The New York Herald Newspaper, February 2, 1865, Page 4

below Fort Fishor, the Union forces, on occupying it, se- | and stocks. The meet.ng was largely attended by capi cured large supplies of commissary stores, tobacco and | “lis and others interested in the enterpr se. thes vahssble peouerty::” ‘lhe pabeldl hol pineieg terme: | One Tn RAE nena et Fane Der fey, deceased. The Surrogate has decided against. allow- does in and around nearly all the forts, Genoral Grant | ing the administrator of Mary Paddock's estate his ehar- has recently been on a visit to Fort Fisher. He returned OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. | to Fortress Monroe from there on iast Monday. A Petersburg despatch in the Richmond papers says there was heavy firing botween the Union and rebel bat teries on James river on last Sunday forenoon. The re- port that General Breckinridge has been appointed rebel Secretary of War is confirmed. The bill for the employ ment of negroes in their armies passed the rebel House of Representatives on Saturday. It was said that Lee's nomination as General-in-Chief would be sent into the rebel Senate by Jeff. Davis on last Monday; but thelatter had yet made no movememont towards the reinstate- 4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. death, holding it to be against the policy of tho law to encourage claims for labor and services among members of the same family and near relatives, in the absence of express agreements &s to componsation, Seth Adams, one of the princ pals in the recont Mill- spaugh-Adams suit for sd'tion, was broupht up before Judge Ingrabam, yesterday, on an order of diecovery, he having failed to satisfy a judgment of four hundred and thirteen dollars, which was obtained against him by Philip J. Aubin, Upon being examined as to his proper- ty, he swore that he possessed nothing gave a few articles of jewelry. A receiver was appointed to take possession of tho estate, Notwithstanding the moderation of the temperature 32 AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING, pROWERY THEATRE, Bowery —Dame Trorr—Micnaee PARLE, NIRLO'S GARDEN, Broadway.—Laxxs or Kiv.aryer— nae Counrsuar. BROADWAY THEATRE, Broadway.—Tax Live Ix- wian—Vaue Pew, WINTER GARDEN, Broadway.—Hamuee, WALLACK A —! plAMAck’S THEATRE, Broadway.—Mew oF tH | rent of Joe Johuston, Mosby, his admirers say, is to be | during the past few days, the ice on the ponds yestor- OLYMPIC THEATRE, Broadway,—Tum Stusers or New | !2 the saddle again in a few days, day continued good, he was thronged with skaters. Yorx f Genecat : t Hast Seven men and four women, belonging, it is alleged, uni , et A reconnoissance from General Thomas’ army, at East- | 1, ap extensive and adroit gang of burglars and thieves, BW BOWERY THEATRE, — Bowery.—Maip or | port, Miss., showed that the main portion of Hood's force who, during nearly two years past, have been committing was on the 20th ult. at Tupelo, Miss, On the appearance | ¢xtensive depredations on the citizens of Mount Vernon, of the Union troops before Corinth, some four hundred | Westchester county, have recently, with. the assistauce . of a detective from this city, been arrested and committed rebels stationed there evacuated, after burning the rail- | 1. jail at White Plains. road depot and Tishemingo House. Between thirty and A convention of persons opposed to the monopoly of forty of them were captured. the Camdem and Amboy Railroad Company was held in ‘An order has been issued by the military authorities in | Trenton, N. J., yesterday. Addrenses in favor of free Missouri for the banishment from that State of the railroad privileges were delivered by several gentlemen, and resolutions embodying these views were unanimously wives and children of all men in the rebel military | adopted. lscewicel Major General George H. Thomas has written a letter to Colonel George R. Latham, of the Sixth West Virginia | t® citizens of Cincinnati and Louisville who proposed to aralig, has bated ‘bas’ the. Beeiie Ge as raise a sum of money sufficient to present to him a hand- some testimonial, thanking ihem for the offer, but re- United States, on the finding of a court martial, for al- | questing that instead they appropriate the funds to found- lowing the post of New creek, West Virginia, to be sur- ing a home for disabled soldiers and to affording relief to e by rebel raiders some time ago, and its garrison the widows and orphans of those who have fallen in the captured, Oni kans—Sunczon oF Pax ROWN AND Suitti 3 MUSEUM. Broadway.—Two Maumora Fat NG SKELYTON—Dwake—LeaRNeD Skal—GIANT Tne Union Prisoxen—Day and Evening BARNU) Wown — BRYANTS' MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ fall, 472 Broad. Re TIAN SONGS, Dances, Buatesquas, &c.—Butr WOOD'S MINSTREL HALL, 514 Broadway. —! New York—Tue Puay Bust Doak, Dancen oe. joriaN SonGs, Dances, Lesson's in Magic. VAN AMBURGH & ‘§. MAMMOTH 699 and 561 Broadway —Open from 10 A. M. SALLE DIABOLIQUE, 58 Broadway.—Rosgnt HeLien's MENAGERIE, to10 P.M. HIPPOTHEATRON, Fourteenth atreet.—Equxstrian, Gyynastic AND AckopaTiC EnteRtainmants—HaRixquin Buvwexsnp. AMERICAN THEATRE, Panromiacs, Burtxsques 'so\ rt waote Favor service of their country. Braail is ni conanzss. aad Paraguay, te miter Stay having, neering totes In the Senate yesterday, the General Appropriation bill | advices, also declared war against the Brazilians. for the fiscal year 1806, was reported by the Finance | The stock market was heavy at the flast board yester- Committee. An adverse report was made on the bill to dey, bet.frmer afterwards. Governments. weve dull Gold closed increase the pay of Congressmen and agreed to. The ppensd Bh 07 esa ee credentials of James W. Nye and William N, Stewart, | More Peace Negotiations—Slavery—The Destruction of the Rebel Cause in Con- gress. Messrs. Stephens, Hunter and Campbell, of HOOLRY & CAMPBELLS MINSTRELS, 199 and 201 Bowery.—Sonas, Dances, Buruesques, &¢.—Higu DabpY. NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— Open from 10 A. M. Gil 10 P, AL BROAN New York, Thursday, February 2, 1865. THE SITUATION. ‘yne three rebel peace commissioners—Messrs. Alexan- | Senators from the new State of Nevada, were presented, dor H. Stephens, rebel Vice President; R. M. T. Hunter, | #24 both gentlemen duly sworn in. The House resolu- tion declaring the rebellious States not entitled to repre- febel Senator, and Jobn A. Campbell, rebel Assistant | sentation in the next Electoral College was considered. | the Southern confederacy, have reached Secretary of War—left Richmond on Sunday last, were | A motion was made to strike out Louisiana from the list | Fortress Monroe, and Secretary Seward passed through General Grant's lines on Tuesday, and | Of States in rebellion. This caused @ discussion which | hag gone down there to confer with continued till the termination of the session. reached Fortress Monroe yesterday, for the purpose of Lode The House of Representatives took up the bill pro- them. These gentlemen, it is said, sim- viding for the construction of aship canal around the | Ply visit us to “talk matters over.” They do Falls of Niagara, which was finally passed by a vote of | Not come in an official character. But it is well ninety-five to fifty-one. The Illinois and Michigan #hip | enough understood that the subject of conver- Canal bill was then taken up, and the House adjourned. | gation is to be peace. So far as this vaunted THE LEGISLATURE. fact that our visitors are not officlal ones goes, In tho State Senate yesterday petitions were presented | there is but little in it. Our government has relative tothe Brooklyn, Eastern District, ferries; rela- | never yet ‘i 5 rect tive to bulkheads and wharves in Brooklyn, and for pub- } 4 5 7 tie ri kage sent bere Aacengain! Line Aad Ic markets in Brooklyn. A bill for the completion of | ® Sigantic riot, and could not recognize there- the Harlem bridge was noticed. Bills were introduced | fore that any one within it could give creden- for the better prevention of fraudulent voting; authoriz- | tials that should fix an official character as an ing Poughkeepsie to borrow money for the payment of | ambassador upon any other person, We are, bounties, A message was then received from Governor fi Fenton in which he says, referring to the recent adoption therefore, not to look in.a case like this for the of the constitutional amendment by Congress abolishing | °°dinary evidences of official character—for cre- slavery, “The nation will be free. Iam confident that | Gentials in form. Nor can we accept as of any the ratification of the amendment by the States will favor | Value statements that persons do or do not a sure ee of the future prosperity, security avd | come in an official capacity. We can only look peace of our common country, and I,see no reason why % 3 the Legislature may not act in this matter at once.”? In at the facts of the: man’s position and career, ace ¢ with the recommendation of the Governor Mr. | 924 consider what weight the enemy them- Bailey moved a resolution ratifying, in bebalf of the peo- | 8¢lves have attached to his person in their ple of the State of New York, the act of Congress, The | cause, in order to see what weight we must at- resolution being a concurrent one, lies over for one day. | tach to him and whether or not he really repre- In the Assembly, bills were reported for the relief of 5 sick and wounded soldiers; for the improvement and oa bead ie bbsabit San ihioe.: Ties, Cale are government of Central Park; to incorporate the Central | TC#lly the man’s credentials in a case like the present. Warehouse and Security Company, and for the incorpo- ration of several benevolent societies in this city. Bills| Viewed in this light this delegation from the were noticed for a railroad in Whitehall and other streets | enemy has some importance. One of the gen- In this city; toamend the charter of the Harlem Stage | tlemen of which it is composed is par excell and Ferry Company; to provide for the assesment and taxation of savings bauks; to extend the time forthe | he great man of the State of Georgia. His commencement of the Central Park Hotel, and also of | abilities were regarded with universal respect the Grand Hotel; relative to the administration of jus- | before there was any mention of the rebellion, ba in ie eet oe New York; to Cui bays and he stands in only the second civil position jetropol jc Conveyance Company; to amend the Presi act relative to savings banks in New York and Kings Heine Cg Fh ogee rhe wags those States, President of the revel Senate, and, county; and to incorporate the Bay View and New York Ferry Company. A message was received from the | in case of the death of Davis, would succeed to Bllempting ‘o offect some arrangement with the national government for a cessation of hostilities, The Richmond papers say, though, that these gentlemen left there without any formal credentials, and merely as informal agents, and those journals do vot appear very sanguine ‘of the mission being crowned with any great amount of success, One of our Washington correspondents states that it is not likely Messrs. Stephens, Hunter and Camp- dell will for the present come further than Fortress Mon- roo, a8 Secretary Seward has gone to meet them at that point, having left the national capital yesterday. We give sketches in this morning's Henao of the three rebel commissioners, I connection with their announcement of the depar- parture of their peace agents for the North, some of the fournals of Richmond give a rumor that bearers of des- patches from the English and French governments had arrived in that city, bat add that they could trace it to no Tho Dispa'ch bas a report that the French Minister at Washington has demanded his pass- Ports, ‘The adoption by the House of Representatives of the Benate resolution for the abolition and prohibition of slavery throughout the limits of the republic has mot with a spirited response from the people of the North. Salutes in honor of the event ‘wore firod in various cities yesterday. pent a mossage into both guthertic source. Governor Fenton houses of our Legis- Aature, recommending immediate concurrence on their part, and a joint resolution was introduced in both the Bonate and the Assembly, which, under the rules, pad t lie over for one day. Free Maryland Has boon the first to ratify the action of Con- oviction: Weiatocd! ce thal miu, yensedsy Governor recommending that the Legislature take action | his position, Here the obvious fact is—cre- 5 a. in regard to the recent act of Congress to abolish slavery, | dential or no credential—that the enemy have Mmornlng annownced to its Legislature the fact of | when a concurrent resolution was introduced to that end, sent nd A pevetin 4a. wilde’ the the the adoption of the resolution in Congress, and the House | which lies over for one day. Bills to authorize the con | 4+ 4 aoe ae a anal aaa y oh ad ig] lence, al action they of Dologalos immediately took it up and concurred by a | Suction of piers and warchouses upon a new and im- vote of Afty.three to twonty.three. Governor Andrew, | Proved plan in New York, and to charter the sumo; also would in all probability ratify. Another of the dimen . to amend the Registry law, were introduced, A message | delegates, Mr. Hunter, has been a representa- lassachusetts, has directed the fring of a salute of | was received from the Governor, in reply to a resolution | tiye man in the rebellion in a more eminent one hundred guns and recommended the ringing of the | of tho Assembly, relative to the quotas of the various jegree, church bells for one hour. Our Washington despatches | ‘istricts. Mr. Reed, from the Select Committee, reported oF heat than any an one man in ft, i a bill authorizing the Board of Supervisors of New York | #@ always been a leader of the extreme detail interosting incidents connected with the adoption Southern sentiment, and a recognized leader of Of the important amendment by the House of Represen- to raise money to encourage enlistments and pay bounties to volunteers. Southern men. He isa member of the rebel Ratives, MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. Senate, and has recently occupied the chair of + In the Kentucky Senate, on the 27th ult, resolutions , The stearaship Columbia, from Havana on January 28, | the body in the absence of Mr. Stephens. Mr. = arrived here yesterday, She brought nothing later from Campbell is also a man of considerable weight Mexico or St. Domingo. It was reported in Havana in th : ils. He fe 1 that, now the blockade running trade has been nearly je enemy’s councils, He was formerly «discussed, Finally @ substitute for them was adopted , terminated by the capture of the Cape Fear river forts, a Judge of the Supreme Court of the United ‘Dy seventeen to fifteen votes. This declares it to be the ] number of the vessels lately engaged in this business are | States, and has been in the rebel Cabinet. The to be converted into Anglo-rebel privateers, Three of | facts, then, at which we must look in relation to these—the Vulture, Lark and Wron—had arrived at | ¢hig delegation, all favor the view that it is Havana. Several others were at Nassau and St, Thomas, ps The French steam frigate Entreprenante went ashore | Wite as “official” as the enemy could possibly their cause, fteam transport | recently on the Cbaun coast, sixty miles west of Havana, make it; that it really represents It was not known whether sho had beon got off. One | and must have their confidence. Although we of the Spanish mail steamers for Havana got on fire | have no great faith that it will reach any practi- and wusobliged to put into Porto Rico, No lives were | gay result, it is not impossible that it may; and, lost. The commission appointed by Governor Fenton to | St least, the fact that it is sent to us ism signifi- endeavor to secure from the War Department a decrease cant one, in the quota of this State under the last call for troops Just as this delegation arrives the C q ea ongress has so far met with little success, They are to have | of the United States has finally passed a meas- another interview with the Vresident to-day. Governor ure for the abolition of slavery. That me : Fenton bus issiica an address to the people of the State, | + aoe to he incorporated in o dunce recapitulating his efforts to have our quota reduced, order rp ur CO! ion, which, he he cannot help thinking is made up }| Must be adopted by the Legislatures of three- fourths of the States of this Union. There are support the rebel gn tVOr Of the abolition of slavery and of the constitu- tional amgadment for that purpose were introduced and ‘duty of the Legislature to pass such laws as will so dig- ify labor as to induce free white laborers to settle in the State } By tho arrival here yesterday of the Buwo Nada, from Hilton Head on the 29th ult., we have Mater despatches from Savannah. Two disastrous fires, Wupposed to be the work of rebel incendiaries, occurred Ain that city on the 27th and 28th ult., destroying a large number of buildings. It issaid that by the second fire ten Blocks wore burned. One magazine wae exploded, and the incendiaries bad made preparations for blowing up the arsenal, and with it probably the greater part of the city, es it contained thirty tons of powder. A keg of powder, with the top removed, lad been placed against the Dutlding, #0 that a single falling spark would have caused on an errone basis, and he i still not without hopes of st However, should the War | thiply.six States—eight eeding. | explosion, Fortunately it was discovered in | Deparment adhere to its decision in the matier, he} conse, and twenty-eight are against it— Dmeeen as" r i lea cheerful compliance, urges upon the people 8 CO. cheerfu pi ace, er < aed . tabs Ouse serve cee Were note ete eae rr ag e aduet iu the rate Sy ae will be consistent | 80 the measure will undoubtedly re- Additional troops from General Sherman's army had ism, and calls upon the | ceive the sanction of the necessary with dignity and true patr. press, capitalists and all in influential positions to use | number of States. Thus the institetion of thoir efforts to aeimulate volunteering. The Governor | slavery is legally, effectively and officially put yesterday sent to the omer aged Seas aan Obtat out of existence. Now, it was slavery that the retongaontienn caput Fie Fry. ssf rebellion was founded upon. It wag built upon ‘The committee of our Supervisors who visited Albany that institution as its “corner stone,” to use the to endeavor to effect some arrangement for averting the | words of this very Alexander H. Stephens. It draft i this city on the 16th inst, returned yesterday, was for the protection of that institufion and and report that the prospects are favorable. ed com: | to secure guarantees for its existerpe and mittee to proceed to Washington to have another con- foronee ‘with the authorities there left the city last | eXtension that the war was begun. Fotr years evening. of war have shown the South that they cannot ‘The Legislative committee for the examination of the | hope to save that institution by foros ¢ arms; affairs of our elty government continued to take evidence | and now they see that they cannot hopelo save yestorday in regard to the City Inspector's administration ehis office. A letter was received from the Corporation | i¢ i any janig hen Before the wat there Counsel, Mr. John KE. Devlin, requesting that his depart- | Were as many Northern States in sugport of mont also might be included in the investigation. The | the institution as there were Souther ones. committee will not be in session again till Thursday, the | Now the North is a unit of twenty-eight States Ss Ler igi Cintas: Destin Nae ‘secuel ER against it. ‘This consideration has hade salu- Sorporation nse} in has vine ia - ther, in an oftelal communication, -that the treet Clean. | ‘#17 eMeot epon the minds of the Sathorn ng Commission hae still power to act; but that, as re: | leaders and people. They all see clearly garde the proposal of the New York Sanitary and Chemie | enough that by war slavery goes dovn, and cal Compost Company to clean the streets of the city for } that by peace slavery gocs down; tit it is Uhfee hundred thousand dollars a year, it would HOt | done for in any Other way, and that they might Mect the intontion of the Legislature were the use of the Croton water and dumping grounds given gratie, In as well Telinguish bo florce and bloidy war stich case a greater amount would be paid then contem. 1 {tt they entered into only to save ii Such plated by the Legislature. considerations as these have doubtless ésposed Tn the Board of Rdveation last evening $449,533 77 was | (he rebel Jeaders to endeavor to maki peace; appropriated for varions echool purposes. ‘The chief item rs was $170,000 for teachers’ salaries. A by-law was adopted fhe more pn sae ba rou ag ba ged regulating the order in which the new Kehool Inspectors longer to make successfil war. Herne y gond the best delegation that they are ible to. candidates for teachers in tho common schools, $10,988 | We hope that the negotiations may doceed. Pp is y gone to Beaufort, S.C. One of our correspondents reiter. etos the statement regarding the Union men of Georgia | having beld moctings, organized associations for {heir mutual protection and called on General & \ for assistance, which had been — He «a | gmovemont extends over nine counties. Ten thousand ) fbales of the captured cotton had been shipped North, | and ® crowd of othor vowels were being loaded | ‘with it, Tho distribution of the supplies of food ‘and clothing from the people of this city and Boston was being proceeded with. A meeting to express \gho thanks of the people of Savannah for these welcome gifts was held at the Exchange on the 25th ult, Ad. ‘Grosses wore made by tho Mayor and others end appro- [priate resolutions adopted. The gunboat Dai.Ching got ‘aground in the Combaheo river on the 20th ult., and was got on fire by the rebel guns, and burnod to the water's edge. Tho rebel Goneral Hill has issued orders for all non-combatants to leave Augusta, Ga A rebel despatch from Macon, Ga, says that one columa of Sherman's @rmy is marching on Charleston and two columns oo Branohville, 8. 6. About four hundred bates of cotton were destroyed by Gro on the Custom House wharf at Wilmington, N. C., jerman | ya the | @nd two carloads four miles from town, @m the Weldon Railroad, on the 24th ult’ Whether the burning was eocidental, or was the commencement of carrying out the reported rebel dosign to destroy all the staple in the | shall discharge the duty ef attending the examination of vicinity, does not clearly appear By the blowing up of Fort Caswoll the robels completoly dostroyed the river | Wa appropriated to farnish a echoothouse, We hope, also, that the country will “teep its foo of that strong work. All the guns in it wore epiked me i eto gh nani below vod powder dry.” We hope that no depirtment : way and Recte , wae formally mangurated yaster 4 (Ond thoir carriages destroyed. At Smithville, » small | day afternoon. This institution will hold the same relation and no person whose duty it is to hurryup the B80 on tho woat aldo of Capo oar river, aut tou wilos gin at the open board of brokers doee to gold | retnforcament and eqnipment of Grant) grand xes for boarding the intestate for somo years prior to ner | tects a el Ria Rit ES STRESSES ES ae SSS 4 Niéw YORK) HERALD, ‘THURSDAY, FEBRUARY, 2, 1865.; army wi!l be tempted into an hour's idleness; for if no one else can make peace General Grant most assuredly can, Whe Constitutional Abolition ef Slavery— The Great Measure of the Age. The proposition which has been adopted by both houses of Congress for the incorporation into the federal constitution of an amendment ordaining that “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except. as a punishment for erlmo, whereof the party shall have been duly con- victed, shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction,” may justly be placed at the head of all the legisla- tive measures of the government from the be- ginning as the great distinguishing measure of the age. It marks @ new era in our political history and @ new departure in the great work of restoring the Union and of widening its po- litical and moral influence among the leading nations of the earth, We are especially gratified at the success of this great measure, considering the earnest sup- port which it has received through our editorial columns from the beginning. After a careful examination of the slavery question at the last session of Congress, embracing the irreparable damages inflicted upon the institution by this terrible war, and the “confusion worse con- founded” resulting from the tinkering, illegal and incongruous emancipation experiments of President Lincoln and Congress, we reached these conclusions: first, that this institution of slavery must die; secondly, that the time had come for a national settlement of the question; and thirdly, that the settlement provided in the constitution of the United States, and nothing else, would be a valid, complete and conclusive settlement. In the outset the chances of suc- cess to this important movement in the present Congress were exceedingly doubtful. It was, upon its first trial, defeated in the House; but since that day, the voice of the people in the Presidential election, the great and impressive achievements of our army and navy, and the abolition projects that have been agitated by Jeff. Davis and his rebel confederates, have re- versed the House vote of the last session, and passed this constitutional measure over to the ratification of the States, All that is wanted now to incorporate this amendment into the constitution, as a part of the “supreme law of the land,” is the ratifica- tion by a majority in each house of the Legis- latures of three-fourths of the thirty-six States belonging to the Union, Can this be done? It can, We haye no doubt of it, The loyal States, including the late slave States of Maryland, Missouri, West Virginia, Arkansas, Lonisiana and Tennessee, and the slave States of Dela- ware and Kentucky, number twenty-eight, or three-fourths of the whole number. Every one of these States, we believe, as soon as prepared for authoritative action, will endorse the mea- sure, assuming that in some of them the vote can- not fairly be taken until something more shall be done than has been done in the work of their reclamation from the rebellion. But before the end of the year we expect the decisive fact to be recorded that three-fourths of the States have ratified this constitutional amendment, and that slavery is thus extinguished throughout the country, and that all our political troubles re,,/ sulting from it are at an end. In this view we hope to record the State of New York—first in population, wealth and political power in the Union—as first in this ratification. Governor Fenton has already called the atten- tion of the two houses of the Legislature to the subject, and they will probably act upon it to-day or to-morrow. If not wo may expect to be beaten by a half dozen other States. Kentucky, set down in the negative, with New Jersey and Delaware, by the Tribune, is zealously taking the slavery bull by the horns, and will unquestionably bring him to the ground. The Presidential election and the late abolition ordinances of the Tennessee State Convention have brought about a complete revolution in Kentucky. Her Legislature, we predict, will be among the first in the field for the ratification. Nor have we the slightest misgiving in reference to New Jersey or Delaware; for the prevailing current of public opinion will carry everything before it. This pressure of public opinion, which has carried over the balance of power from the democratic party in Congress to the support of this constitutional amendment, will carry it over ail the broken elements of opposition in the several States, including the rebellious States as they are reclaimed. We are informed that Mr. Seward attached great importance to the passage of this propo- sition through Congress, as the initial point for negotiations for peace with Jeff. Davis on the basis of a reconstruction of the Union; that Davis, thus being headed off on the slavery question, at home and abroad, has intimated his readiness to give up his confederacy as a hopeless cause. Whatever may be the truth upon this point, it will suffice for the present that this constitutional abolition of slavery is secured; that it will kill off Southern fire-eaters and Northern abolitionists, in removing from the country this fearful bone of contention, this combustible institution of slavery, this firebrand of sectional agitations, election riots, border ruffianism and civil war. We may look forward now to a reconstruction of the Union, of our political parties, and of Northern and Southern society upon a harmonious footing; and wemay as confidently expect, whether all these volun- teer and informal peace missions are moonshine or green cheese, that the armed rosistance of the rebellion, root and branch, will now very speedily be utterly demoralized, broken up, dispersed and dissolved, i Brons or Tun Cenrrat Ausurcan Govern- unnts.