'_Resolved_, That nobody has a right to provoke murder, and if Abel had exhibited less fanaticism this one never would have occurred.'
_Apropos_ of which subject and which men, we are reminded of a rough and ready poem by William Higgins:
A cross between a man and slave This mongrel thing produces, Who deems himself ordained to save The Union by sham truces.
In strife between the Wrong and Right To hold the nation's border, Ashamed to run, afraid to fight, He faintly squeaks out 'Order!'
The boasted friend of quiet, peace, He'd quell all agitation, By giving Satan longer lease Of earth, to damn the nation.
No matter, though the Scriptures teach The golden rule of action, He says 'tis but a fancy speech, And proves it to a fraction!
He knows no 'Higher Law,' but thinks State Rights the Catechism; Which having learned by rote, he links His practice to his schism.
And thus is fitted to proclaim, With all his might and vigor, Nor feel a single blush of shame, 'That chains become a nigger!'
With him, Religion is a boon, That Slavery may diddle; God's laws to those of John Calhoun, Play only second-fiddle!
The faith for which his fathers bled, And died to make him heir to, He quite ignores, and takes instead That leading God knows where to.
O compromiser! what a gleam Of glory hangs about you! No wonder that you proudly deem The world would spoil without you!
With supple knees to slavery bent, Your conscience hangs on hinges, And gives mild treason easy vent, Despite compunction's twinges!
Rude but true. And these be times for truth, however rude.
This long-established paper has now nearly completed its thirty-second volume, and notwithstanding the severe calamities in which the country is involved, and which tax most heavily in men and money those States in which its circulation is largest, it is nearing the close of another eventful year with its _circulation unimpaired_--a matter of special gratification, as showing that its course, in these trying times, has been generally approved, and that it has been more widely useful than ever the past year, by its firm and cordial support of the Government when assailed by a wicked rebellion.
carefully compiled from original and other sources, furnishes from week to week a current