Year: 1859

iNhS III idfoi VI passage OF tDe Dill over the
veto.


The SPEAKER said-"Wil the House pass the
blllY" which was decided in the negative by yeas
lO5, nays Sc, two-thirds not voting in the aifrma-
tive.


The Naval Appropriation bill was then taken up
and amended. The appropriation for Navy Yards
was reduced from 81 Jog 947 so to Sll2 OO0 inclu-
ding $4,000 for Norfolk


The bill was then laid aside, and the Consular and
Diplomatic bill with the Senate amendments was
then considered and laid aside


other OF the Appropriation bills were considered
and laid aside, and at o'clock, p NJ, the House
adjourned.


INTRODUCTORY LECTURE ON ENGLISH
HISTORY BY HUGH DAVEY EVANS, ESQ.


The Lecture delivered on Thursday evening by
HUGH DAvEY EVANS, Esq, Introductory to his
course upon English History, was a very able dis
sertation upon the British Constitution, and con-
tanned great deal of matter interesting to us
Americans, both by way of analogy and contrast
to our own Institutions. We shall endeayor yery
briefly, to give some of the salient points


The American Constitution is something that
we all understand, or at least think that we do
1t is 'orthen document defining in words the pow
ers OF each department of government The Judi
ciary is the authorized Interpreter of its meaning
and an act OF Congress pronounced by the Courts
to be contrary to the Constitution becomes a null
lity. "N


IL 10 hoI 81 III EuBlduQ. 1nere the Constitution
Is ttn'orHen. There is such fundamental trriten
td". And yet 1T is a reality, and it is common to
speak OF measure as unconstitutional and on that
ground to oppose its passage through Parliament;
out when passed, instead OF being nullity with
us, IL becomes part of the Constitution perhaps
modification of it. What then is the Constitu-
tion of England? 1t is the existing ARRANGEMENT
of powers among the several departments of gov
ernment and classes OF society. This arrangement
Is continually undergoing a change, and such a
change is change of the Constitution to that ex-
tent. The passage of the Reform Bill was such n
change. 1t materially altered the organization of
the House OF Commons and the basis of its con-
stltuency. Other changes in the same direction
are now demanded by democratic party in Enp
land under the leadership of Mr.. Bright The
Constitution of England then is not the result of
the deliberations of constitutional convention
1t is growth the elements of which have been
developing from the earliest settlement of the coun-
try to this time.


The political system is the outward expression of
the Soclel systematic last gives character to the
first and as, in the progress of the history of En-
gland, the different elements of the social system
nave grown into greater proportionate influence
the political system Constitution has changed
correspondingly. This is in measure true of all
Constitutions, whether written or unwritten. not
excepting our own. In its action, the Constitution
OF the United States has undergone changes which
have not been expressed in words. They were the
inevitable result of the growth of elements not an
tcipated at the time of its formation. The lectu-
rer spoke OF Blackstone and De LONE as commen-
tators on the British Constitution, and expressed
the opinion that they described only its shell or
outward form, and that they gave very little idea
of Its real essence or of the social influences which
were at work beneath the form. These it was very
difficult to trace or to define with accuracy and
yet it was the only part of history worth writing
The history of wars had no value except as exam
pies OF strategy to the soldier. The true history
ot nation is that which describes it social condi-
tion and the growth of the various elements whose
combination makes up the national character


MIR. Evans proposes, in the course of nine Lee
lures which are to follow the Introductory to give
such sketch OF the leading features in the history
of England. The first three will be devoted to The
Saxon period In the later lectures he will take nm
successivey, and trace the growth of the various
powers which now form part of the British Con-
stltuton, and whose reciprocal action by a system
OF checks and balances results in government
conservative and free He will also give some at
tentIon to the growth of the commercial principles
as influential in controlling the character of polit-
cal institutions.


These topics have so intimate a relation to our
own social and political system, which is growth
under other circumstances, of many of the ele-
ments of English society," that their discussion can
not iail to be deeply interesting to any thinking
man who desires to look below the surface of thinos
and no one could handle them more ABLY than
the learned gentleman who has undertaken this
course.


ARRIVAL OF WILLIAM SMITH O'BRIEN.


The steamer Prince Albert, of the Galway line,
arrived at New York Friday morning having
among the passengers VIM. Smith O'Brien. As
soon as the steamer reached her anchorage, Mr.. T.
F. Meagher and number of gentlemen together
with deputatiOn from the Young Mems Demo
cratic Union Club, went aboard, and were soon fol-
lowed by Committee of Reception appointed by
the Irish societies


Ex-Justce O'COnner made brief speech of vel
come, to which Mr.. O'Brien replied, to the effect
that the Committee was quite right in supposinp
tnat he Gid not come to the United States with a
view to call forth any demonstration by way of pa
rade which might be made bv himself At the
same time it was agreeable for him to receive in an
informal manner, as stated by the address those
gentlemen who wished to make his acquaintance
lie wished it to be distinctly understood he did not
come to New York for any political purpose or to
make any political manifestation During the
greater part of his life he had wished to study the
institutions of this country, without being biased
by the opinions of travellers, particularly as many
OF them were written in the gall of prejudice He
therefore came to study the institutions of the
only country in modern times which owned re-
public, rather than monarchy, on large SCALE
lie had also come to see how the millions of his
countrymen, who, under adverse circumstances
had made this place their home, were situated.
No doubt he would see many of them even in the
lar West, and he would go home and tell how he
had seen them, and how he had been received
ohe thlng he would say OF them, that they had an
undylng attachment to the land of their fathers
(Applause.) In the presence of Mr. Meagher he
might say that he had another object in coming to


this country, and that was to see those friends from
whom he had been separated by adverse destiny;
and in shaking hands with Mr.. Meagher to do it
was source of regret to him, that he (Mr. NJ
was not in the same position as he (Mr. OBJ was
namely, able to return to his own country And
ne would say that the policy which still excluded
him theretrOm unworthy of the British Gov
ernment. (Applause.)


He would not affect to say that he was indiffer-
ent to those manifestations of feeling which had
been shown to himself while in exile. At time
when he was in confinement the people of the
United States, including not Irish people alone
but large proportion of native citizens COM
menclng in Baltimore, had called upon the Pres-
dent of the United States, to intercede with Eng
land for his return. Nor was he insensble of the
sentiments expressed at a great meeting held in
the town hall, when address had been presented
by number of individuals such as were not known
in any country in the world except the city in
which he now stood. Without arrogating ANYTHING
to himself he confessed he liked the demonstration
thus made by so large and respectable delegation
on behalf OF his countrymen, and although not
liking anything resembling ostentatious parade
the Committee at liberty to say to his friends
that he would accept the kindness which had been
offered him here to day. [Cheers.l In regard to
the future he was very anxious to be in Congress
before that body would break up. He intended
therefore, to leave New York on Sunday or Mon
day morning, so that he might be in Washington
IN time to see republican legislature. From
Washington he intended to go South then to
Charleston, and perhaps he would return by st.
Louis, when he would visit Detroit, Toronto Que
bee, and other parts of the North and then return
to New York, where he would arrive again about
the end OF May, so as to what would be inter-
esting here, and then he would have the opportu-
nifty OF renewing his acquaintance with those
around him, so as to be ready if possible, to make
this private excursion. He had almost forgotten
to say that he intended to visit such objects of ma
ture here as would excite interest. No one could
enter the beautiful harbor of New York without
perceiving at once that there was enough to be
seen, which would amply reward the tourist for
visit to America.


The party then proceeded to the quarter deck
and were transferred to the DR.. Kane, upon which
the Prince Albert gave signal to the artillery on
shore, which had been previously agreed upon
and salute of one hundred guns was fired by Com
pany F., 4th artillery, NJ Y. S. NJ, Capt. McMahon
commanding


As soon as the DR.. Kane neared the wharf cheer
upon cheer rose in rapid succession from the thou
sands who had already assembled while Robert
sons band played number of Irish patriotic airs
welcome.


The cheers were very enthusiastic along White
hall street, and as the carriage passed Trinity
Church those who accompanied him took the OPP
portunity of showing Mr.. O'Brien Wall street, the
location of which appeared to interest him.


Arrived at the st. Nicholas there was the utmost
difficulty in getting him in; hundreds had already
assembled and cheered him to his hearts content.
While on board the steamer, Mr.. 0'Brien was re-
peatedly pressed to drink by his friends who were
not acquainted with his habits Every such soici-
taion, however, he firmly but politely declined, re-
marking that he had not tasted Of spirits for
twenty-five years. and that, in his opinion, the
sentiments of the human heart could be Just as
warmly expressed without the aid of any such stm-
ulant.


The TARIFF AND PROPOSED REISSUE OF