Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-12-23
FROM WAsHINGrON.
MoxDAY Evrx1vo, Dec. -, Il


the House. John Helpor-Har-
por's Ferry--insurrection-n ulifcation-ds-
union; That is the tone in both Houses,
but with occasional variations In the Sen
ate. both parties can and do talk for the SEN
ate is organized, aud has its rules and orders,
and moreover is, still, more decorous body
than the nultimdinous, and many-tongued
House although the big hall and galleries are
fast detractng from the dignity Of the SEN
ate. There has been some good talk there,
must say. Senator Trumbull has been put
through the catechism-not the "shortcr,
by any means,-but ono quite as long as your
arm, and his answers embraced fall, and
generally an orthodox, exposition of the Phil
adelphia Platform Of 1856 and Senator Fcs-
enden gave, incidentally, capital speech
candid, truthful, dgnifed, and every word Of
it the right word and in the right place. lie
did not go into the broad field of politics or
discuss party platforms, but confined himself
strictly to the real question in debate that
is the proposed investigation into the Har-
per's Ferry affair. lie was for the invcstiga-
ton, and would have it entirely unembU-
rasscd by the proposed inquiry in respect to
the Missouri arsenal.
In the House, for three days longer the
Republicans have steadily adhered to their
policy Of acting, not talking: and this they
have done out Of respect to law and order /;
out Of proper selt-respoct out of generous
forbearance to Southern men, who are in an
extraordinary state of excitement; and out
of respect to the decorum and dignity of the
House. They ready at all times to at
tend to the proper duty Of the Houso-that
is, to elect a speaker and when a fair days
work has been done, or it is evident that no
more can be proftably done, they are ready
to adjourn, and go to their dinner for you
must understand that NJ. C's. for the most
part do not get their dinners until they have
earned it by days work. Alas the day is
often long one to such members and from
either horn of tho dlemma--long fasting or
irregular meals--the consequences are soon
developed upon the health Of members. You
will understand, from what | have already
written ,ohy it is the Republicans refrain from
general debate and you will be ready to
guess that the time is spent in debate by
other parties in the House.
On Friday, the diversion upon Douglas was
continued and Mr.. Logan (dom) defended
the Illinois Senator from the mputaton of an
intrigue with Horace Greedy. In the course
of his speech, Mr. Logan introduced letter
of fiat denial, written by Douglas himself
Rumor has it that on that very day Douglas
and the President were reconciled: but Ru-
NOR is an arrant liar, for she has since denied
the story. If possibly could, | would tel
you t0here she lied-whether in the original
assertion, or in the contradiction shall not
put implicit confidence in either assertion
without farther proof.
A ballot for Speaker was had on Friday
Sherman (repub.) no; Bocock, dem SO
Gilmer (american) 20; Horace f. Clark
(ant-Lecompton DEM 8; John G. Davis,
ditto, .; John b. Haskin, ditto. .; A. r.
Boteler (pro-slavery whig) 2. You will see
that Sherman lacked of an election, and
that the anti-Lecompton Democrats, every
one of whom were aided by Republicans in
their election, could have given Sherman The
election, and had one vote to spare The
balance of power is really in their hands and
hence they particularly interesting to tho
Democracy. When speak of anti-Lecomp-
Ton Democrats, ] mean the eight members
exclusive of Senator Douglas particular
friends. for these have all gone over to the
Democracy, and vote straight for Mr. Bocock
One of their number logan avowed that HI
was for Douglas, but il he (Douglas) coulC
not get the Charleston nomination, he (Lo.
gam would go for the Charleston nominee
platform and all If Logan is the spokes-
man Of Douglas, then Douglass hostility ia
Lecompton democracy has just "izzled out
Nothing more and nothing less. But as
said the eight anti-Lecompton Democrat,
who hold out are the men who can decide the
speakership; and on Friday, Saturday and to,
day, they have been the marks at which the
shafts Of the Democracy have been aimed
Clark and Haskins of New York, and Hck.
man of Penn. have bravely met these attack,
and defended their independent position. The
speech OF the latter, to-day, was bold and
emphatic assault upon the Presidents politi
cal integrity in the Lecompton matter, in tn,
opening, and an equally bold and emphati,
arraignment of the South for breaking all tn,
compromises between the South and tn,
North. The assault upon the President wa
necessary part of Mr.. Hckmans defenc
against the charge Of treason to the Demo
cratic party, and was in proper time. Tn,
arragnment of the South was not necessary
however just il may have been. and the prob
able effects will be to prolong the debate per
haps add to its violence, and put off the or
ganization of the House. The end is not vet
Among the speeches Of Southern gentle
men was a very able aud manly one, by Mr.
Curry Of Alabama. and for partizan speed
IT was as fair as it was able. He laid n
stress upon the Helper book and made
discourteous complaint of the personal opin
ions and conduct of Northern members
His ground was almost identcally tina
charged upon Senator Seward-to wit. tina