The Portland daily press., 1865-01-24
Gl.mpses of the Capitol.
AuausrA. Jam. 29. 1859

ment, OF the session, was uisbuiDou "
slight ripple on Friday. 1t was found that
nearly unanimous as the House IL, upon lead
ing political questions, yet 1t is not quite so.
and that there are men In the "copperneau
department of that body, who are ready 70
spring to their feet, with as mucn zeal anu
about as much discretion as ever lou VulAotot
did when his favorite theories we're assaiied-
n Init the sanctity OF Slavery be openly doubt
ed.
On that day, Mr.. Dingley introduced his
Resolutions proposing an amendment Of tie
United States Constitution prohibiting slav-
cry; in which was very properly declared,
that 1.-THE Institution Of slavery is the chief OBJ
stacle to an early and permanent pacitica,ion
of the country; that duty to God and man
demands that the foul blot should be removed
from every rod of the soil OF the American
Republic"--with an ardent desire that Con-
gress Immediately submit to the several States
q proposition to amend the Constitution SO as
to abolish slavery, trusting it will be ratified
by thu requisite number Of States, the stigma
on our national fame be removed, and the
blessings of substantial peace secured.
Mr.. Dingley added few words as to
the necessity of prompt action in passing thu
Resolves. Congress had this weighty matter
before it. 1t was fitting that the Legislature
of Maine should send forth its word of en-
couragement on this great measure, and that
promptly. he therefore proposed a suspen
sion of the rule that the Resolves might be
put on their passage eanq y rgras
The opposition first shew its head in at
tempting to defeat the suspension. 1t was
quite clear that, if the Resolves were to pass.
and to have their effect ON Congress-the
quicker the better. 1t was equally clear that
five sixths Of the House, believed the propo
sitions to be vital to the welfare of the coun
try The action against suspension amount
ed to but little. There was short debate,
and then the question was taken by yeas and
nays. But fourteen opposed 1t. x NN
Then came the real question: Shall the re-
solves pass? And this brought the chevalieI
OF the C)pperheads,-M Payson of West
brook, to his feet. In his dreamy and fanci
ful style he defended the ''divine" institution,
and roamed in Imagination over the ruins Of
this fair heritage Of ours, ifsuch doctrines as
avowed in the resolves, were TO be carried out
by the American people. A success ofseveuty
years unexampled, was perilled and prostrat
ed by this bloody war. Men read now with
apathy of slaughter by thousands, that would
have shrunk from the sight of arterial blood
few years since. The dominant powers were
xiding wooden Pegasus whose machinery
was SO complicated that the man could not be
found to stay his headlong course. The prev
alenee of abolition was ruin, and 1t was as OBJ
viousIy In sight as was the Eddystone light to
the helmless ship, drifting helplessly toward
Its pyramids of rocks. And so our friend o.
Westbrook rode on his Rosinante with break
neck pace. He was bold rider in that foray
No Hve-barred gate or yawning ravine, baulk
ed his lank and spawned steed. No impedi
ment so fearful as to prevent his taking a leap
at it. Sometimes it was cleared-and the mex
leap es~~A NJ r~~- r~~ -s-y--5 1851 se~AAst
ing in the mud this side the obstacle. 1t was
an effort of desperate courage and thus wor
respect. 1t was an effort based on false prin
ciples-principles blown more absolutely t.
the winds than the powder ship OF Fort Fish
er-aud thus all the combative elements of the
Unionists of the House, were aroused. fI 8 a
At length 1t came to an end. Men by doz-
ems were ready to fame out and expose the
monstrous doctrines avowed by the Represent
alive of the Westbrook democracy-but true t.
their resolutions, they bit their lips and KEEP
silence. Let the sayings 80 teeming with pc
litlcal error, die with the echoes they produc.
ed Selfevident propositions need no exposi
tion. Certain as the dat of the Supreme pow
or, were the points taken In the Resolves, and
no man opened his lips to prove them. TIL
vote was taken in silence-and no voice broke
the hush Of the moment TO vote against them.
The sitting member from Berwick, is to
have his "walking papers" this week, and the
contestant, WIN. 81. Lord, to occupy the seat
thus far kept warm by Jordan. The latter
gentleman had not been citizen of the State
for full year prior to his election, as provid-
ed by the Constitution. He moved from the
State about thirty years since, and returned
about three months prior to the last election
He is OF the Copperhead persuasion, and hi
quite misfortune to them. ,,,,. ..iife
The political nostrums having been thus
summarily disposed of-and satisfactorily
next come those 10 medicine. Mr.. Kilby, OF
Eastport, introduced an order, directing the
Judiciary Committee to inquire what further
legislation Is necessary to protect the scenery
OF the State and the property of its citizens
against DETACHMENT by advertisers of patent
nostrums and other wares. II the committee
agree with our brother from the border, and
cut off this democratic style of advertising
long fare we'll to plantation Bitters" and
Pulmonary Balsam." No more shall thu
popular advertisements of those cheerin.
drinks greet our eyes, or their pleasing stimu
lation warm up our diaphrams. "Conditio
powders" aud DRY up" will cease to gree
tne eve OF some prosy member, as he enter.
Tue Hall of the House charged with two
hours speech-and thus give him hint to tr,
'he Vermltuge before he essays his sleepinl
Po"uetS. Can the member from Eastport b.
aware Oh the fearful innovation his order pre-
F., poses. especially during the session. u
potent witness Of the sin of s,a,ar, Ia :,
# III
the city. A little girl-fair as Aurora ,n;,,
her faxen curis moved by the gentlest hrss1a--
Is being shown in Hall and Church. thns ;.
raise funds for her education. Bright ana
cheerful as the petted child of your own FIRE
sloe-she system proclaimed this little darliul
asiaVe, and any brutal task mother in III,
lana might possess her delicate form, and art
less ways, BY the payment Of the price
Thank Heaven, ere that catastrophe came, tn.
fair lass was brought TO land of freedom
where no auctioneer can take her in his arms
and looking men full in the face, with no sense
of shame, cry out, What will you give me TO,
this slave? More deeply still, let us thanl
heaven that the hour is rapidly approaching
wnen no man on this hemisphere will be sui.
iered TO mount the aution block, and ask tina,