The New York Herald Newspaper, February 20, 1863, Page 4

4 $ NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, Welume XXViIl.. “AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Irving Place.—Crpernuna, On Ps GLass SLM. NiBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Leam, Tax Forsaxey, WALALACK'S THEATRE, Broadway.—Maraixp Lire. WINTER GARDEN, Broadway.—Ricaaxp ITI, LAURA KEENE’S THEATRE, Broadway.—Farr One Wiru va Gorpen Locxs—Beisi Bakas, NEW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Epaxworth Bess Death PLANK—A: TUL 1 ODGxR. BOWERY THBATRE, Bower: Littue Rep Rrping Houp—seuo0: Mastan—borreny Tr et—Mary Puce. acunuas OPERA HOUSE, 485 Broadway.—Josrra wu arr. S AMERICAN MUSEUM, Broadway.—Muenre Nutt, Living Hirrororamus, &cy at all 6 Baws—Alternoon and Evening. YANTS'’ MINSBRELS. Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Bi - Eruiorian Sonos, BURLESQues, Dances, ek HALL, 51¢ Broadwav.—Ermoriax WOOD'S MINSTREL D. i—-KUNMING THE BLOCKADE. a3, Dances, &c. BROADWAY MENAGERIE, “Bread wa: wel Animats—PERroRMing BiReMaNts—Come Mure, ‘ine AMERICAN THBATRE. Ni Broa | LETS, Pantouiuss, BUKLESQURS, fe = Rr SRie PARISIAN CABINET OF WONDERS, roadway.a Open daily {rom 10 AL MMH IDE Me Broadway. HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, kya, — Sonas, Dances, Bogursauns, ae DOOklYa.—Erarorian New York, Friday, February 20, 1863. THE SITUATION. No movement has been made in General Hook- er’s army within the past few days. Our corres- pondence from there to-day, however, is very in- teresting. The men are in good spirits and in far better condition than the roads. The enemy are said to be considerably reduced in numbers, and we are told that if the army could only be shut off from communication with Washington for one month we could wipe out the rebel force at Frede- ricksburg with little effort; but nothing can be done with the army while it is so near the capital by rail and steamer. We are told further that “our generals are unfortunate in being near enough te the Secretary of War to have all their orders countermanded and their best plans thwarted.” Our news from the South to-day is important and interesting. Gencral Beauregard, as military commander of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, has issued 4 proclamation declaring it to be his solemn duty to announce to the citizens and authorities of Charleston and Savannah that an attack by the land and naval forces of the United States is about to be made upon either or both cities, and warn- dng those who are not able to take up arms for their defence to retire to some place of safety. He urges, however, upon every one who can join in the struggle at “this hour of trial’ to do so without regard to the kind of weapons they may have in their possession. Pikes and scythes, he says, will do for the destruction of their enemies, @nd spades and shovels for the protection of their firesides, altars and the graves of their fathers. Gencral Beauregard is evidently alarmed at the anaconda grip which is closing round him. It is earnestly pressed by the Southern journals upon the consideration of the planters that vital necessity demands the growing of cereals for the next crop of the South instead of cotton or sugar. The planters are urged to remember that the South is engaged in a war, the end of which can- not be foveseen; that the ports are closed against the ceipt of supplies from abroad, and the idea of their being opened by foreign intervention is exploded; that the supplies from the great West are effectually cut off, and that every planter should devote himself to raising hogs, rice, pota- toes, sheep and all things that sustain life, forget- ting “‘ that such a thing as cotton or sugar was ever raised for any other purpose but that of do- mestic use.” The Mississippi has been rising rapidly for the past two weeks, and it is stated by the Port Hud- son Ners that if it continues another week it will be out of its banks.” The water is already running through the crevasse in West Baton Rouge, and “in a daw or so it will be through the Lobdell cre- vasse The pirate Alabama has added another chapter to her predatory history. She captured and burned the brig Chastelaine, of Boston, from Guadaloupe for Cienfuegos, on the 27th ultimo, off Altwela Rock. The crew were landed at St. Domingo City. Captain Semmes took out all the nauti- cal instraments and eight hundred dollars in gold. ‘The bark Golden Rule, a vessel of two hundred and fifty-four tons burthen, belonging to the Panama Railroad Company, was also captured by her and burned January 26, about fifty miles south of St. Domingo. The Golden Rule was on her way to Aspinwall with a valuable cargo, a consider- able portion of which was on Spanish, French and English account. The schooner Hanover, from Boston for Aux Cayes, was also captured by a privateer (probably the Retribution, or it may have been the Alabama,) on the 3ist ult., off Ansed Hainanet, Hayti. General Butler visited Baltimore yesterday, and Got ® most enthusiastic reception at the hall of the Maryland Institute in the evening. He made 8 patriotic speech, which was warmly received by the audience. The pleasure of General Butler's ovation, however, was marred