New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-12-18
QUE WASHINGTON c0&REsFOND
GNGE



Congreasman blaine On the Presiaent's
Message-Thomss d. Durant In ehe
Supreme Court-Pers0nal, etc.
Especial Correspondents of the Republican,
WASHINGTON, December IL, 1868.
On Thursday the House went into Com.
mittee of the Whole on the Presidents
message. and was addressed by Hon. ]. G.
Blaine, of Maine. Mr.. Blaine's address en-
brsced careful resume of national affairs
since the election of Abraham Lincoln. /
would like to transfer the whole of this bril-
liant address to your columns, but am ad-
monished to respect your limited space. l
can not refrain, however, from giving you
an eloquent extract, which has the true
"Young America ring about it;
With the election of General Grant comes
higher standard of American citizenship
with more dignity and character to the
name abroad and more assured hDerty ana
security attaching to it at home. Our d1plo-
macy will be rescued from the suoserVient
tone by which we have SO often been hu,,
initiated in our own eyes and in the eyes OF
Europe, and the true position OF the hrst
nation of the earth in rank and prestige
will be asserted; not in the spirit of brsvsdo
or with the mere arrogance of strength, but
with the conscious dignity which belongs TO
power and with the moderation which ID
the true ornament of justice.
And with this vindicatlon OF the r'gnls
and rank of our citizenship abroad will
come also its protection and its panoply at
home. That provision of the Federal Con-
stitution which solemnly guarantees that
''the citizens of each State shall be entitled
to all the privileges and immunities of citi-
zens in the several States" will not be dead
letter under the administration of General
| Grant as it in fact has been from the foun-
dation of the Federal Government down to
this hour. Henceforward it is to be prac-
tically enforced throughout all our borders,
and every citizen of the republic, himself
observant of the law and of the rights Of
others, shall go where it may please him,
and speak as he may see lit, unawed by
mobs, unframed by murderers, unmenaced
in life, limb or estate
Mr.. Blaine, by the way, is the mos
prominently named candidate, next to Gen
eral Banks, for the next Speakership of the
House.
The cases of the United States versus tht
''Nina Simmes,n and same versus the "Beau
regard" were up for argument in the
Supreme Court yesterday, on appeal from
the judgment of the District Court of Lou
isiana. These boats were libelled under the
act of July, 1861, on the ground they had
been used for Confederate purposes with
the consent of the owners. Judge Durel
acquitted them and the United States ap
pealed. The case was argued on the part oi
the Government by Assistant Attorney Gen
eral Ashton, and for claimants by Hon.
Thomas ]. Durant. The whole question
/ turnad 11pOn Uhathnr the consent was vOl.
unfairly given. The case of the claimants
was presented by Mr.. Durant with clear.
ness, precision and vigor which is rare even
IN that Court. His description OF the tYran'
nv and absolute despotism of the Conteder-
ate military rule and Of the powerlessness
of the individual citizen was most vivid and
| telling.
Colonel B. B. Keller, of General Rous-
seau's staff, is still here, at the Metropolitan.
He has been trying to save Gen. Rousseau's
shoulder-straps. He has been quite i'll, and
confined to his room for several days. He
| is out again, however, and proposes to start
to morrow for Chicago, in company with
Generals Grant, Thomas and Schofeld and
stats, to attend the grand reunion of sol
diers about to take place there. Colone
| Keller will then return to New orleans, dis
gusted with the disposition of Congress &c
ward General Rousseau.
General Lee and Colonel Lynch stopped
over q day on their return from New York
General Lee is probably by this time in New
Orleans, while the Colonel makes detou
through Ohio and the West. Co onel jaime
F. Casey and John J. Anderson, of New Or
| leans are at Wizards. Charles A. Weet
passed through on his way to the North
Colonel G. W. Lowell, Speaker Of the Loui
siana House of Representatives, is here
W ROB ROY.