Newspaper Page Text
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SATURDAY, JAN. a!
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The Veto —Opinion* of the Press.
Ws copy the remarks of several of the Georgia
papers on Gov. Baowx's veto, ami shall continue
to do so to the extent that the articles comment on
the merit* of the question, and the facts involved
in the discussion. Vituperation and abnse of the
Governor we shall not copy, because such lan
gnage contains no argument, and conveys no in
formation. On the contrary, the effect is only to
excite personal prejudices and the passions of par
tisans, all of which is unfriendly to a correct judg
ment of the merits of the questions involved.
For this reason, we have omitted the first portion
of the editorial of the Savannah Republican, wt-ich
is violently denunciatory. We publish so much of
it, however, ss is an answer to some of the as
sumptions and positions of the veto, for these it is
legitimate to discuss, and upon them the people
light. This can best be given by avoiding
the ascription of unworthy motives to the Govern
or, and meeting him on the plain issues of fact
which he has made with the legislature.
Time, with its unerring voice, must shortly pro
nounce on those issues. The events of the next
few months will decide how far the apeoulations
and deductions of the Governor can be sustained
by the practical results. The dismal train of evils
he foreshadows, as likely to grow out of the provi
sions of the bank act, must either soon be upon us,
or prove to be figments of a heated imagination.
Thus far the people are happily incredulous of
such disasters, snd are indulging the belief that
the financial storm which has swept with such
destructive force over a large portion of Christen
dom will have some of its severity mitigated by
the prudent policy of their legislature in passing
this bank act—an act for the mutual relief of the
people and the banks.
A great social and moral responsibility now de
volves on the banks of Georgia. It is in their
power, hy a policy at once prudent and liberal, to
realize the just expectations of a people, who,
through their representatives, have extended to
them a generous confidence. They may err alike by
an unreasoning timidity, or by aselfish and narrow
policy to continue and even aggravate the pressure
•rising from the depressed state of the produce
markets and the unwillingness of the farmers and
planters to part with the products of their industry.
They may even give strength and plausibility to the
invectives of the Governor as to their motives and
eonduct, and turn the tide of popular sympathy all
in the direction of their enemies and denouncers.
On the other hand, it is in their power by a wild and
reckless course of inflation to give temporary relief
and win popularity, at the hazard of safety to them
selves, or to the increase of the difficulties now
surrounding a resumption. The just mean lies be
tween these extremes, and it is quite possible for
the banks at every step to afford reasonable accom
modations and facilities to every branch of indus
try and at the same time fortify themselves for the
fulfilment of all their obligations.
Got. Brotvu and Bank Agencies,
A correspondent of the Savannah Republican
corrects a statement of the editor of that paper, in
relation to the nature of the bill prohibiting
foreign bank agencies in this State, and which
was vetoed by Governor Brow*. The editor
states that he was “led into the error by a report
from Milledgeville, that had the appearance of
credibility.”
The following is the note of the correspondent
referred to:
Rear Sir: You did Gov. Brown injustice in say
ing he had vetoed a bill preventing bills of foreign
banks being circulated for lece than
,iollar*. No such legislature.
He vetoed a bi t,
agencies. This act on
the buck of every paid
nam- and place ijm n II required
him to n deeui tlr
and in case he diVQHWoe was made guilty
of “larceny after true 7 .'delegated ” and had to suf
fer the penalty for such ail offence. The act was
as severe as it could be, and of course was intend
ed for no other purpose than to drive all topi an
agencies from our Stale. % different
bUi\t the one you stated was passed.
Yours, Ac., T.
I3TA reoeut act of the legislature of this State
increases the salaries of the Governor, aud the
Judges of the Supreme and Superior Courts. It
raises the salary of the Governor to lour thousand
dollars; Judges of the Supreme Court three thous
and five hundred dollars each; Judges of the Su
perior Court two thousand five hundred dollars.
GT Some of our exchange papers publish a tel
egraph dispatch from St. Louis announcing that
Mr. Ex-Secretary Stanton will be run as the free
soil candidate for Governor of Kausas.
er The Philadelphia Pennsylvanian published
a list of forty Democratic papers in Pennsylvania
which sustain Mr. Buchanan’s Kansas policy, or
in other words, the Lecoinpton Constitution. That
paper says: “ The truth is, that of the Democratic
journals in Pennsylvania, an overwhelming major
ity sustain the views of the Kansas question pre
sented by Mr. Buchanan, and disapprove of the
hasty and unculled for demonstration of Senator
Douglas and the few Democrats who have follow
ed his lead.”
Suicide in Hollt Springs. —Mr. E. Exux, of
Yazoo county, Mississippi, committed suicide at
the Marshall House, in Holly Springs, on Sunday
morning last, about ten o’clock, by shooting him
■elf in the head with a pistol. He expired almost
instantly. It is surmised that embarrassment of a
pecuniary nature led to the commission of the rash
act. _
Hon. F. W. Pickens. —The Wasington corres
pondent of the New York limes says that Hon.
Fskncis W. Picked, of South Carolina, has been
nominated to the Senate for the mission at St.
Petersburgh, and not Mr. Buchanan, of Maryland
as rumored.
The magnetic telegraph is being rapidly ex
tended northward towards Shasta, Weaverville,
and Yreka, in California, and it is more than prob
able that before a year rolls round, San Francis
co will be in instantaneous communication with
the capital of Oregon.
De. Besnhisbl. —The Mormon delegate in Con
gress, Dr. Bbrnhisel, the question of whose ex
communication is agitating that pure and patriotic
conclave, is described as a little old mao, with a
bald head, spectacles, aud so near-sighted that
when he writes, he is obliged to bend very low
npon his desk, and almost touch bis gaper with
bis nose. It is not known of how many wives Dr.
Bebnhisbl is proprietor, but the members of Con
gress seem very envious of the old fellow.
Gov. "Walker. —The Washington correspondent
of the New York TribuM, who is very likely in the
confidence of bis ex-excellency, says that Governor
Walker intends to take the stump against the
Administration in the South, and that he has let
ters approving his course from leading Democrats
of Maryland aud Texas.
Latest vrom the Seminole War.— -The Tampa
Peninsular of the lath contains particulars of
another engagement between the Indians and a
detachment of Volunteers under Capt. Stephens,
in which five warriors were killed, with a loss of but
one man of Capt. S.’s command. The tight oc
curred at an Indian town about thirty miles from
Camp Rogers, on the 3d iast. Notwithstanding
the reports of the extremely reduced □ umbers of
the Seminoles, Capt. Stephens is of the opinion
that there are still five hundred warriors left, and
that they can collect a force of two hundred in
twelve hoars’ notice.
Commercial Intercourse with Japan.
Some of the correspondents from Washington
intimate that the authorities of Japan are not in
disposed to slightly extend our commercial inter
course with them. Commodore Perry negotiated
a treaty with Japan, a few years ago, which prac
tically amounted to nothing, or in other words,
afforded no commercial privileges, and we think
it not unlikely that any further attempt to nego
tiate with that isolated government will be fruit
less.
The Dutch have for many years enjoyed rather
a restricted trade with Japan, but it is carried on
with such slavish subservience,Jgi the government
and customs of that idolatrous people, that the
Japanese regard all “outsiders” as contemptible
specimens of humanity, and unworthy of confi
dence and respect The people of Japan have
formed that opinion of all the people of the earth
from the conduct of the Dutch, who are so obse
quious to them iu order to enjoy a monopoly of
their trade.
The latest news we have received from that re
gion is embodied in the following, which we clip
from one of our northern exchanges :
“ Captain Hosmer, of the bark Messenger Bird,
which had arrived at Honolulu from Hakodadi, re
ports the Japanese quite friendly, but they had
nothing to trade. Fresh beef even could not be
got, as their religien forbids the slaughter of cat
tle. Fruits and vegetables were obtained in
plenty.”
Something over two years ago, an American
schooner arrived at Simoda, a port of Japan, with
an assorted cargo of American goods, which the
captain was anxious to exchange for commodities
of Japanese manufacture. Trade at that port was
refused; but the schooner was permitted to obtain
a supply of water, a few cords of wood, and such
provisions as “ beans, turnips, scallions,” Ac. No
other trade was permitted, “under penalty of death
to the offenders.”
With such prejudices against commercial inter
course with Christian nations, as exists in Japan,
we have very little faith in the speculations of
Washington correspondents, or the probabilities of
any improved commercial intercourse with Japan.
Another Decline in Cotton.
The Niagara’s news, which we publish this
morning, announces another heavy decline in cot
ton in the Liverpool market.
It is time for the people of the South to stand
up and refuse to sell their cotton, and let (he news
be rung in the ears of foreign agents in this coun
try and conveyed to the manufacturing districts
of all Europe that the cotton planters and cotton
dealers have contributed their full *hare to the we
storatiou of trade and confidence.
It is time, we repeat, for the people of the South
to stand up. We have daily evidences that the
crop that will be brought to market will not exceed
two million five hundred thousand bales. Why
push cotton on the market now ?
If the people will withdraw their cotton from
market, present prices will be maintained, and
perhaps materially improved; but if they crowd
their cottons on the market, prices will inevitably
rule lower.
It is understood that the banks of Rhode
Island will commence redeeming their bills at the
Suffolk bank, Boston, about the 11th of January.
Dispatches to the New York papers say that
eight hundred men sailed from Texas for Nicara
gua on the 26th.
The Minnesota Fur Trade.— Furs to the amount
of one hundred and eighty thousand dollars have
been exported from Minnesota during the past
year, being an increase of three thousand dol
lars over the export of 1856. The fur trade is an
item of considerable importance to the Territory,
and is constantly increasing.
Madame Lind Goldschmidt is, it is said, about
to give, with the assistance of her husband, a
grand concert, in aid of the funds for Lh« erection
of a monument to Handell, in the town of lialle,
Th» Mretlboot known to be extant is an edi
tion of the Psalms in Latin. It was printed by
Facst and Schaeeer, in 1457, and is now four
hundred years old.
The heart of almost everybody is like the Irish
man's violin; " there’s music in the thing, if one
only knows how to get it out.”
Ex-President Pierce.— Ex-Presideut Pierce
and wife will become the guests of the Consul at
Madeira, John Howard Marsh, who is a native of
New Hampshire. The commander of the Fow
battan, Captain Pearson, is a New Hampshire
gentleman, as is also the chaplain, Rev. Mr.
Wood. _
Death or a Physician. — Dr. Francis S. Com
pos, an old and worthy citizen of Norfolk, died on
the 19th instant. He was a native of Portugal,
but resided in Norfolk since 1817. During the
pestilence of 1855, he labored with untiring zeal
aud much efficiency among the sick and dying,
and contributed to the relief of many Bufferers in
that awful period.
The Corn Rotting at the West. —The Missouri
Democrat has news from Ohio, Indiana and Ken
tucky that the corn is rotting to a disastrous ex
tent, both that which is on the stalks and in the
cribs. This, says the Democrat, is a matter of
grave importance.
Increasing his Felicities Brigham Young
has increased his harem of seventy-five white wives,
by adding to it fifteen young and lovely Indian
squaws.
Naval. —The United States frigate Mississippi,
Captain Nicholson, arrived at Capetown (Cape of
Good Hope) October 21st, in eleven days from SL
Helena, en route for Hong Kong. She made an
average speed of eight and nine knots during the
passage.
The Governor’s Veto.
This able and souod document, from its length
and the lateness of the hour which we receivea it,
has been unavoidably crowded out of our issue to
day. The Governor applies, with no gentle hand,
the scalpel of argument and the overpowering
weight of common sense reasoning to the flimsy
sophistry with which the banks have sought to
support a bill legalizing their suspensions. He
has torn away the veil of complicated statistics
and groundless supposition in which they have
draped themselves, ancßexposed them in all their
naked deformity of shaving shops and swindling
machines, asking for new privileges by which to
grind and defraud the public. His arguments are
unanswerable, and will have such convincing pow
er with the people that few, if any, of the mem
bers who voted for the passage of the bill over the
veto, will be returned to the legislature at the next
election. We are convinced that the culminating
point of the crisis has not been reached, and that
when the period of suspension has expired, then
will the people begin to experience some of the
evils of the present loose banking system of
Georgia.
We are proud, however, of one thing, and that
is, that the able Senator and Representatives of
Coweta firmly Btood by the Governor until the last;
for we regard their conduct as Dot only endorsing
the arguments of the Governor, but also the morale
of his veto message.— Nercu&n Blade, Jan. 1.
New Yore, Dec. 28.— The dispatch forwarded
last night contained the substance of the news from
Nicaragua. Geo. Walker appears in good spirits.
On bis arrival here, he repaired to tbo residence of
Gen. Henningßen, where he speßt the night. It is
reported -that he will proceed to Washington, m
charge of Captain Engle, bearer of dispatches.
The latest advices from Fort CastHlo state that
Col. Anderson is in treaty with Gen. Quaresma,
commandant of Fort Sen Carlos, to join forces for
the capture *ol the steamer San Carlos from the
Costa Rioans.
Col. Anderson had no idea of aurrending.
BY TELEGRAPH,
ARRIVAL
OF THE steamer
NIAGARA.
LATER FROM EUROPE.
Cotton Inclined 2*d. Daring tlie Week.
SALES 28,000 MALES.
Halifax, Jan. 2.—The British and North Amer
ican Royal Mail steamship Niagara, Captain J. G. *
Wiceman, has arrived with Liverpool dates to Sat
urday, Dec. 19th.
Commercial.
Liverpool Cotton Market, Dec. Ilf.—The sales for
the week reach 28,000 bales, and the market closed
at a decline of }{d. on all qualities. Holders are
pressing their stocks on the market.
Liverpool Mreadstujfs Market.— l qualities of
breadstuffs are quiet.
London Money Market. Money i»#lightly easier
and consols quoted at 92)^.
[second dispatch.} a
General NewZ
The political intelligence by this arrival is unin
teresting.
No later news had been received from India.
The Bank of France has reduced its rates of dis
count to six per cent.
The commercial crisis in the North of Europe,
still continues very severe.
In Hamburg, monetary matters are improving.
The house of Powbll a Son, in dkmdon, has
failed for a large amount.
Financial difficulties are occuring among the
woollen manufacturers.
Cueesbrocgh a Sons, of Warwick, England, hare
failed; aud other failures are reported-
There had been further but ineffectual efforts
made to launch the great Leviathan.
The American companies had abflkdoned the
attempt to raise the Russian ships at Sebastopol.
In London, the discount houses were easier.
Applications for discounts at the Bank of Eng
land were light.
Additional Commercial.
Liverpool, Dec. 19.—The cotton market closed
with a declining tendency. All quality had con
siderably declined, and new crop cottons were
fully lower.
Richardson & Spence quote southern flour 255.
a 2ts., and Ohio 275. a 28s.
Wheat firm and advancing chiefly ozrthe better
grades. Corn firm. Sugar heavy and declined
6d. to Is. Rice quiet and heavy. Rosin dull at Ss.
lOd. a 4s. Turpentine firm at 80s. a 3l».
Cotton Market.— Sales on Friday 5,000 bales, of
which speculators and exporters took 1,600 bales.
The market closed quiet, but with rather a better
demand.
The stock of cotton, at the end of the week, was
357,000 bales, of which 185,000 are American.
Manchester Trade. —Trade in the manufacturing
districts is unfavorable, and manufactured goods
had considerably declined.
Havre Market. —Orleans tree ordinaire quoted at
95 franca.
Democratic Meeting in Philadephia.
One of the largest and most enthusiastic meet
ings of the Democratic party, ever held in Phila
delphia, took place on Monday evening, December
26 th.
The meeting was called to endorse the message
of President Buchanan ; especially that part of it
recommending the speedy admission of Kansas as
a Slate, under a Constitution framed in pursuance
of lawful authority.
Ex-Uhiet Justice Ellis Lewis was seized as
President, assisted by one hundred and thirty-four
Vice-Presidents, and twenty-six Secretaries.
All the speeches on that occasion, and tM%nso.
Intions adopted, have the genuine views of true
i&pwcratio sentiment. From the resolutions we
extract the following :
lies deed. That while we recognise in the fullest
extent the right of the people of a Territory, when
duly qualified, to make a Constitution, to submit
it to a vote of the people, yet the people of Kansas,
not having aeeu fit so to submit the whole Consti
tution, but having submitted the only question about
which there has been piactic&Uv any division of
sentiment, we hold it to be the duty of all conserv
ative men to attend the polls and vote for or against
slavery, and nothing but a spirit of disorganization
and rebellion can encourage them in doing other
wise. Aud above all do we desire to urge upon all
good members of Uie Democratic party the neces
sity of preserving among themselves the kindest
feelings upon this subject, and especially that they
will not permit the efforts of our common enemy,
(no matter from whom they receive aid and com
fort.) to succeed in stirring up animosities upon
question, which, by the fixed purpose of the Ad
ministration, will soon be of no real practical im
portance to those outside of the Territory.
Many letters were read from distinguished Dem
ocrats, but we have room ouly for the following,
from the Hod. Howell Cubb :
LETTER FROM THE HON. HOWELL COBB.
Washington City, Dec. 26th, 1857.
Gentlemen .*—l regret that it will not be in my
power to be present at your proposed meeting on
Monday next. It would give me sincere pleasure
to unite with you in endorsing the message of the
President, and “especially that part of it recom
mending the speedy admission of Kansas as a
State, under a Constitution formed in pursuance of
lawful authority.’' You have rightly construed the
message. The policy of the administration in re
gard to Kansas, is the legitimate result of the prin
ciples upon which Mr. Buchanan was elecoed. In
recognizing the legality of the Lecompton Con
vention, and recommending the admission of Kan
sas as a State into the Union, in conformity to the
action of that Convention, the President has given
to the country the assurance of his wise and fixed
purpose to carry out in good faith the great princi
ple incorporated into the Kansas bill of allowing
the people of Kansas to decide the question of
slavery tor themselves and in their own way. He
has carefully abstained from the exercise of any
influence either directly or indirectly to make Kan
sas a free or a slave State: his whole policy has
been characterised with an earnest desire to leave
the people thereof “ perfectly free to form their
own domestic institutions in their own way.” You
meet to respond to and endorse this policy, and in
so doing, you only reiterate the principles of the
Democratic party, as contained in the Nebraska-
Kansas bill, affirmed in the Cincinnati platform,
ind every where maintained by the Democracy of
the Union.’'
Kansas has been the fruitful source of exciting
issues. Political parties and public men have fall
en in the contest. They were found unequal to
the occasion, and have passed away to make room
for other organizations and other men. The Dem
ocratic party alone has stood firm and unharmed
amidst the general wreck. The reason is as sim
ple as it is suggestive. In the first hour of the
contest we announced the principles upon which
our party stood, and adhering to them in every
phase of the question, our progress has been as
steady as our ultimate triumph was certain. The
disturbing cause was the question of slavery in
Kansas. Apart from this, there was no difficulty
and no excitement. The principle adopted by the
Democratic party was to let the people of Kansas
decide it for themselves and in their own war.
Tbis course was so manifestly just and right that
it commanded the confidence of the country, and
Mr. Buchanan was elected to the Presidency to
carry it out in good faith. Among the many issues
made by the opposition was the question—“how
is the will of the majority in Kansas to be ascer
tained?” The position of the Democratic party
has been from the beginning, that Unpeople of
Kansas most make known their will in the mode
and manner prescribed by law. How else could
it be ascertained ? The argument was irresistible,
and the opposition vainly struggled to excite the
public mind of the country against a principle so
, clear, and mdeed so essential to the very existence
of government. The Democratic party recognised
the legality of the Territorial Legislature in Kan
sas. The opposition declared against it on the
ground that it violated “the will of the majority.”
1 The issue was made before the country, and the
, people decided in the election of Mr. Buchanan in
favor of the Democratic party and the law. At
every stage of the Kansas question this issue Ins
arrived, and just as often as it has been presented,
has the Democratic party taken its position on the
side of the law. Upon this rock it has placed it
self, and all the storms of Black Republicanism
have failed to prevail against it.
The Abolitionists of Kansas endeavored to justi
fy their rebellion by a false appeal to a great prin
ciple, which they vainly sought to prostitute to
their unholy purposes. Their contempt for the
will of the majority was only equalled by their
disregard of the law. With all their professions
on this subject, they now refuse to vote when the
opportunity is fullv and fairly presented of ascer
taining the real w’ill of the majority, in accordance
with the provisions of law. No settlement of the
ques ion is acceptable to them unless it is made in
defiance of law, and at the cost of anarchy and
bloodshed. The pretext has been spurned when
resorted to by them, ami it certainly derives no
additional strength from the fact that it has found
new advocates and defenders.
The Territorial legislature of Kansas thus re
cognised by the Democratic party, submitted to
the people the question, shall there be a convention
to form a State Constitution ? The people at the
polls decided that such a convention should be
called. In conformity to their decision the legis
lature called the convention, and the delegates
were elected in accordance with provisions of
law—the opposition declaring at eacn step, that
“the will or the majority was disregarded,” and
the Democratic party adhering finalv to its first
impregnable position of standing by the law. The
Lecompton convention has adopted a Constitution
and submitted to a vote of the people the slavery
clause.
The opposition renew the old clamor about “the
will of the majority,” which is again responded to
by the Democratic party, by holding up the Con
stitution and the law. Whatever there may have
been in this pretext heretofore, the action of the
Lecompton Constitution in submiting the slavery
question to a vote of all the bona of
the Territory, has swept from the opposition the
last vestige for complaint. This opportunity was
presented on the 21st inst., to all the bona fide in
habitants of Kansas, of declaring for themselnes
whether Kansas should be a free or Slave State. If
the Black Republicans of Kansas refuse to vote,
and seek by all tbe means in their power to pre
vent others from voting, in order to keep up the
scenes of violence and bloodshed which have so
long destroyed the peace and quiet of that Terri
tory, it constitutes no good reason why the Demo
cratic party should abandon its principles and unite
with its enemies in disregarding the law. The
law-abiding citizens of Kansas desire to make
known their will in the mode prescribed by the
laws of the country. Those who trample upon the
law and spurn its obligations, do not deserve
either to bencard or respected.
