The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-12-10
wAsnIyoroS connEsroxDEycE.
wsmSoroS, Dec. 8, 1869.

EDrroR or USIos AND JoURSAL:-
The assembling Of congress at the Capitol 10
sort Of episode to this city, something similar
to commencement days At the colleges, the hotels
presenting very inviting appearance, having
received fresh coat Of paint, the tradesmen
making the very best display Of their goods In
the shop Hindoxs; the avenue land when one
speaks Of the avenue he means OF cou.sc Penn
syivania aSenue) Is usually crowded with the
elite pi the city; the aag Goat At the masthead
and upon the whole. II Is gala day ut the na-
tional capital. Notwithstanding the dissgreea-
bic state Of the weather. o great many people
gathered at the Capitol On .'opcning day." the
ladies, especially, defying The weather, appear
ing In full dress, and completely filing the Ia
dies gallery Of both Houses. Entering the gal
lery OF the Senate ut eleven O'Clock, found, at
that early hour, some senator's In their seats.
The floor Of the Senate since the last sessiou has
been rccarpeted and otherwise furnished, and
presents very pleasing appearance TO the new.
Hon. Henry Wilson d In his seat bustly en-
gagged In writing letters and talking occasionally
10 his friends a they present Themselves. Mr..
Wilson looks the same, wears the same smile,
and Is the samc whole souied Senator that he
was years ago, Cor time seems neither to lay Its
Chilly uhu toCC VI hcoAs eessb~s
with fresh laurels, not from the aristocracy. but
from the people, comes in, and bsckoning for
page he gives him his coat and hat, and CON-
menccs to shake hands with his friends who clas-
ter thckly about him The Senator cannot get
chance 70 take his scat 20 many press about TO
congratulate him upon his late successful lee
turing tour nlwhich hs gave his "Caste" to the
people. Senator Patterson Of New Hampshire
enters the Senate Chamber, and can hardly
convince myself that Il Il not your distinguished
fellow Citizen, John NJ. Goodwin, % Close and
marked IL the resemblance. The Senators at
half mast eleven began to come in rapidly, and
as national result the office seekers and lobby
lists followed them closely until the floor Of tho
Senate was overlooking. One individual follow.
ed closely aftsr Senator Conkling Of New York
yainly endeayoring to get an audience until at
last, seiIng favorable opportunity he reached
out his hand and the Senator shook II cordially,
and then left for another part Of the door much
10 tho surprise Of the Interested party. The
noise and hustle upon the floor Of the Senate hal
rapidly increased until now Il reminded me very
much Of the noise Of the machinery In one Of
your cotton-mills. -b 49, u
, Precisely at II o'clock the Vice President en-
tered the Senate In company with tho Chaplain,
Rev. DR.. Newman, and taking the chair callel
the Senate to order and the Chaplain Offered
prayer in which he alluded in o very touching
manner to the death Of one Of the distinguished
members OF that body. .ti -
The roll Of the Senate having BEEN called, and
quorum found to be present. Senator hamlin
arose and presented the credentials Of Hon. Lot
NJ. Morrill, to fill the unexpircd term Of the
late Senator Pessenden. Il must have been cx-
trcmely gratifying to Senator Morrill, to receive
as he did upon taking his seat, after having
been sworn In by the Vice President, the warm
. congratulations of his many friends. II hardly
seemed possible that he hsd been away from the
Senate, 20 brief has betn bis absence md could
only convince myself Of tho fact by glancing at
the vacant seat Of the late Senator from your
State. Senator Pessenden has passed away but
his name still lives and his record will always
be subject Of pride to the citizens OF his State.
The Republican Party Of Milne and also tie
citizens, generally, may well feel proud Of their
representatives inrthc Senate, for during the
long political career there has not been the shad
ow OF suspicion raisel against their names TOR
any official act. The other branch Of the gov.
crnment Is also well represented by Maine and
can to-day, compare f.vorably with any state In
the Union as FAR as its representatives In Con-
grcss are concerned.
Il has been stated by some Lending journals
that the government can not fund Its debt at
less than fvo per cent, but the best financial
men in this section Of the country express them
selves as certain that IL can lie done at four per
cent. Although there seems 10 be n somewhat
prevailing opinion that Congress will not take
any action in regard TO return to specie pay
ment, cannot but entertain the opinion that
action will be taken ut an carly day, and that
the government will resume specie payment as
carly rs January 1871. II no action Is taken
upon this subject gold will 20 up to thirty or
thirty-fye before many months.
A few days since In one nj the rooms Of the
Printing and Engraving Bureau connected with
the Treasury, some $50 worth Of currency
was missing, aud TO reimburse the government
the lSlies employed in said room have assessed
Sl4.6O upon their monthly salary. Consider
ing that they receive but fifty dollars per month,
Il was somewhat Of q tax. 3D.. .'uu.... f. .
Although stated in my last that the name
of Neal Dow would DO sufficient 10 draw full
house found that was mistakenei, for I've
spoke u q much smaller audience than imagin-
ei would greet him. Hon. Henry Wilson, In.
troduced the speaker who spoke about about an
hour upon the prohibitory law giving the ~
suits of the operation Of that law In your State.
The audience was well satisfied with his lecture.
but thought that he did not speak with his
accustomed ease and power.
Rev Mr.. Collyer preached at the Unitarian
Church, yesterday forenoon and In the course
Of bis sermons which was quite eloquent. he ne
ferrei to the speech delivered by Mr.. Colfsx to
the Mormous, Is boarding the lion In bis den
and said II was 10 strange contrast with thst
gcntleman's recent act-strwing flowers over
the lifeless form ola spiritual aduitsrsr. This
remark has oocasioned much comment today
and the universal sentiment. condemns the Rev.
gentleman for using the pulpit to cast slurs up
on private or public individuals. PRkSrrss.