THE UNITED STATES. THREE EVENTS have transpired since our last which have caused no little excitement in political circles, and which are invested with sufficient importance to claim a leading place in our retrospective glance at the events of the month. We allude to the removal of Governor Reeder, of Kansas; the Wheeler Slave case in Philadelphia, and the Election Riots of Louisville, Kentucky. Here are three topics which interest men of all parties and opinions, and strike different minds in different aspects. In recurring to the main facts we shall endeavor to offer no opinion but such as we honestly believe to be justified by the circumstances, and to draw no conclusions or moral reflections that are not intended, in good faith, to result in good impressions.

Gov. REEDER-KANSAS.-The removal of Mr. Reeder from the governorship of Kansas Territory, although not entirely unexpected, has been received with very decided disapprobation by the press and people of all parties. Of course, there are many who will justify the government in its course on this question; but we take it as a foregone conclusion that the verdict of the Future will be very decided in condemning the act. Many prominent and influential democratic organs speak out boldly against the act as one of doubtful policy and palpable wrong, while we are satisfied that the sober-thinking people of the South will unite in the same judgment. Under the compromise by which Missouri was admitted into the Union, a sacred compact entered into by the representatives of the different States, a broad wilderness of territory was set apart for Freedom on condition that another great and valuable tract should remain open to Slavery. The South, unmolested, took possession of its share and converted it into three States, rich in their resources and potent in their political influence. For more than a quarter of a century both parties were satisfied with the compact and our sacred Union remained impact. Then a proposition

is made by a representative of the North, acting without instructions from his constituents, to violate this time-honored compromise by throwing the territory of the North open to the peculiar institution of the South. This was one of the most remarkable movements in the history of our government. It was not based upon petition-it had not been agitated by newspaper discussion-the Southern States had NOT demanded it-the masses of the North were opposed to it, as events since transpiring have proved. More than this, the party which became the sponsor for the deed, had declared, a year before, in their National Convention, that they would resist all agitation of the Slavery question, "in Congress or out of it." The authors of the measure could not be blind to the fact that the introduction of this question into Congress, under such extraordinary circumstances, must convulse the Union with an agitation hitherto unparalleled on this question. They were warned that this would be the result-they were besought to avert the impending calamity. The friends of the measure, speaking in behalf of the administration in power, replied by giving the most positive assurances that the organization of the new territory should be based upon the democratic principle of "popular sovereignty"-that the will of the settlers, be it what it might, should be untrammeled in determining the institutions of the new territory. It turns out that a majority of the settlers are in favor of a free State. The boasted doctrine of "popular sovereignty" is outraged and set at defiance by an armed band from Missouri, who make an incursion upon the polls and ballot-boxes, securing that by intimidation which they could not do through a legal expression of the will of the actual settlers in the territory. The government of the new territóry was taken from its own citizens and controlled by a foreign power. The federal government is appealed to for aid. It affords none. The appeal is backed by the Governor himself, who

had been personally and grossly assaulted by the leader of the lawless gang. Still it is unheeded. Gathering courage from impunity, the invaders seize the machinery of territorial_government, and openly avow their determination to force upon the settlers an institution repugnant to them. They drive their elected representatives from their seats and fill them with tools of their own. The Governor refuses to acknowledge their authority. The mob defies him, and boldly threatens his removal. The President yields. Gov. Reeder is removed, under the pretext that he had been engaged in land speculations illegally-but this is even repudiated by the pro-slavery men of Kansas, who are familiar with all the facts, and who insist on his removal being based on other grounds. We regret this act, because we love the Union of these States-because we recognize a BROTHER in an American citizen, whether his lot chance to be cast north or south of Mason and Dixon's line. The series of acts, to which Gov. Reeder's removal is the consummation to be most devoutly regretted, has thrown a fresh firebrand of agitation into northern feeling without even a prospect of advantaging the South; and we feel assured that our southern readers will join with us in these regrets-even though regret come too late!

THE WHEELER SLAVE CASE.-Perhaps there is no judicial act upon record in the country, certainly not in the State of Pennsylvania, which has called forth such an emphatic expression of sentiment as this, the facts of which are briefly as follows: John H. Wheeler, of Virginia, United States Minister to Nicaragua, attempted to pass through Pennsylvania with three of his slaves -a woman and her two children, boys -although he certainly knew that, according to our laws, the moment the master voluntarily brought his slaves on Pennsylvania soil they became free. He remained several hours in Philadelphia, where he continued to hold his slaves in direct defiance of our State law. This coming to the knowledge of some colored people, one of their number at once apprised Passmore Williamson, an esteemed and respectable citizen of the fact, who went to the boat on which Mr. Wheeler had embarked with the mother and her children, and told her that if she wished to be free she was no longer under any

law by which she could be held. Loud words ensued between Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Williamson, and the slaves were taken off the boat by several negroes who had gone there for that purpose. The woman said she wanted to be free and had intended to be so when she reached New York. Williamson was brought before Judge Kane, of the U. S. District Court, under a process requiring him to produce the slaves. He answered to the writ that they were not and had not been in his possession or under his control. For this Judge Kane committed him to prison for "contempt," without bail or mainprise, where he still lies, and must lie until it may please Judge Kane to liberate him! This is an exercise of power which is well calculated to excite alarm. If Judge Kane has the power to commit Passmore Williamson to a prison cell, at discretion, what guarantee has any other person for his liberty! We do not say that Mr. Williamson committed no offence-but we do say that Judge Kane should have held him for those offenses or handed him over for trial under any laws he had outraged. If he committed an assault and battery on Mr. Wheeler, or created a riot, why not hold him for these offences, and not, despot-like, say, in effect, You have treated ME contemptuously and I will make you suffer! The power of committing for contempt is a discretion which should be exercised by judges with great caution, and only in extreme cases-indeed, it is doubtful whether such a tyrannical discretion should be reposed in any one man. The exercise of it in this case will certainly have the contrary effect which Judge Kane and his friends no doubt anticipated. It will have the effect of making more abolitionists than could have been effected by a whole campaign of antislavery speeches. Mr. Wheeler certainly had no legal right to bring his slaves into this State-he did so at his own risk-and he ought, knowing the probable consequences, to have been willing to put up with them. What the result may be, is still in doubt, and a matter of much interest to the whole community.

THE LOUISVILLE RIOTS.-The late election in Louisville, Kentucky, was attended with one of the most disgraceful and bloody riots which have ever disgraced our country. The details have no doubt been seen by all our readers,

who are as capable of forming an opinion on the causes which led to the disgraceful issue as we are. It was a lawless contest between the "Americans" and the "foreigners"—the "Know Nothings" and "Sag Nichts"--but which party were the first aggressors is still a matter of dispute-the organs of both parties, as usual in such cases, favoring each their own side of the question. Not less than twenty lives were lost and a number of houses destroyed during the progress of the riot, which commenced on Monday afternoon, and were renewed on Tuesday morning. The lesson which we would draw from this deplorable encounter is apparent. While it is the duty of every citizen to exercise his voice in the administration of government, by depositing his ballot in a quiet and independent manner, all should be particularly careful to guard against that wild fanaticism of parties which often arrays class against class, and even brother against brother. Political demagogues, who take advantage of popular excitements to strengthen their own party or their chances of political promotion, should be discountenanced and rebuked by every honest citizen. From all we can gather from the published details, we have no doubt that the responsibility of these riots rests upon the wire-pulling demagogues of partisan politics.

THE AUGUST ELECTIONS.-Charles S. Morehead, formerly a moderate whig, and Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives and member of Congress, has been elected Governor of Kentucky by some seven or eight thousand majority. He was the American candidate and opposed to Beverly M. Clark, the democratic candidate.

He

succeeds Lazarus M. Powell, (dem.,) and is elected for four years. The new Legislature is also Know Nothing as well as the entire State ticket. Of members of Congress six American and three Opposition are chosen, so far as heard from.....In Alabama, John A. Winston (dem.) is elected Governor by about 5,000 majority over George D. Shortridge, American. The Legislature is democratic, and the congressional delegation will stand five Demoerats to two Know Nothings.....In North Carolina, it is now pretty well ascertained, the Congressional delegation will stand five Democrats and three Know Nothings.....In Tennessee, Gov.

Andrew Johnson (dem.) has been reelected Governor by a small majority over Mr. Gentry, American. The contest appears to have been close in that State-though Johnson's majority may reach 2,000. The Americans have secured a majority of the Congressional delegation.

A STATE TEMPERANCE CONVENTION WAS held at Reading on the 7th ult. Delegates were present from every representative district in the State, and the greatest enthusiasm and unanimity prevailed in all the proceedings. Hon. Henry K. Strong, Speaker of the House, presided. A series of resolutions were adopted, in which a determination was expressed to sustain the Restraining License Law, until it is repealed for a law of entire Prohibition. The reports from different counties were highly encouraging, and the friends of Temperance will go into the fall campaign with an energy which deserves and will no doubt secure victory.

Hon. JoHN S. DAWSON, to whom the President tendered the Governorship of Kansas, in place of Governor Reeder, removed, has declined the office and ex-Governor Shannon, of Ohio, has been appointed. Mr. S. has accepted and is on his way to the new Territory. Mr. S. is a Nebraska democrat.

THE Massachusetts Bible Society has distributed 15,000 Bibles and 30,000 Testaments, the last year, at home and abroad, a portion of them having been furnished to the allied soldiers before Sebastopol. The Home Missionary Society has collected $48,000 the past year.

THE OLD WORLD.

The news from the seat of war since our last is not important. By the Baltic we learned that the Russians made a sortie on the 24th of July, but were repulsed. The loss is not mentioned in the despatches published. It is rumored that a secret expedition is preparing, which is to attempt to force a passage into Sebastopol harbor, at the same time that a grand assault will be made by the land forces. The French continue to approach the Malakoff. The positions occupied by the Allies and the Russians in the open field are unchanged. The British fleet in the Sea of Azoff has destroyed the bridge of boats at Genitsch, without incurring any loss. The operat on in the Baltic have not been important. The preparations for a campaign on the

Danube continue. The Bushi Bazouks at Constantinople have mutinied and committed great excesses. A formidable insurrection has occurred among the Arabs in Tripoli. The Russians remain near Kars, but have not invested the city. The French loan has been all taken. The uneasiness in Spain has been mostly allayed. The British Ministry having made a narrow escape from defeat, on the question of the Turkish loan bill, will be able to retain their position. The bill is progressing.

The Asia's news informs us that Mr. Roebuck's motion for a vote of censure on the government, after being debated at great length, was thrown out in the House of Commons by a majority of 107. The Palmerston Ministry has therefore a new lease of life. The general prospects of the war were not encouraging. The successes and losses of the Allies before Sebastopol seem to be about equally balanced. The Sardinian and Turkish forces have again withdrawn from the valley of Baider to Balaklava. The report is confirmed that the Russians have received reinforcements. Accounts from Asia state that the Russian army, under General Muravieff, had invested Kars, while a small army corps had advanced upon Katais, and was pressing the Turkish garrison of Batoum. The Black Warrior dispute with the United States is definitely settled, the Spanish government agreeing to pay an indemnity of a million reals.

FOREIGN MISCELLANY.-Gen. Simpson, it is said, has forwarded his resignation of the British command in the Crimea to his government. The example would be followed by Omer Pasha. General Pelissier is not satisfied with the strict surveillance over his acts by the Emperor of France, and may throw up his command in disgust.....The English and French journals seem to be laboring under mortal disquietude as to the probability of an Austrian alliance with Russia.....Queen Victoria will visit Paris after all. Another account says that she will do so on the 17th, and that Louis Napoleon shortly afterwards will proceed to the Crimea.....It is asserted that the supposed expedition against Odessa will in reality be employed in a grand naval and military operation against the harbor of Sebastopol. One hundred ships and forty thousand men are to take part in the * attempt to force the entrance to the

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port, whilst a simultaneous attack is to be made from the land. Preparations are also making for another campaign in Bessarabia....The visit of the Prince of Prussia to St. Petersburg is mystifying all the political quid nuncs.....The Paris journals announce the death of the widow of Lucien Bonaparte, brother of the Emperor Napoleon I., in her 77th year... Among the deaths of Russian officers reported from the Crimea are those of Admiral Nachimoff and Major Todtleben. The latter distinguished officer was the son of a shopkeeper in Riga, and won his way by his talents to the rank of captain of engineers.... Advices from Barcelona speak of the ruinous effects of the insurrection in Spain. Many of the influential manufacturers and opulent individuals had left, or were preparing to leave that city; 500,000,000 reais had been withdrawn from circulation, and thousands of the working population have been reduced to hopeless beggary.....A letter from Warsaw says that Prince Paskiewitch is about to resume the command of the Russian troops on the Danubian frontier, at the urgent request of the new Emperor.....Louis Napoleon has gone to the Pyrenees to join the Empress. They will return together to receive the Queen of England, on the 17th or 18th of August. ・ ・ ・ ・ The condition of Italy is extremely unsatisfactory. Rumors of plots and conspiracies pervade the whole peninsula. Cholera is virulent in Lombardy. In Naples numerous arrests of officers of the army have been made, and government is at present suspiciously kind to the lazzaroni-an ill omen.....It is now discovered that the author of the celebrated war pamphlet, attributed to Prince Napoleon, is really no other than M. Mirolawski, who figured in the Polish, Baden and Sicilian insurrections...The village of Chamouni, in Switzerland, has been almost destroyed by fire. Half the village is in ruins. Subscriptions are solicited in England to aid the sufferers..... A French steamer has been sent to Malta for troops to aid the Bey of Tripoli. The insurrec tion in that province has assumed a serious magnitude. Two thousand Turks were defeated by the insurgent Arabs.

...The Duke of Newcastle and Omar

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Pacha were at Constantinople-the former in search of evidence to justify himself, and the latter, it is said, to tender his resignation.