Decatur Eagle, Volume 11, Number 5, Decatur, Adams County, 10 May 1867 — Page 1

TH E DECA TIJ R EAG LE?

VOL. 11.

decatuTeagle, ISSUED EVERY FRIDAY MORNING, BY A. J. HILL, PUBLISHER AND PROPRIETOR. OFFICE—On Monroe Street in the second story of the building, formerly occupied by Jesse Niblick as a Shoe Store. Terms ofSubscription: One copy one year, in advance, fl ,50 If paid within the year. 2,00 If not paid until the year has expired, 2,50 [□"Papers delivered by carrier, twenty five •cents additional will be charged. (EFNo paper will be discontinued -until all wrrerages are paid, except at the option of the publisher Rates of Advertising: One column, one year, One-half column, one year- 3”>,00 •One-fourth column, one year, 20,00 Less than one-fourth column, proportional rates will be charged. Legal Advertisements: One square [the spa'e of tqn lines brevier] one insertion, Each subsequent insertion. O’No advertisement will be considered less than one square; over one square will be conn ted and charged as two; over two as three, <tc. UTLocal notices fifteen cents a'line for each insertion. , ItPßeligious and Educational notices or advertisements, may be contracted for at lower rates, by application at the office. (Tj-Deathsand Marriages published as news —free - JOB PRINTING. We are prepared to do all kinds of Plain and Fancy Job Printing,, at, the most reasonable rates. Giv us a call, we feel confident that atisfaction can be given. C The Postmaster General has finally determined to take the responsibility of appointing special agents to take charge of the postoffices left vacant by the failure of the Senate to confirm nominations to fill vacancies. An agent has been appointed to take charge of the offices at Newburg, New York, and Jeffersonville, Indiana. Several prominent persons having been here lately to inquire regarding the case of Jeff. Davis, with a view to obtain his trial or release without further delay, it is asserted on the very highest authority that-the Government has offered to release Mr. Davis on his ' own parole, butthat he has positively declined j to accept his freedom unless the same is given ; 'Unconditionally.

The Herald') special says that it is stated by a distinguished Senator that Mr. Johnson sincerely regretted that any of the Southern States have been so unwise as to attempt to restrain the enforcement of the reconstruction acts by injunction. It is even said that so determined is the President to carry out the measure that even should injunction issue from the Supreme Court he will disrega rd them. The same Senator anticipates that by the meeting of Congress December, the Southern States will be ready for admission, and the great problem of reconstruction will be solved, or at least very near its solution. The following additional news from Mexico j was brought by the United States gunboat, Tahonia, which arrived at Galveston on the . 22d instant, from Tampico. A dispatch had { been received-in Tampico, from Juarez, dated April 13, which stated that Maximilian and the garrison at Querataro had about that time attempted to cut their way out, but were badily repulsed. The Emperor it is believed will surely be bagged. The Tahonian’s news from Vera Cruz reports that place invested by the Liberals, with five thousand troops, commanded by Mendez on the south, two thousand on the north, under La Vega. All access to the city was cut off, and provisions scarce. The last beef had been killed, and the meat sold at a dollar a pound. Merchants and men o.f acknowledged respectability in Canada and England, are said to have invested capital in this contraband business,- and all the watchfullness of Governliient officers can. ' not entirely prevent the occasional introduction of goods free of duty. The Court have decided an interesting case involving the rights of dealers in liquor under the United States internal revenue law. The case came on appeal from the Massachusetts Superior Court. The main issue presented was as follows: >. Does the payment of a tax to the United States by a person upon the liquors kept and sold by bim authorize him to keep these for sale, or to sell them, Contrary to the laws of Massachusetts? The .opinion of the Court, which was read by Chief Justice Chase, affirmed the decision, of the lower court, and declared that a government license afforded no such protection to a dealer that it could authorize him to sell liquor in violation ■ of a State municipal law. . A 1 T. Stewart’s income last year was $1,276,-

THE BOY PATRIOTS. A Revolutionary Adventure. History is filled with deeds of the men of the Revolution, nor are the patriotic women forgotten in the “burning words’of the annalist of’76, but where is the historian who tells of the boys of that gloomy period? Who writes their biographies? They were boys in the Revolution, boys of noble patriotism and dauntles spirit—boys who would not become traitors although the rack and gibbet confronted them—boys who toiled with an endurance and boldness uncqualed in the annals of a nation for the independence of the Old Thirteen and had they now a just desert, the brightest star in the American constitution, and the widest stripes in broad canvass would be dedicated to the - boys of ‘76. .Let us relate an instance. It was in the year 1777. Philadelphia was in the hands Howe and his inhuman soldiery, who on the fields of Brandywine gave the American people an evidence of British humanity. The inhabitants of Delaware and Pennsylvania were at the mercy of their foes.—Bands of Hessian dragoons scoured the vicinity of Philadelphia for miles around and committed acts that would disgrace a Vandal. On the evening of a delightful summer day, a group of boys ranging in age from twelve to seventeen years, were gathered together on the steps of a tenantless store house in the village ofNewaik, Delaware. The town seemed lonely, and with the exception of the youthful band already told, not a human being met the eye. All the men capable of bearing arms, had left their homes to join the army of Washington on the banks of the Schuylkill. A youth of sixteen years, mounted on a barrel, was giving an account of the disastrous batt’e of Brandywine. James Wilson, the narrator, was a bold boy enthusiastic in his love of the American cause and possessed of no little intelligence. His blue eyes and flaxen hair gave him an effeminate .appearance, but beneath that homespun jacket throbbed a heart that never quailed in ' danger nor shrunk before an obstacle. His father was the coinns.nder~of the Dcleware regular troops and his mother was dead... The I boy concluded his narration, and was deeply ■ lamenting that he could not join the army. ‘I am notold enough,’ said he; but had I a I musket I would not stand ’die here, with my hands hanging useless at my side.’ ‘Are there no guns of any description in the village?’ inquired a listening youth. ‘None. I have spent nearly a week trying to find one, hut my efforts have been of no avail. I strangly suspect that old Tory Livingston has several in his house, but as he permits no one to tresspass on his land, I am unable to say positively.’ —Why not take a party and search his dwelling?’ asked Frank Howard; ho has no one there but his cowardly son George and I can thrash him as easily as that; snapping his fingers to imply the readiness with which he could trounce old Livingston’s son. James Wilson’s eyes sparkled with joy. ‘lf any three boys in this company w ill Kelp me, I will search old Livingston’s house to-night. All who are willing to go step forward three paces.

Every boy in the crowd, without a moment’s hesitation stepped promptly forward. The boy’s eyes flashed like stars.—‘Now by the dead of Bunker Hill, I will search old Livingston’s though death stand in my path. With a firm tread and the utmost silence, the young heroes took their march for old Squira Livingston’s. Livingston had long been' suspected of harboring British - spies, and some of his former laborers had reported that he had kept up a regular correspondence with the British commander. At all events he was generally regarded by the genuine Whig as a dangerous man, and was therefore avoided. At the time James Wilson and his little band left the deserted store-house in the vill- ] ■age of Newark, dusk had given place to the dark shades of night.—The moon was shining brightly in the clouds and every object was perfectly distinguishable. The boys walked forward maintaining a solemn silence.—At length they gained the back of the creek, and slowly following the winding of the path soon came in sight of the object of their destination As they came to a little log bridge which crossed a little shallow rivulet leading into the White Clay Creek, James Wilson ordered them to halt. : ‘Let Frank Howard and myself reconoiter the premises first to sec whether any dangermay be apprehended. All the rest stand hero till we return Make no noise, and keep up a constant watch.’ James and Frank silently departed, and I were soon lost to the eye in the thick through which the path’ran.—Scarce had they gone from view of their companions; when the quick ear of Wilosn detected a noise. ‘Hist,’ said he to Frank, as he pulled him behind a gigantio big tee.--The noise soon

“Our Country’s Good shall ever be our Aim—Willing to Praise and not afraid to Blame.”

DECATUR, ADAMS COUNTY, INDIANA, MAY 10,1867.

resolved into a human foot fall, and in another moment Georg) Livingston, the Tory’s sox stood opposite the tree. Wilscn darted ■ from his cover, and tightly gripped the boy ’by the neck. The cowardly youth trembled ' like a reed. ‘Speak one word,’ said his captor, ‘and I’ll toss you into the creek!’ The Tory’s son was struck dumb with fright and before he could recover from his stupor, found himself in the midst of the whole group of boy heroes, with the vice like grip of James and Frank on either arm. ‘Now,’ said James, ‘answer me promptly and correctly, or I'll make your position uncomfortable. Do you hear?’ ‘Who are in your father’s house at this moment?’ ‘You shall tell or—' ‘Spare me, and I will disclose everything. When I left the house there was no one but our own family and Captain Bardstone,’ ‘Who is he?’ asked James. ‘ldon’t know—l don’t indeedl’ ‘Tell’ threatened Frank. ‘He is a Captain of the Yorkshire Dragoons.’ The blue eyes of James glistened with joy and he soon gained from the Tory’s son a revelation which stamped his father as a trai- | tor of the most appalling character. He discovered th it old Livingston not only kept up a correspondence with the British commander, but that he had plotted in his traitorous designs that the little village of Newark was to be burned to ashes, and its women and children exposed to the mercies of these pit iless foes. The old Tory was to receive as his reward the land whereupon the village stood and an annual pension from the English government. But stranger than all, the plot was to be consumated on that very night, and the Tory’s son had been captured while he was going on an errand to a Tory neighbor about two miles distant. • The little band of heroes learned too, that the British troops had secured their horses in Livingston's stable, and descended the creek in a large boat. There are twenty of.them besides the captain.—Bardstone, the leader of the band was in temper and heart a perfect demon and scrupled not in his cruelty, to destroy the sleeping infant ortho sickly wife. Not a few in that youthful bond of patriots j trembled for the safety of a widowed mother, or a defenceless sister. Some were for departing immediately, but James Wilson; who still retained his grasp on the Tory's son, ordered all to be silent. The prisoner was tied hand and foot, a thick handkerchief tied over his mouth to prevent his calling for assistance, and a stout cord fastened to his breast and wound about a tree.

All hopes of escape forsook George Livingston. Wilson motioned his little band to follow him, and in a few. moments they stood on the summit of a high precipice which overhung White Clay Creek. ‘Now boys,’ said James Wilson ‘the narative we have just leared is true, and as we have no muskets or amuniti on we must make the best of the occasion. The British band will pass this spot in their boats, and as wo have an hour to work let us busy ourselves' in rolling some of these large rocks to the edge of this precipice, arql when the rpd coats pass below, let us sink them to the bottom.’ Each boy set immediately to work, and in an incredibly short time, nine huge rocks, each of half a tun in weight, were nicely balanced upon the edge of the giant precipice. The creek at this point was not more than ; twenty feet wide, and was directly overhung . by the mass of on which our heroes ■ stood. If the B ritish band deccnded the creek, they would certainly pass this spot; and if they passed it, then death was their certain fate— In about an hour the quick cars of Wilso n detected the measured stroke of the muffled oars.

‘They are coming, he whispered:- lei no one drop his rock until I give the word, and all at once.’ | It was a beautiful night to wreak a work of death. The heavens were spangled within- ■ numerable stars, and every object upon which the moonbeams played sparkled with silvery radiance. 'Closer came the doomed Royalists, and the hearts of the boy patriots beat wildly in their bosoms. Peering cautiously over the cliff, James Wilson saw the Tories slowly but surely approaching. An officer stood in. the bow guiding the oarsmen by his orders, and the epaulets on his shoulder told that it was the ' identical fiend, Major Bardstone. ‘Don’t drop till I give the order,’ again whis- ' pored Wilson. - • When the boat was about twenty fe»t from ' the rocks, the boy-lcader fell securely behind 1 defence, and shouted, ‘who goes there?’ (i In a moment the oarsmen., ceased roying, c and gazed with amazement above them. The j impetus which the boat had acquired caused j it to drift slowly under the rocks and just as it got fairly below, forth came the doomed words: ‘Cut loose in the name of Liberty!’ t

Each boy pushed his rock at that instant, and with one impulse, the gigantic stones fell. A loud shriek from the waters below, told how well the plan had succeeded, and When the exultant boys again looked over the precipice nothing was seen but a few pieces’ of floating : wood. The boat had been bursted open, and i the occupants had found a grave at the bottom of the White Clay. A cry of victory bursts from the joyous lips of the patriots ,and it was echoed along the old creek in solemn grandeur. “Now for our prisoner!’cried Frank Howard, bounding ahead; but what was the astonishment of the boys to find that in the effort to free himself George Livingston had been caught by the fatal cord and choked to death. There was no time for repining; the traitor and his son had met their deserved fate, and there was no one to mourn their loss. ‘May such be the end of America’s foes forever!’ said Wilson. Old Livingston’s house was searched, and to the surprise of every one, not oniy guns, but three brass field pieces, several barrels of powder, and an abundance of balls, etc., were found concealed in the cellar. The military stores found here were given over to the American troops and found a jovial welcome at their quarters. Had not the British party been so signally defeated along the banks of the White Clay, the town of Newark and the whole northern part of the State of Delaware would have been overrun by predatory parties of British soldiers. James Wilson and Frank Howard both joined the army of Green, and served with distinction in the Southern campaigns.— Frank fell in the memorable battle of Eutaw Springs, bewailed by all who' knew him. James Wilson lost a leg at the siege of Yorktown, and retired to his native village; but mortification ensued, and he expired with the cver-to-be-remembored words on his lips, ‘Cut loose in the name of liberty!’ The village of Newark still stands, and has become a town of some celebrity.—the lands of the patriot boys is still pointed out, and it is a sacred spot in the annals of New* ark. Such, reader were the acts of the boys of ‘76; and though they have no monumental pile to preserve their memories, they live in legend, song and verse, where they •will cx- • ist when history has been swept into obsevr- ! ity.

t Negroes for Office—Equal Rights i At a meeting of colored and- white Repub--3 . licans in Washington on Thursday night the -1 former made a considerable figure. They ens tered into the debate, which was about nom- - inations for the local office of register, in a . very lively manner. One of the speakers said _ that the distinguished Senator from MnssaI chusetts, Mr. Sumner, had sent for him for t the purpose of urging that one colored man at - least should be elected to the city council of Washington as a and fitting exam- - pie to the South. That is . right. We think, 1 however, that there ought to be more than B one; that there ought, in fact, in accordance 1 with Mr. Sumner’s radical doctrine of equal j rights, to be a fair proportion, according to i' the relative vote of the whites and blacks. . And why not a negro may or, if the negroes j have a majority of the votes, which is probable? There is a smack of insincerity in this recommendation for only black member of the , city council, when the large negro vote is ta- . ken into consideration. The radicals seem disposed to dodge the consequence of their i j theories. Wo insist upen holding them to i their platform of equal rights. The majority of the Washington city council and mayor should be black, according to the vote. There should be, also, at least six negroes Senators and twenty negro Representatives in Congress from the Southern States when they are reconstructed. Indeed, to have everything qn perfect equality, we must have now and then a negro President of the republic. Equal rights is the order of the day. Nothing like equal rights for a progressive nation like ours.— New York Herald. The Houso Judiciary committee have received notice to reassemble at Washington next week, puisuant to adjournment, to continue tho impeachment investigation. The Sergeant-at-arms prepared several subpoenas to-day for witnesses, which will be served in time for the meeting of the committees. The intention is to close tho invsstigation by the first of June, and to report the evidence, as directed by the House, at the meeting in July All the evidence which has been taken thus far is being printed at the Government printing office for the use of the committee and for distribution when the injunction of secrecy is removed. Information has been received at the Treasury Department, that the Canadian officers of customs are aiding and abetting in every possible way, the smuggling of goods into the United States. A Newark paper nominates Geoage Pea- i body for President.

An Ocean Marriage. On the steamer in which Mark Twain sailed from San Francisco were a young couple who called each other husband and wife—and acted’accqrdingly— without license of church or magistrate. This soon became known on the vessel, and the consternation became intense tho moral indignation tremendous. Theraptan wasn t going to have his vessel “any such . place, and after condemning his tarry top- ' lights to very warm quarters, he ordersd up the culprit. Here we will let Mark tell the sequel. The “Old Man’’was sitting in his armchair ' in great state, and his swarthy countenance and his whole bearing frowned with a portentous dignity “Order up the convicts!’’ They'came and stood before him—a very young man with a surprised look on his face, and a blushing, frightened young girl of fifteen with tears flowing fast from her pleading eyes. “So, youngsters, youv’e been runnin the blockaae, have you? You’ve slipped your cables and gone to sea when nobody was on the lookout? O youv’e been sailing under false colors! Youv’e been letting on that you’re married, and you ain’t!—and now you say your’e going to splice as soon as you get to where you re going in New Jcrsy. This sort of doirfg ain’t, going to do in my ship—blood and wrath, I’m outraged! Jine hands.’’ [The captain stood up and uncovered—all others did the same.] “Stand by Parson—stand by for a surge! Steady—so—let’ cm slide into the joys and sorrows of matrimony!” Slowly and distinctly the clergyman asked the questions, while the witness looked eagerly on. As the Ceremony closed the captain took up its parting injunctionsand repeated it with grave and deep-voiced impressiveness: “Ay, lads—them-whom God hath spliced together, let no man put cm, asunder! A-men.” The minister prayed, then blessed the couple, and all the guests shook hands with them, and wished them Well. The witnesses signed the certificate, tho marriage was entered on the ship's log with marvelous ceremony, and we were all about to depart, when the captain rose up' solemnly and addressed the bride and groom in a few words of homely eloquence —words which he probably honestly considered absolutely necessary to tho»completion of the marriage rites.

“Yoyng People! You arc all right now. No more dodging—no more shirking-the revenue 1 —no more sinugling—no more sailing under false colors. You can fly your flag from Jhe mizzen-peak halliards now, where all men may see it, and sail where ye will on the broad seas. Your papers are made out correct, and nobody can ever overhaul you any more. “It’s best for you the way it is. You love one another-—I sec that—we all see it. Every man and every woman was sent into the world for some foreordinated purpose or other. They ain’t going to carry it out crusin' arond single and packing off from this place, to that placeandfrom that place, to t’other place, never taking root anywheres, and never having any sot aim in this life or thereafter. The worldgets little enough fair whether in it as it is. Sail in company and help one another. When one’s aground, t’other is there to help him off; when one’s stove, t’other’s there to save him; when one's dismasted and drifting ashore, t’othcr's there to lend him an anchor. Up canvas and away ! and a happy- voyage to ye!—-The. wind is fair now, and you can carry

sky'ls r'yals stuns’ls—every rag you’ve got but by and by it will be on your quarter; then abeam, and finally ahead, But hold your grip —don’tmind—it ain’t every gale th it founders a ship. You’ll havesunon the line, and iceat the pole; you’ll have calms that aggravate you and head winds that drive you back: you’ll have storms that'll sweep your decks as clean as a desert. But stick together hold your grip anyj. stick together,—and by and bye, when your voyage is up, you’ll ride safe at anchor in heaven where calms, nor storms, or breaching seas can ever distress you any more.

A Canadian paper states that Mr. Lacroix, a contractor residing in Montreal, has invented a boat on a new principle, which will be able to go from Montreal to Quebec in four hours or across the Atlantic in four days, nt a uniform speed of about fifty miles an hour. It claims that the vessel will be so steady that the waveswill not affect its motion, and that, in addition to obviating sea-sickness, it will also be impossible to sink it. A noticeable feature in its construction will be the employment-' of a wheel on an entirely new principle, which in itself will render immense service to navigation. Wc are told that a company of capitalists is now organizing for the purpose of purchaseing the invention. — ■■ in — m . - An old colored preacher and school teacher in Columbus, Georgia, was asked the other 1 day, what party he belonged to now. Like a ' “ man and a brother,” he replied: “Don’t b’long ' to no party, sah; loves all good peoples jes a- ’ like, and prays for all jes alike.” “Then,” said 1 the inquirer, “you are a philanthropist?” “No, sah, I isn’t dal, I isn’t—l,se a Babtis, sah, a Pabtis.” , 1

