The New York Herald Newspaper, December 9, 1864, Page 4

apres ‘The Libel sult of ox-Mayor Opdyke va, Thurlow Weed ‘was postponed yesterday until! Tussday next, in couse. quence of the business engagements of one of the gounsel. Judge Waitn, of oo Court, circuit, was engaged yestorday in try! dn ajigged malpractice cass, wherein Jacob Ruperich was plaintiff and fr, Josep Bcother was dofeodaat, The piaiatiff claimed that bé though thas State, ta gousistonoy with ber jegraived secession doctrines, was about to secede from the empire of Jeff. Davis, Resolutions were recently ints duced i= that body denouncing as unconstitutional Davis’ propd- sitions to emancipate the slaves and to abridge the free- dom of the press; declaring that the States are not ame- Rabie to the Richmond government, and advising the golog, good-natured, taking it quietly, and trusting to luck—be will be to the end of the chapter. His mind does not appear to belong to that class which, charged witt the weighty responsibilities of a revolutionary crisis, steadily expand with the proportions of pass- that what be has been from the beginning—easy- AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING, ACADEMY OF MUSIC, Irving place.—Irat14 Orsza— Don Susastian. TASATRE, Bowery.—Wonrnovss KeGINENT—BLONDIN ON THE LOWER Punsecursp Dereuma: BOWERY THEATRE, Bor GRaNt—Faescu Srx—B. FY.—-AURORA Fiovp—leign pit Host, ADWAY THRATLG, Broadway.—Harritst Dar 'y Lire—Peoris's Lawrea, NIBLO'S GARDEN, Brondway.—Cooxra Soooam ‘WALLAOE'S THEATRE, Broadway.—Rosapata, ‘WINTER GARDEN, Broadway —Hauuer, St. Groncu anp Te OLYMPIO THEATR! Dragoon: e—Mingr Waite. —Taees Mauxora DWARFS—INDIANS— r atic PERvORMaNCKS—=Day and BRYANTS' MINSTRELS. Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Brond- MINSTREL HALL. 514 Broadway.—Tax Buace. . 8. G.—Esuiorian Boxes, Dances, £0. CAMPBELL'S MINSTRELS Vamixp axp Exciring MEvaxgs o1 Goose anp Ganvsr. GALLE DIZSOLIGER, £85 Broadway,—Roserr Heuues. 199 and 201 Bowery — Ktwiorian Oppitias— HOPE CHAPBL, 72) Broadvay.—Woopsorre's Bo! miax Thours or Giass Bowens. VAN AMBURGH & CO.3 MAMMOTH MENAGERIE, 689 and 64! Broadway. ee from 10 A, M. to 10 HIPPOTHEATRON. Fourteenth atreet—Doc axp Mox- KRY AcTonS—KQUESTUIAN, GYMNASTIC AND ACKOBATIC Ex- FRRTAINMENTS. DODWORTH TALL, 605 Broadway.—Arreuus Warp mona THE MonmoXs. AMERICAN THEATRE, No. 444 Broadway.—Racuxrs, Panrouimus, Buutesguxs, &¢.—La Statum BLANc, VANNUCHI'S MUSEUM, 600 Broadway.—Movina Wax Figures. FAFERIES, 37 an) 9 Bowery. —Baiets, Pantouimms THE SITUATION. We have from rebel newspapers of the 6th inst. what ~are apparently pretty reliable accounts of General Sher- man’s position apd movements on Monday last. It ts Sud that bis columns had then united, and that his whole army was southwest of Millen, and marching steadily towards the coast, which it was thought he designed Teaching ator in the vicinity of Savannah, A battle northwest of Savannah, before the closo of this week, between bis force and its opposers, was anticipated by the rebels. Another fight between Kilpatrick and Wheeler, which is sald to have cceurred om Sunday last, is reported. Of course the Yankees ‘‘were repuised”’ and ‘‘lost heavily,” and it ‘was rumored that General Kilpatrick was wounded, The Febols estimate General Sherman’s entire force at thirty Shousaed Infantry and five thousand cavalry, and say that Bis soldiers expressed astonishment at the richuess of the country through whch they were passing and the abundanee of provisions contained. By the arrival here yesterday of the government etoam transport Irate Wind, from Hilton Head, 8. C., 00 the Oth inst.,we are furnished by our correspondents ‘with full and interesting details of the battle at Honey ‘Hil, & CG, three mifes from Grabamsrille, on the Charleston and Sivannah Railroad, on the 30th ult., Detweon some of Geseral Foster's troops end | rebel force under General Gustavus Smith. We tbave already given some rebel newspaper Rocounts of this engagement. Our own des- sptobes show it to have been a stubbourly contested Yair, The Uniow force let Hilton Head, early on the Jorning of the 29th ult., on transports, and proceeded up Jroad river to Boyd's Point, where they were landed. } paval force accompanicd them, and both Admiral Dahl gren and Geveral Foster were with the expedition, After landing the troops were pushed out for several miles in various directions, driving the enemy before them at every byt. The day was thus con- Bumed in reconncitring and skirmishing Early on the morning of the 30th they were attacked by a body of rebels who moved out from their earthworks at Honey Hill. Theso were immediately driven in, aud deter- mined and severe fighting commenced between our men ‘on the open ground and the enemy in bis {otrenchments, and Iacted for several Three gallant charges were mags en the rebel works by the Union soldiers; bub, finding them too strong to be easily taken, sud of sufficient importance to compensate for the losses which their capture would Involve, General Foster witudrew bis command to a Gtrong and important position on the Savannah road; where his troops remained durivg that night and the following day. No accouats of his later movements have Teached as, We accompany our descriptive despatches ‘with @ map showing the locality of the batule. The exchange of prisovers in Savannah rivor bas toused, either General Sherman's or General Foster's operations haviog rendered the rebels unable or indis posed to continue the delivery of ourymen at that point. A Nashville newspaper of \ednesday published a re- port that the rebel General Forrest had succeoded in golting bis command across to the north side of the Cum- borland rivor, and that Hood, with the main army, was following, their design being supposed to be @ grand Invasion of Kentucky. Our Nashville despatches of yes- terday, however, do not confirm tuese rumors, but todi- cate that there is little change of itmportance ia the positions of the two armies 4 rebel battery has been ‘established om a bluffourteen miles below Nashville, and on pight before last seven of our gunboats went down aud attacked it, but did not succeed in driving the enemy away. One of the boats was considerably Gumaged in the @ogagement, A Union reconnottering party which went out yesterday between the Nashville aud Lebanon pikes met a large body of rebels, whom they skirmished with and drove off It is reported that She rebels have planted @ battery at Harpesh shoals, on tho Tennessee river, and a gunboat has gone to look after St. Meantime transports are not allowed to ascend the ‘Tennesseo. Heavy engagements in ths vicinity of Richmond and Petersburg are now daily looked for by the rebels, The papers of the formor city of Tuesday last say that Grant ‘was massing on the extreme right of tho Army of the James, and atiacks by him thero, and by the leftof the Army of the Potomac, near the Weldon Ralirond, wore oxyected. <wartermaster General Meigs and Provoet Marshal ( cneral Fry yostorday issued orders to all their suber. <oates throughout the country, but especially to thore an the States on the Northera border, to be on thelr goard ogainst numerous rebels in Canada who It Is ascer- Joined design visiting our various cities ostensibly for tho Purpose of procuring employment, but really for the des- traction of Iifennd property. Ail offloers of the Quarter. enaster's Department are particularly enjoined pot to ale How any of these jnceudiiries to gain positions where {hore will be opportunities for tum to destroy governs nent stores and ammunition. Tn the nows from the Boath which we publish this Poraing will be fouwd som: ‘w0"ticrt proceedings of the hours. not other Staies not to submit to its usurpations. A lot of rebel guertias, om last Monday night, captured the steamtug Lizzie Freeman, a barge whch sbe had in tow, and asutler inden echoover, in James river, near the mouth of Fagao’s creek. Everything of value on board the vesselawas taken and most of the persons on doard made prisoners, when, after firing the schooner, sioking the steamer avd leaving the barge afoat in the river, the guerillas escaped with all their valuable plun- der, Our Key West correspondent gives an account of the capture on the 27th ult., by the gunboat Metacomet, after an oxcitiog ehase, of the swift and valuable blockade rupnivg steamer Susanna, formerly known as the Mail. When taken she bad on board one hundred bales of cot- lost a @ne boy through the negligence apd inattendance of the physician; but, it appearing om the trial that the de- fondant did all he could for the patient; that the circum- stances Of the case would permit, the Court cutered & Bonsuit, Ip the Court of General Sessions yesterday ; Mr. Luther C, Tibbetts, a produce merchant, was tried for stabbing Cornelius Vanderbilt, the Janitor of the Produce Exchange The affair took place in February last, and created con- siderable excitement at the time. Counsel for the dofend. ant pat forth the theory of temporary inaanity. The evidence was closed on both sides before the adjourn. ment, avd the case will be summed up this morning. The colored people of this city and vicinity assembled last evening at the Cooper Justitute to join in a general Jubilee in honor of the abalition of slavery in Maryland. The exercises consisted of addreenes, songs, reciitions, anda lottor was read from Dr. Cheever, excusiix bis sence On account of Ill health, but endorsing very cor - ton, and about one hundred and Ofty balos were thrown | diaily the object of the mecting. The audience was quits overboard during the pursult, We have received our New Orleans despatches dated to the 9th ult, No extensive military movement bad taken place; but several small expeditions bad gone out In different directions, and returned with success, A resoluticn had been introduced in the Louisiana Senate authorizing the Governor to issue a proclamation of amvesty to all citizens of that State ia the rebel service under the rank of colonol, excepting Captain Semmes, Judah P, Beujamip, ex-Governor Moore, John Slidell and & fow others, CONGRESS. large, and the proceeds wil! be devoted to the benotit of the African Civilizition Segiety, under whose auspices the mooting was called. Dirtog an affray in the machine ebep on the corner of Second avenue and Twenty-second street, on Welnes ty afternoon, between two of the employes named Tim (hy Soanton aud Adam Potts, the former was struck #0 vi» lently with & piece of iron in the bands of the lattor that he died during the night, Poits was arrested and com. mitted to answer, An inquest was beld at the New York Hospital yoster- day on the boty of Thomas N fifteen years of age, who died from tho effects of injurios received by being crushed betweea an express wagon and a wall, at tho Nassau street Post OMce, on Tuceduy evening last. In the Sonate yesterday a listof the standingcom. | A Frenchman, giving his name as Alfred fi, Dimar, mittees was proscnted and agreed to, Tho only change of importance from the last session 1s the substitution of Mr. Grimes in place of bir. Hale as chairman of the Com mittes on Naval Affairs, The credentials of the Louisiana Sonatora were referred to the Judiclary Cummittes. A memorial asking for the establishment of anational home “Yor totally disabied soldiers and sailors was presented, ordered to be printed and referred to the Military ( mittes, Mr. Sherman’s bill authorizing the coustruction of six atcam revenue cuttors for service on the lakes was referred to the Finance Committee, and the bill providing for the payment of Kaneas militia called out to repel the invasion of T’rico's rebel forces Was referred to the Mili- tary Committee. Mr.’ Powel! called up his resclution respecting the conduet of General Payne, while in com mand at Padu cah,Ky , and a debate ensued on the sub Ject, which was broken off by the Senate going into ex ecutive session, Subsequently ® message was received from the President recommonding votes of thanks to Captain Winslow, who suuk the rebel pirate Alabama, and Lieutenant Cushing, who destroyed the rebo! ram Albemarle, Toe former is to be made a commodore and the latrer a Houtenant commander, A message was also Fecelvoi {rom the President relative to aid furnished by British subjects to the rebellion, The papers were appropriately referred. Mr. Davis, of Kentucky, gavo notice of w joint resolution for the restoration of the Union aud peace, the vindication of the constitution, and the guarantee of the rights of the citizens of the several States. In the House of Representatives the Committee of Ways and Meavs reported back the joint resolution explaining that part of the Internal Revenue act which reiatcs t+ the tax cp cigars, aud after some discussion the further consideration of the subject was postponed till Monday. A message from the President recommendiog votes of thanks to Captain Winslow and Lieutenant Cushing, was received, and referred tothe Naval Committee. A bill to drop from the rolisof the navy unemployed officers was also referred to the Navai Committees, A joint reso- lution to denationalize all persons who bave left the country to avoid the Graft was presented by Mr. Schenck, and adopted. ‘Both houses adjourned till Monday. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. By the arrival bere yesterday of the steamship Ariel, from New Orlecns on the 29th ult. and Havana om the 3d inst., we have advices of November 16 from the city of Mexico, Oo his feturn to the ecpital from bis tour through the country Maximilian published an address in which he declared that his observation had convinced bim that his empire was a fixed fact; that he was satts- fled its form of government was one pecutiarly suited to the character of the Mexicans, and that the republicans were so far subdued that the fow of them ‘who sti!l remained under arms were merely bands of rob- bers and cutthroata, and (hat as such they were horeatter to be treated. Bis officers are therefore enjoined to pur- gue and sanihiiate them, as he considers the waratan end, Io the moautime the republicans in various States are keeping his troops busy. A force of them bad captured the port of Mazatlan, on the Pacific coast. No mention 1s made of the movements of President Juarez. Maximilian had tseued instroctions to the various pre- fects of bis empire. From Havana, by the Ariel, we learn of the arrival there from Nasean of the ang'o-rebel blockade running stcamers Helen Penny, Will-o’-the-Wisp aod Coquette Tt was thought that the latter was tntended for a pirate, assbe bedon board a large numberof mon. There is nothing new from St. Domingo, We publish to-day the despstch of Mr, Soward in re sponse to the request of Lord Wharweliffe that English agents be permitted to visit prisons in the North whore rebol goldiers are confined, to distribute among them supplies purchased with some seventeen thousand poands of British gold, reatized by a fair for their bevefit beld to England. it was sent into ths Senate yesterday, Tho request is very poremptority disallowed, and ina very spicy aud summary manner The Board of Aldermen met yesterday afternoon, Prest ent Henry inthe chair. A communication was recstved from the Chlef Cngineer of the Fire Department, stating that the appropriation for that department (ons huedred and Gfteen thousand dollars) was expended, and asking for an additional appropriation, Tho sem! monthly Statement of the Comptro! was received, and showed a balance fo the City Treasury on November 30 of four million, seven hundred and five thousand, two hundred and Qity-four doliars and twenty-eight cents. The sum of five hundred dollars was appropriated to procure a portrait of ex Mayor Opdyke to place in the Governor's Room, after which the Board adjourned until Mouday next at one o'clock, The Board of Councilmen beld a ehort semion yes. teriay, the only matter of interest being the adoption of a resolution offerod by Mr. Jaques, directing the Corpor- ation Counsel to furnish to the Board the amount of judg- ments obtained against the city—whether against the Common Council for printing or for any indebteducss against the City Inspector's department. The Board ad- journed to meet this (Friday) afternoon. The Board of City Canvassers (Board of Aldermen) mot yesterday; bat, es the returns had not all beon seat iu, they tvok @ recess till clevoa o'clock to-day. ‘The festival of the Immaculate Conception was yorter- day celobrated im all the Catholic churches of this city with appropriate solemn ceremonies. ‘The extradition case of Ernst Goldenfausa, alias T.ouls Geraud, who was brought up re Uaited States missioner White a few days ago o the application of the Consul Goacral of Prussia,on a charge of cortain for- gerice in Haale, on the Saale, was called again yesterday; bat, in consequence of the a! oe of the defendant's counsel, was adjourned over till this morning as half-past eleven. In United States Commiesioner Retts’ office yesterday, Samuel Roberts was brought op im custody of detective oMcer Bowles, who arrested him oa « warrant issued at Washington, and which charged him with petog ® counterfeiter, and with haviog counterfeit bilis of the United Stater in his possession, knowing the name to be counterfeit, Roborte underwent aa examination, and the case was adjourned to Saturday noxt, bail being Gxed at $2,600, whiob not ferthooniing, be was locked up. In the case of fH. A. Peabody ve. Harriet Peabody, where the plaintiff eues for a divorce, the counsel for the ofendant applied for ao attachment yesterday before Judge Barnard, on account of the pisintil not having paid the alimony i wed by the Court. Mr. Peabedy’s counsol ‘was present, and agreed that all back dues should be paid, provided thé counsel for the dofendant would consent toa speedy reterence, The Proposes wos Sovepted, and Mr. Joba B, Haskin was Appointed an reieree, James E. Valentine sued the city yesterday, in thd Superior Court, before Judge Robertson, for loss of property durimg the July riots. The plaintiff claimed to have leet $125 worth of perwogal property, expsisting ' an early pegge? Clearly ia this patter Mr. was yesterday arrested on the charge of having swindled two firms Ja this city avd others in Philadelphia, during the past two years, out of considerable valuable jowolry. Oa being taken before w police magistrate, he picracd guilty tothe charge of defrauding the two New York houses, and was committed to the Tombs for trial. The press and perple of Vancouver Island are much divided ag’ to the feasibility of the proposed confederate union of the Dritish provinces. They write about their free port being in peri! and their revenue being eaten up by au expensive connection, Vory violent discussions on ths subject have taken place in the House of Assem- bly; but on tho 14th of Uctober, resolutions in favor of « uvion under certain considerations baving been previously carried iv comn.ittes, came up for consideration, when, after a good deal of debate, they were carried by a vote Of six to Ove. ‘Thastock market was lowor yesterday. Gold was leas excited and clored at 23944. Governments were slightly lowor, but closed steady. There was covtinned firmness avd buovancy {n mer- cantilo circlos yesterday, and most kinds of domestic produce advanced c*nsiderably under mand, which extended to most of the Cotton, petroleum, &e., were bigher. The flour market ‘was quite active and 5c. a 10c. higher. Wheat was also 3c. adc. higher, with a fair demaud. Corn was dull and Bomical. Oats were active and lc. higher, Pork was decidedly frmor, with a good demand, Beef firm, whi'e lard was more active and se. higher, Freights quict but frm, Whiskey unsettled, The cotton sold on board the prize steamer Annie, at te Atlantic docks, Brooklyn, on Wednesday last, brought, as reported in the Hematp yesterday, an ave. rage of $1 233, a pound, while the sale of other prize cot. ton im Boston on the same day averaged but $1 18 a pound, Prize tobacco lately sold in Boston realized bot twenty-seven cents a peusd. A similar article, also part of @ prize cargo, sold in this oity vory lately, brought forty mine cents a pound. The War—What is the Administration Doing, and What Does It Propose tv Det In regard to the practical and paramount ‘business of the war the President’s Message is very flat and unsatisfactery. It is not surpris- ing that the gold gamblers of Wall street have turned it to their advantage; for there is no- thing*in the measure promising a vigorous prosecution of the work of demolishing the rebel armies. Mr. Lincoln calls for more taxes, more loans, more “greenbacks,” more additions of many millions to the national debt; but he saya nothing of the urgent necessity for more sol- diers, ia order to extinguish the rebellion at once. He apparently loses sight of the im- portant fact that it is the war which is embar- rassing the Treasury and depreciating the na- tional currency, and expandiog our national debt at the rate fof five, six, seven or eight hundred millions a year. He seems to forget that it is imperatively necessary to finish the war in order to save the Treasury, the national credit, the national currency, and the public confidence in the national secu- tities, He seems to have adopted the falia- cious idea that the people have given him the a ple margin of four years more for the war, when, in reality, his re-clection is due to the popular idea that it would encourage him to more energy and activity in pushing the rebels to asurrender. At‘ter four years’ ex- perience at the head of our national affairs, through all the trials of this terrible struggle from the beginning, andin view of the con- trolling issue of the late national election and the result, we naturally expected that Mr. Lin. coln, in his annual message, would rise, or at least attempt to rise, to the exigencies of the day, the grandeur of his position and the dig- nity of the occasion. He bas disappointed us, His re-election and the ringing voice of the people for an over- whelming pressure upon the rebellion stir up no enthusiasm in bis quiet, easy nature. With the power and the authority placed in his hands by Congress and the people to extinguish the Davis confederacy within elx months, or even threo months; with the power and dis- cretion given Lim to control events, be is still content to be controlled by them and to float along as the winds and waves may drive hin. Oh, that fer a month, a week, or a day, he could give usa touch of the earnestness, resolution and energy of Old Hickory. Why is it that the message embodies no demand, po resom- mendation, no request for more soldiers? Can it be that Mr. Lincoln proposes to take it quietly and patiently, to worry the rebels till exhausted with his presont armies Sn tae field? What explanation can be given of h's sirange cinission of the paramount business of the day? We may be told that he endorses and refers the two houses of Congress to the suggestions and requisitions embraced in the forthcoming report of the Secrotary of War; that Mr. Stan- ton will probably call for more soldiers, and a liberal appropriation for bounties, and 49.0n. But even this explanation will not suffice, The main business of the country should have been the main topic of the message. A bird's eyo view of tho events and achievements of the war during the past year, of tho advantages gained, and the work romaining to be done, and the men and means required to do it speedily and effectively, involved the proper application to be made of the President's statistios