Newspapers / Southern Weekly Post (Raleigh, … / Dec. 9, 1854, edition 1 / Page 1
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i ''".. - -.ih f t 11 til I.-" -I t WILLIAM I). COOKE, A FAMILY iNEWSPAPEE TRAL IN POLITICS. TERMS, , .. TWO DOLLARS PER 1MUM PROPRIETOR. match to all tije 3n tests of Eijc Soutij, literature, four, atton, Agriculture, ilelys, flic iWarfeets, &c. vol iv -m ?. RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1854. WHOLE NO. 158 : ' ' , I IE U SELECT POET RY.- . MOOKBiiAMS- V sf.kfhg.' gem," 'extracted' fr.n' one-ol the En.iish periodicals, where .it uppred anony niO''y.j . ;:'y';1 . ;-"i - .- Over field" of thymy blossom, i Over fads of dewy flowers, V hv; .- '' , . nf'"r t!i s-tre m!tTJH Jiosni, . t- --v - i y - 4 - . j j. rfe iTitf nMo'dc .'m go, " ; ,V.(h ring on through midnight hours. !v ,, r t-'e-t'i d.liillow-, v here ti e e-ving waters flow, i: ri-:jln' se 'iii fi-idsi.tr pi low, 'J te '.lie giisientn iiiuoi.be:ims go ' Si. it a;ni -.low, S--fi ;n (I slow, ii.tr v n.l-ritij'. soft. and slow. y ei: ; f i-nn!v ! rooci in sjiltndor, I'i.'l; iln vi'tnt (out im ri--t. ! I, .o ir. v-. iniit,' sn soft and temier, . iVj-er t'ipon n kindred brcust ? i S "f. ;ni( :.w, - i i if, !ui'1 CJK o. ! ii ' e;r .-il ' n" sajula's d Vss'd. i i-ji ' f he 'Ui v ! ran' ihf-u ever Tims tiiy lonely t.-.Hk fn fil, : i I r- v..ii'S tii-ver; Jie.er, ' Ai'i ' en thee fr-m bo 1 tr or hill ? Si'l n I S OW, A s u i . r' - nn w, F;i;l I ::' V fii-. S'l'ji- cobl .-lid Sih nt in iOii ! thy !ni'e of ! u y F. in'i!) ; hnj.e wi'l of;' ien w : Ten U in. . lhe:. thy lio y'il' 'y. f WriMV ;fnl wi d :o waiiner ti.KMih Soft a- d low, i . Mill to i'O, Paiien1., ioeek, but b-nd v. Too. POLITICAL. From the (Vierslmre F,x;:e. SYNOPSIS OF THE PRESIDE TS MES SAGE. Vashing;on, Dec. 4 4 1 -2 1'. M. The Pre.-ii.lent .inmeiices by refeiring to the 'past year, as a mat ked epocit in ihe hi-tory of. uf the world. l)i-ease has prevailed to a far . greater extent -than' u-ual, and the saciificeof , tun in life through casualties by both sea and laud, is without a paialied in the' country's his tory. ' ; The crops . in mativ portions of the country hive beeii: neat Iv entirely cut off; but still there wis an nhuu lane -for domestic wants, and !ar"e lies for - exportation.- j lie next at'iu l -s to p.is-iug vents in K-.rope, aud'exw-e'sses an earnest . t dcav. r-r to 'maintain j j.eaoe and - preserve a friend -intercourse with j .. . .. . ... it -' . I ail 'Ii" U.itiOtis- oi ine can it. lie ?av toe isy liu'uiA et litis government so eariy a-i'-pted am sie .d. pnWited, of av Sling ad eiitan-l.tig alii "atice--. h is -lot hef t exeiiijit'-d it f om n, any com -plica'i. n. in whic it woit d other, i-v have b'-'-'vine involved. , But u it w i.;-'.a nVng tlus h - c d.e fined and wed -xist-amed' coins our geograj i:v:d posi;ion--. .- .-: roe an tn.rea' ing -I'sp s ii,i ':: tested by -oil!- ' 't- t-rnm. i;t and an cei iain r - - - e . t . d. j.ohcy in p;::a - ; '' ..J " !' e a n e g -ie -o - -. ' f e ; o e ;e ii .11 I aK il aa ii e - 1-t.r 11 - lo ' .. ; . r i w -. at .'.i - our f ac'i !' ; and no..1 f,o;il Eu t- bet ti inant s to stip-'i vise. ..ur touigji .1.CJ O? j-O.Si. 'UUt C '11- , . !.e iV.i, tpos' a1 as! ;t er a ue pow i t F,i,r. onf uve iii loan. !es ot n S:;1te- h X- 'O il .1- V . ' I ' ' L ' ' ' ' 1 V. - . tr .gu!aiisi;.C' intra tit , e : ei -. e itr e i c-iauo-iit u i i i 1 . ii: l.l . : k . ...v I il i! I i - v . the U i. . - . . ... r l . .. . ' i i ta i- ' o a . o'.- i sa.-ii 1 1 . i t jgn in eico-ti-e, ui.:. i .inn. I'-;" d- :.n i t hey catiu. t reoogu!:e a-'y ati i e i i l.ie im i iiiHil tl.ltr: S i t ot uifiv - uggfst. Tin- f tiiteo 1 .. ...... ..I .... 11 l al'itlt t 3 111' SOI ' i 0 1 ''I oil.. 1 - r fa ar i lar oinmu ,u o S ales, in ... 1 i t t r all oii.ers. vn i.ns .uj t, me . 11 bid - b ieait.g :t to the Halls- i . II 1- . t. - T . f i. . . ! M Kt un w adjust li eu pohocai sys,eu:s l ; -iii v Av ev 111 iV tillUii o-'-t, I "' ilieir com inosi wel'afe, -Aithoiit'tiiy rekrei.ce, l iud. pen dent plt A CI S. ' : In regard t . these l itter, this cent in- nt may weil assert -t- right to be exempt 1rom all an ti viae inioi f renee.on th ir pari. A ss;ema ic iibsvii;e;-ce. froin ah inr iiiate p-.J.ttc if t-onu' Xi-'ii with di-lant foreign tiaiioa-. tj.e Piesi i. tn th.'K- 1 n e ei.l t vti our Pi g th- w'ule-i range i,.) ,.reig' U i-onnil. ice. - ' , This -distinction - clea. ly niarke I in ! isto?y, s.-etus to have U'ell llisleg.l! de ; ui eioln koi by soul, leading foreign' S ite-. Mir' refusal tbe brought wuhin. or subjected to h ir p .