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COLUMBIA. Friday Morning, April 12,1867. A Mournful Decadence. The boasted civilization of thu enlightened-nineteenth century hai not done much for tho advancemeni of public morals or private virtue ir this country, living, as its people are, under "the best Government" upon earth. Tho records of the daily journals of the great cities furnish abundant evidence of an increasing and fearfully wide-spread demoraliza? tion among all classes of sonic ty; none, apparently, have escaped the corruption and vice which stalk un? blushingly through thoir streets day and night, and -which aro very ten? derly treated by the press, the pulpit and the courts of justice. And this is accounted for very naturally-for from the highest circles to the organ? ized gangs of burglars, thieves and assassins, the contagion has fastened itself upon, all the members of so? ciety. While the local criminal records of the daily press are read, of course, as mere news matter, that branch of journalism seems timid to reprove and rebuke this general departure from virtue and uprightness. Now and then, when some enormous crime has been committed, some gigantic swindle successfully practiced, thore is a great parade of the revolting de? tails; but scarcely ever is there a word of deprecation of tho decad? ence of public virtue, or a word of reproof to the prominent actors in this universal carnival of crime. Ono of tho semi-religious, semi political papers which abound iu the city of New York-the Methodist-in one or two of its recent issues, gives a fearful account of tho reigu of de? moralization throughout that Babel of vice. It tells us that crimo daily multiplies and increases iu boldness, claiming the impunity, if not the very iuuoceuce, of virtue. We givo a single paragraph of the editor's wail ings: "Lechery rioi3andputrefies in our streets openly ; murder does its work in broad daylight, and in our very courts of justice; groggeries keep open by tho thousand on Sundays, iu the face of the law and its worthless officers; publishers and sellers of obsceno books nud papers tuko no pains to conceal their nefarious trade; filthy performances draw crowded audiences to thc theatres, without raising a question among law makers or law executors, and gambling goes on furiously all nrouud us, quite the samo as though the State authorized it." This brief extract gives us a horri? ble idea of tin- *tate of society in the gr<?at metropolis of a great coun? try. Another editor tells ns that not long since-about New Year's Day two Congrcssmeu met iu a public faro bauk in New York, owned by one of them, and that, after a pro? tracted bout over tho gaming table, one rose tho winner and tho other the loser of 8150,01)1); that at about tho same time, two men, one just elected to a high position in the New York municipal government, tho other his defeated opponent, met iu nn empty lot in the upper part of tho city, aud fought at fisticuffs both of them being pugilists-until one of them was insensible; that within tho same period, a high civil functionary resigned his office to avoid inquiries which involved enor? mous frauds; and lastly, that it ap? peared about tho same time, in a city court, that a noted female wretch was living unmolested in ono of tho choico mansions in the centre of tho most fashionublo part of Fifth Ave? nue, carrying on her beastly trade. And this editor tolls us that the pub? lic press took no notice of what, iu all theso cases, was notoriously public. Such is lifo iu New York, und, on a corresponding scalo iu other cities, such as Boston, Philadelphia, .fcc. And when wo aro told that in the vast system of over-reaching and robbery so pr?voient, "tho city officials of Now York take tho lead," and that at least ?100,000,000 of thc public money has gone to iniquitous uses in tho past twenty years, it is not difficult to solvo tho problem of this general demoralization. Its ori? gin is iu corrupt party leaders, seek? ing office, or who may hold office, who bribe aud suborn to perjury the mass of the people to their support. Thc evil is not iu republican institu? tions, but in tho bad and corrupt meu who prostitute them for their own vmrposes aud for tho retention of power. Where that prostitution and desecration of principles will lead the Government and the country to at lust, if not crushed out by vir? tuous public opinion, it is not diffi? cult to foresee; the days of republi? canism and free government will be numbered, and infidelity, anarchy and despotism assume full sway. Since writing the nbove, we find an article in the New York Times, of Monday, from which we extract the following paragraph: "Wo speak what hundreds of men know, from