The New York Herald Newspaper, February 2, 1863, Page 6

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES: “GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, OPFOR N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU 87S, s+eeNo. 32 | Velume XXVIL AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. | AOADEMY OF MUSIC, Irving Place—Iialian Opera— Manrna | NIBLO'S GARDBN, Broadway.—Laau, Tar Porsaxey, | WALLACK'S THEATRE, Broadway.—Senoot rox Scay- pat way.—Aprocate’s Last Cause SPY. LAURA KEENE’S THEATRE, Broadway.—Loan oF 4 TOV te —~ TS VEN CIBLES. NEW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—-Cottsen Bawn— Svixit PRienD—Pinate’s Leoacy. BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Txovsapo0R—Jack axD tHe BEANsTALK—OLD Orx Cust, BARNUM'S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.—Mus. Lavinia Wanrex~Commovor® Nutr, &¢., at all hours— Okoas oF GoLv—Afiernoon aud Kvening. BRYANTS' MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broad. wy qureionian Sonas, Bumixsquxs, Daxoms, &0.—LauG- x . WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, Songs, Dances, &0.—Harey Famicy CLINTON MLALL, Astor Place,—Messks, BRrittaN Fisks's GEPERIMENTS 1X ‘Misereo- PSYCHOLOGY. - bad BROADWAY MENAGERIE, Bi ad LAVIN ANiAis—PratrORMING ELEPHANTS COMI MULES, AC AMERICAN MUSIC HALL, Np. 444 Broadway. —Bar- cats, Paxtomimms, BuRLEsques, 0. Wnp VARISIAN CABINET OF WONDERS, 63 Broad Oyen dally trom 1b a. M. uilll0 P.M. _— HOOLEY'S OPERA BOuER: was, Dances, Buncesat on ATHEN. Brooklyn.—Kzmiorian ‘Dx. Maccowan's Leotuae New York, Monaay, February or 1863. THE SITUATION. ‘The Navy Department received a despatch last night announcing that the Union gunboat Isaac P. Smith—one of the recent government pwrehases— went ashore in Stono river on Saturday, and was NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1663 in-Chief of the French army in Mexico, im which his Majesty explains, very freely and fully, the objects and scope of the expedition to that country, both present and prospective. This most significant document has been officially submitted to the French Legisla- ture. Init the Emperor says:—‘‘In the present state of the civilization of the world, the pros- perity of Ame: is not a matter of indifference to Europe, for it is she who feeds our mannfactories and gives life to our commerce. We have an interest in this—that the republic of the United States be powerful and prosperous: but we have none in this—that she should seize possession of all the Mexican Gulf, dominate from thence the Antilles, as well as South America, and be the sole dispenser of the products of the New World.”” Judging from the Emperor’s plan it would appear as if his ideas are that Mexico is to be conquered, and a settled government esta- , blished--even if » monarchy—in order that the expansion of the United States may be limited, and that the dependence of Europe upon Ame- rica for supplies of cotton may cease for ever. After this the Latin race is to be ‘restored to its prestige’? all over the continent. The French “Yellow Book” also shows that the expeditionary force in Mexico is made up of twen- ty-seven thousand men and five thousand horses. The Executive Committee of the British Emanci- pation Society had presented an address to the American Minister in London, expressing the con- fidence of that body in Mr. Lincoln’s policy for negro freedom and its sympathy with his govern- ment in the war. Mr. Adams, in his reply, de- fended Mr. Lincoln’s election, his position and the emancipation proclamation. The British ship Oregon, of Newcastle, at Lon- don, reported that on the 16th of December, in latitude 43 degrees north, longitude 50 degrees west, she spoke «a large steamer, bark rigged, which hoisted the Confederate flag, saluted her, and then sailed off in an opposite direction. Some of the London journals express the opi- nion that the war in America will continue during the whele period of Mr. Lincoln’s administration. The Protestant Archbishop of Dublin, in a letter to Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, expresses his doubts as to the sincerity of the American aboli- tionists in their professions of friendship for the captured by the enemy. She was commanded by negro. Kientenant Cennover. The Richmond Examiner of that date gives a different version of the dis- aster. I¢ represents that the gunboat, with a erew of two hundred and thirty"men, surrendered uncon- ditionally after a sharp engagement, and with heavy loss on our side. This story comes to Rich- mond from Obarleston. It is said that another Union gunboat waa engaged, and “escaped in a | Mined very dull. crippled condition.’ The Navy Department had no detsils of the affair up to this morning, except those contained in the brief despatch referred to. We give to-day a map of the locality where the disaster ocourred. An impertant: rumor was prevalent in Havana when the Columbia left there on the 28th that the rebel steamor Florida had been destroyed. The facts of the case appear to be thus:—On Tuesday, January 27, it was reported in Havana that heavy firing had been heard at Matanzas and Cardenas, as if in @ serious contest at sea. stated that the Florida or hel vessel had been chased by several Union ganbosts; but with what result had not been learned. the firing and chasing were connected with the same vessel. This rumor was strengthened by the arrival of the Creole, from NewfYork, on the fol lowing day, which reported that she had been spoken by the Union gunboat Cayugs, which ves- sel reported that she had observed a steamer on coming from vessels of war engaged It was also some other re- MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The steamship Australasian, from Queenstown on the 18th of January, arrived at this port yester- day (Sunday) evening. Her news is three days later. ‘The Liverpool cotton market closed quiet, with quotations unchanged, on the 18th of Jannary. Breadstuffs were quiet and steady. Provisions re- Consols closed im London on the 17th of January at 9254 a 92% for money. Allthe Ministers of the Queen of Spain’s Cabi- net had resigned, and Marshal O'Donnel had formed a new government. The usual military conscription of Russia in Poland had been carried ont quietly. The recent offer of England to shel- ter the Pope at Malta was not at all relished by the French government. The matter is treated officially in a correspondence between M. Drouyn de Lhuys and Prince La Tour d'Auvergne, the French Min- ister in Rome. that the Pope himself alluded “playfully only,” when bidding farewell to Mr. Odo Russell, to the probability of his being forced to seek an asylum in England. Mr. Russell reported the subject seriously to the Cabinet, and in conse- quence Earl Hussell made the proposition of Malta as a refage to his Holiness, or the British Mediter- ranean fleet would be plaeed at his disposal to convey him him to Malta, France or Spain. The It was then believed at Matanzas that | Pope might rely upon the eagerness of Englund to give him in the asylum that he might accept from her all the conditions of an establishment worthy of him. The correspondence fully shows that the Pope himself during the time of M. Thouvenel’s administration of the French Foreign Office was the first to suggest that he might require the hos- pitality of England. Dom Ferdinand, of Portugal, having, it is un- fire, supposed to be the Florida, and that three | derstood, definitively refused to become a candi- other vessels were firing into her with great ra- pidity. The locality this engagement was not definitely stated; but that it was in the vicinity of the Cayes, off Cardenas and Matanzas, The excitement in Havana was very great on the receipt of this news. Our correspondent there gives us some interesting news from that city, and details the particulars of the firing of » Spanish war steamer into a federal vessel. Latest news from Fortress Monroe further reports of the late action between Corcoran and Pryor on the Blackwater. fighting was not continued. A reconnoissance of the First Mounted New York Rifles went to Zuni, in the direction of the Isle of Wight, yesterday, to within half a mile of the but could not find the enemy anywhere in that neighborhood. The news from the Army of the Potomac is General Hooker bad returned to of Blackwater bridge, without interest. his command. There were indications yesterday of another storm, which might delay further mili- tary movements. Another atiempt to get po may be heard of at any moment. will take command in person, with the great bulk of his fine army of West Tennessee. of Commodore Porter will also be strengthened by the addition of new iron-clad gunboats, some of which are already completed Our news from Tennessee rebel General Forrest, with a thonsand cavalry, was watching the Union flect on the Cumberland river, which left Franklin for Nashville on Friday night. He was determined to spare no efforta to capture the boats if possible. Despatches from Murfreesboro recite the story of a brilliant little aetion near Woodbury, by Gen. General Grant ‘The squadron is important. Palmer's division, on Sunday last, in which he cap- tured one hundred rebels and killed their com- mander and thirty-four others. The rebels are sgain intrenching themselves at Grenada, and re pairing the railroad Ketween Holly Springs and ‘tallahatchie. A sucoeasfal raid was made by our troops in Missonri, onder Lieutenant Colonel Stewart. in oh they took the rebel steamer Julia Roan, with two hundred of the enemy on board, near Van Buren. intelligence which we pubtish to-day will be read with very great interest. The letters of our corres- trom Now Orleans and Baton Ronge ponlents are ably written, and give the most im- Portant inforiaation cone affairs at Port Hudson and the movements of the Union and re- bel forces. The condition of the rehele in Texas and their vast trade with Me eyes of the government and the pablic EUROPEAN NEWS ‘The Australasian, at this port. brings news sy Burope to the 18th of The most important nico will open the January three days lator feature of the intellie contained in a letter transmitted by the Bm gore > apoleon to General Forev, Commonder date for the vacant throne of Greece, the English government has, it is said, put forward the reign- ing Duke of Saxe-Coburg. His Royal Higness is childless; but, according to the Independance Belge, le would adopt the Prince Philippe, of Coburg, a grandson of Louis Philippe. The Swedish government has laid before the Diet, at Stockholm, a sweeping project of parlia- mentary reform, which is said to have met with a favorable reception. Mr. Bright, M. P., made another speech at Bir- mingham. He at ae length advocated the new ideas as to bellizerent rights at sea, approved the cession of the lonian Islands, and drew a favorable picture of the future of the world, as indicated by various signs of progress in every country. We doted at Shanghae onthe 6th, and Calcutta the 30th of December. The Shanghae despatch says:-—The rebels have withdrawn from the neigh- borhood of Shanghae. ‘The imperialists are con- centrating in the vicinity of Nakin. It is ramored that the Russian fleet have arrived to co-operate in an attack on that city. Two thousand Russians are expected at Ningpo. Shangyn has been re- captured from the rebels. The Calcutta report says: —Freights, £ Ls. for jute to London. Goods 2adannas higher departure of pre- since the sion of Vicksburg | yious mail. ‘The Diario dela Marine ot Havana of the 27th ins news from Venezuela to the 6th of Janua- ‘y. The revolution was every duy growing weaker. ‘while the hopes of a tinal triumph of the national cause were brightening up in a corresponding ratio. The capital of Carabobo bas been libe- cont j rated, and the road thence to Puento Cabello The | thtown open to travellers. ‘The blockade of Mara- caibo continues the same. Two strong divisions of government troops were operating in the pro- vince of Coro, each being within striking distance of the other, In the East the rebel Acosta has been completely milenced, and the partisans of Satillo—scattered in the memorable battle of Cha- guaramas—have not been able to reorganize theiv | Very little was known of the movements of Monagas. Work was progressing on the. rail road between Caracas and Petare. Venezuela has celebrated a treaty of amity, commerce and navi- gation with Degmark. The one signed in 1834 had not been put in operation for many years. The steamship Dacotah, Captain Fargo, from Newbern, N. C., 30th ult., arrived at this port last night. We have been furnished with a copy of the Newbern Progress, of the 2th ult., but it contains no news of importance jor Reid Sanders, the son of George N. San- ders, who was arrested while attempting to run the blockade near Charleston, 8. G., with rebel forces. despatches, was on Saturday examined before the ; United States Marshal, and, being fully identified, mitted to Fort Lafayette nvass for the approaching election New Hampabire is becoming quite animated. The conservatives have all their candidates in the field, @ud their orators ave preparing for the contest. The radivala have not and are evidently a little disheartened aud fright ened at the prospect of a most disastrous defeat; bot they will not by any means allow the election to go by default. Ins few days they will kave a their candidates in nomination, wnd then the negro- worshippers in Congress will despatch thel® most ultra stamp speakers to the s he purpose of stiffening the backbone of the ul, and trying to keep the people convinced that the war must be carried on for the be tofthe } fegro and on negr orshipping pr tthe Dolitical ideas of the citizens of the old Granit G ome of neiples The Prince endeavors to prove |* have very late news from India and China, }. in | yet completed their tickets, | ne, for | are coming back to their former status, when Jacksonian democracy was the dominant senti- ment, and the election in March will probably show as great a change as that which took place | in New York in November last, The abolition Tribune, in Chicago, calls General McClellan ‘‘the head of the Fitz John Porter gang." According to the report of the rebel Secretary of the Treasury, the debt of the confederacy on the 1st of July next will be $801,340,536. Pretiy good start for a new government. A son-in-law of Senator Doolittle, a wealthy banker of Wisconsin, named John Fitzgorald, com- mitted suicide at the St. Nicholas Hotel on Satur- day last, by shooting himself through the head. Deceased was in bad health, and, failing to obtain the desired relief, coolly made his arrangements and committed the fatal act. He left a number of letters, addressed to his wife and friends, und announced his inteation to kill himself. The Coro- ner held an inquest on the remains. ‘The stock market on Saturday was very active, end prices were higher at the morning board, but fell off in the afternoon, and closed dull, Gold fluctuated violently Dotween 158 aud 160, closing at about 15834. Exchange sold as high as 177, closing about 1763;. Money was in brisk demand at 6 37 among the street speculators, bat was freely offered to the established stock firms at 5 46 per cent. Cotton sold to the extent of about 2,000 bales, al! told, on Saturday, at prices averaging about 90c. for middliug per Ib. Heavy sales of breadstufts and provisions were effected, as also of wool, tobacco, tallow and whiskey, at higher quotations. There was considerable activity in hay, hops, metals and groceries, with « fair degree ot animation in other leading articles at rising prices. ‘ode- rato freight engagemonts were reported, without y remarkable variation in rates. ‘The deplorable condition Of the streots seriously impeded operations. Additional Complications pean Imbroglto. The entente cordiale which some few years since was the loud boast of the Allies has at last faded into thin air, and at the present moment the statesmen of England and France vie with each other in opposition, ill will and ran- cor. The Emperor Napoleon will never forgive Palmerston for having left him in the lurch in Mexico, and from now until the moment arrives for open hostility between the two countries Napoleon will, by all means in his power, in- jure England and thwart her plans—a course of action which she will endeavor to imitate to the best of her ability. The present annoyance for England whieh the Emperor of the French is nursing is a call made upon her by the semi- official journals at Paris to give up to Spaia the fortress of Gibraltar. The writers in the above named journals disavow all intention of breed- ing ill will between England and Spain upon the subject of the stronghold in question; but as mete matter of justice, of right, these French journalists cannot eonceive how Spain permits so flagrant an outrage on the part of England against her dignity and power. And further, these same journalists are quite sure that, were Spain to make a demand upon Great Britain for the restoration of Gibraltar, she would find in- fluential voices to back her request. Of course all this is said without any desire to incite trouble between the nations in ques- tion, ‘as France would deprecate any ill feeling to arise from this discussion.” That which France desires is to prove to England that as Gibraltar, according to the testimony of Mr. Bright, is a great annual expense to the British government, the place should be ceded to Spain. Then France urges upon England that, as the Straits of Gibraltar are seven miles wide, the fortress is of no use in defending the pas- sage, addod to which Spain may, and perhaps will, construct two fortresses in such positions asto eommand the English stronghold. The articles we refer to terminate with the advice to the Spanish government to take no notice of the stir France is now making in this matter; and, of course, it is readily understood that Spain has done nothing else but pay great at- tention to the affair, and that she has become much excited upon the subject. As an act of friendly interest towards Spain, this raising up of the Gibraltar question by France will most likely have a soothing effect upon her govern- ment, and lessen the annoyance felt at Napo- leon’s movements in Mexico. The result to be produced in England will naturally prove the reverse, the more as the French journalists ad- vise England to give up Gibraltar, then Perim, after that Malta, and eo on, all of which will prove unpalatable to John Bull. The London journals will have a fine oppor- tunity of rendering good advice to France in return for her kind offices in that way. They will use her own arguments against ler ia the ease of the occupation of Rome, will call upon Italy to resent the insult to her power and in- fluence, and will of course do all they can to inflame the passions of the Italian people against Napoleon. An easy task it will prove; and thus we shall see the Allies undermining each other with hoart and main. Of course the English journalists will refer to the Mexi- can expedition, and here they will find a sore spot for Napoleon, which they will probe to bis great annoyance and fear. All this bus proves that the Anglo-French alliauce | is a humbug. The people of both coun- tries heartily detest each other. Even in its best days the entente cordivle was a sham, Years ago it ceased to exist. The statesmen and peo- ple of England are fully aware that in Napo- leon they ha nenemy, and hence they arm their volunteers and increase their coast de- fenges even while prating about treaties of commerce and glorious alliances. | That Napoleon should order his semi-officiai press to raise up the Gibraltar question, so cer- tain to give umbrage to the English govern- ment, is a “sign of the times,” and proves that | the French Emperor has made up bis mind to cut loose altegether ffom England. This ac- | tion on his part will render her more than ever | averse to any interference in our affairs, and to that extent we benefit by the increasing ill will between that country and France. We are ine clined to look upon this Gibraltar question asa bribe on the part of Napoleon to induce Spain to act with him in Mexico, the more so as it is stated that M. Mon, ex-Spanish Ambassador at Paria, and creature ef Napoleon, is charged by the latter to ruin General Prim in the estima: tion of the Cortes, and induce them to act with France in Mexico. Thus far the intrigues of Mon have proved in vain, as O'Donnell sustains Prim. Gibraliar may. however, prove a tempt- | ing bait for Spain, in which case she would adopt the policy counselled by Napoleon. We hall await with interest the resulis of this In- ) trigne. ; itmay not be amiss to add that the semi- official French press has taken up the question \ with great viger; that they quote all the ar- | ticles upon Gibraltar which appear in the Span- | | ich journals, and answer the remarks of the Inglish papers upon this subject in an aggres- sive tone, which will surely rouse a bitter feel- ing in England. It will soon become apparent to the world that Napoleon deems his alliance | with Great Britain at an end. the Huro- Mexico Fighting Our Battles. With what hope of success can Napoleon con- template an interference in the affairs of & powerful nation like the United States after the | results which have attended his attempted in- tervention in the affairs of Mexico, which now for nearly a year has dragged its slow length rather backwards than forwards? Is he to-day any nearer the object he proclaimed at starting? Is not every month of persistence in so un- wise and unjust a scheme only heaping disaster on the French arms through the unforeasen wea- pons of # malarious climate, an entire absence of supplies, an unjust cause and the devoted resistance of apeople roused to defend at every cost their soil and their cherished institutions? Can Napoleon overlook the fact that every na- tion, every people, turn with deadly animosity and unconquerable repulsion against foreign dictation? Did not France herself rise to meet the world in arms on this issue, and did she not turn the scales until the present Emperor's great progenitor bad laid the thrones of the half of Europe at his feet? It is as useless for the monarch, clothed with imperial robes, a3 for the private individual, to struggle against the immutable laws which govern the impulses of mankind. Trance may suffer for want of cotton, and the surging bil- lows of popular discontent may cause Napo- leon’s throne to rock as they dash against it; but to intervene in the United States as a means to avert such disturbances, or even to attempt to mediate—for we shall be slow to draw » differ- ence between the two, or to believe that the one does not ultimately and surely mean the other—will be only to add another unjust, and—let the word be marked— unpopular, war to that now on band-— another war across a wide ocean, and with a country into which he cannot penetrate, and where he must expose his armies to further loss of prestige and the power of France to further humiliation. In Mexico he atiacked a people long enfee- bled by bitter civil strife, proverbially bunk- rupt in resources, and of doubtful unity. But what has he found? Despite all the statements of his generals and his ambassadors of the pur- poses of the invasion, the instant the foot of the foreign invading force touched the soil of Mexico the whole nation was roused to arms, past differences were healed, the poverty of the treasury was supplied by private contributions, and, inspired by the justness of their cause, by the defence of all that man holds most dear, and enlightened by the moral struggle through which for years they have now been pas the Mexicans, with citizen generals and undis- ciplined soldiers, have beaten back the re- nowned troops of France, and in repeated en- gugements have manifested a prowess and have achieved a guccuss which command the respect of the world, and which from this time forward will render them invincible against any force that France, at so great a distance and with her already burthened exchequer, can send to the relief of her weakened and dispirited invading army. There are moral laws against which pbysical means are powerless. France had no right to intervene im Mexico. She had still less right to attempt the overthrow of republ institu- tions in that country, the extinguishment of its sovereignty, and its conquest as a colony of her own. Her cause has but met with merited failure, and the sooner Napoleon assumes the unwelcome task of acknowledging his error and retires from this Quixotic and unholy expe- dition, the better will it be for the security of his throne and the bonor and good name of France. The same fate would attend any intervention, or even attempted mediation, by the Emperor of France in the struggle now going on between the North and the South. In both sections of our Union, among the people of all classes, if there is ene sentiment which is stronger than any other, it is that of impatience under any attempt by foreign Powers to dictate, advise or control us in our own affairs. Party leaders may for the moment, for party purposes or personal ends, put on the semblance of favoring what they may call ‘friendly mediation: but such a spirit is not met by any response from the peo- ple. Both Seuth and North we are competent to manage and arrange our own affzirs. We may choose to quarrel, or we suddenly choose to agree; but it will be of our own free will, not at the dictation or in obedience to the advice, however friendly it may be stated to be, of any foreign government or people. Our quarrel is a family dispute; we both should turn upon whoever if Napoleon de hopeless of succes: ing up with sufficient distinctness of w: Mexico, let him seek it here. Meanw people of Mexico are as effectually fighting battles, in their heroic resistance against foreign intervention, as we, in putting down the rebel- lion, are fighting theirs by restoring that power and prestige of # united Uniow which will for- ever stay the impious and daring hand of mo- uarchical Europe, sought to be lifted against the liberty of the people and the security of repub- | lican institutions on this continent. er, ng, may dares to interfere, res another profitless war, if his Moscow is not Joom- AMERICAN Tana: ASSURE Gorse | » Exouann, The steamship Sonora has sailed from San Francisco for Panama, as we learn by our latest advices, with one million and a quarter of dol- lars for England, while for New York she brings but three hundred thousand dollars. We would call the attention of our Navy Department to this fact, which proves that since the capture of the Ariel by the Alabama the treaanre of Cali- fornia is sent. to England instead of commg here. Before this ocourrence at least seven- eighths of the California treasure came to New York; now we get but one-eighth. All this ia, we charge, the fault of our Navy Depart- ment, which has ever proved deaf .to the entreaties and remonstrances of our mercantile classes and has failed to protect our commerce. From all sources the Navy Department heard of the plans of the rebel privateers in time to have defeated them. Is our commerce to be driven from the ocean in order to keep Mr. Welles in office? We have no hope while he remains Secretary of the Na avy. Gexenat MoO ‘s Recerrios IN Bos ron—The reception of General McClellan tn Roston-—the capital of the worst abolition State in the Union—has been extraordinarily enthu siastic. The brave soldiers of Massachusetts ; know what McClellan is, and have written his | praises in letters to their friends at howe, and this ovation is the consequence. The contrast between the eee of General McClellan and that of certain government officials } tremely suggestive and its moral. better to be right than to be in eom | Army of the Potomac, $ ox- It is snd of the Tae Heaxrs or raz Pxortx.—There are men whom fate marks a8 its own—men who seem irresistibly to attract the masses, and who, almost without an effort, gain influence and power. Those men are instru- ments in the hands of Providence, and are im- peratively called upon to fulfil their missions. Events the most untoward seemingly, events which would annihilate others, but add to the power and iafluence of snch as we refer to— the predestined. Their names become en- deared to the people, who feel in them a con- fidence inexplicable, if you will, but irresisti- bly attractive. Their least actions become to the masses significant of good, and, spite of themselves, they grow more and more popular, until, at last, their influence becomes para- mount, and for good or evil they hold the desti- nies of their fellow beings in their grasp. A most striking example of this wonderful and daily increase of popularity is General McClellan. Day by day his personal in- fluence is increasing. Day by day he is becoming the idol of the people; and yet he is as quiet and retiring as a schoolgirl, as un- demonstrative and modest as a bashful miss. Bis detractors aver he has achieved no great success, has made n6 wonderful change in our painful position, is out of sta- tion and power. Grant all that for the sake of argument, and yet he cannot go from place to place without receiving ovations, without attracting crowds, without being deaf- ened by the cheers and plaudits of the multi- tude. How can we account for this unless we admit the fact that the people feel that he is an individual from whom much may be expected? The shouts and acclamations of the masses are evidences of the presentiment which is per- vading all classes of Americans—namely, that General McClellan will yet save the coun- try. In vain will the radicals harp and cavil at this conviction becoming so general, A deep rooted faith in General MeClellan’s ability exists; the people know him to be ho- nest and patriotic, and they admire the man’s self control and moral greatness. They are aware that a word from him would cover his evemies at Washington with shame and obloquy, and yet they see bim calmly bear the heavy oad of injustice and detraction showered upon him. Not ore word of complaint or ftaultfind- ing—all patriotism and petience. Others re- sent attack: he stands quiet in the dignity of his conscious ianocence and scorns to repay insult with insult. He unknowingly bides his time. Fate has marked out for him a career. When the proper moment comes he will then be as ac- tive as he is now passive. | His influence grows apace. Any allusion, however far-fetched, to himself or his actions is met with favor by the public. “Three cheers for Little Mac” are words that meet with an overwhelming response af ail times and places. Look at the scene in the galleries of the House of Representatives in Washington last week, whea the Hon. Mr. Wright said that he should again be placed at the head of the army. In our theatres the actors make references to General McClellan when they want to bring the house “down.” — In the minstrel halls allu- sions are nightly made to him. His name calls forth reiterated shouts — of applause, frantic expressions of approval. In- stances most Iudicrons occur, and yet the mo- ment the name is mentioned the people shout with » will. fn one of our popular minstrel halls » burlesque song contains the following ridienlous thing!— You may cot a watermoion, You may cut a watermeion, Yon may cat a waterineton, But }Horacé Groeley can't burt MeClellan. Let the General's detractors and enemies go hear the shouts and stamps of approval which greet this sally of the negro minstrel. Let them Usten to such expressions as “That’s so,” “Little Mac’s too many for them,” “Hurrah for McClel- Jan.” “Three cheers for Mac.”’ “He's the man for us,” and they will appreciate the strength of the hold which General McClelan is fast obtaining, in fact, has obtained. upon the hearts of the peo- ple. And, after all, it is the people who always have ruled and always will rule in this repub- lic, and the man whom they choose ae the reci- pient of their confidence must ultimately prevail against even such bitter encinies as are radicals and abolitionists. A Norre Sairox.—Our readers will remem- ber that when the Monitor foundered a boat's crew from the Rhode Island put off to rescue the Monitor’s sailors, and were supposed to be losi. Subsequently it was ascertained that this boat's crew had been picked up by the schoon- er A. Colby, commanded by Captain H. D. Har- riman, of Brockport, Maine, bound for Fernan- dina, Florida. Capiain Harriman changed his course in order to land the Rhode Island lors at Beaufort, North Carolina, and ran aground on the Diamond Shoal, off Cape Hat- teras, causing the schooner to leak badly. The men were safely landed, howe q f Masier Brown thus speaks of Captain Harri man’s conduct:-—“I cannot say too mach in praise of Captain Harriman, who did all that could be done, and thought nothing of the trouble to which we necessarily put him by so altering his original voyage; and, though all he pos sessed was in the schooner, yet he told me when she struck that he would willingly lose all to save any one, and that if he should Jose his vessel and cargo he should never regret having taken ue on board.’ Such # noble and self-sacrificing sailor as Captain Harriman de- serves a reward more substantial then praise. A Vacancy IN 188 Ponicn Bosrp.—The resig- nation of Mr. Bowen, who bas been appointed a brigadier general. and ordered to report to Gen. Banks at New Urleans, makes @ vacancy in the Board of Police Commissioners. This vacancy must be filled by an appointment made by Governor Seymour and confirmed by the State Senate. The office is a most important one, and we hope that it will be given to no mau who will allow himself to be made a tool of designing politicians or intriguing subordi- nates. The Police Commissioners have the order and welfare of this city under their charge. The recent trouble in regard to abi- trary arrests shows how great are their powers They also have control of a considerable amonnt of money m the forwa of appropriations. Tow large these appropriations are imay be judved from the fact that the new Police Head tera in Mulberry street were built from the surplus funds of past appropriations, without asking any help from or requesting the rity of any of our State, county or imunicipal boards. We expect Governor Seymour to dis- miss all of the present Commissioners after a fair trial in April; but ifany one be appointed in Bowen’s place during the interval he showld certainly be an honest, energetic, relivble aud worthy man, gquiingiinntnpdennananmenaeetinnin tN Tax Larxnpie Barris on rin: Mamearr] Teer Decisrve IvvuoaNce ON THE Wan.—The great, and to all appearance decisive, point of the war is the opening of the Mississippi river! With the exception of some small movements on the coast, all the most important operations of the campaign are now concentrated in that direction. The great Northwest demands the opening of the Mississippi; our government is determined io effect it at any cost, and the rebels are equally resolved to prevent it, im order that by keeping this great channel of water communication closed they may compel the Northwest to disintegrate itself from the Union. It will therefore be seen that the mili- tary and naval operations now being carried on at Vicksburg and Port Hudson are of the most vital importance to the crushing out of the rebellion. In one despatch received from Vicksburg it is stated that it will take one hun- dred and fifty thousand men to capture that place, and by the last rebel accounts we learm that General Johnston was concentrating that number of rebel troops for its defence; se that the battle impending there promises to be more desperately contested and of greater magnitude than any that has been fought since the commencement of the rebellion. Vicksburg and Port Hudson are the only two great rebel strongholds on the Mississippi whiok operate as obstacles to the opening of that river. They are of great strength, and their natural advantages for defence have been improved te the utmost by the rebel generals. Besides the ample resources which we possess for reducing Vicksburg by force of arms, we have another means of effecting the object which we have im view by its capture. The operations of Gen. McClernand in opening what is called “the Williams cut-off,” or canal across the tongue of land formed by the bend of the river at that place, will, if successful, be made available fer the passage of our gunboats in a couple ef weeks, thereby destroying all the plans and calculations of the rebels so far as Vicksburg is concerned. The great point of contention for the command of the Mississippi will them become Port Hudson, where the means of a dea- perate resistance have been accumulating for some months past. Thus, whilst Hooker is ef: fecting his arrangements fora series of fresh operatfons, having the capture of Richmond im view, and Hunter and Foster and Dupont and Lee, with their iron-clads, are making demonstrations more or less successful against Savannah, Charleston or Wilmington, it is pro- bable that what the English military author Creasy would call “the decisive battle of the war” will be fought on the Mississippi We have two grounds for hoping for a successful result to the impending struggle on that river : first, in the magnitude of our preparations, and next, in the impossibility, from its distance from the capital, of Washington generalship inter- fering with and defeating the plans of those in command. Key West ann tHe Errpkwio or Last Som. MI The first consideration of the government in regard to Key West. should be to take all necessary precautions to prevent, if possible, a recurrence of the terrible epidemic of lust sum- mer. That Key West is in future to be the great military and naval depot of the Gulf of Mexico no one can doubt, although there are some persons, from personal considerations, en- deavoring to have it removed once more to the ruins of Pensacola. The cleanliness of the island should receive the firat attention; next a proper and effective quarantine, and, lastly, the construction of a hospital on one of the adja- cent islands for malignant diseases should at once be commenced, so that it could be com- pleted by the coming summer. Key West is now governed by a man who is thoroughly coa- versant with all the wants of the place, and he should be instructed by the government to use all means within his power during the present winter to prevent the yellow fever being gene- rated when warm weather sets in by acoumu- Jations of filth, and the importation of the dis- ease jn infected vessels or vessels arriving from infected ports. Now is the season to accom- plich all this, and not leave it until the taking of precautions may be the cause of the disease making its appearance. We cannet understand the policy of the gov- ernment in leaving an infected ship, like the St. Lawrence frigate, remaining in the harbor of Key West; for we learn from our correspon” dent at that point that occasional cases are even at this season making their appearance on board, although of a mild type and yielding readily to medical treatment. [f this ship is permitted to vemain in ber present position until the season of northers is over and hot weather becomes the rule, the yellow fever will again appear on board ia a malignant form, and the probabilities are that the balance of the squadron would not only become infecteds but the pestilence would extend to the troops and unacclimated persons on shore, thereby giving us a second edition of last summer, if not worse. The St. Lawrence should at once he ordered to a Northern port, where she would have the benefit of frost and a thorough cleansing, and her crew of over three hundred fine fellows, well disciplined and understanding uty, be iransferred to other ships, where their experience would be of benefit to the government, aud not be kept en board a large vessel remaining idly at anchor in port, doing nothing and only offering inducements for the reappearonee of “Yellow Jack.” Tur Cortos Excrrevent—Tar Wait. Srrmer Overators Gowe Ivro THe Sorry Goons Linn One of the most curious features of the de rangement caused by the war in the usual course of oar commercial operations is the tarn which speculation has taken amongst our Wall street operators. They are abandoning fancy stocks for fancy goods, and now nothing is talked of on "Cbwage but the price of long cloth* and muslins. To such a point is the fever of speculation in this line carried that one New England house in this city, whose leadiug partner holds both gubernatorial and military rank, & realizing, by muftiplied com- missions on the same invoices of goods, more than their actual cost, The great majority of the persona concerned in these operations being capitalists outeide the trade, the parchases which they make are immediately reinvoiced for este, and thus stocks of goods, worth in the aguregate from five to one hundred thousand dollars or more, are daily changing owners without changing wareboase, securing thereby to the firm selling them ap amount of com- mission exceeding their actuat value. Some idea of the enormous amount of its gains in thie way may be © athered from the fact that it sold, the other ty a single inveice. amounting ta $120,000, at prices exceoding by three hondred per cont hose of twelrg months ager, Thos &