The New York Herald Newspaper, March 21, 1862, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. ee. Money vent Ly matt wilt be at the but Bank bills current im New York ts per copy, $7 per ann iy Sacurdlny, ak eb cent 1a Estition every Wednewiay, j veut Britain, ; the TERMS cash viek af the sender taken FHE DAILY WERALD, TUE WEEKLY HERALD aken of anonymous carresponience, We do not tionds 36 Califor Furopoan Editions, JOR PRIN 14. exccuted with weakness, cheapness and der ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Irving Place.—ItauiaN Oraka— Mantas. WIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Tepvr tus Tiuze—CoL- 2xKy Bawy WINTER GARDEN, Broadway.—Tax Butte or tax SrAsor—Pavy voy AND GUARDIANS. WALLACK’S THEATRE, Wo, Love Guask. LAURA KEENF’S THEATRE, Broadway.<Tas Ma- @agrHe; 08, THe Puxr OF Day. NEW BOWERY THEATRE. Bowery.—duxuaxer or Moscow—Dowx Casat ve bazas—LneLand Ag Tr Is, BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Sncxxur's Nanionas Cracus. ' 84 Breadway.—Taz Yank PRovosts THEATRE, 435 Broadway—Rictazo BARNUM’S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broad: ro COM Norr—lavins Hivrororaavs, Wuate, &0.. at aid houre— Bavax ano hacanave, afterdoon and evening, ‘ANTS’ MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broad Dows ix OLD K-¥-Ky, HOOLEY’S MINSTRELS, Stuyvesant Tastitu Broadvay.—Etmiorian Songs, Daxcen &o. rie a MELODEON CONCERT HALL, 539 Broadway. Daxoes, Buxcesaves, &0.—Contuasann Convent CANTERBURY MUSIC HALL, 585 Broadway.—Sox Daxoas, Bcatesqves, &C.—INau@ueation Batt, xs 3 GAIRTIES CONCERT ROOM, 616 Broadway.—Drawixa Kyriarainments, BaLvers, Payromimaxs, Farcus, 40. AMERICAN MUSIC. HALL, 444 Bi S Danext—HarLnoaD—COLLisiosJonty MiLenEe ee CRYSTAL PALACE CONCERT HA) No. 45 i cus, Soscs, Dance, Rate ctoeae ee PARISL\N CABINET OF WONDE! - Ogee daily frome OA USE te reeeway. NOVEGLY MUSIC HALL, 616 Broadway.) BONGS, Dances, £o. bs i ate ancy ‘The flue weather ‘which has favored the locality of Gen. McCiellan’s department was taken advan- tage of yesterday for dress parades and reviews of the different divisions. The Gommanding General reviewed Gea. Franklin's division in person. The men wer in splendid condition, and their appear- ance was highly commended by Gen. McClellan. ‘The evacuation of Aquia creck by the rebels ia fully confirmed. They had a force of two thou- sand men there, bat all have gone southward, de stroying the wharves, the railroad station anda Portion ot the track in their retreat. Island No. 10 appears still to hold out obstinately Sgeinst the atiack of our troops, although at latest accounts it stood but a poor chance of escaping capture. Commander Foote says that it is harder to conquer than Columbus, as the island shores are lined with forts, each fort commanding the one above it; but he says that he is gradually ap- proaching the island, and that he is firing night and @ay on the rebels. One sheli was landed on their floating battery and cleared that in a short time. ‘The tatest news from there last night says that the enemy are completely surrounded, and have no chance of escape except by fighting their way out, their gunboats being hemmed in between Commodore Foote’s fleet and General Pope’s bat- teries. They made a desperate attempt to escape down the river, but were driven back by General Pope's batteries. + The rcbei chiefs are using their utmost efforts to fortify the Mississippi, as will be seen by the orders of General Beauregard and the Governors of Louisiana and Mississippi, which we publish to-day, calling for more troops. Beauregard will be glad to get uinety day volunteers to strengthen his ermy of the Mississippi Department. Our maps to-day, of the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, will be found very useful in compre. hending the incidents of that brilliant action, as ‘Aetailed so graphically in Wednesday's Herarp, by our special correspondent. The rebcls have wanished from Northern Arkansas almost entirely. Btraggling bands of marauders ond a portion of ‘Albert Pike's Todiaus alone are to be found there, and they are committing depredations on friends bd foes alike. The Union sentiment in Tennessee is manifesting itself ina very potent fashion, since the recent iecesses have convinced the iubabitants of that Btate that the United States government is their ‘Dest friend and surest safeguard, A large body of the citizens of Gallatin (a town notoriously dis- foyal heretofore) met in public meeting recently and adopted a platform for the establishment of @ post office in that place. A general fecling to return cheerfully to their allegiance pervades the people of Tennessee. We publish to-day the honest and manly address of Andrew Johnson, the recently «ppointed provisional Governor of the Btate, to his fellow citizens of Tennessee. General Garfield had a brilliant and successful skirmish with the rebels in Eastern Kentucky a few days ago. The rebels, it appears, were en. camped 500 strong on the Cumberland Mountains, ‘wt Pound Gap, forty miles beyond Piketon. Gene- ral Garfield advanced his infantry along the moun- fain paths, and sent his cavalry by the main road. ‘The latter made an attack on the enemy in front, ‘while the infantry took them in the rear, moving slong the ridge of the mountain, and after a fight of about twenty minutes the rebels fled, leaving their camp equipage behind them. General Garfield pursued them six miles into Virginia. No ‘one was killed on our side. Some interesting despatches were received at ‘Washington yesterday from Kansas City, relative to the Inte action near Fort Craig, New Mexico. ‘The rebels, it appears, were contemplating an attack on Fort Union, but our troops were anti- cipating them by reinforcing the place. Colonel Canby was still ot Fort Craig. Letters from Gibraltar, dated February 29, wiate tiat the United States gunboat Ino arrived at Adgeciras from Tangiers, with the purser of the steamer Sumter and the ex-Consul of Cadig as piisouers, hy CONGRESS. Tn the Senate yosterday, a ication was received from the Secretary of the Navy replying to the resolution asking why the Naval Academy was removed from Annapolis to Newport, R. L. A petition was presented from citizens of New York asking for amelioration of the condition of the Indians, The joint resolution relative to Mar- shall ©, Roberts’ claim for the loss of the Star of the West was passed. The bill for the relief of istrict attorneys was diseussed and laid over. The Judiciary Committee reported back the reso- lution of co-operation with the President's late special Message recommending assistance to States desiring to abolish slavery, with the recom- mendation that it pass, The bill for the reorgani- zation of the Navy Department was passed. The bill to abolish slavery ia the District of Columbia then came up, when Mr. Willey, of Virginia, spoke at length in opposition to it. At the conclusion of his remarks the Senate held an executive session and then adjourned. In the House of Representatives, 8 report on the press censorship was made, the consideration of which was postponed till the first Monday in April. The Judiciary Committee reported back the seve- ral bills and resolutions in reference to confiscation of rebel property, with a recommendation adverse thereto. A debate took place over the request of @ member of the committee to he allowed to make minority report. Both reports were finally re. ceived, but not acted upon, and one bill was offered as a substitute for the other, when the matter waa laid over and the Tax bill was taken up, which consumed the remainder of the session—the tax on ales and liquors being principally discussed, and several amendments being made, after which the subject was laid over, and the House ad- jor Ie joumed: 1gCELLANEODS NEWS. In the Senate of our State Legislature yesterday, @ bill was introduced to amend the law regulating the fees of the District Court clerks of this city. The Senate passed the bills providing for pay- ment of the equipment expenses of the ‘Twentieth Militia regiment, and chartering the Baptist Mis- sionary Convention. The bill repealiug the Church Property act occupied @ great portion of the day's session. After a long debate it was ordered to a third reading. In the Assembly the mittee reported complete the bill Brooklyn assessment. The Supply bill was re- ported to the House from the Ways and Means Committee. The Public Defence bill again came up, and formed the subject of a long debate. which took up the remainder of the session. The British ship Mohawk, Captaia Futler, ar- rived at this port yesterday from Bermuda, at which port, it will be recollected, she furnished the rebel steamer Nashville with coals, by which she was enabled to ran the blockade successfully at Beaufort, N.C. Itis to be hoped that this gross violation of neutrality may be visited oa Captain Fuller, by a refusal on the part of our mer- chants to ship any goods by his vessel. Les: than a month ago the Richmond Whig said:—‘‘ Southern soldiers ask no beiter odds thau one to three of the Western and one to six of the Eastern Yankees, and some go so far as to say that with equal weapons they woutd not hesitate to encounter twenty times their number of the lat- ter.” We are a little curious to know what “some say” about the battles of Pea Ridge and Newbern. Sterling Price, who was recently so gloriously whipped by General Curtis at Pea Ridge, in Ar- kansas, has been appointed a Major General in the ragged army belonging to Jeff. Davis & Co. When old Isham G. Harris, the itinerant execu- tive of Tennessee, found that Nashville was speedily to become an unsafe place for his delicate carcass, he told the citizous ina speech that he was going, but that he would ‘‘svon return and spill the last drop of his bloo« in defence of ihe city: and he emphasized the declaration, says the Nashville Banner, by Knocking a hole in his hat with his fist. Isham has aot yet spilled the first drop of his blood in defence of Nashville or any other place, and those who know him dou; whether he ever will, although he has assumed command of the State troops. The vote of New Hampshire for Governor, com- pared with that of last year, is as follows:— Republican. .. Democrat Union, &e Total vote 62,491 The Legislature will stand as follows: — Republicans Democrats. . The Second regiment of United States cavalry, somé time previous to the breaking ont of the re- bellion, contained Albert Sydney Johnston nel, Robert E. Lee as Lieutenant Colonel, William J. Hardee as Major, and Earl Yan Dorn, Edmund K. Smith and Nathan G. Evans as Captains, All these men are now