The New York Herald Newspaper, December 11, 1866, Page 10

es — i SKATING. tase oa of the Season—The Lecation— Preparations fer the Sport, dic. Late on Sunday afternoon the mercury in the thermo- meters about town commenced falling, When the good folks of Gotham awoke on Monday morning, they bad ‘the ratie’action—the youthful members of the commun- to detect a coating of ice upon the minia- ture ponds extending occasionally trom curbstone to ity, at loast arbstone. The mild and balmy temperature of autum- na} days had vanishod, and the chill presence of JackFrost was made the more perceptible by the sudden donningof heavy overcoats and thick comforters, and the substitu- Lon of woollen gloves for the fashionable gants de Suede 80 generally worn throughout the summer. That winter, with ow and bail storms, with its icy winds and Jeafiess, skeleton trees, is at hand, at last, none will venture to deny; and the weather-wise bave every rea won to opine that forty-eight hours have already gone by since # last opportunity was afforded us to bid the an- val au revoir to the departing fall. From yesterday tbe price of garments adapted to the coming season has yisen quite as rapidly as the liquid in the thermometer has fallen, and, if the cold increases, Heaven only Kno t what fabulous rates wearing apparel may be quoted ere the return of the first swallow foretells the spproach of spring. WINTER LIFB, however, despite of snow and bail, and chilling blasts, ie Rot entirely devoid of charm, In the days of our forefathers, sleighing and snowballing furnished enjoy; ment forthe old and for the young. Now, their de- weendants have retained all the sports indulged in by their ancestors, adding thereunto skating, which ts fast Decominy a uational amusement, if indeed. the almost genera! assumption of skates by the lads and lassses in the United States has not’ already identified it with the yet unrecorded Sports of America, The reason for this sudden adoption of the amusement is obvious, Sleigh- ing is at present a luxury in which but few can afford to indulge. It is almost as expensive now-a-days to bire a team and vebicle as it was to purchase a nag and sleigh yp the olden time. None but the wealthy can secure even the temporary possession of those boudoirs on run- ners, of those velvet lined and fur-topped vests, of those swift-footed steeds, whose combination forms a fashion- able equipage, None but the fortunate can flit onward over an unsullied expanse of purest snow, while silver bells, inkling about the horses’ necks, herald their ap- proach. But who so poor but can procurea pair of akates, and seek healthful diversion on the great pond reserved for the masses in the Park? And who, with @ushed cheeks and sparkling eyes, after »n hour's oxer- Give on the ice, but will look upon the aristocrats of the ‘hour, gliding past in their sleighs, and nonchalantly re- elining under a burden of costly robes, with feelings of pity for the poor fever whose limbs become half ralyzed by the inactivity and tndolence of their owners? Fhove who will attend the monster skating reunions of the Park, the fashionable but pale faced and feebie dam- sels, whose first essays will be made to the duicet strains tesuing from the pavillion of the Fifth avenue rink, and the quiet inhabitants of the City of Churches who will people the ponds of Brooklvn, and make the clear at- ‘mosphere ring with their glad shouts, have no cause to mourn the lack of sleighs or carriages, but can drink Ip deep draughts of health and happiness as they glide over the ice, and lend the prestige of their presence to each and every public demonstration of the skating community. PREPARATIONS FOR THR SEASON ‘have long been in progress, The windows of the bard- ‘ware dealers have for some time harbored cargoes of skates, and the peculiarly inventive genius of the ‘Yankee has asserted itself in a hundred different in- stances. Skates of every conceivable pattern, from the simple polished blade supporting a piece of rough white Pine, to the rosewood platform, resting upon a silver mgnnted runner, and enclosed the small end gilded fac simile of a swan’s wil bave been on exhibition everywhere during "the past few weeks, together with patent straps, invaluable gcrewe, priceless vices and contrivances unnumbered. ‘This graudioze display of articles which are deemed in- ible to every skater, has possibly quickened the val of the season ; but in any event its effect has been to enable the members of the community to prepare for Mteadvent, Hence it can safely be inferred, ‘hat if skat- fag be inaugurated this very day there will be no lack of skaters; nor will the proprietors and an ir be in the least taken aback. With the fi becocblega that eee = is not to suppressed after all, 1080 uniarily inter- in the brilliancy of the rkatiog period have not dolayed making preparations, and are now only waiting the finishing touches which Jack Frost is pnt- ing upon the surface of their lakes, What the fashion- able and Places of resort will be during the winter may be seen by the subjoined sketches :— CRNTRAT. PARK, ‘within whose precincts are located our democratic ponds. fd excellence, encloses three lakes. The pond at the wer extremity of the Park, the rink more centrall situated, and the Hariem Lake, in the vicinity of Toth streot, will be thrown open to the public as soon as their rippling bosoms will be coated with a goodly crust of ice, The buildings which in past weccore have been erected near each of the ponds are ‘siuftkt completed, and the pomp pryeoey therein made for the comfort of the visitors are of a most satisfactory nature, For some years past ‘the lighting of the lakes with gas has been in contempla- ion, but for reasons unknown the Commissioners haye omy illuminating the Park by means of Drummond lights, whose rays shed brilliancy on certain portions of the rinks, while others remained overhung by Cimmerian darkness. This season the difficulties have been obvi- fated, and steps are now being taken to accomplish the desired object. As soon as the skating seacon is fairly Anaugurated, a large force of workmen w'll be employed ‘to clear the ponds and keep them in good condition. Winter's frequent storms will not interfere with the pleasures of the sieel-shod fraternity, and the ever- renewed Rec gers J of snow will be removed as soon as @atore shall have hidden beneath its depth the glassy of rm ‘80 surface of the ice. Astothe rules and reguiations by which skaters are to be governed, little need here be gaid. A reminder embracing four paragraphs will suffice, most important suggestions reading :— A bail witl be hoisted on the flagstaffof the old Arsenal whenever the ico is in condition for skati he the flagstaff at the at the pond, at # point near the south fe, and at the cottage at Harlem Lake, wi Persons can go upon the ice with safety, or skate without seriously injuring it, No one can remain upon the ice with safety, or with to the general interest in maintaining it in order for skating, when the national flag Ix not ing from the 3 | A fed flag hoisted on the flagsta indicates that it is # tO go upon the ice. It will not be displayed ‘unless there be an absolute uecessity that the ice should OATMAN'® FIPTH AVENUS SKATING MINK ear, as in bygone days, be the rendezvous of . Major Oatman’s rink is the |. Located at the coruer of wf this the ak Mad! we and Fifty-ninth street, with spacious doot ingress and egress on Sixth avenue, and ndtjo! the railroad depot, it forms just such a vale pbut ont from Alpine winds as Claude Mi woned lan, ye described to his lady love. @ions are about three hundred by two hundred feet; its ‘uniform depth is eighteen inches. Forming nearly « equare, a covered lery, raised thirty-five feet above ‘the surface of the rink, affords accommodation for five thousand spectators, who cau look down upon the skaters, much as the audiences of the Coliseum once at down upon the gladiators in the Roman arena. o hundred gas burners are aifixed to the gallery, and will shed sunlight brightness upon the scene. Om the western side of this gallery will be ® saloon, two hundred feet in len; erein the patrons of the rink will find all things inviting in ‘the shape of edibles Ketiring rooms for the use of the fadies have also been provided, and the fair ones who may for the first time don the skates, under the tuition of the art, whose services secured by the Major, will find overy ince doles far miente needed after an hour's grow lofty on ico shall have crimsoned their cheeks dainty limbs. Descending from this ily circle, a narrow platform, specially reserved for use of incloses the area of the rink, the ipants in the sport being sheltered from wind and drifting snow by the high wails of rock and the fences and gal above, which effectually shut out Bolus and Ae ery crew. As to the programme of the sea- litle can be foreshadowed. A band of music will be constantly in attendance, and the personal super. wision of Major Oatman, combined with the presence of the members of the New York Skating (lod, who have lished their headquarters withia the limits of the fth Avenue Rink, will inaure the porfection of all artangéments. Skating matches and carnivals will be during the reas fashion- fiero also Wil g of the season, ap flock to the Fifth Avenue Skating , Feoalling the excetience of the Major's manage- ment, will remember the proprietor in thelr nightly orieone, THR FIFTH AYENTE POND, ted on the southwest corner of Fifth avenue and y-Dinth street, was known last year under the titie the Excelsior Skating Pond. Jako is now in crge of Mesera, Meailien and Mitchell 180 ‘Cina month hence every arrangement will bo per- tod te change oe es Into a desirable resort for the ‘ing fraternity. hen the Fifth Avenue Pond qill horonghly laid out as proposed it will offer to ite juepters: [— of seventy thousand square foot of T etpootl feveral neat structures being erected 0 corstortable housing of the guests, The pond bo iHuminated with ealciam lights, and concerts will Risen ot intervals, to rival, in good effect, those h tp in our popular music halla, CAPITOLINE TOND OF BROORLYS be opened under the efficient management of are Weed & Decker, All the Brook: ‘tous lake, whose © ontion of this most morphoris from a base Dall ground into « akating rin! requires bat a few hours for consummation, For the f such New Yorkers as may desire to visit the % it will be well to stata, however, that & nue cars, taken at Fulton at ditest to uw . , waranee of the Take i" A7 to rn the patrons, artic! have given of the vistiorwhare: however bee cobtaine retiring out upon the pond, bad been handsomely such spectators as may witnessing feats of skating, while re eatin oe of the a a a ee An embankment i stand- ing room to the lookers ‘Teeerved with the swiftness and noiselessness oF to out mus ¢ wil be in dally attendance et the Capltoline Fond, mus c wi jeer, Weed rocky are to numeroos to requ! that the @. The Union ‘poacde erected jake UM has zon liberally patronized, ? ieee enjoy popular favor under the supervision oat rennin tes fay a e and cap hpi the second very excellent lake on the pos: seasion of which the. skating residents of Williamsburg can boast. The ground, now flooded in anticipation of a continuance of cold weather, is used in will admit that this is not saying little. THE FASHIONS, OUR SPECIAL FASHIONS CORRESPONDENCE. A _Meteoric Sweep and the Sweep of Court ‘Theatricals at Complegne—Court perial Etiquette and Roy: Juvenile Ball By an American Lady. Pants, Nov, 23, 1866, Fashion has been very erudite this week; she has been studying astronomy and learning some very hard names in all the European newspapers. On the day the Em- press left St. Cloud for Compidgne great signs were seen in the heavens—nothing less than a flight of aerolites, which startling phenomenon gave rise to what I am sure must be some very fine writing, and even the authors themselves united in calling aggregation of atoms an in explicable mystery. Meteors and court ladies are closely connected by a long sweep of trains which I will follow to. the Imperial Theatre at Compiégne where Scribe’s Verre d’ Bau was this week played. On these occasions etiquette is somewhat strictly observed, and the following are a few of the re- gulations. All guests and honorary members of the household assemble in boxes of the tasteful theatre at the Chateau some time before the Emperor, Empress and suite make thelr a) ce, Conversation is car- ried on in a low voice stall to stall and the house looks much like a drawing room in which the éhite of France and the élite of shoulders literally glitter under the lite of jewels and diamonds. There is a slight hush when the Princes of the family and other distin- guished nobles appear in the Ei "a box. ‘They wear blue coats, gilt buttons, short leggings, silk stoc! s and buckled shoes, When they are seated a great silence ensues which is not broken until an offielal announces |'Empereur! The Emperor then appears in a blue coat and gilt but- tons, he alone wears the order of the Légion d’Honneur om sautir wader his waistcoat. He gives his arm to the Empress who smiles as if she meant to enjoy every one's pleasure and her own in the bargain. When they are ane the curtain is drawn up and the performance ns. must not forget to say that two very grand lords of the ~~ lag to carl pone the Emperor hee pross from the beginning e eni 0 end, when, [ dare say, they wish it were in the power of great lords to change legs. ” The audience never applawas before the Emperor has given the signal. Betws ‘the acta the Empress retires to a small draw while ices, sherbets and re- freshmen|sane jed round in all the boxes, &c, ‘At we end of the play a chamberlain is usually sent + Emperor to congratulate actors and thank them for the pleasure afforded. On especial occasions they are invited up to the imperial box, which bap- ned on the night of the Verre d’Kau, Madeleine Bro- was particularly distinguished ana highly compli- mented. ‘On this evening the Empresa wore a white Lyons silk with brocade flowers. A black velvet ribbon studd with ‘diamonds encircled her neck, and her bair was drenced a U’ Empire, Another dress I must describe, It was a maize silk under train, covered with double tulle skirts, at the bot- tom of which a plisse flounce of the same tulle. On the right side fell a shower of sbaded pink roses in perfect straggling branches, and over the whole a white tulle tunic, dotted over with gold rain. The effect of this toilet was dazzling. It looked as if it had been caught from the clouds, while a passing spirit. who had bastily cut the flowers from a bush, flumg them at random among the atry folds. ‘The headdresses were principally composed of a dia- dom of satin leaves, with gold fibres; gold filigree leaves were also mixed with autumnal tinted foliage. Tho oak and the vine are the favorite shaped leaves. White pearls are beautifully strung, and are worn with a small white ostrich feather on the left side. These strings are in all colors; some are bronzed, others look Tike steel, are wound from the chienon round the neck ia double rows and form other graceful loops all over nes Ive besides, Leaves are also mixed in these long chap! The very newest shades for court robes are the pista- chio green and the deep China pink. These colors are lovely of an evening, the former in silk reps ivoks like one sheet of glittering ocean when the sun shines upon it, reflecting the foam or sea-green. Not one of our court ladies has yet worn one of these robes, for the shades have but just cor have been ordered both for next weok Comptegne and for foreign courts. If from these marvellous evening novelti demi-toilette department we find silk skirts and corsiet bodies over low white chemisettes. Afternoon dresses are velveteens and ins, both bordered with silk cord, whether round kes, points or fostoons. One point thore is which J must insist on, and that is that the best dressmakers are beginning fe introduce gathers on skirts behind the waistbands their robes, while the front and siden remain perfectly plain. This is done with @ view to leave room for (« which T ret cated iu my last. This must not be blindly followed, as there are many who insist on ‘wide flat plaits behind, and a4 many again who abolish them entirely, but I vote tor the gathers, having compared the effect of the three styles at the iast Compitgne féte, and I bambtly declare that a train robe does not look well without the ad- ditional fournure—the Princess cut excepted, of course. It would be most unjust to d ha fashion courter to New York without mentioning a juvenile ball given by Mra. Colonel Norton in honor of her little dau, " birthday. The prettiest sight will ever be that of =] concourse of beautiful children assembled for no purpose than that of enjoying to their hearts’ fill, Sher themselves, and doing so forming graceful groups or dancing in winter nepstrains of excellent music, as they did this week at the Grand Hotel. The hall was bri!’ ly iuminated for the very créme of American children. The least of this gronne generation, but still the first on this occasion, was the little hostess, three years! She wore a fairy-like costume, all blue silk, under a lit- tle, very little cloud of white tulle, caught up with diminutive elder berries, relieved by miniature roses, She received her cuesta with a perfect knowledge of her new dignities, but sometimes forgot the importance of her station by soddealy taking off her gariand or by running to help up a young dancer who had slipped on the highly polished floor. Among the bafpy host I noticed Mise Amy Raymond, Miss Daisy Derby, Mise Christmas aod Miss Bancroft (who wore the handsomest dress). There wore many noble foreigners present, but to Dame them or describe the demi-toilettes of the presid- ing mammas would be throwing the children in the shade, and for them alone did the American flag foat from the first floor windows of the Grand Hotel. poteieenaeeasienar neato THE SINGULAR POISONING AFFAIR IN CONNECTICUT The family of Cornelius W, Peck, Of Berlin, Conn,, god 84 years, died Sunday afternoon in terrible agony, and three others are Lie emg! ih There are several theories as to how the poison was ad- ministered, but none of them are satisfactory, and (he aduir 19 wrapped in m: y ‘The Hartford Times of evening says: — ‘The police havo learned q a detail of facts con- nected with the past aTairs and present surroundings of the Peck family at Berlin, who have been poisoned. There are pi and « law euit in which tho Peck family are witnonses. About @ year since Mr, Nelson Taylor, brother. in-law to k, died suddenly; and it ts now thought that he may have been poisoned. His maing'are to be taken the stomach (which would be preserved by arsenic! Taylor was the prin- cipal in a law suit, and also had in ‘his name. 18 chai will lead to remains to be meen. ft will teach got yet named the prints, The family know more tel, and wore Gane they cages (0 tell, at this mage of be * ‘@loarn by members Of the to-day that this fe the servent Fox, was expected the night, but Pintak that if they donot ‘but ‘The son ro The society is still io NORTH CAROLINA, OUR RALEIGH CORRESPONDENCE. Rauriau, Nov, 30, 1866. ‘The peculiar position of North Carolina at this time, its inbarmonious relations with the general government and ite anomalous position in the Union, would seem to demand of its legislators the exercise of great prudence in designating their choice for a representative in the United States Senate, The selection that has been made only confirms what I have already been called upon to record with pain, viz:—the bitter and obstinate antago- nism of the prosent Legislature to the United States. ‘THRE ELRCTION FOR UNITED STATES GENATOR. At the last legislative assembly of the State, two men were chosen to Congress, one a man with rebe? antece- dente, the other with indisputable Union sentiments. The latter in the drawing drew the short term, expiring on the 4th of March next, and the present election was to fill the vacancy then occurring. The Union men prophesied that their opponents would presont the names of Bragg and Clingman for the position, but while they erred as to the me, they have not been mistaken as to the animus which would prompt the choice of'a successor by those hostile to the government, The first ballot in the lower house was without a ma- Jority of any of the candidates presented. Mr. Pool was proposed and his nomination advocated by Mr. Russ, the Union member from this county, The rebel Geno- ral Ransom was’ proposed by the opposition and also landed for bis claims to an election. Mr, Pool was fully recognized as the Union candidate bat was oversianghed. ‘The election in the lower house finally resulted in the choice of W. H. N. Smith, an ex-United States and an ex-rebel Congressman, The Senate was divided between several candidates, so that the election by the law on the subject had to be decided by a joint ballot of both houses, The candidates after a few ballots worc re- duced to Messrs. Manly, Smith and Pool The former ‘was chosen on the fourth ballot. ‘THR UNITED BTATES SENATOR ELECT. The lesson of the election is brief and very evident, In the determined to re-elect Mr, Pool or some such undeniably Union man the has further committed i in hostility to the government, The Sentinel, a sheet which insinuated itself into ex- istence asa religions journal, and at present the organ of the disloyal politicians of North Carolina, made issue against Mr. Pool on the same ground that his admission to the Senate was advocated in that body, vis:—That his record was that of a sound loyal Union mau through- out the entire war; that be could take the test oath but for @ mere technical difficulty, and that he accepted a position in the Legislature of this State with the view of embarrassing the federacy to the extent of his The Preerate which is edited by men who fought in the rebellion, but who, unlike the ticians, have frankly and sincerely accepted the result, advocated the choice of Mr. Pool as one means of restoring the State to ite full functions in the general we Another of the er, . H. N. Smith, was a member of Congress at the breaking out of the rebel- lion, and was the most formidable rival of Mr. Penning- ton, of New Jersoy, for the ition of ker at the time of the famous “dead lock.” At the outset he wrote. to his State advising against secession, but subsequently changed his views, left Congress and joined the confed- eracy. He was not a sufficient ultraint, however, to suit the prosent sentiment of the litical leaders here, theugh on the first day a show of electing him was made with a view of more gradually approaching their representative man, MATTHIAS E. MANLY, who previous to 1460 Was an old line whig, but suddenly Decame a most earnest secessionist. During the rebel- lion he gave utterance to the opinion that as the Confed- erate government was superior to the civil law the habeas corpus should be suspended. He isat the present time an avowed secessionist, susceptible of the charge of old f constituency, after the State ‘and with many would be Hirde address to vention, in speaking he sald:—“Tnis ‘was exceedingly deprecated by me; but it became a pe- ceesity and could not be avoided.”” Again ho is a State rights advocate, of the uncompromising school. With him the State ‘s superior to the nation. In the address above mentioued he said, in ing to the necessity of Staton object fot as, erat far inthe great argu: States:—* as ex in a ment of Stute mghts which it now becomes us to hold with the sense and patriotism of the country. I object to it as a side blow at a principle which ought. to be met fairly and charity if mot atall, and as calculated to de- base the Stute from the condition of sovereignty and dignity which it has ever been supposed to occupy, to the condition of a dependency upon the United States,” Snch is the man North Carolina bas chosen to goto bdemaaps ord there to revive all the old exploded griev- ‘ances of the South, instead of a sound Union man or one at least who has profited by the lessons which the war has taucht, and who 1s ly_ for the new order of things. A really good rebel, who had been in arms during the whole war, and who has honestly decided to abide by the result Tae are many such, by the way), would have been infinitely preferable, The rejection of Mr. Pool proves the relapse of the State into old secession ideas, At the close of the war a Union man, Mr. Pool, was chosen to Congress. A year later an avowed secessionist is selected. A NATURAL MISTAKR. Tho Umonists here sympathize with President John- son in the position which he took as the defender of the Sonthern States against Ca te one radicalism. When the war ceased the political leaders were profuse in their professions of contrition and future . Confiaca- tion and the severe penalties of treason’ were bangin, over thelr heads. m Mr. Holden was Governor he advocated the pardon of the most bitter of there men, Hence the Prosident was deceived. He formed an incorrect idea of the spirit of the South. Few men in the North at the present time comprehend it, The leaders found that confiscation was not enforced, and that the penalties of treason were not i They reared their heads once more, and ing they i the wealth, education and eloquence of the 0) session of th State government, These men are wrapt up in their little power here at home. Devoid of na- tional enthusiasm they are retarding the reconstruction of their State, unless on a basis which will presorve their old and favorite notions as to State sovereignty. CONGREA® THR HOPR OF THR UNIONISTS, ‘The people are anxious for some change that wil! take the State out of this anomalous condition, and the Union- ista carn with longing eyes to the mext Congress as the aource whonce the remedy is to come. Business is pros- trated, money is scarce, the people are yr, the public mind is unsettled, and there is a disgust at the hopeless state of affairs. therefore, is looked forward to for some legislation which will restore con- tentment and prosperity. The Union men only ask that the State government be restored to their control. promise to place the State aright in her attitude to the os government on all issues, even on that of suf. ‘rage for the negro, to whom they ise to do full justice. They hope that Congress remember Presi- dent Johnson's own platform, viz., ‘that if there were but dive thousand Union men in a State should have control of its government.”’ neon was ceived as to the sincerity of the Southern people, indeod, were the masses at the North, He has now an opportunity of recommending his Proposition, and of five thousand he will six times that number of loyal North Carolinians to carry out his plan of notion, In this connection the Herato pian has not only been halled with delight by the Unionista, but it has created & profound sensation in the ranks of the opposition. It had the effect of rallying ‘any shaky Unionists, and has certainly frightened the others, whose prospect of retain- ing office would be but a sorry one were the Heaatp plan adopted. In fact they And themselves just now in @ curious dilemma If ratify the constitutional amondment they ban and drsfranchise they do not, Cougress will int a ernor and dissolve the present islature—such fs thetr apprehension, NEGRO SUFFRAGE. A Vittle ane will Hlustrate ee, oes tion any approach to negro x will be connbatted. ‘Tho law of the State disfranchises all persons publicly whipped for any offence. There have beon an unusually large number of negroos whipped ot late, and boast made not since that the tine Onegrons had fnposed begre el 0 time Congress , ev" Ks im the State would be detrancbeed. How far au a threat is capable of fulfilment be eatimated by a consideration of the fact that out of the four thousand strates of the State, a large majority is pointed from the old slave and secession e| ments. Nor does the Civil bill avail to ent soch an injustice, for the Iaw Is applicable to Pittrene of every color, “Whatever there may be in the boast referred to, it is certain that the ices of the present dominant party are not of a Kind to withhold sentence from the poor negro malefactor if his punish. ment is to secure his disfranchisement. UNION AECRET SOCTRTTES. During the war the Union men im the State organized A secret soviety known as the “Re@ Strings," which had a branch in Washington and embraced many prominent nd officers of the government. The house and fa Union man in the State were known by the arclessly exhibited: or worm, of & red card or The organization wae very useful in aiding Union <, refugees and deserters febel conscription, xistonce, and may prove of great vse to the Sonth, despite the fact that 80 many depre- conte secret political sooteties fa a ie, Not tong since they gave a laughable proof of ir presence ata Lae” Be ee aaa ig forth at great was ned to patiently, butat the conclusion found that bls horse had disappeared, After some search he discovered the ani- mal some distance off tied to a tree, and completely fes- tooned with red strings. His eloquence been lost on that audience. The name of tho organiza. tion is taken from tho incident narrated in the second 4 Zi 33 and the for the en te There Seve, bees, a Ea, vome Judgments were ap Brooks charge to the reve Fury Ws bot iowa on named waters ln coe i WERALD; TORSDAY, DECEMBER i, 18é6—TRIPLE SHEET. I Fi ii i ae a Oates, ~ rt it was to whos wi nr any cent notes ALABAMA. SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE HERALD. Exciting Debate in the Senate the Consti- tach Amendment—The U! Every Hour—Important Amendment to the Stay Law—Extraordinary Legal Decision, &c. Mowtcomery, Ala., Dec. 6, 1866, ‘When Governor Patton’s message recommending the adoption of the constitutional amendment was read in the Senate of this State, Mr. Barwes moved to refer it to the Committee on Federal Relations, Mr. Garretr thought it would be better to refer it to committee of the whole Senate, when they could talk upon the subject like men, He did not know whether his constituents were favorable to the constitutional amendment or not, but he did know that the state of the times was such that some immediate action in regard to the suggestions thrown out by the Governor was demanded. Mr. Drags thonght the constitutional amendment would not save them from the wrath of the government, and that they would be called upon to make other sacrifices, even though they should adopt it. Mr. Faivse, of Montgomery, hoped the matter would be discussed in Committee of the Whole. They all felt Mr. Bar on Federal Relations, that commitvee could learn what reasons the Governor had for changing his mind, and make a report upon the matter in the morning. He was oj to the adoption of the constitutional amend- ment himself, and he would rather suffer his right arm to be severed from his body than to abandon President Johnson in this extremity. Mr, Kiratricx followed in a similar strain of re- rer and deprecated the idea of going back on one’s rie! SYKES remarked that the time was past for capti- This was no time to the mat- ter. What could they expect to gain by delay? He had heard this talk of waiting long enough. During the re- belhon used to say “wait a little longer and we will whip the Yankees yet.”” He was one of the first men in the edtate to take up the President’s policy, and “he did as no means among io very wen who are aie 80 much in favor of it. But the question was different now; they were in the hands of Cot and it was not for them to dictate terms, It was whether the people of Alabama would take what was offered them, or worse, and if they refused to accept the amendment they would be like the man who refused to allow himself to be rescued from a burning building because the ladder, hee Pore fopaman offered him, was ricketty, and remained behind to pe It was treatin with contempt to delay the maatter, and although he was one of those who would be |, still, for the good of the country, he was ready to vote for the amendment then and there, After some further discussion the message of the Governor was referred to the Committee on Federal Relations, and the Senate adjourned until ten o'clock the following morning. IMPORTANT AMENDMENT TO THE STAY LAW. The amendment to the Stay law allowing suits on con- tracte for labor, slander and assault and to brought on a notice of twenty days instead of eighteen Seniesa ciara eget tr Sid after a lengthy was 8 3 ing by a handsome rei hase law was urged princi in order that they mi ly on account of the men, not be kept out of their wages for Seas months or two if their employers were disposed to treat them unjustly. LEGAL DECISION EXTRAORDINARY- Judge Busteed, of the United States District Court, de- cided to-day that all ents made in Confederate money for debts are null and void, no matter whether the Confederate money was above or below par, The decision is looked upon as a most extraordinary one, and will be appealed from to the Supreme Court at Was! i ton as speedily as the delays of the law will — if Judge Busteed has aimed at making @ sensation, he has certainly succeeded to his heart's content, EMIGRATION—AN APPEAL TO THE ENGLISHMEN IN ENGLAND. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD, Now that the affairs of the New and Old Worlds are becoming so complicated that an open rupture in their relations is quite probable, and an attempt be made by England and France to interrupt the growing power of the United States, it is of the greatest importance that the great body of the people in this country should rightly understand the position of the English people in regard to such a course of action. Living among the English people for forty years, and holding the most in- timate relations with them in all their movements for political and social elevation, I know something of their foolings regarding this country, and I dare assert posi- tively that any attempt on the part of their government to interfere with the United States would provoke a re- volation. If you understand their liar position you ipremery Ta trade g § i i? i i if Hi iH ij fi sg8%: AEE iets Fall ried padi lift at apr eri? i A r Bz, tt i i i Hy HH Hiei! 343 mt re ile! He i | l it at a time when it was bx. the radical stream.” Yet Mr. Stevens is bitterly opposed to the amendment, he fought it valiantly at every step, and denounced it in a set speech. Is Wendell Phillips a radical? yea, verily, the bitterest of the whole crew; yet he hates ‘the name of the amendment and omits on no occasion to stigmatize it, Theo. Tilton was thought a tolerable radical when he marched arm in arm with Fred Dougiass lence square, but uses bis edi pen inst it most vigor- and it would not be strange to sce democrats fighting during the com- ing session on the same side, ag they sometimes did dur- ing the last session, fe believe that nine-tenths of the clamor raised throughout the South against the constitutional amend- ment, comes not from the people but from that class of ambitious party leaders politicians, whom the action of the amendment would deprive of political in- fluence and power. A Brracn wy ras Canmnez.—The Albany Journal states that Mr. Seward dissents from the President’s language in regard to France, and that he has disclaimed to M. de Montholon any responsibility for the language of the Message in regard to the action of the Emperor in Mexi- co, The rumors of Mr, Seward’s retiracy from the Cabi- net have become quite common since the Message ap- Arkansas Union Strats Coxverrion.—A Union State Convention has been called to meet at Fort Smith, Ar- kansas, on December 13. The call is signed by sixty-six Unionists from different parts of the State, Nor Frr to Live Unper a Rerustican GoveRNwent, — ‘The utterances of some of the Southern papers might be dangerous, did we not think that they were looked upon by the majority of the Southern people as the mere echo of the ridiculous vaporings of the Wendell Phillips school inthe North. For instance, the Petersburg (Va.) Express boils over as follows :— The conviction has been rapidly gaining on the public mind within the last year or two that republicanism is a faiture, The beautiful system of our fathers has degen- erated into something very much like a mobocracy, than which no form of vernment is more tyrannical, It is a macy hi hydra, and as fast as one head is cut off another takes its place, A sim- would be far preferable; and it will doubtless be a relief whenever the country comes to consummation, indeed, to which the signs of tne times strongly int, * * * * We do not know, nor do we care, into what venene we plunge ‘when we declare that, as the result of all the reflections we have made, we have arrived at the conclusion that the United States government is the most stupendous and anprincipied humbug on the globe. Had the Con- erate ment lived, there would have been one yeapectalhe prvmcinent in the Western hemisphere, ‘Tam AMENDMENT IN MissourI.—The St, Louis Democrat states that the ratification of the constitutional amend- ment by the Missouri Legislature is generally regarded asa foregone conclusion. In the late canvass the radi- cal candidates in the several Congressional districts and their advocates explicitly stood upon the amendment, and triumphed thereon. Tar Legaurr or General Burier’s Exaction.—The question raised by Mr. Northend, of the Fifth district, as to the qualifications of General Butler to represent it in Congress, has been referred to the Attorney General, and in accordance with his opinion the Governor has de- cided to give the certificate to the successful candidate. ‘The Attorney General lays down the point, that when a citizen goes into a district with the intention of making it his home, he becomes on tho instant an inhabitant, and eligible to Congress. The Springfleld Republican, commenting on this decision, remarks :— The Attorney General does not touch the General Butler has gained any such residence in the Fifth district, There is no serious pretence that he has. The decision of the question raised ye North- end properly belongs to pony sie and for the sake of a final determination of it, we hope he will contest General Butler's right to the seat. The constitution of the United States requires that @ representative shall be a citizen of the State from which he 18 elected. If the State law re- uiring residence in the district is null and void, General jutler is clearly entitled to his seat. If the constitu- tionality of the State law is sustained, he is entitled to his seat only on proof of residence in the Fifth district. General Butler will not probably swear that he went to Gloucester, last summer; with any intention to become an inhabitant of that town, and bis admission to Congresa, of which there is no doubt, the State law on the subject falls to the ground, and becomes obsolete. A New Stara.—Some of the republican papers of western Maryland, in view of the great disparity be- tween the political sentiments of the citizens of western Maryland and those of other portions of the Siate, are advocating either the annexation of the Congressional district now represented by Frank Thomas to Western Virginia, or the creation of a new State out of the foar counties comprising it, Fouxxy.—The Indiana Domocratic State Central Com- mittee have iasued an address to the democrats and na- tional Union men of that State, announcing the result of the late political canvass as an overwhelming majority through the United States in favor of the President's restoration policy. Negro APPRENTICESHIP IN MARYLAND.—The recent de- cision of Judge Spence, of the Circuit Court for Dorches- ter county, Maryland, denying the validity of tne inden- tures of certain negro apprentices, and restoring them to their parents who had petitioned for habeas corpus, has made much stir in the judicial district in which the Judge presides, as it invalidates nearly ali the indentures so ha- stily entered into when the act of emancipation took effect in Maryland. The grounds of the Judge's decision were much the same as those taken by Judge ond inthe Criminal Court, ‘Tax New SexaTon From ALAvAMA —A Correspondent ‘writes: — The new United States Senator clect froin Alabama, John — Winston, is a native of Madison county, Alabama, ee eee See He was on the Douglas electoral ticket for the State at large, and lent the forco of his intellect and influence to the success of the Presidential candidate of his choice. ae eee juestion vention in 1866 to restore his State to the Union. Tue Ankaweas Sevatons.—The Little Rock correspond- ent of the Memphis Post says J. T. Jones, of Helena, elected United States Senator from Arkansas for tlic short term, is represented to be a moderate, rational man in his political ideas, but eo compromised with the affairs of the late confederacy that it will go hard with him to swallow tho test oath. Andrew Hunter, of Dallas, elected for the long term, is = prosiding elder of the “Methodist Church South,” who prayed ferventiy for the success of the confederacy,§ it is said, and cannot, even with the painfullost wrestling with his conscience, expand it sufficiently to gulp down the Congressional dose. Tur Kawsas Sawatoniat. Covtast.—A Kansas paper figures up thirty-one aspirants in that State for United ‘States Senatorial honors. Towa. —Although the gubernatorial election in Iowa does not occur for nearly a year, candidates are already quite numerous, Mr. Grinnell, the retiring member of Congress; Lieutenant Governor Gere, Adjutant Goneral Nat Baker, Judge Couch, of Blackhawk ; Colone| Samuet Merrill, of McGregor, and Senator Clarkson, of Grandy, are mentioned as aspirants by selves or friends, Kesrocny,—Nearly everybody seems to be running for Governor in Kentucky, The following is a list of the candidates so far in the Held ;—Edward Rumsey, Mubien- burg county; R. H. Stanton, Maysville; Elijah Hise, Logan county; Robert Mallory, Oldham county; RH. Hanson, Bourbon county; G. W. Craddock, Frankfort; R. W. Scott, Franklin county; W. F. Bullock, Lome. ville; Dr. J. R. Buchanan, Louisville. The two wings of the loyal party in the State are trying to harmonize for the coming campaign. The proposition now is to issue a call for a convention of all those opposed to the rebela, New Hamrsumme.—The contest for the republican nom- ination for Congress in the Rockingham, N. H., district, waxes warm. The Boston Journal says that the demo- crate have so little hope of success that no one seeks their nomination but Mr. Marcy, though the recent elec- tion in Portsmouth indicates that a live, popular demo- fat would have a fair chance for success, provided his party has lif enough left to turn out on election day, A CITY RAILROAD CLEARING HOUSE. 1O THE EDITOR OF THR HERALD. Bau. or rum TusTLe Assoctarion.—The annual ball of recapitulation. Suffice it to say that numbers of tho sick and poor of ail nations and creeds are aided alike, irrespective of either, and such an association, with an object so benevolent ‘deserves su; from all classes, ‘m, |, the cel ir the Caledonian Club, ein AuiaceD GAMBLING Im THe Hopson River RaitRosp Cars.—A communication, signed U. &,’? has been received at this office alleging that gambiing is permitted on the cars of the Hudson River Railroad, and giving the particulars of a recent case Yorker was fleeced. Out of all hus’ manay, nad where obscene and disgusting epithets were used on both sides to the annoyance of passengers. Tax Dara ov Mn, Bosgox.—Coroner Naumaiin yes. terday held an inquest over the remains of Mr. Charlee P, Bosson, the gentleman connected with the Boston press, who died suddenly at No.1 Park row, as puby Mished in yesterday's Heratp, Dr. Thomas Robinsoli, uty Coroner, made a post mortem examination on the ly, and found that fatty degeneration of the heart was the cauge of death. The jury rendered a verdict to # effoct, Deceased was fifty yoars of age, and a native o! Massachusetts, ar) Tae Fiesr Dregor Mam yor Cyina.