Year: 1865

FOR several Gays past IL HAS pccH tno PoPui"I
opinion, both at the North and at the South,
that peace is in the air. Whether or not the
expectations Of its immediate approach will
turn out to be airy nothings remains to be seen.
We have been aware, however, that several OF
our leading merchants were taking in sail and
consulting their lawyers as to tho best disposi-
ton Of their property in case Of storm. The
speculators, on the other hand, have regarded
the popular prediction of peace with something
like contempt The cry Of peace had been
raised so often that, like the boys cry of
"wolf," it ceased to alarm the bankers and
brokers. But recent statements have been
too much for the gold gamblers and the stock
gamblers When the rebels commenced to
argue about negotiations, and conferences, and
commissioners, their best friends gave them up.
The failure Of the first assault upon Fort Fisher
was little relief to those who mako money out
of national misfortunes; but the celebrity with
which tho Lieutenant Gen eral transformed that
repulse into q glorious victory took the
Wall street operators of their guard. The
second assault upon the fort which locked
the harbor Of Wilmington was planned apd
executed with remarkable quiokness. Our
troops had hardly reached the main army
before they were ordered to re-embark, under
another leader, and tho sagacious Tribune had
not completed its explanations Of the impossi-
bility Of capturing tho fort before the news Of
the surrender arrived. General Grant thus
surprised both Richmond and Wall street, and
the rebel flag and the premium ON gold came
down together. There are those who believe
that both will go up again; but the Scriptures
tell US that "faith Is the substance Of things
hoped for, tho evidence ofthings not seen."


Bull movements may follow bear movements,
and prices may still remain high; but after
every one Of these crashes in Wall street the
financial thermometer falls lower and lower.
The people are ready to take instant advantage
of any event which promises to reduce tho
volume Of paper currency and restore tho old
specie basis to business. Gold may rally tenn
porarily; but as Il touched 2O2 at this tumble,
we may be sure that it will go below two hun
dred after another Union victory. Thus, little
by little, the food will recedc, and the firm,
dry land appear. If we had o capable, ener-





who could mako Q proper u.s. Of these Wall
street sensations, tho return to specie payments
would not take much time. But in exchanging
Chase for Fessendcn we have exchanged o
Secretary who did wrong for Secretary who
does nothing; and Chase's evil works are al
lowed to exercise their full, damaging effects.
1t is good sign, however, that the people are
not satisfied with the present state Of the cur
rency. They have not forgotten the days Of
gold and silver coin. The case with which
money can be obtained and spent has not
reconciled us to greenbacks and postal currency
as substitutes for specie. The old provcrb,
"out Of sight out Of mind" has not proved
true in the case Of hard cash. At every
crash In Wall street everybody rejoiccs The
spectators get no sympathy 10 their troubles.
By and by will come the Last, grand crash, the
final tumble, and then we shall all be happy
onco more. But It is certainly surprising that
among the assembled wisdom at Washington
there Is not one man who has suggested, or who
seems able to suggest, any practical plan BY
which we can gradually escape from our fnan-
cial perils, and that Congress appears to have
settled into tho conviction that, having been
caught In the rapids, we must 90 over nnan-
cial Niagara Falls, and run the risk Of being
dashed TO pieces In order to avoid the risk OF
being drowned.


The New York Central Railroad Dividend.


ALnANy, Jan. 20, 1895


AT meeting Of the Central Railroad directors to-day
semi dividend OF three per cent free Of govern
mont tax, was declared Chauncey vibbard, superln.
tcndent Of the road resigned, and his resignation
accepted


Williamsburg City News.


DEAn or AN USxSowS ESeLrH Lspy.-Some two
months since English lady, giving her nsme as Esther
Brown took apartments at III South Third street. sho
was very ladylike In her manner or abundant means
and reserved In hor habits aud conversation. Miss
Brown mado but few Friends and lived In considerable
mystery On the Sd instant however somc ladies In the
ncighborhood with whom she had some slight acquaint
encc discovered that she seriously SICK and sent for
DR. Hapford Tint gentleman came and found the lady
IN convulsions and aborng TO give birth 70 child. She
tho time and he feared TO do anytb