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irtt'en liflea ctt les will make 'a exjuare. . ,
Deductiona uxade i favor of staodii) mal
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IU&JENE B. DRAKE SON,
j ' ' Editors and Proprietors.
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1
OF THE PAPlR,
Vol. III.
$2 a Year, in Adrance.
Statesville, N. O., Friday, February 24, i860.
No. 12. ,
.. I -. t ' .!. ,' 11 , 1 f-r: 1 , r-r.;-r- r- -ir g, . .. ,. "T m .. . : .. ' , , 1 Li- , i . .a.i, I-
V
- '.
r
' t
.
1!
'I
I
i
Gone. I ir '
When tlie place of our abiding 1
Is known to earth no wore,
And the cold world harshly chidinz.
Shall repeat our story o'er
Far beyond their idle gnawing, " T
Far beyond their praiae or 8corra, - r
Reckins: not their blame or blessing
Oh, my love, we shall be gone.
"Wc thtll be gone, past night, pass day,
Over the hills and far away."
'When tfce friend whose lore hath crowned us
In the life we leave behind, . ' .
And were wont to gather round us
With (their welcomes warm and kind,
Still our! memory brightly keeping
For the ake of long ago,
Shall repair with tender weeping --,Tb
our gras?y pillow low,
"We Bhill be gone, pant night, pat day,
Over the hills and far away." j
They shjall ask with pitying wonder, 1
Iti thfir niingled love and pain,
"Shall tjie links death tore asunder
jjeveij re unite again ?
From the dark sen whither they drifted
r To a 4 i rri . mysterious shore,
Shall the shadows ne'er be lifted
Shall ithev coine to us n more?"
'WL: shall be gone, past hijghu past day,5
I ycr the hills and far away."
As the Arab in the desert, I
Folds his wanilering tent at morn
As the Indian in the forest
Dims his camp-fire and is trone
Js gonej
and leaves no traces
Save the ashes smouldering grav
So from onr honseliohl places
ye sjiall wander far awav ;
JWp shjall be gone, past night, past day,
O'er .the hills and far awjtv."
.' . . .. . . j. '
Far in the infinite spaces.
I'jast ihe broad sweep of the sun,
We'ehall turn our pilgrim faces
Wheile tlie new years are begun.
.As (he farjth grows dim ami dimmer,
Where the great Ilcreaftt
er lies
glimmer
Wc shall cat-h the golden
Of new stars in 'other ski
"We tlnall lie gone, past n'gh, pa.-t day,
ics :
Over the lulls and far aav.
The Oaks, Feb, If., 18G0.
Your; note, kind friends; was dulv received
juid you are entitled to uuiny thanks. Yon
knonr.itj is proverbial tbsijt gentlemen flatter
and; therefore I hesitate uife to credit all
your commendations ; but if it is indeed true,
thai mjj random shots at the follies of the
..day, arje as kindly taken as they are intend
ed, it -will cmlioldcn me try again. And
you tell me some curiosity is felt as to the
aut lorsliip of the "Lettirs." I sadly fear if
it were (known the intercut would case.
Shall ijsketch my Krtrait ? but no ; I will
e'en try to persuade myself that they wouW
bejeqiially acceptable, whether written, by
one voung and beautiful ;' or, as is alas! the
cat c, written by one neither very young nor
sat all beautiful. j
My saster says, '"I make a deal of fuss over
tuy visik to that loth oil Statt sc'tlle ; tho' Pa
says, that whatever, it m.iv Ik; now, it never
improceu ote s-ng'c bi Jur t etftf years. I tell
her 'to remember that she was detained at
home by irtdisk".sition. and that, perhaps 1
lil receive more attentioii, that my pretty
t-ister wtas not there to monopolize it. She is
younger and handsomer jthan I, indeed de
spite thus somewhat unatuiable speech she is
a little darling ; and her sifter dearly loves
. to s-ec the admiration she excites.
f. 1
Cousin Harrv is verv anxious forme to
make nl second visit to your town, and prom
ises to accomanv me at any time, You
know he was with usn feAv days, and walketl
; up witlji us the day we. visited the College.
