The New York Herald Newspaper, February 26, 1867, Page 6

6 NEW YORK HERALD. SAMES GORDON BENVETT, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR OPPFICR N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASBAU STS, Volume XXXII. “AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. oadway. near Broome BROADWAY THEAT! 5 ¥ THE COUNTRY. street. —F any Orrctr—C' NEW YORK THEATRE, Broadway, opposite New York Hotel.—Kexicworra—Tue Feaace Horse Baeaxer. THEATRE FRANCAIS, avonue.—Le Fawitie Bent teenth street, near Sixth OLYMPIC THEATRE, Broadwag.—Srreets or New Yous. DODWORTH'S HALL, 806 Broadway.—Pnorasson Hants, witt Perron His Mimacues—Tue Heap ix THe AiR— Tux Inptan Basket Tuick—Prorevs. MRS. F. B. CONWAY'S PARK THEATRE, Brooklyn.— Tux New Leau. : GAN FRANCISCO MINSIRELS. 535 Broadway, oposite be Metropolitan Holel—Ix tacia Eratoriay Enrenracye Fees Because, Dancina axp Buatesqvus,—Tax Buace 00K. KELLY & LEON'S MINSTRELS, 720 Broadway. oppo- site the New York Hote!.—In tux Songs, Daxces, Ecoun- Tmornes, Buriesques, &c.—Cinper-LEon—MaDagascaR Barest Trovre—Dopeine ror a Wirs, FIFTH AVENUE OPERA HOUSE, Nos. 2and 4 West Twonty-fourth street.—Gairrin & Cunisty's Minsteeis.— Erqiorian Minsteecsy. Bavtaps, Bueesques, &c.—Tux Ocwan Yacur Rack—Tux Brace Croox. pee TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, 201 Bowery.—Cowre Vocatsm, Necro Minstaensy, Bactxt Diveatiseucst, 4&c.—Tax New York VoLuwrxuns, CHARLEY WHITE'S COMBINATION TROUPE, at Mechanics” Hall, 472 Broadway—tw a Variety or Licut axp Lavguisie’ Exrentavtweyts, Corrs pr Bauer, &c. Tax Lonp ov CLatrenpurrY. STEINWAY HALL, Fourteenth street.—Mr. Benanen's Awnvat Concert, HOOLFY'S OPERA HOUSE, Broo! ermeisr, Bavtaps anp EvRLEsgu: 0. —~Frarorian Mine fue Brack CKooK. CLINTON HALL, Astor plack.—Da. Hesarp's Prcv- Liar Lrorvrrs ON Feowiiar THxxes. NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY. 618 Brandway.— Heap axp Ricut Arm or Proast—Tnx Wasaixatox ‘Twins—Woxpers mm Natonat History, Scmxce ax ART. Leerurss Dat Open trom 8 TRIPLE SHEET. New York, Tuesday, February 26, 1867. fas NEW 3S. EUROPE. Our despatches by the Atiantic cable, dated in London midnight last night, Febraery 25, were delivered in the Hxraco office at eleven o'clock the same evening — the advic2s embracing news from Engtand, the conti- Bent of Europe and Japan, by way of China, Mr, Disraoli had submitted the Derby Reform bill to the English Parliament, John Bright spoke in decided Opposition to the measure, An anti-German party has been organized in the Austrian Legislature, Spain is to create a Public Works Board in Cuba, From China we are informed that the new Tycoon of Japan has been asaassinated. Consols closed at 91, for money, in London. United States five-twenties closed at 73% in London, 77 in Frankfort and 82%; in Paris, The Liverpool cotton mar- Kot was dull and downward, with middling uplands at et 13%) d. _ Breadstuffs dull. Provisions unchanged. CONGRESS. In tho Senato yesterday the bill in relation to the gov- ernment of the Territory of Montana was amendod and Passed. The roguiar order was then taken up, which ‘was the consideration of bills from the Committee’ on Commorce. ‘The House bill fixing the compensation of officers of the revenue cutter service, and the joint reso- lution extending the time two years in which the secre- tary of the Navy is authorized to place vessels at tho disposal of the quarantine officers in New York to be ‘used as cholera ships, were passed. Mr. Sherman introduced a bill to consolidate the national debt @0@ provide for its payment, which will be found in full tn our Congressional proceedings. Tho Dill regulating the disposition of we proceeds of fines, penalties and forfeitures incurred under the laws relative to customs was passed as amended. It will also be found in our Congressional proceedings. A bill au- @horizing the creation of a board of survey of the navy ‘Was introduced and laid upon the table, The Indemnity and Omnibus Appropriation bills passed by the House Were reforred to the Judiciary and Finance committees. Acommittee of conference was called on the House amendments to the bill for the relief of certain iron-clad contractors. Pending the consideration of the River ‘and Harbor Appropriation bill the Senate took a recess. In the evening session the bill to extend for three years the time for the final settlement of private land claims a Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi was passed. Reports from the conference committees on the Military ‘Academy and Diplomatic Appropriation bills were agreed to, The consideration of the River and Harbor Appropria- tion bitl was resumed, and with a few amendments the ‘Dill was passed. Bills authorizing the building of cer- tain lighthouses, declaring Albany, N. Y., a port of de- livery and providing for an Assistant Collector at Cam- don, N. J., were passed. Pending discussion on the Niagara Ship Canal bill the Senate adjourned. Ta the House, under the call of States for bills and Joint resotutions for reference, bills for the establishment Of @ national school of science, and to extend the benefits of the civil rights bill to the white citizens of Missouri, wore introduced. Under another call for resolwions Mr. Hill offered one directing Me Wentworth’s select committee on inquiry ‘mto corrupt bargains with the President, to report to- day any evideuce in its possession, which was adopted. Another directing the District Committee to report a biil conferring the elective franchise on foreigners who have resided one year within the District went over under the fale, the Bouse refusing to lay it on the table by a vote of 47 to 86. Mr. Darling, from the select committee on internal revenue frauds, made a report, and Mr. Trimble got leave to present the views of the minority. Both reports were ordered to be printed, and wilt be found in fait m another column. Mr. Morrill offered a resolution that the rules be suspended vo that the Committee of the Whole on the state of the Uuton be discharged from the further consideration of the Tariff bill; that the House mon-concur in the Sonate amendments, and that the ‘House ask a committee of conference with the Senate on the disagreoing votes thereon, which, after a somewhat Protonged debate, was lost by a vote of 84 yeas to 86 nays. The Tax bill was then taken up in committee of the whote, An amendment was adopted putting adver- Gsements on the free list. After disposing of several other amendmonts the committee rose and reported the bill to the House. The amendment of Mr. Biaine abol- ishing tho cotton tax was rejected by a vote of 65 against 95. Reports from conference committees on the Diplo- matic and Military Academy Appropriation bills wore Agreed to, and these bills now go to the President, ‘Tho proviso in regard to the Portuguese mission is that ‘No money shall be paid to the present minister out of any funds whatever, and that the provision shall con- tinue in force until repealed by Congress; and the seo- Gon in reference to cadets from rebel States is that no ‘Money rhalt be paid for the pay or subsistence of such after the Ist of January, 1967, until the States shall be Festored to their original relations to the Union, The House then took a recess, and on reassembling the Tax Dill was passed without a division, The Fortification Appropriation bill was recommitied to the Committee of the Whole, and the House soon after adjourned, THE LEGISLATURE. In tha Senate yesterday several petitions relative to improvémonts in the metropolis wore presented. There boing no quorum prozent, no business was transacted. In the Assembly bills were introduced to amend the Metropotitan Excise law and to provide for a Board of Commssioners of Public Charities. THE CITY. ‘The Board of Councilmen held no mocting yesterday, Three members answered When the roll was called, whereupon Mr, Greene, the clerk, declared ibe Board aijournod till Thursday. Tho Kinge county Board of Supervisors made an in- fpection of the Lunatic Asylum at Flatbush yostorday, in view of the proposition to enlarge the buildings. ‘They found the premises ina very favorable condition as regards cleanliness, and althouga the inspection was rather a hurried one, it was evident enough that more room is nosded for the incroasing number of patients, ‘Tho subject of onlarging the institution will bo the spe- ial order of business at the next meeting of the Board. ‘Zuo body of Daviel Dovlia, lave City Chamberiaia, was NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, FEBZUARY 26, 1867.—TRIPLE SHEET. placed im a vault of St. Patrick's Cathedral yesterday. ‘The ceremonies on the occasion were solemn and im- pressive. A grand requism was. performed in she Coureh of St Francs Xavier, and Archbishop McClos- key preached the funeral sermoa from the altar. The city authorities attended the services in a body. Nineteen liquor dealers were arrai, before the va- Tous police courts yesterday on charges of violating the Excise law. They were held to bail in the sums of $100, $200 and $300. The Roberts Fenians in this city contemplate an early resumption of oporations in Canada. ‘There were four bundred and twenty-nine deaths in the city during the past week, and ixty-cight in the public charitable institutions. The hearing in the case of Captain George Olney, charged with taking the steamship Washington Irving from the custody of a sheriff at Norfolk, and in which a requisition was made by Governor Pierpont, of Virginia, upon the Governor of this State, bas been adjourned until the 24 ot Mareb, at the request of Governor Fenton. In the Supreme Court, Circuit, yesterday the jury re- turned a verdict for the defendant in the Indian Beser- vation libel suit of Henry W. De Pay against Olivor C. Horford et al, The piaintiff sued for $10,000 damages. ‘The case of Adolphe William Schwartz, who is accused of having forged bills of exchange to the amount of 160,000 florins at Gosswardein, in Hungary, was called yesterday before Commissioner White, but it was ad- Jjourned till Wednesday in consequence of the continued iMness of the accused. The case of George Burnett, alias Alexander Lewis, ‘was bofore the Tombs Police Court yesterday, the pris- oner being charged with defrauding and false pretences, by which means he fs said to have obtained $50,000 from various merchants of the city. Several witnesses testified for the prosecution and the case was adjourned, until to-day. The Anchor Line steamship Hibernia, Captain Munro, will sail at noon to-day for Glasgow and Liverpool, call- ing at Londonderry to land passengers an@ mails. The stock market was dull yesterday. Gold closed at 18854. ‘There was no essential change in the complexion of commercial affairs fyesterday as compared with last week, except that in some departments there was a rather better feeling. This was particularly the case with breadstuffs, which ruled firmer without varying materially in prices. Corn was firmer under a better demand, Cotton was depressed by cable news, and prices were lower. Coffee ruled firm, though quiet. Naval stores ruled steady, while petroleum ruled dull and heavy. Freights were dull and easier, Whiskey was dull and unchanged. Consequent upon a small supply—there being only about 1,700 head offering—and a fair demand, tho mar- ket for beef cattle assumed a decidedly firmer tone, and prices advanced %c. a 1c. per pound upon all descrip- tions. Extra sold 19c. a 1934c., chiefly at the inside Price; first quality 17%¢c. a 18c., and fair to good, 160. a I7e, Sales of common cattle were effected at 12}¢c. a 15c. The demand for milch cows still continued limited, and although the stock is acummulating holders remained firm in their pretensions, We quote the range from $40 to $115, though occasional sales of extra were effected as high as $125 a $135, and even at $140 in a few instances, Veal calves advanced a trifle, having sold at 133¢c, a 1dc. for extra, and 10c. a 12'c. a 18c. for common to prime. Shepp and lambs were in active request, and with a marked diminution in the receipts, an advance of fully 13¢c. per pound was readily established. Extra lots State sheep wore sold at 9%c., and prime‘at 9c. a 93gc., while inferior and common lots were disposed of at 6c. a 8c. Underasmall supply the hog market ruled firmer, prices being fully ¥c. per pound higher. Only fifteen car loads were on sale yesterday, which realized 83¢c. a 83¢c. for ordinary to good lots, The total receipts were 4,463 beeves, 04 milch cows, 606 veal calves, 9,967 sheep and lambs, and 13,792 swine. » MISCELLANEOUS. Our Havana correspondent, writing on the 20th Inst., says that the Bay of Samana has been secured by Mr. Somers Smith, the Charge d’ Affairs of the United States in St. Domingo, as a coaling station in the latter republic for United States vessels, and that the treaty had already been forwarded. Don Cosme de la Torrientes, a wealthy merchant and planter had failed, and the Banco de San Carlos, of Matanzas, was expected to suspend in gonse- quence. Money matters looked dubious. The sugar market was not lively. Freights to the United States had advanced. Exchange was firm, New York curroncy quoting at 2334 and 24 per cent discount. Our special correspondent in British Honduras, dating at Belizo on the 3d of February, says:—Avother expedi- tion bas been started after the Indians, in charge of Colonel Hasley, of the British army. Tho facts of the late defeat of her Majesty's troops are so disgracefal that for the crodit of the soldiers I forbear to give the details. It is ascertained that Mr, Rhys, the commis- sioner to the Indians, whom the expedition was sent to ‘support, was left wounded on the battle field. Two days after the battle he, with a soldier who had been left for dead, crawled out on tho road towards the nearest villa to the fleid when they were met by six Indians and shot. The cane crops are magnificent, Some thousands of ripe cane is waiting for the mills, and wo shall have ex- cellent sugar in abundance. Our letters from Mexico are dated at Zacatecas Jan. 23, and Merida Feb, 4. The former is a lengthy and inter. esting account of Jaarez’s journey to Zacatecas, with a fine description of the country through which the party travelled and the honors paid to the Chief Magistrate by his people. Merida, the capital of Yucatan was in im- minent danger from the imperialists, Wo have files from Turks Isisnd dated at Grand Turk on the 2d of February. The colonial treasury report for for 1866 shows the receipts from all sources to have amounted to £11,570 14s, 6d., and the expenditure to £9,600 Sa. 72d. making a surplus of £2,059 5s. 1044, whith, added to tho preceding year’s balance of £3,423 13a, 8X4., gives the sum of £5,482 198, 7d. as available for the service of 1867. ‘The weather continuod very dry with a strong breeze, and the salt pans improved. Price, twelve cents. Our correspondent in the Reese river mining district of Nevada gives some salutary advice regarding opera- tions in and about the mines, ‘The clection in Georgetown, D. C., the first one under the Negro Suffrage law, passed off quietly yesterday. The negro suffrage candidate for Mayor was elected, and seven out of the eleven Common Councilmen were elected upon the same ticket. Ex-Governor Joseph E. Brown, of Georgia, publishes his views upon the reconstruction plan proposed in Senator Sherman's amendment. Ho advises the people of Georgia to accept the terms proposed by the bill as the best they can get, and recommends the calling of a ‘State convention immediately to change the constitution 80 a8 to provide for universal suffrage. “The negroes,”” he says, “wore raised among us, and naturally sym- pathize with us, If we deal justly by them we sball seldom have cause to complain of their refusal to re- spect our wishes or consult our interest at the ballot box.” Governor Brownlow, of Tennessee, has issued a pro- clamation announcing his determination to call out the militia to enforce the Jaws and protect Union men and all citizens againet evil doers. Witliam A. Patney,a member of a prominent dry goods firm in Chicago, has commenced three suits against Claflin & Co., and Seth Otis of New York and his two partners, laying the aggregate damages at $200,000, the charges being trespass and slander. He alleges that the defendants in these suits have conspired together to get him out of his firm, and have made scandalous charges against him in arder to destroy his credit, Tur CoxoxesstonaL Temperance Soctery.— Our Washington correspondent has duly chronicled second public meeting of the Congressional Temperance Society. It was held last Sunday evening in the Hall of Re- presentatives, which was densely crowded, the various temperance organizations of the cap- ital being present in strong force. Senators Pomeroy and Willey and Reprosentatives Boutwell, Plants, Ross, Perham and Dodge spoke in behalf of the cause. Mr. Dodge stated that the members of the Pennsylvania Legislature were holding at Harrisburg on the same evening a temperance meeting, thus fol- lowing the example set on the previous Sun- day by the members of Congress. The latter, it appears, have not waited for the advent of Barnum to set an example which the Legis- latures of every State and Territory might well hasten to imitate, Why should not Sun- day evening temperance meetings be inaugt rated evon at Albany? The New Bill of Reconatructiés=The Pros- pect in the South, Historians bave been sorely puzzled to de- termine the fate of the ten lost tribes of Israel, and onr political philosophers are as much per- plexed in their efforts to forecast the destiny of our ten outside rebel States, The general drift of passing events therein, the prevailing tone and temper of their leading organs, poli- tical managers and ruling classes, the evidence of Generals Grant, Thomas, Sheridan, Howard, Schofield and other intelligent Union soldiors, all declare that the spirit of the rebellion still lives and that the dream and the purpose of Southern independence are still predominant from Ball Ran to the Rio Grande. The de- feated associate vonspirators of Jeff Davis still recoil with horror from the idea of svbordi- nation to “the Yankees,” and with unmingled disgust from the other idea of negro suffrage. Every one of the ten Legislatures set up by President Johnson in those rebel States has rejected the easy terms of the pending consti- tutional amendment with scorn, contempt and something of defiance. What, then, is the pros- pect of their submission to and co-operation with the government upon this new bill, this ultimatum of Congres ? Very much, in the answer to this question, will depend upon the course of President Johnson. It is Clear that the ruling white class of the South expected, until our Northern elections of last fall, a restoration to Congress under Mr. Johnson’s policy, placing the rebel States substantially as they were before the war, and with the door open through the Supreme Court for the re-establishment of negro slavery. We know, too, that after those elections the confidence reaffirmed by Mr. Johnson in the final success of his policy still encouraged the deluded leading politicians of the South to hold their ground, and that they still looked to the Supreme Court for a de- liverance. With this new bill, however, hang- ing over the excluded States, and with the sword of impeachment hanging over President Johnson as by a single hair, Southern indiffer- ence, contempt and defiance in reference to Congress are giving way to convictions of heiplessness against the will of Congress, Southern leaders on the old track of Calhoun are beginning to see that the incoming will be quite as radical as the outgoing Congress; that they must accept the terms proposed by Congress or that they will have no voice in the next Presidential election, and that if ex- cluded from that election they may be held indefinitely in their present helpless and ruinous position. In this dilemma they are, doubtless, still look- ing to Mr. Johnson for instructions, He, too, by falling back upon Congress, may recall them to reason and common sense. The simple admission that he can no longer help bimself will suffice. It ia rumored, and with an air of confidence in some quarters, that he will probably send in to-morrow a veto of this reconstruction bill, and for the purpose of giving the two houses an opportunity to pass the bill over his head, so that he may save his consistency without appearing still to stand in an attitude of unyielding hostility to ress. This alter- native may save. him, pro’ the tone of his message be not offensive, bit conciliatory. he. Judiciary Committee of the House are proba- bly waiting the upshot of this thing, in ordér to makeup their decision of impeachment or a free pardon. Assuming that there will be a veto, but that it will be conciliatory in its tone and argu- ment, and submitted in season to secure the bill by a two-thirds vote in each house, and that it will so become a law before the close of this session, we may expect. in due time to witness a wonderful reaction in the South. With the old leaders of the rebellion thrown into the background, and with the universal negro vote brought into the elections, a new class of white leaders from the young men of the South will appear in the fore- ground. The suffrage will give the blacks respect and consideration among the whites in proportion to their political strength, and thus the two races, as the land owners and the Ia- borers, will be brought into relations of mutual support. Buta revolution so tremendous and comprehensive from the old Southern order of things under the Dred Scott decision is not the work of a day. A transition so radical and unexpected, even from Mr. Johnson’s policy, must create a temporary effervescence and a cooling down before the wine will be ready to bottle. 4 This new bill of reconstruction continues the State establishments set up by Mr. Johnson as provisional governments subject to the will of Congress, and leaves it to the people ofeach State concerned whether they shall proceed at once to reorganize on the terms laid down or wait a little longer under the supervision ot martial law. We presume that the present Southern Governors and their Legislatures, under this discretionary power, will prefer to hold on yet awhile until they can take their soundings and make their arrangements con- cerning the negro vote, so that we may hear of no Southern movement under this bill for the election of a reorganizing State convention until after the crops of the coming summer shall have been secured. Meantimo, from the re-establishment of martial law and the sub-. mission of the Southern people to their “manifest destiny,” we may expect Northern enterprise and capital to be invited to the de- velopment of Southern resources in the way of cotton, corn, rice, sugar and tobacco, and on such terms as will give a great impulse to Southern industry and profitable harvests to all concerned. With the last vestiges of slavery and the old slavery epoch cleared away the revolution inaugutated with the secession of South Caro- lina, seven years ago, will be complete—the last remaining barriers against Northern emigrants, Northern enterprise, skill and capital will be removed, and the great Northern tide of emi- gration will be diverted from the West to the more inviting soii and climate of the South. This bili will open tue gates, and with. the gates openod the tide will roll in upon the South and down to the Gulf of Mexico, far more reviving and fertilizing than the annaal swellings of the Nile. A Practicat Max.—The Legislature of Ten- nessee has passed a joint resolution inviting Senator Patterson, of that State (a son-in-law of President Johnson), to resign, on the ground that he has turned out a democrat, though elected as a republican. Mr. Patter- son, in submitting the resolution to the Senate, said that, “from the preson’s lights before him,” he could pot comyly with (he request. Mr, Pat,’¢780n is a practical man. He believes that “the ¥°itd in the hand is worth two in the bush”-s soun= old maxim, which we recom- mend to Mr. Johuson, When j20 bavea good thing don’t give vit up on a quibple or £° sistency. The New Kingdom of Canada. We publish in another colamn the substance of an advanced copy of the Canadian Confed- eration bill about to be introduced into the British Parliament, which has just been re- ceived in Toronto. It proposes to establish a monarchy on our Northern frontier, as will be seen by the leading features of the plan. The new confederacy of the British Provinces— provinces no longer after this bill becomes law— is to be called the “Kingdom” of Canada, and the federal legislature is to be known as the “Parliament” of Canada, with an upper house, called the Senate—after the American atyle, there being no lords in Canada yet— and a lower house, called the House of Com- mons, after the English fashion. The organ- ization of the local legislatures is described as consisting of a Legislative Council and House of Assembly, with the exception of the Prov- ince of Ontario (now Upper Canada), which is to have but one chamber, known as “the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.” A royal representative, without the title of king, just now, is.to preside over the new kingdom, but retaining the name of Governor General, with provincial lieutenant governors under him. These are the prominent points in the scheme to plant an Anglo-Saxon monarchy on the borders of this Anglo-Saxon republic. Probably it may not be within the scope of our government to interfere directly with the transplantation of a shoot of the British mon- archy to American soil; but it may be, and doubtless will be regarded by the whole na- tion, as objectionable as the establishment of a European empire on our Southern borders in Mexico. That this confederation scheme, with all its royal adjuncts, prospective nobi- lity and future kingly dignity, is eminently hostile to a large portion of the residents of British America has been manifested in various ways. ‘ Lower Canada has pronounced against it in unmistakable terma. Nova Scotia and the other island provinces do not favor the idea at all. Newfoundland, Rupert’s Island, Prince Edward Island, British Columbia and the vast Northwest territory are not to be fneluded in the confederation at present, but provision is made for them to come in at a future time, subject to the terms which the Parliament of the new kingdom mey propose. It is hardly necessary to say that our own people, especially those of the States border- ing on the Canadian frontier, are decidedly opposed to a plan which, it is now evident, proposes to erect a monarchy, with all ite offensive, not to say prejudicial, ingredients, at their very doors. Paritamentary Reform iu Great Britais— Disracli’s Propositions. The excitement in regard to reform in Great Britain does not abate as time advances. In a house which was unusually crowded Mr. Disraeli on the 1th instant delivered his promised speech, announcing the course which government..intended to pursue in the secttle- ment of the long vexed question. No one can read the speech witb care and refuse to admit that it reveals all the characteristics for which the present Chancellor of the Exchequer has been so long and so justly distinguished. It is able, cautious, ingenious, eloquent. We dis- cover here and there, though in less profusion than in some of his former elaborate efforts, specimens of those lofty generalizations and of those pointed, pithy, epigrammatic utter- ances in which of all living statesmen he is without an equal, if we except only the pres- ent ruler of France. Nor would it be fair to say that, considering the stiff and intractable party to which fortunately or unfortunately Mr. Disraeli belongs, his speech* does not in- dicate a decided movement in a liberal direc- tion, Yet it we are to judge from the evidence now before us it has been received by the press and the people generally with a storm of indignant disapprobation. The comparative absence of demonstration on the part of mem- bers when the long oration was brought to a close, and the brevity of Mr. Gladstone’s re- marks, cannot be said to augur well for the success of the government. It is manifest from this speech, as well as from the resolutions which it was the intention of the government. to submit to the House of Commons on the 25th, that Lord Derby and his friends have either not read with sufficient clearness the signs of the times, or have not the moral courage to bow to the inevitable and accept the only course which is compatible with dignity and with honor. We do not greatly sympathize with those who object to the government plan of proceeding by resoln- tion. It is not, certainly, the most dignified course. It betrays a consciousness ef their weakness as a party and reveals a love of office which, as Disraeli candidly enough ad. mits, are by no means flattering either to him- self or his colleagues, not one of whom is su- perior to ‘The last infirmity of noble minds. At the same time circumstances will occur (as indeed they have occurred in the Parlia- mentary history of England), in which such a course may be found to be not only justifiable but eminently wise, and it is a question which may fairly be raised whether the Parliament of England at the present moment is not pre- cisely in euch circumstances. If the late re- form bill had been defeated mainly through the opposition of the tories, the course now proposed would not only not have been dig- nified—it would have savored of basencss itself. But it was not so defeated: If it can- not be said that the tories were in favor of the bill, it can at least be said that if the liberals had remained united the bill must inevitably have passed Into law. It is therefore, we hold, perfectly fair for the gov- ernment of Lord Derby to say—Since reform is imperatively demanded, there is nothing in our antecedents barring us from attempting the settlement of the qucetion 5 but eines there is even less likelihood of our being able to carry a salisiactory incasure than the govern- ment which preceded us, we shall best consult the public good by removing the question as far ag possible from the axena of party politics, and leaving it to be decided by the collective sense of the House. Althongh it would un- doubiedly have heen more dignified had, they come forward with some broad, comprehen- sive measure of their own, resolving manfally to stand or. fall with it, we do not, in the cit cumstanets, blame them for resolving to pre | put us im possession of the result. We shall that no charges against a foreign minister or At flan asin tee et —- Sal So ewe wie SOBER, WO depart from our established policy of non- intervention in European affairs. We shal! not follow the example of France and England in this respect. Our moral inffuence is working @ revolution in the Old World. We need not draw the sword. We have enough to do st home for the present, and we shall not take any decided action in political ques- tions beyond the American continent. What the future may bring forth, when this great re- public shall attain more gigantic proportions; we are unable to say, but at present the Empe- ror Napoleon and the other monarchs of Eu- rope need not fear anything more than our moral influence over the affairs and destiny of the East and the rest of the Old World. ceed by resolution. Having resolved upon | on that course, however, ministers te bare ot deper endeavored to shake themselves frée from the Prejudices of an obsolete past and to exhibit themselves to the people in the character of Filling reformers, This they have not done, It is impossible to read Mr. Disraeli’s speech part from °F {2 connection with the thirteen resolutions, witu2ut feoling that reform bas been forced upon an tfwilling government, and that it is the determination of that govern- ment while yielding to the inevitable to render what reform may be granted as inef- fective and worthless as possible. While we write the House of Commons will have entered upon the consideration of those famous resolutions, A few bours more will The State Constitutional Convention. ‘The bill to provide for. the election of dele- gates to the State’ Constitutional Convention comes up in the Assembly as a special order to-day. The bill as reported by the commit- tee provides for the