The New York Herald Newspaper, March 13, 1867, Page 6

6 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENVETT. EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR OFFICE N. W. CORNER OF FULTON AND NASSAU STS, AMUSEMENTS THIS AP OON AND EVENING, tH, Broadway, near Broome Aw Hour ux Bxviiux, \_ BROADWAY THREAT atreet.—Suanpr Maaui site New York ORK THEATRE, Broadway, op) pale mB. Matinee at Hotel. —Miss Ey O'Conxor—Baoraxw o'clock—Loxpon AssuRaNcE. WOOD'S THEATRE, Broadway, opposite St. Nicholas Hotel.—Tae Witp Inish Giat—Musicar iho aameanlaat ‘Tas Bowie Fisn Wire, Matinee at 13 o'clock. ‘GERMAN STADT THEATRE, Nos. 45 and 47 Bowery.— Nancissx. STBINWAY HALL, Fourteenth street and Fourth ave- nue.—Granp Bexgeit Concert 10 Taxopone Tuomas. DODWORTH'S HALL, 806 Bread: witt Perronm His Mirsoves—Tus fur lnvian Basusr ‘k—Prorkus. —=PRoresson Harts mad IN Tam AiR— 5uy FRancreco MINSTRELS, 585 Broadway, opposite the Metropolitan Hotel—Iy rusin’ Erwiortan ENTERTAIN. MENTS, SINGING, DANOING AND BuBLesquas.—Tae Biace Coox—Tax Heauruy Curis. \ RELLY & LEON'S MINSTREL site the New York Hotel.—Iy nore, Bi Bact 720 Broadway, oppo- loves, Daxves. Eco me oR, io. 1NDER-LEOX—MADAGASOAR (Rourk—P arti IN Panis, AVENUE om. HOUSE, ws ee Sema 4 Wet atreet.—Gar ‘Minster. Lee riax Mi LS, Lan ‘Gonceeavas, ‘a0 —Ti 01 HOP prt TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, 2901 Powers —Comro eos Neoro Minstasisy, Batter Drveetiseuenr. AeA NENA om tae Fisucarcuxe. Matinee at 255 o'clock. CHAR Mecha: ann Li Tux Fenian's Oar MRS. F. » CONWAY'S PARK THEATRE, Brooklyn.— ‘Hazanpovs Grounp. ' pects i. SOPERA HOUSE, Brooklyn.—Ermorray Mrx- Brexisy, Battaps anp BuRiesques.—Tue Biace Crook. v WHITE’S COMBINATION TROUPE, at it, £ Broadway—In 4 Vantery or Ligut NTs, CORPS DE Bauer, &c. NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY. 618 Broadway. AD axp Ricut ARM or Prosst—Tae Wasuinctox 1NS—WONDERS IN NATURAL History, Screnck anD ART. runes Dairy, Open from 8 A.M, till WP. ML INSTITUTE OF ART erty Gaslorny, 625 Broadway.— Gkaxp Exnisition or Pai’ p—'* Tux Rervsuican Covrr” in tux Days or Lixcou FORT SUMTER.—Lecrone sy Bricapren Grxerar Brewart L. Wooprorp, at Central Methodist Episcopal Church, Seventh avenue. SHEET. New York, Wednesday, March 13, 1867, TRIPLE THE NEWS. EUROPE. By the Atlantic cable we havea news report dated yesterday evening, March 12, The advices from Ireiand are of a contradictory char - acter. It is said that the Fenian ‘bands have “all been dispersed,” and again that troops were marched from Cork against a “large number of insurgents’ mustered ‘wt Mallow Junction, an important railway centre, The British government has “good reason,”’ it 1s said, to “fear” another rising, and the authorities are prepared fo meet it, Fenian men and Fenian arms are being G@rrested and seized all over the island. Count Bismarek is endeavoring to reconcile the party factions in the North German Parliament, so as to have the new constitution voted. The Embperor-of Austra Das set out on avisit to Hungary. Thé laborers om- ployed at the Paris Exhibition buildings are on a wages “trike.” Consols closed in London at 903¢ for Money, a decline of one-half from the day previous and of three-fourths from the price ruling the day before the last outbreak in Ireland United States five-twenties were at 74% (an advance) in London, and at 84 in Paria, The Liverpool cotton market was quiet and firmer, ‘with middting uplands at 13 pence—a decline, Bread- stuffs frm, with a strong market. Prices have not im- proved in Manchester, The French transatlantic mail steamship Ville do Paris ‘which left Brest on the 24 of March, was off Sandy Hook Monday night, after a fine run, extending over @ine days by afew hours only. She landed yesterday ‘morning our European files and special correspondence, ated to her day of sailing, fully anticipating the Eng- ish maiis of the Cunard steamship Africa, which left Liverpool the same day the Ville de Paris left Brest, as well as the files of the North American, which left Lon- @onderry on the 28th of February and reached us at a Aste hour last night from Portiand, Maine, The details of our cable despatches published to-day embrace matters of very considerable interest, including an important letter from our special correspondent in {London, in which he describes the exciting scene wit- messed in the English Parliament when Mr. Disraeli sub- gnitted the Derby reform resolutions to the House of Commons, and placed before the public the serious diff g@ulty which attends the attempis of the aristocracy to eouncile their policy and position with the claims and franchise rights of the democratic masses of Great Britain, CONGRESS. * ‘Tu the Senate yesterday the resolution directing the @eoretary of War to furnish equipments for 25,000 muilitia to the Governor ot Tennessee was reported back from the Committee on Military Affairs, but Mr. Johmson bdjecting, ite consideration went over. The bills relative ‘to French spoliations and for the defence of the Northern fronticr were reported. A resolution repeating the ap- Propriation of $100,000 for the removal of the wreck of ‘Sho Scotiand was passed. A bill to facilitate tho estab- Mishment of a naval and mariao coal depot on the eastern ahore of New Jorsey and authorizing the construction of @ double track railroad from some point near New York £0 the coal regions of Pennsylvania was introduced and feferred 10 the Committee on Naval