The New York Herald Newspaper, November 11, 1869, Page 3

VANDERBILT. Unveiling of the Bronze Commo- core at the Hudson River Railroad Depot. ORATION BY MAYOR WALL. The Guests and the Cere- monies. DESCRIPTION OF THE GROUP. fhe “Bulls” and “Bears” Frolic in Wall Street. ‘The ceremonies incident to the unveiling of the bronze biography of Vanderbilt, which has elictted a world of comment from the press, took place yes- terday afternoon at the Hudson River Railroad depot, formerly St. John’s Park, in presence of a large gathering of citizens and guests. The plan of arrangements was very simple and effective. Facing the western wail of the building, and, consequently facing the bronze pediment, a substantial platform Nad been erected, and suitably draped and deco rated, Cordons of the police, under the com- mand of Captain Petty, were drawn across the street from citer corner of the building, thus reserving the open space between the west wall and the stand for the duly ticketed guests, and sentries Were posted at tie several depot entrances to pre- vent smuggled inzress from that direction. With- out and beyond surged masses of the great public, atoms of which are always whisked together in heaps upon all pubdiic occasions. Half an hour before the ceremonies began a considerable crowd had collected exterior to the cordon, and was already dashing against it, like a surging sea against immovable rocks, while within, safe in harbor, conversed groups of the duly ticketed guests. Of the guests, the larger share of tne celebrities had already made their way to the platform, accom- panied with a sporadic representation of ladies, among whoin was Airs. Jonnson, ne Harriet Lane, A list of these would necessarily occupy columns, and a few therelore can only be mentioned. On the Platiorm appeared the venerable Bishop Janes, the Rey. Dr. Quinnell and a clerical deputation of half a dozen or more, who, taking no part in the pro- ceedings, must be nameless; also Moses H. Grinnell, ex-Coilector Schell aud Mr. Peter B, Sweeny. Mayor Hall aad ex-Mayor Gunther were present, as also were Congressinan Cox and @ number of Washing- ton political celebrities, and Womer A, Nel- fon, Secretary of State, The judiciary was amply represented by its deputation, promiment in ihe midst of which was Judge Bedford, in aadi- tion to the list already printed and, therefore, fami- Marto the pubilc, Among the ions of the press present may be mentioned Horace Greeley, the Messrs. Brooks, of the Zcpress, and David ©. Stone, of the Journai af Commerce, together with an army of veteran editors ana editorial subs. In fact, @ large percentage of the list of guests alreaay printed were present. @ percentage, as ts always the case on similar gccasions, omitting to putin an ap- Pearance; and of shipouilders, foundry proprietors, steamboat proprictors, naval representatives and representatives of steam transit compantes there was 8 more than common, in fact, an extraordinary pro- fasion, the whole belug sufficient as a deputation of _Mhe wealth, talent, professional celebrity and condl- tion of the metropolis to give unusual éclat vo the Proceedings. Most of the members of the Honorary Committee were, in fact, on the ground, the places oi those who were absent being filled to congestion with persons of distinction from the varied walks of Politics, the professions and eminent social position. ‘The preparations for the unveiling consisied of a Getail of sailors, in the dark biue of the fraternity end duly officered, to whom was assigned the duty of lifung the canvas and exposing the bronze at the given signal. At one o’clock—the crowd having coutinued to augment, and bemg represented from every con- venient window adjacent—the “hats off was shouted by @ policeman from the stand, and the venerable Bishop was introduced by Captain De- groot and opened the proceedings with prayer. PRAYER BY BISHOP JANES, The reverend Bishop, after expressing the humility with which we approach the footstool of God, prayed that He would accept our homage and thanks for His goodness to us, for oar being and tie attributes with which He had invested us, for the Sabbath, for the means of grace. We felt our un- Worthiness, that we deserved His indignation and wrath; but he prayed for mercy and for forgiveness of our sins through the merits of Jesus Christ. That we may seek the true objecis of life and secure happiness beyond the grave. He prayed especially for biessings upon the fellow citizen we were here assembled to honor. He had been blessed with many days, with a high position and great renown. He prayed that he might be led to seek the honor that comes from God, to giorify humaulty and be- come rich in God’s treasure in heaven. He prayed for his domestic interests, that his home might bea happy one, that his children and children’s children might be blessed, and that they might be united here- after in heaven with their great progenitor. The Bishop closed by praying that the city might be blessed. He prayed for the Mayor and the other Authorities of the city, for the Governor, the Legisla- ture, &c., and closed by repeating the Lord’s Prayer. The Bishop having concluded the invocation, Cap- tain Degroot stepped forward and introduced his Honor the Mayor, which was the signal for the lift- ing of the canvas and the exposure of the bronze, a Work which occupied some minutes, during which every cye was upturned to the cornice of the build- ing. The unveiling completed, after hearty huzzas from the crowd, Mayor Hall lifted his band to the great work, now jor the first time uncovered to pub- lic gaze, and pronounced the following oration:—~ ORATION OF MAYOR HALL, A committee of honorabie citizens have sought to perpetuate in yonder colossal work of art the nis tory and public spirit of an honored fellow citizen, By their invitation the Chief Magistrate of the me- tropolis and distinguished delegates irom the pro- fessional, commercial, manufacturing, artisan and official communities of New York assemble to-day for participation in the brief and pleasant cere- monies which now introduce to public view the Vanderbilt bronzes. How appropriate to novel them at the threshold of this immense commercial temple! How equaily appropriate is your presence to honor an event whose subject, by mantfoid public enterprises that often attained the dignity of na- ttonal importance, has honored all of us and our be- loved city. Statues and sculptures that commem- orate the achievements of living men have deen rarely erected or fashioned. ‘There are a few marked instances in the annals of enlightened civilization of such merited tributes, In our own generation we recall those of the great Irish Com- moner, the distinguished Engiish Commoner, the Tron Duke and the world-renowned philanthropist who has lately entered the high gate of mercy, whose initiatory earthly portals he had s0 often opened to his fellow creatures. Within their own spheres of public usefulness none of them more deserved those hunorable tnacriptions which the hand of memorial. art traced to ther own eyes than does Cornelius Vanderbilt merit this day’s marks of public respect and esteem. For his wealth—for the bald reason that he is the richest citizen on this continent? A thousand times no! The mere Dives is but perpetuated in une warn- ing parable. But because of the results this ‘wealth las worked; because he belleved as even Timon of Athens—Misanthropos—exclaimed in the ed drama to Senators Alcibiades, Lucullns and mpronius—We are born to do benellia.’? Cor- nelius Vanderbilt has acquired enormous riches, How has he employed them? Not ignobly th selfish in- vestments nor egotia' accumulations, whose tn- come heightens Sybaritish pleasures; not tn filling Iron chests with title deeds of vast landed estates; put he hes used his capiial in constant commercial investments; in public projects of siartling conception, that have kept employed almost armies Ol men, or that have stimulated capl- talista to beneficial enterprises; or that forced his accumulations through a thousand business chan- nels; or that fostered national industry; or that have benefited his fellow citizens through enlarged methods of river and interoceantc navigation. Let the question be further answered by the scores of vessels he has launched; by the monopolies he has vanquished; by the ancillary projects of public Weight that his own have necessarily begotten. Bus you will spare to the modesty of the day's hero @epoctal culegz ‘Tbe gneient Crassus demanded NEW YURK HERALD, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1l, 1869.—TRIPLE SHEET. envy from Solon. The latter told him “that of no mas could 1 be safely satd he was -Dappy until his a ge igh i a him when bs of al most "to be envied,” “Tellus, ihe Athentan.” “Why?” “Because he lived under a govern- ment, and when Athens was attacked flew to its do- fence, and having he}, to repel the enemy, died on the battle field.” May it not be truly gald of him whose bronze exemplar stands before us that to the riches of Crassus he united these enviable attributes of Tellus, Did Cornelius Vanderbit not believe he lived under 9 good government when he shared his gifts of fortune with his blecding country in those dread hours when the integrity of her Union was menaced! Was it an insignificant act of patriotism that cancelled a charter to the government for his namesake steamer, which might during months to come produce him 83 much 4s mosi men call the fortune of a lifetime? Was it not a memorable con- tribution to the defence of his Athens when he pre- sented that vessel (veritably miilionnaire in her value) @ spontaneous gift? Did he deny a well beloved sou to his country’s ranks of military heroes? Let au- swer the modest shaft tn the Moravian graveyard ou yonder suburban island which gave Cornelius Van- derbrt his Knickerbocker birth. Does he individually deserve this day’s honor wmich you pay him? Ay! He is a remarkable pro- wtype of rough-hewn American character which asks no greater original capital than is alforded by that independence of thought, that selt- reliance in action, that firmness in endeavors, that probity in worldly contracts and that irresistibie resolution in executing great projects, which can carve the way of every humbly born American boy to national eminence. Like @ Franklin, whose hands in youth worked the rude printing press, but in old age honored with their touch the iingers of kings and proud courtiers, Like s Jackson or a Lin- coin, whose unshod feet in boyhood tracked pathiess forests, but who, in middie uye, twice stood before @ great nation to swear to it tne fealty of a President! Ay, like ghe example of to-day, who, within & Scriptural span of life, has transferred his executive grasp from the tiller of a sloop to the almost supreme control of railways that span half the Con- tinent, that employ armies of men, and into temples of comme: like this one, dally pour more thau the once famed wealth of the Indies. What living American citizen in commercial life is more remarkable to-day than Cornelius Vanderbilt? He has lived under every national administration; yes, he has outived every elected President except his personal iriead who now tenants the White House. Nevertheless, his years have not diminished his elasticity of mind or body, nor blunted his entiu- Siagim in sports, nor jaded ius heart or brain. Avan age when most men grow retrospective he 18 busied with prospective plans for the comtort of his race and the glory of nis native State, whose sigaid- cant motto, “excelsior,”” seems to bave adopted as his own, Simplicity of personai bearing he nas preserved in tact, The gold that corrugates the benigoity and modesty of so many seif-wade men has not aifected bis, In tine, the democratic Tepublican istincts of the lerrymaster of 1514 sur- vive io the railway monarch of 1:69. Almost every remarkable man has had some eccentric trait of character, I trace one w Cornelius Vauderbilt—the mode of his generosities. Tue secret manuer of their repeated bestowals outweigh a Urousand stereo type signatures to subscription papers. ‘Tue quall- ties of ls Charity are like all those uscribea by tae primate dramatist to Mercy. Ec uno disce omnes. pote years ago a gallant naval officer eutered the civil marine service and 10st his life by shipwre: when periorming heroic acts. Weaithy and pnoblic. spirited men began subscriptions for the bene of some who Had been dependents upon hin, ‘They brought Cornelius Vandervilt tae sub- scription paper. “it do not sgn such papers, but go ahead, gentleisen, and raise all the funds you can and then come to me for # sum equal to yonr jomt endeavors.”” And he performed the promise. Again | Bay cx uno disce omnes ! ‘These bronzes, the largest in the world, owe their exis.ence, Orstly, to tue happy conception of Alvert Vegroot. Peruaps some grateful enthusiasm for an old comrade and friend aspired 1t; other comrades and friends very substantially seconded the idea, Thirdly, the bronzes owe tueir completion to the artistic genus of Ernst Piassman and the careful skill of Valenune and George Fisher, who moulded them ito colossal shape. Now, in your name, Jellow citizens, aud in that of the city, I thank them, one and ail, for their eudeavors, which have, in itustrafing this history and public spirit of an eminent citizen, also awarded s0 much of ornament to a metropolis until now defictent iu great works of art. Yet, lellow citizens, if such commemorative works of art merely eulogized lives they would possess slight public value. itis only when they convey through generation to generation a worthy moral or a proper jessou—noble incentives or laudable exemplars—that they deserve pubilc atten- tion, Stand there, iamiliar image of an honored man! Stand tnere and breast the storms or giitver in the sunshine of coming centuries! Stand tnuere, colossai subject of metropolitan pride! Stand there, and daily teach the lessons which the results of your own long life inspire! Prociaim, as your life proclaims, that laborious and seif-sacriliciug youth, adierence to truth, inflexibility of honest purpose and seli-relial are the sure foundation stones of puolic and private character, upon which are buuded certain fame and fortune, Teach our people that whenever their country is impecrilied they shouid Tush to her rgscue with family and fortune. Stand there aua@ teil those whose industry has been crowned by wealth that the honors of life and the praise of future generations foliow those, and those omy, Who make tne world beiter lor them living an it, ; . The Mayor having concluded, William Ross Wal- lace was introduced, ana delivered an ode in honor of the subject commemorated. This occupied some minttes in recitation, being something more than a hundred lines in length, and elicited occasional ap- plause. The ode, or rather the recitation of the ode concluded, tue Rev. Dr. Quinnell stepped forward and, with a few impressive words, pronounced the benediction—the guests adjourning to the banquet room, where leaving them, one may take time for a DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK. ‘The conception is in the nature of a pediment sur- mounting the western wall, measuring 150 feet in length at the base, is thirty-one feet in height at the central point; presents a fagade of 3,125 square feet in area, weighs about 100,000 pounds and has cost more than half @ million of dollars, In the centre stands an immense—it would be proper, perhaps, to ay co- lossal—bronze figure of Vanderbilt, twelve feet in height and nearly solid. The figure weighs a trifle over four tons, and is, therefore, rather larger than what is usally termed colossai—, fact, the largest bronze figure ever cast in this country, and, perhaps, the largest in the world, The purpose has, of course, been to make te statue appear colossal, notwithstanding the eieva- tion, and in vis the artist has succeeded admirably. ‘The subject is represented with head uncovered, in that erect, proud atutude which has become a pro- verb auiong his acquaintances, and had, perhaps, some part in winning for Bim the sovriquet of ‘ommodore.” ‘The heavy fur-trimmed overcoat—a part of Mr. Vanderbilt’s habitual winter dress—has @ further tendency to give the presentation a natu- rai appearance. The attitude is one or bold, strong and dignified repose, firing to the statue that air of Roman boldness and hardinood which ts one of the peculiarities of pose observaple in the sub- ject. In @ word, the moulder has studied his man, and presented him with unusual faith- fulness; for in repose the man is a statue In himseif of magnificent poysical proportions, aud might have been mado the subject of a second Apollo iel- videre, The left foot 19 slightly advanced, just slightly, the right hand being inserted beneath the vest and the left triflingly extended. The counte- nance expresses with exceeding lelicity the repose- ful and dignified benignity which 1s the most salient feature of 1is subject, and has more of the Roman than of the Grecian about it. The strongly marked thongh clear cut and nervous features are pre- sented with extraordinary truthfulness and iminute- ness of detalii, not to say literain gure, Itterainess in and not a defect. & more felici- tously truthful bit of modelling has seldom been executed than Mr, Plassman must be credited within this case. ‘The form, attitude, bearing aud manner of the model will strongly remind the critic In these matters of the celebrated cast of Ethan Allen, engravings of which, it 18 to be regretted, have never been putin circulation, The resembiance is more in the pose of the figure and poise of the head, however, than in the cast of countenance. Roth are perfectly Apollonian presentations of phy- sical manhood—that of Allen betraying moro latent restiveness of disposition; that of Vanderbilt more determination and grandeur of manhood. Both are essentially, though differently, patrician; that of the former being the patriciauism of the fall wild woods of the iew Hampshire grants; that of the latter-the patrician ofiwm cum dignitate evoived by the attrition of man with man, by wrest- ling with the world for the realization of grand pro- jects, by the habitual urbanity 0‘ manners engen- aered in the course of @ long metropolitan career. The one is an Apollo of the woods, the other the Apollo of metropolitan culture; and yet the two are thoroughly altxe in the essential’ stren; ‘This central piece rests upon a pedestal of appro- priate solidity and height, and stands within an are of bronze, the formation of which will be here- alter explained. Tho remainder of the work consists of an immense bas relief, allegoricaliy representative of the biography of the central figure and inctdentaliy representative of the material progress of the cen- tury, in the developing of which that figure has borne a conspicuous part. In a word, the bas reves in question t@ a bit of American history to bronze, bent to the illustration of the career of ti 16 central piece, The base upon which it is erected is formed of a narrow tler of blue stone, in the centre of which, solidly inserted in the wall of the build- ing, appears a huge carved block of native gran weighing eleven tons or more, and serving as support for tho pedestal mentioned, which is tive feet square and a foot and o half high. ‘The latter is formed of a single solid block of bronze and exhibits the inscription “Erected 1863," ‘The bas relief begins at either ord with a height of ten feet from the blue sandstone base, and meets in the centre over the head of the statue with a height of thirty-one feet, An elegant granite cornice surmounts the whole and slopes easily upward for about one-third of the distance from either ex- tremity, turns abruptly up and then runs along borizontatly, finally forming an are of a circie directiy over the head of the statue, Ornamental work in bronze decorates the middle of the granite cornice, tie bas relies terminating at either end in & colossal scroll Work of leaves and plants. On either haud of the statue, between it and these ter setnant ecedtia, appears the allegorical biography of ‘The right hand bas relics 1s devoted to the repre sentation of Vanderbilt's career as the autocrat of the steamboat Interest; the left hand one to the de- lineation of tis career in the same relation to the rat- Toad interest, In the foregrouna, on the right lounges Neptune, typlfving the sea, with flowing beard, & wreath of leaves on his head and a modern rudder instead of the old Homeric triaent in ins band. A huge sea monster looks up from the water at his feet; an American raccoon, un-Homeric emblem, indeed, but weil selected for the purpose, peers round the corner of the rock on which he lounges, with that stealthy cat-like manner peculiar to felin- ity in all its types. American enough, bold enough, a sufficient departure from the classical this ts, of course, but it is felicitous, nevertheless, and proves that the classical 13 not always the best that can be doue under the circumstances, ‘The backgroand on the right is formed by the forest-tufted palisades of tue Hudson; then shoots off, dimly observable in the distance, the tigure of a lighthouse, aud next, tolling and rocking through waves of bronze, emerges the little two-masted partagua, the Diver, in which, balf @ century since, Mr. Vanderbilt carried passengers to Staten Island at twenty-five cents apiece. Tne North Stur, of 1853 celebrity, and under full sail, appears next, ploughing along under strong heaa- way, and the huge Vanderbilt (steamer), aiso cou- pletely rigged and under full heaa of steam, com- pletes the climax and tells the biography of steam navigation frem the transition steamer with sails to the splendid floating palace of the sea or of the Hud- son river, ‘The decails, as respects the delineation of these crait, are expressed with singular minute- ness and accuracy—in fact, with a literainess almost pre-Raphaelic, In the middie of this foreground ‘ies a black pier jutting into the sea, upon which are disposed coils of Topes, pine apples, bananas aud other tropical pro- ducts, together with a Vigilant and savage jooking Masti, which looks asif it might growl éven in bronze, lying upon @ cotton baie; and in the Jore- ground nearest to the statue lics @ massive capstan, With other insignia of navigation. Complicated as 18 thts bas-relieys it 1a still comprehensible enough, 80 easy and clear in ail details as been the disposition of its elements which are made up of the prominent pots in tue biography of Mr. Vanderbilt as the exponent of steam navigation. ‘The extreme lett of the left bas-reite/, representa- tive of Mr. Vanderbilt’s career a3 a railroad man, begins with the figure of Liberty, to balance that of Neptune on the extreme leit, As guardian of the scene and embleMiatic of the republic she appears with flowing hair and drapery, put in a strange atutude. The left hand holds a sword, emblemauc of eternal vigiiance, While the right rests easily upon the American shield, trom behing which un eagie is emerging. A woody slope appears in the back- ground, in frout of which is disposed a fence of the ofiinary pattern enclosing a couple of cows, one of which idly whisks her tail, the otuer lying down with @ ruminant air oud almost a ruminant motion of the jaw. Than the sleepy expression of this iatter head nothing could be more natural, as every one 1s aware who has had apy opportunities of siudying the expression of tiese animals in ruminant attl- tudes. It is one of the master points ot sktil on tne part of the modeller, and betrays undsual felicity of hand in the plastic art, Beyond these lumbers an engine drawing six cars, just in the act of entering @ tunnel bored out under a forest-tufted hill, and still iurther in the background, on a gentie eminence, stands a villa of modern pattern, putting the ohaanese somenow or other in mind of the old quo- ation:— Once a {air und stately palace, Radiant palgce reared {ts head. This forms the extreme left, In the middle fore- ground o1 this left 0as-reitey, @ railroad otticial, tag 1m hand, 18 just emerging from the 11ttle caboose or Liuliput house near the track, along which, tugging from the depot a long train of cars, appears the locomotive C. Vanderbilt in the background next to the stutue, serving