ciplined troops.

Recent events prove their indomitable courage, and promise a speedy reduction of the rebel forces to complete submission.

One word as to the course pursued towards this country by foreign nations. Hitherto the great reproach thrown upon us in England and on the continent of Europe, has been the existence of slavery in the Southern States-a reproach in which we of the North have been compelled to share. How often was the American traveller compelled to hang his head with shame when this infamy of our country has been brought home to him abroad, to which no answer could be given to palliate its enormity. But now, when the existence of this evil has led to a rebellion against the Government, and an honest effort is made to extirpate it if possible from our land, what is the course taken by the foreign powers on this subject? Little short of an open alliance with slave owners and slave dealers! There is one bright exception to the unprincipled course pursued by those governments. I refer to the example of Russia, not only in setting free millions of serfs of its own empire, but by sustaining our own Government in resisting the rebellious hordes of the South. Despotic Russia against constitutional England!

But I shall not dwell on these topics so pregnant with matter of the deepest interest --let us hope that a change has at length come over the minds of the European governments with which this country has been so long at peace, a change produced by the knowledge of their mistake in sustaining pretensions so much opposed to the best interests of mankind. And should the result be to extirpate slavery from the shores of the New World, they will rejoice with us and thank Heaven for a consummation so much to be desired.

Among many interesting and patriotic letters, the following were received :—

HON. HAMILTON FISH'S LETTER.

NEW YORK, Feb. 21, 1862. GENTLEMEN:-Absence from the City has prevented an earlier acknowledgment of your invitation to the Republican Union Festival, in commemoration of WASHINGTON'S Birthday. Another engagement for to-morrow evening prevents its acceptance; but I most cordially unite with you in congratulations on the return of the day, now more than ever joyous and welcome, by reason of the recent achievements of our national arms in maintenance of that Government of which WASHINGTON was the founder, and of that Constitution of which he was the first administrator, and of that Union which he so truly pronounced the palladium of our political safety and prosperity. I unite with you in earnest prayers, that our victories may be continuously repeated; and that blow may follow blow, strong, quick, constant, and everywhere, till every vestige of rebellion be crushed, and treason ground to the earth. And I rejoice with you that this period of our country's trial has shown the heart of the people strong in attachment to our National Union; as it has also shown their power mighty to uphold the integrity of the nation, to vindicate its authority, and to maintain its existence.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully yours,

HAMILTON FISH.

Messrs. ELLIOT C. COWDIN, and others.

COMPTROLLER HAWS' LETTer.

CITY

COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Feb. 22, 1862.

MY DEAR SIR: I regret my inability to be present at the Republican Union Festival this evening, having accepted a previous invitation of a similar character for the same

hour. Added to the enjoyments incident to your social reunion, will be the gratification that he whose memory you delight to honor was one of the leading spirits in the formation of a Government which, since your last festal gathering, has successfully resisted a rebellion of the most stupendous proportions, and has thus vindicated its supremacy as a leading power among the nations of the earth. Be assured that I am with you in spirit.

Very respectfully yours,

ELLIOT C. COWDIN, Chairman, &c.

ROBERT T. HAWS.

The festivities were prolonged until a late hour, and wound up with patriotic singing. The success of the affair was greatly forwarded by the following Committee of Arrangements: Elliot C. Cowdin, Henry Smith, John Fitch, Henry W. Smith, Spencer Kirby, Wm. S. Opdyke, James H. Welsh, Jos. D. Costa, G. W. Jaques, Joshua G. Abbe.

SOVEREIGNTY.

A DIALOGUE.

A. How are you neighbor B?

What is the news in Frankfort? B. Good afternoon, neighbor A. There appeared to be little talked of except the result of the recent election for members of the Legislature, and the great rebellion of the Southern States against the National Government.

A. I am very sorry, neighbor B, that you insist on calling the United States a "national government," and the withdrawal of a portion of the States from the Union "a great rebellion." The idea of "a national government" completely denies the sovereignty of the States of which the Union is composed; while if the States which have withdrawn and formed the Confederate States are in a state of "rebellion," there is an end to all individuality of the States, and to the possession by the States of any rights except those which the Constitution and the Laws of the United States may see fit to bestow on them.

B. Well, neighbor A, I had no idea of stirring up your anger to this extent, by the simple use of ordinary language in answering your question, but since you have felt so indignant on the subject of my remarks, it may be well to remind you that I deny the existence of any sovereignty in the States, and assert that our government is a "national" government; that the people of the United States are "one people," and that Jeff. Davis, and those who act with him, from Virginia to Texas, are "rebels" and "traitors," and that I think I can give good reasons for

my

belief.

300.24

212(3) 2.99.13)

A. If I became excited, in a small degree, by the use of the word "national" as applied to the General Government, and that of "rebellion" when applied to the secession of the Confederate States, it appears to me that you have become much more so in your reply, and in the explanation of your sentiments. I pray you, however, inform me what evidence you have to sustain the peculiar sentiments you have advanced?

B. If there has been any warmth exhibited in my remarks, I ask your pardon; and I will endeavor, as well as I can, in the few minutes I have at my disposal, to show my reasons for the sentiments which I have set forth. As facts are better than theory in this matter, where time is limited, allow me to remind you that, throughout the earlier history of the several colonies, each of them had its separate set of grievances, and struggled hopelessly-because singly-for redress, with the mother country, until the Stamp Act of 1765 was passed, and served as a general bond of union through which the thirteen became one people—with one set of grievances, demanding redress with one voice. The first General Congress was held in that year, and to that Congress, and to those which succeeded it, the management of the affairs of the United Colonists was entrusted. This unity of the people secured the repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766; and in the name of the same united people-not in the name of the several parts or States-the General Congress of 1776, declared the Independence of the United States-not of each State separately-on the 4th of July, in that year. The same united people-first as "the Continent," and afterwards as "The United States of America"-met the armies of the King and conquered its Independence; and after an unsuccessful experiment with State Sovereignty, under the Articles of Confederation, the same "People of the United States," "in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to themselves and their posterity," ordained and established the Constitution of the United States, under which both you and I live, and to which we are both subject as the supreme law of the land. You will, therefore, see that the people of the colonies were united into one-E PLURIBUS UNUM-in 1765, and as such led on the mighty Revolution which gradually broke up the sentiments of loyalty which had bound them to the Mother Country; that when the