Affairs, The suppie- gmentary Reconstruction bill was taken up and referred #0 the Judiciary Committce. On a motion of Mr. Mor- fon to take up Mr. Summer's resolations requiring further guarantees from the rebel States, which, among its other Provisions, secures a homestead to freetmon, a sharp @obate ensued between Mr. Sumner and Mr. Fessenden. Without taking op the resolutions the Senate adjourned “In the House, consideravle time was consumed in ‘pakiog Personal @xp'anations regarding Monday's @ebaie 6n the Private Land Ciaim resolution A reso- fution appropriating $600,000 for carrying the recon- PAruction act into effect was passed. The bill to provide Clothing for destitute soldiers was passed. ‘The Senate foint resolutions of thanks to George Peabody, and ap- Propriating $1,000,000 for the destitute people in the Bout was referred to the Committee of the Whole, and the & Sona. Joint resolation appropriating $15,000 for the rehof of dea.:t colored people in the District was Paseed. Under the cali of States for bills and ers fdons, a joint resolation directing the paspensiga | Got to relieve John E. Bouligny, which directs i Of lnnd warrants to the amount of 76,846 acfés, Was Passed. Tho Hoase then adjourned. ‘The Senate yesterday rejected the nominations of Edgar Cowan, of Pennsylvania, as Minister to Austria; Louis §. Bogy as Commissioner of Indian Affaire, and John Quincy Adams as Naval Officer for the district of Boston ‘and Charlestown. THE LEGISLATURE. In the Senate yesterday a bill relative to wharfage fn New Yorkand Brooklyn was totroduced, Bilis for the gmore offectnal prevention of crueity to animals, the further prétection of female employte in New York, find incofporating she Metropolitan Market Company wore passed. The report of the Commissioners of Hmi- Bration was received, and tho Senate took a recoss, On yeassémbling several bills of ® local or unimportant fhature were adysnoed to third reading. Ia the Assembly bills to provide for protection to navi. Ation on the Hadsow, and for other purposes, mainly of & local or animportant character, were advanced to a Shird reading. A resolution inquiring into the affairs of 6 Pacific Mail Steamship Company Was laid on the Son, and the Assembly took # recess, In the evening easton the bill providing for the enlargement of locks t cortain canals was considered in Committee of the and made « special order for Friday. Several |) ivate or local bill were advanced to a third reading, P| the Assombiy adjourned, THE CITY. ‘1b9 excitement consequent on the Fenian insurrection in Ireland still continues in this city. Meetings of the various circles have been held, and @ maas domonstra- tion wil! take place this evening at Union square. Money ia pouring’in plentifulty, and the project of a New York meschant to raise one million doliars for privateers has been favorably recetved, and meets with considerable success, Private letters from Washington state that the committee now fn that city have been cordially received by Senators and Representatives of both parties. The Brooklyn Board of Education held a meeting yes- terday afternoon, Officers for the ensuing year wero elected and other business of interest transacted. Tho meeting was more numerously attended than any ever held before. John Francis Maguire, M. P., delivered a lecture last evening, at Cooper Institute, before a large audience, in aid of the Catholic Protectory, on “European and Ameri- can Education.”” The hall was well filled, and the lec- ture, which was replete with valuable information and Just reflections, was listened to with appreciative at- tention. An interesting lecture was delivered last evening by George William Curtis, in the Reformed Dutch church, Sixth avenue, on ‘‘Conservatism."” The lecture was at- tended by @ numerous and intelligent audience, and the speaker was frequently applauded. In the Supreme Court Chambers yesterday a motion was made to set aside the order of arrest in the case of Theodore H. Loomis, a clerk formerly in the employ of Oliver H. Carter & Co., merehants of this city. The Prisoner has been imprisoned for upwards of a year, in default of bail, in Ludiow street jail on @ charge of em- dezzling $25,000 of the moneys of that firm, a civil a0- tion baving beon instituted against him by Carter & Co. for the rocovery of the money, Decision reserved. In the case of Atkins and others against Elwell and others, which has occupied the attention of the Supreme Court Circuit for five days, the jury were yesterday di- rected by the Court to bring in a sealed verdict this morning. The actlon is brought to recover $10,000 damages for detention and repairs of the ship J. F. Chat- man, which the plaintiffs had purchased from the de- fendants under their representations that she was sound and in good condition, when it is alleged she was in reality worm-eaten, In the Kings county Circuit Court, yesterday, the case of Mary Madden, administratrix, against yohn J, Merritt, was disposed of, the plaintiff being non-sulted, Mra, Madden sued to recover damages in the sum of $5,000 for the death of her husband, who was killed by the caving in of the roof of the buildings Nos. 93 and 95 Fur. man street, owned by defendant. ‘The stock market was unsettled yesterday, but closed firm. Gold was heavy, and closed at 133% a %. The constant fluctuations in the price of gold con- tinued to exert a depressing influonce on the markets for general merchandise