HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. vidual exceptions, and that in some cases bad judg-| Plains in common with these Indians, for the counIt is idle for us longer to attempt to occupy the like Missouri and Iown, and is solely adapted to grazing. All of our people are necessarily scattered, try is not susceptible of close settlement with farms and have more or less cattle and horses, which tempt the Indians, hungry, and it may be starving, for the want of his accustomed game, and he will steal rather than starve, and to steal he will not hesitate to kill. Therefore, a joint occupation of that district of the country by these two classes of people with such oped them a reservation, which, if held for fifty years, posing interests is a simple impossibility, and the Indians must yield. The Peace Commission has assignwill make their descendants rich, and in the mean time they are promised food while they are learnIt was for this reason the Peace Commission, at its ing to cultivate the earth and to rear tame stock. Chicago session, in October, was forced to the conclusion that the management of Indian affairs should be transferred back to the War Department, where it be ernment is the only one that can use force promptly longed prior to 1849. That Department of our Govwithout the circumlocution now necessary; and no the plans and purposes of the Peace Commission will other Department of our Government can act with promptness and vigor enough to give any hope that be carried out. Even then, there is doubt that the efforts to succeed. And I fear that they will at last fall Indians themselves will make the necessary personal back upon our hands a mere mass of helpless paupers. I am fully aware that many of our good people, far rewith a painful interest on the past events, such as are described to have occurred in Minnesota in 1863, and moved from contact with these Indians, and dwelling at the Chivington massacre of 1864, believe that the actual want or by reason of our selfishness. I am whites are always in the wrong, and that the Indians more than convinced that such is not the case in the present instance. I further believe that the only scheme suggested by the Peace Commission, which annihilation is by a fair and prompt execution of the hope of saving any part of these Indians from utter much patience and hard labor on the part of the offcan alone be done by Congress, with the concurrence of the Indians themselves. Even then it will require sume myself or impose on other army officers; but it is certain that the only hope to find any end of this cers who execute the plan, which I do not wish to aseternal Indian war is in the transfer of the entire business to the War Department, and for Congress to enact the laws and provide the necessary money at least especially necessary in the case of the Sioux, because the Missouri River is only navigable in early summer. a year before it is required to be expended. This is For the Department of Missouri, Generals Sherman and Sheridan give full details of the Indian War of the past year. Sheridan, in actual command in the field, states that his entire force consisted of 1200 cavalry and 1400 infantry; but after distributing these so as to guard the railroads he had at his disposal for offensive operations only about 800 men. small force it was impossible to accomplish a "With this great deal in so extensive a country. dian, mounted on his hardy pony and familiar The Inwith the country, was about as hard to find, so long as the grass lasted, as the Alabama on the The details of the various expeditions since August show that in all, of soldiers and scouts, 11 have been killed, and 26 wounded; of the Indians 92 have been killed and an unknown number wounded. No villages have been destroyed, and no large amount of stock cap-have been forced to resort to war in self-defense by tured. Of citizens 75 have been killed and 9 wounded by the Indians. In nearly all cases the most horrible barbarities were perpetrated on the bodies of the victims. have rendered a large tract of country almost unThese Indian outrages inhabitable; and, says Sheridan ocean. SOUTHERN AMERICA. Unless the Indians are crushed out, and made to obey the authority of the Government, there will be a total paralysis of some of the best interests of this section of the country. No peace which will give confidence can hereafter be made by paying tribute to these savage bauds of cruel marauders. Indian tribes should not be dealt with as independent nations. They are wards of the Government, and should be made to respect the lives and property of citizens. The Indian history of this country for the last three hundred years shows that of all the great nations of Indians only the remnants have been saved. The same fate awaits those now hostile; and the best way for the Government is to now make them poor by the destruction of their stock, and then settle them on the lands allotted to them. There was an error in judgment in ily suppressed, broke out in Colombia and the Insurrections, apparently quite local and speedmaking peace with these Indians last fall. should have been punished, and made to give up the River Plata still continues; the Paraguayans They Argentine Confederation. The war on the plunder captured, and which they now hold. present system of dealing with the Indians I think is have been forced from their strong position at There are too many fingers in the pie, too Humaita, and have fallen back into the jungles, many ends to be subserved, and too much money to and at the latest dates an expedition had been ticulars of which have not been published, sprung fitted out against them.-A dispute, the full parup between Mr. Washburne, our Minister to Pa an error. be made. The General Sheridan recommends that the management of the Indians should be transferred to the War Department, that the Lieutenant-Gen-raguay, and President Lopez. eral should have the sole charge of them, and that each Department Commander, under him, should have entire charge of the Indians in his Department. He closes his report, dated November 15, by announcing that Arrangements are now being made for active operations against their villages and stock. As soon as the failure of the grass and the cold weather forces the scattered bands to come together to winter in the milder latitudes south of the Arkansas, a movement of troops will then take place from Bascon, Lyon, Dodge, and Arbuckle, which I hope will be successful in gaining a permanent peace. Generals Sherman and Grant both indorse the recommendation of Sheridan that the control of the Indians be vested in the War Department. Sherman says: ous character, has broken out. EUROPE. terest is the result of the recent Parliamentary the proposed Reform measures, especially those relating to the Irish Church.—Mr. Reverdy Johnson, our Minister to England, has made a large number of speeches on various occasions. He announces that all causes of dispute are in a fair way of settlement. As reported, the basis is that two commissioners from each nation are to meet at Washington to consider the respective claims advanced by the two Governments. The precise limits of the authority of these commissioners do not appear to have been definitely agreed upon; at all events they have not been made public. THE SPANISH REVOLUTION. Now that the Queen has been finally expelled, the course of the revolution remains wholly undecided. One party are in favor of a republic, and have made strong public demonstrations in the cities. The Provisional Government, the real head of which is General Prim, are clearly CON in favor of a monarchy. It is announced that the question will be decided by the Cortes, members of which are soon to be chosen. An electoral law has been proclaimed, the leading feature of which is, that all male Spaniards of 25 years, not convicted of crime, may be enrolled as voters. It does not appear that Cuba is to participate in this election, although the right is extended to other Spanish dependencies. The main obstacle in the way of a monarchy appears to be the difficulty of fixing upon a sovereign. It is hardly possible that any one of the royal family will be accepted. Among those suggested are the King of Portugal, and the Duke of Montpensier, son of Louis Philippe and husband of a daughter of the late Queen. Prince Alfred of England, second son of Queen Victoria, has been mentioned; but it is hardly possible that any except a Catholic will be chosen King of Spain. It has even been surmised that General Prim is aiming at the Sovereignty. Editor's Drawer. YONCERNING New-Year's Charles Lamb | begins one of his delightful papers with: Every man hath two birthdays; two days, at least, in every year which set him upon revolving the lapse of time as it affects his mortal duration. The one is that which in an especial manner he termeth his. In the gradual desuetude of old observances, this custom of solemnizing our proper birthday hath nearly passed away, or is left to children, who reflect nothing at all about the matter, nor understand any thing beyond the cake and orange. But the birthday of a new year is of an interest too wide to be pretermitted by king or cobbler. No one ever regarded the First of January with indifference. It is that from which all date their time, and count upon what is left. It is the nativity of our common Adam." WHEN was it that the custom originated of making visits and presents on New-Year's Day? A gentleman curious in antiquarian matters has traced it to the times of Romulus and Tatius, and that the usual presents were figs and dates, cov ered with leaf-gold, and sent by clients to patrons, accompanied with a piece of money which was expended to purchase the statues of deities. The custom was continued under the Roman emperors until prohibited by Claudius. Yet in the early ages of the Church the Christian emperors received them; nor did they wholly cease, although condemned by ecclesiastical councils on account of the pagan ceremonies at their presentation. The old Saxons observed the new year as a high festival, and indulged in more than ordinary feasting and jollity. They also made presents. Thomas Navgeorgus, in "The Popish Kingdom," a Latin poem written in 1553, after remarking on days of the old year, says: "The next to this is Newe yeares day, They costly presents in do bring, And maister on his men bestowes A noted antiquarian, Dr. Drake, has expressed the opinion that the wardrobe and jewelry of Queen Elizabeth were principally supported by these annual contributions on New-Year's Day. He cites lists of the New-Year's gifts presented to her, and from these it appears that the greater part, if not all, the peers and peeresses of the realm, all the bishops, the chief officers of state, and several of the queen's household servants, even down to her apothecaries, master-cook, sergeant of the pastry, etc., gave New-Year's gifts to her majesty-consisting, in general, either of a sum of money, trinkets, wearing apparel, etc. The peeresses gave rich gowns, petticoats, shifts, silk stockings, garters, sweet-bags, doublets, mantles, etc. Although the queen made presents in return, she took sufficient care that the balance should be in her own favor. An old writer-Bourne-hath an amiable word or two concerning gifts on New-Year's which we commend to the kind-hearted reader: "If I send a New-Year's gift to my friend, it shall be a token of my friendship; if to my benefactor, a token of my gratitude; if to the poor, which at this season must never be forgot, it shall be to make their hearts sing for joy, and give praise and adoration to the Giver of all good gifts." HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE. being perfectly satisfied that if the world should turn over all the water would spill out of his well; and only giving in to steam cars by slow degrees. But all the vials of his contempt were poured out upon the idea of a telegraph, and he was wont to say that nobody need try to come "the green" over him in that way, for he had been in the Legislature. Finally, the State road was built, and one day workmen began to put up telegraph posts right in front of his house, and to stretch the wire. His exultant neighbors thought they had him on that occasion, and asked: "Well, old fellow! what do you think of telegraphs now?" He was cornered, but died game. Drawing himself up an inch taller, he said: " Gentlemen, when I was in the Legislature I gave this subject my very attentive consideration. And I said then, as I say now, that it may do for letters and small bundles, but it never will take a cotton bale, never!" It was from the same county that a man went all the way from Cassville to Atlanta. return he looked solemn with the weight of garOn his nered wisdom, and said, "If the world was as big t'other way as it was that, it was a whopper!" ing the spirit of independence that dwells in the keeper, "the charge is fifteen cents." prominent Southern orator for the benefit of Mr. THE following is said to have been told by a B. H. Hvass. Said the speaker: "The ambition and of Georgia, during a political canthe uniform bad luck of Mr. H— remind me of a little incident. A worthy but poor farmer what astonished her by his breakfast appetite. paid a visit to a sister of more means, and somecuit had disappeared without satisfying him, she When some twenty of the inevitable Georgia bisgently said, 'You seem fond of wheat biscuit, George.' 'Yes,' said he, reaching for another, and gets um as seldom!'" 'I likes um as well as any body you ever saw, THE rapid increase of "tanneries" during the past season recalls to the memory of a Virginia correspondent a scene that occurred not many months since in the "Mother of States." We have a fresh anecdote of the late Commoproprietor of one of those institutions having At the close of the war he was in the habit of The dore Porter, father of our present Rear-Admiral. erected a building on the main street for the sale spending much of his time at the hospitable manof his leather, the purchase of hides, etc., began sion of General Morton, in this city. The Gento consider what kind of sign would be most at-eral's library was graced with portraits of distractive. At last what he thought a happy idea struck him. He bored an auger-hole through the door-post and stuck a calf's tail into it, with the bushy end flaunting out. noticed a grave-looking person standing near the After a while he door, with spectacles on, gazing intently at the sign. So long did he gaze that finally the tanner stepped out and addressed the individual: "Good-morning!" "Morning!" replied the man, without moving his eyes from the sign. 66 You want to buy leather?"—"No." "Want to sell hides ?"-"No." "Are you a farmer ?"—"No." "Are you a merchant ?"-"No." -"No." Lawyer?""Doctor?"-"No." "What in thunder are you?"-"I'm a philosopher. I've been standing here half an hour trying to decide how that calf got through that auger-hole, and for the life of me I can't make it out!" tinguished naval officers-Decatur, Bainbridge, Perry, Morris, and others. The Commodore expressed his admiration of the fidelity and effect intend to add my portrait to your collection shortof these, but said they were too large. "Now I ly, but it shall be done in quite a different style.' "Then you do not like these?" said the gentleman. "Not exactly," replied the Commodore; a very singular objection for you to make," said "there's entirely too much canvas. "That's the General, directing the attention of his guest to a small picture representing the engagement of the Essex with a frigate and sloop of war off Valparaiso, which hung in one corner of the room a very singular objection indeed, when we have before us an evidence that it will require double the usual quantity of canvas to take you!" 66 Democratic parties, some years since, Colonel DURING the contest between the American and Andrew H. H. Dawson, then a young lawyer, had the nerve to meet the great Georgia orator, A CITIZEN of Essex County, Massachusetts, great statesman that the South should support Stephens. In reply to the earnest appeal of the who evidently reveres the institutions of that Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Dawson said: "My friends, State, writes that a few years ago, when Justices we once had a great Whig party, and in this State of the Peace in Massachusetts were made "sort Mr. Stephens was its great leader. The Whig of spontaneous," it was remarked to him by a party has gone to Hades. a friend that "Governor Boutwell came the great Democratic party, and in this State Mr. We have now the nearest to the Great Creator of any man living." Stephens is its great leader. If he will only lead Asking for an explanation, he said: "God made the Democratic party where he led the Whig the world out of nothing; and Governor Bout-party I shall be perfectly satisfied!” well made a Justice of the Peace out of the nearest to nothing possible." Obviously the remark of an irreverent party. LET it not be supposed that the "friend and brother," under the new construction, South, is not disposed to invest the marriage service with AN Illinois correspondent, by way of illustrat-all the solemnity which so important a ceremo nial commands in more cultivated society. No-General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal thing, "we calculate," could be more edifying to Church in the United States brought with it a our dusky-hued friends than the remarks made by little crop of clerical anecdotes, some of which a sable parson at a negro wedding which took may be new to the readers of the Drawer. The place recently near Montgomery, Alabama. Thus Episcopal Convention, however, is not so old an spake he: institution as is the Baptist Association of Phila"Here is a couple who have walked out to- delphia, which held its one hundred and sixtynight, wishing to be jined in, and thro' love, and first annual session in October last. Many minwishing all dem dat have any ting twixt dem isters come to these gatherings, and, as a matter come forward and speak now; if not, let dem of course, much poultry is consumed. In one hold dar peace now and for evermore. I wants instance this predilection for fowl was charged every ear to hear, and every heart to enjoy. upon a Methodist brother who stopped with a "Mr. Jim Thompson, whomsoever stands fast-farmer in Sugar Valley, Clinton County. He ly by your left side, do you take her for your be- was posted on "Gray's Elegy," and especially loved wife, to wait on her through sickness and admired one of its stanzas in which occur the through health, safe and be safe, holy and be words: holy, loving and be loving; do you love her mother, do you love her father, do you love her brothers, do you love her sisters, do you love her master, do you love her mistress, but do you love God de best?" Answer: "I do." "Miss Mary Thompson, whomsoever stands fastly by your right side, do you take to be your dear beloved husband, to wait on him through health and through conflution, safe and be safe, holy and be holy; do you love his mother, do you love his father, do you love his brothers, do you love his sisters, do you love God de best?" Answer: "I will." "I shall pronounce Mr. Jim to hold Miss Mary fastly by the right hand, and shall pronounce you both to be man and wife, by the commandments of God. We shall hope, and trusting through God, that you may live right, that you may die right, now and for evermore. Now, Mr. Jim, slew your bride. Let us sing a hime: "The breezy call of incense-breathing morn, The swallow twitt'ring from the straw-built shed, The cock's shrill clarion, or the echoing horn." The good man was dressed before the sun had risen, and realized every thing of which Mr. Gray wrote, the rooster-crowing excepted. As he walked out across the dewy lawn he met the little boy of Mr. Ferguson, his host. He asked the urchin why the roosters on the place differed from others, and did not crow. "Ah!" said the urchin, "they've got to know when ministers come along. They saw you coming up the lane yesterday. They're all gone under the barn, and nary one of 'em 'll come until you're gone. They've lost so many relations on account of ministers' visits that they've got shy. Whenever a preacher comes mother kills chickens, and the roosters always come first!" Or a little different sort is one from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where a certain clever divine had been employed to supply the pulpit of a neighboring town for several weeks. At the conclusion of the afternoon service on Sundays he was in the habit of driving back to Pittsfield. This not be the congregation, a delegation was appointed to call on him and remonstrate. Somewhat astonished by the moral light thus gratuitously shed upon him, he said: "Why, my family live in Pittsfield; I have nothing to stay here for, and,” continued he, with a twinkle, as if he saw a solution of the difficulty, "it won't do any harm, will it, if I drive s-l-o-w?" "Plunged in a gulf of dark despair,'" etc. ODDLY enough, on the very day in October last on which news came by telegraph of the earthquake in San Francisco (Oct. 21), we re-ing exactly in accordance with the notions of ceived a letter from a San Francisco correspondent, dated October 8, inclosing the following anecdote: This is the anniversary of the great earthquake which occurred in this city October 8, 1865, and reminds me of a remark of our youngest, then a boy of six years. He was playing in the yard at the time, and at the first shock started for the house, much excited. Meeting his mother, he asked: "Mamma, who makes earthquakes?" She answered, "God makes them, my child." "Well, mamma, don't you think He made that a little harder than He meant to?-don't you think it slipped a little ?" A CORRESPONDENT informs us that the gamin of Atlanta, Georgia, are sadly in need of reconstruction-both in morals and pantaloons. One of them approached him "edgeways" with the polite question, "Mister, does your bees do well this year?" He replied, "I have no bees, my son; why do you ask?" The boy glanced at his shining beaver, and exclaimed, "Oh, I thort that were a bee-gum!" Another said, in a sympathetic tone, Mister, your cows is all dead, isn't they?" He remembered the other, and answered, "No, you little rat." "I thort they were," said the boy, "becase you had put your churn in mournin'!" 66 THE latest story in reference to Regeneration was given not long since at a public dinner in Edinburgh, by Professor Blackie: A boy at a Presbytery examination was asked, "What is the meaning of regeneration ?" "Oh, to be born again," he replied. "Quite right, Tommy; you're a very good boy. Would you not like to be born again?" Tommy gave no reply; but on being pressed for an answer, at last said, "No." "Why, Tommy?" Tommy replied, "For fear I might be born a lassie." A YOUNG gentleman who has doubtless in prospect the higher honors of the bar or senate is laying the foundations therefor at Genesee College, Lima, New York, which he thinks has wakened into fresh life under the new administration of Dr. Steele. The class in Mental Philosophy occasionally find their instructor not so dry as he looks to be. Not long since the DocTHE recent session in this city of the Triennial tor remarked that "The result of study is to find out that we know nothing. The Delphic oracle declared Socrates to be the wisest man," which he explained by saying that "He knew his own ignorance, while others imagined themselves wise. The more we study, the firmer will be our conviction that we know nothing." "If that is the case," said a senior, “I think I am prepared to take my diploma now.' The smile was at the Doctor's expense until he replied, "Perhaps you are not so thoroughly convinced as you will be after examination." THE following is tald of Judge Cone, of Georgia, and the candidate for door-keeper of the State Senate: [Enter Candidate, who supposes the Judge to be a member of the Legislature.] CANDIDATE. "If you please, Sir, I wish to be elected door-keeper of the Senate, and if you will be so good as to vote for me I will try toJUDGE. "Take a seat, Sir, and I will examine you." CANDIDATE. "Yes, Sir, if you please." JUDGE (gravely). "Have you ever been a door-keeper?" CANDIDATE. "No, Sir; but I trust, by your vote and-" ance of Mr. Peabody upon the field the teams should start simultaneously, giving the scene a fine dramatic effect. Owing to the lateness of the train on which Mr. P. was to arrive, the plowmen and spectators became impatient, and sauntered about to kill time. While thus occupied an old gentleman inquired, “John, what are they waiting for?" To which the intelligent John replied that they were waiting for Mr. Peabody to arrive; for, says he, "Peabody is going to plow!" Whether George arrived in time to gratify the people by putting his hand to that noble implement is not communicated. A LITTLE incident illustrating the humorous side of politics comes to us from West Virginia: Colonel Watson, a well-known politician of that State, enjoyed great personal popularity on account of his affable manners, and whenever he was a candidate for office ran ahead of the ticket. He generally spoke to every body he met, professing to know them. On one occasion, during the last Presidential campaign, he met a countryman, whom he shook by the hand, and commenced: "Why, how do you do, thir? I am very glad JUDGE. "Have you ever been instructed in to thee you; a fine day, thir; I thee you thrill the responsible and arduous duties of door-keep-ride your fine old gray, thir." ing?" 66 CANDIDATE. "No, Sir, but I would seek to be." JUDGE. Have you ever attended lectures on door-keeping?" CANDIDATE. "Why, no; I never heard of any." if-" JUDGE. "Have you ever conversed with one who has read such a book?" 66 CANDIDATE. No, Sir, but I certainly will.” JUDGE (solemnly). “Do you not see, Sir, that you have not a single qualification for the office?" [Exit Candidate, resolved to go home and give it up.] "No, Sir; this horse is one I borrowed this morning." "Oh! ah! well, thir, how are the old gentleman and lady?" "My parents have been dead about three years, Sir." "But how ith your wife, thir, and the children?" IN Georgetown, Colorado Territory, where silver and silver ore are the chief end of man," HARRY M'ARTHY used to tell of an Irishman there exists a mining superintendent who minwho was seen at the trenches of Yorktown hold-gles digging with divinity-indulging in the lating his hand above the earth-work. His Captain asked: "What are you doing that for, Pat?" He replied, with a grin and a working of his fingers: "I am feelin' for a furlough, sure!" Just then a Minić ball struck his arm just below the wrist. Slowly drawing it down, and grasping it with the other hand to restrain the blood, a queer expression of pain and of humor passed over his face as he exclaimed: "An', faith, I think it's a discharge!" ter on the "day of rest." Not long since this worthy person delivered a sermon, in which, exhorting his hearers to prepare for the life to come, he said: "My brethren, Georgetown is a very healthy place. Men don't often die here. Once in a while, however, a rock rolls down from the mountain and kills a fellar. Once in a while, too, a shaft caves in and kills a fellar. My brethren, we have started, down yonder at the forks of the creek, a little grave-yard; and though we had to start it with a man who was hung, and GEORGETOWN, Essex County, Massachusetts, though, as I said before, Georgetown is a healthy has a memorial church, the gift of Mr. George place, nevertheless, if you live here long enough, Peabody, which stands in about the same rela-my brethren, some of you may live to be buried tion to the people of that town that the great thar: so prepare for the life to come!" organ does to the people of Boston. The incident that follows, however, relates more to Mr. Peabody himself than it does to his vital piety or his church. A few years ago, when Mr. P. was on a visit to Georgetown, the Essex County Agricultural Fair was held in the neighboring city of Newburyport. The managers of the plowingmatch had it so arranged that upon the appear THE recent decease of "Jacob Omnium" (Mr. Matthew James Higgins), who for twenty years was a constant contributor to the London Times, and a frequent contributor to the Edinburgh and Quarterly Reviews, recalls to mind one of Thackeray's humorous poems, written over the signature of "Pleacemen X.," on a horse of |