RIGHT OR WBOXa. WBKN BIGHT, TO BK KEPT RIGHT, WHEN WRONG, TO BE PUT BIGHT. EREXSIimU: TIIURSDAY::::::::::::::::JANUARY 30. Unholy Ambition. It is a fact which cannot be successful ly denied, that there has been and is a very serious defect in the working of our eocial system. This must be manifest to every intelligent person, who has given the subject the least consideration. It fails to extend the proper encouragement to men who are really competent and wor thy of official positions and honor, and in etead, it too frequently given renown and glory, as well as emolument and gain, to those who are crafty, unprincipled and depraved. Every man possesses more or lesb of ambition; with many it is of an hon orable cast, while with others it is quite the reverse. When, therefore, the defect mentioned shuts the door of Ambition's temple to the former class to those who would be good, and true, and useful and opens it wide to the latter, it is not, after all, so surprising, that reckless and un -scrupulous men will take advantage of the occasion, and in order that they may grat ify an unholy ambition and acquire dis tinction, will misuse their intelligence and energies in stirring up strifes, in shedding blood, in desolating fertile fields, and in bringing discontent and ruin upon a people who would otherwise be happy and prosperous. If, a few months since, the question had been propounded Who is J effer 80X Davis? a great many would have been able to answer that he was a United States Senator from Mississippi, and had been engaged in the war with Mexico, as an officer of the American Army. But a great many could not have answered tho question at all. Now, however, he is known to almost every man, woman and child in the country ; and not only so, but his name is familiar also to the peo ple of tho old world. And why ie this ? Is it because he has been a great, and goed, and virtuous man 1 Is it because he has performed any deeds of valor, of bravery, ot of heroism ? Is it because he has been peaceful, loyal and patriotic ? No' none of these. It is as the head and front of the Southern Rebellion, that he has made himself famous, and at tho game time infamous.. It is through Perjury, Piracy, Arson, Robbery, Rapine and Murdevt and not by fair and honorable means, that he would satisfy his ambitious spirit. It is as the emolument of a treason, with which that of Benedict Arnold sinks into insignif icance, that he has gained for himself a bad name which will be handed down to the latest ? posterity. And, so, too, of Beauregard. Though he had for years occupied a prominent position in the army of the United States, yet as wo had long been at peace, and his military services had not been called into play, he was comparatively but little knottn. But no sooner had he assumed command of the Secession forces at Charleston, than his name was in every uewspaper and in every one's mouth. In the sacrrfioe of the lives of loyal citizens, in the destruction of public and private property, and by the exhibition of cour age and other high military qualities, he seeks to gratify his ambition. lie doubt less hopes and expects that, by these means he will greatly increase his fame, and that the youth of the country will read of his exploits with as great an avid ity as they study the deeds of the most renowned conquerors tho world has ever seen. But we would fain hope that, how ever much they may read of him, none will be found desirous of emulating his career. Like Davis, his Rebel Chief, he has gained a bad eminence in a bid cause, and deserves only a bad end. But in order that we may furthor illus trate our idea, let us suppose that these two bad men, respectively possessing the same physical and intellectual powers, had been conscientious, having hearts filled with patriotism and humane feelings, and cherishing a desire to work, not for their own selfish purposes, but for the good of their country and the benefit of thrir fel low men, thr-y wouli then have regarded war as a dreadful necessity, and they wo'd havs shrunk back in horror from the bare idea of a Rebellion such as they them selves have helped to inaugurate. Instead of becoming the detested head of a bastard Confederacy, Davis might have devoted his time, talents and ener gies to building up and perpetuating our glorious Republic a government always kiud and indulgent, and to which he stood so much indebted. And instead of ma king war a trade, and engaging in fratri cidal slaughter, Beauregard might have employed himself in the more useful and more laudable occupation of enlightening and refining the minds and hearts of the rising generation ; and in cultivating the arts of Peace always better than those of War, and tending so materially to in crease the happiness and comfort of all. But Davis aud Beauregard were stung with mad and unholy ambition. As the benevolent do not often amass wealth, and the useful rarely acquire dis tinction, so these two bad men did not wish to spend their lives in struggling with the embarrassments that uselul men have always to encounter, and be rewar ded in the end with doubtful reputations or respectable obscurity. Here, then, is a serious defeat in our social system, aud to remove it should be the desire and stu dy of every right thinking man. When this accursed Rebellion is put down, and peace and prospeiity once more smile upon a united Republic, let us all endeavor to inspire tho youth of our country with an ambition of the right kind a desire to gain honorable distinction through honor able means. m m m Tlie "Dog taw" To the Editor of The Alleghanian : A great deal has recently been said and written relative to a law, passed at the last session of the Legislature, entitled "An Act to extend the provisions of an Act for the protection of Sheep and taxing of Dogs, in the couuty of Blair, to the coun ty of Cambria." In view of this fact, and as the member under whose auspices the act was passed, I desire also, with your permission, to say a few words in regard to it, through the columns of your paper. In reply to the abuse which has been heaped upon me, I will be brief. No mat ter what course he may pursue, it is simply impossible for a legislator to please every body. In matters purely of local concern, the best rule he can adopt is, to pass or endeavor to pass such bills as may be petitioned for, when he believes them to be right in themselves, and likely to prov beneficial to his constituents. If he ez islates in this wis, then, whether "his measures are popular or unpopular whether ho pleases or displeases he has at least the proud satisfaction of knowing that he endeavored to do his duty. I claim to have been governed by this rule, in securing the passage of the bill in ques tion, and if I erred, it was an error of the head certainly not of the heart. It is net my purpose to enter into any labored defence of the Blair county law, which has been so roughly assailed, and which, by the passage of the act of last session, it was intended to extend to Cam bria. I leave it to speak for itself, merely remarking that, such a law had been asked for, and upon a full examination of its provisions, I believed that, if extended and properly carried out, it could not tail to prove beneficial to our people. And while nothing has transpired since to change my opinion, yet it is a fact worthy of note, that some who were anxious for its passage, and who pronounced it a good law at first, suddenly turned round and joined in its wholesale denunciation. A transition so violent and sudden, can only bo satisfactorily explained, upon tho hy pothesis that such things are sometimes doue for the purposes of political capital. It cannot be denied that the "law" under consideration has its friends as well as its enemies; and in judging of them, the true criterion seems to bo this the law $ popular with thope engaged in, or in favor of, the business of raisins and keeping Sheep, while it is unpopular with those engaged in, or in favor of, the bus iness of raising and keeping Dogs. Nu merous weighty arguments have been urged against it by the. latter class a fair sample of which was pressed upon my attention but a few days since. It was this : u Tltere is not half enough of Dogs in the county, and lltere is too d d many Free &Jutols." Against the crushing forco of an argument like this, it will readily be seen that no other argument, however sound, solid or sophistical, could possibly prevail. But let me state a few facts connected with the passago of this "law," and the attempt made to enforce its provisions this law which it seems to b generally conceded is uu law at all. Knowing how sensitive men generally are in regard to the subject of taxation, it was only after I had received a number of letters and petitions earnestly requesting it, and when convinced that it would prove beneficial, and was desired by the people of the county, that I determined to secure the passago cf an act similar to the one in question. No bill havng Ween sent me, it devolved upon me to draw one myself, and while making preparations to that end, my attention was particularly called to a couple of bills which came up, on fi nal passage, ou the 12th of February. One of these was entitled "An Act to tax Dogs in the county of Erie," and the oth er was an act to extend the Blair county law to the county of Crawford. After examining both carefully, I concluded that the Blair county act was the better one, and believing its provisions in harmony with the wishes of those asking a similar enactment, I determined to adopt it. In the bill extending it to Crawford, there fore, I proposed at first to embrace Cam bria also, but did not do so for the reason that the bill had already passed the Sen ate, and tho member from Crawford was anxious to have it pass the House without amendment, in order that it might reoeive the Executive approval, and become a law as soon as possible. Uaving both passed the House, on the 12th of February, the Erie county bill was taken to the Senate ; and the Craw ford county bill was sent to the Governor, whose signature it received on the 27th of the same month. With this precedent before me, I drew up a bill extending the Blair county act to Cambria, which was read in place and presented to the House on the lstot March following. Knowing the member frm Crawford to be experi enced in matters ot legislation, and sup posing of course that he knew whether the Blair county act was in force or not, at the time his bill passed, I did not even think of making auy inquiry or examina tion in relation to it ; nor was it natural, under the circumstances, that I should do so. By the passage of the act extending it to Crawford county, both Houses, as well as tho Governor, had but a few days before recognized it as an existing law, and in the absence of any knowlodge or information to tho contrary, it would have been exercising more than ordinary pru dence to have looked further. On the 26th of March, my -bill passed the House, and it wa3, I believe, in the evening of the3ame day, that I first learn ed that the Blair county act had been re pealed. My informant, if. I mistake not, was the member .from Blair, who merely stated it as an impression. Having ex amined the matter, and found his state ment to be correct, the next morning, (March 27th), I went-to the Senate with a view of having the bill either indefinite ly postponed, or not called up at all. But Senator Hall, with whom I conversed in regard to it, informed me that it had already been passed. It was then quite too late in the ses sion to introduce another bill and secure its passage, or it is quite likely I should have done so. But regarding the one passed as being inoperative, I gave the matter no further thought, until informed one day, by the member from Erie, that the bill passed in relation to his county had been vetoed by. the Governor. In volving, as I thought, precisely the same principle of taxation, though not the same in detail, I supposed indeed that mine would share a similar fate. I was some what surprised, therefore, when on the 8th of May, in a Message announcing the approval of some three or four hundred bills, I found it two among the number. Here, then, was a law which, though regular enough on its face, was neverthe less very doubtful and defective in its character not to call it an absolute nul lity. Perfectly harmless in itself, and obligatory upon nobody, the attempt to enforce its provisions, after a knowledge f the facts, could only be viewed as a very delicate and hazardous experiment. . While therefore I have no desire to shirk any responsibility attaching to the passage of the bill, or which might or could have legitimately resulted from it, yet I wish it distinctly understood that I am in no way responsible for the effort recently made to carry its. provisions into effect. It was but a short time after the adjourn ment of the last Legislature, that I had a conversation with Abel Lloyd, Esq., (then one of the County Commissioners), in which I informed him that, although such an act had been pasced, yet for the reason already indicated, did not think it could be enforced. And he then assured me, that, even though it were a legal and val id enactment, the Commissioners would tako no action under it until they had first received au exemplified copy of the bill. Some tim afterwards, I had a second interview with Mr. Lloyd upon the sub ject, lie then informed me that the Board had received a copy of the Pam phlet Laws, aud had examined the