The New York Herald Newspaper, December 19, 1853, Page 3

THE RAILROAD WAR AT ERIE. Melal Aceount of the Difficulties—State- be s om Aathocteee— Brie Looking ae! men! 4 after the [From the frie Observer Extra, Dee. 14 } Great misrepresentations and many Te- Jative to the railroad troubles at Erie ie been induyionsly = 1» whe ic) duty, which bn es intelligent , to ‘and widely scattered ai ils of the city have deemed it a well to themeelves as to an ibmit a brief statement of af- faire, confidently believing that when the truth is ress ‘before the public their eonduct will meet with «Ate hearty approval. * ‘That pet aig Pennsylvania known as the Tri- angle, and composing the peck of the county of Erie bordering upo! Erie, lies between and separat the States of New York and Ohio. Its extent along the Lake is about fifty miles ; and frora its situation is in the direct like of the improvement extending west from the city of New York. Without passing through this territory New York could obtaia no @irect communication by railway with the Great West. Without passing through Pennsylvania she can have no communication whatever on the Ameri- ean side of the Lakes. The city of Erie is situated in thie triangle, on the Harbor of Presque Isle, the most bapeckens safest, and most convenient harbor in 1850 the two great rival railroad companies of New York—the New York and Erie, and the Central Rsilroad Company—vwere each extending, or endeavoring to extend, their roads West. 1 termmnus of the Central road was then Buffalo, that of the New York and Erie, Dunkirk, both situated, as is well known, upon Lake Erie ; but the Lake be- ing closed with ice a considerable portion of the ’ year, it became @ matter of great and manifest im- tance to secure a railway communication with the Weet, in order that its great and growing trade might bave a constant ana uninterrupted transit to the Eastern market, thus swelling the wealth and increasing the trade of the city of New York. The two great rival companies were each seeking this eutlet, and each regarding the other, with undis- guired bela and hostility. {t became of course a matter of vital importance to beth ecm panies to secure a passage through the portion of Pennsylvania which we have before des- eribed. Let us see in what position they were placed in reference to the right of way through this strip separating the States of New York aad Ohio. By am act the Legislature of Pennsylvai pct 1842, 8 compen known as the Erie a orth East Railroad Company was incorperated to construct a railway from the east line of North East township, (oela the west line of the State of New York,) tothe borough of Erie. This, what- ever may bave been the design of the original pas- e of the act, would, if secared, form a i of the link of railway communicasion with the West, and earried then 20 far on their way to the city of Erie. Bat from the city of Erie west to the Ohio line ‘was still a distance of some thirty miles. How was this link to be completed? Was there any charter by which New York could carry her railwaya wes‘ to connect with those of Ohio? Byan act ot the Le- gislature of Pennsylvania, passed in 1848, a compan; ‘was incorporated, called the Erie and Ohio Railro: Company, with authority to construct @ railroad from Erie to the Onio State line. Had thie charter been acted upon, and properly secured, the line of ‘communication would have mn complete. But Philadelphia, then engaged in the construction of her great central road to Pittsburg, began to open her eyes, anid to look around her to see what was doing upon the Lake shore. It was manifest that a rai ing through‘Erie county in this way, and forming @ connecting link between New York and Obio, was for the sole aud exclusive benefit of New York ; that Philadelphia could hope to derive no ad- vantage from it, baton the contrary much injary; and that it would not be safe or pradent to per ait it © proceed—at all eventauntil the improvements con- necting Philadelphia with the West were either com- ‘ ly the Legislature of 1849 rough the influence of Philadelphia and the Central Railroad of Pennsylvania, repealed the act iogarpor. Ba the Erie and Ohio Railroad Company, thus »reaking the link, and interposing, as was supposed, n insurmountable barrier to the present progress of be New York railroads west. Some years previous, however, an act had been assed to construct a canal from Franklin, or near ‘ranklin, (the county seat of Venango county,) to jake Erie. By an act at the same session nat the other was re; d, (1849,) this company ras empowered to construct a railway instead of a anal, if deemed most expedient. Under cover of bie charter @ railroad was constructed, as we shall ball see hereafter, from Erie to the Ohio State line, lonnecting there with the Ohio Railroad, and with- ut going to either of its termini. In this po-ition, then, stood affairs in 1850. The lauge of the New York roads was either six feet, or Brie as ot the former, the Central Railroad of the latter. ihe gauge of all the Ohio railroads, including that 7m Cleveland east to the Pennsylvania line, was var feet ten inches. It was manifest, then, that be- ween the New York and Ohio roads there must ‘me A ey & break of gauge. It was so apparent tat Erie, being as it were neutral ground, aud from in the very place which could be desired, Lould be the place where this break should eccur, rat it was at fixet readily conceded by both the New ork companies, and no other idea was entertained htil the’spring of 1851. We have thus seen the situation of Erie, the posi- | hio roads. We have seen, also, ce of Ni Os fires to bet portion ennsylvania, ut conferring vantage hon the Biate in fact, drawin ees from T own’ metropolis, and conferring no local advan- ige even upon Erie, unless there was a break cf luge. So manifest did this mane and sojust was e claim of Erie to this trade, that, as we have said fore, it was at once conceded to her. We shall see reaftep that this break was a matter of vital im- | irtance to Erie, not on account of the paltry drip- (3 of trade arising from the transhipment ot is, but for reasons of great wei t, involving the npletion of a project upon which, for the last fif- ears, her eyes have constantly set, with a ness worthy of a more speedy reward—the Sun- and Erie Railroad. Why, then, was the break of ot fixed at Erie, as at first conceded? In 1850 ment was entered into between the Erie and brtheast Company, and the New York and Erie, which the New York and Erie were to extend bir six foot track’ to the State line, there to con- with the Erie and Northeast, who continued the ne gauge to Erie. This ere umbrage to the Cen- 1 Railroad Company. Ditliculties ensaed ; meet- were held among the various interests, and it finally agreed to extend both the four feet eight half inches and the six feet gauges to Erie. matteri rested. The Erie and Northeast Co: pees to grade their road for 2 double trac! New York roads were also progressing to- 8 the Pennsylvania line, each with its respec- gauge. Butin fa ba 1851, at the suggestion of rominent person in the interests of the Central road, the scheme was formed of running through bnsylvania with the Ohio gauge, with a great ul- or — hot then fally understood, but now in and spperent, This the Erie and Northeast npany resisted, and in pursuance of its original Tact proceeded to lay down the six feet track. hs it will be seen that the New York companies fated not only what was just and proper, under circumstances, but their own solemn agreement. A they adhered to