Newspapers / The Charlotte Democrat (Charlotte, … / Sept. 10, 1867, edition 1 / Page 2
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THE W ES'FE R N DEM OCR AT, C H A RL O TTE,' N. C . &hi Western Bmorrat CHARLOTTE, N. C. THE TBEATMENT OF PRISONERS OP WAR IIT N C. Dr. John II. Gibbon, of this count v, has farmshed us with a copy of the following letter which he wrote to . the Ho. J. r.. C. Shanks, chairman of the committee appointed by the House ot. Kepreseniauvea iu rarcu gate the treatment of prisoners of war : Nea& Charlotte, July 31st, 1867, Hox J. P C. Shakes: The people of North Carolina were not disposed to separate from the Lmon l the States. In 1860 they refused to call a Conven tion to consider the subject of secession. But when a quote of her troops were demanded to coerce other States, the Governor declined to supply them, and in April, 1861, ordered an armed forced to thfco possession jaf the public property within her limits, viz: Ine BranchMintat Charlotte, the Arsenal at Fayetteville. and the Forts on the Coast. Then, the people began to prepare far -what seemed inevitable; though for some time after the .civil war began many continued to hope Jhat some peaceful remedy would be found to reconcile existing difficulties. The majority were unhappily persuaded by events lhat certain 'Tights" could only be defended by force of is and a separate Government ; whereas those rights" entirely depended upon the provisions ot a. Constitution designed to promote the general welfare. Every exertion was made in the State to supply pro visions and clothing for the army. ConstwnUya scarcity of each was soon felt among the people, lie sides ordinary war taxes, tithes in kind were claimed of every edible and useful product w heat, corn, bacon, syrup, wool, cotton, rice, tobacco, &c. Quartermasters were allowed to impress extra quantities Irom those who used greatest exertions to.obtain them. Many Santera and their anilies voluntarily dispensed witn e use of meats in order to supply the laboring, ser vants. As armies marched in different directions, soldiers scattered through the country enquiring tor food at farm houses. They were easily gratified with bread vegetables, fruits and milk being mostly con fined to dry rations in the field. As troops passed my neighborhood on several occasions, I saw officers and jmen cheerfully eating raw bacon. Great privations were endured by families who stinted themselves to supply distant relations and laboring servants. It became a matter of necessity, therefore, that pro visions for prisoners of war should be deficient and paeagre, as means of transportation were interrupted or .over burtbened ; but these privations were equally en sured by the sick and soldiers of the Sonth. Toward the close ot the contest, every luaiiui .uimui Ago was ordered to the front. Ordinary cases of ex emption were disregarded. Those previously excused or various . industrial and other purposes, were drafted. Work at manufactories, saw mills and some grist mills, vwas interrupted. Large numbers of negro laborers were ordered to distant fortifications. Overseers, black smiths, cat penters, millwrights, and other practical and profitable mechanics were unrelentingly mustered into .the military service to the detriment ot agriculture and envation of general comforts, greatly reduced by svlok Pinallly, -'the Senior and Junior Reserves" planters, farmers, mechanics, and school boys, hitherto exempt by reason of age or special important occupations were called upon to guard the prisoners of war at Salisbury. J. was personally acquainted with many of "the Seniors." and purposely enquired of the guard, who were at home 09 occasional furlough, into the condition of the prison ers. They gave a sad account of the want of shelter, .clothing, fuel and food. A large Factory was occupied .as a prison, and a few tents were also proviJed. while from 6.0UO to lfi.UOO prisoners were held at different Jimes-j-msny being exposed iu the prison yard to severe inclemencies ot weather. There was not a sufficiency of planks for sheds tr huts, no blaukets for covering, few proper medicines and little variety of food for the sick. The general state of oestitution of these prisoners was described as "horribly distressing to the guards." Jiut no one of the many well disposed and considerate persons I conversed with, could suggest any possible .alleviation of the suffering "except by conveying the prisoners to the border and turning them loose to go tome." I offered to prepare, a petition to urge this plan, exchauge or no exchange. It was difficult to Obtain accurate information at that time, but it was commonly understood there was some point iu conten tion with regard to a general and prompt interchange of prisoners, which prevented their relief iu that man ner. Four months before the surrender of Gen. Lee's army, 9,000 prisoners were sent to Wilmington under charge of a Iorth Carolina Regiment Qd treated with .very possible kinduess and humanity oi the route. It was stated to me that the prisoners of war ut Salis Lury were of very varied characters and nationalities. -The weaker men often complained to the guards that the rude and violent among their fellow-prisoners, rob bed and ill treated them, plundered and sold their .scanty blankets and clothes, and practiced various im positions. Prisoners occasionally were very insubor dinate. Upon one occasion they killed two of the guards. The guards themselves were for some time without tents, and often without sufficient supplies of food or fuel. It appears io bo now conceded that, in proportion to numbers, a larger amount of prisoners of war died in JJortbern prisons (the severities ot winter having super added to other