Year: 1868

WASHINGTON, March 13, 1858.


The excitement in reference to the trial OF the
President eliminated to-day and Washington has
been astir from early hour this morning. Nothing
but the Impeachment trial was talked OF, and the
where and how to get tickets were the all absorbing
questions Of the hour. The Capitol, Of course, was


the centre OF attraction and long before eleven O'Clock
acrowd had collected in the Rotunda and filed all the
approaches to the Senate The throng Of ladies was
quite large, each fair one holding in her hand the
coveted card Of admission; but there were some dis
consolate beauties who had come to the Capitol
fOndy hoping to get the necessary cards, who were
doomed to walk from corridor to corridor and failed
to meet with any chance Of success.


The mode of admission was very rigorous. Police
men Of washington in twos and threes were
stationed at every door, and each card has to
undergo triple examination before being recog-
nized as valid. The audience, as q consequence
of the peculiar method Of distributing the tickets,
presented very dtsttngue appearance the plebeian
element, which usually resorts to the mems gallery,
being entirely shut out More than twothirds of the
auditory were ladies-the creme de la creme Of Wash
ington society


Outside Of the Capitol every side were groups Of
men leaning lazily against the pillars and projec-
tons, and wondering If they lived in democratic
country where none but the upper ten admitted
to the halls Of legislation.


The darkies were unusually numerous but not a
solitary son OF Africa succeeded in reaching the gal
lery Every available inch of space the floor Of
the Senate was occupied with light canebottom
chairs, and in front of the Presidents desk
two tables were placed, for the prosecution and
the other for the defence Seven seats were ranged
about each paper and silver tray and pitcher Of
water top. The Senator's desks occupy their old
positions.


When the Senate, on motion Of Mr.. Morton, re-
solved to retire for private consultation the ques
ton Of granting time to the President to
prepare his defence, sceneof delightful and excit-
ing confusion followed Everybody on the floor OF the
Senate, which was thronged to its utmost capacity,
stood up ana made mechanical motion for the DOORS
and as each one movedi contrary direction from his
neighbor amid bewildering labyrinth Of chairs and
desks confusion more confounded" was the natural
result: The galleries maintained comparative CON-
posure but the thirsty and hungry ones in the
audience thought the opportunity q favorable one
for patronizing the restaurants In and around
the Capitol and thitherward for physical consolation
and mental variety fair ladies and gay and festive
masculines wended their way.


The Senators retired In motley crowd, and left
the moor to the curious from the House of Re-
representatives.. These legislative bpeds distributed
themselves in all manner Of groups and attitudes,
talking over the event Of the day. From the
gallery came loud and incessant buzz OF
conversation, which, mingling with the animated
chatter from below, made very Babel Of verbal
sound The reporters galleries were especially
noisy, the knights Of the pen, upon receiving a
cess from their labors, running into all manner Of
extravagant ways Of enjoying their leisure time.
Lorgnettes came into extensive among the ladies'
and each opposing gallery scrutniZed the other with
unwearying assiduity.


There was good deal OF interest in the survey of
the distinguished audience at this time. Seldom has
70 much beauty wealth and fashion been represented
at one time at Washington. The array and variety
Of rich dresses and snowy head gear furnished de-
lightfu picture to the eye, and the many animated
and beautiful faces here and there woe no little
charm In the general feature Of the scene. OF
course the Managers Of the House and the
counsel fer the President in for large share OF
attention. Thad Stevens was particular object
OF observation. The old man sat In q half re-
Cning attitude, his brow knitted and lowering face
OF corpse-like color, and rgidly twtching lips and
and searching and supernatural expression OF eye.
Looking down from the gallery on the "Great Com
moner,n he appeared, indeed strange and unearthy
appartiion-a reclaimed remonstrance from the
t0mb-a 'Daniel come to judgment''-with nothing
TO indicate o Fellowship with humanity, wrapt up
In forbidding gloom and misanthropy cold, remorse-
less and relentless, the very embodiment of fa-
naticism, without a solitary leaven of justice or
mercy. The high protrudng cheekboncs, colorless
parchment skin, coarse black hair and attenuated
lips gave him q close resemblance 10 one
Of these old Indian chiefs who has registered
vow with the Great Spirit Of eternal hostility to the
race OF white men. A good many members gathered
around him. but no smile or token OF amiabiity ex-
pressed itself on the old mans face. There he sat-
gloomy and peculiar indeed-the avengng Nemesis
OF his party-the sworn and nplacable foe OF The
Executive Of the nation.


Butler was dressed for the occasion In a swallow
tail coat and extra exposure OF inen radiant In ex
preston md keeny alive to the grand opportunity
OF making an impression on his distinguished audi
ence II not on the records OF history. Logan, the
dark and handsome Hoosier, kept modesy In the
background. Bingham was less untidy in his sp-
pearance than usual, and was eminenty calm and
digniHed In his manner OF address. Wilson, Bout
well and williams demeaned themselves quietly aud
like men impressed with the gravity and moment Of
the occasion.


On the other side sat Stanbery, Curtis and Nelson,
and one could not help observing how isolated they
seemed to be from the mass Of the persons present
on the floor. While the Managers OF the House were
surrounded in turns by congratuating friends, the
three forlorn defenders Of the President were
LEFT alone, Ishmsels, as II were, In the
ihrong Of men. Poor Stanbery leaned his head upon
his hand and gave himself up to reflection; Curtis
leaned back and talked occasionally to Nelson, but
all three seemed to have no link Of sympathy with
their surroundings.


The withdrawal OF the members Of the Impeach-
ment Court from the chamber to the reception room
In the north angle Of the Senate wing Of the
Capitol, to consider and fix upon q day
upon which the President OF the United States
would be required to present his answer to the
charges OF the House Of Representatives, was pro-
tracted long beyond the time anticipated by the
party having the disposition OF the question within
their control Before the meeting Of the Senate
the more prominent Senators busily engaged In
canvassing those favoring impeachment when IL was
very generally supposed that little dificuty would
be experienced In determining the question OF time
when brought before the senate in secret session.
Tne fact, however was far otherwise. A strong