The Portland daily press., 1864-06-07
Letter From the Federal Capital.

~ He EdHoT " the f'ress:
The attempt made on Tuesday last, to re-
peal the Fishing Bounties," and the very an
mated discussion elected by it, seem worthy
of note. Though these bounties, in accor-
dance with the example of the great maritime
powers, England and France, and upon
grounds not of private or local interest, but
of national utility, were established by the
Fathers of the Republic, and have been sane
toned by our great statesmen; though they
are now in no proper sense gratuity, but be-
ing nearly equal in amount to the duty paid
by our fishermen upon the salt used in curing
the fish, simply serve to give them an even
chance in business with the fishermen of the
Provinces, which last, paying no duty on salt,
and having the privilege under the Reciproc-
ity Treaty, of sending their fish into the
States free of impost, would otherwise have
material advantage over our own fishermen
Notwithstanding all this, the Bounties have Of
late years been frequently and violently at
tackled.
&The movement seems to have originated
with the representatives of the slave states,
whose intense hatred of New England need
not be told. Since, moreover, New England,
though thoroughly respected and even admir-
ed, is not very popular outside her own bor-
ders, some politicians of the Middle and
Western States may have thought little
cheap local popularity might be acquired by
assailng an interest supposed TO pertain Pc
culiarly TO our American Switzerland. From
these or some other causes, the repeal OF the
Bounties has been a favorite hobby with some
gentlemen, and one emphatically Of long
standing, siuce they have never been able TO
make 1t go.
This time, however, the repeal was attempt
ed with strong hopes and pretty fair pros
pect of success SO far, indeed, that those
most interested in preserving the present
statutes were very doubtful of their ability TO
do So Senator Morrill, having given some
attention to the subject, was prepared to take
a leading part in preventing the injustice at
tempted, and to repel, as he did very salts
factorily, tho aspersions cast by some Senators
upon New England. Senator Fessenden also
made short speech on the subject, or rather.
a statement of the case, very admirable for its
clearness and force. To the exertons Of Our
own Senators 1t Is very largely due that the
motion to repeal the Bounties received only
eleven out of thlrty-five votes.
Slowly and with an immense amount Of
quiet, hard work and patient discussion, the
Tax bill approaches Its completed state as
law. Your readers are doubtless made aware
through the telegraph Of the more important
features of the bill as fast as they are eonsid-
cred settled. The forthcoming law will of
course bear heavily, but will, am confident,
be tolerated and even welcomed by the peo-
pie. For us the choice is no longer between
light and heavy taxation, but between great
taxes and financial ruin, utter and irreparable.
We must take up the burden and carry 1t with
stout shoulder and a stouter heart.
Nor will the country forget to honor with
its gratitude those statesmen who have labor
ed night and day with signal ability at the
herculean task of preparing this most ungra-
cious but most necessary measure And it is
quite safe and only just to say that no mem
Der OF the Ways and Means Committee OF the
House, or Of the Finance Committee OF the
Senate has been more distinguished for skill
aud ability or has deserved better of his coun-
try in connection with this measure than the
The leading position now and for some time
past occupied by him in the Senate is not az
all accidental. So well has he, during these
years OF trouble and trial proved himself to
be the right man in the right place, that were
slightest doubt, be Immediately accorded to
him by the general il not unanimous sense of
the august council of which he Is a member
With long legislative experience, ability above
question, integrity above suspicion, with cour-
age TO do whatever needs TO be done however
thankless the task, severe and unrelenting in
his hostility TO every fraud or extravaganza
however concealed or disguised, he has man
aged the great interests committed TO bis care
in such manner as viii insure to him place
in our future annals among our most pure and
able statesmen.
The report of the committee on the conduct
of the war, just published, respecting the con-
dition Of returned Union prisoners, will be
perused with an interest no less painful than
intense. Accompanying the report are eight
cuts intended to give some idea OF the appear
ance of as many Union soldiers soon after
their release from the dungeons Of Richmond.
They convey to the mind far better than any
words can do the idea of the terrible cruelty
with which those brave but most unfortunate
men along with thousands more have been
treated. Some expired soon after their re-
lease, and some are gradually returning to
health and strength. have seen several Of
the photographs from which the engravings
We're made. The latter do not exaggerate,
but rather fall short OF presenting the terrible
aspect or the former. The photograph OF
John l.. Rose in particular, who died MAY Alb
from ELECTS OF treatment while ia the enemy's
hands is far more CHASTITY than the picture ac-
companying the report. II, with these cuts
before us, we can command ourselves sufli-
GENTLY TO read the hypocritical platitudes. the
smooth Internal cant OF JEFF Davis respecting
the comparative treatment of Union and reb- /
el prisoners-lies as diabolical as IL they had
been put forth from Pandemonium direct and
not through the branch Office at Richmond.
we shall perhaps realize more wildly than we
have been accustomed TO do the true spirit of
this rebellion.
The National Union Convention about to
assemble at Baltimore is becoming matter
OF absorbing interest. hear no other capdi-
date than Mr.. Lincoln spoken of as having any
probable chance OF success. proposition 4
to adjourn TO attend the Convention made in
the Senate by Mr.. Lane, OF Kansas, yesterday
morning, was fairly laughed down.-Congress
VIII keep about its own business. TSP.
The Dano- German War.
ine conference on the Danish question 1