das
BY S. B. ROW.
CLEARFIELD, PA., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1861.
VOL. 7.-NO.
OUB UNION BIGHT OB WBONO.
Ronse. hearts of Freedom's only homo, .
Hsrk to disunion's cry,
iDear liberty beneath her dome, ,
Proclaims that danger's nih ;
'Com, let your noble shout ring forth,
In trumpet voices strong :
"AVe know no South, we know do North,
Our Union right or wrong."
'The temple our brave Fathers made, ...
The wonder of the world,
Bhall they behold their sous dismay d '.''
When treason's flag's unfurled ;
Oh ! never, by the glorious stars
Which on our banner throng ;
House, sons of three victorious wars, ,
For Union right or wrong.
Our patriotic Father's shades,
With Washington on high.
Foint to their blood-anointed blades
And to their children cry,
House, freemen by your Father's soars,
On to the rescue throng ;
Defend our flag and sacred stars,
The Union right or wrong.
Sons of the press proclaim its worth
In telegraphic fire.
Bid young America stand forth
And emulate their sires;
Wake sirter States and hand in hand,
Round Freedom's Temple throng,
Come, about in one united Dand,
Our Union right or wrong.
. FAST-DAY SERMON.
' '" ' '. Ccrwensvillk, Jan. 5th, 1861.
Rev. J. M. Galloway: Dear Sir: In be
ball' of the audience that listened with pleas
lire to your sermon ol Friday evening Jan. 4th,
and that was deeply impressed with tbe im
nortance of the subject, and the solemnity
with which it was treated, we request you to
band a copy of it to the Raftsman's Journal
lor publication. lours respectfully,
Wm. Irvin, Daniel Faust,
Daniel Livingston, II. P. Thompson,
John McNaul, Henry Kerns,
E. A. Irvin.
Mb. Editor : -The discourse referred to In
this communication was delivered from brief
notes, and henco it is impossible to comply
fully with the request. I have however en
deavored to give tbe ideas, and to some extent
the language, condensmg4so as not to occupy
too much ot your paper at a time wnen impor
tant news are so abundant.
No doubt the' interest felt in the discourse
resulted from tbe importance of the subject,
In connection with tbe present condition of
our country. J. M. Galloway.
Ps. 127 : Utter clause of first verse :
"Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman
waketn but in vain."
The Lord God omnipotent reigneth."
This is the grand truth that has brought us to
gether this evening, that has brought multi
tudes of fellow citizens this day to the house
of prayer, and that brings this nation a sup
pliant to tbe mercy seat.
In the time of prosperity wo may forget
tins great truth, and rest in the wisdom of
man, and imagine that human hands can hold
the reins of civil government, and manage tbe
s Hairs of state. But it is not so when the
thick clouds of adversity gather over us, and
shut out tbe l'ght, when naught is seen but
(he angry flash, and nothing heard but the
deep muttering of the coming storm which
threatens to break with unrestrained and mad
dened lury upon ourJaeads. Then the wisdom
of man appears but folly, and the power of
man as weakness, and all eyes turn to God
for help.
It is not our business this evening, nor has
it been the business of the nation on this day
of our humiliation, to take counsel in refer
ence to tbe state policy by which the present
dangers may be avoided; nor yet to inquire
into the Immediate causes of our difficulties ;
but our object is to come before God, recog
nizing tbe truth expressed in the text, "Ex
cept the Lord keep the city, the watchman
waketh but in vain," and implore his merci
ful interposition in oar behalf.
The recognition of dependence on God in
the management of our national affairs is no
new thing in our history. Our lathers, who
framed the Constitution under which we have
njoyed so much prosperity, recognized that
-dependence as expressed in the words of in
spiration which immediately precede those we
would now impress on your minds. They felt
the truth of the declaration, "Except the Lord
build tbo bouse,they labor in vain that build it.'
