The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-03-19
WASH INGT0N
Important Denats In The House
Of Representatives.
The Extension of Negro Suffrage
Opposed by Radicals.
Vigorous Speech Of Old Thad Stevens In
Favor Of the Measure.
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Extended Debate in the Senate On :he BIZ Abol'
ishing the Tax on Manufactures.
9ne Radicals Of the East and the
West at xoggerheads.
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A Modified Test Oath for the Benefit 0. Mr..
Butler, Of Tennessee.
Extended Debate in the Senate On :he Bill AbOl.
ishing the Tax on Manufactures
1ane Radicals Of the East and the
West at xoggerheads.
A Modified Test Oath for the Benefit o: Mr.
Butler, of Tennessee.

WASHINGTON, March lS. 1885,
The Mysterious Military Preparations Around
Washington.
good deal Jf speculation and conjecture has been
yaised within the past week two in relation to the
mysterious movements among the military stationed
here The character Of the operations Is so unusual
for time Of peace that they cannot fail to attract
observation and excite surprise and comment The
question Ii everywhere asked what necessity Is
there for all these military precautions. But the
most diligent search fails to discover the
slightest cause for alarm other than the
extremely unsettled condition OF the pub
nc mind owing to the impeachment and
prospective removal Of the President Many
persons give positive denial to the statement that
Stanton has been suffering under nervous panic,
and labor prove that he Is not liable take scares
either big Or little; but unfortunately for this theory
al the orders issued since the arrival OF that conf
Dental and reliable detective who brought the highly
important information Of Mosby's projected raid on
1he War Department have not been Of that kind
which would be justified on the simple score OF
military precaution. Some OF them bore the
unmistakabe evidences Of a little too much
undignifed haste; and being issued at unseemly
hours Of the night with injunctions requiring prompt
and immediate execution could do nothing less than
create in the minds Of those who have had ample ex
perience in critical times the impression that dire
calamity was lowering over our distracted country,
whose constant gathering weight was Fastening on
1s fall
Prominent military officers, who have been obliged
from their official positions to take an active part in
this late strengthening Of the lines, declare the
whole matter to be nothing more than the
proper degree OF caution which should be OBJ
served on the eve OF great political changes,
especially when party opinions are so obstinate and
nncompromising as they are now. In time of peace
prepare for war, say they, and these precauon airy
measures should never have been neglected since the
close Of the war; but the great contrast between the
stormy and perlous days of the war and the CON-
Darative tranquility OF the peaceful days that fol-
lowed its close lulled the government into a sense
Of security that they claim unjustifable under
the circumstances and on the principle that it is
never too late too mend, the head Of the War Depart
ment is now providing against any possible juncture
q Affairs such as that which overlook the govern
ment in 1850 and found 1t sadly unprepared.
What Constitutes High Crimes and NIisde.
meanors.
The important matter now before the Senate will
show rs what really is high crime or INSIDE
meanor, and decide whether mere differences OF
opinion, political otherwise, can be SO regarded
The President, we understand 1t, claims that no
act or thought Of his Ia susceptible OF that nterpre
1stion-that his ofYence in removing man obnox-
1ous to himself to great proportion Of the Senate
and to the country at large was one not only looked
1or, but desired, and was even advised by repubi-
cans who inquired Of him why he did not act init
mating that he delayed In matter which should
have been disposed OF sooner, as no resignation
was offered. The burden Of their complaint is
1hat he is obstinate and self-willed, and that
he premeditated and provoked quarrel which seems
really more desired by them than by him, knowing
that In their numbers they possess strength which
would enable them to depose him, though he could
not them; that he ignored their counsel and advice
I'm matter where they had by their own act thrust
the Objectionable party upon him. forgetting that
they, or at least some OF them, we're more culpabe
1han the President himself. The fault, however,
exists on both sides; but that that fault should SUBJ
5ect the Executive to trial for high crimes is ridcu-
1ous, and they ought and we hope WILL see II In that
hight. This fact when presented to the minds OF
these Senators should have telling effect and they
should not attack him directly for party considerations
or to effect removals which they fail to procure
through him.
It seems to be growing opinion that this rash
step may kill the radicals and OF course elect the
democratic candidate for President; and that the
failure Of this mad scheme, through the vote OF
servative republicans may assuredly save the re-
publican party and secure the great middle vote to
that side.
The TRADE and pressure against the Treasury De-
partment have been checked the ground that they
depress the price OF government securities and
therefore might defeat Impeachment. They have
stepped selling securities in consequence OF this
Decline fearing that the depression might create
, belief that it was In fear OF impeach-
ment The Secretary OF the Treasury evidently
foor Until md
putes came up in Mr.. Lincoln's administration,
hut he had party behind him which they could not
AFFORD to divide and therefore quarrels were
avoided Bonds are beginning to return from abroad
showing that such terms as 'fmpeachmentn and
Srepudatfon" neither advance our credit nor
strengthen our pride. Either from want Of tact or
principle, or both, these matters have never been
properly presented to members OF the Senate "a they
should have been. One would think that two or
shree Give" men might have been found in the Cabi-
nst, or even among the politicians, who could have
to cement friendship instead OF engender-
ing hatred might have brought out points OF agree
ment instead Of difference, and so have settled this
long ago. blessed are the peace
but they seem extremely scarce In WASH
lngton.
Governor BrownIow Needs No Soldiers.
In response to q telegram from Secretary Stanton
Governor Brownlow states that no more troops are
needed In Tennessee. The Governor however reports
that the rebels secretly armng for the purpose OF
taking possession Of Nashville and the State archives
but that the State militia will be fully able to take
care OF them without his having to call upon General
Thomas for aid For nearly year past there has
been large force Of militia In active service, and
lhis, Brownlow says will teach the rebels stern
lesson should they attempt to overthrow his State
government. /
The Committce ON Foreign Affairs and the
Alaska Purchase.
II Ia understood the Committee on Foreign Affairs
of the House Of Representatives at their meeting to-
Jay considered the question Of appropriation OF the
purchase money for Alaska. General Banks repre-. |
'ented the favorable phase OF the question and gave
" his opinion that the United States having already
accepted the transfer Of the country from the Russian
government were bound. ~ matter of honor II for