UNITED STATES.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, 1 December 1855, Page 3

UNITED STATES.

[From the Melbourne Age, October 5.]

Washington, July 4, 1855. The past fortnight has been excessively warm, and has afforded as little of incident as even the most imaginative of correspondents could well desire. I write on the National Anniversary — a sultry morning — all tho bells in the city ringing out a fearful discord — distant drams in several directions — explosions of guns, pistols, and fire-crackers everywhere — tho beginning of a holiday of parade, display, and general jubilee and dissipation. We have two grand celebrations to-day in Washington — a national celebration andean American celebration. President Pierce heads the former and Major Towers the latter. Tho population will be about equally divided. The feeling is growing virulent between the two parties. The Know-Nothings appear confident of their strength and future ability to manifest it. The Administration hates their secret opposition, and is determined to omit no means of crushing it, if such means exist. Twenty odd removals of Know-Nothings were mado in June from tho Departments, and the President declares that ho will not knowingly permit any member of that party, nor any sympathizer with it, to remain in office under tho G-overnment. Many of those he has appointed aro Whig", who have taken decided, position in tho ranks of tho organized Anti-Know-Nothings, who are the President's party. John Wilson, Commissioner of tho General Land Office, is among the dismissed. This has created a sensation everywhere, for the whole republic contains no abler officer. It is decidedly averse to the interests of that office, and it is a pity that either Know-No-thingism or the President himself should have feelings, the gratification of which is paramount to the promotion of tho public welfare. But very many Whigs aro falling into lino on the President's side in this matter, and his administration will for a time be greatly strengthened in consequence of the issue thus made. I still do not believe, however, that a national contest will arise upon this question. The Slave States will unquestionably hold it subordinate to their own idea, and the free States appear determined to hold up Free-Boilism and the irresponsibility of the nation on the subject of slavery as tho ioundation principles of every party organization. We i may as well stare this state of facts right straight in the face. What is teohically called the " Frcesoil " question is the leading question beforo the nation, and will so continue until an issue shall decide that new slave States may or may not be admitted into the Union. There have been many disunion panics in past times, in none of which have I ever sympathized, nor do I now realize a panic ; but the moat perfectly flat-footed and square-toed conflict wo have ever seen since the adoption of the Constitution, is just a little way before us. Its terms, so simple that all may understand them, are negatively expressed by the Free States, their Abolitionists excepted, as follows : — "Slavery is a State, not a National institution. "A3 it is a State institution, each Stnte has within itself exclusivo jurisdiction over it. 1

"As it is not National, the nation cannot create nor sustain it (and it cannot exist without being legislatively created and sustained) in tho District of Columbia nor in the territories. "As it ha?, therefore, no legal existence in the territories, tho admission of a new slavo State- is in reality tho creation of slavery, which, though it does not enslave men now free, afivcts tho wholo social character of the State to the degree that tho creation of such an institution enn affect it."

Tho responsibility of the creation of slavery in a novr Stato will, therefore, rest upon all who vote for tho reception of such a State into the Union. Such is the Free State mode of stating the case. How will the free States deeido the question that arises under it ? That remains to be sceir, and that is tho question of tho day.

Recent elections in Norfolk and New Orleans have resulted unfavourably to tho Know-Nothings, and given strong hopes to their adversaries ; which in this city the course adopted by tho Executive, and perhaps other causes, have produced porno recantations. It was for a time believed hero that tho- validity of the election of Know-Nothings to tho city offices would be contested, but tho contest has been wisely waived. Your municipal elections are also held to be an indication of tho unexpected weakness of that party. A serious accident recently occurred at Old Point Comfort. One of tho boilers' in the Ordnaneo department exploded, and set fire to the machine shop, which was burned to tho ground. Tho workmen were engaged in preparing fireworks for the 4th of July. Two or three persons were badly hurt, and one was killed. The loss of property is estimated at 100,000 dollar?.

The total number of land-warrants issued up to th» 30th of June, was 7,. r >oo. The applications allowed so fur have been 11,08 k Tho number of applications received has been 181,500. Warrants sell at 8 dollars 10 cents, and 1 dollar 11 cents. Tho Pensionofßco has juat commenced issuing eighty-aero warrants.

News of fino growing crops continue- to reach us from nearly every section of tho country, and unless some sudden blight assails the crops, wo havo reason to anticipate a plentiful harvest.

Tho following was telegraphed from all parts of the Union to the Sun Francisco Herald, just previous to the sailing of tho steamers for California. It contains tho principal items of news from tho East up to the latest moment : —

Desthttctive Fi*vc in BALTmonr. — Baltimore, July 5. — Last evening the pork-packing establishment of Roloson and Co. was totally destroyed by firo. It was one of tho largest houses in tho city. Yesterday's celebration passed off hero with much animation, and without any aocident of note.

Explosion ov tue Steameu Lexinotox. — Buffalo, July 5. — The explosion of the steamer Lexington, previously reported, occurred near Stephensport during the trip on Sunday last, and out of the wholo number on board only one escaped uninjured, excepting the ladies, all of whom were saved. About 40 aro reported to havo boon killed. Seniors and Fatal Riot in Onio. — Columbus, July 5. — Yesterday evening, as a procession of firemen, turners, and others were parading the streets, a difficulty arose between one of the turners and a boy, when an alarm was sounded by the turners, and they all rushed back, assaulting and throwing stones at tho people in tho street?. Tho riot then became general, and tho turners bring armed witli revolvers, commenced firing upon the crowd. Over ft dozen pistols were discharged, and one young man was so severely wounded, that ho died within half nn hour. Many others were- badly injured by shot and stone, but but none it is believed fatally. The police have arrested twenty-four turner?, ' against whom public opinion is very decided, as there appears to be no excuse whatever for their conduct.

The Celebiutiox op the Fouhtit. — Boston*, July 5. — The celebration of yesterday passed off with more than usual comfort, 'owing to a refreshing breeze. Quite a number of accidents occurred from gunpowder explosions, and one man driving an express waggon was thrown from his seat find killed. Terribt/c Explosion op Gtn'powdeii. — About five minutes before 3 o'clock, p.m., on the 2d August, the neighbourhood of Washington-street, below Montgomery, was startled by tho explosion of some fifteen or twenty pounds of gunpowder in the office of L. E. Ritter and Co., bankers and exchange-brokers, afc No. 1 14, Washington- street. The report of the explosion and the simultaneous crashing of glass and woodwork, as the fragments were hurled across tho street in every direction, caused tho sudden assemblage of a large crowd, and an indescribable scene of confusion ensued for a time, completely baffling tbe endeavours of tho police to prevent, the crowd from rushing in and taking entire possession of the shattered building. It appear* that Kilter and Co. hold a mortgage for about 15,000 dollars upon tho property of a man named Bryan! , aivl that the latter is either wwahlo or unwilling to rai«e the mortgage or to pay the rate of i*it"re«t charge! by the firm. Ritter has threatened to foreclo^ the mortcng; 1 , and on tho day named Bryant c.dletl at th? otlice several time", with the view

of obtaining some further accommodation, which Mr. Ritter refused. The lower floor of tho building was divided by a partition into three apartments, the middle room being occupied by the firm as a private office. About half-past two o'clock, Bryant entered the private office with a carpet-bag, which he placed upon the floor near the door, and commenced a conversation with Mr. Ritter, who sat at a desk on tho opposite side of the room. Mr. Rifctcr called to his clerk in the front office, and requested him to invite the attendance of two gentlemen, named Lequin and Dubois, who happened to bo near at hand, and were immediately in attendance. At the expiration of a few moments after the entrance of tho latter, Bryant opened the door leading to the front office and handed a paper to one of the clerks, telling him to read it. He then deliberately informed tho three gentlemen that he intended to blow up the building, and warned them to leave ; but before they could recover from the startling effects of his warning, he drew from his pocket a small pistol and fired into tho carpet; bag, which, it appears, was filled with gunpowder contained in tin flasks. The explosion demolished every article of furniture on the lower floor, tearing dowu the partitions and throwing large fragments 1 through the windows into tho street; but, singularly enough, neither of the four were scarcely injured. Bryant is badly burnt about the face, and the skin is entirely burned from his arms and hands. Mr. Ritter sustained no personal injury, although the spectacles which lie wore were shattered into fragments. Messrs. Lequin and Dubois were each slightly bruised, and one of the clerks in the front office received a severe cut on the head, from which the blood flowed quite copiously. Tho following is a correct translation of the paper given to the clerk by Bryant. Tho paper was written in French :—": — " Read all This, and Fear Nothing. — Sirs — Without leaving a word to others except the clerk, and this privately, I wish you to warn all the neighbours that within five minutes this house will bo blown up. This carpet bag ia filled with powder, and I will set firo fo it ; therefore tell all the neighbours to keep away from here. Go first and warn the people of this house, if there bo any here. I will wait until you have warned them. Be careful. I leave this responsibility on your conscience. You have nothing to fear ; make tho most haste possible." It appears that upon reading tho paper, the clerk rushed up stairs to alarm the occupants, but had barely time to mako known his mission when the explosion took place. The degree of panic among the up-stairs occupants may be imagined, as this alarming announcement was followed by an explosion which shook the building to its foundation. Bryant rushed into the street, and was apsisted to on apothecary establishment, where his wounds were partially dressed. He was subsequently removed to tho hospital in Stockton-street, and a police officer was detailed to remain with him. His injuries are quite unimportant, considering his proximity to tho bag of gunpowder when tho explosion took place