After the Convention which framed tbe Con
stitution bad spent several weeks in fruitless la
bor, that profound philosopher and statesman,
lienj. Franklin, thus addressed that assembly :
'Mr. President : The small progress we
have mado after four or five weeks close at
tendance and continual reasoning with each
other, our different sentiments on almost eve
rt question, several of the last producing as
many noes as ayes, is, methinks, a melancho
ly proof of the imperfection of the human un
derstanding. We, indeed, seem to feel our
own want of political wisdom, since we have
been running all about in search of it. We
have gone back to ancient history for models
of government, and examined the different
forms of those republics, which, having been
originally formed with the seeds of their own
dissolution, now no longer exist ; and we have
viewed modern states all around Europe, but
and none of their constitutions suitable to
our circumstances. In this situation of the
Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to
find political truth, and scarce able to diatin
gniih it when presented to us, bow has it hap
pened, ir that we have not thought of apply
ing humbly to the Father of Light to illumi
nate our understandings ? In the beginning
j the contest with Britain, we were sensible
t r?.nSer we had daily prayers in this room
W" Divine protection. Our prayers, sir, were
eard, and they were graciously answered. All
i ns who were engaged in tbe struggle must
jTe beard frequent instances of a superinten
ds Providence in our favor. To that kind
rovidence we owe the happy opportunity of
onsulting in peace ou the means of establish
es" our future national felicity. And have we
forgotten that powerful I'riend 7 or do we
i 'gme we now no longer need his assistance 7
,.Ve lived, sir, a long time, and the longer
"e the more convincing proofs I see of this
. y1? tQat God governs in the affairs of men.
Cith 8Parrw cannot fall to the ground
wout his notice, is it probable that aq em
r can rise without bis aid 1 -We bare, been
u5t lT lD the Sacre4 wriUrt,?to "ex
tafw ord bu!Id tne norjse. tbey labor in
i th.at build it." I firmly believe this ; and
80 le,iere, that.without bi concurring aid,
we shall succeed in this political building no
better than the builders at Babel ; we shall be
divided by onr little, partial, local interests ;
onr projects will be confounded, and we our
selves shall become a reproach and a by-word
down to future ages. And what is worse, man
kind may hereafter from this unfortunate in
stance, despair of establishing government
by human wisdom, and leave it to chance,
war and conquest." :
At the close of this address this able states
man introduced a resolution providing that
prayers, imploring the assistance of Heaven,
and its blessing on their deliberations, should
be held in the assembly every morning before
proceeding to business. A youthful member
of the Convention objected to tbe motion, and
expressed his entire confidence in the wisdom
of the Convention and its ability to discharge
its duties without calling in foreign aid.
Washington, who was president of the Con
vention, gave him a look which closed his
lips, no one deigned to reply, and the resolu
tion was adopted without a dissenting voice.
The happy effects were soon felt ; animosities
subsided, and a spirit of mutual concession
and compromise pervaded the assembly, and
now we are enjoying the happy results.
Thus our political city, in which we have so
long dwelt in peace, was built under God's su
perintending providence ; and now it must be
preserved, if preserved at all, under the same
superintending care. We do now need God's
help. . We are surrounded with dangers of no
ordinary character, the full extent of which
we may not be able at present to estimate.
But it may be well to look for a moment at
some of the calamities that may come upon us,
if God does not interpose, and thus stir up our
hearts to greater earnestness in prayer for his
help.
We have, under the blessing of God, en
joyed a high degree of prosperity. Not only
has the nation increased with amazing rapidity
in power and influence among tbe other na
tions of the earth, but the happiness of the cit
izens has also kept pace with our national
prosperity. Tbe star-spangled banner protects
them abroad in every civilized nation, and tbe
constitution shields them at home. But now
it is threatened that this honored banner shall
be torn down, and that this constitution, tbe
shield of our safety, shall be cast away. And
wbo can predict the results of such suicidal
conduct 7 It is not to be concealed that the
dissolution of this government may lead to a
civil war of tbe most disastrous character.
The patriot cannot contemplate such an event
without dismay. His very heart sickens at
tbe prospect. lie sees a father's hands reek
ing with a brother's blood ; happy families des
olated, and national prosperity destroyed. It
was . said of old, "When Greek meets Greek
then comes the tug ot war." But American
citizens, whether inhabiting tbe North or the
South, the East or the West, are as brave and
determined as were the Greeks, aud if once
fully involved in bloody strife, it would be of
a fearful character.
But tbe Christian, from bis more elevated
stand-point, sees a still more widely spread
devastation. The great interests of God's
church are deeply involved in the weal or woe
of this nation. We know, indeed, that God
will take care of his church, yet if we defile
her with our sins, lie may find it necessary to
lead her through fire and blood for her purifi
cation. O! how many precious interests of
this sin-stricken world are wrapt up in tbe
the continued prosperty of God's Zion in
this hitherto prosperous land, and consequently
in the preservation of the unity of this nation.
If a statesman dreaded the effects, on man
kind, of discord in the Convention that fram
ed our national Constitution, how much more
should we fear the evil that must result to
prosperity from tbe dissolution of this great
Republic, and tbe civil war that may attend
it 7 But suppose the dissolution accomplish
ed peacefully, and seperate governments for
the North, and for the South fully inaugura
ted, still it would result in maoy and serious
disadvantages. Each government would re
quire all the machinery that now belongs to
tbe one. There must be officers at home, and
ambassadors abroad, there must be navies and
armies, and in all probability these armies
would increase in magnitude, because of the
contiguity of tbe two nations, till they would
compare with those which are now a crashing
weight upon the inhabitants of the old world.
All this might be acceptable to demagogues
who are seeking office, but not to the people
wbo must bear the burden and wbo even now
sometimes complain of heavy taxation. And
after all there would be no guarantee for tbe
continuance of peace. Causes ol war might
spring up suddenly and involve us in all its
horrors. We know not what we do when we
suffer the bonds of brotherly love to be dis
solved, and feelings of hostility to increase
and deepen in our hearts. We act the part
of madmen when we disregard our constitu
tional obligations, and talk of disunion and
war. We should study those things which
make for peace, and send up our united pray
ers to God for his help. Thus far the counsels
of men give no promise of deliverance from
the impending danger. The wisdom of our
rulers aud legislators is at fault ; tbey are di
vided in counsel and undecided in action,
whilst the people look on in amazement. To
whom then should we go in this hour of our
extremity but to God 7 Unless he interposes,
we verily believe, the rulers and wise men of
tbe nation will watch in vain. Some believe
that even now we are past help, that the fate
of the nation is sealed.
We cannot tell what God may do. He suf
fered his people Israel to divide, and war to
gether, till tbe ten tribes lost their nationality,
and be may punish us with division. But it
he sees good to interpose it is not too late.
It is dishonorable to God to doubt his ability,
and if we doubt we cannot ask in faith. We
must banish the thought. Man's extremity is
never so great that God cannot help him. It
was not too late to help the Israelites at tbe
Red Sea. it was not too late to save Jonah
though ; emboweled in the fish, and buried in
the waters ot the mighty deep ; it was not too
late to save Nineveh when the inhabitants pros
trated themselves in the dust, though the di
vine iudzment was but forty days distant; it
was not too late for the Saviour to bring glad
ness to the sorrowine heart of the widow of
Nain, thoqgh.ahe was following to the silent
honse t,he, 1eles.s remains or ner oniy son.
He. but touched the bier and said, "Young
man, I say unto thee, arise," and the dead
sat up.and tbe widow's heart was filled with joy.
In view of sucb gracious interpositions, can
we distrust God, or say that it is now too late
for him to save this nation 7 God docs caro
for the interests of thirty millions of people ;
be does regard the prosperity of his own
church ; he has a respect for the future inter
ests of the world, and wo cannot but feel that
all these are deeply involved in the future of
this nation. Here is a'cause worthy of the Di
vine interposition, and certainly worthy of
our earnest prayers.
But it may be said that in most of the cases
referred to there was' a miraculous interposi
tion, such as we are not authorized to expect.
This is all true. But a miracle is not neces
sary for our preservation. The impending ca
lamity is not of such a character as to require
the suspension of any law of nature in order
that it may be averted. It does not arise from
any cause beyond the reach of men, were they
only willing to reach it. The sins of the na
tion are no doubt, with God, the procuring
canse of our trouble; but men, whose inter
ests are involved, are the immediate cause ;
and so soon as they shall be brought to act In
accordance with sound sense and true patriot
ism, the danger will bo removed. But tbe
hearts of all are in the hand of the Lord, as
the rivers of water ; he tnrneth them whither
soever he will. How completely, then, is this
whole matter at his disposal ; and if we con
fess our sins and forsake them, how confident
ly may we expect that be will interpose, fie
can calm the storm of passion, renew the feel
ings of brotherly love, inflame the soul with
an ardent patriotism, and by bis wisdom illu
mine a, pathway out of these troubles, which
all will gladly follow.
Believing in the Divine sufficiency, and en
couraged by a knowledge of his mercy, we
bring the distracted condition of our country
to God in bur prayers. Tbe preservation of
our Union is the great burden of our desire,
and lor this we would pray most earnestly.
But if God may not grant this our request,
then let us seek to be .delivered from the guilt
and calamities of civil war; let us entreat tbe
Lord that be may torn away his sore judg
ments, and not pour out upon us tbo vials of
his wrath.
But we must do more than pray. There is
a cause for onr trouble. We were in the full
tide of prosperity ; the bountiful hand of Prov
idence had blessed us with an abundant supply
of the comforts of life; no pestilence swept
through our bappy land ; ho invading host
threatened our shoies or disturbed our peace,
and yet we are suddenly brought to the verge
ot ruin 7 And why 7 Is it a chance that has
happened to us 7 Ol no. The hand of Prov
dence is here, and that hand is never stretch
ed out but for good cause.
Our. national and individual sins are, no
doubt, the procuring cause of our dangers ;
and if we would escape from these dangers,
we must strive to have tbe cause removed.
We must bumble ourselves truly before God,
confess our sins, and implore bis forgiveness.
Whilst the Divine blessing has made us a pros
perous nation, our own hearts have waxed
proud, and our speech has become boastful ;
we have said, Is not this great nation built by
our power, and preserved by our wisdom 7 We
have forgotten our obligations to God, and our
dependence upon him, and iu our eager pursuit
of worldly gain, we have sacrificed Bible prin
ciples and neglected solemn duties.
But the Lord our God is merciful, and this
is our hope. We know that "if we confess
our sins, lie is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unright
eousness." Humbly confessing our sins be
fore God, let us also cultivate love to our
brethren, and refrain from all hard speeches
which tend to wrath and strife ; let us culti
vate the spirit of conciliation, and be ready to
make such concessions as can bo made with
out sacrificing truth and righteousness. These
are not ours. Tbey are of God, and have been
maintained in times past at the expense of
much blood, and we now dare not give them
up. But whatever other concessions tbe exi
gency of the case may require we should be
ready to make with a hearty good will.
Thus occupying the attitude of conciliation,
let us intercede with God for our beloved
country, not only at this time, but all the
time, not only in our public prayers, but in
our family and individual devotions, that he
may tnrn away his wrath, and preserve the
peace and unity of the nation.
THE VOICE OF HENRY CLAY.
During the debate in the Senate in 1850, on
the "Compromise Measures" of that year, Mr.
Dawson, of Georgia, declared that the contin
gency had arrived which compelled the call
ing of a convention in his State to provide for
the extreme remedy of disunion. Henry Clay
followed him, and in the course of his re
marks, expressed himself thus pointedly:
Now, Mr. President, I stand here in my
place, meaning to be unawed by any threats,
whether they come from individuals or from
States. I should deplore, as much as any man
living or dead, that arms should be raised
against the authority of the Union, either by
individuals or by States. But after all that
has occurred, if any one State, or a portion of
the people of any State, choose to place them
selves in military array against the govern
ment of the Union, I am for trying the
strength of tbe government. Applause in
the galleries. I am for ascertaining whether
we have a government or not practical, effi
cient, capable of maintaining its autborirty,
and of upholding tbo powers and interests
which belong to a government. Nor, sir, am
I to be alarmed or dissuaded from any such
course by intimations of the spilling of blood.
If blood is to be spilt, by whoso fault is it 7
Upon the supposition, I maintain it will be
the fault of those who choose to raise the
standard of disunion, and endeavor to pros
trate tbe government ; and, sir, when that is
(lone, so long as God pleases to give me a voice
to express ray sentiments, or an arm, weak
and enfeebled as it may be by age, that voice
and that arm will be on the side of my coun
try for the support of the general authority,
and for the maintenance of the powers of this
Union. Applause in the galleries.
Lbt 'em Dissolute. In a New York omni
bus, the other day, a political discussion, rath
er grave in its ton, was turned into fun by
the remark of an old man who had been listen
ing in.silence for a quarter of an hour. "They
talk," said he, "about dissolution ; for my
part, I say, let 'em dissolute let's alt disso
lute y A general laugh, ensued.
Schuylkill' lias 7,870 residents less than
Berks, but has 512 more dwelliogs.
Tbe real estate of Philadelphia is assessed
this year ai $106,772,738.
CATACOMBS OF PALEBMO.
In a late number of the Independent, Geo.
Allen Butler thus describes one of the strange
sights at Palermo, the Sicilian city which has
just come Into the possession of the victorious
legions of Garibaldi :
"The strangest of all the strange sights at
Palermo are the catacombs of the Capuchins.
We are all familiar with the character of the
Roman andNeapolitan catacombs,underground
excavations, remarkable for their great extent,
and for their associations with the history of
the early Church. The Palermo catacombs
have a frightful peculiarity of their own. You
descend from the little cburch, just outside the
walls, not into deep, subterranean passages,
but Into a succession of vaults, well lighted,
and of no greater depth than an ordinary cel
lar. These vaults are long and narrow corri
dors, on either side of which, in niches cut
out of the wall, ranging in ghastly ranks, are
preserved the bodies of the dead, not confined
out of sight, but each in the garb appropriate
to it while living, or else in a long robe or
winding sheet. Below these niches are wood
en coffins, with windows at the sides to show
the faces of the eccupants. Overhead, near
the ceiling, are skeletons of children sitting,
or of men reclining ; all perfectly preserved,
some with the skins still covering the bones,
others having nothing left but skull, and
shoulders, and hip bones, with the arms in
front, piously crossed. Some peculiarity of
the soil prevents the ordinary decomposition,
and men buried nearly two hundred years ago
still survive in this skeleton company. Strange
to say, they are not permitted to rest in peace.
On the 3d of November in every year, the
jour des morls, or fostival of the dead, their
relatives flock to this dismal place, the well
known mummies are taken out of their glazed
coffins and dressed in gala costume. They
number not less than six thousand in all; and
I know of nothing more tearful than for a
living man to find himself, as I did, unexpec
tedly among this army of dry bones.
"The most horrible feature of the whole ex
hibition is, that nearly every face wears in its
fossil decay and ruin a dreadfully ludicrous
and comic gaze, and as they look down upon
you, seem to have a sort of a grim vitality Of
their own, and through the entire array it seems
as if there was a dumb intelligence a mute
correspondence and sympathy in the sinis
ter and almost wicked way in which they re
turn the curious stare ot the intruders. Yet
you cannot help staring in spite of all this,
and the eye wanders from one group to an
other, with a strange and morbid fascination.
'Some are large-limbed,thick-sknlled, com
placent in their successful preservation ; oth
ers, with worn and weary looks, as if tired of
such stiff, calcareous companionship ; others,
who seemed to have twisted and wriggled their
joints loose, must stand perpetually still,- or
fall to pieces ; others, with their ruined heads
hung down, as if in contemplation of their
ended earthly life; and others, indifferent and
idle, some indignant, like the ghosts that
Dante saw in hell, with scowls and grins sar
castic all silent, sepulchral, almost infernal.
"One such sight is sufficient for a life-time.
As I write, I recall those spectral forms with
a thrill ot horror the monks and priests in
scarlet and black, the children in full holiday
garb, and the women, most hideous of all, in
capes, and shawls, and satins."
Gen. Jackson's Will. In June, 1843, Gen.
Jackson, in his retirement at the Hermitage,
wrote bis will with his own band. In it, a
mong other bequests, are two which ought at
this time to be published for present reading.
Tbe sentiments therein expressed, in this sol
emn document, evince more than Roman pa
triotism, and should sink deep into the hearts
of the people. Here is the literal language of
the illustrious dead :
'Seventh. I bequeath to my beloved neph
ew, Andrew J. Donelson, son of Samuel Don
elson, deceased, the elegant sword presented
to me by tbe State of Tennessee, with this in
junction : That be fail not to use it when ne
cessary in support and protection of our glorious
Union, and for the protection of the constitutional
rights of onr beloved country, should they be as
sailed by foreign enemies or domestic traitors.
- "Eighth. To my grand-nephew, Andrew
Jackson Coffee, I bequeath tbe elegant sword
presented to me by tbe rifle company of New
Orleans, commanded by Captain Boale, as a
memento of my regard, and to bring to his re
collection the gallant services of bis deceased
father, Gen. John Coffee, in the late Indian
and British war, under my command, and his
gallant conduct in defence of New Orleans
in 1814-15, with this injunction: That he wield
it in tbe protection of the rights secured to
tbe American citizen under our glorious Con
stitution against all invaders, whether foreign
foes, Or INTESTINE TRAITORS."
The Northern Poor. Whilst the South is
upon the verge of starvation, servile insurrec
tion and civil war, its public men are stuffing
tbe ignorant masses with the idea that the work
iug men of tbo North are penniless, without
work and upon the brink ol an open outbreak,
demanding bread or blood. In answer to this
silly expectation, so fondly cherished by the
Southern press, the New York Times shows
that tbe Massachusetts Saving Banks have on
bands, deposited by working men, the sum of
$46,120,579 ; those of Connecticut have $18,
466,273, and New England, taken altogether,
$135,446,576. Add New York and Pennsyl
vania to New England and the working men
of those States can undoubtedly . produce,
from their own resourses, at ten days notice,
twice as much money as all tbe Southern States,
in the event of sccession,could raise in a year by
taxation, or borrow in the markets of the world.
Wm. II. Russel, connected with tbe Wash
ington embezzlement, is a Vermonter, a great
stage man, and hitherto considered a Napo
leon among financiers. He is President of
the Central overland mail, which runs also the
pony express, and a partner in several firms,
one of which is the Russel, Majors & Waddell,
under whose contract to carry Utah army sup
plies these frauds have been perpetrated. He
resides in Leavenworth, where he is President
of the only bank of issue in tbe Territory.
His property is said to be immense, but is so
shattered and may be so involved that it is
doubtful if Government realizes anything from
attaching it, although the attempt will be made.
It is said that the editor of The Charleston
Mercury, wbo writes its fierce disunion arti
cles, is one Gordon, a native of Massachusetts,
who has been in the South bnt two or three
years. ; . ; - . , '-;
ADDBESS OF 607. HICKS.
His Execllency, Thomas H. Hicks, Govern
or of Maryland, has issued an address to the
citizens of that State, giving his reasons for
refusing to convene the Legislature. It a
bounds in the most emphatic Union sentiments.
The following are extracts .
"1 1 irmlv believe that a division of this gov
ernment would inevitably produce civil war.
Tbe secession leaders in South Carolina, and
the fanatical demagogues of the North, have
alike proclaimed that such would be the re
sult, and no man of sense, in my opinion, can
question it. What could the Legislature do
in this crisis, if convened, to remove tbe pres
ent troubles which beset tbe Union 7 We are
told by the leading spirits ot the South Caro
lina Convention, that neither tbe election of
Mr. Lincoln nor the non-execution of the Fu
gitive Slave Law, nor both combined, consti
tute their grievances. They declare that the
real cause of their discontent dates as far back
as 1833. Maryland, and every other State in
the Union, with a united voice, then declared
the cause insufficient to justify the course of
South Carolina. Can it be that this people,
who then unanimously supported the cause of
Gen. Jackson, will now yield their opinions
at the bidding of modern secessionists. I
have been told that the position of Maryland
should be defined, so that both sections could
understand it. Do any really understand her
position 7 Who that wishes to understand it
csn fail to do so 7 If the action of the legis
lature would be simply to declare that Mary
land is with the South in sympathy and feeling ;
that she demands from the North the repeal
of offensive, unconstitutional statutes, and ap
peals to it for new guarantees ; that she will
wait reasonable time for the North to purge
berstatute books and todo justiec to-her South
ern brethern, and if her appeals are vain, will
make cummon cause with her sister border
States in resistance to tyranny if need be, it
would on'y be saying what the country well
knows, and what may be said much more ef
fectually by her people themselves in their
meetings than by the Legislature chosen eigh
teen months since, when none of these ques
tions were before them. That Marylind is a
conservative Southern State, all know who
know anything about her history. The busi
ness and agricultural classes planters, mer
chants, mechanics, and laboring men those
who have a real stake in the community, who
would be forced to pay taxes and do the fight
ing, are the persons who should be heard in
preference to ezcited politicians, many of
whom, having nothing to lose from the destruc
tion of the government, may hope to derive
some gain from the ruin of the State. Such
men will naturally urge you to pull down the pil
lars of this "accursed Union," which their al
lies at the North have denominated a "cove
nant with helL" f' i : . , .
"In the course of nature, I cannot have
long to live, and I fervently trust to be allow
ed to end my days a citizen of this glorious
Union. ; But, should 1 be compelled to witness
the downfall of that Government inheiited
from our fathers, established, as it were, by
the special favor of God, I will at least have
the consolation, at my dying hour, that I
neither by wordnor deed assisted in hasten
ing its disruption."
A BICH CHINAMAN.
