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????matamtmmbb??am GENERAL NEWS. Correspondence of the Charleston Courier. New York, July 12.?IIo for Mexico! The country is just entering upon a new furor. We have all foreseen the destiny of Mexico, "which is American absorption, and that everft has only been waiting for a pro-1 vocation. The provocation comes in j the shape of another revolution and a return of anarchy in Mexico, and incidentally in the atrocious murder of Maximilian by the savages who have overrun the land. In the opinion of a large majority of our people, the time has arrived to settle the j Mexican question. Accordingly wc j hear of mysterious meetings of sup- j posed filibusters at the New York . Hotel, and the telegraph informs us j of the breaking out of a Mexican fever among the ex-Confcderatcs in New Orleans. The Mexican question, suddenly comes up, however, in a more legitimate way in Washington-. If we may believe all the rumors we hear from the capital, the President has determined upon a policy7" of armed intervention, He fancies he can build up a popularity for his ad * % . ,i .1 _ __ ministration by letting slip rnc nogs of vtar on the greasers. The Democrats are anxious for the issue to arise, and hope with the new battle cry, "Mexico for the Americans," inscribed on their banners to sweep into power again. Ex-Confederate Generals and politicans are said to be docking.' to Washington to urge the new policy on the President. Beauregard wants to lead an army of his old soldiers to Northern Mexico, where, it is intimated, he is interested with certain great capitalists in a prospective Southern Pacific Rail Road.? Secretary Seward also has interests in the rail roads, mines and internal improvements opened and inaugurated by Maximilian in Central Mexico. - General Grant too, is dying for an opportunity to- ride his old hobby of Mexican occupation. Chief Justice Chase and his clique are Uescrioea oy a Herald correspondent as favorable lookers on. Sumner, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, is in the hands of the French intriguers, and the Ministers of Great Britain, France, Russia and Austria, resident at Washington, are working tooth and nail to get the United States to intervene in Mexico. It is the only chance the French see of collecting their pecuniary claims against that C0WlfoY Tm u uuiiii ui t'nu reports circu-" lating through the community and filling the columns of the press. The only opponents of an aggressive policy are supposed to be the Thad. Stevens Radicals. They may control Congress, but can they control the people? I said we are but at the beginning of the .new furor. It promi ses to grow in intensity irom uay to day. Seward's organ, the Times, is feeling the public pulse. Even the tribune crys for a Mexican do-snme thing policy. The reports are, today, that the Imperialists, who escaped from the City of Mexico, previous to its surrender, have fought their way into the mountains and have raised the standard of Ortega, and that the friends of that man (who is unquestionably the legitimate President of Mexico, according to the provisions of the Constitution)are joining them. The Juarezists arc spilling the blood of their opponents plentifully. Eighteen hundred prisoners have already been slaughtered in Quetitaro since the murder of the- Emperor. And while chaos reigns at the capitol and the victors arc blindly plunging through a carnival of blood, horc comes the friends of Ortega, with the Conststution on their side, and aided by the vengeful Imperialists, to throw the country into still greater contusion. Tire business depression North and South has forced thousands of ilien out of active employment, and should the President want volunteers, they would be forthcoming to a greater e'xtent than the occasion would need. The conquest of Mexico is certainly feasible; it would be a blessing to the unfortunate people, who have witnessed forty revolutions in forty years, *>b4 the cost of the job would be (imply repaid in the development of the internal resources of that magnificent land. The murder of the late Emperor caused quite as teach indignation in this republican metropolis, as in the fnonarchial capitals of the old world. Not because he was?n Emneroi-. but iettftfee he was a man tilled in de?anee of die rules of civilized warfare; *nd the' commonest dictates of hufntfnfty. fie was unjustly executed, because' he' was the head of a legitimate (though vanquished) power, recognized as such nearly every State in the world, and because the iauthority which condemned him was an usurpation, according to the terms of the (Constitution of Mexico. That instrument provided that when the term of the President should expire, and no general election for a succes sor could be bad, the Chief* Justice should become President cx officio. The Presidency of Juarez expired two years ago, and no election has been heffl, and Chief Justice Ortega is the legitimate President, if the Republic exists. Another excuse for Maximilian is that lie went to Mexico, after the repeated invitations of the then dominant faction?the Church party?of wealth, education and refinement in the country. Therefore, lie cannot be regarded in the character of an usurper. As to the charge that he himself inaugurated the slaughter of prisoners of war, it can be said, that his famous order was issued only when almost the last vestige of opposition to his government had disappeared, and when only a few companies of banditti roamed through the country. Juarez was a fugitive at El Paso, in the American territory, and the time had npparentl3r come to J outlaw the disturbers of the peace.? i When afterwards, through American influence, the liberals were able to restore vitality to their cause, MaxioAfl f a an Cavao ic Al'itnr Tn LLIliKl.il VV,?CV/V.l LU V.IUUIV.VHI.J UA Uv.. *?? this city, the entire daily press, with the exception of the Evening Post, (which is so crazy to hang Jeff. Davis,) condemned the execution of the Emperor. As far as I can learn, the same sentiment prevails throughout the press of America. But it is not unusual to find individuals here who glory over the barbarism of the Liberals. They are generally intense Radicals, who arc raving for more blood, blood, blood?provided it is ! not their own. Washington-, July 13.?A huge mass of correspondence between the Administration, General Grant and District Commanders have been made public. The correspondence shows that General Grant was strongly inclined toward the latitude claimed by Commanders under the old bills. A bill passed the House appropriating $1,675,000 for reconstruction. During the discussion, Eldvige spoke about the extravagance of District Commanders, alluding to Sickles as a greater harlequin than the Commander at New Orleans, and had read by the Clerk a newspaper article, speaking of displays made by Sickles, riding around Charleston in a coach and four. Bingham replied that it was fitting that a man who lost a leg in defence f 1 "i nwvni:? ? coach/?ri(i tour. Nothing important transpired in the Senate,-except the passage of the Reconstruction bill, which goes to the President. . Raymond was nominated for the Austrian mission, and Bancroft for the Prussian. It is now positively known that the State Department will await further development before formally moving in Santa Anna's case. The Reconstruction bill was signed by the proper officers of both Houses and presented to tlic President; In the House to-day a petition from the Legislature-of Arkansas for an appropriation to improve the Mississippi levee received a vote of 06 to 43, and was referred to the Committee 011 Appropriatio! s. " lis reception was opposed on the ground that Ar Kansas was not a state ana tlie Legislature could not petition. "Washington, July 15.?The President sent to the Senate the documents called for regarding reconstruction, and estimates the expense -of carrying out these bills at $14,000,000, in addition to the $2,100,000 already expended. This is the aggregate for governing those States before the war. This expense, continues the President, would be considerably augmented if State machinery should be operated by the Federal Government, and would be largely increased if the United States, by abolishing the State governments, should become responsible for liabilities incurred by 'them before the rebellion in laudable efforts to develop their own resources, and nowise coimecieu wiui iiisiUTeuwunury purposes. These debts will approximate $100,000,000, the greater part of which is due -to loyal citizens and foreigners. It is a subject for Congressional consideration whether the assumption of such obligations would not impair the national credit. July 15.?The House bill appropriating over $1,500,000 for reconstruction was reduced by amendment to $1,000,000 and passed by the Senate. Ayes?37. Nays?3. A bill foT the relief of certain deserters was referred to the Military Committee. The President's message suggesting liability for Southern State debts caused an animated debate, and heated demonstrations as inopportune and calculated to unsettle the finances. The message was ordered to be printed and the Senate adjourned. . ApublishinghouscinFrancc, issues 20.000 volumes a day the year round LETTER FROM GEN. SICKLES. < Gen. Sickles has addressed thefal- ' lowing letter to the ' Ilcm. Lyman ' Trumbull, Chairman Judiciary Committee, United States Senate: Charleston, S. C. July 5', 1867. My Dear Sir: I have decided not ' to begin registration in 'this district until Conrgess determines who shall be registered. I trust, therefore, that it will be the pleasure of Congress to : extend the time for the completion of my registration, until November. If I proceed now, and disregard the ' wishes of the President, mv action 1 would be regarded as insubordination; 1 if I follow his intimation?, many would probably be registered not cli-1 gible according to the true intcrprc- j tation of the Acts of Congress. If it is meant that all who have held any office?Federal, State, or munipal?having taken an oath of office to support the Constitution of the United States, and afterwards engaged in rebellion, or given aid, com fTvrt. pet., are disfranchised, this should be expressly declared; otherwise, if left to construction, it may be held that no other officers arc included than those classes enumerated in Article VI of the the Constitution, and that even as to these a full pardon removes the disqualification. If it is n cant to exclude lawyers, they should be expressly mentioned, or else described by some classification; as, for example, after the word "oi$cc," add "any licensed calling or employment or profession." Otherwise, if the eligibility of lawers be left to construction, it may be held that a lawer is not a public officer, although a functionary of a court or other judicial body; The. truth is wc have now in operation two distinct systems' of reconstruction, originated by Congress, and engrafted upon the President's plan of: reconstruction. 'The first Congressional plan is expressed in the Howard constitutional amendment leaving suffrage to be regulated by the several States, and imposing upon certain classes of persons .'disqualification for office, as a punishment for the futurcf. That plan having been refused by the rebel States, Congress passed the reconstruction Acts, which form a second scheme of reconstruction, entirely distinct in principle and plan from the former. In the second plan, Congress assumes the control of the question of suffrage, which is extended to all who can take a T~ 1 ' >' ' i? ' ' disqualification for office, which would, have been penal and conservative feature of the first plan. Now it seems to me that the true conservative guarantee against reaction is in the addition made to the loyal vote by the enfranchisement of the colored people. That being done, the occasion for the disqualification clause ceases. Ilcnec, the true solution, I believe, is to declare with universal suffrage, a general amnesty?naming the exceptions. A more liberal amnesty is, in my judgment, essential to the success of the Congressional plan of reconstruction. It will enlarge the range of popular choice for the important judicial, executive and leg/I /mnvflTWiri ftJ Ap fliA Qfofn rj'AU IMclll > U UV|'UI IUIVIIIO VI UIV WKVU. VA f crnments, otherwise inconveniently confined to classes very few of whom are fit to hold office. The people can surely be entrusted to judge and select from those who took part in the rebellion, the men at once qualified and sincere in their adhesion to the new order of things. Such men, being eligible to office, will have motives to identify themselves with reconstruction, and to support the views of the majority.? Now, more than ever, men, of ability and experience in public business arc needed for the State governments in the South; and it is truly uhfortunatc that at such a moment nearly all who know anything of public affairs, and especially those who could fill judicial stations, are disfraiichised^d'This exposes the experiment of general suffrage to needless hazards. If the experiment fail, it is most likely, to fail from inability of the people to in r\ fli />n f ll aoo urliA nnnl/1 ftnrl u'nnlfl i ^;ui/ ill ViilbC liiwog WI1V wum U/J1M ?? VU1U assure success. It would have been advantageous, perhaps, to have removed many disaffected persons, especially judges, sheriffs and magistrates, in ' the execution of the sixth section of the Act of March, if competent successors could have been found among those who are eligible to office. And I would regard tnc possession now of a wider field of choice for civil officers as one of the most effective instrumentalities in the cxe-, cution of the military authority conferred upon District Commanders. As it is, I find myself prevented, as will the people by and by, from securing for the public service, men of aptitude and character, whose rejpentancc is as certain as the devotion of the most consistent loyalist. In truth, the zeal of some of the converts out-runs the discretion of many of the faithful. With reference to ether practical suggestions, it might i he useful if Congress, by one its i committees, interrogated commanding j officers of the several Districts upon I the operation of the reconstruction ; Acts, arid the further legislation re- j quired. Verv respectfully, D. E. SICKLES. THE JOURNAL" Thursday, July 18, 1861 A Munificent Donation The melting charity, which lias rescued i our suffering po.or from starvation during this trying season. 1ms most deeply tou'licd the tenderest sensibilities of our people. Those of us above pressing want, have had our gratitude as deeply awakened, as those whose destitution was relieved,Tor \vc saw and appreciated the suffering and were powerless to relieve it. Our columns have recorded many acts of generosity in this connection, and we are now delighted to announce another, which has met the highest appreciation of our community and the liveliest satisfaction of the old friends of the donor. Mr. Benjamin Kxum, of Lexington Kentucky, a native of Kershaw District, and until his ninioritv. n well known and valued resident among us, but for more than twenty years a resident of Kentuckj-?:n his distant home, heard the wail of distress from the withered, lips of his parished starving old mother?his response was worthy of and characteristic of TIen Kxt'Jt, and revives in the hearts of his old friends, pleasing memories of his generous nature. Long may he be spared with abundant prosperity for such good deeds, and may a long quiet evening to his active life, give hint much happiness in the contemplation of this and kindred acts. The donation of Mr. Kxcm. consists of one hundred and twenty-five sacks of corn, one cask of bncor\, and two barrels of flour, which he shipped to his old friends, John M. l)f.-\\rssiTnr., James Dt.xi.ar, J. 1$. Ker-.. shaw, Jamf.s Chesxct and Wm. M. Siiaxxox, for distribution among the needy. These gentlemen, to Whose discretion the distribution was left, well knowing, and appreciating Mr. Exum and his motives, hare cndcavprcd to dischnrgc this duty* just as Mr. Excm would have done it if present. Reconstructed Reconstruction. The labor of the mountain is over, and Congress has brought forth the last (as yet) supplement to tho supplemental act. If anything could cause our venerable Uncle Sam to blush for the degeneracy of bis children, it appears to us, that this entire scries of bung ling legislation, without regard to the spirit of the measures adopted, would of nil other tilings, embarrass nnd annoy our aforesaid relative. If there is anything which he prides himself upon, it is in the capacity of "' r *, ; mmm r i rt to truth and justice, to suy. that so long as they confined themselves to their legitimate speciality, selfgovernment, they went far to justify his pride and confidence. But what a spectacle of incompetence to govern others, exhibited iil the legislation referred to! A reconstruction act is passed, and before it has been put into operation, a supplement is found- necessary to render it intelligible. The two acts are construed' by the able law* officer of the government, and Congress finds it necessary to convene, in the midst of the summer solstice, to inakc a new supplemental exposition of their meaning and intention. Before they can make themselves understood it is not at nil impossible that other supple inenls will yet be necessary. It is amazing, that the supreme legislative council of the nation, cannot find intelligent expression for their ideas of government. Perhaps it would be vain for lis to undertime to Construe the last, supplement, but as far as^wfc ctni^understand it, it does pot materially changc^th^ construction of the former acts, adopted in practice by the Military Governors. There is ft restriction of the pow.cr of appointment and removal from office, which did not formerly exist, and that is the clause, objecting action of that kind to the approval of General Grant. It is difficult to coirpi ch< nil tic ]oiiticn to which Gen* Grant is assigned in this connection. If he is considered ns a military commander, and exercising his functions us supervisor of the military rule of the conquered States, by virtue of bis office as General, then by the constitution of the United States, the President as commander in chief, may supervise his action. This evidently is not the intention of Congress, and we must therefore conclude that they have created a new office for the General, an office which supersedes the President so far as these Southern States are concerned, and in effect uuiuera upuu ueiierni vjkain j, supreme uui nority, legislative and judicial over these States. Because the power at will to remove and to appoint to office gives as absolute control over a people as any sovereign ever wielded. We do not object to the operation of the clause in question, because we think the power is safely entrusted to Genernl Grant whom we regard, as fair, just and reasonable, as any one to whom it could nave been committed, if any departure was necessary from the ordinary and constitutional forms. The Bill has been sent to the President for his veto and will no doubt, be passed by Congress, by the requisite majority. We copy the following synopsis of the Act from the Charleston Mercury, and will publish it in full next week. Section 1. The governments existing in the ten Southern States at the time of the passage of the Military act of March 2, 1SG7, and at the time of tho passage of the Supplementary act of March 23, 1867, were not legal State governments, if continued, wero continued subject in all respects to the respective District Commanders nixl to Congress. Section 2. All District Commanders -i"1 .'.ii'l!*..... J. j -."j. < have power to remove or suspend-any ! officer or person holding office under flie authority of any State government or any municipal division thereof, and to fill all vacancies however caused, by the' appoinfmcii't en* d'etat! of an army officer, soldier or other person, subject to the disapproval of General Grant Section 6. General Grant has the same powers of removal and appointment of civil officers that are given to \ District Commanders. Section 4. All removals or appoint-' racnts of civil officers already made by ! District Commanders arc confirmed.? i Any person already or to be appointed | may be removed by them or by Gener- : al Grant, and is made the duty of Die- i tvict Commanders to remove from office i all persons who are disloyal or who use their official influence in any manner , to hinder the administration of the Mil itary acts. Section 5. Hoards of Registration ( have the power and it is their duty to ; decide whether any person proposingj to register is entitled to be registered. ( The registration oath shall not be con- j elusive; the board may take evidenco | upon oath, and none shall be registered j but such as the board shall dec are to | be qualified. No person shall, on ac-1 couutofraco or color, be disqualified; !iq n itipmliprnf nnv Board of Itorristra- I tioii. Section G. Under the registration oath, amongst other things, no person who has been a member of the Legislature of any State, or who has held : any executive or judicial office in nnv J State, whether he has taken nr. oath to support the constitution or not, and whether lie was holding such otfice at the commencement of the rebellion, or had hold it before, and afterwards engaged in rebellion, or gave aid and comfort thoreto, is entitled to be registered or to vote, and the words " executive or judicial officer" shall include all civil offices created by law for the administration of any general law of a State, or for the administration of justice. Section 7. Tlio time tor completing registration may be extended by District Commanders to October 1, 18G7, and Boards of Kegistratton are required to reviso the registration lists prior to any election, and to striko oft' any persons already registered that they may decide to bo disqualified, and to add.such as they may decide to be qualified. No executive pardon shall entitle the person so pardoned to register or vote if he is otherwise disqualified. Section 8. District Commanders are authorized to remove members of and fill vacancies in Boards of Registration. Section 9. All membors of Boards of 1?.Aoristrntion. and all riersons hereafter entered or appointed to civil office by the Distriet Commanders, shall take The iron-clad oath. Section 10. No District Commander, member of the Board of Registration, or any appointee or officer acting under them shall be bound by any opinion of any civil officer of the United States. Section 11. The provisions of the Military and Supplementary acts shall be construed liberally to the end that all the intents thereof may be fully ancl'. perfectly ^xied out. ^ ^ Another Large^Tomato. Or. D. rVDESACssuiir. lias placed upon our table a Tomato 'Weighing one pound and two ounces. The Dr. is ijuite a successful j gardener, has an abundance of all kind of; vegetables of the finest kind.' lie exhibited O - si cabbage,_^a few days since, weighing sixteen pounds, after taking off the superfluous leaves. A Curiosity. Abram Marks, a freedtnan, has left at our office a curiosity in the shape of an ear of corn, taken from his garden in Camden. It consists of a large ear, surroundingly by eight small ones, iillcd with well developed and full grown grains. A Step is the mniit Direction.?A company with a capital of $527,00 paid in, has been formed in Itichmond for the purpose < f purchasing land in Virginia, for the erection of manufactories and developing the mineral resources of the State. IS. S. Hajimx, of Ohio, is President, and Taos. II. Wynne, of Virginia, Secretary. FOR THE CAMDEN JOOTtXAL. Charades and Tableaux. Those of our readers who enjoyed with us the entertainmen t given under the Datri'naire of some of the vounsr la X U V O dies of Camden, in aid of Grace Church, Monday evening, will concur in the opinion from which we hear no dissent, lhat it was most creditable to all concerned. The correctness and good taste displayed in the costumes, the unusually clever ac ing, the graceful and easy account and singularly, proper appreciation of the humor' and point of the pieces performed displayed by the young ladies and gentlemen without exception, inspired us with as much surprise as pleasure, for the player's ait is of all others the most difficult. We would also commend the spirit of diffidence {and yet of determination to do their best under