=The steamship Henry Chauncey will sail to-day with the first mail ever taken direct from the United States toChina, The roate will be from this port to Aspinwall, thence to San Fran- ‘cisco, thence toYokahama, Japan, from which point the mail will be sent to Hong Kong, China, Colonel L. 2, H, Currie goes out as the special agent of the Post Officg Department, to which im it position he bas recently been appointed. He will also act as mail it for the Pacific and East India route, The mails to China will be monthly, aud it is ex that about twenty dhys? time will bo by this new t of our gov- ernment. ten o’clock the mail will leave the General Post Office for the steamer, it is to decorate the wagon conveying the matter wi @ Chis fonda ee Really rd heat hick ca canoe an: despatches between America an the Celestial Eupire. eer ud Tax Great Eastern anp tae Pants Exrommoy,—It ie reported that a Limited Liability Company, called the Society of the Charterers of the Great Eastern, has been formed in Paris, with a capital of $500,000, to take up the charter of the ship. An effective board, including several Americans, had taken in hand the management of the concern, with determination to make ita suc- cess as regards passenger accommodations end comfort. A contract for repairs and fittings, including new screw boilers, has been entered into with Messrs. George Forrester and Co., of Liverpool, at a cost of $300,000, under engagement to have the work completed by the 5th of March, The Great Eastern will then sail for New York, whence she is expected to leave for Brest direct the first week in April Being accommodated for two thousand five hundred first class passengers, she will afford a good opportunity for those who intend to visit the Exhibition, and who have not been able to secure a passage. It is the intention of the company to issue through return tickets to Paris at a reduced price. The managing director was expected to leave France on the 7th imst., to make arrangements for opening books for the registration of passengers by the lst of January. Smewrecken Maxixers.—Four seamen, named Julien Briault, Hondre Lemarchaud, Jean Marie Jacob and Jean Marie Huland, belonging to the crew of the French brig Jacques, lately wrecked, who were reecned by the packet ship Tonawanda, were received at the Now YorksHospi- Fed conn suffering from an attack of scurvy. They had been without food for. forty-eight hours, and pre- sented an exhausted appearance, a Tus Rerortep Cartore or THe City oF BALTINCRE BY Festans.—The report circulated yesterday that the steamship Oity of Baltimore, 6f the Inman line, was to be seized by the Fenian passengers, who embarked for that purpose, is probably untrue, as the vessels of this Mine carry the United states mail. The City of Baltimore left this port at noon on Saturday last for Liverpool, and the rej was almost immediately afterwards circulated would be seized on the first or second nighd Tas Fair at St. Sreruen’s Roman Catnoric Cnvrce.—» The second week of the above fuir was opened yesier- day afternoon in tho basement hall of 8t. Stephen's charch in Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth streets, be! tween Third and Lexington avenues. A promenade con, cort is given every evening by a splendid orchestra, and a vi of rtainments is o' the The various tables are laden down with nt ornamental taste—as well as actual which ts brilliantly lighted a special object of attraction from its size, the elegant refinement of the articles dis- |e upon it, and the marked beauty of its young jady attendants, Among the prominent articles of virtu exhibited on it is a large medailion likeness in alto reevo of the late Archbishop Hughes modelled by Millett, the French sculptor, exec in frosted silver on a electro- type by @ new patent procees; also the likenesses of other distingu Personages, Axsrversary Exercisns.—The fourth anniversary of the Young People’s Christian Association of the Greene street Methodist Episcopal church, took place last cven- ing im the chapei of that denomination, near Broome street, before a large and appreciative audience. The exercises were of a very entertaining and instructive character, comprising a choice programme of literary and musical morceauz, sustained entirely by the members of the association An oration by Mr. J. M. Turnet was particaiarly fine and effective, being the most im- portant featare of tho evening. the speaker took the opportunity to read the Indies a very sensible and ap. pieable lecture upon the responsible duties and relations of tite. A quartet, ” by Missee Jolie and Nash and Messrs. Frith and Taylor, was hap- ily rendered, as was also the duet, “Happy Swallows,” Misses Jollie Nash. “Glory, Glory,” « solo and chorua, sastained by Miss Tissington, was loudly encored. Other musical and bapay agp eno -% the attentive spectators a pleasti ncidep which, if it were oftencr tho case ma iifetiene, would be ive of less evil than now exists im our midst, ‘The object of the society is to im; the moral acd intellectual condition of those onsen | in the immediate vicinity of the church by ev ‘ul and ipstructive means that can be omployed. has attended | efforts in many localities, and its salutary effect in tha: neighborhood is noticeable, Evection ror Gexwrat, First Bricapr.—Ordere have been issued for an election of Commandant of this brig- ade, vice Spicer, retired, to be held at the Twelfth regi- The x a war |, and ie inch 8 sol- dier. The selection of either of these tal ‘would reflect muoh credit upon the brigade, &, place, passed over bis before he coulé aagecoeh femorere of the afternoon, while a laborer named Jameo Scanian was in the act of guiding a case of goods from the hold to the upper deck of @ vessel iying at the foot of pny Begs North river, the slings separaied end ad case fell on him, breaking his right leg and causing other injuries of & dangerous character, A heckney coach ‘was |mmediately procured and the anfortunate man con- waged oe Temidence. . +t fo-sage= 4 afternoon a boy named Martin Geiger acct- fell in Pear! street and sustained very gevere & bottle which was in his broken and bering # Pocket ing tn New nc’. Jed Rovort area bis ight faery and lacerated |, Gonveyed tho The steamship Henry Chauncey, Captain Gray, wilt leave this port on Tuesday, for Asptnwall. The mails for Central America and the South Paciis will close at half-past ton o’olock om Tuesday morning ‘The New Yous Hanato—Editlon for the Paciie—wiit be ready at haif-past nine o’clook in the mornirig, Single copies, in wrappers, ready for mailing, six conta _—$————- MAILS FOR EUROPE, pa AAA ARRAN, ‘The Canard mail steamship Scotia, Captain Jodk'ns,