The New York Herald Newspaper, May 3, 1864, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD. OFFICE NM. W, CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. Votmme XXIE.....0..cceceescresteesene Ge 199 ———————— AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. BIBLO'S GARDEN, Brosdway.—Commrs So0aas WALLACK’S THEATRE, Broadway.—Lovs 02458 WINTER GARDBN, Broadway.—Haucar. OLYMPIC, THEATRE, Broadway.—Haxpsous Hus- Ban TAL INA. NEW BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Mazarra—Cman- Coat Bumran—Teppr rue Ties BOWERY THEATRE. S0wery—Macatra—Tus Fira OTC MMAN. "g MCSEUM, Broadway.—Two Giants, Two BARNUM'S oe, Wuar Is 11, 0, af all houre, Ovpio's F Aart Sand Tig P.M. BRYANTS' MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall. 4¢72 Broad way.—Braioriax Sonos, Daxcs, Buxirsavas, 40.—liow Aus You Guaansacks? WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, 614 Broadway.—Ermorian fexos, Dances, Ac.—Vors rom THB AuxY SwoRD, BROADWAY THEATRE, 485 Broadway .—Stuxons. AMBRIOAN THEATRE. No. 441 Rroadway.—Bacuers, Pawrounms, Buaixsquxs. &c.—Magio Fiore. GALOM DIABOLIQUE, 585 Broadway.—Rossar Heiter, COOPER INSTITUTE. axroat Brorusrs. NEW YORK MUSEUM OP ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— Comosiris xD Lecroxes, from 9 A. wer HOOLEY’S OPERA HOUS! Brooklya.—E: Sones, Danone, Buriasacns, yd pak buaabaiait WITH SUPPLEMENT. Sew York, Tuesday, May 3. 186%. ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THE COUNTRY. Advertisements for the Weexty Heratp mvst be hand ed in before ten o'clock every Wednesday evening. lta circulation among the enterprising mechanics, farmers, merchants, manufacturers and gentlemen throughout the country is increasing very rapidly. Advertisements io- sorted in the WxxxLy Heratp will thus be seen by a large Portion of the active and energetic people of the United Beales. THE SITUATION. All the reliable information which has been acquired Telative to General Lee’s movements and designs shows Pretty clearly that he intends, not to fall back on Rich- mond, but to await the attack of General Grant's army on the Rapidan, where he ts being largely reinforced, His troops are concentrating at Qrange Court House, at which point the preparations for defence can be distinctly Been from our signal stations, The rumor that Madison Court House—the beautiful Little town commanding one of the finest views of Virginia @conery, and located within ninety-six miles of Wasbing- ton and seventy of Richmond—was totally burned down by the Union troops proves to be literally true. It ap- Pears-that the expedition mot no rebels until it reached witbia balfje:mile of the place, and afterfe brief skirmish, in which the Union forces lost not a map, but five of the vemy wore killed, the latter fell back into the town, and attempted to defend themselves frem the houses, a3 ‘Deleaguered troops ordinarily do when a town is entered by & storming party. Not being able to dislodge them by any other means, the Union soldiers were ordered to apply the torch and burn them out. It was promptly Gone. The rebels, of course, were compelled to leave, and the whole town, with all its property in mills, Cburebes and fine mansions, was given to the flames, ‘end hardly a vestige of it left. A cavalry expedition set out from Vienna on Thursdsy last, under Colonel Lowell, and visited Leesburg, Rector- town and Uppervilic. Near the latter place they hada fight with some of Mosby’s guerilias and took twenty- ‘three prisoners and @ considerable quantity of goods, which Colonel Lowell’s men picked up on the way. Vast preparations for hospital purposes were being made in General Butler’s Department, anticipatory of the forthcoming great battie. Sovcral important changes have taken piace in the De partment of the South. General Gillmore bas been re lieved from duty at Hilton Head, and is succeeded by Brigadier Geverai John P. Hatch. Brigadier General Wm Birney, of tbe colored troops, takes General Hatch’s Place in Fiorida. General Terry is succeeded in the com- mand of the Northern district by General Schemelfinig. Other changes of less note have also occurred. ‘The Union troops evacuated Little Washington, N.C., on Thursday 1 at. Senator Wade andgMr. Gooch, the Sub-Committee oo the Conduct of the War, who went to Fort Pillow to ascer- tain the facts as to the alleged massacre of colered troops there, have returned, and report thet the stories have Dot been exaggerated. That great cruelty was practise! by the revel troops after the surrender of the fort there can be a0 doubt It We stated in despatches from Cairo that Generals 8 cole and Thayer had made an attack upoo the enemy's rear, and recaptured eighteen of the pieces captured from Genera! Banks at Pleasant Hill, and that the forces under General Steele are marching down the north side of the Red to effect a junction with Baoks. Our dates from New O:leaps and Memphis, via Cairo, are to the 26:h and 29th ult. respectively. At the latter potnt the authorities were pressing tho horses of the citi. zens for the use 01 the cavairy. Our gunboats and traus- Ports are being constantly attacked by guerilias, and ail sorts of attempts to destroy them by the supply of ex- Plosive materials in the Grewood and other means. EUROPEAR NEWS. ‘The steamship City of Washington, from-Queenstows on the Bist