by a lamentable accident, which occurred by the firing of s gun at Fort Marshall during the salute, by which Com- mander Maxwell Woodhall, of the navy, was killed, hia body being blown over the ramparts to a dis- tance of thirty feet. The dinner to Gen. Butler, which waato have come off at the Eutaw House last night was postponed out of respect tothe de- ceased officer, CONGRESS. In the Senate yesterday, the credentials of | we Morgan, the new Senator from New York, presented. A communication from the Reerctary of the Treasury, exhibiting the debit and credit account of the contrabands of the Sea Islands cotton district, was received. It shows NEW YORK HERALD* FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1863. providing for the collection and sale of abeadoned, The Approaching Electigus in New The Resoutécs pf France Uncqus! to ® | They «\Yant to See What thé Herald and for the prevention of fraud in insurrectionary districts, was introduced. The Dill for the’ discharge of State prisoscts, and authorizing the President to suspend the writ of habeas cor- pus, was taken up. A motion to strike out the section of the bill authorizing a suspension of the writ of habeas corpus was rejeoted-—yeaa 13, nays 27. Messrs. Trumbull and Carlile offered substi- tutes for the bill, but no further action was taken on the subject. The section of the Legislative | Appropriation bill providing that no member trom | beyond the Rocky Mountains shall receive more than $5,000 for mileage, and no other members, | except those from distent Territories, shall receive more thun $1,000, was debated at considerable length, and the bill was finally referred to a new conference committee, of the two houses. The. Naval Appropriation bill was taken up and Nia important amendments agreed to, The Senate | then went into executive session and afterwards adjourned, In the House of Representatives the bill indew- nifying the President and other persons for acts done under the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, was referred to a conference committee. The Senate joint resolution authorizing the Secre- tary of the Navy to adjust the equitable claims of contractors for naval supplies and regulating con- tracts with the Navy Department, was adopted. It refers to supplies furnished for more than fifty per centum above the quantities specified in their contracts, and without default therein. The Honse passed the Senate's joint resolution expelling ex-Senator Badger from the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, for his giving aid aud comfort to the enemy, and appoint- ing Professor Louis Agassiz to till his place. The Senate,bills for the removal of the Winnebago In- dians and the sale of their lands, and providing for an Assistant Collector of the Customs for New York to reside in Jersey City, were also passed. At the evening session the National Currency }ill was taken up, and Messrs. Spauldiug and Fenton spoke in favor of its passage. THE LEGISLATURE. In the State Senate yesterday the following bills, which had previously received the concurrence of the Assembly, were passed:—'The General Bounty bill, the bill to legalize the acts of bourds of supervisors for raising volunteers’ bounties, the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad bill and some bills for special purposes. A bill to encourage re- enlistments in the army was reported. {t pro- poses a bounty of fifty dollars each for volunteers re-enlisting for one year, and seventy-five dollars for those re-enlisting for three years or the war. Resolutions were adopted requesting the members of Congress from this State to give their aid in the carrying ont of the soldiers’ allotment system, and complimenting the Allotment Commissioners, The bill to enforce the responsibility of bank stockholders was ordered to a third reading. Tho Senate adjourned till Wednesday evening, the 25th instant. In the Assembly the annual report from the Au- ditor of the trade, tolls and tonnage of the cauals was presented. The Senate resolutions in refe- item and the Allotment Commissioners were unanimously adopted. Some few bills of no general interest were passed. Among the bills ordered to a thir reading were those confirming the New York Common Council ordinances to provide bounties for volunteers and relief for their families; to authorize the making of sidewalks and planting of shade trees along the highways of the State, and relative to sales of land by the United States Loan Comwissioners. ‘The Annual Appropriation bill waa considered in Com- tee of the Whole. Among a number of bills no- ticed and introduced was one to make of Castle Garden a fort for the defence of New York harbor. The Assembly also adjourned over to the 25th inst. | MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The first anniversary meeting of the ‘National Freedman’s Association” was held last night at the Cooper Institute, there being rather a slim attendance. Speeches were made by the chair- man, Dr. Tyng, Revs. Henry Ward Beecher and J. Newman, in advocacy of contributing to the religious, industrial and educational instruction of the blacks. A small collection was made among the audience for this purpose. The Board of Aldermen met yesterday, and transacted general business. Nothing of import- ance was brought before it. The Board stands adjourned until Thursday next. A regular meeting of the Board of Councilmen was held last evening. After transacting a large | amount of routine business, they took up the reso- lutions adopted in the Board of Aldermen con- demning the verdict of the court martial by which Major General Fitz John Porter was dismissed the service of the United States, and tendering their sympathy and the hospitalities of the city to that officer. After a brief speech by Councilman Gross in favor of their adoption, the resolutions wete unanimously adopted. A resolution of con- currence was adopted donating the sum of $5,000 for the celebration of Washington’s birthday. A | resolution was adopted authorizing the Comp- troller to issue $250,000 of the Central Park [m- provement Fund stock. The ordinance to raise $500,000 for the relief of the families of yolun- teers was received from the Aldermen and con- curred in. The ordinance to provide for the de- fence of the harbor and city of New York, and appropriating $1,000,000 for the purpose, was concurred in. The Board adjourned until Thurs- day evening next, at four o'clock. x The Aldermanic Committee on the Street Com- missionership difficulty held a private informal meeting yesterday. None of their proceedings were made known. The Fort Gansevoort case was yesterday again adjourned, in consequence of the absence of Mr. James T. Brady, who was engaged in another court. The following facta form a somewhat singular coincidence:—In the fall of 1852 Horatio Seymour, democrat, was elected Governor of thix State, and in the following spring Thomas H. Seymour, demo- erat, was chosen Governor of Connecticut, Last fall Horatio Seymour, aftera lapse of ten years, waselected a secowl time Governor of N York, and Thomas H. Seymour again follows as the democratic candidate for the Executive of Connecticut. Nothing remains to make the coincidence perfect but for the conservative men of the latter State to elect their candidate. A memorial from the Minnesota Legislature is to | be presented to the State of Wisconsin, asking the | cession of Douglas county from the latter State to | the former, in order to give Minnesota a port on | Lake Superior. Since ‘the establishment of Camp Douglas six | hundred and forty bodies of rebel soldiers have | been buried in Potters Field at Chicago. The Emperor Napoleon on the 23d ultimo re- ceived a private letter from the President of the | Hampshire and Oennecticut. On the 10th of March next the State of New Hampshire, and on the first Monday in April the State of Connecticut, will be called upon to record their verdicts upon the conduct of the war by the present administration, These two States never held elections in which more im- portant issues were involved. During the days of the old federal party, and still later under the old whig party, New Hampshire and Con- necticut were among +the most liberal of the New England States; and, although recently | they have gone off after strange gods, we hope they are not yet so firmly wedded to the ebony ido} of abolitionism as to be indifferent to the . Piss > TT Feat. converting influences of the present political revival. The enthusiasm caused by the visit of General McClellan to New England seems like a gleam of light in the East, announcing, we trust, the dawn of a new and brighter ; day. Whether this be so or not the coming elections must decide. We desire, therefore, that the people shall go to the polls after a careful and earnest consideration of the whole subject; that the elections shall be fairly and impartially conducted, and that the results may be neither doubtful nor unprofitable. When our civil war began, with the rebel attack upon Fort Sumter, the people rallied unanimously in support of the government, and offeréd every poasible assistance to the present administration, There were no parties at that time. Patriotism conquered partisan feeling, and President Lincoln found his most willing and able allies among his political oppo- nents. Gradually, however, the war for the Union began to be transformed into a war for the negro. Step by step, at first cau- tiously, and then more and more boldly, the administration advanced upon _ this dangerous, downward course. The instincts of the people revolted at this change in the object of the war. At first they remonstrated, then protested, and then began to regard the progress of the conflict with an apathy amounting almost to indifference and disgust. The administration felt, as it could not avoid feeling, this loss of public confidence and support, but, instead of conciliating it, endeavored to coerce the people. The issue of the emancipation proclamation and the removal of General McClellan were the consummation of the abolition policy. Since then we have done nothing, gained nothing, ac- complished nothing, which can at all counter- balance our numerous irritating, though in- decisive, losses by land aud by sea, end now the radical faction of the party in power is pusil- lanimously clamoring for “the beat attainable peace.” Such is, in brief, the history of the conduct of the war by the present administration. The