-u liar sst-m. ha-, he f ar-, cre:.t- d a j'-al a:s ds trust of our c-uidnct. an 1 induced mi li.cir part O casiiinai a. ts of a-'di-iirVbing etbvt u;.oii our foreign relations. hir present attitude and j.a-t Cour-e, give the strongest assurances wt-ch should .'not be questioned, thu our purposes are lo defend iit ali hazards the honor of this na tion, even if we are to delend on the aggiessive, and becom- revolyed in a similar stale .f things to that which is now threatening the .atcty hbe Umtej State, in their stgge for indepett and wehare of .ftln r nations. f: donee. From that' tim- to the present, with Our military establishments in times -of pence I olly occasioU;,i ght imt.miption8) the mQst are adapted to m-.pntain only the" exterior def- f cordui! relations -of frieiWp have existed be fences, ami preserve or ler among the aboriginal rtween the government and the people of the tribes within the limits ofth.- uni-ti. j two countries. The kindly sentiments cherish- Our naval forve i intended only for the pro- j eJ .lllke hy botIj natlons? have led to an ex'en tectioh of our cittz ns abroad ; ai d our com-; ;ve socA commercial intercourse, which I trust n erce diil'used as it is over all the seas of the ' not bt. intuimpted or cheekd by any casu-g-obe, has thus far seemed to call 'for n j n.cr. a-e al event of an apparently unsatisfactory chaiao of Hiin (.nt. M Tue government of the United States being essentially pacific in its policy, stands prepared t ) rpel invasion by the voluntary service of a patriotic people, and therefore, provides no per manent mean of repelling foreign aggression. Thse consideration should allay all apprehen sion .that we are disposed l-toencrouch on the rights or endanger the security of other States. Borne European powers have' regarded with States. froin the. legitimate exercise of sovereign rights, belonging alike to all nations, and by many lib eia'ly exercised. Under such circumstances, it could hardly be expected, that those among them which have within a comparatively recent period, subdued and absorbed ancient king doms plained their standard on every contin ent, an i now possesses or claim control of the isiaj;d of every ocean, as appropriate domain, w,.iif,J l..k with unfriendly feelings upon acqui sition of i his country, which in every instance, haw been honorable obtained; or could feel j themselves justified in imputing our advance- m iit to a spirit of aggression, or passion for p .Iitn-al predominance. The Message recommends an adherence to the d -ctriiie, that free ships make free goods, ex cept in case. of articles contraband of war; and states that the refusal of one ower alone, has prevented this doctrine f.om bein universally r -i-ei ' d and respected as the rule of internaiion a! iiiff. liu-sia acted promptly in this matter, and a Convention was coucluled beiween that couu- try. ami jhe United States, providing for an ob- servatice of the principles announced, not only a -between them-elves, but also, as between them and ad other nations which shall enter in lo I ke stipulations. None of the other powers have yet ..taken final action on the subject. . The King of the twoScdies and the King of Pi u-sia approve of a treaty to the same effect; but the letier proposes an additional article, providing for the renunciation of privateering. Such- aii article, for - most obvious reasons, is much .ie-lred bv all natioi.s having n;iai es Ldiiisliiii. tit- .arge in proportion to their foreign commerce. Put if such an article were adopted as an in ternational rule, the commerce of a nation hav ing comparatively a small navr force, would be very much at the mecy - fhs enemy in case of w ar with a power of decided naval upei ioii fy. The bare stateuo nt of the condition in which the United States would be placed, after having surre. de ed her rigiit to resort to priva- tc-ers m tue eveni oi war wuu a ueingeit-ui ui Naval sup.-. .macy, will show at once, that this government could never for a moment listen to ciif.ti i .i. 1 1 oil ""i-" jmvj.vu...v ihe Navy if the farst maritime power ot Eu r j e is at least ten times as large as that of the United t tes, and the foreign commerce of the two countries nearly tqual, and about equally cv posed to Hostile depredations. In the event of war b-twteu that power and the United Stai.-s. Without a resort n our part to the mei cantiie marine, the means of the enemy to in iiict injuiy on our commerce, would be ten fold greater than out s to tetaliate. We cou.d hot ! t xtr.cate our country from this unequal condi tion witn such a. i t nemy, unie-s we at once de parted from our pre-e t peaceful p- Hey, and be came a great u .vai power ; nor would this culm, iiy W better situ..teo in a war with one of se- i coiidary naval powers, for though the naval nis panty woul . be less, our widespread commerce would give any of them iike advantage-over us. ; 'I he propo itiou to enter into engagements to ; -loiegb a resort to privateers in case this country -hoal . be f aced uto war with any great naval 1 power, is in.t ntit ed to more favorable conside ration than would be the p.oppsition to agree in l to accep rue ser ices oi voiuuieeis lor ope- i rations on land. ' 11 1. .1.. 1. m h wvn. f o f ..iiw AA.mt Mil U IIIC IIOUUl KJI llgUU UI I'UI lUULHt ic- j quire it t assume a hostile attitude, it confi- letitly relies upon the patiiotisni of its citiiens not ordinarily de oted,to the military profession, to aug neut the army. aud navy, .so a to make them fully adequate for any emergency which calls them into action. The proposal to sumn der the right to employ privateeis is piofessedly founded upon the princip e that the private pio petty of tin. ffendii g non-combatants, even tho' hey mav b -enemies should be exempt from the ravages of war ; but this surrender goes but little way in carrying out ihat principle' which equally requires such private property, should not be seized or ma ested by national ships of war. ;Sho. Id the leading powers of Europe com ur in .p.-op -.s ng as a rule of international law, to. .exempt the private prop-erty upon the ocean -.froiii.-e zuie by public armed cruisers, as well we'd as by privateers, the Uni ed States will rea diiv meet them up n that broad g-ound. - Ihe opeiations on the Keep ocity Treaty are t ivorab y notic-d in the Message, and a com miss on ,s iccoinmend d to settle the boundary dine between the territory of Columbia and the British Possessions .u the Pacific. France was at an earlv lnv an ffleipnf. sllv of The French Consul at San Fianci co was not long since b ough into ti e United States Dis trict Court at that place by a compulsory pro cess, as witness in favor of another foreign con sul, in violation, as the French government con ceives, of his prii ee- u.iderour Consu ar O n ven.ion wi.h France. Tnere beitur no hmg whatever in the tiausaciou which eould in.p y any dtiespect t France. and its Consul, such Subsei-u n ly, a misunderstan Mng aro-e on the subject of ih - Fen h Government " having. as it appears, aln uptly excluded ihe American j Minister to Spam, Mr. Sotde. f om .a-sing thro' France on his wa. fon London to Madrid ; but that goverummt ha- un quiv -cdly disavowed anv desirn to len the rights of transi: 10 the Minister of the United Sta.es, and after an ex planation to this effect, he ha- resumed hi- jour nev. and actual I v returned through F ance to Spain. The President h rewith lays before Congress the eorresp-n dence on this subject be tween our Euvoy at Paris and Minister of Fot eim Ilelanoiis of the French governm. nt. The position of otr affairs wi h Spain as at the close of the last se-sion of Congress are about ihe same. An internal agitation assuming ver nearly the character of a political revolnti n - as recently convuls- d tha? country. The at Min isters were violently expelled from power, and different views, in r. lati.n t- Us intem il ana r j have succeeded. -S nee this change th re has been no propitious oppor;unity to lesum and press on negotiations f r the adjustment of se- I ,i0ns question-, of difficulty between the Span ish goierniiien and the Uui'ed Sta'es. Ther. is good icaso i to b i v.- our .Min so-r will fi, d the present government more f notably inclin d than the ('receding to 'cotnnlx wi h our very i just demands; and make salable anangeinents j for restoring har i.ouy and pres. rviug ja ace b - j tween he two countries. I The Message says negotia'ions are pending with Denmark or a disc ntiuuatic of the pr -c-tice of levying tolls on our vs-el- passing through Elsinenr Sound ; and re-oiniiiefds thai notice be given to. that government f our in teu ion to terminate the treaty relative to the Sound, duties. . ' . 1 The Naval expedition to Japan is al-o favora bly n ticed. Our legation in Mexico has bn rn-st in it- endeaiors t btain a favorable considera ion f 'he c aims of ur citizens against it, but huh ert without su -. e-s. The disturbed condition of the country is all- g. d a- probably the cause of this unsuccess. The Message refers to the enterprise of -lawless adventures upon M xican soil ; aud cxprcsse the determination on die part of the government to frustrate the de-igns of ;dl such organizations in thi- coun ry. In relat on to C ntral Ameiica perplexing questions existed between the United States and Great Britian. at the t ine of the cession of Cal foinia. Ih se, as well as questions which sub sequently aro-e c nceniing inier-oceanic.com- m u cation ac oss the Isthmus, was supposed to be dju-tedby a t eat v of April 19 18)0; but u ifor unate'v they have been re-opened by a se r.ous misunderstanding as to the unpo t f some of it- prov sions - a ie-adjustment oi which is now under conside ati. n. Our Minister to Lon don litis made strenuous efforts to accmpl'sh th s desirabf object ; b it has not yet found i: I ossible tij bri g neg ti tions to a terminat.on. As incidental :o these questions, it is deemed proper t notice an oci-urrci.ee w hich happened in Cent al, America, near the close i f the last session of Co g; ess. .The Piesident hoe le counts the Grev town iliffictdty, alhub s to Bor land's int rfe.eiice