Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-12-11

lima press publishes the full text Of the
Presidents Message this morning. The
hour at which the telegram was completed
coElpels us to omit any reference to it
in this issue. This last annual Message Of
President JOHNSON is worthy its predece s.
sors. He calmly surveys the situation,
unawed by the partisan storm which RACES
about him, and marches off the field bear
ing aloft the banner Of the Constitution,
under which he has SO nobly, but I'M
successfully, battled. He will carry with
him in his retirement the hearty good
wishes of every patriot in the land.
Special CORES pondence of the Baltimore Gazette.
The Democ ratio Members of Congress to
give the Radicals Rope-A BlunderinE
PropOsttiOn-An Illustrative a lie
Washburne thrown overheard by Grant
Fort Lafayette-A Prison Incident and o.
Brutal Commandant.
WASHINGTON, Dec. II have great salts
faction in announcing the fact that the
members of the Democratic and Conserva-
tive party in Congress have resolved that
they will not make fools of themselves in
bers generally argue thus The great peo-
pie of this great country have by solemn
vote invested certain men with the power
to do as they please. Very we'll, let us see
what they will do. Give them wide range.
Whenever called upon We shall conscienti
ously vote upon propositions as they may
come up. Beyond this no responsibility
rests upon us, and we shall take care that
10 impeachment is placed in the way of fair
trial of the policy of our opponents (God
save the mark J The word seems to be
$50 ahead who's afeard %
In the midst of this passive programme,
[ hear threats Of what a would be leader
| intends to DO. He proposes ostensibly to
throw a notable tirebrand into the Radical
party by cajoling Grant. He purposes to
introduce bill repeating the Tenure-of-
Office act. This, pleads he, will be passed
We shall, thereby, get Grant, and without
loss, and my paper will be placed in po-
sition whereby profits will ensue." At
the same TIM, by creating feud between
Grant and Congress, the Democratic party
will rend the Radicals asunder.
This is a very adroit movement. But,
being trumpeted beforehand, is not likely
| to succeed, as | have reason TO believe the
| leading Radicals are not downright fools
| to the extent Of refusing to avail them
selves of the blunders of their opponents
What if the motion of the honorable naem-
Der from New York should be not only en-
tertained by the House. but acceded to by
the Senate, under the pressure of Demo
cratic influences ? Would not the member
be in the condition of the cat under the
mesmeric influence of the monkey which
drew out the ehestnuts, anmindful of IFS
own claws
In the meantime, I think it necessary
to apprise your readers, as Legitimate re
suit of "non-intervention in things
which don't concern us, that most init
mate radical relationship has been burst
4sunder by means entirely outside of toady
ism on the part of Democratic statesmen
Contrary to all expectation, the Man Fri
day of Grant has sudd, My been thrown
overheard. Mr.. Washburne, rotwith
standing what Yates may say, is now
scarcely upon speaking terms with the
"coming man. 1one attribute this dire
catastrophe primarily TO Donnelly's ill.,
duence, derived indirectly from the Fee
nisa Brotherhood, others TO the excessive
this second Warwick Be all this as il
may, Schenck has had sufficient power
to utterly demolish the pretenticas de-
nands OF the Illinois member.
Speaking OF the catastrophe at Fort La
fayette to-day. it WAS remarked by sui
ferer that this was lot the only memora-
bic fire at that locality. The whole struc-
ture Is, and has been for years, covered
with shingle roof. When, in 1861, this
bastile vas peopled by many honorable
gentlemen, confined there in violation O;
all law. humaa and divine, fire took
place Lear the magazine, which contained
tons OF poWder. 1t had become the custom
of the keepers to permit the prisoners fol
certain hours during the day to go outside
of their casenated quarters. Upon the oc
casion of the alarm of fire I refer to, they
were driven back at the point of the bay
onet, and the keys OF their cells turned
upon them by order of Wood, who had
temporary command. doubt if any act
of equal villainy can be found in all his
tory.
John Powell died in New York ball
room on thanksgiving night. Too much
dancing and heart disease were the cause.
Al