The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-06-21
Congressional Matters.
WASHINGTON, June 10, 1896

WASHINGTON, June IL, 1896.
To the Editor Qfthe Press;
The speech of Harris of Maryland, in the
House yesterday, furnishes good indication
of what we might expect should my policy
be adopted and the unregenerate rebel States
be admitted to representation. Mr.. Harris
avows his belief in the right of separate State
secession, and argues that rebels cannot be
convicted of treason because they have con-
stitutional right to secede, and consequently
made war purely in self-defence against I'M
justifiable aggression. Mr.. Harris speech
caused lively debate, participated in by LIE
Blond, (Dem.) of Ohio, Eldridge, DEM of
Wisconsin, and Dawes of Mass.
There is only one avowed secessionist in
the House now; let the South be represented
at once in the manner proposed by johnson,
and there will be a score of just such open
mouthed traitors as Harrioto disturb the coun-
ellis of the. nation and renew those scenes of
wordy violence which were so common before
the war. The war was indeed failure if such
contamination shall come at last Such
speeches as that of Harris serve to demon
strate that Congress is right, and that the
PRESIDENT is wrong. Mr.. Harris has always
voted with the Northern Democrats in Con-
gress, and his colleagues differ from him only
on the single point Of the right of secession.
The LIE Blends and Eldridges abandoned
this doctrine some time ago, in order to save
their seats and some shadow of their waning
influence.
The Democrats here and in the country
have but one hope left; it is that the Republi-
cans will SO far recede from their high position
as to cause division in their ranks, thereby
giving them chance to coalescc with the Sc
ceding portion. This change every true I'm
ion man will endeavor to avoid by renominat-'
ing the men who have voted for the Constitrl-
tional amendments, electing them by increas-
ed majorities, and by selecting such new men
as it may be necessary to nominate from the
ranks of the true and tried Republicans, men
who before the war and during the war, stood
by those great principles which are the only
safe foundations for the Republican govern
ment
l mentioned in one of my recent letters
that the health of Thaddeus Stevens was by
no means good; learn to-day that the anxi-
ETY. OF his friends increases, and that they have
nied TO prevail upon him to suspend his la
bors. Mr. 3. is not inclined to act upon their
advice; he loves the work in which he is en-
gagged, and desires to persevere unto the end.
With all the peculiarities which mark the
character of the veteran legislator. and he has
some which impress superficial observers I'M
favorably, it may be said of him that where he
Is best and NEST intimately known, he is most
nightly respected and esteemed; men who can
hot appreciate devotion to great principle,
pretend to regard him with CONTEMPT, but thew
wlther under his plying sarcasm, and bend
uiiuer The weight of his power. When he
snail have passed from the scene of his ar1,,-
Gus labors, and we sincerely trust the time NAV
DC still distant, the country which he has helm.
Gu 70 save will remember his services viii,
sratitude, while the calumnies now nsod
against him will be forgotten with their an
'nors' The present time demanded the serv-