The people of Oldham, England, assembled a few weeks ago in the Town Hall to memorialize the British Government in behalf of "intervention" The proceedings of the meeting we entertaining in as far as they give a very clear idea of how a noisy English assemblage interrupts the speakers who don't suit its views, and up those who do. The friends of Yankeedom made every effort to choke off the memorial, but failed. The memorial prays Her Majesty's Ministers "to use all just and honorable means to procure a cessation of hostilities, with a view to afford an opportunity for the peaceful separation, of the States." A letter in the London Index gives the following description of the affair:

The spacious hall was full to overflowing. To say there was no Northern opposition would be to deprive the occasion of some of its very The few Unionists and Emancipationist in the place had taken the pains to issue a counter placard, calling upon the "Radicals of Oldham" to attend, the meeting and tell their story in full force; but it turned out, as in the ease of the needy knife grinder in the Sapphire, their story, when they did tell it, was of a far more matter-of-fact or than the "friends of humanity" desired. Among the visitors on the platform was James Spence, Esq., of Liverpool, who attended at the request of the Southern Independence Association of Oldham, and whose "powerful advocacy of the South," says the Chronicle, "has caused him to become so well known and so much respected in that locality.

Mr. Councillor Harrop moved the following resolution:

He believed that every Englishman wished this unfortunate war brought to a termination. [Cheers.] They all knew the suffering it was inflicting upon the working-classes throughout Lancashire, and he believed that, as the conflict was now carried on, it could not be ended except through the moral influence of Europe brought to bear upon the Americans by means of proposals for mediation. [Cheers.] Perhaps some people might ask--"What are the South fighting for?" and the same people would say, "The North are fighting for the abolition of slavery." He would contend that the South were fighting for their homes [hear, hear] and for that which Englishmen loved"freedom; while the North were fighting for power, self aggrandizement, and the extermination of a brave and noble people. [Cheers.] How could men talk of the freedom of the Northern States? It was not such freedom as the people of Oldham, of Lancashire, of England, were now enjoying; but such freedom as was consistent with that most despotic deed of suspending the habeas corpus act. [Applause.] Many of the people he saw before him had been starving for two years, and none but themselves could tell how they had suffered. [Cheers.] He hoped the result of the meeting would show an overwhelming majority in favor of the Government of England, and the other Governments in Europe, not going to war with the United States of America, but offering their mediation between the North and South, honorably and truly. [Applause.]

Mr. Councillor Milnes, in seconding the resolution, said the North, so far from being actuated by motives of philanthropy, had not scrupled to excite the blacks to massacre the whites, and would, if they could, crown their extermination of the white man of the South with the subsequent extermination of the negro, whether bond or free [Cheers.]

Mr. John Ashtor., amid great disapprobation and uproar, rose to move the following amendment:

He said: Gentlemen, I feel called upon, out of a sense of duty, not only to my country, but to my native town, to move that amendment, for I cannot in my heart believe--[interruption, and cries of "Turn him out"]--that Oldham, which from time-- [interruption; a voice: "It's Mr. Wood, the teetotaller, here." Another voice: "He's been to the pump!" laughter, and cries of "Let him speak"] --Oldham, that from time immemorial up to now has always been noted for its liberal principles, its devotion to free Government and constitutional liberty, can be bamboozled into agreeing with that resolution, without giving at least a fair hearing to those who may have something to say against it. The people of this country have long since recognized the principle of non-intervention; and we have borne all the distress that has been brought upon us for the sake of maintaining that policy of non-intervention; and are we at this time, now we have borne all the distress--[A voice: "Is it over?" Another voice: "Surat!"--now that we know we can do without their cotton--[A voice: "Surat! I hope you have got plenty."] Mr. Mayor, now we have borne all these things--[A voice: "Sit th' drawn!"]--now that they, the Southerners, find their cause to be desperate, they are rising in favor of the glorious cause of slavery. They come by a side wind; they want, by false assumptions, to lead you to a fatal issue — to secure, by an alliance with France and other Powers, the putting down of the spirit of liberty in America--[great laughter, cheers, and counter cheers]--to establish--[uproar]--despotism, degradation--[Uproar. A voice: "Sit th' drawn, own lad?" Laughter. The Mayor: "Cut it short, Mr. Ashton." A voice: "Sit th' drawn a bit.". Laughter. At this point the audience indulged in a general conversation. Mr. Mayor and gentlemen! [Gie o'er — gie o'er!"] the Southern sympathizers are now seeking to ally England with France and other Powers to save the slaveholding Confederacy, that boasts that they trample under foot liberty, equality, and fraternity! ["Oh, oh!" "Question," hisses, and applause.] I repeat it.--[Question.] I repeat it, that they boast that they have established--[A voice: "Do they hang negroes to lamp-posts?"--applause]--in the place of liberty, equality, and fraternity, slavery and subordination. [A voice: "Who found the ships, and who fetched the slaves?"] Radicals of Oldham--[Roars of laughter, uproar, and cries of "Question."] Radicals of Oldham, I know you are ashamed of listening to those who boast that, instead of liberty, equality, and fraternity, they will have slavery. [A voice; "They don't hang 'em up to lamp-posts."] Without deceit, without hypocrisy, without all the roundabout ways and side-winds of their English friends, they declare that the whole of civilization is rotten at the core, [uproar, cries of "Turn him out!"] that they will not have free discussion, free thought, free religion, free schools [A voice: "And free ballies." Laughter. Another voice: "Is 3d. a head and the wife lying in"] I shall not be long. [A voice: "It's toime tha'd dun nea."] In spite of the counsellors and aldermen of Oldham, [cries of "Question," and hisses,] the people of Oldham [question] still know what is right. [A voice: "They dun that, and they'll let thee know to-neet." Another voice: "Tha's towd th' truth."] In spite of all their treachery-- [hisses and uproar.] Gentlemen one word before I sit down. [Cries of "Sit down now. " The Mayor: "You are losing time; if you would have listened to Mr. Ashton he would have finished long ago." A voice: "Nowt oth soart."] I will give over in a minute. It is for you to judge whether you will help to establish a power that is based like a monument upon a pedestal of mangled human corpses, with their fiery bloodhounds and their bleeding human beings, [roars of laughter and cries of "Stuff!"] with pistols shooting every man who protects his own flesh and blood--[laughter, uproar, and booting, amid which the speaker resumed his seat.]

Mr. John Tetlow, in seconding the amendment, was treated, like the mover, to plentiful interruptions in the choicest Dorle of the district. He felt satisfied that, without interference, the close of the war was not far distant. [A voice, "Thou's told us that many a year ago." Another voice, "Ninety days." Laughter.] The only thing that affected us in England was the want of cotton, and the time was advancing rapidly when we should have a full supply of cotton. ["That's not true."]--Would to God we could get our wonted supply from the States of America; but was it of more importance to them as Englishmen, lovers of liberty, that the slaves should be freed, or that they should have the privilege of using slave-grown cotton, wet with the tears and matted with the blood of the slave? [Uproar] The war could not be long sustained, for the progress of the Federal armies had been such--["Oh, oh," laughter and cheers;] he remembered--[uproar, and a voice, "Hull Run." Laughter]"he remembered Fort Donelson. He was reminded of Hull Run, but he could remember Island No.10; he could also remember Fort Donelson, Fort McHenry, Memphis, New Orleans, Vicksburg. [A voice, "Ay, lad, and Fredericksburg, too." Laughter.] He was referring to the progress of the Federal armies [Laughter.] From Columbus, at or near the confluence of the Ohio with the Mississippi, right down to New Orleans, the Federal armies had carved their way. [A voice, "They are going back."] They had gone from the Ohio right through Nashville and Murfreesboro' to Chattanooga. [A voice, "Where are they going now?"--uproar and derisive laughter.] He cordially seconded the amendment.

Mr. James Spence rose to support the original motion, and was received with a tremendous burst of cheering, followed, however, by indescribable tumult on account of an objection being raised on a point of order. It was contended by a townsman (Mr. J. W. Mellor) that this was strictly a town meeting, and, therefore, it was not competent for Mr. Speace to address them. [A voice, "Thee get shaved!" Great laughter and shouts for "Spence!"] Mr. Mellor continued to call out in most vigorous tones, "None but townsmen, none but townsmen!" but his utmost vocal efforts were quite drowned in the clamorous shouting throughout the body of the hall of "Hands up for Spence!" Mr. Spence, with his arms folded, stood smiling, and in act to speak, but, though continually called upon to begin, awaited the Mayor's decision as to the point of order.

The Mayor: When that numerously signed re-

--A correspondent of the Mobile Advertiser gives the annexed glimpses of things as they really exist in Missouri--a feature of Yankee despotism in that down-trodden and oppressed State:

In St. Louis the tyranny is more severe and exacting than at any other point. To show any opposition to any measures of the Government, to speak unkindly of the brutal soldiery, to visit Confederate prisoners, or to communicate with the South, are all crimes which are punishable with confiscation and imprisonment.

Perhaps no greater display of meanness was ever made than the action taken in regard to some Confederate officers who were killed in the State.--Among these was Col. Emmett McDonald, rendered famous at the commencement: of the war by refusing the Yankee parole, and testing the legality of it in the Courts, and afterwards as a gallant artillerist in the armies of Van Dorn and Price. He and Col. Wimer were killed in the interior of the State, in action, after an unsuccessful attempt to capture Lexington, and both having been old and respectable citizens of St. Louis the remains were brought to that city for interment by their friends. The body of Col. Wimer was being tenderly watched, as a last sad duty, by his wife, when, at nine o'clock at night, a Yankee guard entered the house, took the remains from the gaze of the sorrowing family, and crushing the corpse into a box which proved too small for its reception, threw it into a common dray and hurried it off to some place of secret sepulchre, which has never been discovered by the bereaved family of the unfortunate man.

Information of this infamous proceeding was at once sent to the friends, who were performing the last sad rites for poor McDonald. None but ladies were present yet in this trying hour they presented a picture of heroism and fortitude seldom discovered. Taking from the hearthstones the fire shovels, this little burial party retired into the yard of the house, and there dug the grave which was destined to shield from insult the last remains of a gallant soldier. When this singular labor of love and mercy had been performed these heroic women re-entered the chamber of death, and, unaided by the hand of man, removed the ghastly corpse out to its obscure place of rest, and performed the funeral services while a fierce storm raged around them and the rain poured down in torrents. This is, indeed, more like the picture of a disordered imagination than a stern actual reality as it is. When it is necessary to shield the dead from such fanatic and infamous power, the reader may judge of the trials of the living.

Every Southern man in the State is under bonds of not less than $4,000 for good conduct and promise of loyalty, and every pretext is seized upon to seize the property and banish the residents of the State.

--The Atlanta Register has the following intelligence from Knoxville from a gentleman who has just gotten through the lines.

Every church and hotel in the city is occupied as hospitals. General Foster is now in command. Mr. Samuel Boyd's house and Mrs. Rogers's house are also used as hospitals. The Yankees are confiscating the property of all Southern people. Joseph. Mabry is on parole. The Yankees took everything he had. All the principal buildings are used as Government stores. The Federals have closed Samuel Hamilton's jewelry store, on account of his Southern proclivities Dr. Jackson afterwards took possession of it, but was also closed up. Dr. Jackson is a British subject, and claimed British protection. He had the British flag flying over his house for several weeks. --Brownlow denounced him as a notorious rebel.--The Federals refused to recognize his claim. Butter is worth $2.50 per pound in greenbacks; coffee $3.50 per pound, and everything else in proportion, save meat and bread, which are not to be had at any price. The Federal soldiers have been living on quarter rations, and the ratio growing "smaller by degrees and beautifully less" daily. They have nothing but bran bread.

All the mules and horses have died of starvation. The women and children now draw rations from the Yankee commissary department. The force now in Knoxville numbers about 12,000. If Gen. Longstreet had been able to remain around Knoxville a week longer the enemy would have capitulated, as they were almost out of ammunition and subsistence. At the time of the siege the Federals went around at night and pressed everybody, bond and free, (barber-shop negroes as well as white men,) making them get out of their beds to work on their fortifications. Gen. Foster's headquarters are at the residence of Col. John H. Crozier.

Old Col. Wm. Heiskell, brother of Fred. Heiskell, is the local agent of the United States custom department. He ran for Congress several years since against Hon. S. A. Smith. He has always been considered a Lincolnites and tory. The Federals declare that they intend to hold Knoxville until the end of time.

