The Portland daily press., 1864-01-07

The bill amending the conscript law Will,
doubtless, first engross the attention of Con-
gress after the holiday vacation. Opinions
vary greatly as to what changes should be
made in the law, and no little time and dis
cusson will probably be necessary to harmon
ze them. The bill first introduced by Mr.. :
Wilson, was subsequently reported with
amendments from the committee on military
affairs and to the bill in this form no less than
nine amendments have been proposed, or are
ready to be; so it is not easy to predict what
form it will eventually assume. The three
hundred dollar exemption clause will prove
especially hard to six" Not only the wide
differences of opinion respecting this provision
of the law, but the warmth and tenacity with
which they are held, will contribute to pro-
duce spirited discussion.
The work upon the exterior of the Capitol
goes busily on. All day the air rings with the
clink of the workmen's chisels. Freedom at
the top now stands, owing to the removal of
some part of the scaffoldiYig, with her head
peeping above the planks and timbers, taking,
one might fancy, sharp observation of the
new years novelties. Well she may, for few
seasons like the present have brought us more
reason for wonder and gratitude. Who can
contrast this time with year ago, without
amazement? a mighty revolution in our
military affairs, a still more glorious revolu-
ton in the public sentiment of the country,
unity and strength among ourselves, weakness,
division and imminent ruin among our enc
mics, are the gifts which benign Providence
has sent to cheer our hearts and strengthen
our arms for the labors and conflicts of the
year before us.
New Years is set down in the Washington
Calendar as one of the principal holidays of
the year. The Departments and all Govern
ment offices are closed, and the day is devoted
to sociablity, conviviality, and festivities of
all sorts. Friday last was observed after the
usual fashion. The Vice-President, Cabinet
Ministers and othea dignitaries, received nu-
merous complimentary visits from their friends
and any who were DESTROYS of paying their re-
spects The great rush was, however, to the
White House. The officers of the Navy who
were in the city, waited upon the President
at II A. NJ, the officers of the Army half an
hour later, and there was general reception
from twelve till two. The throng was so large
before the main entrance to the Executive
Mansion, and the pressure so great, as to be
anything but pleasant to people Of weak frame.
Once admitted to the hall where the Marine
Band were discoursing some of their best
strains, the crowd was reduced to single file
by being passed through two doors guarded
by policemen, just as an iron rod is drawn
down to wire by being pulled through success
sive dies.
Thus ushered into the Presidential presence,
the democratic sovereigns, with all due and
decotous condescension, shake hands one by
one with their principal servant and pass on.
He, the said principal servant, in a plain suit
of black, little pale and thin from recent ILL
ness, but not at all reduced in height, with
some inferior magnates around him, and his
lady in the background, chatting with some
friends, gives dignifed and cordial greeting
to his multitudnous guests. Two hours
Misunderstanding - even though 1t be relieved
with transient "let up" now and then, just
enough to permit the Presidential digits to re-
lax and the Presidential backbone to straight
en- momeptarily-''hic labor, hic opus est
Two hours Misunderstanding! The light and
pleasant. recreation of the tread-m is not to
be mentioned in comparison. Two hours
hand shaking! Think of it, o We aspirants to
the dignties of the White House, and be
warned in season.
The colored people of the city celebrated
as who had better right to do-the Anniver-
sary of Emancipation, by large and enthusi-
astic gathering in the Israel church near the
Capitol. The Proclamation was read the John
Brown song was sung, speeches were made by
Garnet of New York, Lenox Remond, and
Others. Refreshments were passed around.
and the occasion throughout was as well it
might be, one Of heartfelt rejoicing.
The war has brought to the city many per-
sons who from humane and patriotic motives,
have suspended their accustomed pursuits and
abandoned for the time the comforts and en-
joyments of home for the purpose of minister
ing to the sick and wounded soldiers in the
hospitals. Among this number there is at
present a poet OF renown, who has written
some good things, and others about which no
man can speak with certainty. Like true
man and patriot, he has left his literary pur-
suits, left bordering upon sea-weed, left grow
ing LEAVES of grass" and betaLen himselfto
the duties of practical philanthropist He
spends his time in visiting those who have
perilled all and ne suffering much for the
country, in reading to them and in every way
practicable ministering to their comfort. He
is-with honor be his name mentioned-no
other than "Walt Whitman, lusty and gener-
Gus as nature" TSP.