davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1869-12-18

In the democratic party on this great question
OF the national debt. Or, suppose we go back
to the last annual message OF President Andy
Johnson to Congress, in which he recon-
mended the setting apart the interest of the
national debt as a fund for the payment of the
principal in instalments, of the coupons Why
did Johnson make that proposition? Because
he knew that the democratic party to a very
great extent, and the republican party to some
extent, were leaning toward reputation. Mr..
Johnson, moreover, had been so completely
occupied in fighting for the constitution, ''the
constitution of our fathers"-God bless us as
If that constitution had not gone down with its
corner stone of negro slavery-that he had no
time, and but little inclination, we fear, to
look after the immediate interests of the Trea-
sury. What were the consequences? Plum
derings of the Treasury, DEFICIENCIES, defalca-
tions and frauds of all sorts on whiskey,
tobacco, dry goods, groceries, jobs, contracts,
assessments, collections, reports and returns
of all descriptions and on every side. From the
robberies and the losses of the government thus
resulting from leagues Of outside rogues and
rings of inside confederates, it was made man
ifest that our heavy load of taxes would be
barely sufficient to meet current expenses and
that the debt could never be paid. Under this
idea it came to be generally believed that the
leaders of the democratic party were quietly
cultivating the ultimatum of reputation, and
with the hope that by the year 1872 the Treas
ury, the currency and the public Union Of
the country would become sufficiently demoral-
lied for the proclamation of the sponge as the
only remedy for our mountain of debt and its
attending taxes expressions, spoliations and
widespread corruptions.
This was the chaos to which General Grant
was invited last March. His first task was the
cleaning of the Augean stables, and he has
proved veritable Hercules in the work. He
has done wonders as a practical financier. He
has shown that the debt can be paid, will be
paid, and is being paid off at rate which no
man dreamed of twelve months ago; and he
has secured the capitulation of the democratic
party on this great question. This is a great
thing, and will immensely facilitate the work
ofpaying off the debt. Mungen has thus re
moved an ugly shadow which stood like
grinning skeleton before the national credit
This great advance, too, having been made in
the name of the democratic party, we are pre-
pared for other forward movements in its be-
half in view Of the defunct party dogmas Of
1850, and the fixed facts of the new order of
things under Grants administration. Well
said, brave old Calico. The world does move.
The New York herald., 1869-12-18

1NsURRECT1oNARY MOVEMENTS IN Russia
The epidemic Of revolution which has of late
been so prevalent throughout Western Europe
now threatens to invade the Russian empire.
From the fact that the outbreak has been plot
ted to transpire on February II, which is the
anniversary of the emancipation of the serfs,
it would appear that the discomfort is general.
Emancipation was naturally followed by
greater freedom of thought and action, and
the masses are concerting how to lessen the
yoke of despotism under which they have so
long toiled. These warnings may, perhaps,
cause the Czar to study still more intimately
the wants of his people and thereby avoid
struggle. Like the Emperor of the French
he might yet appease the discomfort, and by
meeting the desires Of the people he would
avoid contest that menaces to involve the
land in scenes of bloodshed and strife. The
power Of the revolution caused by progress
and enlightenment is overwhelming, and
although armed opposition may allay its
course for brief period eventually it will
surpass all obstacles.
The New York herald., 1869-12-18
TEE STIR In WALL STREET YESTERDAY.
The Bears Dancing Over the Downfall OF
Gold.

The Bears Dancing Over the Downfall OF
Gold.
The Gold Room was an unusually lively place yes.
terday for several hours OF the afternoon. The
announcement that the Treasury gold had been sold
below l22 created tremendous furor, ana all the
strength OF the grim and grizzly bears was brough,
together to run the figure down to a point from
which it was sure TO rebound TO the standard no
Gently fixed by Secretary Boutwell,. Around the
innocent FLASHING fountain IN the centre Of the Gold
Room pale and eager men waved their hands with
frantic energy and shouted like incurable maniacs.
The place had something the appearance it wore in
war times, except that there was less risk Of losing
ana less chance OF making fortune, and cOnse-
quently there was little of the high strung gambling
fever that 0ftentimes before marked the reckless
encounters OF bulls ana bears. When gold touched
1201S the young men who do all the shouting
seemed as If u few extra drops OF excitement
would send them crazy or "bust" them.
Happily it went no lower, and, save some accidents
OF q bronchial nature the aforesaid young men came
or physically unimpaired after the conflict. At the
Sub-Treasury there was larger crowd than usual
In the forenoon, waiting mpatiently for the an
nouncement OF the bids and waiting afterwards
still more impatlenty for the declaration of the
awards which Secretary Boutwell, in the fllness Of
his wisdom, deemed himself prudent IN making.
cited much SURPRISE and the course OF the Secretary
In accepting anything under l22 was curousy cr:t:-
CHS ed. Between the Sub-Treasury and Wall street
there was ceaseess running hlther and thlther or
brokers and brokers' clerks, though nothing OF
any importance came OF It yet everybody seemed TO
feel as II crisis was impending. The descendants
OF the famous operators who made an exchange OF
the Temple were very conspicuous on the street ana
In the GOli Room. There was one striking charac-
teristic specimen at the latter place. whose nose
seemed to scent with keenest satisfaction the ap-
proach of panic. The organ whicn 80 manifestiy
displayed the lnstct5 OF his soul appeared to do all
the buying and selling and snufred up portentous
storms in the air with the keenest RELISH The descent
OF gold produced no mercantile failures and none arc
deemed likely TO occur Immediately therefr0m.
The New York herald., 1869-12-18

SpAIS-THE THRONE QUEsTIoS.-It seems
now pretty certain that Prim is master Of the
situation in Spain. He no longer conceals
his purpose. It his intention to place the
Duke of Genoa on the throne, and probably
the New Year will see the fact accomplished
The army has suppressed two Instructions,
and the army is devoted to Prim. If Prim
and the army proclaim the Duke King-the
Duke accepting the position-we have no
doubt that order for time will be maintained.
But Spain is stronger than Prim. The ques-
tion therefore is,' who will win? II chaos
exists anywhere on this earth, chaos now
exists in Spain. Prim wishes to mako the
Duke Of Genoa King. The Carlists are pow
erful in Spain, and they will not have this
thing. The Isabellinos are also powerful, and
they will not have 1t. What Is to come ?
The New Year will help TO explain. We look
10 Spain, not 10 her nominal leaders.
The New York herald., 1869-12-18

The RIGHT WAY.-The Police Commission
ers who were charged with the investigation
of the case Of policemen Hannigan and Rem
son, brought before them on complaint of high
way robbery, did well in dismssing these par
ties from the police force. That, we presume,
was the extent Of the Commissioners juris-
diction. The case now being before the
courts, the judicial authorities have to deal
with the accused parties, and we have q right
to expect that they will have full justice ex-
tended to them, with the privilege Of proving
their innocence if they can, or accepting the
judgment Of the Court if they are guilty. At
all events the course of the Police Commits
sioners is commendable. No suspicion should
be allowed to rest upon members of the force
The New York herald., 1869-12-18

REPUDIATIoN.-The ebullltion of Congress
sional honesty-the horror at the very name
Of repudiation-that distinguished the pro-
ceedings in the House on Thursday presents a
remarkable contrast with the temper that pre-
vailed among party men rather more than a
year ago. Then all the 'leaders," democrat
and republican, only disputed among them
selves on the points Of reputation, and each
side indicated certain readiness for measure
to relieve the country of the burden of its debt
on any specious plea. It is the temper of the
country that has brought about this change.
Congressman supposed in the former case, on
the strength of some loose Western sentiment,
that they were expressing the popular thought
In that way they brought ont the real opinions
Of the people, and these they uttered on
Thursday.
The New York herald., 1869-12-18
Tho Treasury Frauds.

In this age Of public frauds, which seem to
permeate every vein and artery Of the govern
ment service, as well as in the walks of social
life, almost every day brings forth some new
story of crime. No sooner has one phase of
the drawback thefts in the Custom House
ceased to be a nine days wonder than we hear
of on ingenious frand in sampling sugar, by
which the government has been feeced to an
amount which it is not possible to define in the
present state Of the case, but that 1t is very
large is sufficiently established by the fact that
sugars which should have paid three cents and
liable only to one or two cents 1t can be
easily seen that large business done in this
way would make considerable deficit in the
Treasury Department in the matter of sugar
Following quick upon this discovery comes
the charge against an officer Of the Sub
Treasury Of embezzlement to the amount Of
twenty-five thousand dollars or thereabouts.
1t is alleged that the Superintendent Of the
New York Assay Office, the official referred
to, has been playing fast and loose between
the government and its creditors, to his own
advantage AS he has been arrested and will
have to answer the accusation it becomes a
case of legal investigation with which we are
not disposed to interfere until the facts are
properly before the public. But the whole
condition of things in the departments of the
federal government looks very bad. The
administration has heavy responsibility upon
its shoulders if it means to carry the weight
of all these frauds. The way to get rid of
them is to bring the offenders to justice.
The New York herald., 1869-12-18
Tho Ecunenical Council asd Our FIFTH
AvonuO OathodrnI.


There are reasons for apprehending that the
grand Catholic Council at Rome will be long
one. 1t may continue its short sessions OF
debates in Latin from day to day, week to
week and month to month, for year, or for
two, five, ten or twenty years. The last Ecu
menical Council-that of Trent-dragged
through the long period Of eighteen years, and
this was three hundred years ago. The mass
Of work which has since accumulated for the
present Council, we may therefore assume,
imposes task which can hardly be discharged
thoroughly inside of ten years, making all
allowance for modern improvements, even in
Church debates.
But II the Ecumenical Council is to last ten
years, what is to become of our Fifth Avenue
Cathedral2 The Catholics Of this diocese,
liberal as they are, have many calls upon them
for money, which must be met in providing for
the numerous churches and charities on their
hands. Add to these expenses the cost of
supporting the Archbishop and his attendants
at Rome, and it will be understood why the
work upon the Fifth Avenue Cathedral may
possibly have to wait for the adjournment of the
great Council. The Cathedral of Cologne was
commencedin the year l24S, and after the lapse
of six hundred and twenty-one years it is not
yet finished, though we believe they are work
ing at 1t now and expect to finish it within the
next ten years. Wars, and councils, and Lu-
Tiers upheaval, and what not, have from time
to time arrested the work on the building; but
we don't expect anything of that sort here.
-Four or five years with US is long time to
wait even for cathedral, and ten years is too
much. But after the heavy losses affecting our
Fifth Avenue Cathedral in consequence of the
good Catholic money diverted to the Fenian
Irish republic Of OMahony and James
Stephens, we are afraid that the Ecumenical
Council will be apt to stop the work again.
We must remember, however, that the Council,
in the matter Of money, is great thing for
Rome and the Holy Father, equal to an in
creased circulation in the Holy City of perhaps
not less than $4,000 cash per day, or say
$1,000, 900 year, which is powerful argu-
ment for an indefinite prolongation of the
Council. The Holy Father, like man of
sense, is in no hurry about it. But in the mean
time can anything be done for our beautiful
Fifth Avenue Cathedral? That is the ques-
ton.
The New York herald., 1869-12-18

Brooklyn are 20 como int court to-day with batch
Of indictments.
Alfred Canlcker, Of Charleston, s. c., was robbed
In panel house in Bleecker street on Thursday
night OF $1,000. Two women and man were
arrested but the money has not been recovered.
Miss Isabella Haskns of No. 154 East Thrty-fourth
street. was brought into the Tombs Police Court
yesterday, having been arrested at one O'Clock at
al night by a policeman who had no magisteral
warrant. Several witnesses testified that she was
implicated with w. II. Gray the alleged bond
forger. She was removed to Headquarters and tho
examination Will be continued to-day.
The Surrogate yesterday denied the application OF
brother OF Albert D. Richardson to administer on
the estate OF the deceased journalist. The Surro-
gate decided that the widow or children are en-
titled to administer.
Lawrence Buckley, a teacher In an Eighteenth
ward pubic school, was committed to prison by
Justice Ledwith yesterday for brutally whipping q
scholar.
The sidowheel steamship Rapidan, Captain White
hurst, viii leave pier SO North river at three p M.
to-day for Havana.
The stock market yesterday was weak ana de-
clined. Gold. subsequent to the government sale,
fell to 1903. closing finally at 1908 1904.
Prominent Arrivals In the City.
Mosner, OF Albany are at the Clarendon Hotel.
Judge'R. d. Rice, OF Augusta, Me-; Governor J. G.
Smith ana Thomas s. Canheld, OF Vermont and
General Ewing OF Washington, are at the Fifth Ave-
nue. HOTEL
Judge Robertson and General d. A, Bulland, Of
Troy; General James A. Hall. Of Maine and Colonel
W. Ludlow, of the United States Army, are at the
Astor House.
Ex-Governor Dennison. Of Ohio; Congressman w.
II. Barnum, OF Connecticut and General c. f. Bis
sell are at the st. Nicholas Hotel.
Governor E. Solomon. of Wisconsin, General ". E.
Foster, Of Pennsylvania; d. Chadwick. Member OF
Parliament, OF London, England, ana O. d. Ashley,
OF New YORK, are OF the Everett House.
Colonel J. G. Hart, of the United States Army and
General s. c. Williams Of Nassau, N. r., are at the
Metropolitan Hotel.
Captain II. G.. A. Alien, or the British Army Is at
the New York Hotel.
Surgeon DeGraw. Of the United States Army. is az
the Holman House.
The New York herald., 1869-12-18

THE SPANISH GUNBoATs. The Spanish gun
boats are ready to leave. All the excitement
crowd, an extra force of policemen and call
for an indignation meeting of Cubans and
Cuban sympathizers yesterday afternoon, sub
sided before nightfall. The call for meeting
was either hoax or a failure. 1t is even sur
missed that most of the stories afoat yesterday
may have been started by Mr.. Deamater him
SELF with view to secure extraordinary pro-
lection for the vessels which he has built. The
Pizarro will convoy the gunboats to their des-
tination-doubuess Cuba-assisted probably
by the Isabella, another war steamer, which
left Havana yesterday to meet them on their
voyage.
The New York herald., 1869-12-18
Butler ON Greeley.

Greeley, with his customary and obtrusive
faith in his own fancies, lately made rush at
Ben Butler with evident resolve to hold him
up to more or less opprobrium as the head and
front Of what Greeley calls the policy Of ven
geance in the republican party. Butler was
nothing lOath to be brought out, and his reply
is rasping one for the statesman Of all the
'isms." 1t takes the form Of an impeachment
of Greeley for the evils that have been brought
about by a party following too much his false
lead. Butler believes that there ought to have
been some good ld-fashioned hanging of traitors
just after the war, and argues cogently that
all the greater evils that have beset reconstruct
tion are due to the ill-judged lenity then
shown. Had the master rebels been hanged,
says Butler, then Sat this day all matters in
the rebel States which now disturb public
peace would have been settled, and quiet, COM
mercial prosperity, agricultural industry, emf
grafton of labor and capital and a revivifica-
tion of every benefcent enterprise would have
filled the Southern country, and every insur-
gent State would have long ere this been read
mitted into the Union, the scars and wounds
upon society caused by the war would have
healedov and been forgotten. and the country
been more united in sentiment than ever
before, aud long since renewed that
career of prosperity and glory to
which it is destined" Perhaps it is
a great deal to expect all that from the use Of .
the rope. For this grand defeat of justice, so
momentous in its consequences, Butler holds
Greeley in the greatest degree responsible as
the man who, by bailing jeff Davis, set up
false maudlin notion of humanity in the place
Of justice.
This is the FIRST point in Buffers bill. The
next is the present condition of the State OF
Georgia. Here, as Butler points out, Greeley
doctrines have prevailed, and here reconstruc-
ton is in such condition that it must be all
done over again. lis the same in Tennessee,
and will be the same in every Southern State
if the doctrines Of the philosopher shall DO
acted upon rather than the doctrines and views
Of those he is disposed to vilify because they
do not agree with him.
All this is Of interest to the public mainly as
showing how inevitably all of Greeley's politi-
cal associates, sooner or later, find out what a
humbug he is. Butler now adds his testimony
to that which was given by Mr.. Seward when
the great firm of Seward, Weed &c Greeley was
broken mp. But there is this further considera-
ton for the public: If it is now so plain that
Greeley's influence in the republican party has
been 80 disastrous to the country on these
points, are there not some other points in
which he has done equal or greater harm, and
which touch the very origin Of the clamor in
which that party rose3
The New York herald., 1869-12-18
THE BATTLE FIELDS or SCIENCE.
Lecture mt the Cooper Institute Inst Evening
by Andrew ID. White, President Of Cornell

Lecture mt the Cooper Institute Inst Evening
by Andrew ID. White, President Of Cornell
University.
The hall OF Cooper Institute was last evening filed
with quite large and respectable audience who
assembled to listen TO the lecture OF Mr.. White on
the above subject
The gentleman began by alluding to the struggle
science had always had from its very birth the bat
ties Its followers had forever TO wage against In
Vulnerable foes, ana the suferlngsits devotees were
ever compelled TO undergo even up to few years,
past for ther principles. He traced with great
deal OF research the history OF scientific effort from
its lrst stages down to the present time, and
slonally interspcrsed his lecture with illusions 20
the ridiculous theories held in high esteem Gen.
turies ago concerning the "mysteries'' which
science has since unraveed. The question as to the
roundness OF the earth, ne said was for many years
q question that gave rise to much discussion and
great deal OF suffering 10 those VINO dared to advo
cate that the earth on which we live was really
globe In FORM Another great question, which was,
as q matter OF course, as acrimonlously hOOted by
the conservatives OF the earlier centuries or the
world that OF the roundness OF the eartn was that
OF The earth and the planets being bodies which re-
volved round the sun In contradiction TO the then
general belief that the sun revolved round them.
lie then referred to Gallleos prosecutions ana SAID
in speaking OF HIM, that men OF science In all ages
ana at all times, when their Investigations ana DIS
coverles realized something new something that
itself mad TO enter into combat with men whose
strongest arguments were their superstitons
and their narrow minded views OF everything.
The most powerful weapons OF the oppo-
ncnts OF science had always been IN fling
inv the epIthefs .infdel' and "atheist'' ut
whatever man dared to disabuse the human
mind OF old theories proved baseless fabrics There
never mad been man OF science yet who had not
been attacked with these weapons, but they always
seemed TO react on those who used them and never
Injured those against whom they were welded.
C;aIileo had strong opponent In Bernard-s'the besl
OF thcologans but the poorest OF scientific men -
and all scientific men AZ well as Calico had to con-
tend with being met ut every step by thcologians
who interpreted the Scriptures literally to shake tho
discoveries or science. IL was q mistaken i1ea tho
speaker beeved, that there was natural antagon-
ism between religion ana science. Instead OF doing
religion harm sc cence made 1t pr0uder study as IL
were; Tor science gave man better idea OF tho
wonderful works OF God than he could otherwise
obtain. The lecturer then nj great length referred
20 Roger Bacon and the rise and progress OF chcmis
try and natural philosophy, aud cOntended tnat any
age which crushed out the light OF science dong
itself not only vast injury, but was extending tho
the lecture was Warmly appiauded.
The New York herald., 1869-12-18

PERFECTLY RIDToULoUs-The proposition
for an appropriation from Congress for a
Worlds Fair at Washington, because the
proposition to have such fair in Washington
is perfectly absurd. If the sittings of Con-
gress fill all the hotels and boarding houses Of
the city the extra visitors at Worlds Fair
would have to eat and sleep in tents and
shanties, or In Baltimore. The citizens,
therefore, concerned In the project ofa Worlds
Fair at Washington would do well to change
it to cotton factory or something else that
will pay.
The New York herald., 1869-12-18
Boutwell, ON Oar shipping Interests.

Doutweu ON Our shipping Antorossss
Secretary Boutwell, has been stirred up to
serious consideration of the '1ost arts in the
matter of American shipbuilding. For some
years that branch Of enterprise has vanished.
We neither build, nor indeed even mend, many
ships in our shipyards any more, except to fit
out Spanish feet against Cuban indepen-
dence, and Spain pays for that Mr.. Boutwell,
has had the experience Of delegation of New
York shipbuilders within few days. We do
not think, however, that he was much enlight-
ened by the twaddle of these gentlemen, who,
like members Of many similar delegations, look
for impracticable things. The Secretary has
consented to send special report to Congress
on the necessity of protection to American
shipping interests, and upon this assurance 1t
appears that the delegation express themselves
satisfied that they have accomplished good
deal for the shipping interests Of the country.
We hope so. And we rely upon Mr.. Boutwell,
and Mr.. Robeson to realize the expectation.
The shipping and shipbuilding interests Of
this great maritime country, with its thousands
Of miles Of sea coast, upon which the waves of
two grand oceans beat day and night, with its
hundreds of fine harbors open to the COM
merce of the whole world, and its numerous
shipyards, with capacity to exceed any coun-
try In the manufacture of vessels and ma
chinery-these interests have been shamefully
permitted to fall into decay. 1t is time that
the mischief done by Congress in some of its
past legislation upon this subject, under the
plea of ''the necessities of war;" should be
remedied by Congress now. The suggestions
Of Secretaries Boutwell, and Robeson, we
hope, will point out the way.