Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-02-08
he MoURNS0VER THE STATE
OF AFFAIRS IN VIR-
GINA.
TO TRY his HAND AT RE-
CONSTRUCTION.
IMPORTANT RESOLUTION
FROM SENATOR SUM-
NER.
RRVERDY JOHRSON A RADI-
CAL.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE OHIO
LEGISLATURE.
Especial to the Cleveland Leader !
WAsa1NQroN. FebruarY Z.

WASHINGTON, February Z.
EXTRACTS FROM J. MINOR BoTrs' LETTER.
The following paragraphs are from an
authorized publication of the letter Of
John Minor Bolts declining the United
States senstorship from Virginia, Of which
go much has been said in newspapers
In the present condition of the country
and OF the State of which am native
and to the manor born, could not with
prOpriety and with my convictions Of
duty, accept any appointment at the hands
Of either Of the numerous governments
nov exercising legislative powers over
any of the dismembered fragments of what
once constituted the proud and revered old
commonwealth of Virginia. From the
present aspect of affairs, it looks as if
day was not very far distant, when if ever
may be Of some service in helping TO
dissipate those dissensions and distrac-
tions growing out of the grOssest misrep-
resentations aud fraud that now divide the
Nation, the State, and almost every lOcali-
ty, and which, though smothered from time
TO time, have never not been extinguisbed.
But this can only be done, if at all, by
adhering firmly and consistently to the
opinions and principles Of long life,
which have grown with my growth and
strengthened with my strength until they
have become apart of my second nature.
In other words, must permit no shadow
of suspicion from any quarter to attract
to my unselfsh patriotism, or the disinter.
ested integrity Of my purpose which ac-
ceptance Of Office might subject me to. The
extent of my aspirations for the present
are to return coed for evil to this once
venerable and 7enersted, but now poor,
down trOdden, shattered, heartlessly sac
ri6oed and diIspidated old mother of
States.
PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS.
Senator Sumner is expected to intro
duoe to morrow, very carefully considered
and elaborate resolutions, declaring that
the Government has two distinct classes
of rights over rebel territory: The rights
of national sovereignty and the rights Of
war, and that either or both may be
exercised at pleasure; that any system of
reconstruction must be rejected that does
not effecIually provide against the con-
tinusd existence or possible revival of
slavery; that such guarantees can only
be obtained through the agency Of the
National Government asserting it's tempo
rary supremacy, either civil or military,
over conquered territory long enough TO
stamp upon it forever the character of free
dom, and that the Constitution must be 80
amended as to prohibit slavery every
where.
The resolutions are likely, in some par
ticulars, to conflict with the Presidents
policy, and to have marked attention snd
elaborate discussion.
At general dinner of the Metropolitan
Club here, speeches took decidedly rsdi-
cal anti-slsvsry turn, and Reverdy John
son especially surprised his auditors by
the fervOr Of his anti-slavery uttersncss.
Mr.. CHAsE's DINNER.
A dinner was given by Chase on sstur-
day evening to the New York delegation,
which is here on bank business. Sherman,
Garfield, and MOrehead were among the
guests.
BANQUET TO A MINNESOTA REGIMENT.
The Minuesotisns in Washington, at the
expense of about two thousand dollars,
gave a magnificent banquet Saturday
night, at the National Hotel, to Ninneso-
ia regiment on its way home to recruit
and re-enlist.
Speeches were made by Vice President
Hamlin, Senators Lane, Of Indians, Chan
dler, Harlan, Colonel Forney and others.
Negro fighting wss indorsed to the full
est extent, and the most radical sentiments
constantly expressed.
A letter was read from Secretary Chase
which was received with uproarous and
long continued applause.
MODIFICATION OF THE NAVAL LAWS.
Charles B. sedgwick, Commissioner TO
moiify the naval laws of the United
States, has about finished his work and ex-
poets to report to Congress next week. The
work has required more time and labor
than was originally expected.
mrs. GAINES AND HER DAUGHTER.
A daughter of Mrs. Gaines got through
the lines, the other day, when Stanton
sent her mother back, and came on TO
Washington. Stanton issued an order on
Saturday, sending her also back TO the
rebel lines.
Mr.. White, of New York, is here, trying
to have stanton's order changed. He de
mics that any reason exists why Mrs.
Gaines should not come North and go to
her property at New Orleans.
Reverdy JOhnson's friends intimate that
within this week he may be expected to
take in the Senate even more radical
enti-slaverY ground than he did n few