of the increased strength and wealth of thé" loyal States in men, means, and ro, aa of all kinds. far naan z bd r rst 2 Sug of Ia avail is bis exhibit of this ‘iaiina strength if it is not to be employed to secure ‘ts brood of giants. ing and comiog events. - It is not yettoo late, however, for Mr. Lin- coln to supply the deficienciesof the messaze oo the war question. General Grant, with the armies at present in the field under his com- mand, may perbaps be able to bring tho rebels to a capitulation; but we shall not be dealing fairly with him, the army or the country io resting upon this lazy presumption. We have bad too much of this waiting to see what an ac- tive army in the field would accomplish before proceeding to reinforce it. Thus we have failed to reap the inviting fruits which otherwise might bave been gathered, not only from our past vietories, but from our disasters. Let us have no more of this; but let Congress and the administration this time “make assurance doubly sure” by strengthening our armies in the field, so that reinforcements at ell points may be torthcoming in the nick of time. Tbe three great rules of eloquence as laid down by Demosihenes are “action, action, ac- tion;”” and these are the instructions of the people to Mr. Lincoln and allin authority in reference to the suppression of the rebellion. Everything else, the negro and all, should be made subordinate to this, the main question. The National Finances—Dir. Fessenden’s Report. On Wednesday we published in full the re- port of the Secretary of the Treasury. This document is a most important one, since it gives in extenso a view of the present financial condition of the country; shows the people the real state of the national purse, and as the national purse ix the influence that must alter all control and sustain the national life, Mr. Fessenden’s budget is not second iu conse- quence to any that will be l«id before the people. If the people have not generally read this document they ought to do so. It is a duty that every man owes to the country to watch its condition and the condition of the gevern- ment, in order that when the voice of the people is called for in favor of this or tat measure it may be given with an intelligence enlightened by a knowledge of al? the import- ant facts accessible. It is an accepted axiom {in commerce that supply is regulated by demand, and that the two tend to balance. Generally this is not less true in the more elevated region of na- tional tife. Times filled with great events pro duce great men. ‘Villege Hampdens” are in every country schoolhouse, and “mute, inglo- rious Miltons” steal watermelons-every sum- mer. “Hands that the rod of empire might have swayed” have been blistered: with birch in every year of the world since the head of Priscian was in danger, Men of the greatest ability are always ready whenever the octasion comes to call them out and develop their latent faculties. This is sustained by every gteatepoch in the world’s history, Late in the eighteenth century the disease-and trouble of France seemed to be pigmy men, and presto, the French Revolution developed It has been the same in Eugland and im: our own country. The necessities of governments produce men of high administrative powers, the necessities of war great generals, and the mceessities of finance great financiers. We in this natural arrangement have been especially happy in the production of great soldiers and sailors—happier perhaps than ever a people were before. We can point to Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas, Farragut, Porter, Foote, Dupont, and fearlessly challenge any period in history to equal that array. + But in some other directions we are less happy. We believe that our great financier isstill in ob- scurity—bas not yet been seen upon the sur- face. Mr. Fesseuden’s message is fair enough asa financial statement. It shows us what we owe, what our expenses are, and what our in- come is. This is arithmetic, and we suppose it is correct. He also makes eome good recom- mendations—as that for an application of the incomé¢ tax tp all incomes, and for other re- visious of the internal. revenue. His views on the national domain—agricultaral and mineral lands —will meet with general approval; and so, woe suppose, will his views ea the currency. But the real difficulty is that the country does not just now want Mr. Tessenden’s views ou ony of ese qnestions. It dees not want any It wants a sound financial admin- ration—a b preak financier, to take hold of theee matters practically, and to develop the national wealth so that this rich couctry shall not look like a poor one and feel like a poor one when it has to pay debts that are not rela- tively great. Mr. Fessenden hopes «that Con- gress will be able to devise somo means by which” all this can be done; and that is to hope that Congress will do what the country expects him to do. We take it that the facts of our financial position are tolerably clear. We are the richest people in material resources fhat there is in the world, and we are suddenly cailed upon to bear the burden of anational debt. Now, judged by comparison with the debts of other nations, the debt that we have to boar is not large for our strength, and ought not to trouble the steadiness of our footsteps. Nations not so etrohg as we are bear easily debts much greater than ours is, We ougbt, therefore, to bear this debt well; but the truth still is that there are “embarrassmonte,” and that the national credit is not what, in view of the facts, it ought to be. Oar national pursekeaper should fiad a remedy for this, and he does not. He shifis the burden on to the shoulders of Congress—a collection of politicians familiar with no stugle fact ox- cept the prioe of a convention. Mr. Fessenden exhibits an entire want of that grasp of the subject under his control that would give the people a firm confidence in the national faances. He has not any original power, Ie has studied finances all his life, and he is satisfied to give a debtor and creditor return of the national ac- count, to make some feeble recommendations to Congress, and leave the subject in that way. Ho is not the man for the place; therefore, any more than Mr. Chaso was, It is eaid that Me. Feasenden’s health is poor, that he is notrobust enough for the arduous duties of his position, and that he holds it against his ‘inclination. He ought not todo so. Robust physical health and the clear and vigorous Intellect that gocs with it are necessities of that office, and Mr. Fessendon onght to resign. By that moaus ho would, at the least, give the Gouniry one more opportunity to Qn the gervices of tho right pan wheroyer he if, nuxts.—In sixteen days more the Christmas fos-_ tivities will be aréund us, snd we should ‘not forget in the comforts of our own homés: the’ gallact army under General Sherman, who,’ after their grand. march of three hundred miles—such a march as was never made since the time of Xerxes—will be in camp on the Atlantic coast, somewhere near Savannah or Beaufort, on Christmas Day. We gave a boun- tiful Thankegiving dinner to the army and Bavy on the James and on the ocean. Let us now prepare a still more bountiful Christmas feast for the toil-worn veterans of Sherman. It will be an appropriate offering, and a substan- tial recognition of their services. After their long jeurney through swamps and forests, where we may suppose turkeys and plumpud- ding do pot abound, how pleasant it would be for the gallant fellows to be regaled at a fine Christmas dinner, and to feel at the same time that they were not forgotten at home; that their hosts were waiting for them with well Milled tables aad a hearty welcome. It is a novel way, it fs true, for a pecple to reward its soldiers, No nation. evor did it before; but then we have done many new things, and introduced many innovations in the way of winning battles as well as in the manner of rewafdiug the victors since the war began. «At ail events it is @ very good Ame rican way of showing our appreciation of our soldiers in the field. Not the least thing prized by a soldier on campaign ia his rations; and what better rations are there than roast tur- keys, plumpudding and “ homemade” pies? There is plenty of time to get up a fine din- ner for the whole of Shorman’s army between this and Christmas, The rebel papers estimate his force at fifty thousand men. Let us take this as @ base, and we will want just thirty thousand turkeys, fifty thousand: pies, and twelve thousand large plumpuddings. This will be an excellent bill of fare, with a few other delicacies added, which benevolent ladies know so well how to suggest. In the meantime'we hope that the portion of Suerman’s army left in the West to look after Hood, will be similarly feasted by the people of that region. New Year’s Day would be an appropriate occasion. They will have finished up Hood by that time, and’ will be in fine humor to enjoy a good dinner. But no time should be lost in this city in commenc- ing preparations for the Christmas dinner for Sherman’s historic fifty thousand. DEMORALIZATION OF THE CHIVALRY.—The: war is manifesting its demoralizing effects: upon Southern men ina marked way. In. our last accounts from Matamoros it is stated. that a nephew of Governor. Vance, of North Caro- lina, has been arrested for'a highway robbery committed near that city. He holds. commis: sion in the rebel army, and had been:sent over from Brownsville, with » pass. from Colonel Ford, to obtain supplies. During his leave: of absence be thought be would do a stroke of business on his own account, and aecordingly associated himself with a band of thieves, who stopped the stage from Matamoros to the: month of the river and pillaged the passengers. There isevery probability that he will swing for: this want of discrimination between guerilla prae~ tices in hostile and friendly territory. Suebis the Condition of principle and feeling to which the chivalry are being brought by the wan. Let it last but a couple of years longer, and they will all become as dead to honorable: fee} ingand shame as this Captain Vance. mistake about the fact that the Secretary’of the Navy bas presented in -bis annual report.a very well written document. It is- a complete hie tory of the navy for the past: year, full of in- teresting matter, valuable statistics, and hap: pily conceived and distinctly put suggestions. The education Gideon received as. a-reporter for the newspaper press in Connecticut has not been lost upon bim. Ifhe should make as good a Secretary of the Navy as he does a.reporter, and avoid those veges in the administration of the affairs of his department as. intelligent reporters of the press do in making up their daily reports, he would prove: of more service to the country. It is evident that, although slumbering for most of the time, be wakes up once a year and gets up as good a histony of the American navy as could be desired. This is a good thing for Gideon. Reset Incratitups.—We had always deen under the impression that Roger A. Pryor was one of the representative mea of the South. Certainly in bluster and swagger no one had a fairer claim to the title. Both in Congress and out of Congress he. rendered the cause of chivalry important services. Now we are told hy the rebel journals that he is of no account. Noa-Arriv of the amship Canada, Hauirax, Dec. 87:30 P. M. ‘There are no signs of tho steamship Canada, now due from Liverpool the 26th and Queenstown the 27th ult, Kime night. Cor Inquest. Fatau AvrnayY Berween Lanorers,—Oa Wednesday afternoon two young men, named Timothy Scanlon and Adam Potts, employed ia the machine shop of Mr. G. L. Goddard, corner of Second avenue and Twenty-second atreet, beceme involved in a quarrel coucerning so! matter of trifling importance, when Potts, losing temper and self possession. zed & piece of iron a hurled it at bis adversary. row took effect on Sc: lon’s bead and fractured bis skuth in such a terri manner that death ensued at @ Jato hour at night, Potts to the death of bis victim, on a it, and is now tn priton await- ing tbe result of a Corover’s inquisition, Deceased resided at 215 Fast Nineteenth street, Fatatsy Crususp at tie Post Orrice.