Newspaper Page Text
OLD SEMES, VOL. LXXV.
tfhvoiucle & Sentinel.
HKiviiv mooisi:,
A. it. wHuai r.
1 tUBM* OF SCBStIiIPTION.
A C'<-1 >T A. (, A :
V.EBSEIDAY MmCHNb, DECEUBEU itt.
Another Slander to l ire the Northern
'iDoti.
“The traitors who are clamoring f<> r rep
re'” illation in Oetiiere*.. show tJicir regard
for tl»e constitutional rizbls of Northern
citizens by declaring that though North
ern men may plant cotton, they will no!
be Allowed to reap the fruits oftlieirbafoor.’’
-Firmest /Vev,.
* A more unblushing fal-chod than that
contained in the above extract from a
leading Radical journal could hardly have
been conceived. It Is by such statements
that “the Northern heart is tired' 7 against
g> he jple of the South.
oust now, as Congress is beginning its
re-i Mon. the Northern public will he daily
fed with a like fa'tjpiuin. The atrocities
cotpinittc ]. as doubtless some arc, by bad
inafi in the Southern States, will be pre
sented to the North as tlie deliberate and
wejl’Hetilpd practiey of'our whole people.
despotic action in order to preserve the
life and property of so-ccdled Union men
who are settled amongst us.
We venture to a--ert that in no portion
of the United States is human life and the
right of property more amply protected
than in the States lately composing the
Confederate Covernment. We do not
believe that a , ingle well authenticated
instance can be given where a wrongful or
violent act has been committed against a
Northern man merely on account of his
birth. All those who have come among
u since the war for the purpose of making
the South their home, and who have
shown no disposition to Haunt their
superior loyalty in the faces of those with
whom they associate, have been treated
fairly and kindly. Wo know quite a num
ber who have settled in Ceorgia during,
the past year, for the purpose of entering
into the cultivation of cotton, all of whom
have Keen received kindly by our people.
Instead of wishing to drive from our
midst those who are already here, our
people have invited, and still continue to
invite, Northern immigrants to settle
amongst us and bring to our impoverished
f section .some of the surplus wealth and
money, which seems to be so abundant,
just now, in the Northern States.
liy way of contrast, wo publish the fol
lowing warrant from the Philadelphia
Age:
“One of the methods resorted to by lho
itudiriilM of Joliet, Illinois, to show their
delight at the result ol the election in that
State, was *-burning the Constitution of
the United States, which was done in the
open streets, amid the most vociferous
cheering from the crowd of partisans as
sembled.' ”
Military Movement.
“ Wo understand from reliable authority
that a company of 11. S. Troops under
the command ol Lieut. Craig, left this city
lust evening fortiriitin, with a view of es
tablishing u permanent garrison in that
city. A detail from this company is or
dered to am >\ six of tlie prominent citizens
oftiritlin and \uUe them to Savannah, to
answer (lie chavge of violating the civil
Lights bill, In t\ o person of J. Clarke
Hwnyzo,”
We clip the above fiotn the Macon
i ( of the Bth in.,font. We hope that
paper is mistaken in regard to the inter
ference of the Military authorities with a
matter which belongs entirely to the juris
diction of the Courts of the State.
It cannot be pretended that Swayze is a
negro- although, from what we have heard
of itis conduct since the war, we are in
cliued to think his heart is blacker than a
negro’s skin. Kvcti it he were of that
just-now peculiarly favorite race, we cannot
see what right the Military authorities have
to arrest, either with or without warrant,
any citizen of the State, not in the army of
the Federal Government, for offences of
any nature whatever. This right certainly
cannot be claimed under any of the provis
ions of the Oivil-Ilights bill, as is supposed
y.v our neighbor of the ('iti~.cn.
The enactments ot that Rill give the
power to order arrests for violations of its
provisions to Commissioners to be appoint
ed in the several Southern States, and not
to the Military. It is true that these Com
missioners have the right to call upon the
Military for aid in enforcing their power;
but wo do not believe that any portion of
that bill contemplates the voluntary action
of a merely military commander.
This man Swayzc was, we believe, at one
time Rureau Agent at Gritiin, but, if we are
not greatly mistaken, tie lias been removed
from that position several months. Wo
learn that he was in this e'ty late in the
past summer seeking employment in some
of the newspapers published here. Since
that time we have seen a statement in our
exchanges, taken from a Galveston paper,
in which it was said that Swayzc and Col.
Sorrell, formerly of Americus, Ga.. were
engaged in taking large numbers of Mack
emigrants to Texas.
It is greatly ta bo deplored that such a
creature as this should, in any way,.lx- the
cause ol’the arrest of any good citizen of
the State. We are not informed as to the
character of the wrongs charged to have
been indicted upon him by the people of
Griffin—we suppose, from what we have
heard of Ais conduct, that he has exasper
ated the people to a degree beyond endur
ance, and that he richly merits severe treat
ment.
We are opposed, however, to all acts of
violence by any of our people for any cause
whatever. It is always best to appeal for
e redress of wrongs to the courts of the
State. Our laws are sufficient for the pro
tection of all classes of citizens. Wekuow,
however, that there may 1h) circumstances
under the influence of which dUr best citi
zens are betrayed into acts which their
calmer judgement Would condemn. This,
doubtless, is one of these cases.
We concur in the following remarks of
our Macon cotemporary, as to the true
policy of our people while we are ir. our
present helpless and oppressed condition :
“We think it much to be regretted that
our people wiit not cease all acts of olfeue#
against such individuals. Here we have
an instance of restored military power in a
city on account of the imprudence of some
of the citizens. Such a policy will bring
ruin upon the country and is playing into
• the hinds of the Radicals, precisely as they
would desire. It will be ink. n for granted
that the whole South is still rebellious
against the Government, and the evils we
have already experienced from war's deso
lations will thereby be increased instead
of allayed."
Much Ado About Nothing.—The
English journals, says the Now York .SY i,
are all clamoring at their Government to
“stamp out" the insurrection in Ireland,
but. at this distance, we are unable to see
anything to stamp. The only specific news
t'At we have had, indicative of trouble in
Ireland, were the reports to the effect that
a few guns had been captured by the vigi
lant and valiant red-coats. The stories
about the great uprising, which, ac
cording to the Atlantic Telegraph, filled
the English papers for two or three days,
have not been followed by any news to war
rant them. It there really was anything
serious on the tapis in Ireland, the tele
graph would have given us some substan
tial information ere this, for there has been
plenty of time for details to appear. Our
people who have had< hopes that the day
of Ireland’s disenthralment was at hand,
or who feared for the safety of the men
who were reported to be engaged in the
insurrection, might as well banish the
whole matter from their minds, for there is
evidently nothing in it.
Oil has been discovered in abundance on
Shoal Creek, St. Clair county, Alabama,
ai a depth of nine hundred feet
What the North Gained by the Mar.
No sane man, cither North or South, will
deny that the Federal Government waged
war upon the seceded States for the avowed
purpose of preserving the Federal Union.
Although many of the most sagacious
statesmen of the times saw that once the
war vral begun its purposes might, by the
influence of bad men. be provoked to other
objects than the preservation of the Union:
yet it was more than two years after the
war had begun before the abolitionists
broached the policy of Emancipation as a
war measure. When first suggested, it
was justified solely upon the ground of its
actual necessity as a means for bringing the
contest to a speedy close.
Gradually, however, during the continu
ance of the conflict, the Emancipation pol
icy gained strength. At the close of the'
year 1 563, it was formally announced
as one of the results for the attain
ment of which the North would continue
the fight. This, and the preservation of the
Union of all the States, were the objects
which the administration of Mr. Lincoln
wits pledged to sustain. It was not until
after the surrender of the la t of the Con
federate forces that the Radical idea of a
destroyed Union was shadowed fortjj.
When the North had gained all it went to
warmer a restored Union and the. liman-,
eipilfim of Vis- HudhwA
party took a step in advance of their past
po ition. It then declared that although
the South had been c onqvered and brought,
under the; pencer erf the Federal Govern
ment, yet the ohjext for which the South
took up arms held been accomplished, ta
re it : the dec/ruction ejf the federal Union.
The whole difficulty which now arrays the
two sections in antagonistic positions to
each other results from this abandonment
of the true grounds upon which the Feder
al Government entered into the comfiiet.
We have yielded to superior force and
have acknowledged, to its fullest extent,
the dominion and power of the Federal
Government over the whole country. We
confess that we are bound by the Constitu
tion and laws of the United States, and
have, in good faith, accepted the situ
ation. Certainly the South had a right to
expect when she laid down her arms and
acknowledged the authority of the
United States, that the oft repeated de
clarations of that Government as to the
objects for which the war was waged
would he adhered to in good faith. Have
these expectations been ju-tified ? Have
the solemn declarations of the United States
been regarded? lias faith been kept?
Clearly and unquestionably no, so far as
legislation is concerned. The present con
dition of affairs, in our judgment, cannot
continue much longer. Congress will be
obliged to adhere to the declarations and
policy which governed its course during the
war and acknowledge the Union restored;
or it must go a step further and put the
South, in every respect, in the condition of
a conqueredforeign country. Wo know that
the Radicals have a largo majority in both
branches of the present Congress. We
feel assured that many of the leaders arc
prepared and willing to go to the ex
tromest lengths against the Southern peo
ple. Rut we do not believe that a suffi
cient number can be obtained to pass such
utterly destructive measures —such as
Thad. Stevens urges. We do not believe that
the Northern people will uphold such a
destructive, ruinous policy,—ruinous to
the Soutli —ruinous to the whole country—
as that which ho proposes. We believe
that the Republican party will fall to
pieces if such measures are forced vtpon
them. Signs of growing discontent with
the rabid doctrines of this ‘Unscrupulous
leader are already being manifested. In
this connection we present the views of
the Louisville Journal (l’rontioc’s paper)
upon the present situation. It will be
borne in mind that l’rentice was a con
sistent and devoted Union man during our
whole struggle, and that he contributed
perhaps more than any one else in carrying
the State of Kentucky with the Federal
cause. He says:
“ We but utter one of the most obvious
of truths when we say that it is impossible
for the North and the South to remain
permanently or for any considerable time
in their present relations to each other.
Those relations are anomalous and un
natural. They must inevitably change
soon in one way or another. llow the
change is to he wrought, and what is to he
its character, time will reveal we cannot.
Our anticipations are not joyous. *
“There can be no doubt, that the South—
oppressed, humiliated, treacherously
wronged, cruelly disappointed in all her
rational hopes and just expectations,
treated contumelious]} 1 and in bad faith
and beholding no reliable indication of
future justice on the part of the North—is
yielding gradually to the natural influences
of strong and outrageous provocation.
Iler resentment toward the North is con
tinually growing deeper and more intense.
Iter feeling in regard to that section is
tending towards antipathy, and even re
venge. Her dislike of those whom she
considers her tyrants and despots is great
er than it was a year ago and far greater
than it. was two years ago. Her patience
has been extraordinary, hut it has not
proved indomitable. Though she is neither
blustering nor noisy, the fire of her nature '
is not quenched. Every month she cares
loss and less for restoration, and if' it. be de
ferred for any long period, she will in all
probability be utterly indisposed to accept
it at all.
The majority of the Northern people, if
the radicals constitute the majority, arc
blind. Prejudice and j assion have covered
will- a thick film their sightless orbs. They
cannot discern what the nation’s prosperity
and safety require. The country's condi
tion is at present most wretched. It is al
most exact!' the condition, which, at terri
ble sacrifices, we fought nearly four years
to avert. We carried on war to prevent
the Union from being divided, hut virtual
ly and for nearly all practical purposes it
it divided. A\ e are scarcely better off in
respect to Union now than we should have
been if the Confederates had won a triumph,
established their independence, and accom
plished all their purposes. If the existing
state of affairs is to endure, all the sacrifices
of the Avar were in vain. The ten excluded
States arc of no benefit to us. We derive
no advantage from our connection with
them. Asa distant nation, they would, if
a Southern natiou and Northern nation
could keep the peace totvard each other, be
as advantageous to us as they are now, if
not far more so. Therefore, holding them
as they are. we grossly wrong not only them
but also ouriulves.
The Texas Legislature have ad
dressed a memorial to President Johnson
in the name of the people of that State,
3's.ing for the release of their "fellow
citizen Jefferson Davis. The memorial
says : \ isit not further punishment upon
the person ot him whose pardon we ear
nestly entreat. The dark clouds of war
which for four years enveloped our beloved
! country, have passed away. We antici
pate much from the wise and prudent ad
ministration of your Excellency. May we
not entertain the hope that Jefferson Davis
will be permitted to breathe once more the
atmosphere of freedom —that he will again
j be restored to that people who, having re
i jenced with him in a period of prosperity,
now sorrow for him in the hour of adrersi
j ty ?
As the crowning act of magnanimity of
the great and chivalrous people whom you
represent, release the prisoner, so that the
\ fast vestige of animosity be listen the tico
' sections of oar common country may be re
moved, and then the thrilling notes of glad
ness will accompany the magic voice of
peace.
State Aid. Again.-A Railroad rorJiortli-
East Georgia. Our Correspondent.
Franklin.
We have before u.-; a well written and
sen.-ible article ou this subject, from an in
telligent Georgian residing in the north
eastern part of the State. His arguments
are sound, acd his complaints reasonable
and just. “ The State has chine nothing
towards as.-istiug the people in this part of
the State in developing their resources.
“ The climate is salubrious and equable.
The scenery with its mountains —Yonah,
Currahce, Tray, and the spurs of the Blue
Ridge ; and its Fails —Tuccoa, the Beauti
ful, and Tallulah, the Terrible —are pic
turesque. “The soil is at least as fertile
as the Fine-woods.” “It is rich in min
erals—-gold, copper, and iron; it abounds
in fine mineral springs; it is a fine fruit
country, and a good grazing country
We admit that “ its agricultural produc
tions of hay, wheat, oats and corn, are
just such as will not bear wagon transpor
tation, and. therefore, cannot compete with
like supplies now brought from the North ; "
we admit that “a vast majority of the
people have now to haul their produce and
supplies more than a hundred miles, and
that some are even forced to go into an
adjoining State—Anderson, S. C.; ” in
fine, we admit the rc.-ult of the arguments
a ithiouj '' AaV, thi. rc Aim. j»i!l reiguin
paralyzed without aid, and will richly repay
the State for aiding in its development.”—
But we beg to remind our correspondent
“ Franklin,” that while newspaper articles
arc necessary and valuable to bring such
questions before the public, they will not
build railroads. Let the people of his
section go to work, subscribe what they
are able, and authorize their Inferior Courts
to subscribe and to lay a specific tax to meet
these, subscriptions—and then let them go
before the Legislature for aid. The ques
tion of Boute is not material now. Either
route proposed will do; “ extend the
Athens branch,” or “follow the route of
the Savannah and its tributaries.” Let
them show a disposition and an effort to aid
themselves, and we are sure they will not
fail. We promise hearty co-operation.
Our correspondent may rely upon it, the
Louisville & Knoxville Road will be built.
Wc have the assurance from the lips of
some of the first men in Louisville, ami wc
have assurance of the stockholders of the
Louisville & Nashville lload, in their an
nual convention. A part 01. the road lias
been completed, and grading is now being
pushed to the Kentucky line.
Wc beg our correspondent not to be
disturbed by the Radicals, or about “what
effect their action will have upon Southern
credit and Southern lands.” Such matters
regulate themselves. Besides, wc think
the Radicals are already too much engaged.
They have enough to and regulate Andy
Johnson, and Grant, and Phil Sheridan,
and Scdgewick, and Maximilian, and the
Fenians, and Queen Victoria, and Louis
Napoleon, and, above all. to divide the
spoils among themselves without quarrel
ling.
If “ Franklin ” and the people -of his
section are in earnest about this Road, and
their development, let them show faith in
work, and, properly organized, place their
claim for aid before the next Legislature.
“Franklin’s” communication came too
late for the purpose designed. The Legis
lature have agreed to adjourn on the 14th
instant.
The Augusta «fc Columbia Railroad.
The legal voters of the city, by a formal
ballot, having' politically instructed the
City Council to subscribe for one hundred
thousand dollars in the stock of this road,
wc presume that it is the intention of that
body to act promptly in the matter.
Tn making this subscription, our city
fathers would do well to insist upon certain
guaranties which will prevent the manage
ment of the road, after it is completed, for
the exclusive or unfair benefit of any
connecting road. Mure especially is this
important in relation to the roads with
which it will connect at Columbia. We
learn that the Wilmington and Manchester
road will, in all probability, upon the
completion of this road, build a line
direct from Sumter to Columbia. The
contract between our City Council and the
Augusta & Columbia road should secure to
the Wilmington & Manchester Company
thesamo rights and privileges, as a connect
ing road, that arc given to any other line.
The reasons for insisting upon a guaranty
of this sort are obvious, when it is remem
bered that the road from Columbia to
Charlotte is under the control of the same
officer, and to a considerable extent of the
same influence® which has charge of the
Columbia & Augusta road. Without
some restrictions being placed upon them,
it will he very easy for the management of
the Charlotte road to give such direction
to that of the Augusta road as will give
the former the control of the business
which maybe offered at Columbia.
The interests ol’ Augusta, and indeed
of the whole Country, require that the line
from this place to Columbia should be
open to all parties, upon equal terms. The
Council are in a situation which enables
them to insist upon such terms as will se
cure this result. Wc believe that they
will, in their negotiation with the Presi
dent of the Columbia road, look carefully
to this matter.
