The New York Herald Newspaper, January 14, 1867, Page 4

aff 4 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR, ‘WFIOR N. W. OOTNER 0! ULTON AND NaSSaU STS. TRE DAILY HERALD, Four cents per copy. Annual subscription price, $14. WHE WEEKLY HERALD, every Saturday, at Five published every day in the year, ents per copy. Annual subscription price: OMe Copy... .. ee esceceereerenereeeennen ae Three Copies... 5 Five Copies 8 ‘Ten Copies. DS Any larger number addressed to names of subscribers 81.50 each. An extra copy will be sent to every club often. Twenty copies to one address, one year, $25, ndany larger number at same price. An extra copy will be sont to clubs of twenty. These rates make tha Wauxxr Henin the cheapest publication in the country. Postage five cents per copy for three months, TERMS cash inadvance. Money sent by mail will be atthe risk ofthe sender. None but bank bills currentin New York taken ‘Tho Carsworma Eprmos, on the Ist, 11th and 2last of @ach month, at Sx cents por copy, or $3 per annum. ‘The Evrorzan Epinon, every Wednesday, at Six cents percopy, $4 por annum to any part of Great Britain, or $6 to any part of the Continent, both to include postage, ADYERTEEMENTS, toa limited number, will be inserted fntho Weekiy Hxzato, the European and California Editions. NO NOTIC® taken of anonymous correspondence. do not return rejectad communications. JOB PRINTING of every description, alto Stereatyp- tng and Engraving, neatly an& prompily executed at the owest rates. We AMUSEMENTS THIS E BROADWAY THEATRE, Broadway, near Broome treet. —CAMARALZAMAN AND 'BaDOUKA—OUT TO NoKSK. NEW YORK THEATRE, Broadway, opposite New York Hotel. —Cunprit.on. GERMAN THALIA THEATRE, No. 514 Broadway. Manniacx or Fiano. RICHINGS' ENGLISH OPERA COMPANY, Olympic theatre, Broadway.—Maxrma. r DODWORTH'S HALT. 806 Broadway.—"Rorrsiox Hane wnt Peerone mis Minacues.—Te Heap is tue AIR— ‘Muntom i Paxvo. BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC.—Barxnas Cos. oxnr. SAN FRANCISCO MINSTRELS. 535 Broadway, opposite the Metropolitan Hotel—Ty rae Krmroray RNriceratne ments, Bixuinc, Dancing ano BURLESQUES ano Araican Batust Taoure, BLAck Coow FIFTH AVENUE OPERA HOUSE, Nos. 2 and ¢ West aty-fourth stroet.—BuDwoRTH’s MINSTRELS. —4TMIOPLAN INSTRELSY. Burixsques. 2¢.— Masonxns. KELLY & LRON'S MINSTREL, 72) Broadway, oppo- Gite the Now York ‘Lotei.—In rmete Sova, Dances. Reoes- gmictims, Boncxsqurs, &¢.—JAck CADE—CINDER-LEON— Mapacasoan Bacuxt Taovrx: TOME PASTOR'S OPERA HOUS 8. 20 Rewer: — Oot? Rano ta, Baviar Divertisencest, Se-Satvons Asuons, Om Yasar Tins OX a FROLIC. CHARLEY. WHITE'S CO! ATION TROUPE, at ‘Bechanies’ Hal ‘Broadway—te A Vamtory or [ian ry Lave smu Gaermeanante Cones De Baur ae ‘Tus Fexian's Oatu, ou Tee [pwr oF KiLLARsEY. HOOLEY'R OPERA HOUSE, Brookifn.—Rrwioeran Miv- emzisy, Bauiaps ano Boxresqurs.—A Henan Tur Anoonn ty Wort. 4 ‘We have a news report by the cable to January 15. ‘The Eastern question has assumed great importance. ‘Tt is stated in London that s general conference of Euro: pean Powors will be held to consider it, It is reported that @ ministerial crisis had taken place in Constanti- nople; that the Porte bad recalled its ambassador to Greece, and that an insurroction in Bosnia was imminent. An imperial bafl had been given at St. Petersburg in ald of the sufforing patriot Cretans It is stated that Gari- bald! has gone to Candia. A Berlin journal denies that Count Bismarck issued the recent diplomatic cireular attributed to him. ‘The Logisiature of Hangary was still in confict with the imperial orders of Austria In Frankfort yosterday United States five-twenties Fatod at 7555. By mail we have letters of much interest from our correspondents in the various cities of Europe, which we publish, MISCELLANEOUS. Among the financial measures adopted by Maximilian Immediately after his resumption of the reins of empire was one having for its object the establishment of » national lottery, and another imposing a tax on tobacco, Our letters from Ei Fuerte and Coliacon, Sinaloa, contain interosting descriptions of the country and people. Our correspondona: from the United States steamer Suwanee, Off Mazatian, is dated November 1%, and gives a full account of the evacuation of that place by the French ‘and its occupation by the liberals. It is stated in Havana that Castelneau insisted on the abdication of the Emperor fm a late interview unless he would secure France for hor war expences, but that Maximilian refused to consout to either alternative, The liberals had gained » yietory mear Orizaba. It was rumored that Count de Bombelies, the Empress Cariotta’s chamberlain, had been killed ina duel by General Prim, at Florence. Our Havana letter is dated January 7. Our cor respondent says (hat the whole capital of the Banco Espagnol haa been disposed of, and $1,370,000 over and above it, and there is, besides, $2,000,000 in circu. iation guaranteed by the bank. The people entertain very strong doubts as to the future foancially aud many longheaded men predict s general bankruptcy in the isiand. From the Bahamas we have files dated at Nassau, N. P., on the 26th of December. The weather was delight- fully cool, the thermometer standing at sixty-six and a haif degrees, The Nassau @uardian of December 22 reports:—The British man-of-war Cygnet arrived from Port Ragal on the 21st to relieve the Nimble, She left Jaroaica nine days ago. The yellow fever was prevalent at Kingston whon she left, and the British man-of-war Cadmus bad put to sea in consequence of the disease having made tts appoarance on board.’’ By private advices received from the agent ef the Central American Transit Company in Nicarauga we have farther particulars of the recent breaking out of the cholera among the passengers delayed on the isth- mus last month during their trip to California by a fail- ure to make connection with the steamer to San Fran- cisoo, The cholera was not as fatal as formerly roport- 4d, and the passengers and troops were, at the date of the letter, December 21, comfortably situated in a ‘healthy locality. Our Richmond despatches state that the freedmen are ‘almost all of them unwilling to work by eontract during ‘the present year. This state of ale:rs is prevalont in moat of tho Southern States, the laborer preferring shares in the crop. The Great Western Railway in Canada has been ar. ranged, by the addition of a third track, so that the nar: row gauge cars of the New York Central ean go through direct from New York to Chicago with bat a single change of cars, Arrangements have been made by the Seeretary of the Treasury to modify the customs reguia. tions with Canada, and in feture there will be no detan. tion at the boundary line for the purpose of exnin ging wer ool baggage, Eo, ea have been received in Washington, from stating that a large quantity 6f governm=nt se. + will be returned {6 this country by tho aoxt a , the business community there becoming wary iwveatmeéts eince the threatened !mpeachmer as taken tang'ble shapo, o «= ¥ Stanton, 8 ie said, bas hoon eubpenasd as a fore the House Judiciary Commitieo, in the 1 + Impeachment of the President. ab + (harles B. Smyth delivered a lecture at the avert os yesterday, on @ comparison of the ‘Stage, ve Tait ood the Pros.” Rev. Dr. Osgood preached ite nas ok sum Kessinh oD ive sudiact of "Zhe (Scere Sepheneenemnne= la eSSSe s a S PeSOO tt cneranisasestaltees NKW YURK HERALD, MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1867. Manifestation of Chiat to Creation.’’ The services at most of the churches were of an interesting character, “The Moral Infvence of the Henacp’” waa the subject of discussion smong the visionaries and heretics of No. 814 Broadway yesterday afternoon. The Excia: law went into operation agaim yesterday, and the result was a Sunday of unusual quiet in all por- tions of che Metropolitan district. One hundred and six arreats wore made in the city, mostly for tardiness about closing up; but there were very few casos of intoxica- tion apparent. No indictments have been found against the Now Or- jeans rioters by the United States Grand Jury in that tity, The United States District Attorney dechned to administer the test oath to the jurors. Acompany bas been organized in St. Louis forthe purpose of bridging the Mississippi at that polat. No clue to the murder of Miss Christina Kelt, of Dayton, Ohio, has yet been discovered. Bloody tracks were found om the snow outside the kitchen where she was found dead. The pistol found near her belonged to her brother, and the presumption is that while attempt- ing to defend herself with {t the wounds wore inflicted upon ber persom which caused her death. ‘The firm of Dubois & Ogden, of Now Orleans, was robbed of $13,000 in gold and gold checks on Saturday, in that city. ‘The Sheriff of Texas county, Missouri, while trying to arrest s party of six, on the 6th inst., was resisted. Two of his posse werg killed and three wounded, Tt is said in St, Louis that the radicals ia the Micsourl Legislature propose modifying the requirements of the test oath so that preachers and school teachers can pur- suo their avocations without taking it. Large numbers of whales have been seem recently om the south side of Long Island. The Powers and Policy of Congross in Refer~ ence to the South. The conflict between Congress and the ad- ministration in reference to the present status of the excluded States has resulted in a con- fusion of iaeas and theories on the subject which can be seitled only by first ascertaining the status of said States with their submission as members of a hostile confederacy to the armed’ forces of the United States. What, then, was the position of those insurgent States with the surrender of tho last detachment of the armed forces of the so-called Confederate States? According to President Johnson, taking into the account certain issues decided by the war, they were thrown back to the legal condition in which they stood just before their rebellion; but as their local governments existing at the close of the war had been de- rived from and had been participants in the rebellion, they were void, and new local gov- ernments on a loyal basis were necessary. All this was based upon the plausible theory that a State cannot withdraw from the Union and cannot be expelled or denied its constitu- tional rights as a member of the Union. To admit this theory we must, of course, accept the rebellion and its bloody battles as nothing more than a series of election riots, during which the authority of the general govern- ment over the rebel States was not legally in- terrupted or impaired. Againsd this theory, however, the facts are overwhelming. The States leagued together in the rebellion were organized under a hos- tile confederate government—irst at Mont- gomeéty, Alabama, and next at Richmond, Vir- ginia—to the end of the war. Under ‘this government the league, in ils efforts by force of arms to establish an independent Union, resting upon “the corner stone of African slavery,” was recognized in the outset by the Western Powers of Europe asa belligerent, entitled to belligerent rights, and was treated from the beginning of hostilities, in exchanges of prisoners, &c., as a belligerent by the United States. It is a fact, then, that the late war was # war between two hostile governments for the possession of certain States, people and terri- tory, seized by a rebellious usurpation. We know, too, that had this rebel usurpation proved the stronger party in the war, compelling the United States to a recognition of its inde pendence, the rebel States would thereafter have had nothing more to do with the govern- ment at Washington than the British North American provinces. But by the superior armed forces of the United States—that is, of the States still adhering to the Union—this hos- tile Southern confederacy was put down; and so the States concerned, people and territory, under the decisive laws of war and the general iaw of nations, reverted, in fact, to the United States in the condition of a foreign hostile people subjugated und of territories wreated from a foreign Power. This, then, at the close of the year, was the status of the rebel States and their people; and as war is the last resort of kings and peoples, from which there is no appeal, those States cannot now appeal‘from the issues of their war, as a foreign and hostile coalition, to the Supreme Court for their forfeited: rights under the constitution. They stand subject to the terms of restoration which the United States of the war may think fit to impose. The States constituting our general govern- ment de facto and de jure during the war are still in law the United States; and the States still excluded on account of the rebellion have no right to a voice in the matter of a constitu- tional amendment, although it may be imposed upon them asa condition of restoration, or as the supreme law everywhere under the federal jurisdiction, when ratified by three-fourths of the adhering States. We are dealing with facts and their logical results, not with theories, ignoring the-final decisions of the war. Next in order it follows that as the terms of Southern restoration belong to the lawmaking power of the government, all that the Execu- tive has done in the way of Southern recon- struction, if disapproved by Congress, falls to the ground, and the States concerned stand as they stood with Kirby Smith’s surrender—sub- ject to the terms which Congress may deem proper afd expedient, even to the extent of the obliteration of their State boundaries. Such, from the decisions of the war, are the powers of Congress over this question. But the fact must not be forgotten in this connec- tion that in absorbing « foreign State we absorb its obligations. The rebel States, as members of the Union, each in its State capa- city before the war, had incurred a heavy bill of State debts, ranging from ten to forty or fifty millions, more og lees {05 egch State. Those debts by egch States concerned on id as binding upon them ; and, if we Sct consistently with the grand issue of the war, that the rebel States with their subjuga- tion ceased to exist as States, we must at least assume the debts which they owed di mY the hour of their secession from the Pali States. The rights, powers and aan a of ® conqueror go together. The question then Tours, Wil fk be hast, with the full powers of Congress over the eubject of Southern recon- struction, to assume the legal debts of the States concerned, to the extent of two or three hundred millions of mouey ; or, partially adopt- ing the theory of President Johnson, will it be best to insiss oaly won the right of Congress to prescribe the terms of reconstruction and restoration? This is a nice question, and It should at least be settled in wiew of the rights of honest creditors. It may be settled by the assump- tion of the State debts with the assumption of the power to obliterate the States concerned and to reorganize them as Territories ; but it may be settled by recognizing the States interested as “States whose functions have been impaired and suspended, but not destroyed, by their rebellion,” as viewed by President Johneon. ‘Thus, acting upon the sound conclusion that the States represented in the general government are legally tho Uaited States, Congress has only to declare tho pending constitutional amendment part and parcel of the supreme law of the land, with its ratification by three-fourths of the adhering States, in order to make it binding upon the outside States, with or without tholr consent, just as the amendment abolishing slavery applies to Kentucky, though three or four times rejected by Kentucky. But. whavof. the Supreme Court? ‘Even in view of impedi- ments from this quarter the policy here indi- cated, wo think, is best; because it can be made to hold till the next Presidential elec- tion, which will establigh this settlement beyond @ peradventure. Tho Groek Insurrection. The contradictory accounts which we have been receiving about the importance of the insurrectionary movements in the Greek Archi- pelago are put at rest by the announcement that the Sultan bas called into service an addi- tional force of one hundred and fifty thousand men to suppress them. Tho Reuter and Havas telegrams may continuo their misrepresen- tations, but there is no getting ovor the significance of this fact. We now know that the movement is regarded by tho Turkish government in the most serious light, and we acquiro the further conviction that the peace of Europe, 50 confidently relied upon by the Lon- don Times as settled by the German conflict, is again in imminent danger. In fact, consider- ing the interest which Russia has in promoting the struggle, and the energetic assistance which it is receiving from Garibaldi and the European republicans, we do not very well aee how the adjustment of the dreaded Eastern question can any longer be postponed. It is one which the sword alone can solve; and Napoleon, though he desires to adjourn that alternative until after he has got through with his pet Industrial Ex- position, will in all probability have to face it before the period fixed for its opening. It is a pity for the interests of his dynasty that he doos aot at onte adopt a» generows policy in regard to the unfortunate Greeks. It would do more to’nentralize the effect of his’ blunders ii the ‘sue. “We question much, too, whether, in the position in which he stands, vie-d-vis with the other European Powers, it would not recover him all the prestige and influence he has lost. Franco attained the lead in European politics by favoring the revolutionary element. Tho moment that ahe falls, back into alliances and combinations formed under the influence of that absurd theory, “the balance of power,” she forfeits the position she bas won at such heavy sacrificea. There is much in this Greek question that appeals to the sympathy of the world. It is religiously as well as politically one of the issues out of which most capital is to be made. The general sentiment is against the further continuance of Christian populations under the domination of semi-barbarous governments such as Turkey. It would regard with appre- bation a monaroh like Louis Napoleon, imi- tating the example of the orusaders of old and doing battle in their cause. The influence he has lost among extreme Catholics by hia aban- donment of the Pope would undoubtedly be restored to him by such 9 step. As to ourselves, our course in regard to this great question isa clear one. There is no pre- text, diplomatic or otherwise, under which our government can interpose in it, But there is nothing to prevent us individually manifesting our sympathies with the unfortunate and perse- cuted people whose destinies are at stake. Wo have done ao at former periods and there is no reason why we should not do so again. Money is now their great necessity, and we are aatis- fied that with a little exertion on the part of the friends of the canse “large amounts could be obtained here. There is a Greek committee now in existence in this city to whom subscrip- tions oan be sent. Let every effort be em- ployed to second the exertions which are being made by these gentlemen to procure aid. If the troublesome element among us which ts always seeking objects for its revolutionary sympathies would only turn its attention in this direction, it would for once have a practi- al object. While availing itself of its assist- ance, however, we would recommend the Greek gentlemen to whom the interests of their coun- trymen are entrusted to keep a sharp lookout after the funds obtained through its cd-opera- tion. Our Winter Amusomonta—Progross of Manly Sperte. The London Times, in commenting upon the ocean yacht race, remarked that the Americans were making wonderful progress in manly sports. This is true, as the extraordinary sest with which our outdoor winter emusements