessee, says :
"I repeat, we have four candidates in the)
field, and of these John Bell is the only caiuli-
dale who has always voted directly against tho
Wilmot Proviso and Squatter Sovereignty!
"John Bell is the only candidate who has vo
ted directly in favor of protection (of slavery.)
"John Bell is the only candidate who has
declared lhat Slavery was the great element of
our prosperity as a nation, and was right ac
cording to the laws of God and nature !
"John Bell is the only candidate who has
declared that humanity to the slave, no less
than justice to the master, required the diffu
sion and extension of Slavery.
' hat excuse shall a Southern man render
his conscience and his country lor refusing to.
vote ior Jonn uell V
We take it for granted that Mr. Hill knows
the views of his leader, and that he would not
misrepresent him. What excuse, then, can a
Northern man render for votins for a candi
date who is on the record in favor of Slavery
as "the great element of our prosperity as a
Nation," and belieyes it to be "right accor
ding to the laws of God and Nature ?"
DoraLAS and Clat. The Carrolton, Ken
tucky, Press, says that Stephen A. Douglas
made a speech in Carrolton ia 1844, in the
course of which, speaking of the Oregon boun
dary question and Mr. Clay's willingness to
compromise the dispute by accepting a lino
short of 54 deg. 40 min., said :
"1 denounced mm in the Congress of the
United States, and I now denounce him as
A TRAITOR AN OLD BLACK-HEARTED TRAITOR
the first American statesman whoever attempt
ed to sell his country for British gold !"
And this same Stephen A- Douglas, wno ut
tered this Tile slander, is the man whom the
old friends of Henry Clay are asked to support
for the high position of President!
The population of Erie City, according to
the census of I860, is 11,113 an increase of
6,257 since 1850 over 100 per cent.
Why is an overloaded gun like an ofEce hol
der? Because it kicks mightily when dis
charged.
The Michigan Farmer estimates tbo wheat
crop of that State, this year at 9,000,000 bash,
els. w ' "
i !
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