Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-09
1tniun aud american.
WEDNESDAY, MAY .. 1866.
WASHINGTON NEWS AND SPECULA-
IIONS.

I1ONS.
We select the following from the Cincin
natl papers Of Monday:
CHIEF JUSTICE CHASE on THE HABEAs COR
PUs-THE CONDITION OF Mr.. DAvIs-MRs
DAVIS, &C.
WAsHINGToN, MAY 5th.-Chief Justic,
Chase had an interview with the President
tonight at 9 O'Clock, relative 10 the trial o
Jefferson Davis and the restoration Of civil
law in Virginia. Mr. Chase wanted 10 be
assured that the United States Courts would
be unobstructed by military orders. He
REQUIRED 10 his letter to Mr.. johnson Of last
October, in which he declined to hold the
United States Circuit Court in Virginia.
So long as they were surrounded with bay.
onets and subject to the interference Of mill.
tary commandants, he would still refuse to
hold court if the military status were un-
changed. He understood the peace procla-
nation as restoring the writ of hGbcas corpus,
but was ignorant Of the condition Of affairs
in Virginia, and in doubt whether the milf
tary or the civil authorities had precedence
The President informed him that 30 far as
his official information extended, the civil
law is now supreme in the State of Virginia,
and the courts could proceed without fear OF
interruption from military officers; and
such in fact, is the case so far as he knows
all over the land where the civil courts are
organized.
1t now rests with the Chief Justice, the
United States District Judge Of Virginia,
Judge Underwood, and the United States
District Attorney, Mr. Chandler, to determ-
Inc whether Mr. Davis shall be indicted and
tried in Virginia or not. The United States
Court sits on Monday at Norfolk, and it is
understood that Mr. Davis case will be
brought before the Grand Jury to be con-
vened in that city.
| met an officer to-day who saw Jefferson
Davis last week in Fortress Monroe. Mr.
Davis was the witness Of the trial Of some
large guns. lie was attended by a military
officer who stood by his side, and bv two
soldiers with muskcts who stood a few feet
behind Mr.. Davis. The ex-President Of the
late Coniedcracy was apparently in excel
lent health. lie is permitted 10 walk about
daily within the bounds Of the fortress, and
walks five or six miles per day.
The Termination Of the Present
Session.
WAsHINGToN, May 1, lSG6.-Something
has been said in the newspapers about the
prospect of a very long session Of the pres
ent Congress, or rather a long continuance
of the present session extending, perhaps
into the fall months. A few months ago
there was every reason to believe this was
part of the Radical programme. 1t was
announced as such by John Wentworth and
other oraClcs of the majority, who coupled
it with the assertion that the country could
not be safely entrusted to the keeping of the
President, but would certainly go to-the bad
If the patriotic guardianship OF the Radicals
were removed. Latterly, however, the ne
ccssity for an carly adjournment, to attend
10 the October aud November elections has
become apparent, and the loyal ones find
that much as il is desirable for them 10 stand
watch and ward over the public liberties
here, il is still more important for them and
for the country that they should return to
their respective homes in time to control the
nominating conventions. The sooner the
better.
Ii has been given out also that though the
House might adjourn the Senate would not,
but would remain in executive session 10
prevent the President from proceeding in
his unholy work Of official decaptatiOn.
The right Of the Senate to do any such thing
is more than questionable and is positively
denied by some of the ablest lawyers in
Congress II is true the Senate is 4 co-ordi-
nate branch Of the Executive Department
of the Government, and is considered a
perpetual body but it is also true that it
has never remained in session rs an eXecu-
tive body, after the adjournment of the
House, except upon the call of the Prcsi-
dent. After the adjournment of the Thirty
eighth Congress on the ith of March, 1863,
The Senate met and remained in session
eight days, but was convened by the pro-
clamation of Mr.. Lincoln, issued imme-
dateiv after the delivery Of his Inaugural
Address. This is no precedent for an "exe-
cutiye session of the Senate, held at its own
option, and without, the call of the Prcsi-
dent. whatever of right there may be.
1t seems to be the general impression now
that an adjournment will be effected by the
first of July, or soon thereafter. The first
of April would have suited the country bet
ter, and still more beneficial, perhaps, would
have been the first of January or February.
But the country will be thankful for SO early
a dispersion a. even the first of July, if on
mo- other principle than that upon which a
parson once advised member of his flock
who had broken his leg, to render his de
votionsto the Throne of Grace. The brother
couldn't understand why he should he thank
ful for a broken leg until he was convinced
hy his pastor how much better was even that
than i disloCated neck.
RECONSTRUCTION.
Since the publication Uf ihe special com
mittee's plan Of reconstruction the country
has had less of denunciation Of the Presiden
and his policy than il had been accustomed
10 hear during the winter months. As II
war. so in politics, the next best thing to
whipping an enemy is putting him on tn,
defensive, which is exactly the position il
which the Radicals are placed by thiS nm
practicable and singular scheme OF recon
struction. Al present there is no reasona
bic probability that any congressional plan
will be adopted during the present session
Il is certainly difficult TO see how II can b
otherwise, when, two days after the repol
of the special committee, amendments begal
10 be offered bv its own members. Mr. WA
Gams. of Oregon, a Radical IN high stand
ing and a member of the committee {
fifteen who concurred in the report, has
ready presented proposition IN the Sena'
entirely at variance with that report. VI
Boutwell,. of Massachusetts,, has done tn
same in the House, 50 has Mr.. Brigham,
Ohio. And ifa committee OF gentIemel
selected, rs Mr.. Fesscnden Is pleased to a
gcrt, with special reference TO their htnesS Il
The position, can not agree among then
sclvrs-at the end of five months deliber'
lions. what may be expected when an a
TEMPT IS made TO unite the opinions ot tw'
thirds Of each House upon single propos
tion? Nothing but an agreement to dIS'
crce. Perhaps, after all, this Is the he
hing to be done The present Congre.
,ras not elected ON any such issue rs It III
ntt,mptcd 10 force upon the nation, and
can 10 nothing more wise than TO reira
from doing any thing on the subject uni
instructed by The people at the polls ne
fail. -.
N,shing is more essential to the u'u
,r,lf,re of the country than that the pc
plp of the North shall insist upon ialr al
louarc issues at the next elections, that th'
NAV have not only an opportunity OF e
messing their views at the polls, but &c
iaintv or the carrying out OF The views
tbc majority bv the men they may eie
Already the indications of disposition
dodqe are making themselves manifest, a
miles a contrary course Is insisted upon
shall have. in the conventions OF holh paIu
lot Of foggy platforms and a series oi a
biruouS resolutions, meaning anything eve
THING. or nothing, Just rs the readers ol ih'
nl,ase. and candidates whose pringWes c
NOT be expressed without "bute' and lis
cyqry sentence. The rcsuls will he
choice of men who. after their election, "
disappoiut half the people who voted