are enjoyed very readily proves. A few years ago skating was but little practised in this city, and very rarely by ladies. We had no well organized skating ponds, or “rinks,” which Is the most modern term, a0 clubs, no regular associations of skaters; but now we have over a dozen well managed ponds, and the “rink” is as essential » place of amusement as the theatre, A select picnic party of five hundrod {s no novelty at Jerome Park, when the snow is on the ground, and the shelter of the pretty Swiss chalet la qomotimes acceptable. Base ball, which used to be played upon the green sward, under an autumn sun, can now be seen on the gli surface of the ice; while Caledo- nian gladi pa. = kill tn curling d throwing quoits upon all our Wo ave had already this season two or three night carnivals and masked balls on skates; some by moonlight and some in the lustre of Chinese lanterns. The number of ladies and children who participate in the splendid and healthy sport of skating has tended to change in an almost Inoredible degree the habits of our people. Thore are fewer denizens of hot rooms, and henco less delicate forms and woarr faces to be seem than formerly, The physioal eonatitutiona of the rising and tho next generation will be vastly improved by our addiction to skating, and as the fasclna- tion grows the custom will be more and more adopted. There are many thousands of men in the community who have been inured to active and even laborious occupations during the war who find in this amusement a necessary relaxation from the inertion of business life, and to this fact we may attribute in a great measure the progress it has made and the success of the skating ponds. The pleasures of the rink will lead to the cultivation of other manly open air sports, the exercise of which must ensure incalculable benofits, both for mind and body, to every claas in the com- munity, except the doctors. Politics tn Spain. The visit just made by their majestios of Spain the Queen and Prince Consort to their royal brother of Portugal, at Lisbon, has had the effect, for the moment, of bringing the affairs of the Peninsula prominently:to the sur- face of European politics. The reception ac- corded them seems to have been most enthusi- astic. Received at the railway station by the King in person, they were conveyed, amid demonstrations common to such occasions, to {ae royal palace at Belem. On the following day a grand levée was held at the palace, suo- ceeded by a State banquet and gala perform- ance in the evening. Subsequent telegrams inform us that the Queen haa dissolved the Cortes, an event which has been come time expected. This, coupled with an an- nouncement which we have from Paris, that @ printing press had been discovered in that city which waa being used for the purpose of gotting up incendiary proclamations, and which was supposed to be under the direction of General Prim, seems to imply that the affairs of Spain are in a sufficiently critical condition. It is notorious that the present rule in that country has maintained itself for some con- sidorable time by mere brute force. Respect for the throne is nowhere, except among a few interested and selfseoking politicians, who are never wanting when dirty work is required. Were it not for the fact that the press has been gagged and tho free expres- sion of thought in every form beon put down in every part of the Spanish kingdom the civilized world would have been shocked with the barbarities which have been perpe- trated for no other purpose than to per- petuate the reign of rottenness and ocorrup- tion. Tho present rulers of Spain are well aware that they stand on the brink of @ preoipice, Tt la impossible for them se 086 their eyes to a fact which is pricnt to. all the world. Various atiempis are being made to avert the impénding crisis. Of these one of the most important is an-attompt to pop- Pare’ no longer to ‘be thé perquisites..of « favored class, but are henceforth to bec: the rewards of merit alone. It is difficult to regard the above mentioned visit to Portugal in any othor light than as another move in the same direction. It is well known that in the prospect of the downfall of the present dynasty in Spain, and among the conjectures which have been made as to its future, the royal family of Portugal have boon promi- nently mentioned—the King himself, in oon- neotion with what is supposed to be a pot notion of the Emperor Napoleon, as the head of united Iberian kingdom, or, falling that, the King’s father as the head of the kingdom ofSpain. It is at least certain that in the ovent of revolution either of those projects will have the countenance of the Emperor of tho French, in preference to the continuance of Bourbon rule, either in the person of the present sove- reign or in that of her younger and more pop- ular sister. The issue of events will be anxiously awalted. Tho Income Tax. Of the many modifications required ia our laws relating to revenue there is probably none whioh is more imperatively oalied for than a revision of the income tax. As it now stands ‘tho tax is the same on tho same amount of in- come, whether i} be derived from roal oatate, from the funds a man possesses or from the per- sonal labors of the individual ; and while the family of one man who derives his income from his personal efforta would be loft oftentimes’ ponnilesa by the death of its head, the family of the other would be in receipt of the same mount from the funds, and the tax would go to the support of the government which gave protection to that property. Then is it not reasonable that he who derives his income from his personal labors should pay less than he who derives it from hia property? It is true that it may bo said that tho tax is the price which he pays for protection of the gov- ernment ; but that protection is twofold in ono case, while it is only personal in the other. The tax should therefore be greater where the protection is twofold. The export tax on cotton is another subject which requires modification. For, while we ‘ are depending mainly apon this produot for our ability to resumo and continue specie pay- ments, we are constantly stimulating the pro- duction of this staple in foreign eountries; for it is now @ well established fact that the Eng- lish do use the Indian and the Egyptian, as 9 substitute for the Amorican, in much larger quantities than ever before. Tho change which they have made in tuoir machinory enables them to do this quite readily; and many mills now use but one-fourth part of American cotton where they formerly used all American. Shall we, therefore, continye to foster the productions of India and Exypt at the expense ofour national treasury? Can wo risk the effect on our finanoes with impunity? With thirty-six millions in gold to pay yoarly on our bonds in Farope, for {pterest, and with & supply of $500,000,000, Fithin reach of the Bank of Eng!2%4, in the shape of our national, State and other securities, when could we resume spocie payments without the ald of cot- ton exports? It is stated that England could afford to pay $25,000,000 por year, and yet make money, by the continuation of this tax of three conte per pound on our staple, simply be- cause it enables the producers of cotton in India to add that much to the price of their article, Is it not time, then, to examine eare- firlly into the effect on onr future of this export tax? The folly of the Southern rebellion and the long continuation of the war have already diminished the European demand for ovr staple very largely, and if we continue to stimulate the production of other countriog thoy may goon do without entirely. Congress and Contraction. Tho financial question, and especially that part of it relating to the currency, is the most important one with which the country has to deal, and we urge upon Congress its immediate consideration. The legal tender notes are being contracted at a rate which is disturbing the money market and paralyzing trade and manufactures all over the land, and the financial and commercial community look forward with extreme apprehension to the future. This condition of things is favorable to panic and widespread dis- aster, and should not be allowed to continue. The present law authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to contract United States notes at @ rate not exceeding four millions a month, and he is availing himself of the full extent of his authority, besides seoretly converting, from time to time, compound interest notes, which are also legal tenders, into other kinds of secu- rities. It theretore devolves upon Congress, in view of the depression which prevails in all departments of trade and manufactures, to withdraw all power fcom the Secretary of the ‘Treasury to contract the currency, leaving the latter to be regulated by natural lawa, Pro- vision should also be made against a contrac- tion of compound interest notes, except, per- haps, at the rate of ten or twenty millions a year, as they mature, as these are held equally with greenbacks as bank reserves. Tho legal tender issues have already been contracted nearly @ hundred and thirty-four millions since the beginning of June, 1865, and although this decrease has been thus far neu- tralized by an increase of nearly a hundred and sixty-one millions in national bank notes, the reduction of legal tenders has been too rapid for the good of the country, and a point has now been reached when It is time to stop contraction and avert panic. Already, owing to the prevailing depreesion, the revenue re- ceipts are largely fulling off, while immigrants from the Old World aro returning in great numbers, owing to a lack of employment for them. This is a serious state of affairs, and it demands the immediate attention for which we call. To persevere in the policy of contrac- tion in the face of ‘grave dangers such as menace us is simply suicidal, and Congress should leave nothing to the discretion of