Newspaper Page Text
Consolidation of the Hillsborough nnd thu Mnriet'n It nil roads. This measure, so long urged on tho one side, and so strenuously opposed on the other, lias at la<t been consummated, so far as a vote of the board of directors of tho<4iillsborough road can consummate *uch union. The board of directors and several committees were in session at the Burnet House, in Cincinnati, several days last week, and on Tbursdayjruoming by a vote of five to two, a contract of union be tween the two companies was decided upon. Thus the " straight lino" connec tion between Baltimore and Cincinnati, which was to be accomplished by the Hillsboro' road down to Belfre on the Ohio liver, to connecWhere with the Par Versburg road branching off at Three Forks from the Baltimore and Ohio Rail road, is not likely to be consummated at any very early day. The Cincinnati Coramciical, of Friday, says : " The contract must now be referred to the stock holders for final ratification ; but, ?as ajcommitte representing more than two 'thirds of all the stock subscribed to the -Hillsboro' road tcquested the board of di rectors to igake a contract of union ot. ?consolidation, it. is-prosumed that the ac tion of the directors in this instance will be confirmed. We hear, however, that a protest from the friends of nu independent' Hillsboro' road will appear to-day, and that applications for injunctions, etc., may j be expected soon. Nous verrons. " The piccise terms of the union have j not yet transpired, but they are balieved ! to be the best that could be made for the j security of the stockholders and the per manent interest of both lines." The Gazette says the contract for con solidating the two companies has been signed and sealed, and that it will secure "to both all the advantages of a complete consolidation, without disturbing their individual charters. Messrs. Trimble, ( the President of the Hillsboro' road,) ?nd Byrd, voted against the union, and five other directors for it. The question now is whether the con nection from the Parkersburg road with ! Cincinnati, shall ultimately be made by the Hocking Valley or the Marietta road. One or the other it is expected, will be speedily determined upon. That by the Hocking Valley road will be somewhat pircuitous, but as it is^designed that the Hocking should cross the Marietta road a ?considerable distance beyond the Ohio, it' :is poesiple an arrangement may be made , for securing this double connection. The j Marietta Company, however, it is under-j stood, desire the connection to be made J some eight miles this side of Parkersburg, J by which that much of the present line j ?would have to be abandoned. It would, ! /however, we believe, be the shorter rout -?of the two. In either case we believe, the Parkersburg company will be under the l exp'ense itself of bridging the Ohio.?Bait. ? Sun. Piiuoc Albert aud the Eusiisli. The English press has contained hints ? and inuendoes with regard to the inter ference of Prince Albert in politics, but the most direct and defiuile charges are contained in a letter which is published in ithe London Morning Herald. This let ter saysthe Prince is always present when ! the Queen receives her Ministers, and on | such occasions takes an active and a lea- j ^ling part in the deliberations, a practice! (first permitted by Sir Piobert Peel, but which Melbourne would not suffer, and ! therefore incurred the Prince's displea-1 sure. Albert also, it is charged, corres ponds largely with British Ministers em ployed at Foreign Courts?his letters be ing of course private, and their contents | unkown to the Foreign Secretary (or the,, time being. Several diplomatists have j received such letters, being, in fact, pri-j vate instructions not conveyed through the foreign office. ? Where the Court j and the [Ministers notoriously differ | in opinion, as in tho case of Lord Pal- < merston, it is not difficult to sec what must be the result ol this practice, which j .is declared to be unconstitutional. There ?as also a good deal of direct, and ne cessarily ^secret communication between English and certain and Continental Courts. Louis Napoleon's suspicions of "England, nnd it is said his ?* menace of hostility" arose from this cause, certain important missives not reaching the hands for which they were destined. Lord Palmerston was not permitted to send on a single dispatch of any moment, which had not previously received tho sanction of the Court, that is the Prince Consort. These statements seem to come from authorized and well-informed sources, -and with people as jealous of constitution al rights as those of England, it is not surprising that they should exhibit feel ing at nny assumption of authority, ad verse to the popular feeling of the nation. The history of England affords some stri king examples of tho impolicy and dan ger of acting as the Prince is accused of doing. James the second, who lost his crown first roused the suspicions of the nation against him by holding a secret correspondence with Louis XIV". In for mer days, the betrayal of tho secrets of cabinet councils was callcd by the name of high treason and was punished as such. [P/iila. Ledger. Tub Final Passage of tiie E.vdohse -MEST Bill.?The long pending bill con ..tirming the ordinance of the City Coun jcil ofBaltimoro for endorsing a ?5,000, j<000 loan to the Baltimore and Ohio Rail road Company, for the ostensible purpose ?of laying a double track io Piedmont, and relieving generally the embarrassments of that company, has finally passed the Gen eral Assembly of Maryland. The measure was carried through the llouseof delegates on Saturday last, and, having previously passed the Senate, is now a law. It will be seen by our legislative report that the debate on the bill was protracted till 10? o'clock on Friday night. All amendments were voted down, the- yeas and nays be ing called on each by way of occasioning delay.?Ball. Sun. Singular Mortality.?No less than four Clerks, all of the Circuit Court, have departed this life, within the past 18 months, and in counties adjoining Up shur, Barbour, Braxton and Gilmer. ' [ Weston Herald. 5STJefferson T. Martin. Marshal of the Western District of Virginia, has appoin ted as liis Deputy, at this place, Capt. J. B. Watts. Capt'. W. will make a most excellent officer.?Staunton Vindicator. <intes. "Mtlu on the barque Kilbv nil il.? army officers on boa^d took ,Lh turn and^nnM r)() t',L dyex-oept ()ol. Gates. 3 ;nftl b,e|ll5r order might Lave been ?naintnined by him had lie issued the ne cessary directions. J,t. Van Vost testified that he iieard of no orders being given by Col. G iles to aid the officers of the San JTmcisco hi workiug the ship or for. the careof.he.sulJie,* on the Kilby when he ) (Col. G.) left to KO on board the Lucy' Ihomjison. Col. Gardiner testified ti.at j '"I 1,11 tIlt; time from ! aU.n r?! SBlil D?e?nbs.-r. an.I that lit did not see ),i,u do any thing or give any orders, except to the ser? vantsto bring water a0d food. It was necessary at the time that ho should have issued orders to the troops, as there was ?? utter want of syJm ; a num bor of soldiers were in the cabin, who were turned out by the negro steward of the ship to work the pumps ; all that was done by the officers of the ship was done on their own responsibility ; Col. Gate* was standing near the steward when he ordered the soldiers out of the cVoiri but look no notice of it. Previous to leaving the steamer, however, Col. Gates said ? "1 shall be the last mar. to leave the shii) " but subsequently left for thc KUb befP're 1118 commimu, l)ut yyIumi Kn iftff thought that the transfer of the men'woukl be interrupted by the weather. In reply a question, " If there was, so far as Col Gates was concerned, a fair and impartial quantity ot food and water received by all testified : ^ ^ Coh G"*-^s Col. Gates had an extra quantity of water each time that I was officer of the y ; ,he ordered me personally, or sent the bottles by his orders to be filled ? on the first occasion I remonstrated with him ; it was on the 29th or 30th, the se Kilhv?rnthUJ rday ll"lt "e wero on the ivill>) , and before any issues of water had beeu made to the soldiers ; I told him it would have a bad effect on the men as some of them were suffering from want of it, if the officers got an extra quantity be fore the men got<any; Q. What was the reply ? A. His reply was? ? I don't care a d?n for the men? 1 would rather that twenty of them should die than that my children should suffer ?" I then issued the water to him and some time after to the men. t-M ' XTh.at ?''Jers- while on board of the ivtlby did you receive from Col. Gates ? A. No orders, except to furnish him witli food and water. Col. Gardiner also testified thai Maj. Crates gave no orders or personal attention to the transfer of the men to the Kilby that he knew of, and he saw him leave the steamer in the first boat. He consid ered it an instance of neglect on the part of the Commanding officer Col. Gates, in not procuring more provisions from the bin l'rancisco; more provisions might have been brought without interfering with the transfer of the passengers. Lt. Murry informed the witness tint he had spoken' to the captain of the steamer about procuring more provisions and wa ter, which might have been done by pass ing a lino from the Kilby to the San Fran cisco, and hauling them on board. Maj. Wise testified that ho received no orders from Col. Gates to aid the officers of the steamer, but he applied to him to al low him, the witness, to order officers to superintend the bailing. Col. Gates re plied?" Very well, do it." It mantles our cheek with shame to learn that such-a craven-hearted scoun drel holds a commission in the American army. We hope he will be pnjmpLly cashiered, unless something can be shown, palliating his conduct. The Independent Banks of Virginia. 1 here are in Virginia ten banks styled Independent Banks," whose aggregate circulation, pr notes countersigned and delivered up to the 31st. of December last, ( according to report just made to the legislature of the State.) amounts in the aggregate to $1,800,235, ao-ainst $1,909,344,86, worth of securities depos ited with the State Treasurer, The secu riiies consist of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company's guaranteed bonds, Vir ginia registeled stock and couoon bonds, i 'Vlieeling guaranteed bonds, and various I \ irginia railroad guaranteed bonds. The ! following are the names of the banks ? j Manufacture's and Farmer's Bank at' ! y-1,n? j of the 01d Dominion ,at Alexandria ; Central Bank, at Staun ton ; Merchant's Bank of Virginia, at ; Lynchburg ; Bank of W inchester, at I Winchester ; Monticello Bank, at Char ! Berkd ^ AtaUk- Fairmont ! of BerkeU at Mart.nsburg; Trans-Alleghany Bank at Jeflersonville ; and Bank of Wheeling at Wheeling. Two others one at 1< rederscksburg and one at Harri sonburg. are about to go into operation. Immense Flocks op Pigeons.?The Vheehng lntelligencertstaies that on Sun day morning the sky was almost black at intervals for several hours with flocks of pigeons going North. It is said that one : Uock from the time it took to puss, must have been over a mile long. They flew ; so near the earth that they could easily j have been shot on the wing, and in thei, ; rapid flight, made a niose like the " voice of many waters." They doubtless came from 1 he immense roosts in Kentucky anu Iennes.ee, where for some time past she,n ?? ? bCL'n brcakino beneath Proposed New Tariff.?It is said the 'h ".'"'"rn ?f Wa>"3 a,,d ?>???<? of the House of Representalivas, will soon re porta new tariff bill, which proses To subject all imports to H duty of twnl,j-tiue ( percent.-advalorem, except spiritous li' quors, 01 different kinds, which are to pay one hundred percent., and except also certain specified articles ( a nrettv list withal) which are to be exempt from .duty. In the latter class are included I most raw materials for manufacturing and also dye stuffs of all descriptions sole ly used in composing dye. It abolishes ,a}' bounties or drawbacks on salted or pickled fish. None of its provisions are designed to go into operation until the , farst of January next, and goods in ware house will be entitled to] the henefits of the new rates of duty. H&T Quietly learn to bear a cross. Coopers Clarkshurg^egijsttr1 41 Kqiuil Illglitnand E<{Ual Lani!' CLA.KKSBORG, WEDNESDAY, FEB.22,1854 Extra Session of the Legislature. It is a general impression, we believe, both through the country and in Rich mond, that an extra session of the LegU- j laturc will be required. Its regular ses- j sions are restricted by the Constitution to ninety days, with the privilege of extend ing them thirty days longer, upon a vote of three-fifths of both Houses ; but the Governor has power to call an extra ses sion whenever he may deem it necessary, and is required to convene the General Assembly on the application of a majo rity of the members of both Houses. The Legislature has now been in ses sion more than half of the time allowed by the Constitution for its regular ses sions, and as yet but a very small amount of business has been done. Still, we be lieve, if a proper spirit was manifested, all that is necessary to be done, could be accomplished within the prescribed time. The business of the session has been re tarded by a disposition on the part of frieuds of the "leading lines" of our in ternal improvements, to monopolize all the resources of the State, to the detri ment of the minor, but not less impor tant ones, at least so far as the interests of the Commonwealth are concerned. This ''leading lines" hobby is one of the great humbugs of the day, and we are glad to see thatour western members, with few exceptions, are not disposed to yield them that omnipotent importance' they so arbitrarily claim. It is very i doubtful whether any of them will ever j pay, and it is very certain they all will not. Then why all this anxiety to push j half a dozen rival lines through the State, j We have no objection to seeing one of them rapidly completed ; indeed, we be lieve this to be the true policy, but we cannot see the propriety of appropriating one million to one work, and another million to build up a competitor that will render the first investment worthless.? j Yet strange as it may seem, this appears to have been the policy .of our Legisla tures. j The sectional squabbles over the "lead ing lines," are likely to cost the State much in time as in their construction, and will probably lead to the calling of an ex tra session next winter. It is true that bi ennial sessions of the General Assembly, in a Slate of the size of Virginia, is of doubtful efficacy, at best, and we appre hend that the fears of its opponents will be fully realized in the effect of spending weeks in maturing bills only to be nega tived upon the final vote. Information Wanted.?It is the im pression of some of our citizens, whose memories run back into the dim vista of the past, that there was once upon a time, a charter granted by the Virginia Legis lature, for an institution to be located in the town of Clarksburg, which would be of great convenience and benefit to our citizens and those of the surrounding country, and materially add to the busi ness and general prosperity of our coun ty?something that would "put money in the purse, " but it has been so long since, that it seems to have entirely escaped the recollection of our people. Those know ing anything about this matter, will con fer a great favor on the public by leaving at this office such information as will ena ble our citizens to *' call from the vasty deep" this long lost project. Post-Office at Weston.?We learn that our contemporary, F. J. Alfred, of the Weston Herald, has been appointed postmaster at that place. We cannot re frain from expressing our gratification at this appointment, whereby that town is secured a good post-master, and a neces sary incidental aid is given an useful pa per, in a location needing, but hardly able to support one. Were this system of aiding the press more generally pur sued throughout the country, great good j would result from it, not only to the par ' ty to whose service they arc devoted, but j the country genera'ly. Many useful journals would thus be kept alive, which now die for want of support. We con gratulate the people of Weston, friend , Alfred, and the Postmaster General, up on the appointment. Foreign News.?Four days later news has been received from Europe. Anoth ther terrible battle is reported to have ta ken place near Kalafat, in which the Turks were again victorious. The particulars have not been received. A collision is al so reported to have occurred between ; the Russian and allied fleet*, in the Black Sea, during which one of the Russian ves sels was disabled. We hope to be able to give the particulars of both these en ' gagements, in our next. We return our thanks to Hon. J. F. Snodgrass for part I. of the Annual Message and Accompanying Documents, and also to A. S. Holden, Esq.,for a num ber of favors from Richmond. Tua gedt at Oakland.-?We learn "that a horrible tragedy was enacted at Oak land, Md., on the iOth ihst.' It appears that a difficulty had for some time exist ed between Dr. Oonn, formerly of West Union, Doddridge county, we believe, and a man named Johnson, a merchant, and formerly agent of the railroad com pany, on account of an alledged improper intimacy of Dr. Conn with Johnson's wife. On the morning of the 10th, as Conn was standing near his office door, he was shot through the bead and lived only about five hours afterwards. Smoke was seen to issue from the window of Johnson's house, immediately after the shot was fired, which, together with his threats to kill Conn if he did not leave Oakland, is the only evidence against him. It is supposed Johnson j^shot through a hole in the window. He was arrested and confined in the Cumberland jail. Fatal Accident.?We are informed that Mr. D. Orrison, who was engaged in Dr. Carr's store for a short time, about a year ago, was killed on the railroad last week. The cars ran over him, cut ting his head completely off. He was a good soul, "a fellow of infinite jest," and his untimely end is deeply regretted by his numerous friends here. We are sorry to learn that Hon. J. Y. Mason, who was appointed Minister to France, has "adhered to the usual di plomatic costume," that is, covered him self with gold lace and tinsel, upon the principle that "fine feathers make fine birds." When will our representatives abroad cease to forget that they are citi zens of a republic that depends for suc cess, rather upon the intelligence of the people, than glittering show? The Edinburg Review for January has been received, and contains the following table of contents: "Lord John Russel's Memorials of Mr. Fox, and the Bucking- , hame Papers," "The Blind, their Works ; and Ways," " Ecclesiastical Economy," "Public Works in the Presidency of Ma dras," "The Government Education Mea sures for Rich and Poor," "Thackeray's Works," " The Machinery of Parliamen tary Legislation," " The Ottoman Em pire," and "Note to Article I." See ad vertisement on fourth page. i?3T" We publish in our paper to-day, a reply to the communication of "A True Virginian," which appeared in the Register last week. It seems as if our O paper is destined to be the medium of a sectarian controversy foreign to our feel ings, and we shall no longer contend against fate, but insert all on both sides, that don't "travel too far out of the re cord." So let us have the article of "Justice" alluded to by "A True Virgi nian," so as to commence at the begin ning. The gentlemen correspondents can | go ahead, if disposed, and we will stand by and see fair play. Narrow Escape.?Mr. Enoch Tins man, while engaged about a new house i he is building, fell from a ladder last week, a distance of some thirty feet, up on the solid rock foundation of the build ing. In his descent he passed through the rafters of the porch, narrowly esca ping being killed. He was stunned by the fall, but sustained no material inju ry. Accident.?Mr. John S. Hershberger, in passing out of Deck's barber shop, on Saturday evening lpst, broke his leg.? The step at the door turned, throwing him down and breaking both bones of his leg. He was taken home, the wound dressed by Dr. Edminslon, and is now doing very well. We have received a pamphlet copy of the letter of Hon.S. A.. DoOglass, to Gov. Ma'.teson, of Illinois, on the subject of river and harbor.improvements, for which we return our thanks. The position taken by the honourable Senator is undoubtedly the correct one, and we hope ere long to see it adopted as one of the settled principles of the Dem ocratic party B3T Gody's Lady's Book for March is received, and is a gem number. It is no wonder Gody is such a favorite with the ladies. JJEgr Hon. James A. Pearce, (Whig,) has been elected U. S. Senator from the 4th of March next, by the Legislature of Maryland. Villanv?A fiendish attack was made, one day last week, by some villian or vil lians, upon the person of Mr. Alex'r. Arm strong, a most worthy and excellent citi zen of the county of Gilmer, by which that gentleman came near losing his life. Late in the evening, by some scoundrels, unseen by him, who laid in wait for him, about a half mile from the 8tore of Mr. Perry Hays, on the West Fork of the Lit tle Kanawha, he was felled from his horse by astroke across the head, and while lying in an insensible condition his pockets were rifled of about ?575, in bank bills. Re covering from the stunning effects of the blow, Mr. A. walked to the nearest house, where he was kindly taken care of, his wounds dressed, and he is now doing well. Two white persons, we understand, have been committed to the jail of Gil mer on the charge of being concerned in ,this outrageous and villianous assault. I [ Weston Herald. For the Bcgistor. I Mr- Cooper,?I see in your paper of the 15th instant, the communication of a writer who perverts the name of "A troe Virginian," and who deserves sotae notice from an American Virgmian.-r This man trys to comment on a communi cation published in the Richmond Chris tian Advocate of the 29th of last Decem ber. , . _ That the main facts slated in "Jus tice's'' communication is substantially true, will not be denied here by any un biased mind ;^for abundant proof can be adduced to prove, the position. As many glaring misrepresentations as well as quo tations can be seen in the communication signed "A True Virginian," I will notice th'em under their differenc heads as they appear in his garbled extracts, and his nice distinctions. "Justice" does not call the preacher an "ultra abolitionist," he says this preach er holds "Ultra Abolition sentiments." " Justice" shows the ground of this preacher's opposition to the Fugitive Slave Law, and I will add a little more to what. Justice has said about his ^opposi tion. He says that if he was command ed by the legal authorities under the. Fu gitive Slave Law to assist in arresting a fugitive "he would not assist?that he would suffer the fine and imprisonment rather than assist, and that ha would rather give the fugitive a piece of bread." Does this look like "he advoca ted the object of the law," as stated by a True Virginian. Does a True Vhginian know where this preacher has consigned Clay and Webster for aiding in the pas sageof this fugitive slave law? This same preacher perseveringly states that our se nators in Congress opposed this law, and has made many here believe that Messrs. Mason and Hunter opposed it on the same ground that he does now. As to the Conference held, I happened to know a little about that caucus, and will briefly state the facts as they occur red. When it was known Here that the preacher in charge of this station, held abolition sentiments, a number of the in fluential members of the church were com pletely "outdone," and they said that if he held the sentiments imputed to him, "he must leave." One stated rather than suffer him to remain under the circum stances be " would suCFer his right arm severed." A consultation was held and after much counselling, the "heads" met at one of tbo "saddleries" of this place, and there another talk was had. The preacher took a firm stand and after all the lasser minds were spent on the sub jeut, the preacher rose and said. "Breth ren, the Methodist Episcopal Church can, and must be sustained here." Assuming lliat the doctrines advanced by him was the doctrine of the M. E. Church on that subject, what did these " wise men, these pillars," yea, these "class leaders," do when the d.ictum went forth from this preacher. They had to "succumb," and the next news was, that " our views do not ditl'er much from that of our preach er." 1 could refer to many who were well known to this consultation, and will do so if this is denied. As to "dreams, empty dreams," and sophistical evasions, I don't deal in such, I deal in simple, ungarnished facts thta need no sophistry to bolster them up. Justice does not say Lhat "four-fifths of al) the ministry of the M. E. Church of Western Virginia, are like the one in Buckhannon,ultra abolitionists ." He says no such thing, and if your correspondent were a true Virginian, he would not falsely misrepresent facts; neither does Justice say " they are paid by the British crown," but I suppose he has been told to say so, and if ho did " all would be right." Now, Mr. Balderdash, try the j next time you scribble for a newspaper,to confine yourself to the truth, and to pro per quotations, and don't write anything your pastor says. This true Virginian, 1 suppose, is like the 237 traveling preach ers belonging to the Western Virginia conference, when he says they are Vir ginians. I suppose that al least one-third of them are like a man who lectured here a short time ago,who said he was "a Vir ginia Irishman yes, "a Virginia Irish man." ? This is anew race just sprung up in North-western Virginia, "O, where did they come from?" Some say from the mines of Arabia. As to "A Trui Virginian's" notions about the Czar of Russia and the Clarks burg and Buckhannon Turnpike compa ny, I have but little to do. He has learn ed that Russia is at war with something, and as your correspondent has, I suu pose, had a part in this or some turnpike company, he supposes lhat the Czar of ? Russia will be on him too. No wonder such dreams follow such a scribler. 1 . suppose he "succumbed" when his com munication was wrilten. I wonder which would appear brightest before an intelligent community "Justice," or the man who signs his name " A True Virgi nian." / s to this preacher's raising it is of but little consequence tome now, as that subject is undergoing a legal investi gation in the Circuit Court of Wood county. It may appear that his ances tors were connected with slavery. But this preacher has told different persons here that he was born in Alleghany co., Md., that his parents moved when he was very yoivpg to Summerset county. Pa., and that before he arrived at the age of manhood, his parents went to Ohio. I would s;iy, in view of the false posi i tion this True Virginian has placed him | self in, that he too, is one of the 'yelpers' known in these diggins, who think the ' preacher is a perfect Priest, sent down especially. In reference to the information of the people, I would say no wonder they are misinformed, when such false statement* 1 are made, as is done by this man who signs himself "a True Virginian." I de i ny that the question of the division ol the church has been agitated here for nearly five, years. This question was ne ver lectured on here until Febniary, 1853, and then all who heard the lecture said if the position was true, "we were all Southern Methodist in sentiment," and indeed, the presiding elder of the ! Northern church said here that he was a j "southern methodistin sentiment." " A True Virginian" speaks of a fac tion at the North who hold abolition senti ments. Who is that faction ? Where is that faction to be found ? If he calls the Northern Conference "a faction," I won der what he would 'call the Baltimore, Western Virginia, Kentucky and Missou ri Conferences'. They would be about oae sixth of "a faction." out in false colors. . In view of the communication of " A True Virginian." and in view of what I have written, 1 would say, that if we, as true Virginians, invite, foster, and fra ternize abolitionists among us, what is the use of any law on our statute boohs against abolitionism or Northern aggres sion. But, Mr. Editor, to look at this sub iS.Pt gravely and as patriots," lovers ;of our country, and the perpetuity of thq Christian religion, is there* nothing to arouse every good man/yea, every Virgi nian, when it seems to be the settled po licy of abolitionism to have the fugitive slave law repealed, and with it all the liorrors consequent thereto. Yes, Mr. Editor, the object of the abolitionist is the extirpation-of slavery by all the " powers the God of nature" gives th m. Some by nfl amatory speeches and ^'publications, some by itinerant lectures, while there ire many who infuse their unhallowed jreed, by assuming to be followers of Christ, with all the sanctity of a Rjinan Priest, will induce many unawares to be ieve these sanctimoniouV hypocrites are ?he very embodiment of Christianity. 1 It may be, for all we know, that this areacher here, is under the ? regular pay jf the abolition societies of Great Britain ind New York. And why? It is the settled policy of these societies to brinw ibout. a repeal of the fugitive slave law.? I hen if the ultimate object of these Nor hern fanatics is the repeal or this law,, hen their aim is at a dissolution of the imon. Repeal the fugitive slave law,and thisun on is dissolved, with all its horrors, and ill its blasting curses. Where did the irst blast breeze from for a dissolution of >ur glorious union ? It came from nor thern abolitionism. Where did abolition sm have its birth-place? Amons- the :rowned heads of despotic Europe. It originated with the enemies of Freedom ind republican liberty, the fawning syco phants of tyranny, the willing tools of \oaress'?n ; yea, Mr. Cooper, the priu Jiples of modern abolitionism wore first promulgated in the Nerthern Troe Statos jy British demagogues and emmisaries, supported by British gold, as have been :heir successors to the present day. A Jissolution of our union was undoubtedly the ultimate and real design of those for sijjn founders of abolitionism : -this gain ed, and the pride of the British lion would be avenged for the disgraceful defeats sustained during the Revolutionary and ate ware. These disunion abolitionists have effectually sowed the seed of discord and disaffection in our midst, of which disunion is the legitimate offspring, unless checked by the great conservative princi ples of reason, truth and justice. Shoul.I the fugitive slave law be ropealed with all its consequences, where, I ask, would bo our Religious Liberty ? Civil, yea, seiiile war would bo the consequence? such a war as the world has never yet witnessed ?a war of uncompromising ex termination that would lay waste this vast and beautiful land of ours, and leave our wives and daughters a prey to the lusts of the licentious, and leave the des potic powers of Europe exulting over the downfall of our Republic, which would oe the last star of Liberty. Such seems to be the aim of abolition ism; a w ithering, blasting curse, a pesti furious excresence upon the body politic, a hideous deformity, begotten by the fa ther of lies, born of tho mother of harlots and nursed by the bloody hand of vile misanthrophy. its breath is pestilence and death, its practical operations tho de struction of all tranquility and social or der, of all peace, friendship and good will amongst men. How can a true Virgi nian extend the hand of christian love to such men ; No, no; a true Virginian would scorn, yea, spurn from him such company. As ever I hope to be just.? i am a law loving and a law abiding man, and therefore, I feel free in repel ling any assaults, let them come from whence they may. Buckhannon, Feb. 17. 1864. U8TICK' P. S?Is there 237 preachers belong ing to the Western Va. Conference?-, Are they Virginians? ' For the Clarksburg RogUtcr. Buckiiannon, Upshur co.t Va.,) Ar n Feb' 14' 1854- i fanrf*' h iER :7~AS 11,0 'mPression is (and has been) made here by one or two influential persons, that our Sena tor, the Hon. James M. Mason, was and is ^iPosed to the Fugitive Slave Law, and knowing great injustice was done thai dis^TlTh" ?? Ul,al SubjeCt- and wishing to P ' the slander, I addressed Mr. Ma ed'VimT' S'a!ing thefact' and req?est. edhim to write to me the position h? took when this law was before the se nate, to which luquiry I received the fol owing reply, which you will please nub Itsh in your paper : " Washington, Dec. 14, 1853. A. M. Bastable, Esq.;?Dear Sir.?] have yours of the 20th of November.? It is entirely a. strange position which you say is he d by some, that I oppose the fugitive slave law?the facts are briefly these : I reported the bill at an early dav in the session, and mbved its reference U the committee on the Judiciary?after il was reported by that committee back to ne senate, the select committee of 1' was raised, called the 'Compromise Com? mittee, to whom was referred by order o] h?^nat- 6V!ry bil1 ?r resolution thai had been introduced connected with th? terwards ca"ed ^her^^dpromiaeWB?f' sla^ hTt" report?d back the fugit'ir* slate bill io its onginal form, but wkh at th^n! ?' PTO*idinfffor a triql by jury a u from whuh 'lave escaped if k t?Se sTk \r * he ? btk bv th? | '. ?* th,? nght secured to him Union r7l eve7 8lave State in the suU wiir nolUfnt? but tbe ordinary suit where the slave claimed to be free.} 1 opposed tne amendment and; it was rejected | by vote of the Senate. The bill was then left pretty much in the form I had origi nally given it, and it of course, received my full support. ; " ogoing i31 OK |f the whole subject. urrect " 'speolfully, yours. . J. M. MASON". x ?r. Cooper, after those whanm - l0te Mr. .Mason shall see& he says on the subject, what subler^? will they hatch up next. Wo have oftfn here heard in the streets, around the fire I sides, and in the pulpit, that Messrs Ma Mason and %nU-r, our ?vna?rs in Cot" gress were opposed to tho fugitive sl?vQ law, because that lawrefused to the ? live the rigty Jo trul^j ijpry.g, Hunter's position as to that law known1 here; he baviiig obcupfed t __ position as thafof Mr.' Mkson. " a;c P^^fcor in/i - ?;n toPlnoQ <#W,.Senators . in their..true character. ; The original'let ter of Mr. Masflff, I; have-for ? the iiispbfe tion of all who wish to sbe it.' B - " ? . fU ???"ft : l VIRGINIA LEGISLATVRE Railroad was reconsidered, and the bill replaced on the calendar. ' ' , Oh Mr. Haymond's rttbtWh tho Rules ??yore suspended, and aJ>ill changing the i': times of holding Oourts in tlle^lst Cir cuit taken up for consideration; ; On Mr. H.'s motion, Uies ,t}ijl wa.s amen- ? acd and then orderod..ta be engrossed for a third reading. TiiUR3DAr, Feb. 9. Ilouaar?A. bill-Was rep&rtedTor tliffTff=r* lief of Thomas AI Hbrnbrf Sheriff bf Har rison county. A petition was presented ,by Mr. Sum: rners. of sundry'citizens of Upshur coun' w, praying the passage 6f a-'hiw refundihtr . certain taxes imposed: upon and paid by citizens of the Oo'mmonwealth, for affix- n ing the county ^eali of, lift several couu tiesi thereof to county- land warrants <Sto. A. number of offiobrs wertffeelected byi joint ballot* the resiiltrof whibh we pub lished last week. ? Upon a resolution to postpone the election -of Superintendent of tho Penitentiary, the following debate ocourrbd : ? Mr. Qarnett stnted.that lib had very good authority for the chargo .that Col. Morgan hadsought to procure frdm'tha Go vernor the pardon of 3. A. Smi.li, better known as ?? lled Boot. Smith," who .was convicted of abduoting slaves and sonO. ing them to tho North ; and if the chargo wore true lie could not voto for Ool. M.? He thought that so serious a charge should be disproved boforo the Legislature was called upon to ro-cloot Ool. M. It was due to tho Legislature, it was due tuu tho btato ami to thu Democratic party. ' Mr. Mayo made a staloment of what took place at meetings of tho cmmitteo on the Penitentiary, at which tho plivsi cal condition of several conviots, whoio health and the probable short tiino thuv had to live rcudered it questiAaitble whoth er they ought to kept longer in confine ment. Among them was "Red Boat" a*, i he was called. Ool. Morgan, in reply t() questions concerning him, represented that his health was bad. and that his con duct had been good ; but did not say a. word about his being pardoned. Mr. Martz declared he could not voto for tho re-election of Ool M i he was guilty of the chargo preferred'.? but ho did not beleivo it. Ho knew Ool. Morgan to bo a decided pro-davery man. Mr. Garnott contended chnt Mr. Mayo's statement did not shed any light on tho subjeat, as tho charge related to efforts m ide with tho Ooveanoi'. It was fur. ther charged that he exhibited marked clemency towards ?? Lied Boot." putting him over other convicts, and dressing him in oitizen's dress and not tho uniform prescribed by law for con victs. Mr. Wallace borne testimony to tho decided pro-slavery opinions of 061. M and expressed tho opinion that ovon if the charges brought against him were true there were circumstances involved, in the case that would protect Col. M. from the charge ol abolitionism lhe conviot known as *?? Red Boot " hal been, instrumental in savin* Ool Morgan's life, and displayed such fidel Jty to him and some of tho officers of tho instruction, as to command their uratitude. lie had been nearly killed by one of tlie> convicts, being severely stabbed, and was "n very bad health. Ho, for one, would not consider Col. Morgan an abolitionist, for desiring his pardon under the circum stances?notwithstanding the crime for which he was confined. Mr. Qarnett could conceive of no ex cuse whatever for the pardon of Smith would not consider any reason, however strong, asjustifying the interference of Col. M. to procure it. Mr. Qarnett movod a resolution post poning the election, and appointing a com ?,"e?.to. ascertain if Col. Morgan Had used his influence with the Governor to procure the pardon of Smith ; to report on Monday to the House ; and On motion of Mr. Haymond, the reso lution was so Amended as to instruct the committee to ascertain the reasons which were urged in behalf of the paidon. Mr. Haymond took ocsasroh, id movinjr amendment,, to bear testimony to the soundness of Col. Morgad on the peculiar institutions of the South* and hi. lj?Z Ins native State, Virginia. 7 7 ' The resolution was adopted. it Friday, Feb. 10. petition was ofterbd by Mr. Moore of 216 citizen* of Harrison county asking the incorporatlbAof aj int sto^k company, on the t?jo and tffree fifths principle, for the construction of a Rl?ar ? ?J*,?P?lt9 w<u unanimously eleo ted Penitentiary Storekeeper. ? - ' Saturday, Feb. II. ?HousB._Oa motion oT Mr. Jackson it Was J' ? ol 4<t:; Retolotd, That a Speoiai Committee be ?PPom^. U> inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill repealing the act passed February 25th, 1863, amending t^e.obar ter of tbe Northwestern Virginia Railroad Company. , ]'. ? Tbe speaker : announced-, iAbe appoint ment of Messrs. Jackson, Wallace, Sta ples of P., Holden, and ^ Major, as tbe Cosnmittee under tbe above resoldtion. Mbkoairt Feb. 13. - House.?A bill was (received from the Senate, increasing,ib6 capitat stock of tho Norfold and Petersbarg Railroad oompa* ny with the- son of ^8^0,0000, on th'