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WILMINGTON, FRIDA, JANUARY 17, 1851;
NO. 21.
Iadvertisements,
lited
Extent, will be msrrteu in
the Weekly
Ten an advertisement exceed ten lines, the price will
-AllSdSsemcnts are payable at the time of their
TAII ad vertisemenu inserted in the Weekly
clZnercUd are entitled to one insertion in the Tri
.ctkiy, free of charge. , ' - -r "
CURLADDKESSofGoUEI
delivered before the two Houses of the Ge
neral Assembly of North Carolina, the 1st
y tlay of January, 1851.
Senators and Members of the
. , - House of Commons :
iii)prc3c4 with a deep sensed gratitude
io iny fellow citizens. I cuter upon the duties
, ijf the station to which their kind partiality
has called riie, with the earnest invocation to
Atmighiy God so todirect rny ofiicial conduct
'as tsliToniote tlie welfare, the prosperity, and
jhe-hunpmcss of the people of the State.
The duties of the Executive, at all times
ileiuiate nud responsible. are magnified by
ihc importance of the cri.sls; and 1 should ap
pro.ich the fearful task assigned 'me' with
(rreafer rehictance. yere it not for 'he. fact
That I find myself surrounded by the Legis
lative authority of the State, confided to
gentlemen Whose wisdom und patriotism, 1
daubt not, will be found equal to" 'tlie enipr-
r The misguided fanaticism of Abolftionists
at the Nbrih threatens the overthrow ot the,
Constitution and a dissolution-of the' Unjon.
i:oa nr lss. mane a i-uum c.
Tlie, blavery question is one ol momentous
importance to the Southern States of the Con-
lederacy, involving an incalculable amount
of property, as well as the domestic -peace
and security of our people. In the formation
the federal Constitution the institution o(
Slavery was recognizeu una provideu lor in
a minirier ' just and satisfactory ' to'a a) the
States. Subsequently, this question deeply
agitated the eou nl ry, and the South made
concessions to the Worth and submitted to the
Missouri compromise, with -the assurance and
iXjM'ctaiioii that this exciting element of po
istii ii slrile was to e tofever put to rest.
Alfor availing herself of all the advantage
derived under that compromise, the North
ured exorbitant demands which led to the
eaucuuent of ihe scries ol compromise mea
surcs passed by ihe present Congress, by
.winch the boutii lost important rights by
ag.vnr inalUng concessions to the INorth. Ihe
North, havingavailed herself ol all the ad
vantages Under this compromise'.' does not
cense to agitate the subject; and' how threat
t us to repeal tlie only one ol the measures
wliir.h enured to the benefit ol the South,
aiTotnpauieu,. in many instances, by violent
ihiiiits to disregard the Constitution and tKe
!avv5. and to forcibly resist their execution,
We have not been indifferent to the en-
croitchmchts that have been 1 made on our
rilits. yet We have, patiently, suffered ; them
wan tne nope tney would not. De again re
newed. We now have iust cause. Jo fear
that this hope was illusive. North Carolina
.one. of the last States to enter' the Confede
racy, yields to none of her sisters in ardent
attathment id jthe Union. She would regard
its dissolution as an awful calamity, which
ie would avoid at any sacrifice-, consistent
tviih her rights and her safety. She came
into the Union to be governed by the federal
onsuunion, and to secure hersell against
Ayranny and oppression: and. so lonr as the
Constitution is faithfully adhered, tb and her
ryhts respected, she will be among the last
".uiu ouues to ueseri me union, jjui sne
.never gave her consent to enter into a Union
which would overthrow the Constitution, vio
late her dearest rights, and manacle her with
ihe fetters of oppression To such a Union
she owes no allegiance. A solemn sense of
public duty impels me to declare, that the
encroachments of the North on the domestic
uimiunons ty the South, hare already pro
ceeded to the farthest allowable'' point Eti-
cnaining tins opinion. 1 regard it'A'B.fliie fo
candor that We should maktt thai fcir.t Itnnron
Jhatour brethren at the North mnv ho t.iUv
informed 'that ; wp
knovvins, dare maintain thm'?" n'nH ' that W
, w w -' j -fmav
wey proceed in their ajgressions, thev must
expect, to meet the consequences.
; hi view ot all the circumstances, I respect
ollyi recommend to the General Assemhlv
to provide in the event of a coniinencv ari-
&nS tO lUStilV it i:r tsAin.r tho orooo
steps to maintain the Constitution of the Uni-
ted btatea ami tl c .i,:, cja.
C mayj co-onerate with snr.h otlier Stntesns
yterhiiiie to stand by the Union gov
erned by the. Comnrnmi5 fth flnnstitn-
tlOO,. Purshintr thia Muirco n-a ehtill I "owl o
'Ul and h iiiof IfloI In iKalillmatinn nfoll
"Bpa-thiJ minds; und iheii, ihhe tawful ca-
--jr uiust come which God forbid J let
"e Consequences fMU 'iinnn thn ivhnsp. mnd-
Eessaod fullv haw nrnLoA it
A"at the rights' nft!r Simp's mar hp.-rp.
5cteil, the Constitution preserved, and the
DitM o 10 me constitution, perpei
tur ray ardei't wish ; and the ' -Legislate
lhe PP1 of the tate may rely
p n my hearty co-operation la such mcas-
, . j cu io vue consummation oi
"'WE Q
e durable objects.
Oiipi "ijr vi wiiiwucrauoo wneiuer
-j - ou"uiuus in ictiiiion xo slaves
1 tree persons of color are suflicicnl : and
Hwe InrthAi. lo.:.,L.: o...u..
, 1 WCIUC
"we -i tho
IWiOIIIII! nv t"v 1 m
Ui- -"uu endeavor to excite staves to re-
JJr ,,18Urrection, or who kidnap or per
I ' . 3 .to leave their owners, and more
rifil 3i lilt; IvMiu rw it.w
P'lrfjTSvrrion, $0,50 l'sqware, 2 months, $2,00
1 i do 0,75 t dd. 3 do.- 2.50
Z 3 do! . 1,00. I do. 6 do. 4,00
J, ,1 month, ' 1,25 1 1 do. 1 year, , 6.00
- . . .L.. lw ..itrtnrr rTPB
r-rw..,.v , tses wuere sucn onenaer3 tiee
A . ' , , ...
A jud'ciou system of Internal ImproveraenU
vjr otuie uas ever oeen regarded as an
object orimportance worthy of consideration
and action of the General Assembly. Cheap
transportation could not tail to add to the
wealth and convenience of all classes of our
citizens, and the prosperity of the State.
1 nere are various objects which claim : I fie
consideration of the Legislature Feeling a
deep interest in the nrosDeriiv of eve.rv nan
ol the fatate and believing that the members
n : . . . . j . z - - --- j
of the General AsCnibly, reSictfng as fhey
do in the various Counties, wilf beTuIlv nre-
pared to give due consideration to the claims
of every portion of the State, I do not feel
mysell cali,eo: p4pon tq dccnie between the
pvKuiiut iiiciusui me uiaii uujctis oi jiuouc
iiupiuvt mciH vik u uemuuu me patronage
oi ine mate, in carryinr out a
in carrying out a system ol
Internal iinprovements a large expenditure
ol money is necessarily required, ami it is not
to be exoected that a btate can at crtce'enl-l
bark ih'-ll the Schemes that are desirable.-
Works of this description should be undqrtal
ken with due caution in regard to their prac-
ticabiiify and tne adequacy ol the means of
the btate to complete them. As a mineral
rule. I think the Il.egislatur6 which authorizes
the
construction of works of. internal lm-
provement ought, at the same time, to pro-
vide for raising the means for their comole-
tion. Whether public opinion or the condi.
tion ofthe Treasury Will justify the State at
this time in embarking in other and: new ' ob
jects o! improvment and n so. to what ex
tent, is a question which is submitted to the
prudence ana wisdom 'of tlhe'Qeneral Assem
bly. While a judicious system of (Internal
Improvements within the means and rcsour
cesoi tne oiate, is aesiraoie to an. yet a
wild and extravagant one, involving the State
: . . i' Li: a .i .
in a liiigu puuiiu ucih wiiuoui ine prospect
ol a return ol adequate advantages to the
people, is to be deprecated. ' Such a system
would, lor a time at least, paralize the spirit
of improvement, and. with it the prosperity of
me otaie. ineiaws in iorce ior t carrying
out works of Internal Improyerrfehf 'already
provided for and such utherVas the Legisla-
ture in its wisdom may 'hereafter provide
for, so far as depends upon Vhy aetion as Ex-
ecutiye, shall be lathlully executed.
in a, btate like ours, where the popular
vioice directs and governs punnc anairs, edu-
cation is a subject ot general and paramount
importance. It i3 therefore the policy of the
fctate to loster and improve our system ol
Common bchools, so as to answer the lauda-
ble and beneficient purpose for which it is
nuenuea. in xoo, an act was passed setting
apart certain sources of revenue for Common
and convenient Schools, and providing for
the disfribution of its proceeds among the
several, counties in proportion to tne
iree
whit"; population in each, whenever in the
opinion ol the Legislature the same had suf
ficiently accumulated. This fundi did not
sufficiently accumulate to put into, operation
a svsteni of common bchools, until the State
received a considerable sum under the de-
posite act of Congress, the most of which
sum, toizetner witn . stocks Deionuinar to the
State, was transferred to, or invested for the
use of, the Literary Fund. The State re
ceived this deposite from the General Gov
ernment according to federal population, and
the Assembly ot 1836, which transferred
these new acquisitions to the Literary Fund.
exi)rviv stipulated tnat tney snouia be
-subject at all taaies to the direction and con
trol ofthe General Assembly." These ac
cumulations had, in tlie' opinion of tho Legis
lature, sufficiently increasea the fund to lusti
ly the xrommercement ot a system ut Coni
mon Schools ; and in ; 1833, an act was ac
cordingly passed. The act of 1840 provided
inui me nun annum nicume ui ine jjiierarv
Fund should be diVided'Vvccorduig to federal
pouutatton. bince that time our School
aws liave been frequently revised and re
enacted, put every time retaihing the princi
ple of distribution according t6 federal- popu
lation. Human ingenuity can devise ho plan
lor the distribution oi mis tuna mat wm not
operate hjbre lavorably to some Counties than
tr. iitlmro Snii fi rfcnlt is insina ra hl trnm-
the condition ofthe State'; and it is believed
that the'preserit mode of distribution is, upon
the' wholel perhaps as just as any that could
be adopted. The difference in the amount
received by the large number of Counties in
the States, whether the distribution be ac
cording to fe'deraj 6r hite population, would
be very inconsiderable.' Slaves are owned
in every'p.art of the State, and each I County
shares alike m 'the distribution in proportion
to itsTederal population, federal popula-
tion is not made the oasis 01 education, out
ofthe distribution ofthe fund for that pur
pose. This principle of distribu tion has, in a
commendable spirit of com promise, been time
after time settled by the Legislature. Is the
agita tion of this question never to cease ? -
The great inconvenience we nave toencoun-
er in re aiinn to our system ot common
Schools. I nDDrehend. is not. to be found in
the mode ot distribution, but in tne inauequar 1
cv o the fund and in the lmpertect iranner
in which the Schools . are reguiatea. ;.na 1
SUumiL wneiner, lnsieau oi- touuuuiiig iius
agitation, which is calculated to array - one
DortioVi of ihti State' asranist the the other, our
. 1 .1 . 1 .: : . k : i
attention may'UOt he more properly directed
to the'enlaVirenient of the fund arid ita'prober
investment- and to the improvement and bet-
ter regulation ofthe Schools theroseiyes,
The question of Equal Suffrage has lor
some time past engaged public attention, and
it is believed that a large majority ofthe peo-
pie detnana tnlS uonsiiiuuouai reiorui. hc
subject embraces the plain proposition, wheth
er the right to vote for the Senate shall be
extended tq scch persons as are at I present
ontiHpfl to vote ior uie nuuse 01. umuiuii.
ltis not Xd buT suVh 7o,e "iMy '
iijnaniolto Z t. rr i . J.
competent to rxwU iho rUt nf Hnfrifw.
i " usiug oom orancnes oi me general as-
sembly. To withhold this invaluable pri
lge Irora those whom it is proposed to place
upon terms of equality at the ballot box. upon
giuuiii4 H'iii Wci et'joyeo inerigut iney norbc, ana uie nome anneal, taking a down
might abiise it, is an unjust reflection upon ward coursey fitra'Jiy emerge'd safely from Ins
their virtue and intelligence, and i9 denying perils , What a contrast does this present to
the fundarenta principle upon whifthU free the smooth and luxurious life of most clcr
governrAehts i 'are based.5 This -qWstion' em- ffyraeh jf the nresenl day I -
braces no
proposition to encroach"5 on thel
freemen. It is srratifyini? to know that this
question oftexTendmg the Viht of Suffrage
has hot arrayed the laridhold ers against the
non-landholders, for soch'ia lhe love oliner-
i ty and oi equality amono oar
peoplfe, that
botti'claeses are oqiid-nptively co-operatinr
1 m their eftorts to carry out this question of
oonstuutionai reiorm. Hinorts nave been
made to connect. with this queslion a changd,
ofthe basis of representation- I do not think
that either justice or'publlc policy ' demands
such a change. The Convention ol 1835, in
a spirit of compromise and concession, adopt4
ed taxation as the basis ot representation lor
the House of Commons. The Abolitionists
at tlie Noith. wish Id'destroy t(ie basis of fed
eral nomilarion unon which we are renresen -
ted in Congress. Their' course on. this sub-
. .-' A - m..r. ' .l- l
iect is viewed as danp-erous and mischievous :
and. I reard a similar movement in relation
loourrepresentation in the State Legislature,
howevei well intended, as frau'ght'with equal
miscniei anu uunger. - xne ieuerai uusiscoih
sists of three-fifths of the slaves added to the
whole number of free persons.. The white
basis would wholly exclude the computation
of slaves in representation. Persons other
than voters are properly represented. Al
though federal population prevails as a basis,
yet slaves do 'not vote, hor do 'white females
and minors; - still they are. represented.
Slaves, although property, are persons, and
sttb'iects fo legislation in that two-fold char-
acter.
ivery county in tne oiate is interested- in
the slave question, and the State should have
but one voice on this important subject. Ex-
perience has but loo recently shown us the
sad consequences resulting from the agitation
ot the slavery question between the different
States o! the Union. Are these
scenes to be brought nearer home to us to
array one section of the Slate against anoth-
er, and to destroy the good feeling, the peace
and friendship which it is so desirable to'cul
tivate between the various portions o'f'the
State ? Let us forget that we We p'artfaVis
and bury tins dangerous element I ol ao-ita
tion. with the determination to Unite our ear-
n.est exertions to promote tlie' honor and pros-
penry oi ine isiaie. Hingramng tne wnite
basis on Equal Suffrage would be ah indirect,
but a most-certain "and etlectual mode ot de-
Ler question. This m'tist be obj
vious to ever' reflecting mind. Hidual but-.
f'rage, connepted with a change of the basis,
must fail; standing by itself it rnust prevail.;
1 his amendment to the Constitution may b'e
passed by the present and succeeding Legis
latures and submitted to the people for rat-i
lhcallon in the manner provided jntje Con
stitution, without incurring the expense of
calling a Convention. In the initiatory step
it requires.a larger number ot the members
ot the Assembly to call a Convention than-1
to pass the amendment, lhe Conventional
mode of e flee ting this reform weakens the
question, while the Legislative mode does not.
and tberelore tne latter ici preierapie. it is
believed that the success of this measure will
be promoted by being submitted and voted
tipon as art isolated question, without beingl
connected witn any oiner constitutional a-i
mendment. i ' !' ' I
The election of Judges and Justices of the
Peace by the people, and for terms less than
for life,' are questions of Constitutional re
form, which I recommend to the favorable i
consideration of the General Assembly.
There are other amendments to the Consti:
tulion that have attracted public attention.
to which. I doubt not, you will giye that de-
gree of consideration-which their importance
A.m...A-,- ' 1 '
demands.
In conclusion, permit me to remark that
tho nnpml AiR(mhlv mav relv imon'rriv
hearty co-operation in such measures as may!
tend to the prosperity and happiness of the;
prosperity
people of the State.
THE LATE BISHOP HENRY BASC0MJ
INTERESTING INCIDENTS IN HIS LIFE.
The January number of" The Ladies' Re-
pository" contains several anecdotes of Bish
op Bascom, the celebrated Methodist Divine.
from which we extract the following
HE ESCAPES ER0M A PANTHER. '
For several years Dr. Bascom's labors
were assigned to tne wild and xmseiyea iron-
tiers of Virginia; Kentucky, and Ohia.
? rru
a lie
narosnips and privations 10 wuicn uu was
subjected on these circuits, would nave crusn-
ea ine spirits o; any ordinary iuuu. nc irc-
quemiy iiau iu uavci lorijr uiiico uaj
solitary forests, andyafter the latigues of such
a iourney. deliver a sermon at night. The
u.j.i j j . i l... n. a th
loads, at that time, were scarcely broken, and
there were noy bridges over the streams,
which, in the winter, were often swollen, by
rains,' beyond their banks. But this was Jjut
a sligni oostacie 10 tne nome pioneer 01 mo
cross. He would force his horse daringly
forwardand swim across the foaming bil
lows. To a soul like his, a wet suit, a few
hours : of chilliness, were trifles not to be
avoided. On one occasion, while swimming
a small stream ia Kentucky, which had been
swollen to aa unusual height by recent raios.
carrcnt.vas ,o rupid ,hat he fore.
iorceu
ngute oi t ie landholder, but to : extend to a duiy,ied ium was-Wjiaiindyerr
numerous jajidrerUoriousciass t) our fellow ledV- ,Tl)e forests vere fiM wi
citizeris'one of tKe Sesireif riizfits of American I wild beasts' & wub rmv folio
some two hundred yards below the ford.
The drift was whirling furiously around him;
and, on either side,' the banks were tdp steep
to ascend He" saw hi 'danger, but with cool
self possession, lie. clung firmly to his faithful
- The country through which Dr. Bascom's
thinly settl-
th ,lerorious
I miles hv a laro-e uaihHr. which' ihreatened
at every step to bound upon him, aim from
which he was rescued by reaching, just at
nightfall, theVcabln of a settler. At another
time ; he had gone some distance from the
house of a friend, where he was stopping,
into the forest, and was lying quietly perus-jng-
a book, i and unconscious of all danger,
under the broadspreading branch of a tree,
when lie heard tlie voice of a man crying to
him, and telling him lo lie still 'Xill lie fired,'
on the peril of his1 life. '
Quickly glancing his eye in the direction
whence the voice proceeded, he saw his friend
vvith'his rifle elevated, and pointing towards
the branches of the tree under which he was
! Ivimr i;-Prffr.tlvisimi!inr with hnrli wntul
l,::u .. . . '
me, ur. oascom Knew tnat some terrible dan
ger was hovering over him, and without the
least perceptible motion of his body, he in
stantly turned his jraze upward, when he
saw on lhe limb ot the tree.
not more than
twenty feet above him, a majestic panther,
whisking liis ta.il and just ready to leap upon
him. This was a fearful moment 1 What
nerve is required to retain his self possession,
and thus save his life ! for the least motion
on the" part of Mr. Bascom, would have has
tened the spring ot the panther and seated
his fate forever ! And in that fearful moment,
when death seemed inevitable, with a self
control and) a courage tiuly wonderfulyhe
laid perfectly quiet, till the keen crack ofthe
rifle was heard, and the ferocious beast pierc
ed by the unerring aim of the back-woods-f
man, fell lifeless by his side. '
... ANOTHER RENCONTRE.
While on lhe Circuit of Western Virginia,
I think it was, Bascom stopped, at noon, at a
log cabin, recently erected by the road side.
He sat tjownV'by 'invitation to dine with the
family. A lovely little child, about thiee
years old, wmcn nau attracted nis attention
by its sweet smiles and rare! beauty, was
playing in front of the door, while the family
were engaged around the homejy- repast,
when 'suddenly a heart-piercing 1 cry was
heard from without. : if ;V
,: Aly child I.my'chiid!" screamed the moth
er; and quick afe thought, " all rushed to the
door. . ' ' " ' '
Father of mercies I what-a sight was here
presented to ihe gaze of a doting mother! A
terrible panther had sprung upon her unwa
ry darling, and was1 "ascending a tVee,1'bexar
inor the child in its mouth. .
" The gun ! quick ! for God's sake, the gun!"
frantically exclaimed the father.
Dr. Bascom rushed into' the cabin, and,
seizing the gun from the rack rapidly
returned ; but alas, it was to late ! . He was
only in time to see the innocent, lovely babe
torn to pieces, in the presence
of its frantic
parents, by the infuriated beast. Complete
ly unnerved by the appalling sight, it requir
ed several shots before Dr. Bascom was ena
bled to bring down the blood thirsty animal.
4; I can never forget tjiat awful, scene," ,said
Dr. Bascom, when reletting this incident
to the writer, some y'ears since. And well
might he s'ay so ; Tor a more" deeply 'affecting
and heart-rending scene has seldom been re
corded in the history of adventurous pioneer
.ife. .
his coat.
"In the composition of Dr. Bascom tjhere
was no cant or ostentatious prerence.1 ; Hfe
could never be indufced 'td wt?ar tlie 'peculiar
dress adopted by clergymen 'of his Church''.
He believed that true humility is a principle
ofthe soul, and does' "hot consist either in' ' ec
centricity ' of hubfts or the "tfiit of 'tlie1 ccat.
He always dress'ett With 'neatness atid' tate;
This so much "displeased the "elder breth
ren,.'.' thai. .'he was called to a formal account
by a number of senior clergyman: After lis
tening to the arguments urged against th
ashionable cut of hi3 garb, Dr. Bascom de
liberately 'arose, pulled offh coat and hang-
ing it on a cnair, aesireu to Know wneiner it
was himself or his coat that preached. Hs
censors smiled at the oddity of the argument
and toldf Kim 'to'dess as he. pleased.
he escaped from
A MOB IN NEW ORLEANS.
