The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-06

among the members in consultation with
them, and seemed to pay his special at
tcrtion to those Democrats who, it was
said. would cast their votes for the amend
ment. There was Harris, Of Maryland,
with the muscles of his face twitching
and looking daggers towards the Repub
lican side. The movements everywhere
indicated that moment0us events were
about taking place.
Halfpast three arrived. An effort was
made on the Democrat side to postpone
the vote to another day. Almost every
Republican member jumped to his feet,
and the cries of "No; no vote, vote"
rung through the hall. At length the
calling Of the roll commenced. The first
motion was to lay on the table. The
Democrats, with one or two exceptions,
voted for this and solid against the Re-
publcans: The Republicans being
majority, the motion to table was lost
Then came the question of reconsidering
the vote of last year by which the vote
was lost On this, the Democrats voted
nearly solid against rcconsidcring. At this
stage there was no indication by the vote
that the amendment was really to pass.
On the motion to reconsider the majority
lacked scme three votes necessary to pass
the amendment, or two thirds of all pre-
sent. Then Came the vote on the final
passage. Perfect silence, for the first
time, reigned. The response of every
member was watched, and as one
by one the Democrats changed front,
there was an expression of joy on
the Republican side. Boldly, and
like men fully realizing the important
| step. did Ganson, Radlord, Nelson, Steele,
Rollins, Yeaman, English and others re-
spond to their names. 1t was no faint
whisper. They responded like men who
had weighed carefully the subject. taken
| their position, after mature elaboration,
and were ready to take the consequences.
| 1t was an important step. In taking it,
and responding in the affirmative, how
ever, they only did that which many
| others on the Democratic side wanted to
do, but had not the courage, the heart,
to say aye.
The roll was concluded. The honored
names were all recorded, hereafter to be
| handed down in company with those
who first recorded their names for that
noble instrument. Long before twas
announced, the expression of the faces of
those on the Republican side showed too
plainly the result, and that their JOY was
only being pent up, ready to burst forth
the moment that the result was an
nounccd. The sharp tone of the
Speakers voice was soon heard an
nouncing the vote. In louder, deeper
and heavier tone than usual with him,
Speaker Celfax announced" Having
received a two third vote, the amend
ment has passed"
Then came wild scene on the floor Of
the House. Republican members waved
their hats and cheered. the galleries took
up the cry, handkerchiefs waved in the
air, cheers echoed through the halls, and |
all dignity of the occasion seemed to be !
forgotten. Members were dancing, pull |
ing each other around and performing |
all manner of antics. Among the most |
amusing was the scene between Mr..
Brandegee and Mr.. Spaulding. They
went through shaking of hands, hugging
each other, and other wild demonstra,
tons, finally closing up with rapturous
kissing.
The Democrats, during all this, sat in
su!len silence, evidently disguised at the
lack of dignity on the floor, even those
who voted for the amendment feeling
that the Republicans were disgrach,s
themselves. 1t was certainly in bad
taste. 1t was triumph we'll worth re-
joicing over; but let that rejoicing, let
the jubilee be postponed and held in
1T hor v,laoo horof;{<srr. |
the House of Representatives. The
booming of cannon was" soon heard in
honor Of the event.
The event was "hailcd with Joy all
over the North" according to the Herald,
which says:
Salutcs in honor of the event were
fired in various cities yesterday. Co.
vernon Fenton sent a message into both
Houses of our Legislature, recommend
ing immediate concurrence on their part,
and joint resolution was introduced in
both the Senate and the Assembly, which.
under the rules, had to lie over for one
day. Free Maryland has been the FIRST
to ratify the action of Congress. Go
vernon Bradford, of that State, yesterday
morning announced to its Legislature
the fact Of the adoption Of the resolu~
ton in Congress, and the House of De-
legates Immediately took it up and con-
Cured by a vote Of fifty three to twenty
three. Governor Andrew, of Massachu.
sets, has directed the firing Of q salute
Of one hundred guns, and recommended
the ringing of the church bells for one
hour.
A. Washington telegram says: