The New York Herald Newspaper, August 13, 1854, Page 3

Our Bridgeport Correspondence. Bauweerort, August 7, 1854. Working of the Maine Law—Popular Ex- citement—Prodable Repudiation of the Law—Visit of the Governor—His Recep- tion—1 Procession—Local Politi Having lately been the witness of consider- able excitement in this usually quiet town, and that excitement being the sequence of the ad- vent of a Jaw enacted at the last session of the General Assembly of Connecticut, I presume to address you these lines, trusting they will Jrove interesting to your numerous readers. It is, I suppose, generally known that the last May session of the Connecticut Legislature enacted a law for the suppression of intempe- rance, and indeed the law iscalculated to effec- tually secure the purpose it was designed for. It ie 20 rigid and explicit in its provisions that no possible chance is left for evading its re- quirements. In fact, care must be used that in our homes or in the social circles convened and delighted in, as we journey through life, the bounds prescribed are not overstepped. The law went into effect on the Ist day of August, and as the day drew near speculation wesrife and curiosity excited to behold the consequences of its operation. One of the articles ofsaid law provides, that the select men of each town shall appoint agents, and appro- priate a sum of money from the town ntgew td be used by said agents on account of the town, for the purchase and sale of liquors for medical and other purposes, unless other- wiee directed by the town. Said agents to receive a salary of $125 per year for their services. Whether the propricty of each agencies sre questioned, or the rigid ex- actness of the law has caused a reaction in the minds of the people, I do not know; but certain itis that all the populous towns of this State have voted that the public moneys should not be appropriated for the purpose designated by Jaw. It amounts toa palpable repudiation of the law; and ios teige Connecticut, by her last Legislature, adopted the law by a decided ma- sority, it is a matter of conjecture whether the peor le are in reality in favor of the law or not; lew Haven leading the van in repudiating, an Hartford quickly following. Bridgeport, next in order, became the centre of observation ; being the third town in great- ness in the State. the pent-up outlet of a vast interior, having two railroads traversing the State from north to south, and terminating here; besides, as you are aware, being under the di- ect influence of the great apostle of tempe- rance and prince of showmen, who resides here, the result was anxiously looked for by the bad throughout the State. We were, during week, favored with a visit from oar vene- rable Governor. the Hon. Henry Dutton; but whether he came here to aid the cause of tem- perance or upon other business I am unable to Bay. a kearet Jo.aid that during his sojourn among us he was the, réipient of a very po- pular and to him unpleasant serenade, and ako being burnt in effigy, a mode of proceed- ing not commendable under the circamstances, but apparently not objected to generally. But, however, tv what peeecne the visit of the Go- vernor was made, it resulted in no to the cause of temperance. The meeting for the decteion of the matter was held on Sa- turdsy last in the Common Council room, and was one of the most exciting affairs I ever wit- neseed. The temperance men made a bold ef- fort, but it was no go. An adjournment was made to the basement of our new courthouse in order to have more room, and the adoption of aret of retolutions to the following effect | took place (the temperance men making no ef- fort), to wit :— That no moneys should be appropriated from the public treasury for the purpose, and that all moneys, if any, appropriated before this date, be returned to the treasury forthwith. Anadjournment (without day) then took place. A very large and imposing procession tock place in the evening; in fact the largest I ever witnessed in this place. After marching through the princi streets with drums beating and banners flying, they halted on the green, and forming a circle, burnt the effigy of Thomas H. Oakley, Esq., our representative, in their mids‘. Again for g in line, three cheers were given for the Worthy Mayor, ard the procession march- ed into Wordin’s large hall in this place, where a meeting was organized by the appointment of Capt. S. D. Baldwin as chairman. The procession in Porsing through the streets was quiet and or- derly, not the slightest disposition to disturb- ance being evident. es were delivered at the meeting, denunciatory of the prohibitory | are the Catholics that have not acted with law. Prominent among the sppekers was William kerman, tg Oe this city, who commented severely u; law. He stated, during his , , and wished it publicly known, that Mr. Oakley, when nominated for the office he now holds, publicly declared that if elected, should apy matters arise in the Assembly concerning a liquor law, he would use his inflnence to have the subject referred to the people for adjust- ment, instead of which, he used his utmost en- deavors to pass the law in its present shape, thereby violating his trust and proving false to his constituents, The meeting then adjourned, pledged to re- peal. Thus ended the day so full of excitement, and with it I fear a h or even probable ac- ve to the law. ere is no doubt that | maby and ve ety violations will take place, a few of which will be brought before the proper | tribunals for adjustment. A few such cases, | under a law odious to the people on account of its ri, now, will the time of another | election become unbearable in view of the de- | Bal termined position so openly manifested throughout the State. I seeno reason to doubt but that a different set of men will grace our next eye a Assembly, So faras the proba- bility of a suppression of drinking is concerned, , I doubt the iseue in view of the immense quanti- ties of liquor put by for private use, and the facilities for obtaining it from New York. will prove. F. Onr Boston Correspondence. Boston, August 10, 1854. The Whig State Convention—Its Probable | @ize— The Position of the Whigs—Change | in Their Condition— Their Local Defeats by the Know Nothings—Reported Alliance Between the Two Parties—Whig Endea- vora to Catch the .dbolitionists—Breaking Up of the Whigs in Their Strongholds— Their Legislative Strength—Probable Legislative Changes—The Whigs yet Feared by Some, &c. The Whig State Convention will meet here on Wednesday next, August 16, in Faneuil Hall, and, aceording to the basis of representa- tion that has been adopted, it ought to consist‘ of 2,190 delegates. It will be large, un- doubdtedly, but not quite so large as that. The whigs have not had a convention here, that I ean eall to mind, since 1846. As this conven- 4ion’s action will be the real commencement of |’ a political campaign destined in some respects to be one of great importance, and illustrated by some singular events, it may be as well to describe the present conditicn of the whig perty, which is entitled to precedence, on the score of its being in power, and the first to act. As to any other claims to consideration that it may have, I will speak of them when I shall find them established. As the other parties bold their conventions, I will endeavor to give sccounts of their chances and prospects, The democratic party is considered by many to be extinct. Time and the event must decide how far Gen. Cushing has succeeded in gratifying | the wishes of his old whig friends, in “crushing ; out” the spirit of the democracy. When the whigs returned to power last Janu | ary, they seemed to be in the occupation of an invulnerable position, The coalition had been kept alive in rome ame tate organization it was foe Enough democrats had shown themselves sufficiently abject of spirit to by the threats of a rene; whig, and as their number was large enough to affect the action of the » it waa idle to look for anything at the bande of that party. The Irish Catholics had gone over to the whigs in a body on the question of making ® new constitution, and as most of their number had been democrats, it did seem as if there was to be nothing left of which the whigs could be afraid. About one- seventh of the demooratic party belonged to the hunker branch, and preferred whig suc- cess to that of the ooalition, though liking the national administration as little as itis li by the New York hards Finally, the Adams and Palfrey portion of the free soflers had act- ed with the ane, and showed a decided incli- nation to go back into the whig organi zation. The whigs had three-fourths of the Senate, and 90 jority in the House. They elected all their candidates for State officers in the gs oar and set the goverament in mo- tion. werything looked first rate for them, and they acted as if they believed they had taken a bond of fate and fortune. Bat. as has been the ease with our political scel for years past, there quickly came an alteration over the state of affuirs, The stand- ing order of our stage has been enter Snob, and exit Aldiborontophoscophornio, the party that is in always coming by the worst, and fortune taking a sortof malicious spite in hitting the successful with hard blows. The whigs had hardly been seated in office when the Know Nothings began to make themselves unpleasant- ly prominent. Several whig .candidates at lections for municipal officers were badl beaten, and it was seen with dismay that this mysterious order was strongest in the very places where whiggery had been considered as powerful as the oak. As time rolied on, the order became recognized as something to be dreaded, though what its exact intentions are no one can positively say. Among the specu- lations of the day is one to the effect that the whigs now expect to turn the order to account, and restore their fortunes through its aid. Itis said that several eminent whigs have joined it, for the pu! of controlling it and making use of its admirable organization to keep that anatomie vivante, the whig party of Massachu- setts, above ground. They are represented to be among the cleverest political managers in their party. Henry J. Gardner is one of the bumber whose names I have heard mentioned as being in this plot. Ifhehas joined the order it is only for the purpose of aiding the whigs. He is a whig, and cannot be anytving else. Whether he was created for the whig party, or the whig party for him, Ido not know, but they fit each other admirably. Mr. Gardner has served his party well in the city govern- ment, in the Legislature, and in the constitu- tional convention. If he has become a Know Nothing, it is because he wants something done which he cannot accomplieh without the aid of the ie tae and mystic order, which our learned whigs compare with the Vehme Genihte, that famous secret tribunal of the “red soil.” which was as terrible to the hunkers and flun- kies of four hundred years ago as “ free soil’’ has been to similar worthies in our own day. To return to the consideration of the condition of the whigs, the coming up of the Nebraska discussion gave them hopes that almost balanced the feara they felt from the garote of the new party. They had i great faith in the gullibility of the people of Massachusetts on the subject of slavery, having worked that mine for several psa previous to 1849 with amazing success. hey acted as if they believed that heaven had inspired Mr. Douglas to bring about the repeal of the compromise of 1820 for their benefit. They have for months been seeking to get the free soilers to join them, not as a body, but as individuals, and have been loud in their decla- rations of what it will become the duty of the North to do, in case the South shall do some- thing or other—no one knows exactly what. Thus far they have not been very succeseful, all kinds of “fusions,” save the melting down ot democrats and whigs into Know Nothings. having failed in Massachusetts. A portion of the free soil leaders would gladly have a whi nominated for Governor - the “ republican ” convention of September 7th, if they thought the whigs would support him; but the whigs are not sunk so low as to allow others to make their nominations for them. Governor Washburn, it is believed, will be nominated for re-election by his party. He will not come within 25,000 votes of being chosen, unless he should get er: out of his party. The only class he can look to for such support the whigs heretofore; and their support would injure him. His speech at an Irish dinner, against his own countrymen, and in favor of Catholicism, however, entitles him to the Catholic vote, and he will get them, and much good may they do him. Last year the Popular Iaajority against him was, in round numbers, 10,000; while the majority against the new constitation, as officially given, was 4,928. Taking the latter as the majority against the whigs in the State, in order to make our calculations as favorable to them as sible, let us see how they are likely to fare in the legislative elections, on the supposition thet the Know Nothing strength is not vastly over- rated; for it is upon carrying the Legislature that they must found their hopes of success, if hopes they have. Last year Ser had ninety majority in the House, o| ed in the follow- ing places. Ihave given the majority against the new constitution, which is much more fa- vorable to them than would be any other Gaui a8 No. of Res. Whig maj CS eps. ma). oy 0 Fak 860 426 M7 122 980 55 943 121 él 339 29 WEBB WEROUa 91 . e lodges in all the above named places, and in mine of them they have been victorious already. They say they have seven thousand voters in Boston, a num- ber large enough to elect their own nominees; but they will be aided by the members of other parties in all those places where the other par- ties have no hopes of success. But as a condi- tion of such aid, en must show no favor to the whigs, Should the Know hon how- ever, simply succeed in defeating the whig cardidates in the towns mentioned, it would suf- fice to upset the whig majority of this Fp in the House, not to mention that it would defeat seven baa Senators—six in Suffolk, and one in Nantucket. There would also be Scnators and Re tatives of anti-whig politics de- feated in some of the towns, but not more than would be defeated of whigs in such towns as Wal vers, Dorchester, Dedham, New- gton, North Chelsea, and electing in all not less than ieee all whigs in the it re, but where the Know lothings are now strong, and where the whigs cannot look for a repetition of that aid from the hunkers and the rummies which had considerable to do with their success at of the Suffolk, Barnstable, tucket and Dukes districts, Phe Sol vane ry ak of last year is above given, only that it there is far larger than what the jal can- didates received. In Barnstable it was 356; in Hampshire, 237; in Nantucket and 227, It would surprise no one to see the Know Nothings overcome all these majorities. The: certainly have no right to speak of their strength if they cannot do as much as that, Even in Suffolk they would be able to defeat the whigs, if only half as strong as they rep- resent themselves to be, provi the democrats and free soilers should do almost as well as they did in 1853, and they cannot do much Woree, unless they bave joined the new party, | which would, however, only be « change of | porition by them in name, but not in real- | ty. They would be opposed to the whigs, the . & oR I eS same as before; and that would be the main thing, and the only one worth consider- ing. It is probable, too, that many men of anti-whig politics, who have seldom voted, because of the most cases, of beating the old ru of the State, will this whig eer Sid whigs have been s0 mean errogant prosperity everybody out of their own ranks delights in giving them a kick when they are down, so that they may reach the foot of a kin the sooner, @ sufficient vehemence to be dashed to pieces, The whigs are fond of laughing at our democrats, because of the latter’s utter- ly forlorn condition, There is, certainly, no- ig to be envied jp the nosition of the demg- cragy; put that the Whigs should make sport of them on that account, is a little toobad. Their affectation of superiority in this case, reminds one of @ caricature. or comic eketch rather, that used to be very popular—Consule Planco. It represented an execution scene, two men standing on the sale with ropes around their necks, while an immense crowd was ga- thered to see the fun, amid which half a dozen mad bulls were plunging, pitching, tossing, ring and tramping, as is the manner of those amiable beasts whenever anything has gone wrong with them. Thetwo criminals bend over from their prominent position, as far as the ropes will allow them, enjoying the scene greatly, while one remarks to the other, “y cay, Jem, how d——d lucky that we're up here!” I think the whigs bave just about as much reason for rejoicing that the gentlemen with the hempen cordons had on the score of the safety ot their position. If the demosracy are scattering in all directions, their very movements indicate that they have life, and are at liberty to preserve it—if they can; while the whigs are trussed up, and ready for hang- ing, and appear to be in a fair way to “ flash their ivories ” in some political surgeon's hall, if science should deem them worthy of the trouble of morbid anatomy. When people were fretting themselves about the last great comet’s homicidal intentions to- wards the world, Arago wrote a book to show that they were unnecessarily alarmed. The comet might strike the earth, and destroy it, but the chance that it would do so, according to him, was about as great as would be thet of drawing ® black ball fram an urn in which it had been placed with a million of white ones. The black ball might be drawn, but it wasa million to one that it would not be. So with our whigs—they may keep their places, but the odds are terribly against them. Their cat-like quelities include a won- derful tenacity .of life. Their general feline nature, their rare capacity at crawling through the emallest kind of holes, in the meanest kind of ways; their ckill at the “ abolition dodge,” their social consequence, and their money—all these things make some people believe that whiggery, though apparently doomed will not this year die; that a reprieve will come at the last moment, as one did in ‘53; that the ecotched snake will again start up into a very respectable serpent; and that) Massachusetts whiggery will make those who are now rejoic- ing in anticipation of its speedy death, once more feel the weight of ita shadow. sees * * Portavimus umbrun Imprerii. ALGomaA. Our Amherst Correspondence. Awuerst, Mass., Thursday, August 10, 1854, Commencement Week—The First Day—Bac- calaureate Sermon and Prizes—Torchlight Procession—Professer Felton’s Address— Conferring the Degrees, and Concluding Exercises. This is commencement day at Amherst, and all is bustle and activity. Strangers thronging the streets and crowding the public houses; the mutual greetings of graduates and friends of the college. who have once more gathered around the scenes of former labor and pastime; the vehicles of the country people standing in every direction, and the horses munching hay from the hinder part of the wagons, and the lit- tle picayune stalls for ginger beer, oysters and peanuts dotting the lawns in every directivn, all present a very counterpart of the “Vanit: Fair,” and ihe that some unusual event Z travspiring. And so it is, Commencement here is quite a different affair from that which takes place in our cities; and the farmers, one day in the year besides Sunday, luxuriate in their best suits of “ home-gspun.” s The first of this week’s exercises was the bac- cslaureate sermon, delivered on Sunday by President Hitehcock. On Taesday evening the prize declumation of the freshman and s0- phomore classes, of which I sent you a brief no- tice yesterday. The prizes, of $30, were confer- red by a gentleman who prefers to remain incog, and were divided into sums of $5 and $10, allotted to the succeseful competitors of each class respectively, viz. :—J.M. Lane, of South Market. N. H., and T. Graves, ef Hatfield, from the sophomore class; J. L. Fordham, of South- ampton, L. I., aud G. H. Beckwith, of Platts- burg, N. Y., from the freshman class. The ex- ercises passed off pleasantly, and all the speak- ¢rs did themselves much credit. Musi: by the Northampton Band. Same evening, a grand torch-light procession by the graduating class, after which followed a supper, epecches and toasts, The Northampton Band was in attendance, and every thing parsed offto the general satisfaction. Wepxespay.—aAt 8 o'clock A. M., a meeting of the alumni; adjourned till Thursday, at 8 o'clock A.M. Present—The class of 1824, 21 members, 5 dead; (Prof. Bela B. Edwards was a Satay of this class;) the classes of 1830 and 51. In the afternoen, at 3 o’clock, same day, an address before the Phi Beta Kappa Society, by Prof, C. C. Felton, of Cambritge. Subject— « A Picture of the Past, the Agora of Socrates, the Bema of Demosthenes, and the Arco,agas of St. Paul.” The orator entered into de- tail of the past and present condition of Greece—her «chools and seminaries of learving—her great men, orators, states- wen and ‘ts, and the places they used to traverse in their daily walks, the market- place, (ngera) the stage (bema,) and the co- Jorsal temples from which they poured forth their eloquence to the vstenielod: multitudes. He adverted to the magnificent rains of the Acropolis, and the great city of Athens—her stained acd crumbling walls, pillars and sta- tues. affording his information chiefly from da- tas made in bis recent travels in that region; and he mentioned this circumstance a1a stogu- lar fact, that while he wandered yet among the wrecks and ruins of the past, wrapped in con- templation and study, there he received his in- vitation to deliver his oration before the Phi Beta Koppo, end there he chose his subject. He adverted also ina very happy manner, to the celebrated missionary, Jonas King. After giving a short sketch of the present flourishin condition of Athens and her schools, he ente: more particularly into the main subject of his address, first—the Agora of Socrates, in which he portrayed the character of that great philoe- opher and statesman in a novel and high! entertaining manner, and pointed out the ial. nute peculiarities of his life, and intimated that whereas his “character was not wholly without excuse,” still there lay deep seated under the Ipable evil, the great pi i of natural re- igion. Demosthenes, he extolled to the highest heavens of rhetorical eloquence, and sj fing of the high principles of true liberty patriotism which he ‘inculcated in the minds of the throngs aesembled to hear him, he likened him to our own great statesman, Daniel Webster, and styled him the Demosthenes of modern times; and present- ed a most beautiful eulogy on bim “who now sleeps by the ocean” at Marshfield, From the bema of Athens was patriotism addressed to all free nations, but although not like the Uni- ted States in constitution, laws and principles of government, still it wanted that union of States which has hitherto strengthened the one, and the lack of which has been the cause of the downfall of the other. But our first atteation is due to our own country; let us hold to the constitution and profit by these sad examples of the past. However, time overrules the wor! and designs of man, The character of St. P: he B ee ina newand interesting aspect, and notwithstanding it has been proclaimed LL... from rostrum and pulpit, still he found new at- tractions in the at taal teacher who stood on «Mare i” and pro- claimed to the People the infinite entity of the “Unknown God. Tt was a happy address, and showed unusual indity of thought and depth of study. The Beta Kappa has been established but one year in this college. At 8 o'clock, same evening, an address be- fore the Society of Inquiry was delivered by the Rev. A. W. McClure, of Jersey City. Sub- ject—Promulgation of Christianity in the Dark Ages. The object of this society is the exten- sion of the missionary labor; and all members of it join with the intention of becoming min- ; isters o¢ missionaries, The address before the literary societies did not come off, in consequence of the absence of the appointeee—Dr. Humphrey, of Louisville, Ky., and Judge Spafford, of La., substitute. Tuvrspay.—At 8 o'clock, A. M. an ad- jourved meeting of the alumni. Various busi- bess was transacted, and among other things, stringent efforts were made to some mea- sures for the extension of the college library, and it was proposed at once to raise a perma- nent fund (the interest to be applied to the pur- chase of books.) Dr. G.C. Sheppard, of Boston, tendered a donation of $1,000, on condition that $10,000 should be raised in three years, and m0 if $5,000 should be raised in the same time, Dr. Wm. A. Stearns, of Cambridgeport, was elected President, in place of Prest. Edward Hitchcock, resigned. Though long expected, his resignation is :nuch regretted by all; butill health renders this step nec . President Hitchcock has been, during his official connec- tion with the college, one of its chief pillars and supports, and has contributed vastly to the pro- gation of various branches of science and Fibbarnes. Indeed, the mineralogical depart- ment owes everything, almost. to his unwearicd and scientific researches, by which it has at- tained that pre-eminence which it now occupies among our collegiate institutions. He has held the office of President since the resignation of Dr. Humphrey—a period of seven years, At 9 o’clock this morning, the procession was formed in front of the college chapel and moved to the village church, (where the exer- cises took place,) in the following order: First, the Band ; next the undergraduates, in the order of their classes, the freshmen taking the lead; then the Sheriff of the county, the President and cor- ration, the faculty and officers of the college ; jastly, the graduates of this and other colleges, in their order, the oldest classes taking precedence. The exercises were opened by music from the orchestra, followed by an appropriate | prayer from the President, which was listened to by as large and select an audience as ever throng our city fétes. Strangers from abroad, and large numbers from various cities far and near, were present, many of whom were per- sonally known to thewriter. The next in order after the prayer was the Salutatory Oration, in Latin, by Edwin Dimock, of North Mans- field, Conn. He addressed in order the Presj- dent and Trustees, Instructors and Professors of this and other colleges, his classmates and the undergraduates, the alumni, and last but not least, the hebes and belles of the town and those of Mount Holyoke Seminary. There was a spicy vein of humor through the whole ad- drees, and the ladies and others, if they did not all understand the languege, seemed heartily to appreciate it and enter into the spirit of the speaker. The production was characterized by 8 deal of pleusantry and good-natured sarcasm, and the author did neither spare nor pardon those who happened to have come under the ban of his all-powerful pen. It wasa happy effort, and did credit to the able author. KANSAS AND NEBRASKA, pus rainnmonreere: Meeting of Setcicrs at Waharousa Creek. [Correspondence of the St. Louis Repubiican.} Wasrtrorr, » 1, 1854. Dear Sir—A, ‘e to @ call that was heralded through the Terri some weeks since, a meeting of abolition settlers convened at Back Bone Ridge near the Waharousa creek, for the purpose of establishing a branch lodge of that humane institution, that the most experienced political diplomatists have at last denominated “the Parker ery a OF ‘The attendance was small but mighty, im- posing, but not invincible. The whole number, When counted in round numbers, amounted to thirty-one—hardly the complement of “the ard; and of this namber, I man veatare, fat @ majority were of the hardy pioneer descent—men honest and honorable in their in- tentions, if not recommended by the same de- gree of self-accredited humanity claimed by the minority. The meeting was organized by the appoint- ment of a Mr. Wakefield us president, and a Mr. Woods, of Washington Era notoriety, as secretary. Several speeches were then made, not very inflammatory in their character, as from all appearance it seemed judicious not to use very combustible material on the occasion, less ance an explosion might take place, and Pra aie Woods, who was the most efficious character. And thus the only surviving heirs of the deceased philanthropy and humanity be le! bearers to perform the last sad rites of burial at the grave of a dead abolitionist, “with his mar- tial cloak around him.” A committee’was thon appointed to draft re- solutions expressive of the purposes and senti- ments of the meeting. One short hour having elapsed, the time allowed as an intermission for the committee, for concentrating ina few words all the tender sentiment, noble intensity and high resolves of men wno felt that all the great interests of colored humanity were in their havds; the report is at length announced, and the great work yet in embryo, only waits the impress of acclamation. After a long preamble of “whereas” and whereas, and whereas, and whereas, we are eredibly informed, that no appreciations of the startling worth of the ‘‘darkie” had yet been announced. The clear, full voice of the secre- tary was at last heard resounding with the so- lemn accent of those determined and convincing words, “ therefore Resolved.” Unavoidable circumstances prevented me from being present at this conclave; and al- though I have spared no pains, I have been un- able to get anything like a verbatim report of these “results.” In all of them, however, the most guarded expressions were used, upon all questions beariog upon the subject of slavery, or the rights of settlers to bring slave property into the Territory. The only one that could possibly be con- strued as involving any spattering of abolition sentiment, read something in this wise;— Reeolved furthermore, “ That God Aimighty, in his bounty, has bestowed upon all mankind lands sufficient to furnish habitations and suste- nance for all men, whether black or white; 2nd,as grateful recipients of this bounty, we will nse every endeavor to protect all men in the enjoy- ment of this boon of Providence.” This was not the precise language, but so far as Ican learn, it contains the sentiment of the only resolve at all tinctured with the vaunted impartiality and clemency of this higher order of negro philanthropy. During the excitement incident to the adop- tion of the resolves, when the christening reso- triotiam, Paeriet ay lution was read, come dissatisfaction was mani- | fested, and a motion was made to strike out The valedictory address was listened to with especial interest and attention, as is most generally the case on such occasions, and be- tray ed an originality and depth of thought that might do credit to a more experienced and old- er mind. The valedictorian was William W. Fowler, of Amherst, and son of Prof. Fowler, for some time an instructor in this college. The essayist choee for his subject “Theoretical and Practical Statesmanship,”’ in which, con. trasting theory and practice in the building and ruling of States, he endeavored to show that theoretical statesmanship errs by viewing government in too abstract a light, by neglect- ing the myriad relations which exist between the State and the individual. Practical states- manship, on the contrary, views government 23 related to the complexity of society, the in- trieacy of man’s nature and his numerous wants, and thus blends conservatism and reform in government by fulfilling duty to the whole country, without being influenced merely by sectional or party interest. Afler the delivery of the: oration, he ad- dressed his remarks first to the President, with a warm-hearted: scntiment which served to show the tiue relation existing here be- tween the student and the instructor, and that there exists that affection, which in after life will cause the participators to look back with pleasure upon the scenes of college life. Then followed a word to the trustees, the professors and the people of Amherst, re- spectively, and a final farewell to his own class- mates, in which he recalled fond memories, and pointed forward to the dim fature, where was faintly looming up through the mist, the faint outlines of eminence and distinction, aud wealth and happiness in store for their ambitious minds, Lp hg 3 looking from the little window of their ark out upon the boundless waste around them, to discover, if possible, some little spot on which to rest their toot. It was a feel- ing address, and thus the exercises closed. It was the last of the four years of college lite, ‘The candidates for the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and who received their diplomas, are :— George Bosworth. .. Champlain, N. Y. Lucius Halen Bugbee. Clarendon, N.Y. Averill Burton Canfield. . South Britain, Ct. James Franklin Clarke Amherst. Henzy Vaughaa Emmons... |. Hallowell, Me. Henry Clinton Fay... Westboro. James Bradley Ford. . . Lyme, 0. William Worthington Fowler..Amherst. famuel Mayes Friereon. .C lumbia, Tenn. Heman Mithra Glass. . . Lima, N.Y. Adoniram Judson Goodnough ..Sudbury. Josiah Hartzel............. Deerfield, O. Milan Hobbard Hitchcock Chorles stoover Hollaway. Trepilin Hubbard... Che Avgustive Ki Jokn Calvin Kimball. Albert Matthews... Albert Wingfield Mayes. Ashwood, Tenn. Witlad Menill.... Rome, N. Y. Etihu Mason Morse. . -Pairport, N.Y. Alpheus Sanford Nickerson. . Sout: Dennis. —— i Olcott. fle et la, corge Potridge... . Rav Vt. Eémund Morris Pease "Grangy. i «North Bergen, N.Y. . -Philadelphia, Peon. Suaderisnd. Tpsvich. Ipswich. Leverett. Norman Alling Prentiss. ney, DI. torles Paks Rugg. . linsda'e, N. H. Uriel Whitrey Small. Pownall, Me. Horace Payson Smith. Salem. Silos Milton Smith, Nanda, N.Y. Jobo Winn Underhill. Ipswich. Charles Augustus Wilson. .... Derry, N. H. ‘The Master’s oration for this occasion was delivered by Mr. John E. Sandford, of the class of 1851. Suhjeet—Thomas Jefferson. The ad- dress was of greater length than customary, and occupied nearly forty minutes in the delivery. The speaker reviewed the life and character of the great statesman with a carefal and cri- tical eye; and speaking of his connection, (in his religious views,) with the notorious Thomas Paine, he thought that hardly enough of libe- rality was exercised in ig inbah De test inasmuch as hé believed that there Iny beneath the sur- face the highest moral qualities, if not of sound religious principle. He thought it would be well if this country bad more imitators of his character than it now has, and that the States have but little to boast of in this respect. He drew a comparison between Washington and Jefiercon and their respective merits; and though there did exist a strong similarity in their two characters—if Jefferson was as great a statesman, Washington possessed more geau- ine religious principles, a Say oy § ilowing and D. D., were con- ferred upon fo) entlemen:— Honorary A. M—-Fraaklin Croaby, of Low- ell. Pl A. Chart iy ot ged cey, Eeq.; Henry E. Davis, Eeq., New York. . Ve nae of D. D.—Rev. ew. Maclure, Jer- sey City; Rev. Payson Williston, East Hamp- on; Prof. Samuel Hopkins, Auburn, N. ¥. “The Actual Settler’s Association,” aud insert the “Waharousa Association.” While this motion was pending, a motion to adjourn was made and carried by the casting vote of the Chair. Previous, however, to this ‘and finale, it was resulved, “that a copy of the proceedings of the meeting be forwarded to the Hon. Thos. H. Benton, of Mo., and Sena- tor Chase, of Ohio, to be endorsed and pnblish- ed in such journals of the country, as through their influence might impart character to the meeting.” E Pluribus Unum. A star fell from heaven, and the convention adjourned, “all the wiile eonorous metal blowing martial sound.” I should havo mentioned that. before the meeting convened, it was reported that dele- gates would be appointed toa mass meeting, to be held at a place called the Big Timber, on the 15th of August. Asthe meeting fuiled to mect at the hour of adjournment, this honor was not conferred upon many anxious aspirants. It was, indeed, unfortunate that any diffi- culty should occur among men engaged in such a laudable work, especially so serious as to pre- vent them from attending to the sacred ties of baptism. One would have supposed that the sprinkling would have been the firet ceremony, as its eanc- tity would have doubtless inspired them with a solemn and reverential awe. But here, as else- where, we may learn that prudence is not ul- ways the frontier of discretion. A step im the dark is always uncertain, ard the next may be fatal. May they profit by this first experience, and learn a lesson that should have been credited to their earlier manhood—that the trae American builds the fabric of his policy npon national principles, while the fanatic builds upon some popular sectional discussion. The rock will stand, but the unstable sands are ever ehifting. Asa codicil to these remarks, allow me to farnish you with a local item, of some import- ance in these trying times : The abolition excitement has been running so high at Weston, that the authorities have or- dered all free gentlemen of color to leave the town. Since the issue of this ordinance, a Mr. — has been detected in selling papers to these ua- fortunate men, allowing thew for ten dollars to pass unmolested to the Territory. As a fur- ther -mark of his philanthrepy, he has been de- tected in instigating some several bondmen to leave without papers. On being arrested he was dogged, one side of his head shaved, and tuch other marks were left upon his person as will inform the public, of his character. He was then notified to leave the town in twenty-four hours. This is but avother admonition that “ the way of the transgressor is hard.” [Correspondence of the Philadelphia Ledger.] Sr. Josern, Mo., Saly 27, 1854. Nebraska and Kansas—Resources and Prospects. Having just returned to this place from an extended tour through a large portion of the territories of Nebraska and Kansas, I have col- lected a large mass of facts in reference to the coil, climate and agricultural quatities of the country, as well as some speculations in rela- tion to their probabie fature pelitical prospects which would, no doubt, prove interesting to your readers. Of the two territories I greatly prefer Kan- sae, and it is, as a general thing, better supplied with water and timber, and the soil is equall good. The winters, also, are much milder; still there are tens of thousands of acres of land ia Nebraska which fargzeal anything you ever saw in Pennsylvacia. is seems to be the general opinion, and the tide of iat Shop which tended to Nebraska, has now changed to Kan- sar. Only o few days since a large party (some hundreds) of Germans, who had started for Ne- bravka, left the steamboat at the mouth of the Kansas and entered the Kansas instead of Ne- braska, as they first pein dana All the emigration from Iowa and Missouri is now to Kansas. The title of the Indians will expire in November, and there are thousands of whites who will then cross the river here and at points above, Ata ferry some miles above here, the ferryman informed me that he had daily aver. pss forty families across hisferry, This may seem incredible, but it is true. At Icast 3,000 persons from Towa alone are believed to have crossed the river for Kansas between this place and Westport; and at this moment there areeight or ten thoufand white persons in that territory. In twelve months there will be a sufficient number of persons there to form a State go- vernment; and, mark my prediction, at the next reasion of Con; Kanzas will be knock- eT — at's Lil great Nemehaw river there is a large settle Ment of Missourians; I was among them for three weeks; knowing the deep interest felt through the country on this question, I have made it a special subject of inquiry, and I as- sure es that I have never seen one person who is in favor of slavery, who is now residing in either Kansas or Nebraska. Even the Mis- sonrians give it up as a settled matter. The soil, the climate, the nature of the productions of the country are all against it. While, there- fere, Wilmot provisoes and Nebraska bills ma) furnish to members of Congress a fruitfl theme for speeches to Buncombe, a “ a law” than any Taw of Congress has decided the matter. Slavery can never flourish there. Of this I am as well convinced as I could be of any ascertained fact. You may also desire to know which parte of the country are most to be preferred for set- tlers, This isa hard question to answer. In Kansas anywhere on the Vermilion or Blue Ri- ver countries, or anywhere between the latter and Great Nemahaw: river, settler can hardly go wrong. I prefer the last named , and there I shall most probably end my days. In Nebraska there is mach more waste land than in Kansas; bot aa I said before, there are large bodies of splendid land in all parts of the Territory. I may also mention another advantage which Kansas has over Nebraska. All emigrants for California or Oregon leave the steamboat at the mouth of the Kansas, aud start from Westport, five miles from the mouth of that river. This is Col. Fremont’s starring place. They follow up the Kansas a long distance, and then cross over to the Platte, or Nebraska ; but do not reach that river till they advance some bun- dieds of miles west of Mi-rouri. The great highway between ihe Atlantic and Pacific oceans, you will thus perceive, passes chiety through Kansvs aifd this secures to the latter the great railroud route. On this subject I shall write more fully ina future letter. It is or ought to be the great question of the day. I cannot close this Jetter without poo the hospitality of the people of the Upper rouri., Reader, have you ever been among these people? Have you ever, after having ridden a whole day without seeiuy the face ofa haman being, about night-falle.me toa “clearing.” You turn the angle of he wood and you see the smoke ascending in graceful folds up the azure vault,and did you not regard that as card of invitation to walk in and snjoy the best they had. The rude but generous welcome has beeu | uttered, you feel yourself one of the family, and you are welcome as long ay you choose to re- | main. St. Paul says, ‘ that the virtue of chari- ty is greater than even faith or hope.” If that is true, I pronounce th hardy sons of the for- est as the most practicat Chrietians I have ever seen. I have very seldom been among any of them who dispensed with grace before meat, or who did not have family prayer morning and evening. a (Correspondence of the Rochester Democrat.) YROM THE EMIGRATING PARTY. Kansas, July 29, 1854. Tam happy to inform my friends and your readers generally, that the Pioneer Party of the Massachusetts Kmigraut Aid Gace arrived. here safe last night, being six travelling days from Boston, and uve from Rochester. T! may be set downgas the actual time between our city and Kansas, Al! ofthe party are really | healthy : not a case of sickness occurred during the trip. What, a volume might be written eae our noble boat and its mixed cargo! We four Potawotomies going to the Kickapoo In- dians, from Milwaukee. We have six slaves, with their masters, going to work hemp ip Lexington, Missouri. Some of them appear beppy in their midnight ignorance. The mas- | ter of one said be paid $1,400 for him. One | poor fellow has left a wite aud five children in entueky, but bis master was compelled to sellhim to save himself from ruin. We had many slave owners ou board, some of whom sakes loud about tar and feathers on our ar- | rival. But here we are in this city. We called to- gether “the mutiny-making crew,” as we were called, loaded our rifles, and appointed our men to give the word in case A emergency cccurred demanding their use. In answer to inquiries, we told the slave owners that we meant to be prepured in case we fell in with a ficck of wild geese or other game. While on the boat, one man bvasted that word had been sent onto give us such a warm reception as would prevent any more “thieves and pau- pers” from coming on from the East. This morning we are making preparations for travelling thirty-five miles to the Wabarousa territory, which our agents say is the best land on this side the globe, and they doubt whether the other side can produce any half as good. I would say to the reader of this that on coming up the Missouri I saw splendid land, but never did I see anything like the land here. It costs a man not less than $40 or $50 to come here and return, Flour is $3 75 per cwt., butter 12 1-2 cents | per pound, beef 8 cents, wood $2 50 per cord, &c. I never expected to see such corn. No rain has fallen for titty days, which is very un- common, but the black soil is many feet deep. Those thinking of coming had better keep cool this hot weather, aud make preparations to meet some difficulties, and receive in return 160 acres of excellent laud. I shall keep you posted as we procced. a {From the Springiield Republican, Augast 11.] THE KANSAS EMIGRATION ENTERPRISE. Mr. Branscomb, of Holyoke, has just returned from Kansas, where he has been en; in lo- cating the first party of emigrants. He is in fine health and spirits, and speaks of the ferti- lity and salubrity of the country in enthusiae- tic terms. The emigrants were kindly received even by some of the sluveholders of’ Missouri, and he thinks there will be a greater emigra- tion from Miseouri by men opposed to slavery than by slaveholdere, There will probably be a movement in this city before long in behalf of the Emigrant Aid Society, and it is to be hoped that it will excite a general interest. All persons who intend to emigrate will find it for their interest to avail themselves of the aid of the society, and may they assist in founding a Stste that shall esta- blish institutions and form a character more like New Evglaud than aay other Western State; and at the same time lish more to check the influence of slavery can be done in any other way. The establishment of Kansas as a free State secures freedom as far as the north line of Texas and the east line of New Mexico and Utah, and embraces the great ropéss of travel to our cerritories on the Pacifle ocean. A meeting of the pioneer of emi, te to Kanéas, was held at ena ie as, seven miles beyond the Wakarusa river, op the Ist inet., at which, after a fall discussion as to the advantages and capacities of the encamp- ment for a future town ite, it was voted to make a stand at that place, and to proceed to make cleims oe the land, with the under- standing that the emigrant company at home would make the spot thus selected thc base of their future operations, and would forthwith, or at as carly a day as ible, forward men and money to carry out their grand enterprize. The party was organized by the choice of the neceseary officers, and it was voted to commence making claims to be distributed by let on the morrow. The Missouri 4rgus having pablished the doings of a meeting of slaveho! who offered a reward of two hundred dollars for Eli Thayer, President of the Worc-ster Kansas ae, some of the pioneer party gave notice to the slaveholders they met, that they had a man with tiem who stood ready to personate Mr. Thayer and take the consequences, on the ment of the reward offered. The money, they said, would be quite serviceable to them in the infancy of their enterprise, and as to the con- sequences, they assured the slavebolders that they were there for the Labor! se of test- ing the question, as to the right American freemen to quietly remain in the Territory. Mera Nene alent Figs Foe Young porker hsv: ada a pig. . Tot tate tae garden oben iIrtskenesy be raa afver and killed » _ threw wae Ma the epetig its nether extremities, chased the ing for admission into the Union as a sovereign State. And now, gentlemen, you may ask, how about slavery? Will their State constitutions recogniz favery Janewer, no, On the the ronster_b; Hibernian, wallope? itim about the ears with tie defunct axial, and finally made him get a s2sJe a cudgeh and bury the pig, while 4 Ameidca stood to sec that it was properly done. must be about nome nberes— Toledo Blade