The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-01-20
Letter from the Federal Capital.

lucky by MI. wilson OF MASSACHUSETTS,. Inc
ground of this action is found in certain ex-
traordinary resolutions introduced by the
former gentleman on the fifth instant, wherein
he charges the Administration and its sup
porters with endeavoring as their prime object
and purpose to perpetuste their party power
to hold possession Of the government, to pro-
claim mock freedom of the slaves, to enslave
the white man by trampling under foot the
Constitution and laws, and to do various other
bad things, and declares that verify the people
North and the people South ought to revolt
against their war leaders, and take this great
matter into their own hands and elect men,
bers to a National Convention of all the States
for the purpose OF terminating the war and
restoring the Union upon the great principles
of liberty and compromise. The resolutions
throughout are in strain TO correspond, and
have been thought calculated to excite insur-
rectionary and revolutionary movements In
the loyal States.
Wednesday last, upon which day the resolu-
ton came up, was marked by more excitement
than any for long time previous. The gal
leries began to Ill long before the meeting of
the Senate, and by the time the morning hour
was past, were densely packed, aisles and all.
The occasion had drawn to the floor of the
Senate, Secretary Seward, Messrs. Bingham,
Ashley. and many other distinguished gentle
men.
AT one o'clock Mr.. Wilson called up the
resolution and made short speech in ats sup
port. Had Mr.. Davis contented himself with
giving favorable construction TO some of the
most Objectionable passages in his resolutions,
avoiding any general discussion OF them, the
matter might, perhaps, have been pressed no
further, at least for the present. He chose
quite different course, however. Ina speech
about three hours in length, he did himself
more damage than any other Senator could
have inflicted on him. His defence, though
long, was neither thorough nor skilful, but as
unsatisfactory, inconclusive and feeble as it
was prolix worse than all, the Senator for al
most the first time, INDUCED in personalities
directed towards Mr.. Wilson altogether unbe-
coming his position and unworthy OF the pres
ence in which he spoke.
Senator Wilson rejoined briefly, but with
much force and spirit. The "ra,os" to use
the slang OF the Reporters gallery, which had
been inflicted on him were returned with
compound interest The aspersions cast at
the s'pestiient State of Massachusetts," with SO
much harmless violence rebounded with dam
age. The plueky little Kentuckian was left
nowhere.
Concerning the merits of this case there is
some difference of opinion, but very little as
to its result. II is morally certain that a two
thirds vote for expulsion cannot be reached or
even Appropriated very nearly. The resolu-
ton amended to a vote of censure might per-
haps be passed by majority vote, but it is
more likely to remain in its present form.
Should It be defeated 1t will still probably an-
swer the end for which it was designed. 1t
will serve as a stern rebuke to sentiments
which il not clearly reasonable are still unfit
to be uttered at such time as this. The res
olutions of Mr.. Davis aud others of a similar
a. sort, coming from similar source, can do
little harm in the loyal states, but might, in
vested with fictitious importance, excite in
rebel minds hopes of discord and division in
the. federal councils
The most important, however, il no, the
most exciting business before the senate last
week, was the new CONSUMPTION bill. The
discussion Of the moro uiHrcurr Tuc.tTUns m
volved, such, for instance, as the Communication
and substitute clauses, has been very spirited
and general. But few, if any, set speeches
haye been made, but the running debates have
called out quite as much forensic talent and
have probably sifted the merits and faults Of
the numerous propositions made quite as thor
oughly as elaborate speeches would have
done. Senators Wilson, Sherman, johnson,
Grimes, Fessenden, Clark and Howard have
been among the more prominent speakers.
The consideration Of the bill occupied Tues
day, was resumed Thursday and consumed
the rest of the week. A Saturday session,
rather unusual, except under great press of
business, the senators aud members usually
taking that day for the transaction of bust
ness at the Departments, was held in order, if
possible, to bring the bill TO vote. This pur-
pose, however, was not attained. The whole
day was spent in debate without determining,
as believe, single point OF any importance.
The Communication clause is retained In mod
flied form, four hundred dollars to be paid and
the man to be clear until the class from which
he is drawn is exhausted. This is the most
important feature of the new bill, definitely
settled as yet.
The House has been busy Of late with a
variety OF matters among the most important
of which, may be reckoned the disposition of
eonilscated property in the rebel states. The
contested election case OF Dakotah Territory
occupied the House the greater part of FRI
day. Mr.. Jayne, the Delegate presenting ere
denfials was admitted to seat.
The lecture-going fever must have nearly if
not quite attained its crisis in this city during
the last week. The lectures of Agassiz upon
the "Glacial PERIOD replete Of course with
profoundest erudition, most happily adapted
TO common comprehension delivered at the
Smithsonian, and those Of Cough upon "Pe-
culiar People" and 'Eloquence and Orators
full of humor and pathos, fancy and wit, de-
liyered at the -Four and one half street church
tDr. Snnderland's) have drawn crowds, sell
dom equalled here. The rush did not seem
any the less because the lectures occurred in
part simultaneously, or on account OF Whip
pies fine lecture on Courage. delivered be-