The New York Herald Newspaper, March 18, 1865, Page 4

NEW, YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. OrFEN &. é GEES or vonron ann waseac ars. pera YM) EXE... Ne. 8 beara or Irving place.—Matinee at 1 Pe a HIBLO'S GARDBN, Broadway. Nancissx. Dy4y ERATER Boacway.—Dor on, Tas . , GARDEN, Baye dyr. Matinee at 1 o'Clock— ah, ROT. EP WEN Ronen suse TRE, B Us Mw ‘WalLback’s THERA’ roadway.—-Unsayat Marcu. viper’ THEATRE, Broadway.—Tux Stugers or New it Jon’ Hall, 472 Broad- fier oR SAR SEEW ti : fae mange sovind dtl Broadway Open om Me WDE HIPPOTHEATRON, Fourteenth street.—Equestaian, teare a, omonar ed NIBRTAINMENTS—THE FEAST OF RICAN TRE, sienna re "3 Even- SR soe oe Far ORK: Two Maun ant Bor—Tue , 514 Broadway.—Eraiorian MANIA, OB OIL ON THE BRAN, UE, 585 Broadway.—Rosert HeLisn’s nee at 2 0'Clook. . BALLETS, jatinee at OfBYING HALL, Irving place. —Mn. Tuxovomx Taoxs! NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— Open from 10. A. M. till 10 P. M. pete cea New York, Saturday, March 18, 1865. SHERMAN’S ADVANCE. SPECIAL DESPATCHES TO THE HERALD. Our special correspondence from General Sher- man’s army reached us last night. Three corres- pondents of the Heratp left Savannah with Sher- man, and have been with him en his extraordinary march through South Carolina and into North Carolina. What our army accomplished, and what our correspondents saw, have been fully and graphically described. Our despatches are full enough to fill a quadruple Hsraup but we are compelled for want of room to give only a portion of the letters describing the mili- tary operations of the three columns as they swept through the rebel country. Incidents and goenes on the route of surpassing interest are mecessarily left over till another day. What we Publish this morning will give the first detailed and reliable account of what Sherman has done, and completely demolishes all the false statements of disasters which the Richmond papers have made such an effort to force upon the public mind. THE SITUATION. ‘The graphic and most Interesting despatches of the Hemavp correspondents which we publish this morning form astirring narrative of General Sherman's second tri- umphant sweep through the Southern country, across tho entire State of South Carolina and &@ portion of North Carolina Tho of General Sherman’s army from Savanwah was commenced on or about the Idth of January last, and it arrived at Fayetteville on the 12th inst, In all this march it met with no serious opposition, and the troops fared as bountifully In South Carolina as in Geor- gia, and were in as fine condition and spirits when they reached Fayetteville as when they arrived at Savannah from Atlanta, Aspecial message from Jeff. Davis was submitted to the rebel Congress on last Monday. As acandid confes- movement sion of the desperate condition of rebel affairs generally, tt is important, He says ‘the capital of the Conf derate States is now threatened, and it is in greater danger ‘than it has heretofore been during the war.” admits the present robel financial system, the inefficiency of the military organi- zation and the derargement of affairs generally in the confederacy. As measures of extrication from surround- ing difficulties, he recommends more rigorous laws for for the impressment of supplies, ‘morseless conscription and a suspension of the ‘habeas corpus act. After the failure of the Hampton Roads peace conference, Jeff. informs us ho made efforts to initiate negotiations for a settlement Of difficulties by a conference between General Grant and General Leo, and the latter wrote to the former on the subject; but General Grant's reply was that he had no authority to act in such @ capacity, General Sheridan, in a despatch dated on Wednesday | last, at the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad cross- ing of the South Anna river, gives a brief account of addi- tional serious damage to the enemy inflicted by his cay. ry in the region immediately around and north of the rebel capital. Tho James River Canal was rendered on. tirely uscloss as far east as Goochland, and fifteen miles of the Virginia Central Railroad, from Tollsville to Beaver Dam station, about above Richmond, were totally destroyed. Ashland and the South Anna river bridges were also destroyed. The de- Struction of the latter the rebels attempted to prevent; He also worthiesaness of the a more re- twenty miles Dut they were soon driven off, and three pioces of artil- | tery were captured from them. General Sheridan says, | ‘what requires no great stretch of imagination to con- evive, that the amount of property which he has de- stroyed on his march is enormous, From Charleston and Savannah our despatches by the steamship Arago, which arrived here yesterday, are to tho 14th inst, In both cities and their vieiity, of course, (here was no disturbance of the military quic In Charleston the Provost Marehal’s office was daily thronged with the inhabitants anxious to take the oath of allogiance. There is great of food in that city, and great numbers of the poor are threatened ‘with starvation. Many additional pieces of artillery have boon found in Charleston and vicinity, sufficient to scarcity dollars to continue the improvement of the naviga- tion of the Hudson river; authorizing horse railroad companies to employ men a8 conductors, drivers and otherwise, notwithstanding the existence of any city ordinance as to residence or citizenship; to amend the act concerning passengers arriving at the port of Now York; also to establish a Law Library in this city. In the Assembly the bill providing compensation to | the members of the New York Common Council was ¢alled up for a third reading, when{a motion to recommit was made, which was agreed to. The New York and Brooklyn Passenger and Baggage bill was passed. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS. Interesting news from St. Domingo was furnished us by the arrival at this port last night of the steamship Corsion, Captain Le Messurier, from Havana on the 11th and Nassau onthe 14th inst, Our Havana correspon- dent informs us that the singular rumors of a counter revolution in St, Domingo, publistied some time ago, have proved to be correct, A planter named Martinez, at the head of asmall force, marched to Santiago, drove out the members of the government, defeated the troops of Polanco, the President, and assumed control of affairs. It was said that Polanco had been captured and was to be executed. The latest St. Domingo dates are to February 26, and at that time it was not known by the Spaniards whether the object of Martinez was to proclaim in their favor or to continue the war against them under his own direction. Natives who had come into the Spanish camps reported that Martinez nad liberated the Spanish prison- ers at Santiago and armed them to fight against the patriots. These natives say there are three parties among them—one in favor of surrendering to the Span- jards, another in favor of annexation to Haytl, and the other determined to maintain their independence. The steamship City of Baltimore, Captain Mirehouse, of the Inman line, will sail to-day, at twelve o'clock, for Queenstown and Liverpool, and is the only steamer sail- ing from this port to-day for Europe. The mails for the United Kingdom and the Continent will close at the post office at half-past ten A. M. St. Patrick’s Day was celebrated in this city yesterday by the sons of the Green Isie in an enthusiastic manner. There was a profuse diaplay of emerald bunting, and the festivities were entered into with true zest. The proces- sion of civic and military organizations was much larger than usual, and made a very fine appearance, The weather was all that could have been desired to give éclat to the celebration, the sky being cloudless and the atmos- phere mild. Besides the processional ceremonies there were numerons other interesting observances of the day, including services at St. Patrick’s cathedral and re- unions of the different Irish societies, A meeting of the citizens of the Fifth Congressional district, for the purpose of promoting enlistments to fill the army quota, was held last evening in the Essex mar- ket court room. A committee of four members from each ward of the district was appointed to make arrange- ments for opening a branch recruiting office, and an ad- journment took place till Monday next. The rain storm of Thursday night with which this city and vicinity was visited prevailed over a considerable ex- tent of country. In the interior of Pennsylvania much damage was done by the banks of streams being over- flowed, The Susquehanna river and its tributaries were rendered extraordinarily high. In the oll regions there was much destruction of property. Oil City was sub- merged, and great quantities of oil were swept away. Mr, John Bigelow, our present Chargé d’Affaires at Paris, has been appointed by the President Envoy Ex- traordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the court of the Emperor Napoleon. During a fight in the house No. 100 James sireet George Britton, it is charged, was knocked down by Andrew Poliere and dangerously stabbed by another man, whose name was not learned. Poliere was com- mitted to the Tombs; but the other alleged assailant has not yet been arrested. ‘ Charlotte Morford was yesterday committed to the Tombs charged with having inflicted a dangerous gash with a razor on the neck of a colored man named Charles H. Smith, in a house in Thomas street, on Thurs- day night ‘An inquest was held yesterday on tho body of a sol- dier, who is thought to have been John P. Hodgson, of Company G, Forty-cighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, which was found lying on the Hudson River Railroad track, near One Hundred and First street. Wo have another fatal railroad disaster to record, of which the New Jersey Central line waa the scene. About three o'clock yesterday morning, while a coal train was passing over Bloomsbury bridge, between Clinton and Phillipsburg, the stracture gave way, and the whole train was precipitated into the stream beneath, a distance of sixty or seventy fect, and the engineer, treman and two brakemen were instantly killed. Close be- hind this train was another, a portion of which, with the engine, also ran into the stream; but all the persons on board of it escaped. ‘Bhis accident will for some days interrupt coal transportation from the Lohigh region, but not from the Lackawanna. The passenger travel will continue as usual. On last Tuesday a passenger train on the Erie Railroad, which was, as wo are informed, behind time, and’ run- ning at great speed to make up, when near Great Bend, ran over a broken rail, and the last two cars were thrown off the track and down the embankment. A number of persons were considerably Injured, but none, as we have learned, fatally. Colonel Baker has commenced *the herculean task of investigating the cases of the large number of bounty brokers and jumpers recently arrested. He spent yester- day at Fort Lafayette, and investigated the cases of eighteen bounty brokers. Of these four were released and the remainder held. The Colonel expects to be through with the examinations in about a fortnight. Gold was weak and excited yesterday, and, after open- ing at 167, fell to 16034, roso again to 169, and closed at 16394 at five P.M. Governments were depreseed, and from one to two per cent lower. The stock market was heavy, and prices declined, At the evening board gold closed at 16534. Owing to the radical fluctuations in,gold yésterday the markets for general merchandise were unsettled, and prices were entirely nominal, The amount of business done was very small. Domestic produce tumbled down atya great rats, more the result of fright than any real decline in values, Everything was mixed, and it was almost impossible to make any intelligent report from the confusion occasioned by the fall in gold. On ‘Change the flour market was dall, and prices declined 20¢. a 30c. Wheat was 5c. a Sc. lower, with a moderate demand, while corn was 2c. lower, with nothing doing. Oats were dull and nominal. The pork market was fess active, and a decline of one dollar was established. Beef was dull | and lower, while prices for lard receded about 1c. per lb. Frights were dull and whiskey was searcoly so firm. Breakina Ur.—Charleston, the hot-headed city that began the war, is satisfied with it. It is fully convinced of the error of its recent ways. Resolute as that city was to be out of the Union—bitterly and extravagantly as it talked and wrote, and paid and lied, and fought to be out of the Union, it was never so resolutely or extravagantly determined to be out of the Union as it is now to be in it. Nobody is so absolutely convinced that the rebellion is entirely “gone up” as the Charleston people are, nor is any one so apparently glad of it. Charleston goes further than any other district throughout the Southern States in its eagerness to declare the rebellion done with, and to re- claim its political association with “the late United States.” The place at which the citizens are received to take the oath of allegiance is thronged at all hours by an eager mass of men, and presents the appearance of a polling place at theime of a national election, and General Gillmore can find no one in the adjacent country to entertain a flag of truce or receive communications for the enemy. Moreover the South Carolina negroes are determined not to fight for Jeff, and not less than a hundred a make the ontiro number captured by the national av thorities since the flight of the robels nearly five hon dred, Vast quantities of hidden ammunition have also recently been discovered. ™ . - THE LEGISLATURE. Tu tho State Senate yesterday bills were reported for ‘the thoorporation of the New York Pier and Warehousing Company; and relative to the improvement of Fourth Brooklyn. Tho New York County Tax Levy bill veque, Warspdores to 8 third reading, without amendmont, and rn were introduced to authorize the of the Brooklyn ‘railroads; ap- propriatibg ond hundred hd twontyMive thougsnd day volunteer in our army. Tas Panic iv tas Gop Market.—The gold market was again in a flutter yesterday. Gold fell to 160 and only rallied to 164. The great- est excitement prevailed, amounting almost to 4 panic, in Wall street and in all the chief cities of the country. It is clear, however, that 160 is not low enough for gold. Down it must go to 150 at least, and prices must go down with it. Merchants and storekeepers hesitate and seem bewildered; but there is no help for them. ‘The Impending Surrender, Evacuation or Capture of Richmond. Jeff. Davis is now unquestionably reduced to one of three alternatives—the surrender of Richmond, its evacuation, or a hopeleds strug- gle to hold the city. That he is not prepared to entertain any term: of a capi‘ulation, and will not be without some additional arguments to this end from Grant and Sherman, we fully believe; that he 1s meditating and preparing for a stealthy evacuation we cannot doubt; but whether he will await a nearer approach of Joe Johnston’s forces from North Carolina, or de- part in season to join him at Danville with Lee’s army, is a debatable question. See his special message in another column. Had Johnston been able to offer any resist- ance to Sherman’s advance the attempt to check him surely would have been made somewhere south of Fayetteville. Reaching that point Sherman, in secur- ing the navigable river thence to Wil- mington, became master of the situation in North Carolina. His only difficulty to a con- tinuous march through the interior without a base of supplies lay in the danger of falling short of subsistence and ammunition; but at Fayetteville every deficiency in these necessi- ties could at once be supplied him. In permit- ting Sherman, therefore, without an attempt to check him, to reach Fayetteville, Johnston has betrayed his weakness and confessed the danger of attempting to stand in the way of Sherman. It is evident, indeed, that the whole available strength of Johnston, excepting Hardee’s and Hampton’s detachments, was involved in the late disastrous efforts of Bragg, Hill and Hoke to cut off the detached column of Schofield at Kinston. It is hardly probable that any further resist- ance will be made even to Schofield short of Raleigh, some eighty miles or more in the in- terior from Kinston. At Raleigh, it is sup- posed, all the scattered fragments of Johnston’s forces will be collected and intrenched for stubborn fight. We dare say, however, that they will disappear on the approach of Sher- man, for the all-sufficient reason that with thirty or forty thousand disheartened and de- moralized soldiers it will be folly to stand against an army of one hundred thousand veterans, seasoned by a march of victories and conquests from the Mississippi to the Atlantic Ocean. re Meantime the necessities of subsistence must detain Johnston in North Carolina; and with every mile he recedes towards Richmond he diminishes the scanty supplies of Lee. This is the drawback which must, in any event, result in keeping Johnston away from Richmond ; for we know that Lee’s resources are reduced to starvation rations for his own troops. If John- ston, therefore, cannot come up to the relief of Lee, in the last resort, Lee must go to the sup- port of Johnston. An army without provisions cannot live, and with the approach of Sherman there will be no provisions left in Richmond. The probabilities, then, are in favor of the conclusion that Lee will evacuate Richmond in order to save his army, secure subsistence, and to effect a junction with Johnston, in order to strike a deadly blow at Sherman before Grant can reach the field. But whatever may be the alternative adopted against Sherman or Grant, the fall of Richmond, the downfall of Jeff. Davis, and the collapse of his dismantled con- federacy, are sure to follow. Grant or Sherman, the one or the other, is equal to the whole strength of the rebellion enclosed between them. Toe Stack Water Berors Tux Esp Troe—The general suspension of al! business operations in Philadelphia and other markets yesterday, from breadstufls, dry goods and groceries to coal , and petroleum. Iranian Orzxa,—Thero was a very largo audience at the Academy last night to hear Bellini’s grand opera I Puriani, which was sung for tho first time this season, with Miss Kellogg, Lotti, Suaini and Bellini in tho cast, The performance was received with much applause, To-day thore will be a matinge, at which La Forza det Destino will be given for the last time. This will be the last grand matinge of the season, For the two additional nights of opera next week we are to have | Hibernian Benevolent So¢.ecty—Marshal, Patrick Han- | Shamrock Benovolent Society, on Monday night L2 Figiia det Meggimento and the | fourth act of Aigoltti—a most attractive bill; and on | ea Oe nan the’ neagre | Father Mathew 7. A. Tuesday Din Sebastian, which will close the prosout successful season, On Wednesday the farewell per- formance will be given in Brooklyn, when Loa Gi vaini will be sung. Graxp Coxcent at St. Srerimy’s Cuvrcs.—One of tho erts, perhapis, ever given in this city, will . Stephen's church, Twonty-eighth street— the whole of Max Maretzek’s Ope The selections are from Rossini’ first part, and from Verdi, Mercadante, Meyerbeer, and the Move in Egitto of Rossini for the second part, We noed not say anything comme: story of th's splendid | programme, except that all the artisis of the Academy— | Zucchi, Kellogg, Morensi, Van Zandt, Massimiliani, Bel- lini, Macaferri, Susini and Garibaldi—will each sing a solo, in addition to the grand chorus and instrumental parts, which will be well sustained, The proceeds of the concert ure to be employed to enlarge the church, comes off this evening at Irving Hall, Mendelasohn, Mozart, Beethoven and Schumann will be represented, and no doubt in that style with which the symphonies of those great masters are always rendered by the com- plete orchestra whieh Mr. Thowas bas under his con- trol. The soloist of the occasion will be Miss Kellogg, soprano, arid Miss Caroline Schnieder, pianise. Mr. axp Mre, Cianies rangement with Mr, Jolin E, Owens, who wiil suspend his performances for that purpose, au engagement of eleven | ne | Religious Services at St. Patrick’s Cathe- nights at the Broadway theatre, commencing April 17. They will b> supported by Mr. Cathcart, Mr. Everett and ‘Miss Chapman, who accompany them in their tour from Eiigland, and by the Broadway company, including Mr. George Jamison. Siavor Moncianvist's Coxcert.—A grand concert will bo given at Steinway’s room, Fourteenth street, this evening, by Signor Mongiardini, the popular tenor, as- sisted by several other capable artists. The room will be scarcely large enough for the audience attracted by this announcement, Five Ants.—One of the most important sales of pic- tures that nas becn announced for some time comes off on Thursday and Friday next, at the gallery of Messrs. Earle & Sons, Philadelphia, We have regently had an opportunity of viewing the collection, and can pronounce it first class, Among the works to be disposed of are choice specimens by Carl Hubner, Richard Jourdan, B. de Loose, H. Sondermann, Letechauer, Carl M. Webb, Hildebrandt, Von Seben, 8 W. Waugh, Louis Lang, Geselechap, A. Seigert, Paul Webor, C. Hoguet, Engel- hardt, J, N. T. Van Starkenborgh, W. T. Van Starken- borgh, J. W. Casiloar, Van Denberg, Laurent do Beul, E. Verboechoven, Edmund D. Lewis, Thomas Moran, W. 1. Sonntag. They will be sold without reserve. Tux Teueorarnens’ Batt.—On Wednesday evening noxt the first annual ball of the Now York District of the National Telegraphic Union comes off at Irving Hall. ‘Tho arrangements mado amply insure an enjoyable occa- sion to all who may be prosent. The tel hic frater- 4 will turn out en masse, with their wives, daughters and sweethearts, and their friends are respectfully in- vited to attend, ‘The ball will undoubtedly be one of the most recherche affairs of the season now nearing its close. United States Steamer Shenandoah. Punapeienta, March 17, 1865, ‘The United States steamer Shenandoah has arrived from Charleston, She brings no news of AN have effected, by an ar. | _ _ | hearty plaudits, Turopor® Tuomas’ Sormex.—Mr. Thomas’ fourth soirée | NEW. YORK HBRALD, SATURDAY, MARCH 18, 1868-. ST, PATRICK’S DAY. A GENUINE CELTIC DEMONSTRATION. Splendid Civic and Military Procession. SERVICES AT 8T. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL. RE ae Banquets of the Knights of St. Patrick and the Friendly Sons. SPEECHES, SONGS, WINES, &., &e., &o, ‘Tho weather yesterday morning, like the nativity of the illustrious St, Patrick, was ina very doubtful state. Historians are in great uncertainty as to whether the famous apostle came into this mundane sphere on the 8th, 9th or 17th of March, and some even venturea sacriligious doubt as to whether he everthad any exist- ence whatever save in the imagination of enterpris- ing chroniclers. The nativity question was never more dubious than wasthe weather at the break of day. Clouds overspread the sky, and a haze prevailed tosuch an extent that no one could say whether the noon would struggle through tt or remain enveloped in dreariness and obscurity. The sun peeped out by fits and starts until about eleven o’clock, when all doubt as to the prospect was swept away. The sky became clear and bright, and the air fresh and exhilarating. The streets soon became filled with people, the sound of military bands filled thie air with Erin’s soft, melodious and enlivening tunes, neatly dressed societios were seon passing in every direction, and the entire ap) 0 of the city indicated that the day would be celebrated with unusual animation and spirit. The old-fashioned trade of flag selling was carried on by ambitious little merchants to the same extent as ever, ‘and no doubt the adolescent vondors reaped rich harvest from the good humored crowds filling the g the*route to be taken by the procession. 1, 1t need not be said, were supposed to be fac similes of real, original, genuine and uncontaminated Milegian banners that floated in the Irish breeze during the days when the Island of Saints was in her glory. They sold forapenny apiece, two cents apiece and three cents apiece, with ready purchasers, It needed only a glance at the masses assembled in the thoroughfares to establish their nationality. They were redominantly Celtic. Their freshness, large sinows, Semocratio independence and excessive enthusiasm, told in a moment from what part of the world they hailed. But there were others out besides the sons and daugh- ters of the Emerald Isle. Americans formed a good share of the spectators, and Germans were out in still stronger force to view the demonstration of their Irish fellow citizens, The Procession. ‘The societies to take part in the procession formed in East Broadway, between Grand and Catharine streets, and along the streets running parallel to the latter. The scene about this locality from an early hour in the morn- ing was naturally very lively and exciting. Thousands of people lined the sidewalks, stoops and housetops, and it was extremely difficult to pass in any direction, 80 dense was the jam. There was considorable dolay in forming the line, in consequence of some of the societics not being up to time. The procession as a it did not move until about an hour after the time expected. A little after one the column commenced to move, and marched down East Broadway and Chatham street to the Park in the fol- lowing order:— Detachment of Police. Troop of Cavalry. Band. Sixty-ninth Regiment, undor Col. Bagley. ninth Regiment (Phonix) under Colonel John Ninety-nint im on — ) Jackson Horse Guard. Grand Marshal John Tucker and two aids. The civic societ‘os, in the following order:— Ancient Order of Hibernians of New York—Marshals, Thomas Kearns and James Reilly. Ancient Order of Hibernians of Long Island—Marshal, John bch J Ancient Ordor of Hibernians brevikige Morrisania and Wechawken—Marshal, Michael Henry. Father Mather U. B. T. A. B. Society of New York (Parent) jarshal, Edward L. " Father Mathew U. B. T. A. B. Society (Branch No. 1 of Parent Society)—Marshal, Thomas Collins. Father Mathew T. A. B. Society No. 2, of Brooklyn— -Marshal, John Coakley. Father Mathow T. A. B. Society, No, 5, of Brooklyn— Margial, James Pagan, Father Mathew T. A. B, Socisty No. 3, of New York— Marshal, Michael Madden, Fathor Mathow T. A. B. Society No. 4, of Now York— arsl Wm. O'Connell. St. Peter's R. C. T. A. cioty—Marshal, Patrick Nihan. ‘St. James’ R. C. T. . B. Socisty—Marshal, John Dwyer, | Young Men's Father Mathew T. A. B. Society No. 1, of Brooklyn—Marshal, Terrence McDermott. rahan. ; 1, of Brooklyn—Mar- | shal, . | Benevolent Socloty of United Sons of Erm—Marshal, Hon. | Michael Connolly. Immaculate Conception T, A. B. Socloty—Marshal, James Sullivan, Fathor Mathew T. A. B. society, No. 1, of South Brook- lyn—Marshal, Wm. Lawler. ‘Longshoremen's U, _B.’ Society—Marshal, Sullivan, St. Ann’s R. C. T. A. B. Society of Brooklyn—Marshal, | lin. N Dennis Henry; 2, of New York— Marshal / Benevolent Socict D. T. F. M agier € Barry Benevolent Soc Assumption 7. A. 3. ocloty nis P.O'Sullivan Quarrymon’s U, B. Soclety—Marehal, Charles Allen. Father Mathew T. A. 8, 86 No. 5, of New York— = Marshal, Bernard Byrnes. 1 Bridget’s M. B. and B. & y—Marshal, James | Buchanan. Father Mathew T. A. B. soci ty, No. 6, of Greenpoint— Marshal, Thomas’ Lawler. Fathor Mathew T. A. 13. Society, No. 3, of Williamsburg— | Marshal, Thomas Lloyd. | THE REVIEW AT ITY HALL. | Arrived at the enst gate of the Park, the procession passed in review before Mayor Gunther, the Common Council and @ number of distinguished citizens, The Mayor wore a large buneh of real Irish shamrocks, and +ported it somewhat boastfully on bis broad chest. ‘Yue various military and civic societies presented a very creditable appearaico, The Sixty-ninth and Ninety- ninth marched in fine style, and olicited frequent and The Phosnix regiment also atiractea touch attention, and divided the honors with its veteran rival, All the members of the civic societies were neatly dressed, wearing handsome badges, sashos and rosettes, Large Wagons, with p pers and fiddlers, and costly banners, made up a share of the exhibition. The flags and ban- ners were in all cases extremely handsome. After leaving the Park the procession moved up Broad- | way to Fourteenth street, Fourteenth street to Seventh avenue, Seventh avenue to Thirty-fourth street, Thirty- fourth street to Second avenue, down Second avenue to Twenty-third street, Twenty-third street to First avenue, Firat avenue to Eighth street, Bighth street to Cooper Institute, and there dismissed. Tho entire display was highly creditable, well con- ducted and orderly. | | dral. PANEGYRIC ON IRELAND'S PATRON SAINT. St. Patrick's Roman Cathdlic cathedral was crowded yesterday morning. A solemn high mass was offered up | in honor of the day, at which Archbishop McCloskey officiated, assisted by Very Rev. Father Starrs, V. G.; | Rey. Dr. MoSwiney, Rev. Father McNierney and others. The ceremonies were very impressive, The music, which was excellent in every particular, was under the direction of Professor Schmidt, organist of the church. After the first Gospel, Rev. Father Daly, of St. John’s College, Fordham, delivered a pancgyric on tho cha- racter of the saint, There were few spectacles, ho said, more semarkable than the conversion of an entire nation from Paganism to Christianity. This spectacle Ireland had presented through the labors of the blessed St. Patrick. Touching briefly upon the leading incidents of his career, his patience and resignation in slavery, the devotion with which he prepared himself for bis 'mis- sion, his travels and his studi and his labors in the land of his adoption, the speaker said all histo oes no spectacle to equal this, St. Patric! fore his death had the satisfac- tion of seeing the results of his efforts. But the lory of St. Patrick was nota thing of hia life. It was yand up in the fame of Ireland. He had not yet passed to his reward before the influence of his authority was felt in every rank of society. Speaking of the Iretand of this period, a German writer, holding the first rank among the writers of the present day, said:—‘“There was not country of the world that possessed such noble institu. tions or such religious communities as were to be found in the land of St. Patrick. Whilst almost every country in Europe was laid waste by war, peaceful Ire- Jand gave to piety and learning a welcome reception, and strangers who visited that Gyn y ee only from tha neighboring shores of Britain, but the moss tfemotd ions of the continent, received fro} Hoople hospitable entertainment, fnstruetion, and 0 books requisite for their instruction." The hand of the spotlor had not yet desecrated their shores. Hier bop not yot oxiled fot other am satin wes ra foreign Power & foreign bring the God bad given tho stake. Amidst ater troubl God bad Trolend « faith whiob she b/ad held through | Fe fast to the son which Trel rel land was 4 honor their patron ligion-which he planted on their belov The reverend gentleman delivered a — : which produced quite e congregation. ‘The ceremonies of high mass were then with, which lagted until after twelve o'clock. The Knights of St. Patrick. The anniversary of Ireland’s Patron Saint was appro- priately terminated last evening by the Knights of St. Patrick, who assembled in the banquet hall at the Metro- politan Hotel. The best efforts of the renewned caterers— the Messrs. Lelands—were put forth to render the oocq- sion as enjoyable as could be desired, and though lental fare was the order of the night, the Knights must A} as to have unwittingly caused them the fast, The saint binself, if living in our day, would have condoned for the mistake under She lecaanen te Bahengies wen cereet in the large dining hall of the hotel, which was v with A pe ence ee e ol in—the evergreen sunburst, yet destined to verify the words of the poct— Our sun has but risen, While others’ have set. flags—the Stars and Stripes—almost as rags heart as ede we cme oe own native were droo| @ centre room, while alin were logy draped along the walls; and the Knights didn’t see “tars” before they wont home it was not the fault of the Mesars. Leland in soppiying them with the wherewithal. The d@auvre of the tables were splendid structures of confectionery illustrative of the results of the Saint's labors, as seen throughout Ire- land at the prosent day, with the difference that Leland’s cathedral and monastery establishments were brought off the table intact, whilothe poor Saint’s style of architecture is consid ly the worse for wear. On the guests’ table was a very perfect representation of the “Harp that Once” in a style of sweets that would have driven Young America crazy if Sr America had been Irish enough to be there festively inclined, Precisely at eight o’clock the guests entered the room to the music—not of ‘The Roast Beef of Old England” — that article itself, as woll as its favorite pasture, bein; out of season with the knights and the occasion—but of “Patrick’s Day in the Morning,” to which the knights kept tune as they filed into the banquet room. Ful justice having been done to the good things on the table, which, if they didn’t “groan with the weight of the » only resulted from the fact that the knights didn’t give them time to groan; but, with character chivalry, relieved thom at once of their burthen. ‘The festivities wore kept up toa late, or rather early hour of the morning. Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. The eighty-first annual banquet of this ancient Hiber- nian society was celebrated last evening at the splendid hotel of Delmonico, corner of Fifth avenue and Four- teenth street. The attendance was not as large as wo have seen it in former years; but, though small in point of numbers, in enthusiasm, good fellowship and true hospitality, the good name and fame of the society wero well and faithfully sustained. Among the most distinguished gentlemen present we noticed the Hon. Richard Bell, President; Brigadior General Van Vliet, United States Army; Judges Daly, Hearne and McCunn; Mr, Joseph Stuart, William Watson, William Whiteside, . H. Lowry, M. Hoguct, Foter Bice, Luther B. Woyman, and several others. z ‘The banquet hall was most sumptuously decorated. Of the fare of the evening nought can be said, ox- cept that it was of the best that the markets and season afford, and no oxtension of the human appetite could have done justice to its abundance and variety. The noble congregation of Irishmen and their foreign friends did their best to conquer the ‘wittles;”” but, as far as one could perceive, their offorts in this respect woro quite fruitless. It must, however, be remarked that this observation doos not ap- ply to the “drink.” ‘Able and offective speeches (after dinner) were made oy. the Chairman, Judges Daly and McCunn, Genoral Van let—who, by the way, spoke with great vim and vigor, paying a high ompliment to the Secretary of War in the course of his remarks—the President of the New England Friendly Society and other gentlemen. The extreme |. lateness of the hour at which our reporter reached the office with h's voluminous notes precludes any further notice of this interesting celebration this morning. Important Financial and Commercial Nows. CIROULATION OF THE GOVERNMENT BONDS AMONG THE GOLD MINERS, ETC. Purcapmurua, March 