The New York Herald Newspaper, January 8, 1862, Page 6

6 JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FOLTON AND NASSAU STS, TERMS cash im advance. Monty sent ty mail will beattha with a the condor, ‘ivone tud Bank ville currehs in New York tuhem Volume XXVE AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. NIDLO'S GARDEN, Broadway. —Tawier, QTiNTER GARDEN, Broadway.—Dor—My Nutonpor's Le pWALLace’s THEATRE, No, 844 Broadway.—Roav 10 Ui LAURA KRENE'S TABATRE, Broadway.—Lirmr Tox— Boaaisox Crusoe. ene”, BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—foax Pavivisc— PUL Doves PROWERY momNer’s National Cinevs. Atveracea au PARNUM’S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.-—Day and —~ONvINd—Hirrorotamus, WHALE, 2ND OTask CU- BRYA ‘Way.—UN Bario iv M NTS' MINSTR: HOOLEY'S MINSTRELS, Stuy iway.—Ermiortax Sones, Dances, yvesant Tustitute, No. 689 ac. MELODEON CONCERT HALL, No, 599 Broadway.— Bonas, Davoxs, Buxcesques, &0.—Diasa. CANTERBURY MU: 585 Brondway.—Soxas, | the discussion on the Treut ¢ NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, sachusetts, justified the capture of the rebel en- Voys, and said that England did us grievous wrong in demanding their surrender. A lengthy, lively and interesting discussion ensued, and finally the documents were referred to the Committee on For- eign Affairs. ‘Tuc House then went into Committee of the Whole on the Civil Appropriation bill, whea was continued till the adjournment, without action being taken on the subject before the committee. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. stature of the State of New York com. its session for the year 1862 at Albany yes! ay. Beyond the rout.ne of organization, but little business was transacted in either house. In the Senate, Lieutenant Governor Campbell, as ex officio presiding officer, called that body to ored the oath to the members, te organization was effected. privileges of the floor were extended Tue 9 Colonel Mulligan, the Hero of Lexington, and he took a seat among the Senators, A few petitions were presented; among them one to prevent the sale of swill milk, and one in reference to fortifying the town and port of Cape Vincent, the northern ter- minus of the Rome and Watertown Railroad, on the St. Lawrence river, which latter was referred to the Comuiitiee on Public Defence. In the As. sembly all the members excepting one were pre- sent. The Secretary of State administered the oath to the legislators, and they immediately pro- HL. axcas, BURLESQUES, £0.—Mons. DecwALosueau, GATETIES CONCERT ROOM, 616 Broadway.—Drawiva Room Ewrertauenss, BaLixts, Partomimes, Farces, AMERICAN MUSIC HALL, 444 Broadway.—Boncs, Bate LFts, Paxtouimrs, &0.—ScaMrixt. CRYSTAL PALACE CONCERT MALY, No. 45 Bowery.— Box.eseves, Sones, Dandes, 4c.—suw Yean's Cait. PARISIAN CABINET OF WOND) jrondway.— Open dally tom WARE ee ee NOVELTY MUSIC BALL, 616 B z Po ie LL, 616 Broadway.—Bracreqvas, TRIPLE SHEET. New York, Wednesday, January 8, 186%. THE SITUATION. The largest foraging party which has yet been pent from the army on the Potomac went out yes- terday towards Peacock Hill, Lewinsville, Fairfax Court House and Vienna. It consisted of three full brigades of General Smith’s division, supported by a strong force of artillery. A large quantity of hay, oats and corn was obtained, but no brush with the enemy took place, ps was anticipated by the troops. The enemy were seen, however, in pretty large force, encamped near Hawkhurst Mill, but as General Smith's orders from headquarters forbade him to take any aggressive action which might provoke a general engagement, and as the rebels made no show of attacking his advance guard, no Collision took place, Noreports had reached Washington from the Lower Potomac yesterday, except that large quan- tities of floating ice was blocking up the river. No demonstrations were made by the rebel batteries, | We have further intelligence from Frederick, Md., concerning the late attack of the rebels at Hancock, which confirms the statements that the rebels under General Jackson had retired after their ineffectual shelling of the town. The rebel force consisted of ten regiments, together witha large baggage and supply train. The future move. ments of General Jackson were unknown. Reinforcements of men and abundant stores of Provisions are being forwarded to our troops at Port Royal and Key West from this city by trans. Port ships. The steamer City of New York and the schooner James M. Moore left yesterday morn- ing for Port Royal laden with provisions. The United States steamer Connecticut is taking in powder at Ellis’ Island for the same place. The Steam transport Marion is loading with provisions nd army stores at pier No. 4, and when ready to sail, which will be in about a week from now, will take three hundred horses for the First Massachu- setts cavalry, her destination also being Port Royal. The Ericsson will sail for Key West and Fort Taylor