The New York Herald Newspaper, December 18, 1863, Page 4

4 ‘ NEW YORK HERALD. SAMES GURDON BENNETTE, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR OFFIOR N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. TERMS cash in advance, Boney sent by mail will be ‘at tho risk of the seuder, Nouo but bauic bills current in Now York taken. THE DAILY HERALD, Tersw conte per copy. Wotmme ANVIL ... 55. c cee ceeteeeeees 4MUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Irving Piace.—Tau Gxewan Orena—Faust. NIPLO’ or Kintany WALLACK'S THEATRE, GARDEN, Broadway.—Macic Jone—Laxus y—Inise TIGER. roadway.—Rosepaus, roadway.—Ticket ov Leave WINTER GARDEN, Bas Suavina—Yankex Leoacr, DEW ROWER! THEATRE, Bowery—Dcemwn Maw or | Manouxsrer—Rionaup Coun px Lion—Tom anv Jenny. PROWERY THBATRE, Bowery.—Formst or Camitix—Four Lovers: NK AND ORSON. Bonpy— RARNUM'S Giant Gr Bours, Ticket Afternoon and MUSEUM. |WAV.—-ARABIAN GIANT, Gust Bor, Ln KING. &6.. a6 all ov Gwava MaN—Tenant oF THR Toms. Evening. BRYANTS' MINSTRE! way.—Ermorian Sonas, Da. mux Poxt. * Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broad. | BURL KSQUES, AC—JEEMES WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, Slt Broad’ Bonus, Dances, &c.—Von Hiaw-nuGs Mxi —Ernioriam | RIK, GEO. CHRISTY S MINS TESQUES, SONGS, Dances, Ac. 3. 685 Broadway.—Bur- Brack Sratox. AMERICAN THEA No. 444 Broadway.—Bauuers, Yantomines, Burnesquas, Ao.—Iuisn TGEe. BROADWAY AMPHITHEATRE, KasTio AND EQugstitan PERFORMS ond wav. —GrM- NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 613 Broadway.— | Comosrmues any Lecromus, trom 9 a, M."UM 40 P.M, HOOLEY’S OPERA Boras, » Borux: u Brooklyn.—Etmoriax New York, Friday, December 18, 1863, THE NOMINATION OF GENERAL GRANT. . We announced, a day or two ago, that a call for a meeting of those in favor of the nomination of OLYMPIC THEATRE, lroadway.—Lapies Bxwarx— | in the Emancipation and Amnesty proclamations, | laid on the table by a vote of ninety against sixty- Who Is to Be Our Next President? The question with which we have headed this article is beginning to en -ross the attention of the public, to the exclusion of all other topics. The degenerate press may twaddle about peace, or the negro, or any such subjegis of minor in- terest; but they attract no atiention and are re garded with simple indifference. The people feel that all political, financial and national quest ons are subsidiary to, and are indeed in- cluded in, the great question of the Presidency The coming election will decide them all by deciding who is to be our next President. It is evident, in the first place, that our next President must be a military man, of tried ex- perience and acknowledged capacity. This war will not be ended during Mr. Lincoln’s term, and, even if it were, we should be obliged to pre- pare at once for other wars with England and France, in order to induce or to compel the former Power to make reparation for injuries inflicted, and the latter Power to withdraw from Mexico. Under these circumstances, we need a military President. We have had quite enough of a Civilian Commander-in-chief during the past four years. If Mr. Lincoln has done nothing else worthy of praise, he has at least convinced the people that a civilian is not the man for a President during war times, It is undeniable that all the waste, extravagance, blunders, mistakes, bad management and im- becility which have characterized the present administration are to be set down to tho ac- count of President Lincoln. We have chosen to ignore this fact for a long time, hoping, almost against hope, that by and by matters would be reformed. For this reason, and because the exigencies of the war reanired that the people shou!d have coni- dence in the President, no matter what they thought of his subordinates, we have main- tained a perfect and a patriotic silence in re- gard to the person who is really responsible for all the gross errors of which every ove has cOmplained. We now choose to keep silent no longer. President Lincoln selected, appointed, and could at any time remove, his Gabinet and other officials. Consequently he is responsible if they blunder and are allowed to continue blundering. Many of the errors of this admin Merrimac down to the sinking of the Wechawken. The Soldiers’ Bounty Pay bill was recommitted to the Military Committee. A message was received from the President, accompanying a letter from a committee of the Freedmen's Aid Society, con- taining a plan having reference to the contrabands. The President submits the whole subject to the consideration of Congress, deeming that their at tention thereto is imperatively demanded. In the House of Representatives, the bill for the payment of invalid and other pensions was passed, and the Consular and Diplomatic Appropriation bill was reported by the Ways and Mcans Commit- tee. The joint resolution of thanks to Captain John Rodgers, of the navy, was adopted. The Committee on Roads and Canals was directed to inquire into the expediency and necessity of en- larging the Northern canals so as to unite the waters of the Hudson river with the Mississippi and the great lakes. Mr. Edgerton, of Indiana, offered a preamble and resolution setting forth that ‘‘the House cannot but regard with anxiety the unprecedented and extraordinary olaims and assumption of high prerogative by the President’’ and that the House ‘denounce, as amonz the gravest of crimes, the invasion or occupation by armed forces of any State under the pretext or for the purpose of coereing the people thereof, to modify or abrogate any of their lands or domestic institutions that are consistent with the constitution of the United States.” This was three. Mr. Smith, of Kentucky, then offered a series of resolutions, one pledging the House to a vigorous prosecution of the war, and declaring against any armistice or proposition of peace 80 long as there shall be found a rebel in arms against the government. This was adopted by a vote of ninety-three against sixty-four. The other resolu- tions, in favor of voting money for the war and thanking the soldiers in the field for their gallantry, were adopted with but one negative vote—Mr. Harris, of Maryland. Notice was given of a bill to increase the pay of privates and non-commissioned officers of the army; also a resolution to refund to the States, counties, townships, wards, cities and pal corporations a!l moneys paid by them ively for bounties to volunteers in the The House then adjourned till Mouday Union, next, EUROPEAN NEWS. The City of Cork, from Queenstown on the 30th ult., reached this port yesterday morning, and the Hibernia, from Galway on the 8th inst., arrived at Gen. Grant for the Presideacy could be found at our oflice by whoever chose to come and sign it. It was not there at the time specificd, and we re- gret the many disappointments so caused; but it will be Teady at the office to-day. THE SITUATION. The condition of affairs in the Aarmy of the Po- tomac remains unchanged. There is no later neWs from Charleston. The latest news from the West is from Memphis to the 14th. We are therefore without any particulars of the late affair between General Shackleford and the troops of General Longstreet, on the Cumberland and Morristown Railroad, which occurred on the same day. The steamer Chesapeake was recaptured yes- terday by the United States gunboat Ella and Annie—which went in pursuit from Boston—at with the exception of three, who fell into the hands of the captors, The prize was taken to th Halifax, according to orders received from the United States sloop-of-war Dacotah, which ar- rived 4 short time after the capture. The govern- | ig- It amounted to two hundred and seventeen millions of francs. ment of Nova Scotia, it appears, has issued orders for the arrest of the crew, and hence, no doubt, the reason why the commander of the United States steamer Dacotah ordered the captain of the Ella and Annie, who was about taking his prize into an American port, to carry her into a British port, there to settle the matter with the remnant of the crew found on board. The rest, including Lieutenant Braine, got off safely into the woods at Sanbro harbor. The British authorities will, therefore, have to deal only with the subordi- mates, ‘The news which we give from the South to-day is highly interesting. The comments of the Rich- mond papers on Mr. Lincoln’s Message and pro- clamation are characterized by the most un- equivocal contempt for these, documents, and the most positive refusal to accede to the demands for what they claim to be a cowardly submission, as set forth in President Lincoln's proclama- They deneminate the latter ddeument an “impudent production,” and state that while Mr. Lincoin offers the Southern people “forgive- tion. ness'’ on condition of abandoning their leaders, it is they who never can forgive him for invading their soil and slaughtering their people. “The infamous proclamation,” they aay, Twill but drive the Confederates to new zeal and new efforts.”’ The Richmond Enquirer makes light of Senator Foote’s attacks upon Jeff. Davis, and calls the former a variable, mercurial man, whose ill-temper towards Mr. Davis is not regarded as of any weight. A despatch from Newbern, N. C., says that the running of the blockade into Wilmington continues 40 increase. It is estimated that half a million of dollars’ worth of goods arrive there every twenty- four houra, North Carolina is nearly abandoned by the rebel troops, there being but two brigades in the State. General Butler is raising an army of colored troops in his department. The three black regi- ments of cavalry recently started are said to bey adopted a resolution diresting the Comptroller to rapidly filling up. + We learn from Fortress Monroe that about ‘ight o'clock on Wednesday evening the ho spital in Fort } rendered to Gommittees of said Board during the Yorktown took fire. The fire ¢’ ommunicated to the bakery, and about half -past one o'clock, a magazine exploded. The 6 the frequent explosion At four o'clock yes’ ion took place. “ ‘The loss ia ur” verday morning another explo- several buildings were destroyed. .known, and the particulars had not dy" sup to a late hour thie-morning. A CONGRESS. / tn the Senate yesterday, Mr. Hale caused o newspaper paragraph to be read, in which a New England Senator was charged with being bribed for three thousand dollars to procure the release of two prisoners from the Old Capitol prison. Believing that he was the Senator alluded to, Mr. Hale entered at length into explanations of the circumstances of the case, showing that nothing improper had been done by