New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-20
THE CRISIS AND THE MEN.
From Our Special Correspondent


ofReprosontatives there is irregular and unusual COLI
eataton Of people, In the galleries. il is true the spec
t,tors are equally dnued bat the floor they nave
crowded 10 a single quarter which is on the left hand OF
che sneaker midway between his desk and the ouor arc
NJ seats leaving all the chairs to his night ard hesupcror
tfoft the house vacant Of either Republicans OpPo-
,on. Amid this deuseand listening assembly old man
will keen pale face reading something he has written
ip quaint and solemn voice. 1t is Thaddcus Stevens,
s,snr the last word Of debate upon the Amendment to
a, Constitution which 10 make treason imlotent and
o1iyIs and freedom national.
THADDEUs STEVENS on THE FLOOR.
Ashe the central so he is the most individual por
trait OF the great group. lis face has Oympian lines in
A. as Mr. Carlyle would say His hands arc thin and
white though they show no quiycring; and while
MS eyes are deeply set under their square severe
bows. and SO b.tcd beneath with almost funeral
shadows, tina, thoy look ike blind mans, he reads
without glasses the writing when he holds two feet
away steadily, at "a years Of age. Standing ike statue
his b-ck lus.eress wig making still pali his ample
fahoad-tls man Of strong and combative physiognony
looks like mailed and aged veteran, used TO fighting
filon hopes. There is a splendid convexy 10 his lips,
when theyare Shut fu Of dsdGinunesS for all wrong
sld conventonaty; and prompt and spenetc toss Of
te heal indicating easy aud yet ntracabe indigna
ton al whatever is trucking OF dishonest OF broad
and bending back plain and dark in his garb,
be the incarnation Of an indomitable life
time, content 10 be in less than q minority, TO
b. quito alone He has a dignity and an al
fros clicous iInprcssiveness of defamation disap
pointing those who expect Only redundant bitterness
His voice is the expiring breath Of eloquence, almost lost
a. times but never shI and never broken yet full Of
cadenc,s aud he gestures with fierce and difficult an
gally You that his Joints stiff and that he has
only an old mans voton his bodily inertia Ii is
ksred by some that he viii again take the oor the
treescoreand-ten years Of mans life having brought
him the angs Of species and the occasion IS omi
nous from this personal circumstance well as from the
significance Of the days legislation Senators ere here,
therefore and strange ambassadors and many people of
repue in many woks that this moment is hisonc
one aud suggestive Of o more extended delineahon.
THIS FIRST CONGRESS AFTER THB WAR.
Tho present Congress only less remarkable than that
which Immediately preceded the war In the interval be-
tween them, the business Of the country almost
prey administrative Fragmentary sketches exist Of the
yOrentous dramatic scenes which Sgnalized the with
dmvsl Of the Secession members. That was passive
Congress- 50 far as those who remained were con-
esrnei but in this the First Session Of the Thirty
ninth Congress the great question Of Reconstruction has
sen and the present Senate ~H1 HeSas Of Representa-
tves will take place in history beside the primary Con-
ere which debated and established the Federal Cons
luton As % the speeches OF that celebrated body we
iook r the intention and the spiritual meaning Of the
various clauses Of the Federal compact TO this Congress
end its debates we must in the future to see how
desperately Slavery died how suby Treason attempted 70
escape odium and punishment and how after the long
conflict Of keen wits and trained intelgences four new
and remarkable amendments 10 the Constitution went
forth 20 the people for ratification He must be common
f~raa r. rrna fvf IONS q in
tere Ia noting the personages who made remarkable
by this bold and benevolent legislation.
TnE Z" RUMP" CONGRESS VERSUS THB KNOT"
Tue ranoor Of that partisan organization which through
Che patriotism Of the people is represented in Congress by
disappointed minority las stigmatzed the body at large
o. the Iump7 Congress This nickname is not very
credtabe to its contrvers by either its originality or is
applicability The Rump Parliament was the last patri-
oc body Of English delegates which attempted 70 prevent
The restoration Of the Suarts and tyranny Contemporary
with this Rump' minority il the interests Of the
erparated house. however which answered very well 70
Tie present battered remant Of the Tory Democracy The
rcga interest was represented at that time by "hat was
called The Knot" at the head Of which was one SIT
Richard willis trckster with both King and Pariia-
nent straightforward there was person named Booth
acting with the Knot and he struck the hrst success
III and bloody blow against the Rump.' The friends
.be Knot, and The Booth section Of itmay be properly
called "the Halter
MORAL CODE OF THE PRESENT CONGRESS.
Tn, friend Of rerr1llican governments who has often
bal cause 10 be wounded with the personal demeanor Of
American Congressmeu, may find hope in the courtesy
snd psriamentary obedience Of the gentlemen now max
ing law The pcsnferous places called "Holes in the
Wal" Whstle-W eeaers /" and what not, are entirely
broken up hopractoe ofprovdng liquors to every com
inittse and charging II account Of contingent e1-
penses or stationery, i altogether dispensed WITH
Gins ian code honor leaves 70 the prudence and respect
fines q members, Discrimination II debate, andto pnphc
opinion rather than the dnel and the ARRAY the set
Neuent Of each member capacity and honesty When the
South vent away to make ia appeal 70 force it took Its
budgeons and cowhdes with it, The only attempt at per
sons intimidation this session has been made by Ken
fuckan acting with the Excessive wing Of the party,
Mr. Rousseau and this a triGing episode compared to
Che beating of Mr. Sumner by bully whom he never
knew and the tabeau Of Mr. Foote OF Mississippi point
Ing pistol IN the space before the President chair at the
head o. Mr. Benton. The battle-ground at Badensburgh
only visited now by the antquary, curous 20 see the
spot where Slavery vindcated It's only theory Of manliness
and the houses Of Congress with exception o. two on
tA Opposition side are not spectaoles OF brutal drunken
ness hourshng pistol IN debate dementedy asleep at
t desk Gray grave old clerks who were accustomed to
tas widest physical interpretations, look asSani at the
sober evil bearing Of the regime Of Lawmakers and
sy with security OF body that Puritan morals and
Northern courtesy aTe indeed potent in the Capitol.
CAPACITY or CoSGREssMRS.
Nile to tho wayward dynasty who filed these seats
Before The war and softer counsel have sue
ede there also an Of greater heads than ever be-
s probably made The splendid Of the House pictorial
We are 10 the habit Of lamenting the absence Of tho
Cluster which attracted the partisanshp Of the world
'seny years ago whom al Congress 70 the common eye