The Portland daily press., 1866-05-22
Southwark.

you Win a rev nOIeS Oh our excursion Souoh-
ward, l ana perplexed with the multitude OF
topics which clamor for recognition.
To person leaving Maine April with the
SHOWS of winter still lying in patches upon the
hillsides, spiing opens with marvellous rapid
ty, as he moves through New York and Penn
sylvania, and passes over the sacred soip OF
Virginia, from Alexandria to Norfolk. Yet
This season has been extremely cold southwark
as well as in New England; so that fires were
required in the parlors of Richmond on the
first If May. In some parts of the State the ear
ly planted corn was damaged by frost. Yet the
peach and apple trees had passed out of bloom,
and the season had fairly opened for the dis
play of natures summer goods" Twas pleas
ant to notice that many fields, laid waste by
the desolating march of armies are again fenc-
ed and cultivated, to bring forth hereafter,
more peaceable fruits.
But the mere aspects Of nature, however
pleasing in themselves, have but minor in
terest to one who is burdened with the aspects
and prospects of society, the conditions and
relations of our people in the several States
The necessities of men may stimulate them
to cultivate again the neglected soil of Virgin
ia and the South. Will it be as easy tor them
to ''realze crop" of wholesome ideas and pat
riotic purposes, from soil so trampled with
secession, and SO very full of "foul seeds ?" AT
WASHINGTON.
Let us begin at Westinghouse political
Jerusalem,-whither the tribes so up, not per-
haps to worship, albeit hosts are there to
prey. i9H -efi
A Maine man at the Capital naturally seeks
his own. Nor is he ashamed to be known as
the constituent of such Senators as Fessenden
and Morrill,, or such representatives as we
have sent to the national House.
At the time of my visit Mr.. Fessenden was
confined to bis rooms with var;oloid, the very
best of reasons why should not approach
him. An acquaintance informed me that the
disease had left him un-pitted save in one or
two points; so that the comeliness of his Hon
orable countenance is not damaged. One is
gratifed to scover,-what he knew before
4 Irish that Mr.. Fessenden is held in the high
est esteem, in the Senate and out of it, as a
statesman. Cool, considerate, fearless, sen.per
paratus he repels an attack with adroitness
and vigor, and seldom fails to leave his antag-
onist hors du combat. Is el.5
Less elegant than Sumner, less enthusiastic
and rapid than Trumbull, he is quite as effec-
tive in debate, as either OF them. The "short,
sharp and decisive" words with which he
closes in npon an opponent are more dreaded
than the oratorical and less pointed periods of
some of his compeers. Mr. Morrill's character
and abilities are scarcely less respected. Not
less prompt in meeting the issues Of the hour,
he has never failed to tread squarely up to the
ing step. As chairman of the committee on
the District of Columbia, he has improved his
opportunity to suggest and carry important
measures for securing the political rights of
all its citizens, and will see to 1t that all the
District is reconstructed in the interest of
liberty and equality, the Union and the
amended constitution.
big OUR REPRESENTATIVES,.
While Maine is justly proud Of her Senators,
she is not ashamed Of her Representatives.
Mr.. Lynch of tn. first District is proving him
self to be what his friends claimed for him
when he was put in nomination. thoroughly
acquainted with the business and general in
terests of the country, and able to defend them
in Committee, or on the floor of the House;
the attention and respect of which he does
not fail to command.
Mr.. Perham of the Second District, is an
industrious and careful legislator. He has on
his hands an immense business andrespon 81
bility, as chairman of the Committee on Pen
sions; just now one Of the most important
and laborious positions in Congress. We had
the pleasure Of listening to his speech on re-
construction, in which he set forth very ear
nestly and with much force, his views of the
relations subsisting between Congress and the
President Mr.. Perham neglects no interest
ofhis constituents; is faithful to every claim
of duty and courtesy a
Mr.. Blaine, of the Third District, is adj
mitted on all hands to be one of the ablest
and readiest members of the House. Moth
ing suits him better than rough and tumble
with Clay Smith or Roscoe Conklin, and he
has no fear even of that bearded old lion,
Thad. Stevens himself. Thoroughly versed in
political history and well posted in current al.
fairs, plucky and ambitious, Mr.. Blaine Is
bound TO take an influential position In the
national councils. If he sometimes, differs
with his colleagues, in speech or action, we
are disposed to ascribe it rather to the spirit
Of Independent opinion, than to any desertion
of principle from motives of unworthy policy
Messrs. Rice and Pike, our more eastern
representatives, are worthy of the thrice-re-
peated election which they have received from
their several districts. Mr.. Pike is natural
debater, and commands attention when he
speaks upon the financial or general affairs of
the country. 1870 ti5. ...a4st ll..5 -a
In the approaching district conventions, 1t
ought to be the main question, "what need of
a change of Representative m Shall we throw
away the advantage of experience and parlia-
mentary skill gained by continued service,
merely to crafty the aspirations of new men,
however worthy? 4.H
SATURDAY AT THE CAPITOL.
By sort Of general consent, Saturday is
abandoned to Bunconabe. Members having
loaded themselves heavily for the occasion,
discharge their pieces, over a beggarly array of
empty seats and chance visitors, at the report
ers in the gallery, at short range, or with re-
moter aim at the dear constituents at home,
who will receive their speeches "a few days
hence, duly printed and ranked from sour
rep.," and acknowledge with pride his "distin-
guished ability" ~. Bal ..s.,t
This we suppose is all well enough in its
kind; yet, as Mr.. Banks remarked to visitor,
it was a cheat and shame thus to deceive the