message, as in so many of his speeches and State papers, calls attention to the great fundamental principle of our Government, the equality of all. He quotes the clause in the Declaration of Independence, that "all men are created equal," and contrasted it with the aristocratic features of the Government, sought to be created on its ruins. Those who knew Mr. Lincoln best, knew that he looked, confidently, to the ultimate extinction of slavery. It is clear, that in accordance with his cautious character, he hoped to destroy it by gradual emancipation. From the beginning, he watched and gladly used every means which his prudent and scrupulous mind recognized as right and proper, to hasten its ultimate overthrow.

Congress responded promptly to the call of the President, and voted 500,000 men, and 500 millions of dollars to suppress the insurrection.

At this memorable session, Congress commenced a series of measures, which, in connection with the action of President Lincoln and the victories of the Union arms, resulted in the downfall of African slavery.

On the 4th of December, 1861, a resolution introduced by Senator Trumbull, unanimously passed the Senate, "That John C. Breckinridge, the traitor, be, and he hereby is, expelled." Some of the debates of this session, were of exceeding interest. Among the most dramatic was a debate between Breckenridge, of Kentucky, and Colonel Baker, of Oregon. Breckenridge received from the fiery and eloquent Senator, a terrible rebuke for his treachery.

Baker, in a speech made on the 1st day of August, in reply to the treasonable utterances of Breckinridge, said:

"What would the Senator from Kentucky, have? These speeches of his, sown broadcast over the land, what clear distinct meaning have they? Are they not intended for disorganization in our very midst? Are they not intended to destroy our zeal? Are they not intended to animate our enemies? Sir, are they not words of brilliant polished treason, even in the very Capital of the Republic?" [Here there were such manifestations of applause in the galleries, as were with difficulty suppressed.]

Mr. Baker resumed, and turning directly to Mr. Breckinridge, enquired:

"What would have been thought, if, in another Capital, in another Republic, in a yet more martial age, a Senator as grave, not more eloquent or dignified than the Senator from Kentucky, yet with the Roman purple flowing over his shoulders, had risen in his place, surrounded by all the illustrations of Roman glory, and declared that the cause of advancing Hannibal was just, and that Carthage ought to be dealt with in terms of peace? What would have been thought if, after the battle of Cannæ, a Senator there had risen in his place, and denounced every levy of the Roman people, every expenditure of its treasure, and every appeal to the old recollections and the old glories?"

There was a silence so profound throughout the Senate and galleries, that a pinfall could have been heard, while every eye was fixed upon Breckinridge. Fessenden exclaimed, in deep low tones, "he would have been hurled from the Tarpean Rock!"

Baker resumed:

Sir, a Senator, himself learned far more than myself in such lore, (Mr. Fessenden) tells me, in a voice that I am glad is audible, that 'he would have been hurled from the Tarpean Rock.' It is a grand Commentary upon the American Constitution, that we permit these words of the Senator from Kentucky, to be uttered. I ask the Senator to recollect, too, what, save to send aid and comfort to the enemy, do these predictions amount to? Every word thus uttered, falls as a note of inspiration upon every Confederate ear. Every sound thus uttered, is a word, (and falling from his lips, a mighty word) of kindling and triumph to a foe that determines to advance."

This was that Baker, brilliant alike as an orator and a soldier, who, on the prairies of Illinois, had contested the palm of eloquence and popular favor with Lincoln and Douglas; he, who had gone to California, and pronounced the memorable funeral oration over the murdered Broderick, assassinated because, as he said, "he was opposed to the extension of slavery and a corrupt administration." Going thence to Oregon, he came to Washington as its Senator. After a short and brilliant career in the Senate, he fell, pierced with nine bullets at Ball's Bluff, one of the early martyrs of the war, because, as he said, "a United States Senator must not retreat."

In conspicuous contrast with Breckenridge, stood ANDREW JOHNSON, of Tennessee. Born in the humblest station, without the advantages of education, a man before he learned to read, yet his vigorous intellect and indomitable will soon raised him to distinction. In the winter of 1860-61, while all around him seemed treacherous and faithless, he stood firm, "faithful among the faithless." Confidence in his supposed firm integrity and unswerving patriotism were such, that a party with which he became associated only because it was identified with the cause of his country, generously offered him the second office in its gift.

On the 2d day of March, 1861, in reply to Senator Lane, of Oregon, Johnson, turning to the party of conspirators, who still lingered in the Senate, exclaimed, "who is it, that has fired on our flag? Who has given instructions to take our arsenals and dock-yards, to sack mints, and steal custom houses? Those who have done this, have they not been guilty of treason? Show me who has been engaged in these conspiracies, who has fired on our flag,” said he, turning towards the rebel Senators, "Who telegraphed to take our forts, dock-yards, mints, and armories? Show me who did this, and I will show you a traitor."

This sentiment was received with applause by the galleries, crowded with Union men, then present in Washington to witness the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln. Mr. Clingman called for the clearing of the galleries, but it was not insisted on. "If individuals were pointed out to me," Johnson continued, "who were engaged in nightly conspiracies, in secret conclaves, issuing orders, directing the capture of our forts, and the taking of our custom houses, I would show you the traitors; and that being done, the persons pointed out, coming within the purview and scope of the Constitution, were I President, I would have done as Jefferson did with Aaron BurrI would have arrested them, I would have caused them to be tried for treason, and if found guilty, by the Eternal God, I would execute them!" Such was the temper of Johnson, in 1861. He took his seat, the crowds in the galleries tried to repress their feelings, but they could not restrain themselves. First, a faint cheer from the ladies' gallery, then the clapping of a pair of fair hands-then one general. universal cheer, and

then three cheers for the Union, and three more for Andrew Johnson, shook the dome of the Senate Chamber.

Johnson had zealously supported Breckenridge for President, and yet, when his treason was developed, he did not hesitate one moment, in denouncing the traitor.

On the 27th of July, in a speech in reply to Breckenridge, after quoting a remark, that " when traitors become numerous enough, treason becomes respectable." Yet, said he, "God being willing, whether traitors be many or few, as I have hitherto waged war against traitors and treason, I intend to continue it to the end."

His denunciation of Jefferson Davis was vehement and severe. He said, "Davis-a man educated and nurtured by the Government, who sucked its pap, who received from it all his military instruction, a man who got all his distinction, civil and military, in the service of this Government, beneath its flag, and then without cause, without being deprived of a single right or privilege-the sword he unsheathed in vindication of the stars and stripes in a foreign land, given to him by the hand of a cherishing mother, he stands this day, prepared to plunge into her bosom."

Conspicuous among the body of able Senators from New England, was Charles Sumner, with a reputation as an orator, a scholar, a philanthropist, extending beyond his own country. He was recognized as worthy to represent the best and noblest, the most cultivated and purest manhood of Massachusetts. In intellect worthy to fill the place of Everett; in purity and learning, the worthy disciple of John Quincy Adams; in singleness of purpose, in devotion to the broadest humanity and liberty for all, he was a worthy representative of those, who first taught the great Christian principle of the common Father and the Universal brotherhood of man. He had experienced in his own person, the cowardly brutality and barbarism, the legitimate offspring of slavery. The same spirit which starved to death Union prisoners at Andersonville, had sought to assassinate Sumner in the Senate Chamber. The bludgeon of Brooks and the pistol of Booth, were alike aimed by slavery. Providence directed that the life of Lincoln should be crowned by the death of a martyr, but

had preserved Sumner to aid Lincoln in the great work of the emancipation of a race.

The speeches of Sumner, up to this time, had one defect, they were overloaded with learning. The great thought was too often concealed under many quotations. In the earnestness and gravity of the discussions during the war, this fault disappeared. His speeches, during the four years of Mr. Lincoln's administration, illustrate our history, while influential in moulding and guiding public opinion.

Among the more conservative of the New England Senators, was Jacob Collamer, of Vermont. He had held the position of Judge of the Supreme Court of that State, and had been Postmaster General under President Taylor. Distinguished for solid common sense, minutely familiar with his country's history and its laws, conscientious and selfpoised, he exerted a commanding influence, and was always listened to with profound respect.

Senator Fessenden, Chairman of the Committee on Fi nance, and the successor of Mr. Chase, as Secretary of the Treasury, was another very able and learned New England Senator. Ever ready, ever well informed, keen, witty and sarcastic; as a general debater he had no superior. He was one of the most practical and careful statesmen in the Senate.

The House of Representatives of this memorable Congress, was composed generally, of men of good sense, respectable abilities, and of earnest patriotism, rather than of shining parts and high distinction. It represented and reflected the intelligence, integrity and patriotism of the American people. This Congress early realized, that it had two great duties towards which all its energies should be directed. These were to maintain the integrity of the Union, by subduing the rebellion, and extirpating its cause-African slavery.

The leader of the House, Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, Thaddeus Stevens, of Pennsylvania, united the wisdom of three score years and ten, with the vigor and energy of twenty-five. He was the most sarcastic, and witty, as well as the most eccentric member of the House. He was respected alike by friend and foe, and none desired a second encounter with him on the floor of the House. If he could