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

April 30, 1862.
EDITOR Journal: 1t is twelve years
since paid my first visit to this City. 1t
seems an age. Then the Slave Power
had supreme control everywhere. 1t had
lust elected the brave ola Gen. Taylor,
President, supposing him to be plant
tool cf the Lords of the. Lash but, fod-
ing him impraclicable, was at the time OF
my visit making arrangements TO XIII him
otf-8 hich arrangements were, alas soon
completely successful. Then followed the
hateful and despot.c fugitive Save bill,
which prepared the way for the repeal OF
the Missouri Compromise and all the
other odious schemes intended to make
Slavery the unquestioned and nndoub;ing
Desp pot Of this Continent. Then, Senator
Hale-all 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
labors. Now, a majority of the Senate
aud House agree with New Hampshire 5
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 monbers make e!ab-
crate and labored efforts to resist the con
fscation and other bills introduced By the
earnest opponents ofrebellion, | have not
heard a siugle 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 shls traitor
neighbors is apparent IN all that be SAYS;
but even he does not venture to defend
American Slavery. In 1880 liberty was
a tabooed subject in Washington Toombs,
Davis and 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. He is now showing that
slavery is the real rebel aud 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 the Nation, the Senator says,
we ought to demand "Indemnity for the
past aud security for the future, and one
uf the measures best calculated to accom-
pllsh this purpose is to cOniscate the
the property of the rebels and to set free
their slaves | feel very confident t.,at
a large majority Of the people Of Penn
sylyanla will be grateful to Senator Viii
mot for this effort. 1t will relieve them
IN part from the shame aud modification
caused By the astounding course OF Sena-
tor CowaE. W!lmut has taken his seat,
having spoken fifty-fve minutes. anG the
best men on the floor crowd around the
Young representative of TreedJm froar
Pennsylvania Yes, it Is good 10 witness
the sight Summer and Hale, Wilson
and Trumbull, Preston King aud sturdy
Ben. Wade, cougrstulating our Senator
on his successful effort in the z pod cause
\ week in Washington has convinced
me that nearly every earnest supporter of
the Government in its etfCrt To maintain
its own existence, is in favor Of stringent
couh>eation bill D9 you therefore con.
clude that such b.ll will pass without
much opposition? am sorry to sax