The Washington American. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 23, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 9, 1856 Page: 2 of 4
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8. W. CRAWFORDi EDITOR.
WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1866.
POR PRESIDENT,
MILLARD FILLMORE.
FOR VICE PRESIDENT,
ANDREW J.DONELSON
FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL,
♦ ,V UtEAintAW, OF BUSK. *
FOR STATE TREASURER,
w. a. tabltow, of harrison.
FOR COMPTROLER,
ie. 8. c. robertson, of bell.
FOR ELECTORS STATE AT LARGE,
J. A. wilcox, of wnr ah,
bobebt h. taylor, of fahvie.
EASTERN DISTRICT,
; j. w. flannigin, of busk,
WESTERN DISTRICT.
ZE08. W BLAKE, OF LEONA.
We are informed, a man by the
name of Dosier, killed another by the
name of Lane, in the upper part of this
county, a few days since.
The election for Sheriff in
Grimes county a few days since, resulted
in the election of Mr. Camp,-(American i
by a majority of about 100 yotes.
JC3Í" Mr. Sherwood has consented to
resign his office as Representative in the
Legislature, for Galveston county. We
hope the Kroutocrats will have a good
time in selecting his suecessor.
«■ ^ il
JC3T The editor of the " Civilian
has prepared several articles lately
which be beads " Glance Backward."
would have saved the editor much trou
We if his head had been set right at
first.
U3T The negro boy wTokilled Mr
Carmack's boy at Brenham, a short time
- since, h*a been captured, and is now in
jail at Brenbam, awaiting his triftl be-
fore the District court of this county,
which is now in session.
Ex-President Jones is writing
a series of letters to the Galveston News,
in opposition to American principles.—
What show have the American party
no#, for success ? Mercy, Doctor !
Maj. J. W. Simmons is deliv-
ering lectures in Galveston. The no-
tice is beaded "Glimpses of Famous
People." If be will visit us, we will
give him s broad side view of very fa-
mous people.
The meanest man in the world lives in
West Troy. In keeping him out of the
river once, a man tore the collar of his
eoat. The next day, he sued htm for
assault and battery.— Civilian.
jRT What would you think of a
man, neighbor, who would voluntarily
copy an obituary notice from another
paper, and make his friends pay five
dollars for it ?
£sr a. proposition has been made
for a Bailroad State Convention, to be
held at Austin soon. We have not yet
seen any good resulting from State
Conventions for Internal Improvement
purposes. It may surve as a small dis-
play of demagogism, but ean have no
good effect, practically. Enough of wind
LIE# OF STABVATION.
On to-morrow morning, of starvation,
the editor of a certain paper died. Pre-
vious to his departure, feeling that his
end was nigh, he prepared this biography.
1 w^s:born in the State of Mississippi
—that is, I have the best reason in the
world to believe that I was born in Mis-
sissippi. It is true that the incidents
connected with that very important
event (important to my subsequent ex-
istence) are very indistinct, as I was
very young at the time ; but from the
testimony of witnesses whose charactcrs
arc unpeachable, 1 can set it down as a
certainty, that I was not only born, but
that I was born among the long leaf
pines in the State aforesaid. Having
proven to the satisfaction of the most
-incredulous that I was born, and not
only born, but actually born in the State
of Mississippi, and not only born in the
State of Mississippi, but among the long
leaf pines thereof, I proceed at onee to
give the subsequent scenes"of an event-
ful life. The first incident to which I
can refer with certainty in the history
of my life, is the aforesaid long leaf pine
—a recollection yet green, or rather
blue, in my memory—caused, no doubt,
from the impressions made upon my
physical ulterior, by its frequent appli-
cation, leaving blue streaks in its course,
which time has not served whoHy to
eradicate. Nothing in the early part of
my life occurred of sufficient note to
detain the reader. Like Henry Clay, I
was a mill boy ; the only difference be-
tween us being the altitude of the coun-
try. While he travelled over the slashes.
I had the pleasure to jog along to the
monotonous, melancholy, condoling mel
ody of the wind, howling through the
pine timber. When young, I was ex-
tremely ugly—so ugly that I have not
the least doubt that I should have been
secretly disposed of, had it not been for
the consideration of a brother, who in-
terposed in my behalf, to save me for a
contrast to himself when we grew up to
be men,
I was never educated. I was sent to
school, but soon found that I knew more
than any teacher that oould be procured
for me. Generally, the advantages which
they possessed over me in mental endow-
ment, was counterbalanced by my supe
rior knowledge of the physical graces.
Instead of having my brain cultivated
by them, I managed to cultivate their
heels! In fact I never attended a school
three months, that I did not have more
vitality in the heels of my preceptors
than they had in my brain. I have Baid
that I was extremely ugly in my young
days, but I improved wonderfully as I
gtew up. "Í had not attained my major-
ity before I was considered "a nice young
man," and when leap year came round
actually had an offer of marriage, but as
I was not at that time in a marrying
condition, I surrendered my mustang, a
noble courser, which my friends had
dubbed " Rosinante."
It was the misfortune of my early life
to be troubled with two annoying pests.
They were friends and debts; and al-
though I was fortunate enough to get
^d of the former by leaving my locality
at candlelight, I could never evade the
latter. Go where I would, like Monsieur
Tonson, they would meet me, and I
verily believe they would have followed
me to this day, had I not, in a fit of des-
peration, settled them all off. It did not
require much to do that, as they were
all cancelled by two dollars and a half,
the amount charged by the Judge for
I neglected to
work has been done; ws vast something
tangible. Any expression that would [ administering the" oath"
be made by a convention, would bare no j Uji t the proper place, that Í was en.
effect on the Legislature. If any good gaged to be marri^ at fourteen years of
can be done by public demonstration, it
will be by primary meetings, instructing
members in tbe different counties, in
relating to the proposed loan bilL That,
we hope, will be done.
Black Cat, the only living child of
the celebrated warrior Tecumaey, who fell
at tbe Thames, with a few of his followers,
are at present encamped in this neighbor-
hood. He has been suffering for several
«oaths with torpid liver, and is now under
treatment of Dr. J. C. Allen.
Black Cat is an intelligent fellow, and
speaks the English intelligibly. He has a
great many cirtificates of good character,
and prides himself oa his integrity. He
wishes to start up a trade between Wash-
ington and the Indians on the reservation,
j and if successful, will bring a good deal of
r into our village.
JEST That horse we lost over in Brazos
county, has been found—dead a a smoked
herring. " ^
On last Saturday evening, we bonght a
f-ony. lie wa3 delivered on Sunday even-
ing, oa Sunday uight we hoppled aad staked
him. On Monday morning, he had neither
on. "Wc attempted to pen him, but he
jumped a staked and ridered fence, turned a
somerset, curled his tail, and seemed to say,
• larewcllj brother Crafford."
That pony is a dark bay, blaze face, bony
he<*d, Roman nose, saddle marked, a short
cotton rope around bis neck, and as ugly as
as the editor of the " Sequin Mercury."
He can out snort a steamboat, out walk
.a railroad, out pace a current of electricity
and out jump Jack Hamilton.
Any gentleman seeing that pony, will con-
fer afavor by reporting to us; and the gen-
tleman who is smart enough to catch him,
will, immediately on bis delivery, be tender-
ed the editorship of this paper.
age, and the engagement was confirmed
by an exchange of rings, but the lady, on
consideration, determined to annul the
contract, and as I, on consultation, had
no recourse at law, (sueing for a brcach
not being customary in the South,) I
sold the ring, and drowned my sorrows
in libations purchased with the proceeds
of the sale.
. In 1839 I migrated from my-native
State to the land of honey and fritters
Those unacquainted with the history of
Texas in those days, may learn of me
that it was made up of a mixture of
heterogeneous elements. Women and
eoiya frequently slept in the same bed,
and it was no uncommon thing for men
to fight each o ¿her with bowio knives
just for sport to the ladies. As for my-
self, I soon found that to have the res
pect of the fair, I should have to exhibit
my physical prowess, and an opportu-
nity was soon presented. My courage
was never doubted, but really, when I
saw my antagonist, I wished I had put
off my journey to this country a few
weeks longer. But it was too late—the
die was cast. We fought, and I came
out sooond best Since that time I have
engaged in that kind of sport several
times, and have tho satisfaction to assure
my readfers that I never got out first in
but one instance. I was never further
off than seeond in the fight, but on one
occasion, and that time there were three
against me
Soon after I got to Texas, I was pro
moted to a responsible office in a military
expedition in quest of Indians, who were
depredating in the couaty, Capt. More,
house, to whom 1 aotcd as aK-dc-camp
was a noble officer. I learned much on
the expedition. Although my exploits
will do for a chapter in my future his-
tory, which my posterity will be proud
of, I regret having made the trip, for
beside the hardships encountered. I ac-
quired a taste which, with all my power
of resistance, I cannot eradicate. Hav-
ing been five days without provisions,
wc slew an Indian, upon which wc feast-
ed until relief came. Ho was an old
fellow, and the skin so tough that with
all the roasting, I could not masticate it.
I regret to admit that I was ever placed
in a position where self-preservation re-
quired me to cat human flesh, but can-
dor, compels me not only to admit the
truth, but to acknowledge also that by
so doing I acquired a taste for human
skin that I cannot overcome.
But I am making this sketch longer
than I had intended—my historian
(Deacon S.) will amplify, and to him I
leave the next thirteen years of my
life. This brings me down to the period
of gloiy—when the sovereign people had
penetration to see something above me-
diocrity in the mill boy of the pino tops.
I was triumphantly elected to the Legis-
lature from Washington county,a county
which is justly celebrated for containing
more wealth and intelligence than any
other in the State.
My success was hailed as a triumph of
democracy. Aristocracy trembled in its
high places, and poor men for a brief
period, marchcd with head and tail up
There was a general rejoicing in the
county. My friends actually boro me
around the village on their shoulders,
and my relations observed a day of
thanksgiving for the " upward tendency"
of their stock. In the legislature I was
above par. When it was announced
that I was to Bpeak, tho lobby was
crowded with spectators, and when once
fairly under way, the crowd actually
were forced to laugh or talk out to each
other, to keep from weeping. I was a
lion. To what altitudo my beacon of
destiny would have lead me. I am unable
to calculate, had it not been for a singu-
lar infatuation which struck me. I was
a Democrat—elected by Democrats and
Dutchmen—but in an evil hour I joined
a new-fangled ism, whose deeds were
dark, because they preferred darkness
to light. It was a mishap in my life
My taste of government pap was whetted
by the brief expericnoe I had had.
was a demagogue, and had the reigns in
my own hand for political elevation.—
fidt I was not foolish enough to prefer
the purity of the institutions of my
country to my own aggrandizement—at
least I think so—bat tho deed La did,
I died a K. N. I veriiy believe though,
if life had been spared me I should have
gone back to the democracy, for I am
exceedingly tired of preferring principle
to party.
Since my political star has been on
the wane, my whole comfort has been in
eating—when I could get anything to
eat. Eating is my joy by day and by
night; I think of it by noon-day, and
dream of it by night. I frequently, in
the dark solemn hours of midnight, when
Morpheus has laid his manacles about
me, spring from his embraces, and as.
suming the commanding demeanor of an
orator, break out in the following im-
pressive language : "Gentlemen may cry
beef! beef I! but there is no beef." It
is a solemn fact, there is no beef. I am
going down to a skeleton. I have calcu-
lated my time for existence, and find that
cannot possibly survive longer than
ten o'clock to morrow morning. Nor
do I desire life longer. I can no longer
succeed as an editor My bones keep
such a rattling together, that I can col-
lect no rare news. My approach to
secret conclaves being discovered by the
noise they make. It has often occurred
to me, of late,*shall these dry bones live ?
Farewell, friends. Peace to my ashes !
No, not my ashes, for I have nothing to
make ashes of, I am all bones'—peace to
my phosphate of lime.
P. S.—Deacon S.. my counterpart, has
promised to edify the world with my
history hereafter.
have nothing to do with it. If tbe Con-
stitution requires the system of naturali-
zation to bo uniform, can it be done
otherwise than by Congress ? Can thirty
different States pass laws that will be
uniform? If not, how can it be cons
tended that they have any such power
under the Constitution? We are aware
that the power has been assumed by
some of the States, but cannot agree
that it is constitutional.
The second section of the fourth arti-
cle of the Constitution says, " The citi-
zens of each State shall be entitled to
all the privileges and immunities of tbe
citizens in tbe several States." Suppose
Louisiana should pass a law allowing a
foreigner the privileges of a citizen with-
in one year after he had rcached that
State, by removing to Texas he would
be entitled, under the Constitution, to
the same privileges, on remaining in
this State twelve months, ani tho State
would have no power to prevent it, for
citizens of one State are entitled to all
the privileges of citizens of another, &c.
And further, the Constitution says, in
section first, artie'e second, " Full faith
and credit shall be given in each State
to the public acts, &c., of every other."
The Texian says, further, " The Consti-
tution of the United States, it is true,
authorizes Congress to enact a uniform
system of naturalization laws. This
they have done, and yet, if this act car-
ries with it the right of suffrage, its uni
formity has been destroyed by the same
power which gave it an existence as the
late law in regard to the organization of
the Territories of Kansas and Nebraska
clearly point out." That is true. The
uniformity is broken, as we understand
.it, although wc might, if disposed to re-
sort to a pitiful subterfuge, as some of
the advocates of the measure have done^
say that the law was made applicable
alone to Territories, and consequently
its uniformity is not interfered with in
the States. But we admit that its uni-
formity has been broken, by the passage
of the law above referred to, but cannot
perceive that because a wrong has been
perpetrated it should be prescvered in.
The South contended that the passage
of the Missouri compromise law was
wrong, and after submitting to it over
thirty years, remedied it. It is never
too late to remedy an evil. The editor
of the Texian thinks that the natural^
zation of foreigners dues not necessarily
carry with it the right of suffrage.
Webster gives tho following defini-
tions :
Naturalize.—To confer on an alien
the rights and privileges of a native sub-
ject or citizen ; to adopt foreigners into
nation Or state, and pla¿e them in the
condition of natural born subjects.
[2.] To make natural; to render easy
and familiar by custom and habit; as
custom naturalizes labor and study.
[3] To adopt; to make suitable to
climate ' as to naturalize one to a climate
[4] To receive and adopt as native,
natural or vernacular. ,
[5.] To accustom ; to habitude J as
to naturalize the vine to a cold climate.
years ago as she has now, and that she
has recently assumed the power to re-
quire foreigners to remain in the State
two years longer than is required by the
law of Congress, before they can vote, is
no evidence that this right is not assum-
ed, or that it is constitutional.
Massachusetts, by resolution of her
Legislature, abrogated the fugitive slave
law, and yet wo presume the editor of
the Texian will hardly contend that it
was a constitutional right, or that it was
not an assumption of power to which she
was not entitled. If, then, it is proper
to remedy a wrong, the eighth article of
the Washington Platform is unexeep
tionable, for that is the object, and the
whole object of the section, and the
American party, by adopting it, have
proven to the world their adherence to
correct principles, and in its adoption
have only declared their object to be the
same which animated Jefferson, Jackson,
and the fathers of the eountry, for the
doctrine that a State had a right, under
the Constitution, to pass naturalization
laws, or modify them, was unheard of in
the earlier days of the Republic.
EDUCATION IN WASHINGTON-
W e ask attention to the advertisement of
the \V ashington Female Institute, m another
column. There is not a healthier spot in
Texas, nor a more beautiful location for a
High School, than in our town. Wc see no
reason why wc should not have schools of
the first order here, as well as in other
towns. Wc have small schools, it is true,
which are as good, perhaps, as any other
schools, on a small scale. But we want
schools which will afford the facilities of a
thorough education, so that we need not send
our sons and daughters to the North, to the
great detriment, oftentimes, of their health
and morals. If we could erect a suitable
building at a cost of several thousand dol
lars, we think, under proper management,
wc could have a permanent school of one
hundred and fifty young ladies. Then our
town property would be enhanced in value
at least 100 per cent, and scores of the
best families would come and settle with us
for the purpose of educating their chirdren.
We have now an opportunity of obtain
inga good and permanent school, if our cit-
izens will do their duty. If it should prove
a failure, let it not be from any want of a
disposition on their part to co-operate. We
give a grief outline of the plan and general
principles, on which the proposed seminary
will be conducted.
BUILDINGS.
The Presbyterian church, in connection
with some other building will be occupied
temporarily by the different classes, till
arrangments can be made to obtain a per-
manent Academic builbing, one that will be
an ornament to our town, It is hoped that
some such arrangements may be made by
the next term.
classes.
The course of study in the Institute, will
be as thorough as that pursued in the best
seminaries of the older States. The pupils
will be divided into four classes—viz: The
first and second junior, and the first and
second se nior classes. Young ladies, on be-
coming members of the" Institute, will en-
ter the classes for which they may be pre-
pared by their age and previous attainments;
Naturalization.—The act of invest- i but n0 0110 can senate without being pre-
ing an alien with the rights and privi- j l)arcd to undergo an examination in all the
leges of a native subject or citizen.— classes.
' NATURALIZATION
The Central Texiaa, of the 28th ult.,
contains a lengthy article, attempting
to sustain the position it had previously
taken in relation to the eighth section of
the Washington Platform. The article
is well written, and its style is dignified
and courteous, and consequently entitled
to our respect j but tho premises upon
which the article is based are unsound,
and heneo tho argument looses its force.
The editor of the Texian says " that he
(we) is inclined to that construction of
tho Constitution, which has generally
been termed latitudinarian." That we
deny. ■ We have ever been a striefc con
structionist, and have always been iden-
tified with a party who claimed' that the
general government bad no powers but
such as were expressly delegated. This
doctrine we hold yet. The Constitution
of the United States says-, " Congress
shall have power to pass a uniform sys-
tem of naturalization laws though out tlie
United States." Now we contend that
that was a power expressly delegated to
Congress, and the States can separately
Naturalization, in Great Britain, is only
by act of Parliament. In the United
States, it it is by act of Congress, vest-
ing certain tribunals with the power.
So it will be seen that to naturalize
is to give all the privileges of a native.
There are no half way grounds in law
A measure is either legal, or it is illegal,
and as suffrage is one of the privileges
of a native, it cannot be debarred from a
foreigner in any other way than it could
be taken from a native. No native can
be prohibited from exercising the fran-
chise Without operation of law. In
Texas there are acts which persons can
commit, as well as in other States, that
on conviction thereof, will deprive them
of citizenship. To fight, or bo engaged
in a duel, is one of the offences which a
citizen may be disfranchised for. In
other words, no citizen can be deprived
of a right to vote without an.operation
of law, and a naturalized foreigner is as
fully and thoroughly a citizen as a native^
Then the idea, under tbe Constitution,
of giving a foreigner the privilege of
exeicising every other right except the
right to vote, without the power to own
land, is eimply rediculoas. Webster
says to naturalize is " to confer on an
alien the rights and privileges of a
citizen," &c.
The Texian says further, l! But we
desist, as enough has been shown to es-
tablish the fact that the general govern-
ment has not the power to control, in
any manner, the rights of the States in
regard to the suffrage of its inhabitants."
We admit that; but contend that when
a citizen has been naturalized under a
law of Congress, that he becomes as
fully a citizen as a native, and no State
bás the power to disfranchise a natural-
ized foreigner simply bccausc ho is not a
native. In North Carolina a person has
to be a freeholder to vote, but this applies
to a native as well as to a foreigner. No
distinction can be made between citizens
The editor of the Texian appears to take
it for granted that because States have
abrogated this law, they have the power
to do 60 uader the Constitution, a pro-
position we do not admit. South Caro-
lina had just as much right twenty-five
For the Washington American.
FOBGET THEE..
by jen-eye.
Forget thee ! Aye, I will forget,
When silently I lay
Beneath the dark and dismal tomb—
Beneath the damp cold clay—
Where Music's gushing melody,
And Love's low voice come not,
When pulseless is this heart, and cold,
Then—thou shalt be forgot!
Forget thee ! Does the sun forget
To rise and set each day ?
Or does the pale-faced moon forget
To journey on her way ?
Ah, no! sooner would the earth
Cease, and again turn not,
Than /could fickle-minded prove,
Or thou could'st be Jorgot!
Forget thee ! Does the bird forget
Her nestlings on the tree ?
Or does the flowers forget to drink
The dews from heaven, so free 1
Ah, no! and whilst upon this earth,
Whate'er may be my lot..
One image in this breast shall live,
Which ne'er shall be forgot!
Galveston, March 27, 1856.
lor the Washington American
RATIFICATION MEETING OF THE AMERI-
CAN PABTY AT INDEPENDENCE.
Resolved, That the National American
convention in presenting the names of Mil-
lard Fillmore for the Presidency, and An-
drew J. Donclson for Vice-Presidency of
the United States, has faithfully discharged
the high responsibility devolved upon it;
and believing them to be truly conserva-
tive, patriotic, national and devoted to the
Union, and eminently qualified to fill the
high and responsible offices to which the
American party seek to elevate them ; we
pledge ourselves to use all honorable means
to secure their election.
Resolved 2nd, That we fully endorse and
cordially approve the platform of the Amer-
ican party,, as adopted by the late conven
tion at Philadelphia, as being conservative
and national, and we pledge ourselves to the
support of those principles, deeming them
best calculated to promote peace and har-
mony and prosperity of the Union.
Resolved Srd, That whilst the anti
American party hurl at us the epithet of
proscription to Catholics, and inhumanity
and oppression to foreigners, we disclaim
hostility to any Catholic, who recognises
and acknowledges his allegiance to the gov-
ernment of the United States, superior to
his allegiance to any foreign power. And
whilst we believe that Americans only
should administer and control the affairs of
our government, we throw wide open the
doors of freedom to the oppressed of all na-
tions, and welcome all honest foreigners to
our shores, and freely accord to them full
enjoyment and blessings of our free insti-
tutions. G. R. SEWARD.
W, J. HALE.
W, II. DAVIDSON.
£35E* The following we copy from
the Yazoo (Miss..) Banner, whose editor
is a lady. Her remarks are m> appliea
ble to our own Legislature, that we give
them to our readers. Don't once remem
ber them, ah ye bombshells ! A lady
can't hit hard, you know!
oral instruction.
The progress of young ladies in many of
the studies they pursue, will be aided by a
regular course of oral ii struction, delivered
in a series of familiar lectures, at the rate of
one or two every week. This plan will en
able them more readily and fully to com-
prehend the sciences which they may be en-
gaged in learning, while it will improve their
memory, and give them the habit of a fixed
attention. It is well known that a speaker
who can easily adopt himself to his hear
crs, may impart as much instruction in an
hour or two, as they could otherwise gain
in days and weeks by searching books for
themselves. This plan of communicating
instruction orally, will not supersede the
use of books, but it will be employed with
the use of books.
SE3SI0NS.
The Academic year will consist of two
sessions, comprising together ten months,
or forty weeks. The first session will be
a short one of twelve weeks, commencing on
Monday 21st inst. The hours of tuition
will be, in summer, from 8 o'clock A. M
uutil 2 o'clock P. M. In most of the High
Schools, and in many of the Public Schools,
especially in the South. This plan is pre-
ferred, as it is found by experience, that by
giving pupils a long intermission at noon,
their minds as well as bodies beoome lan-
guid by exercise and exposure in the heat of
the sun, so as to unfit them for study in the
afternoon.
SCHOOL BOOKS.
The class books most generally used, and
approved in other schools and Academies,will
be used in the Institute. As every pupil
will belong to some class, it is expected she
will pursue the studies of her class, and of
course, she will use the same books. Books
furnished to pupils by the teacher, will be
furnished at the same prices, as if bought at
retail in the book stores.
GOVERNMENT ANO RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE.
The discipline of the school, which will be
of a moral nature entirely will be mild but
firm. A daily record vriluie kept, in which
the progress and standing of each pupil will
be noted. This record will be read every
Friday, and also on the days of examina-
tion.
The principles of sound morality and of
religion, will be faithfully inculcated. The
Bible will be read daily, and the principles
of Christianity will *be taught, but no effort
will be made to bais the minds of pupils in
favor of one denomination, or against an-
other.
Last Days of the Session-Mississippi Legisla-
ture.
We were in Jackson the few last days
of tbe late session, and we are sorry to
say that what we saw of the action of
that body, more than ever satisfied us
that there is a tendency to corruption
iffthat body really startling to all honest
people. Tbe State would be better off
with a Legislature to meet once in ten
years, than its present biennial assem-
bling. We were in Jackson the first of
the session, and from the appearance and
character of the two Houses, we really
thought it was as fine a public body as
we ever saw together and believed its
action would be marked by integrity,
industry, and a patriotic desire for the
good of the Commonwealth. More than
two months were consumed, and what
has the Legislature done ? They have
spent jthe people's money like water,
passed some acts of looal or special inter-
est, but the great work that should have
been accomplished, the adoption of the
New York Code, is almost untouched.
The people should hold their represen-
tatives to strict account for their neglect
of their interests, and when they do open
their eyes some startling disclosures will
be made. We look upon this matter in
no partizan spirit, although .the Demo-
cratic party is responsible for the acts
of its Legislature. They aro largely in
the majority, and coald control the ac-
tions of both Houses.
HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM CENTBAL
AMEBICA.
By tho arrival of the Daniel Webster
at New Orleans en the 29th ult., we
learn the highly important intelligence
tbat, on the 10th .ult., Gen. Walker
issued a circular to the people of Cen-
tral America, declaring hostility to the
serviles. On the next day a formal
declaration of war was made by the
Costa Bican Government, and an ad-
dress from the President of Costa Rica,
calling upon the people of Nicaragua to
rise up and destroy the Americans.—
The Government of Nicaragua immedi-
ately responded by a declaration of war
against Costa Bica. Gen. Walker, im-
mediately after the declaration of war,
attended 300 troops to Virgin Bay, and
after waiting a day to secure supplies,
sent Costa Riea, Col. Schlepinger com-
manding. At last advices, there had
been no fighting, but tho Nicaragua
troops had supplied themselves with
horses, and on the 21st tbey were to
march to Guana Costa.—Houston Tele-
graph.
president pierce—his position.
The Southern anties affect to be high-
ly delighted with tbe late annual mes-
sage of Président Pierce, and pretend to
admire the proud and noble position be
has taken on tbe vexed foreign and do*
mestic questions. To our notion they
are easily pleased. He promised well
in assuming the presidential chair and
bis inaugural was hailed as an earnest
of a brilliant and truly national admin-
istration, but he soon let down, and dis-
appointed the fond expectations of the
country. He failed to redeem his
pledges and promises. Ho has been
neither the President of the people nor
of any one party. He selected his cabi«
net from the most discordant materials,
and in his effort to conciliate all factions
and sections, rendered his administra-
tion disgracefully weak, truckling and
vac, latmg. He has not added anything
to the respectability of the country
abroad, while he has strengthened fa-
naticism at tbe North, and increased the
distrust of the South. Had he pursued
mild but firm and well-determined
course, he might have done mueh for the
good of the country, by quieting seo*
tional agitation. But instead of this, he
has pursued a course that will leave the
affairs of the country, at home and
abroad, in a more unsettled state than
he found them. Thus has been frittered
away three years of Mr. Pierce's admin-
istration without the accomplishment of
any great or lasting good for the coun-
try ; and this, too, with every depart-
ment of government in the hands of the
democracy. And now, when a large
portion of the American people have
lost all confidence in the President and
his partisans ; when he distrusts the fi -
delity of his office holders; when, to
sustain his tottering and rickety admin-
istration, be finds it necessary to remove
from office all who will not fully endorse
his administration and survilely follow
his vacillating, truckling lead ; when ho
sees a majority of Congress against him,
and when he sees himself stripped of all
but his executive power, and the influ-
ence of his patronage, and deprived of
the ability to do any great injury du-
ring the nomaining year of his adminis*
tration, General Pierce becomes desper-
ately patriotic, talks big and promises
extensively. He has tasted the sweets
of power and would very much like to
enjoy it another four years. Being so
suddenly and unexpeotedly manufactur-
ed into a great man has spoiled him, and
vain ambition has entirely smothered all
the patriotism he possessed. He lacks
the essentials of true greatness, a fact,
the American people discovered some-
time since, and he will find tbe attempt
to convince them tbat he is any thing
more than a third rate statesman, with
lofty pretentions, a very unprrfitable
undertaking. He may promise and pro-
fess as loudly as he will, he norv his par-
tisans can again humbug the people.—
He is not the first noted («dividual who'
firomised largely and magnifieently, bnt
acked the power or even the intention
to redeem when his object was attained.
We havejread (not from Shakspeare) that
a noted charactcr once induced a very
distinguished personage to accompany
him to the pinnacle of a very high nou'
tain, from which they could overlook a
much greater extent of territory than
our Indians can fty>m the hill tops,
which was divided into principalities
and kingdoms. The arch-tempter of-
fered his meek and lowly companion
this vast and magnificent panorama, up-
on the condition tbat he would bow
down and worship him. This was •
truly tempt* offer, but we are told it
was rejected/ Many are foand nowa-
days who saerifice principle, honor,
character and eountry, for a far less
tempting bribe*—for petty Office—*'but
the poor devil who offered tbis magnifi-
cent bribe, owned nary foot of real es-
tate, and held no certificatea for loca-
tion. Having made false promises onee
before, in a far-famed garden, he had
become too notorious to longer deceive
and humbug the intelligent with false
prententions and professions.—San An-
tonio Herald.
The North Carolina American party
State Convention, to nominate a candi-
date for Governor, and to consider other
matters of importance, will be held, in
Greensboro', on the 10th of April next.
At a certain evening party, a haughty,
young beauty turned to a student who
stood near ber and said:
"Cousin John, I understand your
eccentric friend L., is here. I have a
great curiosity to see him. Do bring
him here and introduce him to me."
The student went in search of his *
friend, and at length found him lounging
on the sofa.
" Come L." said he, umy beantifal
cousin Catharine wishes to be introduced
to you."
"Well, trot her out, John," drawled
L., with an effected yawn.
John returned to bis cousin—advised
her to defer the introduction till a more
favorable time, repeating the answer he
had reoeived.
The beauty bit her lipa ; but the next
moment she said—
" Well, never fear; I shall insist on
being introduced."
After some delay, L., was led up and
the ceremony of introduction performed.
Agreeably surprised by the beauty and
commanding appearance of Catharine,
L. made a profondly law bow; but in*
stead of returning it, she raised ber
sye-glass, surveyed bfta from bead to
foot, and then waving the back of her
hand towards him drawled out—
' Trot him off, John, that's enough."
Another Loss.—The small steamer
Melbourne, says the Galveston News,
was wrecked about twenty-five milea
eastward of Bolivar Point, on Friday
last. This was a stern wheel boat which
Messrs. R. & D. G. Mills had procured
at St. Louis, Mo., expressly to run
through our Canal, and whioh was lost,
as above, while on ber way here. She
was accompanied with two barges in-
tended as lighters to fee taken in tow for
the Canal trade. Tbe steamer is said
to be a total losa, with the exception of
her machinery, which hies bees saved;
and tha barges are also saved. The loas,
wa understand, will not probably ex-
ceed two or throe thousand dollars.
Contentment is the best of richcs.
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Crawford, G. W. The Washington American. (Washington, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 23, Ed. 1 Wednesday, April 9, 1856, newspaper, April 9, 1856; Washington, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth181943/m1/2/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.