law operating upon all other Railroad coiupa niet incorporated by this Common wealth.— The semi anßual instalment of the said sum of thirteen millions five hundred and seventy thousand dollars ($13,570,000. ) and the bal ance of the ssid debt and interest so to be paid into the State Treasury as is herein pro- Tided, are herein pledged to, and the same •hall he applied only to the payment and ex tinguishment of the principal and iuterest of the funded debt of this Commonwealth, and to no other purpose whatsoever. SEO. 4. That, for the purpose of develop og the resources of the State, the Pennsylva nia Railroad Company is hereby authorized and required to spend the sum of eight hun dred aud fifty thousand dollars iu and to tbe Chartiers Valley Railroad Company, the Pitts burg snd Steubeovilla Railroad Company, The Favetto County Railroad Company, (be tween Gr-ensburg and the Youghioghony litv er,} The West Pennsylvania Railroad Compa ny, (between iilairavtlle and Butler,) The Kb it.; burg ar.d Crossou Railroad Company, The Bet-, d Railroad Company, (between Hope well cud Bedford,) The Tyrone and Clearfield Ila iroad Company, and the Phiilipsburg and Wa'erford Railroad Company, (between Ty rone and Brookville,) the Tyrone and Lock Haven Railroad Company, the Mifflin and Centre Conuty Railroad Company, (between Lcwietown and Reedville,) Tbe Chambersburg and Allegheny Railroad Co., (between Cham bersburg and tbe point of connection with the Bedford Railroad near Hopewell,) or their successors or assign-*, in sums proportioned to thiir respective lengths between the above des ignated points, by purchasing tbeir bonds re spectively from said Companies, payable io t.vesty year*, with interest, sauii annually, se >- irc-1 by a first mortgage created for tbe pur pose on their property, resi and personal, and franchises acquired and to be acquired, and the st.iu companies ate hereby respectively authoiizcd and empowered to create and issue such bonds, and secure the payment thereof by such mortgages, by and with the consent of a majority oi their respective stockholders present at a meeting to bo called for that pur pose, of which notice shall be given, as provi ded oy their charters or by laws respectively; said bonds, and the mortgages givou to secure the same shall not exceed in amount the sum required for the cost of the superm ucture of bridges, the rails, cross-ties, the chairs aud spikes, aad laying tbe track ol tho sai 1 roads, respectively —and the proceeds of tho said bonds, so secured, shall he exclusively applied to the said purposes—and the aid purchase of bonds, shall be required to b? made of each of tho said companies iu installments, after sectioos of seid roads, respectively of the length of miles from each eu:l, as hereinbefore I designated, shall have been duly and properly ; graded and the masonry completed, mi after ; the said grading and masonry shall uavo been ! approved by a competent civil engineer, op- j pointed by the Governor for that purpose— j aud who shall be paid for his services by thv > •ud companies receiving aid una*.- Ida provi- j •ions of this Act—and when each section of j live miles so graded from uacb such end of tbe said roads respectively, shall have been so completed and such certificate so given, then tho pro rata proportion of the said bonds shall bo purchaseu, and so continued from time to time until the amount payable to the said com panies shall be exhausted—and the sum paid upon the completion of tbe said sections as aforesaid respectively, shall be exclusively ap propriated and ba used for the purposes above mentioned, upon tbo sectioa for and in respect to which tba purchase i 3 made —and for no other pnrpoio or portion of mid ro.*d whatso ever— Provided, however. Tint if either of the said Companies shall fail to grade and prepare for bridges, superstructure, and laying of :rt.ot at least one section of five miles at eaoh of such end of its road within one year— or tbe whole of their respective roads witbiu three years from tho passage cf this act, auy such Oompsuy, so iu default, Shall no longer have any right to demand cr require any fur- Ihnr purchase of their bonds a3 aforesaid, and tbe sums which any such defaulting Compa nies would have been entitled to demand iu payment of their bonds, shall be added pro ruia to tbe purchases to be made of such of the said Companies as shall comply with the provisions of this section. FEO. 6. That if any stock holder or stock holders cf any rad road, canal, or slackwater navigation Companies shall be dissatisfied with, or object to any of tbe provisions cf this Act, then it shall and may be lawful for any such stockholder or stockholders, within six months after tie passage of this Act, tn apply by pe tition to the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which tie chief office of the said companies may respectively bo held—to ap point three disinterested persons to estimate find appraise the damage if any, done to such stockholder or stockholders, and whose award, or that of a majority of them, wheu confirmed by tbe said Court, shsli be final aud conclu sive. And the person so appointed sbali also appraise the share or shares of said stockhold ers in tbe said company at the full market value thereof, without regard to aoy deprecia tion in consequence ot the passage of this Act, and the said company may, at its elec tion, either pay to tho said holder tbe amount of damages so found, or tho value of the stock so ascertained, and upon payment of the Value of the stock as Bforessid, the said stock holder shall trausfcr the stock so held by bim o said company, to be disposed of by the Di rectors of said company, or bo retaiued by tbem for rhe benefit of the remaining stock holders. And all laws inconsistent with the provisions of this Ac*, be and the same are hereby repealed. PrfshJeut Mucoid at iiarrisbnrg. The 22 i of February was celebrated with graat pouip and ceremony all over the country. At Harrisfcurg :t was the 'occasion of one of tbe most imposing demonstrations ever wimoss •d iu the State. Tba "Stars and Stripes" were I raised on that day over the dome of the State Oaj.itol, iu which ceremony the Rresident elect of the United States participated. We have not room to give a detailed account of the pro a-ceding*. In answer to Gov. Curtiu'a welcom ing address, President Lincoln spoke as fol low-: Gov. LOANS AND FELLOW CITIZENS or THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA: Peihaps the besi thibg 1 could do would be simply to en dorse tbe pauiotio and eloquent speuoh which Govrroor has just inado in your hearing, I am quite sure that 1 am unable to address to you anything so appropriate as that which he has uttered. Reference has been made by bioi to/the dis traction of the public mind at this time and to the great task that lies before me in entering upon the administration of the General Gov ernment. With all the eloquence and ability that your Governor brings to this therno, I aui quite sure he does not—in his situatiou he can not— appreciate as Ido the weight of that great responsibility. 1 feel that, under God, in the strength of the arm aud wisdom of the heads of these masses, after all, must bo my support. As 1 have often had occasion to say, 1 repeat to you—l am quite suio Ido not deceive my self wheu 1 Hell you that 1 bring to the work ari hones', henrt: 4 I dare not tell you that I bring a bead sufficient for it. [A voice—"we are sure of that."] If my own strength should fail, 1 shall at least fall back upon these masses who, I think, under auy ciroumstinoos will not fail. Allusion has been made to tbe poaceful prin ciples upou which this great Commonweal!!) was originally settled. Allow me to add my meed of proiie to those peaceful principles. J hope no one of the FrieDds wtio originally set tled here, or who lived here since that time, or who live here now, has been or is a more do voted lover of peace, harmony and concord than ir.y humble self. While 1 have been proud to see to*day tbe finest military array, 1 think, that I have ever seen, allow me tc> say in regard to those men that they give hope of what may be done when war is inevitable. But, at tho same time, allow me to express the hope that in (he shedding of blood, their services may never be needed, es pecially in the shedding of fraternal blood. — It shall be my endeavor to preserve tbe peaco ol this country so far as it can possibly be done, corsistantly with (ho maintenance of the iuo stitutious of ths country. With my consent, cr without my great displeasure, this oouutry shall never witness the shedding of one drop of blood in fraternal strife. Attempt to (lie Hon. Van Wyck, of New fork, WASHINGTON, Feb. 22. A most cowardly nud brutal assault was made, about half-past eleven o'clock last night, upon Hon. Mr. Van Wyck, member of Congress from the West Point disirict, N. Y., by three ruffians, armed with bowia knives, Mr. Vau Wyck had jaat left tho residence of Senator Iviug, on Capitol Hill; and was passing down by the north wiug of the Capitol to his lodgings, when a stout built inau came up behind him, aud struck bim with a bowie knife in the breast over the heart. The knife penetrated tbe out side and inside coats, passing through a folded copy of tbe Gfobe, and then uearly through u thick memorandum book, both of which were in the breast pocket of bis frock coat, not quite reaching the skiu. Mr. Van Wyok struck tbe man a blow under tbe jaw which staggered him, when the second ruffian 6truck a blow at Mr. Van Wyck with a bowie knife, which the latter caught with his left band, making a terrible gash across tbe palm. At the tern* time he (Van Wyck) knocked the fellow down with his right, and