The New York Herald Newspaper, December 6, 1873, Page 3

t; “RUSSIA IN ASIA. “An Englishman” Gives His Opinion’ on the Subject. THE BASIS OF ENGLISH POWER. To TE Epsror or THE HERAL Jam very much interested in your letters from Central Asia parrating the progress of Russian power towards Khiva, I happen to know some- thing of the questions involved in these campaigns, and hope you will allow me to communieate some views to the HERALD that may not be altogether unworthy of interest at this time. Every now and then, perhaps once in 20 years or 80, an ignorant young Englishman, with an active mind, in British India, looks about for means of distinguishing him- , #elf. The toing before him 1s not an easy thing to do for he has many competitors, educated by high pressure, on the competitive system, who have active minds also. But commonly the difference existing between him and them is this:—The highly educated Englishmen are more or less throttled by their education, and cannot move fredly by reason of the chain and collar which learning has fastened around their necks. But the Englishman who has merely an active mind, and 1s slenderly held by his teachers, which are, possi- bly, penny papers, can dance about in all the deso- @ate freedom of the wiid ass. The only subject of consideration for him is the manner and direction in which he shall begin his jig. Indian finance ¥s @ dreary ground to dance upon, The Temples, the Laings, the Hoggs and the permanent persons, upon whom has descended the mantle of the late Mr. Wilson, hatter and politician, will promptly warn him off irom trespassing upon preserves which are their private property. Sanitary ques- tions are used up, too, and, besides, they belong exclusively to Lord Derby, Indian government Might be an attractive subject, but every one who 16 well informed must be aware that it has been appropriated by Sir John Kaye. What on earth, theretore, is an active minded young man to do for areputation? Suppose he has a go in at Russia, Few people know much about Russia, Russia las no friends, and may be, therefore, scolded salely. ii the active minded young man makes a Jew biun- ders in his politics or géography he will not be found out. By all means let him have a go in at Russia. Then out comes a hot-pressed book, in which the active minded young man has the talk all to him- self, and (the Lord be praised!) he makes the hair of ali the old English ladies retired from British Indian domestic service at boarding houses in Bath or Cheltenham to stand upon an end. “Russia,” says the active minded young man, baving had private consultation with dictionaries, “18 a mighty Power, astute, insatiable, patient, resolute. That vast Empire, which stretches,” &c., &c. And then, after the inevitable passage about Peter the Great, Potemkin and the Empress Catha- rine, British Indian mankind is informed that “Russia” will be in Calcutta within 20 years ‘uniess he, the active minded young man, is imme- diately elevated to a post of authority and emolu- ment. Nine times out of ten the British Indians, who fee] a nervous anxiety about their hold upon Indian things which do not belong to them, get ightened and give the active minded young man the emolument of which he isin search. Sir John Kaye ani many other distinguished Anglo-Indians Tose into celebrity that way, and it has several! ad- vantages. Adig at Russia makes all the military men cock their ears. They know that, ifa Russian panic sets in, there will be special military mis- sions to Persia, Herat, Cabool and Candahar, Then there will be irontier commissions, secret, agencies and al) sorts of appointments, which offer honest means o1 advancement to the British soldier who has friends in council. Likewise the Right Honorable the Governor General (a banker ov trade) would not be sorry to see an indian six per cent loap in the market, and to gather renown And profits together before the expiration of his term of oMce, The hot-pressed book o1 the active minded young man is a success vecause It suits the secret wishes of the whole community of which he is a member; for if “Russia” is really coming to Caicatta it is high time for Calcutta to take pre- cautionary Measures not unconnected with rupees and brevet rank. ‘The English newspapers which have the largest Indian circulation—the Pall Mall Gazette, the Standard and, a long way behind, the Times, take up the Russian subject, review the active minded young man’s book and publish leading articles upon it. The Indian Office, with the Duke of Argyll (much occupied by the genealogy of the Campbells) at its head, and the War Ofice, pre- sided over by that famous hero, Mr. Cardwell, now feel a strong interest in the business, and pres- ently a Moscow tea dealer 18 discovered in Cash- mere suspected to be aspy of the St. Petersburg Cabinet, and the snug nest of elderly gentiemen who compose the Royal Asiatic Society and the Oriental Club decide which of them shall go out as commander-in-chief of the reinforcements about to be despatched against a mud village in the Punjab, where arow has been stirred up. Mean- time the Cabinet of St. Petersburg is chtetly occupied in proclaiming the excellence or Adelina Patti, and has no more thought of British India than of Utopia, The Ministers are generally brilliant, talkative men, who have acquired all they know or care of states- manship from Voltaire’s novels. They drink a good deal of tea, in tumbiers, with rum and lemon in it, so that it is rather punch than tea, and they pay visits to each other's wives from morning to night, The Court, indeed, is a very august assembly. The Ozar plays cards in his shirt sleeves with afew cheerful friends, and drinks champagne seated astraddle on a chair. The Empress takes tea and talk with the superior clergy. But neither of them trouble themselves much respecting exploded schemes of antiquated statecrait, No Minister or courtier, no Russian human being has anything to gain by a war in the East, and therefore the minds of none of them are concerned with it. Prince Gortsciakofl is truly a Magniloquent personage, who uses long and sono- rous words, but nothing comes, or is intended to come, of them. There is, too, an elderly gentle- woman known as the Countess Antoinette, who is fond of playing at female politics. When she and the select society round the Empress’ tea table think ‘Nat it would enliven them to do something an ani- mated conversation takes place, with a chofus of vishops and archbishops, exalting tire orthodox faith, and there is a Khivan expedition, or an in- teresting despatch affecting the patriarchate of Jerusalem is sent off to disturb the rest of General Ignatieff at Constantinople. None of these august persons know anything abont British India, except in a vague manner, such as that in which they know about two-headed hobgoblins, But a quiet observer, who may be met With occasionally altogether out of the oficial hont, will smile if the notion of Russian conquest is mentioned in his presence. “Russia,” he will or may say, “is too large already. Her Baltic prov. inces, her Polish provinces are discontented and she will have a hard task to protect herself against war with Germany and revojution in Poland. Her nobility are ruined, her middle class nas hardly come into existence and her peasantry are utterly savage. She has a numerous army—upon paper— bat itis tli-clothed, 11!