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

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU 888. plese SS: AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. AOADEMY OF MUSIC, Fourteenth street —Kratsan Ora- BA—Bon Giovanne KIBLO'S GARDEN, Brosdway.—Jack Cape, WINWER GARDEN, Broadway, opposite Bond street.— @uvss Twat. ane BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—A Nigat x Woxpra Wou. unl WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway.—Cawrrat Pans. JURA KBENE'S TUEADRE, Ne. 624 Brondway.— ‘Lal Bowery.—Coot 43 4 Cucum ‘oman's Love. BARNUM'S AMERICAN MUSBUM, Broadway.—Brans, Sx» LOX, AND OTHER GuRrosrriea. At alt. HouRs—TuX Dasma, Womaw ut Wurre, ar 3 anp 7); o'oLock P. M. BRYANTS’ Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broad- way. —Boutxesquss, Soncs, ious, &0.—Jack Cade. LEY 4 CAMPBELL'S MINSTRELS, Niblo's Saloon, Lr alt pig Soncs, Danoss, Buaesquxs, &c.— Bosixs ar PuaLon’s CANTBRBURY MUSIC HALL, 63 Bors, Soxes, Dances, bouLEsquas, £0. NEW BOWEBY TH wae—Husizoue Jaox— Broadway.—Tigat MELODEON, No, 639 Brondway.—Soncs, Daxces, Bux- ausaoss, MOBRIBANIA HALL, Morrisania.—Cuniste's Mixerexcs mw Brntorus Soxes, Buutesques, Dances, 40. TOURO HALL, Bartford.—Unsworta's Minstaxis uv Ennrorian Sonor, Dances, £0 “New York, Friday, March 1, 1861. ——————— Sew York Herald—California Edition. ‘Tho mail steamship Ariel, Captain Miner, will leave this port to-day, at noon, for Aspinwall. ‘The mails for California and other parts of the Pacific will close at tev o'clock this morning. ‘Tho Naw Yous Weexiy Hunatp—California edition— containing the latest intelligence from all parts of the world, with » large quantity of local and miscellanoous matter, will be published at half-past eight o’clock in the Single copies, in wrappers, ready for mailing, six cents.” Agoata will please send in their orders as early as pos- mbe The News. In Congress yesterday the Senate, shortly after assembling, consented that Mr. Crittenden, from the Select Committee on the proposition adopted by the Peace Congress, should submit a report. He thereupon offered a report, recom- mending the adoption of the proposition referred to. Mr. Seward, in behalf of himself and Mr. Trum- bull, the minority of the select committee, sub- mitted a joint resolution, inviting the several Biates to take into consideration the propriety of calling a conventien for proposing amendments to the constitution, and to express their will on the subject to Congress. Mr. Doolittle stated that he should, at the proper time, offer a pro- viso to the first section of the proposition of the Peace Congress, affirming that no State shall have power to secede from the Union, sod that the constitution shall be the supreme law of the land. The joint resolution and the proviso embrace the main points of the republican adjust- ment, presented to the l’eace Congress by Mr. Tuck, of New Hampshire. The Senate then pro- ceeded to the consideration of other business. At one o'clock the Senate, by a vote of 26 against 23— the republicans all voting in the negative—took up the proposition of the Pouce Congress. Mr. Hale objected to its second reading, and after some dis- cussion the subject was laid over, and made the special order for half-past twelve o'clock to-day. The Washington and Oregon War Debt bill was passed. The committee appointed to wait on the President and Vice President elect, and inform them of their election, reported their acceptance of the offices to which they have been elected. The House yesterday reconsidered the vote whereby the amendment of Mr. Corwin to the constitasion was rejected. The vote to reconsider wlood 1M yeas to 65 nays. The proposition pro- vides “that no amendment shall be made to the constitution which will authorize or give Congess power to abolish or interfere, within any State, with the domestic institutions thereof, includ- ing that of persons held to labor or servi- tude by the laws of said State.’ The ques- tion was taken, and the amendment was adopted—yeas 153, mays 65. There was a great deal of excitement and confusion through- out the proceedings. together with considerable approbatory applause on the announcement of the vote. The amen|iment, however, amounts to no- thing whatever, and the furor in the House over it is somewhat ridiculous, when it is recollected that oo longer ago than the 1)th ult. the House unani- mously adopted a resolution declaring ‘‘that nei- ther Congress nor the people or governments of the non-slaveholding States have # constitutional right to legislate upon or interfere with slavery in any slaveholding State of the Union.’ Mr. Cor- win's amendment provides no new guarantees for the Soath. It touches neither the question of sur- rendering fugitives, nor the unfriendly legislation of the free States, nor the right of slave property in the Territories, nor the safety of such property while passing through the free States. The following is announced as the latest and most quthentic list of Cabinet officers for the in- coming administration Beeretary of State.. Roc retary of Treasury Secretary of War... Secretary of the Navy Seorotary of the Interior Vostauaster General...... ‘ideon Welles, of Conn AL y General... «+++. Edmund Bates, of Mo. ‘The President and Vice President elect, togeth- er with a number of leading republicans, dined - Mr, Seward, of New York. Mr, Chase, of Ohio. Mr, Cameron, of Penn. . Montgomery Blair, of Md. .Caleb B. Smith, of Indiana. yesterday with Mr. Spaulding, member of Congress | trom New York. Subsequently the President held a levee at his hotel. In the evening he was sere naded, and in response to the solicitations of the crowd, made a specch, # report of which is given | in another column. With the exception of the introduction in the Assombly of a bill authorizing the construction of a railroad in Broadway, from the South ferry to Fifty-ninth sircet, nothing of general interest transpired in the Legislature yesterday. The bill referred to is given complete in our reports from Albany, published in another coluinn. By the arrival of the Canadian at Portland, we bave advices from Europe to the Lith alt., five days later than the accounts previously received. ‘The news is interesting. ‘The Hank of England, in order to protect itself aguinst @ further drain of gold to the United tates, had increased the rate of interest to eight per cent ican securities were rather lower, and ad tendency in cotton and breadstaffs is reported. The Sardinians have at last been successfal at iaota. The garrison capitulated on the 14th. ‘The King and Queen were to embark on board a French ship, but their destination is not tated. A Berne telegraphic despatch of the 13th ult. says twas through the medinm of the Swiss Consn- late at Algeria that Mr. Cobden proposed that Switzerland should mediate between the contend ing States of America, The Federal Council had declined the proposition, onthe » not qualified for such an ofiive A forious gale occurred on the Ragtieh const ‘on the 9th ult An immense number of wrecks are reported, with great loss of life, particularly on the eastern coast. The disasters to Americun bbipping are unimportant, ‘oad thet it was The Patterson case was again before the French Court om the 8th. The Imperial Attor- ney explained ite leading bearings, and suid the only question was, is the marriage nul! for want of publication in France? and argued that this had been decided in the affirmative. The Court ad- journed fa judgment eight days. The Naval General Court Martial yesterday re- assembled at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and con- timued the examination of Commodore Armstrong ; in the case of Commander Walke. During the | cross-examination some questions were asked of the Commodore in connection with the surrender of the Navy Yard at Pensacola, which he thought were of a rather personal character, and objected thereto, as ho said he had been examined at Washington. The Coart overruled the objection. Paymaster E. W. Dunn was examined only for the government, the orose-examination taking place to-day. ‘The Board of Aldermen met last evening. Alder- man Frear offered a resolution to the effect that the Board remonstrate against the passage of “bill before the Legislature giving to the Long Island Railroad Company certain ferry rights on the East river. Adopted. Alderman Dayton of- fered a resolution asking for a select committee to inquire whether some of the printing and adver- tising done by the orders of the city government may not be dispensed with. Laid over. The veto ofthe Mayor on this matter was taken up and Tead, aad the former action of the Board to ap- point a select committee was adhered to. The sum of $4,000 was appropriated to purchase a steam fire engine for company No. 26. A communication was received from the Comptroller giving a list of the Corporation contracts filed in his office during the past year. One thousand copies were ordered to be printed. The Board then adjourned till Monday next. The Board of Councilmen met last evening, when a lively debate took place upon the presen- tation of a resolution to give permission to An- drew J. Hackley, the contractor for cleaning the stzeets, to use the dumping ground of the city for a “temporary” place of deposit for the filth. The opposition violently opposed the measure, Mr. Lent claiming that the city ought not to give away 4 privilege worth $30,000 a year to a contractor who got half a million of dollars more than other equally responsible contractors. All the parlia- mentary dodges were used by both sides, finally resulting in the rejection of the resolution, which over till the next meeting. The Street ner was instructed to give the Board a list of ail the work done by contract during the past year, and what amount was paid therefor, The Committee on Ordinances reported an or: dinance in favor of permitting street pedlers to hawk their wares by obtaining a license from the Mayor, by paying a fee of fifty cents and proving a good character, which was laid over. ‘The report of the Committee on Finance upon the tax levy was presented and made the special or- der for Monday. The Committce have stricken out a few items inserted by the Aldermen, the total deduction from the estimates of the other Board being $77,158. The Board concurred to memo- rialize the Legislature against the passage of a bill giving to the Long Island Railroad the exclu- sive use of certain wharves on the East river. A large batch of reports were laid over. At the mecting of the Commissioners of Chari- ties and Correction yesterday, the report of the Committee of the Whole stated that the smallpox at the Workhouse has disappeared, and that its ravages were confined to those first attacked. The report also stated that in consequence of orders given to the physicians at the Bellevue Hospital to remove some of the patients from that institution to the new hospital on Blackwell's Island, those patients took their discharge in preference to the transfer, thus proving their wbility to defray the expenses of treatment themselves, and relieving the department of their cost. The number of in- mates in the institutions at present is 9,148, an in- rease of The number admitted during the past weck was 1,904, and the number that died or were transferred was 1,869. The juvenile and other visiters to the Central Park will be pleased to find that the swans, c., will again make their appearance on the ornamental waters to-day. As the ice has disappeared, the swans will be welcome guests to the habitues of the Park, and the water will doubtless he agreea- le to these members of the feathered tril. pecially after their long abse: ‘The Furopean news received yerterday tended to sus pend sales of cotton. Dealers wore indisposed to operate until the private letters due by the Canadian came to hand, The sales were confined to a few hundred bales in lots. With sueb limited transactions wo omit quotations, There was no pressure on the partof large holders torell. At this season of the year, when the receipts at the ports have only reached 2,565,000 bales, agains’ 3,440,000 for the same Jast year, the advance or decline in deliveries at the Southern ports is watched with un- vaual interest. Should the receipts experience any-fur- her rerious falling off, nothing short of an extra rdinary state of things in Furope can, for any length of time, ignore the question of supply. Flour, onder the mews, was+ heavy, and about be. per barrel lower. Wheat was heavy, and closed with the turn of the market In favor of purchasers. Corn was lower, but more active at the concession. Pork was un- eettled; mese was quict at $17 25, while prime was re- ported at $12 Sugars were firm, with sales of 1,208 hhde. and of 576 boxes on terms given in another column. Coflee was steady, with limited sales, Freight engage- ments were to 4 fair extent, without change of moment in quotations , ee Great Excitement at Washington—The Coming Inaugural, Mr. Lincoln's Cabi- net, and the Peace Conferences. The action of Mr. Seward yesterday, with re- spect to the plan of adjustment agreed upon by the Peace Conference, demonsirates that the incoming administration are resolved to take | no step whatever towards a solution of the | difficulties which embarrass the country, until | after the Cubinet shall have been formed, and | the inaugural of Mr. Lincoln shall have been published. The recommendations of the Con- ference, which appeared in yesterda, RALD, are a compound of the Guthrie and Crit- tenden schemes, and would meet with general approbation. The committee of the Senate to which they were referred waa, on its face, ex- cellent and « dewp feeling of disappointment will prevail that Mr. Seward, who was its prin- cipal member, should have seen fit to adopt the course he did. There is still time for recon- sideration; but the indications are, that even the most consertative portion of the republican party is still behind the requirements of the time, and that, through their lukewarmness, in- y, or an overweening desire to retain popularity with the ultraists of New England and the Northwest, they may fail to come up to the mark whieh their own theoretic policy would point out. That a programme, con cillatory, on the whole, to the border States, ha been resolved on, is certain; but decisive acts are more necessary than honeyed words. The people of Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee and Kentucky, upon whom Mr. Seward relies to form the nucleus of « great Union party, will neither be satisfied with any- | thing so paltry as the Corwin bill, which \ passed the House of Representatives yesterday, nor with an enabling act like that of Mr. Adame, which is but a cunning adaptation of the Ch: » platform to new music, and is evi- dently intended to accomplish abolitionist ob- jects, under « plausible disguise. The tone of the articles that have lately ap- peared in Mr. Seward’s eepecial organs, a@ well NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1861, as his own speeches, have readered it evident that from the very beginning of the disturbances im the cotton States, the more far sighted states- men in the republican ranks have counted upon the divisions in the South, to enable thom to perfect a scheme of action for the perpetua- tion of their own power, and the pacificatioa, as they trust, of the mation. They recognise that the border slaveholding and non-slave- holding States hold the balance of power in their bunds, and they are persuaded that it is necessary to satisfy their claims, and to yield to their demands. It is probable that whatever is persistently asked for by those slave States that have not seceded will be substantially granted in the end. But in the meanwhile, there is a disposition manifested to do it as tardily, reluctantly and ungenerously as the circumstances of the case admit of. This arises partly out of a remnant of impracticability, and leaning towards the Massachusetts school of politics on the part of Mr. Lincoln, whe is the pivot around which everything must be made to revolve, and partly froma strong bias of Mr. Seward to favor the Adams plan of adjustment, because by it “no risk is incurred of extending slavery,” and no break with the republican party would be justifiable on the part of those who are now tempted to sever their connection with it. From the preseat Congress, nothing is to be hoped for. Had Mr. Seward brought his entire influence to bear in favor of the plan of the Peace Conference, instead of against it, the House of Representatives would, nevertheless, have thrown it overboard. Practically, then, the course taken, yesterday, by the future Pre- tier, has no injurious result, beyond the moral effect it may have upon the people of the Union, and especially of the border States. There would even be an excuse for his reticence, if it could be supposed to arise from a mere wish to do nothing in anticipation of the completion of the Cabinet, aud before the issue of the inau- gural; but the general tone of the last few days renders it pretty clear that even the inaugural willrecommend no more than is contained in the bill of Mr. Adams and of Mr. Corwin, namely, that slavery may not be interfered with in the States where it exists, and that Arizona and New Mexico shall be admitted to the Union. It will be a fond folly to imagine that the bor- der States can be pacified by such puerile legislation, even though an extra session of Congress were instantly convened for the pur- pose of accomplishing the object. The definite selection of Mr.Cameron for a place in Mr. Lincoln’s Cabinet is regarded as a good sign. In many respects he will be more advanced in his views than the Secretary of State; still the destinies of the country are in Mr. Seward’s hands. He will be the master spirit of the incoming administration, and it is deeply to be deplored that reasons should exist for any reaction from the thrill of hope which began to vibrate through the public pulse, with the arrival of the I’resident at the na. tional capital. A patch work or incomplete policy will be utterly inadequate to meet the exigencies of the crisis. The formation of a thoroughly homogeneous and conservative Cabinet, should be succeeded by an inaugural, recommending the very broadest measures of conciliation, not only with respect to the re- maining slave States, but also those that have withdrawn from the confederation. Coercion, the reinforeement of fortresses, or attempts to collet the revenue in a manner that may lead to civil war, should be repudiated as inexpe- dient, dangerous, and calculated to destroy the prosperity of the country. An extra session of Congress should be convened immediately, to take into consideration the affuirs of the repub- lic, and its sessions should be continued until ® successful scheme of general pacification shall have been consummated. Should “ one, two or three years’’ be requisite for the re-birth ofa Union feeling in the seceding States, they should be granted; for it will be perilous in the extreme to trifte with the spirit that is abroad in the South, and the disseverment of the States may be rendered perpetual by « single indis- creet or untoward act. The incoming administration have greatly to fear, lest. by the lukewarmness with which they are apparently preparing to meet the require- ments of the time, a feeling of discontent may again arise in the border States, which wiil prove unappeasable. It would require but a few days to engender an excitement there, par- ticularly in North Carolina, Virginia, and Mary- land, akin to that which prevails in Géorgia and Louisiana, and to overthrow everything that has so far been done towards conciliation. The cotton States have been their natural allies for seventy years, and a large portion of the people already yearn to cast their lot with the new rather than the old confederation. Mr. Seward cannot, therefore, be too careful in his proceedings, nor can he, at too early a mo- ment, break, finally and forever, with every Greeleyite, ultraist association. Much of the old leaven evidently remains. Let him re- member that the country is atill on the verge of * precipice, and that those who would induce him to leave the task incomplete which he has undertaken, are true friends to neither himself nor the administration, and have anything else than the welfare of the country at heart. veD JuRisDiCriON OF THE MetroronrraN Vou.ice.—-It appears that our Metropolitan po- lice, headed by ouch Kennedy, have taken to themselves a much larger jucisdiction than what is assigned them by the act of the Legis- lature. Not satisfied with declaring war and pronouncing certain articles “contraband,” which is peculiarly the function of the national government, and not content with making searches, in violation of the constitation, and seizures which amount to piracy, they have metamorphosed themselves into a kind of na- tional police, as if they had a roving commis- sion to go to Washington and io Ballimore, in fact anywhere and everywhere, and to hunt up political conspiracies, gunpowder plots and plots of all kinds. Nowour Metropolitan po- lice may be very usefal in this now sphere, and entitled to consideration for saving the life of the President elect from the terrible conspiracy which they assure 0s was concocted against him; but we object to have to pay for services from which we do not derive any special benefit. if Touch’ Kennedy and his detective squad are to be national po- lice, let Congress pay them. We are not bound for their salaries any more than any of the other States of the confederacy. But if they are Metropolitan police, and we have to pay the piper, we would suggest that the groat metropolis of New York is their proper sphere, and their duty is to protect the lives and the property of its citizens, instead of running a wild goose chase over all creation, ‘The President elect, in his late remarkable overland journey to Washington from the Mlinois prairies, said iu one of his many face- tious little speeches en roule, that “nobody is burt,” “nobody is suffering,” and that “this crisis is purely an artificial one,” and intimated that it would soon blow over. Since his arr - val in the federal capital, however, the vol has been lifted, and he sees that altho: h an artificial, this is not a superficial crisis, but a crisis deeply charged with the combustibles and dangers of revolution, dissolution, anarchy and civil war. In this transition interval between the out- going and the incoming administrations, when old things are to be done away with, old par- ties, old principles, old platforms, old poli- ticians, old office holders, old lobby and kitchen favorites, old tricksters and hucksters, old fashions and old clothes, old kettles, pots and pans, and when all things are to be new, and when “Old Abe” is expected to play the rege- nerative réle of Louis Napoleon, he would indeed be adull scholar if he had not already learned that he has a tough job upon his hands. Ac- cording to our infermation he is at last wide awake to the exigencies and the necessities of his position. He is the rising sun and the living lion of Washington, for within a day or two Mr. Buchanan will be on the same private calendar with our meditative ox-Presidents, ‘Van Buren and Tyler, and Fillmore and poor Pierce; and all the power and all the spoils in roversion that have not been lost, stolen, or carried off, or given away, will fall into the hands of “Old Abe.” But what is the condition of things before him in Washington, in this busy interregnum to the ins who are preparing to go out, and to the outs who are pushing to get in? Dreadful to contemplate. There are two contesting fac- tions in the republican camp for the front seats at the new festival—the peace faction and the war faction. Strange, too, as it may appear, the chief of the “irrepressible conflict” is the head of the moderate faction, or the Giron- dists; while Horace Greeley, late the model non-resistant, has become the veritable Ana- charsis Clootz of the red republicans. Thus, as between the upper and the nether millstone, the President elect is in danger of being ground to powder. Office seekers, retainers, drum- mers, pipelayers, kitchen ecullions and scamps of both factions swarm around the royal pa- vilion. A hard fight, a long siege, a long fast and hard times, have multiplied these camp followers by thousands, and they are now ga- thered and are gathering in Washington like jackals, wolves and buzzards in the wake of a wasted army. All these expectants of spoils and plunder are barking, howling and scratching at the doors of the new fountain of power. Mr. Lin- coln stands at bay like a man in a dream. Which way shall he fly? To theCapitol? The regular troops which daily parade the streets— infantry, dragoons and artillery—under the regulations of General Scott, admonish the President clect that treason is still afoot, and that he had better keep within doors. No Guy Fawkes has yet been detected, fixing his thirty- six barrels of gunpowder under the portico of the Capitol, where the inauguration is to take place; but where there is so much smoke there must be some fire. It cannot be that five or six thonsand men under arms in Washington for the last month, and all the police arrange- ments from that city to this, and the mysterious midnight visiter to Mr. Lincoln at Philadelphia, and “ Old Abe's” ride by night, in that Scotch cap and long military cloak, from Harrisburg, are chargeable entirely to foolish fears and in- ventions. No. Inaddition to republican muti- nics, Mr. Lincoln has to confront the dangers of revolutionary conspiracies, desperate seces- sioniste, remorseless fire-eaters and revengeful democrats, expelled from the rich pickings of the Treasury. All the revolutionary sections and factions, and causes and consequences, North and South, being now represented in Washington, it is the very place and time for the President elect to comprehend the task before him; for all these discordant elements are pressing around him, hoping, promising, protesting and cursing and swearing. Meantime the poor people of Wash- ington cry out to these political disorganizers, like the frogs in the fable, that though this business of throwing stones “may be sport to you, itis death to us.” “Our property goes for nothing; we have nothing to do, nothing to sell, nothing with which to buy; we are under a military despotism, and Northern and Southern fire-eaters threaten to level our city to the dust. With all the troops quartered amonget us, and with all the police arrangements of Superin- tendent Kennedy, of New York, we cannot walk the streets alone by night for fear of reckless traitors, robbers and murderers. We are suf- fering the combined evils of martial law and unbridled ruffianism. Our streets and sinks are infested with gamblers, pickpockets, burglars, robbers and soldiers. Are these things to be our portion? Mr. Lincoln, we look to you for relief. Save us, or we shall be destroyed.” Such are the difficulties, the materials and the grievances which Mr. Lincoln in Washing- ton realizes as the troubles which afflict, or which threaten to afflict, the whole coun- try and every section of the country, un- less he shall open up the way of de- liverance. What a picture for this late united, great and prosperous confederacy. Here we are—the people of these United States—ad- vanced in seventy years to a pitch of prospe- rity, population, wealth and power anequalled by any other nation with seven hundred years of developement; here we are, suddenly, from the midet of our high career, reduced to a de- gree of demoralization, dissolution and anarchy which’ excites the commiseration of the ci- vilized world. Whence this sudden fall from greatness and glory to degradation and the verge of destruction? Ina few. brief words, we answer, our unscrupulous, vagabond poli- ticians, North and South, have brought on this fearful crisis of discords and dissolution upon the country. It is the work, and the work only, of our detestable vagabond politi- cians of the last forty years. Yea; for forty years, North and South, our scheming, trai- torous politicians have been making their re- gular approaches to this sudden combined assault upon the very citadel of our free in- stitations, and are still pushing on their work of rule or ruin. And the remedy? It devolves upon the in- coming administration. Mr. Lincoln has a vivid epitome of the troubles and dangers of the country before bis iy in Washington. Let us hope that he will be equal to the task as- igned him in bebalf of the Union wad in be- half of peace, Capitulation of Gacta Termination of the Civil War in Naples. ‘The Canadian brings the important iatelli- gence of the surrender of Geeta to the troops of Victor Emanuel. Notwithstanding his boasted determination of finding a grave be- neath its ruins, Francis the Second has been glad to avail himselfof the means of escape so providentially placed at his disposal by the French Emperor. The garrison are to be kept prisoners until Messina is given up by the royalists, which it is to be presumed will be at once done, from the utter hopelessness attend- ing the further prosecution of the struggle. Thus another important step has been ac- complished in the consolidation of the pew Italian kingdom. The stand made by Francis at Gaeta constituted a serious obstacle to its progress, and notwithstanding the generally favorable reception of Victor Emanuel on his recent tour through his new acquisitions, it kept the friends of Italy in a state of the most anxious suspense and dis- quietude. But it was not merely because it continued to inspire the reactionists with con- fidence that it was desirable that an end should speedily be put to it. The conduct of Louis Napoleon in connection with this matter has been so equivocal that it gave rise to the belief that he secretly encouraged the obstinacy, almost amounting to heroism, with which the King of Naples defended his last stronghold. There are good grounds for this impression. He has clung to his echeme of a confederation until the firmness and patriotism of the Italian people bave compelled a change of purpose, and now it is probably owing to his changed convictions that Francis bas been induced to abandon the only hope that remained to him of recovering his kingdom. The capitulation of Gaeta has, however, another importance from that attaching to the removal of civil dissensions and war- fare from the Neapolitan soil. It de- cides the fate of Rome, so far as the interference of France is concerned. It is im- possible, after receding step by step from all the positions which he has maintained in opposition to the aspirations of the Italian people, that the Emperor can continue any longer to keep an army there. Italy, without Rome, would be but an aggregation of communities without a centre of intellectual life. What Paris is to France, the Eternal City is to.her. There alone the immense power which the new king- dom is destined to wield in the future can find a fitting embodiment. Its greatness will only be fully acknowledged when he is throned onthe seven hills, and until this, the darling object of thgir ambition, is secured, the Italian people will never regard the unity they have aimed at as complete. The French Emperor is, we believe, now Influ- enced by this conviction. He finds himself moreover unable to cope with the difficulties of the Papal question, and secs that the only chance that remains of bringing the Holy Father to terms is to leave him at the mercy of Victor Emanuel. Rome ha3 ceased to be with him a political pivot,and we may therefore assume that the surrender of Gaeta will shortly be followed by the withdrawal of the French army of occupation from the States of the Church, and the invasion and seizure of the latter by the Sardinians. Thus the revolutionary movement resumes its march after brief interruption, and the war is about to be carried into the dependen- cies of Austria, in order to compel her to give up Venice and do justice to the other oppreas- ed nationalities under her sway. Before many months, or perhaps weeks, all Germany will be in arms, and a struggle initiated which will shake Europe to its centre. It would be an unhappy coincidence if, at the same time, the obstinacy of the coercionists should bring about in this country a conflict equally protracted and disastrous. History furnishes no paral- lel to the distress and suffering that would re- sult from the simultaneous disturbance thus occasioned in the commercial and industrial interests of the world. Wo is at tHe Heap or tHe GoveryMent, mak Prustpent or His Kexrens?—People did not clearly understand how it happened that the President elect, who was supposed to be a man of pluck, should make that extraordinary he- gira from Harrisburg to Washington in dis- guise the other night; but we have now the high authority of the Chevalier Webb for the fact that “Old Abe” had nothing to do with it. It appears, according to Webb, that it was Gen. Seott and Gen. Seward, “the two most distin- guished men in the country”—Mr. Lincoln, according to Webb again, being nobody—who arranged, directed and commanded the whole afair, These men, quoth Chevalier Webb in his paper of yesterday, ‘assume the responsi- bility of saying, not to Abraham Lincoln, but to the President elect of the United States, ‘we have sufficient evidence in our possession that if you pass through Baltimore at the time and in the manner proposed, an attempt will be made upon your life. The honor and the peace of the country, therefore, demand that you shall change your programme and come to Washington at another time and in a private manner,’ Abraham Lincoln might be chafed at this, and reeklessly disregard the interference of his friends. But not so the President elect of the United States.” He, the President of the United States, we are assured by Webb, “had no option but to obey. He was not even permitted to judge of the testimony upon which his friends acted; but was purposely kept in the dark.” So that his keepers, Scott and Seward, who had charge of him. as if he was a rhinoceros or an elephant, undertook to convey him safely to Washington, without even telling him the reason why. Mr. Lincoln, however, was restive; he wanted to bolt out of the traces, but he dared not doit. “ The two most distinguished of his countrymen,” says Webb, “had purposely relieved him from all responsibility in the premises and assumed it themselves; and consequently it would have been a gross disregard of his duty to the nation, if the President elect, without any knowledge in the premises, had presumed to disregard the injunctions of Scott and Seward. To have done so would not only have been inexcusa- ble, but absolntely reckless, fool-hardy and wicked, and would have gone far to prove that he is not a suitable person to discharge the du- ties of the elevated and responsible station to which he has been elected.” We are further asked to remember that the President elect is not “a free agent;’ that General Scott and General Seward, and not Abraham Lincoln, are reeponsible. Very good; let them go on, and take all the other responsibilities also; let them make up his Cabinet, above stairs and in therkiteben. We know henceforth who are to be the real governors of the country, Mr. Lin- coln must bot “presume to disregard the in- junctions” of his keepers, He is to fall, we sup- pose, into the position of George the Third, or the late poor old King of Prussia, and play the réle of nincompoop. His functions in the White House are to be confined to telling stories in the kitchen, while “ the most distinguished mem in the country” are conducting the affairs of State in the parlor. At least so we tuke it to be, from the bull-headed lucubrations of Cheva- lier Webb. Japan and the Western Powers. Our last news from Japan was not of a very satisfactory character. There was a great stag- nation of foreign trade, owing chiefly to Ameri- can gold being rated by the Japanese at sixty- five cents per dollar, and silver itzabus, which are really worth only thirty-three cents, being estimated at forty cents. Such an inequitable arrangement with regard to the currency is im itself an insurmountable drawback on the pur- chase of Japanese wares, and the foreign mer- chants out there have consequently to rely more upon their imports than their exportas We, however, trust that very soon we shall hear of an adjustment of this vexed question, by the agency of the late Embassy to this country, the leading members of which devoted considerable attention to the subject, particu- larly at the Mint in Philadelphia, where they spent two entire days in witnessing the process of assaying their various coins. There is ne doubt but that a strong party exists in Japam hostile to forbign intercourse, and that at pre- sent the country is passing through a revole- tionary ordeal in respect of opening the empire to intercourse with the Western nations. That the liberal party will triumph in this age of the world is certain, but we are sorry to see that the conduct of the English Consuls at Jeddo and Kanagawa has been such, both public and private, as to give the conservatives fair ground for a good argument. In their official capacity these gentlemen have been oxtremely arbitrary and obnoxious, and in private life they have dis- played a libertinism which cannot be other than a reproach to the British nation. One of these has recently distinguished himself, not only by the crime of seduction, but of murder, for he shot the father of the woman he had wronged. The recent exploits of the British and French in the East are, however, working such a prodigious effect upon the native mind that the Japanese stand in awe, and are afraid to say even bah to the British goose. In this impression the visit of their countrymen to. the United States cannot but confirm them, for the Japanese had here afforded them a good idea of the powerful machinery which may be brought to play in modern warfare, and of the small chance of deceiving or frightening us their canvass fortifications would possess. It is quite possible, however, for foreign nations to gain all the advantages of trade with Japaa without resorting to a threatening policy or invading the sanctity of Japancse homes, and it is very discreditable to do either, and will tend more to prejudice the entire Japanese commu- nity, but particularly the conservatives, against us than anything else. It is but a poor victory if the Weat takes advantage of the weakness of the Kast to commit uncalled for offences against govern- ment and society there. It isa good thing to have power, but it is a still better thing not to abuse it. The Japanese, we observe, are contemplating scading an Embassy to England in the ensuing summer, but they are for the moment at a loss for a vessel and a crew to make the required voyage. They have asked Mr. Townsend Harrie if they can get either or both from the United States Navy, but Mr. Harris was unable to answer 60 unexpected a question. That, by hook or by crook, the Japanese will send am Embassy to England, we, nevertheless, feel con- vinoed, and that they will extend the compli- ment to France and the other nations with which they have exccuted treaties is no lees probable. They may perhaps adopt the plan of killing two birds, or more, with the one stone, and allow the Embassy alluded to to make the round of the courts of Europe. Such a diplomatic excursion would make the realm of the Rising Sun something more than a nine days’ wonder, and very likely set an example which would be followed by the Celestials of the great tea land, The capture of Pekin has elevated Asiatic opinion of “outer barbarians,” and increased the pres- tige of all the Western Powers. Russia would not have been able to negotiate the treaty she did at the close of last year only for British and French arms. It is the national failing of England, however, to be aggressive rather than conciliatory. John Bull is easily put into a high state of dudgeon, and then he will listem to nothing but the beat of the drum and the cannon’s roar. England and I’rance have paid the bill which has bought Russia her tract of what was a few weeks ago Chinese territory, and her advantages of communication with all China; and, omitting the cost of entertaining the shaven-headed Japanese, we shall gaim more in the Kast by the arts of peace than the Allies have by resorting to war. We look with no jealous eye to this proposed Embassy to Great Britain. The bamboo complexioned gen- tlemen will doubtless be a source of intense curiosity, and an ample fund of amusement wherever they go; and it is to be hoped that both the visiters and the visited will be the better for the arrangement. Still Harping on War and Bloed. The radical, revolutionary republican leaders continue to harp on coercion of the Southern States, bloodshed and war; and they are doing everything in their power to inaugurate a reign of terror. In our report of the proceed- ings of Congress yesterday the reader may have seen the brutal declaration of Mr. Chandler, of Michigan, in the Senate, that they were “ready to stand in blood.” This charac- teristic desire for blood reminds one of the Jacobin chieftain in the French revolution, who, obeerving the red stream which flowed from the guillotine, dipped his sword in it, and exclaimed, “ How I love it!” If Mr. Chandler had said his party were ready to wade knee deep in the blood of the Southern people we would give him credit for sincerity. The chief organ of the reds, the New York Trin, clamors to have it determined “whether we shall have ®& federal government at all,” snd insista that “wo must confront secession as treason, and put it down by the military forces of the loyal States.” In order that war may be inevitable, that journal, laboring in its revolutionary vooa- tion, insists that there shall be no compromises and no concessions to traitors. The Greeloys,