A letter from Canton, of the 11th April, in
the Gazette de Fiance, says :
1 "I lately visited the estate of a Chinese
merchant of Canton, named Portingua, and on
which he spends 3,000,000 fr. a year an im
mense sum in a country where labor is to be
had almost lor nothing. The property is lar
ger than a king's domain. This Chinaman
made bis fortune in the opium trade, and is
said to possess more than 100,000,000 fr. He
has fifty wives and eighty domestics, without
counting thirty gardeners, laborers, &c, and
owns in the north of China a still finer estate.
He has a great liking for the French, and re
ceives them well. When I went with two
friends to visit bis mansion, he had just left,
but I was received by a steward, who conduc
ted us over tbe house and grounds. In front
of the house is a vast garden, in which are the
tarest flowers, and a wide alley leads to the
principal entrance. The apartments are vast,
the floors being in marble ; they are ornamen
ted with columns of the same material and of
sandal-wood, encrusted with mother-o'-pearl,
gold, silver, and precious stones. Splendid
looking-glasses of a prodigious height, furni
ture in precious wood covered with Japan lac
quer, and magnificent carpets of velvet and
silk decorate the rooms. The apartments are
separated from each other by movable parti
tions of cypress and sandal wood, which are
ornamented with charming designs cut right
through the wood, so as to permit one room to
be seen from the other. From the ceilings
are suspended chandeliers ornamented with
precious stones. There are more than thirty
piles of building in the whole edifice, which
are united by covered galleries, with columns
and pavements in marble. The lodgings of
tbe women are decorated with more than East
ern splendor. An entire army might be lodg
ed in the house and grounds. Water-courses,
on wbiqh are gilded junks, traverse them in
all directions ; and at intervals are vast basins,
In which are swans, ibises, and an infinite va
riety of birds. There are also pagodas, nine
stories high, which are very remarkabie ; some
are in marble, others in sandal-wood, carved
with great art. In tbe gardens are extensive
aviaries of the rarest and most beautiful birds.
In front of tbe women's apartments is a thea
tre, in which a hundred actors can perform,
and so placed that people in the apartments
can see without difficulty. Near the outer
door is a printing office, in which M. Portingua
causes the memoirs of bis family to be prepar
ed for posterity."
A new method of amusement has been a
dopted in Paris. Fashionablo people, who do
not find private theatricals, or private con
certs, suiting to their tastes, given Private
Sermons. A pulpit is erected in the drawing
room, and the hostess takes a great deal of
pains to secure a popular and eloquent preach
er. Great exertions are made that they are
not outdone by their neighbors in the matter
ot eloquence. Of course it is not to be sup
posed that thess services are open to tbe pub
lic, but especial cards of invitation are issued
to the matinee religieuse, with careful attention
to the quality of the guests invited.
The common opinion is, that we should take
good care of children at all seasons of tbe
year, buMt isJ well enough in winter to let
them slide. . . .
FB0M THE NATIONAL CAPITOL.
MAJOR ANDERSON SUSTAINED.
Washington City, Jan. 7, 1861. The Houso
of Representatives adopted the following reso
lution, offered by Mr. Adrain, of New Jersey :
Resolved, That we fully approve of the bold
and patriotic act ot Major Anderson in with
drawing from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter,
and the determination of the President to
maintain that fearless officer in his present
condition and we will support the President
in all constitutional measures to enforce the
laws and preserve the Union.
The resolution Was adopted by a vote of 121
yeas to 56 nays all the Republicans, a major
ity of the Democratic Representatives of tho
North, and several manly and patriotic mem
bers from Southern States voting for it. A
few Northern doughfaevs voted with the South
ern extremists against it.
mr. Lincoln's cabinet.
Messrs. Seward of N. Y., Bates ot Missouri,
Cameron of Pennsylvania, Wellos of Connec
ticut, and Smith of , have been invited to
seats in Mr. Lincoln's cabinet. Mr. Cameron
will probably go into tho Treasury or War De
partment. Although the foregoing cast is ac
tually made tip, it is not irrevocably so. Tho
two Southern appointments will be kept
open until Mr. Lincoln reaches Washington.
William A. Graham, of North Carolina, has
been mentioned in connection with the De
partment ot the Interior.
A SOLDIER FROM CHARLESTON.
A sergeant, who was left at Fort Moultrio
after Maj. Anderson transferred his command,
has arrived in Washington-. When be went up
to Charleston from Sullivan' Island, he was
promptly arrested and taker tefore a magis
trate. As no complaint could be lodged a
gainst him, he was released, but admonished to
leave the city. He mado several attempts to
reach Fort Sumter, but the surveillance was too
peif. ct.and no communication is permitted ex
cept under the orders of the new authorities.