-disciplined, tll-paid, ill-armed. She has neither, generals, means of transport, statesmen nor money, and her Paper currency is often 30 per cent below par. Her climate renders her tolerably safe from attack; but she is power- less to offend. It is quite trne that her institutions are such that if a despotic and ambitious sovereign wished to begin o war of aggrandizement he vould take the preliminary steps without serious opporition. Rut a very strong public opinion 16 Making itself felt; and that is dead against any extension of Russtan territorm There are certainly light-headed people in Russia, as there are every. ‘where eise, and these will oiten be heard raving about @ Torkish war, especially after dinner, Sensible folk haye no such nonsense in their neade. The dissolution of Turkey would be ruinous to ovr southern land owners, and they would op- m the wove ab atinck upon the Turkish shores NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, DEUEMBER 6, 1873—WITH SUPPLEMENT. — ¥uxine by every means m cnerr power. Murevver, the Czar ts neither covetous nor bloodthirsty. He is @ good, easy man, of a stout and melancholy habit, who loves his friends, his wine and consola- tion, Russia may be forced, at no distant date, into a war of defence; but it is sure that, in this generation at least, she will never venture npon a war of aggression. I am, #ir, your obedient ser- vant, AN ENGLISHMAN, New Yous, Nov. 20, 1873. PALESTINE EXPLORATION. The American Exploring Expedition and Ite Work—An Appeal for Aid, A meeting was held jast evening in the hal) of the Young Men’s Christian Association building, corner of Twenty-third street and Fourth avenue, to promote the American Palestine Exploration. ‘There was a very large audience present. Judge Brady presided, and after a few remarks on the importance of the subject, introduced Professor Hitchcock. The Professor began tirst by reierring in a general way to the grand explorations that had taken place of late years, He reminded his audience that only a few months azo, asit were, the HERALD had launched an expedition into the very heart of Africa, He said that he did not deem it necessary to say thai the explorations in Palestine were the most sacred that could be undertaken. Ashort time ago the Americans were invited by the English promoters of a Palestine exploration to join them in their grand work; bat after con- sultation 1t was decided that whiie the Engiish might continue toexplore the west side of the Jor- dan, the Americans should establish an independent exploration instead 01 an auxiliary one, to explore the east side, The west side was pretty well known, yet the English engineers had found plenty todo, They were correcting a great many exist- ing geographical inaccuracies and making a map on a grand scale, an inch to the mile, The Ameri- can expedition would perform their work on the same grand scale, At first the Geographical So- ciety had dificulty to find a competent engineer, but finally lighted upon Lieutenant Steever, who went to tue Holy Land about # year ago, and alter five months of nard work Had succeeded in making a splendid map, which contains an arca— at the rate of an inch to the mile—ol 600 square This Map was necessarily incomplete at but it would give a good idea of the un- ~ and its extent. ‘the Proiessor then read a letter rom the missionaries in beyrout, in which they highly commended the work of Lien- tenant Steever, The chiel object of the expiora- von under Lieutenant Steever, he said, was accuracy in mepping ont the count The explorations cost money and he hoped that money would not be wanting in the future. There was a proposition on foos to put two expeditions in e held, cach with five assistant engiaeers, He ved that the whole work contd be accom- plished in five years at an expenditure of $30,000 a year; 80 $150,000 wonld pay for the whole undertaking. H the whole work intended were accomplished some 15,000 square imiles would have to be surveyed, but this work could be done by sections, as the map was to be made by sec- tions. Jaeutenant Steever was then introduced, and atter stating how he had been appointed to the command of the expedition, said that he left this country in January last, aud when he errived im Syria all the preparations were made for the exploration. While at Beyrout some new dis- coveries Of antique inscriptions were made and a good deal of valuable work accomplished. He gave an interesting narrative of adven- tures with the Bedouin tribes, He told of the work already accomplished and explained the necessity of having additional engineers as assistants. He thought the whole work could be accomplished in tive years at an expenditure of $150,000, aud if everything went well, he said, the result would be that we would have a map of Pal- estine without which, so complete would it be, the Bibilical student would find it absolutely im- possible to obtain to a thorough understanding of bis subject. The Kev. Dr. Washburn also spoke, urg- ing the necessity of supporting the ex- ploration. He said that we gave away our thousands of dollars to see balloons that never went up and to examine galleries of ‘paintings by the old masters” painted last year, and even to have a peep at a made-up mermaid, with a tail of humbug behind it; but when a grand object like this of the Palestine expedition was broached no one came forward eageriy to give 16 his hundreds, There could not be an object more worthy of the support of Christians than this, Dr. Washburn was followed by Dr. Adams, Who advocated a generous support of the exploration, contending that every new dis- covery made by science, despite the efforts of un believers to disprove the tacts of the sible, only added to the strength of the Christian faith. FREE DORMITORY FOR WOMEN. —--++ ‘The Free Dormitory for Women, at No. 20 South Fifth avenue, established by the ‘Fraternals of the Church of the Strangers,” was opened last even- ing. There was a large gathering of Jadies and entiemen connected with the Ghurch of thé f Straigers in thé parlor. Among those present were Dr. Deems, the Rev. Mr. Sweetser, Mr. Aiger- non §, Sullivan and others, Mr. PAYNE SWEBTSER gave a history of the Dor- mitory and of the “Fraternals,” a society of young men of the church established for their social im- provement. From the 15th of July, when the Dor- mitory was opened in South Fiith avenue, until the ist of December, 766 lodgings had boen given to 452 women, 67 had obtained situations by the aid of the “Fraternals,” 17 had been sent to various homes, 4 to the hospital. While they began with two small rooms in South Fifth avenue they had now hired this entire building, which wonld accommodate 60 women. The ubdject of this institution was to provide temporary shelter for decent destitnte women, who would otherwis: have to remain on the streets or sleep in poi stations, They were provided with a bath, a co: fortable bed and free medical attendance in case of sudden illness, and every possible iacility was given for ovtaining employment. Dr. DkEMS spoke Of the fraternal feeling which the work of the ‘Fraternais’ should awaken. There were many cases where decent women iound themselves without shelter in this vast city, and this place might probably save them from run. ‘They were not attacking an empire with the guns of the Gospel, but doing a reaily good work in @ small w: The Rev. Mr. BETKER spoke of his experiences in the Tombs, where he preached every Sunday, and where he preached last Sabbath to William M. Tweed, The “Fraternals’ had a Dormitory for Men in Spring street, which had done a wonderful amount of good. A Week ago he preached there to 300 men, Who had not known, probably, where to jay their weary heads the night vefore. Mr, SULLIVAN also addressed the eethering. Dr. DEEMS suggested that a soup kitchen be es- tablished in connection with the Dormitory, and made a warm appeal for donations of money, clothing and bedding necessary to carry on the in- stitution. The meeting then atspersed. The house is 22 by 45 feet, three stories high, and contains 10 rooms, which will accommodate 50 women. Donations of money, bedding and cioth- ing may be sent to the Sisters of the Stranger or Dr, Deems. ANNIVERSARY FOR THE DEAF MUTES, The Rev. Thomas H. Gallaudet, LU. D., founded the first institution for deaf mutes in the United States, at Hartford, Conn., in April, 1817. Since that time thousands of deaf mutes have been eau- cated in various parts of the country at the difter- ent institutions, now numbering nearly 40, It is natural that thé recipients of this education should ever remember with titude their de- parted benefactor. Those -in this city and vicinity propose to commemorate the eighty-sixth anni- versary of his birthday, on Wednesday evening, December 10, in Central Park Garden. At ka) t o'clock there will be an address by Dr. Peet, the Principal of the New York Inatitute, to be fol- jowed by a social reunion, The proceeds of the festival will be divided between the Manhattan Deaf Mute Literary Association and the Home tor Aged and Infirm Deat Mutes, OLOSING OF THE ERIE CANAL BUFFALO, Dee. 5, 1873. According to general orders trom the Canal Board the Canal Collector's office at this point was closed for public business to-day. The ofMcers will commence their annual statements to-morrow. The cash receipts for the season at this ofice are $1,415,634 33, being $414 98 legs than in the season of 1874, the canal having opened later last spring and navigation having closed earlier this fall, LABOR IN NEW JERSEY. Resumption of Work in Barbour Mills. Paterson, Dec. 5, 1873. The Barbour Flax Company, employing nearly 400 hands, which closed one of its milis at the be- ginning of the panic and has since been ranning the other on three-quarter time, will, on Monday next, start both mills on full time and give em- ployment to 100 hands, who have neen idie for two months, PRESENTATION. — Last evening the members of Hope Chapter, F. and A, M., presented to their retiting presiding oMcer, Mr. Joseph Smythe, @ massive gold watch ana In and @ past officer's jewel. The presen- ta was made} Mr. ome 0. Ganstdy, Grand entrees rosa. MBs, "Beaay cha r. Ellwood B. Thorne, Depu Masser-ol the State of New York,’ THE QUESTION OF THE VIRGINIUS, Correspondenee Betw' Commander Cushing, of the United States War Steamer Wyoming, and the Spanish General Burricl. Below are given the text of Commander Cush- ing’s letter to the notorious General Burriel and the reply of the latter mandarin to the American officer, Both oMfeial notes show @ good deal of Jecling on either side :— CUSHING’S LETTER TO BURRIEL, UNITED STATES WAR STEAMER etocr a SANTIAGO DB CUBA, Nov, 16, 1873. ‘To His Excellency, Brigadier Commandant General JUAN N. BURRIELS— Sui—L have the honor to address you this com- munication respecting the capture on the bigh seas of the United States merchant steamer Vir- ginius and the events that have happened since the capture. By inspecting the books of the United States Consulate in Kingston, Ja., 1 find that the ‘Virginius was despatched trom that port for port Jamon, on the 3d day of October, 1873, with sailing papers, including register, and all the necessary docaments brought under the inspection of the United States Consulate which were certified by the Proper authorities, phe went out in ballast, bat took out 74 haversacks to carry provisions, On the Sist of October this vessel Was pursued some 70 uilles from Cuba, The Virginius has new been sent to Havana, under the jurisdiction of the Admiralty Court, The question of the illegality of this eapture on the high seas and Outside of Cuban or Spanish jurisdiction is one to be decided, first, by courts of the captor; after Which, if the decision w not in contormity with ac- cepted customs and the law of nations, the govern- ment of the United States may reclaim the vessel, ‘Phe ruics of interpational Jaw im such cage are as follows :—*Tie jurisdiction of the court of the na- tion making the capture is conclusive as to the question of property in tne thing captured, 1ts sen- tence shuts out ali controversy about the validity of the capture as between captors and owners and those claiming under them, and terminates ail ordinary judicial tnquiry about the matter. But where the respot- sibility of the captor ceases that of the State begin. It is responsible vo the other States tor ail the acts ol captors under its authorization ivom the moment in which these decrees are con- firmed by a definite sentence of the tribunals that have been designuted to determine the validity of the war capture.” Theretore I confine myself to making & protest in the name of the nation which T represent, and will leave the affair to the dever- mination of the laws which will surely follow and reach i Reading the correspondence between Your Fxeeliency and the United States Consul With respect to this mutter I see that Your Excellency has repeatedly qualified, or classified, the Virginius as a pirate. 1 must respectfully mist that the Virginius was in no sense a pirate, The definition of the word ‘pirate’’ in standard works on international law, and by general consent of civilized nations from ancient to modern times, is a vessel committing depredations on the high seas without being author- ize] by any sovereign State, all pirates being com- mon enemies of the whole human race, Such ves- sel migat be captured on the high seas by the armed ships of any nation and brought to port, to be tried by the tribunals of the jurisdiction, Piracy may be tried under the law of nations and punished by the courts and justices of any nation, no matter Where or how it» has been committed; but piracy as created by municipal statutes can only be tried by we State im whose jurisdictional territory or aboard of whose ships it has been committed. So far from being a pirate, according as it 1s defined by international law, if the Virgmius committed any offence it Was simply that of a neutral vessel carrying contraband of war—a blockade runner, and, at most, a smuggler. She was disarmed, and legally provided with sailing papers which author- ized her to navigate the high seas with security against ali men. If an attempt were made to enter @ port toat was closed by the proper authority and #80 guarded by the armed ships of the State, and the attempt was made on a blockaded port by a vessel of a neutral country to introduce arms or any contraband of war, she would be, according to the Jaws and custows of nations, only subject to the punishment of capture in transite and the confiscation of vessel and cargo. No other punisiment is permitted by the universal laws of nations, to which each individual State should consent.’ A sovereign State violating or evading such laws by its agents or commissioners brings itsel! not only mto serious complications with the nation whose flag and authority the cap- tuved vessel bore on the high seas, but also, at the same time, it is brought into hostile contact with the customs and laws of a civilized nation, Such, 1 do not hesitate to respectfully affirm to Your Excellency, are the bases upon which turn the in- Vestigation, trial, conviction and execution of the Captain of the Virginius and all the citizens of the United States of America who belonged to her crew. In the dispassionate eyes of the world and of its laws, well detined and sanctioned by the customs Of ages, sucht judgment and couviction are simply assassination, | most earnestly protest, in the name of my country, against what has been done, not doubting that the United States will know how and when to protect their honor, I solemnly protest against the keeping in prison, or any other panishment, of any of the living mem- | bers of the crew and passengers, Who are native born or naturaltzed citizens of the United States. 1 most earnestly request Your Excellency to cease these executions, Which must lead to very serious complications. 1 will forward a copy of this letter by my quickest conveyance, and very respectfully ask of Your Excellency to send a copy of it to His Excellency the Captain General jg Havana, Very respectrully, your obedient servant, B. H, CUSHING. THE REPLY OF BURRIEL. POLITICAL GOVERNMENT AND GENERAL COMMANDANCY OF SANTIAGO DE CuBA, CvBa, Nov. 18, 1873. TO THE COMMANDER OF THE UNITED STATES STEAMER WYOMIN In having the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of yesterday I manilest to you that | adimit the protests contained in it, but Tor ee More than to eievate them to the su- perior aut whe of the island, His Excellency the Captain General and Governor, which 1 do on this date. It is he who has to treat with this affair, as lam nothing more than a subaltern authority, who obeys bis mandates. But at the same time | will say that I also most energetically protest against the word ‘assassination,’ which has been given to the act of justice that has been done, and that such a gross insult and liberty of language, are improper in an official note and ms the’ =«enaracter which you represent. 1 throw it back, and will have you remeimber that those are assassinations which are practised by some nations against the unhappy Modoc Indians, as all the civilized world acknow- ledges, who certainly do not attack the territorial integrity of any nation, as is done by the Cuban in- surgents, as also the foreigners who aid them in their enterprises to come to these coasts, accord- ing to their own declarations, signed and sealed by themselves betore the State Prosecutor and Clerk, and, with men and material of war, foment war and articipate in it with the character of chiefs or jeaders and soldiers; many of them having already been pardoned on other occasions on account of having repented of their conduct and having, consequently, in addition, incurred a repetition of the offence. God guard you pal ha JUA |. BURRIEL. IDEAS OF THE SPANISH PRESS, iaeinephiitbigah clink The Cronista, of this city, which is the acknowl- edged exponent of ultra-Spanish sentiments in the United States, publishes in its last issue a leader which is given below :— {From /%} Cronista.] TREASON 9% COWARDICE ? The government o: spain will sacrifice our national honor and gravely compromise the in- tegrity of the natienai territory, if it accepts or sanctions the shameful compact which our repre- sentative in Washington has signed, for the pur- pose of arranging the artificial controversy about the Virginins. No honorable Spaniard of medium understand- ing can do less than understand what that in- famous compact means—a sign of ignominy for Spain and the divorce between Cuba and the me- tropolis, what the government of the United States ts deceitfully pooxin. Who has seen resolved through the telegraph a question that has been submitted in Cuba to criminal proceedings, and that yet has to be sub- mitted & posteriori to the investigation of the American government, to find out irom positive data the nationality of the Virginius ? What, then? Do not the Spanish tribunals, who have submitted their action to justice and law, wpris more respect irom the representative of Spain, yor doos the Minister also believe, ax artificially has been given to believe here, that the shooting of the pirates of the Virginius was the arbitrary act of a few Spanish officers? The American government recognizes that it Is not satisfied of the legitimacy of the flag and pene of the Virginius by the act of conceding to ain @ month in which to produce the proois, in virtue of which the ship has been proceeded against, before the American flag Will be saluted. And 18 there a plenipotentiary wno dares to sign the return of this ship, whose criminality inst Spain is Seat proved, and whose natio! ay is yet #0 doubtful to the government of the Republic of the Unmed States? As God lives this is an act of treason against the country which is hardly conceivable in Spanish hearts. Or is the American nation absolute mistress of the seas to prevent us from judging the Virginius, whose nationality has not been cleared up yet, like that precision with which ner aggressions against Spain have been put in eyi- dence? Here, then, comes in a concession made on our part Which will cost us the loss of Cuba without jail. It 16 saying to the pirate ships of all the universe:— Raise the American flag on your masta, withor without the right to do 80, and go to Cuba, safely and with the greatest impunity, againat the searches of Spanish cruisers. That fag ‘Wiil be an inviolable safeguard.’ ‘The affront by which we are humiliated in that ‘ubfortanate protocol hae not thie time stopped at the delivery of the Virginins, It was necessary to jarantee the impunity of the pirates who may go Cuba to rob in the future, and without the lignt- eat restriction it has been agreed todeliver the survivors of the steamer, calliog them—what in Tamy |—pussengers, to establish freely, and 2 priort, the criminality of the good Spaniards who have de- tained them on their voyage. pnd, more than this, to the hypocritical malig- nity of this government and the incomprehensible humiliation of the representative of Spain in Wash- ington is added the last consideration of the ques- tion of indemnity for the families of the dead. For what, if it bas already been declared previously that the living among the passengers are not Justified by Spain? Tne consiueration of this im- piles the unjust death of the others, and, in a word, the ignominious ¢lause not only compro- mises us to indemnify the families of 80 many of the passengers and crew as have been shot, but estabhshes the criminality of the Spanish officials who caused the capture and déaths. Iv would be the culmination of ignorance and inpocence not to comprehend the inevitable prom. ises which this point of the protocol establishes; and here the Cronista, consecrated to the defence of the honor and the interest of the patria, does not hesitate to qualify as cowardly or traitorous the infamous compact subscribed by the represen- tative o! that patria in Washington. And will Spain be obliged to submit to the ig- nominy, knowing the dangers which the bases of the treaty engender? No; @ thousand times, no. If it 18 treason, it obliges no one to follow the supreme power of the Republic; and if it is cow- ardice, neither ought it to embroil a nation like ours. Godoy, being in Madrid, President of the Council of Ministers, assented to the intamous surrender of a part of the Spanish peninsula to the Great Napoleon, whose invading army followed. But the glorious Second of May broke in pieces the igno- minious compact, and the heroic people of Madria burled the pieces in the face of the Captain of the Cenkary, driving, moreover, bis legions from our THE WAB SPIRIT IN THE SOUTH. The Preparations at Key West—Con- dition of the Detences—Ready to Meet the Enemy. Key West, Nov. 30, 1873. This island ia probably the most important stra- tegic position on our Southern coast, and during the late civil war was the rallying point for our naval forces in the waters of the Guif and the principal supply station south of Port Royal. In the “piping times of peace” since Appomattox every post and place of war has suffered from “dry rot’? and an air of decay has prevailed where once was bustling activity. Grant’s famous utterance palsied Key West. THE CURSE OP PEACE seemed to have fallen on everything animate and inanimate, Even the lazy birds that float drowsily in the still harbor looked as it they were in the pay of the Secretary of State and were perpetually waiting. THE DEFENCES, which should in peace as in times of war, in a po- sition of so much importance, be always ready, were In @ wretched condition. The batteries com- Manding the approaches through the keys were given over to sand and rust, and the heavy guns (15-inch) were not always able to raise @ grin through the battered abutments, These sand hat- teres are very eflective, though, or rather will be. FORT TAYLOR, the most pretentious work south of Sumter, has been allowed to lose what strength it ever had by neglect. Built alter Vauban was forgotten and Todieben was born, it is, despite its 160 guns, a marvel of ingenuity, In case of an attack by an iron-clad squadron its builder would be responsibie for the death of more men than any volunteer major general in the late war whose name I can now recall. It woud be strong if knocked to pieces. A couple o! hundred men are now employed in getting it In shape, but I am glad to see that more attention is being paid to the sand batteries. I have examined these, and can say that a few days of the energetic work now being employed will render them fit to receive, with due honors, any prying craft from Cuba that may dare the perils of the coral keys ARRIVALS. Men have arrived by steamer from New York to work a machine shop for the navy, and troops are | expected. There are but two companies of the First artillery here now, and these are skeleton companies in every sense of the term. The Wor- cester, flagship of Rear Admiral Scott, is here, as is also the Saugus, monitor, and the Pawnee, re- ceiving ship. The Admiral expects to remain until the vessels of the fleet ordered here arrive, and Congress authorizes the government to act vigorously against the Spanist-Cubans, The citi- zens are greatly excited, and strong hopes are entertained that Congress will act quickly to vin- dicate the honor of the nation, Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida Ready for the Fray—Spicy Expression of Spunky Sentiments— Noble Loyalty to the Stars and Stripes. CEDAR KEYS, Fla., Nov. 30, 1873. While travelling hither your correspondent en- deavored to fint ont as much as possible the Southern sentiment about Cuba in the States through which he travelled, and to this end did he quietly insinuate himself as much as possible mto every circle where he sound the subject intro- duced, IN VIRGINIA the sentiment seemed unanimous for a decided policy on the part Of our government. As a very respectable old gentleman, of Richmond, said:—“The entire nation is shocked at the brutal butchery of the insurgents, and there isa general demand for something—which something is very vaguely represented by the press, The fact is everybody feels what it should be, yet everybody hesitatgs, and letting ‘I would’ wait upon ‘I dare nov’ halts at non-action. Spain is less able than ever to take care of Cuba, and the authorities of that island are more imbecile and brutal than we have ever known them to be. The true remedy is seizure and custody of the island. Our peopie would iy the government in doing so, and the world have no good canse to condemn it.’? Awong a party of young men at Norfolk the ex- pression was heard:—''Fellows, we mean business When We say we are willing and anxions to enter the ranks to keer pp tne honor of the old flag. These Yankee politicians and carpet-baggers have been belying us long enough. They will now have a chance to try our grit, and when they are far in the rear they will find tnat we will fight as hard now as we did in the war. All we want is a fair snow.” On the other hand are to be met two or three old men, any quantity of women, of all ages and con- ditions—as to matrimony—and young and gallant exX-bombproofs who are “spoiling” once more to “chaw soap” and vent spleen, to tannt young men with “excessive loyalty” or else to swear that they had had enough of fighting and “didn't want no more in their’n.”” IN NORTH CAROLINA was to be found a sentiment of ‘‘waiting for some- thing to turn up.” As usual the tar heels are on the alert, and, while they are fully aware that some- thing 1s in the wind, they seem unwilling to take any decided action until “the thing comes to a head.” ‘the old “North State’? may certainly be depended upon. Among others reported to be in tall accord with an active movement upon Cuba is ex-Governor Zeb Vance, who says:—“Let the Cuban cauldron bile; 'm one o’ the bilers.”” SOUTH CAROLINA. In this little State, reputed to be the seat of the late rebellion and known to be the feeding point for adventurous political buzzards, there was found to be a diversity of sentiment enough for the entire territory of these United States, The white population seemed generally bent on get- ting to some other point of the Union, where there was less of freedom and equality without regard to Trace oF color; but in the meantime, while engaged in the object of selling their imperishable property and getting ready to leave, they could spare time enough to discuss the great subject of the day. AN OLD CAROLINA PLANTER, who was a P magrag ind on the cars to Charleston, entered in conversation with @ passenger sitting by the side of the HsRaLp correspondent, and in the course of it said:—“I’m an old farmer, and you know, like most people of my ilk, I hate anything like war, Isent three of my boys to the late w: Not one of them returned. I have but one left, and if there was @ war the young rascal would surely want to go, and I know I could not refuse him, You know, | think a war would do us much good im the way of restoring good feeling and unity in our country. 