17, 1865. Jay Cooke reports the sale of the seven-thirty loan to- day at $2,564,360. The largest Western subscription was $100,000, from Pittsburg, and the largest Eastern sub- scription $403,650, from Now York; thero worg,},791 Te eiaeat ‘subscriptions. i Jay Cooke, the TB gectageo oem loan subscription agent, has completed an arrangement with Wells, Fargo & Co, of San Francisco, which will placo the’ seven- thirties, through tho machinery of their three hundred offices, all over California, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado. Large ‘shipments of seven-thirty notes have already been made by Mr. Cooke to San Francisco for this purpose. Tho immerse amounts of gold now hoarded on the Pacific side are expected to be reached and brought to the East by this measure, SPECULATION IN BOSTON. Boston, March 17, 1865. There has been some excitement here to-day over the decline in gold, but it has beon confined to speculators whose namea dé not appear on the tax list as responsible for incomes over six hundred dollars per year. Business men were generaliy fully prepared fora fall in prices, and it is submitted to without manifestation of panic or failure, Evening Stock Exchange. Fripay, March 17, 1865. $50000 Amer gold... 1643g 100 shs Mich Cen RR 105 50000 do... 1644 300 Mich So RR..... 636 100 do.. 6334 100 do... 100 Il Cent RR. SSSSSSsae 4000, do. 5 10000 6-208, ‘new ins. 10000 0... see eee 10000 Ohio& Miss cer. 16000 5000 do. 100 sha N Y Cen RR. 100 lo. . a SSSSSSSSSS et reesss RRR RRR, 100 do... 2.03 65 4 100 Hudson Riv RR, 100% ny 500 dO. se eee. LOOK Stocks not very active. Gold very active on-call; sales after call very large at from 167 down to 165. At close of report it stood 16534. Arrivals Departures. ARRIVALS. Havana—Steamnahip Corsica—K. Botrhand, J Urbank, O Goedel, R Carillo, R Suing, R Alexapder, J Alexander, J Curro, ‘Ade Rosario, Mrs M Rene, M Baird, W Baird, D ire © Strick and child, Hitehobck, N Swymmer, tre, J Moreyon, A Barrillo, L Alby, rand Mrs Jewiit, Mrs Hall and child, BGratton,'A Artonga,D Varona, Gittney, D Driscolh M Rodriques, L Nunez, J James, Mra James, J Urquizo, J A Vhambers, Mrs Andrea, Mrs A Chase, W A Fleetwood, BR ‘albot. A Parry, W Ht Onderdonk, J HyJam Mrs W Cuthbert, Mies A fan ch ra EB Wilkinson, Mra Rock Mra Donald ir Webber and lady, Morton lady, Mrs M: ial, Is Heldesbiem, J T Howell, W McLean, J © Forreston, P Mo- Garr, Ryan and wife, Mrs E Sterritt, I Colville, J A Frost ‘ownsend, D Johnson, Mr Ri lady and two obildre: Carroll, R'B Hall, Dr Duncombe, J © Anderson, M: be? AM Lioyd, J Ls I Makin, TAR Green, J B Squires, © Willi tkingon and lady, children an¢ oe beim, E Kroushaye, Pratt, Mr Black, Indy, Mise Black, Miss M'A Farrington, Mr Smith, Mr Burrow: McKinney,'A. inney, Mr Fieldhouse, J Boyle, © 0" if J Gray, L D Benson and lady, G ¥ Jobson—and 46 deck pas: sengers. s Pout Rovat—Steamship Arago=Brevet Col T Sherman, leton, D B Chambers, Mise Brown, Knowlton, 8 del Val, M Brayere, Mr Martineau, P Dasee, Mr and Mrs A Sayago, GA Baur, audex, T Peters, ee a, wife and child;, ira Col Beunett, D F A) ir Brown, Mrs Brawn, FW Lawrence and a Miss Lord, Mrs Turner, Mra Giles, Mrs Dr WP Jobnaton, Mrs ‘John: and Countess Olde Predi T Chapin, Mins © and lad tas Ke ra nnett, Captains Marton, Licwisnatia May, Moiay Doubleday, Connor, U ; Price, Acting Kn. ey ; F A Tor! USN, T Hewitt, ‘'arsons, Mr as Mr Casey, h fenton, Oril, Edwards, n, Beninget, Fell, Ward, Hays, Eher- 1 ars Net DiC Porat, a r endereraet, a wards, J © ar, Jas acy d ) Bbwck, Ir D ees jacey anc sister, ee ea Ly i ci aigns Pe rai Revs Wai i) erry, a Important Operations North of Richmond Enormous Destruction of Rebel Property. More Railroads, Bridges and Canals Destroyed. ‘ MORE ARTILLERY CAPTURED, &o., &o., &o, Assistant Secretary Dana to General Dixe War DapartTMent, ‘Wasmncrox, March 17—3 P. ‘uw Major General Jouw A. Dix, New York:— Major General Sheridan reports, on the 16th inst., from the bridge of the Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroad, across the South Anna river, that, having destroyed the James River Canal as far to the east as Goochland, he marched up to the Virginia Central Rail- road at Tollsville, and destroyed it down to Beaver Dams station, totally destroying fifteen miles of the road. General Custer was then sent to Ashland, and General Devin to the South Anna bridges, all of which have been destroyed. General Sheridan says the amount of property de stroyed in his march is enormous. ‘The enemy attempted to prevent his burning the Cen- tral Railroad bridge over the South Anna, but the Fifth United States cavalry charged up to the bridge, an@ about thirty men dashed across on foot, driving off the enemy, and capturing three pieces of artillory, twenty- potinder Parrotts. ©. A. DANA, Assistant Secretary of War. NEWS FROM WASHINGTON. Wasmnatox, March 17, 1865. RUMORED RESIGNATION OF JEFF. DAVIS. A report has beon in circulation hore all day that Jeff, Davis had resigned. ‘The secosh sympathizers pretend to have received such information by their underground line, and confidently assert its truth. It may be that he has declared his intention of resigning in case the rebel Congress should refuse to accede to the. extreme and im- practicable measures proposed in his message. The atatemont of his resignation comes through the myste- rious sources by which information from rebeldom ie often received here in advance, and they seldom report anything unfavorable to the Confederate cause that is not true. THE PRESIDENT’S HEALTH. The President, though still in feeble health, is annoyed by the prossure of importunate office seekers. FLAG PRESKNTATION—SPEEOH OF THE PRESIDENT. A rebel flag, captured at Anderson by the One Hundred and Fortioth Indiana Volunteers, was presonted to-day by Gov. Morton, in front of the National Hotel. A large crowd was in attendance. Governor Morton made @ brief speech, in which he congratulated his auditors om the speedy end of the rebellion, and concluded by introducing President Lincoln, whose purity and patriet- ism were confessed, he said, by all, even among the mos violent agitators. (Applause.) His administration would be recognized as the most important epoch of history. It had struck the death blow to slavery—(applause)—and built-up the republic with a power it never before pas sessod. If he had done nothing more than put his name to the emancipation proclamation, that alone would baye made his name immortal. (Applause.) ‘Tho President addressed the assembly substantially ag follows:— Fetiow Cirzens—It will be but a very few words that I shall undertake to say. I was born in Kentucky, raised in Indiana and lived in Ilnois, (Laughter.) And now I am here, whore it is my business to care for the good people of all the States. Tam glad to sce an Indians Tegimont on this day able to the captured age the Governor of Indiana. (Applause.) I am not [ore in saying this, to make a distinction between the tates, for all have done equally well. (Ap plause.) There are but fow views or Ca this Cred war upon which I or written somethil where! own opinions might be known. at (Sevcagdte ae -om recent attempt of our erring brethren, as they are sometimes: called—(Iaughter)—to employ the negro to fight for them, Thave neither written for made a speech on that sub- ject, because that was their business, not mine; and if I ‘ad'a wish upon tho subject I had not the power to intre- duce it, or make it effective. The great question with them was, whether the negro, babe put into the army, would fight fur them. I do not know, and therefore cannot decid». (Laughter.) They: ought to know better than we. I have in my lifetime card many arguments why the negroes ought to bo slaves; but if they fight for those who would keep them in slavery it’ will be a better argument than any I have yet heard. (Laughter and applause.) He who will fight for that ought to be aslave, (Applause.) have concluded at last to take one out of four of the slaves, and put them in the army ; and that one out of the four who will fight to keep the others in slavery ought te be a slave himself untess he is killed inafight. (A lause.) While I have often said that allimen ought free, yot I would allow those colored persons to be slaves who want to nd next to them those white per- sons who argue in favor of making other people slaves. (Applause.) Iam in favor of giving an opportunity to such white men to try it on for themselves, (Ap- lause.) I will say one thing in regard to the negro Being employed to fight for them. I do know he cannot fight and stay at home and make bread too— (laughtor aud applause)—and as one is about as important as tae other to them, I don’t care which they do. (Re- newed applaus:.) I'am rather in favor of hav: try them as soldiers. (App | They lack one vé ing that, and I wish I could send my vote over tho river eo that I might cast it in favor of allowing the negro to fight. (Applause.) But they cannot fight and work both. We mast now see the bottom of the enemy's resources. will stand out as long as they can, and if the negro fight for them, they must allow him to fight They have drawn upon their last branch of resources. (Applause.) And we can now see the bot- tom. (Applause.) Iam glad to see the end so near at hand. “(Applause.) I have said now more than I in- tended, Cad will therefore bid you goodby. Tho President then retired, while the crowd below saluted bim with loud and hearty cheers and the band played a lively tune. Governor Morton then stepped forward and remarked that they had now seen the rebel flag, and te proposed that each one in favor of the perpetuity of this great Union take off his hat and give three choors for the Union flag. The request was responded to with hearty good will. Three hearty cheers were then given for President Lincoln and three more for Governor Morton, after which the band struck up “Yankee Doodle.”’ OUR NEW MINISTER TO FRANCE. The President has appointed John Bigelow, our presen’ Chargé d’ Affaires at Paris, to be Envoy Extraordinary andi Minister Plenipotentiary at that court, He has also ap pointed the Hon. Ambrose W. Clark, late Representative in Congress from the Twentieth district of New York, te be Consul at Valparaiso, Chile. THE VICE PRESIDENT. Vice President Johnson is still here, but will seom return to Tennessee to close up his business there ap military governor, and to attend the inauguration of Governor Brownlow. The addross of Vice President Jobnsop, delivered on the 4th of March, appears. in, the Globe to-day. MILITARY ARRESTS. § Additional arrests have been made hero for violation. the military regulation against recruiting for di States and for attempts at fraudulent enlistmeats, LORD LYONS’ ILLNESS. The departure of Lord Lyons from the Unites States in December last was on a leave of absones; ie having been « great sufferer from neuralgia, and.beliey.ng a change of climate would restore his health, DECLINE IN PRICES OF PRODUCE. The produce markets in this city show: a slight docling in prices, owing to the fall in gold. IMPORTANT TO BLOCKADE BUNNERS. Tho Navy Department claims the right to capture anry morchans vessel returning froma blockaded port, aft py violating the blockade, such right to exist at any ti me during the retura voyage. ARRIVAL OF DESERTERS. One hundred and eighteen deserters, mostly “North Casolinians, arrived here today from the Arn,y of the Poternac, OAPTURE OF GUBRILLAS. Soven of White's guerilias, who have beer, depredating on the Virginia side of the Potomac, were yesterday cap- tured near Fairfax Court Houre and com gnitted to the Old Capitol prison. CAPTURES ON THE P’ypomAc, ‘The Potomac flotilla is still perf srming ofMfciont service in preventing contraband trade, “and to-day sent to Wash- ington two schooners having goods on board not in the manifests, «