The New York Herald Newspaper, December 28, 1854, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD. SESW ES: ANS ON: TN Biter s.a=, Sry Se Ee neeette tages eS tl fr Prrorih-<' ys ry? vg 4 *SOLUNT«RY CORRESPONDENCE, containing impor solistted the wer! 1 = PARTICULARLY —» ‘TO sEAL BNO NOTICE taten ‘anomymous communications. Wedo wet return thee 208 PRIN executed with neatness, cheapness, and WER TISEMENTS renewed every day. AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. BROADWAY THEATRE Brosdway—Encuanrnzse— Deum furor. WRRY THEATRE. Davey Tas emer or THE 7 Macum iam anima Leela Bvu Eva-Massacns BIBLO’S GARDEN, Brosdway—Soumnan Gia. BURTON'S THEATRE, Cham Chambers street—Urvina roo Baer—Nice Youno Man—Aroiao in Naw Yorx. THEATRE, Brosdway—Tns Sisteas— Pusromenon tx & Suoex Frock, LITAN THEATRE. Broadway—Rao Picker ey Pani ~B8x11 Rincen or Bosron—{pior Witness. AMERICAN MUSEUM—Afterncen—Evaracuz, Evening en Rev. WOOD'S VARIETIES—Mechanies’ Hall, 473 Breadway— SUCKLEY’S bay HOUSE, 539 Breadway—Buex- ears Erworian Orns Taovurs. Wew York, Tharsday, December 28, 1854. ‘The News. ‘The steamship Atlantic left Liverpoel for this port on the 16th inst., and is now, therefore, in her twelfth day out. Her arrival is hourly expected. ‘The time for the inauguration of the new Gover- nor of this State and the annual meeting of the Le- gislature is rapidly drawing nigh. Governor Clark has returned to the capital, and is busily engaged im preparing his message. It appears from the despatch of our correspondent that no little difficul- ty ia experienced in respect to the particular color- ing to be given to the question of the prohibitory Mquor law. Upon other public questions the Go- vernor elect and his allies act harmoniously, but nin paramount one of a stringent liquor lew there is a partia! halt. The whig wing are not quite prepared for a complete shutting off of all beverages but cold water. There is doubtless a ingeriog reco!lection of hard cider triamphs in that quarter. The liquor interest, too, is actively at ‘work discussing the chances of success in an ap- peal to the courts to decide upon the course ot he State canvassers relative to the acattering vote. ‘That avything will be attempted in respect to this matter is, however, a8 yet very uncertain. We publish elsewhere an important official maui- festo, emanating from the Corresponding Sesretary of the Know Nothing National Council, relative to ‘the disagreements existing among the member: of ‘the order, to woich attention is dire sted. In the Senate yesterday the bill authorizing the wanefer of Boston Corners from Massachusetts to New York was passed. The Committee on Foreign Relations were directed to inquire whether Com. Perry should receive compensation, and what amount, for his services in negotiating the treaty with Japan. A motion to recommit the pending ‘Territorial bills was agreed to. A resolution con. cerning the improvements of harbors in New Jer- wey was referred. Nothing farther of interest ‘twanspired, and the Senate adjourned, to meet prv Jorma on Fnday, when it will forther adjourn til uesday- After New Year's day business will probably commence in earnest. In the House yesterday the Navy and Post Office sppropriation bills were passed. Amendments ‘were oficred making an appropriation to test the few sibility of employing camels and dromedaries on the Piains, and authorizing a contract for carrying ‘the mai! from Independence, Mo., to San Francisco, but both propositions were defeated. Mr. Noble reported « bill making appropriations for continu- ing public works at Monroe, Mich., which gave rise to an animated debate upon the President's delay im giving his reasons at length for vetoing the River aad Harbor bill. The discussion was participated wm by Mesars. Haven, Campbell and Washburn, of ‘Me., whigs, and Messrs. Bocock, Bayly and Orr, @emocrate.. The bill was re‘erred to the Commitice am Commerce. General Whitfield is attending closely to the affairs of Kansas. Yesterday he in- troduced bilis providing for public buildings. improvement of rivers, the exemption of town sites from pre-emption, and a geological survey of the Territory, all of which were appropriately referred. The Senate bill granting two million acres of land ga aid of the construction of a line of telograpb from the Mississippi river to San Francisco, was veported back with s strong recommendation iv favor of its adoption. The House adjourned until Baturdsy, but no business will be transacted until after the bolidsys. Tbe statement in the report of the Commissioners of Emigration, which we give elsewhere, as to the emigration of this year, will be read with interes:. W appears that 318,747 persous landed at this port during the past year, being an excess of 30,415 over the year 1853. It will be observed that tle mawber of German emigrants largely exceeds t2 +: of apy other conntry. The amount of money paid by the emigrants to the Commissioners was $672,192 56, and the disbursements $607,076 62. In the Board of Education iast evening a report ct s weleot commistee was adogted, establishing libraries in the schools under the jayisdiction of the Board. The plan saggested by the committee wil be fcund in our report of the procvediags. The Board adjoursed to meet on Saturday next. ‘There was lists business of public interest trans scted in the Board of Aldermen lass evening, ex- cept the adoption of a resolation providing for th» actual opening of Park place to Co'lege place, through the College gaounds, in order t> give some em; loy ment to poor laborers. Tre Board of Councitmen met last evening, Tae pepo't of the committee in the m f exending iby street was iaken yp, sada solrited debate ee fail report of which may be found in an- | the standing opposition party, and + oer colnme. uinitted to the Cow le, where i. will pro bavly rect undisturbed until the orgwaization of the | new Board. We yesterday learned sdme particulars regardir ® novel and curious voyage. It appeara that bark Emily Sauning,of Wilmington, Delavare, nov at the Atlantic dock, Brooklyn, is receiving on | board three of the Naotilus Submarine Company's diving apparatus, &°. She ia to gail in a few daye for the Pacific ocean, op a pearl fishing expe dition. ii is said that she has been fitted np ata weary ¢xpense, and in a thorongh manner, by some enterprising gontlerayn, and with crews, officers and divers of snch a class of persons as to secure sncesse 'n this new enterorise. Common and medium grades of State floa terday sgain improved 6fc. @ 12}% per b Saleo of Carada in bond were made at $99 $9 and at $10, duty paid, Canadian white duty pat wreat sold at $2 per bushel. Indian oorn was sowe easier to purchasers. at previous rates. Tne ralna of cotton were moderate, and embraced only 460 2500 veles, closing rather easier for parchasers, + owing to seme increase of stock within a few days past. ort of the testimony taken upon the tn- n of the alleged frauds of the Jate paying of the Ocean Bank of this city, ia given i tof pa Inte Dpen oe J et as bee ton of ta0 camer Wa. | issue of the administration. assembiiog of Congress, the opposition ele- ments of the two h uses to the administration would speedily coalesce upom some general and corsistent programme in reference to the ap- | proaching Presidential campaign, has not been | realized. One-third of the session has passed | away, and these opposition materials, concen- trated from all quarters of the Union at Wash- | ington, exhibit no symp oms of consolidation, or system, or policy, in view of the great na- tional contest of 1856. A whole month has been frittered away in scraps aud fragments of resolutions and speech- | es upon the naturalization laws, Nebraska, free | soil, the lave elections, the Know Nothings, and other extraneous issues, leaving the paramount question of an incompetent, corrupt and imbe- cile administration atmost entirely out of view. From all appearances, too, the adjournment of Congress in March will leave the anti-adminis- | tration forces in a state of “confusion worse confounded” than at present, without unity, | without system, without anything approaching | acommon plan of action, and worst of all, without any general leaders. The opposition will thus be thrown back upon the country ia the condition of a disbanded army, capable of longitade, forming, in the aggregate, an overwhelming combination, but utterly useless when cat up into factions, except for the petty local skirmishes of guerilla warfare. What, then, are the prospects in relation to the approaching Presidential contest? The administration has been publicly condemned Elected almost by acclamation, it has fallen, in less than two years, into general consempt. The popular majority throughout the couutry against it to-day, is, we doubt not, greater than that by which it was brought into power It began this Congress with a heavy prepon- derance in both houses; and, now, among the same members, the defections in the House andin the Senate amount almost to an absolute abandonment of the Cabinet and its fallen for- tunes. And yet, notwithstanding these crip- pling facts, the administration, upon the basis of the spoils, sti/l maintains the nucleus of a national organization, a recognized head, and the outlines, at least, of 2 national programme for the succession. It is still ia the tield, and willcontest the field in 1856, upon the last re. maining chance of slipping in through the di- vided forces of the opposition. Consolidation then, is the only sate policy of the opposition forces; and history and experience here come in for their instruction. The first Congress of she administration ot John Quincy Adams supported him and his general policy; but the second was intractable and rapidly developed the formation of that powerful opposition which was destined to crush to atoms the President and his party. The popular sentiment of the country, and the public manifestations of opposition in Congress, were far less marked and decided against Mr. Adams than they are in the case of this ad- ministration; but under skilful maaagement they were sufficient to crush even Adams and his comparatively s,otless management of the government, The hostile coalition of that day were fortunate in having an able leader to bring them into discipline and unity of action. That leader was no less a personage thao Joba C. Calboun, whose timely suggestions were ably seconded by others in all parts of the Union. Thus, before the campaign of 1828 came on, the issue was substantially decided in the ho- mogeneous organization of the Jackson party upon the common platform that the Adams administration was a failure ; that it had fallen short of its promises andthe just expectations of the people; and that a new experiment was demanded in view of the great objects of ‘retrenchment and reform.” mon opposition platform Gen. Jackson was triumphantly clected, and the “ extravagant and reckless federal establishment of Joha Quincy Adams,” the whole expenses of which, foreign and domestic, amounted to thirteen millions of dollars a year, was byan over- whelming popular and electoral majority set aside. There was no way in which a fight eould be made against Adams except upon the great principles of “retrenchment and reform.” Aad if these doctrines were successful against an annual expenditure of thirteen millions, what a whirlwind could be raised against Pierce’. peace establishment of seventy-five millions a year! We have, however, a more strikiag example of the oppos'tion policy of combining to put down an unsatisfactory administration, in the terrible overthrow of Martin Van Buren in 1840 In carrying out the financial policy of Gen. Jackson, resulting from the destruction of the United States Bank and its branches throughout the country, Mr. Van Baren preci- pitated upon us a deinge of bank rags and shipplasters. The credit system tou ed into the gorgeous bubble of 1834 next came the frightfal collapse of 1837. ik ere, too, the first Congress of the administration ia question was with the administration: and here, too, the second disclosed an imoending politi- cal revolution. Deserters from the adminis- tration, headed by such leaders as Willian ©. Rives, of Virginia, and Nathaniel P. Tall- madge, of New York, co-operating with pir lead- Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, took the as a consolidated national party, on the simple apd common issue that Upon this com: ' The administration, so *horough!y condemned ‘as it has been in the late round of elections, is considered defunct, and with it its spoils free soil and secession cosliticn, claiming to be the national democratic party, is overlooked. But | though this party has been cropped, shora and | wilted, it survives, It has a national prestige, | and among a half dozen factions in the field, | it may still prove a forwidasic enemy. There | ip no other safe policy, then, to the national opposition forces, North and South, than cou- solidation as a party oppos-d to this admini:- tration, its azts, its spoil:men, its retainers, its | aspirants, its corrupt party organization, and all concerned. Before a new order of things | can be established, that which exists mus? be setaside. This is the praccical work for the campaign of 756, All ouside questions, all sectional issues, «)) political or religious av- | stractions, will ony serve to widen the exist- | ing distractions asd divisions among the o.- | position ranks. Tne udminiscration, and the | spoils coalition party which supports it, must | fret be displace 1. In this simp] and common sense view of the | case, it would be well for the oppositioa aspi- rants of both houses of Congress to cast about | them, try the soucdinge: and their lativude and in order w asvertain exactly where they are. Random spevch+s upon the uataralti- zation laws, Nebrassa, the Ostend coavention and othersubjectsmay all be well enough in their way, but a caucus or two after business noars, upon the practical work of the next Presiden- tial electiup, would do more to harmonize tne anti-admimsiration forces than all tue scatter- wg speeches that can be made in botn houses of Congress to the end of the session. ‘The Know Nothings have demonstrated the enthusiasm of the peopie for a new political dis- pensation, out and out. The materials are ready forthe work. But concert of action is wanted among them, ond a common platform. We have shown what this platturm most be. Let the aspiring opposition politicians of Con- gress, then, reflect upon the policy which over- threw John Quincy Adams and Van Buren, and, after business hours, put their heads to- gether for the same practical and common ob- ject, North and Svuth—the overthrow of the present faithless, impotent and reckless admin- istration. This is the issue for 1856, DecLINE OF ABOLITIONISM.—The abolitionist party in the North has lately dwindled down to a mere corporal’s gaard. The efforts of their leaders to stir up the people against the South have signally failed, und thiags have gradually settled down into their old coarse. This is shown by the very thin attendance at the course of anti-slavery lectures now pro- ceeding at the Tabernacle. Mr. C. drew a pretty good house last Tuesday but that was caused by curiosity oo the ; vi of the public to see the man, many persons in the sndience thinking tha’ \v was the son ot Heary Clay. The abolitionists have failed in their endea- vors to get up a party besed on mere geogra- phical divisions, and they never will succeed in their efforts to break dowo, over-ride and tram- ple upon the constitution aod the laws. The radical abolitionists—those who seek to bring about the freedom of the slave by the dissolu- tion of the Union—have never been avytuiag more than a very small fraction of the popula tion of the North; they have never cast more than a hundred thousand votes at any time, and lately they seem to be dying out alto- gether, The events of 1846 gave birth to the politi- cal abolitionist party, which was composed ot old party hacks who endeavored to unite tne North against the S uth in order to obtain political supremacy, place, power and the spoils for themselves and their adhereat-. They hoped to obtain the votes of the people of the North, and thereture set up the cry ot free soil. They failed sigaally, and the com- promise measures of 1850 swept them out of existence. Mark the distinction between the radical and the political abolitionists—the first party take the ground of open opposition to the Union, the constitution and the laws—the | second, with a -lie. on their lips, profess | sympatby for the slave and adherence , to the constitution, at the same time se- cretly endeavoring to form a new Northera party for their personal aggrandisement. The people despise the fir-t party, and they are too well informed to be deceived by the hypucrit:- cal professions of the second. Although crushed by the compromises, the political abolitionists were not annihilated. They again returned to the charge, and were egain defeated in tbe contest upon the pas- sage of the Nebraska bill. Thus, ia eight years, they had sustained two defeats. Proteus-like, we find the same individuals, last summer, en- geged in forming a new pyrby, under a new name, and with more boasting than ever pre- paring to carry all the fall elections in the Northern States. But there is always a com- pensating principle at work in politics as well as in nature, and the political abolitionists were terribly routed by the order of Know Nothings —the latter movement being simply « revulsion of popular feeling against the political trickery and chicauery by which the people have been so long swindled «nd hambugged. All the old Jeaders, all the old parties, and all the old systems were thrown overboard, and the politi- cal abolitionists sank the deepest of any, The people o' the North have told the politi- | cal abolitionists, in a language not to be mis aken, that they will not interfere with the | reserved rights of any of the States—thas th | will abide hy the constitution and the laws, av ad | that theyewill not intermeddle with the internal ju tice to the country and the people dema 1 that the faithless, reckless, corrupt, mischievous, and | squandering administration of Van Bnrea sbonld be tarned out of powe And it was | im: tions, ust a done. Banks, tariffs, anti- ry, in provements, and ali other secondary qa were merged in the general outcry a x ruinous and reckless administration. The pro cess was simple, and the work w om plete. Here, then, is the policy defiaed for the oppo- sition elements to our present competent ca t spoils coalition—a common appeal to the people, a common canse, and a common platform upon the broad and single All outside que tions, all local issaes, all sectional or sectarian doctrines, must be morged io the main and | direct question of the country’s jud cm the spoils system, and the fore! policy of Pierce, bis cabinet, his spoilsmen, aad This movement, too, sim may be, will require efficient, experienced, and popular leaders to bring the opposition materi- upon od domestic his retainers, a asi als of all sections and available f ons into the general alignment. But with the concomma tion of such en organization, the overtorow of this second Van Barea epeils régtme at Wash- ington will be as signal and decisive as the first, corrupt and in- regulations of @ny of the States. The decline of abolitioniem was thus brought about, and its entire dissolutiowwill transpire at a period not far distant. We publish else- | Tre Dowantean Treaty | where the treaty recently negotiated with the i ican Repuolic. One of the most curious stances attending the negotiation of this | treaty was the opposition it encountered from the British aod French Coneut 8, both of whom, | id, protested ag , ond used every means in their powar to preveot its ratification bs the Dominican government. The British far ctionary, are wold, weat so far as to tell | the goverument thas they could not negotiate | @ treaty without the consent of Frasce aad | Englond, and don»tless reminded thom of Lord | Olarendon’s significant threat to the effect that | the two Western Powers, having settled the | Russian matter, wonld turn their attention t | the affairs of this continent, When the corres | p ndence is poblished, if it ever ie, we shall b | in a better position to j of its im bat | on the face of ix at pee i a mos 1 unwarraniable r the con an these have doue to prevent the conclusion cy ‘ atreaty of friendship and commerce bet-,een the United States and a neighbor. Sutia, how- ever, has been the iavariable polity “f Englan1. It is while her azents are busily engaged all over the wor'd in intriguing against the United | States, and endeavoring to thwart our aims, that England solicits our sympathy in the war with Russia. For several days past mvetings of workmen and others have been held in the Park to dis cuss the hard times and take counsel respecting a remedy. Of the various plans suggested, and speeches made, not one has beea mark2d by even ordinary merit, and by far ths greater portion have been characterized by an ineredi- ble degree of ignoracce, and a very remarkable display of folly. Ove man thought the soup kitchens were an ingult to the poor, and the almo- ners deserving of severe punishment. Another advised open and organized resistance to the collection of rents next quarter day. A third thought the Common Council should pay half the rents of unemployed mechanics, One gen- tleman believed that a probioitory law would relieve ali the existing misery ; another ex- pected that blessing to flow from the coostruc- tion of a new post office, while a leading orator called on Congress to proibic the export of breadstuff, All this, aud more sad stuf of the like character, has been shouted in the ears of hundreds of aagry men, without work and many of them with starving families at home. Moreever, especial care has been taken to impress them with a consciousness of their owa physica strength, and toincite them, by insid/oas hints, to prepare to exert that strength in case at- tempts should be made to compel them to falfil their obligations to their neighvors. These ap- peals are made, as was said, and these hints thrown out in broad daylight in the Park. It is clear that were they pbeyed, social order would cease to exist, and the city would pass under the sway of a mob. At another time, and under other circum- stances, these ravings might be passed over without notice, and the cure left to be wrought out by the strong common sense of the Ame- rican masses. ‘Truth being free to combat these fallacies, as well as others, they might, at a happier season, be considered as harmless. Bat it is very doubtful whether we can ven- ture, at the present time, to indulge such feel ings of confidence. Misery is pressing cruelly on the poor; and in the minds of many, suffer- ing has grievously shaken the sense of pria- ciple. When a man has a wife and children io absolute want, he needs to be made of stern stulf to hold to the right. Besides, there are among us, ia large numbers, it is to be feared, refugees trom foreiga countries, who have fd hither to escape the hands of justice, or have been sent across the Atluatic by the govera- ments of their owo nation, to get rid of them. These are naturally inclined fur mischief, aad are sure to foster any proclivity among the na- tive population towards riot and disorder. Many of the worst red republicans of Paris— fellows who would burn, rob, and murder— are hiding their faces in this city; nor are there wanting a still more detestable class of incendiaries, in the shape of Eaglish socialists and German communists, There are sirong grounds for believing that these fellows are at the bottom of. some of the move- ments of the working men; and that it trouble were to ensue, they would try hard to make opportunities for pluadez. Worse than all, it is quite apparent that doc- trinesentirely subversive of social tranquillity and the rights of property have been widely disseminated through the country under the auspices of a leading politician in this State— William H. Seward. This man, whose first notoriety was due to his hostility to Masonry, and who subsequently made himself conspicuous by lending his countenance and support to the anti-rent- ers, has given by his whole career ¢ § couragement and strength to the spiru of lawlessness, Whenever prejudice has en- deavored to override reason, Seward has been ready to lend his aid to the attempt. Whenever fanaticism has risen up against the constitution or the lawa, Seward has been found in the van cheering on the rivters. Thus, from his position and his dexterity these elements of trouble have derived a consistency and an in- fluence which they could have obtained from no other source. The mob hears Seward say that there is a “higher law,” which overrides all human laws and regulations of society; and most nutarally concludes that in their case, that higher law may be invoked to supersede their bargain with their Jandlord, and guide them in some nefarious scheme against the pro- perty or rights of their neighbors. His cxam- ple and precept are constanuiy quoted to justi- fy the most outrageous acts. Under the circumstances, the prospect of danger is quite near enougn to warrant a pre- paration for the worst. Times like tne present have usuaily been the occa- sion of riots; and they are the more likely to occur now from the causes al. ready mentioned, and from the countegance and approval which rioters are sure of receiving rom Mr. Seward and his organs. It will be ‘oo late to prepare after the mischief is done. The city authorities should act at once. The military companies should be notified to hold themselves in readiness to be called out ata mo. ment’s warning; and it should bedistinetly un- derstood that in the event of trouble, the authorities will act with energy and prompt- ness. Timidity or hesitation in such a case is the worst description of cruelty. ANNEXATION OF TH 3 GALAPAGoS Tst.4Nps—The truih or falsehood of the report coaceraing the sale of these islands to the United States, for three millions of dollars, will soon be known; the chances are that an offer has béea made by Ecuador, and judging from the past, if seems probable that it will be accepted by the admi- nistration. In fact since Santa Auna got tea millions from the United States for # strip of barren land, every one of the poverty stricken governmeats of South aad Central America has | been looking up some ragged desert or barren rock to offer us in exchang» for our millions, There are no doubt many spots in South Ame- rica as useless and Godforsiken as the land bought from M+x'co; we shail have the refusal of them all, The Galapagos Islands are only the first of the batch. Snoutd thess be aunexed, one difficulty that has hitherto embarrassed oar acquisitions of territory need not be appre- hended. No discussions on slavery or the rights of territories nved be expecte}; for if acconnts are true tie grea‘er part of the geougis so mise- rable that even the sea goalie will not light + ea Se ESSE, THE LATEST NEWS. EY MAGNETIC AND PRINTING TELEGRAPHS, Non-Arrival of the Atlantic. Sanpy Hoox, Dec. 27—10 P. M. The steamship Atlantic, now in her twelfth day from Liverpool, has not yet made her appearance off this point. ‘The steamsh‘p Empire City, with later intelligence from Havana, is also momentarily expected, but has not yet | been signalled. From Wi THE PAY AND MILEAGE OF MEMBERS--THE GRUND AND PORNEY QUARREL, BTC., ETC. ‘Wasmixcro, Dec. 27, 1854, ‘The dill to increase the pay of members of Congress Jooks also to an increase of mileage, but as this latter tem is comparatively unimportant to mempers residing near the Capitel, it carries no weight with gentlemen from the Atlantic Middle States. There is not much like- Whood of the Dill passing. If it gave a regular salary, commencing with the first session of the present Con- gress, many members—and three-fourths of them are politically dead—would be willing to go it blind, so as to pocket the plunder. ‘The savage attack upon Grund in the Pennsyloanian is attributed to Forney, who takes that method of kill- ing off Grund now that the President is afraid to send the nomination into the Senate. Forney, in the article, declares that there was never any intention of making the appointment. In plain Anglo-Saxon, however, this isa lie, as Grund possesses an autograph letter frog the President to Marcy, directing him to make out pe nation. A formidable effort will be made to secure the next Presidential democratic nomination for Senator R. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia. ‘The administration are waiting with drea the issue of Soulc’s movements at Madrid. TROUBLE IN OHIO—THE TELEGRAPH TO THE PACIFIC. Wasuixatox, Dec. 27, 1854. Gov. Medill refuses to call an extra session of the Ohio Legislature. Great excitement prevails in Co- lumbus. The House Territorial Committee reports back and urges the passage of the Senate bill granting two mil- lion acres of land in aid of a subterranean line of tele- graph from the Mississippi river to San Francisco. BRITISH MEN-OF-WAR AT GREYTOWN—SUPREMS COURT PROCEEDINGS. Wasninctoy, Dec. 27, 1854. The Union of this morning says that two English fri- | gates were in the port of Greytown, Nicaragua, on the 6th instant. In the Supreme Court to-day the Hon. Elihu B, Wash- burne, of Illinois, and Thomas A. Jencks, of Rhode Island, were admitted as attorneys and counsellors. No. 32—Ferdinand Clark, appellant, vs. Benj. C. Clark, et al. Argument continued by Hon. Reverdy Joha- son for the appellees, and concluded by Mr. Nelson for the appellant. No, 33—The city of Providence, plaintiff in error, vs, Daniel R. Clapp. Argumest commenced by Mr. Clapp, for the plaintiff in error, From Monday until twelve o’clock to-day, three hun- dred and fifty thousand dollars worth of government stock was redeemed at the Treasury. The Patent Office had seven thousand dollars deposit- ed with Selden, Withers & Co., being money received in payment for patent rights. From Albany. ARRIVAL OF GOV. CLARK—THE FORTHCOMING MES- SaGE—DIFFICULTY IN TREATING THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION, BTO., BTC. Aupaxy, Dec. 27, 1854, Governor Clark has returned to the capital for a per- manent residence, during the two years to come. He is closely engaged with the State officers in preparing his first annual message. It has leaked out that difficulty has arisen with regard to the treatment of the temper- ance question, his Excellency being as ultra as ever, but is buffetted by two of his advisers, who are determined not to engraft the Maine law into the whig creed; andas the message, which is to be ushered forth, is to be con- sidered as the platform during the two years’ term of the administration, the struggle for the mastery must be severe. Still, outsiders appear confident that Governor Clark will stand firm let the consequences be what they may. Upon all other matters—canais, railroads, finance, and public affairs generally—he will interpose no objec. tions, and will affix his official signature to whateve. may be presented him. Very few members bave yet arrived, and those here are uttering lamentations at the advances made for board and rooms in hotels and boarding houses, upon previoas sessions. Fullone-third more is exacted than formerly, and the proprietors justify themselves on ac- count of the increase in the price of provisions, fuel, &e. The opponents of the Maine law are discussing the pro- priety of appealing to the courts fora decision in the election of Governor. It is proper to state, that Gov. Seymour is opposed to any such action. He feels satis- fied that he has been twice figured out of the office. Every portion of the capital is in perfect order, ex. cept the executive department. The superintendent, Mr. Jenkins, is in hopes that Gov. Seymour will vacate in season to give those rooms an overhauling before Gov. Clark enters them. Later from Texas. Bariwore, Dec. 27, 1854. By the arrival of the Southern mail as late as due, we have received New Orleans papers containing dates from Galveston to the 17th instant. The prominent subjects discussed in the newspapers of the State, relate to the prerent hard times and monetary crisis. The news otherwise is unimportant. HON. C. Me CLAY LECTURING—THE WEATHER. Boston, Dec. 27, 1854, ‘The Hon. Cassius M. Clay lectured here this evening before the Mercantile Library Association. An immense audience was in attendance to listen to him. The weather is extremely mild, and it has been rain- ing all day. The thermometer ranges at 45 degrees. Fires at the Weat. DESTRUCTION OF A BARN AT UTICA. Unica, Dec. 27, 1854. A barn in the rear of the City Garden, on Burchard’s lane, belonging to A. E. Culver, Esq., forwarding mer- chant, was entirely destroyed by fire about 10 o’clock to-night. Several horses that were in the barn at the time, were safely got out. FIRE IN BUFFALO. Borvravo, Dec. 27, 1854, At five o’clock this morning a fire broke out in a warehouse in Lloyd street, occupied by Messrs. Ashley, Jones & Co., forwarders, and Messrs. Bucl & Moore, pro- vision dealers. Nothing was saved but the books of the two firms. The insurance amounts to $10,000, which will nearly cover the loss. Safety of the Steamship Wm. Penn, Reported as Lost In the Black Sea. Boston, Dec. 27, 1854. Information has been received here that the steamship Wm, Penn, previously reported lost in the Black Sea, was safe at Constantinople on November 18. Frightfal Ravages of the Cholera at Messina. Bostos, Dee. 27, 1854. A private letter from Mr. Behr, the United States Con- sul at Messina, gives a frightful picture of the ravages of the cholera in that city, the population having been reduced, by death and emigration, to less than 50,000 | No less than 20,000 persons died between the 224 of August and the 10th of September. Death of Governor Dorr. Provinsnce, Dec. 27, 1854. Thomas W. Dorr died in this city this morning at half past eight o'clock, in the forty-ninth year of his age. State of the Ohio River. Pirrsrura, Dee, 27, 1854, There is now seven feet of water in the channel of the Ohio river, and it is rising fast. Weather mild. Markets. PHILADELPHIA STOCK BOARD. Purapeenta, Dec. 27, 1864. Our stock market wna steady this mornixg, at the following quc eading Railroad, Morris | Canal, 117; Long Island Railfond, 12%? Peansylvania Railroad, 4134; Penasylyania State 5's, 83; do. coupons, 80. Money is in less demand, but rates are unaltered, _———$—— — Decision on THE Liqvor Law ov Raops Isuanp.— On the 26th inst, the Supreme Court of Ruode island de- livered an opinion to the effect that, so far as the law aud proceedings under it were concerned, no valid objec- tions had been taken; but they also deeide that the seizure clause of the law is open to objections and is un- constitutional and void, inasmuch as it provides for the seizure, forfeiture and desteaction of liquor, without proof that it had been held for sale contrary to law, and +o is in conflict. with the constitutional provision that ‘the neoused shail not be deprived of life, property. unless by t nt of hie peer ba Od ue dates! the berty, or | o Obituary. ‘THOMAS WILSON 2 age ager semen Thomas Wilson Dorr, generally called “Governor’” Dorr, died at at his residenee, Providence, Rhode Island, yesterday morning. The life of Mr. Dorr is interesting, inasmuch as under his leadership the people of Rhode Island made their first stand for the extension of the right of suffrage, and took up arms to defend what they considered an inalienable right denied to them by the dominant power, under the old charter of Charles the Second. Mr. Dorr was born in Providence, of a good family. His father, Sullivan Dorr, has been a successful manu- facturer. The son received the rudiments of his educa tion at the famous Exeter Academy, and graduated at- Harvard College in the class of 1625. He studied law in this city, in the office of Vice Chancellor M’Coun, and was admitted to the bar in 1827, when he commenced practice in the city of Providence. Brought up in the family of a conservative manufac- turer, and educated at Exeter and Harvard, it is by no: means that young Dorr should have beena federalist in politics; but after a diligent stady of the prineiples of political economy, Mr. Dorr (in 1837) united with. that great democratic flood which had twice elected Jackson President of the United States and in the person of his successor triumphed over the opposition of bitter personal enemies and general unpopularity. Mr. Dorr found his native State governed by @ charter, the provisions of which rendered it almost impossible for the: democracy to gain any share of the government. The apportionment of representation was at variance with the numerical distribution of the population, and the elective franchise was confined to about one-third of the- | resident wh te American citizens, by means of a real | estate quabfication and a primogenitive privilege : that. is, it was required that every voter should hold real estate, and that only his oldest son was qualified to vots in his life time. Mr. Dorr was elected a member of the Assembly in 1833-'4-"5-’6~"7, and Jabored to the end of “substituting: a liberal constitution for the old charter. The highest yote that heever obtain for any extension of the right of suffrage was seven out of about seventy mem- bers. He then made an effort to establish a party to bring about the same object, and called it the Constitu- tional party; but national politics engrossed the atten- tion, and in the midst of the violeut excitements of the day it was found impossible to preserve any separate party organization, although Mr. Dorr, with a few others, still Inbored earnestly to bring about the objects to which he had dedicated his life. Little by little the ad~ | herents of Mr. Dorr gained strength, and they made their first demonstration on the 17th of April, 1841, when an old fashioned barbacue was given. An ox was roasted whole, and a loaf of bread weighing seven hundred pounds was baked. This meeting, held on Jefferson Plains, near Providence, was emphatically a gathering of the masses. From this time there were two great parties in the State—called the Charter or Algerine par- ty, composed of the wealthy class, and the People’s or Suffrage party, which included the bone and sinew. A mass convention of the suffrage party was called a4 Newport on the 5th of May, 1841, and six thousand per- sons assembled, At this convention a State committee was elected, with power to draft a new constitution. The next demonstration was held in Providence, on the 5th of July, 1841, when an oration was pronounced before eight thousand of the suffrage party, by the Rey. W. S. Balch, The State Committee were directed to call a State convention for the adoption of the new constitution, which direction was complied with. Delegates were: elected from every town in the State to the convention. It submitted a Iberal constitution to the people, and it. was ratified by fourteen thousand affirmative votes, that number being from two thousand to three thousand: more than half the number of citizens residing in the State. The suffrage party then assumed that the new consti" tution was the fundamental law of the State, and pro- ‘ceeded te hold an election for State officers under it. Mr. Dorr was chosen Governor, and the people’s Legisla- ture was called to meet at Providence on the first Mon- day in May, 1842. ‘Thus far, it will be seen that a great deal had been done in contravention of law, but no violence had been used. Both parties, however, were determined ; two Legislatures and two Governors had been elected, and as the time for inauguration drew near it became apparent that a collision must ensue. It is proper to say that at he election the charter party polled 7,300 votes, while che suffrage party had only 5,728. The suffrage State committee called on the independ- ent companies throughout the State to aid in the escort of their procession on the 3d of May, when the Assembly was to be convened. The Governor under the charter, Samuel W. King, Esq., sent to Washington for aid, and made preparations to defend the State Arsenal at Provi- dence. Nightly drills of the suffrage party were held im Providence, and on the 24th of April Gov. King called # special session of the Assembly, which convened at Providence. The Governor transmitted a message re- questing aid and counsel, and asking for power to raise troops, which was granted. Five hundred United States troops were added to the garrison of Fort Adams, at Ne On the 3d of May, the new people’s government was or ganized at Providence, and Governor Dorr transmitted his message to the Legislature. On the same day, at. Newport, the charter government was organized, and. Governor King was duly sworn in. The first arrest of one of the people’s representatives, in the person of Daniel Brown, was made at Newport, on Thursday, the 4th of May. Two or three days after war broke out, the charter party held the arsenal, and the Dorr party were armed. Mr. Dorr went to Washington for aid,and returned to Providence. The Governor declared the State under mar- tial law and called out all the able-bodied men in the State to put down tke insurrection. A precept was put into the hands of the Sheriff, ordering him to take the body of Thomas W. Dorr, attaiated of high treason. On the 18th, the suffrage men, armed with muskets and six pieces of cannon, mustered around the house of Mr. Burrington Anthony, where Mr. Dorr was stopping. They took two pieces of cannon, and at two o’clock made an attempt upon the State Arsenal. It was not suc- cessful. TheGovernor then marched against Mr. An- thony’s house with s body of military, when the suf- frage men dispersed, and Mr. Dorr retired from the city. The next day several officers under the people’s consti- tution published a hand-billresigning their offices. The scale was turned against the suffrage men by the United States troops at Newport, who were ordered to support. the charter authorities. The democrats in New York and Boston held meet- ings of sympathy with their brethren in Rhode Island, and in this city» paper was numerously signed, the eubseribers pledging themselves to volunteer for the aid of the suffrage party. Encouraged by this demonstra- tion, Mr. Dorr again returned to Rhode Island, and was joined at Woonsocket by several hundred ot his adhe- rents, and also by a number of New Yorkers, among whom was the Hon. Mike Walsh, now a member of Con- gress from this city. The Dorr men soon retired from ‘Woonsocket and fortitied themselves at Chepachet, where they were assailed by the Ist Light Infantry, of Provi- dence, under Col. W. N. Brown, and retreated without firing agun. Mr. Dorr retreated into Connecticut, a reward df four thousand dollars being offered for his ar- rest. These events transpired on the 26th, and on the 28th the war was over. Mr. Dorr afterwards went to New Hampshire, where he remained for some time, and then returned to Rhode Island. He was tried and convicted of high treason, and sentenced to imprisonment for life in the State prison. He was pardoned in 1847, we believe, and in 1853 the Senate and Assembly restored to him his civil rights, and ordered the Clerk of the Supreme Court to draw black lines around and across the record of his sentence. Mr Dorr was for some time editor of the Providence Daily Post, and was a man universally loved for his purity of heart and uprightness of life. He lived long enough to see his State under a liberal constitution and bis party in power. He never sought office, and no one, even in the ranks of his enemies; ever accused him of being actuated by ambitious or self-interested motives, Marine Affairs. Frow ie Wreck or Sarr St Parnick.—The lighter schooners John G@. Rotehe and Excelsior arrived yester- day from the wreck of ship St gat, and report the ship rapic left on the morning of the 26th, A portion of her rigging, suis, brought to the city by the above schooners. There is but little chance of saving any cargo, aa she is going to pieces so very fast. The steamtug Titan left the city | at one o'clock yesterday morning with s lighter in tow for the wreck, but owing to the dense fog did not pro- ceed any farther than the Narrows, where she lay at ancher last night, Tre Struensee Northern Lian, for San Juan, left her berth yesterday afternoon and proceeded dowa the bay but probably anchored below owing to the dense fog which prevailed, Derextion ov Tite Pacteto.—The Collins steamship Py ble Wee pO red beige Lie Go wal Le Bek yeeeiamy, rf |