Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1855-01-24


to see our old friends and customers in way of
business or socially.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF THE VIRGIN Ma
RY.--Great rejoicing seems at present to per-
wade the Catholic Church throughout the entire
world, upon the decision of the long mooted
question in relation to the Immaculate Concep-
ton of the Virgin Mary.
The final decision of this important dogma
of the Catholic Church, took place on Friday,
November "a, 1854, by an almost unanimous
vote of the Patriarchs, Primates, Archbshops
and Bishops, assembled for the purpose. The
discussions, according to an article in the
New York Tribune, lasted about twenty hours,
and occupied four sttings, held in the Vatican,
on the days of the Goth, 2lst 23d and Oath.
So the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin
Mary is now fixed fact. 1t was magsterially
proclaimed in the midst of the celebration of
the fete of the Conception, in st. Peters, on the
9Th of December, by the authentic voice of the
Supreme Pontif. The attending ceremonies
were highly imposing. Over 200 full-robed &C.
clesiastical dignitaries, including so Cardinals
and l40 Archbishops and Bishops, representing
every part Of the Catholic world, besides in
Vulnerable lesser ofice-bearers of the Church,
assisted in the ceremonies of the eminent occa-
sion.
A grand procession was formed at the Vati-
can, at 81 o'clock A. NJ, headed by the Pope
and most ilustfious cortege of ecclesiastical
and civil dignitaries, proceeded thence to the
Cathedral, where, after the performance of cere-
monies suited to the OCCASION the illustrious de-
cree was announced amid the booming of the
cannon of the castle of st. Angelo, and the
merry chime of the bells of Romes Cathedras.
On the conclusion Of the church ceremonies
the procession was reformed and returned to
the Vatican-the Pope being borne in Pontifi-
cial chapel to the chapel of Sixtus w, where
in due form he crowned the image Of the Virgin
with crown of gold sparkling with precious
gems. Among the distinguished spectators of
the ceremonies were the Queen Of the Saxony,
the Diplomatic Corps, and the chief officers of
the French garrison.
MONUMENT TO THE VIRGIN-It is said that
the Pope of Rome has decreed that in order to
perpetuate the memory of the proclamation of
the immaculate Conception, column, sur
mounted by statute Of the Virgin Mary, shall
be erected on the Piazza de Spagna, before the
College of the Propaganda. The magnificent
marble column which has for long time been
laying behind the Palace Of Innocent. is to be
used for the purpose; and the execution Of the
work is to be entrusted to M. Obici an eminent
Italian scul ptor.
THE LAST TRIAL FOR PEAcE.-A high diplo-
matte conference was to be held on the 28th
Dec, at Lord Westmorelands office, in Vienna
The ambassadors of England, France, Austria,
Prussia, and Russia-Prince Gortschakoff-
were to take part in the discussion. This is
supposed to be the uAimatum as regards nego-
tiations for peace. How desirable that human
iy, viewed in connection with the immense sac.
rfce of life, as we'll as treasure, should weigh
heavily in the minds of those arbiers of the
most powerful nations of the world
A LUCKY DARKEY.-Gabriel NJ Renfran
said to be bright, intelligent negro, owned
near New Orleans, and hired out by his master
as steward on steamboats,, on the lower Miss
issippi, is said to be the lucky holder of ticket
No. =, in Jones great gift enterprise, and has
drawn the farm, worth $4,000. He has in q
well written letter notified the committee of his
situation and accepting of the cash offer. He
requests them, personally, to secure the freedom
of himself and family first, and then pay him
the balance over the expenses to start him in the
world. The appeal is thrilling and affecting.
KNow-NoTHINGIsM AND THE MILITARY OF
MAssAcHUsETTs.--In compliance with the rec
ommendation of Gov. Gardiner, of Massachu-
sets, in his message to the Legislature of that
State, the following military companies, consist
ing of foreigners, have been dsbanded, viz
The Columbia Artillery, Webster Artillery,
Shields Artillery, and Sarsfeld Guards of Bos- |
ton, Jackson Musketeers of Lowell, Union |
Guards of Lawrence, and Jackson Guards of
Worcester
Bitter to foreigners are the fruits of Know
Nothingsm
.Hg" Lake Erie, from Cleveland to Buffalo, is |
free from Ice. The Sultana is performing her
regular trips between those ports. The creek
OF Buffalo is free from all distractions to nav-
cation, and the boats running from thence to
Fort Erie, in connection with the Buffalo, Brant-