The New York Herald Newspaper, September 16, 1863, Page 6

6 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PKOPRIELOR OFFICE ¥. W.COBNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS: Volume XXVIII ..... AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. NIBLO'S GARDEN, Broadway —Bx rvs WALLACK'S THEATRE, Broadway.—Teue TO THE Last—It Takus Two Te Quanmer WINTER GARDEN, Broadway.—Lapr AvpLer's S8cREt KEW BOWERY THEATRE. Bowery.—Tewrxst—Hum i GaRiaN Curky—OUT ON A 5PH BOWERY THEATRE. Bowery.—Misiero® Bougu—Mo- runt GOosk—Oartals Kyp, M . WARRIORS AND Sau. Alternoon aud Kyens BRYANI'S MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broad- way. BrniottaN Soncs, DaNors, BuRiesgues, &c,—BLace Bxtc abe WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL. 5i¢ Broadway. =Etmorrax tones, Dances, &e,—Tuk Gross, BARNUN’S AMER " INDIAN CHIE Broxuitpa. all hovrs AMERICAN THEATRE, No. 444 Broadway.—Baccers, Pastomimxs, BoniesavRs, &0.—Srectre or WiTcHLEY. W YORK THEATRE, 486 Broadway,--Buxe or Ma- 00ko. pw IRVING HALL. Irving place —Taz Srexgortigon. NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— CuRtosities aND Lxeerurns, trom 9 A, M. "till 10 P.M. HOOL Boxes, Da S OPERA HOUSE, Brookiyn.—Eraiorian ws, BUuRLESQUES, £0. TRIPLE SHEET. New York, Wednesday, Sept. 16, 1863. ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THE COUNTRY, Advertisements for the Waaxiy Heratp must be band. ed in before ten o'clock every Wednesday evening. Its circulation among the enterprising mechanics, farmers, merchants, manufacturers and gentlemen throughout the country is increasing very rapidly. Advertisements in- serted in the Wxexiy Hzraup will thus be seen by a large portion of the active and energetic people of the United States, THE SITUATION. The latest dates from Charleston are to Satur- slay, the 12th instant, at eight o’clock in the even- ing, by the United States transport Nellie Pentz, which arrived at Fortress Monroe yesterday Be- fore the transport left Hilton Head the relief boat Cosmopolitan had arrived from Morris Island with the news that a white flag was flying over Fort Moultrie; that our troops had possession of a large portion of James Island, and. that two Monitors were lying between Forts Sumter and Moultrie. This was the condition of affairs on Friday evening. When the Nellie Pentz was pass- ing Charleston hanyat four o’clock on Saturday sflernoon, the cabtain saw a white flag flying from the walls of Moultrie. It was said that the fort fired its last gun at four o’clock on Friday. We hope the news is true, but in order that too much confidencelmay not be placed in it we would state that the white flag referred to may possibly be the rebel battle flay, which is nearly three- fourths white, having a red cross on the white field, with « blue Union, and might easily be mistaken at a distance for a tag of truce or a signal of surrender. Fort Moultrie stands on Sullivan's Island, a mile anda half from Sumter, and nearer to the city of Charleston. It*is a strong work, considerably strengthened with sand bags, earth and stone be- tween the brick walls, and mounts fifty guns. It is now ascertained that the attack on Fort Samter by the boat expedition, which ended in defeat, was’ exclusively the work of Admiral Dahlgren, and was attempted solely by sailors and marines from the fleet. Gen. Gillmore was pre- pared to attempt the assault with his military force; but on learning that the Admiral contemplated making the attack he offered the services of his men to assist the enterprise, & proposition which— upon a were technical point as to whether an aroiy or a navy officer should have command—Ad- uxral Dahlgren refused, and we know the result. The President has issued a proclamation sus- pending the writ of habeas corpus in all cases where, by the authority of the President, military, and civil officers of the United States, or any of them, hold persons under their command or in their custody, either as prisoners of war, or aiders or abettors of the enemy, or offi- cers, soldiers, or seamen enroled, drafted, mus- spies, tered or enlisted in the land or naval forces of the United States, or deserters therefrom, or other- The authori- ty of all civil courts in these cases is thus set aside, and military rule placed above nd the proclamation of the President is declared to be continued the duration of the war, or until Mr. Lincloln shall see fit to re- wise amenable to military law, &c. in foree throughout voke it. Our army correspondents with theArmy of the Potomac furnish all the details of recent news in the camps which it is proper to publish. News- paper correspondents, it will be seen, have been vancing squadrons of cavalry, for reasons of course best known to the generals in command. movements of General Lee's army, officers arriv ing from the front report that the enemy occapies the south bank of the Rapidan, and is strongly intrenched, fallen back upon Gordonsville. ceived from deserters and prisoners eonfirm the reports that Longstreet's corps bas been with- drawn from the Army of Virginia and sent to the assistance of Bragg and other commanders, as we before stated. Despatches from Cincinnati yesterday report from Leavenworth, Kansas, that, at last accounte, General Blunt was at Fort Gibson, preparing to start for Fort Scott. In his recent campaign be marched two hundred and fifty miles in nine days, fought two