The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-12-14
Letter from the Federal Capital.
WASHINGTON. Dec. II. 1895

To the Editor of the Press: ...-r ssH.I
Thanksgiving is never so much itself any
where else as in New England. 1t cannot be
the country, where the festival has but recent
ly begun to be observed, should feel in it all
the profound interest of one in whose mind it
has from earliest recollection been blended
W tn venerable historical and traditional asso-
cations, enriched with recollections OF social
fejtivities and domestic endearments, and con-
sec:ateI By sentiments of religion. In CEN
tury or two, when this festival, so truly Amer
lean and SO worthy to be, shall have struck
deep root in the national social and religious
character of the whole people, then Thanks
giving may become 10 the country what it
now is to New England. tE
The day appointed for the National Thanks
giving was with us at first dull and lowering,
but it soon frightened, and by the middle OF
the forenoon the sun showed his rubicund Wis
age through the dissolving. clouds. The re-
maiuder of the day was sunny and pleasant,
though brisk breeze was blowing. The oc-
casion was observed by the people of the Cap
tai with great unanimity and apparent hearth
ness. business was mostly suspended, and in
the churches of the city religious services were
performed and were well attended by interest
ed audiences.
The services at the Capitol were conducted
by Rev. DR.. Boynton, the pastor of the new
Congregational Church in this city, who has
been elected Chaplain OF the House. His ser
mon from Exodus XIV, LIST and I'd, was al
able and eloquent effort, full of patriotic fer
vcr, and Astounding in sentiments of gratitude
to the All Father, who during the year pat
has granted so many, and so great casses o.
thankfulness. Before the assembly dispersed
it was voted on motion of Mr.. Ashley of Ohio,
to request copy of the discourse for publica-
ton. L ts ut
Immediately after the sermon a pleasant
little incident occurred in the form of a wed
ding. This is the second ceremony of the
sort that has taken place in the Hall of Rep
resentatives. The first couple were Mr.. and
Mrs. Fowle, who having previously labored to-
gether very zealously and effectively in found
ing the Soldiers Free Library and Reading
Room in this city, were, at the request of sew
eral members of the House, married in the
Capitol. The bride of Thanksgiving day was
a sister of Mrs. Fowe. -
The present Congress has not yet been long
enoughin session to afford many indications
of it, ability as legislative body. The House
is believed to be one of considerably mcre
than average talent. Speaker Colfax is under
stood to consider it the ablest that has been
elected for many years past. Of the one hun.
dred and eighty members now holding seat
upon the floor of the House, ninety-five, tel
more than one-half, were members of the las
Congress. This, believe, is an unusually
large number Of old members to be returned
We Of the North are at last learning the folly
of superseding our Representatives as soon as
they have had sufficient experience to be use
full to the country and seryieeable to us. OF
the twenty-seven members who now reple
sent New England in the House, twenty-three
were members of the last Congress, two,
Marston of N. H., and Banks of Mass, had
served in previous Congresses, and two only
are ",,eac men," viz: Hon. John Lynch of Me.
and S. l.. Warner of Conn. Other sections Of
the country have made much larger changes
in their respective delegations, as in fact they
had very good reasons to do. The present
Hou e, as before stated, contains eighty-fve
members who were not in the last House, but
seventeen of these have seen Congressional
service in former years, so that it now con-
tains only sixty-eight "nesc men" in all. or
The Senate has changed but little. Two
new Senators, Poland of Vermont and Stock
ton of N. Jersey have, been sworn IN. Protest
was made against the admission of the latter
gentleman on the ground that he had not been
elected by a majority of the legislature of N.
jersey; having received only half the votes OF
one branch, and less than halfthe votes of the
other. His seat is likely to be seriously con-
tested. go I
A few changes have taken place in the Sem
ate Committees. Hon. Lot M. Morrill, ha-
been placed at the head of that upon tn: Dist.
of Columbia; and Senators Brown of Nilsson
ri, Foot of Vermont, and Sherman of Ohio,
now constitute the committee to audit and
control the contingent expenses of the Senate
The direction which legislation has taken
at the outset indicates very clearly its future
course. The great question of reconstruction
is uppermost in every mind. Almost every
move yet made in Congress relates to it
There appears however no disposition to act
precipitately or rashly, but rather calm and
quiet purpose to do the great work in hand
so wisely and well that it shall never need to
be done over again. The Stevens resolution
which has attracted so much attention., and
excited so much interest, viii doubtless pass
the Senate, though with some notifications.
We have waited long for the return of our
hayward sisters-we can wait a little longer.
T. S. P.