About the year 1830 it was thought advi
sable, by thVteading u.en in the Coloninza
tion cause, then in its infancy, to send a se
cret agent to the South and this perilous
and arduous office was tendered to Bascbm,
by the Board at Washington, which he
promptly accepted. A more dangerous posi
tion could not have been assigned to him at
the time. The movements of the Coloniza
tion Society were then regarded with ex
treme' jealousy and distrust by ihe entire
South. The' Society was believed to be
hostile to the " pecliar institution," and its ef
forts met with the same violent opposition, Re
nunciation and threateninss, in the South.
that afterward attended the action of the abo
liiionists. Indeed. Colonization was. at that
time very little uuderstood, and was regarded
as synonymOuf with abolition. The People
of the South were consequently most bitter
ly opposed to it. and in a state of violent ex
citement at tlie time. Dr. Bascotn accepted
his mission.. . . t 1 yC'
His instructions were, jto proceed to N Or
leans, and, after conferihg. privately with a
f . ..t.o rrrtmm IrnAlffn fn hp l:lVrtP!l
to the movement acS ns he thought moat pro-'.
dent. On arriving there, and consulting with
his friehqsne'lound'th'at it wcfulr be a most
Hazardous undertaking to attempt to noiii a
public meeting; and, acting under the advice
of those with iVhora he consulted, he deter
mined to leave theity "without publicly an-
ahWUncWg ,ftteTptjec,t qfWs Visit. ' He had;
hewever, spoken nr several . places in Ken
tucky beforegping to" Wew Orlean, and his
position being UnowVi. Kis arrival had, there
fore, createu" eonsidernqfe (excitement. "This
o rapidly increased that a thee tins was Held
by a number1 of cltizens.-at which several 'in-
nammatory speeches were aeTiVered, ma a
resolution passed requiring mm to ieuye ine
city. A committee of furious and excited in
dividuals was appointed to yyajt on him. 'and
notify him to leave within twetfty-Jbur hoars,
or tae the consequences. At this time The
Hon. Mr. Dawson, of St. Francisville, after
wards a member of Congress from Louis ana,
a bold, gallant, and impulsive inan'vas on a
visit to New Orleans. He was "a 'man of
real mettle, and no excitement ever arose
tyhere he was, that he did not join one side
or the dthe'r, and generally, he was inclined
to the weaker side. Truc-ro jijinnture, when
the excitement arose against , DrI Bascom,
Dawson, although he was, personally, a total
stranger to hue. assumed a bold stand in his
defence, and immediately set? about'h.' plan
for his, protection. .How he succeeded we
shall presently see. '
The committee called on Dr. Bascom," in
formetj him ofthe excited state of public
i feeling, and ordered him' to leave the cify'ln
twenty-tour hours, t take the consequences,
which they asserted, would be most serious.
'Gentlemen," said he in reply, '-I liad intcnd-
ed td leave to-morrow' rnorntngVv bnf pow,
since you have ordered ihc1 to lea ye!,'" I shal
remain three days longer. -1 am an Ameri
can cilizen. and claim the right' guaranteed
to me by the Constitution 'of my country."
The committed tvery1 'thunderstruck by the
boldness'of ihis reply, and hastily leil the
room. 1
The committee had scarcely disappeared
before loud voices -and the 1iramj :of men
Vere heard approaching the room.' Antici
pating something se ious. Dr.i Bascom rose,
approached the door, and, looking f into the
hall, saw advancing toward him a large
crowd of rough men. fed by one who had the
air and dress of a gentlenyan." He fearlessly
confronted them, and demanded tlie' object
of their errand. Mr. Dawsorr for it was he
who led this uncouth bandlauglipo!,' nhd
assured him that he'vaV hii friend. ' The
whole pary tvere then invited into his room by
Dr. Bascom. when Dawson Ihtbrjued him who
he was; reassured him of hid 'friendship, and
explaihe'd'tl
"IPfiese,"
the nature of his visit
Waid' Dawsbni' areKalJ boatmen
from Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, Indiana, Mis
souri, and 'Tennessee. Most of them have
heard 5ron preach in
who have not heard
time3"past, ami those
i
you tnemseives, nave
heard of you from their mothers or- their
friends. - When I heard of your danger, Mr.
Bascom. I 'determined to zn to the levee, and
appealed to them for your protection; and you
see the result; We'vejust met the commit1
tee, and I told them if they dared to touch a
hair of 'ybur head -if. they dared to put you
in prison, we wouldn't leave a stone of their
calaboose standing. There's -a thousand
more such brave boys as these at tlie levee,
ut)( they all swear they'll die for you."
Overpowered' by the chjvajry of Dawson,
and the madness and aflec'ioti of the' hardy
boatmen. Dr. Bascom wept, as the brave and
the good only can weep as, he. returned his
heartfelt thanks. - That night the streets in
the vicinjty of the. hotelit which Dr. Bas
com was stopping were t live with the brave
honest boatmen of the west, each, one ready
to peril his life in defence of the 'great p'rea
PrCiX
1 Zl
cher.7 liut no vtolence vvas attempted ;
Wefore he left the city.' Dr. Bascom had
pleasure of 'organizing a promising Coloniza
tion Society," tria hy of the ' hiost influential
citizens citizens becoming life' member, yy .
'y THE SAME Ar NATCHEZ. ' '
Reaving $ew Orleans, Dr, Bascom pro
ceeded up the River to Natchez. He had
previOTisly Written to a friend to procure a
church, m which' he 'wished to deji ver a pub
lic discourse in faVor Sif Colonization. The
church of; Dr. Potts, who afterwards had the
controversy with' tr. Wainwright of New
Ydfk,,had been secured for that purpose and
when he arr)ved, which was the appointed
hour, D?y Bascom proceeded directly lo the
place of meeting. He was met . at the door
by the leading members of the Methodist
Church of that city, and also by Dr. Pdtu.all
ol whom implored him not to attempt to speak.
Thev declared that the public mind vvvas high-
tr ;.ans.ri o riinct him nnrl fhntthere were
Iv iiir.pnsp.rl acrainst him.
at that time a number of.airded'meVi in the
churcH determined to use violence if he at
tempted! to speak. This did not in the least
intimidate him ; but. resisting all their impor
tunitiesj Dr. Bascom mftrched directly thro'
the church, and ascended the pdlpit. Know
ing th&t delay was dangerous he did not take
his seat, but turning to the audience, he told
them that he was aware of the excited state
of public feelings-aware of threatened - vio
lence, but he asked, as a rfght; to be heard
before being condemned to be heard one
Aour and theh'he would submit to nny pun
ishment of which he might be deemed deser
ving. The words were uttered,rapidly, and
were promptly aiuiwered by a man who arose
in the midst of the audience and cried,' with
an oath, that he should be heard. -y
This was the same Mr: Dawson who had
played so conspicuous a part in his behalf at
New Orleans. He had learned Dr. Bascom's
destination,, and,' with - the tame ; chivalrous
tnirit which ledfhlfu atV first to espouse his
cause, had, unknown to him, gone to Natch
ez to aid in his protection. And here his
voice inamphanUjr prrlleil
wm aa-
t
Iswered by an nlmost unanimous " agreement
r.t 'l ... i i . . . i.i.
io near wnat iiacorn nau io sa 7 n jensi ior
one hour. 'Accordingly, the itddres3kwa
commenced, nnd never "before did ' tho elo
quent speaker labor more powerfully and ef"
lectivery: "The exciting circumstances under
wWch: he wj pla?ed Veemed t act as a kind
of inspiration and nerve his soul to one of '
the noblest efforts of eloquence. ' -v
1 "His words teemed orkcles,- , , . !
Thtt pierce rih'elr bosoms; tod etch man would
.turn; -...i; ;,,,y 'y'y'ly
4jmI gxza ia wonder on his neighbor's fkee,
ThiAt,,rith the like dutno' Wonder answered him.
. - . . . - .
j ' You could hare heard ' " ' ' ; " - '
The beittrl bP your pulses while he poke.,, J
And wenfcln8 honr "expired.1 such1 "wonders
had'he-'Wrouht iiV the tnludA of his hearers.1
that lhe cry of l,Go on !'o on I" trat 'heard
ihroughout ihe immense assembly.- -The or
ator proceeded for more thrm an hour longer
and at the c6nfclusioh 'of his. uddress took up
a collectroitlcr thtf 'Colonization Society.
Ihose'whosd recently Hvere ready to tear
him to pieces, novr rdshed eaget-ly forward to
contribute in aid of tire4' tj;rea puuse. The
eoltction of that dav'was the largest recei
ved by'DrJ'BaseMn-in any city bf the Soulh,-
with the single exception of lhe cily of Nash
ville. .' , ;: . .'";
s1oh Jifcr
From the Charleston Mercury.
LIEUT. RALPH BELL.
The lastarrial from 'CanfornTa has broucht
the sad intelligence of the death of this young
man, lately an officer ol the Charleston VoU
unteer?. Well-known and rifuch esteemed
as he was in this City, his early death cannot
fail to produce deep and general regret.
None,"however. will learn this event with'
more unfcigheil eorrow than those who tliar'
ed with hihi the same tent, and often the same
blanket, in the.MeXican 'campaign. , ' . y
Elevated from the ranks by his unvarying
good temper, he preserved tns popularity a-'
mong those under his 'command, while he
wun,byhs attentiorift duty, the esteem ot
hii felloWoffi6ers.: 1 Ho was distinguished a
mong'his tomrades for his kind diipqsilion,
cheerful land prompt discharge of duty, how
ever fatiguing or perilous, patient endurance,'
and an enterprising and independent spirit.
He exhibited) great gallantry in positions full
Of peril in the face ofthe strongest batteries
and when death was found ' iu every shot.
But hrs 'nerve was fully equal to every occa
sion, as ample and most honorable testimony
is afforded by. the official despatches of officers
under whom he served. , " ; ' , ,
A brief recital ofthe Incidents ofhl3 scrvi-
oqj .i.riir Ki ihn innaf fit tinrr I rihutA In hia titm.
(V . CJ VH ill WW ... " - . ....... . . w ...w...
ory. He- shared in all the actions in which
the Palmetto Regiment bore part. He wnt
present a4 lhe seige of Vera Cruz, . the bat
tles of Coiitreras, Churubuscoe. the storming
of Chapultepcc. and during the severe cou-
test at the Gate ofthe City of Mexico, More
particularly conspicuous was he, however, in
the asjault upon Chapultepec. - ,
To carry this strong, well fortified Castle,
storming parties Hvere organized in each di
vision ofthe armyv To that from Gen. Qjjit
man's command," Lieut. Bell belonged;
Thejr rendered good service the day before '
the assault) in'supporting Gen. Q,uitman in
a daring reconnoissance pushed by that gal
lant officer in person, to the very base of the
hiri, and in the lhce of a formidable battery;
During this'orserVation, the party stiitaincd
a heavy fire ald'tost a number of their men.
On" the morning of the main attack upon the .
Castle, this storming party under command
Iff Moj. Ttridcs.'Was ordered to assault the ,
battery at the base of tlje hill on the road
Ieailinn to Mexico. Geri. Qditman thus de-
Aails the severity of the contest and the re
'"It- uThe storming party led by the gaU
lant officers who had volunteered lor this dcs.
perate service, rushed forward like a resistless
tide. The Mexicans behind thtir batteries
and breastwo.ks stood with more than usual
firmness. For a short time the contest was
hand fo hand; swords and bayonet- were
crossed and rifles clubbed.- Resntance, how
ever, was vain against the desperate vtlor of
our troops. The batteries tiud strong works
Were carried and the ascent of Chapultepcc
on that side, laid open to ah easy conquest.
In these works were taken seven pieces of
artlljery. one thousand muskets and fivchun'
dredarid flIQy'prlsoners, ofwhom one hundred
were officers among them one; General and
tcn'Cof oriels."'... '",'.;:"; .'--',.-'' ..' ;fy
Major Twiggs fell, at the head ofthiscomV
rnandj on tle first ddvancev Lieut. Bell was
Was wounded kftghlly. y ' ' : ;
Such was this desperate encounter, and"
Lieut. Bell.' for his gallnrH participation in it
was most honorably mentioned by Gen Q,cit
man ia the dispatch already quoted. : :
Diiriiig,the rest of that day.Mhaving rejoin-
ed his company, tie participated in the Ktorm
ing of the various batteries which defended
the gate Ofjne city- Here the Palmetto Re
giment and the intrepid rifles cehducted the
assault. .' ' ' ' '' " 1 - y
After entering the city of Mexico Lieot.
Bell was appointed Adjutant of the RegT
raent upon the promotion of Adjutant Can
tev, which post' he held untjl the close ol the
war, and the discharge of the Heglment. -Having
paesed the storm of battle unscath
ed, he has fallen by disease, in a distant land.
Thus i time thinning the ranks of the survi
vors of these scenes. Six of them in n short
time have been numbered. with the dead.
Shall the memory of those events, and the
very names ofthe actors in them. be suffered
to perish as thing worthy of no note? Will
South Carofirra eonWrnHo cdnsrgft to oblividn,
unhonored and uuknown, those; Who- fel 'n
her cause? Is there no future which ole'mn'
Jy warns her to preserve the memory -of' e
veats hoaormbU to btr hittory, as aa iefcen-
A.
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