Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1865-12-14


39th Congress which met yesterday will
legislate for 81 States, all of which, ex-
eepting those lately In rebellion, will be
represented. Whether any or all of the
latter class shall be admitted to partici-
pate in its deliberations, is yet to be de-
cided. Instead Of three, we have now
more than thirty millions of ofinhabitants.
The great Western rivers which were
then but little known, are now the
channels of commerce and trade. Ten
mighty commonwealths, rich in bound
less resources, border on the Mississippi.
In the arts of war and of peace, in mill
tary and naval powers, In industrial
and commercial achievements, in all
that makes Government respected at
home or abroad, we may challenge a
comparison with any of the nations of
the earth.
Several bills of great Importance were
introduced in both Houses on the first
day of the session. This is departure
from the usual practice, but they were
deemed too important to be delayed.
The unanimity of the Republican men,
bers in the election of Mr.. Colfax as
Speaker and adopting the resolution of
Mr. Stevens which provides that all the
papers relative to the admission of men,
bers from the rebel States be referred to
select committee without debate, and
that none of them shall be admitted to
a seat till that committee reports, is
cheering indication that the right feel
ing on this momentous subject prevails.
The language of the Message in regard
to Freedmen is an assurance that their
rights will be guarded by Executive
power. "Good faith requires the Sc
curity of the Freedmen in their
liberty and their property, their
right to labor and to claim the lust
return for their labor With the
exception of negro suffrage, there seems
now to be entire harmony between
Congress and the President. Well did
Gen. Banks say this evening in address,
ing large company who called to pay
their respects to him, "All fear of dis
sension between the different branches
of the Government, is dispelled. There
is nothing that will necessarily prevent
the cooperation of the Legislative and
Executive Departments in executing the
almost unanimous wishes of the people.
The country will be relieved of its ap-
prehensions, the friends of the Govern
ment will be encouraged, and it's enemies
depressed, when they receive the calm,
tom porute, wise, and just councils which
are put forth in this admirable Mes
sage. We aretold that it is the inten-
tion of the Government to make trea-
son Infamous and future rebellions I'm
possible. Its intent is unmistakable.
The power of the Government in the
insurgent States is to be given only to
the loyal men. They are to be sus-
tanned by the influence and patronage Of
the Federal Government
While Congress is organizing, the Su-
preme Court Of the United States com
mences its annual session in the old
Senate Chamber The Judges enter by
side door preceded by the crier who
heralds their approach. They wear silk
robes and bow to the Bar which rises
and stands until they are seated, The
Chief Justice is not so young as he is
represented on the one dollar greenbacks,
but is still in the prime of life. Judge
Wayne Of Georgia has been true to the
Union during the war and has resided
in this city. Judge Nelson who was
graduated at Middlebury College more
than fifty years ago, has still vigorous
intellect. The otherJudges are Younger
men, and the whole bench presents a
striking appearance OF talent and wis
dom. In the early days of the Republic
the Judges, initiating English customs,
had their robes trimmed with ermine
and wore small clothes and silk stock
ings and silver shoe buckles. The law
yers who practiced In this Court, wore
white cravats and shoes. To have ap-
peared there with boots, would have
imperilled their social position, if not
their professional standing. But this is
an age of progress, and of Democratic
equality, and many customs which the
great men of the age of Washington,
and the elder Adams regarded as insep-
arabl5 from the dignity of office, are
now discarded, 1t is very questionable
whether we have not lost, rather than
gained, by the change; whether we
have not lost much of the respect
which is due to official station and to
the majesty of law, aud whether as a
direct consequence, we have not broken
away from the wholesome restraints of
teachers and of parents young
America" rtjoices in the change, but
may not escape its perils. t.
CAPTURE or REBEL MoNEY.-Among
the captures of rebel property Ia North
Carolina was a lot of rebel paper mon
ev embracing denominations of hftiea