personal experience, that no bill whoso passage will confer pe? cuniary advantage upon any man or any corporation, can be passed in Albany, except by bribery-except by paying members to pass ii. No man can get his rights, or prevent serious damage to his private interests, or avert ruin from himself and his family, except by bribery. That is the actual state of things in the Le? gislature. What are men to do, under such a state of things? What is a man to do, who hands over his purse to the highway robber who presents a pistol to his head and demands it? He must bribe the robber. Yet tho law punishes both him and tho rob? ber alike. If the victim afterward disclose tho fact, and come forward as a witness against the ruffian, he simply seals bis own doom-wbilethe robber either goes unscathed, or is Eardoned by a Governor who wants is influence and his vote!" No Place Lilka Home. Under this caption, the New York Sun bas an article, from which we extract the following: Many prominent Southerners went to Mexico; many went t*> Europe; some sought freedom in South Ame? rica. But their success in foreign lands was not flattering, and one by ono they havo been returning to their native country, satisfied, ap? parently, that they cnn be happier and more prosperous here, despite their political misfortunes, than nny wbero else. Tho Mexican adventur? ers are nearly all back agaiu, and pronounce themselves iu favor of making the best of circumstances. They have discovered in their ab? sence that the United States Go? vernment, bad ns they professedly believed it, is still to bo preferred to any other they cnn find. What is somewhat remarkable is, that those who wero the most fierce and uncompromising enemies of the Go? vernment aro now tho most content? ed and energetic under the new regime. Wade Hampton, who was almost tho last to admit tho de? feat of the Confederate army, has been the first to address the negroes kindly on the question of suffrage. Sterling Price has given up his coll?e plantation in Mexico, nud gone to his old home in Missouri. General Buckner, too, has returned, with intentions of remaining. Many others less famous havo abandoned their foreign adventures, and will content themselves hereafter under the stars and stripes. Generals Hood, Beauregard and Longstreet, aro busily engaged in Louisiana, and take calm and reasonable views of tho reconstruction question. The people of the South should profit by tho example of the leaders they followed so faithfully in war, and settle down to work at home, for there is no other country where their prospects will be half so good, though they must expect a season of trouble and embarrassment before the re? turn of actual prosperity. MR. PEABODY.-We see it stated that George Peabody, Esq., will sail for Europe on the 1st of May. The picture of the Queen of Eng? land, to bo presented to Mr. Pea? body, is now on board the steamer Scotia. The presentation will be made in Washington-to which city he will at once proceed-by the Bri? tish minister in person. Ultimately, the picture will be placed in a fire? proof room in the Peabody Institute, at South Danvers, Massachusetts. This benevolent gentleman, whose generosity has caused his name to be endeared in Europe and the United States, has received an autograph letter from the Empress Eugenie, highly complimenting him for his unexampled liberality to the poor on both sidos of tho Atlantic, and speak? ing of him as the great benefactor of humanity. --?-?.*-. DEATH OP AN OLD CITIZEN.-Tho C hester Standard chronicles the death of Major John Kennedy, for eighty years a resident of that town. He was about ninety-five years of age. -?-??-? THE LOUISIANA CREVASSES.-The news from the Louisiana levees is of a terrible character. Tho crevasses near Baton Bouge are beyond control and nil attempts to close them have been abandoned. The richest sugar regiou in tho State is ruined for this season. Man ;.go crevnsso inundates tho Black River country, the most productive cotton region in the South. The freedmen's settlement, known ns Do Soto, is overflowed by it and eighty freedmen are known to have perished in the water. < )f course, the damage extends beyond the Parishes men? tioned above. / Reg inter* tn Bankruptcy. By direction of Chief Justice Chose, tho following statement is published for information : 1. Under the Act of Congross, the power of appointing "registers in bankruptcy" is vested in the District Courts of the United States, the Su? preme Courts of the Territories, and the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia; but no person can bo appointed who is not a counsoller at^ law. 2. The duty of recommeuding aud nominating to tho Districts Courts, and other courts moutioned in tho Act suitable persons for appointment, is imposed on tho Chief Justice of the United States; aud Congress having now adjourned without actiug upon the bill introduced into the Seuatc to repeal this provision, he will proceed to carry it into effect. 3. To insure, as far as practicable, tho selection of fit men for registers, tho Chief Justico will require, in every case where his recommendation and nomination is desired-first, a certificate from the clerk or judge of tho proper district or territorial court, or of a counsellor of said court; and secondly, a statement iu what Con? gressional District or territory the gentleman proposed resides, and for what district or territory, and for what judicial district, the recom? mendation and nomination is de? sired ; aud thirdly, letters from busi? ness and professional men of the district, Stato or Territory, who have the confidence of their fellow-citizens, each of which letters must vouch dis? tinctly and fully for tho gentleman named: (1) iu respect to his profes? sional knowledge and ability, (2) in respect to his personal iutegrity, aud (3) in respect to his general business capacity. 4. Tu addition to these, when the Stato is represented iu Congress, similar letters, if they eau bo had, are desired from the Representative of the district, nud from thc Senators of tho State, or iu the caso of a Terri? tory, from the delegate. 5. No memorials or petitions, or recommendations sigued by others than tho writer, aro required. G. All letters upon which am- re commeudation and nomination may bo made, will bo filed by the Chief Justice iu the office ot tho Clerk of tho Supremo Court of the United States. 7. Nominations aud recommenda? tions founded upon testimony fur? nished as above required will be made us early aa practicable after the same shall havo* beeu received. If moro than one gentleman in any district or territory is thus commended to him, tho Chief Justico will exercise his discretion in making tho selection. 3. Only ouo person will be recom? mended and nominated in any ono Cougressional District except, (1) in tho case that the courts having the appointing power shall decline to ap? point the persons first recommended and nomiuntcd; or, (2) in the caso that after the Act shall have gone fiilly into operation, tho appointing court shall certify to the Chief Justico that the business of the district can? not bo properly done by one register; or (3) iu some cases, where a Cougres? sional District may be partly in one judicial district and partly iu another. D. W. MIDDLETON, Clerk of Supreme Court U. S. .WASHINGTON CITY, April 5, 18G7. WAK PANK.1.-Tho New Yoi'* He raid, of the 9th, says; The cabio, this morning, brings interesting nud important news from Europe. A war panic has broken out iu Loudou and Berlin, and while it is not stated what particular event has lcd to the sudden alarm, it is evi? dent that in both those cities the course of tho Emperor Napoleou is regarded as threateuiug a speedy in? terruption of the existing peace. The press despatches from London state that the uncertainty iu regard to the French Empcrov'.s action, and the fear that ho will adopt a warlike policy, have created distrust among business meu aud occasioned great depression in commercial aud finan? cial circles in that city and in Paris; and lat r in tho day, wo aro told that this feeling increased to a war panic. Our special telegram from Berlin is of still greater importance. From that, wo learn that tho iutelligcnce from Paris was regarded of such momentous aud alarming character as to induce King William to give au? dience to Count Bismarck at the palace, at 2 o'clock, ou Sunday morn? ing. Tho effect of this news was felt in the markets in all thc principal cities. British consols tumbled one percent. French rentes experienced a sharp decline, and, in London, American five-twenties sunk to 78^. Tho first rumor of tho troublo created consi? derable excitement ou Wall street, yesterday morning, and gold rose three or four per ceut. upon tho I strength of tho news. As another j speck of war, it ia also announced \ that the British Government, having failed hitherto in lier attempts to bring Spain to a sense of justice, had despatched several ships of war to Cadiz to enforce tho claims growing out of the seizure of thc Tornado. SOUTHERN OBPHAN ASSOCIATION. Wo bolio\c 'here is hardly a member of the great Republican party who will not gladly assist to promote the objects of this association, and we therefore heartily commend it as worthy of individual and general en? couragement. -Forney's Ch roniclc. Keep Your Mouth Shut. Under the above caption, the Wil? mington Journal, in an article on tho conduct of the Southern people, says: "Taking into consideration the pe? culiar organization of Southern so? ciety, our habits o f life, education and associations, we doubt if any peo? ple have ever suffered as keenly, or been compolled to feel moro acutely, tho bitter consequences of failure than wo have. It is a marvel to us tliat we havo not followed the advice given by Job's wife, to tho bilious and suffering patriarch, to 'curse God and die.' By tho way, that woman was a trump; wo have always admired her candor and straight-for? wardness in speaking out her thoughts, and have felt disposed to look with leniency upon her violent ebullition of temper; for she must have had a hard timo of it with old Job and hisV)oils. "It is wonderful, we repeat, how well our people have borne them? selves under tho terrible .calamities they have been called upon to en? dure. Still thero is room for im? provement in many ways. It docs no good to attempt to kick against the pricks; there is no earthly use in arguing questions of n national poli? cy with a hostile and overwhelming majority against us; it but adds fuel to the name. Let us keep our mouths shut; what right have we poor devils to au opinion, or rather tho expres? sion of one? It ma}* be difficult to curb that unruly member, and we know from experience that it is; but time and philosophy will work won? ders. Keep the mouth shut, and a bridle on the tongue, and we will es? cape many troubles and annoyances. Give full swing to the imagination, if so disposed, and revel to satiety in the realms of fancy, or, like the owl in the fable, keep up a 'devil of a thiukiug,' but be careful not to think aloud. In plain English, keep your month shut, by doing which you may escape disease to tho natural body, and cnu certaiuly do no injury to the body politic." Financial Trouble. Some days ago, we anuounced that the New York Chamber of Com? merce had passed resolutions recom? mending ns a first necessity in the direction of specie payments, that the Federal Treasury should cautiously and steadfastly adhere to the policy of contraction of the paper currency. This action is rightly receiving that degree of consideration which its importance demands, and, indeed, the influential voice of the commer? cial community everywhere could not be more advantageously used than to propagate sound opinions, and to refute mischievous error re? lative to this practical but much vexed question. At this time, from various causes, tho business enter* prise throughout the country is suf? fering from n fear of some impend? ing convulsion, the result of which will be a sudden, immediate return to specie payments; b.iL i\>\a is perhaps more than is likely to be realized. The prudent business men of tho community may be cautiously pre? paring for the storm, and that very preparation may avert it, or at least lessen its final force; but after the years of excitement and stimulus that wo have had, and tho great superstructure of expansion, built upon the basis of business and ope? rations that is now daily narrowing, seoms inevitable that, spite of all the skill that may bo exercised, more or less of a toppling down must come. The Financial Chronicle says: "Our financial bark has drifted far out of the current of specie pay? ments. And she must be brought back, not by a violent manouvre, which might destroy her, but by gradual, well-directed, well-sustained seamanship." This view is sound, and it is to be hoped it may bo real? ized. The Chronicle thinks that to attempt sudden resumption of specie payments under . the coin standard would be to court disasters such os the country in no former panic ever endured. But, on tho other hand, tho want of some sure and practicable policy leading directly towards specie re? sumption will be equally fatal in its results. The warning of trouble is written on tho wall. The continuer inflation of tho currency, tho high rents and high prices of food, urge tho laborers of tho country to de? mand higher wages; tho dullness of business and small consumptions of goods and wares mnko manufactur? ers indifferent to the demands of their employees, nud they prefer often to suspend operations rather than yield to tho wants of tho laborer. Tho accumulated stocks of tho manufacturers will enable them to do this with greater pecuni? ary safety than to keep up work on a dull market, but the suiToriug will be endured by those who aro len.it prepared and least ablo to bear it. Some ordeal, at best, to reach the turning point towards a healthy condition, has to be gone through. The sooner, perhaps, that it has come and passed, the better. Then will the country once more have a currency on the specie standard. I Baltimore Sun. DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.-The Anderson Intelligencer statis that, during the temporary absence of tho occupants, tho dwelling house of Mr. 1'. Prniett, ot* that District, caught lire, and, to? gether with tho kitchen, smoke-house an?l stables, was entirely destroyed wiih tho entire contents. CROP PROSPECTS TN FLORIDA.-Al private lotter received from Gaines? ville, gives very discouraging reports of the planting prospects in that portion of tho State. It says that tho farmers are "nearly drowned out;" and ploughing in many pinces has been entirely suspended, and that not a few persons will bo compelled to replant. SKATING IN MIDSUMMER.-A com? pany has been organized in Philadel? phia and is now making preparation for the establishment of a skating rink, which is to be frozen crTer for tho accommodation of skaters during tho summer. It is said that the pond will bo completed and iu skating order by tho 4th of July. An Australian sheep grower has como to Texas to keep sheep. He wauts to show Americans how to do it; will commence with a small flock of 10,000 and theu work up. Pro? bably he will bo worked up. Tho United States Marshal for Vermont advertises an auction salo of 26,000 pairs of ladies' shoe patterns, which ho lately rescued from the border smugglers. The papers throughout Texas gene? rally fear that the fruit has been en? tirely destroyed. Tho loss of cattle, also, has been enormous. Judgo Duval, of Texas, has decided that interest, as well as principal, must be paid of debts contracted be foro aud running through tho war. The Lindell House, in St. Louis, had thirty-five miles of bell-wire. This hotel is to be immediately re? built. Hon. Meyer Strouse, M. C., from Pennsylvania, has had placed in his hnnds, for the owner, a stolen ring, belonging to Mr. Davis.' Over ?100,000 were sent from tho vicinity of Forney's office, in Phila? delphia, for the benefit of the Con nocticnt radicals. Thirty-four colored persons, in Philadelphia, own piopertv to the amount of Sl,35S,000. It is estimated that there is S2.G00, 000 of counterfeit money iu circula? tion iu this country. Minors eau marry in Louisiana. Tho legal ago for the bridegroom is fourteen, for tho bride twelve. 5,000 men are said to be out of work in Pittsburg. Hunuicutt is hounding tho negroes of Richmond ou for mischief. Ritualism is now agitating New Eugland very severely. New Orleans lief 84,000,000 in cir? culation of citv n.onev. PASKMX'S HEPATIC BITTERS aro rapidly gaining in publio esteem. Thej aro decidedly the most oxcellont Vegetable Tonic yet discovered fur tho euro of gene? ral debility and disorders of tho stomach or liver. Those who have used thom pro? nounce them to he all that is claimed for them. For safe nv all druggists. April 12 fly Dit. C. H. MIOT, Agent. LUST, ON Thursday morning, a urey Buckskin PURSE, with three divisions, contain? ing from ?30 to ?70. The centre division hag postage Btampa. April 12 REMOVED." Dil. lt. \Y. GIBBES has removed to Melun M. Cohen's residence, near East end of Washington street, opposite tie- "Orphan Hoiiso." April 12 Imo Just Received, AFRESH SUPPLY of ALE. Families wishing to supply themselves will please applv carly at April 12 1_T. M. POLLOCK'S. COLUMBIA BRIDGE. AMEETING of tho STOCKHOLDERS of thc Colombia liridgo is heroby Btumnoued, to be held at Columbia, on MONDAY, thc 22d April, at 12 o'clock, in the Court Room, over the store of James G. Gibbes A Co. As important business will ho brought before thu Stockholders, punctual attendance is requested or proxies sent. A. R. TAYLOR, President. April 12_ THE GEM'IXE $25. Bartlett Sewing Machine. $25. WANTED, Agents; $150 per month and all expenses paid, to sell tho genuino BARTLETT SEWING MACHINE. This machino will do all tho work that can bo done on any high-priced machino, and is fully patented, licensed and warranted for five years. We pay the abovo wageB, or a commission, from which twice thatamonnt can bc mado. For circulars and terms, address H. HALL A CO., 721 Chestnut st., Philadelphia, Pa. April 12_3i>_ Mules and Horses for Sale. A FINE PAIR of Car Itfe^ ringo and Work MULES. WsW A pair of t hire-year ?Ukobi "Bourbon" COLTS, just broken to double harness. An unbitted thrcc-vear old MORGAN FILLY. A lirst-rnto Riding MARE. A first-rate Riding PONY. The two latter have been driven toge? ther for upwards of a year. April 12 0 CAMPBELL R. BRYCE. -jL THIS noted STALLION, import rYJ?l ed direct from England by tho rXJ i Messrs. Gist, may bo found at Mr. George Davis', ( Columbia Race-courso,) on tho 18th and 11th inst., and every ninth day thereafter. Insurance for mares *85. Aysgarth is a dark brown, fifteen hands high, of lino bone and r -lion; sired by Ram ton, dam by Inheritor; her dam Gin, by Juniper, om of Princess Jemima by Remembrance; Barnton'a dam Martini Lynn, by Mulatto; ber dani Leda, by Felho da Rota Tren on e, hy Camillas. Inheritor was winner of the Liverpool Cup a threo and six year old. Groom's tee il. JOHN JOHNSON, Groom. April 12 !if>*b')-: ALONZO REESE, Barber, fTlAKES pleasure in informing bis oil J_ patrons, and tie- public generally, that he can ho found at the Harber Shop con? nected with the Centra! Hotel, when- he will be most happy t?> render theniany ser? vice they may reunir? in this line. April 1 Ir.io DEATH OP AN OLD COLORED RESI? DENT.-"Old Garrick," who, for many years, was to be seen about the Commercial Bauk, and who was always regarded as an honest, straight? forward servant, departed this life, Wednesday afternoon, at his resi? dence in this city. To TAKE THE STUMP.-The Colum? bia correspondent of the Yorkvillc Enquirer says that tho party who sus? tain Beverly Nash, among tho colored residents of this city, is increasing, and that Beverly, having been invited by his own people, in various parts of tho State, to address them on politi? cal topics, is preparing to take the stump._ USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL.-We are indebted to Mr. Joel Ketchum for a copy of "Lloyd's Mail of North Ame? rica," to which is appended a "Coun? ty Map" of the United States and Canadas. These maps aro copies of those published for the United States military authorities, and will be found very correct. Mr. Ketchum is agent for the sale of the maps in this Dis? trict. _^_ North and South Carolina are in the Fourth Circuit-the telegraphic despatch published a few days ago, omitted those States altogether, and tho omission was the cause of much comment. JOB PRESTING.-The Job Office of thc Phoenix is ns complete as any in tho South. It is furnished with new fonts of type of all descriptions and of the most modern styles. All work executed promptly, with taste and skill, and at reasonable rates. FINE SEASONS.-For the past two or three days, we have had several fine rains in this vicinity, and warna, geneal, growing weather. The gar? dens look highly promisiug for an abundant yield, and we aro gratified to notico a more than ordinary inte? rest taken in their cultivation. Peas are in bloom, beaus growing rapidly, and Irish potatoes everywhere pre? sent a luxurious growth. All appre? hensions of another frost having ceased, our citizens in town and suburbs are plying horticulture-in the vegetablo line-with hearty good will and energy. IMMIGRATION AGENT.-We received a visit, yesterday, from Mr. W. J. Ferlor, immigration agent at Charles? ton, who is on a tour through thc up-country for tho promotion of this enterprise. He will be in this city again about the 1st of Moy, when parties who so desire may avail themselves of his agency in seeming farm and other laborers, upon the following terms: Passage money to be paid when the immigrant arrives in Charleston-825 or $30 in gold; wages, for a man-servant, $150 per year, with United States rations, and a half acre of laud; female servants, 8100 a year, and found. Tho laborer to perform the duties incidental to farm-work. Tho passage money is to be refunded by tho laborer out of his first years' wages. It would, perhaps, be well for planters and others to take this matter into consideration, and employ the present opportunity to supply any deficiency of labor they may recpiire. CARDS! CARDS!-Sh;>w cards, busi? ness cards, visiting and wedding cards, executed at tho Phoenix Job Office, in the neatest styles of the. art. Cards of all sizes constantly on hand, and all orders from town or country promptly, attended to. INCOME TAXES.-Tho Commissioner .jf Internal Revenue has decided that banks are not to deduct from their profits tho amount of the tax paid the State and municipal authorities on tho shares of tho stockholders, but aro required to include that amount in estimating tho tax on their divi? dends and added surplus. It is pro? per that stockholders should bo ap? prised of this decision, that they may include thoir proportion of the amount thus paid by tho banks for them in their estimate of the deduc? tion to which they are entitled in making their statements of taxable income. NEW AHVERTISEMKNTS. -Attention .? i ab? ed t?> the following advertisements, whicb arc published this morning for tbs first time: C. lt. Bryce-Horses and "Mait s foi Sal John Johnson-Stallion Aysgartb. Apply at this Ofttci-Purse Lost. A. lt. Tavlor- .Columbia Bridge. T. M. Pollock-Alo. In-, ll. V7. Gibbes- Removal. Genuine Bartlett Sewing Maohilii i)r. C. II. Miot-Panknin'a Bitters. Long tales are usually uuintercstiii. all consumers will bo bonefittod ami inti rested hy leading the entire advert;:. and then examining tho stock >'!* Mi'. 1. C. Shiver.