Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-04-18
Washington Correspondence.


The passage of the Ciuu Rights Bi4-A. H..
.Hephens-Southern Un,0nism, true and
faIse-C Congregational Business-Ihe Test
Oath-.4oanesty-ln memory of Senator
i Foot
WASHINGTON, D. c., April Is. 1866.
ACTION OF TIE HOUSE ON TIE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.
Mr.. EDITOR The glorious action of the
Senate on the Civil Rights bill was nobly
seconded by the House on Monday. To be
sure the result was not SO great matter OF
graduation, for every one believed that the
result was not doubtful, yet the very heavy
vote of l22 to Al shows conclusively the feel
ing of the House in regard to the matter. 1t
was evident to any one that something I'm
usual was expected, for at an early hour the
Hall began to be filled, Senators came in, the
members were all present, the Democrats were
extremely fac,ious, and the whole House un-
commonly noisy. Mr.. Wilson, In moving the,
previous question, Immediately after the read
ing of the message, said that he was willing
to let the President close the debate, although
his arguments were so conclusive, especially
that about Chinese and Gypsies.
and though the Southern States may attempt
to nulify the law, still Congress has thu swim
Dictated Its prerogative most nobly, and per-
formed an act of simplest justice to the freed
men end loyal whites of the South. Instances
might be cited by the score. to show the ter
rible cruelty and righteousness of the recon
str ucted, but they would only serve as a rep
ettion of what all have heard during the ie-
.gahsed xistence of slavery, and read in such
almost strictly truthful books as - Uncle
Toms Cabin" or "My Southern Friends
And yet while this state of society is all over
the South, the reconstructed rebels have the
impudence to come here and demand that they
be admitted to legislate for US, while they OPP
pose through the President every upright
measure.
=. q. STEPHENS
Alexander Ii Ssepheus--wholu [ consider
even more blameworthy than his master, jeff
Davis-has within the last week been here
whispering his UniOnisD % INFO the Presi
dents ear and receiving the congratulations
of his friends for the noble course he pursued
in the South. lie hOnored by his presence,
on last Friday night, the parlors OF the Lieut..
Cen at his closing reception. Ii was here
also that the President and Thad. Stevens had
their pleasant meeting, shaking hands as cor
daily If Mr.. johnson had no fear of asses
sinatIon, and could, notwithstanding all mis-
assertions to the contrary, affiliate with
traitors"
SOUTHERN UEIoNISk, TRUE AND FALSE.
1t is noticeable that all true Unionists like
John Minor Bolts, and all Union Generals,
who have every opportunity to know the con-
dition of the Southern States testify against
their fitness to be represented at present, aud
Gems. Sheridan and Gustav depicted the terri
BILE state of things in such glowing terms as
led the hopeful and trusting President TO ex-
cept Texas from the peace proclamation, or as
Forney has it, the Pope's bull against the /
Comet" | know | shall be excused if quote
a short passage from letter To the PhiIadei- /
phla Press, showing the regard Tor the test
oath in Georgia, and the effect of the Presi-
dents policy. . One man, with ballot in
his hands, declared in loud tones, Yes, 6y
-, hare altOays been rebel. and altoays
Another said boldly, / hare taken the oath
Of allegiance, tt4t the Government of the Un.ted .
States has forfeited us contract ,oith me, and
BY i0iH forfeit my obligations TO it. -
VIII not all our loyal people demonstrate
against giving such people the power in
Government which they formerly possessed.
CONGRESSIONAL BUSINESS
a,
the Civil Rights bill, would have done a good
weeks work, but it has done much more.
having seemingly awakened from lis lethargy
and outgrown its insane desire for Speech
making. The appropriation bills nearly
through, the Loan bill has passed, the Bank
upt bill has been lost and again introduced
in modified form, the Military bills are now
under consideration, and the Tax bills are
soon to be acted on. 1t seems to be the in
tentiOn of Congress to finish the necessary
business as soon as possible, and then, if choA-
era does not disturb them, to further discuss
the question of reconstruction, ard perhaps
ere the end of the session allow the Represen-
tatlves from Tennessee. and Virginia, who
can take the oath, to occupy their seats.
THE TEST OATH, AMNESTY.
The President has sent to Congress u message
asking the modification of the test OATH 1t
has been known for long time that h was
in favor of the repeal of this oath, or in other
words, universal amnesty. But as he will not
give to that as counterpart, universal suf- .
trage, L think he will hardly obtain the sun
port of Congress. Ii accordance with this
desire of his the pirate Tennessee, who has
been for weeks confined at the Navy Yard. +
was few days ago Internationally released.
and rumors OF the speedy release OF JEFF. Da-
Wis called from the House, by d unanimous
vote, resolution calling for the immediate
trial of JEFF Davis and his eo-conspirstors
The opinion seems to be very generally enter
tai ned that an amnesty proclamation is soon
to be issued. and JEFF. Davis TO be as fully
pardoaed as any poor deludeI private in the
rebel ranks.
IN MEMORY OF SENATOR FOOT
Yesterday was devoted, in both Houses. TO
me marital addresses the late Senator Foot.
In the Senate eulogies were spoken by Senators
Poland, Edmunds, Fessenden, Sumner and
Brown, and in the House by Messrs. Morrill,. /
w oodbridge, Banks, Washburne, Dawson and
Grinnell. To attempt to give an abstract of
what was said Would he n ssless and fa;l - A.