The New York Herald Newspaper, January 5, 1855, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 1855. 28 VOL. xx. , NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR AND EDITOR. OFFICE N. Ww. ‘conxex oF Nas AND FULTON STS. cash in advance. THE Suny HERALD 2 THE WEEKLY HERALL Ber copy, or $3 per annum; ihe E ‘num, to any port of G he Continent, both to ie VOL ¥ CORR: DENCE, containing impor- ited fcom any quarter of the world—if used ‘ a@- OU w FoREIGN Connesvon JOULARLY RNQUESTED TO BEAL ALL y—$T per annum. urday at 6 cents can edilton $4 per an und $5 to any part of scriptions or with Adver or the peeey will be deducted from “AMUSEMENTS TH BROADWAY THEATRE, Broadway—Brooan’s Orena Lucky Hir—Inisn Turor. EVENING. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—P\ rwaAM—Biack Evx Susax—Narurey anv Ini . BURTON'S THEATRE, rs strect—Sormia’s SuP ?eR—Tux TOODLES—APOLLO IN New YoRx«k. WALLACK'S THEATA! Gustiermay From [neva pMBTROPOLITAN THEATRE, Broadway—Kixo Lean— Broadway—Tux SisreRs— ~New Foorman. AMERICAN MUSEUN—Afterno0n—Quire ar Home— ‘fo Oxtick Benson. By “Tux Wire. WOOD'S. VARIETIE: BUCKLEY'S OPERA MOUSE, 539 Brondway—Buox- auv’s Ermorian Oreka TROUPS. fanios’ Hall, 472 Brosdway— New York, Friday, January 5, 1855. Malls for the Pacific. THE NEW YORK HERALD—CALIFORNIA EDITION. The United States mail steamship George Law, Capt. G. V. Fox, will leave this port this afternoon at two e’clock, for Aspinwall. ‘The mails for California and other parts of the Pacific, ‘will close at one o’clock. The New York Wersty Heratp—California edition— ‘eontaining the latest intelligence from all parts of the ‘world, will be published at eleven o’clock this morning. Single copies, in wrappers, ready for mailing, sixpence. Agente will please send in their orders as early as pos- sible. The News. In the United States Senate yesterday, the bill extending the California Land Commission was taken up and passed. The consideration of the Bounty Land bili was then resumed. Numerous amendments were offered, after the discussion of which the Senate went into executive session. In the House of Representatives, a petition was presented by Mr. Wheeler, from the merchants and shipowners of New York, in reference to floating lights at the mouth of that harbor, which was re- ferred to the Committee on Commerce. A bill for eentinuing the improvements in Dunkirk harbor was referred to the same Committee. The message of the President relative to the Memphis Navy Yard was referred to a Special Committee, afcer which the House went into Committee of the ‘Whole on the bill for the relief of the purchasers of swamp and overflowed lands, which was passed. In the course of the debate in committee, Mr. Sol- Jers, of Maryland, made a strong Know Nothing speech, and quite an animated discussion sprang wp, during which Messrs. Giddings, of Ohio, and Keitt, cf South Carolina, had something to say in reply to references made by Mr. 8. to abolitionism and secersion. Im the New York State Senate yesterday, Mr. Putnam introduced a bill relative to conveyances of property for religious purposes, the object of which is evidently to prevent Catholic Bishops from receiving presents or donations of proper- ty ‘and vesting the title in themselves. Mr. Brooks gave notice of a bill for the better protection ef the harbor of Now York. The subject of the im- prisonment of witnesses was referred to a select committee, and the joint resolution for a select committee on the subject of intemperance was amended s as to appoint a committee of seven on the part of the Senate alone. In the Assembly notice was given of the intro- @uction of a number of bills, among them one to postpone the election of a United States Senator until the vacancy in the Twenty-nioth (Clark’s) istrict was supplied, and another to provide for the electon of a Senator in place of Myron H. Clark, who has not thought proper, up to the present time, eresign. A con:arrent resolution recommending an appropriation for the relief of the soldiers of the ‘war of 1512, was laid on the table. In our Albany correspondence, under the tele. graphic bead, will be found the bill introduced by Mr. Putnam in the Senate yesterday, relative to conveyances of property for religious purposes. Other interesting matters are also treated of. We publish in another part of to-day’s paper a fall report of the proceedings of the last two meet- ings of the mixed commission, now sitting in Lon- don, for the adjustment of Anglo-American claims. It will be seen that Mr. Alexander McLeod has preferred a claim against the United States gov- ernment for compensation to the extent of £5,000, for the sufferings and losses sustained by him daring his imprisonment and prosecution in this eountry, on the charge of being concerned in the attack on the Caroline. Mr. MvLeod was himself present at the meeting of the commission, and en- tered into a lengthened statement of his case. The claim was resisted by General Thomas on the part ofthe United States government, on the ground that the controversy having been once settled ould not now be re-opened, and that Mr. McLeod's ‘was not one of those cases which came properly within the jurisdiction of the commissioners. He also deprecated its revival, as being calcalated to disturb the present good understanding between the ‘two countries. The claim stands open for judg- ment. In the case of Mr. Holford, of which we have already published a lengthened ac count, and which, it will be recollected, arises out of certain bonds given by the government of the republic of Texas in payment for a vessel of war wold by Mr. Holford to the Texan government, at the time it was engaged in hostilities with Mexico, it has been decided by the umpire (the Commis- wioners having differed in opinion) that the claim eannot be sustained against the United States government, inasmuch as it was a claim upon the independent republic of Texas before its admission into the Union. The case of Messrs. Miller and MelIntosh was also fully argued before the com- mission. Their claim is preferred for the recovery ef the value of a certain quantity of wine imported fim December, 1549, from Mazatlan, ina French vessel, to San Francisvo, and seized by order of the Collector, on the ground that ft was imported in a foreign vessel from @ foreign port. Judgment has not as yet been pronounced. The claim ot the Great Western Bteam Packet Company has also been heard, and wtands over for the decision of the arbitrator, the Commissioners not being able to come to an agree- ment. It relates to certain drawbacks of the duty on coal for the supply of the company’s steamers, which, under an act of 1799, they contend they are entitled to. It will be seen that a Committee of the Commoa Council of Albany have passed resolutious forbid- ding the visits of teachers of the Roman Catholic @harch to the Almshouse of that city, until ample has been made for the destraction of tie Httle books recently presented to the inmates of ‘that institution. The Maine Legislature met at Angusta, on Wed- nesday morning. Franklin Muzzy was elected President of the Sonate, and Sidney Perham ®peaker of the House. The Governor will probably de chosen today. In the Pennaylvania State Sen cur ballote took place «6 4 yy hat body without sucr +. vate, sasing yesterday, ver for Te hard and soft shell committees held ¢ their first meetings laat night to effect their permanent organizations for the ensuing year. The softs were quite harmonious, but the hards, as will be seen from the report, do not appear to have settled their difficulties yet. The large quantity of 18,000 bales of cotton were cleared from the port of New Orleans, on Thureday, 28th ult. The arnual address before the Geographical and Statietical Society was delivered last night by Rev. Dr. Hawkes, in the chapel of the University. An abstract will be found iu another colamn. An account of the meeting of the Board of Ma- nagers of the “ Ladies’ Ball for the Relief of the Poor,” held at the St. Nicholas last evening, will be found in our paper this morning. The committee appointed by the Corn Exchange to distribute the charitable fund, reported in favor of giving one-fifth to Brooklyn and the remaining four-fifths to New York. The meeting which was to have been held in the Tabernacle last evening, to devise means for the permanent relief of the poor, was postponed until Friday evening, the 12th mst. Want of speakers we understand was the cause. The Court of General Seasions was to have been opened yesterday morzing by Judge Stuart, but owing to the incomplete condition of the rooms, the Court was farther adjourned until Monday next. Flour yesterday wes 124 cents per barrel lower for common grades; fancies and extras were steady at previous rates. Southern and Canadian white wheat—the latter in bond—sold at $2 20. Indian corn was unchanged, with pretty active demand. Cotton, with sales of about 1,000 bales, advanced about jc. per lb. Old mess pork was dull and nomi- nal at $12 50; prime sold at $12 25; new city do. at $13 50, and new mess was held at $14 37 a $14 50. Freights were rather stiffer for Liverpool, with tolerable free shipments of provisions. Governor Clark on Wall Street. Mr. Seward has paid off old scores by the passages in Governor Clark’s message which refer to the usury laws and to the Brokers’ Board in Wall street. It has long been notori- ous that a bitterly hostile feeling existed be- tween the honorable Senator and the commer- cial community of New York: a feeling which took its rise when Mr. Seward gave his sanc- tion to the socialist doctrines of a certain wing of his party, and which subsequent events have largely contributed to strengthen. Foiled in his endeavor to deceive or win over the intelli- gent merchants of New York to his vagaries, Mr. Seward has frankly taken up the gauntlet, and set to work to do them all the harm he can. Hence the puerile tirades against Wall street in the message of Mr. Seward’s faithfal friend and humble servant—Myron H. Clark. It does not seem likely that the merchants of New York will be utterly ruined and de- molished by the onslaught. Governor Clark thinks the Board of Brokers a wicked establish- ment, composed of naughty men, who sell and buy stocks on time and thereby corrupt the public morals; and suggests that they should be put down with a strong hand. There is something delightfully refreshing in this at- tempt of a petty hardware dealer of Cavandai- gna to regulate the business of the commercial metropolis of America, Like all narrow- minded men, Mr. Clark’s idea of legislation is that it should be in the first place and above all things, restrictive; that it should leave its objects as little freedom as possible. He, and other legislators of his order, act upon the belief that mankind if left to itself is sure to go wrong; and that the only way to save the world is to tie people, hand and foot, and then tell them to walk and move about. Thus they mean to prescribe what may be drunk, lest, by exercising their own judgment, men should do themselves a mischief; and turther recommend that laws be passed to prescribe what may be sold, lest the mercantile community should ruin itself for want of legislative guidance. The public are much obliged to Mr. Clark for his pro- poeal to relieve them of the trouble of thinking for themselves; meanwhile it may be well to note what the effect of the rule he suggests would be. A B, a London merchant writes in February to C D, his correspondent here, for a thonsand barrels of fiour, which he desires to have delivered in England in July. C D, knowing that at the opening of navigation in the spring, large quantities of flour will come forward to New York, closes the bargain by re- turn post, and agrees to deliver the flour at a price fixed at the time appointed: postponing the purchase of the flour, if he thinks fit, till the arrival of the spring shipments per canal. Now, this does not seem a very nefarious trans- action; yet under the operation of Mr. Clark’s plan it would be illegal and void, It would be a “time sale.” So with stocks. In closing a a transaction, E F has 100 shares of stock coming to him at the expiration of 30 days. Be- lieving the stock worth less than its current value, he sells it, deliverable 30 days after the sale. Is this a fraudulent or in any way an improper transaction, whatever Myron H. Clark of Canandaigua may think on the sub- ject? Yetit would be stamped with reproba- tion by his scheme. There can be no question, but much harm is done by stock speculations : but can they be checked? The law now de- clares a time sale null and void. Yet they are made at every corner. What prospect is there that fresh legislation would accomplish more than the old ? Mr. Clark thinks the usury laws should not be repealed. To us it has always appeared odd that people should have been found to clamor for their legislative repeal; so completely aud thoroughly have they been nullified in practice. Mercantile paper fluctuates like corn or cot- ton. Stock brokers make their twelve per cent without trouble or risk when money is dear. The banks, by insisting on a balance to half the amount of their discounts, clear ten and often twelve. In short, money is and has been for many a year as free in Wall street as any other commodity. Under these circum- cumstances, wisdom might have dictated the policy of letting the old usury laws alone, as they did no real harm. The venerable sages of the Cham- ber of Commerce thought differently. Not content with the substance of a reform, they must needs fidget about its shadow, and thus afford innocent country folks like Mr Clark a vent for a parcel of silly noosense about the currency. His argument—if it can | be dignified by the title—is simply this. The value of the specie and paper currency is fixed by law: why not, on the same principle, fix the value of its use? It may be unkoown at Ca- nandaigua that whenever the intrinsic worth of eoins falls below their current vaiue—as has frequently been the case when despots have adulterated the currency to supply themselves with money—those coins will not pass current at their former rates, but inevitably depreciate to the intrinsic value of the metal. No laws con stop this depreciation, as Mr. Clark will fing, at he reads the history of France from 1775 to 1800, or that of England from 1795 to 1820. The law fixing the value of colas is in- tended for the governance of the mint, not the people; it aflirms a fact, does not impose a duty; and the moment the fact ceases to be, the law becomes a dead letter. As to paper money, which is merely a conventional repre- sentative of coin, it is not, we will take leave to inform Mr. Clark, a legal tender, and has consequently no value affixed by law. So much for Mr. Clark’s argument in favor of the usury laws. It is doubtful whether Mr. Seward will make much by his attack on Wall street, frittered away as it has been by the foolishness of Mr. Clark. He probably cares little about the matter. He is gradually approaching the con- summation of his plans, and everything is now so far advanced that he can afford to quarrel with the merchants He is pretty sure of suc- ceeding in bis scheme to cheat the Maine Liquor law party, and all the other cliques which are active in the Legislature. His election is to be decided before any other leading measure, and thus bargains will be made witn the liquor in- terest on one side, and the prohibitory interest on the other, with the Know Nothings and the foreign party, and everything will be promised to every one until Seward’s triumph is secured. It is wonderful to see how easily politicians are deceived by a schemer like Seward. THE CaBineT SQUABBLES FOR THE SUCCESSION —Morz Discrosures.