discomforts) than among those in the South. But to the efforts of disappointment, anxieties, jelose confinement and rigid discipline, must be attrib uted the great mortality of both, rather than to the wilful negligence of the people on either side ; for such fraks do not characterize auy section ot our common country. The absolute depreciation of means in the South was sufficient to cause many additional miseries to the or dinary influences of war. The wounded I saw in Southern hospitals were terribly emaciated by similar pauses entirely beyond tho reach of any public or pri vate measures of relief. Distress and suffering were .almost universal. The practice of warfare is accom panied by many dilatory horrors in addition to those of sadden indiscriminate slaughter. The people of North Carolina certainly did pot de sign to treat prisoners of war with neglect or cruelty. The. Captain of a company of Senior Reserves, well known as a dispassionate and truthful man, assured me "the rations supplied to the prisoners were quite as ample as those for the soldk-rs who guarded them." The country people were often induced by these State Troops, to bring in a variety of provisions for the pris oners. Children were sometimes sent with salt to them, jin article both scarce and of high price. It is also well known that impressments were made froip Private citiaeus for the relief of the prisoners, though 8ometiniescbaritable access to them was refnsed. But with every possible exertion their condition was always described as most deplorable. A North Caro lina Senior Reserve mentioned an Alabama Regiment of Junior Reserves on guard at the same time, who con stantly purchased articles for the prisoners. I know Jtnany instances of sympathy and relief, though the ex citement of contest and feeling was very great. Some Foreigners among the prisoners of war at Salisbury were induced to change sides. They were called "gal vanized or white-washed troops,'' not generally re garded with good will by the people. Public bpiuion attributes a want of system and arbi trary measures to those who had special coutrol of the prisoners. The discipline was often regulated in a planner exceedingly offensive to the soldier guards Amiable people are probably not always selected for jthe office of Provost Marshal. The county of Mecklenburg, in North Carolina, and .several adjacent ones, were chiefly settl.-d by emigrants from my native State. About the puriod of Braddock's defeat, the frontier men of Pennsylvania (driven in by the French and their Northern Indian allies) retired .Southward, aud, crossing the Potomac below the moun tains, took up land among more pacific tribes, in what pas then known as "the Barony of Clarendon,"' A British King had bestowed large grants in the jjo .palled colony of North Carolina to this nobleman, whose Scottish agents disposed of the land by the acre, at two shillings, "proclamation money" a description of paper currency whose value was proclaimed at the Court House equal to Stirling, or the sum of half a dollar of the welj known standard of Spain. Some aged persons described the condition of these primitive emigrants jfrom Pennsylvania, who settled among the Southern jaborigenes : "The men on foot with their rifles and dogs . the women on horseback with their babies and spin ning wheels." These "wandertrs" were chiefly of old Irish stocks, intermingled with English, Welsh and Scotch, many Germans, a few French and Swiss, The names of such familiee may all now be recog nized in the Southern and Central counties of Pennsyl vania. Rudely carved grave stones in some old Church yjards present coats of arms and clannish titles of many European settlers on this Western Continent. These Southern colonists sinuously objected to the importation 'qt African fclaves, and strongly remonstrated with the mother country of Great Britain, whose au thorities at that time insisted Upon the policv as bene- pci&l. now DiacK ana wnite servants were sold into Jhe Colonies before the American revolution. An En- flish Earl suggested to Charles II "to send his Queen, e arietta of opsin, to tho American plantations ber muse she had no children." This stows the easy manner in which such subjects we?e considered, in Europe 200 years ago! An unmanageable tribe of Red men were exported as slaves from an Eastern Colo ny to Malaga in Spain, because they were found troublesome as servants by certain serious people. The Southern colonists, who. at that period, possessed bo ships, were forced to purchase and to pay for wild Africans taken as prisoners of war. and . disposed of to traders by their own countrymen, and were obliged to teach them to work and to snpply food, clothing, sus tenance and implements for their constantly increasing families. The difficulties of this subject were manifest at the Declaration of American Independence, and appreciated as a contradiction to a general truth then announced. The Africans, at this time, required a double considera tion, both as property and as men. The common colo nial laws with regard to the property remained without immediate change, but were gradually ameliorated by individual States. African slaves, without being thus named in our Constitution of government, were per sonally enumerated for Congressional Representation in the ratio of three-fifths white men being , respected as units in the periodical census. The natural owners of the soil, "untaxed Indians." were then regarded as cyphers, of no political value for national representation, As a transferable property, large investments in wild Africans were insisted upon by the British government, and the colonists were obliged to yield to the existing economy of that age. In those portions of the country where