The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-02-16
CORRESPONDENCE.
ROM orR RtcrllR CORRESPONDENT.
WASHINGTON, FED. ~, 1866.
SENATOR suNvER's GREAT SPEECH.

previously announced that MI ouihnor "o"'N
address tho Senate on the suffrage question
the galleries of tho Senate chamber, the 40.
Joining halls, and even tho various avenues OF
approach to that body, were crowded WIN au
eager, cxpcctant audience which had thronSou
Ia hear the classic orator Of Massachusetts ih
what Il had been stated, and what he had him-
,slf been understood to intimate was To DO tho
erowninc effort Of his life. Great speeches arc
not uncommon hero. Ono can be heard on any
day by attending q session OF either House ot
Congress. But when it is announced that
Charles Sumner will speak, the elite turn ont
and the galleries are crowded with an array OF
beauty and fashion worthy the capital OF a
grcat nation, Ia do homage to its learning and
cloqucncc. Without attempting q description
Of speech which consumed tho greater part
Of two days in its delivery, which involved All
amount VI learning and research prodigious in
the aggregate. and which is universally pro.
nounced the greatest production Of the Senate
for thirty years; not excepting those magnifi.
cent words for humanity, Of the "Crime
against Kansas" it is sufficient to say that IL
was worthy the scholar and orator OF tho U.
). Senatc,-ot tho head and heart Of Charles
Sumner.
During tho delivery of the speech the floor
Of the Senate was filled with members of tho
House of Representatives, who were drawn
thither by the fame of the orator; aud occa
Sionally the stars Of Mait r-Gcneral-whosc
name is u part Of tho history Of his country,
might have been seen. As an incident, II
may DO remarked that Reverdy johnson, oil
Maryland, who was then preparing a reply to
Mr.. Sumner, sat on the opposite side OF the
chamber. and occasionally interrupted his dis.
course. At tho close of an impassioncd period
in which tho orator employed u quotation from
poetry, history or law, tho Maryland Senator
would ask Mr.. Sumner where the language
could DO found; and Mr.. s. readily stating
the volume aud page, would proceed with his
remarks
Rcycrdy johnson is considered tho ablcst
constitutional lawyer Of tho Senate. lie is
evidently some years past the allotted period OF
human lile, but with fair prospect Of good
twenty years OF public life before him. Hc is
beyond comparison tho abcst man of tho OPP.
position; aud the only man they could bring
forward TO answer Mr.. Sumner. II was the
first OF tho Democrats to tho first of the Re.
publicans. His reply on Friday was tho empty
Offering OF legal technicalities in response TO
on this continent have ever listened. II he is
the brains, Charles Sumner is tho heart of the
Senate. In listening To arguments like this, I
am reminded Of the words OF the Frenchman
when no said OF Fonten"llo: "llc has 10 good
a heart as can be made out of brains" Ills
argument Of profound condition, combined
with eminent legal skill, was as successful as
any effort can DO successful, in proving that
black ia white. and white. black. II cmauates
from the prejudices Of to-day, and cannot stand
against the progressive spirit of tho past five
wears; whio the arguments Of tho New England
Senator reflect the principles Of his own lofty
definition OF Republican Government, and
will yet DO proclaimed from tho portico of tho
Capitol by no very distant successor of Mr..
johnson, anxious for reelection to tho Pres
idcucy.
FASHIONABLE LIrE At THE c,rIrAL.
The present winter is probably the gayest in
tho whole history oi Washington. Society
here is occupied with ono inccssant round Of
receptions. interrupted only by tho return of
tho Sabbath. As tho sun never sots on tho
morning drum-bcats of England, so the galaxy
which illumincs our fashionable horizon never
fails to shed ts rays upon some scene OF festive
life. Commencing at tho Executive Mansion,
where two receptions are given weekly land
where wa do not often attend, for the sad mem
ory of that silent hand which ALWAYS gave so
hearty shakc,--and extending down through
tho various heads Of Departments, Foreign Min
isters, military characters, Congrcssmcn, aris-
tocrats, the society which moves in this circle
Is unsurpassed in culture, intelligence and
beauty, by any of which civilization can boast
not excepting that which adorns tho saloons
NJ Paris or tho Tuillers--il you can take the
statement of ono who was never on intimate
terms with the members of that household. m
conclusive on that paint. At tho Presidents,
and ut Speaker Collax's, tho receptions arc
public; tho Others are all "card receptions. F"
md admit only those who arc provided with
tho postebodrd. Two, three, or even largo
number OF these receptions frequently occur on
the same evening, the guests commencing ut a
given point and going the entire round, making
, short visit at zach place. The number Of
carriages belonging to guests is frequently largo,
,itcn extending from one to two blocks. and
giving the exterior Of these palaces the appear
'ncc OF life and splcndor, only surpassed by
The " sounds Of rcyelry" within.
The description of these entertainments has
70 often been written by reporters who never
Jaw them. that will not occupy your space
~ repro iucIng it here.
THE PRESIDENT AND TIE NEGROES.
The delegation representing tho colorcd pop.
ilation OF nearly all the Northern, and q num-
,er Of tho Southern States, headed by Frcd.
Douglass, called upon the President last week
or the purpose OF obtaining an expression Of
MS views on the question Of negro suffrage.
The President made speech which no intend.
ID should 20 to tho country rs tho indication OF
MS future policy on tho negro question. Not
10 speak Of tho merits OF the case, tho Prosi
lent was certainly frank in expressing his con-
'ictions. which wcro OF such n nature that the
,olored people will have no hone OF Presidcn
al influence in accomplishing their object on
he suffrage question. Tho President says sub
tahtially that the hundreds Of returned rebel
ollicrs in tho District OF Columbia shall con
rol tho government OF the District; while T. o
oval black man who carried a musket and
ought for the Union is not competent person
10 be entrusted with vote. Under this deci.
ion tho appeal of the black is from Philip
trunk to Philip sober,-from tho White House,
aboring under the pressure OF Southern inilu-
noes. TO tho People, in whose Judgment and
Justice tho soldier Of the Uuion, DO ho white or
black, Gun place a safe reliance.
SOLDIERS BOUNTY.
The proposition now before Congress for the
'uualization of bounties is looked upon with
lccided disiavor BY tho officials who control the
of tho Pay Department of the
Army, hut will DO moro iavorably considered
BY the House. The estimate Of the Paymaster
General that some $500 ,000, 900 would be re
,uired to increase the bounties Of men who en-
listed during the carly part Of tho war. to the
AMOUNT paid to thoee who enlisted in lS6i-5,
s certainly an over.estimate by several hun.
ired millions, AS the amount actually required
- ~ -. .-...l eOAA AAA AAN Tho nun.., n,,a