The New York Herald Newspaper, February 1, 1861, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1861. NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. ~~ OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. ee ‘advance. Money sent by mail soil! be at the AES led inti Bank bale current én New York ‘ahem. ‘THE sop ES aoe ie dma tay part of ret Brian, Balers Hii oe (tine Sta of each tone ots me tte uERALD. on Wednesday, at four cente per mye RENTING es executed with neatzess, cheapness and de- epatch. (a — AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING, NIBLO’S GARDEN, Broadway.—Riousuiro. INTER GARDEN, Broadway, opposite Bond street — ae ye To Pat Ov Deors eK arnERIN® ano I's ‘TRUCHIO. WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway.—Tux Lavy or St. | Trorxs. LAURA KEENE’S THEATRE, No. 624 Broadway.— Bevan Sistexs, ay — Beato BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—A Pevr E ee iccne Vanerr—Nsw York As Le Is—Civss ane Trumrs. THEATRE FRANCAIS, {85 Broadway.—Lxs Canorixns DE LA Seine. \UM'S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway ee aT ae usp Tkaks—Tux LADY OF Livixa Cuniosizixs, £0. NTS! MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broad- wae pmasauns BoMGs, DANCES, A0.—Masaue Bau. — --Day and it, TRorez— LEY & CAMPBELL’S MINSTRELS, Niblo's Saloon, Biadway —Hrmiorian S0xGs, DANCES, Wowusaons, £0 Bervnrep Cavivonnians. CANTERBURY MUSIC HALL, 663 Broadway.—Ticar Rors, Sones, Dances, Buntxsques, &0. MELODEON, No. 639 Broadway.—Sorcs, Dances, Bua- usques, £0. ART UNION, No. 497 Broadway.—Borunsques, Sones, Dancers, &c. CONCERT HALL, Newark.—Bupworta & Campseci's Wooo's MuxsrkeLs—BuRuesqus OW Rarer. New York, Friday, Febraary 1, 1861. = MAILS FOR THE PACIFIC. New York Herald—California Edition. ‘The mail steamship Ariel, Captain Minor, willleave this port to-day, at noon, for Aspinwall. ‘The mails for California and other parts of the Pacific will close at ten o'clock this morning. The New Yore Weexry Herawp—California edition— containing the latest intelligence from all parts of the world, with a large quantity of local and miscellaneous matter, will be published at nine o'clock in the morning. Single copies, in wrappers, ready for mailing, six cents. Agents will please send in their orders as early as pos- sible. The News. The proceedings of Congress yesterday are highly important. In the Senate Mr. Seward, in presenting the monster memorial of the citizens of New York, in faver of the adoption of the border State adjustment of the troubles of the nation, de- livered a long speech in exposition of his views and policy. A full report of it is given elsewhere in our columns. Mr. Mason, of Virginia, in his comments upon the speech of Mr. Seward, thus pithily sums up the argument of the latter:—‘ He has recommended, first, to speak ; next, to vote ; next to give money ; and, lastly, to fight."’ The de- bate commenced by Mr. Seward was participated in by Senators ontoth sides, and the impression gathered from the speeches is, that the incoming administration has resolved upon pursuing a coer- cive course towards the seceding States should all efforts for a peaceful settlement fail. In the House Mr. Adams, of Massachusetts, the author of the proposition to admit New Mexico into the Union, with or without slavery, as her people may elect, delivered Lis views om the crisis, as did also Mr. Farnsworth, of Tlinois; Avery, of Tennessee; Niblack of Indiana, and others. The Democratic State Convention assembled at Albany yesterday. Soon after the commencement of the proceedings the struggle between Tammany and Mozart was begun. There wag much partisan feeling manifested by the friends of the rival factions, and considerable excitement, at one time pp itous of a row, which, however, was averted. The Convention finally voted to ad- mit both the Tammany and Mozart delegates. Wi this, however, the Tammanyites were dis ed and withdrew. They subsequently met at the Delavan House and organized, when, on taking a vote, they decided not to return to the Convention. They declare uncompromising hos- tility and war to the knife against the Regency. The Mozarters were very much elated at their recognition. Hon. Amasa J. Parker was elected President of the Convention, with a long list of Vice Presidents and Secretaries. The resolutions from the committee will be reported to the Con- vention to-day. The joint special committee of the Legislature of this State appointed to consider the proposi- tions of the Virginia Legislature, in reference to sending delegates to a Convention of States, pro- posed to be convened at Washington on Monday next, the 4th inst., to concert measures of conciliation between the North and South, yester- day rendered the result of their labors in a ma- jority and a minority rep The majority re- port, while expressing di t from the plan of compr se suggested by the Virginia Legisla- ture, accedes to the proposal of sending Commis- sioners from this Siate, and names David Dudley Field, William Curtis > »s, James 8. Wadsworth, James (, Smith, Amaziah B. James, Greene C? Bronson, Erastus Corning, Addison Gardiner and William E. Dodge as such commission. The minority report is adverse to the sending of Commissioners. The consideration of the report was made the special order for to- day in the Assembly. Considerable of other business was gone through with in both houses of the Legislature, but principally of local interest only. The mails by the steamship Bohemian, which arrived at Portland Wednesday morning, reached this city last evening. The main points of the news by this arrival have already been given, but the details, which we publish this morning; are of some importance, both in a political and financial point of view. The cotton panic in England does not seem to abate. The London Times of the 16th contains an elaborate article upon the subject of the cotton supply, which we reproduce this morning. Joseph F. Sweet, who was arrested a few weeks ago on a charge of being a fagitive from Indiana, it being alleged that he was connected with the Boon County Bank swindle, was rearrested yes- Verday by detective McCord, on a warrant issued by the Governor of Indiana, the Grand Jury of Boon county having indicted him as being impli- cated in the same matter, The Police Commissioners yesterday made four- teen appointments of patrolmen, as follows:~ Thomas Stokes, John N. Brown, Owen Gallagher, John H. Mann, Joseph Hook, John Porter, Rich- ard Blake, Thomas Rightman, Fdward Barns, Samael F. Kelsey, Henry Potter, Francis Marphy, for the New York force; and Lewis Lewis, F. KF. Larquier, of the Brooklyn force, dismissed, Oni. cer F. P. Wright, of the Fourth precinct, was pro. moted to Sergeantcy. At the meeting of the Board of Aldermen yes. terday, Mt. Dayton offered a resolution providing for the appointment of a joint select committee of the Common Council to invite Mr. Lincoln, the President elect, to visit New York and accept the “ cordial welcome’’ of its citizens on his way to the national capital. A brief but lively disoussion @usued, ond on taking a yote the proposition was rejected. The fourth annual Report of the Cen- tral Park Commission was presented. The expen- ditures of the Commission so far, for land and im- provements, amount to $6,447,904. During the past year 3,579 laborers have been employed in the Park. The expenditures during the same period have been $114,000. Considerable routine business was transacted, and the Board adjourned to Monday next. The Grand Jury made a presontment yesterday in the Court of General Sessions previous to being discharged, ‘which will be found in our report elsewhere, After stating that the number of in- cendiary fires are increasing, they denounce the seditious doctrines set forth in the recent message of Mayor Wood, observing that such sentiments pander to the worst passions of men, and, in con- clusion, urge the importance pf having an efficient police to suppress crime and protect our citizens, Jacob Miller, who was convicted on Wednesday of arson in the second degree, was sentenced by Judge McCunn to imprisonment in the State | prison for twelve years and three months. In the absence of the President of the Board of Councilmen, the Clerk called the meeting to order last evening. Nine members only answering to their names, he declared the Board adjourned till Monday. The majority of the democrats are in Albany saving the Union. The Commissioners of Charities and Correction met yesterday afternoon, and adopted the report of the Committee of the Whole in the usual way. An abstract of this report is given in another column. There are 9,030 inmates in the instita- tions at present, which is an increase of 117 for the past week, x The skating in the Central Park yesterday seem- ed to have obtained renewed vigor from its tem- porary lull, and although the ice was not altoge- ther smooth, still, as the season is now rapidly approaching its end, the ball was raised, and the pond illuminated at night. The official returns of yesterday, to six P. M., gave pedestrians, 50,000; equestrians, 60; wheeled vehicles, 600, and sleighs 1,300. At the close of the Park the numbers were, pedestrians, 60,000; vehicles, 700; sleighs, 1,500. The Drive was in a fair condition for sleigh- ing, considering there has been no fresh fall of snow. Robert Wilson, a sleigh driver, was arrest- ed yesterday for disorderly conduct. In conse- quenee of so many accidents, chairs wili in future be prohibited on the ladies’ pond. The whole pond is expected to be flooded to-night; if so, there will be no skating after six o'clock P. M. The overland pony express, with San Fran- cisco advices to the 12th ult., arrived at Fort Kearney on Wednesday, four days behind time. The Cortez sailed from San Francisco on the 10th for Panama, with a fair complement of passen- gers and nearly a million and a halfin treasure for New York. Business, as usual at this season of the year, was very dull. A. L. Stookfleth, the Hamburg consul, and a merchant of extensive connections, committed suicide on the 10th ult. He was heavily involved pecuniarily. Two matches were played yesterday on the curling pond in the Central Park, one for the local medal of the Thistle Club, the other merely for honor, between the Hudson and Caledonian clnbs. A report will be found in another column, giving the winners in both matches, &c. We have advices from Porto Cabello, Venezuela, to the 8th ult. The country continued in a very unsettled condition, both in foreign and domestic affairs. The accounts from the United States had a most poralyzing effect. The French and Eng- lish Ambassadors and subjects assumed tones and consequences heretofore not practiced towards the natives. ‘The cotton market yesterday was without change of momeat in j rices, while the sales embraced about 2 300 bales, part in transit. We quote middling uplands at 12\¢c. The expectation entertained by some persons that any very large proportion of the cotton crop can be brought inland by river and rails for reshipment to Europe is, to a great extent, delusive. It is a bulky article, and every time it is handled it costs money. From Memphis to shipboard in New York it hasto be handled five or six times; wher2as, by way of New Or- ans, it is not negessarily handled more than two or three times. Besides, in New Orleans it, to a large ox- tent, undergoes powerful recompression to lessen its bulk, To deliver the whole crop to Northern cities for re-export (say four millions of bales) would tax the utmost capacity of the railways forming the links in the most direct routes of transportation fora period of one or two years. The only point from which inland transportation has been carried on to any considerable extent during the past few years to the North has been from Memphis, which is 700 miles above New Orleans. ‘The whole receipts at this place in 1859-60 were not much over 200,000 bales, a part of which found ite way to Northera manufactures through inland routes. The remainder was forwarded to New Orleans, and some por- tion to Charleston. A considerable portion of the re- ceip's at Memphis comes from Aakansas. The cotton received here does not rank so high as that grown nearer the Gulf. The great advantage of the New Orleans market arises not only from the quantity, but ihe wide range of qualities on sale. Hence foreign pur chasers, and especially those from France, can make better selections than elsewhere. The supplies from Natchez, Grand Gulf, Red River and Texas afford the best assortment of fine cottons found on the conti- neut. Among other varieties, Sea Island is found in the market from the coast of Texas and Florida, The four market exhibited no important changé in prices, which were dull for the upper grades, while sales were fair. Wheat was more active, and quotations without altera. tion of moment. Corn opened dull and heavy, but was more buoyant at the close and at unchanged prices. Pork wus rather firmer, with light sales. Sugars were tolerably active, with sales of 1,400 bhds. and 170 boxes, at rates given inanother column. Coffee was steady. Freights were rather easier for grain and firmer for flour. There was more freight offering for Havre. Tur Pacirtc Ratnoav Jov.—This stupendous lobby scheme has passed the Senate of the United States in an amended form, providing for no less than three railways across the vast deserts and sterile mountains lying between the Mississippi river and the Pacific ocean—a Northern, a Central and a Southern road, This bill passed by a vote of thirty-seven to fourteen, and goes back to the House, as amended, for the concurrence of that body. The probabilities, too, are all in favor of its success; so that, perhaps, the only remaining hope for the defeat of this enormous scheme of spoliation and corruption is in the President's veto. Considering, however, the emptiness of the Treasury, and the more imperative necessi- ties of the crisis than Pacific railroads, we rely, in this case, upon the quietus of a veto. Drsapiuitres or Atrexs.—We see that a bill has been introduced in the Legislature by Mr. Fullerton to enable resident aliens to hold and convey real estate. There has scarcely been a session within our memory that a simi- lar effort has not been made and failed. It is time that an end should be put to legal restric- tions which have neither common sense nor policy to recommend them. The purchase of property in the State by aliens contributes to its wealth, and no rational argument can be urged against their being allowed this privi- loge. When the European governments aro taking steps to discontinue the passport sys- tem, we should remove from our statute books these equally unwise restrictions on foreigners. Other States of the Union have not hesitated to do so, and we have yet to learn that any Practical inconvenience has resulted from it. Garmxa Aioxe as Weis a3 Covto ox Ex- PecrED.—The Democratic State Convention at Albany, composed of disorganizing politicians, who, having failed to save themsel sembled joy} save the Union. ven Rae ‘ The Free Confederacy of the North, We publish three articles from the Toronto papers on the great question of a Northern confederation, embracing the free communities of the late United States, the two Canadas and all the British provinces of North America. The question arises fram the determination of all the republican leaders to resist. those mea- sures which can alone reconcile the South to the North, their object being to prevent the seceding States from returning to the Union, and to force the rest of the stave States out of it. This is done advisedly, with a view of an- nexing the British colonies, whieh would have nothing to do with the confederacy so long a8 slavery was tolerated within its borders, but which, with that insuperable objection re- moved, will be glad to unite their destiny with their Anglo-Saxon brothers in a great free soil homogeneous nation, extending from the Ohio to the North Pole. “For every State that goes out one must come in,” says Mr. Seward; “and so I look upon Rupert’s Land and Canada, and I am able to say ‘It is very well; you are building excellent States to be hereafter admitted into the American Union.’” Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Sew- ard have both declared that this government cannot exist with two kinds of civilization; that if cannot continue half slave and half free; it must be all either one thing or the other. As the Southern States decline to surrendor their institution, and prefer to cut adrift rather than submit to Northern domination, there is nothing left but to repair the loss by the annexation of the free States lying to the north of us. It has been said that the Prince of Wales was well received throughout the British Provinces, and that therefore they will not join us. That isa weak and flimsy argument; for his Royal Highness was received with greater eclat on this side the line, The disturbances in Canada dur- ing the Prince’s visit were very considerable; and the Duke of Newcasfle is reported to have taken home to England the intelligence of a desire on the part of the British Provinces to form a confederacy: under one British vice- roy. But this isa mistake. What they want is to unite with the free States of the North; and they cannot do it too soon, for revolution and war are now rife in Europe, and the chances are that Great Britain will be broken down in the irrepressible conflict. Canada ought therefore immediately to provide for its future. England has not the power to prevent the annexation of the British provinces, and, besides, peaceable secession is the principle of the age. What is good doctrine in Italy ought to be good in America. Canada, from her his- tory and geographical position, belongs to the Northern States, just as much as “the kingdom of the Two Sicilies” belongs to Sardinia and a united Italy. The unity of the Italian States, and the unity of North American free States, are the problems of the time, to be worked out by “manifest destiny.” The Toronto Leader, it will be seen, does not object to the new combination, but rather ob- jects to our phraseology of “annexing British America,” and says “the annexation will be in the other direction.” We are practical. We do not dispute about words if our ideas are carried out. “A rose will smell as sweet by any other name.” The Canadians may call the new Union what they like—our annexation of them, or their annexation of the Yan- kees—so that both are only united under one government. But there is one thing in the arrangement against which we will strenuously object, “and that is the an- nexation of the British islands, They have too many paupers, and are too heavily burthened with debt. Our contemporary anticipates “a new terri- torial arrangement”’ from the fragments of our dismembered confederacy, and says that so far from overtures for a union with Canada being repulsed, he promises there is “every likeli- hood that they will receive a fair and candid consideration.” This is all that we could ex- pect him to say just now, but it is a decided step in advance. The London Post—the home organ of the British government—says Canada will henceforth hold the balance of pow this continent. The government org. Canada gives further elucidation to the idea by showing how it is to be done, even by union with our Northern States. The Leader of the 30th January says:— “There is a feeling abroad in these provinces that we should derive from a union many ad- vantages that we do not now possess. There is an indefinite yearning after a higher status — a larger share of nationality.” How else can that yearning be gratified, or that status attain- ed, but by union with the Northern States? Forever must these provinces be dragged at the tail of Great Britain till they assert their independence. The manner in which the Judi- ciary of Canada is now treated is an illustration of their degradation. But already one province wants to come in. “The largest vote,” says the Ieader, “in favor of the project would come from the peninsula of Upper Canada, where there is a feeling that the connection with New Yori: is the natural one, and that it is more profitable than any other that could be formed.” We are satisfied to take the provinces by instal- ments—one ata time. But we are told that Lower Canada has a horror of democratic insti- tutions, and changes slowly, while she fears her religion would be in danger’ at our hands. Can any greater protection be desired than the French Catholic population of Louisiana have always enjoyed under this government? The religious liberty of all is fully guaranteed in our constitution. As to the opposition of the old French noblesse to republicanism, it would avail nothing in revolution. A little gentle outside pressure would quicken the action of the province, and soon make it all right. Now that the South is rent from us, our destined expansion is northward, and nothing can arrest our progress. We are more than twenty millions. So much for one of our Canadian contempo- raries, What says the other? The Globe assumes the same tone, and says, before the 4th of March cight or ten seceding States “will have organized a large military force, capable of defending themselves against any attack from federal troops.” But supposing the new adminis tration to attempt the conquest of the South—what then? Our contemporary re- plies by asking some sensible questions:— “Will such # contest pay? Will victory or de- foat bring the greater trouble? Will not the present constitution be destroyed in either case? The ancient Greek republic fell when one or two of the States conquered the rest.” The reason is plain: “Though the federal power might be continued, the independence of the States, their freedom of action as sepa- rate sovereigntics, would be at anend. The | with our free States, central government, having conquered by force of arms, must maintains its ascendaney by the same means. Here, then, is a great military power, centralized and consolidated, the very evil that the wisest American statesmem have foreseen and dreaded and warned their coun- trymen to resist to the last.” This is common sense and sound philosophy, and our contem- porary turns the argument to practical account by showing trom it the necessity of “two con- federacies—a Northern and a Southern—peace- ably established, each pursuing its own policy and enjoying its own peculiar institutions, with- out the let or hindrance of the other.” This is a very suggestive hint that when the Canadians take possession by surprise of im- pregnable Quebec and other fortresses they must be allowed to quietly secede on paying the mother country for the property. It is sig- nificant in another point of view. The people of Canada have now an interest in the North- ern States, and do not desire to see them enter upon the suicidal game of Southern conquest, but rather to “pursue a career of annexation and aggrandizement northward and westward, Canada and the Lower Provinces being sup- posed rife for admission into the free confede- racy of the North.” These are cheering sentiments for thé people of the free States, in view of their loss of the South, which now seems inevitable. Unlike the proud patricians of the Roman republio, who saved the country by liberal concessions and guarantees to the plebeians when they se- ceded from the city to Mons Sacer and com- menced founding a new empire; and unlike the still prouder aristocracy of England, who saved the British empire from the horrors of civil war by concessions to Ireland in 1829, the republicans, suddenly elevated to power, like all upstarts, are puffed up with a sense of their own importance, and will not bend before the storm which is sure to break them in the end. One of the leaders in. Congress—Mr. Stevens, of Pennsylvania—on Tuesday last declared that “rather than give concessions he would see the government shattered into ten thousand atoms;” and this sentiment was not rebuked, but acquiesced in by all the republi- can members of Congress, following the latest authoritative programme received from Spring- field, to the effect that “Mr. Lincodn is not com- mitted to the border State compromise, nor to any other; he stands immovably on.the Chica- go platform, and he will neither acquiesce in, nor advise his friends to acquiesce in, any com- promise that surrenders an iota of it.” There is every prospect, therefore, of the absorption by the new free State confederacy of the North American British provinces, to wit:— Square Population “Tites, “teh Conus, Canada East. 291,980 890,261 Canada West, 952,006 New Brunswick 193/800 Nova Scotia and Cup 276/117 Prince Edward Islan 62,678 Newfoundlan 101,606 Labrador... 100,000 Vancouver Island. 2/000 Hudson Bay Territory 180,000 Total. 2,758,468 Here is a vast empire, whose area is far greater than that of the free States, and is nearly equal to all the States and Territories of our confederacy, North and South, and with- a population which ten years ago was more than‘two millions and three-quarters, and is now fully four millions. The immigration to the Hudson Bay territory, stimulated by the gold discovery, is immense, and the Canadian population alone is estimated at upwards of, three millions. It is hardy and thrifty, and homogeneous with our own Anglo- Saxon and Anglo-Celtic population—the very flower of the Caucasian race. In 1850 there were 56,214 natives of the United States in Canada; and the blood which prevails in our free States is now in a ratio of three to one in the provinces. This we say without dis- paragement of the French, who in arts and arms and vitality stand to-day at the head of European nations. In language, religion and _ institutions British North America is almost identical What, then, is to pre- vent its union with the North? Out of its vast domain eight States, equal on an average to those of the South, might be constructed at once, leaving abundant territory for the erec- tion of eight more at no distant day. There can be no doubt that the whole population of the provinces, with those of the free States of the North, would .not at this moment fall short of twenty-five millions. If united in one government, the accessions of population from Europe would be immense, and Yankee activi- ty would soon develope the dormant resources of the newempire. It would constitute a vast naval power, ruling triumphant in two oceans and controlling the commerce of the world. Mr. Seward, flattering alike the Northwest and Canada, has fixed the capital of the new northern confederacy at or near St. Paul, Minnesota, not far from the British line. But it is evident that the seat of empire will be New York, with the federal district of New Washington ten miles round it—New York, which, in spite of all gov- ernmental or territorial changes, will main- tain its position as the great free city of the New World—the centre and the entrepot of the commerce of three continents. Let Canada and the other British provinces prepare for their mighty destiny. Free Neorors.—Sixty free negroes, from North Carolina, bound North, passed through Maryland the other day. Cause: the Southern secession excitement. We may expect hundreds and thousands of such visiters before long. Let our abolition philanthropists make their ar- rangements accordingly. Shall the poor negro, unless he be a fugitive slave, be allowed to starve? What says Parson Beecher? Froryp Waxtep tw Covrt—The late Secre. tary of War, J. B. Floyd, has been in- dicted at Washington as one of the par- ties, in the matter of those Indian Trust bonds, guilty of defrauding the Treasury of the United States. Will he come into Court when called for? Doubtful. Having seceded from the Cabinet on a point of honor, he may possibly secede from the Union on a point of safety. Had Mr. Buchanan only dis- posed of his Cabinet Floyds, and Cobbs, and Thompeons, and all such disorganizers among his official retainers, two or three years ago, we dare say that this great country would have been saved from the humillating spectacle of corruption, demoralization, discords, dissolu- tion and revolution in which it now stands, to the astonishment and shame of the civilized world. But Floyd—this immaculate Seoretary Floyd, whose honor would not permit him to remain in the Cabinet, in consequence of his i lgdge that the garrison at Fort Sumter should be left to take care of itself—this punctilious Floyd, we say, indicted as a rogue, and sus- pected as a traitor, must now prove himself an honest man, or make no more speeches reflect- ing upon the integrity of such matter-of-fact patriots as General Scott. es Tue Cuevatien Wess ty 4 Race.—The war- like excitement among our Southern secession- ists is described as a raging frenzy, especially among the fire-eaters at Charleston, We ap- prehend, however, that even Gen. Quattlebum is in a pacific frame of mind compared with the terrible wrath which has taken possession of the Chevalier Webb. Against Mr. Bu- cbanan this terrible wrath is particularly di- rected. Thus the Chevalier declares the late conciliatory message of the President as “no more nor less than deliberate treason,” in be- half of his “colaborers in the work of treason;” that he has been doing all in his power “to aid the rebels in their treason;” that “he is as much a traitor as Gov. Pickens, of South Caro- lina;” that, in fact, “Mr. Buchanan has perpe- trated every act of treason within his power;” has been guilty of “traitorous arrangements with the rebels;” “has done all he could to render treason successful,” and so on to the end of a long chapter, which only a howling dervish could properly read. Satisfied of Mr. Buchanan’s “complicity with the traitors,’”’ the Chevalier Webb calls upon the House of Representatives for such mea- sures as will strengthen the hands of Honest Abe Lincoln in the execution of the laws; and he calls especially for an act providing for an »xtra seasion of Congress early in March. To be sure, Mr. Buel , “in league with the rebels,” may veto all such proceedings; but then Congress may pass them over his head. It is thus very evident that the Chevalier Webb is literally thirsting for blood. Nothing now will satisfy his bellige- rent aspirations except the command of an army for the conquest of South Carolina. He has been for some years pasta church mem- ber, under the regular instructions of the gos- pel of peace; but the old Adam in him is stronger than the gospel, and he is “spoiling for a fight.” Therefore, if the incoming admin- istration shall determine upon sending a de- tacbment of Wide Awakes for the recapture of Fort Moultrie, let the Chevalier Webb be ap- pointed to head the forlorn hope. Armed with his mahogany stocked pistols, a Kentucky rifle and Potter’s big bowie knife, the terrible Chevalier Webb is the man to haul down the Palmetto flag. Demanp ror Cuear Gas anp Cuear Reri- cron 1x Brooxtyn.—In Brooklyn a cheap and good Opera has been established; but in the City of Churches the price of gas and religion renders both inaccessible to the poor, and oppressive te all classes. The enormous rents of pews and the high salaries of the clergy shut out from public worship an im- mense number of the population. Light, so precious to the mind and to the senses, is thus denied te the people by the heavy tax imposed upon it. The complaints are universal about both kinds of light. As to gaslight, the subject which comes more immediately within the scope of newspaper comment, we have received numerous commu- nications. Formerly gas was thirty-five cents per hundred cubic feet in Brooklyn, When a new company was organized, the price was then reduced by the old company to twenty-five cents; but, strange to relate, the gas bills became nearly doubled in amount. Whether this was effected by cheating at the meter, or by the inferior quality of the gas, which causes double the quantity to be con- sumed, there appears to be no doubt of the fact itself. One gentleman recently, in paying a bill exorbitantly high, observed to the managers of the concern that he hoped they would not reduce the price of gas again. It is notorious that sometimes the men who are sent to examine the meter never come at all, and sometimes they do not take the trouble of look- ing at it with a light, but enter in the book a certain number of feet by guesswork. In very many cases, where little or no gas has been burned, outrageous bills of from seven to nine dollars are furnished; and when these parties, indignant at the fraud, put all the burners on full blast and consume all the gas they can, by way of experiment, they find their bills actu- ally less than before. The meters are for the most part humbugs, of no value whatever, par- ticularly the wet meters. Every man ought to have a dry meter, which does not admit of the same amount of cheating, provided it is cor- rectly made. But the best remedy is to break down the monopoly by encouraging the new company, and establishing a wholesome com- petition. As it is now, the citizensare literally robbed by fraudulent gas bills. American Cuaracter.—A very striking pe- culiarity in the character of the Ameri- can people is the facility with which they adapt themselves to every change in existing circumstances, and there is perhaps no better illustration of this than the readiness with which they are now preparing to meet the altered condition of affairs which the political crisis of the hour is rapidly has- tening on. Whatever depression in trade and finance has overtaken the country heretofore, the people have always accommodated them- selves to the exigencies of the times, met the brunt of misfortune bravely, and recuperated more speedily than any other community in the world could have done under similar cireum- stances. And we see now how readily they are adapting themeelves to the unprecedented con- dition of things as they have come about. Al- ready the products of the South are finding their way to New York by the interior routes; their Western modes of transit by river and railroad are availed of to bring cotton to the Atlantic seaboard the moment that communication with the Southern ports is obstructed by the hostile movements of the Southern secessionists. Even the Grand Trunk Railroad of Canada is im- pressed into the service of transportation for Southern produce to this city; and so great is the adaptation of our people to any change of circumstances which may arise, that we should not be eurprised if, before the present troubles are settled—that is, if they are to be settled at all—the whole system of transportation from the South were to be radically changed; or, in the event of a final separation of the two sec- tions of the country, that such measures would be adopted as would leave the commercial in- tercouree of the North and South unobstructed to any material degree, and would preserve the mercantile prosperity of the country ia- tact. Of course, in either event, the interests of the merchants of the North aad the planters of the TT South would be considerably affected for a time; but in the end it is quite probable— judging from the “ energy of out people and the adaptability of their nature to every new phase of things—that the general interests of the country would experience no very perceptible injury. Tae Fourra or Fesrvary.—The o 4th of February will be a remarkable day, from the events that are appointed to come off at that time. First, there is the Convention of delegates from the seceding Soushern States at , Alabama, to arrange the basis of a Southern confederacy, which is to be knowm henceforth as the United States of America South. On the same day a Convention of delegates from the border States, and such Northern free States as have decided to moet with them, for the purpose of adopting such measures of compromise as may insure the perpetuity of the Union, will assemble at Wash- ington. Much is expected of these two conven- tions. But while these important events are about to transpire in this country, the 4th of February is destined to witness another novel scene in Europe, for on that day the disous- sions of the Legislative Assembly of France are"to be open to the public, by the late decree of the Emperor, and the press is to be freed from those restrictions which heretofore ham- pered it and crippled its liberty. The day will then be memorable on both sides of the Atlantic for the inauguration of events involy- ing grave questions of the rights of the people Great Times wy Brooxiyy.—Our friends across the water are unusually elated just now. They have not only erected, fitted and fur- nished a new Opera House, but they have suc- ceeded in getting a first rate troupe of artists to sing in it, and very large audiences to pay for the gratification of hearing the best works of the modern Italian repertoire. Brooklyn, not to put too fine a point uponit, feels inclined to crow over New York, and has just cause for so doing. This week Brooklyn has the three regu- lar nights (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), while the habitués of Irving place have to con- tent themselves with Tuesday and Thursday, Wednesday night in Brooklyn is especially de- voted to church méetings; but it would appear, from the fact that the receipts of the Opera were greater on that night than ever, that the good people of Brooklyn have gone over to the world, the flesh, the devil and the “ Treva- tore,” and that the religious party has been whipped out of the field. Not only do the young men and maidens of Brooklyn talk about the Opera, Colson, Hinkley, Brignoli, Verdi, Mercadante, Muzio & Co. continually, but staid fathers of families, heavy merchants and pro- minent bankers, have become learned in the divine art; they speak with glowing pride about “our” Opera House, and “our” artists, and mention New York in terms of magnani- mous commiseration. When the citizen of Brooklyn, after finishing his daily avocation in the metropolis, crosses the East river, he imme- diately assumes a loftier position than he has hitherto held. He arrays himself in the “full dress” prescribed by the managers of the Prince of Wales’ ball, calls a conch, and, with Madame and the younger branches of the family, goes in state to the Opera. He finds the house full of people, all en grande tenue, and all devoted to the Opera. He delares hat it is charming, delightful, divine, and goes home with his head full of roulades, cadenzas, polaccas, barcaroles, romanzas, and musical morceaux of all kinds. The next day he is able to say with truth to his friends in Wall street: We support the Opera on our side of the river; you would have none at all were it not for us. Come over to our house if you wish to see the Opera sustained; and so on. All this is very curious, very entertaining and very profitable for all parties, more especially Muzio & Co., who will undoubtedly make all the hay they can while the Brooklyn sun shines. The effect of the Operatic furore in Brooklyn has already begun to tell on this side of the river, and there are hopeful signs of a revival in Irving place. When Brooklyn droops, New York will be ready for an excite- ment about the new opera, or the competition between the rival prime donne, Hinkley and Elena, The Opera season commenced under very unfavorable auspices, but it has, thanks to Brooklyn, the very best prospects. Tae Dismau Deatn or a Wasutneron Or- Gan.—The pap of the federal treasury upon which that worthless Washington newspaper party organ—the Constitution—subsisted having been taken away, it has died the dismal death of @ pauper. Its fussy and conceited editor, Brown, made the fatal mistake that in under- taking to be the lackey he became the master of the administration. Brown became too big for his breeches. No wonder. A sprig of Irish nobility, metamorphosed at London into an English cockney, and then a disciple of Wall street Puritanism, it is not surprising that he should next turn up a rampant Southern secos- sionist, doubtless longing, like John Mitchel, for “an Alabama cotton plantation, well stocked with good fat niggers.” And so Brown is to go down into the more genial atmosphere of a Southern confederacy. Tae New York Senatorsurr.—The Sth of this month is the day fixed upon by our State Legislature for the election of a United States Senator, to fill the place which Mr. Seward will vacate on the 4th of March, to take bis seat as premier in Lincoln’s Cabinet, and the excitement among the politicians of the repub- lican party is hourly growing more intense, Albany is in a small fever about that momen- tous question, and the business of the State is for the time submerged in the controversy be- tween the friends of the rival candidates. Ia fact, the condition of the country in the preseat eventful crisis—the question whether thore will be a United States at all to represent in the Senate—is forgotten, in view of the prospects of the contending aspirants for the chair of Mr. Seward. Mr. Rarey'a Farkweti Exinrttoy —By advertisement im another columm it wili be seen that Raray, the groat subjugator of the equine species, gives his farowoll por. formance at the Academy of Music to-morrow. Half the proceeds will be donated to the Asylum for Widows and fact which will fill the house fuller than over, if such a thing be possible, On this occasion Mr. Rarey will exhibit his skill om the celebrated ght ing horse P » Mr. Seward's Arabian steeds, and Mr. Biatoh- ae Stallion. A pretty tough battle is pre- ie i. Mn. Jou B. Baooy, of thia city, whom our Havana cot respondent lately stated to have been detained in Cuba by reason of 6ome pecuniary difficulties, has, we are gind to learn, never been under any such restraint: but, on the contrary, he has succeeded in recovering his property from the bands of unfaithful and is about return ing, Clepbanta and all, to the United States with ‘lying colors.