The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-03-02
CORRESPONDENCE.
IRON orR rsGrlAN coRRrsroypEyr.

1
|
| FROM 0rR RgGrLiR CORRESPONDENT.
WASHINGTON, Fen. 90, 1866.
The past has been week unsurpassed in ex.
citing interest by any equal period Of time dur
! ing the eventful five years now drawing to u
close. The dark hours which followed the dis
astrous defeat OF the first battle Of Bull Run pro-
duced no greater intensity of feeling mo deeper
humiliation to the loyal millions of the coun.
try,--no higher exultation among the nations
enemies either in the front or in the rear Of the
national armies, than has been created by events
which have occurred in this city during the last
seven days.
On Monday afternoon the galleries Of the
Senate were more than usually full, and u
somewhat larger number than usual Of the
Senators were in their seats. The occasion was
the maiden speech Of the new Senator from IL
linois, Ex-Governor Yates, so thoroughly iden-
titled with the cause of the Union during the
war, and warm personal and political friend
of the lamented President Lincoln. An Incl.
dent connected with the "days which tried
mems souls" has already been in print, but
will bear repeating here, even ut the expense OF
DEPRESSION. AT an early period of the war, ai.
ter one of the great battles, Gov. Yates, or
"Dick Yates" as he is called in the familiar
parlance of scout West," in the impctuosity OF
his desire to strike decisive blow at once for
the Union and Tor Freedom. sent dispatch to
tho President recommending the immediate is.
sue of the Proclamation Of Emancipation. In
due time tho Governor of Illinois received the
following message by telegraph, which is at
the Same time so characteristic OF Mr.. Lincoln
and so crcditablc to his power OF prophecy -
"IIold on, Dick, and wait for the salvation Of
tho Lord. A. Lincoln"
! While the Senator from Illinois still occupies
the lloor, tho main door of the Senate Chamber
opens and young man of not remarkable nd
dress steps within. lie holds in his hand q
very harmless looking manuscript. The young
man is Robert johnson, the Presidents son and
private secretary. The presiding officer re-
quests the speaker to yield the floor for q mo-
mcnt, and-"A message from the President OF
the United States" is announced. Tho private
secretary then states the character OF tho mes.
sage in tho customary stcrcotyped form, which
statement rendered in plain English informs
the Senate that he brings n message from the
President vetoing the Freedmens Bureau bill {;
the document is delivered to the Secretary OF
the Senate, and Mr. Yates proceeds with his
speech us il nothing Of Importance had oc'
Cured. But, from indications which are not
TO be mistaken, it is evident that the grand ut.
| ,crances OF the Senator from Illinois no longer
fall upon listening cars. Senators are impa-
tent to learn the contents Of tho document
| lust received from the Executive Mansion. Pres
entity Senator Wilson walks across the Chamber
and apparently inquiries of the speaker II he
| is near tho close of his remarks. The answer
is evidently satisfactory, and tho dignifcd Sen
a,ors and inpatient galleries are assured that
they have not much longer to wait. The
speech is finally concluded. Mr.. Sumner calls
| for the message, and the clerk commences to
read words which tomorrow morning will have
crossed the continent and created establishment
and indignation on tho shores Of the Pacific
Ocean, rs they certainly did in the minds OF o
majority OF the present audience.
| The reading concluded, the Senate is about
to take vote ON the bill before adjournng,
when "Old jim" Lane, Of Kansas, moves to
postpone the vote till Tuesday at one o'clock,
ard calls for the yeas and nays. The Senate
decides by large majority to take the vote i'm.
mediatclv, when Mr.. Lane moves an adjourn
ment, winch is also voted down, and iour times
on as many motions the Senate refuses to post
pone tho vote. These dilatory motions have
accomplished their object, for it is now past 5
o'clock, when John Sherman makes motion
to adjourn, which is carried.
The question on passing the bill over the
Presidents veto came up on Tuesday, when
Mr.. Trumbull, author Of the bill, replied to
the Presidents objections, and in speech Of
nearly three hours of unanswcrable argument
attacked his positions, and on every point DEM
oustrated, to the satisfaction Of every inpatient
listener, the utter fallacy Of tho Presidents
reasoning. The rambling. Illogical illusions OF
very questionable ability which have recently
cmauated from tho White House, when sub.
iectcd to dissection by the keen, analytical
mind of Judge Trumbull, are liable to appear
to less advantage than do similar efforts before
colored delegation when the talking is oil on
one side.
TuR PRESIDENT IN TIE PIT.
Tho message place, tho President in posi-
ton of iluplacablc hostility to the great Repub.
lcan maiorities Of Congress, and cfectually
closes the door Of reconciliation. The ground
now taken is so extreme, the attitude Of the
President so defiant, volunteering rs he does to
advance beyond tho requirements OF the occa-
sion and lecture Congress upon matters clearly
not within his jurisdiction; demanding the i'm.
mediate and complete restoration OF rebels to
rights and privileges formerly enjoyed and so
defantly renounced by themselves that Con.
grcss must now determine to prosecute the
work of reconstruction in accordance with the
cherished opinions OF the loyal people oil the
country, or consent to sacrifice the grand
achievements of four years OF bloody war to
the demands OF rebels now swarminS IN the
White House, and controlling the policy OF the
Executive. Not having read to.day's Tribune,
| am not advised whether the foregoing express
sion of opinion is sound orthodoxy according
to certain polite Republicans who never have
an opinion on politics until they have read the
last leader in their avoritc Journal; hut such
sentiments prevail in this secession city among
all classes excep, rebels and aspiring politicians.
and venture to hope that they will also hour
ish in u colder latitude.
On Washington's birthday the coppcrheads
and their rebel allies secured Growers Theatre
for the purpose Of holding meeting to endorse
the Presidents policy. A large crowd. not TO-
markable either for order or intelligence, was
assembled by means OF advertising speakers
who would not descend to mingle in such CON-
pany. Among the signers of the call were
names familiar to the public as prominent OH.
GERS in the Confederate army. Others had
been conspicuous as Northern men, who, DUR
ing the war. were openly and increasingly en-
gagged in efforts to incite Instructions IN the
North. In due course OF time the meeting nd
journed, and the rabb'c, cheering for Jef. Da'
Wis and Andy johnson, wendell its way to the
front portico Of the White House. President
johnson appeared, and from the wall Of ma