details of the sad and shameful story of radical fanaticism, malignity and disasters are not unknown to the people of New Hampshire and Con- nectiout. One after another the great Central States, from the Bay of New York to the Rocky Mountains, have emphatically condemned the incompetence, incapacity and mismanagement of the War, Navy and Treasury departments. Secretary Seward’s admirable administration of the Departuent of State has alone been en- dorsed by the people. Ohio has: repudiated Secretary Chase, and Pennsylvania bas disown- ed Secretary Stanton. Will Connectiout ap- piaud and sustain Secretary Welles? Are the people of the New England States less intelli- gent and conservative than those of the great Central States? Is the negro to be preferred to the Union?) New Hampshire and Connecti- cut will answer (hese questions at the approach- ing elections. It would be doing great injustice to the com- mon sense of President Lincoln not to believe that he knows his Cabinet to be incompetent and his administration @ failure. We are certain thet he will proceed to reconstruct his Cabinet and redeew his failures if the people will but afford another opportunity. He has consented thus far to the radical abolition policy under most severe pressure from the radicals in and out of Congress. He was threatened that unless he yielde€ to the radicals’ demands they wonld deprive the government of its necessary sup- plies. Having a majority in the Congress which is now, fortunately, near its close, the radicals could have put this threat into execu- tien. In our opinion the l’resident should have defied them and appealed to the country for support. In his opinion, however, it was better to submit to circumstaucesgnd allow time to repair all evils. When this Congress adjourns, on the 4th of March next, the President will be liberated from his bondage to the abolitionists. Already, as coming events cast their shadows before, we hear daily rumorg that Cabinet changes are contemplated, and that McClellan is to be recalled. We should not be aurprised if these conservative measures fol- lowed closely upon the adjournment of the pre- went Congress. If so, the elections im New Hampshire and Connecticut will set the seal of public approbation upon this reformation of the administration. If not, then the elections in New Hampshire and Connecticut may in- rate the reformation, as the President may wait. perhaps, in order to be sure from the re- sult of these elections that there is no change in the sentiments of the people, as expressed in October and November last. In either event how tremendously important the spring elec- tions will be. They may enable the President to alter his policy in time to save the Union, but not in time to save the republican party, or they may delude him into a still further continuance in a course fatal to himself and the country. Let the peo- ple ot New Hampshire and Connecticut stand by the Union and the constitution, Let them be deceived neither by the radical negro- worshipping disunionists on the ene hand nor | by the radical revolutionary democrats on the other, Let them vote down both the “peace at any price” democrats and the “peace on the best attainable terms” republicans. Let them be true to the great principles of constitutional conservatism, aud show that they are intelligent enough to appreciate this crisis of our affairs republic of Hayti. ‘The stock market was dull yesterday, and prices wero | lower, the chief fall being in Pacific Mail, whicn declined | eight per cent, partly on the talk of war with France, | Governments declined 4 per cent, and the whole list aympathized. Owing to the weather, the attendance of the outside operators was smaller than usual. Gold rose to 163%, declined to 168, and closed at 162% bid. Ex chango sold freely at 180, and closed that bid. Money was abundant at 607 per cent ‘Thore was more activity in geoeral businoss yesterday balance of more than half a million dollars in fay of the government. The bill organizing the signal corps daring the rebellion was passed. Billa to Promote the efficiency of the navy, and to amend the act equalizing the grade of naval officers, were tinued brisk at advancing pricos. Groceries wore in bet: Flour soid freely at a further rise of 10¢. a 15c.; wheat | “8 and corn 1c. 0 20.; and the demand for provisions con. | Chattanooga Rebs newspaper, says that, accord- | and wise enough to adopt the only means left us to save the Union. Their interests are iden- tical with those of the Central States, and the result of their elections should be precisely the same. Robuke the radical members of the | Cabinet and sustain the President and Secreta- | ry Seward, and all will yet be well. A Borreasvr ror Pustoext Lixcous,—The apevine editor,”’s0 styling himself, of the ing to his last despatch from the front, Bragg | tor request, as likewise wore tallow, whiskey, clover. | was retreating one way and Roseorans the other, | seed, fish, hops and metals, with an upward tendency in | rates. There were very trifing sales of cotton, rice and | naval: stores reported. There was more doing in the and that “great fears are entertained that Rose- orans will reach Nasbville before we reach reported hack by the Naval Committeg. A bill | freight line, and shipowners had any existing advantage, | Chattanooza” War qrith This Country. Should Napoleon II. recognize the Davis government, and thys bring about a war between France and the Puited States, he will speedily find how inadequate are his resources for a successful termination of euch a conflict. Republican France for years kept all Europe at bay, although her enemies had overy facility of | access to her territory, and could use to the fullest extent their resources. At this date republican America can not only subdue Ler rebellious subjects, but can algo drive from her shores any invading force which France might send over the three thousand miles of ocean which separates the two countries, Any ag- gression of foreign Powers would surely put an end to all political or party differences among | the people of the North, and the whole strength | and enorgy of our active populatiom would be turned against our enemies. The world would then be able to judge how truly great is the power of the North, while Napoleon would be taught a iesson which would forever deter any further interference with this people. But not | alone has Napoleon to dread our power. He must know that a use of the entire resources of France is denied him. In a war with us he will not have the support of his people. The great parties which divide I'rance into sections will all be averse to a war between her and the United States. The Orleans party will, to serve their own ends, oppose a war with us by all means in their power. The republican party in France will act likewise, from a desire to put down any inimical proceedings on the part of France towards republics, while the people at large will groan over their increased taxation and lament the vast expenditure which a war | between France and this country would render imperative. Thus Napoleon would find ob- stacten on all sides of him in his own empire, white he would feel assured that the sympathies of the other great Powers of Europe were uot in his favor. Hngland, who grants an asylum to the Orieans princes, does so with a cordiali- ty which leaves no room for doubt as to whom her sympathies are given. Napoleon is well aware that Palmersion would delight at seeing France involved in a war with us, as. which- ever got worsted in the conflict, Palmerston would still rejoice. He hates both, but would no doubt rather see Napoleon suffer, as he is an enemy more to be dreaded. To crown the difficulties which surround the French Fmperor is that most crushing of all obstacles--a want of money. It is exceedingly doubtful whether Napoleon could raise a loan for a war with this country; and, unless he could succeed in so doing, to undertake that war were madness. The experiment succeeded in 1859, when he could ‘appeal to the nobler sentiments of the French people, in favor of the Italians, and to their worse passions, in enmity to the Austrians; but to ask for money for the pucpose of entering into a war with the United States would, we feel sure, meet with uo response in the minds or hearts of the péople of France, and thus Napoleon would soon find himself ruined by a contest with us. Blinded by his ambition, or driven on by the necessities of his position, he may undertake this war; but, as surely as he does, he will find it ond in his ruin and the consequent de- struction of his hopes for his dynasty. The people of France, as well as the army, are idedly averse to the Mexican expedition, whi proved, up to the present time, so great a failure; and, as they are sensible enough to. understand how much more important and dificult would be a war with us, they would still more deprecate such a misfortune for Frapee. The Emperor Napoleon must under- stand allthis, unless he is pushed on by some will stronger than his own. He must compre- hend, unless blinded by fate, that :ny war with wa-can in the end but prove disastrous to him. True, he might achieve at first partial success; but when he had fully roused the people of the North to the neces- sity of defeating him and his schemes, they would as surely accomplish this as that they exist. The resources of this country are incal- culable; the will of the people can render them overwhelming; and just such an ocenr- rence as a war with France would cause the people to have that will. Let Napoleon be- ware how le insults the majesty of this gov- erument. Let him pause ere he bring upon France the enmity of this nation. To make war with him we can raise a million of men. To sweep his fleets from the sea we can build iron-clads by hundreds. To repel foreign in- vasion and insult we can unite and act with but one will, one determination; and woe to that dynasty wilich finds itself opposed by the united people of the North when’ they shall have risen in their might, Gexenat. H. oork’s Peace Prorosirion is tae Rear Conaress.