act in question, and approved its provisions. But he added that, as I had suggested some doubts uhout its validity, and as the assess ments Jiad then all been made, and were partly distributed, tlwy tcould not act under thelaw until the following year and not then unless they were first satisfied it was all right and proper to do so. With this understanding I never thought of the matter again, until informed one day that a "Dog Tax" had actually been levied ; and then Mr. Lloyd assured me that it had been authorized during his absence from the sessions of the Board. Had the Commissioners pursued the course indicated by Mr. Lloyd, it would have given a year to the people of the county to consider and discuss the merits or demerits of the act ia question, and assuming it to be valid and legal they might, if they so desired, have secured its repeal by the present Legislature. If, on the other hand, the act is reality a nul lity, then it should have been treated ac cordingly. And thus, in either event, if its passage had done nobody any good, it would certainly have done nobody any harm. But they have undertaken to en force this law, after having ample notice of its doubtful character. If they are right in this, so be it ; but if they are wrong, then I submit that, under the cir cumstances, it would be unjust and un reasonable to hold me responsible for any unpleasant consequences resulting from their act. Respectfully, &o. A. C. Mullix. Ebensburg, Jan. 28, 1862. better From B2arrlg?urpr. ITabbisbcrg, Jany. 24, 18C2. Correspondence of The Alleghanian. " A few days ago I embraced the oppor tunity of a visit to the Executive and State Departments, in the former of which I had the pleasure of meeting his Excel lency, Governor Curtin, and having a cordial shake of the hand from him ; and, in the latter, of having a tete a tcte with that model officer and gentleman, Hon. Eli Slifer, the Secretary of the Com monwealth. Governor Curtin looks remarkably well, notwithstanding the fatigue and la bor incident to the performance of the onerous duties imposed upon him since the inauguration of the war. The Gov ernor is a plain, blunt man, who gives ut terance to his thoughts and convictions without any fear of consequences. I must confess, that I rather like this un disguised exposition of opinion, expres sed in unmistakeable Saxon. The Governor receives his visitors in the most courteous manner, giving to each, in his turn, an opportunity of ma king his wants known. All ceremony is dispensed with circumlocution is dis countenanced business, and nothing but business, secures his patient attention. The impressions made upon your corres pondent, at this interview of a few min utes, were such as to give birth to a high er appreciation of the character of Gover nor Curtin than he previously entertain ed. A determined will and the courage to execute are evidently prominent char acteristics of Pennsylvania's Executive. These traits are of the Jacksonian stamp, and are such as will always command the admiration of the People. While this is true, as relating to the great mass, it is no less a fact, that the distinguishing fea tures referred to are always sure to elicit the vindictiveness of such as becomo ene mies from disappointed expectations in "the wild hunt after ofHce aud official pa tronage." Governor Curtin can not ex pect to be an exception to a general rule. He has his enemies, like unto all other public servants, but an approving con science is a set-off for a world of slander and detraction. Hon. Eli Slifer is one whom to know is to esteem. He has been in public life for a number of years, filling the offices of Legislator, State Treasurer, and now Sec retary of the Commonwealth. The wri ter of this communication has known him intimately for a long time, and he can truthfully aver, that a truer man never lived. To be privileged to address such an one as Friend, is indeed an honor of which your humble servant feels proud. He only hopes that the time may arrive, when the opportunity will present itself of evincing hi3 appreciation of favors gener ously extended. The Legislature is gradually assuming the appearance of & working body. In a few days, questions will come up for dis cussion, "which will be of some interest to your readers. Thus far, the most impor tant proceedings have been those connec ted with contests for seats, with raising a committee to investigate the "alleged cor rupt influences in procuring the passage, by the last Legislature, of an act for