to pi.eicnt the UTest of Capt. Smith, and al tending cv nts. and proceeds some what a- fod rws: These incidents, together with the known c' aiacter of the pi pulatio i of Grey Town, and the r exci ed state, induced ju t ap prehensions that tie lives and property of our citiens at Puma Arenas would be in imminent danger after the departure of the s, earner with her pass ngers for New ork, unless a- strong guard was left for their protection. For the purpose, aud in order to ensure the -afety of passengers and p operty passing over the route, a temporary force was organized at consi erable exptnse to ihe United States, for which piovi sions was made at the last session of Congress. This pretended i omu unity and heterogeneous ass. mbly, gathe ed from various countries, and composed for the most part of blacks and persons of mixed blood, had previously given oth er indications o! "mischievous and dangerous pro pensities. Early in the same month property was clandestinely ab-tracte i from the depot of the Transit Company, and taken io Gteytown. The plunderers obtained shell, r there, and their pursuers were driven back by its people, w ho not only protected the wrong doers and shared the tilunder, but treated with great uidenes- and violence, those who sougtit t ie. over their p op - erty. Such in subs ance, are the facts submitted for the President's consideration, and proved by trustworthy evidence, lie could not doubt but the case demanded the interposition of this gov- eminent; and justice required that reparation should be made for so in my, and such gross wrongs; at dthat such a cours-of in-olence and plunder, tending directly to the ins. curity of the lives of numbers of travellers and a large Mmoytnt j most arrogant contumacy on the part of the J.f of rich treasure blonging to our citizens passiilg I fenders, rendered it impossible to avoid the al- over this transit way, shou'd be peremptorily ar rested. Whatever it might I in other respects, the couiiuunity in question had it a their power to do inischi.-f, which was not despicable. It w'fjs well ptovded wi.h ordinance, 'small, arms, and ammunition, and might easily iizbn the utj arnied boats, freighted with ntillionof property, which passed almost daily within; teach. t did not profess to belong to any regular gpverri ment, at d had in fact no recognize independ ence on, or connection: with' anv t a to whieJh the United States, or their injured cn' lojyjjt nmittet Not stauding before the world in an attitude of organized poli.ical society being neither coiji- petent to exercise the rihts nor discharge the obligations of gov. rnnient it was in fact a ma rauding esta lishment too dangerous to be dis regarded, and too guilty to pass" unj unish d and yet incapable of being treated in anv other way than as a p ratical resort of outlaws, or a c imp of savages, depredating on emigrant traius or caravans, and our frontier settlement of civil ized States. Seasonable notice was therefore given to the people of Grey Town, that this gov ernment required them to repair the injurie- they had done our citizens, and make suitable ! apology. They were told they had in-tilted our j Minister, and that a ship of wai would be des patched thither to enforce a compliance with these d mand. But the notice pas-d unheal ed, l'horeupon, a commander of our Navy, charge of the sloop-of-war Cyane, was orde- in d to rep.'at the demands, and insist upon a coin- pliance therewith. Finding that neither the po pulace, nor those assuming to have audi rity ovc them, manifested any disposition to make the required reparation, or even offer an excttse for their conduct, the commander warned them by public proclamation, that if they did not give satisfaction within tho time specified, he won d bombard the town. By this procedure, he .af forded them an opportunity to provide for their personal saf-ty. To those also who desired j to av- id a loss ot property in the puni hmeut abi to be inflicted on the offending town, hefurn : tit di- ed means for r. moving their effects by bo iti of his own ship, and of a steamer which he l.v.wlo.- ed, and tendered them for that purpose. A( length perceiving no disposition tin the part ! of - i the town to comply with his requisitions, he iip pea ed to the Commander of her Britanic Majes ty's schooner Berii'iudah, whol 'see'ined to have intercourse, and apparently much influence with the leaders among them, to take -ome com se calculated to save the necessity of resorting to the extreme measure indicated in his proda a- tion. lut thatomcer mst ad of acceding to the request, did noth ng moie than protest aga nst the contemplate i bombardment. No steps j of any sort were taken I y the people to g ve the satisfaction required. No individuals, if any there were, who teganled themselves .s no e sponsible for the misconduct of the communi, v, adopted any means to separate themselves iVom