Mt. Vernon Democratic banner (Mount Vernon, Ohio : 1853), 1861-03-19

              Kim - 3-"-s. I L . -' .- - y x. -n, ,i? " :--4;; ro Li ii Li ! wo VOLUME xxrv. MOUNT VERNON, OHIO : TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1861. NUMBER 48. Ill ffl. 3JH0H elflocratie iBmer is rvBLism itiit miur seanae. OHee in 7ooi VAxd'f Block, Third Story TXM S Twe Dollar! per unim, payable ia ad natt $2,50 withia aiz mobUu ; $3,00 after the ex. (inttoititujw. BIBLE VICTT OF SLAYEI1Y. BY BISHOP HOPKINS OP VEHHOHT. To tez Bight Ret. J. H. Horxirs, D. D. L. L. D., Bishop or Vekmokt: Dear Sir The dangerous crisis to which oar natioaal Uaioa hu arrived. U universally known to have arise i from to persevering agitation of tbe question of Slavery, sod we bold it to b to daty of every pelfiotio mu, to aid, as far as possible, in firing a right direction to the poblic . . t i . mind, before we evils wnicn mreaxen oar uot rnment are consummated. Wo therefore re pectfully nk yoa to favor a 'with joar opinion npon the 8cripturai authority for Slavery, and the Constitutional position of the contending parties, in the belief that from your official posi-as a Bishop, yoar age, roar experience, the expression of yoar judgment woald be useful and acceptable to every man in the community. We remain, RL Rev. 8ir, With great respect. Your obd t serrants, B. R. Mcllvaioe, Charles M. Fry, Janes Warren, Thomas F. Young, N. W. Cbater, John J. Northrop, J. A. Uowtett, L. H. Sage, ' W. H. Morris, Hugh N. Camp, Thomas S. Negus, William A.. Martin, Ezra Wheeler, C. J. Leigh, George C. Collins, " H. S. Fearing, J, J. Van Nostrand, F. C. Havemeyer, L. S. Pond, John W. Halt, Dwight Townsend, EHbu L. Mix, E. M Fessefv J. WrOnati-Ti, G. D. Dorsey, J. S. Connell, Hugh Miller. Reply of Bishop Hopkins Bcrlinotos, Vt., Jan. 30, 18G. ' Mt Dear Sib I hate 'recti-nl ; your frifcndl;. request that I would give you my opinion on the Scriptural authority for negro cln-ry in the Southern States, and also on the constitutional potition of the contending parties, in the present criaia of .the Union. For the confidence implied in this application I owe you my cordial ac knoledgemeits, and I shall respond to it with the frankness which becomes mj office in the defence of truth. The word 14 slave " occurs but twice in our English Bible, but the word ''servant," commonly employed by our translators, haa the meaning of slave in the Hebrew and the Greek originals, as a general rale, where it stands above. We read, however, in many places, of hired servant," and of M bondmen and bondmaids.1 The first were not slaves, bat the others were ; thedistinction- kwinr precisely thw wase which exists is our own day. Slavery, therefore, may be defined as servitude for lift, descending to the offspring. And this kind of bondage appear to have existed as an established institution in all the egea ot or world, by the universal evidence of history, whether sacred or profane. This aderstood, I shall not oopose the prevalent idea that slavery is an evil in itself. A physical evil it may be, bat this does not satisfy the judgment of its more zealous adversaries, since they contend that it ia a moral evil a positive sin, to hold a human being in bondage, u'i der any eireematances whatever, unless as a punishment inflicted on cimea, for the aafety of the corn inanity. Here, therefore, lies the true aspect of the controversy. And it is evident it can cnly be settled by the Bible. For every Christian is bound to assent to the rale of the inspired Apostle, that " sin is the transgression of (be law," namely, the law laid down in the Scriptures by the au thority of God the supreme Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy." From this word there oaa be no appeal. . No rebellion can be so atrocious in his sight as that which dares to rise against bis government. No blasphemey can be more nnpardooable than that which imputes rin or moral evil to the degress of the eternal Judge, who is - alone perfect in wisdom, in knowledge, acH in love. With perfect correctness, therefore, yoar letter refers the q aestion to the only infallible criterion the Word of God. If it . were a matter to be determined by my personal sympathies, tastes, or feelings, I should be as read as any man to condemn the institution of slavery, for all my prejudices of education, habit, and social "position stand entirely opposed to it. But as a Christian, I am solemnly warned not to be wise in my own conceit," and not to "lean to my own understanding." As a Christian I am compelled to submit mj weak and erring intellect to the an thority o the Almighty. For then only can I be safe ia my conclusions, when I know that they art in accordance with the will of Him, before whose tribunal I mast render a strict account in the last great day. I proceed, accordingly, to the evidence of the sacred Scriptures, which, long ago, produced complete conviction ia my own mind, and mast, as I regard it, be equally conclusive to every candid and sincere inquirer. When the array of positive proof is exhibited I shall consider the objections, and examine their validity with all the fairness in my power. The first appearance of slavery in the Bible is the wonderful prediction of the patriarch Noah, Cursed be Canaan, a servant of servants shall he be to his brethren Blessed be the Lord God -of Shem, and Canaan shall be his servant. God shall enlarge Jsphet, and he shall dwell ia the tents of 8hea, and Canaan shall be his servant. (Gen. ix, 25.) The heartless irreverence which Ham, the father of Caaaan. displaced towards his eminent parent, whose pietr bad iust saved him from th deluge, presented the immediate occasion for this remarkable prophecy j bat the actual fulfill-tnent was reserved for his posterity, after they Lad lost the knowledge of God. and became at- texly pointed by the eboauaatioae of heathen idolatry. The Almighty, forseeiag this total dec- radatioo of the race, ordained them to servitude or slavery ander the descendants of Shem and Japhst, doubtless because He judged it to be iaeir fittest condition. Ana au history proves bow accurately the prediction has been.eecom plished, tvea to the present day. We com next to the proof that slavery was sanctioned by the Deity ia the ease of Abraham, whose 318 bond servants, born ia his own boose. (Gen. xiv, 14) are mentioned along with those who were bouaht leiih his own morunf. as orooer subjects for circumcision. (Geo. xvii, 12.) . His true sarah bad also aa Egyptian slave, named Hegar, who fled from her severity. And "the angel of the Lord" commanded the fugitive to return to ler mistress and submit herself. (Gen. xvi, 9.) If the pbilaturopisti of our age, who profess to believe the Bible, had been . willing to take the counsel of that aagel for their guide, U would bar preterred the pe&co and. welfare of theiUnioa. : . - - ; . The third . proof &at slavery was' aa&orized by tilt Almighty oeu-B in the last of the Tan Commandments deUrered from Mount Sinai, aad universally acknowledged, by Jews and Cbrir tiant, as ths moba.l law. "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor his man servant nor his maid servant, nor his on nor ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's." JKxod. xx, 17. uero it is evident that the principle of pt opertjfftmo.j-thing that is thy oeigborV -raa throughout the whole. I am quite aware indeed, of the prejudice which many good people entertain against the idea of property n a human being, and shall consider it, in due time, amongst the objections. I am equally aware that the wives of oar day rosy take am brags at the law which places them in the same sentence witk the slave, and even with the house and the cattle. But the troth is none the less certain. The husband has a real property n wife, because she is bound for life, to serve and obey him. The wife has real property in her husband, because he is boutfd for life to cherish and maintain her. The character of property is doubtless modified by its design. But whatever person or thing the law appropriates to an individual, becomes of necessity bis vrovertv. The fourth proof, however, is yet more express, as it is derived from the direct rale established by the wisdom of God for his chosen people, Is reel, on the verv point ia question, viz : If thou boy a Hebrew servant, six years shall he serve, and in the seventh year he shall go out free for nothing. If he came in by hiaaeelt, he shall ro out by himself. If he were married, then his wife shall ro out with him. If his mas ter rive him a wife, and she have borne him sons or daughters, the wife and the children shall be her masters, and he shall go out himself." I Jbxod cxi, 2-4.1 . Here we see that the separation of husband and wife is positively directed by the Divine command, in order to secure the property of the master in his bondmaid and her offspring. But tbe husband had an alternative, if be prefer red slavery to separation. For thus the law of God proceeds. ' M If tbe servant shall plainly say. I love mv master, my wife, my children : I will not go out free ; then his master shall bring him onto the judges: be shall also bring him to the door or unto the door post ; and bis master shall bore his ear through, with an awl, and he shall serve him forever." Exod. xxi, 5, 6. J With this lrw before hia eyes, what Christian can believe that the Almighty attached immortality or sin to the conditioa of slavery. The treatment of slaves, especially as it regarded the degree of correction which the master might administer, occurs in the same chapter, aa follows : " If a man smite his servant or bis nmiil with a rod and be die coder bis hand, he shll be aurelj punished. Notwithstanding if he continue a day or two, he shall not be punished ; for he is his money." Exod, xxi, 20, 21. And again, . it a man amite tne eye ot n is servant or tbe eye of his maid, that it perish, be shall let bim go free for tbe eye's sake. And if he smite out his man-servant's tooth, or bis maid-servanVs tooth, he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.'' Exod. xxi, 26-7. Here we see that tbe master was authorized to use corporeal correction towards his slave within certain limits. When immediate death ensued, he was to be pun ished as the judge? might determiue. But for all that came short of this, the loss of bis prop, erty was held to be a sufficient penalty. The next evidence fern ia bed by tbe divine law appears in tbe peculiar and admirable appointment of the Jubilee. " Ye shall hUow the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all tbe land to all the inhabitants thereof : it shall be a Jubilee onto you. and ye shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every man to his family.'" Lev. xxv, 10. This enactment, however, did not affect the slaves, because it only extended to the Israelites who had "a possession and a family," according to the original distribution of tbe land among tbe tribes. The distinction is plainly set forth in the same chapter, viz : " If thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold onto thee, thoo shalt not compel bim to serve as a bond servant, but aa a bond servant and as a sojourner be shall be with thee, and serve t bee onto the year of tbe Jubilee, and then aball depart from thee, both he and bis children with him, and aball return to his own family and unto the possession of his fathers shall be return. For tbey are my servants which I brought forth out of tbe land of Egypt, tbey shall not be sold as bondmen. Both thy bodmen and bond' maids, which tnou thalt have shall be of the heathens that are around about you; of them shall ye buy bondmen and bondmaids. Moreover, of the children of tbe strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy. and of their families that are ttiih you, tchich they begat in your land, and tbey shall be your possession. And ye shall take themes an inheritance tor your children offer you, to inherit them for a pos session, THEY SHALL BK TOCB BOBTDM EST FOREVER; but over jour brethren, the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigor. For unto me the children of Israel are servants ; they are my servants whom X brought forth out of the land of E?ypt : I am the Lord, your God." Lev. xxv. ,40, 49, with 65. . The distinction here made, between the temporary servitude of the Israelite and the perpetual bondage of tbe heathen race, is too plain for controversy. And this express and positive law furnishes the true meaning of another passage which the ultra abolitionist is very fond of repeating. 44 The shalt not deliver onto his master the servant he shall dwell with thee, which is es caped from his master unto thee, even among yoa, in that pltce which he shall choose, in one of thy gates where liketh.it bim best : thou shalt not oppress him." Dent, xxiii, 15, 161. This evidently mast be referred to the case of a slave who had escaped from foreign heathen master, and cannot with any sound reason, be applied to the slaves of the Israelites themselves. For it is manifest that if it were so applied, it woald nuuuy tbe otber enactments of tbe Divine Lawgiver, and it would have been absurdity to tell tbe people that tbey should buy bondmen aad bona maids ot tne neatnen ens stranger, to be their possession and the inheritance of their children forever," while, nevertheless, the slaves should be at liberty to run ovrsy and become freemen, wheo they pleased. It is the well-known maxim, in the interpretation of all laws, that each seateaee shall be so construed aa to give consistent meaning of the whole. Aad assuredly if we are bound to follow this rale in the legislation of earth, we cannot be less bound to follow it ia the Ugslatioa of the Almighty. The meaning that I have adopted is the only one which agrees with the established principle of legal cooetraetioa, and it has invariably beea sanctioned by too doctors of the Jewish Law, and every respectable UnruUaa commentator. Snob, then is the institution of Slavery laid down by the Lord God of Isreal foe His ehosan people, and continued for fifteen centuries, un til the new dispensation of the GospeL What change did this produce 7 1 rraat. of eoorma. that we, as Christians, are bound by ths) precept and example of oar Savior and His apostles. Lot as no, therefore proceed to the all tmportast inquiry whether we are authorized by these to ore 1 ,V At t i r V igmi U1U Ml wUUHl JabWHl WM UOQf aWRy. First, then, we ask what the divine Redeemer said in reference to Slavery. And the answer is perfectly . ondematlet : Us -sis sot axutdk Ton at alu -Not one word npon the subject is recorded by any of the tour Evangelists who gave Uis life and doctrines to the world. Yet Slaverr was fa f au existence at the time thronrh oat Jadaa t and the Coroa Empire, - according to the historian, Gibbon, contained sixty mil lions of Slaves, on the lowest probable computa tion ! How prosperous and united would our glorious Republic be at this hoar, if the eloquent ana perunacione uecuumcre iguim owtw bm been willinr to follow their Savior's example T Bat did not oar Lord substantially repeal the old law, by the mere fact that ho established a new dispensation 7 Certainly not nnless tbey were incompatible. And that He did not consider them incompatible is clearly proven by his own express declaration. Think not," said He that I am come to destroy the law of the proph ets. I am not come to destroy bat to falQi." (Mat. v, 17) On that point, therefore, this sio rle paasare is conclusive. It is said by some, however, that the great principle of the Gospel, love to God and man. necessarily involved the condemnation of slave ry. Yet how should it have any such result. when we remember that this was no new princi Ele, bat, on the contrary, was laid down by the leity to His own chosen people, and was quoted from the Old Testament by the Savior Himself ? And why should slavery be thought inconsistent with it 7 In the relation of master and slave, we are assured by oar Southern . brethren that there is incomparable more mutual love than can ever be found between the employer and the nireiiDg. adq i can reaoiiy : Deueve it, ior un very reason that it is a relation for life, and. the parties when rightly disposed, most therefore feel a far stronger and deeper interest in each other. The next evidence which proves that the Mo- saio law was not held to be inconsistent with the Gospel. Occurs in the statement of the apostels to St. Paul, made some twenty years at least, af ter the establishment of the first Christian Church in Jerusalem. "Thoo seeet, brother," said they, "'bow many thousands of Jews there sre who believe, and they are all zealous of the lato.n (Acts xxi 20.) How could this have been possible, if the law was supposed to have been abolished by tbe new dispensation 7 But the precepts and conduct of St. Paul him self, the great apostle of the Gentiles, are all sufficient, because he meets the very point, and settles the whole question. Thus he aaith to the hiDbesiaos, "Servants, tin the original ' Greek, bond servants or slave. ) "be obedient to them that are your masters, according to tbe flesh, with fear and trembling, ia singleness of yonr hearts, as onto Chmt. Not with eye-service, a men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing tbe will of God from tby heart, with good well doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men. knowing that whatsoever, rood thing any man doetb, the same shall be receive of the Lord, whether be he bond or free. And ye masters, do the same thing onto them, forbearing threatening, knowing that your master ia also in heaven, neither is there any respect of persons with him." (Eph. vi, 5-6.) Again to the Coloraian, St. Paul repeat the same commandments. ''Servants, (that is bond servants or slaves,) "obey in all thtDgs your mas ters according to the flesh, not with eye-service as men-pleasers but in singleness of heart, fear ing liod." (Col. -.hi, 22.) "Masters, give onto your servants, that which is just and equal, knowing that ye also have a master in heaven." (CoL iv, 1.) Again, the inspired teacher lays down the law ia very strong teraaeTimothy, thsvfirst Bishop of Ephesus. "Let as many servants as are under the yoke, (i. e. the yoke of; bondage.) "count their own masters worthy of all honor. that the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed. And ther that have believing mas ters, let theto not despise them because they are brethren, but 'rather do them service because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of tbe benefit. These things teach and exhort. If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wnolaome words, even the words of oar Lord Jesas Christ, and to the doctrine which is accor ding to godliness, be is prood, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings and snrmiaings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness. From such withdraw thyself. But godliresa with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. . And having food and raiment, let ns be therewith content." (1 Tim. vi, 1-8.) Lastly, St. raui, in his Epistle to Philemon, informs him that be had sent back his 'fugitive slave, whom tbe apostle had converted to the Christian faith during his imprisonment, asking tbe master to forgive and receive his penitent disciple. I beseech thee for my son Onesimus.' saith he, "whom I have begotten in my bonds. hich in time past was to thee unprofitable to tbee and to me, whom T have sent again ; thoo therefore receive him that is mine own bonds. bom I would have retained with me, that in tby stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel. Bat without thy mind would I do nothing.-that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willinrlv. For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldst receive him forever,. not now as a servant, bat above a servant, a brother beloved. specially to me, bat how much more to thee, both in the flesh and in the Lord. If thoo eoun- test me therefore a partner, receive him as mr self. If he hath wronred thee or owed thee ought, put that on mine account. Paul have written it with mine own hand. I will repay it; albeit I do not say to thee how thou oweet unto me tbine own soul besides." Ep.to Philemon, v. 10-3.1 The evidence of the New Testament is thus complete, plainly proving that the institution of slavery was not abolished by the Gospel. Compare now . the course of the ultra abolitionists tth that of Christ and bis inspired apostle, Tbe divine Redeemer openly rebokes the sancti monious Pharisees, "who made void the law of God by their traditions." He spares not ther wealthy, infidel Sadocees. He denounces the hypocritical Scribes, who "loved the uppermost rooms at feasts and to be oalleu of men, Rabb:; Rebby." Ke calls the royal Herod that fox," entirely regardless of the king s displeasure. - tie censures severely the Jewish practice of dt voicing their wives for the slightest cause, and vindicates the original sanctity of marriage. He tells the deluded crowd of his enemies, that they are "the children of the devil, and that tbe lasts of their fathers they woald do." He makes a scourge of small cords, and drives the buyers and sellers oat of the tern rile. And whiU hm thus rebukes the sins of ait around him. and speaks with divine authority, he proclaims him- seii tne inena ana patron of the poor preaches to them his blessed doctrine on the mountains. by the seaside, or in the public streets, under tne open canopy or Heaven beau their di-easea, partakes oftbeir humble fare, and, passing by the rich and the great, chooses his apostles from the ranks of the publicans aad the fishermen of Galilee. Yet be lived ia the midst of slavery, maintained over the old heathen races, in aceor dance with the Mosaie law, and ottered not one word against it! ; What proof can bo stronger than this, that he did not regard it as a sin or a moral evil? And what contrast ean .be more manifest than this example of Christ on the one hand, and the load and bitter denunciations of oar anti slavery preachers and politicians, col' ling themselves , Christians, on the other? - For they not only set themselves against the Word of God ia this matter, condemning slavery as the "monster sin,"1 the "sum of all villainies," but strange to say tbey do it in the very nam of taai oanonr vnose wnoln line of oondoct was the very opposite of their own! Look next at the contrast aflorded by the ia- Sired Apostle of the Gentiles. He preaches to e slave, and tells him to be obedient to his mas ter for Christ's sake, faitbfal and submissive, as a man's branch of religions eaty. He preaches to the master, and tells hint to be just aad equal to his slaves, knowing that his master is in Heaven. Be Cads a fugitive slave, and converts him the GospeL aad then sends him back again to his old home, with a letter of kind recommendation. Why does St. Paal act thus? Why does ho not counsel the fugitive to claim his right to freedom, and defend that right, if accessary, by the strong hand of violence, even onto death? Why does he not write to his disciple, Philemon, and rebuke him for the awful sia of holding a fellowman to bondage, and charge it npon him, as a solemn doty, to emancipate his slaves, at the peril of his sool? v . . . The answer is very plain. SL Paul was inspired, and knce the will of the Lard Jesus Christ and was only intent on obeying iL And who are we, that in oar modern wisdom presume to set aside the Word of God, and acorn the exam-Die of the divine Redeemer, and spurn the preaching and coed net of the apostles and invent for ourselves a "higher law" than those holy Scriptures which are given to ns as rta light to oar feet and a lamp to oar pains." in too dark- ness of a sinful and polluted world? Who are we. (hat virtually blot out the language of the sacred record,- aad dictate to the Majesty of Heaven what He shall regard aa am, and reward as duty t Who are we, that are ready to trample the doctrine of the Bible, and tear to shreds tbe Constitution of oar country, and even plunge the land into the untold horrors of civil war, and vet boldly pray to God of Israel to bless oar very acts of rebellion against His own. sovereign au thority?: Woe to oar Union when the blind become the leaders of the blind! Woe to the man who dares to "strive against his Maker." Yet I do not mean to charge the numerous and respectable friends of this popularf delusion with a wilful or conscious opposition to the truth. They are seduced, doubtless, in the great major ity of cases, by the feelings of a false philanthro py, which palliates, if it ' .cannot excuse their dangerous error. Living far away from the Southern States, with no practical experience of their institutions, and accustomed, from their childhood, to attach an inordinate value to their personal liberty, they are naturally disposed to compassionate the negro race, and to believe that the slave most be supremely wretched in his bondage. They are under no special inducement to "search the scrip to res" on this particu lar subject, nor are they in general, I am sorry to say, accustomed to study the Bible half as much as they read the newspapersVnovels and magazines. There they find many revolting pictures of slavery. They do not stop to ask the question whether they are just and faithful Perhaps a fugitive comes alone, who bad fled from his master, and who, in justification of himself, will usually give a very distorted statement of the facts, even if he does not invent them altogether. And these good und kind-hearted peo ple believe it implicity, wit. oat ever remembering the rale about hearina loth sides'.'before we form oar opinion. Of eofe they sympathise warmly with the poor oppr ?ed African and are generously excited to bate,-. Y system of Slavery wun all their heart. Then tae etoouent preacher chooses it for the favorite topic of his oratory. (be tbeme is well adopted to roose the feelings, nnd it is usually by no means difficult to interest and gratify the audience, when the supposed sins of others, which they are under no temptation to commit, are made the object of censure. In due time, when the pnblio mind is sufficient heated, the politician lays bold of the subject, and makes the anti-slavery movement the watch word of party. And, finally, the Press follows in the wake of the leaders, and the fire is industriously fanned until it becomes a perfect blaze ; while the admiring throng surround it with ex altation, and fancy its lurid light to be from heaven, nntil the flames begin to threaten their own property. Such has been the perilous course of oar nor- there sentiment on the subject of slavery. The great majority in every community, are tbe crea tures of habit, of association and of impulse. and every allowance should be made for those errors which are committed in ignorance, ander a generous sympathy for what tbey suppose to be the rights of man. : I cannot, however, make the same apology for those ho are' professional, ly pledged to understand and inculcate tbe doc trines of the Bible. On that class of our public instructors, the present perilous crisis of the na tion casts a fearful responsibility. Solemnly bound by their sacred office to preach the Word of God, and to follow Christ and His Apostles, they seem to me strangely, regardless, on this important subject, of their highest obligations. Bat it is not for me to judge them. To their own Master, let them stand or fait The Bishop's Constitutional view of Slavery is omitted for want of room. CHEOCTOLOOY of EYE27TS SIIJCB THE PBESIDEirriAL ELECTION. It is now, March 6th, 1861, four months, or one quarter of a year, since the last Presidential election. Events of the most startling character have followed each other in rapid succession. Events of the most startling; character have followed each other in rapin succession. For the information of oar readers and for future reference, we present a brief summary of the princi pal of these events: VOTEXRK, 1860. 6 The election for President and Vice President.9 Resigoation of James Chesnat, of South Carolina, United States Senator, and of James Msgrath,U. S. District Judge at Charleston, S. C. , - ., - v 10 Nearly all the U. 8. Government officers at Charleston, 8. C, resigned. 13 James H. Hammond, of South Carolina, U. 8. Senator, resigned. 14 The South Saroliaa Legislature passed an act eallirg a SUte Convention. 23 The Banks in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Wheeling, Norfolk, Augasta, Ga, Trenton, N. Jt Pittsburgh, Pa and ia the District of Coram bia, together with the Farmers and Exchange Bank in Charleston, S. O, snspended specie pey menta. " , . -. . 26 AH the , principal Banks of Tennessee, including the State Bank, sosepended specie payments. . sscsmgB, 1860. : . ;" - 6 In accordance with the resolntion of Mr. lioteler, of Virginia, the Speaker of the U. 8. House of RepresenUtlves appointed the famous Special Committee of Thirty-three,- consisting of one member from each State, to whom was - re ferred that portion of the President's Message relating to the pariloas coaditioo of th coohtry. . . . . . The people of South Carolina elected delegates to a State Convention. Every delegate chosen was in favor of secession. 10 The Legislature of Louisiana convened and passed an act for a State Convention. . . U. S. five ser cent, stocks sold for eighty-nine cents on tbe dollar lower price thaa any U. S. stocks had brought mace the last war with England. . . . Howell Cobb, of Georgia, Secretary of the U. S. "Treasury, resigned. 11 Philip F. Thomas, of Maryland, was ap-poiated, by President Buchanan, Secretaty of the U.S. Treasary. 14 President Buchanan issued a proclamation for a National Fast on January 4, 1861. . -. ' Gen. Cass resigned his poei lion as Secre tary of State. : 17 South Carolina State Convention met at Colombia and adjourned to Charleston. . . Attorney General Jeremiah 8. Black, of Pe-, ap pointed by the President Secretary of State. - 18 Edwin M. Stanton, of Pa, appointed by the President U. S. Attorney General. 20 Sooth Carolina State Convention passed an ordinance of secession dissolving the connection Of that State with the Federal; Government. .. . . . The Vice President of the U. S. ap- , pointed the Senate Committee of thirteen on the perilous condition of the country. . 24 -The South Carolina members of the U. S. House of Representatives notified the Speaker that the secession of their State dissolved their connection with that body. . , . The Sooth Carolina Convention, in the name-of the people of that State, adopted a Declaration of Independence. V . '-. . Gov. Pickens issued a proclamation declaring South Carolina a sovereign, free and independent State. 26 R. Barnwell, J. H. Adams and James L. Orr, Commissioners to the Federal Government from Sooth Carolina, arrived in Washington. . . , Fort Moultrie, in the harbor of Charleston, S. C, abandoned by Major Anderson and his men, who repaired to "Fort Sumter. 28 The South Carolina authorities seized Ft. Moultrie and Castle Pinckney, in Charleston harbor, and took possession of the U. S. Custom House, Post Office and Arsenal in Charleston. 29 John Buchanan Floyd, U.S. Secretary of War, resigned. JASrART, 1861. 2 The Florida State Convention met at Tallahassee.:' '- -'.-: '';''-.. . 3 Forts Pulaski and Jackson, in the harbor of Savannah, taken possession of by the Georgia State troops. , The Sooth Carolina Commissioners left Washington for home, having accomplished nothing. y 4 National Fast. Fort Morgan,in the harbor of Mobile, taken possession of by Alabama State troops, and also the U. S. Arsenal ia Mobne.9- 8 Jacob Thompson, of . Mississippi, U. S. Secretary of the Interior, resigned. . . Forts Johnson and Caswell seized by North Carolina State troops. 9 Steamship Star of the West, with troops and supplies for Fort Sumter, fixed into from the South Carolina batteries, at the entrance of Charleston harbor, and compelled to retire. . . . The Mississippi State Convention passed an ordinance of immediate secession. 10 Forts St, Phillip and Jackson, on tbe Mississippi river, and Fort Pike, on Lake Ponchar-train, and the U. S. Arsenal at Bton Rouge, seized by Louisiana State troops. 11 Alabama and Florida Suta Conventions each passed an ordinance of secession. . . . Philip F. Thomas, U. S. Secretary of the Treasury, resigned, and John A.. Dix, of New York, appointed by the President to the vacant office. 12 Fort Barauces and the Navy Yard at Penaacola, Florida, seized b Alabama aad Flor Ida trooDs. . . The Mississippi members of the U. 8. House of Representatives withdrew from that body. 17 The Georgia State Conventioa adopted an ordinance of secession. - 21 Senator Davis, of Mississippi, the Alaba ma Senators, and the Florida Senators, withdrew from that body. 23 The Georgia members of the U. S. House of Representatives withdrew from that body. 26 Tbe Louisiana State Convention passed a Secession Ordinance. 31 u. S. Mint and Custom House at New Orleans seized by the authorities of Louisiana. FEBROABT, 186-1- 1 The Texas State Convention pasned an ordinance of Secession. 4 A Peace Conference met at Washington, and elected ex-President John Tyler, President . . . A Congress of the Seceded States met at Montgomery, Ala-, and elected Howell Cobb, President . . . Delegates- elected in Virginia to a State Convention. 5The Louisiana Senators and members of the House, with the exception of J. F. Bouligny. Representative, withdrew from the U. Congress. " 8 The United States "Arsenal at Little Rock surrendered to the State authorities of Arkansas. 9 The Southern Congress elected Jefferson Davis, President, and Alexander H. Stephens, Vice President, of the Southern Confederate States, aoH adopted the United States Constitution, with slight alterations. . . . Tennessee elected delegates to a State Convention. Fort Sumter. At the latest advices things still remained quiet. The correspondent of the Herald states that a dispatch has been received at Washington stating that an attack on Sumter was shortly anticipated. This change of policy, it' is nedeTstood, is not caused so much by the " ipengural as from the fact that Chase and Blair are members of Preei. dent Lincoln's eabinet. The inaugural taken in connection with the construction of the cabinet, is regarded as a declaration of war. So says intelligence just received from Charleston., - The same writer is informed by aa Officer of the army that information has been receivedTrom Msjor Anderson to the effect that it is useless to send less than twenty thousand soldiers to Charles Un. Less than that, number cannot eater the harbor and destroy the batteries on- either side. This information, it ia said, is also in possession of the government . " fitasiing Earwig. An Acorn frexa ths Tcnb of v7tuliingtoa Planted in ilaxxia by thfl Eiaperor. Oa the 22d of February, Gov. Pickens, of South Caroliaa, ( who was recently minister to Russia, made a short address to a military com. peny in Charleston, in the course of which he made the following happy allusion to the universal respect for Gen. Washington : "I remember wnile in a distant eonrt of Europe, and at the most dsspotie of all govern-rnenta, that oa a memorable occasion I visited the magnificent gardens that surround Peterhoff near St Petersburg. The gardens and grounds were dedicated to the enjoyment and peaceful pursuits of the greatest and most brilliant of courts. Oa a remote island of these magnificent grounds, that had been set aside for the pri rate enjoyment and private walks of the Emperor and Empress, a tree was pointed out to me in that garden, cultivated by particular and devoted bands, surrounded by wire wicket work, and flowers flourishing all around it There stood on one branch of the tree a large brass plate, and on one side of that plate, ia German, and on the other in Sclavonic, was written, 'this tree was planted in 1839, by Nicholas, from an acorn that grew near the tomb of Washington.' This was the inscription npon that tree, placed there by one of the most absolute rulers that ever swa yed the sceptre of empire. And yet, in his private, secluded gardens, he paid this deep and heartfelt tribute to the memory of the greatest and purest man the world ever saw. . "He did not take an acorn from near the tomb of the great Elizabeth; nor did 'he take it. from the garden of the Taileriea, grown in the time of Louis the XIV4 nor did he take it from the tomb of the great . Napoleon; nor did he take it from the garden of the Caesars," near Rome; bat he took an acorn from the tomb of a pare and mighty man, in the wilds of America, who had planted the seeds of a government consecrated to the freedom and independence of nations. whose every principle was direotly at war with the principles of his own government; and yet so great were the virtues and integrity of Wash ington, that even this mighty monarch, in pri, vale and in secret, paid to him his heartfelt and deep tribute. The tree was watered and cultivated with more care than any of the trees ia that gardea. It was flourishing and green, and I trust in God it will continue to flourish green aad fresh until its branches shall overspread the civilized world. "I have also seen the Cossack of the Don aad the Volga; I have seen the Lancers of Rassia, aad I have seen the Tartar and the Arab in the wUdcft-J,'?"iri)dyeV twitV4?iT their aenu-barbariaoiud, etea tLey coav.xa tf the mighty Washington ia their tents at night There m 00 portion of the world that has not heard of hia name, and love and love and admire his great and manly truthfulness and virtue." : Ths Vacant Brigadier Generalship.. The Washington Star says : M The contest for the Brigadier Genralship, made vacant by the expulsion of the traitor Twiggs from the Army of the United States, we feel assured, is narrowed down between CoL Sumner and Major Anderson. Neither of these gentlemen have applied for the position, though both are being urged for it by their respective friends. Gentlemen Of the Army here certainly prefer the selection of CoL Sum. ner, because to appoint him woald not only be in strict accordance with the ord er of promotion usual in the service, bat also because no other officer ia the service is more generally respected and beloved by his professional brethren, who, i will be remembered, are proverbially jealons of the maintenance of the routine of promotion. Major Anderson is being urged, by Kentuckians principally, on the ground of his eminent services in command of Charleston harbor. . A ProCTeu through Egryp t, Homage to t great Benefactor. The "Diary of a Physician," by Dr. Warren, thrilling and interesting as it has been considered, is not more marvellous than the actnal expe1 . - wm WW . Hence of tbe celebrated rroiessor nouoway in Am variflns countries he has visited. While inN a spirit of general philanthrophy he has devoted himself to the conservation of the publichealth, without distinction of nation or class, he has been the intimate friend of princes and honored guest at the table of Kings. His courtly manners, varied information, and the fascinating style in which he gives his impressions of the countries aad peoples with whom his travels have made him familiar, : render bim the most delightful of companions. When in Erpt, whither he went several years. ago for the purpose of investigating the antiquities of that cradle of learning and science, be received a special invitation from Ibrahim Pasha to become his guest at Alexandria, and that remarkable man is said to have offered him an enormous income as an inducement to become his physician-in-chief. Failing ia that, he ordered a guard of honor to attend Professor Hollo way to Thebes, and presented hia with a special firman,addressed to all civil aad military officers in Egypt, commanding them to afford "the : friend of Ibrahim Pasha" every facility in the prosecution of his researches Thus he journeyed, tbe guest of the nation, through tbe realm of the Pharaohs. Nor was hi progress simply devoted to antiquarian objects. . Traveling as usual with aa ample supply of bia invaluable remedies, he waa enable to do an infinity ot good in that unhealthy region wa. tered by the Nile.; Wherever his tents were pitched; the sick were conveyed there. Nubian aad Abyaioiaa priacea brougbftheir sirk wives aad children on litters, seeming to believe that he eoeld heal them jarith a touch, and r Moors, Copts aad Turks ia fact, representatives of all tbe races that make np the population of Egypt, vied with each other ia doing bim honor. He had little occasion to nse the Pasha's firman, for the cares he wrought were a passport to all hearts a sufficient incentive to exertion in his service. "Even the dancing girls who came at evening to perform before bis tent, at various places on the route, refused the customary douceur, They merely asked a small supply of the medicines which had proved so efficacious in the disease of the country, and felt assured, on receiving them, that they possessed a talisman capable of con-t -oiling every species of sickness, Beoevoleaee, courage and rrseverance, combined with ski'J of the highest order, and all ex-, eroaed in aa naeelSsb spirit for tbe good of man-kind, are the main traits of tbi great man s eharacter. Tbey havw tae-ped his aam npon the hesrtsf the present reoeranon tndfM it a ju-t claim to immortality. Bot "Abysin- pcirs of llic XyCom. Stewart has seat ia his.rssignnUsa as flag officer of Navy. 4 XCyThe Secessioaista at - Mobile have extin guished the lights in the harbor. tyJoBS Dxraxxs, of Indiana, hat beta appointed Snperiatendeat of Publio Priatiog. - X2fIn 1860, England obtained from CVltr sources than the United Stetes, E60.CC3 bales cf cotton. ' 0"The President has nominated Cassias IX. Clay as Miaister to Spain, and Thomas Conria as Minister to Mexico. . V XrThe Senate has confirmed the appoint ment of Robert F, Paine, Esq as DUtrict Attct ney for the. Northern District of Ohio, J . 3An extra session of Congress, it is thocit will soon be' called to enable the Admiaistratlsa to assert the authority of the Government Archibald William, has beea conrmei as District Judge of Kansas, aad Wen. P. Date as Commissioner of Indian Affairs. gTA deplorable.marder took place at TTlssl- ing, the perpetrator afterwards committing sal c.iitt at Roll. A if ggy The bill to repeal the Personal liberty act, has passed the Senate of Maine bya vote itf 17 to 10. - . t3T The Collins stemship Adriatic has besa mnA ,V . 1 o.. t.: r. $437,500. She cost $1,200,000. t President Lincoln, in reply to a Southern gentleman, who asked how his inaugural was to be understood, said "that it meant peace.'' ' tgWAn efiort is making by the administration to avcid calling aa extra session of Con gross. It will not be done nnless it is found actually necessary. This lookc like peace, gSf-Amos Tuck has been nominated as Naval officer at Boston ; William Phillips Collector at Salem, Mass., Rufus Hosmer, Consul at Frankfort-on-the-Maine, S&" After an animated debate, the Michigan House of Representatives indefinitely postponed; the consideration of the bill for the repeal of tha personal liberty laws 43. against 25. gySome dozen applications for patents have been made by the citizens of States which ham seceded, and in every instance they make oatla that they are citizens of the United States. g The Hon. Morton McMichael, of the Philadelphia Jforth American, is a prominent caadi- - date for ths vacancy ia the U. S. Senate ceased by the preferment of Mr. Cameron. gO" The New York Clipper eaya Mr. Tea Broeck ia still ia New York, bat expects to leave. for England this week, as the racing season will soon commence there, -T"raZjrr", Jcvn PT f-v f-'?! rt JTmcV. and hia riews ct i.s liii 1.-. to Tennessee aa telegraphlcany asciibed to llzx from Washington, ia authoritatively contradicted t3 It is reported that Aastria. Prussia aad Russia have concluded a convention to act ia concert In case of a Polish or Hungarian oat- break. . . New York Bank statement March 11th t Increase in loans, $811,131 ; decrease ia specie. $587,639 ; increase in circulation. $244,978: de crease in deposites, $923,850. . ' g Charles Anderson, Esq, whose flaming-speech for the Union, was so widely published, ta svvitvvi tv uaw aviu vu.aa.ttss ays uci a j nam a v an sass with the design of leaving the State. gST The Cleveland Herald of Satarday reported the water let in on the ClevelanfqMsrel af the Ohio Canal, and also" the arrival ot eight Canal boats with fall loads of freight g"A Panorama is exhibited at Liverpool showing the progress of the Prince of Wales Ja this country, and contains views of the principal cities and towns through which be passed..' gThe Southern Confederacy desire to cultivate peaceful relations with the present administration, but are prepared for the exigency of a-wvct'iil A j. Vaaa. aavlt S v T n a-O a as Tawa ik gPeterson's Philadelphia Detector nctifiee the poblic that spurious 10's of the Wat reo Bank. South Davers, Mass., have been extenHively rir- nl,M Sw1 .rraata nf Mnnt-rfitAra hank been made. tSy It is reported that CoL Bach ns, previously in command at Rio Grande City, is enroute to take possession of Fort Brown. There are no Texan troops In Brownsville, bat some are hourly expected. .'.. 3 Advices from Rome state that Victor Emanuel will soon be proclaimed King from the) CapitoL Tbe French authorities have taken possession of the keys of -be CapitoL j Several persons have been expelled for political reasoas. ggy The extensive lard oil aad candle manufactory of Thos. Emery & Sons : was burned at Cincinnati on 8unday morning last Loss estimated at $160,000.' Insured $112,500. The fire was the work of aa incendiary. gy-Last Saturday, Gov. Letcher aad Mayor Mayo of Richmond, together with several members of the Virginia btate Legislature aad Convention, paid a viait to Fortress Monroe, Everything p&ned off most pleasantly. gJ The Governor of Pennsylvania has a?gned tbe bills for the eommutatioaNf the tones; e ties on the Pennsylvania and goabary and Brio R. R-j also the bHl ehaeginr b ' latter to the Philadelphia and Erie B. B-, 1 3 providing for its completion. j : . ; jQJThe Louisiana state voavenuos, laty cret session, paseed aa ordinance transT:rrie2 ta the government of the Coafederate fitetes the aam of five huadred aoo thirty-six theuian j d--Urs, the amount of customs and moneys received by the Sute. r ' . rTvcgbWMuvi niuciivmB, w w mam sentenced to death for conspiracy nod revocation ia Chili, ia 1853, and whose sentence was aftcrv wards commuted for mprUonment for e yesra . in the penitentiary, has lately received a fi3 -;- don. ... I truk few weeks ago, while the k-.svet Central Park was good, aytwet frcrtJ--sey City enjoyed t bo exercise sr sores lr-rrr and, anbekaown to herself froze one cf fc? f- rt. She went home, put u iw not wi-r, tioa ensued, and eibt dsre ait sji a copse, . - .