of April, reaebed this port yostorday :fier- noon. The steam-hip Belgian (iate the Hammons), from Londonderry on the 34 of April, passed Port au Basque, Newfoundland, yesterdyy, oo ber voyage to Portland, and mail, from these sources, are five days later. The Dews is of o very varied and important character. ‘The Emperor and Empress of Mexico had @ royal and iplomatic reception in Rome. They left thas city on the 20th ult. for Civita Veocbia, to emberk for Mexico They bad a1 sudicnoe of the Pope on the 19:h of April, and bis Holiness returned the visit. Maximilian’s minister to France bad presented bis credentiais in Paris. Napoleon bad recommended & reduction to the taxes of France, in conse jueoce of the coming paymect of ao instalment of the Mexican indemnity Duppel was carried by storm by the German Allies 07 the 18th of April, after a fierce conflict. The Danes evacuated the works and retreated to the island of Alsen The Navich report shows that their army lost four hundred cf .re, ten tbousaod six Dundred men and ninety guns. I was said that the Prui jose cals, sixty officers and six hun- le mnded. The German troops were ordered to occupy the while province of Jutiand, od to lay siege to Fredericia immediately. In the meantime the Conference bad bad an informal organiza. tin im Loudon, and§debater, without result, had taken place in the British Parliament on the ewbject of the war. The Freuch press still advocated Napoleou’s plan of the election of a government by the people of the duchive of Schleawig-Holatein Garibaldi's tour in Fogland bad been brought to a sud den balt, and the General was preparing to re toro to Caprera It was eaid that bis health wae injoriously affected by the excitement produced by the fetes, and that the physicians recom. mended this course. It was asserted, on the other hand, that the British government, \ufienced by Napo Joon, bad requested him to leave, and aiso that the Cabi. Het thought that the populer agitation in Fngland had reached afever beigbt. ‘The Paris Monieur, Lord Pal. moreton and Tord Claren#on dony any notion by Napoleon tn the matter, Garibaldi received the freedom of the ity Of Loqdon sudsequontiy, and promised 19 yialt gome Cr) - - ! LEAS! NEW... YORE rural districts, The eum of £2,000 bad woes adsorbed ‘at the Duke of Gutheriand’s a the commencement =? fund to make « permanent provision for the General ‘bis fami! I TY oihed that the steamer Bavaria, which tert Hamburg for New York on Sunday, the 11th or April, bad been captured by ® Danish frigate off the mouth of the Weser, The Bavaria bad a large number of pessea- gore on board, ‘and the value of the ship and cargo was estimated at £120,000 sterling. The report of ber cap ture was contradicted. The German steamer Hansa was Drought to by a shot from a Danish war veasel, over: hauled, and permitted to proceed. The sailing of the Germania was delayed. Mhe steamship City of New York bad broken up and disappeared off Daunt’s Rock. Consols cloaed in London on the 22d of April at 154 401% for money. The bullion in the Bank of England ‘had decreased by £437,000 in the week. The demand for American securities was vory restricted in London, and the Continental demand had eased cntirely. The rebel cotton loan «advanced ome per cent in London. It was said that tnis movement was produced by the report of the action of the House of Representatives in Washington against en empire in Mexioo. The Liverpool cotton market was buoyant during the week, at an advance of one-fourth of a penny on American,and closed firm, with quotations unchanged, ‘on the 22d of April, Breadstuffs were dull and tending downward. Provisions were quiet and sieady. ‘The City of Wasbiogton landed about seven hundred passengers at this port. ; CONGRESS. In the Senate yesterday bille were passed pre-emptiog certain lands ia California and for the regulation of the foreign and coasting trade on the northern, northeastern and northwestern frontiers. The Internal Revenue bill ‘was received from the House and referred to the Finance Committee, and one thousand,extra copies of it were or- dered to be printed for the use of the Senate. A petition from naval officers was presented, representing that they ere obliged to perform the duties of higher grades of officers without receiving the corresponding rank and pay, and praying for relief. Tne petition was referred to the Naval Com- mittee. Resolutions were adopted to provide additional ground for the cemetery of the District of Columbia Soldiers’ Home, and directing the Military Committee to inquire into the present condition and administration of the Home, and as to whether some other mode of relief would not be to the benefit of the soldiers and the public interests. The resolution requesting the Pre sident to communicate the Attorney General's opinion as to the rights of colored persons in the military service was adopted. A bill was introduced providing for a grant of one million acres of the public lands for the benefit of the District of Columbia public schools. A communication was received from the President, eucios- ing a letter from Governor Nye, relative to the rejection by the people of Nevada of the State constitution. The bill for the relief of certain friendly Indians was reported back, with amendments, by the Public Lands Committee, and ordered to be printed. The Army Appropriation bill was received from the House, with amendments, referred to the Finance Committee, and ordered to be printed. Tbe Nationat Bank Dill was presented to the Senate, as reported by the Committee of the Whole. An amendment was adopted preventing associations under the act from holding real estate for more than five years, An amendment that all the associations doing business under the act sball be compelled to redeem their notes in gold and silver ip six mouths after the rebellion shall be crushed was offered, discussed and rejected. Without further pro- ceedings on the bill, it was laid over, and the joims reso- lution from the House appropriating twenty-five mil'ion dollars to pay the one hundred days volunteers recently called for by the Western Governors, being reported from the Finance Committee, was debated at length, aud fivally adopted, by twenty-two yeas to thirteen nays, after whicn the Senate adjourned. In the House of Kepresentatives the resolution calling on the Secretary of the Treasury for information as to the amount of debts incurred by the several States to aid in suppressing the rebellion, and declaring that such indebtedness should be assumed by the national®gov- ernment, was referred to the Milttary Committee. A resolution offered in December last, by Mr. Harding, of Kentucky, declaring that whenever aay rebellions State shall be subdued or volun- tarily submit to the national authorities, it shall be Testored po all its origina! rights under the constitution of the United States, and ite own constitution, including the right to regulate its domestic institutions, was taken up, discussed, and Iaid on the table by sixty-seven yeas to fifty-six pays. Tbe resolutiong of the Ni York Legislature approving off Preside: emancipation proclamation and favorio, Bibition amendment to tbe constitution presented and referred to the Judiciary Committee. A resolution offered by Mr. Wadsworth, of Kentucky, declaring that the President cannot legally interfere with certain reserved rights of the States was discussed for some time, and then referred to the Committee on the Rebellious States. The District of Columbia Committee were instructed to in- quire into the expediency of instituting a system of draio- ‘age for the city of Washington that shall free it from the miasmatic atmosphere which vow per- vades it. The Secretary of the Navy was called on by resolution for information relative to the building by the rebels in North Caroliva of the iron clad ram Albemarle, and as to why it was not prevented. A message from the President, giving the information called for relative to the assignment of Mr. Frank P. Blair, Jr., to the command of the Seventeenth army corps, was received and referred to the Com- mittee on Elections. Several bills making ap- propriations for the Indians were passed. A joint resolution was adopted makiog the pay and allow ances of the staff officers of the Lieutenant General the same as those of the staff officers of corps commanders of like rank, The Senate’s ameodments to the Minnesota Land and Railroad bill were concurred in. An evening session was beild, which was devoted entirely to speeches on the bill for the reconstruction of the rebel States. Without reaching a vote, the House, at baif-past ten o'clock, adjourned. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. A terrible calamity by fire occurred yeeterday morn. img at the corner of Doyer street and Cuatham square. Shortly before six o'clock @ Gre broke out in the third story of 210 Chatham square, in the apartments occupied by John Sullivan. The flames spread into tbe adjoining building and to the dwelling apartments of William Hen. ning, whose wife and three children perished in the flames. Henning, in hie eadeavyor to make bis eecapo, fell or jumped from the third story win- dow. He was picked op innonsible and conveyed by the police to the New York Hospital, where he died in afew bours. The bodies of Mrs. Heoning and her three children (aged from fifteen months up to about five years), were removed from the burnt rulos, by order of Captain Jourdan, to the stston Bouse, at which place | Coroner Ranney will held si inquest to-day, The other | occupants of the premises taik about the origin of the fire | as one of great suspicion, and Fire Marshal Baer Bas the | matter under investigation. We publish e\sowbere a fi! account of this melancholy affair The Board of Aldermen mot yesterday afternvon , President Heory in the chair. A resolution was adopted making provision for « pubiic funeral im the case of (he Jate Commodore Porter. Alderman McKnight offered a reso. lution instructing the Comptroller to purchase tho bu tid jogs lately occupied by the Sanitary Fair Commission at Union square, for the purpose of quartering colored troops there, which was iaia over. The resolution from ‘the Board of Councilmen, aboliehing the oiftoe of Super. jotendent of City Railroads, waa concurred in by a vote of tonto five, Aldermas Ryers reported an ordinance appropriating $500,000 fer the purpose of siding the families of volunteers, After the transaction of some ordinary routine business tbe Board adjourned unt)! Wed- Desday at two o'clock P. M. The Councilmen moet at two o'clock yesterday, Prosi. dent Hayes in the chair, The Board concurred with the Aldermen in adopting a series of resolutions imreference to the decease of Commodore Porter, A resolution was adopted directing the Counsel to the Corporation to ascer- tain the title of the city to the Fort Gansevoort property, ‘with a view of baving its interests protected. On motion ot Mr. Opdyke @ resolution was adopted that the future meetings of the Board be hold on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. The Board adjourned to Wednes- day next, at two o'clock, There was but little business transacted {a the law courts yesterday, in consequence of the non-attendance Of jurors, who were busy moving. The Supreme Court, general term, opened, and @ large number of decisions were rendered, but nothing of public interest transpired. Judge Foster, of the Fifth Judicial district, presided in the Supreme Gourt, Chambers. Jedge Monell, of Superior Court, commenced yes- Verday the trial of « against the Panama Radiroad Company for services rendered by Dr. Stephen Rogers on tho oecasion of an accident io 1866. {Me may vera ot (ay Court of Gyooeal Gessiogs com: ow rs ; " Grand jurses, after which some unimportant business was Ginposed Of, and the court adjourued until Wednesday morning at eleven o’olook. An tatereating cage of contempt ceourred yesterday in the Gurrogeto's Court. Surrogate Tucker, considering the language and conduct of Mr. William Fullerton, a mem ber of the bar, to amount to an interruption of basiocss, and a contempt of court, sammartiy committed Mr. Ful: lortoa by am attachment, which was duly executed by Sheri Lynoh. Mr. Fullerton, upoa his arrest, imme Giately applied for a habeas corpus, which was issued by Judge Monell, of the Superior Court. The Sheriff made ‘his return that he held the prisoner by authority of tbe Surrogate, and the hearing on the babeas corpus was oot down for this morning. Oscar G, Barnard, the young man who was roceatly ar’ rested on a obarge of having (eloniously appropriated the goods of his employers, Messrs. Hamlin, Green & Co., was yesterday acquitted, the evidence being insufficient (0 Prove the guilt of the accused. Mr. N. M. Mann, agent of the Western Sanitary Com- mission, has written a letter from Vicksburg to the Pres- ident of the Commission, at 6t. Louis, giving asad ac- count of the condition of the Union refugees, many of them women and children. He writes:—‘‘I wish you Could see a case which came to my notive yesterday, that patofulty illustrates the condition of many of them. Just © fow etops above the Soldiers’ Home I'was called in by the post surgeon to see a case of want. The foul air as! entered the door was sickening im the extreme, and there, crowded into two small rooms, were twenty per- sons. Of these three were able to stand, one little child ‘was dead, another dying, and the otner fifteen sick upon the floor and on one dirty bed. This morning the child, thank God | 18 dead, and another that was born there last night is dead also,” dir. Mann wishes to establish a home for these sufferers, where the sick can be cared for, aud the destitute and unemployed wait for work. ‘The taking of testimony in reference to the boiler ex- Plosion on board the double ender gunboat Chemango was concluded yesterday evening, after continuing over two weeks. Throe witnesses were examined yesterday, in- cluding Mr. James Montgomery, the original inveator of the Martin boiler, and Mr. Daniel B. Martin, the present patentee. Mr. Montgomery stated that since his interest in these boilers terminated they have been so much al- tered that he considers them unsafe and unsuited for the purposes to which they are now applied. This morning at tea o’clock Coroner Norris will commence his charge to the jury, on the conclusion of which the case will be given up to them for their decision. According to the City Inspector's report’ there were 458 deaths in the city during the week ending May 2—an increase of § as compared with tne mortality of the week previous, and 23 more than occurred during the corresponding week last yoar. The stock market was languid yesterday, and prices again fell off. Gold was also inactive, and sold down to 1734. Money was quite plenty, and call loans could be negotiated at six per cent. Government securities were steady, without alteration. Commercial matters were irregular yesterday, and ‘most articles were little better than nominal. The fall in gold and foreign exchange bad the tendency to unsettle the market prices to some extent, and the‘dealers, in the absence of actual sales, reported prices nominal, especial- ly for imported merchandise. Domestic produce was also ip a rather unsettled condition. Petroleum was ir- regular and varied to the extent of 3c.a 4c. a gallon. Cottom was steady at Saturday’s prices. On ’Change flour was bc. a 10c. lower, wheat dull and drooping, corn and oats supported, whiskey Sc. dearer, pork $1 higher, lard dull, beef steady, freights dull. Another meeting of com- mercial brokers is to be held on ’Change to-day in relation to the proposed tax upon their sales—the com- mittee appointed to proceed to Washington to remonstrate baving failed to accomplish what is desired. The Aboliti Slavery—The Proposed Constitutional Amendment. The proposition for the abolition of slavery throughout the United States through an amend- ment of the federal constitution is steadily gaining ground. Resolutions approving the measure have been formally reported in the Massachusetts Legislature, and will doubtless pass through both houses almost unanimously. We are thus getting at one of the fountain heads of this great evil, which, by violence or by law, the most indifferent observer of passing events must now see, will surely be removed. When the thirteen original States of the Union met together in Convention to frame the organic law of their general government slavery had no other support ia this country than its pecu- niary profits. It had not risen to the dignity of adivine institution in the South. It was everywhere regarded as a moral, social and political evil. There were three conditions or divisions of public sentiment on the sub- ject, or three parties, as we may say. First, there were the great states- men of those days, such as Wasbington, Hamilton, Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Madi- son and their compeers and disciples. They represented, as anti-slavery men, the predomi- nant public opinion of the country. But, then, there were the slaveholders gf the South and the slave traders of the New England States, and they together, in the Convention, held the balance of power. Hence, while the evils and inconsistencies of slavery are everywhere con- fessed in the constitution, in the careful avoid- ance of the word slave or slavery—for they were ashamed of it and all its derivations—we find African slavery recognized and protect ed by the constitution, indefinitely as to time, and the African slave trade itself adopted for a period of twenty years. This compromise between the slaveholders of South Carolina and the slave traders of Masssachusetts the leading anti-slavery fathers of the constitution were constrained to accept to secure the Union of the States under ® common national government. But Washington, Madison, Hamilton, Frank- lin and their colleagues, in common with the people at large, from Mas:achusetts to South Carolina, believed that this incubus of slavery would soon die a natural death. Had they foreseen the invention of Whitney's cotton gin, and the tremendous power and the fearful consequences it was destined to give slavery, if not removed in the interval, they would, we are sure, have provided a limitation not only to the African slave trade, but to slavery imeif. But, believing in the speedy decline and extinction of slavery, they compromised with it for the temporary advantages and urgent necessities of the Union; and this was the plantiog of the dragon’s teeth which have sprouted in our day, and filled the land with armed men and all the horrors of desolating war. ‘ It is well, therefore, that Massachusetts should move now for a constitutional abolition of slavery, in view of the consequences which the compromises of her slavetrading ancestors— of her Parkers and Pillsburys, her Sumners and Wilsons—have entailed upon the country. But what is the prospect? The proposed constita- tional amendment has passed one braach of Congress by mere than the necessary twe-thirds majority ; but it sticks in the House. Pubiio Opinion is for it ; but the scheming politicians of Congress, republican and opposition, seep to be afraid of ft. Some prefer Old Abe's emancipation proclamations; some are afraid that this constitutional measure will rob them of their political stock in trade, and some de aot wish to inour the wrath of Jeff. Davis. There is hardly a republican journal to be found advo- cating this great movement for the quiet and permanent removal of this teoublesome thing Of Alcigan glevery; there ia bardly a ge 5 ,TURSDAY, MAY. 3, 1864,—WITH ‘ ‘oan . 7] mooratie journal that has the moral courage to ground. We do not yet despair of the passage of the Senate resolution by the House before the close of the present ecssion. The people the wisdom of this measure better thaa the politicians. The masses of the people of the loyal States, we believe, are in favor of the abolition of slavery through the constitution, and because they sce that {¢ & the shortest and easiest way to settle the slavery question, and the only way to settle it permanently. They see that this methed of abolition does not in- volve such fallacies as negro equality, political or social, with the white race; that the remedy proposed will remove the evil of slavery, and leave each State con- cerned to arrange a new system of negro labor for itself. Finally, as the question is simply whether it is better to end this trouble of slavery at once, orto tinker at It, agitate it, and fight over it, for years and generations to come, we believe this proposed constitutional amend- ment will prevail. Let its advocates in Con- gress selze every opportunity to call it up, discuss it, and push it to the test of a vote, Let us see how many members of the House at this crisis are disposed to hold fast to sla- very for party purposes. Generals Grant, McC! jam and Fre- mont—The Necessity of Harmony and a United People. Some of the papers still insist that General Grant desires to give to Generals McClellan and Fremont positions in which they can once more serve the eountry in the feld. How true this may be we do not know; but we believe that in this great emergency the country is en- titled to the services of every one of her sons who can serve her, and who wishes to serve her; and we believe, therefore, that if the state- ment is not true it ought to be. Generals Mc- Clellan and Fremont have had in their respec- tive careers the admiration and sympathy of large proportions of the people of this country, and the name especially of General McClellan has an immense influence in our greatest army; and it is clear that so long as the government keeps these men in a position of forced retire- ment it keeps the immense number of their friends in a quasi position of hostility to the government, and to that extent divides and weakens the country. Just now it would be easy for the adminis- tration to withdraw from the position of—per- haps apparent rather than real—hostility to these men in which events haye placed it. Under the Lieutenant General both could be honorably subordinate. Fremont could not make to Grant the objection that he naturally made to Pope; and McClellan, if permitted to serve lis country, will, we feel certain, make no difficulty over minor points. By a wise and timely employment of these generals the gov- ernment has now the opportunity to add to the number of its supporters all those who sympa- thize with McClellan or Fremont; and this would almost make the North a unit. Sucha measure would add immensely to the morale of our army also; and a corps under Little Mac would be indeed invincible. There seems to be a disposition among the friends of Mr. Chase to make the most of General Banks’ recent mishap on the Red river. It is ( be regretted that our military operations may thus, perhaps, be deranged through Mr. Chase's fears that General Banks may prove to be a dangerous candidate for the Presidency. It is so clearly our policy, at the present time, to be frank and generous with our soldiers, and to assist them to the utmost rather than discourage them by misera- ble schemings against the good posi- tions that they occupy in the minds of the people, that any contrary action seems to be suicidal. We must keep together, and we must keep united on the one point of the prosecu- tion of the war, all the elements of power in the country. That is the only way in which we can finish the war this summer; andif we do not finish the war this summer the war will finish us. If General Grant should defeat Lee in Vir- ginia, and the North be able to present itself to the South after such a victory without dissen- sions or divisions in its councils, but as a com- pact unit for the prosecution of the war, the immense moral effect of such a spectacle would crush the South without another blow. Some of the Southern States would likely yield at once, in the desire to save what might be left of slavery; and the question of their admission would become one of the questions of the Presidential can- vars; or the whole South might propose to unite with the North once more to drive the French out of Mexico, and thus, coming toge- ther for a specific purpose, the Union would merge into its former condition, and continue after the accomplishment of ite special object. But we must gain our victory first, and that we may the country must be a unit. A New Foourtearre Ixsrrrvtion.—The disco- veries of detective Baker, of the War Depart- ment, show thata new Fourierite institution has been started in the Treasury Department. Greeley tried several of these institutions, where the men, womea and mutton were in common; but they all failed, because they did not pay. Secretary Chase, who is also a radi- cal philosopher, has concluded that Fourierite- ism can be made successful if it be backed with greenbacks and Treasury notes, and has therefore organized a phalanx in the Trea- sury building, where the greenbacks and notes are made. Several members of Congress have been let into the ring, it is said. If Chase needs ang information about carrying on the institution let him apply to Mr. Dana, Assist- ant Secretary of War, who once had some ex- perience in a phalanx, near Boston, and knows all about it. Srocnsossina Journats.—The three leading stookjobbing journals in this city are the Times, World and Commercial. These are managed by stockjobbers and are entirely in the stockjob- bing interest. Generally the Times and Com- mercial areon the bull side and the World on the bear side of the market. In regard to mining bubbles, however, the World is very enthusiastic, while the Commercial don’t like gold mines at all. Quoer institutions, these stockjobbing organs. Branton mv TrovsLs.—It appears that one of Secretary Stanton’s detectives, named Baker, has discovered immoralities in the Treasury it. This has astonished Stanton and got bim into a great deal of trouble. He don’t knew what to do about it, Let him call upon “pe Spirit of the Lord.” LL : ation.—We publish in another celumn a letter written on behalf of the Exeoutive Committee of the Citizens’ Association, in reference to the operations of that association at Albany in re- gard to the city and county tax levies. This communication is in response to an editorial in yesterday’s Hunatp, showing that the Citi- sens’ Association did not reduce our taxes. The writer claims that they did secure a reduction of over one million of dollars, and that they are preparing « statement of “item by item” for We would like to see the statement and proof of this assertion. We cer- tainly are unable to sce anything to justify such an assertion in the two tax levies as they passed, In the first place, there were three tax budgets presented to the Legislature, besides the county levy of the Supervisors. The Comptroller’s budget, which was the lowest of all, called for $13,061,753, including city, county and State taxes. The highest fell but little short of $15,000,000. The latter was sent to the Senate and referred to the Com- mittee on Cities, of which Senator Andrews, of Otsego, was chairman. It came into the hands of that committee in the afternoon, and was on the next morning reported adversely to the Senate and killed—and that, teo, before any member of the Citizens’ Association reached Albany, or even knew that any such bill had been presented to the Legislature, un- leas they saw it announced in the New York morning papers. Whatever credit there is in the rejection of that budget belongs to the Sen- ate Committee on Cities, and not to the Citizens’ Association. . There were two or three budgets pre- eented to the lower house, and referred to the Committee on Cities in that branch of the Legislature. Before that committee held any public meetings, or any person or persons whatever had a hearing before them, they de- cided to discard all the estimates except that of Comptroller Brennan, believing his budget to be the fairest and lowest of all presented. The agents of the Citizens’ Association appeared before the committee subsequent to that de- cision, and raised a clamor in regard to the taxes being fifteen millions. Comptroller Brennan interrupted them, and asked the chair- man of the committee if they were not acting upon his budget, which called for thirteen millions, and was answered in the affirmative. Upon this the agents of the association reported toa meeting in this city that they had secured a reduction of two millions in the taxes. The foregoing facts are all the bases that they had for such a statement at that time. The Assembly Committee on Cities made numerous reductions in the items as they stood in the Comptroller’s estimates, and several additions. When they reported the twe tax levies to the House there was a reduction from the Comptroller’s budget of about three hun- dred thousand dollars. The Assembly reduced afew items and increased others. The result was that the bills, as sent to the Senate, varied but little im gross from the original estimates of the Comptroller. The items were furtber increased in the Senate, although a few of the appropriations were cut down in that body. The final result was that the tax levies, as they became laws, call fora larger sum than the original estimate of the Comptroller. It is true that a number of items have been reduced; but some of them are of a character that will cost the city extra expense in litigation and judgments, thus increasing the amount rather then reducing it. How, under this state of affairs, the Gitizens’ Association can make out that they reduced the taxes over a million is a problem which we will leave them to solve for the public. We have no doubt, judging from past professions and assertions, that they are sufficiently versed in figures to prove almost anything. OrrictaL Corruption anp CompLiciry wira Treason.—The Times, in its Washington cor- respondence, asserts that, owing to the conni- vance of the Custom House officials, an enor- mous trade is still being carried on from this city with the rebels. A rebel agent, it was added, was here lately purchasing material and machinery for an iron-clad ram, and a large number of our machinists have engaged them- selves in the rebel service without any effort being made to arrest them. It is further- more stated that evidence of these facts is in possession of the Congressional committee ap- pointed to investigate the affairs of the New York Custom House. What humiliating admissions for a republi- can organ to be compelled to make. Canthere be anything more damaging to the pretensions of the men who base their claims to another term of office on their assumed incorruptibility and patriotism? Had the President and Mr. Chase done their duty from the eutset the operations to which we refer would have been nipped in the bud and the guilty parties pun- ished. Enough transpired some twelve months b.ck to put the government on the track of these discoveries. It shut its eyes, however, as long a8 it could to the facts pressed upon its attention, from the fear that the interests of the party would suffer if light were thrown upoa them. Of course every effort will now be made to diminish their damaging effect, and they will finally be smothered up, like General Frank Blair's charges against the Secretary of the Treasury. No one expects that the latter will ever be investigated by the present Con- gress. And yet no accusations more damaging to the character of a high public functionary, or that he sbould be more anxious to meget, have ever been brought before the national legislature. Republican placeholders are thick- skinned. They require to be dragged by the ears before the bar of public opinion before they exhibit any sensitiveness to charges affect- ing their official integrity. Iumonattry mv Tas Taeasury Derartment.— Congress has appointed a committee to investi- gate the charges against Secretary Chase, and we hope that this committee will expose all the sins of the Treasury Department. It seems that some members of Congress bave used the Department as « sort of asylum for their female friends, whom they take on to Washington during the session to see the lions of the capi- tal. It was stated, when Mr, Chase began to employ women, that he intended to provide for the widows and daughters of our brave soldiers. Is¢his be the way in whiob bis prom- ises have been kept, the seonor Congress males a clean sweep throngh the Department tho bet- tari wil be for all concerned. Forora Prosastiatres.—Should General Grant thrash the rebels on the Rapidan we wonld not be aurprised to see the rebel States return to the Union without Corther Aghting, qaq thys magician, with the suggestive name oi Holler, mpeiify large audiences nightly at different establishments, end @ third magiolan, with the ummagical and uaprotendiog ame of Simmons, made bis Grst bow last night at the Pleasant little theatre pf steanprnieesteann es od 5 taree called the Broadway. eet ere ue Mar ov tas Crrr ov Cuantasrom, Ime Arraoscnss ame Darmroes.—A young gentleman, & native of the South, who escaped from Charleston Inst January, and returned to his allegiance to the Union flag, has just made avery fine map of the city of Charieston, in which he shows the position of the rebel stronghold, ite harbor, its forte, all the surrounding islands, and its approaches both by laed and water. The situation of the network of obstructions which have been piaced im the channels, in the harbor and around the islands is also pointed out. The map tis published in very elegant style (colored) by Charts Sa- brech & Company, No, 212 Brosdway, New York, and isa vory useful and interesting work. “ The Fair. Thore was rathor a slim attendance at the auction sales Of the Fair yesterday, but notwithstanding quite liberal amouuts were paid for the articles sold. All the outsiée and inside fixtures of the Fourteenth street building were sold, together with a number of goods which remained on band since the recent sales. The amouas Of yesterday's sale will be nearly Gve thousand ‘The a ts and New You, Aprit 80, 1094. Ma. Banwert:— Sim—The enclosed ten dollars are for the ‘Soldiers? Home.” Mrs. DRAKE MILIG. ' Sword for MeCielian. 10 THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. New Yoru, May 2, 1066. Enclosed you will find $6, which I will thank youto add to the fund for the purchase of a sword for General George B. McClellan. eA YOUNG UFFICER OF THE REGULAR ARMY. Sword for Gen. Geary. TO THS EDITOR OF THE HBAALD. ; New Yorn, May 9, 1064. Enclosed please find $1, the first subscribed to buy @ sword for the first general in the field, and one whe has, tm fact, done more hard fighting on coy other since the war commenced. It is General 3 late of California. You will see rush of bie friends te the polls. He must and shall have s sword « bis deeds. ‘Down with the dust.’’ The Porter Obsequies. GENERAL ORDERS—NO. 14. Haavquartens, Eicuty-rourra Recneaxr N. G. 8. N. ¥. New Yor, May 21, 1064. This regiment, having been detailed as an escort to remains of the late Commodore W, D. Porter, wil parade in full fatigue on Wednesday, May 4. The regimental line will be formed at one o'clock P. M. 00 Fourth street, the right resting on Broadway. The field and staff will report tothe Colonel at head- quarters, at a quarter before one o’¢lock. ‘The pon-commissioned staff and music will report to the Adjutant, om the ground, at one o'clock A se FA, CONKLNG, Colonel *) C, B. Mrrommi, Adjutant, ' The Citizens’ Association and the Tax Levy. 10 THE EDITOR OF THE HBRALD. i Orvicn No. 813 Broapwar, May 2, 1666. Rather severe observations are made in the Hunan of this morning upon the asserted imefficiency of the Olti- zens’ Association in regard to effecting @ redaction by the Legislature of our city and county tax levy. ‘The association bes @ statement nearly complete for publication, showing, item by item, of $1,100,000 from the most recentiy fctimaten, fret presented wore much. tigher ee oe sary el Suretnia weet of the associat: Tor ward to the association a certified copy of the tax The association bas great difficulties to strugzie od claims all the indulgence that the Its eflorts have pot been w' i i i 2 ; be expense to make her seaworthy The Movecoe wi be got off ae 1 re ee ee ee ignorant of their names. ‘in Hant, of the re. lor Nile, reporta having seen the schsoner ashore on @ reef near Wi ik lights; also & propel- ashore in the Straits of Mackinac, em ler, name unknown, MoGulpia’s Potat, | 'T dound up, with both wheels disabled. ria ae oe f 2 a ition, and will was loaded here with wheat by Fred. Layton. of the Cross was insured in the Company of New York, and her Chicago. The schooner Harvest atrived bere in a leaky condition, and will to ber load and go into dry dock. She sailed from Ss Joaded with wheat, and undoubtedly both cargo and were insured in that ci! br tliete i; ed Up. TO THE RDITOR OF THE HARALD. Newrort’s News, Va , April 30, 1864. Two contrabands, one of whom was captured on the Smith Briggs, wore picked up early this morning by the Picket boat creek, gual cance. They report the enemy to be tn force fold. Calendar—This Day. Court LA Scream x 1—Court “ o’olock. A. M.—Non, 1573, 065, 1665, 1557, 1425, 1141, ah peo Sheds at'ten o'élook A. M.- Adjourned to Wednesday, the