The New York herald., 1862-12-29
NEW YORK HERALD, MONDAY, DECEMBER zy, 1867.


msnts around him, and for the restoration Of
law and order
"nat ne has accomplished Is briefly sketched
in his parting address to the soldiers Of his
command. in which he says that "with your oc-
cupation order, law, quiet and peace sprang to
the city. hlled with the bravoes Of oil nations.
whore for . SCORE of years, during the pro
foundest peace. human life was scarcely safe at
noonday;" that. landing in the city with mill
tary chest Of seventy-fve dollars-all that vas
left by tho rebels-his command have turned
over half million Of money into the public
treasury, while his expedition has cost only
one-ffth Of the expenses of any other of the
same description. He tells his soldiers, among
other things, that "you have fed the starving
poor, the wives and children Of your enemies.
thus converting enemies into friends" and that,
"by your steady adhesion to the laws of health,
you have stayed the pestilence, and in this
most unhealthy climate have preserved your
ranks fuller than those Of any other battalions"
% long in the public service This is good
record against the catalogue Of high Grimes and
misdemeanors charged upon Gen. Butler by
Jsh. Davis. All things considered, we doubt
not that the future historian Of this gigantic re-
bellion will set down Gen. Buffers civil and
military government over New Orleans as won
derfully efficient, comprehensive and successful,
though somewhat marked by occasional harsh
extremitiss of an absolute military power.
But, having cleared the way for milder and
moro conoiliatory military administration in
the Department Of the Gulf, Gen. Butler, we
think, is judiciously relieved Of that command
by Gen. Banks. To assist him in the proper
dispensation Of justice among the people con-
cerned, he is accompanied by Judge Charles A.
Peabody, Of New York; man whose personal
and professional character stands above any
suspicion of reproach. We have nothing to
fear, therefore, but everything to hope, from
the investment Of Judge Peabody with plenary
judicial powers in the department of Gen.
Banks. This new Office of the Judge, too, will
be anything but sinecure, as may be Inferred
from the alleged sweeping liabilities of the
planters Of Louisiana to the pains and penal
ties of the Confscation act, and in view Of the
Presidents confirmatory emancipation proola-
nation, which, we are apprised, will be forth
coming on New Years Day.
This Banks expedition to New Orleans, how
ever, embraced an imposing military force Of
many thousands Of troops and number of yes
sels-of-war, which, added to the land and naval
forces already on the ground are suggestive of
active 'warlike work in some new field Of opera
tions. What great projects are these combined
forces appointed to accomplish We cannot an
swer; but while the reoccupation of Baton Rouge
indicates some larger enterprise up the Missis-
sippi, the annexation Of Texas to the depart
mont Of General Banks suggests some fornida-
BILE expedition in that direction. Il is well
known that large body Of the people of the
interior Of Texas are only awaiting the appear
ance Of supporting Union army column to
strike for their deliverance; and It ID as well
understood at Washington that our military oc-
cupation Of Texas would cut on from the armies
Of the rebellion elsewhere large proportion Of
their subsistence in the way Of grain and cattle
At all events, while the people Of the North
were disappointed on learning that the Banks
expedition had sailed by the James river, they
will be gratifed with the news Of the Generals
safe arrival at New Orleans, and with the
promising auspices under which he has entered
that department We may accordingly enter
tain the hope that from this distant field Of the
war we shall soon hear Of some grand results
which viii atone for our late disaster in Vir-
ginia, and contribute not little to simplify
the programme Of operations designed to reach
/" the heart of the rebellion And SO we turn
over this interesting budget Of our latest New
sideration Of our readers.
England Withdraws Her Csndidatare
20 the Throne or Greece.
The French Minister Of Foreign Affairs, N.
Drouyn de Lhuys, has addressed . circular to
the diplomatic agents Of France abroad,
resume of which we publish in another column.
1t will be seen from that document that Lord
Cowley, the British Ambassador at Paris, has
announced to the French government the
withdrawal by England of Prince Alfred's can
didature.
Our private sources convey the same in
formation as regards Englands action in the
matter OF Prince Alfred's claim to the throne Of
Greece. We are told that England will not
consent to the Princes acceptance Of crown
rendered him by a vast majority Of the peo-
pie, and that she will encourage the placing
Ferdinand Of Portugal upon the throne SO
recently vacated by Otho. II is asserted that
France and Russia will disavow the claims
made by the latter in favor Of the Duke Of
Lsuchtenbcrg If England will give up all idea
Of accepting the votes Of the people Of Greece
for Prince Alfred. This, we are assured, Eng
land will do, and IS the Morning Past, Lord