Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-02-13
FROM WASHINGTON.
THURSDAY, FEB.

Politics in The Army--France and Uerioo.
Yesterday the Senate considered the bill to
encourage enlstments and regulate drafting
for the army--a very important bill, inasmuch
as its purpose is to secure the army from de-
pletion by casualties and the expiration Of
the term Of service Of the men. II the army
cannot be kept up, the war cannot be push
cd to victory on the side Of the country. Is
it not strange, then, that a contemplate party
debate should arise on such question:
question Of life or death to the nation But
30 it was. Carlisle Of Virginia began it, by
moving to take from the President the power
to make rules relative to drafting the militia.
Richardson Of Illinois (the new copperhead
Senator, sent to take the place of the patriotic
Douglas , introduced politics by complaining
that under this bill the President may draft
Democrats exclusively, or Republicans ex-
clusively. or negroes exclusively, and wound
off by claiming that two-thirds Of the rank
and file in the army are democrats OF
course the mau who would utter such absur-
dities. must have been under some very extra
ordinary influences; yet Messrs. Lane (of Kan
sas, Harlan, and Trumbull gravely contro-
verified Richardson. 1t seems to me they
might safely have permitted such peurilities
to pas, unnoticed. The motion was negativ-
cd ayes l4-l0 democrats and 4 union
noes 1872 Republicans and l democrat.
(Nesmith.)
The motion Of Mr.. Sumner, to table Nc
Dougall's resolution relative to France and
Mexico. was agreed to ayes "a noes o
the latter all opponents Of the administration.
Another instance Of grave question degrad-
ed by partyism.
Codifying the Laus-he Canal Question:
Submarine Telegraph.
In the House, the bill providing for re-
vision and codfcation Of the laws Of the Uni
ted States was rejected, Soto 40. motion
to table the Illinois and Erie ship canal bill
was rejected, so to IS ; and this was probs-
bly, test vote. The bill providing for a sub
marine telegraph from Fortress Monroe to
Galveston, New Orleans and intermediate
points. was passed, II to 63. Mr.. Olin stat
ed that if this telegraph had been in use dur
ing this war, the government would have saw
ed the cost Of it four times over. The SEN
ate bill, authorizing the President to accept
the services Of 10000 loyal Kentucky militia
concnrred in.
Health of Me,nbers--he Weather and he War
Mr.. Walton was 10 his seat yesterday,
much to his own pleasure and that Of his
friends. Mr.. Baxter, ought to have stated
sometime ago, has also recovered and resumed
his seat. There has been more than usual
sickness among members at this session, and
now the weather is unfavorable for invahds
cold enough for Vermont Army movements
in this region must not be looked for until
the weather, river navigation and roads are
improved; nevertheless the report is tina,
Hooker is doing excellent work, by way oil
recognizing and invigorating the army OF
the Potomac.
The right kind Of Generals.
Major General Rosseau, of Kentucky, made
q
sylvania. in she course of which he said
"My political creed is but a minute long. am for
the government Of my fathers and the friends Of that
government, and am against the enemies Of that gov
eminent, and all their friends both North aud South
He called on the people to be SO united as
not to cripple the efforts of the soldiers in the
feldas follows:
No matter what your political prediction. may be
%
Of policy Let not your differences Of opinion weaken
the Of the brave who fighting that you may
be free In the Army Of the Cumberland. in which I
have the honor Of commanding division, officers and
know only the Of their country all united
in common work no dissensions or jealoises weaken
their force"
These are the words of patriotic soldier
All patriots at home will hearken to them.
News from Washington via France
II is remarkable that the publication, in
Paris, of the Diplomatic correspondence OF
France, reveals the fact that the visit Of the
French Minister Mercier. to Richmond, some
months ago, was made with the approval OF
Secretary Seward, and for the purpose of de-
claring conciliatory sentiments on the part OF
the Lincoln government, and to seek an I" ar
rangement" and the return Of Southern SEN
ators to their seats. This was when Mr..
Seward believed in the speedy Te-establish-
ment Of the Union. 1t seems that before his
departure NJ. Mercier came to an understand
ing with Lord Lyons, and repeated to Mr..
Seward that the object of his journey was
not connected with the recognition Of the
South, but only an attempt to bring about an
arrangement. The Secretary charged him to
state at Richmond that The North ,oas aciuated
By no sentiments of revenge, and that great sat
isfaction you'd be afforded to The inhabitants BY
The sight of such senator's as The South might
consent 10 send
M. MERCER was fatty rebuffed by Benjamin
(rebel Secretary of State,) and assured that
the South would never submit, but hold out
to the eld, confident that the end will be in
dependence. From that time to this, NJ. Mer-
cier has inclined to the opinion that the reb-
els will succeed and in view Of the certainty
of an ultimate division of the Union, he adj
vized France to intervene to bring about an
early settlement Of the question. French in
tervention, then, starts upon the idea Of a