to-morrow, with the Ninety-first New York Volunteers, now stationed at Governor's Island. The recent victorious advance of our troops at Port Royal demands Immediate reinforce- ments, and we hope that Genera] Sherman will be sustained with troops and stores without delay. By a despatch from Cario, Ulinois, we leara that Flag Officer Foote with the gunboats Eszex, Lex- ington and Tyler, made a reconnoissance down the Mississippi river to a point within two miles of Columbus, yesterday morning. He went within 200 yards of the range of the rebel batteries, and on retnrning was fired upon by the rebel guuboat Mohawk, but her shots all fell short. Tho re- connoissance was considered highly satisfactory, as all the points on the river were accurately examined. CONGRESS. In the Senate yesterday petitions for the eman, cipation of slaves, and for the exchange of prison- ers of war, were presented and referred. The bill regarding the appointment of sutlers was reported back by the Military Committee, with amendments, and ordered to be printed. Notice was given of a bill to punish frauds on the Treasury, anda Dill abolishing the franking privilege was introduced by Mr. Powell, of Kentucky, A resolution was adopted, instrncting the Naval Committee to in- quire how the practice has prevailed in the navy of making purchases through other than recognized agents, and if such have been made, whether larger prices have been paid. The Sceretary of War was requested to report the aggregate number of three yoars volunteers in service, and in what classes they serve, &c. The bill to increase the number of cadets at the West Point Military Academy was then taken ap, discussed, and re- fected by a vote of twelve yeos avainst twenty. five nays. Mr. Powell's bill, introduced at the extra sovsion, to punish frauds ou ihe Treasury, was taken up, and referred to the Judiciary Com- mittee. Mr. Wilson's bill providing for the punishment of army officers, by dismissal from the service, who shall detain fugitive slaves, was also taken ap. A motion by Mr. Saulsbury, of Delaware, to indefinitely postpone the subject, ‘was defeated—yous thirteen, nays twenty-three The further consideration of the bill was then, on motion of Mr. Carlile, of Virginia, postponed for the present. The report of the Judiciary Com |, in favor of Mr. Sta im to a seat as Senator from Kansas, wa up, and pending the question the Senate adjour {n the House of Representat tolative to the settlement of the Tromt afair geoeived from the President. Mr landig Of Ohio, expressed his divsatiefaction at ¢ gender of Mason and Slidell, «ud predict than three months we chal! be invel far with Great Britain, omit to th oognition of the fouther Reewking ng of the blockade. Mt the docnm ceeded to the election of officers. On the first bal- lot Henry J. Raymond was elected Speaker, and the other portion of the organization was effected without delay. The House did not transact any legislative business. The Governor’s Message was received and read in both houses. It will be found in full in our columns this morning. We publish to-day a lengthy report of the excellent address of the Hon. Edward Everett on the origin and character of the war, delivered last evening at the Academy of Music, before the Mer- cantile Library Association, and a very large audience. The first part of the address is particu- larly devoted te a review of the causes of the war, beginning from the nullification system, which prevailed many years ago. The lecture was listened to with marked interest, and, though hurriedly compiled, the report we publish wil) give a fair idea of the purpose of the honorable gentleman to those who had not the pleasure of hearing him. To-day is the anniversary of the it of battle of New Orleans. Augustus W. Bradford, the Governor e! Maryland, wilt be inaugurated to-day at Annapolis. His term of office is four years. A great Union mass Convention will be held to- day in Hartfof@, Conn. It will be addréssed by Hon. Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee. We continue in té-day’s Herat the publication of copinia extracta fram late Sontharh pupéra. The Richmond ner of the alt. ridicules the idea of a Soiithern tariff on importations ina time of blockaé regards sucha measure as a! ‘ile. It pays a high tri- bute to the federal blockade, dna that neither Southern ingenuity, statesmafship nor pride lias produced a single measure for ita counteraction. The Richmond Dispatch of the 31st ult. has a cot- | (onish arflele, if which it says that England “must have cotton that now lies land- locked im the Confederate States, or her subjects will break out in rebellion.” The same paper makes complaints in extenso about frauds in the Confederate commisgariat. The Mobile Bvening ews of the 28th ulg. has an account of an engage- ment near Mobile between the United States gun- boat New London and the rebel gunboat Florida. Tt took place on the 24th ult. Of course the rebel craft wag victorious (!). A rebel schooner was captured off Fernandina, Florida, on the 27th ult., while attempting to run the blockade of that port. The Albany Journal says that the people will stand by General McClellan against ail precipita. tionists, intermeddling Congressional committees and buncombe speeches of abolition agitators, A despatch to a Philadelphia paper says that General Sigel has tendered his resignation. The Ninth New Jersey regiment, now stationed at Meridian Hill, opposite Washington, has been assigned to General Burnelde’s expedition, on ac- count of its being composed of men from Tom’s river and Great Egg Harbor, who are mostly used tothe management of surf boats. ‘The Democratic State Convention of New Hampshire will meet to-day in Concord, to nomi- nate a candidate for the office of Governor of the vate. Advices from the Sandwich Islands to the 23d of November state that the coffee crop promises an unusually large yield this year. The natives of Ken are extensively engaged in planting cotton, for which the traders pay eight cents per pound, In consequence of the heavy fall of anow on Monday, it was generally snpposed that skating would not be allowed in the Park yesterday. Con trary, however, to this expectation, the ponds wer ared of snow to an extent sufficient to accommodate far more than the number of visiters whoappeared. During the day only six thousand persons enjoyed the pleastre of skating. The ice was cleared by half-past eix o'clock P. M., to en- able the se: ts and brooms to be used with such vigor as to clear offevery impediment to good skating, and to-day we may expect @ clear field of ice. Weather permitting, skating by moonlight will be allowed until balf-past ten o'clock this even- ing, and aleo on every other fair evening dusing the season. The snow from off the ponds of the Brooklyn and Williamsburg skating clubs was also pro removed, and the paths leading to each 5 lean, so tha iters could reach the ice with fort. These ponds were well patronized yesterday. The sleighing éeason has commenced with vigor. end the Central Park was visited y day by eight hundved aad sixty-one aleighs and cutters, The wheel vehicles were among the things that were, and even equestrians were hut few and far between. United States Commissioner Osborn yesterdoy issued warrant for the arrest of John Dean, a British subject, claimed under the Extradition treaty, on a charge of having murdered a police- man, named Roache, on the Island of Jamaica. The accused was taken into enstody by officer Patter- son, and conunitted for examination. In tho Court of General Sessions yesterday a Grand Jory was qualified for sctvice during the present term of the court, and Judge McCunn de- livered to them @ charge embracing the usual subjects, Daniel Sullivan, indicted for killing John Cunningham by stabbing him with a knife, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the fourth degres. Mr. Hall stated to the Court that the evidence was of such @ nature that if the case was tried before a petit jury the verdict would be for a low grado of manslaughter, and he therefore accepted the ploa which the prisoner was disposed to make. Judge MeCunn took the papers in the case for examina- tion, and remanded the prisoner for sentence, Jo. seph Johnson, indicted for burgiary in tho first de- gree in entering the dw Holta, No. 486 15th of August of an aite to steal, was Ho was and ordered poy a fine of 8100, indicted for t iting hin nda whic o manslaughter V nt hack for sentence Ther twenty-three wewepapers nov house of Philip | ' night of the JANUARY 8, 1862.—TRIP: LE SHEET. remainder weekly and semi-weckly. Two of the number are printed in German. ‘The ice was stationary at Montreal on the Sd inst., and the ice bridge across the St. Law-ence is now fully formed, The cotton market was quict yesterday, while prices were unchanged. The sales embraced about 200 bales, closing on the basis of 360. a 87¢, for middling uplands. Some small chances lota were picked up at a trifle under tho inside figure. ‘The flour market exhibited more animation, and aalos were rather larger, and tho better class of brands were somo bettor, Wheat was firm, especially for prime qualities, with rather more doing. Corn was in better reqy nd closed at an ad- vance of about 1c. per bushel. Pork was heavy and lower, with more doing at the concession, Sugars were quite steady, with sales of 00a 400 hhds., 1,600 boxes Gud 2,500 bags Pernambucos. Coffee was in good request, with sales of 3,000 bags common Rio at 1834 ¢., 9 1844c., and 300 do, at 190. Tho stock embraced 52,510 bag, of Rio, ant a total of all kinds oqual to 82,805 bags, Java was hold at 250. a 260. Freights were firmer, with a fair amount of engagements, There was a spr ment in whiskey, growing Out of the agitation of a prom posed excise tax on all distilled Hquors. Tho sales em. beaeed 1,800 bbls. at 22c., which was an advance of be- tween 1c. and 2c. per gallon, The Small Politicians of Congress and the Great Necessities of the Country. Promptly after the recess of the Christmas and New Year holidays we had supposed that the House of Representatives at Washington, charged with the exclusive authority of initiat- ing the ways and means for the relief of the Treasury, would enter upon the consideration of some financial scheme for raising the sinews of war, for maintaining the credit of the go- vernment, and for saving the country from the dreadful calamities, at this crisis, of an irre- deemable and constantly depreciating shin- plaster currency. But what is the fact? Promptly after the meeting of the House on Monday last the disastrous battle at Ball’s Bluff and the “almighty nigger” are brought upon the carpet and monopolize the day's de- bates. Mr. Roscoe L. Conkling, of New York, rose to a question of privilege. The House, he said, had passed a resolution requesting the Secretary of War to inform the House whether any steps have been taken to ascertain who are responsi- ble for the disastrous affair at Ball’s Bluff; and the Secretary, for an answer, had sent in the gnformation that the General-in-Chief had ex- pressed the opinion that an inquiry into the subject would not be just yet compatible with the public interest. Mr. Conkling contended that this was trifling with the dignity and privi- \ of the House, and 6o he moved @ pream- blé reciting the resolution heretofore adopted, conoluding with a resolution that the answer to tue Mret Miquiry Is ueltuer responsive nor eatis- factory to the House, and that the Sccretary of War be directed to return a further answer. Upon this proposition the day was exhausted, beginning with an elabotate exposition by Mr. Conkling of the whole budget of blunders com- mitted on our ajde, in the fatal movement upon Ball’s Bluff, including some very broad insinu- ations of treachery against General Stone, and some suspicions that even General McClellan desires rathor to conceal than to make known all the responsibilities connected with this dis- astrous affair. The sensible arguments of Messrs. Richardson and Crittenden against this proceéding had no other effect than to bring out the inevitable Lovejoy with his infallible nigger. He said “the regular military officers are more in the way of an advance than any other class;” that “the idea is if we don’t hurt anybody the rebels will return to their alle- giance;” that “the fear in which we stand of in- juring the twin relic of barbarism paralyzes the whole army;” that “ihe reason why we are not successful is that we stand before an .in- censed God;” that we are false “to the princi- ples of justice and truth, and those of human equality—namely, likerty throughout all lands, and to all the inhabitants thereof.” Of course, with the everlasting nigger thus introduced, Ball’s Bluff for a time was forgotten in another useless, and worse than useless, discussion of Southern slavery. And thus from day to day, since the first Monday of December last, the time of the House has been frittered away upon this ruin- ous abolition idea of changing this war for “the integrity of the Union” into a fanatical crusade for the extirpation of slavery. Of the six hun- dred and fifty thousand men in arms against this Southern rebellion, there are not, perhaps, five thousand who enlisted to ght upon this abolition platform. Our soldiers have volun- teered to fight for the restoration of our South- ernreyolted States to the Union, leaving slavery to take its chances. We are fighting to put down Southern white rebels, and not against the hundreds of thousands of Union men throughout the South who are awaiting the day of their deliverance from Jeff. Davis; we are fighting to save the South, not to destroy it; our object is to restore tho blessings of our fede- ral constitution to the rebel States, and not to transfer them from one irresponsible military despotisin to another. We have an army end a navy sufficient for the immediate work in hand; we have our army and onr navy so organized and distributed as to indicate the inevitable overthrow of this re- bellion, andin a very short time. But the money question is assuming an alarming shape. Sixty millions of cash reccipis make a sorry fgur® against six hundred millions of expenditures’ The receipts of the Treasury must be in- creased to the extent of a hundred and fifty millions, and that right soon, or we shall be deluged by a general outpouring of shinplasters, and the fearful revulsion of 1837, ten times magnified in its evils, will again como upon us. The solvency and safety of the Treasnry, our currency, our credit, our com- merce, as a people—our very existence as an in- dependent nation—are all now depending upon the action of Congress on this all important money question. We have plenty of moncy and means in the country—they are at the eer- vice of the government; but if Congress shall | fell to adopt the necessary measures of taxa- } tion, and such acta for the regulation of the eur. reney and commerce of the country, and for the encouragement of its suffering business claszos, as tho crisis demands, we shall before long be suffering all the evils of a sweeping financial revulsion. We earnestly call upon the House of Repre- sentatives, therefore, to drop the “almighty i va few weeks the long puree commerce and business affairs, in the midst of a domestio war, calling for an expenditure of six hundred millions a year. Let us first save the government avd re- establish the Union; for then it will be time enough for a permanent settlement of tho sla- very question. Surely we have no time now to be debating a war of negro emancipation, when not only Southern slavery, but the higher prin- ciples of Northern liberty, will depend upon the wise or foolish prosecution of this war. Small politicians and fanatics, with their con- temptible party and personal prejudices, have appropriated too much of the time of this ro- sponsible Oongress. The Treasury and the country now demand some attention to such subjects as our finances, our currency, our com merce, and our business men brought to bank- ruptey by this rebellion. The Governor's Message-An Encyclope- dla of Popular Knowledge for New York. We think we might safely offer a prize, for every one who will read through from begin- ning to end, at one sitting, the Message of Go- vernor Morgan, to which we devote so large a portion of this day’s triple sheet. Should any individual have the perseverance and self-de- nial to do so, it ought to be worth a thousand dollars to him, more or less, for it contains a compendious array of information de omnibus rebus et quibus damm aliis, unequalled in modern political literature. It will prove a perfect vade mecum to members of the Legislature, and an appropriation ought to be made imme- diatoly to supply it with an index. All that is needed to make it complete, would be a pre- fatory history of the world, from its creation up to the present time, with exegetical annota- tions on the fall of the angels, and various kin- dred points of meiaphysico-historical philoso. phy. It is an excellent message, an astonish- ing message, and should be duly embalmed in ® properly sized folio volume. Beginning with the war, and an extended panegyric of the devoted loyalty of the citizens of New York, the Governor’s Message passes on to congratulations upon the prompt and universal execution of the laws, during the year 1861; analyzes judiciously, for the space of acolumn, the management of the canals— closing with certain wise recommendations with respect to tolls, and the laws regulating repairs of sections; parenthesizes largely about railroads, and their effects political and finan- cial; wades fearlessly into the subject of the general fund debt, supplying admirable cug- gestions and copious “information respect ing past, present and future taxation; dis” cusses defects in the assessment laws: al- Indes “incidentally,” “as a matter of duty,” {to sundry details enlarged on in provious messages; demands, with cogent and satisfactory reasons, a repeal of the acts of 1860 and 1861 in relation to capital punishment; elaborates the views of the Chief Magistrate of the State concerning the pardoning power; dis- courses with able amplifications, and manifold useful hints, with reference to prison discipline and the necessity of the appointment of a com- mission to inquire into monetary and penal abuses; cautiously praises the sysiem of State education and adds sundry recommendations; devotes a lengthy paragraph to tho Banking Department, and another to insurance com- panies; takes up, seriatim, the Onondaga salt works, the report of the Superintendent of Weights and Measures, the affairs of the Com- missioners of the Board of Emigration, and by a natural process annexes to the latier the best mode of treating yellow fever, and owr mani- fold Querantine troubles. The Metropolitan police, which is said to be “equal to the objects sought in its establishment; the report of the Board of Commissioners of Pilots; the Port Wardens; Central Park: Deaf and Dumb Asy- lum; Asylum for Idiots and Lunatic Asylum; Inebriate Asylum; Society for the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents; Western House of Refuge; Department of Public Charities and Correction, none of them can complain of hay. ing been neglected by Governor Morgan, in the elaborate paper before us, and most of them come in for a large share of approbation. Agri- cultural interests and boards of supervisors; village charters, and town elections; the suffer- Ing poor in Kausas, and the Pacitic telegraphic line; the increased representation of this State in Congress, and the direct tax of $2,603,918 66 imposed by the government of the United States upon the State of New York are atiended to with equal thoroughness. The Governor wisely recommends that this indebtedness should be assumed by the Siate Legislature, and paid by a suitable mill tax on property. The necossity of fostering, locally, the military spirit of the age is dwelt on, and the closiag third pari of the message {s then devotedto a history of the hostilities between North and South, and the noble sacrifices pecuniary and | physical that New York has made to procure the restoration of the Union. Governor Morgan very patriotically and ju- diciously omits any direct reference to the slave- ry question. He propounds po pet theory of emancipation or colonization, and ecems generally willing to troat in the sagacity, promises and wisdom of the President and his advisers to bring the war to 9 successful close, without endeavoring to complicate issues or aggravate the causes of discord already exist- ing in the country. Neither does he say uny- thing of note, with respect to the city charter, and the duty of the Legislature of the State in the premises. Probably foresecing that there will be quite enough (alk about il, in Congress and elsewhere, without his assistance, he also avoids any mention of the ninety-five thousand will be forced through the Senate and Assembly of the most pernicious character, Symptoms are slready manifest of a profuse expenditure of the public money, for iniquitous, jobbing purposes which can have no effective check ox- cept in the velo power with which the Exeou- tive is wisely endowed by the constitution. Governor Morgan should be prepared to use his prerogative fearlessly and boldly. He should determine to withstand, by every means under his control the torrent of corruption that is about to break loose, He is himself au upright man, and his integrity is questioned by no one. If the agency of the Navy Department had been entrusted to his care, the Uniled States Treasury would be $95,000 richer than it is at this day. But if on this score he is individually irreproachable, be must prove himself equally s0 as the sheet anchor of safety of the whole Commonwealth, in a period of too general ve- nality and disorder. By a wise, bold use of the veto power, Governor Morgan can, during the coming few months render incalculable sez- vices to the State of New York. Government and the Press, The death of Prince Albert is likely to result in many changes in the British government. The composition of the Cabinet will undoubted- ly be affected by the event, and many discord- ant elements will arise requiring the exercise of the royal prerogative. The pillar of the throne has been removed, and there is no knowing what events may follow. It is well known that Prince Albert was the constant adviser of the Queen in al! matters of State, and that it was owing to his excellent influ- ence that the Crown, during the present reign, maintained that desirable position towards all parties which incurred the displeasure of none. The Queen now stands alone, without an ad- viser; but, as 9 woman and a sovereign, she will be unable to act without one, and the future of her illustrious career will entirely depend upon whom she may select as her guide. The Prince of Wales may possibly succeed in filling his father’s place as the adviser of her Majesty, or it may be that she may marry again; for there are many in Germany of royal blood who would be exceedingly glad to step into the shoes of the late consort. But in any case the Prince of Wales cannot fail to be brought more prominently forward than hitherto. In the settlement of the various difficulties that may present themselves the press will, without doubt, play an important part, and it is fortunate that the British government does not ignore its power, but diverts it to ita own advantage. In this respect it is like Louis Na- poleon; and therefore it is that in England and France we see a well managed and highly appreciated press contributing to the sirength of those governments, and not, as formerly, to their disadvantage. Louis Philippe and Guizot did not know bow to treat the press. They foolishly despised it and ignored its influence, a consequence of which was that towards the close of that monarch’s reign, of the twenty newspapers published in Paris seventeen were hostile to the government, and to their united efforts may be traced the catastrophe which fol- lowed. Lord Palmerston was the first states- man in England who prominently availed him- self of the power of the press; and to this much of his success in political life is owing. We may trace government influence in the tone of most of the London journals in favor of aris- tocracy: and from the flunkeyism prevalent among the anonymous journalists of England this influence is exerted with little dificuliy. At the same time these newspaper writers, almost without exception, are opposed to aris- toeracy personally, and when they support it are merely bowing to a power they are un- willing to resist. It is for the reason that jour- nalism is not entirely anonymous in the*United States, as it is in England. that it pariakes of a higher character, just as it does in France, where every newspaper article is acknowledged by its writer. Nevertheless, our government and politicians do not appear to have yet ap- preciated the merits of the independent Ameri- can press. Accustomed, in the first instance, to merely party organs, they have not divested themselves of the ideas to which those organs necessarily give rise. But the importance of the press in matters of government is becoming daily more conspicuous, and it will soon earn for itself the title of the second instead of the fourth estate. Fixanciat Coxpritoy or tax Counrry.— Whilst Congress is wasting the precions hours of the session in the discussion of questions which be- long to the executive business of the War De- partment, and the agitation of which can be of no sort of benefit at the present time, the finan- cial affairs of the country are in a condition which exciies the utmost anxiety and alarm. In another week the Treasury will be without a cent, and in financial an@ commercial business of every kind the prospect is fast precipitating matters towards a panic. Those who have any- thing to dispose of, aud who can realize it, are investing the proceeds in gold or in fo changes, 80 as to be prepared fur what seems inevitable. Ji is evident that, unless Congress acis speedily and energetically, not only will we be overtaken by a financial revulsion severer than any we lave as yet encountered, but the credit of the government will be de- stvoyed, and our army, which is being brought into such fino condition, utierly demoral- ved. The issue of irredeemable paper money, so far from helping to extri- cate us irom our embarravaments, will only render them less easy of solution. A nation that has recourse to such expedients is bent on suicide. In taxation alone can we find the dollars paid to an agent of the Navy Depart- ment iu this city during the four months pre- vious tadast September, for services in making purchases for the general government. The Van Wyck Committee, and Confidence Cam- inings’ fifteen days at the public crib are not alluded to directly or indirectly, but, all things considered, this ie perhaps not surprising. The public will rejoice that the troubles of the war, and the anxieties inseparable from his position as Commander-in-Chief of the forces of the isiate of New York, have not compelled wy General Morgen to engross so much of me of Governor Morgan, 94 to oblige him to neglect proper care for their interests—-on Tiis Message will commend iiself, as us, moderate and profusely statesman and will be found valuat ally to those who may choose to render 5 readers, masiera of t means of providing for the burdens that the war imposes upon us. Every article of luxury, every deed or paper relating to the trousfer of real or persoual property, promiszory notes and bills of exchange—everything, in short that, is susceptible of being thus charged—chould bear its proportion of them, In the form either of direct taxes or stamp duties. tu this way a revenue of a couple of bundred millions vould be raised to secure the interest on the heavy war debt that we are fucurring, and to leave o large surplus to assist in providing for the wants of the government. If Congress iy ani- mated by the least sense of patriotis id fs desirous to spare the cou he huwiltation of an anpihilated public credi well as th disgrace attending the triumph of th it will at once ment of the taxation necessery to accomplish these objects, The country was never ina better condition to respond to the calls that will be thus made uy , ond it will the more cheerfully me: 0 » oti genorally entar 1, th An Inportant Literery Work. Wo understand that a work, called “The Life and Times of James Buchanan,” and writiea by the ex-President himself, is now printing, and will goon be published at Philadelphia, As Mr. Buchanan is as little noted for brevily as for wit, the book will probably be long winded aud comprise several volumes, It is eaid to be very well written, very severe and earcastic, and it pitches into Buchanan’s own Cabinet in the roughest possible style. Its object is to prove that Mr. Buchanan is and always has been true Union man, The venerable politician and humbugged ex- President could not wait, it seems, until the grass grew over his grave to have his life writ ten and his virtues and failings displayed. Perhaps he undertook the task himself because he distrusts and wishes to forestall the calm judgment of the country and the world. He might have spared himself the labor and the pens and ink, however, for the popular estima- tion of Mr. Buchanan is too well settled and too nearly right to be disturbed or altered by this antehumous attempt at celf-justification, Just ag there are sins of omission and sins of com- mission, so there is. treason in refraining from suppressing, as well as a treason in abetting and assisting a rebellion. Try as he will, Mr. Buchanan cannot defend himself from, the charge of treasonable omissions of duty. There may be no evidence to show that he was a traitor in act and deed; but, Union man as he professes to be, there is ample evidence that ho was a traitor in not acting, when, by a little courage and decision, he could have saved the Union, and that without a civil war. It is beyond all question that the two adml- nistrations which preceded the present fostered and strengthened the rebellion, which had been concocted years ago, and gave it form and power. Jeff. Davis, now the chief the rebels, was the master spirit of poor Pierco’s Cabinet. He was the bully of the whole concern, and ruled the roast as he pleased. Cushing and the rest submitted to him almost without a mur- mur, and if Marcy now and then showed a little spunk he was soundly slapped upon his patched breeches, and coon subsided. Poor Pierce him- self was a mere nincompoop, whose only ame bition was to look nice and wear pretty pumps, and whose only talent was a knack of getting off a neat after dinner speech. Without the slightest mind of his own, he fluttered like a feather in every breeze, and was pulled this way and that like a fancy dancing jack. Among such incapables Jeff. Davis was easily chief, and managed everything quite his own way So, if the idea of a Southern confederacy was planied by Paul Calhoun, it was certainly watered by Apollos Pierce, and the adminis~ tration of James Buchanan gave the tieason- able increase. For poor, sbiftless, feeble Pierce was not half go bad as the imbecile and blundering Buchanan. In Pierco’s Cabinet Jeff. Davis vuled; but in Buchanaw’s Cebinet Floyd, Cobb and Thompson played out boldly the gamo of rebellion and armed treason at the expense of the country. To these rogues and traitors Buchanan always gave way, aud Toucey and the other professedly loyal members, of the Cabingt were as week and as thoroughly idiotic as the President himself, If Buchanan had been possessed of a particle of sagacity, common sense or power, the schemes of Floyds Cobb and Thompson would haye been detected and defeated. Or, even if Buchanan had beem honestly humbugyged up to the time of the secession of South Carolina, he could them have nipped rebellion in the bud and settled the whole matter in five weeks, if he had beem endowed with a bit of pluck, capacity or courage. Had the Heratn’s advice, to call out seventy-five thousand men and kick out the entire Cubinet, been followed in December, 1860, we should never have heard of treason im this country again. But, through the feebieness of poor Pierce, and the cowardly imbecility of blundering Buchanan, the country has been brought to its present crisis. For cither of them to attempt to prove himself a patriot now is to outrage all history and all reason. In nof doing right, these men were guilty of doing wrong; for their criminal weakness was the strength of the rebellion. Heacva oF THR AR» morning a highly interesting repor sanitary features of our volunteer army. So far the health of the troops has been in the main satisfactory. Unquestionably very muck Of the disease averted by the part of the m Noone can doubt, on r the labor of the Commission, these gentlemen has been productive of much good. y report a most creditable alacrity on the part of the rt will be read far and wide by ev officer in our forces, and particularly by every army swgeon and every commander of @ regiment or « brigade. ‘fimely attention to jadicious sanitary rules will save more suffering than oll medical attendance and care afier tho men are in hospital. Here, we may say, emphatically, that an ounce of prevention is worth five pounds of oure, We hope that no professional jealousy will stand4n the way of the labors of the Commine sion, and that they may be furnished with abundant supplies to ward off suffering, save life and add to the vital strength of our gallang | defeuders. Meny a battle has been lost solely im consequence of weaknese and discouragement, brought on by a neglect of the health and effl- ciency of troops. The golden maxims of health with our voluuleers layin a few words, and prominent among these are cleanliness, good food, warm clothing, cheerfulness, activity and temperance. We hope our mombers of Congress will see what is said shout sitters, and the il health and demoralization that spring from these heartless leeches, | Great praive is awarded, and more is due, to our noblehearted women for their efforts om behalf of the voluntcers. Wo trust that the jadies committees in all of the cities, towns and villages throughout the country will continue their efforts, and continue to make the Sanitary fon the almoners of their country. y can have no nobler examples than the one » daughter of old Ben. Franklin, out euch a gallant and charm- ing let General Washington, Who cam | sead without emotion the contributions of the “Widow Harbor” and hor family-the cheese, tl 1 shown by and which calle j ter fro