The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-03-23
Latest News from Washington.
Especial telegram to the Dispatch.J
WASHINGTON, March %, 1876

Ldto0t NUNS HUH dSulnStvu.
Especial telegram to the DispatchJ
.n.. WASHINGTON, March %, 1876.
Andrew JOhnson's First Speech.
An immense crowd visited The Senate to-
day to hear Senator Andrew johnson make
his first speech In the Senate since bis return.
The audience In the galleries was remarkable
for Its intelligence aud orderly demeanor !;
and, notwithstanding the prevalence of the
colored race to flock to the capitol on extra.
ordinary occasions. it was noted to-day that
the black element formed very ninute item
Of the immense mass present. The ex.Pre.
sident made speech OF about two hours
and quarter in duration, in which he
followed his ancient line of argument In de-
fence of the Constitution, declaring that the
kind Of government we now existed under
was a stratocracy, or government of military
power. In the beginning Of his speech he
referred to the removal of Sheridan from
the command OF the Fifth military district
In 1853, and said at that time bis (Sheridan's)
oficious conduct caused a universal wall
from that section for his removal; and, al
Iudiag to protest from Grant against Sheri-
dams removal, argued that this meddlesome,
business of Grant and Sheridan 10 the affairs
of State governments was not due to them.
Senator johnson made no personal aluslon
to his own administration.
Taken altogether. there was nothing alb
solutely new In Mr.. Johnson's speech. 1t
was delivered In the same earnest manner
that characterized his orations In defence of
the Constitution. There were not many
Republican senator's present. 1t was noticed
that CoDking and Ednunds. both Of whom
voted for the conviction Of johnson on the
impeachment trial, were absent T1AoN.
United States Senate-Extra Session.
WAsaIsaroN, March 22.-The unfinished
business, the resolution approving the ac-
ton of the President In regard 10 Louisiana,
vas resumed to-day, Mr.. johnson having
the floor. Every available seat in the Senate
was occupied. Thousands were surging
through the galleries to hear Andrew John
son. After II O'Clock ingress was impossi-
BILE. The diplomatic gallery was well filled,
and the Senate floor proper was crowded
with privileged outsiders.
Mr.. johnson was dressed Ia his usual style
of elegant neatness. His voice at first was
low, but gradually sWeletl until it ruug
through the corridors. He spoke without
notes. He was loudly applauded when he
said, "If Grant is elected for third
term, then goodbye to the repnb-
ic." He spoke at length of the traditions
of the republic. Clay, be said, introduced
u resolution denouncing Andrew Jackson
for removing deposits. 1t was then decided
that the Senate bad no right to pass upon
the action of the President unless sitting as
court OF impeachment. He alluded to the
troubles in Tennessee In 1866, when his re.
signation defeated 8 quorum. General
Thomas was instructed to strictly abstain
from any interference. This dispatch was
written by the Secretary of War ia the
presence of the President. He declared
1t was not his Intention to give utterance
to single personal matter, but to
peak of public acts. He then referred to
he removal of Sheridan from the command
Of the Fifth military district in 1867. 1t
was in const quence of the wall which came
up from the people OF that section. Why
was it that Sheridan was selected to be sent
back 10 these people who before condemned
him aud prayed for his removaly He (John-
sony knew the determination Of the South.
Their great object was TO be restored to the
Union.
Referring to the action Of Grant towards
Louisiana, he would say to this Emperor
what Cato said to the ambassador Of Cesar
" Let him disband his legions and restore the
Commonwealth to liberty" Let him do
that, and he (Johnson), as humble as he was,
would mount the rostrum and strive to have
IN indignant people forgive him for his Yio-
lation OF law.
MIR. WITHERs, of Virginia, said that, as
representative of one of the oldest States of
the Union, a State which had contributed as
much as any other to form and Tx the char
acter OF the Government and to protect the
principles of constitutional liberty, be
claimed the right to be heard at a time when
their existence was threatened with desfruc-
ton. He maintained that the Senate could
not properly consider the pending resolu-
ton in this session, and that to express an
opinion in advance as TO the action
of the President would set dangerous pre-
cedent, and might embarrass the future &C.
hon of this body in cases Of impeachment
that might arise. He commented upon the
attempt to pass without proper considera-
LlOu leSUIulIuI pIauHSu uitci uuSh SoiS w
caucus of the majority, and in this connec-
ton he referred to the senator from Indiana
(Mr. Mortop) as welding the party whip
With relentless baud and flashing into ODE
dence the recalcItrant members Of his party
like a skful driver croWdpg his team over
hill
Mr.. WITHERs then proceeded to discuss the
general questions deyolved in the debate. he
alluded to what he characterized as the repeat
I'd inlraclions of the present Executive upon
the other departments of the Government,
and his disregard Of law, which the Senate
was now asked to approve. He condemned
10 the strongest terms the military inter.
ference in Louisiana and the course OF
General Sheridan in assuming command
ia that State. He did not believe that
the half or one-tenth of the murders and out
RACES alleged to have been committee 10
Louisiana had really taken place. There
were outrages and murders In other States,
but no interference. Then, in merely par
tisan point Of view, the adoption OF this re-
solution would not be unfortunate for his
party; but on this resolution he did not
speak as partisan. In the next election
the naked question would be presented
whether there are any rights or liberties Of
the people which the Executive is bound to
respect. He did not fear the result. He
had hopes that the Anglo-Saxon race would
be an exception 10 the histories of the Sue
cess of usurpers. He believed the people
would assert their honor and sovereignty
superior to both State and National officers.