Zi *rad.
1
CARLISLE, PA:. .
Friday, IFIARCII Id, 1862.
BOROUGH ELECTION.
The Republicans of the Wdst Ward,
and all others, without_distinction of party,
who are in favor of the preservation of
the Union, and the Constitution and the
Eaforcements of the Laws, are requested
to meet at the public House of John Han
nBl,,and those of the East Ward, at the
public House of Joseph Heiser, on Sat
urday evening the 15th inst., at 7 o'clock,
for the purpose of forming Ward tickets,
to he supported at the ensuing election.
A full turn out is requested.
BATIMORE CONPERENCE.—Wo have given
considerable space tt4the proceedings of the
East Baltimore Conference, which derives ad
ditional local - interest from a spicy discussion
which took place on account of a letter writ
ten by Prof. Chambers for the Herald, in
which he made an allusion to the Rev. Dr.
Sargent and the Rev. Mr. Slicer as Secession.
bits. Prof. Chambers is a thorough-going
'Union man, and a fiigh•toned honorable gen
tleman who would scorn, oven by insinuation,
to create an impression which be did not be
lieve right, and he has grit enough beside to
stand by any declarations he may have made
on the subject.
SENATOR. CbwAY :—We hope soon to be
able to lay before our readers the admirable
speech made by Mr. Cowan, in the U. S.
enate in opposition to the confiscation act.,
now on the files of the senate. The question
is a very important one, and we are glad to
find that Mr. Cowan takes a conservative
stand against it.
THE SEFFEIHNOS OF UNION MEN IN MISFOu.
few days ago we were shown a letter
from Joni M. SHAPLEY, formerly 'of this
place, to his father Mr. R. E. SHAPLEY, Sen.,
giving distressing details of the sufferings to
which he and other Union men of Missouri
had been , subjected by the lawless bands oe
secessionists w_lin -overran that State; in the
early part of our National troubles. Here,
surrounded with all the comforts of home,
and safely removed from the horrors of civil
war, we cannot fully realize the condition of
those who are liable, at any time, to midnight
attacks from armed desperadoes who burn the
property, drive off helpless women and chil.
dren i and perhaps finish their fiendish exploit
bylanging their victims on the nearest tree.
Mr. SHAPLEY declares that he would sooner
suffer death than again pass throtigh the
scones ho has witnessed within the last five
mouths. From the letter we learn, that du.
ring his absence from home on.the 25th of
last July, a party of rebels came to his house,
but failing to find him, they look away his
horse and left. Finding, on his return home,
that his life was in danger, he made his es
_eapo through the woods to the houses of two
ether Union men, who were in a similar pre
dicament. The three men then started for
the Union camp 20 miles distant, hoping to
get assistance, but failed in this, and remain
ed at the camp Iwo weeks, fettling to return.
Unable to bear the suspense any longer, they
ventured back cue night to their neighbor
hood, and reaching the house of a friend,
they were informed by the man's wife that.
within the previous two weeks more than
twenty of their neighbors had been killed,
andAhat during all the time her husband had
been secreted in a corn-field. being directed
to his place of concealment, he informed them
that the secessionists were determined to kill
them it' they could find them, and therefore
these men, although within a few miles of
their homes, were forced to go hack to the
camp, uncertain-as to the fate of their fami
lies. After many hardships Mr. SHAPLEY
reached [Aeon, Illinois, the residence of his
brother-in-law, Mr. Cii.oninrts, who subse
quently went to Missouri, and suce.eiled in
bringing the family of Mr, SINC - 5 - I . ,nr to his
home, where they now remain, having lost
all their property.
SCHOOL REPORT FOR 1861:—We have
received a copy of the Report of the Super
intendent of the Common Schools of Penn
Sylvania for the year ending JllllO 186 I, giv
ing full details of the operations of the
System, as shown - by extracts from the
reports of the several county Superintendents.
We learn from the Report, that the whole
number of schools, including the city of
Philadelphia, is 12,515—number of Tench.
ers 15, 49 - I,—number of pupils 660,293
Total cost of the system, $4,000,000 inclu
ding the whole amount of tax levied, and
appropriation $2,900,501,G0
According to the report of Mr. Mifflin the
Superintendent of this county, there are
193 schools in the county, and 5 yet required,
196 Teachers, of whom 33 are females.
Scholars—males 5,3G7 females, 4 532, aver_
age cost of teaching each scholar per month
58 cents. Total amount of tax levied for
schools and building purposes $11,577,12.
The Superintendent states that the prevail.
ing public sentiment in the county is favor.
able to the schools.
MARTIAL LAW AT 4I9IIMONI).—Jeff Davis
has placed Richmond under martial law.—
fild sale of spiritous liquors is
prohibited, and Gen. Winder is charged with
the duo execution of theprolamat ion.
On last Saturday night, the lion. John Mi
nor Botts was arrested near Richmond, by or
der of the Rebel Government., and lodged in
McDaniel's negro jail, on the charge of being
a Union man. Several - additional arrests have
been made of those suspected of disloyalty to
the abortive Rebel Government, which class
of persons seems to bo daily increasing.
MAirdial U. S. SENA'ren. The Maryland
Legalattire'have elected the Hon. Revel*
Johnson U. S; Senator from that State, _Re.
vedy .Johnson, „was among the first public
men of the South to identify himself with the
Administration in defence of the Union, at a
time too, when the Union sentiment was et its
lowest ebb in Afarylalid. Ilia election to de
Senate is 'a gratifying evidence of the regen
eration of that State from SecesSien , feeling,
and thedeternlination Of the Union party, to
preserve her fair fame untarnished.
THE HOMESTEAD ..1311..b.—The Ifomestead
bill passed by. the House of ',Representatives
on Friday + provides that ort and after the•
first of next deanery, any person 21, years
of age, who' is a citizen, or who has - declared
his intention, to be such, and who shall_ enter
upon the land and cnitivete . .ip for 6 years,
shall be entitled to 160 aere's,',upow . the pay_
meat of the land :ogee Jees and $lO to cover
the etpenses of "survey. The same privilege
is accorded toall men who have been - in the
"military or naval service of the government'
during the present was. •
The He§tiliV of Party Spirit.
11 is very evident from the'tone of thci „
Amer
ican Volutqi , er, and Other papers of similar
preelivitieS,' that -it is the design': certain
would-be leaderSef the Democratic party to
criPplethe Adtninisertition of President Lin
coin, even at the risk of National defeat if,
by so doing, they can
.41.9ter..up their -own
cause. While declaring publicly tikeir devo
lion to, and love for, the Union, they are se
cretly engaged in , denouncing the policy of
the Administration under the flimsy pretence
of.guarding the public interests and thus play
into the hands of the traitors by keeping up
an unceasing cry about the ” Public Debt,"
"Taxation," "-Fraud," and "Corruption."—
Where were these virtuous and honest politi
cians, when eight thousand fraudulant natu
ralization papers were forged in 1856 and
distributed by democratic party hacks, to se
cure the election of.lnmes' Buchanan ? They
-knew that by these forgeries Mr. Buchanan
was placed in an office which he had neither
the talent nor the moral courage to till ; yet
we hear no denunciations from them. They
are the same men, who sustained Mr. Bu
chanan's. infamouS Lecompton policy, and
the "candle box" frauds _of Calhoun in.
Kansas. When the whole country was
ringing with execrations In consequence of
the shameleses corruptions of Buchanan's
administration, where were these public guar
dians ? Why they were engaged in carefully
covering up the tracks of these peculators,
dint they might escape unwhipped of justice.
Truth and honesty were forgotten in the de
sire to screen their party leaders from public
view; and some of the very men who have so
suddenly loomed up as the especial friends of
public virtue, were then sucking the life
blood of the Government, out of fat contracts
which bad fraud written in every line. After
so many years of political sinning, the conver
sion is too -sudden to be sincere. People aro
not to be deceived by the hypocritical profes•
sions of men who have never denounced cor
ruption when their own party was to be bene
fitted by the rascality; and it is too late in
the day for these men to raise the cry of
"stop thief," to divert public attention from
their own fraud. Let them show their loyal
ty by sustaining the war until the Union is
safe, and after that they may wallow in party
politics to their heart's content. I)ZS
'SIAN V.
latZ-• The Troluntrer , S4S, in speaking of-the
nomination of Gen. Shields to a position in
the army, " the old hero's confirmation woo
bitterly opposed by the abolitionists whose
only objection to him was, that he had been a
13sEctidsatow: Democrat;" and that "the sim
ple fact of his having been a member of that
branch of our party was sutljcient to over
balance all his acts of usefulness." Whether
the abolitionists did or did not oppose Gen.
Shields, we cannot say, as we are not in the
secrets of that organization. 'We merely wish
to enquire of the roluntrer where Mr. Brock
inridge the bend of "our party," is now to be
found ? Rumor says, that he is at the head of
an armed " branch o'fi our party," in open re
bellion to the Government. If this be so,-
wildthe I'olunt . .o:r also inform us how far the
tad of "our party" sympathizes with the
heat/
rk:jr It is unfortuwue••for• the Volunteer
that the venom of party has afflicted the
Editor with such an obliquity of vision, that
Vvery object, he looks at is distorted and he
employs all unusual amount of labor in his
attempts to induce the people to see things in
the same light. The effort is fruitless how
ever, as the community, with singular unan
imity, have come to the conclusion that the
u ntecr never publishes the truth except by
mistake.
ge Th s I' , lwzieer with unusual severity
says we are "a half starved Carlisle
We hardly know whether to be obliged for
the compliment or not. On the whole, per.
haps it is better to confess to leanness
at once, than to laow the example of the
editor of the Fo/unieier, who is constantly
emulating the frog in the fable by trying
to swell himself to the dimensions of an ox.
A DEMOCRAT'S CREED
The Hon. JosErn A. Witionv, of Indiana,
recently appointed by Gov. MORTON to fill the
provisional vacancy created by the expuh-ion
of ex Senator Bright, delivered a speech in the
Hall of the House of Representatives of Indi
ana, at Indianapolis, ou the 25 ultimo. Af
ter referring to (he circumstances under which
the Senatorial appointment had been tendered
to him by a Republican Governor, he an
flounced the following summary as containing
his present political creed :
tt Ist. My faith in the Strength tut(' perpe
tuity of this Government is in the vigorous
prosecution of the war.
tt 2d. No party creeds nor platforms unti
we have.a Government.
" 3d. In one word, put down this infamous
rebellion, let it cost what lives and what
mosey it may. [Loud Cheers.]
" You can change your laws and your Con
stitution, but God has given you but )ono country."
We commend this creed to the "prayerful
attention of the Editor of the rolunteer.
SLAVETIOLDERS AND SLAVES.—The following
table exhibits the number if slaves in each of
the slavoholding States, according to the cea
sns of 1860; the number of slavoholders, and
the average number hold by each owner, leav
ing out the fAotions:
Number of Slave-
Slates. holders.
Alabama, 433,473 2 11 ,2 , 15
Arkansas, 109,062 5,099
Delaware, ""- 1,805 - 899
Florida, 63 ; 809 ' 3,520 18
Georgia, 467,461' 88,450 12
Kentucky, 225,490 88,385 6
Louisiana, 312,186 20,600 16
Maryland, 85;382 16,040 5
Mississippi, 470 607 23,116 20
Missouri, 115,616 19,182 6
North Carolina 328,377 28,203 11
South Carolina 467,185 25,590 15
Tennessee, 287,112 83,804 8
Texas, 181,056 7,747 24
Virginia, 406,828 65,063 9
Total, 3,099,535 347,525
The average of the aggregate is eleven and
a half to each owner. .Tho_averSgo. the
whole number in the eleven seceded Statett is
thirteen and one-sizth to enoh holder, -while
in the non.seoeded slave States the average is
but five and three-quarters. It furthetsp
pears from this table that because thesel47,-
000 slaveholders could not lord it over thirty
millions of firenarn, they . determined to revo
lutionize thogovernment and setup a country
of their own. A pretty moos they Lai° made
of it!
Major Samuel D Sturgis, of the regular
army, has been` confirmed a - Brigadier
General, to rank from the 10th of August,
1861, fOr galleint services
,on „lbe battle field
of Wilson's Creek,- where the command
devolved' upon him on the' fall of Lyon.
POSTBCRIPT:—We have just-reoeived a
letter fromm, member of Co. A. 7th Regiment
Penne.. ' , Resgrve, Capt.:- Henderson, whiCh .
statee'that therbroke op oanip. at' l'ierpont,
on Afontray evening, and. on - Tuesday morning
they-were at Hunter's - llillt SUatiore; Loudon
Hampshire Railroad; expecting to Move on to
Leesburg,
ItiE VRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.
' . Tbis State paper - which will be found in
another eoliimn; is perhaps one of the utpst
important, ever' issued, when we take into
consideration the magnitude of thesuhject,
and the present condition of the national
tffairs. The recommendation in the Mess
- . -
,ige is based on the fact, that an aCcePtance
of the policy einbrocell in it would. deprive
the rebel leaders oft`lrh - ope that the border
states would in any event unite with the
cotton States. It will be obserVedalso that
the President sets, up no Claim of right on
the part of the Federal Government to
interfere with slavery in the States without
their consent; lie says :
"Such a proposition on the part of the
General Government sets up no claim of
right by the Federal authority to interfere
with slavery within State limits—referring
as it doeethe absolute control_of the subject
in each case,. to the State and the people
immediately interested. It is proposed as a
matter of perfectly free choice to them."
The President has taken the right pround
has indicated a -plan for the gradual
but' effecutal abolition of slavery, without
doing violation to the Constitution or the
rights, or prejudices of slave-holders. In
this way slavery was abolished in the North
—by a process so gradual that it was
scarcely felt. It is to be hoped that Congress
will give its hearty assent to the suggestion
of the Chief Magistrate, and cooperation to
the plan proposed.
So far as we • can judge the position of
the President is sustained by every conser
vatiie Journal in the country. The N. Y.
Journal of Commerce says ;
"We trust that the resolution proposed by
the President will he adopted by, Congress.
Whenever a State shall propose' to to
emancipate her slaves; we regard it As emi
nently proper that the nation should lend its
and, judiciously to effect the object. The
Crown of Great Britain, once the governing
power of all the country, forced the institu.
tion on unv.illing colonists, and it became
part of their social system. Let the whole
people, who have in one Nense succeeded to
to the government of the nation, aid any
State that may need it and that shall desire
and ask for nid in changing slave labor to
free labor. This is most right. Hereafter
when the principle is established, we can
discuss and arrange the amount of' aid, and
the terms on which it is to be-granted to
each State us it shall need it. And each
State will decide for itself whether it will ask
or accept it.
The message of Mr. Lincoln proposing
the adoption by Congress of this important
principle is timely, and its influence will be
excellent. We shall not he surprised to see
t'ew political abolitionists or abolitionist
politicians, endeavor to misrepresent the
President, and extort from his simple,
vigorous. arid plain words, a meaning that
he never intetaledio give there. Already
some of this class' are declaring that the
message proves the President a determined
Abolitionist.
THE DIRECT TAX BILL
The tax bill reported in the House of Rep
resentatives on Monday last, provides for
the appointment, by the President, of a
Commissioner c.f Internal ReVenue, with a
salary of five thousand dollars. His ollice
is to be in the Treasury Department, with a
suitable number of clerks, The country- is
to be divided, as the President may direct,
into convenient collection districts, with an
assessor and collector to be appointed by the
President for each district, who shall have
power to appoint such deputips as may 14e
necessary. The bill provides for a duty—
On spirituous liquors 15 etc. per gal.
On ale and beer $1 per
(In stern and leaf tobacco 3 ets per lb,
Do. to add when manuftrd 50cts.
Ott cigars 5, 10, & 20 ds per lb.
On lard and linseed uil, burning fluid and
crude coal oil S cis per gal.
On relined coal oil I() ets per gal.
Oa gas per 1,0110 cubic feet 23ets.
On Bank-Note Paper 5 cts per lb.
On Writing Paper 2 "
On Printing Paper
On Soap
Salt
Sole Leather
Upper Leather
Flour
On
On
On
On
All other manufactures, 3 per cent. nd vat
orem
Railroad passengers, 2 mills per mile of trvl.
Commutation tickets, 3 per cent.
Steamboat travel, 1 mill per mile.
,
Omnibuses, ferryboats, and horse railroads,
:3 per cent. on gross receipts from pas:ion-
gers.
On advertisements, 5 per cent. on amount
of receipts annually.
For nse of carriages, annually, from $1 to
$lO, according to value
On gold watches
On si I ver watches
gold plate
silver plate
billiard tables
slaughtered cattle
On hogs
On sheep
On Licenses—Banhers
Auctioneers
Wholesale Dealers
Retail Dealers in Liquors
Retail Dealers in Goods
Pawnbrokers
Rectifiers
Brewers
Hotels, Inns, and Taverns (grad
-.trued according to rental) from $4 to 260
Ewing Houses
Commercial Brokers.
• Other Brokers
'Theatres
Circuses
Bowling Alleys (each alley)
Wholesale Pedlers
Other Pedler
Coal Oil Distillers, &c.
On incomes, 3 per eent on all over
$6OO, deducting, the income do•
rived from dividends, &e., which
are taxed separately.
On railroad booth and dividends of
Average to
each owner.
16
19
banks and saving institutions 3 per cent.
On payment of all salaries of olli
- cers in the civil, military and na•
val service of the U.S., (including
members of Congress) 3 per cent.
On legacies and distribution shares of
the personal property• of dee'd
persons, (according to the degrees"
of relationship) l(i_4s per cent.
And stamp duties on all kinds of legal
and commercial papers, all patent medicines,
telegraphic messages, and-all-goods- by- ex
presses.
Tho bill contains one hundred and five
sections, and is one of the longest of any
kind ever befcre prepared, months of prepa
ration having been bestowed upon it.
The bill provides that tho assessor- of each
collection district shall divide his , district in
to a convenient number of assessment dis
tricts, within each of which, he shall appoint
ono freeholder to act as assistant assessor.—
The assessor shall re6eive,Nts a compensation ;
two dollars per day for every day employed
in making the necessary arrangements for the
valdation, and three dollars.per day for every
day employed in hearing appeals, and revis
ing valuations, and ono dollar for, every hon
dredpersons on-the 'list. Each assistant as
sessor shall. reoeiv's two dollars per day for
every day ettiployed [in collecting lists and
making .yaluattons, and ono •• dollar for every
huntired•ta.zsble personsaontained in -the Um
list together With all reasonable expenses for
stationery ; and ten cents per mile, for every
mile travelled in the execution of their du
ties. '• •
, ..
Eaeli 'dollenfor is nuAorized :to appoint as
- ninny deiufy colleOtoes as he . may think prop
er.nnd
,tbo:Mitit
,section provides for their
earittkeimation as follows:—. - '
IhM;shall bo allowed to rho
collec
tors oPpointetfunder - this net, in full compen
sat ion'for their services and that of their dep
uties in carrying this act into effect., a com
mission of four per centum upon the first hun
dred thousand dollars, one per centum upon
the second one hundred thousand dollars, and
one-half of one per centum upon all sums
above two hundred thousand dollars ; such
tomtnissiens,to becomputedupon the amounts
by them respectively paid over and accounted
for under the instructions of the Treasury De
partment : Provided, that in no case shall such
I c o o r m t m en g
commissions n t sexceed the sum of $B,OOO. And
there shall be furtherallowed to each collec
paenrd m hi i s le n f e ' c 'r ess e a a r c y h and and
mile travelled,
reason
able charges for stationery and blenkhooks
used in the'performance of -his-official-duties,
which, after being duly examined and Certi
fied' by the Commilsioner of Internet Revenue,
shall be paid out of the Treasury.''
One day, a Man, who was rather too fond
of the ardent, gave his son twenty five cents,
and told him to go and buy a quart of whir.
key, and a loaf of bread for breakfast. After
the boy had gone some distance, the father
took an economical view of things, and calling
him back told hint.t.g buy all whiskey, bread
was too dear. ' As the hew tax bill, lays a tax
of 16 cents per gallon on whiskey the proba
bility is that whiskey will become dearer than
bread, and consequently less will be used.
It is said .that the committee of Ways and
Means when preparing a list of articles that
would most justly bear taxation, found that
the amount of whiskey manufactured by the
diallers of the United States, roaches annually
600,000,000 .gallons.
If this is correct, the amount of revenue
which would be derived by the Government,
at a tax of 15 cents per gallon, according to
the synopsis of the tax bill which has been re
ported to Congress, and which we publish in
another part of this paper, would be nine hun
dred thousand dollars. This will be a sore
infliction on old topers, and wo shall not be
surprised to see them go into mourning.
East Baltimore Conference
The East Baltimore Con ferencem f the M. E,
Church, met in Baltimomr on the -sth inst,
Bishop Ames, presiding, Rev. J. 11. C. Dosh
was
,elected permanent Secretary, and Revd's.
Thomas B. Sergeant, It. D. Chambers and II•
S. Mendenhall assistants Secretaries. After
the organization of :he Clunfcrence the Rev.
A. A. RoeSe D. D offered the
.following"pre
amble and resolutions :
Whereas, Since the annual session of thi;
body a fearful rebellion has broken out in sev
eral of the Southern States, threatening to
overthrow the best and most benign Govern
ment the world ever saw; and
Whereas, The Federal authority has been
compelled to use force of arms to _suppress
said rebellion and to maintain its own suprem
acy ; and
Whereas, Patriotism is a Christian virtue,
taught in the World of God and enjoined upon
Ms in our twenty third Article of Religion,
therefore
. Resolved, First. That as a body of Christian
Ministers in Conference assembled, we here
by express our abhorrence of the rebellion now
existing within our borders as being treason
able in its origiri, - snaguinary in its progress,
nud as tending to retard the advancement of
civil liberty through the world.
-Resolved, Second, that we hereby approve
and endorse the present wise and patriotic Ail
ministration of the Federal Government in its
efforts to defAtlif. plans and to overcome the
armed resist, sO-callod Confederate
States with a'idi3w of Maintaining the unity
and perpetuity of this Government.
Resolved, Third, That in our patriotic efforts
in the pastor present to sustain the Govern
ment of our country in her time of trial we
are not justly liable to the charge of political
teaching, and, in the inculcation of loyal prin.
elides and sentiments, we regard the pulpit
and the pre's; ns legimate instrumentalities.
Resolved, loulih, That a copy of the fore
going preanible and resolutions be transmit
ted to the President of the United States,
signed by the President and countersigned
by the Secretary of the Conference.
3 mills
5
ti
It
The consideration of the resolutions led to
a warm and exciting debate. They were
passed finally by a vote of 135 to 16. Each
of those who voted in the.megative declared
that they did so because they considered the
introduction of the resolutions inexpedient and
not ihitt their love for the Union was less than
those voting in the affirmation. The Rev. Mr.
Slicer, refused to vote, on the question.
The following gentlemen were appointed a
committee on Dickinson College—A. A. Reese,
John 11. Dashiell, 11. 11. ('reever, J. D. Sny
der, Thomas Sherlock, A. E. Gibson IY A.
Shively. •
On the third day of the Conference, the
vote, for or against lay representation in the
General Conference, was taken and resulted
in 42 vote in favor to 123 against.
Ott the fifth day of the Conference the Car
lisle District was taken up when a number of
the Elders-bore testimony to the zeal and fidel
ity of Rev. John A. Gere the presiding Elder
whose character was passed. Rev. Mr. Gore
then made favorable mention of the Prettcheds
in charge of the several Stations and Circuits,
and whose characters wore all passed.
Rev. Robert U. Chambers, Professor of 'lr
vin Female College, ruse on the President
calling for his character, and said t hat last
summer he wrote a letter to the Carlisle her•
old, in which ho stated thrit there were, out of
the large number of members of the Confer
ewe, about ten who were not loyal t o the Govern
meat, or at least sympathized with the South-,
ern Confederacy. The names mentioned in
the letter were those of Urs. Slicer, Sargent
and Reiley —the latter of whom he represent.
ed as having preached a disloyal sermon. The
letter was signed Trebel- on account of the
fact that it was unnecessary for him to sign
his own name when contributing to that jour
. •
4 c. per 100 lb
1 cent per lb
i l 6 66
10 ets per lb
$1 per annum
50 eta. "
50 eta per oz
3 cts "
$5O
50cts. each.
10 "
J U
$lOO
20
50
20
10
50
101
50
50
$5 to 20
Rev Mr. Slicer referred to the letter, and
Said that as printed it did not correspond with
the:statement made by Mr. Chambers. lie
demanded that the letter no written should be
produced.
Rev. Mr. Chambers said that the letter con
tainingthe above statement was not printed.
Rev. Dr. Sargent said that it had been pub
lished if not printed.
Rev. Joseph A. Ross said that ho hoard the
letter read in the office at Carlisle, and took
an active part in having that part of it sup
pressed.
Rev. Dr. Sargent desired to ask Mr. Ross
if the parts suppressed wore not very injuri
ous to his character,- and had ; not been pub
lished abroad over the whble land ? Ho asked
if it had not been seriously discussed at Car•
lisle whether to permit him to leave the oars
there ? •
Rev. Mr. Ross observed the rumors had
readied his charge about the disloyalty,of
fain preachers, and he had said that no man
should be condemned until ho had been heard.
Whoa the letter was, received he" never saw
any name nor read any portion of it than was
suppressed by the editor. Ther.sentimont of
the community was quite strong on the•sub
jest, buthe said ho was always willing to
stand up for brother Sargent' if he would be
willing to stand by the flag wherever it had
a right to go.. [Great applause and stamping
.of feet.] • . • ,
Rect. 11. Torrence objected to continuing
the discussion' without having the letters which
originated it. • • • • -
Rev, Dr.'Sargent desired brother Ohs to an
swer the question. if there had not been cceon
multation to prevent him from lauding from
the cars at Carlisle? •
Re . i. G. D.. Chenoweth stated that when the
letter reached Carlisle the editor of the
asked his atlike whether: to ,publish - W. - On'
reading it be saw the names of brothers Sar
gent and Slicer,and advised that it- should
TAX ON WHISKEY
not be published.• fe knew that brothel' Sli
cer was a good &trek man-at Light street.
Rev. Dr. Sargent observed to Mr. oheno
with--You did not know;him more than
You were assoolcifed with me more than
weth'brot her Slicer.
..
Rev. Mr. Chenoweth=Yes, I knew acme of
him at Light street. This is the letter which
brother Chambers referred to in his rtfnarks,
[handing it to Mr. Chambers who gaVe it to
the President ]
Rev. Mr. Slicer—lS that the letter which
was signed by Trebor? To this inquiry an'
'answer was returned in the negative.
- Rev. Mr. Slicer then observed that the let.
ter signed by Trebor contained a statement
that brothers Slicer and Sargent were ram
pant Secessionists. I - to desired to get pos
session of it, and demanded the authority of
any ono to make the assertion.
Rev. Mr Chambers expressed his readiness,
Utile Conference would grant him leave of
absence, to go up to Carlisle and procure the
letter. On the issues as contained in the let
ter lie wire willing to meet Mr. Slicer on the
Conference floor. [Great commotion through
the Church]
Rev. Dr. Sargent observing the letter on
the table in front of the President, went to
and endeavored to get possession of it. The
President caught hold of and wrested the let
ter out of Mr.' Sargent's hands. The affair
created considerable excitement among the
members and congregation. The President
said that when he called the name of Rev.
Mr. Chambers he had no knowledge of what
he was going to•sny.
Rev.• Mr. Sargent apologized for his at
tempting to take the letter out of the posses
-ion of the President, and observed that lie
Wi811C(1 to know if the handwriting of the let
ter was his? He designed no disrespect by his
action.
The President remarked that ho was aware
that the act had been committed while he was
in a warm state; that in , cooler moments he
would regret it-
Rev. John Lloyd stated that the session lied
commenced with a storm, and that it had con
tinued in the sante stormy state. lie proposed
that they should follow the example of the
Missouri Conference and have the oath of
allegance administered. lie t hotiOdt hat the
readiest way to solve the present difficulty.
[Rev. Mr: Dashiell whispered that the
speaker• was an Englishman.]
Rev. Kinsey observed that in the case of
the Missouri Conference the oath had been
administered by order of the Government.
The proposition was not acted on
Rev. Mr. C.iambers rose anti observeA that
his character had been called for a number of
years without any objections having been
made thereto. There was no charge alleged
against hint, but he had thought proper to
allude to the letter which he had written to
the editor of the Carlisle Herald, in which he
made mention that Dr. Sargent was in full
'sympathy with the rebellion. He thought so
still. It triedhis - heart to see such men in
such work. When Virginia took the stand
again - Sr the fllTi - vero ment 'tlfi - s 'court try his
heart was smitten with anguish. If Dr. Sar
gent would have had the courage to vote for
the resolution passed by the Cmference it
would have made him think diffeeently of his
loyalty. But as he has voted nay, and Mr.
Slicer refused so to vote, then it proves to me
that they are in sympathy with the rebellion.
The ]'resident thought that no good Would
result from allowing such latitude in the re
marks of the tn•ethren. Ile desired that
more brotherly love should exist. It was the
prerogative of the Conference to prefer the,
charges against any member whose conduct
required it.
Rev. Mr. Slicer said he would on to mor
row prell..r charges against Mr. Chambers of
and slander as contained in the letter
of Trehor.
Rev. Mr. Dashiell hoped tluit he would not
pursue that course.
Rev. Mr. Kinsey said he considered his
character as being impugned by the 11S+ertion
that, those who voted in the 'negative were
disloysti,
Dashiell, in reply, observed that
the various papers, in recoiling the 'vote on
thc,resulution, stated that those voting in the
negative distinctly disavowed, while explain
ing their votes, any disloyalty in voting as
they did.
Rev. Dr. Sargent stated that he knew most
of the contents of the letter on the ['resident's
table, and that it was an indignant response
to one that. the editor had written to him
respecting the assertions contained in the
other letter.
The Pi esident here interposed and said
hat the discussions had proceeded on without
any point.
Rev. Mr. Slicer observed thlt he would do
avian the production of the letter. when—
The President stated that it was necessary
for Mr. Slicer if he made any charge based
on the letter, to produce it.
Message from the President
The l'reNident 10-day transmitted to Con
greys the following tne;sag,e :
Follow citizens of the Senate and ITouse
of Representatives—l recommend the adop_
tiou of a joint resolution by your honorable
bodies which would be substantially as fol.
lows
REseby El), That the United States ought to
co operate with any State which may adopt
gradual abolishment of slavery, giving to
such State pecuniary aid to be used be such
State in its discretion to coin pen.rtte for the
inconveniences, public and private, pro
dueed by such change of' system.
If the proposition contained in the resolu
tion doe; not, meet the approval of Congress
and the country, there is the end, hut it' it
does command such approval, I deem it of
importance that the States and people imme ,
(nattily interested should be at ~ a ce distinct
ly notified of the tact, so that they may
begin to consider whether to accept or reject
it. The Federal government w id , ' Mu! its
highest interest in such a measure, as one of
the most efficient means of self FeB.er vfti ion.
The le do s of the existing insurrettion
entertain the hope that this o , verninent will
ultimately he forced to acknowledge the in
dependenee of some part of the disaffected
region, and that. all the slave States nortlr of
such parts will then say—The Union fur
which we have strug.2led being flirt:Ay gone,
we now choose to go with the Southern sec•
lion. 'l'o deprive them of this hope substan
tially ends the rebellion, and the initiation
of emancipation completely deprives them
of it as to all the States initiating it. The
point is not that all the States tolerating
slavery would very Soon, if ai AM, initiate
emancipation ; but that while the offer is
equally !nude to all, the more northern shall,
by such initiation, Audio it certain to the
inure southern that, in no event will the
former ever join the latter in their proposed
confederacy. if say initiation, because, in my
judgment, gradual and not sudden emanci•
pation is better for all. In the mere linen-
Mad or pecuniary "new, any member,. of
Comp ess, with the census tallies and treas
ury reports before him. can readily see for
himself how very soon the current , expendi•
tures of this war would purchase r at fair
valuation, all the slaves in any named State.
Such a proposition on the part of the gen-
eral government sets up no claim of a right.
by Federal authority, to interfere with sla
very within State limits, referring, as it does,
the absolute control of the subject in each
case to the State and its people immediately
interested.
It is proposed as a matter of perfectly
free choice with them. In the annual tries•
sage last December, I thought fit to say ;
Tlie Union must be preserved, and hence
all indispensible means must be Amployed
I said this not hastily, but deliberately. War
has been made, and continues to be an in•
di6pensible means to this end. A practical
re-acknowledgment of the national authority
would render the War unnecessary, and it
would at once cease. If, however, resistance
continues, thkoyntaiust also continue,- and
it is imPiistillg'lV foresee all the- incidents
which may attend, and all the ruin 'which
may follow it. Subh us may.seein indispen.
siblo, or may obviously promise great etli.
"eiency towards ending the struggle, must
and will come. The
.propesition now made
is an offer only, . I hope it may be esteemed
no offence to ask Whether the pecuniary
considerstionlondered would not be of more
value to the Stiitaiand-pri;mte parsons con
Cerrod than are- the institution and property
in it, in the present aspect of affairs. 'While
it' is tine that the Adoption .of - the prepoSed
resolution would_ be merely iritatory, and
not Withiti•itielf a practical measure, it is
recommended in the hope that it would sove
lead to important praCtical results. In flit
view of my great responsibility to my God
and to my country, I earnestly beg the at
tention of Congress and the people to this
subject.
(Signed)
rifir The President's mess- , go excited a
deep interest in the House 'to-day: It was
evident.that a document orsuch an impor-
Mitt character •vas not generally anticipated.
The readir.g was called for by Mr. Stevens
or Pennsylvania, and, on his motion, re.
ferred to the Committee of the W-hole-on the
State of the Union in which it will be dis
cti'ssed. Some of the members, not fully
understanding it as pronounced from the
desk, perused the manuscript at their seats.
The subject therein discussed form to-night
a theme of earnest converse...tint:ls., The
message of a similar character tranSmitted
to the Senate was not read.
WAR NEWS
The news which reached us On Monday
from Old Point, as well as from Gen. Banks'
division produced no little excitement after
the calm of last week. Our extracts will
embrace the most important points leaving.
out the minor details for which we have no
space.
On Saturday last, the men at Old Point
Comfort were startled by the announcement
that the rebel iron clad steamer Merrimac
was,moving down from Norfolk by the chan
nel in front of Sewall's Point. Signal guns
were also fired by the U. S. sloop of war
Cumberland and the frigate Congress to
notify the Minnesota, St. Lawrence and
Roanoke, of the approaching danger, and
all was excitement in and about Fortress
Monroe.
There was nothing protruding above
the water but the flag staff, flying the rebel
flag, and a short smoke stack. She 'came
along slowly, and turning into the channel
leading to Newport News steamed di:ect
f.a. the Cumberland and Congress, which
were lying at the mouth of the James River.
As soon as the Merrimac came within
range of the Cumberland the latter openeti,
on her with her heavy guns, hut the balls
struck and glance d off having no more
effect on her than peas from a popgun,
her ports were all closed, and she moved on
in silence, but with a full head of steam.
In the mean time es the Merrimac was
approaching the two frigates on the one side,
the iron clod steamers Yorktown and James
town came down the James river and on.
Raked our frigates on the other side: The
batteries and Newport News also opened on
the Jamestown and Yorktown and did all in
their po*Wer to assist the Cumberland and
Congress, which being sailing vessels, were
at' he mercy of the approaching steamers.
The Merrimac_ in the meantime kept
sfe'iiiliTiOn her courui and slowly approached
the Cumberland when the latter :LS well as
the Congress, at the &stance of about one
hundred yards rained lull broadsides on the
iron-clad monster. The shuts took no effect,
glancing upwards and flying off, having only
the effect of checking her progress fur a
moment.
• After receivfidly; the first broadsides of the
two frigates she ran into the Cumberland,
striking her about midships and literally
laying open her side. She then drew off,
fired a broadside into the disabled ship and
again dashed against her with her iron-clad
prow and knocking in her side, left her to
sink, while she engagetl the Congress, which
lay about a quarter of a mile distant:
The Cie gross had, in the meantime, kept
up n sharp engagement with the Yorktown
and Jamestown, having, no regular crew on
board of her, and seeing the hopelessness of
resisting the iron clad steamers, at once
struck her colors. Her crew had been
•dscharged several days since, and three
comlianies of the Naval Brigade had been
put on board temporarily until she could be
relieved by the St. Lawrence, which . was to
have gone up on Monday, to take her position
as one of the blockading vessels_,,At the
James river.
Ott the Congress striking her • colors the
Jamestown approached and took fr.* on
board all the officers as prisoners, but al_
lowed the crew to escape in the boats. In
the Meantime, the stea-n frigate Minnesota,
having partly got up steam, was being towed
up to the relief of the two frigates, but did
not et up until too late to assist them. She
wit.' also followed by the frigate St. Lawrence,
Wll e
( 9
h was taken in tow by several of the
smalLib-arbt-r steamers. It is however, ru•
mored that neither of these vessels had
• pilots on board them, and after a short
engagement both seemed to be, in the opin
ion of tire pilots, on the point, aground.
The Minnesota, either intentionally or
from necessity, engaged the three rebel
steamers at about a mile distance, with only
her-two bow guns. The St. Lawrence also
poured in shot from all her galls that she
could bring to bear, and it was the impress
ion of the most experienced naval officers
on the point that both had been considerably
damaged. c
In the meantime darkness approached,
though tile moon shone out brightly and
nothing but the occasional flashing of gnus
could be seen, The Allq . riume was also
believed to be aground, as she remained
stationary et the distance of about a mile
from the linnesota, making no attempt to
attack or molest her.
Shortly after the engagement the EricFson
iron cladsteamer Monitor arKved from New
York, and immediately went to the assistance
or the Minnesota lying aground off Newport
News.
At 7 o'clock on Sundny morning the Merri
mac, accompanied by two wooden steamers
and several tugs, stood oat towards the Min
nesota and opened fire
The Monitor met them at once, and opened.'
her the, when all the enemy's vessels retired
excepting the Nlerrinitio These two iron
clad vessels fought, part of the time hint:1)111g
each other, from 8 o'clock A. M till noon,
when the Merrimac retired. The Merrimac
was supposed to be damaged when she retired,
and wow towed by the other vessels toward
Norfolk.
Now roan, March O.—A special report
from Fortress Monroe to the Tribune states
that Lho•;Cutnberland had a crew of 500 men,
nearly half of whom wont down with her, but
a negro stales that souse of the crew who
swam ashore give the number lost at ono hun
Bred. The guns of the Congress, after her
capture, were turned on our batteries at New
port News,
Gen. IVocrl 9ent two regiments of infantry,
six companies of cavalry and the Mounted
Rifles by land to Newport News to support
Gen. Mansfield, in case of an attack.
A telegraph lino has been completed to For
tress Monroe.
Capture of Leesburg by Col. Geary
FORTS BEAUREOARD, JOHNSON AND EVANS
TAKEN.
LEESBURG, VA., March B.—Col. Geary has
taken Leesburg, and driven General Hill, with
his-whole command, -from the town and Sur
rounding forts.
The stars and stripes now wave over all the
illy.
The_rebels fell back toward Middlebury last
night. Col. Geary left Lotfettsville Kith his
command and marched through 'Wheatland
and Waterford, taking prisoners at both places,
and putting the scattered forces of the enemy
to flight.
Shortly after sunrise this morning ho took
possession of Fort ~ Johnson, which was re.
christened by the officers 'Fort Geary. He
then entered the tows with iWgs flying and
bayonets fixed.
The . rebel troops, who'had considered this
as one of their greatest strongholds, could be
discerned, through a glass, id full retreat.
The command took many•prisoners t and a
quantity of army stores, and are in possession
of the bank, post.office, and other "public
buildings.
Forts Beauregard and Evans aro also taken.
- This brilliant achievement, accomplished by
a well-timed blow and skillful, menwuvre, is
of vast. importance. The command IS well
and in good - '
A detachment of the let Niohigan'eavalry.
did much 'service, under the direction of. Cob
Cleary, in the movement.
Official Despatches.'
Poor.EavILLE, March -- - T 8.0 13„Eig. den. S
Leesburg was 'entirely ovaouatod yesterday
. ,• .
toornin l i. The reports are that Col. a:caret:l
advance are ,there.
N. S. T.- DANA, Bag. OM
OecupatibU of Leesburg Conlin:eta.
CliMu.ss , rowri, VA., March 0.--.The'report
of last night that the United States troops had
occupied' Leestorg is officially confirmed.—
The rebels eiheuated the twin on Prfddy
morning, taking , all their baggage arid sup
plies to Middleburg, but it is not•knoW"n whe
ther the troops retired thither or started to
wards Winchester. Col. Geary occupied thd
town unresisted yesterday morning, capturing
considerable property belonging to the rebel
army.
, .
Anrekium LINCOLY
All was quiet on the frontiers last night.
Accobnts froin Washington state that Ch
occupatibri of Leesburg by our troops hnihdot
an electrical effect upon our army. There is
no use to attempt to exptess the anxiety whicli
is now manifested by our troops on all sides
to move forward. That they will give a good
account of themselves before the close Of !ho
war is no longer.a question.
The Pennsylvania Reserves are r represented
most excellent Condition, and ready
to march at a moment's warning. They were
busy last week in scouting and repairing roads
and bridges. Nearly all their sick have been
sent to the. city, and a number of thbni' .
expected to bo forwarded to Philadelphia to
morrow morning. Some of thb regiments
have not Jost a single man by sibktibss bine el
they have been in the service.
The President has issued a war order
2, in which he orders that the Army of thb`
Potomac he divided into an army corps, to be
commanded by the Commanders of corps, se
lected according to their seniority in rank, as
follows : The first corpse d'armee, consisting
of four divisions, to be commanded by Major
den. McDowell. The second, corps, consist
ing of three-divisions, to be commanded by
Brig. Gen. Sumner. The third corps, coilf;'.
sidling of three divisions, to be commanded
by Brig. Gen. Heintdeman. The fourth corps,
consisting of three divisions, to be command
ed by Brig. Gen. Keyes The fifth corps,'
consist ins of Generals Banks and Shields'
(late Gen. Lander's) commands, to be com
manded by Major General Banks. Captain
Bell, of the 3d Pennsylvania cavalry, has
been promoted to be Major of t'ie 3d Illinois
cavalry, now in Gen. Ilalleck's department.
WAsniNnTorl, March 9.—Gen. Hooker re
ports that all the rebel batteries in front of
his line are entirely abandoned and the - it'
gtins spiked. 'Some of the guns of which we
have taken possession appear to be valuable
pieces. This is virtually opening the Poto
tnae and raising tae so-called blockade. .
The above dispatch is dated - Budd's Ferry.
The rebels have retired from cockpit point,
on the lower Potomac, and our troops have
taken puses,ion.
The Pom-oiliee Department received a let
ter to day from Nashville, dated the 3d in
stunt, in which it is staled that on the speCial
agent, Mr Wickland, taking posession of the
post•ollice in that city, he found that the rob
el postmaster had stripped it- of every article
of property— blanks, locks, mail bags, twine,
scales, keys, &c. The special agent had man
aged to get the mails from Nashville to Louis
ville.
The letters adds " The United States offi
cers and troops have agreeably disappointed
the secessionists, by reason of their good be
havior and gentlemanly deportment. Otherw
are Mail because the officers and men will not
permit some act of violence or perpetrate an
outrage of some kind. lie it said to the cred
it of all the officers, soldiers, civilians nodi
camp followers, that the order in Nashville
was never better. 1 have never known bolter
order."
A dispatch from Atlanta, Ga., snys•that: the
Federal troops have occupied Murfrecsbor
ough, Tenn., and that General A Sydney
Johnson has retreated to Decatur, Ala.
A strong force is concentrating at Suffuld to
check General Burnside, who was reported to
have occupied Winchester in force and to be
moving on Norfolk.
-- The reason given - by the rebels for not ro
t urning Col. Corcoran is that maps and draw
ings have been found concealed on his per Son.
No further communication hiss been received
as to (he release of the Federal prisoners at
Richmond.
The Richmond papers of Friday mention no
military news, except the arrest of Union men,
principally Germans. The detectives broke
into the room of the German Turners, and
found two American flags, with a painting of
the Goddess of Liberty, with the words under
neath, "hats off." The painting and flags
were confiscated.
Evacuation of Centreville, Winches
ter and other Points by the Rebels,
IvAsirixnrox, March 10.
Tliere isno longer any doubt that the rebels
have evacuated Centreville, Winchester, and
other important points, indicating a general
falling back of their forces.
The telegraph to Fortress Monroe has been
fully occupied on Government business all
day, which has prevented the associated press
dispatch from coming forward. Thcre has
been no change in the state of affairsja that.
point every effort will be made to give the
names of the killed and wounded at the earli
est possible moment.
Lieut. Wise, commanding the Potomac flo
tilla, in his official report to the Navy Depart
ment, confirms the rumor of the abandonment
of the rebel batteries at Cockpit, Shipping
and other points allngthe line of the Potomac,
and also the burning of the steamer Page and
other rebel craft.
Fatal Defeat of the Combined Forces
of Van Dorn, M'Culloch, Price and
M'ln.tosh.
ST Lours, March la.
The following is an official despatch to Maj.
Gen. McClellan, at Washington:
The army of the south west, under General
Curtis, after three days' havd fighting, haw
gained n most glorious victory over the cony-
Mood forces of Van Doru, McCulloch, Price
find Mclntosh.
Our lus , , is estimated at one thousand killed
end wounded. '
That of the enemy is still larger.
Guns, flags. provisions, &c., were captured
in large quantities..
Our cavalry aro in pursuit of the dying
The evacuation of Manassas, and retreat of
the rebels southward is confirmed ; th e batter
ies along the Potomac aro also abandoned,
and oar troops have taken posession of the for
tifications. Before retreating the rebels burnt
a largo amount of commissary stores, and
blow up the bridges on the Rail Road.
Are order from the President relieves
McClellan from the command as General-in-
Chief, and assigns him to duty in the field;
in command of the army of the Potomac.
Gen. Fremont has ako been ordered to tht:
command of the Department East of the Mit
sissipp..
'Chit' MARCY, VA., r .
March 7, 1862.
At n meeting of the members of Company
n, Bcl Pn. Cav,,, convened otr the evening of
the.7tl instant, for the purpose of expressing
sentiments respecting the unfortunate_acei
dont that deprived WILLIAM W. EWING of his
life... Land the Company of an esteemed_ mar
ber, the following preamble and resolutions
were adopted :
W.IIEILEAS, The Almighty, in his nll•wise
PrOVidellee, bath seen proper to remove from
among us, while in the prime of life, our fel.
loci soldier WlLmmit IV. Ewino, with what .it
was bard to part; yet it is the imperative
duty of all men to bow is humble submission
to His will, Therefore,
Resolved, That we deeply and sincerely de
plore the loss of so valuable a soldier, who by
his courteous manners has endeared himself
to Many friends. • •
Resolved, That we hereby tender to the be l =
reeved parents and relatives of the deceased;
eunniost heartfelt syMpathies.
Resolved, That we exhonorato IsTiommas
Woons, of, intentional guilt on the' ground
that the occurrence Was purely accidental, and
that aceidents are at all times liable oven
w4oracare is exereised,.and that wo heartily
regret the relation in which he is placed.
Resolved,
,That these , proceedings bo
,pub
hefted itr,the Carlisle ilecald,•raltey Star and
the Shippensburg News, and that a copy be..
forwardekto the Parents-of theleceased.
5 • • ‘Virntmt,
S. 11. KENNEDY, COMINI4I(Gd.
LONG,.III I
_ -
[Signe I]
11. W. lIALLECK,
Evacuation of Manassas,
Tribute of Respect
I,