tire wood and winter clothing were required for more than half the year, this kincl of labor proved ex pensive. A gradual accumulation of these servants, therefore, tended Southward, where they multiplied greatly iu a congenial limate, Their increase event ually became almost uie oniy pront irom tne potwsswu of staves. This was considered an objectionable feature with owners who regarded them with humanity, from the interference with family ties in the division of esiutes among widows and minor children. , An attempt to establish a separate Republican Gov ernment upon the perpetuity of African slavery appears an error of practical statesmanship, because the institu tion always had a feeble hold upon the hearts of many persons in the South. Several religious associations specially objected to it, such as the Society of Friends, the Moravians aud the Dunkers, besides individuals of other creeds who conscientiously abstained from it. The Southern people often discussed its influences very freely among themselves and in the public con ventions of several States. But as this property in creased in value and extent, and became the foundation of much commercial capital and credit, general emanci pation was felt to be commensurately difficult by the people at large in every section of the country. In the meantime numerous Western States and Ter ritories were rapidly nwng up wim a population om different nationalities of Northern Europe, habitually taught to rist every description of vassalage, to whom the peculiarities of negro bondage were little known, but, nevertheless, made highly objectionable. The great mistake ot Southern legislation was the desire under such circumstances to form a separate ' government, while the original Constitution of the JJniied States was still regarded with respect by a large majority of the people. A dispassionate, unprejudiced, independent looker-on may suggest, from apparent facts, that the Southern colonists, while claiming Afri cans as property under the law and the Constitution, did not generally disregard their characteristics as fellow men. For. although in several Eastern States acts wero passed prohibiting negro slavery, still the colored freedinen were never invited to assume the privileges of the ballot box and the jury bench. But as soon as the well mannered, respectable and intelligent Southern slaves were set free, they are at once considered entitled to all such indulgences like other "strangers in the land." Although, probab!y. not so intended, this fact surely indicates a high compliment to the manner in which negro slaves were usually treated by generous masters and mistresses in Southern States of North America. After a terrible revolution, persons of dis crimination in the South seem prepared to regard men of Airican blood as eventual citizens of the United States. The freedinen will prosper among their former owners, who begin to aid their industry and education, unless political prejudices aud the prepossession of races be promoted by indiscreet and dishonest interferences. Kind counsel, moral and general instruction with gradual accommodations will settle many difficulties which ap pear insuimountable at first under sudden changes. The obvious conduct between former owners and their servants in this section evince amiable, characteristics under the altered condition of each race. It surely cannot be credited by any that the Almighty Creator has established diversities among men solely to en courage strife and discoid, but rather to invite a liberal toleration by mutual concession and self control for the peace and security of all. During the contest which prevailed from 18fil to 185. 1 resided with my wife and daughters among kindly neighbors on a plantation near Charlotte. As an officer of the United States Branch Mint for 25 years I had general acquaintance with persons from different sections of the State. I may be permitted to add, that upon the approach of United States troops my house aud premises became depositories of provisions, clothing, deeds and valuables of many, who, for some reason, regarded them more safe under my charge than in their own. All had suffered in various degrees; their means of existence being greatly reduc d by the natural con sequences of war, which they still feel severely. These circumstances may give a certain value to remarks which are very respectfully submitted to the honorable committee, on the treatment of prisoners of war. J. II. GIBBON, M. D., Mecklenburg county, N C. m -m General Canby. The new commander of North and South Carolina (Gen. Canby,) has ar rived in Charleston. Of him we know nothing personally, but he is spoken of in high terms by the New Orleans correspondents of various jour nals. One of them, referring to General Sheri dan, says : "With these facts staring him in the face, and the knowledge that his immediate predecessor (General Canby) was a high toned gentleman and gallant officer, who had won the respect and confidence of this people by attempting to hon estly and faithfully discharge his duties as an officer of the government and not the represen tative of a party, it is surprising that Sheridan did not attempt to remove some of the odium lhat attached to his name by following the com mendable and praiseworthy example of General Canby." Geneal Canby is said to be a fine executive officer, and thorough military man. In his opinions he is said to be a moderate republican, who takes no prominent part in politics and caros but little to have anything to do with political affairs. Indeed the New York Tribune pointedly says "no one has ever called Canby a radical." Sad Cascalitt. We learn that Win. Mar shall, a lad about 10 years old, the son of Mr Rob't