The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-12-28
COMMUNICATIONS.


Tothe Editor Of the Press:
Those politicians who were pleasing them
selves one year ago with brilliant anticipa-
tions Of Coppefhead House the present
Congress laid that tlattering junction. 10 their
souls in vain. The mighty revolution in pub
tic sentiment that has swept over the country
since then has secured TO the cause of Free
dom and the Union many of the members
more recently elected, while of the others not
a few appear to have found some reason for
modifying their opposition. The Admiuistra-
tion will receive from the House. Judging from
the votes already taken,a hearty support in its
patriotic efforts to maintain the national
unity.
The changes In the Senate though not uni
formly such as we would wish, are better Than
we might have feared There appears no rea-
sou to regret the supersedure of Senators
Wall OF New Jersey by Wright, or Turpie of
Indiana by Hendricks. Buckalew vice Will
mont is not so well, but per contra Reyerdy
johnson of Maryland in place of Kennedy
Conness OF California in lieu OF Latham, and
u. Gratz Brown of Missouri instead of Will
son, are all very desirable changes and eini
nently aft TO be made" Messrs. Wiley and
Van Winkle from West Virginia are here to
represent new state wrenched from the re-
bellion aud secured to freedom. On the whole
there seems TO be no reason for supposing that
John Browns soul has come TO a halt OF has
any idea Of doing So
Inc ilrst fortnight OF the Session has passed
quietly. Inc brisk passage at arms between
Senators DAVIS OF kentucky and Hale of
New Hampshire early last week was perhaps
the most spirited of anything which has oc-
Cured since the election of Speaker. The for
mer gentleman having asserted that the dom
lnant party desired 10 continue The war IN
order TO affect the next Presidential election
the latter rose ana While confinlng himself
strictly WITHIN The limits OF Senatorial deco
rum, replied with vehement and Indignant
eioquencc to the gross aspersion. Less stir
ring put more weiSnty was the reply OF Rev
erdy Johnson 70 the main positions OF the
Kentucky Senator. lis defence OF the gov
ernment IN its policy OF employing colored sol
dlers IN the suppression OF the rebellion, bis
declaration that all slaves SO employed were
ipso iacto and forever emancipated, his ex
pressed conviction that slavery is an evil in-
defensiblc on moral, political and especially
upon economical grounds cannot tail OF their
influence here aud at large.
But though quiet, the last two weeks have
not been idle. Many Congress has begun
andended bis existence without being called
10 pass upon questions comparable ior grave
anu momehtous importance TO those now
pressing upou the attention of Congress, aud
. In some OF Which the Initiative has already
been takeu- The bills for the construction of
Northern Paci1c Railroad, for the repeal OF
the Fugitive Slave Act, to amend the Confis-
cauon Law 10 aooiish slavery throughout the
whole country as means oi more speedily
and completely suppressins the rebellion, TO
submit TO The several States proposition TO
amend inc constitution SO as TO prohibit
slavery IN an tne otdtes ana territories now
ana forever, iuuicate the great questions aud
miShty issues before us as people No meas
u1es, nowese,' demand pfonpier acton than