A letter from a lady in Knoxville, dated Dec. 21, states:

--A letter from Charleston published in the Petersburg Express, speaking of the firing into the city, says:

--A correspondent of the Atlanta Register, speaking of the difficulty between Bene. Longstreet and McLaws, says:

--We have never known the markets of Richmond to be so destitute of good fresh meats and vegetables as they have been for the past week or two. In the Second Market yesterday indifferent fresh beef was retailing at from $2 to $2.25. while lamb, shoat, &c. went at much higher figures. Out of between thirty two or thirty-three stalls, twenty-one were entirely closed, and it is uncertain how much longer any of them will be able to offer anything for sale. Now, while there is doubtless some difficulty in the way of procuring supplies of fresh meats for market, yet we do not consider that the scarcity can in any degree warrant the very exorbitant prices which are asked for what is on sale. In times like these deserter should be satisfied with reasonable profits for the necessaries of life, and should not take advantage of their monopoly to oppress those who have to buy on moderate incomes.

Vegetables are very little better either in quality or quantity; neither do the venders show any more liberal spirit in what is asked for them. Sweet potatoes are not worth $7 a peck, and while they can be done without we recommend to housekeepers not to purchase them at that price. A short abstinence from yielding to these heavy charges will compel the holders to lower their demands. Try it.

--Before this Court yesterday the following business was transacted:

James F. Spicer, charged with stealing a horse belonging to the Confederate States on the 20th of June last, was sent on for final trial before Judge Lyons at his next term.

Anderson Lynd, a free negro, charged with stealing fifty seven pounds of butter, the property of James L. Waldrop and Francis Ganner, was put upon trial and discharged.

Booker, a negro belonging to A. H. Rahm, arraigned on the charge of stealing sundry articles of wearing apparel, was found guilty of petit larceny and ordered 30 lashes.

The Court then adjourned to meet again this morning.

--This association, composed of amateur musicians, whose rehearsals have been suspended since the commencement of the war, resumed their meetings and organization on Monday evening last. An election of officers took place, when the following gentlemen were chosen: Captain Henry Harny, President; C. E. McCleur, vice do.; K. H. Chamberlayne, Jr., Secretary; Emmet Tyler, Treasurer; and Harvey Rhodes, Librarian. A few select pieces from the opera and other compositions were sung, after which the meeting adjourned to meeting adjourned to meet every Monday night at 7 o'clock.

--The Clerk of the Second Market, Mr. J. P. Tyler, offered at public auction yesterday morning the vegetable and meat stalls under his jurisdiction. The bidding dragged heavily, and many of the stalls brought figures from two hundred to three hundred per cent. less than they did last year. We heard of one stand in the vegetable department which rented formerly for $400, but only brought the sum of $30 yesterday. Fifty dollars was the highest figure paid for any of them.

--John M. Francisco, Commissioner of the Revenue for Jefferson Ward, yesterday nominated to the Hustings Court Lucien Hill as his assistant. Mr. Francisco's health has for some time been precarious, and he has been forced to appoint an assistant in consequence thereof. Mr. Hill's nomination was confirmed by the Court, and he will forth with enter upon the duties of his office.

--Mrs. Costello, having permitted a hydrant under her control to run unnecessarily, she was fined $5. The Mayor was disposed to deal gently with her; but, having evidence before him which proved that Mrs. C. had been repeatedly warned against permitting the nuisance to continue; he deemed it expedient to inflict some slight punishment upon her for the dereliction of duty which she had been guilty of.

--Josiah Jenkins, who claims to be free, was arrested on Monday, having in his possession a lot of pies, which he was selling, and one pair of shoes, supposed to have been stolen. Being unable to give a clear title to his possession of the articles in question, the Mayor ordered him twenty lashes.

--Michael Gohen was fined $15 by the Mayor yesterday morning for selling ardent spirits without a license. Two charges of the same character were preferred against Gohen, but there being extenuating circumstances connected with one of them it was dismissed.

--Richard Mundin was arraigned before His Honor yesterday on the charge of drunkenness and disorderly conduct in the street. Mundin expressed mortification at suffering himself to become intoxicated, and was discharged with an admonition.

--A fine of $10 was imposed by the Mayor yesterday upon Jefferson Powell for obstructing the sidewalk in front of his residence, greatly to the annoyance of persons having business in that neighborhood.

--The "Libby" was the only one of these institutions which afforded a solitary item yesterday. Forty Yankee prisoners were deposited therein, including one commissioned officer.

--This Court was in session but a short time yesterday, and transacted no business of importance.