The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-03-17
Letter from Washington.

WASHINGTON, ID. O., March 13, 1868.
To the Editor cfthe Press:
This has been an exciting day. The all-ab-
sorblng topic of impeachment has filled the
minds and mouths of everybody, and the city
has been one general scene of excitement.
Thousands are here from abroad to witness
this most important event in American his
tory and 1.-THE cry is still, they come" Owing
to the fact, however, that admission to the gall
leries is regulated by tickets issued by the
Sergeant-at-Arms to Sena tors and Represent
atives, they will nearly all be doomed TO dis
appointment. This plan was adopted by the
Senate, to prevent the endless crowd and con-
fusion that must ensue il the doors were
thrown open without restriction. Last even
ing the Senate Chamber was fitted up for the
occasion under the direction of Mr. Brown
ergeant-at-Arms-seats being provided for
the House of Representa- ves in the rear of
the Senator's and tables and chairs placed in
the area in front of the Secretary's desk for the
President and his counsel at the right of the
Chief Justice and for the managers of the i'm
parchment on the left.
Before ten o'clock this morning every en-
trance to the Senate was densely thronged
with crowd anxious for ingress, but strict
orders had been given to admit no one who did
not have ticket, and guard of three police
men was stationed at each door to execute
this order. The Chief of the City Metropolitan
Police was on hand to aid in preserving order;
and the profuse display of brass buttons re-
minded one of the time when the army was
here in winter quarters and Brigadier Gener-
ais did abound. Thousands were turned away
in very unhappy frame of mind "judging
from the remarks they made" and am COM
PEELED to believe that the profanity INDUCED
in on that occasion, if it could be collected,
would fill royal octave volume. A more
brilliant and fashionably dres sed audience
never filed the galleries, than were seen there
to-day. AS Senators and Members alone had
the disposition of tickets of course they pro-
vided for their own families and the array of
beauty and dry goods was perfectly dazzling
to look upon. Surrounding the Senate gallery
which occupies all four sides of the cham
ber-there are several spacious halls, one OF
which is some eighty feet by twenty five, and
as soon as the Senate retired for consultation
on Mr.. Stanbery's proposition for extension
of the time of trial, these halls were filed from
the galleries with Stair women and brave men,
who promenaded up and down, around and
across to that extent, that the Presidents Re-
ception attended the other evening was a
tame affair in comparison.
The speech of Mr.. Stanbery, i'll support O,
his motion is considered here somewhat in.
temperate. In reply to MIR. Bingham he flew
into passion and advancing several PAGES to
the front of his seat denounced the attempt on
the part of the managers to force the trial al
this time as trap" exclaiming that ''such
rash action was unlocked for on the part OF
the Presidents counsel" Mr.. Curtiss man
ner was more calm and deliberate and eyi.
IDENTIFY had far greater weight with the Senate
| 1t is evident hat every diatory process will be
| ates, but under the rules of the Court such at
| tempts can be OF little avail; while wishing to
| give the President fair and impartial trial
the Senate will not permit the business in
| terests of the nation to languish nor the leeis
| lation of Congress to be interfered with LONGER
than is necessary. The general opinion here.
both with the Presidents friends and oppo,
| nents is that his conviction is iueytahle
though one of his most Jealous friends and adj
mirers declared few days since that cit Con
| gress did impeach the President, he acou1d ne.
| to it" When the reporters gallery was OPEN
ed at an early hour this morning, suspicious
| individual was discovered asleep on one of the
seats having slept there all night and much
| speculation was INDUCED in as to his cbarac-
| ter and intentions. 1t was finally concluded
| that instead of being an assassin he was only
| concerned in obtaining statistics for AYERS
Almanac for 1863, and the alarm instantly
subsidized.
| NEW HAMPSHIRE ELECTION
The disappointment and cha2rin of the
| democracy here was intense, when the result
OF the election was learned on Tuesday even.
ing last. They were so confident of success
that they had made great preparations for a
grand publication at their headquarters
Bands of music had been engaged, plenty Of
che needtul" procured and the faithful all in
vted to be present. when O.. general con-
gratula. DRY Ito all around, they were to
| proceed to the White House to receive the
blessing of A. johnson. 1t turned out howev-
er that they had more need to have 'extreme
JUNCTION" administered, and about eleven
| O'Clock the solemn assembly broke up, dis
banded their musicians and departed gloomily
to their homes. no doubt "disgusted with poll
tics as people always are when they are
| beaten at the polls.
| LINCOLN MONUMENT
| There IS to be a beautiful bronze monument
| erected to the memory of the late lamen;ed
President. 1t will be located directly in front
| of the City Hall and the site was fixed TODAY
by the City Surveyor. 1t will be crowned with
| statue OF MIR. Lincoln and the artist Mr.
Flannery of this city is already at work on it
| The whole affair will cost not far from $75 OOO
and 1t is expected that the work will be ready
for dedication on the coming 14th OF April
the anniversary Of his assassination.
@ CAsco