election of one delegate from each Assembly district. Two amend- ments have been proposed in Committee of the Whole—one extending the right of voting for delegates to all colored citizens, “except- ing Indians not taxed,” and depriving persons who took part in the rebellion of the right of suffrage ; the other prgviding for the election of thirty-two additional delegates, sixteen of whom are to-be chosen by each of the two great political parties in the State. The first of these amendments has already elicited some curious debate. One democratic representative, from Clinton county, declared himself in favor of the proposed extension of the suffrage, and made the somewhat singular assertion that the democracy have always been willing to enfranchise every person, with- out distinction of color. Another democratic member, who hails from New York, avowed himself an advocate of the right of woman to the ballot, and wanted to see the fair sex re- presented in the Convention. How far the proposition to disfranchise rebels would affect the copperhead sympathizers with the Davis government does not appear from the debate. The principal bone of contention seems to be the amendment of ex-Speaker Littlejohn to add thirty-two delegates from the State at large to the Convention, sixteen of whom shall hg elected on the republican and sixteen on the democratic ticket. This is in accord- ance With the recommendation made by Governor Fenton in annual message ; and yet, singularly * those repub- licans who have decli themselves in its favor Wave been assailed as copperhead sympathizers and threatened with expulsion from theie party. There appears to be no sound objection to the proposition, and when first made by the Governor it met with very general approval. It is calculated to secure - the election to the Ccnvention of men whose ripe judgment and ability would be valuable in the revision of the fundamental law of the State. The Assembly districts might still elect the small politicians by whom they are gene- rally controlled, and the addition of sixteen men from each party would not vary their majority a single vote It is altogether too small a matter to..squab- ble over, and the fierce republicans who are making so much fuss about it should-at once withdraw their opposition, Bosides, the aggre- gate vote of the State, to the test of which the work of the Convention of Revision musteven- tually be submitted, is too closely divided between the two parties to render it advisable to raise a political issne on the question of the amended constitution. Certain reforms ‘in the fundamental law are demanded for the Public good. The judiciary system needs an entire remodelling, and the new constitution must provide an efficient and economical government for this city. The interests. at stake are too great to render it worth while to tisk the defeat of the revised constitution when submitted to the popular vote for the sake of any merely partisan considerations. The As- sembly had better agree to the pending amend- ments, negro suffrage, extra delegates and all, and pass the bill at once. The Convention should assemble in the early part of June, and the sooner the bill to provide for the election of the delegates becomes a law the better. There is no time to lose over political squab- bling and buncombe speeches. Fenianism in England—The Affair at Chester. The details of the Fenian raid on the garri- son town of Chester, in England, which created * sach a panic in the British House ot Commons when the news reached the honorable members then engaged in listening to the speech of Mr. Disraeli, causing the Duke of Cambridge, Com- mander-in-Chief of the army, to proceed to the Horse Guards in hot haste, are very curious, in connection with the mysterious progress of Fenianizm. We published the whole story yes- terday, derived from official and other appa- rently reliable sources, and the conclusion to be arrived at, we think, is that the Fenian organization in Great Britain, as well as in Ire- land, is a pretty formidable affair, and is evi- dently under good control, although so far has not done more than show its power to act with a simultaneous influence in gathering large bodies of men together and apparently . disbanding them at different points—a feat not easily accomplished when we consider the per- fect police system and the [military vigilance which prevail, and which goes far to prove that the conspiracy is conducted by skilful and able minds. It is not possible, of course, with the little information we have, to explain the reason why the movement in the south of Ireland and the incursion of fourteen hundred Fenians from Liverpool, Manchester and other points into the town of Chester at about the same time should have not accomplished anything and that both bodies of men shoul have so suddenly disappeared; but it is fair to conjecture that both results proceeded from the same cause, which was probably a countermand of the order for aetion on the part of the leaders, rendered necessary by the incompleteness of certain essential plans. The scare at Chester, where large quantities of arms and ammunition were stored and came very near falling into the hands of the insur gents, has revealed the fact that the govern- ment dare not trust {if English yoluntecrs with arms, although it was willing to enroll them as special constables to aid the civil suthoritios ; that