1 think the Confederate who would enlist under the old flag and do his whole duty would be a patriot in the fullest sense ofthe word. [have been much pained since the war to hear men of such ability as Mor- ton and Conkling say that the rebellion was still Tampant and that we were still anxious to strike at the vital part of the Union. Now, suca an idea is preposterous, and it makes me very mad to think that there are so many people in the North Who still think that we are anxious to revive the rebellion. We have already been fools to sufficient extent, but I certainly would be a pluperfect fool if l thought that any movement that savored of secession could be sensible or im the slightest de- gree successful. ‘God knows we have enough to contend with as it is, and why should the popeie of the North still be picking upon us as though we had something left? We are exhausted now, and the cormorants are feeding upon a barren be we Southern people want is to have a fair show to establish ourselves as loyal to the Union. The politicians have made it so that the only way to Rex that we are loyal is to fight for the Stars and tripes, and we are ready to do it.” THE MAN'S MANNER WAS SO ERARNEST and his appearance so venerable that, in the course of his talk, he attracted quite an audience, On the ferryboat at Charleston there was congre- gated quite a crowd of young men, who were earn discussing the subject. “Would you go?” said one youngster to a rather quiet companion. ‘No; damned if I would,” was the reply. “Why? Are you not rps, bu under the old flag when the country’s honor is threatened?” “No; that ain’tit, But l’ve got another fag to fight under now, I'm newly married and my baby n't but three weeks old, If it warn’t for that I would be in for a fight,” IN GROROIA the sentiment was that of almost “epiin fore fight.” ‘There was, however, @ noticeable quall- Acation put upon tne general expression of feel- ing. The rgiang are an earnest, enthusiastic lly go into an undertaking In this instance they do not belie their characteristic, but they say, “We will ght, but we want our old leaders to go with us.” The question naturally ensued, “What will ou do about Longstreet? “He is one of your Old lers, and is said to be raising a brigade for this very war. Will you go with him?” ‘The general reply in response to this query was, “ ell, Old Longstreet’s political course has not been such as suited me, but he is a food fighter, and I will willingly follow him when taere 1s any fighting yo be done,” GENERAL R. Hl. ANDERSON, a prominent’ and fyhting General in the tate Con- federate army, is now the Chief of Police of Savan- nah, and, in answer to a question from the HERALD correspondent, said, “I am @ graduate of West Poimt, My country educated me, and | was anx- fous to serve it. I was ordered, at the beginning of the war, to make an attack upon my own peo- ple. I hated to part with the old flag; but how could I order a battery to fire upon a regiment in which I might have had @ brother or an intimate friend? I am now as ag any man in the country; and, w 18 more, the government and its politicians know it. You know as well as I do that these politicians preach of disloyalty purely for political effect. Let them preach as much as they please. We pursue the even tenor of our way, and when the necessities of the hour are such as need fighting. we will fight! But we are not anxious to renew our past experiences in the matter of real pug- Bacions demonstration.” A young man, formerly an artillery oMcer 1n the Confederate army, was quite loud in the expres- 8100 Of his sentiments in the midst of a large crowd at the Fair Grounds at Savannah. Said he:— “Gentlemen, I’m in favor of a war, and that an immediate war. Now, I’m going to tell yod what I think about this thing. (Sotto voce.) By the by, what's the sentiment of this crowd? Gentlemen, can’t speak my sentiments, because I don’t know yours; but, at the same time, I’m for war.” FLORIDA, Now comes the State of green flowers and oranges—and aiew darkies may be thrown in. The sentiment in this, the nearest point to Cuba, would of course be interesting, but, in proportion as it is 80, SO may it be said that it is unattainable. ‘Tne first individual approached upon the subject said:—*Weill, I hearn tell thar was a war coming on, but I don’t exactly know how I stand. There Was too Many oranges for the market this season, and then there’s my corn craps, and I can’t fight. ‘There was one o’ these fancy lellows come down here last year and I told bim that THE CROWS WAS A RUININ’ OF ME, and he says, says he, ‘You jess take a bushel 0’ corn an’ steep itin whiskey, and all the crows wili come thar and eat it an? git drunk, and then you cau puil their heads off.’ ell, 1 put the corn Up thar, an’ when I went up on the roof I seed the crows adown in the fields and then a comin’ up on the roof; and thar was a old crow old enough to have @ gray beard settin’ behind the bushel measure a keepin’ bar. The other crows was a bringin’ five grains of corn from the field and a givin’ of them jor one grain of steeped corn, and thar was not only all 0° my corn, but all the corn my neighbors had planted. Now, how could | tell what I think about war 1" This point will probably be a very important one in case ot war. The government authorities are already making negotiations for the purchase of the ratlroad leading here, for transportation of supplies, and they are examming the neighboring islauds with a view to the establshment of hospi- tals and reserve camps, MECHELLA’S LEASE OF LIFE, Sass Indignation Throughout Jersey City— The Insanity Plea Renewed. ‘The feeling of the people of Jersey City over the reprieve granted to Machella is that of intense in- dignation. Governor Parker has not in his whole oficial career performed an act so unpopular. What makes the feeling still more strong against him is the recollection of the case of poor Lusig- nani. In that instance petitions poured in from the most influential men in Morris county on behalt of an unfortunate wretch who was goaded to madness by the. open perfidy ora woman who had pledged herself to be his companion and his solace in aMliction, He had at least some in- centive to the bloody deed for which his life was forfeited. Yet Governor Parker was inexorable, and Lusignani was hurried speedily ont of life. In Mechella’s case, on the contrary, there is not a Single feature to warrant ihe exercise of any clemency. He is periectly sane, as was shown in the medical testimony on the trial, and lar from showing any remorse, he is reckless and defiant. Ail the pranks and devices for which he has become somewhat notorious, are too trans- parent to deceive any one. How. then, the Gover- nor couid yield to the importunities of a few fana- tics in violation of his emphatic declaration to @ HERALD reporter only one week ago is one of those enigmas that no one can solve, Last evening the subject was warmly discussed on the street Corners and in the resorts of business, and tue Chief Executive came in fora share ofepithets the reverse of complimentary. His coming to Jersey City at allon the day previous to that Syed for the execution is censured in no measured terms. The condemned man was beside himself with joy when the announcement was conveyed to him that he had @ new lease of life. But he soon lapsed into his Wonted mood and he played his accustomed an- ues. He evidently hopes, by a little additional dexterity, to win over a few more converts to the theory of insanity, The rumor that the Gov- ernor will appoint @ medical commission to determine the question of insanity ig not credited, as the Governor, in common with the other members of the Court of Pardons, nas had sufficient evidence on that point. Sheriff Reinhardt will remove the gallows back to New York till the term of the respite approaches its expiration. About 30 ticketholders, who had not heard of the respite, collected around the jail yesterday morning expecting that their morbid curiosity would be gratified. QUAKER HELP FOR THE POOR. Charch Ladies in Brooklyn Organizing Social Sewing Circles for the Relief of the Destitate. During the period o/ slave terrorism in the South, now happily long past, and during and after the civil war, prominent among the most earnest and conscientious workers for the poor and suffering of the human race were the Quaker ladies of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and other cities of the North. In late years the public has known of much well intentioned philanthropy bestowed by them upon the intractable redskins of the West. Panic and famine having now made terribic inroads upon the dependent classes tn all portions of the country, and especially in towns, and these Christian mothers and sisters are again unosten- tatiously organizing societies for the relief and clotuing of the poor. It may be well to state, in or- Ger to prevent misapprehension, that these “poor'’ are not residents of far distant India, China or Patagonia, nor are they unincky people in need of homes and prosperity—who are to be clothed and sent to the mystic and delightful land of Borrto- boold-gha. They are the mechanics, working girls, laborers andclérks and their families, who, in a sheer struggle between pride and desperation, have fougnt hard against the relentiess poverty that has overtaken them and in so many cases Made them suddenly acquainted with a suffering and destitution of which they had never before dreamed. The station houses, public dor- mitories, alleys, vacant buildings and lumber piles along the rivers’ edge, are peopled night aiter night by the homeless poor, who have lost, first, employment next, homes, and then the vread which nature demands for daily sustenance. The stories of crime and misery, which have re+ cently grown more frequent than ever im the poe. journals, have sunk deep into the kindly leart of pitying Quaker womanhood and borne fruit before any of the numerous ladies’ societies of other churches have organized systems of reltet. In Brooklyn the ladies of the Society cf Friends are forming @ sewing union on such an extensive plan of co-operation that its labors may be antici- pated as likely to produce gigantic charitable re- sults. On stated nights of the week they propose to meet at the meeting house in Schermerhorn street, and ply their needies in as noble array as ever was presented by a less peaceful and less gentle phalanx o! Macedonian spears. Meanwhile @ social character is given to these gatuerings by the presence of that docile tyrant, man, who, by acious favor, is to lighten them with his benevo- lent presence, and thus contribute the indispensa- ble part to the good work, Vertly, the Quakers have pleasant ways of doing well. MASSACHUSETTS, pate eS IEE Boston Nominating Women for School Officers—A Gas Explosion. Boston, Dec. 5, 1873, At the Boston mnnicipal caucus last night a decided innovation in the history of the city Politics was made by the nomination in three wards of ladies as members of the School Com- mittee—namely, Mre. Henry ©. Badger in the Ninth wi Miss Lucretia Crocker in the Eleventh ward and Miss Lucia W. Peabody in the Fourteenth ward. A dweiling on Buckingham street, owned by E. P. Brown and occupied by Mrs. Adelaide Miller, Was damaged to the extent of $2,500 last nignt by 0 explosion of gas. No person was injured. THE HOBOKEN SAVINGS BANK. - A crowded meeting of depositors was held in Odd Fellows’ Hall last evening. Despite the energetic efforts of interested parties to throw the institu- tion into bankruptcy, » committee v9 appointed ‘aise tounge! for advocates o Fee eee arte ta postpone action in the courts untii the 16tn inst. The prospects ot resump- tion are brighter, although the managers can never hope to regain public confidence until the wire- pullers are ousted and the Bowrd reorganized, | THE WESTCHESTER SENSATION, Continuation of the MacMahon Libel Suit at White Plains, Reading the “Private” Correspondence of the Plaintiff—Shocking Secrets Disclosed—What a Bouquet of Magnolias Contained— Bich and Racy Testimony of the Divorced Husband and Co- Defendant in the Suit, he libel suit of Mrs. Lucy A. MacMahon agains® Francis B. Eldridge and the Rev. Robert Holden, Was continued yesterday in the Circuit Court at White Plains, Westchester ceunty, before Justice Pratt and the Justices of the Sessions, Among the deeply interested crowd of spectators, which almost filled the court room, were a large number of professional men, including clergymen, A few females, whose desire to hear the scandalous and obscene disclosures overruled their modest in- stincts, occupfed conspicuous piaces in the gallery throughout the day, Ason the preceding day the plaintiff was represented by Chauncey Shaffer, ex~ Judge Robert Cochrane and Dennis MacMahon, her busband, the counsel for the defendants being ex-Judge Emott, A. B. Crane, J.0. Dykman and E. Cary Smith. Having proved the authorship and presentation of the alleged libellous letter, the defence rested their case on Thursday evening, when Rev. Robert Holden took the stand and testified to the decep- tive course adopted by the plaintiff when she first secured a home for Mr. Eldridge with his ‘amity. ‘The witness also testified to his good intentions in. presenting THE ALLEGED LIBELLOUS LETTER, accompanied with a demand for money, stating that his sole reason was to avert the disgrace to the MacMahon family as well as to religion if the threatened publication of the correspondence ho had perused were carried out, Mrs, Susannah Holden, wile of the last witness, fully corroborated her husband's testimony regard- ing the manner in which Eldridge had been intro- duced into her family; that on the occasion of his coming Mrs, MacMahon devoted herself to the preparation of the room he was to occupy, and, among other evidences of regard for him, placed & large bouquet of magnolias on the dressing case, having first concealed a $10 note in each flower; this done plaintiff! asked the witness to see that none of the servants disturbed the gilt, and also requested her to tell Eldridge, on his arrival, that her (the plaintitt’s) lips had KISSED THE FLORAL OFFERING. The witness also testified to driving in Mra, MacMahon’s carriage, in which the latter, together with a young lady and Mr, Eldridge, were seated ; that on the occasion referred to the plaintiff, among other things, asked Kidridge several times whether in case sne should be so unfortunate as to become a widow he would marry her, and that Eldridge, touching his hat, replied, “I believe I am speaking to Mrs, MacMahvun;’’ when the rupture took place witness called on the plaintiff to ask what she had against Mr. Eldridge, when the reply was that he was muking love to two women, one of them bein the daughter of the person he bad boarde with in Connecticut; the plaintid® adding, ‘I teln you he cannot imarry while his wife is alive;’ this is the first intimation the witness had ever re- ceived regarding the marriage of Eldridge; the witness was not aware that the plainui! was secretly corresponding with Eldridge before the rupture took place, Asevere cross-examination by Mr. Schaffer did not materially alter or affect her testimony. A SINGULAR HISTORY. Francis B. Eldridge testified as follows:—I am one of the defendants; am 48 years old; when about 16 years of aye L came to New York, where 1 tell heir to some Little property when T was about 19; knew the mother of the plaintiff; her name at that time was Julia Brown, alias “Princess” Brown; aiterward heard her called by the name of Harrison, who was a very clever man about town; he was a gambler, and held forth at No. + Park’ place; he was familiarly Known as ‘Jack’ Harrison; Julia Brown kept @ brothel, at No. 65 Leonard street; have been in Juli@ Brown's house and through her made the acquaintance ot the plaintifl; atterwards met Julia Brown in @ private house in Houston street, where she and John Rathbone lived atthe time; they subsequently bought the honse; saw the plaintif daily at that house atterIformed her ae Quaiutance; cannot tell how long atter our meeting we were married ; Was introduced to the plaintifi by Mrs. Harrison and John Harrison, who sent for me for that purpose; she told me that thé young girl was just from school and without @ proper ‘male companion or guar dian, and that they hac een on introducing me to ner it L would pledge myself not to reveal to her the nature of her mother’s occupation and that I should PROMISE NEVER TO MARRY HER; think the plaintiff was at a convent in Maryland at this time; Mrs, Harrison subsequently brought her home and introduced me; after this I married her clandestinely ; think a Rey. Mr. Pond performed the ceremony ; si continued to live tn Houston street, while I lived a tion of the time at my father’s; remained in New Yo about six weeks after my marriage, and then went to St. Louis for the pernae of going into business and locati: there; we had not lived open! ty as man and wile, but tht 6 was consummated; while at St. Louis fo and l corresponded; was away about nine months, and, having been unfortunate in ‘siness, returned to New York | in 3 when ‘left tor St. Louis I was prohibited from taking my wife with me; had I succeeded in business it was agreed between ourselves that she should join me in six months, and then our marriage was to be published; on iy return to New York [ saw her under pecuilar curcim- 6 S stances on Broadway, unobserved by her; reach house before her, and ou her return'L expostulated with her as to the circumstances under which I had seen her on Broacway; she replied that she was taking her jather’s advice, and he was old enough to know what was best tor her; I then proposed to take her to Texas, or anywhere to get her out of New York; she ex- pressed a dislike for Texas, and wanted ga house on one ot the fashionable avenues, and also @ carriage; after this {had an interview with Mr. and Mrs, Harrison, as they had become acquainted with the tact of our mar- riage; THE MOTHER DESIRED A DIVORCE, a notice was served on me, but, in accordance with an agreement, I took no steps to prevent the divorce being granted: titen lett New York and went to South America; fed @ dissipated lite after this; in 18d was in New York aud was very poor; it was in the house of Lren®” MeUready, in Fourteenth street, that I attempted to commit suicide; had gone there to try and recover some money of which I had been robbed; was taken to the hospital; had not at this time heard’ from the plaintit since her second marriage ; their eldest son came unasked to see me in the hospital ; went from there to Onkersviile, I bad selected; Dennis MacMahon, Jr., com- d corresponding with me there; he gave me petore L lett, and atterward continued to send we the arrangement was to pay Iny expenses until ‘ame strong, and then I was to be placed in a com- fortable position; a farm for me was suggested, among other things; it was understood that they Were to place me in us good position as I had at one time occupied (letters trom 1 MacMahon, Jr., to th ituess were here read, one of which men- tioned a farm to be presented’ to him by Mrs. Mahon); my correspondence was to be carried on ith Dennis, Jr. ; received many letters while at Onkers- ville; know Mrs, MacMahon's handwriting ; envelopes produced were directed by ber; each ot them contained & $10 note, but no writing ; this was done at various times hs; commencea to write to the plaintiff int. September ived a card, on one side of which we; the words, “Castle Eden,” and on the reverse side was written by the plaintif, “Please return to me the enclosed letters; Iny dear son knows ( have been engaged. to you; for some mo! GOD BLESS YOU; BE PRUDENT; have forgotten if T nad written to he 1 wrote to her my letters were MacMahon, Jr., Post Oftiee, Morrisania;” the contained sentiments of gratitude for their kindness to ne, and an account of my passions, loves and experi. ence with the World generally; thing I first mentioned about going to Morrisania, in connection with @ great de- sire to see Mr. MacMahon, for the pt having im procure me some kind of business; he had then only seen me once; also wrote that it would afford me pleasure ‘to thank her in person tor her kindness toward me; subsequently re- ceived a letter from her directing me ho’ should cone 5 ome oonsehtine Bae aoe Ry ad marriage. (Letter containing a diagram of the plain house and grounds at Morrigania. shown and. identified, as one he had received from ker while he was in Connecticut.) Acted upon the directions ard plan contained in the letter and came down on a Tuesday; went up to her house about eleven o'clock A. M. and passed into the house unobserved, through a window which she had designated in her letter; there were furniture and cl set out in the room; shortly aflerwards he scratching on & side door, and on opening it the plaintiff entered the room; staid there until four or five in the afternoon ; next morning the plaintiff's carriage drove rom ti depot at Morrisania to str, Le ol] while at plaintit?s house on the previous day; stayed a while af ar a house and then went. back to Unkersyille, where, atter a Ww! wee re ce aatony recelved befor we “No further com b this Thad noticed a change m the tier rs made plaintiff ac addresses to a Miss mer, where uy to this; was made aware that, the pla Writing to some of Falmer by the plaintit, telling her to beware of me; plainti asked me to lea ey my trunk occasionally, with Mrs. Holden, that she (th: piaintiity might place therein ares Nhat my ohabia ‘ ‘also effect Comort quire; the letter Kom? Miss Paimer wnick had been abstracted trom m: trunk ‘sul roar returned; while at olds +4 drove out in plainti often spent my evenin, he it ‘aged. with & company dot jew York; my motive in w was to have Mr. and Mrs. Mac: i Biker ors againaees The witness was cross-examined at considerable Jength, and with but few exceptions hore the searching ordeal without impat to aby at extent, the straigatforward story had ie in mig great portion of the day was spent in reading: the Iettera pt the plaintiff to Eldridge; but they are wholly unfit for publication, The case Will promenig be concluded to-day. SUICIDE OF A HOTEL PROPRIETOR. Boston, Dee. §, 1873. Mr. Bassford, formerly proprietor of the Neam- keag House, in Peabody, committed guicide yeater- day by hanging himselt