—Our Washington advices of this morning are rich in their Cabinet dis- closures. It appears that Cushing is the head man of the Buchanan league in the Cabinet for the succession, and that his conduct towards the President and Marcy has been exceedingly treacherous. Smooth as silk before his face, the Attorney General, behind his master’s back, has been the most active conspirator in shelv- ing him. Pierce is considered too contemptible to be thought of; Douglas is thought to be stone dead, from the recoil of the Nebraska bill ; Cass has had a run, and a losing horse will not answer—Marcy is the only formidable administration party man in the way of Bu- chanan; and this discovery of Cushing’s treachery against the President isso much clear gain to Marcy. Forney is busy in these Buchanan move- ments; but of all men in the Cabinet or Kitchen Cabinet, Forney is the fellow to “make hay while the sun shines.” He is an active con- spirator for the succession; but in the mean- time he is feathering his nest most gloriously. What with Congressional books, buying and selling; and what with Colt’s pistols, Wiscon- sin railroads, Kaneas lands, and other odds and ends picked upas Clerk of the House, manager of the Cabinet organs, and chief of the Kitchen, he is waxing fat—enormously fat—the prize pig among the spoilsmen. Since the George Roberts letter (that jewel of a letter) in the Forrest divorce case, Forney has changed his system of tactics in toto. Then he waseverythiag for his friends and nothing for himself. Now, he is everything for himself, including all that he can make out of his friends. He is a sort of Cardinal Wolsey on a smuli scale, in “ gather- ing up the fragments, that nothing may be lost,” and the leakages of this administration flow chiefly into his pockets. Strange that under such circumstances he should be a party to the treachery of Cushing, in suggesting to the Pennsylvania democracy, confidentially, that Pierce is a mere nobody. Well, this affair will probably be patched up, through the madi- ation of Forney himself. Thus the wrangling between the Cabinet and the Kitchen will con- tinue, and thus poor Mr. Pierce will continue to be hoodwinked and humbugged to the end of the chapter, while the Cabinet continues a unit. Such is our present Forney administra- tion. Patent Leoistarion.—We have not heard much this session of Congress of the renewal of the patent monopoly legislation ot the last, For all that we knew, the leading members of the lobby corps, as detailed in the Letcher committee reports of the last session, may be on hand at Washington, headed by Mr. Dicker- son, with their kid gloves, oyster suppers, re- volvers and pin money; but the reporters and newspaper correspondents are uncommonly quiet. Perhaps a coup d’etat may be contem- plated for the tail ead of the session. Rely upon it, in a matter where Forney hasacontin- gent interest of twenty thousand dollars, the faithful, at the appointed time, must come up to the scratch. Very extraordinary, we think it, that in op- position to Forney’s interests, the President should have declined this session to recommend gislation. Marcy is, perhaps, at the bottom of this. In any event, Mr. Pierce seems to have discovered, since the last session, that in this special legislation for the benetit of rich rail- road land speculating and patent monopolies to the prejudice of the whole commanity, there is something decidedly anti-democratic and un- popular, or something too rotten and corrupt to stand by. The railroad land jobbers and the patent spoilsmen are losing ground. Per- haps they may try a coup d’ctat; but we fear that this twenty thousand bonus to Forney is a bad investment. Who knows? Sraristics or W. H. Sewanp's PowtticaL Prantation.—We have procured the following statistics of the political plantation of W. H. Seward, as at present conducted. They are very curious:— Chief Accounting and Managing Steward of the Es- tate—Thurlow Weed. Confidential Clerk—Henry J. Raymond. Principal Slave Driver of the White Niggers—Horace Greeley. Discarded Overseers—N. Y. Courier and Enquirer and N.Y. Express. Regular Gangs of White Political Niggers—The feee soil remains of the late whig party, Hired Gange—The Utica outside Know Nothings, and the pliable liquor members of the Assembly. On Trial on Short Alowance—The Albany Register, and NY. Commercial Advertiser, At present the regular Know Nothings have a bill in chancery at Albany, the object of which is to oust Master Seward and his retain- ers trom this political estate, comprehending some outside localities. The trial is soon to come off. Seward is on hand, pushing it on. | Are the other side ready? No time to be lost. Be on guard against a snap judgment. A Tantrr Cavevs—A Fizzie.—The caucus of houses, at Washington, the other night, upoa the subject of a redeetias of the duties upon | imports, was a fizzle. They reselved upon a reduction ine general way; bet the resolution of even sixty men out of three ham@red and thirty, has only disclosed the pitia%e weakness of the administration in the two houses. It is fizaling out. It is a fizzle any railroad land grants or patent monopoly le- | the whole commonwealth of New York, and | vome fifty or sixty administration men, of both — A New Year's ‘Torpedo. | The St. Nicholas Hotel on Saturday even- | ing last was the sxene of one of the most re- | markable events that ever transpired during the existence of the New York Heratp. Inas- much as the affair is interesting to every reader of the Henan we will give a description of it. While the Editor of the Heratp was quietly enjoying a book, in his parlor, at the Saint Ni- cholas, on the evening of the 20th December, he was interrupted by a knock at the door. It proved to be occasioned by John Thomas, who had “ two letters for Mr. Benoett.” The let- ters were duly opened and read. The first re- ferred to an accompanying gift, and stated that it was a testimonial of respect and esteem from a number of gentlemen, merchants of New York, and otbers who had associated themselves together for the purpose. The remaining en- velope contained two small keys. A colloquy now ensued between Mr. Bennett and John Thomas. The servant said there was a box. “A box?” said Mr. Bennett. “What sort of a box?’ “Oh, a big box, sir.’ Mr. Bennett naturally asked where it came from, and John Thomas did not know. ‘Who brought it?’ was the next question; to which the rather indefi- nite answer, “‘A carman,” was returaed. A descent was then made to the hall, where the “big box”? was found. The Editor viewed it with a wary eye. ‘No, no!’ said he, “I will not open that box—I have had enough to do with that sort of thing.” A great floo! of light was here let in upon the mind of John Thomas, who broke out with, “By Saint Patrick! you’re right—there’s been a lot of torpedos sent about the country lately!” Another consultation was had, and a small clue to the mystery was found. One of the servants thought that the carman said he was from Ball, Black & Co.’s. This was not testi- mony enough, being only hearsay evidence, and rather weak at that. At this point, Mr. Treadwell, the senior proprietor of the hotel, was sent for; and having been informed as to the box, the letters and so forth, as above re- lated, became highly excited, and said:— “Send somebody down to Ball, Black & Co.’s at once. It may explode now (moving away)—it may go off in an hour or a moment, and blow up the whole house. It’s big enough.” Somebody was immediately sent to Ball, Black & Co.’s. The Editor became cool, while Mr. Treadwell became anxious, impatient and excited. In a short time, Mr. Black appeared ; and smiling benevolently on the party, said :— “You won’t open that box? Ah! be good enough to send me the keys, and I’ll see what it is.” No torpedo there, of a destructive nature— Mr. Treadwell breathes freer—the Saint Nicho- las is safe. The cover is lifted—a second of anxiety—and there is displayed— A Magnificent Service of Silver Plate! A good hearty laugh all round, and a glass of wine with Mr. Treadwell, settled the matter no wonder Mr. Black thought it a good joke. | This service of plate is one of the most magni- ficent, massive, and elegant, that has ever been manufactured in Ball, Black & Co.’s establish- ment. Each piece is engraved with a separate | inscription, and the style of ornamentation is that known as the grape pattern. The work reflects equal credit on the taste of the designer and the skill of the mechanics. The service includes ten pieces, enclosed in a rich brass mounted mahogany chest. The following is an enumeration of the articles—the | value of the whole is about fifteen hundred dollars :— 2 Silver Salyer, 28 inches long. 2 grape pattern Water Pitchers, 20 inches high. Coffee Urn. Creamer. Tea Pot. Hot Milk Pitcher. Hot Water Pitcher. Sugar Bowl. Slop Basin. The ingcriptions are very neatly engraved and run thus: On the salver:— proococcocooc ooo oo CoO OOOO SoG PRESENTED To JAMES GORDON BENNETT, ASA TESTIMONIAL. To the Editor of the truly National Newspaper of the American Republic; the firm and unwavering Supporter of the Constitution ; the Oppo- nent of the Spoils System of Government; Peete teta tate) the ready and eifective Advocate of the Rights of the People. New York Crry, January, 1855, eocceccoeccooe ceooocoeccoooce‘oe On one of the water pitchers :-— | | | } eococooc oes ooo oo OS OOS BOSCO OOO | PRESENTED TO JAMES GORDON BENNETT, ‘AS A TestiMoNtAt. oF His Independent and fearless course As Epiror or THE NEW YORK HERALD. ecocooossooseseseososeeooseSeoSe | On the other :— prc eocooscoo coo COC OOOO OSC OO Oey ° ° jo ° lo ° ;o Poooeccoscoe sooo gOS ooo NCOOS On the coffee urn :— 9806 06000090000060090000000g | ° rn ° o | o| ° ° ° ° ©C0Cos000000000000060000009 On the creamer:— geecoeccocesecocececcesoele | eoocecce, Cecscocoose® PRESENTED TO JAMES GORDON BENNETT, U vies a8 rt of thi nwavering su: of the MECHANICS Ov Te: Mrrropous or tie Usioy. eoececooe PRESENTED TO JAMES GORDON BENNETT, For the VALOABLE Assistayce or THe NEW YORK HERALD, For the Advancement eeccoocec] of the CommenctaL Inrerests or THe Rercauc. ° ° ° o bese: GORDON ponent ° ° ‘THE TRUTHFUL EXPO! ° ° OF AMERICAN INTERESTS. ° Secccecsoocecoccesceceecoes On the tea-pot:— goececoecseecocesccocccccoe jo PRISENTED TO ° }° JAMES GORDON BENNETT, ° }o ‘Tay ARCHITECT OF 18 OWN Fortexe; ° ° An Example ° ° TO THE RISING GENRRATION, o | Goocccccscccccecocscecacoos On the hot milk pitcher: eocoocoocos soos coe ooo oO ooSS © ° o ot 92900, PREBKMTED TO JAMES GORDON BENNETT, the Mast Abused EDITOR IN AMERICA, 208 eeceoceeeseosesoocosescoces On the hot water »itcher:— eceeocococeesocscoaccooeseoesy PRESENTED TO JAMES GORDON BENNETT, The Fatthful Upholder + or INTERESTS ABROAD eose00 AMERICAN O59 COSCCCOSOEOOOSSSOOSOOES On the sugar bowl:— He SCO SCSSOOSOCOSO SCO ODESEDO0y be PRIFENTED TO = Ma JAMES GORDON BENNETT, a b4 FOR MI ABILITY AND Pinetity 4 . 1 Support of the ° ° compro MEASURES OF 1860. Fe dewOOU EWES rE Cer ewsbee cee! | This may appear to some an extraordinary de- | the pressure of business” shall require it. And | the same may be said of sll the speculators, | street. | Commerce, like the Tribune, Times, and Sun, , tions, has fallen into a rapid decline. | journal may think this a singular classification; ; as entirely correct. | the Obristopher Columbus—of the daily abolition | anti-slavery paper of the class to which | the South; and hence, the first man selected for | fresh from the very hotbed of what was then | _ fierce agitations of the slavery question, which, On the slop basin:— 0299 200000000009000099000990% PRESENTED TO JAMES GORDON BENNETT, The Advocate Or Ricur ann Justice. occoe eocoe Sepsccocooseooeesc ooo op lool ON® This splendid testimonial comes from some of the merchants and mechanics of New York, as a tribute to the Hrravp, and their sentiments on the subject are expressed in the inscriptions. We have given above an exact account of its reception, and we are still in the dark as to the names of the donors. It is the most substantial token of public appreciation that we have ever received. We have been connected with the | American newspaper press for thirty-five years. The New York Heratp, now in its twentieth year, was the pioneer of the independent press, and it claims to have been the first to expose the corruptions of the old parties, and to pre- pare the way for a better state of things; and while it continues to receive the support of the merchants and mechanics of New York and of the Union, it will live to see through the pre- sent great revolution, and to enjoy the brighter days beyond. We thank the donors of the above named tes- timonial for the splendid gift. It will be con- sidered as part and parcel of the Heraup establishment, and it will be handed down from generation to generation. It is “not for a day, but for all time.”’ Decay of Abolitionism in the North—Curtall- ment of the Anti-Slavery Newspaper Press. Abolitionism in the North is in a state of decay—rapid decay. The present hard times have put it to the test, and it is sinking under the pressure. This fact has been strikingly il- lustrated within the last few months, in the curtailment of the daily anti-slavery journals, open and disguised, of this city—the last and most striking example among them being the cutting down of the Journal of Commerce to the extent of about one-third from its late am- bitious but ruinous dimensions. In this matter of curtailment the Tribune led the way, in a marked reduction of its size, and in the substitution of a cheap and inferior quality of paper in the place of a comparatively good and expensive article. Next, our junior Seward organ—the Times—adopted the same expedient of “ making both ends meet.” Next the Sun, in the reduction of its sheet, at a sin- gle blow diminished its annual bill for white paper to the extent of ten or twelve thousand . dollars; lastly, the Journal of Commerce, the founder of the whole school of our modern North- ern anti-slavery daily journals, has, from the same causes, been driven to the same extremity. Tt opens the new year very considerably shorn of its fair proportions. Another such downward step, including its limited and rather private cir- culation, will bring it fairly within the reach of that Robert Macaire of Wall street, the New York Express. Onur hard-up cotemporaries of the Journal of Commerce, with their issue of the first day of thenew year, say that, “with the compliments of the season we present our sheet in @ some- what reduced form, though still large enough for convenience.” No doubt of it, especially for the “convenience” of the publishers. They further say, that from the reduction of the California and Australian trade, and the gen- eral dullness of business, “we are enabled to curtail our dimensions without damage, we trust, to any important interest.” We hope 80, too; and, in fact, have very little fear taat any important interest will suffer from this abridgement. Even the paper mills will feel their loss on this account very slightly, im- portant as the saving may be to our hard pressed complainants. But they say, too—and this isan important saving clause—that ‘ ‘we | hold ourselves in readiness to expand again whenever the pressure of business requires it.” claration; but we have not the slighest doubt in the world that the Zrijune, Times, and Sun will be equally ready to “expand again whenever shavers, and kite-flyiog financiers of Wall Here, then, are the facts: The Journal of succumbs to the pressure of the existing hard times, and, “with the compliments of the sea- son,’’ presents its sheet, “in a somewhat re- duced form.” Why is this? Why should the Sun and the Journal, in this curtailment, fol- low go closely upon the heels of the Tribune and the Times? The answer is simple enough. Itis becaure they are all more or less identified with abolitionism; and because abolitionism in the North, sioce the late Know Nothing elec- The younger readers of the razeed Wall street but a few historical facts will fully establish it The Journal of Commerce was the pioncer— newspapers of the North. It wag started some thirty years ago by Arthur Tappan, the great leader of the modern abolitionists, not as an the Tribune and Times now belong, but as an out-and-out flaming firebrand ot im mediate emancipation. Tappan put into this dashing enterprise a society investment of some thirty thousand dollars. The object was to “carry the war into Africa’’—that is, into editor was a Southern man, a Virginian, of the name of Maxwell. But, upon trial, he proved to be too moderate in his views, and he was ac- | cordingly supplanted by Hale, a Boston man, the newly organized abolition party. Since that day, the Journal of Commerce has fallen from grace. Other papers have over- shadowed and superseded it in the advocacy of the doctrines of the radical Boston fanatics; but stil), the glory, or the infamy—whichever it may be—of having been the pionver, the first daily organ of the modern Garrison school of abolitionists, belongs to our Wall street con- | temporary. To the same source velongs the | credit of organizivg and giving shape, con. | tisteney, and direction in the outset, to the | jor the last thirty years, have periotically con- vulsed the Union, and which, in lieu of the pre-existing harmonious relations between the North and South, have excited jealonsies. unimosities and sectional bitterness that will require years of conciliation and friendly reciprocities to remevy. Steb are the abolition antecedents and achievements of the Journal of Commerce. | Latterly its editorial conduct has failen into | the bends of a saintly moralist of the name of Ruther, but not in the highest estimation for tanctity among bis Wali stiect neighbors, In deed, according to the testimony of Chev of Chevalier Watson Webb, who seems to have devoted some time and considerable research into the character of our hero, he is little better thim a man whose testimony is good for nothing. At all events, this man, while pretending to be the conductor of a public journal advocating the rights of the South under the constituti@. and fighting the battles of the South against the abolitionists of the North, is, we say, from his insidious policy upon the subject of slavery, still an active enemy cf the South, wong “wy in the enemy’s camp. The evidence upon this point is furnished in almost every numer of the Journal of Com- merce. The clerk’s desk of that establishment is the favorite depository for the relief of Southern slaves from the bondage of a master and labor upon compulsion. From day to day, the contributions to purchase the freedom of “the slave Harry,” or ‘the slave Pompey,” or some other slave,are paraded in the columns 4f the paper in question, with calls for further supplies to complete the manumission, and to give the pining applicant a taste of the bless- ings of free negro liberty in the North. The effect of these publications in the South, among the blacks, may be readily divined. They ex- cite dissatisfaction, the most delusive visions of Northern negro liberty and Northern gene- rosity, and attempts on the part of deluded slaves to escape to the underground railroad, in the hope, at the last extremity, of exciting the sympathy of the Journal of Commerce, and a subscription to buy the freedom of the detect- ed runaway. Thus a single number of the Journal of Commerce, falling into the hands of a slave who can read, may infect the slaves of a half dozen plantations with its insidious poi- son, And we doubt not that this is more the real intent of Master Butler than the liberation of Harry or Pompey. Certainly the conservative spirit of the North, in the present decay of abolitionism, has thought proper to classify the Journal of Commerce with the Tribune and Times as papers that may be most readily dis- pensed with under the existing depression. And the “sober second thought of the people’? is seldom erroneous. The antecedents and proclivities of the Journal, and the other anti-slavery dailies that have come to a cyr- tailment, are suffering from the same causedy and can only “expand” when the anti-slavery agitation shall again revive. Meantime, while Southern men know what the Tribune is, let them be guarded against the insidious bypb- crisy of the Journal of Commerce. It has changed its face to the Southward, but is still as warmly abolitionist at the bottom ag when first established by Arthur Tappan. New SryLe or Buxcomex Sreecaes.—The democratic members of Congress are adopting a new style of Buncombe speeches—being no- thing more nor less than regular set speeches against the principles and policy, organization and discipline of the Know Nothings, of which the learned speakers confess they know nothing. They are fighting shadowe—wasting their strength upon the empty air. It will avajl nothing. The new party will go on, revolu- tionizing every State important to-their pur- poses, until their work is done. They are in fora thorough-going revolution. But it is a great mistake to suppose that there is anything of slavery abolition, or of the alien and sedi- tion laws in their real designs. Nothing of the sort. The Know Notbings, in a national view, are a great American popular party, rising up to abolish the corruptions of the old parties, and to clean out the filthy political stables at Washington from stem to stern. It is a great Union movement, and must finish its work. Nothing more is contemplated. Nothing less ' will do. Buncombe speeches against the Know Nothings are like whistliog against the wind. THE LATEST NEWS.” BY MAGNETIC AND PRI PRINTING TELEGRAPHS, Extraordinary News from Washi TREY MEDIATION PROJECT ABANDONED—MORE ABOUT THE OSTEND CONFERENCE-—THE NEW TARIFF BILL. Wasuinotox, Jan. 4, 1859. The mediation resolutions will not be reported by the © Committee on Foreign Affairs, as the President has anti- cipated them by once tendering to the belligerents the mediation of this government, which was promptly rejected. A report now would be hutniliating. The administration now admits the Ostend conference to have been its own offspring; but Mr. Marcy declares that Soulé was an interloper in the affair. The resolu- tions of inquiry were suppressed ut the instance of the administration. Had they been adopted, the Prerilent would have been compelled, as Mr. Marcy says, to re- fuse the correspondence. This wouid have created dis- trust abroad and embarrass: at home. ‘The Committee of Ways an@ report a new tariff bill on Tuesday next. CABINET SQUANBLES FOR THE SUCCESSION—CUSH- ING’S TREACHERY FASTENED UPON HIM—AWFUL, SCENE IN THE WHITE HOUSE—FORNEY’S HAUL OF THE SPOILS—HIS INTEREST IN COLT’S PATENT — CENTRAL AMERICAN SCHEME--GRORGE LAW'S MUSKETS, BTC. Wastxerow, Jan. 4, 1855. Important revelations bave just taken place that are | well calculated to change the preseat politien! state of things in thia city. A few hours before the exit of the old year the Presi\ dent bad placed before him the living evidence of Cush- ing’s treachery in the form of a letter written by the Attorney General to a personal friend in Pennsylvania,, advisatory of the secret movements now making to- wards the next Presidency. This letter—whieh, by the way, was the property of a distinguished lawyer elected at the rocent canvass toa judgeship of great promi- nency in his native State—was sent by him in confi, dence to a member of the Senate for explanation, and, through this channel, it finally fell into the President’@ hand, I am sufficiently well informed to give you a few particulars in addition to the above. ‘The letter, efter a perusal, was pronounced by the President a forgery. Its genuineness was insisted upord, and to settle the matter, the Presi¢ent’s complimeats were sent to Mr, Cushing, expressing a wish to seo him. The Attorney General accompanied the messenger, and, upon entering the executive chamber, he found the Presi- dent standing, and in conversation. The simple question’ “Is this your letter, Mr. Cushing!’ was, after much hesitancy, replied to in the affirmative. Explanation, was requested, but the self-colleeted re«ponse of Some ’ for the moment distaissed the subject. on hour after this scene the name of Forneg nnced. “Am evgaged; cav’t see him," was jeant reply. You will bear in mind that when pranbores was given the Iresident waa alone in his cive the verbatim chatucter of this éloctionser- the most unjust aspersions were cast opon, eneral Pieree (or bis reteation in th # Cabinet of Macey, and the inexpedieney of mentioning his (Pierce's) name , in connection with the next Presideney was clearly sh not anticipate the result of all this, bot the & «of the Cabinet, so much the subject of? enlogy on the part of the Union organ, exist only in the ink which puts them forth to a supposed gullible people asat The ‘lent Is becoming Cally convinced of tte in- sincerity of thore about him. expresses himself as determined to bang on. John W. Forney has possessed himself of over one | hundred U onsamd dollars during his two yeare sojourn | in this city | successful, will give bim twenty thousand @oilars ip Tie has now a single job in hand, whieh, i€ To Marey and Dobbin bof, OOOO EO