The New York Herald Newspaper, March 15, 1858, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS FERNS cash in advance. THA DAILY HERALD, two come per copy. Mi per annum. THE WEEKLY HERALD. every Soture ay oe soon ts copy oF annum: ropes om 4 ene rte Grea Britain, or $5 to any part of the Continent, bolls fe in THE FAMILY HERALD, every Wednesxias. o fowr cents por NOTICE taken of anonymous caumuniautions. We done TENTS renewed every day: advertisements (x i x coal in the Waneiy Lenatn, Fault 1p, and in the @okijormea and European Fisivons, — ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Fourteeath ot.—ItaLiam Orzaa— ne Hooverors. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery—Kinc Lasm—Many Quesx OF SooTs—Stare BECKETS BUR THEATRE, Broadway, opposite Bond street— Whine tma-Lors Gnas ‘@ THEATRE, Broadway—Jusus Baown, on ar ALA Or Locxmow-—Swras Swaine. LAURA KEXNE’S THEATER, Broadway—Piowsss or raw Fornst. BAP NUM'S AMBRIOAN Broedway— Afternoon —Tax Wanwoc ov tax Giss—eise Lion. Evening:—Tas Buivs or ax EVENING. MECH. —Ereverus Ics" "i Brosdway—Burant’s MimstReis 7 Songs—Hg Ax Actor. BROOKLY® A’ 4 lyn—Gnorce Canisty & ‘Woon’s Munsrarss. New York, Monday, March 15, ‘To Paper Makers. Proposals and specimens will be received at the Naw Yor« Hrmarp office for one thousand reams of printing paper por week, 32 by 46; weight, 60 pounds. Cash always on delivery. =e The News. ‘The steamship North American is now due at Port- land, with European advices to the 3d inst., four days later than the accounts received by the Canada. ‘The steamship Star of the Weat is due at this port from Aspinwall, with the semi-monthly shipment of treasure and mails from California to the 20th ult., and news from all parts of the Pacific coast. Our despatches from Washington mention the probable withdrawal at an early day of Lord Napier, partly on account of the recent change in the British Ministry, and partly owing to the ill health of Lady Napier. The steamship Philadelphia arrived at this port last night with Havana dates to the 9th inst. They contain no news of importance. The Granada, from Aspinwall, bad not arrived at Havana when the Philadelphia left that port. ‘The visit of Mohammed Pacha and his suite to the public institutions at Randall’s and Blackwell's islands, on Saturday last, by invitation of the Ten Governors, is graphically described in another column. The Pacha and his suite leave for Wash ington to day. A party of rowdies created a disturbancce in a drinking saloon at 388 Canal street last evening. They were ordered off by the proprietor of the place, and in their retreat were followed by the bar- keeper, named Johnson, who discharged a pistol at the ruffians; but unfortunately the pistol ball struck the left arm of Mr. Isaac H. Smith, an ex-Alder- man of Brooklyn, who happened to be passing at the moment, accompanied by his wife, on their way to church. It was decided by the surgeons that the wounded arm would have to be amputated. ‘The police made # forcible entry into the premises No. 214 Broadway, on Saturday evening, and arrested a number of persons who were engaged at faro and other illicit games. This is the place where Brother- son, the alleged defaulter, lost so much money. The names of the parties dnd other particulars of the arrest may be found in an account of the affair, pub- lished among the police intelligence. = Our letters from Nassan N. P., mention the arri- val at that place, on the 22d ult., of a boat contain- ing eleven fugitive slaves from Key Wess, and intel ligence had been received of a large sloop being on the west side of the Great Bahama, having on board thirty fugitives from St. Augustine, Florida. The Bahama Friendly Society had despatched a vessel in search of the sloop, aud the Key West negroes had been provided with employment by the inhabitants of Naaaan, The Java Courant of 26th of December, dated at Batevia, contains a narrative of the events which led to the dethronement of the Sultan of Lingga by the Governor General of the Netherlands-India. After the Governor General's manifesto notifying the de- thronement of the ex Sultan had been delivered to him at Singapore, the Resident of Riow repaired to Lingga, where he made known to the nobis and people the decision of the Governor General. Not a Single voice was raised in favor of the deposed prince, but a general thankfulness was manifested at being rid of him. The people elected as his sub stitute one of his uncles, who was provisionally in stalled by the Resident as Sultan of Lingga, under the name of Sultan Soleiman Bador Ul Alam Shah. A quarrel occurred at the Franklin House, in Ca- nandaigua,on Friday evening last, between a Ger- man tailor named Charlies Mary, and a painter named John Osburn. During the melée Mary drew a pistol upon his antagonist, whereupon the bar- tender of the house, Sidney Benham, interfered to prevent further difficulties between the parties, and in #0 doing placed himself in such a position as to receive the contents of the weapon in his head. He expired in a few minutes after. Mary was committed to prison to suit the result of the Coroner's investi- gation. Elsewhere may be found an account of the bap- tism of seven persons in the Harlem river yesterday, they having joined the Fifth Avenue Baptist church of Hariem. ‘The twelfth anniversary of the Western missionary department of the American Sunday School Union was held last evening in the Church of the Puritans. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Dr. Ferris and Rev. Mr. Chidlaw, an Obio missionary. A large col- lection was taken up in behalf of the enterprise. The annexed table shows the temperatare of the atmosphere in this city during the past week, the range of the barometer, the variation of wind currents, and the state of the weather at three periods during each day, viz. at 9 A. M., and 3 and snowing fast, night, light snow. Tesntay—inuing, cites) | attarnosa, overcast. night, Wedneeday—Morning, afternoon, cloar, oe tnd mia Sacdhanio hdmi jursday—Morning, cloudy and mild, with fog; after- Fr ‘inp Clear and ya . Peg r day and night. Saturday—Morning clear . _ At Singapore, E. I, on the 6th of January, Gust rated as follows:—Malayan, = oe ha $29: and Australian, $30 a $30 50 per bunkal. The value of foreign goods imported at the port Of Boston daring the week ending 12th instant, fmounted to $266,702, showing o decrease of $657,629 a8 compared with the corresponding week in 1857. ‘The cotton markcot wae active on Raturdap, with sales of febo\ | 6,000 bales, part in transit, closing at unchanged peices. was firm, with @ fair demand fram the do moes'ic trad and for exports to the British provinces and (WoPIR porte, while prices were without change of mo- went Wheat was firm, while sales were confined to spall bts of Soutbere red @ Bi MS, aad prme white do. at $1 50a $) Si tor city milling Corn wag steady and in goo? export domaad, with wales of white a: 68¢., and yellow at 70c 4 7lo. Pork was la fair demand, with sales of mess at $16 75, and prime at $13 1, ané olear moss at $18. Bacon was fire, with gaies of about 160 boxes clear short middies at 9c. Lard sold freely at 0c, @ 10&c, for good to prime qualities. Sugars were firm, ‘with fair sales at full prices, The transactions embraced about 700 « 600 his. Cubsand New Orleans, and 1.6008 1,790 hhds. molado, at rates given in another column of this morning's paper. Coffee was firm, and the sales embraced about 3,000 « 4,000 bags at full quotations Freights were decidediy Detter, and cotton was taken for Liverpool freely at 5-164 while at the cloee 7 824.8 4d. was asked. Grain war taken at 6d. & 53¢¢ , and bacon at 17s. 6d. Small lots of grain wore taken for London at 1d. in ship's bage, and flour at 2z. To Glasgow asmall lot of spirits turpentine ‘was taken at 6s. and lard at 25a. Rates tothe Contineat were unchanged, though there was rather more offering. The Engiteh and Frenc® Alliance. We publish to-day a letter from a London correspondent which contains some remarkable statements in reference to the views and dispo- sition ef the French Court on the subject of the existing grievances against England. Those statements are derived from a source on which the most implicit reliance is to be placed, and they may be regarded as reflecting faithfully the feelings of the Emperor's entourage. It will be seen by the expression attributed to Madame de Morny, that in the opinion of the people im- mediately connected with the court the alli- ance has received a shock from which it is not likely to recover. The language of the French officials is said to be offensive and belligerent to a degree which causes the most serious alarm at the English embassy. The motives of this tone are to be gathered from the declaration report- ed'to have been made by Count Walewski to Marechal Pelissier, “That the Emperor was mad not to take advantage of his present position; that the time was coming when he would have to concede freer institutions to France, and that a quarrel with England would then assume all the cumbrous forms that paralyze success;—now it was quite different; he bad but to say the word to put armies and fleets in motion.” From these sentiments some idea may be formed of the critical position in which the re- lations of the two countries stand at present. Unfortunately, the men who are supposed to enjoy the Emperor's confidence are not persons on whose discretion or prudence much reliance is to be placed. They are, for the most part, adventurers and stockjobbers, without personal character, official experience, or the habit of dealing with political questions of a delicate and important nature. - They have besides so many interests outside their official responsibili- ties which can be subserved or promoted by the aggravation of the present embarrassments, that we can readily understand their present language. All these men gamble largely on the Bourse, and avail themselves of their positions near the Emperor to further their speculations, It is, therefore, their policy to keep the public mind in a continual state of ex- citement and uneasiness, in order to increase their opportunities for making a haul; but, be sides these temptations, there are others which, no doubt, have a strong influence in deter- mining their hostile tone towards England. Having most of them accumulated large for- tunes through their stock operations, they are looking forward to such a change in the condi- tion of affairs as will give the Emperor an ex- cuse for creating a new aristocracy. The prudence of Louis Napoleon has prevented him from yielding to the ambitious longings of his political protégés; and, with the exception of one or two dignities accorded for military services, he bas done nothing towards swelling the ranks of the French peerage. These title- loving aspirante will, therefore, have to wait until they win their honors, either by gallant actions on the field or by important diplomatic services. Asawar with England would hold out the best chance for earning such distinc- tious, it is easy to comprehend why men, like the DeMorny’s and Persigny’s, should eagerly grasp at any opportunity of bringing about such an event, ruinous though it might prove to their country. In such a state of circumstances, it is evident that it requires but small additional provoca- tion on the part of England to fan these feel- ings into flame which nothing but blood can extinguish. In fact, it is only the self-control and prudence of the Emperor—the only wise and temperate man in his court—which have already prevented the two governments from being compromised in an open rupture. As a proof of this we have only to refer to anoth- er fact mentioned by our correspondent. After the report of the Hyde Park meeting and of the assault committed in London on the per- sons of some Frenchmen, taken by the mob for spies, the question was discussed at a Cabinet Council whether Count Persigny should not be instructed ‘ demand an apology. The Em- peror, exhibiting an unusual degree of excite- ment, said, “For God’s sake, gentlemen, don’t talk of this, or we shall be in extremities in twenty-four hours. I know Hyde Park and all the absurdities of an English mob, and if we are wise we must always take higher ground than this.” With such angry influences sufrounding him it becomes a question whether Louis Napoleon can long continue to stem the tide of hostility which is setting in in France against ite ally. The truth contained in Count Walewski’s re- mark, just quoted, that if the Emperor must yield to this feeling he bad better do it whilst he is unencumbered by the freer institutions which sooner or later he will have to accord to his people, cannot but have some weight with man of his keen political perceptions. There is thie additional element of danger in bis pre- sent circumstances which may contribute to overpower Napoleon's resistance to the bellige- rent disposition of his partizans. It is noto- rious that the comparative immunity of France during the late panic was secured only by heavy sacrifices on the part of the government and of the National Bank, and that it was only by a eystem of continual bolstering that the latter was saved from suspension and the coun- try from ® general bankruptcy. The crash is however postponed, not averted, and when it does occur it is certain to bring a revolution in its train, unless France be previously compro- mised in external difficulties, which may serve t divert her attention from her sufferings. Whatever assurances, therefore, we may have that the Emperor is indisposed to give way to the irritated feelings of his court and army against England, we cannot shat our eyes to the fact that there are circumstances etronger than hie will which may precipitate a war be- tween the two countries. From this expoeé of the present condition of things in l'rance, it will be seen that the alli- ance exists only in ngme, end that it is et any moment exposed to a violent termination. Pru- dent people abroad are making their calcula- tions on the proximity of this event, and we are likely to benefit largely by their apprehen- sions. Whilst the poiitical horizon in Europe is darkened with conspiracies, assassinations aod presagesof war and revolution, our own prospects, political as well as financial, are im- proving rapidiy. Our policy in Central and South America avd Cuba will receive its legiti- mate Gevelopewent, undisturbed by the inter- ference of the European Powers, who: will have enough todo to attend to their own affairs, whilst the influx of foreign capital which a po- litical panic abroad will bring us, will do more {o advanoe our internal progress than half a century of our own unaided efforts, The Kansas Debate tn the Senate on Saturday. ‘The Kansas debate in the Senate waa enliven- ed on Saturday by a personal discussion grow- ing out of Mr. Dongias’ connection with the Kansas Enabling bill, which passed the Senate during the session of 1856. It we did not hap- pen to know the facts, the telegraphic report would be perfectly incomprehensible. Senators are repreeented as suddenly jumping up, “con- siderably agitated,” and making personal ex- planations—although the report gives no ex- planation of the cause of their “agitation,” their names not being mentioned till they thus mys- teriously became agitated. We have frequently spoken of the incompetency of the telegraphic reporters for the Associated Press; but our com- ments on their incapacity appear to have worked a miracle exactly opposite to that intended— they have actually become more stupid, and their reports more confused and uninteligible, than ever. The facts are that Mr. Bigler, of Pennsy!lva- nia, in the early part of the session, in reply to Mr. Douglas’ objections to the Lecompton con- stitution, stated that the Senator frem Illinois ought not to object to the action of the Conven- tion in not referring the constitution to the peo- ple, because Mr. Douglas himself, in the pre- vious Congress, had reported a bill from his committee to enable the people of Kansas to form a constitution, in which the sovereignty of the Convention wasdistinctly enunciated. Mr. Bigler at the time had a good point on Douglas; but his intellectual calibre was scarcely sufli- cient for the occasion, and the consequence was that he permitted himself to be bullied into si- lence. An allusion to this incident by Mr. Wade, of Ohio, on Saturday, was the cause of this sudden commotion. Mr. Bro@erick, of California—a Senator who graduated in the Sixth ward of this city, and who, unfortunately, had not the advantage of being educated by Stephen H. Branch, or any one else—seems to have acted as the champion of Mr. Douglas, in the absence of that gentleman. An ignorant telegraphic corres- pondent, whose especial mission appears to be puffing up Mr. Bigler upon every occasion, in- forms us that Broderick was promptly rebuked, and thus the matter dropped. We have no doubt, however, that the subject will be re- sumed in the Senate this week; and as the facts have an important bearing on the present posi- tion of Mr. Douglas, we hope it will be taken up by some more capable Senators than those who have yet figured in the discussion. At the commencement of the last Congress Mr. Douglas, from the Committee on Territo- ries of the Senate, reported a bill “to authorize the people of the Territory of Kansas to form a constitution and State government prepara- tory to their admission into the Union.” The bill provided for the election of a convention of the people, and contained the following clause:—“That the following propositions be, and the same are, hereby offered to the said Convention of the people of Kansas, when formed, for their free acceptance or rejection, which, if accepted by the Convention and rati- fied by the people at the election for the adop- tion of the constitution, shall be obligatory on the United States and the State of Kansas.” It will be remembered that this clause made 4 distinetion between the Convention and the people, declaring that the constitution should be accepted by the Convention “and ratified by the people at the election for the adoption of the constitution.” No immediate action was taken on this bill; and on the 25th of June, 1856, Mr. Toombs, of Georgia, presented an amend- ment to it, which he gave notice he would pro- pose at the proper time as @ substitute. Mr. Toombs in thie substitute retained the clause in the bill reported by Mr. Donglas as quoted above, recognizing the right of the people to “ratify the constitution.” Mr. Douglas there- upon had both his bill and Mr. Toombs’ substi- tute recommitted to his committee. Immediately after this recommitment a meet- ing of democratic Senators was held at Mr. Douglas’ house, and the whole question was fully discussed. Mr. Brown, of Mississippi, objected to the clause in the bill which requised that the Convention should : ubmit the constitution to the people, as an unnecessary interference with their sovereignty. Mr. Douglas, therefore, on the 30th of June, made a lengthy report from his committee, accompanied by a bill as a sub- stitute for the one he had originally reported. This bill embraced many of the features of his first bill and the Toombs amendment, but the clause making a distinction between the “Con- vention” and the “people” was amended, in conformity with the understanding agreed upon at Mr. Douglas’ house, so as to read—“And be it further enacted, that the following proposi- tions be, and the same are, hereby offered to the said Convention of the people of Kansas for their free acceptance or rejection, which, if ac- cepted by the Convention, shall be obligatory on the United States and upon the said State of Kansas,” Here is a distinct avowal that the consti- tution, “if accepted by the Convention, should be obligatory on the United States and upon the said State of Kansas.’ The bill, as thus amended by Mr. Douglas, passed the Senate. It failed to become a law in conse- sequence of the non-concurrence of the House of Representatives, but its principles are no less binding upon its author, Judge Douglas, as a question of consistency spread out on the official record. We can readily understand Judge Douglas’ .sensitiveness on the subject, for a plain statement of the facts convicts him of being prompted in his present hostile attitude to the administration by purely perronal considerations, and in defiance of the very principles officially laid down by himself in his report to the Senate, in 1856, as Chairman of the Committee on Territories. Mr. Douglas’ new champion, the cultivated Broderick, says that the [llinois Senator denies that he wasa party to the discussion at his house upon the alteration of the bill so as to omit the ratification of the constitution by the NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, MARCH 15, 1858. people. What nonsense! The official record convicts him. The bill he reported back to the Senate omits this portion of the clause, and it is amatier of not the slightest consequence whether Mr. Douglas agreed to do this at the precise time the meeting was held at his house or after- wards. He cannot deny that he was the author of fhe bill recognizing the complete sovereignty of the Convention, and that in this shape it passed the Senate. The broad, clear and constitutional ground taken by Mr. Buchanan on this question, sus- tained as it is by the official action of the Senate last Congress, and at that time ini- tiated by Mr. Douglas himself, must *triumpb. It appeals to the common sense of the people of the country, and affords the only practical s0- lution of the difficulty. The Convention, repre: senting the sovereignty of the people of Kansas in the only mode known to our representative institutions, saw fit to submit the question of slavery to the people, and the official proceed- ings of the Convention and the people of Kan- sas are now presented to Congress. The only questions for Congress to consider are—First, are the documents presented an official record of the proceedings of the Convention and peo- ple; and, secondly, isthe constitution republi- can inform. To extend these inquiries into au analysis of the views of each individual in Kan- sas, apart from the official returns, would be Congressional intervention of the worst charac- ter, and which could lead to no result beyonda continued agitation of the subject for the benefit of poiitical demagogues. No man_ seri- ously pretends that any injury will be done to Kansas by its immediate admission into the Union. Once admitted, the people of the new State are as free to change their constitution and their laws as are the people of any other State of the confederacy. What prevents the existence of slavery in New York? Simply because the people of the State do not desire it. The people of this State could establish slavery here at once if they saw fit; and what could Congress do to prevent it? How absurd, there- fore, is all this prating about injustice to the people of Kansas! Admit her into the Union, take her out of her present state of indefinite “pupilage,” and she becomes free at once to shape her laws and her constitution according to the will of the majority of her people. The miserable commonplace character of the present Congress is apparent from the trashy speeches which have been made on this Kan- sas question. Niggers have occupied the whole of the session, so far. Let the bill be passed, and there will perhaps then be an opportunity for legislating a little for white men. Position and Prospects of Mr: Senator Douglas. Some ten or fifteen years ago a small, open vessel, with a collection of live stock on board, including a bear, several geese, and some pigs, was turned loose from Navy Island to run the gauntlet of the fearful main rapids and falls of Niagara. A large crowd of spectators lined the Canadian shore to witness the results of the cruel but interesting experiment. The vessel at first sailed as smoothly over the glassy stream as a clipper before a light breeze upon a summer sea ; then its speed increased to that of a ship flying before a strong gale; then it began to beat about, up and down, hither and thither, among the rapids, catching hére momentarily upon a rock, whirled round by a violent eddy there, and then dashing forward a moment, to be suddenly whirled about again, bow, side or stern foremost, until, broadside on, it made the dreadful plunge, and disappeared forever. With the starting of the vessel the sagacious bear proceeded to take his observations with its en- trance into the rapids; he saw that it was no place for him, and so plunging overboard, he bravely pulled for the land, and made it. The geese, too, remained on the qui vive; and as their unreliable craft went down into the gulf of oblivion, they flapped their ample widgs and went up, with a scream of derision, to the Cana- dian hills. The pigs went down, and were seen no more. This incident affords a striking illustration of the democratic anti-Lecompton craft, aboard of which we find Mr, Senator Douglas, Gov. Wise, Ex-Gov. Walker, Col. Forney, and their party associates, among the rapids. Which of them will play the part of the sagacious bear, which the geese, and which the risky policy of the silly pigs, we have yet to see; but from present appearances, they will all go down together into the political abyss of Niagara, never to rise again. It is reported that Mr. Douglas will shortly retire from the Senate, and proceed to stamp the State of Illinois, to make good—as the first essential for the futnre—his re-election to the Senate, in view of the approaching end of his present term. We think the report entitled to credit, inasmuch as Mr. Douglas has never been the man to neglect the main chance. He will, therefore, probably go home after the disposal of the Kansas question—put everything in order, if he can, for his Senatorial re-election, and then set to work for the campaign of 1860. Nor can we discover, from his present position, how he is to play any other part in that momentous battle than the part of Birney in 1844, of Van Buren in 1848, and of Fillmore in 1866, as the chief of a third . holding the balance of power, but without power to turn it to any personal advantage. The present position of Mr. Douglas may be | likened more particularly to that of Martin Van Buren in 1844, when he was thrown overboard by the democracy at Baltimore. Van Buren, however, consented to an armisticein 1844, inthe hope of another nomination in 1848. But, then, with the nomination ef Gen. Cass, the “Little Ma- gician” declared open war upon the party, st himself up as the free soil Buffalo platform can- didate, and carried off half the democracy of this State with him, by which defection the State was lost to Cass and General Tay lor was lected. The Wilmot proviso, sprung upon the democracy in Congress in 1846, had ripened into a great sectional agitation in 1848, eo that Van Buren, with his Buffalo platform of “no more slave Territories,” “no more slave States,’’ was possessed of the necessary Northern capital for the achievement of his great revenge. Mr. Douglas is not ina position to attempt anything greater in 1860 than the secondary work of a disappointed ambition. He cannot expect, even in a full and complete union with the republicans, to supersede all the great guns of that party, as its nominee for the succession. He must conrent, in going over to the republi- cane, to be absorbed in the ranks, at least for a campaign or 80, before he can hope to rise to the distinction of « leader. He will, therefore, prefer the more prominent position of the leader of a third party wielding the bilance of power: To this end be seems to be deliberately directing his present movements, and to this end, also, the co-operative labors of Governor Wise, Ex-Go- vernor Walker and Colonel Forney seem to be methodically directed. The Cincinnati Convention of 1856 treated Mr. Douglas as cavalierly as did the Convention of ’44 deal with Van Buren. The latter, as a Northern doughface, had done all that was asked by Southern men on the nigger question; but his crushing defeat in 1840 was superior to all other considerations. It was self-evident that if nominated again, he would be defeated again, and so he was coolly set aside. So with Mr. Douglas, The Northern groundswell of 1854-'5 against his Kansas-Nebraska bill, ren- dered it clear as the sun that neither Douglas nor Pierce could touch bottom in the North in the Presidential election of 1856; 80 they were both set aside, and an available old regular was taken up, who, besides being séund as a na- tional man, prove the most satisfactory alibi in refe to that Kansas-Nebraska bill. The task before Mr. Douglas, therefore, is the revenge of Van Buren, and his provocations and bis programme are of the same pattern. But there are yet two years intervening to the campaign of 1860, and in these latter days there is no telling the political changes and re- volutions that may be crowded within the margin of two years. The political powers and principles of this country and of Europe may all undergo the most momentous chamges within this margin of two years. Within a few months Kansas will be removed into the background, and the im- portant contingencies foreshadowed in the pre- sent relations of Mexico, Spain, England and France toward each other, and towards our- selves, may soon be made to engross the atten- tion of all parties, sections and factions. In view of our present relations with Spain and Mexico, and considering the present suggestive crisis in the subsisting alliance between England and France, it is possible that, upon the basis of the Ostend manifesto, and yet within the limits of international good faith, quite pessible that Mr. Buchanan may initiate a foreign policy upon the heels of this Kansas agitation, which will override all other questions and issues before the country, North and South. While, therefore, tke Kansas imbroglio may afford just now some plausible grounds for this project of an independent balance of power par- ty on the part of Mr. Douglas, we must not for- get that in the interval to 1860 parties and party issues may undergo a complete revolution and reconstruction, and that the power to effect this change is still in the hands of the admiuis- tration. We live in an age of quick and great events, and we know not today what the mor- row may bring forth. The epoch of our party Bourbons, ruling upon old platforms and by di- vine right, is forever gone, and our ruling men and parties rise trom the ruling events and is- sues of the day. Ti Proposep Nationa. Banxrurr Law.— The strong feeling manifesied in all parts of the country in favor of this measure renders it likely that a bill will be passed on the subject before the close of the present ses- sion of Congress. Whether the Senate Committee will be disposed to adopt Mr. Toombs’ bill, or will report one of its own, will, of course, depend very much on the view taken of the former by the mercantile commu- nity. Thus far the balance of opinion seems to be in favor of the bill prepared by this gen- tleman. Whatever differences, however, may exist as to the details of the measure, there seems to be none as to its main principles. The common sense of the country revolts against the con- tinuance of a system which, whilst it affords every facility to fraud, crushes out and ruins the unfortunate but honest debtor. The com- petition which it maintains between the rogue with stolen capital and the upright trader with small but legitimate means is another strong argument against it. There should be some protection for the man who works his way industriously and fairly, and who, undertaking no more than he can accom- plish, pays his obligations punctually. Under our present no-law system he has no chance against the fraudulent trader. The latter, pay- ing nobody, can of course afford to undersell his competitor, and thus the inducements to pursue an upright course are lessened, and demoraliza- tion becomes more widely diffused among the mercantile classes. One of the greatest bene- fits that would be conferred by a general Bank- rupt law would be the equalization of the chances of trade by the rigorous application of capital to its legitimate purposes, It is obvious that it would help to check inflation, to re-es- tablish confidence among mercantile men, and to render trade more certain and invariable in its operations. If these results are to be in a degree attained by the enforcement of fair dealing amongst private traders, it is clear that the same principle applies with greater force to banks and other joint stock corporations. If the mismanagement of his affairs by an individual justifies the law in taking them out of his hands, imprudence or criminality on the part of the directors of a public company calls still more imperatively for its interference. A merchant may commit errors of management, but a public board is not liable to do so, except under influences which should never be suffered to have weight with it. The law should therefore jealously safeguard the interéste of sharcholders, and vest the latter with power to wind up default. ing concerns on the first clear evidence of mal- feasance. Without the embodiment of some such provision no general Bankrupt law will ever be regarded as complete or satisfactory by the country. If these principles are kept steadily in view we shall not be disposed to quarrel with the de- tails of any measure which Congress may see fit to adopt. Whilst we deprecate any further postponement of legislation on the subject, there is, however, one point that should not be lost sight of in the settlement of its provisiona It will be recollected that the affairs of some seven or eight thousand firme, with liabilities amounting to upwards ef $200,000,000, are now in process of either settlement or liquidation. As the misfortunes of these houses have for the most part been caused by the late shock to commercial credit, and as their compositions with their creditors will occupy at least two years in settlement, it seems but fair that they should not be brought under the operation of the new law. By fixing the year 1860 as the period when the bill is to come into force, Con- gress will conciliate most of the objections that may be urged against the measure. pli _-eeetennasiamstenioesis RORA Anyianp.— The Baltimore gy Rely EP ‘State of nad con. Hehe Ptr aay, THE LA TEST NEWS. Our Special Despatch from Washington, PROBABLE WITHDRAWAL OF LOKD NArine—ME. DAL- Las’ OPINION OF THE NEW BRITISH MINISTRY— QUARRELS OF THE TEHUANTEPEO SPECULATORS, BEC. ‘Wasuaton, Maroh 14, 1856. It bas been rumored about for some time that owing to the delicate health of Lady Napier, his Lordship will shortly resign his position near this government, and re turn to England, Since the defeat of the English Ministay ‘and the success of thetory party, with whom he has me sympathy, intimetions are given out to some of his friends here that be intends to carry out his formar Despatches wore recoived by last mail from Mr. Dal- las, our Minister at Londoa. Ho thinks the new ‘Will be more favorable ead conoiliatory to the United States than the old one. He is also of opinion that & will net, according to present appearances, remain leng im power. ‘There are some rich developements shortly to be made in reference to the new Tehuantepec Company, relative to their mancuvres while in Mexico, im which it is al- legod Gen. Comonfort, who is now in New Orleans, wilt figure extensively. The Sloo party, headed by Soule, ase after the La Sare party with a sharp stick. THE GENRRAL NKWSPAPER DSSPATCR. ILLNESS OF SENATORS DAVIS AND DOUGLAS, Te. Wasuryoron, March 14, 1966, Judge Douglas has been confined to his house for seve- ral days by severe sickness, but will resume his piace im the Senate somo time this week. He pronouaces the re- Ports as to an intention to resign this seat totally without foundation, and assures his friends that ho intends to fight the battle in which he ts now ongaged to the end—that he will not be driven from his position by the threats er frowns of power, nor moved from the purposes to which his life has heen devoted by inducoments proffered from any quarter. Ho says that with him it isa matter of pria- ciple, which he will maintain at all bazards. There is no perceptiblo improvement in the physical condition of Senator Davis, and the partial loss of his eye sight is feared by his friends. ‘The receipts of the Treasury Departmeat during the past week were $635,000, exclusive of $200,000 in Treasury notes. The drafts issued amounted to $977,C00. ——____. Our Washington Correspondence. Wasmxatoy, March 12, 1868, Policy of the Southern Know Nothings on Lecompton— Course of Mr. Burns—Speaker Orr's Decision—Commis- sions of Collectors—Reported Resignation of General Cass. The rumor which reached here, on the authority ef a Detroit paper, that the venerable Secretary of State was about to resign the Premiorshtp, quite startled the quid muncsabout Washington, as I presume it did the same class of individuals all over the country. ‘ihe Detroit paper pretended that ite information was derived froma source intimately connected with General Cass, evidently referring to bis son-in law, Henry Ledyard, who was then one visit tothatcity. Mr. Ledyard returned here this morning, and oxplicitly denies that he uttered any expression from which such a conclusion could be drawn. ‘The rumor has consequently no more foundation than the reports which were in circulation to the same effect at the time when General Cass took the office. The course taken yesterday by the Southern Know Nothings in voting with the biack ropublicans on the ap- peal from Speaker Orr’s decision, revives the rumors that they will finally vote against Lecompton. So far as I can learn, however, they have come to no such determina- tion; but the fast is that they are in @ state of great em- barrassment, and have been for some time putting te themselves Webster’s famous question, ‘Where shall I go?” They dislike to vote for Lecompton, because it will help the democrats; but they are afraid to vote againat it for fear of the condemnation of their constituents. Ac- cordingly, it is said that they mean, if possible, to stave off a final yote on the subject di the session, or until after the Congressioual elections take piace in their respective States. This su; Teveives some color from their pert Seenates A wi ts in contradicuen with their course on the resolution ordering the Invosti- gang mittee. It wasa vote for delay. They cannot get it, at least as long as they desire it—and they accord- er ens. make up their minds to go one way or the r. The decision of Speaker Orr against the movement of Mr. Harris, rendered more fully wo day, is highly com- mended for its clearness and accuracy. He appears te have fully posted himself on the subject, and to have completely sustained himself on precedent as well as Teagon. The leading article in the Union this m ts hended by leading democrats, as showing tor hash Nios at the result of yesterday's proceedings, which deter: nothing, and cannot, of course, be regarded aaa test of nt strength of Lecompton, because a Ohio, who, they say, has been so badly scared the Uschaeged 98 ‘bim by Mr. Hoard, witha poh, b the New York Tribune and Washington's Farowed Addrees, that he will not now dare to vote for the admis- sion of Kansas under the programme. This the blacks say openly and with great exultation. It must be a ninny, however, who is frightened out of his course by such an absurd juinade as that got up between Mr. joard and the Washington correspondent of Massa Greeley; and Ido not take Mr. Burns for such a maa. ee ae oe ee /Pposttion. T under: that an ‘ill be made on behalf of Collectors of Customs who are of public moneys, to amend the law of 1853 so as to allow them commissions on moneys already recei and transferred to them from, other public officers, &o., and to make this provision have a retrospective effect.’ The measure contemplates a somewhat large haul upoa the treasury, but it is yet in an inchoate state. Consecration of a Catholic Bishop at Provi- dence. Proviogyor, R. T., March 14, 1868, The conseoration of Francis P, McFarland as Bishop of Nartford, the diocess comprising the States of Comnecticut and Rhode Island, took place in this city today. The event was marked with unusual pomp and ceremony. Archbishop Hughes, seven bishops and « groat many were in attendance. The sermon was preached by McCloskey, of Albany. This was the first conse- cration of a Catholic bishop in this State, and the occasion called togethor am immense crowd of persons of the Ro- ‘mish faith. Explosion of a Steam Boller. Bacon, Me., March 13, 1668. The steam boiler in Woodward's planing mili burst yes terday, killing Jeremiah Lyons, the engineer, and badly damaging the building. A fragment of the boiler was thrown through a dwelling house one hundred and fifty foot distant, partly demolishing it. Accident to the Propeller Wamsutta. New Bxovorn, Mass., March 14, 1858. ‘The propeller Wamsutta, from New York, arrived here this forenoon under sail, her main shaft having broken of Newport light at 4 o'clock this morning. Departure of the Anglo Saxon. gaiit 88 and during the part week a post mortem has been held by Drs, Hillis and Cooper, of the above place, which wall, no wna about twenty years of age, much beloved by all who knew ber, and always bore an unapproachable character. She had quite an extensive acquaintance, and such con® dence have they had in ber that they yet doubt the re porte in circulation, Army Intelligence. The Tishamingo Herald, « paper published in the Chickasaw nation, saya, on the Sth of February, thet Captain Potter that place on the Lat of thet, month on hia way to Fort Arbackic, bearing with bim an order from be warters of the ene ‘idiere @auoned i Forts Waahien, Arbick!® and Bat-