The New York Herald Newspaper, January 25, 1855, Page 4

188 NEW YORK HERALD. JaMES ten all eyvICB ¥. W. CORNER MB, cash in advance DAILY HERALD. © cents per copy—S7 THE WEEKLY HERALD every Saturday at Og cents per srs or $8.per cnnura: the Burapean Eiion $4 per anntuon spony gart of G ne and % to any part of the Con- | ‘ALL LET’ ‘Mail’ for Subscriptions or with Adver- deoments 10 be gost ae Skeet Lee. money cemnbited: OL UN Tak Y CORRESPONDENCE, containing impor- tant news, volicted from any quarter of the worl used i for. wg OuR Forzion Connesron- ULARLY REQUESTED TO SEAL ALL AND FULTON 87S Pet ponem. No, 24 AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. BROADWAY THEATRE, Broadway—CrnpeRertsa— Bona fing TRAVELLER, | BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—Foarune's Froui0— @uaven Twist—MAcKPPA BURTON'S THEATRE, Chambers street—Our Ser— Sovusa’s SuPvER. WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway—Niont axv Mory- wave—Lapy anv GexTieman. MEBVROPOLITAN THEATRE, Broadway—Vinoin or ame Sun~Uncix Sam—S: @xipEGRooM. AMERICAN MUSEUM. ‘wrncon—Rosser’s Wire— Lavine roo Faser. Evening—Rarvartieg—Tuz Mippy Asnons. WOOD'S MINSTRELS, Me BUCKLEY'S OPERA Fi save Exwiortan Urxaa Tao’ DONALDSON’S OPERA HOUSE, Hope Chapel, 718 and 720 Broadway. New York, Thursday, January 25, 1855. nics’ Hall—t72 Broadway. 539 Brosdway—Buox The News, Is the United States Senate yesterday, after the twansaction of some unimportant business, and a short executive session, the Army Appropriation bill was taken up. $268,000 were appropriated for existing arsenals, and for magazines and arsenals in New Mexico, Texas, Oregon and California; the ikem of subsistence was increased to $276,000; for sarveys of military defences $15,000 were appro- priated, and $30,000 for stereotype works on infantry tactics, fer nse throughout the country; $74,000 was voted for machinery, repairs and improvements at the armories at Harper’s Ferry and Springfield; $30,000 is to be spent in experimenting with droms- daries for military purposes; $130,000 was voted to pay the six companies of Texas rangers now employ- ed against the Indians in that State. Amendments were adopted allowing the troops at Fort Laramie ‘be extra pay given soldiers in California; making an sppropriation for the manufacture of breech-loading firearms; regulating the distribution of arms among the States; authorizing an examination into the damage done by Col. Fremont’s battalion; and ia: ‘oreasit g the pay and rations of soldiers. The bill eontains an appropriation of $325,000 for the exten” sien of the capitol, and a motion to strike it out led to general discussion of the principles of acoustics and ventilation, which was interrupted by a measage ‘teem the President relative to Texan troops in the service of Texas who have net been paid by the general government. Mr. Seward reported a bill carrying out the reciprocity treaty. The Commitee on Commerce asked to be relieved from considering the propozal of Messrs. Hasted & Krochl, relative to clearing away the obstructions at Hell Gate, the State of New York not having proposed the mea- sare. The proposition of these gentlemen is now before the Legislature. In the House yesterday the debate on the French apotiation bill was resumed. Mr. Benton opposed it and treasury plunderers generally, with great vehe- mence. Mr. Letcher effered an amendment to ex. lode al} insurance compsnies from the benefit of ‘te provisions, This will, it is said, if agreed to, veduce the claims two thirds, and @:taally break =p an important interest in the claims. The discus- ston on the merita of the bill will close at three @olock to-day. It is reported that the President ‘will jollow the example of Mr. Polk, and veto. the bill, if passed. On the 5th inst. we published the bill introduced im the New York Senate by Mr. Putnam, to vest ali ehurch property in corporations organized by gene. val act establishing religious societies. It came up again yesterday, and, according to our report, the select committee to whom it was referred are unaai- mously in its favor. Our views are given at length * wpon this subject in the editorial columns. It ap. pears that the same matter has been introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate. The Pennsylvania bill is more comprehensive than that of New York, but it strikes at the same objections tothe existing siaie efthings. We give portions of the Pennsylvania bill im another column. The proceedings in the Legislature yesterday were important. A report was presented in the Senate relative to the obstructions to navigation in the Hindson river, concluding with a resolution request- jag our Senators dnd Representatives in Congress to urge the passage of a law making an appropria- tion for the removal of obstructions upon a scale which will bea permanent and complete improve. ment. The report may be found under the appro. priate head. In the Assembly a bill was intro. @uced to dispose of the quarantine property at Staten Island. It is proposed to placo a floating hospital in the cove north of Coney Island for {the reception of the sick. The resolution inquiriag whether any military companies im the State are organized contrary to law, and @recting that if there are any such they shall be dis- banded, was adopted by a vote of 86to 25. This is @ decided K. N. movement, and shows the drift of the tide clearly. The invitation of the Ten Gover- mors to the Legislature was accepted after a lively debate. It still hangs fire in the Senate, but they will also accept in proper time. The consideration ef the temperance bill was psesed over until the afternoon, when the debate was resumed relative to ‘the profits to be allowed dealers appointed under the ect. It is conjectured that the temperance men design to delay final action on the measure until after the election of United States Senator. Elsewhere will be found a fall account of a serious @aturbance which took place yesterday afternoon, among the ‘lougahoremen, on pier No. 6 North river, in which the hands of two canai boats, dis- charging cargo into the ship Empire State, were badly treated. A detachment of policemen arriving promptly at the scene of the skirmish, the rioters fed from the pier in great haste. One of the party ‘was arreeted, however, aud identified by the com- plainants as having been engaged in assaulting them. The prisoner, whose name is Patrick Hear- mey, was committed to prison for riot and assault and battery, in default of $500 bail. The entire country north of Mason and Dixon's lime, and away out into the illim'table West, has been visited daring the past twenty-four hours by a fall of snow of most respectable depth and dense- nit & special meeting of the Board of Elucation, held last evening, the select committee to which was referred the contested election of ths Fourth ward, reported in favor of A. B. Day, as ‘Commis- sioner of that ward. The report was, however, laid on the table. In the New Jersey House of Representatives on Tuesday the Prohibitory Liquor bill passed to a third reading. A motion to exclade lager bier was negatived. The bill will be voted on by the people im October next, and if ratified wil! gointo effect ia February following. The investigation into the affairs of the Empire City Bank was resumod yesterday evening, at half past three o'clock, before Judge Roosevelt, and stands further adjourned. The bank insist that they have a surplus of $45,500, whilst the counsel for the petitioners contend that their present ina- bility to meet the demands upon thom amounts to imsolvency. ‘An interesting motion to discharge an order for with the Gadsden treaty, was commenced yester- day before Judge Hoffnan, and sdjourned to this day. The republic of Mexico is complainant in the affair, and Senor Francisco de Arrangoiz, former Minister of Finance and « member of the Cabinet of that country, is the defendant. The news from Bermuda to the 10:h inst. is worthy of a note ortwo. The agrionltural proe pects are represented to be favorable, avd a larger growth of potatoes is to be attempted thia season. The Imperial Custom Houss at Bermuda, as at Canada, was abolished on the 5th inst.—the busi- ness passing over to the Colonial reveaue office. The subject of foreign pauper emigration to this country is one of great importance, and we perceive that it is receiving proper attention both in Con- grere, in our State Legislatare, and in our municipal bodies. At the meeting of the Commissioners of Emigration last evening, the commistee recently appointed to confer with a committee of the Board of Councilmen on this question, reported that a bill in relation to the matter bas been prepared, which will be immediately rent to Washington. A com- mittee of five Governors will proceed to the capital to attend to the subject before Congress. At the West, also, there is a growing feeling in regard to this question, and we obwrve that the Infirmary Board ot Cincinnati have directed the prosscuting officer of that city to bring an action against the New Orleaus Emigratios Sovlety for forwarding two hundred pauper emig'auta there. Are not our Commiszioners Hable to some extent ? The inclemency of the weather yesterday inter- fered comewhat with outdoor business, and trade, in @ general way, was somewhat less active. Cotton sold to the extent of only a few hundred bales, with: out further change in prices, which were quite steady. Inferior and common grades of flour were heavy, while other descriptions were unchanged. Sales were made to a fair extent, including some lots for export. Long Island red wheat sold at $2 20, delivered in Brooklyn; Genesee, Western and Southern were nominal. Indian corn closed at one to two cents per bushel higher. Rye was nominal. Old mess pork sold in amall lots at $12 50, which was an advance. Other articles of provisions were unchanged. William Wilson, the fireman who wss injured at the burning of Mr. Haven’s house at Fort Washing- ton, died yesterday. He will be buried to-morrow. The Spanish Cortes and the Island of Cuba— Return of Soule to the United States. We published yesterday the instractive speech of M. Mariategui as the leading featare of the important discussion which took place in the session of the late Spanish Constituent Cor- tes, of the 18th December last, on the Cuba question. The tacts and reasonings of that speech corroborate all our recent disclosures from London, Paris and Washington, concern- ing the diplomacy of the Ostend Convention, and the inflexible attitude of Spain in regard to her “ever faithful island.” The declaration of the Spanish Minister of State that his govern- ment “would never consent to the sale of Cuba, considering it a sale of the national ho- nor,” afforded the fitting occasion for the speech of Senor Mariategui, and also for the significant vote of the Cortes sustaining the minister’s de- claration. , Upon this same subject, we transfer to our columns to-day a brief but comprehensive lead- ing article from the Charleston Mercury. In perusing this article the reader cannot fail to remark its striking coincidence, in the general argument, to the opinions expressed by Senor Mariategui, whose speech, we are well aware, is yet unknown to our Charleston cotem- porary. The editor of the Mercury, however, it may be remarked, generally discusses the Cuba question upon the basis of “fixed facts” and the sound principles of common sense. It is not wonderful, therefore, that bis declaration that in his judgment, “from the first” there were “‘Jittle hopes of the success of Soulé’s avowed mission,” should come to us vis-a-vis with the speech of Mariategui at Madrid, and the authoritative statement from the Spanish Minister of State that Spain “never will con- sent to the sale of Cuba.” The elements of sound logic in both hemispheres are the same. The precise point, however, of our Charles- ton cotemporary, is, how shall Soulé be re- ceived on his return to the United States? The Mercury, in behalf of the South Caroli- nians, very naturally says, “it behooves us to be generous towards him, to lighten to the ut- most the burden which now weighs upon the faithful, if unsuccessful, public servant.” And why? Because, in the Senate of the United States, upon the compromise measures of 1850, Soulé was with the Southern ultras, and an earnest advocate of the policy of South Caro- lina of that day, of the immediate secession of the Southern States in a body from the federal Union. We agree, then, that it behooves the seces- sionists “to be generous towards him,” “to lighten his burden,” to “welcome him with open arms,” and to return him to the Senate as soon as possible, because, by the ultras of the Soath, he may soon be wanted in the approach- ing “inevitable crisis of her existence and ho- nor.” Thus argues the Mercury, and in this view of the case, the Southern secessionists from Charleston to New Orleans should cer- tainly welcome the return of Soulé “with open arms.”’ The Cuban filibusters and red republicans of New York, we understand, have adopted a similar resolution. Soulé, on his return here, isto be entertained by a welcome and proces- sion of the same unique and filibustering mate- rials as that which honored his departure hence for Spain. And why not? If he has failed to realize the prophecy of the Order of the Lone Star, that The nweet isle of Cuba, The flower of the Gulf, Shall be plucked from the jaws Of the Spanish she-wolf. The fault is not theirs, nor his own. Soulé was willing, faithful and earnest in his efforts to pluck this “flower,” this “sweet isle,” this jewel from the crown of Isabella; bat the Cuban Junta and the Lone Star were deceived, and their champion was betrayed. Treachery is the word. He was betrayed by a reckless, demoralized and imbecile administration. He set sail for Spain with “a hundred mil- lions in one hand, and war in the other.” His instructions were adapted to his inclinations— he was despatched to purchase the island, or to provoke a war, which would justify a forcible seizure. He went out with the fullest confi- dence of the President, and the fallest assur- ances that a bold and belligerent policy at Madrid would be sustained by all the power of the government. He returns home !aMied, de- serted and betrayed—he returns disgusted and indignant—a wiser, if not a more prudent man. We presume that Soulé fully comprehends by this time the criminal stupidity of Dudley Mann’s foreign programme—the relations and policy of Hngland and France towards the United States upon the Cuba uestion, without even reading the speech of Mariategui. Our unlucky Ambassador has, no doubt, discovered that England, in no event, will go to war with France will pursue the policy ot England. Our commerce will bind them both to keep the peace with us. And yet, the object of Soulé, (under Dudley Mann’s delusive policy, adopted by Mr. Pierce to begin with,) appears to have been as much directed to a quarrel with France as to a rupture with Spain; as if France, through the Empress Eugenie, were in the joint poseession of Cuba with Queen Isabella, Hence those duels, those curious official travels of Soulé, the Ostend Conferenc2, and the affair at Calais. Sorry, indeed, bas been the wild goose chase of Soulé’s mission, and pitiful the imbe- cility through which he was betrayed, aban- doned, and recalled. We think it best that the shrinking and vacillating weakness of Mr. Pierce has, in the end, succumbed to the old fogy paeific counsels of Marcy. Spain will not sell, and we are not quité ready for war. Congress have refused the ten millions ordered by Dudley Mann, and those war steamers are getting on slowly. Aud we concur with the Charleston Mercury that if, instead of sending a filibuster to Madrid, we had detailed the most pacific and acceptable diplomat in the United States, the result would have been the same, from the simple fact that Cuba isnot in the market. Soulé’s has been @ blundering, eccentric and lamentable miesion from first to last ; but the fault, we re- peat, is not his. He was but the instrument of a weak, kite flying, treacherous and imbecile administration, Soulé has been faithful to his principles. Had Mr. Pierce stood faithfully by him, our filibusteros might now be singing songs among the orange groves of Cuba instead of lamenting the disbanded volunteers of General Quitman. It is better that Marcy has prevailed ; but this does not absolve the administration for its treachery to Soule. Consequently, we approve the suggestion of the Charleston Mercury that Soulé by the se- cessioniats should be received with open arms; and we also approve the procession contem- plated upon his return by the Cuban Junta and red republicans of New York. The occa- sion will give to their hero a glorious opportu- nity for a full exposition of the double deal- ings and deceptions which have resulted in his misfortunes and his recali at his own request. In the interval, the debates in the Spanish Cortes, and the London, Paris and Washington disclosures of Soulé’s diplomatic career, re- quire by Congress a peremptory demand for all the papers and correspondence in the State Department touching the Ostend Convention. Soulé may not return until the adjournment of Congress. Meantime, considering that the purchase of Cuba is out of the question, let us have the Ostend papers from the State de- partment, Whe Church Property Question. Abont a fortnight ago, Senator Putnam in- troduced into the Senate of New York a bill to vest the property of all religious congregations in corporations organized under the general act establishing religious societies for the pur- pose. Yesterday the subject was again brought up, when Mr. Putnam stated that the select committee to whom the question was referred, were wnanimously in favor of the principle of the bill. The object sought is to defeat the ar- rangement by which Archbishop Hughes and the Bishops of Albany and Buffalo have tried to get hold of the real property of the Roman Catholic congregations in this State. The two former, as is known, have succeeded, and the real estate, churches, &c., within the diocesses of New York and Albany now stand in the name of the prelates; but the lay trustees at Buffalo have proved obstinate, and de- spite the pastoral exertions of Monsignor Be- dini, papal legate, have persisted in retaining possession of their lands and buildings. Sena- tor Putnam now means to place matters on the same footing in the other diocesses, and to this end his bill declares that ‘no grants, convey- ances, devises or leases of real estate, &c., ap- propriated to religious purposes, shall vest any Tight, &c , in the grantee, dc.” unless the grant be made to a corporation organized under the general act. With grants heretofore made, the Legislature of course cannot interfere, and whatever happens Archbishop Hughes and the Bishop of Albany will hold their present estate for life. But on their demise, should the bill pass, the property will go to the corporations chosen by the congregations, and not to their successors, There can be but little question of the propriety of the change. It has never answer- ed to vest church property in priests. The popular prejudice against the thing is too gene- ral and too deep rooted to rest ona slender basis. All experience teaches that priests are only too apt to identify themselves with the Deity whose ministers they are, and thus come naturally to regard property set apart for His service in the same light os if it were appropri- ated for their own. This cannot be done with- out great risk of injury to the rights of the real owners. Again clergymen are of all classes the least fitted to undertake the cares of man- aging property. Even churches and grave- yards require management, and business tact is necessary for the work: this requisite is rarely found in a priest whose duties and habit of thought lie in a totally opposite di- rection, But if the occupations of the clergy unfit them for the temporal care of managing real property economically and profitably, they seem by no means backward to take advantage of the power it confers. The divine right has not been more truly handed down from St. Peter to Archbishop Hughes than a covetous hankering after houses and lands from the im- mediate successors of the apostles to the hier- arcby of our times. The moment Christianity set foot in Western Europe its first act was to get hold of property. Every one is familiar with the scores of schemes which were used in former centuries by the abbots and clergy to screw donations and bequests out of kings, lords and rich men. It is also manifest that the abuse they made of the power thus gained was one of the prime causes of their own ruin and the success of the Reformation. It is hard to say what share the prospect of plunder- ing the abbeys had in inducing the great Eng- lish lords to espouse the cause of the Reform- ers; but certain it is that their conversion to Protestantism was speedily followed by their partition of the church property, and thus the | very source of the power of the Papists was also the source of their overthrow. In France—ac- cidental circumstances having prevented the success of Protestantism—the work of stripping the church wae left to the civil authorities. Louis XIV. began the work ; the priests them- | selves gave it their aid under the reign of Louls XVI. ; and the revolution completed it. In grrest, involving some circumstances connected } this country over the island of Cuba; and that | Spain, at the accessign of Carlos IIT., it was egm- NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY JANUARY 26, 1855. . puted that the church held over one-thirtieth the entire property in the kingdom; aad the consequence was that Aranda exp*Med the Je- suits, Joseph Bonaparte abolished the Inquisi- | tion, and the Spanish church at this day is at a | lower ebb than any Christian church in Europe | —almost on a par with Islamism ia Turkey, | Archbishop Hughes ia now endeavoring to play the same part here that the bishops and abbots did in these three countries before the Ruforma- tion. It were as much for the interest of the Roman Catholic faith as for that of the laity that his aim be defeated. But there is snother reason—and apparently aquite conclusive one—why the church pro- perty should not be vested in the Bishops and Archbishop. By the laws ot the land, Joba Hughes cannot devise, bequeath, or give a tifle to any real property whatsoever in this State. He may have declared his intention of becomiag acitizen, and gone through all the forms necessa- ry to naturalization ; but it is notorious that he has not renounced allegiance to all foreiga Potentates, for he owes allegiance at this mo- ment to the Pope. This allegiance is due from all the Catholic clergy, in virtue of their office; and the day they renounce it, they cease to be priests or bishops as the case may be. If there- fore Archbishop Hughes has renounced alle- giance to that foreign Potentate the Pope, he is no longer rightfully an Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church and certainly has no right to hold the property of the congregation of that faith. If he bas not renounced alle- giance to the Pope, he stands in the light of any other alien, and at his death property held in his name escheats to the State. This is the predicament in which Catholics in this and the Albany diocess now find themselves. Mr. Putnam’s bill is designed to relieve thom, andunder the circumstances there does not seem to be any question but it must succeed in becoming a law. The heads of the church may lose property thereby, but what of that? In the universal joy diffused by the recent de- cision at Rome on the immaculate conception of theVirgin, a trifling loss of lands and houses will not be felt. What the clergy have lost in real estate, the church has gained in doctrine; and surely poiuts of belief are worth more than acres. Practica Cuaritres.—Philosophers tell us that charity is one of the divine virtues. It is said to flourish in democratic governments, and to decline under despotisms. New York,which is a democracy with dirty streets, is particular- ly benevolent. Journalists give us a great deal of fine writing about this virtue, and Miss Smith or Mrs. Snob and Mr. Jones are daily glorified for their donations of soup, blankets, religious tracts and wholesome moral advice. Wall street grows liberal—the Chamber of Com- merce votes money for the unemployed work- men, and we may expect to see an incorporated soup association of the bulls and bears, The divine virtue spreads through all classes of the community. The Fifth avenue catches the in- fection, and certain fashionable ladies see fit to bring themselves before the public as so many agents for the Methodist almoner at the Points, or asthe projectors of great popular crushes, called by courtesy “balls for the re- lief of the poor.” Now, this is all very well in theory; and though these charitable people ure as often uc- tuated by ostentation as by benevolence, yet they are entitled to all the credit which is given them. They are the saints of the nine- teenth century, and, like Fra Diavolo, they atone for their crimes by giving five per centum of their acquisitions from one generation of widows and orphans for the relief of ano- ther. Such disinterested virtue is eatitled to the praise of all good men. But these excel- lent persons should not denounce every one who happens to differ from them in opinion, or to stigmatise as monsters, demons, and #0 forth, those benighted individuals who are so stupid as to think that a great deal more real good may be done to the poor by giving them work instead of alms. The capitalists of this city could very easily find labor enough to employ every man now out of employment. But they prefer to lock up their funds and temporise with their consciences. They keep a thousand workmen out of employment, and by paying five dollars for # ball ticket, they secure to themselves all the consolations of religion, and consider that they have made a good investment here- | after. The fashionable ladies are perfectly | willing to assist the poor, providing that they can gain notoriety, and amuse themselves at the same time. The poor, meantime, lead a jolly Bohemian existence. There is plenty of soup, and an occasional donation for rent. So we have a regiment of the unemployed pa- rading our streets, declaiming in the Park and on the corners. Manufacturers and master mechanics have considered the discharge of their workmen by thousands as a necessary measure. Many | good mechanics are broken and dispirited by these means. They become dissipated—indo- lence is the mother of crime—and a month of idleness is sufficient to corrapt almost any | man accustomed to daily labor. Here is where the great mistake was made at the outset. The number of workmen at our | great foundries and other extensive establish- ments should not have been reduced. If there was not work enough for all of them to do they should have been put on half time. In times of prosperity these im- mense workshops have netted for their pro- prietors princely fortunes. They should be | willing, as we have been, to take the bad along with the good. The Hxratp gives constant direct employment to three hundred persons, and as many as fifteen hundred others—corres- pondents, carriers, paper-makers, type-foun- ders, ink manufacturers, press makers, &¢.— | depend either wholly or in part upon this jour- nal for their support. The immense expendi- ] ture incurred in the publication of the paper might be essentially diminished, and we should | | be considered as entitled to credit for benevo- | | lence if, after cutting off forty or fifty or a hun- dred heads, we should donate twenty-five dollars to the association for the relief of the poor—if | we got up a ball, either fall dress or calico, all the Lady Bountifuls in the city would unite in @ grand choras in our pralse. Bat we do not eee fit 0 todo. We keep our full comple- ment of writers, reporters, correspondents, | compositor, pressmen, &c., &c.—our army is full—the commissariat is well attended to—the quarters are comfortable, and the troops have fall pay, and buy their own rations with their own money. It is hardly necessary to say that, if our ex- ample had been imitated in other large estab- | lishments, there would have been no need of calico parties, great theatrical balls, or other | | lic lands to political favorives, at nominal prices. by | of the road, or Sy nearly all the directors. | right of the entertainments—the propriety of which, under the ci is very questionable—‘ for the relief of the poor.” And this for the very good reason that there would have been no poor to relieve. But, so long as @ man is fed and clothed by charity, so long he will be found too lazy to work. We do not speak now of those independent mechanics who sigh for better times and suffer in eeeret rather than eat the bread of the men- dicant. But it cannot be denied that there are many men who will never seek work while they can live upon charity. And it seems to us that it would be more like real practical charity for our leading people, so ealled, to endeavor to make work for the poor rather than to rack their brains in getting up balls, concerts, parties and other frivolous entertain- ments, in order to add a few dollars to some soup fund. Let us have new buildings erected, the proposed street improvements carried out, the new stone docks built, the grading of the Central park commenced, the great foun- dries and machine shops re-opened; then we shal] have no further occasion for soup-houses, and the Fifth avenue may again return to its customary dignified and very fashionable exist- ence. Norures, AND THE SLAVERY QuesTIon.—The House of Representatives of Massachusetts, by a majority of over a hundred, have, on their part, elected General Henry Wilson to the United States Senate, in the place of Rockwell, locum tenens in the vacancy of Edward Everett Our Seward anti-slavery organs affect to be happy at this result, considering the free soil antecedents of General Wilson. In his letter, however, which we published yesterday, we detect nothing less than the abandonment of the anti-slavery societies, and the acceptance of the conservative Know Nothing platform. After an agitation of the slavery question of twenty-five years in Massachusetts, until the popular mind of the State had become almost universally infeoted with abolition principles, it was not to be expected that the Know No- things, at a single bound, could bring all their party, rank and file, into the field of neutrality end non-intervention. Nevertheless, a whole- come revolution, to this end, has been effected in the Old Bay State within the last three months. The Know Nothings as a party hold to this doctrine of non-intervention on the slavery question, whatever may be the opin- ions expressed by individual members of the order, here and there. The letter of General Wilson, we think, goes very far to prove that he, as @ Know Nothing Senator, intends to hold the ground of non-intervention in the do- mestic affairs of the States, whatever may be his personal opinions of the abstract question of slavery. This, we think, is all that the South could reasonably ask from Massachu- setts; and is much more than, six months ago, anybody could have anticipated for the next twenty years. Seward, his allies and his organs, are wel- come to all they can make of the election of General Wilson. ‘The proof of the pudding is in the eating thereof.” We rely upon General Wilson, if elected, as a Know Nothing conser- vative in the Senate upon the slavery question. We regard his letter as a pledge to this effect. Let the Seward organs read it again. . THE LATEST NEWS. BY MAGNETIC AND PRINTING TELEGRAPHS, From Washington, THE SPOLIATION BILL—IMPORTANT AMENDMENT— THE CABINET STILL A UNIT—THE PACIFIC RAIL- ROAD BILL. ‘Wasuinaton, Jan. 24, 1855, The reporter of the House proceedings on the French Spoliation bill omits all the arguments which were ad- vanced against it, as well as Mr. Lotcher’s important amendment, yet to be voted on,for excluding all insurance companies from the benefit of the bill. If this amend- ment carries, it will cut down the claims two-thirds and use up the lobby, headed by Caustin O'Sullivan and the Union. Itis said the President will veto the bill if it passes, but few believe he has sufficient nerve, The Cabinet have patched up truce tor the present, and will hang together till the end of the session, The Pacific Railroad speculators feel down in the mouth, and will make an effort io rovive it. SUPREME COURT OF ‘TAY UNITED STATES. WaAsunnaton, Jan. 24, 1855, No. 47—City of Boston, plaintiff in error, ys. David R. Legraw : argument concluded by Mr. Ames for plaintiff. No. 48—Thomas Taus et a). aj liants, vs. Joseph KE. Law; argument commenced by May ‘for appellants. Interesting trom Albany. THE LATE STATE OFFICERS AND THE ALLEGED LAND FRAUDS—HUDSON RIVER IMPROVEMENTS—ANXIRTY OF OFFICE SEEKERS—THE INVITATION OF THE TEN GOVERNORS ACCEPTED IN THE ASSEMBLY—THR TEMPERANCE BILL AND SKWARD’S CHANCES. Atuany, Jan. 24, 1855. At the last session of the Legislature charges were preferred in the Senate against the late State officers, implicating them in disposing of large quantities of pub- A committee of investigation was organized, with the Hon. ‘A. B, Dickinson as chairman, for the purpose of investi gating the matter. As no report upon the subject has been made, Senator Zenas Clark this morning introduced a resolution calling for a report. Mr. Diekinson stated that the committee appointed last year had made no progress, for the reason that they were not authorised to send for persons and papers, and also because the lands were now in whig hands, and there was no danger of their being squandered. This brought up the whole subject of the humbug railroad project from Sackett’s Harbor to Saratoga—the chan, of route the last year, and the lands which the company has seized upon, as they allege, under their charter, being about two hundred and fifty thousand acres, Bui there was not a word said about the railroad company employing agents for two or three years in copying sur- veys in the Surveyor General’s office, in order that the right locations of land may be selected. Neither did either of the Senators disclose how mac a land is pri: ly purchased by W. H. Coventry Waddell, the Pres It Me. Di ineon’s committee had entered into an examination, they would in all probability have discovered that the man- agers of this projected road have under their thumb, on the line of the contemplated road, Leg deg cent more lands, and at fift cent less price, from the State, than those preter to be sold to favorites of the late barnburner administration. Mr. Pratt submitted a lengthy report on the i - ance of improving the Hudson river, and also resolutions requesting Congress to continue its appropriations to improve the channel. . Hutchins will introduce « bill authorizing the Common Council of the city of Brestire to purchase from the United States government all their real estate lying east of Vanderbilt avenue, im said city, and to issue Bonde for the payment of the same. Mr. Brooks gave notice of a bill to vest in the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the city of New York the ple of this State to the land under water in said city, between West street and the outer bulkhead, and between piers Nos. 20 and 23 Hudson river. At twelve o’clock the Senate closed doors, and went into executive session. In about twenty minutes the secret deliberations ended, and the doors were throwa open. The attendance of office expectants from New York was large, as usual, on executive days. Bat they are kept in a state of anxiety and considerable misery, from one week to another. Sinee the rapping whieh the silver gray press bas given Governor Clark for having appointed rom drinkers and rum sellers in his military staff, and also in consequence of the | reprimand administered by the debates in the State Tem- perance Society, he declares that he will not hereafter recommend for office any man who is in the ieast addict ed to the use of any alcoholic drinks. The temperance society has taken the appointment of ollicers into its own hands, and commenced bygetmending the appoint ment of a Doctor Lee as health officer on Staten Island, in place of Doctor Vache, It is well knows, however, that not @ single appointment to office will be made un til the re-election of Mr. Seward is necured by the Lewis lature, which event will perhaps occur on the sixth day ot Febrogry The following is a copy of the invitation ent by the Ten Governors ( . rite Atertover 7 Jan 16, 1856, 5 y Hoverner Clark, on VOL. XX. members of the Senate and and their presi- ding officers, be, and the: pps invited, upon some day to be set apart by ther, to pay the usual annual visit of inspection to the ehanitable the workhouse and prisons under the charge of this depart- ment. Sir—I have the honor of transmitting the above reso- lution of invitation. Your obediest servant, EDWARD ©, WEST, Governer A. H. Hon. H. J, Raymonp, ‘The Senate took no reaction upon it, being rather earl. in the seasion to determine how much time can be spent in the visit, 7 In the House, a la) amount of business was sented for future action, though nothing special or general interest A large crowd bled in the lobbies, ante-rooms and that the temperance bill would be taken up. was no effort made to that effect. A woek since, State Temperance Socisty was determined to the bill through both houses in less than ten days; but they have relaxed greatly within a sy or two, as threats from powerful quarters have so intimidated them that the temperance bill is to re- main without a final vote until after the whig ultra- temperance members shall have elected Mr. Seward to the United Statee Se: After the whigs have secured his election, will the rs of that party then allow the prohibitory bill to as a strict party questiont Will they ansume the res * Itmay be well for sincere temperance men to think of it. ‘The resolution of invitation from the Ten Goversors was taken up in the House, an‘ motion made to accep) it. Mr. Stebbins and Mr, Leigh opposed it with muck veal. They feared that the conduct of members when in the city of New York would disgrace them im the eyes of the people of the State—that such a large body of men, by merely passing through the institu could not arrive at any conclusion upon which to base legisla. tive action. These t¥o gentlemen seemed to held in their hands the morals of the .egislature, and they labored with eloquence upon their tongues und’ compassion in their hearts for fear those morals would become contaminate, if the members visited the city. It was also char; that the prohibitery law, now on the table, would come highly endangered by partaking of the bounties of the Ten Governors. The invitation was advocated br Mr. Coleman, oft the Astor, House, Mr. Baker, of Mont: jomery, ani . of Steuben, Their argument: {coded to show that « fersonal inspection of theveations departments under control of the Governors would ena- ble members to vote more understandingly upon ques. tions ap; ining to them than by pone A ait the doc: uments that could be printed. Mr. Coleman’s rematks were listened to with the most profound attention, both on account of his popularity fn the House and ita betiy the drat speech with which he has favored a legislative audience. ‘The last speech was made by Mr. Stebbins, of Monroe, chairman of the temperance bill, in opposition te the mo: tion. When he concluded, Mr, O'Keefe arose, and looking about him said, “Mr. ehance to Speaker, in all my life, I never hada ——-; but I won’t. I theretore move the wes - tion.’ He was sustained, and the reoolution ry an. overwhelming vote. Mr. Goveruor West wilt have matters arranged to accommodate the re, and Jim Brady will see that the omnibuses do not run over the rural gentlemen, whilst they are crossing the streets with their eyes on the gilded sign boards. From the South, THE BLOOP-OF-WAR JAMESTOWN—SELDEN, WITHERS & OO. FIRE AT BALTIMORE. BazatMons, Jan. 24, 1855. New Orleans papers of Thursday ave received. They contain no news of interest. The sloop of-war Jamestown will sail from Philadel- phia about the lst of February, for Portsmouth, and from thence to the coast of Africa, where she will take the place of the Constitution, as the flag ship of Com. Crabb. ‘The Globe retterates its charge of fraud against the firm of Selden, Withers & Co., and challenges » Mbel suit and an examination into the afluirs of the house ly a legal tribunal. Lieut. Maury will finish his steam lanes across the Atlantic to prevent collision of steamers by the Ist of February next. They are being prepared at the request. of Boston underwriters, A fire occurred this morning, about 4 o’elock, at Smith’s wharf, foot of Gay street, destroying the ware- house of Messrs. HaJl & Laney, commission merehants, and partially destroying the adjoining store of Meswrs Stevenson & Hess. The loss is not yet ascertained. Condition of the Boston Bostor | an, 24, 1855, There has been an increase the «pecie heli by me banks of this city during the past week, to the extest of- $130,000, and in the ieposits the increase is $353,004, Markets. PHILADELPHIA STOCK BOARD. PoLaperPam, Jan. 24, 186. tocks are dull to-day. Keading, 36%; Morris 12% Reading Reilroad, 14%; Pemnsylvania Railpad, 34); Pennsylvania 5’s, 8734. The rate for money is i per cent, and notes are acarce. kee Burton’s Theatre—Morris Barnett’s Wow Comedy. Last night was not a very favorable one, as far ss the weather was cencerved, for the production of 4 new play; nevertheless, there was a good house at Burton’s to assist at the inauguration of “Our Set; or the Vacant Consulship,” by Mr. Morris Barnett. The piece is one of those elegant talky trifles which have become so popular of late, agé the majority of which have been stolen or borrowed from those friends to the English and American draus, the French authors. In fact, the main idea of the jlot of “Our Set’ is taken from “Le Diplomat,” (or “L’Am- bassadeur,’’) a comedy recently produced in Paris. It ia, however, so well done in English as to give ita very homelike appearance. The plot runs thus:— Mr, Vivian Malden (Mr. Jordan) is ® sentimental law yer practising atthe bar of the Federal court. He® an aspiring young man, and is continually owing deys of gratitude to all sorts of people and never paying the. Moreover, he is in love with Bertha (Mrs. Burton) #d anxious to secure a vacant consulship. The Hon. ir. Waverer (Mr. Moore) is an old fogy Senator, fatnewte Bertha, and a wife, the Hon. Mrs, Waverer, (is. Hughes,) who aspires to be considered # female Tally: rand, or rather » Machiavelli, in petticoats. She desis to obtain the consulship for her cousin, Mr. Spoonif, (ir, De Walden,) and engages the services of a sept wirepullers, headed by Dr. Lacquer, (Mr. Burton,)o assist her in the undertaxing. Malden is at first mised the assistance of this set, but, like a good man, as he is, he refuses to have anything tdo with them. Other plotters, however, are at rk, and Mrs. Poodle, (Miss Raymond,) by tlat vanity of the Senator's wife and persuading at Mallen is in love with her, succeeds in changiwy ters so that the set throw Spoonbill overboard, a bies vigorously for the sentimental young mas. Ie nominated and confirmed in spite of the eclaireis which comes afew minutes too late, Malien cr posed to be in utter ignorance of all these plots supposes that pure merit bas got him his place. 3 cent young man. The piece is very well localized, and the dialogue |s full of smart bite at Washington intrigues. The presem of kid gloves as bribes for ladies’ influence asd the F tent extensions get some well-deserved raps. The a ing was all good—that of Mr. Burton (who “made u? for a well known Wall street journalist, or at any presented an astonishing resemblance to him,) and Raymond would be sufficient to save a worse piece “Our Set.” The play was well put on the stage, #2 went off smoothly. It was favorably received, aud nounced for repetition, It differs materially fron French piece which suggested it, and which was deat ‘Theatre Frangais, last season, Personal Intelligence, ‘The Cincinnati Gavette says that the health of Mn Har vison, the widow of General Harrison, ez-Presidnt, is- not #0 good as it was a fortnight ago. | VALS. | ARB) At the Metropotitan—Gov. Dimond and famil 1B Haw i, Mes Frank Moor Tonto “Mean bot a; R ore; i Germany; Hon. 1. Vt.; Thos. 4 Fiske, Noyes, dajor te5 San Francisco: Wm. Mill ‘iphin; Jos, Portland W. Bday, U ibson, La. Col. C. T, blades Nowbug: J H. 1. Diekey X biesgo; Tiffany, tbitimore: Steele, Albany: KR. Alex Albany. Gen. Kennedy, From &! ip Messenger—Rev Issackea I Ro. ents, Ind, DEPARTVERS. For Vivery rorhip Baltio—J M Gries, Mr Rice, Phil ae A Martia, Seotland a ire Gittings, iehard V T and servant, Foster, Wearer of de Mr. Durebam, Qsont Kk, Theodore Macsumea Wr and Mrs Striker, Joseph E Freund, > on ry i }