The Portland daily press., 1864-03-18

WAsnINaroN. d. g., March is, 1894.

10 Inc h1ttOT or the ffese
In spite of pretty long daily sessions the
business of Congress goes forward at only a
moderate rate. While we all desire judi
clous and safe dispatch in these matters we
must earnestly depreeate preciptate legisla.
ton under present circumstances. 1t is well
perhaps that in relation TO most questions
arising out of the present state OF our affairs
at once so strange and critical, wide diversi-
ty of views leads to the fullest Investigation
and discussion. "Festina lente" is not a bad
motto for Congress just now or one it seems
ayerse to follow OF factious opposition, in
deed, there has been some, but less than was
anticipated by many. The spirited aud some
what amusing passage in the House on Tues
day between Messrs. Blair, Blow and Rollins
of Missouri, was followed on Wednesday by a
speech in the other end of the Capitol from
Senator Brown of that state. AS considera-
BILE personal interest attaches at the present
time to this gentleman, he may bear brief
description: of medium height and slight
stature, with bright yellow hair, soft and
curly, and full, flowing beard of like sunny
hue concealing his mouth and the lower part
of his face, nose thin and slightly aquiline,
| fair, white forehead and blue eyes - such in
personal presence is b. Gratz Brown. Those
who remember how fearlessly, calamity and
ably he has through evil report and good re-
port, in fair weather and in foul, upheld the
cause of emancipation in Missouri will credit
him with more energy and determination than
seems TO sort with his almost feminine delica-
cy of organization. His voice. though some
what deficient in strength and compass, is
finely clear and distinct, and his manner is at
once deliberate, dignided, and unpretending.
His style is elegant and scholarly at least as
compared with the average of Congressional
speeches embellshed often with poetical fig
ures and fancies, yet not encountered with
ornament, not less apt and forcible than ele-
CANT in its illustrations, terse and vigorous
throughout The speech referred to was one
of the most able of the present session, and
secures its author an assured position in the
Senate. Whether or not he may be thought
correct in his main positions, he was doubtless
right in invoking for emancipation, the most
undsputed and indisputable sanctions. His
views respecting the present status of slavery,
nearly coincide with those expressed some
days since in the House by Henry Winter Da-
Wis: slavery is not dead, slavery may be a
very sick man, but unless he is done dead, he
will again be your master" In fact the read
mess of certain copperhead journals and poll
ticians to admit the death of slavery is as sus-
picious as the announcement from one who
has just fallen undermost in struggle that
he had virtually expired some time before
However much we may be cheered by the
triumphs Of anti-slayery sentiment in New
Hampshire and New York by the orgauiza-
ton of Louisiana upon free basis, and the
adoption Of non-slave holding constitution
in the Virginia constitutional convention.
as well as by the many other signs and omens
of good, we must never rest till slavery is
done dead" past all possibility OF resuscita-
ton and hope of resurrection.
The arrival OF Lieut.. Gen. Grant at the
Capital, was quite an event. His reception at
Wizards dinner table was most fattering.
When a company Of Americans cease eating,
an occupation SO apt with us to Danish all
thought Of every other thing celestial or sub
lunary, to cheer and applaud some new arri-
Valy si'ss l"ara no -saare conclnsira demonstra-
ton Of popular enthusiasm possible. At the
Presidents reception on the evening of the
same day, the new generalissimo was con-
strained, in spite of his distaste for display. to
step upon sofa TO show himself The formal
presentation Of his commission and subse-
quent serenade, farther indicate how every
one from the President downward is anxious
to do him honor. All this is well enough so
our we'll deserved admiration does not de-
generate into man worship.
&sMerely local matters do not seem now more
than heretofore to call for special notice
Your readers will not probably be much cleo
triied to learn that receptions and levees,
parties and balls, dinners and suppers, have
not ceased TO follow each other in usual order
and accustomed routine. The season at the
Capital has been, fashionably speaking, gay
and festive, meteorologically speaking, fine
and sunny, politically speaking, clustering
and squally. OF lectures and plays, readings
ana concerts, literary clubs and sewing cir
Giles, fairs and festivals, shows OF giants and
dwarfs, tricks OF magic and spiritual mani
lestations," metropolitan society has not been
destitute. And so, here as elsewhere. the
world wags;" amusing and delighting itself
often with triaes, follies and worse, but vet
not destitute OF lofty aims, noble aspirations
and sanity devotion, getting daily little
nearer, thank Heaven, little nearer to the
golden age to be, to the all hail hereafter, to
the'great hope of the race. TSP.