circumstances not very ady.antageous to their success,) | evinced by the actors, and wo thought j that their interesting entertainment I might have been most admirably pro- ; loguod. after .tho style of Peter Quince. If we offend it is with our good will, IJut with good will; to <?Ju>w our simple skill, 1 That is the true beginning of our end,- V Consider then, we come but in despite, ^ We do not conic ns minding to content you, Our true intent is. nil for your delight., We are not here, that you should here repent you." A We will now discuss the performan-" m ces as they appeared fo lis in order*? The first, Matri-mony (a Charade) the" 1 play upon tlie sotind of which worcl'ur e-sily perceived; being one which verjj' many modem mas, endeavored to realize,and pursue as diligently as the alche^mists of old did tho fabled stone, the' elements of tydiich being once discov-' ^ eved they could transmute, (ifit pleased * A them so to do,) the solid form of Tellus ' Jj into the adorable metal burden and: 1 miglity shoulders of Atlas with the pro- * 1 cious burdens in the aforesaid enact-' ment. ICaty was as perfect a speci-*' men of the disease in its mildest and iuost easily, subdued type I have ever .seen; she first deliberately (by a course of most logical reasoning) comes to the . conclusion that it is infectious or atmos- " pheric (I forget which) and that she inevitably contract it whereupon she must proceed to affect the usual necessary symptoms, and so progrosses through all" the subsequent stages of tho Fobris Amoris until the critical period arrives. The denotement public announcement of ^ lier engagement when sho deports herself us usual sans froid; and now having weathered the worst phase of the disease we must bid her adieu,^hopingshe will convalesce rapidly. Dennis, the cause, the fatal cause of tho j above mentioned infliction on the gentle and amiable Katv, a<ted his port with inimitab:e discretion, and under-. 1 stood his cue so perfectly as to leave us under the impression that it was a role which he might possibly have performed on a precedent occasion with a more determined and serious intention. The] other actors in tho Charade' entertained us very agreeably, but our spac? only permits mention of the most prominent. \ The interval occurring for the arrangement of the stage for the noxfc piece, was very agreeably passedaway. by several songs from some of the young: gentlemen.- Their skill as vocalists,-being already known and appreciated.by the public, approbation on our part*.' would be superfluous. ; ; Tho next on programme, Aladdin, or the wonderful Lam r, a tale of East era, as also ol Western celebrity, was most tastefully arranged and well carried through. The widow Ifustapha, shall, have precedence in our notice, as well as in the play. "We must, " how6veiv | while giving her due credit for the ease ! and natural grace, with which Bhe' charmed us iu her part of the performance, criticise somewhat itiar styio'.of dross and feature, which to be candid,* brought much more vividly before us, the picture ofaGrccean, than a Chinese, widow. The Pincess Padroul Padour was decidedly, the star of the evening'; and was much admired by-everyone." The Prince Aladdin was beautifully ar! .1 -- 1 i! k 1 -i? if. ruyeu, aa ueuaum uie pusseabtw ui zne wonderful lamp; and performedhi* part with ease and elegance. The Phantom was next enacted, an<I was decidedly the most mirth-provoking; part of the performance. Many times, during the performance, "laughter holding both his sides," claimedhis undisputed prerogative, and shook the whole assembly simultaneously and convulsively.. Jclics was in his element, and deserv ed to be encored morejthan once, but the audience not being accustomed to entertainments of this character,. did not accord him his deserved meed of praise. ii ' .i-t::? t Altogether, .the affair passed off most creditably and favorably. Every one seeming well pleased with the way in which they had whiled away the evening: hours. * . AVo would suggest, after the display ' of taste and talent witnessed by us, oh Monday evening, that in future, the young people of our town need never be at a loss for amusement, as the field of private theatricals, would be both beneficial and interesting, and would be a capital sphool for the development of grace and ease, and the exhibition * of beauty. FOR THE CAMDEN JOURNAL. .*.? 'tl > Mr. Editor: The agricultural co\t umn in your paper, is a very important one, and we are glad to observe. { that it meets your attention, and that, the selections for it are made with a practical regard to our condition. You evidently appreciate that " old things have passed away," an$ old systems will not do for agricultural interests now. An article in your last issue, 11 what shall we dp," taken from the. " Southern Cultivator," is full of wisdom, and calculated to be of great practical benefit. Its text is " to spend , J