The New York Herald Newspaper, December 30, 1861, Page 4

| 4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, {EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR OORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. OFFICE N. seeeereeeescsaseee NOs 369 AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Paor. HereMann. WINTER GARDEN, janLanus oF KILLARNEY— PArs BLUNDERS Magia Joke WALLACK'S THBATRE, No. 844 Broadway.—Sue Stoors To Conquua. LAURA ERENE'S THEATRE, Brondway.—Ltrtux Toxu— Rosinson 1308. - MBW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Hxane, t2z Hun- TER—Magic Hannxi—JOHN JONES. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowory.—Sriceney'’s Nationat Circus. BARNUM'S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.—Day and Evonipg.—Onpixa—HivrororaMus, WHALE, AND OragR Cu- BIOSITIRS. BRYANTS’ MINI ‘3, Mechanica’ Hall, way.—UN Bato ir abe akaeaioe HOOLEY'S MINSTRBLS, Stuyvesant Institute, lortay BoNas, Dinoxs, a. yee * Broadway.—Eran NIBLO'S SALOON, Brondway.—Paax RinoRAs,—Afternoon and evening” Licccimedrvgns DEON CON N me Bods, Danons, Bvacsaquns, bo —iootseea ty CANTERBURY MUSIO HALE, 588 Broadway, Dawoxs, Doeumgueh baa beer eray- as" GAIRTIES CONCERT ROOM, Bi DI Roow Ewranesinuaets, Baulets; Patou, Fancasy bot Suyioan MUSIC HALL, 444 Broadway.—Sen: uate, Pantommtns, ao—Beaxroee = a Na METROPOLITAN CONCERT HALL, ond —— Bonos, Dances, Fanors, Buatesouxs, &c. iscahnttid CRYSTAL PALACE CONCERT HALL, No. 45 Bowery.— wentmnauis, Songs, Daxuns, ao—Gat For Pin PARISIAN CABINET OF WONDE B — Open dally trom WA MAGE Meee 8S Brondway. NATIONAL MUSIC HALL, Que, Sonas, Danoxs, &0. NOVELTY MUSIC HALL, 616 Broadway.—Buauesquxs, | ; | amusing production, and forms a very entertaining | episode in the serious history of Mngland’s war Bonas, Danors, &c. Now York, Monday, Dece: mber 30, 1861. THE SITUATION. NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1861. prosent o most favorable moment to undertake | The Settlement of the International another struggle against the United States. The indictment of the London Zimes, charging Mr. Seward with the avowal of hostile intentions towards England, to be carried into practice by an insult, should he obtain a high office under Mr. Lin- coln, expressed im a conversation held with the Duke of Newcastle at Governor Morgan’s dinner table, when the Prince of Wales visited this coun- try, is published in the Heraup to-day, with the defence of Mr. Seward, as written by Thurlow Weed, in reply. We are again assured that France—the people— are unanimous against Napoleon taking England's part against the United States, and that the force of this opinion, with the firm advice of Prince Na" poleon in support of it, had caused the Fmporor to resolve on a decided neutrality in case of hostili- ties. The Paris Presse asserts ‘Jeff. Davis and and his Cabinet are engaged in preparing @ memorandum to be addressed to Europe This document treats the question of the seces- sion, declares that the war undertaken by the Northern States will not lead to any result, and that the separation is already a legal fact. Witha view, however, to put an end to a much-to-bo-re- gretted contest, and prevent great misfortunes, the memorandum, it is said, will propose an ami, cable separation on bases to be decided in com- mon; the Southern States being ready to agree to any arrangement compatible with the dignity of all parties. This appeal to Europe is shortly to be published."" The after dinner spoech of Mr. Williams, the English mail agent on board the Trent, to the members of the Yacht Club, in which he gives his Chatham strect.—BURLRs- | version of the occurrences which took place at the time of the arrest of Mason and Slidell, is a most complications. Mr. George F. Train lectured amidst considera- No official action has been hadinrelation to ble tumult at Tunstall, England, on the subject of the surrender of Mason and Slidell. It does not Beem probable that Lord Lyons will put them on board a British war vessel, as his government does not regard the persons of the rebel cmissaries as of any importance, but merely looks to the Principle of the right of scarch involved in their capture, and settled by their surren: der. It is likely that they will go to Europe in a Cunard steamship which leaves Boston on the 8th proximo. If, however, after their release they shall be found on United States soil, they will be Subject to arrest by the United States Marshal, as traitors to the government. Z With regard to the delay in not telegraphing the Correspondence between Mr. Seward and Lord Ly- ons to the New York papers on Friday night instead of on Saturday, it is stated that it was kept back to avoid the possibility of serious blunders being made and sent forward in the steamer of that day, which might unnecessarily create new complica. tions among the people of Fagland before the go- vernment despatches appeared. A review of General McDowell's division was held on Saturday, at Ball’s Cross Roads, after which the troops had a sham battle. Governor Curtin reviewed General McCall's division yester- day, at Langley, accompanied by Secretary Came- ron and Colonel Scott. The troops, on both occa- siona, made a creditable display. The army on the Potomac remains quiet. By the arrival of the Empire City from Beaufort and Port Royal, with dates to the 25th instant, we have some very interesting news from that quar- ter. The village of Bluffton, which is about the same size as Beaufort, was occupied by the Union troops, under General Stevens, on the 24th instant. The rebels had previously abandoned it. ‘The Em- pire City came through the southeast channel, and found thirty feet of water there. Our correspon- ence from Hilton Head, which we publish to-day, will be found of the highest interest, embgacing, as it does, the recent active movements of our flect Sad army in that vicinity, which have been mark- ed with continuous success against the rebel batte- ries, Our news from Nassau, New Providence, by the same conveyance, is also interesting. A stirring Correspondence has been going on between the American Consul at that port and the British Goy- ernor, relative to the treatment which United States vessels and the British steamer Gladiator have received from the authorities. While the United States gunboat Flambeau was denied coal and other accommodations, it appears that the Gladiator was allowed to transship her cargo of arms and ammunition to schooners bound for Southern rebel ports, with the full knowledge of the British officials. Four rebel vessels, laden with cotton: and rice, from Charleston, had recently ar- rived at Nassau—among them the Theodora and Isabel, with 1,600 bales of eotton, all flying the rebel flag, and all having run the blockade of Charleston harbor. A despatch received at Charleston from Augusta, Georgia, dated the 27th, says that the Gladiator had safely entered some Southern port, name not stated. This rumor, how- ever, is improbable. The news from Missouri contains intelligence of another success for the Union arms. On Saturday General Prentiss, with four hundred and fifty men, dispersed nine hundred rebels, under Colonel Dor- sey, at Mount Sion, Boone county, killing and ‘wounding one hundred and fifty, and taking thirty- five prisoners, ninety-five horses and one hundred and five guns, with a loss on our side of only three killed and eleven wounded. The rebels are con- tinuing their depredations on the North Missour! Railroad, They burned another train on Satur- day, and they boast that they will destroy every car on the road. At a meeting of the bank representatives, held in this city on Saturday, it was decided unanimously to suspend specie payment to-day. This decision was come to in consequence of the fact that de- positors have been drawing out coin and stowing it away in order to sell it at a premium, thus trading in the exigencies of the government. The heavy drain upon the banks for the past few weeks has ed this movement @ necessity. ¢ mails of the Niagara bring fall details of the from Europe to the 14th instant. A Lon- > correspondent indicates, in @ special etter ¢ ‘sochester Guardian, that even the relcase ‘ell will not cause England to ' f vnd he intimates that sauces, cousider the the crisis in the relations between Great Britain and America. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. By way of England we have very interesting news from Liberia, dated at Monrovia on the 16th of October—about three weeks later. The repub- | lic was intensely excited in consequence of the | expected return of a Spanish force from Sierra | Leone, in order to avenge the insult said to have been offered to the flag of the Queen by the gunboat | Quail, acting under orders of the Liberian govera- | ment. Judge Washington had returned from Sierra Leone, and reported to President Benson | that the Governor General of Fernando Po had assured him that the Quail would be destroyed, and Monrovia probably attacked by the ships-of-war of Spain. The President had consequently drawn out the colored militia, and was prepared to defend the country is said that a native king will attack the river settlements of the Liberians whenever the Spaniards appear. President Benson, amidst all the din of approaching battle, found time to enter the court of Venus, and is said to be paying his addresses to Miss Annie Polston, an accomplished young lady lately from Brooklyn, New York. The Hon. Mr. Ely, recently released from impri- sonment in Richmond, and now in Washington, has prepared and furnished the press with a list of the Union prisoners in the hands of the rebels, giving the designation of company, regiment, where from, and the present location of each man. As we have already published ,lists of the names of our sol- diers in confinement, we shall be compelled, from want of space, to defer for a day or two the docu. ment furnished by Mr. Bly. About the middle of November last a water- spout passed over the Island of Flores, one of the Western Islands, which destroyed every house in the village of Fagens. Fortunately no lives were lost. The debt of Alleghany county, Pa., including Pittsburg and Alleghany City, is nearly seven million seven hundred thousand doll and the value of the taxable property is but twenty-cight millions. The city of Montreal was thrown into a terrible panic on the 26th instant, by a report that war had been declared by the United States against Eng- land, and that an army of twenty thousand New England troops was marching towards that city from Vermont, A despatch in yesterday's Hexarn, under the head of ‘News from the South,” stated that John G. Davis, member of Congress from the Seventh district of Indiana, was on his way to Richmond. It should have read formerly a member of Con- gress. Hon. D. W. Voorhies is the present repre. sentative of the Seventh district. It is reported that a secret polities! society has been organized in Michigan, the object of which is to make the war an instrument for the emancipa- tion of slavery throughout the South. Rev. Dr. Cheever preached last evening in the Church of the Puritans. He contended that the seizure of Mason and Slidell by the government was not a sufficient cause for war; that Great Britain had received no insult of which they could complain, and that the two rebels, if proper justice were meted out to them, should be tried, and, if convicted, hanged, with Captain Gordon, the pirate, The Board of Excise are still engaged in deliver- ing the licenses heretofore granted. The number granted this year is 994; but as yet only about one- half of them have been taken up. This presents the serious question whether it is not the duty of the Police Commissioners to compel the delinquent applicants to take up their licenses, by instituting summary criminal proceedings against them? It is evident that unless the authorities shortly and rigidly enforce the Excise Law very few persous will hereafter apply for license, as nine-tenths of the liquor dealers in this city have become embold- ened by the impunity with which it has been wil- fully violated, and avow their determination to re- sist its enforcement. The United States ateam transport Philadelphia, lying at the foot of Chambers street, North river, is now loading provisions, hay and cattle for Tor- tugas, Key West and Fort Pickens. She will pro- bably sail to-day. . Mr. William Bayard, of Brooklyn, who rendered such valuable aid to Mr. Charles Anderson in effecting his escape from the rebels in Texas, ar- rived yesterday in the schooner Sally Gay, from Tampico. The Lodi mills, at Lodi, Ill., were destroyed by fire on the 24th inst. Loss $16,000. ‘The cotton market opened dull Saturday forenoon and without animation, but after the recelpt of the new, from Washington it assumed greater firmness. The salos embraced about 400 bales, closing chiefly at 363¢c. for middling uplands, with little or none to be bad under 87c. It was reported that @ large proportion of the orders not Jong since sent to Liverpool were not executed, the parties declining to make the purchases and shipments to this country without the cash in band. The flour market was jer, with rather more doing, while prices were the main unchanged, Wheat was firm at the full prices of the previous day, while sales wore moderate. Corn was boavy early in the day, but became more active towards the close of *Change, and at an advance of 1c. per bushel in prices, | with increased sales. Pork was heavy, with nidderato sales of old and new mess, at $3 a $9 50 for old and new. Sugarp were firm, and sales of 200 a 300 hhds. Cuba and 160 do, melado were made at full prices. Coffee was quiet and sales unimportant, Freights were quitesteady, | With a fair amount of engagemonts at full prices, | Question Between England and the United states. The diplomatic correspondence between the American, English and French governments, which we publish to-day, is of the highest inte- rest and of the most vital importance to the American people. Last April we exclusively Published the first indications of the coming storm, and more than a week ago we fore- shadowed its subsidence. We saw the frown- ing, lowering clouds, and we advised the taking in of sail. Happily that policy has been adopted, and the country is saved from the mis- fortune of a double war. It was the course we indicated upon the firat receipt of the news of the arrest of the Trent, and the capture of Mason and Slidell. We then said if the proceeding should turn out to be irregular and contrary to international law, of which there was some doubt, it would be the duty as well as the interest of our government to make an apology and give up the traitors. Meantime the evident disposition of the American people was not to apologize, and not to deliver the prisoners, if the right should turn out to be on our side. Rather than do so the American democracy were willing to lose their last man and their last dollar. They believed they were right, substantially, and paid little atten- tion to the nice discriminations of international law. Their blood was up, and “No Surrender” was the watchword. Fortunately for England, there was a cool statesman at the helm of the foreign affairs of this country, who was not led away by the syren voice of passion. His mas- terly analysis of public law, his calm dignity, and his imperturbable courage in deciding against the United States upon the technicality of the case, while he fearlessly asserts that the principle and the merits are on our side, ought to fill the English government’ with gratitude, and put to shame the disgraceful conduct of the press which professed to represent it. The London Times and kindred journals boldly asserted that the American government was under the influence of a mob—“the scum of the people,” represented by the New York Hrrary—and it would not listen to the dic- tates of wisdom, but would inevitably rush into war, right or wrong. The event proves the very contrary. 1¢ shows that the scurrility and the intemperance are all on their side; that they and their government are under the control of the mob, while the American government and the American press—particu- larly the New York Heratp—are guided by lofty principles of statesmanship, the strictest rules of international law, and a due regard to the requirements of justice and humanity. Had Mr. Seward and the Hratp, the man and the journal in this country who have become most obnoxious to British hatred and vituperation, followed the inclinations of the mob, Earl Rus- sell’s demand would have been replied to with defiance, and war would have now existed be- tween England and the United States—the most fatal war in which the British oligarchy ever engaged. It is clear that it is the English press and English statesmen who are under tle do- minion of the mob. They clamor for immediate hostilities, and make preparations for a terrible war upon a mere exparte statement, and before they are sure any international offence was given or intended. John Russell’s despatch is the best evi- dence of this. Under the influence of popular excitement, and from the fear of losing his place, be is compelled to call for a reparation and an explanation: but he does it in such a way as to convince every intelligent mind that he feels he has a bud case, and that his demand is substantially unjust, however the legal technicalities may be on the side of the British government. Accord- ingly he does not venture to lay dowa any prin- ciples on which to base his claim, nor to argue the law of the case. He evidently acts against his own judgment and in obedience to the dictation of the canaille. To the candor, ability and legal knowledge of Mr. Seward is the British Minister for Foreign Affairs indebted for an exposition of the true and only grounds upon which Messrs. Mason and Slidell “could be honorably surrendered. Our Secretary of State’s despatch will commend itself to the good sense and sober second thought of the English people, and pro- duce an immense effect all over Europe, not- withstanding the abuse or derision with which it will probably be met by the journals in the interest of the American rebels and the British aristocracy. He has clearly demonstrated that there was no intention of wounding the sen- sibilities of the Laglish nation, a hat Captain Wilkes, acting ou his owa responsibility, believed his proceeding was in conformity with public law. His error consisted in not capturing the Trent, and bringing her to port as well as her passengers, for adjudication. Had he done that there would have been no just ground for re- clamation or apology, however liable to ques- tion might be the soundness of the legal princi- ples on which he made the capture. His action would have been under the color of right and law. Mr. Seward holds that ia that case the Trent would have been fairly liable to con- demnation, as detected in the fact of con- veying ‘“contrabands;” but whether tho contrabands themseives, being persons, and not chattels, could be held in pur- suance of the judgment, is a matter of legal doubt involved in an international fog which it will be necessary for the maritime Powers and their jurists to clear away here- after. It is a question for which it would not be worth a nation’s while to go to war, par- ticularly when engaged in a conflict in which she is struggling for her existence, and when the possession of the persons of such men as Mason and Slidell is of little or no importance to her. “ The matter is now wisely settled, and the damaged goods at Fort Warren are consigned to the order of Lord Lyons for transhipment to @ more congenial atmosphere. The result of this diplomatic correspondence is highly important. It establishes upon a fixed basis those traditional principles of mari- time law for which the American government has always contended; and England has been compelled to abandon her old practices and principles, in conformity with the progress of modern civilization. Mr. Seward’s reference to this point is the most effective portion of his able State paper. The cause of our war with Great Britain in 1812-15 was the assumption on her part of the right of her cruisers boarding not only our vessels.of-war, but our merchant marine, for the purpose of taking thence our sailors, whom she claimed to be her citizens and deserters from her colors. She was then an ex- treme advocate for belligerent rights. Now that she isnot at war she is an extreme advocate for neutral rights, and has come round to the American side, and to the doctrines of France and continental Europe. At the conclusion of the war the question in which it originated was left unsettled; but it has now received its quietus for at least the present generation. There is another vital point established. It is the entire neutrality of England and France in our domestic strife. They are now both nailed down to their own avowals before Eu- rope and the world. We are thus left free from doubt and difficulty in the prosecution of the war for the Union, and will be enabled to put forth the undivided energies of the nation in crushing a rebellion which was only for- midable because we were not prepared for it, but which will, ere long, be swept away before our advancing armies, like the grass of the prairie before the devouring flame. Tue Backnone or Tae Repersion BROKEN.— Mr. Seward was right in his opinion gommuni- cated to our Minister at London, that this South- ern rebellion lives upon its hopes of European intervention, and that with those hopes destroy- ed this rebellion would collapse in ninety days. The settlement of our difficulty with England, and, according to the friendly suggestions of France, in putting an end to the calculations of help from England and France, or from either, breaks the backbone of this rebellion. The seizure by Captain Wilkes of Mason, Sli- dell anid their secretaries from the British steamer Trent was universally approved by our loyal people. They were ready to sus- tain that act to the extremity of war with Eng- land, and there was some danger at first of a popular reaction against our Cabinet had it hastily ventured upon the surrender of said rebel emissaries back to England. In taking the ground, therefore, in advance of any positive knowledge of the state of the case at Washington, that our government, if required, would and should deliver back Mason and Sli- dell to the protection of the British flag, we claim that the New York Herarp has done more than all the other public journals of the country put together in preparing the public mind for a cordial acquiescence in the settlement. which has been made. We think that we may justly put in this claim from our immense circulation and our hundreds of thousands of intelligent veaders in both hemispheres. In showing Eng- land that we were not afraid of war, we feel satisfied that this journal has had no inconsider- able influence there in creating a powerful peace party; while, on the other hand, in lead- ing off in support of the restitution of Mason and Slidell, we have done our share of the good work in securing the public approval of this adjustment and in strengthening the hands of the administration. We were first in the field last. April with Mr. ard’s initial diplomatic instructions to our new ministers abroad, and we have kept ahead of our contemporaries, as usual, in foreshadow- ing “the views ’and purposes of the government to this crowning achievement of the peace of the Trent. In this achievement we have the right to rejoice with our readers that the back- bone of this rebellion is broken. Tax Evxecish Press on Amenica—tt has been frequently asserted by the English press, and especially since the affair of the ‘Trent has engaged public attention in Europe, that our press and government are under the control of the mob, and that by that mob we hould be driven into a war with England on this question. It was represented that the popu- lar feeling in the United States would be so strong against the surrender of Mason and Sli- dell that the administration would be power- less to oppose it. How well the result has dis- proved British calculations and assertions those who made them will soon know, The fact ix that our government and press have displayed more statesmanship and been less under control of the mob than those of England. It was the mob that induced the press of England to utter its scurrilous abuse of this country, and to sully its reputation by intemperate discussions and invective which eclipse the efforts of the American press in that direction. It was the mob that made it clamor for war, and the mob.tov, that urged the gov- ernment to assume the attitude it did. The press of this country, and especially the New York Heranp, has, on the other band, instead of fo- menting popular passions, been very instrument tal in promoting this peace, and on that accoun- has earned the execrations of the pothouse press of England and its pothouse correspond- ents. The government has acted with diplo_ matic nicety, uninfluenced by the mob; and that mob, asit is called, has acted with a tempe- rance and discretion which put to shame the great mob of England. The English press had, therefore, in future better remain silent upon the subject of the mob, and open its eyes to the fact that we have a government which is less at the mercy of popular caprice than its own. Let it remember, also, that the American press has at least had the merit of counteracting the injurious effects which its own bluster and war cries did so much to produce in England, by a dispassionate treatment of the question at issue. It is now settled, and we flatter our- selves that we have come out of the difficulty with considerable more credit to ourselves than our contemporaries across the water. Indeed: the government and people, as well as the press of England, may profit by our example. Tue War on THE Rervprics—The repub- lics of the world are at present entering upon a crisis in their history. It is only a few months since Spain blotted out the republic of San Domingo; she has since com- bined with England and France against Mexico, and threatened the republics of South Ameri- ca, and now we learn that she has commenced hostilities against Liberia. When, in addition, we remember the attitude just assumed by Eng- land towards this country, it would seem that it is the settled policy of the European Powers to make war against all the republics. Let us, then, hasten to put down this rebellion with a strong hand, in order that there may be at least one. strong republic in the world. Weakness is only a temptation for our enemies to yoke a quarrel with us, with a view to‘ ‘#. cherished object of producing a permauent dismemberment of the Union. They are equal- ly jealous of our maritime greatness and free institutions, and they feel that we are already too powerful a rival. Let us concen- trate all our strength in crushing out insurreo- tion and restoring the integrity of the republic; and when the end is accomplished, with an army of half a million of men and a powerful navy, we shall be prepared to defy the world and give @ helping hand to our republican neighbors in resisting the interference of foreign Powers. A new and brighter era will then dawn upon republicanism, Tux Grmons Reviven.—The Legie!: Jntczs which assembled in Albany in 1860, after smashing Geo. Law’s monster gridiron, which Provided for laying a track in almost every street in this city, proceeded forthwith to pass six railroad bills, known as the six gridirons, for the city of New York. Among the six was One commonly known by the name of the “Belt Railroad,” which provided for laying a double track all around that portion of the city south of Fifty-ninth street, or, in other words, passing up and down those streets nearest to the rivers, and connecting by a double track through Fifty-ninth street, making a direct mode of conveyance between all the ferries of the city and the Central Park. Those interested in this bill were generally classed as the po- litical opponents of Weed, Law and asso- ciates, who were engineering the other five bills; but the combinations of the Legisla- ture were such that those gentlemen were com- pelled to keep the Belt road in company with the others, or lose them all. They were vetoed by the Governor, and passed over his veto, and thus became laws, During the latter part of that year an injunc. tion was placed upon the persons named in the Seventh Avenue road, which prevented those parties from appropriating to themselves the benefits and powers conferred upon them by the passage of the act. It was generally sup- posed that this move had put the quietus upon all the other gridirons, and that they all had died a natural death. But this illusion was dis. pelled by the Belt road, the rim, or the outside framework, to the gridiron turving up in the Common Council on Saturday night, under the name of the Central Park, South and West Street Railroad. A scene similar to that which was en- acted at Albany when those bills were passed over the Governor's veto took place, and the resolutions confirming the grant of the Legisla. ture were put through both boards under the whip and spur. The persons interested were evidently determined that no time should be given for injunctions, but, having their arrange- ments all made, rushed it through without de- lay, and, we might say, almost without debate. It now appears that the incorporators named in the Belt road have not been idle, but have or- ganized a company under the general railroad act of the State, and, thus fortified, have had the grant of the Legislature confirmed to them, and are now, we suppose, ready for business, This being the framework of the famous grid- irons, we presume that the action of the Com- mon Council on Saturday night is but the fore- runner of what is te take place, and our cili, zens may yet find that all the other gridirons “are not dead, but sleep.” Tue O1p Year any tHE New.—The event- ful year of grace 1861 is going out very handsomely. The war clouds which lately darkened our eastern horizon, as they melt away, are spanned by the rainbow of peace; and we have this Southern rebellion now in the condition of Sebastopol on the eve of the day of that last crushing bombardment and the storming of the Malakoff. On the first day of the year which is expiring we were alarmed for the safety of our national capital; and yet we felt somewhat secure against all the odds of any secession foray upon it, in having staunch old Winfield Scott on guard, although his defensive forces hardly amounted to three thousand men. Now around Washington we have a cordon ef defensive works and an army within and around them capable of repulsing a combined movement by all the rebel armies in the field. The safety of our national capital has long ceased to be a matter of doubt, and the only question now is, whether this rebellion will fall to pieces with a grand crash before spring, or whether it will linger along here and there in the form of a guerrilla war till the dawn of summer. We shall not advance beyond a month into the New Year before the one or the other solution will be made manifest. The old year goes out with a good record for the Union; but the new year, we predict, while yet a bantling, will be en- veloped in a blaze of glory. Suspension or Spxcre Parments py Ovr Baygs.—At a conference of our city banks on Saturday evening last, by au unani- mous vote, they resolved upon an im- mediate suspension of specie payments. The government will of course follow suit to-day, It is a judicious movement, and will not prove in any degree prejudicial to our business affairs. A short time ago our city banks had a specie accumulation of some forty millions of dqjars. It has been reduced to twenty-five miflions—a reduc- tion which indicates a drain anda strain which it is prudent to stop. Of course the bonks of Philadelphia, Boston and other cities, and all our country banks, may be expected to follow this example of our metropolitan banks. In looking out for their own interests at this crisis the banks are consulting those of the govern- ment and the country, for they are intimately blended with each other. Our financial affairs will now go on smoothly. No country of modern times has ever yet been involved ina great war without being compelled to resort to the precautionary measure of a bank suspension of specie payments. By this movement the two hundred and seventy-five millions of specie in the country will be retained here for our own use. Tue Poritictans ON THE AMERICAN DirFicut- ty wits Exetanp.—Revolutions and civil and foreign wars try the calibre of men. The old fogy, broken down politicians, such as Cass, Everett and Cushing, have rushed into print to prove their superiority in this crisis of the na- tion’s history. Their international law and their advice have been equally at fault and equally disregarded. They have quoted false history, and have been at sea without compass « LT Suesnuune TO LavcH At—Canaplun Bios Tex.—Our neighbors of the British provinces must feel themselves in a rather ridiculous position now that the Trent affair is settled. Since the intelligence of the feeling in England on the subject, and the attitude of the Britial government, reached this side of the Atlantic, the press and people of the Canadas have been in state of rampant excitement, clamoring like drunken men fora fight. And what does all their vaporing amount to? They have splut tered in vain, and their labored indignation has been only laughed at. They are now left to peaceful reflections » 1 thelr own intempe- rance and folly. They )sve beaten up recruits for an imaginary sned to music for which they he ' In the m! tions, th culty » quite aback. was ing by their demonstration t ' lated upon. 11, v# af 1 a calm, we m doipe found repose acroz: t which the people may te nothing but blank loo) hey € barking when there was u bat a appointment. Grarrring Ixreniigence.—G. be glad to hear that General McCle: een for some days confined to his ho sick list, is out again; that General who was pretty seriously injured by a fall his horse, is getting on finely, and th General Lander, who has been suffering from a shot received in his foot ina skirmish near Lees- burg, is ready for active service again. Very good. Now, all hands make ready and strike up the music. Movements of General Scott. General Scott attended divine service at the Church of the Ascension, corner of Tenth street and Fifth avenue, yesterday morning, unaccompanied by any person what- ever. The Rev. Mr. Smith, pastor of the church, proached quite an eloquent sermon, without, however, alluding in any way to tho distinguished soldier who was present. Ho took his text from the second chapter of Revelations and eighth verse. The church was crowded to overflowing by a highly respectable congregation, and every eye was fixed upon the hoary headed old hero, who sat so modestly and so plously in nis pow. The Chureh of the Ascension is that which the General al- ways attends when in New York, he being the owner of apow in that sacred edifice. On entering und reti from tho church he was.cordially. greoted by all those who were personally acquainted with him, bicssings poured ‘pen us venerable head from, ail sides, ree uring the afternoon he was v! 'y Royal Esq, De. Motoaife, and others. Ata late hour on aatare day Governor Morgan and Judge Daly paid thoir respects tothe General Sunday on the Ice. FORTY THOUSAND PERSONS ON BEEKMAN'S POND— THE PONDS IN THE SAME VICINITY—THE ICE AT 106TH STRERT—THE PROSPECTS OF SKATING ON THB CBNTRAL PARK—THE WILLIAMSBURG CLUB ON SATURDAY—SKATING ON STATEN JSLAND, AT JERSEY CITY, BTC. ‘The announcement that skating could be had on the pond near Sixtieth street, brought together yestorday a large number of the lovers of the sport, for on Beekman's pond alone from thirty to forty thousand persons in- dulged in skating during the day. Almost as soon as it was daylight the juvenile portion of the Now York com- mapity in no small numbers were on the ice, ready booted and skated, and at three o'clock in the afternoon there were prosout at one timo at loast five thousand persons. Thero wero a few lady skaters among thom; ‘but, in consequence of the rough movements of the boys, they did not stay long on their runners. There was a greater number of {eminines on the banks, engaged in the colder, but to thom, undor the circumstances, per- haps, pleakantor oceupation of looking on. Among. the gentlemen were several woll known Central Park fancy skaters, whose only rogret appeared to be that tho ico in that locality was not yet ready for use. The ice of course became terribly out up by the afternoon in conse- quence of the numbor of skaters present, ‘On the other ponds a largo number of persons em- vd prepara- the difii- ployed themselves in rapid movements, cutting up queer figures, &c, These ponds being located in hollows, caused by the grading of the avenues, are far more shol- tered than the waters on the Park, which fact accounts for the solidity of tho ice. ‘At 106th stroct, noar Third avenuo, a goodly crowd as- seibled; but, the fats being moro exposed, the ico was much rougher than at Sixtieth strect, consequently the skating was not thero so agrecable, AS it waa found so it was used, and the skaters generaily felt pleased, if wo may judge from their countenances. The still frot of yesterday afternoon and evening gave promise of closing up a large portion of the break in the ico of tho upper pond, and the holes tn the tower the Central Park. ‘The prospects at sundown for to. woro very fair, and wo hope they may not be blighted. Asa fow young ren wore getting out of the Sixth avenve cars yoatorday, with tho intention, of skating on the lower pon! one'of them espied tho red flag. ‘“Look,”” said ho, ‘we can’t skate thore. Don’t you geo it is under a shoriff's sale.” And off they went to Beokman’s nd. By the opening of tho marble arch at the south ond of the mall, Indies and children can now reach the upper pond from eithor of the Fifty-ninth street entrances with- out having to cross a cartiage or bridle rond. Tho path is on the right hand side of the drive, and is traversed untila red board is seon directing the way to the areb. Through this the podestrians pass under the driyo to the or chart, sun, moon or stars. The moral is, that in a nation’s trial the political hacks know nothing and are “nowhere.” Tae Game or Brvrr.—A New Orleans cor- respondent of the Boston Transcript says that | ore are over four hundred cannon mounted in the fortifications defending said city of New Orleans, and over thirty thousand troops on hand, and that they soon expect twenty thou- sand more. Four hundred cannon! Why not make itfive hundred? Thirty thousand troops, and twenty thousand more coming! Where from? Perhaps from General Butler’s expedi- tion. Who knows? Orr anv Ox.—The Richmond Dispatch says that “the appearance of England on the field of strife will have a decided influence ow the con- test.” But how is it with England o” “ the field of strife?” Will not the influence ‘io equally decided’? Let Jeff. Davis decide. mall, along which they walk until they reach the uppor end,’where the terrace steps lead to the lake itself. ‘This mt ‘bofound very convenient, especially in snowy woather, ‘The railroad managers intend this year not to deceive the public relative to skating days. The Sixth Avenue Company will, by tho following eigus, inform tho people relative to skating :— If tho ball is up, a white flag with a red ball. on will bo flying at tho end of the car, aiid a card placed in the win- dow atating the fact. If the ball is not up, but skating allowed. on the Park, & a white flag on which {s painted a red bail witha white flag in the contre, and a card in the window. Ieskating not allowed on the Park, but good skating at other pla-es; no flags flying, but a card fu the window, stating whore the ice is to be found. ‘This rule, properly obsarved, will prevont much disap- pointment and dissatisfaction, On Saturday tho Williamsburg club was in full blast, and many of the fair sex were pregent, ‘as. tora and skaters. At night the pol was lighted up by several railway lights¥with poworful rellectore. A brass band was present, and played popular airs during tho af- ternoon and evening, ‘The indofatigablo Progidont wag on the grounds during the whole timo of skating, which closes at ten P. M. Skating was indulged in on Saturday on the Silvor Lake antenciher pond of Staten Island; also on the ponds near Jersey City. Skating ponds are rising up evorywhere, and almost in every newspaper exchango we take up we fd local ponds havo boen set apart for skating in their particular neighborhoods. All hail for the skating season. Coroner’s Inques' FATAL STABBING AFFRAY, An inguest was hold yesterday on tho body of Joho Morton, who died on Saturday last from injuries recoivod on Christmas night. ‘The inquest was hold at tho Twea- ty-eighth precinct station houso before Coroner Jackman. ‘The evidonce went to show that the deceased, John Cols, Joromiah Fay and Wade Ficlder, wore all intoxicated oa Christmas night, and camo into collision at the cortior of, Gresnwich and King streots, where they got into a fight, Cole knocked Morton down and afterwards plunged a long knife into him. Fay had his jaw frac tured by a blow from a steel knuokle. police then came up and took Morton to his homo, at No. 151 Hammond street. The others were conveyed to the station house. On the person of Cole was found # Tong knife, atil! bloody, and on one of the othors a pair of knuckles, ’ On being interrogated by the Coroner yester day, Cole stated that he was 80 intoxicated at the time that’ he did not recollect anything about the affair. Ho ia a native of New Jorsey, forty-five years of ago,and a tim: ber morchant by trade. The jury rendered a verdict tc the offect “That John Morton came to his death by a siab inflicted by John Colo,’’.who was committed to prison te avait the action of the Grand Jury, Wade Fiolder is ro tainod as a witness. Personal Intelligence. Captain Mirehouso, of the steamship Edinburg, is stop ping at the New York Hotel. inwright, of the United States Army; F. 8. ‘of Rhode Island; Gcorge A. Davis, of Groen Dr. Brownell, field, Mass,, and A. Campbell, of Montreal, are atopping at the Brevoort House. 3 igiets of Raltimore; FE. P.Seymorr, of Cali: se NW Gilbert, ‘Now York Volunteors; Capt fornia; oI ticut Volunteers; W. G. Clements, St- pees i he teats “B. R. Donby and H. Hi. Stewarts . HBr iA Navy; 8. W. Cooper, United States Army; wud fl whuin, poston, are stopping at the Metropolitan Hotel. fi and lady, United States Navy; EB. HL. cole" Gatiad States 8 1. Jewott, of Boston; GH Bassett, of California, ynolds, of Buffalo; payee S.R. Basoerd and G. L.. Dwight, of Providence; A, i. Hayos, of Washington; C. 8, Huston, of Hartfora; J. @. Lao, of Tole~ edhe, T Van'Derker, of Albany, ahd Mf. Mf. Freeman, of Staten Island, are stopping al the Astor House. Henry Blood, of Vermont; Major Wainwright and fami- ly, United States Army’ P. Ress,-of Auvurn; Wms Mason, of Taunton, M . B, Hungerford, of Water roy. Gd. Donny, of Hoston; N. Washburn, of Mags. ; M. Resa, of Havana; J meoma, of Paris, 81d Major A.J. Lawyer, United States Army, are atopy ing at th St. Nicholas Hotel.