Crawfordsville Review, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 20 February 1858 — Page 1

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l*rR«T. Dr. Raffles, of Liverpool, has aseriea of years be6h in the habit of "Paring add presenting to his congregaitkmafcymn with the opening of each New ^Teir. "The following is the one for New iTear'i morning 1858:

HO NIGHT IN HEAVEN.

"And tbrfrerta llbehonight tlicro."—Ker. 22,6: No ni? htnhall be in Ilcaven—no gathering gloom, ^Shall o'er that glorious landscape ever come. x?o tears pball fall in sadness o'er those flowers ''That breathe their frngrnnce through colestial bowers. '*& ?.

%Co nig}it sbnll be in Ilcftven—no dreadful hour "'Of mental darkness, or the tempter's power. Across those skies no envious clcmds shall roll,

To dim tho sunlight of the enraptured soul. •,

No night shall be in Heaven. Forbid to sleep, These eyes no more their mournful vigils keep: Their fountains dried- their tears all wiped away: They gaze, nndazzled, on eternal day.

•No night shall bo in Heaven—no sorrow's reign— Xotacret anguish—no corporeal pain— No shiveringjimbs—no burning fever tlicie—

No soul's aolipse—no winter of despair.

No night shall he in ITiaven—but an'endless noon No fast declining Fun nor waning moon ,JBnt there the Lamb slinll yield.perpetual light, 'Mid pastures green, and waters ever bright

No night shall be in neaven— no darkened room, No bed of death nor silence of tho tomb Bnt brce7.cn over fresh, with love and truth, Bhtll braco t!no frame with immortal vonth. ii Jfo night slia! 1 bo in Heaven! Ktit nigl. is here— Tho night of sorrow and tho night of ftnr. I mourn the ills tlint now my steps attend, And shrink from others that may yot impend.

No night hhall bo in Heaven! Oh, had I faith To regtin.what. tho faithful Witness saith— That Faith should make these liidecius phantoms •ur '.'J •V.-T

Atad leave no night henceforth on earth to mo.

THE EXPERIENCES

tVsVt OP A A I S IE IEt

ESTHER MASON.

•Tir.uuiEX

WARNER,

{ore,

ESQ., ov TIII IXXER TrsiriJ.

About forty years ago, Jabcz "Woodford,

foreman of shipwrights in the Plymouth dock-yard, whilst carclcssly crossing one of the transverse beams of a seventy-four gun ship, building in that arsenal, missed his footing, fell to the bottom of the hold of the huge vessel, and was killed on the spot. He left a widow and one child—a boy sev.cn years of ago, of placid, endearing disposition, but weak intellect—almost in a state of destitution. lie had been a coarse tempered, improvident man and liko too manv of his class, in those days at least, dissipated the whole of his large earnings in present sensuous indulgence, utterly careless or miudful of the future. Esther Woodford, who, at the time of her husband's death, scarcely numbered fife-and twenty years, was still a remarkably comely nu well'asinteresting, gentle-mannered perBon and moreover hud, for her station in life, received a tolerable education. Her rash, ill-assorted marriage with Woodford had been hastily contracted when .she was barely seventeen years of age, in con.scquencc of a jealous pique which, she, for some silly reason or other, had conceived regafding Ilenry Mason, an intelligent, young seafaring man, of fair prospects in life, and frank disposition, with whom she 'had for some time previously, as the west--oouutry phrase has it. 'kept company,1 and who was, moreover, tenderly attached to her. Esther's married life was one long Tepcntancc of the rash act and the scvcr-

"nncc of the tie which bound her to an un- consult some of the firm upon the subject, geninl mate—after the subsidence of the before we decide upon permanent ones.— natural horror and compassion excited by the sudden and frightful nature of the ca 'tastrophc—must have been felt as a most blessed relief. A few weeks afterwards, •she accepted an asylum with her brother-in-law, Davis, a market-gardener in the vicinity of Plymouth, where by persevering 'industry with her needle, and thrifty helpfulness in her sister's household duties, she ^endeavored to compensate her kind-hearted "relatives for the support of herself and her 'helpless, half-witted child. Mason she had

*ncvcr seen since the day previous to her j01. vainly strusigling in the grasp of sevbut she knew ho t» 1 «iarriage out sue Knew 11c was prospering in the busy world, and that, some time before her husband's death, he had been Appointed chief-mate in a first-class mer-chant-ship trading to the Pacific. He had sailed about a fortnight previous to that event aud now, ten lazy months having slowly floated past, the lover of her youth with whom, in that last sunny day of her young life—how distant did it seem, viewed through the long intervening vista of days and nights of grief and tears!—she had danced so joyously beneath the flowering chestnut-trees, was once more near hor and it was—oh happiness f—no longer a sin to think of him—no longer a crime to recall and dwell upon the numberless

iroofs of tho deep affection, the strong he had once felt for her. Once felt! Perhaps even now! How swiftly had the intelligence communicated by her sympathising sister tinted with bright hues the dark certain of the future! "And yet," murmured poor Esther," the flush of hopelading as suddenly as it had arisen, as with mock sad eyes she glanced at the reflection of ber features in the small oval glass suspended above, the mantlepiece—"I almost doubt, Susy dear, if he would recognize me even if old feelings and old' tiuies have not long since faded frojn his memory" "Stuff and trumpery about fading away!" broke in Mrs. Davies. "Henry Mason is the same true-hearted man he was eight years ago and as a proof that he is, just read this letter, which I promised him to

«'ve

jou. There, don't go falling into a istr&tion don't now, Esther, and to-mor-row marketrday and all! J)on't cry, Esther," she added vehemently,, but at the same time sobbing furiously herself, and throwisg her arms rounc| her sister's neck "but perhaps—perhaps it will do us good, Wttofjas

bv my wife-—herself a native of beautiful Ptroil—in the fortunes of this humme

honschold. Esther was her foster-sister arid it hapenedthat just at this .period, it being vacation-time, we were paying a visit to a family in the neighborhood. A few hours after the receipt of the welcome letter, my wife chanced to call on Esther's relative for some fancy needlework and on her return, I was of course favored with every full nnd florrid details of this. little bit of cottage romance which I, from regard to the reader, have carefully noted down, and as briefly as possble expressed.

We met Henry Mason with his recovered treasure on the following evening and certainly a more favorable specimen of the vigorous, active, bold-featured, frank-spo-ken British seamen I never met with. To his comparatively excellent education— for which I understood he was indebted to his mother, a superior woman, who, having fallen from off the little heights of society, had kept a school at Ply mouth—in addition to his correct and temperate habits, he was indebted for the rapid advance—he was but a few months older than Esther—he had obtained in the merchant service.— The happiness which beamed upon Esther's face did not appear to be of the exuberant, buoyant character that kindled the ruddy check and ran over at the bright, honest eyes of the hardy sailor there seemed to mingle with it a half-doubting, trembling opprchensiveness albeit it was not difficult to perceive that, sorrowfully as had passed her noon of prime, an 'Indian summer' of the soul was rising upoiyher brightened existence, and already was its first faint flushes lighting up her meek, doubting eyes, and pale changing countenance.— Willy, her feeble-minded child! frisked and gambolled by their side and altogether a happier group than thoy would, I fancy, have been difficult to find in all broad England.

The next week they were married and one of the partners of the firm by which Mason was employed happening to dine with us on the day of the wedding, the conversation turned for a few minutes on the bridegroom's character and prospects. "lie has the ring of true metal in him I remarked "and is, I should suppose, a capital seaman "A first-rate one," replied Mr. Roberts. "Indeed so high is my lather's opinion of him, that lie intends to confer upon him the command of a fine brig now building for us in the Thames and intended for the West India trade. He possesses also singular courage and daring. Twice, under very hazardous circumstances, he has successfully risked his life to save men who had fallen overboard. He is altogether a skilful, gallant seaman." "Such a man," observed another of the company, "might surely have aspired higher than to the .hand of Esther Woodford, dove-eyed and interesting as she may be "Perhaps so," returned Mr. Koberts a little curtly, "though he, it seems, could not have thought so. Indeed it is of sim-ple-hearted, chivalrous-minded men like Mason that it can be with general truth observed— "On rcvicnt tojours a scs premiers amours."

The subject then dropped, and it was a considerable time afterwards, and under altogether altered circumstance's, when the newly married couple once crossed my path in life.

It was about eight month after his marriage—though lie had been profitably employed in tho interim—that Henry Mason, in consequence of the welcome announcement that the new brig was at Inst ready for her captain and cargo, arrived' in London to enter upon his new appointment. "These lodgings, Esther," said he, as he was preparing to go out, soon after breakfast, on the morning after his arrival, "are scarcely the thing and as I, like you, am a stranirer in Cockney-land, had better

In the meantime, and liilly must mind and keep in doors when I am not with you, or 1 shall have one or other of you lost in this great wilderness of a city. I will order something for dinner as 1 go along: I have your purse. Cod bless you both.

Inquiring his way every two or "three* minutes, Mason presently found himself in the vicinity of Tower Stairs. A scuffle in front of a public house attracted his attention and his ready sympathies were in an instant enlisted in behalf of a young sail

oral athletic men, and crying lustilv 011 tho gaping bystanders for help. Mason sprang forward, caught one of the assailants by the eolar, aud hurled him with some violence against the wall. A fierce outcry greeted this audacious interference with gentlemen who, in those good old times, were but executing the law in a remarkably good old manner. Lieutenant Donnagheu, a somewhat celebrated snappcr-up of loose mariners, emerged upon the scene, and in a few minutes was euablcd to exult in the secure possession of an additional prize in the unfortunate Ilenry Mason, who too late, discovered that he had embroiled himself with a press-gang! Desperate,' frenzied were the efforts lie made to extricate himself from the peril in which he had rashly involved himself. In vain!— His protestations that he was a mate, a captain, in the merchant service, were unheeded or mocked at.

To all his remonstrances he only got the

,5You

must therefore," concluded the

officer, as he turned laughingly upon his heel, "do as thousands of other fine fellows have been compelled to do—'grin and bear it.' In about three weeks from the date of his Impressment, Mason found himself seeing in the Mediterranean on board the 'Aetiye* frigate, '.Captain' Ala*anderr.Goi--don, without having been permitted "one opportunity of~ communicating with "the

I--VOL. IX, NO. 31. CRAWFORDSVILLE, MONTGOMERY COUNTY,

shore. This was certainly very sharp— bat it was not the less very common practice in those great days of triumphant battles by land and sea.

Very drearily passed the time with the bereaved wife. Her husband had promised to send home something for dinner, and various groceries yet hour after hour wetit past, and nothing arrived. Morning flushed into noon, day faded to twilight, and still the well-known and always eager step sounded not upon the stairs What could have detained him from his wife, shut up, imprisoned, as it were, in that hot, hurrying, stifling city She feared to listen to the suggestions of the boding heart and with feverish restlessness ran out upon the landing, and peered over the stairs every time a knock or ring was heard at tho street-door. This strange behavior was it seems, noticed by the landlady of the lodg-ing-house, and injuriously interpreted. A knock came to the door, and that person entered to know at what time Mrs. she had forgotten the young woman's name, expected the dinner, she, the landlady, had undertaken to cook.

Esther timidly replied that her husband had promised to return in two or three hours at least and that she did not comprehend his continued absence—was indeed quite alarmed about it "Your husband said the woman glancing insolently at Esther's figure. "Arc you sure he is your husband

The hot blood suffused the temples of the indignant wife as she said: "this apartment, madam, I believe is mine "Oh, certainly, as long as you can pay for it," and rudely slamming the door, the landlady departed.

The long wretched night at last over, Esther rose with the light and after giving her son his breakfast from the remains of that of tho day before, set off with him to the place of business of the Messrs. Roberts. It was early, and one clerk only had as yet arrived at the office. He informed her that Mr. Henry Mason had not been there, and that the partners were greatly annoyed about it, as his immediate presence was absolutely necessary.

Stunned, terrified, bewildered by the frightful calamity which she believed had befallen her, she felt convinced that her husband had been entrapped and murdered for the sake of the money he had about him the wretched woman tottered back to her lodgings, and threw herself on the bed in wild despair. What was to be done for food even for her boy Her husband had not only h's pocket-book with him containing his large money, but had taken her purse She was alone and penniless in a strange city! The hungry wailings of ber witless child towards evening at length aroused her from the stupor of despair into which she had fallen. The miserable resource of pawning occurred to her she could at least-, by pledging a part of her wardrobe, procure sustenance for her child till she could hear from her sister and

with trembling hands she began arranging a bundle of such things as she could best spare, when the landlady abruptly entered the room, with a-peremptory demand—as her husband was not returned, and did not. appear likely to do so—for a month's rent I in advance, that being tho term the apartments were engaged for. The tears, entreaties, expostulations of the miserable wife were of no avail. Not one article, the woman declared, should leave her house till her claim was settled. She affected to doubt, perhaps really did so, that Esther was married and hinted coarsely at an enforcement of the laws against persons who had no visible means of subsistence. In a paroxysm of despair, the unhappy woman rushed out of the house and accompanied by her hungry child, again sought the counting-house of the Messrs. llobcrts.— She was now as much too late as she had been too early in the morning: the partners and clerks had gone, and she appears to have been treated with some rudeness

by the porter, who was closing the prem-1 prosecution and the jury, in the same bus

ises when she arrived. Possibly the wild ness of her looks, and the incoherence of her speech and manner, produced an im pression unfavorable to her. Retracing her steps—penniless, hungry, sick at heart —she thought, as she afterwards declared, that she recognized my wife in one of the numerous ladies seated before the counters of a fashionable shop in one of the busiest thoroughfares. She entered, and not till she approached close to the lady discovered her mistake. She turned despairingly* away, when a piacc of rich lace, lying apparently unheeded on the counter, mother eye, and a dreadful suggestion crossed her fevered brain here atleast was the means of procuring food for her wailing child.— She glanced hastily and fearfully round.—

No eye, she thought, observed her and horror of horrors! a moment afterwards she had concealed the lace beneath her shawl, and with tottering feet was hastily leaving the shop. She had not taken lialf-a-dozqji steps when a heavy' hand was laid iipon her shoulder, and a voice, as of a serpent hissing in her ear, commanded her to restore the lace she had stolen. Transfixed with shame and terror, she stood rooted to the spot, aud the lace fell on the floor. "Fetch an officer," said tho harsh voice, addressing one of the shopman.

woman, falling on her knees in wild snpplication. ''For mv child's sake—in mercy

professional answer—"His majesty wants you, and that- is enough so come along, aud innocent babe as yet unborn—pity no more about it."

no more Bruised, exhausted, almost mad, he was borne off in triumph to a boat, into whicb lie was thrust-with scvoral others, and swiftly rowed off in triumph to a receiving ship in tlio^ river. Even there his assertions and protestations were of no avail.— Nothing but an Admiralty order, the officer in command candidly told him, should effect his liberation. His majesty was in need of seamen, and he was evidently too smart a one to be deprived of the glory of serving his country.

aiu'

forgive me

The harsh order was reiterated: and Esther Mason, fainting with shame and agony, was conveyed to the prison in Giltspur .Street. The next day she was fully committed to Newgate on the capital charge of privately stealing in a shop to the value of five pouuds. A few hours after her incarceration within those terrible walls, she was prematurely delivered of a female child.

I have uo moral doubt whatever, I never have had, that at the time of tho committal of the felonious act, the intellect of Esther Mason was disordered. Any other supposition is inconsistent with the whole tenor of her character. 'Lead us not into temptation' is indeed the holiest, because the humblest prayer.

Three weeks had elapsed before the first intimation of these events reached me, in a note from the ehaphujii of ^Newgate an excellent, kind-hearted man, to whom Ws. Mason had confided her sad story. I'im-

mediately hastened to.the prison, and in a long interview with her, elicited the foregoing statement. I readily assured her that all. which legal skill could do to extricate herefrom the awful position in which she stood, the gravity of which I did not affect to conceal, should be done. The offence with which she was charged had supplied the scaffold with a number of victims and tradesmen were more than ever clamorous for the steni execution of a law which, spite of experience, they still regarded as the only safeguard of their property. My wife was overwhelmed with grief and in her anxiety to save "her un-

tor, in the hope of inducing him not to press the charge. Her efforts were unavailing. He suffered much, he said, from such practices, and was "upon.principle* determined to make an example of every offender he could catch. As to the plea that the husband had been forcibly carried off by a prcssgang, it was absurd for what would become of the property of tradesmen if the wife of every sailor so entrapped were to be allowed to plunder shops with impunity? This magnificent reasoning was of course unanswerable and the rebuked petitioner abandoned her bootless errand in despair. Messrs. Roberts, I should have mentioned, had by some accident discovered the nature of the misfortune which had befallen their officer, and had already made urgent application to the Admirality for his release. bnsr.

The Old Bailey sessions did. not come on for some time I, however, took care to secure at once, as I did not myself practice in that court, the highest talent which its bar afforded. Willy, who had been placed in a workhouse by the authorities, we had properly taken care of till he could be restored to his mother or in the event of her conviction, to his relatives in Devonshire.

The sessions were at last on a "true bill" agaiu/xt Esther Mason for shoplifting, is it was popularly termed,, was unhesitatingly found, anil with a heavy heart I wended my way to the court to watch the proceedings. A few minutes after I entered, Mr. Justice Lcblanc and Mr. Baron Wood, who had assisted at an important stock jobbing conspiracy, just over, left the bench the learned recorder being doubtless considered quite equal to the trial of a mere capital charge of theft.

The prisoner was placed in tho dock but try as I might, I r-ould not look at her. It happened to be a calm bright summer day the air, as if a mockery of those deathsessions, humming with busy, lusty life so that sitting with my back to the prisoner, I could, as it were, read her demeanor in the shadow thrown by her figure on the opposite wall. There she stood, during the brief moments which sealed her earthly doom, with downcast eyes and utterly de-

iness-liko manner, returned a verdict of Guilty. ,'j^ "VVh.it have you to say," demanded the clerk, "why sentence of- death should not be pronounced upon you according to the law?"

The shadow .started convulsively as the terrible words fell from the man's lips and saw the suddenly upraised eyes of the prisoner were fastened on the facc of the fearful questioner. The lips, too, appeared to move but 110 sound reached my ears. "Speak, woman," said thc"rocordcr, "if you have anything to urge before sentence is pronounced." 1 starred up, and turning to the prisoner, besought her in hurried accents to speak. "Kemind them of the infant at your breast—your husband "Who is that conferring with the prisoner?" demanded the judge in an angry voice.

I turned, and confronted him with a look as cold and haughty as his owu. He did not think proper to pursue the inquiry farther and after muttering about the necessity of not interrupting the proceedings of the court, agaiu asked the prisoner if she

had anything to urge.

uressnig one ui iuo .-*iupmuu. "^t for myself— not for my sake," at ,.v i.i I last faintly murmured the tremblmg wo"No—no no scrcaiued the wretchcd

Be^'

jected posture: her thin fingers playing wards, placed above the grave. Afewyears mechanically with the flowers and sweet I ago I attended a funeral in the same gravescented herbs spread .scantily before her. 13*ard and after a slight search, discovered the spot. The inscription, though of course very much worn, was still quite legible.

Tlio trial was brief the evidence, emphatically conclusive was confidently given, and vainly cross-examine^. Nothing remained but an elaborate ad miserieordium cxcusativc defence, which had been prepared by 111c and which the prisoner begged her counscl might be allowed to read.— This was of course refused the recorder remarking, they might as well allow counsel for iclons to address juries, as read defences and that as every practical man know, would be utterly subversive of the due administration of justice. The clerk of the court would read* the paper, if the prisoner felt too agitated to do so. This was done, and very vilely done. The cleric, I dare say, read it as well as he was able but old, near-sighted, and possessed of anything but a clear enunciation, what could be expected? The dcrencc, so read produced not the slightest effect cither on court or jury. Thc recorder commented ou conclusiveness of the evidence for the

of my p0Qr dcar infant

—my poor witless boy I do not think, sir, I was'in my right mind. My husband,

too, whom you have heard She stopped abruptly a choking sob struggled in ber throat, and but for the supporting arm of one of the turnkeys, she would have fallen to the ground. "Unhappy, guilty woman," said tlic recorder, with the coolness of a demon, "the pica of insanity you would set up is utterly untenable. 'Your husband, it seems, is serving his majesty in the royal navy defending his country, whilst liis wife was breaking its laws, by the commission of a crime which, but for the stern repression of the law, would sap the foundations of the security of property, and—

I coald endure no more. The atmosphere of the court seemed to stifle me, and I rushed for relief into the open air. Before, however, I had reached the street, a long, piercing scream informed me that the learned judge.had done his duty.

No effort was spared during the interval which elapsed/previous* to .the recorder presenting his report to the privy-coun-

tn-s«*vs:

5'J SF

JoV110

W°rld.'

happy foster-sister, sought, without my heavily against the success of the petition ship, recognized him as he. lay stretched knowledge, an interview with the prosecu- The amiable and enlightened Sir Samuel jon the deck, in the uniform of an Atneri-

I had'"not seen Henry Mason siucc his return, but I was glad to hear from Mr. William Friend that, after the first passionate burst of rage and grief had subsid

ed my proffered hand, thc\ ha\c killed

her, you see, spite ol all you could say 01

he laughed with savage bitterness.

Friend, in a reproving accent.

XI' 11 11* 1

Mt-r' reJo:ncd

nn*n nntinnt: rm

course, your pwn notions 011 these matters I also have "mine. Or, perhaps, you think it is only the blood of the rich and great which, shed unjustly, brings forth the irno j_ harvest Forgive me," he added, checking himself. "I respect you both but my heart is turned to stone. You do not know •none ever knew but I—how kind, how pving for

kindly by the

hand,

WHe

^s°gonee!3yOU

discovered that

one

of the

•'^tfluib li&'^rjxrrvzirs

*20, 1858. ..

peculiar privilege at that time^ at-jplaced and a rapid improvement in their tached to the office—to procure a mitiga-jcircumstances was soon visible. These reA petition, setting mittences ceased about the middle of 1814

tion of the sentence. forth the peculiar circumstances of. the case, was carefully prepared and by the indefatigable exertions of ae excellent Quaker gentleman—whom, as he is still alive, and might not choose to have his name

1 W,U 081,1

Romilly not^only-attached his name, but can naval officer his countenance, even aided us zealously by his advice and influence. In short, nothing was omitted that appeared likely to attain the desired object. ...

Two days before the petition was to be forwarded to the proper quarter, Henry Mason arrived in England, the exertions of his cmploA-ers having procured his discharge. The "Active" was one of Captain Hostc's squadron, which obtained the celebrated victory off Lissa, over the Franco"V enetian fleet commanded by Admiral I)obourdicu. Henr}* Mason, it appeared by the testimonials of the captain and officers of .his ship, had greatly distinguished himself in the action. Wc inclosed these papers with the petition and then, having done all in our power, awaited with impa-

There arc many persons alive who recollect this liorriole tragedy—this national jcerning tho constitution framed at Lcdisgracc—this, act of-gross barbarity .011 the part of the great personage, who, first

having carried off the poor woman's husband, left her to die for an act the very consequence of that robber}*. Who among tho spectators can ever forget that heartrending scene—tho hangman taking the babe from the breast of the wretchcd creature before he put her to death But let us not dwell upon these terrible reminiscences. Let us hope that the truly guilty are forgiven. And let us take consolation frijin reflecting that this evil led the great Roinilly to enter on his celebrated career as a reformer of the criminal law.

ed, he had, apparently at least, thanks to k]ie

the tender and pious expostulation of his

A few days after the execution, Mr. William Friend called on me just after breakfast, accompanied by the bereaved husband. I never saw so changed a man.— All the warm kindliness of his nature had

vanished, and was replaced by a gloomy, jn

and a twelvemonth after, the peace with America, we ascertained that Henry Mason had been killed in-the battle on Lake Champlain, where he had distinguished himself, as everywhere else, by the reck

Iriond was soon ^er\ numerously signed, fought against the country which, in his evening.

The prosecutor, however, obstinately re- unreasoning frenzy, he aeensed of the murfused to attach his name to the document der of his wife. He was recognized bv and the absence of his signature—so very (one of his former messmates in the "Acstrangely did men reason on such matters tive," who, conveyed a prisoner on board in those days—would, it was feared, weigh the American commander Maedonouo-h's

compton, in the Territory of Kansas, by a convention of delegates thereof, and the papers accompaii3*ing the same, be referred to a select committee of thirteen, to be appointed by the Speaker

That said committee be instructed to enquire into all the facts connected with the formation of said constitution, and the laws, if any, under which the same was originated, and whether such laws have been complied with and followed

Whether said Constitution provides for a republican form of government and whether there arc included within the !proposed boundaries of Kansas sufficient

The remains of Esther Mason were _ob- population to be entitled to a roprcsontataiued from the Newgate officials and quiet- tive in this House upon the basis now fixed ly interred in St. Schulchre's church-yard. I jjy ]aw

anc

A plain slab, with her name only plainly acceptable and satisfactory to a majority of chiselled upon it, was some time aftcr-

lull|1jlcr g0 ist

f]10 vojCS so carj(

lason, linp.-i- p0rt

icntly, "you arc a good man and have, ot

country— And that said send for persons and pap

less- daring mid furious hate with which ho great mooting-held in this city o'n Mbndiiy

dcath, wearing the same scornful, defiant expression which it assumed on the day that his beloved Esther perished on the scaffold.

KANSAS l.N CON It ESS.

In the Senate yesterday, (Monday) the President's Message was referred to th Committee on Territories. The proposition to instruct the Committee was lost by six majority.

In the House, in accordance with the resolution passed 011 Friday night, votes were taken upon the several propositions for the reference of tho President's Message. Mr. Stephen's proposition to refer it to the Committee 0:1 Territories was first I acted upon and lost. Yeas llJJ, nays 114.

icnce the result of the recorder's court.— The amendment of Mr. Harris, ofiliinois, It was announced to me, as I was sitting somewhat later than usual at chambers, bv Mr. William Friend. The judgment to die was confirmed All our representations, had not sufficed to counterbalance the

to the resolution of Mr* Hughes was then adopted by yeas'] 1.4, nays 111. The resolution of Mr. Hughes, referring the.Message to a special committee of 18, to be appointed by the Speaker, with the amend-

supposcd necessity of exhibiting terrible mcnt of Mr. Harris, was then passed by a examples of the fate awaiting the pcrpctra- vote of 115 to 111, showing in a test vote tors ot an offence said to be greatly on the Jan anti-Lecompton majority of four in the increase. Excellent William Friend wept I House. l)fc liko a child as he made the awful announcement..

The following is the resolution of Mr. Harris, as finally adopted: That the message of the President cori-

whether said Constitution is

the legal voters of Kansas Also, tho number of votes cast, if any, and when in favor of a Convention to form a Constitution as aforesaid, and the places where they were cast, and the number cast at each place of voting, and in each county in the Territory:

The apportionment of delegates to said convention among the different counties and election districts of said Territory, land the census or registration under which

s£llnc W

wife—with whom, by the kind interven- ]aVt-.' tion of the sheriiis, lie was permitted.long The names of the delegates to said conand lrcquent interviews—-settled down in- cutiori, and the number of votes cast for to calmness and resignation. O:io thing

caf

only he would not bear to hear even iroiu inhere cast, and whether said constitution hoar, and that was any admission that she ithe votes of a majority of the had been guilty Oi, e\cn the sligtitesfc of- Jcluu'ates to said convention fence. A hint of tho kind, however unintentional, would throw him into a paroxysm

of fury and the subject was consequently in his presence always studiously avoided.

as made, and whether tho same

was £nKl

fajr

ju compliance with

candidate for deelgate, and the places

Territory The number of votes cast in said Territory on tiie 4tJi day of January ai for and against said Constitution, and for or against any parts or features thereof, and the number so cast at eacli p!aco of voting

snilj

'j'erntory:

fierce „u.„tex it\, although painful to con torn- number of votes cast in said Terptatc. ritory 011 the day last named for any State "AeH, sir, said lie, as be barely touch .Hul "leiris!

ltivo 0

fi*IC0rs thereof,

il!K

the

f()J.

oac|,

candidate for

.], offices, and the places where cast:

do. It much availed me, too, tnat- J. had I That said committee also ascertain, as helped to win their boasted ictoncs, and

ncar]y as

possible, what portion, if any, of'

.U1y

''Henry Henry exclaimed \\illiam plaCe.s iforesaid were fraudulent or illegal

0U 0

times aud

1 """"M V. ....... I aw I l«Jl II LUtjiil, 1 UtiaU

Li:COMPTON l.N CON KI .SS

,, In submitting his resolutions forarci ercncc of the Leeompton Constitution to

rovinc, how gentle was that poor, long-suf-1 select committee, with power to investigate government U:«a I.

"wc pity tliec sincere-

term" '«rl. into all the facts relating thereto, Major ..-

if ., •, ir T-. 1 1 I ,, !cation by new States '•Henry,' said Mr. triond, taking him Imrrs made the following excellent

uiark,_

ly, as thou knoweat, buo t.i\er, revenge- Harris said, iu offering t'le resolu-: zir.g intervention by Congress in a way tion?: K? 0 deemed unconstitutional and highly obnoxious to the slavcholding States. That act ado a revolution in territorial policy

ful expressions are unchristian, sinful. The authorities whom thou, not for the first time, railest on so wildly, acted, be sure of it, from a sense of duty a mistaken one, in mv opinion, doubtless but still—" "Say no more, sir," interrupted Masor. "V.'e differ in opinion upon the subject.— And now, gentlemen, farewell. I wished of the capitol that the decision of the quo

•'•Iftlity were to believe the opinions ..:nrcs?ed bv gentlemen on all sides of this '1

sideration of Con^s.

I been thrown out

11 ,i- 41 which is striking 111 tnrec particulars: chamber, this was one of the most moinen-. tons questions ever presented for the con-

Intimations

had

here

and at

to see vou.'Tsir, to thank you for your kind tion might, perhaps, result in precipitating popular sovereignty and self-cov though fruitless exertions. Mr. Friend events

disastrous

has promised to be steward for poor little the welfare and character oi the country.

Willy of all I can remit for his use. Fare-! If tWs expression of opinion rested on any jorm a,ul. ,c& u.ut, their do.nes.ic

wclI.foun(Wfexisting

darlng officers in the Republican Navy was and if wc arc to enter upon anew order ot I bus it any tb111 new '^n^l

tr Mason who had entered the Amer- things, let the world know the facts ujon liable, was established by U.11 act, it was ican service in the maiden name of his which this order of things is to be initiated. wife and that the large sums he had remit-, all, tJe "perfect" freedom of the people of and irciitlcmcn by their action endorse those Territories to form and regulate, not what has been done, they become accesso- one, but all their domestic tnstmutons, in ries alter the fact in perpetuating the theiroicn way, subordinate jmly to frauds. It was due to themselves and those they represent, and due to those who

ted from time to time for the use of Willy were the produce of,his successful depredations on British commerce. The instant Mr. Friend made the discovery, he refused to pollute his hands with moneys so obtained, and declined all further agency in the riatterT Mason, however, continued to arc to come after them, arid to the world, remit: through some other channel* to tho! that the facts should be obtain man authenDavics's, with" whom the boy-had been! tic form.

WHOLE NUMBER 811.

From the Philadelphia Press.

DEiUOtfUTlC SEMMENT AGAINST THE I,ECO.IIPTOX FRAUD.

We this morning lay before tho readers of the Press -some of tho lettcra which: have been received from distinguished Democrats who were invited to attend the

ihese expression*of sentiment exhibit, in a new and irrcsistable form, the resoloto and uncompromising sefttltacnt of tho Democratic party against the attempt to force tho Lecompton Fraud npoa a freo people.

The letters of Gov. Wiso, Judge Douglas Hon. Win. Montgomery, and others, will be-read with delight. That of GOT. Wise is singularly apposite and fearless.-*— It calmly and convincingly analyses and discusscs the President's Message. Never before, in the history of politics, was there a more complete argument. It will occasion a deep sensation in every part of this Union.

The men who tell 113 that wc are going against the Democratic party must loik these demonstrations in the face. It is vain to attempt to rail down -the publio sentiment on this subject. "It will not flown." It is covered all over with tho impenetrable armor of truth. It speaks through a million of tongues. It radiates from every household in the North, and palpitates in every honest man's breast.— It is invincible against threats, and it will prevail, though all the powcrc of earth bo irraycd against it. Never before have our people boon so terribly in earnest. Never before have the Democracy occupied a prouder or more conquering position. Let those who doubt it be warned in time, -vi

GREAT LETTER FR0.1I GOV. WISE.

BICHMOND,

Va... Feb. 6th, 1858.

Gentlemen:—In reply to your telegraph, cceived thia morning, I have said that I cannot attend the mass meeting of the Democracy of Philadelphia, proposed to bo held 011 Monday evening next. And I have 1 hardly time to respond to your letter, sinco received, and the reqmst, to present my views on the question of the admission of Kansas, as a State of this Union, under tho Leeompton Constitution, as presented to Congress by the President of the United States. For the last seventeen years Ihavu been advocating the nomination of James Buchanan for the Presidency for more than twenty years I have been his warm personal friend and I am as responsible, perhaps, as any other man in tho United States for his electon, and as deeply anxious as any other person that his Administration shall be successful and above all, bo worthy.of confidence and respect. Our personal relations arc as nothing compared to the importance of supporting his Administration on questions of jnerc expediency, and where it it is based in its action 011 moral and legal right. But personal and administrative relations combined aro as nothing, on the other hand compared with griiat fundamental, moral and political principles involved in tho issues' now presented to the country in the question of

admitting Kansas under the Constitution now presented as the act and dcccl of her •people, and as an instrument, republican in form.

These are tho two issues now ponding before Concr^ss 1st. Ts the Leeompton Constitution th® act and deed of the people in Kansas 2d. Is it republican in form

These are the only two essential issues to be tried..--.And with the view to a full, irand friendly verdict as to tho fact, and

The number of votes cast in said Tcr- 'judgment as to the law of the case, I have ritory on the 21st of: December last for and carefully, patiently and repeatedly read the against said constitution, and the number Prcsidett's message of the 2d inst., in so cast at each place 01 voting in said which ho recommends the speedy approval by Congress of tho Leeompton Constitution, and the reception of Kansas under it as a Sta!e into the Unio-\ I regret t) say that the earnest, honest convictions of mj mind constrain me to differ from the President of my choice, and to declare I cannot

endorse the Leeompton Constitution as tho act and deed of the sovereign people, whoso act and deed it professes to be, and that I protest against the mode in which it was pretended to bo submitted to the people, as anti-republican and oppressive, and offensive to the self-respect and moral sens® of a free people. f-

Thcsc convictions of mine have-beendc-liberately formed, and I mean calmly to

hetlier any portion, and. it so, what maintain them, reasoning with friends, and

}ie people of Kansas are in ,10t backing from foes, though I stand alono

rcbellioIl a£a:nst the hlKH of the|a„ailist a

h„sfc. „r

1 ,1 *\r »Lonrrcss the mode a

propose a rapid review

of the message of the President but be-

[.•oinniiflce have power to fonc doing so, it is proper to recur to anto-

cedent facts which settled certain points of principle, which arc now the tc3ts of truth and argument iu the case.

Prior to the act to organize tho Territories of Kansas sud Nebraska, the courso of government 1i:k1 been to regulate by and manner of appUfor admission into

the Union And thii

had ovihtoJ from

1819-'2U, rccogni-

±.

st* r^l)e'1

mlsc,and

the

man eminent degree to ritones popuur sovereignty anow.i gov eminent, by "leaving them perfectly free

i. souri oinpro-

established the principle of turn-

other end U'Ucrcention by Congress with, slavery the States end Territories. 2d. It declared for the people of Ter-

„uialc /ieir domes'ic insti-

state of tacts, it was their own. way, subjcct only to

most active and him to ascertain the time of hi?! epar ure, if anvthin" val-

18SD-

tho

supreme law of tho Union. They were to be trampclled by no views of expediency of tho Federal Government or any of its departments but the people for themselves were to form and regulate their own afiaira