it dared not remove a single regiment from Liverpool, Manchester or any of the manufacturing towns to protect Chestoy bat had to send the Scots Fusilier Guards from London for that purpose, Those signifle not venture to iorecast probabilities when we are so near the actual facts. We may, how- ever, safely conclude that the tory govern- ment, backed even by the eloquence of Mr. Disraeli, have not by this move advanced themselves in popular favor. They are not yet prepared to regard the elective franchise asa “democratic right,” but only as a “ popu- lar privilege.” It requires but a little farther resistance, and what is now withheld as a privilege will be demanded as a right, nor will any government be strong enough to re- fuse it. ‘The New Diplomatic Catechiom. It used to be said of Talleyrand that any one might apply to him the argumentum a posteriori without his countenance betraying any evi- dence of the fact. We thought this impertur- bability had ceased to be a qualification for the diplomatic service; but the correspondence which we published yesterday between the State Department and some of our foreign ministers has corrected the impression. Evi-. dently the first essential for a representative of this country abroad is his readiness to take the | kicks without his having atiy certainty, as in the Harvey case, of his getting the half-pence. Seriously speaking, the course pursued by Mr. Seward in this matter places both the government and our diplomatic service ina most humiliating position before the world. We do not always select our best men for diplomatic missions, but whatever may be their shortcomings in the way of talent, the charge of unfaithfulness hag rarely been included among them. In private life no greater insult can be offered to a gentle- man than to put a question to him which im- plies a violation of his social obligations, How much greater the offence, then, of an interroga- tory which presumes a breach both of these obligations and of a man’s duty as a servant of the government. In the diplomatic service of other countries the rule has always been evens consul can be entertained unless on evi- dence duly authenticated. ‘The practice of secret denunciation is verv properly diécour | aged; for no minister’s position would be ten- able if he were liable to be continually called to account on accusations furnished by persons who had their personal resentments to gratify and who could not be held responsible for their calumnies. Either the men we send to Tepresent us abroad are of character and habits that do not entitle them to this protection or the official who fs at the head of the State Department: is ignorant of what ie due to them. _ If the first of these assumptions be well founded, the sooner the whole of our ministers and consuls are recalled and replaced by proper men the better. If the contrary, then must not, however, blind us to what we owe to men who exhibit unquestionable zeal and fidelity in our service and who are not here to defend themselves against the slanders cir- culated against them under the abominable system of instituted by the State it. We trust that Congress, now that it is in full possession of the facts, will proceed at once to act upon them, and that it will compel the resignation of a minister who manages the foreign affairs of the country like the tyrant of a parish school or the chief of a bureau of detectives. The Eastern Question and the Uuited States. It is stated by a London journal, known to be generally well informed in court and politi- cal secrets, “that great annoyance is exhibited in the official world of France on account of the mission of General Kalergis to Washing- ton,” and that “the Emperor (Napoleon) bad expressed great indignation at the prospect of American interference in the affairs of Europe, when it is directed to’ a delicate point such as that of the Eastern question.” It is farther said that “there is, too, a fresh source of uneasiness in the attitude assumed by the United States with respect to the Russian policy in the Levant,” and that “so strong is this feel- ing that King George of Greece will not be in- vited to make any stay in France on his way to Denmark.” Now, making due allowance for the dispo- sition of European journals to exaggerate in their speculations on great in‘ernational mat- ters, and taking the above statements as some- what of a speculative character, we are still in- clined to believe there may be some truth at the bottom. The immense power which the United States have exhibited, and the intimate relations that exist between them and Russia are caloulated to cause some apprehension with regard to any of our movements or sup- posed movements in or concerning the East. Eépeciaily is it quite natural that Napoleon, who has a sort of mania for putting his hand into everything and for regulating the affairs of the whole werld, should feel some aneasi- nese. His experience lately om this continent and retreat ffom it under the pressure of our power makes him magnify, probably, every movement of the United States in foreign mat ters. Hence the apparent anxiety about the supposed mission of General His imperil Majesty need not be 3 for while both the sympathies of our people and government are with the Christians of the Bast in their heroic struggle against Mabomedan and the tortuous diplomacy of the Weptera Powora of Buropg, and while we