Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-12-15
For the American.
Washington Correspondence.

ing-7he Hoi;days-1he Lobby-Ihe
Session.
Nix. EDITOR Il believe once promised
You an occasional letter from the National
Metropolis, and that promise hitherto has
not been fulfilled. Having few leisure
moments this a. m, propose to redeem
my word by giving you brief record OF
passing events.
The details of the organization of Con-
gress, the Message etc. have already been
spread before the country; still as an eye
witness of the scenes transpiring aud those
now being enacted, may be allowed 10
make such observations, and to give you
such impressions of public mc,; and public
measures as commend themselves to my
understanding and Judgment.
The organization of the American Con-
grcss is always very simple and yet inn
posing ceremony. 1t is emineutly calcu-
lated to impress one with the idea that our
institutions are purely democratic and re-
publican in form and principle. There is
no pomp. no ostcntatious display such as is
manifest in connection with Foreign or
European governments. All clap trap
such as is often seen in connection with
monarchial forms Of government. express
" calculated to impress the suffice, of the
masses with the belief that there is a wide
distinction betwce,sshe governed and gov
erning classes, is here, thank God, entirely
with,
On the occasion of the organization of
the 39th Congress, at precisely l. m. Mr.,
clerk Of the last House step
ped forward, and Informed the gentlemen
occupying seats on the floor, that the hour
had arrived aud proceeded To call the roll
Of members who represent States which
have always remained intact in the Union
No other names We're placed upon the list
though there were mauy persons here
seats rs representatives from
States late III rebellion against he 'nitcd
States. They were not recognized, though
an effort was made hy Hon. Horace MAY
nard of Tennessee, to get the floot in he
half of himself and colleagues. The clerk
could not see his night to the floor any
more than any other outsider; but Mr..
James Brooks OF New York. undertook
the task of correcting the clerks alleged
mistakes in this particular, aud inflicted
upon the House verbose and spiteill
harransue. which diatrihe fell fiat, stale
and Improbable. When the honorable
gentleman from New York who now ocru-
pies seat which belongs 10 another, as
viii be shortly shown, had subsidized, the
members proceeded rapidly viii. the or
gaHiaa;ion and their entire hasincss was
sn0n coasummatcd. After thi, came that
admirable resolution Of Mr.. Stetcns, pro-
posing 10 refer this question Of thc aGmls-
sion Of members Of the whiiom secceded
States 10 large committee on the part Of
the House With such as the Senate may
appoint. Thus will both Houses be re-
leycd from all ntipent and acrimonious
debate till all questions are friiy deter
mined upon undcrsiandngly il committee.
and reported upon for the action Of Con
gress.
There is much speculation aud discussion
in political circles here, as to the tim
when these members fron the South will
he received INTO full fellowship. No one
knows. and i, may be, that all conjecture
upon the suffice, is futile. One thing how
ever, is certain. 1t is not enough that tn.
South sends here men 10 represent her OF
known LOYALTY. She-hcr people at home,
must be loyal themselves. They must
deal honestly with the freedmen. They
must show works meet for repentance. Ii
is not enough that they be pardoned.--
They must accept the situation. and give
no doubtful adherence to the Union ant
the Constitution. but hearty acquicscenc,
to all the doctrines of liberty, law, justice
aud right. That this is true is seen in tn,
fact that when Mr.. MAYNARD and his col
lcagues-for no more loyal or true men. OF
men who have suffered more for the canst
can be found in the South-could not ho
admitted. For their adherence to the OLE
flag and the Union, they were driven ou
of Tennessee. Now if such men cannot
be admitted. there must be reason for il
and that reason is. think. found in this
their constituents have not Vet given sucl
convincing proofs of loyolty that THEN
complete recognition on the part ui til,
loyal States can be safely rendered.
The Message will be everyw here conSid
cred and commented upon, throughout tn,
country, long before this reaches You. ant
it is no part of my intention to discuss it,
merits or dement's IN this connection
say truly that it gives to all parties nlucl
! satisfaction. Some few ii is true, com
plain that it is not sufficiently defiant in III
i tone towards England and France. Sucl
persons will do we'll to nurse their wratl
awhile longer One war AT n time is til,
Presidents view. This is sound states.
manship. On the suffrage question til,
President is not quite up to the desire,
point in the estimation of many hut THU
is question that will work itself out. w,
can afford to wait and sn can the negro
all his rights before the law being secure,
as they must be. for the President has de
termined that this shall be done. 1t Is ne
worse to deprive the negro of his right t.
vote in South Carolina and Virginia, than
in Connecticut and New York, and az twt
wrongs do not make right we should b,
as anxious to enfranchise the negro in til,
latter States rs in the former.