TUE FLORIDA NAVAE STATIONS.
The important post of Pensacola, Florida,
is now well guarded. There is one company
of infantry, with two vessels of war, at that
station. Key West, also another highly im
portant station, with one of the finest harbors
in the world, and holding the key of tbe Gulf
of Mexico, is occupied by a sufficient force to
protect it against any attack the revolutionists
can in.iko upon it. Hampton Roads is like
wise in a secure position.
RESIGNATION OF MR. THOMPSON.
Washington, Jan. 8. Mr. Thompson, of
Miss., this day resigned to" tbe President his
commission as Secretary of the Interior, on
the ground that after the order to reinforce
Maj. Anderson was commanded or. Dec. 31st,
there was a distinct understanding that no
troops shonld bo ordered to the South without
the subject being considered and decided in
the Cabinet, and yet the Secretary of War,'
without his (Thompson's) knowledge, had sent
250 men, in the Star of life West, to rein-;
force Major Anderson.
SOPTH CAROLINA r'05T OFFICES.
Returns are daily received at tho proper of
fice in Washington, from the South Carolina
postmasters, showing that the business is pro
gressing as heretofore, including the honor
ing of contractors orders for pay, and the pur
chase of postage stamps.
. .. '
Sir. Isaac V. Fowler, late Postmaster of tbe
City r New-York, is flow A resident of the
City of Mexico. He left the island of Cuba
some three months ago, where he had resided
as an extraditionists and a fugitive from tho
laws of the United States ; and a lriend in
forms us that, when last Heard from, he com-'
plained of injustice and Ingratitude of lalso
friends, who had fattened on bis bounty and
participated in the speculations into which ho
had been forced. The gentleman who furnish- "
ed the information we refer to says that Mr.
Fowler was in a state of utter destitution, and
that all his worldly gear consisted of a seedy
suit of clothes, a trunk; a very small sum of
money and an old commission acknowledging
him to be a Grand Sachem of the Tammany
Society. He denied that he had received any.
contributions from the friends he had lormer
ly served, and repudiated any present connec
tion with them. He acknowledged bis mani
fold follies and regretted that he had not re
mained at home to meet the consequences in
cident to his imprudent action.
.jUi-.
The Duke of Malakofl is to have $100,000 n
year as Governor of Algeria, which, added to
his salary ns Marshal, Senator, Member of the
Council of Regency; and Duke, constitute an
income from the State Treasury of $162,000 a
year. But tbe Duke can't obtain the consent
of bis yonng wife to accompany him in his
Algerine exile, and s'he is fitting up the hand
some residence in. the Avenue Montaigne,
given her by the Empress at the time of her
marriage, as a permanent residence during the
Governor's absence. The Governor was com
plaining a few days ago to the Emperor that
he could not induce, his wife to go with him to
Algiers, when his Majesty said to him, laugh
ingly, "That'j it ; you can take Sevastopol,
Duke, but you can't conquer a woman !"
In East Boston, recently, a dying maiden of
twenty was married to her betrothed. Before
her dissolution she said that she had only on'
earthly wish ungrati fled she desired to be u
nited to him who had loved her so long and.
truly, and the hope of being bis in Heaven.
He could deny her nothing he'raarried death !
Bolstered up by pillows, and supported in th
embrace of her m,'6'ther, she was united to her
lover. Her feeble voice was hardly andibla
in responding to the questions of the marriage
ceremony. She was his, and said she would
die without regret. From then until she pass-
ed .away, she was unable to speak above a
whisper.
Core for Dipthlbia. A lady of Port By
ron, Cayuga county, N. Y., has cured six
children (five of them her own") of diptheria,'
by the following remedy : When the symp
toms are first discovered, take Spanish flies,'
pound and mix them with Venice turpentine,
spread it on a piece of soft cloth and bind it
on the throat,which will raise a blister, and
soon remove tbe disease from the. throat. '
. A Southern editor, some years ago, in at
tempting to compliment General Pillow as q
"battle scarred veteran," was made by the
types to call him a "battle scared veteran."
In the next issue the mistake was so far cor
rected as to style him a bottle scarred veteran.
From 1800 to 1860, tfcere were ,3,210 earth
quakes, so tar as is known. " '
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