The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-01-17

Correspondence OF tie Press'l
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 13, 1867.

beyond the calculation of those at work upon
them. Emerson says that To-day is a king in
disguise" The present ones do not wear their
royalty disguised but in the full light of the
nineteenth centurys noontide, assert their
right to rule most ragaly. Take, as an exam
pie, the incidents which have transpired to-day
within the Capitol walls First then we wend
our way to the old Senate Chamber in the old
est portion of the building, now uSeo as she u
s. Supreme Court Room. -
1t was crowded by listeners, inside and out
side the bar. Usually, a halfdozen curious la
dies their escorts, one or two interested par
ties, a stray reporter, five or six judges, about
the same number of officers Of the court and
few lawyers comprise the attendance. To-day
however every judge was on the bench; the
bar was out in full ranks, and every available
space was occupied by spectators. One notice
able fact was the presence of the interchangeable
reporters who pencil and note book in hand
were ready to obtain an outline of the impor-
tant opinion. This is the first time that this
venerable body has allowed that modern Icon
oclast-the reporter-to invade Its sacred pre-
cincts. Inside the bar were many distinguish
able and distinguished persons Noticeable III
the crowd was the strong and remarkable face
of Ben Butler, the outlines of which in their
rapacious vigor make one think of bald eagle.
Here is the spare, tall form of the Attorney
General, with its mingled look OF surface res
pectability and acute intellect--a sort of cross
between Dombey and Emerson Mr.. Stanbe
b nv makes one think of the latter-if one could
have supposed the Concord philosopher to have
become a conservative politician and real es-
tate LAWYER. A marked face, form and head is
that of Caleb Cushing, with look of power and
disappointment The pleasantest face, not on
ly because of its intellectual expression, but
far more from the manly morality and purpose
visible therein, is that of the Assistant Attorney
General, Mr.. Ashton, one of the most able law
yers of his age in the Union There were more
remarkable faces, but pass them by.
The occasion of the unwonted crowd was
the delivery of the opinions of the Court ma
jority and minority, on the consttutionality of
the test oath, both that required W the nation
and that required in Missouri. Justice Fields
of California read the views OF the majority;
Justice Davis that of the minority. The Court
was divided by Justices Wayne, Grier, Cliff
ford Nelson and Fields pronouncing against
the oath, and the Chief Justice with Associ
ates Davis, Swayne and Miller concurring, in
support of its constitutonality M
1t seems strange anomaly to listener, who
is alive to the results of such action to believe
that it was designed hat this body of nine ven
cradle and able men should hold the safety of
the nation In its hands, 1t certainly was new
er intended that the Supreme Court was to de-
eide political questions. If SO, it must inevita-
bly.absorb all the functions OF government
L confess to not being disposed to reverence
the four very aged gentlemen, who crept out of
their shells to interpret the Constitution in the
interests of retroaction, but have far less for
the middle aged, obstinate looking Californian
who gavehis vote against the Nations right to
protect itself. One thing is certain The nation
will protect itself against Treason whatever
stands in the way. LII it is Supreme Court, so
much the worse for it, If the Constitution,
then its meaning must be stretched to give due
effect to the Peoples purpose.
LOAN OF MISSOURI AND THE ASSASSINATION OF
MR. LINCOLN.
The House of Representatives witnessed
scene of different character. The States were
called on resolutions. When Missouri was
early reached, the business in order was the
consideration of Gen. Loans very eomprehcn- |
sive resolution on the impeachment. Debate |
being in order, Gen. Loan took the floor. Loan
is Southern born, has lived nearly all his man
hood in Mo-, and is truly native to the border
manner of plain speaking. He has been very
faithful nonist IN active soldler,and Is withai
oman of considerable ability. L should not sup
nose him reckless though he Isl very deter
mined man. Above the middle stature, he is
broad shouldered and deep chested. His head
is large. forehead square, about which rises
considerable mass of disorderly iron gray
hair. His eyes are dark gray, with srnoul-
dering light in them. The nose is an ugly and
Yug-nacious one, while the mouth has very
stern and vice like habit ofclosing which gives
him peculiarly combative expression. bis
speech created profound, almost startling i'm
preston 1t in substance denounced Andrew
johnson as party to the assassination OF
Abraham Lincoln. 1t distinctly charged that
the President was receiving the reward and
earning the wages of the rebellion that lifted
him into his high place. There was no mincing
of expression, and the manner IN which the
speaker showed how the rebellion was being
restored through Mr.. johnson to political pow
er after unparalleled defeat i'll the field, was in
itself remarkable thing, productive of start
ling culmnative effect. asb..5.
Mr.. Hall, of New York, demanded that the
Clerk record the speakers words on the ground
that it was grave accusation and IN contempt
of the Executive authority. The CHAIR ruled
that the point of order could not be sustained, as
the Representative from Missouri was speaking
to resolution charging high crimes and mis-
demeanors" and was not therefore in contempt
in enuuciating the same. IDOL. l-
Whether the Missouran unwise or 9TH
erwise in thus boldly attacking and accusing
Mr. johnson, is one thing, but it is certain that
he only speaks out the thought and suspicion
which dwelis in the breasts of a majority OF the
House, Loan is conscientious man. Whas
he saws should therefore be needed. 1t is quite
certain that if there was as curious cham OF
circumstantial evidence existing against any
unknown Southern man as there is against Mi.
johnson, that man would have been hung long
since for completely with the assassination, or
be like Spangler, serving out a life imprison-
ment with much less evidence OF any guilty
completely. The excitement was very great
The resolution is still undisposed OF, and will
again give some one reason for speaking.
4.. ADMISSION OF NEBRASKA.
Nearly the balance OF the day was given to
the discussion of this bill. The following the
chief feature: is
BE it further enacted, That this act shall take
effect with the fundamental and perpetual con-
dition that within said State OF Nebraska there
shall be no abridgement or denial of the exer-
else of the elective franchise or of any other
right to any person by reason of race or color,
excepting Indians not taxed. r N
One portion ofthe Republicans desire to send
this back for ratification or rejection by the
people Another portion, like Bingham, of Ohio,
will vote for it anyhow, because they want the
State in, and regard the clause as of no effect.
Dawes, Judge Wilson and others will go against
it. Shelabarger took ground in favor of the
bill and amendatory clause on the ground that
State will consider Itself at least morally
bound to obey the obligation. rs
Mr. Bingham in his usual vehement, denun-
ciatory, eloquent but arrogant style, took the
broadcast State Rights grounds ON the suffrage
States had full control over the question
Gen. Banks closed the debate on the ques-
ton, and never spoke with greater effect orin
finer style. His position claimed the entire con-
troll within the purvew of the constitution to
dictate terms of admission. He thought the
amendment, therefore, of force. He voted for
admission because needed the additional
strength in this the nations hour Of supreme