Marshall of this District, was found dead near his father's premises on Friday evening last, with a gun shot wound in his breast lie had left home with his gun for the purpose of hunting game, and remaining out longer than usual, his father went in search of him and found the body as above stated. It is supposed from surrounding appearances, that his death was the result of ac cident Lancaster Ledger. . Committed James Funderburk was com mitted to the jail of this District last week, on a charge of .Grand Larceny. He was arretted by U. S. soldiers at Cureton'g gold mine io Union county, N. 0. Lancaster Ledyer. Revivals. The New Bethel and Union Baptist Churches, in this District, have enjoyed a refreshing revival during the past month. Eight persona have been baptized at the former Church, and sixteen at fhe latter. Ten have been-baptized at the Union Baptist Church, in Gaston County, N. C. These Churches are un der the care of Elder Tilman R Gaines, Pastor of the Yorkville Baptist Church. Yorkcille Enquirer. New York, Sept 4. The southern famine re lief commission held their fiual meeting to-day. The total cash receipts amounted to $250,566 all of which has been expended. The number of bushel of corn purchased was 15Zl. STATE NEWS- The BlajCJWelde& Thial. Jacob Black -welder, (ot Cabarrus county) who was tried and convicted of the murder ot bis wife at Spring Term 1866, of Rowan Superior Court, Bis Honor Judge Mitchell presiding, and who on obtaining a new trial removed his case to Davie county has, we learn, after a bug and tedious trial been acquitted on the plea of insanity and' sent to the Insane Asylum. His Honor Judge Little, we learn, charged the jury that if tbey found that the prisoner was insane at the time of the commission of the homicide, tbey should acquit, whether such in sanity was produced by jealoursy or not; where as, it will be remembered that Judge Mitchell charged the jury, on the first trial, that although the jury might find that the prisoner was insane at the time of the commission of the homicide, if that insanity was caused by jealousy, they must convict. Salisbury North State. Insanity is getting to be a common plea for the escape of murderers and violators of tbe peace generally. j- The Statesville American say that Dr J. J. Foard is willing to undertake to get the stock taken to build tbe Statesville and Salt Works' Railroad, at his own expense, if tbe Commis sioners will agree to allow him a certain per centage on the stock that he might get subscri bed, as per agreement. Trinity Coulece.- This Institution has opened its session with the encouraging num ber of 80 students. Serious Affair. We learn that a difficulty occurred near Kinstoo, last night, which re sulted in the killing of a negro by a white man, and the subsequent severe beating of the white man by negro soldiers. The white man is in jail for the homicide. Everything was quiet this afternoon. Xvewbem-Jour . how-, Dth m$t. Why not put the negroes in jail, also 1 From the Newbern Republican (Radical.) FALSE IDEAS about CONFISCATION. Tbe subject of the confiscation of lands is one of too much moment to be misrepresented or trifled with in any manner. Wo occasion ally hear of some one who is guilty of holding out to tbe colored man tbe false idea that the confiscation of lands is embraced in (he Con gressional plan, and by this means creating ex pectations and hopes that never will be realized. Those who do thus indulge in such teachings as to confiscation are cither stupidly ignorant of the true meaning of the acts of Congress or are guilty of the crime of wilfull and intentional fraud and deception. No honest Republican will for a moment so deceive and cheat the col ored race as to endeavor to make them believe that there will be a gratuitous distribution of lands, when no such purpose was agreed upon or adopted by Congress. The present plan proposed by Congress to the loyal voters of tbe different unreconstructed States, for adoption, plainly gives up tbe scheme of confiscation. Iu surrendering confiscation, other more important and essential matters to tbe colored man have been secured. His right to tbe free use of the ballot, stands ou: in bold relief as one of the grandest of all privileges that can possibly be conferred upon an enfranchised race. In time this great boon will be found of infinitely more value to the colored man than the confiscation of every acre of land belonging to the rebels of the South. Along with the ballot, every other political and civil right, of any value, has been given to the colored man. When he is thus raised from a state of abject slavery to that true position ot manhood where he can enjoy exactly tbe same rights before the law that are conceded to the white man, he cer tainly ought, and we doubt not, will be satisfied. Let it therefore be well understood that while the adoption of tbe present Congressional plan will effectually do away with all future schemes of confiscation, it will bring benefits of such a character, not only to the colored mao but the white man, as will prove of tbe greatest possible value. The only contingency that we can now con ceive whereby confiscation might be made a practical reality would be the rejection and ef fectual defeat of the plan of Congress. Believ ing, as we sincerely do, that the plan in ques tion will bring prosperity and happiness to the whole peoplo of the South, we should really re gard it as a misfortune to have confiscation es tablished as ooe of the consequences of its de feat. W The Cotton tax of two and a half cents a pound went into operation on Monday, the 2d instant. tT. mi .1 Vermont. ine radicals have earned this State by a majority of 18,000. A Negro Magistrate. Charleston, Sept. 4. Sickles has appointed Beverly Nash, a prominent negro ot Columbia, fc. U. a police magistrate. ta?" Two colored men have announced them selves, in different Districts in Georgia, as can didates for Congress. They advocate tbe re moval of all disqualifications imposed on white men, the abolition of the tax on cotton, &c. Foreign News Harvesting was progress ing satisfactorily throughout Europe. The cholera is raging at Rotterdam and vicinity. The Spanish insurgents and government troops had a severe fight at Castonzia. All but thirty of the insurgents were cut to pieces. Anecdotes of Gen. Eaklt. After Genera Early's k-ries of disasters in the valley, he mad his headquarters at Staunton, and while there was prevailed upon to attend church one Sabbath. The subject of the sermon on that day was the general judgment, and just as Early entered the minister was giving an illustration of the nmrber that, on the clay ot judgment would be present, by bringing in review Wore his audience the generations that bad parsed away, and comple ted his climax by asking them what thev would do with all these The mind of General Early being on his army and not on the sermon, he re plied, in his peculiar tone of voice, "I would con script them all and put them iu the army. At the time of General Lee's surrender, Gen eral Early was at Dublin, in southwest Virginia, and being seriously indisposed he was Iving in an ambulance ready to move away to avoid Gen eral Stoneraan, who was at that time making a raid jnic that country. General Echols rode'up to tbe ambulance and said, "General Lee has surrendered w Early, raising himself on his el bows, replied, "It is false; I do not believe one word of it." "But," says General Echols, here is a dispatch from Oeoeral Lorn an giving the particulars." "Read it," says Genera Early. When having heard it, he threw himself back in tne ambulance and in an indescribable tone, ex-4 a ..m-v b - - - W ciajmedj "iNow blow jour trompe Qabriel )n From the Salisbury North State. THE PROSPECT. There are those zwopg ua who aee4 or think they see, evideneea of coming change in public sentiment which , will nble us to escape re construction trader the recent acta of Congress. They seize upon every little circumstance as af fording reason for this belief. The removal of Stanton nd Sheridan is ijauned as showing that the President anticipates such changes as will sustain him in his policy hereafter. The recent course of tho Herald is thought to be very sig nificant of tbe same thing. Our readers know full well where our sympathies are, but as a faith ful journalist we feel it to be our duty to warn them against every delusion. There is not the slightest evidence to be met with any where that the President does not mean to carry out in good faith the laws of Congress. So far as lies in his power he doubtless intends to mitigate them by a liberal construction and lenient administration of them nothing more. As to the New York Herald while it has shown much sagacity on any occasions in scent ing the breeze and aeiicipating public opinion, it must yet ha borne in wind that it is a venal and corrrupt sheet whose motives the public cannot know. It may expect and desire a change, or may be governed wholly by sordid and selfish motives. Or it may desire to lead the President And bis supporters into greater difficulties. All of these things should be considered by the Southern people. Tbey should beware of false lights. Our own opinion remains unchanged that the Republican party will remain intact un til the reconstruction question Is disposed of Nothing can disolve it until after that time, as they will have nod UficuUy i& rallying their party upon lhat issue. Tbey appeal to efforts made to resist their measures in the South as evidence of contumacy on the part of "unrepentant rebels." Such appeals to their passions, in the present state of the public mind, meets with a ready res ponse. Another reason why this must necessarily be so is tbe intense bitterness of feeling now ex isting between the two parties North, a bitterness much mrpassing any that exhibits itself at the South. This bitterness will continue, and will prevent any change in the present complexion of parties there, as long as the cause for it remains. The cause grew out of the late war, and as long as any of the present issues arising therefrom re main unsettled no material change will be likely to take place. At least this is our opinion, and believing this we have pursued the course we have. It is true that we have the right given to us by the law itself to vote down the" Con vention without violating our obligations to the Government. But until we can be shown that we have anything to gain by such a course we ought not to pursue it, however clear the right to do so. We should weigh the matter well and see if we would not be likely to lose much by it. We think all the probabilities are that we would that it would merely be abandoning bad for worse. GOV. GRAHAM ON THE SITUATION. Hon. William A. Graham, of North Carolina, in a letter to a resident of Van Buren, Ark., writes as follows respecting the political situa tion of the south: "The situation of the States of the South, to which you allude, is indeed melancholy. We are realizing tbe truth of the declaration of Mr Fox, that ,lthe most dangerous of all revolutions is a restoration." The idea of distraining the States by military domination, into the adoption of constitutions for local governments, with the right of suffrage extended to negroes, without any qualification except being of tbe male sex and over 21 years of age, and by the Howard amendment to the constitution of the United Stales at the same time disfranchising all men of experience and influence among us, is the most solemn farce that has been enacted in all history. It is to roll back the tide of civilization two cen turies at least, and place the ballot in the hands of a constituency less qualified for the office of government than has ever before existed in any republican country. The board of registers of voters has just been announced here, and includes one negro to two white men generally through out the Stale. -"When the whole series of steps in the process of "reconstruction," as it is called, shall have been contemplated, I think the people, wherever they constitute majorities, will find it to their interest to vote against conventions for the objects in view, and bear with the reign of military governments until another appeal can be made to public opining at the North, and es pecially in the Northwest. This is bad advice to come from Gov. Gra ham, and we hope that he has changed his opin ion since writing the letter referred to. The Negro Debt Question. In the United States District Court,atGreenviIIe,S.C,on the 223 ult, Judge Bryan presiding, probably the most important case was decided that has been before any of our Courts in many years, being a decision on the question as to the liability of persous who purchased negroes previous to emancipation It will be observed that according to this decision, persons who purchased negroes previous to the war, and have not paid for them, are liable to do so. In hu charge, the Judge said, substantially : "The amount, is small, the principle of overwhel ming importance. I should gladly have escaped from the consideration of this case. Tbe settle ment of the question, however it be settled, will carry poverty home to some one. Great invest ments lie in bonds and notes given for the pur chase money of negroes In these, women and children have staked their all. The question is, who shall bear the loss ? Poverty and hardship must come. In my opiuion the hardship must be borne by those who had the misfortune to bo own ers. It does not come within the province of this -" . m. J a . t m . t voun io adjust ana equalize tne burdens of tue war. That office, tantat componeret belongs to other than a judicial tribunal. Abolition grew out of the war the position of these Southern States m the war they waged against the Gov eminent. It was competent for tbe United States to deal with slaves just as with other personal property. The owner must suffer. .Who suf fered when mules or horses were taken ? or cotton burnt or lifted, or ships captured at sea ? Who, but the owner of such property? But the laws of property, regulating the relationship of debtor and creditor, in the matter of mules, ships or cot ton, were not abrogated. Debts or balances due on the purchase of such mules, ships or cotton, were not cancelled. The debtors were not re leased. Their obligations remain in force at this day. The seller never made a guarantee against the action of war. The other ground of defense, payment by com pulsion under the Sequestration Law of the Con federate Government, is equally untenable. That Government never bad a legal existence, and pay ment of the debt under its regulations svas there fore void." Under these instructions the jury retired, and soon returned with the following verdict: "We nd for Jhe Plainif fl65 0$, with, interest.M , THE RAILROADS We refer the reader to the advertisement of the Wil mington & Weldon Railroad in another column. And we also invite attention to the following article from the Wilmington Journal in regard to shipping freight, whieh we hope will induce shippers to patronize those Roads (N- nd WiL & Weldon, via Goldsboro,) in which the State is interested as a Stockholder, and thus aid in lessening general taxation : "We see in the Petersburg Index, of the 22d inst., a savage editorial, evidently designed as an advertise ment for the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad Company. The writer evidently does not understand the subject upon which he is writing for we desire to give him credit for candor. We submit the following facts, and we know them to be facts. The North Carolisa Railroad is from Charlotte to Goldsboro', a distance of two hundred and twenty-three miles, three-fourths a .State road.. The question with the Stockholders ' of that corporation, that was decided at Greensboro', was one of interest to themselves and not for any city or place. Jt is this, "How could they increase the receipts of theix road without increasing its expenses?" It was found that by an old arrangement, made when the State owned a large interest in the Ral eigh and Gaston Railroad, that the bulk of through freights to and from Northern markets, passed off their road at Raleigh, while their freight trains, with a few ears, kept on to Goldsboro'. It was also found that the ears left off at Raleigh to go by Raleigh and Gaston Railroad would, if rhey had been carried through to Goldshoro', have yielded them j about fifteen dollars per car. Admitting tfiat thry bad carried ten cars per day each way for three hundred days, equal to six thousand cars per annum, which wo)ild only have cost them the ''wheelge, on the cars, extra, or more than it would if they had left them at Raleigh, and we have gross receipts from this source of ninety thousand dollars that went to another Company. This sum may be more or less than the ac'ual amount that would have been realized .last year, if the present plan had been in force; but it illustrates the principle on which the Stockholders, without a dissenting voice, decided this question. By the present rates on through freights both ways, we understand that XJoiapany re ceives about an average of fifteen dollars per car be tween Raleigh and Goldsboro'. which is sufficient to make the plan a permanent one. The difference in dis tance between Raleigh and Weldon, by way of Golds boro' and Gaston, is twenty-nine miles, and the longer distance is over a road with few grades and curves, up on which any speed can be made; hence no difference in time. The cost to the two Companies is no more, because this is "increased business," and no train is run exclu sively for it which Railroad managers understand to mean nearly all net profits. The great and essential mistake this writer makes, and into which all the Nor folk papers have fallen, is that he and they are discuss ing this question as applicable to freights going to the markets of Petersburg, Norfolk or Wilmington, when the facts do not justify his conclusions. The question is "purely this, what route shall goods from Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York or Boston, going to all places in North and South Car olina, supplied by this line, or from these points to tho3e cities, take as regards the Railroads between Raleigh and Weldon. Nothing more nothing less. The Stockholders of Ihis State work say: travel over the longest distance of our road, as it will give us the largest income. Is there anything more natural or more reasonable? Should a corporation, any more than an individ ual, give away a profitable business to gratify an outside parly, in which it had no earthly interest ? and especially so when by helping themselves they can benefit a friend. Look at it in every way, and nothing unusual or unreasonable can be seen. As regards the produce to, and goods from, Nor folk to tbe interior, we are informed by those who know best, that not one-sixth of the freight that passes over the Seaboard Railroad, originates in Norfolk, or goes to that market for ale, and much, very much, less from Petersburg. It has been said that scarcely two cars per month, of goods and pro duce to and from Petersburg, go to or come from beyond Raleigh, on the North Carolina Railroad. Hence our position that this is a question entirely of transit of freight, through portions of North Carolina and Virginia, and not business to the mar ket towns of either Slate. True, a great deal of rod uce goes to Norfolk and to Petersburg from orth Carolina, but by far the largest portion of it originates on our own (Wilmington and Weldon) Railroad, and seeks these more northern markets in preference to Wilmington, not because their merchants show more energy or zeal as merchants but because these cities are nearer the great com mercial centre New York than Wilmington. Mow, we suggest to the merchants of Petersburg and Norfolk that the recommendation of the Index and other newspapers of both cilies, that iheir mer chants send all their goods lo Raleigh, via Raleigh and Gaston Railroad, i3 bad "policy." Our people wHl soon find out where their friends reside, and tbe interest all our people have in the North Carolina Railway as a great State work, and as a helper to pay taxes and debt, commends this subject forcibly to their attention Tbe new policy tho State has inaugurated in the management of her principal Railroad will soon enable it to pay dividends into the Treasury of the State. But if defeated in this result b citizens of Virginia Decause they are stockholders in the Ral eigh and Gaston Railroad, which has so long eu joyed a monopoly of this through business, they will know where to send their freights and where to buy their goods. We do not fear the trial let it come. To our friends we say, keep your eyes open and look out for the "half-moon stencil plates" "via Raleigh and Gaston Railroad" that are said to be in secret cir culation and somehow get on to people's boxes without orders. We have no fears for our Railroads and our sea ports. The President and Directors of the North Carolina Railroad Company are "masters of the sit uation," and they may form or dissolve an alliance with other roads that their interests seem to demand, and if reasonably done they will be sustained. LI. 12. COCHRANE WITH Messrs. BUXBAUM & LAIVG. I would respectfully inform my frieo.ls and former customers that I am now engaged with the firm of Messrs. BUXBAUM & LANG, dealers in Dry Goods, Clothing and Gent's Furnishing Goods, Boots and Shoes, and would be pleased to wait upon them. September 2, 1807. R. E. COCHRANE. J. A. WILLIARD. A. A. WILLIARD. WILLIARD BROTHERS, WHOLESALE GROCERS t AXD COMMISSION MERCHANTS, And Agents for the Hazard Powder Co., and Marvin & Co.' Safes. Also, Emery's Cotton Gin and Con denser, and Foster's Cotton" Planter, Nos. 29, 30 and 31 North Water Street, September 2, 1867. 6m NOTICE. On the 15th September inst., the Banking House of BREN1ZER, KELLOGG & PETERS will be merged into the CITY BANK OF CHARLOTTE, and the business will be conducted at the old stand, Trade Street, Springs Building. A. G. BRENIZER has been chosen Cashier, and C. N. G. BUTT, Teller, late Teller First National Bank of Wilmington. The Bank will then be pre pared to transact all business usuall done by an incorporated Bank, and will endeavor, by in fair and liberal dealing, to merit a share of the public patronage. Charlotte, N. Sept. 2, 18G7. MOLASSES. Tl I Jt HHDS.Cuba and other grades Molasses JJ. J JL 100 Tierces and Barrels do. For sale by WILLARD BROS , 29, 30 and 31 Water street, Aug 26, 1867 tf WitmsoToa, N C Salt, Bagging an! Rope, Jfllrffhni SACKS Liverpool Sal, XSPhShP 236 coils Bale Rope, bales Gunny Bagging, For sale by WILLARD BROS, 29, 30 and 31 Water street, Aojj 26, 1867 tf W;j.jiijfGTOSj N C WASHINGTON ITEMS. ! The subject of a general amnesty was dis cussed in Cabinet meeting on the 3rd inst. If the President had had the courage to issue sach a Proclamation long ago, it might have dooe some good. Gen. Grant has requested to be relieved from attendance at cabinet meetings, except when military matters'are under discussion, as be does not think it proper for a military officer to take part in political discussions. The President is determined to relieve How ard, if what he says on the matter can be be. lieved. He is only waiting to find a man to put in thfl place. Official despatches received here state that Gen. Sheridan has confirmed the removal of the three Texas judges, made by Gen. Griffin oa ihe 15th of August. The removals were mad on the charge of disloyalty. A movement is on foot here, among loyal cili, zens from Louisiana and Texas, to petition Con gress at their next meeting to reinstate GencraJ Sheridan in command of the fifth military dis trict. They are of the opinion that the only way this can be done is by impeaching the President. TOOTH PASTE. Saponaooou o , PREPARED BY DR. WM. E. CARR. Any person wishing to purchase an article that will remove tartar from tbe teeth, also purify the breath, U1 find it will do hath, aud give health to the gums. P. S Any person that will give it a thorough trial .ad CeeU that jt (alls their tuoney will be re funded , September 2, 18C7. ROBERT P. WARING, Attorney and Counsellor at Lair, cijahuotte, n. c Office, 3 doors We3t of the National .Bank, and opposite Carson's new building. September 2, 1867. Fall ami Winter Importation-186. Ribbons, Millinery and Straw Goods ARMSTRONOTCATOR & CO., Importers and Jobbors of Bonnet, Trimming asd Velvet Ribbons, Boh net Silks, Satins and Velvets, Blonds, Netts, Crapes, Ruches, Flowers, Feathers, Ornaments, Straw Bonnets and Ladies' Hats, trim med and untrimmed, Shaker Hood?, &c. 237 axd 239 BALTIMORE STREET, BALTIMORE, MD. Offer the largest Slock to be found in this Country, and unequalled in choice variety and cheapness, comprising the latest Parisian novelties. Orders solicited and prompt attention given. September 2, 18G7. NORTH CAROLINA ALL STATE RAILWAY LINES FROM CHARLOTTE And all points on the N. C. and its connecting Rail Roads to the Seaboard at Wilmington, N. C., or Norfolk, Va., via Goldsboro; also via PETERSBURG AND CITY POIST. The Railways composing this all Stale Railway line have recently agreed to unite in a Great Through Air Line Route to all tbe Northern markets on equal terms and charges via our own ports, or by way of Norfolk or Petersburg, Va., to and from the North. No discrimination in favor of any place or city, only so far aa to carry the great products of the Slate as well as return merchandise over the Rail, way lines largely owned by the State. This arrangement, while it gives as great facili ties aud as cheap rates a3 by any other line, will aid in paying something into the Stale Treasury and into the common school fu.id, by which uses will be lightened and the poor children educated. These are some of the reasons for a change of route to pass by Goldsboro. The N. C. R R., the Wil. 4 Weldon R. R., and the Seaboard and Roanoke Hail Road Companies, have agreed that all goods, not otherwise specially directed, shall pass by way of Goldsboro. for Balti more, Philadelphia, New York and Boston, at lbs same rates and in the same time that they can be carried by any other route. This has been arranged and freight trains now run in close connection from Portsmouth to Charlotte. Cars Run Through Without Break ing Bulk. gy Be careful in shipping from New York to ship by old Dominion Steamship Co., 187 Green wich Street, or Pier 37, North River. By old Bay line from Baltimore. By Clyde's Steamers or Annem'essic Railway, Philadelphia. By E. Sampson k Co. Steamers, Central Wharf, Boston. JCgJr1" See that no special direction is giren to your goods by any Railway not mentioned here. Take a through receipt to go by the "Inland Air Line," care of R. R.'Agent, Portsmouth. WILLIAM SMITH, Waster of Transportation, Sept. 2, 18C7. 1m Wil. & Weldon R. R. Co. BENJAMIN ROBINSON, (Late of North Carolina,) ATTORNEY and COUNSELLOR at LAW, 37 Kattau Street, NEW YORK. Associated with Roger A. Pbyok, Esq., formerly of Virginia, will attend promptly and thoroughly to all business committed lo his management. August 26, 1867 ly New Furniture! O 3BC 313 -A. 3P ! At DAVIDSON'S FURNITURE STORE, OPPOSITE THE METHODIST CHURCH, Where will be found a full assortment of everything usually kept in that line, as Wardrobes, Bonk rases, Washstands, Wire and Tin Safes, Desks, Sideboards, Chairs and tables of all kinds, Bureaus, Cradles, Cribs, Bedsteads of various styles and prices, Side aud Corner Stands. Towel lUcks, Ac, &c. Bedstead?, Of good quality, will be sold at 3, 4. S, 6, 7, 8 and 10 Dollars. Also, Bed Room Suits complete at from 35 to 250 Dollars. Bureaus, At 10, 12, 16, 18 and 20 Dollars, and all other arti cles of furniture at prices to suit the times. MattrasscB. A IV V (ww wu.wt va J ij if v D f V Oil OU ATIU f just received. Also, Tucker's Spring Beds some thing new and good. Chairs and Tables Of all kinds, a fall assortment, and Old Cane Seat Chairs, rebottoroed with Cane, as good as new, by a competent workman. Metallic Burial Cases, Of all sizes and vapous patterns, kept conilapi? on hand, from the plainest and cheapest to tbe finest Satin Lined highly ornamented with Silver Handles and Plates, at 33 per cent below old rates. Also, Mahogany, Walnut and Pine ready made, at 10 per cent less iban tbey csn o bought in this market. These last articles, BEING KEPT READY MADE, fan be sent any distance at a moments notice. LOOK FOR THE SIGN, "FURNITURE STORE,' Opposite the Methodist Church, Charlotte, JT. C, August I2; 1867, J
The Charlotte Democrat (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Sept. 10, 1867, edition 1
2
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