t-:e fate of the guilty. The several charges on whrch the demands for redress were founded, had been publicly known to all for some time, and wete again an nounced to them. They did not denv any of those charges, bat offered no explanation noth ing in extenuation of their conduct hut contlu maciously refused to hold any intercourse w-jtn the Commander of the Cyane. ' By their obs inate si ence, thev seemed rath r desirous to provoke chastisement than esctijel t Tnerc is amp e re son to believe that th s con duct of wanton defiance was imputable chiefly to the ddu-ive ide i. that the American govern, ment wouM b . deterred from punishing t em through fear of displeasing a f0rmid-ble foreign power; wi ich they presumed to th nk lo kl-d with complacency upon iheir aggressive a. d n suiting d portment to-.iaids the Unite i Stat s. The 'Cyane at length fired upon the town la tere much injury had been done. The fire wa. twice suspended in order to afford oppoitunnv for an arrangement, but this was declined. Most of the buih.ings of the place were of little value, and were generally in the sequel destroyed, but owing to the considerate pre caution takeu by our naval commander, thelre was no destruction of life. When the Cyane was ordered to Central A merica, it was confidently hoped and expected that no occasion would arise for a resort to vi olence of the destruction of property and loss pf life. Instructions to that effect were given h'r commander ; and no extreme act wo dd have been r quisite, had not the people themselves, by their extraordinary conduct in the affair, frus trated all possible mild measures for obtaining satisfaction. j A withdrawal from the place, with the ob ject of the vi-it entirely defeated, would, under the circumstances, in which the Commander jof the Cyane found himself, have been an absolute alan lonment of all claim of our citizens f.,r iii damnification, and a submissive acquiescence in the national indignity. It would have encour- agpd in tliese lawless men, a spirit of insolent e I and rapine, most dangerous to the lives and ! property of our citizens at Punta Arenas. ?1d I probably have emboldened them to gra p at I 'treasure and valuable merchandize continuady j passing over the Nicaragua route. j j . It certainly would have been most satisfactory ! to me, continues the President, if the object- oi j the Cyane mission could have been con-unim ted without a res. rt to public force; but t a e temauve, eiti.er to break up their establish metit, or leave them impressed with the idea, that tl ey might persevere with impunity in their car. r of insolence and plunder-,: ' - - This transaction has been the subject of coin- plaint on the part of some foreign powers, and they have characterized it a partaking more of har hness than of justice. If compari-.n- were. j to le instituted, it would nt lie difiicu.t to pre- 1 jsent repeated instances in the history m certain j "uiuuuig iii me very iront oi mlern etv- iiization, where oiiiimiinilies far less onVidiur : and detenceless, than Greytown, have leen cha Sn?trfiSivfcg n-.t de h;is .been recklessly satMTfrTVlni of the innocent made profusely to mingle with i that i f the guilty. The amount of revenue collected during the last year, is stated at seven ty -three million f,,Ui hundred and forty-cine thousand seven hundred vti do'lars; and the expenditures exclu-ive ; of public debt amount to fifty-one million ,-ight I thousand two hundred and forty-nine dodos. , The pavtnents made on public debt nnioimt to I 24 :536,380. Tnis statement exhibits that the i annual income of the government great I e ceeds its requirements ; and th- President ih. re- fre renews his recommendation for a reduction ' f l'ie duties on imports. ! Iii this connection a change of the law is re commended respecting the responsibility of of ficers of cAstoms. An increase of the army and navy is recom mended as well as a refoiin of their organic ar- i rangement. The occurrence within the last few months of i marine disasters of the most tragic character i 1 alluded to. The President thinks he achieve ments of science and mechanical skill in t he .-on- j under the hand of time, still bring to mind. st ruction of ships have not been exh iu-te,l. ; some favorite cla-sic allusion, or erpetuate a Toe expenditures of the Po-t Offi.-c Depart famous myth. The beechlree recalls the fa ; ment la-t year is stated at $8,710,900", and re mous Tjtyre, lu recubans sub tegmiue fagi ; ceipts Tit fi.955 586. . the bay reminds us of insatiable love, the iraiis- , Ihe number of acres of public land sold 1 formation of D.iphne, when almost overtaken bv I was seven million thirtv-five th ais ind .-c en i Phcebus. The graceful Lombardy Poplar w id al j huiidr. d and thirty five." and the am tint re- ways call to mind the deep affection of sisters, ! .cued licit for, was $9.2S5 533. j for a brother, whether the myth be real or not, i The P .sid.-nt invites attentive cnsidi lati-.n ; which fixes the origin of this beauful tree, in the to ih. nbject f granting lards fo'- railroad.-, i a'"' promises a special message upon thi j'1 1 at an early day. ab I i i The President will soon send a m-s-ag- to I Cotig'-ess, explanatory of his veto of the K:v.-r I and Harbor Bid. lie renews his recomme nlati n f .a J n! i i i- ry R. iorm, and closes with an eloq'u n st oe- i m.-lit of the illltV of the United Stales t,,Mi,U I t ie world, ami an inv.-eatioi. for the Ihiine 1.1. mg to rest upon our glorious country. MISCELLANEOUS From the N. C. University Ma;.-.;i.i. j A BEAUTY IN AGE. I vulgar, there is no beauty, but thai j I o th j -hich is manifest in the outward appe na ce I A I. dm -ss ami d licatciiess of complexion, wax ;.g r. ligh ts and g!o-sy beau catch- i (-i j soiu in sj ;t d licau- foot and a graceful wall-, c -ti- - iuite lhe chief points of beauty to tln ir mind-, ! as re-peels the female sex ; and in general, i. I them, beauty lies wholly in the first impress:. !:. I i h-eye is attracted by a hridiancy of ol .r- ..i i t.o- symmetry ot figure. Hence it. is so comm..., ! t-isay, "such p ea-e- the eye ;'' when, in real. t v. j ii is the mind that evince- p easure. If. then ; i: ts the mind, that perceives the beanti ot o j--. is at tiist sight, it is also cap.ab'e ot di -' c riiing beauty beneath the sinface. Put i .ih.. ugh t. e x ulgar cannot go liey.md the hr ! itipiessiou. the cuhivated mind can, and see f lieamy where, to others there is naught but gl ness or h de. .u- ness. If beauty a.- i-es, hy j tin exc.tii.g ol pleasurable emotions, ti en, thei. beauty in whatever tends, eitlu-i in it- . w t Wiih so mucli of history, of religi-.p, of aff.-c-coiidtt.ou or in the relations and a-so. i i i. ns ; t t.in,jamatic integrity, and comineinoia- onnected w ith it, to create thes .- emoi i n-. j tjve ,e,istniice to tyranny, interw oven in the It is no new id. a, that we may, by emu iim.-.i urrow,, Gf ,he aged tree, say you not there is a and repeated contemplation, discover l ean y j ,e;illly j j;s time-honored form ? ami loveliness in Mtiat we once looked U on ith abhorence. Sliil, many will think, tos; e.;k ' f beaut"' in the r lies of tune, is an ill adapta tion "f tlu term. How many pass by, w tho it noli ijig, r give but a glance, and declaim against the deformity of such an obj. ct as ;.n oid tree! Thewood-man regards not its anti quity; and without, feeling or' compunction lays th xe to its sacred loot. But, think, is theie no beauty in the. old gnat led oak, wh s shat tered aud decayed branches sjak of the wreck of tune, and are typical of passing generation ? j VI ,. n.,t the iim. A ic trunk- tv.1l r " i , ., t . . . greatness and strength of some mighty elliptic 1 i- - ion - gone, or now last sinking into imn; its ' , . i --.-I t. ,ii . i i t rou-h and .-ha.gx baik, and knotted and crook- I,; . e In Ms max- HI lleHtM lt .tetr.eta ,r nr. fi . nr.- vr ' j ' "-"-sv, j i ttie ex.l- aud bad effects, it will leave behind ; j j, 1 i -i , , . .. Wllie J e. icn.l aiJU lilt Cl-li'icril i . ,fu . . . T pi stl.-toe, may beautifully point to the nations ii ' , . . J v. .. . . , hot et d p irteil giory, or foretell the n.-e of a II ',, i . t t' , 1 . .- SpiaHer, but moie peilect and mre la-ting 11 .. .. , , , . T lli.u TT1. IO I II, II K LOO ftt fllM Cun.'fi t . Ill il- T S " ' " " liood. tint may have been transacted ui.d-r us I re r smug shade or of the wooings of man- hood, that were perhaps breathed forth, xx hde the tiiooiibeams gaxe a Mlwr liue to its n-xv- i born .e tflets, and the swaying boughs and gen tle rus 1 ng alone, heard the In -a. t-burdei.e I of eiii g. and the grate, id resj..nse; and ihe a-ed tie- flapped its lMughs in joy, and smiled im o C; n: i at the loppy scene all these, with many s: vu as-o clations, fix a charm about the state'. y ! an -estors of the leafy tribe, and the aged am t I m Ot ue grove, ; Many are the historical reminiscence?, con iected ilb the de-aying aud aim St leafless oaf of many ceuiunes growth J so thai, iuduidj , it would be no uninteresting book, which would i.giv a history of trees. The Uoyal Oak f 1 England, in which Charles II concealed himself, J for several nights, aud thus eluded tlie s ar h tf his 'pursuers, has In-come incorjK)iatel in a nat;o .'s history. The Charter 0 k of ourcoun- iry, i.a- ui a similar way ouiameu immoriauiy, by .isering in its hollow trunk the Charter of the colony of Connecticut, wbeti demanded by k'.Ku.j5, emUsarv. Indeed, not, only has it longer VVui f ture, it was inanuacrured into bowls and spoors and other such things, to adorn the manteMielf of father and son, to all succe-d-ing generations. Here and there, both in this country and else where, some n ble tr.e stands up proudly and boldly, marking the spot, where the battles of hbctty were fought; where civil commotion fir.