The New York Herald Newspaper, February 18, 1860, Page 6

NEW YORK HERALD. _—_—_—_—e_ JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. OFFICN N. W. CORNER OF NASSAU AND FULTON 813. mall whl be al the ae eubsoription sash to adwanos, Money sent ihe vnder. Ponage wampe 0 a 5 lees ol is gaecr HERALD. oon Sarto ms, more FE: Saber copy, Prince np en Brent ed Fi or hosp eee ete aed & on the 6th and mrad pauint wikaLb on Wadnseday, at four conte per or $3 por anne. O ‘OND: VOLUNTARY OORRESPONDENC, containing trportont P. wy Bequestap To GaAL ALL LUTKERS AND PAGE: ASus baxT US. —_—SSS——————eeeeo== Wolmme XXV.....ccessseesseesresses sree Oe £8 AMUSEMENT THIS EVENING. ACADEMY OF MUBIO, Fourteenth street. —Iranias Orees —MATLNER 41 OMB O'0L00K—Banvar OF SRVILLE. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Afternoon and Evening— Cooun’s Borat Aurairunarzs, WERY THEATRE, Bo: LADY ov Tie Lake— zhane or TUR BUREW STALE OF | B.oop—102—-Tuomas’ Va- Gauizs. WINTER GARDEN, Broadway, opposite Bond street— Ouvsx Twor. WALLACK’S TIXATRE, Broadway.—Romancs or 4 Poor Youna Max. LAURA KEENE’S THEATRE, 64 Broadway.—Jeame ‘Deans. NEW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Jack Sugrrano— Wart or Wias-tow-Wisu—Jenny Lino. BROADWAY BOUDOIR, 444 Broadway.—Goop roz Evi —Iuism Assomance axp Yancem Mopestr. THRATRE FRANCAIS, 58 Broadway.~La Roman p'cx Jeune Homme Pavyee, BARNUMS AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.—After noon and Evenlng—Ocronoon. KANTS' MINSTRELS, Mesbanios’ Hall, 472 Broxt: way = Bonussaues, ‘Boas, Dances, £0,—Wa Come rxox fur Hus. NIBLO'S SALOON, Broadway.—Gro. Cunisty’s Min greets ix SonGs, Dancss Buxuesques, d0.—Dovste Beppe Boon. NINTH STREET, one door east of Broadway.—SoLoxon’s Ceurca. TRIPLE SHEET. New York, Saturday, February 18, 1860, The news from Washington is interesting. The Senate was not in session yesterday. Inthe Mouse & bill was introduced to incorporate the United states Agricultural Society. It was referred to the Com- mittee on the District of Columbia. A long wrangle then ensued respecting the introduction of chairs and desks upon the floor of the House by certain members, in violation of a rule adopted at the last session ordering the removal of such furniture. Finally, a select committee was «ppointed to consider the expediency of removing the benches now in use, and replacing the chairs and desks. The Committee on the Inaugu- ration of the Washington Statue reported & joint resolution, appropriating $10,000 for defraying the expenses of the ceremony. The Senate's appropriation amounts to $3,000 only. The inauguration is to take place on the 22d inst. ‘On motion of Mr. Sherman, the election of Printer to the House was again postponed until Monday next. The Senate's resolution permitting Commo- dore Shubrick to receive a complimentary sword from Gen. Urquiza, President of the Argentine Confederation, was concurred in. The Senate's bill providing for the abolition of the franking privilege was taken up, discussed, and finally re- ferred toa select committee of five. The House then adjourned till Monday. us The Committee of Congress are making exten. sive preparations for the inauguration of Mills’ equestrian statue of Washington, which takes place onthe 22d inst. A large force of volunteer mili- tary are to be invited to take part in the ceremony, ‘among them the Seventh regiment of this city. In the State Senate yesterday bills were intro- duced for another railroad ia New York, aod to amend the General Railroad law. The Canai bill (including the Chenango extension) came up on its third reading, and was lost, 11 to 14. Messrs, Fiero, Mannierre and Grant were appointed the select “committee to examine the affairs of the Excise Commissioners. There was intense excite- ment all day in the Assembly, caused by the follow- ing circumstances:—On Thursday, in the course of the debate on the Pro Rata bill, Mr. Milliken alinded to the reports spread in the lobby by Hugh Allen, Secretary of the Clinton League, that Mr. Milliken was the person charged by the Speaker with asking one hundred thousand dollars to defeat the Pro Rata bill. Immediately before the meeting of the Houre, while Mr. Milliken was sitting in his seat, Mr. Allen approached him, and after some conversation repeated the offensive remark, Mr. Milliken immediately denounced him as 4 scoundrel, when Mr. Allen assaulted him, striking him in the face. The parties were finally separated, and Mr. Allen was arrested by the Ser- geantat-Arms. Mr. Callicot moved for the ap- pointment of a committee to report suitable action in regard to Allen, in custody of the Sergeant-at- Arms, for an assault upon amember. The resolution was unanimously adopted and the committee ap- pointed. Subsequently the committee reported, recommending that Allen be brought before the bar of the House and suitable action taken. The report was debated and adopted. Mr. Allen was brought before the bar of the House and interro- gated. Mr. Milliken, the member referred to, made a statement of the facts, as did other members. A resolution directing that Allen be reprimanded was adopted, and, after explanations all around, Allen was discharged from custody. Both houses stand adjourned till Monday next. A large and enthusiastic demonstration in favor of the freedom and independence of Italy, and to express sympathy with the patriots of that classic land, was held at the City Assembly Rooms last evening. Speeches were delivered by several pro- minent clergymen of the city, resolutions were passed, an expression of sympathy from the wo- men of America—emanating from Mrs. Ernestine L. Rose—received, and the meeting separated with vociferous cheers for Italian liberty and for Gari- baldi. The examination in the Norwalk Bank case was continued yesterday before Commissioner White. We give a report of the testimony, which related mainly to the question of identity of handwriting, in another part of to-day's paper. In the Court of Oyer and Terminer yosterday the testimony in the case of young Lane, the alleged Fulton Bank defaulter, was concluded. A report of the evidence is printed elsewhere, The Police Commissioners held their regular weekly meeting yesterday, but no businesa of im. portance was transacted. The quarterly report of the General Superintendent was received, and six members of the old force reinstated. The re- Port of the proceedings of the Board is givenin nother -olumn. We ji: ve news from Buenos Ayres to the Sst of Decem.... A very important election was to be heid ir » days, when delegates would be chosen to exon. the constitution of the Argentine Con- federat. if these gentlemen approve of the in- strumei: Suenos Ayres would at once enter the the Federstion. The Paraguayan war steamer Ta- euari still remained in port, a sort of prisoner to the Britiah ships. Hector F. Varela, a native reformar, Was to set ov! on a visit to the United States. An immense demand existed for wool, to fill orders from Germany, but the clip of the year would be very short in yield. The Kangaroo reached this port yesterday, with had been anticipated by the Prince Albert at St. Johns, N.F. It was thought that Sardinia would at once occupy the revolted Duchies,and thus bring Italian affairs to a real crisis. ‘The cotton market was unusually active yesterday, and the sales embraced about 10,080 bales, only abou 700 of which were in store, the remainder having been sold in traveit. Lots in store were quite steady, and firmly held on the basis of quotations given in another column. The receipta in the ports have now reached 3,100,000 bales— nearly three fourths of the estimated crop—and which, at $50 per bale, amounts in {value to $166,000,000. Of this amount, 1,872,000 bales have been exported, Of the value of $23,600,000—leaving a stock in hand of 1,060,000 bales. These figures outstrip the statistics of all former years regarding this article. Flour was in better request, with rather more doing, closing with a firmer feeling. Wheat was firmly held. The chief sale com- prised Southern white, on privateterms. Corn was quiet, and sales were limited, at rates /givem elsewhere. Pork ‘was active and firmer, with sales of new mesa on the Spot at $18 37 a $18 50, and of prime at better prices. Sugars wore firm, with sales of 600 a 700 hhds. and 600 boxes, at rates given in another place. Coffee was quite firm, but sales wore limited. A cargo of Rio was reported sold, but we could not trace it, The tea sale drew a good company, and al! the greens offered, though not of the best quality, wore sold at full prices. A large portion of the blacks were withdrawn for higher rates. Freights were steady, with a fair amount of engagements. The Strike of the Natick Cobblers—Sena- tor Wilson’s Theories in their Home Ap- plication, It is buta few days since Senator Wilson, popularly known as “the Natick Cobbler,” de- livered on the floor of the Senate his rhetorical appeal against the institution of domestic slavery in the South; and to-day the cobblers of Natick reply to him in the celebrated words of John Randolph to the solicitor of aid for the Greeks: “Go home, sir—the Greeks are at your door.” New England is convulsed with the uprising of its laboring classes against their employers. It is the old misunderstood and misdirected war of Jabor against capital. The shoemakers ot Lynn, Natick, Beverly, Marblehead, Haver- hill and other neighboring towns have deter- mined to make their wrongs manifest; and in so doing, the arguments, the rhetoric, and almost the very words which Senator Wilson. used so profusely in hig attack on Southern slavery, are paraded by the orators of the striking shoe- makers. The claims of “free labor” are ad- vanced in first rank, Banker Hill and Lexing- ton are appealed to, the Revolutionary senti- ments of our fathers are applied to existing so- cial evils, and men who claim to be the descendants of those who flung the tea into Boston harbor, to escape a tax of three pence in the pound, have selected the day of the an- niversary of the birth of Washington as the day on which they will strike for higher wages, from employers who now pay them only three or four doliars for fifteen hours daily labor during six days in a week. This breaking out of the hideous sores of society in New England, the cradle and hotbed of the anti-slavery fana- ticism that at this very moment threatens to in- volve the entire Union in revolution and ruin, comes ag a providential and practical comment upon the teachings of the social and political fanatics who are organizing under the black banners of abolitionized republicanism. Without entering upom-an inquiry as to the rights and wrongs of the wages question, be- tween the laborers and the employers of Massa- chusetits and New Hampshire, we may trace these social evils to their true source. This lies not in the fact that a man receives five or ten cents, more or less, for making a double soled and heeled welt, but in the persistent inculcation by the philosophers of New Eng- Jand of the fallacy that political prin- ciples must also be applied to social rights. In amenability to the Deity, and to the laws established for the government of the community, all men are equal; but no man hasa greater claim upon society than the service he renders to society. The lame, the lag, the ignorant, the provident, the active and the skilfal do not render equal services, and can have no claim to an equality of reward. But the pernicious reasoners of the French school, starting from the ill-expressed and am- biguous formula that all men are equal, carry it to the absurd in abstract deduction, and advocate the impossible in practical applica- tion. It is true that all do not go tothe de- gree of its universal extension to politics and society; and so protean is the character of the fallacy that hardly any two exactly agree as to the point and grade where its application should cease. Some—but these are the few— insist that all men should eat the same, drink the same, work the same, play the same, sléep the same, enjoy the same, and accumulate the same, and, in fact, become the slaves of system, as in the phalansteries of the pure so- cialist. But the great mass of these fallacious teachers avoid the universal application of their abstractions, and take up some particular idea or hobby. Thus, some apply it to the ne- gro, and labor to prove thatin all things he has equality with the white man. Others ex- tend their philosophy particularly to women, and the rights of these are philosophized upon. Others, again, apply their theories exclusively to the rights of labor; and those of the sewing girls in cities, the factory operatives ef country towns, the workmen at the forge, loom and anvil, and the shoemakers of Lynn and Natick, are all defended with the same theories, argu- ments and rhetorical appeals that so abound in the speeches of Wilson, Sumner, Helper, Sher- man, Phillips, Parker, and their fellow phi- losophers. The movement now working in New Eng- land is the same with the black republican cru- sade against slavery, and the results must be the same that flow from similar teachings in Europe, and particularly France, where these fal- lacies have the most active hold on the minds of so large a portion of thecommunity. The object is a social and nota political revolution; and such a revolution has but one possible path to follow. This leads first to anarchy, in which the ties of society are broken, every material inte- rest is destroyed, and, reason and religion de- throned, are succeeded by the reign of terror and the worship of a prostitute, as in the first French revolution. From such a state of con- fusion and degradation men have no escape but through despotism, where one man seizes the scattered powers of society and subdues the destructive energies of error. It is to this fearful abyss that the teachings of Seward, Wilson, Sumner, Wendell Phillips, Theodore Parker, Helper, and all the other apostles of their school, are hastening this country. The mo- | ment the dogma that all men are equal is diverted from a political toa social applica- | tion, from that moment the descent to anarchy | begins. Yesterday it was applied to the negro, "| to-day it is applied to the cobblers of Natick, to-morrow other social wrongs take it up, and the tide of sophistry runs its course of riot Foropean advices to the 2d instant, but the news and ruin, American Sympathy in Behalf of Italian Tndopendence. The meeting at the City Assembly Rooms last night was, as regards its practical character, and the influence it is kely to exercise, by far the most important that has been held here ip connection with the cause of Italian liberty. It has been rightly deemed that a declaration of sympathy emanating from this country at the present moment may have some effect in confirming the disposition of the French Em pe- ror to complete the work of Italian liberation by emancipating the subjects of the Pope from their ecolesiastical chains. If there be any lin- gering hesitation on his part to enter upon & contest in which religious fanaticism, and pro- bably the dagger of the assassin, will be enlist- ed against him, it will be dispelled by his finding the general sentiment ranged upon his side. In a country in which religious tolera- tion knows no limits—in which men enjoy the fullest measure of political liberty, and in which, consequently, the broadest and justest views are taken of the questions that agitate other communities not so fortunately situated, it is natural that a strong feeling of interest should exist as to the future destiny of the populations which have been, hitherto, subject to the Pontifical rule. The fact that the Italians have been eagerly looking forward to some formal expression of that feeliag, and that we have held back from offering it until the proper moment for doing so had arrived, will give increased value to the steps that may now be decided upon. In our opinion, whatever demonstration is undey- taken should neither be a small nor a partial one. It should be something in which our peo- ple generally should have an opportunity of participating. The meeting of last night will serve as the inception of the movement. After it is completed by a dozen or more similar gatherings in Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New Orleans and others of our large cities, a delegation should be appointed to proceed to Paris with an address to the French Emperor, expressive of their approbation of his policy in regard to Italy, but more especially of that part of it which contemplates the relief of the Pope from the cares of temporal authority. There will be nothing in our politi- cal relations inconsistent with a pro- ceeding of this kind. The contest in Italy is no longer one between material interests, but between intellectual progress and an obsti- nate adherence to rights which have become incompatible with the interests of society. The Popedom, as an institution of a semi-political character, has long outlived its uses. In the early ages of the Church it was an instrument of civilization, as well as of conservatism. It con- trolled the instincts of brute force, and held the masses subject to its superior intelligence. How different is its position now! Whilst the world has advanced in intellectual develope- ment, it has remained stationary, and it brings its policy of the Middle Ages to bear on the necessities and requirements of the nineteenth century. What wonder is it, therefore, that even the Catholic world itself should have become disgusted with its determined adherence to old traditions, and vote it an intolerable drag upon the social and political progress of the age? It is surprising that men so astute in other matters as the Catholic hierarchy should shut their eyes to these facts. If the Poge and his Cardinals were not utterly bereft of their senses, they would see that the time has come when they must be content to fall back upon the modest attributes by which the Pontificate was surrounded previous to the time of Pepin and Charlemagne. Pius the Ninth would offer a much more satisfactory spectacle to the Christian world were he to fold his mantle around him, ‘and fall with dignity, like Cesar, han were he to wait until he is again kicked out of Rome—never more to return. Ifhe can accept his fate like a Christian andlike asensible man, he will find sympathizers and friends everywhere. Should he stand in need of an asylum, we think that we can even promise him one here, though we cannot take it upon our- selves to say how our American Pope—Arch- bishop John—will like the idea of a divided authority. AxBayy Corrvptioy.—There has been a great deal said from time to time, about the corrup- tion of the Legislature and the lobby at Al- bany, and the newspapers have been indiguant- ly charged with misrepresentation in publish- ing statements upon that subject. Bat now it appears, from the highest authority in the House, that corruption is glaringly apparent there, for we find the Speaker himself declaring that a sum of $100,000 had been written for to Wall street by a member of the Legislature for the purpose of defeating the Pro Rata bill; and he stated that the individual who had sent the let- ter was at that moment within hearing of his voice. One would suppose that such a charge made on the floor of the House would have aroused every member in that body, possess- ing any self-respect, to demand an inquiry into the facts. But the announcement fell upon the Albany legislators in silence—a different way. It gave rise to a good deal of bluster, and the subsequent appointment of a committee, against a stormy opposition—winding up yesterday with a case of assault and battery on tlie floor. Is it not apparent that the Legislature is afraid to go into any investigation of such delicate charges? We fear that there are too few clean hands and pure conscieaces in that body to venture upon an inquiry as to corruption. The conclusion which is forced upon us by this transaction is that no bill passes the Legisla- ture without being paid for, and that all par- ties are implicated alike in adhering to that practice. The Legislature seems to stand in the same category as our immaculate Corpora- tion in this regard—a state of things which is la- mentable to think of. We shall see, however, whether the Investigating Committee will make any important developements in their scrutiny into the,charges made by Speaker Littlejohn, or whether they will smother up the whole matter. There is a fine chance for interesting revelations here, Tue Battery Extarcemest Jos Dsctarep TrieGar.—The Battery enlargement job was before a committee of Aldermen on Thursday, when the Corporation Counsel, Mr. Bronson, gave it as his opinion that the contract was in- valid, null and void, on three distinct grounds, viz:—That the resolution ordering it was pass- ed by one branch of the Common Counci! and only concurred in by the other the year follow- ing, when a new Common Council was in office; that no securities were given by the coutractor for the fulfilment of the work, and that the term at which the work was to have been com- \ pleted having expired, and yet there being no NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1860.—TRIPLE SHEET, completion of the contract, it must be regard. ed as invalid. He was, therefore, of opinion that anew contract can be ordered by the Common Council. Now, we trust that the Common Council will not make any new contract to enlarge the Bat- tery. The whole affair, from the beginning, was acorrupt and mischievous job—an expensive job, and a nuisance besides, for it did serious damage to the harbor. When it was first broached we denounced it as such, though some of the penny newspapers were bribed to back it up, and we presume that some members of the Corporation at the time came in for a share of the apoila. ‘ Mr. Bronson is the first Corporation Counsel who has pronounced this contract invalid, and now that it has been so declared, we hope that it will never be revived. The city, it is true, has lost fifty-five thousand dollars by the tink- ering operation, which, it appears, have been already expended upon it; but let that go with the rest. Itis but a drop in the bucket of Cor- poration plunder. Ignorance and Insolence of a Southern Senator. To the bill before the United States Senate, abolishing the franking privilege, Mr. Mason, on Wednesday last, moved an amendment, that no mail matter should henceforth be carried free, to which amendment an amendment was offered, exempting newspapers now having the privilege of free transmission by mail, which are papers sent in exchange to editors, and pa- pers circulating in the county in which they are published. Mr. Clay, of Alabama, according to the offi- cial report of his speech, published in the Globe, then used the following observations:— I hope that amendment will not prevail. That would Just achieve one of the most objectionable features of this privilege of the free transmission of matter through the mails, which isto centralize power in the great cities, and to give am immense circulation to such papers ag the Hynat and the 7ribune, which I think do not do much to improve the morals or the politics of the country. The gentlomen, well educated, highly polished aud humane. But there is a class of penniless poli- ticilans in the South who have nothing to lose, but who live by agitation and political rascali- ty, just in the same way aa do the demagogues in Congress from the North. These men do not own any niggers, but are owned by the niggers, | The Secretary of the Clinton Le and they have done and are now doing as much to destroy the interests and overthrow the in- stitutions of the South as the most rabid aboli- tion demagogues of the North. They are of the same class as the “border ruffians” of Mis- souri, who afforded a pretext to the revolu- tionists in Kansas to carry on their treasonable designs. There are few statesmen now in Con- gress from the South, but plenty of nigger drivers, who are as dangerous to the peace of the country and the existence of the Union as the nigger worshippers of the North. But this journal is not to be deterred from doing its duty or diverted from its independent course by the insolence and ingratitude of political chiffonniers, whether they cross our path in the questionable shape of broken down editors hail- | ing from Virginia, from Alabama, or from any other Southern State. Tus Comme Execrioxs in New Hampsnire AnD Connecticut.—The elections about to take place in New Hampshire and Connecticut are of more than ordinary importance. One of them will come off in March and the other in April, and their significance is derived from their bearing on the great issue which is now before the couritry, and which is to be decided by the Presidential election next fall. The preparations for that contest, now going for- ward, and the marshalling of the forces, North and South, East and West, will impart unusual interest to the State elections in New England this spring, particularly the struggle in Connec- ticut, where a manufacturing movement has re- cently been set on foot to rebuke treason at the North, and to vindicate the “land of wooden nutmegs and steady habits” from par- eflect of it would be to destroy all the local papers, and to give increased power.to the papers in the great metropo- lig of the Union, and I presume that is the object of the Senator from New York in making the motion. and per- ee = object of the Senator from Pennsylvania in ac- Never before, perhaps, was such a piece of self-stultification uttered by any Senator since Congress had an existence. The Heraup has always contended for the abolition of the free transmission of newspapers through the Post Office, whether as exchanges between editors or as circulating within the county in which they are published. We advocated the aboli- tion of this privilege for years, and before any Senator or representative ever thought of it. At the opening of the present session of Con- gress we reiterated the same views in comment- ing on the report of the Postmaster General; and now Senators have adopted jthem. The Senator from Alabama has also borrowed our ideas, though, unfortunately, he does not under- stand the effect of them. He has manifestly “got hold of the wrong end of the story.” No one will suppose that we are so stupid as to advo- cate the abolition of a law “which gives an im- mense circulation to the Heraup and gives power to papers in the great metropolis of the Union.” Clay’s speech is exceedingly foggy, and it is very questionable if he understands what he says; but if it have any meaning at all, it means that the exception proposed to be in- troduced in the bill before the Senate was something new that would “give increased power” to the Hera.p, Now, what was proposed by the amendment wns io let the law stand as it was before, as far as newspapers were concerned. So that it is evident Mr. Clay was attempting to legislate in utter ignorance of his subject, and that he did notknow what the law was. He thought the proposed amendment “would give increased power to the papers published in the great me- tropolis of the Union.” The proposed amend- ment was just to leave them as they are, and its effect, consequently, could not be to “in- crease” their power. Now we want a change in the law. We do not desire to have the mails burthened with useless “exchanges,” and with mieerable little papers circulating only in the counties in which they are published. The Heratp derives no benefit whatever from the existing law. In the city and county of New York the Henao is not circulated by mails— its circulation is altogether by means of our own carriers, Mr. Clay is therefore ignorant ofthe manner in which papers in “the great metropolis of the Union” are circulated, and thinks we do business here after the slow coach fashion of editorsin Alabama. It is amatter of no consequence what time their papers reach their destiration. The Henan is in the hands of the readers in this county, delivered free of expense, hours before it could be delivered by mail, and the great bulk ofits circulation out- side of New York does not pass through the Post Office, but: reaches the subscribers long before the delivery of the mails. So that to alter the law or to let it stand as it is could not affect us either one way or the other. But the alteration for which we con- tend, and which we have so long advocated, would make a vast difference in the expenses of the Post Office Department, and free it from an intolerable burthen. 4Ve hope the popular branch of Congress will adopt this. reform, which the interests of their constituents so im- peratively demand, and send back the bill so amended to the Senate. Mr. Clay and the Herat, therefore, as far as we can understand him, or as he can understand himself, agree about the proposed amendment to the bill. But he makes an allusion to the conduct of the Heraxp, and its effect on the morals and politics of the country, which is as impudent and impertinent as it is unjust, and in the mouth of a Senator from Alabama it becomes as ungrateful as it is untrue. The HeraLp bas always stood disinterestedly by the rights of the South, while the vast majority of its readers have ever been in the North, and it has done more to secure justice to the class of States to which Mr. Clay belongs than the whole Southern press put together. And ithas done more to expose political immorality and public corrup- tion than any other journal ever published in the United States. We have no interests in the South; but for a quarter of a century we have battled for its rights on high ground, which fel- lows like Clay caunot comprehend. The gene- ration of statesmen who have passed away ap- preciated our position and recognized our ser- vices to the South. But such statesmen as John C. Cathoun, Henry Clay, Hayne, McDuffie, the Barbours of Virginia, and Stephenson and Rives of the same State, have given place, with few exceptions, to a miserable set of small Politicians in Congress, briefless lawyers and broken down editors of little obscure newspapers. The planters of the South are ticipation in the revolutionary designs of the abolition party. The result will show the ex- tent and sincerity of the sentiments proclaimed at the Union meetings held there, or, on the other hand, show what amount of sympathy there is for John Brown. If these elections should turn out adverse to the Union and the constitution, there will be but too much réason to ap- prehend that New Hampshire and Connec- ticut would vote the same way in the ,Presi- dential struggle; and the effect would be most disastrous upon the country, for it would thus be demonstrated that there was no union or con- servative sentiment in New England that was of any practical value to the South. The only two Eastern States in which there is the shadow of a chance for the trinmpl of patriotism over sectional fanaticism are New Hampshire and Connecticut. They have gone wrong in the last elections, but they may redeem their error in the approaching conflict. The triumph of conservatism even in one of these States—Con- necticut, for instance—might not only be deci- sive of the Presidential election, but have such an influence on the Middle States as would give atremendous popular majority in November against the higher law. With the whole South voting as a unit, and counting 120 votes, and with Oregon and California sure, Connec- ticut, with New Jersey and Indiana, would be sufficient to elect a President true to the con- stitution, if every other Northern State should yote on the other side. The coming elections, therefore, in Connecticut and New Hampshire are not only of great importance, intrinsically, but for their influence on the Middle States and their effect throughout the country at large. Tae Cnevatier Wes mx Great TRovBtE Asovur Sewarp.—-The Chevalier Webb is very indignant at the machinations by which Mr. Seward, of New York, is to be thrown over- board, as the republican candidate for the Presidency, and one Bates, of Missouri, raked up from the depths of obscurity, and placed in the shoes of the apostle of the higher law— the chieftain of the “irrepressible conflict.” The gallant Colonel pitches into “the hero of Solferino” like a thousand of brick for aiding and abetting in this conspiracy to “take the back track,” and “abandon the principles of the republican party.” The Chevalicr’s eyes are full of tears, and we pity his sorrows. But let him not’trouble himself too much about Mr. Seward, who stands just where he stood before. The news on the subject, which ap- peared in the columns of his little contempo- rary, is of a piece with the bogus treaty be- tween Mexico and the United States, of which he published a copy two or three days ago, and the bogus treaties between England and Nicaragua, and between this country and Paraguay, of which he published copies some time ago. The treaties were patched up by the lobby, of which he was at that time the organ, and the news about Seward comes from the same veracious and authentic quarter—the source whence he still derives his political in- spiration and his exclusive intelligence. The star of Seward is still in the ascendant. Tue Batance-or-Power Party Cairron- nrers.—Attempts are being made to get up a balance-of-:power party by a few politicians who are always in the field, on the look out for something so sell. The object of this move- ment is to get up a third party before the elec- tion, which may be sold out to some advantage at the proper time; but it is nothing more than putting the debris of a broken down faction into the market—an effort to gather up old materials for a new party, out of which some profit may be made when things approach a crisis. In the issue now before the country, however, there are but two live parties—the abolition republicans, who are plotting dis- union and revolution, and the democrats, who are the more conservative of the two; but there can be no division of these parties ex- cept to their own detriment. The vital ques- tion of the times must be fairly decided between these, upon the broad issue of Union and pros- perity, or revolution and ruin. Exoremest in New Barras, Conn.—Mr. J. E. Pierpont, of New Britain, (of the firm of Bishop & Pierpont, fish and dealers,) left that place on Friday, the 3d inst. Be ee cote annie tla tite. On the same day the wife of Mr. Francis Demming left that place for parts un- known to her husband. told him she was going te Berlin to hy day or two with some friends. Some transactions ween Pierpont and his wife led Mr. Dem- mae suspect that all was not right, and he went over to Berlin in the afternoon and ascertained that his wife had not been there. She took the noon train going South. Mrs. left a note for her husband, say- ing ‘‘Farewell, Francis.”” Pierpont left a wife and two children in New Haven, where he formerly reaided. ——+ A Corrovs Inra.—A rich miser in Auburn, N. Y., has made arrangementa to be buried in Owasco lake, a beau- tiful sheet of water pear that town. He has a stone coffin made which takes twelve yoke of oxen to draw it. He res aman a good farm for burying him. He Is to take sm to the middle of the lake and gink him. NEWS FROM'THE STATE CAPITAL, A Free Pro Rata Fight in Assembly Chamber. Brutally Assaulting a Member, INTENSE EXCITEMENT IN THE HZugh Allen Before the Bar of House. THE FINALE OF THE AFFRAY, &, &e., a. Our Special Albany Despatch. A.sanr, Feb. 17, 1860. ‘The friends of pro rata are very much encouraged men, into the cioak room, 1B also tho Speaker, and then proposed to adjourn if the other side would only be magnanimous enough to allow him to make the move se 88 to have the benefit of the move to pro rata. They found that this course, adopted in caucus, which they were so nervous about on account of the exposure in tho Huraup, ‘was working against them—hence & new course must be adopted. This new or eleventh hour caucus was so pab- lic that it needed no extra sagacity to get hold of their movements, aud the above are the facts in the case, This morning we have had an attempt to introduce the arguments 80 long prevalent in the Congressioual Hall in ‘Washington—an argument of muscle in favor of pro rata. ‘Thus it seems that wherever republicanism becomes ram- pant, Sharpe’s rifles, pikes, pistols and muscle are brought into requisition. The circumstances of this dis- graceful pro rata scene this morning are as fol- fows:—Mr. Milliken in bis speech against the Pro Rata bill Inst evening, accused the Clinton League of being the most gigantic lobby concern that had ever under- taken to influeace legislation, and especially assailed Hugh Allen, the eecretary, who has been here the eatire winter bution-holing members and doing all that be could to influence votes. ‘This, it seems, Mr. Allen took ‘excep. tions to, aad came upon the floor of the House before the commencement of the morning session, and found that Mr. Milliken was in bis seat. He asked Mr. Van Horn, of Niagara, to introduce him, who, I understand, refused. He then went aud sqt dv ern two seats from Mr! Milikea? ‘witu Mir. Stilson, of Orieaus, eitting betwoen them. 4 After siting there a few moments, Mr. Stilson, at tha request of Mr. Allen, proposed to Mr. Milliken to introduce bim. Mr. Milliken objectod, stating that he bad no desira to become acquainted with a common slanderer. Mr. Al- len replied that he desired to explain. Mr, M. stated that he (Allen) bad informed a frisad of his (M.’s) that bo (Milliken) was the party to whom the writing of the letter referred to by the Speaker was imputed, and remarked that any man who would repeat such a false charge wasa Scroundrel, unless he had positive proof of its truth, aad he did not desire any communication with Allen until the imputation was withdrawn. Mr. Allen then replied that he bee never repeated it to but three persons, and never in the lobby to a at ir. Mr. Milliken said he would call Mr. J. Rodgers, ane A stranger to Mr. Allen, to whom he (Alien) bad made the remark, when Mr. Allen admitted that he might have fre- qvently repeated it, and would again ropeat it, and that it was true. Mr. Milliken then called him a base slanderer and a contemptible scoundrel, whereupon Mr. Allen struck him with his fisi on his right eye. Mr. Milliken was reaching over to get beset | to defend himself with when Bir, Stilson sprang to his feet and se) them. Several pereons immediately gatbere 1 around, and the most intense excitement followed for afew minutes. The Ser- geant-at-4rms promptly arrested Mr. Allen, as it was his duty to do as the chief police officer of the House. Tho leading pro rata men atonce flew around and told him that he had no rightto do fo. An attempt was made by the pro rata men to get Mr. Williams ont of the hall toa private room above, but to the credit of Mr. Williams the Sergeant at-Arms) he refused to leave his post or a the third house operator that had asssaulted a member. Taking Mr. Allen to the Sergeant-at-Arms’ room, Mr. O. Allen, @ Buffalo pro rata member, immediately called upon Mr. Williams, and plead for the release of the Secre- tary of the Clinton Leagao. In fact, I was informed by scheme that.could pos- thé Sergeant-at-Arms that every sibly be concocted by the republican pro rate = under the excitement of the moment, was bro iato operation to obtain the release of Mr. Allen, who in- troduced a new argument on the floor of the House im favor of this measure. Mr. Williams had a preccdent for the course the pursued in arresting Mr. Alien, that happene: on the floor of the House in 1547, under almost the same circum- stances, Tho Sergeantat-Arts at that time heid the guilty pefson under arrest, and kept him under custody until the House ordered the persou to be commitied w jail. Ag soon as the House was called to order, Mr. Callioott arose to a question of privilege. He had been informed that a menuber of this House bad been assaulted in his seat, and thatthe person who had assaulted him was now in custody of the seven members, be ed tore; Allen, who of this House, and that said cute the duty them immediately. As soon as this resolution was adopted the Speaker sent his private messenger to the t-at-arms with aa or- der to let Mr. Allen have = “get I pent this action Tata leader—w! ‘one opportunity pais where he could give a biased decision upon this question but what he has dene it; now orderiag one of his colaborers, who had assavited a member, to be dis- charged from custody. decision is worthy of a notice, coming as it does from a republican Speaker and a leading mom- of that party who raised such a howl, and whose papers were filled with overy anathema that combination of the English language would make, republicans again howl over the assault of ‘& member of their party for words spoken in debate, until they change this decision made by a republican or. It is strange how interest will affect these pure republicans their decisign on any question. It makes all the diffe- Tenbé ué to whose ox is |. Had a railroad man com- mitted the assault the Speaker would have called some one to the chair, and there would haye been all manner of accusations. The following committee were appointed by the Speaker:—Messrs. Callicott, Bingham, Kortright, Finch, Fuller, Austin, Myers and Van Horn. Two of the committee called at the Speaker's chair and received their instructions before pints The committee ats and, “agit @ short SER Soe they signed a report drawn up by Mr. Callicott, which was ee to hia House, aud the Sergeant-at-Arms or- dered to arrest Allen. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. ‘The Committee on Privilege, who were instructed by the House to report a mode of proceeding in the case of Hugh Allen, who is now in custody of Arms of this House, for having assaulted and Jiam T. B, Milken, one of iis members, in his seat in the Assembly Chamber, when this House was not in session, recommend the adoption of the following ordor:— Ordered, That the following course of served, namely:—Said Hugh Allen shall bar Ms this a after fee ~ him the foliowing interrogatory :—! that Fou assaulted and beat the eal = ‘on; but if the said Hugh Alien deny the assault and ing, or that the same were done for the cause aforesaid, or rofuse, or evade answering the said inter 5 then the said Milliken shail be examined as a witness touching said charges; after which the said Hugl Aliem shall be allowed to introduce any com evi in troduced. When the evidenoa s all before the House, the said Hugh Allen shall ‘be heard on the whole matter by himself or his counsel, se he may elect. After the said Hugh Allen shall have been go heard, he shall be directed to withdraw, and the House shall proceed to consider the subject, and to take euch CS aoe as may seem just and proper. ign ¢ members of the bat paige arrest was issued by the Speaker, author. eng the Sergeant at-Arma to arrest Mr. Allen, uni of Mr. Callicot. = Ly : i i