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THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL. WILMINGTON, K. C, MAY 10, 180C. Tlic Burning of Columbia. . We publish below the candid and explicit letter of General Wade Hampton, in reply to one from General Sherman to Mr., Benjamin Rawles, of Co lumbia, in regard to the burning of that city. When General Hampton's letter was presented in the oenate by the Hon. Kevcrdy Johnson, Mr. Sherman, the Senator from. Ohio and. the brother of Gen. Sherman, said he could not allow this charge of this most impudent rebel against the whole army, to be entered upon .the records with out some answer. The charge of General Sher man in relation to the burning of Columbia was in an official report, and was fully sustained by vpnnrfnf other officers. Gen. Sherman did not charge that Wade Ilanipton gave an explicit order on the subject ; but simply that Ins previous oiuer in relation to the burning of cotton, &c, led to that result' Mr. Sherman read from various offi cial reports to confirm the charge against General Hampton. -: Mr. Fftssenden was opposed to receiving or con sidering the letter. Mr. Conness remarked that a man who would attempt to dostroy the Govern ment of the United States would certainly not hesitate to burn a city. . ' . Mr. Johnson seeing that the'Senate of the Uni ted States would not receive the latter, withdrew it. Thus we see that serious charges, without any foundation in fact, are permitted, to bo made in the United States Congress by officers high in au thority, against one of the most distinguished and honorable citizens of the South, and when he asks that they may be properly investigated in or der to fix " upon the proper author of that enor mous crime " (the burning of Columbia) 44 the in famy he richly deserves "he is denounced as a most impudent rebel " by onehonorable Senator, and as one who would "not hestitato to burn a city," by another, neither of whom, most truth fully and happily suggests a cotemporary, if they were face to face with Gen. Hampton, would luue given utterance to the expressions for the fame of Grant or the wealth of Butler. That Gen. Hampton could substantiate the facts stated in his letter is not more certain from the treatment other towns and districts received through which Gen. Sherman passed, which rendered his path like the the track of Attila, than from the extreme nervousness and unnecessary boldness with which these " bomb-proofs " attack him. Such party trickery may for awhile keep historic truths smothered, but time will yet demonstrate that it cannot long bo crushed to the earth, and these bold Senators may yet bo taught that official position will not license them to abuse honorable men, or protect them from a future responsibility. Tho defeat of the South has emboldened some, who fought not for its accomplishment. These men. thus rendered valiant, may yet be taught tliat Southern manhood was not crushed, and the result of the war does not authorize individuals at the North to wantonly insult Southern men, nor will it bo permitted with impunity. We arc glad, however, to notice with what ve hemence the Eadicals denounce the burning of a city. It is a crime that nitst of their officials have to account for and justify to tho world, for the blackened ruins of hundreds of towns and villages, and thousands of homesteads throughout the South, are so many Columbia in miniatures that will yet rise up in judgment against them. We have already too long deferred the frank and manly letter of Gen. Hampton. It is as fol lows : Yili Wooue, Miss., April 21, TO lion. .' CtV''.' Jnhl'.o'K, V. S. friiotf : Sia A few ilava ago I aw in the published proceed ings of Congress that a petition from Benjamin Kawles, ofCohrnibia, S. C, askiu- compensation lor the destruc tion of hia house by tho Federal army in February, 1863, had been presented to the Senate, accompanied by a let ter from Major-Gen. Sherman. In this letter Gen. Sherman uses the following Ian i'uao'6 i n citizens of Columbia set lire to thousands of bales of cotton rolled out into thu streets, and which were burn ing before entered Columbia. I, myself, was in the city as early as 'J o'clock, and I saw these lires, . and knew that efforts were made to extinguish them, but a hih and strong wind kept them alive. I gave no orders for the lmiuins of your city, but, on the contrary, the conflagration resulted from the great imprudence" of cutting the cotton bales, whereby the con tents wtro spread to the wind, so that it became an im possibility to arrest the lire. 1 saw in vour Columbia newspaper the printed order of Gen. "Wade Hampton, that on the approach of the Yankee army all tho cotton should thus be burned, and from what I saw, myself, 1 have no hesitation in saying that ho was the cause of the destruction of your city." This same charge, made against me by Gen. Sherman, having been brought before the Senate of the United States, 1 am naturally most solicitous to vindicate myself before tho samo tribunal. But my State has no represent ative in that bodv. Those who should be her constitution al representative's and exponents there are debarred the right of entrance into those halls. There are none' who have the right to speak for the South, none to participate in the legislation which -ovorua her, none to impose the taxes sho is called upon to pay, and none to vindicate her sons from misrepresentation, injustice or slander. Under these circumstances, I appeal to you, in the con fident hope that you will use every effort to see that justice is done in this matter. I deny, emphatically, that any. cotton was fired in Col umbia bv my order. " I deny that the citizens " set lire to thousands oi bales rolled out into the stree ts." I deny that any cotton was on hie when the Federal troops entered the city. I most respectfully ask of Congress to appoint a Com mittee, charged with the duty of ascertaining and report ing all the facts connected with the destruction of Colum bia, and thus fixing upon the proper author of that enor mous crime tho infamy he richly deserves. I am willing to submit the case to any honest tribunal. Before anv such I pledge myself to prove that I gave a positive order, by direction of Gen. Beauregard, that no cotton should be fired that not one bale was on fire when Gen. Sherman's troop3 took possession of the city ; that he promised protection to the city, and that in epite of his solemn promise he burned the city to tho ground, delibe rately, systematically and atrociously. Ijtherefore most earnestly request that Congress may take prompt and efficient measures to investigate this matter fullv. 5sot only is this due to themselves and to the United Statos Army, but also in iustice to truth. Trusting that you will pardon me for troubling you, I am, very respectfully, lour obedient servant, WADE HAMPTON. Right of Majorities. An exchange says: "Nor is tho idea of the right of majority to rule founded in reason or in com mon sense. To those men who belive in a 'natural right of suffrage5 an absurdity which has been aired to some extent of late it may seem a neces sary consequence of their belief that a majority of votes should eovern. But such is neither the teaching of nature, nor the law of God, nor the deduction from historical experience, 'mere is no reason or sense in arguing that five weak men have the right to rule four strong men because there are more of them. A larger number does not imply more brains, more experience, more wis dom, more judgment." There would be no need of a written Constitution if this right of the majority to rule were conceded in our government we mean the government of the United States. It is a democratic principle, and ours was not designated to be a purly demo cratic government. It is republican a govern ment that is bound by a -written instrument to protect the rights of the minority from encroach ment upon them by the majority. How far it does so, is a question we will not discuss. We only design to express our approbation of the Tiews taken in the foregoing paragraph, upon the i'rifiM Qt Hwiwito " Juily agreeing wtti the wri: ter of it specially in this, that a larger number does not imply more brains, more experience, more wisdom, more judgment." - ,-1 ' ifatloalDlfflcm.V V The Radicals f are rioting in power, whicn tney are determined not to. throw away for any paltry considerations ot. justice, and equity." . They can, at least, retain " undisturbed possession so long as the South is unrepresented and their present terms of office are unexpired. To retain a still longer lease upon .their authority is now the manifest, if not "acknowledged, purpose of the party. With Soutliei ir representation," the sceptre will immedi ately fall from their jKmerless heads ; without it possibly it may be retained. To prevent this rep resentation, then, has been the aim of the entire legislation of the present Congress, and we have seen with what unblushing means their object has been in some instances obtained. Every department of Government, the Legisla tive not excepted, has recognized, in an official (s.otv. i..jf fho MrmHiPm States are a part of thei. Union. Still the Jacobins iu Congress refused admission to their members, and divosted itself of the constitutional right given to each House to decide upon the qualifications of its own members, and referred tho whole matter to the consideration of an extra constitutional, illegal body called the Reconstruction Committee.. The President very properly calls this body a central directory, un known to our laws and unauthorized by the Con stitution. This Committee, however, was required to fur nish tho necessary delay, and yet provide topics of agitation to whet the diseased appetite of the people and at tho same time to have the appear ance of labor devoted to an honest effort to recon struct the country uion high and safe principles. They worked long and with as much apparent honesty and dilligence as if Thad. Stevens had not had the report of the Committee in his breeches pocket even before Congress assembled. While our federal taxes are required to be paid promptly the acts of our Conventions and Legis latures abolishing slavery and repudiating war debts, cheerfully regarded as legitimate and bind ing, and in case of attack, are expected and re quired to defend tho country and repel invaders, wo are denounced as disloyal, and the admission of our representatives regarded as dangerous to the integrity of the Union. This treatment may result in temporary benefit to the Radicals, but its tendoncy is hurtful to the future welfare of the country. The Southern peo ple are, in spite of this party, to form a part of the nation, and it is better to cure wounds by a generous and kind treatment, than chafe them into irritation by the unlawful and oppressive use of power. Nothing certainly can bo gained by fur ther alieniatiou of the sections, while much good will result from liberality and kindness. The Southern people do not know their ultimate fate at the hands of Congress, and they are looking anxiously to the result of the present legislation. If it is such as will result in re-union, without wrong and degredation to them, it will bo hailed with de light and accepted with joy. If, however, it car ries with it oppression and degredation, an hon orable people will reject it with becoming indig nation. Oitr Dead A Memorial Association. We know of no more suitable occasion of re minding the late Confederate soldiers of Wilming ton of a duty which they owe to the gallant dead of this city, and which has already been too long neg lected, than upon this, the third anniversary of the death of the distinguished soldier and chris tian gentleman, Stonewall Jackson. As gallant a band of men, moved by as noble impulses as ever went forth to do battle, left Wil mington, upon the call of North Carolina, to light under the Confederate flag. The war, which has rarely ever been equalled in the amount of blood shed, has now been ended upwards of one year, and all that are left of that noble band have re turned and resumed their accustomed places in the community. But, alas ! how many have not returned. Many communities have suffered great ly during tho war, but an extended acquaintance and cousiderable interest and inquiry uion tho subject, has not exhibited to us a greater loss in any one community than in ours, throughout this State at least. If wo consider the number or char acter (death loves a shining mark) of our loss, Wil mington's roll of immortals will compare in both respects with any. Many of these noble sons have been brought home and their sacred dust deposited where the hand of affection will make attractive their rest ing places ; but how many more rill untended gravas, upon more than one hundred battle fields, remaining just where their surviving comrades gave them hasty but tearful sepulchre. Those who loved them much and who would gladly re move their remains to our own beautiful ceme tery, are, perhaps, themselves dead victims to the fearful epidemics which has rendered populous our sacred " City of the Dead," or are left in such circumstances, by the results of the war, as to be unable to incur the expense. To the Confederate soldiers of this city and vi cinity, then, wo appeal to band themselves togeth er into a "Memorial Association," for the sacred purpose of collecting the remains of those we loved while living, and having fallen, whose mem ories we honor. Companions of their dangars and trials, witnesses of the deeds they aecoinplisd and the deaths they suffered such deeds and deaths as would have honored noble Knights, in those heroic days when life itself was one superb romance you will be unworthy of such comrades and false to your own natures, if you permit them to rill UDhonored graves, their very identification lost from the corroding effect of time or destroyed by the ruthless hand of progress. Let us unite in time to prevent that which would bo disgraceful to us, and rescue the resting places of those whose honored lives and noble deaths should protect their graves from uncharitable forgetfulness and destruction. Let us bring them home and deposit their sacred dust, where the lovely daughters of our city may train the rose to bloom over them. Let us erect in our midst a Mausoleum to their memory, around which we may gather and be re minded of duties faithfully performed and honors nobly won. Wilmington should not be behind other cities in this respect. Other communities all over the Southern land have already taken steps in this matter. Neither the character of our dead or our wonted liberality will warrant us in being laggard in this noble purpose. The ladies of our city will, of course, soon establish a Memorial Asso ciation" for the purpose of bestowing proper care upon the graves of our dead soldiers. The floral tributes already paid throughout the South are eloquently significant of the feeling of the people. " Flowers are the alphabet of angels whereby They write on hills and fields mysterious truths." The beautiful &nd feeling ceremony just inau gurated of covering the graves of oar dead sol diers with flowers baa a mysterious tenderness which will become more and more apparent at each recurring anniversary. The tombs of our roldiers will be the connecting link to bind Ito- gether for all time to come those whom suffering - miafftrftmm have united. vt 8umntr UKnerreotjrped. A Washington letter says : " It was an amusing sight to see Sumner enter the Senate, this morn ing, with two young heirs to titles who are now on a visit to the Capital. Since their arrival Sumner has stuck closer to them than a brother closer than a colored brother sticks to the Freed men's Bureau"' " Such toadyism and flunkyism combined is rarely seen, even in Washington. Down sat the two young gentlemen (and quiet, nice young men they are), on a sofa in the rear of Sumner, while Sumner did his usual deportment, and then took his seat. Enter, impressively, Sumner's secretary, and hands a book and dummy letter to Sumner. Sumner waves the secretary behind him, after the manner of Podsuap. Visi ble seiibation on the sofa. Young Englishmen evidently impressed. Sherman rises and talks about the rinderpest, and tho slaughter of whole hecatombs of oxen in England. Where did you say ?' queries Sumner ; 'in Great Britain,' replies Sherman. 'Oh, aw,' says the satisfied Sumner, and then turns with a Fodsnapian. glance to the young Englishmen, and a patronizing smile, which seems to say : 4 You see my young gentle men that we are aceustomed to speak of Great Britain in the Senate of the United States though we generally say England, or the English people. You may see that I wear gaiters' indeed, there is no telling how much Sumner's evident tooling ' of Sherman for a display before the young Englishmen meant. It was evident euousrli to cause a general ' titter ' in the gallerieo, which broke into a broad smile when Sumner followed Sherman in a small speech on the rinderpest." ft A correspondent says : "I have seen in the pa pers that Solomon Pool has been appointed one of the United States Tax Assessors for North Caro lina. Is this the Rev. Solomon Pool, now one of the Professors of the University? If the Rev Professor be the appointee, I think it speaks well for the loyalty of the University, that in the scar city of men able and willing to take the oath re nuired of United States officers one should be A. found in its Faculty. The appointment is doubt less a good one. If there are other Professors with records as un stained as Professor Pool's must be, loyal parents need have no fear that treasonable doctrines will be instilled in the minds of their sons, and it is certainly of the highest importance that our chil dren should be correctly taught. I repeat, that it must be gratifying to loyal parents who have sons at the University, to have this tangible evidence that our time-honored University is in safe hands." ' P. S. I would close with ' Train up a child in the way,' Vc, but I am not accurate in Bible quo tations." Tlic Constitution. The New York World makes a striking quota tiou from Washington's letters advocating the adoption of that Constitution which the Radicals are now seeking to modify until all that is good of it is gone, or so completely negatived as to be ill operative. Washington said : "The proposed "Constitution is the last one the States will ever " have the opportunity of accepting through "peace; future ones will have to be obtained " through blood." We have seen how true, down to our day, was this prophecy. The attempt to bring the Constitution into contempt indeed, to destroy it, as the World justly says was made long before the secession of South Carolina. It was that attempt which brought about the Soutl ern reaction and the war. Tlic AVilson Carolinian. The Wilson Semi-Weekly Carolinian has been much enlarged and improved. It is one of the neatest looking, as it is one of the ablest con ducted papers, iu the State. We hail with plea sure this visible evidence of the prosperity of Messrs. Ilearne and Dunham. We wish t&em continued success. Election of Commissioners of Navigation ami Pilotajfr. The following a (statement of the vote cast at anelec tion, held at the Court House Monday for Commission era of Navigation and Pilotage, for the Tort of Wilming ton. Those receiving thehighest number of votes were of course elected : W. M. Harriss 224 P. W. Fanning lyy W. S. Anderson 11)1 Dr. W. H. Hall 188 Eli Murray 183 W. B. Flanner 176 Jas. Anderson 151 A. P. llemjon l;9 Jno. A. Taylor 131 15. F, Mitchell 130 Scattering 4 Whole number of votes cast, 350. JJtiify Journal, Hth itust. Wo happened to stop m tho Court House, yesterday, and while there noticed that tlic Clerk of the County Court was kept very busily recording marriages between freed- men and freed women, who have been heretofore living to gether as man and wife by mutual consent. Th law re quiring them to do so, the frceduieen seem to be yielding a cheerful obedience, and have only lately become aware of the necessity of a lawful marriage. It looked rather strange to us, though, to see old heads of families who have grown childreeu, having their marriages recorded for the first time. We have heard some few of them express themselves on the subject, tho majority of whom do not see the neces sity of such a style, bntwitital, feeling indifferent in regard to the matter, they go up and have the fact of their union recorded with the perfect sang fro id. Doily Jour not, 8lk in.it. Buitish Vice Consul. By reference to our advertising columns it will be seen that Mr. Alex. Spruut has been ap pointed British Vice Consul at this port, and has entered upon tho discharge of his duties as such. Mr. Sprunt is well known among our merchants and cit izens generally, as a thorough business man, and one who will not fail to do justice to auy business intrusted to his care. We feel assured that no better selection could have been made. Wilmington fc Wkldon Hailiioad Compani New En gines and Caes. By invitation of Col. S. L. Fremont, the able Superintendent of the above named Company, we went up to the depot of that road yesterday, and made a personal observation of the new engines and cars lately received. The new engines, five in number, are most ele gant specimens of workmanship, and each that are a credit to any road. The one last received, the Governor Worth, is a large, powerful and fine looking locomotive, and one calculated to render most efficient service. It has been the custom of this company to name an engine in honor of the Governor of the State, at the time of arrival, and if there is any choice in the number of fine ones late ly come to hand, we think the Governor Worth worthy of that choice. There are two more of these fine engines expected out shortly, namely, the S. D. Wallace and James Knight. These, added to the list of those already at hand, will be a sufficient number to enable the Company to compete with any Kailroad, of the same extent, in the whole Southern country. Two out of the seven new engines were built by Mason, the remainder by Rogers, and all of them of the best quality and newest style, with all modern improvements. With the new engines and those repairing in the shops, the Company will soon be enabled to place upon their road, at least twelve first class iocomo tives. They have also received four new passenger cars, built in Wilmington, Del. by Harlen, Hollingoworth & Co., per fect models of beauty, elegantly furnished and decorated, and on the whole, having more of the appearance of a com fort Able parlor tbfes rilr0fc4 car, in Addition to some tour or five newly finished cars, from the Company's own shops, will all soon be placed upon the road, to run in connection with those of Northern manufacture. We observed one or two of these newly finished cars, which are decorated o.elegntly tod:fimshe so mceiy, that, unless Ve weror issfired that stick, waaiiot the case,' we wouia nave tnougnt tney naa recenuy oeen manufac tured tar some, first class Northern establishment. iThey! do double credit to Uie Cojnpany and the skHlol mechanics employed in their construction. To make the stock com plete are added somo" eighty flat cars and fifty new and fifty rebuilt box care, - which are a sufficient number - to hasten forward all freights to be conveyed over that road at any time. ' We were very nmchjpleased with our "tour observa tion " through the shops and yard of the company, and feel amply repaid for wn&tever trouble taken, by the pleas ure we experienced in observing the splendid facilities which this road has for advancing the. business interests of our city, and making trade more prosperous between this port and inland towns. ' The prevailing impression, among the traveling public, seems to be that the shortest through route from Wash ington City, south, is via Danville, Va., but this idea isj a mistaken ono. From a careful review of distances, ac cording to Appleton's Guide Book, we find that the dis tance, from ltichmond, Va., via DanciUf, to Kings vilie, is greater by half a mile, than that from Richmond, via Wilmington, to Ringavillc. ,?As L far as the accom modations for passengers on the two routes are concerned, we do not; .hesit&to to say that no better accommodations are offered, by any of these roads, than those by the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad Co. To add to the advantages this route possesses over the other, the Wilmington and Manchester Company will receive shortly great additions to their present stock, in the way of engines and cars. Why more travel has not been done through Wilmington, taking into consideration the facilities for transportation possessed by the seaboard route, has always been a mystery to us. . j We have noticed for the past two days the ensign of the Irish nation flying at the peak of the British Brig Victory, commanded by Capt. Gilbert, a gentleman well and favor ably known iu this city. 1 The siirht of this ensign has delighted tho hearts of tnanv sons of "Erin" now in our city, who call to mind the past glories of that down-trodden country with feel incs of pride, and review her present condition with feel incs of hatred and vengeance towards the country which has thus degraded her. We LEAUN that Capt. Swift Galloway was, on Monday, elected at Smith ville, as one of the Commissioners of Nav igation and Pilotage of Cape Fear River and Bars. Commercial Bank. The Stockholders of the Commer cial Bank of Wilmington met yesterday. There were 784 shares represented in person, and 1,218 by proxy. Whole number of shares represented 2,032. Whole number of shares 3,500. We uoticed in attendance upon the meeting Mr. John U. Eirkland of Hillsboro. Wo have not been advised as to tho result of the meeting. Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Clmicli. To the Editors of the Wilmington Journal Gentlemen : Permit me to correct an error into which you have been led by the statement of other papers, and which, if not corrected, might occasion inconvenience to some of your readers. It is not on the 16th, but on the 30th of May, that the Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church is appoint ed to meet in Newberu. A. For the Jour nal. Slay Day at Smitliville Beautiful and Appropri ate Celebration. SMiTHViiiLE, N. C, May 4th, 1SG(5. Messrs. Editors : Such i occasions as the last Smithville are things May-day celebration at which should not pass away with the hushing to soberer tones of the merry-ringing voices that en livened it. The day was not ushered in by any pompous demonstrations; no band of music, other than that which nature kindly vouchsafed from her leafy bowers, was there to catch up and pro long the joyful strains that from young and inno cent lips went forth to mingle with the fragrant air of that bright May morn ; but despite such de ticiencies "all went merry as a marriage bell,' and the perfect harmony and good feeling which prevailed and the highly commendable manner in which the younger people acted their parts were truly worthy of remark. Two Queens were crown ed, Miss Mary A. Davis and Miss Lizzie Williams, and well did they prove the good taste of their companions, who had made the selections. About 10 o'clock the multitude that had assem bled in a large grove appropriately chosen as the scene of the coronation, were greeted by the sight of a long train of little maidens robed in white, and decked with flowers, marching to the music of songs in honor of the festal day. Arrived at a richly carpeted platform, whereon was erected the throne, within a beautiful evergreen bower, tastefully festooned, the cortege halted and the first named young lady ascended; and after being pre sented and invested with the insignia of royalty, 8he addressed her subjects in a handsome speech. gracefully delivered. Intelligence was then brought to her that a voting maiden sovereign of a neigh boring realm was approaching to make her a royal visit, when she despatched a number of her attend ants to bid her welcome and request that she should share her honors by uniting their dominions. A train of merry lads and rosy lasses" accompa nied the second queen, equaling in appearance and enect tuatwnienescortea tne nrst. un receiving the crown and sceptre, she made a very happy and appropriate speech, and each of the queens re ceived the graduations of their respective maids of honor, heralds and pages; after which, beautiful songs (composed for the occasion by a talented lady) were sung by the young subjects of the united realms. lour lads then addressed the whole audience in well received efforts appropri ato to the occasion. Not long after these ceremo nies the multitude were summoned to the honor of dining at the royal table, which groaned be neath a great variety of good things that refresh and make glad the inner man. But ere the young party quitted their honored places, an artist who was on the gronnd, believing that sucn a scene ought to be perpetuated, took a very good picture of it. Thescene was inspiring a splendid array of innocence and beauty. Tho day passed away as happily and harmoniously as it began jovfully; and too much credit cannot be given the ladies of Smithville for the excellent arrangements that made the occasion such a suc cess. Long niay the festivities of merry May be kept up anu cuerisuea among us. it does the heart good, and it is calculated to make the human soul more pure and charitable to bo in the midst of such influences. How eminently proper that we should encourage every occasion that will oblite rate the deep lines of sorrow and crief that have been traced by the fiery hand of war. The young nearts among us, ripening into manhood and wo manhood should not catch the gloom which their seniors wear lor tne hard fate which has hfiAn theirs. 1 hose young hearts and minds are our hope for the eventual rescuing and restorincr to its pristine vigor and beauty the political fabric which our fathers reared; and for Heaven's sake let them go to their jrrcat and crlorious work un. seared, unbowed and with arms nerved with a high-throbbing hope in the success of their mighty undertaking. Very truly, yours, CAPE FEAB. Tho remains of Maior Thomas H. Clav. nf Kentucky, who died in Atlanta in 1864. were dis interred on Friday last and forwarded to Ken tucky. Major Clay was a distincruished Confede rate officer, a son of Colonel Clay of Mexican fame, and a grandson of Henry Ciay. His re mains are to be interred beside his father in the State Cemetery at Frankfort Thev were AwnrfeA to the depot in Atlanta by a number of Kentuc kians who are in that city. It is said that the cron of rice in Hia w districts of South Carolina this year will not be more than one-eighth to one-sixth of what it once was. Judge W. 8. Oldham, of Texas. the late Confederate Senate, is nrfiTMirinry ond loa nearly ready for rjublication. a Journey from Richmond to the Rio Grande : or The Last Days of the Confederals mth OM LiquirYinto the causey , which led to their oyer- Gem. Stcadman and jrnuerwm rrceaucn - rean and Southern Loyalty. A corrcspandent of tljei Itew; York Herald, who accompanies Generals Steadman and Fullerton on eir mission of ihvestigatioii through the South, writes a letter ta ; that, paper from Newbern, from which we makf the following extracts. The let ters of this correspondent are generally cnaracter ized by perfect truthfulness, and maybe consider ed, from the semi-official relation of the writer to the officers of the commission, as embodying their j sentiments : ' SENTIMENTS OF THE PEOPLE. . i The" general sentiment of the people of both 1 North Carolina and Virginia is strongly in iayor of the peaceful restoration of the Union. During the last three weens 1 nave neara tne opinions 01 some hundreds of representative men and those opinions have been in the main most satisfactory. ST - . 1 ' 1 1 11 t - L i- They have been wmppeu anu uiey ituuw it, uuk thev do not feel disposed to run after the man who whipped them and tnanK nim ior aoing ic. i not in human nature that they should do so. But they accept the issue as decided by the war, and, as one gentleman put it, he could not kick inem into rebellion again. I incline to think that the only disloyal people in these two States are some few of the editors and politicians, who have done no share of the fighting. The most loyal are un doubtedly the officers and soldiers of the rebel army. GOVERNOR HOLDEN ON THE SITUATION. General Steadman and Fullerton, in prosecut ing their inquiries into the working of the Freed men's Bureau in North Carolina, have visited Baleigh, Salisbury, Goldsboro' and Newbern, whence they proceeded, to Wilmington. At Bal eigh they had an interview with Governor Holden and the leading citizens. Governor Holden said the great objection to tho Bureau Court was that it was a one-man power. A planter might be dragged many miles to answer some frivolous charge preferred by a negro, and this charge would be disposed of before one man who was both judge and jurors. In the. past he believed the Bureau had been of advantage to both races, but its further continuance would serve no useful pur pose. The relations between the two races were now on the most satisfactory footing. There had been some danger, a little time ago, of an out breat at Wilmington, prevented by negro soldiers; but this fear, which from the first had been exag gerated, had now passed away. The only disturb ing element they dreaded now was further teach ing and lecturing and agitation on the subject of social equality. General Steadman. So far as I have seen, tho people of the South, though opposed to negro so cial equality, grant him more social privileges than we in the North. Governor Holden. That is so, sir. We, who know the negro, know there is no possibility of his attaining social equality. In tho North they don't know this and can't understand it. I spoke to a number of negroes the other4day ; I found them the quietest part of the people, industrious, docile, and hopeful for the future. I spoke to one of them, whom I had formally owned, about voting. He replied, " I don't know how to vote; I've never been used to it; I should come to you." The ex-rebel General Cox, who was present at the interview . intimated his concurrence in the views of Governor Holden. AT SALISBURY the citizens expressed themselves in warm terms of commendation of the manner in which the the neceS8ity for its existence had passed by. N. J Boyden, a lawyer of large practice in the State, gave conclusive proof Irom the court records that before, during, and since the war, there had been a strong disposition towards leniency rather than severity in all cases in which negroes were con cerned. One peculiarity of North Carolinian law was disclosed in the course of the discussion. There is no penitentiary in the State, consequent ly hanging and whipping appear to be the staple punishments, and every man who is not hanged is likely to be whipped. This applies, however, equally to white men as to negroes. The Legis lature, at its recent session, made provisions for erecting a penitentiary and modifying the laws in this respect. Mr. Boyden, who was a thorough going Union man during the war, assured the government commissioners, and he was confirmed by the Mayor and the ex-Mayor of the city, that if the Bureau were withdrawn perfect justice would be rendered to the negro in all the civil courts. There was only one instance in which he thought public prejudice might influence the ad ministration of justice, and that was in cases where a negro was charged with a criminal assault on a white woman. The feeling in this respect was so strong that mere suspicion was too often taken as an evidence of guilt. matters on the mend. Bad as matters are, however, in the old North State they are undoubtedly improving. There is a much greater breadth of land in cultivation this year than there was last, and with time, cap ital and energy will both probably return. The labor market is adjusting itself as satisfactorily as in Virginia. There are about three hundred and fifty thousand freedmen in the State, as nearly as can be calculated. Small pox and other diseases have latterly thinned their ranks. Between five and six thousand infirm and helpless negroes, princi pally old people and children, are receiving relief from the Freedmen's bureau. The able-bodied negroes are working by shares and by monthly contracts. They appear to be kindly and fairly treated by the planters and in turn seem disposed to live peaceable and industrious lives. THE transactions of THE BUREAU IN NORTH CARO LINA. A closer investigation of the state of affairs at Newbern has revealed a condition of affairs worse than the bitterest enemy of the bureau ever ven tured to insinuate. It appears almost beyond doubt that at one of the freedmen's settlements here cruelties more attrocious than those for which Wirz was hanged, have been perpetrated on the unonending freedmen by agents of the bureau establithed for their protection. Opposite isewbern, on the other side of the river, some 2,0UU freedmen have been settled for five years past. They were invited there bv the military, and located on little plats of ground which they were allowed to cultivate. Eight months ago, Edward S. Fitz, a Massachusetts preacher, was placed in charge of the Trent river settlement by Captain James, another New Eng land preacher, who was then conducting tho. bu reau here. A system of extortion and crueltv was immediately inaugurated. Fifty cents a month ground rent was demanded for every plat on which tne miserable nttie cabins were erected. Every negro who owned a boat had to pay two dollars and a half a month, or his boat was forfeited. Every darkey who kept a store was taxed five dol lars a month. Every one who owned a horse was taxed a similar amount. Failure to nav anv mm of these exactions was punished by the imprison ment of the man or his wife preference being given to the wife the confiscation of all his little property, and in many cases the tearing down of his house. A negro who quarrelled with his wife was fined one hundred dollars and sent to prison until he paid it. All these extorti ticed upon -a population steeped in the deepest poverty, scourged by disease, and many of them wanting the common necessaries of life, in this manner an income of at least eitrht hundred dol lars a month was derived by the bureau. v. ijaiaier, an agent of the American Mission- ary Society, embodied some of the more atrocious cases in a series of charges and laid them before Captain Seely. . - Governor Patton. of Alabama, has issued n. urn. clamation co-operating with the President in an- Eointing Thursday, May 17, as a day of fasting, umiliation and prayer, in view of the probable approach of the Asiatic cholera. He recommends that on said day all regular business be suspended, and that the ministers open their various churches and hold religious services. The battle field of Franklin, era Hood's men fell by hundreds and were buried, has been rented by the rjronrietor to freed men on,l is about to be eiven to the nlow. F.verv Srmi, State has its representative on this field, and their 1 frQ endeavoring to secure means to remove thei bodies before the traces of the enmxroa ay ex trampled, out. r .,.7 . 0 w STATE NEWS. PostaL (ApporirrMEVre.--The Postmaster Gen eral has appointed and commissioned the the fol lowing Postmaster. C. F. McLaughlin, Miranda, Bo wan co., N. C. Jacob Keardon, McNeal's Nerry, Harnett co. Norman S. Shaw, Harrellsville, Hertford co. John C. Andrews, Eden, Randolph county. Thos. A. Holt, Manson, Warren county. L. J. Watkins, Tiidgeway, Warren county. F. D. Stuart, High Shoals, Gaston county. Steven F. Miller, Rocky Poipt, New Hanover county. Mrs. Elizabeth Chnstmau, JJlacK Ureek, Wilson county. Rolesville, Mrs. Virginia Terrell, 'ostmistres.s. Mrs. Dacy Freeman, Logan's Store, Rutherford county. Mrs. Mary Ureen, Warrenton, w arren county. Mrs. Martha A. Harrell, Gum Branch, Onslow county. Elizabeth A. Jfoindexter, ltea I'lains, ladkm county. Lewis Honaday, Sandy urove, Chatham co. George B. King, Amity Hill, Iredell co. Robt. F. McGuffin, Dobson, Surry co. Benj. Brewer, Pleasant Hill, Northampton co. Francis Bryan, Cherry Lake, Ashe co. Wm. D. Carlton, Morrisville, Wake co. The Case op Maj. Gee. The correspondent of the New York Herald, who accompanies GeiiK. Steadman and Fullerton, says, of this case, that "the evidence given tends rather to exculpate than to criminate Maj. Gee in the atrocities committed at Salisbury." University of N. C. The Hon. G. A. Henry, of Tennessee, has been compelled to decline the invitation to deliver the Annual Address before the two Literary Societies of the University at the approaching Commencement. Ex-Gov. Vance has now been solicited, and it is hoped that he will be able to accept. John W. Newman, a senior reserve who ha, I been imprisoned in this county, on a charge (t murdering Henry Ballard, while on duty in th. supporting force in Guilford County, and taken to Greensboro' on a writ of habeas corpus, return able before Judge Gilliam, was discharged by his honor. Salem Press. A Paying Institution. We neglected hereto fore, to notice the fact that the ' People's Mar ket," at the foot of Middle street, is a paying i 1 stitution. This market has been running only about five or six months and besides paying :i debt, incurred for its erection, of live hundred dollars, over and above the stock subscribed, it now declares a dividend of 10 per cent which the Secretary, Mr. Young, is ready to pay over to tin stockholders. Netcbern Times. Jones Superior Court. This tribunal was in session last week. Jas. Nixon, John Williams. Donelson Ruffin and Richard Williams were tried for highway robbery, and sentenced to be hanged on the first Friday in June. Goldsboro' Jfevr. Celebration in Raleigh. Tho Raleigh SlauJ ard says that the colored children of that city ut tached to the various schools, had a celebration on the 1st of May, which was well conducted, and seemed to afford much pleasure to those who par ticipated in it. From the appearance of the ni cession there seemed to be 800 to 1,000 of aliases out on the occasion. Nothing occurred to pro duce ill feeling between the two races. Murder Committed. There was a murder com mitted over in the Trent settlement this morning. The facts in the case we know but littlo of, though it seems from what we can learn than Vanvcstei Haywood, alius Blount, alias Willis, a colored man, who has recently been discharged from the service, was in a small store, and some remark be ing made to him by Tellishia Keys, a colored wo man, he raised a gun he had in his hand and dis charged the load in her head, killing her almost instantly. Vanvester tried to make his escape, but was overtaken, and is now confined in jail to await a hearing. Newbern Times. The Southern Convention of the Christian Church is now in session at Mount Auburn, in this State. All the pardons that were granted yesterday Im the President to petitioners from North Carolina, were granted under the first and thirteenth excep tions only. And those of the first exception that were pardoned were of no higher grade than petty civil officers. All other applications from North Carolina remain yet on file. Star, Ath. Cotton Crop. We regret to learn that th' stand of cotton in this County, which has been planted long enough to bo up, is bad. The weath er has been unfavorable to a good stand, lmt doubt is expressed in regard to the character of the seed. Sentinel. Cotton. We hear pretty general complaint in this county that the cojion seed planted is not comin v, up. Many persons are re-planting, but whether they will meet wit better success remains to ls seen. The difficulty seems to be that the seed have lost their vitality in consequence of having been kept in heaps for two or three or four years past. We hear the same complaint from States further South. Charlotte Democrat. Home Production Again. We learn from " TL Finland Fireside," that Mrs. Mason, wife of th Rev. Dr. Mason, pastor of the Episcopal Church in Raleigh, has nearly ready for tho press an el i borate and carefully prepared "Cookery Book. This lady is the author of " The Wreath of Wild Flowers," and several other works held in high o -timation and, no doubt, the forthcoming bool: will be reliable and popular. Internal. Revenue. Wo learn that Jenninjv. Pigott, of Washington, D. C, the Assessor of Intr nal Revenue for tho Second District, has his head quarters at Beaufort, N. C. A Good Move. Col. Cilley, tho chief of the Freedmen's bureau in this District, was here lt week, and gave orders that all cases hereath i should be turned over to our Mayor for trial. Col. Cilley has shown his good sense in this matter, an I we are confident the interests of all will bo ben. fitted by restoring civil jurisdiction over blacks a well as whites. Charlotte Dem. North Carolina Sixes were sold in New York, on the 1th, at 81. Tho burnt district in Salisbury is being rebuilt with beautiful buildings. Tho Banner speaks in terms of the energy displayed by Messrs. McNe W & Young, and Messrs. Hall k Brown. Riot at Morganton. We learn that a n-t took place at Morganton a few days ago, whi'-li resulted in the United States regular troops sta tioned there driving some returned negro soldi' i from the town. The negroes, who went oil" with General Stoneman at tho. ti tnA rf liio voiil itit western JNorth Carolina, and inin.i v,. w w-amw V. M-Al.t A4&& uxxuy, 11 seems nave oeen irmatoTWi rmf "A. 1 rvic homes with lofty notions of their rights. Th. v suowea some insolence, it is said, at other pi. but at Morrranton it TVAJ4 fAft.anf aA wr t ,1-1 ace-, lier-. who drove the negroes off. Salisbury Old X State. J Death op av Or Lfoway, one of the oldest residents of our " A AIJl J. 3. - city. iucu ui Biumi pox at tne residence of llev. Suvdam. on Kfl.tiirda.ir ni rrli f Vim ..... .1 kd.h 80 years of age. She was a member ot Methodist Church for fifty years before her d Nev:bern Tim' - Elections in RF.ATTwmT Pp.m.,,, t.,i- - - - iMl,IUIU, lhe following named gentlemen were elected vumuuoowuwa ui tut) iowu oi ueauiort, ar uf election to-aay : J. 1. Delamar, W. H. Piver, W. B. Duncan, J. C. Davis, C. S. BelL commissioners of navigation. Thos. Duncan, Sr., A. C. Davis, C. S.'Bell, M. F. Arendell, Isaac Ramsay. Goldsboro Xens. Green Peas. These vegetables made their ap pearance at table yesterday in Raleigh, the th's' pttfcflps, 9I theeaijon,, Progr Hh inst.
Wilmington Journal [1844-1895] (Wilmington, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
May 10, 1866, edition 1
2
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