The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-02-27

the Constitutional Amendment under LIE aA'
is now stalking, the very "genius oil re'riDu-
ton" at the head of Sherman's advancing
host, does not!appear in the oficlai oispa'cnes'
but if he was not already in that region, he
NAV be supnosed TO have hurried down at
"double Quick" to see the oio nag go INTO
thrice traitorous Charleston. Certain it is
that we were prepared to celebrate at once,
and as never before the birth dag of the "Pater
potriae" and the successes with which be-
niou Providence has crowned our arms. The
demonstrations of joy;
''Ard from the frowpin ri mpartsthe black cannon
Hailed it with few irish lips
At noon the Gordon of forts around the city
joined in a grand chorus. From the upper
windows of the Capitol might be seen quick,
sharp flashes, darling like serpents tongues
from many parapet, and the puffs OF white
sulphurous smoke rising and spreading and
rolling away, followed slowly By deep Earring
reverberations, which echoing aAd re-echoing
sometimes blended in an almost continuous
roar-a sublime, martial anthem OF joy and
praise.
The Nominations in the evening, heighten-
ed in effect by the overcast sky, were very
brilliant. The Capitol in particular, displaying
a front three stories high and more than an
eighth of mile in length. with tapers glistsn-
and scntilating in every window, was splen-
did spectacle.
At our recent aud present rate OF progress,
in subduing the rebellion, the great question
Of reconstruction will soon become, aud in
deed has already to some extent become, a
very practical one. The initiative steps in
the cases of Louisiana and Arkansas seem
now to promise more success than some time
since. The reports of the Committee on Elec-
lions in favor of admitting to seats in the
House of Representatives, Messrs. M. T. Bou-
Fans from the first, A. P. Field, from the sec
ond, and W. d. Mann, from the third Congress
sianal Districts of Louisiana, and of Messrs
4. NJ. Jacks, from the first, and ]. NJ. johnson
from the third Districts of Arkansas; the report
of the Senate Judiciary Committee, on the case
of Messrs. r. King Cutler and Charles Smith,
claiming seats In the Senate from Louisiana, in
which the recognition of thsse genilemen's
claims as valid, is postponed only on the ground
that Congress has by act declared "the inhabi-
tapts of Louisiana in state of insurrection
against the United States" and only until a
'.joint resolution recognizing the government
of the State of Louisiana" can be passed, the
passage of which is recommended; and final.
ly the Joint Resolution introduced by Senator
Pomeroy, "For the return Of Arkansas to the
Union" all point to speedy and full restora
ton of these two States at least to the ancient
sisterhood. When we reflect that at the cleo
ton Of the present State government of Lou
isiana, more than 5000 votes were polled Ct
which the existing government received a
very great majority and that at the cores
ponding election In Arkansas, more than 10000
votes were polled of which the government
received nearly all; when we consider that
the Irregularities attending the origination
and organization Of these state governments
under circumstances SO anomalous were una
voidable in the nature of the case; when we
take into the account that they have both sb-
olished slavery and are acting in spirit Of
| loyal submission in support of the Federal
Government; when finally we admit, as we
can but do, the absolute necessity of some gov
eminent for these communities disorganized
by the rebellion, can we do otherwise than ex-
| tend the hand of forgiveness and reconcilia-
| ton to these hayward" but repentant "sis-
tiers ?" - ~
Tho 70 haof nd oh ;,t, bua
the back of the Camden and Amboy monopo-
ly. 1t is not to be expected that company
which actually counts its resources by tens OF
millions of dollars will easily relinquish ex-
elusive privileges by which it has been ena-
| bled as am credibly informed to lay double
track entirely out Of its profits without max
ing assessments, and now enables it to declare
dividends so enormous, without hard strug.
| gle. And yet it seems strange that Congress
| should hesitate or delay to abolish monopo.
| ly always odious and now become to the trav-
cling public and the people generally an ut
ter nuisance; a monopoly that compels all
through passengers from New York to Phila-
delphia to take one VIGOROUSLY i'll conducted
route, and taking it, though the passenger be
some poor widow on her way to visit sick
or wounded son in the Washington hospitals,
to paytribute to the State of New jersey and
q considerable sum, in addition to fair rate
each way, to swell the plethoric Golfers of the
company; monopoly which by its restric-
lions upon transportation over the route ac-
tually embaraasses military operations, and
which by its influence upon the politics OF
New Jersey has done even that State more
harm than, by paying its State expenses, it
ever did it good. Nor Is it quite easy to see
how any one with the Constitution in his hand
and the opinions and decisions of the Supreme
Court on similar case before him, can seriously
doubt the power of Congress to abate this
nuisance. Senators Sumner and Nye have at
least paid their respects to the concern very
explicitly and fully. 7. S. p.