The New York Herald Newspaper, December 13, 1865, Page 4

NEW YORK HERALD. anenapagnooaracinees JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. OFFICE N. W. COKNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS. AMUSEMENTS THis EVENING. BROADWAY THEATRE, Broadway.—Sau. BRYANTS' MINSTRELS, Mechanics’ Hall, 472 Broad- way.—Dan Buyaxt's New Stour Secect—Nxgao Comicaut- Tins, Bugiesquas, &c.—Jees THe Port. BAN FRANCISCO MINSTRELS, 555 Broadway, compeite Metropolitan Hotel. —Eraiorian SincInG, Dancin. DL’ avnicasyn. TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE. 201 Bowery. —Si43- me, Dancing. Buxirscuss. &0.—Tuk Fusxian’s Dream; 08, Taeian Fine 41 Last. Matiiee at 23g 0'Clook. TEMPLE OF MUSIC, corner of Grand and Crosby atreets.—Tnonrs & Ovenix's Minsreeis or AuL NaTions— Kerapution; oO, Taz Dowxraut or Huxove. 2 Otp Scnoon . at the Fifth enty-fourth at. GEORGE CURISTY'S MINSTRELS. or MinstreLsY, BaLcaps, Musto Avenue Opera House, Nos. 2 and NEW NATIONAL OTRCUS. 37 and 29 Bowery —Eaves- TRIAN, GYMNASTIC AND ACAORATIC BATS x munrta Zaxruieza, Equestainsse. Mutinoe at 214 0'Clock. on WISEMAN'S HOPE CHAPEL, 720 Bro.dw: ee ut 2% o'Clock. EVENINGS OF Mystiny axp Visions. Mal voklyn.—Etatorias Mix. > PANTOMIMES, OMY, 613 Broadway.— HOOLEY’S OPERA HOL STRELSY—BaLLaps, BURLY NEW York bar! ry OF A ‘Open from 10 A. M. Ain STUDIO BUILDINGS, Tenth street.—Examrtion oF Frenen, ENGLusH aND Fixaisu Merce. BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC.—Fr. Jeni Proue’'s Ww ITH SUPPLEMENT. New , York, Wednesday, December >: 1865. TH Ww n w s. CONGRESS. The Congressional proccedings yesterday were again of an important and interesting character. In the Senate, , after the presentation of petitions from soldiers asking bounties for volunteers who en'isted early in the war, and from Pennsylvanians requesting the imposition of a higher tariff on imports, the introduction of a bill to es- tablish telegraphic communication between New York and the West Indies, and of a resolution by Mr. Garrett Davis, of Kentucky, declaring the writ of habeas corpus restored throughout the country, Mr. An- thony called up the House resolution for a committee of fifteen to consider and report whether the States lately engaged in the rebellion are entitled to representation in Mr. Anthony moved to «mend the resolution, Henao, striking out those portions of it which prohibited debate and pro- vided that none o* the aboyant representatives should be admitt-d until the committee had reported on the cases of all together. On this motion an aximated debate took place, confined exclasively to the republican Senators, Mr. Howerd, of Michigan, in sapport of the resolution as itcame from the House, takiug the ground that the rebellious States are now subjugated provinces, whose inhabitants are ‘disloyal and not entitled to repre- sentation. Mr. Doolitie, in advocacy of the amend- ment, said that the territorial the as applied to the , Southern States, could not be maintained, insisted that the a(tempt to prevent debate in such a matter was un- precedented and dangoroug, and took occasion, during the course of his remarks, to show that Mr, Thaddeus Stevens, the author of the resolution, had introdiced it in pursuance of a settled plan of hostility to the Presi- dent. Mr. Doolittle also condemned the haste with which the resolution was-pushed through the republican caucus and the House. Finally the amendment was agreod to, and then, after some further discussion, in which also democratic Senators participated, the resolution, as amended, was adopted, by thirty-three yeas to eleven pays, It will now have to return to the House, for the concurrence or dissent of that body. A resolution re- questing the President to furnish information as to whether the rebellion is really suppressed, and whether the former relations betw-en the national governmont and the Southern States are restored, was adopted, and the Senate adjourned. In the House of Representatives nearly the entire day's session was occupied in discussion and action on the status of the members elect from the State of Tennes- wee. A copy of the actof tho Virginia Legislature in favor of the repeal of the act giving the con- went of that State to the formation of tho State of West Virginia was presented and referred to the Judiciary Commitee. The Postal Com- mittee was requested to inquire into the expediency of 80 amending the postal Jaws as to substitute commissions fog salaries, and the Military Committee was instructed to report on the propriety of granting additional bounties ‘to volunteers who enlisted in 1561 and 1862, Mr. Raymond, of New York, then presented the credentials of the Tennessee Representatives and moved that they be received and referred to the proposed joint com- mitiee of fifteen on the condition of the Southern States when it shall have been formed. Mr. Thaddeus Stevens objected to the consideration of the subject, holling that it was no: a question of privilege, but was overruled by the Speaker, when a long and earnest debate, participated in by @ number of both republican and democratic Representatives, ensued, Uther resolutions and propo- sitions wore submitted, but wero not entertained, and ultimately Mr. Raymond's motion was agreed to by one hundred and twenty-five yeas to forty-two nays. After farthor discussion and additional suggestions relative to the cases of the Southerners, a resolution wasadopted, by one hundred and thirty-two yens to thirty-five nays, inviting the Tennessee members to occupy seats on the floor during the pendency of decision on their claims to take part in the proceedings of the Houss, The Appro- priations Committee was instructed to Inquire in regard to needed repairs to the White House, and the Territorial Committee was directed to name one of the new Territo- Bies Lincoln, MISCELLANEOUS. The steamship Tentonia, Captain Haack, from Ham- ‘burg on the 25th ultimo, arrived at this port yesterday morning. ler advices are no later, as sho did not touch at Southampton on this trip, owing to the prevalence of cholera at the latter port. Among her passengers is C. P. Richards, Exq., of this city, b-arer of despatches to ‘Washington from the United States Logation at Berlin. Lieutenant General Grant had an interview with Presi- dent Johnson yesterday, and com:nunicated to him tho result of his observations during his recent trip through ‘Virgin'a, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The majority of tho negroes in theac Statos aro in comparative Idioness, and nearly all refuse to renew contracts until af- Yer Christmas, believing that a genoral division of property fa to take place at that time. The Southern men of influ- ence wero outspoken in favor of complying with any demands the President might consider necessary for their restoration. General Grant belivves that the people of the South almost unanimonsly dosire a spoody road- mission to their old potion im the Union, and that their professions of future loyalty and good behavior are honest and sincere, Provisions! Governor Johnson, of Georgia, has sent a telegram to President Johnson asiing to be reli: ved, and fecommending that Mr. Jenkins, the newly clectol Gov- ernor, be allowed to take his oifice. The Georgia Legislature, which assembled on the 4th inat,, organized without delay, The President of the Senate delivered a vory sensiblo address on the “ situa- tion.” Accompanying our report of the proceedings is the statement that Alexander H. Stephens, in declining to be a canfidate for Congress, suggested the selection of ‘mon not identified with the confederacy. We have heretofore noticed the fact that the Georgia Legislature adopted, soon after convening, the anti slavery amend- ment to the national constitution. ‘The steamship Quaker City, Captain West, which ar- vived here early yesterday morning from Charleston, Drought our correspondence to the 9th inst. A new egal question, growing out of the emancipation of the negroes, has beon raised in South Carolina, It is Whether debts incurred for slaves purchased before the proclama- Bion took effect are now collectable. Many of the people of the Palmotto State are deeply interested in this matter, being still in arreara on old purchases from the Virginia stave dealers, The subject has been brought to She attention of the Legislature, which it is expected will make provision for partially discharging the cred- tors’ claims. Governor Curtin, of Pennsylvania, with, his family, had arrived at Charleston, where he was re- Colved with salutes and other honors by the army and navy. Bishop Lynch, the Catholte Bishop of Charleston, had returned to that ¢ ty (rom his visit to Rome. In the Virginia Logislatare on Monday resolutions were introduced questioning the propriety of the tenure of offlce by Mossrs, Segar and Underwood, the present United states Senators from that State, and appointing a day for the election of reprosentatives in their stead. After considerablo dscession the resolutions were tabled by a voto of forty-seven to thirty-two, Jacksonville advices say that the roturas of the Flo- rida election for State officers, which was held on the 29th ult., had not been fully canvassed up to time; but it wag thought that the total number of votes cast was less than four thousand, Mr, David 3, Walker was chosen Governor without opposition, and Mr, W. W. J. Kelley was elected Liontenant Governor. Other State officers and members of the Legislature were also elected, Next Monday, the 18th inst., has been fixed as the time for the Legislature to mect, A resvlution to ratify tho anti-slavery constitutional amendment was introduced in the Senate of the Ken- tucky Legislature on Monday, but laid over under the rules, Tho progress made by the Dominicans in the reorgani- zation of their republican government since the termi- nation of tho Spanish invasion is described in oyr St. Domingo city correspondence, ‘The Congress and people think they have been treated very shabbily by tho United States government, and are particularly displeased with Secretary Seward for declining to officially recognize their Minister, sent hither during their troubles with Spain, It was proposed to send another envoy to Wash- ington, with the proffor to our government of the gift of ‘@ nava) depot on the Dominican coast; but it was finally agreed that the matter should be dropped if Gencral Baez, the newly elected President, reached the national capital from France at the tinie he was expected. ‘Phe Fenian agitation continues warm, and the people are still sccking all details with great eagerness, Wo Give a glanc? at the cause, inception and progress of the differences, which will bo found interesting. The bill of impeachment against Messrs, O'Mahony and Killian also appears in full in gp-day’s Hensvp. The Union square building was demanded by the new admints- tration yesterday, but was of course refused, the old management still keeping possession. Appointments were yesterday made by the Senate, and organizers will start out at once. Ohio reports for the Senate. Mr. O'Mahony namos certain charges against Senators to be submitted to his Congress. ‘The Sonate moots again at nine o'clock to-day. Mr. John O'Mahony has {ss1ed an order notifying the Fenians generally that all military orders will be disre- garded if not approved by him. Private Milos O'Reilly, having passed through our late quadrangular municipal contest with the same gal- lantry,and emerged from the smoke of the battle with the same good luck that distinguished tim in his cam- paigning under General Terry in South Carolina, sonds us a communication, which appears in our Supplement sheet of to-day, defending himself ngainst the aspersions of certain of his enomics té the effect thaton the day of the election ho deserted his candidate for Mayor, Mr. Hecker, and threw his influence in favor of Mr. Roberts. He also lets a streak of daylight in upon the modus operandi by which Mr. Hecker was cheated out of tho Mayoralty, and shows us “‘the way the money goes” in electioneering times. The civil code for the State of New York, reported at the Inst session of the Legislature, has just been printed, and the introduction thereto will be found in our Supple- ment sheet. The Commissioners who have “rovised, re- formed, simplified and abridged the rules and prac- ties, pleadings, forms and proceedings of the courts of record of the State,” paving given a brief sketch of their predecessors in office, proceed to the considera- tion of the advantages of a genera! code"to the people of New York, They argue that the conciseness and inflexibility of a code are qualities which render it the more valuable—‘tan expanstye, clastic or accommodating law being no law at all.” Towards the close of their in- troduction the Commissioners claim that improvement in the laws has almost always been the work of the Legislature; that the people of this State require that body to make the law, and conclude by adverting to some of the many changes they have deemed expedient to make, and to the novel classification of the subjects treated in the code. ‘The Boara of Supervisors met yesterday aft®tnoon at two.o'clock. Resolutions to increase the clerical force of the Surrogate's office, to pay the census enumerators, and to pay certain bills for work on the Court House were Considered. The first resolution was referred to the Com- mittce on Civil Offices, the second was adopted, and the Inst was laid over till the next moeting. The Board of Aldermen transactéd considerable busl- ness at their meeting yesterday. Commanications were recvived from the Mayor, and referred, suggesting tho widening of Ann street at its junction with Broadway and reporting progrees on the Battery improvement. A report in favor of enclosing ground at the junction of Broadway and Thirty-fourth strect for the erection of statues of Fulton and Morse, at the expense of the pro- perty holders in the vicinity, was adopted, * The Board of Counciimen met yesterday and trans- acted a large amount of routine business. The resolu- tions adopted by the Board of Aldermen, directing the Street Commissioner to notify the Central Railroad Com- pany of New Jersy to remove the ferry buildings, sheds, &e., on piers 14 and 15 North river, were referred to the Committee on Wharves, Piers and Slips. A resolution was adopted appropriating twenty thousand dollars to defray the expenses of celebrating the Fourth of July. A donation of two thousand dollars was made to the In- dustrial fchool in Forty-second street. After receiving a number of papers from the Aldermen, the Board ad- journed till this afternoon at three o'clock. Francisco Bunogur, an Italian, was yesterday convicted by a jury in the United States Cirenit Court of having in his possession, with the intent of passing the same, counterfeits of the national Treasury notes representing the amount of one hundred And thirteen thousand dol- lars, The prisoner was arrested in October last, in the promises No. 6 Goerck street, where the business of re- ceiving and sending forth the spurious money had been carried on for several months, It was the habit of the prisoner to circulate this bogns stuff among the unsus- pecting denizens of the city, but not in his own imme- into neighborhood, which attempt would havo been more likely to lead to his arrest. Judge Shipman re- manded the prisoner for sentence. The proceedings in the Strong divorce trial yesterday were of a very interesting character. A full report is published in our Supplement sheet of this morning. The greater portion of the session was occupied with the reading of the deposition of Mrs. Hecksher, a sister of Mrs. Strong, who testified to an admission of the plaintiff at Whitlock Point that he was the author of the alleged abortion on his wife. The family physician testified as to the health of Mrs, Strong previous to and succeeding this event, and Madame Barbier and an undertaker testi. fied as to the birth and disposal of the offspring. ‘The suit of Miss Laura Keone to restrain the produc- tion of the play of Our American Cousin by certain the. atrical managers of this city was yesterday again before Judge Barbour;in the Superior Court. After hearing ‘arguments on both sidos, the Judgo granted » motion of the defendant’s counsel for a dismissal of the case. In the case of John A. Fry against the city, for losses by the draft riots of July, 1863, the jury in the Superior Court, before Judge Robertson, yesterday rendered a verdict in favor of the plaintiff for cleven hundred and fifty dollars damages. Asuit of « lady named Margaret Tinkie against the Knickerbocker Stage Company, for personal injuries re- ceived by the plaintiff while leaving one of the defend- ants’ coaches, im consequence of the driver starting his horses before she reached the pavement, was also yester- day before Judgo Robertson, but was not concluded. Damages are laid at five thousand dollars. There arrived at this port yesterday ninety-six vessels, of which soven were steamships, three ships, cightoen barks, fifteen brigs and fifty-three schooners. ‘There were a number of cases disposed of yesterday in the Court of General Sessions. Charles Meehan pleaded guilty to an attempt at grand larceny, in stealing on overcoat worth sixty dollars from David H. Wood, on tho 6th of November. He was sent to the Penitentiary for | six months, Peter Bower, charged with stealing one hundred and thirty dollars from Margaret Hanselman, on tho 17th of November, pleaded guilty, and was gent to the Penitontiary for one year. James Kelly, indicted for stealing a saddle and bridle and a suit of livery from the stable of John J. Anderson, in West Twenty-seventh strect, pleaded guilty to an attempt at grand Inrceny. Henry Barton pleaded guilty of stealing two silver watches from the showcase of Leopold Silverthat, in the Bowery, and was sentenced to the State Prison for one year. August Gutteman, in- dicted for stealing oné handred dollars’ worth of percus- sion caps from Benjamin Canter on the 7th of November, pleaded guilty toan attempt. Frank Langin, who stole clothing of the same value from the store of Bernard Lewis, jn Baxter atroct, oleaded guilty to an attempt at larceny. Tho prisoners were remanded for sentence. Godfrey Lorey was tried onacharge of burgiariously entering the store offl.eo- . pold Kaliski, in Ninth avenue; but the stat ib of the complainaat was 60 unsatisfactory, coupled with posi- tive proef tha: ‘se accused was at home when the offence was charged te have been committed, that tho District Attorney abandoned the case, and the jury retummed a verdict of “ Not guilty."’ As the Tombs is crowded with Prisoners Mr. Hall is disposing of a large number of thom every day, #0 that at the close of the term thero will be a general jail delivery, if counsel for accused parties co-operate with the District Attorney in gotting speedy trials. The steamship United States, Captain Share, of the ‘Cromwell line, will sail to-day at three P. M. for New Orleans direct, from pier No, 9 North river, The mails will close at half-past ono P. M. Captain Bursiey, of the steamship Charles ©. Leary, which arrived at Galveston on the Ist inst. from Now York, states that on tho 27th ult. he fell in with aa abandoned Spanish schooner, the decks of which were covered with pots, kettles and other cooking atensils, having been engdgod in the slave trade and but recently deserted, The captain took the vessel to Galveston. Yesterday the orders of the Canal Commissioners for the closing of the canals of this State for the winter season went into-effect. The weather, however, has not so far done anything towerds closing them by ice, nor doemit indicate a disposition to do so at an carly day, the temperature still continuing unusually mild for the month of December. Throughout yesterday in this city and vicinity thero was an almost cuinterrupted fall of rain, varied by a pour at one time anda drizzle at an- other, The report of the commission appointed to appraise Jand for the new Washington Heights Croton reservoir has been rondered and filed, and the work of construc- tion wil¥shortly be commenced. About eight acres of ground, bounded by 1724 and 176th stroets and Tenth avenue and the Harlem river, have been purpose, Brovet Brigadier General W. W. Mc 1th inst., at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, had been in command during tho past body will probably be brought 'to this city’ By tho arrival here yesterday of the Britian brig hy rict, Captain McDonald, from Maracaibo, Vonegucla, we aro intormed of Che death of Mr. J. T. Diossy, our Consul at that port, on the 14th of November, of inflammation of the brain. Rey. Win, Butler, D. D., of India, delivered a highly interesting address on his ‘‘Personal Reminiscences of the Sepoy Rebellion,” at Coopor Instituto, last evening. Mr. Butler was in India during the timo of the mutiny, and witnessed its riso and suppression. His narrative was therefore graphic and replete with artistic features which rendered it instructive and entertaining. ‘The investigation of the caso of James Hughes, mem- ber of the bounty brokerage firm of Allen, Hughes & Co., arrested on Friday last on charge of defrauding volunteers of their bounty money during last spring, was commenced yesterday in Jersey City beforo United States Commissioner Jackson. Considerable testimony was taken, after which the examination was adjourned till this afternoon. A blockade running suit of considerable intorest, on account of being cons'dered a tost case which will govern others of a s.milar character, was lately before the United States District Court in Pittsburg, and a condensed re- port of it is given by one of our correspondents in that city, and published in our Supplement of this morning. It was in relation to cortain cotton which was run through the blockade of the Texas const, was captured, and afterwards released by government on the roprosen- tations of the agent of the owner that the latter was a loyal man and that the cargo was intended to be used in discharging his indebtedness to Northern creditors. It afterwards appeared that the agent had sold tho cotton, but had not settlod with his principal’s creditors, and the suit was instituted by one of them to compel him to do 80, and resulted in a verdict for the plaintim. Congress—The Tennessee Members—A Concession from the House Majority. There were some interesting proceedings yes- terday in the House in regard to the members elect from Tennessee, which resulted in their conditional admission to the privileges of the floor till otherwise ordered. Mr. Raymond, of New York (who had per- haps been reminded by Thurlow Weed that something must be done to put the firm right in the White House in regard to the New York Collector), rose to the privileged question of presenting the certificates of election of the Tennessee members. Mr. Thaddeus Stevens interposed the point of order that the State of Tennessee is not known in the House. This is