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THOMAS LOR1NG THE CONSTITUTION AND THE UNION OP THE STATES THEY 1MTJST BE PRESERVED." VOL. IX. -NO. 442. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. RALEIGH, N. C. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1843. THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM. THE NORTH C AUoZlN A STAlf DARD IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY, AT THREE DOLLARS PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE. Those persons who remit by Mail (postage paid) $5, will be entitled to a receipt for $6, or two years' subscription to the Standardor two co pies for one year, for the same amount. For Jive copies, : : : ' : : $12 ten 22 " twenty" :::::: .40 The same rate for six months. fgNo order will receive attention unless the money accompanies it. Advertisements, not exceeding fourteen lines, will be inserted one time for one dollar, and twenty-five cents for each subsequent inseition ; those of greater length in proportion. If the number of insertions be not marked on them, they will be continued until ordered out. Court Advertisements and Sheriffs Sales, will be charged 25 per cent, higher than the usual A deduction of 33 J per cent, will be made to those who advertise by the year. Letters to the Editor must come free oj postage or they may not be attended to. Jl3 Office on Hillsborough street, south side, be tween McDowell and Dawson streets. LIST OF LETTERS Remaining in the Post Office, Raleigh, Quarter ending 31sl March, 1843. George King, James Keith, Howell Kenon. 2 L. John Lain, A. W. Lewis, Handy Lockhart, James Lynn, James T. Littlejohii. Samuel Lane, 2 Thomas G. Lawraw. M. Elizabeth Miller, Robert Miller, Miss Jane C. Miller, 2 2 Joseph McAdams, William McCargo, Henry Moring, Jeremiah Morris, Merchan Morris, James M. Crawley, William McLeod, Alfred Medlin, Miss Caroline Medlin, Dr. Wm. M. Mason, Miss E. A. Medlin, Leroy Mitchel, William McGee. 3 N. A. Mrs. Polly Andrews, . Lynn Adams, Joshua Allen, James Alien, David Allen, Samuel Anderson, "William Ashe. B. Preston Brooks, Miss Willia Betts, George W. Bishop, P. B.Burt, James Harvey Bond, James Burrows, William Blalock, William Bryson, Susen Brock, Hon'i. A. P. Bagby, Mrs. Nancy Bynum, Mrs. John Bevel, James L. Bryan, James T. Blakeney, Burrel Bell, Joseph J. Bell, Burl Brown, Beril Biown, John Beves, Stratford H. Baily, T. Pollock Burgwyn, 2 Miss Sarah A. Nine, 2 C. Mrs. Mary Nunn, Jesse M. Cole, George W. Norwood, Joseph Cook, Jerimiah Nixon. JohuR. Cooper 2 O. James N. Crosby, David Outlaw, Miss Mary J. Creery, 3 Hager Outlaw. Isaac J. Colier, P. David Carter, P. A. Prindle, 3 Leverett Conish, II. Porter, Thomas Conrad, Doctor Patterson, W. G. Chambeilin. William D. Patterson, James Champen, Miss Thena Phenton, William Cornell, bo!omon Phillips. John Colwall. N. P. Carson, Charles Campbell, John H. M. Clinch. D. S. S. Downey, Anderson Dochus, Lawrence Dedrick, Wm. S. Davis, Mrs. Dilly Davis, William Dunnond, Gov. E. B. Dudley, John G. Daniel, R. 2 James S. Rhodes, Mrs. Lelesia Row, Edward Rigsbee, Dorris Ross, John Rabon, Alfred Reix, James M.- Rogers, Isaac Rowland, Mrs. Nancy Reaves, John J. Roberts, A. M. Rockwell, Chanty Rowe. S. Mai. Solomon Dauah trey. Eldridge Smith, E. Burbon Smith, John Eldridge, 2 Samuel B. Smith, John M. Lewis, James Sewart, 2 Charles Lvans. John fcewart. F. William A. Shepard, John J. Foreman, Man Stephenson, v yatt Freemon, Peterson bpikes, Rev. G. W. Freeman, Mrs. Aga Stell, Alexander Freeman, Alves Sorrel, Doct. Fox, Miss Ann E. Strebeck, Green B. Franklin. Samuel Smt.therman, Boon Felton. William H. Simons, G. To the State Senator Mrs. Rebecca E. Good- from Charleston dis- win, trict. Stephen Graham, Richard Stiles, Mr. F. Gardner, M. Salor. Mrs. Elizabeth Gibson, John S. Cane, James Gorden, 2 W. Slade, H. Hon. R. Strange. 2 Dr. John Hendree, 6 arah Jaue Shauck, Susan Hunter, E. H. Skaggs, Mrs. Caroline Hunter, Leeby Saunders, Rev. Jehu Hank, Miss Julian Scott, William Hinton, John Shaw, Admiuislra- Miss Isabella Hinton, tor. Hugh Houston, P. M., T. L. Hamilton, Miss Catharine Tombs, Miss Louisa Hardy, Alexander Taylor, Richard Hill, Servant, Mr. Ohvar Taylor, Green Hill, Samuel Taylor, Miss Jane Hill, Wm. H. Thompson, Master Charles Harri- Mrs. P. Thompson. son, W. Jesse Hoshal, Samuel M. Whitaker, Rhiley Harp, 2 Col. Spier Whitaker, 2 Mrs. Catherine Horton, Dr. Wm. H. Williams, Estate of John Hollo- Maj. Morgan Williams, wey, Henry Williams, Olivar L. Holland, R. H. Williams, Bennett Holland, William M. Williams, Moses Harrison, Robert Wynn, Emely Holmes, Peter Wynn, William T. Home, Mrs. Francis J. White, J. Wade Hampton, Charles White, Isaiah S. High, Robert White, Messrs. Green & Hast- Elisha Wade, Tobacco- ings. nist, J. Ezra Wilber, Kendrick Johnson, Gaston Watson, Giles Johnson, William L. Whitehead, Patrick H. Johnston, Elizabeth Ann Warren, Allen Johnson, Kimbrel Wethers, Elizabeth Joiner, James Weathers, Matthew Jones, William oi James Wal M. Jones, ton, Allen Jones, George Waller's Heirs, Willie Jones, Robert Williamson, Mrs. Susan Jimeson, William Whitlow, Moriah Ivans, P. H. Winston, Iseral E. James, S. Wedding, Christopher C. Isbell. Hugh Wolsenholme, K. R. M. Whittenden, Charles R. Kinney, 4 Messrs. Wilon and Dr. J.Kuhl, 4 Smith, Edward King, 2 Dr. John Y. Young, 3 C-Person3 calling for any of the above letters, will please say they are advertised. THOS. G. SCOTT, P. M. April 5, 1843. 