The New York Herald Newspaper, December 16, 1857, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIRTOR, OFFICE WN. W CORNBR OF FULTON AND NASSAU ATS, MS, cosh in tue TILT HELALD. two conte por copy, $1 per annum, THE WREKLY VERALD. very $i ate eaets or eopy, 0 Ei per annem: ‘annum (0 ory ; sof aevat breton, dee senaie Eentinent, both ° THE ci pay MERALD, every Wednewday, at four cone per “Wi CaPaT” CORK SPONDENCE, containi Bh gp os pial gear na vrei roe fe Salty geek for. "RAMOS | ONRON CORMFSPON DMSTS ARE P At Suoustiny Requasten 10 Dhl ALL LETTERS aND Packages taken of anonymous correspondence. We do not eta thane F LGR PRINTING execu ed with naatnes, cheapness an? de PCD VERTISEMBNTS renewed every day; aAvertisenie's in eae att ieee Hexacp, Famucr isuaip, and tn the he te No. 338 AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. BROADWAY THEATRE, BROADWAY—Afiernoon and Fvening, Bavaetmian, Zoowoaia np Hirropkamie Ex TARTALD MENTS, NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway —Tug ScuooLmasten—Tux } LOremnat—Mbvina BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—Afternoon and Fvening, Rovesrmias ano Grunsene Faats—Jouxo, on tux Hea ZULLAN APH. BURTON'S THEATRE, Broadway, opposive Bond sireet— ‘Lompon AssunaNce—An Area 70 tae Posiic. Fo eas 'S THEATRE, Broadway—Tax Poor or New ‘oux. LAURA K Tor, on 4 Morne BAENUM'S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway—Afier. noon and Kvening, Rios or New Yorx—Founpap on F acts. WOOD'S BUILDINGS, 561 and 563 Broniway—Gnorce Cuniste & Woon's Minstkeis—Dovsie Beppsp Room, MECHANIC'S HALL, adWay—BRYANT'S MINSTRELS —Ermiorian SoNGS—1 OWN IN ALABAMA. THEATRE, Broadway—Tux Ska or Prayer. NATIONAL CIRCUS, 8 Bowery—Equestnian, Grawastic Acuonatic Frars, 4c New _= Wednesasy, December 16, 1857, The News. The steamship North Star, from Southampton 2d inst., is now due at this port, with four days later European news. The Canada is due at Halifax with Liverpool advices to the 5th inst. We learn from Washington that the government has taker prompt and energetic measures to crush out the filibusters. Orders have been issued to the federal officers at the South to stop all vessels bound for the relief of Walker, and also to libel the steamer Fashion on her arrival at Mobile. The frigate Jamestown has been ordered to proceed to Grey- town to reinforce the squadron there. Capt. Cha- tard, the commander of the Saratoga, who permitted the Fashion to slip by him and land the filibus- ters at Punta Arenas, is to be superseded by a more watchful officer. In addition to these measures of our government to enforce the neutrality laws and head off General Walker, that enterprising individual will encounter a formidable opponent to his progress from another quarter. The news of his landing no doubt reached Kingston, Jamaica—the depot of the British naval force—about the same time it was received here; and in all probability the British Admiral inmediately despatched to Nicaragua a squadron of sufficient number to blockade every point where Walker's re- inforcements could be disembarked. In this view of the case, Walker's chances of success would seem to be very precarious. The decease of the late Senator James Bell, of | New Hampshire, was announced in both houses of | Congress yesterday. Eulogistic addresses were deliv- | ered on the occasion, and after the adoption of the cus tomary resolutions of respect, an adjournment took place. The members of the House enter upon the occupation of the new Hall of Representatives to-day. | A description of the chamber is given elsewhere It is reported that Governor Walker has deter- mined to resign the Governorship of Kansas, and | hat he will make an exposition of his views regard- | ng the state of affairs in that distracted Territory. Navigation upon the New York canals ceased yesterday. The canals were closed last year by the ice on the 4th of November. The steamboat Colonel Edwards was destroyed by fire on Red river on Saturday morning last. Fifteen | or twenty persons perished in the flames, but we have not learned the names of the lost. The cargo of the boat, consisting of more than a thousand bales of cotton and many cattle, was consumed. The Central Park Commissioners met yesterday and transacted a variety of unimportant rontine business. The withdrawal of the sum of thirteen thousand dollars from the Bank of Commerce, for the purpose of paying persons employed by the Board, and the payment af claims and bills against the Commission, was authorized. The Metropolitan Police Commissioners met yes- terday. A long communication was received from the property clerk, Mr. C. J. Warren, setting forth that the police clerks refused to obey the law re- garding stolen property. The Board took steps to have the evil remedied forthwith. Resolutions were adopted providing for the public exhibition every day in the week, except Sunday, of various records of the department. A resolution offered by Mayor Powell was adopted, setting apart for the benefit of the Police Health and Insurance Fund all pecuniary penalties inflicted on members of the department. The Board, on motion of Mr. Perit, went into secret session. The Board of Ten Governors met yesterday. The most important business they transacted was to re- solve that hereafter the Penitentiary Hospital should be separated from the Penitentiary proper, and be called the Islend Hospital. This was done to take away the stigma from the hospital, where many poor respectable women are inmates, but who, under the present system, have to be committed as vagrants before they can enjoy the benefits of the imstitution. There are now 7.525 persons under the care of the Governors, an increase of 1,732 as compared with last year. In the Court of General Sessions yesterday Carl Richter was indicted for feloniously receiving a quan- tity of trimmings and fringes stolen from Meeker & Maydoff, John street, by Frederick Volverding. The jury acquitted him without leaving their seats, the only evidence against him being the testimony of the alleged thief. John McCann, who stole $66 worth of gold pens and pencil cases from Stephen W. Griewold, 177 Broadway, on the 18th of Novem- ber, pleaded guilty to an attempt at grand larceny, and was sent to the State prison for two years and eix months. Wm. M. Casey was convicted of steal- ing $104 in money and gold rings, the property of ‘Timothy Denneby, Water street. He was sent to Sing Sing for two years. James Wilson was also convicted of abstracting a pocketbook containing two promissory notes of the value of $487 from the person of George W. Cogswell while he was looking into a shop window in Broadway. The Recorder sent him to the State prison for two years. Joseph P. Thayer, keeper of an oyster saloon, was tried and convicted of a wanton assault and battery upon two young men named Gilroy. A witness for the de fence ewore that he was reading the Hexa.p at the time the complainants came in, and heard one of them say that he would bring a Spring street crowd to break down the house; but Mr. Gilroy fletly con tradicted Lim, saying that be was a stranger in the city, and did not know where Spring street was situ ated. Remanded till Saturday for sentence. The Grand Jory brought in a large namber of indict ments. The store of J. Thompson, at Good Gronnd, Long Taland, was destroyed hy fire on the night of the 14th inst. The Post Office was kept at this store, and the entire effects of both were lost. Cotton yesterday wa, depressed by the influence of the foreign news brought by the Brropa, and eales were con fined to about 400 balee, ohiefly to spinners, based upon Middling uplands, at We. for good middling, mid Gling fair at 10%. a 10Ke., and fair do, at Le, showing Sdectine from the highest point of last week of about Scent per ld. Flour was again very heavy, and about Gre conte per barre! lower om common to medium grades NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 185. of Sate acd Western, wl ls sales were moderate. Wheat | The Position of Walker and the Filibusters— ‘waa without change of moment in prices, the sales om- braced about 30,000 bushels at prices given im another column. Corn was dull umd lower; white Jersey sold a 60c,, mixed old and mew Southern st 6ic, and old Western was reported at (8c. a 0c. Rye sold at 76c. a 7éc. Pork was firmer, with moderate sales of now mess at $15 754 $16, and old do. at 616. Sugars were stew'y, with sales of 700.0 800 hhds. Cuba muscovado wid Porto Rico ai prices given elsewhere. Coffee was steady, eaies of 900 bags Rio and 600 mats Java, with 200 do. Maracaibo, were made on terms stated clsewhere; the stock of Hio in this marxet consisted of about 106,985 bags, and about 800 mats Java, making & total, with othor descriptions, of 195,563 packages. Freights to British ports were Grmer, and to Liverpool abont 40,000 besuas of grain, were taken, in ships’ bags, chiefly at Td., and 1,200 bbls. flour, chiefly at Is. 10364. To London 100 bbis. pork at 38. Jd. ; 600 boxes cheese at 306, aud flour al 2%. Financial Prospects—More Trouble Ahead. The remarkable admission of the London Tines that “the irading classes of England are rotten to the core’’, is as significant a sign of the times as the rose-colored advices from the Bouree at Paris, according to which all the storms have blown over, calm has been restored, and it is high time to set a building more Credits Mobiliers. They have no free preasin France, or we should have a very different stery from there; and no omnipotent despot in Eagland, or the truth of the late commercial disasters there would never have come out. The two—the free press and the despot—working together across. the little strait which divides them, make a very pretty picture indeed, and one well worthy of contemplation from this side of the water. For we, too, have our prophets who tell us that all is over, and that we shall have no more failures; that commerce is about to revive, and the banks to expand; that the wealth of New York has received no check at all, and that in a few months we shall look in vain for the last trace of the revulsion of 1857 This is all wrong. Becawee the country is rich and the harvests still lay piled in the gar- ners; because we have got the dry goods and hardware of the Englishmen and have not paid for them aud cannot; because the money that has been lost in our raiiways isin great part foreign; these are not reasons why John Smith or Brown the merchant, who owes $100,000 and has, to pay it, goods which cost him $150,000, but which he could not sell for $75,000, will be able to pay his notes and squeeze through the winter. On the contrary, the very prosperity of the country at large will tell against such Smith or Brown; he will not be allowed to defer the day of set- tlement, but, other, newer, and fresher business men pressing to take his place, he will be forced to liquidate, at what sacrifice the present depreciation of property and every kind of merchandise will readily suggest. Just asthe news from Europe reports an easier money market, quieter feeling. and a better market for cousols and the rente—all of which symptoms are most obvious indications of alull in the storm; so our bank resumption, the accu- mulation of specie in the bank vaults, and the preparation for a prosperous business next spring, are 80 many arguments against the es- cape of the merchants of the seaboard cities who have any considerable outstanding liabili- ties. Their day of trouble is to come. With January, February and March we shall have the renewed notes of the panic time coming | due. To meet these notes, the merchants have goods of various descriptions, and country paper. As to the latter it is abundantly evi- dent that but little of it can be relied upon, at least until next summer. And as to the mer- chandise, the depreciation in every variety of foreign importations is almost equal to, and in many cases more than half the total cost. The banks, consulting their own interest steadily, and disregarding that of the mer- chants, resumed specie payments last week, and thus threw the Western exchanges once more into great confusion. We shall again experi- ence the greatest difficulty in making collec- tions between this and Philadelphia, Balti- more and many Western towns. And this is but the least inconvenience to flow from the re- sumption. The moment the tide of apecie sets in toward the country, as it shortly will, the banks will proceed to straiten the supplies, to prevent their being caught again as they were last October, In February it would appear that a tight money market is inevitable; and that is the time when our merchants will need the most liberality. The news from Europe, rightly read, indicates a temporary postponement of the crash: in France by the interference of the paramount deepotiem; in England by the relaxation of the Bank act. But no postponement can be last- ing. Credit Mobiliers, and unduly expanded commercial houses, princely bankers and re- publican bankers, all must have their day of reckoning before long; and if Providence kind- ly permits them to enjoy a quiet Christmas, it will be as much as they can expect. Their case is that of too many of our own mercantile firms; they are, it is but too sadly true, “ rotten to the core.” Orrice Hotpers anp Orrick Srexto.— There is a good deal of trembling and fluttering among the office holders of this city, just now. We allude more particularly to Mr. Butter- worth, the Superintendent of the Assay Office; Mr. Cisco, the Sub-treasurer: Captain Rynders, United States Marshal; Mr. Hart, Port Survey- or: Mr. Fowler, Postmaster, and Mr. Sanders, Navy Ageni. All these distinguished officials have been more or less mixed up with the re- cent political movements in New York and Washington in euch a degree and direction as to make them feel rather ticklish about the head and shoulders.) The movements of Governor Walker, of Kansas, and of Senator Douglas, of Tilinois, complicate their position still more. These office holders are represented to sympa- thise with Walker and Douglas, and to have shown in the recent New York election unmis- takeable evidences of heterodoxy in regard to their party. A great movement is being made for their removal, and a number of aspirants have start- ed up, ready to take their places, We perceive that a meeting of the democracy has been called at Tammany to sustain Mr. Bu- chanan’s administration against disorganizers and traitors, and it is very likely that this meeting will be the commencement of « move- ment that will end in the removal of these office holders, should their political sentiments remain longer in dou'yt. We have every reason to believe that the question of their removal on account of their complications has been warmly discussed at Wo a, and we bave further reason to believe that if certain declarations on their part are established the President and his Cabinet will take off their heads with euch promptnese and ekill that they will never know or feel how the job was done, hivgt ‘The New Poltoy of the Country. The return of Gen. Walker to Nicaragua ir one of those stubborn facts of the age that stare the world boldly in the face, and puzzle the minor philosophers who seek to fnd in the petty reasons within their grasp the causes for their existence. That he has gathered the means for a seem- ingly desperate enterprise, and in the face of the record of previous disaster and defeat, within six months of his return as a penniless adventurer to our shores; that he has enlisted hundreds of followers for the forlom hope, and probably thousands for the main column of his movement, in the full light of a strong adverse public opinion ; that be has left thiscountry in opposition to, and in spite of, the will of the government to prevent him; that he has es- caped the meshes which the watchful cruisers of ‘he American and English navies sad spread to cateh him, and that he has hoistd his ban- ner as President of Nicaragua, upon Nicaraguan soil, without opposition, are pregnant facts, be the individual causes that have combined to produce them what they may. Whither these be found in the connivance of public officers, the combinations of enterprising and ambitious men, or the dissensions between »arties and governments in Central America, tley all point with unerring certainéy to ene thins, and that is, that in this country there is a vist, deepand irresistible tendency on the part ¢f the people tocarry their energies and their enterprise, their love of order and material developement, to the decaying and anarchial countries south ofus. We may call it filibustering or anything else—it is a part of the great movement of the age, and is exhibited by the English in India, ly the French in Africa, as well as by us onthis continent in Central America. All of these movements are the same in reality, though dif- fering in some of their details; only that Huro- pean filibustering is carried on either by or under the sanction of government, while that of America is fed and fostered by the people. Its results everywhere are the same, being po- litical amelioration and industrial develope- ment. In India it takes one form, and builds canals for irrigation, and railroads far the increase of commerce; in Algeria it asumes another, and digs artesian wells in the desert of Sahara to open new and shorter routes for the caravans; in Central America it is blended with the transit of the Ikthmus and the reorganization of those States. Founded upon so broad an impulse, both in Europe and America, this pepular tendency cannot b2 rooted out; and as in Europe it is led by the govern- ments, in this country it is becoming a question what position the government here shall assume towards it. Without entering upon this ground, it is worth while to contemplate the position and chances of Gen. Walker. His position in Nica- ragua is in opposition to the dominant parties there, though there Is little reason to deubt that he has partisans, and not a few, among the in- habitants. Whether he will be able to bring his own partisans into power will probably abide the issue of the sword. Should the existing quarrel between Nicaragua and Costa Rica not be healed, he may succeed, with even a very small force. For this he must depend upon the uncertain contributions of an unorgsnized but favorable public sentiment. The New York Commodores, who supported him two years since, have now abandoned him, so far as open support goes, though it is more than probable that some of them have secretly contributed to his funds. It was their divisions and conflicting interests that overthrew him before, when, had they united, the entire result would have been changed—and some of the old leaven still re- mains among them. The quarrels between the several Central American governments that have grown out of their alliance against Walker, and the exhaus- tion consequent upon their exertions in the war, render them more powerless than ever to resist an energetic movement, and from that side he has little to fear. But since his depar- ture our own government, at the invitation of Nicaragua, has entered into a treaty to protect her in the possession of the Transit route, which changes the entire position of this country to- ward the Central American States, It changes, in fact, the whole ground of our policy in re- gard to them. In agreeing to protect and guarantee the neutrality of the Isthmus routes, and to employ the army and navy of the Unit- ed States, if necessary, for that purpose, we bring new principles into action, and plant the germ of a policy that must and will extend. It opens a new and mighty future to our people, and will lead to the attainment of the same end that is contemplated by the popular impulse of the country. The President, in his message to Congress, points out the necessity of le- gislative action to confer upon the government the authority to use the public force, under the existing international stipula- tions with New Granada and Nicaragua; and when this is accorded the stimulus to private expeditions will have ceased. ‘This is the great obstacle that stands in the path of Walker and makes bis position a doubt- ful one. A blockade of the harbor of Grey- town by British or American forces involves too many very grave questions to be lightly en- tered upon. That either of them will send any forces to operate on the San Juan river, unless it be the United States, under the new treaty with Nicaragua, is out of the question. That they will be able by other means to prevent his obtaining supplies is not very evidemt; and, at all events, it would only be increasing the phy- tical obstacles which the filibusters will have to surmount, in the event that some of the con- tending parties in Central America do not open for them an easy entrance to the interior of he country. The physical obstacles to Walker's success may defeat the present expedition, as it has defeated the many previous ones; but that does not stop the great popular current which is tending in that direction. If it fajjs, new ones will come up; for the impulse exists in the heart | of the people, and the decaying communities oa America are inviting to its develope- Reat Muxteua Rerorm—The abolition of all Commissions and Boards of Governors, and ; the appointment of heads of departments under the authority of the Mayor. The whole adminis- trative power of the city should be concentrated in the hands of the Mayor. No other system can be honest and responsible, New Derantone.—The political meeting at Tammany on the 17th inet. is a fresh start of the democracy for F860, So they ray. Finat Far Jor or tax Lowny.—The printing of Congress, with two millions, of which $200,- 000 are profita, is the first jobin the lobby. What is to be the next’ ‘The Murder Calendar—Four Men to be Hanged. The new year will open (unless the Executive should intervene) with the execution of four persons who have been convicted of capital crimes in this city and in NewJereey. Michael Cancemi, for the murder of policeman Ander- son, and James Rodgers for the murder of John Swanston, have been sentenced to be hanged on the 15th day of January. .James Shepherd, who was convicted in the Sessions ou Monday, of arson in the first degree, will be sentenced to death on Saturday. James P. Donnelly, con- victed of the murder of Albert S. Moses at Naversink, New Jersey, has also been sentenced to be hanged on the 8th day of January. In the cases of Cancemi and Rodgers there can be little doubt of the propriety of the in- fliction of the death penalty, provided it is ever to be inflicted; and society at presentis not pre- pared for its abolition. Owing to the inefli- ciency of our police, caused by the constant changes in the force and the never ending tink- ering of the law at Albany, and the laxity of our courts in te administration of criminal justice, crimes against persons and property have inc: -ased in this city to a frightful extent. Many citizens whose avocations call them out at night, are obliged to carry concealed weapons, against the letter of the law and the spirit of their own principles. The city is infested with gangs of ruffians—some driven from Cali- fornia by the Vigilance Committe, some escaped from the British penal settlements, and some young men who have been neg- lected by their parents, suffered to frequent low grog shops, and to think it their highest ambition to rival some notorious house breaker or prize fighting bully. Cancemi, it appears, was an Italian who had previously borne a good chamacter. But, like Eugene Aram, Professor Webster, and other mur- derers of greater note than himself, he fell at once into crime. He attempted to commit a burglary, was discovered, pursued and fled ; turning, he discharged a pistol, by which a policeman was killed. The law in his case is quite plain, and we do not see that any excep- tion can be taken to the decision of the general term, Supreme Court, which condemned him to death. It was held by Chief Justice Shaw, of Massachusetts, in the case of Webster, that while in crimes of smaller magnitude than mur- der evidence of previous good character might be received in mitigation or to weaken the evi- dence, yet in capital cases experience has proved that no such rule can be safely applied. This is not only good law, but good common sense ; and it is entirely proper to apply it in the case of Cancemi. Our police force is at present much reduced, and the men need all the guards that the law can throw around them. It is in this light that we view the execution of Cance- mi. An example of the kind is needed. In the case of Rodgers, his youth, and the fact that he was intoxicated when he killed Swans- ton, are pleaded in mitigation. It will be re- membered that he was one of a gang of rowdies such asinfest the portion of the city near the rivers; that this gang insulted and maltreated a quiet citizen who was walking in a public street, with his wife on his arm. The vic- tim turns to remonstrate, when he is stabbed by Rodgers, and death almost immediately ensues. Now, the youth of Rodgers cannot be pleaded in mitigation of his punish- ment, because he was old enough to understand the consequences of his act. His evidence in a matter involving life, liberty or property would have been taken in any court. He belongs toa class of precocious youths, all of whom are in training for the penitentiary or the gallows tree. The plea of drunkenness is also unavaila- ble. It has been well remarked by one of our most eminent jurists, that drunkenness is rather an aggravation than a palliation of crime. Should the executive clemency be extended to Rodgers, all the rowdies in the city would argue that, provided they were young enough and drunk enough, they might run about the city and stab any decent person who happened to be in their way. No: what the law must say to these pests of society, through the execution of Rodgers, is, if you do get drunk, and while drunk if you kill any one, you shall be hanged. Had we more men like City Judge Russell to nip crime in the bud by the infliction of severe yet salutary punishments, we should have fewer cases like that of Rodgers. But the evil lies too deep for anything but the actual cautery. The case of Shepherd, who was convicted of arson, is not quite so clear as that of Rodgers, but the presumptive evidence was very strong against him. It was proven to the satisfaction of the jury that he fired his own house, and that his wife either perished in the flames or was murdered by her husband before the match was applied. A review of the evidence shows nothing in his favor, and gives a strong chain of circumstantial and presumptive evidence against him. To these three cases there seems to be no reasou why the death penalty should not be in- flicted. We are not bolievers in the Mosaic doctrine—“ an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth "—as an invariable rale; but the intents of the law should be carried out and penalties graduated according to the heinousness of the crime—not for the punishment of the criminal so much as for the protection of society by the influence of salutary examples. It is not quite clear in the case of Don- nelly that society would gain anything by his death. Public opinion, as to his guilt or innocence, is divided. Several strong points were taken by his counsel to the Court of last resort, where they were thrown out—three Judges dissenting. An effort is now being made to procure the commutation of his sentence, and the case seoms to be one where this clemency might. be accorded. The evidence against Donnelly does not seem to be much stronger than that in @ recent case in the same State, where the offender was mulcted in @ fine. We are quite willing to believe that New Jersey is the rural paradise sighed for by the classic poet, and that terrible examples are not needed in that virtuous locality, In New York, however, we must hang our murderers, purely in self-defence. Dancino vor tur Poor.—We have heretofore alluded to the absurdity of getting up grand expensive entertainments ostensibly for the re- | lief of the poor. It is a foolish proceeding at any time,and more particularly so just now, when it is as much ae any one can do to get money to pay his debts with. A charity ball which would net two thousand dollars for the poor, would cost other poor people at least one hundred thousand dollars, It would be much better to give a ball afler the fashion of some private entertainments which have taken place at some of the beet houses in the city. Instead of silks and flounces and laces and eatins and diamonds, !ct the ladies all appear dressed in tasteful, well made robes, of some cheap, eub- stantial etuffe, and the gentlemen observe a like degree of cimplicity in their costume. Then let there be some simple refreshment, with plenty of dancing, and give all the receipts to the poor. The ladies would find that they are equally captivating—perhaps more so. When simply dressed, all the really pretty ones will look a great deal prettier, and the novelty of the affair would make it both interesting and successful. It appears to us that by this means much more money could be obtained for the really poor people, while those who are com- paratively poor will not be distressed with the idea that they may be eclipsed by their neigh- bors. The expensive charity balls are gotten up by people who desire to exploit themselves, and perhaps force themselves in public upon people who will not notice them in any other manner. Wao 1s To px Mayor Next Year'—There are some speculations afloat as to who will be the incumbent of the Mayoralty next year. It is not known exactly what course Mayor Wood will pursue, although it is the opinion of some of the best.coustitutional lawyers that he hasan indefeasable right to hold his office for the whole term for which he was elected—which term em- braces the years 1857 and 1858, This circum- stance exercises the logical powers of his friends and enemies to an extraordinary degree, but it is more than probable that Mayor Wood will be glad to retire from his onerous official duties on New Year’s day. Meanwhile the three or four cliques who claim to own Mr. Tiemann are crowding and pushing and jostling and growl- ing and tearing one another to pieces in the struggle about the proprietorship of the new Mayor. Mr. Tiemann, whose qualities as a paint manufacturer we have already brought before the public to the extent of a very large bill yet unpaid, is also, as we have as- certained, in all that appertains to city matters, quite a respectable man, and he may yet find favor in our sight. We un- derstand that, having some of the old Dutch Knickerbocker blood in his veins, he has given the go by to all the cliqties, and has determined to be master of hie own position. One of his first official acts, we hear, will be to oust both of the quarrelling Street Commissioners—Devlin and Conover—by virtue of his power under the new charter. We should not be surprised to find the new man for this place in the person of Mr. Pettigrew, who has filled the position of Alder- man, and is withal a solid business man. The new Mayor, it is said, will in like nmnner turn out all the present heads of departments autho- rized by the charter, and make his appointments from men of business, personally known to him to be competent and honest. If such surmises are verified by the facts in the case, we shall not be at all surprised if the new Mayor—the excellent paint manufacturer of Manhattanville—may have to consider the Hera.p as bis especial organ, to the exclusion of the other journals, who are tearing each other to pieces in their endeavors to get hold of him. Tur Ricut Man vor tHe Rigut Prace.— John Cochrane has, we see, been appointed Chairman of the Committee on Commerce in the House. The position is an important one, and no man is better qualified to fill it than Mr. Cochrane. He is possessed of great natural ability, clear judgment, excellent temper. His late position in connection with the Custom ‘House, and his legal practice in an extensive commercial community like that of New York, constitute additional recommendations for the poet. In a conjuncture of commercial difficul- ties like the present, it is fortunate that a com- mittee upon whose labors 60 much of our future safety may depend should be presided over by achairman ef such admitted intelligence and administrative ability as Mr. Cochrane. A Boox TuaT May Make a Sensatioy.—In the prevailing dulness of the literary market, we notice a book which may possibly create some sensation in certain circles, published by Ap- pleton & Co. This is the Life of Alexander Hamilton, prepared by his son John C., from official documents; a work which is to consist of five volumes, one of which has already ap- peared. It is, we believe, the purpose of this book to show that Alexander Hamilton was the fore- most character of the Revolution, and George Washington only the second; that while the lat- ter possessed unrivalled moral force and self- reliance, he was very inferior to his young friend in general knowledge, administrative capacity, originality of genius, and the various arts which go to make a statesman. It will be claimed, we understand, that if the freedom of the United States and their successful organization as an independent republic be the work of any one man rather than any other, that man was Alex- ander Hamilton; and that whoever presumes to dispute his pre-eminence or to award the glory of the deed to any one else does rank injustice to one of the greatest men who ever lived. Such is, as we infer, the design of the book. It will be a precious tribute to the me- mory of one of our greatest men by his affeo- tionately admiring son. Though the idea that Alexander Hamilton was the secret counsellor and guide of Wash- ington is by no means new, it has never proba- bly been put forward in so authentic and au- thoratative a shape as this. It will behove the friends of General Washington to inquire carefully into the facts and authorities, or the homage paid by Amerieans of all ages and par- ties must hereafter be divided. There are very good prima facie grounds in support of the case which Mr. John C., Hamilton proposes to make out. It is well known that the organiza- tion of the administrative departments of go- vernment was the work of Hamilton. It is generally conceded that he wrote the Farewell Address. All biographers have admitted that his counsel was sought by Washington before taking any important step. Now, if, besides these, we are shown letters and proofs estab- lishing still closer relations between him and Washington, and still greater influence on the part of Hamilton, it will be high time to pay honor to whom honor is due, and at least to set up one «tatue of Hamilton for every three of Washington. Surertative Impupexce—-The Richmond South drumming Senator Douglas out of the ranks of the administration, when the Sowh it- self is only a deserter seeking a little “cold weal and potatoes” to allay its hunger. The little fire-eater against the big dirt-eaters. J The financiers of the Courier and Bn- quirer censure the banks for resuming. Will the speculators and rotten houses try to run them aod make themsuspend again? We wait tosee. Two Moxs New Faka Srarvs—Wuar Sar ae Fine-Eaturs?—While the Southern fire eaters have kept the whole South in a state ferment about the terrible danger of admitting Kansas asa free State, two other free States have been duly and quietly organized, and ace waiting now the simple formality of a Congres- sional act of admission into the Union, These two States are Minnesota and Oregon—the one at the sources of the Mississippi, the other at the mouth of the Columbia on the Pacifie coast. The former is already a populous and highly prosperous State; and the latter, pos seseed of a colid and substantial body of people, is destined to dispute with California the em- pire of the Pacific—two new free States! And Oregon has 60 little taste for niggers that evem free niggers are excluded from her borders. The question arises, therefore, of what value would Kansas be to the South asa balance of power, even if admitted with a South Carolina constitution—what value, we say, with these Northern offsets of Minnesota and Oregon, and with Nebraska and Washington Territories close behind? The fact is, Kansas or no Kanaas, this idea of a Senatorial Southern balance of power iz Con- gress is “an @bsolete idea;” it is a balance which Is gono—forever gone. Nor is there any help for it. With Cuba in our possession, we might divide it into two new slave States; but then we havn't got Cuba, and there ig no telling when we shall get it. Texas may be cut up into two or three States; but the chances are more than equal that one or two of the new ones would be free States—for in Western Texas there are very few niggers, and some populous German settle- ments of men who are dyed in the wool against slave labor. Arizona, as a new Southern Ter- ritory, is a perfect humbug; and from New Mexico, as Mr. Webster said, niggers have beea excluded by the will of God. And so the game is up with Mr. Calhoun’s idea of a balance of Southern power in the Senate; for, Kansas or no Kansas, the North henceforth must be predominant in both branches of Congress, and every year more and more s0; and as for Kansas itself—admit it as a slave State, in six months thereafter it will be a free State. How absurb, then, is all this rant and caat and clamor between Northern dirt-eaters and South- ern fire-eaters about niggers in Kansas! What say the dirt-eaters ?—what say the fire-eaterst Necessity ror More Ciearine Hovsvs.—The advantage derived from the clearing house syw- tem in thie city suggests imperatively the pro- priety of its adoption throughout the country Philadelphia, especially, must see how eminent ly useful it would have proved there. To take the first step toward organizing the currency on a proper basis, clearing houses should be established either in every large town or in the nucleus of each general banking di- vision of the country—as for instance, at Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Richmond and New Orleans. These clearing houses should not only effect the exchanges between the banks of the place where they are located, but be- tween all the banks of the general division in which they are situate. There should also be established a general clearing house at the city of New York, for the general exchange of the funds of all parts of the country. This would be the first step towards a proper regulation of the currency of the United States; indeed, until something is done to make the clearing house system general, nothing can be satisfactorily accomplished. THE LATEST NEWS. IMPORTANT FROM WASHINGTON. Attempt of the Government to Crush Out Gen. Walker—Another Frigate Ordered to San Juan—Ramored Resignation of Gov. Walker—The Pacific Railroad Scheme— Pensions for the Soldiers of 141%, d&c., de. Wasmnatow, Dec. 15, 1857. Instructions were to-day sent by telegraph to the Col lectors at New Orleans and Mobile, and to the District At torneys of Louisiana and Alabama, to use all the means in their power, according to law, to preveut the departure of any hostile expedition against Central America Instruc- tions have also been given to prosecute the steamer Fashion as soon as she returns to the United Statos, Tho frigate Jamestown will immediately leave for San Juan, and Captain Chatard, of the Saratoga, who permitted the Fashion w enter the harbor of San Juan, and to pass ua- der his stern and then land the filibusters, will be imme- diately recalled and succeeded by a more energetic offt- cer. Commodore Paulding, commanding on the station, has left Aspinwall with the steamer Wabash for San Juan, to adopt such measures as cir cumstances may require. Seven days after his arrival, Gen. Walker, according to advices just re ceived, was still at Puota Arenas, with bis little band of about one hundred and fifty men, and had engaged in ne expedition. He was waiting reinforcements, which the government has determined shall not reach bim if there is power enough in the law to prevent it. I understand that the President has determined to maintain the honor of the country Genera! Henningsen is here for the purpose of ascer- taining the private views of the administration on filibus tering, the Message giving only the public views. If our neutrality laws are to be liberally construed, he will en- deavor to join General Walker without delay. It is stated on the avenue that Gov. Walker bas resign ed. This, if true, will relieve the President from the un pleasant duty of removing him. Governor Walker has just received s large packet of despatches from Kansas, said to be highly important. They were twelve days coming. Senator Douglas, in executive session of the Senate, voted for General Denver as Secretary of Kansas in place of Mr. Stanton. Senator Broderick voted against the nomination. The vote of Judge Douglas on this occasion is construed by certain Senators as impiying some regret for hie late course against the administration as leading to disastrous consequences. There is some curiosity to know why Captain Van Vliet has been despatched by the Secretary of War with such haste to the West. I learn that he carries special inatruc- tions to the commanding officer of the troopa in Kansas, directing him to call together a sufficient military force ou the occasion of the approaching election in Kansas, at every election precinct in the Territory where there is any danger or any likelihood of it, so that no organized force, accidental or premeditated broil shall prevent the full and free vote of the people. The troops will be em- ployed a8 a posse comitatus, and act upon the requisition of the civil authority, No decision will be made by the War Department as to plan of the campaign against the Mormons unt! Gen Scott arrives, which will be in the course of a fortaight. The government at Washington does not agree with Gen. Scott as to the plan of a campaign, and believes that when he comes to understand the views of the administration he ‘will see the wisdom of them. Gen. Scott would only send 8 force from this «ide, and does not appear to comprehend that the gevernment wishes to prevent the Mormons being driven southward into Mexican territory—into Sonora, or ‘one of the contiguous States, Looking to the futs the progressive charactor of our people, the adminictra ton considers that, should the Mormons be driven to 1 Southern States of Mexico, we might in a fow years have tho same trouble upon our hands, or, what 's worse, ve ‘fn independent Mormon nation on our border. Heuce'h & the wish of the administration to send a force from he California side ae well as over the Plains. Nothing of imterest occurred in either houre of Congres to-day. Mr. Davis, of Tadiana, will offer a resolution, as soon aa * be can get the floor, authorizing the Speaker to appoite @