OrargtTbompwnln !Vew York.
A large audience assembled on Monday
evening, in the Cooper Institute, to greet
the old and tried friend of freedom every
where and for all men, Oio. Thompson, of
England.
At eight o'clock, John C. Fremont and
Mr. Thompson came upou the platform,
amid very loud applause.
General Fremont, on taking the chair,
xaid:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN : 1 am glad
to see that you are in a temper of mind
which promises a very cordial welcome to
our guest of tho evening. I thank you
nincerely foryour friendly reception of my
self, and thank you warmly for him—un
der tho circumstances, it will be especial
ly grateful to him. Coming here after an
interval of yearn, he cannot be expected
immediately to realize the change which
has been worked in the country, and im
pressions from very different scenes which
lie witnessed here, cannot yet be efface 1
from his memory. When lie w..s last here
the country was at peace, and men do nit
readily hazard its blessings. The people
were unwilling to enter upon tho discus
sion of a question which threatened to dis
turb great interests. They were not wil
ling to inflict upon themselves or the
Southern people the penalties which at
tended a great reform. Then discussions
upou Slavery were held to involve Disun
ion, and it required the direct and flagrant
aggressions of an institution e-;entiaily at
war with the principles of our Govern
ment to bring men to consider it, and to
rouse them into action against it. • Ile has
yet to realize the change, and until he
does, every such expression of friendly
feeling must give him peculiar satisfac
tion. * * * To our guest
it must bo more agreeable to realize the
present than to remember the past, lie
comes now among us to witness the tri
umph of the principles for which he la
bored, and we are glad to have an occasion
which we can use to express our obliga
tions to him and his friends on the other
side of the water forthescrvicos they have
rendered us: to thauk him individually,
and as one of class which in England
Mpresents the public conscience, loving
justice, and intolerant of oppression, and
to whom we are indebted for a tenacious
adherence to our cause from the begin
ning of this war. * * What
to-day is the position of the men who for
the past thirty years have worked to bring
our practice intoconformity with the prin
ciples of the Government'! And who, in
the struggle against established and pow
erful interests, have accepted political dis
ability and humiliated lives? Have any
of these been putin governing places
where their proved fidelity would guaran
tee the direct execution of what is to-day
the nearly unanimous will of the people?
Certainly not yet. So far. the virtue of
the Reformers is its own reward. While
they are yet living, their mantles have fal
len upon the shoulders of others to whom
you have given high position, but they are
still laboring in narrow paths—broaden
ing, to be sure, and brightening—for the
rough ground is passed an I their sun of
victory is already rising. We give deep
sympathy and houor to tho men who. in
the interests of civilization, separated them
selves from mankind to penetrate the chill
solitudes of the Artie regions. Their
names remain an added constellation in
the polar skies. Rut we know that bitter
skies and winter winds are not so unkind
as man's ingratitude. And why, then,do
we withhold sympathy and honor from
these men who have so unflinchingly trod
their isolated paths of self appointed du
ty, accepting political and social excom
munication—these heroes of the moral sol
itudes ? * * I have made these
few remarks, partly because they flow from
my subject, and partly to suggest such
ideas as may bo an introduction to what
our guest will have to say. I did not
dwell upon acts that are necessarily famil
iar to you. but I desired merely to revive
in your minds recollections of the charac
ter and services of the men whom he rep
resents, and with permission I will present
him to you. Ladies and gentlemen, I
have the honor to introiuco a representa
tive of the liberal Democracy of Enghind,
and a tried fri«nd of America, Mr. Geo.
Thompson.
The audience here arose, and loud and
hearty cheers, and wavingof hats welcom
ed the distinguished speaker.
Mr. Thompson prefaced his address by
a thankful allusion to this wonderful con
trast between the reception he now met
with, and that which he received when he
first arrived on our
subsequently in 1850, when, not only oould
he not obtain a hearing, but the hotel pro
prietors did not feel safe in giving him
lodging; and because he would not expose
his friend*—men and women of whom
America was not then worthy—to have
•dwellings destroyed he was obliged to leave
the city. Now he came again, and he be
held this mighty and magnificent nation
in the throes of another revolution—a
higher and holier otic than that of 1770.
That was for independence; this was for
universal liberty. That raised the white
aan to a sovereign ; this lifted the negro
to a man. [Applause.] He assured the
Chairman that his name was a household
word fuaong til the friends of liberty and
humanity in England. There were mil
lions of hearts there who would be glad*o
see him elevated by the suffrages of the
people into the seat of the Chief Magis- j
tracy of this Republic. [Enthusiastic
applause ] Had it been so, it would have
been well for America. There would have
been no traitors in the Cabinet, no feloni
ous abstraction of Indian bonds, no trans
fer of arms from the arsenals of Northern
citie3 to be placed in the hands of South
ern traitors. He believed he would have
worked the miracle of St. Patrick in Ire
land, and have banished allkindsof snakes
from the country, whether they be rattle
snakes or copperheads. [Laughter.] To
these latter reptiles the speaker adminis
tered a scathing rebuke. lie (Gen. Fre
mont) was known in England as the dar
ing Pathfinder. Once and again, amidst
thftftnows of Rocky Mountains, he found
the path to the region of gold ; ami then,
amidst the rockier mountains of rel>ellion,
in Missouri, ho found the path there—
the right path, the sufj path, the necessa
ry path, the plain path, the path of jus
tice, of humauity, of right, of duty, and
jt would have been the path of glory; and
lb" Chief Ejet"j<i r e of this mighty Re
public had followed the Pathfinder.—
(Cheora.) lie would have emancipated
a few; the President had proclaimed lib
erty to three millions. This act he char
acterized as the chief glory of the Ad
ministration. As it was said of Napole
on, that he would go down to posterity
with the code which bears his name in his
hand, so it may be said of Abraham Lin
coln, that he would descend tofuture ages
holding in his right hand this immortal
proclamation. Mr. T. spoke of the want
of sympathy which our cau-e met with in
England, in the first stage of the contest,
as due to a misconception of the true aim
of our struggle, and the great ignorance
among the English people of our itgtitu
tions; but when they came to see that
Union and Emancipation meant the same
thing, then our cause began to meet with
a hearty support, and today, while South
ern agents and sympathizer's could not ob
tain a favorable hearing in any large as
sembly of the people, the great masi of
the working and middle classes took a
strong and Ann interest on the side of the
North. lie exhibited some placards which
our friends in England had extensively
posted in the iuonufaeturing districts, ex
posing the evils of Slavery and tho soph
i trios of the Confederates and their sym
pathizers. Everywhere the name of Lin
coln called up cheers. He called upon the
people to carry the proclamation int.) ef
fect—to seize this, at once the hour of
their trial and opportunity ; to loose the
bands of wickedness, undo the heavy bur
dens, break every yoke, and let the op
pressed 'go free.
Rev. Dr. Tvng was loudly called for,
and responded by saying that vain was
proclamations, and vain was everything
we could do for tho slave, unless we took
the broad and thorough ground that he is
a man.and should be treated as a man ; he
is a citizen and should be treated as a cit-
Mr. Theodore Tiltoti. who was also call
ed up, said that after hearing what they
had heard from their English friend, they
might take the lines which Lord Chath
am, quoting from Prior, said once of Amer
ica, and say them now of England;
lie » • her virtues very kind." • Ipplanw.)
lie told the audience togo home and tell
their children that they had heard in one
night two orators'one of whom had taught
eloquence to Wendell Phillips, and the
other s atesmanship to Abraham Lincoln.
I Applause.)
EXTREMES MEET. S —The Richmond
Di'xpiitth which, through some means, has
received a copy of MeClellan's report,
publishes copious extracts in its columns,
When it first appeared, the Democratic
papers of the North lauded it as a produc
tion eminently and undoubtly patriotic.—
It is singular, but the Richmond editors
use similar spectacles in viewing national
affairs. The report was printed in tho pa
pers of the rebel capital, in columns dec
orated with headings sufficiently flaming
and voluminous to do justice to the New
York f/riahl or the countless additions of
the Inquirer. It is strange, but while tho
Democratic press misrepresent and abuse
the Government and its policies, the reb
els. take the same view. When the char
ges are made that the Northern Democrats
of the peace persuasion are allied to South
ern rebels, the assertions are indignantly
denied. Yet, "similar men hold similar
views"—how is it ?— l'hila. Xews.
j.' rec Schools and-Democracy don't
seem to work well together down in York
county, 'lhe untevrifiod defenders of the
constitution are earnestly opposed to negro
troops until they are compelled to choose
between going themselves and getting
■'Cnblcached Americans" to gn in their
places,when they with wonderful unanim
ity, adopt the inspiring lines of 31 iles
o'llilcy—
" I'll lot Samb •> be murdered in fdace of myself,
On every dfty of tho year.*'
One of these disciples of a constitution
al war wrote the following letter to a citi
zen of Ilagerstown, and it has been given
to the public through the Ilagerstown
Herald:
North Cators Township York County Fa.
Jany the 28—04
Mr Anderson Deer Sur as a strange I
Write To You lo lint out whethr there
are any Jants To get Collerds man in your
Xabor Hood that could Bee Bought for
Soldrs as wc want to Know of any Boddy
that Take Them up for Sailo. Plccse Let
me Know at What Price we Could get
them We want 27 man for our Township
I have b en Tolle tba the Coklßes Foaglit
in your Nabour hood
Reman you
Derect you Letter
Seven Vally Post office York County Pa
Let mc Know Amedley.—Repository.
6*55" The triumphant election of J)r.
Thomas St. tlair by 2,000 majority, is a
most withering rebuke to the Senatorial
revolutionists who have blocked legisla
tion, imposed needless taxes upon the peo
ple, and disgraced the State by holding
its first legislative tribunal in petty, fruit
less conflict for nearly two months. Jeff.
Davis having finally refused to yield the
advantage he supposed ho held for his
'• friends," the people was at last appeal
ed to, and a majority that has astounded
the revolutionists, and more than met the
highest expectations of the Union men.
bids the Senate be unlocked aud proceed
to legislate for the preservation of our
Nationality. In Indiana county, the can
didate of the revolutionists is beaten 1,-
923, in a poll of 4,200 votes—but one
district giving him a majority. Salts
burg gave 50 for Douglass to 45 for St.
Clair—all tho other districts going against
him ; and Armstrong, that was confident
ly relied upon to give Douglas a decided
majority, has given nearly 100 for St.
Clair. The Indiana Democrat philoso
phically says that it " is useless to enu
merate" the causes which combined 'to
defeat the Democracy, and adds that " it
is sufiic ent to know that we arc badly
beaten ' ' — Franldin Repository.
IMPORTANT TO RECRUITS.—The put
lie are not generally aware of the fact
that the Government pays a bounty of
8100 t ) all persons n ho enlist for the reg
ular service. The bounty to volunteers
is 8400 for veterans, and S3OO to new re
cruits. but for the regular army the new
recruit will receive 8400—thus he will
ghia 8100, and he can secure the local
botsn'v besides
?hc JUmrvican (titiscn.
THOMAS ROBINSON, L EDITO _.
CYRUS E. ANDERSON, |' !,AUORS '
JI. W. SI'EAII, I'll 1)1 isher.
BUTLER PA.
-w 1— 1
W KDXESD lYi.n AIUIIO ISO I.
#s*■ " Liberty and Union. Now and Forever, One
and'nsepirable."—D. Webstar.
FOR ri* ESI PENT IN 18G4:
ABRAHAM MXIOI.X.
Committee Meeting.
The members of the Republican Exe
cutive Committee of this county, are re
quested to meet iu Butler, on SATURDAY,
the 12th inst., for the purpose of consid
ering important business. A full attend
ance is respectfully requested.
Titos. ROBINSON,
March 2, 1P04.. Chairman.
I iiion ami Harmony.
In a treat revolution like the present,
new questions present themselves with
such rapid succession that the people have
hardly disposed of' one until another pre
sents itself. No question perhaps, during
the last season, has so much exercised the
mind of patriots, as that of how to act in
reference to tho Presidents call for live
hundred thousand more men. We will
not attempt here to examine the merits of
the respective views of different individu
als. Wc know that the question was ex
amined with much deliberation. Wc feel
certain, however, that no otic who resides
in a district which has avoided the draft,
will feel vexed on that account. On the
contrary, all will doubtless feel glad that
the perseverance of their neighbors, (and
perhaps their own too) has resulted so hap
pily . The great American principle is that
the majority should rule. The minority
should yield to that will as though it was
tho will of all. On the other hand, the
minority should hs treated with respect and
forbearance—they had a right thus to dif
fer w' -j, 'he majority. After the popular
will of a district has been ascertained and
acted upon, all further bickering should
cease. New questions will perhaps soon
arise that will require the wisdom of all.
Let us all be ready to agaiu join in coun
sel.
Veteran ItomilieH.
When the draft was ordered last year,
there seemed to be no enthusiasm mani
fested in behalf of recruiting, everything
seemed at a stand; still there was no pos
sible way to avoid the Conscription. How
diffcient is it now. A new army seemed
to rise in a day; all vcas life and activity.
What was the cause of,this change?—
There may have been,(and doubtless
were. ) various reasons for this,but certain
ly there enlisting of the veteran soldiers
done much to stir the young loyal heart.
To their courage, endurance, and patriot
ism, may be ascribed much of the present
hopeful confidence—to tbcm, wo are, to a
great measure, indebted to the three hun
dred thousand volunteer recruits now gone
into the service. Why then should they
not receive at least as liueral a bounty as
a new recruit? Certainly there is no
good reason for it. Neither the mistakes
of officers nor the tardy rules of the Pro
vost Marshal General, should be allowed
to prevent these brave soldiers from ob
taining that bounty which they were led
to believe they would receive, and which
they are richly entitled to.
We have been informed that an order
was read to them, while on dress parade,
informing them that they would be able
to obtain a local bounty ; supposing that
j whatever bounty was being raised by their
■ respective districts, would be distributed
j among them, they gave the matter little
; further attention. Local districts too,
were willing to pay thtyji in preference to
others, but were reluctantly obliged to
abandon their determination, being in
formed that the Provost Marshal could
not allow a credit for them. Be the er
ror where it may, we feel confident that
the people wish these brave soldiers, whose
influence has went so far in filling up our
army, to be treated with liberality. All
they have received in the shape of a boun
ty is four hundred dollars, while many of
the new levies have got from 3ix to eijrht
hundred. Is this as it should bo? We
think not. Wo introduce this subjeut
now, for the purpose of drawing public
attention to it. We hope the Legislature
will be liberal enough to give them a do
nation or bonnty, of at least two hundred
dollars. If not, we think that our coun
ty should have an act passed, authorizing
the Commissioners to pay those belouging
to this county who got no local bounty, at
least one hundred and fifty dollars. This
would be but a small acknowledgment for
the many and various services they have
rendered the country, in this its hour of
trial and danger. What say the people ?
Columbus (Ohio) dispatch says:
Little Sammy Cux is distributing M'Clel
lan's Itopurt broadcast over this district
1 hat defunct General isasdoad as a mack
erel. The masses of the people here won't
touch him
The Sprint; Election.
About fourteenuiouths ago, we were all
somewhat surprisetfat the inauguration, by
the opposition, of a winter campaign.—
This was something unusual in the politics
of our county, and people were naturally
led to conjecture what their real object
was. Mqpy, even of their own party, were
of the opinion, that it was intended to or
ganize their shattered ranks for the pur
pose of resisting the enforcement of a con
scription law, while others supposed that
their real object was to prepare for the fall
election. There is little doubt however,
that their primary object was to carry the
spring elections; and by that means gain
prestige with which togo into the fall can
vass ; as also to get the control of the elec
tion boards by securing the election of in
spectors andj udges favorable to tl: emselves.
The spring election howerer, resulted gen
erally, adverse to their expectations, (or at
least to their wishes) and thus the prestige
which they hoped to have on entering the
fall campaign was in our favor, and as we
all remember, remained with us through
out the whole canvass.
It is worthy of remembrance however,
that where they chanced to get control of
an election board, they abused their pow
er for party purposes. Numerous instan.
ces of this kind could be adduced. Indeed
their journals, as also their politicians, had
labored so faithfully to poison the mind of
the public, as to the qualifications of vo
ters, especially as to the right of soldiers
to vote«*lnit many hoiiifl men were led
by their prejudices to violate the law.
A few weeks before the- electiOta, it was
our lut to bo present at apolitical meeting
held in the northern part of this county.
The chairman stated that there was a sol
dier present whom he would take.the lib
ty to call on for a few remarks in behalf of
iiic ar.ny. When the name of the soldier
was announced, he arose. pale and death
like—disease had evidently been praying
upon him for a considerable time. Hav
ing been in a hospital, he had obtained a
furlough for the purpose of visiting his
friends, and if possible, recruiting his
health, lie informed the meeting that he
was a foreigner by birth—that he had come
here of choice, because he believed it was
the best country in the world, and had the
best Government. He told us, that had
he not *een it, he could never have believ
ed that any set of men born in this coun
try and educated under its enlightened and
rhrlntiun institutions, could have ever dar
ed to rebel against it. Said he, "although
I was not a citizen when the rebellion
broke out. I felt it to be my duty to assist
in defending it, and therefore at once en
tered the ranks as a private, in which ca
pacity I served until my health gave way.
I am now improving however, and will
soon return to duty, and now" said he.
I " what I want to say to you is, stand by the
j Government —stand !>y the Administra
tion, laboring as it is to preserve it, and
i finally stand by him who is alike the friend
j of the Administration and the soldier—A.
| (J. Curtin." We chanced to be thrown in
| company with this same soldier some weeks
I aftor the election, then on his way to camp.
I lie looked much better, but was still far
from well. In the course of our conver
sation, lie informed us that he had been
deprived of his vote. On inquiry lie in
formed me that he had paid a tax on an
assessment that had been made before he
entered the artny, but fur which the col
lector had received an exoneration during
his absence; that on learning, that his vote
would be contested on this ground, heap
plied to the assessor and was regularly as
sessed, upon which assessment he also paid
a tax —that with these two receipts in his
hand, accompanied by his naturalization
papers, he offered his vote, which offer was
| rejected. It Is. of little consequence to
that citizen or to the public, whether that
great wrong was the result af a highly
wrought prejudice, orof adcliberatcinten
tion to do wrong, the effect was thesame.
Is it not necwary therefore, that these
things should bo avoided in the future ?
Now is the time to attend to those matters.
Let the friends of the Administration and
of the soldier see to it. that there is no
march stolen upon them.
Our friends in the Legislature will doubt
less pass an act submitting the amendment
to the Constitution alloying the right of
suffrage to soldiers, to a vote of the peo
ple, at an early day. As can already be
observed, this measure will bo opposed by
the Democratic organization throughout
the State. This is an additional reason
why fairness should be secured on the sev
eral election boards; this can only be done
by preventing the election of a democratic
majority.
Up then and be doing—get out your
best men for candidates —men who will
not only unite t"he whole strength of the
party in their favor, but who, when elect
ed, will rise above their prejudices, and
discharge their duties in an enlightened
and fair manner. This will secure jnstice
to all parties, and especially to the soldier,
whose rights should be strictly secured.
THE GAME LAW. —The game law fix
es a penalty of So upon any person who
kills or destroys certain birds out of sea
son, as follows: Partridges from the first
of February to the first of September;
quails and rabbits from the first of Feb
ruary to the first of October; woodcocks
from the first of February to the fourth
of July- It is during the time named
that the species are propagated, and to
destroy them at that time tends to their
total extinction; hence the law for their (
protection i
"OOIIIR lo ftinpsli."
We recommend to our readers the arti
cle on"Going to Smash." It is a perfect
refutation balderdash of the Copperhead
priests. doing right and promoting
freedom sends the Country to smash let it
go. But it is not so temporary, present in
convenience must finally result in unpar
allelled prosperity.— Juliet Republican.
"■ GOING TO! SMASH AGAIN.—The
whole host of bears, copperheads, traitors,
rebels, and grandma financiers are again
trying hard to make" the people believe
that "very soon we are all going to smash."
llow such an event is to come about has
not yet been made plain, and as to'the date
of said catastrophe, no Daniel among these
financial 'prophets can yet cipher it out
Where is the smash to begin ? and who
will show us any sign thereof, tangible to
the senses ? As for ourselves, we do not
look for smashing anywhere—save and ex
cept that which General Grant shall final
ly give to the rebels. That kind of a
"smash" we most devoutly pray for.
Are our merchants going to smash ?
No, we say, most emphatically. So long
as thoy continue to do business for cash
and very short credit, are they not safe.
The man who can, in view of present
facts, see a smaslj in that direction is a
simpleton. But, it is said, goods are go
ing to fall, and then the smash will coiue
in. Don't our merchants know this, and
are they not only prepared for it. but
abundantly able to ride triumphantly thro'
such adverse chants ? The loss of the
profits on a season's ljusir.ios, or on even
that ot'a whole year.would not hurt them,
and much less"smash." Whoever knows
anythingabout the prosperity they haveen
joyed the past two years, will not predict
disaster in that quarter. No, no, the mer
chants are not going to smash. They are
stronger, safer, more independent than ev
er. Many of them—a majority, we think
—juuld pay every dollar they owe in 80
days, and without any special effort either.
Uest easy, therefore, ye croakers, about the
merchants.
Are the manufacturers going to smash?
Wei), the thought of that provokes a smile.
As a class they arc absolutely beyond the
reach of any financial disaster. IfasquaH
comes, they have only to trim their sails
and goto anchor. They owe nothing as
a class, and are now selling their goods
mostly for cash, as fast as they can be de
livered. A more aristocratic independent
sort of men do not exist", here or elsewhere,
than the manufacturers. Count on one
thing as sure, that this special class of our
fellow-citizens are not yet (juito ro.t ly togo
to smash.
Are the farmeis %o°ng to smash ? We
would like see the man who will venture
that prediction. Such a paying off note-,
mortgages, and old scores, among tit's cla-s,
wasnever known before. Asa whole, they
are now "rich and saucy," and as sound as
a nut. Sumo of them cry, it is true, be
cause they have not more corn to sell at a
dollar and a quarter a bushel, more onions
at six dollars a barrel, more butter at thir
ty cents a pound, and more cheese at fif
teen ; more hay at thirty dollars a tun ;
more horses and more oxen, more beef and
more pork, more wool ami more —every-
thing to sell at unheard-of price-. Poor
fellows ! we pity them, but tboy shall not
goto smash, just yet, if we can help it.
11 is asserted, with some show of evidence,
that the farmers have a "settled fever"
for "greenbacks" and "five-twenties," and
that they are now laying in a good stock
of the latter in order to be all ready when
the smash comes. Herein they are wise;
and be it known that all who do not thus
provide themselves with these documents
for the future support of theirown house
hold are wo se than—.Jell' Davis.
Are our railroads, banks, insurance com
panies. and other corporations going to
smash ? Who says so? Show us the
man ? Is it not a fact that they are doing
a snug, safe business? Ilave they not
paid off their floating debts ? Arc they
not earning more money than ever before,
and making larger dividends? There are
certainly no signs of weakness in that di
rection.