their original agreement, there ld have been but one break of gauge between the and the West—that of Erie. By the violation of | ir agreement they created two additional breaks each [roac—one at the State line, common to h, and one at Dunkirk forthe New York and Erie, | one then at Buffalo for the Central. Much mis ntation has been spread abroad in relation to breaks, and the opinion has been industriously lated that Erie was chargeable with the delay annoyances produced ag Om to trade passi a, ig the road. If what we have stated is trae—an Hefy a successful contradiction—it will appear Erie is, and has been, in no wise chargeable with breaks either at the State line, Dunkirk or Buf- but that they have been wholly and solely the ion of the New Yorkers themselves. pfortunately the Erie and Northeast Railroad , 88 well, we believe, for theirown interests or those of Brie, instead of constructing their to the harbor, as was confidently expected, | increasing the commerce and building up the | hess of the city, located their road more th: le from the lake, not even extending their je borough of Erie, the legal terminus of their T, and thus raising a question of very conside- magnitude as to the legality of their location. r cover of the ‘charter of the Franktin Canal Di Here was crected the joint depot of the two anies—the Erie aud Northeast iad the Frank. janal—both then in violation of their respective rs. Still the direetors of the Erie and Nortn- | road were Pennsylvauians, and steadfastly d, until within chan ge ike to enter- | proposition to cl @ their track. Indeed. the Tith of Marsh, 4961, until the Lite at , 1853, they were prohibited by law from so | This law, known as bed dg law, was in- a to protect the interests of Erie and Pennsyl- | » and to prevent the encroachments of and enacted that all railroads coming lew York State line to Erle should be either of luge of tix fect, or four feet eight and a half | , and that any raileoad thereafter to be con- | from Erie west to the Obio line shonid be | Gar ef four feet ten inches, and no other, | let this was the law, Brie was safe, Pennaylvapia were protected, and New the inte | the selfish | same from | com: ly speci | Was organized to carry out the ordinances of the city. | streets. It was done in an order], gressive scheme of the New York compsaies was eliscked. ‘The repeal of this law by any meaas, fair or foul, was determined upon by the foreign railroad interests, It was the boast of one of their prom nent the Legislature of Pennslyvania should re- ‘at the law if it cost $50,000. The wealth of the ‘entyal Railroad Company of New York, and the unscrupulous conduct of those who have its manage- ment, are well known. To the lasting disgrace of the Peunaylvania Legislature the boast was realized. By the most corrupt practices the repeal of the law was obtained, Ene was thus lett witheut this great support, singly and alone to batt’e for her in- terests and those of Pennsylvania, not leas interested than Erie herself. till, se long as the directors of the Erie and Northeast road stood firm, we wereeafe. But, by a singular fatality, jast previous to the pas sige of the repeal of the gaage laws, they sold out the controlling interests in their roais to New York interests, At the same time, no doubt, an arrange- ment was made by which either the Pennsylvauis directors bound themselves to change the gauge, cA y ay: more towards the change of the track and the com- letion of the through gauge. It was not until July jast that serious fears were entertained that they were about to make the attempt. About four weeks ago their determination was finally announced to comply with the interests and wishes of the foreign companies. To permit this, would, in our opision, be suicidal to the best interest of Erie; and we would have been recresnt to the trust reposed in us by our feiluw citi- zens if we had permitted it when taere was a way by which it la be legally prevented. The break gauge we consi of vital isportance, not fur the purpose of securing the drippygs of trade or of levying contvibutions from the travelling public, as has been basely charged upon us, but for grave and weighty reasons, one or two of which we will now lay before the public :— 1. So far back as before the monetary crash which succeeded the speculations of 1436, Nicholas Biddle, then the greatest financier in the Uniyn, and ever watchful of the interests of his native city, Philadel- phia, foresaw the great importance of a railway communication from Philadelphia to the Lakes. charter for that purpose was obtained, La he | @ company called the Sunbury and Erie Gempany, other previously existing charters occupy: ing the ground between Philadelphia and Sunbury. Owing to the revolution in the times, thie, with many other great prospects, was tempor abandoned But with the returning financial prosperity of the country, many of these projects were revived, and among othera the Sunbury and Erie. Notwitastand- ing all the difficulties which bave been thrown in the way, there isa bright pro-pect, if not an absolute certainty, of the early completion of that great high- way, consideration which no doubt bastened the are brought upon us by the foreign railroad We have not space in this brief statement to en- large upon the advantages of this great projector its great importarce to Erie. _ It is sufficient to say that when completed it will form bygfar the shortest and speediest communication between the seaboard and Jakes, and if a fair competition is offered, will be a formidable competitor of the New York roads, even for the trade of the West seeking New York. If the New York road succeed in running past its terminus by @ continuous gauge, we have thought that it would sere retard, if not entirely defeat, that great project. fe defeat of the Sunbury and Erie project we believe to have been one of the main Org which the foreign companies had in view when they determined to force their continuous ieee Savogtt Erie county at the present juncture. Monepoly succeeds in malataining,an un- broken interest from Albany to Chicago, it effectu- ally and completely precludes all future competition from any quarter. It would control completely the whole trade of the West. The Sunbury and Erie road, with all its advantages of distance and grade, could not for a moment compete with this great ccm- bination. Freight once placed on the roads of the monepoly, would be kept there until it reached its destination. It will not d>to say that the laws of trade will control the shipment and transportation of goods. The fact is otherwise. ‘The la va of trade, if left free to act, are good; but what are these laws in the hands of 8 mammoth combination able to con- trol them and to set them at defiance? In order, then, that the Sunbury and Erie road, in which Pennsylvania is interested, may have some chance of obtaining at least a portion of the Western trade, and not be left entirely at the mercy of hostile in- ,terests, we are bound to the utmost extent of our ability to resist this monopoly. 2d. If the foreign com jes susceed in their schemes, there is one great monopoly of railroad in- terest from Albany to Chicago, rich and powerful enough either to buy eut or to trample upon eve rival interest, com! ig @ moneyed power which Without a parallel in the history of the country. We mapte making at Brie a break of this interest, and it is this in reality which the railroad companies fear. The break of gauge would be with them a smal consideration, were it not for the break of interest to their mammoth combination. We feel confideutthat the people of the whole lake suore region will one day, if not now, thank us for interposing to aave them as wel as ourselves frum this great moneyed combi- bation. 3d. Erie has always felt aggrieved that the roads— (the Fravklis Can; pearanyt in manifest violation of ite charter) did not extend their roads to our har- bor, thus endeavoring to cut us off—-make usa mere vey) station, and throw all the commerce of the Lakes to the harbors of Cleveland and Buffalo. We fee] confident that had we permitted the four feet tea | inch, or through gauge, to be laid down,"our chance of getting the roads to the harbor was very much lessened, if not entirely taken away. | These considerations, with many others which | might be adduced, and some of which will dountless suggest themselves to the mind, of the intelligent lers, are sufficient to show the great importance of the question to Erie, and the propriety of the de- termination on our part, to preventit by all legal means in our power. Let us look for a moment at the remedies in our hands: The Franklin Canal Compaay’s railway—the one it will be borne in mind from Erie west to the Obio line—as at present located, was declared by a recent decision of our Supreme Court to have been constructed without authority of law, and that it was in fact a gross and palpable fraud perpetrated upon Pennsylvania. An injunction, then, could be reallly ovtained by us against this road,and we accordingly have commenced legal proceedings against it. But whilst this was pending, the schemes of the railroad men might, for the time at least, be triumphant; and once successful in laying down their through gauge, it might be very questionable, wich ali the influence and money whizh they could command brought to bear on the ques‘ion, whether it would not be impos- sible, or at least very difficult, to get it again taken up. Our true course, thea, was evidently to.prevent at the outset the laying down of this track. this we found we could legally do. Legal counsel was taken upon the question, and we were advised by good authority that the Erie and Northeast Railroad, where it cross- | ed the streets of the city was a public nuisance, which we would have a right to abate. It will be remembered, a8 stated in the former part of this state- ment, that the Erie and Northeast Railroad Com- pany, in order to further and to subserve the schemes of the foreign railroad in'erests, had never completed their road to the terminus called for by its charter. It has placed ,itself within the limits of the city and the jurisdiction of the au- thorities, without the protection of being on the line of its charter. Whenever it crossed the streets of the city or obstructed, then it became subject to the control of the Mayor and Council. Besides, the charter of the company exp! prohibited the obstruction or impediug the free use of any street, That the manner in which the road crossed our atrects obstructed their free use—tha‘, in fact, it con- stituted a nuisance—there can be no doubt. This is 80 universally admitted by all those cognizant of the | facts, that almost any number of witnesses could be | obtained to prove the fact of the existence of the nuisance. In view of there facta, and in accordance with our legal rights as understood by us, an ordinance was passed on the 19th of July Jast prohibiting the Erie and Northeast Company from laying down within the limits of the city @ny other than a six feet gange, and the Franklin Canal Company from laying down within the city any other than a four fect ten iach gauge; and in case there should be a violation by either of the companies by lay down any other track, directing the High state to remove the the streets, and authorizing him to em- ploy sufficient force for that Purpose. No attemp’ ‘was made on the part of the railroad company come in collision with the city authorities until about amonth since. In the meantime every effort eee to rig pieces ot & Erie and ‘ortheast ron abandon the idea of a four feet ten inch track, but tono par By an ordinance passed July 16, 1853, the High Constable was directed to remove all obstructions | from the streets of the city. After the public an- nounsement of the direstors that they had agreed to with the demands of the foreign interests, a police force of one hundred and fifty men It was with reluctance that we resorted to measares having even the avpearance of violence; but there ‘was no other course left for us to pursue. The direo- tors turned a deaf ear to every remonstrance, and per- sisted with determined obstinacy. On the morning of the 8th December, intelligence having been received that the company had com- menced Shan ging the track at the state line, the High Constable was directed to enforce the ordinance of Ube city. Having summoned the polive and a saf- ficient number of the citizens to accomplish the ob- Ject, the city ordinance was enforced by removing k and bridges of the compan: and peaceable manner, in the presence of not less than one thousand persons. The law was strictly enforced, and the crowd quietly dispersed, It has been endeavored to | assimilate these proceedings to that of a mob. If a mob, it was certainly & mob of th t singular character that ever posed assembled—composed of clergy- a) them. We have endeavored as briefly as possible to give history, and a truthful one, of our difficulties. We feel confident, in committing this statement to an in- telligent public, that we will be sustained in the course which we have taken. We have been eon- tending, as it will be seen, not only for our own in- terests, but for those of Philadelphia and of Pennsyl- vania. We have been endeavoring to break force of a monopoly under the burdea of which, if it is successful, we and our children will groan. This, it is our determination, by every means in our power, firmly and we hope succeasfully to resiet. December 13, 1853. Avrnep Kine, Mayor. ep pte A from Pittsburg, Pa., dated Dec. 17, says:—The United States Circuit Court for Western Pennsylvania have this morning granted an injunc- tion against the city of Erie—others to restrain them from injuring the Erie and North East Rail- road, and from interfering to prevent restoring those parts heretofore destroyed. Anti-Rent Suit. Kineston, Dec. 8, 1853. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. In your paper of the 6th instant, I found an article dated Kingston, December 5, to this effect—* that during the trial of an anti-rent suit, in New York, last summer, a young man named Croghan attempt- ed to get up a fight with the celebrated anti-renter, Neil Benson, and jostled the old man about consi. derably. Benson sued Croghan for assault and bat- tery, and the trial tesminated on Saturday, in a ver- dict of $1,000 for the plaintiff,” &c. Permit me, sir, to state throngh your columns, to those who have read the article with which my name is connected that no such facts took place, and that the writer has wilfully and maliciously published an untruth. I never attempted to aseault Neil Benson, nor did I ever “jostle the oli man,” as is represented. Mr: Benson bas been for years the head and front of the antirent faction in Sullivan county, and by him [ have been wrought and perplexed in the extreme my property has been destroyed, and, in one in stance, my tenant, a poor woman, ani her children ousted in tke night, during ber husvand’s absenee, and the house burned by his associates. It is very natural, then, and perfectly justifiable, that I should Ff my opinion ge meeting with him. That I did tell him in p) young America style, that I believed him to be » rascal, that I knew he had rob- bed honest but misguided tenants of mine, by in- ducing them foray their all in the Anti Rent Asso- ciation Fund, thereby making them beggars is most faue, It is also true that I did probably enforce my epintoasin occasionally using a word or two, by way emphasis, not considered strictly proper by the straightest sect of my religion; but my offending hath this extent—no more. You may ask,“ Why was a verdict given against you?” I answer, be- cause the offence was made by witnes:es (all of whom belonged to Benson’s gang) to assume the aspect of an attempt at assassination, and men were found to swear I was armed with pistols, which were distinctly seen and described, and that I de- clared it my intention to kill Niel Benson. Itis hardly necessary to say that I had not a weapon of avy kind about me. Not one of their witneases could swear that I struck the plaintiff, but all agreed ip the entirpany shat 1 sat next 40 bm) Nipge 8 satin in the hotel, and pushed him wiih my elbow. Iam satisfied that all who know me would never believe that I could commit so disgraceful an act, as “to strike an old man or jostie him considerably;” and am also satiafied that when that old man has been tried for perjury, (the indictment for which offence he is now laboring under,) the court will verify my assertions of his r. It may be well to state that owing to my case at the end of the calen- dar, it was considered impossible to reach it, and I gave it no longer attention, and was thns caught with but one witness, or the result would have been very different. As to the commen cause at nine o’clock at night, and Judge to adjourn the court until the next morning, to enable me to obtain my witnesses, I have nothing to say—it was my duty to be prepared ; but I trust that I shall see no more statements published or witnesses gppearing to my peace. Respectfully yours, » GEO. Cx0GHAN. ‘Woman’s Rights, APPEAL TO THE PUBLIO—CIRCULATE THE PETITIONS. The design of the convention held last week in Rochester was to bring the subject of women’s Jegal and civil disabilities, ma dignified form, before the ba ears of New York, ‘onvinced, as the friends of the movement are, that in consistency with the principies of republican- ism, females equally with males are entitied to free- dom, representatidn and suffrage, and confident as they are that woman's influence will be fouud to be as refining and elevating in public as all experience proves it to be in |b claim that one half of the people and citizens of New York should no longer be governed by the other half, withous con- sent asked and given. Encouraged by reforms already made in the bar- barous usages of common law, by the statutes of New York, the advocates of woman’s just and equal rights demand that this work of reform be carried on until very renting of parsality & eer: Ms roposed, in a care! re) sa, to specify Tie remaining legel disabilities from which the wo- men of this State suffer; and a hearing is asked be- fore ® joint committee of both houses, specially em- powered to revise and amend the statutes. Now, is this movement right in principle? Is it wise in policy ? Should the females of New'York be placed ona level of equality with males before the law? If so, let us petition for im; justice to women. In oraer to ensure this equal justice should the females of New York, like the males, have a voice in appointing the law-makers and law administrators? If £o, let us petition for woman’s right to suffrage. Finally, what candid man will be opposed to a re- ference of the whole subject to the representatives of New York, whom the men of New York them- selves elected. Let us, then, petition for a hearing before the Legislature. A word more as to the petitions given below. They are two in number ; one for the just and equal rights of women ; one fur woman's right to suffrage. It is designed that they should be signed by men and women of lawful age, that is of twenty-one years oa NG alg The following directions are sag- gested :— 1. Let }ersons, ready and willing, sign each of the petitions ; but let not those who desire to secure woman's just and equal rights hesitate to sign that petition because they have doubts as to the right or expediency of women’s voting. The petitions will be kept separate, and offered separately. All fair minded persons of either sex ought to sign the first petition. We trust that many thousands are prepared to sign the second also. 2. In obtaining aie let men signin one column, and women in another parallel column. 3. Let the name of the town and county, together with the number of signatures, be distinctly entered, on the petitions before they are returned. 4, Let every person, man or woman, interested in this movement, instantly and energetically circulate the petitions in their respective neighborhoods. We must send in the name of every person in the State —who desires fall justice to woman—o far as it is possible. Up, then, friends, aud be doing, to-day. 5. Let no person sign either peti:ion but once. As many persovs will circulate petitions in the same town ‘and county it is important t» guard against this ‘ibie abuse. 6. Finally, let every petition be retarned to Roch- ester, directed to the Secretary of the Convention, Susan B. Anthony, on the firstof February, without fail. In behalf of the Business Committee, Wii.tam Henxy Cu annind. Rochester, December 8, 1853. PETITION FOR THK JUST AND WOMEN. The Legislature of the State of New York have by ‘he Acts of 1848 and 1849, testified the parpene of the psople of this State to pince married women onan equality with in Tegan to the h:lding, conveying, aad rsopal property. We, therefore, the undersigned, politioners, iohabitents of the State of NewYork, male aud female, having attain- @d to the age of legal majority, believing that women, alike married and single, do still suffer under m: 4 grievour legal disabilities, do earnestly reque - snd Assembly of the State of New York to appoi-t a joint committee of both houses to revise the statutes of New York, and to propose auch amendme sta as will fally © tablish the legal equality of women with men; and we hereby sak s hearing before such committee by our ac- credited represertatives PETITION FOR WOMAN'S RIGHT TO SUFFRAGE. Wherers, according to the Declaration of our National Independence, governmer ts derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, we earnestly request the Legislature of Kew York to propose to the people of the State such amendments of the constitution of the Sta 86 will secure to females an cqual right to the elective franchise with males; and we beveby ask « hesring be- fore the Legislature by our noerediited representatives, N. B.—Editors throughont the State, in favor of this movement, are respectfully requested to publish this address and the petitions. EQUAL RIGHTS OF devising of re Fate: Rattroap Accipent—A railroad accl- dent of a peculiarly painful nature happened at Whitehall on the 3d inst. As the train was crossing the bridge near that villege, the engine and tender were thrown off, from some cause, and the legs of the engineer caught between the two in such a way that he could not be extricated. The fire from the engine was scattered over him, and in his sgony he begged for some one to kill him. No one being will- ve fh Telieve him in that war and every other a ph to fojsane bien baying 8 led, he took a knife and cut off his own leg at the knee joint. Ther rible operation was too severe to be endured, and died in about ten minutes.— Bratiieborg’ (Vi) agle, | Our Georgia MIvusepesvitus, Dee. 5, 1853. The Temperance Movemeat im the Legislature—| ime Messrs. Cobb and McDonald—The Senatorial | Candidates—Application to Gen. Pierce for Ard | —Opposition to Annual Elections—Who 1s the Hon. A. C. Morton? §c., &c. | The business of the Legislature has been generally | local. The temperance petitionera and petitions | have received cold comfort. The leaders of the cause endeavor to humbug the people by “ telling | them that they are not for prohibiting the sale or drinking of liquore, but all they desire is to prevent it from being sold in quantities less tham one bar- | rel.” Here is another system of odious legislation. It is in effect to prevent the poor man from enjoyieg himeelf, if it be at a lees price, and with worse liquer, and to allow the more wealthy to monopolize that ag well as all other things. It has been too muck the case to legislate against the poor and the weak, and to increase the strength of the wealthy and pow- | erful. It is the height of folly to endeavor by law te govern or restrain the propensities of man’s weak, frail nature. The high and the low, the civilized and the savage, use their intoxicating and exhiler. ating draughts. None drink to make them sad, but to drown sorrow or increase joy, and liquor will always be used as long as joy and sorrow remain in the human breast; when they are destroyed in- toxicating rs will cease to be used. The removal of the capital has attracted some attention, and has called forth some speeches and many labored articles from the press, and a very considerable number of ex'ras. I think it is doomed to remain where it is; with many persops and places itis a mere matter of personal speculation apd icteres!; but there are maay who will vote against its semoval, as they have no stake in the game. No effort has been made to briag on the election ot United States Sevator; an effurt has been made t> postpone it fortwo years; whether it will be post- poned or not depends altugether upon the immediate action of Mr. Pierce and his Cabinet. If Me. McDonald and Cobb will get the sopointments which have been applied for, (not by their friends,) 80 as to get both of them out of the way, and thereby ap- pease the sworn wrath of the enemies of eaca, (tor their friends are few,) then the election will be had, and a democrat will be elected. As the matter now stand- division grows great- er oyety day. Many letters have been forward- ed ,to Mr. Pierce, his Cabinet and their special friends; and special messengers bave been sent on to Washington since the stampede for the sole of having the federal powers to “pour a little oil on the troubled waters.” If they do not give the appointments to Messrs. Cobb and McDonald ruin aud destruction will stare the President and his Cabinet fall in the face, aud there is mo man here who can that will use the least effort te prevent it. if the election comes’ on this session the nominee, Mr. McDonald, will be defeated, and Mr. Dawson, the whig candidate, will be elected; and if the elec- tion is postponed for two years a whig will be elect ed, for under the present state of things the whigs will have a majority, as their conduct and course is national, to obtain power. It is now fully ascertained thatthe democratic never intended to elect Mr. Cobb or Mr. Mc- onald. The objection to both is, that they are not for a national democracy. Mr. Cobb has become personally uppopular—he has not been true t» the national Union party. He placed Mr. Toombs, in the Senate, in 1851, and he turn- ed himeelf over to Mr. Johnson, s cerry 2 democrat, and to Mr. Pierce and hix,Gabinet in 1853. All but 610 of the 20,000 majority that Mr. Cobb was elected in 1851 preferred to vote for Mr. Jenkins, a Union whig, to Mr. Johnson, a fire eating democrat, and because he was sectional, not national, in his politics. 80 that Mr. Cobb is without @ party, and is lost unless restiscitated by the “‘magic wand” of the President and his Cabinet. Mr. McDonald is in a like or a worse condition. He has been honored with offices until he has grown gray in them, and must stand back for Young America and national democracy. So that the only remaining course and licy of the friends and ene-uies of Messrs. Mc- pald and Cobb is to throw the cacgrer d on the President and his Cabinet to save themselves, and Mr. Cobb and Mr. McDonald, and the party in Georgia, by removing each of them from State poli- tics, and thereby prevent a whig Senator from being elected, If the administration will not do this they will “let it rip,” and Mr. Pierce and his Cabinet can go where they please. Mr. Pierce and his Cubinet are highly pleased with the position of Mr. Cobb. They played with him as the cat, with her velvet paw, plays with the mouse before destruction; they offered him a mission, with the knowledge that he would not accept it. Every- thing was against it. He was Governer, and was certain of being elected United States Senator. Mr. Cobb was bound to refuse, and they knew it; hethen intended that Mr. Cobb should be sacrificed by friends as false as themselves. It has been done; but it Mr. Cobb had bees elected United States Seoator, Mr. Pierce's party would have called on him for obliga- tions for his falte friesdship; but, as it is, they have no need for him. Mr.Cobb was not the man for Mr. Pierce; his conduct bas proved it, aud be will not give bim any appointment that he would accept. I ¢o not think it possible for him to give Mr. McDon- ald any; though tnere is no telling, as he has given largely to the “fire eaters” South, and the “free soil- ers’ North, aud he may be induced to do so fer the Pps of uniting their friends on him, and thereby eal the divisions in the democratic party in Geor- gia. But it is believed that he will not, as the polic; of the administration is to divide as much as possi- ble. Its original plan and policy has been seem in his appointments—to give to the “‘fire-eaters” blood, and to the “tree soilers” the plunder, as Mr. Marcy done before when with Mr. Polk. On Saturday lest the bill introduced by Col. A. MacDougald, of Muscogee, to have annual elections, ‘was lost; all the whigs voted against it, and a large sprinkling of the ‘codfish aristocracy” amongst the democratic members. They did not want to have power £0 short a time, or to be compelled to asgoci- ate with the plebeians so often. They wanted the laws they passed for themselves and their pets to continue in force as long as possible, so that the ple could be plundered more extensively. They are afraid to hear the pecple’s voice and their judgment pronounced. Since biennial sessions have been in use the taxes have been higher and more onerous. The State re- venue has been much larger, and no one can tell what has become of it. Bad laws have been enacted, and the people had to bear the evil for two years in- stead of one. The members who voted against the bill have laid aside the idea that it is the people’s government, and that the true and correct policy of a republican government is to have as large a representation as possi- ble, and to meet as often as they can. By this means the voice of the people will and can be heard and their will obeyed. The reverse of this is the policy and principies of monarchy; and the less the representatives and the seldomer the people’s voice is heard the more oppressive the government. The people of Mee Be are for annual testious, and it is democratic. The gentleman whe introduced | the bill was not afraid-of the measure or his con- stituents, He is and always has been for democratic government and the people’s rights; he threw him- self into the breach ; he advocated it with ability, and bis positions could not be answered. He refer- red to the odious and oppressive tax laws that the people had to endure since 1861, and which came pear creating a rebellion in the State. It was com- pelling each tax payer to file a bill of discovery and wo pey in tex for the sucking pigs and there has not been five members who voted for it returned. I cannot pass unnoticed the course pursued by some of the journals North, many of whom were for disunion, and all went in for Mr. Pierce and bis administration. They have, since the publication of the letier from the Hon. Mr. Dick- | given“ for Bishe; national dersocrat, dare to oppose the action and conauet of Mr. Pierce and his Cabinet, as thousands in Georgia and elsewhere have done and will do, jicture would have changed materially had Mr. Van Buren, or some other free soiler, or vile sup- ter or sycophant o! Mr. Pierce, addressed a let- r to the Hon. A. C. Morton in support of the conduct of the Presideat and his Cavinet. Mr. Morton would have been a great man with these seme journals. The whole sim and object of these attseks is to strike at the Hon. Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Mort:n in the South, and Mr. Morton in the North. Their darts will fall harmless at their feet, and ere many years they will be proud to know both there individuals, and be pleased to ask small favors of them; and if he is ‘Sandy Mortun” he is none the less an “honorable” or a gentleman, and none the Jess wortby of any title, as I have known many who | carried titles who, in all honesty, deserved it less. | There marauders can do nothing bytheir dark attacks. | Mr. Dickinson, the friead of Mr. Morten, has numer- | 0us warm frieuds in the Souta, and they are not less wanting in their feelings to the Hon. A. C. Mortun. | Mr. Trwin, of Wilkes, a whig, introduced some resolutions of sympathy for the national democratic | party and the Hon. Mr. Dickinson. It was all a ‘fly | Up the creek,” as the Hoosiers say here; and it is generally understood that the whig party has about | a8 much ey sopathy for the national democracy as a | marble lion would have for a crying baby. The national democracy ask for no ayapathy from such | asource. The twenty thousand majority of the na- ticnal Union democrats who supported Mr. Cobb, and the overwhelming majority that gave their sup- port to Mr. Pierce upon uational Union democratic | principles, stand ready with an increased majority to express their sympathy and love by their votes fur that pure and unde fed national Union democrat, the Hon. Mr. Dickinson, who gave up the highest honors on earth for his country’s good, as ne believed, not for Mr, Pierce, but for Mr. Cass. Mr. Dickinson oc- cupies a place in the sffectious of his countrymen more extenrive avd durable than whigs could ever indite or bestow in sympathy. He stands head of the rational democracy; ie has earned his laurels, and ‘be civic crown will be bestowed on him as fresh and as green as when he surrende:ed it at the Bal- timore Convention. He has stood by the South, the North, the East, and the West, and their political institutions bave each been respected and revered by him. He went not for one ‘0 oppress the other; all were and all are as one to him; he knows no dis- tinctions, be honors them as the greatzst nation on earth, aud he loves them all as his country. He has ‘ne sectional feelings, mich less principles, and tae same 20,000 majority given for Mr. Cobb in Geor- = stands ready and united to give their vote for the noble sire of the American national Union de- mocracy. There is considerable panic here in monetary af- fairs, The banks have me suspicious and hold back; but it is thought it will continue but a very short time. Osssxver. Our Boston Correspondence. Bosron, Dec. 17, 1853. The Municipal Election of Boston—Defeat of the Whigs—Divisions of Parties—A New Election Ordered— The‘ Committee of Twenty” —National Court House in Boston—Douglass and May— Defeat of the “ Union,” §c. We have had quite an exciting week, growing out of matters purely local in their character, and there- fore not the less likely to be interesting to the great bulk of our cifizens. The annual municipal election took place on Monday last, and resulted in the com- plete defeat of the regular whig candidate for Mayor, of all the whig candidates for Aldermen but oae, and of many whig candidates for members of the City Council, and for other local offices. The Seaver vote was less than 5,700, though Judge Washburn received 7,730 votes for Governor in Boston but a month ago, and the vote in the same place for the old constitution, made a test political question by the whigs themselves, was upwards ef 9,000. Of this 5,700 at least 1,200 must have been given by ram democrats, who preferred Mr. Seaver because he was pledged against the enforcement of the Maine law, and there was apparently an excel- lent chance for his election, whereas there was none whatever for the election of a democrat. So that the whig vote of last Monday must be put down at not exceeding 4,500, while; most people here put it at two or three hundred lower. Certain it is that Mr. Beaver was very coldly supported, even by not a few of these whigs who held it to be a matter of duty to go for his election, not becaure they liked the man, not because they cared a great deal abou: his election, but for the reason that they have too much sense not to see that it is a dangerous business to “bolt” from or neglect regular nominations, and tha it not unfrequently returns to annoy those who in- dulge in it. What will become of the State next autumn if whigs shall refuse to be bouad by proceed ings that have generally been considered as obliga tory as those of State and county conventions? O those whigs who supported Mr. Seaver full two- thirds did so in @ mere perfunctory manner. His energetic supporters were the leadiog men, demo- crate and whigs, who have the same interest with them, and who would have worked as hard for a democrat pledged as deeply as Mr. Seaver against the execution of the liquor law, and having the same Spparent prospect of succees with that gente- man on the morning of the 12th. Of the 6,700 votes for Mecsrs. Smith and Sleeper not less than 4,000 were given by Le The coalition demo- cratw voted largely tor Dr. Smith, and the free soilers divided their votes between him and Mr. Sleeper. In this way they paid back, to a pretty considerable ex- tent, the injury that they had received at the hards of the rummies in the matter of the new constitu- tion, a month wgo. The latter, and the rum Whigs were a8 ugly a set of men as you would wish to i in with on a December day, th® confidence of suc- cess with which they entered upon their labors in the morning, finding a striking contrast in the gloom that weighed upon their souls in the evening. It was when about half way through the time of voti that they began to suspect that their cake was dough—or, to use a figure more to the point, that their rum was ail water—and they felt as cross and as sore as the Russian Czar when he first heard of the insolence of the Turks in dariag to attack his forces on their own ground. When the vote was counted and declared they were astounded, for they had not dreamed, even when prepared for defeat, that their candidate would be seventeen hundred bebind his various competitors, and only about one thousand ahead of the chief of those competitors, Dr. Smith. Nor were the Key Rast of Mr. Seaver prepared for 80 complete a victory asthat with which fortune had crowned sheir vigoroas exertious. To defeat him bya small ey and so shake the moral power ot the “coali:ion,”’ upon whose labors he depended for success, was the most that the more reflecting of their number expected to accomplish. They did a vast deal more, and were proportionately elated. The vote for Mr. Seaver is about 3,000 less than the united votes for Washburh and Wales on the 28th of November, and the votes cast for all other persons amount to about 3,500 more than were and Wilson on that day. We are to have a new trial on the 20th, and, with the exce, tion of Mr. Allen, the same candidates are in field. Mr. Hobart takes the place of Mr. Alleo. I ity bim. " The “Committee of Twenty” appeinted to “receive, sort, count, and declare the votes’ cast against the new constitution, will meet next Monday, in the Senate chamber, and there perform the work for which they were appointed—work thet might bave been of a serious character, but which circamstances will cau-e to assume @ most ludisrons guise. The whig members of the committee, I suppose, will en- deavor to behave like gentlemen; but it will be hard work for them to keep from indulging ia such a burst of langhter as would be enough to resurrestion- ize Democritus himself The ‘‘other side” will have ynron to the Hon. A. C. Morton, of Georgia, taken | special care to inquire “who he is,” and to endesvor to strike at Mr. Dickinson over Mr. Morton’s shoulders. Others seem to wonder as | though they were astonished who “the Hon. A. C. | Morton, of Georgia, is,’ that the letter has been | addressed to by the Hon. Mr. Dickinson, of New | York, and who is so loudly called for and cheered in the city of the Empire State, where they would be lost and never found. He is the same bona fide Hon. A.C. Morton, of Columbus, Georgia, and no mis- take; he is a genticman of ability, talent, and char- acter. This 1 have heard asserted of him in Co- | lumbus, Georgia, where he was engaged in the prac- tice of law in connection with Colonel A. Mac Dougald, one of the first lawyers of that section and of the State—bis equal in criminal cases are few any- | where. Mr. Morton occupies a high position at home as a lawyer, @ writer, and a speaker. He was elect- ed to the Georgia Convention from Muscogee, and ‘was & prominent delegate to the Baltimore Conven- tion in 1852. He has occupied other places of honor and distinction with marked ability. He has proved himselr at home as Rano of the “honorable”, and I have no donbt the has sustained it in New York, where they have | seen and heard him, and 1 hesitate not to sa; that he is more entitled to it all,in every respect, both at home and abroad, than those who undertake to rob him of his good name. He has sustained himself at the bar and elsewhere, and that is more than some of the individuals can boast of who have leisure to scribble against him. It, then, he occupies &@ position at home or abroad, he never took it from his slanderers; and if, by his ability, he has won the esteem and confidence of the Hon. Mr. Dickinson, and because his slanderers cowld no} do the same, bw be wy Nenana is rather an cries tarde and serves nag emg at home. But the cause not peasupe Mr. Morton is called honorable, or that Mr. Dickinson addressed the letter to him, but be- cavse the Hop, My. Dickinson, @ noble, trye hearted no difficulty in keeping their countenances. The Grand Jury forthe December term of the United States District Court havo Deesented the want of a new court house in Boston for the tribunals of the United States, and call aon Congress to sup- ply the deficiency. Our oie ‘ouncil, not long ago, paared an order instructing the head of the police to notify, in proper form, that the rooms in the Court House now occupied by the national court will in a short time be required for the use of the Suffolk county courts. There will be a chance for plundering the government right and left when the building thus required shall |. It will take ten ars to build it, and it will be for nothing when Enished, and the government be “ done” as well as the edifice. Cunard wharf is to be extended so that the dock shall be large enough to admit the largest steamboats of the Cunard company. I recollect that it was a mighty hard thing to a'wharf for the British peony onl when they first ed of sending their ves he eer aeetics some not rare 80 ow now as we were are we means remarkable for avihness of astion. my Frederick Douglass isin towa. There was an in- formal meeting held in his honor last evening. He made some remarks on the condition of the colored people of the country, in which there was but litile of what is commonly understood bythe term ‘“‘abo- litionism.” He treated rather of the social condition of the African race, and what he said was of a strongly practical character. The Rev. 8. J. May, of Syracuse, is here, and will epeak before the Gar- rison Arsociation next Monday evening. He is an “outand-outer,” but not exactly a “come-onter ” ‘The abolitionists are on the move, and there is ap- eda the defeat of the ropritor st abobs, the Washington Union for the place of printer tq [sen of inquir — the Senate. Mr. Armstrong be a very wan; but be chore to threaten at dependent sponsible branch of the government, if ite membert should dare to act according to their ewn convie: tons ef right. Hence the joy at his defeat, He not the first man who has tound that the Senate is easier threatened thay coerced. The editor of a paper in what is, after all, only an vil- loge, deriving tts importance only from et Sy large collection of aharp fellows ia it every . ig not exactly the man to manufacture opinion for the people of the United States. ALGoma. The Protestant Episeopal Church in Ame- rica. [From the Loncon Chropiele, Nov. 16.] The session of the General Convention of the American Church, which has just. been concluded, has been pronounced the most important which has taken place since the organization of that body. It iv so regarded in the United States, because it has, though indirectly, made @ formal step tewards the full mtercommunion of the English and American churches. Strictly speaking, the deputation from this country—consisting of Bishop Spencer, Mr. Archdeacon Sinclair, and Messrs. Hawkins and Caswall—was pot accredited by the English Charch. As these gentlesren however, were deputed to the American Board of Missions by the Society for Propogat ng the Gospel, they went with as mash formal authority as our suxpeuded cece! action would permit; aud they were received by a booy, whih actually does represent the éavghter Church Yet we cau only regard this Mission, important as it ig as a ‘step towards a more legitimate and formal intereommu- nion. The rext stage of intercourse must be— and that at no distant time—when our diocesan bishops rhall cross the Atlantic, with full cre- dentials as the enthoritative representatives of the Church of Englacd. For oursetves, we may regret that this course was not adopted on the present oc- cusion; yet we have to express our thanks, not onl Yor the upgrucging spirit, aud the general good feel- ing, in which our overtures were accepted, but for tue especia) kindliress with which the American con- vention overlooked deficieucies in form, which, though perhaps unavoidable ia a first essay, are not asubject for boastiog as regards ourselves. The Society for Propagating the Gospel deserves the hiebest credi:, both for having invited the American bieh: pe tw England last year, aud for having retarned ‘he vit. Nor can we refrain from adijing that Mr. Caswall’s earnest and persevering efforts towards bringing the two churches into mutual harmony and god understanding, as well as his labors in pre- poring the reports which he has published in cur columns, and which have most materially served to Girect public attention to the syuodical acts of the recent convention, have their reward in the recent successful result, towards which he has contributed more than Gis man in England. The English deputation was despatched with a single definite object—viz., to discuss with the American ecclesiastical authorities the sphere and jimits of our respective foreign miseions—to take mutual counsel on the best means of strengthening and enlarging them—to define the principles on which they are to be conducted, aud prevent colli- sion between the respective jurisdictions—and thus to promote their general efficiency. Or, to quote the summary language of their instructions, the deputies were “to receive and communicate information on the best mode of conducting miasivnary operations.” The American Board of Missions is fully organised— much more efficiently than is the case with our own Church, with its in¢ependent, and not a!ways hat- monious, Church societies. It consists of @ for domestic, ard one for foreign missions. It was the latter body which entered into conference with the deputies, and the result of the conjoint labors of the American Committee and the English de- putation we laid before our readers on Saturday, in the form of a repern addressed by the Committee to the Board. We ought, perhaps, to explain that tke Board has not yet accepted the document as a whole. At the time the deputation left, they had pase certain portions of it; but it would at present premature to regard it as a synodical act It is a report upon which formal action will be taken; but it is not yet adopted. Nevertheless, merely as a report, containing suggestions which more or less reflect the spirit of the two churches, we must characterise that paper as one of the highest ey Hebrecss Its recom- mendations are in the right direction; nor will ita value be diminished when it is remembered that the committee which presents it is not composed of what we should ca!l the highest type of charchmanship, Unless we are misinformed, the Board of Domestic Missions represent the High, and the Board of For- eign Missions the Evangelical, school of American to churchmen. In this respest we have something learn from the younger church—it is a matter for especial thankfuiness that such good principles pre- vail in such @ qaarter. The pre'iminary suggestions respecting the basis of our relations with the Oriental Churches appear sourd and temperate. We detect no desire for pone tism. It is not proposed, as Bishop Gobat as done, to form independent and lated “Protestant communities’ from the orthodox Chri-tians of the East. All that is reeommended is the adoption of measures calculated t» make the respective branches of the Anglican communion better kcown to the Oriental authorities. With this object, it is proposed +o present our formu- laries to the Eastern Bishops—to enter into cor- respondence with them—to urge them, on the great pri:ciples of Christian unity, to know us and to recofnise us; and with this view, it is suggested that the English Bishops should take the initiative, with the full concur rence of the Transatlantic Episcopate. It be hoped that these truly religious sentiments will be embodied in a formal representation from America to the Archhishop of Canterbury; and bad such a course been adopted befor2 Bishop Gobat’s untoward proceedings had i what we fear will Yaa grievous hi 1003 to any steps towards Christian union, we should have anticipated the result with confidence. The Teport proceeds upon the just and reasonable ground that the great obstacle to a better understanding be- tween the Eastern churches and our own is ths en- tire ignorance which exists in the East of what we are, and the similar i, in wi ignoranee which prevaile England and America of what the Orientals are. The proposition to present cur formularies to the Eastern Church may do much to mitigate the evil on one side; while, as regards ourse'ves, the venti- lation of the subject cannot fail to do good. Among other suggestions, we observe with satisfaction a re- commendation that the Church authorize prayers for missionaries, and fora blessing on thair work. This defect in our offices, unavoidable] when the prayer book was compiled, and when work was not thought of, the Americans have it in their power to remedy ; and in so doing, will but en 9 a work which it will be the duty of our church to undertake when it resumes its legisla- tive functions Parallel to this recommendation is the important paragraph on the drawing up of a manual for the guidance and instruction of missionaries. In this particular our charch labors under immense diffi. culties. Wesend out missionaries with much zeal but little knowledge: The order, and degree, and method in which the Christian verities are to be communicated to the heathen, are left to individaal knowledge—or ignorance. Such a manual will re ire great sklil and judgment in its compilation. Nor must it be forgotten that we are in want of various forms of this kind; for the simple teachin; which might suit the Esquimaux would be out place if addressed to the suo Je intellects of the Brah- mins and Budhists And we want not some- = oie ie arse Si caoey s hand book bat zandis nbus, a mi 's 3 various catechism: the various medy is also ig2ested the report for what, in Chiva at least, has already produced much evil—the conflicting jurisdiction of bishops of the different branches of the Anglican Commu- pion. That something must be done is certain. ‘The Scottish Church is already meditating a foreign mission ; eet! aoe eal ae le a may reasonal expect » fling out inde toinions. Bishop Selwyn’s Melanesian melasias a case in point. Weare glad to find that the Ameri- cons ear ne Bon importance of oe let- tere, an at their proposals are directed to prevent differences between the various churches, and to ob- viate dispates on local jarisdiction. Another impor- tant topic is dealt with in the suggestions for the establishment of church agencies, to receive and en- rol, and, as far as may be, provide for the instruc- tion of English emigrants who, on their landing in America, are too often absorbed by Romanism and Gating and enlarging ilsnlonary ert, the report and enlarging Te has wheely ado] ed nea of the organization Thick is already, and to some extent ly, at work among ourselves. Tp conclusion, ret fuly ‘k, in entire get b work, in en understanding? Already the has been yn men has ca of the very highest the very a phena of which te in iteclf immense magnitude. aie re ay, value of the mission which this to Americas. We think its positive large and influential; bu’ it is something—nay, much—that we bave, by this step, a :know! obligation to Isy aside our ovldness and ride, and to repair the neglects and retrieve the Packwardnees of centuries in cur brethren. We cordially thank bisbops, clergy. and laity, in convention , that have received our mission with such frank- ness and cordiality—a mission, however well. as we may k of its labors, we only 7 a a a pa towneds takin counsel together in the highest ¢ vu cerns of the church, = e 3 #1 01 ~