Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-02-20
4 Letter from Washington.
WAsHINGroN, Feb. 18th, 1856
RECONSTRUCTION


WASHINGTON, Feb. 18th, 1867
RECoNsTRUCTIoN
The all absorbing topic in Washington,
among all classes, is the question of the re-
construction of the states lately in rebellion,
and there is now a fair prospect that some
thing like adequate protection for the life
and property of loyal men, black and white,
will be afforded by our government The
bill of Mr.. Stevens passed the House yester-
day by a very decided vote, and will, without
doubt, pass the Senate at an early day.
Should the accidental incumbent of the
presidential chair see fit to disapprove of the
same, the Senate will promptly pass it over
his veto, and it will thus become law.
That necessity exists for placing the states
specified in the bill under military jurisdic-
ton, is becoming more and more evident to
every man who mpartially considers the state
Of affairs existing there. Senator Howard
stated day or two since, that. in the state of
Texas alone. fifteen hundred Union men had
been murdered during the past year, and in
not single instance had the perpetrators of
these outrages been brought to Justice No
sane man entertains for a moment the belief
that the civil courts will mete out even the
shadow of Justice to the men who. in the
darkest hours of our history nation,
maintained their devotion to the Union at
the peril of their lives 1t was ptiful to
witness the feeble attempts of Doolittle, and
Dixon of Connecticut, to controvert the truth
of statements made by Senator's Sumner and
Howard in regard to the condition of the
South and one is led TO wonder how the for
mer ever secured the votes of any party for
the position he occupies.
CHARLES SUMNER
1t is refreshing in these DAYS of political
degeneracv to listen 10 the soul-stirripg elo-
quence of man whose public life has ALWAYS
been characterized by an answering devotion
To an ideal view of right as distinguished
from time-serving policy. However other
may be Influenced by motives of cx-
pcdiencv, it is sufficient for him to be con
WINGED of the essential justice of measure to
give it his support. This course may bring
against him the charge of fanaticiSm. and he
may sometimes be in a minority even in his
own party. vet history will do him Justice.
\ preacher once became very popular with
certain congregation who had lust dismissed
former pastor eminent for the spirituality
of his pulpit ministrations. The reason of
this popularity was explained bv an admirer
Of the new preacher who stated that he
never meddled with politics or religion in the
pulpit Timid conservatives who are SO fear
full of running against the prciudices of the
conquered but unsubdued rebels ut the South
Of course fail to appreciate Mr.. Sumner.
/ CHANGED to he in the Senate when the bank
rupt bill was under discussion Mr. Sumner
wished it 50 amended to prevent cx-rcbcls
from availing themselves of its provisions.
Mr.. Poland suggested to Mr. Sumner that he
would be voted down. 1t was well worth a
visit to Washington to listen to the latter's
reply to this suggestion. He had been voted
down before. he said-was voted down on the
Kansas question: and the Vermont senator
was made very distinctly to understand that
the prospect of being in a minority would
not deter Mr.. Sumner from utterng his
protest against any measure he was convinced
was unjust. While in the main approving
the bill. he desired to see in it this provision.
MCDoUGAL.
While listening TO the debate, a man en-
tered the Senate who at once attracted nv
attention. He walked to his seat supported
by a cane. his eyes bent upon the floor az if
calculating with the greatest precision each
step which led him there He remained but
moment seated, arose. left the chamber re-
turned, and after standing short time
dercd about the chamber and finally left it
again. He was evidently physical wreck
as he has long been IA moral one, for | learned
upon inquiry that it was the notorious Me-
Dougal of California. 1t is a sad fact in the
history of the republic that man is allowed
a voice in the deliberations of its Senate, who
has been carried from the floor with brain
beclouded by strong drink that he was in
capable of leaving it unaided
THE FREEDMEN.
! think there is a somewhat general i'm
precision at the North that the colored people
of Washington are more favorablv situated
than in the Southern States. In
spects. however. this is not the case Wash
ington is by no means paradise for the ne
gro 1t has literally become the great pauper
house of the nation. The majority of the
white citizens of Washington have little dis
position to alleviate the condition of the
multitude of blacks. who during and since
the war have found their way here, and