He is a handsome boy of nineteen or twenty,
and nod easily daunted liiy ladies' eyes ; but
we saw so many bright faces at the windows,
jtjwas rather to much for his equanimity.
lie cleared his throat, took his cap off and
replaced it, and for thefirsttimc I remember
was thoroughly out of coiuiitcnance. Indeed
it is rather a formidable atterv to face. He
tf.-i
Jd mt on our return, that, from a curtained
ndow, he verv distinctly saw a lairv hand
C'i
t ;nd
i 1 1 j . i 1 . . 1 1
d, ami a nainty
hi a tiuiniY 1:2111101 1- mum
Ikerchicf
unfolded and waved at him
he said the odor
It was in vain I
of violrits filled all the air.
scohUvll him tor ms elan.lier, and aouseu mm
1 I - 1 .
for hisfvanitr, he averred he was not mista
ken, arid when I'still shook my bead "Well
Coz," he said,' drawing himself up to his full
heigh tj and pushing bak the hair from his
handsome brow, "it is not so very strange."
"Xp," I said, --'nor yet j very proper." He ,
Irtia often told the cireumjstanee since, tho' he
knows Sit provokes me ; jaiid tho' I remind
hi m tluathe did nc knov a laM there.
Xiglit, I have just remembered that this
is Valentine's day, and have been rummag
an old escretoire to finil some tokens that
,have not seen -the light for a longtime- It
6cems to me ,they meant more ia few years
.ago tl: an they do now, jand were not sent
, withoi t some real interest on the part of the
giver. The first claimejd only a smile, the
writer was a vain egotistical person, fully pos
sessed with the idea of being perfectly irres
t'le. To the next I gave a sigh his after
Jife A'yi n,ot fulfill the promise' of his youth,
je "Jiojbe up? flie -ihe when it was red,"
and fell he la ster's heart, and in
a! veryj short time grief and shame lowed his
i.a,ther 's noble form, and made his hair pre
maturely grey; Tomvlast - Valentine I gave
a tear- The writer was! cut off in his young
manhood, with all his glorious hope and as
mirations for this world unfulfilled, tW he
vas enabled to yield to thekill of Ood wid
"ut a inurmur. j.
How vividly my fanicy conjures up the
pcenea oflong ago how "all our sunshine
trow strangely dark," and chill, and cold I
Ji nrcda no hush of the pmvnt,
; I Tg call tack th rtill, ialqi, part,
TJhe eligbtort mmwr nsirmuring, 7
: 1 May be bord thro' th wintry bUit. '
It is perhaps oftenest in, a crowd, in scenes
apparently the least calculated to recall them,
that the, pasf rises inost! vividly before me!
4
Communication
My mother, oh my, mother! I may never
meet another love equal to thine, a care and
tenderness as cotistant and as pervailing-as
utterly unselfish. Life must henceforth be,
not for myowh ease or enjoyment, but ..for
the good of others; a warfare with the .real
and the present. O for a faith which more
distinctly realizes that the Cross must first be
borne, the Crown is only for those "who are
feiithful unto death." -.
' I Late as it is I hear the door bell ring, and
my maid lieckie brings me yourlitttle pack
age which cousin Hal has just brought front
the Post-Office. Many thanks to you and
the kind donor.'
' I have been wondering since Beckie left
the room, how much she and the rest of our
darkies know of the present aspect of affairs
Xorth and South. With what interest we
watch the papers; and how it chills the heart,
and checks its pulsations, when any one in
whose judgment we have confidence, predicts
the consequences likely to ensue from certain
courses ofpolicy. Our -sunny land may be
desolated, its fruitful fields laid waste ; but
woe. woe unto those whose mad fanaticism
will have brought it.about. Surely, surely,
it were better that a-mill-stone were hanged
about their necks and they were cast into the
depths of the sea. The time may come, (I
trust it is not yet when patience and forbear
ance may cease to be virtues, but woe unto
those men by, whom "the offense cometh.
Then will our boasted and glorious Republic
be a by-word and a mocking to the nations
of the Old World.
But I must not indulge this train of thought.
Let 11s trust that, a wise and merciful Provi
dence will vet bring order out of confusion
and, that our United Country has yet a high
mission to fulfil in the history of the world.
For the present Farewell. :;
Mrv L- .
P. S. Beckie has just been back again,
and after a good deal of hesitation, putting
her thimble on and taking it off half a dozen
times, and' twisting' the corner of her apron
completely up, she took from her pocket a
Valentine she had received this morning.
"Its from Bill, Miss Mary, Mas Harry's wait
in. boy; and I want you please to read it'.'
Of course I complied. It was addressed "To
Miss Iteleccie L." and contained a number
of little devices, to each of which a verse was
Appended. Beneath a painted ring was writ
t, ' lloun.l is til ling which ban noonj.
) So is iy lore. .r yon my frieiul."
Beneath a pair of hearts pierced by an ini-
inense spear was,
. , "If you lore I, as I loves you,
Xo kiiffe dhall rut our lov-g in two."
But the rem of the collection was the follow
ing ;
She's a Ciir as a lilly.
And ml a a roec,
' Slio lia.i teotli like to pearl.
And t beautiful nose.
My fair maid will doubtless dream to-night,
of rings, and hearts, and Cupid's darts
Pleasant dreams to you likewise, Messrs.
Editors.
From tlte North Carolina ITnivenuty Mstgnziw.
A Biographical Sketch of the Late
James C. Dobbin- '-'
BY JAMKS BANKS, ESQ.
The late Hon. James t. jouuin,
the ehlcst child of John M. and Ahness
C. Bobbiri, was born in Fayetteyille,
North Carolina, in the year 1814, and
was called after his maternal grand-
father, James Cochrane, who repre
sented the Orange District in Con
gress, during, the war of 1812.
His father, John M. Dobbin, was a
merchant in Fayetteville for a period
ofthirty years, and died in 1837 deep
ly lamented.
At an early age James C. Dobbin
was sent to school in his native town,
where he rapidly acquired the rudi
merits of a classical education. He
was afterwards sent to the school o
MrJ Wm. J. Bingham, in Ilillsbbro'
by whom he was prepared for College
In 1828 he entered the Freshman Class
of the University of North Carolina.
"VVhile at the University he was dis
tinguished. for ai prompt and faithful
discharge of every duty imposed upon
him, as also for a ready and cheertu
observance of all the rules and rcgu
lations of the institution.
Though much the youngest member
of his class,-he, during his whole col
legiate course, was among the foremost
in that honorable field, bf rivalry, and
graduated with high , distinction in
loos, in tne same eiass witn-iion.
Thomas L. Clingman, John H. Haugh
tori, Thomas S. Ashe, and other, now
distinguished, gentlemen.
Mr. Dobbin, while at College, was
anluniversal favorite with the students
and faculty, and his amiable charac
ter and gentlemanly deportment so
won upon the affections of the, venera
ble! President, Dr. Caldwell, -that he
hai been heard to say in the bosom of
his1 family, 'it would gladden his heart
to he the father of such a son as James
CJ Dohbin.
Mr.' Dobbin commenced the. study
of the laW in the office of the Hon.
Robert Strange, at that4 time ontr of
the Judges of the Superior Court of
North Carolina, and under his guid
ance devoted two and one half years
tri th maMttnt of that I science which
has been denominated the perfection
of reason.
During a portion of the time" that
Mr. D. read law with Judge Strange
lie was an inmate of his house, and mem
ber of his familyi and thus possessed
the advantajre of the Judge a oral m
struction, and also laid the foundation
of that reciprocal esteem and affection
gt)i5cclrancoii5.
whichever remained .firm and . unalter
able, and made them fond companions
and bosom friends during life 11 "
kMr. Dobbin Was called to ' the bar
in 1835, and haying' talc en an office in
Fayetteville, he devoted himself assid
uously to the strict jand. energetic pur
suit of his profession. Whether cli
ents called or not lie M as, during bu
siness hours, always in his "office, and
ths remarkable regularity was in some
measure the foundation of his profes
sional success.
. He did not, as too many young law
yers uo, select a large cireuit in the
outset, but wisely husbanded his time
and energies for a faithful discharge
of chamber practice, and in attendance
upon the the County and Superior
Courts of Cumberland, Sampson and
Robeson. His theory was, 'let a man
build up a reputation at home let it
radiate and precede him rather than
that he should precede it. Uy acting
upon this theory, every extension ofl
i-circuit more resembled a triumph
tlmn an effort to success.
The first capital case in which he
appeared was where a negro was in-
licted in the Superior Court of Cum
berland, in 1837, for the killing of an
other negro. He had the honor to be
associated in the defence with the lion.
lohert Strange who had just been e-
ectcd to the Senate of the United
Sfrates, and had resigned his seat up
on the Bench. In the management of
the case Mr. Dobbin displayed great
ingenuity, and in his arguments to the
ury gave eviuenQe of. those peculiar
talents that afterwards ranked him a-
mong the most successful criminal, ad
vocates in North Carolina.
We know of no lawyer's history so
couraging and instructive to the
young members of the profession than
that of Mr. Dobbin. No accidental
circumstance occurred by which he seiz
ed on fame by a single effort. No one
case can be cited as that which made
the man. His practice and reputation
daily increased bv his faithful dis
charge of duty. 'He was content to
labor and. to wait,' and not ashamed
to learn from Tooiner, Eccles, Strange
iind IlenrV', who were the leaders of
the Fayetteville bar. at that time, but
with whom he was so shortlv to con
tend.
lie was frequently desired to repre
sent his native county, Cumberland,
in the State Legislature, but this he
invariably declined, alleging that he
was happy and contented in the dis
charge of his professional duties, and
experienced more real joy in the bo
som of his family than he could ever
expect from the excitement ol politi
cal life.
In the year 1845, he was nominated
by the Democratic party as a candi
date to represent them in Congress
c it. iv:v. Tvri.. i rru
iroiii ine Jtiueiiin 1'isn jci. j.ims nom
ination was unsolicited and unexpect
ed.. Considering his youth, his pre
viously retired life, the District and
the able men who therein resided, it
was an extremelyflattering testimoni
al of that high; esteem in which he was
held, and after some hesitation he ac
cepted the nomination and entered up-
iOh the campaign.
His competitor was his old class
mate, John II. Ilaughton, EsqM an
able and talented Whig. Mr. Dobbin
was elected by a majority of two thou-
sana votes, though in . the previous
campaign his democratic predecessor
had beaten his whig rival only about
three hundred votes.
At the commencement of the Twenty-Ninth
Congress Mr. Dobbin was
present and had the honor to be plac
ed upon the Committee of Contested
Elections, and took an active part in
all their deliberations and reports.
In the contested election from Flori
da,Jbetween Cabell and Breckenbrough
Mr. Dobbin was of opinion that Cabell
was not entitled to his seat, and so
voted.
In the New Jersey contested elec
tion between Runk and Farlee, he was
chairman, of . the majority committee,
and submitted their report. In this
case he was active and zealous, and
labored to have the matter "determin
ed at an early day. For, having sat
isfied himself that nineteen of the stu
dents at the College of New Jersey
had a right to vote, he was anxious
tnat justice snouiu oe none, ana tnat
by. declaring that Farlee, democrat,
was not entitled to his seat but, that
Runk, the whig member, was. A ma
jority of the House finally sustained
ms views, oi mis case.
Unon the Oregon Question, Mr
Dobbin spoke. He thought the time
for 'masterly inactivity had passed,
and that a notice to terminate the ioint
tenancy should be served 'Upon Great
iiritam.
On the. Public Xand Bill, then be-
tore congress, Jiet aeuverea an aoi
ana eloquent . speeciu. lie rose aoove
party trammela and said, "I am oppos
ri to the policy ; of ee&inq. Xhtsp lands
fo the State$ in whieh they tie ; that
neither justice or any other considera
tion rcquirod itand appealed to gen
tlemen to strike that feature, from the
bill "'-
JIn this speech he advocated the re
peal of the tariff of 1842, and after an
elaborate argument' intended to show
tnat it taxea every oiner. urauca oi
industry for the sole purpose ' for en-
ricmng ine manuiaciuTer,- ne proceea-
ed to enforce hispositlons by reference
to the conduct of England, in the' fol
lowing beautiful and characteristic remarks:'-
I' -.'! ': '1'
"Jr. Chairman .'-It has fallen to
our lot to become actors on the thea
tre Of public life at a. most remarka
ble era. in the history of the world.
The human mind eyincing its mighty
and. mysterious capabilities is achiev
ing triumphs at ones wonderful and
sublime : . The elements of nature are
playthings for it to sport with. Earth,
ocean, air, lightning yield subservient
in the hands of genius to minister to
the wants,- the purposes, the pleasures
of man. Science is 'fast developing
to the meanest 'capacities, the hidden
secrets of nature, hitherto unexplored
in the researches of philosophy. Ed
ucation is exerting. is mild and refin
ing influence, to elevate and bless the
people. The control of electricity is
astonishing the world. The power of
steam is ; annihilating distance, and
making cities and towns and strangers
at once neighbors and friends. Amid
these mighty movements in the fields
of. science, literature and philosophy
the liberal spirit of free government,
in its steady and onward progress, is
beginning to accomplish much for the
amelioration of the condition of the
human family, so long the hope of the
statesman and philanthropist.. The
illiberal maxims of bad eovernment.
too long supported for false reverence
for their antiquity, are beginning to
give place to enlightened suggestions
of experience. England, the birth
place, is proposing to become the grave
oi commercial restriction, in that
land, whose political doctrines are so
often the theme of our denunciation
and satire, with all the artillery of
landed aristocracy, associated wealth,
and party vindictiveness levelled at
him, there has appeared a learned,' a
leading Premier, Sir Robert Peel, who,
blending in his character much of the
philanthropy of Burke, the bold and
matchless eloquence of Chatham, and
the patriotism of Hampdeny has had
the. moral courage and magnanimity
,to proclaim that lie can no longer re
sist the convictions of experience and
observation, and that the system of
commercial restriction and high pro
tection is wrong,- oppressive and should
be abandoned. Already, sirr. has
much been done already has the
British tariff, so long pleaded as the
excuse for ours, been radically reform
ed and in obedience to the persevering
demand of an outraged people, we hope
that the next gale that crosses the
Atlantic will come laden with the
tidings of a still greater triumph in
the repeal of the corn laws, so oppres
sive to Englishmen, and injurious to
Americans. .
"And shall we not reciprocate this
liberal spirit? Shall republican Amer
ica, so boastful of her greatness and
freedom, be outstripped io her career
in this cause of human rights by mon
archical England ? No sir, I do not,
cannot, and will not believe it. I have
an abiding, unshaken, faith in the ul
timate triumph of so righteous a cause.
"Mr. Chairman, 'we i may surpass the
nations of the earth in science, in arms
and in arts ; the genius of our people
may attract the admiration of mankind
may cause 'beauty and symmetry
to live on canvas' may almost make
he marble from the quarry to 'breathe
and speak' may charm the world with
elecant attainments in poetry and
rning, but much, very much; will l:
be unaccomplished ; the beauty of our
political escutcheon will still be marr
ed, while Commerce is trammeled, and-
Agriculture and trade depressed by
bad legislation. '
At the close of the session he; re
turned to Fayetteville, and prosecuted
ns legal pursuits with energy and
zeal. - '
On the meeting of Congress he was
again in attendance, and on the "Three
Million Bill" he delivered an admira-"
ble speech, which in its range embrac
ed the"Mexican War" "Wilmot Pr(H
visoj, and "Extension of blave Terri
tory," that attracted the attention of
the whole country and gave rank to
Air. Dobbin among the ablest deba
ters in Congress. This speech, which
was much praised at the time as an a-
ble and thorough vindication ot bouth
ern rights upon constitutional grounds,
was published in full in the Congres
sional Globe, and to this the reader
is referred for specimens of his power
of argument, as well as for his grace
ful and peculiar charm ot elocution. f
Ha ving served out the term for which
he was elected, Mry Dobbin declined
to be a candidate again, and betook
himself closely to his profession. His
efforts m Congress gave very general
satisfaction to his friends and to his
constituents, and once more at the bar
he added to his former success.
ln'the legislature of North. Caroli
na for the session of 18480, Mr.Dob
bmJoccupied'a'deerTedly higb posi-
tidn. He was placed npon the judi
ciary committee, 'and took a prominent
part in; all its licrtitioiasJ g 'i t V
At this session 'tKe philanthropist,
Miss '-Pbc, memorUliz;efibre .Legisla
ture to erect an Asylum for the Insane.
The memorial was reTerred to a select
committee, .ohjer JpEn ; EJlis
(now; Governor J oS&ojh 4 froIina,)
was chairman,, and through him a bill
was reported, iavorable to the prayer
of thejnemoriallstt . In the mean tunc
GpTerAor JS lof thej
Bench, and having resigned his seat
in the Legislature, thee Hon: Keneth
Rayner moved that .the bill introduced
by Mr. Ellis be taken up, and that
one hundred thousand dollarsv be ap
propriated to. its erection. This mo
tion Mr. Rayner advocated in a speech
of great power, eloquence and beauty,
but it was negatived by - vote, ayes
44, noes 66, under circumstances which
induced the belief that the bill could
not pass.
The amiable and beloved wife of Mr.
Dobbin had, a day or two before Mr.
Rayner spoke, been committed to her
mother earth, and he was not in atten- j
dance upon; the house. Miss Dix,
anxious for the fate of the bill and
having confidence in Mr. Dobbin's in
fluence and pow,er before "the Legisla
ture, had Jam waited upon, and remind
ed of his wife's request that he would
advocate and support the. measure.
I he appeal could not be withstood, and
he promised to try on the coming day.
hen the House met Mr Dobbin
was present.; " The bill had been re
considered, and was then pending" on
a motion to appropriate 25,000. Mr.
Dobbin proposed a substitute and sug
gested a plan by which, in four years,
the State could raise 85,000, and in
advocating this measure he delivered,,
in the language of the Maleigh Regis
ter, "one of the most touchingly beau
tiful efforts," ever heard in the Legis
lature of the State. The bill was pass
ed almost unanimously. . .
While Ave refrain from eulogy, (be
cause of biography,) let us say that
this, if no other effort, should place
Mr. Dobbin n the hearts of all good
men, as one who appreciated intellect,
and felt deeply for those who by mis
fortune, accident, chance, or other
wise had lost it. "lie prizes life, who
knows its value he prizes intellect,
who from experience and the workings
of intellect, has made its power known.'
These were truisms with Mr. Dobbin.
The best monument for any man is that
which commemorates his good deeds.
The 'Dix Asylum' is Mr. Dobbin's
monument! That, if nothing else,
shows him to be the patriot and phi
lanthropist.
He Was a delegate to the Baltimore
Convention, in 1852 was the leader
of the North Carolina delegation, and
after, the nomination of Mr. Buchanan
had been given up . as beyond hope, he
made a most gallant effort in behalf
of .General Pierce, which was followed
soon by the adoption as the choice of
all the contending parties in this body,
He was elected to the Legislature
in that year for the, last time was
nominated hy the Democratic party,
in caucus, for the United States Sen
ate, but not receiving two votes in open
session,, from Democratic members,
his friends had not the numerical force
to elect him, and the State" from that
time until 1854 was represented in
the Senate bv the Hon. George E.
Badger. .
In the year 1852, Mr. Dobbin was
khe State Elector of the Democratic
party and attended several meetings
to address the? people. After the elec
tion, he received an invitation from
General Pierce to become a member
of his Cabinet, and after the maigu
ration on the fourth of March, 1853,
he was chosen bv the President for
the Navy Department. From that
time forward f to the incoming of Mr.
Buchanan, the history of Mr. Dobbin,
as a ptiblic man, is the history of the
Navv itself. 1 How he bore himself
'in his great office,' is spoken tmmpet
tongued throughout the landl, " Of his
energy, his readiness, his decision, his
incorruptible: integrity, his influence,
his administrative capacity, his
sug-
gestiveness of mind, his unrivalled sue
cessl there are witnesses on sea and
land.
None Was 'ever more beloved than
he, whether jlie sat in office disposing
or-withholding patronage, or in the do
mestic and social circle, joyously par
ticipatmg in the pleasures of life. He
was firm in his purposes, decided in
all his convictions of duty, and exact
in execution, however pamiul; ye
those who may have fallen under the
condemnation of his judgement or his
official policy are ready to acknowl
edge that he was upright in all his
aims not 'set down aught m malice.
Broken in health, he retired from
public service with President Pierce
came home to receive the joyous wel
come of the State to be fanned once
more by the! breezes that he loved to
repose for a time in the sacred retire-!
ment of his own chamber, and there
to die? ' 'I ' ' 1 " '
Translated from tbc " reach.
An Overruling Providence-
Father Beauregard had just preach
ed in one of the churches of the capital
his beautiful sermon upon Providence,
whiciUke all his other sermons, had
drawn ' together a considerable crowd
of auditors.! Upon returning home,
he had just disrobed himself; in order
to rest after jhis extreme fatigue, wben
rest axwrinis ff?7
stranger Wa8;announced desirous to
a
seehiuv 4 ?Ttking time pnlj to change
his aress,t,nei at once, presentea . nimseii
to the unknown visitor, whose manners
and appearance denoted him: to be an
artisans 'vh: - -- C
? What do you wish? sir? - said the
venerable preacher. ,'1! jL-.-i
To speak with? you W moment, re
plied Ithe sttanger in 1 a' manner so agi
tateu as ai once 10 arrrsi uw all;u.lLMLI.,1 llJ i'"To - v
of Father Beauregard. ;V-.
f-ic n-nlinfrlt' r f c?TT. fho nrrnihV'
l am ready to listen. Sit down
... 'I have just heard your sermon, sakl-
uiu ariisau. ; .
'Well, I am gh4 of it, for J, havej
said some thinga which shbutd not he
lost upon either ofi us.' ' , .Jjl
. 'Oh! sir, you have certainly spoken
beautifully. Nobp&y could have jdonoJ
Detter- lou nave extolled the bene
fits of an overruling Providence.' Buti
sir, I do not believe in Providence.
There is no Providence for me. Wait
a minute, and judge for yourself, ram
a carpenter by trade. I have a wife
and three children. -We are honest
working people vho never wrongedltatin,; fa It would seem surpfi
any one, inquire s about,. me in my
neighborhood, and everybody will ter
you that N. is an bonest man, getting.
I - I'-"' .1 ' . H I Bi '.
nis living Dy tne jsweat oi ms orowt;
hat he pays his debts; that he doeS,farrn!: that oneo vielded' bountifully
not drink; that he does not play ; an3
that he takes good care of his family j
x can easily Deneve an tins, myi
! 1 1 " iJ 1.-1 T-i1 T) . 1
neiiu, ,, liuerrupien xainer jeaui-
gard, much touched by the heartfelt
words of his visitor- 'but to what dogs
all this leadi and1 What connection is
there between these details and your
unbelief in Providence?" -;-!
" Youshall hear: yon see before you,
a man resolved to throw himself into
the river ?" ! . ' ,
" Good heavens !" cried Father
Beauregard, justly jalarmed at this ac'-i
knowledgement. f 'God preserve you
rom such a fatal $tep ! You not odh!
y kill th'e body, btult you peril th saM!
vation ot your own soul. What has:
given rise to such a jdpeadful thought?"
r i ! J . 1
"Sir, a nave lust met witn a neavy.
oss by the failure of a debtor. I have
iabilities which become due on th&
30th of this month, and I cannot meet"
them. It will be the first time my sigf ;
nature has been dishonored, and I cans'
not bear the idea bf this disgrace. It
is after having in jvain solicited assis
tance from my friends who would be
glad to help me if! they could, that I'
determined to drown myselt. . .' .
" But, my friend, what will become -
of your wifej who loves you, your ehil-f
dren who need you, if you drown your-:
self?" " The poor man's tear$answefe"d;
to these interrogatories, but he. replied,
after a moment's pause, "When I rm
dead the world will take pity on them
cannot live to sete them bear the bur
den of my shame. 1?
" How was it then, with such 4
frightful plan as this in contemplation;
you came to hear me preach ?" f
"It was only bf chance, sir; 1 hacf
no intention of doih? so. - I was in thcl
neichborhood of' the church and no
ticed the crowd entering mechanicals
ly, as it were", I went in with the resj;f
1 asked whq was going to preachy they;
told me a celebrated priest. Pre
mained and 5 heard you through f all
you said was very good, very fine, but
1 was still m the dark ; 1 could see no"
Providence for'inel!" "'
' What, to hearlmy sermon, to come?
and see me,' to confide in me, and yefc
11 , 1 " i : . t . : i -
in an tnis you ao noi recognize a rro
videncc?" - 'j .iC1
For a moment the man was silent;
and then replied : ! ..
"It is strange,! sir, very strange,
still I see no way for me to pay. my.
debts."
During this interview the heart 'of
the good priest wa$ deeply movea ; ije
had heard the unhappy man's story
whose manners andlanguage sufficientv
ly attested his veracity. Without turf
ther investigation fye resolved at onc
10 act m ms ueimii. .
Listen, my friend' said he to him?
I believe you to be an honest man;
unfortunate through the agency 'of
others, and I wish I 'eould help you ,ou
of your trouble. How much money
will cover your debits ? I am not rich
still I can contribute-something "tb
wards making up Itljie sum.
'Oh! sir, you are too good ! Les
than three thousand francs will, suffice"
me.
Father Beauregard rose, opened Jus
secretary, and taking therefrom a huhf
dred louis, returned to the poor:ar'ti
san, and said: " My friend, here ar
a hundred louis. I should not hav
been able tohaveklpne this myseTf; bu
a few days since the princess Clotilda
after haring ; heard ine preach on chariS;;
ty, sent me a largo sum 01 moneys
begging me to use ', tt for the benefit of?.
the untortunate, land to dtstnbute w
to any whom I shptkld jdgeworthy .scrtjJ the tricl euiiianiou of his bosom
assistance. It has already done nW fer sorac iairer ami deceitful coquet,
good softened the ills of many ; Mionc wJli win no longer be available,
my friend, your-v,Sit here, at ttoyi haye t0 t entirVnew.
cnticalguncture ptj ana rs, is
view, a stream of light upon the .waj
of God to man. j lake this money,
pay your debts, and belijeve in an over
ruling Providence." j " - .
Full of surprise, and j overwhelming
trratitude, the poor carpenter fell' on
his knees at tlie fet of the good fath-?
er ; he could not . speak a, woruV
raismg.his streaming. eyes. to, leavcii
in a language m0re powerful - than
wd5 expressedlhd joi' of bis delih
; " - , M 1 "
Bnoreeuri Froac Jesuit jincWr, Av&rA ia.
GmoMnj la 180t. !' J ' i-
.-, , . .;Tjjf-
If yoa fall into misfortune, diseuv
gage yourself as well as you : caii!.
Creep through: 5 bushes that have
ihe fewest briarsi "" '
;,-Some people use one-half, theiR ia
genuiiy tdget int debt, and theoth
At
The Fxhaustion of the SoiL I
The idea extensively prevails (says
th
ew lUrleans Bulletin,! among
those" who are not in the habit of think
ing closeljf upon any subject, that jthe
soil is inexhausible ; that they'iaay
continue to dfaw Vfrom- it crdjp 'ker
crop in perpetuity, and it will still con-.-tmue
1 to yield" the precious products
tnat clothe and "support .man, Xet
every farmer knows by experience,'
whenever lie does think of it -'that this .
is far from being the facL He , can
call to mind many an "old field," even
jn this- new country, that is already
f'Worn out
as the phrase goes, and
vVi?h trill jrt rf-n'xxr for ihft lnhrtl ff
4ng that in the United States, millions
of acres'of j whoso virgin sou have never
been disturbed by the share of jthe
plowman, there should already appear
which have become utterly exhausted,-,
and , are in consequence worthless.
Yet such U the fact. The quantity of
land that has been robbed of a portion
of its elements, and thereby beenmidC
useless, is greater than many psripto
are awar? of. Sucb lands exist in al
most every State in 'the Union, buV
more especially in the South. InY-.
ginia, tlie Carolinas and Georgia, there '
arc great quantities of Vueh worn out
lands, and they may be found even in
the new and rich States of Alabama,'
Mississippi and Louisiana. There are
"old fields," within :ight of tho Mis-;
sissippi river, of which the planter and
his1 family and hanlls have taken leave,
gone to find new lands and rich lands,
io be subjected in turn to a -like pro
cess of depletion and exhaustion.! iin
many ot the fetates, tne routnern
States included, the lands yet tilled
in many places yield diminished crops,.
and every year witnesses a smaller re
turn for the labor spent upon them.
The evil is becoming one of great mag
nitude, and already is extensively pre
valent. It is beginning trj excite at
tention, Ave might say alarm, in many
querters, and very justly; for if -tho.
Jsame evil process of taking from (the
soil and returning nothing to it,,which
has hitherto prevailed almost univer
sally throughout the South and Yest,
and to a considerable extent through-1
out the whole country, should continue
unabated for a few years longer, a
large proportion of the soil at present
in cultivation would become exhaus
ted and refuse to yield its income I
It appears by the census returns
that the wheat lands of Alabama, as
well as of other States, have become
impoverished to such , an ex tent that
the vield per acre has already greatly
diminished. The same thing - is true
of other kinds of crops inmanyof the
State's of the Union. -The same truth
will hold good in reference to cotton
and tobacco lands, and the time has
fully come when public attention
should be every where , directed to-
w,ards the growing evil. The South
,is a peculiarly agricultural regional and
she is therefor peculiarly interested
in this subject. Yet hitherto "it; has
never, so to speak, been ' thought of.
W hen. the . fields have given out, as
they have not unfrenuently done, in
many quarters and in. various, if rrtt
all ot the pouthern States, what has
been thepractical consequence? Did
tlie owners ever tninK ot repicnisning
them by artificial means ? Not at all.
They went" to Texas ! Or if not to
Texas, they'moved where the lands
were "rich. Tho old helds, like a
traveler robbed of all his plunder,"
were left to take care of themselves,
and they Invited the weeds and briars
to come and cover from mortal gaze
-the cruel spoliations to which they had
been so remorselessly subjected I
It must be evident even to the su
perficial observer that this exhausting
process 'cannot . -.go on ,forever. j The
" rich Jands," will all.be taken up af
ter a while, and what is worse, they
will In their turn become, poor. ; And
then whaf 2 . The tides of population ,
have already overflowed the nibun
taius,jind joined hi the, lullaby which
the placid Pacific sings to the . setting
sun.. Thenceforward, they must flow
back with an ever increasing Impetus.
f The. new States will .soon be peopled
an
d the nch lands taken up. , lho.
people of the: " old States" will there
fore find the old custom of robbing
1 their lands and running away ifrom ,
policy. They will hare toinaugui
igurate
the policy of compensation; .that is, of
returning to, , the -soil the elemcnU
which are. indispensable to the produc
tion of the crops whieir they require.
The phllbsophy of old and worn oMi
fields is very, simple and easily undeisr
j?isltbod ji. vegetable production sijcU
i I ai corn or cotton, requires certain ce
. thcir pWth.
These elements exist m tbe od
limited quantities, and when they havo
been exhausted by constant repetition
rofycrops,j without, any return atttn
elements in question, tne sou 01 courso
gives out, and .crops fail because! their
elements arc no longer found in it. In
order lo restore to f&rtility, these
elementsrmust be brought back in ?a
.rious kinds of fertilizers, such as hones,
guano, the offal and sewerage of cities,
allies, st aide manure, t tc, ec, Tho
t -
4
A,
-'I-