the Secretary of the Treasury ina matter of such importance to the trade, commerce and general welfure of the nation. Let us have no more contraction of the ourrency under existing cir- cumstances, and let all logislation on the sub- ject be specific. Then confidence in the sta- bility of valuos will be restored and the coun- 4ty will make moro rapid strides in its career of prospority. et ae Roevesue and Taxation in Gi Britain. “It appears that the revenue and trade ro- ‘arns‘of Great Britain are such as to war- present Chancellor of the Exchequer, will. ablo in-his epring budget to exhibit a surplus | of two million pounds sterling. That the re tarns this year would be good many were pre- pared to expect; but the magnificent surplus expected-will take not a few by surprise. The fact is deeply significant. About two million pounds of taxes were swept off last yoar, and this year a similar opportunity promises to present itself, In spite of Mr. Bright's agita- tion for reform andthe Fenian troubles in Treland, few nations, in @ fasncial point of view, are more highly favored. It is impossible to dissociate this happy state of things in England from the line of policy which Mr. Gladstone for a series of years has 80 successfully pursued. It has been his steady object to render taxation as effective but as little burdensome as possible. For a number of years past he has at one and the same time fnoreased the actual revenue and lessencd the burdon of taxation. He has sccomplizhed this twofold object by relieving the neces- saries and taxing what may be called the luxu- ries of life. He has sought to abolish as far as was practicable all restrictions on trade and commeros. The result of his policy has year by year been revealing itself in the dovelop- meant of the national resources and the increas. ing oomfort of the population. The magnifi- cent surplus which he now places at the dis- posal of a political opponent is the best juati- fleation of @ policy which on more than one occasion has been bitterly assailed. ‘We call attention to the circumstance chiefly for the purpose of saying that it reads a lesson to our American legislators to which they wil do well to take heed. The people of this country, they may depend upon it, will not long submit to the oppressive and meddling taxation under which they are now groaning. The policy now pursued is rainous in the last degree, It is already cramping the energies of the nation to an extent that is truly alarm- ing. The time has come when a firm and de- termined stand against the present system must be made. So far as taxation is necossary let is be jnstly and wisely distributed. The example of England in this matter may be safely copied. The Copperhead Rogeucy in Troubdie, The old copperhead Rip Van Winkle leaders of the used up democratic organization are considerably exeroised at the indications of a determination on the part of the solid democ- racy of the country to sweep them out of the path, and to make a very thorough reconstruo- tion of the party. They are crying ont, through their organs, agaiast the proposition to commence the work of reorganization here in New York, by a convention originating with the live Miles O'Reilly Union democracy; and pfopose instead that the existing National Demo- cratic Committee shal take into its own hands the business of reconstruction. This would only be a perpetuation of the old, broken down concern, with the Tammany rump as 4 fonnda- tion, and all the copperheads and blunderheads who have ruined the party by their secession sympathies and political incompetency. The demoorate are still a powerful clement in the politics of the country, and only require bold action and pradent management to regain their former ascendancy. But they must cast aside the errors which have driven them from power and left them withort @ single Northern State in their posession, and present a new and elean record before they can obtain the con fideneo’of the people. If they do this, they will succeed. If they neglect it, they will find their numbers decrease year after year until they disappear entirely from the polities of the country. It is time for a commencement of the work of reorganization, and the protests and howlings of the oid copperhead Jeoders and wire workers should be disregarded. If ‘ea democracy desiro to become once more ® successful political party they must commence without delay to build up their organization on a new and colid foundation. Let them pay no heed te those who have led them into their present deplorable condition, but set seriously about the business of reconstruction, taking as the basis of the work the victorious organiza- tion in this city, whose leading representative men are now in possession of the principal offices of the municipal government, and whose principles are based upon the living issues of the day. In such a course lies their only hope of success in the future. Emigration from Europe to the United States. In yesterday's issue we published the immi- gration statistics for the year 1866. The table in interesting as showing the large additions which are annually being made to our popula- tion and the material of which these additions ‘are composed. The aggregate increase of the population of the United States by immigration during the last year is 233,418. Of these 215,928 are from Germany and the British Isles—104,716, being Germans, 68,047 Irish, 36,184 English, 4,979 Scotch—representing, at @ moderate average, an actual accession of wealth to the country of $107,964,000. With the continuance of domestic tranquillity the tide of emigration from these parts is certain to become larger and larger. Considering, im- deed, the troubled aspect which things are assuming in Europe generally, and the excite- ment which is inseparable from the reform and Fenian movements in Great Britain, we are warranted to infer that the number of immi- grants during the year on which we have entered will be unusually large. Inquiries made on the subject convince us that the bulk of these immigrants go Westward—large numbers settling particularly in Minnesota and Wiscon- sin. It is consoling to know that the burdens imposed upon the people by the late rebellion are not aggravated by a decrease of the popu- lation, The great West is able‘to receive and provide for unlimited numbers; and ff the Southern States were brought into such a con- dition as to,encourage trade and industry the advantages offered by the country to industri- ous and thrifty emigrants would be increased a hundred fold. Peace within its borders ts all that the nation needs to enable it to enter upon a course of unbounded prosperity. CITY INTELLIGENCE. ‘Tus Wraraer Yestmepay.—Saturday night and Sunday morning were very cold, the thermometer ranging com- siderably below freezing point, Snow commenced falling about balf-past seven o'clock A. M., and continuod until ag ihe to the depth of two The falling of feathery particles ioe : aud the colg having inobrind aaner Teteenas ters ads meet by, the made of eleigh weather, thle hog Tintinnabalshout rang ovt in dhe Puorocnararns' Gunvances.—A meeting will be heg in a few days of a large mumber of the photographio art- ists in this city for the purpose of drawing up a petition pray! the action of the Boara of Common the roduction of thé “| i : i g ee us tik i Frank, Bresdell lipped and fractured bie tog in Hotel . Hew isitwuume oe MUSICAL. ‘The twentieth grand Sunday concert at Steinway Hall lastaight introduced the celebrated Bateman troupe. ‘The hall was crowded to its utmost extent, and the au- dience was one of fashion and intelligeace. The pre- gramme was an excelient one, comprising solections from Weber, Mercadante, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Verdi, Liszt, Handel, Rossini and Wagner. We have so often concerts an institution ia the and hundreds look anxionsly to Sunday aight for a feast of music such a France before could furnish, My ing et ok oan Loe mond Treers.ar cel evening volumba’s street, near Eighth avenue, Not ‘Tie ben seg f of the weathers large audience — Hing bok 5 aliraly composed or he progrataime was entirely oem well oF and contained selections Doni: 334 ‘7 i} A i work, be mfortaniy ‘warmed.’ It is to! be somes that comfortably weather will be choson for the next the shadow of St, Columba, THE CHOLERA ON THE ISTHMUS. Letter from the Central American Tranets Company's Agent on the Inthmas Regarding the Disease Among the Delayed Passengers genera! agent of the Central American Transit Company ‘at the Iethmus, under date of December 81, writes as fol- in two carer on the 16th of De- rat following the departure of the river Sate trem Juan del Norte. It appeared suddenly, sens very violent for the timo it insted. Nothing of the kind had jously shown Iteelf on the transit route, and Dr. MeWitter, surgeon, who a the troops, pronounced it the cholera, Twenty-six soldiers ‘and one officer (Major Gamble) fell victims of the disease, a, two civilians eaengens and v4 u company’s fi boats, empOT* tate of the last accounts from them, to h wilt, a period of fourteen days. No new rong sy ‘ocoutred “within ‘the last forty-eight hours. ‘Tho troops were in quarter at Virgin Ray, Lake Nica the eastern terminus of the land roate detwaen the lake and the PacificOcean. Tho surgeon and officers jn charge expressed {bemecives well satisfied with the arrangemonts made by the company. The cabin pas sengers were sent to good hotels and the steerage pas gongers wero fod and lodged in the billdings of the company, The fine climate aod good water at Virgin Pay bad had a benelicial effect on the health of the pas- sengors and troops, ‘There have been no deaths among the women and children. The whole number of pas sengers for California wes 691, including the troops; the number fot New York was 208. making together « total of 880 passengers who Were ai the samo tine on fo Lecunus aud comuysionted phere with gue agothan,