The New York Herald Newspaper, January 1, 1871, Page 11

PATER PATRIZ. , QUA WASWINGTON: MONUMENT (fts Flistory and Present Con- dition. noe nane YReasons Why It Should Re- main in Its Present Site. Wbjects and Uses of Such Structures. Mfferings of States, Corporations, Socie- ties, Schools, Individuals and Foreign Nations. SS aaeeah een Or TI SOCIETY. not IN “dE DUTY OF THE PEOPLE. When Alexander, in hia invasion of the Persian couniry, approached the tomb of Cyrus and found \%t broken open he put the author of the saciilege (Polymachus) to death, although he was a person of onstderable distincuon, And some further par- ‘tieulars of the matier may be useful in the conneo- tion to impress the people of the United States of ‘to-day, whose territory may pass into the possession of strangers to-morrow, how succeeding nations &nd rulers among men are affected with respect and veneration when in the presence of tie ashes or monuments of the great dead who directed ‘human affairs before them,, and how future con- querors of the world will, in the lapse of ages, stand da uncovered reverence before the ‘ebject, whatever Mebail be, Which commemorates the virtues and achievements of Washington. Nor will they be un- Apteresting. The epitaph on the tomb of Cyrns was this:— “O man, whoever thou art, and whensoever thou eomest (for come I know thou wilt), 1 am Cyrus, ee, founder of the Persian empire; envy me not the ule earth that covers my body.’ | And wher Alexander had read it he was moch affected, and ordered the words to be inscribed in Greek, so that the Macedonians might derive from ft the same lesson which had moved him; which was ‘the uncertainty and vicissitude of things” in this ‘world. | 80 was Alexander's heart softened toward the (Persjans by this ftliustration of their national char- ‘acter that he was even inclined toward them, and Soon thereafter took the daughter of Darius for his ‘wife, and encouraged his oicers to sue for the hanas of the Persian maidens, which was very geuerally Aone; and such was the extent of his enthusiasm Bhat he gave an entertainment at Susa in honor of the nuptials of those Macedoniaus who had previ- ously married in Persia, to which many thou- Bands sat down, and to each of whom he \Presented a golden cup, besides paymg all his debts, , Which latter, in the aggregate, amounted to nearly jthree miilions of dollars of our money. He also sub- sequently chose Persians among his guards and Oflicers and made them as his own people. Such ‘Was the offect of the evidences of patriotic senst- ‘bility among the Persians upon Alexander. And it “te ever true that those who have attained to exalted ‘positions in life feel a certain pride—almost a per- Sonal one—in observing with what distinction the people have consigned to the earth sach as them. ‘Relves; and, their vanity being flattered by the spectacle, they are moved to acts of grace and mag- animity toward those who have tous shown their fidelity to greatness. And from this incident in the ‘Career of a conqueror the conclusion may be drawn that posterity bas been frequently benefitea and mations preserved from the simple circumstance ‘hat the renowned among the ancestors received ‘Bppropriate sepulture; which, rising in the path of the invader, caused his respect for the dead to over- ‘come his hosultty to the living. The experience also forces the conviction upon the judgment that it ts wis dom in @ nation to erect such monuments to the memory oi its eminent dead, and to mark the lead- fing cvents of its Listory as shall, in the era of decay and dismtegration whicd ultimately comes to all ‘human organizations, repress the violence of the foe and perhaps command his favor and friendship ‘by silent appeals to bis consclousness and man- hood. Such has been the effect of like structures in the past, and the future is but the past repeated. These sublime objects arrest the attention of the stranger as his foot presses the sotl, and their m- Scriptions reach his soul, like voices from the fare ‘away tombs of bis own dead or trom the lofty suin- ‘mits of the autional watéh towers at home. They are, atauch umes, wherever found and by whom- Soever met, eloquent aposties of mercy and muinis- ters of peace, more pensive than living tongues, touching, by their dum) utterances, the hearts of tyrants, and teaching them tenderness in the name of a common humanity. They are, also, the rear guards of civilization, the last wit- nesses of the fall of governments and of the Overthrow of nations, standing on the outposts of time, solemnly protesting against the advance of the destroyer. Melancholy sentinels in the midst of anarchy and denationalization, their sacred pre- sence rebukes the wontonness which assails and the weakness which surrenders. In the name of the mighty memories of years, in the name of all that is holy in the past, they invoke what of good remains among men in times of turbulence and direct its energies in the cause of justice, order and duration. ‘A shield against the sword of enlightened nations, they are a powerful intimidation of the rude Weapon of the barbarian. So long as the arts, the urns and the utterances of antiquity exert a Charm over civilized men they will protect a failen people against the violence of such an enemy; and 80 long as objects majestic and inysterious retain their marvelious power over the superstitions of untutored minds tie presence will lend an effective Sid in the protectton of a delenceless commuuity ainst the cruelty of the savage. For while him the letters of the epitaph or inscription are ‘but unmeanicg characters, he well understands tho universal language of the structure jtselt and re- Garda i with awe, fearing the hand which reared it a8 bis masier. Thus taught, he acts instinctively Tau ® prudent estimate of the skill and power jaal to consuinmations so wonderful, it these public landmarks of nations are in an- hor Way potent in the councils of peace. They are A themselves noble exampies of the arts ot pea @nd their lesson 1s the meulcation of those art ae, discourage war and all strié by imbuing the tg of the people with wise and liberal sentiments, hich are imstiiled from clii.dhood by recitals of Tet glories in nursery and scioolroom. The ction With which they are regarded by the prompts to every effort to avert war and peace, for however reluctant contending rmies may be to destroy the noted plies aud monuments of a country which art and patriottsm have reared, the apprehensions of the pubite cause solicitude for their safety; and, in- flea |, they generally suffer much from the conflict, ce it 18 Chat old and highly cultivated nations bosilate long, and soleimnly weigh the chances of the beiore they decide upon it, fearing the Be raction ot veseraved objects within their borders case It gees against them. pd oot @ nation gains an immediate benefit from the erection vl great works of art to perpetuate tho naioes and Jame of ber heroes and history, by the inspirations Of patriotism among the people, which the very act of construction begets. Contributions Toward the object awaken the generous natares of the masses and refine the popular sentiments of & country. There is no truer maxim in morais than that good acts make good hearts, And who does not Know from personal experience how a guod decd reacts upon the individual doer, and prompts to a continuance of similar effort; and who, therefore, does 1 ot berievé that nations iumproved and ele- vated in the mass by united exertions in the cause of tuating their OWn glories? — e licarts of (he people of the United States have jong been hardened and thelr affectiuns seared by ‘Uhe distressing experiences of civil war, and tn the won ja degree passed out of their niin Given piace to the scenes and events of the I aus Witn the younger classes, and even the middle aged, this 18 especially the case, And so i 19 that at the preseat time very few persons under thirty years have auy definite recolieciton of suche thing as the Washington Monument,” and none Whatever o( the progress that was made in the ‘Work belove it was arrested by tie outbreak of the war, Those about may remember to have heard much of the matter some cieven or twelve years ago, but as they were thon (eo young to be Wguoh Interested Lo qaything but ticlr books aad middle aged-—ti ita actual condition and new thing, and to all the fresh ‘and should be interesting. Why, then, shou.d there not, now that the war is over and the country again prosperous, be a revival Of that old-fasmioned Yo Agen which once Wot+ shipped at the shrine of the revolution and of Wash- On ws OF religion, after along period of worldil- ness, and @ return to the purpose of raising to the skies an imperishable monument to the founder of the American republic, which shali be a perpetual Mecta W our peopie aid & permanent monitor to all otherst It is @ duty that the country owes not nore to Washington, that his pame may be Foep ected by unborn Cwsars and Alexanders, than to ftseif, that buch conquerors may lvok upon the pile with won- ger and admiration, knowing hy whom it w reared, or may study it with awe, as a mystery 0: the curtained past, Shalt a series of dark ayes tater ene to erase history and efface the commoner Loot prints of ume? And If it 18 answered that tt would be Inexpedient to make further expeadiiure on the monument in its present locality, because i has been and Is tho prevailing sentiment of Lhe peopie that it should be Biluated at tho capital of the nauion—and It is uncer- talu how long Washington wil remain such—then a cogent reply will be that if such is the popular opinion tt is ap error tn the public jndgment of tie titness ot wo to suppose that & wonumert LO Washington should be at the vational capital, wherever located, for the following reasons:—- Firt—The whole sum of proprivty dictates that a monu- ment to Washington suould be at thé capital selected by him and bearing his naime with bis concurrence; where he au- iw alnistered (he government of the country as it chief mays. trate, and with which ail the memories connected with his name are indissolubly associated, and none aiher, ‘invended a an object of d political worship on tue leratious of Secowl-—The monuinent veln, veneration art of the peopl Idion sad of love of d on yer esp f yoiley, of shalt "be ness, as well the j the nature of & pilgrimage, to lay thereon tho olforings and oblutions of patriotism, And, ty ti mote It ts from other objects of curiosity to the clt.zen, of modern origin, (a6 more siucere and certain will be the pas: sion and purpose of those wise devotion leads them to the hallowed spot Tubru—X9 aay thay the monument shall be built only at the cPormaneut scat of govoraieut” of the country isto say fnply that it shall uot be built at all, For ia a country like Ours, whose territory 1a not whoily settled and develuped, and Whose limite are not deaniely fixed beyond chaages which tay be eilected by acquisition, and wiere (he people may at Any time, im the exeroise o1 thelr sovercigniy, remove the gapiiai to sult thelr own views of policy of Coaventenco, I is dever certain that x chosen point at a given time will re- main the pertaneut seat of governinent.” Those who think Mls maatiestiy do not reflect that the life of nations ix or may be only short of infinity, and fail to soo the inevitable changes of tne, If, then, the capttal were to be removed to-mor- TOW, and not a swe of the Monument Were laid, It should stl be at once commenced and early com- pieted, precisely Wiere Cie bolting shall how stands Gud falters, as If meditating the fate of babe and ie. The site e383 18 UO very one selected by Washington himself as the ap- ropriate spot for “a munuwent to the Americaa Revolution,” which was pro; osed in 1795, but, iike the monument to Washingion, Was lett by Congress exactly where the resolution stopped. It ts also the same site marked ou Major L'Bafanvs map of Wash- ington cliy for the equestrian statue of General Washington, ordered by Congress in 1783, wilich map was examiued, approved and trausmitted to Con- ‘reas by Washington, when President ef the United tates, Let Congress and the Executive ge where they Wil, the proper place for the moutinent 13 where if is begun, and unless the American people havo ceased to be worthy of the beritage ielt them by Washiugion they will compieve it. Nowhere else would be suitable, selely because his choice was here, for a kindred object, which will be accom. plsted whea his monument ts completed, for a Monument to the Ainerican Kevolution, aud a monu- ment to Washington are thtags identical. But in the light tu which the subject is considered bere—the removal of the government irom Wash- ington—alihough not probabie for generations yet, would be an additional adaptation of tue place as & site (or the monument, The e1tizen would then have but oue incentive to take lim there, and that would be to sce the theatre of the great facts in tue life of Washington, and to look upon his monument end his iast resting place, which is buta few miles from it aad Vislole from its pro- posed suiamit. Phe jo (however itis now) Would be In no sense with ® curtosity— to see the public men of the country, to witness or imfuence We workings of Congress, or to solicit or experience the bounties of Exeeuilvie patronage. ‘Those corraps maucuces would then impel him quite anutner way, as assuredly tiey oagit, and he who visited Wasbington would be accerded the measure of crovit is pairioti-in merived. Let the capital depart, then, and when it is gone and the monument is fuisned, jet each famuy in all the country, #0 long as it remains a repubiic, de- Puce at least one of its memvers to visit the shrine, there to preseat the numb e UWibuies of the fre: and 10 teatty the ded eation of the people to the principles of Washington. And tn that presence, not with feclings of seil-reproack, but with priv and exullaiion, let these representatives sa: “Wasmington, Fatuer of our Country and Geni iis Liberties, the nation you founded ‘has spr ead over the Contineut and embraces the terri tory once named by you as the country of California, more to the westivard, and belougng to agorher power, Which, tn its devotion. to your memory, Was the most Iberal donor of ail the States towards this monument. The. govera- ment you established here, dudiag the loca iy ta compaityle with the due administration of the law: has iu obedience to the wiil o/ the people, and in Lhe course of empire, removed its capital to the great West, which iu ine beginning was the uuecx- plored bawut of tue Wild beast aud the hunting gronad of the red man, ‘fo such dimonstons the republic increased! The cua ige was @ ne sity, And with Wastiungton requires no apology.” Keturning howe let therm stir tue geacrous emouuns of the iamily.circle wit stories of the isolated aud iy graudeur of tue columa Which rises amoug the clouds to extot the Virtues of Washington fro: the be! soil where the hero was born aad siecps, So shall the love of couatry be fostered and remain green in the hearts of tae people. And Ii, in the inscratane providences of God, the hand of the tyrant is ever permautied to plant a des- potism in the land of Washington, let vue enslaved catizen repair to this altar aud tuese weep over the fall of bis country and mourn the 1038 of bis liber- ties, while he piousiy invokes the spirit of the dead to aid mm the restoration of the republic and in the dociarauon and matatenance of a new ludepen- dence, HISTORY OF THE MONUMENT. At the ciose of the revolution, after peace had been proclaimed, the Continental Congress, on the 9th of August, 1783, resolved unanimously “that an equestrian status of General Wastingiou be erecied at the place where the residence of Congress shall be established;’’ and directed that the siaiue shou.d be supported by a marble pedestal, on which should be represented four principal events of the war in which he commanded im person. On the pedestal were to be engraved the following words: ‘The United States, in Congress assembled, ordered this statuo to be erected, in the year of our Lord 1788, tu honor of Goorge Washington, the fliustrious Commanaer-in-Chief of the armies of the United States of America during tae war which vindicated and secured tuelr liverty, sovereignty and independence. On the death of Washington a joint committee of the two Houses of Congress was appointed to con- sider on the most suitasie manner of prying honor to his memory. On their report # resoluuou was adoptea—“"Ihit a marble monument be erected LF the Uniled States, at the city of Washington, and that the family of General Washiugton be requesied to permit his to be deposited under it, aud that the monument be so designed as to commemo- rate the great events of his muitary and political life." A copy Of this resolution, among others re- lating to his death, was transmiited to his widow by te President, and in her reply she said:— “Taught by the great exampte which | bave so long had before me, never wo oppose my private Wishes to the public will, I must consent ty the re- quest made by Vongtess, which you lave had the goodness to tranamit to me; aud in doing this 1 need Dot, I canno. say, what a sacrifice of individual feel- tng 1 make to a sense of public duty.” Butto the shame of the country the sacrifice was neeciessiy exacted and useicssty made, The resolation of Congress axklug for it, although sincere, Was aa mi- considerate trifling With the most sacced feelings of a widowed deart, for it kas rematucd a dead leiver to this day. On the 8ih of May, 1800, the committee made a fur- ther report to the House of Representatives, on which a resolution Was passed “that & mausoleum be erected for George Washington 12 the city of Washingion,” and on tne 1st of January, 1801, an Spprupriation of $200,000 was wade for iis erection. Here the whole mnatter rested until, on the 16th of January, 1824, Mr. Buchanan, then a wember of the House o1 Representatives, iuiroduced the following resolutton:— Resolved, That acommittes be appointed, whose duty it shall be to inquire In wbut manner the resolutions of Con- gress, passed on the 24th of Decemb: 79, relative to Lae erection of a marble monument ia the Capitol, at the alty of Wasntogton, to commemorate the great eveuts of the tall; tary and political lve of General Wastiugton, may be best accomplished, and that they have leave to report uy bil oF otherwise. After discnssion the resolution was laid on the table. Of this step aud ita result Mr. Buchanan after- ‘wards, when President of the United States, at a Meeting of the present society (of which tha Presi- dent of the United States is ex ollicio. president) for the purposo of organization, held the Tollowing lan- uage:—“When, thirty-four or thirty-Jve years ago, F'wns momber of the House of Kepreseatauives, at that time a young man and & Lew member, | intro- duced a resolution, the ovject of which was to ree deem the phghted faith of the country to erect @ Monument to him to whom its warmest gratitude was due. [donot remember at whose instance 1 did this; but ft was undoubtedly at the Instance of sone respectable citizens of Washington, who remem vered the obligations Waich had been incurred by tho previous action of the national legislature. Bong then, a8 1 have said, a young man, tere Was poraaps something of the sopomiore in my dealings with the subject, out I pressed it with all (ue ardor oi youth, 1t was considered at that ume, and was so rowarked in Congress, that it was rather an mdigmity that any effort should ve made & raise a monument to the houor aud memory of Washington besides that Which existed in the hearts of his countrymen, I do not remember What was dono, but! uo remem- ber tho extreme mortiiication which i suflered from the 2} success of the movement.” All action of Congress having failod, as late as 1883, some of the prominent clazens of Washington formed in that year a voluntary association for te erection of the monument, which commenced its ‘work, under its present name, with Chief Justice Marshall as ita president. On iis death, in 1855, he was succeeded by ex-President Madisou, who said. fa Aocopling the poallioni—“Lam very sensivie of j it, the the distinction conferred by the relations in which the society has placed me; and fecling, like uny tiluse trious predecessor, a deep interest ln the object of the petiole! mara ¢ copies withhoid, as ae seagence of cept of tue appointment, though aware that in my actual condition it cannot be more than honorary, and that under no eireunstances could it Supply the losé which ube society hus susiained. A monument worthy the name of Washington, reared by the means proposed, will commemorate at the same time a virtue, a patriolism and a gratituce truly national, with which the friends of liberty everywhere Will Rympaihize aad of which our coun- ty may aiways be proud,”? In order that contributions might be within the eans of all, and that all classes might give alike owards Lhe Object, the amount to be received irom uy one person was at frst limited to one dollar a year; but as the progress under this rule was 80 slow the restriction was removed in 1845. Th 1547 the aggregate of collections and accumulated tater- Ost Was 957,000, which amount was deemed suf ficient to justify the society in beginning the work, Un the sist of January, 1345, Congress passed a reso- Tuton authorizing the Washington National Monu- ment Soglory vo erect “a monument to the memory of George Washington upon such poruon of the ublic grounds or reservations within the city of ‘ashington, not otherwise occupied, as shail be selected by the President of the United States and the Board of Managers of the society as a suitable site for the erection of said monument and the ne- cessary protection thereof,” The site selected under Ue uuthority of this resoiution was the puolic reser. vation numbered three on the plan of the city of Washington, containing upwards of thirty acres, near tne Potomac river, directly west of the Capitol and south of the Presi- dent's mansion. ‘The grant was executed oa the 12th of April, 1849, by President Poik aud the Boaid of Managers, and 18 duly recorded among the land records of the Disirict of Colwunbta. The site pre- sents @ beauliiu view OF the Potomac. It 1s so eie- vated that the Monument, even at its present height (about one-third of its proposed ultimate aluitude), may be seen from ali pare of the city and the surrounding couutry; and, being @ public reser- vation, it 