The New York Herald Newspaper, May 30, 1873, Page 4

4 AMERICA AT VIENNA. General Van Buren in Defence of His Conduct a8 Chief United States Commissioner, His Denial of All the Charges Against Him— Francis A. Stout's Appointment as Substi- tute in New York Due to His Influ- ence—Causes of the Failure of the American Exhibition—Absence of Corruption in Its Management. Vrenna, May 11, 1873. To Tox Eprror oF THE HERALD :— In the Washington correspondence of the HERALD Of April. 26 I find what purports to be certain charges which led to the suspension of the “Ameri- can Commission to the Exposition at Vienna." Asecret tribunal has been in session here for weeks, Composed of Mr. Jay and Thomas McElrath (the latver an assistant commissioner appointed by mysel!). Of the proceedings of this inquisition I have been permitted to know but very little, but have been repeatedly informed that, after the most strenuous efforts, it bas gathered nothing which impugned my integrity in the least. According to your correspondent, my crime consists in my ‘‘un- fitness for my position” and “mistakes I have made in the appointment of my assistants.” If every oMicial in the United States should be removed and disgraced because of making “MISTAKES IN APPOINTMENTS!’ I take it there.would be many vacancies created. But | think it will be found upon investigation that I am not Mable to this charge. The gentlemen selected\by me were, with one exception, entire strangers to me, and were appointed upon the strongest written and personal recommendations of eminent citizens. The only one I knew was ‘Thomas McElrath, and he is now made judge over all the Commission, including himsel', These Com- Qissioners are residents of different parts of the United States, are well known and estimaple gen- tlemen, and I think it will be news to their large circle of acquaintances and friends that they were unfit forthe positions to which I appointed them, Against one of them only have I heard complaint, ‘nd thatone is General William Mayer, of Brook- lyn. General Mayer has rendered an amount of service tothe government and to exhibitors that entities him to consideration; and that demands from a generous public A SUSPENSION OF JUDGMENT ‘until he can face his accusers and make his answer. He may have been imprudent, but that he has been corrupt, it will take stronger evidence than any yet produced to convince me. “Those who owe their appointment to Mr. Fish, and not to political influence,” said your corre- spondent, “may be depended upon as men well qualified for their position.” If you will take the trouble to inquire further of Mr. Fish, I doubt not he will tell you that some, if not all, of the very best among the scientific, arti- gan and honorary Commissioners appointed at Washington, were selected upon my recommenda- tion, The thirveen assistants selected by me also received their commissions from the State Depart- ment. As to my unfitness for my position, I appeal from the statement of your correspondent to the evidence of 800 exhibitors, who have, upon my soll- citation, sent their goods to Vienna; to the enor- mous labor performed at my bureau in New York, ano to the shipping of a vast amount of the finest specimens of the skill and Cap of our country in the most perfect order, each package tally marked and arranged in proper groups for exhibi- ‘ion. That these goods were not properly de- livered at Vienna was owing to the tact that the Gommissioners Who superintended the loading of the vessels were not permitted to procced to Trieste, and, through the intervention of strangers, confusion and loss have ensued. THE VASTNESS OF THE WORK. This vast amount of work was performed in eight months, without assistance trom any source, save that given by my assistant Commissioners, Without an appropriation by Congress, and in spite of a violent epposition frem many abie writers and newspapers, @n account of the condition of the Austrian patent laws. You allege that I “entrusted too much to my assistant Commissioners, neglect- ing matters which I ought to have attended to myself.” Gentiemen of the first position in New York and other cities, Who visited my ofce and Witnessed the devotion of time, means and health to the arduous duties connected therewith, are Teady to testily to the entire taisity ot any such statement. But it appears | lett New York “with- out Bppointing a substitute to attend to the duties ot my office,”’ and that Mr. Francis A, Stout has taken my place and been appointed by Mr. Fish for that purpose. A single inquiry of Mr. Stout would have informed you that he was appointed an hon- orary Commissioner at my request, and that he re- mained in charge of a Office at my suggestion, of which errangement ir. Fish was informed, an in which he acquiesced. I did not leave the United States until urgent requests tor my presence in Vienna made it imperative, and the business leit behind was not expected to be large. 1 to know that Mr. Stout has properly it, But the last and apparently the greatest crime of which [have been guilty is that of having been appointed on THE SOLICITATION OF GENERAL BURNSIDE. Ithink tls annowncement will surprise General Burnside as much asit dees me. Inever knew ot my appointment until | saw it announced in the papers. To relieve General Burnside from any compucity in the transaction I venture to send you the following personal ietter {rom Mr. Fish, ac- companying the formal announcement of my ap- pointment;— Derantwent oF State, Wasuixatox, June 21, 1872, Tnomas B. VAN Boney, Esq. — My Dean Stx—Tho President has, without solicitation from yourself, conferred upon you the appointment of Commissioner to represent the government of the United States at the International Exposition, to be held at Vienna, Austria, in the year 1s73. The act of Congress, sqgroved June 10, 1872, relating to the subjec @ copy of which is enclosed heréwith, authorizes the ap: Pointinent of one or more Commissioners. Should you Accept the appointment, however, none will be appointed except such as You may nominate, with a view to secur. ing the co-operation of competent Deputy or Assistant Commissioners. Although nocom, to be rendered, LL appointinent, as th comprehensive one, an to this country. ensation is authorized for the services yeu may be willing to nis expected to its results may be of impor Tam, my dear sir, very truly y HAMILTOS In my first interview with Mr, Fish I e€pressed my intention of declining the appointment. On visiting the President at Long Branch, shortly after, | reiterated my determination and only ac- cepted the position alter his assurances of support, I refer to his message as proof of the sincerity of his assertions. ‘A PROTEST AGAINST MISREPRESENTATION. Now, sir, you are the editor of a powerfal and influential journal. Injustice done in the colamns of the HERALD ts injustice magnified a million times. I bave been disgraced in this strange land through despatches sent to the Department by the United States Minister at Vienna. No charges have been presented to me and no opportunity given