—Coroner Collin yesterday held an inquest at the New York Hvspitat, on the body of @ Ind named Thomas Nealis, fiftecn years. of age, whose death was the resuls of injurigs re ceived on Tuesday last, in consequence of being crisbod between one of Dodd’s Express wa and the wallof the Post Ufice, Neceared was in the employ uf tho ex- prens company, and while at the Post Office jumped (rom tbe roar of the wagon, immediately after which the horses backed up and crushed him between the vehicle and tbe brick wall, fracturiog his skull and cansing other serious injuries, A verdict in accordance with tpe fore going (acta was rendered by the jiry. The Gecossed lived with his paronts at No, 8 Franiclin street, A Woman Fourp ix ti Water,.—Tho remeina of an unknown woman, about thirty-two years cf age, and apparently born in ircland, were found flowting tn the dock foot of Veecy etrect. Deceased hadon a yellow calico dreaa, with emall rod figure ; brown pottfooat, hoop white cotton stool and shoo On ber head worsted hood, The body toall apyvarances had been In the hort time, Cererer Collin beld an inquest; end @ verdict of “Death by Growniag” was readered. Pe gen: of Wiscenming Ton ‘SM. Stand Of Oneida, N. Yu. Gen. G. B, Cullum, Supariatendan tho Academy of Weat Point: Col, Re O Crawtord, U.8. As, apd Col a C, Bakor, of Washington, are stopping at, the Astor House, Lord Lyons, Britis Minigsag to Washing! and Brn, 8. Crorvortor, of Washiagian, are stopping at theAibe- mario Hotel, Gon, Ferrel, U,'S, ‘and Hon. G, Simpnoa, of Hadson, N. Y,, are guosas at St, James Hotel, Lieut, Sor Boe: of New Haven, Cow, ts a guest wit inn Place Aiotel. lon Col. J &. 0.8 a y , of Was are a the Buin Aven’ ¢ Wi, iB laren, tor, Thirtyfourth New of Maso, TESTIMONIAL TO MB CHARLES PETERS. ‘The notors of this city deserve every oredit fer the testimonial, for the Deneat Le ae Peters, given at the Academy of Music yeaterdhy | dir. Peters ip am actor of sonte reparation, who te beet dered tn “New York by bis Biony, ta Ove — Cousin, For some time past be has been starring thregh the country with Leura Keene's troupe. More ry as been engaged sf the Bostoa Museum, to il the of Mr. Wiliam Warres—no small bonor to any ector, A short ago, by & sad railway accident, Mr, loat the ase of bis limbs, and he may perbaps fe, At the best he will probably be incapacitated stege. The actors of our metropolitan theatres at oa0l re- solved to give hinftwo benefit performances at the Age my. For this tne managers voluateered their own rerviees, Permitted thelr actors to volunteer, sent thelr orchestras, and foased their farniture, dresses and appownimeta, The actors generously forgot persoval feuds amcng them- selves—many of thens of long standmg and no sttyht bi terness—and worked heartily together for the benefs of ‘& mao whom all respected, and with whose mis‘ortunes they all sympathized. We are giad to add that the test) montal was a success, houerabie in every way to all com cerned, Thé proceeds will amount to about two thousand dollars, Many tickets were sold not represevted ia tee honse: and, as the expenses’ were all subsoribed for, tite sum wiil be banded to Mr. Petsrs, The play at the afternoon performance was Foucicsult's Londen Assurance. The cast was the best we nave bag since the deve of the Old Park--of which every one talks and which (ow really rememtor. Mr. Lester who is by far the best represen iativeof the iebeeaiae ee this coustrv, played Charles Courtley. Mr. Chartes’ ey played Sir Harcourt cayitall: Me oie was ag excolient Dazzle. Mr. Hi olstos geniieman. Mr, G. Fisher = ker admirably and like jeddl farce and pantomime, be isone of our grostest. actors, Mr. Burnett’s Siuire Harkaway wasthoronghly Engiten, Mrs. Jobn Woods looked the part of Lady Gay to the Miss it superbly and acted it to satisfaction Of =f aor dience. The Grace Harkaway of Miss Henriquey and the Pert of Mrs. Sediey Brown wera equally delight ful. Mr. Nortou’s:Cool was as good as ustml—and mobody' can play it better. Mr, Harry Pearson, Mr Kloyd an@ Mr. Parsioe voluntarily assumed the sinzil parts and ee covered. themselves with glory. MM. Tom Paker Dronght bis own orchestra from the Olynvpto, and ted i with his customary ektl!, Asa matter of ro@rd. as well ‘ag a matter of bencvolece, this performace should be e lly noted by all interested in the trical alinirs, aorry that onty a thousand of tho many thoa- sands of persone thus interested were present yeste” aor afternoon to witness the best acting seen is New ¥i for many years, However, thise who sinyed away tay —— purchased tickets; sod thus their was Mr. ters’ gain. In the evening Sheridan's Sehool for Scandal was rep resented. This mnguificent comedy, in which every sem- tence is an enigram and every word a diamond, was Bot 80 very effective in the vast Academy. The movements of the ‘ace and of the eyes wake most of the pi = hich comed; id these points are missed in a nee theatre, Nevertholeas thie was pot the fauit of the actors, whose emphasis and gestures were all that coud ‘be desired. Mr. J. W. Wallack, Ji 2 Dazed Jone) face as only be can play it. id Lad) Mr. and Mrs. F, B. Conway bi ‘boon ada piaygoer. Mr. Smith made the pai A companion picture to that of Bir Peter, be, but vory seldom is. except when he reprossnte it, Mr. J. K. Mortimer was the beau ideal Charlos ‘Surface, and greatly tacressed his repuiatoe bore by this performance, Mrs, Farren’s personation of