him, and closed with f resolution directing the Judiciary Committee to investigate the subject, which was adopted. Mr. ‘Wade offered a resolution, which waa agreed to, calling on the Secretary of the Navy for all official @ospatches and papers relating to actions in which Phips-of-war have been engaged, but especially reac qwith regard to the operations of the iron-clads, | from the engagement between the Monitor and grudging tone by the London Zimes. cage on the 7th instant by the Judges of the Court istration have been such as no military Presi-- dent would have allowed or could have com. mitted. Tor the future, therefore, until we are at peace with all the world, we must have a military President. In the second place, we require a Presi- dent who will bo influenced by no_politi- cal or other faction, and who will guide the nation by tha chart of the constitu- St. Johns, N. yesterday morning, on her voy- age to Boston. The Hibernia’s news is nine days later than the advices brought by the Canada. The Hibernia-hag not brought any intelligence relative to the great prize fight between Heenan and King. General Grant's victory at Chattanooga attract- ed much attention in Engiand. His success is ac- knowledged by the London press, although ina Judgment was not delivered in the Alexandra | people are disgusted with political Presidents, They know what Pierce and Buchanan and Lin- coln have accomplished by trying to serve par- ty atthe expense of the country, Togo no farther back than the present time, see how Mr. of Exchequer. The Umted States steamer Kearagrge was at Queenstownwn tbe 7th instant, and relanded six- hundred and fifty-five guns. tion to the peaceful baven of reunion. The always the rebels, call on New Year's Day in Atlanta. On the 4th of Nim's, 1865, ho will be in Wasb- ington. Ea the Armament Vaited States. The increase of the naval armament o. the Un ted States since the commencement of th rebellion finds no parallel in the history of maritime couvtries. The facts as just laid be- fore Congress have astonished all but those initiated In such matters. It must be remem- bered that this increase has nothing to do with that which has taken place in army ordnance manufactured during the same period, and which in itself might be considered a vast business for the richest and most powerful kingdoms of the Old World. But immense as our naval armament is, the whole navy, with all its great guns, never bas done, and never will do, toward the suppression of the rebel- lion, one tithe of what has been done by the one man—Ulyasea 5. Grant. It appears that the number of guns in the navy on the Ist of March, 1861, the beginning of the secession catastrophe, was two thousand nine hundred and sixty-six. Of these there were distributed in batteries, on shipboard, five The balance, or two thousand four hundred and eleven guns, remained on board vessels in ordinary, re- ceiving ships, or were parked in navy yards on the Atlantic coast, there being not a gun from the navy then planted on the Mis- sissippi, though that river has since been opened and several fine specimens of our ord- nance. shown to the natives, through the skill and courage of Grant. It will be recollected, too, that nearly all our cruisers were at this time absent on forcign stations. Since March 1, 1861, no less than two thousand eight hnn- Naval of dred and eleven guns, some of the largest known calibre for the navy, baye been constructed, and some seven hundred more are in the pro- cess of construction, and will be completed in the course of the year. All the recently manu- factured guns are of the latest approved pat- terns, thoroughly tested for their strength and great range. This will make altogether an ar- mament of six thousand four hundred guns now, or shortly to be, included in the naval service of the United States. And for the accuracy of their firing and length of range, it may be cited that, out of ten thousand shot and shell fired at Fort Sumter, nine thousand are acknowledged by the rebels to have struck the fort, and cut down tho flagstaff more than a dozen times, at a distance of from one to three miles. This is equal to pigeon shooting. Everything having gone as directly to its mark as Grant goes to his, and will to the Presidency. Shot have also been thrown into Charleston at a distance of over four miles; but as this was more of an army exploit—General Gillmore’s “Swamp Angel’ congress. Sanbro harbor. The officers and crew all escaped | flame the public mind against England on account of Earl Russell's refusal to send ddlegates. long considered by the Council of State> hopeful,’’ but the different States’ were still very Federal Diet of Germany. parte congress will restore the pontifical provinces to his rule. India, during the first half of the month of No- trate” in Sydney, Australia, in October, up to the 26th of that month. 7th instant. instant. fire continugd, Causing of shells during the night. having performed it—we shall not claim it asthe feat of a navy gun. This achievement renders it certain that the city of Charleston can be destroyed whenever General Gillmore chooses to do it, just as Fort Sumter has been made to mingle with the dust of her stony and onco considered impregnable battlements. And “f Gilmore don’t hurry Grant will come up in the rear and take the town from the other side. How do these successes compare with the fate of the cream of the English navy, under its ated Fremont, then he gustained him, and | thon most accomplished Admiral Napier, when, then he removed him. First he stood | in 1853, that naval hero was compelled to by McClellan, then he allowed him to | forego bis.amditated attempt upon Cronstadt be persecuted, thon he defended him, and then | when he had scarcely seen the flash of he sent him to New Jersey. First he said he | gun from its frowning batteries? Grant would never interfere with slavery, and now | would have shown the Muscovites a rather he talks about issuing a proclamation making } better performance than that. With our fleet abolition the basis of reunion. First Fe- | of iron-clads and Monitors we can now ac- moved generals for proclaiming emancipation, complisb in forty hours what Britain, with and then he isswed an emancipation proclanwe- | a}j her boasted naval strength, failed ten years tion. At first be called this proclamation “® | ago even to attempt at atl—the reduction of a Pope’s bull against the comet,” then “the | gtone fortification of the strength of that of most foolish act of his fife,” and now he de~} Gronstadt. And Grant took Vicksburg in oue- clares that it is a great military measure and | tenth the time that it required for the French that he will never recall it. But we have not } and English to take one side of Sebastopol. the space at present to enumerate all the de- | But this is not all. Since the rebellion com- plorable instances of this grave fault, which } menced, to say nothing about what was in seems inseparable from a political President, | hand before, there have been manufactured no | which has sadly prolonged the war, and which | tess than six hundred and seventy-cight thou- will cause it to be interminable if another sort | gand six huadred and seventeen shells of all of man, independent of political factions and | oalibres; cighty thousand three hundred and true to the constitution, be not soon placed in | sinety-two solid shot; two hundred and forty- the President's chair. seven thousand six hundred and sixty-eight In General Grant we all these | gbrapnel, and thirteen million four hundred qualifications, combined with many others | and thirty-four thousand and eight hundred almost equally indispensable. General Grant | ang eighty pounds of grape and canister! This is a great military leader. When he is Presi- | for the navy alone. Graat bas deprived the dent we shall have no military blunders, | pepelg of one hundred thousand men. or if his subordinates make any they will be | Bosides this, again, we have manufactured promptly punished and their errors as prompt- | gor the navy, since the Ist of March, 1861, two ly corrected. This will soon end the war, and | ¢housand nine hundred and eighty tons of pow- then, with such a soldier, of world-wide fame | ger. And, to show that we do not intend to and unquestioned ability, as our President, for- | rely upon foreign nitro for the purpose of eign nations will not hesitate to do us justice } making powder, we have opened a little nitre without incurring the dangers of war. General | ooncern in Connecticut that hes already turned Grant is no politician, and is controtled by no | out five hundred tons of the material, which politicians, As,he himself says, he knows more | hag ‘been tested and proved excellent. An- of tanning than of politics. Consequently he | other concern of the same kind is getting under will be at liberty to select the ablest men im | way in this city. Grant opened a nice nitre the country, independent of polities, to preside | concern at Chattanooga the other day, which aver the various departments, and we sball | nays very well. Business in foundries, powder not see an old fogy retained in place to } milis, navy yards, in all the elements that con- conciliate the republican voters of New | tribute to establish a great, staunch, invincible England, nor @ rampant blockhead mis- | navy, has increased in the proportion of from managing the army because the republi- | one hundred to one thousand per cent since the cans of Pennsylvania must have a representa- | demon of rebellion began his strides apon our tive in the Cabinet. Ability, uot politics, will | tang. And it is believed that not more than be the passport to high station; and then, per- | half is told on this subject; for it would be un- haps, paper money will not be considered by | wise to proclaim to the world all we are doing a Secretary of the Breasury altogether superior | in the way of building a navy. to gold. For the rest, we neither know nor | put let us go on. Let Congress help along care what Genoral Grant’s opinions about this | the advance that has been made in placing the subject or that subject may be. We know | navy on its ptesent footing, and also, as him to be able, patriotic and conservative. | Commander Wise suggests, prepare it for Senatog Wilgon, indeed, tries to deny that Gene- | further and more extended operations. That Grant is conservative in the best sense of | omoer now proclaims it to be in general effi- ciency equal to, and In some respects far excell- ing, in the character of its ordnance any other teen men who had just been shipped there. The rebel stediner Gibraltar, formerly the Sum- ter, was at Queetistown, with cotton, from Wil- mington, N.C. There is nothing new cdhverning the European The Paris Constituffonnel seeks to in- Lincoln has been bound hand and foot by the party which he represents, and from which be has not the moral courage to cut loose, and see how he has beon pulled this way and that way, forced to cat hia own words, compelled to shift about like a weathercock, and bullied into an exhibition of continual inconsistency in his for- lorn and pitiable attempt todo what he con- sidered his duty to the various cliques which have surrounded him. First he repudi- M. Fould proposed to contract a Wrench loan of ree hundred millions of francs, The\gubject was The bullion in the Bank of France was inereas- The very latest reports by the Hibernia aay the Germano-Danish question “looks rather more seriously agitated. King Christian, of Denmark, issued a proclamation to the Holsteiners, in which he asserts his claims to the executive authority and his determination to uphold it. The Germans in London held a very animated meeting in sup- port of the people of Schleswig and Holstein. The Danish representative had been excluded from the The Pope expresses the hope that the Bona- There is nothing of importance from Poland. Considerable fighting had taken place in Lahore, vember. Trade was very dull in Melbourne, and “ pros- The Liverpool cotton market was firm on the Prices had not changed from the 5th The reports of the transactions of that day were forwarded by the Australasian, now due at this port. Breadstuffs had not materially changed. Provisions were dull and looking down- ward. Consols closed, on the 7th instant, in Lon- don, at 90% a 90% for money. [Illinois Central shares were 26 a 24 discount. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. The Board of Aldermen are working hard and incessantly, meeting almost every day, in order that the business before them and that which is accruing may be finished before the termination of the municipal year. They met again yesterday, the President, William Walsh, Bsq., in the chair. A considerable quantity of routine business was disposed of, and the Board adjourned to meet again to-day at one o'clock. The Board of Councilmen met atone o'clock yesterday, Mr. Gross in the Chair, pro tel. Mr. O’Brien offered a resolution that the Committee on National Affairs submit ta the Board all plans and specifications received by them for the erec- tion of a monument in Calvary Cemetery to the memory of the Catholig soldiers who have falien during the war. Referred to the Committee on National Affaira, Another batch of bills for fitting ‘ap election polls waa received and appropriately referred. On motion of Mr. Hayes, the Board have draw his warrant for §250 in favor of Mary Downes, sister of tye late John F. Culligan, mes- senger to the Board of Councilmen, for services pos ar. Gn motion of Mr. Brice, the resolu: 4<n offered by Mr. Hayes on Saturday last, to ap- ; ropriate the sum of $12,000 for the erection of a | Tal eh inca in Calvary Cemgtery to the wetmory of | the word; but we once nailed Wilson to the the Catholic soldiers who have fallen during the | counter for falsehood, and sball repeat the war, was adopted. A number of routine papers | operation if be is not more discreot. As On| navy. This record is another evidence of the were disposed of, and the Board adjourned until able, patriotic and conservative general, we to-day at one o'clock, when a special meeting will be held, for the purpose of taking suitable ac‘ion that he may be nominated and elected inde- in reference to the decease of Alderman Froment, recommend Grant to the people, and, in order pendent of the professional politicians, we bave Pi of var bah diseepana tea wr soar cere prepared a call, which may be signed at tong dimipieh. A reaction must follow before many days. | office, requesting an expression of public senti- The gold market waa very tame, and only a fow small | ment in regard to the matter, Many persons parcels were disposed of at prices ranging between 150 have already offered to sign this call, and it is and 201, neliher Agare baving been toncbed. . Money | | ready for the people. We are determined was in demand, and the news of the reception of five millions of currency from Washington did not pre. | that, for once, the people shall have something vent lenders from readily obtaining the ruling rate of in | to aay in the choice of their own rulers, and we terest, The rain storm restricted commercial transactions within narrow limits yesterday, aod the majority of the merchants report little or nothing doing. At the Produce Exchange business was firm. Breadstutls wore firmer, though the Hibernia’s news had little effect on the mar Kot. Corn was decidedly higher. Provisions were quiet, but steady, Pork was lower. Groceries were very quiet, Butter was steady, Petroleum was dull; but the business was larger than on Wednesday, but at lower prices. Freighta were a shade | ower to Liverpool, but steady to otber British porta, warn the political hacks to stand aside or take the consequences. Flow Genenat Grant Srevns His Hontpars.— General Grant celebrated Independence Day of 1863 by marching into Vicksburg, where he shade lower, Whiskey #8 | coolly enjoyed his segar, and on Thanksgiving Day of the same year he as coolly gave Bragg a tanning and @ thrashing. Perhaps he bas something in store for Christmas, and may give vast resources of the loyal States, and the patriotism, skill and ingenuity of our citi- zens. Let the record remain forever clear and perfect, aud let us have Ulysses S. Grant for the next President of the united United States. Conprrton or THE IyptANs.—We are glad to find that government intends to propose to Congress some important modifications in the plan on which its relations with the Indian tribes in our outlying States and Territories have been hitherto conducted. At present nothing can be more unsatisfactory than the condition of these people. It is true that most of the Southern tribes which formed allianoes with the rebels at the commencement of the war have abandoned the project, and in many instances united with the Union armies. Yet the hostility of other tribes on our Western borders has already reached that point which renders an Indian war upon the top of our present NEW YORK HERALD, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1863. civil war almost inovitable. Sirent is the man who would close that up—as he has knocked alt his adversaries hitherto, ao he weUld soon lay low the poor Indian, In addition to the above facta, the discovery of extensive gold flelds on the reservations o0~ cupied by the Indians, and the immediate rush of the whites to those points, bave seriously disturbéa *2e amicable relations with the red man, renderag immediate action ne- nessary on the part of the goverg- ment. A large section of the country now occupied by the Indians, dud especially in the latiiudes where the Winnebagoes and the Sioux of Minnesota have within the past year been removed to, has been visited with a severe drought, leaving many of the tribes in an almost destitute condition. This, with the de- predations upon and raids of the rebels through thosegeservations where the Indians have pros- pered and the crops were good, will, beyond a doubt, complicate our present arrangements and seriously embarrass operations on the bordors. Grant is the man to straighten up the borders, a3 the border States will show by their vote. The constant rush of emigration to the Far West, and the rapid encroachments of the settle- ments upon the territory now occapied by the Indians, not only in settling all around them, but rushing into their very midst in search of the minerals to be found in all of those valleys and mountain gorges, will hereafter cause con- stant trouble to the government, and end only in the final disappearance of the Indian race from this continent. . Grant will settle all around the Indians, and the Indians, too. The Emperor Napoieon’s Troubles in Mexico. Napoleon the Third made a great mistake when he persevered in the Mexican expedition in spite of the defection of his allies, England and Spain. When those nations withdrew from that affair the Emperor should have followed their example, and thrown upon them the re- sponsibility of the failure of the expedition. But the French sovereign had ambitious views upon the subject. He fondly hoped he might, with- out much risk, gain his purpose—conquer a foothold upon the continent and obtain large supplies from the captured Mexicans. He doubtless reasoned, as the people of the United States had conquered the Mexicans with com- parative facility, that with his heroes of the Crimean and Italian campaigns he could with greater ease accomplish still more. To the astonishment of the world it turned out that the Mexicans were capable of a desperate defence, and months passed by ere the French invaders were able to claim the slightest success. At last, after terrible loss of life and waste of treasure, the French obtained a precarious hold upon the Mexican capital, and went through a farco—a trumped up election of notables, who, in the name of the people, called upon the Emperor Napoleon to provide them with a sovereign and give them an imperial govern- ment. The prince upon whom the Emperor of the French directed the choice of the self-styled “potables’’ has not as yet accepted the throne proffered to him, and, from what we can ascertain, it is now highly proba- ble he never will. The Mexicans, in- stead of acknowledging the rule of France, are making strenuous efforts to combine in de- fence against their invaders, and Napoleon is floundering in bis attempts to make the world believe the reverse. We see it stated by the French semi-offcial press that the troops of Napoleon actualty in Mexico will cost the French government nothing; that the Mexican Junta will pay all expenses. In fact, an effort is made thus to deceive the French people into the belief that the expedition shall in future occasion no heavy drain upon the imperial treasury. All this is absurd, and those whom it is intended to deceive will see through the shallow trick at once. This subterfuge will but add to the annoyance felt in France at this Mexican expedition, and will give the opposi- tion members in the French Chambers all the more chance to attack successfully the Empe- ror’s policy. Until be has drawn this thorn from his side Napoleon will in vain endeavor to redgem his prestige in Europe. We gave long ago the best of advice to the Emperor of France upon this subject. We warned him that in Mexico he would finda Moecow, unless he made the best of a bad busi- ness, and relinquished an undertaking which is beyond his means of enforcing success fully. We repeat the warning, with the additienal eau- tion to the over ambitious ruler of France that he has now impending over him a still greater menace than formerty. General Grant, the ever victorious, when he shall have quite crushed the rebellion, and that at no distant date, may take it into his head to drive tbe French from Mexico. He would succeed in this as he has in all other attempts. Napoleon should beware of Grant. Apuinistration AND Loarp Lyoxs Have Fosreren tHe Conrravann Trave wirk THe Sovrnerns Porrs.—Over one thousand vessels have been captured by the cruisers of the United States in the attempt to run the blockade of the Southern ports. Not one of these claims a Spanish, French, Portuguese or Russian na- tionality, but every vessel of the number has been British, owned in a Beitish port, and manned by British sailors. Captured and brought into. our ports, the testimony of these sailors is taken, 80 far as wanted, and then ap- plication is made by her Majesty's consul for their release, upon the ground that they are British subjects. Refused where first made, this application goes up to Lord Lyons, who sends it in to Mr. Seward; it goes the round of the Cabinet, and an order is issued for the re- lease of the sailors. They return immediately to Nassau or the port they sailed from, ship in ‘a vessel of the same character, and try it over-— doubtless with all the more success for the experience they have had. And in this man. ner many reckless fellows have run the blockade over and over again, and thus we have not only fostered the contraband trade, but have actually connived at the education of the men who carry it on. And from the horde of fellows thus let loose in our cities re sult also such outrages as that of the Chesa- peake and the similar one at New Orleans. Now this is of course all irregular, a gross abuse, and an outrage at once upon the nation and upon common decency. What does the Queen’s proclamation of neutrality mean! It means and says that every British subject thus caught bas forfeited the protection of the British government; and yet Lord Lyons and the Brit." ish consuls—and our administration also—act as if this part of the proclamation were a oul- lity. Lord Lyons, every time that be makes How tuK Y application for the release of such # man from, custody, puts himself in the position of an ae- complice in the violation of the Bros 8 prac-, lamation and of the blockade. He the Consuls should answer the sailors who appeal for “protection” with a printed copy of what dhe Queen has publicly said to such delinquentas , in advance, and have done with their applica- tions for release. But, whatever they may do, if our government would do its own part, and * retain every one of thejsailors thus caught on prison fare, it wou%d strike the severest blow at the contraband trade that it is now in the po-'’ sition to strike, and wold render the occur- rence of piracies such as thay of the Chesapeake impossible. But we have begun to despair of the gov- ernments ability or will to do what it ought to do. Let us have an energetic, earnest, prac- . tical, positive man at the head—and all these matters will go right. And Grant is that man. Grant, in the President’s place, would stop all » this foolery in a hurry—and foreign ministers would soon learn better than to tamper with the very life of our commerce. Trave Srrixes—Goop Sense Amona Wors- MEN.—It will have been seen by an advertise- ment in our columns that the machinists of this city have effected a compromise with their em- ployers and returned to their work. Their ex- ample, as affecting the importaut interests in- volved in their labor, and the principle on which trade strikes have been hitherto con- ducted, cannot fail to have a most beneficial effect. Strikes originate in the universal desire that men have to better their condition, and the best way for the machinist to better his condition is for him to go for Grant. There are from eight to fen thousand ma- chinists in this city and immediate neighbor hood, and their services are in constant requisi- tion, owing to the large number of iron vessels which are in process of construction for the government. Of course it cannot be pretende? that all these men are on a level in point of ability and usefulness to the'r employers. The unfairness of a strike which would compel the latter to advance their wages generally from twenty-five to thirty-five per cent is selfevident. The indolent and unekilful would thereby be enabled to extort what the good workman is alone entitled to claim, and the general enforcement of such rates would absorb all the profits of the concern under existing contracts. After holding out for some time, it has been arranged that the employers shall pay twenty-five to thirty-five per cent more to those alone who are worth the advance. This terminates the struggle in a manner honorable to both parties. If workmen generally would take this com- mon sense view of things, they would have no difficulty in adjusting with the manufacturer fair rates of remuneration for their services. Strikes have never yet benefited their condition; for they are unjust in principle—unjust not only to the employer, but to the good workman. They may be complied with for a time, under the pressure of necessity; but they always end by introducing into the business numbers of new hands and.lowering the general rates of wages below their original standard. We trust the working classes generally will bear in mind this fact, and when fair terms can be obtained will not reject them out of a mistaken idea of the benefits to be derived froma strike. All such moves react badly on the condition of the workman, and render him more than ever & slave to the natural se}fishness of the employer, who demands the unconditional surrender of his rights. Mu THE MARRTZRK TRO! PHILADELPHIA. We see by the Philadelphia journals that Maretzok’s artists have had great success tn that city. The critics Pronounce this troupe one of the most complete that could be brought together, and are te ecstacics over their performances. Mme. Medori, Mazgoteni and Rellini are highly spoken of, We hear that lust Wednesday evening, upon the production of « Norma’’ @ furor was createe such as has been seldom witnessed im the I’hiladelphis Academy of Music. We hear that there is a probability of onr having & short series © oneratic performances by the MarotzeB troupe before they go to Bostor from Memphis. Caio, Dec. 11, 1868 Memphis dates are up to the evening of the 14th. General Hurlburt has promnigated another important order, of which the following is the substance: — Ithaving been avce-tained that large quantities of coin have nnased from Mem mis, es ectally South, theres fore tt ts ordered tha: ge ther ovin or bastion be gold, bae guined, or exchanzed within auch varie of Tennessee, Miefsarpni as are within this devartment, as follows:—Mersins having coin of bullion i their possession whieh they desi:e 10 exehans ceive permiasion from the local Treasury the same North, receiviag back as equivalent rency as they may chose Any kale or exchings veers aw above is forbidden, and will be punished by a military tribunal. Bankers others dong ® — depoeit business im Momohis ire requived t send sare ward the eon and bollien in their hand to the Prowost Marshal both for themsolves and their te osttors: to convert the-sime inte currency, and bereatter receive nme on deposit except to for the same as herein provided, ‘The Memphis cotton market is dull. Sales ef 169 bales at 630. Sales on the Mth, 260 bales, Receipts 100 bales. Cotto Ca . 1863. The farmers in Southern Minois have been busily eo gaged for some weeks part ia cotton picking on bib grounds, where the crops have bean tittle injured by the froat. On the bottom and low lands the crops are totally ruined. Cotton presses are coing ap in Horon «nd Jack. eae gins are running in every neighbor. Lose of the Bark Warren. Honma Horn, Deo. 16, 1868. Arrived bark Rambler, of New York; Remedios, for Boston: brig James T. Abbott, Curacoa for Boston: Teh inst... latitude 29 20, inngitude 74, fell in with a bort cop. taiaing the captain and crew, ten in number, of the bark: Warren, from Turks Island, of and for \altimore, having left her Ave i previous in ® sinking cor.dittom, and brought them to pert. The bark sank in twenty minutes after leaving her, the cre # saving nothing. Billiard Match at Indianapolis, Inmanarouis, Dec. 17, 1843 A billiard matod of one thousand points at caroma for $1000 between WeDevit of Indianapolis and Parker of Chicago, resulted in the victory of the former by 348 points, averaging 17 potwts per shot. The Canton Company, ef Daltimore. : Bauru Deo. 17, 1863. The report ia somo of the New York papers, to the effect that the Canton Company, of Raltimore, hud made large salon of their property fronting on the water, is in-. correct, and the prospect of the company being in & tion to pay dividends is considered vory remote by heat acquainted ite affairs Staumya Array mn Trinteayte Warp.—Hetween neven and eight o'clock Wednesday evening « serious affray took place at 34 Jnckson streot, which resulted in almont instant death to one of the parties. It seoms from the facts furnished the police, that about the above bowr « masn named Alexander renee omeiee ioe ro wn ot Jet Y ty, residing at ve , and, without any poem el my flourish & sword, greatly to the detriment of hee nyt lie, Ferguson wa thereayos ordered to leave the room, but refused, atill persisting in Hourishing bis sword over Dougberty’s bead. Finally eeericade ae to eject bim (rom the room, when be stabbed Dougherty in the thigh, severing the artery, from whieh he bled to death, The accused was instantly arrest of and locked up to Await the action of the Coroner, Rare Ano Ronmeay.—Bornard Riley was taken into cus: tody by officer Lawrence, of the Twentieth precinct, on charge of rape and robbery, preferred Sop him a Anno Lynch, of No. 278 West Twenty-ninth street. ovenptainent tates that she was decoyed Into a vacant lot in Eleventh avenue, near Thirtieth street, by Riley ponte fi og Mh typ ed iy the : jou Wane, ty fores on violence—one of them holding ® knife to ber throat—outr her person and lett her ir an insensible condition, jeer Laurence arrived at the fone of outrage in timo to arrest (iley: bat bis conede Tater menaged to make good their escape. The magis- trate committed the socused for teint without bail. \ t a o