The New York Herald Newspaper, May 30, 1867, Page 6

6 NEW YORK HERALD. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, PROPRIETOR. JAMES GORDON BENNETT, JR., MANAGER BROADWAY ‘ND ANN STREET. THE DAILY HERALD, published every day im the year, Four cents per copy. Annual .&ription price, $14. GoRuRSPONDENTS ARE PARTIOULARLY REQUESTED TO SBAL AD Lerruns avo PACKAGKS SENT 08, Woe do not retura rejected communications, JOB PRINTING of every description, also Stereo- typing and Engraving, neatly and promptly executed at the lowest vaes. Five AMUSEMENTS THIS EVENING. BROADWAY THRATRE, Brosdway. siwceet.—Bast Lyng, om tus BLOPaMent, WORRBLL SISTERS' NEW YORK THEATRE, - vite New York Hotel.-Tam Invisiaie = Prixck—Cin- DeRBLLA. near §=Broome OLYMPIC THEATRE, Broad BOWERY THEATRE, Bowery.—Live tx tar Back: ‘oops, —Taxasvre Trove. ACADEMY OF MUSIC, big J place,—Tue Impxntat ‘Trovrs oF Javanese ARti ‘ukin WONDERFUL FEats, BROOKLYN ACADEMY O¥ MUSIC.—Tus Pxart or Bavor. SAN FRANCISCO MINSTRELS, 585 Brovdway, opposite the Metropolitan Hotel—In tuate Ermiorian Earentats: MENTS, SIN Dancing ano Bortesquas.—Tur Frying Bouns—lmrxwiat Japanese Toure. KELLY & URON'S MINSTRELS, 720 Bro silethe New York Hotel. —In ruiz Songs, D. C0 N= rrrotries, Burixsques, &0.—Oinper-Leox—Tur Lox axp Suout Sraiue—Lux Jars. FIFTH AVENUE OPERA HOUSE, Nos. 2 and 4 West Twenty-fourth street.—Gairrie & Ci v's MINSTRELS. — Ermiorian Minsreecsy, Bauiaps. Busiesques, Bogus Jaranesx Jugciens—Tur Statuz Lover. ac, —Tue TONY PASTOR'S OPERA HOUSE, 201 Bowery.—Comro Vooatism, Necro Minsrrecsy, Bugiesques. Bacigr Diver + winsemenr, &c.— acMurRoon’s Swoup, ox Tuk Witv Bor or tae GaLtexs. HOOLEY’'S OPERA HOUSE, Brooklya.—Ermiortan Muy. @meetsy, Bactaps aND Buniesques.—Tux Iureriay Ja- PANRSK. THR BUNYAN TABLEAUX. Union Mall. corner: of Twenty-third street and Broadway, at &.—Movixo Mine Ron or tie Pingrim’s PRocRess—Sixi BJ Seamus. Matinee Wednesday and Savarday at 24 o'elock. NEW YORK MUSEUM OF ANATOMY. 618 Broadway.— a. one? ‘= or ence Fan Wasmxcror ONDRRS IN NaTURAL History, Screncr t mea Daicy, Open from 6 4-M th WP Me TRIPLE SHEET. REMOVAL. Tho New Yore Heratp establishment is now located in the new Haxacp Building, Broadway and Ann Street. EUROPE. ‘The news report by tho Atlantic cable is dated to Moon yesterday, May 20, The land tolegraph wires be- ‘ween Calais, Me., and Heart's Content, N. F., ceased working carly yesterday afternoon, and the communica- tion not beving been restored, we received no cable de- spatobes from that hour to the time ol the Herat going ‘to preas this morning. The Spanish fleet in the Pacific is to be largely rein- forced, The standing army of France is to be reduced. Conaols rated at 94 for money in London at noon. Five-twenties were at 72}, at the same hour. The Liverpool cotton market was firm at noon, with middling uplands at elevenpence. Breadstuffs un- ‘changed, Provisions firm. THE CITY. ? The Commissioners of Emigration met yesterday, The ‘wookly statement of emigrants arrived shows the num- ‘Der during the present year to have been 82,802. Considerable business was transacted at the meeting Of the Fire Commissioners yesterday. A resolution was adopted inviting proposals for the establishment of new stations and for other purposes. The Committee on Discipline presented a lengthy report, recommending @ortain rules of discipline for the use of the depart- mont. The steamship Java carried out several Catholic clergy- ‘men yosterday, on their way to Rome. Among the number was Bishop Wood, of Philadelphia, who carries, mong other donations to the Pope, asilver model of the yacht Henrietta, laden with gold. Amateh for one thousand dollars, mile heate, best three in five, to wagons, between Ethan Allen and run- ning mate, and Brown George and running mate, came off on the Fashion Course yesterday. Ethan Allen and his running mate won the first heat in 2:20; the second im 2:21; and the third, after a magnificent race, in the unprecedented time of 2:19, This time Is the fastest on record in a race with running mates. In the case of the People ex rel. Rufus Hatch vs. A. L. Pritchard, Treasurer of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway Company, Judge Sutherland yesterday granted ‘an order for peremptory mandamus to compel the re- spondents to exhibibit to the relator the transfor books of the company. ‘The extradition case of Phiilip Henrich was again up bofore Judge Shipman in the United States Circuit Court yesterday. After a lengthy argument by counsel the Court adjourned till nine o'clock this morning, when the case will be continned. In the United States Circuit Court yesterday, before Judge Shipman, John H. Foster was found guilty of a charge of forging an endorsement to a certificate of do- post for $1,227, and remanded for sentence. Mary St. Joba, jointly indicted with Foster for the same offence, pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to six months’ im- Prisonment, with bard labor, on Biackwell’s Island The divorce caso of Eliza Bogert against James Bogert ‘was commenced in the Court of Common Pleas yester- day. The action is brought for limited divorce, on the ground of alleged cruel treatment. ‘Tho jury in the Second aveous arson case, being un- able to agree, were yestertay discharged. The North German Lioyd's steamship Hausa, Captain ‘von Oterendorp, will sail from her pier at Hoboken at noon to-day (Thursday) for Bremen, touching at Southampton to land mails and passengera The mails for the United Kingdom and the Continent will close at the Post Ofice et balf-past ten A. M. The steamship Morro Castle, Captain Richard Adama, Will sail at three P. M. to-day (Thursday) from pier No. 4 North river for Havana The mails will close at the Post Office at two o'clock. ‘The stock market was firm yeverday, at 437%. ‘The markets generally were very quiet yosterday, and prices for almost all commodities were nominally lower. Coffee was unchanged. Cotton was » shade firmer, Un ‘Change four was dull end nominally Ibe. a 250, per bbi. lower. Wheat—Choico was firm, while the lower grades were 2. a Sc. off. Corn closed dull and SBominal, Onis were ic, lower. Pork waa scarcely so firm, Beef remained steady, and lard dull and heavy. Freights were dull and nominal. Whiskey was un- changed. Naval stores wore dull and depresset, Petro Joum was not cmentially changed MISCELLANEOUS. ‘The Mexican intelligence comes by way of Vera Cruz on the 224 inst. and Havana on the 25th. Gen. Escobedo had officially communicated the nows of the fall of ‘and the capture of Maximilian, Mejia Castillo and the rest of his officers and garrison, to the general commanding the liberal forces ‘0 front of Vera Cruz In the despateh no mention is made of Miramon. The imperial Consul at Havana was, however, investing heavily in war material 10 be shippod to Vera Cruz. The brig Orizaba bad, it was thought, already taken a large cargo of war material to that port, and a schooner had sailed earlier § with three = bundred men Presumed to be recruits for the imperial army. Men are recruited daily, and agents receive two dollars for each recrutt, Some secrecy is maintained, however, in the manner of shipping them. er ee the breacti of neutrality is open and avowed. A small war steamer, called the Mosquito, in the imperial service, had sought refuge in Havana from the liberal cratsers on the coast of Yucatan. Several imperial ganboats had been trans - Gold closed or “9 New YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1867.—TRIPLE SHEET. importal uavy had boon captured in a fight off Ban Fram- cisco do Campeche, The commander of one of tho sloops was immediately ordered (o-be shot. The Paciiic Mail Company's steamer Colorado arrived at Yokohama, Japan, on the 28th of April, The foreign ambascadors had gone to Osaca to attond the council eatled by the Tycoon, Tho souncil of Chiefs for the get- Hlement of the herein difficulties war salled for the 18th of April. The departure of the Ashuelot to investigate the reported murder of Americans at Formosa was con- firmed. Thore was a panic in the rice market, which was overstocked by importations from China, Our Havana letter is dated May 25, The Spanish fri- gate Gerona and others of the fleet, had gone to Santa Martha, following the Asis, which carried the Spanish Admiral a few days previously. Tho tron-olad Totuan was expected to go. Their business i connected with the affairs of the steamer R RB, Cuyler. The now system of taxation was producing general discontent throughout the island. Considerable troubie in connection there- with had occurred at Santiago, but of what naturo is not known. The $200,000 collected for ostablishing a now cemetery had been ordered into the public treasury by the government, The smallpox was increasing and there were many cases of vomito, Advices from Hayti report that the newly appointed English Charge d’ Affaires, Mr. Peroy St. John, had ar- rived on the 6th inst, He was advised by the French and Spanish representatives not to leave tho vessel, as Satnave was inimical to him. He did #0, however, anda British man-of-war was sent for. He experienced no affront at the hands of Saluave, who was there in com- mand of the revolutionary army, and making use of des- Ppotic powers. The provisional government was dissolved on the 24, and Salnave declared himself Protector, in the name of Soulouque, who was anxiously expected to take the reins of government ou the invitation of the Protector, The news from British Honduras is dated Belize, May 14 About thirty thousand acres of land had beon bought up by American Southerners at fifty cents por acre for purposes of colonization, Nearly ‘a hundred families were expected by the aext steamer from the States, From Porto Rico the dates are to the 710 inst. The weather was hot, but the health of the people was good. The sugar market was at a standstill. ‘The people of Montana have taken the quelling of the Indian rebellion into their own hands, as tar as their own neighborhood is concerned. Several volunteer companies have been formed under the immediate auspices of Governor Meagher and started for the scene of operations, Governor Meagher himself in a procla- mation promises all volunteers tho right of appropria- ting whatever they capture in the way of horses, arms and spoils, The Indians are in large numbers, and threaten to sack and burn Helena and Virginia City. All the hostile bands in the Northern Territories are on their way to meet the Commissioners at Fort Laramie, when it is believed tho trouble in that section will be settled. The New England Anti-Slavery Society held their an- niversary meoting at Boston yesterday, when the usual radical resolutions were adopted, one setting forth that Jeff Davis’ release proves the South still triumphant. Wendell Phillips was the principal speaker. His points mainly referred to Horace Grecley, the Union League and the nomination of Grant for the Presidency. Sena- tor Wilson declined to make a speech . Acouple of New Lebanon Shakers got married re- cently, in open violation of all law and order as pro- poundod by that sect. Both the parties were young ‘and had carried on a correspondence for some time, alttiough they had never spoken to one another. The correspondence was discovered, however, and the young man was expolled, whereupon the young lady fied, re- Joined her true love, ana they were married according to the rites of the outer world. * Considerable indigna- tion and excitement exists in consequence among the “family.” An unknown individual, who claimed to be a United States Marshal tnder the ordeta of Genetal Pope, ad- dressed a public meeting in Tallapoosa, Ala., om the 20th Inst , 1a the mest obscene and insulting language, curs. ing and defying the white citizens present, and inciting the negroes in a most outrageous manner. No riot oc- curred, however, aud the individual rode away from town with the mane and tail of bis horse shora close. Joneph H. Jackson, & prominent lawyer of Poughkeep- sie, while walking with his wife, was shot down by his own son recently in that city, and is now in « very pre- carious condition, The young man who did the shooting is insane and had escaped from the Utiea Lunatic Asylam. Max Strakosch received $20,000 for one week of Italian pera in Chicago, and the newspapers there are enjoy- ing a hearty laugh in consequeuce at the expense of certain operatic managers in New York who complained of that city's impecualosity. The iron-ciad Stonewall, formerly a rebol oraiser of Eogtish build, has been sold to the Japanese government for baif a million dollars, Jeff Davis left Montreal on Tuesday evening for Toronto, whence he will probably go to St. Catharines, It is said he ia a heavy loser by Fraser, Trenholm & Oo. Senators Wade, Cresswell, Mr. Covode and others are about starting on an exoursion from Cleveland, Ohio, to Omaha and over the Union Pacific Railroad. The statements of receipts and expenditares of the United States for the quarter ending March 31 shows the total receipts to have been $230,241,854, and the total expenditures $232, 741,062. General Schofield bas issued an order appointing military commissioners to the jurisdotion of sub-dis- tricts in Virginia for the purpose of aiding the civil authorities with their presence and troops, They are also given the command of the police forces in their re- spective districts, and are clothed with the powers of justices of the county. The stockholders of the First National Bank of New Orleans have appealed to the Secrotary of the Treasury against the appointmont of a receiver, and potition to be allowed to resume business. Jacob Barker's depositors held a meeting in New Or- Jeans yesterday, and appointed a committes to wait upon him for permisson to examine bis accounts, The police have been guardiug his bouse for fear of an attack upon him, Roxbury, Mass , is to be annexed to Boston, It is supposed that President Johnson will leave for Raleigh on Saturday, Chief Justice Chase will be there about the same time. Several colored orators from the North and West pro- pose making a political tour through the Southern States soon, A party of Eastern capitalists have offered the sum of $800,000 to aid the construction of the St. Joseph and Council Biutls Railroad. A clergyman in Erie, Pa, was arrested yesterday on a The projected marriage of the daughter of the Grand Duke Constantine to the King of Greece is a very significant circumstance. All the world knows that Russia has been giving moral support to the Candian insurgents; but it was done in a way to avoid calling upon her- self diplomatic remonstrances. Now that it has become evident that the people of that island can bold their own, and that the movement is likely to be participated in by other Christian populations subject to the Porte, she caste aside all reserve. This projected alliance be- ween the reigning families of the two countries is a declaration to the world that, in the event of the Turks invading Greece, Russia means to make its cause her own. It will be the first step towards the realization of the policy which she has steadily kept in view since the time of Peter the Great. The remonstrance addressed to the Porte in regard to Crete was, it was asserted, merely preliminary to active intervention on the part of the great Powers, Russia will lead the way by establishing, in right of this marriage, her claims to be first in the field, Once she takes up arms for the set- tlement of this and other questions arising out of the incapacity of the Sultan to protect his | Christian subjects, it will be long before she lays them down again. A war in defence of the Greeks would be the most popular com- mencement she could make towards the accom- plisbment of her designs upon Constantinople. There is no longer any doubt of her purpose in this regard. Royal marriages are ‘like the straws which indicate the direction of the yemela & thea” polideal curteah Our Natloeeat Finaaces—Seoretary MeOul- lochs Oradities. Seoretary McOulloch is inourably wodded to his financiat theorles, although they havo Proved impracticable, and he ie compelled to abandon them in practice. He not only doos not learn anything by experience, but he be- Comes more confused and incapable. Yet he never loses an opportunity to ventilate h's crude notions about our finanoes and the cur- renoy. His last performance in this way is seen ina lotier to aome citizens of Boston in reply to an invitation to @ .complimontary public dinner tendered to him. It will bo romembered that the Secretary, in bis Fort Wayne speech, and on other occa- sions, spoke strongly in favor of a resumption of specie payments and @ contraction of the currency to bring that about at an early day. In his reports to Congress he recommended this policy, and that body, acting upon his recommendation, passed an act authorizing him to contract the ourreney by withdraw- ing legal tenders from circulation. He used the authority conferred’ for a time, and proceeded in withdrawing the national currency from circulation till be saw that the effect was “proving ~ disastrous in checking the industry of the country and in reducing the income of the government. Now he confosses that he is compelled to suspend con- traction and is not withdrawing any longer the United States notes from circulation. Still, he talks about resumption a pertinaciously as ever, notwithstanding this inconsistency be- tween his theory and practice. He now thinks curtailment .of the circulating notes must be governed by the condition of the country and of the Treasury. The condition of the country aud of the Treasury tells him he must not curtail the currency, and his on-to-specie-pay- ment theory is scattered to the winds. He yields the poiut we have been contending for all along—that contraction would be rainous to the industry, bualness and reveaue of the country. Why, then, does Mr. McCullooh still persist in misleading the public by talking imprac- ticable nonsense? ‘The argument he endeavors to make in his Boston letter ls a piece of weak special pleading to cover up his inconsistency. It shows that he is unfit to manage the finances of this great country, especially at such a critical time. He says the majority of the members of Congress last winter were opposed to contraction, and therefore he does not wish to place himself in opposition to them. He does not wish to produce a panic in the commerocial cities, as there are anxious fore- bodings of financial troubles. He admits that it would not be prudent to contract, as there are large amounts of interest-bearing notes to be paid and converted within the present and next fiscal year. And he thinks the failure of the crops and other clroumstances may seriously affect business, so-that it is “important the public mind should not be diverted by the criticisms and complaints of those opposed to contraction, from the real cause of trouble.” This last part of his argument {s ambiguous; but it is enough to know that he deems any further contraetion unsale. What Mr. McCulloch says about the increased and enormous burdens upon the government, from the donations or bounties to soldiers, the Indian war, the lavish appropriations of Con- gress, the expenses and condition of the South, the large issues of bonds to the Pacific Rail- road, and other reckless and extravagant de- mands Congress has imposed upon the Trea- sury, is worthy of serious consideration. He thinks that with these burdens and a reduced revenue any further reduction of the national debt at presont must not be expected. Indeed, he believes a temporary increase of the debt is unavoidable. Such is the condition to which a reckless and extravagant Congress and in- competent management of the national finances have brought us. With a large surplus revenue @ short time ago, with a country immensely wealthy and tzeming with productions, and with an active, industrious population of thirty- five millions, we are now told that the revenue will be deficient and the public debt increased. This is humiliating to the country and a dis- grace to those who have had the management of affairs. A day of reckoning will come, and that before long, when the people will call to account our radical Congress and all who have contributed in bringing the republic to such a condition. It isa singular coincidence that at the same time Mr. McCulloch's letter appeared in the Heratp we received and published « debate in the British Parliament, where this very subject of our financial condition was discussed. Theo speakers, while paying a just tribute to our wonderful resources aud the vigor and industry of our people, seemed to anticipate the atate of things revealed by Mr. McCulloch. They, however, did not comprehend the question of our currency, and how tampering with that is one of the causes of our present financial situation. We publish to-day, in another part of the paper, an article much more to the point. The writer shows by historical facts and analogies and by sound argument that to bave an easy and a sufficient currency is the only way to stimulate industry and production, to furnish aa ample revenue and to pay off the national debt, These are the views of a states- man ; the views and conduct of our politicians and public officers are pettifogging and ruin- ous. If we would escape terrible national em- barrassment and disasters, we must retrace our steps, practise economy, and let the legal tender currency of the country alone. The Excise Law—K. 1 Justice. The letter which we published yesterday on the operation of the present Excise law has at- tracted a good deal of attention. No argu- ment that has as yet been put forih on the sub- ject exposes more clearly the fallacies by which it is sustained. Any law that presses unequally upon the community must be re- garded as essentially unjust. That is not fair legislation which Interferes with one man’s liberty of enjoyment while it protects another's. The Excise law goes as far as possible in both directions, It permits people of means, who can lay in stocks of wine and spirits, to freely indulge in their nse at any time; but it pre- vents the poor, who can only procure them by tesorting to a liquor store, from obtaining them after certain hours on week days or on the Sunday. This is not just, neither is it politic. We all know how people are apt to resent any- thing which oxhibits even a semblance of un- fairness. We believe that the present Excise law will, from this feeling alone, make more drunkards than it will cure. In Massachusctts We have had abundagt ovidence of (he efeoh of auch stringent measures. With but very fow oxceptions the clergy and medical faoulty of that State, who formerly advocated them 60 strenuously, are now of opinion that they have done more harm than good, and that the license ayatem, rationally carried out, is the only effective means of combating the evil. OF course our legislators will come to the same conclusion by and by; but in the moan- timo they are working irreparable misohiof to the peace and welfare of families. Reconstructing Rebels and Political Partics Through Vinanclal Operations. The late developments concerning the First National Bank of Now Orleans show that some of the obief rebels have taken a very effective plan of reconstructing themselves and laying the foundation for controlling political affairs in the South. Money, it is said, constitutes the sinews of war. Politicians know it is no less ne- cessary and powarfal in building up and manag- ing political parties, It appeara that Beaure- gard, Longstreet and some other rebel generals and chiefs down in Loulsiana have beon doing smart business in the way of finanoiering, for ‘the purpose of restoring both their broken for- tunes and political power. While we thought these gentlemen had modestly retired from view, cultivating corn or potato patches with which to eke out a lowly existence, they have been quietly working on a grand scale; while we supposed they were laying back, till future years should afford them opportunities for exercising their talents on a large scale, they have been earnestly but silently at work, “redeeming the time,” The First National Bank of New Orleans was a great institution, plethoric with currenoy and the funds of the United States. Making a great deal of money, doubtless, through the exira- ordinary privileges which Congress has given these national banking institutions, and feeling secure with the large government deposits in its coffers, it felt generously disposed toward the fallen rebel chiefs. It loaned large sums all round—to one forty thousand dollars, to another sixty thousand, and so on, with a lavish hand. We do not know whether the accommodating bank managers are Northern men, but we can very well imagine how they became captivated and carried away by the well known elegant and winning manners of these educated and accom- plished ex-rebel officers, Looking to the tuture, when these gentlemen may become again a power in the land, the bank managers may have followed the example of the cunning steward spoken of in the Gospels. They might have told one to writs down forty thousand dollars, another sixty thousand dollars, and so on, for the purpose of laying up treasure, po- litical or otherwise, for the future. At any rate, the ex-rebel generals got the money, which, no doubt, has done a good deal in re- constructing. them and in giving them political power. They-need not care particularly. about being disfranchised for a time by the acts of Congress; money will control the votes of others. The goverament will have the satisfaction of knowing that its fands have contributed to this effective mode of reconstructing the rebel chiete, A great deat of money is being spent in other ways to reconstract the South, particu- larly (o reconstruct the negroes into voting citizens. Why, then, should we complain if a portion has gone to leading white mon of that section who therewith may help forward the work of reconstruction? True, the telegraph nows agents at New Orleans keep repeating every day the assertion that the government will not lose anything by the failure of the First National Bank, though latterly they have qualified this assertion by saying “not to any greatamount.” With all respect to the state- ments of these very anxious press correspon- dents and those behind them, we think their anxiety to put the best face on the matter, and this coming down, to “not any great amount,” has a very suspicious look about I'. Werather think we shall hear before long that the gov- ernment has lost a -large amount. But, then, why complain, as we said? It has all gone in the way of reconstracting rebels and the South. But we should like to know if some one else—if a more astute financial and political manager than all these—had not something to do with this business, and if there is not at the bottom a deep political scheme. There is in New Orleans @ remarkable man—a financial and political genius—a banker, too, who forty years ago, we remember, played a very extra- ordinary game in the politics of the country through a piece of adroit financiering. Jacob Barker was then, as he is uow, doubtless, a maater in the art of flnanciering and political management. He is in fact a more skilful politician than financier, but he does not kaow it. In 1826 he, with Prosper M. Wetmore, Henry Eckford and others in New York, entered into certain finuncial operations for « political object and to produce political results. It created great excitement at the time, and led to the trial and conviction of all ihe parties, except Wetmore, who turned Siaie’s evidence against tue rest. The decision of the court which tried the case in the first ustance was reversed, how- ever, when carried to a higher tribunal. The whole affair was political in its object and bearing—a democratic movement to operate upon parties and the approaching Presidential election, and it had a powerful influence io electing General Jackvoo in 1828. Now we should like to know whether Jacob Barker, who has shown such remarkable genius in combining political with financial opera- tions, and who has been a democrat of the old Southern. school all bis‘life, has not had a hand in this affair between the First National Bank of New Orleans and the rebol generals. It is sald that he had no business connection with this bank; but be is a banker in New Orleans, and bis own bank became involved in trouble about the time of the failure of the First National Bank. This is a singular coincidence, to say the least; and when we look at the character and history of Jacob Barker we cannot resist the impres- sion that he has been acting behind the scenes, and that there was some political motive and calculation in the financial reconstruction of so many of the prominent rebel leaders out of the funds of the First National Baok. We want light upon the subject. Let us have light upon these singular transactions. {Lack of Discipline in the Fire Department. The Metropolitan Board of Fire Commis- aioners, in reporting upon the case of « fireman named Carrigan, who was charged with “lying in bed and not tarning out to three alarms,” says it “exhibits another instance of the laxity of discipline which has orept into the depart mont” This er ‘aints of the people in that respeot hay been wl founded, and it now becomes the duty of t? Board to 40 reorganize the depart- ment aa to 4 2der it unnecessary in the future to make guch by Umiliating admissions. Retura oy the Yacht Vesta, @ of the three competi- we dang n nC? last winter, is once again safe on this side ot the Atlantic. She reached New York yesterday n‘ruing, making the voyage from continent to °outinent in thirty-two days. Wherever she was . eoognized as she came up to her dock she was n*ceived with a warm welcome, and every one seeted desirous of doing honor to the gallant litt’ adventurer and congratulating her on her safe return, We publish to-day an interesting account of her homeward voyage, with a copy of her log. It will be seen that she had no holiday sport. The winds and the waves, as if to punish her for her temerity, conspired to test her courage and endurance, and gaye her a full share of rough handling. Daring the entire voyage, with the exception of a single day, she encountered head winds and beavy weather, and did not come out of the struggle without some “honorable soars,” such as the loss of s foretopmast,'a jibboom and a portion of her railing, Still, the bo'sterous weather did but serve to teat her admirable seagoing qualities, and she reaches her home sound in every easential particular, and in just as good condition, it is said, “aa if she had been only on a summer trip.” Although the time consumed in the return seems long, as compared with the ran out, which was made by the Vesta in fourteen days, it was, nevertheloss, a good voyge, when the weather is considered. Last winter she had 8 fair wind all the way across the Atlantic. Homeward bound she has had the wind ahead from shore to shore. As it is, she passed several vessels on her way, bound west, end some fourteen large ships, which started from England about the same time with the Vesta for New York, have not yet reached this port. On leaving the Isle of Wight the Vesta had an impromptu brush with a yacht of'some reputation, the Georgiana, owned by an Irish nobleman, and outsailed her easily ; 80 the honor of the Stars and Stripes was well maintained to the last, and the Ameri- can visitor left the British waters with flying colors. In the famous ocean race the Vesta proved herself a remarkably fast sailer, and the closeness of the contest took away all the sting of her defeat. In her voyage home she has established her reputation as a thoroughly seaworthy, reliable vessel, and has shown her- self as good « traveller, comparatively, in rough weather as in fair. After her ocean ex- perience her owner need not fear either to matoh her for speed in a friendly contest or to Jaunch ber forth upon @ voyage round the world, Phe Featan Coavicts in irolnad—Commatation of Beateace. It must have been gratifying to many in this city, and, indeed, throughout the Union, who were totally destitute of Feaian sympathy, to learn from our special cable despatches yester- day that the extreme penalty of thé law was not to be visited upon the Fenian convicts in Ireland. It is not to be denied that the British govern ment would have been justified—justified by the law itself, justified by precedent, justified by leniency formerly shown and by warnings repeatedly given, justified even on the high ground of humanity itself—in carrying out the death sentence. It is felt, however, by all, even by those who are most disgusted with Fenian folly, that they have acted well, even magnani- mously, in commuting the death sentence to imprisonment for life. The shedding of blood could not have strengthened the hands of gov- ernment, while the magnanimity they have shown in sparing life has taken the sting out of Fenianism forever. The British government have made aclear gain by the course they have followed, and Fenianism has been more effectually crushed than if a hundred heads had dropped on the scaffold. We may hear more of Irish discontent and even of organized opposition to British rule on the island; but the discontent must assume a new form, and the opposition must come under a new name. It would require more true vitality than Fenianism bas ever had to survive the three dreadful fiascos which have been made in its name. Our principal object, however, in reverting to this subject is to call attention toa characteristic of modern progress which the leniency now shown by the British government strikingly illustrates. The political agitator and revolu- tionist is not, in this age of public opinion, what he once was. He is at once less of a hero while he lives and less of « martyr when he dies. In communities where opinion is at all freely ventilated the conviction has become tolerably general that recourse to arms is neither the safest nor the most effective way of righting a wrong. Clinging to the now obsolete faith that the blood of martyrs is the seed of a cause, there are some vain enough to court martyrdom ; but governments have become too considerate to gratify rashiy such insensate folly. We ourselves have put down a gigantic rebellion; but we have not, since the rebellion was crushed out, madly called for blood. In this last instance the British government have but followed our example. They are strong enough to deal with political offenders without converting them into petty political martyrs. In proportion as public sentiment finds freer and fuller expression this mode of dealing with political offenders must become more and more the rule. We congratulate the British government on the conclusion at which they have arrived. Aa Irish Bult. We are told that the Fenians are to invade Canada. Canada has just been declared a dominion and set up asa new nation, and is, or is soon to be, practically independent of Great Britain. How, then, is a Fenian invasion of Canada to affect Ireland? Ireland, if she suffers any terrible tyranny, suffers it from England; and how can the acts of England toward Ireland be changed by the invasion of a territory on this side the Atlantic not subject to English rule, and, of course, not to be de- tended by English money and an English army? Would not a Fenian invasion of independent Canada, with a view to benefit Ireland, be the work of an Irish bull? Indeed, simple respect for the Irish intellect must force us to seek some other cause for this proposed invasion than tho one put forth. Is its gigantic cover tg on honest admigslon that we ! for a system of wholegele smuggling? The Tdquor enters’ Prosunclamiente— Foolish Action of the Excise Commission- Bea, ; The traffic in intoxicating drinks has always been a troublesome subject for Legislatures (o handle. Drunkenness is a vice which every {ntelligent community deplores, and the abuses of the appetite of man have always been pro- lide sources of evil. At the same timo no in- terference with those appetites beyond the point necessary for public safety, deconcy and morality will be patiently submitted to by a free people; and attempts on the part of fanat- ics to legislate mankind up to ® particular standard have always proved failurés. There has never been in this State any popular objec- sion (2 9 fair and even stringent general Excise law y but special enactments for pariicular and all total abstinence legisls- tion, have invatiably met with flerce The New York Legislature, two scssions ago, passed an Excise law for the Motropolf- tan Police district aNone, distinct from the rest of the State. The first object of the framers of the law was to secure a\fund from the license fees for the Board of Police Commissioners, and to make political capftal\in this.city for the dominant party in the out ofthe cons trol of the liquor business. The ‘provisions of, the act were quite stringont, and word espe- cially offensive to the liquor dealers of New York and Brooklyn, because applicable only to them, and not to all the oltizena of the State. Still, they were submitted to with remarkable patience, if with some grumbling, and the heavy license fees extorted from all | who sold beer and spirits were readily paid. The Excise Commissioners, however, seem to have set deliberately to work to pre~ vent the peaceful operation of the law as passed at Albany, and, by the exercise extraordinary powers and the display a very arbitrary spirit, to render act unbearable and inoperative. If they were in the direct interest of the saloon keepers they could not do more to upset the present Excise law than they have already done by their indiscreet and oppressive action. They have treated a large and influ- ential clasa of business men as litile bettec than convicted felons, and have appeared to take it for granted that every man who sellé liquor is @ confirmed violator of law and:order. No person can apply to the Commissioners ef a license without fecling as if he were a nal, doing a lawless act, and the conditions imposed upon him by their regulations are oal- culated to degrade him and to convict bim on his own admission, as it were, of being an un- trustworthy and dishonorable man. The popular indignation excited by the course of the Commissioners may be gathered from the articles from Wilkes’ Spirit of the Times, which are published as an advertises / ment in to-day’s Herat, They foreshadow the course determined upon by the tiquor dealy ers.of the city, and their suggestions will aq ‘doubt be acted upon generally by that class citizens, and will greatly embarrass and bly totally stop the operation of the law.. i proposed that dealers conform to the letter the law as passed by the Legislature, pa no heed whatever to the regulations made by, the Excise Commissioners under their legislative power, and then proceed to liquor with a license, if one be granted them—without it, if it be refused. ff day reste should be made by the police, the arrested is counselled to make no opposi| but to give bail, which will be supplied by the Liquor Dealers’ Association, and demand é jary trial. It is claimed—and we have ao doubt on good foundation—that no jury in t city will convict a person who has been to conform to the requirements of the law, be- cause he has refused to obey the oppressive orders and regulations of the Commissioners. - The republicans made themselves ridiculous when they passed this partial Excise law, putting New York and Brooklyn under and penalties not imposed on the rest of State, and supposed that they could political capital in these democratic strongy holds out of it. Governor Fenton made hime self ridiculous when he approved such special and oppressive legislation. The Excise Com- missioners have made themselves more ridicue loua than all, by adding to the law, already unjust and offensive eaough, a set of arbitrary rules and regulations suited to their peouliag autocratic views. Altogether they have madq a nice muddle of the business, and, without puty ting a stop to the vice of intoxication, ha only suceceded in denying to our German other cilizens an opportunity to enjoy them- selves on the sole holiday they have daring the week, and in branding a numerous, wealthy and respectable class of business men as cone firmed rowdies and law-breakers. Amasoments of the Senson. After a long, long winter, tardy spring fe almost overtaken by summer, and the opea- ing season of outdoor amusements suddenly bursts upon us. The Spring Race Meeting of the Passaic County Agricultural Society will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thur day, the 4th, 5th and 6th of June, and this is but one of a long series of exciting conteste of the turf. Racing and trotting are to be the order of the day wherever there is a course og a track. The impulse given to American yachting by the famous ocean race of last December will lead to extraordinary interest in the summer regattas and races of the New York Yacht Club and of the increasing num ber of yacht clubs which sail in its wake. Our inland lakes, as well as the waters off the Atlantic coast, and the ocean itself, will witness more than one yacht race during season. Aquatic sports seem to have preference im public favor. Launches of yachts, both sailing yachts and steam yaohtd, are of almost daily occurrence. The ot the rival college boat clubs are in fal training for their summer campaign. Amateur Boat Association is more active ever. Men of all clnsses aro learning to oarsmen, and a clergyman in one of the pretty towns on the Hudson proposes to row hundrode of miles on the Connecticut river. Pleasure! parties are forming for voyages to Europe, and even to the Holy Land. The young midshi men of the Naval School at Annapolis will their usual summer cruise about the middle June, in the Macedonian, the Dale ami the Savannah. Cape May, as a princf Trond dezvous for yachts, will probably the palm from the other watering prices, Bul there will be no lack of visitors eather at Now- port, Saratoga, Sharon or Long Branch. Base ball, cricket, bowling and vii sorts of athlotia exercises, tram anecting fo otoauct olaylog, -