Locomotive, Volume 43, Number 9, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 January 1858 — Page 2

THE LOCOMOTIVE.

i SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 1858. JIj8atrdayi5the day of publication of the Locomotive when it wlllalwaysboreadyfor subscribers. In nocasewlll weletacopyoflhepaper go from theoflice before publlca tion day . LOCOMOTIVE STEAM PRESS BOOK AND JOB PRINTING OFFICE. WE would cntl the attention of Railroad Men, Prosidcntaof Colleges and Academies, the Medical Profession, and all oihers, to our assortmunt of NEW AND BEAUTIFUL TYPE! Just received from the best Foundries In the United States, embracing all the Medical Signs Accents Fraction, French Letter Algebraical Stpng, and all the modern fncilille for do In j work in tho beat style. All our Type und Machinery Is new, and in good order, Including two of Adams' Improved STEAM PRINTING PRESSES which enables us to do our irork in a superior style, on as shor time, anil as good terms as uiy other oflico. We have on hand a superior article of Hook and Col Orel HncrK9 and the best of Inks, and us we are practical workmen, we guaranty all work entrusted to us to be done in the neatest manner, with promptness and accuracy. Our Job Department is well supplied with till kinds of New and Fashionable Type, and we are prepared to do ISZiixcle of Job Work! on the shortest notice, und at the lowest living rates; and BLANKS OF X-l VEItf 1 F. SCIIIPTKM! on Cap, Letter, Folio Post, Flat Cap, French, or Colored Papers, nml Cards or Card Hoards. For tlio diameter of our work we confidently refer to any Book or .lob bearing our i in print. Our prices are regulated lit the lowest cash standard , so as to be regular and uniform, and equal to nil; and contracts for work will be adhered to. without resort to extra charges. HpOrders from a iistunce promptly attended to, and accuracy trnaraiitied. lCrOUcu on Meridian street, immediately opposltetho Post Olltce. ELDER HAKKKF.SS. "' PAY ALL JUST DUES. Mr. Thomas K. Holbrook will cull on nil against whom we have accounts for printing and advertising, for payment. Let ull prepure to meethim. All having unsettled Rccoiiiitsagafnat lis are requested to make Hi i' in out al once, so that they will be ready for settlement when called on. We wunt to pay every cent we owe and we want alt that owe us to do the same. A Good Yield. Mr. John Hoefgen, of Centre Township, informs us that ho sowed a lot of the Hominy or Flint Corn on the 10th of June last, from which he gathered fifty-four bushels of good, sound corn. The lot contains about two-thirds of an acre, but a lot of cattle broke into it before it was ripe, and a lot of hogs after it was cut up and put in shocks i allowing for these losses, he supposes that he had half an acre making a yield at the rate of 109 bushels per acre ; and allowing nothing for destruction by cattle anil hogs, the yield is at the rate of 80 bushels per acre. This we call a good yield for a small kind of corn, such as the Hominy Corn is known to be. The most instructive lecture of the present course was that delivered by Prof. Youmans, on Tuesday evening, on " Celestial origin of Terrestrial Forces." It was entirely scientific in its character, showing the relation of the mineral, animal and vegetable kingdoms to each other, and was presented in the most impressive manner. It is possible the Society will invite the Professor to deliver an additional lecture on the " Chemistry of the Sunbeam," which will be a continuation of the subject. Good MovE.-Tt will be seen by the procecdings of the State Board of Agriculture, that tho awards and selecting of committees have been divided among four committees. These committees will be held responsible for their appointments, and it will be very easy to fix the responsibility in case of misunderstanding. This Is a good move, in the right direction, and will do away with all corruption charged on previous boards (EaT In another column will be found a communication from a young lady that wants a husband. The note comes to us through the Post office, just as it appears. It looks to us like a hoe-axe ; still, as it may be genuine, we give it a place, being always willing to lend a helping hand to any " interesting" young lady tha wants a " man." If any of the b'hoys feel like it, le them pitch in. . Dedication. The African Methodist Episcopal Church, on Georgia street, west of Mississippi, will be dedicated to tho service of Almighty God on Sunday next. The dedicatory sermon will be preached at 2 o'clock p. m., by Rev. Bishop Payne. He will be agisted in the services by Bishop Paul Quin and Rev. Elisha Weaver. The public are respectfully invited to be present. 63" The result of the election in Kansas on the 4th of January is still unknown. The returns of a few counties have been received, which seem to indicate that the Democrats have elected the State officers, and the Republicans a majority of the Legislature. 3TThe case of Judge Biddle, who claims a scat on the bench of the Supreme Court, by virtue of the election last fall, was argued before the Supreme , Court last Thursday, on an appeal from the Marion Circuit Court. It will probably be decided in a few days. . "A Republican County Convention is called for Saturday, February 13, at 10 o'clock, to appoint delegates to the State Convention that meets on the 4th of March next. Palmer House. The furniture and lease of the Palmer House sold at auction yesterday, to Jesse D. Carmichael, for $13,600. The lease has eight years to run from the first of the present month. S3? Let all remember that one dollar pays for the Locomotive for one year 52 weeks, being less than two cents a number. ...... IS For all kinds of Book and Job Printing, from the finest circular to the largest book, come to the Locomotive Office, opposite the Post Office. The Chief Fire Engineer has given orders to the several fire companies not to go beyond the city' limits in case of fire. The pews of the second Presbyterian Church will be rented on next Saturday, January 23, at 3 o'clock P. M., for the present year. At a stated meeting held by the members of the Fire Company, No. 5, on Saturday evening, January ?th, the following persons were elected officers of the Company for the ensuing year : President George W. Buchanan. Vice President John P. Ghilders. : Secretary John Cooper. 7'reasurer A. Catterson. Mariou Division No. 76, S. of T. was organized last Thursday night. The following officers were elected to serve the present quarter : Isaac Coffin, W P ; W. Moffitt, W A ; F. M. Thaver, R S; C. N. Burgess, A R S; Francis Smith, F S : Court Whitsit, T; W. II. Craft, C; G. S. Warren, A' C; John Fearnly, I S ; J. W. Butterfield, OS. ' The regular night of meeting will be on Wednesday, iu Wright's Hall, opposite Little's Hotel.

HIGH TAXES CITY DEBT. The Journal feels bound to defend the council, right or wrong, in their extravagance, and in continuing the

debt of tho city under a tax assessed with the plea of wiping out that debt. In what we said last weelc we had no reference to politics we said that the assessment was higher than it had everbeen that the tax was higher than it had ever been, both made with the avowed purpose of getting the city out of debt. Instead of doing this, all the expenses of the city have been made and paid at a shave of 25 cents on the dollar, pnnal tr n discount of over 50 nor cent, taking the. time of the sale, and the time the orders should be re4 deemed into consideration. We stated that the end was not yet, as the tax payers so far have only heard of the heavy tax when they pay it they will Jeel U, and will look for the causes ; and the efforts of the Journal to get up a personal controversy with us will not divert them from the facts, which they are after. In our efforts to keep the tax at fair rates, when it was before the committee of the present council, and before the rate was fixed, we had only the good of the city in view. We said then that the tax payers would hold the council to a strict account, and the time has now come for our prediction to be verified, when their tax must be paid, or their property sold to meet it. If the tax had been reduced, as we urged, the expenses would have been kept down, from necessity, but with the high assessment and heavy tax, the council ran wild in all kinds of improvements, paying 100 dollars in or ders for 75 dollars worth of work. As the Journal seems anxious to know something of the debt of the city in past years, we will give it tho information, gratis. On April 1, 1855, the city debt was $56 7 23. The Council elected May 1, 1855, was Delzell, Keely, Good, Graydon, Mansur, Horn, Douglass, Fuqua, Jones, Sulgrove, Boaz, Dunlap, Beck and ReedThe debt the above council left, on May 1, 1856i was $15,295 73. The Council elected on May 1, 185G, was Durham, Delzell, Patterson , Newcomer, Magui re, Mansur, Rooker, Pitts, Palmer, Gould, Dunlap, Hughes, Buschcr and McKee. Tho above council left a debt, on April 1, 1857, of $8,002 SC. On May 1, 1857, the present council was elected, and by the report of the Clerk at the last meeting the indebtedness January 1, 1858, is $38,052 53. As the Journal seemsanxious to ran this matter into pjlitios, for the information of our readers, and with out any desire to follow that paper, we will merely state that the council elected in 1855 was known as the Know Nothing Council it elected the Courier its printer. This council increased the debt of the city $14,628 50. The Council elected in 1856 was a democratic coun cil, and elected the Sentinel city printer. This council, which is the one that entrusted Jerry Skeen with the city bonds, which were issued over our protest, as can be seen by reference to our files, reduced the debt of the city $7,293 37. The present Council, elected in May, 1857, elected the Journal printer, and the politics can bo easily infered. The debt on January 1, before the orders for the officers salaries were issued, is $38,052 53 30,050 1 7 more than it was when they came into office. We know that the bulk of the taxes arenot yet paid, andwe know that the entire assessment is less than 55,000 00, and with this debt, and the amount assessed, it is very doubtful if it will not be increased this year, instead of reduced. We obtained our figures above from the reports of the city officers, published annually by direction of the council, and they only refer to the General Fund, without reference to the School Fund. The taxes for this fund are 25,000 00 more this year, than they ever were before, and if any previous council ever hawked their orders through the streets at 75 cents on the dol lar, taking four thousand dollars of the tax payer's money to pay for three thousand dollars in work or debt, we don't know of it. ' Now these are all facts, with the figures endorsed by the council to substantiate them, and all the efforts of the Journal to draw attention from the action of the council, to a personal attack on us, will avail nothing. The heavy taxes of the present council bear hard on our people at this time, and they will feel this in a way to make them remember it. ; If the Journal endorses the action of the council in putting these high taxes on the people, and paying one hundred dollars for 75 dollars in work, let it do it we do not. PREPARE TO MEET THEM. The Committee appointed by the Marion County Agricultural Society, to visit Centre Township, and solicit memberships to the Society for 1858, will visit the citizens next week for this purpose. The committee urge all Manufacturers, Mechanics, Merchants, Business men, and others, to assist them in placing the Society on a secure foundation this year, by purchasing tickets and becoming members. The following are the members of the committee, of whom tickets can be obtained. J. M. W. Langsdale, W. H. Talbott, Horace A. Fletcher, L. Hasselman, P. S. BlRKESMAYER, J. R. ELDER. Tickets are only $1, which entitles the purchaser to all the privileges of the Society, and to compete for premiums, and admit themselves and families, (males under age,) to the Fair. The Journal is opposed to the construction of good stone crossings on the main walks of Washington street. It favors the cutting down of hills, and ', filling up of hollows in the environs of the citv in places not visited by one tax-payer in a thousand, and that are not seen by one in five hundred in the j course of a year, but it is opposed to make a few : good crossings, over streets filled with mud and filth, ! that are used daily and hourly by all the leading citi- j zens and strangers. We would not urge a general , construction of stone crossings at this time, but there are five or six places where they should bo made, and where they would render more benefit to the leading tax-payers, than ten limes their cost expended in any other locality. . , ., . . . 3P As trouble is anticipated in getting good seed corn, we will state, for the information of our readei that Mr. J. II. Vajen, of this city, is prepared to contract to deliver good corn, at fair prices. The best way for Farmers that are in doubt about their corn growing, is to plant some now, in their houses, in boxes. If it grows, they can use it in the spring if not they will have plenty of time to get other. ... CST It will be seen by the proceedings in another column, that the Council has ordered the street Commissioner to keep the crossings on Washington street scraped, during muddy weather. This is a good move. Hereafter, if this order is not complied with, the Street Commissioner will be responsible. 63 A Republican State Mass Convention is called for the 4 th day of March, in this city, to nominate candidates for State offices.

EXAMINATION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Secondary School, 3d Ward Miss M. Vance, Monday, 9 A. m. ' Secondary School, 2d Ward M. Landis, Monday, 1J P. M. Secondary School, 7th Ward M. Roberts, Tuesday 9 A. m. Intermediate School, (2d Grade) 7th Ward Miss Secrest, Tuesday, 1J p. m. Intermediate School, 6th Ward Mr. Y. J. Vate Wednesday, 9 A. m. Intermediate School, (1st Grade) 7th Ward Miss E. Taylor, Wednesday, 1J p. m. Intermediate School, 4th Ward Miss S. Warner, Thursday, 9 A. m. Intermediate School, 3d Ward Miss C. Hobart, 1 J P. M. . - - Intermediate School, 5th Ward, Misses Young and Coburn, Friday, 9 A. M. ' ' ' Intermediate School, 2d Ward Miss M. Vater, Friday, 1$ P. M. . For the past three months the schools have been persistently attacked, and their thoroughness, efficiency and general management called in question. If the articles of this anonymous correspondent have awakened sufficient interest to cause parents and friends of education to examine carefully into the real condition of the schools, I shall be sincerely thankful. The cooperation of parents is an essential requisite to the sue-. cess of any school system, I therefore cordially invite parents and all interested in our City Schools to attend the examinations now in progress. I invite the most thorough and rigid crit'eism. These examinations will be conducted in the fairest manner possible. The selections of topics will be left to trustees and visitors. Every one is free to participate in the exercises and is urged to do so. I do not invite you to the empty parade of an exhibition. I do not expect tho glibness of a prepared examination conducted by the teachers themselves, but I submit the school to an ordeal which cannot fail to detect inefficency if it exists. That althc schools will alike successfully pass such an examinal tion, I do not of course expect.- But I am confident that most of them will do credit to their teachers and satisfy the just expectation of parents. . ' . Geo. B. Stone, Sup't, of the City Schools. blaciTmail. Cameron & McNeely, Printers, of this city, publish -a card in the American, in relation to the Journal and its system of levying black mail, from which we copy the following: Gentlemen, keep cool; don't cry; and when you are beaten at your own game, "own up," take defeat philosophically, and "sin no more." There are several other printing establishments in the State which are trying to earn a decent livelihood in their line. Givo them something to do. "Live and let live." Don't try to monopolize all the printing with your liqhtning bug press, and your worn-out type, for some of the baiance of us must have something to keep the body and soul together these hard times. You say "the committee has trifled with us and given their patronage to parties in opposition to the interests of the Association." It was very naughty of the committee thus to "dally" and "trifle" with the tender feelings of a party, whose sole affection for any cause is measured by the amount of money that can be made out of it. What a friend, par excellence, of the State Teachers' Association is the Indiana Journal Company, especially when the contract for printing the School Journal is to be renewed ! On the other hand, this is the paper wliich abused the officers of the

Marion County Agricultural Society what for, do you suppose, reader ? Because other parties trot the job printing of the Society 1 A very disinterested puoiic journal, truly. ' What a high standard of merit is it governed by ! - beriously, tins is a very small business for such a paper as the Indiana Journal ought to be, to fret and fume because it was unsuccessful in a fair business transaction. A set of -men must be very hard up when they resort to sach means to obtain business. It is nothing more nor less than levying Black Mail. , BANK OF THE STATE OF INDIANA. Indianapolis, Jan. 14, 1858. At a special session of the Board of Directors of this Bank held this day, the Branch of the Bunk of Jefferson ville was suspended by order of the Board, and Receivers therefor appointed. . The notes of such Branch will be received by the other Branches of this Bank as heretofore. H. McCulloch, Pres't. C The following are the officers elected of the AVestern Fire Company, No. 4. Foremen 1st, M. G. Fitehey; 2d, IL D. Carlisle; 3d, James Amos. : ....... Secretary J. G. Hanning. ', ' Treasurer Dan'l C. Greenfield. Directors of Hose 1st, W. O. Sherwood; 2d, J. G. Rose. Steward John C.Dunn. Messenger Wm. Bricket. MST OF WHTER PKEMItJIUS Awarded by the Indiana State Beard of Ag-J-icu llure. B fruits. ' BEST rOLLECTION Of FRUITS OF ALL KINDS. Apples limited to twenty varieties, and pears to four varieties, with statement of cultivation. &c.i 1st Reuben Ragan, Putnam CO., silver cup... $20 ad, Z. S. Ragan, Hendricks co , cup. jo BEST FIFTEEN VARIETIES OF WINTER APPLES. 1st, J P. Cr. Nelson, Arlcn county, cup 20 2d, P. Howland, Marion county, cup 5 BEST FIVE VARIETIES WINTER. APPLES. - 1st, A. Lloyd ot Son, Tippecanoe countv, cup 10 Sd, P. Howland, Marion county...,....." 5 BEST COLLECTION OP FRUITS OF ALL KINDS. Making a succession of varieties through from Autumn to early summer, with a statementof cost and cultivation, &c 1st, k. nagun, rutnani county, pitcher 5 , , BEST COLLECTION OF WINTER PEARS . n 1st, Clny Brown, 'Marion county, cup.".'. . '. .'. . ........ q 2d, Z.fi. Kng.in, Hendricks county 5 BEST WRITTEN AND ARRANOED ESSAY ON FRUITS. There were five entries made under tills head and no award has yet been made. . . . , - PRESSED MKATS. , BEST SPECIMEN OF DRESSED BEEF, NOT LESS THAN ONE QUARTER 1st. J. W. L. Mullock, Hendricks countv, silver cup $S0 There was no other entry in this class. BEST SPECIMEN OF DRESSED MUTTON. 1st, Gulick oz Tweed, Marion county, cup.;.. ...'....... ... 10 2d, A. J. Popo, Mariou county.....' 5 BEST SPECIMEN OF DRESSED PORK 1st, John Hadley, Hejid ricks county, cup... 20 2d, A. J. Pope, Marion county f BEST SPECIMEN OF SPRING I.AMB. 1st, Gulick A Tweed, Marion county, cup 10 2d A J. Pope, Mariou county.....'. 5 BESTSUOAR CURED HAMS. 1st, Gulick Tweed. Marion county, enp 10 No other entry in this class. , , , . BUST PAIR OF TURKEYS. , 1st, Vincent Miller. Marion comity g . The committee report many other specimens remarkably line.. BEST PAIR OF DUCKS. ; 1st, J. W. L. Matlock, Hendricks county.... 5. BEST PAIR OF CHICKENS. 1st, Mrs. Elpsy Miller, Marion county 5 BEST DISPLAX OP POULTRY. 1st, Mary Sutherland, Marion county, enp 10 DAIRY PRODUCTS. EEST TEN POUNDS OF BUTTER. 1st, Pan Sinks, Marion county, cup..' 0 3d, Elpsy Miller, Marion County 5 BEST CHEESe. 1st, Vincent Miller, Marion County, cup. a 10 2d, P. Howland, Marion county 0 : ' LARGEST AMOUNT OF 8UGAR. From the Chinese Sugarcane, grown on not loss ' than one. eighth of an acre, with statement, die A. H. Vestal, Wayne county, pitcher SO On the miscellaneous entries the committee made no report, and, consequently, 110 awards were made. A man by the name of Smith was recently convicted by the Lexington (Miss.) Circuit Court of whipping a negro woman to death, and was sentenced therefor to thirty years' labor and imprisonment in the Penitentiary.

THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE ON NICARA-1 GUAN AFFAIRS AND THE ARREST OF WALKER. In response to a call of the Senate, the President transmitted the correspondence in relation to the arrest of General Walker, and accompanied with tho following message. t . .. ' message. In submitting to the Senate the papers for which they have called, I deem it proper to make a few observations. In capturing General Walker and his command, after they had landed on the soil of Nicaragua, Commodore Paulding has in my opinion committed a grave errror. It is quite evident, however, from the communications herewith transmitted, that this was done from pure and patriotic motives, and in the sincere conviction that he was promoting the interests and vindicating the honor of his country. In regard to Nicaragua, she has sustained no injury by the act of Commodore Paulding. This has enured to her benefit, and relieved her from a dreaded invasion. She alone would have any right to complain of the violation of her territory; and it is quite certain she will never exercise this rights It unquestionably does not lie in the mouth of her invaders to complain in her name that she has been rescued by Commodore Paulding from their assaults. The error of this gallant officer consists in exceeding his instructions, and landing his sailors and marines in Nicaragua, whether with or without her consent, for the purpose of making war upon any military force whatever which he might find m the country, no matter from whence they came. This power certainly did not belong to him. Obedience to law and conformity to instructions are the best and safest guides for all officers, civil and military, and when they transcend these limits and act upon their own personal responsibility, evil consequences almost inevitably follow. Under these circumstances, when Marshal Rynders presented himself at the State Department on the 29th ult., with General Walker in custody, the Secretary informed him that the Executive department of the government did not recognize General Walker as a f)risoner; that it had no directions to give concerning lim ; and that it is only through the action of the judiciary that he could be lawfully held in custody to answer any charges that might be brought against him. In thus far disapproving the conduct of Commodore Paulding, no inference must be drawn that I am less determined than I have ever been to execute the Neutrality laws of the United States. This is my imperative duty, and I shall continue to perform it by all the means which the Constitution and tho Laws have placed in my power. , Whether the execntive government possesses any, or what power, under the Constitution, independently of Congress to prevent or punish this and similar offences against the law of nations, was a subject that engaged the attention of our most eminent statesmen in the time of the administration of General Washington, and on the occasion of the French Revolution. The act of Congress, of the 5th of June, 1794, fortunately removed all the difficulties on this question which had therefore existed. The 5th and 7th sections of this act, which relates to the present question, are the same in substance with the 6th and 8th sections of the act of April 20th, 1818, and have now

j been in force for a period of more than sixty years. ? My opinion ot the value and importance ot these laws, correspond entirely with that expressed by Mr. Monroe in his Message to Congress of Dec. 7, 1819. That wise, prudent and patriotic statesman says : "It is of the highest importance to our national character, and indispensable to the morality of our citizens, that all violations 01 our neutrality should be prevented, No door should be left open for the evasion of our laws, no opportunity afforded to any who may be disposed to take advantage of it to compromit the inter est or the honor or the nation. ;. . The crime of setting on foot or providing the means tor a military expedition within the United btates, to make war against a foreign State with which we are at peace, is one of an aggravated and dangerous char acter, and early engaged the attention of Congress. The military expedition rendered criminal by the act must have its ongm, must " begin or be " set on foot," in the United States; but the great object of the law was to save foreign State3 with whom we are at peace from the ravages of these lawless expeditions 1 proceeding from our shores. The seventh section ' alone, therefore, which simply defines the crime and its punishment, would have been inadequate to accuLupnsii una purpose axiu eiiiorce our mtermiuonai duties. In order to render the law effectual, it was necessary to prevent the "carrying on " of such expeditions to their consumation after they had succeeded in leaving our shores. This has been done effectually, and in clear and ex plicit language, by the authority given to the Presi dent under the 8th section of the Act to employ the land and naval forces of the United States "for the , preventing and carrying on of any such expedition or enterprise trom the .territories or mnsdiction ot the United otates against the lern tones or domain ot any foreign prince or State, or of any colony district or people with whom the U mted btates are at peace. , For these reasons, had Commodore Paulding inter cepted the steamer "Fashion" with General Walker and his command aboard at any period before they entered the port of San Juau de Nicaragua, and conducted them back to Mobile, tliis would have prevent ed them Irom "carrying on the expedition, and have been not only ajustihable but a praiseworthy act. The crime well deserves the severe punishment in fiieted upon it by our laws. It violates the principles ot Christianity, morality, and humanity, held sacred by all civilized nations, and by none more than by the people of the United States. Disguise it as we may, such a military expedition is an invitation to reckless, lawless men, to enlist under the banner ot any adven turer to rob, plunder and murder the unoffending cit izens ot neighboring btates who have never done them harm. It is a usurpation ot the war making power which belongs alone to Congress and the Gov ernment itself, at least in the estimation of the world, becomes an accomplice in the commission of this crime, I unless it adopts all the means necessary to prevent and to punish it. It would be tar better, and more in accordance with the bold and manly character ot our countrymen, for the government itself to get up such expeditions than to allow them to proceed under tho command of irresponsible adventurers. We could then, at least, exercise some control over our own agents, and prevent them from burning down cities and committing other acts ot enormity ot which we have read. The avowed principle which lies at the foundation ot the law ot nations is contained 111 the Divine com mand, that " all things whatsoever 3'e would that men should do unto you, do ye also unto them." Tried by this unerring rule, it we shall not use our best exer tions to arrest such expeditions against our feeble sister Republic of Nicaragua. One thing is very certain that people never existed wno would call any other nation to a stricter account than we should ourselves, for tolerating lawless expeditions from their shores to make war upon any portion of our territories. By tolerating such expeditions we shall soon loose the high character which we have enjoyed ever since the days of Washington, for the faithful performance of our international obligations and duties, ana inspire kistrust against us among the members of tho great tamily ol civilized nations, But if motives of duty were not sufficient to restrain us from engaging in such lawless enterprises, our evident interest ouglit to dictate this pohev. Ihcse expeditions are the most effectual mode of retarding American progress ; although to promote this is tho avewed object of the leaders and contributors in such undertakings. It is beyond question the destiny of our race to spread themselves over the continent of North Amer ica, and tins at no distant dav, should events be per mitted to take their natural course. The tide of em igration will flow to the South, and nothing can eventually arrest its progress. If permitted to go there peacefully, Central America will soon contain an American population, which will confer blessings and benefits as well upon the natives as upon their respective governments. Liberty, under the restraint of law, will preserve domestic peace; whilst the different transit routes across the Isthmus, in which we are so deeply interested, will have assured protection. Nothing has retarded this happy condition of affairs so much as the unlawful expeditions which have be'en fitted out in the United States to make war upon the Central American States. Had one-half of the number of American citizens who have miserably perished in the first disastrous expedition of General Walker

settled in Nicaraguaas peaceful emigrants, the object which we all desire ' would ere this have been, in a great degree, accomplished. These expeditions have caused the people of the Central American States to regard us with dread and suspicion. It is our true poticv to remove this apprehension and convince them 1. . J . . , .1- .1 J 3 - l 1TT J-

tliat we intend 10 uo tnemgoou anu 1101 evu. t e uesire, as the leading power on this- continent to open, and, if need be, to protect every transit route across the Isthmus, not only for our own benefit, but that of the world, and thus open a free access to Central ... t f. . . x---America, and througn it 10 our i acinc possessions. This policy was commenced under favorable auspices, when the expedition, under the command of General Walker, escaped from our Territories and pro ceeded to Punta Arenas. Should another expedition of a similar character again evade the vigilance of our officers and proceed to Nicaragua, this would be fatal, at least for a season, to the peaceiui settlement 01 inese countries and to the policy of American progress. The truth is that no administration can successfully conduct the foreign affairs of the country in Central America, or any where else, if it is to be interfered with at every step by lawless military expeditions "set on foot" 111 the United btates. JAMES BUCHANAN. Washington, January 7, 1858. 'CUHRESPONDEM For the Locomotive. GLIMPSES AT WASHINGTON. NO. II. Political Confusion Position of Senator Douglas Juxtaposition of Parties Advices from Kansas. Washington, D. C, Jan. 11, 1858. Political parties and questions are just now in an awkward condition. Milton's idea of " confusion worse confounded" was perhaps never more aptly illustrated than it is now by the various attitudes, into which the exciting questions of the day have thrown political lead ers, were the suojects or tnese Kaieiuroscopic repre sentations not so grave in their characters, and did they not involve such serious consequences to the coun try, they would be far more laughable than were the ridiculous gyrations of the " two Dronuos." The movement of the " Little Giant," a few week8 ago threw consternation into the camp of the Democ racy. When the bombshell exploded, the democrats, though undaunted, looked serious, and cast about them for the broken crockery. The Republicans applauded, laughed furtively, and poked their digits under the ribs of the grave doctors of popular sovereignty. We were drifting out into the " open polar Sea," iu a leaking vessel, without chart or compass, and our Palinarous overboard 1 Like the ancient Athenians, we were wandering through the public places, each inquiring of the other, " what new advices V" The " Little Giant" was read out of the party, and other interpreters of popularsovereignty chosen. The cry was raised, " Philip has joined the Lacedamonians, and they are concerting the destruction of Thebes," or in other words, " Douglas has joined the Republicans, and they are concerting the destruction of the Democracy !" But Douglas had no such notion he was too shrewd for that and only awaited a suitable occasion for placing himself rectus in curia, that is, right side up. In the mean time, Com. Paulding had landed on the coast of Nicaraugua, pitched into the filibuster Walkerat Punta Arenas, taken him prisoner and sent him home. Here arose some nice questions of international law; here the Southern fire-eaters blazed up with indignation ; Paulding's conduct was denounced as unjust and outrageous, and the President called upon to recall him from his squadron in disgrace ! Brown, Davis, Mallory, Toombs and Johnson, of the Senate, all Administration men, and all Southerners, united in denouncing Paulding, and expressing their disapprobation of the President's Special Message, in wliich, although he imputes to the Commodore a " grave error," he excuses and justifies him on high moral principles, and proceeds to characterize the movements of Walker, as a criminal, and " lawless expedition." Thus arose the occasion for Mr. Douglas. After Messrs. Brown, Toombs and others had " delivered themselves" on the Paulding question, Mr. Douglas arose and said : " I do not rise to prolong the debate, but to return the compliment which, my friend from Mississippi Mr. Brown paid me when he said he admired my pluck in speaking my sentiments freely, without fear, when I differed from the President of the United States. He has shown his pluck, and various others have shown theirs on the present occasion. According to the doctrine announced the other day, each Senator who has done so has read himself out of the party. I find that I am getting into good company ; I have numerous associates ; I am beating up recruits a little faster than General Walker is at this time. Laughter. I think, however, it will be found after a while that we are all in the party, intending to do our duty, expressing our opinions freely and fearlessly, without any apprehension of being excommunicated, or having any penalties inflicted on us for thinking and speaking as we choose." : This was a home thrust, a double-fisted " lick back," and the ingenuity and good humor with wliich it was spoken, together with the fact that the honorable Senator is a hearty sympathiser with the filibusters, and stands side by side with Jeff. Davis in denouncing Paulding, has quite restored him to the good opinion of those Administration democrats who are willing "to agree to disagree." He will yet regain his position and prestige among the entire democracy, and the republicans will probably discover that they have laughed too soon. The condition of affairs is now about as follows. The President endorses the. Lecompton Constitution, Douglas opposes it. Seward and his confederates endorse Douglas. The President endorses Commodore Paulding, or at least excuses and palliates his offense. A large number of leading Southern democrats, in company with Douglas, denounce the conduct of Paulding and demand his dismissal, in vindication of a vital principle. In this matter Seward and his confederates endorse the President. Thus all parties are placed in singular juxtaposition. Who, therefore, shall decide in the matter of political fidelity, and determine the question of party affiliations? In other words, " who's who ?" As neither the President nor Mr. Douglas constitute the Democratic party, and as neither of them are infallible, there is no necessity for disrupting the party because of their differencies of opinion, at least until we see the denouement of the questions involved. Advices have been received here from General Denver setting forth that the people of Kansas had generally determined to vote for the Lecompton Constitution on the 4 th inst., and thus secure the early admission of that Territory into the Union as a State, and get their difficulties wholly into their own hands. If they have done so, the imbroglio may admit of an easy settlement. If they have pursued a contrary course, we may be plunged into a greater agitation than ever, and possibly such an agitation as will end only in the downtall ot the Republic. May God torbid 1 Sigma. For the Locomotive. OUR CITY SCHOOL. Have the school trustees of the city of Indianapolis the power to employ a Superintendent at a salary of fourteen hundred dollars a year, or at any other salary ? This is a question of some interest to the people of this city, both as a question of economy and of law. By tho word power is meant legal right. The common school system is created by statute. The office of school trustees is created, and their power and duties defined by the same statute. They cannot, then, exercise any power, nor do any act which is not authorized by the statute ; if they do, the power exercized, or the act performed, is void. The power of the trustees to employ a Sup r'ntendent, if any such exist, must, therefore, be deri wd from the statute. What then is the statute on the subject? The 21st section of an act entitled "An act to provide for a general system of common schools, the officers thereof, and their respective powers "nd duties, and matters properly connected therewith, and to establish township libraries, and for the regulation thereof," approved March 5th, 1855, establishes the office of city school trustees, prescribes the mode of their election or appointment, and declares their powers and duties; and is the law by virtue of