—The irtepressible Gene- ral Foote has introduced another peace propo- sition in the rebel Congress, in the form of a series of resolutions, which have been referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:— His resolutions declare that the Confederate States will never consent to any plan for reconstructing the federal Union; that the Confederate States cannot agree to nego. trate at afl in regard to a suspension of hostilities, except upon the basis of unconditional recognition of their inde pendenco; that after separation the Coniederate States would consent to a commereia! treaty with all the States in the Union, except New Bogland; that the Confederate States would consent to a league, offensive and defensive, with the several States which Lave recently manifested a change of public seutiment, «pon tneir stipuiating for de. sisting at once from the further prosecation of the war, and renowneing all political connection with New Engiand and that the Confederate States will guarantee the peace. ful and uninterrupted navigation of the Miseissipp: and its tributaries to the States bordering thereon which shal! | bave declared their inclination to withdraw from the prosecution of the war. Now this famous General Foote, be it remem- bered, is regarded in Richmond as a Southern peace man, in which character his proposition | that she loyal States shall not only recognize | the Davis confederacy, but shall divide them- selves into three or four separate confederacies, is exceedingly cool. Let General Foote be enrolled on the great peace committee of Louis | Napoleon, Vallandigham, Greeley, Colorado Jewett & Co. At all events, as Genera) Foote has the reputation of a blatherakite, and Val- | landigham is set down as a copperhead, Greeley | asa cabbage head and Colorado Jewett as a blockhead, they should all go together. Tax Waore Question mw a Norsuers.— The Tribune of yesterday says of the conserva- tive democrats :—“They are not disunionists— they do not desire the permanent division of our oountry—but they do hope and expect to aohieve its reconstruction.” This is precisely the difference betweon the conservatives and the abolition radicals. The radicals are “dis- unionists”—they do “desire the permanent division of our country’—and they do not “hope and expect toachieve its revonstruction.” Let the people remember this dystinetion, Sa.vs About the War.” Our special correspondent in New Orleans, in his account of the ate rebel descent upon Galveston, resulting in‘the capture of the Har- riet Lane and the reca ‘ture of the town, re- ports that— Captain Wilson, of the Owasco, Says that when the rebel Governor [ubbuck, of Texas, ¢®Me on board his vessel during the Oxht, the first thing BW inquired for was the New York Hunatv. <I want,” he sid, “to see what, the HEraLy says about the war.’” We next find inthe New Haven Jimanal and | Courier an extract of a letter from the “Camp | of the Twenty-seventh Connecticut Volumteers, near Falmouth, Va.,” dated February 12, re- lating the following suggestive incident:— The rebels recently rigged up a plank, with a sal and rudder attached, and on top placed a drawer evidently taken from an old secretary, in which they put two Rich- mond papers aud ou top a balt plug of tobacco, with & | written request for a New York Heraup, and stating that “ihey would come over and baye a little chat,” if we | would pledge faith. But this kind of intercourse is strict. ly forbidden on our part. The rebels on the Rappahannock, like the rebel Governor of Texas, doubtless wanted to “see what the Heratp says about the war.” They know that the Henan represents the predominant conservative Union sentiment of the loyal States; that it is not the tool of any faction or political party; that it supports the cause of the Union against disunion upon any terms; that it is opposed to all disturbing Northern cliques and facflons, and seeks @ har- monious, earnest and vigorous prosecution of the war for the suppression of the rebellion; and that accordingly what the Heratp says about the war is more to be relied upon than the views of any other Northern journal in regard to the actual condition of the con- trolling public opinion of the loyal States. This must be so; for otherwise there would be no demand among the rebels for the Herawp. If they thought that there was any reliance to be placed in the views and opinions of Nofthern journals engaged in the unholy work of giving “aid and comfort” to the rebellion, they would ask for the New York Tribune, in order to be informed of the progress and prospects of its programme of French mediation and the “best peace we can obtain” abdut the Ist of May; or two Rich- mond papers and a half plug of tobacco would be offered in exchange for a copy of the New York Journal of Commerce, the World or the Egpress, in order to see what progress the Northern disunion democratic peace faction are making in bebatf of a Southern confederacy. But the rebels have no faith in the organs of the abolition peace faction or the democratic peace faction, as the exponents of the genuine public sentiment of the loyal States. Ac- cordingly, from Virginia to Texas, when the “butternuts” ask for any particular Northern paper, it is the Hzxatp they name, because they “want to see what it says about the war;” they want facts, they want reliable intelligence in reference to the centrolling Union sentiment of the country, upon which the success of this war for the Union depends. They want to know not what an abolition disunion organ, or what a peace democratic disunion organ says, but they. want the views of a journal representing the great mass of the people of the North and their great cause: in short, they want the Herap, just as our hundred thousand subscribers’ here- abouts want it, ‘to see what it says about the war.” Our Conremporantes FoLtiowixe Is Our Waxk.—The Heratp cautioned the American people months ago against the encroachments of Louis Napoleon on this continent, and de- nounced him as the friend of the Davis govern- ment. We have kept up our warnings upon the subject and have made reiterated calls upon our administration to prepare against the results of an alliance betwoen France and the South. Our articles upon this subject called down ‘upon us contradictions and denunciations from our contemporariés, who are always bebind- hand in their information. We were charged by them with being secessivnists, with giving aid and comfort to the enemy, and like balder- dash, which did not deter us from making our appeals to the government to prepare against the schemes of Napoleon. One of our neigh- bors saftl, not a month since, it was “enabled from good sources to contradict point blank the rumors which interested parties have been ex- tremely diligent of late in putting in circula- tien. The very latest communications from the French government, as made by it to Mr. Day- ton, and by him reported to the Secretary of State, are of the most friendly character ; and details are given on the subject which give j assurances of the truth of this assertion.” Another journal, about the same date, refer- | ring to the New Year discourse made by Napo- leon, which contained assurances of his desire | to be at peace-with all the world, remarked:— “We are obliged to his Majesty for the opiate he thus enables us to administer to’ those in this country who ave gifted with weak nerves.” These same papers are now. crying out against France and urging upon our adminis- tration the immediate necessity of preparing for ; war. Thin is following our example—a good | one. We would suggest to the journals above | Preferred to that if they wish to be right always |-they have but to continue what they are now doing—that is, following in the wake of the | | Hera, Coxtaasann News.—A letter from a Connee- ticut regiment stationed at Falmouth, Virginia, to a New Haven paper, among other things states | | that “the next day after the Ninth army corps | had lett the rebels hailed our pickets and ask- ed,‘ Where is your Ninth Army cerps gone to” The correspondent adds that “the | rebels are shrewd.” Jt thas appears that the rebels knew that the Ninth army corps had | moved off the very day after it was really re- ported to have changed ite position. The fact of its removal was not known to the Northern | people. It was suppressed in the Northern | papers as coniraband newe, and the first inti- | mation ef the fact came North from South- ern sources. This is very curious, to say the | least of it, and shows that the rebels have by | , far too reliable means of obtaining information from within onr lines. This incident reminds us of the fact that when we published a full re- | turn of the strength and status of the rebel army, the Confederate government at Richmond instantly arrested three or four of” their clerks, | on the supposition that they bad given us the | information, whereas we had compiled the | | whole thing from thetr own papers. Tue Hic Prewiem on Punntes.—The dealers ‘and commercial people generally who now pay eighteen per cent for pennies are porhaps not aware that the United States Mint at Phila- delphia will exchange any quantity of cents at par forgovernraent currency. There is thus surely no ree.son why #0 exorhdtant a premium | severe. This extreme severity has not been | stance to escape from their clutches, it is not’ | the day before, inviting peaee commissioners the United States Mint in Philadelphia wil! pay them out for ovurency at par. This fact, whea generally known, will 00 doubt cause a reduc- + tion of the preniun’\now obtained. Storm Sianars os rm? COs r—The theory of storms has of late yean* attracted the atten- tion of many persons throw, shout the civilized world, and coustant experin ‘euts have been made by those who have given , the matter spe- ctal study to test the practicabi\ 'Y of foresee- ing the approach of heavy gales iy ime to give warning at distant points along a cw": thereby preventing an immense amount of a aritime disasters. The force and direction of ga'® of wind have become a study of no small 1auri% and if any feasible plan can be adoptadi fn.” determining their approach, in order that time may be given to guard against their effects, it: will be one of the greatest blessings that can be’ conferred upon mankind. No people in the world have been greater sufferers from this cause than those of the United States, and it is hoped that before many years have passed some system will be had thut will serve in @ great measure to lessen the number of lesses at sea that we are daily called upon to ,' chronicle. : PA : In another column we give an intersting aketch, accompanied with illustrations, of the plan of Admiral Fitzroy, of the English navy, for signalizing to those points not reached by the magnetic telegraph the approach of storms. Admiral Fitzroy has given this matter much attention, and he is swtisfied of his ability, froma long series of experiments and observa- tions of different characters, to determine the approach of a gale in time to give the necessary warning to mariners on all points of the English and Irish coast. It was some time before he was able to obtain the assistance of the English government in carrying out his plans, he having for over two years made all the experiments at his own expense ; but now the necessary orders have been issued causing his signals to be used at all the stations of the coast guard and other points of the coast. He foretold with great accuracy the approach of the heavy gale” of last January, which lasted from the 17th to the 19th of the month, and was no doubt there- by thc means of saving much life and valuable property. If the plan of Admiral Fitzroy turns out to be all that he claims it is, its adoption in thia country for our extended line of seacoast will become an immediate necessity. Already have we almost instantaneous communigation by meaus of the magnetic telegraph. between Fortress Monroe and St. Johns, Newfoundland, and if a submarine cable were laid from the former pdint to Key West, and from thence to the mouth of the Mississippi and the Rio Grande, the approach or existence of gales of wind would be known every hour, and their di- rection indicated in time to anticipate their fury. The Hxratp hes for many years con- stantly advocated the adoption of a similar system, which could be sustained by the un- derwriters and merchants of the country; and if the plan had been adopted then the proba- bilities are that millions of property would have been saved that is now at the bottom of the ocean, to say nothing of the thousands of lives. It is very evident that the telegraph is to be the principal medium in the carrying out of Admiral Fitzroy’s project, aided by his sig- nals. Consequently we should be ready for its adoption by having our submarine lines completed at the earliest moment. Wuo Vorep AGaisst McCierian ?—Several anxious republicans have written to us asking who were the republican Senators who voted down the complimentary resolutions to General McClellan in our State Legislature a few days ago. Although we do not belong to that “Society for the Diffusion of Useful . Know- ledge” which meets at Delmonico’s, we still manage to diffuse considerable useful know- ledge daily; and here is the record called for-— Mr. Conno.ty called up the resolutions, almost unanimously passed by the Assembly, bene arm | A chien McClellan and inviting ‘him to visit be] tol. tare ANGEL moved to lay the resolutions on the ie. Mr. Connotty called for the yeas and nays on the motion of Mr, Angel. ‘The yeas and nays were ordered, and the resolu- tions laid on the table by the following vote:— Ad g ope ppent aa a ce Cook, ara Fol- er, utchinson, Little, ontgomery, msey chards, Sanford, Smith, Tobey ak Young—all republicans. AYs—Mesers. W. Clark, Connolly, Ganson, Har- din, Low, Munroe, Murphy. Pruyn and Robertson. Mr. Freer paired off w' th Mr. Truman. Nine Senators were absent. Let Meusrs. Angel, Bell, Cook, Farrar, Folger, Hutchinson, Little, Montgomery, Ramsey, Richards, Sanford, Smith, Tobey and Young be remembered. when the day of reckoning comes and all radicals shall be voted down. Tur Rewer Conscnrprion—Evinences or Fan 1N@ SrrencTH.—The extraordinary measures re- sorted to by the Confederate government to fill- up the depleted ranks: of its army tell a tale of failing resources in thdt respect more conclusive than anything else we have yet seen. Officers dropped from the service for military offences are, being re-drafted as commoa soldiers, and in Alabama, Georgia and the southeastern portion of North Carolina proclamations have been issued by the rebel Governors offering a free pardon to deserters if they will come in and join their regiments. Hitherto the punishment for desertions amongst the rebels has been very found to work yell, and mow the Confederate authorities are willing to condone the offence in “| order to get back the men whose escape is so rapidly thinning their ranks. We do not see how these new measures are going to help them. If these deserters braved death in the first in- likely that they will again voluntarily place themselves within their grasp. Tue Lovisvittk Peace Coyvunrion Resco xp.—The Kentucky Honse of Representatives on the 11th inst. rescinded its resolution, passed from other State Legislatures to moet commis- sioners to be appointed by Kentucky in a peace convention at Louisville, while in the Illinois Legislature the House resolutions to the same effect, pushed = through that branch by a disunion peace demo- cratic majority, were left untouched upon the | table of the Senate at the final adjournment af ‘| the seagion. The disunion peace democrats of said Wogislature had doubtless read and duly consydered the emphatic Union resolutions paged by the brave Illinois soldiers in the army of Genersl Rosecrans. Let President Lincoln take care of the abolition disorganizers, and the | people and the Union volunteers will attend to should be,oaid for vennies. We reveat that the democratic copperheads