440-3t. From the Old Dominion. THE DEATH OF MELZAR GARDNER. It is a painful duty resting upon us to make a faithful record of the tale of horror connected with the sad event, the death of the worthy and talented Editor of this paper. From the moment of the occurrence up to the present period we have passed through scenes of the most exciting cha racter. We ourselves have been completely un manned. Now, we can hardly compose ourselves to prepare a brief narrative of this most revolting occurrence. But a high obligation rests upon us the memory of the martyred Gardner, truth and justice responded to by the one voice of a deeply affected community, calls us to the task. The evasive statement (not to say more) of L ATrll i i i t. me xuiiuiK. papers wnicn nave Deen copiea into other papers, also demand that the matter should be faithfully presented. To make our statement connected and fully un derstood, especially by our distant readers, it is necessary to state here, that on Thursday last, Mr. Gardner, having gone to Norfolk on business, had returned to the Ferry wharf and was waiting the arrival of the boat from this place. On her reaching the wharf Mr. Mordecai Cooke, jun. of Norfolk Borough, left her, and coming up to Mr. Gardner, demanded an apology for some remarks he had made in his paper, occasioned by an at tack of Mr. Cooke upon Mr. Gardner at a public meeting in this place. (In the course of this ar ticle we shall advert more fully upon those re marks and their connecting circumstances.) Mr. Gardner said be could not do so unless Mr. Cooke would first withdraw his offensive remarks. Instantly Mr. C. raised his cane to strike Mr. G. upon which the latter drew a pistol from his pocket, evidently for the purpose of defending himself against the attack. Mr. C. seeing this, dropped his cane and seized the pistol with one hand and Mr. G'sarm with the other, and being a man of considerable muscular power, while Mr. G. had hardly the strength of a child, he mana ged him with apparent ease, and wrenched the pistol from him. Having him completely in hi3 power, as stated in the testimony of several witness es, "with the pistol in his right hand, and his left " arm around the body of Mr. G. with the hand ; clenched upon Mr. G's left arm, placed the pis " tol at his leftside, and pulled the trigger, when " the explosion of a cap was distinctly heard " immediately the trigger was again pulled and " the pistol was discharged," shooting Mr. G. im mediately through the heart, and in a few mo ments he ceased to breathe, never having spoken, unless, as is thought by some, he exclaimed "O! God." The weapon was one of "Allen's Revolv ing Pistols." An individual present, (we have it from a gen tleman who saw and heard it distinctly,) put his hand upon Mr. Cooke, saying "Sir, you must " be arrested you have committed murder" " Cooke replied. "Damn him, let him lay, I " AM SATISFIED." After using this expres sion he left the spot, apparently truly "satisfied." The report of the deed convulsed the whole community with horror at the enormity commit ted, with the deepest regret at the loss of so truly great and excellent a man, and with bursting sym pathies for his more than widowed wife, and or phaned children. Save one or two, who we thus pass over, the event came to all with a force which cannot be imagined. A warrant was issued, and Mr. C. was arrest ed in the afternoon of that day. On the next morn ing he was brought before John P. Leigh, Esq. a magistrate of Norfolk Borough, and tried upon the question of his commitment to jail. The is sue oi the examination was his discharge yes, to the astonishment of every person, contrary to law and usage, the prisoner was discharged. We have called it a trial, and a print in the Borough has labored to make it appeal as imposing and satisfactory : but it is our conviction that a more solemn piece of mockery was never enacted. Never have we seen an event move a commu nity with such indignation as did the result of this manifestly partial trial. The people were im pelled to act on the subject After meetings had been held for the purpose of expressing the general feeling of the community, a special meet ing was called, with a view to pursue a course which should secure an impartial and rigid inves tigation. The solemn resolution was formed, worthy of freemen, and the lovers of law and or der. A committee was appointed to proceed to Norfolk and obtain the re-apprehension of Cooke," preparatory to a proper examination. With the assistance of two of our able lawyers, a warrant was procured, upon the opinion of the Honorable Judge of this circuit in regard to the impropriety of the former trial, and the accused is now in jail, awaiting his examination before a called Court, which we are informed, will be held on the 1 1th instant. With reference to this position of the matter, we shall forbear saying any thing more in refer ence to the testimony in this case. We are wil ling to abide the result of an impartial trial. Though we are aware that the family of Mr. Cooke, and their influence in the community may have an effect, yet there is power in truth, and in flexibility in justice, and we shall be content if they are allowed to exert their nroDer influence. The inquiry maybe made by the distant reader, j what was the origin of this sad affair 1 We briefly ; answer this; and for this purpose we shall ' begin at the beginning." During the month of January last, while many of our fellow-citizens, honest, though poor, were without employment, a correspondent of the Nor folk Herald suggested through that paper, the propriety of white, labor being substituted in the Navy Yard fir slave labor, thereby giving em ployment to our industrious citizens, who had long been turned out from other departments in the Yard, and without the means of subsistence for their families. The editor of the Herald warmly approved the measure proposed by his correspon dent, while Mr. Gardner, in his hearty zeal for the welfare for the working men, urged the mat ter with earnestness. The step was commended by many, and Mr. G's course warmly applauded. One individual in our community was, however, bitterly opposed, and sought a personal interview with Mr. G. under peculiar circumstances, and denounced him with great severity. We shall not follow up the entire train of events connected with that person's conduct. It was generally un derstood that he was moved with considerable wrath towards Mr. Gardner, and made some re marks reflecting with much severity on a portion of our fellow-citizens, which aroused the indigna tion of many in the community; so much so, that at a political meeting in this town, his name, by an almost unanimous vote, was stricken from a list of delegates appointed at a previous meeting, to at tend a convention then about to be held in the city of Richmond. It is proper here to remark, that Mr. Gardner maintained his position with digni fied firmness, and with a conscious Tectitude of pur pose, disregarding the manifestations of hostility on the part of the individual referred to. The public mind became so fully convinced that the cause in which Mr. G. had so zealously enlisted, was a just one, and believing it to be Right, and Right only, for which he was contending, a town meeting was called, in his absence, and of which he had no knowledge until his return. At this meGting, which was numerously attended by all parties and classes, resolutions were unanimously passed, expressing in the warmest and most un equivocal terms, their entire approbation of his course. From this period all excitement seemed to be gradually passing away. On the 20th of March last, another meeting was held for the purpose of nominating candi dates to represent this County in the Legislature, when the individual above referred arose to ex plain his conduct in connection with this matter. Objection was made to his remarks as being out of order, and as having no reference to the object for which the meeting had been called. It was at this stage of the proceedings, on motion being made to allow the individual to continue .his ex planation, that M. Cooke, jr. voluntarily became a party in the controversy which had been for some weeks, agitating this community. Hav ing previously inquired of a gentleman near him if Mr. Gardner teas present, and being inform that he was not, he proceeded to make some re marks, in the course of which he was understood in alluding to Mr. G., to have used most un justifiable and abusive language. Mr. Gardner wis informed of this by several friends who were pre sent on the occasion. In his next paper, believ ing he had been attacked in a public meeting with out provocation, by one with whom he was whol ly unacquainted, noticed it in such a manner as he thought it deserved. Within two or three days subsequent to the no tice mentioned above, a relative of Mr. Cooke, called upon him Mr. Gardner at his office, and de sired him to go into the street, which he refused to do, saying that his office was the place where he transacted business, and if any person had busi ness with him, they could see him there. This did not appear to satisfy the gentleman, as he was understood to say, when about retiring, that he should take some other time and place. It was Mr. Gardner's desire that the difficulty might be amicably adjusted, and often expressed a willingness to do all that an honorable man could do, to bring about such a result In a subsequent article he explained his position, and made use of these words : "IF WE HAVE BEEN MIS INFORMED OR HAVE MISREPRE SENTED ANY MATERIAL FACTS IN THE CASE, NO MAN CAN BE BETTER PLEASED THAN OURSELF TO BE IN FORMED OF OUR ERROR. WE DE SIRE TO KNOW ONLY TRUTH AL WAYS." That the attack was premeditated, and arrange ments made that there might be no failure, is ap parent from the remarks made a few days before Mr. G's death, bv a person who has not before been mentioned in this account, "that whoever should interfere when the attack was made WOULD CERTAINLY BE SHOT." Acting on the defensive from the first, Mr. G. continued in this position. On Thursday last, he had occasion to go to Norfolk on business de manding his attention. He consulted a friend in regard to the propriety or safety of going, who thought he could run no risk. It was on the eve of returning home that the sad event occurred, as we have already noticed. We have thus gone through with the history connected with this affair, omitting many import ant circumstances, which will be presented when the examination shall take place. We might have said more, we could not say less. It may perhaps be expected that we should say more, es pecially in view of the statements made in the Norfolk papers. But though incited to do so, we shall not yield to the impulse, especially as the unfortunate author of this lamentable affair is now awaiting a trial. What we have said, we have received from the mouths of witnesses and well attested circumstances. We would that we had the ability to pay a worthy tribute to the elevated character, and em inent talents of the lamented Gardner. The world has been blessed with few such men, and his death may well be regarded as a common calamity. Cast upon the world while a boy, without a friend to encourage, or a hand to sustain him. there wa3 an early development of his mental powers, and though at the period of his death, he was a young man, he had for several years ranked among the first writers in our country. As a poet, he has struck out some notes which have thrilled many hearts with emotions of inexpressible delight, and in remembrance of which many will. mourn that so sweet a harp has been so soon unstrung. As a prose writer, there was a giant power and rare freshness which gave interest and value to all that proceeded from his pen. As a man there were excellencies evinced by him which commanded the respect and warm attachment of all who knew him. Alas ! alas ! that such an one should so soon have fallen, and thus have fallen. He was worthy a better fate, and the. living will keep his name and character as dear to their souls. We doubt not that other hands will make a worthier record of this truly great man. The funeral of Mr. G. which took place on Saturday, presented a spectacle such as we have never before seen. Hundreds we believe we may say thousands joined in the ceremonies of the sad occasion. The services took place in the Baptist Church, and were appropriately perform ed by the Pastor, the Rev. Mr. Hume. The spa cious building was densely filled, while hundreds could not obtain admittance. As a tribute of re spect, the military turned out, assisting at the buri al with the usual honors. For Mrs. Gardner and her three children there has been the tenderest sympathy manifested by all. Subscriptions have been circulated in the two towns, and a large sum has already been contri buted for their benefit - PUBLIC MEETINGS. In consideration of the peculiar circumstances connected with the death of Melzar Gardner, Esq., and regret for the loss to the community of an estimable and talented man, the citizens of Portsmouth crowded to overflowing the Town Hall on Saturday night, April 1st, there to ex press their feelings in reference to his character while living, and sympathy for his bereaved fami ly on account of his death. The meeting was organized by calling Mr. William Morrill to the Chair and appointing John D. Cooper as Sec retary. After some feeling and appropriate re marks from the Chair, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted. Resolved, That a committee of seven be appoint ed to draft a preamble and resolutions expressive of their sympathies v for the widow of the deceas ed, and that said committee report on some future evening. Committee, Messrs. E. J. Kilgrove, S. J. Staples, Thomas D. Allen, Thomas John son, H. V. Niemeyer, John Foreman, and J. H. Porter and by resolution the Chairman and Sec retary were added to the committee. Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed who shall procure the services of a suitable per son to pronounce an Eulogy on the life and char acter of the deceased. Committee Wm. Holt, J. M. Miles, J. S. White, E. T. Blamire, and Robt, Scott. Resolved, That the Banner borne by the Work ing, men in the funeral procession of the deceased be deposited In he Chionicle Office until his re mains are removed as anticipated, when it shall ac company .thenV Resolved, That a committee of thirteen bo ap pointed to solicit contributions for the purpose of erecting a monument over the remains of Mel zar Gardner, wherever they may be carried. Committee, Lemuel Townsend, James E. Wilson, T. A. Morgan, Stephen James, John-Kirkpatrick, John Ivy, D. P. Daughtery, E. T. Blamire, George Murray, John Foreman, B. W. Palmer, Wm. Forbes, and James M. Binford, and by res olution, Dr. Arthur R. Smith and J. P. Reynolds were added to the committee. Resolved, That this meeting do now adjourn to meet again at this place on Monday evening April 3d. WILLIAM MORRILL, Chairman John D. Cooper, Secretary. Monday Evening, April 3. The meeting assembled agreeable to adjourn ment, Mr. Morrill in the Chair, when the com mittee appointed to draft a Preamble and Resolu tions made the following Report, which was unan imously adopted. Whereas many of the citizens of this Town through a knowledge of his talents, and zealous devotion to the interests of the producing class of our country, did invite and solicit Melzar Gard ner, Esq. to reside with us and to take upon him self the editorial management of a public newspa per. And whereas he was led to the discussion of a subject by an open, clear and unequivocal posi tion taken by a native born citizen of Virginia, and editor in an adjoining town, being struck with its merits and its justice, gave it a sincere support without advancing beyond the ground assumed by his cotemporary. And whereas by simply expressing his appro val of the measures of another, he has been as sailed by harsh and opprobious epithets, pursued and hunted by night and by day, and finally, met, assaulted, and slain. And whereas by a short residence among us of about six months, by his most social and upright deportment, he has won the admiration and esteem of all with whom he formed an acquaintance, and by his talents, dignified and manly course as edi tor, the respect and confidence of his numerous readers of all political parties; be it therefore Re solved, in Town meeting assembled : 1st. That we deeply deplore the unfortunate occurrence, that brought Melzar Gardner to his grave, and we sincerely desire, by the admin istration of justice, to clear this community from that guilt which must otherwise inevitably attach to it. 2d. That in his death society has lost a valua ble member, the State a citizen whose talents were an honor to it, the editorial corps a pattern wor thy of imitation, and the laboring man a power ful advocate and devoted friend. 3rd. That we sympathise with the disconsolate widow, far from home, without a relative to soothe the anguish of her heart and with his distant friends and relatives, and in testimony of respect for the deceased, we will wear crape on the left arm for three months. 4th. That a copy of these resolutions be com municated to the widow and relatives of the deceas ed. 5th. That a copy of the proceedings of this meeting be furnished the papers of this Town with the request that all the Editors in the United States be requested to . publish the same as an act of justice to the deceased. On motion, the preamble and resolutions above were unanimously adopted. On motion, the meeting aujournedto meet at the same place on Wednesday next at half-past seven o'clock. WILLIAM MORRILL, Chairm an. John D. Cooper, Secretary. Murdaugh, Esq. and himself, with the Commit tee appointed for that purpose, had waited upon the proper authorities in the Borough of Norfolk, and obtained a warrant for the arrest of Mr. Cooke, which had been placed in the hands of an officer, with the assurance that it should be execu ted immediately. On motion, the thanks of the meeting were ten dered to Messrs. Chandler and Murdaugh, and the Committee with whom they acted, for their promptness in carrying out the proposition of the meeting in their demand for justice. On motion, the meeting adjourned. ROBT. M. BAIN, Chairman. Saml. J. Staples, Secretary. - At a meeting of the Youth's Self-instructing Society, held April 4th, 1S43. On motion, The following committee, viz : Jos. W. Hobday, James A. Davis, John A. McLean, Wm. R. McLean and Mathew M. Dodd, were ap pointed to express their feelings relative to the murder of Melzar Gardner, Esq.' in behalf of the above Society. Pre AuifLtE. -The recent and much to be la mented death of Melzar Gardner, Esq. has caused much exciterhept in this community, and is calculated to arouse' feelings of the deepest re gret and sympathy in the mind of every individ ual. Society has not only lost its brightest orna ment, but the Workingman, one who came here when they were in the most depressing condition and threw himself inlhe foremost ranks, to de fend and support their rights. Yes he was "mur dered in defending their rights," and may the off spring ot every Workingman, first learn to lisp the name of the martyr. Be it Therefore Resolved, That we do most sincerely sympathize with the widow, for the loss of her affectionate husband, and with the orphans, who have been bereft of their indulgent father, at a time so unexpected, and when they most needed him. Resolved, That we shall ever remember Mr. Gardner as one of the most fearless advocates, in the Workingman's cause, that ever graced the public press, and that we will try to imitate him. Resolved, That we believe him to have been a man of a peaceable and amiable disposition, of an upright character, with philanthropic principles, and that he was endowed with the highest intel lectual faculties. Resolved, That Mr. Gardner was a man of such a cast that he was calculated to gain the esteem and respect of all who knew himt except those who have the form of human beings, but princi ples, appetites, and passions like those of mons ters. Resolved, That the above committee present a subscription list to all youths and others, friendly to the cause, for the purpose of aiding in the erec tion of a moument over the remains of the mar tyr, wherever they may be finally deposited. Resolved, That we deeply deplore the unex pected death of our valued and much esteemed friend Melzar Gardner. Resolved, That, in our opinion, the presiding Magistrate at the trial of the murderer, is not a suitable person to administer the laws of the Com monwealth, where riches come in contact with poverty and equal rights. Resolved, That each member of this Society, as a token of respect, wear crape on the feft arm for three months. Resolved, That the Chronicle and Southern Whig, and all other papers friendly, be requested to copy the above. JOHN WILSON, Vice President. Wm. M. Mahoney, Secretary. At a meeting of the citizens of Portsmouth, held at the Town Hall, on Sunday afternoon, Mr. Robert M. Bain was called to the Chair, and Mr. Samuel J. Staples appointed Secretary. Mr. Jos. M. Miles stated that the object of the meeting was to appoint a committee to wait on the authorities of Norfolk Borough, and request that a warrant be issued for the arrestof M. Cooke, jr. tor tne muraer or ivjr. uaraner. On motion of Mr. Miles, a committee ot five were appointed, viz; Dr. J. Sehoorfield, Jas. E. Wilson, H. V. Neimeyer, Wm. Portlock, and Stephen James. On motion, Resolved, That the Chairman and Secretary be added to said committee. On motion of Mr. W. Brown, Resolved, That said committee wait upon J. A. Chandler, Esq. and Jas. Murdaugh. Esq., and obtain their advice and aid. On motion of Mr. T. Johnston, it was Resolved, That the meeting fofrn in procession and visit the grave of Mr. Gardner. On motion of Mr. J. M. Miles, Resolved, That the committee appointed to wait on the authorities of Norfolk, be requested to attend to that duty forthwith, and report to this meeting at seven o' clock this evening. On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet again at 7 o'clock. Seven o'clock, P. M. The meeting met according to adjournment, when Mr. H. V. Niemeyer reported that the Committee had attended to the duty assigned them, and introduced to the meeting, John A. Chandler. Esq. who stated, in connection with a few very appropriate remarks which he offered, that James (Published at the requestor the Author.) SPIRITUAL DESTITUTION. To the Ministers and Members of the Churches in North Carolina. My Brethren: Knowing that to those, who love the Lord Jesus, any information concerning the spread of his Gospel will be interesting, I am disposed to submit to" your attention the following facts and considerations, connected with the distri bution of the Bible in this State. While engaged in soliciting donations to the A merican Bible Society from your congregations, several circumstances came to my knowledge which led me to suspect that the supply which took place several years ago was not entire, as is generally supposed. But these circumstances did not come unsought. At almost every place when I presented the claims of the Society, allusions were made to the effort which had, twelve years ago, given the word of God to every family in the State. The inference was that very few needed the Bible, and that in these days of pressure chari ty might stay at home for a while. Other circum stances made me believe that very many families were, at that very time, destitute of the Bible. 1 felt anxious to obtain some data from which a cal culation might be made of the pTobable lack of the scriptures in this State. The North Carolina Bible Society giving me permission to employ dis tributing agents, the counties of Wake and Orange were selected, in which it was intended to ascertain as nearly as possible, the number of families with out the word of God. Wake county, having within its bounds the seat of State government, which is the location of one of the largest book store's of the south, the res idence of a Bishop of one branch of the'ehurch, and of five regular ministers of the leading drno-j minations of the State, and having, as I have been informed, at least twenty ministers, preaching to its inhabitants, who do not reside in the town, we j might conclude that all the families of the county were possessors of the Holy Book. To be certain in this matter, the Rev. William J. Langdon un dertook to explore the county. He obtained from the Clerk's office, in Raleigh, the list of the heads of all the families, as in the census for 1840. More than 2,000 names were on the Register. He has examined the Eastern district, and of the 1047 families in that district, he found 399 without the bible. The whole county, at this rate, would contain 789 destitute families : more than one third of the whole number within its bounds. In an in teresting communication from Mr. Langdon, which is now before me, he says: "It is a general im pression that there are but few families without the Bible. I have found this to be the prevailing sen timent with ministers and members of every deno mination. A worthy brother of the Baptist Church (in Wake county,) stated that he did not believe there were more than two or three families desti tute of the Bible, in ten miles square. I furnished him with a list of the heads of families, and he reported 42 destitute in his own neighborhood." The families without the Bible were not too poor to purchase, or too recently formed to have fur , nished themselves. Mr. Langdon found one per son who is the father of eight children, and worth more than $10,000, who never had had a Bible! He found heads of families from 75 to 85 years of age without the word of God. In ' one instance, he visited a man upwards of fifty years of age, (professing to be a member of one of the religioas denominations,) whose children were married and formed in separate families, and neither father nor children owned a copy of the Holy Scriptures. Another person, professing attachment to the Church of christ, had no Bible, and refused to pur chase for his two sons, who were married ; one of whom belonged to the same denomination as his father, refused to take the Blessed Book into his house I These things, my brethren, were not dis covered in a land of heathenism, or in our own thinly settled Far West, but in the' capital county of the ancient State of North Carolina. It was likewise proposed to explore Orange county. If the influence of a University of long standing, of refined society in its central town, and of probably a score of ministers of the four leading denominations of Christians, (several of whom are teacners ot science, as well as preachers of the Gospel) would make a county secure in its posses sion of the Bible, there would' have been no need of a visitation in Orange. But being convinced that we had been mistaken in this matter, it was determined to explore this county. Irr the person oi tne ev. j. a. McManm we found an agent willing to undertake this honorable labor. His report up to this date shows 920 families visited, of which number 310 had no Bible! Yesterday there were six families on the road between Hills boro and Chapel Hill who had no Biblewithin the distance of 12 miles. Of the heads of these families some were aged persons, some nrofrssed to have belonged to a religious denomination for more than a quarter of a century. The Agent found persons who have not heard the Gospel for fifteen years, and others, who were more than twenty one years of age who never had heard a sermon! Many received the word of God with unconcealed surprise at the singular generosity which not only gave the poor the gospel "without money and without price," but actually sent the Holy . .Book to their houses. In