“Thy Will Re Done”’ On the deck of the great ship at sea a mother sat gating at something, lying before her while tears flowed like rain. For days and nights she had been watching and praying over her little child, se anxious and so earnest thatTTmight live. But the beautiful fldwer drooped, and faded and died. And she was now looking at its waxen face t»djiands as it lay in its rude coffin, ready to be. buried in the great deep, where no stone could” mark its grave. A single sweet floWxsr, the ohly one in the Whole ship, was elapsed in its. tiny hand. The passengers. were all gathered round, silent and sympathizing, and many in tears. The great ship glided swiftly on knowing nothing of the sorrows within* her. The hardy sons of the ocean had been piped “to bury the dead;’’ and, grouping around tho windlass, they thought of the beautiful chill that so lately was their pet. One spoke of the sweet face, another of its playfulness, find another of the mother’s loss. All Whs ready now. The coffin was placed on the maiir hatches a bier. The fresh winds moaned through the cordage. The maintop was hove to the mast, and the great ship paused and stood.StilL The captain lead the funeral services, /wo commit this body to tho deep.” The bell tolled the knell. Tho little coffin plunged in and sank down, down, down. But the mother, without a doubt that the eye of Jesus would follow her little one, and his voice raises it from the ocean grave at tho last great day, stayed her bul upon Christ, and meekly bowed and said,“ thy will be done!” Sunday School Times.

Felt Happy. A clergyman in an adjoining town, who is being blessed with a revival of religion in his church, went one evening to attend a neighboring prayer meeting. The hOftse was full, and all present seemed deeply interested in the exercises. At the close of the meeting he invited all those who desired to hold a personal conversation With him, as to the state of their feelings, to remain. Quite a .number did so, and among them a “hardy son of toil,” who we will call Mr. C. The good minister'll! his round of conversation njith each cue, came to him; and upon inquiring the state of his feelings, received the reply that he “felt happy.” “Ah, indeed,” said the preacher, “I rejoiced to hear you say so; may I inquiry how long you have enjoyed this happy frame of mind?” “Perhaps, mostly since last week,” said Mr. B. “Well, my friend,” said the clergyman, “to what particular event, or circumstances, or occasion, do you trace this happy change in your feelings.?” “Well, Mr. Minister,” replied Mr. B.“ I reckon perhaps the news of the election of Mr. English for Governor of the State of Connecticut, was about •he spot to start from.” The minister bit his lip and started on to the next.

The Game of Yewker. BT JOSH BILLI.VCS. This ill-bred game ofkards is about 27y cars old. ♦ , " It was firs diskovered by the deck-hands on a Lake Erie steamboat, handed down by -them to posterity in all its juvenile buty. It is generally playpd by persons, and owes much of its absorbingocss tew the fakt that yu can talk, and drink, and chew, and 6hcat, while the game is advancin. I have scon it played on the Hudson River Railroad, in the smoking car, with more maculate skill than anywhere else,

' If yu play there you will often hold a hand that will astonish yu, quite often 4 queens and 1 a 10 spot, which will ififiameyou to.betT or 8 1 dollars that it is a good hand tu play poker 1 With; but you will bo more astonished when ’ you sec theqther feller’s hand, which invari--1 ably consists of 4 kings and a one spph, Yewkef*is'’a molatjc game, and don’t compare tew old sledge in majesty, enny more than a game of pin duz to a square church raffle, I never play yewker, I never would learn how, out'otf principle. I was originaly created cluss tew the. Connektikut line inNu Eegland, where the game of seven up, or old sledge, was born, arid exists now in all its pristine virginity. I play old sledge, tew this day, in its natiff fierceness. But I won’t, play enny game, if I know my character, where a jack will take an ace, and a 10 spot won’t count for game I won tplay no such kind of game, out ov respekt two old Connecticut, my nhtiff state? — ■ ' mi i-wi m Yale college is opulently rich,* and the faculty are makeing the most of the money to raise it to the highest standard of excellence.They have for building purposes fifteen hundred thousand dollars, and design soon to erect an entirely now set of brewri stone' dormitories, memorial chapel, the Peabody geological .museum, and a neys Divinity Hall.Gcneral McClellan and family will return from Europe next fall, " ■’ :U, J • -4 . t ■ *'* . <

NO. 5.