Savannah daily herald. (Savannah, Ga.) 1865-1866, February 10, 1865, Image 2

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'Jtamutk uly BY 8. W. MASON AND CO. SAVANNAH, FRIDAY, FEB. 10, 1805. FEDERAL ASTD REBEL FINANCE —THE DIFFERENCE. THE PRICE OF GCLD AT THE LATEST DATES. When the Steamer left New York, bringing intelligence up to the sth, Gold v liad, at the Evening Board of the 4th \ inst, touched 203 1-4, having opened at 20G. This is an advance over previous quotations (which -were 202, to 200 1-4) ".and has been unquestionably brought about by the desperate efforts of specul tors to sate themselves from the ruinous consequence, of fancy sales, made in hope of an advance, and also of a belief in the business world that the pending Peace negotiations will come to nothing. A well-grounded conviction penetrating Wall street, that Peace, or an Armistice, will follow the efforts of those who are now with the Rebel Commtssioners, en gaged in endeavoring to procure that most desirable consummation, would, in a single week, send specie down to its real .. and proper level, which is about 150. However, gold has been made so much an . article of speculation that many of the heaviest operator# among the financiers -of ’Change have bargains on their hands so r its delivering at future times at cer tain rates, and if the article fall below those rates, they will inevitably be ruined. Bo soon as these men get out of their “time bargain” scrape, they will - cease their Herculean efforts to keep up the price, and let the commodity find its v natural commercial level, like any and v every other article of commerce, so that, ■ whether the Peace Commissioners suc ceed or fail, the recent heavy fluctuations in the gold market, will, to % certain ex tent, frighten off speculation, and early advices, from the North will doubtless, in the absence of some new martial or po litical complication, show a return to the - .ieszner rate of 200, or even less. It is however, by no means unlikely that the Speculators will keep the quo tations up for perhaps two or three weeks yet, and it is perhaps even to be . expected that the very next news from the North may show a slight advance, but we risk our reputation as Prophets on the assertion that never again will any but a crazy man be tempted to buy •Gold at 2.25 or more in Greenbacks. In any event, the difference between our currency and the Rebel paper, as compared with the universal standard, Gold, is sufficiently encouraging. At last accounts from Jeffdom, the Richmond - papers announced, with much compla cency, as an encouraging symptom in their financial affairs, that gold is only 45 for I—that is, 45 dollars Rebel paper, for 1 gold doljar. Our greenback cur rency now stands at a trifle over 2 for 1, and is increasing in value every day. Open Afr Concerts. —The departure from the city of those military bands which used to give free concerts daily in the various Parks, has deprived our citi zens of the only public amusement left. Thesp concerts brought them together in masses, and gave them not only oppor tunities for social intercourse with each other, but afforded facilities for making acquaintance with the officers and sol di* rs and thereby overcoming to a great extent the barriers which ancieDt preju dicies and more recent education had ' built up b< t ween them. . Th re can be no question that the “con «ior •. t. sounds’’ discoursed during .-ftkii? w.v.'jy occupation of the city by our men, by the various Brigade and Regi mental Bands; did more to break down those prejudices and to soften and and wear away the not unnatural asper sities of feeling which tended to keep the citizens and soldiers apart, than could have been done in any other manner.— The entire stagnation in the way of pub lic entertainments has rendered every body eager for something in the amuse ment way. \Ye are then most heartily glad to hear that the afternoon concerts are to be resumed, the one second of the series being announced to take place to-morrow (Saturday Feb. 11th,) at 3 p. m.. in For syth Park. The performers are to be selected from the various bands now in and near the city, and the Orchestra now thus organized will literally a “Union” one, and will comprehend the very best musical talent to be found iu Savannah. Tnc music will be purely instrumental and selections will be so varied that no listener can fail to be pleased. The most perfect order will be preserved, and we sincerely hope, should the day be pleas ant, to see a fine array of tbe ladies of Savanaah, and that the “beauty” #f the town may have a full and complete rep resentation. These afternoon concerts should speedily become as popular as they are iu other cities, where on con cert days the Parks are invariably thronged with the most fashionable people of both sexes the city can show. General Molyneaux’ Band, under the leadership of Martin Freeberthyser (formerly one of the original Swiss Bell Ringers), will perform the following airs at Forsyth Park to-morrow afternoon at four o’clock; Fire Brigade Quickstep. Polka. coats. We May Be Happy Yet. Flctow. Storm Gallop. Bright Eyes. Departed Days. Goodwin Quickstep. Grand March. Donizetti. Bloomer Gallop. Mary of Argyle. Distin’s Quickstep. Coats. Star Spangled Banner. To conclude with Yankee Doodle. Startling Revelation in a Female Seminary.— The Springfield Republican tells the following story ; There was a startling development at Mount Holyoke Seminary not long since. One of the young ladies had just returned from a visit to the outside world, and soon after a vigilant teacher looked into her room and saw a gentleman's hat there. Another teacher also satisfied herself of the existence of the alarming object, and the pupil was forthwith sum moned to the hall of judgment. It was a most delicate subject of inquiry, and the point of attack w r as onty reached by gradual and zigzag approaches. The pupil, who manifested her depravity by hijlf-concealed merriment, and showed no disposition penitently to unbosom herself, was at last brought up with a plump question as to the hat in the room. There was a moment of painfully anxious suspense, followed by a sudden collapse, when the offender confessed that she had brought in one of her father's old hats to cut up for soies. She was pronounced excused, and there was great fun in the hails as the story circulated. Savannah, Feb; 9, ISGS. Editor Savannah Herald: Dear Sir: —Phase excuse my tres passing on your time and space, but I wish to return my sincere thanks to the Fire Department, soldiers and citizens, for the energy and perseverance which they displayed in their efforts to save my house from destruction by fire on the morning of the 6th inst. The firemen, in particular, arc deserving of all praise. Yours very respectfully, Mrs. Black. THE PEACE MOVEMENT. Sleeting of Pres. Lincoln and Sec. Seward with Lie Rebel Peace Commissioners. Speculations Concerning’ the movement. Tbe Reliel Press on the Subject. • LATER NEWS CONCERNING PEACE. Northern Dates to the sth. ARRIVAL OF THE STEAMER BES DE FORD. An Honorable Peace Attain able. Headquarters, Army of the Poto mac, Feb. 1, 1865. —The announcement that the rebel peace commissioners had arrived within our lines and had gone to Washington, although premature, was not without foundation in fact. On Sunday a flag of truce appeared on the line near the center, and, being answered, it was found to be a re'quest, in pursuance of an understanding with Mr. Blair and General Grant, lor per mission to the following named gentle men to pass to General Grant’s head quarters: Lieutenant Colonel Hatch, Assistant Adjutant General and Ex change Commissioner; Alexander H. Stephens, R. M. T. Hunter and John A. Campbell. Colanei Samuel Harriman, command ing the First brigade of the First divi sion of the Ninth corps, received the communication and forwarded it to the Headquarters. Owing to General Grant’s absence from City Point no reply could be sent immediately ; but the matter was referred to Washington, and, after sev eral communications had passed be tween our authorities and the commis sioners, the permission was granted, and a deputation, consisting of Col. Babcock, of General Grant’s staff; Colonel Harri man, Colonel Lydge, of General Parke’s staff, and Captain Brackett, of General Wilcox’s staff, were appointed to meet the gentlemen and escort them within our lines: The deputation reached the appointed place just before sunset yesterday, and were soon joined by Mr. Stephens and his companions; and, after a few min utes spent in the interchange of civili ties, the party came within our lines, at which moment the troops on both sides united in a simultaneous cheer, which seemed to give them greater confidence than they had before exhibited. They were escorted to the railroad In carriages, where a special train was in waiting to convey them to City Point.— A large crowd of soldiers was here as sembled, anxious to get a glimpse of the strangers; and, when the train started, loud cheers again greeted them. On ar riving at City Point they were taken t 6 General Grant’s headquarters, where they spent the night. Messrs. Stephens and Campbell looked much emaciated and careworn, but Mr. Hunter appeared to be hale and hearty, as did Cel. Hatch. The latter* conducted the negotiations in his usual and happy. manner. The only allusion made to our diffi culties was the hope expressed by Mr. Stephens to Col. Harriman, on bidding him good bye, that they would soon meet under happier auspices. Fortress Monroe, Feb. 2.—Messrs. Alexander H. Stephens, R. M. T. Hun ter and Judge Campbell, and other rebel peace commissioners, arrived here this afternoon, from City Point, in Lieutenant General Grant's special despatch steamer, the Mary Martin. Secretary Seward was on board the River Queen, waiting to re ceive them. Immediately upon the ar rival of the commissioners both steamers proceeded to an anchorage in the stream side by side. At this writing a quarter past five o’clock, as the Louisiana leaves for Baltimore, the steamers are still out in the stream. Feb. 3.—The climax in the peace negotiations are at hand Davishas made a temporary affiance with General Lee, but fears that the fight upon him (Davis) at Richmond will soon force Lee to break loose He is, therefore, determined to agree upon terms at once to save himself. The President stated before he left, yesterday, that there was more signifi cance In his meeting the rebel commis sioners on the James river than if they were coming here. Terms are at hand. lou need not be surprised to hear of Davis, Lee, Lincoln, Seward and Grant being closeted together within the next five days. Only one member of the Cabinet has been consulted—Mr. Seward. [From the N. Y. Herald, Feb. 3 ] An important and significant move ment in the pending peace negotiations was made yesterday. President Lin coln following Secretary Seward to For tress Monroe, for the purpose of meeting the rebel commissioners, Messrs. Ste phens, Hunter and Campbell. The President left Washington at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and proceeding to Annapolis, there took steamer lor the fortress, where it was expected he would arrive at one o’clock this morn ing. One explanation given for this sudden and unexpected departure is* that Mr. Bair had promised in Rich mond that :f commissioners were sent from there they should have an inter view with the President. But, as it was. not deemed best to have these gentle men come :o Washington just now, the only way to fulfil the promise was in Mr. Lincoln going to meet them. When Messrs. Stephens, Hunter and Campbell passed through Gen. Grant’s lines on last Tuesday evening the national and rebel troops in the vicinity • simultaneously joined in enthusiastic cheers ; and then, again, whie awaiting at General Grant’s military railroad for the train to convey them to City Point, the rebel peace agents were loudly cheered by the Union soldiers. They spent Tuesday night at General Grant 's headquarters, and on the next day left for Fortress Monroe, where no loubt ere this they have met the President of the United States. In the rebel House of Representatives on last Monday a resolution saying that the time may not be far distant when, with the independence of the “Confederate States” acknowledged,- they will unite with the United States for the vindica tion of the Monroe doctrine, was intro duced and unanimously referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee. The constitutional amendment for the abolition and prohibition ot slavery throughout the country has been re ceived by the people with enthusiasm, and is being acted upon by the Legisla tures of some of the States with promp ness. Already it has been fully ratified by the Legislatures of Illinois, Michi gan and Rhode Island, and by one house in that of Maryland, while in those of New York, Massachusetts and other States the ratification measures have been introduced. In a speech which President Lincoln made on Wednesday night, in response to a serenade in honor of the success of the amendment in the House of Representatives, he said that while some might entertain doubts about the legal validity of the abolition of slavery by his proclamations, none could cavil when it was decreed by the concurrence of three-fourths of the States in the Resolution adopted by Con gress. In Massachusetts yesterday the people manifested their enthusiasm by the ringing of bells and firing of salutes throughout the State. In the West Vir ginia House of Delegates on Monday last the bill to abolish slavery in that State was ordered to its third reading. Burley, the alleged Lake Erie raider, was delivered up to the United States officers by the Canadian authorities early yesterday t morning at Suspension Bridge, near Niagara Falls, in this State. The Alien bill, which has passed the lower house ot tne Canadian Parliament by the almost unanimous Vote of one hundred and four to four, is designed to prevent rebel raids trorn Canada into the United States. A synopsis of it was published in yesterday's Herald. It con fers great power on the Governor Gen eral in the matters to which it has- ref erence, and its enforcement will proba