New-York tribune., 1875-02-26

toned for the vacancy, was former law
pupil of Thaddeus Stevens, has served good
many years in the House from Indiana, and
is man of more than usual native force OF
intellect. He will not carry to Vienna, how
ever, the severe training and the social and
diplomatic culture which have made Mr. Jay
one of the very best of our Foreign Ministers.
The Mississippi investigation, like that in
Alabama, has brought forth two reports, each
strongly colored with the political opinions of
its signers. Indeed, that of the majority,
pretty full abstract of which is presented in our
Washington dispatches, has 30 strong
partisan tincture that it will have no
weight whatever with any one outside
of tho Administration party. Some OF Its
statements seem entirely without foundation
in the testimony given to the press from day
to day during the progress of the investiga-
ton. 1t will doubtless serve its purposes, how
ever, in supplying backbone to few Con-
gressmen who are seeking an excuse to JUS
tify their voting for the caucus Force bill now
before the House.
The disaster at st. Andrews Church, last
evening, by which several lives were lost and
many persons we're seriously wounded, was
calamity that will awaken the sympathy of
the entire city for its victims. The fact that
the sufferers were attending Divine service adds
to the painful interest of the occurrence. 1t is
unwise to pronounce a hasty judgment upon
the cause of such an accident, but question
readily rises as to the reason why high
wall, brought to topping condition by
fire, and made more dangerous by
frost was left to stand in that condition
for six weeks, with peril to life and limb In
its shadow all the while. There should be an
immediate and thorough investigation OF this
disaster and we doubt not that such an one
will be held.
Driven almost to despair by failure to
secure their rights at the hands of the Pres
ident or Congress, and under the advice of
counsel in Washington, number OF the
Conservative members of the Louisiana
Legislature have signifed their willingness to
accept the Wheeler compromise for the tenn
porary settlement of the existing troubles.
Others, among whom is Speaker Witz be-
lieve that the compromise involves a
sacrifice of principle, inasmuch as it
recognizes the usurping Government, and
provides for condoning the past offenses
of Mr.. Kellogg These declare that they will
not accept the compromise. Each party has
strong following, and it is already evident
that, however well meant, the compromise is
likely to cause new and bitter dissensiOns
rather than restore peace to the misgoverned
State.
France has now Constitution which has
received the support of all the Republicans in
the Assembly. We have not been fully in
formed of the details of the scheme; but
enough is known to warrant the belief
that the Republic is established on
tolerably firm foundation. Among the Curl
Gus circumstances of the final debate is
the evidence of inconsistency shown
by the Legitimists. At one time they were
loud in their assertion of the constituent
power of the Assembly. Now that that body
has resolved to exercise such power by agree
ing to republican constitution, they fercely
protest against this action. Moreover their
menace of war against the new institutions
contrasts very unfavorably with the modera-
ton which has been shown by the Republi-
cans. These, when their cause appeared ut
terly hopeless, carefully abstained from any
threats against the arrogant pretensiOns OF the
Monarchists.