Rensselaer Union, Volume 3, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1871 — Page 1

TUG REISELIER UNION. Published Every Thursday by HORACE E. JAMES, | JOSHUA HEALEY, }■ ProprtetorsOFFICE IN SPITtEH'S BTTTt.DTNO OPPOSITE TUB COURT HOUSE. Subscription, M a Hear, In Advance. JOB WORK Of ever, kin.) etcetltcd to order In good style »mi at low rates.

Miscellaneous Reading. TO MY WIFE. DY KOWAlll) l> HEATON. 1. Why should we cure, my wife, If others sneer nt elthor you or met * Our years of spousal life Have no dark stains of strife, Tko' euvlous eyes far other shade would boo. ii. Wllhlu our cottage fair, Intelligence itnd vlrt' e sweetly reign. Then let ns banish cure. And aught thnt, would ensnare ; - That mind is happy which Is free from puln. Hi. , 1 Wo the gay world have seen. Its noise and moll Is bitter at the best; Nor tranquil days serene, Nor joys forever green, Smile on the crowd, unhappy and unblest. IV. But with our humble cheer Rest wo contented, though we never rise Beyond our little sphere. Are wo not happy here* ‘Tis all tho angels are beyond the 6kles. v. Our children, too, with love. Make all our days a ceaseless round of joys. May they our blessing prove— May the great I’ower above--List to our prayer, “God bless our girls and boyB!" VI. So to the other shore May we glide, peaceful as a summer day,' Ahd side beyond the roar Of earth, our last pagu o'er, May we plume heaveuly wings and soar away.

A Rich Marriage Ceremony.

A number of years ago there dwelt in this village a gcntlcin&u by the name of Charles Whiting. If ever a human being ■was over stocked with good humor and wagishness, it was that same Whiting, lie was up to all sorts of innocent tricks and his victims were numbered by the hundred, many of whom yet reside here. It catuc to pass lhat this wag was elected Justice of the Piace, and shortly after his installment in oilice, a couple came over from lowa to get united in the holy bonds of “padlock.” Whiting tells how he performed the ceremony, as follows: Having been appointed to the desirable “ posish ” of Justice of the Peace, I was accosted, on the sth day of July, by a sleek looking young man, and in silvery tones rcquested'to proceed to a neighboring hotel, as he wished to enter into the holy bonds of matrimony. Here was a “ squelcher.” I had never done anything of the kind, had no books nor forms; yet I was determined to do things up strong, and in a legal manner, so I proceeded to the hotel, bearing in my arms one copy of the Revised Statutes, one ditto Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, one copy large-sized Bible, a small copy of the creed and articles of Faith of the Congregational Church, one copy of Pope’s Essay on Sian, and a sectional part of the map where the victim lived. Having placed a table in the middle of the room, and seated myself behind it, I, in trumpet tones, called the case. With that the young man and woman, with great alacrity, stepped up before me. Having sworn them on the dictionary to answer well and truly all the questions I was about to ask, I proceeded. I told the young man that, being an entire stranger, I should have to ask him to give bail for the costs. Having heard this so very frequently in court, I thought it indispensable. He answercd x is I meant the fee forperforming the ccrcwould .deposit it then and there. As 1 did not know exactly what I did menu, I magnanimously waived that portion of tlie ceremony. I then told him it would be necessary to give bail to keep the peace. This lie said tie was willing to do when ho arrived home, and I then waived that point also. Having established to my satisfaction that they wanted to get married,, and that they were old enough to enter into that blessed state, I proceeded to tie thefcmot. I asked him if lie was williug to take that woman to be his wife, lie said he was. I told him that I did not require haste in the answer; that he might reflect a few minutes if lie wished. L told him site, looked like a line girl, and I lmd no doubt she was; but if tho sequel proved that ho had been taken in, I did not want to be held responsible. I said lie must love, honor, and obey her as long as she lived ; he must not bo “ snappy” around the house, nor spit tobacco juice on the floor, all of which lie promised faith uily to heed.

“ Now,” said I, “ Georgiana” (her name was Georgiana), “you hear wliat Humphrey says. Do you accept the invitation to become his wife; will you be lenient towards his faults, and cherish his virtues; will you never be guilty of throwing furniture nt his head for slight offenses, and will you got three meals a day without grumbling ?” She said site would. I asked them if they believed in the commandments, and they said they did. Having read tlie creed and articles of faith, as aforesaid,-1 exclaimed : “ Humphrey, take her, she is yours; I cannot without my consent.” “Georgiana, when safe in the arms of your Humphrey, you can defy the scoffs aud jeers of the world.” I then read a little from tho “ Essay on Man, " including that passage, “ Man wants but little here below, but wants that little long.” As a linale to tho scene, I delivered that little exordium: “Go in peace, sin no more.” The generous Humphrey having placed a fifty cent check iu my unwilling palm, I bade the happy pair a final adieu. —De Soto ( Win.) Hepubliean.

Truthfulness at Home.