Another suggestion has been made,
which we think of great importance. It is
that as the President and Directors of the
Columbia road have the power to mort
gage their road, if they should at any time
find it to their interest to do so, Council
should make such stipulations with the
road as will secure the city's interest in
case such mortgage should hereafter be
made.
There arc other matters connected with
the proposed subscription, which doubtless
will present themselves to the members of
our municipal government, and receive
proper consideration when they come to
close the contract with the officer of the
road. At present wc forbear to mention
them.
The removal of the remains of the Con
federate dead from the Fair Grounds to
the cemetery at Lexington, Virginia, took
place on Saturday last. The ceremonies
were very impressive. An eloquent dis
course was delivered by the Rev. Dr.
Pendleton, at the Presbyterian Church.
The procession was composed of returned
Confederate soldiers, bearing wreaths and
evergreens, the corps of cadets of the A ir
ginia Military Institute, the students of tlie
Washington College and citizens generally.
After the burial service had been read the
returned Confederate soldiers filed past
and threw upon the graves their wreaths
and evergreens. General Robert E. Lee
was present, but sought, as usual, the
most quiet and unobtrusive place.
Agricultural College of Massa
chusetts. —It is reported that the Trus
tees of the Agricultural College have given
up the plan of having a single large struc
ture, and will erect various small buildings
each with a special purpose. They have
voted to build between now and Septem
ber 1, 1367, a brick edifice with dormitory
accommodations for fifty students, aud four
recitation rooms, surmounted by a tower
with a clock; a chemical laboratory, a
boarding house, a model barn, and a house
j for the President, all of .wood. Their ag
gregate cost is estimated at $65,000. It is
hoped to have the college fairly in opera
tion next autumn.
The 1 hhadelphia Councils have agreed
to report a tax rate of four dollars on each
eno hundred of assessed valuation for the
year 1867. This will make it necessary for
the city to increase its permanent debt
about one and a half millions to meet de
ficiencies.
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 19, ISG6.
OIK WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
Tlie designs Ur Southern Oppression—He
l-eai of a Juvt amt wise Measure-- flic
Radical Banquet a. i’retuite to I.egisla—
ti'Hi—A Michigan Senator tor AVar—
Washington book et! lar Negro Sullrage—
'lcvtni. linking an opposition in his nun
Hant.- —The charges agalnsi President
.lohiiMin—Bauf.vell on the Surratt ar
rest—The Cabinet and <l»id Nunes—
The proposed Reconstruction lor the
SmiJirrn states, etc., etc.
Washington', December V
If any evidence wa? required to prove
that tiie States, south of the Potomac
need expect nothing from Congress in the
way of a recognition oi their rights, it was
furnished yesterday, -and to-day. in thp pro
nii-cuons business which lias characterized
the opening hours of the session. Iho great
majority of the bills presented so far. hare
for their object, the assumption by Con
gress, of all potver now in the hands ot the
Executive; and none illustrates more for
cibly this disposition, than the bill offered
by I'lr. Elliot, of Massachusetts, to repeal
that Section of the act. “to punish rebellion
and for othcK,purpo-s- . which authorized
the President to ext- nd pardon and amnes
ty. ■ The passage of this bill, by a suspen
sion of the rules on the very tir*«. dwfr of
the session, is something entirely withoui
precedent in the anals of legislation, but it
is in strict keeping with other radical de
signs, some of which have already been
made public, v.hilc others are'yet behind
the curtain.
Tlie radical banquet* which came off
according to announcement last night, at
the notorious Fair building on Pennsylvania
avenue, is regarded as a prelude to the
pirit of legislation this winter. The toasts
and sentiments had been all prepared in
advance, and each representative radical
whose co-operation was necessary in ma
king a semi-official declaration of what the
policy of Congress should be, was duly
informed of the programme selected for the
entertainment, and the part he was to
play. Thad. Stevens was the leading
character, and entered right heartily into
his usual sarcastic abuse of the President,
for which he received tlie plaudits of about
four hundred listeners. Contrary to ex
pectation, no negroes were present. That
class of the population took active part in
the demonstration during the day time, but
their presence was found not desirable at
tlie board, around which their merits were
extolled, and their rights, suffrage, social
equality, etc., demanded at night.
Senator Chandler, of Michigan, has been
notorious for his peculiar relish l'or “blood
letting,” a system of curing national dis
eases for which he has heretofore expressed
his regard. He generally manages, how
ever, to keep out of the flow, and avas
never knorvn to don tlie shoulder-straps.
The stock in trade of this Senator now is a
war with France, to vindicate tlie Monroe
doctrine; .but it is very possible that the
action of the committee on foreign rela
tions upon the subject of our relations with
France, will tend to allay very much the
belligerent notions of the successor of
General Cass.
Negro suffrage is Very certain to be inau
gurated in this District at the next munici
pal election. The Radicals in Congress
and in the departments who do not recog
nize Washington as their homes, arc ex
tremely anxious to degrade the citizens,
and claim that the bright example of negro
suffrage could be set in no more fitting
place than the capital of the nation. The
negroes t hemselves arc elated at the pros
pect of voting, and there is no doubt but
that additional hundreds of them will flock
here as pilgrims to a shrine, so soon as the
intelligence reaches them that the measure
of universal suffrage in the District of Co
lumbia has become a law
The disposition of the majority of Radi
cal Congressmen here is not to give way
entirely to i'had. Stevenson I he reconstruc
tion question. lie is violently opposed to
the Constitutional Amendment, and will
accept nothing from the Southern States as
a guaranty of their restoration to tlie
Union short of the complete privilege of
the elective franchise to every negro within
their limits Other prominent Republicans
say that as they went before the country on
the subject of the Constitutional Amend
ment, they must abide by the popular ap
proval ol'that measure, and Stevens wall
hardly have a baker’s dozen to bear him
up. He will not be found wanting in sar
casm and ire ; and will do his best this
winter to rule tlie household which lias
heretofore willingly accepted his guidance.
.There seems no doubt that the charge
which lias heretofore been set up of' the
complicity of President Johnson in the as
sassination of President Lincoln, is to be
tortured if possible into something more
serious than formerly. The endeavor will
be to make him an accessory after the
fact, and the main point of the contempti
ble reasoning will be in the arrest of John
Surratt, whose whereabouts it is claimed,
has not, been out of the knowledge of the
Government for many months. Mr.
Boutwell, of Massachusetts, who was for
merly Governor of that State, and who
was the first Commissioner of the Internal
Reveuue Department, is the party who
calls for imformation upon the subject,
and there is every reason to believe that, if
the slightest ground can be shown to exist
upon which he can frame articles of im
peachment against the President it will be
resorted to. The Radicals will use their
best endeavors to make this ground.
Cabinet rumors are revived. The quid
nuncs to-night have it that Setvard is to
retire in favor of his son Frederick Setvard
Esq., while others as positively assert that
Revedy Johnson, of Maryland, is to suc
ceed him. There is very little truth in
either report at present. No one has the
hardihood to hint at. Mr. Stantons retire
ment, notwithstanding it was so widely
declared that ho was only awaiting
the conclusion of his report to Con
gress to leave tlie War Department
and the country at the same time. Per
haps Avhen Lieutenant-General Sherman
gets through advising minister Campbell
how to regulate matters on the Mexican
frontier, and returns to Washington, there
may be a change. It is asserted on good
grounds that the President tvas anxious
that Sherman should take the reius of the
War Department some months ago, but
military reasons prevented at that time.
Tlie resolution introduced to-day by Rep
resentative Broomall, ol' Pennsylvania, in
structing the Judiciary Committee to in
quire into the expediency of reporting a
bill wiiicb shall provide for the reduction
of the Southern States to a territorial con
ditior. had the entire radical support, wit h
one or two exceptions—among these were
Mr. Dodge, who succeeded in ousting lion.
James Brooks at the last session, and Mr.
Stillwell, of Indiana, who has always been
recognized us being somewhat disposed to
conservatism, although bis vote on certain
measures during the last session would seem
to contradict this impression. Hungry as
pirants for office arc watching this pro
gramme with intense solicitude. If ulti
timately becomes alaw —and its advocates
claim that there is no power which can
prevent—the effect upon the country will
be very disastrous. An army of colored
troops will be maintained in the South,
and the people taxed heavily to sustain
them and the avliitc officials avlio will come
into service under the pro- isions of any such
measure. The whole idea is in strict keeping
avitli the great majority of plans presented
to revise the machinery of the nation.
Negro suffrage—universal negro suffrage
i* at the bottom of it, and all things else
are to be made subservient. That is the
one grand theme of tills Congress, and
upon that basis everything else tends.
Perhaps popular reflection can change the
current of events; but the question is, mav
it not come too 1-tte ?
The weather at present is balmy and
delightful, and so far the sessions of Con
gress have been attended daily by audiences
more respectable in numbers than other
wise. as a general tiling. Os course the
colored population is naturally attracted
to the galleries in large numbers.
The reconstruction, or obstruction Com
mittee which was revived to-day in the
House will commence its operations in the
same manner as at the last session, and
will consider some of,the mutiludinous
hills and resolutions referred to it at that
period. It is not improbable that at the
last of the session they will introduce some
other monstrous measure for the considera
tion of the country. If Stevens holds fast
his power over its members, there is no
doubt of such a result.
There will be a fight on the -Subject of a
repeal of the cotton tax. It is not thought
that the members who were so anxious to
have the duty on that staple fixed at five
cents last winter, will consent to its aboii.-h
--ment now altogether. Much depends,
however, on the disposition of the Commit
tee on Ways and Means.
Piston appears to-night as Mary Stuartt,
in the Italian version of that piac. The
display of bonnets and fashionable etceteras
at these performances is very striking.
No less prominent is the study ot the Lib
retto. Her audiences, notwithstanding this
city is thought during the winter to be the
great centre of intelligence and refinement,
do not seem particularly to appreciate
tragedy in Italian. At the same time, she
draws crowded houses.
Arlington.
Rev. Pr. Pix. of New York, said in a
late sermon, that he could mention an in
surance companv with a property of $44,-
000,000, and at le'ast three individuals in
th.tr city who were worth $50,000,000 each.
INTERNAL REVENUE.
Report of Commissioner Rollins—llow and
VVbere our Knormus Taxes are Raised
—The Principal Sources of Revenue.
Commissioner Rollins makes his annual
report on the internal revenue of the Gov
ernment, addressed to Secretary McCul
loch dated Washington, Nov. JO, 1860.
The Commissioner explains :
“J have delayed the preparation of my
annum report for the fiscal ! 806, some
what past the time whin required by law,
in order, ui avail myself ot the latest re
turns from the offices of tlie several col
lection districts, and so pivsent so far as
possible, some of the results? of the law as
amended by the act ol Jjdy I-A, which
mainly took effect ou tho Ist of August
last :
He says that “With the single excep
tion of the relief of parafiuj* oil and crude
petroleum from tax by the joint resolution
or May 1866, the receipts of the last
fiscal -year were from the law as amended
by the act of" March 1865. For the first
timer therefore, in the history of the office,
tlie tabular statement comprised in it.-, an
nual report substantially exhibit the pro
ceeds, front various sources^ of statutes ex
isting through an entire year. The aggre
gate amount is considerably in excess of
the estimate at the date ot »y last report,
and, as I have reason to believe, of the
estimate of others av ho had g*'M! thought
to tiie subject and were mast sanguine of
the successful operation w. This
excess came largely from STiiufactures
si'.liri’.ati i by tin
markets, and from cOttonpnMrnWic i w*fc(
was a greater supply than was anticipated.
The amount itself is tut far short of the
revenue for the two years next proceeding,
and very considerably in excess of the
British revenue for tiie gear i 866 from cus
toms, excise, stamps,, property tax and
post-office. Indeed, tie entire revenues of
the Empire exceeded those of this office
only in the sum of $2?,000,000.
The Commissioner remarks that the
aggregate receipts ofiuterrial revenue Avcre
for the years:
ISS) f1W.145,748 5)
lKf.j 211,)29,W9 17
ISCr, i 3109afi,551 II
These amounts include drawback upon
goods exported aid amounts refunded as
erroneously assessed and collected, but are
exclusive of the dgect tax upon lands, and
the duty upon th{ circulation and deposits
of national bauki These amounts are as
follows:
Drawback. Ain’t ref tied
ISS) ,FiR;.4:Z 00 *217,170 31
| nr, «H«SS as «-’.734 38
ISUi 708.816 73 514.844 43
RECEIPTS FIOAI SPECIAL SOURCES.
The amount! received from several of
the most impowant sources of' revenue are
presented:
Bank*. Trust Vanipanics and Saving Insti
tutions.
1864. 1865. J 866.
Dividend and addi
tions to suirlu*.. fl.si 1.010 V. *3,08?,209 GT> 052 72
Circulation 2.OT>b.OHO :» I.MKWi Si 11
Deposit* 780,7-3 68 2,013.811 OH 2,000,(535 83
Capital 003,307 B 8 37i,0?l 11
During the year 1864 the tax upon di
vidends was three per centum, wlidc in
1865 and 1866 it was five per centum.
The tax upon circulation and deposits
avas increased for the last two years. Tlie
diminution of the receipts is duo to the
conversion of the State banks into national
associations, which pay the tax upon their
capital, circulation and deposits to the
Treasurer of the Unite# States.
Capital was first taxed by the Act of
June 30, 1864.
RAILROADS.
1864. 1865. 1866.
Dividends *927,393 3S SD.ITO.SiIi (-0 $2,295,804 45
interest, on bonds.. 590,859 19 847,688 04 1,255,910 98
The receipts for 186-j were from the tax
at three per centum ;jthose for the two
subsequent years at five percentum.
INSURANCE COMPANIES.
1861. ‘1863. 1866.
Dividends ami ad«M
tions to surplus $4 >5,366 1* *714,658 38 *767,33112
Premiums and as
sessments 533,583 41 061 502 91* 1,169,722 23
The taxation of dividends of insurance
companies during these three years was
the same as that of balks.
The tax upon the g»3s receipts of pre
miums and assesssmenfs was one per cen
tum for the year f 864; afterward it was
one and one-half per centum.
SALARIES or PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE
SERVICE OP TIIE UNITED STATES.
1864 $1,706,124 631 lujl *3,747,894 66
1865 2,828,334 371
The tax was three per rentum for the
year 1864, subsequently foe, and was uni
formly imposed upon the excess of com
pensation above the rate of S6OO per an
num.
REVENUE STATES.
1864 : $6894,915 14
1885 11.162,392 14
1866 45,044,373 18
The receipts of 1865 were increased by
additions to the stamp schedules under the
act of 1864, and those of j 866 above those
of 186-5 by tlie use of stamps in tho States
prior to that time in rebellion. During the
last year the sum of si k’,442 03 has been
received from the sale f line cent stamps,
and that of $3,503,465 jf'or stamps from
special dies for matches /perfumery, cos
metics, medicines and other proprietary
articles. Tho double penalty imposed by
iaw is a great security to its faithful ob
servance. Because of the invalidity of an
unstamped instrument, the party receiv
ing it, and to whom it may boos value, is
likely to insist upon tiie attachment
of the appropriate stain)). It is this pen
alty upon the receiver which especially en
forces tho_ requirements of the statute.
The Commissioner says they have been
more generaily regarded during tlie past
year than in any one preceding.
Licenses yielded in 1864, $7,145,388 71 ;
1865, $.12,598,681 25; 1866, $18,015,743 32.
The increase of receipts in 1865 was due to
the increased classes of persons subject to
charge under the act of 1864 ; to the in
crease of the license duty upon several
kinds of business, and to tho reassessment
of wholesale dealers under the same statute.
The increase in 1866 arose especially from
the operations of the law over that portion
of the South from which, prior to t hat
time, it had been shut out by the rebel
lion.
THE INCOME TAX.
The income tax yielded in 1804, $14,919,-
-79 58 ; 1805, $20,567,359 20; 1866, $60,-
894,135 85. The annual list, so called,
comprises schedule A, licenses and income.
The receipts of the fiscal year, 1864, were
mainly from the annua! assessments of
1863 upon the income of 1862. Receipts
of 1865 were from the income of 1863, and
those of 1866 largely from that of 1864. Os
the collections in 1864, $6,913,834 88 were
from incomes taxed at five per centum,
$7,030,070 77 at three per centum and
$75,373 93 atone ami one-halfper centum.
Os those of 1865 $801,941 69 were return
ed at ten per centum, $9,934,758 55 at five
per centum, $9,697,246 96 at three per
centum and $133, 66 at one and one
half per centum. Os the receipts in the
fiscal year 1866, $26,570,809 58 were at
five per centum and $34,501,122 67 at ten
per centum.
The country is now divided into 240 col
lection districts. From 185 of them the
desired returns have been received. Os
them $39,953,440 51 collected in the Unit
ed States up to November I—as reported
to the office by the several c011ect0r5534,705,726
$34,705,726 16, or nearly 87 per cetum of
the entire amount, was assessed in these
ISS districts ; and of the persons who were
assessed in these districts 190,1 >9 return
ed an income of less than SI,OOO ; 162,513
of more than s],oooand not more than
$5,000; and 31,009 of over $5,000. These
sums were.all in excess of SOOO exempt by
law from . taxation. This ratio will be
changed somewhat when the lull returns
are in, as a greater proportion of the largest
incomes arc acquired in the older States.
The whole amount received from the tzx
upon incomes since the passage of the law
of 1862, aud including the collections dur
ing • the present fiscal year, and already
reported to this office, is $164,865,018 05.
OTTHER TAXES.
The taxes on iron and steel in the various
forms which are specially named in the law
yielded in 1864, $3,624,168 49 : 1865, $9,-
218,809 63; 1866, $13,278,133 36. The
tax upon these articles was increased at
every session of Congress until the last,
when it was very largely reduced. The
increased receipts were due not more to
the increase of production than to the ad
ditional number of articles made taxable
and the increase of the duties upon those
previously taxed.
Taxes on refined petroleum and coal oil
yielded in 1854. $2,255,32S 80; 18-65, $3,-
047,212 77; 1866, $5,317,396 05. Re
fined petroleumn paid 10 cents per gallon,
and distilled coal oil 8 cents, until June
So. 1864, when the rates were respectively
changed to 20 cents and 15 cents. The re
ceipts from these articles, it will be seen,
are rapidly advancing, indicating their
largely increasing consumption.
Cigars and cheroots yielded a revenue in
15640f $1.255,424 79; 1865, $3,0i2,476 56:
1866, $3,474,438 94. During the year 1864
and for ten months of the year 1865, the
receipts were from specific- taxes, graduated
by the different values of the cigars. These
taxes were largely advanced in 1 -64. and
by the act of March 3, 1865, a uniform rate
was imposed of $lO per thousand. The
receipts alter May 1, of that year, were al
most entirely from that tax. Chewing aud
smoking tobacco yielded in 1864, $7,086,-
684 74 ; 1865, $8,617,020 63 f 1866, $14,-
339,921 93. The tax upon smoking to
bacco was increased from 5 to 25 cents per
pound in June, 1864, and to 35 in March,
1865, except upon that made exclusively of
stems, which remained at 25 cents. Fine
cut chewing and plug mainly paid 15 cent.,
per pound, until June, 1864; after thats
35, until March, 1865, when the tax was
increased to 40 cents. The production on
taxable tobacco in 1863 was 23,680,056
pounds; that of 1864. was 63,372,426
pounds, of which more than 10,000,000
pounds were returned in June, to avoid
the additional duty under the new latv then
shortly to take effect; that of J 865 was
36,639,020 pounds; and that of 1 866, 35,-
748,351 pounds. Large quantities of to
bacco manufactured in the ,Soutli before
the war and during its progress were thrown
upon the market during the past year, to
tlie great derangement of trade and the
embarrassment of regular manufacturers.
Regulations, so far as consistent with the
law, were adopted by the Department for
the collection oftlie required duties when
this tobacco came in competition with that
which had paid tho tax, but its sale and
consumption in the South wore permitted
without charge. That manufactured and
removed* from the place of manufacture
prior to Sept. J, 1862, was, of course, not
anywhere subject to tax, and it was this
which so seriously disturbed the interests
of mauuiac urers. It has now, however,
nearly, if not altogether, disappeared from
the market, and most of the tobacco which
is now consumed secures revenue to the
Government. Largely increased receipts’
arc looked for from this soupce.
Fermented liquors yielded in. ip'64, 4fi-’,
223,919 73 ; 1865, $4,357,181 06; 1866,
$5,115,140 49. During the year 1865-66
the tax was $ 1 per barrel. The collections
for ten months of the year 1864 wore at tlie
rate of 60 cents. This increase for the year
1866 came both from increased consump
tion and from improved thoroughness in
the operation ol' the la-v. Distilled spirits
yielded in 1864, $28,431,797 83; 1855,
$15,955,701 66; 1860, $29,198,578 15. In
1864 the tax was 20 cents per gallon, until
March 7 of that year, when it was raised to
60 cents. From July 1, 1864, to January
1, 1865, it was $ I 50, and afterwards $2.
Much of the consumption of 1865 was
of spirits distilled in previous years, in an
ticipation of increased tax. The receipts
during the several months of the last fiscal
year were as follows : July, $352,252 15;
August, $267,457 88; September, $755,-
662 06; October, $1,366,025 23 ; Novem
ber, $3,067,165 80; December, $3,763,-
259 71 ; January, $3,753,393 91; Febru
ary, $3,654,700 47 ; March, $2,951,34344.
April, $3,086,176 27; May, $3,036,954 69,
June, $3,144,186 54. During the cur
rent fiscal year the receipts were in July,
s3,Of 5,598 30; August, $2,597,645 50;
September, $3,054,227 50 ; October, (so
far as reported,) $2,502,943 32.
These amounts are all exclusive of tlie
tax upon spirits distilled from apples,
peaches and grapes. From this it appears
that the total receipts from distilled spirits
for the year from November 1, 1865, to
November f, 1866, were $37,627,595 45.
COLLECTION OF REVENUE.
The expense of collecting the revenue is
$7,689,700 46. This is less than 21 per
centum of the total receipts, exclusive of
drawback and sums refunded as erroneous
ly collected. The percentage of expense is
less than that for the previous year, be
cause the receipts were largely increased
without 1 a corresponding increase in the
cost of collection.
RECEIPTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR.
The probable receipts for the present
fiscal year are next referred to. A tabular
statement of the receipts during tho months
of July, August and September, of 1864,
1865 and 1866, as shown by the certificates
of deposit which reached this office during
those months, respectively, is submitted :
Receipts in 1861. | 186.5 1866
Julv ' lb $27,07: JUG UJ
August , 1.5,712.066 81 84,<>87,.58!) 08 83,043,640 81
September. 15,819,770 72 37,939,115 32 38,714,718*10
Total $48,102,385 9.5 *1*3,720,425 66 $98,827,162 85
In this connection the receipts from sev
eral large sources of revenue for the first
quarter of the present fiscal year 1866, may
be regarded as important. The returns
are not fully received from all the Collec
tors at tho time of my writing. They are
required monthly from each of the 240
Collectors—in all 720 for the quarter—and
all but 22 arc included in the following
statement:
July. Augint Ju.y, Ang.
RECEIPTS from and Sept. and Sept.
<7lothing, including hoots and
s'noes and other articles of
dre.«s 414,893,163 2?'*2,854,461 19
Cloths ami all textile or knit
ted fabrics made ofcotton. 2,429,243 521 2,578,089 95
Cloth and all textile or knit
ted faurics made of wool.. 2,555,703 82 | 1,830,849 47
Raw cotton. 3,083,597 24' 1.506..5-16 03
Fermented liquors 1,225,377 19 1,585,002 SU
Spirits distilled from apples,
peaches and grapes 51,233 71 72,918 81
Spirits distilled from other
materials 1,312,871 19 8,667,471 80
lvelincd petroleum and coni
oil 1,058,517 74 761,606 65
Cigars, cigarettes, and che
roots SI 1,060,631 lb
Tobacco, smoking and chew
ing.... 2.014,756 15 3,325,178 07
Snutt 129.395 69 181,109 11
Other manufactures and pro
ductions not enumerated
above 13.190,467 17 13.751,106 65
Grosareceipts of railroad, in
surance, express and tele
graph companies, fee 2,614,799 42 2,334,231 40
Legacies 122,546 49 245,868 75
Successions 16,663 83i 104,345 60
Incomes over sfUiOO arid not
over $5,000 * 17,309,231 85 15,252,846 78
Incomes over S6OO and over I
*5.000 24,275,763 06 20,319,389 79
Stamps ill all districts 3,010,135 37 3,908,472 07
From a careful consideration of all tho
facts in his possession, the Commissioner
believes that the receipts of the fiscal year
1 t>t>7 will reach the sum of $285,000,000.
Ncav embarrasment and obligations should
never be laid upon tax-payers unless posi
tively demanded for the necessary protec
tion of themselves and the revenue from
fraud. Months arc required by revenue
officers especially those remote from the
central offices for learning the new require
ments of a statute, and it cannot be ex
pected that those whose attention is not
devoted to its study and administration
should earlier ascertain all that may he
required of them. That ignorance is no
defence for violation has become a maxim,
yet it is believed it would be unjust, as it
certainly would he impracticable, to ad
minister the Internal Revenue laws,
changed as they have been in some way at
every session ol'Congress since their first
enactment., without reorganizing a differ
ence in tho obligations of the ignorant and
of those educated in their requirements.
It is for this reason that permanence in the
letter as well as in the spirit oftlie statutes
is desirable, so that fewer obstacles may in
terfere between its enfringeinent and its
penalty. When longer experience, and a
settled condition of the business of the
country, shall have perfected the revenue
laws so that they will require little or no mo
dification ignorance, will not be urged even in
extenuation, justice will be more fully sat
isfied, and the treasury receive more
nearly its dues by holding the delinquent
and the guilty to the fines, penalties, for
feitures and imprisonments of’the statutes
almost invariably as to tho payment of
their taxes. Until then the guilty will some
times escape, the ignornant not unf’re
quentl.v suffer, and a majority of tax-pay -
! ers bear more than what should he their
distributive share of the public burden.
Many of the suggestions I shall make,
therefore, with reference to changes in the
i existing hi tv, will look mainly to relief from
j those provisions whose advantage to the
reveuue I do not believe commensurate
; avitli their inconvenience and annoyance
: to the public.”
MAKING RETURN’S.
The Commissoner recommends a
change of time lor making returns, under
the annual list, and gives his reasons at
length. He recommends that returns for
the annual list, including the registry lor
the special tax, be required on the first
.Monday of March in each year, and the
tax be made payable on the 30th day of
April following.
Stamp duties arc treated of in a recom
mendatory style.
The Commissioner favors the reduction
of the number of taxable articles as the
most practical mode of a Hording relief to
tax payers.
THE DIRECT TAX.
The collection of direct taxes in the States
which were lately in insurrection was con
tinued through the last fiscal year and
thereafter, until, under the authority of
the 14th section of the act of July 28, 1866,
it was suspended by the order of the Secre
tary of the Treasury, bearing date from the
3d day of August following. No lands
have been sold for unpaid taxes since the
suspension of such sales by order ol the
Secretary of the Treasury, issued May I<,
1865.* i'he following is an abstract from
the report of the several commissioners, so
far as received at the office, of their re
ceipts and expenditures since June 30,
1866 :
State*. j|.££ I g
Virginia. . 033 S'- >1 836,766 r>2
*onh «.’aro*uui 7*4 bi? 63 56
> outh Carolina. .. 13 93 45. 17- 52 11 • 4
Florida m ?J)52 33 10/hi to
4->ouifiiana. '’43-.W4 12 2“,21 : 62
I**" . iwC«T! V -•*- »
itaLeMc* 215 62i 57 lv r %» oi
It is noted that the State of Delaware is
the only one loyal during the war, except
West Virginia, of which mention will be
made hereafter, which did not assume its
distnbuti\’e share of the direct tax of $20,-
000,000 apportioned to it under the act of
August 5, 1861. The amount apportioned
to Delaware A\ y as $74,08.') 33, and it was
supposed that the same would be allowed
when the State adjusted its military ac
counts with the General Government.
U pon the refusal of that State, however,
during the late fiscal year to authorize the
payment of the tax, the Internal Revenue
officers of the district were instructed to
proceed with its assessment and collection
under the power conferred upon them by
section forty-seven of the act of June 30
1804. 'i lie assessment upon the lands of
tin' State, commenced several months ago,
has progressed so far that collections of the
tax wijl very shortly be made. The posi
tion ot N\ est Virginia with reference to the
direct tax law is a peculiar one. The ap
portionment to Virginia of $!>37,550 53 avas
made before West \ irginia was created out
of a portion of that State; and while the
direct tax commissioners have prosecuted
their labors in \ irginia in conformity with
the act of 18til, W est \ irginia lias not
been authorized to assume her apportion
ment, nor indeed, has its amount been
properly determined. Its officers audits
representatives in both branches ol' Con
gress have expressed their readiness to dis
charge their obligations whenever they arc
properly established. The apportionment
should be made by act of Congress at its
next session, and the privclnge of its as
sumption by the State he given as in
other cases.
In treating of the income tax. the Com
missioner pertinently remarks: “ltw*s,
count?, the * purpose tof the ■iuA\
exempt so much of ona’s income as tvas,
demanded by his actual necessities. Six
hundred dollars was believed to be the
minimum expense of such at the time of
tlie passage of tho first law. Since then
the internal tax upon commodities, the
increase of customs duty, and the depre
ciation of the currency, have wrought an
almost universal advance in j 'rices, and I
believe the same reason notv exists for the
increase of the amount of exemption which
at first secured any exemption whatever.”
He favors an increase of the amount of
income exempted, from S6OO to $.1,000.
Should this change he made, lie holds that
there should be a corresponding amend
ment to that portion of the law relating to
tax ujioii salaries of persons employed in
the service of tho General Government.
The present income law expires by limita
tion in 1870.
The Commissioner closes by observing
that “the immense revenue of the last
fiscal year was raised with probably less
pressure upon the people than that of
smaller amounts in previous years. Tlieir
enterprise and spirit of accumulation have
prevented tho depression of business which
ordinarily attends heavy taxation. Their
means for the ultimate extinction of the
national debt arc rapidly multiplying from
the increase of population and the constant
development of new sources of wealth.
The reduction of taxes will stimulate pro
duction, and in a lew years the national
debt will cease to be an object of anxiety
or even annoyance to a great and united
people. ’ ’
OUt WASHINGTON (JOItUKSPONHENOE.
A Radical I'.xo'dus—Private Investigating
Parties— Business in the Committee
Rooms— Raymond’s Humiliation —Ste-
vens liis Persistent liuemy—Tlie Con
servatives on the Situation—They are
disposed to give rope to the Radicals—
Uneasiness of some of the Jacobins—
Universal Suffrage vs. the Constitutional
Amendment—Etc., Etc.
Washington, December 7.
Since Congress adjourned yesterday, as
many of the members of both houses as
could conveniently leave Washington have
started for other localities; many of them
for their homes, where they go on private
investigating tours, to ascertain how mat
ters are being managed in their respective
districts. Some few of them have made
their appearance at the White House, to
day and yesterday, generally with regard
to removals and appointments which have
been made during the recess. Their in
formation on tliis score, hoAvever, is more
easily obtained at tho Departments where
the record) have been kept, and whore
radical clerks note every point that comes
under their observation, for the purpose of
detailing to tlie members from their re
spective districts the recommendations and
circumstances attending every appointment.
The senators and representatives who
have remained in Washington arc particu
larly busy at the committee-rooms of tlie
capitol. Innumerable projects are being
considered, many of which will he promul
gated Avhen Congress rc-assemblcs next
week.
Mr. Raymond, doubtless, feels humilia
ted. Stevens persists in reading him out
of the party, and cannot be brought to
admit that there is stamina enough in tlie
representative from New York to entitle
him to re-admission to the radical ranks,
where he is earnestly petitioning to lie re
ceived. His influence on either side is not
regarded as being of any particular value.
The Conservatives—and when T say Con
servative of course is meant the party who
endorse the action of the late Philadelphia
Convention —by their Representatives in
Congress here seem to have agreed among
themselves to give Stevens and his party
a sufficient length of rope to hang with,
and at present it. appears that a very feeble
opposition will be made to the wild, mad
schemes which have been presented and
referred to the various Committees. Al
ready seeds of disaffection have become
apparent and it was on this account that
the more rabid members of the Jacobin
element—Sumner and Chandler in the
Sqnate, with Stevens and Boutwell in the
House —aided by others equally notorious
as loud talkers and poor combatants, ’Acre
so anxious to proceed to tho hasty passage
of certain bills of a revolutionary character
which have been introduced in the Senate,
particularly has tiiere been discovered a
disposition not to rush matters to a hasty
conclusion. Cooler heads among them are
looking at the perpetuation of tho party
and sec in the culminating point of ex
ti'cme measures a decided breach in their
organization.
For this purpose they are stroimou : ’y
endeavoring to prevent an abandonment of
tho constitutional amendment in favor of
universal suffrage, which Stevens and
Chandler are now actively urging. Upon
the question of reducing the States south
of (he Potomac to the condition of Ter
ritories, there has not yet been sufficient
discussion to ascertain the views of the
majority of Ihe radical party ; but it is
hardly to be doubted that the demands of
their caucus night before last will be left
unsatisfied. Some of those who deplore
most earnestly any sign of discontent al
ready begin to wince at that dogma ; but
Stever.s holds the reins, and it seems prob
able that for this session, or until the
moral antipathy to so much outrage shall
develop itself, he will have, by dint of'
scolding and cursing, the recalcitrants who
may show their opposition to him, sufficient'
power to force his measures down their
throats. Ho tells his friends that lie is
determined to continue the head arid front
oftlie Radical concern, and there is hut
little reason to doubt that, for tlie first few
weeks of this session, at least, he will.
Arlington.
Mr. Boutwell and the President.
—Noticing the fact that -Mr. Boutwell, of
Massachusetts, was the only man in the
Republican caucus, last Saturday night,
who talked about impeaching the Presi
dent, and hinted that the Chief Magistrate
connived at the escape of Surratt, &e.,
the Albany Ecening Journal calls for an
immediate investigation, that so serious a
charge may at once be cither confirmed or
disproved. The Journal says :
Mr. Boutwell is unfortunately known as
a man of impulsive and violent temper
ament, and his inextinguishable hatred i'or
the President may have made him willing
to accept of hearsay gossip against that
officer, and give it the weight of a semi
official assertion. Rut the subject matter
is one that cannot be lightly passed over.
Not only the individual character of Mr.
Johnson is concerned, but the honor of the
American people. If it is true that the
Chief Magistrate has aided in screening
one of the assassins of his predecessor, then
he is unfit to hold his office, from which
he should be hurled with indignation, and
held amenable to the criminal laws of the
country. If ho is innocent, then the fact
ought to be made speedily to appear, and
Mr. Boutwell should learn that it does not
lie in the mouth of a member of Congress,
nor any other mar,, to bruit such charges
against the first official representative of
the nation, without competent proof.
From either point of view, an immediate
and most thorough investigation is impera
tively demanded.
Col. Geo. Leger Grenfell.—The
Florida Legislature have passed a resolu
tion requesting Gov. Walker, and the
Congressional Delegation from that State,
to use their influence in behalf of the L.
S. prisoners confined at Dry Tortugas, and
especially to bring to the notice of the
President the ease of Col. George St. Leger
Grenfell confined for life by the sentence
of a military commission.
NEW SERIES, VOL. XXY. NO. 52
; Message of the Governor of Virginia.
Richmond, Ya., Dec. 4. —Gov. Pier
pout s message slioavs the public debt of
\ irginia, with the interest funded, to bo
j over $43,000,000. There are 136 regi
ments of militia of the line, of which
number 107 have been organized. The
remaing 29 regiments are in process of
organization,
He recommends an amendment to the
la\A- so as to direct the further stay of exe
cutions upon the payment, by the debter,
of the imprest and twenty-five per cent.*
of the, principal, within ninety days from
tlie Ist of January, 1868, at Avhioh time
the present stay law expires, and a like
sum, with the interest, each ensuing
year.
lie says the subject of labor is attracting
great attention in that State. The people
must first depend upon tlie native labor
now in the Commonwealth, white ana
colored. This is to be encouraged by the
repeal of oppressive laws. By the en
couragement es common schools, and by
fair Avages and kind treatment, the negro
ought t 5 have a fair chance, and he should
be tried hopefully. The next hope for
labor, be says, is from foreign countries.
Tho Governor discusses tiie constitu
tional amendment, remarking that tlie
people of tlie Soutli ought not again to be
beguiled by the promises of professed
allies and friends at tho North. Tlie Con
gressional party is composed of a large
class, the equals in wealth and intelligence
I of the leaders of the party of the President.
It embraces the flower and strength of both
the old political parties in the Northern
! States, brought together by the late Avar,
gpfcnow a common senti
moni and sytjff.'ithy. It ivill Jiedbrfie
stronger for many yoars to come. This
may be termed the dominant party, led by
the ardent and cultivated intellects now
represented in Congress.
The Governor says: “The practical
question for your consideration notv is,
whether, by the rejection of the proposed
constitutional amendment, you are likely
•to place the people of our State in a better
condition. If the views I have presented
be correct, there is no hope of better terms.
It is argued that it would be dishonorable
to accept the terms offered in the amend
ment. I think this objection is not sub
stantial. There was no political power
acquired by the surrender of the Confede
rate armies. The terms Avere as to the
soldier, the surrender of his arms, “giving
his parole that he would go to his home
and remain there peaceably until exchanged,
as a prisoner of war. or released from his
parole. The officers had more liberal
terms granted them, but these terms were
only such as applied to a prisoner of war
in a military point of view. This position
is fully confirmed by the fact that after one
of the Federal commanders had attempted
to give a political status to a largo division
of the insurgent army, the political features
of the treaty was ordered to bo stricken
out by the Government at Washington.”
“In another place he says : “The peo
pled'these States, as a conquered nation,
or as individuals who have forfeited their
political rights by rebellion, are still under
the ban oftlie Government, or in the potv
cr of the conqueror.
“In the case of nations at war, the con
queror dictates the terms of peace. In the
case of subjects engaged in rebellion, when
the rebellion is subdued the Government
enforces or jnitigrtis the penalty. The
terms of tlie conqueror in this case on the
penalties fixed by tlie Government are em
bodied in the proposed amendment. In a
review of the ease there can be no disgrace
incurred by the acceptance of the terms
proposed, because they are proposed by a
powerful Government to the people of
States disarmed and unable to resist its
authority.
“The disqualifications proposed, practi
cally, do not go to the army that surren
dcrud at Appomatox Court House. I sup
pose not five per cent, of the individuals
who composed that army will be affected
by toe proposed constitutional amendment.
“There were, perhaps, more able bodied
Virginians in the irftate, who were detailed
or exempted in one way or another from
military service, than were bearing arms
on that day. The disqualifications will fall
chiefly on this class. They ought not to
complain, because they did not expose tlieir
persons in the strife to realize victory in a
war they so largely contributed to inaugu
rate. Tliey were few at Appomattox who
had been active in bringing on the war.”
Loss of Uie Stemsiiip Smvance.
The steamship Sincance, from New
York for Brazos Santiago, having encount
ered much heavy weather and put into the
Delaware Breakwater, afterward left that
point to continue her voyage, and on the
night of the 3d inst., off Georgetown, S. C.,
experienced a terrible gale from southeast,
during Avhich she foundered, all hands
taking to three boats, two of which were
soon after picked up by the brig Potomac,.
from this port for Georgetown, S. S., and
carried to that point. Tlie captain’s boat,
containing himself and fourteen-others,,
has not, been heard from. The officers anil
men who were saved by tlie Potomac ar
rived here yesterday by the steamer Fannie,
Captain Davis, from Georgetown, S. C.
The following report has been furnished us
by the supercargo, Mr. J. Fred Schultz :
Charleston News, 7 tli.
LOSS OF THE STEAMER SUAVANEE.
The steamship Suwanec, J. W. Cath
arine master, left New York on the 27th
November, bound to Brazos Santiago,
with a heavy freight—-the vessel being
loaded down—with her guards under water.
The weather was moderate until after pas
sing Absecom Light, when the wind fresh
ened from S. and W., with a head sea.
While standing down for Cape Henlopcn,
bound for the breakwater, Delaware, the
steamer struck on tho shoal off Hereford
Inlet. Finding it impossible to get her off
without lightening, we threw over about
200 eases of heavy goods, avhen she floated
off. We then ran for the Breakwater and
anchored. After taking in some freight
there, avo put to sea on the 30th, with a
strong westerly wind. Nothing occurred
up to the night oftlie 3d December. When
off the South Carolina coast, running down
for Cape Romain Light, a heavy gale set
in from the S. and E., the wind and sea
increasing, until at midnight it blew a
hurricane, the ship laboring heavily, fre
quently falling off into tlie trough of the
sea, taking in water over the hurricane
deck. From this time up to 5. A. M. the
water gained rapidly. Tho steam and
hand pumps were kept agoing, and efforts
made to tighten her by throwing o\ - er
cargo. At 5. A. M. the water was within
twelve inches of the fires, and the firemen
up to their waist in water, trying to keep
the five agoing. At 6 o clock, finding the
shi)) must go down, got out the boats and
launched them safely, although the sea
was running very heavy. All the ship’s
company left her in safety, and about an
hour after avu saw her go down. After
leaving, tlie boats, three in number, steered
to the N. and W. —the captain’s boat,
containing 15 persons, being ahead, the
other two boats, in charge of the first mate
and chief engineer, keeping company.
About 9 A. M. we lost sight of the cap
tain’s boat, and having no compass in
either of our boats, we shaped our course
by the sun, trying to make the land.
About Meridian we made a sail to the E;
the first mate made a signal of distress,
and both boats kept away for the friendly
ship. It proved to be the brig Potomac,
of Bucksport, Mo., J. T Snow master, GO
hours from Charleston to Georgetown, S.
C., who took us on board, and done every
thing in his power to meet our necessities
—none of us having anything but the
clothes wc had on. He landed us safely
at Georgetown, and, under the Providence
of God, we arc indebted to him for our
lives. \\ e are under a lasting obligation
to Captain Davis, of tho steamer Fannie,
for a free passage to this port, and his
kindness to us while on board. The names
of the ship’s company are appended be
low.
Captain's boat. —J. W. Catharine, cap
tain, and two children ; A. Smith, Sec
ond Assistant Engineer; William Hill,
oiler; John Gill, fireman; James Mur
phy, coal heaver; Thomas Shay, coal
heavier ; Dr. Hadley, passenger ; Senor
Brooks, seamen ; Gilbert Smith, seaman;
James Wine, steward; Frank (F,j
landsman—lo in all.
Matt's boat. —Saved—Robert Pickens,
First Mate ;) Charles Fry, Second Mate;
James Cutter, ship cook; W. Brown,
seaman; Thomas Duffy, mess boy ; Thom
as Martin, coal heaver; J. W. Adams,
second cook—7,
Engineer's boat. —Henry Maples, Chief
Engineer, William H. Crawford, First
Assistant Engineer; J. Fred. Schultz,
Supercargo ; George Kirk, otier ; Hugh
Simpson, fireman; Thos. McGlaughlin,
fireman, John Norman, seaman ; Henry
Beaston, mess boy—B.
J. Fred. Schultz, Supercargo.
A span of the bridge over the Muskin
gum river, at Zanesville, Ohio, gave*\vay
Tuesday morning, as the train bound
Eastward, on the Ohio Central JRailroad,
was crossing it, and four cars, one of which
was a passenger car, and the engine wore
precipitated sixty feet to the rocky bottom.
One man is known to have been killed,
and ten persons are reported wounded)
some of tnem perhaps fatally.
Confiscation of Southern Properly.
Ihe correspondent of the New York
Times telegraphs to that journal as follows,
under date of \\ ashington, December 4 :
The House Committee on the Judiciary
have had referred to them, to repeal a por
tion oi a joint resolution explanatory of an
act to suppress insurrection, to pur.is'h trea
son and rebellion, to seize and confiscate the
property of rebels, and for other purposes,
approved July, 1862. The Committee re
port that the object of the hill in question
is to repeal so much of the joint resolution
referred to therein as prohibits the forfei
ture of the real estate. That, although by
the first and second sections of said Act
the crimes of treason or setting on foot, a
rebellion, or giving aid or eomiort thereto,
are made subject to the alternative of fine,
and which may result in the sale of t lie real
estate of the delinquent, there is no part
thereof, excepting the fifth and sixth sec
tions, authorizing the seizure and sale of
the property of certain classes therein de
signated, or of such other persons as sh ill
refuse, after sixty days’ notice by procla
mation of the Executive, to cease to give
further aid to the existing rebellion, which
can be considered as involving a forfeiture
of real estate within the technical signifi
cation of the manifest reference to the con
dition of things—the state of actual war
existing at that time—and were intended
only for the special purpose of bringing it
to an end, and that the same can in their
view of the case have no prospective opera
tion since the condition of things has been
determined. The effect of the repeal of so
much of the joint resolution as prohibit*
the forfeiture of the real estate of the de
linquents beyond qf' their natural
lives, would only bo the enactment offfn
ex post factO' law within the meaning of
the constitutional interdict, by annexing to
a crime that has been already committed a
new and additional puighment. The Com
mittee, for these reasons, have been dis
charged from the further consideration of
the subject, and the bill lies on the table.
Statistics of Emigration.
From the returns of the New York
Commissioners of Emigration, the fol
lowing statistics arc taken :
ARRIVALS AT CASTLE GARDEN DURING
NOVEMBER, 1866.
_ ~ Passengers not
Forts Clearance. \ cesels. Bondablc Pass's, liable to bond.
Liverpool, 23 6,545 327
London, 4 1,026 27
Glasgow, 3 755 10
Havre, 3 626 32
Hamburg, 7 3,410
Bremen, 12 4,393 IS
Rotterdam, 3 109 1
Total, 55 16,804 410
Number of emigrants arrived
to Nov. 21,1860, 210,555
Number of emigrants arrived
since Nov. 21, 1800, 3,265
Total 219,820
To same date in 1865, 181,258
DESTINATION OF PASSENGERS —NOVEMBER,
1866.
States. Total.
Arkansas, 7 Missouri, 477
Alabama, 22 Mexico, 2
British Columbia, IN. Hampshire, 28
Canada, 100 Nova Scotia 9
California, 105|New York, 7,615
Connecticut 250 New Jersey, 000
Central America 2|Nebraska, 23
Cuba, ■ 4.North Carolina, 3
Delaware. 25 New Brunswick, 10
Dist. of Columbia 58 Oregon, 1
Florida, 2 Rhode Island, 192
Georgia, 23jOhio, 1,094
Illinois, 1,522 Pennsylvania, 1,907
lowa, 3S3|South Carolina, IS
Indiana, 190|South America, 1
Ken tucky, 141 Texas, 22
Kansas, 34 Tennessee, 53
Louisiana, 88|Vermont, 11
Massachusetts, OSOiVirginia, 54
Maryland, 120 Wisconsin, 715
Maine, 7 P’ce Edwards Isl’d 1
Michigan, 424
Minnesota, 1431 Total, 17,175
Telegram to tile Pope—Answer of the
Pontiff;
The Baltimore Catholic Mirror publish
es the following :
As our readers are aware, the prelates
lately assembled in council sent a cordial
greeting to His Holiness through the At
lantic telegraph. The wording of the tel
egram was as follows. It left Baltimore on
the 9th of October, and reached Borne the
same afternoon, in about fifteen minutes,
making allowance for difference of time :
“ Seven Archbishops and forty Bishops,
met in council, unanimously salute your
Holiness, wishing you long life, with the
preservation of all the tncient and sacred
rights of the Holy See.”
This dispatch carried joy and consolation
to the afflicted heart, of the Pontiff, as ap
pears_from-.the following letter, addressed
by his direction to our Most Rev. Arch
bishop, }iy G’lrdinaf Rama bo, datod Octo
ter£4:. ... •,.
'‘The tclhgram which the. Bishops of
the States of the American Union, assem
bled in council, had the happy thought to
address to the Holy Father, proved to lie
of great comfort and consolation to His
Holiness; and so highly did lie appreciate
its spirit, that he ordered it to he immedi
ately published in the Official Journal of
Home, for the edification of his Roman
people and of the faithful at large.
“His Holiness looks with interest for the
acts and decrees of the Plenary Council,
which he expects to receive in due time,
and from which he hopes anew impulse
and continued increase to religion in the
United States will result. He has, how
ever, directed me to express directly to
your amplitude, and through you to all
your colleagues, his great pleasure, and to
request you to thank them for the interest
they have taken and still take in defending
the Holy Sec and in vindicating its con
tested right. Moreover, his Holiness has
learned with satisfaction that the papal
loan is succeeding, also through the co
operation of the American Episcopate. He
thanks them particularly for this, and
nourishes the hope that such co-operation
will not cease, and that thence a prosperous
result may be obtained. In the meantime
I pray the Lord that He long preserve and
prosper you.
Rome, from the l’ropagands, 24th Oct.,
iB6O.
“Most affectionately, your servant,
Cardinal Alexander Barnabo,
Secretary.
“To the Most Rev. Martin John Spalding,
Archbishop of Baltimore. ’ ’
Suratt—His Arrest and Escape in
Italy.—lt is stated that J. H. Surratt
has boon serving for some time past in the
Papal Zouaves. He had assumed, and
was known in his regiment by the name of
John Watson. Information of this fact
having been communicated to General
Rufus King, the Minister of the United
States at Rome, no time was lost by him
in transmitting the news to his Government
which straightway instructed the Gen
eral to take such measures as might lead
to the securing of Surratt, alias Watson.
In compliance with his instruction!, Gen
eral King repaired to the Vatican, request
ed an audience of Cardinal Antonclli, and
asked his Eminence whether, in the event
of his proving the identity of Surratt, the
Papal Government would hand him over
to that of the United States. The Cardi
nal Secretary promised the General all the
facilities in his power. A few days after,
on returning to the Vatican, General King
was mado acquainted by Cardinal Antoneili
with the measures he had taken—the ac
tual arrest; the conveyance to prison the
removal from prison under a guard of five
soldiers of the company ; hut the series
closed with the announcement that when
thus led out, Suratt, alias Watson, made a
sudden dash from his guards, jumped over
a precipice more than one hundred feet
high, and though hotly pursued by fifty
Zouaves, was enabled, from the fact of
their preferring a more circuitous route, to
get clear across the frontier into the Italian
territory.
Women in the Bible.—The Bible is
the book of women. It is the only book
which has come down from the misty ages
of antiquity that presents us with women
as the equal and meet for man. From
Eve, the mother of all living, to Mary, the
mother ol Jesus, woman always occupies
a conspicuous place in the grand drama of
the world s history. Here she is seen as
mother, filling her mission with
shrinking modesty and gentle firmness.—
Miriam and Deborah, Rebecca and Rutli,
oar ah and Esther, shine forth in characters
at once original, unique, consistent ami
feminine. On a still brighter canvas, and
in still brighter colors, are drawn the cha
racters of the Marthas, Marys and Lydias
of the New Testament. Here they are, as
they ought to be, and here they will remain
forever. Not forward, not departing from
her sphere, not immodest, not masculine.—
They shine, not like the sun, but with a.
radiance as mild and gentle as the light ol
the evening star. — Exchange.
Several Eastern clergymen have gone to
New Orleans to be present at the installa
tion exercises of Rev. C’has. 3 an Vorden,
of New York, at the new Congregational
church established, last summer, through
the Christian Commission,