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About The state Republican. (Eugene City, Or.) 1862-1863 | View Entire Issue (July 19, 1862)
THE STATE 11EPUBL1CAX. "The Strangle of to-day is not altogether for to-day, it is for the vast future also." EUaEXE CITY, SATURDAY, JULY 19, 1862. To tho l'atrous of the KepubJicaiu It has bccomo necessary to make some change in the management of tlio Repi-iii-icax. Here tofore the editorial department has been a sepa rate item of expense, adding materially to the cost of publication. This is no longer expedient. Ia order to bring tho expenses to conform as nearly as may be to the receipts, this department will hereafter be in charge of the publisher of the paper. Properly, it is the province of journals having a national circulation to discuss national subjects almost exclusively, w hile it is tho duty of local newspapers to confine themselves more particu larly to the affairs of their own county and State. Country editors, however, too frequently forget fcliut tln-'il m'C,3 n.h ltriiltitn Quito aS tXtCU sivcly as the London Times, or even tho New York Tribune, or Ledger. Burning with an in tenso desire to cut a grand flourish in the politi. cal arena, they attempt to rival these national journals by speaking very wisely and familiarly of the most distant and intricate subjects relating to the war, or tho administration of the Govern ment. Of course they can tell precisely what tho Government should do, and what it will do, without even knowing, in somo instances, the history of what it has done. They describe the precise position that parties will occupy in the United Stctes some years hence, but seldom con descend to notice such trifling things as may re lato to tho welfare of their own locality, and w hich, through the force of circumstance!", they they may happen to know something about ; or if they do, they usually manage to do it by slan dering some of their neighbors, and blnekguarj ingb" men than themselves. Thcso papers, that e.Jiuot circulate whore they properly be long and will not try to advance the interests of the community where they do circulate, may be very good political or literary journals, as they usually employ the best of talent to edit them ; but they aro o;it of place not adapted to the wants of this country. With thcso facts in view, it will bo the aim of tho Repchlicav, hereafter, to chronicle tho local news and speak of such subjects as may seem to bo of most interest and advantage to tho Oregon p 'ople, first, and then give as much space to subjects of general interest as may remain. Res idents of this part of the Stato who arc tempora rily absent, in the mines or elsewhere, will usu ally find items of interest from home ill the Rki'luucav, but, if at times they do not, they will bear in mind the fact that it is becauso there is no local news of importance, and not because we neglect to publish it. Now, a word in regard to 'the "sinews of war." Newspapers cannot bo published without patronage without money. Because somo have existed in Oregon without visible means of sup port, does not prove that it cost nothing to pub lish them, but establishes tho fact that there was a " power behind the throne." During tho reign of the Disunion Democracy in Oregon, their papers were supported by government patron age and by Federal officers, drawing high sala ries and eager for higher honors. Since tho ehango of Administration has cut off thcso re sources, thcso papers have nearly all carried out their favorite doctrine nnd seceded from their subscribers. Under the present Administration of the National Government, these electioneering funds, formerly given to politicians in the shape of enormous salaries for themselves and numer ous extra clerks, Uive been very properly dis pensed with, leaving Administration journals right where the secession papers should have been left, and where newspapers should always be left to their legitimate resources, to be paid for by thoso who read them, and whose particu lar locality and interests are most benefi ted by them. A newspaper, if decently conducted, is certainly worth all it coots to the general reader, and a food deal more to its local subscribers. Every loan in the State can afford to take and pay lor one or two copies of his local new-spa-per, and would make money by so doing, even if he did not w ish to read a word. No party nor community can reasonably expect to prosper without sustaining a free press, which is tho real exponent of tho prosperity and civilization of the people. To thoso comprehensive persons who cannot risk two or three dollars for an en terprise which would benefit them ten fold, until they wait one or two years to " see if it will live," wo suggest that this is not the best way to make it live. And further, that the Retchi-icam will live longer than any of their kind ought to live. The need of tho paper here is indispensa ble, nnd it must and w ill bo kept up. No one need to wait and beg or borrow papers for sev en years, to see if every line and word suits him so ho can subscribe nltcrwhile. It would be easier ! form decision by the exercise of a lit:',.! iMinmon sense which teaches that it is not o -5ii)le to please, in erery respect, all even who hold to tho name general principles, for what will plcn-o a few will usually displease a greater number, because men are more disposed to growl than be pleased. We have again put the Homestead bill in type and republish it this week, at tho req.vst of number of new subscribers. They desire to have copies of the bill for future reference, which o could not otherwise furnish, as there were no papers I. ft containing it. Cascade Mountain Road. ' There is no enterprise within the reach of our citizens, nt tho present timo, of more importance to Lano county, and ii fact to all the central portion of the State, tlian tho construction of a good wagon road over tho Cascade Mountains, from the head of the Willamette Valley to Powder river, and the mining and farming coun try in that region. There is much country east of here fit for settlement, along Powder river, Grand Rondc, and other streams issuing from the Blue Mountains and the Qiscades. From the discoveries that have already been made, it is safe, to calculate that rich gold mines will bo developed along nearly all the mountain streams in the range between Carriboo mid the mines of California. These mines will attract a numerous population from California and the Atlantio States. The present season will be mainly passed in prospecting, which will deter mine to a certainty where the gold Is, and estab lish the reputation of tho mines abroad. Then, with the openiig of next summer, thousands of miners will rush- Ir.to- these mine,, and large mining towns will soon spring up. In the valley around these mining towns permanent settle ments will be formed and coui tie organized. In this way, it will bo sate to calculate that in one or two years from the present time half the population of the State will be east of tho Cas cades. All tho merchandise, and' for a timo all tho provisions for this extensive region, must neces sarily go up the Columbia river to the Dalles and Walla Walla, and thence be freighted south to the mines, or it must go by a more direct route from tho Upper Willamette Valley. The importance of this trade to farmers am! mer ehants is very great. Any town in tho illiyi ette Valley that can secure this trade, or even divide it with the Dalles and other towns along the Columbia, so as to supply the more southern portion of tho mining region, lying east of here,, will soon become a place of no little commercial importance. Such a trade would add more to Its wealth and population in ono year, than it would gain in five years-from the trade tf the country around it. If a good road is opened from hero over the niountaiuc, Eugene City will secure the trado of nearly all the country east of here and west of Fort Boise, and will be to the upper Willamette Valley w hat Sacramento is to the valley of that name the commercial metropolis. Flour, ba con, fruit and such other articles as nro produced here, could be taken from this place over a good read to the mines, along the BIuo mountains, nearly as cheap n they could be transported to tho Dalles, where they are but little nearer the mines than they are here. If the trade was started through here, light draught steamboats might bo built that would be able to run up to Eugene City at nearly all seasons. Goods could bo brought from Portland hero for about the same price that they ore shipped from Portland to tho Dalles. Thus our merchants could com peto with the Dalles in furnishing the mines with imported merchandise, while in all articles of Oregon produce, they wau'd have a d:cided ad vantage. This road can and must be made ; coining events, as well present circumstances, demand it. It is to this part of the Willamette Valley, what tho Pacific Railroad is to the coast indispensa blo to its permanent prosperity. The nioun tyins hero nro not so high as tbo Sierra Nevada between Marysvillo aud Downieville, nnd in many other places, where they have better roatls than we have between here and Portland, with stages passing over them daily, and teams that haul from eight to ten thousand pounds each. To make a good road over tho mountain will cost something a little more than to hack out a miserable trail but then it will be worth some thing when completed. The citizens of this county will make more to contribute from $23 to $50 each, and have a good graded road, than to keep their means and leave tlio work to a few noble men who, if they work hard all summer, will only be able to open a mere trail. It is time tho people of this county were waking up to a sense of their own interests, if they intend to nake any public improvements that will bene fit the present generation. New Steamboat. Messrs. Shaw, McGure, Coffin a.d others have opened subscription books, and are soliciting funds for the purpose of building small steamboat to ply between the Falls of the Willamette aud Eugene City. It is proposed to form a company of eighty shares consisting of fifty dollars each, and call a meet ing of the stockholders to adopt rules and regu lations, and to detcrmino the best manner of proceeding with the work. Merchants and far mers will now have an opportunity of investing A small sum in an enterprise which will bo of great benefit to the country, with the assurance of getting good interest on the money Invested. W learn that tho work on the McKinzie road is progressing rapidly, but there is still need for more laborers and means to carry on the work. The road is now opened several miles into the mountains, an J a party of viewers consisting of C, II. Moses, J. M. Dick and others have gone on in advance of tho workmen, to select tho bi st ground and locate the road to the Deschutes. We hope tint somo of tho party will favor our readers with an account of the condition if the route. From Powder River. We clip tho following letter from tho Daily Timet : Union Flat, Powder River, ) June 18th, 1803. ) Tho following letter was received by a gentle man in this city, who has kindly permitted us to make a few extracts : Dear Sib : Having been in these mines for twenty days, I now feel as if I could give a very sorrcct nccount of them, so far as they are pros, pected. Griffin's Gulch is the first mining dis trict ; at that place tho work has been pretty much suspended from tho lack of water to sluice, although there are quite a number of men there working with rockers, nnd seem te be doing well, the gold is of a coarse nature. Some pieces found on the bed-rock weighed from $1 to $S and even $10, and while tho water was plenty to sluice with, $20 per day was not considered very big pay. Jrrom Unilins to Jk Creek is called 21 miles, some few claims have been paying well there, others nothing. Although 1 heard it reported yesterday that new discoveries had been made further in tho mountains, yet I do not feel like vouching tor the report. From Elk Creek to Blue Gulch is also about 2 miles, at tke time of my arrival that gulch was paying from to to $30 per day, but at tho pres ent w hen they get to tho led-rock and the gravel washed off, they take their sheath knives and sit down and pick out a handful of pieces, all the way in value from ?1 to $18, but quite a num ber from $3 u8. 1 was at tho town of Auburn yesterday and found men digging for bed rock who were then down 17 feet, and no gravel yet they seemed in good cheer and swore they never would give up till they got to the bottom. Ihe sides aud top of tho mountains are claimed, and to tell the t-uth are all very rich; there nre claims hero that have paid from $10 to 150 per day, and some reports which I will not men tion. The town is known by tho name of Freeze out, BIuo Gulch or Auburn. From Auburn to this place is 5 miles. There is but few men here who are at work, somo make $S to- $8 per day, while there aro some w ho are making from $10 to 1 5 fine gold. Union Flat, I must say, is below par, only as a good range for horses. From Union Flat to Deer. Creek is 8 miles, there they have not got to work yet but nre cutting a laivo ditch to bring water and think they will make big pay from nppeaianccs, but is yet to bo proven. From there to Bear Creek is 4 miles. Claims nr not vet open but 1 have seen pieces f cold- from there weiahiuir $5 $7 and $ 10, but tlio riches will be known as soon as a supply vater cau be got on to the ground. There aro also men nil through the country prospecting. Others are waiting for the river to fall thinking it must be rich. There has been about 230 men who arrived from California within the last three days, by way of Fort Crook, and Goose Lake, they were lost part of the time, and have been since the middle of April on the way. Quite a num ber of tho party were out of provisions, they report about 500 more on the way as near as they could judge. My partners have been out about two weeks prospecting, and say they have found it sure and no mistake, about 50 miles from here. Till you hear further believe Pow der River all right. respectfully, Enu II. Dav. Slanderers We clip the following truo and cutting article oil " tattlers" from an exchange ; The busy-body, public newsmonger, or scan dal propagator, is certainly the most detestable creature that curses a community. They are like some whiffets 1 have seen, who will always get a crowd of dogs into a general fight, while they will stand back and enjoy the scene, shirk ing the responsibility of the row their churlish nature has originated, and escaping unscathed the punishment they so richly merited, while others suffered in tho melee of which they were the cause. The scandal bearer is naturally a heartless, selfish wretch, delighting in the misery of others, nnd fattening upon the products of tho seeds of defamation which they sow broadcast in society. Numerous nro the ways and modes of innocula ting public sentiment with their venom, and sending their barbed arrow home to the breasts of their victims. Numerous are tlio guises they assume, as they proceed on their hawking excur sions from house to house. Ono comes in a saintly guise, and with a sanctimonious air, w hispers a vile suspicion ngainst the character of a neighbor, with positive injunctions of secrecy, that she may have the sole privilege of the slan der. Tho suspicion grows to be a fact, and the fact increases in proportion and meanness as it travels, and the innocent victim lies down at night all unconscious of the spreading defamation against his or her character, only to awake in the morning to find that character sorely injured if not blasted. Another is so anxious to tell you the news ! How that she heard A tell B that C heard D say that E (now don't mention the fact for the world, for it is confidential, you know) the scandal monger w hispers in the ear of the listener a vile slander, while her face lights up with a glow of fiendish salisf ction, instead ot shame. These scandal peddlers are not confined to the female portion of society, for there are persons who call themselves men in every community, who delight in tho nefarious traffic. Neither in the female portion is it wholly confined to tea drinking old maids and old women I have seen the lips of young maidens polluted with scandal tilth. Why is it that every mean act of a person's life is howled about in public nnd private, while their good deeds sre all lost sight oft Why is it that these preying guerrillas on private char acter will seize upon one false step of their fel low man, and magnify it to the extent that all the good ol their lives and character is obscured by the black picture, painted with the inks of perdition I II w many have been driven from the paths of morality and virtuo by these wolves of socie tyeven some who had never sinned, as well as those who had taken one false step, yet both alike are driven from the pales of society by these dealers in slander and defamation, and at last, resort to the very ills of which they have been accused, and seek in the haunts of vice the friendly hand and sympathy denied them by cold mill heartless soviet v. LATEST EASTERN NEWS. Washington, July 3. A dispatch from Mo Clcllan to the War Department, to day, from Breckley Bar, says he has succeeded in getting his army to that place, on the bank of James river, and has lost but one gun, which was aban doned. We had a severe fight Tuesday, beating the enemy badly, our men lighting even better than before. Our total loss in the w hole six days of terrific fighting, till Monday night, was about 15,0007,500 of whom were lost in the battle of Friday on the right wing. McClellan and his staff think the present position of the army is far more advantageous as a base of operations against Richmond than that hitherto occupied. The gunboats can now materially aid in carrying on the war. The enemy's force as stated by prisoners, was 150,000 men, while our effective force did not exceed 95,000. New York, July 3. The Herald has detailed reports of the battle of Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from which it appears that tho right wing of our army, consisting of 20,000 men, were attacked on Friday, by a rebel force of not less than 50,000 and after a severe fight our troops crossed the Chickahominy in good order. On Saturday night and Sunday our whole force under Ileintzleman, Keyes nnd Sumner, fell back along the line of the Railroad aud tho Williamsburg road and marched to James river. Tho rebels crossed the Chickahominy in great force on Sunday, reaching tho railroad, made no pursuit, but remained half an hour in possession ot the ground occupied by our trtmps on both sides of the Chicahominy, including the bridges aud earthworks we had erected against their ap proach. At 2 P. M. on Monday, firing was heard in the direction of White Oak Swamp, where Ayers was holding the rebels in check, w ho were attempting to cross nn immense f rcc. The reb el artillery nnd cavalry fresh from Richmond, then appeared on our left, when Porter's and Keyes' commands went to resist the enemy. A most terrific fight ensued ; it became evident that the overwhelming force of the rebels was gaining when the gunboats opened with their 51 pounders upo'i the enemy. The light continued till dark. The World's correspondent from the battle field has arrived, He says McClellan's ndvar.ee on Tuesday was within fifteen miles of Richmond. Tho enemy were terribly repulsed in Monday's battle, which was desperate in the extreme, nnd wero repulsed a four different points,, when they pressed Ileintzleman hard, hut Sumner went to his relief and the enemy were finally repulsed with great slaughter. Ileintzleman captured eight guns nnd a whole brigade 1,400 strons, including their Colonel, Pendleton, of Louisiana, ex-Congress man Lamar, and McGow an,. of South Carolina. All our Beige guns have been safely removed to the river but one. Our transportation is all safe, except seventy- five wagons.. In Monday s fight, wero Kearney, Hooker, Richardson and McCall. The reserve under McCall suffered severely. Generals Me-. Call nnd Reynolds nre probably taken prison ers. The rebel General Stonewall Jackson is killed, all tho prisoners corroborating the state ment, in the action of .Monday, the gunboats Galena and Aroostook shelled tho river road upon which the enemy attempted to advance. They retreated precipitately as soon ns the shell mg commenced. Our troops nre greatly exhaus ted but still in excellent spirits. Boston, July 2. Gov. Andrews issued a call to the people of Massachusetts to fill up to4he ma.iuium number, all the regiments in the, field, and tor fifteen new volunteer regiments. Corinth, July 2. Eijht regiments of rebel cavalry under Gen. Chalmers, attacked Col. Sheridan's ndvanco guard two miles north of Bellville nt 8 o clock yesterday; a part of our force made a brilliant dash on tho enemy's rear, while tho 21 Iowa cavalry made a dash h front and rear, alarming them so much that Col. Sheridan was enabled to hold them in check. At 3 o'clock tho enemy commenced retreating. Chicago, July 2. Letters from Fort Benton, 8th of June say the expedition under Lieut, Mullan, reached there that day from Oregon, having been engaged four years in opening an immigration and military road from the Coluin bia river to the Missouri. A portion of the command is destined for the Missouri, aud the remainder under Lieut. Mullan will return to Walla Walla. They report grent discoveries on the American fork of Hell-Gale nnd Chief Mouu tain Lake. Washington, July 4. Tlio Pre.side.nt has decided to call into service an additional force of 300,000 men, and recommends that the troops chiefly Infantry, be immediately enrolled, so as to brinj this iniquitous civil war to a speedy and successful termination. Cairo, July 7. Advices from Vicksburg to the 2d say : The canal across the point opposite Vicksburg is nearly completed. Baltimore, July 7. The Richmond Dispatch announces the death of Generals Stonewall Jack- son nnd Robert Barnwell Rhctt. General Long street wns wounded. Fortress Monroe, July 5. A skirmish took place yesterday morning near the left w in;; which resulted in the defeat of the rebels. We took several prisoners and three small batteries. New York, Juljr 7. The TriLan says : The battle of Tuesday was very severe all along the lines. It was chiefly an arillery fight, but our men made several splendid and successful charges Tho enemy were desperate, having ben purpose, ly made drunk, they staggered up to our guns only to be cut dowh by hundreds. In the tight of Tuesday, July 1st, Morril's Division suffered most. The Twelfth New York, was nearly an nihilated. The Forty-fourth New York. Eighty third Pennsylvania and Sixteenth Michigan, also suffered severely. Buttcrfield's brigade brought off three stand of rebel colors. Anions the prominent officers of Morrill's division killed were Colonels Black, Woobury and Cross. Gen. Curtiss corps did nobly. Sickles brigade also won new laurels ; coming in as a reserve just at the right moment, thevdrove the rebels back with great slaughter. The rebels were defeated at every point. The rebel officers taken prison ers admit a loss of at least 10,000 men during the day. Hooker's our fighting; division, went to the Peninsula eleven thousand strong. Now thev number less than five thousand effective men. The correspondent of the Philadelphia TVrw reports that McCIellen is pushing rapidly for forward, drixins; the enemy st a'l point. Ti.;t..i..fn.in Jnltf 8. Tho Press has a dis- patch dated Newbern, North Carolina, July 2d, which says Gen Burnside's entire army is in motion for Richmond. v., Vrl- .Tiilv ft. A letter in the Times ' nlaces our losses in the recent battles nt 23,000. i New York, July 9. A rebel officer taken ' prisoner estimates their loss in tho battle at Gains' Hill, on Friday, nt 2 1,000, and their en itiro loss during the' week nt from 00,000 to 70.000. The Richmond Examiner of the 4th calls Tuesday's battle the fiercest nnd most sauguin nry of a series ol bloody conflicts. It says: "When Magrudcr's cammand was ordered to charge on tho strongest Federal batteries, officers and "men went down by hundreds, while the horrors of tho battle were increased by tho con. tinuous broadsides of the enemy's gunboats. The carnage from the withering fire of the Fed. eral artillery nnd gunboats was dreadful." Iho Confederate lines wavered find fell back twice to tho cover of the wood. An effort was again made with the same result. Chicago, July 9. Tho New York Herald cor respondence, dated James river, July 5th, says: " Our army is now massed on tho left bank of the Jahies" river, nlong a space of five miles, where wo are comparatively safe. Tho rebels nro massed between tho Chickahominy nnd tho James rivers their front towards, nnd pressing upon our rear, their right resting on Richmond, where the main body of their army remains. Their left extends down toward tho Junction, two miles from our position. Our army has considerably recovered from fatigue. We may be overpowered should tho rebels attack before reinforcements arrive, but our armv will never surrender. Fortress Monroe, July 8. General Cumside has arrived nnd appears in fine spirits. Presi dent Lincoln also arrived nt an early hour this morning, accompanied by several olucers among them is supposed to be General Hal leek. After a short interview w ith General Burusidc) ho proceeded up tho James river. Flan officer j Wilkes arrived this moriiing. It is understood he is assigned to comiMaud the .lames river fleet. The Yoi ktown fortifications nre being put in per. feet order. Vicksburg, July 7. The mortara continrie Xn shell tho city from above nnd below. The rebels have n number of siego guns mounted on carriages, which they move from point to point as previous positions nro made untenable by tho fire of our guns. A -Federal field battery on tho point opposite the city causes much annoyance to the rebel gunners. Work on tho canal" con tinues and tho number of wsi'l.irxn has been largely increased. New York, July 10. A correspondent f tho World aboard tho flagship Hartford, nhove Vicksburg, under date of tho 0th, says : F;iira gut was wounded in the head during tho engage ment. His injuries aro not considered dangerous. Washington, July 10. No news from the army of the Potomac for several days, further than that :t is improving in strength. Washington, July 8. McClellan lws issued an address to his army concerning the operation ot tho last ten days. He says: You have sue ceeded in changing your base nf operations by a (liuk movement, always regarded us a most hil arious military expedient." You have saved all tho material except a few guns lost in battle; nnd under every disadvantage of numbers and posi t'on, yon have in every conflict beaten back tho enemy." Chicago, July 8. A dispatch f.om Vicksburg, dated 2J, says Farragut's fleet was repulsvil on Saturday, after a light of hro hours. Tin; rebels aro said to have from ten to fifteen batteries above and below tho city. We have later news. New York, July 8. It is rnmored that tho Navy Department will soon place Commodore Footo at tho head of a now naval expedition, for which vessels nre now fitting out to consist chiefly of vessels of the regular navy. Washington, July 8. It is now believe that the announcement of the death of Stonewall Jackson was untrue, nnd that the publication of it was intended only ns,a ruse. Memphis, July 7. The Provost Marshal has ordered that houses from which anti-Union emblems aro suspended shall be taken possession of for the Government. Washington, J uly 9. Dr. Oliver, a Richmond refugee, represents so grent a scarcity of medi. cities nnd provisions in that city o't late, that thoso of tho Fedorar army who fell into their hands lire lttt Uli'il:i (ui on tlio fie M. Washington, ' July-V A lato Richmond Examiner says : The rebels could have cut off McClellan's retreat, but it would bo far better to prevent his receiving further supplies, and starve him into capitulation. Washington, July 10. Tho Worlds dispatch s.iys: An important manifesto, in the shape of a proclamation from tho President, defining tho future policy of the Administration on the great question of the hour is not improbable at an early day. President Lincoln has been waited on by several Senators nnd. members of the House. IIo will also be visited by a large dele gation to-day, to iirgn him to issue a proclama tion of the same tenor as the bill reported to the Senate to-day, requiring the Generals command ing the various departments to accept the aerr ices of all persons coming within our lines. New York, July 10. The Richmond paper of the 3d report that Magruder's and Johnson's divisions were frightfully cut up, and tho loss of officers was very great. Among the latter were many of tho best and bravest in the Southern army. It is confessed that the valor of our men, defeated their plan to capture the entire force ol McClellan; that the retreat was managed with consumate judgment and our position defended with stubbornness, causing them very heavy losses. The number of Federal prisoners at Richmond is stited to be 4,500. Gen. McCall was among them. Nothing is siid about his being wounded. The rebels prnpo.e to put their prisoner on an island in the James river rapids, where large guard will not bo necessary. the same psper intimates that there is danger of the demoralization of their army, and saya that when a whole division turn their backs upon their foes the safety of the army is imperiled. It also suggests the parceling out of prisoners, among the plantations to work in place of the negroes who have been stolen or who have run Wilt