The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1862-05-07
From Washington.
SENATE CHAMBER, WASHINGTON, D. c.,
April 30. 1862.

since I paid my first visit to this City. 1t
seems an age. Then the Slave Power
had supreme control everywhere. II had
Just elected the brave ola Gen. Taylor,
President, supposing him to be a plant
tool cf the Lords of the Lash; but, fnd-
ing him impracticable, was at the time OF
my visit making arrangements to kill him
otf-which arrangements were, alas soon
completely successful. Then followed the
hateful and desDot.c fugitive Save bill,
which prepared the way tor the repeal of
the Missouri Compromise and all the
other odious schemes intended to make
| Slavery the unquestioned and nndoubting
Despot Of this Continent Then, Senator
Hale-aIl honor to his noble aud heroic
devotion to freedom was the only Sen
ator who made freedom and the rights OF
man the first object of his Legislative
abors. Now, Il majority of the Senate
aud House agree with New Hampshire'S
uoble son to strike at Slavery to the ex-
tent Of their Constitutional power.
This is the fourth day of my visit to
the two Houses, and though ! have heard
several conservative monber3 make elab-
crate and labored efforts to resist the con
fscation and other bills introduced by the
earnest opponents ofrebellion, | have not
heard a single word said in defence of
slavery. As | write Senator Powell Of
Kentucky is making a great noise in an
attempt to aid the traitors of his State,
and sent to places Of safety, Senator 7.
is lavish in his denunciatlou of Senator
Seward, his sympathy with shis traitor
neighbors is apparent iu all that be SAYS;
but even he does not venture to defend
American Slavery. In 1850 liberty was
atabooed subjec in Washington. Toombs,
Davis aud Mason, controlled both Houses.
But am interrupted in my reflections
by the voice Of the Hon. David Wilmot,
who has commenced to speak in favor OF
vigorous measures for the suppression of
the rebellion lie is now showing that
slavery is the real rebel and therefore
should feel the first and hardest blows Of
Of the Government As he warns with
his subject, he takes hold Of old Demo,
cratic watchwords with happy effect, as
for Instance, after showing the magnitude
of the wrongs done by Slavery to the best
interests Of tie Nation, the Senator says,
we ought to demand "Indemnlty for the
past aud security for the future" and one
vi the measures best calculated to accom-
pllsh this purpose is to conG2cate the
the property Of the rebels and to set free
their slaves feel very confident tat
large majority Of the people Of Penn
sylyanla will be grateful to Senator Will
mot for this effort. 1t will relieve them
IN part from the shame aud modification
caused by the Astounding course of Sena-
tor CowaE. WIlmot has taken his seat,
having spoken ffty-ive minutes, anG the
best men on the floor crowd around the
Young representative Of Freedom from
Pennsylvania. Yes, it is good to witness
the sight. Sumner and Hale, Wilson
and Trumbull, Preston King aud sturdy
Ben. Wade, congratulatng our Senator
gu his successful effort in the good cause.
\ week in Washington has convinced
me that nearly every earnest supporter of
the Government in its etfurt to nainrain
its own existence, is in favor of stringent
contiscalion bill Do you therefore con
cude that such a bill will pass without
much opposition [ am sorry to say
there is strong opposition to any contis-
cation bill. Senator Cowan, though he
Processes to be in favor Of some kind Of IA
bill, yet gives his whole influence to pre-
vent the Senate frUm passing any act that
shall etfcctuaily strike the rebel leaders
Seuator CUwan is now making labored
effort, full of big words, loudly spoken, to
convince the Senate that he is in favor Of
putting down the rebellion. S .ch an
effort is of itself, irresistible evidence that
his previous course was calculated to give
aid and comfort TO the rebels Senator
! Cuwan may be honestly in favor of crush
ing out the rebellion, but it is my opinion
after listening to him for nearl Y an hour,
that he is more anxious to prevent the
abolition of Slavery, than to defeat the
slave holding traitors
| am happy to intorm'you, that in spite
of the unaccountabe recreancy Of our
Senator aud of several other Northern
Senators, the belief is general that a striu
gent confscation bill will soon be passed..
God is evidently shaping events, aud It
is not in the power Of evil men to prevent
the onward march of freedom. Step 0y
step the army of the Nation is marching
on to complete success and each victory
of the army prepares the way for another
victory in Congress over the conservative
allies of Slavery. The end is approaching,
The rebellion must 60 down, and So must
Slavery. j S.M.