me for defence. I have borne all this with the fortitude that @ consciousness of innocence alone inspires. But when a leading newspaper fills its columns with such gross libels a8 your correspondent bas pre- ps I feel called apon to make some reply, lam isgraced in the eyes of the werld, after nearly a year of the most arduous and thankiess toil for the people of the United States; after an expenditure of a large amount of my own funds; after sending to Vienna the material for a finer exhibition than ‘was ever before sipped [rom our shores, and after coming here with my family, at large expense, as the ocenpant of @ position | never sought and luctantly accepted. THR BXHIBITION A TOTAL PATI In addition to personal disgrace, tum obliged to see the exhibition I have labored so hard to make @ success @ total fatinre—to find all my labor frittered away—to hear the complaints of @x- hibitors, who came here at my solicitatien, and who are now treated as criminals, their spaces interlered with, their goods placed peyond their coutrol and their permits treated with contempt. ‘Why has ail this been done? Why has this scandal Seen made at Vienna, to the disgrace of our country and the injury of our-exhivition? Wh: ‘was not ty commission permitted to go on, and make our department 4 striking success, as it was capable of doing? Believe me, these are the ques- tions which find a ready reply here, and which the American people will demand of those who have brought about this state of things hereafter; and when that time comes I shall hope to offer some evidence which shall lead to their proper answers, THOS. B. VAN BUREN, THE SPANISH IRON-OLADS. New YORK rere fee = His “Great Services"=The Situstion in France. New Youx, May 27, 1673. To THe Error or THB H&RALD:— [ ‘At length Thiers lies’ at the foot of the atairs at Versailles, I told you just two years ago that this would happen nim—that he would be cast aside by the men whose tool he then was. He tas been kicked down the steps with as little ceremony as ‘a valet who, having served a dirty purpose for his master, and presuming upon it, is pitched out of doors with scorn and contempt, Let us review Thiers @ ttle and recapitulate events. After the surrender of Paria. by Favre cight days were allowed, during the armistice, to assem- ble the representatives of the Frenon poopie for the distinct and sole purpose of arranging condi- tions of peace with Germany or, if the interests and honor of France demanded it, prolonging the war. These representatives were hurried together from all parts of the country, many of them, in that portion of it hela by the Germans, not being elected at all, but going forward, by connivance of the German commanders, as favorable to peace and known enemies of the Republic, Having decided on peace the work for which they came together was done and their plain duty was to dissolve, that France, by a carefai etection, might choose @ constituent Assembly. This they refused todo, They made no secret of their ten- dencies toward mouarchy, and boldly and de- flantly insulted the radical republican Deputies, ‘who opposed their usurpation and denounced their treason. The radicals withdrew, and called upon the conspirators to dissolve. Where was Thiers then? Between the barefaced usurpera of power and the radicals who peacefully demanded the open voice of the whole country he ranged himself quickly, and with obsequious Sattery, on the side of treason. He was then the enemy of republican- ism, and “the Right’’—the monarchists—were “the most intelligent,” ‘the most patriotic,” “the most noble,’ “the most honorable men in France." He nastened to perform the meanest kind of ser- vice for them. He knew they hated Paris as “‘a republican hotbed,” and were afraid to trust their precious persons witbin its walls, with their treason still unhatched, and, ignoring the stupen- dous sacrifices of the Parisians during the siege, their sublime patience and endurance, their unex- ampled sufferings, Thiers outraged and insulted them by locating the seat of government at Ver- sailies, Paris demanded her rights as one of the existing 37,000 communes of France, and Thiers sent as answer 4 military commander hated by the people, Vinoy. His orders were to muzzle the press, im- prison the citizens whd objected to Versailles, dis- arm the National Guard and heap indignity upon indignity, even condemning men to death, No man in France understood the people whom he tius maddened and provoked better than Thiers, He is a politician and dipiomate from crown to toe, and no one will accuse him of the stupidity of mot knowing the temper of the Parisians, He spared no means to sting them into revolt, and then he said to the “Right,” “Give me time, and you will see the last of the radical revolutions of Paris.” He bad made up his mind, as this speech and sub- sequent events proved—made up his mind before @ gun was fired—to exterminate the radical ele- ment of Paris. But Marseilles, Lyons, Teulouse and other cities were ready to take up arms with Paris against the usurpers, and Thiers, frightened into deceit, said, “I am defending the Kepublic.” He gave forth tne impression to the provincials that he was standing between the menarchiste and liberty as a sentinel for the latter, and said solemnly, “I swear before God to deiend the Re- ublic.”? The provinces delieved him ana allowed Paris to be butchered. When the republicans had been subdued b; bloody massacre and the prison, when the Nation Guard throughvut France had been disarmed and disbanded, when the republican press had been suspended or Bagged, then Thiers began to explain to the provincial clties—which had permitted him to strangle Paris in the interests of “true yalbiican- ism’’—what he meant by a Republic. “I mean,” said he, ‘‘a constitutional monarchy. That is my ideal o! a@ republic. France will be governed by the glorious traditions of a thousand years rather than venture on new and hazardous experiments.” ‘This was his language—it was clear and unmis- takable. But what could tho moderate republl- cans an@ the previncial cities do? They were dis- armed and inthe close custody of military com- manders. They could not stir. They had furnished the rope that tiea themselves. Time wore on, and Thiers soon saw that the Orleans had no strength and were too weak as a party for a throne. Knew that he was despised by the legitimists and Bonapartists, and began to see that he would be thrown aside just as soon as they could do without him; then, at this critical moment for his power, he began’ to perceive “the marked progress’ which republican sentiment was making throughout the country. He wanted 4 lease of power, and joined hands with the tribe of Gambetta, They were worthy of each other. What, then, has Thiers achieved for the Republic? I notice that nearly ali the newspapers here mention as his greatest act the crushing of the Commune. In spite of all that has been said in explanation of the principles of the Commune and the motives which inspired its leaders, the stupid and ignorant calumny still pre- vails that they were ‘‘the enemies of civilization and all government.” A Frenchman, on coming to America in the heat of one of your elections for President, asked a democrat this question, “What are the principles and designs of the republican party here?” “Well,” answered the democrat, ‘tueir only prin- ciple 18 thata negro is better than a white man, and their design ts to introduce amalgamation and make every white woman, i they can, marry a nigger.” Now this explanation @f the prineipies and designs of the republican party in America is just as intelligent and just as true as the current definitions of the character and purposes of tne Commune. Will any well-read man deny that the success of the first French revolution changed the political destiny of Europe’ I think nov. Yes; Thiers crushed the Commune, and with it he erushed French liverty back under tie grasp of kingcralt, priestly domination and ignorance for another decade or more, only to arise again at some future day more terrible and remorseless to its enemies than ever before. Thiers’ great services! “He paid the war indem- nity and cleared French territory.” He did not. ‘These were the work ef the French mauion. ‘Thiers Was only an agent in the transaction: any other man Will be who holds his place. No, his “great services’ to the Republic were these:—as a tool of the monarchists he forced Paris into revolution and then massacred it for revolt. He put the press under terror and employed soldiers to disperse peaceable republican assembiies. He sanctioned laws made by those who had no authority to make ay law, imposing fine and imprisonment on re- pubitcan workmen tor belonging to republican s0- cieties, He disarmed the people and destroyed the National Guard, and weakened, by every possible tyfaany, the active power of the Fepuplioan, party of France. He left in place only the “moderate” republicans—men whose mission is to furnish majectic but harmless “gab,” while their enemies are vigorously acting, and, who, like Favre and Simon under Bonaparte, are content to be paid “orators” in the French Tribune, whtie their oppo- nents, masters in the seats of power, laugh de- risively at their eloquence. While Thiers was occupied with these “great services’’—the services most desired by the Oriean- ists, the legitimists and the Bonapartists—ne gave these three conspirators against him time to can- Vass their several chanc success and to arrive at the conclusion that there was no safety for them but to lay aside their cordial hatred and distrust of each other, and, for the sake of the “swag,” unite. ‘They had had ample time for deliberation and pre- paratien, and Tiers, by his method of “estabitsh- ep ing order,’ had made any coup ti might attempt and successfal. And then, Wien the nad arranged their Topoes 9 massed their 4 teries, the old man aftefipted to strike the blow which would Gx his hold on power and which he might have hurled at the monarciists two years and three months with the force of a thunder. bolt. Had he placed himself at the head of the re- licans when the conspira' refused to retire ir the peace could have driven them trom place like dust before the wind. He cvuld have yee revolution and saved France. But @ sustained them and their usurpation and built up power for them and heaged them around in security by means as infamous, treacherous aud opuel as any despot devo of heart, conscience orprinciple ever used, and now they have rewarded him by kicking him down stairs. This is the ‘monstrous ingratitude” which his friends charge on the monarchists, The pleasure of their performance on Thiers is enhanced to them by the fact that by the a8 biunder of offering his resignation the hitherto astute little trickster opened to them an opportu- nity to be rid of him just in the nick of time. As to the “moderates,” they are in precisely the Same political position as the radical republicans of two years and three months ago who withdrew from the Assembly te combat treachery by appeal- The Arapties and Isabel la Catolica, which are fying off the Battery, were visited yesterday by @ Hsratp reporter. They are both Spanish tron- ciads of the second class, and arrived at this port on the 2#thinst, from Guaatanamo, Cuba. The Ara) cal to this port for the purpose of hav- ing jinery overhauled, and was towed here by the Isabel la Catolica. The | Captain Demetrio Castro Montenegro, ts tons burden, 800 feet length, 60 feet beam, 22 feet depth of hold. Sh seventeen guns, and 1s to be one of the Snest frigates of the Spanish navy. The Isabel carries ten guns and is com- fed by Captain Angel Topete. ing to the votes of the people. But thé mederates wih not withdraw. They will remain to furnish amusement to the victors, and by the absurdity of their position—a majority in helpless minority— and their futile remonstrances they will relieve for their enemies the tedium of political debate, With the army and the pries:# at their back and a dis- people and muzzled press in front the mon- iscommted. nnd. dereatea “youtrinens aor $e ane maui, ma wet” and bis Gam' ansels prudence and caimness, ne one knows better than Gambetta that there wt be no “violence.” Revolutions for the indepen- dence of the Frenck people segin in Paris, and the men of Paris Wao load revolutions lig in wigody HERALD, ‘FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1873—TRIPLE SHEET. jicang have always been the curse of Franec, ‘and to their im! , cowardice and salt seeking rs tO “establish order.” The beoili Be abtrinused, move than tl Pe MARSA a fia thie dug oy Gambetta and his. tribe in ‘Thier moderate may howe out the only possible path te erty with the sword these ‘“‘moderates” (who al- ways mi oe to save their skins) have step} to tospoil ir work, destroy the results and make asses of themselves for their enemies to ride. ‘The monarehists have now aclear path and an open field. Ne sentiment of honor or patriotism’ has prevented them making their country a pitiable political spectacle before the world, and no. ulse of shame will deter them from enacting to its infamous dénouement the monstrous and bloody faree began under the Hopubllc at Bordeaux—a Republic gaased, disarmed, bound, and presenting the humiliating spectacie of a handful of broken- down and worn-out factions setting the will of the people at defiance. ‘This has resulted from the “great services” Thiers, aided by the atupidity of the “moderate: and intelligent and impartial history will give them credit for their work. ee HENRI DE! LUZE. YELLOW FEVER. Progress of the Disease in Montevideo and Alarming Confasi of the Muni- cipal Power—City Exodus and a Very General Stampede of the Population— Communication. with Suenos Ayres Shut Off—Commercve Paralyzed and Banks Closed. Monrevineo, April 3, 1873. ‘The not unusual appearance of “Yellow Jack” on this coast and the records of the epidemic of 1871 in Buenos Ayres, with its slight visitation in 1872 to our salubrious city, should have served to remind us of the necessity of being more guarded this year, and that our authorities should