The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-05-08

DETECTION. s7E
Dispatch to the Now York Herald. ~
IA WASHINGTON, May 5, 1868.
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 telegraphe1
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 Fessenden ac-
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 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 MS among the strong
est and ablest men of the Republicans in
the Senate. The younger senators, 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 manto be talked
out of it. The usual report brought back
by those who have attempted 70 convert
him is that Pitt Fessenden is as Stubborn
as a mule" Even Senator Morrill, his
colleague has met with no encouragement
in this direction. That he will take six or
eight senator's with him is generally con-
ceded. This will be more than emo to
secure acquitted.
People who talk of Senators GriH
thony, ShermansVan Wrinkle, WI Il
Ross as men whe4mill vote.a eel - - !
merely to please Mrs 80
great mistake. Senator hbull is o man
of equal power with F. en-, and he is
supposed to be oppose tviction quite
as strongly. Wiley IA to havrSe-
marked that he had seen nothing iGSshe
testimony or arguments, to justify the Pre-
sident's removal, and that, conscientiously
he could not vote for conviction.
MR.. FEssENDEN PREPARING SPEECH.
Dispatch to the New York Tribune.
WASHINGTON, May 5, 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
that the reports telegraphed to New York
newspaper last evening that Impeachment
was dead, &C., We're grossly exaggerated,
anu tnat u IOlenlll Decime EnOuutaln III
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-office 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
retires 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 intiu.
ence whatever on this question with any Of
the other senators. 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 Eyarts
Nelson s Co.