Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-02-07
THE PASSAGE OF "THE CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT"

AMENDMENT"
The Washington correspondent of the Herald
thus describes some of the scenes attendant upon
the passage OF the unconstitutional amendment
abolishing slavery
The event is an important one. Those who Wit
messed the scene In the House to-day will never soc
il, like again. Ii was universally known that the
vOte would be taken to-day. The galleries, tkfre-
fore commenced filling up at an early hour IN the
morning. Long before the hour was reached Tor Ia
king the vote every nook and corner was lnled.-
Some halt dozen speeches were made, which
wearied many who had reached the Capitol at an
early hour A number left, but their places were
more than ntled " those who were constantly ar
irving Wherever there was standing room III the
galleries the space was occupied. The reporters
gallery was slso nearly filled by ladies who were I'M
able 10 secure seats standing room elsewhere
On the floor of the House also an interesting
scene Many seats that have been empty during
most OF the session occupied. II was only on
the democratic side that seats were seen vacant ana
desks unOccupled
Tbs republican, side of the House appeared some
what agitated Mr. Ashley, OF Oho, being the per
son recognized as the leader and mouthpiece OF the
party on this question, groups OF members were
constantly gathering about his seat livery lew mo-
ments members would approach ms seat, ana mere
would be a ClOsc examination OF the Inst, the aOSen-
tees carefully hoted and the changes from the demo-
cratic side counted. On several occasions deep
anxiety was manifested II was first agreed that the
vote ShOud he taken at three O'Clock. The debate
was continued when that hour arrived. demo-
cratic member had the moor ana desired lurther
time 10 conclude The republicans clamored for a
|Sote. aud the democrats Persisted IN not being cut
|of Mr. Ashley finally yielded, ANA consented that
Inc vote should be taken at haiipast three, or post
poged hall an hour. This appeared 10 arouse the
anger OF many republicans anu an interesting group
gathered around Mr. Ashloy's seat. There was
Thad stevens, got up in full lighting trim trom his
waist up shaking his finger IL M Ashley Tor giving
way aud reading him lecture. Stevens lace loOked
me while Ashley's red as fresh cut OF beef
Other members cried .Mr. Speaker, LEI us nave The
vote and were determined IL possible, 10 have a
vote Tie excited republicans finally yielded,
Stevens taking his seat, but evidently with no gooa
grace.
CONJUNCTION. Gcorge II. Pendeton WAS constantly
passing around among the members IN consultation
with them and seemed 10 pay bn special Attention
10 those Democrats who II was said would cast their
votes iOr the amendment. There Mas Hairs OF
MARYLAND, wIIh the muscles OF hlS lace t"hehIns
and looking dagger- tow ards the Republican side
Th, movements rveryw where indicated that momeh-
Ion, events we're about taking place.
Halt-pa,t three arrived. An effort was made ON
the Democrat >Sie IL postpone the Not" I" announcer
dsV Almost every Republican member jumped l"
hi, feet and the cries Ot ''N0, NO; vote N"'e lNS
through the halt. At length the calling of the roll
commenced The first motion was % lay on the
tah.r Th Democrats, with One or two exceptions,
voted TOT this aud solid against The hepuhiieahN Inc
Republicans being majority, ING HOilNn J." i'o'
Wa lost Then came the question Of rseqns'dAf l$
m. vote OF las, wear, by Uh9h The vote was lost
On hi, the Democrats voted nearly solid AGAINST re-
cou,derng Al this Stsge there was no indicatlohhH
i'm, ,,,, thai the amendment was really topaSS Oh
tbe motion 10 reconsider The majority lacked some
three yOIeS necesSar! 20 pass lbr aye pHrs", :" W.
third, OF all present. Then caUie the vote on the
final massage Perfect silence tor The hfsl time
r,igned The response of every member Was Walch-
e5 and A. one bv one the dc NOcratS changed tront
there yp. an expression OF JOY on the repuDheah
side Boldly and like men fully realizing the mn
nrrt,ne >tcT. aid GaG.qn, Radiord, Nelson steele,
Rollins Hesman, kBgiDh snd Others RESPOND l"
th,ir names II was no faint whisper, Ihey re-
Spopded like men who had weighed elrefu'is sht
subject iskrn their position after mature dehuefd'
tiou and ready 70 take the consequence II wa
nm important step. Ia IAkilg v and responding IN
The affirmative however, they oniy did mat whlch
many cthrrs on he democratic side wanted % y"
but had not the courage, the heart, 10 say aye.
The roll was cQntiu.pG. The honored names
were all recorded, hereafter % b. sapdel down III
comnony with those who first recorded their EagSS
,or that noble nstrumcnt. Long before II was an
nounccd the expression Of the faces Of those on the
republican side sheaed TOO PLAINLY the result, ana
that their ioy only being peHt up Feaqy 20 hnTN
forth Abe moment thar the result was announced
The sharp tone OF the Speakers voice was soon
heard announcing the vote, ia louder, deeper
and heavier tone than usual with him, speaker to-
fax announced" Having received tWo-thtrd vols,
the amendment has passed"
Then came q Wild scene on the noorSt the House
Republican members waved their hats and cheered,
the galleries took up the cry, handkerchlefS waved
IN the air cheers echoed through ihe halls and all
dignity OF the occasion seemed 10 betorgOUepi-
Members were daucing, pulling each other around,
and performing all manner OF antics. Among inc
most amusing was the scene between M brande-
zee and Mr. Spauiding. They went through shaking
OF hands hugging each other, and other Wild de-,
monstra.ions finally closing up with raptureus kiss
ing. III -.
hence evidently Disguised at the lack of dignity en-
the floor even those who voted for the amendment
feeling that tins Republicans were diSgr9cIng them
selves. 1t certainly in bad taste u was tFi-
umph cell worth rejoicing over, out let una. re-
fisjcing let the Jubilee be postponed and held IN
some other place more beitIinS than the House oil
Representatives. The booming of cannon was soon
heard i'm honor of the event.
The amendment has passed, and the vote which
secured is passage gave the death blow me hniSn
ING stroke 70 the Republican party. With its pass
aDe ends that party There j. no longer any bond
OF union or common interest 10 hold the numerous
elements incoherent-as they are, together
STATE LEGISLATIVE ACTION.
The following are the States that @ill vote upon
the constitutional amendment the present politics
of the Legislatures, and the time OF holding tleiF
sessions:
Name of STATE. Politics. Meeting of Legislature.
Arkansas Rep Now in session
Connecticut. Nay 3, 1865.
California Now in session.
Delaware, Dem.
Illinois, Rep.
Indiana, d"
Iowa. Jan. I, 1866.
Kentucky, Dem. Now IN session.
Kansas, "
Louisiana, "
Maine,