Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-03-23
Our washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, March II.

what ia favorable as well as unIaVoraoie'
unpleasant as we'll as pleasant and not
feel deep concern for our countrys I'M
mediate future whatever in the unfath-
omable inscrutable ways Of Providence
that future ia to be. Upon the Issues OF
the hour hang responsibilities which for
good or for ill deeply concern the welfare
of our little forty millions OF people, to
say nothing of the interests OF the rest OF
the world, portions of which have other
than mere interest of international associ-
atiors. The future is always uncertain
but about these issues are circumstances
brought to bear which render their solu-
ton more enigmatical, and leave but
little chauce for anticipating what may
be the final results.
THE JOINT HIGH COMMISSION.
There is at present no more important
matter on hand than the Joint High Com
mission, a matter under ADJUSTMENT which
rests as a nightmare upon both nations,
each jealous lest their national pride and
honor shall in some way suffer in the set
Element. yea knowing full we'll that it
must be settled sometime, and until that
time comes it must remain mooted point
upon which designing men on either side
might seize and manipulate to personal or
partizan ends, to the utter disregard OF
the whole interests of either country.
Now that vigorous attempt to harmon
izs is made. it is to be hoped that all likes
and dislikes may be ignored, personal and
party ACKNOWLEDGMENT set aside and no
secondary consideration allowed to inter-
fere with just settlement of this vexed
question. The Commission holds daily
sessions but just what progress is made
in the adjustment of the Alabama claims
and Fishery question is yet unrevealed.
The English Lords are well cared for
and are din ed and wined daily by some
of our prominent men. This is good
policy for we all know that the inner
man is not to be forgotten at such times.
There is nothing elevating or pleasing in
the fact, it ought not to be so but never.
theless it is the fact that throughout the
weakness of the flesh the heart is often
easier reached than any other way, and
cert ainly we know how it is ourselves,
that English wine and English hospitality
led Mr. johnson to make such concessions
as better suited the English Government
than ours and resulted in his recall. But
these Commissioners have not the utmost
discretionary power and will not be apt
to negotiate unacceptably to England.
English pride and English tenacity may
take the advantage of our great desire and
the evident determination of the admins
tration to settle and get forever rid of this
ugly question, and try to drive a sharp
bargain, but we hope no concessions
will be made inconsistent with our own
interests and true dignity. We can but
wish that their presence here had oc-
CURED at more auspaoious time, when
our political sky was more serene, and
high places The scenes of Congress
during the past two weeks must inspire
anything but admiration for our harmony,
and is calculated to produce false i'm
pressions Of our ways of doing business.
THE NEW CONGRESS
has done comparatively little in the way
Of general legislation, aud tho evident de-
termination is to do but little. The House
has organized no committees except the
Committee on Elections, upon which Yer
mont is represented by Judge Poland,
and by immense msjorities have passed
various resolutions to adjourn, which the
Senate has immediately tabled. All par
ties in the House favor an early adjourn
ment except Mr.. Butler, who is persistent
in his demands for some kind of legisla.
ton for the protection of loyal people in
the South. The democracy have always
opposed this legislation, and the majority
of the republicans have come to the con-
clusion that something different is de-
manded now, that Buffers Klu Klux bill
would be more pflamatory than soothing,
and only aggrsvate where tits intended to
remedy. 1t was therefore determined to
appoint a commission to investigate
Southern outrages during the sum-
mer and report the state OF affairs,
with recommendations at the next meet
ing of Congress in December. This COM
mittee Of thirteen were appointed by the
chair, aud Mr.. Butler was made chairman.
On the following day various members of
the committee declined to serve, and were
excused. Mr.. Butler appeared in long
article in the Morning Chronicle, stating
his reasons for not serving, and in no cere-
monious manner denounced the measure
as trick, and duplicating the Speaker in
an upfattering manner. When the House
was called to order, Mr.. Blaine called some
one else to preside, and taking his place up
on the floor as merely "the gentleman from
Msine," opened his heaviest guns upon
Butler, and administered most severe
for what he termed his "mean
and meaner inuendoes." The
engagement soon became personal, with
much said that might with propriety have
been omitted. The House evidently felt
no sympathy with Mr.. Butler, who was
the under dog in the fight. There is q
on the part of the Senate to
pass some such law as that desired by Mr..
Batter, and there seems growing pros.
poet for its being done previous to the
adjournment of this session.
On Tuesday debate occurred in the
House upon bill previously introduced
BY Mr.. Beck for the removal of political
from all disloyal people of the
south. This bill was very sweeping in
Is effect, and provoked much debate.
General preference seems to be in favor of
emoval of disabilities, but few would
70 SO far as to make it universal. The
question is, What class and who shall
% excepted Judge Poland argued
n behalf of the people Of the North, and
specially his constituents, that nothing