The New York Herald Newspaper, February 15, 1863, Page 4

a NEW YORK HERALD. » JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PkOPRIETOR. OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. ‘TERMS cash in advance. Money seut by maii will bo @t the risk of the sender. None but bank bills current in ‘New York taken. THE DAILY HERALD, Tanue conta per copy. THK WEEKLY HERALD, every Saturday, at Frve cents per copy. Annual subscription price:— ‘Three Copies. 5 Five Copies, 8 ‘Ton Copies, ., +b Velume XXVIII, —=— Sooo AMUSEMENTS TO-MORROW EVENING. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Luag, Tae Forsaxen. WALLACK'S THEATRE, Broadway.—Magarep Lars. WINTEE GARDEN, Broa¢way.—Mauxcuant or Venion, URA KEENB'S' THEATRE. Broadway.—F; wine ‘mu GOLDEN Looxs—Buva Darius bi NEW BOWERY THEATRE, Bewery.—Ipior Movstains—Yanume Jacg—Kew-Ka, aakes BOWERY THEATI Moruxe Goon Wanpcce oniian OPERA HOUBE, 485 Broadway.—Josmra mv Bi BARNUM'S AMERIOAN M . ame mT Wannen, Cou. Nur, Lavina. Hitrotorieon ho, or al bouss—Puantou—Dums Bxuix, Afternoon and Evening. BRYANTS’ MINSTRELS, Mechanios’ Hall, «#8 Broad- te ed Souas, Borinsquas, Danone, £0.—Bisce, WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, 514 B ia 2, DANCRS, 40. HUMMING Tus BLoveADa, eee BROADWAY MENAGERIE, Breadway.—! Agumats—Paaroruixa Minreine Coens Pci alee AMBRICAN THEATRE, Pantoumns, Bonansquas, PARIBIAN CABINET OF WONDEBS, S63 Broad Open daily from 10 A. M. tll 10 P.M. — NOOLEY'S OPBRA HOUSE, ‘nas, Dancms, Buauxsques, £¢ ig 4 Broadway.—Bat tars, Brooklyn.—Rrmioriaw ew York, Sunday, February 15, 1663. THE SITUATION. ° The Army of the Rappahannock is stifl immova- ‘blo. The state of the weather and the condition of the roads, no doubt, preclude the pessibility ‘of any military movements. Yesterday General Wlooker visited General Sigel, and was accom- Panied on his return by that officer and General Btahel. Our special army correspondents at the head- Quarters near Vicksburg and on board the ram Queen of the West furnishes to-day some inter- esting accounts of the state of affairs in that quarter. It would not appear that the canal, although our troops are working vigorously upon At, is 20 certain of being made avatiable as was @t first supposed. It is yet regarded, how- ever, by those engaged upon it as a feasible means of capturing Vickaburg, notwithstanding the fact.that the river, a0 far, refuses to adopt the mow channel. The army at that point is repre- sented to be in execlient condition, well supplied with stores, and in goed health and spirits. Gen. Grant and Admiral Porter are working vigorously to insure the success of their eagpeditien. The Navy Department received yesterday a des- Patch from the fleet on the Cumberland river de- tailing an account of the succossful attack made the 34 inst. by Lieutenant Leroy Fitoh, with the gunboats Brilliant, Faigplay, Lexington, Bt. Clair, Robb and Silver Lake, upon a force of 4,'°) rebels, under Generals Wheeler, Forrest and \.. .rton, who were surreunding the forees of Col. Hv: .ing, and pressing them hard at a point a few Miivs below the town of Dover, Ky. The fleet of Licutenant Fitch most opportunely arsived at night, and shelled the rebels ao effectively that they were compelled to abandon their position, after sustaining a heavy loss. By the arrival of the Talisman, from Jamaica, we @re putin possession of news touching the move- ments of the rebel vessel Alabama up to the 5th pst. The journals of Kingston contain very interesting descriptions of her run from Galveston and the destruction of the Hatteras. Captain Semmes, of the Alaba- fa, was received by the merchants and #itizens of Kingston in the Commercial Exchange {on the 25th ult., after his arrival there, and was mot with distinguished honor by our ‘neutral’ British friends, who welcomed him and his pirate veusel with twice three vociferous cheers. As a ect-of to the ovation tendeped to the commander of the Alabama, it appears that a por- tion of her ctew wont intoa dining saloon in Kingston, and got up such # row there that they ‘were hauled up before the magistrates. The crew of the Hatteras are to be sent home on board the American ship Borodino, chartered by the Ameri- can Vice Consul for that purpose. The French frigate Vauban, from Mexico, has been repaired at the British naval yard at Ber- muda. She was on her voyage to Toulon with invalids from the expeditionary force, and during tho time the work was going on the sick men were treated in the English hospitals on shore. When the Vauban sailed she left nine patients behind under the care of Dra. Smart and Domville, of the British army. The London Army and Navy Gazette says that Rear Admiral John Elphinstone Erskine, R. N., is likely to succeed Sir Alexander Milne in the command of the British North American and West India fleet. CONGRESS. In the Senate yesterday the bill providing a tem- porary government for the Territory of Montana was reported back. A bill to increase the effi- ciency of the army hospital department was re ferred to the Military Committee. A bill supple- mentary to the act for the admission of West Virginia into the Union waa referred to the Judi ‘ary Committee. The bill to enlarge the canals sod improve the Fox and Wisconsin rivers was re ported back by the Military Committee. The hill ) prevent aril panish frauds against the govern- snent was passed. The bill fixing the gange of the J'acific Railroad end its branches at four feet cight and @ half inches was discussed and laid aside till ‘Tuesday. The bill authorizing the issue of letters of marque and reprisal was taken up and debated for a short time, Mr. Grimes offered a substitute authorizing the President, in all domestic and foreign wars, to issue letters of marque as he deoms fit, and make all needfal rales and regula. tions. The Senate then went into executive sos. | sion, and afterwards adjourned. In the House of Representatives, reports from the Committee on Elections, adverse to the admit- ting of Mosers. J. B. McLoud and John B. Rogers to seats as representatives respectively from Vir gua aud Tennessee. were adopted. The sawe —WaNDEning Sremmz— | NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1863. committee also reported adversely to the claim of Jennings Piggott, as representative from the Second district of North Carolina, A bill to establish a navy yard at St. Louis was referred to the Committee of the Whole. The fowa contested election case was taken up, and the House con- firmed Mr. Vandever’s right to represent the Sec- ond district of that State. The Indian Appro- priation bill was taken up and amended, and the House adjourned. THE LEGISLATURE. The State Senate yesterday passed-the bill legal- izing past and future proceedings of boards of county supervisors for raising bounties for volun- teers, Favorable reports were made on several bills, among which were those limiting the number of notaries public in all the counties, and relative to acknowledgments of written instruments by persons resident in foreign countries. The Senate adjourned till seven o'clock on Monday evening. In the Assembly several bills were introduced, the New York oity Cross Town Railroad bill and @ bill to protect the interests of this city in the mat- ter of laying out new railroads, being among the number. A bill to improve the navigation of the East river and one to revise the general banking and lien laws were noticed.. A favorable report was made on the bill to divide the Eleventh ward of Brooklyn. The Emigrant Commissioners’ an- nualreport was received, The Assembly adjourn- ed tit! four P. M. on Monday. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. Captain Allen, of the brig Hannah, at Aspin- wall, reports, January 29, when twenty miles south of St. Domingo, saw the smoke and spars of & steamer, and half an hour afterwards saw a vessel burning about a mile from the steamer. Saw the burning vessel all night, but, there being no wind, could not get to her. ‘An explosion ocourred on board the iron-clad battery Keokuk, lying at the foot of Eleventh street, East river, yesterday morning, about half- past one o'clock, which caused the death of Henry C. Bells, engineer, and Daniel Jordaa, George Smith and Edward Irwin, fremen. Abraham Banton, 8 machinist, was scalded so severely that his life is dispaéred of. The accident was owing to the bursting of the steam pipe. Coroner Renney held an inquest yesterday afternoon, and the jury rendered s verdict im scoomimmee with the fact stated above. The demage to the Keokuk will de- lay her completion but a day or two. The United States sloop-of-war Jamestown was lying at Montevideo Desember 26. ‘The Jury im the case of Dennis Sullivan, tried for the homicide of Mr. Thomas e8, late Superintendent of Lands and Places, having been in deliberation ali Friday night, oame into court yesterday morning, and rendered a verdict of not guilty. A mandamus has been sued out by Jos. B. Tay- ler against the Oemptreiter, to compel him to con- vey to him (Tayler) the corporate bonds of the Fort Gansevoort property. The case will be heard Qefore Juage Barnard on the 17th mst. It is said that the steamboat mon aad officers of the gupboats have no confidence in the Vicksburg cut-off. They say the current at that point does not set im the righé direotion te produce the desir- ed new ehaanel. ‘The stock market yester@ay wes doll, but govern: Pa ees end closiag about 166%. Mmohenge closed at 170% a 1 ee ee The Foreign Relations of Jeff. Davis— The Rebels Disgusted. The sharply defined issue of diplomatic ve- racity which @as been raised between the Sec- retary of State and the French Minister at Wasbingtoa has very naturally drawn the pub- lic attention to the consideration of owr foreign affairs. We therefore avail ourselves of the occasion t6 spread before oer readers this morning a budget ef very interesting extracts from leading rebel journals, touching the foreign relations of Jeff. Davis, the question of an armistice, and the peace movement at- tempted by Vallandigham and others of that disturbing faction of the Northern demooracy. Taking all these extracts together, it will be seen that the rebels are indignant and disgusted with the position which they maintain among the nations of the earth, which they complain, after two years of successful warfare for their rights, is nothing better than the position of rebels and traitors. Taking them in the order presented, the Charleston Mercury pronounces against European intervention or arbitration, but advocates an armistice through the friendly offices of France. Intervention, it fears, would cut off from the Southern confederacy the border” slave States reclaimed from the rebellion or adhering to the Union, while an armistice would resalt in the complete breaking down of the United States government, with the collapse of its in- flated paper money and credit system. But this Charleston philosopher fails to ask the question, what would become of the five hun- dred millions of Confederate scrip afloat, if brought, under an armistice, into competition in the South with United States Treasury notes? It strikes us, in this view of the subject, that an armistice of even sixty days would prostrate the whole financial fabric of Jeff. Davis in the dust. But the Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle and Sen- tinel puts in the same objections to an armistice that are advanced by his Charleston confede- rate against foreign intervention—the danger of losing thereby the border slave States, which now, absolutely or partially, are held by the armed forces ef the Union. This objection shows that the rebels still entertain the prepos- terous notion that Maryland, Virginia, Ken- tucky and Missouri belong to them, and that Southern independence without these States is not to be thought of. While this hallucination exists in Georgia, Mr. John Van Buren is right in his opinion that it is folly for Northern demo- crats to be talking of compromises, armistices or peace conventions in New York. But the rebel leaders are still laboring under another delusion. They have made the disco- very that England's pretences of sympathy for their cause are nothing but bypocrisy and treach- ery; that ber game is to knock the heads of the North and the South together until both sec- tions are destroyed and at her mercy, and that she still desires the abolition of African slavery | everywhere. But the Richmond Enquirer is so deeply impressed, meantime, with the conceit | that Louis Napoleon loves the South and hates | “the Yankees,’ because “he knows the crea- tures,’ that it pronounces the Emperor's Mexi- can letter to General Forey as nothing more than a transparent forgery of “some assiduous correspondent in a New York newspaper office.” This delusion will soon be removed; and, with the discovery that Louis Napoleon | js looking after his own interests in | Mexico, and not the interests of Jeff, | Davis, we suspect that the rebel chiefs and their organs at Richmond will change their views as to the friendly inclinations of France. | We regard this Mexican enterprise of Napo- léon as a flank movement against a Southern confederacy of the most, damaging character; | for Mexico, by the chief conspirators in this re bellion, has always been regarded as a certain , Wad indispeasabie item of Mlibusteriag annexa- tion. Nay, it cannot be forgotten that the fili- buster Walker, in his revolutionary movements in Nicaragua, proclaimed his enterprise to be only the entering wedge to “a great indepen- dent Southern confederacy, based upon military principles.” We know, too, that it was this Southern revolutionary idea that sent the filibuster Lopez on his fatal errand of “libe- ration” to the island of Cuba. It is impossi- ble, therefore, that, when the truth is revealed to them, the chiefs of this rebellion can regard with anything but indignation this movement of Louis Napoleon to limit their Southern boun- dary to the Rio Grande. They have already had their suspicions aroused against him in re: gard to Texas, and we have no doubt that they will speak out still more plainly in reference to Mexico before many days are over. Passing to another subject of these rebel newspaper extracts, it is remarkable that the Southern hidalgoes are just beginning to dis- cover that it is somewhat humiliating to entertain foreign consuls among them accredited to the go- verament of the United States, however useful as spies and emissaries of Davis these consuls msy be. We think it equally humiliating that these obnoxious consuls continue to be tolerated by President Lincoln, after the manner in which, as neutrals, they have betrayed his generous cond- dence, Whatever may have been the wisdom or necessity heretofore of tolerating these con- suls in the interest of Davis, as Consuls prociaim- ing in their appointment the supremaey of the United States, we think that this necessity has ceased to exist. To sum up in the lump the views of these lead- ing rebel joumals on their foreign relations, it is evident that Davis and his fellows are sin- cerely disgusted with the chilling indifference with which they are treated by both England and France, and that from Virginia to Georgia the leaders of the rebellion are groping in the dark, and are relying more upon their delusive dreams of Northern exhaustion, divisions and bankruptcy than upon Southern arms or foreign assistance. Frem thelr own gloomy confes- sions and complaints, it is easy to see that one or two decisive defeats in their few remaining strongholds will scatter their cloudy confede- racy to the winds. Brgwzesus’s CaRNivaL aT Wassineten.—We published some time ago, from one of the Rich- mond journals, a graphic description of the horrible demoralization of the social condition of the rebel capital resulting from this war; but from all acoounts the present social condi- tion of the capital of the Union is just as bad. Among its local items for one day the Washing- ton Republican of Friday last gives us the fol- lowing suggestive cases:—The capture of a thief in the act of running off with alot of artieles stolen from the hall of No. 159 Penn- sylvania avenue; the arrest of Josephine Mise, & prostitute, for stealing a watch from Edward Andemon,a soldier; a highway assault upon aad vobtrery of Lieutenant Robert McLaughlin, of the Twenbty-fifth New York Volunteere— robbed of $100 in Treasury notes and a watch: he earries the marks upen his head of the brass kamokles of the ruffians; pickpockets in the street cars: Lieutenant Oscar Livingston, ‘Phirty-fifth Massachusetts Volunteers, robbed in a car of $280 of his pay, which he had just received at the Breasury Department; melee be- tween the provost guard and five refractory soldiers—three escaped, but two were stuck with the bayonet, one through the lungs: both conveyed to the hospital. These are the published accounts of one day's cases of violence and crime in Washington; but we have reason to believe that hardly one-tenth of the vicious, lawless and demoralizing scenes among the depraved vagabonds of both sexes who now swarm in our national capital ever reach the newspapers. To give additional zest to these pleasant ingredients of Beelzebub’s carnival in Washington, it includes an immense camp of idle contrabanda, from which the con- tagion of the African smallpox is diffused to all parts of the city, together with other diseases incident to great armies and filthy encamp- ments. “Where the carcass is there will the vultures be gathered together.” Washington hag been g delightful place of resort during the sittings of Congress; but the iron foot of war has trampled its glories in the dust, and changed it to # great lazaretto, full of physical, moral and political incurables. We call upon the administration to push on the war, in order that, with the return of peace, law and order may be restored, and that the national capital may be purged of its present abominations. Our Omatus Nowance—We publish in an- other column several letters received from correspondents, who complain of the utter disregard shown by the superintendents of our omnibus lines for the safety or comfort of the public. These abuses call for redress, and, should the just appeals of the public fail to ob- tain from the superintendents the reforms needed, an effort must be made to induce the authorities to take the matter into consideration, and enact such laws as will guarantee os from the recurrence of accidents, all of which might be avoided by the simple change of system so unanimously demanded by the public. One of our correspondents complains very justly of the overcrowding of the city cars. This isa clear violation of the rights of the people, and must be remedied. The fact is, the omnibuses and city cars must introduce reforms in their pre- sent management, or the flaw must do it for them. Supported as we are in this matter by the approbation of the public, and certain that we must ultimately succeed in obtaining the reasonable reforms we demand in the name of public welfare andwafety, we shall not allow the subject to drop until all we ask is granted. Generat Rosecrans Riout.—That admirable soldier, General Rosecrans, who exhibits the sagacity of a skilful army leader in all his movements, has decided against the introduc- tion of negroes as soldiers into his army. He finds plenty of work for them in driving wa- gons, taking care of the horses, digging, cutting wood, loading and unloading boats, &c., as he thus gains for active duty in the field a large number of white soldiers who would otherwise be required to do the laborious services of the camp. Gen. Roseorans is right in thus limiting his negro allies to the duties which they are quali- fied to discharge. He knows how to maintain the discipline and moral integrity of an army. Ban Reroxt Coxcrnstne THe Priapenrna Crry Councts.—A morning journal of Philadel- phia saya:—“We are very much disgusted with our City Councils. Hitherto they have main- tained » decent degree of respect; but we are beginning to think that they are as degraded as the Aldermen of New York—beyond which comparison can no further go.” We pity the | Quakers. Astounding Revelations About Frauds in the Hiring of Transports. When the startling news reached the com- munity of the rottenness and unseaworthy character of the transport vessels of the Banks expedition, some of which had foundered, while others had been resoued with difficulty and towed ashore in a sinking condition, public in- dignation was excited throughout the whole country against the parties supposed to be re- sponsible for this gross neglect or wilful fraud, involving the lives of the brave troops who had volunteered to fight the battles of the Union in the distant South. A strong expression of ublic opinion constrained the United States enate to order an investigation. A select committee was appointed, of which Mr. Grimes was chairman. The transactions brought to the light of day by the report of this committee are well caloulated to astound the whole com- munity; and the more so because the nogotia- tions were, by the order of the Secretary of War, taken out of the hands of the Quarter- master General, to whose department they spe- cially belong, and placed under the control of Mr. Tucker, Assistant Secretary of War. Baltimore, Phiiadelphia and New York were each the scone of these transactions; but the largest amount of the business was done atthe finwt named elty. The dramatis persona in Bal- timore were Amasa C, Hall, who acted openly with the knowledge ef the government officials aad the shipping isterest of that port in the double capacity ef broker for the shipowners and agent for the government in the hiring of transports; Charles Coblens, a Prussian Jew, a pedlar and a horse jeckey, whe could neither read nor write Hnglish, amd who suddealy be- came an extensive shipowner, chartering vessels to the War Department; John F. Piokrell, part- ner of Coblens in this particular business, and acquainted for nine years with Assistant Soore- tary Tucker, who “has had heretofore business transactions wiéa him,” and is the only persen connected with the government who knew him before the breaking out of the rebellion; Col. James Belger, Quartermaster at Baltimore, and the Hon. John Tusker, Assistant Secretary of War. The actor who played the most conspicu- ous pact was Hall. Hardiy any vessels had been chartered at Baltimore for the last eighteen months that had not been secured through his agency, and of the earaimgs of these vessels from five to twelve per cent had fouad its way into his pocket. During that time it was well understood among shipown- ers, agents and brokers that no vessel could secure a charter of Colonel Belger unless she wore offered by Mr. Hall. Accerd- ing to the testimony of Belger himself, of the steamors, brigs, tugs, scheoners, ships and barges ohartered since July 1, 1861, nambering two hundred ia all, one hundred and sixty were chartered directly from Hall,and twenty-two of the remaising forty were owned by parties for whem he acted and’ from whom he received percentage; and it ia the conviction of the committee that he received a broker's commis- sion from the owners from the remaining eighteen. Belger admits that Hal! told him he was receiving five per cent commission on the charters effected through him. He knew it upwards of a year age, according to the testi- mony of Mr. Applegate, who offered to charter his vessel direetky to Belger in order to save the government the five per cent commission demanded by Hall; but Belger refused and re- ferred him to Hall. In fact Hall had an un- limited license to charter what vessels ho pleased and to pay what prices he thought proper. Belger says he had nothing to do with the prices, but merely signed the charters “to give thein official character.” Asa sample of Hall’s operations we may refer to the case ef the steamer Cecil, owned by Captain Rice, who offered her to the government for fifty dollars per day. Hall gave him eighty dollars, but subsequently demanded two hundred and sixty- two dollars commission. Rice at first resisted the demand as an imposition, but ultimately paid him one hundred and fifty dollars. At the expiration of a month or six weekg Hall demanded more “eommission” from Rice. The latter refused, whereupon Hall told him be was a secessionist, and he would soon show hfm What he would do. Rice was not intimidated by his threats, but soon found that his boat, by order of Hall, ceased to be employed, and he sold her for $5,000 to Pick- rell & Coblens, who had been sent to him by Hall to purchase her because they were ready to pay the black mail. She was again immedi- ately employed, and she was still under charter at the close of last month, having earned in eleven months $27,000. Coblens, the Jew, pur- chased eleven vessels at a cost of $65,000. They were chartered, through Hall, at cost of about a thousand dollars per day. An old ves- sel named the Patapsco, which had been cast off by the government as unfit for service, was purchased by Hall for $1,200, and transferred to Coblens, who hired her, through this same Hall, to our War Department for $85 per day. Coblens admitted to the committee that he had refunded $1,600 to the government which he had fraudulently obtained upon sales of horses by bribing the inspector; that he bribed three of the clerks in Colonel Belger’s office, and had some connection witha sale of damaged corn to the government. He was now a very wealthy person, rejoicing in the possession, in whole or in part, of ten steamers, three barges and eighty acres of valuable land in the vicinity of Baltimore, though but a few months ago he was a man. The same is true of Hall. «He was,” say, the committee, “a poor man elgh- teen months ago, with a character not wholly above reproach; he is now rich, and fast grow- ing richer, bygthe receipt of a large daily reve- nue from commissions upon the earnings of ves- seld etill in the government employment. The bestowal of this large patrenage al:most exclu- sively upon him cannot be reconciled with any theory of strict integrity on the pari of govern- ment officers.” So exclusive was the monopoly of this business enjoyed by Hall that it at length attracted the notice ef the Quarter- master General at Washington, who called to it the attention of Belger and Tucker; but neither | of these officers appears to have made any serious | effort to correct the abuse. Hall, indeed, sure of the ground on which he stood, is sufficiently bold to tell the Quartermaster General in effect that it is none of his business. He saysin a letter to Belger:—“The Hon. John Tucker, Assistant Secretary of War, is aware of and fully under- stands the nature of my business transactions with the government as an agent for the owners | and masters of veasels, and I would Tespectfully refer to him far any information that General Meigs, Quartermaster Genera), may require.” This intimation puta stop to farther grumbling, and Hall went om way rejoicing and pros- Hall swears that some one recommended him to Belger for this business, but that he is igno- raut of his name. The committee say that “the inference fairly deducible from the first fifteen pages of the testimony of Colonel Belger would be that this valuable friend of Mr. Hall was the late Assistant Secretary of War, Mr. Jobn Tucker; for Belger testifies, “When I went to Baltimore, I went there a stranger, and Tucker expressed such confidence in Hall I thought he was the very man for me to employ.” It is thus evident that Belger and Tucker were aware of the operations of Hall, and it is to be presumed that Meigs and Stanton were not altogether ignorant of what was going on. If they were not they are manifestly unfit for their positions, and if they were ignorant they are also unfit. In the words of the committee, “They were bound to know the character and conduct of the men they entrusted with public | business of such magnitude.” Radicals of Both P Revolation. A great deal of excitement has heen caused in certain circles by the publication of & spicy report of a imecting of radical Gemo- orate held at Delmonico’s on the 6th inst: The Hon. James Brooks, of the Hxpréss; Mr. Wil- Iam C. Prime, of the ‘Journal of Commerce; Mr. Manton Marble, of the’ World, and the satani- ally pious editor of the New York Observer, appear to have arranged the meeting, and se’ ral bankers, brokers and politicians of more or less note supplied the viands and the wines. The object of the gathering is very evident. Next to seeuring fa good dinner, for the first time, perhaps, in many long, weary, hungry days, the four poor editors above named desired to increase the circulation of their papers, which never yielded them much of an income, but which now, under the pres- sure of taxes and the rise in paper, are pro- bably a source rather of expense than of profit. . The bankers, brokers and politicians wished to influence the New Hampshire election, with an eye to good offices in the future. The result of the deliberations was the passage of a resolution to promote the diffusion of useful knowledge by assisting the Express, Journal of Commerce, World and Observer to keep alive, and the sub- scription of ten thousand dollars for political Plotting a purposes. Now, in the first place, we very greatly doubt whether any assistance to the four papers ropre- sented at that meeting does tend to promote the diffusion of useful knowledge. On the con- trary, we are afraid that the knowledge those papers disseminate is not only always useless. but also often hurtful. There is the Observer, for example, which tries to serve both God and Mammon, and is now balancing itself on the fence, uncertein whether to give Jehovah or Satan its entire support. The xpress, Journal of Commerce and World form 4 sort of mutual admiration and revolutionary society. The Jour- nal of Commerce was at one time denied the use of the mails, on the ground that it was a treason- able publication. The World has only escaped asimilar fate because it lacked brains and is too silly to be dangerous. The Mepress copies the revolutionary and anarchical articles of its two confreres, hashes them up in an absurd and ridiculous style, throws in a few dashes, excla- mation points and expletives, and endeavors to give great importance to what is essentially nonsensical and sometimes absolutely injurious. The editors of these papors profoss to be con- servative and to oppose the abolition radi- cals. They are, in fact, the worst kind of radicals, and do quite ag much harm as the abolitionists they oppose. They say that the abolitionists are ruining the nation; and thus far they are right. But how do they propose to save the nation? Why, by a revolution against the government. We neither understand nor approve this scheme. To destroy the nation in orier to save it is madness. We know that the abolitionists must be put down, and we intend to put them down; but it must be at the ballot box. Swords, pis- | tols, guns, cannon, blood and barricades are not the remedies of a free people. These | editors who incite revolutions would be the last to lead and the first to suffer from armed mobs. But what are bankers, brokers and old poli- ticians doing in such company? Why are they encouraging the bloodthirsty Brooks, the mas- sacreing Marble, the pugnacious Prime and the combative Christian of the Qbserver? The New Hampshire clection is no business of theirs. Let the people of, New Hampshire at- tend to their own concerns in their own way. If New Hampshire men are so doluded as atill to prefer abolitionism to the Union, let them- vote accordingly. We believe, however, that they are quite as wise as the Hon. James Brooks, who seems to have the Yankee itch to play the pedagogue, and, forgetting that educa- tion, like charity, should begin at home, is never satisfied unless he is instructing the Legislature of New Jersey or the people of some other State. Even if New Hampshire is not yet converted she will be, long before the next Presidential election; and that ought to be sufficient for reasonsble men. The trouble is that Brooks, Prime, Marble end their associates are not reasonable men. They cannot be content to wait when patience will render victory inevitable. They fumo, fret, bluster and threaten in a style which encou- Tages the rebels, and gives the Tribune, Times and Post their most efficient weapons against the conservative party. They know, as every one else knows, that their course is calculated to injure not only the administration—for which they express the utmost contempt—but also the country and its best interests, at home and abroad. We again ask, what do bankers, brokers and politicians—what do Tilden, Cur- tis, Duncan and Belmont—anean by giving aid and comfort to such revolutionary agitators? The politicians will gain nothing by sacrificing country to party, as these editors advise. That game bas been completely played out by the | republicans, The people will crush the repub- lican party from‘existence at the next Presi- dential election, and unless these opposition politicians are extremely careful they will share the same fate. brokers, we should imagine that their interests would be by no means advanced by a Northe civil war. Mob law, street fighting, furious | riots and general carnage are not usuatly bene ficial to men of property, nor ordinarily re. | garded as conservative proceedings, We ad. vise these gentlomen, therefore, to be more | choice of their company and chary of their influence in future.- Trae conservatism teaches us that during this crisis we | should uphold the government by every means in our power, enduring evils which As for the bankers and | | Stoecki, yesterday Pa aa auob Candidate as Genbral McClollan, we shall Sweep the abolition fuction from high places and restore the Union to its original integrity and glory. As Brooks, Prime, Marble and Company refuse to adopt this constitutional programme, and madly insist upon ineugurat- ing ao armed revolution, we denounce them as false conservatives and worse patriots. Removal or THe Stare Caprrar.—The bill in- troduced in the Assembly to remove the sittings of the State Legislature from Albany to New York is likely to meet with more general sup- port this session than it has received at any for- mer period. The disintegration of parties, the desire to rid legislation of the corrupt local influences that have hitherto controlled it, and considerations of personal convenience to mem- bers, all concur, to incline the balance of opin- ion in favor of the proposition. There is no doubt that the presence of the Legislature in New York - would improve both its manners and its morals. All the old arguments in favor of locating the seat of legislation in a central position and away ‘ftom “metropolitan control have lost their force from the increased facilities of travel afforded by railroads and the evidence daily presented of the’ corrupting: and all-pervading’ influence of such’ local potitical organizations: as the Re- gency. By its removal to New York the Legis- Aature will certainty lose nothing in. public estimation or in individual convenience, hou- estly speaking. Those opposing the measure will only do so from the apprehension that it will limit their opportunities of dipping their fingers into the public purse, or compel them to observe something like general propriety of conduct. NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. Wasuinaton, Feb. 14, 1868, FLARE-UP BETWEEN OONGRESSMEN MOORUMAD AND RIDDLE—THE ANTAGONISMS OF THE RAST AMD WEST, ETO. The proceedings of the House to-day had no special interest, with the exception of a persoval controversy botween Messra. Moorhead, of Pennsylvania, and Riddle, of Obie, who gave each other the lie as plainly as they ‘were permitted to do under tho rules of the House. Some expressions hinting at coffee and pistols were used, bat no apprehensions of bloodshed are entortained. Com- gresaioned quarrels in these days end in Pickwickian ex- planations, the belligoronte speaking: daggors, but using none. ‘This quarrol grow out of antagonisms of interest toucb- ing the proposed canal enlargement. It is a type of the disorders and commotions that are springing up in the West which throaten to defy the counsels of experience. The republicans here see this, and are wisely shaping their course so as to repress popular tamult. Thus they Lave tomporariiy abandoued Mr. Stevens’ bill for enlist ing an army of negroes, which croated such intense feel- ing in the House, and that is fermenting the country. ‘hey are also socking to adopt some measures of conoilia- tion of the Northwest in the matter of improving the channels of water transport to the sea. In viow of this bacttimg down of tho abolitionists in moagures that have roused the indignation of the ooum- try, it ia considored by the most experienced democrats and conservatives here that no efforts should be prematurely inade in dhe shape of conventions or otherwise until ome | s0bel State at loast sball show a disposition tu co-operate in rostoring the Union. Thoy assert that getting upde mocratic demonstrations, at which the rebels sooffand deride, plays completely into the bands of the republi- cans, and destroys the power of the oppomition to do goad hereafter. This feeling here is responded to by the most responsible custodians of pubite truste im the North and \he Northwest, aad there is mot much prospect that movements in defiance of it will bave any other thaaa short lived existence. The views exprossod by the Hmatp, as to the repres- sion of popular outbreaks under Me lead of neophites i politics, are endorsed fully by the most experienced and carnest mon here. THE TRIBUNE CHAPS AND MR. SEWARD. ‘Tho two douguty Washington comraspondents of the Tribune, now about the only aasafiants of the Secretasy of State, are both disappointed office seckere at the Secre- \arg’a hands. One wanted to be Assayer of the Mins, aod thought Mr. Seward should seoure him the piace, When, however, the Seorotary of State informed bim thas it was uot his practice to intorfore with offices in other departments this disintorested and faithful friend turned againg} the Seoretary. The other only askea for # copsulskip, which he didn’t got, and benes the animus of his frequent squibs. THR EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION IM WEST VIB- @inga, Senator Carlile to-day introduced a bill providing thet the Prosidont’s proclamation, after the popular ratifies tion of the act making West Virginia a State, shall not be issued until cortain counties now under rebel control have boon allowed a free and fair opportunity for voting upom such ratification—viz: Booue, Logan, Wyoming, Mercer, MeDowell, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Greenbrier, Monroe, Pea- dioton, Fayette, Nicholas and Clay. MR. SEWARD'S RECENT LETTER AND MR. STEVES’ SPEECH. The publication of Secretary Seward’s letter to the Fronch Minister is a sufiicient refutation of the oharges joginuated against him by Mr. Thaddeus Stevens in the tho House. If Mr. Stevens could have khown the oon- tents of the correspondence which was iaid bofore ihe Senate at tho moment whon he was making bis sarcastic specok he would bave syed bimself (rom committing @ groat blundor in the matter. THE ARMY NOMINATIONS. ‘The Prosident will painfully approciate the compliment paid him by the Senate in referring back to bum all hie nominations of major genorals aud brigadiers. Having nominated many more generals than the law allows, be will be puzzied to make the selections for confirmation, ‘and the matter boing thus placod in his hands, he will be overwhelmed by the advocates of the respective candi- datos. It is suggested that he can best dispose of the matter by holding the vominations over until the next seasion, with a view to give confirmations only to such as shall have earned them by services in the fold. THE PRIZR CASES IN THE SUPREME COURT. Tha Supreme Court will probably be occupied several days longor npon the prize cases. They have decided to hear no arguments after the 4th of March, although the Court will not formally adjourn on that day REDUCTION OF THE DUTY ON PAPER. Mr. Dutrees, the Public Printer, is actively at work te procure @ reduction of the duty on paper. The govern- ment printing office consumes vastly more paper thas any single firm in the country, and the governmeut may save by # reduction of the price of paper @ larger sum than is collected in duties on foreign paper. THR M'DOWRLL COURT OF INQUIRY. ‘The Court of Inquiry in the case of General MeDowell will render {ts decision to-day, and send it to the higher powers for consideration, The latitude of inquiry whieb has been taken by this court forbids amy opinion as to the results obtained RSCEPTION AT THR WHITE HOUSE. Tho reception at the White House to-day was unusually largely attended. For two hours the throng of ymitors pressed (ua steady current through the parlors where the President and Mre. Lincoln were receiving. The cor- dial manner of Mr. Lincoln, and the charming allability’ of the lady of the White House made an agreeable im- pressiou upon all who were presented. TONNKU OF THE RUSSIAN MINISTER. Oue of the most brilliadt dinner parties of the seasom off wt the residence of the Kussian Minister, Baron. It was attended by & number of the diplomatic corps and sovera! Cabinet ministers. The only military officers present were Genorals McDowell und ea) | Van Alen MOVEMENTS OF GEN. FREMONT. Gen. Fremont visited the Senate to-day, aod was rand- wiched between Senators Wade and Chandler on a pote for a long time. He was aiso greeted warmly by all the radical Senators. ROM Sims VERY AND OO ae 0° a vised Bilis have beon prepared, and only await an opportuni. ty to be reported from the Select Committee on Emanct. pation, appropriating ten millions of dollars for the abol- we cannot at present peaceably remove, and | iatenent of slavery in Maryland, and one million and « reserving our strength until the next Presi- | pair for West Virgmis, and four hundred and afty thow. ential election, whea, Dy the selection of gome ’ sand (or Delaware. (er sumilac purevsen in (hese Staten,