13 safe from auy Cutnre obstruction of the view. Other pariicilars recommending the site bate been referred to in the preceding portion of us paper. A plan for the monument was adopted, after wide consuliation with experienced architects and a full comparison of the various plans submitted, and the one selected proposes an obelisk 51/ Ieet high and a pantheon or base. Tue estimated cost of the obelisk 48 $552,000, and of the Whole work $1,222,000, On the 4th of July, 1545, tue coruer stone was lald, in the preseace of the President and Vice Presideat of the United Staves, Senators, Representatives, he.ds of departments, the judiciary aud the corpor- ate authorities of Washington, Georgetown and Alexandria, and delegations from ail quarters of the Union, Robe t ©. Wiutirop, then speaker of the House of Representative:, delivered the oration, in avout six years from the laying of the corner stone the obelisk was raised to tho height of Liv fect, ex- hausting thetunds of the socieiy—$23),000 having been Collected and expended upon it, The feandu- Uon of the obelisk 18 eighty-oue feet square, eight feet below the surface of the grouud, and it is con- tracted tn tts progress so as to be sixiy-one feet ten inches at the top. The obelisk commences at the height of seventeen feet six tuches above the ground, itiy-five feet square, cased with marble, with walls fifteen feet thick, leaving a cavity of twenty-tive re which will be ascended by stairs and by ma- chinery, In 1454 the Board of Managers presented a me- Mortal to Congress giving an account of the progress of the work, aid stating thai all recent efforts on their part to obtain means for completing it had proved abortive; taat they were unable to devise a plan more Legis to succeed, and that undét those circumstances they brought the subject before Con- ress for such acuon as might be deemed proper. ‘The memoriai was referred to the House of Rep! sentatives to a select commitiee of thirteen mem- bers, of which Henry May, of Maryland, was chair- man. On the 22d of February, 1855—tuat day velag cuvsen for the purpese Lo give the deliberatiqus greacer interest—Mr. May mude un elaborate and eloquent report, in Which the proceedings of the so- cicty were reviewed and approved and a subscrip- tion recommended of $200,000 by Congress, “on be- half of the poopie of the United States, to ald the funds of the society.” ‘Thus, @sain, the society was ina fair way of get- ting another resolution, at least, in their favor, when, unfortunately (lo that extent), on the very day of tie report tac Managers were superseded in their places by an untawiul election, effected by party (Know Nothing) influences, which resulted in @ seism Uhat destruyed the action of Congress, and, finally, deieated the matter altogether. Sut for this univreseeu circumstance Cougress would have be- youd a doubt re-resoived, if it did not appropriate, the $200,000 which it voted en the ist of January, 4801, fty-four years beiore, for the building of the mausoieum, and ii would in ali probavility have been of Just as much practical vaiue to tue enter- prise as it was in that instance, On the 22d of February, 1359, “The National Wash- tngton Mouument Society” was iucorpurated by act ot Congress, “for the purpose oi couipieung the erec- tion now in progress of a great national monument to the memory of Washington at the seatof the federal government;” and the corporators were Winheld Scott, Walter Jenes, John J. Abest, James — Kearney, Thomas Carberry, Peter Force, Willan A. Bradiey, Pullip R, Fen- dali, Waller Lenox, Matiuew F, Maury and Thomas Biodgen (as survivors of tle granices of Ube site, unde: fe praut made by President Polk), and Junatian B, H. Sinith, Wi'ltam WW. Seaton, Esha, Whittiesey, Benjamin Ogie ‘Taylor, Thomas LS Crawiord, Wiuata W. Corcoran and John Carroi) brent, Upon turning tueir attention to the affairs of the meaument they found that during the inierruption caused by the misuuderstanding in the society the board of managers elected on che 22d of February, 1865, had put ou two courses of marble, of two ject cach, thus making the monument 174 feet nigh, ‘fhe corporation, however, had no more than well organized and ranged tseli in the line of duty When the war came on, and their only work on the monument was to put It in @ good condition to be preserved. Since the war the socicty, by its active members, has becn engaged in a fruitless en- aeavor to obtain furtier action on the part of Congress, and w this eud they have ex- pended ail their eiforis, but, as yet, without aly prospect oi success. They are before Congress bow, and all the time “like mendicants,” as tneir aisgusted seore-ary, Mr. Brent, puts 1b; but, for Teasous known only to the commitices’ room, where the prayers are heard, no uotice Is taken of the ap- piicaiions made. Meauwihiie, the society invokes the aid of State and Terriiortal Legisiatures, and of all political, corporate or voluntary bodies; and also Of ail societies, associations aud persons of all deno- minations, faiths and creeds, he object com- meads itself co all, is common to ail, and to all they Jouk lor encourageinent aud substantial assistance. THE FINANCES OF THK SOCIETY. In 1859 tae Legisiature of the State of California passed an act appropriating $1,000 annualiy in aid Oi the monument, but owing to the war and the subsequent somnoiency of the whole subject, tho matter went no further, and none of the yearly sums were realized. fhe cliuzens of tie State, however, contribuied at the polls, at the annual election of 1900, $10,962 01, Which was to the society, through “L. &. MMigner, one of its friends. This sum, togetier ‘with post office, church and other collections, makes the funds of the society now abeut $12,000, of which fered are tuvested in interest payimg securities, Jollections through the post oilices of the country tapered off thus:—in 1560, $2,240; 1961, $1,969; 1802, $¥8; 10 1363, nothing; in 1864, $2; 1865 and since, hoihing. Av appeal to aii the churches in ine United States on Sunday, February 21, 1869, yleided the vast sum of $176, and the churches of the city which suggested tie collection lave never been heard from on the sudject. The only collections made now are irom inhabitants of Washingtoa aad at the boxes in Monument place, the Patent Ouice and the Smitisonlan. Such, citizens of the United States, is the progress which has been made ia the work of erecting a monunicnt to the founder of your repudlic. “Almost @ bundred years are gone, and yet it is unaccom- Plshed, an® pot ouly unaccomplished, but, with the preset apathy, unlikely of socomplisiment. is your favit, You have been unmindfal the liberties you enjoy, forgetfai of the genlus which achieved them and ungrateful, tor tse blessings they confer. You have been uutrue to yourselves and faithless to your venelactor, You have spent your energies in the pursuit of fortune, and #ave offerel your sacrilices en the altur of Mammon; heedless alike of the chims of hin who established your priviiezes, and of Lilm co whom you must answertor them. But you have still been prospered, and in the century Which bas nearly elapsed you have grown inio a nation; great, rich ana powerful, and ot tins fact a have given convincing proofs to all the world. ‘ou Bave tritunphed over the greatest of modern Powers tn foreiga war, aad, what ig juiuitely higher than that, you lave gained a victory over yourselves ja civi stile, ‘These consummations have guaran- teed the tmegrity of your territory for many genera- tions 1 you are wise and watcutul. The annual proceeds of your prosperity far exceea the de- mands of your revenues, aud the surplus 1s in your hands. Your coders are tull and your estates are fouuishing, What 1s tere, then, w went your paying yout nauional debt of grauude along with your national debt of loans? Nothisg. And it is only necessary vo call your ae telitiod to the subject to effect its extincuon, To ao it you need not even cause yourselves to be taxed, bul direct Couggess to make the disbursements oul of the national Treasury, A holiday gifs will dis- charge It. If every adus in the eounuy who 1s able to. dispense ove dollar without personal meouveni- ence Were tu.enclosd tat sana as a holiday oltering ta J. G. Brent, Secretary of the Washington Na- tonal Monument Society, Washington, D. C., tic ent wi be and & considerable balance would remain to your credit and gubject to your order. ‘The lo he 1s respectfuliy submitted to you.* But if this be not done, then wstruct your re- presentatives ia Congress ty appropriate from te pubiic Treasury 80 muck As shall be necessary to cancel the debt, and bid them be doac with the repeution of the stale affectation that “the monu- meat to Washington should be tu the tiearts of Ui ie.” For none know better than you—tne ple-—the subtie avsurdity and delusive craft of that piea or better understand what an exceedingly uncertain repusitory is the public heart for the sale deposit of any particular preietence or predeliction. And none are more fully taformed than yourselves, cease to be proprietors of the soll, you do not wish their kingly masters tu be without some visible evidences of the former greatness of the people they trample upon, or without some suggestive objects to remind them of “tne uncertainty and vicissitude of things,”’ and make their rule more tolerable by impressing upon their hearts a restraining con- sciousness of the doubtful tenure of alien usarpa- Uons, For it might be that, In such an event, “the hearts of the people’ would die within thei, and themselves decay and become extinct; and then, if a monument to Washington existed no- where clae, where would be his memory? Your- selves shall answer, In conciusion, let it be hinted to the wealthy among you that, if they would secure immoriatity beyond’a peradventure, a certain way to do it Would be to contribute suck suis to the completion of this monument as will entitle them to have a block in the lapidarium, with their names and tho amount subscribed by them engraved thereon, The same may be saidto those among you who “by reason of years" are bordering on the grave, and who contemplate making devises to worthy objects of & public character. THE BLOCKS CONTRIBUTED. Mr. Mey’s committee 1n 1855 reported to une House of Representatives as follows, which wiil give some idea of the pieces contributed: Kaen stave and two Territories of tae Union have contrib- uted a block of marble or stone, Inscribed with its arms or KOMe suitable inscription or device, and a great many others have been offered by various in- stitutions and societies throughout the land, and several foreign governments have testified tueir desire to unite in this great work of humanity, tn- tended to commemorate the virtues of its chief ornas ment and example. The boundaries of Ciristendom do not iimit his fame, which reaches to the remotest parts of the earth, and the most distant and tselated hations have testified their veneration toward nis Memory. Switzerland, Rome, Bremen, Turkey, Greece, Cyina and Japan have graciously united to pay their homage to our Washington. Such tributes are our highest trophies; the history of mankind affords no paraliel to this.” Following is a List of the pieces contributed, kindly furnished by the secretary of the society, to whom the writer is mucu indevted for assistance in tho reparation of this paper. They should be described, ut the Writer 18 not safictently skilled in art to do it; and, besides, it would require a volume to pro- perly portray them:— LIST OF CONTRIBUTION BLOCKS AT LAPIDARIUM, WASHINGTON MONUMENT SOCIETY. Battie ground of Bunker Hill. Graud Lodge 1. 0, 0. F., Maryland, rand Lodge Masons, ‘enuessee. Western Military Institute, Kentucky. » Teachers of Butfalo public schools, N. Y. 6. Brigham Young, Utah Territory. 7. Braddock's Field. 8. Sons of Temperance. sr 9. Philadelpnia fire companies, . Pupils, public schoois, Baltimore, Md. Mount Vesuvius, by William Ferrel, Georgia, Cinetnnatt Fire Department. Grand Lodge of Masons, Mississippi, Prponon nic society, New Jersey, jewal Ladies and gentlemen of dramatic profession. Home of Starke, New Hampsiire. Thalion Association, Norta Carvitua, New Bedford, Mass. Eukral Lodge, |. 0. O. F., New York, Continental Guard, New Orleans, La. Philadelphia Fire Department, Warren, k. 1. Alexandria, Va. Sons of femperance of Ohie. Alexandrian Library. Egypt. Red men, Washington city, D. 0. Pluiladeipiia Fire Compan ‘Two disciples of Daguerr Grand Lodge of I. 0, 0. F., Misstssippt. Chtidren of the Sunday schoois, New York. Merchants tn Cuina, . . Children of the Sunday schools, clly of Phila- delpuia, 308. Vermont. 37. Louisiana. » Graud Lodge Masons, Florida. 89 Bremen, Germany, Hibermian Society, Balttmore, Mu. Boston, Mass, Salen, Mass. Athenia Lodge, Troy, N. Y. Jefterson Medical Uoliege, hiladeiphia. ‘Kenu Ce mployes of Norris & Son, Philadelphia. Grand Lodge of the United States, 1. 0. O. F. New York. North Carolina, 60. Tempies of tionor and Temperance of the United Stat 51, American Medical Assoetation, 52, Honesdale, Wayne county, Pennsylvania. 63, Gencral Assembly of Presbyterians, United States. 64, Cherokee Nation, 65. New York city Fire Department. 66. Grand Lodge ef Masous, Virginta. 67. First regiment light infantry, Massachusetts, 58. Sb. 's Lode, Masons, Kichmond, Va. 69. Sultan oi Turkey 60. Grand Louge, |. 61. Grand Lodge, ons, Arkansas. 62. Presented by Vavid Porter Heap, M. D,, 1855, and taken from Temple of Carthage, Africa, 63, Baile ground, Long Island, Kings county, 1716. 64, I. O. O. F. of city and county of Philadelphia. 65, Minnesota, 66, Michigan, 67, New tngiand Society, Canada. 68, Ancieul yyptian head, presented by J. I, Lehmaa. a American citizens residing at Foo-chow-foo, hina. 70. Governor and Commune of the islands of Paros and Naxos, Grecian Arciip 71. From Temple of ulapius, island of Paros, presented by the oilicers of the United States steam Trigate Saranac. 72. Greek government. (Inscription 1n Greek.) 73 Biock iroia Japan. (Truusiaiiou of scription.) Exported from. the harbor of Simoda, in the pro- ce of Iddsin, the ftth mouth of the year Ausey ‘Tora (April, 1863). 74. Block from Lafayette Ledge, No. 64, F. and 0. F., Kentucky, Whose experiouce has made it @ social axiom of tat Unpieasaut but Lnpressive fact in lite, that without @ frequent view of some fiittag memento or memo rial of a lost original, however loved, the afeciions which centred in the living body are scarcely kept tu giow. nd, besides, shall it ever Lge occur that your descendants shail pass under the yoke and ‘*Notr.—Request fs marte that ft be stated in connection with this that the seoreiary of the socicty will cause Tnonibiy satementa so ‘bo "awle Tarougs the pudiic press OC ali hums received, with Uke names of tug donors. A. M., New York. 75, Citizens of Stockton, San Joaquin county, Cal. 76. Jeiterson Society, Unatversity of Virginia, 77. ‘texas. 78. Lochoo Islands. 79. Masonic lodges (Rames unknown). 80. Subordimate lodges, city and county of Phila- delphia. oP From the Association of the Oldest Inhabitants of the District of Columbia, A UMTED STATES EXPRESS ARRESTED. ROBEIR The Crime Counmitted Nearly a Year and a Malt Ago. {From the Omaha Heraid, Dec. 28.) Our home readers will well remember the roboery committed by J. K. Bear upon the United States Express Company, at Brownviile, more than a year ago. It occurred on the 23th of August, 1869, and created great excttement a3 well as astonishment, Mr. Bear was-a@ man of family and much esteemed in Brownville, and by Superintendent Shepard, whose confidence he enjoyed. He 1s about twenty- eignt years of age, and was the last mao who was suspected of belng capable of such a crime. In an evil hour he gave way to temptation and made him- self a hissing and a by-word among men, He did more. He wrecked a loving family forever, and de- stroyed the hopes of a iond wie and beloved child. ‘The former, no longer wiiitng to be connected with such a man, and despairing of ever seeing him again, procured @ divorce, and this man Bear, once so full of promise of leading a life of usefulness, returns a witeless and.abandoned man. His eapacity to lead such alife was shown both before and since the act which has destroyed him, for where he was finaliy overtaken Mr..kdward Morsman had some diMicuity in conviaeing his friends that he was really the man Bear of whom he was im search, It ts unnecessary to recount the circumstances of the robvery. They are fresh in the memory of most ol our cituzens.. Tue amount of money stolen was $15,000, ‘The most viguant pursuit failed to capture him. Traced to the Soutuward as far as Memphis, he cludet the oficers there and came North, intend- ing, ding 1@ bis OWn story, tocome to Omaha and buy @ ticket over tae Union Pacific to the West. Mr. Bear, by the way, Is very reticent about the weary and tedious jtie he lod afterwards. He admits that every day he sutfered an agony of punishment from mingled remorse and fear. Whenever he would stop ia a place long enough to make friends, apprehensions of exposure, and looking om every 1uah. a8 & sberilf, ciused him to move to another, Mr, Morsman, the United. States express agent of Omali, Was selected to undertake his arrest. His whereabouts haying been ascertained Mr. Morsmaa,. on December 2, armed wath @ requisition, from Gov evnor Butler and a commiss! vo act as the ageut of the State, started for Salem, Oregon, Bear was at Oregon City, where he was engaged es agent of the California and Qregon Railrowl. ie gad changed his name to Andrew J. Curtis, and by this name was there well Known and esteemed. Mr. Morsman proceeded to Salem, the capital, when Governor Gover issued the nevessary warrant: for ms arrest, which Mr. Mors- man made immediately on his arrival at Ore- gon City, He found Bear im his of@ce, and when he made Knoayn the object of nis visit the ouly answer he made was, ‘‘All right, sir,” as thouga ne know the fate he had so long struggled to avert nad wt last overtaken bim. The culprit was put in trons and taken on beard a steamer for San Francisco, whence he was conveyed to Omaha, where he ar- rived yesterday. The trip was without special tocident, - At this time of writing we have nothing of import- ance concerning tne lost money, The opimion seems to be that the prisoner will plead guilty to a crime Which he freely coufosses, It is the bolief that Bear knows where $3,600 of the movey Is, and his story that ho lost 1t out of the ski with Which he escaped 48 HOS credtied, That amount was put in a tla box, and was in a package Shipped by Jolin L, Carson to tho First National Bank of Omaha, Bear will be taxen to Browayille to-day. Fatt or Rooks at SusreNston Bripar.—The Sns- pension Bridge Journal says that on Wednesday Right of last week something like the shock of an earthquake was felt there, occastoned by the falling @f a huge mass oi rock, of over a thousand tous it weight, from @ point a short distance norti of the b The mass, consisting of svit red kandstone and shale, has dammed up tue channel of the river and turned the course of the water more toward the centes of Whe stream, JERSEY CITY FINANCES. Tho Bank Fight and the Results—The City Threatened with Lawsuits—The Mayor on the Situation—What the Board of Al- dermoa Have Brought the City fe, Jorsey City is just now beginning to feel the etects. ofa “ring” government in earnest, Ib ts just five months since the HERALD exposed the wirepull- ing of the clique which has been drifting the city to- wards the maelstrom of bankruptey, and it was only necessary for any taxpayer to attend the lato meetings of the ~ vom- mon Council to learn how near the city has approached the whirlpool. The meeting on Tuesday night was particularly instrucitve. A communica- tion was received from the Comptroller setting forth thatthe First National Bank, which holds the city deposits, had refused to honor # requisiuion drawn for payment of a city bond of $50,000, Another communication was received from the City Treasurer, giving the reason for the refusal as stated by the President of the First Naonal—namely, that there was NOT SUFFICIENT MONEY to the credit of the city. But the Treasurer meets this by showlug that there is to the cred.t of the city a balance largely exceeding the amount of tho protest- ed requisition, The statement of the bank puts the general account to date at $208,361 34, from which the loans and interest now due, amounting to $197,000, belug deducted, leaves an uctual balance Of $11,361 34 In favor of the city, The Treasurer accounts for THE DISCREPANCY by showing that the bank included in the loans now due the loans on the assessment account, and that he protested against this, as tt 1s contrary to the provisions of the city charter to charge the assess- ment account to the general account. Mayor O'Neill next sends in a communication with the seif-same charges against the bank, and States that there stould be in the bank to the credit of the city the round sum of $500,000 or thereabouts on the general account. He meets the Issue boldly by telling the Aldermon that “every dollar which has been taken from the general account fur moneys ralsed by tax for the current expenses of the cily mist be re- placed to that accoun. by the party who has taken the liberty to transter suet money to other accounts of the city, WITHOUT ANY AUTHORITY WHATEY! The Mayor then quotes trom tne City arter, and adds signiticantly (hat the credit of the city is suf fering from its present financial condition, ‘The heaviest shot of att fired ito tie Ald camp was that irom Mr, Scudder, who woutied the City Fathers that he had beea tustructed by the Second Nauonal bank to commence +A SUIT AGAINST THE CITY for the payment of the $50,000jal'uded to, being the principai of & city bond tor money loaned by tae Second National 10 anucipation ot taxes. No sophistry or ingeauity can relieve the Board of Aldermen of the culire respousibility for this dis= creditable slate of thiugs. On the orgun- Wation of the new government of the consuil- dated city, last May, the Board passed a resolution that the funds of tue city be deposited in the Second National and the Hudson Gouniy banks conjomtly, these bauks having offered very advantageous terms, These tering Were never Violated by the banks, yet ihe Aiderinen soon atter RESCINDED THEIR FORMER KESOLUTION, and transferred the deposits to the First National ala time when the other banks had been subjected to considerable