have exer- cised a more stringent quarantine on all arrivals from the Brasils—the prevailing opinion being that it has this year been imported from Rio Janciro. The fact of the prevalence of the dread disease in Montevideo is now undoubted, although with the appearance of the first few cases in February and early part of March there was considerable differ- ence of opinion among our medical faculty as to the actual class of the disease—some calling it ty- phoid, others typhus and many agreeing that it was gastric. Towards the latter part of March the cases augmented and were exclusively con: Qned to the north side of the city, embracing about ten squares, while last year the disease broke out in and continved to infest the south part of the city. MUNICIPAL HYGIRNE, A CONFLICT OF OPINION AND OITY CONFUSION. The city authorities were finally awakened from their customary lethargy and began to adopt. Measures repugnant to the peeple; the Health Commission met with opposition on all sides; they advocated tne forcible disoccupation of tne infected district. The press clamored against it, urging that the measure was arbitrary, and even advising the residents to resist any attempt to turn them out of their homes, Finally, the measures of the authorities proving futile, the Board of Health dissenting as to the course to pursue, physicians quarrelling among themselves, quacks, like so many false prophets, advocating their snecifics, and the papers, in anything but a conciliatory tone, discussing the differences at issue, produced a panic in Montevideo, and a general “stampede” commenced; every one who had country resi- dences, or could afford to pay the high prices asked by those owning property in the neighboring country towas or camp, began to move away, the city presenting, after a few days, a very desolate appearance. FINANCE AND TRADE AT A STANDSTILL. Banks and commercial houses either closed en- tirely or opened for a few hours during the day; all ‘business is ere and from the few who fre- quent the Exchange, reading rooms, &c., you hear no other subject mooted but, yellow fever. | All Places of amusement are closed, communication with Buenos Ayres is shut off, and the steamers from Europe pass on by our city as if spurning the contagion offered by contact witn it. This is the condition of affairs at the time of writing, and in the opinion of eh ‘who have seen worse epidem- ics it is considered an unnecessary and uncalled for timidity, in view of the state of the disease at present. HEALTH RFPORT. The official report of the Health Commission gives an average of twelve attacked daily, but the number has increased to sixteen and twenty on two occasions. The paticnts under treatment now are eighty to 100, scattered around the city, but emanating fxom the infected part. Unfortunately there is no hospital especially for them, and a large Percentage die owing to the inexperience of our Physicians, who are incapable of coping with the alady. The continuous warm, damp weather ts very un- propitious, and it is to be hoped that the usual fresh, cool weather generally prevalent at this sea- son may soon return and relieve our frightened penis ef what they dread more than the chronic loody revolutions. LITERARY CHIT-CHAT, MATTHEW ARNOLD has @ new book in press on “Higher Schools and Universities in Germany.” Tuis is one of the best verses out of Joaquim Mil- ler’s new “Songs of the Sun Lands” :— ‘Then the great sun died, and a rose-red bloom Grew oyer his grave in a border ot gold; And a cloud with a silver-white rim was roll'd, Like a great gray stone at the door ofa tomb. Mx. Joun MitoueL has printed in London a “Reply to the Falsification of History by James An- thony Froude, eatitied ‘The English in Ireland.’ The “Reply” will satisfy those for whom it is in- tended that Mr. Froude is @ mere dabbler in his- toric studies, and is unable to hold his ground against the author of the ‘History of Ireland.” Tue Latest Boon to literary travellers is “Graphine,”’ which is described by the London press as a little packet containing four small sheets of paper, and on cutting off a little bit, no larger than one’s finger nail, and soaking it in a table- spoontul of water, it will produce a beautiful purple- colored ink, This condensed writing ink can be carried in the pocketbook, like court plaster, and no traveller need tn future take an inkstand about with him. THE PAINS OF Memory are forcibly illustrated in @ history of England, which the Rev. Mr. Goodwin has feebly dribbled into 591 tines of verse, so as to fix the leading events in the youthiul and stuuious mind, THE Saturday Review pronounces “Old Kensing- tou,” which is the longest story Miss Thackeray has yet written, to be the one that gives the high- est impression of the richness and power of her genius, THE DRAMATIC WORKS OF Thomas DecreR, in four volumes, will be soon reprinted in London, Of the dramatists hitherto unedited Decker is the Most poetical, and the appearance of a complete edition of his works is the greatest boon remaining to be conferred on lovers of the Elizabethan drama, SaYs TAR Atheneuum:— The new poem announced by the author of “st, Abe and His Seven Wives’! is the tale of an Indian woman and her love for a white man, in quest of whom she travelled over the entire Continent of North America. Will the story of her passion soften the white man's heart towaras the Modocs? A GREAT BOOK SALE is to come off at Leipzig, July 14, of one of the choicest and costliest private libraries recently gathered in Europe. The books belonged to a Kusgian named Sobolewski, who died three years ago, at Moscow, leaving behind an inestimable eollection Of book rarities, which now come to the hammer. Al other precious articles is a copy of the “ gee Of Ve Bry,’ which is unique in its completeness anghs the per- fection of the first impressions of the plates. Sexor EmiLo CASTELAR has issued in Spants® e “Life of Lord Byron,” which will be one of the most Tt original monuments of Spanish literature, A SAGACIOUS GERMAN WRITER, complaining of the diMficulties in the pronunciation of the English lan- guage, cites the word “Boz,” which he says is pro- nounced “Dickens.” Tus Rev. Lemvet Moss, D.D., has been ap- pointed by the Baptist Publication Soclety to edit @ history of the Baptist denomination for the cen- tury past. Tas VERY ABLE ARTICLE in the Ediabargh Re- view on General Lee is anderstood to be written by General Chesney, the well known writer on miil- tary subjects. Dr. ADOLF BACMEISTER, favorably known as the author of “Allemannische Wanderungen,” a pro- found scholar and clever writer, who died, much lamented, at Stuttgart, afew weeks ago, has left a transiation of “Juvenal,” which his friends de- clare to be the best ever made in Germany. THS NEXT HANDY BOOK Of science that 1s to be put forth will be “The Globe Dictionary of the Eng- lish Language,” with 600 illustrations, at $150. of course it is English—net Websterian—and the Put- Hams will supply the American market. THE WAR IN SPAIN. An Interview with the Cure of Santa Cruz. OPINIONS OF THE CHURCH MILITANT. Basque Devotion to Church, King and Country. PREACHING WITH THE SWORD BAYONNe, Basses Pyren¢es, France, May 13, 1873, } “adventure,” says Disraeli, “come to the adven- turona,” and although & HgeaLp correspondent's businesa, in wandering about the mountains of Navarre, was something nabre prosaic than quest of adventure, it became his good fortune to en- counter at San Estevan, @ town twenty miles from the French frontier, the famous cabecitia or Car- Ust chief whose name now fills all Spain with ha- tred or admiration, according to the political sym- pathies of those who utter it. Thad left Murteta three days after the battle of Puerta de Eraul, in company with a priest bearing despatches from General Dorregaray to the King, a8 Don Carlos is invariably termed by bis adher- ents, There were also in our party the Marquis of Valde-Espina, whose arm had been disabled by @ bayonet thrust, and several other officers of various grades, all of whom were going to the hidden hospitals which are concealed in two or three almost unknown mountain villages near the frontier. The highways and towns being filled almost daily by the enemy's cavalry and carabineros, we were eompelled to take the mountain paths, most of them trodden only by Basque shepherds and their flocks. Your corre- spondent has had considerable experience in bad roads. He crossed the Isthmus of Panama in 1350, and no one ever called that a good road. He tra elled the Nicaragua route in 1852, and nobody, ex- cept Marshall 0. Roberts, ever considered that an agreeable highway of travel. Your correspondent has followed in his day most of the vexatious mule trails of the sierrasin Northern California, but it remained for this memorable ride from the Carlist headquarters to the French frontier to impress fully upon his mind how dificult and dangerous a road may be, and still be passable. DODGING THE REPUBLICAN COLUMN, About two hours after leaving Murieta we were informed by the peasantry of @ little village that the enemy's cavalry were destroying a bridge only half an hour’s distance, and that two columns of republican troops were marching from Pampeluna to intercept Dorregaray and to efface the disgrace of Puerta de Eraul. The priest, who acted as leader of our party—and a very fit one, too, he made, having been a captain of cavalry during the Seven Years’ War—at once turned off into a rocky gorge in the mountains, It seemed a cut de sac, with perpendicular walls of rock about five hun- dred feet high, and at first I thought we were going there to conceal ourselves; but the priest rode steadily on, and upon nearing the base of the clr there appeared @ narrow thread of rocky path which zigzaged up with short turns, each plat- form being supported by an artificial wall of strongly cemented stones. I thought at first I preferred the enemy’s cavalry, but as every one else, including the wounded, seemed to consider it a matter of course, I made no comment, save to dismount in order that { might more fully enjoy the scenery. This sort of thing was kept up for two days and one nig\t, with only the variations of descent instead of ascent. THE FIGHTING PRIEST NO MYTH. At Oroquieta we learned that the celebrated curé, Santa Cruz, was at San Estevan with his band, and would probably remain all day and night, This was an opportunity not to be neg- lected. It hasbeen the aim and ambition of all representatives of foreign journals along the French and Spanish frontiers to obtain a personal interview with this famous partisan, but some were deterred by his weil known aversion to the press, which has so much maligned him, and others, after two or three weeks’ fruttiess chase, gave up the search, declaring Santa Oruz to be a myth, Having obtained a letter of recommendation from the Marquis of Valde-Espina, who is chief of staif of the army of which the band of Santa Cruz forms a part, I started for San Estevan, where I arrived at about four P. M., and found not only the redoubtable euré himself, but also a large reinforcement of newly armed men, going to join Dorregaray. An Officer of the detachment w! Ihappened to have met previously in Bi conducted me to the curé’s qi General Santa Cruz, as he is called by his men, had billeted self in the house of the Alcalde, and upon being ushered into a large, dimly lighted, cool room, with bare polished floor and high ceiling I saw standing before me a robust, sturdy man, about five feet ten inches in height, with coarse, bushy, black beard all about his lace; his nair was cropped short. In his hand he grasped a bundle of letters, which I learned aiterwards were reports from the Alcaldes and secret agente of neighboring villages. RELIGIOUS FIELD WORK IN THE BASQUE PROVINCES. First, before proceeding wilh the personal details of may interview, let me say a word regarding the early history of Santa Cruz, which is not so well known as his present distinction merits. He was born in the vil age of Elduayen, in the province of Guipuseoa, in 1 He was educated by an uncle for the priesthood, and in 1866 was made curé of Hernialde, a little village near the town of Tolose. In 1868 he commenced his career as a Carlist chief, having become convinced that he could serve the Holy Church better in the field than at the altar. ‘nere were plenty to pray, but few to fight, and the young Basque priest determined to set his lukewarm parishioners an example. For three years now he has traversed the five Basque prov- inces, inciting the men to take up arms and the women to form societies for the succor of the wounded; levying contributions on a town here, hanging a recalcitrant Alcalde there, and scatter- ing confusion and dismay among the government troops and officials everywhere, until his name and fame has attracted more men to his banner than the Carlist junta can find guns or even pikes for. I will now return to the Curé, whom [left regarding me with an inquisitive but by no means untriendly glance. Politely motion- ing me to a seat he read my letter of introduction, bowed at its conclusion apd remarked that the Marquis was & good officer and a good soldier and hoped that his wound woulc soon permit him to return to his duties in the fleld, The Curé then re- marked, with a slight smile, that he had not been honored by the visits of many journalists and that he was very glad to welcome me to his quarters. judged this a fitting moment to explam the pur- pose of my mission, to which statement he listened very attentively and promptly replied tha) not only would he further my object to the best GF his ability, but was also very glad of an opportunity to reiute in a great journal the many falsehoods which nad been circulated concerning him. As the remainder of our conversation, or at least that portion of it. which is of general interest, con- sisted of question and answer, it will simplily and shorten this account to put it in that shape. PROSPECTS OF CARLISM. CORRESPONDENT—Do you believe, General, that there is mere enthusiasm among the people of Spain for the present movement in favor of Don Carlos than there was in the Sevem Years’ Wart SantaCkvz—Much more—much more. The Seven Years’ War was more & movement of the nobies and the politicians, aided Ey a large treasury, The present movement is one of the people, and T vert- tably believe that a plebiscite to-day would give Spain into the hands of Don Carlos. Certainly it would not goto the republicans. In the Basque Provinces there ts not a man, woman or child who is not a Carlist, their fathers and grandfathers were before them, except a few traitors among the shopkeepers in the large towns where government interest prevails, The misguided men who attempt to make Spain a republic well know they cannot ucceed. Bue they are driving the country to de- Fraction only through fear if they halt now the ‘and Barcelenese woives at their heels will in pieces. NDENT—Then you think that Don Carlos iy be King of Spain? Yes, sit, roe - we haw id anti F ay the number of men clent money te «sa gield witiin two months there We could put In Mapes The officers of the regular Mores ‘aot republicar’#:, Tey are either at heart Alfousists or Cariists, Qe Men are, mutinons und discontented and are «Qudy wo tow, any strong man with sufficient chi ‘men of ideas The repuolican leaders in Madria* Ot Mien Ot lary and theories. They are not men Agent chanbe Alionso 1s too young to have any pr. of success. STRENGTH OF THE ROYAL PORCES. ConnesPoNDEnt—How, many men have ,“@4 0 mma nera’ - yee cea OUESAt present nearly one thousan.” itty, open bei tanh bees) A386) Snyders. ie rest serve as scouts ana Steud the paguge and ambulance mules, [ could take the flel A sh 3,000 men from Guipuscoa will eventu SANTA CRU. atone if 1 nad the arms. aT aSerONDt you find that the Basque peasantry make soldiers ? Santa OR re are uo better soldiers. You know what Spanish infantry was considered in past times, ese men wre worthy successors. Pike We aruugs of Frayge, Gpelapd aud Ger. many, rations nor ity rounds of ammunition ‘@ little read wine, with a few ounces of kid's fleah, gapasteaaty. snd tue. Basque soldier will march twelve to fourteen hours day through heat and cold without a murmur, NECESSITIES OF WAR. Corresronpest—You will excuse satcing the f iene General; but I should be to hear your own mouth an explicit denial of the cru- elties which hi ve been laid to your charge by the Span republican journals. Santa Ckuz—Of course such charges are false. At first, when the Fepabllcan troops, and one wally the velunteers, murdered my men’ in cold blood when they took them prisoners, calling them brigands and outlaws, [ retaliated, man for man, according to the severe but neceasary Jawa of war. ‘They then ceased the practice, and there has been no trouble on that score atnce. SHOOTING A FEMALE APY. CORRESPONDENT— And .about the two women, General, you are said to have exeouted ? Sanra Cruz—One only was executed asa spy. She Wasa gypey and had been repeatedly warned of what would be the prebable reault of her practices; but, like all gyps(es, her love of gold was too great to be overcome, and one nightshe betrayed an ort- t of mine into the hands of the voluateera, who iled many of them without giving them time te ask quarter. ‘he woman was soon afterwards captured, and sentenced to be shot by & regular court martial, which sentence I caused to be imme- diately carried into effect. Of course the circum- stance of my being @ priest caused mo to be singted out for scandal and misrepresentation. RRESPONDENT—There is no doubt that the Church ef Rome takes a deep interest in the suc- cess of Don Caries, Santa Onuz—Naturaliy the Church desires to see 8 Catholic legitimate soveret en the throne of Spain. defection of Italy, Spain ip now ag she was years ago, THE BULWARK OF THR CRURCH, are allowed a free expression of their ¢ Catholic Church cannot stand no ttoexist. Atheism, forms of political and evail, Have you seen y want nettner uni trains, will, Oburch of any faith can ex Communism and all othe: réligious disorder would A what the republicans of Madrid shamelessly pub- lished and distributed without rebuke from the authorities :—“War upon property, war upon fami- les, war upon God." ie peasantry are all good Catholics and pee. only look with horror apon such bi ares docti e had talked longer than, perhaps, this account of the results of our talking may indicate and [ had carefully taken down in writing many of the remarks of the Curé; and although deeply inter- ested in his conversation I felt that I was encroach- ing upon the important duties of h Besson: 80 thanking him for his eourtesy, 1 was ahout to take my leave when dinner was announced, and nothii woutd do but I must remain and dine with himse! and staf. To this I the more readily censented as oy, chance of getting a dinner elsewhere in a towo fille li d with 1,000 hungry Carlists was exceedingly slim. Santa Ornz’s staff, like their general, wore no uniform save the Carlist, or Basque, cap, splashed over the top with a gold or silver tassel, according to the fancy of the wearer. They were a flerce, hardy, determined loeking set of men, and, like their chief, seemed Insepanle of fatigue. Santa Cruz himself was dre: in a blue blouse, coarse dark breeches, stuffed into rough top boots, andon the march, it is said, he rarely rides, but clambers up and down the mountains at the head of his men, assisted only by a travel worn sort of Alpen-stvck, which I saw leaning against the wall, His personal guard—consisting of twenty five young Guipuscoan asantry—hung about the door of the alcalde’s jouse, armed with fine new rifles. To sum up, Santa Cruz, as faras 1 could judge from his face, manner and conversation, although not so black a sinner as he has been painted, is at presenjat least BY NO MEANS A SAINT. What he may become when Don Carlos is King and he is made Cardinal I do not know. Pros- perity may soften and humanize him, if indeed a man’s nature can be bettered by being what is commonly called humanized. Cruel and relentless now, he undoubtedly is utterly contemptuous of all authority save that of the Church. No Mussulman sheikh ever more blindly believed in the Koran ai the crescent than does Santa Cruz in the right! supremacy of the Mother Church, and the spread- ing of her doctrines, if necessary, by the sword. At ten o'clock that night Santa Cruz's bugle called his men to march. I did not ask, nor would I have been told where; and through the good offices of the General I procured a carriage, which drove me safely and pleasantly along the national highway through the republican lines at Elizondo, which I passed without question, to the French frontier, where I breakfasted at six in the morning ata little auderge on trout, fresh milk, strawber- ries and honey—a pleasant relief rom three weeks of oll, goat and garlic. MUNICIPAL MATTERS, A Dull Day About the City Hall—Not Much in the Board of Aldermen— Church’s Nomination Withdrawn—An. other “Hitch” on Williamson—Minor Gossip. si Another extremely uninteresting day was expe- rienced about the City Hall yesterday. The Mayor had his usual quota of visitors of the official and would-be oficial species, the latter, of course, pre- ponderating. But everything was dull, and the greater portion of the Mayor's time was occupied by signing warrants and the monthly payrolls of the employés of the municipal departments. The Mayor also found time to unite in matrimony two young German couples, who had called on him for that purpose about noon. Chamberlain Lane has not as yet made any changes in the personnel of his office. THE EXCITEMENT IS WARMING UP somewhat on the subject of the nominations for police justices, and a strong pull is being made by the various aspirants. The applications exceed five hundred in number, and the end of next week will probably tell the story of some of them. Among the new candidates is Thomas W. Pittmaa, for six years Clerk of the Jefferson Market Police Court, and a lawyer by profession. He is thought to be “up” in criminal jurispradence, and has had an unusual experience in the business and dutieg per- taining to police courts. An important notice was issued from the Permit Bureau of the Executive Department yesterday. For several months past persons representing themselves as inspectors in tke Permit Bureau have collected sums of money, varying from twenty to thirty dollars, from merchants and others doing business on our pfominent thoroughfares, ender the pretence of securing them a permit for receiv- ing and delivering goods in front of their premises, and the Chief of the Permit Bureau desires that no rson will pay any money for such permit only at his office. THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN met yesterday afternoon, but transacted very little business of general public interest. A resolution was offered by Alderman VAN Scuaick requesting the Mayor to communicate with the United States Coast Survey, inquiring whether the proposed line of docks, as reported by the Dock Commission, will be an obstruction to the el gh of the harbor ef New York. Adopted. Alderman VAN SCHAICK moved to take Irom the table the nomination of David B. Williamson for Park Commissioner, and spoke tm support of the nominee, urging that he is areal estate owner in this city, a gentleman of wealth and culture, and would be an efficient officer of the Department. It had been stated that Mr. Willlamson was “Green’s man,” but there was truth in the assertion that the candidate was anybody's man. Alderman CooreR opposed the motion and said he had been unable to learn anything of Mr. Wil- Mamsen’s qualifications beyond what he had heard in this Board. If the motion were pressed he snould feel obliged to vote against it. After some further debate the motion was lost by @ vote of 7 to 6, Aldermen Vance, Billings, Cooper, Falconer, Koch, McCafferty and Morris voting “nay,’’ and Aldermen Clausen, Flanagan, Lysaght, Ottendorfer, Reilly and Van Shaick voting “yea. ‘The Mayor sent in a communication asking leave to withdraw, at the candidate’s own request, THE NOMINATION OF F. E. CHURCH for Park Commissioner. Request granted. Message from the Mayor transmitting resolu- tions of the Bar Association recommending the re- vision ana codification of the municipal ordinances was referred to the Cemmittec on Law. A communication was received from the Mayor transmitting the third annual report of the De- partment of Docks. On motion of Alderman FALCONER it was ordered that 1,000 copies of the report be printed, the volume to include also the report of the same De- partment for the year 1872, not heretofore printed. Acommunication from the Comptroller was re- cefved urging the early action the Board in designating @ place for the holding of the Sixth District Court. Referred to its appropriate com- mittee. Some minor proceedings being concluded, the Board adjourned until Thursday next, at haif-past three o'clock. Half an hour later the requisite signatures were obtained calling a special meeting of the Board for Saturday, May 31, at half-past one o'clock. An effort will then be made to confirm the nomi- nation of D. B, Williamson for Park Commissioner. Comptro! 's Receipts. Comptroller Green reports the following amounts paid yesterday into the city treasury, viz, :— RECKIVER OF TAXES, From taxes, water rent and interest............,... $14,331 COLLECTOR OF ASSERSM From street openings and improvements and in- te ++ 16,520 ms. Croton rent and ohh AU OF ARREARS, From arrears of taxes, assessments, interest... eens BURRAY OF WATER From Croton water ront,..., rs Payments. ler Green paid yesterday the Police De- partment, fF galarie’ of Commissioners, employés and the foro foF the month of supplies for ti’ police for the mon: y, iss also paid the Police Dey font cae pe By capovten &¢,, of atreet clean- tug (or May, $126 fs Oe i forms, Knapeacks, 4 Give oe a gun, a DECORATION DAY. THE MEMORY OF OUR DEAD HEROES, Their Servioes and the Debt We Owe Them~ The Confederate Dead the True Heroes of a Lost Cause—The Formation of the Column of the Grand Army of the Republic and Line of March—The Exercises in the Evening. Crown the gree ave Of each slumbering brave With chaplets of splendor. On the wings of the telegraph comes to us the announcement that in every part of the Union, from Maine to the Rio Grande, from the Atiantic to the Pacific, this day is to be devoted to keeging green the memory of those who during the four bloody years of our civil war sacrificed their lives upon the altar of their country. ‘There is @ peculiar fitness in making this a legal holiday. In this age of material progress, when every tradition of the past, every debt of gratitude we owe those who preceded us—and the result of whose labora we now enjoy-. are likely to be swal- lowed up inthe thirst for accumulation and the race of advancement, it is meet and proper that one day in the year should be set aside for quiet, serious contemplation of the lesson which that so disastrous, war teaches us, and, ia connection therewith to honor those who, in the full dusn of life and eagerness of hope, fell dead on thej field of battle that we might continue to enjoy the present and labor for the fuvure, Those are the true immortals who, by their efforts and self-sacrifices benefit the human race. Though their names be forgotten, thr their influence they live, and in the growth of every city, in the whirr of every spindle and the culture of every fleld, which represent the pregress oi our fe and country, they live on who died for us, and i do so forever. ‘To them we owe & great debt and in no better way can we pay it than du this one day to linger beside their graves, bed them with garlands and show to ourselves and the world that there lives within us something of that divine principle which recognizes and appreciates the efforts of the great tollersin the vineyard of humanity. eternal camping ground nt tents are spread, ory guards with solemn round vouac of the dead. +... THE CONFEDERATE DEAD. And with this day let us, in the Ms don of a poet of the South, “Still each thought of hate, eack throb of wrath,” and by no word or deed deprive those who were our foes, but are now bound to us by every tie of sentiment and interest, of the rivilege of decorating the graves of those whose jeaths made thousands of homes joyless and caused millions to mourn. They, too, died for what to them was right; for what they regarded as a sacred principle, and though they failed in the effurt which lost their lives yet the time has come when even we of the North, who have been wont to consider ourselves the end of all wisdom and rectitude, can look calmly and di: sionately upon the struggle and realize that their lofty heroism, their self-abnegation, though in & cause we consider wrong, are not lost to the world and cannot be.. Only the narrow-minded bigot will get up his own little stamdard of right, to which all the world must bow and refuse to recognize any heroism, however lofty, outside of his own little groove, Which does not tend toward what he re- gards ag pyre and lovely and of good report, The Confederate dead are o! the immortals, and it were @ poor people who would reuse to ornament their tombs with flowers and nourish them with their tears, and a poorer charity which would not yield them, at least, one sigh for the banner that is furled forever. THE DAY IN THE CITY. In honor of the day the Custom House will re- main open only from nine to ten o'clock this morn- ing for the entrance and clearance of vessels. The Sub-Treasury, banks and the commercial ex- changes and all the departments of tne municipal government also close. The Ta on the public Duildings and the shipping will displayed at half-mast. — Extensive and elaborate preparations for a prop- er carrying out of the purposes of the day in the city have been made, mostly under the direction of the organization known as the Grand Army of the Republic, through a Memorial Committee, of which George H. Sharpe is Chairman. Its headquarters have been established at 31 Union square, where, in answer to its appeats, a considerabie sum of money and from seven to ten thousand gifts of flowers, plants and shrubs have been received. General Order No. 2, from the headquarters ef the Grand Marshal of May 28, lays down as follows :— THE FORMATION OF COLUMN AND LINE OF MARCH. First Div In charge of Comrade Ira D. Whitman, assisted by Comrade Fred, Dauenhauer, will form on the south side of Seventeenth stree right resting on Broadway :—First, Departmen! Commander and Staff of the State of New York; second, General Field and Staif Officers of First Division, N. G., S. N.Y.. mounted; third, Governor’ Island Band; fourth, Hawkins’, Zouaves Veterans: fifth, Company D, Sixth regiment, N. G., S. N. Y. sixth, Company A, Eighty-fourth regiment, N. G., S.N. Y.; seventh, Veteran Guards, Captain War- field; eighth, Mayor and Common Council of the city of New York; ninta, Catefalque; tenth, Phil ee Post, No. 8; eleventh, Sedgwick Post, No. 11. Second Division—In charge of Comrade Theodore Smith, assisted Le Comrade Joseph McDonald, will iorm on Sixteenth street, south side, right restil on Broadway :—First, Band of Koltes Post, No. 325 second, German Veteran Singing Society; thi Koltes Post, No. 32; fourth, Sumner Post, No. fifth, James Miller Post, No. 76; sixth, Dahigren Post, No. 113; seventh, Farragut Post, No. 75; eighth, E. A. Kimball Post, No. 100, Third Division—In charge of Comrade Anton An- dessner, Assistant Marshal, assisted by Comrade Jaco’ Miller, will form on the south side of Fifteenth street, right resting on Broadway :—First, Hamilton Band; second, Cameron Post, No. 19; third, Abraham Lincoin Post, No. 13; fourth, James e teed Post, No. 29; fifth, George H. Thomas Post, 0. Fourth Division—In charge of Comrade Richard Folles, Assistant Marshal, assisted by Comrade Jobn 5. Phillips, will form around Onion square, right resting on the Lincoln Monument :—First, chil- dren of the Union Home and School for Soldiers? and Sailors*Orphans, in wagons; second, disabled veterans from Soldiers’ Retreat; third, teams and Wagons, furaished by Express and Manufacturing Companies, with plants, flowers and shrubs for decorating the graves. The column wil! move at half-past nine o'clock A. M. down Broadway, passing the Lincoln Monu- ment, and thence around the Washington Monu- ment (both monuments tastefully decorated with flowers and immortelles), thence around Union square, down Broadway to South ferry. Commanders of Posts will form their Post in columns of fours. Flowers will be received at any point along the route. Duriag the march minute guns will be fired from the battery on Governor's Island by command of Major Geaeral Hancock. On arriving at Brooklyn the several Posts will take cars for East New York, uniting with the Brooklyn division. The column will then reform nd move to Cypress Hills Cemetery. EVENING EXERCISES. Appropriate memorial excrcises will take place in the evening at the Academy of Music. The principal poimts of interest in the programme are as follews:—Prayer by the. Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Tyng. Jr.; an oration by Governor Hawley, of Con- necticut; a recitation by Projessor W. H. Pope; singing by the Idlewild Giee Club and the German Veveran perline beat The proceeds are to be devoted to the aid of the Unton Home and school for soldiers’ and sailors’ orphans, General Han- cock will preside. During the day and after the return from the cemetery several of the posts of tne Grand Army, of which there are twelve in the city, will hold cer- emonial exercises and listen to orations in their re- spective quarters. A LETTER FROM GARIBALDL He Accepts the Presidency of a Clab im New York. At the last monthly meeting held by the Donna- rumma Association, a newly-organized Italian clab in this city, an autograph letter from General Garibaldi was read by the President, in which the Italian hero cordially accepts the honorary presi- ey of the association. ‘The following is a copy of the letter of acceptance :. Garnema, 1 Aprile, 187%. Mie! Cant Asict:— Accetto con gratitudine il prezioso titolo div PTS oe Etat ato woh, G, GARIBALDI® All ASSOCLARtONE DONNaRUMMA, New York. The following is a translation :— Carnera, April}, 1873. My Dear Fatevps :— T accept with gratitude the precious title of your Honors ary President, and am yours, a. GARIBALDI. To the Downanuma Assoctation, New Yor! The reading of this brief letter was followed by an enthusiastic ovation, During the meeting @ vove to elect a new committee was d and adopted, with the subjoined result re Conterno, F. Ramacciotti, L. Ferrajuolo and P. Deschini, who were elected by alarge majority. A new committee was also elected to arrange for the Py pod festival of the Society, which will be held in June, RECEPTION OF GRAMMAR S0HOOL NO. 36, Tho pupils of Grammar Scheol No. 35 gave @ grand reception yesterday at the Academy of Music. The exercises consisted of music by the Seventy-first regiment essays and docla- mations by the scholars. Mr, James M. Girard pre- sented medals to Masters Haws, Wiley and Buok- ley, and the graduates presented a beautiful American banner to the school, Diplomas were Dresented t¢ o larae Number Of rowpe Rentlomen.