generals in the re} The leaders of the newspaper sboli against General McClellan are the bune, the Cincinnati Gazette, the New York Post, Philosopher Greeley and Fred. Douglas. The Potomac river being uow free from obstrug- tion we may soon expect the appeurance of the “ first shad.” A mass meeting of the journeymen segar makers of this city was held last evetiing at the Metropoli tan Rooms, Hester street, when it was resolved to send a delegation to Washington to-day, for the purpose of presenting » petition to Congress ask- ing for an ad valorem tax on the raw material in place of the manufactured article. The C “0 stated that it had been intimated that the bosses were trying to get a heavy license on the manufac, turers of segars, which would prove very deiri- mental to the journeymen, and the delegation were ple. instructed to oppose this as much as pos: From the weekly statement of the Com: ners of Public Charities and Correction, which was pre- sented yesterday, it appears that 1,645 persons were admitted to the iustitutions during the w ending on the 15th intt., making @ total of 7,83) remaining there on that date, being a decrease of 46 on the preceding week. The town hall, together with the entire block on which it stands, in Mexicoville, Oswego county, N. Y., was destroyed by fire on the 15th inst. The ice in the North river around the head og navigation is melting very fast, and a few days of warm weather or rain will put it adrift. The Philadelphia line of steamers commenced to-day to run their line of steamers through the Delaware and Raritan Canal, which has been closed since the 20th December last. Wall street was quite dull yesterday, in tha abeence of news. Goverament securites wore higher, but the general railway list was lower. Money continues easy atGa7 percent. Exchange was inactive yesterday, the asking rate of tho bankers is 112. Gold was lower in the jing, but rallied in the afterpoon, and at the clos’ held at 10134. ‘The cotton market yesterday was quist, and prices, though without any decided change, varied with differ ent brokers, and were irregular, while a fair inquiry Prevailed from the trade. The sales in small lots footed up about 200 bales, The United States government entered the market yesterday and purchased 200 bales of ordi- nary uplands, for the purpose, it was said, of applying it to the protection of vossel of war. The flour Market was firm yesterday for common and medium grades, while sales wore rather more active, Wheat was in moderate demand, while prices were rathor easier. Corn exhibited more tone, and sales were to a fair oxtont, embracing Western mixed at 5c. a 60e in store and delivered. Pork was heavy and aul? modorate at $13 50 a $1 625; for new meas and $10 62 X% A $10 75 for new prime. Suvars worn stoady, with more Tho sales omby f was quiet, witl ts were wteady, wh ve nine Faye and ciles Wugbanggs, de | ties, which are atill drifting about as drifted the of the deluge, may be sunk and buried among its deposits before the your 1864. Within NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 1862. Once upon a time, in the ancient city of Da- mascus, during @ terrible hurricane of wind, hail, rain, thunder and lightning, threatening the destruction of hut, palace, temple and everything olse in its track of human construc- tion, a vagrant merchant of one idea, still abroad in the streets and faithful to his calling in every lull of tho tempest disturbed the astonished inhabitants at their prayers with his familiar cry, “In tho uame of the Prophet— figs!” The lineal descendants of that peddler of figs, in the midst of a hurricane, are stil! at large, and still engaged in the calling of the head of their tribe. They are here in our very midst, Thoy have superseded, wilh their peculiar ery, the “four cent man” of Nassau street; they are as sure to come ont in seasua aud out of season as the ninety-ninth edition of the Evening Hxpress. The country is now racked and torn by a revolutionary hurricane without @ parallel in the history of mankind. Our political parties and political creeds and platforms are flying about in the air like the leaves, duat and rubbish of the highway in a whirlwind; our political institutions are trem- bling and crackling to their very foundations, under the terrific force of this continental tor. nado; and yet, in every lull of this !evelling tem- pest, the party peddlers of the New York Tribune and the Times, and others of their trade, are crying out, “In the name of Beelze. bu» and his prophets, look out for the next Presidency.” The “Little Villains” of the Ti:nes will have it that the Tribune is exceedingly fearful that Gereral McClellan’s military popu- larity may make him the Presiden- tial candidate of the democracy in 1864; and the smail beer patriots of the Tribune, while plously and indignantly protest- ing against the folly of any such aceusation, are manifestly endeavoring to work up's stone of their own choosing for the head of the cor- ner and for our oexi Presidential term. But in all such movements and party manipulations at this crisis, and in the midst of the surging billows of this gigantic rebellion, our incurable Presiticntial peddlers sre wasting their breath and their small wares after the manner of the fig vender of Damascus. Two years hence it