p. 253 | Untitled article

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, October 1, 1867.

News and Miscellany.

Can ye not discern the Signs of the Times? Matt. xvi, 3.

Elections.—During the last few weeks elections have been held in several of the States. In Maine the result was quite a loss to the Republicans, caused, it is said, by that party making an issue of the liquor question—indicating the tide of public opinion on this important question.

Perhaps the following item showing the hypocrisy of our political men may account in part for the loss of confidence in party leaders on the part of the people:

A Portland correspondent of the Boston Transcript states that he was personally acquainted with 69 members of the last legislature of Maine, and of these 61 kept spirituous liquors in their rooms during the session, and most of them favored prohibition. This has a bad look for the State that originated the prohibitory scheme.

—It seems to be a pretty generally-received opinion that negotiations are going on between the United States and Denmark for the transfer of the Republic of the Danish islands in the West Indies. These islands will furnish our vessels an admirable coaling station in time of peace; and, in war, will serve as a rendez-vous for our cruisers, while they can easily be made perfectly secure against any foreign power. A navy yard there would save also much money to our cruisers and merchant vessels in need of repairs. But the price to be paid must not be too large.

—The Pope of Rome has called or resolved to call a general council of the primates, archbishops, bishops, cardinals, heads of orders, and other dignitaries of the Church. The principal subject to be discussed is as to the point to which the Pope shall emigrate when Garibaldi occupies Rome.

Russia.—London, England, Sept. 24. It is reported that the Emperor of Russia has refused the proffer of alliance made by the Porte, and he is now seeking to bring about an alliance between Russia and France.

The President's Intentions.—The conduct of the President justifies the alarm which we have expressed. He means mischief, and will be restrained only by his fears. A man in his position who simultaneously defies his opponents and surrounds himself with those who are known to be his devoted adherents, is a man who intends to resist. His word, even if he gave it, could not be trusted. The law does not restrain him, for he denies the authority which makes it. The real situation at present is that the President asserts his will against the will of the people in Congress, and will probably try forcible conclusions with them.—Harper's Weekly.

London, Sept. 24—9 P. M. The following dispatch is received: Florence, Sept. 24.—Garibaldi has been arrested by the Italian Government. He was taken prisoner while crossing the Roman frontier.

Italy.—Florence, Sept. 23.—Evening. The Roman Government is taking precautionary steps to guard against an attack from without, or a sudden rising within the city. All Pontifical troops are being withdrawn from outlying points in the province of Civita Vecchia, Viterbo and Velletri and concentrated in and around Rome.

Foreign.—Serious outbreaks by the followers of Garibaldi are reported in various parts of Italy. His release is loudly called for, and Victor Emanuel will probably call an extra session of Parliament.

Omar Pasha has withdrawn his resignation of the command in Crete.

Fenianism is creating much excitement in England and Ireland, and several arrests have been made.

Trial of Jefferson Davis.—New York, September 27. The Herald's Richmond special says: It has now become definitely settled that the Davis trial will take place at the November term of the circuit court here. Judge Chase has expressed his intention of presiding, and if the rebel ex-President does not fail to come to time on his straw bail, questions of great importance will arise which will require all the diplomacy and ability of the Chief Justice to evade and decide. The opinion is expressed that allowing that Davis will appear, the trial will be evaded and shirked by the Government, and the prisoner will again be set at liberty on bail. There is reason to contradict such an erroneous impression. Indications lead to the belief that the trial will be proceeded with, and a mass of the most important history of the rebellion disclosed. The counsel for the defense will demand a trial, and if the Government urges as an excuse that it is not ready, the court will express its intention to remain in session a sufficient time to prepare. Failing in this a nolle prosequi will be entered by which the discharge of the prisoner may be effected. The latter is not likely, and the trial, which the nation at large demands, will be proceeded with. Davis can scarcely be convicted.

Indian Difficulties.—ST. LOUIS, September 19. Letters from Fort Dodge say the Indians are very numerous in that vicinity. The scouts say the Cheyennes, Arapahoes, Comanches, and Kiowas, have consolidated, and that there are 2,000 of them on the war path.

“Red Cloud,” the Sioux chief, is said to be at the head of over 20,000 hostile Indians, desirous of prolonging the war with the whites.

Famine and Cholera in Sicily.—To the horrors of cholera have been superadded in Sicily the horrors of famine. A drought, which has now lasted nearly two years, has arrested and parched up vegetation, and has deprived the flocks and herds of the food necessary for their subsistence. The cities and towns are deserted by the wealthier inhabitants, the shops are closed, the markets scantily supplied. In Palermo the kilogramme of beef (35 ounces) is selling at 4½ francs, the kilogramme of mutton 4¾ francs; veal and poultry are fetching fabulous prices, and brandy and rum of very inferior quality, from 12 francs to 18 francs a bottle. The cholera, however, is abating. On the 20th of August, it had decreased in Palermo to 125 fresh cases and 57 deaths, in Messina to 28 fresh cases and 15 deaths, and in Catania to 14 fresh cases and 11 deaths. The municipalities were exerting themselves to feed the poor, and have dispatched steamers to the mainland of Italy and the island of Sardinia for grain and cattle.

Temperance and Sunday.—The State Temperance Convention met at Rochester, Minn., Sept. 24, to take into consideration the propriety of running a temperance ticket for Governor and State Officers.

Several resolutions were put forward for and against the movement. After considerable discussion the following resolution was carried unanimously:

Resolved, That, as the friends of temperance, morality and religion, we protest against the action of the two great political parties, opposing any legislation on the great American questions of temperance and the Sabbath; that it is both the right and the duty of the State to protect the interests of the individual, to pass prohibitory laws with reference to these questions; and, as temperance men and friends of the Christian Sabbath, we will not be stultified by platforms made by minorities, majorities or parties, and while we condemn the resolutions, and utterly abhor their doctrines, we think that the cause of temperance does not demand at this time any specific political action by the temperance men of the State.

ANTI-SUNDAY LAW.—An association has been formed in San Francisco to combat the Sunday law. The association numbers five hundred members.