The New York Herald Newspaper, February 19, 1863, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, SPLTOR AND PROPRIETOR. OFPIUZ N. W, CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. TEAMS cash in advance. Money sent by mail will be at Luo risk of tho sendor. New York taken. THE DAILY HERAL THK WEEKLY HER) , TuRKE ceats per copy. very Saturday, at Five ceats per copy. One Copy. . Three Gepies... Free Copies. oo @ Tou Copies 18, Auy Larger auraber, addro-sed to names of subscribers, $5 50 cach An oxtra copy wil! be sent to every club of Twenty copies, to one address, oue year, $35, aud avy larger number at same price. An extra copy will be sent Lo clubs of twonty. These rates make the Warenr Het: sun the cheapest publication in the country. Tho Eveoraan Kormon, every Wednesday, at Five cents per copy, $F per anuum to any part of Grout Britain, or 96 te any part of the Continent, both to include postage. ten Veoinme XXVIEL..... AMUSBMENTS THIS EVENING. ACADEMY OF MUSTO, Irving Place.Italian Opera— Cispenetta, On Rus Grass Siarrer. NL6L0'8 GARDRN, Breadway.—Luan, Tax Fousaxes, WALLACK'S THEATRE, Broadway.--Secreis Worra sowing. WINTER GARDEN, Broadway.—Ormx.1o. LAURA KBENE'S THEATRE. Broad rl s Wits tae Goubus LocasLoruar restr ON NEW BOWERYWHEA’ —inace Evep Scaan—Ki BOWERY THEAT! Morien Goos:—Carri Bowery.—Evceworts Bris ADENER. WANDERING STRENIE— O0EN. wee OPERA HOUSE, 435 Broadway.—Fea D1- BARNUM'S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broad Wansry. Com. Nort, Liviwa Hsrrororam 1ourt,—COLLRKN BawN—A{lernoon and Event: BRYANTS' MINSTRELS, Mechunicv’ Hall, 472 Broad- way —Erutorias Songs, Buresquas, Dances, &¢.—Biack 1) A, _ WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, 514 Broadway.—Ermoriax Sonus, Dances, &6.—RuNNING THE BLocK apg. BROADWAY MENAGERIE, Broadway.—Livixa Witp Asinits—PeRrorming EL¥yrHasts—Comic MULES, £0. AMERICAN THEATRE, No, 444 Broadway. Panvoutnus, BURLESQUES, Ac. PARISIAN CABINET OF WONDERS, 563 Broadway. Open dally trom 10 AM. WIDE, Mee OS Broadway. HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, Brooklyo.— #ovas, Daxces, Bomcesques, &e app At hace —Bat ers, New York, Thursday, February 19, 1863 ESS THE SITUATION. Our intelligence to-day from the Army of the Potomac does not indicate any movements of im- oortance, It appears from reliable statements that the enemy is working most industriously at ‘heir breastworks, which they are throwing up on | she river flata opposite Falmouth and in front of \ Fredericksburg, 80 as to resist the crossing of our ‘voops, should such an attempt be made. The forces of General Jackson are said to be located two miles south of Fredericksburg, behind the first range of hills. From the Southwest we have information that our iron-clads are making daring runs past the rebel fortifications at Vicksburg. It ig but a few days since the Queen of the West ran safely through, and back again; and now we learn that ‘he gunboat Indianola, built on the Monitor plan, can the gauntlet at Vicksburg on Friday night ‘ast, im spite of all the efforts of the rebel batteries tosink her. Rebel despatches from Vicksburg to Richmond confirm this fact. Our intelligence from the South to-day is in- | ‘eresting and varied, though not very important. {n the Confederate Congress Mr. Foote, of Ten- aeasee, offered @ resolution to the effect that Presi- leat Davis shall, on or before May 1 next, with- iraw the present diplomatic agents from every oreign capital the government of which shall not have at that time agreed to recognize the inde- pendence of the confederacy; and that after that date ¢xercise consular power, except u ex “ea | P cept upon an exequa | rom the Catholic Bishop of Melbourne, Australia, , ‘ur asked for at the hands of the government of she Confederate States, and granted by the same. The resolutions further declare that the conduct of the Emperor of France in proposing, as he has ‘esently done, to the several European Powers hat they should unite with Lim in an act of peace- ‘ul intervention in the contest sow in progress aetween the governments of the United States and chat of the Confederate States of America, has deen highly gratifying both to the government and rveople of the Confederate States, ‘The tone of the Richmond journals generally in- licates a want of hope and spirit. All prospects of foreign mediation seem to be given up, and the oreveat is considered “the most critical period of he whole war.’ Generals J. E. B. Stuart and A. ®, Hill were in Richmond on the instant and vddfessed the Legislature. According to the tichmoad papers, information has been received here "to the effect that the entire Army of the Potortine is evacuating its position, and being di- rided between Washington and Fortress Monroe. A crowd of alleged secessionists in Frankfort, &y., met yesterday in the theatre of that city for she ostensible purpose of nominating candidates ‘or the August elections; but Colonel Gilbert with vregimeat of Union troops with bayonets fixed made his appearance, took the chair himself, and lispersed the meeting by declaring that they shoald then and there prove by oath their loyalty jo the government, ag he believed they were noth- ‘ng but democrats and secessionists. With the fear of fimed bayonets before their eyes, and re- membering, no doubt, the story of Cromwell and Noue but bank bills current ia | no foreign consul shall be longer allowed to | ae ——————————_—_— | tery Monitor for loss of clothing was adopted. | The bill making appropriations for fortifications was passed; also the bill to regulate the appoint- : ment of midshipmen. Bills to equalize the grade of line officers of the navy, and concerning the f uaval medical officers, were introduced au. veferred, A joint resolution directing the | payment of sick and wounded soldiers in hoa- | pitals and convalescent camps within thirty days after the adoption of said resolution was agreed to. The bill providing for the settlement of claims for damages done by Union troops was oalled up and postponed until to-day, The bid fixing the gauge of the Pacific Railroad and branches at four feet eight and a half ifiches was passed, aiso the bill granting lands to Michigan and Wisconsin for ' a military road. The bill organizing the courta of | the District of Columbia was discussed, and after n executive session the Senate adjourned. In the House of Representatives the bill au- thorizing the construction of bridges over the Ohio below the Big Sandy river was passed. The House concurred inthe Senate's amendment to the | bill providing for an assistant register of the ‘Treasury; also in the amendment to authorize the appointment of a aolicitor of the War Department. | The Senate bill granting aid to Missouri for the emancipation of slaves waa referred to the select Committee on Emancipation. The House passed the Senate bill for the purpose of removing doubts astothe meaning of former Isws. It authorizes the President, when two kinds of punishment are imposed by a court, pecuniary sad imprisonment, to remit the one or the other. Whow the im- prisonment is remitted, the Ane shalt-be collected asa judgment of debt im the comuton forms of law. ‘The bill indemnifying the President and other public officers for the suapérision of the writ of habeas corpus, and for acts in purauanco thereof, was then taken up, and an interesting de- bate eusued, which continued till the adjourn- ment. THE LEGISLATURE. The State Senate yesterday pasacd tho bill to amend the act relative to the United States de- posit fund. Some local bills were also passed. Bills to amend the law of divorce and to protect creditors of secret societies were introduced; also one donating to the People's College, at Havana, N.Y., the public lands appropriated to this State by the act of Congress making grants to the vari- ous States for the establishment of colleges of agriculture and the agricultural arts. Consider- able other business of local or minor interest was transacted. In the Assembly bills were introduced to repeat | the act exempting clergymen from taxation; to | incorporate the Dry Goods Clerks’ Early Closing Association, with a capital of $100,000; for the auditing of the accounts of town officers; for the administration of law in justices’ courts; to amend the revised statutes relative to auction sales, and for various other objects of less general interest. ‘The bills confirming Governor Morgan's proeeed- ings in reference to soldiers’ bounties, and legalin- ing past and future action of boards of town su- pervisors for the same purpose, were passed. A new Broadway Railroad Dill and a bfll creating a bureau of military statistics were noticed. A bill was reported appropriating $3,600,000 to repay towns for bounties advanced by them. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The Rev. J.C. Fletcher last evening delivered a | lecture at the Cooper Institute before a very intel- ligent and appreciative audience. The subject— ; ‘‘ Two Thousand Miles up the Amazon." The lec- ture will be continued at a future day. The Fort Gansevoort case was not resumed yes- terday, in consequence of the engagement of Mr. Brady in another court. Judge Barnard, at the request of the Corporation Counsel, adjourned the matter until twelve o'clock this day. The Illinois Legislature closed its seasion on Sa- turday last. During the few weeks of ita cxist- ence it made considerable noise, but that is about | all it accomplished. The contraband goods captured at Memphis and turned over to the government amount in value to over three hundred thousand dollars. The qui- nine alone is worth ten thousand dollars. A schooner was captured near Swan Point, be- low Baltimore, en the 16th ivstant, having on board four thousand dollars worth of goods and twelve thousand dollars in money, bound to Dixie. The Nova Scotia Legislature opened at Halifax on the 12th instant. The Governor, in his speech, expresses gratitude that, while the United States are ‘impoverished by civil war, and Europe threatened with destitution, peace reigns and ca- pital increases” among the Bluenoses. | The Board of Education held one of their regu- | lar meetings last evening; but the business which | came up was not only unimportant, but exclusive- ly routine. ‘The Most Rev. Dr. McEvilly, Bishop of Galway, 200 | Ireland, has received the subscription of £2 the Most Rev. Dr. Goold, towards the relief of the | poor of way. At a meeting of the Central Relief Committee of Ireland, held in Dublin on the 29th ultimo, the Catholic Bishop of Elphin said he’had received reports from all the clergy- men of his diocese, in reply to writtgn queries forwarded to each, respecting the extentof the existing destitation in their parishes, and he stated his conclusions thus:—‘‘ As far as I can judge, I Would say that the distress of this year, as it ex- ists at the present moment, and as itis sure to exist in the course of the year, particularly within two or three months hence, is greater than in the famine years. That is the opinion in every place in which I have consulted, not only the clergy, but some of the landed proprietors and farmers, | and other people of long experience and observa- ;tions’”” In the Court of General Sessions yesterday, be- fore Recorder Hofman, William Montague, a Lon- doner, thirty-two years of age, pleaded guilty to forgery in the fourth degree. On the 20th of Oc- tober last A. Oakey Hall, the District Attorney, drew acheck onthe Broadway Bank for $183 75 in favor of William De La Montagnie. He enclosed it in a letter and forwarded it by post to his resi- dence, No. 139 Madison street. The houses had, however, been renumbe: and the address is now 149. The prisot ber 139, and in consequence of the similarity in the names the postman left the letter there. After forging the endorsement the prisoner sold the check to Joseph Connolly, of 106 Monroe street, by whom it was deposited in the bank, where the forgery was immediately discovered. The pri- soner was remanded for sentence, The cotton market ye-verday was dull, and prices were quite nominad, The demand for breadstufis was aotive: prices of flour were 10c. a 20c. and wheat and corn le. a 2c, higher, the market closing, however, leas voopantly. The transactions in provisions w lideral scale and at advancing rates. There was also a the Ramp Parliament in the good old times of froe | lively business reported in linseed oi!, bale rope, pepper, aod merry England, ly resolved to separate, and they did so. With regard to the Mexican expedition we learn that the French troops, four thousand strong, in- teaded to reinforce General Forey, were, according to the Jornal du Havre, to leave the ports of Toulon, Brest, Cherbourg and Oran on the Ist of February, The different vessels will afterwards assemble at a fixed point, and start together for | Vera Cras. CONGRESS. Tn the Senate yesterday, Mr. Foot, of Vermont was chosen President pro tempore, Vice-President | Hamlin having announced his intention to be ab. wat for the rematnder ‘of the session. A joint ets ts tho crew of the fron bat. > , the citizens of Frankfort wise- wool, bides and tallow, which were generally quoted | firmer. The inquiry was fair for bay, fish, bemp, leather, | skine and metals, Groceries were less freely dealt in, Whiekey Was in more demand. The froight ongagemonte | were heavier, ani! rates in some instances a shade higher. | The stock market wae very buoyant yesterday, and there was a considerable incroase of apeculution in the | | railway shares, all of which were 1a 2 per cent higher, | Gold advanced to 161%, closing at Oly bid, Pxebang rose to 177.8 178. Money was in good demand at 647 per cont Gorn Oxe Heyprep | Sint Ristxna.—-We must tell the administration that, unless our fleets and armies in the field go to work, United States Treasury notes will, | at this rate, soon go down to the present level | of Confederate serip at Richmond, where three dollars in serip are required to buy one dollar cold. * er resided at the new num- , ——————= | AND Sixty-Owe, ayn, | Abolition Faction, Since the time of General Jackson, that iron- willed ruler of the turbulent democracy, we ‘have had many examples of the sacrifice of | prominent statesmen and party leaders by com- binations of small politicians. We need not here recapitulate the distinguished democrats thus victimized from 1840 te 1860, or the Pre- sidential misfortunes of Clay and Webster, those two great shining lights of the old whig party. It is enough for our present purpose that Mr. Seward may be placed in the same category. With the organization of the present republican party upon its antislavery plat- form, Mr. Seward appeared, as Henry Clay stood at the head of the old ‘line whig column, a bead and shoulders above bis fel- lows. But as Mr. Clay in 1840 was required to yield the course to an “available” military chieftain, General Harrison, so Mr. Seward, in 1856, was called upon to give way to a warlike hero, “Pathfinder,” for an experimental party reconnoissance. Tho “Pathfinder” having served his purpose, it was the general belief that in 1860 Mr. Seward would be made the re- publican candidate for a bona fide, earnest and probably triumphant struggle for the. Presi- dency. But with the good prospect of auccess developed im General Fremont’s campaign, re- publican Presidential candidates and oliques so rapidly multiplied that, with the meeting of the Chicago Convention, it was apparent: that Mr. Seward would have to fight the same battle of the factions in whiok Martin Van Buren was swamped at Baltimore in 1644. The results were substantially the same in both oases, although Mr. Lincoln at Chicago was next to Mr. Seward on the first ballot, in which the vote for the fatter waa 173%, to 102 for the former. The people at large, and the successful candidate himself, were hardly more aurprised with the nomination of Mr. Polk in 1844 than with the nomination of Mr. Lincoln in 1860. But, with Mr. Seward’s defeat it was na- tural to suppose that the cliques opposing him would be content to rest upon their laurels, and that ia consideration of his great services to the party they would cheerfully unite ia some mag- nanimous act to soften bis disappointment. Recognizing the propriety of this course and the superior abilities of Mr. Seward for the po- sition, he was promptly singled out by Mr. Lin- coln after his election as bis man of all men for | the State Department. The other three candi- dates voted for at Chicago—Messra, Chase, Ca- meron and Bates—were alao appointed to the Cabinet, in order, ag far as possible, to reconcile uader the new administration all the divisions of the party. But the enemies of Mr, Seward in the camp were oot satisfied with this fair and equitable arrangement. Mr. Seward, as Promier, still stood in their way. He might emerge from the State Department, ia 1364, stronger than ever, as the most prominent man of his party. Ac- cording!y he bas been vigilantly watched by Greeley and industriously pursued by the abo- lition faction from his entree into the State De- partment to this hour. Nor is the movement against him limited to the abolition press and its outside party affiliations; but it has been and iq most active among the abolition ultras of Congress and the Cabinet. The late Senato- rial caucuses voting his dismissal, with their special committees to the White House demand- ing it, were supported, if not instigated, by some of Mr. Seward’s Cabinet colleagues. And wherefore? What uupardonable offences has he committed? What is the nature of this “ir- repressible conflict ?” rs It may be readily explained. Mr. Seward has greatly distinguished himself as Secretary of State. Ina most critical emergency, with a degree of tact, sagacity and statesmanlike abili- ty rarely surpassed, he saved the country from the perils of a war with England, and from the beginning his general management of our foreign relations has been eminently satisfac- tory. Peace democrats and peace abolitionists, with a strange accord, unite in condemning his late rejection of Louis Napoleon’s proposition of a peace conference with the rebels; but the sound public sentiment of the loyal States fully approves the well deserved rebuke admin tered to the French government for ils impu- dent intermeddling in our domestic affairs, But Mr. Seward has failed to be the pliant tool of the abolition faction, He was for a long time, a3 an aspiring politician, the head and front of the radical abolition movement. For twenty-five years this journal was thus arrayed against him. But as a responsible statesman in power he has become an invaluable conserva- tive. He has thus steadily resisted the extreme projects of Northern fanaticism in reference to the general policy of the administration; but, | though defeated again and again, he still re tains the confidence of the President, and, not | without some success, still labors at his post to | check the mad designs of the abolition Marplots who seek his expulsion. | At this critical period in our public affairs | Mr. Seward stands out in bold relief as, per- | haps, the only member of the Cabinet whose | views of the true policy of the government are | equal to the exigencies of the day. President | Lincoln will act wisely in reorganizing his | Cabinet throughout as a unit with Mr. Seward, His removal from the Cabinet at this time would be like the withdrawal of @ linchpin from a | Stroyed, the loss of tr front wheel of a wagon in the descent of a dan- NEW YORK TERALD, THURSD..7, FEBRUARY 19, Mr. Seward, the Administration and th» | Our ‘Me'attons with Prance gerous mountain, and we fear that thus the , ' and it was dificult to get an insarance effected administration, from the experiment, like the wagon, would be upset and broken to pieo | We hope -and trust that President Lincoln, | rising to the perils and the necessities of the occasion, will adhere to Mr. Seward, and seek without delay to establivk the administration upon the all powerful conservative Union sea- timent of the loyal States. Nothing else will save us. Srorring Newsrarers is THE ARMY.—The statements in the Zribune and World, that the circulation of newspapers in the Army of the ‘ Potomac and some of our other armies is to be | forcibly prevented, is obviously @ gross slander | upon the very ordinary intelligence of the War ] Department. Our war officers are mot at all overburdened with knowledge; but they cer | tainly know that our soldiers would much rather be deprived of their pay than of their newspapers, and that nothing would so de- | moralize an American army as an attempt to | dictate what newspapers the soldiers shall or shall not read. | Great Dewan vor tam Rapicat Parens— It is a most singular and curious circumstance | that all the soldiers in our armies, after reading the New York Heratn, are always extremely | eniiond to procure a copy of the Tribune, Tines or World—not to read, but to light their pipes with r the insolent foreign foe. | au iavasion of the United States? Critical Nature. To the United States Senate of late pointed allusion bas been made to the critical condition of our relations with France. But in the debate of Tuesday last on the bill authorizing the Pre- sident to issue letters of marque and reprisal we havea fuller development of opinion, ac- companied by a practical act which gives it vitality and force. France is not mentioned by name in the debate; but there can be no doubt that she is referred to by Mr. McDougall when ho said “he believed that before Congress met again we should be at war with a foreign Power, and should need all our force on sea and land.” On a recent occasion that Senator drew agraphic picture of French aggression on this continent, aud warned the country of the ulti- mate designs of Napoleon upon the United States. That speech made a deep impression, and itis evident that the bill under debate was introduced in anticipation of the eontingency of en approaching war with France—a war which would probably be hastened by the bold and determined course which the President and the Secretary of State pursued in reply to the last diplomatic proposition from the Emperor touch- ing our domestic strife. The Conscription bill, too, is said to have reference to the contingency of s foreign war, and aot to the rebellion. Cor- tain it is that the tone of the debate on the pri- vateering bill, and the passage of the measure’ after the rejection of all the cowardly amend- ments of the white-livered Senator of Massachu- setts, recognize a cloud of war in tho Fast, and canaot fail to impress the Powers of Eu- rope with the determination which burns in the hearts of the American people to resent any foreign attempt to meddle in our national affairs. Mr. Sumner, who played the part of a toady to France, deprecated the idea of putting such a menace ina bill, and urged that its opera- tion should be confined to the suppression of the rebellion, though he had previously made aspeech against the principle of privateering in general, and against the expediency of it in the case of the rebels, who had no commerce to prey upon; but when he was asked, as Chair- man of the, Committee on Voreign Relations, if we were not now threatened with foreign com- plications, he gave an evasive auswer, which showed that he was conscious of the danger. Yet he would leave the country unprepared. He says, when we are engaged in a foreign war it will be time enough to pass sucha bill. But Congress adjourns on the 4th of March, and does not meet till December; and if @ foreign var, arising out of our civil conflict, should come, it will be upon us long before that time, and the President would be without authority to act. Forewarned is forearmed; and we cannot be prepared a moment too soon, In the words of Senator Grimes, we are in favor of conferring now upon the President “all the authority necessary to let slip the dogs of war in case of complications with any foreign Power,” and we hope the bill will be adopt- ed withont debate by the House. European nations will have no right to complain of our adoption of this mode of warfare. At the time of the Congress of Paris we offered to agree to the abolition of privateering, if the European Powers would at the same time agree to abolish the capture of all private property at sea by ships-of-war, thus assimilating it to the principle that prevails in modern times of exempting the private property of an enemy from capture on the land. But the Powors which possessed great navies would not sur- render their advantage, and therefore declined. We have now, therefore, a perfect right to re- sort te letters of marque in the event of a war with aay of them. Their action at the Con- gress of Paris only binds themselves. There is danger of a war with France only; for England has every motive to keep out of any complications with us, and her earnest de- sire is to see Napoleon embroiled with the United States, so that an opportunity may be afforded by his failures abroad for his over- throw by revolution at home. He is regarded by British statesmen as dangerous to their in- | terests, and they will therefore rejoice to see him take any step that is likely to lead to his full, If he attacks the American republic, the first gun fired will be the death knell of his em- pire.” He may, if he thinks proper, recognize the independence of the Southern confederacy, as he has already recogaized it as a belligerent. That we will not deem acasus belli; tor it would be an empty expression of opinion, which would decide nothing, and be barren of advantage to the South. But if he should follow up the recognition by any active a ance to the confederacy, or by meddling with the blockade, we may as well prepare at once for war. In that event, by our national ships and privateers we would inflict a more deadly blow on French comnterce than we dealt to 1863. i | Tuileries as well as he does England in the war of (812-14. During those | three years the government commissioned two hundred and fifty privateers and letters of | rival, and his m marque, hailing chiefly from Baltimore, New | York, Salem and Boston. tures amounted to two prizes made by the English navy did not amount to over five hundred, and those principally in the first six months. The amount of damage inflicted on the enemy was immense. Inde- pendently of the property captured and de- le was terrible. The The number of cap- thousand, while the | | the insuranee premium on English vessels and their | cargoes was as bigh as thirty-three per cent, on any terms. British commerce was swept from the ecean, and there can be no doubt that an early peace was brought about by this result, much then, What would be the effect now, when every sea would swarm with owr ships-of-war end privateers, and when our resources are developed to gigantic propertions? If Napoleon should assail us at this time, « war spirit will be aroused more terrible than that which was awakened when Fort Sumter was captured; the divisi radical journals on one side, such as the Tribune; the Times and the Post, and the cop- perheads en the other, such as the World, the Express and the Joutnal of Commerce, will be healed, and tle whole population of the loyal States will become united as one man against If, with our comparatively small num- | ber of ships and sailors, we could accomplish so | created by the | And if the republic | of France in its infancy was able to withstand | the arms of the monarchs of all Wurope, sur- rounding her in close contiguity, what cannot the full grown republic of the United States, with a loyal population of twenty-five millions, achieve in the case of a single Power, which is separated from her by three thousand miles of oceal If France finds the way to the city of Mexico so hard a road to travel, what would he the fate of her legions if they should attempt - Tux Srevgore ror Tax Rxouction oF Tax Parer Dury.—Congress is fast approaching the end of the session, and no report has as yet beea made by the Committee of Ways and Means in regard to the proposed reduction of the duty on paper. We look upon its defeat aa a foregone conclusion, and would advise the publishers to give themselves no further trouble about the matter. As to our own interest in it, we are entirely indifferent as to the result. The shortsightedness and folly of the papermakers will place them by and bye completely: at our mercy. Before many months are ever they will have driven half the newspapers and publishing houses out of existence. How many of their own establishments will survive the ruin which their cupidity will have brought upon those who at present help so largely to sustain them? Not more than a third, perhaps. When this comes to pass, as it undoubtedly will, we shall see on which side the “writhing” will be. It ts useless to indulge the expectation that Congress will do anything towards the altera- tion of the duty during the present session, The vote obtained in the Committee of Ways and Means on Saturday, taken ia connection with other cireumstances, sufficiently indicates the rejection of the proposition. -It is, of course, a motive of patriotism that indisposes members to make any change in the law. It is trne that Mr. Chase bas shown that, with the present high rate of duty, but little or no revenue can be derived from ‘this source. The papermakers are, however, closer reasoners than the Secre- téry of the Treasury, and they have no doubt touched the convictions of members in a way that has satisfactorily disposed of his aver- ments. It matters but little that the spread of education and political knowledge is arrested if Mr. Chase’s budget can be helped out. It is true that the Secretary himself cannot see how an unproductiye tax of this sort is to assist him: He is convinced that a lower duty would bring more revenue. But what of that? The paper- makers are belter financiers than Mr. Chase. At all events they know how to make a little money go further. Jn the meanwhile, if we cannot succeed in effecting a reduction of the duty during the present session, it is a satisfaction to know that its protective character will not have the usual effect of arresting competition. In the convic- tion that the present ‘state of things can only continue for a short time, more strenuous exer- tions than ever are being made to effect such improvements in the manufacture of paper as will render its cost lighter than at present. Wood, cornstalks, straw and bark have all been experimented upon with more or less success; but tliere is another material recently d covered which is said to possess a better fibre than any of them, and which produces a paper almost as fine and firm in quality as any made from rags. Several capitalists have taken the matter in band, and, should the experiments now being made realize the promised result, it is calculated that they will be able to enter the market under the most favorable conditions, and undersell all the present makers. From what we haye heard of this discovery, it pro- mises to effect quite a revolution in the manu- | facture, and to disturb considerably existing interests. Ay Exisest Diptowat Agats iy tHe Fienp.— When the country is in trouble it calls upon its great men to relieve it. Consequently we are not at all surprised to hear that, since Seward, Dayton, Greeley, Vallandigham and Colorado Jewett have proven themselves incapable of. preserving our amicable relations with France, the renowned Chevalier Wikoff is to be sent to Paris as diplomatist extraordinary and plenipotentiary to arrange this little matter for us. "i + We are, of course, heartily in favor of this idea. The Chevalier Wikof is both a gentle- man and a scholar, acquainted with all the men of the day, and with half the living and one- third of the dead languages. Besides these qualifications, he has been upon especially inti- mate tetms with Louis Napoleon, spent two or three months with him in the prison of Ham, wrote his biography, chaparoned him about London, and knows the ins and outs of the the road to Del- moni Ifhe be sent to Paris he will soon bring Napoleon to his senses, receive the Cross of the Legion of Honor, and return here to ac- knowledge the gPatitude and admiration of his thankful countrymen. Whether the Chevalier is now in New York, Philadelphia, Boston of Baltimore, we are not informed. In these; as in all other cities, he is eagerly sought for, and adorns and fasei the best society. Wherever be is, however, let him pack his trunks and prepare to receive an order to report to Washington for instructions | and to leave for France by the first steamer. Asa suceessful diplomat the Chevalier bas no mn to China some time ago proved that he is as expeditious as he is suc- cessful. Tae Trimese’s Orisiox or New York Crry.—- The Tribune of yester declared that “eight- tenths” of the people of this are inmates of “the lowest haunts of the vicious, the con- cert saloons, the grogshops, the brothels and gambling hells.” Why? Because Herato bas more subscribers in this city than other papers combined. We advise poor and his wretehed gang to leave New York immediately. But since its reduction in price to only two dollars @ year the Wrekty Herarp is becoming the most popular weekly paper in the country, and as the conservative reaction progresses its circulation will increase, until, by the time the | | Presidential election takes place In 1864, the | Weekty Henary will entirely uproot and de- | «troy the meribund Weekly Tribune, and have three or four bundred thousand subscribers. Thea the Tribune will doubtless deelare that all the inhabitants of this country are inmates of “the lowest baunte of the vicious, the concert saloons, the grog- shops, the brothels and the gambling hells,” and poor Greeley and his gaug will emigrate to the highly respectable, civilized and virtuous kingdom of Dahomey, where they can not only | fraternize with niggers, but even eat their black brethren if they wish. Poor crazy Greeley! Nigger on the brain is @ sad complaint. Geyerat McCieniay wy Leck Acatx—The radical republican members of the New York Senate have laid upon the table the compli- | mentary resolutions to General McClellan pre- vionsly passed by the Assembly. The honor- able Senators are most modest and considerate, At the Presidential election in 1864 that reso- lution will be taken from the table and passed unanimously by the people of the Caited States. the | NEWS FROM THE SOUTH. Rebel Reports of Movements of Union Forces. Rumors in Richmond of a North-, - western Confederacy. The Relations of the Rebels with Europe. THE BOMBARDMENT OF GALVESTON, Melancholy Tone of the Rioh- mond Journals. A ota NT Bees Sf ich i ar ‘Cusnimaton, 8. C.)Feb. 13, fons. ‘The French war steamer Mila day, from Baltimore, bound to Rerpoation pormanont-amoog aaon! } . A Yankee picket wae captured We ‘our scouts, on Hilton HeadJsian@. He cont lingence of an impending aitack on Chartes(on, aud it will be made in about ® fortmigat. : The Colurabus (G We have been some re by the appoarance of our streets within the last fow Deays with cottoa have Peranbulating Raw- doljh street en roule to Muscogee depot, with « frequency unknown since the beginning of the war, ead men seen waiking about with more haste and eagerness we have wituossed in many aday. The cotton piaiforn, of the Muscogea oe is Citgo ae halt 08 Oo some poople were disposed to regard Chan teller Kent on the question of blockade’ ‘The ataple is treely selling at twenty cents, ia about nly thing that balks the reminiscence of for: mer times. ‘The Savannah News of the 9th inst. says:— We are autnorized to apprehend an attack from the Yankees on Savannah at almost any moment. It is idie for us to speculate on the subject. We feel confident thas our military authorities are on the alert, aad thoy need no prompting from the pr |. When the enomy comes they will find us ready and resolute. We do mat feel that there is any ground for apprebension of the re- sult. Let every one prompt!y and courageously perform his duty and the Vandals will recoil from thoir long threatened attack @n our cit 3 they have duue from at tempts on Richmond and Vicksburg. They will learn te their coat that there are ao more cities to be surrendered to their infamous rule. y ‘the Rome Southerner says tho wheat crop is very pro- Inising. An unusual quantity of land has been sowo, an unless it should be visited by some caiamily hereafter the crop in this region will be immense. Mississippi. ‘Vhe Natchez (Miss.) Currier of the 27th ult. Rays that on last ‘Thursday the federals, in pushing out their cavalry force, came in contact with the Texas cavalry vs Ronnd: bayou. Abhortekirmish ensued, ta wi an abolition colonel (then acting brigadier genoral) was Killed, and on his person were found important papers. Others were suppesed to be killed and wounded = The Confederate Government and For- eign Powers. Mr. Foote, of Tennessee, bas offered tho following resolutions in the House of Representatives to the Coa- federate Congress. They lic over for the present — Reaolved, That it be respectfully but earnestly recon. mended by the President that he do, on or bejore tne ist day of May next, withdraw our present diplomatic agents froin every foreign capital, the government of which did not bave at that time agreed to oe our independence; and that, after said Arst day of May, no foreign consul,’ now acting as such within the limi of said Confederate States, shall be longer allowed to ercise consilar power among us, except upon an ©: quatur asied for at the hands of the goverument of said Confederate States, and granted by the same. Resotved, ‘That the conttuct of the Emperor of France is Proposing, as be has recently done, to the several Kure- peau Powers that they should unitewith him in ao act of peaceful and amicable intervention in the contest now te Drogresa between the governments of the United States and that of the Confederate States of America, has been highly gratifying both to the goverament peorest the Confederate States, and the hope is indulged that this wise and ni nimous movement of the Kmperor of France—so fully in harmony as it is with the principles which he has heretofore emphatically avowed ta well known published writings, and upon which be has uai- formly acted since his elevation to the imperial (hrone— may soon eventuate in the establisiment of relat be. tween his government and that of the Contedorate States of America of close commercial amity and enduring com- cord, Galveston Bombarded. ‘The Galyeston (Texasy News, of the 12th ult., eay#:— On Saturday last Galveston was bombarded from the Gulf shore by five federa! steamers, from three to bait. pastfour P.M, The whole nuinber of shells thrown waa one hundred and sixty'seven. One struck Mr. Syives- ter’s house, pear Tremont streot, and another @ house of Mrs. Dr. Hurlbut, and we bear ‘that a goat was killed. ‘This, we believe, is all the damage. Some of the sheli¢ are said to have been thirteen inches tu diameter. The Brooklyn is one of the steamers, and the Sciota another, Thanksgiving in Texas. ‘The Govornor of Texas has appointed the 4th day of Febrnury as a day of Thanksgiving throughout the State, for the “successes that have attended the Confaderat@ arms. Affairs at Richmond, A letter from Richmo AYR John Mitchell, Mr. Holl, of the Baltimore Exchange, and Mr. Gulick, formerly of the Washington Union, it ia said, will start a daily paper in this city as soon ag arrangements can be made, Wi Giles, of Maryland, late Consul General to d Mr, Hill, late ‘of California, brother of Hit), have arrived in Richmond. , 4 British officer, now in the Confederate lost a leg in the second’ battle of Manassas, and ‘in Richmond. Captain Gordon, another Britis is on General A. P. Hill's staff, DEATH OF GALT, TMK SCULPTOR. ‘Ihe Richmond papers, record the death of Alexander Galt, the young Virginia sculptor, who was the Qrst Southerner that has established a’ repatation, botm at home and abrond, in statuary. His full length’ agure of tthe University of Virginia, won for bin id will long preserve his fame. His latest bas relief in plaster of Stonewall Jacksoo, in the p ssion of the Hon. A. K. Boteler Mr. | Galt aied of the | The Late Majo Major Wheat, of the Ly pattie of Gaines” Mills, t th ult. from Monumentat 10 Hollywood Cometer: deposited, and citizens, is officer, ‘the funer who {ell | phis on ¢ lege proce mains we: | yea peer | THE VERY LATEST. HxarquAaxreRs, ARMY OF THR PoToMao, Feb. 18, 196%, } | Richmond papers of yesterday have been received, Their news is unimportant, ‘The following is extracted:— | Information has been received in Richmond to the effect that the entire Army of the Potomac {s evacuating its po» sition, and being divided between Washington and Fur- | trese Monroe, Information reached some of our advance forces atae tioned on the Williamsburg road on Sunday night that the Abolition ists were landing in large numbers at Newport's News. If the Information be correct it is not improbable that the Yankees alluded to ¢omprise the army corps of General Smith, that sailed from Fortress Mouroe lap » where the ra ‘The funeral was largely attended i jerablé attention is paid to @ rumor of a gr programme in the Northwest tor forming # Northwestera confederacy. Major General Price is to be placed in command of | General Hoimes’ district i the Southwest, and is to have | all the Mississippi regiments in the Western army. | On Monday there arrived at the Libby prison J.C. Marion, Surgeon of the steamer Isaac Smith, captarea ia Stono river January 30; H. Wiggins and Wm. .Watsor, Company 1, Fifty-third New York, captared at Suffolts, | Va., February 10; Inrae! Putuam, George Brown and Joum Doyle, Company B, Fourth Delaware, captured at Mathews Court Hs February 11. Generals J.B. B. Stuart and A. P, AIM were in Rich~ mond on the 16th inst, and addressed the Legislature. | Among the prisoners in the Libby prisow is Hon. J. J. ‘Thomas, of the Marylan’ Senate, captured in Marylau@ recently,and held as nostage for prominent Virgiotans ia federal custody | ‘The Confederate ions at the battle of Fort Donelson ie Killed, wounded and missing is estimated at ninety- | eight a signal book of Harriet Lane, plorcod by the same builet that killed Captain Waiawright, has reached ! Rickmond | the tone of the editorials of the Richmond papers te most disheartening. All hopes of foreign mediation won te be given ap, and tho present (9 considered ‘the most! critical period of vbe whole war.’ f The Richmond Drprtoh of the Uta Mitvrlate,