Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-23


The meeting was large and harmonious.
New York, Dec. 22.-The Commercial
Washington Dispatch SAYS the Southern
members of Congress elect, held caucus
yesterday and decided to return to their
homes, leaving one from each State to repre-
sent them before the Joint Committee of
Congress.
The Posts Washington special says Mr..
Van Dyke and friends are confident of his
appointment as Collector of the port of New
York. He is strongly recommended by
prominent citizens.
PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 22.-The safe of the
Sanitary Commission was found robbed this
morning of Sc, $50 in United States bonds,
the property of ]. w. Wilson, chief clerk.
The following are the numbers of the five
twenty bonds of five hundred dollars each.
Nov. %, 900, $3.50, 1863, 1850, 1861, 1862,
1868 and 1864, of one hundred dollars,
Numbers 6914, 32771, 56S1S, 56S1S, and of
fifty dollars, Numbers 1889, 7.30es each for
five hundred dollars 35903, 35906, 125433
and 1855.
New YORK, December %. - The report
that Secretary McCullock's visit to this city
had any connection with his Treasury res
ignation is officially contradicted. We
learn that in the present and the prospective
of the Treasury, the probability is that there
will be contraction of the currency. No
further means whatever will be regarded
for the present fiscal year. The loan mar
ket is easy, but inactive at 7 per cent.
]. Ward, for the murder of policeman
Walker, last August, was to-day sentenced
to State prison for life. In the case of the
Union Bank against Ketcham and sons, to-
day, the Court rendered a verdict against
the latter at $4,000.
ROCHESTER, n. Y, December 22.-Hen-
~ Wilson, a notorious burglar and muir
derer, was executed, to-day, at p. NJ. He
was convicted of the murder of Henry De-
voc, at Portoge, on the 10th of May. He
went to the gallows with the same callOus
spirit that he had shown since his convic-
ton, and smiled with contempt on the scene
in which he was the most prominent actor.
He denied that he had killed Devoe, but
admitted that he knew who was guilty. He
refused to entertain any clergyman, or re-
ceive any spiritual adVices. He gave his
body to his counsel who sold it to surgeon
at Neveda, n. Y.
CHARLEsroN, s. c., De-. 2O-The Mills
House in this city was opened to-day, for
the first time since the commencement of the
war.
Boston, Dec. 22.-The formal reception
of battle flags of Massachusetts regiments
to-day, was the occasion of a very imposing
and interesting military display. There was
about 500 volunteer officers and men in
marching column, representing 60 regi-
ments, and displaying some 250 battle-torn
flags all along the route of the procession.
The veterans and the commanders were
greeted in a most enthusiastic manner. The
color bearers advanced in front, forming on
the steps Of the Capitol, while the regiments
filed into the grounds on either side, the
whole space was filled with bearers outside,
forming ore of the most stirring scenes ever
exhibited in this city. Salutes of artillery,
waping Of all banners and cheers having
subsidized, prayer was offered by the Rev DR..
Lathrop.
Maj. Gen. Couch, in behalf of the Massa-
chusetts volunteers, then presented the col
ors to the keeping of the Commonwealth, in
brief and appropriate speech, to which
Gov. Andres responded as follows:
General This present. so full of pathos
and of glory, forms the concluding series in
the long series of visible actions and wants,
in which Massachusetts bore a part, in the
overthrow OF the rebellion.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-About General
Towards orders and all matters of militia
ry character they are under the direction
of the Department commander, in the same
manner as an officer of engineers, building a
fort in the same department, Who reports d.
rectly to the chief engineer Every assistant
commander will constantly seek cooperation
with department commander, and must keep
him furnished with all information in his
possession. His formal approval must be
obtained when possible to all orders and
circulars issued by assistant commanders.
1t is stated that Gen. NanValkenburgh, OF
n. Y, has been appointed minister to Japan.
In the United States Supreme Court to-
day, pending the case on exports, A. H.
Garland, OF Ark, asked TO be allowed to
practice as a counsellor.
Hon. Reverdy johnson delivered an ar
gument against the constitutionality of the
Congressional test OATH There being no
antecedent government to our own, it is
necessary to look into the Constitution itself
to see what powers were originally confer
red upon Congress.
This being stated, Congress is authorized
to pass all necessary and proper laws to carry
them into effect.
" 1Hese powers are W Dt COLS1ltutlOIldiy 30
as to effect the object they are designed to
accomplish. 1t is the duty of the court to
ascertain what this is, and then determine
vnether the legislation will defeat or secure
ne end.
A restriction to the class Of powers is that
Congress shall pass no export facts, law or
bill of attainder.
The meaning of this is well understood
A. al l. III L
an act a crime which was not crime when
the act was committed, but the law Of 1865
does not punish, in point Of fact, because it
precludes the petitioner from the exercise
of all lawful occupations ard strikes at
profession in which his hopes and ambition
and support of himself and family are in
volved. The punishment is severe, cruel
and Gnexampled- 1t subjects hin to all the
obligations of the Constitution, while il
takes from him all its advantages.
The original set of 1852 was not made
applicable to attorneys in the courts Of the
United States. Three years were sufficient
to eIapse when some one in Congress who
may have been particularly sensitive, intro
duced bill applying the provisions of the
to the Judiciary Committee, and by unan-
lHious NOtS was ItJctttus s<rAs dlbeINsuuS ft-
ceived the sanction of the Senate.
1t was passed for the purpose of excluding
the petitioner and all others similarly sit
uated to punish BY excluding them from the
United States Courts. II was not for con-
duct subsequent, but antecedent to the pas
sage Of the statute. This act comes within
clear meaning Of the clause in the constitu-
tion, that Congress shall pass no eypurte facto
law or bill of attainder. No rights can be
taken away by law, unless the accused shall
be first convicted Of the offense charged, and
these rights include the holding Of Office Of
emolument and trust. Such laws "a that Of
1865, were penal statutes. The Attorney
General had argued last Friday, that the adj
mission to practice in the courts is not legal,
but is created by the law, and therefore may
be regulated by law, given or taken away,
but it is not true that Congress can BY law
prohibit the appearance Of councillors in the
courts Of the United States.
NEw YORK, Dec. 22.-T'he Worlds Wash
ington special says the President yesterday
sent to the Senate the name Of General Van
Allenberg, Of New York, as Minister TO ia
pan.
The HscIfs Richmond correspondent