-t found an outbur-t; or where the martyrs of religion b eathed their last, in full view of heaven! Toe savage tomahawk has indented irseil in many a tree of the forest, as it severed the h. ad of the defenceless pioneer of the We-t. It stand- too, sadly commemorative of thed au gers of sport: it received the fatal arrow, w hich gave the death-wcund t England'.- King, auj marks the spot where f II England's second Wi!- liam. The huntsman poin s ou, while his, soul swells with emotion, to the wellkuowu tree, which afforded him shelter amidst the whizztng bullets of his exceed aud careless com panion. , Some, though silvery' with age and wasting event of the death of rash l'haithon, and the mourning of the Ileliades, who were thereujKiu changed into it. ! Our own classic grove, affords, at least, one ; notable instance to the point. The otherwise J una' tractive old poplar, which stards near the middle of our campus, assumes a new phase, and really looks beautiful, or will to other gen erat.!"its at any rate, when th- nghl of as iiff- .rd irig shade to that committee, w hich selected this spot for a college, and under which they took socialiunch, after thus well discharging their duty. llere allow me to surmise, the many pleasing assoiiatibns, that may attach themselves to the various o!doaks, which snnom.d us and over shadow us. -Our pred' c .;forf, on reinrning to these groves, see beauty in some particular ones, which to us always seemed horrid. Il was be neath this staid old oak, says one, i hat, with liook n hand, I wrestled with abstruse mat he m iti;s, or willingly assent-d to the improved truths of mental philosophy."' To another, that moss-sp. tted hickory, marks the spot, and fixes the date of some happy resolution of charge of conduct ; and to no few, there may have ben a vow of love, firm unalterable love, uttered and -wo n, as he sat on the stone bei.eath the red oak's shade, when "the bright silver moon M . was above him. j It is i rue. such may not be onr associations j eu but after years of absence, they will rexiie ; with ab their delight. Already, has the l-.ve-j -ick swain breathed forth his own oiigtiiHlily, with deep devotion, in unknown measure, ! " O Luna, thou art the mooner." The vulgar sees n beauty in the ruins of a citv, in the massive walls yet standing, or in the carved statuary of a thousand years: it is all aiike to him, a mass of lubhish. But, go. thou man of science, viexxr this wreck of time; thou canst feel, ihou canst see beauty in the heaps of ages ! Tliese vast portals, declare it to have been no mall village: as far as the eye can reach, ate -cattend great stones, slabs, pillars 'of different architecture, the Doric, the I-nic, and Corin thian, and all tell of fTieatness. It was hereon this slab, once so handsomely carved the judges ' , , ,. , : -at ; this deep basin, was undoubtedly, the great ; ' r ' i Po' or reservoir; and near il are columns still ' .' . i erect which mav have supiortet a covering, un- ! - ' , 0 der which the king or g-.veruor sat, enjoying the refreshing coolness ot an arunciai snower. ; - j i These huge walls, extending over several acres, 8 . ' , were ol the King's palace. Yes, the entrance , . . ,. declaies it; for though time ban-sadly worn . i . . n the exuuisite carvmes, enough is seen, to tell I u its beauty and grandenr. Here was the great i hail, surr unded bv column after column ; and i :., . :.. t- ui.ru il.ora i, sn olainiv a luttinsr i , .;.,..,.,,.,,. .l,,,,,,,, - oul ui uii; an, iiii iinri. ......i,... j each side, and slabs of Pjriau marble scattered i around, was the throne. In another place, ; stand- a lone wall, with other indications, which j declare it to have been ihe-grt-al u mpie. To the ! man of science, those strange chai act rs, give ! a new delight; and revives discovei ie.-, h-ng lost to the wovld : hieroglyphics are but unmeaning scratches to any but the man of learning and acute observation. What of interest would thre 1 e - travel ler, in au dvsolaw a rog.on n IWuut j but for her many spots, covered with ruins, which have associated with them, scenes im porta ot, m their b arings to the world, in all time. Any -p'acu however ancient, presents beatuiea tot the man of letters ; but when it is connected with die ewnts and great principles of Christianity, it becomes doubly interesting and pleasing, i Does Logard see no beauty in' his, aa it were, own created Nineveh! , The barbarian, long ere it was covered to its present depth, and h-U fPl ther regarding what it might have been uov car ' ing for its future. , - - .: Tne antiquarian, however, finds in this, and all such places, much to instruct, and no little to delight; wiiile the philosopher finds data for more general deductions, and the geologist sub stan iates his old theories or adduces new ones. There are said to be ruins, on our western borders; these are jet to be fully examined, and thus to yield years of pleasure, lo he search- er of knowledge, and unfold wonders to the i world. There are, also, monuments of time, here and there over our land, in the shape of huge mounds : there is a leauty in these yet un know n. They tell of the savage in his naiive purity ; when America xvhs his own : when the war-ivh,.op instead of the cannon reverberated ui the wilderness; when the tiamp of sweeping tribes, in nature's gaib, sho-k the aged oak on the pla'ii from topr. ot to xvaxing leaflet: a striking contrast to the rustling of the bushes, as each one x eiit skulking aud snea-king along, in after-times, to avoid the -ight of the pale-face. It is thus with time: It makes the splendid city, the magnificent palace, thejaered temple, the lofty, monument all amass of ruins. It destroys nations ciiiiizi d or uncivilized ; it casts down the proud, and siiiks iDto oblivion the names of tyrants, who would vainly attempt to immortalize themselves, in theii peoples' deg radation : as did the vile king of Egypt, who burdened nnd murdered his subjects to con struct the Pyramid?, as a tomb for bis lifeless corpse. Bui which rather serve to perpetuate his infamy, and caused his secret and ignomini ous death and unknown burial: and now: stand, though touched with age, the grand ;monu me nls of human folly. But, though time crumbles stock nnd stone, or buiieV in Ihe depths of the earth living cit ies, it leaves a beauty in those .very remains. A grandeur, and subloiiity is there displayed, uch as earth may never witness agnin. j In any -uch -cene, there is, a lesson taught more forci l.ly, than by the words of the moralist. There is beau y in the thought, that it is The work of Him, w ho is mighty in. majesty and power. j There is another class of objects, to j which our thoughts uatiually turn when we speak of age : to 6peak of beauty in these, I ftjar, too ma ny n ill hoot at the idea. What! a beauty in ihe old man ! a beauty in gray hairs! What! a-sign beauty to that state, to which 'we as ci ihe all thai is il-liapeii and deformed, and persona.l . isliked, would indeed seem a con tradiction of terms. But, though others do not agree with me in respect to the terra beauty, I must say and feel, there is in old age, some-thing thai affects us peculiaily; arouses our tender tnjathies, ami draws delight from its very infirmities Notwithstanding, the tottering frame, th pai red hand, the wrinkled cheek, the qimeiing lip, and dimmed eye, we feel its force, its loveii-ne-s : in fact these very parts unsightly in other objects, idlied to gray hairs, tend io heighten thi-undefinable feeling. At the sigh! of true old ege, ther'- is a blending of all those feel ings, of which the human soul is capable; nd among these, awe and reverence are predomi nant. Who ever met the man of years, without havmg his heart throb, or his whole body thiili f If one could, coldly and despiteful! , ps- ihe peaceful old man, he would assuredly forfeit his position in the scale of humanity, and to as sign him a place with the superior order of-the brutes, xvould be above his desert. To this. peculiar feeling, awakened in the hu man breast at the sight of calm old ag, I am at a hs to give a name. To cab it p.tv, seems harsh, and does not really define it. It may be pity in some instances, that give it this bent. Iu truth, if there is piiy in ibe case, it houtd be for us. We, who in the bloom of youth, or in the prime of b'f hide beneath a placid countenance, a fretted mind, an aching jieart, or a' troubled soul. But the good old flian has none of these things. lie has paaed tle troub led sea. Life has no more storms fori him . j Though weak in b-dy, in spirit be is strong.- He. has had his evils m this hfa: and now, calm and tranouil as the bosom of ocean after the 6torm has long passed, be awaiu but his Master's summons to an eternal rest. I speak not, of that churlish aud peevish old man or woman: much less do I mean to in clude, that worse than brute, a drunken, pro fane, and lewd old man. Old age thus degrad- -ed i tmly pitiable, liay, is contemptible. It is to the j ure and uptight, ercpecially, to the chris tian man of years, we would direct our though U. We speak sometimes of age as a second child hood. True, it has many of the characteristics of iufancy, or, at least, such peculiarities as more irearh reMsinl le the simplicity and innocence of childhood, tbaa aught else W know o . Infan cy ha- its charms, but to say that old age agrees in all point, or at all nienUlly with Ui intanf, is di-paraging to a, well-r-pent life, "-.aud-,; mora al-o a sleer on Heaven's providitig car, and a detraction froin . the exahad destiny of uiau. .r ' This Lfeis) af iuoit but purimag sod 11 - i' t "4 i ;! t : i '' f, ::-t -'l-; I i 'I '. i t ii v i r 1. 1
Southern Weekly Post (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 9, 1854, edition 1
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