Mra, Candour was above Mr. J. W. Lingard, Mr. Harry Pearson, BR Lamb, Mr. Whiting, Mr. Frank end ler mate parts much more teaa ugual prominence, and Mrs. Skerrett end Mre. ‘les Walcot, Jr., were equally kind to Maria aod Sneerwefl. As a whole, the comedy was greatly Mr. Joon Cooke and the Academy* orchestra furnished tbe music, The beautiful arrangetcept of the rather ex- aygerated and romantic operal nery deorrves pratse, By tbe gond taste of the st cuenegers t served admirably both for the modern comeéy of the afterneos: and theold comedy of the evening. night was thinned by the inclement weathor, the most appreciative sort. In con Plain that we depart from the ong formances to notice tha at some such remarkabje casts as these are Fees ot theatre of istory;. secondly, because such Longe aetors Senerves ‘every pagal tery cause we found notbing commend. T, Ringgold, Mr. Browne the! The Mereantile Library. ‘Tho day of prosperity is the period te ab lish deel. Bn view of this fact the young gentlemen ( merchants’ clevia) connected with the Mercantile Library propose to lay the | Glaims of this tnstituttoa before the moreheats,, Ciinton Hall is the property of the merebasts, aed ty agreement with the Mercantile Library entire income of the property, after of repairs, &0., 15 to be paid to the divestors of caotile Library for its increase and tmprevement, — A mortgage of sixty-two thousand ‘dollars on Cligtem: ’ Fiat, the toterest of which being eo cemual charge epen the income, and the balance used by the trustees to Haut Gate the debt, bas, up to thistime, prevented the Library | from realizing this advantage. A Goop Tung For Grpzon.—There: is. no: |, Clinton Hall belongs to the merchants, and this debe i om their own property. The young geettemen, the bene fotarios of this trust, ask their fathers, the merchents and capitalists of the city of New York,to aid them to pay this debt, in order thatthe Library may Imenediately recetve the advantages originally intended by the founders of the inatitation, The Mercantile Library Assosiation, in thelp connection with the merchants, through Clinton Hall, possess all the eloments of prosperity. The young geatio mee have managed the Library «ith ability. They com menoced in 1820 with a few hundred: volumes; now they Dave upwards of sixty thousand. Pay this debt and allow (be income from the rents of tho building tofiew iato the Library, and Clinton Halland the Mercantile Library will be living monuments $e the liberality an@ groatness of the commercial metropchs. Flag of Truce. Letters. — TO THE KDITOR OF THE HKRALD. Insrgcror’s Orrick, FLAG o» Trece Larress, Dararracext oy Vinaivta awptiontt CAROLINA, Forraess Mownom, ¥a., Dec. 6, 1064. By giving the enclosed rules and requiathns governing flag of truce letters conspicuity in your columns for eve wook, and requesting otbor. papers. throughout the eeum- try to copy, you will do the. frieadg and relatives of ear soldiers, now prisoners of. war in rebeldom, and thow. having correspondents in the-Sauth, a great fayor, ea@, ‘will facilitate the prompt transmiaston of letters going by - fing of truce, Very reapoctfully,. yours, HARRY READ, Inspector. RULES AND REGULATIONS. GOVERNING FLAG OF TRUOR LETTERS, ESTABLISGED BY MAJOR GENERAL B. F. Fi jo letter must exceed-ono pagect a letter chest, and must relate purely to domeetic matters, ‘Srcond.—All letters (tociuding sym ) moat be seas with fivs cents postage encloesd, if to goto Ricbmend, and ten cents if beyond. Third.—Every letter mast te signed by the weiter’s name, in full, and post office address. Pourth.— All letters rust be rg to the Command. Ing Goveral of the Department of Vir Caroline, Fortress Monroe, endorsed via flag of trece, Fifth.—No money will be forwarded except to, yrigowers if of war. Sizth.—All letters. sent to Fortress Monroe without a. strict compliance with,these rules, will bu tracamitted te. the dead letter office. Hon, E. B. Wasmaunne:. Alighttogly of him as an officer. Al your (rank may enabloa letter to reach Lig, 1 beg Jeave, tomy, throngh you, that| bave never utiered ap uniind. Teord dbuut Bene, The inquiry gently Doan, ot. roesed to me, ‘Do you kaow rat”? | Deve. anewered, that he made the campaign,.of Mexico-wit® was considered by me, an Roe} Ll brother officers ia commission, a Pn officer cad omey who attained special distivction at Liplino det oF his more recent, services 1 bave uxiformly terms of the highea) admiration, an jadded, tlat jn opinion he, had richly earned ‘bis present raak, trasted he might epeedily put down oe. rebell!ea, trulp yours, | f FLL . QmWERAL GRANT'S a Duatina bt RATERS, ARMIES OF sre U SRY es Vor, Mo as 22, 1964, " ‘Lisutenand Gomeral Wixrreip Sort, My Dram CuntaateZo our letter a insh, o@ and tn wba yee my present rauk, is just Feat you, General, that no ove has formation, 1 have never boar: ~apeeot of yours tte connect/on with the presens tebeition ebich tid net show tho great interest felt bas you, boty in our euminent eae ‘cons ad in the success of. all Cor Gommanders, In fact, Si that T have henrd of sour aay aK re resin payeeld han been more flattering I prebably Sires, With assurance of Geawral, ag woll a9 fi cowntry throughout a lo subscribe mysell, wary respeatiully Pte: A dint servant, Lieutenant Geveral U.S A Qventéul public caresr, X es Saver bad ad obe Coust Calendar—This Duy. Scrneue Som , Crnonin —Part h—Lourt opene§ at tom o'clock A.M Short oauren. Nos. 9740, 2247, 908 ste, westhe 9. --agrs opens at ton o'cloel oe ae 1886, 1078, 1670, Nos. ‘257%, WA. 6, ‘2070, 2678, 1985, 2004, 9432, 2606, Bale aR tos (oe rn ong ran Noe, ‘M45, 2778, 679, 204", 2569, » 2600, agg Borg 26%6, 165i, Ws, Wu as art 20g) ton Coot, TRIAL Teast Past 10m, £339, a as, ha, 204, 4007, 404), 4nd, 400%, gta 8 BAST, 6049) 40RD 00, 4910, a0, “Aon, 4508 4800 Pinas Court, Tatat. Team.—Part 2 —I , 04, 604, Tansarudrutan atta By - nant ternie