The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-02-14
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. II, 1868,

To the Editor Of the Press:
The great topic of conversation at the poll
tical metropolis just at present is the bitter
controversy going OH between the President
and General Grant Not content with the
pitiable and disgraceful predicament into which
his perverse disregard Of truth and honor had
plunged him, the President has to-day added
another link to the chain of his impudent as
SYMPTOMS in his letter to the General of the
Army, accusing him of characterization and
falsehood The previous fortune of the Pres
dent in this controversy was such as to have
deferred any ordinary person from still further
dsgracing himself by its continuance, and it
was to be hoped that after suffering himself to
be proved to have been engaged in an attempt
at subornation oftreason and the ruin of the
most gallant soldier of the war, he would give
what little character he had left the benefit of
short period of silence. 1t was well known
that he was strongly advised to this course by
many of his friends; but true to his mulish in
stincts he has disregarded such prudent APP
peas and again Stopped over" His letter,
which appears this evening, Is probably with
out parallel in the history OF nations, and shows
with what unrelenting and malignant hostility
he is determined to assail any man who may
cnance to represent the sentiments of the loyal
North. 1t islmoreover "sworn to and subscribed
in due form of law" by several members of the
Cabinet"-thus conveying the imputation that
his unsupported statement is not worth much
with the American people, but needs the
Cabinet proof to give it credence. 1t is Eot
impossible. that long period of evil associa-
tons may have so far demoralzed Several
members of the Cabinet" as to induce them to
testify in 3 very plant and accommodating
manner; but the people at large, who know SO
well the character OF the accuser and the
history Of the accused, will understand with
how many grains of allowance TO receive it.
General Grant has prepared reply which will
probably appear to-day or tomorrow.
RECONSTRUCTION.
The Senate is still whanging away" at the
new reconstruction bill, and in due time, when
the eloquence of all the members shall have
been sufficiently aired, will pass it by consid-
erably more than a two-thirds vote. AS write
that irrepressble and impcrturbable little old
gentleman, Carrot Davis, is keeping the gal
leries empty by one of his characteristic har-
rangues, in which vapid stupidity is only re-
lieved by occasional flashes of treason. In the
debates which have taken place on this bill
the Democrats have been so terribly driven to
the wall that the leaders, despairing OF any
thing like successful argument, have put
Dayis's powers of endurance The can talk
month without cessation) against the good ma
ture OF thelSenate, in the hope of r organizing
their scattered forces and again giving battle
The speeches on this bill have been unusual
ly able and eloquent; for it involves the whole
question in issue at the next campaign. Next
to Senator Morton's, if not exceling it in bril-
liancy of imagination and profundity of argu-
ment, is that If Senator Morrill, of Maine, de-
lvered in the Senate on Wednesday last For
three hours he held the attention of the Senate
and of the vast crowd in the galleries to q de-
gree that I have scarcely ever seen equalled.
1t is pronounced one of the most finished and
brilliant efforts Of modern times, and the ma
tiyes of the old Pine Tree State here are doub-
" proud of the man who has shed su IA lustre
on the State of their birth. Senator Hendricks
of Indiana, to whose speech Mr.. Morrill's was
a reply, STATED to-day that it ''was infinitely
the ablest speech yet delivered on the Repub-
lican side, and that Maine ought to be proud
of its author" A very large number OF copies
OF the speech have been ordered by the Repub-
lican Committee for distribution, and its mas
terly advocacy of the principles of eternal JUS
tice will find an echo in the heart OF every hui
name and loyal man in America.
IMPEACHMENT REDIvIvUs.
The idea of impeaching the President on the
facts connected with the Stanton-Grant en-
broglio is fast gaining ground in the House.
The consideration of the subject was referred
yesterday to the Reconstruction Committee of
which Mr.. Stevens is chairman, and it is well
known that majority of that committee are
in favor of"a vigorous prosecution of the war"
No direct movement viii be made just at pres
emit, but if the subject is again brought before
theI House it will be done with the certainty
of its passage. Mr.. j. B. Still son of the New
York World was to-day before the Reconstruc-
ton Committee and left with the committee
report OF the Cabinet proceedings at its meet
ing relative to the Reinstatement of Mr. Stan
ton, which places the President in very awk
ward light to say the leas, OF it. Many of the
Presidents friends are getting considerably
alarmed and say that their apprehensions of
iihPcachlueut dlc LII greater DOW Jnau ever De-
fore. few days will decide the matter, and
if it shall be determined to exercise this pre-
negative the Republican members will march
in solid phaanx to the attack
PERSONAL.
Gov. Washburn arrived in the city last Sat-
urday, and seems to be in very good health
and spirits Notwithstanding his attempted de-
capitaton by the President.
n. w. Bingham, Esq, of Portland, Special
Agent of the Treasury for New England is in
town, in consultation with the Secretary about
several large seizures recently made by him.
Col. Farwell and Major Cushman of Angus
ia reached here last night on pleasure tour
through the Southern States.
Old Captain Suffer-" the first diseoserer OF
gold in California, is In town. Notwithstapd-
ing his discovery has made SO many thou
sands wealthy, the Captain himself is exceed
ingly poor to-day and ia here urging a claim
against ihe government for property taken
from him in that State. CAsco.