Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-01-01
Correspondence of the Free Press. J
Letter from Washington.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Is

Congress till after the Holiday Recess. Then
you may expect to see business open and pro
ceed in earnest.
The House is called the ablest one for its num-
bers, that has met in ten years. The new men,
especially some of those from the border States,
bring with them decided accession Of brains,
and what is quite as important, Of sterling 10y
atty to the Government also. The Union side Of
the House consequently finds itself Unexpectedly
strong An obnoxious measure can be tabled
by a majority Of flreHfy-oHe every time. Aud
it is the most cheering feature Of the time that
strong and influential men are present in the
national councils, from Maryland and Ken
tucky and Tennessee and Missouri, who are
thorough going in their support Of the Admins
tration, and its leading measures; who have
forsworn allegiance to slavery. and who on all
important national questions may be relied on 20
place themselves by the side Of the men Of New
England and the.truest supporter of the Govern
ment throughout the North. Nay more, The
determination Of the men Of the North TO make
borough work with the root of our present
trou1les-to see to IT that Slavery, having
brought about this war and cost Us such uu-
told blood and treasure. shall he permitted
to work out its own complete distraction
strengthened and deepened to-day by the earn
est viii and purpose OF these men Of the slave
States. They know what Slavery is by long ex-
perieuce. Emancipation is with them NOT o.
question alone Of National credit or morality, hut
one affecting Immediately the peace of their
homes and the future Of their children, and
when one Of these men becomes an Emncpa-
zionist, there is commonly no half way work
about it with him
1t looks somewhat IS if President Lincoln bad
iorestalled Congress in respect to what was TO
have been the two principal branches Of business
Of the on-Reconstructicn, and President
making. The question Of Reconstruction, VIII
indeed be likely to occupy a good deal Of the
time and thought Of Congress, but the fell Of
debate on the subject has been very greatly mar
rowei by the presentation Of the President
plan. Many member who had pet scheme
Of his own TO urge has already consigned his
project to the shades, and an the discussion and
action on the subject must take the form
Of a modification OF rendering more effective Of
the Presidents method. There are those who
fear that when, under Mr. Lincoln's Prochma-
tiou, tenth Of the inhabitants Of the seeded
States shall have taken the oath Of allegiance
and been allowed to bring back their States into
the Union, the other nine-tenths, who are
brought back with them, viii be able to resume
their old control, re-enslave the enfranch.sel
blacks, and " raise Ned generally. For one
nay faith in God and the People forbiis such an
apprehension. The Power that has permitted
the wrath Of man TO excite this fearful struggle,
will yet make it praise Him. by bringing through
ERE and sword the complete redemption Of the
Nation from its great iniquity. The People,
having given men by the million and money by
the thousand millions TO the war, are not going
to close it in way that shall leave any ground
to fear recurrence Of the same trouble. Ofs
much am confident. What the exact method Of
securing such a result may he. is Of less conse-
quence Congress may be able to render effect
i've legislative assistance in facilitating and max
ing effective the Lincolniau scheme Of Recon-
structiou.
As for the other question, that ofthe Success SON,
it looks good deal as If the People hal already