WKPNEBDAY, MARCH 5, 1862 KkTKACT FROM THE LAST SFKKCII OF STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS.—“ The conspiracy tt break ap the U nitm ia a fact new known ta all. Armies are being raised, and war levied ta accomplish it. There can be but two sides ta the controverts. Every man must be on the side a I the United States ar against it. Thera can be na neutrals in this war. There can ba none bnt patriots and traitors.’ 1 THE LATEST WAR NEWS. The importance of the icovosuvui in the De portment of the West, which arc announce this morning, cannot bs overestimated, and will every where be hailed with the liveliest feelings of grati fication and pride. Columbus—well styled the Gibraltar of the Mississippi—has been occupied by the Union troops. All its terrible defences and formidable batteries have gone for naught, like the valor that erected them. To allow tha immense strategic value of the fort, we make the following extract from an editorial of the New Orleans Delta of January 30—before Forts Henry and Donelson had fallen into our possession : 11 Our dependence, at present, for the safety of this city from the approach of a formidable expe dition down the river is upon Columbus. That is the. northern key to the. Mississippi, delta. That in finmes im of the enemy , thefloodgates of inva sion will he opened , and we would be con fronted with terrible dangers and the whole country exposed to fearful evils. On one con dition only can we realize a full assurance that such dangers will not ocSfir, and such evils will never impend. That condition is the impregnability of General Polkas position at Columbus. But, it may be asked, is not that posi tion already strong? Strong it undoubtedly has been, as the enemy's gunboats that encountered its batteries fouDd out, and as his army at Belmont bitterly discovered. Strong it still is, in point of its defensive woiks, in the resolution of its defenders, and the vigilance, prudence, ability, and energy of its commanding general. Bat in war strength is relative.” A Federal reconnoiesance to Columbus, on Mon day, revealed the fact that the town had been evacuated ny the rebels and reduced to ashes. The xebelE have retreated to Fort Randolph, a post on the Mississippi above Memphis, which cannot be xftade tenable by any military skill. Island No. 10, which, according to aocounts pub lished yesterday, was to be made a stronghold by the rebels who have evacuated Columbus, is one of the numerous small islands in the Mississippi, the numbering of which begins a short distanco below Cairo. It is just over the Kentucky line, nearly opposite the village of Obionville, at which hoavy works were thrown up by negro laborers last autumn The rebels expect, by holding the island, to block up the passageway of our iron-clad gun boats down the river; while they will doubtless Eend the bulk of the Coiambus forces to Memphis, to defend that city against a land assault. There is no island in the river could be so fortiSed as to he defensible for a single day against the combined iron-clad gunboats and mortar flotilla, unless by regular stone fortifications. Any one of them could be literally paved with shot and shell, from boats beyond the reach of earthwork batteries. General Halleck has Issued an order direeting that all licensed attorneys, counsellors, and proc tors of the State (Missouri) shall take the oath of allegiance, as prescribed by an ordinance of the State Convention in October last. Those refusing will not be allowed to practise in court. From Fortress Monroe we learn that the ex pected released prisoners have not yet been heard from. General Wool has refused the further issue of passes to parties desiring to go South. The Constitution was fired on by the rebel batteries, on her way up to Newport News, but escaped damage. The official report of Colonel Webstar, chief en gineer of General Grant’s staff, detailing ta the lat ter a technical account of the Fort Donelson fortifi cations, is published on onr first page. Colonel Webster is an engineer in the regular service, and poesesseß military attainments of a high order. Hon. Andrew Johnson, the etaunch patriot of Tennessee, has been appointed military governor of that State, during the pleasure of the President, or until the loyal citizens shall' organize a government in accordance with the Constitu tion. The appointment, although but a provisional one therefore, will meet with universal approba tion. Mr. JohnEOn necessarily vacates the seat in Congress, which he has so honorably filled, in assuming the duties of the new position. His presence, influence, and labors in Tennessee are abso'ntely necessary for the prompt restoration of the State to the Union by and through the ope ration of a provisional government such as that not long since so easily and successfully established in Missouri, which required and had no absolute military head, though the temporary assistance of the arms of the United States made that work of loyal civilians a success. We have five days later intelligence from Europe by the arrival of the Norwegian, at Port land, with Liverpool datea to tha 20th, and Lon donderry dates to the 21st. The news presents but few points of prominence; the remark covering the proceedings of Parliament to the 19th. It is stated ts have been semiofficially confirmed, that the Spaniards had received a decided defeat by the Mexicans, and that the despatch of furthor re inforcements would consequently he necessary. In the Italian Parliament, Baron Ricasuli had stated that the object of his Government in sending frigates to the colonies was merely for the pur pose of protecting its subjects, and not with a view to reinforce the Mexican Expedition. The Paris Temps and OlhCf French journals argue that the erection of Mexico into a monarchy would only accrue to the benefit of Spain and the Spanish monarchical interests existing there. From Vi enna, we have the rumor that the Arch Duke Maximilian was to leave for Paris and London towards the end of last month. A despatch from Liverpool, dated the 31st nit., states as a common report, that insurances are daily effected, in that, city, upon ships and cargoes fitted on* with the intention of running the block ade of the Southern ports. Tho highest premium paid is stated to be fifteen guineas. The ships are entitled to select any port. The majority of the vessels for which policies have been taken out are steamers of 1.500 tons. In the House of Commons, on the 13th ult., Sir J. Parhington asked the Secretary to the Admiral ty if the statement which had been made as to the bad sea going qualities of her Majesty's ship Warrior was correct. Lord C. Paget replied that no official report whatever had been made as to the Warrior. She had arrived at Lisbon, and the only intelligence they had received from Captain Coch rane was contained in a letter addressed to the Con troller of the Kuvy. Captain Cochrane wrote : “ You will be glad to hear we have had a continu ance of gales of wind. The ship behaved very well —nothing strained, no accident. We found the mainyard slightly sprung. We fished it at sea with iron fishes, and it is as strong as ever. The springing of the yard I do not consider had anything to do with the straining or working nf the ship.” He conld biinseif corroborate that report, which was so far very favorable. Ho had hod a cruise in the Warrior, and believed her to be a first-rate sea-going vessel. The Warrior is ordered from Gibraltar to Ports- In the House on the 17th ult. the estimates for the expenditure upon the Trent affair, amounting to £973,000, were unanimously agreed to. In the debate on the subject, Mr. Bright Btrongly de nounced the poliey of the Government, and said <■ that it was in every respect unadvisuble to inflict a stiDg that it might take centuries to remove.” The London Star accords much praise to Secre tary Seward for his course relative to the passage of British troops through ths State of Moiao. Congress Yesterday. Senate. —A memorial was presented asking Congress to provide for tho transportation of the mails from Hew York to Panama and Aspinwall. Referred, The bill for the safe keeping and maintenance of the United States prisoners was passed. The bill for the preservation of the Atlantic fish eries was passed. It authorizes the President to appoint a commissioner to meet the British and French commissioners to take measures for the preservation of the interest. The confiscation bill was taken up. It is likely to be debated at considerable length bofore any deci sive action ib taken upon it. House —The Pennsylvania contcstod.elootion ease of the Third Congressional district being taken up, the resoluiion declaring Mr. Verree entitled to the seat was adopted-yeas 105, nays 13. The resolution reported some time since from the committee on Government contracts was takea up, and that portion of the report referring to the ease of General Fremont was especially considered. Tha House then adjourned. Mb. Touceyand his friends have been hold ing a love-feast at Hartford. They celebrated Washington's Birthday ia ait appropriate manner. Mr. Toecet presided. He made a speech. He announced his devotion to the Union. His friends made speeches and an nounced their devotion to the Union. It was a liappy occasion, and we have a glorious re port in the Hartford Times. Ex-Secretary loi-cEi- was received with applause, and cheers were given for “ Isaac Touchy, the Constitution, and the Union.” Happy Union and glorious Constitution, to be thus remem bered! It was a “patriotic assembly.” “I thank yon, gentlemen,” said Mr. Toucey, “ for the honor you have done me in calling me to preside over this patriotic assembly.” Burnt, of the Times, one of the most offensive Breckinridge vassals in New England, was present, and acted as secretary. One Eaton teAppeared. Hatch's last appearance was In the spring, when he declared that he would oppose any troops that sought to cross the soil of Connecticut lor the purpose of “co ercing his Southern brethren.” Since that time he lias been busily engaged in keeping out of Fort Lafayette, and wo can only account for his resuscitation at this time by the general order of amnesty recently issued. A conspicuous figure was Samuel W. Gam. woi.n. Gusvoui is gazetted as an enterprising dry-goods merchant, who sends one hundred and fifty copies of Washington’s Address. The presiding genius of the whole affair was one Hamersley. Hamersley was the Post master during Mr. Buchanan’s Administra tion, and he looms up grandly in this affection ate gathering. He called the meeting to or cer—he acted as secretary—he read the Fare well Address—he was loudly called for, and ho made a speech, in which “he coincided with the views of Washington, and deemed his ad dress to- be worthy of the profoundest conside ration.” It will be gratifying to his friends to know that « his apostrophe to the American flag was touchingly eloquent and beautiful, and was received with the greatest satisfaction by the audience.” Mr. Toucey made a brief speech. He told his Hartford audience many things, but might havo told thorn many more. He could have given his theme a wonderful interest. He might have illustrated many mysterious pro ceedings in the late Administration. lie might have told us how persistently and atro ciously he co-operated with Mr. Buchanan in the ruin of the Democratic party, and the overthrow of Mr. Douglas. He might have shown us bow the Treasury Department was depleted by Mr. Com:, how the arsenals were plundered by Mr. Floyd, how the defenceless Indians were robbed by Mr. Thompson, how Davis and Slidell and Benjamin were per mitted to develop their treasonable conspiracy in the parlors of the Presidential mansion, lie might have been more personal in his narrative, and quite as interesting. His management of the Navy Depart ment would have been a most thrilling theme. We could Lave overlooked any omis sion to explain how Ins favorites were enriched at the public expense ; how the interests of the Secession party were fostered by the mo ney of the Government; how every Breckin ridge vote in the Democratic Conventions was purchased, if he had explained his own active complicity with the traitors; if he had told us how lie had dispersed our small navy over dis tant seas, and sent our best ships and bravest seamen to Africa the Indian Ocean; how he nurtured the disloyal officers in the city of Washington, until the time arrived when they could strike a blow at the Republic. We look in vain for'any fact or illustration on these in tefestifig topics. “ The country is bleeding at every vein,” says the ex-Secretary. Who caused it to bleed ? “Wo are in a most gi gantic civil war.” Who precipitated that war upon us ? Mr. Toucey tells us that the « Con. stitution is the Union,” and that he “ repudi ates the right of secession as a political he resy,” but beyond this is strangely silent. In the speech of this venerable traitor—we give the word its most emphatic meaning— we have a lair idea of the purposes of the Northern disloyal party. He gives a political definition which we accept as authoritative and enrol in our vocabulary. “ The people of the North may be divided into two classes— one of them small indeed, and powerless with out their allies, yet still two classes— those who will maintain the old Constitution at all hazards —who would restore it throughout the whole country—who would never, never give it up; and those on the other hand who would be glad to get rid of it—who would destroy it if they could—who would never consent to its restoration without a new feature in it against which the public faith is plighted—who would never consent te the unconditional restoration of the old Constitution; —who would convert the present war into a war of emancipation, and would excite servile insurrection.” In other words, Mr. Toucey tells his Hartford au dience that the great mass of the loyal people in the Northern States are engaged in a con spiracy against the Constitution, “ that they would destroy It if they could,'” and that its only defenders fire to be found in the remnant of the old Breckinridge organization of which | he is so illustrious a leader. “ This class is ] small indeed,” says Mr. Toucey, “ and power | less without their allies,” Davis, Ben.m.'UN, and Slidell, but to it we must look for the restoration of the Uuion. This, then, is the official announcement of the platform and principles of the new North ern Democratic organization. Its leaders deal in dainty phrases. Mr. Toucet is especially guarded and coy. “ I repudiate,” he says, “ the right of secession as a political heresy.” In this phrase he gives us his idea of tho re bellion, Plain men call it treason, murder, theft, assassination, the perpetration of unex ampled crimes and a conspiracy against the best Government on the earth. Mr. Toucey, however, only sees in the crime and infamy of Diiiis “a political heresy.” He sees the same thing in the doctrines of Congressional Intervention, Popular Sovereignty, a National Bank, Internal Improvements, or a high pro tective tariff", and the men of the rebel States who have darkened the nineteenth century with their crimes are nothing more than poli tical antagonists like Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Se ward, Mr. Sumnek, or the late lamented Mr. Douglas. Nor are we surprised that the teachings of such a leader should lead his fol lowers to propose, as some of liis follow, ers proposed at tho Hartford meeting, that the “ olive branch must appear with the sword,” and that “ there must be some mea sure of compromise just to both sections of the country in order to malte tho Union what it was.” In these plain terms we are told that if the influence of Mr. Toucey can prevail, this war will end by a summary and humilia ting peace. The rebels will again be recog nized as the members of a Union they vainly attempted to destroy. Mason and Slidell, with their sins unatoned for, will again enter the Senate, and Mr. Toucey may have the pleasure of proposing, at the next Democratic Convention, the name of Jefferson Davis for the Presidency. , We are not disposed to be unjust to Mr. Toucey or to his humblest follower in the North. Welook upon his disloyalty with pain and mortification, and we would rejoice if a citizen oi Connecticut as distinguished as the ex-Secretary of the Navy had taken his posi tion with Dickinson, and Butler, and Holt, and Stanton, and gave to the Union even a tardy allegiance. But no such pleasure is in store for us. Mr. Toucey and his followers ai e enemies of this Union. We have yet to hear from his lips, or trom the lips of any of his friends, a single word of sympathy with our. soldiers in the field—a single word of hope or confidence. When the country calls for sym pathy or succor they are silent. Amid all the glory of recent triumph, the successes of ov.r arms upon the land and sea, they are silent. Mr, Reed opens his mouth to snarl at Mr. Seward’s diplomacy, and to say that his loyalty is not the hearty devotion of the pa triot to his country, but something genuine and rational.” Mr. Vallandigiiaji wraps himself up in the American flag, and protests his devotion to the Union while he gives every vote against the Administration, and opposes every measure of national safety. And now, Mr. Toucey, the representative of the last Administration, who was silent amid all the intrigues of his master and his master’s satellites to destroy the republic—who was silent even when the fall of Fort Sumpter made the blood of the most sluggish patriot thrill with indignation—who was silent in the hours of our deepest danger and distress— now comes from his retirement to calumniate the loyal Northern men by stigmatizing their war as a war upon the Constitution, and to organize a party in opposition to the Adminis tration and the successful prosecution of the war. These men are enemies of the Union — as malignant and efficient as Beauregard or Lee—and as enemies of the Union they de serve to bo treated. The Progress of the War. The news of the evacuation and virtual de struction of Columbus is now so fully con firmed that there can be no further doubt of its truth. Tlius the boasted Western Manas sas of the rebellion crumbles to dust without a struggle; and a new shock is given to the confidence of the people of the South in the wisdom and power of the conspirators. The moral influence of this retrograde movement will he as great as if we had driven off the forces of the enemy after a terrific battle. It will be regarded in the whole Southwest as the crowning disaster of the long scries of de feats which have fallen in quick succession upon the rebel arms, in Missouri, in Arkansas, in Kentucky, and in Tennessee. It is nearly a year since the traitors commenced completing their military organi zation for their war against the Union, and but a comparatively few months since the Fe deral armies were sufficiently well drilled and well disciplined to consummate the vigorous operations which arc now being attended with wonderful success. A long and a tedious pro cess was necessary to fully fit onr peaceful citizens for their new duties in the camp, but the whole worid is rapidly learning that their indomitable spirit, quick intelligence, active habits, and earnest desire to exert all tbcj r energies in any laudable pursuit in which they may he engaged, make them the best and bravest soldiers in the worid. They aro daily showing that “ they dare do all that may become” men. They gladly and eagerly bravo danger in every shape in Which it pre sents itself; and are equally ready to fight upon the open field, to storm entrenchments, to, charge upon death-dealing batteries, or to scale the walls of frowning forts. No natural or military obstacles impede them. Inured to hardships, they cheerfully struggle with the elements or the enemy; cross rivers, sounds, or seas, amid storm or sunshine; tramp over muddy roads, wado through swamps or climb tbe summits of towering mountains; and march with gleo at a moment's warning, wherever glory awaits them. Few campaigns have been endowed with the endless variety which characterizes the present contest. The theatre of most wars is confined to a comparatively small district of territory—but here a large portion of a conti nent resounds with the din of arms and the clangor of warlike commotion. Every species of military achievement is attempted. In all kinds of defensive and offensive operations, on water and on land, our troops are rapidly becoming skilled. They have already displayed tlieir heroism alike in gallantly defending, up to the last moment, against terrific odds and against hope, isolated posts, and in making irresistible charges upon the strongholds of the enemy. At the outset of the war many of the rebels were vain enough to suppose that the power of this great Republic could be defied with im punity—that it would die and make no sign—. that no strong arms or stout hearts would rise up to defend it—that its forts and arsenals could be seized without fear of retributive justice—that our capital would fall an easy prey to chivalric freebooters, and that even the rich towns and cities of the North could easily be plundered. Loud were the cries of triumph over the capture of ungarrisoned forts and the fall of Sumter. But at the summons of our Government an army almost as large, and scarcely less effective than that with which Napoleon held Europe in awe, sprang into existence. Though at the outset, it met with disasters not unlike those encoun tered by the first armies organized by the French Republic, it speedily recovered from them, and for the last four months it has achieved a brilliant succession of triumphs without meeting a single reverse. We no longer hear of new advances of the rebels, but of their rapid retreats, and burn with im patience if each new day does not chronicle some important forward movement of our forces. No fear of rebel invasions of any portion of the territory now in our possession is entertained by even the most timid—we are only anxious to know at what new point our Hag waves as the emblem of undisputed sove reignty, and what new districts have been re deemed from the thraldom of the conspirators. Although there is a veil of secrecy thrown for the present over some of the forward movements of our armies, and although it is possible that some of the great enterprises projected may not prove fully successful, of the general efficiency of our army there is no doubt. Never was it in such admirable con dition. Elated with recent triumphs, and rendered familiar by experience with the sys tem of warfare adopted by the enemy, the di visions that have tasted the glories of triumph pant for new distinctions, and those who did not participate in the engagements that have occurred, bum for an opportunity to show that they are as fearless and dovoted as their brave brethreD-in-arms, who havo proved their valor in desperate encounters. Opportunities are not wanting. Fields for the display of their heroism are opening on every side. And wliether we look to the camp formed at Ship Island, to the forces at Fort I’iekcns, Key West, Hilton Head, on the Burnside Expedi tion, at Fortress Monroe, in Tennessee, in Missouri, in Arkansas, or on the Fotoraac, we know enough of their movements to perceive that every muscle of the great boa-constrictor, that is now crushing the Rebellion, is in mo tion, and that every fold is being tightened for the mighty death-grip that is to crush out forever the life of the heresy of Seces- Those who had occasion to meet the cele brated Dr. Russell, special correspondent of the London Times, will not forget his avowed opposition to the Federal cause on the ground that those in charge of the Government re fused to attack the institution of slavery, and to avow their determination to abolish it wherever found as the property of the rebels. In one of the despatches of Lord Ltons, the British minister at Washington, to his Go vernment, just published, that of December 18th, 1860, there is the following passage, which shows that Dr. Russell did not, in this as other cases, speak without authority. It will be seen that Lord Lyons’ hostility to slavery is not shown against the course mt the Federal Government, hut against the course of the rebels themselves. It will also he no ticed that Lord Lyons, while using this earn est language, tells the rebels in words that England will gladly do without the cotton of the South, if the South is resolved to insist upon the maintenance of slavery and the re opening of the slave trade; (i This overweening notion of their own import, ance may lead to very serious inconvenience, if they should succeed in establishing their independ ence. Our need of the cotton is quite great enough to render it extremely desirable that we Bhould be on good terms with them, and encourage any dis position which they may show to piaee their com mercial relations with os on a mutually advan tageous footing. We might be willing to consider that a quarrel with them would givo us no means of ameliorating the condition of their slaves, while it would bring a great deal of hardship and suffer ing upon vast numbers of our own working people. But still it must ever fcarepugnant to our feelings to be in intimate relations with a Confederation formed on tho avowed principle of perpetuating, if not of extending, slavery. “Unless the seceding States oan be induced to act with moderation upon the question of slavery they may rouse a feeling of indignation and horror in Great Britain which will overpower all consider ation of material interest, Of this many of their leading men in the present movement do not seem to be aware. Some of them even talk openly of re viving the African slave trade. An attempt actually to do this would, it may be snpposed.be at once pat down by the united force of the Northern States, of Great Britain, and of civilized Europe. But, on the other hand, it might be extremely difficult to bring any of the slaveholding States to renounce, in principle, the right of trading in negroes, or to induce them to enter into any treaty engagement on the subject. Any suoh engagement would bo re garded by them as an admission that they were in the wrong on the question on which their contest with the North has so inflamed their passions that they have lost sight of all reason. How could they bind themselves not to extend to larger numbers of Africans the blessings of the institution of American slavery, which they hold to he ordained of God for the happiness and improvement of the negro race ? It is to be apprehended that wo shall have very considerable difficulty 5n placing our relations, commercial or political, on a satisfactory footing with a people imbued with suoh sentiments immense as is the importance to us _of pro curing a cheap and abundant supply of their staple commodity.” Sale or 6,000 ShAreS Stock of tho PcfifiSylvania Mining Company of Michigan, to-morrow, at 417 Walnut street. See Thomas 4" Sons’ advertise ments. Ait Awkward Position.— We learn that on Monday night last, a house at Mexican Corner, oc cupied by two families, was so completely sub merged in snow tbat in the morning nothing of it could be seen. The inmates attempted to escape by tearing boards from the gable ends of tho house, bat did not. succeed in making their exit, and they were obliged to remain tn that position until the neighbors gathered to dig them out. By tunnelling forty feet through the snow the blockaded families were released. —Portland Advertiser. THE PRESS.-FRILADELPIIIA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 0.1862. The appointment of Hon. Andrew Johnson as Governor of Tennessee, with authority to act in the manner described in our telegraphic despatches from Washington, will he warmly approved by all loyal men in every section of the country. It foreshadows a policy for the government of the States reclaimed from the dominion of the conspirators, that can not he too highly commended. Faithful among the faithless, and true among the false, An drew Johnson clung to the Union in the hour of deepest peril, and when his Sonthorn associates were glorying in the shameless vio lation of their oaths of fidelity to the Repub lic. Unmoved by the throats of the conspire-, tors, and uninfluenced by the popular violence engendered in the South by the misrepresen tations of the Secessionists, this illustrious representative of the State of Jackson was one of tho few Southern Democrats who reli giously observed the counsels of the illustrious hero of the Hermitage. No torrent of obloquy, no storm of persecution, could diminish his loy alty, or destroy his devotion to his whole coun try. He goes back to the people who have re peatedly shown their strong attachment for him and their confidence in his integrity and wisdom, to administer even-handed justice, to drive the traitors who have stolen tempo rary power only to abuse it, and to persecute faithful Union men, from the positions they have doubly disgraced, and to restore peace, order, and prosperity to all the well-disposed citizens of Tennessee. That thousands of them will hail with delight his return cannot be doubt ed ; and we trust that under his Wise and just rule the great State of the Southwest will soon be as firmly riveted to the Uuion as over, by the ties of affection and interest, no less than by the bands of military power. LETTER FROM “ OCCASIONAL ” The mission of Andrew Johnson, who goes forward as the military governor of tho State of Tennessee, is at least one way of cutting the Gorgian knot of complications which have resulted from the conquest of the rebels ia that State, and will certainly follow their over throw in other quarters. It wiU prove to he most effective. He will enter the State, of which he is the proud and peerless Senator, not only as a brigadier general, at the head of an overwhelming force, but as the deliverer pf his own people, long held in chains by their oppressors. His first step will be to seize upon the machinery of the State government, to carry out the idea that no act of seces sion can annihilate a State of this Union, and to prepare the way for the election of a Legislature, chosen by the loyal people of Tennessee, who will co-operate with him in the great purpose of constitutional obli gation and obedience to the laws passed in pursuance of tbe Constitution. All this ha 3 been done by the Government, you will per ceive, without tbe aid of Congress, and it is a significant evidence of the justice and expedi ency of this policy that no portion of the Re presentatives and Senators in Congress are found to object to it. If you have read the proceedings of the Maryland and Kentucky Legislatures, both of which are now in session, and both of which were chosen upon the pro gramme about to be put in operation in Ten-, nessee, you must have observed that they have, in many cases, adopted measures against the rebels even more extreme than any which have awakened the indignation of rebel sym pathizers against the Federal Government. In Maryland, tho course of the President in arresting the disaffected members of the last Legislature has received the approval of the present. In Kentucky, a number of the traitors in tho Legislature of that State have been expelled by a nearly unanimous vote, and it will be a com paratively easy task for Andrew Johnson to put down the rebellion in Tennessee. He will not go there for the purpose of forgiving the leaders, or punishing the people. With his strong views of. tbe great issues involved iu our present struggle, be will initiate and per fect such a system as will forever banish Se cession from the State of Carroll and Jackson. If the slaveholders resist his sway, he will make short work of them, with the aid of the armies of the Republic. Hundreds and thou sands of patriotic young men will be attracted to his standard, and before long he will be sustained by many of the most prominent minds in the State. The interests of men like Johnson arc all against allowing Secession to resume its control in the South. They are, in fact, more directly concerned in this than those who have imme diate charge of the Government here, for, should they fail, their lives will be the forfeit. A strong party has already been formed against the proposition of obliterating State Govern ments in any portion of the so-called Con federacy. This party proceeds upon the con. viction that any such scheme would be revo lutionary, and would end in the extinction of the whole theory of our republican system; and should Andrew (now Governor General) Johnson triumph, almost irresistible strength will be given to this organization. Wherever a State refuses to obey and submit to the authority and arms of the Federal power, by declining to assist in the restoration of tbe old machinery of the local government, a military ruler, like JoliDson,bas only to seize upon such machinery, to open courts, in accordance with State laws, to protect the Federal judges who may be sent into it, and, if need be, to find his population among the soldiers of the Republic gathered for bis protection and support. lam not without hope that many of those who are now thinking and toiling to bring order out of the chaos of antagonistic doctrines in Congress will find most of their doubts solved by the complete success of Andrew Johnson in the dcw sphere to which he has been called by the President. Occasional. [Spt cinl Correspondence or The Press.] Fortress Monroe, March 3,1862. If any reader of The Press desires a pleasant ride by rail or steamboat, let him make a trip to Old Point Comfort. And for the benefit of those who have not been so fortunate as to visit this place, let one of The Press gang detail his experience of the jaunt. Leaving Washington, well armed with the need ful documents, I found myself before long in the famed city of monuments and Plug Uglies, and, after a little inquiry, found tho headquarters of General John A. Dix. Fortunately, he was «at home,” and, on making known my business, I was ushered into his presence. His portraits do not belie him. I found him a mild, pleasant old gen tleman, but whose clear bright eye and steady hand told of the fire within. Before him I laid my case, and received a letter to General Wool, and a refer ence to the provost marshal of Baltimore, from whom I procured a permit to leave the city by tho steamer Georgianna for Fortress Monroe. At the office of the provost marshal are several persons on the same errand as myself, and we taka up our line of march' for Union dook, where lies the steamer Georgianna, that is to oonvey us to Fortress Monroe. At the gangway stands one of the provost guard, who takes our permits and enters our names and residences in a large hook. This precaution is necessary, because by it the Government has knowledge of every person whose business or pleasure takes him to Fortress Monroe, or other points on the eoast now in possession of the Union forces. Here, too, I met Captain M. N. Falls, president of the company owning the line of steamers which ply between Baltimore and Old Point, and who most kindly presented me with a ticket to the fortress. At five o’clock we start. The bay is rather rough and a strong breezo is blowing, but wo make our way in spite of wind end waves; but steamboat travelling is dull at the best of times, and after the evening meal the passengers generally, and I among them, retired to our berths, where, in spite ot the war of the wind and the dashing of the waves, I fell asleep, and only awoke as the morning light shone through the oablu window. By this time oould be seen, but dimly, the walls of Fortress Monroe, and the huge columbiads which frown upon us from the ramparts, as if they longed to deal destruction and death to everything and every one within their reach. . But we have now reached the wharf, and those passengers who come to Old Point for tho first time are summoned ashore, and go under guard to the office of the provost marshal. Here the oath of allegiance is administered, and we subscribe eur names to it. Thence wo proceed Inside the fortress to General Wool, who grants us paasos, whon we are at liberty to go anywhere over the point “ without interruption or molestation." The J. R. Spaulding arrived here this morning from Baltimore. She brings a quantity of cattle and bay. THE CONSTITUTION FIRED UPON. The CoJistitutioJi went to Newport Nows last evening As she passed Sewell’s Point two shells were fired th& rebel battery there, but the shells fell short and did no damage. Monday, SP. M —The rebels are firing heavy gunß from Sewell’s Point. They were answered with the Sawyer gun from the Rip Raps. The cause of the firing is unknown. Large crowds are assembled on the piers, The Minnesota hat gleam up ready to start, and there may be hot work soon. The New Governor of Tennessee Washington, Marcli 4, 1802. From Washington to Old Point, ARRIVAL OP THE SI’AI/LDINfI, FROM WASHINGTON. THE PRESIDENT RECOMMENDS A VOTE OF THANKS TO COM. GOLDS BOROUGH. OCCUPATION OF COLUMBUS BY THE UNION TROOPS. THE OFFICIAL DESPATCH OUR POLITICAL PRISONERS. THE PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS. The New Articles of War. Preservation of the'Atlantic Fisheries. PENNSYLVANIA CONTESTED ELECTION CASK, Mr. Verree Declared to be Entitled to the Seat. Hon. Andrew Johnson Appointed Military Go vernor of Tennessee. Special Despatches to “ The Press.” Washington, March 4, 1862. The Military Government si Tennessee; ilon. Andrew Johnson has formally been ap pointed Military Governor of Tennessee, with all the powers, duties, and functions pertaining to that office, during the pleasure of the President, or until the loyal inhabitants of that State shall organize a civil Government in accordance with tbe Constitu tion of the United States. In order to tho exorcise of those duties, it became necessary to first give him a military position, and henoe the President nominated him a brigadier general. This appoint ment the Senate, to-day, unhesitatingly confirmed. The present Government of Tonnessee being a usurpation, every proper encouragement will, through tho Militery Government, be given to the loyal people to assume its control. The designation of Andrew Johnson for that position js considered by everybody as eminently proper, both in view of bis peouiiar fitness for tho office and of his great popularity among all the loyal people, besides his devotion to his own State. The Governor, by the acceptance of the office, necessarily vacates his po sition as a Senator. The term for which he was elected will not expire (ill March nest. Representative Maynard and Mr. Etheridge, Clerk of the House, are making arrangements to retain to Tennessee. Secession Spies. The order of Secretary Stanton against the publication of war news does not seem to have in timidated the Secession spies in Baltimore and Washington. In the former city, only a few days ago, at a public meeting, the Secession fury broke out, and was only suppressed by tho intervention of the police; and it Is believed that they are even more active in Washington than ever before. The way to put an effectual stop to this business is to bang tbe first of these wretches who is detected sending information into the ranks of the enemy, or to adopt tbe plan pursued by General Halleck, in Missouri—let them be thrown in prison and held there aa hostages for the good behavior of their associates outside. It is monßtrons that while we are rejoicing over the victories of the Federal troops in Tennessee and Kentucky, these sympathizers with Secession, here and elsewhere, should not ouly refuse to applaud the triumph of the Government which protects them, but should be engaged, so creily and actively, in still furtherattempting to demoralize and weaken it. The officers of the Regular Army. Several weeks ago, tbe House passed a resolution asking of the War Department whether there has been aliteral compliance with the act of Congress re quiring the officers of the regular army, appointed in the new regiments, to be assigned te duty in the field, and the officers appointed from civil life to bo assigned to the duty of .reoruiting for those re giments. In reply, through the Adjutant General, it is stated that all the colonels of the now regi ments taken from the regular army, two excepted, are general officers of volunteers in active com mand. Those two exceptions are commanding the Departments of Florida and Pensacola, and of New Mexico. When the organization of the new regi mentswas commenced,' a few oi tbo regular officers appointed to them were, for a time, employed in starting the system of reoruiting; but nearly all of them were relieved on the passage of the act to which referenee is made. Onr Political Poisoners. Notwithstanding thirty or forty political prison ers were released on the 22d of February from Forts Lafayette and Warren, aud tho old Capitol build ing here, at least an equal number are still con fined, they beiDg spies, or considered of other dan gerous character. Commodore Goldsborough. The President, in a message to Congress, states that, in accordance with the act to promote tho effi ciency of the navy, Capt. Goldsborough was nomi nated as flag officer in command of the North Atlan tic blockading squadron. Believing that no occa sion could arise whioh would more fully correspond with the intention of the law, or be more pregnant with the happy influence as an example, the Presi dent aordially recommends that Com Goldsbo bough receive a vote of thanks from Congress, for his Eervioes and gallantry, displayed in the com bined attack of the forces commanded by him and Brigadier General Burnside in the capture of Roanoke Island and the destruction of the rebel gunboatg, on 7th, Bth, and 10th of February. Speech of Senator Cowan. Tbe speech of Senator Cowan to-day, against the confiscation bill introduced by Mr. Trumbull, was a careful and elaborate argument, and was listened to with earnest attention on tbe floor and in tbe gal leries. Most of the Border-State delegations from the House were present. The Philadelphia Contested Flection Case—Kline vs. Verree—The Latter Re tains his heat. This case came up in the House ting afternoon, the report of the Committee on Elections being in favor of the sitting member, Mr. Verree. Messrs. Johnson, Wright, and Kelley, of the Pennsylvania delf gation, spoke on the case. The report of the committee is unanimously in favor of the sitting member, they stating that., according to the contestant, “all the corrections claimed by him in the other divisions, he is, nevertheless, not en titled to the fifty-four votes claimed by him to have been by mistake omitted from hiscountin tbe Third division of the Eleventh, the Third division of the Sixteenth, and the First division of the Nineteenth wards, and is. consequently, noteleoted.” They therefore recommend the adoption of the following resolutions: Resolved, That John Kline is not entitled to a seat in this House aa a Representative in the Thirty-seventh Congress, from the Third Con gressional district io Pennsylvania. This was adopted by yeas 105, Bays 5. Mr. Yeekeb, therefore, still retains his seat. Murfreesboro’ not Evacuated. The statement of a New York journal that the rebels have fallen back from Murfreesboro’ is con tradicted by the Star, of this evening. It says: “ On the contrary, a despatch firem Gen. Buell to General McClellan, dated at this fore noon, mentions nothing of the sort. Had the rebels moved from Murfresbero’, in either direction, it is ef course te be presumed that General Buell would, by this time, have announced the fact here.’’ 'Mails to Panama. The Philadelphia and New York merchants hav ing petitioned Congress for the resumption of a let ter and newspaper mail to Panama, Senator Sum ber has drafted a bill to be introduced in a day or so, restoring the old mail line. At present there is no mall communication with the Central American States from the United States, the steamship com pany positively declining to carry letters or news papers without authority of Congress. Commission for Pension Agents. Senator Foster reported a bill to-day, from'tho Committee on Pensions, limiting their commissions to two per cent, on the amount of funds actually disbursed, providing, however, that it does not exceed two thousand dollars per year. An Additional Article ot War. The Senate Committee on Military Affairs, at their meeting th’a morning, decided to report the following House bill, providing that hereafter the following shall be promulgated as an additional article of war, for the government of the army of the United States, and shall be obeyed and ob served 88 such: Article.— All officers or persons in the military or naval service of tho United States are prohibited from employing any of the forces under their re spective commands, for the purpose of returning fugitives from service or labor, who may have es caped from any persons to whom such service or labor is claimed to ho due, and any officer who shall bo found guilty by court-martial, of violating this article, shall be dismissed from the servioe. Seotion two provides that this act shall take effect from and after its passage. The House Judiciary Committee on the Censorship of the Press. Mr. Hickman, chairman of the House Commit tee on the Judiciary, has completed tho evidence before it on the investigation into the censorship of press- messages passing thr nigh the Washington telegraph office, and will bo able to report in a few days. A largo number of witnesses hare been ex amined, and the New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Chicago papers have been repre. sented. All the suppressed despatches will be published in the report, and will form an interesting and startling picture of sensation journalism. Tho re coil! of suppressed despatches is vory large against the New York Tribune and Herald, and but very moderate with the Times and World. The record agaiDßt a Philadelphia sensation journal is quite large, and unasoompanied by any evidence of its correspondents, the oommittee making that paper an only exoeption in that respect. Confirmations. Anurbw Johnson, of Tennessee, to be a briga dier general in tho volunteer forces, Bobert C- Kirk, of Ohio, to be minister resi dent to the Argentine Confederation. , Again Tabled In the House, to-day, Mr. Low, of Indiana, corrected bis vote on Mr. Holman’s resolution, of' fered yesterday, declaring “ that, in the judgment of the House, the war should not be proßeouted for epy other purpose than to preserve the Constitu tion in ita present form,” bo that there was a tie vote ; but the Speaker announced that be voted in the affirmative, so that still tabled the resolution. Governor General Johnson. Senator Jonnson, of Tennessee, was to-day con firmed as brigadier general of volunteers, by a unanimous vote of the Senate. He goes to Tennes see as governor general, and will exercise ail the functions of a military and civil governor of the re occupied State, from which he was driven not many months since by the enemUfi of the Republic* He leaves for Tennessee to-morrow evening. The Case of Alexander Cummings. Mr. Cummings, who appears so conspicuously in the Van Wyck report, is now in Washington, and a defence of himself will he made in the House in a few days. Mr. C. claims that he has been greatly misrepresented, and asks an impartial hearing from Congress and the country. Increase of patents. The business in the Patent Office is slowly on the inoreaae, there being from fifty to Bixty and ninety patents issued per week. A large portion of the patents now issued are for improvements in fire arms, Ac. Business at the Paymaster's Office. The business at the Paymaster General’s Office is very large just now, the clerks being obliged to work after the regular hours. Major Bovcis, a well-known paymaster in the army, died here yes* terday. Funeral of General Lander. It is stated that the funeral of General Lander will take place in this city to-morrow. It will be very largely attended. General Cameron. General Cameron, who is now hero, proposes to leave about the first of April, proximo, for the scene of bis mission, St. Petersburg. Reverdy Johnson. The loyal people of this city were delighted to learn of the nomination of Hon. Rbvgrdt Johnson, by the caucus of the Union members of the Maryland Legislature. Mr. Johnson’s election is considered certain. He is one of the ablest statesmen in the Republic, and since the com mencement of this struggle has been unfalteringly for the Union and the Administration, in Its efforts to preserve the Union. Appointments to the Nava! Academy. The following is a list of the Representatives, whose districts being vacant at the Naval Academy, have the right to nominate candidates for appoint ment as acting midshipmen. The Navy Depart ment has no power to make an appointment, ex cepting on the nomination of a Representative. There are no appointments at large. Candidates must be between fourteen and eighteen years of age, and actual residents of the districts from which nominated. The Navy Department desires to make these ap pointments in time for the appointee to reach New port, Rhode Island, where the academy is at pve* sent located, between the tenth and twentieth of April next. Persons desiring the appointment will apply to their Representatives in Congress, and nob to the Navy Department. California—Hon. Messrs. A. A. Sorgent and T. G. Phelps. Connecticut—Fourth district, Hob. G. C. Woodruff. Pucotsh Territory—Hou. J. B. S. Todd. Illinois—Third district, Hon. Owen Lovejny; Fifth district, Hon. W. A. Richardson, (two vacancies); Se venth district, Hon. J. C. Robinson; Ninth district, Hon. John A. Logan. Indiana—Sixth rtietrict, Hou. A. G. Porter. Kansas—Hon Martin F. Conway, (two vacancies). Kentucky—First district, no representative; Third district, Hon. Henry Grider; Fourth district, Hon. Aaron Harding; Seventh district, Hon. Robert Mallory, (two vacancies.) Maryland—Second district, Hon. Edwin W, Webster. Michigan—Fourth district, Rowland W. Trowbridge. Missouri—First district, Hon. F. P. Blair, Jr.; Seventh district, Bob. Jolm W. Noel. Nebraska Territory—Hon. Samuel G. Daily, (two va cancies.) New Jersey—Third district, Hon. William G. Steele. New Yoik—Tenth district, Hon. Charles H. Van Wyck, (two vavanoißß); Twcnty,third district, Hon, Ambrose W. Clark; Twenty-ninth district, Hon. Alfred Ely, (two vacancies); Thirty-third district, Hon. Reu ben K. Fenton. Ohio—-Fifth district, Hon. Janies H. Ashley ; Sixth district, Hon. OhiUon N. White; Twentieth district, Hon. John Hutchins. Oregon—Hon.George K. Shiah Pennsylvania—Ninth district, Hon. Thaddeus Stevens; Fourteenth district. Hon. Galueba A. Grow; Eighteenth district, Hon. tiamuel S. Blair; Twentieth district, Hon. Jesse Lazoat. Utah—Hon. John M. Bemheisel. Virginia—Tenth district, Hon. William G. Brown; Eleventh district, Hon. Jacob B Blair; Twelfth district, Hou. Kcilian P. AVbaley, (two vacancies.) Washington Territory—Hon. William H. Wallace, (two vacancies.) ftlicellaneous. The two District Committees, in the House and Senate, decided this morning to report a bill for the immediate abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia. The President and General Hunter appeared before the Committee on the Conduot of the War this morning to answer inquiries about Kansas af fairs. The Senate Military Committee this morning agreed to the House bill prohibiting officers of the army and navy from returning negroes from within their lines. Robert C. Kirk was to-day appointed minister to the Argentine Confederation, in place of Robert M. Palmer, who asks to be recalled on account of ill-health. It is reported at the navy yard this morning that tho rebels hay© built a new battery on the lower Potomac* General Cameron was in the Senate chamber to-day. Some monthß ago the officers and privates of the Tenth Legion, Fifty-Bixth Regiment, N. Y. S. V., with great unanimity, presented a petition to Col. Van yVrcK. to continue colonel of the Legion. In order to accompany his regiment to the held, he asked the House to excuse him from serving-as ohairman of the Committee on Government Con* tracts, and of the Committee on Revolutionary Pen* sions. The Speaker decided the House had no power to excuse him. Mr Van Wyck has there fore arranged with his colleagues for the chairman ship of the committees, they being unwilling he should relinquish entirely his position. g Presentation of the Peruvian Minister. Washington, March 4-.— Mr. Barreda has pre sented his credentials to tho President, and been received as minister resident of the Republic of Peru The latter, in his reply, ; “ The United States had no enmities, animosities, or rivalries, and no interests which conflict with the welfare, safety, rights, or interests of any other nation. “Their own prosperity, happiness, and aggran disement, are sought most safely and advantage ously through the preservation, not only of peace on their own part, but peace among all otfyer na tions. • “ Rut while the United States are thus a friend to all other nations, they do not seek to conceal the fact that they cherish especial sentiments of friend ship for and sympathize with those who, like them selves, have lounded their institutions on the principle of tho equal righto of men; and of ouoh natioiis those more prominently which, being neigh bors of the United States, are co-operating with them in establishing civilization ana culture on the American continent. “Such being the general principles, 1 ’ said the President, “ which govern the United States in their foreign relations, be air, that in all things this Government will deal justly) frankly, and, if it be possible, even liberally with Peru, whose liberal sentiments toward the United States you have so kindly expressed.” It will be Tecolleoted that the former minister from Peru was dismissed by Mr. Buohanan, owing to the bon-compliance of that Government with certain imperative demands of our own. The ad dress of President Linooln contains expression* of friendship, indicative of the general policy of the Administration toward all nations. The President has recognized Gerhard Larsson as vi?? consul of Sweden sod Norway, to reside at Chicago. _ Particulars of the Disaster to the IT. S. Frigate Vermont. We loam from Mr. Edward S Birnie, acting storekeeper on the United States frigate Vermont , that ar 7 o'clock on Monday evening, the 24th uU., the sudden gale overtook the Vermont and sing ton, which obliged the latter to cast off, and’ she was soon out of sight astern. The Vermont, at this time, was going off about ten knots before tho gale, under sails which had been reefed before the gale broke, the fury of whieh was such that, in attempts to take in tho canvas,- it was mostly blown away, wh©h (ho ship soon broached to oh th© port tack, and the starboard anchor was lot go and ran out to the better end and parted. Tho port anchor WBB then let go, and she brought up. Oh Tuesday, the gale still continuing, all hands were engaged in getting water out of tho ship, clearing away the wreck of sails* &c. vn Wednes day. at 3A. M., the iron tiller broke, and while getting up another, the rudder gave way and was lost. On Thursday, at 10 A. M., wind E. S. E-, an at* tempt was made to oast the ship to port by running out a hawser from the starboard quarter. The Chain was shipped, but the ship would not pay off, Bud continued drifting to the N. W., with hoad to N. E. At 2o’olook P. M. she was boarded by the schooner Flying JMist, which took on board Mr. Birnie, and landed him at Chatham. The foresail and maintopsail are tho only sails of the Vermont, which were saved. ' It Is rumored that one of the flloiittstii nohttig seboonors arrived at that port yesterday, having on hoard Paymaster Isaacs, of the frigate Vermont, who left the ship on Friday, at anchor in seventeen fathoms of water, on the southeast side of George’s Banks. —Boston Journal of Monday. The Destruction of Southern Crops, ! The planters and Congressmen at Richmond are | again wasting their time in diseussiog the absurd • projeot of dostroving the cotton and tohaooo orops. : Of all the foolish projects which tho infatuated Southerners have hit upon this is tho most foolish. : In the first place, it will never be carried out to &S? great extent. And then it would hurt nobody halt so much as the Southerners themselves. The idea of asking the Confederate Government to pay for i the crops destroyed is decidedly rich. Do bkstt propose to burn the tobaeco and the cotton on '-fuc/L th« Confederate bonds ai-e based? And will’th.iv planters Uikc pay in scrip for which th* ftshoß go their plantations arc tbe only security • ; the impoverished rebel Government finish even I these ? It hns reFuscd to advance tr*>ney to tiho ! planters on their crops before they are buruod. ; will it give more for them after they are destroyed ? | Can any thiog b© more stupid wod wild than the Mvkclc scheme? It will dc well enough, h&sever, { for politicians to dilate upon with tfrjit peculiar l eloquence.— Providence Jvurtt'V -. HIGHLY HPOBTMT INTELLIGENCE. Occupation of Columbus, Ky., by United States Troops* OFFICIAL DESPATCH. Washington, March 4. —Secretary Welle., this evening, received the following despatch : > “ CoLDMnug, Ky , March 4,1882. Sir : Columbus is in our possession. My armed reconnoissance on the 2d instant caused a hasty evacuation, the rebels leaving quite a number of guns and carriages, ammunition and stores, a large quantity of shot and shell, a eensldvrablo number of anchors, and the remnant of the chain lately stretched across the river, together with a largo number of torpedoes. Most of the huts, tents, and quarters were de stroyed. The works are ef very great Strength, consisting of formidable tiers of batteries on the water-side, and on the land-side surrounded by a ditch and abattis. General Sherman, with Lieutenant Commanding Phelps, not knowing that they were last evening occupied by fonr hundred of the Seeend Illinois Cavalry, while on a scouting party from Paduoah, made a bold dash to the shore, when those in the batteries hoisted the American flag on the summit of the bluff. Its appearance was greeted by the hearty cheers of onr brave tars and soldiers. Funeral of the Late Professor Felton. Boston, March 4. —The funeral of President Felton, of Usrvard College, took place to-day at Appleton Chapel, in Old Cambridge. In accord ance with the wishes of the deceased, the ceremonies were simple, without display. The attOßda&ce was very largo, including the faoulty, students, and many persons eminent in literature and public esti mation. The body was deposited in Mount Auburn. XXXYIiTH CONGRESS-FIRST SESSION. 'Washinqtox, March 4,1892, SENATE. PRAYER BY THE CHAPLAIN. Let tiß pray. Oh Thon Divine and Glorions King, as from the summit of this day we look back over the year that past, and to that day, which qow rises like a mountain peak of rime, ou which the CbteF Magistrate of the nation was inaugurated, and as we review the mighty current of events which has rolled between, we wonder at the mar vels of Thy deaJiogs with ns. Then all was darkness and confusion and suspense, and (lie words of men failed them for fear of the things to come upon the land. Bat now while the baptism of blood has descended, Thou hast proved the strength and Iho valor of the nation to endure po great trial, so that again this day we set our faces to ward the future, so great, so Solemn, so fall of mighty portent. Oh Thou living God, our eyes are only unto Thee. We pray that Thou wilt truly and speedily vindi cate and glorify the Republic; lay bare Thine arm for our deliverance; and fill Thy servants evermoro with in spiration of Tby presence. Amen. MAILS TO PANAMA AND ASPINWALL. Mr. SUMNER (Hop.),of Massachusetts* presented & memorial the merchants and others doing business on the Pacific coast, asking for the immediate action of Congress, to provide for the transportation of the mails from New* York to Panama and Aspinwall, as at present the Unitul Stateß have uo arrangement for such trans portation. Referred. PAYMENT OF VOLUNTEERS. Mr. WTLMOT (Rep.), of Pennsylvania, presented re solutions of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, relative to the payment of volunteers from the time of their enlist ment. Mr. DAVIS (U.), of Kentucky, presented a petition from the citizens of Boston, aakiig Congress to drop tho negro question and attend to the business of the country. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE. Mr. DIXON (Rep.), of Connecticut, offered a resolu tion that the vacancy in the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institute, occasioned by the death of Prof. Felton, of Harvard College, be filled by the appointment of Henry Barnard, of Connecticut. Mr. DIXON said Mr. Barnard was known all over the country as a man who had devoted hia whole life to the cause of popular education, and to the very object for which the Smilbßoniau Institnte'was founded— to the diffusion of knowledge among mankind. The resolution was referred to the Committee on the Library. ADDITIONAL ARTICLE OF WAR. Mr. "WILSON (Rep.), of Massachusetts, reported from the Military Committee the House bill making an addi tional aiticle of war. UNITED STATES PRISONERS. On motion of Mr. HARRIS (Rep.), if New York, tho bill for the safe-keeping and maintenance of tho United States prisoners was tak'n up and passed. Atlantic fisheries. On motion of Mr. COLLAMER (Rep ), of Vermont, the bill for the preservation of the Atlantic fisheries was taken up It authorizes the President to appoint a com mission to meet with the British and French commis sioners* to take measures tor the preservation of the fisheries on this coast. The bill was paqfmt|, KING OF SIIM’9 PRESENTS, Mr. SUMNER (Rep.), from the Committee on Foreign Belations- reported a resolution for the custody of the presents received from the King of Siam. It provides that they shall be deposited among the curiosities in the Department of the Interior. LAWS OF THE DISTRICT? OF COLUMBIA, Mr. GRIMES (Rep ), of lowa, from the Committee on the District of Columbia, reported a bill for the codifica tion and revision of the laws of the District of Colum bia. U. S. LANDS IN LOUISIANA. On morion of Mr HARLAN (Rep.), of lowa, the bill providing for the satisfaction of the claims for certain lauds sold by the United States in Louisiana was taken up. After some discussion, the bill was laid aside, and the confiscation bill tuken up. THE CONFISCATION BILL. Mr. McDOUGALL (Dem.), of California, resumed his speech. He quoted from Justice Story and other writers as opposed to any confUcMiou of private property. He contended that the provision in relation to freeing the slaves was unconstitutional, and quoted the declarations of the President and Sicretary of State as showing an entirely different policy of the Government. He do dart'd that the colonization scheme was wild and imprac ticable, and contended tbsvt magnanimity was the greatest virtue of victors, and wo should go forward with the Constitution as our con mon cause, and with the olive branch of ptace iu onr band. Mr COWAN (Rep), of Pennsylvania, said he agreed with the Senator from California. He thought this was one of the most important measures that were ever brought before Congress, and on which the fate of tho Republic might depend. The bill proposes to go back to ibe doctrine of the feudal ages, and introduce fends wbii h centuries cannot uuiet. He contended that the passage ©f such a bill would make the whole Southern people our euemics, and the scheme of colonization en tit ely impracticable. And further, the bill is directly in conflict with the Constitution, for the preservation of which alone the war is waged. Besides, it is unnecessary, impolitic, and to« telly useless. It was unconstitutional, because the Con stitution provides that no bill of attainder shall ho passed, and no person punished for crime without regular pro ceedings in the courts. It is, in fact, a bill of attainder, and Congress has no power to pass it. The bill makes no distinction between those forced into the rebellion and the willing traitor. Thousands of Southern people hai been duped Into the rebellion by being told, that the Northern people were all Abolitionists.” If ever there was a foul slander it was the allegation made by the slave holders of the Pouth and their Northern allies, that the sole object of the Republican party \ras the abolition of slavery. That slander enabled traitors to consolidate rebellion. He 1-ad moro r« sped for the meanest soldier in the PoiHbvru army than for tho editors and oratore of the North.*ho, knowing it tobcfalge, sent South this gigantic lie. He protested against that section of the bill freeing the slaves, as an tnliie departure from the principles of the Constitution, and especially impolitic at this time. Because we are at war, it would not make a law which was unconstitutional before any better now ,He hoped feme other and better wav would be taken to punish those concerned in the rebellion when it shall have been sup pressed, and a way taken which will not furnish cause for future revolt. He would puuiah effectually those who ought to be punished, and forgive thoroughly those to be forgiven. He was in favor of givirg negroos all the frepdr.m he had himeelf; but what had they done to eccuro freedom at this time, whan the course of their mature termed specifically to invite them to strike for liberty? Nothing. They had simply relied on their masters like a domestic animal with a sort of third in stinct. He hoped the bill would not pasi, but that Con gress wculd attend to the measures necessary to secure success in the great struggle in which we are engaged. CERTAIN R MLBOAD3 IN MISSOURI Mr. WILSON (Rfep.), of Massachusetts, from the committee of conference ou tho bill relating to certain railroads in Missonri, made a report, which was agreed EXECUTIVE SESSION. The Senate then went into executive session, after which it adjourned until to-morrow. MOUSE OIF REPRESENTATIVES. ADDITIONSV« CLERKS. The House concurred in the Senate’s amendments to the bill authorizing the appointment of additional clerks in the office of the Assistant Treasurer, at New York, and th© appointment of a Deputy Assistant Treamrer. QHE PENNSYLVANIA CONTESTED-ELECTION The House then took up the Pennsylvania contested, election case of tho Third Congressional district The resolution pending declares fn favor of Joliu P. Verroe, the sitting member, and against John Kline, the con ttstant. . . ... Mr. DAWES (Rep.), of Massachusetts, explained the ground© upon which the Gi.mmilte© on Elections recom mend the adoption of tho above resolution, they being unanimously of the opinion that, according to the cop tcßtant and all the corrections claimed by him, he is, nevertheless, not entitled to the fifty-four votes claimed by him to have been by mistake omitted from his count in the Third division of the Sixteenth and tho First division of tho Nineteenth ward, and is, consequently, not elected. _ • . . „ Mr- JOHNSON (hem )r of Pennsylvania, and Mr. WRIGHT (U.), of Pennsylvania, controverted th© posi tion of the committee, insisting that th© contents of the ballot-boxes gave the seat t» Mr. Kline. If it could be known that lha boxes had been tampered with, then a recount should not be insisted upon as a governing prin ciple. Mr KELLEY (Rev.), of Pennsylvania, spoke in favor of Mr Yerree, and Ihe resolution of. the committee, de claring that Mr. Kliuo was not elected, and that Mr. Yoiree is entitled to the seat. The resolution was then adopted—yeas 100, nays IJ. PACIFIC RAILROAD AND TELEGRAPH. Mr. CAMPBELL (RepO, of Pennsylvania, reported a bill from the select committee for the Pacific railroad bill and telegraph line, which was referred and ordered to be printed. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS. The resolution reported sotno time ago from the Com mittee on Government Contracts, was then taken up. DEFENCE OF GENERAL FREMONT. Mr SHANKS (Rep-), of Indiana, noticed that part of the report with reference to Gen. Frement, and said that the committee had not as fully investigated as they should have done his military operations in the West. A combination bad been formed againßt that just and good man to destroy him, and if they could not do that, to involve him in disaster. He pitied the soulless wretch wbe could thus bo employed. There has been arrayed against Idm a combination of disappointod contractors ppd treasury plunderers; Vwt the great struggle was with the slave power, and Fremont was to bo its vic tim. If he could not ho sacrificed, ho was to bo do- Gen. Fremont generally. The charge of inefficiency was too shallow to deceive anybody, more especially the Western people, and he pgoceodod to show that the allegation was totally unfounded. He MaAi* to former events, when the city of Wasbmgbm tP*M bling in fear of rebel victorious anges, and when full supplies and? equipment* were sent bvtU«r. It was *iot so in tho West. In vain Fremont asked-tor men and nub tary stores. The»e not being supplier* he was compelled*, on his o*a responsibility, to make snch arrangements. as would save the people whom, he "“A* protect-. When Fremont went- to* the West, there Svero- only ihlrty-flv® tiiovlM-d ktt&pjb Utt tWUj: eandi of them three-months, mow, and their tune fast expiring. As to arms> ho counl get only wbpt the boldors wire willing to let liiiu. tone on his own credit, and the Government was now. refusing to pay for toe sup dHqs thus authorized. Be paved, the way for other.meu to reap the victories. Fremont* was always cwcpMfcfc whest pursuing the dictates of-lda own jut* emeriti. He saw.- the leccwltr for gmiboats* and took moa*nr».fftr tltfir* construction Mr. Bbonka the* reviewed the Jircumaton* ecs under which Frooiout was relieved from -*ja c©miX4MuU. which was not untH,twenty-six days after iho.ordor was - fesm-d, and|that, teo, at a time when Fremont had a. well appointed army isp meet General Prico. He alluded at length to the annoyances to which Faeitvout* w.aa. sub* jeered, and especially al tho time when he woaiathe pirwlt of PrWr, whfch tlift atfflvM »f Huutir and Pope. Rut for thlß. Twpßsse© wouW have long before been to our possession. Fr*uvm.fc was ro il owl because lha slave power demanded It. He criti cif,fd tb*.report of the committee relative to the lortin nation* at St. Louis. These, to) contended, were as ne cessary as those on the Southern aide of the l otomac, which latter were cosired by Scott and McClellan, and i for which Congress had voted hnndreoe of ! of dollars. Fremont was only in the department ' » hundred days, during which time he rataefl toa army from fifteen thsusaiA sixty thottsfttsf men* clothing, aiming, and feediu ftem, Besides ffeto ho forllU4d Mt 6Rly> Si. Mull, b, SSLuSJIg SEEtS; military occupation of nearly the entire BUK Mr. Bhankj related the moat promlm,, poi,*, /„ Fremont’, operations. Tho life, spirit, labo, Bn4 SOCCM , 0 , the great Western campaign are due , Fremont, and his torr will give the credit to him —tti „ combinations” to th« contrary notwithstanding. Tho hour expired berore Mr. Sba^ B bad cone) tided bis speech. Mr. BLAIR (Rep.), of Missouri, hop* tho geuttemaa would be allowed ample time. Mr. BHaNKS obtained permission t print the re maining portion of his speech. Mn OLIVER (Rep.), of New York, said , e reputation of Fremont was at least ns dear to him as could be to the gentleman from Indiana himself. He many sacrifices for Fremont, and would, if he conk have ele vated him to the Presidential chair. Bathe (u Oliver) regretted that the gentleman from Indiana, wh^ e f ßD j„ tag Fremont, should ' have deemed it necewa. cast IniputakiuDß upon General Ripley, or tho Ordnau n*_ p&Ttmeut. If Gon. Ripley’s suggestions had btoh vd fifty millions ot dollars would have been saved. Government. He asserted, without fear of coutr«j c . tion, that no man who had held tho position of chle 0 f ordnance had ever brought more energy of heart, a-t devotion to patriotism and duty, to tho performance r hi i duty, than Goooral Ripley. One of tho reaaeiu ii signed for the alleged Injustice to General Fremont was, that he was not ‘‘baptised at West Point-” He had heard so much of this slang that he wassickof ifc Every man knew that the most prominent rebel, Davb, was a gradoate of that institution, and so with others. It teemed to him, that for tho gentleman to criticfce mili tary affairs, without a knowledge of them* was t& idle w aste of lime. The House thtn adjourned. PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE. SißMnsMi March it 188, SENATE. The Senate was called to order at 11 o'clock by h» Speaker. PETITIONS. Mr. CONNELL, a remonstrance from the Sixteen!) Legislative district agniDit the supplement to the Noife Philadelphia Plank-road Company; also, five rsmot* stranccß from citizens of Philadelphia of like tenor; also a petition from the Twenty-first ward in favor of a fre, bridge over the Schuylkill at Slanayunk; also, a petition from owners ot property In Clearfield street, for tho passage of an act to open said street. Mr. DONAYAN, a remonstrance from the directors of the Fifth school section aaainat tbs passage of the hilt reorganizing the Board of Controllers. Bead and re ferred. Mr. BMITH» of Philadelphia, three remonstrance* against the supplement to the North Philadelphia Plank road Company. Mr. SERRILL, four rr monstrances of like tenor; also, tho petition of Henry Smill and others for power to sell certain real estate in the Twenty-fourth ward: also, a pitltJOß ff&Hl DbliU ftPe county for tho. reduction of the pay of jurors, election officers, Ac., in said county. Mr. NICHOLS, the remonatranco of tho school direc tors of the Fourth section, against the passage of the bill to reorganize the Board of School Controllers. Read and referred. Mr. STEIN, a petition from Lehigh county for the erection ef said county into a separate judicial dis trict. Mr. REILLY* one from Sehaplkill e&afity fe? the pl - gaye of & law to protect the waggs of tabor, Mr. BOUGHTBR, four rem jutr&nces from Philadel phia against the supplement to Philadelphia riank-ro&d Company. ™ REPORTS Or COMMITTEES. Mr. PENNEY (Judiciary), negatively, the bill to facilitate tfee 4tmteh of businwß la courte of Common Pirns; also, negatively, the bill for tho more convenient and economical settlement of decedents’ estates; also, negatively, the bill to enable "William J. Duane to close a certain truet. Mr. CLYMER (same), as committed, the bill making Williamsport the place for holding the Supremo Court for the Northern District; also, as committed. House bill 145, relative to copartners and joint debtors; also, the supplement to the mechanics’ lien law. Mr. SMITH, of Philadelphia, (same), as committed, the bill to repeal the sixth section of the act of May 27,1841* relative to the licensing of brokers, and regulating con tracts for the purchase and sale of stocks, loans, Ac. Also, as committed. House bill 249, to authorize the arrest of professional thieves, burglars, Ac., la Phila delphia. BILLS INTRODUCED, Mr. SMITH, of Philadelphia, a bill relative to the payment of interest on the State debt. Mr STEIN, a supplement to the act incorporating the United Bretbron of Nazareth and vicinity. Mr, CLTMER, a supplement to the charter of the city of Reading, prescribing the tu&de of filling vacancies in the Board of School Controllers, , Mr. SMITH, of Montgomery, a bill relative to justices of the peace and aldermen in said county. Mr. KINSEY, a bill relative to actions of ejectment. BILLS CONSIDERED, Ac. The bill to reorganize the Board of School Controllers In the city of Philadelphia came up in erder on third read ing, and passed finally—yeas 20, nays 9* On motion of Mr. BEILLY, the joint resolution pro viding for the adjournment of the Legislature from the 21st of March until tbe 11th of June, was considered, and, after a long discussion, committed to the finance Committee. A message was received from the Governor nominating Francis B. Penniman, of Wayne county, a trustee of the State Lunatic Hospital, to till the unexpired term of A. G. Waterman, deceased, The nomination was unanimously confirmed, as were also the nominations ef James J. Barclay, of Philadel phia, John L. Atleo, of Lancaster, and Daniel W. Gross, of Dauphin, made by the Governor some time slacs jg trustees of the State Hospital. On motion, adjourned. HOUSE, The House met at 10 A. M. Hon. John Rowe, Speaker, In the chair. The jflirnßl of yesterdiw was read anrl approved. The following resolutirn was adopted: Resolved, That this House hereafter will h*dd after noon sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, aid Thursday, of each ueek, commencing at 3 o'clock and ending At 0 o'clock of each of said days, for the purpose of considering public bills as a majority of the House may determine, except on Tuesday afternoon Mr. ARMSTRONG, frdift the Committee of Ways and Means, reported an act to provide for the ordinary ex penses of the Government, and other general and specific appropriations. Messrs. Dennis, Elliott, Blanchard, Caldwell, and Crano were excused from serving on the Committee of House Expendituies. PRIVATE CALENDAR, The following bills passed their first reading to*day; A further supplement to the act incorporating the East Pennsylvania Railroad Company. An act supplementary to an act incorporating the Schuylkill and bns'juehanna Railroad Company. A supplement to an Act pasted the 14th day of May, A. d. 1857, fntUM pp pet to incorporate the Jioga Countr Dank* An act creating two additional assessors for the First ward, in the city of Philadelphia. An act to comtltute the county of Lehigh a separate judicial district. An act relative to the claim of John Laban. An act to refer the claim of Witliam F. Flelis, for da mages sustained upon the Phil!iiUlph{& and Columbia Railroad. An act to change the width of York street, in the city of Philadelphia. An act to extend the charter of tho Mechanics' Saving, Loan, and Building Association, located at Norristown, county of Monrgomery. A supplement to the act to incorporate the Ktagseuijig and Tinicum Meadow Company. An act to extend tba charter of the Montgomery Sa vings, Loan, and Building Association, located at Nor ristown. in Montgomery county. An act extending the charter of the Norristown Paring, Loan, and Building Association, in Montgomery county. An act to extend the charter of tha Southern Mutual Insurance Company of Lancoftcr county. An act extending the time for the payment of lha or rotment tax ou certain acts of incorporation. An act to reduce the expenses of collection on unpafcl taxes in the city of Pbitotelphia. An act to provide for the better protection of the con sumers of gas in and for the city of Philadelphia An act to cnnsolinate the lawft applicable to the Guar— diani of the Poor of the oitv of Philadelphia. Durinff the reading of this bIH. the Chair Announcel that us the hour of one had arrived the clerk would stop the further reading of the bill. The House then took a recess until three o'clock this afternoon. AFTERNOON SESSION. The House mnscmblfid nt three o’clook F. M* The following bills were pftß-wl: An net changing the width of York street, iu the city of Philadelphia. A supplement to the act incorporating tho KingSMstaff and Tinicum Meadow Company. An act to reduce the expense of the collection of unpaid’ taxes in PVilftdnlohia The following bills were referred to a committee con sisting of the members from Philadelphia—-viz i- A act to consolidate the law s applicable to the Guar dians of the Poor of Philadelphia. A Buppltmcnt. to the act consolidating tho city of Phi ladelphia (regulating constables.) Mr. SMITH, of Philadelphia, road in place an act to incorporate Christ Churcht Gormantowo. Mr SMITH, of Philadelphia, from the Committee'on the Militia System, reported, with a- negative recom mendation, an act to establish a military academy in the State of Pennsylvania. A supplement to the act incorporating the North Philadelphia Plank Road Company was lost. Then adjourned. Captaik Charms-C. Giiußeam, who-ha, been placed on the retired'list in oonsequenoo’ of* disability resulting from exposure in the line of duty, is a son of Brigadier General Sylvester Churchill, late inspector general in the United States army, but now on the retired list. He enter ed the service on the 3d of March; 1848; as second lieutenant in the Third Artilleryi and was promoted! to a captaincy in the seine regiment oh the 14th of May, 1861. He is understood to have been suffer ing from indifferent health for some time past. His retirement will cause great regret among those-witlr whom he has been associated,, as-he has-always. home the character of a fine officer and a- high toned gentleman. Sab Incidents. —lt is a strange coincidence,, writes a Federal prisoner at Columbia, S. C:, that every one of our number who have died have been, buried Sunday, and five of tho six ha/l letters ar rive for them the day tht.'if mere buried'! V Ami what seemed saddest, all -these ietters-were fuVl-of hope and joy. One was from a mother to her only son, and breathed a prayer in overy line for that son’s health and safety. Another was from ai sis ter, whose unchanging love seemed' to - grow stronger by absence and- time. I' never realised how much misfortune makes us feel for another’s sorrows till I aaw offieers and'mea, old and young, dropping a tear of sympathy, over, those letters, which,alas! wouldonly be answered‘by strangers! —Boston Journal. AcqUITTAr, OF CotONEI. ANISA!fSM».'r—Wo learn that a despatch was reoeived in this.oit3.yes terday, announcing the acquittal of Ocloecl 1 Ani sansel, if the MfSl Virginia Cavalry, of. tho charges preferred against him of cowardice inithO'Sece of the enemy. Frcmthebest infornuttion'wo oosi gaim we believe this to be reliable. Aioourtmartnal har bad the case under consideration for soma-iame.— Wheeling Intelltgeneer of;Monday. A Mrs. Bench is y, who is. luotaring on Texas, thinks that hut for-mosquitoes, rattlesnakes, mocassins, yellow fever, tho enervating effeot or the climate, the whiaky-drinliingiand, otjtiar propen sities of the people, that State wouldb-a desirable place for .habitation, Jvboe &..A-.Eooti.of' Genevas, Jfew York,, has three sons in the Uhicu army.. One is captain, of Company I, Second Minnesota. Volunteers, and) was in tho hottest of th* fight noan-Somerset; an 9-. ther is master’s mate on board' tk* gunboat Stags, and Stripes ; the third is a lieutenant in the Fence, teenth Regiment of Enfentry. Heai'l'jsaiianoe of tub Cattoh The oattle disease having reappeared in gomuml. towns in Horfolk county, Mesa., a commute fcaf-to* State Board of Agriculture recommend that, ovary precaution he used' to- picucnk the this scoargo. At South Banvers tiaue ia said Uho» dog H Sido” that can-count paper money like, a bank taller, and when he acmes to an uncivMntt bill ho lays it on onasido-ani baxka at it.— JM&Ls&turi Re publican. Tn® Norfolk Day;Book prodieiis. that no cot ton or tob&eoo wiUbecultivated this.year, hut that the ground) will ha devoted to rai&mg food exclu sively. ..-s| A iuyenov* convict in the Itochester pe nitentiasy, named Dolan, cheksd himself to death with a crust efhread, last Ftiriay. He seised tho crust from a “fellow-labcs-?.” gobbled tt down, without uaskioaiioD, and dlod in three minutes. At the late term ef the Rutlead' (Vt.) County Court, there wn granted thirteen bills of divoiee. A rather dissatisfied Community, we should judge. Beauregard pronouncc'i the rebel defences on Roanoke Island imprevnable, a fear days be fore Burnside god his gallant command lauded there-
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