Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-03-03
Correspondence Of the s'RGftsman's Journal"
WAsHISGToN CRY, Feb. p, 1858.


interest any of the readers of the sJournal,
hen the s.injunction of secresy'' is hereby re-
moved, and you can use it accordingly.
The proceedings of both branches of Con-
-ress, for the last three days, have been high
" interesting. In the Senate, on Tuesday,
Bell, of Tennessee, replied to the joint reso-
utions of that State, which he had presented
in the Senate short time since. The resoiu-
tions instructed the Senators from that State
to vote for the admission of Kansas under the
Lecompton constitution, and censured Bell for
voting against the Kansas Nebraska Bill, an
event which occurred near four years ago.
Bell defended himself and his course in the
Senate, gloriously, and hurled back the insult
offered him by the Tennessee Legislature in
manner that elected great applause from the
galleries. After he concluded his magnificent
address, Johnson of Tenn. replied. defending
the Democratic Legislature that elected him,
and then made violent and vindictive per-
sonal onslaught upon Bell. Bell was permit
ted to reply to him. ANY one could see at
once, that the gallant old man WAS aroused,
and the reply he made to the remarks OF John
son, almost annihilated that chiUalrous man. l
have often heard it said that ssthe more brass
Bell contained the further it could be heard"
am now quite well satisfied that the maxim
is correct. Bell proved Johnson to be vio-
lent .fre-eater,' EXTREMIST. secessionist, &c,
and placed him in very unenviable light, the
harder to be endured, because true. Johnson
could not sit still under the keen, biting and
uncomfortable sarcasm of his distinguished ri
VAL Bell, much to the satisfaction of the
great e:Union Eagle" on the chair of the Vice
President, administered cutting rebuke to all
disunionists and to his colleague in particular,
who was, this time, completely annihilated.
The army bill, the fayorite scheme of JEFF.
Davis, is evidently very distasteful to major
ity of the Senate. The question was up for
consideration before the Senate to-day. Sew
eral substitutes for the original hill were offer
ed by Democratic Senators. One offered by
Mr.. Pugh provided for the President calling
upon and accepting the services Of three thou
sand volunteers to serve as long as necessary.
The substitute was accepted by vote of 26 to
%. The bill was read third time and upon
| the question being put, 'sshall the substitute
for the original bill pass,'' it was negatived by
a vote of % to 16, most of the Republicans
voting against it. So the matter stands.
| The Lecompton constitution will soon be
disposed of in the Senate in accordance to the
wishes of the administration but it is not SC
certain of meeting the same fate in the House
l think it beyond the power of any person to
tell what the result will be in the House Oh
the s.vexed question - especially if Mr.. Cal.
houn continues to keep in the dark as tc
the result of the Kansas election.
In the House, on Tuesday, Mr.. Curry, OF
Alabama, made flaming speech in favor OF
admitting Kansas under the Lecompton Con-
stitution. His speech was full of disunor
sentiments from beginning to end. He de
clared that sshe recognized the doctrine, to it:
fullest extent, that State has the right to Sc
cede from the Union and establish an indepen
dent government for itself. If the Lecomp
ton Constitution was rejected, this would prob
ably be done. He would not undertake to sa.
but what Alabama might be the first to secede
If she was, wherever she went he would 90
, and her destiny should be his destiny.' II
was followed by Mr.. Morris, of Illinois, Dou
glas Democrat. He said that sshe heard it FIRE
quently said that had it not been for Illinois
the Administration would have had no diff
Guilty in disposing of the yexed question in il
own way; but he thanked the gallant states
man and answering Representatives of tha
gallant Democratic State, that they had inter
posed, thrown themselves into the breach, /.
prevent the consummation of the giganti
fraud sought to be heaped upon the people
Kansas He defended Douglas, generally
and said that ssthe Democracy of Illinois,
the whole country, reflection, will say t
Douglas, swell done thou good and faithful Sc
i. vact thou hast been faithful over few thing
and We will make thee ruler over man
: things.''' Is there not room to doubt the
= making him ruler over many things9 Tin
Il will answer this question TO the satisfaction
: at least one great party Of the country.
: To-day was the time fixed for expelling NJ
O Matteson from the House, for receiving brib,
: during the session of the 34th Congress. tt
V matter was brought up at the appointed tim
r The thing is evidently dstasteful to gre
number of members on both sides of the Hous
Mr.. Seward, OF Georgia, led OFF in opposite
= to the resolution to expel. He considered
a stretch of power, not warranted by the CO
stitution or laws or parliamentary usages
the country, an outrage upon the rights OF Il
- accused and of humanity, that man shou
be twice tried ard punished for the same c
W fence. 1t is conceded by all parties that N
Matteson was expelled from the former Hous'
that since his expulsion he had been re-elec
ed; that after he was expelled he was no 10
L. ger a member of the 34th Congress; and
&c the offence for which he was sought to be e
" PEELED was committed before ne became