NEW YORK HERALD.

The Naval Heroes OF the Last War-Commo-


dore Stewart and MIR. Ingersoll. -
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We give, on the nrst page OIL lnls DAY paper,
very remarkable production written by remarka-
BILE man, and brought out at very curious period of
time This is the reiutation by Commodore Stew
art of various alleged misrepresentation, rejecting
on his early in the service Of his country,
which contained in the first volume OF " His
tory of the War of 1872" recently published by the
Hon. C j. Ingersol IS s


Mr.. lngersoll processes to give an accurate and
impartial description Of the events of that memora-
BILE PERIOD and do full justice to the characters
who then played conspicuous part in the great the
atre Of action. Several errors have It appears, been
allowed to creep into the work-errors OF an impor
tant character, and calculated to cast dshonor on
the reputation of the living and the dead, and par
ticularly upon Commodores Bainbrldge and Stew
art-two of the most distinguished naval officers
who contributed to the splendid successes OF the
American arms on the ocean during the last deci-
sive struggle between the U States and Great Bri-
tain. Some of the newspapers OF this city took up
the subject and found fault with the history, on ac-
of these errors, TO which we have thus in gen.
eral terms alluded. And now Commodore Stew
art himself has very properly undertaken the duty of
indicating his reputation, which has in his opinion
been nmost uugenerously assailed, and in newspaper
Of this city, published Saturday last the statement
which we have transferred to our columns, not only
matter OF justice to distinguished man, who
has done the State service, and that in hour
of extreme peril, but also because the gallant Com
modore gives variety of exceedingly valuable and
interesting details relative to his personal relations
and connectio nwith the administration on the COM
mencement OF the war. In every point of view,
then this letter will be read with interest Every
day the heroes of the last war are going the way
whittier have now proceeded almost all the mighty
men OF valor and patriotism who survived the of
the revolution "Old Ironsldes," as he is called, is
one OF the most prominentmen ofthe late war; still In
the land of the ving-hae, energetic, vigorous, and
full of the spirit which actuated him through
out that era, fruitful Of glory both to the country
and himself


One of the most singular results Of the publication
of the history and of the controversy growing of
il, regarding the facts may be the turning of the
public mind, with particular interest, to our naval
history, and glorious naval victories. To such an
extent may this feeling operate that may have, in
short time, one OF those naval heroes occupying
the chair of the Chief Magistracy. Apparently
this controversy, growing out of Ingersol's book,
has reference only to the reputation Of Com
modsres Bsnbridge and Stewart, but we should not
be at all surprised to from its !'ashes, feeling
arise and spread throughout the country, making
Commodore Stewart the most prominent candidate
for the succession after Mr. Polk. Indeed, we are
not sure but the gallant Commodore is not well
fitted for that position as any man that could be
named. The situation of the country peculiar.
In consequence of the critical position of the Oregon
question, we may be on the eve of with
Of the greatest naval powers the world In such
event, the crisis would be tremendous. For
many years, past the country has been ruled by



and then spirit getting into the cabinet but
hardly able to remain long enough to stamp with his
own character that of the administration with which |
he was connected. The public mind now appears
to be turning to the great who have done ser
vice to the country by substantial deeds of valour
and the result may be wide spread desire to see
the White House graced by one of those naval he
roes who distinguished themselves so nobly in the
last war.


Such, then, is the interesting and critical period
which this curious controversy relative the his
tory of the of 1872 has arisen Public attention
will be directed with fresh intensity and interest TO
Commodore Stewart. great Crisis in the foreign
relations Of the country may be nearer than is ina
gined "Od Ironsdes" appears to be filter than
any man have heard named, for meeting such
crisis, the Chief Magistrate OF the Nation Who
say that he may not occupy that important posi-
tion


The % SECULAR Press" AND THE RELIGIOUS
WoRLD.-We give to-day full report OF a very in
terestng lecture delivered ST Peters Church. last
evening, by DR.. Power The subject is one of obv
Gus importance, and recent movements in this city
connected with the reading of the Bible in the
schools, have invested it with additional interest
We approve highly of the temperate and Christian
tone which characterize this lecture. This was
characteristic also of the lectures delivered at this
same place last season by DIR. Pise. Religious con-
troversy and discussion appear, indeed, to be now
conducted in much better spirit than formerly.
The Brow nlees, and Cheevers, and Moriartys and
other pollen les of the violent and abusive school
have had their day. we trust, and it is to be hoped
that hereafter iheoogians will conduct their con-
troversies with the good manners of gentlemen and
the meekness Of Christians.


Whilst thus adverting TO the improved tone which
begins to characterize the controversial efforts OF
the clergy, may take the opportunity of referring
to one great instrumentaty in the production of
this happy change-that is, the newspaper press
That that great agency has been brought to exercise
sautary bearing the religious world, is now ad-
mitted even by many Of the clergy themselves
DR.. Skinner has recently made public acknow-
ledgment of this fact, but he omitted to state the
origin OF that movement on the part of the secular
press to which he has the sense and honesty to as
cribe results highly advantageous to the cause
Of Christianity. The first newspaper that attempted
10 give reports OF the religious moveme nts Of the
day and9he religious anniversaries, was the Nep
York Herald, about six years ago. We employed
reporters to attend the meetings and furnish accu-
rate reports The first result of thai piece of enter
prise was the most unmeasured abuse from some of
the rehglonsts themselves, who berated the Herald
AS being every thing that was vile, and why Be.
cause it actually had reported their speeches with
fullness and accuracy. Foremost in that extraordi
nary movement was the Rev DIR. Tvnu. now of