North Carolina Newspapers

BT F. M, HALE AKD W. U SAUNDERS. RATKS OF ADVERTISING, published Daily (except Monday) and Weekly. RATES OF SCBSCEITTION r ADVANCE. Daily, one year, mall postpaid...... $8 00 " nix months. " . 00 three " 00 Weekly, one year, mail postpaid, oo sixmontha," 100 To city subscribers Ths Observer will be de livered daily at twenty centa per week ; aevent live cents per month; two dollars for three months. , . ' DEMOCRATIC MEITIMB ! UIOII COOMTY. rrorrespondence of Thk OrskrvkrJ Washington HorgK, Kinbton, . May 23, 1878. j ! Messrs. Editors : In accordance with a previous call, the people of Lenoir coun ty met in Convention yesterday. At 12 o'clock, His Honor Judge Kerr adjourned the court, when in a few min utes the meeting . was called to order, and John U. 'Washington, Esq., elected chair man. Mr. Washington, on taking the chair, said the object of the convention was to appoint delegates to the Senatorial, Judicial and State Conventions. A com mittee composed of one from each town ship was appointed to reaommend suitable persons as delegates to the several conven tions mentioned. While the committees were out Messrs. Swift Galloway, of Greene, John D. Kerr, of Wayne, and Hugh Murray, of Wilson, aspirants for the nomination of Solicitor for the Third Judical District, being pres ent, they were each called upon for a speech. , Capt. Galloway responded in bis usual forcible and felicitous style. Mr. Murray was next called out, and re plied in a speech both logical and eloquent. Mr. Kerr, though not the least, was the last one to speak. His remarks were re plete with real eloquence, and for about thirty minutes be held the attention of the large audience, composed of the most in telligent people of the county, completely at his will, and ever and anon as he would close bis strains of wit and humor loud peals of laughter and huzzas would come forth from the people. "The committee returned and reported the names of delegates, which was con curred in. Hon. M. E. Manly, of Newbern, was unanimously recommended as the choice of the convention as one of the Justices of the Supreme Court. The heaviest rain-fall for this season, accompanied with vivid lightning and heavy thunder, passed over this commu nity last night, commencing about dark and lasting for several hours. Yesterday the heat was very oppressive, the atmos phere damp and close. Corn looking well, wheat hurt badly with rust, cotton small and hurt by cold weather. It. A. Leigh. Fenon Crop, Political and School. Correspondence of Thb Obskbvxr.1 PiKsjos Co., May 15, 1878. Messrs. Editors : I wish to write a few lines concerning the way in which the public schools of Person is carried on, and especially in Bushy Fork Township. Our honorable board of Commissioners have entirely ignored the law passed by the last Legislature in the appointment of school committeemen. Section 17 of the revised school law reads, "For each district there shall be bienually elected by the county board of education of the respective coun ties a school committee of three persons." It does not say that three committemen for each township shall be elected, but for each district. There is no such officer as a township committeeman recognized by the law and townships by present law are not considered as school districts. Person county has several officers (not committeemen) who think themselves more capable of revising the school law, than the Legislature. Our county Legislature is composed of five members. All of whom (except one or two);think they know how to legislab: better than any ot our mem bers of the last Legislature. I think it would give better satisfaction if our county Leg islature would revise their present school law, and make it in accordance with the wish and intention of our Slate Legisla ture. Under the present system they have caused a great deal of dissatisfaction in Bushy Fork township by letting the com mittee have a fifteen month school in one district with only 88 children, while the remaining three having from 50 to 80, have only five months each. Something must be wrong in Home. 1 would like to know how the commissioners of some other county onstrue the law. Will some one an swer? Farmers are planting tobacco, the king crop of Person county. Plants are scarce in some parts of the county, but I think there will be an average crjp planted. Wheat is looking very well, but there is great fear of rust injuring the crop. Peo ple are through planting corn ; some have . worked their crops over once. I am in for Vance for U. 8. Senator; Ruffin for a place on Supreme Court Bench; A. W. Graham and C. n. is. Evans as Senators from this the 20th District. So mote it be. L. A. M. Southern Hsvptiat Convention. ' From the Biblical Recorder. The Convention represents the largest constituency of any denomination in the South The delegation present is about 250, though there are perhaps luo more prominent ministers and laymen of Bap tist churches in attendance. Dr. H. A. Tupper read the report of Foreign Missions. The receipts of this cause have been $40,000 during the year present liabilities of the Board about $4,500. The Chinese and African Mis sions were reported in a prosperous condi tion. The Italian Mission has ten stations and twelve-evangelists. Thirty-two per sons have been baptized during the year, and a chapel has at last been purchased in Home, at a cost of $26,000. The Board of Home Missions, located at Marion, Alabama, has had twenty mission aries employed and bad raised $13,000. It owes something over $5,000, and devotes much of its energies to the preaching of the gospel among the Indians. The General Theological Seminary re ceived much attention, Dr. Boyce, Broad dus, Hiden,Eaton and others speaking very earnestly in its behalf, and a collection of $5,000 was taken to aid in its endowment The Seminary was removed from Green ville, 8. C, to Louisville, Ky., last sum mer, and the first year of its history in its new location is most gratifying to its friends. Last term it had 90 students, more by 22 than it ever bad before, and more than any other Baptist Theological school has in this country. The number of students from the Atlantic States has not fallen off, as was feared, by its removal to Kentucky, and the ac tual cost of living in Louisville is found to be less than in Greenville. The Semi nary provides furnished dormitories for the students, and has aided with board and half the expense of text-books 62 young ministers, at an expense of nearly four thousand dollars. The cost of the board of a student per month is only $8.50. The Seminary reports the pledge of Ken tucky to give it $300,000 nearly redeemed, and that efforts are being made to raised $200,000 in the other Southern Sta'es. Under the agency of Rev. R. H. Griffith, North Carolina has subscribed over $15, 000, Georgia $27,000, Alabama $9,000. In several -of the Slates no special effort lias yet been made to raise money. Six -hundred young ministers have al ready enjoyed the benefits of this valuable institution. - Our State was entitled to forty-five dele gates. We bad four J. M. Heck, Elias Dodson, T. F. Eaton, of Davie, and T. 11. Pritcbard. There was bat one mass meeting during the whole session that in behalf of Do mestic Missions which was addressed by Pastor Lowne. ot Mobile, and Dr. J. A. Broad us, when over a thousand dollar were subscribed to the cause two hundred of it cash. The most spirited debate of the session was as to the place for the next session two places in Texas, two in Kentucky, one in Arkansas, and one in Georgia asking for it Atlanta finally beat Lexington, Ky., by put two rotes, t TUESDAY. ..MAY it 18T8 IXDKrgSDBACS IS POLITICS. j There is no longer a doubt that there will be organized opposition to the De mocracy in the coming State election. Of exactly what material it will be composed is of course unknown, bat there will be a full Radical ticket for Supreme Court Judges. That we shall defeat it we have no doubt, because we have no doubt that, the action of the Democratic State Convention will be all that it should be, and that its nominees will be good men, acceptable to the people. and in all respects fit for the places to which they are commended. But it is well to remember at all times and in all places that the mission of the Democratic party is not yet fulfilled; that we cannot yet afford to divide; that there must be no "Independents." I But we did not Intend to do any more preaching on this subject ; we do not look, as some do, to any probability of our par ty's coming to grief by reason of divisiou, or by any other reason. All we wished to do was to reproduce the words of wisdom contained in last evening's Durham Tobac co Plant. "The Democratic party," says our esteemed cotemporary, "has proven the salvation of the South, and we shall always praise the bridge that carries us over safely. Ten years ago North Carolina was in the clutches of a party that swooped down upon us like a set of cormorants eager to suck our very life blood and destroy and blot out the once fair name of the good Old North State. That party was controlled by men not "to the manor born' and who had no interest in us save to plunder our treasury, rob as of our fair name and band down in disgrace to future, genera-: lions a State government that bad been formed and perpetuated by the best men that ever pressed American soli Jr Tbey niched our treasury, they burdened .us with an onerous djbt, they slandered the fair women of our noble mother, but they could not crush as. There was too much manhood, there was too much vitality left in North' Carolinians to sub mit to such outrages, and the people rose up in their might and drove- the money changers from our Legislative halls. They could not and would not longer submit. The Democratic party was ushered into power at a time when by the force of cir cumstances they were compelled to "make haste slowly," but the work has been well done. There may and doubtless have been blunders made; but, are men Infallible ? "But we bnd ourselves as a party con fronted with other difficulties. Since 1870 Che Legislative department of the govern ment has been in the hands of the Demo cracy, while the Executive and Judicial have bean in the hands of the Republicans, the creatures of the dark days of '03. We have stood shoulder to shoulder and bravely fought the battles until we control all but the Judicial, and if we are true to our State and true to ourselves we can point with pride to our Ju diciary after August next. . But there is danger of cutting our own throats. Of allowing divisions to spring up in our ranks and so distract us that the enemy seeing our weak point will know where to make the attack and bear off the prize. In unity there is strength, and in division there is weakness. If we are not united we cannot hope to succeed. As long as we are confronted with a Repub lican party with solid ranks we must main tain party organization. If we divide among ourselves defeat awaits us, and if we are defeated we may look for a re turn of the black pall that overshadowed our State in 1868. " It is a matter of impossibility that every man should be pleased in the selection of candidates. We all have a preference but some one mnst be disappointed. - But this is not a justifiable cause for the disruption of the party. It is to be hoped that Dem ocrats in every county in the State will stand firm and maintain our party organ ization." SEX A TOR HAS SOU. The people of North Carolina will hear tily second our correspondent, Pender, who names Senator Ransom as the South's candidate for Vice-President at the next election. ' ' I "I have noticed at times (be writes; a tendency to criticise unfavorably many of our prominent citizens, a practice more honored in the breach than in the obser vance. It were better that only the mer its and excellent qualities of our public men should be the subject of comment, so that our admiration for them might be increased and that their failings and pecca dilloes might pass into oblivion. Instead of endeavoring to impair their useful ness should we not. rather seek fa miliarize the country with their ghrt worth and thus, by enhancing their reputa tion, advance - the honor and fame ef North Carolina? In like .manner if we could by a united effort elevate one of our public men to a still higher position in national affairs, would it not redound ; to the interest and advantage of bar dear old mother? For myself I prefer- praise Cksab not to bury him. The South is entitled to name the next Vice-President. Who shall be be ? Not Gordon, for he voted for Matthews' bill in the interest of the Pacific Railroads, and agataatTHUE- mas's . measure intended to secure the rights of the tax-paying people; and be sides, he is generally too much mixed op with the Dreseut Administration. Nor should it be Lam ab for he spoke and voted for the bondholder and against the people of the South and West ; and aU his predictions of evil that were to fol low the passage of the silver bill have come to sought. He will not be the choire-of the South. , . Why not Rahbom! the chivalrous sol dier, the finished orator, the sound states man.! Rahsom,. the glorious exemplar of Southern manhood; t courteous, brave, able, wise faithful in all thlDSr An old VOL. he timey North Carolina gentleman in whoee long public record made during dubious and uncertain times, the most captious can find neither flick nor flaw nor political mistakes. Shall we withhold an earnest and fervid and persistent support because he it only a Forth Carolinian t Rather let us press him vigorously for the Vice- Presidency, a position he is well qualified to adorn and which he will fill to the honor of the Democratic party and to the advan tage of North Carolina." SIXTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT. The following telegram from Asheville was received last evening : "AsHirviix, May 22, 1878. J. C L. Queen was nominated by the Convention at Waynesville, yesterday, for Judge of the Ninth District under the new law, and G. 8. Ferguson was nomi nated for Solicitor of same District. "J. P. 8." Mr. Gudger, the successful candidate for the nomination of Superior Court Judge for the 9th Judicial District under the new arrangement, is a lawyer of good standing, and of considerable' experience, having been at , the bar for about fifteen years. He is a man of parts, and stands well in his profession. He was born in Buncombe county In 1838, en tered the Confederate service as a private in 1861, and had attained the rank of Cap tain before the end ' of the war. Imme diately after the war, in 1865, he removed to Waynesville, in Haywood county, and began the practice of the law. He is an unswerving Democrat, and in the late campaign was Chairman of the Executive Committee of Haywood county. Not withstanding his active participation in political contests, he has always declined to seek political preferment outside of his profession. Garland Sevier Fergcsos was born in Haywood county in 1S43. tie was elected Superior Court Clerk in 1865 and served in that office with great acceptabi lity to his people until 1871, when he re signed. He had obtained license to prac tice law in 1867. He is a lawyer of good attainments, and has that quiet, painstak ing way of arriving at safe judgments upon cases submitted to him for an opin ion that marks the true lawyer and trust worthy counsellor. He served in the Senate of 1876-7, and one who was thrown in daily intercourse with him tells as that while he spoke but seldom he always said just what was immediately to the point, and said it welL He was always at his post and was held In high esteem by the whole Senate. Mr. Ferguson was a gal lant soTnier. Enlisting as a private soldier in the 25lh N. C. Regiment, he laid down his sword a battle-scarred veteran lieuten ant at Appomatox. He will make an ex cellent Solicitor. Cobbespondksts must . bear wltn us. We give them bearing as rapidly as possi ble. Meantime, we ask that they say what tbey have to say in as few words as possible. Tbey will thus have place sooner, and leave us a little space besides : we like to have a word ourselves now and then on matters and things in general. But of one thing let all rest assured. On all matters proper to be printed, and prop erly written- about, the people will have a bearing In this newspaper, let peli tteiana growl as they may. And of all matters of public import the people will be informed through this newspaper, let who will complain. The Obsebveb was intended to be a North Carolina Dem ocratic newspaper and it has not failed of ita mission. As such it believes in the people and is not afraid to trust them with the truth and the whole truth about men and things in which they have concern. With the making of candidates or of office holders it has nothing to do. That is for the people, and to do their duty under standingly the people must know. So far as this paper can keep them posted it wilL It is no part of its mission to engage in , 'tooting the feeble and jarring songs of an organ or playing mendicant to mean ambition." Apart from its being right, it is good policy, as indeed to do right is always the best policy. We have no notion of the policy of suppression. A vent for humors often -cures them. Fkidat is a day of days. It is a singu lar coincidence that President Hates re ceived his nomination at Cincinnati on a Friday. It was on a Friday that the bill creating the Electoral Commission was passed: on Friday the Electoral Commis sion gave its decision in the matter of the last disputed State, and on Friday was it that the count was completed and Hates declared to be President. Now it is on Friday that the Presidential question is again re-opened by the investigation com mittee. The socialistic labor party, as the Com munists prefer to be called, desire that all the railroads, canals, telegraph lines and steamboats shall become common property as soon as possible and that every body shall have a free pas for himself and family. Wages are to be abolished and the whole world is to be converted into a grand gift enterprise. A BUVBEB of colored men in Alabama have successfully laid the foundation of what proraisea to be ah important Southern industry namely, the cultivation of raw silk. This is better than Communism or office-seeking. r Bishop Whipple, Episcopalian, of Vir ginia, is out with a vigorous condemnation of round dancing, which be says is an ab omination that he is ashamed to particu larly describe.' Bostoh's city debt has been reduced 11,133,475 during the year ' ending April 80, and is now 143,457,022, and the sink ing fund amounts to $15,770,069. Jxmrrs Wraa. "Jennie, what makes Sa such a bad lrrr.M"neu, mamma, d sent you the test children be could find, and if they , don't ' suit you J can't Help OT'-eprmspea aepuwean. RALEIGH, N. C., TUESDAY, MAY 28, 1878. TBX ASQJCL IS TUB CLOUD. . Those who take an interest in North Carolina literature will be glad to learn that "The Angel in the Cloud" has passed to a third edition. The dainty volume is in every respect a credit to the publishers. In addition to the tittle poem It contains a portrait of the author, Edwih W. Fuller, a sketch of bis life, and a few minor poems some of which have not' heretofore been pub lished. To those who knew the author's life and character, the panegyric of bis biographer will not be deemed overstrained.' There can be but little In the life of a college stu dent, afterward a village nercbant, which; can interest the world at large : and yet glimpses of the life of a pure young chris tian appeal straight to the human heart everywhere. The graces of his character can hardly be overstated ennny-tem- pered, generous, devout, true to his very heart's core to those he loved, be very greatly attached to him all who came within the sphere of his ' Influence. His life and death were redolent with the perfume of Christianity, and be was the best type of that genial piety which is so loveable and so rare. Truly may his biographer say : "His whole character was perfectly beautiful his life was a scattering of beautiful flowers tbey are strewn all along bis pathway ; flowers whose beauty . the accumulated dust of years cannot soil, and whose fragrance will linger in sweetness upon our souls till tbey are chilled by the atmosphere of death." The minor pieces, with the exception of "Under the Pines," taken from Sea-Gift, and two or three written under special circumstances of sadness, will not add much to the reputation of the author. -The parodies mfght well have been omitted. While it is desirable