The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-07-19
Those Midnight conclnves.

conclaves now being held in the Ma
tional Capitol by Thad. Stevens and
his followers. AS the L4ieNiaencer
says, 1t is the Inauguration of a new
era In our history, and it calls on the
American people to remember that
these are not the meetings Of persons
without authority, about whose move
ments the public arc in no wav con
cerned, but it is the dominant party
of both houses of Congress is tie
Senate ard House IN secret cone7l,re 1T
is the Legislative power OF forty mil
hons Of people in concealed delibe
ration. The LutrUigeuccr concludes
by asking:
"What does it mean? If it is legi-
innate business they are after, why is
not that business transacted with
open doors, in the light of dav, and
under tho eyes Of the American peo-
pie? 1t looks rs if it was something
they were ashamed of, or feared to
have known. Have they so lost con-
fidence i'll the Intelligence Of the peo-
pie that they fear to trust that people
with knowledge of public affairs ?
Do they fear that their power is Civ
ing way, and that the ground is
crumbling beneath them, and some
secret scheme must be concoctel to
arrest the disastrous turn events are
taking? Or DO their purposes go
beyond this? Go they mediate !. new
violation of the Constitution to Sc
cure their hold on power? Do they
forge Il mysterious thundcrbolt to
hurl at the breast of the noble patriot
IN the Executive Chair. who has stood
as unyielding as destiny in opposition
to their wicked and inscnsate pur-
poses? Are they preparing them
selves for one last desperate onslaught
upon the Executive power? DO they
mediate contiscations and proscrip-
tons, or impeachmen;s? Their utti-
tude is calculated to alarm the public
confidence. Some think they metli-
tate 4 co,p d'etrH, but we acqnit them
of this folly. Certain it is they do
not nightly assemble like conspira-
tors in the Capitol with closed doors,
to gaze at each others faces. or to
indulge i'll the luxury OF public
speaking. No; they mean business,
as they slip up with stealthy step, hv
night to the Capitol
"We have not learned whether,
like Guy Fawkes, they move with
their dark lanterns But whether
they do or not, we protest against
their longer profaning the sacred
Capitol with their midnight con
clavcS."
ADMISSION OF AN AMERICAN TO THE
ENGLISH BAR-It has already been
mentioned that the Hon. Judah P.
Benjamin, who was the late Confede
rate Secretary of State, has been ad-
mittel to the English bar as Il "bar-
rister." Mr. benjamin was, for
many years, :. distinguished lawyer
at New Orleans, with an extensive
practice in the United States Su-
prem" Court. The Picuyune, speak
ing of letter received from him by
his relatives in New Orleans. re-
marks:
He was called to the bar by the
benchers OF Lincoln's Inn, London.
and as special favor, dispensed from
the several long terms of reading and
study which are prescribed, and with
very rare exceptions demanded of ali
candidates for the wig and gown
under the ancient rules Of the courts
Of Great Britain. Mr.. Beniamin's
position at the bar is that of a barris-
ter. His duties relate only to the
conduct and argument of suits which
are placed in his hands by attorneys.
He only knows such clients as are
brought to him by attorneys. He
can receive no business directly from
sultors or claimants, bnt it must all
come to him through attorneys He
cannot even hold an interview with
clients except in the presence Of the
attorneys. The latter get up the
cases, make up the briefs and prepare
the testimony, and then hand the
brief over to the barrister whom tlicv
may select. accompanying the same
always with n suitable retainer All
that the barristcr can do when ap-
Piled to directly by parties having
suits, is to refer them to IN ATTORNEY.
EXTRAORDINARY DEcLlNE1S WHEAT.
The Chicago 1riL'ne, July -. says: