The New York Herald Newspaper, January 7, 1862, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Scmoot ror Scanpat. WINTER GARDEN, Saetway. —Tooopi.ns—Bos Nxt. Tis—My Nesunpon's Wire, Fe WALLACK’S: THEATRE, No, S44 Broadway.—Lovx ror Ove. LAURA KEENE’S: THEATRE, 8 Broadway. ae Tom— Rosinson Crvsox. NEW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—ANGet or Mip- NIGHT KAQUL—KAYMOND AND AGNS. aaa THEATRE, Bowery.—Stickyer’s NaTionaL BARNUM'S AMERICAN MUSEU 3 Broadway.—Day and Evening. —Onoixa—HirrororaMus, WHALE, AND OTHER CU- ‘RIOSITIES. a ” BRYANTS’ MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall, Broad way.—UM Batuo in Mascukra. . i HOOLEY’S MINSTRELS, Stuyvesant Iustitute, No. 659 Broadway,—Eruorian Sonds, Dancus, &¢. MELODEON CONCERT HALL, No. 539 Broadway.— Songs, Dancxs, Buxiesques, &c.—Diana. terran nae. HALL, 585 Broadway.—Sonas, Danoxs, Burixsquns, 4c.—Mons. DecuaLuuxau, GAIETIES CONCERT, ROOM, 616 Broadway —Daawira Room ENTERTAINMENTS, BaLLets, Pantomines, Farces, 4c. AMERICAN MUSIC HALL, Broad Songs, Bat- LET#, PANTOMIMES, &0.—SCAMPINT. re CRYSTAL PALACE CONC! Buu.esques, Songs, Dances, PARISIAN Leg rag yo Pie apap Broad — Open daily from 10 ain bia NOVELTY MUSIC HALL, 616 E 616 Broadway.—BuRizsqvrs, Sones, Dances, 4c. aan ALL, No. 45 Bowery.— w Yuan's Cau. ta New York, Tuesday, January 7, 1862. THE SITUATION. Nothing of importance occured in the army of the Potomac yesterday. The rebel pickets opened & brisk fire on Sunday night upon the pickets of the Sixty-ninth regiment, Irish Brigade, com- manded by Colonel Nugent. The fire continued at intervals all night, but the enemy could not be seen, as they were ensconced in the woods. The Sixty-ninth returned the fire, and Lieut. Col. Kelly had his reserves quietly put in order for an attack, without creating any alarm in the camp, but the rebels made no further demonstration at daylight. Gen. McClellan was so far improved in health as to be able to ride out yesterday. A Cabinet meet- ing was held last night, and sat until ten o’clock. Mr. Seward, who arrived in Washington, was pre- sent. The purpose or results of the meeting have not transpired. The battle of Ball’s Bluff was made the subject of an animated discussion i in Congress yesterday on @resolution of Mr. Roscoe L. Conkling, of New York, calling upon the Secretary of War for an in- vestigation into the causes of that disastrous af- fair. The resolution was adopted by the House, although the War Department had already declared, in reply to a previous resolution of Mr. Conkling, that an investigation into that circumstance was incompatible with the public interests. Our troops in Western Virginia had a brisk skir- mish with the rebels at Huntersville on Saturday morning, which resulted in a complete success. A body of our men, numbering seven hundred and forty, and consisting of a portion of the Fifth Ohio, Second Virginia, and Brocken’s cavalry, made an attack on Huntersville, which was defended by four hundred rebel cavalry and three hundred and Gfty infantry, and after an attack of an hour's du- cation the rebels were defeated with a loss of eighty killed and wounded. No one was killed on the Union side. The enemy retired from the town, leaving eighty thousand dollars worth of army stores and clothing in the hands of our With reference to the advance of the rebels on Hancock, Md., which we reported yesterday, we have later advices, dated yesterday, showing that General Lander has arrived there with a strong force, and also that General Jackson, with a large body of rebels, one twenty-four and two twelve- pounders, appeared opposite Hancock, and threat- ened to shell out our troops unless they evacuated. General Lander gave them a fitting re- sponse. They commenced shelling, which con- linued up to the latest advices on jay night, doing littleinjury to the 1nd none at all to our troops. At an early hour yesterday morning the Third brigade left Frederick ‘or Hancock, leaving the Forty-sixth Pennsylvania at Williamsport. The preparations of the rest of the division are complete, and they are awaiting marching orders. Latest accounts state that the rebels have retired from the vicinity of Hancock, the fire of the Union artillery proving too hot for them. The United States steam transport Vanderbilt, from Port Royal on the morning of the 3d inst., arrived at this port yesterday morning, bringing the important news of the victory over the rebels on the Ist inst., ina brisk fight near Port Royal ferry, about twenty-five miles from Hilton Head, of which we before published the rebel account. The expedition which achieved this victory was a combined military and naval one, and was under the joint command of Brigadier General I. I. Ste- vens and Captain Rogers of the flagship Wabash. ‘The troops engaged consisted of the Eighth Mich igan regiment, Pennsylvania Round Heads, Fiftieth Pennsylvania, Seventy-ninth New York Militia, Forty-seventh and Forty-eighth New York Volun- teers. The naval vessels consisted of the gunboats Ellen, Seneca, Pembina and Ottawa. General Ste- vens’s brigade advanced on Port Royal on the Ist instant, and took possession of the rebel batteries Sun- town after a short resistance of the rebels. The brigade was assisted by the gunboats, which shelled the batteries. General Ste- vens then followed up the blow until he arrived within six miles of the Charleston Railroad. A flag of truce was sent by the rebels, who desired permission to collect and bury their dead, Which was granted. One hour was allowed for that purpose, after which the rebels fell back upon the fortifications near the railroad, which are vory extensive, leaving behind them one large gun, which they had spiked. The rebel force engaged was estimated at eight thousand men, under Gene- rals Gregg and Pope. The federal force engaged was four thousand five hundred men. Our loss was nine wounded—one mortally, Major Watson, of the Eighth Michigan regiment, who has since led. The rebel loss is not positively known, but + is said to be pretty large. The Union forces ected with great coolness and determination. In nother column may be found full lists of both the NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, Possession of the main land, is awaiting reinforce. ments, which should be forwarded without delay, The Vanderbilt has a cargo of three thousand six hundred and ninety-seven bales of Sea Island cotton, gathered by our troops and the contra- bands, and consigned to D. D. Tompkins, United States Quartermaster at this port. This is the first very heavy shipment of cotton that has been made from Port Royal since the occupation by our troops, By the Bohemian, which arrived at Halifax yes" terday with dates from Liverpool to the 26th, and Londonderry to the 27th ultimo—four days later— we learn that the English papers are discussing the Trent affair in 8 hopeful fashion, looking to the peaceful settlement of the difficulty by the delivering up of Mason and Slidell by the Cabinet at Washington. The prevailing opinion in England is said to be in favor of peace. War risks at Lloyd’s had taken a downward tendency. A better feeling prevailed at Liverpool, and cotton was rising. The Paris Presse says that new rebel Commissioners, in place of Mason and Slidell, had arrived at some German port, and were en route for London and Paris, but it does not mention the names of these emissaries. The French govern- ment is about to send reinforcements to its squad- ron in the Gulf of Mexico, and it was rumored tha® squadron of observation was to be sent to the eastern coast of America, under Admiral Henaud. Spain is also about tosend six or seven thousand more troops to Mexico, in three divisions, accord- ing to the Madrid Journal Correspondencia. CONGRESS. Both houses of Congress reassembled yesterday. In the Senate, the credentials of the new Senator from Oregon, Mr. Stark, were presented by his colleague, but Mr. Fessenden moved that the ad- ministration of the oath be suspended, and that the credentials and certain papers in his possession impeaching the loyalty of Mr. Stark be referred to the Judiciary Committee. After some discussion the papers were laid on the table for the present. The documents for the State Department relative to the Trent affair were received, and made the special order for Thursday next. Mr. Fes- senden offered a joint resolution authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to allow goods (coffee, tea and sugar) warehoused be- fore the passage of the recent act, to be withdrawn, with the duty of the former act paid, and the duties collected of such goods under the late act be refunded. The resolution was adopted. Mr. Collamer offered a resolution that the Com- mittee on the Post Office be instructed to inquire into the expediency of placing a tax on conveying intelligence by telegrap. The resolution was agreed to. Mr. Davis introduced a joint resolu- tion that the President procure an exchange of prisoners from the privateer Jeff. Davis for prison- ers taken from the army of the United States. The jcint resolution was adopted. The Judiciary Com- mittee reported in favor of Mr. Stanton’s right to a scat in place of Mr. Lane, the member from Kan- sas. The Pension Appropriation bill was passed. A large number of abolition petitions were pre- sented, and also one praying for remission of the duty on the arms imported for the New York Twenty-second regiment. Inthe House of Representatives Mr. Roscoe L. Conkling, of New York, called attention to the fact that on the second day of the session a reso- Intion was adopted requesting the Secretary of War to inform the House whether any steps have been taken to ascertain who are responsible for the defeat of the Union forces in the battle at Ball’s Bluff. To this resolution the military au- thorities made answer to the effect that the pro- pased investigation would be incompatible with the public interests. This answer Mr. Conkling, Mr. Lovejoy and others deemed unsatisfactory, and they animadverted upon the management of the Ball's Bluff affair and the conduct of the war generally in severe terms. Finally Mr. Conkling offered a resolution declaring that the answer of the War Department is neither respon- sive nor satisfactory to the House, and that the Secretary of War be directed toreturn a further answer, and after a long discussion it was adopted by a vote of seventy-nine against sixty-four. A resolution was adopted instructing the Judiciary Committee to inquire into the expediency of pro- viding by law for making final the decisions of the Commissioners engaged in deciding upon contracts growing out of operations in the Western Military Department. A joint resolution, authorizing the withdrawal of tea, coffee and sngar from bonded warehouses on payment of the rate of duty levied un2er the tariff of August last, and to refund any excess of duties above those imposed by the said act of August, was adopted. The Committee on the District of Columbia were instructed to in- quire into the expediency of establishing a steam fire department. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The steamship Bohemian, which left Liverpool on the 26th and Londonderry om the 27th ult., arrived at Halifax on Monday. Her advices are four days later than those previously received. Although the advices from the United States had been unfavorably constened in London, and the funds had declined, yet it is observable that the war feeling had subsided to some extent. The Paris Presse states that more rebel commis- sioners had arrived at some port in Germany, en route for Paris and London. Business had been partially suspended in Liver- pool and London, owing to the holidays. Cotton had, however, advanced one-quarter to one-half a penny per pound, while breadstuffs were dull. The Legislature of this State meets at Albany at noon to-day. Ata caucus held last evening of the republican and People’s party members, Hon. Henry J. Raymond was, after two ineffectual ballots, unanimously nominated as their candidate for Speaker, and other gentlemen for the other offices of the House. The prominent points of the Governor's forthcoming Message will be found re- capitniated in our Albany despatch im this morn- ing’s paper. It will be seen by a statement in anether colamn that the mints of the United States have coined since they commenced operations—a period less han seventy years—the large amount of eight hundred millions of dollars—about one-fifth of the whole metallic currency of the world. Of this amount five hundred and twenty millions of dollars were derived from the mines of the United States. The twenty-seven thousand dollars that were raised in Dixie for the benefit of Mrs. Jackson, widow of the man who was shot for killing Colonel Ellsworth, in Alexandria, it appears, was nearly all made up of promises to pay, and Mrs. Jackson, who is now in Richmond, experiences great diffi- culty in collecting these outstanding accounts, Parson Brownlow was discharged from custody on the 27th ult.; but in consequence of a severe illness, and the threatenings of a mob, he was to have been retained in the Knoxville jail for a few days, when the rebels would give him an escort beyond the lines. Among the secesh newspapers recently deceased in Virginia are the Berryville Journal, Charies- town Spi it of Jefferson, Shepherdston Register, MartinsburggAmerican, Berkeley Springs Constitu- tion, Romney“Intelligencer, Piedmont Independent, Woodstock Tenth Legion, Luray Review, Front Royal Gazette, Harrisonburg Citizen, Valley Demo- ferees engeged, General Stovens, who is now in erat, Staunton Vindicator, Leceburg Afirror, Charlestown Independent and Romney Argus. ‘There are a number of others hanging on between life and death, and publishing a number occasion- ally. George Williams, a negro, formerly a slave in Nashville, was hung in the Essex county jail yard at Sandwich, Michigan, on the 3d instant, for the murder of his wife. A large number of eleven inch columbiads, each capable of discharging a solid shot of one hundred and seventy pounds weight, are now being finished in South Boston. A grand cock fight is soon to come off in Troy—if the police do not break up the arrangements—be- tween a large number of game fowls in that city and an equal number from New York. The new Board of Aldermen was organized yes- terday at noon, Alderman J. T. Henry was una- nimously elected as President, Mr. Valentine as Clerk, and Mr. Gallagher as Sergeant-at-Arms. Pre” sident Henry addressed the members on his appoint- ment, and the first Message of Mayor Opdyke was received, of which three thousand copies were or- dered to be printed. Mr. Valentine retains his present efficient staff of deputies and other officers. The Board of Councilmen for the present year organized yesterday, by electing CharlesC. Pinck- ney, Esq. (republican), President, and James M. Sweeny (democrat), Clerk. The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors for the present year was held yesterday. In conse. quence of the absence of several of the members a permanent President was not appointed, and the chair was occupied by Supervisor Stewart. A communication was received from the Finance De- partment, from which it appears that the total amount required to be appropriated for county purposes for the year 1862 is as follows:—The le” gislative department, $151,900; the executive, $1,187,312; judiciary, $312,950, and miscellaneous purposes, $2,267,420 34, making a total of $4,619,- 582 34. The amount available from market rents, &c., &c., is $62,200, which will leave $4,557,382 34 to be raised by taxation. Important communica- tions were received relative to the issuing of a new Court House stock, and the collecting of the war tax, which will be found in another column. The Board adjourned until Monday, the 20th inst. The January term of the General Sessions com" menced yesterday, Judge McCunn presiding. There not being a quorum of grand jurors present, those gentlemen who answered to their names were discharged until this (Tuesday) morning at teno'clock, when the City Judge will’deliver his charge. The only case tried was an indictment against John Williams for grand larceny, in steal- ing a gold watch worth $170 from Reuben Tooker, } 278 Greenwich street, on the 29th of November. The accused was convicted, and was sentenced to the State Prison for two years and six months. Mr. A. Oakey Hall, the District Attorney, entered upon the discharge of his official duties and prose- cuted the above indictment. He handed to the City Judge a few indictments in which he was di- rectly or indirectly associated as counsel previous to assuming the duties of prosecuting officer, with the request that the Court would assign counsel to represent the prosecution. Mr, Hall has ap- pointed Mr. Charles E. Whitehead (partner of Wm. Curtis Noyes) and Orlando L. Stewart as his as- sistants. The District Attorney intimated that it was his purpose especially to give those accused parties who were clamoring for trial a speedy hearing; and in pursuance of that statement he set down a number of cases which will be disposed of during the present term. According to the City"Inspector’s report, there were 382 deaths in the city during the past week— an increase of 23 as compared with the mortality of the week previous, and 5 more than occurred during the corresponding week last year. The recapitula- tion table gives] death of alcoholism, 1 of diseases of the bones, joints, &c.; 73 of the brain and nerves, 3 of the generative organs, 13 of the heart and blood vessels, 134 of the lungs, throat, &c.; lof old age, 39 of diseases of the skin and eruptive fevers, 3 premature births, 27 of diseases of the stomach, bowels and other digestive organs; 28 of uncertain seat and general fevers, 6 of diseases of the urinary organs, 29 from violent causes, and 4 unknown. There were 252 natives of the United States, 7 of England, 81 of Ireland, 19 of Germany, 6 of Scot- land, and the balance of various foreign countries. ‘The inclemency of the weather yesterday tended to Check transactions in most descriptions of produce, which were light. No cotton of moment was sold. The in- clemency of the weather tended to keep off spinners, while others seemed disposed to await later news from Europe. Common and medium grades of flour were quiet and prices unchanged. Extra brands were in fair demand and prices firm. Wheat was stiff,and in many cases held above the views of buyers. The sales were fair, and closed quiet but firm, mainly for export. Corn was steady, with moderate sales at 64c. from store, and at Gic, a €5 3c. delivered. Pork was steady, with sales of old and new mess at $12 a$12 50, prime moss at $13 75 a$l4. Beef was steady and in good demand. Coffee was quiet and prices steady. Freights were firm at Satur- day's rates, with a fair amount of engagements. England and Her Policy Towards the United States. The Puritanical blackleg ministry of England and the opposition tory party, whatever may be their points of divergence upon the domestic affairs of the kingdom, are hunting upon the same trail in reference to our Southern rebel- lion. The aristocratic element which governs the movements of Palmerston and the counter movements of Derby cannot be ,misunderstood- It is struggling for the maintenance of its power, its fendal privileges and advantages against the march of popular ideas and popular rights. Hence, with the temptation before the English aristocracy which is now offered for English armed intervention, in order to break up the popular institutions of the United States, and to destroy at the same time an overshadow- ing and still advancing commercial rival, we find the English whig and English tory run- ning full speed to outstrip each other in the hue and cry for war. And what an example of England’s hypo- crisy and perfidy has thus been given to the world. From the outset of this rebellion, when we were startled with England's concession of “belligerent rights” to Jeff. Davis and his con- federates, down to this day, English statesmen and English journals of the whig and tory parties have vied with each other in misrepre- sentations and denunciations, and in the most scandalous inventions, againet the government, the army, the navy, the people and the institu- tions of the United States, our cause, our pros- pects and our purposes. Thus we have been told that “the American Union is utterly de- stroyed;” that the government at Washington has degenerated into “an irresponsible despot- ism;” that our rulers and our laws are but the offspring of “an ignorant and brutal mob;” that our army is no better; that our navy is a shal- low pretence; that our blockade is a miserable humbug, for that English traders run in and out of our Southern ports when. ever they please, while Manchester is literally starving for cotton; that, as we are only fighting to preserve Southern slavery, we deserve no sympathy from England; and that, as we are really engaged in a war against | Southern slavery, we deserve the execrations of | all mankind. Such,¢from the bombardment of Fort Sumter down to this day, have been the accusations, | contradictions and stultifications of the leading political journals of England in reference to this country. We dare say that, as they have been dissatisfied with everything else that we have done, or have failed to do, in the work of suppressing this rebellion, the London Post and the Times, and their echoes, will only increase their howlings, imprecations and dis- graceful falsifications of the record and the argument with the receipt of Mr. Seward’s let- ter upon the restitution of our rebel emissaries, Mason and Slidell. How are we to account for these manifesta- tions of unmeasured malignity and blind and headlong fury on the part of theJeading political journals of England, except upon the assump- tion that these journals are only acting as the obedient flunkeys of the English aristocracy, after the manner of the hired mourners at an Egyptian funeral? We can explain this un- natural excitement of the British newspaper war press upon no other theory. England’s Tuling aristocracy are doubtless the instigators of all this boisterous indignation and threaten- ing against the United States. Pursuing the traditions of their wars against the republican ideas of the first French Revolution, and against Napoleon Bonaparte, as the usurper of the “divine rights of kings,” the English aris- tocracy, in fulminating a war with the United States, are still faithful to their policy of sup- pressing the divine rights of the people. But, standing between the ministerial and the opposition tory party of England, there isa third party which is entitled to our attention. It is that great party of the middle classes, of which Bright and Cobden are the leading apostles. This party has a living faith in popu- lar rights, as against feudal distinctions and su- periorities, and cherishes accordingly a strong sympathy for our loyal States and their cause of the Union. In overlooking this third party in their hot haste to insure our destruction, the English aristocracy are venturing upon very treacherous ground. We are gratified to perceive, however, that England’s royal family take a more sagacious and comprehensive view of the policy of their government in regard to American affairs. It appears that the visitation of death to Prince Albert, although coming upon him in the prime of life, was accepted by him with something of cheerfulness, in view of hi§ release from the “sea of troubles” which he feared would soon be let loose upon England fromthe war xesolved upon against the United States by the Palmerston ministry. It appears that the amiable Queen Victoria, fuily sympa- thizing in the views of her intelligent consort and confidential adviser, has been holding Pal- merston and Russell under some restraint; and that the young Prince of Wales, still freshly re-- membering the‘many scenes of the kindly hos- pitalities which marked his late triumphal jour- ney through our loyal States, was perfectly furious when apprised of Earl Russell's in- tended instructions to Lord Lyons touching the affair of the Trent. This information, which has found its way to us from England, and which we believe to be substantially true, will account for the late cold and mysterious allusion of the London Times to the Prince of Wales—to wit: that he must now, as the right hand of his royal mother, “choose between a life of frivolity and a life of usefulness.” Let England’s feudal aristocracy be admon- ished that the late Prince Albert was right, that Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales are right in sharing his opinions, and that a war against the republican institutions of the United States would be followed by results vastly dif- ferent from those which were temporarily achieved by England’s wars of twenty-five years against the republican ideas of France, Instedd of putting down another republic, and another Napoleon, menacing the overthrow of fendal distinctions, the ruling oligarchy of Eng- land in a war against us may stir up another popu- lar movement at home, beginning where Crom- well left off, and ending by an extortion from the barons of concessions much more compre- hensive than those which the barons extorted from King John. If the sorely taxed people of England, as well as the famishing people of Ireland, are now calling for and taking away from us all the breadstuffs and provisions which we can farnish for their ships, how is England to es- cape a popular revolution with these supplies cut off, and under the exfausting extortions and losses of an American war, which will put in jeopardy every unprotected British commercial ship on the ocean. In a word, the English aris- tocracy, in their indecent haste for a war at this crisis with this country, have only betrayed the hypocrisy of their professions, of peace and philanthropy of the last fifty years, and that blind ferocity by which reckless men and na- tions are carried headlong to their own destruc- tion. We predict, however, that England’s present necessities and dangers will prove to be stronger than her inducements to come to the rescue of Jeff. Davis, upon any pretext which she henceforward will be able to con. strue into a cause of war, and that the opinions of the royal family, and of the disciples of Cobden and Bright, will be conclusive in favor of peace. Purrixa Patrersox.—We notice that our Washington correspondent indulged himself yesterday in a puff of Patterson, calling him “prudent and wise,” and speaking of his “high reputation as @ commander in the Mexican war.”. We beg leave to differ entirely with this estimate of Patterson. The reputation he gained during the Mexican war was the very doubtful one of a commander averse to fighting. As for his reputation during the three months of great marches and no fighting which preceded Bull run, the less said about it the better for General Patterson. He managed always to have his army exactly where there was no enemy. He permitted Johnston to effect a union with Beauregard at Manassas. He did not even retrieve this fatal error by joining his forces to those of McDowell, and thus lost us the battle of Bullrun. Retiring upon these thorny laurels, General Patterson selected a time when General Scott had left the country to make an attack upon our veteran Commander-in-Chief—a pro- ceeding admirably in keeping with Patterson’s military tactics. Such being the state of the case, our Washington correspondent should in future employ his time and the telegraph to better advantage than belauding this modern American Grouchy. Newsraren Moratiry.—A great deal has been said of late by one or more of our contempora- ries respecting the alleged immorality of our publishing the unobjectionably worded adver- tisements of the city concert saloons. We have only to refer to the medical advertisements in the Times, however, to find that they are far more deleterious and disgraceful than anything that has ever appeared in the columns of any othor jourttal in this country. 1862. The Satanic Jacobin Clubs at Work to Overthrow the Government. We learn from the Boston Liberator that a meeting was recently held in Massachusetts of a Jacobin revolutionary club to “supersede” the President, as was recommended in the be- ginning of the war by the “Little Villain” of the New York Times, and as has been openly threatened by the Tribune and other abolition journals frequently since. The government has been also warned publicly by audacious dema- gogues in Congress and by itinerant lecturers that it stands upon a precipice, liable to be dashed to pieces at any moment unless it will yield to their fanatical one idea. Intimations of an equally menacing nature have been made in secret to the President and his Cabinet by the leaders of the Jacobin clubs. The object of these threats is to intimidate the President into a compliance with their infamous demands. One portion of the agencies used by the clubs is the manufacture of public opinion by means of lectures in favor of their revolution” ary views, and instilling them among the gene- rals and subordinate officers of the army, in order to corrupt their minds and render them disloyal to the government and the constitu- tion. Washington has been specially selected for the purpose, and the Smithsonian Institute is prostituted to the treason. Already Brownson, Channing, Sumner and Greeley have lectured, and the next is to be Cheever, then Beecher) Curtis and Wendell Phillips. Such are the dyed in the wool abolition propagandists who, at the very seat of government, are tainting the army and its officers with their revolutionary ideas. ; An account of Greeley’s performance is given by a fellow conspirator in the New York Times, which endorses the conspirator. “With the Northern army,” says the writer, “the lec- ture system has also invaded the capital, and has already become so thoroughly acclimated as to flourish vigorously. Several of the most radical of the Northern anti-slavery men have lectured acceptably to large audiences, bring- ing warm responses for their sentiments and a full exchequer to the association.” As to Greeley’s lecture he says:—“The broader the distinctions he drew between slavery and freedom, the more decidedly he proclaimed that the war could not succeed until the administration looked the belligerents in the eye and said, ‘they are slave propagandists, not rebels,’ the more warm and spontaneous was the applause.” If we did not know the character of the men the foregoing would be sufficient to indi- cate the nature of their sentiments. And lest there should be any doubt on that point or about the general complexion of the audience, which consisted of “representative men from every Northern State, and having in front goodly numbers of Congressmen and civic magnates and army officers of distinction,” we are informed that “an avalanche, loud, pro- longed and overpowering, welcomed the inci- dental mention of the name of Fremont.” It is evident that the design of this organi- zation is treasonable, and it ought to be put down by the strong hand of the government. If it is not suppressed it may do infinite mis- chief. It may lead to serious disturbances at the North, and if not checked in time it may alienate from the support of the government and the war thousands who have been hitherto zealous friends. There is a greater necessity for shutting up the abolition traitors than the secession traitors at the North. They must be squelched; otherwise the Southern people will never give the North credit for sin- cerity when it proclaims its purpose to re- spect the constitutional rights of the South. As long as these men are tolerated we need not expect the submission of the rebellious States. It was the Satanic proceedings of the abolitionists for the last thirty years that cnl- minated in the disruption of the Union, which jt was their custom to pronounce “a covenant with death and an agreement with hell;” and now they are doing their utmost to prevent a healing of the breach. They have created civil war, and their desire is to perpetuate it for ages if they cannot carry out their fanatical princi- ples. -But the people will not pay for such music, and the sooner this narrow-minded sect retreat from their dangerous position the better for themselves. As their motto is “no com promise,” the people must crush them in their own defence. As the Jacobin clubs destroyed the republic in the French Revolution, and caused it to result in a despotism, in order to escape from anarchy, so will their successors among us subvert the American republic, over- throw all law and order, and produce either a military tyranny or chaos and confusion out of the ruins of the government, if they are per- mitted to have scope and verge enough for their designs. The country, however, will be glad to find that the President and his Cabinet are firm. Even the abolition journals admit it. The New York Times of yesterday has the following in- formation for its readers:—“A radical republi- can member of Congress had a private inter- view with the President recently, in which the latter avowed his fixed determination to oppose any measure of general emancipation, or for arming confiscated slaves of rebels.” This is what might be expected from the antecedents of Mr. Lincoln since his accession to office, and from the conscientious regard for his oath of an honest man. The operations of the army in the field are one thing, and the conditions of peace are another. Slaves in the service of the ene- my and assisting in their works are necessarily contraband. But when the Southern States re turn to their allegiance, and lay down their arms, who will dare to say that their property in slaves will not be protected by the constitu- tion and the laws. The Governor of Masea- chusetts in his recent message said slavery was the cause of the war. This is utterly untrue It is abolitionism that is the cause of the war- Negro slavery existed in every one of the colo- nies when they revolted from England, and ex- isted in all the States but one when the Union was formed. The country has prospered with the institution. The Northern States have abo- lished it because an abundant supply of white free labor in their cold climate rendered slavery unprofitable. The border States—Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri— would have abolished slavery long since had they been left to themselves. The disturbing element of abolitionism interfered with the operation of nature’s laws. In the cotton States negro slave labor is profitable, and there- fore is likely to be retained. But if those States think proper to get rid of it gradually, as the Northern States did, we have no objection. They are the best judges. It is their concern and not ours. We of the North have no more right to interfere with them than they would have to interdict our system of free labor at the North, Both systems are adapted to the different cli- mates and races, and it is vain for wild vision- ary theorists to attempt to overthrow nature's laws. There is one -thing we must not permit them to do, and that is to overthrow the go- vernment founded by Washington, Jefferson and their contemporaries. What was good enough for the heroes and patriots of the Revolution og 1776 is good enough for us. Mayor Opdyke’s Inaugural Message. It is sincerely to be hoped that the time has come when some ray of light may at length dis- sipate the worse than Cimmerian darkness in which everything connected with our city go- vernment has hitherto been involved. With a taxation so oppressive that every property owner contemplates with dismay the burthens that annually eat away, for the benefit of spoils- men and political mercenaries, a large portion of his income; with a charter that empowers a dozen heads of departments, independent of each other, and practically subject to no control, to plunder the treasury, for the benefit of their own immediate partisans and followers; with a mischievous lobby at Albany ready to abet at all times the most iniquitous schemes that may be devised by the various factions which divide the metropolis; and with the powers of the Chief Magistrate of the metropolis so curtailed and shorn of efficiency as to reduce him to « mere cipher, it is next to impossible that matters,can be made worse, and the expecta- tion begins to be entertained that ey may be- come better. In concise, emphatic language Mr. Opdyke has represented in his inaugural message the evils under which the metropolis labors. His message shows that taxation has quadrupled within the short period of a quarter of a cen- tury, and that from 44-100 of one per cent, in 1835, it has regularly augmented, until it has now reached the enormous amount of 2 18-100 per cent, exclusive of the taxes paid to the general government, and he ex- presses a just fear lest capital and commerce may be driven to cities less enormously bur- thenedfMinless effective measures of retrench- ment are effectively enforced. Neither do pro- perty holders alone suffer from such fearful exactions. They are more or less directly shared by all, and all classes are consequently interested in securing economy in the public expenditures. The battledore and shuttlecock game of thieving, that has been carried on be- tween the State Legislature and the various departments and Common Council of this city for so many years has run the annua) tax levy up to twelve millions of dollars. Now, were the power of making contracts taken away from the Corporation; were the Mayor of the city rendered responsible for the adminis- tration of municipal affairs; were the various commissions which share the city patronage. put under his exclusive control; and ordinary economy and wisdom displayed, there is no question but, for half that sum, enhanced se- curity for life and property might be obtained, and greater efficiency be given to every de~ partment of the city government. The Heratp has never ceased to present the form of government of the United States as the very best model that human wisdom has ever devised, and as admirably adapted to the local wants of this city. Mr. Opdyke also recom- mends that the State Legislature should apply the principles by which the nation is governed to the metropolis, and that “a single executive head,” should be “charged with all the functions of administration,” and “by whom subordinate executive officers should be appointed and re- moved, subject always to the check of an ad- visory body,” and that there should be a “legislature consisting of a Board of Alder- men representing one set of interests, and a Board of Councilmen representing another.” A new city charter is, in fact, wanted, by which the Mayor should be authorized to appoint, with the consent of the Board of Aldermen, (who should be elected as the Supervisors now are, ‘and be clothed with the power of Supervisors as well as of Aldermen) all other administra- tive officers whatsoever, and also to remove them for cause. Nor do we see any reason why the Comptroller should not be included in the same category with other heads of bureaus and departments. With such changes an improve- ment in the city government would be almost immediately manifest. Immense responsibility would devolve of course, upon Mr. Opdyke himself, but all parties repose confidence in both his integrity and ability, and we have no doubt that, under his rule, the city would see better days. Even the late Mayor, belonging to an entirely opposite school of politics, has paid a willing tribute to the character of his successor, which is heartily responded to by all good citizens. The great obstacle to reform is to be found in the rotten factions and cliques, into which the city is divided. They all have their agents at Albany, and are equally lavish of money, in- trigue, and falsehood, in accomplishing their per- nicious schemes. Thirsting to mould the city gov- ernment to their own selfish and corrupt purposes, their operations have already begun in the lobby of the Legislature, and they will exhaust every effort to thwart the wishes of those who desire a proper charter for this metropolis, and who aim at securing financial retrenchment and municipal reform. Mayor Opdyke has called attention in his message to the manner in which these sharks contrive to increase the tax levy, and to induce the Legislature to lend itself to improper expenditure of money from the city treasury. Until this evil is remedied; until the country members of the Senate and Assembly, resolve to turn a deaf ear to the venal hordes of interested politicians who swarm upto Al- bany every winter, and determine to legislate in accordance with the simple dictates of right and justice, no essential amelioration of our condition need be,looked for. We earnestly trust, however, that the representatives of the people from the interior of the State will act, during the present session of the Legislature, in accordance with their own sense of duty, unin- fluenced by the turmoil of opposition that will be raised against évery good measure. By taking the inaugural message of Mayor Opdyke as a text, and zealously seconding the patriotic aspirations it contains, they may, however, ac- quire o lasting title to the gratitude of every upright inhabitant of the city of New York. Conrnapicrory Accounts or AFFAIRS IN Dixm—The discrepancies in the accounts of our Southern correspondents, of Southern refu- gees and of Southern newspapers, are often, noticed, and, indeed cannot be reconciled. Wo think it the better plan to give all of these ac- counts as they reach us, and allow the reader to pick out the difficult truth for himself. Cor- tespondents are generally reliable; but they may be misinformed. Refugees may tell un-