l have a complete collection of the works of the best known North Carolina poet, college squibs hardly deserve a place by such a poem as "The Angel in the Cloud." Upon that work his claim to be remembered rests, and with his name will survive or die ; though it is a sad pleasure for his friends to be lieve that be was only beginning to give evidence of the sacred fire of genius within him. The "Angel In the Cloud" ought to be too well known in North Carolina (out of it. it is) to render an extended review at this time appropriate. Its metaphysical line of thought has frequently deterred those who look to a poem merely for entertain ment, from its perusaL And, indeed, it may well be questioned if the poet wisely determined the selection of the best field for the exercise of his undoubted powers. It is undeniably true that be states the great problems of life, of religion, of free will, with such force that at times his an swers to his own doubts hardly seem sat isfactory; but does not the heart of every one feel these doubts arise day after day. and who can say that the answers are al ways sufficient ? With the author let us "Stan cannot Judge the Eternal Mind by Bis, But most accept the mjaterlea of life Aa purposes Divine" In his descriptions of nature and in apt illustration the true poetic genius is always apparent. Any one who has watched In the North a retreating thunder cloud at night will recognize "Ob the hortaon'a verge A monster flre-ny With shimmering flash." ' The picture of still-life, a hot afternoon in August, with which the book opens, too long to be reproduced here, is in the best vein ef descriptive poetry. For instance "And the bees Wurk lazily, ai if they longed to kick The yellow burdena from their patient thigha; And rest beneath the Ivy parasols.'' The closing description of mankind, weaving the warp of life, is probably more generally admired than any other passages, and contains lines of great beauty. It is eminently true of his own life : "He wove A spotless fabric, whose pore simple plan Was always ready for the ending thread; Come when it would no part waa Incomplete; Bnt what was done could bear th' lnspec . tort eye." It would be comparatively easy to point out here and there a flaw. We have no spirit for such a task. The "Angel in the Cloud" is the best poem ef its length ever written in the State, and deserves an honored place upon the shelves of every North Carolinian, who feels a just pride in the literature of his people. With per haps a single exception its author was first of Southern Poets. He whom we rank first, also died young, but died after MtaMiahihir his nlnv nmnnty th first nf American Poets. It is not often in this busy work-day world that we turn aside from the rough ways or politics or tne excitements oi news to talk of books or of poets. But of this book and of this poet North Carolina should be proud. And we we loved the boy, as in our boyhood's bome and in our boyish days we had loved his father before him. Their hands were open, generous and true; their hearts brave, warm and tender. I "Of every tear That sorrowing mortals shed on such green grayes Some good is born, some gentler nature cornea. ' A Dabk Cakeeb Ended. Mrs. Lydia bnerman, who died in the uonnecticut State prison on Thursday afternoon, by her own confession, made in 1873. poison ed three husbands and four children, as follows : E. 8. Struck,- a Yorkville po liceman, and two children by her marriage with him; Dennis Uuriburt, of Lttcbtord, Conn., and 11. Sherman and bis two chil dren, Ada and Frankie Sherman. ' She met her first husband at a Methodist lovefeast, being at the time a member of the church at .New Brunswick. The . poisoning of Sherman, she alleged la her confession. was not intentional, but it was her purpose to poison the two children. Bne was sentenced to imprisonment for life for murdering her last husband. A: few months ago, although about fifty-three years old, she maoag d : to escape, and it was some time before she was. recaptured. Thb PHOsrooAJg.--lIany things have bees said in praise of- the phaciograph, but pern apt aouun neater man me comment of Engineering, which declares that Edi son's instrameutieallzesa portion, least, of the longing expressed in Tennyson's - "Oil forth toucher a vanished hand i . Aim! th annflri nf a vniu that la atlll ' .Tj I'.tlirt : , ---! . ' - V . . ...... - ' rTEW YORK CORRESPONDENCE. w' .'- ..... .- j, ' Correspondence)! Tn Ossarnvn. New Iork. May 20. 1878. I have read with great interest the ac counts of the Memorial Ceremonies on the 10th in Raleigh. Fayetteville. Wilming ton, Newborn, &c, with the admirable orations of OoL Fuller, Rev. Wm. Eason, VOL Burr and Gov. Vance. Mav like cer emonies and orators of equal power greet murruiji luiu ui outjr lur ail uoie. The extiact you give from Mr. Eaaon's oration came to me this morning along with a beautifully printed copy of Hon. M. Waddell's lecture on "The Confed erate Soldier." In this Col. Waddell says that the bombardment nf Fort Fisher was by far the most terrific that has ever hap pened since the invention of gunpowder. The siege of Sebastopol is admitted to nave been tnt greatest- bombardment in history up to that time. An English offi cer, however, who was at Fort Fisher, and who had been at Sebastopol, and thought nothing could equal it, said, '.'Sebastopol waa the merest child's play compared to what I have witnessed in the last two days." For forty-eight hours there was no cesssauon, and : there were, besides other projectiles, as many as twenty-five eleven-inch shells in the air at the same instant throughout the whole time. Fifty thousand shells in all were thrown. Col. Waddell greatly amused his audi ence here by the account of Beast Butler's celebrated powder explosion in front of Fisnet, by which he expected to prostrate thia fort or a mile's extent. In regard to these memories of the past may we not exchum : r MBoU fast, hold fast, to the pleaaant past, Ita sweet and ita sunny boors ; The seeds that we sow may never, never grow, Bnt the crop o the past is ours. Yesterday was a glorious day the streets, and the parks, and even the churches, were full of people. To-day bow different a alow pattering rain, all the day gloomy and chill. Fifth Avenue between 63rd and 65th streets presents a rare spectacle on such a Sunday afternoon as yesterday. Those two great churches, St. Thomas' and Dr. Hall's, are there, and their services commence at 4 o'clock. Dr. Hall and Mr. 'Courteney attract crowds. Thousands of the richest and most fashionable people (to say nothing of some who are neither the one nor the other) pour into the doors. But the simultaneous emptying of these thou sands into the streets makes a crowd through which it is not easy to . navigate. And such chattering I e It always reminds me of those great flocks of blackbirds which I used to pursue with gun in my boyish days only that these birds have gayer plumage than the blackbirds. One might suppose that they bad just left some place of amusement, where the farce had wreathed their faces in smiles and set their tongues in perpetual motion. When the great Roman Catholic catne- dral is finished, only two blocks distant, the crowd will be doubled; but, fortunate ly, it will be oh the other side of the street. , Over two millions of dollars have been expended on it, and it will take years more to finish it, as work is done only as funds come in, and this process is not rapid in these hard times. Most of the stained glass windows, of which there are thirty-five, have been placed in posi tion, and present a one enect. .f our oi them, designed by Lorin & Ely, of Char ires, France, were exhibited at the Cen tennial. One, representing St. Henry, Emperor of Germany, in battle, was broken by an accident, but it has been very skillfully repaired. The subjects of tbe otners are nu Uernard preaouing tne Second Crusade, the Martyrdom of St. Laurent, and the Brothers of the Christian Doctrine presenting the statutes of their order to Benedict X11L In the northern transept is a picture of 8U Patrick, and f. s m .1 T i . upputULC ib one ui umj liamacuuue wm1 ception. The beautiful high altar, which' i designed by Mr. Kenwick, is nearly finished. It is the grandest building In the city. H. GOV, VANCE AT CHARLOTTE Loudly called for at the close of CoL Thomas' 20th of May Oration, the Gov ernor answered the call, according to the Charlotte Obteneft report as follows : Thanking bis friends for the compliment implied in the call, Gov. Vance expressed his gratification at witnessing so large a demonstration and so great a degree of good feeling prevailing. He bad attend ed every celebration of the 20th of May which bad been nao nere since ne nrst became a citizen of Charlotte, and bar ring the grand celebration of 1875, each, seemed greater and more imposing than the one before. This was as it should be. He was glad to see so many present at this time and to realize that oppression, hard times nor anything else had caused the people to forget this day or the events which it commemorated, xo me wo men of the land, God bless them ! was much praise due 'that the fires of patriotism were kept ever burning in the hearts of the men. Tbey are foremost in every good work. But for them the cus tom of strewing nowers eacn year upon the graves of our heroes would long since nave passed away, ana out ior ineir pres ence here to-day nine-tenths of the men now here would be going about their every day business. The speaker had been given credit for very great familiarity with the Scriptures ; inaeea, it naa Deen saia oi him that ne Knew mqre oi tne rsiuie ana practiced less of it than any other man in the State. ' But however that might be he had lately fallen upon an interpretation of certain Biblical text wmcn ne aid .not find laid down by any of the commenta tors. It is said that in heaven there is neither marrying nor giving in marriage, and this he. conceived to mean that tner were so many mora women there than men that there could not be found men enough to go 'round. He congratulated the people upon the evidences that the hard times are rapidly drawing to a close, and that the old land marks are re-appearing. With renewed as surances of kindly regard for the whole people of .North Uarouna. with congratula tions for the people of Charlotte upon the extent and magnificence of the demonstra tion to-day, with a cordial greeting to our Columbia and Wilmington friends who are engaged with us in celebrating this day, and finally with the hope that "peace may ever be in your walls and prosperity in your palaces," His Excellency the Govern or, notwithstanding the cries of "go on," bade h'S friends good day and excused himself from further remarks. "Rust oh Wheat." A correspondent at Cool Sidings informs us that the cry of "rust on wheat" is becoming alarming One large farmer who thought ten days ago that be would make six hundred bush els, is now willing to take one hundred ior his crop. Berry Foster, the celebrated whisky maker,' has a large field on the Mocksville road that looks almost dead, and will likely not head out at alL In some localities rust did not show week ego, but now the wheat is red, and the heads have nothing in ibem.StatetviUe Landmark. , - V What Christians Hats to Buffkr. Christians, have their troubles as well as sinners. When we die and go to Heaven because we haven't done lots of things which we wanted to do. it will lost eut us to tbe quick to see a long procession of sin ners comfng la who" went to theatres ana duces and balls, - and ' then repented just in the nick of "time. SL Joseph (Mo.) f It is estimated that 400.000 acres of new ground in ncrthern ilinnesota will be put under cultivation this leasotv " i General Conference JT, E. Chnrco. . ' From onr Special Correspondent.) ' ' Atlanta, May 17, 1878. , The General Conference is disposing of its business as expeditiously as possible, with a view to an adjournment next week if possible. ' - The most important subjects of legislation yet to come before it are the publishing ' interests, the reports of the General Conference officers, and provision for the future operation of the various in terests of the Church connected with the publishing house, but it is desired by the Conference to dispose of ' these subjects next week. . . Bishop W'ghtman presides today, 1 i- Rev. William Marion Rush, D. DM is one of the ablest debaters in the Geueral Conference. ! .- ' . " He was born in Marion county Missouri, In Dec 1823. In the new and growing country, as was Missiouri fifty years ago, he had not the advantages of early scho lastic culture of the first order. His credi table and commanding attainments are due to great perseverance and study, add ed to the acquirements of earlier years in the schools of the day. He became a member of the church when . fourteen years of age, and an itinerant minister at seventeen, being admitted into the Mis souri Conference in October 1841. At the age of nineteen he was appointed to one of the principal churches in the city of St. Louis an unusual expression of confidence in the preaching ability of one so young. Dr. Rush entered the Confer ence with the late Bishop Marvin. An intimate personal relation and strong affec tion were maintained between them, which increased with the lengthening years of their laborious lives. He has served as Presiding Elder of . the most important Districts, and pastor of the principal sta tions in his Conference, lie has been Identified with the Central College of Mis souri, as agent, patron or curator, from its foundation. In 1871 Trinity College of North Carolina conferred 'upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. He is now serving his fourth successive term in the General Conference. Dr. Rush Is endowed with strong men tal powers possesses a sound judgment, clear comprehension, ready perception and varied knowledge. He is an able and elo quent preacher, and Is well vtised in eccle siastical law. He is a prominent member of the Mason ic order, having filled some of its positions of distinction in his State. His features are striking. He is tall and robust. His voice is strong and clear. Rev. T. M. Jones, D.D., delegate from North Carolina, was allowed le.ve of ab sence, in view of the approaching com mencement at Greensboro if emale College. Dr. W. T. J. Millerf another lay delegate from North Carolina, was also allowed leave of absence. The Committee on Episcopacy submitted a report, announcing that the committee bad reviewed tbe life and official adminis tration of the Bishops for the past four years and find them blameless. The committee presented a touching tri bute to the memory of the late Bishop Mar vin, which was impressively read by Dr. A. G. Haygood, amidst deep and unbroken silence. The exhibitions of sorrow which these solemn proceedings produced evi dence the great christian an 1 personal es teem in which he was held while living, and the reverence of his Church for his memory. Dr. J. W. Lewis, of St Louis Confer ence, gave an account of the last hours of the Bishop, which was sadly interesting, accompanied by eulogistic remarks. He was followed by Hon. John Hogan, Dr. Wm. M. Rush, Rev. C J. Vandeven ter, Dr. Wm. B. Kavanaugh, and Dr. F. M. Finney, intimate personal friends of Bishop Marvin, who made statements in which were portrayed some specially grand and beautiful features in bis domes tic and ministerial character, including some interesting incidents connected with his home life and official administration. Dr. Young J. Allen (missionary from China) gave some incidents connected with the recent visit of the deceased Bishop to China, which resulted in so much good to the missionary work of this Church. The Committee on Publishing Interests, through its chairman, Dr. J. B. McFerrin, submitted a report on the past history and present condition of the Publishing House, so far as the Advocate (the central organ) and the Sunday school interests are con cerned. The Committee ' speak in com mendatory language of the usefulness of the Advocate, and the ability of its editor, Dr. Thomas O. Summers, also of the great value of the literature published for the benefit of Sunday schools, formerly by Dr. A. G. Haygood, as the Sunday School Secretary, and continued by Dr. W. G. E. Cunny ogham, his successor. A minority report was presented by Mr. T. L. Mellen, and others, in which the ability of Dr. Thomas O. Summers, as editor, and his high personal and christian character, were reforred to in gratifying terms, but containing some strictures on special features in the business manage ment of the paper, with a view to effect an improvement in that respect Both re ports were laid on the table under the rule. The Committee on the Methodist Ecu menical Conference, submitted a report uniting in the movement for said Confer ence, and providing for the appointment of a committee of Beven, composed of two bishops, three ministers and two laymen, to whom the whole rJatter shall be refei red, and by whom considered on the part of tbe M. E. Church, South. The report was adopted. Dr. N. H. D. Wilson, of North Caro lina was one of the committee above-mentioned. The Conference adopted a report to-day recommending favorable action on resolu tions to celebrate the centenary of Ameri can Methodism, in Baltimore, on the 25th of December, 1884. More about this here after.; . Tbe Secretary was directed to send" the greetings of this body to tbe General As sembly . of the Southern Presbyterian Church, in session at Knoxville, Tennessee, and the Cumberland Presbyterian General Assembly, in session at Lebanon, Ten nessee. You see that our Southern Metho dist Church is in a fraternal mood, which savors of true Christianity. Atlahta, Ga., May 20, 1878. T : . t as x uuuiuieuve uiia vuuiuiiuuuwiuu x am reminded that this is a date eventful in the history of North Carolina. It marks two epochs, one of which her people cele brate with patriotic pride and fervor, while the other is remembered only in con nection with its issues. The spirit of the actors in the great event of May 20, 1775, will ever inspire North Carolinians to the maintenance of the principles set forth in the declaration, and to perpetuate by proper demonstration, the memory of the transaction. The third Sabbath of the General Con ference was a sacred feast day among the people of this city and surrounding coun try. Bishops and : Ministers (nearly eighty in number) occupied the pulpits of the churches, some as far as a naif day's journey by railroad. The movements of tbe preachers at the cars on Saturday afternoon, were like the day succeeding the adjournment of an Annual Conference, as they leave to resume the work of their sacred calling, under xresh authority from their General . Superintendent, and a new commission from tbe Great Head of the vnurcu. , . ... . ; Dr. Foes, one of the fraternal messengers from the M. ,. E. Church to . this . body, preached in tbe First - M. . E. j .Church, South, to n crowded congregation, iaj ser mon of - great , power; and effecti veoes l our correspondent availed himseilxfi the opportunity of "bearing this able Mini. NO. 66. ter. The Methodist Church (North) made an exceedingly fortunate selection in the per son Of Dr. Foes, as itsfratenal messenger. He is full of the spirit of fraternity, as shown in the sermon of yesterday and former address. He has made many per sonal friends during his visit here. I say tbe same as to Hon. Wm. Cumbach. Bishops Paine and Doggett presided suc cessively to-day and dispatched tne busi ness rapidly. - The Conference is evidently determined, without formal action as yet, on, an early adjournment, perhaps some day of this week. A very important report from tbe committee on publishing interests was presented to-day m which the man agement of the publishing bouse was ex tensively noticed. Tbe report waa order ed to be printed and made the special order for to-morrow at 10 o'clock. In irivuig information on wita: subject X wui resort to tbe report itself for correct state ments and will renew the notice of it as it comes up for consideration. The pub lishing house has always been one of tbe foremost ot Uhurcn enterprises ana is, mere fore, of much Interest to the membership. A communication was received from Dr. Foss, fraternal messenger, assuring this Body that his church would gladly welcome fraternal messengers from this church at their General Cotifcience m 1880. A resolution reported by the com. mittee on fraternal relations recommending that the college of Bishops appoint two delegates (one minister and one layman) to represent this body as 'fraternal messen gers in each of the General Conferences or Assemblies of the churches represented here, was adopted. Dr. Fobs addressed the Conference mak ing acknowledgements for himself and colleague, for the reception accorded them on their arrival here, and the Christian hospitality extended them during their stay : and bade the Conference adieu. Tbe address abounded in Christian and frater nal sentiment, and was enthusiastically re ceived. . Bishop Paine responded, expieseing for himself and colleagues as well as the Con ference, a sincere and an abiding desire for the faithful and permanent observance of the principles of fraternity established be tween the two churcues. Drs. Clark. Henderson and Barr, frater nal delegates from the Methodist Prdtes- tant Church, delivered remarks in the same strain of Dr. Foss, bidding the Con ference adieu, which were responded ty by Bishop Doggett in his best style. The Conference is now assembling in afternoon session which necessitates the closing and mailing of this part of to day's communication, which 1 have pre pared in haste for the mail. 15. Atlasta. Ga.. May 21. 1878. One of tbe most protracted and spirited discussions which has yet taken place in the General Conference, occurred yester day afternoon on the report of the commit tee on Itinerancy of the propositions look ing to an enlargement of Presiding Elders' Districts. 1 he committee in tbe Conference the various memorials and resolutions on this subject, recommended non-concurrence therein. Key. P. A. Petersun, ot V lrginia, in t reduced a substitute for the recommenda tion of the committee, in which it was provided that the word " fourteen " be stricken from the section of the Discipline concerning the formation of the Districts by the Bishops, (page 70) and inserting the word "twenty", so as to make the section read "to see that the Districts be formed according to his judgment ; pro vided, that no District shall contain more than twenty appointments." This is one of the very few instances in which a change of Discipline has been ef fected, and considerable importance seems to attach to the subject amended. I' have formed the acquaintance of an other native of North Carolina, Rev. O. P. Fitzgerald, D. D., of the Pacini Con ference, who is one of the most popular, influential and intellectual members of the General Conterence. He was born in Caswell county,. Aug. 24, 1829 ; was partially raised and edu cated In 'Virginia; subsequently taught school in North Carolina ; from thence he went to Georgia where he became a min ister of the gospel and joined the Georgia Annual Conference. At the call of the Church he went to California as a mission ary in January 1855, has been stationed in San Francisco, San Jose, and Santa Rosa. He has filled the office of .superintendent of Public Instruction iu California four years ; and although he is not a politician, such are his scholarly and business attain ments and great personal popularity, that he has been the unanimous nominee of the Democratic party of California for the office of Superintendent of Public Instruc tion at every State election since 1863. He was- editor of tbe prgan of the Southern Methodist church on the I Paciflo coast for aliout ten. years ; is now editing the Jlomt JSewspaper and Educational Journal, published in in San Francisco. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by the Southern University in 1807. He was elected President of the Pacific Methodist College in 1875. He is pastor of St. Paul's M. E. church South, Sau Francisco. : Dr. Fitzgerald's style as a writer is both elegant and perspicuous. As a speaker he is fluent and attractive. He is of tall and rather slender physique, and has a genial countenance. The report of the Committee on Pub lishing Interests was considered to-day, It possesses considerable interest to tne church. .It is too voluminous to extract from, so as to make it entirely intelligible. Tbe committee, after stating the assets and liabilities of tbe house, recommend regulations as follows : 1. The continuance of the House, whose object shall be to "advance the cause of Christianity, by disseminating religious knowledee and useful literature and scien tific information in the form of books, tracts and periodicals," and in the publica tion of tbe Advocate. 2d. The election or a book aent to take charge of the-funds, stock, &c, of the House, and conduct the management un der the supervision of a Book Commit tee, strictly governed by the principles of economy. 8d. The Book Committee to consist of nine--four clerical and five lay five of said committee to reside in or near Nash-. m 1 vine, lenn. ine commiuee to nave cer tain powers in reference to the manufac turing and publishing enterprises. 4th. The publication of all necessary Sunday School literature, under the edito rial management of the Sunday School Secretary. These are tbe main features of the re port. A minority of the committee submitted a report referring to the financial exhibit of the Publishing Agent, aud recommend ing a change of policy. It proposed the - following as an addi tion to the recommendation of the major ity : "Provided, however. That as soon as practicable, the business or the uousesnaii be reduced and confined to that of a pub lisher, and not of manufacturer. The discussion on this subject was dig nified and able, some ot the most distin guished speakers of. tbe Conference engag ing in it and creating unusual interest. . Pending consideration, of these reports the hour of 13 o'clock arrived aud tbe business of the Con fervuee gave way to au exceedingly pleasant episode. Gov. Col quilt, on behalf of the oom'Tuuee on mi re dactions, presented it. -v. txeorge jJuiiglas, L.L. D.. , to Bishop Ktvuaaiih, who as chairman, presented him to his .colleagues and to the Conference, by whom he, was welcomed, standing. , He presented a com- mumcatien from the General Conference of the Methodist Church of Canada, I con One sqnare (l inco) one day... si uo " " two days, " ' " three " " four " flye . six " ....... too ....... S 09 ....... IH Contracts for advertising for any space or tune maybe made at the office of The OB&xxynt, Observer Building, Fayetteville Street; Ealelgh North Carolina. - veying the announcement of his appoint ment as the fraternal messenger of bis church. It was the first greeting from that Church to tbe M. E. - Church, South, which fact added, perhaps, to the . enthu siasm of this welcome. , Dr. Douglas was greeted by a very large audience, whom he addressed about an hour in his. Scottish vernacular, spreading a feast of which all , sumptuously partook and were not filled. He regaled his hear ers on flashes of genuine wit, and gems of inspinng eloquence, with the embel lishment of rich rhetoric. His . pero ration on the glory and achievements of Methodism was an effort of rare diction. At the conclusion ot the address the con gregation arose and sung, as Methodists generally sing while under inspiration, - "Blest be the tie tliat binds - s i ; Onr hearts in Christian love," etc. Bishop Kavanaugh responded In bis characteristic style, giving the speaker as good as he sent in some respects, though not as much. The Conference adjourned until 3 p. m. B. LETTER FROn ITIU. WAtH. Correspondence of The Obsskvee. Dobson, N. C, April 29, 1878. Messes. Editoes: In your issue of the 24th inst., I see an article from Cicero W. . Harris reflecting on our able and distin guished Senator, Hon. A. S. Merrimon, and also on those Democrats who thought proper to support him for the position he now occupies with so much ' credit, not only to himself but to the people whom he so ably represents. Having been one oi his supporters, and being unjustly assailed, I desire to say a word in reply.: I do not, however, intend to say any thing to stir up party strife, or any thing calculated to produce divisions in our ranks; I would prefer if there are any divisions likely to. spring up to pour oil on the troubled waters and heal them up. Mr. C. W. Harris has intimated that it would be best for the . party to lead the Senator and his friends out of the Demo cratic party. This might turn out to be very bad advice, as up here he would turn out (with probably some half dozen excep tions) the whole Democratic party. 1 voted for him, as already indicated, and at a Con vention of the Democratic party of Surry, held in Jane. 1874, (every township in the county having a full representation) reso lutions were adopted unanimously, ap proving of my course as their .representa tive; this acquits me of anything improper ia voting as I did. I stand therefore not only acquitted by the unanimous voice of those whom I had the honor to represent. ' but received their commendation. The insinuation contained In the letter referred to. that " trickery and treachery" was resorted to, to secure his election, by either Judge Merrimon or his friends, Is untrue. There Is Indeed not one word of truth in it. I made my entrance into pub lic life nearly forty-five years ago , as a Jackson Democrat, having been elected that year to the Legislature. I have served the people in the Legislature in both branches some twelve or fifteen times, the people always electing me, with one or two exceptions, when I asked them for their votes, and I was always elected as a Democrat, having voted for Jackson, Van Buren, Polk, Fierce, Buchanan, Seymour and' Tilden, and I voted for Judge Merrimon for Senator, and the entire Democratic party in this county, to whom I was directly responsible, have said that I did right. And yet Mr. Harris says, or insinuates, that we ought to be turned out of the party, simply because we did not think proper (against the wishes of my constituents) to vote ior uov. Vance. According to Mr. Harris, I sup pose no mans can be a good Democrat who will, in a contest between his Excellency and any other good, sound Democrat, not vote for Vance. This then, X suppose, hereafter, as heretofore, Is to be made a test of Democracy. I shall not, and the Democrats up here in this Piedmont sec tion of our good old State will not recog nize any such test, isverybody is ODugea to admit that the election of Judge Merri mon was the very best thing that could have been done, and that his course In the U. S. Senate has reflected honor and credit on the State ; that on account of his moderation and prudence he has taken a stand, side by side, with the ablest mem bers of that body, and is in a position to do the people whom he represents more good than any man that could have been found m the State. Why then, I ask, turn him out and put another in bis place ? Gov. Vance occupies a good posi tion and makes a good Governor, with one exception. We think he is too liberal In tbe exercise or bis pardoning power. 1 think jut. Harris would ma&e a very unsafe leader. He thinks it best to turn out everybody who don't vote as he thinks they ought to vote, l have always acted differently, always tried when a candidate, not only to get all my party friends but to get all I could from tbe other side and nevei told Kadicais not to vote ior me ior fear my democracy might be suspected. If harmony is to be the order of the day, (and I hope it is) then I would suggest that we let well enough alone, let Got. Vance serve his term out and send back to tbe United States Senate our present able and distinguished representative, Hon. A. S. Merrimon. Mr. Harris says there were things done in secret by a few members of the Legislature whose choice for Senator was Hon. A. ,8. Merrimon, which were warmly -condemned by the party press throughout the State. I, as one of the members alluded to, most positively assert that I attended no secret meeting, and as far as I know or believe did nothing which was not done puolicly and above board, and I have always had and still have a clear conscience and think I did exactly right and my constituents have said tbe same. , In this connection 1 could give other reasons which arc perfectly satisfac- torv to myself for my course, out i snail refrain, as it might be tbe means of stir ring up party strife. My opinion is (and with due deterence i suggest, to me inenua of Gov. Vance) that the least said is the soonest mended. My honest and consci entious opinion is that if the friends of Judge Merrimon are to be turned out of the party, that about three-fourths of the party would have to go pal. I am aware that while the people - are engaged on . their farms try'mg to make bread for their wives and little ones, there are a number of per sons about the little villages and cross roads in the State (who are aspiring for omcej engaged ia manufacturing public senti ment: not all. but a large number oi wis class, are in favorbf displacing our Sena- 1 .. .1 1 t I nn . Km ior ana puiiing anoiuer in uis yiuuc , wjcj however, receive no sympathy from the great body of the people. XX. m. TV AUUH. Fbom Two Points or Vntw. Mr. and Mrs. Squibbles and the visitor were sitting in the parlor and tne olive orancn was sleeping sweetly in an inner room, from which a door opened into the parlor. "Yes ma'am," said Squibbles, "there is some thing about babies that appeals to tba finer feelings of our nature ; an indefinable pres ence which softens us and manes our hearts go out towards them ; a subtle In fluence which recalls for God's sake, Ma ria, go in there and strangle that Drat, or do something to make it shut up, so that a man can bear himself talk in nis own house." Austin Beveffls. Kobesoh Chops Despite the unsea sonable weather, the wheat prospects are reported favorable. There is a great deal planted, and we do hope, the yield will be gratuyinz. ttoDoson may now 09 saia to be a wheat growing cotmfr.-JZotercfW