no case was the gift refused : in two cases it was taken with some indications of "sourness of feeling," which the Agent thinks was "because they were ashamed to be found destitute." My brethren, we have too often said that none are destitute who would have the Bible, cs they nave great tacihties of purchasing. Are there any counties having greater facilities than' Orange and Wake ? None, probably. If then, mora than one third of the families in these counties are without the Bible, what may we suppose to be the aggregate destitution of North Carolina 1 Lt us take into the calculation the inland counties which lie near no thoroughfare, and these counties near er the coast, where we may suppose the access to books to be of very great difficulty. The lack of the Book of Truth in this State will arouse every right-minded Christian. - Shall our charity begin at home? Let her begin at home! and much will she have to do to give her household, bread before she go abroad. Well, what shall we do 1 Shall a man quietly recline on the cushions of case, while his brother is fainting and dying at the door ? The Lord of Mercy and of the Bible forbid 1 We must do something now! Let' all the pastors of chuiches in the State give to their people the facts with which our agents furnish them. Let them request all the christians in the congregation to explore their own neighborhood, and see whether there be not some without the Bible. Let a collection be taken up in the congregations to purchase the Sa cred Scriptures for the poor near them, and to as sist the State Bible Society in supplying the poor in other parts of the State. Let the people know that there is a depository of Holy Books at Raleigh where the attentive Agent, Jesse. Brown esq, is ready to sell Bibles, got up in different styles, at cost, and to give to those who have not money to offer in exchange for the word of God. Where are the County Auxiliaries ? Cannot one Chris tian be found in each county to arouse the dormant Societies, to look after the wants of their neigh borhood, who will go to every house and see wheth er any of his fellow citizens are starving spiritu ally ? Brethren, we have been walking and ri ding past houses for weeks and months where there is no copy of the word of God. Let us wake up to the matter, and not rest while there can be any possibility of a single famity not having the presence of the volume of Inspiration. Mv brethren, I know that the interesting nature of the facts I have stated will prevent you from thinking of the length of this letter, and of the lib erty taken m this appeal. CHARLES M. F. DEEM3. crossI onemo6 N. The Philadelphia 'Inquirer contains a letter from an officer in the U. S.. Army, dated Fort Leavenworth, Missouri, March 20, in which it is stated, on the 14th of February, at 3 A. M.. ' the moon which had been obscured by a cloud for some hours, burst forth of a deep blood-red color, with a black cross of equal proportions over tho face, extending beyond the rim ; while on the two sides small pieces of rainbow were visible. After continuing in this way for about an hour, the color of the moon changed to its ordinary hue, and the cross became a silvery white, with the edge ex lending beyond the rim, and touching the rain bows. It continued so for half an hour, and heavy clouds then intervening, obscured the moon, which set unseen. This phenomenon was seen by the hospital attendants, who were up at that hour, some of them very intelligent nun, by the guard and srntinels on post, and by several citizens of Weston, a little town live miles off. 1 he next morning the sun rose, accompanied by two sun dogs, as they are commonly called, nearly equal in brilliancy to the sun, and resembling two other suns. This latter scene was witnessed by numbers. In addition, for about two weeks past, every night at seven to eight o'clock, a bright streak of light has appeared in the heavens, coming from the west, and bearing about E- S. E., and resembling very much what is believed to be the tail of a comet. I have thought it my duty to state those things, even at the expense of being discredited, in the hope of eliciting a comparison of observations else- where." - More Persecution. McKinley, one of the most prominent in the Somcrs mutiny, has com- ' menced an action against Commander Mackenzie ' for false imprisonment damages laid at 810,000. Those repeated attempts to harrass a gallant offi-J cer, for the prompt discharge of a most painful but imperative duty, are most disgraceful,, and should cover the prompters, aiders and abettor, with iti- J .famy. - f. . if ! I ;
The Weekly Standard (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
April 19, 1843, edition 1
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