The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1868-05-07

BATCH OF RUMoRs.-As the Impeach-
ment Trial draws toward close the excite
ment in Washington wakes fervent; sporting
circles are especially exercised over the "com-
ing event." Monday was the warmest day of
the season and as natural consequence the
following sensational dispatch appeared in
the New York Herald Tuesday morning:
A new and important phase has occurred in
the impeachment matter. which apparently
places the acquittal of the President beyond a
doubt Mr.. Fessenden, it is reported, has pre-
pared legal opinion of considerable length
and erudition expressing the belief that no
Just grounds shown in evidence or argu-
ment for the conviction of the President. Mr..
Morrill, confronted him with an adverse opin-
ion, but Mr.. Fessenden expressed himself ard
remained firm against the arguments of 9TH
ers of the Maine delegation who called upon
him. Several other Republican members
have followed Fessendens example and it is
conceded among the radicals that conviction
is failure and the case is gone. In conse-
quence serious decentralization among the Re
publicans exists. 1t is reported that new
party headed by Judge Chase for next Presi-
dent against Grant is to be Immediately form
ed by Messrs. Fessenden, Henderson, Trum-
bull and other moderate Republicans.
We had this piece of intelligence" in type
for yesterdays Press, but it was accidentally
omitted in making up the forms. Meanwhile
Tuesdays batch of rumors has come along.
The Herald's dispatch says "the supposed re-
volt of Mr.. Fessenden from the Radical ranks
is the absorbing theme of conversation" The
Tribune's dispatch says "the best judges of the
situation say only three of the Republican
Senator'S namely Fessenden, Fowler and
Grimes will vote for acquittal." The cores
&c Al L.,
sense, telegraphs that "these stories are purely
sensational. They are born of fear, excite
ment and i'll founded hopes. have the high
est authority" he continues, for stating that
Mr. Fessenden has not indicated to any one
how he will vote. Mr.. Morrill, says if Mr.. Fes-
sender has written any thing he certainly
does not know which side he takes, and no
such opinion as is referred to is in existence
so far as he is aware"
So much for New York, The Boston Posts
special says there is good authority" for say
ing that Fessenden has prepared an opinion
in favor of acquittal, that Trumbull, Grimes
and Henderson are preparing theirs, and that
Rhode Island will cast two votes against con-
viction. "The report" he adds, "that these
several Senators are contemplating the forma-
ton of a new party with Chief Justice Chase
at its head is sheer nonsense" Per contra the
correspondent of the Boston Advertiser says
the betting based upon these confused and
contradictory rumors is so animated as to sug-
gest the inquiry whether some interest in wa
gers to be made is not at the bottom of the
stories themselves. The concluding words of
Wachusett's dispatch cover the whole ground
They are these:
Certainly these rumors rest upon no author
ity which need disturb the confidence of any
body outside the heated atmosphere of Wash
ington, and it is well to bear in mind the ex-
cited state of feeling here which will be sure
to propagate a constant succession of stories
on one side and the other, all alike untrust-
worthy, now that the time before the verdict
seems to be narrowed down to question OF
hours