The Portland daily press., 1866-12-27

rites will in its results De
..,,.. Ely so because men hope that
the dark mystery which hangs around the as
s1ssination of our lands best beloved Abraham
Ltncoln-=may now be cleared up. Men would
be astonished if it were known how widely the
conviction is spread hereabouts, that a more
fearful depth of sin is to be unfolded and ex-
posed in connection with this deed than has
Ice m spoken of above ones "bated heath."-
Perhaps however we might not be surprised as
those who hold convictions of guilt in high
places now only limited at, are but Of the same
mould and form" of opinion OF thousands
elsewhere 1t has been said "be sure thy sin
win fad thee out" Surratt testities to the
truth of the utterance, for the weight of his
great crime was more than his feeble soul
could bear But my allusion to the Supreme
Courts decision grow out of the hope enter
tanned that full trial before a civil court OF
those who remain vet unhung may deveiope
the facts in this great and still mysterious
crime.
There is little doub. that Srangler, Mudd and
Laughlin, will be brought here rom ~, NY LOT
tugus, on writ of habeas corpus Inc Cniei
Justice has, it is believed, declded tnat the Su,
Speme Court has jurisdiction and that he will
therefore issue the writ. The application Is
based on the illegally ofthe tribunal condemn
inc them. and does not involve their guiltor
otherwise. Ihey Gail Ue ny
jury. and in all probability will be.
lie other assassin, John III. Surratt, and
these the subordinate tools of the plot, are then
all likely to be in Washington together. There
are not wanting those incredulous ones, who
have watched this matter from the beginning
that believed Surratt will yet find some favor
ing way of escape from arrest or into death be-
fore trial.
Tho agitation and excitement among pro-
rebel circles here, and some that ought not to
be but to all intents and purposes are so,
about the arrest of Surratt does not lessen
rhe rather is it on the increase. Especially
are certain religious influence at work. Re-
Iigious mean in the sense of organization on
ly. A principal witness in this case has been
approached by priests and urged not to testify
against Surratt, on the ground of his con-
nexion with the church. Perhaps they fear
what may be told of the nature of The plot, and
of the aid and comfort extended to the fleeing
assassin, whose fearful crime was yet &C ndoned
and succored by those wearing the priestly
garb.
1t is believed that the French Canadian, by
whom Surratt was discovered and denounced,
will be found to know more of this plot and
its abettors than We now suppose. That pecu-
liar threat OF Surratt's, That he would live
long enough to give good account OF Andrew
Johnson" is expected to receive peculiar IL
lustration by means of information it is beley-
ed the Canadian can give; sufficient at least to
indicate other sources OF information. There
4G uucl VI mystery CltdI up, anu tuoIC nOW
seems fair road open into its heart
THE LAST MOVE IN 'dY POLICY
There is movement under way to secure
the ratification of the constitutional amend
ment by at least one of the unrepresented
states. 1t may seem strange, but the move is
sustained at the White House. That alone
will make people suspicious of good there
from.
II is well known that both johnson and Sew
ard are in high hopes OF tomenting division
IN the Republican ranks by such a movement,
combined with the expected decision of the
Supre ae Court on the Test Oaths unconstitu-
tionaiity. The opinion expressed by Senators
Wade and Sherman, and Representative
Spaulding, and believed to be entertained by
others, that the Union men in Congress are
bound in honor to admit ratifying State,
with the decided dissent thereto expressed by
Sumner, Howard, Brown and others, is the
o. ound work of this hope of the accidental
tenant of the White House. Within week
certain prominent Alabalnians have LETT here
Tor Montgomery. The so-called State Legis-
lature meets there on the 10th proximo. The
constitutional amendment has been once re-
iected by this body, as it is believed under di-
rect influence of tie President. Gov Parsons
was the agent then used, and is now in
the new change. The amendment as to be rdti-
fed.
men VINO IN that event are 70 be run for the
State and Federal offices. The Governor OF
The State is to be man named John L. Nor
gan brother of the rebel General and an able
and influential lawyer who has never held an
Office OF taken the oath of allegiance, and j.
not therefore, disqualified by the third sec
ton of the amendment. Yet, next to VIM. l.
Yancey, Morgan was the most influential Of
ali pupiic men ia inducing the secession OF
Alabama He is among the bitterest of his
elan to-day. In 1860 he was on the Brecken-
ridge Electoral Ticket for the State at large
Another man, spoken of Tor U. s. Senator un-
der the limits which the amendments render
necessary is the present Attorney General
Mr. Stamford. He was an Influential rebel
but held no office, and can technically take
che oath Other men are named, who meet
the test, so far as the letter is concerned, but
who in spirit are further removed from us than
those who now claim seats in Congress from
that State.
APPOINTMENTS IN THE ARMY.
There is nothing which requires severer
overhauling than tue list of appointments in
The new regular army. In violation Of the law
a large number of appointments have been
made from civil life. Some of these have been
made by the influence OF those from whom
better things might have been expected, but a
majority of the nominations have in all proba-
Dility been paid for. There is a regular trade
and tariff of prices for such positions.
Let me show you how In other ways the law
is violated, in spirit, if not in letter. 1 know
personally the parties, having served with
both. a9+
A gallant officer, one of the most capable ct
the men who have risen from the ranks. appli-
ed for position in the new cavalry regiments.
He would have taken second lieutenancy,
though after over four years service in the
volunteers he was mustered out Brevet Brig
adler. He served for seven years in the regu-
lar army as orderly sergeant and sergeant ma
jor. OF good education, well read, quick
and pungent writer, thoroughly posted in all
staff duties, and above all, one of the best of
caYalry officers, the army was his natural and
proper place. But he was not a Johnsonite.-
Another man from The same State was an ap-
plicant. He had served with no especial all
vantage to the service as lieutenant, till
nearly the end OF the war, when he was dis
missed the service. He was re-instated, right
fully too, presume. He came here last win
ter End has hung on ever since. At heart
radical, he signed the call for the Cleveland
Convention, and has hung on to the coat tails
of general officer connected Herewith. He
was appointed to the commission which had
been refused the other gallant and far more
capable man. The nominees fitness, or rather
unfftness, may be JUDGED by the fact that he
failed to pass the Examining Board. The
tests, too, are very simple, but this candidate
did not meet the simplest. However, this
seems to avail nothing, as the nomination is
sent in and he will be confirmed. Latterly
this persistent wight has made friends OF a
radical Senator, who has obtained for him
doorkeepers place and will doubtless urge his
continuation: Inls zealls pfoDably explained
by the fact that the expectant lieutenant acts
as Mr.. Senator's purveyor or steward
When the question was asked how he would
pass the Board" it was explained that if the
applicant came back to it confirmed, he would
probably be passed, without further remark
than they supposed he had read up since his
last appearance before them. Of course the re-
ply to such an interrogatory would be afdrma-
i've. r'f
This is one of the ways in which our regular
Inr,1 ~ hr.rl,
patriotism and fitness. SPECTATOR.