LITERATURE. A Hi&TOHT OF THB TlOTS AND CRIMES Of TBS Grkat CoxariRACT to Overthrow Libkrtt im Ambrica. Bjr John Smith Dye. Published by tho Author: New York. The work of Mr. Dj, wbatevor may be Us do frcta, Certainly presents to us phases of Ameri can history in a new ani startling lieht. "It is the object of the author to srive, in a small com pass, a complete history of the political crimes originating with or from slavery, and perpe trated by its friend, during the last century." And the Sold which the author designs to cover he has faithfully succeeded in going over. There appears to be no incldant which bears tho slightest resemblance to an asservcration; which he has not silted; and If the leaders of the pro-slavery faction have half the sins upon their souls which he imputes to their account, they will have aload to sink them through alleter nity. According to the writer's showing, an at tempt was made to assassinate GcneralJackson, which was instigated by the South. While there can be no doubt but that Lawrence really attempted his murder, yet we cannot see, from tho evidence, that any connection between him and the nulllflers can be discov ered. We doubt not that the spirit which will support tho hUeous crime of slavery would willingly remove any obstacle so slight as one human life yet in the present case the evidence is insufficient. In the case of General Harrison a most clear case is made out. It would seem that, on reviewing the fact4, as we can now after the lapse of years, that it is at least not improbable tbat the President was actually re moved by arsenic. All the proofs are arranged with great care and nicety, and make out a strong line of circumstantial evidence. We have also all the particulars of the death of General Taylor; but the same line of argument is used in his case as in that of "Tippecanoe," but net so strong an accusation secured. It is shown in the facts' in the case of Mr. Buchanan, that not only was it tbe diabolical design of the murderers to poison, but that a bind red innocent victims were to be also Included in tbe butchery. As It was, thirty-eight died from the poison at the National IJotel, and it was only by superhuman effoits that the lile of the President was saved. The assassination of a year ato is given in do tail, and the great plea of Judge Advocate Bing ham given in lull. From such materials it was impossible that the author could fail to make an interesting work. He has treated the subject in a careful and pirspicuous style, and has succeeded in giv ing an extremely readable, even if not a very reliable work. As he proceeds he runs along 'with the history of the political struggle between slavery and freedom, detailing its progress with accuracy and makes a continuous narrative from the Declaration of Independence to the death of the President in April last He has treated of the subject in a llhgt in which It has not been examined before. It is original, and por tions of it appeared strained to secure a verdict of probability more than the facts will allow. Appended to the work proper is a succinct nar rative of the various assassinations of history, and the whole book terminates with a picture of President Johnson. The production possesses merit which recom mends it to the popular favor. Rather too pre judiced to be recived with trusting confidence, and all its statements considered as facts, yet at the same time, whenever the Issue, is strained it is too clearly evident to cause anv misapprehen sion . cm the part of the reader. We are assured it has had an immenso sale, and it is probable that the demand for it will con tinue to increase the more its style and character are known. The Paris correspondent of the New York World writes: "Fancy Renau's 'Life of Jesus' being read and annotated by Abdel Kaderl Btrange thoutrh it may appear,' it is, nevertheless, true, and lteuau has had a personal interview with the Emir, , who received him most hospitably at least so says L' EvenemerU, and we may believe it. I was wrong just now, when I stated that there was no present novelty in London. Ttv-re are the readers of the Hon. Mrs. Teresa Yelverton a name so well known in almost every corner of the globe that, in itself, it would be sutticicnt to till a room. Arriving early, I could not but remark that the general conversation ran almost exclusively on one topic Mrs. Yelverton and I was glad to' hoar that each had a word of sym pathy tor one so cruelly, shamefully wronged. She was dressed in a pale blue silk, with Bcnol ton velvets, in her hair and tound her neck. Her voice is deep, sonorous, and occasionally dramatic, and must have considerably improved since tho first reading, for it was distinctly heard from all parts of the room. Whether by design or chance, tbe pieces selected bore a marked similitude with her own ead fate, and told accordingly. Indeed, ,all through the reading you could not spparate the reader from the suUering woman, whose past is known to all, whose future is blank and comfortless, for not one ray ot hope remains that ever her con stancy will be rewarded, that ever she can be hnppy with the man she loves in spite of tor tune, time, or fate." ' The next volume of Napoleon's "Vie de Cesar" is announced for May. Tho Emperor's constant orders are: "Don't let any soul see the proofs.") What do you think of that? Tho Paris Union announces also tho appearance of a new Latin journal, under the title otApis Romana. . It Is a good example, and commences well. Its first Dumber contains some playful lines in praise of tobacco. A letter from Wllna announce a gene ral conversion at Pudbrezie, in Poland, from the Roman Catholic to the Orthodox Church. The Davenport brothers have announced a few seances in London. But the best anecdote of spiritualism we have heard tor some time Is the following: V gentleman was asked if he would like to call a spirit. "I should," the gentleman replied. "Whose?" asked the medium. "Lindley Murray's!" Llndley Munay's ghoit appeared erect, right through the table. The gentleman shuddered. All trembled. The medium was visibly afflicted. "Are you the spirit of Lindley Murray ?" asked the gentleman, astonished at Disown courage in thus addressing a vibitaut of the lower world. " Yes, I are " boldly responded Lindley Mur ray's ghost. Poor Lindley Murray I A Sale of Itaie Autotrophs. A large collection of valuable autographs was recently offered for sale in New York, in refer ence to wWh the Tribune says: ' An autograph sale, boasting, in addition to considerable local Interest, something like a world-wide variety of distinguished siKna turcs, is infrequent even where sales ot varia curiosa are bo common as in New York. That at Messrs. Bangs & Merwin's on two evenings vast was favored with a very fair attendance, though, remarkably, not with spirited bidding. THE PAIL Z EVENING TELEG R APII. PHILADELPHIA; ' SATURDAY, The autographs were advertised m one ot the most important and valuable collections vor offered lor vale in this country; and certainly their number, curiosity, andwtame, might have justified a larger attendance ot purchaser. The sale no tar has dios;d ot only nail tho col lection, which, it is worth while saying, is "war ranted genuine and authentic," is well clashed and illustrated, and ranges from Revolutionary Colonels and Congressmen to Major-Generals, Chief J 11st ce. Ambassadors, and Presidents; trom Prime Ministers and Generalissimos to Archduke, Kings, Queens, Emperors, and Popes: through theology, philosophy, and science, with Mclancthon, Sweden bortr, Leib nitz, D'Alcmbert, Charapollion, Humboldt, Ber have, and other Rreat names; from Cramer and Lortzluar to Bellini, Donizetti, an I Mendelssohn, among musicians; and among historians, poets, novelists, and dramatists, such as Hume, 81s mondi, Wieland, Jean Paul Hichtor, Zcuoktco. Voltaire, Tom Moore, and Wordsworth. The painter autographs are of God.rer Kneller. Ben lamin West, David, Lcssing, and Canova. There is a fragment of Spontini, which has marks ot genuineness, and is accompanied by a rare en graved portrait ot the Empress Josephine's i lavorile maestro In his court dress. The auto- ! Graph scores of Bellini and Lortzing have also I appended interesting contemporaneous portraits which we very seldom see. A letter scrap of Donizetti, written in a rapid and inky chirovraphy, nicely s'roked and dotted, I the name of the master easily lesible, contra-its I curiously with the neat score ot Bellini. These j autogiaphs were each sold lor $1-25. Thermit- ' tarv lints of writings, sometimeo as stragetio and puzzling as any lover of tho martial art ! could wish, extend Irom the simple siex-mannal of Colonel Ethan Allen up to Washington, and j back 1o Prince Euuene, Frederick the Great, I Wallenstnn, Tille.y, Charles the Twelfth, and I Gustavus Adolpbus. Bidding, as we have said, was, upon the whole, tolerably common-place, which. may be accounted for most naturally by ! the exceeding disproportion of titled and famous j autographirs to the limited and democratic attendance. The low figures at which tho death- ', dealing hands ot lemons kings and queeni wont I off into possession ot unknown collectors nvght ; be taken as a lact most mortifying to royalty in i these days rather than as showing a want ot ' abstruse hostorical knowledge on the part of our second hand dealers. But the prices offered i in many instances did not by any means im peach tho value ot the sale. I The first division, of the collection, Including I souio quite rare antograpbs of American Colo nial Governors and Dre-Kevolutiouarv notables. ! sold nriskly at prices varying irom twenty -rive cents to two dollars. Among these was a scarce writing ot Robert Hunter, Governor of New York in 1712, and the author of a laiuous letter on "Enthusiasm," by some attributed to Swil't, and by others 10 Shattesbury ; suuatures of Sir George Cnmon and the New Jersey pro prietors, Berkely and Carteret; and Borne records and letters ot the Colonial Governors of Massa chusetts, Maryland, and North Carolina. Auto graphs of Revolutionary statesmen brought sinulur tsums A plum and scholarly script of John Jay was laid aide lor $2,und a s'llsrht.scarce autograpu 01 ratrick Henry bromrnt no more. A long personal letter of Elias Bouoinot, ' President of Coneress. in 17S2. was noucht I lor $1. Generals in the Revolution commanded growing prices. Colonel Allen's letter, dated during the w ar of Independence, was secured lor $425; a page by (Jeueral Philip Schuvler, dated Moses Creek, 1777, complaining taut bis leyutation sutlers unjustly, was valued at $9; a neatly written Linshsh letter o the Marquis de Lafayette to John Jacob Astor, and an admira ble specimen of Laiayette's autograph, brought easily $15, as hieh a sum as Washinrton's letter to General Morgan during the Ne v Jersey cam paign. Xhis is a more rapid hand, it seems, tbr.n usual, of the calm, precise, aud etraicnt lorward writing ol the Commander-in-Chief, (itneral Anthony Wayne's letter to Major John Armstrong sold lor $3, aud is apiccjot strong aud practised chirofiaphy. Eight records, with signatures of three Dukes of Brunswick, Including one of tne late occon tric, whose wondertul diamonds were stoleu a lew years aao, and with smua-manual ol live of the Danish kings, did not venture above $175 apiece. Gustuvus Anolphus' almost undeci pherable scrawl, splay-iashioned, light, and cms-cross, reached only $3; a still more imper fect autho.L'raph of Charles XII was sold tor $lf0. Beruadotte's bold signature could com mand no more than 60 cents; that ot Catharine II, the great and infamous i Russia, went oil' chcp at $1; but the Swedish Queen Christina, better preserved autograph, brought the fair royal price of $375. Maria Thtresa's more modish and modern handwriting was rated no higher tnan a couple ot dollars. Philip If, husband ot "Bloody Mary," and the Emperor Charles the Filth of Germany had no better luck. An autograph of great variety, undoubtedly the nandsomet aud most characteristic ot tnis part of tne collection that ot Prince Alexander Mensclukoll was sold for $125. Scrap3 of Wallenbtein and Piccolomitii, the periume of Schiller's great drama about them, were held In no better respect. Frederick the Great, Alex ander Farnese, Archduke Charles, and Marshal Blucher, were counted ort soon at itrnoble prices no higher than $2. Frederick appends to a very small and neat metnoiandum the curt signature of "Fr.tz." The graceful and expressive auto graph ot Prince Metternlch, a letter accompa nying a portrait ot his clear and elegant lea hue?, -a at- undoubtedly one of the rarest speci mens ottered for sale. Ot English autographs, those of Bolingbroke and General George MonK were rated highest at between $1 and $3. Signatures of Palmerston and Peel sold for 40 and 50 cents; a small manu- otiipti ui jLaviu ui cwowi, 4i uu, a letter ui 1 Geoige Craobe to his publisher, $3, and another of Harriet Martineau to Mrs. Hale, were among the best bids. Among all the autographs none j is more delicate and refined than Moore's, or so i light and airy as Barry Cornwall's, which brought equal Bums ot $1. Richardson, the author of "Sir Charles Cavendish," etc., was prized at $350, and David Hume at $10. A small neat scrap ot writing by Wordsworth was put away at $27d. The next division ot sale, including auto graphs of several 01 the Popes, and some band some specimens of old iusbioued scholastic cali graphlo one Of which purports to be a reeord ot Alexander Borgia was speedily gone through with at figures ranging trom $1 to J. The minute and graceful handwriting of Tiraboschi, a business lettrr ol the celebrated Dr. Scarpa, scrips of the poets, Professor Vincent Monti, and Pindelmonte, and a fragment with the name of Spontini. were each sold tor tweuty-nve cents. Mendelssohn's autograph is charmingly neat and fantastic. The engraved portrait, which accompanies it gives a Jewish expression of fea ture w hich is absent irom tho late presentiments 01 the ethereal composer. Chevalier Mewkomm writes delicately and legibly. A German verso daintily written on tinted paper aud undersigned "Henrietta Rossi," is a pretty little memorial of the fascinating Madame Sontag. What would be thouent far rarer than all these it-a semi political record of Carlo Broschl, or Farinelli, the celebrated singer, once the favorite ana minister of the SoaniBh King Philip Filth. Donizetti's hand, 01 all the musical autographs, appaieutly wears the most active uervo and character. None of these sola ior more than V'la, and a lew among them Sontas's biitet Ooux and a note of Lortzin;'s (composer of Czar and Zimmerman) werj obtained for a mere trifle. The engraved portraits which- go with the greater patt of tne autographs somewhat en hance their value. It is not ho often that a good likeness of the polished but unlovely Metternlch reaches us, or that we can get a fair idea of the saturnine, grim vinages of some ol the old Ger man Kaisers, or the bigh-broweJ, severe-ieatured, sad face of WallenstPin, or the cynic andeno gevc Charles Twelfth. Although those portraits may not be extraordinarily rare, and their like mav be found amonir the spoils ot antique vol umes at many second-hand booksellers', their firesence amonir tbe autographs witnesses good aste and considerable research. . The auction of lust evening disposed of fifty or sixty autographs of the must celebrated Ger man scholars and poets. An interesting scien tific and literary letter of Alexander Von Hum boldt was sold lor $250; and autographs ot Lie big. Neander, and Pestalozzi. For the auto. gTaph of tbe noet and romancer, Baron Foque, the comparatively fair price ot $2'5i) was given. Mathlsnn, toe poet uf Beethoven's "Adelaide," Muned himself away for 2 ft cents, and so with Count de Stolberg Zchokke. Handsome speci mens of Jean Paul and Wieland went oif at $275. An;ong signers of the Declaration, Franklin and Jetlerson were complimenlel with bids of $13 nd$8. A record ot Louis XIV, royallv signed and sealed, broueht $226, and a holograph let ter ot the woful Baron Tn nek, $550. Twenty autograph of Napoleon's Mait-hals, including Ney and Murat, were talked away at $250, and an abbreviated signature of Napoleon tho Great, In his usual Imperial cvpher, was purchased lor $1350. Tho rest of the autonraphs ot the Bona parte family were sold at prices varvint bet veen $1 and $3. Tbe fact that lore gn autograph cannot be readily Identified will explain the cheapness of some of tho-e figures. The buvers appear t" have been ffuldeJ en tirely by the advice of the cntaljgu! in their choice, if not appreciation of manuscript trea sure, without, however, knowing oxactly whether their acquisitions are of great or email value. It is undeniable that well-written auto graphs bring the most money a fact which the great men who will hereafter supply the Ameri can market ought to bear in mind. THE NEW YORK PEES3. EDITORIAL OPINIONS OF LEADING JOUHNALS VFON CURRENT TOFIC8. COMPILED 1.VKBY DAT FOR EVENING TKLKORaPII. Geneial Sheridan's testimony. From the Timet. Although tho testimony of Major-General Sheridan communicated to the Secret Commit tee of Fifteen omits many points in regard to which the country would have been glad to have his views, it is full enoueh 10 show that, in tho main, he agrees with the other distinguished soldiers whose opinions upon the reconstruction question had been previously reported. The States of which General Sheridan undertakes to speak are Louisiana, Florida, and Texas, and the impression his words produce is quite as lavorablo as reasonable men could expect it to be. It is evidently discriminating, too, and, therefore, more likely to command contidance in .its truthfulnesH. Thus, as we understand his answers to the queries propounded, the popular sentiment of l lorida is more cirdial m its loyalty than that ot the interior of Louisiana, whilst that of Texas is less lavorable. Analyze his statements, however, and the causes of dii terence become apparent. Louisiana suffered more than Florida during tc war, and conse qivnily ninny 01 her people labor under the irri tation produced by the loss 01 nrooertv. Texas. on the other hand, haviug made money by the war, is exempt irom the depressing influences I which aie telt in Louisiana. Bui trontier law-les-ness clings to it, and renders necessary the .presence ot a military force. Irrespective of the special circumstances nd veited to bv General Sheridan, what he r.h cunccrnir.e the prevailing public feeliug in the Southwest lallius with the statemauts of tho I speciai'corresponoeut who recently represented tue 'limis in that section. The ( enernl tells the Committee 'that th ex-Rebels "accept tue situ ation, and have an earnest desire for the restora tion of a perfect L'nion;" that "the feeling and sentiment of those with n the limit ot" his com mand, though not entirely satisfactory, "is as good, perhaps, as could bu expected;" "that in Louis ana a majority of tho people are on the side of the Federal tiovernmcnt, and "earnestly desire to be restored to a perfect Union with the other State ;" that in Florida "the tone and "emiinent ot the people are very fair;" that in Texas, "atLong the best people, tbero is a very good feeling towards the Government." For w hat more, consistently with reason, could we at this moment ask ? So far as tbe negroes are concerned, General Sherman deemed the maintenance of tho Freed men's Bureau expedient for a time. But he em phatically rejects tho radical policv as framrht with mischief to the negro himself. "I be lieve," declares the General, "that the best thing tbat Congress or States can do is to legislate as little as possible In relerence to the colored man, beyond giving him security in bis person and propeity. His social status" he adds, "will be worked out by the logic of the necessity tor his labor." Here is a beliet lounded upon ex tended observation and experience, and in direct opposition to the theorizing of Messrs. Sumner ami Stevens,, who, under the pretense of elevat vuting the negro, would bring upon him endless disasters. President Johnson was not far astray when he told the colored people of Washington tbat their worst enemies are the politicians who trade upon a barren philanthropy, and keep up the cry for negro su 11 rage tor their own partisan advantage. The Consolidated National Debt. From the Tribune. We trust the Finance Committee of the Senate will lose no time in considering Mr. Sherman's bill for consolidating the debt, and reporting it to Congress. The country needs a thorough financial plan, and we know of none that would be more generally acceptable than this. An objection is made to the fourth section of the biil on the ground that it takes an undue ad vantage of holders of Seven-thirties, by compel ling them to decide six moaths before maturity whether they will accept another form of loan or national currency for their securities. We think it bad policy for a Government to take a course which by any means could bo connlrued into an attempt to drive a sharp bargain. But, at the same time, the Government must adopt a nisasure of self protection. 'I'ime will be ne cessary to provide tbe means to meet these Seven-thirty notes as they mature. There are over $bOU,000,000 of Seven-thirty notes to here deemed in sorno way, and in a very short time. We cannot raise this money by any system of direct taxation without creating heavy burdens; and the necessity of providing $800,000,000 lu currency, and at the same time in Five tweulicB, to be reaay upon the day the iseven-Thirtles mature, so as to be prepared for any decision the holders may Make, is to place upon tie Treasury a burden of enormous iiiamjituiie. The money market cannot but sutler Irom the ignorance of the Department and the indecision of noteholders, it tbe monev value of the Seven-thirty loan is thrown upon the market in currency, we shall bave a period ot inflation more extended, and, in the end, more disastrous than at any time of the war. If we confine ourselves to Five-twenties as the only loan to be taken by those who returned the Seven-thirties, and hold an abundance ot monev, we mtrely assume a new six per cent. iro Id bearing loan for at least five years tncceedlng the maturity ct tho Seven thirties without tak ing advantage ot the increased national pros perity, the abundance of money that nation n I prosperity will bring, and the opportunity we shall have ol reducing the rate ol interest, and cieatmsr a sinking lund lor the payment of the national debt. By the plan of Mr. Sherman, the Government, like any piuc'ent money -dealer, will know six months in advance what it w ill be called nrwm to do tbe amount of money and ot bonds it : will Jiave to provide. There will be no cnance to create a panic or to demoralize tbe business oi the country. At the same time, this fourth section is merely a matter of convenience, mid ' not an essential part of the bill, and we are not t anxious about its talo. We wish to see the Gov 1 eminent reduce thereto of interest, and thus I save 10 ol tbe amount ot tbe interest to be paid annually; and. in the cecond place, ani.lv tim monev thus saved to the payment ot the Na tional debt. As we showed yesterday, by neao tiating $2,000,000,000 of a five per cent. loan, and applying one per cent, ot that amount wiih compound Interest for forty years, wo shall be able to pay off $2,000,000,000 of the uaiioual debt about the end of the present centnry. . For this reason, we were willing to accept a thirty or torty year loan. To provide against any con-tiutrencie-, however, end to make the job of paying our debt as easy as possible to our chil dten, we should be willlnir to accept a longer loan than that provided by Mr. Sherman's bill Ufiy years, tor instance. Th? main points upon which we leel like Insisting are: I. That the six per cent, una seven nd three tenths per cent, loans shall be converted into five prr cent loans so soon as the terms of their creation will permit. - , ;... II. Tbat tbe Government shall not pay more than five per cent, tor money, when-other conn-1 tries, withont one-half of our reiourcej, can on-' tain it st a lower rate. III. That the loan shall be for as brief a period tvs prudence will permit. IV. Tbat a sinking Mind shall be created, to show that we are sincerely anxious to pay our debt In time, and tbat, as an earnest of our taith, we provide means for doinn it. Tho lear that we cannot ueirotiato thti loan at five per cent, is unfounded. If we could borrow $t:b7.t'84,(iOO at six per cent., and $198,241,lno at five per cent, ia time of war, wo can certainly leduce the rate to five per cent, in time of peace, with the country rapidly Increasing in wealth, and a fair plan of taxation. Those who hold a contrary opinion do injustice to the spirit of the American people and the genius ot our financiers. We venture to sav that Jav Cooke, tor Instance, our faithful agent in tne , days ot trouble, con la be induced to do th's siiino work for us in a time of peace. T!ie Five- twenty loan was as low &i 92 during the war. The cven-tliirty could have bnen bought for t)6 not many mouths ago. The Ten-forties, a live per cnt. I an, sold at 05J yesterday about as much as theSevcn-thirties commanded at Christ mas, if this five per cent, loan is worth as much now as a Seveu thirty was six months ago, if requires very little calculation to show tbat it may be made par beiore the Seven-thirties begin to mature. Let Congress pass Mr. Sher man's bill, and the Secreiarv of the Treasury put a five per cent, forty or titty -year consoli dated loan on the market, in the hands of a capable and patriotic agent, and we venture to fay that it will be at par b lore many weeks. The plan seems to be so lull ot common sense that we wonder any sagacious banker should oppose it. Ileconsti action The President and the Committee ot Filteen. From the Herald. Congresf made war on the President as one who had gone against the true interests of the country. Prominent men in the Republican party denounced the President as a traitor, aud tnejehosen phrasemonger of that party declared that Andrew Johnson had given up to the South the lruits ct the Northern victory; that he had shorn our triumph of all that made it valuable. On the floor 01 Congress he was anathematized as ao "executive usurper and despot." He was chareed with an intentiou to destroy the Con stitution by substituting for its equable distribu tion of political forces a "one nianpojyer." lie was habitually called, iu entire disregard of pub lic decorum, ''the man at the other 'end of the aveuuc," aud in the Senate a member blas phemously thanked God lor the visitation ot ill ness that kept Horn tneir seats men who would, 11 present, have voted 10 sustain tho President. Judging from all the obloauv thus heannd upon the President, the country naturally thought that he had been guilty of some heinous act. The people, it is true did not know w bat his crime was. So tiir as they could see, the President had been engaged only in one great labor bat of restoring the Southern Siates to their relations with the Union. But this the people thought was carrying to its ulti mate result tbe great purpose lor which the country had gone to w ar, uud therefore they thought his etlorts at reconstruction entitled only to praise, and to the more praise as they weie coucimj tuecessiui. nowever, trusting their party leaders, many of them accepted the lact that the President had committed some great crime, and hoped to learn what the crime w as bv-and-bv. Thev waited patiently. It was known that a committee of Congress, appointed on reconstruction, was ousy Dottimg aud label ing the radical wrath soon to be poured on the devoted head ot Mr. Johnson. This committee vnc tn BDP 'n-Alirl armm in 111 n ln4rn A report. No one could say what horrors, what wonders ol polit.cal villany that report might reveal. Impeachment of the President was vauuely whispered as one of the less consider able 01 its possible results. Its propositions for leconstruction would, at least, show, bv their direct contrariness to what had been done by luu rraiiitui, tuMi ue naa aenea congress, common sense, and the countrv. Conariess could not, lor very shame, show loss than that. Biter an it uuu saia. This Congressional committee of filteen has re-oiled Shut uj) in a dark room tor nearly five months, it had abundant time to frame, mature, and elaborate tbat report that was to Include the great radical plan, and has finally laid its labors before the wotld. And the first and most obvious tact in relation to this radical pioeramme is that it not, only does not object to any single act of the President in the matter of reconstruction, but absolutely accepts all that he has done, and indorses his course in the strongest possible terms. "It is expedient," says tbe committee, ' that the State lately In insurrection should at the earliest day consistent with the lutuie peace and salety of the Union be restored to participation in all political rights." These words embrace the whole basis ot the President's course; they express the very spirit ot Lis policy. Not one word against the acts of Andrew Johnson. Not even a little clause to involve or imply a rebuke for, or to point out to the pet pie the acts that ma le him a "usurper and a despot." By this report of the Reconstruction Commit tee Congress swallows its words almost swat lows itself. It tells the country in the most emphatic way that the President was right all tne lime, anu mat us reconstruction commit tee, alter a patient search ot five months, cannot put its tinker on a point in the President's plan to jnstity its abuse. What must be the result? Simply thnt the whole mass of the party arrayed egainst the Presioent must go over or go under ; simply that the parly must perceive immediately the gieiit eiror it icll uito in loilow lug tho lead 01 the insane Steventi, nnl rectify that error. Already this is begun. Mr. Stanton adheres to the President, rinding that nothing can be said ncamst his policy, that there is no other course to lake, he gives in his alleeUnce to tho great practical reeonsiructiou'st, aud thus sig nalizes the eommencing disintegration of the radical ioction. ' The German Problem. From the Daily Ntvs. Our accomplished and well-informed Paris corrrspoudent, writing from one ot he centres oi political opinion ju-.t now in Europe, gives us to believe that the lull in the stormy controversy between Austria aud Prussia is but the calm that piesages the storm. The rumors current at the suliing ot the last steamer that Austria bad proposed, In answer to Herr Blsraark's note of the 16th ultimo, that a simultaneous reduc tion of the armaments of the two powers should take place, and which was considered as a pro bable meuns ot avoiding hostilities, poises too little of authenticity, in the shape in which they come to us, to warrant a conclusive opiuion based upon the information that they give. This course on the part of Austria, following upon Bismark's note ot the 15ih of April, would tend rather to strengthen Prussia, already arrogant and aggressive, in tho evidence that it would give oi Austria's dislike to risk a war, upon the questions at issue, with her antagonist. , In hie note of the 15th ulU, Bismark, who is, as usual, peremptory and imperative, says: "Let it (the Imperial Government) re-estaolish the statu quo ante if it desire that reciprooity in declarations should pass into the domain of tact." The peremptory tone of this coudltion to a re establishment ot the old order of thing cannot escape notice. In making the couces si u imputed to ber, Austiia would taoitlv acknowledge tbat her military preparations MAY 5,;18GG. have been hasty, and thai, Instead of seeking to I guard against the possiblo danger arising trom I I'riispm'g threatening attitude, she has been 1 ffivlng cause ior offense bv those preparations. Th nrnnnfial In Htanrni imiiltAnpiimlv. tflt have bern made cannot fail to add to the im- portance of Prussia in the future consultations of the Germanic Confederation. And that this patched-np evasion ot war on the part of Aus tria will ttnd to a settlement of the fate of the Duchies ot Schleswig and Holstein on a basis satisfactory to her is not so apparent Rather would it seem that, in Buttering hpwlf to be driven from her position by Bismark, she will proportionately lose that audacity which is as lequisite to supporting the influence ot a legiti mate Government in so jarrinu a-political sys tem as that ot Germany as to conducting a suc cessful levolution. Having onoe yielded to the obstinate attitude of Prussia, she will naturally not choo?o to provoke a repetition Of those snarlirg interchanges of diplomatic acerbities which have recently characterized the notes exchanged between the two Governments: and with her antagonist master of the situation, she will give a reluctant consent to tho plan of territorial aggrandizement S3 persistently tol lowed up b.v the Prussian MinLler. It is in a consideration of the consequent out lined above, tbat the doubts in connection with the latest rumored purpose ot Austria gain strength. Should such a proposition have been made, there is every likelihood of Pru-sla's accepting lu That power, it is reasonable t suppose, is not seeking warmerely lortne pastime. The possession oi the disputed domain ol Scutes-wig-Holstcin is her end. With her, war is only the means; and could she achieve her purpose through the agency ol a bloodless vlctory,.so much the better lor her, and so much the better lor Bismark. The Government of tbe King can not dc ignorant of the temper of the Prussian people. Even did war enter the ambitious cal culations ot Bismark, the decided hostility shown by the people to that measure might serve to chek him, or, at least, to induce him to exhaust the aits of diplomacy in the fulfil ment ot his purpose in connection with Schles-wlg-IIolstein. A teiniination of the pending controversy, favorable to Prussia, would place the Prussian Minister upon a level with the great masters of aipltroatlc strategy provided that favorable termination be secured without the shedding of blood. He could, then, fittingly be likened to Richelieu, and whatever opposition now obtalus agaiust liimfemeng- bis people, wou'd be changed to the plaudits awarded to the successful diplo mat and statesman. It is a laurel worth striving for, and one to be gained, perhaps, with less of bluster and more ot suavity. But Bismark ap pears to have adopted the revolutionary cry of audace! in the conduct of his foreign relations; and, if it should succctd, iu the end, in ai.iing him to wrest the duch o.i of Schles wlg-llohsiein Irom their present anomalous cond.tion, aud to trans them to tne crown of Prussia, wilnout in volving the family ol Slates in war, the posses sn n of that attribute would not operato against him in the minds ot his countrymen. The question of hostilities among members of the Germanic Confederation is at present Ira aaht with possible peril to tho entire system' of monarchy in Central Europe. A mistakain the profeculicn of war, or a violent disposition to nfiiont the popular sentroent, if it should Le in favor ol peace, may lead to complications wherein a rew element may appear upon the field, prompt to avail itself ol the mistakes of its rulers. That element, brooding in the minds ot the disaffected under every flag ot the Old Wod, is lound everywhere. Suppressed at in tervals by the military police, it breaks out again to be aeain suppressed. But for all that suppression it lives, and awaits the day o'' de liverance. And it takes the shape of the action siiHgested by its hiah priest, Garibaldi, last sum mer, to Herr Blind, tbe Progressist, that the German people shake down IhelrThirty Tyraats; and its name is Revolution. The Radicals Meditating- a Retreat Mani festo trom A'orney. From the Vorld. Iq Thursday's Philadelphia Press, there was a swaggering letter from "Occasional" (Forney), defiant, double-leaded, filling two columns, tho burden of which seemed to be, at first blush, a vcre confident and exultingly Insolent predic tion of the complete triumph of the reconstruc tion policy of the radicals over that of the President. By "the knowing one" in the Re publican party, this cascade of frothy iusolcuce will be interpreted "by the rule of contraries." The tadicals bfgin to teel that they cacnot safely go befors the country with the most ottensive feature ot their plan the disfranchise ment ot the whole South till 1870. As prepara tory to backing out of that part of it, they make, through Forney, a vainglorious parade ot their strength, as a general who finds himself in an unsate position makes a bold demonstra tion with his rear-guard, to cover the retreat of his main body. The radicals were distrustful as to how their plan would take, in tbe very act ot broaching it. Instead oi bringing it to immediate decision iu Congress, they postponed action till the eleventh day after its publication, in order that they might gather indications of its acceptance with tho public. The disfranchisement section so overhoots the mark, it makes the whole plan seem so dishonest, so self-annihilating, that it has been received with little tavor even by the Republican journals. In this city, besides tbe Democratic journals, the 2 t?nes, Evening Post, and Lcmrnercial Advertiser have opposed it with more or less vigor aud decision, while the Tri lune, the only abettor oi the report, accompa nied its publication with a short article in which the plan was discredited by presenting one which that paper thought prt rotable, and it has since had little to say on tbe subject The inde cent absurdity of the (liBlranchisement section was immediately made so glaring, that Forney, w ho is un observing politician, sees that it will never do. Beiore lurther describing his letter we will quoto the passage ior the sake of w hieh the whole must have been written: "Nothing more tnumnbantlr' prove that: the friends ot in policy' are conscious of these fuot, 'iiau their attempt to rekindle the tiro ot hatred in the i-'outb. by owelling upon that portion ol f,he report of the joint ourmuittee which prevents certain t numerated classes trom voting until 1870. Hap pcv, however, th' Congress, satisfied that tue iioU'bern people are wlliimr, in good faith, to aocept the otber onion of this comprihensiva programme, Bliou.d consent to allow these classes to voto, snd slioulu tollow this br granting every touthoin State i bat ratiues the new article ol tne constitu tion immediate repiesenttion, what then becomes oi ciusade wliioii, as tbe experience ol the country since the mu' iiog ot Congress has too cud y shown, has had no ott er objoc Dut tho gra tification of a seifish ambition on the one hand, aud an n concoivabio spine of revence airtunst a gem reus and confiding people on the other?" Considering how egregious a blunder tho dis franchisement section is. the radicals would no doi.bt do a discreet thing if they withdrew it before they get their party luiiy committed. But In politics, a in war, a retreat in the face of the enemy is a dangerous operation. Forney is managing with considerable address to conceal the true character of the contemplated retreat. His long letter moves with tbe exultant tread of an army marcning to victory, ne puts over it, in huge staring capitals, "Harmony." Then fol lows, as preliminary flourish number two, these heudlines, In large showy letters: "The Report ot ihe Committee on Reconstruction sure to be adopted by Congress and ratified by tbe State Legislatures." Then, after another break, still in staring type, these: "It guarantees Freedom and Equality to all our citizens, and Mag iianmity and Generosity to the recent enemies ol the Republic." Alter this prclusory waving ot banners, Forney goes on to Drag how certain it Is that tne Committee's plan will be triumphantly adopted by two-thirds of both Houses, to ihe great consternation of the Presi. dent; how the Northern State Governors will call extra sessious ot the State Legislatures; how. beiore autumn, it will receive twenty-two ot the twenty eight (twenty-e'ght since Colorado is admitted) needed ratifications; how theSouth ern people will then see that It is president Johnson and the Copperheads that are keeping them out of the Union; how the Southern Siates will till the Presldeut with disrna by their alacrity iu accepting the plan ot the Committee; snd how 8tovens, Sumner, and the radicals will mnied1atelv thereafter be, both tn tact and tn Southern estimation, vho Souih's dearest. kindest llLMids. nil. I. -1- -11 1 Uili.niAna ntinn.lit Ki.f 1 1 J UIB IS VUIlllUK nIU llUll-IUUUr, V UlSUK II lUI ft probably foretokens a considerable modification ot the plnn rep uted by the committee, and a chance of taciics by th ra licals. They are de-libt-raiing on tbe exedieuc ol play m? the part ot melting, gusbii'gS' uipath.v for the South. All tbe tears, oi course, lie in an onion which they will really shed over the snfferlntrs of our South ern brethren; but Ibere is lutle doubt tbat they are lebearsii g a comedy ot tears. Forney says that tho radical Governors, "stimulated by the forlorn condition of the Southern people, and moved by the appeals," etc., will make ha9to to call extra sesioiis ol the State Legislatures to ratify tbe radlcnl amendment. The pretense of magnanimous gonerosttv. which the radical are about to assume, is heralded in the cloung paragraph ot Forney's letter, as follows: "It will, therefore appear that the obstraotionlsti re 10 be to and among tne President's friends. That the Souttern 8U.e are to bo I eld out of the Umou by the man who bat auerly pioleisud to be thoir exclusive champion, and lliat simply becnus Con pros will not perml' bim to docldo the ques ion which is exclusively its own, he liai attempted a new experiment that will prove to be the muit fatal of all bis cnterpr'flps Tiio Sonthern rojle will soon be convinced that tbe radical, as iIiot are called, ate, in fact, 'their best IrieuOa.' Spcukin lor tbe mPlfons who conquered tne Rebellion, tbey will, 1 predict, now that tJe chler guaranties have been secured, ) d everttning that can be honora bly aid lairly fXp'Ctod or demanded. Tho groat business interests, Morth or South, a reaay appro oie ihe Juitice of ten prediction, and are pre paring for i ho coi. sequences of its-oalizailjn. fhnre is not a 'rsdical' in ouber branch of Coure-R, be ginning with Mr. oumner in the Senate aud Jlr. Hiercns In the ilonen, who wi'l not outbid a l the professing inends of the (Southern pei p'o in acts of practical benevolence and substantial forgiveness, it these people, alter due rethotion, accept ihe gen eroiisconmnoi's tendered by tin- Joint Committee on Heconst ruction. Ho who most bittorly douot the sincerity and tho justice of this dxliuerate de claration will he most completely deceived. '' Neither such twaddle as this, nor tho melo dramatic hjpociisy It foreshadows, will produco any effect on the South; nor are the radicals such idiots as to suppose it will. They are re duced to put on this hypberltical mask to keeo their party together in the North. It no mat ter under what laLe preteuses they can carry next fall's Congressional elections, thoir as cendancy in the Government will last till after the Presidential election, and they will ue that Bscerdancy without scruple to prevent the Southern votes from being counted. WATCr"-S AND JEWELRt i uniii.i, Ji.irfci,.;y . . !.v:.. t W.U:k, vWATCHE3 ..ad JLWr.LHY 2ZPAT.I1ED. M Chestnut 3t ..T'-'V'-. Jf Owing to the itcllne oi Gold, bas made a great Auction In priced blslarte and we 1 assorted took Diamonds, Watches. Jewelry, Silverware, Eto. The public are r spectfully Invlf ed to call and examine cor stock before .urchaslng e.tewhere. H WATCHES, JEWELRY, &c. A lull assortmi i:t ol above good constantly on bond at modei ate prices the Musical Boaei ola-rim ; lroin 2 to 10 beauulul A Ira. FAEK & BROTHER, Importers. ., , No. 824CHEtNUi' STKKKT, inimtbrp Below Konrth. , rpo OUR PATROXS AND THE PUBLIC Watches, JEWELRY, AND SILVERWARE, 1 ' AT A DISCOUNT, Fully equivalent to the heavy decline In Gold. Cl.AlUv A UIDDLE,',. . ;; 5 22Jrp No. 712 CLESJSCTHtreet RICH JEWELRY JOK U KEN NAN,- DEALER IN DIAMONDS, FINE WATCHES, JEWELRY Etc. Etc. Etc. 9 21 Wo. U ft BlUHT H Hi KaKT, f hllada. M UENJir UAKPER- a No. 02O ARCH STREET Ilanu ftomrer and Dealer ia Watches, Fine Jewelry, Sil-v-i-Plated Ware, 8 3CJ Solid Silver-ware. DENTISTRY. T3A1AH PKIt E, DENTIST, GRADUATE OF 1 t-hltacelpblu i illi .e or Denim Run-err, olau 1813-4, i rnierly oi Wttttl l.t.ttter, fa., liavlng utTiea three yean m the Armv, ha mi-uined the practice of bin profenaioa oto.241 N- t-Ll VKNT11 Ktreut thhatlelptila, when bt i 1 endeavor to nlvesatla aotoiy attention to all wh( may requite hit piuunlonul aervlcei. 11 8 & M A It R I A (i GUIDE, BY DR. WILLIAM TOUNO. IMMIfl l MA KM ACE 4.V1DE, by DU. VVM, TuCNO. MAKKlAUK tAllHi, by 1I(. WM. VOUNU. , aaAHKIAUr. t.CII'K by DH. WM. YOUNO. JMAKK1 Ot lit IDE, by 1K. WM. YOU.nG. MaKKIAOr C UIDK, by llt WM Y"UKG. MAltlUUE (.1 1DK by 1B. WM. YOUNG. . MAKRlAtiE tiUlDl., by I)!(. WW YOrNO. liAHHiAGE OVIDK, by DR. WM. YOI7NO. MAKltlAlit Ut'lDK. by l)l. WM. YOU NO. MAHKlAGh (H IDK "1 here aro more thln-ft 'twrxt Heacnaud earth Horatio, than are dreamt ol In our phllooopby.' Let no young mnn enter the ob li'loni of married lite without readliiR every !ue oi DH VOUU 8MK ltlAOE tit'lDKl or. veiy One Ula Own Doctor. It dmcluHea laU that every ouenhoukl b acquainted wilh. Ii contain! one hundred enjravinn. f xpllnlni the ana toiHT ot the huu-kn ytieni bo'h ma le and female, with useiui lniorniaiion that eveiy oneilould know. Price. 60 cents. Hold at DM WlIIIAf YOUf-a'SOKFICB, S 17 t Ho. 418 HUtl'CE Street, above Fourth. H A R N E S S. A LABGE Ld OF NEW U. 8. WAGON HAH. . lH;SS, S, 4, nd 8 home. Alio, pans of 11AB-NEt-8, SADDLES, COLLAKS, HALTERS, etc. boujjbt at the re tent Government laJo to be ao d at a areat sacrifice W holesale or Itvtail. Together with our ueual assortment of tA DDLER YAXD SADDL RR Y HARD WARE. WILLIAM S. HANSEL! & SONS, 21 No. 114 MARKET Street. THREE GENERAL AGENTS WANTED TO t.u. in In portant lucatkni fortlie Sew York Aoct diininl loruianee Compnny. Active men ot good aihlxeM, aj.p to i BAMK. O. ALI IN, branch OiUca, &o. 410 CUfclSMJIblreeL Apply h on. l il MUSICAL BOXES. '
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers