The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-01-31
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
IMPORTANT MrAsuREs.
WASHINGTON, Jan. %


AT no time for many months have the loyal
people had 30 much cause for rejoicing rs dur
Ing the past week, and the general exultation
has nowhere been more enthusiastic than here,
Where the great struggle for political rights Is
taking place. The restoration Of Stanton 10
the War Department, the prohibition Of further
contraction Of the currency, the preparations
for a thorough reduction Of taxes and expenes,
and the bill reorganiring the Supreme Court on
the two-thirls principle, are measurcS which ne
ceiye the hearty response Of every patriotic cti-
rcns North and South. The latter proposition
was greeted with the Democratic howl but II
appears that the PRECEDENT did not originate in
the Republican party. Congress simply pro-
poses to adopt the principle which the Demo-
Gratis have forced ON to their conventions which
governs the passage Of bills over the Presidents
veto. and for which the South has always con-
tendel. Alexander II. Stevens told the Georgia
convention Of 1861 that the South had always
insisted upon having majority Of the Supreme
Court in orler," rs he plainly informed them"
That the decisions should De farorabie 10 them
seirss." Surely IL the South demanded ~ much
In the interests Of slavery no one.-not even q
Dcmocnt.-can now complain that the North
requires an equal protection In the Interests Of
Frcelom. Under the present organization, the
vote Of u single Judge who happens to constitute
o majority Of the Court, Is sufficient to decide as
10 the consttutionality Of laws which Affect the
lives and property Of millions Of people and
from his Judgment there can be no appeal this
side Of Heaven. II Is no way in accordance
with the fitness IL things that law passed by a
two.thirls vote Of Congress elected by the PEG.
pie upon that identical issue distinctly presented
should be frustrated by the '.still small voice.
Of single man who sits upon the Supreme
Bench.
THE SECRETARY on war.
The return Of Mr.. Stanton TO the War De-
partmcnt, and the sllication Of General Grant
have bccn the absorbing topics Of conversation
during the past week. The anger Of the Presi-
dent at the humilating insult Of his wiliul ,io-
lation of the "Tenun Ut Office" Law knew No
hounds and everybody has bccn in hourly ex-
pectation Of some coup d eiai from the ENecu-
tive Mansion. II was runorcd that the Prysi-
dent was about To orler . Court Martial for
General Grant, Tor relinIuishinS the keys "a
Stanton but the violated orlcr not being a
military ono such course was out Of the ques-
ton. II was next stated that the President
would issue an order 30 all civil and military
officers to pay no attention To the official com
muncations Of the Secretary Of War. But this
not appearing, il Was concluded that even An
drew johnson in his most violent desperation
dare not outrage the country by such an act.
Meanwhile the machinery Of Government con-
tnuel To move General Grant enjoyed no lesss
his fragrant llavanas. and Mr.. Stanton. unmo-
les,el, directed the affairs Of the war Office. and
received the congratulations Of many friends.
Although the position Is decidedly adverse b,
his personal interests Stanton will continue in
othee as long rs considerations Of public
character may appear 10 demand. Months
ago he stated To frieni that, shaving faithful
ly served the country through four years of war,
he should continue in the service until REGULAR
w mustered Out" lie Is the last representative
now in the cabinet Of those immortal Names
which will 20 down to the future as the cabinet
Of Abraham Lincoln.
TIE SECRETARY or STATE
Il Is time Mr.. Steward still lingsr-s feeble
oil man who has passed. the "tide in the aif,irs
OF men which, taken at its flood leafs ON to for-
tune" and 50 far as representing the policy o
any party he In, politically, among the thing
that were. The accident Of human grsAtncss 4
illustrated in his life. remember him, eight
ysAs ago, at Chicago immense provisions bor'
his name amid that grand illumination alonl
the shores Of Lake Michigan, while, from yesti.
bule and balcony, eloquent tongues pleaded In
silver tones the claims Of the great statesman Of
our country anil on the morrow her grcai
States came mp in solid phalsnx to the "Wic.
wan" and demanded that he be the standard
standard hearrr I'm The .npro.ehiry eonfesf fpv