The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-02-04
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letter from the National Capital.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2s, 1856


WASHINGTON, Jan. 2e, 1883.
To the Editors Of the Press:
As the session proceeds, legislation makes
more progress The various schemes of finance
which have Of late occupied the attention of
the House, have been compromised and COM
pounded into a bill, which passed on Monday
last, and on Tuesday was referred to the Fl
nance Committee of the Senate. 1t is doubt
full If it passes the Senate very speedily, or
without very essential notifications, as the FL
nance Committee have already reported bill
Of their own, varying much from that of the
House. The very great rise of gold viii be
likely to prevent any hasty step and to secure
for this measure that deep and earnest consid-
Grafton from the best talent of the country,
which is required by the gravity of our finan-
cial troubles.
The bill making additional provision for the
comfort Of our sick and wounded soldiers,
which passed the Senate on Saturday last, will
be welcome to many, many heroic hearts, that
have given up their loved ones to the hard
ships and chances of war. II may not be pos
sib'e to entirely exclude abuses from the med
ical department OF the army; but that should
not discourage any one from doing whatever
can be done for the welfare of our suffering he
roes
The speech Of Mr.. Conway, delivered yes
terday in the House, was at least singular
Though In anti-slavery sentiment Mr.. Conway
claims TO be among the most earnest and ultra,
yet he has of late pursued such line of con-
duct, as even he himself cannot hope will
prove very beneficial to the cause of human
freedom. In the speech referred to, he treated
the Administration with such asperity, as to
call forth the congratulations of valIandig-
ham. There was much good sense in the re-
mark OF an ancient philosopher, when he was
praised by bad man: II fear have been do
ing something wrong"
The bill to indemnify the President and 9TH
er persons for suspending the writ of habeas
corpus came up in the Senate yesterday, and
was passed at very late hour last night. In
the early part of the session Mr.. Davis of
Kentucky made speech full of his usual SEN
timents, and delivered with his usual energy,
70 chamber as thin and inattentive as usual
on such occasions. During the first part of
the evening Mr.. Salisbury of Delaware, who
as an exemplar of that peculiar patriotism
which supports the government by opposing
and denouncing what it does is probably only
less brilliant than Senator Powell, made
characteristic speech. The speech might seem
worthy OF comment, but for the incidents by
which il was succeeded. The events of the
n1Rbf Raaeinu will
without any aid of mine. The particulars, if
not @too numerous to mention" were such as
being an American citizen and an officer of
the Senate i do not care to put on paper. II
we take the occurrences of the last few hours
as correctly indicating the spirit and DISPOSE
ton of some members of Congress, then we
may count it fortunate IL that Democratic ruff
hanism lately SO rampant at Harrisburg, Alba
ny, and other places, does not before the close
Of the present session convert the meetings
Of the most grave and august assembly of the
western world for a second time into a scene
Of violence and bloodshed. 1t is only Just to
say that throughout this remarkable session
the Republican side of the chamber displayed
magnanimity and forbearance in striking
contrast with the arrogant and insolent major.
ity of former times.
The constitution Of the cabinet is much re-
viewed and discussed, but no immediate
change seems anticipated. The city has been
favored by many distinguished visitors of late
Among them are Governor Washburn, Ban.
croft the historian, Governor Andrew, Loss.
Ing. author Of the Field Book of the Revolu.
ton, Wendell Phillips, who by the way wa:
presented by Senator Wilson TO the President
al MS reception on Saturday last, Burnside
Franklin, and Hooker.
No little sensation was produced on Mon.
day morning by the announcement that the
Inflated Army of the Potomac had again
changed commanders. Gen. Burnside is ey
erywhere kindly and honorably mentioned
The appointment of Gen. Hooker is well re-
ceived, although some fear that his courap,
and impetuosity may be too great. 1t SEEM
certain however, that rsshness and audacit,
can do no more for us than timidity and inor
dinate caution have DONE
The weather is bad again for military opera
tions, snow having fallen steadily all day, Civ
ing the streets and buildings a WHOLESOME
Northern appearance. T. IS. p,