—It seems to be fated that the Central American republics shall never rise out of the slough of petty wranglings, or attain the digni- ty of moderately respectable nations. Even at this moment, when all the events of the hour foreshadow the coming of a great change in the destiny of this continent, end America, North and South, is pregnant with ideas of anity, combination, a éoimon dignity, and a common canse against the encroachments of foreign Powers, two of the Central American govern- ments—Salvador aad Costa Rica—have again engaged in a miserable quarrel because the latter State has offered shelter to an ex-Preal- Gent who is exiled from the former. It is pitiable to witness such @ wretched spirit among a few twopenny States, the leaders of which ure incapable of the most ordinary statesmanship-mere pedlers in the politics and finances of their several countries—at this time when the republican people of Mexico are battling against imperial France, and Peru ond St. Domingo are rosisting Spain, ond tho Plate country is in arms against the claims of Nal) " At a time, too, when the rebellion is so near an end that a united effort must soon be made by the United States to redeem the whole soil of America from hostile interferenee, But the petty rulers of the Central Ameriean repablics do not seem to comprebend the state of affairs around them. They are dark to everything but their own small jealousies, and are gov- erned only by the ignoble incentives of their blind avarice. New Tarareican Enterrrise.—A project was Proposed some time ago, and considerably discussed, to erect a new theatre somewhere up town, suitable in size, construction and location, for the introduction of Opera Comiqué—a build- ing not so large as the Academy, in which light operas might be produced at light expense. We have beard nothing of late concerning the progress of this plan; but there is a new enter- prise,'we understand, now in progress which will meet all the requirements of the above project, and, perhaps, in many respects, success- fully supersede it. It is the construction of a new theatre on some of the up town avenues, or streets adjacent to them, for the production mainly of French plays, vaudevilles and other light pieces, which may also very properly in- clude comic opera. The plan of this building contemplates the division of the interior into private boxes, where families may be afforded that privacy which will invest the evening’s en- joyment with. all the .agreeableness of home, and comprise in fact a host of pleasant re- unions within one building. This is an excellent idea, Such o theatre will fill almost the only vacuum now remaining in the list of our places of amusement, and will put us on an equal footing with the European capitals in this respect. We have already splendid house for Italian opera in the Academy; but it is not suited for the lighter French operas, which have such a charm about them as to render them indispensable to the full measure of metropolitan enjoyment. We have theatres in all locations, and suited to all tastes and classea) The French thea- tre at Niblo’s, under its excellent man- agement, has done much to cultivate a taste for the French drama, and has increased very considerably the number of those who would patronise it, if we had a suitable theatre of the character proposed. There can be no complaint of want of appreciation for the drama in every shape and tongue, among our citizens, for every theatre in the city is crowded nightly. Money flows into the treasurers’ coffers like water, and the managers are becoming as rich and as unc- tuous as petroleum nabobs. But we want just such a theatre up town upon the plan suggest- ed, conveniently located and conducted effi- ciently. Within its walls may be comprised comic opera, French dramas, vandevilles, and other entertainments of a light character which no other house in the metropolis now presents. It will not only prove a fortune to those who embark in the enterprise, but will furnish a luxury which our most refined citizens will not be slow to appreciate. Conprrion or THE StREETS.—A correspondent writes to inquire of us if there is any one in particular whose business it is clear the streets of the carcases of animals. He further says:— “Qn nearly all the streets decayed animal mat- ter greet the eye and olfactories of the passer by. This is particularly the case in the upper part of the city. From Fiftieth to Fifty-fifth street they abound. Ina vacant lot on Fifty- fifth street, between Broadway and Eighth ave- nue, a dead dog has been laying for two months, filling the air with foul odors and affording fine sport to boys.” This is a very serious matter, especially while a fearful disease is raging in the city. If the public health is to be preserved, the least that can be done is to keep the streets free from such generators of pestilence. Per- haps the Citizens’ Association, if not overbur- dened with business, might attend to this mat- ter. Tue Removal or THE State Caprrat.—The appointment of a committee of the Legislature to receive proposals for the removal of the State capital is an exceedingly popular move- ment. Everybody knows that Albany has no just claims for the position she now holds, and that New York city presents advantages in- comparably superior. Our Common Council and our leading citizens should at once respond | to the action of the Legislature. We could af- ford to erect the Capitol buildings free ot charge to the State, besides donating the ground. This city is the metropolis, and it ought to be the capital. Democratic Bovrsons.—The old fogies of the democratic party are like the old Bourbons— they learn nothing and forget, nothing. Ever since this war broke ont they have seemed utterly bewildered. Their action upon the constitutional amendment shows this. Instead of voting against that amendment they should have voted for it, both as a matter of principle and of policy. Now the republicans claim the credit—which they do not deserve—for this popular measure, The Heratp originated the idea of abolishing slavery by an amendment to the constitution, and the republicans only adopted our plan. Robert TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERAFD, I notice in your sket-h of Goneral Robert E. Lee, pub- lished in the Henatn of the 30th of January, an uninten tional misstatement, which, I am sure, you will be glad | of the opportunity’to correct, in justice to him and to yourself. Your article states that:— Trving stamps Goneral Charles Lee, a grand uncle of the present subject, as a calumniator of Washington, who was found guilty by a court martial of a plot to super sede him as commander of the army. This isecrror. Irving may well have stamped Gen. Chas. Lee “as the calumniator of Washington,” &c.. but hardly styles him grand uncle of Gen. Robert E. Lee. The Gen, Charles Lee allud bove was an English adventurer and soldier of bot ai all connected with the Lee family of Virginia. T have before mean octavo volume of between four and five hundred , printed in London, in 1792, entitled, “Memoirs of the Life of the Into Charles eat Lioutenant Colonel of the Forty.fourth regiment, Colone Service, and Aid.de- volution,’’ &c, On the first snp tion for ant the stamp du ie ony sot ten North Wi we learn that or was John Lee, se bernball, in a ; who was some thme a cal ragoo! cold County j atenant colonel of Gen, Barrel's regiment— from 1717 to 1742—at which time he was won regiment of foot. He married Isavella, second daughter of Sir Henry Banbury, af Stauncy, in the county of Chester, et this lady he had three sous— Harry and Charles, the youngest, who is the Rigject of this memoir. By Insertion of this note inthe Hermano you will be doing justice, if not a favor, to the memory of Gen. Charles Lee, showing that ho was not conn with the family of Gén, Robert K. Lee, of the Confederate army From a pedigree (done in 1 prong af county and cits the General's Toth The Canada Outward Bound. Rosrox, Feb, 1, 1965, ‘The steamship Canada sailed at twelve o'clock noon to- day. Sho takes out fortyseven pasongers (or Liver: ypool, and $160,054 ln Apey'e } I! | | motion ta ABOLITION OF SLAVERY. Ine, ‘dents of the Passage of the Consti- tutional Amendment, Message 1° Governor Fenton to the Now Yo "k Legislature. Ratifiertion Resolaf) 28 Introduced in the Senate and , ‘sembly, ~~ The Amendment Ratified by ‘the Maryland House of Delegaten: SALUTES IN HONOR OF THE EVENT. The Dmancipation Question in the Kentucky Legislature, &e., &e., &e. Our Washington Corresponcencs. . Wasuinaton, Jan, 31, 1868. ‘The intelligence has been flashed over the wires cre this” of the passage of the constitutional amendment. The fact that it has been approved by two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives has been borne on the wings of lightning to all parts of the country, The East and the West, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, have re ceived the tidings. The deod is done whether it is for weal or for woe. A few yoarsago, and it is buta few, the finger of scorn was pointed at an abolitionist. To-day the national Legislature has decreed that slavery shall be abolished throughout the land. They have declared that the organic act of the nation, the charter of our rights as citizens, the highest law of the land, bequeathe® to us by, Washington and his copatriots, shall hereafter prevent slavery within the dominions ef the United States. This is progress in some direction, Time will tell whether it is forward or backwards. Com gress has done all that it has to do in the premises; bus” before it becomes a part and parcel of the constitution, itsolf—before it is binding and can take effect, it has to be approved by the people at the ballot box. The action of Congress to-day has to be submitted to the people, the source of all power, and then accepted or rejected. ‘The event is an important one. Those who witnessed the scene in the House to-day will never see its like again. It was universally known that the vote would be taken to-day. The galleries, therefore, commenced filling up at an early hour im the morn ing. Long before the hour was reached for taking the vote every nook and corner was filled. Some half adozen speeches were made, which wearled many who had reached the Capitol at an carly hour, & number left, but their places were more than filled by those who were constantly arriving. Wherever there was standing room in the galleries the space was ooou- pied, The reporters’ gallery was also nearly filled by ledies who were unable to secure seats or standing room elsewhere. On the floor of the House was also an inte- resting scene. Many seats which have been empty during most of the session wore occupied. It was only on the democratic side that seats were seen vacant an@ desks unoccupied. There were chairs, once filled by mem now in rebellion against the government, which stood ag silent monitors as if in rebuke of their former occe- pants, A large number of prominent politicians from different scctions of the country wandered around the cloak room, which seemed to indicate that the floor was free to everybody. State off- cials and members of Congress, Senatora, Cabinet off cials and judges, all minzled together, manifesting @ deep interest in the event of the hour. Senators—I will not say grave, for that is nota title thatcan be appliea to many of those who now wear the Senatorial mantle at ‘Washington—were constantly passing back and forth be- tween the Senate and House, anxious to be present whem the vote was taken. There was Postmaster Denniston, with his straight form, long locks, tinged with gray, moving about with an apparently light heart, ‘There was the Secretary of Finance, Mr. Fessenden, wearing am. anxions face, and looking ay though a mighty weight rested upon his shoulders. Beside him sat Chief Justies: Chase, with » countenance full of hope, apparently um- concerned in regard to the events of the hour, but im re- ality as deeply interested as any person present. Around this locality were gathered numerous public mon of note, as well as many yet unknown to fame, forming an inte- resting group. ‘The republican side of the House appeared somewhat agitated. Mr. Ashley, of Ohio, being the person retog- nized as the leader and mouthpiece of the party on this question, groups of members were constantly gathering about his seat, Every few moments members would ap- proach his seat, and there would be a close examination of the list, the absantees carefully noted and the changes from the democratic side count On several occasions | deep anxiety was manifested. It was first thas the vote should be taken at three o'clock. e debate was continued when that hour arrived. A demooratio member had the floor and desired further time to con~ clude. The republicans clamored for a vote, and democrats persisted in not being cut off. Mr. finally yielded, and consented that the vote should be taken at half-past three, or half an hour. ‘This appeared to arouse the anger of i finger at Mr. Ashley for giving way lecture. Stevens’ face looked fire, while Ashley's was as red asa fresh cut of beef. Other thembers cried ‘Mr. Speaker, let us have the vote,” and were determined, if possible, to have a vote. The excited republicans finally yielded, Stevens taking his seat, but evidently with no good grace. On the democratic side there was considerable commo- tion. George H. Pendleton was constantly passing aroun among the members in consultation with them, and seemed to pay his special attention to those democrats who it was said would cast tueir votes for the amend- ment. There was Harris, of Maryland, with the muscles of his face twitching and looking daggers towards the republican side. Tho movements everywhere indicated that momentous events were about taking place. Half-past three arrived. An effort was made on the democrat side to postpone the vote to another day: Almost every republican member jumped to his foet and the eries of “No, no; vote, vote,” rung through the hall, At length the calling of the roll commenced. The first motion was to lay on the table. The democrats, wi one or two exceptions, voted for this and solid the republcans, Th# republicans being a majori’ the motion to tabic was lost, Then came the qu:stion of re- considering the vote of last year, by which the vote was lost. On this the democrats voted nearly solid against reconsidering. At this siage there was no indication by the vote that the amendment was really to pass. On the consider the majority lacked some three votas necessary to pass the amendment, or two-thirds of all resent, Then came the vote on the final ‘nape a Per. Toot silence for the first time retgned. response of every member was watched, and as one by one the democrats changed front there was an ¢x of on the republican side. Boldly, and like men fully realizing the important stop, did Ganson, Radford, Nelson, Steele, pa, Yea- man, English and others respond to their names. It waa ‘no faint whisper. pn Mies apr like men who had | woiched carefully the su ‘taken their position after mature deliberation and were ready to the conse- quences. It was an important step. In taking it and responding in the affirmative, however, only did that which many others on the de lic side wanted to do, but had not the courage, the to say aye. sonied, heres abe handed down in com 4 reodtied, hereafter to those exo first recorded their names for that noble instru. iment sf ‘Then came a wild scene on the floor of the House. Re- publican members waved their hate and the: leries took up the cry, o cheers echoed through the halls, and all dignity of the occasion reemed to be forgotten. were dancing, pulling each other around and ing al manner of antics, Among the most was the svene between Mr. Brandegee and Mr. They wont through shaking of hands, huj each an@ other wild demonstrations, finally up with rap- turous kissing. Ne. ‘The democrate during all this sat in sullen silence, evi~ dontly disgusted at the lack of dignity on the Ge those who voted for the amendmest feoling that re. ublicans wore disgracing themselves. It was certainly 4 ‘Dad taste, It was a triumph well worth rajoicing over, Dut lot that rejoicing, let the jubilee be postponed and held in some othor place more befitting than the House of Representatives, The booming of cannon was som heard in honor of the event, Among the memborg on the republican side who have Inbored zealously for this result none deserve more credit than Messrs, Ashley, of Obio, and Angustus Fravk, of Now York, There {3 alwaye a'certain amount af work to bo performed on the passage of all such important ques- tions Ibis necessary that some person shall ose that Overy person On thoir side of (he question 16 wh bis Deka