the double purpose to carry out the allegory and to identify the adjoining statue itaelf, Wf identification were ever to be needed. ‘the foreground at this point is made up of a rustic group embieiatic of fertility, Two harvesters, with sleeves rolied up, are binding and shocking sheaves of wheat, oue of which Las accidentally jallen upon & basket loaded with melons, grapes aud other agri- cultural 1ruits, Nearer yet to the statue, in the foreground, appears a heap of imple- ments indicative of material progress, among wiich muy be noted @ huge boiler, a colossal cogwheel, & tall derrick, ail rigged with puileys and ropes, and & collection of tools and emblamatic pieces. ‘Tae upper part of the bas-rele/, on both sides, the atmospheric effect 18 simulated, Birds wing their way through a bronze ether, through whicn swim lazily clouds as fleecy and natural us clouds manufactured from bronze can be supposed to be; and this serves for aerial perspective. The history of the work is already too familiar to admit of repetition. To Captain Aloert Degroot, an old steamboat man and a gentieman well acquainted with the biography of his subject—sympatheti- cally acquainted, in fact—is due the honor of the splendid conception and the drawing of the By him the subscription was started, and by progress of tue work has been superin- tended tn ali its successive steps. To Mr. Plassmau, Ou the other hand, 18 due the praise of having made tue most of the drawings, in brimging out the ex- pression of the conception, in infusing into it a sort of art-vitality; and to the brothers Fischer cannot be awarded more praise than is due to the mastery accuracy with Which the casting of ali details baw oeen executed, Captain Degroot and contreres in the work have, in fact, incidentally erected a monu- ment to themseives which will last as long as the name of Vanderbilt, te steamboat and railroad king of the century. in shipping and naval, as well as railroad circles, sthe day was observed with the demonstrations inci- dent to a holiday. Fiags foated high from all points in the harbor, as if the natioual colors had all come to the conclusion to exhibit themssives simulta- neously. The various goverament bulidings in tue city flung out the national ensign, a3 aiso the various municipal departments, several of the hotels and the different railroad depots in_ the vicinity, in honor of the occasion, or rather of the man Who had occa- siened the occasion. A grand banquet nad been prepared for the termi- nation of the event, out owing to some mismanage- ment and the boorish misconduct of some outaide parties, the pleasure which had been anucipaied from Unis portion of the celebration was interrupted, and the Mayor and other proniineut guests left with- OUb participating in the atfair. BURLESQUE UNVEILING IN WALL 8TREET—BULLS AND BEARS IN A FRISKY MOOD. ‘There was rare fun at the Stock Exchange at the | saine hour that the bronze statue of the illustrious Commodore Vanderbilt was being unveiled. Pre- cisely at half-past twelve o'clock tue brokers assein- bied tn the Stock Exchange, and amid great laughter aud applause went througu the tarce of unveiling a “stattoo,” which, in the person of a hideously ugly broker, ina wig and mask, purported to rep- resent the hero of the day. Tie ceremony took place in the gallery of the Long Room. The master of the ceremoures, Mr. E. HB. Van schaick, was president, and Mr. 8, V. White spouted all the oratory de- manded by the laughitug brokers, All Wall street Was in or about the Stock Exchange, and the wiidest tun prevailed during the ludicrous ceremony of the unvetling of the ‘“‘stattoo.’”” With @ profound bow the chairman began his address, but was stopped aimost at te first word by an enthusiastic and facetious broker, who ad- vanced with a genufluction aud presented him with a huge cabbage, ‘The chairman bowed like a prima donna in ac- knowledgment of the nouquet. So overcome was the eloquent orator by the unexpected favor that lie had scarcely any speech leit; but he did manage, nevertheless, to express lis Immense admiration of Commodore Vanderbilt. AS soon as he had finished an “injunction” was served upon the eloquent orator in the name of the United States and Buenos Ayres, but a tussle having occurred in the mean- time, the unfortunate reader of the process of law was marched off the gailey amid much noise and laughter, The secretary read a number of letiers from parties who had suffered ‘severe josses in Central,” who refused to honor the Commodore, and then the funny chairman sang a song, to tne tune of “Jopn Brown's Body,” expressive of the great services of the Commodore to the Board of Brokers, A meinber of the Board, who was addressed as Monsieur Biank by the chairman, then delivered an address, in which he alluded with great humor and efect to the watering operations of Commodore Vau- derbilt, Who Was originally & Waterman, and had made water the ‘“Ceutral” idea of his Iie. Por- meriy men had been made to see double by otuer liquids besides water, but tue Commodore had made tue grand discovery that water, simple aud pure, In the hands of 2 finauctal genius, possessed tue exrra- ordinary power not only of making one see a tulng aoubie, but also of making the thing lf doudie. Roars of laughter and long continued applause.) ‘ne orator did not display the least sign of iatigue at this point, though the vociferous entuusiasm of the audience almost took away his breath. He started In affected amazement as the veil which covered the “gtattoo” was withdrawn, and the assembled brokers found thoinselves in the presence of a brazen burlesque on the Vanderbilt bronze, ‘The face was partially concealed by a mask, from beneath which a long lolling tongue chalienged at tention. The eyes were piercing in their expression, the left arm was folded over the breast, and in the Tight, which was encased in a boxing glove, was an immense watering pot, bearing upon its front the consolidation figures of Central stock, 207. The ap- parition was greeted with roars of laughter and ap- lause, which did not subside for several minutes. ‘rhe ceremonies were closed by the managers sing- ing tn chorus, ‘My country ‘tis of thee,” followed by a declaration, in miserable melody, that the siout Commodore was a right jolly good fellow, and that anybody who dared to deny that fact deserved to have bis stock watered beyond drying. Nobody de- nied the assertion. nd Lest so much enthusiasm, patriotism and poetic frenzy should be lost to posterity the ode of the iace- tious brokers 18 here given Come all ye jolly brokers, a story I'll relate, About a fatnous Commodore, who lives in New York State. Consolidated railroads are a thing he never haves, Chorus—As he goes driving on. Fis watering machinery as yet has And to show our gratitude to him Before Jim ald AC how unveiled. never failed, This statno we sot up for him, and may {t last until ‘he very poor old Commodore his breeches’ puckets fill, And wien he dies wo'll surely find, that with an earuest will ‘Chorus—He must go driving on. A POWDER MILL BLOWN UP AT WESTFICLD, WESTFIELD, Nov, 10, 1860, The powder mili of Rockwell & Moseley, in tis town, was blown up this morning. Two of the Workmen in the mijl—a Mr. Charles ‘Tryon and an Irishwan, name not Kknowit—were severely, if not fatally, injured OBITUARY. Major General John Ellis Wool. After a Jong and eventful career on earth General Wool quietly passed away yesterday morning, at his residence in the city of Troy. He was in the eighty-second year of his age. EARLY CARFER OF THE DECEASED. Genera! Wool belonged to that class of men whose distinction above thetr iellows was the work of their own abilities, unaided oy birth or fortune, or by the influence of men in high places, His ancestors took part in the war for independence, but were com- paratively obscure perso: We are unable to state the exact month and year in which he was born. ‘The year is variously fixed at from 1787 to 1790, while the despatch from ‘Troy announcing his death places his age as high as eighty-six, The most relianle biographies of him that we have seen state that he was born in Newburg, Orange county, N. Y., during the year 1788, His father died 1n 1792, leaving him a child of four years, dependent upon his relatives for a support. He was accordingly taken charge of by his grandfather, James Wool, a resident of Rensselaer county, himself in indigent circumstances and Illy able to meet the additional expense entalied’ upon him. To the credit of the old map 4¢@ it sald that ne did his best for the boy. At ‘this time our preseat system of free schools had not been established, and cheap educational instituuons were few and wretchedly managed, thus making the prospect for a poor boy as wretched as It pos- sibly could be. When, at the age of twelve, the boy was sent into the world “to make a living’ his mental acquire- ments were few. He could read and write, but very Uttie more. The first employment he obtained was 1m the capacity of a clerk in astore at Troy. Here he passed a few years, applying himself diligently to the business, making many friends and saving some money. Before he had attained to manhood he was able to open @ book and stationery establishment in Troy. In the intervals of time between attending on customers he applied himself to the improvement of his mind by reading the books he had forsale. In this praiseworthy manner he acquired a fund of information which was subsequently turned to good account. In either 1810 or 1811 a fire destroyed his shop, with its stock, and although he received numerous offers of aid to re-establish nis business he deciined them all, having cetermined to adopt the law as a profession. He accordingly began his Jegal studies, and had nearly compicted (hem when the prospect of war with Great Britain changed the course of his carcer. ENTRANCE INTO THE ARMY. While a very young man General Wool had made the acquaintance of Governor De Witt Clinton, and be- tween them had sprung upa warm friendsltp which lasted through many years. When it became evi- dent that war was Inevitable the Governor suggested his entering the army, which he agreed to do; waere- upon Mr. Clinton obtained him a commission as captain in the regular army of the United States, He was assigned to duty with the Thirteenth regi- ment of infantry, which had been organized with a view to the opening of hostilities, Although bis commission bore date of March 14, 1812, he was the senior captain of the regiment, which was com- Manded in its first action by Colonel Solomon Van Rensselaer, whose serious wounding during the early hours of the eigagement at Queenstown Heights, coupled with the unavoidable apsence of Lieutenant Colonel Cbrysue, gave to Captain W ool hs first chance of wiuniag reputation oa the battie eld. THE STORMING OF QUEENSTOWN HEIGHTS. Before daybreak on the morning of October 13, 1812, the American forces had crossed the Niagara river, and upon their landing being discovered the Briuish opened fire upon them, <A severe eugage- ment, though of short duration, ensued, and resu:ted in the enemy betag driven back upon Queenstown, but not before he had inflicted serious loss upon the Americans. Seven of tue ten oilicers of tue ‘Lhir- teenth regiment were killed or wounded, among the latter being Captain Wool, through both of whose thighs a builet passed. About the same time Colo- nel Van Rensselaer was 80 seriously Injured that he was compelied to leave the feild, and, Lieutenant Colonel Chiystic not having arrived, the command devolved upon Wool by right uf seniority. Wounded and bieeding as he was he refused to leave the Held. The situation had now become critical, in- Voiving, as it did, either a desperate assault or a dis- raceful abandonment of the movement. General ‘an Kensselacr chose the former uiternative and ordered an assault. Along @ most precipitous path, which the enemy had neglected to cover, believing i¢ 1mpassapie, Captain W ol led his men to tae rear of the British. So sudden was the assault that but little resistance was offered, und in a few minutes the flag of the republic floated over Queenstown Heights. In a@ littie while, however, tae British, heavily reinforced, returned, and it seemed as if the handful of Americans would be overwhelmed. At the first charge they were thrown into confu- sion and driven to the margin of the river. Then 1¢ was that Captain Ogilvie hoisted a fag of truce in token of surreuder. Captain Wool rushed forward, tore down tie flag and appealed tote men to Continue the duntest. Ani- mated by the heroic example he set the troops recovered confidence, rapidly reformed their line and, 1mpetuously charging the enemy, succeeded in repulsing him with neavy loss. For several hours the engagement continued, but nothing could drive the Aiericans from the heights they had won, Until late in the aiternoon tne gallant young com- mander remained on the fleid, and 1¢ wus with reluc- tance that he then returned to the American side of ‘the river to bave bis wounds dressed. PLATTSBURG AND AVTER CAREER. For his gallaniry on the occasion referred to above Captain Wool was promoted to the rank of major, and was transferred to the Twenty-ninth regiment during the sear following. During the five days’ engagement at Piatisburg he again greatly distinguished himseif, as also at Beekmantown; for which services be was brevetied a heutenant colonel. A tew months later the war ended, and upon the reduction of the army he was one of the few oificers retamed by tue government. Until September, 1815, be was on duty with the pixth regi- ment of infaniry, aud during that month was appointed inspector General of the Northern Division, with the brevet rank of colonel. Eiguteen months jater he was returned to the infantry with a full commission as lieutenant colonel, and in 1821 was made Inspector General of tue Army. On the 25th of April, i8z6, he was commissioned a briga- ater general by brevet for ten years iaithiui services in the United states Army. During these years of peace his reputation as an able, energetic officer continued unimpaired. The mauner in which he performed all the duties to which he was assigned gave generai satisfaction to his superiors, Visit TO EUROPE. In 1882 General Wool was sent to Europe by the government for the purpose of Inquiring into the iniiitary system of the various natioas. His recep- tion in France aud Belgium was iwost dattering. On one occasion in Paris le atiended a review of 70,000 men, forming one of the suite of Louis Phillippe, by Special invitation. By orders of the King be waa the recipient of marked attention at the hand of Mar- shal Soult, who was then Minister of War. in Bel- gium General Wool was tue guest of the King, with whom he reviewed an army of 100,000 men. Ata later date he accompanted tlie Kiug to Antwerp and made @ thorough iaspecuon Of tue fortifications of thatand adjacent places. The knowledge gained by him was transmit to the government in a series of very interesting and reliable notes, On his return to the United States the General was ordered to inspect the coast defences of the repud- lic from Maine to Lowisiana. At this time ihere was & strong prospect of & war with France, wich was happily averted. In 18/6 he was assigned to tie task of removing the Cherokee Indians from the ‘Territory of Arkansas to- their present Territory, which duty he performed fa a thoroughly satisfac. tory manner. Upon tue outbreak of the Cavadian rebellion, 11 1838, he Was ordered to the frontiers of Maine. While uere he made a tour through the northern wilds of the State with @ view of establish. ing nsive works 9long the border. His position Was @ very delicate one, 4 false step being suficient to plunge the country 1ato another war with Great Britaio. The sympathies of the people were with the Canadian rebels, aud Wiey endeavored to aid them as much a8 postibie. By pursuing a strictly impartial course, General Wool succeeded in preveating breaches in ine neutrality laws, without giving odence to American popular sentiment, and for bis tactand judgment during these trying times was much praised, and added greatly to tis reputation. Early in i841 ¢ | Scott was promoted to the rank of Major nd placed in command of all the Unied States, ie left a brigadier general- ship vacant, which was filled by the appointment of General Wool, who Nad hitherto held iis commis- sion a3 such ouly by brevet. It was an evidence of toe high opmiou envertained of his military skill by the government that he was thus stugied out from amid numerous oilicers of distmction for promo- tion to one of the highoss positions in the army. THG WAR WITH MEXICO, Immediately upon the outbreak of the war with Mexico, the General was ordered to tue West for ihe purpose of organiziug the volunteers assembling there. The vigor und energy whica he brougit to bear upon ali under him in his work undoubtedly saved the United States from @ series of terrible aisasters. Within stx weeks from bis arrival fe had thoroughly equipped, armed and sent forward some 12,000 men to the fleld of operations, This duty wcomplisned he organized a division of 3,000 men san Antonio, the immediate command of which he assumed, and on (ctober 8 crossed the io Grande for the purpose of joiming the United States Ariny under General Taylor, This myolved a march of , during Which he succeeded in preserving pline of his army and in preventing Is men from depredating upon ‘he peopie. ‘Tue difticulties that attended this march and the importance of its successinl termiuation cannot be overestunaied, In Froat’s history of the Mexican war we find tne fol- lowing just tribute to General Wool, accompanying an account of the advance trom San Antouio:— ‘The mare of this columna from San Antonio to Parras te an achievoment nol ty be passed without at least « caxial remark, To say thwt ft Js ome of the moat remarkable as well perio the common mind as almost mii ‘Wool entered upon bis dnites without of much Teward, with everything to accom nothing to win. Even the men ho was destined to make soldiers looked upon him ag tyrannical and incapable. The press teemed with censures of hia conduct, written by ignorant volunteers, whose only ideas of discipline was to fight when the met the enemy, to do as they ple: to neutrals and to bebave in camp as though on Western prairie. portion of ihe press, always too careless on such occasions, Yet against all this torrent of injus- ious of superior ability, and indifer- than the approbation of conrcience. ‘orfespondence which he carried on while organizing the volunteers was itself a clganttc task, yet at the same time ecipline was strictly enforeed, supplies were collected, and Preparations for marching were carried on, Durlug the march the persons and rights of the Mexicans were scrupu- lously rex} }, and it is worthy of remark that Wool seema to be almost the’ only American general who bas succeeded in gaining the permanent good will of the inhabitants of echoed these censures, tice Wool bore up, cons ent, to any other re Mexico. “A remarkable proof of this is afforded by the fact that when about leaving Parras he was waited upon by number of indies, who quested permission to attend the sick und dis which he was obliged to leave there; and when the division had marched for Saltillo these wives aud daughters of the enemy nursed. thelr feeble invaders with the most affecting teuderness. But the greatest eulogium which can be given to Woot is the report of the conduct of hia column at Buena, Vista. Amid avy command his troops would have there b conspicuous; but when Worth's, Twigg's and Quitman divisions were withdrawn to the Kio Grande It was upor | Ww tropa, that General Taylor relied in hia terrible ‘uggle with Santa Anna. Fortunate was it that his able auxiiiary was not withdrawn with the others. Fortune, bitherto averse to Wool's reward, seemed at Jength to relent; and when only disappointment seemed to await his long laborious exertions she unexpectedly opened to him a more glorious field of triumph than Chibuahua—the wreatlings for victory with the greatest chief of Mexico amid the clits and gorges of Kuens Vista, ‘There his en learned the value of those duties which they had once despised; there they were enabled to meet reguiar troops and grapple with them as reguiars; and there, also, the man who had formerly appeared harsh and unreasonable, while moving from rank to rank, asa con- pirit—he who, with the commander-in-chief, would maintain his position until cut to pieces. It im stated, feed authority; that lon iste ase before the battle Wool chose Buen oaition admirably situated for defensive opera; hat ft was upon his suggestion General Taylor fell noon of February 2. From the above extract it appears that at this time General Wool was rather ‘under the cloud.” He was too much the disciplinarian to become popu- lar with volunteers. The bactle of Buena Vista, however, restored him to public confidence. In his oiicial report of this engagement General Taylor speaks of General Wool’s “vigilance and arduous services before the action, and his caliantry and activity on the field,” ag contributing greatly to the achievement of success. For bis conduct on thi, occasion he was brevetted major general, his commis- sion bearing cate of lebruary 23, 1847. In November of the same year he returned to Saitillo, and ater the departure of General ‘raylor for the United States succeeded to the command of the army of occupa- tion, with headquarters at Monterey. His adminis- tration of affairs was admirable. The States of Leon, Coahualia and Tamaulipas, which were under his immediate supervision, were cleared of robvers and guerillas, and an era of law and order intro- duced, which had never before and nas never since been known there. FROM 1848 TO 1860, In July, 1848, the General returned home, and was Placed in command of the Eastern Military Diviston of the United States, with headquarters at ‘roy, which city had been his place of private residence for mapy years. Upon the reorganization of the army in 1855 he was assigned io the commend of the Department of the East, with headquarters at Baltimore. ic was not until the month of January, 1854, that Congress saw fit to oiliclally recognize we services the General had rendered to the country. Tne thanks of Congress were then tendered to him, together wit a handsome sword, in appreciation of the gallantry and ability displayed by hin in Mexico, Not long after this event General Wool came in conflict with the then Secretary of War, wno was none other than Jefferson Davis. He was ordered to the Department of the Pacitic, with instructions to “use all proper means to Getect the fitting out of armed expeditions against countries with which the United States are ut peace,’ and to co-operate with the civil autnorities in the enforcement of the neutrglity iawa, It is an open question Whether Genera! Wool understood that these Instruc- tions were of seat diplomatic character, but it is certain that be obeyed them to the letter. Mr. Davis was much annoyed at this, as the policy of the government was tn favor of a furtner enlarge- ment of territory, He accordingly ordered te removal of epariment headquarters from San Fran- cisco to the injand town of Benicia, whet ing expeditions could not be so readily dete in 1866 Geueral Wool made a three months’ cam- paign against the hostile Indians in Oregon and Washington Territories and succeeded ti putting them down and restormg peace and safety to the settioment. Upon the retirement of President Pierce he was recalled from the Pacific and restored to the command of the Eastern Departiuent, with headquarters at Troy. CAREER DURING THE REBELLION, , The public are so familiar with the career of Gen- eral Wool during the rebellion that we shail contine ourselves to a brief sketch of It, At an early day he perceived a conflict imminent and he took his stand on the side of the Union. As early as Decem- ber 5, 1860, be wrote a letver to Hon. Lewis Cass, then Secretary of State, urging the necessity of throwing a strong force mto the forts at Charleston. Why tlis advice was not taken Mr. Buchanan subsequently endeavored to explajn, but with little success, Upon the outbreak of actual hostilities be hastened to New York and aided in organizing and sending tue _ first regiment of volunteers to Washington. With- out waiting for orders he threw reiniorcements into Forcress Monroe, and thus saved a position to the Union, the loss of which would have trana- ferred the* war from Virginia to Maryland. In August, 186i, he was ordered to the command of the Department of Virginia, and during te cam- *paign before Yorktown co-operated with McClellan. His most noticeable expiolt was the capiure of Nor- folk, which elicited the following order of thanks from the Secretary of War:— The skilful and gallant movements of Major General John E, Wool and the forces under his command, which resulted im the surrender of Norfolk and the evacuation of batteries erected by the rebels an Sewall's Polat and Island, and the destruc tion of the revel iron« Merrimac, are regarded by the President as amon, important successes of the present war, He therefore or that bis thanks, as Commander iu-Chief of the Navy, be communicated by r D G ohn E. Wool arid the oiicers and soidiers of his co} nd for their gallantry and good conduct in the bril- Mant operations inentioned. In recognition of this service the Ceneral was com- missioned a {u:l major general tn the regular army. In June, 1862, he was transferred to the Middle De- partment, with headquarters at Baltimore. Before long a combination of politicians was formed against him. He sternly refused to gratuly partisan ant mosity by imprisoning citizens without cause. in an order dated Septemoper 1, 1862, he directed that ‘a3 many persous have been arrested and con- fined upon frivolous charges and others upon rumor or suspicion, no citizen or o:her person not & solater within the limits of this depariment will hereafter be arrested or confined upon charges of disloyalty or treasonable practices uniess the cuarges and specifications shail have first been submitted in writing to the Provost Marshal, * * * und the truth of wlich, attested under the solemnity of an vath, by the person preferring them.’’ ‘This impartiality was distasteful to mper-loyal politicians who had personal revenges to eke out against individuals, After a onef strug- gle they effected his transfer » tune De- partment of the Hast, with fh arters at New York. He was in comme here durmg 1 the riots, and after order had been restored was re- lieved. Again was hs removal f cominand caused by politicians, and the vi d to feel deeply the action of the g¢ an ie Wrote several letters defending himself against the charges of incapacity which nad been brought against him, and averred that they were brought because he had refused to become @ party to the persecution of poitical opponents. Whatever truth there 1s in this tt is certain that he did tie best he could during the riots to restore pea nd tranquit- lity to the cily. e Throughout the war General Wool gave the gov- He opposed the General McClellan, as weil as of the other democrats, on the ground that the Chicago platform was a surrender to the South. But as soon ag the rebellion was suppressed he advocated a liberal and magnanimous poiicy, and was a strong advocate and supporter of President Johnson's admimisiration. in a letter written by him late in 1867 he spol of the course pursued by the radicals tn strongest terms of con- demnation, and avowed himself once more ads i pathy with the democratic party. He had time been several years retired from act.ve i and was quictiy passing the remainder of his a 8 at nis pleasant home iu Troy, surrounued by his family. THE CAUSE OF IIS DEATH. Until the goth ult. General Wool liad enjoyed ad- mirable health, novwithstending his advanced age. On that day, While watktag on the piazza of his house, he tripped and fell, hurting blmself severely, He was promptly conveyed to bis chamoer a medical aid summoned. Upon exammation it ‘was ascertained that, although the injuries were not of themselves of a character calculated to endanger tae shock to his system at age was serious cousequences. He had, Aa soon as he recovered consciousness, expressed the convicuion that his days were drawing to a ciose, and upon an attendant expressing a belief in his re- covery the General replied, “No, This 1s the last flickering of a lamp that kas long been burning.” He siow/ly sank, retaining his consciousness and his faculties unimpaired to the last, and died without & struggle at haif-past two o'clock yesterday morning. CONCLUSION, If after events in the history of the republic seemed todwari the services of General Wool in earlier days, they do not and cannot lessen their importance. he was, like the lave Admiral Stewart, one of the heroes of the United ste & pure, ardent patriot, and an able, galiant svidier, the memory of whose deeds will never be forgotten. * THB FUNERAL. The funeral of the General will not take place until next week, the day in which bas no! yet been appointed. Thomas G. Pratt. In the city of Baltimore yesivrday Thomas G. Pratt, a gentleman who has held promiment post- tions, not only in the political, but in the legal World, passed away at the age of sixiy four years. He was born in the city of Wastington and was cdu- cated in the Academy of Georgetown. Adopting the profession of jaw he became well was & conscientious lawyer, Politics, however, enticed tim into its busy sphere, and for years he served ‘the State im the of Maryland. [From 1844 to 1845 he ovcu. pled the postion of Governor oO) Maryland, a trust which he discharged faithfally and well. In 1850 he was sentto the national capital, and the years that imervened between that and 1857, served as Senator in Congress from Maryland, was also a delagate to the Chicago Convention im 18¢4. During the struggle between the North and the South he took rather @ quiet part, and only occa- sionally mixed in politics. Governor Pratt was @ good, sound lawyer, a practical politician and bis death will be regretted by a numerous circle of irlends. On ihe news of his demise being received and pronounced in the courts of Baltimore, they immediately adjourned, SPAIN AND CUBA. std Opinion of the Madrid Press Upon ae Nove of General Sickles in Reference to Cabn=Iimmee diate Action on the Part of the Government called for, ‘The Jmparciai of Madrid recently published the following article in reference to the action of the United States government respecting Cuva:— During the whole day of yesterday serious and painful reports were circulated inthis capital res- pecting the Cuban question. It was said that the representauve of the United States, General Sickles, had banded our government @ note from the Wasn- ington Cabinet, im which it Was stated that the state of opinion in the North American republic would probably furce it to a@ recognition as belliget ents in favor of the rebeis of Cuba. We received this information with reserve, and deterred giving it in our provinclai edition until we had assul our- seives of the fact, Other journals mentioned the report as certuiu, and prepared, wita thoir usual warmih and enthusiasm, to excite the patriotism of all parties aud all classes, in order to agitate opinion and to offer resources to the government Witu Which to combat the new danger that threatens us. General Sickles has not given apy account to our government of the note referred to by ourcontem- porary. The representative of the Laited States, when once accredited to our government, tmmedi- ately made de ‘ations in the sense of the supposed note, but at Lue same time stated that when pubilo Opinion, Which In no country has suco iniuence as there, woud oblige the Washimgton Cabinet, then only would it adopt ch serious measures in reference to the Cuban insurgents, On how ‘many occasions We have not discussed the atfairs of that coiohy, how olten have we not called attention to the danger that threatens us, in case the revolution 18 not quelled within a short space of time? because the cause of the revolution dally gains ground in the opinion of the people of North Ame- Tica, and especially in the democratic party, ever ready to avuil tuemseives of ali pretences st the government of General Grant. but we have always thought that, whatever might be tue prog- ress made by filibusterism in the opinion of that country the government of General Grant, on ac- count of its own prestige, and paying just tribute to the treaties and the prescriptious of international right, would not decide to recognize the insurgents a8 belligerents until public opinion became wani- lest through the medium of the legitimate organs of @ iree country—tlat is, through the medium of the Chambers—a beef in which we astull persist. No tires reasons eXist—at least not lor the present—to believe that une Cabinet of Wash- ington will decide upon taking sacl a serious deter- mination, and imoduying the sentiments expressed to our government by General Sickles, However, eveu if the note In question does not exist, 1t seems beyond doubt that the Ministera of State and the Colones have received serious communications from our representatives 12 Nori America, in which mention ia nade of the great progress made by fili- busierism in that country, and the agitation raised by parties to ob!ige General Grant, sooner or later, to recoguize the Cuban insurgents as beliigerents. it is useless to state how terrivie such a blow would prove to our caus. If now, notwithstanding the sincerity with which that goverument has acted and which we duly appreciate; if, notwithslanding the means it has adopied in order to erve tne moyemeul in our provinee any other character than sirictest neutrality, and not giving the insurrectional that of a rebcilion against a legitimate governinent; 1f, notwithstanding this, We repeat, the Cuban ingur- rection has received fraudulent assistance from the United States. both of wen aud resources, to the ex- tent even of their becoming its Chief support, an esti- mate can easily be formed of the importance that the insurrection Would acquire if provided with equal means of fighting as ourselves. ‘The same means to foment tke war in the interior of tue Island as to commic hostile acts against our suips of war, by arming Corsairs tuat would enjoy equai riguls and protection as our Warine 1 all the ports of Norta and South America, There can be no doubt respecting this danger, 1 is not illusory, countenanced by the politica! orgau- izauon Of thal great nauion, and aware of the ire- sistable impuise obtained there by parties wuen by force of activity and perseverance they succeed in gaining the interest of public opinion, tt is possibie twat tne Cuban insurrection will not vermmate during the present year. General Grant's govern- ment Wiil find tiseif driven to adopt a meusure, by Congress, that 13 in open contradicuon of tue prine ciples of neutrality accepted by ati civilized nations, but wluch Wil not prevent tnat nation, as on pre- vious occasions, from committing similar acts, Meanwhile, and previous to the meeung of Gon- gress, cau it be feared that Generai Grant will recogaize the insurgents ay belligerents? We think pot. The Nortn American government caunot lave forgotten che line of conduct ovserved by Spain during ihe war withthe Soutu. ‘Lhe organ- izativn of the Contederate States was relatively inde- pendent, and the war ‘rom the outbreak was con- ducted by reguiar discipimed troops, who based their operations ou the principles of humanity and the riguts 0} man. ‘The revels o1 Cuba in the course Ol @ year have not been adic to organize more than humerous parties, Whose principal arms are incen- dlarism, robbery and murder, The Coufederate States heid entire provinces, large cities aud unpor- tuunt strong places, Wuereas the Cuban insurgents have not been able to retain one piot of ground mm security—not a town, not even & small village. ‘The Confederate States from the Urst moment had a Teguiar government organized, twat acied orderly with ail tae presuge anu power ot the Confederate diates, having Lieu OWN resources to cover their expenses, solar the Cuban insurgents have uot been abte to organize the least suadow of a govern- i complete auatchy reigns among eat again, 18 it pussiole that tese conditions, wii recog: erents? Even the ihere suspicion ull to the governiagent (iat at pre- would infer an sent rules iny Of thatrepublic. However, betore (ue moment of real dauger comes, before the Congress meets, governiuent must nor lose sight of pubic opimon in that country, and strain every ierve inorder that When the “American Congress meets te olution shall Mave received its death biow, Whi the sar me Will crush the hopes of the Norta Amer van dibusters, AILWAY ACCIDENTS. Meeting of New York Society of Practical -—How to Avoid Disaster. The ordin uthiy meeting of tuis society was held last 1 in Lie rooms Of the Geographical society, Cooper Union Butidings. aud Statiscicat y .sea by the President, James A, ccond part of @ paper on “Railway Causes and Means of Prevention’? Wiliams. In referring to the best description of railroad the paper stated that it had veen tound by experience that the best description of railroad, both for safety and economy, was a properly constracted compound rail—viz., the rail known as the Tratl—the reason of which was that tne top or head being of stee! and tae nut and ilange of iron, 1t was next Lo an Impossibility that a fracture should occur fa both mm isely at the no point. As to y 3, Williams tiked the Longbridge li will gop @ train going at the rate of thirty miles an bout i sixteen or eighteen seconds, and the lngliss Walker patent, by whicl the mo- mentum of in 13 apphed by means of a rack acing to turu & pluton, to the shait of which 1s attached the mn Which operates the brakes. Both viese ¢ s lessened the liability t as roads are now operated. As to safety wh and axles, there was considerable labttity to acci- deat by the breaking up of wheels woon running at a igh rate of speed. e apathy of raliroad compa- nies Was the great cause that prevented the adop- a ton of eiticicnt fons, ope of which was te compounding oi Wheels aud axles of iron and steel, and another in encasing tie whole or certain por- tious of the axle—where fracture generally takes place—in an outer enclosing cylinder, which amounted practically to a continugus bearing, This last device — originated = wita Mr. Walliams, Accidents at draw-bridg no prevented by Signalling. A great me y accidents were attributable to the want of properly constructed curs, and to the eutire disregard of safety tn their equipment, He suggested that the cars could be made Of mdia rubber or gutta percha in some of their various jorms of manufacture, or, What would be betier stil ’ He algo recommended in this conue of tie “Miller platform, ', and instance t accident at Mount Hope on the arto re tion. ‘There the train was made up of nine cars, eigttof which had Miller's platform and the ninth had not. Tt was to this ex- ceptional car that the accident was attribuced, The paper then referred at length to telegraph- ing, and ded more perfect arrangements, ‘the chief recommendation for preventing accidents that Mr. WilJams submitted was a mode of avopping the train by is oWn momenvum without mury cither to cars or passeng and he supposed that the space of (ie action of resistance Was so muiti- piled that ‘amount in the aggregate to nifty fect or more, Wuich could be done safely by baving the bu sateacu end of the car acti Uirough a space of even four or more jeet. Ai « high rate of speed the momentum of the train could be so checked as not even to frac- ture the fastenings about the car. This could be done by the cars carrying long pneumatic, hydraulic or other bulfers. Mr. Williaing explained with con. siderable minuteness the detatl by which this could be accomplisied, He had designed and propo: practical plan by which the momentum whiel now expended in crashing the cars and draggin, them along the track is mechanically taken up neutralizeu and substivuted for the crushing pi which was not only damgerous, but expensive. ‘The drawings Were then explained and the use of safety brakes on third ralis, wad the paper concieded urging the economy of preventives to accident La ug Ld a by ine compan A short dis. ssion followed, after which the O! evclared the meeting adjournea. ee