Cortland County Express, Thursday, July 18, 1850.
EDITORIALS.
Surrendering Quill and Scissors.
About two and a half years ago, at the earnest solicitations of those who I supposed had ample opportunity to estimate the advantages of the situation, I consented to connect myself to this Office. It had been represented to me that the college, then about to be located here, would afford a great amount of job work; that the Christian Contributor would ultimately he printed by the proprietors of the Express; that the citizens of the place would render any pecuniary aid that might be needed; and, in the event of a failure on the part of the Office to yield a fair income, private remuneration was pledged. I was positively assured that I should be compensated, if I would but embark in the enterprise. More flattering inducements were never offered to secure my services in any other department of labor than those which led to my acceptance of this. But I have occupied the post long enough to have learned that the income of the establishment does not warrant a joint proprietorship. The business of the Office will afford a handsome support for a single owner; and as my partner is prepared to carry it on, I am induced to retire; leaving Mr. Boynton Editor and sole Proprietor; and wishing him and his paper abundant success.
The Express has not, at all times, been what I had desired to make it. But this has been my first session in the chair editorial. I came to this place as ignorant of a printing office as most schoolmasters; should it, then, be matter of astonishment that my duties have been but imperfectly discharged? However, I am fond of the employment, and trust that at some future day and in some favorable locality I may resume it.
Towards the inhabitants of McGrawville and vicinity I cherish the best feelings; their treatment of me having been uniformly kind and courteous. I attach no blame to them because my business has not been more lucrative. I have learned within a few months past, that they were not generally consulted in relation to the establishing of the press under Mr. Clisbe's "administration;" neither were they allowed to choose that gentleman's successor; and when it is recollected that one of so small a share of experience and so moderate abilities as myself was thrust upon them, I ought, perhaps to be thankful that they tolerated me thus long in the position which I now resign. I hope to maintain a residence among them till another spring. Meanwhile, my pen may not be wholly unemployed.
My exchanges I highly value, and shall deeply regret the loss of them. I am grateful for the numerous editorial flagellations I have received; and hope that the blows I have dealt have been as welcome and as harmless.
To our valued contributors I return sincere thanks for the aid they have rendered me; and trust that they will be unwearied in their efforts to attain to eminence and usefulness.
Blessings on every good, substantial, paying subscriber. How I should like to take each by the hand and look into your honest faces. May every wicked delinquent repent, and forward his subscription.
There is much else I would communicate, but long valescripts seem too formal, and are not generally regarded with favor. So, respected Patrons, adieu.
NEWS OF THE DAY.
Particulars of the Great Fire in Philadelphia—400 Houses Burned—30 Lives Lost—$1,000,000 Lost.
A fire broke out in a five story warehouse adjoining "Ridgway & Budd's on the wharf below Vine st. The entire buildings through to Water st. was consumed, as also Messrs. Ridgway and Budd's Warehouse, and a number of store houses and dwelling's on the west side of Water st. were also seriously damaged.
A large quantity of gunpowder and saltpetre, stored in a cellar, exploded and fifteen or twenty persons were blown into the river, and some ten or twelve seriously injured.
Loss so far is estimated at $1,000,000. The Morse telegraph wires are burnt down for about the length of a block of buildings.
Philadelphia, July 9, 8 P. M.—The fire is raging terrifically. At least one mile square is in flames. It is estimated that from 150 to 200 houses are already burned and several lives lost. Morse telegraph line is down. All between Race and Vine streets and from the Delaware in the direction of Fourth street is on fire.
Philadelphia, July 9—11 ½ P. M.—The fire broke out in the store No. 78 North Delaware avenue at half past 4 o'clock. The building was occupied for storage purposes, and when discovered had already made considerable headway, with the flames spreading in every direction; but a short time elapsed before that large building, through to Water st. was enveloped I n flames. The one adjoining north, No. 80, was on fire as well as the one South, No. 79.
Before the devouring element had reached the ground floor of the building in which the fire originated, two terrific explosions of saltpeter rent the walls asunder, throwing the flakes of the combustible matter in all directions, by which the fire was communicated to a large number of houses which will be detailed hereafter. Delaware avenue was filled with a mass of human beings, amongst whom were several hundred of our valiant and noble firemen.
The first explosion did not seem to cause much excitement for fear with the people present; nor did the second—except some slight fears of safety, when they moved to the eastern edge of the wharves. The third explosion was fatal in many cases, and proved the death of a number of men, women and children.
On Delaware avenue and Water st. the scene presented was frightful indeed—appalling in the extreme—and such as we cannot and will not attempt a description of.
On the eastern front of the above stores, when the third and last explosion of saltpeter occurred, the rush for life was terrific. Men and boys, firemen and bystanders, rushed away from the conflagration, and as they endeavored to get beyond the reach of danger, hundreds of them rolled over each other, while running and jumping on the large collection of cotton and other goods on the wharves. Several were knocked down as if dead, and hundreds ran over them, causing legs and arms to be broken, and injuries inflicted of a very serious character. In the fright some were thrown in the Delaware, while a large number jumped voluntarily in, to shield themselves from the bricks and cinders thrown from the burning stores.
THE CITY OF BUFFALO.
The city of Buffalo is about to be supplied with an abundance of good water. Mr. Paris of St. Lawrence county has taken $125,000 in stock, to be paid for in iron pipes. Button, Duncan & Co. of this city, who are to construct the works, take 200,000 dollars, and the balance, some 75,000 dollars, has been or is to be taken by the citizens of Buffalo. The water is to be raised from the bed of the Niagara river near Fort Porter, by means of two steam engines and pumps of great power, into a series of reservoirs capable of containing a supply sufficient for the wants of the city for about ten days. These cisterns are to be located on some high grounds in the vicinity of Prospect Hill, and from thence the water is to be distributed in pipes to different parts of the city of Buffalo.
CORTLAND ACADEMY.
The 8th anniversary exhibition of this institution came off yesterday at the Presbyterian church in this village. The church was crowded with spectators, all of whom, we venture to say, went away highly gratified—we know we did. Our limits forbid an extended account of the exercises or the merits of those participating; but nevertheless, every thing went off creditable to the students and teachers, and reflected honor to the institution. The young ladies compositions were exceedingly well written, and their subjects treated with evident talents. The orations delivered by the young men were some of them such as would ensure credit and honor to many public men of a high reputation, and we would be glad to speak of their separate merits had we space and time.
The valedictory by C. H. Rollo of Homer was a superior production, but he had not committed it sufficiently to memory, to do it and himself justice. Principal Pomeroy's reply and closing address was very appropriate and should have a good affect, especially upon the seven students whose academic studies expire with the present term, and who are prepared to enter College.
The success which has thus far attended this Academy inspires all interested in the cause of education, and the prosperity of this institution with heartfelt gratification; and among the Academies of our state enjoying the very best reputation, this is ranked. There were 104 students at the last term, seven of whom were fitted for College. The next term will commence on the 14th day of August next.—Cortland Democrat.
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| Millard Fillmore. |
PRESIDENT FILLMORE.
(From the New York Tribune.)
By the death of Gen. TAYLOR, Mr. FILLMORE becomes President of the United States. In these circumstances a brief recapitulation of the leading facts in his history will be interesting to the public.
Mr. Fillmore was born at Summer Hill, Cayuga county, New York, on Jan. 7, 1800, and is accordingly now a little over 50 years old. His father was a farmer in very limited circumstances. The family removed to Aurora, Erie Co., in 1810, where his father still carries on a farm of moderate dimensions; the writer hereof has often passed the modest house where reside the family of the President, in style not more pretending than is common to thriving farmers of that prosperous district. The narrow means of the father did not permit the bestowal on the son of any other than a most limited common school education.
When 15 years old he was set to learn the trade of a clothier at which he worked four years improving all his spare time in reading books from a little library in the little village where he lived. At the age of 19 he made the acquaintance of Judge Wood of Cayuga County, who detected the latent talents of the young man, and induced him to study law, for which he generously furnished him the means. Mr. Fillmore remained in Judge Woods office above two years, studying with that industry and perseverance which have distinguished him through life; during this time he also taught school in the winter months in order himself to provide for his expenses as far as possible.
In 1822 he entered a law office at Buffalo and passed a year in studying and teaching, when he was admitted to the bar and removed to Aurora to commence the practice of his profession. In 1826 he married Abigail, the daughter of the Rev. Lemuel Powers; she no doubt will hereafter preside at the White House. Several years were now mainly employed by Mr. Fillmore in diligent judicial studies, and in the limited legal practice of a country town. In 1859 he was elected to the Assembly of New York and for three years (during which time he removed his residence to Buffalo) held a seat in that body. Here he was remarkable for devotion to, and unwearied industry in his duties. He took a prominent and influential part in the enactment of the law abolishing imprisonment for debt. In 1832 he was elected to the XXIII Congress and served creditably.
In the fall of 1836 he was again returned for the same office and acted as a member of the Committee on the election in famous New Jersey Broad Seal case, and in that capacity established his reputation in the House. He was re-elected to the next Congress and now assumed the responsible position of Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means. In the duties of this post, at a trying crisis, he manifested the industry, dignity of bearing, efficient practical talent, and ability to secure the confidence of his colleagues which had before distinguished him. His public reputation perhaps rests more upon the manner in which he filled his post in the XXVIIth Congress than on any other portion of his career.
After this, resisting the importunities of his friends and the Whig Convention of his district, Mr. Fillmore returned to Buffalo to the practice of his profession. In 1844 he was run by the Whigs of New York for Governor, and was beaten by Silas Wright. In 1847 he was elected Comptroller of the State and removed to Albany to discharge the duties of that office, which he held until 1849, when he resigned it, prior to his induction into the Vice Presidency, to which post he had been elevated by the Presidential election of 1848.
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