J. DOWNING, Major, Dowhibgville Militia, 2d Brigade.
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Ihe COLL0r.-When I was a small boy and riding with my father in the country,

 l observed negro at work in the ield who

 had on an iron collar. Being much astan-

 lshed at so unusual a sight, inquissd of

 my father what disease the man labored

 under, that made it necessary for him to

 wear that hard collar around his neck lie was a good deal amused at the simpli- city of the question, but answered, that

 the man labors under no disease, he is a slave, and had probably been guilty of bad conduct, and his muster being fearful tha, he will run away from him, has placed the

 collar on his neck to prevent it. My son,

 he continued, in your walks through life,

 you will observe many men who wear the

 collar. Although it may not be visible to the naked eye, like the iron one, still if you

 will narrowly scrutinize them, you will find many individuals who would scorn to be called slaves, who nevertheless wear the collar equally as tight riveted on them, as that on the poor black man. Those re- marks have never since faded from my memory and not long after, being in com pany with some other boys, I observed one of them who suffered himself td he im- posed upon by another, apparently no stronger than he was, almost involontari-t ly exclaimed, sAlas! poor boy, thou hast on thee collar When ! since have seen a young man wasting his lime in idleness, his money in dress and dissipation, I have again exclaimed, He also wears the col-, lar.' When have seen man neglect himself, his family and his friends, and spend his days at the tavern or alehouse, have always said to myself, 'that man wears the collar.' When l have seen man devoted to a political party, who spends his days and nights in electioneer- ing and his money for the advancement of that party, and who is ready to quarrel with, prescribe and punish all persons who do not subscribe to his opinions and follow his dictation, such man Isay has the col- lar upon him.-Southern paper.