The New York Herald Newspaper, December 26, 1865, Page 4

a l NEW YORK HERALD. | JAMES GORDON BENWETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIENR, OFFicE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AN) NASSAU STS, TERMS cash inadvance, Monef sent by mail will be atthe risk ofthe sender. None but bank bils current im New York taken. THE DAILY HERALD, published every day in the year, Four cents per copy. Annual subscription price, $14. THE WEEKLY HERALD, every Saturday, at Five cents per copy. Annual subscription price:— One Copy. ‘Three Copies. 5 Five Copies. 8 Ton Copies... 1s Any larger number addressed to names of subscri $1 50 each. An extra copy will be sent te every club often, Twenty copies to one address, one year, $25, ‘and any larger number gt game price, An exira copy ‘will be sent to clubs of twenty. These rates make the ‘Waunrr Heratp the cheapest publication in the cowry. Postage five cents per copy for three months, Wolumac KXK.......:10ssreeeeseneereeees NOs 359 a AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING, BROADWAY THEATRE, Broddway.—Mosz—Six, ——_~ MISS LUCY RUSHTON'S NEW YORK THEATRE, Nos, 723 and 78) Broadway.—Tax Scuoou ror Scanpat. GEORGE CHRISTY'S MINSTRELS.—Tae OLp Scnoor or MinstkxLsy, BaLtaps, Musican Gus, &c., at the Fifth Avenue Opera’ House, Nos. 2 and 4 West Twenty-fourth at. NEW NATIONAL CIR rmian, GyMNastic AND AO Ror Exenowsxs, &c. Afternoon at o'Olock , SAN FRANCISCO M letrupolitan, Hotel. —£ uk DyiNG BriGanp. TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE. 201 Bowery.—Stna- axa, Dancinc, BURLESG Le BRYANTS’ MI way.—Daw Bar. nis, BuRLEsQues, & 535 Broadway, opposite NGING, Dancin, &¢.— TEMPLE OF MUSIC, treets.—Tue Two FaKins. gat 1044; Afternoon THEATRE COMIQU Gesu, tux Anmutcan HOOLEY'S OPERA HOUSE, Brooklyn.—Ernrortan Min GrRKLSY—BALLaps, BURLESQUES AND PANTOMIMES. NEW YORK MUSEUM Of ANATOMY, 618 Broadway.— Open from 10. A. M. till 10 P. ART GALLERY, 625 Broadway.—Huntincton’s Great Paintina. ner of Grand and Crosby e ThoRre Baorarss. Morn ening at 7 0’ Clock. Hope Chapel, 720 Broadway. — 0 or NiAGARA FALLS. STUDIO, BUILDING, 15 Tenth street —Exmiarrion or Fresou, ExGuisu anp Miemisn Picrurns. New York, Tuesday, December 26, 1865. NEWSPAPER CIRCULATION. Receipts of Saics of the New York Daily Newspupors. OFFICIAL, Year Ending Name of Paper May 1, 1965, FHBRALD. ose ee sees serene eeeereeee ees + $1,095,000 ‘Times. . 368,150 ‘Tribune. ” see 252,000 Evening Post, 169,427 100,000 151,079 90,548 New Yorn Herat... se etee eee s +4 G1,095,000 ‘Timea, Tribune, World and Sun combined.. 871,229 ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THE COUNTRY. €xpreas.. Advertisemeata for the Weexty Weratp must be handed in before ten o’clock every Wednesday evening. Its cir- culation among the enterprising mechanics, farmers, merchants, manufacturers and gentlemen throughout the country is increasing very rapidly. Advortisements In- sorted in the Wenxiy Haxarp will thus be seen by « large portion of the active and onergetic people of the United States. THSH NWSW 8. The Christmas festival was universally observed yester- day {n the metropolis, Brooklyn and our other suburban cities, and was altogether a day of much gladuess-and enjoyment. All the public aud private offices, business places, work:hops and stores were closed, excopting such as ministered to the festivities, and the citizens enjoyed thenvelves according to their various inclinations. The weather, al least the overhead portion of it, was all that could have been desired, though the pavements aifally muddy. The sky was clear and the and mild, and consequently the streets, the bad walking, were thronged through- out the day. There were appropriate services in the Cath oli¢ and Episcopal churches, and in many of those of the other religions denominations there were Sunday echoot festivities. Gratuitous dinners of a bountiful character were given to the inmates of the charitable and philan- theopic institutions, reports of which, as well as of a yuriely of other public procesdings, will be found in another portion of our paper, At the Howard Mission a sumptuous feast was given to the little ones, who in return entertained their friends and visitors with hymns, songs, glees and! other kindred exercises. The private home entertaintbents indispensable to the annl- versary—thégifta that make the eyes of youth sparkle and that will keep green the memory of the day in the is of many children of a larger growth, and the lux- nrioug turkey banquetings—these are known by all, and ned no recital, ‘The Park was thronged yesterday with carriages of every description, whose occupants, as well as a lane f persons on foot, went there for the ne ying the delightfully fine weather, All the cars vded with passengers, wending their way to the sented a spectacle of unusual brilliancy. Wing, the ice not bemg in a fli condition that arus Washington we Lave again the report that Gene- ral Grant will ehortly visit the Rio Grande frontier. It ts said he will proceed thither in the fl of the Guif squadron, immediately after the termination of the pre wont holidays. At Vera Cruz, on the 13th instant, the ofd imperialiat rumor, to the effect that Juarez had resigned the Presi- dency of the Mexican republic, again prevailed. It was believed to be, as in previous ens howx of the French woldiery to affect the Mexican republican loans, In convideration of the preat interest necessarily taken in Mexican affairs at the present time by the penple of this country, we present this morning # very perfect synopsis of the contents of @ book printed for private Circulation in 1859, © copy of which has fallen into our posseeion, This huok was gotten up at the time that the Knights of the Golden Circle wore organix n the United Fiates a seerot Mexican cmigration ¢x)» which ment. Hien, failed in consequence of the breaking out of the rebel Tion, and was published under the auspices of that order. ®ut tho scheme contemplating armed emigration, there was 4 necessity for the publication only meoting of those who could eafely be trusted with Its o Its peculiar value at this time constsis in the portr which {t presents of the almost inexhaustible wealth of Mexico in mineraie and agricultural productions of almost every kind, of the people, climate and @ountry generally, To develop these resources, the book , American industry and enterprise are Endiepensad|c, and our people were urged to go thither ae peaceful settiors, taking with them farming Amploments, \nproved machinery, the printing press, books, school eachors and all the many other civilixing Sner\(utlons #0 familiar Lore, yet so little known in the and of the Aztecs; but, to make themselves secure in teholr new homes, they wore reminded that it would be essary to Carry with them weapons of defence, whieh as strongly intimated might ultimately to used be " et political control of the country and put anend to [tho potty wars and constantly recurring revolutions ees { rival native chieftaige, od ' ‘Tho fright of the white people of Virginia, in common ho those of the other States lately in rebellion, over Pprehended nogro outbreaks, ie again alluded to by our johmond corteryondent, writing on Saturday last, The Ke Mocinine mwlP WAL Giy La lnrgy PE Shot: numbers and im great terror, fully possessed with the idea that a general butchery by the freedmen was to be commenced yesterday and continued during the holidays. ‘Though the military authorities have made the propor dispositions to check any such outrages, should they occur, they have been unable to discover any traces of the dlieged plot onthe part of the negroes, and our correspondent believes that it has no existence. Some think that the frightful rumors have been started by leading ox-rebels themselves, with the object of inducing the inauguration ofa system of repressive measures which will again place the freedmen in a state of semi- servitude. An important trial is now going on at Savannah, some particulars of which we give in our correspondence from that elty. There existed at Savannah in 1864 @ battalion of soldiers in the rebel army composed of Union pri- soners who had enlisted in the rebel ranks to keep from starving, These men took every opportunity to desert to our lines, and on one occasion seven of them were caught, tried for desertion and shot, This occurred while General Mercer was in command, and he has been placed om trial for their murder. Evidence for the pro- secution ia difficult to secure, and the trial has been do- layed. General Mercer put in his parole by Sherman in defence, claiming United States protection under the Johnston-Sherman agreement. ‘The Toronto Leader of Saturday last concludes an article on the excitement among the Canadian merchants caused by the recent notification of our Consul General in Mon- treal relative to shipments of goods from Canada to the United States by the announcement that Mr. George Brown has withdrawn his late resignation of his position in the Canadian Cabinet. The Senatorial party of Fenianism have promulgated certain documents bearing upon the present Fenian troubles, letter from James Stephens, obtained at the Dublin trial, denominates O'Mahony a drag chain and stumbling block. There is considerable excitement re- gardingthe matter. The movement for compromise is going on, and the rank and fle begin to favor the retire- ment of both O'Mahony and the Senate. To-day the festival of St. Stephen, the first martyr, will be celebrated in the Catholic and Episcopal churchoa, Two young mon named Patrick Henry and James Farrel, giving their residences respectively as 567 Second avenue and 173 East Twenty-second street, were yester- day committed for trial on two complaints of felonious assault, the first charging them with attacking Peter Fidoback, of $5 East Houston street, early yesterday morning, in Second avenue, and dangerously stabbing him in the back, and the second alleging that they en- tered the drinking place 375 Second avenue, and, with- out provocation, beat the proprietor, Matthias Bush, seriously injuring him. Both Miss Dayton and W. H. Russ, the parties to the tragedy in Clinton street, Brooklyn, on last Saturday evening, are still living. It is now believed that Russ will recover, and hopes are even entertained that the lady will survive her mjuries, though one bullet stil! re- mained in her head yesterday. The schooner Buena Vista, from Alexandria, Va., for this port, laden with coal, sprang @ leak and sank on Sunday morning last off Sandy Hook. All the persona on board were rescued. ‘Tho steamer Bosphorus, from Liverpool, went ashore in the bay, off Fort Hamilton, yesterday morning. Tho schooner Haines, Captain Ettrup, from Hayti for Boston, went ashore on Nantucket island during the gale of last Friday night, and all the persons on board, seven men, perished. The Morchants’ Exchange in Montreal was completely destroyed by fire on Sunday night last. Five men were suffocated, and another so seriously af- fected that he was not expected to recoyer, by the escape of gaz iu a room at the Bromen Hotel, Chicago, on last Saturday night. A singular and fatal collivion occurred onthe North- western Railroad, near Ridgefield, forty-five mfles from Chicago, on the 20th inst. Three trains were running close together on the same track and in the eame direc. tion, when the first rau out of water and signalled to thove behind to stop, which the second train did; but, owing to asnow storm which was prevailing at the time or some other cause, the signal was not observed by those in charge of the the third train, which continued ‘on its course, driving the middle train into the foremost ‘one, Ono of the firemen was instantly killed, another fireman and an engineer and a number of other persons were severely injured, and several of the cars were badiy broken. a Henry Wilson, who was hanged on Friday last, at Geneseo, Livingston county, in this State, for the mur- der, on the night of the 16th of May last, in the town of Portage, of Henry Devoe, appears to have been one of the most hardened of criminals. A sketch of such por- tions of his brutal career as are known appears in our columns this morning. During his imprisonment he confessed having committed three murders, and intima- ted that he had been connected with others, but ox pressed no compunctions on the subject, He met his fate with complete indifference, and manifested the same brute courage up to his last moment on the gallows that had charecterized his guilty life. An extensive and most completely fitted up locomotive and machine shop has just been finished by the Hariem Railroad Company, on Fourth avenue, between Forty- third and Forty-fourth streets, A description of it ap- pears in another column of. to-day’s Haat. The Irish Muddle and the Jamaica Mas- sncre. It is very evident that the Fnglish, as a na- tion, while they are very fond of witnessing in- surrections and rebellions in other countries, are not 30 well pleased when they break out in their own. Whena domestic attempt was made to destroy the government of the United States, to dissolve the Union, to separate the South from the North and the West from the East, they not only looked on with compla- cency, but, aceording té.a very recent state- ment in a ministerial journal, “educated Eng- lishmen generelly favored the attempt.” Then we heard much about the unfairness of the ex- ercise of power in any government which was against the consent of the governed, the natural right of revolution, and the heroism of rebels. We also were told of the cruelty of war on our part, and the illegal disregard of the personal rights of a people struggling for freedom. More than this. They did not trust to philanthropy or criticism alone. They raised money to assist them, allowed them to fit out piratical ships in their ports, arm them with cannon and fill them with seamen, to prey on ourcommerce. To run the blockade, to convey contraband of war, was considered, as their philantbropy beceme warmer, a praise. worthy business, though the Queen's procla- mation of neutrality made it felony. But now, when the Irish people have shown even the disposition to reassert their independ- ence, these educated Englishmen are not so liberal of sentiment or disposed to permit even the slightest ovett act against the British gov- ernment, Hundreds of Irishmen have already been incarcerated in cells not more than six fect square, and denied the knowledge of the reasons for their imprisonment, and thousands of the people of Jamaica have been shot and hung without trial. The doctrines which they approved in the manifestoes of the Confederates are not to be tolerated in the Irish or any other people de- pendent on the British crown; but measures “short, sharp and decisive” are at once adopted. The people of Ireland have for centuries groaned under the English yoke, and whether their wrongs bave been real or pretended is bf no consequence if they have « desire for na- tionality or independence, if we take the argu- menta of the Byj\igh press for our guide. And yet the people who have for so long a period shown 8 desire and a deterylnation to ke whenever they could succeed ik” Me nee and ve giready in several instances taken up ai for_that object, ig now not only ignored, resented and denonnoed, but are to be put down by the favorite old British in- stroment, the gallows, or by force of arms. Qousiaiquoy may ve a jorrel, ams iis apt qne in fashion in England. If it was ight in the moagures of the President. It is @ pity they South to rebel, it is far more so on the part of} cannot be sent back to their constituencies to the Irish. The former had really nothing to complain of; the government for sixty years had been in their hands; all the great offices of the nation were theirs, they shaped its policy, their cherished institution of slavery was in fact upheld by the concession of the constitu- tion; but the Irish have long been in a state of absolute subjection, of degrading political servitude, and by the oppressive policy of the British government have been forced to emi- grate by millions to escape the manacles im- posed upon them since they were dragged into the union with England by fraud and bribery. No allowance has been made, how- ever, for their natural indisposition to remain under such a system. No sympathy is be- stowed on the men who feel this injustice and desire to get rid of it, When the Irish ask for independence they are hunted down, tried, convicted and sent to the gallows. All their new born admiration for men fighting against odds disappears at once, and blood is the cur- rent which flows quickest at their command, and not s tear for those who fall jn the struggle to be free. For rebel heroism the South the flood gates of pity, sympathy and sorrow were opened, but when the Irish fall they are welcomed to their graves. There is not a nation in the world which resents insurrection or rebellion so promptly and cruelly as Great Britain. The most illus- trious Scotch and English men have been be- headed for exercising the right of resistance. The scaffold has been crimsoned with their blood, and even where resistance has been made by the most ignorant or the most wronged the punishment has been heightened by the most barbarous mortal inflictions. We can now commend the chalice they offered us to their own lips. Let them taste, and tell us how they like if, Our information from Ireland is that the Fenian Brotherhood are not unprepared for the first reverses of discovery, and are by no means daunted by the preliminary arresis. A ship load of shells from neutral France on its way to Ireland has been intercepted at Liverpool, and some thousands of pounds sterling from the United States; yet we are told the move- ment is by no means quelled. If « general rising takes place England may yot be shaken to its centre, and as soon as a nationality is set up with any appearance of strength we may see consequences which few as yet discern. Certainly, if the proclaiming of this nationality be attended by the sallying forth from neutral ports to seize the Cunard and other English steamers, as we are told is likely to be attempted, we shall then be enlightened by whole columns of urguments, whole volumes of international law, showing what now are the real obligations of honest neutrals. But the truth is if the press of the Union, the shipyards of the Union, the merchanis of the Union should do a hundredth part for Ireland that was done in England for the Southern rebels, nothing could prevent an uprising, with @ basis to rest upon, which would shake that country to its centre. We would have only to tread in the footsteps of British sympathizers, to fill Ireland with arms and munitions of war, and to meet the first declaration of independ- ence with a proclamation of neutrality, to practically give nationality, hope ‘and success to the Irish csuse. Is the Present Congross a Traly Repre- sentative Onet Most of the members of the present Con- gress were elected before the war was closed, and under a very different state of circum- stances from those which now exists. They were for the most part candidates of the contractors and others interesied in the war. They were chosen to represent the great in- terests created by the war and the aggressive spirit of the war. Since the time of their elec- tion a wonderful change has taken place. The war has been closed up #0 completely that were it not for the débris of that stupendous conflict we should hardly reglize there has been one go recently. There is not the breath, semblance or possibility of hostility any more over this broad land. The aword is turned into the ploughshare. The conquerors and the conquered alike have rapidly fallen back to the peaceful pursuits of life. The desire everywhere, and on both sides, is to obliterate all bitter remembrance of the struggle os soon and as far as possible—to restore harmony, equality, and the beneficent action of our re- publican institutions throughout the whole comtry at the earliest period. This, too, the people are happily realizing under the wise administration of President Johnson. Even the most ultra radicals, those who pursue the fallen Southerners with retributive vengeance, admit that we bave no fear of future sectional hostilities; that we have, in fact, established a solid peace. The very magnitude of the war, and the herculean efforts put forth to sustain it, are guarantees, now that {t is closed, that no attempt can be made hereafter to renew it, The progress toward restoration and harmony has been as astonishing as the conflict was desperate. The revolution both in affairs and in public sentiment has been very surprising since most of the members of the present Con- gress were elected. It can hardly be expected that these mem- bers should represent the sentiment of the country under the changed circumstances. If they were statesmen, men of comprehensive views, who could understand the present and penetrate the future, whose minds and patriot- ism could rise above the passions of the war and party politics, we might have some hope of them. Unfortunately they are not such. Or- dinary men, they come from their country vil- lages to the seat of government with all the passions, prejudices and narrow views of local politicians, They are full of the ideas and feelings of the war after it is over and fast be- coming a matter of history. Events with mighty strides rush on like railroad cars, and leave them gazing in wonderment behind. They are bewildered, and flounder about in un- certainty, first one way and then another, not knowing righily where they are, The proceed- ings tn Congross during the few days they were assembled show the state they are in, and their inability to adapt their viows to the prosent order of things. In reality they are no longer true representatives. They do not represent existing sentiment of the country. The sateen sos hs asherg integgato in the war, contracwis auu ov... ; whom they more partioulariy Sopreatuled pe the time of their election, are disappointed with the prospect of permanent peace, ond they spur them on to agitation when there is no longer any cause for it, This is really the aceret of the opposition ip Congrene to the harmgnizing find out the change that has taken place. A year or 80, however, is not lang in the life of a nation, and the time will soon come round when they will be taught an impressive lesson. In the meantime we do not despair of the progress of the country; for President Johnson has the wisdom, power and firmness to carry us safely through, in spite of the unrepresenta- tive Congress with which he may have to con- tend. New American Steamship Lines—Unai- versality of the Herald as an Advertis- ing Medium. We have repeatedly bad occasion to refer to the unexampled increase in the steam mercan- tile marine of the United States since the close of the war. This inorease goes on from month to month and from week to week; for evidence of which it is only necessary to scan the adver- tising columns of the HeraLp. Some years ago the shipping advertisements of our merchants were confined to certain blanket sheets printed in Wall street. One paper made a speoialty of publishing shipping advertisements, :another made financial matters a feature, andanother published long and heavy columns of merchan- dise held for wholesale, auction sales, &c. But as the age of steam advanced, and our sailing packets, fast and commodious as they were, surrendered their places on the highways of the ocean to steamships, the intelligence of our merchants kept pace with the progress of the age, and, instead of confining their advertise- ments to the lumbering sheets with but two or three thousand daily circulation, they seonrod places in the columns of the HeraLy—with its hundreds of thousands of readers-—through which they could talk to the community about their steamship lines, their merchandise, their auction and real estate sales, and about all other matters which they desired to bring to the attention of the public. The universality of the HeraLp as a newspaper and advertising medium soon became apparent, and it was only the slowest among the old fogies who adhered alone to the big and stupid folios as the chan- nels of their communications with the people. Hence the amazing growth and popularity of the Hrrarp as an advertising medium, not only among the mercantile community, but among every other class that has business to transact or wants to supply in any department of pub- lic or domestic life. It follows, as a matter of course, that the Hzraxp is as much a necessity with our citizens every morning, from the amount and unlimited variety of its advertising columns, as it is from its high character as the most enterprising journal for news printed on this continent. TLe rapid rise and satisfactory progress of American steamship lines within a brief period is gratifying to every one who takes a pride in | the advancement of Américan commerce. ‘The magnitude of this. branch of commerce can be estimated by referring daily to our advertising columns, . Lines to all the Southern ports have sprang into existence as if by magic. Some of the finest ocean steamers ever built now sail uhder the American flag to distant ports. The principal lines to the ports in Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Loui- aiana ‘will bear close scrutiny, whether exam- ined to ascertain their seagoing qualities, the safety and comfort of passengers, the security of freight, the seamanship of the officers, or in any other respeot that assists in making up first class steamers, It is true a number of steamers that would not bear rigid oxamina- tion were early put upon some of the lines, but they have gradually given way to a bottor class of vessels, and now our Southern ficet of packet steamers may be pronounced equal to any we ever before had upon the different lines. The lines to Havana, and also to Texas, are in good hands—the first being regarded almost in the light of a ferry, so regular is the transit between New York and Cuba, The lines to California via Aspinwall have been im- proved lately by the addition of auch superb and fleet steamships as the Henry Chauncey. Further south we have an excellent !ine to Rio Janeiro, “stopping at intermediaté ports,” auch as St. Thomas, Para, Pernambuco, Bahia, &., with those fine seagoing steamers the North America, the Havana and tho South America, under the command of officers who know almost every inch of the ocean on the ronte. A new steam line is also under way to run between New York and the ports on the Medi- terranean, making Genoa the principal port on the other side. This line has been already guaranteed a subsidy, amounting, we believe, tosome six hundred thousand francs, by tho Italian government; and, from the practical men who have the enterprise in hand, there can be no doubt about its early and triumphant success. This route will be of value not only in a commercial point of view, but also as affording facilities for passenger travel to that delightful portion of the world, the Mediterra- nean—a locality too litile visited by American travellers. It is strange that there is but one American steam line direct from this country to Europe. One was started in Baltimore some time ago, but, we believe, has not proved very successful. The only American line is that of the New York and Havre Steamship Company, consist- ing of the Arago and Fulton—both good and substantial seagoing vessels. What we want is a first class line of American propellers, equal to any the Cunards have introduced in their ocean steam lines. The heavy exponse attend- tng the running of & line like that which was established by Mr. Collins will be obviated if the economical system adopted by the Messrs. Cunard be introduced into a new American line. It was predicted some years ago that propellers would supersede the old side- wheel steamers in ocean travel, and they are fast taking their places in tho foreign steam lines already established. It would be hardly necessary to require a subsidy from the government to sustain a line of propellers; or if it did—and there would be no harm if Congress should take a step in that direction— it is not likely to encounter the opposition the Collins line did some timo ago from certain parties in Congress, There are now altogether some half dozen lines of British and French steamers between this country and Durope. They monopolize the carrying trade, mails, pas- sengers, specie, &e., and Americans have'to suffer the humiliation of sceing their govern- ment despatches, all their commercial and do- jc letiers, and everything olse that has to pads in Stalin Hotwecn the New i: the Old Worlds, committed to forelgn hana’, We want @ now American line of screw steamers ni w York and Liverpool; and we ehall tifed in seeing the nuaoungement ip (he NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1865, ‘advertising “ ghipping columns, Herarp in a short time that such a line has been established. r The Porte end the Vackufs. There is no land too remote to interest the people of America either prospectively or sympathetically, and every incident, political or local, in the living history of nations has @ reflex bearing upon us. We looked on with great sympathy when the European Powers were embroiled in the Crimean war, and now again the internal interests of Turkey are the subject of contemplation. The progress: of reform in Turkey, especially the recent effort for the secularization of the vackuf, or mosque property, has become the subject of the wiseacres of the American press, who, some of them, declare that no such measure can be effected without the downfall of Mohamme- danism, while others threaten nothing but revolution and blood as the result of such an ianovation upon the old Mussulman régime. The surmises of these Christian writers are too one-sided to elucidate this subject; for, after all, editorial omniscience is but human, and is the result of the enterprise and the liberal and extended knowledge of a corps of such men ag few journals but the possess. At the time of the Syrian massacres we gave an interior view of the sources and development of that dreadful event, to the surprise of our own and our European readers; and now we will expose the penetratia of the institutions of the mosques, Every form of religion is maintained by the clergy apper- taining thereto, who are supported in various ways. The Mussulman theologians—for they have no regular priesthood—live by the charity of the true believers, The funds realized from almsgiving have been immense—for charity is one of the five cardinal points of Mohammedan- ism, which exacts at least a tithe ofevery man’s possessions, These donations, together with numerous endowments, have long been accu- mulating, and now conasiltute an immense mosque property, termed vackuf, and princi- pally invested in real estate, The income of this funded property has till very recently been under the control of the clergy, the Ulemas, or the learned in the law. It is sup- posed by tho&e who have been endeavoring to enlighten our American public on this subject that any attempt on the part of the Ottoman government to interfere with the administra- fion of this immense income of the mosques would be sacrilegious and beyond the power of the Sultan, and that the opposition of the Ulomas would create revolution. It is stated that the Sultan is under the written law, the Koran, as much so ag are his subjects, and that he cannot add thereunto, or take one jot or tittle therefrom. But. the Buitan rules by - Divine right; he js the embodiment of Church and State. He ‘not only proclaims “Z’tat c'est moi,” but also,“Iam the Charch'by virtue of my Kbalifat.” F ‘True, there is a Shoikh-ul-Islam, or expounder of the faith ; but he only .cepresenis the Sultan in the Church, as the Grand Vizier does in the State. If the Sheikh-al-Islam misinterprets the law the supreme arbiter is the Sultan, who can depose Lim at wfil. Nor can any combination of Ulemaa arrest.the flatetthe Sultan, for they in turn need to be sustained by popular sentiment. Though the Janissaries were true believers, and it was not lawful to lift the hand against a brother, yet the Sultan justified and dared to consummate their destruction, because they transgressed the Koran by disloyalty. Fatalism prohibited any murmurs or efforts to avert the decrees of Allah; yet when policy and inte- rest rendered eommercial and friendly relations with Europe highly desirable, self-preservation became lawful, as only the exercise of the Traddel-ee-juzeeych, or lesser will, and a sani- tary policy justified the establishment of quar- antine. The truth is that even before and since the Crimean war the Turks have been con- vinced that what they have to maintain is their’ political and not their religious nationality; and the Koran will never belie national unity and existence. ‘The vacknf estates and incomes have been subjected, like atl else in Turkey, to theft and misapprepriation. Not long ago the govern- ment established @ Burean of Vackufs, to pre- side over the administration’ of the moaqnes, formerly each mosque having exercised an iso- lated control of ffs own resources. Of course this official cognizance of the disbursements Interfored with the private schemes of the Lof- tas and Ulemas; although, as usual, the bene- ficiaries weren very small minority, for a tallow candle, a loaf of bread, a plate of rice and a lodging in the Imaret, or almshouse, constituted the swmmum bonum of worldly comfort of by far the greater number. Hitherto, besides the support of the clergy, the ostensible use of this mosque income has been the establishment of institutions of charity, such a3 hospitals, almshonses, baths, fountains, khans, &c.; such being the real intent of charity according tp the Koran and other re- ligions. {asmuch as the Sultan is himself the lawful Trustee of the Commonwealth of all Tslam—the Beit-u-mal-u-mesiumin—he has the right to ase the public wealth for the general good. The question is, can the Sultan use the charity fund of the nation for the nation’s need? Or shall true patriotism, which would nonrish, sustain, elevate and resuscitate a dying empire, be sacrificed on the altar of priestcraft and superstitious ignorance even of the nation’s own religion? The Ulemas themselves know that they weit around the dying couch of “the sick man;” and that if they let him die they will all be entombed with him, while their hoarded treasures become the prey of the ever hated but now dreaded Gisours, Crams Aoawsr Great Brrrary.—We pub- lishod yesterday the memorial of Mr. George B. Upton, a bighly respectable merchant of Boston, claiming from the British government the sum of eighty thousand dollars for the de- struction of bis ship, the Nora, by the pirate Semmes, The case, it appears, had been laid before the British goverament by our Minister in England, and the claim repudiated. Mr, Upton therefore appeals to our government to support bim in his claim, as he, as a private citizen, has no other means of redress, The. memorini contains all the particulars of the capture and destruction of the vessel, and has been appropriately referred to a committee of the House, We hope more memorials and pe- titions of. the same character will be laid be- fore Congroas, They will serve to strengthen vernment in its controversy with Bng- tion for property dgsixoyed by cebol cruisers. in restoring the Southern States. While they are wrangling over the preliminary steps for treating those States a8 conquered territories he is placing the State governments, one by one, under the control of the people of each by recognizing the officials elected by the qualified voters. He has withdrawn the Provisional Governors from five of pe eleven States engaged in the rebellioa, and so far a8 those States are concerned,‘ # least, has checkmated the radicals, and effect ually shut the door against the adoption o their territorial and confiscation schemes. An- drew Johnson, like Andrew Jackson, has thur shown thathe has the courage and is ready te take the responsibility, whenever necessary, o! doing what he considers right. 4 Representation in Congress. In 1790 the ratio of representation was one represen. tative to every thirty-three thousand of representative population. Now it is one representative for every hundred and twenty-seven thousand. On the 234 May, 1860, the principle was established, for the : time, of limiting the number of representatives, and thus relieving Congress of the nécessity of fixing, every: ten years, the number of which the House should gen: sist. This law established the number of representa, tives at two hundred and thirty-three, who were to epportioned among the several States respectively dividing the number of the free population of tho States by the number two hundred and thirty-three, and the) quotient of this division wasto be the ratio of represen. tation. In the slave States three-fifths of the slaves. wore added to tho white olass to preserve the balance of power. The law of May, 1850, was changed after the apportionment by another law passed March 4, 186% This increased the number of representatives to two hundred and forty-one, several of the States gaining one, by the change. Wo appond a tabular statement show. ing the present representation from each Stato, together ‘with the free and slave population, in 1860:— ‘States. Free. Representatives. * +6 526,431 314,380 1,047,411 T7A,710 poet ‘Total... 26,708,157 ‘Tho free opi of the States in 1880 416,562; making a total of 81,149,805 inhabitants, ‘The States which have gained tn their ropresentation’ are:—Arkansas, 1; California, 1; Illinois, 5; Iowa, 4; © Louisiana, 1; Michigan, 2; Missourl, 2; Texas, 2; and Wisconsin, 3. Weatward tho course of empire takes ita way,” ag” will be seen by this representative increase in that |! direction. | It will be noticed that New Hampshire, with a white ' population of 325,000, has but three represontatives, while Louisiana, with a white population of 357,000, has © five. Other freo and former slave States show in about * the same relative proportion, owing to the rule of count- * ing thros-fifths of the slaves as persons, and the other two-t as cattle—one of the sharp practices of the © Southerners which the Yankees had, not put a stop to © yet. 4 Indeed, the law, as « part ofthe United States constita- tion, is atill in force, aud cannot be repealed except im © the usual manner of amending the constitution, familiar to every intelligent school boy: ’ Mississippi and South Carolina are the only two of the ' States, as will be seen by the table, im which the clave | population exceeded the white. Mississipp! cop § five members in the House of Representatives, - © cally speaking, while California, with seven thousand * four hundred and Afty-two more whites than Mississippi, © has only three Representatives, In truth, this whole subject of apportionment needs re- ° vision and amendment, and will doubtless receive it when Congress fairly settles down to work, and disposes of some other matters of immediate and pressing im- portance. ‘The, just and proper plan would be to base the num- ber of Representatives in the House upon the actuad number of voters in each State, as has been recently proposed in some quarters. Justice would thus be dofiw to all sections; for voters alone are entitled to representa- tion. i — 4 City Intelligenee. At vor tHe Patniors or Taz War.—Now that the war is over it is due to the soldiers and sailors who have again returned to the pursuits of peace to recoive the , 4ympathy, support and patronage of our fellow citizens in all branches of trade and mechanics from which they | were drawn to mect the demands of the government | for troops. It 13 painful to learn, however, that this is, | not always the case; that jtizens wi have employment and tions to discharged soldiers and sailors. stances where men jomed the ‘on condition with | their employers that they should be reinstated in thet , former situations; should they ever return, the agree. | ments have been violated. view of this state of things, and the want of action on the part of those interested, it is pleasant to observe that a tangible an@ |. prospectively successful movement 1: foot to calla public meeting, at some day and place not yt agreed upon, when measures will be taken and an organization perfected to do Justice to the brave men of both branches of the service, who perilled life and limb to uphold the honor of the country during the late rebellion. A cir- cular which is now receiving hay mop for the call of # public meeting in tho Heratp yesterday. The call has already received the autograph signatures of mang of the officers of the army and navy, and more will soon be . Tt is certainly a movement im the right di jon. Covorxp Hat Tarer.—On Thursday evening of last wook a colored man made his appearance at the house of i Mr. James F. Morgan, in Twenty-first street, and having ascertained that the genleman was absent, asked the — servant who had answered his ring to take a sealed em yelope which he brought to Mrs. mn. The girl, not liking his countenance, asked Mr. Morgan’s brothor to / keep watch of him ing her absence with the letter. Her request was too late, When she returned to the the man had departed, carrying with him a valu overcoat which hung upon the rack. It would be well for people generally 40 beware of the habit of leaving unknown messengers alone in their residences. Duan or Dr Wartse.—Dr. Christopher Weltje, for many years past connected with the Coroner's | office, died suddenly at the New York Hospital © on Sunday evenit of convulsions, Dr. Weltje na beeccaig 9 te Rosplal for temporsrytrementy 1 mporary war taken 80 mich W it was impoenible for biuit to return to his boarding house. Dr. Weltje was an omi- nent surgeon and an excellent physicia forty-five years of age and a native of England, Friends havo charge of his remains for interment. Deatn yrom Scatva—Mortimer B, Austin, ® child fourteen months old, whose parents roside at 9 Pitt | street, died yesterday morning from the effects of scald= received by the upeotting of @ pall of boiling water upon | him. Coroner Gambie was notided to hold an inquestom =) | the body. News from Fortress Monroe. Forrrnss Monnox, Dec. 23, 1805. ‘The main portion of the old frigate Merrimac, with her propeller, weighing ten tons, and thirty tone of odm- position, has been raised by D. A. Underdown &Co, and taken to Portsmouth Navy Yard. Brigadier General Hardenberg, formerly Colonel of the ‘Twenticth New York, is commanding the district of Norfolk during the absence of General Torbet, Captain \ Hoysrnde, of the ec mae has been ap. 4 Provost a j | poe ilot vost Mervinetble, from Cape Bev. repre ly tho following vessels paseed out yesterday from Baltix | more: San Francisco; bark Clifton, Rie Fansite; ship Marco Polo, Bremen; ‘ship Minerva, ‘Rote tordam; Ada, Cork; brig Tangiers, for Charleston’ At. rived here, ship Washington, from Callao, with guane, wailing order’