, 1865-02-05
Constitutional Amendment Adopted.
GranGest Act Since the Declaration Of indie.
pcndenec.

I EFAsA1NGTDNs 4uEIEuuy, jan. III, ltlQ.
The hour las come {! The proposed amend
ment to the Constitution Immediately abol-
ishing and forever prohibiting slavery comes
up for decision. an anxious throng OF wit
! nesses pour into the galleries; there is an air
Of confidence rising almost to cxultation on
the Gniou side, While 6ullcn gloom settles
oyer the rro-tlavery benches.
Archibald McAllister, Dem., Of the 18th
Pennsylvania district, reads beautiful paper,
in which he just1lles bis change OF vote, and
casts his ballot agai1ts the corncra4one Of
The rebellion Alexander II. CotIroth, Dem.,
! Of Pennsylvania, 10th district, follows in an
| unswerable and manly argument, to show
| the power to amend aud the,policy to amend.
| Applause On the Republican side greeted
| these new accessioDs to freedom
1c:s5--Nm. H. Miller, Of Pennsylvania,
18th District twho was beaten at tho last cleo
tion By Geo. F: Miller, Union. espouses FRO.
his party foot on the niggers.
The galleries are getting crowded, theaoo
4~of the House filling up.
Auson Herricl, Dem, 9th District of New
YorE, next gives funk and statcsmanllke
reasons why he has changed his views and
In the midst Of the speaking, andthat buz-
zing which always charactetizes q critical
| vote upon, great question, it is whispered
| tlat three rebel Peace Commissioners
Stephens, Hunter and Camphell-are on their
WY AclC lIlAl tNCS NeIE HI lily IDluL LAST
| night. A few believe, but most people say,
"Gold gamblers news"
l:D p. m.-The crowd increases. Eenatore,
heads Of Bureaus. prominent civilians and
distinguished strangers I'LL the spaces out
side OF the circle.
The interest becomes intense. The disrnp-
tion of the Democratic parry now going on Is
watched with satisfaction and joy upon the
Republican side Of the House anxiety md
gloom cover the obstinate body-guaTd Of
Slavery, whose contracting lines break with
the breasing up Of their party.
spitefu}1y indicates his Intention to vote
against freedom. Aaron Harding Of Ken
lucky, Border State Cnionist," bless the
mark! makes melancholy attempt to poke
fun ut young Democratic converts, and rams
the struggling niggcr back under the protec-
ton OF The sacred constitution.
Martin Klab1eiSch, Democrat, Of Brooklyn,
reads long pro-slavcry composition, which
cxcltcs little attention md nj. interest,".
3p. m.-Thc hour for voting has arrived,
NJ. klabtletsh has only got to the ed page Of
through six pages more. This request is
granted With much reluctance.
The galleries are wonderfully crowded, aud
women are invading the reporters seats
have been transferred bodily to tile floor Of
the House.
$50 p. MA motion to lay the motion to
reconsider on the table assumes the
character Of test vote. The most
thc roll: Division Isis appear on ali sides,
and members, reporters and spectators DE-
vote themselves to keapins tally.
OF course the attempt to table the amend
mcnt will fail but thereaIc not votes enough
70 pass the bill Absentecs drop in; one
The Reading Clerk, but the count has already
been declared in whisper through the House
ST ayes, III noes. It is not tabled.
33U T. M.--Question Is taken now on the
motion to reconsider the vote of last session
for want OF two-thilds. The House vote to
reconsider, ayes IL nays 81.
Now commence efforts to stave Oft the final !
vote. Robert Mallory, {Dem) Of Kentucky,
with menace as to what course he should
decide 10 pursue, appeals to alr. Ashley to
Democrats clamor for this delay.
Air, Ashley refuses and stands firm, this
being the'accepted time and the day Of sal
yation.
The final vote begins: Down the rollwc 80
TO James E. English, Den.) OF Connecticut,
who votes "aye." A burst Of applause greets
comes thrilling. Tho Speakers hammer falls
heavily md restores silence.
Clerk" John Gauson." "Aye." Applause
again, rcprcsscd again by the Speaker. An
gTr calls among the Democrats and great irrl-
Ger Ge,k@"%We1Is % A. Hutchlps." "Ayc." a
stir Of astonishmcnt in the reporters cutlery.
s'William Bradford" "Aye" 4 more
ment Of satisfaction ill over the House.
n,a "lehn l .; steelsn els:a..a AYE" Wonder and
i'rIi .;DTisht id. 'T townsend" "No.n ."Ah. If
Harry Stc5bins had been we'll enough to
stay tAat vote lad not been given," said q
Senator.
0la&-" Schuyler Colfax:" "Aye."
The voting is done. Swift pencils run up
The division lists. "One hundred and nine
teen to ffty.six"' HurIah! 'Siwn more than
tro-thifds!
The Clerk whispers the result to the Speak
CT. The Speaker announces to the House
what the audience quickly interpreted to be
THE MIGHTY FACT THAT TIE XAAVl1Tu
AMERICAN CoSGREss HAD ApoL1sED As1ER1-
CAN SLAVERY.
Tic tu1nu1t of joy TINT broke out was vast,
laundering and Uncomfortable. Representa-
tiyes and Auditors on the floor, soldiers and
spectators in the gallery. Senators and su-
preme Conrt Judges, women and pages, gave
md important event in American Legislation
and American History since the Declaration
Of Independence.
God bless the XXXVIHth Congress!
The work done in securing the passage OF
this bnl has been immense. It has taken the
labor Of an entire month, night and day, to
secule the majority which to-day 80 delighted
the friends of freedom and Of humanity, aud
so astounded the allies of slavery.
To Two Republicans in particular does the
nation owe debt OF gratitude-to James n.
Ashley of Toledo. Ohio, and Augustus Frank,
Of Warsaw, New Fork. They held the labor
ing oars,
The Democrats were sure Of defeating the
measure BY large majority up to this noon
indeed, they felt sure Of 1t up to the final
voting. The Republicans were not sure Of
success I'LL last night.
Three batteries 81 regular artillery hive
Just salucd the grand result with hundred
nune. in the heart Of the citY.