will be time enough to begin to cast about for our candidates for the next Presidency ; for within these two years who can tell the scope and ihe changes of this mighty polilical revolution which is upon us? The broken remnants of our late political par- wrecks of the ancient world upon’ the waves the Ixet twelve mouths we lave been burried through the history of a hundred years of peace and party politics. Every month of this revo- \utionary epoch haz been, and continues to be, @ generation, measured according to ihe pre- existing order of things. Before the adyant of the year of our next Presidential election alt the little sohomes and candidates of the party cliques now intriguing for the sacoession may be as obsolete as auti-nasonry and worthless aa Confederate shinplasters, Men now the favorites of spofismen, plotting for the succes- gion, muy sink inio oblivion or obscurity; and men from the shadows of obscurity may rise and advance to the heights of popularity in the momentous interval to our next Presi- deniial campaign; and new parties and new principles, hardly dreamed of to-day, may be- come the parties and the elements in the vecon- atruction of the Union, Of all the prominent public men of the day, ina civil or military station, it is probable that not one will come out of this sifting reyvo- jntion so acceptable to the country at large, <0 available for the purposes of restoring harmony between the North and the South. as the saga- cious, consistent, steady and conservative wan now at the bead of the government, Abrahom Lincvtn. Ia this crisis, and for the first time since the days of George Washington, the ad- federal government hus been lifted to Washington’s platform of nation- d upon this broad and comprehensive poic} triumphantly through the"flery ordeal of this rebetlion, inay be found the mosi acceptable man for the work of restoring the full integrity of the Caion, Atall events, our Presidential fig venders must fires dispose of this rebellion and the present administration before they can sately undertake their party soundings for the suc- cession. the Presidency, the country can ouly exclaim, “Jn the name of ihe Prophet— figs!” Geesterv’s Powoven Caauien Reterxep to His Own Lips-Some months ago, in rereuge for the conservative policy of the President, “that horrible monster” Greeley opened an at- tack upon Mrs. Lincoln and other members of the President's family. Day. after day the Tri- bune contained the most atrocious insults and slanderous insinuations against the wife of the President; and the tender and sewer of the Tritene—Garrison and Phillips’ Liberator—re- published aud improved upon these attacks, Yet, while thus brutally insulting the Presi dent and his family, Greeley, Garrison, Phillips, Cheever and other abolitionists had the impu- denee to go to Worhingige aad tempt to visit the White House and spout [re Son Rfid disun- ion to the President himself. In Tuesday's Herarp we collected a few of these slanders; instigated by the Tribu,e, and showed Cireeley: as ina glass, the foul complexion of his inner man. Now he writhes and beats the air wildly, disgusted and slarmed at the sight of his own depravity. He eries out that the Hersto assails Mrs. Lineoln, because it ex- poses the slanders he has forged against her ; just as every criminal charges the law with causing crime, because it detects and pun- ishes bim. THe seeks to deny dd to prevari” cate ; but the fact is too well known that he iusinugted and suggonted ail the Hbiched lee which he now endéavors to put to the credit of his abolition co-laborers, as he once denied having written his “ Onward to Richmond ” ar- ticle, in the Zvibune. Greeley cannot thus es- cape the pin upon which we lave impaled him, He is responsible for all attacks upon the President and his family jh have appeared in the editorial columns and in the outrageous and abusive Washington correspondence of the Trine, and for those articles in the Liberator which he has instigated, and for which he has supplied the material. He only proves himeelf a coward as well as a slanderer when he at- tempts to evade the responsibility of ylao ighy. W othe | Banks into their towns and villages. Win- Meantime, to all party bawkers of } | ; ‘ : nee j will be, fr. Lincoln, after carrying the country | foig Ke wanted twelve months’ men, he is now Tas Devecoring Umon Suxtiment ov Tun Sovru.—The bloodless y-°tories of the Dupont expedition at Fernandina at Jacksonville, in Florida, and tho significant weigome given to the soldiers bearing “the old flag” at 6t. Au- gustine, together with the flight of the armed rebols from every point of the peninsula on the approach of our forces, and the virtual abandonment of the State by ils secession Governor, conclusively establish tle asceaden- ey of the Union sentiment among the people of Florida, and their gratitude for their deliver- ance from Jeff. Davis, His reign is ended in Fiorida, and by the will of the people thereof. At Nashville, Tennessee, the Western head- quarters of the rebellion since August Isat, down to its tate evacuation by the rebel armed forces of Sidney Johnston, Pillow and Floyd, secession had been so rampant, absolute, well fed, boastful and defiant, that the citizens were at first confounded, incredulous and stupitied at the restoration of “the old flag” over the dome of their State House. But it ap- peara that they are beginning to realize the fact, and that it is “a fixed fact,” aud that their minds are rapidly undergoing another revolu- tion—a change back again to their old ettach- ment for the Union. Andrew Jobuson, who would have deen torn to pieces by the popu- lace of Nashville had he ventured to show him- self among them two months ago, was cecoived by them the other day in @ public demon- stration, as their Military Provisional Union Governor, with all the manifestations of @ cor- dial welcome from a grateful community. We have still another good sign from Ten- neasee, in the late Union speech of Hon. Bailie Peyton at Gallatin, aad in the petition resolv- ed upon at his suggestion for the re-establish- ment ef the United States Post Office there. ‘The loss, by the rebellion, of the mail facilities which, under the “old Union,” the people of our revolted States enjoyed, bas been a sore deprivation to them, and the restoration of the United States mails will operate, as our armics advance, to bring into action a healthy Union sentiment in every town and hamlet throughout the rebellious South. Equally significant of an irrepressible Union sentiment have been the satisfactory manifesta- tions of the people of the great valley of Vir- ginia with the advance of the troops of General chester, the home of the rebel ambassador Ma- son, haa ceased to be to him a place of refuge. At the outbreak of this rebellion, and while still recognized as holding @ seat in the United States Senate, heissued an edict to the people of Winchester, declaring that an act of saces- sion at Richmond was their supreme law, and that such as could not recognize it in this light “must leave the State;” not that they ought to leave; but his precise order was in these very words:-— They must leave the State.” The loyal people tims addressed are now rejvicing over their deliverance from Mason and his despotic confederates; but where isMason? An exile, under the mockery of sn official rebel appointment, and an exile, aa the penalty for his great offences as a leading con- spirator in the work of this rebellion, he will doubiless remain to theend of his days. Vet afew days longer of patient suffering, aad the Union citizens of the Old Dominion, esen of Richmond, and dowa to the Dismal Swamp, will be velieved of the horrible night- mare of this rebetlion; and then, we predict, there will be such a Union uprising throughout the South as will sead Jeff. Davis and his con. federate ruters and military chiefs and camp followers In hot haste for a safe passage across the Mexican frontier. BEaURRGARD AND THE MissigsipPt VaLiry.— From the uaexpected resistance made at Island No. 10, on the Missiasippi river, it is sus- pected that Beauregard is theve, and that this ia the secret of the stubborn opposition to the gunboats of Commodore Foote, who is just as stubborn as Beauregard, and perhaps a little more so. Certain it is that the General of the Mississippi Valley gard announces himself to be, nas taken the command in that region, and that he is pre- paring for a desperate resistance to our troops, wheiher they advance by land or by water. It seen that whereas in his former mani- glad to get meo who will enlist for ninety days. Ti fs very evident that emendous efforts are being made. Vor instance, Memphis is nuder martial low, by the authority of General . showing shat the Union sentiment is us there. The Govervor ‘of Louisiana alled upow that State for five thousand and the Governor of Missisdppi for ten nd from his State. Whether these Clover- rils have been called, from “the vasty deep.” but wonld not come: remains to be seen. The Governor of Missis- sippi says he has power to draft. Why does he not exert bis power’ Is it because the Union sentiment is strong, and that he has found se- cession is a hard read to travel? The rebel papers are furious about the present condition of affairs. They have mainly contributed to the result, and they have no right (o complain, ma Tuk How. Bex. Wane i V ry Great Day- he Hon. Ben. Wade is a Senator of the states from the State of Ohio, and as jon of his present term draws nigh United the expi it appears ‘hat his re-clection will be stoutly contesied. We gather thi impression from Greeley’s insupporiwble anxiety on the subject, He is warning the country every day or two that “Ben. Wade is in danger.” “Ben. Wade is in great danger,” “Ben, Wade is in very greai danger; and Greeley ix sorely distressed thereby, as if the failure of Ben. Wade to be reelected will bring upon us the day of judgment, gr at least an awful earthquake. Now, all that we know of Bon, Wade is that he is an honest, unsophisticated, unpretending sort of a man, zealous against this rebellion, and very earnest in his anti-slavery notions. Bui we are not aware that he has ever set the Ohio river on fire, or has ever raised much of a rum- pus in the Senate. Whatever, however, may be bjs public claims for a re-election, we admonish his friends who desire his success to put a stop to this tomfoolery of Greeley. The case of Fremont is very instructive. Greeley has been almost the ruin of Fremont, and he will be the deajh of Ben. Wade, unless we have an end of this nonsense of the Tribune ooncerning him: Let the members of the Ohio Legislature un” derstand that Ben. Wade is the special pet of Greeley, and they will begin to think that he must be like Greeley—fujl of all sorts of im- practicable kinks, crotchets aud crudities, and uot at all the man to represent Ohio in the Senate of the United Stal Ben. Wado ia in gming the special pet Bor Durences.—The creditable dis- played by our merchants and others in taking into hand the su®ject of harbor defences ac- cords well with the ;blic feeling, and shows that we shall not be s/w to profit by the les. son afforded us by the fig.*t in Hampton Roads, The promptitude with whieh ou insurance companies, banks avd money men testified their willingness to contribute to the common safoty and the common good showed that they fully appreciated the importance of prosaptly adapting our defences to the resistance of iron- clad vessels, and this is only to be done by mecting iron-clad with iron-clad. It is there- fore proposed by some to build another vessel answering to the description of the Mouitor, but to be fitted with fifteen-inch, or, if necessary, still larger gua; while by others the con- struction of @ fleet of small iron-clad boats, each carrying one gun, is suggested. But the most expeditious plan is that for the purchase of several swift and strongly built wooden steamers, to be coaverted into rams by the ad- dition of sharp prows. Fifteen thousand dollars have been already subscribed to the defeuce fund; but as this is only @ fraction of the amount required, the Chamber of Commerce will shortly make # call upon the public. At the meeting of the Chamber which was held on ‘Tuesday to hear the report of the committee appointed at the previous meeting to proceed to Washington and consult with the War De- partment on the condition of our harbor de- fences, and the need in which we stand of their immediate increase, the matter was frecly dis- cussed. As the committee report that the goverament will not be prepared to attend to the mintter for a considerable time to come, they advise, in common with the Secretary of War, that the citizens should subscribe the re- quired half million of dollars. Similar action has been taken in Koston and Philadelphia. Evxerving rar State Prisoxs.—From the fact that sixteen prisoners were released froin the old Capitol prison on Tuesday, we may infer thatthe labors of the commission, consisting of General Dix and Judge Pierrepoint, wil! speedily result in the release of all, or nearly all, the political prisoners still held by the War Department. This is just as it should be. There is no good purpose to be served by keep- ing men in custody who could do the country no harm if at liberty, and the government can well afford to be magnanimous. The most dangerous men are not to be found within the walls of Fort Warren, or any other federal Stronghold, but at large in the office of the New York Tribune, where they have been since the commencement of the war, and till are, doing their best to throw difficulties in the way of the government, by their daily atiacks upon the President and administration, and the officers of the army and navy, and especially General MoClelian. ff the government wants to get hold cf a nest of traitors let it look to the editors of fhe Tribune. These ought to be arrested and fed on the diet upon which Gree- ley commenced life-—namely, musk and milk, without any strong Itquor®—and for once well washed ond clean shaven. The country would willingly bear the expenag. Tur Fiore Quaunes or THR AMERTCAN Prorix.—-The fighting qualities of the American people, as developed in this war, are admifable. Our raw troops fighi belier than most of the vete- tans of Europe. The detailed accounts we pub- lished Thursday of the baitle of Pea Ridge and the battle of Newbern demonstrate this. The Southern men fought well, bnt they have not the endurance of the men of the North, and even where they have the advantage of cannon, fortifications, and superior position and num- ders, as at Newhern and Pea Ridge, they cannot conquer the stubborn material of which the Union troops are made. In all the recent fighis the inferiority of their small arms has been mae manifest, and these are decisive in the hand-to-hand struggle. There is another reason why the Southern men do not fight with the same tenacity in this war as the Northern. Tt is the cause, or rather want of cause, for which they are battling. The Northern men feli very reluctant to begin the fight. They only entered upon it as a matter of duty—to preserve the integrity of the Union founded by Washington and his compatriots: To break up that Union is the object of the rebellion, and with such a cause it is impossi ble they could succeed. {n the Mexican war, when they marehed under the flag of the Union, their prowess was fully equal to that of the Norihera men at whose side they fought. It is the cause Which makes all the difference. pane ma -emesessealiemset Poicesexn anny Revorvers—On Tnesday morning a man who had been arreste? ou a trivial offence was shot dead while attempting to escape from a policeman in Brooklyn. Hu- man life is uncertain enough without being left at the caprice of policemen. We therefore maintain that the practice of the police carrying revolvers ought to be discontinued. The ten- dency of arming such men with such weapons is to make them despotic and merciless, and to expose every incbriate who may fall into their clutches, and act without due respect and cir- Cumapection, to the punishment of death. Of course a atory can always be made up to justify the officer; but long experience has led Euro- pean communities to abolish the use of fire- arms by policemen, and to consider that it is not to the public welfare to trust them with the power of life or death over an individual. We bave outrages eriongh without making the men who are paid to protect us the instruments of further mischief, and it will be a reproach to the community if we license the fie Yo com- mit murder by allowing them to carry re- volvers, Acttvizy ix Bustxess.—The uninterrupted suocession of recent Union victories, each in itself almost a deadly blow to the rebellion, and the news from Europe of the effect of those victories at the other side of the Atlantic, have given such an extraordinary impetus (o busi- ness that everything is beginning to look like old times. This revival is manifested in a great variety of forms, but in none more than in the increased number of business advertisements in the newspapers. As the readers will ob- serve, the Hrnaio is crowded with them ; so much so that we have to request those who seek the benefit of publication in our columns to hand in their advertisements at an early hour, in order that they may appear under their pro- per head, where the reader will be most likely to look for them. There is no better test of business prosperity than the advertising columns of the New York Heratp ; and the present revival is but the precursor of the resto- ration of peace and the Union, end the com- vlote ro-cstablisbment of the trade and com, #) merce of the whole country, {rpm the St. Law- rence and the lakes tothe Gulf of Moxi¢o, aud from the Atlantic to the ean. Tak Greatest Rosser or tax Dav.—In tho State prisons of New York there are abont five hundred criminals incarcerated fot thefts, lar- cenfes and burglaries, and the aggregate amount of the stealings of these scoundrels amounts, probably, to one hundred thousand dollars, These robbers are justly inprigoned ; but what, then, should be the fate of thoag wnembers of the Legislature and the lobby who are now deliberately conniving together to rob this over taxed city of a Broadway Railroad franchise worth about five or six millions of dol- lars? The property owners of this city and their tenants ave obliged to pny twelve millions of dollars a year for taxes, and yet the Legia- lature proposes to give away, for nothing, to a parcel of unknown persons, picked up im out- of-the-way holes and corners of the State, a valuable franchise belonging to the people of New York, and capable, in proper hands, of reducing our taxes at least a million of dollars — syear. This is the greatest outrage of legisla- tion and the greatest robbery of the age. The Legislature has no more moral right.to déprive the city of this franchise than has a jar te rob a house. Yet, urged on by an > lobby, the members. of the Legislature seem disposed to pass the Broadway Railroad bill. If they do, in what respect are they less guilty. morally, than the gallow’s birds who fill our prisons now? - SPRING FASHIONS Opening Day in the Metropolts. This season the openings come in detachments, instoad of in one compact mass, as formerly. Some establish- monts opencd yesterday, some will open to-morrow, aud others this day week. This indepondcat system hag boow growing in favor of late, and has its advantages. Indeed, As openings are overy season increasing in number,some such change was not only desirable but neccasary, forme ~ amount of endurance or enthusiasm could enable the fair yotaries of fashion to undergo the fatigue of inspecting one tithe of these displays. Even if they limited thow- solves to Broadway the task would be Herculean, if it were periormed in a thorough conscientious manner. Of course if 1t were dono in a superficial way—if ladies burried into an establishment, glanced around them and burried out again, bringing awey but an indistinct ilea of laces, i Wwors, ribbons and straw biended together in ia- extricablo confusion, it could be done; but little labor, little profit holds good hero, as woll as in other cases, and at the close of an opening day, 80 passed, or wo should say, 60 spent, the fashion hanter would bo as incapable of comparing the styles of different establishmenta or appreciating their respective merits ag the house hunter who looked only at the billa would be to discriminate ba- tween one house and another. Scattered openings have not this objection; they give time for close examina- tion, and (0 the modiste of auperior taste fthia is an in- calculable advantage for the minute clogancies of detail, the harmony of parts and the perfection of fuish, which ig the triemph of the modisfe’s art, may be unnoticed in @ oasual glance, but are always sure to mako their mark when there is time and opportunity for close scrutiny. In this way tho scattered openings may prove 4 benoit. For many seasons past ‘opening day’’ bas been un- favorable for outdoor exercise, just the sort of day that would test to the utmost the devotion of the fair Maa- hatianese to the Protean deity that presides over the fashions. Yesterday opened in the usual style—wet sidewalks and lowering ekies held out poor inducements to pedestrians; but it cleared up in the forenoon, and continued duil and dry throughout the day. Tho exhi- bition rooms wore well patronized, the goods thoroughly discussed, and the visiters were free from that absorbed air that says as plainly aa words could say, ‘There isa great dca! of sight-seeing to be done and wery little time to do it in.” . ‘In shape tho bonuets have changed very littl; thoy are closer at the-side and higher in the front, and’ the oape ie smaller, but in essentials they are the same as tast season. As tho shape precindes the possibility of atde trimming, the Iace and flowers that beautify the inside ara disposed in flowery bandeaux across the forehead, or inclined a little to the one side, They are very gone rally fnishod off with am edging of lace, black or white, and semetimes a combination of both. In some cased tbe crowns are transparont, and a transparent edge rune ground tho tront, imparting an air of lightness to the fresh spring bonnet that speaks eloqueutly of coming summer, The materials most in use are crape, silk, lace and straw. Shirred hats are in high favor, and deserve to be, for nothing can be prettier or more sitopto thaw this style, which neither requires nor will altow muck: trimming. However, that our readers may have © cloarer idea of the incoming styles, we purpose to give a description in detail of a few of the more prominent specimens next week, when all our millinery ostabliah- ments will have opened their treasures for the inspection of ths public or the favored few, as the case may be. ‘The mantila stores have not brought{out their sum- mer styles yet, but their spring stock is varied and abundant. Long roundabout cloake, reaching almost te tho edge of the skirt, bright locking piaid and striped nondescripts, mantles of Shepherd's plaid, short, loose vasques of black silk or drab ¢loth, the Grat surplice front edged with a pinked rache and trimmed round the skirt with a deep frill, the second close up to the front and finished with a Little collar bound with blue or cherry colored silt. ‘This last style is vory suitable for the sprivg and carly summer ,and it will probably ba reproduced in lighter materials for the midsummer, Very different from the cloaks worn at the corresponding period of year, which qinulated the dresses in length, this now cadidate for public favor doos not como far velow the waist, and permits the whofe expause of the skirt to be visible. It is casity made, takes little mate- rial, is pretty in itself, and we doubt not will be popitlar for atime. It will not suit every figure; but what gar- ment devised by man or woman ever did? In dress goods we have the usual yarieties—moire antiques, poplins, watered silks, tafietas, reps and foulards. The Jast is growing in favor, and will be very mock worn this season. Of course dark merinoos are still to be sven, reminding us that spring’s days are uot all warm, and that summer and muslin dresses are yet some weeks abead of ‘Tho lighter tabries, suitable for July weather, are not generally on exhibition, but they will seon be. They consist of organdies, light silks, crapes, grenadines, poplins and foulards. Dresses are yory pro- fusoly trimmed, ‘The prevailing fashion is a te Grecque; and the trimming is not confined to any one part of the dress, but is used on skirt, sieave and corsage with lavish disregard of = @xpense. ‘The akirts aro very full and very long, forming a demi. train, which may look very graceful iv a bali room, but very decidedly tho reverse on the sidewalk. The gorod ekirt i still worn, though not in such fayor ap hens , fore, end flounces are universal, They aro arrangod i iy waystono deep dounts, with a heading Of smatt ones, or ap infinite number of tiny flounces that ought rathor to be éalled frills, scmotimes placed straight round the skirt aud somatimes arranged in festooua, The latter isa very clegant etylo,and has the unspeakable advan. tage of being much more expensive, Zouave jackots will ideas fashionable, and are generally becoming, They may bo made of the same color as the skirt, or of » protty contrasting eolor, which will look much betier. hise very convenient style for warm weathel, and with @ handsome tucked or embroidered waist looks ¢ool aad summery. se Poer Oveice Matrena—Orexta Orvices at 78 SOvTH.— Wo learn at tho Post Ofice that, so far, Nashville, Ciarks- yille and Dover aro the only offices opened in Tennessee. Others will be opened ax the Union forces go South, and due notice will be given of their establishment, _—$—$———— ne Wivran Ganpex.—Miss Fanny Browne takes her first Doneit at this house to-night. In the case of an actress #0 personally attractive and #0 deservedly popular it ia scarcely nocessary fer us to recommend that young Now! York should be on hand. 4 Acapauy of Mcsi0.—“Martha”’ wil! be given this even ing, With Miss Kellogg in the principal vole, Inthe mar< kot scone there will bo introduced a ballet divertissemong in which the beautiful Cubas and Senor Ximones will apg pear. The Canadian Parliament. Quenno, March 20, 1862, Parliament oponed at three o'clock @. M. Sir All MoNab wascleeted Speaker of the Legislative Gono] fad Mr. Turcotte Ministerial Spoaker of yoo Agsoumbie.