The Express.
London, England, 1855-02-14 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, WEDNESDAY EVENING, PERRI7ARY 14, 1855.

dismay (I hardly know which of the two sensations
predominated), when, upon breaking the ground for
the second and third hut, the diggers opened the
flood-gates of two springs of excellent water, which
at once overflowed the trench, and commenced
inundating the camp. Hut building hes been
stopped for the present, as there is reason to fear
that more springs may be discovered than are
necessary for the convenience of the troops.
Whenever, after the taking of Sebastopol, our
operations carry us inland, it will frequently happen
that some of the divisions must encamp at a consi-
derable distance from springs of water. Would not
a few miles of gutty percha tubing and a sucking
Rump, to be worked by two bat horses, for each
uivision, lighten the soldieie labours and contribute
to promote health and cleanliness' 1 venture upon
the hint with all due deference to those who have
the privilege of mansging these matters.
The French have now actually relieved the Second
Division in the outpost duty on Inkermaun slope.
lint the Second Division has not yet changed its
ground, and I understand there is some likelihood of
its retaining its old position. That Division has suf-
fered less from sickness and mortality than the other
corps on the Sebastopol front, because the picket
duty it had to perform is a less arduous service than
duty in the trenches. And the French relief is
rather to give the Third and Fourth Divieions a re-
inforcement for trench duties, than to ease the Second
of a duty which surpasses their strength.
On M ednesday the Yard Lord Raglan came to
Balallsva to attend a council of war on board the
Sanspareil. General Canrobert and Sir Edmund
Lyons were present. Men of peaceable dispositions
do all they can to connect the meeting of the chiefs
with the current rumours of a cessation of hostilities.
These men must have been wofally disappointed last
night, when a heavy firing in front announced
another sortie, and the continuance of active hosti-
lities.

citizens abstained from voting at all. They allowed
every election to go by default ; they were browbeaten
and struck down by the shillelagh when they appeared
at the ballot-box. The district, the village, the
county, the state Cauceses,were scenes of debauch and
riot, of intimidation and bloodshed; and on election
days the whole country was reeking with the fumes
of rum. The fruits of this alarming state of things
became apparent to the whole country, and when
these evil causes had reached the height of their
influence, and brought the present administration
into power, the whole nation began to inquire how
this state of things had been brought about, and what
should be the remedy. In addition to all the evils
which this system of political corruption had formerly
entailed upon the country, we found that under Gen.
Pierce it had pervaded every department of the na-
tional administration; and with but few exceptions
we learned with amazement that foreigners and
demagogues of the lowest character were filling
posts of honour and influence abroad, to the exclusion
of all those great men whose education, eccial stand-
ing, and great public services, had specially fitted
them to represent the Republic at the courts of civi-
lised nations. Pledges the most sacred—because they
were voluntarily given—were broken; and men of
the very highest reputation, who had been requested
to go abroad in the public service men
who had consented to do so at great personal
sacrifices, were left in suspense week after week,
and month after month, until they found
themselves superseded by German Jews, Red
Republicans, Scotch Infidels, and French Fourierites.
On close scrutiny it turned out that the entire policy
of the Administration, at home and abroad, had been
made to bend to the views, the feelings, and the
selfish interests of these foreign adventurers.
Here you have a solution of what would otherwise
Man incomprehensible mystery—the sudden uprising
el the nationality of the country, and those vehement
and overwhelming assaults that have been every-
where made upon the national administration.
When the arm was lifted to smite it, it:was
Est to be drawn back until it had smitten its
agents and accomplice:. Then, for the first
fte, the nation began to look around to see
where it stood—what it had been doing—who were
its friends, and who were its foes—and it learned,
after a brief investigation, that causes of political
corruption and degeneracy had been in operation
long enough to threaten the prosperity of a great and
vigorous republic.
Such was the origin of the Know-Nothing party.
The first associations that met upon the new platform
assembled in secret, and they did all their work
quietly. They admitted none within their thole-
sures except native - born citizens of Prase-
taut faith, and men who stood pledged to cam
aside all former political ties, and give their support
only to such Amerizin men and such measures am
were calculated to develop the expiring spirit of
nationality, and annihilate the political and religious
influence of foreigners in the United States. These
associations spread from district to district, and from
state to state: and before the society had been two
years in existence, its organisations had been corn
pleted in every-state and territory of the Union ; and
now they number, without a doubt, upwards of two
millions of able-bodied men.

Will you now ask if these men have the elements
of cohesion, if they are likely to remain a compact
and irresistible body ? Why should they not, at
least until they have accomplished the chief objects
of their organisation? They have common prin-
ciples, and they are all inspired, more or less, by a
common feeling. The enthusiasm which brings
them together, and now keeps so vast an army in
discipline, cannot last for ever; but it will last until
they have achieved their purposes, and that is nothing
less than stripping foreigners, catholic., Jesuits, and
demagogues or all parties, of political power. They
will either enact a national statute, greatly pro-
longing the time of residence to entitle the foreigner
to fell citizenship, or they will abolish the
naturalisation laws altogether. They will rot be
satisfied while any man but a native - born
citizen of Protestant faith who is friendly to
this object holds an office in the country. This
revolution which they propose to accomplish will
not be achieved until more than half a million of men
now administering offices of trust and power are
driven into private life, to give place to the Know-
Nothings. _ _ .

A greater mistake could not be made than to sup-
pose that the Know-Nothings are waging a war
aga.Anst foreigners, as such. Their chiefest hostility
is, in fact, levelled against American native born
demagogues, who are known to have intrigued with
Jesuit leaders and catholic bishops to buy in foreign
votes and sell American institutions in pay-
ment therefore. At the present moment, when
the legislature of the State of New York is in
session, and must, within a few days, elect a senator
of the United States, the whole country is agitated by
the question. Mr. Seward, whose term expires on
the 4th of next Marcb, is a man of great political
sagacity, and large public experience ; but the con-
viction is all but universal that he is a demagogue,
rather than a statesman, while he is known to have
built up the reputation be has achieved chiefly by
agitating those questions that threaten a ent
union of these data; and his &West jutors are
known to be found within the pale of the Company
of Jesus.

-
In confirmation of all this I may state with entire
safety that I have not yet seen an intelligent Evuo-
pean who was travelling in this country, or living in
the United States, who did not give has sympathies,
and openly express them, in favour of the Know-
Nothing movement. In all the elections through the
various States we have but one report on this subject,
and that is, that intelligent foreigners universally take
aides with the Know-Nothings. They give good
reasons for what they say and do. They see clearer
even, perhaps, than we do ourselves, that the whole
body politic of America has been infected by the most
corrupt social influences that the Old World had
festering in its bosom. They know well what we
know but imperfectly, that there is not a State in
Europe nor a priacipality, with the single exception
of Russia, that has not, during the last few years,
sent to our shores its paupers and its convicts. I
know that this is a high accusation to bring against
European States, but I knew myself, from personal
knowledge of many years on the continent of Europe,
that it is true.

,gST OP TUB DAILY ma.)
MONTREAL, 3Ax. 21.
I have reliable intelligence of important changes
that have taken place in the government, but which
are not yet gazetted.
The Hon. -Mews. Morin, Chauvean, and Chabot,
have retired, and their places in the cabinet have
been supplicd by Messrs. Cauchon, Lemieux, and
Cartier.
Mr. Cauchon is to be Chief Commissioner of Crown
Lands, in the place of Mr. Morin ; Mr. Lemieux to
be Chief Commissioner of Public Works, in the.place
of Mr. Chabot; and Mr. Cartier to be Provincial
Secretary, in the place of Mr. Chauveau.
Mr. Morin has been appointed to a judgeship, in
the place vacated by Mr. Justice Rolland, who retires
on a
.peosion, and Mr. Badgley has been appointed
to=eslup, in the place of Mr. Justice Panet,
a

(PLOY Tlil

These changes will be of much interest to those of
your readers who are acquainted with Canadian
politics aid politicians. For others, I may say they
will not affect the character of the government, but
rather tend to strengthen it.
Several other changes are spoken of, but there is
aothing certain in relation to them. Ido not give
yea the rumours.
The Oavazzi trials are over at Quebec, and one
man, named Hearn, has been convicted of simple
assault.
Parliament will meet on the 23rd of next month,
when much important business will be transacted.
The new governor, Sir E. Head, is so far mush
liked, and the belief ii that he will make a popular
governor.
The Canadian sympathy for the Allies is strong,
and every steamer's news is anxiously looked for.
Subeoriptioss to the Patriotic Fund continue to flow in
from all parts of the country. Meetings are held
everywhere for this purpose. Toronto and Hamilton
have voted each 1,0001. Quebec has subscribed
6001., and other places in like proportion. I have
no doubt that more material aid would be forth-

coming if necessary. Indeed, effete have alrtady
been made from various quarters. The preatnesian
feeling in the United States continues to excite in-
dignation against the States in Canada.
Money is tight, but easier than it has been. Busi-
ness is bad, and considerable commercial distress is
the result. In Montreal, as in the great American
cities, the poor have suffered much distress.
I extract the following from the Canadian Mail of
this morning :
From customs returns for the put year, !seemly pub-
lished, we find that the whole amount of customs duties
collected at the four principal ports of entry in the province
is 1,015,3611, showing an increase on the previous year of
147,9011, or 17 per cent. Last year the reruns from these
four ports, viz., Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Hamilton,
was eight-tenths of the whole. If the same proportion be
inaintioiuti this year, the total revenue from customs duties
will amount to something over a minims and a quarter. There I
were entered at this port under special bond given under the
Order in Council, dated 14th October last—to pay duty if
Reciprocity. Treaty be not in operation within six mcnths,
otherwise free under that treaty—toe the period from date
of order to s:h Jauuary goods valued at 52,5521. There
were entered for consumption during the past year goods
valued at 3,821.7221., being an increase on last year of
437,0001. At Kingston, the nest largest city, the imports
this year amounted to 019,6171., being au in of
73.63E31., and the duties collected to 29,1331.—an increase of
2,095/.