This brief review of ine Kansas question, shows
that we are meeting an old issue, though to some
exient in new hands. It has boen successfully met
heretofore by the Democratic party. Adhering to
our principles, we shall be able to meet it again.
Our past triumphs leave no doubt of future results.
Tbe faithful maintenance of our principles is the
great element of Democratic strength. As it has
marked cur history in the past, so it will in the
future. * |
So far as the question of slavery in Kansas is
concerned, I have shown that the policy of the
Democratic party has been to recognize the law,
and to carry out the will of the people as made
known in the manner prescribed by law. The ad
mission of Kansas as a State refers the whole ques
tion to its citizens for their final decision, as it has
been referred to the people of every other State in
the Union. The opposition to this policy finds its
main element of strength in the desire of our op
fionents to keep up the excitement (which has so
ong distracted the country. The real issue is
between peace and quite on the one hand, aud ex
citement, turmoil and bloodshed ou the other.
The decision of the people upon such an issue
cannot be a matter of doubt. Every good citizen is
willing that Kansas shall be a free or slave State,
just as her people may prefer, and her admission as
a State in conformity to the action of the Lecomp
ton Convention will ensure *hat result. This being
done, peace restored inKansas, and quiet in
the balance of the country, and the Domocratic
party will have the gratification of knowing that
it has all been accomplished through its own fair,
just and Constitutional principles.
I am very respectfully yours,
nowEL Cobb.
To Messrs. Plitt, Witte, and others.
From Correspondence of the Charleston Courier .
. Washington, Dec. 29.
The fillibusterlquestion is before the Cabinet,
and is likely to embarrass them very umejk Some
of tap «Mqplws are believed to be hostile- to an 7
strong and decided measures for sustaining the
President’s avowed policy on the subject. All the
members of the Administration unite in censuring
and denouncing the act of Commodore Paulding
in sending home Walker and his party. It is not
pretended that Com. Paulding had any other in
structions than to intercept Walker on the sea and
to preveut the luuding of his reinforcements.
Messrs. Brown, Thompson and Cobb are said to
disapprove even of these instructions.
I learn that Capt. Engle explains that the orders
were considered sufficient to justify the Commo
dore in breaking up Walker’s expedition, even af
ter ho had landed. Walker occupied a small
poiut of laud, whence he was to move for the pur
pose of invading the territory of States with which
we were at peace, contrary to the neutrality laws,
which the navy was to enforce. This will, no
doubt, be the explanation on the part of Com.
Paulding.
It appears certain that Com. Paulding has ex
ceeded his instructions, and it is probalde that he
may be reprimanded for it. Com. Porter was
brought to trial and suspended for his expedition
against the pirates of Foxhardo, though he was in
hot pursuit of pirates, and had been sent out to
brealc up their nests.
It is not supposed that the affuir will lead to the
abrogation or modification of the neutrality laws,
as will be proposed by Gen. Quitman, of Missis
sippi- That measure is not likely to prevail. But
still much fault may be found with the course of
the Administration on the subject.
Walker assumes that he lias violated no neu
trality or other law of the Uiited States in his re
turn to Nicaragua, of which State he is a citizen,
and of which he desires to be the legal Executive.
He demands redress and indemnity from the Gov
ernment.
He is of course loath to be tried upon the charge
of a breach of the neutrality laws. Instructions
are yet to be given, however, to any U. S. Attor
ney for his prosecution under the law.
The Kansas Lecompton Constitution, with the
slavery article, has been adopted bv a majority of
the voters, at the polls, on the 21st Dec. This
plays into the hands of Douglas, and embarrasses
the President. The southern men will insist that
their northern Democratic associates shall toe the
mark or break up the party. The South will lis
ten to no compromise of tbe matter. The north
ern Democrats must follow either the President or
Senator Douglas. LlO.
The Treaty Ratified.—This morning’s mail
brought us private advices fully confirming all
the particulars of the important information from
that country, which we clip from the New York
Express of yesterday; prefering to republished it
as thus condensed, to occupying our crowded col
umns with the letters in extenso from our own
correspondents;
“The new Constitutional President of Nicara
gua, General Don Tomas Martinez, on the 16th of
November, issued new credentials, with full pow
er to Don Antonio Tore de Irisarri, the Envoy Ex
traordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Guate
mala, Salvador and Nicragua to the United States,
vesting him with equally full power to treat with
the other nations who are represented in Wash
ington by their respective Ministers.
“ Mr. Irisarri has been thoroughly sustained in
everything by* the people, notwithstanding the
insidious letter of Goicouria.”
We have received the Gacetade Nicaragua (the
official paper of the Nicaraguan Government) pub
lishedfat Managua, the seat of Government, with
dates of 14th November. 1857.
It contains the official notice of the meeting of
the Assembles Constituent©, the Constituent As
sembly, or Congress, on the Bth of November; the
discourse or address was pronounced by the Dep
uty President of the Congress at the opening of
the sessios of that body, and the message of Don
Gregorio Juarez and Rosalio Cortez, who were en
trusted with the duties of the Presidency while
the duly elected President, General Don Tomas
Martinez, was engaged in directing active milita
ry (operations against the invasion of Costa Rica.
The Gaceta also contains a decree of Congress
dated the 11th of November, 1857, declaring Gen
eral Don Tomas Martinez to have been duly
elected President of the Republic by the votes of
the people.
Under the head of “ At the Last Moment,” the
Gaceta publishes the following:
“ The Constituent Assembly of the Republic has
iust ratified, in all its parts, the convention made
by Don Antonio J. de Irisarri with Mr. Btebbins,
President of tbe American Atlantic and Pacific
Ship Canal Company.”— Baltimore Sun, Dec . 81.
,4. ‘
From the Alta Calfornian, Dec. ■■th.
Influence ot California on Trade and Fi
nance m the Eastern States.
One of the heaviest shipments ot gold dust and
specie ever leaving California went forward yester
day m the John L. Hyphen*. Tbe enormous sum
of two million seven hundred and nine thousand
nine hundred and thirty-eight dollars and sixty
coots is soon,to pour into the distressed avenues of
trade and finance, and proclaim to the world the
continued productiveness of our gold mines.
There is a volume o? significance in this. It
shows that the importance of California in tbe
commercial world is beginning to bo recognized ;
that the weight in the great bullion balance,
wherein all things financial are weighed, is being
estimated at its true value. It has hitherto been
the pleasured our sister States to consider us
rather as a colony of New York, from which to
draw revenue, pretty much as Earl Hillsborough
determined to support England’s ambition by tax
ing the American provinces. They are now find
ing that the community which they hare so long
chosen to regard as only their provincial workshop,
or manufactory of gold, from which to obtain the
means of indulging in luxurious habits and mad
speculations, is their mam dependence from
swamping in the waves which have closed over
so many financial wrecks. In the countless arti
cles on the “ monetary panic” flooding tbe Atlan
tic press, we find California, with her golden
treasures always made the saving clause. Politi
cal economists, after learnedly enumerating the
causes of the present disasters, and speculating
upon the probable results, turn hopefully to Cali
fornia, and take courage in the prospect of the re
lief certain to arrive.
It is a little singular, to say the least, that to
California and her gold should be attributed the
unexampled prosperity, and the succeeding calami
ties of the eastern States; and, finally, that from
the same source should issue the remedy. This,
however, is to a great extent the case. ‘Previous
to the iuflux of our gold, tbe reign of dissipation,
which has prostrated the principal Atlantic cities
had not commenced. Tne country had not yet
aroused itself entirely from the lethargy produced
by the revulsion of 1837, and the bankrupt laws
of 1841. Merchants remembered that dismal
epoch, and were rather disposed to dread its oc
currence than to tempt fate by renewing its causes.
So matters moved along, soberly and steadily, un
til the Mexican war, ana the consequent California
excitement. Then commenced an era of wild and
baseless speculations, social extravagancies and a
frantic haste to get suddenly rich, such as this
country has never before witnessed.
The flood of gold poured into the lap of the At
lantic States. Prices of goods, rents, hotel rates,
public amusements, salaries, wages, and dress
were soon enhauced two hundred per cent, above
the old fashioned prices. A multitude of banks,
and stock and railroad companies, and western
land associations, sprung like mushrooms into
life, aad imbued the whole people of the Atlantic
States with a rage for speculation. Bauk issues
founded upon nothing, and amounting iu the ag
gregate to hundreds of millions, spread over the
country and gave the semblance of general pros
perity and thrift. Credit was unbounded, and the*
more distant the pay-day, the better. All this f alse
svstem of business, the* marble palaces and splen
did mercantile blocks of Fifth Avenue and Broad
way, tbe costly equipages and expensive habits
which tempted the clerk to live beyond his salary,
and the poor working girl to expend her weekly
gains in high-priced finery—all may be traced to
the influence of California gold. Gradually the
insanity of speculation overdid itself, and the con
sequence of rash ventures of great ship loads of
goods to this country began to Be felt in ike failure
and loss of credit of houses known to be engaged
in tbe California trade. The mania for choking
our markets with goods was carried to such an
extent that two ships would sailfrom adjacent ports
loaded with precisely the sime cargoes—rival
houses, emulated and guided bv each other’s folly,
hoping to hit the market, w’hicb both doubted ot
findiug. but of which each supposed the other fully
satisfied.
Soon the natural result began to manifest itself.
The vast issues of paper money began to react
upon the bunks. Sudden contraction, uod conse
quent failures ensued, and failures led to the inev
itable panic and run upon the banks At once ap
peared the pernicious working of the present bank
ing system; in the very hour when their loans
were necessary to save their customers from ruin,
they were compelled to maintaiu a death struggle
to preserve their own existence. The crisis came,
and the great financial fabric, over-grown, top
heavy, and quaking under its own freight, was
swept away in the revulsion of 1857. But Califor
nia, despite the confident cnoakings of her detract
ors, still remains and yields her annual ninety mil
lion dollars. We have comparatively escaped the
flood which has devastated the East, and now are
enacting the third phase in this singular history—
that of contributing the money which is to hll up
the vacuuui created by the collapsing of worthies*
paper, and form at this moment the ark of safety
upon which the financiers of the Atlantic States
depend. California has thus maintained, and will
henceforth the more confidently assert, her com
mercial position among the States of the Union.
The Army in Utah.
Washington, Dec. 28.—The War Department
to-day received official dispatches from the head
quarters ot the army in Utah, dated Black Fork,
three miles below the mouth of* Ham’s Fork, Nov.
sth. Col. Johnston states that Col. iSmith, with his
command and the numerous traius guai dea by ii,
reached there on the 3d of November. The inarch
was slow' and tedious, averaging only eleven mile.**
a day, although the road was iu excellent order and
the weather tine. *
It was uot possible to make more rapid progress
on uccouut of the broken down condition of the
draft animals. The trains, including settlers and
merchants destined for Sait Lake, which he would
uot allow to go on alone, occupied, in as close or
der as they could be made to travel, a Rpace ot from
five to six m les. No molestation whatever was
attempted by the Mormons, which may be attribu
ted to the presence of the cavalry and the judicimif
disposition of theqj and the vigilance of Col.
Smith. %
On the sth of November, Col. Johnston was to
march on Fort Bridget and dislodge any force he
might find there, aud await the approach of Col.
Cook, when, as the approach of winter was too
near to attempt the passage of the Wasach range
of mountains with the probability of success, he
would seize upon the district mentioned in bis
letter from South Pass, aud occupy it until an ad
vance shall be practicable.
The communication from Brigham Young to
Colonel Alexander, and from Elder Taylor to
Capt. Marcy, and the orders of D. Wells, the com
mander of the xUortnons, which Johnston encloses,
and the acts of the legislative assembly at its last
session, show, he says, a matured and settled de
sign ou the part of the sect of the Mormons to
hold and occupy the Territory independent of, and
irrespective of, the authority of the United States
Occupying as they do the attitude of rebellion
and open defiance of the government, connected
with numerous overt acts of treason, Col. John
ston has ordered that whenever they are met with
in arms they may be treated as enemies. He re
iterates the necessity for prompt and vigorous ac
tion, or the United States must submit to the
usurpation of their Territory. The conduct of the
Mormons results from a settled determination not
to acknowledge the authority of the United States,
nor any other outside of their church.
A supply of subsistence must be forwarded ear
ly in the spring, which should reach the army by
the 12th of June. Should a long time elapse with
out hearing from him; Col. Johnston says it must
be attributed only to the difficulty of sending ex
presses across the mountains during the winter
months.
The officers and men composing the expedition
were in tine health, and were animated with an
ardent desire to discharge their duties faithfully.
In a postscript, Col. Johnston says the army
made one day’s march since the sth, and on the
7th were awaiting the arrival of the trains, which
were delayed the day before by a storm. Our
trains, he adds, occupy in as close order as they
can travel, the road from thirteen to fourteen
miles, aud therefore the rear cannot move till late
in the day.
Nbw York, Dec. 28.—From accounts in to-dav’s
papers, it appears that Gen. Walker had not pro
ceeded beyond Greytown when the capture was
effected, and that Fort Castillo and the lake and
river steamers were taken by Col. Frank Auderaon
and his fifty men, who went up the Colorado.
Washington, Dec. 28.—The War Department has
received despatches from Col. Johnston, confirma
tory of newspaper repor s. He reiterates the
necessity of prompt and vigorous action, or we
must submit to Mormon usurpation in the Territo
ry. The Mormons lately evince a fixed determina
tion not to acknowledge the authority of the laws
of the country.
Col. Johnston says supplies must be forwarded
early in the spring. The officers and men are
in good health and spirits. In conclusion, he says
the train occupies thirteen miles of the road, in
close order as possible, and the rear cannot move
till late.
From th* .SiwmjS Republican.
Meeting of Main Trank Directors.
Miu.iDGtru.LS, Dec. 29, 1857.
The “ Main Trunk” directors yesterdar met here,
according .1 public notice, and after the'discnssion
of various subjects incident, to the organisation of
tlie company, and to the prompt energetic prose
cution of this great State road, they proceeded 10
elect the officers required by the charter. There
were numerous applications. The election result
ed in appointing Mr. Herriot as Chief Engineer :
Mr. Ward as Secretary ■ and Mr. McDonald Trea
surer.
As far as I am informed, the appointment of
these gentlemen has given public satisfaction.
CcatrHctr.es for fllty miles of the road, to be com
pleted at, the earliest possible time, are already
■prepared to begin their work. The Savannah, Al
bany and Gulf Company, or Dr. Screven’s compa
ny, have finished some miles of the road towards
Wareshoro’, which will be adopted bv the Main
Trunk. So that we may say, in trpth,' that a part
of the Main Trunk is already finished. Bndges
have been built across the Satina and the Alaps
ha, on the projected line of the Main Trunk.
It is supposed that one thousand negroes will be
at work on this road during the next year The
energy of Dr. Screven, devoted to this great enter
prise, will push its completion to the Brunswick
line, in the direction of Magnolia and TroupviHe
by the time the next crop shall be ready for mar
ket. The estimate of thirty thousand bales of cot
ton is made to be brought from that point.
On the 14th prox. the first instalment of sob
scriptions of twenty per cent.- is to be paid. This
will place two hundred thousand dollars at the
command of the Company.
The Directors who met here were:
P- Screve.v, President.
". B. Hodssok, 1
Hiram Roberts, V Savannah.
J. Stoddard, )
C. J. MITNN-BHLYK, of Decatur.
A. R. Mclntirk, ) ,_,
Major Yousg, s os Thomas.
I must not forget to mention the extreme civility
and kindness of His Excellency, Governor Brown
who invited the Board of Directors to occupy a
Bt P» r »'e room in the Capitol for their meeting
The Board adjourned to meet again at Miiledge
vilie, for the aunual election of Directors, in Feb
ruar f- Capitousds.
From the Richmond ( Pit.) Enquirer, Dec. 85.
Mr. Dougins’ Position.
Mr. Douglas delivered himself on the 9th instant
of the views he entertained in relation to the Le
compton Constitution. He had better have await
ed the result of the vote on the Constitution, which
occurred on the 21st. But regarding it as a mere
matter of taste, and not of expediency, he was will
ing to throw htmseli into the breach and declare
in advance of the action of the people of Kansas
his own opinion of what that action ought to be.
Wa shall have no quarrel with him on thts point,
though we must express our decided disapproba
tion of his great haste to make hispositionknown.
All things considered, it would have been, we
think, fairer and better not in udrance to set’the
seal of his reprobation upon the Constitution,
whether it be adopted with or without the slavery
feature.
Mr. Douglas objects to the mode of submission
adopted: "Constitution with slavery, or Constitu
tion with no slavery.” It trammels, he says, the
expression of the public opinion. While all men
are at liberty to come forward freely without hin
drance and vote tor the Constitution, no man is
permitted to record a vote against it:
"That would he as lair an election us some of
the enemies of Napoleon attributed to hint when
be was elected Ftrßt Consul. He is said to have
called out his iroops and bad them reviewed by
his officers with a speech, patriotic and lair in its
professions, in which he said to them : ‘Now, my
soldiers, you ure to go to the election and vote
freely just as you please. If yon vote for Napo
leon, all is well; vole against him, and yon are to
be instantly shot/ Thai was a fair election. This
elec:ton is to be equally fair. All men in favor of
the Constitution may vote for it—all men against
it shall not vote at’ all. Why not let them vote
aguimit it?”
We admit the mode adopted was not the happi
est. It might have been more explicit. It might
have been wider in its provisions. It would seem
that the question of "the whole Constitution or not
the whole Consutotio'n ” should have been sub
mitted ; hut who is damaged by the form adopted?
who hag any cause to complain? Was it not a
toregoae conclusion -a matter which had been de
cisively determined by every Kansas voter—that a
Constitution was to be (rained and offered ? Was
there any difference of opinion op that point ? And
‘in ihe so: ni gsion made, the quly question which
bv possibility could be regarded as a matter of ihe
lust importance, was faiily and fully presented;
and as that question would have been determined,
the question ol rejection or adoption of the Con- "
stitnuon would in any event have been determined
with it.
Juuge Douglas presents his views with his ac
customed ingenuity and ability; he has made out
a plausible e. se; but after all he has said or can
say, he Will not pretend that any actual difference
m the result will be occasioned by the manner in
which the submission has been made. The slavery
issue was the paramount issue, nud no pet son, ade
quately informed in the recent history of the Kan
sas question, will lor a moment doubt that every
voter, in deciding for or against the Lecomptnn
Constitution-'had it been so submitted-would
have been determined by bis views on the slavery
question.
Judge Douglas says it is nothing to the purpose
ib,u the Cousutution is an excellent one. Here,
again, we conceive he is in error. As an abstract
proposition, we readily assent to the opinion ex
pressed, that we have no right to force even a good
Constitution upon an unwilling people. But
this is not done here, or even attempted. If the
Constitution has been adopted with the slavery
clause, it is the act ol the people of Kansas; it
that clause has been rejected, it is still their act.
They, and they alone, are the actors, and upon
iheir own action will depend the organic law under
which Ihey shall live.
Again: Jodge Douglas speaks as if the Consti
tution adopted were a hing of perpetual existence
—as if the people of Kansas had not the power at
any time, deemed suitable bv themselves, to re
voke it. Shall we, even if the Judge he right,
belter the matter by raying, lu the action of Con
gress, that the people of Kansas shall not have
the Constitution they have adopted? Have our
representatives in Congress any more right to say
that the citizens of Kansas shall not have the
Constitution they prefer, if republican, than they
have to say that Kansas shall have a Constitution
which they do not prefer ? At the least, the Judge
must aelect one of these two dilemmas, in his
present position. He might avoid them both by
allowing the Kansas citizens to settle the question
in their own wav, and, when the matter ot their
admission as a Sate into the Union is pr. s iced in
Congress, to vote for or against it as the Constitu
tion presented does or does not conform to ihe re
publican standard.
We are not willing yet to join in thohue and
cry against the Senator from Illinois. The sober
second thought may bring about a change of
views; aod in former times he has proved himself
so firm and fast a friend of the Sonth and of the
Union that we do not—cannot yet believe—that
he will needlessly array himself ugaiost the posi
tions and principles to the advocacy of which he
has devoted the energies of a lifetime.
A Wife’s Practical Joxa.—Last Saturday eve
ning a gentleman, residing at Jamaica Plain, was
sitting with his wife and some friends at their par
lor fire, when the door bell was violently rung
The lady rose but then suggested to her husband
that as the girl was not, he had better go to the
front door. Accordingly, he opened it, and found
no one there; but there was a nicelv done up bas
ket, covered with white linen, at his feat, and he
thought he heard the rustling of a female dress
departing. After looking vainly up and down
the si ret-.t anil ar. uud the portal, he took the
basket into the parlor. On the covering being re
moved, a beautiful Utile child appeared some five
months old. The lady screamed, one of the lady
visitors took on the baby and found a note pinned
to its dress, which ebatged the gentleman of the
house with being its father, and implored him to
support it.
A rich scene ensued between the injured wife
and the indignant husband, the latter utterly de-
Dying all knowledge of the little one and hssert
tng his innocence. The friends interfered, and at
last the wife was induced to forgive the husband,
although he still stood to itltkea Trojan that he
bud always been a faithful husband. Finally the
lady very roguishly told her husband that it was
atrauge he should not knew his own child for it
was their mutual offspring, which had just been
taken from Us cradle up stairs by the uurse for
the very purpose of playing the joke; aod the
surprised husband finally joined in the laugb,
which was raised at hii expense.
_ RotUm TraneUtr.
A few years ago, the ladies wore a very bandy
®° rt of hood, which was called “ Kiss me-if-yon
dare. The present style df bonnet has a “ Kis#*
me-it-you-waut to,” look.