The New York Herald Newspaper, January 15, 1874, Page 4

BAZAINE. ‘The Condemned Marshal “Interviewed” by @ Herald Correspondent. THE GREAT CULPRIT'S PRISON LIFE. —_—_>+—_—__ His Own Account of the Capitulation | of Metz. THE VERDICT OF HISTORY. A Melancholy and Terrible Expiation. Parts, Dec. 30, 1878. ‘Tho startling sentence pronounced on ex-Marshal Basaine May lend some interest to details conoern- ang the life which the prisoner has led since his arrest 18 months ago. I cam speak aa an eye wit- mesa, for soon alter the warrant of committal was issued by the War Office i wrote to the Marshal, begging he would favor me with an interview, at “which I might hear the story of the Metz capitula- Wen from hisown lips. He answered me cour- teously tn his own hand, and referred me to Colonel Bataille, who was at that time bis custodian, and rwho said he would probably allow me to call if I de- ‘clared my visit to be one of simple frieudship and ‘promised not to make any of its particulars public ‘through the press, ‘To this I readily assented. ‘Whe trial was stil a long way off, and any newspa- (per discussion of the prisoner’s innocence or guilt would have been premature, Colonel Bataille explamed to me that the Marshal had been mach stered by French journalists wno had called on and pablished fanciful accounts of their inter- ‘views. They put words into his month which be had never uttered, and generally very compromis- ing words, to the atsparagement of political people ‘whom the several journalists happened to dislike, ‘This was not fair, and it had detemminea the Mar- Bhalnot to see another French reporter till his Brial was over. He little thought then the trial would end in a death sentence. A VISIT TO BAZAINE, Tcafed on the Marshal at midday by special ap- potntment. He was inhabiting a small house tn the Avenue de Picardie, at Versailles, and was closely guarded by a picket of infantry, which oc- cupied the porter’s lodge in the garden, by sentries ‘who stood at every angie of the garden wall, and by %hree or four detectives, who paced outside the house, as much to keep importunate strangers of as to prevent any attempt at escape. I handed my ‘letter of appointment to tue officer on duty, who led me through the garden, which, he told me, had been laid out by an Englishman who had occupied ‘the house during the siege of Paris, before being Mntroduced to the Marsbai I saw Colonel Bataille: | ‘and this officer, who soon after became a general and surrendered his custodiansbip to Colonel Vil- | lette, Bazaine’s present keeper, repeated that I Bhould be doing the prisoner an injury if I pub- fighed my conversation with him, for it might be supposed that he was doubtful of obtaining a ver- dict and wished to bring public opinion over to his side. This said, he led me up to a room on the first floor, where the Mar- shal was sitting alone and smoking, having Just finished breaktast. It was a plainly furmished room, and, indeed, ai! the house was plain. It had been chosen rather for ite compactness and com- modious sttuation than for its interior comforts, the main object having been to secure a residence | (which should stand isolated, possess a garden, and yet be easily accessible to the Marshals barristers 8nd others who were charged with the prosecution or detence of the prisoner and required to see him oiten. PORTRAIT OF BAZAINE, The Marshal arose irom the writing table at which he was seated, with a cup of cofee and heaps of papers before him, held out his hand and said, biuiily. “i am obliged to you for your visit."* Be is a short, fat man of 64, with a bald, white bead and a thick, black mustache, There is a Btolid, puffy expression on his face, and he speaks curtly, with the accent of a soldier who has seen Much fighting and does not feel at home in the stmosphere of cities, much less so in the society of a civilian. 1 had heard ‘rom his brother, M. Dominique Bazaine, the engineer, that the Marshal had earned bis promotion from the Tanks, step by step, without favor or patronage of any sort, and 1 could not help iceling respect tor @ man who bad struggied throngh !ife so bravely, however much I might be persuaded that the bigh rank to which he had climbed was one above his Datural capabilities. There is, indeed, a difference between the stuff required to make a good colonel ma that out of which successiul geverals are formed, Bazaine was a capital colonel, and had not his equal for leading soldiers to a bayonet charge; but he is no genius, and when a man of his | ; sort is raised to a post which calls for abilities of the most transcendent order mistakes are certain to follow. You have only to watch the man a Minute to feel that the command of a single regi- ment would tax his energies to the utmost, and that the management of 150,000 men would be as much beyond his scope as a hogsbead of wine is beyond the holding of a pint bottle. As to politics, it is proved beyond doubt now that Bazaine did mixin political intrigues of a very discreditable Kind; but be must have done so under the influ- ence of the passing madness which seizes upon men who get intoa sphere tbo high forthem. It | ds only eagles who can soar with impunity to mountain peaks.and stare at the sun; when an Owl does that he loses his head and sails. Bazaine Jooked to me as a man who couid understand Reither why he had risen so rapidjy nor why he bad been 80 anaccountably hurled down. BAZAINE’S CONVERSATION. He showed me a chair, and when Colonel Bataille ad left us said:—“ Will you take a vigar—they are some I brought from Mexico. People were calling me 8 glurions soldier then.” This opened the con- rversation snd I told the Marshal that my only object in soliciting an audience of him waa to arrive at the real truth as to the events of the war. I had some thought of writing a history of the second Empire and wished to hear from the lead- ang men of that epoch their own version of ihe events in which they had been engaged. “Just #0,” answered Bazaine pursing, his right knee, “Well, I can only tell you J did my duty to the best of my ability, and am certain history will do me qustice ifmy contemporaries do not, The repub- licans accuse me of having refused to communi- cate with the government of Tours. I sent three despatches to Tours. But the truth is Gambetta when he left Paris in the balloon forgot to take ‘the key to the secret government cipher with him, ‘and 80 none of my despatches could be read. Sooner than own to this blunder, however, the Tepublicans will swear I left them to shift for themselves.” “But I suppose you will be able to ring evidence as to the despatches ?’ was my re- mark. ‘Uh, yes, we shall prove it,”— [Evidence on ‘this point was adduced, but rebutted. The verdict declares that no despatches were sent.] —said he; “but political animus is strong against me, The Tepublicans want to make me bear the blame of all their own failures, and they would shoot me with- out (trial if they could.” “Unjust prejudices al- ‘Ways yield to time?” I suggested. “Yes, they do,” replied Bazaine, “and I am only speaking of the public mind as itis now. It may%lter before jong. M. Thiers does me justice [M. Thiers was then President of the Republic], and most of my brother generals know with what diMicuitics I had to con- vend.” “Was Metz quite incapable of holding out any longer than it did ? i then inquired, “Quite incapable,” answered Bazaine, emphatically. “We were eating horsefesh, and had no more galt ‘to season it with. There was dysentery and scurvy among us; our gans were quite inferior to those of the Germans; the arsenal of Mets was til svocked, and the women and children in the city were dying ot the rate of 4004 week, It was ims. NEW YORK HERALD, THURSDAY, possible to reswt amy longer and equally tmpossi- ble to force Our way out. If I had attempted a grand sortie { must have sacrificed 60,000 men to no purpose and I liked my soldiers too well to get them neediesaly butehered."* The Marshal spoke under some excitement as he satd this, He was wearing undress uniform—that 18, red trousers and a biue tunic, without epaulets, and in alluding to his love for his soldiers he struck ‘his breast, on whioh glittered the Oross of the Legion of Honor, aaif to imply that his affection for his men was well known to all whose opinion was worth having. Our conversation continued for an hour or go: but there would be no use In re- cording it in fall, now that the verdict of the court martial bas declared al) the prisoner's statements to be faise. Bawaine gave me @ forecast of what M. Lachaud has since sald in bis defence; bat the judges, and publio opinion asiong with the judges, have pronounced this defence to be worthless. For myself, I folt convinced, in listening to Bazaine—not that he was guiltless, but that he honestly considered he had done no wrong. Ambition and the perplexities of a most trying position had warped his judgment and left him no power (o discern his errora nor to understand why these errors were impeached as crimes. BASAINS'S PRIBON LIFR, After finishing our talk on the war | expressed my hope that the Marshal wanted for nothing in his confimement, and he answered readily that every indalgence and attention were shown him, He complained, however, that his meals were brought to him from @ restaurant outside, instead 1 being cooked in the house, and were, in conse- quence, always either lukewarm or overdone. The reason of this measure was, that if there had been cooking in the house tradesmen and servants would have been constantly coming in and out of the premises and it would have been dificult tor the detectives to keep up & strict survetilance. The Marshal was allowed to have what books and papers be pleased aud tt receive visits irom hig friends, Hus wife and children also came and spent the alternoon with him regularly every day, from one till six o’clock. On the particular day when [ visited him Mme. la Maréchale was not expected till two, but she arrived before her time while 1 was still talking with ber husband, and I had the opportunity of making my bow to her and of shaking hands with her children, She is young cnough to be the Mar- ‘shal’s daughter and her little boy and girl bear a striking likeness both to herself and their father. They are chubby little chitdren, who did not seem to Know their father was on triaifor his life, and the prisoner looked at them with a wonder(ully affectionate eye, though, soldier-like, he affected to speak to them gruffly. AsI took my leave of the Marshal I thanked bim for the honor he had done me and he replied, “lam always glad to see foreigners, They have cooler heads than us Frenchmen and judge dispassionately."" BAZAINE SINCB HIS SENTENCE. Since his sentence Bazaine has ceased to be 8 | Field Marshal. He is plain Frangois Achilie Ba | gaine, wears civilian clothes without a decoration | and has an officer constantly beside him. The agi- 1 tation he betrayed on first hearing his sentence cooled down in the course of a few hours and he began to talk of his wife and ohuldren, | | who will be ruined by the heavy costs of ‘the trial, which the prisoner has been condemned to bear. Ittsa heavy calamity which has overtaken this family, for even if Bazaine’s life be spared he can never hope that the sentence of the court Martial will be quashed. He was not triedina moment of political ferment, when party animos- itles were raging against him, but calmly and quictly, after a long delay, and the verdict is there- | | fore nal. His son and daughter must be marked | | to all time as the children of “a felon and a | traitor,” for such are the terms which are used in the indictment, and they will not have the con- solation which attends the chitdren of lesser crim- inals—namely, that of trusting that their father’s name may be forgotten. Bazaine’s name can never pass out of Frenchmen’s minds, Justly or unjustly, it will be stamped on the pages of history as that ofa man who preferred his own wellare to | his country’s honor, and children now unborn will be taught to pronounce it with loathing. These are offences which carry with them terrible ex- ptation, |THE ITALIAN SLAVE CHILDREN. As our readers are aware various efforts have been made by prominent adopted citizens of Italian birth to buve the cruel trafic in children | between Italy and this country brought toa close aod totally abolished. A Signor Moreno, of this city, has interested himself in the matter, and has already addressed Senator Samer on the sub- | ject, and the following correspondence on the same subject has passed between Congressman James P, Negiey and Signor Moreno relative to the introduction of a bill Into the House of Represen- tatives to do away with this juvenile slave traffic. Signor Moreno received a reply to his letter from Mr. Negiey, dated January 12, in which that gentle- man states that he has introduced a bill to abolish the traffic of the rascally padront. The correspon- dence is as fellow: MORENO TO CONGRESSMAN NEGLEY. New Yorx, Jan. 4, 1874. & distinguished member of that é party Which has done and suffered Jor liberty, and that has accomplished the mag- nanimous deed—"the abolition of slavery in the Southern P ‘why do you not raise your powerful voice in alt of oppressed and deienceléss iniantile bumanity? | Seven thousand of Italian c.ildren, of both sexes, are in the principal cities ot the United states Keut by’ heart- less padroni Glaveholders) in the most. abject sla And subjected to the most cruel treatment, after having Deen kiduapped or worn away irom their’ parents in the southern provinces of italy, under some subteriuge, principally the one to have the ebiidren learn a mechan’ ial trade. Sing August 1871, T have done all in my power to bring } before the public iis intamous traific in {talian children, wrote to the King of italy, to Messrs, Correnti, Lanza, Menabrea, Visconti Venosta aud Minghetti, members of the King’s Cavinet, to senators and M@mbers of the | Italian Parliament, to several newspapers, both in ita and America. ¥,, respectiully west you, MY. Negley, to introduce a’bili in the House of Representatives early this session of Congress, tor the abolishment of this great wrong, and you may be assured that, besides my thanks, the thanks and bened.ctions of those unfortunate children and of their desolate mothers will follow you ail through your career, In addition to this evil there is another thousand of men and women, of all ages, have been induced by a ring of greedy, characteriess aud irresponsible Italians to leave their happy homes in italy and come to this country under the iaise representations of large grants of fertile land in south olina, Vineland, +4 j.) and elsewhere, under milder climate than that ot their na- lave place, and numerous chances ot finding gold mines in the lands which will be allotted to them, ag well as of tabulou: easy cains, which will enable them to ac- | cumulate # good fortune ina few years: and it is even Proposed to them. if they have not the ready cash, tne Passage will be paid by the so-called great and wealtuy dand Compaby, provided s mortzage js given upon their farms or otuer real estate in italy to the quadruple | amount of the passage money, But, alas! such bright dreams soon disappear. (n ‘their arrival here they are { under the control of thetr deceivers, and thrown | them into the streets as organ-grinders, some with a | le dancing girl or & monkos, others to black boots, oth sweep the streets, otbers to pick up rags or dirty pa- pers, aud the infirm, and the old men and old women ace | put as beggars at ihe corners of streets and churches; others, also, are sent around to houses and offices with & talse certificate in hand of losses by fire or water, or Pa- pal or governmental persecution in their native country ; others are compelied to play the part ot the blind, d | aud every evening they have to give an account of their earnings through the day “4 i importers, The va- awindiec ir. Negley, dishonor upon the direct violation of this age of freedom and | asin Tam of n that the bill introduced in the Senate by Senator Sumner is the most efficacious as covering all the sooner this bill ts voted by Congress the Fiqh profound, yespect and, bigh consideration, 1 Vith profous al h consideration, J re- main your most devoted = CELSO CASAR MORENO, Fo 10m, Jamus 8. Nacuey. NEGLEY TO MORENO. Hovgs oy aernesestatives, ) ‘Wasmixoron, D. U., yun. 7, 1s74. § My pean Sir—In acknowledging your favor of the 4th inst, J rally anes yf your motive and assure you that I eee tingly pay the desired attenyon to the subject Permit me to express my thanks for the benevolence indicated by your actions in the service of humanity, Very truly yours JA3, 8. NEGLEY, M. U, ‘£0 Caigo Casan Monuno, Esq. HIGHWAY ROBBERY IN JERSEY CITY. Two roughs, known as Jim McKeenan and Jack | garcon. HOLIDAYS IN PARIS. Etrennes—Pourboires—The Tyranny of Custom. Panis, 28, 1873. | We are tn the fall dood of Obristmas tide. Politics and al! the other expedients devised for making men bate one another with sincere cordiality for 350 days out of the 365 have been temporarily shelved, and we are passing through that fortnight when Frenchmen make honest efforts to be merry @t their home resides, and even strive—though not always with success—to be generous. From Christmas Bve, when everybody attends midnight mass and sits up afterwards through the small hours, celebrating the réveiion, that is, eating black puddings and sausages, until the 6th of Jan- uary, called here Féte des Rots, when twelfth-cake is devoured with a piety which the lapse of years can never lessen—all through this time the French seem to be clad in moral homespun. The outdoor life they so much relish at other periods of the year gives place to family meetings, the drinking in casés to home brews of weak but con- vivial punon, It ls good to see a Frenchman re- member for a time, however brief, that there is something here below worth living for besides theatres, casinos, Nash novels and Bourse quota- tiona; tt refreshes one to see him reoollcct for a few days that he is a husband, father, 800 or brother, and that the good gifts lavished on him during the year claim some thanks for the Almighty dispenser of them. Religion is little more than @ thing of forms in this’ land; bat if there is over a time when Frenchmen are moved to reflect that this earth is not a mere giobo of clay and water, peopled with spe-descended vipeds, soulless and godiess, tt te at Christmas. Old “Notia,” that is Christmas carols, which are trolled in all concerts and in churches at this season, ald much (0 revive the beliefs inouleated in one's childhood—then discarded as too troublesome to wear in the rough scrambie of life. Naive old Christmas customs, too, crop up under the family roo(tree, and where is there & more touching cus- tom than that which French cnildren keep up by placing their shoes in the chimney on Christmas Eve in the hope that an angel will come in the night and fill them with good things? The pleasant German custom of Christmas trees, and that hearty English tradition of kissing under the mis- tletoe, are not ubserved here, and this is perhaps a pity, for in French hands both these relics of the past would acquire fresh grace and merriment, But French Christmas 18, after all, jovial enough in despite of these shortcoming, and it must be repeated, that Frenchmen are seen to better ad- vantage under its influence than at any other time. “RTRENNES,"” But every mvrdal, a8 we know, has its reverse and not all the jollity of Christmas and New Year's tide can soothe the pangs of that terrible ordeal called “Etrenne giving.” Etrennes are simply New Year’s gifts, and consisted in bygone times of voluntary presents to children, very intimate friends and servants; but, French vanity and weak- ness aiding, the system has, year by year, gathered extension, till it has become at last a regular blackmail, levied with a greediness and subscribed to with a rueful resignation wholly French. The French, indeed, shine in nothing so littie as in moral courage, and they have sufered étrennes to develop into a nuisance as objectionable as those pourbvoives, against whick they are forever clam- oring, without having the heart to take practical action against them. Americans who have visited France all know that the pourbowe is a tax which must be paid at every step. You drink a@ glass of absinthe at a café and pay for it, but you must add a@ gratuity to the You have your hair cut, same ceremony— that is twofold payment, part to the waiter, part to the man. You drive 500 yards in a cab, and the ticket sets down the fare at a quarter dollar; but just venture to pay the mere specified price to the cabman without adding tne pourboire, and see what a face be will pull and what fine epithets he will rake up from his private vocabulary to fling at you as you vanish, round the corner. It is said that a few Frenchmen, deeming themselves more spirited than they really were, once vanded together for mutual protection and formed a club, every member of which signed a pledge never under any circumstances to bestow pourboire. One of the members going to a cat, soon alter signing the said piedge, cailed ior a cup or coffee, and when the pay time came disbursed exactly the 40 centimes due, but no more, and said to the waiter, with a valiant attempt at firm- ness:—‘‘] am sorry for you, My man, but I belong to an association organized to suppress the giving of pourvotres.” “Oh, don’t apologize, sir,” an- swered the waiter, with an angelic smile; “but as you are an old customer I don’t mind confiding to you that I too belong to anu association—an asso- ctation of waiters, ail of whom have sworn to spill | scalding coffee accidentally over the legs of stingy customers.”” Needless to add that the customer paid his pourboire with a sigh and went home a sadder man. THE TYRANNY OF CUSTOM is, indeed, a thing that must be fought with stouter hearts than Frenchmen can bring to bear on such matters. Naturally parsimonious, they hate to seem so, and sooner than face the imputa- tion of being mean would pay away the tails of their coats if fashion demanded such a sacrifice and if ovher Frenchmen were present to see it per- formed. Therefore, to return to our ¢trennes, its probable that New Year’s gifts will continue to be- come more and more oppressive as time rolls on instead of growing less so, As it is, they form an item in the household budget which ranks next in importance to the rates and taxes assessed by gov- ernment. Not counting the gifts in, money to ser- vants, postmen, wa:er carriers, tradesmen’ boys, newspaper porters, milk maids, scavengers, sweeps and other like people to whose services every man is intermittently indebted—not reckoning these gilts, & man is expected to offer # box of expensive children’s toys wo every lady at whose house he has @ined or danced in the course of the twelve- Month, and additional knick-knacks or toys to more intimate acquaintances and to their children. But I have forgotten the servants ofthe peopie who receive the sugar plums, knick-knacks and toys, for they, too, expect money; and if you have dined several times at one house in the year you can searcely cry quits with the servant under 20 franca. Now, as to the sugar plums, it used to be con- Bidered handsome enough to enclose them in a colored wrapper; then the fashion of iancy boxes set in, and by and by these boxee acquired such Magnificence that the cheapest of them—I mean the cheapest of those that are deemed presentable in high life—averages @ napoleon. Supposing, then, that a young Frenchman, possessing an ordinary income, not above $2,000 a year, goes Much into society, one may form some idea of the sort of bil) which greets him when his New Year’s purchases have peen completed. It isa sight of woe, of terror, this bili—so much so in truth that @ few years back the ma- jority of unmarried Parisians used to troop out into the country at the approach of January and remain away till the érenne epidemic had spent its force, But this device did not serve them long; for, as soon as it was detected, the custom of Easter eggs was cstablisned. Easter eggs are noth- ing but a repetition of the New Year’s gifts, ana the man who has not made a lavish distribution of the latter is expected to atone by being liberal with the former. The man who should vanish from Paris at Baster as well as January would find @ marked falling off in the number of dining invita- tions he received, and be viewed by society im general with @ cool and carefal eye. POLITICAL TOYS. The toys given to children at tlis time assume Many shapes, but it is much the rage to fabricate Playthings bearing political allusions. Mannikins Sullivan, entered Mr. Adam Freand’s lager beer | saloon, in First street, Jersey City, on Tuesday night, and called for drinks and cigars. They coolly walked out afterwards, without paying or offering an y, Mar. Freund followed them, and a straggie place on the sidewalk. When the affray was quelied Freand entered the saloon, and thereupon missed his watch and chain. In- Spector Murphy, accompanied CD gotestiye, scoured the haunts of the and suoceeded arroniing Doth, Dut the stolen property Was QOt dressed up and featured like leading political per- sonages are very common; Prussian soldiers cat- rying off clocks are still more 80, and in the games Of leaden goldters where the Prench uscd always to be arrayed against the English, the French are now made to do battle against Germans, and, Judging by the fugitive attitudes of the latter, to rout them, It may be dowbted how far French children are benefited by having lessons of na- tional rancor and political hatred instilled tate thom thus carly through thelr tore, but i lias «to Lord Lucan, and was killed JANUARY. 15, 1874,-TRIPLE SHEET. ‘ways been the habit in this country to fill juvenile ‘heads with the sort of knowleage which is most ‘useless apd us to them. Boys are taught to abominate the Prussians before they know where Berlin is-sifuated, and to call France the sovereign nation before ascertaining what other nations the world may possess. SANTIAGO DE CUBA. Intrigues to Capture an Insurgent Leader—A Marquis and # Governor Parties to the Little Government Game. Dates from Santiago de Cuba up to the 20th ult, bring the details of a very questionable plan adopted by ‘the Cuban authorities to catch » weil known Cuban leader. Colonel Don José Rodriguez, of the Cuban army, is @ young oMcer who has given the Spaniards an immense deal of trouble in the neighborhood of Santa Maria, not far irom Santiago de Cuba. Santa Marta is a large coffee plantation in the district of Las Yeguas, and belongs to the Marquis of Villa Itre. This nobleman, who is an intimate triend of the Rodriguez family, undertook, by means of undue PATRIOT HEROES. Veterans of the Mexican War to Meet in Counoil at Washington. A Noble Assemblage of Brave Mon and Tried Soldiers. Officers Who Fought on Both Sides in the Civil Conflict To Be Prosent—The Programme of the Prooeedings. Wasaineron, Jan. 14, 1874. The National Convention of the survivors of she army and navy who sérved in the war with Mex- infuence over the young patriot, to bring him | tco tn 1846-47-48, to assemble in Washington on over to the Spaniards. The Marquis of Villa | Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week, will Itreis a celonel of volunteers, and in his military | bring together many of the distinguished military capacity is charged with the defence of his own | characters who per/ormed in the late ctvil conflict property of Santa Maria. Governor Morales de los Rios, who was temporarily acting in place of Bur- riel, sent the Marquis to ascertain if the father of Rodriguez could prevail upon the distinguished | in the late war of the rebellion. young patriot to forsake the cause of his native Ouba and accept the clemency of the Spanish Gov- ernor. The interview was brought about through | in Mexico, the instrumentality of a guide named Avelino, who ‘was on good terms with tho insurgents. Just be- antagonistic rdles, The victories won by our gal- lant soldiors in the war with Mexico developed the talent and skill which made many of them famous Among the gen- eral oMoers on the Union and Confederate sides who served @M apprenticeship, 60 to speak, we can now call to mind the names of Lee, McClellan, McDowell, Joseph B. Jobneon, Meade, Hooker, Hardee, Morgan, fore the meeting of the young patriot with his | Thomas, Buell, 4 Sidney Johnston, Beauregard, father, Villa Itre, having to go to Havana with Bur- nel, turned over the undertaking to a certain Major Asencio. This oficer, accompanied by the patriot’s father, reached Santa Maria on the 3d, and immediately sent word of their presence to Colonel Rodriguez by the guide, who returned and stated that the Cuban patriot would meet the gov- ernment Commissioners half way between his own and the Spanish iorces. Those of Rodriguez are said to amount in numberto 600 or 600 men. The interview took place on the 6tn. The father of the brave Rodriguez, aided by Major Asencio, did everything in their power to persuade the rebel to accept of the government’s clemency, To all the overtures made and supplications of the fatner and his aid, all the reply that could be elicited was that Kodriguez would consider over the matter, and if he did not give an answer in four days they might conclude that their overtures had fatied. The Spaniards waited six ‘Band received no word Irom the young rebel. Burriel, Morales de los Rios, the Marquis of Vilia Itre and the unfor- tunate father of the herolo young, Cuban had, there- fore, their not very creditable intrigue for noth- ing. The whole of what passed at the interview has not transpired, but it is known that among other Teasons advanced by the Spanish Major was that the Cubans have been for a long time uselessly struggling for the cause of their country, and they undoubtedly want rest, and added :— “Come home with your iather, and so confer the blessing of happiness on your dear mother. The government will give you every guarantee, and, if you prefer it, @ passport wiil be granted for apy port that may be desired.” ts tnese flattering offers the rebel chief re- D iy: “You are very kind; but would you, if you were in my place, accept such @ proposition, and leave the ranks of your frienas while in preeence of the enemy? I am not yet tired of working in the cause of freedom; and, if I were, l could leave the island at any time, as many of my comrades have done beiore. shall never leave the field as long as I nave strength to stand before the enemy of my country. ifthe Spanish government wishes us to give up fighting, let our liberties be granted us. They treat us like dogs and want us to lick the hand that prnises us,” THE VIRGINIUS SURVIVORS. The Survivors of the Santiago Murder in Great Distress—How England Takes Care of Her Subjects—Result of an In- terview with Commissioner Shields. It seems as ir it were utterly impossible to drive the Virginius-Santiago affair out of the public memory. The diplomatic termination of the mat- ter was bad enough, but it seems outrageous to allow some of the poor fellows who have escaped the murderous guns of Burriel to perish of hunger im the streets of New York, as they have been on the point of perishing within the last few days. Yesterday Alfred Parker, a negro, who says he is a@ subject of England; Francesco Pacheco, Philipe Marti, Leonard Alvarez, Andrew Villa, John Free- man, Cubans, and Benoit Gardet, a Frenchman, all of whom constituted a portion of the crew of | the Virginius, called at the United States Court and sought an interview with Commissioner John A. Shields, which that gentleman readily granted, and the following additional chapter of sufferings | came to light:— Parker, who 1s an intelligent man and speaks with much readiness, acted as spokesman on be- half of the party. Addressing the Commissioner, he made a statement substantially as follows:— “When we were permitted to land in this city Gardet went to tne French Consul and applied to him to be sent home, but the Consul answered him saying :—‘I must refuse to have anything to do with you. Those who have been instrumental in bring- ing you to this country must now take care of and look after you.’ The Cubans, when they sought as- sistance from the Cuban League, were informed that they must endeavor to help themselves. Finding no hope in this direction they went to a boarding house, No. 143 Greene street, where they were per- mitted to remain until yesterday, when, having no more money to pay for their board, they were turned into the streets, having had no food, and only a few of them being enabied to’ obtain 4 cu) of cofiee each.” On reaching this point Parker sai “I want to ask Your Honor if you cannot find some means of sending the men home 7’ Commissioner Shields—I do not know what Ican do for you. I wisli it was in my power to help you, buat I sear lam powerless in the matter. However, tain trom him if anything can be done. The men having stated that they were very | hungry and badly in want of food were directed to goto the charitable institution No. 49 Leonard Street. They accordingly went there, were sup- pea with abundant food and informed in the ndest manner that they would be cared tor there until something better could be done for them. Subsequently Commissioner Shields had an in- terview with the United States District Attorney. ‘This oMicial told the Commissioner that tne crew of the Virginius had been informed that they could be sent to the receiving ship unttl the govern- ment had completes, arrangements for forwarding them to their homes; that, in place of accepting tina offer, they preferred going ashore; and that, in this manner, they took themselves from under the protection of the government, leaving the gov- ernment officials powerless to render them any service, Parker was asked by Commissioner Shields, ‘You do not appear to be asking anything for yourself. Let me inquire of you what is the reason of that 1? The reply is one’ that may be very strongly rec- ommended to Mr. Secretary Fish’ ention :—"1 ain @ subject of England, and she al of her people. The British Consul will of me and make provision for sending me home.” It may be safely puggested that we have not yet heard the last of the Virginius affair. ENGLISH VS AMERIOAN CAVALRY. To THE Kprror OF THE HERALD:— Lieutenant Colonel Brackett, in his letter pub- lished in the HERALD Of Saturday, seems to have evaded the point, and to have been quite as unfair 10 his letter as in his book. I quote from the lat- ter:—‘The English, as a general thing, are |. Wretched riders, and it is no wonder they are universally whipped when they go into battle, * * * Poor Nolan himself lost his life while charging at Balaklava, where the English horse Was entirely cat to pieces by the Rassians.”” Honor to whom honor is due. Such fields as Blenheim aad Salamanca hardly bear testimony to the truth of the statement that the English riders are universally whipped when they go Into battle, At Balaklava the Lignt ae ed by Lord Cardigan (not the entire English horse), was cut to pieces. But has cavalry ever done, or is it possible for cavairy to do more, than the brave 600 ‘who chi that day (by a blundering order that cost ucan his command) down a valley over th, between the Nanking batteries of e hills and the causeway heights, in position anécut their way. into and asian army ? tain Nolan was the aide-de-camp who bore the famous “fourth order” by the fragment 0! a shell while riding back to his post, after the de- livery of the order. Again, in speaking of the Eng- Hish ‘cavalry at Balaklava, why does Colonel Brackett ignore the brilliant charge of Scarlett ‘with the heavy bi le (cavalry), when with 300 vate men he cut in’ an heghe 4 & body of 3,000 et Ag line and frustrating their oe do iad Pee a trey ewing. raentie ie ary jose lastre 4 (i jue ore our cousi! a he superiority of our ease Geen eee eid a L. WOODIK, Orr MeLare 5, Y.. Jaa, 12, 16% Ismail consult the District Attorney and ascer: | oY: Bragg, Hood, Dick Taylor, Breckinridge, Cheat- ham, Anderson, Bate, Pope, Kearny, Keno, “Stone- wall’ Jackson, Grant, Sherman, Stewart, Pierce, Jef Davis, Ripley, Raines, Gustavus Smith, Brooks, Wilkins, Ben Roberts, Alvord, W. H. Walker, Clark, Sneed, Freeman, Cooper, Denver, Pike, Pillow, Al- lJabach and many others, who turned the valuable experience acquired in Mexico to profitable ac- count, ORIGIN OF ‘NIE CONVENTION. ‘The Convention at Washington had its origin last March, when a call had peen made of the survivors of Mexico in that city to participate in the” inaugu- Tai ceremonies Of President Grant, At this meet- ing, Mr. Alexander M. Kenaday, the resident agent of the Association of Veterans of the Pacific Coast, calied attention to the fact that the Pitts- burg Scott Legion had memorialized Congress for @ pension, and suggested the organization of a society at the capital of the nation to co-operate with them. The meeting adopted the suggestion, ,and appointed Mr. Kenaday chairman of the’ Organizing Committee, who appears from the re- sult to have been a proper selection. An address was issued soon after, written by the chairman, soting forth the objects of the association, as follows:— First—To co-operate with other associations of Mexican war veterans in obtaining a recognition of their services to the country bya pension to the survivors similar to that allowed the veterans of 1812, and other just legisla- tion in their bebalt. Second—To rescue from oblivion the memory of their comrades, who died and were buried on the battle-flelds ‘ in Mexico, and to procure the official publication by the government of their names in a roll of honor, and to have proper care bestowed on their resting places. Third=-To collect and preserve in the archives of the Association reminiscences of the war and biographical akotches of its members, Fourth—To promote friendly intercourse among the survivors, and assist in a fraternal spirit worthy members who may require aid and encouragement. Fith—To administer proper consolation and relief, within the power of tho association, to members in siek: Hess or distress, and seek out x nately contracted habits of dissipation and improvi- dence, and endeavor, with brotherly sincerity, to win them to paths of rectitude and sobriety for the honor of the association and the glory of the memorable events sought to be commemorated. sixth—To exercise @ constant watchful supervision,| over the honor and good name of the ‘veterans of 1846, anu the general welfare of the survivors in their old aze. Secewh—To make such arrangements for the burial ot decearad members 23 testity @ decent respect for their memory. FELIOWSHIP OF THE NATION'S GUARDIANS, On the 1st of May the association organized by electing the following officers, who have stnee con- tinued to serve, to wit:—President, J. W. Denver; Vice Presidents, F. T. Lally, D. H. Cooper; Oor- responding Secretary, A. . hite; Treasurer, P. B. J.J. Martin, Albert Pike, 8.N. Hoyt. At the next meeting, May 16, it was Resolved, That an invitation is hereby extended by his association to the vewcrans of the Mexican wat throughout the country, noy orgaiized of hereafter to pe e@nrollon in asso: oo Sons, ne Sear th es fee, 10 person oF bY pra: 2 Dai convent Ly Hon Washington sity on January 18 Ise. to to be held 1n Prepare joint memorial to Congress ior & pension ‘to the survivors of the Mexican war, at the same rate allowed by the act of Febraary M4, 187 granting pensions to the soldiers and sailors of the war of IH12: also, to adopt measures looking to @national brotherhood of the gur- vivors, anda general assemblage on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the nation’s birthday, atPhita- delphia, July 4, 1876. The Corresponding Secretary, Mr. A. M. Kenaday, was directed to communicate the substance of the resolution to the associations at Baltimore, Phila- delphia, New York, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, San Francisco, Virginia City and elsewhere, with a view to obtaining their cy-operation in the main work for which the association 1s organized. SUBORDINATE ORGANIZATIONS, In November the Secretary reported that he was in correspondence with ‘associations, most of which had been organized since the issnance of tpe call m May, at the following places, viz. :—San ‘ancisco, hiladelphia, Pittsburg, st. Louis, New York, Boston, Baltinore Louisville, Cmein- nati, Virginia City, Reno and eka, Nev.; Sac- ramento and Santa Barbara, Cal.; St. Paul, Minn.; Des Moines, Ja; Leavenworth, Kansas; Mobile, Macon, Ga.; Raleigh, N. C.; Tenn. ; Richmond, non a Va.; Jackson, cl Alp. 2 Now Al Memphis, Adrian, h.; Scottsboro, Charlestown, W. Va.;.Tecumseh, Mich. : bany, Ind.; Fort Smith, Ark.; Chillicothe, Mo.; Bridgeport, Ohio, and others have since been or- panized. All these associations expressed thetr earty sympathy with the movement, and desire $0 co-operate in any way to its success. PREPARATION POR THE GUESTS, At the meeting of December 3, 1373, the presiding officer, Mr. J. J. Martin, Sixth Auditor of the Treasury, in the absence of President Denver, ad- dressed the members, urging ‘combined eftorts and harmonious action to render the visit of their old comrades pleasant to them and creditable to the ‘The invitation was likely to be responded to from ali sections of the Union, and, apart from the benevolent aspect of the callin the interest of old comrades who were becoming decrepit irom age, the occasion will afford a memorable opportunity to revive past friendships that had been in some degree severed by long separation and political causes, and would probably inaugurate a series of annual reunions so long a8 we remained in exist- ence. i Committees had been appointed to confer with managers of railroads in relation to reduced fares, with hotel proprietors tn ri to accommoda- tions, and to procure a hall jor the meeting. An executive conmittee of arrangements had been ep conststing of General J. W. Denver, chairman; General Aibert Pike, J. J. Martin, J. J. McCarty, 5. N. Hoyt and A, M. Kenaday. Correspondence was had with H, A. Brown, of Newburg. N. Y., the designer of the Scott monu- ment, with a view to having the ceremony of unveiling the Scott statue take place during the meeting of the convention, and hopes were entertaimea up to Sunday last that this interesting ceremony, doubly in- teresting in the presence of so many of General Scott's old officers and soldiers, would take place at that time, but throngh some miscalculation on the part of those having the matter in hand the me Of the artist was not found to be practica- le. THE REUNION AT MEMPHIS, On the 14th of December, 1873, General Gideon J. Pillow, at the request of many of the officers and soldiers of the Mexican war, issued a call for a re- union at Memphis, Tenn., on the 6th of January, to select delegates to the National Convention, to be held in this city on the 16th, After reviewing the great advantages to the nation resulting from the Mexican , General Pillow alludes to it also as havi en the means of developing ing the brilliant array of military heroes who ad formed the most distinguished parte on either side of the late family quarrel, and enn- Merates about 40 general officers, Union and Confederate, who had done good service in the march and batties which opened the route of Cortez to the balls of the Montezamas. “If the battles of Grant and Lee and thetr subordinates,” says the Aitr eee “bad been united as one and equipped as was that of the former they could have resisted the world in arms. In conflict, as tney unhappily were, they shook the Continent as an earthquake, ‘Ihe great leaders of these armies were trained in the school of the Mexican war, “That atter the japse of 27 years, and the great events to which I have referred, the survivors of this army should desire once more to meet, ex- change congratulatiot nd consuit about matte of common interest is most hatural and commend- able. I feel honored in being selected as the hum- ble channel of communication between them, and invite ali who can to meet in-Memphis on the annl- versary of the battle of New Orleans,” DELEGATES TO THR GREAT CONGRESS. Throughout the South and West delegates have been elected from among the foremost men of the several communities, From New Orleans are General P. 0, Hebert, General Harry T. Hayes, Colonel J. B. Walton, General George Baldy, General A. G, Peete nen Graham, Captain Vande novant, J. D, Blanding, J. B. _W. Styles, Samuel me he) omas J, WwW. B. ley, Kd, H id “fram Vicgiuia We “bave:-—Oeatgim Robert, | Scott, Richmond; General Wittam 8. Gloucester; General M.D. Corse, Alexandria; Tere Archer, * James 0. Staunton; Major LM. suumacer, Piiteylvanie; Ke Genk Hortamouth Soja overt Vesta mou lorfolts 5 Jona Poe, i camond; 3. B. Robert Reta, mond: Colonel A. P. Bennort, Richmond ; the followidg , P. D. Sutton, Major BF. W eld, 0. H. tore, Captain Morgan Ir eutenant W. Peasants, 0. G Merritt, £ P. Hogsden, R. W. Brown, 3. G, Curry. 13, Leonard, 0. R, Jones, Crawford, Patrick Hart, ‘Shanda, fem Anderson. os From San Cal, the following dele- gates nave been lected: tnloner aD, seevouson, Major Joseph Daniela, Major Richard P. Hammond, Captain T. J. Knipe, A. J. Shrader, James B, Nutt Volonel Jonn 0. orgs We Bowle, Captain Brant ‘Willian Hays, General ea nee eae pee, Blandin, nne Colonel W. G. McAdoo, Seoretary or Bey, State Association, states that 97 survivors are en- rolled, and the following gentlemen. will represent them in the Convention :—Colone) D. 3, Johnson, P nt; Colonel William G. MoAd Se eg gc Magen nel Jol dent baa issued.a circular to the nieraboey ot pie lation offering credentials to any Who desire to attend the National Convention as a delegate under the rule adopted of not Limiting the number trom each State. Adjatant H. A. McGlennor, of the Massachusetts Association, at Boston, states that Colonel Isaac Hull Wright, Lieutenaut F. Paige and himself will overt ian attend as from that in egates to the Notional Cor tiliam Linn, pt Vice Admiral Rowan, General H. Gates General J. Hobard Ward, Q Farnsworth, General Francis E, Pin lam Gary and I, D. Clark, The Maryland State Association, at Baltimore, om Friday night, elected the following delegates to the National Convention, : viz:—Oolonel J. HB. tua- oan Golons}, St. Losis Ramen L. F. Butler, Dr. HL '. Webster, Capt un Harcourt Oa} Wilttam Howard, ana panre: Colonel W. L. Schley, of the Baltimore Associa- ion near! strong, 3 of Baltimore and Wasinigton battaltol mares a battle o; Monterey September 21, 1848, and by Sergeant Joseph H. Files, who lost one arm while bearing, it in that memorapie battle. The delegation will be marshalled by John T. aren ee Chief 01 Police of Baltimore) and will arrive on the morning of the 16th, + Delegate Jonas J. Clark, representing. the Mis- souri State Association, has reported at headquar- ters of the Executive Committee, and delegate John F, Ray, from the Nevads Tre ported by leiter that he would arrive on the 10th, Colonel G. A. Porterfield, of Charlestown, W. Va.; Captaim John Avis, Captain @. Alburtis and Dr. Jobn H. Hunter will represent the veterans Of that place, and will arrive on the 14th. A letter from General Robert Patterson, Presi- dent of the Aztec Club, Philadelphia, announced that he would attend the Convention on the 16th, A communication from the Arkansas State Asso- ciation announced the appointment of the follow- ing delegates:—General Albert Pike, General R Hagan and Rev. W. ©. Hearn. Alter adjournment of the meeting at Washing- ton, on Saturday evening last, the Executive Com- mittee preparea the following PROGRAMME OP EXERCISES. First Day.—On the first day the National Gon- vention will assemble at Willard Hall, F street, between Fourteenth and Filteenth, Thi Morning, January 15, and at twelve o’olook M. the chairman of the Executive Committee of Langs a ments will cail the a be th tes sast ce ayer @ temporary presiden' i eppointed. Phe Convention will then roe - the business of effecting a permanent organisa- 100, SECOND DAay.—On the second aay the Convention Will be called to order at eleven o*clock A. M. 1, Overture by Marine Band. 5. Music. Ss rae gopaen Rilo of Arkansas. Tuiep Day.—The exercises of the third day will be determined by the Convention. ‘The committee appointed Colonel P. B, Allabach (and such aids as he may select, outside of the xXecutive Committee), to receive delegations at the railroad depots and. direct them to the head- fp of the Executive Committee (office of neral J. W. Denver, No. 1,116 BTM a) avenue, between Kleventh and Twelfth streets), where y Will ver their names, Members of the Executive Committee will be on duty every day until the Convention meets, at No. 1,115 Pennsylvania avenue. ART MATTERS. The Schenck Sale To-Day. ‘We are too thankful to anything which promises to lend interest to an art season more than usually dull not to welcome wish pleasure the announce- Taent made by Mr. Edward Schenck, of No. 60 Liberty street, of a sale which will be held to-day and to-morrow, at noon, at bis art galery. The second month of winter is nearly half over, and Still nothing has appeared which enables the sea- son to be called a success. Our dealers have been sitting with their hands before them, mourning over vanished winters when their rooms were crowded not only with pictures but with buyers, and the brisk bidaing gave to the soul of the auctioneer the necessary inspiration. Now those agreeable days are dead. The hour has come when blood is threatened because bread is refused, and when the manner in which poor artists contrive to live is more @ mystery tham ever. The Lesyitts are findingin solemn and protracted book sales that consolation which fate has denied them in the palettes ana canvases of their fellow mortals, and Mr. Somerville is subsisting purely upon the mem- ory of a well spent youth and anticipations of gratitade from the Artists’ Fund, Mr. Schenck has at last stepped out of a silence which had con- tinned too long, and has decorated his walis with @ couple of hundred oil paintings and water colors. American, Italian, Spanish, French and Belgian artists are represented in the collection, and some of the pictures are worthy of repeated study. Con- spicuous among them is a large of] painting which we noticed some months ago, and which was then in the possession of Mr. Avery, It is by Karel Ooms, a young Belgian artist, is called ‘Fiemish Pirates” and appeared in the Brussels exhibition of 1872, In the “History of epi t 8 by Meyer, the author, in relating the events of the year 1405, describes a company of Flemish pirates, who, by robbie and maltreating merchants visiting the Flemish coas: gia great injury to tte ES Ta (of Anew erD Li upon one of ny eas: ined episodes connected with these depredations that Karel Ooms has seized. The scene ts the st the actors are half-a-dozen of the family whom they hav ent Fy ‘ed and de- spoiled. The family consists of a father, son and daugnter. All are manacied, and tne skill of the artist is seen in the aramatic truth and vividuess with which he contrasts the emotions of this group with those of its captors, The aged father, sternly sorrowful, looks with the forced semblance of calmness upon the saturnine and ferocious glee of the biack-browed chief. The son of the agonized maiden, a8 ‘ough seeking ure e maiden, a8 thoi to read her fate in the passionave stare of sion which the leader of the band fixes upon her. ‘The attitude and expression of the girl, dazed with the horror of her situation, are cal keeping With these surroundings. te the principal figures, The others consist of mem- bers of the piratical troop, employed Oh aH chests and caskets that he around, and 4 the jewelry and rich stuffs, The picture ts too original in theme and too strong im treatment to be worthy of being allowed to make its wi from auction room to auction ie ought to pe securely nooked where is will meet with dignified ere be the princival teature to-morrow’s Among works that will be dis) of wis noon are several by Alired Wail, of Pitta! who seems to be an admirer of MoKntee, has imitated, or at least reproduced, some of that artist's peculiarities successfully. One of the best examples of this attempt is Mr. Wall’s “November Day,” and we are not surprised to learn that the s red pe reputation. Mr. 4, F ‘ait's “Stranger” will at once be We do not know that any one will be sorry for the Mr. Tait’s most recognition, since it is one of y eimele ee rig “Barly Se in the rondacks, wasse} fis) “‘Ohateaubriand Castle on the Normandy, doast” and Morston Ream’s “Flowers” are also among which ‘Will be sold to-day. A larger number ahs will come under the hammer orrow: . Bonfield, of Philadelphia, has @ poetic little ol! painting, called * Winter,” in which the weird loneliness ® solitary country Toad, with nightfall coming on, is very truthially ex- pressed. There &@ quie’ ht and = con- fall O/ hjs sunny serenity. ile Vernier's “Kin- yvirons Of Sevilie,” show! ] Me n with the prey tye: 8 broad full upon it, 1s frie ose face We renection of duel. own. ay Toe blab 1s & more roe Eee sees here. We few ne e » Schenck has other reserve interest! pa : ange