Of all happy households- that Is the happiest -where falsehood is never thought of. All peace is brokai up when once it appears there is a liar in the house. All comfort has gone when suspicion has once entered—when there must be reservation in belief. Anxious parents, who are aware of the paius of suspicion, will placo general contidence in iheir children, ana receive what they say freuly, unless there is strong reason to distrust the truth of any one. If such an occasion should unhappily arise, they must keep the suspicion from spreading as long us possible, and avoid disgracing their, poor child while there is a chance of its cure by their confidential assistance. He should have their oand assiduous hejp, as if he were suflg under some bodily disorder. If he can be cured he will become duly grateful for the treatment. If the endeavor fail, rneags must of course be taken to prevent his example from doing harm; and then, as I said, the family peace is broken up because the family confidence is gone. I fear that, from some cause or another, there are but few large families where every member is altogether truthful. But where a ll are soprgauized and bo trained as to

THE RENSSELAER UNION.

yol; m.

be wholly reliable in act and word, they are a light to all eyes and a joy to all hearts. They aro public benefits, for they arc a point of general reliuncc; and they are privately blessed within and without. Without, their life is made easy by universal trust; and within their home and their hearts they have the security of rectitude and the gladness of innocence.— Harriet Martineau.

Japanese Nursery Tales.

The Japanese, as rude and unpoetical as they seem to be, have fairies, genii, Peris and imps, answering to these of which European juveniles tell such wonderful tales. Some of these stories are. very ingenious, and would bear copying into the fairy lore of America, while others would be fur from acceptable, owing to the great difference in Customs and religion. I do not know that the subjoined tales which were told by a Japanese nurse to the European children in liioho, some of whom were under her charge, are really a part of Japanese folk lore, or made up for tho present amusement of the children. But in either case the children were pleased, and when they repeated some of the stories to me they were very enthusiastic in the praise of tbe old Japanese grandmother who had thus entertained them. THE I.ITTI.E BOY WHO PULLED A TURNIP. Once there was a little Japanese boy dressed iu a nice suit of black linen, and he said to himself one day: “I will be a great. Daimio, I will have big swords and fine dress, and my father anil mother shall be happy, witli plenty of rice and jewel rings. Itut the little boy was poor, and all he had was this one suit of clothes. He was walking on the side of Fusiyaga one day, thinking how he should be great, when the mountain shook anil great smoke devils came out of the top. The boy w r as afraid until a little fairy, awakened by the noise, rose up at his feet, and taking him by the hand led him from the mountain. When the little spirit was about to leave, the boy said: “You know howto save me from smoke devils, and you must know how to make me a great Daimio. Will you tell me V ” “Go pull a turnip,” said the little fairy spirit as she took her way back to the sacred mountain. So the the little boy looked about him for a turnip. He soon found a great one with tall leaves, and ho set about digging around the roots. “ No, no,” said the turnip, "my roots are deep and you cannot dig so low, but take hold of my head and pull, for my root will follow where my heaa goes.” So he seized hold of the stalk aud pulled. Lo! it came up so easy that the boy fell over in the mud. “ilo, ho 1” laughed the turnip, “ you have something to learn if you would be a great Daimio. Men, like turnips, pull easiest; by the head, but you had better leave them where they have taken root, than to overturn yourself in trying to pull them up." And the little boy took the advice, and made the acquaintance of leaders only. lie was never, however, over-anxious to be in the company of great men, and soon the Tycoon, seeing his great care and wisdom, made him a Prince. 11c was so happy. THE GIRL THAT DID NOT OBEY. Once a little girl was told by her mother to make rice cakes. But the little girl wanted to play shuttlc-cock, and left the dough in the bowl. A little imp in the shape of a frog came, and when the girl was about to hit the cock a blow, he threw the dough into the air. It fell upon the girl’s head aud streamed down over her shoulders until she was entirely covered. Her mother came, and, supposing it was all dough, threw her into the oven, and so the naughty little girl was baked. THE INDUSTRIOUS MAN. One man worked iu his rice and wheat fields while his neighbors spent their time in wrestling, drinking sapky, and playing ball. Finally winter came and they had no food. So "they went to the industrious man and said: “ Give us rice and bread.” But the other said : “ No; you serve the spirit of amusement. I serve the spirit of work. Go to your spirit for food and I will go to mine.”. 8o they all starved. THE LONIN. A poor lonin lay by the roadside, all alone, one dark night, and the wind came and talked to him, telling him to die and be happy. But this poor weak lonin sfiid: “ No. Buddah has something for mje to do. Ido not feel that I should die easy.” So he got up in tho morning anil traveled toward the great temple of Isjey. He soon met a great monster, with a nose six feet long, and a tail like a horse. When the poor lonin saw the monster, he was afraid. But the monster said to the lonin, “ I shall not hurt you, because you are not worth eating. But I advise you to warn others on your way, for I shall come over the same road which you go.” Then the lonin said to himself: “ This is what Buddah has for me to do.” So he went on until he saw two women in a house, spooling and reeling cotton for nice clothes. Lonin said: “If you weave them in pride, the monster will swallow you, clothes anil all.” But they were so intent upon their nice gowns that they heeded not the lonin. Soon he saw a boy climbing an orangetree, and stealing fruit, “The monster will devour you, boy,” said the louit), “ if your belly is sweet with that fruit." But the boy laughed at the beggar, and stuffed himself with oranges. NeXT the lonin met a peddler, - with jewelry and porcelain ware. l “Do you sell true ?" asked the lonin. “ I get all I can,” said the peddler, grinning. “ Beware,” said tho lonin, “ a monster comes this way, and if you are too rich ho will eat you.” Next the lonin met a boy at study, and so intent was he upon his books that the lonin passed unnoticed. “ Ah," sHd the lonin, “ monsters don’t feed oil reading; they like fat, not thought." Soon after ho met a priest, whq_ sneered at him for his poverty, and a Daimio, who made the lonin smart under a stroke of his whip. The poor lonin paid his -ows to the gods of Isjey—and while he was burning tapers the monster came roaring by. Than the lonin retraced his steps to see what the monster had done. Lo, the cruel Daimio, the proud priest, the peddler, the boy who was stealing oranges, and tbe two vain women had been devoured, "but the little boy at his books was peacefully reading as before. Many other long tales having morals, and many that have not/ are told to the children, which will compare favorably will), the best German stones with regard to instruction or amusement.— Cor, Boston lYavcler. .

—A Connecticut school-teacher, who wanted to make an impression on two of Ids boys who had been fighting, proposed that they should be tried by a jury of their fellows. The proposition was accepted, and the charge proved, but the pedagogue,, who had constituted himself judge, was a little taken back when the Jury rendered-.a verdict? of “ not guilty ," without-leaving their seats.

RENSSELAER, JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA, MARCH 2, 1871.

Weekly News Summary.

CONGRE&IONAL. In the Senate, on the 17th, the credentials of Ell Jg. Saulabnry, as Senator from Delaware lor six years from March 4th next, were preedited, read and laid on the table.... The House hills for the apportionment of members of the Territorial Connells of Wyoming and Colorado were passed... Bills were reported—House bill to protect National Cemeteries, nnd for other purposes; to provide for the election of cadets for the military and naval academies....A blit was introduced and referred, providing for assistant treasurers at Chicago anil Cincinnati.... The Legislative, Executive and Judicial Appropriation bill was further considered.... Adjourned. In the House, on tho 17th, a memorial was presented from the Minnesota Legislature for an appropriation for the Improvement of Dulnth harbor... .The report of tho Committee on the bill creating a territorial government In the District of Columbia was then taken np and agreed t 0.... A bill was Introduced aud referred to provide for tho exportation of distilled spirits, regulating the forms to be observed... Bills relating to tbb District of Columbia were considered... .The River and Harbor Appropriation bill was reported and made the special order for the 20th. ... An evening session for debate was held.... Adjourned. In the Senate, on the 18th, the House bill authorizing the construction of bridges over the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, by the Louisiana & Missouri Railroad Company, as amended by the Senate Committee on Host Olllccs, was passed. ... On motion the Judiciary Committee was discharged from the further consideration of various petitions referred to that committee for female suffrage.... The Legislative Executive and .Indicia! Appropriation bill was further considered, aud various amendments were disposed 0f... .Executive session and adjournment. Iu the House, on the 18th, the Army Appropriation bill was considered In Committee of tl* Whole, reported to the House and passed.... Tire bill reported by the Committee on Foreign Affairs authorizing the President to co-operate w ith the Government of Great Britain in tbe appointment of ajotut commission for determining tlie boundary line between the United Slates and British Territories between the Luke of tbe Woods aud tlie Rocky Mountains, amt an appropriation of SIOO,OOO annually for the expense of the work, was considered In Committee of the Whole and reported to the House... .The report of the Judiciary Committee ou the McGarrahan claim was debated. ... .Adjourned. In the Senate, on the 20th, House bills were reported—favorably, to guard the purity of election; without amendment, allowing homestead settlers In cage of glckneftfl to make final affidavits at their residences; without amendment, extending the time for filing bounty claims under the act of July 8% 1860, to Jan. 13* 1870 The Legislative Appropriation bill was taken up, and amendments were disposed of, one repealing that, part of the lawjregulatiu" evidence in the Court of Claims, which makes the possession of a pardon proof of disloyalty, which was concurred in. ... .Adjourned. In tlie House, on tho 20th, resolutions of the Wisconsin Legislature iu favor of the renewal of railroad grants were Introduced and referred ... .A memorial was presented and referred from the Kansas Legislature for the immediate removal of the National Capital to the Valley of the Mississippi... .The bill reported from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, authorizing the President to appoint a joint commission to establish the northwestern boundary line, was taken uu, aud, after discussion, was passed....A dispatch from the Associated Press, announcing the safety of the Tennessee, was laid before the House by the Speaker.... The Sundry Civil Service bill, appropriating $30,000,000, including $4,600,0(0 for pensions under the recent, law. was reported and made the special order for the 21sc....The report of the Judiciary Committee on the McGarrahan claim was considered, and the substitute ottered by the n lnority was adopted— llo to 91—directing the Secretary of the Interior to cause a record of the patent to Panoche Grande to be transcribed into the records as the same stood on the record book in the General Land Otllce at the time it was examined, without any mutilation or erasure whatever, so that the. legal effect of the record so transcribed shall be the same as if the original record had never been interfered with or mutilated, and authorizing and requiring 'the President of the United States to do iu the premises whatever may in his judgment be just and equitable, without regard to any action or proceeding had subsequent to the 14th of March, 1803, the date of the patent recorded... Adjourned.

In the Senate, on the 21st, bills were introduced—for aid in the establishment and support of public schools in States lately In rcbellon; to Increase the Internal revenue derived from lotteries, and for other purposes.... Bills were passed —authorizing the United States Circuit Court for tudiana to make partition of the Miami reserve fund; to provide for a Solicitor for the Department of the Interior; the Legislative, Execntive and Judicial Appropriation bill, with amendments. ...Adjourned. > In the House, on the 21st, the Senate hill entitled sn act to Incorporate 'he Texas & Pacific Railroad Company, and to aid in the construction of the road, and for other purposes, was discussed at length, amended and passed—l3l to 79. ....A report was made from the Committee on Elections in the Missouri contested election case, Shield* against Van Horn, and resolutions Were 1 adopted declaring that Shields, the contestant, is not entitled to the seat, nnd that Van Horn, the dttlug member, is, aud Hint Shields shall be paid $. r ),UOj for expenses... .Adjourned. In tlie Senate, on the 22d, the credentials of Lot M. Morrill, as Senator from Maine for six years from the 4th of Mnrch next, were presented nnd read ...A petition was presented and read, from the citizens of Dublin, Fayette County, Ala., praying for protection against Ku-Klnx out rages.... The annual Post Route bill was considered and passed... The Indian Appropriation hill was considered, and several amendments were disposed 0f.... Adjourned. 4 In the House, on the 22d, the Deficiency Appropriation hit), appropriating $10,677,526, was considered, and a lengthy and personal debate ensued, after which the bill was passed—96 to 44... - Adjeurned. In the Senate, ou the 2fiil, the House joint resolution relating lo Panoche Grande, being the M Garrahan claim, was received from the House and temporarily disposed of by being laid on the table.... The Texas Pacific Railroad hill was also received from tho House, and action postponed until tho bill is printed.... Bills were passed House hill to extend the provisions of tho tlfty-ttfth section of the hanking act of June, 1564, punishing embezzlement by hank officers, to hanks organized under the provisions of the hanking act of February, 1S68; Indian Appropriation hill; Senate bill to amend tki! bounty laws, providing that all soldiers whoGvcro muatered Into tho service of the United States forthrec years, between May 4 aud July 22, 1661, and who were honorably discharged before serving two years by reason of disability contracted In the service, arc entitled to receive SIWI bounty.... Bills were reported—Army Appropriation bill, with amendments; to facilitate commerce between the United States anil China, Japan, and countries of Asia, Incorporating the Asiatic Commercial Company for the purpose of carrying on a general mercantile aud shipping business, with amendment; adversely, to Increase internal revenue arising from lotteries aud other purposes... Adjourned. In the House, on the 23i1, bills were passed—relative to taking depositions In Courts of the United States; for an extension of the time for tho completion of the Eortage Lake and Lake Superior Canal; making appropriations for the construction, preucrvatiokv aud repair of certain fortifications, uud i*her works of defense; with amendments, making appropriations for the completion nnd preservation of certain public works on rivers and harbors, and for other purposes.... The Senate resolution prescribing the oath to be taken by Senator-elect Miller, of Georgia, was passed... .Adjourned.

FOREIGN. A Bordeaux dispatch of the 17th says a majority of the Committee of the Assembly were favorable to the proposal to appoint Thiers the Chief Executive. 1 4, The Paris Figaro of the, 17th says: "It is reported that the German propositions for-peace run thus: The cession of Alsace and Lorraine and a portion of the Department of Daubs, and indemnity of one and a half milliards thalers. The Prussians to keep all material of war they have captured, and the French fleet and Colonies to remain intact.” The official declaration of the result of

OUR OOUIVTIIY AND OUR UNION.

the election for the Assembly was made in Paris on the 17tli, before the Hotel de Ville, in the presence of a large concourse of people. The names of Thiers, Favre, Vinsoy, Cochin, Picard and Simon were badly received, while that of General Ulrich was cheered. In the French Assembly on tho 18th there were over 000 deputies in attendance. Tlie executive power of tlie government was conferred upon Thiers. The proceedings were tumultuous. Immediately after the vote, tho English, Austrian and Italian Ambassadors officially visited Thiers and recognized the French Government. Lord Lyons on the 18th announced verbally to Thiers the recognition of the Government by England. A Versailles telegram of the 19th says, not the slightest doubt was entertained in high quarters, since M. Favrc’s return, regarding final peace. Favre had expressed the opinion that the Assembly could be relied on to make terms. There was an evident disposition on the part of Prussia to yield a good deal of her demands. It was considered probable that, the Emperor would-abandon the idea of entering Paris. A Berlin dispatch of the 19th says: “ Napoleon has received notification not to again overstep the privilege of a prisoner, and to abstain from an} 7 interference in politics, in the form of protests or proclamations. Orders have been given to watch him closely.” A San Domingo letter of the fid says: “ Tlie Commission arrived from Satnana Bay yesterday. Every one connected with the party is in excellent health. The want of coaling facilities detained the ship six days at Samana. The Commission was formally received by Baez. Hon. Ben Wade explained its character and objects. Baez and the Cabinet gave a cordial welcome. President Baez said that peace aud a stable government would follow a union with the United States. The people were all anxious for union.” The Commission intended to start for home in about four weeks.

A London dispatch of the 20th says the composition of the new Ministry under President Thiers produced an excellent impresssion. A Berlin special to the London Times of the 20th says the London Conference had agreed to open the Black Sea to foreign men-of-war, and to authorize the Porte to admit the passage through the Dardanelles of all armed vessels, the Russians and Roumanians alone excepted. Russia was not opposed to this settlement of the question, but Turkey hesitated to agree to it. A cable dispatch of the 21st says all the European States would recognize the new French Government. M. Louis Joseph Buffett, the new French Minister of Finance, arrived at Bordeaux on the 21st, anil his appointment was announced in the Assembly. Official returns received at the War office in Berlin, show that during the month of January the Frencli lost 800 pieces of artillery and 850,000 men. Queen Maria Victoria, of Spain, was dangerously ill at Alassio on the 20th, and a report of her death prevailed at Madrid on the 21st.

The China papers received in London on the 21st, l>y overland mail, report that an assault was made on Ex-Secretary Seward, and his party, during their visit to Woo Chang. A Berlin dispatch of the 22d says that, in consequence of tlie negotiations between Favre and Bismark, during which the latter had consulted the Emperor several times, the armistice had been cx tended until the evening of the 20th. The word “Republic" has been struck out of\all public acts, by the present French Government, and. “La France” substituted. A Versailles dispatch of the 22Isays: “The Emperor received Thiers to-day. General Chanzy was present at the tnteiview. The peace is considered concluded, though it has not yet been signed.” A letter fr.'na NTiooac, lu Frussi.tn Silesia, states that the French prisoners had been compelled, during the cold weather, to sleep in the country under small canvas tents, and that the sufferings caused thereby had been intense. It appears from the writer's statement that over 500 of the unfortunate men were frozen todeith in a single night. In the) British Parliament on the 23d Lord Harlington declared that disaffection in Ireland existed to such an alarming extent that it would be necessary to appoint a secret committee to ascertain tlie cause s. A dispatch from San Domingo, dated February 14, gives the following news from the commission :' “ Tho health of the whole party remaining here is excellent. While thus far the bulk ol the testimony taken has indicated a very favorable condition of affaire, certain information, the exact character of which tho commission does not make known, has been obtained, which, in the minds of some of its members, introduces obstacleswhich the earlier testimony did not promise. The Haytien complication is occupying serious attention. The commissioners’ intention now is to devote much more time to its investigation than was at first agreed upon. Full transcriptsof such government records as relate to leases, concessions or grants of land for railroads have been taken. They aro very numerous.”

DOMESTIC. Gold closed in New York on the 83d at 111?*. A hurricane on the night of the 17th destroyed or damaged a majority of the buildings left by the recent fire at Helena, Ark; Mrs. Stewart,'widow, was fatally injured, and her little son instantly killed. The Baptist church was demolished, and a large number of other buildings were either destroyed or badly damaged. The French relief fund in Boston amounted to $711,000, on the 81st,

An Omaha 'dispatch of tho 21st says there were still several thousand Indians in the vicinity of Fort Lamarie, being fed by the government. A terrible storm of hail, thunder and lightning visited San Francisco on the njght of the 10th. A fire wall, twelve feet high and sixty feet long, was blown over, and fell on top of a three-story frame building adjoining, crushing it into ruins, beneath which were buried fifteen or twenty persons, four of whom were instantly killed, and several others injured. On the morning of the 22d seven fin* men on the steamship Ismalia, on the North River at New York city, were suffocated by burning charcoal in a close room. Five were found dead, and the others were taken to a hospital, with but little hope of their recovery. They were all natives of Scotland. In their verdict the Coroner’s Jury in the case of the New Hamburg disaster say they “ believe that the oil train could not have been stopped soon enough to have prevented the accident; that the employes of tlie oil train used all the means at their command to promptly signal the coming express train; lhat thu signalmen did their duty in the premises; that the express train was half a mile from the obstruction when first signaled, and could have been stopped, provided all the appliances had been effective; that for some reason to the jury unknown the patent brakes were not effectively applied.” 1 A frightful accident occurred at the Brookfield Coal Bank, near Youngstown, Oliio, on the 22d. Fifteen men were descending the slope in two cars, and through the alleged carelessness of the man whose duty it was to attach the chain, and failed to do so, the cars with the men descended at a fearful rate, witli .nothing to check them. A man named Redmond was killed, and five others so badly injured that they could not recover. The rest, with- the exception of one, were more or less injured. A convention of delegates, representing the colored people of Tennessee, met in Nashville on the 22d, the object being to obtain information relative to the mental, moral and pecuniary condition of the race in the State, and to take steps for their improvement. A race between ice-boats came off at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., on the 21st. The winner ran twelve miles in eleven minutes.

An accident happened to the night express train on the Northern Central Railway, between Baltimore and Elmira, on the morning of the 23d, by which three passenger cars were thrown down an embankment. One passenger was killed, and several others were injured. A destructive conflagration visited Springfield, 111., on the night of the 22d. The collection of minerals, stones, coals, etc., belonging to the Illinois Geological Bureau, was entirely destroyed. Several business establishments were destroyed, aggregating a loss of about $60,000.

PERSONAL. Tbe following names were sent to the Senate on the 17th: Jacob Hasckstetter, Postmaster oi Nebraska City, Nebra ka; J. Milton Turner, of Missouri, Minister Resident and Consul General at Liberia. The bodies of Doc Simmons, engineer of the express train, and the stranger engineer who was on the engine with him, were recovered from the New Hamburg wreck on the 15th. From letters and papers upon the person of the latter, his name was ascertained to be James Humphrey, of Carmansville, Pa. The Columbia Typographical Union, at Washington, on the 18th, admitted to its membership Keith Smith, colored printer, employed in the government printing office, by a vote of 229 yeas to 68 nays. This is the first colored printerever admi tied to that Union.

The following nominations were sent to the SennG* 10m : Ij. C. Bryan, Register of Land Office at Fort Dodge, lowa. Postmasters—Francis Brooks, Deflarce, Ohio i T. G. Shurtz, Marshalltown, Iowa; E. Little, Independence, lowa. The Texas Legislature has voted $1,085 to pay for a portrait of Gen. Sam Houston. General Halplne, the liberated Fenian prisoner, arrived at Boston, per steamer Siberia, on the 20th. Rev. Joseph Chester, of Cincinnati, has been appointed District Secretary of the Western Tract and Book Society. On the 18th Bishop Whitehouse formally suspended Rev. C. E. Cheney, of Chicago, as a rector. Mr. Cheney’s church, however, requested him to continue to officiate as their pastor, and he accordingly preached as usual on the 19th, and would probably continue to fill the pulpit ot Christ Church, which is not the property of the Bishop Or the Diocese. Mr. Cheney has solemnly protested against tho action of the Ecclesiastical Court and the sentence of the Bishop. General J. B. Magrudcr died at Houston, Texas, on the 19th.

The jury in the trial at Washington of C. C. Bowen,, member of Congresa irom South Carolina, on a charge of having j three wives, all living, failed to agree after I being out all night, and were discharged on the 16th. They are said to have stood eleven for conviction and one for acquittal Wm. C. Gibbs, Governor of Rhode Island from 1831 to 1824, died at Newport on the aged 84 V At the annual election of the Delaware. Lackawanna & Western Railroad, held at New York on the 21st, all the old officers weretslected. F. Bret Harts arrived in New York on the 21st. The funeral of Edward H. Simmons, better known as “ Doc” Simmons, engineer, killed in the New Hamburg disaster, took place in New York city on the 21st A large number of pooplo wore in attendance,

and tho greatest sympathy was manifested for tho family of the deceased, and respect for his heroism. Eafl de Grey, Professor Montague Bernard and Lord Tenderden, of the Joint High Commission, Viscount Frederick Goderich, and Donald McKay arrived at New York on the 22d, on tho steamer Cuba. The Fenian exiles, thirteen in number, called at the Executive Mansion in Wash ington, on the 22d, in accordance with previous arrangements, and were introduced to the President by a member of the City Council of Washington. After paying their respects a short conversation ensued, the Fenians assuring the President that their treatment in English prisons had told severely upon the health of some of them, and expressing an anxiety to present a written statement of their case to this government. To this the President responded that they could do so, and whatever was proper to be done by the government would be performed. The English members of the Joint High Commission reached Washington on the 23d.

POLITICAL. The lowa Democratic State Convention is called to meet at Dcs Moines, on Wednesday, June 14. The joint conference of the two houses of the General Assembly of Virginia met on the 18th and determined to recommend paying the interest on the 15th of January on what is known as the old debt of the Commonwealth, amounting to about $32,500,000. The United States Supreme Court, at Washington on the 20th, affirmed the constitutionality of the cotton tax by a divided court. ■>< The Michigan Democratic State Convention met at Lansing on the 21st and nominated D. Darwin Hughes, of Ipff shall, for Associate J ustice of the Supreme Court; J. M. Sill, of Detroit, for Regent of the State University. Governor Clayton, of Arkansas, was notified on the 21st that articles of impeachment had been presented against him. The Governor stated that be would receive the notice, but not officially. Wilder D. Foster has been nominated by tho Republicans for Representative in Congress from the Fourth District of Michigan. Little Rock, Ark., dispatches say that on the 22d there was again no quorum in the Senate. The case of Lieutenant Governor Johnson was commenced in the Supreme Court.

Thirty-four Republican members of the Indiana House of Representatives placed their written resignations in the hands of the Governor on the 22d. Their resignations were accepted. This action was taken to defeat the rcdistricting of the State by the present House, which the publicans claim is now without a quorum. The recent Michigan Republican Slide Convention renominated James V. Campbell for Associate J ustice of the State Supreme Court. For Regents of the State University Col. Claudius B. Grant, of Ann Arbor, and Dr. Charles Rynd, of Adrian, was nominated.

The Democracy and Reconstruction.

In the Journal of yesterday, we stated our belief that the Democratic party, if restored to power, would undo ali the beneficent works of reconstruction which the Republican party has accomplished, and tlie people have repeatedly ratified. For proof of this a cloud of witnesses could be summoned. The orators and eiitors of the party are continu ally furnishing evidence of it. Most con vincing proof that we do not misrepresent the real animus of the Democracy is found in the Senatorial debate of Wednesday, taken In connection with the previous declaration of the Democratic leader, which declaration he real '

The attempt of the present Democratic Indiana Legislature to nullify the raiiflca- ' tion of the Fifteenth Amendment of its Immediate Republican predecessor, was made a fit occasion for a discussion of the whole subject. Mr. Morton was naturally the champion of Republicanism, locality, if nothing else, designating him. Why was Frank Blair the champion of the Democracy ? He is, officially, the youngest member of the Senate. The Presidential campaign of 1868 furnishes the explanation. Blair was the nominee of his party for the Vice-Presidency because he had written a letter peculiarly Democratic in its attitude toward reconstruction. The best epistolary exponent of his party, he had paramount claims to leadership in the Senate. In the debate, that Broadhead letter was referred to, and the author of it distinctly reasserted his adherence to the position therein taken. The indorsement of the National Democratic Convention of 1868 was, therefore, reaffirmed by the party through its present representatives in the upper [house of Congress. The letter has thus been revived, and has to-day even more iuterest to the American people than it had two years and a half ago. Many Republicans believed that the interval since the last Presidential election had wrought some change In the Democracy, and that, by this time, all thought of reopening the recon-traction issue and rej storing the old Southern regime had been ; abandoned. This delusion has now been I dispelled. No one can mistake the posii tiou of the Democracy, after reading the following extract from the Broadhead letter:

“ There is but one way to restore the Government and the Constitution, and that is for the President to declare these acts null and void, compel the army to undo its usurpations at the South, disperse the carpet bag State governments, allow the white people to reorganize their own gov emmcntß and elect Senators and Representatives. The House of Representatives will contain a majority of Democrats from the North, and they w ill admit the Representatives elected by the white people of the South, and with the co-operation of the President it will not be ilifflculCtO compel the Senate to submit once more to. the obligations of the Constitution. *l* will not be able, to withstand tbe public judgment, if distinctly Invoked sod clearly

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NO. 23.

expressed, on this fundamental issue, an d it is Die sure way to avoid all iuturo strife, to put this issue plainly to the country.” it will be seen tint no more than the whites are to be consulted in the Democratic reconstruction of the South, and that whatever they should demand the Democracy would grant. In other words, t lie rebel minority would be allowed to have things all their own way, which is equivalent to saying that the repudiation *f the national debt, the assumption of the reb. l debt, and even the restoration of slavery itself, would be sanctioned if the Democrats werfi restored to power. To talk of disbanding the Republican party with such an issue before the country is downright treason, or the gibberish of an idiot —Chicago Journal

Washington, Feb. 15. TriE following is a synopsis of the bill passed by the House of Representatives to-dßy, to amend an act approved May 81, 1870, entitled “An act to enforce sbe rights of citizens of the United States to vote in tho several Btates of this Union, and for other purposes Section 1. Enacts that the following acts shell lie considered crime*, aud tie punishable a* provided in Scllon III: Personating aud registering, or attempiing to register, dr in any way registering fraudulently; preventing any one from registering; Interfering with an officer or registration; false registration by officers of registration; neglect of their duties lu regard to registration and returns. This section provides that Its provisions shall extend to every registration made under State laws wheu a memberor delegate of Congress is to be chosen. Sic. S Enacts that If In cities of more than *O,000 Inhabitants two citizens shall, prior to an election of a member of Congress, make known to the Judge of the Circuit Court that they wish to have the registration guarded and scrutinized, it shall be the duty of the Judi/e to open his Court ten days prior to the registration or election. The Judge shall appoint two citizens *• who shall be of different political parties” as Supervisors of Election. The Court is to continue open until the election, and tbe Judge sitting at chambers sball have the same powers as when sitting in Coart. Sec. 3. Euacts that in case of necessity the Judge shall appoint, aa his substitute, one of tbe Judges of the United States District Court within his circuit. Sec. 4. Defines the dntles of Supervisors of Election. They are required to attend the registration of voters; to challenge persons offering to register; to mark for challenge such names as arc pointed out to them; to prepare a list of voters tot the Judge, and to sign each page of ’he original list of voters. Sec. 6. Enacts that tbe Supervisors of Election shall Inspect and scrutinize, on the day of election, the manner in which the voting is done, and examine and count every ballot, whatever may be the Indorsement on it, or iiT whatever box It may be found. The Supervisors arc to report to the Chief Supervisor of the Judicial District, the result of the election, aud any pt»crvai(on they wish to nuke touching the fairness of the registry, election, and canvass of tbe votes. Sec. «. Empowers the Supervisors to occupy such place at the registry, voting and counting, as will enable them to do their duty effectively. Sec.-7. Enacts that if the Supervisors are prevented from fulfilling their dttty, they are to report within ten days to the Supervisor ot the Judicial District, who Is empowered to act as Commissioner of the Circuit Court, examine witnesses, and report to tbe Clerk of the House of Representative* prior to the assembling of Congress. Sec. 8. Empowers the United States Marshal to appoint Deputy Marshals, who arc authorized to maintain order, make summary arrests, and assist the Supervisors, who are themselves invested, in certain contingencies, wilh tbe duties and powers of Deputy Marshals. No one is to lie arrested without process, on election day, for any offence committed on the day of registration. Sec. 9. Persons arrested for violations of this act are to be brought before a Commissioner, Judge, or 1 ourtof the United States. Sec. 10. Imposed Imprisonment fur not less than one or more than two years, or a fine of not less than fIJHXIor more than sAoti. or both fine and imprisonment, with the costs of prosecution, on any one committing tne crimes named in this act, or preventing its execution. Persons who refuse to give evidence, or shall answer falsely, are liable to arrest and Imprisonment as for a misdemeanor.

Sic. 11. Makes It s misdemeanor for Supervisors or Deputy Marshals to neglect or refuse to perform their respective-duties. Sec. 12. empowers the United States Marshal or his deputy. In case of need, to call on the United States military or naval forces to assist him. Commanding officers are bonnd to comply. Sic. 13. The Circuit Courts ate Instructed to appoint Commissioners, one of whom shall be known as the Chief Supervisor of Elections, who is charged with numerous duties Incidental to the purpose of the act. Sic. 14. Fixes the rate of remuneration for services rendered nnder this act, which are to be paid from the United States Treasury. Sec. 13. Extends the jurisdiction, of tbe United States Circuit Courts to ail suits arising under this act. Sic. 14. Enacts that all suits brought in State Courts for any net done under this act, may be removed to tile United States Circuit Court, and affords the necessary registration thereior. Sic. 17. Provides for cases where the Clerk of a State Court refuses to give copies of any record or proceedings needed lor suits in the United States Courts. Sec. 18. Repeals Sections 3 and 6 of the “Act to amend the naturalization laws, and to punish crimes against the same,” approved Juiy 14, 1870, without affecting any prosecution pending under it

reu-iviux are carrying things with a high hand in Cheatham County. On tho night of January 28, a company consisting of about twelve masked nun went to the house of Mr. John Davis, living some five miles from Kingston Spring, and demanded entrance. Mr. Davis refused, but, upon their promising not to hurt him, opened the door. Oscar Davis, son of the former, and Mr. Samuel Fin cy were the other male inmates of the house. The ruffians asked Finicy if he had not been a Federal soldier, |tnd upon his replying in the affirmative, they told him they had been looking for him for eight years; that he had shot one of them at Shiloh; that their ghostly comrade had just scratched out of h—l, where he had been for eight years, eating ‘‘dead Yankees.” They then took Finicy Into the woods, and asked him how ho preferred to die. He told them if he was to be murdered it made but little difference how. They made him stand at teu steps off, and fired three shots at him, none of which took effect. They then set upon and whipped him very severely. IV bile this was going on, another portion of the gang was whipping Mr. Davis, and the rest were whipping his son Oscar. On,, their way to Davis’ they took a colored man named Lewis Hannah ont of his house, and whipped him severely. AH the parties were enjoined not to give publicity to these outrages on penalty of being again visited. 1 ,' _ . ._ Mr. Finicy, who had been in the Union army, has lived some time lp Cheatham County, while Davis and his son have lately immigrated thither from Pennsylvania—2?iwhciUe (ft##.) Tribune*

An old farmer in the neighborhood of Porestville, Conn., who i 9 dubbed by the Hartford Counmi “acheerful idiot, was sledding wood the other morning. Having on a heavy load it stuck fast in crossing the track of tho Hartford, Providence & Fishkilt Railroad. 8o the old man unhitched his oxen and deliberately marched off home leaving the heavy load of green wood standing across the’ track, and making no effort to warn the passenger tram —due in a few moments —of its danger. The train came on. “Down brakes summed the whistle, and the train and it* passengers fortunately escaped injury; yet the locomotive struck the load- of -wood with sufficient force to knock it ana tho tied clear of the track.

The Enforcement Bill.

Ku-Klux Outrages.