yesterday, and commercial values were difficult to be sscertained. On the whole prices were lower for imported merchandise, but steady for domestic produce. On ’Cnange there was consider- able activity and buoyancy in breadstuffs and provisions, and prices were higher. Cotton was irregular, and prices were nominal. Coffee was firm. Naval stores were firm, but quiet. Petroleum was steady. Freizhts were steady, Whiskey was duil, Wool was quiet, though firmer. MISCELLANEOUS. Our Mexican letters are dated at Vera Cruz on March 2 aud February 21. Sixteen thousand Frenc) troops had already sailed, and the embarkation continued. Great excitement prevailod in Vera Cruz, and the strictest sur- veillance was placed upon the approaches to the city. 1t was rumored that the marines trom the Austrian war vessels would be transferred to St. Juan d’Ulloa for the protection of the city, and a sweeping conscription was expected any moment. Maximilian left his business in the hands of his Council of Ministers on taking the field. The garrison at Mexico city has beon contioually on the run on account of alarms from the guerillas, The report that General Ortega was shot is untrue, The news from Venezuela is to the 7th ult: Alvarez had attempted a revolutionary movement in Bolivar by seizing the person of Gomez, a superior officer, but he failed signally. Alvarez was arrésted. War was imm:- nent between Montague and Lopez, all attempts at com- |. promise having failed, From Trinidad de Cuba we have advices dated at Fort Casilda, March 2. The report says tho weather ia fine and moderate. Sugar was coming in from the estates as fast ‘as possibie. Elsewhere in our columns this morning will be found a spicy letter from Indianapolis, Ind., detailing gossipy matters relative to New York divorces in the Hoosier State; an interesting account of the Pueblos Indians in New Mexico, their religions, customs, villages, &c. ; from New Orleans a record of the proceedings of the Legislature upon the recent memorial preferring charges against Govervor Weila with a view to his impeachment, and a collation of facts regarding fire insurance from Superintendent Barnes’ forthcomiog report. Intelligence from Virginia intimates that the people of that Siate consider the paszage of Wilson’s bill as a great victory over the radicals, and Governor Pierpont is ro- Ported to have said that it leaves the reorganization entirely in the hands of President Johnson and his rebel friends, Goneral Griffin, of the Freedmon's Bureau in Texas, has directed his assistants in Grayson county to arrest all persons charged with crimes, aud detain them for trial by military commissions, and for this purpose he places troops at the orders of his assistants, The negro troubles noar Williamsburg, Va, which re- cently grew out of a refusal on the part of the freedmen to pay their rent, lave beea adjaated by the shipment of some pieces of artillery to the scene. The presence of tafantry did not trouble the anti-renters in the least, Commissioner Roilias, of the Treasury Department, has issued a circular calling the attention of collectors to goveral changes made in the regulations for tho estab- lishmont of bonded ohonses, The National Democratic Committee met yesterday afternoon at the residence of Mr. August Belmont, the chairman, It was decided not to call @ national con- vention previous to tho tegalar nominating one of next year, Measures were ‘set on foot for a. thorouga organization of the party throughout the Union. Most of the Northera States were reprosontod. The question of adopting the roport of tho special committee in the Massachugetta Legislature on the pro- posed constitutional amendment came up in the Lowor House yesterday, An amendment to the amendment ‘was offered, asking negro suffrage in addition, but it was rejected by a large majority. No further action was taken om tho adoption of the report. A joint resolution of the Louisiana L~gislature, pray- ing Exeoutive clomency for M. F, Maury, ths rebel com- modore, was recently vetoed by Governor Wells, and during the reading of his message the rebel generals Longstreet and Hardee appeared upon the floor, when a recoas was taken to allow the mom bers to pay thom their respects, Ta tho charier election in Orange, N. J., hold yester- day, the republicans gained the day by a small majority. The stago and mail from Fort Clarke, Texas, wore cap- tured by fadians on the 11th ult, Tho driver and pas- songers kept fifty assailants at bay uatil morning, whea reinforcement of Indians appeared and all the passer bers were taken prisoners, Their fate is unknge™, A man named Wright was killed on the ‘ Lake Shore Railroad yeumney W whilg ou hue ~y = sasiet in tyach- fag bls protns.in-iaw, Tue Historica: Vator oy ran Henaty.—The Common Council propose to purchase a fall bound file of the Heraty for the past twenty- five years, of a private citizen who Is its for- tunate possessor, for two thousand dollars, on the ground that as “an elaborated history of the world for the period included between the years 1842 and 1867,” it will be “an invaluable auxiliary to the fand of information now stored in our city library.” This is a sensible pro- position, and the mombers of the Common Council, when they seoure the valuable volumes, will study them carefully and learn from their teachings the evils of official corrup- tion, the bad oharacter of Corporation “rings” and the value and certain ultimate reward of integrity, independence end honesty, thelr bargain will be worth two million dollars, in- stead of two thousand, to the city. New Hanrsare Evsorion.