No, we have only to tmanh the rebellion,
and all other smashes will bo indefinitely
postponed. All will be well with us if we
are wise in our war movements. If we are
afraid to hurt traitors in their pockets, or
on the neck ; if wc want to preserve sla
very —the sum of all abominations ; <t' we
want our armies officered and controlled
by "do-nothingsif wc rush headlong
over prct-ent duty and go now to Presi
dent-making; if we are more anxious to
please Government contractors and carry
favor with the Copperheads, than to do
justly and love mercy ; if we want to do
all these things—just at that consenting
moment —look out for a smash.* It will
conic in just here.
But we have other business. SHOULDER
ARMS.
THE GOVERNMENT UOUJ.^—AVe are
indebted to Capt. J. Heron Foster. Pro
vost Marshal of the 22d district, for the
following official dispatch, just received by
him:
IIARRISBI RO, March 4, 18G4.
To Capt. J //' /on Foster : Congress
has extended the time for paying the ex
tra bounty to April Ist, 1864. Continue
enlistments and make this known.
J. N. I3OMFORD,
I ieut Col. 10th U.
A. A. P. M. Gen.
THE LOUISIANA ELECTION.— By an
arrival from New Orleans we have dates
two days after the election. The returns
then received foot up as follows:
Governor —Michael Ilahn. Free State 5.707
J. H. A. Fell iWi, Cou-iWTative,...t. .2,17*J
B. F. Flanders. Free State, 1,926
Mr. Halm is elected by a handsome ma
jority over both his competitors. The vote
of the State will probably reach 11,000
which will bo about one-fourth of that cast
for President in 1860.— Exchange.
t&" At a caucus of Union ir.en at Co
lumbus, Ohio, on Friday night last, the
following resolution vras unanimously
adopted :
Resolved, That in the opinion of this
Convention of the people of Ohio, and
her soldiers in the army, demand the le
nomination of Abraham Lincoln to the 1
Presidency of the United States.
The members spontaneously arose to
their feet, and gave cheer upon cheer at
the commencement of the passage of the
resolution
KEHS BTTELEOH IPH. I
Bpeciiil Dispatch t • tlie l'ittsbu.gii (Jnzitte.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 29.1864.
Mr. Sumner, in a very elaborate report ,
on the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law. j
presented to-day the words of th# fugi- i
tiveclause in the Constitution, gave itsori- I
gin and history, exposes the unconstitu- !
tionality of the present law, and rehearses
some of the consequences localiy resulting j
from it. llis position is e asnt'al'y this : i
That the Fugitive Slave Law is contrary i
to the laws of jurisprudence. A clause i
of the Constitution has been interpreted 1
to sanction the hunting of slaves, and is
further interpreied as an original compro
mise of that instrument contrary to the j
testimony of history. Upon this misin- j
terpreted and misrepresented clause, Con
gress has enacted laws many times un
constitutionally. especially in thice par- '
ticulars ; namely : First, As a usurpation ;
by Congress of ungranted power; second, |
As a denial of trial by jury in cases of j
personal liberty, and third, as the eonees- !
sion of personal liberty to the unaided
judgment of a petty magistrate, without ,
the oath of office or connection with ju- j
dicial power, appointed and continued in i
office at the pleasure of the' Court, and j
not by act of the President, yet were it ;
strictly constitutional, regarding it in its :
terrible consequences,.(and it is none the |
Ifcss offensivo as a scourge to the African I
race, a grievance to the whole country, a ;
scapdal abroad, and a dead weight upon '
the 1. nion at l.^nie—devised as an insult 1
to fice States* and a badge of subjection
unconstitutional, then, in all its points, !
mischcvious in its influences and obnox- I
ious in its authors,) it should be rejiealed
at once, ami, if possible, obliterated from
the statues ; to put down the rebellion, i
upheld otlr fame abroad, save the Consti
tution from outrage, extinguith slavery,
and establish national justice.
SUMNER'S REPORT ON TIIE FUGITIVE j
SLAVE I,AW.
Messrs. Sumner, Howard, Pomeroy,
lirown.and Conness, united in the report
on the Fugitive SlaVe Law, sent in last
night.
The minority report of Mr. liuekalew
was signed by that gentleman and Air.
Carlile. It takes the position that the
clauses of the Constitution referring to
fugitives, if they had appeared fn compact
between indipendent powers, it would de
pend upon the good faith of the party
charged with the duty ol'reclamation; but
that in one case, the Government of the
I'nitcd States must possess power toon
forec it, against a State in default, on exe
cution ofeon.stufion.il duty. It reviews
the positions of the majority ie.x>rt, and
objects to its repeal,as'against the exist
ing rights of many citizens, asburdensomo,
not to rebellions communities, but to the
loyal Border State, and as bad public p< 1-
icv. s'L ing to Northern Stales apopu'a i >n
which is misplaced, aud productive of ob
vious social evils.
PEW Vi. LGOML I'fVIIE.
Special lilKpHtcli >4 Oil' I'ltt-ijiiry h (Jn/rltp.
IIARRISHLIUI. l'ub. 2!l, 1804.
SENATE. —'Ihe Democrats filibuster
heavily, calling the ye;is and nays on ev
ery motion. On motion to proceed to the
election of Chief Clerk, they attempted
to amend, and to proceed to the election
of Speaker. The amendment was lost
lon the election of Chief Clerk, all the
Democrats declining to vote, and so they
declined through the election of all sub
ordinate officers: George li. Hammewley,
was elected Chief Clerk. G. S. Berry,
Assistant Clerk; John S. Morton, Ser
geant-at-Arms; Transcribing Clerks, Jo
nas R. Hutterfield, George M Semmer,
Theo. Mill; Doorkeeper, Joseph Riblett;
Messenger, Philip 11. Close.
On motion, the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE. —Mr. Brown, of Warren, read
in place a bill puni.-hing with fine anil
imprisonment persons enlisting men in
this State i'or other States—live hundred
dollars fine and one year's imprisonment.
I'assed finally.
Bills in place—Mr. Glass—Oneauthor
izing the assessment of a per capita tax
in Versailles township, of two dollars for
school purposes. One authorising the
School Directors in the Seventh Ward,
Pittsburgh, to borrow money to build a
school house.
Mr. Ilerron—A supplement to an act
incorporating the United Presbyterian
Board of Publication, tyid changing the
mode of election of directors.
Mr. Huston—A bill to incorporate the
Oakland Cemetery Company, of Indiana
county. 0
Mr. Berguin—One authorizing the re
opening of accouuts of the late Treasurer
of Venango county.
Mr. White, of Lawrence count}— A
supplement act incorporating the New
Castle and Beaver Railroad Company.—
The bills reported favorably.
Mr. Neglcy—One authorizing Man
chesltWxjnmgh to borrow money.
Mr. jleMurtrie—One relative to grant
ing the paving of Manchester borough.
One relative to the poor in Green county.
A constitutional amendment giving the
soldiers in the field a right to vote, passed
up to the third reading. The Democrats
prevented the final passage to-night.
The joint resolution recommending
an increase of pay to privates and
non-com misioned officers, passed final
ly—lo yeas, 1.3 nays. The nays were
all Democrats—one Democrat, Mr.
Kinsey, of Bucks county, voting aye.
The supplement to the charter of
j Lawrenceville passed finally.
The bill proposing amendments to
the Constitution allowing soldiers to
vote, passed the second reading by the
following vote:
Yeas —Messrs. Champneys, Con
nell, Dunlap, Fleming, Graham, Iloge,
Householder, Johnson, Kinsey, Low
ry, McCandless, Nichols, Riageway,
St. Clair, Turrell, Worthington, Wil
son; Pennev, Speaker.
Nays —Messrs. geardslee, Dono
van, Glatz, Lamberton, Latta. Mont
gomery, Smith, Steru, and Wallace.
Yeas 18—Seventeen Republicans
undone Democrat. Nays nine, Dem
ocrats—six Democrats declining.—
Brough, Clvmer, Hopkins, of Wash
ingron, McSherry, Reilly, Stark and I
Buckner were present; but did not
vote.
Both houses adjourned till Monday I
«>^ening.
SPEAKER PENNY'S PRINCIPAL COM
MITTEES. —As soon as the Journal was
read the morning of the 29th ult., Speak
er Penny announced his principal com
mittees as follows :
Federal Relations—Messrs. Lowry,
JohDson, Clymer, Champneys and Nicho
las.
Finance—Messrs. Connell, Graham,
MeCandless, Reilley and Wilson.
Judiciary—Messrs Johnson, Turrcl,
Champneys. Clymer and Fleming.
Estates and Escheats—Messrs. M'Can
dless, Wilson, Turrel, Lamberton and
Wallace.
Corporations—Messrs. Ridgeway, Bun
lap, Wilson, Stark and Glats.
Bunks—Messrs. Coonnel, Graham,
Iloge. St. ("lair and Kinsey.
Railroads—Messrs. Nichols, Lowry,
Lowry, Reilly. Graham and Ridgeway.
Education—Messrs. Turrol and Gra
ham.
Householders—Messrs. Stein and Wal
lace.
Militia—Messrs. Lowry, Champneys,
Johnston, Donovan and Glats.
New Counties—Messrs. Turrell, Iloge,
Lainberton, Wilson and Lnttn.
Vice and Immorality—Messrs. Grali;Cnf
Turrell, Worthington, Latta and Bucker.
lIARRRiSBURr. Feb. 29, 1864.
SENATE. —Before the Senate met there '
was an immense crowd in the lobbies,
excitement was great. There
to be an especial anxiety tosee the
man who would cure tee legislative lock
of two months' standing.
Numerous processions went to his bote',
precceded by music. One transparency
liad on it"St. Clair unlocks the Senate."
Obversely, "2,000 majority for St. Clair."
On another.' The people support their
Senators," "The people support their de
fenders."
Brigadiers Knipe and Williams took
part in tbe procession.
Fully four thousand people were in and
around tbe Capitol. There was greater
! excitement than that during the Gover
or's inauguration. The journal was read
atnidsLmuch outside confusion. As the
Senator entered the hall there was a great
struggle by the crowd to get inside tie
j chamber. The returns were read and the
; oath administered amidst deep interest
I and groat applauses from the galleries.
SOT,WKRB AU.nwßri TO VOTE.
Mr. Johnston moved totakc up the bill
allowing soldiers to vote at the next Octo
ber election.
Mr. Clymer, Democrat, called for the
: yeas and nays.
! The vote resulted in 17 ayes and 16
nays,amidst thunders of applauses from
I the galleries. The policy of the democrats
to call the ayes and days at every turn
was childish conduct.
of ImliniMi.
At the great I'ti on Convention held at
Indianapolis, a short tinio since. Ex-Gov
. crnor Wright. President of the Oonven
; tion spoke as follows:
FELLOW-CITIZENS: It is right that I
.should thank \ou for the honor you give
me of presiding ov<i?. your deliberations
to-day. I regard tiVis m-;cti. gas one of
, the most important events.in,our history,
and its fianwoious action as jnore vital
than a victory in the field. If we carr
unite satisfactory nominations and carry
them by 50.000 majority,we shall do
more for the I nion than t!ie capture: op
! Richmond, tomorrow could do., [Loud
| cheers.] It) looking over this vast nicest
j ing, I think I see that expression of firm
ness ami determination to do what theoc
('asion demands, which promises well for
| our suae ess. and I find a confirmation of
jmy judgment in the action you have al
j ready taken. You have justnoiuinated
j one man for the highest place in the na
tion, and another for the highest, in your
State, with such unanimity and heartiness
I that all local dissension and township bick
j erini;s have disappeared. This is good,
augury for the future.
I see a very different state of feeling
now from what I did when I returned
| from Europe. Instead of doubts and hes
itation I see only strength and resolution,
j \Y here wo formerly moved cautiously, or
! not at all, we now move steadily and rap
| idly, and I think you will all concur with ,
! me, that this is due greatly to Abraham .
Lincoln,whom I look upon as the man,
for the times, above all living men.,
j [Tremendous cheering.] At first I doubt
; ed if he would prove firm enough or would
I move fust enough for the great questions
|he had to meet. II is setting aside the •
! slavery policy of Freemont, in Missouri,
I seemed to justify these fears. One day,
about that time. I said to him, "Mr. Pres
! ident. why, can't we have a policy ?"
| He loo'ke J at me. and in his plain, sterling
| language, replied : "Governor, that is just
, whatlrfon'/ want." [Lalighteranucheers.]
; 1 did not understand him at first. But I
Ido now. If we had been carrying on a.
; foreign war, the President ought to have
j lead off in the establishment ofa line
policy. But in a civil war, where our own
l citizens are our enemies, he could not lead.
! It was his business not to anticipa'e. but
tofollow the directions of public sentiment.
He Hal to wait for the people to move be
; fore hi could move, lie has proved that
he was right. Suppose two years ago he
; had sent negro troops to Missouri, how
| many regiments of white men would have
: rema ned in the army ? Not one. [Cries,
! "That's so," and laughter.] Now how
,is it? You can find nobody who is not
;in favor of arming negroes. Everybody
is willing that they shall fight if they can.
Meji who threatened me. when I voted in
the Senate, two years ago, to arm the slaves,
now approve that vote. Even Democrats
who denounced it eighteen months ago
are now ready to swear that they always
were in favor of it. [Laughter and cheers.]
You may write it on that column [point
ing to the State House] that no party can
live in this country that is opposed to let
ting the blacks help to save the country.
[Great cheeing.]
t£?" The soldiers in the army, by cor
respondence, are loudly calling upon tho
people to supply them with material for
bandages for tho coming conflict. Thou
sands of our brave men will be wounded
in those dreadful conflicts, and provision
in this way should be made. We trust
the Ladies' Aid Societies will take this
matter in hand*.