The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-02-07

Letter from the Federal Capital.
i+.i WASHINGTON, Feb 2, 1866.
To the Editor of the Press:
Congress "hastens slowly" in the great work
of reconstruction, and in this it acts wisely.
The mighty issues now pressing upon the at
tention of Congress and the country, dwarf all
ordinary affairs into utter insignifcance and
make us tremble at the possible results of even
single rash and ilLadvised step. If any jus
tification Of the deliberate and independent
action of Congress, in a matter where wise
and just craftsmanship will prove so vastly
and lastingly benefcent, and where the want
OF 1t must result in evil so widespread and
enduring, were needed it would be afforded by
the daily developments in the lately rebellious
and still thoroughly disloyal States. In this
connection the late letters of Gov. BroTRlow
to Speaker Colfax and Mr.. Baker of the House,
are commended to general attention. Hardly
day passes without some de elopments cal
blind, deaf and stupid, how necessary to our
welfare and honor, it is to at least exact of the
Southern people "irreversible guarantees" be-
fore admitting them to representation. In
proportion as the prospect of hasty, ill-con-
sidered and patched-up reconstruction grows
dim, the last star of hope for Southern rebels
and Northern Copperheads, sinks Pickering
and CHASTITY in the western horizon.
But though Congress "hastens slowly" it
still moves on steadily and safely. The de-
bate in the House upon the proposed Consti-
tutional Amendment, excluding from the base
of representation persons disfranchised on ac-
count of race or color, was patient, able and
exhaustive. 1t was proper that such mea-
sure should be thoroughly sifted, viewed upon
every side, and tested upon every sort of argu-
ment. When the Union members seemed un-
able to agree, and the resolution was recon-
mitted, 1 need not tell you how many there
were to hail that proceeding as an indication
of weakness and disintesration in that solid
majority which on the first day of the session,
voted to raise the committee of fifteen, and
which recently carried the Suffrage Bill
through the House so triumphantly. The
friends OF Union and Liberty looked a little
anxious-the enemies of both began to bright
en-. But the anxiety Of the former and the
rejoicing of the latter were alike premature
and transient. The telegraph bas already
told you the good news of Wednesday. That
the Constitutional amendment above referred
to should have been reported back from the
Reconstruction Committee as at first, save the
omission of the clause referring to direct taxes,
thus restricting the question to suffrage, pure
and simple, and then after a closing argument
Of great power from Mr.. Stevens, passed by
100 ayes to 46 noes, is surely great, a glori-
Gus victory. Thus has been added another
parliamentary triumph to those already achiev-
ed; thus has been given to the people another
token that their servants are faithful to their
high and momentous trusts. This amend
ment, providing that Representatives shall be
apportioned among the several States which
may be included within the Union according
to their respective numbers, counting the
whole member of persons in each State, ex-
Guiding Indians not taxed: Provided, that
whenever the elective franchise shall be denied
or abridged in any State on account of race or
color, all persons therein of such race or
color shall be excluded from the basis of rep
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tay and need not here advert to its merits.
That it will pass the Senate when it comes up
on Monday next, by the requisite two thirds
vote is morally certan-that it will become
part of the Constitution is, at least-very pro-
bable. The Legislatures of New York, Penn
sylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Massachusetts,,
California, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky. Maine,
Maryland, Minnesota, Vermont, Wisconsin,
West Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Lou
isiana, Virginia, Alabama and Tennessee, are
fortunately now in session. The President
has required the rebellious States to adopt one
Constitutional Amendment as condition of
restoration, and all the country has endorsed
the act. If Congress should require them to
accept another to guard against the monstrous
injustice of putting into the hands of a recon-
structed South Carolina rebel, four times as
much power as is exercised by the returned
Union soldier of New England, the country
will sustain and support its action Just as
as unanimously. If rebels cannot afford to
come back into the Union on equal terms
man for man, we must try to get along with
out their company until they can. While the
amendment leaves the question of suffrage to
the States, it offers such il rducements to just
and righteous course, as no State will long re-
ject. 1t was in substance originated by Mr.
Blaine of Maine, and by him introduced on
the Sth ult.
The discussion in the Senate upon Mr.
Trumbulps Bill for the protection of civil
rights has been very spirited and quite gene
raj. Of course the measure brings out the
Democratic vials of wrath in full number and
strength. Garrett Davis, laboring under the
impression, possibly, that Mr.. Cowan's recent
extraordinary efforts had taken the wind out
of his sails, on Wednesday submitted his views
upon his favorite subjects to the Senate once
more, and to-day repeated the infiction. The
Union side of the Chamber has not been
very profuse of speeches, and those it has CIV
en- have usually been to the purpose. I have
never, indeed, witnessed so much calm, quiet
determination in the proceedings of Congress.
Everything is carefully and fully considered,
patiently and fairly debated, without hurry or
petulance, but the grand Union majority in
either House marches towards its object with
q solid, irresistible front. 1t reminds one OF
those black days, when an insolent and AFRO
CANT majority, calling themselves Democrats,
but imbued and infatuated with the idea OF
slavery-slavery South, slavery North, slavery
everywhere, slavery without limit or end
pressed on with persistent energy, never to
be surpassed, to the realization of their infer
nal purpose Now-God be praisedl- 1.-The
J march lies toward future bright with Free
dom, and radiant with the benign smile Of
Heaven. After a very long session to-day
Mr.. Trumbulps bill passed the Senate by the
triumphant vote of 80 ayes to II noes-anoth-
or victory for the right
A bill providing "That no ship or vessel