battles, and cleared the rebels from 100,000 square miles of territory’? Refugees from the rebel conscription are coming into Blunt's lines by hundreds, Their sufferings are repre- sented as indescribable. ‘The rebels are reported to be posted between Little Rock and Brownsville, 17,000 strong, and having an artillery force of nearly fifty guns. EUROPEAN NEWS. The stearuship City of Manchester, Captain,Hal- crow, which left Liverpool at noon on the i and Queenstown on the 3d instant, arrived at this port ast night, Her news has been anticipated by her own report, délivered off Cave Race, and the later forbidden to accompany the ¢ With regard to the The rebel Ariny is believed to have | Intelligence re- | _ NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, | advices of the Arabia, telegraphed from the same point. The City of Manchester hasdanded ¢lrce hundred and thirty-seven passengers and the United States mila. She has @ full cargo on board. By the arrival of the City of Manchester we find tary Seward’s circular—number thirty- of the 12th of August, which appeared in | the Hwrano yesterday morning, was published in the English journals on the 2d of September; 60 that the contents of this American State paper were submitted to the British people just thirteen days before they were made known to the people of the United States. Our St, Petersburg correspondent informs a3 that the Russian Cabinet and press still maintain the cause of the Union against the rebels and re- bel sympathizers disinterestedly and fearlessly. Perey S. Wyndham, M. P., has addressed us a very importantietter, which we publish in the | Heravp to-day. In it he denies, in a most unqua- | lified manner, the identity of a Union officer bear- ing his name as a member or relative of his fami- ly, asserts that Percy Wy:dham is not this officer's name, and calls on him to prove his right to as- sume it, MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. We have news from the West Indies dated at Kingston, Jamaica, on the 5th of September. Considerable attention was being paid to the cul- tivation of tobacco and the growing of cotton in the islands. A severe drought prevailed in Ja- maica. The pimento crop was all lost. The yield of coffee was short. The health of Kingston was improving. The West India journals expect that the islands will receive all the negroes of America after their emancipation, as they cannot live in peace with white laborers, Advices from South America, dated at Monte- video on the 30th of July, say:—The revolutionary party of General Flores, instead of being routed and driven out of the province, as we expected, is gaining ground, and it is stated has now a con- siderable force. On the 29th inst. he attacked Gen. Lamas near Salto, the forces being nearly equal, At the first charge Lamas’ cavalry fled, leaving him with only his infantry—a emall force of about one hundred men—which, it is presamed, has fallen into the hands of Flores. If the govern- ment troops do not behave better, Montevideo may again be besieged. Accounts from Port au Prince state that intelli- gence-had been received there to the effect that two Spanish frigates had bombarded Port au Platte, Hayti, entirely destroying the city and kill- ing a large number of its inhabitants. ‘The following are the names of the rebel travel- ling Governors of some of the Southern States:— Louisiana—Thomas Overton Moore. rae bess J. Pettus. Missouri—Thomas C. Reynolds. Tennessee—Isham (3. Harris. Kentucky—R. Hawks. Massachusetts will pay into the United States Treasury, as the proceeds of the internal revenue tax, this year, $8,325,000. If the other loyal States paid in the same proportion the annual revenue under this law would amount to $125,000,000. The candidates for Governor of Georgia are Jo- seph E. Brown, the present rebel Executive, and Joshua Mill. Mr. Hill is supposed to have a desire for reconstruction. He was a member of Con- gress when Georgia slid ont of the Union, and re- fused to withdraw from the House of Representa- tives when the other members of the delegation went out. He subsequently, however, formally resigned his Seat. Governor Curtin has issued a proclamation announcing that during the year ending on the Ist of September the State debt of Pennsylvania was reduced by payments $964,720. ‘The Board of Afdermen held a special meeting yesterday at one o'clock, when a considerable quantity of routine business was transacted. The nature of the special call did not transpire, as there was but a mere quorum present. A docu: ment was expected from the Comptroller; but it did not arrive, and the Board adjourned to Thurs- day next, at one o'clock. e ‘There was a much better feeling inthe stock market yesterday, and prices were ai! higher, closing with an upward tendency, This was due in part to the,digcovery that tho railway earnings are going to show an increase, instead of a decline, as was expected. Money was easier— call loans about 6 per cent, Gold foll on the receipt of the Charleston news to 131, closing at 1914. Exchange was in good demand at 145 a 145};. Cottop was in rather more demand, at firmer prices, yesterday. A very active inquiry, chiefly for shipment, existed for bresdstuffe. Flour advanced 6c. a 10c., wheat lc. a 2c, and corn fully 2c. Gate were al- so dearer. Pork and beet were in moderate request, while lard, butterjand cheese were more freely purchased, and at rising rates. Whiskey was depressed, and a trifle lower. Sugars were quite active and a shade higher. Coffee and molasses were in fair demand. Rice and teas were quiet, Metals, oils, fish, fruit, coal and salt were soiling moderately. Hides were less active. ‘There was more doing in leatber, spices and tallow. Freights were somewbat brisker, with moro produce offering, The week’s exports from this port were quite liberal, amounting to $3,112,307 in the value of domestic pro- duce and miscellaneous goods. The exports during the corresponding week of Inst year amounted to $4,067,831. With enormous receipts of beef cattle, the market w: less buoyant and prices yc. a }ye. per pound lower. Good to prime cattle sold freely at full previous prices, or 0c. a113ge. The offerings were inthe main ordinary, and prices ranged as low as 6c., which was nearly ic. jower on the poorest. ‘be generai seliing prices were Sc. 0 10!,c., and the average price about 71g. Nearly 2,000 head sold at Bergen and direct to butchers. The total number on sale was 7,007 head for the week—the largest Bumber, we believe, ever offered in any one week. Cows quiet. Veals were dull and a sbade lower— be. Sheep and lambs were in enormous supply and rather lower on the average, The range was from $2 25 a $5 cach. Swine sold slowly at S3gc. a S%c. The total receipts were 7,007 beeves, 106 cows, 703 veals 17,076 sheep and lambs, and 13,160 &wine, Tue Curvature Recooxrrion PaMraLer— The London journals in the interest of the rebels are making a great row over a pamphlet which has just appeared in Paris. It is written by Michel Chevalier, whose notions about the South are very visionary. The journals referred to claim that the pamph- | let was written at the instigation of the Em- | peror Napoleon, and that its appearance de- | notes the speedy action of France in favor of | the Davis government. We place no more im- | portance upon this brochure than upon those which preceded it and discussed the Polish question with such an air of anthority. The organ of Prince Napoleon has published seve- | ral articles against the invasion of Mexico and ‘in favor of the North, and pointing out the dangers of intervention to France. Prince is one of the imperial family, why do not the London journals, and with more rea- eon, even, assert that these articles indicate that the Emperor is positively and emphatic- ally opposed to the South, and intends to aban- don Mexico? The fact is that these pamphlets and articles are merely straws thrown out to see which way the popular feeling inclines, and seldom indicate any fixed purpose on the | part of the wily sovereign of the French. The | Chevalier pamphlet will give the official journals a chance to discuss the recognition question without its being asserted that they do so by order of the government, and herein it will have fulfilled its mission. The popular sentiment upon the subject will be closely observed, and Napoleon will have a clue whereby he may, to a certain extent, guide his future policy, Any farther than this the pamphlet in question possesses no great weight or importance. Wo have become too much accustomed now to the brochure trick to take mugh {ategest io it The Maine Election and the Lesson that it Teaches, | The Maine election, as was generally antici- pated, has gone overwhelmingly against the copperheads. The result is but a reaffirmation of that loyal, conservative public sentiment which carried New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana last autumn againat. the radicat | abolition war faction, and which, during the present year, has spoken with equal emphasis | In New Hampsbire, Rhode Island, Connecticut and California against the radical democratic peace faction, and which only the other day brought out the popular masses of loyal Kon- tucky against both these factions, In other words, the predominant public opinion of the loyal States since last October, as the occasion has required, has from time to time rebuked and repudiated the pernidious principles aud purposes of both niggerheads and copperheads. With the startling news of Beauregard’s bom- bardment of Fort Sumter there was an imme- diate, spontaneous, universal and terrible upeis- ing of the people of the loyal States in favor of the maintenance of the Union and its supreme authority by the sword. And thus, for the first year of the war, there was within the limits of the loyal States only the shadow of a party opposed to the administration. But, with the political blunders and military failures and dis- asters of the administration in 1862, there was a powerful popular reaction against it in the Central States in their elections of last autumn. In these elections the popular judgment was declared against the violent and sweeping abo- lition measures and the arbitrary acts or the administration in reference to obnoxious pri- vate individuals in the loyal States, where it is held the military cannot constitutionally be made to supersede the civil law. The administration and the party supporting it, alarmed by the popular manifestations, began to take in sail, The business of arbi- trary arrests under the orders of Secretary Stanton was almost totally suspended, and the most violent abolition organs ceased for atime to proclaim the object of the war as nothing more nor less than the extirpation of "Southern slavery, even if it should require the extermination of the slaveholders. Thus, with the approach of the Northern spring elections of 1863, the administration and its party prac- tically came back to the platform of a vigorous As the | prosecution of the war for the suppression of the rebellion. But in the meantime the copper- head peace faction, inflated with the idea that Governor Seymour, for instance, had been elected through their efforts, and upon their absurd peace principles, boldly undertook to carry Connecticut upon the platform of “ peace at any price,’ whether it might involve sub- mission to Jeff. Davis as President of the United States, or the recognition of his Southern confed- eracy, with the boundaries of bis own choosing. The results, from that day to this, wherever this abominable peace programme has been tried, have been the same—an indignant re- buke and repudiation of the copperheads by the people. As it was in Connecticut, so it is now in Maine. The war demo- crats have joined the war republicans, and have overwhelmingly carried the day. Ohio and Penasylvania, in October, will be very apt to follow in the wake of Maine and California; for while Vallandigham, as the great apostle of the copperheads, is more obnoxious to Union war democrats than Bradbury, Judge Wood- ward, the head of the democratic ticket in Pennsylvania, was brought forward on the same ground, and in the midst of a rebel inva- sion of the State. We apprehend, too, that the sbilly-shally, contemptible, demoralizing, do-nothing course of Governor Seymour in reference to the draft and the late riots in this city has diffused through- out the North the suspicion that these imprac- ticable projects of the copperheads for peace with the South mean nothing less than civil war and anarchy at our own doors. We con- clude, accordingly, that the late Democratic Convention at Albany, in endorsing the wisdom, patriotism and energy of Governor Seymour in these late trials of the public patience, made a great mistake. If they wish to carry our No- vember election they will at least keep Sey- mour in the background. He has attempted the difficult feat of carrying water on both shoulders, and has signally failed. He was a drawback to Bradbury in Maine, and will be no advantage to St. John, Church and company The Albany democratic platform, on the main point, the vigorous prosecution of the war, will do. Upon that ground, and against all the radical abolition usurpations of power, revoluttonary proceedings and principles, cor- ruptions, and blunders, and against the budget of blunders of Governor Seymour, let the oppo- sition conservative elements of New York con- dnct this campaign, and they may again carry the State. Otherwise the odor of copperhead- ism will stick to the skirts of the democracy, and they will be ingloriously defeated. Astonishing Revolution in Ordnance— New Cannon with «a Ran of Nine Miles. The recent work of our seige artillery om Morris Island is without parallel in the history of warfare. The fact that field artillery and heavy ordnance have reached such perfection is almost incredible. If any one three years since had ventured to assert that guns would be constructed capable of throwing a projectile of three hundred pounds weight a distance of six miles he would have been considered maniac, and would probably have been con- signed to a lunatic asylum. Before the first bombardment of Fort Sumter, when Beauregard had been permitted to en- circle that fortification, without molestation from ita guns, with aseries of powerful bat- teries, mounted with the heaviest guns then used | by the army, the Northern people were in doubt as to the ability of Major Anderson to | throw sbot or shell from his position into the | city of Charleston. At this time a letter was { addressed to one of the best authorities upon | the subject in this country—a person who is | now engaged in the present operations against j ‘ the great rebel stronghold—and the following is an extract from his reply:— Wasmuveros, Jan, 28, 1961. Yours of the 26th instant has been received, 1am unable to enter into the reasons on which the opinion | | is based, but believe that a bombardment of Charteston | from Fort Sumter by any ordnance now there is out of the question. |} The armament of Fort Sumter at that time | consisted of the ordinary smooth-bored thirty- | two and twenty-four-pounder siege guns, a few | eight and tea-inch columbiads, and mortars. | The fifteen-inch Rodman gun had been con- | struoted at that period, but only for experiment. | ' ‘Thoy had not been placed in position on any | 4 : fortifications except in the experimental battery | | at Fortress Monroe. H * Im the Goat bombardment of Sumter a sma SEPTEMBER 16, 1863.—'T RIPLE SHEET. rifled gun, of English manufacture, was used by the rebels with much effect. It wa’ in posi- tion on Cummings’ Point, near the present lo- cality of Battery Gregg, and is said to have done excellent work aj sings the gorge wall of Sumter, although of small calibre. During the fall of 1860 the State of Virginia was far- nished with several field batteries of ten-pounder | Parrott guns for State defence. These guna were first used against us at Sewall’a Point and | Aquia Creek, in May and June, 1861, and at that time gave sufficient proof of their immense power and range by far excelling the long thicty-two-pounder and nine-inch Dablgren gun in use on board ow vessels. At the Jast en- gagement with the Aquia Creek batteries, in which the United States ateamer Pawnee par- ticipated, a small rifled gun waa used on board that vessel, which is probably the frat instance where rifled ordnance waa used by the forces of the United States against an enemy. The thir- ty-pounder Parrott gua waa probably first used at the first battle of Bull run. During the sum- mer of 1861 a number of eighty-pounder rifles were manufactured at the Washing- ton Navy Yard on the plan. and under the superintendence of Admiral Dahlgren. The one hundred-poundor Parrott gun was first used at the siege of Yorktown and on board the steamer Westfield in the operations of Admiral Farragut on the Mississippi river. Heavy rifled guns were mounted and used in Fort Pickens during the two bombardments of the rebel positions at Forts McRae and Bar- rancas and Pensacola Navy Yard. Since then they have come into general use both afloat and ashore, and have been increased in size from the light field gun, throwing a projectile of ten pounds in weight, to the enormous “Swamp Angel” now in battery on Morris Island, which sends a bolt weighing three hun- dred pounds to a distance of ten thousand five hundred and sixty yards, or six miles. ‘Thus it will be seen that in the short space of thirty-one months an entire revolution has taken place in the character of ordnance used’ both in naval and military operations; and where, in 1861, high authority stated that a bombardment of Charleston from Fort Sumter was'an ‘impossibility, now is it not only pos- sible, but we can with ease, at a distance far greater, not only destroy Charleston, but com- pel the enemy to abandon any position he may take a mile beyond it. Indeed, a trial was re- cently made of a new piece of ordnance called the Ferris gun, and the report states that a range of nive miles was obtained. If this is the case an enemy’s ship rill be within range before her hull is in sight above the horizon; for, on account of the curvature of the earth, the hull of one ship does not come in sight of a person on the deck of another until within a distance of seven miles, Such is the range being obtained that we may expect in a little while to be bombarded successfully by guns entirely removed from sight and out of hearing; enabling us to ob- tain a knowledge of the enemy’s position only from the direction in which the projectiles come. Verily, we live in a wonderful age ! juemce Upon All Classes in This City. Paris boasts of her Bois de Boulogne, which is indeed a marvel of what taste and lavish ex- penditure can do towards embellishing nature; London revels in the possession of Hyde Park, where every day during that portion of the year yclept ‘the season” may be seen the noblest and the fairest of England’s daughters and ber most aristocratic and manly scions. New York The Park—lts itis not one jot behind these capitals of the Old World in enterprise and taste, and she bas her Park, the rendezvous of all classes in the city, the breathing place, the great lung of this immense, busy human hive. But a few years since the present site of the Park was @ barren, rocky waste; now it is a garden, filled with flowers, with trees, with beautiful vines creeping over the gray rocks, with lakes, on the rippling bosoms of which * gondolas glide gracefully. Swans, with their beautiful arched necks glistening in the rays of the bright autumnal sun, add a picturesque ef- fect to the beautiful ensemble, while once a week delicious music ia discoursed in a bright pagoda, around which you'see crowded the vehicles of the wealthy, and the masses who find their en- joyment of the music not decreased becanse they sit on the grass to hear it, instead of loll- ing on velvet or damask cushions. One and allseek the beautiful Park with a sensation of pleasure which is ever increasing, becaugg the taste for the beautiful grows upon wha’ is fed, and because the beauties of the Park are ever being added to. In years to come it will be # very Eden in this busy mart—a place of retirement from the throng and the noise of the city, where the weary may rest and the oppressed breathe freely. A vast influence is exerted upon all classes in New York by the Park. Some time since, when our brokers and bankers took their pas- time, they did so boisterously. They drove light wagons on the avenues, stopped at the drinking shops and indulged in smashes and juleps, and then issued forth to drive races and get smashes less agreeable than those above re- ferred to. And these bankers and brokers went about all this in a rowdy manner. They were ungloved, covered with dust, and talked and swore loudly, were rough, imitated jockeys, talked horse, chewed tobacco and got tipsy. The Park has changed all this. These same bankers and brokers are now seen ip the Pagk drives, seated in beautiful carriages, family vehicles, their wives and daughters accompany- ing them. The turnouts are in all respects most appropriate. The servants are in livery, the ladies in splendid toilettes and the gentle. men in irreproachable attire. Clean gloves adorn their hands; they do not new ‘chew to- } bacco, and are never seen with bleared eyes and suspiciously red noses, They have become too respectable, too comme il faut, for all that, and think of the past with compunotion, as the time when the Park did not exist and they were terribly fast fellows. The pooter classes have not the loss profited from the existence of the Park. On Sundays they crowd it to excess, Whereas they were in the habit of spending their leisure moments ia rum shops, they now resort to the green sward and the beautiful walks of the Park, and the enjoyment of these many attractions has its effect upon them, They become more gentle, more respectable, and we hear less of fearful rows, and on Monday moraings oar police courts ate not so crowded. The concerts at the Park improve the taste | of the people and refine their manners. A | better behaved assemblage than that which | crowds the Park on Saturdays is not to be met | with in any country, and we have a lively re- , collection of the eaormitios whieh were per- SEES ITT petrated by crowds before the days of our beautiful Park. In the times we refer to fights were the inevitable result of any large as- semblage When the Park was first proposed there were not4acking poople who prophesied that it would become a general battle ground. That the reverse of this ia the fact all are aware. Rowdies are not to be seen at the Park, the effect produced by its quiet and beautiful aspect is the reverse of pugnacious, and those disposed to auch pastime feel instinc- tively that this is not the place for the indul- gence of their vicious propensities, At the present time there may be seen in the Park an array of carriages such as would ap- pear to advantage in Paris or London. Our carriagemakers are becoming artisia, and we fully expect that exe many years they will put to the blush the most brilliant efforts of their European fellow tradesmen. The Park has also given an impetus to the taste for dress among the ladies, who now make a display of toiletes not to be surpassed anywhere ; and then, and most important, the Park has regenorated our belles. Whereas, before the existence of the Park they were pale and sallow from the want of exercise, they are now bright-eyed and red- cheeked, because daily they drive or tide in the Park. In the winter they congregate there by thousands and skate, making the place as brilliant and as much of a rendezvous as in the more genial seasons of spring, summer and autumn. All these things and many more has the Park accomplished, and we may well revel in its enjoyment, which brings health and pleasure to all. Harbor Defences of Amerioan Cities. We have had occasion from time to time to write of the harbor defences of our American cities, and especially of the defences of New York, at times making such suggestions and plans of improvement as the circumstances of the case seemed to demand. Within a short time we have perceived that our contemporary journals of Philadelphia, Boston, Portland, &c., have made strenuous appeals to the general government for such aid in the premises as would assure them of the defence of their cities under any and all emergencies against foreign invasion. The appeals of those journals, backed up by the energetic action of the merchants, have not been in vain, as we learn that the harbors of the cities named have been for some time un- dergoing such military improvements, in the way of erecting new fortifications. and the re- juvenating of old ones, that they are now ona tolerably good war footing. In addition to the facts already stated, we also learn that decided steps have been taken by the authorities in the cities enumerated to put their local militia on a semi-war footing. Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts, with all his eccentricities of character and fanatical ideas, seems at least to comprehend the signs of the times, and has taken decided steps to place the militia of his State on a good footing. The idea, however, is not original with him; he is merely carrying out the ideas suggested and practically put into effect by his immediate predecessor, Gen. Banks. With all this preparation of our sister cities, we have yet to learn that any decided step has been taken in similar matters by the authorities of New York, except in the instance we shall hereafter name. The threatening aspect of European politics as affecting our interests—the uncertain state of Mexican affairs in the viola- tion of the Monroe doctrine by Louis Napoleon, and in the case of ‘England in furnishing mat rial aid to the rebels in the shape of iron-clads. renders a sundering of the entente cordiale be- tween our government and those countries not only possible, but extremely probable. With these plain facts staring us broadly in the face, our duty is plain. We must get ready to meet any and all anticipated emergencies. First of all the mercantile community of this city should demand of the general government a thorough iuspection of our forts and har- bor defences, their armaments, garrison, «ec. Secondly, they should demand of the State an- thorities a statement of the organization, strength and effectiveness of our State militia, with a view to its improvement. Since the inception of the present rebellion such demands have been made on our local military that it is im- possible to know at this time its condi-. tion. Our State military authorities have been the recipient of scores of complaints in regard to the mismanagement of affairs of the local military of this city, and the probable demands that will be made on it in future. They have therefore taken a step which, if properly seconded by the mer- chants of New York. will redound to their beneftt and future security. They propose to raise & new and powerful brigade of State troops, the old and gallant Seventh regiment to be the nucleus of the organization, to have added to it such new regiments as may raise its num- ber to five thousand effective men, in addition to the four brigades now under the command of Major General Sandford. To command the new brigade has been tendered to Colo- nel Marshall Lefferts the brigadier’s star. The announcement of this fact in the Haran, a few weeks since, was a matter of public congratulation, and it now reats with the mer- chante and business men of this city to say whetber the measure shall succeed or fail. To organize such a brigade will be attended with some expense, but nothing compared to the ad- vantages to be reaped us a measure of de- fence case of foreign invasion. To put the expense of recruiting such a force upon the officers, who are willing to give their time, and their lives if necessary, is rather too ungenerous to suppose; nor do we think the people of New York would expect such a thing when'they canvass the proposi- tions we have suggested. We have demonstrated to the world our ability to knoek down any masonry fortifica- tions now extant, The leyson will not be lost by foreign Powers in the event of a war with this country. The present uncertain state of affairs demands untiring vigilance, Sobools of instruction for artillery should be established in our forts; the lands in the suburbs of our city should be surveyed, with 9 view of constructing auxiliary works to our forts and natural defences. This can only be done by the energetic action of our merchants, who have the greatest amount at stake, Nothing can be expected or hoped for from the present chief of the War Department. His capacity has been frequently tested, with but one result—failure. What the merchants of New York must do is to insist upon being af- forded the military protection accorded “to other cities of the Union. me Pmuaperena, Hopt. 15, 186%, ‘The salen Of government honds to-day amounted to 8576.306, Deliveries of vouds are made to Auquet 20. Theatricat. THE GHOSTS. ‘The ghost withdraws from Wallack’s thoatre aftor this Ovoning. It will appear to-night for the last timo and benofit of Mrs. Watkins. The theatre will be closed for » fow days, and Mr. Wallack will then begin bis rogular Season with a new drama, full of atriking oifects, but not of the “sonestion’ ordor, Mr. Wallack bas numerous ovolties in preparation, and will conduct his campaign with unusual vigor, and, we hope, success, Bot, though the ghost has completed its cugagemeat at Wallack's, it may still be seen at the Wiuter Garden, the Now Bowery, the Old Bowery, the American theatre, Baroum’s Museum and Wood's Minstrels, all of whi places Of amusement are crowded nightly. There ure indications, however, that this ghost excitement hus been Fup into tho ground, whence ghosts were supposed to Come in ancient times.” Ia the first place, the ghost hag falled mogt dismatiy in all (he provincial cities, much (0 the disappointment of many ghost- raisors, who expected to make fortunes out of the credulity of our couatry cousins, In the 6e- cond piace, the people are thoroughiy disgusted with the plays in which the ghosts are exhibited. Look at that Play which has been running #0 long at Wallack’s, for in- stance. Seldom before have so poor a drama and such miserablo acting as that of Mr. Watkins and the most of bis company been permitted in any Broadway establish. ment. Or look at tho other theatres, where the ghosts are crowded iu, anyhow and everyhow, in deflance of all the proprictics. Iu tho third and tast place, the ghosts disappoint the audience, They do not and cannot perform what is justiy oxpected of them, They caanot walk about the stage, ‘They do not look like ghosts, ag ghosts are popularly aup- posed to appoar, Tho talk about revolutionizing the stage with them is all buncombe and clap-trap. They are no more wonderfui chan the magic lantern, The store- Opticons, or the dissolving views, beat,the ghosts upon their own ground. The excitement about them is as sense- lous a6 waa Une excitement about tbe Feejee mermaid or tho Woolly Horse, and it is just as barren of any ar- tistic results, Wesuppose that every ghost must have its day; but after that day is over these ghosts, which have created such a furor, will never be hoard of again, They are the development of no new principles, and promise nothing eatisfactory for the future. Any at- tempt to introduce them into Shaksperes “Hamlet’’ er “Macbeth,” as M. Kechter proposes in “London, will be a failuro in an artistic point of view, ‘hough it may possibly draw unthinking crowds. Manager fingard tried the experiment at the New Bowery on a largo scale, and it was not successful. Possibly Shakspere may be illustrated some day by real ghosts; but it will be upon a very different plan from that of Professor Peppor. We are speaking of the ghosts as they aro; and they are undoubtedly hum- bugs. This fact will be clear when we explain the, modus operandi of the ghost business. Upon the stage of the theatre is placed a large plate of glass. The audience doos not always perceive this, de- cause the stage is darkened, and because objects bebind the glass may be seen through it. In front of this glass is a large trap, Sprung beveath the stage, Under the siage is asquare place lined with black. Tha person whose ghost is to be represented stands in a sloping position against the back of this,place, and a strong light is thrown upon his figure from a lamp placed opposite. Now this light reflects the figure up through tho trap opening to the glass upon the stage. That is the whole operation; and & lamp, a plate of glass and a lot of black cloth com- prise all the necessary apparatus. In a magic lantern the object is placed before the light and the shadow is thrown upon the wall opposite. In the ghost business the object is placed before the light, and the shadow is thrown upward upon the glass. This shadow cannot move about stage, because it cannot leave the glass. It cannot even move backward and forward easily and gracefully, because,as we haye already said, the person whose shadow is represented is placed in a very uncom. fortable, unnatural, slanting position, and his movements are therefore constrained and awkward. Theee defects may be remedied; but ta ordor to remedy them the ghost will have to be produced in an entirety different manner by a new invention. If we turn from the apparatus to the offects we find jualy grave defects. It is not a ghost we behold, but a lifesize raph Of @ person under the stage. The iWusion or delusion is al) on the playbills, which are much more ghostly than the ghost scenes at the theasres, Better effects can be produced by other means. Charles Kean made more natural ghosts, a long while ago, by turning @ bright, concentrated light upon the face of am actor. By the same means and the addition of an in- et Sane the familiar ghost in pieced Any ree, night’’ was represented years ago. James W. Jr, as the ghost of Hamiet’s father, looks more ghostly than any of Pepper's spectres; and yot all Kody boon he uses is a gauze veil: Tne old ghost in the “ Brothers,” made by having two actors dressed tomas a alike, was a hundredfold more effective than the new. ‘a word, Professor " Invention will not supersede the regular devices the ghost business of iegitimate Joe i His ghosts are no more natural, much more pone gy ) useful ag the ancient ones, and must go by the ‘d. For art ikea gully thin pon a fearful jus spectres 6 8 guilty t a Seema and ‘shrink in eae ewan,” jeaving a few Tick managers and pienty of broken glass to atvest their former presence. R Marine. LAUNCH OF THE STEAM CUTTBR KANKAKES. Mr. Westervelt launched for tho Treasury Department yesterday a new steam revenue cutter called the Kan- kakee. . This veseel is one of the six cutters which were ordered by the Treasury Department some months ago. ‘They bave been built at New York, Philadelphia and Bal- timore. These vessels were built under the supervision of J.B. Stillman, Superintendant of Construction of tho Re- venue Service, and Captain Constable, his assistant, They are all of one size and will carry the same battery, They are built in the most sabetantial manner, of the beet ma- terial, and reflect great credit upon the builders. Three of these vessels were built here and the others at Phila- del hia and Baltimore. At ten o'clock the laanching party were on board, and among them we noticed Aesistant Secrétary of the Trea- sury Harrington and family, Collector Barney and family, Deputy Collector Stedweil, Superintendent T. B. Stillman, Captains Faunce, Constable and Fenger, of the revenue service; Mr, Stillman, American Consul at Rome, and some of our most prominent merchants, At half-past ten A. M. the workmen commenced te wedge her up, and at ten minutes before eleven she started slowly down the ways without tho slightest jar or motion, and sped through the water s short distance, when she was taken in tow and brought to the wharf. As rhe reached her native element Miss Susie '. lovely daughter of Collector Barney, broke a bottie of champagne over her bow, and with these words cbris- tened her:<='* This vessel will hereafter be known as the United States revenue cutter Kankakee.’’ After the vea- rel reached the wharf the guests were escorted to the office of the builder, where a cold collation was provided. The model of this vessel is beausifal, and she looks like one of our yachts more than a man-of-war. The di- mevsions Of the Kaukakee are as ee 137 feet on dock; breadth of beam, 263, feet; depth of hold, 12 feet; and of 350 tonsjburden. ‘she is to have two oscillat- jpg low pressure engines of 36 mch cylinder and 32 inch . She is t© carry one 80-pounder rifled Parrott gun and six 24-pound howitvers, she will be brig rigged. Her engines are Mer bart Pry & . ory, at the foot of Jane atreet,.N. R., and w io id weeks, A trial of speed of the six steam cutters has been posed when they are al! completed, the different ba! to each give $2,000 to form a purse, the digtanee run to be between Boston and fertress Monrce, the winning boat t take HY money The powerful engines which are to be placed in these vessels will undoubtedly give them speed. In ad- dition to these vessels the bas purchased the Cuyahoga, Miami'and the Seagate allot ch are now doing duty. There is also a emal! steam doing duty ou the Chesapeske and its tributaries. a The following is @ correct list of the vessels which now compore the reveaue Sm: . Marti aptain Pease, rt, RT. ia): Captain Metowan New York. «-., Lieutenant Fenger. New York. ‘The French Frigate Guerrter at Halifax. Haurrax, N. 8., Sept. 16, 1868. The French man of war Guerrier, Admiral Reynacd &t, Pierre, arrived here to-da; Arrivals and Departeres. ‘ig Stace