New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-19

PLAYED.
my TEIHGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, March 1S.-The debate i'll the FIX
ecutive session yesterday on the confirmation OF
Frederick DOu glass to be United States Marshal OF
the District of Columbia was one of the most MEM
orable that has ever occurred in that body. The
country loses much by the injunction of secrecy
which still rests upon those present As one OF the
6t fruts Of the Presidents new Southern policy of
reconciliation and good fellowship between all sec
tions of the country and between the races of the
South it Is especially gratifying to all friends of the
new Administration. and it full of promise that
theooOrlin TO be broken down. and that the negro
ouestion as it has existed in American politics for
tbe last ten years. is likely to disappear. The vote
stood 80 i'm tho affirmative to II in the negative
and of those who cast the latter every one DIS
claimed basing his opposition upon the race or color
of the candidate The debate is said to have ex-
hbited throughout some of the lOftiest, broadcast
and noblest patriotism that has been witnessed in
the proceedings of Congress for many year.
+ Senator Pinckney Whyte of Maryland, one OF
those who voted No. made very eloquent speech
npop the color question. He had presented to the
Senate the protest adopted by the barof the District
and signed by many leading lawyers, Republican
and Democratic In their preferences and upon the
reasons set forth in that protest lie based his entire
onposition. Turning to his Democratic associates
in the midst of his speech, he is reported TO have
said that although a native of Maryland and
member of the strctest sect of the Democracy, II
was his proud boast to-day that he had never been
a saveholder and that neither he nor any member
of his family had at any time encouraged The odions
institution Of slavery lie felt himself constrained
10 vote against the confirmation of MI Douglass ior
the particular Office ot United States Marshal of
the District because he thought him poorly qualified
for that place. and for no other reason.
Gen. Morgan, the new Democratic Senator rom
Alabama made a speech in support OF Mr. IhugiassS
continuation. which is said to have startled the
Senators present Mr.. Morgan has for the last four
years been one of the abest and most influential
Democrats OF his State. I'm the canvass of 1879,
when the State was rescued from the cGrpet-bagges
his speeches attracted wider attention than those OF
any other Democratic orator, and reports Of them
which he and his friends denounced as incorrect and
unjust were circulated throughout the North topTovc
that the Democrats IF ii bama We're bl0odthiraty
set of lrcn who were determined to carry the state
by outrage and muier il they could not do il IN
legitimatc manner. Gen. Morgan Gscaimcd having
used any such expressions were attributed to him
But the general publication of these pretended c>-
tracts from his speeches led the Republicans Of the
North, and especially the leading members
of the Senate who opposed his admission
at tho beginning of the special session, to believe
that he was Bourbon Of the deepest dye committed
10 the Oldest of pro-layery notions. They have be-
Heved that he would have nothing to 90 with any
policy of peace or reconciliation which would tend
10 break down the color line OF 10 establish the
rights Of the negroes firm basis His speech OF
yesterday showed that with him at least Bourbonism
is a thing of the past, IT. indeed, he was ever
tainted with it. Ii is described by those who heard
il as an impassi0nc1 burst Of cOquepce III favor OF
the Presidents Southern policy, and Of the equality
of all American citizens before the law. Tie
said that lac knew not what course others might
take but rs for him he should vote willingly and
gladly for the confirmation of MIR. Douglass. lie
himself was Presidential eectOr in the late contest,
and had received the votes of 10000 cOlored men;
and it did not lie in him, he sad when the
representative man of their race was nominated to
the American Senate for confirmation in an oice be
was well qualified to fill to vote against him. lie
knew not how he could defend such "a vote i'll JUS
tice or honor or after having cast il how he could
60 to the colored people of the South again ana ask
their suiIages. More than that, he saw new llght
breaking upon his country from the North. lie had
read Mr.. Hayes letter Of acceptance and the N
augura address Of the President he had seen by his
acts that the President is sincere and honest in has
purpose t. do Justice in the South and to bring about
aTecOnGlia'Iou of the sections, and he for himself
had deter IL 4 TO cast 10 vote against any worthy
nomination V i.ch this Administration might make
and place TO obstacle in the way of the successful
accomplishment of the patriotic purposes set forth
in the inaugural address.
Several other Southern Senators spoke in the same
vein. Not a single word was uttered against the
confirmation of Mr.. Douglass except on the ground
Set forth by prominent members of the bar OF TINS
District namely, doubt as to the qualification of the
at. 20 tI,o n+fira A III Senators
on both sides of the chamber lodged the vote, and
among these were several of the carpet-baggers
from the South who have heretofore been loudest IN
their advocacy of the rights of the negro race. but
who have by their acts done so much to bring the
cause they espouscd into disrepute.
The confirmation of Mr.. Doug ass IS looked upon
by the best men Of both parties III Washington as
triumph not only of the new policy OF the Admlhis-
tatiOn, but also of the moderate Southern men, TO
whom the country owes so much for their patllOtlc
course dunug the past Winter. Besides greatly
strengthening the Presidents new Southern pohcy,
II gives him the assurance that lie will have adequate
support for it in the Senate no matter what dis
eussiOns may take place in the Republican party.
The opposition TO the appointment Of Mr. Douglass
has been more demonstrative than that which has
peen manifested against any other appointment
winch the President has yet made. Ii was not con
uhed to Democratic circles, although 1t was more
general there than among Republicans. Many OF
The leading lawyers of Washington, irrespective OF
party, and some of the judges who preside in the
courts of the District, thought the selection an I'M
Wise one andrecommended its rejection. The duties
u the United States Marshal for this District are
nueh more important than those of that officer else
where. All the courts here United States courts,
and in addition the duties of the marshal in other
0strets he has 10 perform those usually devolying