instantly diew a revolver and shot the first J ruffian, who dropped and was oaugfct by his friends. The third ruffian knocked Mr. V*n Wyok down wiili his fLs. This blow, together with the effect of the one be first reeoiveJ, and es pecially from the profuse bleeding of his band, weakened Lien very much. aujJ.observing that the ruffians wero making ddEJI esoape with their wounded companion, wife appeared to him quite helpless, ho sank himself almost exhaust ed upon tho side walk, and did not ffte again. Bat as soou as he gathered sufficient strength he made his way to his hotel, which he did not reach till after twelve this morning. Ho said very litilo about the affair, except to one or two confidential friends, Dr. Lee, of the House who dressed his wounds, and to the police, iu the hope that tbe parties might be discovered; but up to to-night no trace of their whereabout e has been ascertained. Mr. \ an VV yok is quite nervous this evening, and is suffenug considerable pain from the wound in bta hand, but ;s in no serious dan ger. Mr. Van Wyck cannot aeoount for this at tack upon him, unless it has grown out of his speech at the lajt session, which created so much excitement and discussion, becauso of its severity agains* the system of slavery, wherein he cited instances of slave burning. For some time after its delivery he reoeived letters threat ening bis life. Outside of this he has* no knowledge of having created the enmity of any human being. Ho is a man who uever visits gambling or drinking saloons, and while he is a resolute man when assailed, in bis daily walk be is very quiet and gentleuiauly. The affair having become known to-night, creates intense feeling, especially iu Congres sional circles.— Herald. DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTION.—The Democratic State Convention met at Harrisburg on the 21st and 22d inst., and passed the following resolutions, which we condence: The Ist declares the States of the Union to be sovereign and independent. 2d. 'J i/at the Government has all necessary pow ers for perserving itself and enforcing its laws. 3d. Buncombe. Music—Star Spangled Banner. 4th. That the Keputdican party is responsiole for the evils which have lately come upon the country, including the diptherea and w hooping cong a. That the dissensions in the Democratic ranks is hereby healed. That "Old Abe'* is wrong in saying nothing is going strange. sth. The Southern people have a right to take their niggers into all the territories of the United States. 6th. That all fugitives must be delivered up. 7th. Endorses tiie Crittenden plan. Btb. That the Democracy will oppose, discoun tenance and prevent any attempt on the part of Republicans in power to use coercion on the Southern States. 9th. Approves the conduct of the Border Slave States. 10th. Condemns the course of Governor Curtis in not putting two or three secession, disunion Locotocos on his list of Commissioners to the Peace Conference. \V e believe the action of this miserable body of traitors will meet the hearty approval of Yancey, Kliett, Davis, Pickens and the whole caboodle of disunionists in the Rattlesnake Republic. We can't see why it should not. Alas ! poor, defunct Loco loco ism. BEDFORD LYCEUM—WiII meet in the Coct House, on Satuarday evening. Declannr, S. L. Russell, Kssyist, J. 11. Filler. Question tor debate, Resolved, tnut in the event of no compromise be! ii.g effected, it is the duty of the general govern ment to acknowledge the independence ot the states which have established a "Southern Confed eracy." Aff. G H. Spang- Neg. O. IJ. Uaither, BIOFOEB ITOUmiE. ' BEDFORD INQUIRER. BEDFORD, Pa. I ridar .Horning:, March 1, 1361. "FEARLESS AND FREE." I*. Ol Hit—Editor and Proprietor. The 22d of February passed off pleasantly in this plaoe. Tho Bedford Riflemen paraded ia full numbers and made a fine desplay.— The '22 d, was a great day in Llarrisburg. The President elect was there. A flag wa9 raised over tho dome of the oapitol. Mr. Liocoln replied to speeohes of welcome to Gov Curt in, and to the Speakers of tho two Houses of the Legislature.—The citizens of Scott, Rankin. Smith, and other counties, in Mississippi, are in almost a state of starvation—the drouth last summer destroyed their oorn crop, and now disunion is addiog to their calamities. Jeff. Davis is now at Charleston, advisinc against the attack on Fort Sumter.—General Twiggs, commanding the U. S. Military De partment, in Texas, has surrendered the gov ernment property to the traitors, and offered his services to Georgia, his native state. This is one of tho greatest acts of villany io these secession times.—Guthrie's proposition, it is thought, will be adopted by tho Peace Confe rence. Things look favorable ia Washington —There is a movement again on foot to have a bill passed annexing Middle Woodberry Tp. to Blair County. Our cit zees should seod ou their remonstrances immediately, or it may be too late.— Ihe Tariff bill has passed the House with no material cbaoges from the Senate" hi 11, except tho amendru.mt laying a duty on tea and coffee. It wiil go before a committee of conference.— iba bill to stop the mail ia the btatee where the mail service is obstructed has passed the Senate.—The U. 8. Arsenal at Little Rock, has been surrendered, on demand of the Governor of Arkansas. ILpt. Tot ten, aod his men have been allowed to iD3ich through that State under protection of the Governor, w:th their private property, and what pubiio property they took with them to the arsenal. Ia another column, we publish the spceohsa Mr. Liueoln, at fhi ladelpbi i. They ought to be read by every one. Iu the proceedings at tho "Continent*!," as published in the Daily News, of t !0 22i ult , wo find the fol lowiug : Atuoug the few distinguished gentlemen in troduced, was Mr. Jordan, of Bedford county, one who had "rendered service in the last cam paign." "Ah ! Mr. Jordan, I am glad to sec you, they tell me that Jordan ia a hard road to I travel." Presently Col. Philip S. White turds his j appearance iu the room; soon the eagle eve of ! Mr. Lincoln caught a glimpse of the man who j told the first anecdote of iho "rail-splitter." "Phil. White," said the President, "I aiu glad to see you, I hope you aro well." A little boy, son wo believe of Charles E Lex, the City Solicitor, was introduced: "Mr. Lincoln, 1 want to shake your hand/' "There it is, my son," said the President, j '•Grow up to bo a ni3n, and a lover of your j country." We call attention to the bill for the coir- J mutation of tne tonnage tax, which wo pub lish in to-day's paper. As we stated last ! week, it passed the House, and is DOW before I the Senate. It is thought it will also pass that body, tut it may be somewhat amended, j We also call attention to the article on our ' first page, from tho Philadelphia Press , in re lation to the subject. It is to the interest of ; Bedford Ccuoty that this bill should pass, as according to its provisions, the Bedford Rail Road Company will secure a sum svffijient to insure its completion. But it is not on that account alone that our people favor the com mutation of the tunuage |tax on the Pennsyl vania Rail Road Company, but on acoount of j its evident justness, as will bo seen by tho ar- I tide wo publish from the Press. The Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln will j take place next Monday, if DO aocidents hap- ! pen to prevent it, such as sssaesinatioD, &c. ! liy an article from the Harrisburg correspon dent of the N. Y. Times, published in another . column, it will bo seen thai this was toe cause of his departure to Washington from Harris burg, in advance of the timo #peoi6ed in the programme. — BROAD Tor MINER.— We have received the flrst number of a very neat paper, published at Coal mont. Huntingdon County, with the above title. It is neutral in politics, and will pay considefttbio at. ter.tion to the development of mining interests of Broad Top. Hope it may succeed, but it is u bad time to start a paper. A. T } hurst, Esq., is the 1 editor an 1 propria tor. The following gentlemen are said to compose the Cabinet of Mr. Lincoln. W. H. Seward, N Y.. Secretary oi State | Edward Bates, Mo., Attorney 1 General; Simon Cameron, Pa., Secretary of the treasury j 0. B. Smith, la., Interior j Gideon Wells, Ct., P.M. General; John A. Gflraer, N. C., Navy ; M ontgomory Blair, Md., War. It aflbrds us pleasure that Gen. Cameron will go j in tlw Cabinet—thus triumphing or or his eauinios. ' We call attention to the notice of Mr. Cbas. W. Greene. Ho mtends opening a school, in Bedford, on the Bth April, next. Mr. Greene is one of the teachers io the Union School, ir. this place, and a gentleman every way quali fied to take charge of a first class school. Since Mr. Lincoln's arrival in Washington, the prosp&cj of a peaceable settlement of our national difficulties are much improved. The greatest confidence can be placed in the firm ness and patriotism of the President elect. Our frieml, Mr. Win. W. Shuck, and his bride ; arrived home last week, from their wed ding tour. A splendid entertainment was given them by Mr. Samuel Shuck and lady. Little dog barking at the sun—the Gazette criticising Mr. Lincoln's speeches. MR. LINCOLN I\ PHILADELPHIA. A Flag Raising at the Hall of Inde pendence. The ceremony of raising the flsg of thirty fonr siars over the Hall of Independence, in Philadelphia, en Friday morning, by Mr. Lin coln, was attended with all the solemnity due such an occasion, tho scene beiug an impres sive oue. At the rising of the sun crowds of people streamed from all parts of the city to. wards ttie State House, and very soon every inch of ground was occupied, a vast number of ladies buing present. The weather was cocl and bracing. At seven o'clock Mr. Lincoln was escorted to the Hall, and there received by Theodore Ouyler, who warmly welcomed him to its ven erable walls iu the hour of national peril and distress, when the great work achieved by the wisdom and patriotism of our fathers seems threatened with instant ruin. MR. LINCOLN'B SPEECH. Mr. Lincoln respouded as follows: "Mr. Cuyler—l am filled with deep emotion at finding myself ftanding hero in this place, where weie collected together the wisdom, the patriotism, the devotion to principle, froiu which sprang the institutions under which we live.— I'ou have kindly sugges:ed to me that in my hands is ihe tusk of restoring peace to the present distracted condition of the country. — 1 can only say in return, sir, that all the polit ical sentiments I entertain have been drawn, so far as I have been able to draw them, (rocn the scntiuirnts which originated and were given to the world from this ball. 1 have never hud a feeling politically, that did uot spring from the sentiment embodied in the 'Declaration of in uepeodence.' I huve often pondered over the dangers whic i wore incurred by the men who assembled iiere and framed and adopted the Declaration of ludepen-eno.;. I have ponder ed over the toils that were endured by the offi cers aod soldiers of toe army who achieved that Independence. 1 have ofteu inquired myself what great principles or idea it was that kept tab. Confederacy so long together. It was not the mere mutter of the separation of the Col onies from the muthor lami, hut that sentiment iu the Declaration of Independence which gave liberty not alone to the people of this couuiry but, I hope to the world for all future tune.— [Gteat applause.] It was that which cave Z't'omise that in due time the weights would bo liflud from the shoulders of oil men. This ia a oeDtim.ut embodied iu the Declaration of In dependence. "Now, my friends, can thi countrv stand upon that basi>.? If it can, I will consider myself oue of the happiest men in the world if I can help to save it. If it cannot bo saved upon that principle, it will bo truly awful.— But if this country cannot be saved without giviug up that principle, 1 was about to say 1 ! would rather bo assassinated on this spot than surreuder it. [Applause.] Now, in my view ot the present uspect of affairs, there need ha uo bloodshed or war. There is no necessity for >t. lam not iu favor of such a course, and I may say in advauce that there will be no bloodshed unless it bo fnroel upon the Govern ment, and then ;t will bo compelled to act in self-defence. [Applause.] "My friends, this is wholly au unexpected speech, and I did not expect to be called upoD to say a word when I came here. I supposed it was merely to do something towards raising the flag. I may, therefore, have said sorue thicg iudiscrect. [Cries of 'No, no '] I have said nothing but what i am willing to live by, and, in tho ploasure of Almighty God, dio bv." Mr. Lincoln concluded amid great applause. Tbe members of tbe City Council paid their aespects to him and tbe procession moved di rectly towards the platform erected iu front of tbe State House. At Mr. Lincoln's appearance on the plat form, be was bailed with outbursts of applause from tbe surrounding multitude. Mr. Keuton, of the Sleot Council, tnado a brief address inviting Mr. Liuoolu to raise tbe flag. JJR. LINCOLN'S SECOND SPEECH* Mr. Lincoln replied in a patriotic speech statiDg a cheerful compliance with the request. He alluded to tbe original fl ig of thirteen stars, saying, that tbe number increased as lime roll ed on and we became a happy, powerful peo ple. "Each star adding to its prosperity. Tbe future is in ike hands f tbe people- It was on suub an eooasion we conld reason together, re-iiirui our devotion to the eouutry and the principles of tbo Declaration of Independence. "Let us make up our minds that whenever we do put a new star on our banner it shall be a fixed one, never to be dimmed by the horrors ot war, but brightened by tbo conteniruont and proepeiity of peace. Let us go ou to exteud iliu area of our usefulness, add star upon stir, umil tbeir light shall shine over Sve hundred millions of a free and happy people." Mr. Lincoln then threw off his overcoat in an off-hand, easy mauuer, tho banfcwoodian style of which caused many good naturcd re marks. Ilv. Mr. Oiark addressed the Throne of Grace in an impressive prayer, many spectators uncovering themselves when the flig wis roll ed up in a man-of-war style, then adjusted, a signal fired, and amid (he most excited euthu sutmii the President elect hoisted tbe national ensign. A stiff breese caught the folded banting and threw it out boldly to tho winds. Cheer followed cheer until boarseuees pre vented a continuance. BY TELEGRAPH. Important from Wahington City. THE PEACE CONFERENCE. Sudden Departure of Mr. Lincolu for Washington. WASHIKCTOS, Feb. 23.—1n the Peace Conference this morning, Mr. Chains, of Ohio, offered a start ling proposition to the following eifeet: That whereas, it is inexpedient to proceed in the consideration of the grave matters involved in the resolutions of the State of Virginia calling this Conference together, until all the States have par ticipated in its proceedings, and until nple time is afforded for" deliberation among all the delegates. Therefore resolved, that the Convention adjourn to mfet again on Thursday, the 4th ol" April, an i that the President of the Convention be requested J to address tetters to the Governors of the several ! States, urging thetn to appoint Commissioners to this C- life fence, to meet at that time. The resolution led to an exciting and earnest debate, and there is a prospect that it may he car ried. Mr. Van Wyck, upon whose life an attempt was made on Thursday night is lying in a somewhat dangerous coudition from the effects of the wound he received. Mr. Van Wyck is at the National llotel. At nine o'clock this morning tfii Cabinet was called to an extraordinary session. One of the members says the business was most important. i-'otue of the members of the Virginia delegation iD Congress, lately addressed an important letter to Postmaster General King, demanding to know why they were not consulted before ho presumed to remove the route agents in Virginia, who had left their duties to aid the secession movement. Mr. King sent them a reply that is said to havs i7en perfectly withering. SECOND DESPATCH. W ASimOTo*. Feb. 23.—At noon, to-day the people in the Capitol got news of Mr. Lincoln's unexpected arrival in Washington, this niornmz Up to that time few people in the city kneiv of "it. All sorts of speculations were set afloat as to its cause. One rtport is that General Scott telegraph ed to !um to come on immediately. Another is that ho was sent for because yesterday there was a chance of the adoption of the modified Guthrie plan in the Peace Conference, and that his presence was imperatively demanded, either to sustain the straight out Republicans, or to go in for a comr.ro mise. Mr. Lincoln occupied a high berth in a sleeping car, so that ev t n people on the same train did not know he was on board. He was met at the station by a fev Iriunds who were in the secret, ami was driven immediately to lodgings t YTillariite Hotel boon after be arrived he retired to rest for a short time Among the earliest callers on bim were Mr. U ashbnrne, of Illinois, and Mr. Seward. Soon after it became known that he wasin town the people began to flock towards Wdlkrri'j and it became necessary to engage a number of policemen m the lower hails of the hotel. The crowd in creases as the news spreads through the city : but at tins time (12$ o'clock) hundreds are still m credulous about Oid Abe a being here. Mr. 4 ,ui \\ \ckis n't any better. The object of the attempted assassination could not have leen rob bery, as nothing was taken from him. Some skilful detective officers, of Baltimore, are on the track ol the assassins, aud it is strongly intiaiaud that three other members have been picited out for similar at. tempts. A good Coal of excitement is caused by Ih\b auuir. ' THIRD DESPATCH. Washington, Feb. 28.- IF. SI. —Vice President 11amhi) arrived here early this morning, having come on Iron, New Fork by last evening', train, without stopping on the way. He visited both Houses of this morning and was warmlr welcomed by his friends. The Pennsylvania delegation in the House have been in conference on (ho Tariff Mil. Soma of the members said that while they would owwa the warehousing system arid the tea and coffee <Jutv they would change their views rather than send the Mil to a Committee of Conference. FOURTH DESPATCH. Washington, Feb. 23—i J p M.- The House has passed the Oregon War Debt bill, appropriating two millions cf dollars. s Ihe tariff bill has beeu f ai?en up, under a sus pension of the rules. afternoon 6 "* 1 * 0 **** bi " WUI P rob * b, y P l ®* this Mr. Sickles is trying to "filibuster" for its defeat Harrisburo, Feb. 23—The people of burg were astonished this morning by the anxioun cement that Mr. Lincoln had started fur Washing ton, at three o'clock this morning, having received despatches requiring his immediate presence in W ashiugton. Madame Rumor is as busy as usual. Some sav there w\.sa j ]„t to assassinate him on his passage through Baltimore, hut such a thing is not b -licvad j 1 be Baltimore Committee are hero, but did not 1 have an interview witii him. Baltuiouc, 1 eh. 23.—Mr. Lincoln arrived hTa ; at 8 o'clock this morning, incog, and proceeded direct, to Washington. His family and the remainder of the party will j arrive at 1 o'clock this afternoon. Much excitement has been occasioned by this i sudden move. Washington, Feb. 2L—Not a little sensation i prevailed throughout the city this morning, as soon : as it became known that Mr. Lincoln had arrive i i in the early train. It was unsuccessfully sought to conceal the fact, j especially f.oni the newspaper press t.is presence ; here, being at first communicated to a few political i friends in confidence. lie was met at lu station by several gentlemen j or distinction, \v,thont formality, and immediately drove to Willard's Hotel. 11c was.vesterday advised to come hither without delay. 1 reparations had been luide to most him at the station this afternoon, and the Mayor of Washing ton was to make a welcome address. But Mr. Lincoln h is thus spoiled the programme. At about 1(1 o'clock Mr. Liucolu, accompanied by Mr. Seward, paid his respects to the President, spending a few minutes in gen ,ral conversation. Senator Bigler and Representative John Cochrane happened to bo at the White House when he en tered, and were accordingly introduced to the Pre sident elect. Mr. Lincoln afterwards returned to his hotel. From the N. Y. Time). Harrisbcrg, Feb. 23—8 a. On Thurdtv i night sjier he bad retired, Mr. Lincoln was aroused and informed that a stranger desired to see bim on a matter of life or death. He declined to admit him nnleas he gave hit name, which he at once did, and such prestige (lid the name carry that while Mr. Lincoln was yet disrobed hd granted au inter view to the caller. A prolonged conversation elicited the fact that ! ail organized body of men had determined that Mr. Lincoln should not bo inaugurated, and thit he should never leave the City of Baltimore alire, if, indeed, lie ever enterod it. 1 he list of the names of the conspirators presen ted a most astonishing array of persons high in bou'hern confidence, and souio whoso fame is not to this country alone. Statesmen laid tho plan, bankers indorsed, it and adventurers were to carry it into etf'ct. As they understood Mr. Lincoln was to leave Harrisburg at ■> O clack this morning by special train, and the idea was, it possible, to throw tho cars from the road at some point where they would rush down a steep embankment and destroy at a moment the iives of all on board. In case ol tho failure of this protect, ~ P Un was to surround tho carriage on the way lorn depot to depot in Baltimore, and assassinate mm wiiii dagger or pistol shot. So authentic was the source from which the la -1 urination Was ootanied, that Mr. Lincoln, after counseling with his friends, was compelled to make aiinugi rneuts which would enable him to subvert the plans ol his enemies. Greatly to tho annoyance of the thousands who desired to call on Uitu last night, he declined giv ing a reception. Tho fiual council was held at 8 O'clock, -Mr Lincoln did not want to yield, and Col. Sntu ner actually cried with indignation j hut Mrs. Lin- Colu, seconded by Mr. Judd and Mr.Lincoln's original laewted upon it, and at 9 ©" clock Mr, Lincoln left on a special train R,. „ a Scotch plaid cap and a very long militeryj so that he.was entirely unrecognizable. AcW niei by Superintendent Lewis and one f.i, J , 1 ' started, wbiie all the town, with the exr-t.ti,', . Mr. Lincoln, Col. Sumner, Mr. Judd, nd tl fo'tXp! wcre BWora -° menfTt "pw £ The telegraph wires were put beyond reirk , any one who might desire to use tbeto. °* From, the Charleston MOCVT* The Southern tonfederaey as Viewed by a South CaroJio'iaQ. MONTQOMFRT, Feb. 14. 1861 Upon one point there appear* to b 0 e',, determißstiOD and straightforward acion he Reconstruction is dead. A Southern C,, ; "' eration is established, and the Soot':*— 7 ' federacy is a fixed thing. But what a t " it of". Confederacy? Hero the Convection ; e a- , ; and vague dreads of the future, and ; 77 the people, and, in seine degree, a 77* '- • statesmanship, paralyze all useful sua c7 n . ' i reform, aod weakeu men into inaction. Let the people prepare their minds fur a fad. j are in the future permanent Southern Consti. I tution, for South Carolina is about to be s * ! died with almost every grievance, oxeopt A; . iition, for which she has Jong struggled, jnst withdrawn from the late United 7 tJ>g <iivernui.nl. Surely McDuffia lived iu v7in and Calhoun taught for nought if we arc K a' to be plundered and out commerce crippled— —even discriminating a iff.-, But t; is is the almost inevitable pros; - t f. i The fruit of the labors of thirty-odd longer , in strife and bitterness, is about to slip tbrou I our fingers. But is this all we are about to be called en to enact and bear? It is only tho begiunir?. . ahe three-filths rule of representation fj ! slaves was one of the many l'snkee swindle ; put upon os in the formation of tLo old Cin stitution. It is a radioai wrong. It most u-. faiily dwarfs the power of some of the Ststes in any federal representation. The proportion ct hr black to the white population is vst? much larger than that of atiy other slave State. By the old swiudle, her fair proportion of rep resentation was cut down upon all her slaves in proportion, is three to five. Tho black popu lation being in a majority in our State, two. fifths of tnoro lhati ol the people of the State are entirely unrepresented. And in just the degree that the proportion of the l)iaok population in feouth Carolina predominates over tLe proportion of the blacks to tho whites in any other State, is the swindle augmented and aggravated. South Carolina is small enough without agaiu flinging away what legitimate power she possesses. That power is in hsr slaves—s-jcisilj, politically, economically.— Tho proposition of the three fifths rule calls upoa her not ouly to stultify herself, but tj dwarf her powers. Is tuis all? It is not. She is probablv to be called upon to braud herself an I her i'mti tutions. The old Constitution of the United Steles merely grants to the Congress the power to prohibit by law (tie further introduction cf slaves from Afrioa or elsewhere, outside of tha Uuited Stales. Terrorism bero is about is make its perpetual prohibition a fundaments! provision of the Constitution itself. A stigma is thus broadly atmpßd upoo the whole insti tution before the whole world, and sealed by ourselves. It is greatly to be regretted that tbs debates apon the Constitution wni probably not be pub lic. It seems to me that they will be very im portant as guides in the future, whereby wo may be enabled to eompreheud its meaaiug tbe proper interpretation of its language. t o change the subject: a nice pioklo South Carolina has been placed ia with regard to Fort Sumter. Three weeks ago it was feared by many that any assault upon that fort was to be postponed to the 4tb of February, and theu to be turued over to the action of tho Southern Congress. Such lias proved tho fact. Wb.t has been gained? President Davis will Dot te inaugurated until Saturday evening, the 16:b of rebruary. This is the earliest period pos sible. Circumstances may still further delay it. The Monday two weeks following Lincoln is to bo inaugurated at Washington. What op portunity is there between these two dates for Mr. Davii to make preparations for attack—to nuke his demand upon Mr. Buchanan for in surrender, and to receive an answer before tha fourth of March? Nona whatever. We wiii have to fight, and wo will have to fight Lincoln instead of Buchanan. „ And who ore to do the figuting? South Carolinians, and none but South Carolinians. The f.jpt will, of courve, be reinforced if it is in the power of man io do it \ ill anybody tell mo how lives have been saved by this policy? The attitude ef our State has been, in a large measure, demoralized—l will not say disgraced —by the course pursued; the political attitude of tha whole Southern Confederation has been embarrassed and com plicated, and what is gained? Nothiog, that I can see, but the spil.ing of much more valua ble blood than was at all neoessary. WHAT IS A COLUMBIAD ?—Enquiries &r made as to tho nature of the cannon called Colum oiads. We find tbe following description of thasa formidable guns in an exchange : A Culuiubiad is a heavy gun, capablo of project ing a solid shot or shell with a largo charge of pow der, at an angle of projection from five degree* below to thirty above the horizon. It may be said, therefore to combine tue essential qualities of the gun, the howitzer, the mortar; and may be used m place of either one or the other of these pieces in seacoast defence. It doe? not differ in its ex ternal shape trom ordinary seacoast cannon. At present there are two s'zes of Columbians in use in our service, viz : the 8 inch and 10 inon.— Tho former weighs about 9,000 pounds, the charge of powder 10 pounds, the solid shot 64 pounds, an I the shell 48 pounds. The latter weighs about 15,000 pounds, the charge of powder 16 pounds, the solid shot I'dS pounds, and the shell 100 pound*. It is understood that a certain number ot ten inch Coiumbiads are mounted tnbarbtl, or upon th# most elevated portion ot Fort Sumpter. As the extra range of these gun* is about three miles, an extent of country about six miles in diamater will be commanded by them. This, however, does not embrace the city of Charleston, for tht is under stood to be about three or four miles from the fort. Fort Moultrie being only about a mile distant, *n>' being without casemates to protect its garrison o armament) is subject to tbe direct fire of the oo> urobiads of Fort Sumpter, H.JE€.XEX>. At tbe Hotel of Capt. Heed, in Coahr.ont> Hunt ingdon County, oa the 17ih ult., by Kev.J.A. Coleman, Mr. Simon LEWIS to Miss Assut B. Boa- EB, all of Bedford County. OB the 20th ult., In McCcnnollsburg.liy tbeßer. N. G. White, SAIIOXI. LTOB, Esq., formerly Bedford to M.as Emma H. tHwnmm, U of *o- CouaaUsburg.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers