The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-05-08
TeIeErams 10 the Northern Press.
THE EXCITEMENT OVER MR.. FEssENDEN's
Dispatch toItIle Sew YORK Herala. :
WAsnINaTo,y. Nav ( 1aea

s.s HAShlNbTUN, Way D, 1868. s.
The supposed revolt of Senator Fessen-
den from the Radical ranks has been the
absorbing theme of conversation in every
circle here to-day. The facts telegraphed
you last night concerning it were not gene
rally known until this morning; and so
sudden and astounding was the revelation,
that many persons refused to believe it.
Some of the more curious Radicals, in order
to satisfy their own minds, boldly inquired
OF Mr.. Fessenden himself. To their utter
amazement, it is said, their worst fears
were confirmed. Senator Feesenden &c
knowledged he was preparing legal argu-
ment to sustain his vote against conviction,
and in favor Of the acquittal Of the Presi-
dent.
Some Of the most prominent Radical sena-
tors say that for the last two weeks the
question as to whether the President should
be convicted or acquitted has been entirely
in the hands Of Mr.. Fessenden. His defec-
ton, therefore, will have o more serious
effect upon the plans and calculations of
the Radicals than would that Of almost any
other senator. Mr.. Fessenden has been
considered heretofore as among the strong
est and ablest men of the Republicans in
the Senate. The younger senator's, and
many of the contemporaries of Mr.. Fessen-
den, have looked up to him, and followed
his leadership almost without questioning.
He is generally accorded the rare quality
among politicians Of being at once able and
conscientious. These facts will serve in
some measure to explain Mr.. Fessenden's
Importance to either side. The Radicals
feel that in losing him they have virtually
lost the whole case; while the friends of
the President are correspondingly certain
of success with his aid.
Various attempts have been made, it is
said, to talk Mr.. Fessenden out of his sup
posed opinion by those who are supposed
to have personal and party influence with
him. These, however, have met with but
little success. When he has once formed
an opinion, he is not the man to be talked
out of it. The usual report brought back
by those who have attempted to convert
him is that Pitt Fessenden is as stubborn
as mule" Even Senator Morrill, his
colleague, has met with no encouragement
in this direction. That he will take six or
eight senators with him is generally, con-
coded. This will be more than enotai,, to
secure acqulttal. living
ed for.
People who talk Of Senators Grid seven o
thony, Sherman, Van Wrinkle, Wian when
Ross as men who will vote 70 celfought, at
merely to please Mrsnfv .,,ader General
great mistake. SenatoEn stibull is q man
Of equal power with nby,en, and he is
supposed to be opposes ct n t,aviction quite
as strongly. Wiley e. nsld to have re-
marked that he had seen nothing in the
testimony or arguments to justify the Pre-
sident's removal, and that, conscient;e-s1sly,
he could not vote for conviction.
MR.. FESsENDEN PREPARING A SPEECH.
Dispatch to the New York Tribune.
WASHINGTON, May S, 1868.
The chances of conviction or acquittal of
the President are the absorbing themes Of
conversation in the city tonight. Those
who know least, as usual, talk most. From
a careful investigation and consideration of
the situation, the opinion has been formed
that the reports telegraphed to New York
newspaper last evening that impeachment
was dead, &C., were grossly exaggerated,
and that a molehill became q mountain in
the imagination of its correspondent. 1t is
generally believed, though his friends deny
it, that Senator Fessenden has written an
opinion against the first three articles, hold
ing that the President has the right to re-
move the head of department, and that
that power is not taken away by the tenure
of-ofice bill. Mr.. Fessenden voted to pass
the law over the Presidents veto, though he
was not present, or did not vote, when the
other questions on it were pending. The
truth is that Mr.. Fessenden is merely pre-
pairing, or has already prepared, q speech
on the case, to be delivered when the Senate
retircs for debate. The best judges of the
situation tonight say that only three of the
Republican senators-namely, Fessenden,
Fowler, and Grimes-will vote for an &c
quittal, and that they will have no infu-
ence whatever on this question with any OF
the other senator's. Tonight conviction is
generally conceded to be certain. Mr.. Bing-
hams speech is said to have had good eff
feet on the Senate, and his argument is
considered complete answer to Evarts,
Nelson Co.