Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-12-19
eqatchman Y state Doulual.
BY p. WALTON
MONTPELIER. DECEMBER 10, 1862
FROM WASHINGTON.
wAsHrSeroN, Dec. 10,

FROM WASHINGTON.
WAsH1sGToN, Dec. 10, 1862.
Iwrote to you on Saturday, but before
had got the details Of Fridays proceedings in
Congress hence omitted one of the richest
scenes Of this or any other Congress. As
usual, several Of the distinguish ed members
Of the House,-leaders Of that class Of demo-
Gratis characterized in the journal as copper
heads, to distinguish them from the true dem
ocracy-bad been very patriotic, after their
fashion. This one indicated his intense de-
votion for personal liberty, by inquiring into
the arrests Of persons charged with disloyal-
ty; that one his regard for the liberty of the
press, by inquiring by what authority treas
enable newspapers have been excluded from
the mails and another his jealousy Of mill
tary power, by inquiring by wha. authority
a military governor had been appointed for
the District Of Columbia. While all these
and various other topics have been started for
party hobbies and to embarrass the govern
ment it occurred to Mr. Morrill, Of Vermont
that it would be well to find out neither any
body is in favor Of pushing the war vigorous
ly and saving the country so on Friday last
he introduced the following hat-footed reso-
luton:
Resoiued. That At no time since the commencement Of
the existing reheon have the forces and materials 10 the
hands Of the executive department VI 'he government
been ample and abundant for the speedy aud uiumnh
an my teimns'1oq @ 1i q oi ,pif va va ,,e A.
less Of minor differences Of opinion, and specially the
duty " every officer and soldier n the field we'll the
duty Of every department " the g1gerumeuf-the cgs-
lauye branch includedasa unit 20 cordially aud united
y strike down the sssassins, and forever who
have con'ped % destroy our Constitution our national
iy aud mat prosperity and freedom Of which we are
Justly proud home and abroad, aud which stand
pledged to perpetuatc forever
1t will be observed that here is the cut
direc,-"the legislative branch included. ."
Members Of Congress were to take this as a
personal mattere nd edge themselves by a
plain yea and nay, whether they will or will
not cordially resist the rebellion. Cox Of
Ohio endeavored 10 postpone but Morrill,
had headed him of by the previous ques-
ton; so that the copperhcads could not
void the responsibility. What say you, Mr
Ancona, will you take the pledge Ancona
, refused to answer yea or nay, by lodging /;
but dodgiug was refusal 20 take he pledge Z
mark that What say you Mr.. Richardson .
and Richardson refused to take the pledge
What say you Mr.. Valandigham What
say you Mr.. WickGfe and Vallandigham
and Wickhne followed the lead OF Ancona
In fact the resolution was adopted by l05
yeas, consisting Of Republicans, something
more than dozen loyal democrats, and eleven
loyal men from slave states. VIM j. Allen
Of Illinois was the first democrat called, and
he voted no--alone. When Mr. Ancona's
name was reached the cue had been given to
the democracy to dodge, and the copper
heads did The result is that copperhead
democracy refused He pledge to strike doen
the rebels That is their position on the re-
cord. am happy to see that six democrats,
who have oeen elected to the next Congress,
voted for Morrils resolution. This indicates
that the next Congress will hayea majority
Of loyal men Sham democracy cannot CON
troll it,, unless the rebel states shall be repre-
sentcd
was able to attend in the House for a
short tmo on Tuesday, and 90 vote for the
bill giving indemnity for proceedings under
the order of the President suspeuding the writ
Of haleas corpus. Although the question ol
the power Of the President to suspend has
given rise to a vast deal OF argument and to
honest differences Of opinion, which are
worthy of respect, yet must say that the
clamor of politicians is very nearly criminal,
for the palpable reason that il is for the ben
eft of rogues in nine cases out OF ten What
if it De questionable whether the President
or Congress should suspend the writ is it
not best for either to do it, rather than to
give immunity to treason But have no
doubt that either has the right to suspend
in the exigency provided for by the constitu-
ton nor that, in such exigency without
the action Of either President OF Congress,
general in the field or a magistrate may dis.
regard the writ
The constitution suppose to be purposely
silent as to the power to suspend in fact
that the constitution Itself suspends the writ
leaving it to Congress, the President, or tc
any other tribunal or officer concerned, "a
judge for the time being whether the consti-
tutional exigency has arisen Early in the
history Of the government the Senate passed
bill authorizing the President to suspend
the writ; but the House refused to concur
upon the ground that if Congress claimed tn,
power, it might be regarded as denial of the
power Of the President to suspend without
an act OF Congress In short, it was ther
thought that no act was necessary. The
present act differs from that in this: it trecog
nizes and approves what the President ha
already done, and saves any legal question o
difficulty which might otherwise grow out 0
the subject.
The ARMY OF THE REyoLUTIoN.-Whol
number enlisted from beginning To the en-,