The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-06-17
Letter from the Federal Capital.
WASHINGTON, june 14th, 1864,

terest. The Convention at Baltimore acting |
as stror z counter irritant, left us at the Cap
itol for q little time In great quiet. Nor is it |
necessary TO say that the nominations Of the |
Union Convention are well received here, and |
promise to be very popular, nor thatirom none |
will the noble Unionist named for the Vice
Presidency reveive more generous and un-
grudging support than from those whose views
Of the public interests as well as personal pre-
ferenees would have led them to prefer the re-
nomination Of the statesman who has so wor-
thily and well filled that high position thus
far during the present term.
And now that the Presidential campaign is
fairly opened, the present protracted session
of Congress begins to grow little tedious
or at least one might judge from the thicken-
ing signs of an early adjournment There APP
pears strong indisposition to take up new
business and an inclination to defer till De-
cember. much that is already begun, except
ing of course, some few measures of prime i'm
portance, including tax and tariff bills yet to
be perfected. These will consume nearly all
that remains Of the present month, and per-
rupt bill in the House, by majority of one
vote, a majority which might easily chance to
be reversed upon another day and at fuller
session, is probably decisive for the present,
for the reason above indicated
A great deal of interest, curious rather than
anxious, is felt regarding the nominations that
may be made and the platform TO be adopted
by The self styled National Democratic Con-
vention. 1t is probable that Gen. Fremont
will have pretty strong party, his letter ac-
cepting the nomination already rendered him.
having won nightly on the hearts Of the Cop
perhead leaders. Some of the most ultra Dem
ocratic politicians here are believed to favor
him. 1t seems hardly possible, however, that
an opposition that has all along been an oppo-
sirion simply, and nothing more, without any
other doctrine or policy than indiscrminate
fault finding with every thing that is done for
the preservation of the Union, can be united
upon any one positive platform or combined
upon any one man. 1t would doubtless be
great help II those having the undertaking in
nand should find themselves embarrassed by
no scruples of conscience aud hampered by no
1 inconvenient principles, and in this aspect OF
the case the Ccpperhead politicians OF the
county have an undoubted right to approach
( the enterprise hopefully.
Rev. Dr. Breckenridge, temporary Chairman
Of the late Union Convention, preached by In
vitation n the Hall of Representatives last
sunday. The floor and galleries were alike
a 4.
obtain entrance, or to get within hearing dis
lance. SO great indeed was the press to hear
this eminent divine that among those who
stood was, las l noticed, Senator Chandler, v lille
his fellow Senator, b. Gratz Brown, with ex-
enplary humility, took the lowest seat, the
ioor. Among his hearers were many other
Senators and a large number of Representa-
tives, the President and Parson Browuow.
Those who came expecting to witness a dis
play of pulpit oratory, and those who aniici-
pated discourse respecting the great nation
al struggle now going on, were alike disap-
pointed. The text was LIST Timothy, lst chap.
and 18th verse: "rhis is a faithful saying and
worthy of all aeeeptation, that Christ Jesus
came into the world 10 save sinners OF whom |
am chief" The sermon from II was a pain.
earnest and faithful appeal in favor of person.
al piety. Whether as regards its direct prac-
tical character or its doctrinal orthodoxy, it
was worthg of some sturdy Puritan divine.
The DIR. is considerably past middle lfe With
hair much silvered, aud full beard still more
gray, full stature and strongly marked features.
At the close of his discourse he received the
congratulations of many friends.
/ The arrest of Lieut.. VIM. II. Broughton OF
/ Q 10 Maine, soon after the Wilderness bat
I ties tor absence without leave, having been
made the subject of much remark, it seems
only just to an officer who won his shoulder
straps before the rebel batteries at Fredericks-
burg, and who has always borne high char
acter for personal bravery as well as efficiency
as an officer, to state in few words his own
version of the affair referred to. 1t Is substan-
TALLY as follows: Having received hurt in
the ankle from spent ball, which though not
serious made marching for the time impracti-
cable, he went to the Division hospital ID. end
ing TO remain a short time until the lameness
and soreness should subside. As the Army
might move at any time, he was advised by
the Division Surgeon to go to Fredericksburg.
When he arrived there he found orders had
been received for all persons arriving to go
7 forward to Belle Plain. As ne had no alter
native but to walk back twelve miles, he went
on in the ambulance to the point indicated,
and and was thence brought to Washington
Here he was arrested with others and return
ed to the front. On his arrival at his regi-
ment he was examined by the regimental Sur
! geon; the Colonel made statement of his
case to Gen. Cutler, and Lieut. Brough,on was
I Immediately released from arrest.
It's not strange that in the hurry and ex-
element attending arrests Of officers and men
so numerous as were made at the time refer
red to,inustice should have been done to some.
! Oae private who was sent back as "skedad-
dler" was obliged to undergo an amputation
before he reached the Army.
Mr.. Jacob Larry, refugee from Virginia, ar
rived here last week, having taken advantage
of the presence of our army near Richmond.
to make his escape. He has lived in Virginia
for more than forty years, and is now on his
way to Gorham, Maine, where | understand
his former home to have been. He graduated
at Bowdoin College in 1881, having been a
member OF that institution at the same time
as Senator Fessendcn.
During last week the Maine 81, which came
out three years ago, under the command OF
Col, now Major General Howard, and which
having earned reputation for bravery wor-
thy ofits first commander, has now come to
be known as the "Invincibles," with several
other regiments from other States, passed
through the city on their way home.
Il. S. p.
Vegetable Miscenegation.
WEsr MISoT, June IA, 1894
To The Editor Of the Portland Press