The New York herald., 1862-11-28

Ablo to learn. Those are Chauncey M. Depew,
Of Peekskili and Ezra Cornell, Of Tompkins
county. Both were members OF tho last Legis-
lature.
How this interesting contest will terminate
no person at present can tell. Even the nume-
rous game and champagne dinners that have
been given by somc If the aspirants to the
members do not In tho least solve this mys-
terry. A great deal depends upon the person
elected TO that position rs regards the character
Of the legislation Of the session. II ia we'll
settled fact that the standing committees who
arc appointed by the Speaker do more to
shape the Legislation for good or for evil than
all the discussion or consideration that the bills
may have after being brought before the House
The great question, therefore, is whether o
Speaker shall be chosen who will make up his
committees in the interest of the lobby or the
interest of the public. We will have TO watch
aud wait.
Foreign Interference in American Affairs.
There is always something satisfactory in
knowing what are the realities OF ones position.
Nothing is SO unpleasant az TO suspect those
deem them enemies. The suspense is always
a source Of anxiety; and when at last the
s0i-disQat friends throw OF tue mask. and show
themselves in their true coiors, we are relieved
from painful doubt and prepare to battle
against i'll will and aggression with something
akin to pleasure The uncertainties ended,
fixed resolves and bold determinations take
| al - nj Gaa arIx
buckle on our armor with 9 shout Of defiance
The last news from Europe has produced
upon us this effect. We arc now fully aware
who are our friends and who our enemies and
henceforth we will admit no doubts or appre-
tensions; we will bid enmity do its ut
most and encourage friendship. The cor
rcspondence which has passed between the
French, English and Russian governments,
apropos Of American affairs, has clearly de-
fined the position of each of those Powers.
France, with no colonial possessions to lose,
no extended commerce to be jcopardized by
war, would willingly undertake the settle
ment of our troubles, and dictate to us our
future course of policy. England. as is shown
most clearly in Earl Russell's note to the
French Minister of Foreign Affairs, would like
to aid France in the furtherance Of this scheme
were it not she fears for the safety of
her colonies on this continent, and that
she has a wholesome dread Of our power, as
evinsed by our immense ornaments on sea and
land. The statesmen Of England are fully
aware that. even now, we have but tithe of
our resources Involved in this struggle, and
that foreign interference would cause an imme-
date use of the whole tremendous power we
really have. They are aware that our govern
ment cannG, would not, brook mediation or in
terferencc for one moment; that the people
would not suffer It, and that the immediate re-
suits of any foreign interference would be war,
a general war, during which we should develop
our great strength, and also-and very i'm
portant is this fact to tben-ve would cut off
their supplies Of food; and, after all, though
cotton is needed, corn is indispensable. Eng
land is afraid to second France in her schemes
against us. She is fully convsrsant with the
fact that Napoleon merely wishes to divide our
great republic because our institutions are a
living reproach to his despotic government, and
that toward us his policy is the same as toward
Italy. That country he wishes 10 be divided be-
cause he fears the moral effect upon his own pco-
pie ofa constitutional government at their very
frontier. He knows that the aspirations Of the
Italians tend to full and perfect liberty, and
that once united, they would undoubtedly at
tain that object. Such contamination he
deems most dangerous to his dynasty, and he
will, If be can. avert il. In like manner he
would wish to interfere with No. But one thing
is most positive: the people Of the North will
never tolerate on the part OF Napoleon iii. even
the semblance of interference in their affairs.
In Russia we evidently have friend. She
declines assuming an active part with
France and England in mediation, and
we are inclined to doubt that her .'moral sup
port would 60 far towards bettering the
chances OF France and England for success
were they to intervene. Russia has ever under
stood that the existence OF this government
was necessary to the preservation ola balance
of power in Europe; that we we're to assume
a position towards the maritime nations of that
continent such as would check their encroach-
ments upon European nationslities, and that
while Russia played the same role in the
Eastern hemisphere we should do so in the
Western II is evident to the Russian govern
ment that our great armies and navies must
conquer peace with the South--a reconstruc-
,ion Of the Union, spite Of the inactivity aud
blundcgs Of our administration up to the pre-.
sent time; that the balance OF power is on our
side. and that the South must submit Russia
would gladly hail this result aud we feel GER
tain that we shall ever retain her good will,
and that not all tho special plesdings or prof.
fers of service from Napoleon will cause her to
I act against u.s. England dare not. She has TOO
much to lose aud nothing togan by war with
\ us, and she fully understands tbat mediation
means war
We define the correspondence above referred