W3I J YATES, Editor and Propreitor.
Terms of Si hsr.ription Th n e b Dohaes, in advance.
THE
"Western Democrat
ITIIMSHKD BY
WILLIAM J. YATES, Editor and Proprietor.
Tekms Tbrcc Dollars per unnum in advance.
o
Advertisements. For one square often lines or
le SI will he tluirjred for each insertion, unless;
k "r in fur owr otic month. Notice? of ni.irria.gtfS j
aud deaths published gratis. Obituary notices of j
i,v r live i. nes in length charged for at advertising
CHARLOTTE HOTEL,
CHARLOTTE, X. C.
Tijis first class and well known House, formerly
k. ; i ly Maj. J. B. KEKR, having been recently re
f.uired'and refurnished in every department, is now
n and ready to receive guests.
Tim Tahle is unsurpassed, and in point of conve
ne and comfort the House is uotexceiiei uy any
li' II' It t lf
, !if Ijiv.
W. W. IIAUT,
i-voruary 17, ls08.
Proprietor,
To Arrive.
I);n i:i.2the week we will receive New Spring Good;s.
C::!l and see them.
BAR RINGER, WOLFE & CO.
March 2. 1 SOS.
To Farmers.
A Hie assortment of Brade's patent Hoes, and
i;i!n o :.ii- kind-, just received at
BAI'.ULNGER, WOLFE & COS.
Mil vch 1S0S.
Sweet Potatoes.
A splendid lot of Sweet Potatoes, just received and
f-r sal. at sl.-VJ per bushel, at PRESSONS.
Corn and Rye Whiskey.
Hot Cos a and live Whiskey for sale by the gallon
or ,,,! " E. M. PitESSOX.
Bacon! Bacon!!
fin.-lot of liacoti Sides, Shoulders and Hams for
sale cheap. iJ- l'RESSOX.
March 1 .'..
A. W. SHAFFER,
A T T O 11 N K Y A T L A W
AXI
Register in Bankruptcy,
CHARLOTTE, X. C,
Will hold Courts in Bankruptcy in any County in
which Bankrupts reside
pe'f" Office at the residence of Mr E Fullings.
February :;, 1SCH oin
li. VANCE.
VANCE & I)(VP,
Attorneys at Law, Charlotte, N. C,
(OtncE i the Cor kt Huisk,)
Having associated themselves together, will practice
ia the Courts of Mecklenburg. Iredell. Catawba, Da-vi-lson.
Rowan. Cabarrus and Union, ami in the Fed
eral and Siipivine Courts.
Claims cillected anywhere in the State.
. ril 1, 1 '.. tf
Robert Gibbon, M. D.,
PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON,
Tru StrnJ, Vhntlotte, X. C,
OHice and Residence, one door south old State Bank,
i I'-ii iiierly H'ni. Jolinston's residence).
dull I." I Mi. V
J. P. Mc Combs, M. D.,
Offers his professional services to the citizens of
t'it.iri.itte and surrounding country. All calls, both
niglii and day. promptly attended to.
OJHce No. "", Oranite Row, up stairs, opposite the
M.ins'niii House.
January '7. lvt,.
Dr. JOHN H. McADEN,
Wholesale and Retail Druggist,
67. 1 11 L J T TE, X. C. ,
Has on hand a hu ge ami well selected stock of PURE
PRI GS, Chemicals, Patent Medicines, Family Medi
cines. Paints, Oils, Varnishes. lye Stuffs, Fancy and
Toilet Articles, which he is determined to sell at the
very lowest prices.
May L'O, 1S7.
THE DRUG STORE
Kilgoro & Cureton
Has been removed to the Store in Granite Row, next
n. the Express Office.
A large assortment of Fresh Hrugs, Chemicals,
Paints, "oils, Dye Stuffs, Perfumery, &c.. will be
oand at this new establishment, and will be sold at
as low prices as any other house.
B. F. KILGORE, M. D.
Jan 0. 18f,8. T. K. CURETON", M. D.
FAMILY GROCERIES.
I have on hand, and am constantly receiving, a
general assortment of Groceries, such as Sugar, Tea,
CoiiVe, Molasses, Cheese, Flour, Bacon, Corn, Meal,
and everything else in the Grocery line
I will sell as cheap as any house in Charlotte, and
respectfully re.jue&t persons wishing to buy to give
me a call.
1 deliver, within the limits of the City, all Gro
ceries bought at my Store.
A good lot of Castings and Hollow-Ware for sale.
A. BERIIYHILL,
Feb 17, 180$. Under Mansion House.
A. HALES.
Watchmaker and Jeweler,
;JS'cxt Door tt the Mansion House, Charlotte, N. C.
If your Watch needs Repairing,
Pon t get mad and goto sweariug;
Just take it into HALES' shop.
He will fix it so it will not stop.
He warrants his woik all for a year,
When it is used with proper care.
He will do ii as low as it can he done,
And do it so well it's sure to run.
January 1, !$$. y
Charlotte Female Institute,
CHARLOTTE, N. C.
The present session opened on Tuesday the 1st of
October, and will continue until 30th June, 1808.
OFFICERS AND INSTRUCTORS :
Rev. 11. Burwell, Principal and Instructor in Men
tal and Moral Philosophy and Mathematics.
Juo. B. Burwell, A. M, Chemestry, Natural Thi
Josophy and Ancient Languages.
Mrs. M. A. Burwell, English branches and Super
intendent Social duties.
Prof A. Bauniauu, Vocal and Iestruraental MusicJ
Prof. R. E. Piguet, Drawing. Painting and Modern
Languages.
Miss Mary Battc, English Blanches and French.
Mrs Sally C. White, English Branches.
Miss Mary F. Penick. Music on Piauo aud Guitar.
Miss Ella R. Carson, Music on Piano.
Term as heretofore. For Circular and Catalogue
containing full particulars address.
Rkv. R. BURWELL & SOX.
Charlotte, X. G.
September 23. 1867.
Hints to the Girls. An old stager, who
has been through the mill, gives the following
parental advice to the girls:
Take lessons on the piauo, and learn to paint
and sing, but let your mother da the washin'.
Do worsted work, and make nice little neck
ties for the heathen, but don't acquire that mys
tic art how to cook '-pork and beans."
Co to boarding-school and pursue some French,
Spanish and German, but neglect your good old
mother English.
Tell people who are posted, and consequently
know better, that you are exactly nineteen last
or next summer, you forget which. They'll be
lieve it. you know.
Say naughty things of your rival and next
door neighbor, and speak disparagingly of Miss
Q's nose. But entirely overlook your own in
congruities. H. M. Phelps' Two Stores,
Opposite tJm Court House.
DRY GOODS' STORE & GROCERY STORK
The subscriber would remind the public that he is
now dealing in Groceries as well as Pry Goods, and
ha separate apartments for each branch of business.
In his Dry Goods' Store he keeps a general assort
ment of goods for Gentlemen and Ladies' wear in
fact, anything in that line that may be needed by
purchasers.
The Grocery Store is well stocked with supplies of
every description. Prices will be made to suit the
times.
ffcif He returns his thanks for the patronage here
tofore bestowed, and promises to use every exertion
to give satisfaction in the future.
II. M. PHELPS,
Feb 17, 1808. Opposite the Court House
City Bank of Charlotte,
(Trade Street, Springs' Building,)
Buys ragged and defaced Greenbacks, National Bank
Currency and Shinplasters at a very small discount.
March 10, 1808. A. G. BRENIZER, Cashier.
Country Bacon.
ThffrX LPS- CHOICE COUNTRY BACON,
t'4y Hams, Shoulders and Sides, just re
ceived, and cheap for cash.
March 0, 1808. N'ISBET & MAXWELL.
Hutchison, burroughs & co.,
Have a good supply of Pacific and Peruvian Guano,
a top dressing for wheat, and is highly recommended.
Farmers give it a trial.
Plastering Clover Fields.
Such fields as are already set in Clover should have
one bushel of Plaster per acre broad casted over them
as early as possible. Call and get a supply from
HUTCHISON, BURROUGHS & GO.
Lime ! Lime ! ! Lime ! ! !
Weekly supplies of fresh Lime received and for
sale by HUTCHISON, BURROUGHS & CO.
Calcined Plaster, and Cement,
Always on hand and for sale by
HUTCHISON, BURROUGHS & CO.
Nails ! Nails"! ! Nails ! ! !
We are Agents for the sale of the High Shoals
Nails. The Company having recently improvedthcir
machinery, they now offer to the public an article'
that will compare lavorably with the best oi Jortn
ern brands. Call and examine for yourselves.
HUTCHISON, BURROUGHS & CO.
gf" Well Fixtures and Straw Cutters for sale by
. HUTCHISON, BURROUGHS & CO.
February 17, 1808.
BOOTS AND SHOES
At 5 Per Cent Profit.
I am now offering my Stock of BOOTS & SHOES at
5 per cent profit, to make room for my Spring Stock.
All who are in want of anything in my line would
do well to call before buying.
I am grateful for past favors, and hope by strict
attention to business, to merit a continuance of the
same. All Goods warranted as represented !
Don't mistake the place Sign of the Golden Boot.
S. B. MEACHAM,
Next door to Johnson & Elliott's New Book Store.
X. R- To wholesale buyers, great inducements.
Feb. 17.J808.
State of North Carolina, Mecklenburg county.
Court of rieas Quarter St'ttiana Jan. Term, 1S08.
John P. Ross vs. R. W. Harris and wife Henrietta,
and Elizabeth Doby, heirs at law of Wm Ross, dee'd.
Petition for Partition of Land.
It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court, that
R. W. Harris and wife Henrietta, and Elizabeth Doby,
two of the defendants in this case, reside beyond the
limits of this State, it is therefore ordered by the
Court that publication be made for six weeks, in the
Western Democrat, a newspaper published in the
city of Charlotte, notifying said defendants of the
filing of this petition, that unless they appear at the
next Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions to be held
for the county of Mecklenburg, at the Court House
in Charlotte, on the 2d Monday in April next, and
answer the petition, the same will be taken pro con
fesso as to them, and an order for partition granted.
Witness, Wm Maxwell. Clerk.of our said Court at
office, the 2d Monday in January, A. D.,
800-0w fadv.SdO. WM. MAXWELL, Clerk.
State of North Carolina, Mecklenburg county
Court of rita $ Quarter Sessions Jan. Term, 1868.
II. & B. Emanuel vs. Joseph Clark.
Attachment Levied ou 4 Mules, 1 Wagon & Harness.
It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court, that
the defendant, Joseph Clark, resides beyond the limits
of this State, it is ordered by the Court that publica
tion be made, for six weeks in the Western Democrat,
a newspaper published in the city of Charlotte, noti
fyine the said defendant to be and appear at the next
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions to be held for
the county of Mecklenburg, at the Court House in
Charlotte, ou the 2d Monday in April next, then and
there to answer, plead or replevy, or judgment, final
will be taken against him and the property levied
upon condemned to plaintiff s nse.
Witness, Wm. Maxwell, Clerk of our said Court at
office, the 2d Monday in January, A. D., 18GS.
SOlMiw adv. $10. WM. MAXAVELL, Clerk.
State of North Carolina, Mecklenburg county
Cwrl of Vlea Quarter Sessions- -Jan. Term,
W. S. Brvan vs. W. II. Schutt.
Attachment Jos. H. Wilson summoned as Garnishee,
It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court, that
the defendant W. H. Schutt, resides beyond the limits
of this State, it is therefore ordered by the Court,
that publication be made, for six weeks in the West
ern Democrat, a newspaper published in the city of
Charlotte, notifying said defendant to e and appear
at the next Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions to
be held for the county of Mecklenburg, at the Court
House in Charlotte, ou the 2d Monday in April next,
then and there to answer, plead or replevy, or judg
meut tioal will be entered against him aud the effects
in the hands of Garnishee condemned to plaintiff's use
Witness, Wm. Maxwell, Clerk of our said Court at
office, the 2d Monday in January. A-li , 1808. -
O0-Gw adv. $10.) WM. MAXWELL, Clerk.
CHARLOTTE, N. C, TUESDAY, MARCH 24,
A Secret Marriage and the Tragic Result
The Springfield (Illinois) Advertiser tells the
following:
"For many months a young gentleman, well
known to the citizens of Springfield, paid his at
tentions to a young lady who occupied a position
in a neighboring town several degrees more ele
vated, socially, than his own. The youth, being
of good personal appearance, and withal an ex-'
celleut conversationalist, succeeded in engaging
the affect ions of the young lady to an extent that
nothing could satisfy except matrimony. The
postoffice had for a time done its duty, as post-
offices always do in such matters, and many were
the long and, doubtless, tender messages that
passed between the loving two, protected by the
efficient care of their dear uncle from the prying
eyes of those who Avould have given "something
nice to have known what was going on.
"The lady knew that her 'papa and mamma
would never consent to the union of. two loving
hearts, with the parents' mine of wealth laying
between them, and so she readily consented to
the young man's proposition to be married 'on the
sly;' and all unknown to the folks, while she was
on a visit, to some ot her relatives at Columbus,
her charmer called and the marriage took place.
After a brief honeymoon in the cap.tal city of
Ohio, she returned to her home, but her hus
band did not return with her.
"From the time of the daughter's arrival home
the old people fancied they could hear strange
noises in the house, fctcps were often heard
upon the stairs in the lone still hours of night.
Various articles of" furniture moved mysteriously
about in the room above, and the old gentleman
and lady finally came to the conclusion that the
house was haunted, or that something was wrong.
One night,- after all had retired, the parents not
only distinctly heard steps upon the stairs, but
voices and noises on the lauding place above.
Armed with a horse-pistol that had done good
service in pioneer times, the father left his bed
aud quietly approached the foot of the stairs,
where he found, resting upon the lower step, a
pair of boots. At once he set up the cry of
'thieves, robbers, murderers,' that in a twinkling
brought every member of the household to the
scene except his daughter.
"All hands then proceeded cautiously to the
young lady's room, and not being able to arouse
Iter, they broke open the door just in time to sec
a bootless man dive through the window. The
old gentleman rushed to the opening, discharged
his pistol, and the young man dropped to the
ground. 'Great' heavens ! you have killed my
husband !' exclaimed the daughter, falling back
and fainting upon the bed. 'Your husbaud,'
cried all in a breath, and then a rush of domes
tics for the yard below.
'The young man was found upon the ground
beneath the window, carried into the house, and
the old people, frantic with grief and fear,
promised to receive him to their hearts if he
would only live. The doctor soon arrived, and
having dressed a slight flesh wound upon his
arm. pronounced him in no danger. He has
now recovered, and is one of the happiest men
within fifty miles of Springfield.
GOODS FOR
Farmers, Ladies and Everybody!
A new supply of Fresh Goods just received by
A. SINCLAIR,
March 9, 1808, Springs-' Coiner.
SALE OF TOWN LOTS.
On Monday, the 30th of March, 18G8, wilt be sold
to the highest bidder, on six months time, with in
terest from date note with approved security Title
toiass when notes are paid Two LOTS on College
Street, and Four LOTS on the track of the North
Carolina Railroad, opposite Rock Island Woolen Mills.
E. NYE HUTCHISON, Ex'r,
March 9, 1808 3w Estate of T. J. Holton.
GARDEN SEEDS, &c.
A Fresh Supply of Garden Seeds,, from the cele
brated House of R. Buist. Also a choice selection of
Flower Seeds. For sale at
March 2, 1808. SCAUR'S DRUG STORE.
GARDEN SEEDS.
Garden See Is of every description, for sale, Whole
sale and Retail, at the Corner Drug Store.
Feb 17, 1808. J. H. McADEN.
Landreth's Garden Seed,
Received and for sale at the Drug Store of
KILGORE & CURETON.
Burnett's Cocoaine for the Hair
At the Drug Store of KILGORE & CWRETOX.
Kerosine Oil
At the Drug Store of KILGORE & CURETON.
Kerosine Lamps
At the Drug Store of KILGORE & CURETON.
March J, 1808.
Real Estate at Public Sale.
In pursuance of authority confered on me by a cer
tain Mortgage Deed executed to mc by Edward Ful
lings and wife Abby, I will proceed to sell on the
Public Square, iu the City of Charlotte, on Tuesday
the Hth day of April, '(being Tuesday of County
Court) a certain House and Lot, in the City of Char
lotto, Said House is in the heart of the City, frout
inr on Trvon Street, being the oiie now occupied by
Edward Fullings. Terms made known on day of
suie. S. m. HOWELL, Trustee.
March 2, 1808. - 7w-pd
Lost Certificate.
a ri :fiAta for Fourteen Shares of Stock in the
Char. & S. C. Railroad, Xo. 1700, in the name of
ReT. W. Smiley Pharr, has been lost. notice is
hereby given that application will be made for another
certificate in the place of the one lost.
S. C. PHARR, Executor.
March 9,1868. 3m.
North State Washing Machine.
Owing to the increased facilities for manufacturing
these Machines, the price fias oeen reuueeu w
Dollars. Agents will taKe nonce ana govern mem
selves accordingly.
By order of the Board of Directors.
March 9, 1807. R- F. DAVIDSON, Pres t.
AVE YOUR COSTS!!
Those who are indebted to the estate of Henry B.
Williams (a Bankrupt,) wUl please come forward and
settle at one, as all claims which are not settled be
tween thia time and the first day of May next, will
be sued upon ' in the District Court of the Unite!
ate- ' . A. OSBORNE, Assignee.
"March 9, 1808. rW 05cc in the Court House.
'I Boys Leaving the Farm. 7
V Much has been written about young men's
leaving the farm. Probably different persons
are influenced by different motives. " I do not
propose to name the reasons, but to give some
suggestions which I think, if acted upon, would
lessen the frequency of such cases. Home
should be made the most attractive place in the
world; everything kept tidy, and the whole place
have an air of neatness. ; s I believe K pays to
keep things neat out of doors as well as in. Who
of us does hot like to see the premises kept clean
and sleek, even though we may be too shiftless
to do it ourselves '. It should not only be made ;
attractive for the boys, but also for the girls.
Let the "front room" be opened; let them receive
company and: enjoy themselves. ' Show them
that you take an interest in them. Keep a horse
that the boys wont be ashamed to ride after, and
lei them use him occasionally. Keep good tools,
and plenty of them. Use machinery to do your
rtork with, if you can afford to. Don't kill the
boys at work when small; some men never grow
as tall as they would ifthey were not worked so
hard when young. Dou't set them to work as
soon as they get up from dinner; let them rest a
little. I believe that a man will accomplish more
in eleven hours by taking one hour for rest, than
he will otherwise. A man's work must be very
driving, to require more than twelve hours for a
day's work, at any time of the year. "Go in
when it rains," not work out in a hard shower;
a person docs not feel any more comfortable foy
being wet to the skin. Do your work in proper
season. I think there are very few who would
not prefer to do almost anything rather than
husk corn on a cold day out of doors, pick apples
or make cider when the thermometer is at the
freezing point. It is surprising how some peo
ple treat their children; they "do not give them
credit for knowing anything, and all they seem to
care for is to get all the work they can out of
them. Under such circumstances, I think it
would be surprising if the boys did not leave
home.
Take several papers, so that . your sons can
spend the evenings readiug,. instead of going to
the store or tavern. Have a collection of inter
esting books containing useful information.
Teach them to repair tools, mend harness, &c;
they will like farming all the better for under
standing how to do these things. Interest them
in farming in every way you can. Ask their ad
vice, and follow it sometimes, even though you
think some other way better. If they are mu
sically inclined, gratify them by buying some
musical instrument, and encourage them in the
use of it. G iris, especially, should know how to
play on all the different instruments, from the
washing machine to the piano-forte.
'- !
The Strong Man.
Thomas Topham, the "strong man' was born
in London in lfl0, and was bred a carpenter,
but afterwards travelled on his "muscle." He
was a quiet, peaceful men, of middle size and
weight, made like other men, except that the
usual cavities uuder the arms and hands were,
in his case, filled full of muscle. The wonderful
stories of his feats of strength are well authenti
cated.
He could hold under perfect restraint, and
with ease to himself, the strongest horse. He
lifted a table six feet long, with 50 pounds on the
end of it, with his teeth, and he held it in a
horizontal position a considerable time. He
rolled up a pewter dish weighing 7 pounds with
as much apparent case as the reader would roll
up a sheet of paper. He held a pewter quart
pot at arm s length, and squeezed the sides to
gether like an egg-shell. He lifted 209 pounds
with his little finger aud waved it gently around
his head. He lifted Mr Chambers, a clergyman,
who must have lived on the fat of the land, for
he weigned 374 pounds, with one hand, Mr
Chambers' head being placed ou one chair and
his feet on another. At a blow he struck a
round bar of iron one inch in diameter against
his arm, and bent it like a bow. One night, ob
serving a watchman asleep in his watch-box, he
picked up box and watchman, carrying the load
with the greatest ease, and dropped them over
the wall into Tiudale burying ground. A butcher
once passed a large window at which Topham
was sitting. He stooped down and took half an
ox from the fellow's shoulders with so much ease
and dexterity that the mau swore the devil had
flown away with his beef. At a race a man in
sisted upon driving upon the track ; so Topham
took hold of the tail of his cart and drew it
gently back, the driver whipping the horse like
a madman all the time.
When he kept a public house two men were
determined to fight him; suj 1 1 satisfy them, he
seized them by the napes of their necks, and
knocked their heads together till he knocked all
the fight out of them. He astonished a sailor
who presented him with a cocoauut by cracking
it close to his ear as you would a peanut; and up
on one occasion he lifted three hogsheads of
water. Once he threw his horse over a turnpike
gate; and at auy time could go through the man
ual of arms with the beam of a house.
Stoves, Tin-Ware, &c.
D. H. BYERLY,
(7t the Basement Store unxhr Mansitn House.')
for .! a, full assortment of Ssovcs f every
description, Hollow-Ware, Tin-Ware, Japan-Ware,
Spears' Anti-Dust Cooking Stove is a superior arti-
, t t , i
1 laro-p niinriiwr within the nast-vear.
ami has triven creneral satistaction. i nave
Tin, Copper and Sheet-Iron work executed at short
nnti. lionnirinrr Tromrtlv attended to.
jg- I return my thanks for the liberal share of
pktronace heretofore receivea. -'
b D. II." BYERLY".
March 10, 1808. Under Mansion 1 louse
Just Received at S. Grose & Co's,
15 Barrels .Sugar House llolaise, -
6 " Xew Orleans - - ' :
10 Extra C Sugar,
o Yellow " ' ' '
5 Brown ' '
2" Boxes extra State Cheese,
JO ' best Factory " i J
2-5 ' Adamantine Candles, '
25- " Soap-4-all grades. ; ,a .
5 Barrels Vinegar, ' 7 , - .
- " 5 Barrels Newark Ale, J , . . -
2 Cases Edinburg Ale,;' . ' 1
... (c Tnititrtn Porter. ' '
'. J v : Fine rjckles. 'Also a lot of Seed Oats;
rl J.fl iw .' -S. GROSE & CO.'
- . .XearlypjpoeUttAeT9tQae,e
1868.
THE SOUTH. ,
Past and present Interests Reviewed Diversified
Industry ovr oufy Hope of, and Sure Road
to Prosperity.
Correspondence of the Wilmington Journal.
.- Kenansville, N. C., Feb. 24, 1868.
I have -read with ranch satisfaction various
letters and some editorials, within the last few
months, about farmers, farming, labor, crops, &c,
of the South, and I hope not without profit. As
your columns seem to be open for a free discus
sion ot these all-important subjects, I propose to
do so in a few short communications in the form
of letters. The impression with the most of our
people, that the abolition of slavery has prostrated
and ruined the country, to some extent, is true ;
out, mat. . is arrogeiner so, is certainly erroneous.
t may be a blessing in disguise, at least we ought
to try to think so. It has ruined the negro, there
is nothing more certaiu than that, and is the be
ginning of his gradual extinction from the. land.
it has also limited the production of cotton, to
bacco and sugar here. 1
The unjust tax on cotton v will eoon find but
ittle substance to work on and prove a fruitless
source of revenue; for I honestly believe that our
people will soon hnd it to be to their interest to
abandon the production of it altogether, as an
article ot exportation in the crude state, and if
they would tax it two dollars and a half a pound
instead ot two cents and a halt, so as to kill it out
of the way at once, so much the better it would
be tor the people of the bouth. But to my sub
ject. ' If the abolition of slavery is not tha sole
cause of our prostration, what is it that is? To
answer this question to my satisfaction, only re
quires a tew words ot the history of the farmers
and people of the Southland a little contrasting
of their policy with' the course pursued by the
same class of men in other parts of the country
and world generally. it may surprise your
readers to tell you in the early history of the
South men were opposed to free schools, and to
newspapers too, but if the historian has given us
correctly the iacts, it is nevertheless true, bir
Vv vi. Berkley, one of the first Governors ot v ir
ginia, in reply to enquiries made of him by the
British Jjords Commissioners, is reported as say
ing. among other things, "But I thank God there
are no free schools or printing," and concluded
with these words: "God keep us from both.
All lovers of learning and a general diffusion
of" knowledge, rejoice to know, however, how
little the future generations of glorious "Old
V irginia partook of the feelings and notions of
ler bir n imam. Ihcu came the detestation and
opposition of the people to internal improvements
by the Mates or general government, which too
soon gave way to an appreciation of them, limited
only by their importance and the means of the
Mate to build them up. Ihese prejudices and
singular notions of our people have thus passed
away, aud for education,. perhaps, nothing more
could have been done, than has been done, and
the same may be said of internal improvements.
But it is to be regretted that our whole people,
statesmen as well as others, seemed to have for-
otten that these things alone, though all impor
tant, could not make us a great, thriving and self
sustaining com nnnity. There appeared to be
one grand leading, controlling erroneous idea,
which could not be gotten rid of; everybody,
every generation from the earliest settlers in the
bouth down to the present day, have pursued
the very, same beaten track, and it is so indelibly
fixed in us, in this living, moving generation,
that there is scarcely a lingering hope -of a change.
That idea is this, that we must necessarily pur
sue a policy of "growing agricultural proeluvt
for exportation and importing everything.". Now
we come by this notion honestly, for it was one
of the imported ideas bvought here by the lords.
Proprietors sent over here by Jngland to colo
nize the country more than two hundred years
ago, for we are told "the brick, iron work and
much of the wood work of their houses were
imported." And "ships from England brought
them their annual supplies of merchandise in ex
change for their crops of tobacco,' while smaller
crafts came with the products of the cw hng-
laud fisheries and of the A est India plantations,
to barter for their tobacco, irheat or corn?' It
was quite natural to sec how this thing came
about between England and these States, every
thing must be tributary to her, and in colonizing
this country, you may be sure she did not intend
to lose by it. and being all of one family, the in
terest of the mother country was fondly cherished
and promoted. ' England could do the manufac
turing and have the carrying trade, and. the
colonies would grow agricultural products for ex
portation and - import everything they needed,
manufactured-articles and many things that were
not manufactured. Just like we arc doing now.
In order that, this system might be continually
kept up as the population ot the colonies in
creased, large premiums were offered by England,
to induce and stimulate all sorts of productions,
first for wine, then raw silk, and then I know not
what, but almost anj-thing of the earth s produc
tion, but no premiums for manufactured articles.
Up to the Revolutionary war of 1770, and the
final separation of the colonies from their mother
country, mis staic oi imugs conunueu, .ana
strange to say, has been going on ever since, only
wo get no premiums for our kindness or what we
raise.
In 1794 a new impetus was given to th South,
and the commerce of the world, by the discovery
of the cotton saw-gin by Eli Whitney, of Georgia.
It so stimulated the production of cotton as to,
at once,- place it "foremost among our national
exports." And its influence upon the industrial
interest of the human race is without a parallel.
It completely controlled everything, and, with
the people of the South, there were soon but two
leading ideas " Negroes and cotton oversnau
owed everything else, and thus, to this day, ren
dering hopeless, the advantages of a vdivereified
industry."- It is negroes and cotton yet, and tho
Kiiuie old idea of exporting agricultural products
and importing everything at an expense of count
less millions of money to our people every year,
that so terribly distresses us now- Just think
for a moment of the vast sums of money the hard
earnings of our distressed people, ak evcn
now beiDg aanually paid to the outside world for
exporting and manufacturing pur products, and
bringing them back '.to us in the form of -merchandise,
together, with, such other things of ab
solute necessity, that we might but neglect to
raise and manufacture, such as "Northern", pork,'
I bacon,.beef, Trnttery cheese, h?y, corn, flour, Irish
SIXTEENTH VOLDSIEK U SI B E ft v8I2 E
potatoes, wine, whiskey, brandy, horses, mules,
all sorts of implements of husbandry ami other
manufactured articles, and worst of all, worthiest
fertilirers, etc., all of which, by a properly diver
sified system of industry, might . be saved to the
bouth. it is this suicidal policy of our people
which causes us to feel so teenfv the abolition of
slavery. ITad our policy been dictated by reason
and true political economy in the" past, the false
ideas ot "more negroes ana "more cotton would
long since have given way to the surer and more
certain ones of a general industry, and, instead
of our great States heing deserts with famishing
households, as they now arc, we would be pros
perous, wealthy and happy, for I verily believe
the late terrible war would have been avoided by
it. Will not our people '-learn wisdom from
poverty" and chango their system? Who can
doubt it? ' ' " ' ' !
After the establishment of our independence
and government, it did not take the people of
iSew Ku-rland and the other Northern Mates-
long to sco what was their true policy to pursue.
They knew the government would encourage all
kind of manufactures, and give them full pro
tection by excessive duties levied upon those im
ported. It was , certain, too, that they could
not profitably produce' cotton; the money, there
fore, that their negroes would bring "down South,"
would be worth more to them than the negroes
would be, so they were sent, down . here and sold
to the cotton planter, and being thus, to a great
extent, provided with ample means, and assured
protection, they went to work; all branches of in
dustry receiving at once tha care and attention
necessary to provide for all the wants. othe
people. . Well may it be said that they saw
"the advantages of" a great variety of industry;
"one of the highest of which, was the fact that,
all classes and capacities, young and old, male
and female, could be furnished with something
to do, and with a motive for doing it, and thus
labor in some form beeomo the rule,j to which
there were few exceptions." v "Consumers and
producers are at each others door, or commingled
iu the same household, and -: curriers and go-betweens
absorb but a small . portion of industry."
"Excess of production and great expense of trans
portation are alike unknown." " Much the great
est number of their people are engaged in com
merce, their, fisheries, manufactures, and in the
mechanic arts, and the farmers there reap a gol
den harvest in supplying them with the demands
for the inner man. Now we .have lost our long
cherished institution of slavery, and with it the
profitable production of cotton. . I look upon the
labor of the negro as also lost to us and the world
to a great extent. ? We are now for the first time
in our history like the balance of mankind, aud
that peculiarity, as slave-holders, which mad
our system what it was, and which much dis
tinguished us from the balance of the -world no
longer exist. A new era is upon us, the revo
lution which has been so suddenly brought about
by the abolition of slavery, at onco confounds us.
We are at a dead lock and cannot go - forward,
for our surroundings are such that we know not
what to do, and sadness and gloom hover over all
the laud. Why? Simply because we have
tried the old machinery and it icill not work.
Growing agricultural products for exportation
and importing everything, doubtful policy at any
time. Sad experience of a few years has taught
us, "wilt not pay" if done . with radicalized,
Union-leagued frcedmeu, or free aud hired labor
of any kind, and this whole system, cotton and
negroes, must all go down together in one com
mon grave. W'c must now take up our march on
the real path of progress, a diversified industry.
We must duplicate the work of other lauds ant
parts of the world, ttudy more the Xeachiugs of
their political economy, make their system on r
system, plant the saino sort of crops they plant,'
cultivate and improve our lands just like they do,
raise all kinds of stock, encourage manufacturing
aud the macliaDic arts, and. "no longer neglect
the inestimable gifts of God in our midst or
spurn the labor of man." "' - ' ' , ' ' '
Let the. idea of raising cotton or any. other,
agricultural product for exportatioa ini, a'cruda
state, and importing-evcrything, b transferred
to heathen India, Egypt, Algeria, Australia and
the South American and Central American
States, and blotted from the memory of our people
forever. .' " .. . .. .
What, then, is the first grand step for us to
take '( This i no ordinary question for us. con
template as you will. . First of all thcn .i?, let us
prepare for an abuudaut harvest; let us bend all
our energies to that. Let this Southern land
and country once more rejoice in the superabun
dance of something to eat.! Let the fearful cry
of hunger and starvation once iuore be hushed
and let our land be a bud of plenty, yea a land of
milk aud honey, and then the manufacturer, tho
mechanic, the artisan, the skilled farmer, caii
come here with a prospect and hope of cntcrio'j
largely into the competition1 of the , world, "for
their wants can then be supplied at their, doors,
at the same rates aud even less .than -they now
are in other lauds. And with a system of uni
versal industry thatwould thus soon bo built up
amon u., that tide of emigration thither, of
skilled labor and . even capital, so much talked
about aud so mwh m 'tiled here, would set in
from all parts of the world, if it ever docs, and
not until then. - And why not? Have .wc.'not
coal, iron and copper ore, the precious inetals,
cotton, wool aud .Hi other material for manufaCt
turing purposes i bound let-s extent, with water
power unsurpassed, - sufficient -to turn ' the ma
ehincryof the world ?' Surely, we have. "Hav
we hot a climate and scenery thj; mofct beautiful,
grand and pleasant that man ever saw or felt ?
Have we not a soil unsurpassed in fertility and
variety of production, and ' facilities for cheap
transportation equal to any; Most as sored ly
we have. Is there anything,' then in the way
of progress, but our own .heedless, "Old Rip
Van Winkle" idea that has always been oar be
setting hq ? : .4, . '
Fellow-citizens'acd fellow farmers, think over
these things and let us cJage our system to suii
Jte tunes, and "from our Jblly in the past and our
present poverty learn real wisdom and progress.
" WVggs went to the "depot of one of our rail
ways the other evening, and finding the Ixat-car
fall said in a loud tone : 'Thig car isn't going I"
Of course these words caused a general stam
pede, and Waggs took the best seat. The cars
soon moved ofl'. In the . midst of the indigna
tion, Waggs was questioned ; "You isaid this car
wasn't going?" "Well, it wsjn't then; it is now