inconvenience 1n order to tulhl hon- Orably their contract. It was opeuly charged at the time that tus action of the aldermen arose from selfish considerations on the part of many who feared they should never obtain the salaries they ad voted themselves. At all events, froin thas hour the financial condition of the city has beea de- scending from bad to Worse, till at last parties KEFUSB TO LOAN MONEY 10 THE CITY for a lower rate of Interest tian seven per cent. The elty is threatened with lawsuits, the taxes are nearly double those of last year, and yet the “ring, Which was aimost totaliy ‘routed at the late elece tons, is making its last grab for the pubite purse. Aldermen Fitzpatrick and Martini, to members of the Commutive ou ptreets, Laformed the Board at a late euug hat large contracts have been awarded from time to thue ov the street improve- ments concerniug Which neither of tie Aldermen meutioned had been consulted, THE LARGEST OF THESE JOBS is the Montgomery street improvement, which was defended by Alderman Sheeran, chairman of the gommittee, on the extraordmary piea that the Soard of Aloermea must coniirm the con- tracts whether liked or not, aa the jobs had been given out and the contracts signed by the Mayor. He further proceeded to justify the matter by siating that the con- tractors were superior to Alderman Fitzpatrick, when the President of the Board brought down nis and in the scene which followed several members arose and Were about to Jeave in diegust. ‘Yo a persou living outside Jersey City the session of the Bo rd of Aldermen would aford great umuse- ment; but to the taxpayer, who “pays the piper,” there ts little fun. There are half a dozen HONEST, EARNEST, INTELLIGENT MBN In the Board, but they seldom carry a single meas- ure of reform. They are encountereil by an oppost- ton, the jeader of which ts an orator of more than ordinary pretentions, aud continually arraigns Web- ster by telling the President that “the kemmity re- ports, &c.,”” while another corrects him by pronounc- ing the word “kiminity.”’ The people are anxiously Wailing the meeung of the Legisiature to whom Uaey lovk for relief, rmanic they A Saloon Keeper Siurdercd=Denth of George E. Furcy, the Boy Shot by a Private Watch. man on Christimas—Sentence of Election Repeaters. PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 31, 1870. Mike Biern,. proprietor,of the “‘flole-in-the-Wall,” a drinking saloon on Eighth street, near Chestnut, was faially beaten last evening by one of bis friends—one Johnny Beam. Beam eutered Biern’s saloon in a grossly intoxicated stato and asked Blern to loan him some money. Biern refused, when Beam picked up an earthenware cracker dish and beat Biera over the head in the most horrible manner. Surgical aid was summoned and Blern removed to hishome. Five pieces of his skull were extracted by the physicians last night and seven pieces to-day. He cannot possibly recover. Dr. Shapleigh gtves it as his opinion that Biern will not live through the night. Beam was formerly proprietor of the saloon corner of Eleventh and Sansoun streets, in wnicn Paddy Williams was mysteriously murdered six months ago, It has always been supposed that Beam could give more iutormation of that aur than has yet been divulged, seorge E, Farey, the boy shot In the temple by MeGarrigan, the private watcuman, in Dickerson street, on Christmas Day, died this moraing. MaGatrigan is in custody, At the session of the United States Court to-day, Jnage Cadwalader presiding, Coaries MeCuliough, Frauk ice, John A. Armstrong, Wiliam Dowling, alias Noodles, and Wiliam +H, Sleeper were core victed for saise registration and personating voters at the recent Congressional election, ‘These are te first convictions in Phiiadeiphia under the new Biection iaws OL 1870, They were sentenced as fol- lows:--Charies McCullough, who was a_ police » received tne heaviest sentence. Instead of proving & conservator of the law he was & violator, Judge Cadwalader sentenced him to pay a fine of $6v0, to stand cowmiited till paid, costs of tie prosecution and one year’s imprison. ment. Lee, Armetrong, Dowliag and Sleeper were sentenced to pay a fine of one dollar each, the costs af pruseqution atal 1X months’ imprisonment, Sleeper ts a boy of fifteen. Any registry clerk who would allow @ youth of that age to register should also be prosecuted, and it is to be regretted that Proceedings were not comm ayainst hia. Frank Shields, same offence, granted @ now tri: and hekt in defau't of $1,500 bail. Patrick McFad- den, same Ofeuce, Judgment upon verdict arrested, COURSE OF EMPIRE. Fifteen hundred and seven passengers arrived at this port from foreign ports during the week ending Saturday, December 41. They came by the following vessels:— Siramships. Port from. No. of Pas. Caledon Giasgiw .. eat) r Awpiowatll. Total number of passeng A TAtrLe Pueisrstic TALK IN INDIANA.—There ty @ fistte rivairy existing between Terre Haute and Inatanapons, some ume since a chailenge for $1,000 and Lae State Chainpion belt was issued by a pugthst of the former ctty. It was accepted by a res- ident of ludianapolis, but the Terre laute party, afterward finding oat that Dick Hollywood was “backing” the ludianapolls “ightist,” backed out and patil a forfeit of $109, Hollywood ts now tryt to get. a match op between an ambitious Aghter o1 Vigo county aud ong of Martoa county, the Hunt to come of vulside of the Stale MEXICO. A Calm Before the Comé ing Stor The Revolutionary Horizon—Prospoc's of the Future—Proclamation of General Alvarez~ Close of the Session of Congress—Bills Passed—The Tehuantepec Railroad Expedition —The Election Cam- psign — The Candidates, MEXICO, Deo. 14, 1376, Mexico ia at this moment enjoying apparent quict, but reajly a period of critical unre The revolus (onary horizon presents a bright and cloudless aspect to the novice in political eveuts in Mexico, but the breathings of discontent and doubt, which are wafted hither and thither tn the social and political drmament, find no curative or disinfectant for the magma with which they are so heavily charged, Upon the surface of the body politic rebellior {gaa ulcer to be healed over, a8 would appeat from the circumstance that in Guerrero, where the only constlerable revolt elevates tis head, General Wiego Alvarez, two years since a revolationary leader, consents to lead the forces of the government in the fleld against Generat Jimenez, how arebel, buttwo years since commanding tha government woops against Diego Alvarez, and Military Governor, But unfortunately for Moxica the interior of the body politic needs far greater and more radical purification, without which, before tha President to be elected at the approaching election takes his seat, the sword and firebrand of revolt wilh be brandished and swept over the country. The present adiniuistration Understands well the situa. ton, and will undoublediy exert all its power ta effect this cleansing in order to lusure the peace and prosperity of We nation, With What results te future will demonstrate, ‘rhe following ts the late proclamation of Generat Alvarez bo the people of Guerrero: Fri .ow Gritaexs—On taking command of the troops whic! the government has and before comment pet pieased to place under th military operations, I thin ‘ail tho emtabitehe d the democratic are of the country, for the acquisitions vt tbess beneuta it may. be uevessary to add anocher bloody page to the uafurvunata Instury of our civil wars, Conmequentiy L ought to piadges to the persons forced, deluded or fascinated, inay have taken Up aru 1 public order, They ean, without distr fanuiites, ituny duty to addres ment ot Order, the cot dustitutions ; as [ do piedge, with the olive crauch ot pe whi to the bosom of thuir Of the supreme gow en which the laws grant to peac bus retur aud the government, qeunting on tue aid of public oplulon, wit h all the armed force and other elements necessary, will uot be indiiferent to the evils of war, but wil uitempt their extermt: nation iu compliance with its high duties, Ip has been told you by those who sustain” tha rebuilion, counting Upon ten districts of tue Stale, that tha solders that are under my command will not ire, but wil desert constantly and ta great nuubers. Know tie vulgarity of the me: ctunstanoes 1n order to seduce the Incuutious wud to ake thein all in- stru nents of the factlo You know, also, that the State was represented to this capital, uot many days since, by all the deputies, except only ove (rom the cenire, the greater part of them being proprie~ tor ; that the t ; ops of the saine district are with me, that ted Of 1osve: by desertion, tey have been increased, and NK be necessary, the: iL joint me, boun told deceiea you, Fortunately, yuu know ma weil, you Know the events Of the three past’ years, you have been able to take com parisons, and, above ail) tay deeds wil speak louder than my woras. the hopes which tie amen? bad, thes ral troops, of tinued for some days the operat d It has been boastingly stated as a want 'y discipline. Atthe same tine they persuade you that yon are inrin= ctbie, and so deceive you in order to make victims of the most unfounded and inhuman eaprice. Lhe batties of Tap, Zumpango and Gmiapa are demonsiratiog the truth, ai u not doubt ft, will be irmed’ fa a time, beouttse ” tne coo} toned have proved in varions dee they are what they are worth, My fri now ts the time; your fortune wad that hands. Believe mo, peace will wiihout de, not come to expression of wy {your familia is in your ‘ou happy, apd peace ido is are the fagenuowa nformably with te duty Which the high coutdence wita which the xorerament of the Unjoa honurs me, iinpores upon me, L offer you Kuaramteasy have them; aod whet) in my humble retire mr iy [autly, b may contemplate you of your fumilles, all my aspirations complied with. I siell’be believed now, a4 ) anid, icipped of igaobie ambition, L toll you the teuth and ato your frieudt, DIEGO ALVAREZ, Congress will close Its session t-morraw. Until Withiu 4 few hours ft tureaiencd to adjoura without fiaishing Ute important bills on material improve- ments, It has, however, passed the Anton Lizarde and Minantan Railroad concession, granting tue privilege to Alessrs. Masson ana Wyatt, Lae Latter Phiadeiphia geniieman; the Luspan, Mesteo City und Pacitic Kaitroad, granting the coucession t Messrs. Kichards, Smith amt Breanan, and tha Tehuantepec Canal concession to the lenuantepee Ratlroad Company, With tie import and maleread auendmenis suggesicd by tie Prestitent of the republic, There are reasons for belicving that Mexico will remember with pride tts legimiattun of the last three months, in wilicu It bas committed tusell to n 1 lmprovemenis aid amnesty for puiltical oi I The Tehuantepec Ratlroad engineering expedition 13 exp to arrive at the Istiimus during Onrist- luas Weck, atid the opening of the road in due form ta expected to take place on or about the Ist of Janu- ary. ‘The triends of the Isthmus projects could uot re- Train layt night from tousting in champagne tag Tuture of the canal and railro.d, and i hearty good wishes could bud a road and dig a canal both Will be finished witnin a week. ‘The eiection campaiga is becoming rather bril« Mant Poli 3 and bewspapers are taking sided seeing just ul this moment ratuer UD favor of Levdo or Diz than President Juarez. ‘The intentions and policy of the latter are not understood yct. Most of the papers of the capt tal seem to lave adopted one Of the other cagul« dates. His purpose may be to step in between the two atthe critical moment, or tt may be to retire from the fleid aud pubile Life. Negrete and the late revululiomary leaders are Waiklug our streets and apparently are Oaly spectaiors. They are, however, rouably narrowly Watcued und thelr movements Own tO Lhe goverument. GENERA! NEWS ITEMS. Log houses are plenty and popular in North western fowa. ‘The ilnots Legislature meets on Wednesday, January 4 The San Francisco Bull: n estimetes the value of the yearly frait crop of Cailornia at $5,000,000, Rochester, f., las a dramatic society, which gives entertainwents for the beneiit of he Sanday schools. tal product of corn this year is estimated ab ven hundred mitiions of pusiels, Great news tor the pigs and whiskey drinkers. There 1s a little colony of fishernien on the out. skirts of Gloucester, Mass., wiere ie Dnglish baa guage is not spokea, The people are Portugese. ed. B. Sackett, superint nt of the Baptixt mis~ Slou for Ubio, died suddeniy at Clyae, Oliv, of apu~ plexy iust week. A contractor on the Midiand (N. J.) Ratiroad at Deckertowa has absconded, leay ofdeots unpaid. Among his Creators ary a larga nuinber of laborers and tradesmen. A man who has been Governor of Matne “accom. modaiod” @ stianger on the cars with $250, the other day, “unti he could get a check for $3,000 cashed’? That eX-Governor tas lost his Talth im human nature, ‘The Legisiature of Minnesota will meet on the 3& of January. On the ivth of tie month the election OF @ Unke”! States Seuator, for Ue tera beginning March 4, will be hei. The ‘y caused by tie death of Senator Norton wil aisu be fled at the sale line, Old Hanks, the Mlinots patriarch, who carried tn his arms the Infant Abratam Lincoin, aad who Row carrtes Lincola’s first watch, lives ‘at Hell Gate, Monta, and ts the oldest man to (he Territory, Jt is said that Professor Mowbray, tho nitro glycerine manufsacturer, Lutends to adopt a3 his owa the two chiidren of Mr. Delson, the superiatendent, wo was killed last week by tae Hoosac tunnel explosion. A woman in Miiwankee left her house recently, and returned to find her iniant coild mangied and partially devoured by 2 nog. Au officer of the law was about to Shoot tie animal, When she platntively berged hia net to dose, ‘as her loss was heavy enough already.” . A philosopher saya it 1% as absurd to spend one’s life in hoarding up millions of wealth, which we possessor cau never eujoy, as it would be to collec’ and lay up ia storehouse 60,000 mahogany chairs which were never intended to be used for the farnl~ ture of apartnents, or $0,000 pairs of trousers Which were vever inieaded Lo be worn, A man in Lee, Mass., boasts a great grandfather who had fourteen children by is firs: wife, amd married a widow with five for hts sec an0- ther with teu for his third, None of tn enty-nine ‘aildven died under forty years of age. It was the father’s Custom to give $1,400 in silver a3 a marriages portion to each of fis sons, and $700 to each daugh- ter. At lits death he had 10% children and grand- children, inclading sons and daughtersein-law, By direction of Uutted Statés Supervisor W, A. Sim- mois several important seizures ol tobacco and cigars have been made to Lowell, Mlass., witmi a day or two past. From one uxinufactory 40,000 cigars were seized and 2,00 from ether parties, together four or five thousand pounds of leaf tobacco and other property. Other similar scizures ba’ made in ovher places in that Mion end tn ~ eres be preseuted to tae United States Cort tr =