The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-12-04

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3,
Congress was formally welcomed to-day at
the capitol by the respective Republican or
gamzatlons. Judge Carthers addressed the
assemblage first. Speaker Colfax replied to
Judge Carthers' address 80 :
The galleries OF the two branches of Con-
gress are densely crowded. those of the House
not being sufficiently large to accommodate an
the seekers of admission. The members are
present in full force. Long before noon men
OF both parties were seen shaking hands witE
marked cordiality and conversing ON other
subjects than politics. A mere locker on
subject ever divided them, so happy are they
in their greetings. Rev. Dr. Boynton opened
the House with prayer of thanksgiving for
the results of the late elections which tend, he
said to establish the principles of liberty to all
classes and conditions.
During the proceedings of the House ,-day,
Mr.. Stevens sought to adjourn, and when he
was reminded that the Presidents message
was soon expected, he suggested that it be
READ from local newspaper, extra copies of
winch had been distributed before even the
Presidents private Secretary had reached the
Capitol; and when the official message itself
was communicated he unsuccessfully endeav-
ored to have its reading postponed until to-
morrow: IT was not until fifteen minutes to
two O'Clock tn document was transmitted
previous to which time telegrams were receiv-
ed here that copious extracts from the mes
sage itself were circulating in other cities. 1t
is proper to report in this connection that ad-
vanced copies OF the Presidents message and
accompanying documents W r, sent henc, TO
the principal cities by the Washington agent
of the Associated Press, and that the seals
were not broken until full official authority
was given to do SO, and that was at an hour
when there could be no premature disclosure
OF their contents, against which the most SOL
emn honor was pledged, nor is it known that
any of the agents disregarded the obligations
imposed. When the Clerk of the House be-
gan to read the message, copies in pamphlet
form were supplied the members, who buried
ly approached the distributing messengers for
their supply
The Postmaster Generals report shows the
liabilities for mail service in the late insur-
gent States for the year ending 3Oth of June
last, were only $76,3S3 in excess of net revenue
from postage in that section.
The welcoming banquet to Congress took
place tonight in temporary frame building
corner of Seventh street and Pennsylvania av-
enue. Five tables extended the length of the
hall, at which three or four hundred ladies and
gentlemen were seated Gen. Hiram Wal
bridge, of New York did the honors as Presi-
dent of the fast and made the address of well
come.
In the course of his remarks he said: sDur-
ing the war jeff. Davis was commander-in-
chief of the rebel army, with Lee as his prin-
clpal adviser. Now, Andrew johnson was
their commander-in-chief,w while poor old Wool
was their principal national adviser; and for
the navy they had Semmes, and We4les. The
people were to decide whether they would
have Andrew johnson for President or as King
for they were told theyihad no other course left
He wanted the encouragement of the soldiers,
for the army consisted of citizens as well as
soldiers. The army had few mercenary Off
GERS, like the Steedmans, the Dixes and the
Woods, but if the Government were to order
Grant, or Howard, or Farragut to do its treach-
erous work, they would break their swords
sooner than obey. With Sheridan for leader,
and $4,000 or 10000 colored soldiers, they would
defy Andrew johnson and all who would fol-
low him.