—The b}jcan candidate for Governor of New Hampshire, General Harriman, is reported olected by three thousand majority, Last year the repub- lioan majority was four thousand six hundred. The republicans elect all three members of Congress, No woolly horse or Feejoo mormald was running in any of the districts. NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1867, —TRIPLE SHEET., Congress and the President on the Decaile ot Reconstruction. A bill supplementary to the act of Congress providing “for the more efficient government of the rebel States, and to facilitate their re- storation,” has been passed by the House of Representatives, 117 to 27—a strict party vote. It directs the commanding general in each of the five military districts into which the ten excluded States are divided, by the general act of March 2, to cause to be made before the Ist of September next a registration in such county or parish of the male citizens of the United States (whites and blacks) over twenty- one years of age, resident in each county or parish under the restrictions of the said general law, and who shall have taken a specified oath of loyalty, and that after such registration shall have been completed and copies thereof returned to the commanding general, he shall, within thirty days thereafter, cause an election to be held for delegates to form a State con- stitution, to re-establish a loyal State govern- ment, according to said act of March 2, &o. The constitution thus framed shall be held as adopted only with the approval of a majority of the rogistered voters, and with its approval by Congress, Senators and Representatives are to be admitted from such State. From the decisive vote by which this bill has passed the House we conclude that it has been agreed upon by the dominant party, and will therefore become a law, veto or no veto. (En passant, we infer that the present session of Congress will be continued for at least two weeks longer, and perhaps three.) Under the regulations of this bill we see nothing to pre- vent the restoration to Congress of every one of the ten States concerned in season to organ- ize their parties and to participate deliberately in the Presidential election of 1868. While this practical measure was under con- sideration in the House the Senate was en- gaged in discussing a string of radical abstrac- tions from Mr. Sumner, in the shape of further guarantees of Southern loyalty, including com- mon schools and a homestead law. By a vote, however, of thirty-six to ten, this string of ab- stractions was laid upon the table—a very suggestive and satisfactory vote. In the nega- tive, with Mr. Sumner, were the two Senators, Tipton and Thayer, from the new State of Ne- braska (one 4 Ynton soldier pnd the other 9, Union chaplain ¢ during the war)—a ‘vote which may be accepted as settling all doubts in refer- ence to the political status of these two new acquisitions to the Senate. They are radicals of the Kansas-Nebraské school. Looking next to “the man at the other end of the avenuo,” the President, it appears that he is considerably embarrassed in the selection of at least one of the commanders of those five Southern military districts. General Grant prompily, on being requested to suggest his selections, proposed Generals Thomas, Sheri- dan, Schofield, Ord and Sickles. It appears that Mr. Johnson has, without much difficulty, recognized the fitness of each of these officers for the important duties-defined, except Gone- ral Sheridan, Ins case the idea that We knows nothing of statecraft and politics has been thrown out, with the hint that General Sher- man would be better adapted for the special position proposed. This sort of special plead- ing, however, will not be held by the people of the great North as sufficient to justify the re- moval of General Sheridan ; for he is now, and has been for some time, in command of the military district embracing Louisiana and Texas, and has discharged his duties therein not only asa good soldier, but as a man who has proved himself perfect master of statecraft in going honestly and straightforward in tho work assigned him, and to the great end in view. The President will make a serious mis- take in removing General Sheridan; tor his re- moval, if made, will be attributed to other reasons than those of his alleged ignorance of “statecraft” or Southern politics. Through- out the loyal States, after General Grant, and, perhaps, General Thomas, there is no officer of the army who would be more acceptable for the “statecraft” of the Presidency itself than “little Phil Sheridan.” In any event these military commanders, under the express in- structions of Congress, will have a plain line of duty before them, and as the results of their work are to be submitted to Congress, it will not require much “statecratt” beyond fidelity to the law to meet the responsibilities assigned | them. As for the ten excluded States, their leading and managing politicians will do well to re- member that with their restoration to Con- gress, and with the ratification of the pending constitutional amendment and its proclama- tion as part of the supreme law of the land, all conflicting laws of Congress will be super- seded, and every State will thus be left to decide for itself whether it will exclude the negro vote and lose the negro population in counting the people for representation in Con- gress, or whother it will continue negro suf- frage in order to count the negroes for repre- sentation. For instance, South Carolina has seven hundred thousand people—three hundred thousand whites and four hundred thousand blacks. Now, s6t us suppose that under ths terme of Cosigrene ahe fs ts s restored, ap4 that this 2 “unendmeitt bas become part of & Federal constitution, Let us then take on: hundred thousand souls as the ratio for a mem- ber of Congress, and South Carolina may elect for herself whether, in continuing the suffrage to the blacks, she will choose seven members of the House of Representatives, or, in exclud- ing the blacks, will be satisfied with three members. In any ovent, the white owners of the land can control, if they will, the political movements and votes of the black laboring class; and so the only course of wisdom for the planters is to proceed at once to those steps of conciliation and harmony which will secure them this balance of political power now in the hands of their black fellow citizens, The very existence of Southern society under this new order of things in the ten excladed States depends upon a “happy accord” politically from the beginning betweon their say five millions gf whites and four millions of blacks. ‘Tae Tranqui Istavo—Our cable despatch to-day in regard to Ireland will suggest to the tive reader an exquisite bucolic picture of the Gem of the Sea from the point of view of the British government. This picture of the tranquillity of Ireland might recall the palmy days whon “Malachi wore the collar of gold, though Turgesins held the sway.” But is it not strange that “another rieing,” and more cruel, unbrotherly broken heads and ushand- some wounds should be foared in the blissful place t Tho Connecticut Neomiantion—Gingular De- moralization ef Political Parties in the United States. In another place in to-day’s Herat we pub- lish an article extracted from the columns of the Nation, a weekly journal of very consider- able ability, published in this city, The article suggests some very important and well-timed thoughts for the consideration of the reading public in the Union. Unlike anything thetis to be found in the columns of those drivelling jour- nals which are exclusively devoted to the interests of a party, this article has in it a rare freshness and vigor, and gives proof that it emanates from a wise, impartial and truly philosophic mind. It would be strange indeed if the demoraliza- tion of our great political parties—a demoral- ization which has long been noticeable, but of which the election of John Morrissey, ex-prize- fighter and gambler, and the nomination of P. T. Barnum, small swindling showman and self- proclaimed cheat and humbug, are at once the latest and most manifestations— should not call forth a note of alarm from more quarters than one. The comparative silence, indeed, of the public press while these events are taking place around us can scarcely be less astounding to intelligent and watchful minds in other countries than the events them- selves. For a time this downward tendency was characteristic of only one of the two great parties in the United States. Evon then the aspect of things was alarming enough. The annulling of the Missouri compromise during the Presidency of Pierce, and the Kansas-Ne- braska business in the time of Buchanan did much not only to bring lasting disgrace on the entire democracy of the* country, but to sap the foundation of all political morality. The disgrace, however, if we are to judge from present appearances, is no longer to attach to one political party only. Barnum be elected to Congress (so at least the outside world will be convinced), will have become equally the characteristic of both. Republicans will have no cause to be ashamed of democrats, nor will democrats have any cause to envy republicans, This state of things is the more astonishing that‘the principles on which the republican party’ was originally based and the objects iw ich that ! pertect accordance with a strict and sound morality. In New England, where republioan- ism was born and wince it bas ever drawn its lifeblood, religion has never been wholly dissevered from politics, nor has politics ever been wholly dissevered from religion. In earlier times, whatever else may have been the faults of the republican party, it cannot be said of them that they ever openly trampled upon public morals or that they lightly esteemed individual character. The reverse has ever been, and not unjustly, their pride. It is’ pre- cisely for these rfasons that the world will be unable to comprehend why, in one of the oldest, wealthiest and most intelligent States of New England’ no fitter person can be found for nomiasitow oa. the_republican ticket than this smali, swindling showman and self-pro- claimed humbug. The disease to which we allude, however, is neither local nor individual, but national, and deserving on that account the more serious consideration. Like a malignant cancer it has sunk deep into the political system, nor, we fear, will it be casy to uproot it without much toil and suffering. It might be both interest- ing and profitable to inquire into the various causes which have led to this state of things, To do so satisfactorily is impossible within the limits of a single article. There is one thing, however, to which we cannot help alluding, and we mention it the more readily that it seems to usto be at once the result of some and the cause of many of the evils which now afflict, and.which threaten to afflict more and more, the body politic. We refer to the false standard of worth which the nation has set up and by which it tests its public men. Success, especially that kind of success which expresses itself in wealth, is everything ; character, moral worth, is nothing. Than thisno greater calam- ity can befalla nation. Character, the private worth of the individual citizon, valuable in every community, is especially so in a repub- lic. As the writer in the Nation well and truth- fully puts it :—“ Character is the most valuable of a nation’s possessions. Opinions pass, parties | dwsoive, platforms are abandoned, the wisdom | of to-day becomes the foolishness of ten years hence; but character remains the same yesterday, to-lay and forever. No nation which cherished and maintained it has ever utterly perished.” Again, and with equal truth he says:—“It is of moral, not of politi- cal decline, that nations die.” No one who has made himself familiar with the history of Rome in the later days of the republic, with the history of Spain when gorged with the wealth of the Indies, with the history of France in more than one important crisis, and even with that of England in certain critical periods, can fail to be impressed with the point and truthfulness of these remarks. They embody the lesson which, of all othors, it is most im- portant for this nation to learn. Some twenty years ago an able and scholarly English writer, treating of this republic, uged thy fo}. lowing a a gems Stat problem of the possibility of a permansa{ 484 well ordercd republic, on #0 extensive # scale, doubtless yet remains to be solved. It depends on the intelligence and virtue of the people whether it shall be solved as the friends of free institu- tions desire. Theoretically the most perfect of all forms of human government it requires, beyond any other, the presence of these condi- tions to preserve it from being practically the worst.” What would this writer have thought had he been told that twenty years later the intelligence and virtue of the city of New York should find expression in the election to Congress of a Representative who had laid the foundation of his fortunes in the prize ring and hed built them up in 6 gambling hell, and that the cute and steady going people of Conmectiont, on looking outfora fit and proper person to represent them in Congress, should be satisfied with the intelligence and virtue of 9 small, swind- ling showman who had made somewhat of s fortane by gulling the public, and had dex- terously eked it out by impudently telling the same public afterwards how cleverly he had done thom? What could he have concluded? What but this—that intelligence and virtue, being 60 sadly wanting, the republic of tho United States of America promised fair to in- crease the already long list of States and nations whioh had tried that form of govern- mont which is “theoretically the most oerfect.” Demoralization, if | and had found it to be practically the re- | not with the French government, we could sue- verse? And should we have been able to | eeed in effecting a treaty arrangement on the blame him, judging the present in the light of the past, for so concluding? Words of wisdom are not lost upon the wise. We write as unto wise men. We ask them to judge. Our institutions have done great things for us. They have brought us greatness, wealth, honor, fame, With a separate his- tory which covers litile more than three fourths of a century they have placed us in the very front rank of the nations. To the native Population and to the many thousands of for- elgners who have sought and found s home on these shores they have secured an amount of Prosperity and comfort unknown to the indus- trial classes of older communities. Contrary to almost universal expectation they have brought us triumphantly through a great civil war—e civil war with which the most gigantic civil wars of former times sink into insignificance. It is not, therefore, for us to treat them with indifference. Our duty is to prize and preserve them with a grateful affec- tion, to guard them with » joalous care and to hold them up, not to universal and unqualified contempt, but to the respect and admiration of the world. We shall best prove our respect for our institutions and our desire to preserve them by having regard to the character of ,the public men in whom we place our confidence and whom we elect to fill the honorable and responsible position of the nation’s representa- tives, Let the appointed guardians of our in- stitutions be selected from among men of sterling private character and approved pub- lic worth, Let the opposite course be fol- lowed—let it go forth to the world that a place in the halls of the national Legislature is less likely to be won by treading the narrow path- way of honor and dignity than by treading the broad and beaten pathway of the swindler and the rowdy—let a premium thus be put on vice or villany, or call it what you may, and not even the most far-seeing shall be able to pre- dict the disastrous consequences which must inevilably follow. The tide of demoralization has set in with a powerful current. It threat- ens ruin and desolation. It is not, however, too late to check it, Let resistance be applie2, promptly and with the combined epergies of the nation, and immediate success is certain. party sought to accomplish were in| Meanwhile let it not be forgotten that national decay follows ational corruption as certainly a3 Gdfiseqience follows cause. The East Side of the City—A Movement for Its Improvement. The residents of the upper part of the city, on the east side, have formed themselves into an association for the purpose of more effec- tually laboring to promote a number of pro- jected improvements and to secure the removal of certain nuisances in that locality. They desire, among other things, that the Harlem Railroad Company shall be prohibited from using steam above Forty-second street, on Fourth avenue, and that the railroad cut on Fourth avenue, between Seventy-ninth and Ninety-seventh ‘streets, shall be arched and covered. The dangerous condition of Fourth avenae ‘atthe railroad cut is a matter that should receive the immediste attention of whe city authorities. One of our contemporaries seeks to lay the blame for the existing obstructions upon the Corporation Counsel, but this is all balderdash. Mr. O’Gorman has already brought an action against the railroad com- pany for incumbering the avenue, with a view of compelling that corporation to fill up the dangerous openings left by their blasting operations, to confine their wall within the space allotted to them, and to properly pro- tect the public highway. This suit has been decided against the city in the justices’ court by Judge Quinn, but 1s appealed to the Court of Common Pleas by the Corporation Counsel, who is determined that the necessary work shall be done by some one, and is therefore pressing a legal decision to test whether the railroad corporation is not the party properly responsible for the expense. In the case of a Mr. D. Morrison, who sued the city to recover damages for alleged injuries received through an accident at the railroad cut, the Corporation Counsel, in thesimple discharge of his duty, defended the suit, in order that the courts might decide whether the city or the railroad company should be held responsible for the unsafe condition of the road. But while this matter is in dispute the pudlic should not be left without protection. The Common Council should pass « resolution directing the Street Department to proceed at once with the work of filling the holes or gaps in the road and rendering travel safe, and the cost should ‘be recovered from the railroad corporation, if it is found to be legally re- sponsible. The other improvements demanded by the East Side Association are no doubt de- sirable enough and likely to tend to the rapid settlement of that portion ot the city. The spirit displayed by the residents of the locality should inspire those citizens interested in business down town to form similar associa- tions for the purpose of securing the opening of avenues where they are most needed and provepting the additional obstructions threat- ened by the projected location of the Post Office in the most inconvenient and undesirable place that could be selected in the whole oity, Rights of Oar Marera2°4 Citizens, The correspondence transmitied to ihe Senate by the President relative to the claims to mill- tary service asserted by the French and Pros- sian governments of returned subjects of those countries who had been naturalized by the United States, evinces a marked disposition on the part of the latter government to relax its pretensions in this regard. Count Bismarck thinks the matter could be adjusted by troaty, and the language of Count Waleweki, though more guarded, docs not forbid a similar con- clusion. As regards France, the matter is not of so much importance; for of all classes of foreign residents the French are least inclined to renounce their nationality, Seeing how large @ proportion of our adopted citizens we derive from Germany, and what an immense addition is likely to be made to their number within the present year, we would impress upon government the necessity of at once taking steps to carry out Count Bismarck’s {ideas on the subject. Practically the European governments have shown great leniency in their mode of dealing with the question, but it will not do to leave it in its present undefined end unsatisfactory condition. It is while wo fre on friendly rolations with theso Powers that we can beet obtain from them the guar- antecs that we require. If the proper energy fa out to It, we think that with the Prussiag, if subject within the present year. Latest from Mexico. We learn by the news from Mexico that the contending forces of the national liberal party and imperialists were drawing near each other and that probably an important battle would be fought soon. There are many details, and, as usual, some conflicting accounts as to the position and numbers of the different detach- ments of each army; but there appears to be no doubf'as to the general fact that an impor- tant battle was imminent. We may hear aay day or hour of the result. From present ap- pearances the battle will take place at Quere- taro or in the neighborhood; for Maximilian was at that place with his army of fifteen thou- sand strong, in three divisions, commanded by Miramon, Costilla and Mejia. Marques was chief of staff to the Emperor. Escobedo, the Juarez general, occupied San Felipe, Dolores and San Miguel, eighteon leagues distant from the imperialists. Regules and Corona were expected, with reinforcements of twelve thow sand men for Escobedo, on the arrival of which it was expected the liberals would give Maxi- mnilian battle. In the meantime Porfirio Dias, with eight thousand men, and expecting reim forcements of four thousand more, was prepa ing to attack the city of Mexico, Everything leoks favorable for the liberals. But Max, it is said, is eager for the fight. His soul ap- pears to be on fire; for it is reported he said, in chivalric language worthy of Don Quixotte de la Mancha, “This day I desired long since, but there were obstacles in the way. Being now free from all compromises I can follow my sentiments.” What these sentiments are we can only conjecture. He evidently wishes to convey the impression that he intends to fight and is confident of success; that, in being freed from French control, he is going te establish his throne by the sword. We are rather inclined to believe this 1g all buncombe and a ruse to cover up his fetreat from the couniry. Even ® temporary success could not Prevent his ultimate expulsion or capture, He must know this; for the liberals are surrounds, ing him like hornets and are cutting off his re- treat. The force he is concentrating is ine tended probably to occu 1py the apie while he escapes, or to protect fina in bis flight. We think the Dandolo or some other Austrian ves- sel will soon carry away this scion of the Cesars and his misfortunes. The sooner this occurs the better for himself and the unhappy country he invaded, The Legislative Report on the Now York Ferries. The report of the committee appointed by the Legislature to investigate the condition of the different ferries between New York, Brook- lyn and New Jersey presents s very unsatis- factory state of things, as faras the safety and comfort of those who travel by them are com- cerned. While there is apparently a desire te deal very leniently with the Union Ferry Com- pany’s lines to Brooklyn, still all the serious causes of complaint which have been urged against them are .admitted. They may be briefly summed up:—The boats were found by the committee deficient in the means of saving life in case of accident; that assistance from other boats in such emergencies, occurring in foggy weather, is out of the question, and that the irregularity in starting the boats, and sometimes withdrawing them altogether, isa matter of such inconvenience to the publie that the committee are forced to condemn it, With regard to the other ferries the report is leas delicate. The Hoboken ferry is pro- uounced in a shocking condition, with hardly a spark of saving grace about it. The Wee- hawken establishment is declared disgracefal in point of cleanliness and the comfort of pas sengers. The lines to Williamsburg are re- ported to be conducted with entire disregard to the convenience of the public. Altogether the report lays heavy hands upon the general management of all the New York ferries, and bears out in » great measure the numerous complaints which have been made against them, although it does not appear that during their investigations people took much trouble to furnish them with evidence, while at the same time itis known that the Union Ferry Company took especial care of the comforts of the committee, and treated them with par ticular distinction during their short sojourn im Brooklyn. It is said that they were well sup- plied with intormation from the company’s standpoint, and equally well supplied with the good things of this life from the company’s plethorio larder. The committee say that they are not pre pared to introduce a bill which will be sufficient in its provisions to regulate the ferries; but they recommend a measure by which these monopolies should be placed under the control of the Metropolitan Police anda — ferry superintendent This may be an im provement upon no control at all, provided that the Police Board has not as much to de already as they can well attend to. Tho Proposed Post Office Site. A committee of the Commer, Gouncil are to hold a meeting at “6 City Hall on Friday next to bea ‘ny objections that may be urged Against tho location of the Post Office at the lower ond of the Park. The objections against this tiotiman scheme are plain enough to be seen without any unnecessary committes meetings. Any person who stands on the Astor House steps during the day and wit- nesdes the crowding and jamming of vehicles of every description below Ann street, and the confusion, danger, delay and interruption of business consequent thereon, will need nothing but the evidence of his own eyes and his own common sense to convince him of the absurd and mischievous character of Mayor Hoffman's proposition. Business now suffere so materially from the present impassable con- dition of Broadway, below the Park, that the value of down town property is seriousiy affected. With the Post Office obstraction added to those that already exist it would be almoss impossible to continue business below Fulton street. Mayor Hoffman’s singular opposition to the opening of Ann sireet to tho river, which would have divided the stream of travel and afforded substantial relief to Broadway, was bad enough, but his equally strange at- tempt to locate the Post Office at the end of the Park would bo yet more desirnctive te the business of tho lower part of the city, Tho members of the Common Counoil committee know all those facis woll enough, and should act on the resolution to roconsider the proyosed aale of the,