his interprétation of the Stevens-Raymond caucus resolution. It means, in his judgment, that the House, in adopting that resolution, has decided that the excluded States have ceased to be States, and have lapsed into Territo- ries. The Speaker, however, overruled this point of order, and the credentials of the Ten- nessee members were received and referred to the Stevens select committee, by yeas 126, nays 41, This is, perhaps, equivalent to their ultimate rejection, although in the meantime, by a resolution adopted, Mr. Maynard and his colleagues from Tennessee, till otherwise or- dered, are admitted to the floor of the House. The question naturally recurs, why even this small concession to the Tennessee members, and to them alone of all the excluded Southern States? We presume it is because the House has discovered that the time is not favorable for an “irrepressible conflict” with President Johnson. He comes from the State of Tennes- see. It was reconstructed upon his plan and under his own supervision as President Lin- coln’s Provisional Governor. An out-and-out rejection of the Tennessee members, therefore, would involve a distinct, complete and of- fensive repudiation of the President’s restora- tion policy. The House,’ to avoid a ruptare so abrupt and fnll of danger to the dominant party, has wisely agreed so far to recognize the President’s work in Tennessee as to admit the members from that State to the privileges of the floor. This is a step in the right direc- tion; but to be consistent in its action the House should extend the same privileges to the members from all the other Southern States. Their claims are substantially the same as those of the Tennessee delegation. But, as an opening has been made, it will probably be widened after another night or two of cool re- flection. The Stevens-Raymond caucus joint resolu- tion will be modified so as to refer the con- dition of the late so-called Confederate States to the joint committee, leaving each house, as the constitution ordains, to be the judge of the elections, qualifications and returns of its own members. It was yesterday thus amended in the Senate by a vote of thirty-three to eleven. Something has been gained indicating wholesome reaction against the violent and reckless radical policy set on foot by Stevens, Raymond and Sumner, and from this beginning we are led to antici- pate the triumph of the President’s programme over that of the extreme radical facticn, The early desertion of Raymgnd betrays the weak- ness of Stevens and the power of such Execu- tive tramp cards as the New York Custom House. Let the President hold on to these a little longer and his victory will be secured; for, as John Randolph said of the old demo- cratic party, we may with equal force say of the present republican party that its seven great cardinal principles are “the five loaves and two fishes.” In this view the Prosident is master of the situation, for the people are with him and watching the progress of the NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1860—WITH SUPPLEGEN®,” Who Financial Condition of the Coan- try. We find much to admire in the report of the Secretary of the Treasury. Mr, McCulloch un- derstands our financial position much better than the financiers of Great Britain did that of their country after the wars with Napoleon. His constitutional arguments do not amount to much; but on the financial question he is sound, anc if Congress directs the resumption of specie payments Mr, McCulloch is the man to secure it. ‘This is the first time within our remembrance that a sound, practical man has bad the man- agement of the financial affairs ef the country. Hitherto the heads of the Treasury Department have been mere politicians, who have had no, proper conception of the magnitude of the duties of the office, and they administered the financial concerns of the nation more with an eye to party advantage than for the promotion ot the interesis of the country. Now we have the right man in the right place—one who is full of common sense, and takes the right view of the difficulties and dangers that surround hia position. He fs not one of those crazy theorists who are always in a fearful state of alarm and trepidation whenever the currency becomes over-inflated, and prodict ruin and disaster whenever such periods arrive. Mr. McCullach properly appreciates the dangers that’ may arise from this cause; but at the same time he holds that evils are as likely to accrue undera hasty and improper system of contrac- tion as from an undue expansion of the currency. He argues against a too rapid return to specie payments; and, while advooeting the return, holds that it should not be done until it can be with safety to the commercial, manufacturing, banking and all other great inftrests of the country, and with perfect security to government credit. The resumption of specie payments, whenever it is judicious to do so, should not be accele- rated by intemperate exertions or precipitated for superficial reasons. Whenever the proper period arrives to resume, it should be done practically and not nominally, as was the case with the Bank of England from 1812 to 1819 and in 1825. He proposes to fund the public debt by a sort of easy sliding scale, so that the fouatains of trade and commerce may not be improperly disturbed by a too heavy and rapid withdrawal of the national currency. His object is to show how soon specie pay- ments can be resumed without producing financial, revulsions and bankruptcies. He conscientiously believes in the Jacksonian poliey: that {t is dangerous to allow the un- limited issue of government notes, and regards that policy as calculated to place too -much power in the hands of partisans who may tem- porarily hold the reins of the governmgat. He makes several sagacions suggestions in rela- tion to ifications of the Internal Revenue law, having in view the more harmonious ope- ration of that law with the tariff and the tariff with the Revenue law. It is calculated that the general revenue will not be reduced, but increased some forty or fifty millions by pur- suing this policy. It is gratifying to learn that the prospects for the next fiscal year are 80 satisfactory. It appears that, according to reliable estimates, the receipts of that year “will be sufticidft to pay all current expenses of the government, the interest on the public debt, and leave the handsome balance of $111,682,818 to be applied towards the pay- ment of the debt itself.” What a contrast does our country at this time present when compared with England or France after great and exhausting wars! During the Napoleonic conflicts England was perpetually the scene of public disorder, riots and internal difficulties. Bankruptcies and financial distress were continually occurring, specie payments were suspended, loans were negotiated with great difficulty, and at one time the national debt reached some four thou-. sand one hundred and fifty miHions in dollars. The most formidable of these financial difficul- ties occurred in England from the year 1812 to 1819, and again in 1825. Just after the news of the escape of Bonaparte from Elba reached England there were sixty-one bankruptcies in England within a week. In 1819 the finance report was considered in fact a “virtual decla- ration of national bankruptcy.” Before this France had her financial revulsions, with her assignats and mandats, which were both even- tually repudiated—in the case of the mandats because the people would not take them.® In short, when we refer to either England or France we find the history of their wars to be replete with instances of internal disasters, bankruptcies, commercial prostration, mobs, riots, and all kinds of local commotion, cul- minating in national bankruptcy and social revolution. Now look at the United States. We have carried on a stupendous war for four years with & courageous people. It has cost more than any of the wars of England or France, or any other wars in modern times. We organized and equipped a splendid army of over a mil- lion of men, improvised a magnificent navy, invented new styles of armed ships, employed new and costly implements of war, and paid for them all without producing a commercial panic, or any bankruptcies of moment. One- third of our entire national debt was paid to the brave men in our armies, and hence was not lost to the country, and instead of prostrat- ing business and breaking down merchants, we have made the fortunes of thousands of those who were before the war in but indif- ferent circumstances. During all this time we had but one local riot that was at all formi- dable, and that did not arise from local dis- affection, but was a part of the regular hostile programme of the rebels. In fact, instead of coming out of the war like France or England out of theirs, with shattered credit, we find that to-day our government securities command a higher rate and are more in demand in Europe than they ever were before. Traly have we reason to be proud of our position in the first rank among the nations of the earth, with the prospect before us of still greater national power and prosperity; for we have still the untold riches of our mountain auriferous re- gions to unlock, the command of European commerce with the Indies awaiting our accept- ance by the building of-a railroad across the Continent—a great work now in successful pro- gress. We call the attention of Congress to the financial budget of Mr. McCulloch, and repeat our belief that if they require specie payments to be resumed, he isthe man to do it. Ovr ix tae Corn—New England has most of the important committees In the Senate. and | the West walks off with the lion%s share of the committees of the Houge. Thus New York and the Middle States are left out in the cold, and we must submit to be ground between the upper and nether millstones of radicalism. Shall We Have Restoration or Destrue- tion The developments in Congress, and the at- tack upon the President's policy by the entire republican force in the lower house, bave created a new interest in the sayings and doings of the leaders in that party prior to the fall elections. We therefore republish this morning the speeches delivered by Secretary Seward and Thaddeus Stevens during the political campaign. The formor addreased his friends at Auburn about the middle of October, at the time when it was considered that it would affect the result of the State elections more than at anyother. It is fair to presume that this was the real object that prompted the specch; while, on the other hand, the speech of Mr. Stevens was delivered before his own friends and neighbors at Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania, carly in September, to atouse them for the approaching election in that State in Octo- ber. They were, as it will be seen, both enun- ciated at their own homes, and before their immediate friends and neighbors, upon occa- sions and under circumstances that would naturally lead to the expression of their honest sentiments in reference to the great and vital question of the day. It is not to be. sup- posed that either, at his time of life, would endanger his reputation by trying to deceive his own friends. There is, however, a marked difference in the views of these men on the question of restoration. A careful perusal of the speeches of both must lead every person to the consideration of the question, shall we have reconciliation of the South or destruc- tion? It must be apparent to all observers of po- litical events in this country since the collapse of the rebellion tltat there arc two factions in the republican party, each maintaining positive views in regard to the treatment of the States recently in rebellion. Secretary Seward and Thad Stevens are the recognized leaders of these factions—one in the Cabinet and the other on the floor of Congress. In this view, their utterances prior to the State elections were of no ordinary public importance. Tak- ing, as they did, the announced policy of Prosident Johnson as the basis of their ar- guments, they presented the form which the contest would take over ils endorsc- ment immediately upon the assembling of Congress. The public were, therefore, deeply interesicd in knowing which of the two factions would control and shape the legis- lation in that body. Stevens, as the leader of the radical faction, proclaimed war the knife upon the plan laid down by Andy Jobn- son for the readjustment of the Southern Siates, His speech teemed with- denunciation through- out, and the whole burden of his utterances was confiscation and the application of the severest penalties known to the laws of war in the treatment of conquered alien enemies. Upon this plattorm he appealed to his friends to rally to his support, and that that should be his motto. Seward, on the other hand, enun- ciating his views a month ‘later, took special pains to prove that such a treatment of the South would lead to the subversion of the South- ern States and prolong anarchy. In this con- nection he declared that we must accept recon- ciliation or institute a new civil war, after one had ended with the complete attainment of the lawful . object for which it was waged. This Congress and the President had no right to do. Therefore restoration, and that upon a basis which the South could accept, was the only course that could be pursued, as well as the necessity of the hour. Here, then, was a divid- ing line in the party as distinct and plain, not only in application, but in results, as that which divided the copperhead and republican partics during the war. " A tew weeks have passed away since those speeches were made, Congress has assembled, and the two modes of settling our domestic affairs have been put to the test in that body. Stevens, adhering to his revolutionary> and bloodthirsty doctrines, has taken possession of the House of Representatives and marshalled the entire republican side in his support. He bas taken with him the personal and pro- fessed friends of Seward, and, with his army thus formed, presented an unbroken front against the Executive of the nation, whose policy the Secretary pretended to support and defend prior to the election. Are we to infer from this that the Premier in the Cabinet is playing double with the Executive? Does he utter false words and use a flattering tongue towards the President at Auburn only to better carry out his intrigues and undermine him at Wasbington? After all, must we take his speech as a deception upon his friends and neighbors? How else can we reconcile the fact that Ray- mond, his avowed special friend, as well as the Representative from his own district, are found at the side of Thad Stevens, siding in marshalling the forces against the policy of reconciliation and restoration marked out by the President, and approved by Seward in his Auburn speech? Their action was too de- liberate to accept as accidental, or even to claim that it was done without consultation with the head of the State Department. Where, then, is Mr. Seward to-day? Is he for or against the reorganization policy of Andrew Johnson? His public utterances favored that plan, but the direct influence of his friends at the opening of Congress was against it. In fact, they placed themselves on record as de- termined opponents, when it is known that a single word from him would have produced a different result. Weed, who is usually ready to take a hand in, has also been silent. Can it be that pany have no thought for the interests of the country, and only look to the capture of the few State and federal offices that are to be filled? When there are a few unimportant State officers to be elected Seward can find time to make » long speech and take the side which he thinks will win. Weed can write letters by the column, and Raymond trim his sails for the public bi but the moment that ® question vital 10 the tition, in which its prosperity or destruction is involved, Ray- mond is lost in the radical current, while Sew- ard and Weed are silent. By the passage of Stevens’ resolution in the Honse that body has directly arrayed itself against the President. The record there pre- sented is the certificate of the endorsement of the revolutionary doctrine uttered by Stevens in September, which, according to Seward’s Auburn speech, would continue the war after the object for which it had been accomplished. What was now. We recommend the Secretary to re-read his own arguments in October and then con- template the position in which be is now placed by his friends endorsing the utterances of Stevens in September.’ This great change of front is no minor matter. ment of the effort at reconciliation of the coun- try,and the adoption of the policy of destruc- tion. If followed up it neels no prophet to predict the result. Anarchy and ruin, poli- tical and Gnancially, are the logical results. They will follow as certain as night fol- lows day. of the ary and bloodthirsiy, alike destructive to our prosperity, national strength, growth and influence. The history of the world furnishes too many examples of the folly as well as crime of puraning such a course for any person with the ability w .ich a member of Congress should possess to go astray. In waging war radical measures may avail, but in adjustment conservative measures alone can heal the wound, cement the bonds of unity and make peace permanent. Radical- ism, in final settlements, only covers the fire for a time, while it adds the fuel. necessary to enable it to constantly break: out afresh. The treatment of Poland by Russia and Ireland by England are living examples of this trath in the present day. While the war was raging the Southern leaders declared to. ‘se masses that they had nothing to hope for bu! annibila- tion in submitting to the North. of the House on the first day of the session is a direct endorsement of that charge against us. New conflicts, new wars and a destruc tion of one section of the country are sure to follow a continuation of that policy on the part of Congress. This, thon, ig a critical period, and we call upon the people of the North to hold public mevtings in every local- ity, and so speak on the issue now presented that every member of Congress cannot mistake their sentiments—that they,are for immediate reconciliation and restorati struction. Weed, Raymond and Con- | waged was true then is true It is an abandon- The poltey of Stevens is that Jacobins of France—revolution- The action , and against de- The Head Centres of tho Opcra, Eastand West. onast needs have a very bard and un- feeling heart not to rejoice that Ody Gammon and his singers are about to depart from this inhospitable metropolis. A natural compassion for'the poor artists would of iisolf produce — such an emotion. at last permitted to escape from that catacomb of an Academy which has cracked their voices, distressed them with colds in the head and ren- dered even their very best efforts utterly futile. As for the public, they are still more heartily to-be c ngratulated. The African has been too much for the long suffering people of this operatic head centre. Cracked voices, ancient prima donnas and robustious tenors, baritones and bassos were bad enough; but when it came” to an opera that depended solely upon stage carpenter for its attractions, the weight was placed upon the back of that patient camel, the New York public, and the back broke. singers will howl and squeal their final fare- well this week and then pack up their duds and their bad notes and vamose for parts unknown. The catacombs of the Academy will know them no more, let us hope, forever. Having got rid of them and of-the influenza, let this metropolitan head centre settle down graciously to « merry Christmas, a happy New Year and a fine, pleasant, gay and tashionable winter. We are glad that they are Consequently Oily Gammon and his The Western head centre, Chicago, is tempo- rarily deserted by Manager Grau, who is de- lighting the loyal population of St. Louis with good works and first class artists, Grau ap- pears to be a sort of travelling centre, like the Stephens who has just thrown all England into a furor. Manager Grau carries about with him an operatic company which would do no discredit to either London or Paris, and is vastly superior to “any that we have recently heard in New York. His leading prima donna alone outweighs a dozen of the second rate and second hand singers to whom we have become accustomed. His artists can all sing; and althouzh we have been treatei to plenty of howling, plenty of screaming and plenty of squealing, under Oily Gammon’s lager beer administration, we have certainly had very Ifttle real singing in the catacombs, Instead of weak and cracked voices, the organs of Grau’s artists are fresh, vigorous and tuneful. Nature, having given Oily Gammon’s company the cold shoulder, has done wonders for the troupe of Manager Grau. Its members are described as young and handsome, while the candid critic must reluc- tantly admit that the most of the people at the catacombs are both old and ugly. And then, best of all, Grau’s artists can act. They have no cracks either in their voices ‘or their brains. They know what emotions ought to be ex- pressed during the operas, and how to give them utterance. It is all very well, under Oily Gammon’s management, to employ the stage carpenter to insert a sharp pin in the calf of the baritone’s leg when that singer wishes to —_ give a shriek of joy, and another pin when the + same personage desires to emit w shriek of grief; but that cam scarcely be considered high art in the modern acceptation of the term. Nor.is it less inartistic to deluge the singers with lager beer between the acts in order to association critics with the same beverage in order to increase their praises. Such dodges are worthy of the celebrated Joyce Heth in | breeches, but not of the opera. Contrast the two managers and the two troupes, and it is strengthen their lungs, and to befuddle the very evident why the head centre of the West | is so sadly outstripping this city, the head cen- tre of the East. It behooves this metropolis to wake up and be stirring operatically. We should have a new opera house here, of convenient size and why audiences should be forced to shiver and artists to break their voices in the vast, and damp, and dismal catacombs of the in an accessible location. There is no reasop i Academy for another year. A small, |, elegant and scientitically constructed opera | if house would be an ornament to the city and a if source of incalculable profit to the gentlemen || who erected it. A single citizen of Chicago | has been liberal and enterprising enough to pat * up such ® building at hls own expense, and surely some of our citizens have at least ejual means. In the meantime an act should be passed by the Legislature providing for a Con- * servatoire of Music, such as that of Paris. This would soon give us an abundance of excellent artiste, dng would enable us to guovly the