the commutation of the tonnage duties," and also a committee to investigate the "State Military Contracts." Both of the Reso lutions for the appointment of these Com mittees are now before the House, and have already been discussed to some ex tent. If we may judge of the future by the past, very little good may be ezjected from these investigations. The fiot is very easily accounted for. "Pro bono publico," is not the motive which the in troducers of these resolutions havealways in view. Some of our law-makershave a remarkable penchant for beslimng the reputatious of their political foef while they are as blind as batg at noot-day to the merits of those who differ frm them in politics. The efforts of men fhose in centives are of this character fill meet with no favor. Before I indite my next cmriunica tion, something may present isolf in the way of Legislative news that will be of interest to the readers of " e Alleghanx- an. The old adage hast, "that you make a silk purse at of a sow's cannot make a si.fc purse ear," nor can you get up readable let ter for publication, whef you have not the material of -which to onstruet it. Hugo. latrIotn. True manliness is iiiortal. They may die in whom this quay was pre-eminent, but their lives becae mighty teachers and preachers for speeding generations. No sacrifice was ev vainly made. The path of human pp.ress, from dim anti quity down to th'day, is bounded and defined by ruinedtar-places. The fruit of sacrifice may H always ripen in the day and generat of him that sacrifices ; but the harvest as certain as the day is to follow the ut- Right action is not only self-perative, but cumulative in force and jBuence at each recurring period. Conscious right motives, men have joyfully asc$C(l the scaffold, and em braced the fike. The lot of these was cast in an fie of appalling gloom ; but how grand; luminous Uoes that age ap pear in thight of their example I But where is ? record of the false, the feeble, the timi.Qd the timeserving, who also lived in t age 't They withheld sacri fice, au have perished out of the mem ory ofJan- And such has, been, a3 it must li the fate of the weak and selfish in eve? age: It is just retribution. r, "A:.?.! G Avcpu- m'uii c-vn nuies. let ueve in the history of the nation, was suchA great reward promised to manly aCti;wVTp uLl eTta? that Wth; ers oked in lie laces of their sons, and sai"lf youlo well, you may aspire to nUlio rugae places in the nation ;"and to, their dauhters, "You may be the nrtbers of gators and Presidents." 'fc-day, they to their sons, "Go ! your Ountry wants fa-oes and to their daugh ers, "You &hibe the daughters, sisters, and wives ot ioes." Then, individual honors were bmised as tho reward of virtuous actio j now, heroic fame, won on the battle fil or in the deadly breach in defence of rional honor. A hundredhousand Pennsylvanians have taken tlu lives in their hands, and to-day menace son with blow for blow Twelve montlngo they took for them- selves more orra pride as "Ucpublicans" and "Demoon'3 and strove with canh i . - i .... other lor emp"opinion s sake." How is it now t 'Ir.Iiavo attained to better thin ags : they amore, and better natri- 7 , .,J , 1 , pain- : ana tnerre, brothers. Their old ots antagonisms! t laid aside, and their blood will niidlas it has already min gled, on manjield of strife. Shoulder to shoulder thjp forward to work out a lofty and ctrchensive purpose. As freemen, they buried the hatchet of past differeneeDd as patriots they have forgotten wher Is buried. Who, of all that remain at he, will have the hardi hood to distuite repose? "Will loyal Itcpubljcans 't J Will loyal Democrats? No. No manho puts national honor above the shd-Significance of names, will offer suoh insult to the men who peril their livmt' we may sit by our blazing bearthil security. Nouc but the weir wolverd hyenas of party will dare to belittle heroic ase with exhi bitions ct partisrejudice and passion. Pennsylvania feot a hundred thous and men into tlJd, but she has not ciuausieu ner stoi patriots. Enough remain to vindichcr honor and patri- otism at tho ballox, if they remember that "ETERNAL VANCE IS THE TRICE OF LIBERTY." J fW 5 Judging fro number and variety of poetical quotatiohat garnish tho col umns of the Dem. Mr each week, we are irresistably led to conclusion that our friend Diazard mu '.something iu the metrical composition jiimself, A poet-ass-ter, f rinstance, j H3Ve have alwdkrd dogs. D. a You seem to "taktjj them," that's a lati. especially m tatters of growliu turning wui, and baynho aieon. The President's VletrT Mr. W. A. CrofTut, in a letter t New York Tribune of Tuesday, iTe3 ' fallowing reportof a conversation let President Lincoln and Gen. Lane shows that the President U on the "contraband" question, and ft ac cuaugeu somewhat unle they have been misunderstood. MT n. fut says : " Crof. At the leave-taking of Gen T.. Laae at the White House 11 M.. a conversation fMvn.j y 1 and imnortant in it , arMc , UJ 4 Art r !.,.. i i . dently designed for the public eve t) l feel at liberty to record it for the rJ,! of the Tribune. read so tTi. c ?Je, that I There were presentat the time Preijeilt Lincoln, Gen. Lane,. Senator IW Commissioner Dole, a few membereof House and a group of officers and clerk! from the different departments of GotJt ment. "'ern. On turning to leave Gen. Lane nj "Mr. Lincoln, you know my Way t T ,' pursue the policy with which f W" and somebody may get hurt." To which the President replied "Yes, G cneral, I understand vou a r the only difference between you and is, thatou are willing to surrender fa? tives to loyal owners in case tier are wH ling to return ; while 1 do not M United States Government h arty r'UJU b alee thertx un in nnii m a.i :c fce People 'would not permit ,ie"erd ' it." erUtC Gen. Lane rejoined : "That remark, Mr. President, mafces tte happier than anything that has transpire! since the commencement of the war. And if you will announce that as the ac tive policy of the Administration, and U us win one victory on it, yon well lf the most popular mau ever on this coe; nent !" 3Ir. Lincoln returned a nod of cirttx acknowledgment, and another prominent omcer present asked : "I have been aching to ak von, Mr. President, why you do not, without asking' the consent of Congress, or anybody eW, acquire or set apart some ferritorj soma-' where in the South, and say to Jhenegrots mthe rebel States, "Here ! come out and Soover there, and we will protect yon in its possession and your own freedom." After some other general remajis, tl General and his friends withdrew. 66 HnilE UNION JL RIGHT OR WR0X6: UXIOS rLAXIXG MILL, The subscriber beprs leave to inform the Public that he ia prepared to furnish, oa short notice and on reasonnble ternK !: manner of WORKED LUMBER. SASIT A5i DOORS, and MOULDINGS. All work warranted to give entire natii&c tion, otherwise no charpe will be made. Orders from a distance solicited, and iW-l wuu promptness ana dispatch. ?KS! dumber Uken in exchange for orkeu Lumber. B. F. WILLIAMS Ebensburg, Jan. 30, l?G2-tf. T?IFTH ANNUAL REPORT a1 PROTECTION MUTUAL FIRE I.V?rRAE COMPANY OF CAMBRIA CoU.NTV. Amt. property insured as per fourth anuual report 1SC,?37 t Aiut. property insured since fourth annual report. 12.3t!5 Total amt. property insured, $1& J.3v2 a" Amt. premium notes in force as per fourth annual report, $19,1SC 71 Amt. premium notes taken since fourth annual report, 1.291 Total amt. premium notes In force. $ Jo,40 7J o. of Policies issued as perfourth annual report, No. of Policies issued 6ince fourth annual report, 1;3 :i Whole No. of Policies issued, TATEMENT SHOWING THE (U'hIU IH' OP THE COMPANY, AND ITS l'Kt1?Ef t ,7 i i . r Bal. in Treasury and in hands of agents, as per fourth auuual re- port, Amt. ree'd on premium notes since fourth annual report. W ft Amt. yet due on premium note?, f Amt. incidental expenses of past yr, $83 73 Amt. compensation of of ficers, agents, 4c, 78 70 Total assets of the Company, 5lV'jy At the annual meeting of the Com?an.r. held on the second Monday loth Ua.v January, 18G2, tho following named per were duly elected Directors lor the tusiS year Johnston Moore, John Lloyd, E. Shoemaker, Wm. Murray, John Ocise, Ilenrv Nuticr, Win. K. Hughes. Edward Roberts, John Thompson, A A. Darker, Isaac Crawford, John Williams. Aud at a meeting ot aid Board of I'M' January '' tors, held ISC2, the following officers were elected U the ensuing year : President John Williams. icc President Edward Roberts. Secretary and Treasurer A. C. J'"11"' General Agent A. A. Barker. Executive CommitteeJohn Thomi'Bon. Isaac Crawford, John Llo d. . ,. Agents A. A. Barker, Win. B. Hug,,f" Evan Roberts, Hcnrv Nutter. JOHN WILLIAMS, Preaidoni. A. C. MULL1N, Secretary. Ebensburg, Jau 23, lSG2.3t . NOTICE. rt All persons indebted to E. H. Br?B reiiuested to call and make settlements ipi diately. Otherwise their accounts h left with the proper anthor-tic for colU-f' ' Ebensburg, Sept. 2G. K. "
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers