The Lancaster Ledger, 1852-09-08

v*vmi???7 iva mo niumuwu, il>f WMiaiMUl UK" second degree, and fivo dollars for the third, besides four shillings monthly dues; but nearly, if not all the divisions, have I raised the scale of dues. As soon as three divisions exist in any State, a general asI sembly is formed, composed of two members of each division, elected by ballot.? These general ass. mblies are authorized to pass such by-laws and regulations as they may judge convenient for the good and increase of the order. The supreme council is composed of two members from each general assembly,, elected by themselves, which is charged with the general interests of the order. The council has power to dispose of the funds, to levy contributions it it is deemed necessary, to name officers and agents, and to act as umpire in all disputes of grave moment which occur." Here we have all the specifications of a systematic and formidable organization, originated by Lopez, and expanded into a sort of consecrated society since the bloody termination of his fatal and final expedition. The duty of vengence is thus blended with the liberation of Cuba. The immense harvest of spoils, which a successful invasion would give to the conquerors, I is thus held out as the reward of a pious [ crusade in behalf of liberty, and in avenging her fallen martyrs. We can now account for the importance which the Courier has given to the revolutionary documents emanating front Cuba. In their connection with the " Order of the Lone Star," they have a deep meaning. No doubt the conspira ors in the island and out of the island, are thoroughly advised of each other's movements, and are operating together in harmony. Powerless sis the conspiracy in the island may be, it is intended for the most useful assistance to the invaders, when they shall again hazard themselves in a hostile irruption. Some guiding nucleus of the movement from the United States is indespensable at Havana ; and a few sagacious and intelligent men are better than a large body ; for if half the men enrolled in this country enlist in any future expedition, or even a third of them, and effect a landing they will require no help from the. people of Cuba to effect its subjugation in a very few days. The contest will be one of extermination on both sides; and the achievements of the four hundred badly armed men under Isvpez, may aft'ord some estitrials nf what omw\mr\!LV?.wl

be a member of the Lone Star Association, for all that we know. lie certainly appears to have been admitted into their secrets, if not into iheir councils. Whether Mr. Webster secretly leans to the acquisition of Cuba, or otherwise, we do not know; but at the time of the last Lopez expedition, ho was supposed to be remarkably indifferent to the terrors of the Spanisn minister at Washington. In fact, there is no telling how far the speculative schemes of Wall street?financial and political extend, till they arc brought to light. We may rest assured, however, iV that if there shall appear to be a fair prospect for this Cuban enterprise, funds will not be wanting, even from Wall Street to help it on. With respect to the consequences of a successful liberating invasion of Cuba, they can scarcely be over estimated. The immediate danger with us would be a war with England France and Spain, all together ; and yet from all that we can learn, we must prepare for that contingency, or prepare for the purchase of Cuba, before it is too late to avoid a war. What says Mr. Webster! Let him look to Cuba. ArPALLixo SriCTDK.?Our community has been considerably excited by a suicide, committed within a few miles of this place, on, or about the 14th inst., under circumstances shocking to humanity. One Patrick llartlett, a resj?ectable young man, about twenty-two or three years of age, deliberately put an end to his own life, by suspending himself from a tree, with his stirrup leather, in a retired piece of woods, which caused strangulution, and death.? lie had been missing several days, but was found on the ItHli inst., suspended from the tree; his body in an advanced state of putrefaction. The cause which led him to commit the fatal act, as wo have been told, was an unhappy marriage, consummated some three weeks previous r\ Ilia futul Ifton ITn Ito.l Ivnon in

, |....? ...UUI.U it; l?tit now he awoke ami urged his claim to the mother'* attention; a well limed call, lor when the immediate necessity for exertion had passed, Helen would have yielded to the overpowering sorrow which had come upon her. llut the infant cried, and her own grief was again hushed, while she ministered to its wants. It isever thus with woman. No thought of self intrudes, while aught remains to l?e dune for the loved ones in whom her thoughts are centered. The eastern sky was becoming bright with the light of day, ere Helen sought her pillow, not to sleep?for how could she sleep, when lie who had so l?ctrayed her trust lay by her side in the deep revise of drunkenness?but, her throbbing temples seetn almost bursting, and her trembling form was unable longer to retain an upright position. Thought after thought crowded u|hjii her mind. She could now see that this was no sudden and accidental downfall. Many little circumstances came to her recollection, which at the time had passed unheeded, but which now presented themselves in fearful array to prove that her Woved husband bad indeed become what she shuddered to name even to herself. What should now l>e her course! Surely he was not yet irreclaimable. It should Ik- her task to win him back to virtue. She would exert herself to make home even more attractive than it bad hitherto lieen; and for Henry's sake she would consent to leave her babe more frequently with its attendant, and again mingle with the gay society in which he bad formerly delighted, faot a reproach should pass her lips, and unless he forced the truth from her, lie should not even guess that she was aware of his situation. These thoughts tranquillized her, and

billeting to be unworthy of a moment's serious attention. The Courier of yesterday morning, however, in its circumstantial disclosure of a formidable, active, and systeinized revolutionary league, in these United States, with the men and the means necessary to conquer the island, and waiting only for the opportunity for a descentupon it, places the matter in the light of the most momentous conspiracy of the times. It thus assumes a practical shape and consistency, compared with which all other projects against European domination on the continent, or its contiguous is-,, lands, are visionary and chimerical; and its comprehensive tendencies involve all the hazards of a general war. According to the statement of our cotoniporary, it appears that there exists in this country a secret, wide-spread political association, known as the "Order of the hone Star,"?but it lias numerous divisions established all over the country?that in the city of New York and neigliborliood there are some seven or eight divisions, " embracing several thousand men. who have all bound themselves to march, at a moments warning, to Cuba : that these organizations comprise men of all professions, even including ministers of the gospel," and that, " their coll'ers arc rapidly tilling with gold." From the authority of Jose Sanchez Ysnaga; it further appeal's that there now exist over fifty divisions of the 44 Lone Star," in eight or ten of the States rf the Union, forming an aggregate of fifteen thousand men, solemnly banded together for the liberation of Cuba. According to the constitution? 44 Each member must pay at least three f..? i.:- ? ?;?1..11.?

|/??xivvi vii, auu nun nilUUIlT 1IU bound them still more closely together.? A lovely bal?e smiled upon them and warmed their hearts with its looks ol love. The duties of a mother had somewhat abstracted Helen's attention from her husband. Although he still possessed her most devoted and earnest affection, even more, if possible, than previous to the birth of the child, she dtd not watch his every look and aetion as she had done when there was no other claimant to her love; and it was not until long after others had perceived nnd lamented his altered looks and manners, that her eyes were opened to the fearful change. "Are you going out this evening?" asked Helen, with something of disappointment in her tone, as her husband rose from the tea-table, and took his hat and overcoat. Henry hesitated. "I am sorry to leave you, Helen," he said, "but to tell the I truth, thertf is to be a social party among the young men with whom 1 was acquain- 1 tod before our marriage, this evening, and 1 they urged me so earnestly to attend, that I I knew not how to refuse." i "You have boon alisent so much lately," said Helen. "I long to pass one quiet 1 evening with you. There are many things I want to talk about." Ilcnry blushed. Already ho shrunk from the thought of a long private conversation with his pure-minded, and as he felt, already injured wife; for in the closest i and holiest of all ties, evil and its baneful consequences cannot be borne by one alone; the innocent must suffer with the guilty. Recovering his self-possession, he presently replied: 44\i? ..i ? it-- 1 i -

reeling tne insufficiency of tier own strength to combat the trials before her, she poured out her full heart in prayer to her heavenly Father, and received in return that peace and consolation which earnest prayer never fails to bring. A few hours of sound sleep brought returning consciousness, and a dim recollection of what had passed, to the mind of Henry Graham. Ilia heart was filled with shame and repentance, not so much for the evil itself, hut for the grief which he knew he must have occasioned his wife.? He dreaded to meet her eye or to hear the gentle tones of her voice; but her first words relieved him. They contained merely a kiixl inquiry for his health, and whether he had recovered from his fatigue. Surely she could not s|>eak in this manner, if she had suspected the ti instate of the case. He endeavored to reply in an unconcerned and indifferent tone; but in vain; he could not return her looks or words of love; and when she placed tiie babe in his arms, he shrunk from its touch as if he feared to contaminate one so innocent and lovely. Well had it been for him if he had then paused in his course, and firmly resolved with the help of heaven to transgress no more. Hut he was again tempted and ugain he yielded to the temptation. llis almost heart-broken w ife finding silent endurance, and devoted love of no avail, ventured to speak plainly on the subject, and poured forth her feelings in earnest and gentle remonstrance and entreaty, urging him to pause ere it was yet too late, and Save himself and his familv from

pointed parent, " L>o you consider your duty to liim 7 Think of the evils to which s( he will be exposed as a constant witness of w the scenes which are enacted in the home al of the drunkard. You shudder, Helen, ai and think me unkind, but I present to II you the plain unvarnished truth. Your d innocent boy, nay, even yourself, may be g treated with personal violence." " Oh ! father, father, in pity forbear," ex- r; claimed Helen, covering her face with her hands, and giving tray to a burst of I] grief almost alarming Dy its violence. pi Hut Mr. Meredith went 011: m "Promise me, at least, Helen, that if what I have mentioned ever does take si place, you will then consider yourself ab- pi solved from the tie which you now deem h so binding, and will return to those who pi would spend their lives for your happiness." pi Helen's wild sobs had ceased, and calmly though sadly, she listened to her fat It- k< er's earnest appeal. A moment's pause and she answered in low sweet tones : vi " Never, father. Never while the breath of life remains in my husband, will u< I forsake him. Personal ill tieatmenl will w not ahato my affection, for it is not he, but the demon who has for the time obtained tr |>ossesMon of him, who would strike. I.nt my child, my sweet yoy ! if this dreadful ti crisis nrrives, he shall be yours. llis wretched mother will leave him to the kind ai friends who would gladly protect him; d< and oh ! if possible, conceal from him the vi

***/ ninnriii^ ia ^iuvmu\ inunuu i?V business, Helen. I devote little time to my own pleasure." "True," returned Helen, quickly. "1 would not willingly be selfish. Forget what I Imve said, and go to your Iriends. No doubt you need the recreation." "Thank you, dearest," said her liusbnnd; "to-morrow evening I will be at your sendee," and begging her not t?? await his return, but to retire at her usual hour, he kissed her cheek and left the house. There was an unusual depression in Helen's spirits, for w hich she could not account. She tried to occupy her thoughts with an interesting book, but found it impossible to fix her attention and soon threw it aside. She stole softly to the crib where her sleeping boy lay in his innocent beau- j ty, and bent over him to listen to hia gentle breathing, almost wishing that he would wake and demand that care which might i drive away the feeling of loneliness and < desolation w hich had crept over her, but he slept on soundly and sweetly. Where spirits are united in the interiors of the mind, which we may regard as their heavenly home, it is impossible for nno*to be led astray by the temptations which constantly beset our earthly path, without the cognizance and suffering of i the other. The evil, which at this day obscures all spiritual things, may not I Hi sufficiently raised to enable the sufferer to perceive the cause of the mental disturb