AMERICAN VOLUNTEER. »in b. mittoi, hmi s ptopiittn. CARLISLE, PA., MARCH 13, 1802. OU R. F LAG. '• Forever float that standard shed !■ Where breathes the foe hut falls before usl With Freedom’s soil beneath our feet, And Freedom’s banner waving o’er us ! ” Borough Election. THo Democrats of the West Ward, Carlisle, are requested 1 to meet at Gills Hotel, ■’. On-Saturday Evening, Next, March 15, at early candle light, to make arrangements for placing in nomination Ward and Borough, tickets. hn Waaid-Tci] at Herman’s Hotel, at tlie same hour and tor the same purpose. MANY. Manassas in out Possession i By telegraph we learn that the rebels have vacated Manassas and CentrCville, and have retreated to Richmond. Wo learn also that the Union troops ore now in possession of Manassas. , . Blue Brans.—We hoard the mellow song of a blue bird in ouf garden a. fow.mornings since. An indication of early Spring. Badly Frightened. —The apprehension of a restoration .'of the old Union seems to till the Abolitionists with a dread more complete apd overmastering" thanthatof the rebels who ran with Floyd: The 'Hribum of New York, makes the air resound with its howls. (It promised, after Bull Run, to hold its" tongue.) And so of the whole gang of Disunion editors' froth' Garrison down to the half-starved Car lisle Herald. , These frightened abolitionists may yet see the Union as strong as it ever was, terribly though it may grieve them. fi@” In anticipation of a general move ment of our forces along the Fotoraac and the surgical attendance which will he neces sary .when the Union forces the Government has called for volunteer sur geons. Among, the number, who havc } ton •d’ered their services is our Senator, Dt-,Ciiaw fonn. If any of the-surgeops in this county wish to do likewise, a dispatch-or a note to Dr. C. will be promptly attended to. It might bo-well to mention also, in view of tlie severe ■battle expected, that all contributions of lint, muslin for bandages, sponges, &c.; will bo thankfully received by the Surgical Depart ment. The bandages should ho made three or three and a-half inches in width, and sev en, ten and fifteen yards in’length, tightly rolled, I 'with the ravellings removed, The la dies of many places are moving in the mat ter.. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. Tn another column, wo publish a strange Message from President Lincoln. As will he seen, the President recommends that Con gress adopt the following resolution : “Resolved, That the United States ought to co-operate with any State which a-gradual abolishment o£ slavery, giving to such State pecuniary aid-, to be used by such Slate mats discretion to compensate'for the inconveniences, public and private, produced by such change of system.” The-President, if wo understand him, fa vors the purchase of all slaves in the border States, by the Government. How many hun dreds of millions of dollars will be required to make the purchases, wo are not informed. Should the President's resolution pass Con gress, we hope to- see some member offer an other to read'something like this : Resolved, also, That those who voted for Ann aiiam Lincoln for President, bo required to find the money that will bo necessary fur the purchase of the slaves of the border States ; also, that they be compelled to enter into bonds in the sum of millions of [dollars as security for the-caro-and safo-keop irig of said slaves. the above or something similar can bo adopted and incorporated with the President's plan,"then we are for it—not otherwise. If the Republicans' are so anxious for the free dom of tho slaves, lot them show their sincer ity by appropriating their own means for this object. Wo protest, however, against the Government being involved in any such bus iness, and if the Republicans dare adopt such » measure; and 1 the border slave States should accept it, and anotherenormous tax be levied upon'tho-people'to pay: for this gigantic slave purchase; a rebellion will ensue in the Worth just as certain ns that tho sun will sot this evening. Tho people will pay taxes to carry on the war, but they cannot and will not pay for the purchase of negroes, who, after thoir purchase, would bo thrown upon tho North to . fill our prisons and alms-houses. Wo re peat, it the Republicans desire to become purchasers of slaves, they can do so, but tho people at largo cannot bo dragooned into such B-busiuessi- A- Home TnausT.—Hon. John Hickman the other day,-was airing his patriotism in the House of Representatives, hy assailing the loyalty of VaUandighanv, when Mr. Rich ardson asked permission to say a word, which Hickman granted ; “ Mr. Richardson then stated' that there 1 ■were ■members on this floor who had declared that th'ey would not vote a dollar of appropria tion unless the war shall ho prosecuted for the purpose of emancipation, and ho hero de sired to dhnounco them as traitors to the gov ernment, and’they ought to ho put under ar rest and executed as they deserved. To this the gallant Hickman and his sot made no reply, hut still kept dashing away at the obnoxious member from Ohio. ABOLITIOIVISH—SECESSIONISM. Some of our Republican cotempoi'arios af fect to believe that because wo fool disposed to expose the villluns who have boon filling their pockets at the public expense, at a time when Gen. McGlet.lan and odr bravo troops are straining every nerve to preserve'our in stitutions and the Union of the States, that wc. are not as hostile to the rebels as wo should bo. Nothing is farther from the truth. We have over, opposed seccessionism,- as we have ever opposed its twin-brother, abolition ism. They arc both political heresies, of a character sufficient to damn to-eternal and everlasting oblivion their advocates. One. seeks to disunite the States and create two confederacies, Northern . and Southern; the’ other, if it cannot obtain the freodonvof four millions of ignorant «ravoa, desires to obtain the same end.' WTio dare .deny this ? They are both aiming at the same purpose, but by different and seemingly adverse ways. And they have both contributed the only Contribu tions which were made to this unholy and wicked rebellion. The most fruitful means in the accomplishment of the present state of affairs, was the inauguration of that most abominable and wicked of all parties, the Know-Nothing party. This organization, from a miserable and intolerant religious zeal on the part of men with whom religion was the least of their thoughts, frightened qwny a good Democrat from his propriety, and in duced him, from a fear of the Pope’s power, to join those against whatjcTp)-!neiple.sjio had so often and so valiantly fought ; besides, it gained thb favor and esteem of other Demo crats, with whom the religious view of the Hmm subject had ho aviuirhut wltoirail a foaFloitT the'foreigners, Protestant as well ns Catholic, would “rule this country,” and consequently ruin it! It is weir known that this organization ef fected the election of Gov. Pollock, and for a time bid fair to become one of the most powerful partieqin tlie Union. Tho proscrip tive character, however, of the organization, ! together with the thieving propensities of ;many of its leaders; induced tho masses of tho people to reflect, and the next election witnessed thejr overwhelming defeat. ,To re trieve tlmir lost fortunes —to avoid the conse quences of so signal a defeat, they wheeled about, took into their bosom all tho foreigners, who conld be prevailed upon to join them, ,and then to-give the party some show of char actcr r thcy named it tho “Republican party.” -Thus were we compelled to witness tho pro-' acriptive Know Nothing and the foreigner join ing hands, and calmly slopping in the same bed together, and also the organization of a party established upon geographical distinction— the very party against whoso pernicious ob jects and intentions tho “ Father of his Coun try ” so strenuously warned the people.— •But, what will not the desire to obtain Gov ernment spoils induce some.men. to do? Wo wore told there would bo no war—the South ern people would not fight, and.if they ; ovcn did the war would .be oyer in sixty days!— Even Stephens,: thegreat light of everything, that is develish and hellish—the rag-tag an- , ti-masonio bob-tail—assorted 'that “ tlie long bridge; after Mr. Lincoln’s election, would bo thronged with Southerners asking office at the hands of the Administration,” Now, this Lancaster county . financier keeps on floundering and plunging in’ Congressional 'legislation, not knowing half tho timo what ho is doing, and tho other half entailing any, amount of. indebtedness on the people, with out,even raising-his-voice against the corrup tions which haye crept into the affairs of tho Government.. Let any man Icok at the expositions which [have been made of tho frauds committed' np ,on the Government 1 Examine the-testimony ■elicited by. tho Van Wyck investigating com-, raitfee, and then say'if it is.not hjgh time for the editor of every paper in the-country to en ter his solemn, protest against the farther prosecution of such a- system,. We do ' not write this, because of any love for tho miser able traitors now in arms, against the Govern ment. Not at nil. We condemn secession ism- ns a heresy; .and shall, to'its end a'n.i overthrow, denounce' tho rebellion as a stu pendous folly, as well ns a crime. Its authors, aiders and abettors should,' and we hope will', receive the condign punishment thoir trea- sonable conduct merits. But wo deem it our duty’to tell tho people how they have been robbed and by whoih. If the time has come in the history of this country when men dare no longer tell tho people of the frauds com mitted upon them, and how tho public money has been stolen,, to enrich a set of public .plunderers who care for-the war only in pro portion to how much they can make out of it," then indeed are the liberties of this country in groat danger. Lincoln- an n Dawes. —Two or three days .before tho ball at the White House, Mr. Lin_ coon sent word to Mr. Dawes, through a broth 1 , or member, that he (Dawes)' bad done more to break down the- administration than any other man in tho country, by his speech expo sing tho corruption of contractors and others-- Mr. Dawes scut back a message in reply to tho President. “Tell him,” said Mr. D., “that nothing that I can do will break down his administration so rapidly as this dancing party, given at a time when tho nation is in the agonies of civil war. With equal propri ety might a man make a ball with a corpse in his house.’” Martial Law at Richmond. —Jeff. Davis has placed Richmond under martial law. All distillation and sale of spirituous, liquors is prohibited, and'Gen. WiNDER'is chargedwith tho due execution of tho proclamation. On last Saturday night, the Him. John Mi nor Rotts was arrested near Richmond, by .order of tho Rebel Government, and lodged in negro jail, on the charge of being avUhion man. Several additional arrests have boon made ol those suspected of disloyalty to tho abortive Rebel Government, which.class | of persons seems to bo daily increasing. O* Hon. Andrew Johnson has formally boon appointed Military Governor of Tennes see, with all the powers, duties and functions pertaining to that office, during the pleasure of tho President, or until tho loyal inhabitants of that State- shall organize a civil .Govern ment, in accordance with tho Constitution of the United Slates.. In order to the exorcise of those duties, it became necessary to first give him a military position, and hence tho President nominated him as a Brigadier General. This appointment tho Senate has unhesitatingly, confirmed. NOT IN FAVOR OF A RESTORATION OF THE ONION, It is now evident to every ono that the Re publican loaders are opposed to a 1 reconstruc tion of the Union, They can no longer deny this, for the record of their treason is before the country. In the llouso of Representa tives, at Washington, a few days since, Mr. Holman (Dom:,) of Indiana! offered a resolu tion declaring that, in the judgment of this House, the unfottunato civil war into which the Government of tllo United States lias been forced by the treasonable attempt of. Southern Secessionists to destroy the Union, should not bo prosecuted for any other pur pose than the restoration of the authority of the Cbnstitiitioh and welfare of the whole people of the United States, who are perma nently involved in the preservation of our present form of government without modifi cation or change. Mr. Lovejoy (Rep.,) of ll ditiois, moved today the resolution bn the ta ble. OO, nays 58, as follows: Teas —Messrs. Aldrick, Alloy, Arnold, Ashley, Babbitt,. Baker, Baxter, Beaman, Bingham, Blair of Pennsylvania, Buifinton, Blake, Burnham, Campbell, Chamberlin, Clark, Colfax, Frederick A. Conkling, Rosooe Colliding, Conway, Craven, Cutler, Delano, Davis, Ducll, Ely, Fessenden,. Frank, Fran chot, Hooper, Hutchins, Kellogg ot Michigan, ■Lansing, Loomis, Lovejoy, MoKnight, .Mc- Pherson,.Mitchell, Moorhead, Morrill of Ver mont, Morrill of Maine, Patton,-Pike, Pome roy, Rico of Maine, Riddle-, Sargoant, Sedg wick, Shanks,. Stevens, Trowbridge. Van- Wyck, Verree, Wallace,.. Walton of„Maine, AViieoler, White of Indiana, Wilson, Wind om and’ Worcester —Off- (All Republicans, except Giavon, (Dent.)' of Indiana.} NATS. ■“Baity, q'la.y-ra., Biddle, (D„) Blair, (U.,) Va... Browne, (U.;) R. I -■ Brown, (U.,) Va., Calvei;t, (U.,) Clements, (U.,j Cobb, (D.,V Corning, (D.,) . Cox, (D„) Crisfield, (U.,) Crittenden, (U.,) Divo.n, (Iti,) Dunlap, (U.,) ■ Dunn, (111,) ,-• . Goodwin, (R.,) Granger, (1t.,) Hale, (R.,) .'Hall, (U., Harding, (U.,). Harrison, (U.,) Holman, (D.,) Horton, (R.,) Johnson, (D.,) Kellogg, (R.,) H 1.,. Knapp,’ (R.,} Law, (D„) ’. Lazear, (D.,) - , Loary,(U.,)i , , Total : r : •| —irrftTJpryrX^M^ . Maynard, (U.,) .Menzies, (I/.,) Nixon, (R.,) Noble, (D..) Nooll, (D.,) Norton,: (D.,) N.ugeu, (D.-,) . Odell,' (D.,) Pendleton. (D.,) -Perry, (D.,) Richardson, (D.,) Robinson, (D.,) Rollins, (U.,) Mo., Sheffield, (U.,). . Shellubargor, (It.) Smith, (lb.) Steolo, (D.,) N. Y., , Stratton, (R..) : Thomas (11.)Mass. Thomas, (1T.,) Md. Trimble, 111. ) Vibbard, (I).,) Wadsworth, (17.,) Webster 1 , (IT.,') Whaley, (U..) ■ Wickliffe, (U.,) I - Woodruff, D.,) t Wright, (I/.,) : : : 58. There is tho record!' ,Lit no Ropuhhoan spouter, no Republican scribbler, hereafter' assort that his party ip favorable to the Union and the Constitution. The above vote gives the lie to tho assertion. It will be soon that every Democrat, except one, and all those calling themselves Union men, voted for Mr, Holman’s resolution, Tho, Democrat who voted against the resolution, and thus an nounced himself opposed to the Union and the Constitution, was Craven of Indiana,— '.Wo hope bis constituents will attend to his case', Ho is well named. By a reference to' Walker-, wo find the woid craven signifies “ a coward and recreant.” It was right and proper, therefore; that this coward and reere ant should vote with the Republicans and against tlip cause of his country. He has disgraced his constituents, but cannot dis grace himself. ' jjgy Senator Andrew Johnson has been ap pointed a Brigadier General and made Mili tary Governor of Tennessee. This indicates that the policy of the President is-to hold military possession of all'thc States in revolt until such time ns : the civil law can resume its power. This wo believe is tho proper course to pursue-, and whenever the people of those States return to their allegiance, lay down their-arms and acknowledge the supre macy of the United. States- government—the rebel lenders having been first hanged—then our armies can bo withdrawn and' there will again bo peace-between tho two sections, nev er again to be disturbed by the teachings of of fanatics, North, or South. This policy , however, is likely to meet the serious opposition of , Abolitionists 'every where. They are already clamming for a perpetual subjugation of the Snath. There is to bo no more equality, between tho States of tho North and 1 those, of tho South in the government of tho Republic. The loyal as well as the disloyal are to remain in territori al vassalage to, the general government—to bo under the exclusive control of .the Central power, and not entitled to'the rights and im munities of sovereign States. This is tho doctrine of a class of men who claim to speak tho sentiments of a large party in tho North —and thoir solo aim is to assume control over tho question of slavery and in defiance of tho Constitution, and without regard to individu alrights, abolish the institution everywhere. —Perry County Democrat , O” Geneival .Jim Lane; the hero of Kan sas—one of Philosopher Greely’s pot fight ing-cocks—publishes a letter declaring his intention to immediately resume his seat in the Senate. After tho groat things that it was predicted Lane would do in tho military lino, wo confess to a feeling of disappointment at his sudden subsidence'into civil life—sala ry 53,000' a year, milage about tho same—tind no risk to life or limb. Ho alleges that his “ expedition'has failed by which wo-are to understand that he has not succeeded in com viuoing tho government ofTiis fitness to take supreme command of tho Army of tho West, to the displacement of such experienced Gen erals as Hunter and Halleck. We heard, soma time ago, that Lane was- so bout on fighting, that if ho could do no bettor, he would enlist as a private. He says nothing about, this, in his letter announcing his re turn to tho Senate. And thus, another pa per General is disposed of! Plated Out?— Tito game of accusing all, w.ho refuse to join 'the Republican party of disloyalty to tho government, is about.played out—says the Now York Arytta, and every sensible man is of tho same opinion. It is tolerably safe* when you- hoar a blustering self-styled'patriot charging his neighbor with being a-traitor, to conclude that ho is directly or indirectly engaged in stealing from, or in some way plundering tho Government, or that he has "an axe to grind” of sumo sort. Tho loudest brawlers aro those who stay at homo •to make money off tho Government,, and lot tho poor soldiers do tho Gghting. Tho patri otism of these follows can bo measured by tho depth of their pockets. Tho masses aro b‘o -1 gining to understand this full well aud the game is played out. 1 AS 4RMI OP TAX GOtLKCTOBS. . . Wo agree with tho Boston jßw<,when it says that one of the- most objeotibnal features in the proposed new tax hill is tho provision for tfye appointment of collectors. , To have tho country covered with these men, as the frogs covered Egypt, will ho a most ohjootional bur den. The expense will ho enormous and as tho necessity for taxation. If the whole duty of collection was left entirely with the States, the assessments would he paid most cheerful ly, tho exaction seems less onerous, an inr raenso expense saved, and a horde of unpopu lar office holders avoided. Wo hope this sub’ joot will be carefully .considered when the bill comes under discussion, and that some way will be devised to save us from tho sight of tho ugly countenances of a swarm of unnec essary tax gatherers. Those who may desire this system for the purpose of aiding party machinery, will hardly bo sustained by tho people who has) to foot tho bill. Our obliga tions will bo < heavy enough when rendered as light os possible, and an effort to increase them beyond whattho publiointerostdemahds, will bo very liable to meet 0 rebuke signifi cant and resolute. The articles of taxation specified, so far as wo can learn, are such,as would naturally be suggested; but the man ner and degree in which they are “doomed” is,,in many cases, unequal; and, if persisted in, must bp considered unjust. Wo arc in favor of adequate tsfiatioh—-we believe tho people will moot the requirement upon them readily, if satisfied their money is used for tho benefit of. the country—disbursed honesty and economically; but they will not quietly sub | rait to have their property taken to feed an puinieE! ' enrich thousands of swindling- contractors.— Mere - political schemers have" bad a .wide swing for ay oar past—officials have had both hands in the public treasury while their eyes were turned toward Heaven, apd their lips wore uttering words of . purest patriotism;— But all this must be reduced to stern mat ter of foot. The people will .demand, to know for. what their money is wanted, for what it is expended, and require in all instances an ex act account from their stewards'. This is all they want, honest dealing; they are willing to pay, but hot willing to bo cheated. The importance of this matter may bo realized when we- reflect that no man alive will see the end of it—the auunal demand will be made upon us all as long as we live; hence, to 0 much oaro cannot be observed inqinaugura" ting the new system of excise upon prinoi" pies of rigid justice. Congressional Apportionment, CongreM-liiwing'passed an act which gives to this State an additional member of the llouse of Representatives, the duty of fe-ar ranging the. districts will devolve upon the Legislature at the present session. The Sen ate yesterday resolved to appoint a commit tee of three to revise the apportionment of hist session. Xu the House of Representatives a similar resolution-was irttroduced by Mr. Arm strong, and, an. amendment offered, by Mr. Cessna, providing for the appointnl'ont of a comniitee of seven to report a bill apportion ing the into Congressional districts for the next tifri years. /Action was postponed; on the resolution arid on the amendment.. . The amendment of Mr. Cessna indicates < the proper, course for the Legislature to pur- i sue. The appointment of last year was pre mature, and is withal such a disgraceful ger rymander of the State' that no amount of tin kering can put it into a decanter respectable : shape- The Legislature'seems to have been influenced by but one idea in arranging this : appointment, and that was to make ns,few Democratic' districts and as many Republi can districts ns the nature of the material ■would warrant. : No sort of respect was paid- • to, the ratio. This raticfortwotity-throe mem bors of Congress—tlie mimbor to which it was then supposed the State' was entitled—was 125,303., One district contains a population of 158,281—exceeding the required ratio by 21,918; while' another district, has a popula tion of init ; 101,428—0 r 24,930 less than the ratio. Five districts have an aggregate pop ulation- of 708,552 ; and five other districts a population of 557,404, the former exceeding the latter by 151,481, or more than sufficient population,to form, another district, and more than any district contains with n single ex ception. Montgomery county is divided into . three parts '; one part attached tp Bucks equn s'ty and certain wards in Philadelphia, another part to Berks, and' the third part to the coun ties of Chester and-Delaware. A single town ship is violently torn from- Northumberland eoup-ty nntf attached to York and Dauphin, ■and other territorial and numeiical detormi ■' ties characterize this misshapen thing called an apportionment. • The Legislature cannot carve' out an addi tional district -without commencing de novo and making another apportionment. Noth ing can remedy the radical injustice and in equality of the act as-it stands, but an entire re'-arrangemont of the districts, and we trust that the- House of representatives will not per • mit this occasion to pass without tearing to i pieces the abominable work of the last Logis . laturo. —Patriot & Union. !Cr* Day after day gives additional evidence of the fact that Southern chivalry is about played out. A writer in a late number of the Richmond Examiner , after referring to the defeat of the confederates'at Fort Henry .and Roanoke, says: It is high time that these surrenders should ceasfl—for, considering the-character of the war in its consequences to us, they have boon truly amazing, commencing with that of the cavalry at Alexandria down through tha tof Colonel Fcgram, at Rich mountain, that of Commodore Barron,’at Hatteras, £c., to the present lamentable instances. “At Fort Henry a Brigadier-General, un wounded, having a garrison almost intact, lowers his flag ovor a dozen guns* of the larg est calibre, and with a hackneyed compliment yields up his bloodless sword. How, wither ing and humiliating to our Southern manhood was the sorrowful reply of the Yankee Com modore. 'X’ho Roanoke allair is perfectly incompre hensible. The newspapers are filled with ex travagant laudations of our valor ; the an nals of Greece-and Homo offer no parallel , whole regiments, wore defeated hy companies, and wo yielded only to death. Our men final ly surrendered'“ with no blood on their bay onets and what is the loss? Richmond Blues, two killed and five wounded ; McCul loch Rangers, two killed and two wounded; the other four companies lost in all two killed and eleven wounded. Comment is needless. The whole army had better surrender atonce ,; for it will eventually oomo to it." Kicir.vßD Wasbington, brother of Joij.v A. Washington, who was killed in Western Virginia some months ago, has been taken prisoner and is now confirmed at Har per’s Ferry. lie is a relative of the immor tal Washington ; but forgetful of their line age, both these brothers early espoused tho cause of tho rebels and lent their aid to des troy the government their ancestor tVas main ly instrumental in establishing, ho one met his death on tho field of battle in an un holy cause ; tho other may have meted out to him tho traitor’s doom. message from the President. ■Washington, March 6. The President tceday transmitted to Con gress the following message :■ Fellow-citizens. of the Senate and House of lieprcseniatioes :—I recommend the adoption of a joint resolution by ybur honorable bodies; which shall be substantially as follows; Jlesolved, That the. United States ought to co-operate with any State which may adopt a gradual abolishment of slavery, giving to such i, State pecuniary aid to bo used by such State in its discretion to compensate for the incon veniences, both public, and private, produced by such change of system. If the preposition contained in the resolu tion does not meet the approval of Congress and the country, there is the end, but if it does command such approval, I deem it of importance that the States and people imme diately interested should be at once distinct ly notified of the fact, so that they may begin to consider whether to accept or reject it. The Federal Government would find its highest interest in such a measure ns one of the most efficient meads of self-preservation. The leaders of the existing insurrection en-, tortain the hope that this Government _ will ultimately bo forced to acknowledge the inde pendence 'of some part of tho disaffected rel gion, and that all the slave States north of such parts will then say, tho Union for which wo have struggled being already gone, we now choose to go with the Southern section. To deprive them of this hope, substantially, ends the rebellion, and the initiation of eman cipation completely deprives them of it as to all States initiating it;- The point is not that all the States tolerating 1 slavery ; would very soon, if at all, initiate emancipation, hut that while the offer is equally made to all the more Northern, shall, by such initiation, make it certain to the more Southern that in no event will tho former ever join tho lat ter in their proposed Confederacy. I say in itiation, because, in, my Judgement, gradual ■nna —nuu - cru«wna —cin«BvipwOT'a , «- _ *oviacvTOi all. In the mere financially of pecuniary view, any member of Congress, ■with cePsus tables and treasury reports before him, can readily see for himself how very soon the cur rent expenditures of this war would purchase, at fair valuation all the slaves in any named State. Such a proposition on the part of the General Government sets up ho claim of a right by Federal authority to interfere with slavery* within State limits, referring, as it does, the absolute control of the subject in each case to the State and its people immedi ately interested! It is proposed as a matter ofperfectly free choice with them. ' In the annual message of last December, I thought fit to say, the Union must bo pre served, and hence all indispensible means must bo employed; I said this not, hasti ly, but deliberately. War has been made, and continues to be an indespensible means to this end. A practical re-acknowledge ment of the National authority would render the war unnecessary, and it would- at orieo cease. If, however! resistance continues, the war must also continue, and it is impossible to fOrsoo all the incidents which may attend; and all the ruin which may follow it. Such as may seem indispensible, or mav obviously promise great efficiency towards ending the struggle must and will come—the proposition now made is nn offer only. I hope it may be esteemed no offence to ask whether the pecuniary consideration tendered would not bo of more value to the States and private persons and property in it in the pres ent aspect of affairs. . - While it is true that the adoption of the proposed resolution would be merely initiato ry, and not within Itself a practical measure, it is recommended’, in'the; hope that it would soon.lead to important practical results. In full view of my great responsibility to, my. God and to my country,! earnestly bog the attention of Congress and the people to the : SUl (S°ignod) ABRAHAM iINCOLN. WTIAT SENATOR COWAN SAYS. (jh the 4th inst., Mr. Cowan addressed the Senate' against the - ' confiscation bill.. His speech is too long for'publication in our col umns, but the following extract will give some idea of its character and spirit : “ This bill proposes to liberate 3,000,000 of slaves—truly the most stupendous stroke for universal emancipation over attempted in the world. Indeed, I think it virtually liberates the whole 4,000,000. What is to be the effect of this upon the war? Shall we be stronger, or shall we find that we have only doubled the number of those in arms against us? They now have no cause for rebellion. Will not this bill furnish them one? Lot the loyal men of that section, who know them, answer this question. I will abide their arf •swor. I submit again that no deliberative assembly in the world ever before sat in judg ment'on so stupendous an issue. Yes, ns if to Wind us still more, this bill has a proposi tion of still greater magnitude, and, if pos slblo, of still greater difficulty ; that is, to take these millions and transfer them to some tro pical clime, and to protect them therewith all the riWifs and guaranties of freemen. And ‘this is all provided for in a single section and a single sentence of nine lines. Truly, wo must have, recently transported ourselves from the practical domain of facts, and sets down in the romantic regions of Eastern fic tion Do the advocates of this measure pro pose to confer- upon the President the gold making touch.of Midas? Nothing short of tho ring and lamp of Alladiri, with their at tendant genii, would insure the success of such a scheme,' unless it is believed that the Treasury Note possesses this magic power. And even under that supposition, I think the owners of those Southern climes, and tho Transportation Companies, ought.to bo con sulted in regard to the legal tender clause. I presume it is not supposed that this mod ern exodus will be supported on tho way by quails and manna; and yet [am free to say that it'will require some such miraculous in terposition as that which favored tho Israelites in their journey out of Egypt,. Hut, sir, is it not strange that this scheme should be so coolly presented for our consideration, and urged to its final oonsnmation with a kind of surprise that any one should oppose it ? It is certainly duo to ourselves, and duo to tho country, that we should not make haste to en gage in ’such gigantic schemes. Then, again, there is a further consideration involved in this bill, and . one of still greater moment, which is that it is in direct conflict with the Constitution of the United States, requiring of'us, if we pass it, to set aside and ignore that instrument in its .most valuable and fundamental provisions, those winch guaran tee tho life and property of tho citizen, and those which define tho limits and boundaries of the several Departments of this _ Govern ment. Pass this bill, and all that is left of tho Constitution is not worth much, certainly not worth this terrible war which wo are now waging for it—for bo it remembered that this war is waged solely for the preservation of the Constitution. I am aware that some think that tho Constitution is a re straint upon tho free action of the nation m tho conduct of this war, which they suppose could bo carried on a great deal bettor with out it. I have no hesitation in saying that no greater mistake has ever boenmade any where than is made by such people. o“Mas. Lydia Wane Pierson, a. well known authoress, died at hor residence, near Adrian, Michigan, a few days since. She was a native of Middletown, Connecticut, JOSf Okas. J. Faulkner has written a let ter, in which ho denies having made a speech at Martinsburg, Va., deducing secession a failure, TM DIIUJCT TAX Bill. Tho tax bill reported in the House of Rep resentatives on Monday last, provides for the -appointment,- by the President, of a Commissioner of Internal Revenue, with a salary of five thousand dollars. His office is to ho in tho Treasury' Department, with a suitable-number of clerks. The country is to he divided, as the President may direct, into convenient collection districts, with an assessor and collector fo be appointed by tho President for each district who shall have power to appoint such deputies as' may ho necessary. The hill provides, for a duty—r On spirituous liquors 15 cents por gallon. On ale and beer . $1 per barrel., On stem and loaf tobacco 3 cents por pound. Do. to add when manufactured ' :50 cents. On cigars 5,10„ and 20 cents per pound. (according-to value.) On lard and linseed oil, burning fluid and crude coal oil .5 cents por gallon. On refined coal oil 10 cents per gallon. On gas por 1,000 cubic foot 25 cents. On Bank-Note Paper ■ 5 cents per lb. On Writing Paper . -2 “ “ On Printing Paper 3 mills On Soap, 5 “ “ On Salt - 4 o. por 100 lbs. On Solo Leather 1 cent per lb. On-Upper Leather “ On Flour . 10 Cents por bbl. All other manufactures, 8 per- coat, ad valorem. Railroad-passengers, 2 mills per mile of travel. Commutation tickets, 3 por cent. Steamboat travel, 1 mill por milo. Omnibuses, lorryboats, and horse railroads, 3 per ■ cent, on gross oceipts from passengers. On advertisements, 5 por cent, on amount of receipts annually. ■ For. use af carriages, annually, from $1 to $lO ac cording t» value. On - gold watches On silver watches On gold plato On silvor plato On billiard tables slaughtered cattle On'Sheep On Auctioneers ' / Wholesale dealers •Retail Dealers in Liquors Retail Dealers in Goods Pawnbrokers .. • Rectifiers .Brewers • ■ • Hotels, Inns, andTavorris (graduated-accord ing to rental) .. fromssto26o Eating Houses Commercial Brokers , ■ : Othcr Brokers Theatres' • • ■ Circuses- Bowling Alloys (oaoh. alley) Wholesale P.odlurs Other Pedlars - ' Coal Oil Distillers, *fco. ■'*“■- ‘ 20 Ori incomes, 3 per cent, on all over s3oo,.deducting tbo.incorao derived from dividends, tie;, which are taxed separately. On railroad bonds and dividends of banks.and sav ing institutions 3 per cent. On payment, of all salaries of officers in the civil, .military 'and naval services of,the IT. S, (in. 1 . eluding members of Congress) 3. percent. On legacies and distribution sbaros of-the personal property of deceased persons (according to the ,degrees of relationship).'' 1 a s.pec cent. ■' And stamp duties* on all kinds of legal and com mercial papers, all patent-medicines, telegraphic messages, and all goods by expresses. *. - The tax bill contains one hundred and five sectionSj and is one of the longest of any kind ovep before prepared, months of prepa ration having been bostowedlipon it. Caiieron* on tiie War.— At a meeting of the stockholders of the Northern Central Railroad, for the election of Directors,' Simon Cameron is reported to have spoken to. the following effect: - “ General* Cameron also stated that was not among thbse who believed the -present war vyas soon ,to be terminated, i That withstaiiding it-teas a great evil, he saw in it the 'source of a very great harvest to the Nbrth ern'C'en/ral Railway Contpany," Cameron is one of the largest stockholders in this railroad, and a long war, though a great.evil, yet affords a very satisfactory con solation to Simon irom the fact that it will ho a “ source of very great revenue to the. Nort hern Central' Railway copses quently to Simon’s pocket, !C7" General Cameron and Congressmen Van Wyck oamenoar having a fight in Wash ington, bn Monday night. The General abused the Congressman for exposing his cor rnplloos, Small potatoes/ Highly Important News! CUB FLEET AT FORTRESS MONROE ATTACKED BY THE REBEL STEAMERS !1 ' The U. S. Stoop Cumberland Sunk and Congress Burned! Our liossi from One Hundred to Two Hundred and Fifty. THE MERRIMACIN A SINKING CONDITION Sjicelal Dispatches to the Inquirer • Washington, March 9, IBG2, The Union Fleet attacked by Rebel Steamers Merrimac, Jamestown and Yorktowii. DETAILS OF THE DIS AST ER. Fortress Monroe,' March B.—Tho dull ness of Old Point was startled, at 10. o’clock to day, by tho announcement that a mysteri ous vessel, supposed to be the Kebel steamer Merrimac, and looking like a submerged house, with the roof only above water, was moving down from Norfolk by the channel'in front of Sowall’s Point. Signal guns were also fired by the United States sloop-of-war Cumberland and the frigate Congress, tonotify the Minneso ia; St, Lawrence and Boanoke of the approach ing danger, and all was excitement in and about Fortress Monroe. ' . .. There was nothing protruding above the water but. the flag-staff, flying tho Rebel flag, and a short smoke-stack. She moved along slowly, and turning into the channel loading to’ Newport News, steamed direct for the Cumberland and Congress, which were lying at the mouth of tho James River. As soon ns tho Merrimac came within range of the Cumberland, tho latter opened on her with her heavy guns, but the balls struck and glanced off, having no more effect on her than peas from a pop-gun. Her ports wore all closed, and she moved on in silence, but with a full head of steam. In tho meantime, as the Merrimac was ap proaching the two frigates on the one side, the iron-clad steamers Torktown and James town came down the James river and engag ed our frigates on tho other aide. Tho batter ies at Newport Nows also opened on the James town and Yorktoien and did all in their power to assist the Cumberland and Congress, which, being sailing vessels, were at the mercy of i the approaching steamers. The Merrimac in the meantime kept steadi ly on her course, and slowly approached the Cumberland, when the latter, as well as tho Congress, at the distance of one hundred yards, rained full broadsides on the iron-chid monster. Tho shots took no effect, glancing i upwards and flying off, having only tho effect of chocking her progress for a moment. After receiving th'o first broadside of tho two frigates she ran into tho Cumberland, striking her about midships and literally laying open her side. She then drew off, fired a broadside into the disabled ship; and again dashpd against her with her iron-clad prow, and hooking m her side loft her to.- sink, while.she engaged the Conffmi r whiolr-” laid about a quarter of a mile distant. The Congress hud, in the meantime, kept up' a sharp engagement with .the Yorhtown and Jamcsioton, and having nq regular ctow : on board of her, and seeing the helplessness of resisting the iron-clad steamers, at once hor colors. Her crew had boon dis charged several days since, and throe conj ponies of the Naval Brigade had been put oa board temporarily until she could bo relieved by the Si. Latorence, which was to have gone up on Monday to toko hor position as uno of the blockading vessels a.l the James river. On the Congress striking her colors the Jamestown approached and took from on board all the officers as prisoners, but allowed the brow to escape in the boats. The vessel be ing thus cleared it was fired by the Rebels when the Mcrrimac and her two iron clad companions opened with shell and shot on the Newport News batteries. The firing was briskly returned. In the meantime, the steam frigate Minne sota having partly got up steam, was being towed up to the rolief of the two frigates, but did not get up until too late to assist them. She was also followed by the frigate St. Law rence, which was taken, in tow by several of the small harbor steamers. It is, however, rumored that neither of these vessels had pi lots on board them, and after a short engage ment, both seemed to be, in the opinion of the pilots, on the point aground. The .Minnesota, either intentionally or from necessity, engaged the throe Rebel steamers at about a mile distant, with only her two bow guns. The St. Lawrence also poured in shot from all her guns she could bring to bear, and it was the impression of the most experi enced naval officers on the point that both bad been considerably damaged. . .. These statements, it must be born in mind, are all based on .what could be seen by the glass at a distance of nearly eight inilcs, and by a few panic-stricken non-combatants, who fled at nearly the first, gnn from Newport $1 per annum. 50 eta. . “ 50 cts. per ounce. 3 cts. $2O SO cents civob. jul: - . Newa. — *lirtba*ineatlUirfoclarl;ne3.s approached, though the moon shone out brightly, and noth ing but *the occasional flashing of guns could bo seen. $lOO . Tho. Merrimac was also believed to bo aground, as she remained stationary at the distance of about a mile from the Minnesota, making no attempt to attack, or molest her.—- Previous to the departure of the steamer from Old Point for Baltimore, no guns had been fired for half an hour, the last one being fired from the Minnesota. Some persons declared that immediately after the last gnn was fired, a dense volume of vapor was seen to rise from tho Meirimac, indicating an explosion of her .boilers. Whether this is so or not cannot be known, hat it Avas the universal opinion that the Rebel monster was hard aground." Fears -were of course entertained for the. safety'of Ihs Minnesota and St. Lawrence in such an unequal contest, but if the Meiyimna. was really ashore, she could do no Further harm to them.. It was the intention of tho MihnesQia, with her picked and gajlant crew, to have run into close quarters with the Mer rimac, avoid her iron prow, and board her. This the- Merrimac seemed not inclined to give her an opportunity to do, being afraid to np, preach her at close, quarters Avhon , aground, • At eight o’clock,. when the Baltimorc-boafe left, a fleet of steam tugs were being sent up to tlv> relief of.thaiSnnespfo and St. Lawrence, and on endeavor was to bo made to draw them off from, the, bar on which they bad grounded. The firing had been suspended, whether from mutual consent or necessity could not bo as certained. $S f» 20 The Rebel battery- at Pig’s Point was also s9i enabled to join in the combined attack on the Minnesota, and seventh guns were fired at her from (joAvall’s Roiut, as she went up,; noneof them, however, strgck her, b,u,t one or two passed oyer her. CREW QJ? THjE CUMBERLAND REPORTS OF THE LOSS. OF LIFE. New York, March 9.—A special despatch -from Fortress Monroe to the 'lVibunc states that the G-mnherlancl,h.«.A aerc-w of five hun dred men, nearly half of whom went down with her, but a negro, states that some of the crow who swam ashore gave the number lost at one hundred.,, The guns of the Congress after her capture, were turned on our batter ies at Newport. Nows. General Wool sent two regiments of infant ry, six companies of cavalry, and the Mount ed Rifles, by land 1 to Newport News to sup port General Manslield, in case yf an attack. THE EXCITEMENT AT WASHINGTON. Washington, . March excitement at the hotels, and elsewhere, all day, has been intense, conseqqent on the* nows from bur tress Monroe. - . .. EWond Fortress Monroe. Fortukss Monroe, March* 7. The, steam tugs Atlantic and Pendulum from Philadelphia, came into, the Roads this morning. The Pendulum sunk while pass ing the light-ship—all hands saved. The steamer Suwannee, which sailed for Ilatteras with stores on Thursday, rpturircd on account of bad weather, hut will, sail again to-night, . • The wipd is changing to the South-west. .* A flag of truce from Norfolk brought down -the Commandant of the French steamer. lie represents that great * excitement exists at Norfolk. The hotels are Bwafming'with* oft- * cOra, mostly from the Gulf States, the Vir ginia troops being nil sent away. _ The peo ple dread the destruction of the city in case of an attack. A strong force is concentratin'- at Sufihlk to check Gen. Burnside, who was reported to have occupied Winton in low ll andmovingonNorf.dk. The reason given by tho rebels for nnt.r leasing Col. Corcoran is, that maps and draw-, ings have -been found concealed on his person- No further communication’has been receiv ed as to tho release of the Federal prisoners at Richmond. The Richmond papers of Friday contain no military news except the arrest of Onion men, principally Germans. The detriyes broke into tho room of the Gorman Turners, and found two American flags, with a paint ing on tho wall of tho Goddess ofLiberty with the-words underneath—“ Hats off!'' The painting and flags were contisoatdfM — — Washington, 9, 7 o’clock, P. M.—A tele gram from Portress Monroe says the Erriosson arrived at Fortress Monroe last night. Ear ly this morning she was attacked by the three vessels, tho Merrimao, Jamestown arid York town. After five hours contest, they wore driven off. The Merrimao in a. sinking con dition, The above is official. Official from Gen. HallecU. St. Louis, March Iff Tho following is an official _ dispatch to Mr-, jor General McClellan, Washington: , “The army of tho South-wost, under General Curtis, after three days ■ hard fighting 1 gained a most glorious victory over the binod forces of Van Dorn, McCulloch, and Mclntosh. Our loss is estimated at b 000 killed and wounded —that of the e J still larger. Guns, flags, provisions, &0.,t £ tuiod in largo quantities. Our caval y pursuit of “Major General Commanding.^ On the 4th inst., by Rev. Peter Si-aiir, Jr., to Miss Annie both of this place. q On tho 4th inst., by tho Rov- ~ ho (Jer- Rey. G. A. Struntz, late , t 0 Jliaj man Lutheran Church, of 9. * ’ Margaret Wolf, of this piece. JfiamA.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers