The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-04

-
the Deusra!s would then probably interfere.
England, France and Russia exhausted by
their mutual mischief, Germany aud the Uaited
States could gracefully, properly, and safely
intervene az friends of humanity, aud not ouly
Put an end to the pending struggle, but place
the national affairs OF Europe on such 4 footing
that renewal Of the war should be impossi-
BILE. 1t would not alone be their business to
regulate the chimera called the European
balance OF power. Europe would be small
portion of the territory whose future status and
condition it would be their charge to fix. Asia,
including Persia, the East India Companies
territories and China, with the Pacific shores,
Africa, which will soon acquire an import
ance that it has not possessed since the days
of the Pharaohs, and Central America aud the
West Indies, would necessarily occupy their
attention. Wars being unanimously admitted
to be the chief and principal cause Of the
decay and misery OF nations, it would be the
business of such q national congress as this to
arrange the balance of power not Of Europe
alone, but OF the whole world, in such mau-
ner as to secure, If not perpetual, at least
longer peace than the world has ever enjoyed.
Such are the views presented by onr
correspondent, and evolved in the coAver-
sations between him and the statesmen win
whom he associates. It cannot be denied that
they possess both plausibility and grandeur.
The part which it is expected that the United
States must play in the eventual paci6cation
Of Europe is one worthy of the foremost nation
of the world; and despite the traditional re-
luctance of American statesmen to intervene
in European matters, the administration which
should combine with Prussia to settle and e.
force the balance Of power throughout the
world would not lose its reward.
Such worthy designs, however, are far from
occupying the attention of our European min
listers. They think of nothing but society,
and presentations at Court, and amusements.
Meanwhile, far sighted men in England, Rus
sia, Germany and France, look to this country
as their last resource against the fatal cons I
quences OF their hereditary systems.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WAY IN
WHICH IT'S PRESIDENT WAS ELEcTED.-The re-
cent election of President in the Board Of
Supervisors has resulted in partizan conflict
between the members of that body, which, if
not brought to speedy determination, may
be productive of the most serious consequences.
On the 9Th Of January last, as our readers will
remember, the Board was convened according
to law, by call signed by majority of the
Supervisors. The meeting was organized at
four O'Clock, both the Mayor and Recorder be-
ing absent. They were, it appears, engaged at
the time in another part of the City Hall, at
other official business, but were ready, as soon
as information reached them that quorum
was present, to proceed ct once to the Board.
No such information, however, was sent, and
those present constituting bare majority, pro
ceeded with despatch remarkable in body
, whose movements are generally SO slow,
to elect q President. Objections were
made by some Of the members to this pro-
ceediDg, on the ground that it was illegal
n Ne absence Of the Mayor and Recorder.
The President pro tenn. however, decided other
wise; and an appeal having been taken from
his decision, he was sustained by vote Of
twelve to eight. After the election of Alder
man Ely, the Board adjourned in the same
hasty manner to the 10th of January. On
that day, however, there was not a quorum in
attendance, and as usual in such cases, it ad-
journed without day.
Under these circumstances the Recorder,
doubling the legality of any action on its part
while he and the Mayor were both absent, ad-
dressed, we understand, an official inquiry to
the Counsel to the Corporation, who replied in
a somewhat lengthy communication, to the
effect that their course was opposed both to
law and precedent. The same opinion
was given by Mr.. Dillon, the former
incumbent Of that office. Subsequent to this
an attempt was made to induce the members
by whom Alderman Ely was elected to call
the Board together again; but in every instance
they refused. Twelve had already signed the
call, including the Mayor and Recorder, and it
only required one more signature to give it the
required force. at the meeting Of the Board
of Aldermen held last Thursday, Alderman
Clancy sent the following preamble and reso-
luton up to the Presidents desk; bu! for some
reason or other, the reading of them was sup
pressed, contrary to the usual rule in all such
cases, nor We're they produced or read at any
time after
Whereas the 1osh Gay ofJanuary, 1856, the Board
Of supervisors adjourned without date and oy the State
law they cannot be convened together again. without
majority Of all those elected eeing thirteen nembersj
sign call for that purpose; and
Whereas cali signed by twelve members THE Board
has been presented to Supervisors Barker Corwn Fox
Tucker, Voorhis, Grifths Briggs fusmer, Ely vaien
tine and Drake each individually for their signatures
meeting of the Board Of Supervisors on Monday