The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-04-03

ANOTHER FIGHT ON TIE OCkAh-Our bPecioi
dispatches from Ferrol and Corunna, Spain. fur
nish very interesting information relative to the
rebel iron-ciad ram Stonewall and the arrange
ments made by United States naval officers to
have a fight with her. Our accounts are Illus
trated by a map and an engraving OF the
rebel iron-clsd. The United States steam
frigate Niagara, Commodore Craven, and the
Sacramento, Captain Wake. were awaiting tho
departure of the Stonewan TO open their bat
teries upon her.
The firht will be an important one. 1t
will demonstrate the value OF iron-clads
as compared with wooden ships; and from
the experience Of Farragut, who only
wanted "iron hearts in ribs Of oak" In
naval engage ment, ii is not difficult TO imagine
the result of the combat Unless the St0newah
ssccumbs she will doubtless be ssubjagated;~
but she should escape. the amount OF
damage she can commit on our commerce and
coast before she is destroyed may be i'm
mense. Next to the naval fight between the
Kearsarge and the Alabama the anticipated
conflict between the iron-sided rebel and
wooden-sided Union ships will mark an Inn
portant epoch in American naval history.
1t seems unaocountablathat vessel withouta
nation and without q recognized flag should be
permitted to have harbor and receive sue
cor in any civilized port, and especially with
in the dominions of Power like Spain. Our
government should send feet of one or two
hundred ships, Monitors and ironsides wooden
and otherwise, on cruise to Europe, and Of
course up the Mediterranean. European
Powers and people would thus be made to un-
derstand that the stories Of our naval great
ness and prowess were not fables, IS they have
been taught to believe. The navy can be re-
lieved Of couple Of hundred ships at this
time without desriment 70 the public service,
and ~ suggest to Secretary welles that it will
be much better to send them the coming sum
mer on delightful and potential cruise up the
Mediterranean than to lay them up in ordi-
nary. We need demonstration Of this kind as
warning to those European Powers that har-
Dor rebel cruisers or any other class Of pirates.
ALL HoNos TO TIE GALLANT FiszHN-!The
conduct Of the Hremen under present oircum-
stances-which must be regarded as q great
crisis in the history Of their organization-is
worthy of all admiration There were many
who supposed that upon the passage Of the bill
abolishing the volunteer department there
would have been resistance, and perhaps
riotous conduct on the part Of the fremen. So
far from that, they have exhibited the finest
spirit, submitting cheerfully to the change, and
consenting to fulfil their duties to the Last In
the protection of property and life. Their &C
ton proves-what we have always believed to
be true-that the Fire Department proper was
composed Of gallant, fearless and honorable
body Of our citizens, and that whatever may
have been alleged against the body was the
result Of the disturbing element which hung
upon its TANKS, in the shape Of rowdies and
disturbers Of the peace, who were to this gal
liant army Of brave, selfsacrihcing men, what
camp followers and plundeYers are to regular
army. The course which the members Of the
department are now pursuing entities them to
the highest praise which Is due to lAw-abiding
citizens; and although the volunteer nremen's
equalization Il no longer to comprise one Of
our local institutions to have been member
Of 1t win be lasting honor.
Evyror or THE War Nnws YrsrERDAY.-When
We were enabled to issue to the public, in an
extra HERALD yesterday forenoon, the glorious
news of the successes which attended the na-
tional arms around Petersburg in the three
ys'nghting, the effect upon the whole city was
electric. The utmost excitement prevailed in