THE ASSASSINATION.
Hanging of Mrs. Surratt, Payne, Har
rold and Atzerott.
They arc Executed Simultaneously.
LAST HOURS OFTHE CONDEMNED
SCENES AT THE SCAFFOLD.
WASHINGTON, J uly 7, 1885.
Tile curtain has fallen on the last act
of the great conspiracy drama, and Mrs.
Surratt, Payne. Harrold and Atzerodt, the
unfortunate victims of the arch assassin
Booth, havo gone to their reward. If
even the most charitable concede to the
authors of such heinous crimes the pardon
of a forgiving Heaven.
General Hancock was badly besi ged
last night and this forenoon for cards cf
admission, but adhered to his purpose
to admit those who desired to be present
as a matter of business instead of curios
ity. In conseqnencc the assemblage in
side the walls of the jail-yard was not
large, being composed of a detachment of
the Ist regiment of Hancock s Corps, se
lected to act as guard on tho occasion, I
representatives of the press and a few 1
other citizens to whom the privilege of 1
beingpresent had been specially accorded.
For a long time previous to the execu
tion, sobs, moans and cries were heard is- ,
suing from the grated window fronting the I
jail-ynrd to the south, which attracted a
largo group of the reportial corps, who j
were assiduously engaged in noting down
every trifling circumstance coming under
their limited observation.
To the north of the corridor in a cell.
Atzerodt in conversation with his formor
mistress, could be distinctly seen, lie 1
frequently used his handkerchief to re
move the perspiration from his face, and
occasionally sobbed quietly, as she ad
dressed him, apparently iti a feeling man
ner. None of the other prisoners were
visible.
In the main bail or corridor slowly
strode a number of military officers, among
whom the fine figure of Gen. Hancock
appeared at intervals, going to and from
the cells of the condemned, or giving
necessary instructions to his officers.
The cries issuing from the cells were
those of the sisters of Ilarrold and the
daughter of Mrs. Surratt, whose grief was
naturally enough affecting nnd uncon
trollable.
Thus passed the interval from 10 till 2
p. m., the sentries in the meantime slowly
pacing their beats in a thoughtful mood,
as if they dreaded the awful scene soon
to be enacted and would feci relieved as
soon as it was over; the blue coats ou the
walls looking down silently upon the scaf
fold below and every one exhibiting the
greatest decorum and seeming to l>e duly
impressed with the overawing solemnity
of the occasion.
From the cupola of a detached build
ing a large crowd looked down into the
jail-yard, while Gardiner, the photograph
ist, with his instruments posted in the old
shoe shop building, was industriously en
gaged in preparations for obtaining nu
merous views ofi the group about to ap
pear on the scaffold.
At ten minutes to 1 o'clock, Hancock
personally posted the sentries around the
scaffold, and the outer guard were ordered
to come to "attention," preparatory to the
appearance of the prisoners.
At preuisely 1 o'clock, Gen. Ilartranft
and Staff emerged from the I'rison, and
in a jnoment after were followed by the
condemned.
Mrs. Surrat came first, dressed in black,
supported on either side by an officer,
and followed by her spiritual advisers,
Fathers Walter and Wigct of the Catho
lic Church. She wore a black bonnet
and vail as on the trial, nnd had to bo al
most entirely supported by the officers
attending her.
Next came Atzcrodt, also necessarily
supported by a soldier on either side, and
dressed about as lie was on the trial, and
bare-headed. He was attended by his
spiritual advisers, the llev. l>r. Butler,of
the Lutheran Church, and the llev Mr.
Winchester, Chaplaiu of Douglas Hospi
tal.
Then camo Harrold, drcsseij in his or
dinary prison clothes, with a slouch cloth
hat on, the brim being turned down. He.
too, was much prostrated and had to be
supported by a soldier on either side. He
was followed by the Rev. Dr. Olds of
Christ Church, Navy Yard, and the liev.
>fr. Vaux, Chaplain United States Army.
Payne "a lone came bold and erect, with
out any support, a guard walking on ei
ther side of him. lie was dressed in a
blue shirt and pants, with a rather jaun
ty straw hat on, and was followed hy his
spiritual advisers, the Rev. l)r. Ciiilette
of tho Thirtecnth-st. Raptist Church,
aud other atieudauts.
Payne aleae of the prisoners ascended
the scaffold without tlie support of his
attendants. Four wooden 1 hairs had
been placed there for the reception of the
prisonorß, and they wore seated as fol
lows. facing West: Mrs. Surratt, on tltc
North next to the prison; Payne sat
.next j HtrrplS next, and Atzerodt next;
Mrs. Surratt and Payne opposite one drop,
and Hnrrold and Atzerodt opposite the
other, the five-eighths nianilla rope, with
its ominous noose, dangling before each
respectively, the iiypaus reaching to with
in an-average of eighteen inches from the
floor.
On the prisoners being seated, or rath
er siulciug ihto their chairs, the iindin"
and wmtence of the Military Commis
sion, as approved by the President aud
already published, »as read iu a clear,
calm voipe by Major "General Hartranft,
standing iu the middle of the platform.
The uppearauce of the prisonors as they
sat -there in a row facing the West, and
tho crowd aud Gardner's photographic
instruments peering from the upper win
dows of au opposite building, and the
ropes swaying in the breeae immediately
before tbeui, was-that of agouy ineffable.
The thought came rushing npon the
mind of the .spectator: "Oh ! what would
they not fjrve if they could undo the fa
tal acts that have consigned thorn to this
•gony «n<l int'wuy ?"
Mrs. Suirafc was very much prostrated,
and seemed to be kept alive almost en
tirely alive tiyt he spiritual consolations
of her adviserq who were unre:aiMing in
Alieir attention* null k* utii
After the reading of tlie sentence by
fien. Ilartranft, Rev. Dr. Gillette stepped
forward in behalf of Payne, and stated
that he had been requested by the pris
oner, Lewis Thornton Powell,alias Payne*
to publicly, on this occasion return his
sincere thanks to Gen. Ilartranft and the
officers and men under his command for
their uniform kindness toward him dur
ing his confinement. Not one unkind
word, look or gesture had been gived him
by any one of them.
The Reverend Doctor then led in a fer
vent prayer in behalf of the prisoner in
which the latter followed, closing with a
feeling Amen, his eyes at the same time
filling with tears, l'ayne throughout wore
an air of contrition as well as courage,
and thereby excited the pity of Jhe spec
tators fully as much as any of the other
prisoners who were more unnerved.
The spiritual advisers of llarrold and
Atzerodt also returned the thanks of their
charges respectively to Gen. Ilartranft
and his officers and men, for their uniform
kindness; and joined in prayer with the
prisoners in succession, Dr. Rutler prece
ding his in the case of Atzerodt with an
impressive exhortation.
During all this time the advisers of
Mrs. Surratt were assidious in their at
tentions to her* and by their consolations
kept her measurably nerved up for the
te.ivible denoument. Hhe appeared—ba
ting her unavoidable prostration—passive
in their hands and resigned to her fate.
On the conclusion of the prayer in the
case of Atzerodt, which was the last, the
prisoners were ltd forward, supported by
their respective attendants, and tho ropes
adjusted around tho neck by different
persons. About the same time .Mrs.
Surrott teemed, by a desperate mental el
fin., to nerve herself up specially for this
occasion, looking forward and around her,
for t'ie only time, with an air of mingled
determination and resignation. Her bon
net and veil were removed previous to the
putting rf'the noose upon her neck.
l'ayne held back his head and was
particular about having the noose adjus
ted and secured by tightening above his
"adam's apple," as if it had been the ad
justment of a cravat for a festivo occa
sion.
Harrold and Atzerodt, during the pro
cess of adjusting the repes, looked as if
experiencing ineffable agony, as well as
Mrs. Suratt, who was now bordering on a
fainting condition and was kept consci
ous only by assidious fanning and other
attentions of her attendants. Payne
stood erect and unsupported, and he alone
it was said by one of the spiritual advi
sers. had come upon the scaffold without
indulgence in stimulants, which he had
steadily refused, saying that he wished to
die with an unclouded mind.
At the conclusion of the address of
Atzerodt's spiritual attendant and his
deeply solemn and feeling petition to Hea
ved for Divine clemency, he was conduc
ted to the drop by his attendants, and
while tho white cotton band were being
tied about his legs and arms, exhibited
great weakness and emotion, beinjr scarce
ly able to remain in an erect position.—
Tho noose was then placed about his
neck, and previous to it,s final adjustment
he addressed a few inaudible words to his
executioner, and the rope was removed.
Gen. Ilartranft then approached, when
Atzerodt evidently repeated his request,
and the noose was then drawn over his
head, when be exclaimed in a terrified
voice : "Gentlemen, take warn," probably
intending to say, what his agonized feel
ings prevented him from expressing :
"Gentlemen, take warning by my exam
ple."
A moment after and he tremblingly
ejaculated, "Good bye, gentlemen, who
are before me now." Ahd, after a short
interval, added, "May we all meet in the
other world "
As the rope was being adjusted to his
neck, and just before the drop fell, he
cried out in rather a loud voice, "Don't
choke me." These were the last words he
uttered, which were succeeded by several
audible gfoans.
At this juncture the nooses ami white
caps having all been adjusted, Captain
Hath, Assistant Provost Marshal, having
immediate charge of the execution, step
ped in front of the scaffold, on the ground,
and motioned to all attendants an the scat
fold to step hack off the drops, which
they did, the proper ones still reaching
forward and supporting their charges re
spectively on the drops.
Immediately on this movement being
accomplished, Captain Hath also gave the
signal for the props to be knocked from
under, which was done by a swinging
scantling for each shoved longitudinally ;
and the four conspirators, having fallen
about five feet each, were left dangling
spasmodically in the air. The contor
tion of Payue were the greatest, attribu
table to his highest physical condition.—
llarrold died next hardest. ' The death
of Mrs. Surratt and Atiserodt were com
paratively ensy. Mrs. Sarratt 011 falling,
made a ooovulsivo effort to bring her
lunil» uround her right side in front of
her, and they remained in such contor
ted position until she was cut down.
After the convulsions of all were over,
Mrs. Hurratt, Payne and Atzerodt hung
with their heads bent forward, while that
of llarrold inclined back, which latter
was said by experts to bo the only execu
tion on correct principles.
TRIAL Aran EXECUTION. —The busi
ness of trying aud acquitting Mrs. Sur
ratt, now that she has been executed, is
bjfug pretty extensively engaged in by
certain journals, and others, liow renlly
the accomplices of lfooth, there ii not at
present any evidence to show.
ratt was as fairly and fully cenVMtd&T
ever a criminal was.
less, re;isous enough, why her
sympathizers in the cause for which nH
died ignominiously wish to see at least
some doubts created as to her guilt. They
cauuot hope to establish her innocence.
A mau named lirophy has undertaken to
volunteer some testimony iu this behalf,
but has proved no better than a bounty
jmupcr, not even as good as the average
of fellows who are ui the •" witness line "
The most discreditable of the busi
ness is that the Associated Press agents
should send forth the inventions, and
thus become the means of doing an inju
ry to the cause of justice ivnd morality.
We hope there will be found some means
fc:c »m«dj this.
(The jUncvicau ffitiscn.
jagy The Largrgt Circulation of
any Paper in the County.
THOMAS ROBINSON. - - Editor,
n. W. it. JPallteker.
BUTLER PA.
hf.dnenday ji i/v h>.
"Liberty and Union. Now and Foravar, One
and'nteparabla."—D. Wobstor.
BEPUBUCAI TICKET*
STATE SENATE.
JOHN N. PURVTANCE.
(Subject to District Conferees.)
LEGISLATURE.
HENRY PILLOW.
JOHN II NEGLEY.
(Subject to District Nomination.)
COUNTY TREASURER.
WM. E. MOORE.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
W. 11. 11. RIDDLE.
COM MISSION ELT.
WM. DICK.
AUDITOR.
,T. C. KELLEY, 3 years.
G. 11. GUM PER, 1 year
COUNTY SURVEYOR.
NATHAN M SLATOIt
Nliall Traitors l»t» ?
It is both amusing and humiliating to
the calm observer, looking upon the drift -
ings and surgings of human passion, es
pecially so in the present agitations of tho
public.
Rut a short time ago, the general cry
against rebels was, "Hang them—hang
every one of them." Now, it looks very
doubtful whether wo shall have one hang
ing, instead of the thousands that were so
loudly called for. We have drifted to the
other extreme of leniency. This is honor
able, perhaps to our humanity as a people.
Rut will this be just? Do we not know
that there cannot bo proper mercy sepa
rate from, and entirely ignoring justice ?
Our safety—tho demands of law and au
thority, violated in the most atrocious and
wanton manner—the terrible devastations
of lifo, of peace, of property. Shall all
this bo passed by—overlooked, as if it
never had been ?—aud those wicked peo
ple, who caused this, taken again into the
bosom of our Government, unscathed, un
punished ? Can this nation—can any
nation do this with safety to itself? If
so, may we not as well at once strike from
our penal laws every act for punishing
crime? Ido not advocate a prosecution
of those traitors and rebels for revenge.
This wo scorn. Rut must not our viola
ted laws and authority be properly vindi
cated ? I confess that I have scruples
against the "extreme penalty"—death.—
Rut we have other ways of punishing be
sides that—and I think we cannot be just
to ourselves and our posterity without in
flicting some signal punishment upon those
lead-ing traitors. Imprisonment—con
fiscation of property—forfeiture of all civil
rights—expatriation. These we ought
at least to inflict, to show to the present,
and all generations, that it is a fearful
thing tocommit treason.
We cannot trust human nature in the
administration of laws. It will either
follow the impulses of revengeful passion,
or be prostrated by tho cries of friendship
or pity. God forbid that either pity or
friendship should be driven from society.
Rut when public safety and justice inaVe
their claims, all else must be silent. The
murderer, the robber, the thief must be
assured that the magistrate " dues nut bear
the siroril in vain." IJow much more so
the Traitor, who stabs at the life of the
nation ?
There is a remarkable incident record
ed in tlit; good Old Hiblc, which I tliiuk
teaches a very wholesome lesson for this
occasion. It will be found in Numbers,
12th chapter—the sedition of Miriam aud
Aaron against their brother, Moses. The
anger of the Lord was kindled against
them for their wicked auibitkm and envy,
and, to mark hi* anger, Miriam became
suddenly "leprou*. white as snow." All
the brother was immediately roused in the
breast of Aaron", complicated in the Crime
—and he cries to his brother, Moses.—
Alas, my lordj I beseech thee, Jay not
■.the sin upon us, wherein we have done
and wherein we have sinned."
gjjttLnd Mopes cried unto the Lord, saying,
iFSrI haFaow, O, God, I beseech thee."
And unto Moses,,"lf her
father had but spit in her face, should
she not be ashamed seven days' 1 let her
be shut out ironi the camp days,
and after that he received in again."
Here was the WoMtess of the creature's
love,'' to pass 6y the dariug treason
of two great pefsons in the camp of Is
rael—and thoso-persous, for piety, for high
position aud intelligence, we may suppose
the peers of that mighty host, li.ut God
•
will not allow it. The great prophetess—
the gifted singer—the sister of the mighty
Muses—hps to bear her leprosy, and be
shut out seven days from the camp of Is
tael. That was severe—and doubtless
salutary to her and all her sisters in Isra
el. Would it be harsh, excessive to pun
ish those leading Itobeh by shutting them
out from our-camp for seven years ? As
President Johnson has said repeatedly,
"Treason is a crime, the worst of crimps;
ami nilist he punished." I think
We cannot dispense with punishment,
and vindicate our insulted authority, and
violated laws. Our tens of thousands of
dead heroes, as well as the living ones, call
for some mark that will make Treason for
ever odious.
Truth mid Error.
In the Union Herald of the I2tli inst.,
we find in the Local Column, an article
under the following caption. "An Instance
of /' tty Tyranny and its Results;" and
lest we should be accused of garbling the
language anil misrepresenting the modett
Editor of that truthful sheet, we insert
the article entire, in order that those who
read may judge of the modesty and lov
ing spirit of the writer :
" In another column we publish the
obituary of Mr. Thomas Lay ton, late of
Allegheny township. Mr. J.avtun was
drafted last tall, and although he right
fully expected to be exempted on account
of a diseased body and bad teeth, yet he
took with him to Allegheny City, where
the Provost Marshal's offic • was located,
a person who was willing togo as his sub
stitute if it slioud come to that. When
Mr. L. came to bo examined, he was pro
nounced fit for tlie service. Whether he
was so declared through the petty tyran
ny, partisan bigotry, or both, or the work
ings of the worst passions to which evil
minds are prone, we shall let our readers
judge, and the treatment which ho after
wards received at the hands of the at
taches of the Marshal's office may assist
the mind in forming a correct opinion in
the matter. Upon being pronounced fit
for service, he asked to be allowed togo
out for his substitute, who was in the city
and but a few squares oif. It was cus
tomary, we believe, to give a few days'
furlough to accepted men, in order to give
them time to procure substitutes, or to
make ready togo into tho service. He
was not permitted, however, to leave the
office, but was shortly after placed in irons
and soon sent to camp. He returned to
his home on the 7tli or June,and died on
the !ld instant. He was a patriot in the
fullest significance) of the word, and in
his.ijeath the county has lost a good citi
zen. We rejoice exceedingly that suidi
opportunities for the exhibition of tyran
ny and outrage have been taken from the
paltry officials who so freely used and
abused them."
Now, all that is true in this article, can
be stated in a few words. 51 r. Lay ton
was drafted,reportod, was examined, pass
ed aud put into the service, and after
serving his country for a certain length
of time was discharged on account of dis
ability, died aud vras hurried. And we
may say, that we sincerely hope that 'Tie
irns a true patriot, a good citizen" and a
christian. Wq have not an unkind word
to say of the deceased ; we desire to treat
the memory of the departed with respect,
and speak truthfully of the living.
It is stated in the article referred to,
that "although Mr. Layton rightfully ex
pected to be exempted on account of a
diseased body and bad teeth, he took with
him a person who was willing to become
his substitute, if it should come to that."
We do not pretend to know what he right
fully expected, but we <1» know that he
had no substitute with him ; and wo also
know the fact that time was given him
after he first reported, and before he was
examined, to procure a substitute, and
we know that at the end of the time spec
ified, be reported, stated that although ho
had had two or three persons in tow, that
be could not procure any of them, ho was
then examined by the Surgeon, and in
bis judgment, pronounced fit for service;
he was then placed in the back part of tho
building with others, and while (here pre
vious to being clothed, jumped down over
a wall some twelve feet in height and was
afterwards arrested in the street and pla
ced for a short time under guard : "not
in irons" as is erroneously stated by the
Jlditor of the If'Ttihl.
" Petty tyranny, partisan bigotry or
both, of the workings of the worst pas
sions tn which evil iniiiJs are prone," were
no part of the machinery belonging to the
J'rovoßt Marshar*office,but were exercised
by persuus outside of the same who were
opposed to the government and the pros
ecution of the war, and it is generally
known, and as generally believed, that the
writer of the above scurrilous article had
u full share of stock invested in the ma
ligning company that opposed the Gov
ernment in its efforts'to crush out a wick
ed and causeless rebellion, and restore a
lasting peace ts ourselves and posterity.
It is a fact, patent to every unprejudiced
mind, that the opposition to the Govern
ment caused by the course pursued by its
opposers in their foul aspersions against
its officers and acts, kept thousands of
men out of the army, and thus prolonged
the war., and caused the sacrifice cf thou
sands of patriotie and valuable lives.—
Now, <hat tho war is over, these peeudo
patrittte have become very patriotic and
sympathizing,—the t rami friends of the
whiter —although they formerly fought
against the government, and ciuite for
which these brave men were periling their
lives—and then to sap the climax, voted
in opposition to their rights as citizens.
" O shame ! where is thy blush ?" And
we are told that they now "rejoice ex
ceedingly that such opportunities for the
exhibition of granny and outrage have
beeu taken from the paltry officials who
so freely used and abused them."
If your rejoicing is sincere and your
opposition to "tyranny genuine, there is
certainty h great and marked reformation
taken place in your case ; for heretofore
you have beeu a strenuous advocate of
one of the most stupendous and outrage
ous systems of tyranny that was ever
practised in a civilized government, and
even at the present time ; judging from
the character of your paper, you are cling
ing tenaciously to the dead carcass of the
same system. lJefore you commence to
preach opposition to "tyranny and out
rage," and more especially where it does
not exist, you should take the beam out
of your own eye, and then you will see
more clearly to pull the mote out of
your brothers eye. We have not notic
ed this article, because we believed
it necessary to enter into a defense
of the Hoard of Enrollment of tho 2:id
District. They are of age aud compe
tent to speak for themselves; and their
nets are open for investigation and will no
doubt bear the closest scrutiny when
truth is applied as the test. When you
again undertake to vent your spleen up
on tho Provost Marshal and his " Paltry
officials," inform yourself as to the truth
of your assertions.
I.inv I«'KI>IICKH UIID R»« «!Y
The conduct of certain young men and
a large number of boys in tlio borough of
Uiitler, is disgraceful in the extreme.—
We have taken the liberty to speak of
this subject on several occasions, in hopes
that young mm especially, would refrain
from conduct that is low, grovelling and
vulgar, the committal of which is far be
neatli the character of any person, young
or old,who claims (he least degree vf res
pectability, ami would make, even, hra
thens blush for shame. The truth is
patent, that there is a. degree of lawless
ness, rowdyism and malicious mischief
practised and perpetrated in the borough
of Uuller, disgraceful to any community,
and argues very strongly in favor of any
thing else but law and order. The offen
ders are the sons and apprentices of thoso
who would like to ho considered respec
table and moral citizens, aod yet, they so
far forgot their duty to themselves and
their neighbors as to permit their boys
to roam about in idleness during the day,
and promeuado tile streets and lounge
in and about licstaurants and Drinking
Houses until a late hour at night, and
then, vainly hope that they will be
good, intelligent and respectable. As
well might they expect the brightness of
day without the rays of the sun. That
"evil communications corrupt good man
ners," is just as true now, as when the
words were first uttered.
The spirit of lawlessness and maliaious
mischief is carried onto such an extent
that thero is nothing too sacred or valua
ble unless under luck and kce, that is free
from injury, damage or appropriation.—
Out buildings of the most private churno
t<r —no difference at what coxt erected—
are wrested front their appropriate places,
aud stuck up in the most [ üblio and con
spicuous places on the main street, ami
the signs of peaceable citizens and busi
ness men. torn from their proper places,
and suspended upon these private buil
dings. This may be sport to the vul
gar, indecent and profane, but it certainly
j is very mortifying to tho intelligent, law
i abiding and moral citizen.
Fruit and garden vegetables arc not
i permitted to maturo, no difference what
j labor and expense have been bestowed
upon the same, tlmy too must be appro
priated to the gratification of these young
loafers. In passing along the back streets
and alleys, they can bo seen singly and in
groups, reaching through the palings and
fences, and those who have become bold
: in theii* depredations can be seen inside
of in closures clubbing apple trt'es aud
gormandizing the spoils, as they suppose,
thus clandestinely obtaiucd. lu fact,
there is nothing upou which they can lay
their hands, let it be ever so valuable, but
must either be destroyed or uied tograti-
I fy that spirit of malicious mischief which
I is so prevalent in our midst.
We have been credibly informed that
some of these youngsters, htve taken
the valuable and costly books of lawyers
and others froiu their offices and libra
ries, torn the backs off tlicm, and then
sold tho books to store-keepers for wrap
ping paper.
In civilized communities, this would
be treated as stealing. There is certainly
a "screw loose" some where. Parental
rule, civil aud criminal law have with
some, become nullities, and '-Young
America" is permitted to have full scope
and run bead-long to ruin and perdition.
We sincerely hope that there will be a
marked and decided reformation in the
proper direction. That parents aud guar
dians will awake to interest and duty—
use their influence and authority for tho
permanent correction of these evils. If
we would do our duty to ourselves and to
the rising generation, we must attend to
these matters BOW ; if wo fail—with us
will be the responsibility. As pf»fess
iug Christians «uid law-abiding citizens,
we cannot safely neglect so important a
trust as is committed to our hands.
There are many gcod boys in Butler,
of whom wo feel proud, our remarks
therefore, do not apply to them, but are
intended for the unruly, disobedient and
malicious—and these, wo desire to win
from the paths of wickedness, and thus
be instrumental in bringing them into
the path of duty, rectitude and honesty.
tOMM IMC Ail I» VS.
For the Americap Citizen
The Elective I rant hlsc.
MR. EDITOR. —As this subject is now
one of great political importance,and bids
fair to be the next political issue, I have
presumed to entertain your readers with
a few things relating thereto :
At present, about four millions of
human beings have had tho chains and
shackles broken off, and to-day stand
forth "American born citizens," soldiers,
and freemen, and as such, justly entitled
to all amenities and privileges thereof.—•'
liver since the breaking out of rebellion,
they have been the earnest trusty friends
of the Government, by day or night, dili
gent and devoted ; enthusiastic in their
expressions of joy at the advance of our
banners and brave armies, and very fre
quently in l peri lL li ll g their lives, to assist
escaped prisoners of war or our guides,
or advanced columns of our forces—to
the point of destination. Moreover, they
have fought and bled; suffered and died,
for the perpetuation of our Government
and liberties. And now they stand wait
ing to see whether tho Government will
admit them to its privileges, after such
conclusive evidence of their faithfulness,
or turn them over to tho tender mercies
of former masters, returned rebel soldiers,
officers &0., to abuse persecute and
legislate against them, and render their
condition as odious aud extremely un
pleasant as possible. To see whether we
will now give over our prejudice, and
jealousy, and treat him as a man, a friend
and helper.
It is now argued, that lie is ignorant
and uot capable of properly using the
elective franchise. We answer: It was
as streuiously argued that ho was unfit for
a soldier, and a terrible howl, north mid
south, was made over the terrible experi
ment. But a trial has solved the problem
and proved the quaking prophets the
victim of some strange hallucination.
So now his qualification to vote or ca
pacity to use tho elective franchise, is
still an experiment, let it bo made, and
we await results. Tho man who lias
been so constantly faithful and loyal
amid the most discouraging circumstan
ces, amid the preaching of so much false
doctriue and base fabrications, will not
now listen to their suggestions, arguments
or appeals ; when their projects havo fail
ed, the mask stripped off, and they sfan.l
before them in all their naked deformity.
Nay : we will uot listen now, you told us
(he Yankees would cat us, wculd murder
every man, woman and child. Destroy
| all property,and were worse than heathens.
1 That Lincoln was a usurper, tyrant, &e.;
' we did not believe it then ; now we know
its false; and we cannot vote for you now,
and against our own interest. Again the
poor whites of the South are-etill more
ignorant than the negro, and fully as de
based ; and from their ranks have gone
forth tho great mass of tho rebel sold
iery. They have been tho constant dupes
of the Southern leaders; and always had
their vote under the Constitution. They
will have it yet—are rebels at heart, and'
will vote with tho planter as usual. Now
shall ICC give llirsn mm (poor whites,)
i/reuter iirivikgen, than the men who arc
unquestionably loyal aud right for the
Government.
What is the voico of justice, reason,
right, and prudenco? Is it safer for IH to
trust our enemies with the invincible
ballot than our tried friends? Who can
not determine ? J locs it not seem strange
Uiat such a question should be sprung
upoo UB; yet this is the question of the
hour. And in it are issues of no mo
mentary character, or small importance,
to the free,union of tho United States.
When those issues are ready for develop
ment, if living, we may be hoard from
again, rtut for the present Irt m: dure to
do right, by giviug the freedijian an
equal chance iu (he race of life; an equal
advantage with all those why are less loy
al, and fully us incompetent to use the
elective franchise as he. And in the lan
guage,and faith, of our lamented late I'resi
dent: believe that right malcca might :
and while tho path of duty is always the
path of safety— dare to do our u/iole
duty, leaving results in tfce hands of a
lieneficicnt Providence. I'IONEER.
V&- A Charleston letter saya : The
praise of President Lincoln sounds more
and mora grateful to the people of this
State as his character becomes known,
and they cannot be repeated too often.—
Said a lute rebel officer : ''The North
did nut know him, and the South knew
still less of iho best friend she had in the
United States." On the other band the
name of Jeff. Davis is received indiffer
ently at best. An eminent lawyor ex
pres.i«M his opinion that "South Carolina
hated Jjeff. Davis as much as she hated
Mr. Uiqcoln during the rebellion; and if
lie is proyed guilty of countenancing the
assassination, the people of this State
want hiin executed."
—J.udah I*. Benjamin, the rebel Sec
ratary of State, is repovled tc have arriv
ed safely at Bermuda..
The Xcw I'm.
Mr. James 'l'. Brady being called to ad
dress the .Literary Societies of Rutgers
College last week, did uot select as his
topic "Athens and the Athenians," nor
"Rome and tho Romans," uor "The Pla
tonic Philosophy," nor "The Influence of
the Church upon the Middle Ages," nor
did he dilate upon any of the stock
themes wheih usually render College com
mencements venerable; but dull. Jlr.
lirady, we are informed, "in ifti address
of a somewhat rambling character," apoke
of tho present condition of the country,
glanced at the past and looked into tho
I'uture, and thereby "elicited great ap
plause." We have not received the par
ticular fruits of Mr. Brady's rambles,
and must take it for granted that they
were ripe, juicy and profitable. We find
other orators, of the annual literary turn,
speaking alter the same fashion in a suf
ficient practical way, aud reminding us
not only that we have a history, but that
we are in a fair way to profit by it. Here
tofore, we have lived pretty much upon
the experiences of post ages and of for
eign nations. Practically, ourrcvolution
nry ancestors vigorously contended for
liberty; but for illustrations, for argument
and !<«' political philosophy they went
hack to(jreece, to Koine and to theone or
two great periods of English history.—
They built a new structure upon an old
basis, and the democracy of 1771) was
but an extension of the republicanism of
1040. But uo man familiar with our po
litical history immediately subsequent to
tho devolution, can bo ignorant of the
grave doubts which wise and good men
entertained of tnc practicability, expedi
ency and perpetuity of democratic insti
tutions. Our fresh, young and promising
career was always spoken of as an exper
iment, and, indeed, it has been so even
down to tho present day. The bugbear
of the French Revolution came to com
plicate difficulties. The Federalists ad
vocated a strong central government as a
check upon popular passions, in a defense
against foreign aggression, aud as a cuHi
upon tho license of the States. The Re
publicans (Democrats, or Democratic Re
publicans) looked with suspicion upon
Presidential and even upon Congressional
authority, 'llieso parties, however, were
continually changing their relative posl.
tions as the fortune of pt lilies shifted, so
that .Mr. Otis ut one period in Massachu
setts occupied almost precisely the ground
which Mr. .Icflersoit at another had occu
pied in Virginia. The traces of there
disputes, at times acrimonious aud threat
ening danger, have never disappeared.—
They were per| etuated in the nullification
of Federal authority by South Carolina
until they finally burst upon the country
in the bloody and destructive contest
through which the nation has no-.v vieto
li nsly passed. Thenar has been full of
various and advantageous results, among
which, second only to the abolition if
Slavery, we reckon the vindication of the
authority of the General Government. —•
Nothing can be more fatal to tho peace,
prosperity and progress of a nation than
an uncertain condition of its fundamen
tal law—the continual stimulus of faetii.u
aud fruitful mother of anarchy. To know
what wo may be saved in tho future wo
must remember the dreary and restless
past. There have been thousands noon
thousands of speeches made, there havo
been tons upon tons of volumes printed,
there have been doubts, discussions and
contradictory decisions without nnuibei,
concerning tho origin, nature aud limita
tions of tho American Union. One doc
trine was taught in the colleges of South
Carolina, arid another in the colleges of
Now England. Ilcro the In ion w: *
held to bo a film, binding and indissolu
ble compnet, and there it was as strenu
ously maintained to be nothing more than
a limited copartnership, terminable attho
option of either party. The day of tho
dreamers, the drivelers and the dotards is
over. There is no longer room for an ar
gument—the case is closed—tho powers
of tho General Government are deined.
Upon that point, at least, the Senate is no
longer a debating"club. The choppers of
cheap logic may hang up their utensils—
the game of nullification is closed. We
are among those who believe that this
positivecondition of the law of the Union
is among the greatest advantages which
the Rebellion has brought us. The poo
ple understand thoroughly the whole na
ture of the crime of treason, that it can
be committed, and is one of the basest of
crimes. It often happens that souie great,
vicissitude apparent v adverse iu the life
of an individual not ouly strengthens him
for future difficulties, but develops a way
of avoiding them altogether So in a
public case like our own, w cannot help
feeling that there has been an immense
addition made to the opacity of the peo
ple for judging upon points as yet left
opfen, aud to the clearness with which
they will perceive tlieiu to be no longer
debatable. It is easy to see how much
it will strengthen an I how much it will
support us. It opens to us the pro: poet
of a great, intelligent and determined,peo
ple, with definite aims and well ascertain
ed land marks, no longer tossed upon a
sea of endless differences, but United up
on those main conditions which will se
cure a sato and prosperous condition of
public affairs.—JV. Y. Tribune.
. PLAINLY SPOKEN. —AImost the
only tiling the Detroit Convention
did, without qualification, delay or
debate, was to adopi the declaration
in favor of protecting American cap
ital and labor against foreign compe
tition, and that thia policy haa be
come necessary to inaiutaio the na
tioual credit. In whatever else the
Convention failed it did not in this
TEMPERANCE. —A National Tem
perance Convention will meet atSar
a'oga on Tuesday, the first day of
August. Some of the most influen
tial advoeates ot the cause are lead
ers in the movement. The call saya
intemperance has cast a deep shado
over the gorxows of the war and im
pelled tbonsand of brave defenders
wiiom shot arjd shell have spared.
WEST POINT CAKE. —Ono pound of
sugaf; one pon'nd of flour; one half lb
of butter, tno one enp of soar;
i cream; ono teaspoonful of pearlash