affirmative by 137 to 63; the Senate decided the same way, and the vote was allowed, and given to Grant and Colfax. When Georgia was called Mr. Butler objected to the reception of the vote on the following grounds: (1.) The election was not held on the day prescribed by law; (2.) That on the day of the election the State had not been admitted to representation in Congress; (3.) That at the time the State had not fulfilled the requirements of the Reconstruction Act; (4.) That the "pretended election was not a free, just, and fair election, but the people were deprived of their just rights therein by force and fraud." 66 A concurrent resolution had been previously passed by both Houses providing that, as the question whether the State of Georgia has become and is entitled to representation in the two Houses of Congress is now pending and undetermined," therefore in counting the electoral vote, if the counting or omitting to count any vote presented from Georgia should not essentially change the result, this should be presented as follows: "Were the votes presented as of the State of Georgia to be counted, the result would be votes for President, etc.; if not counted, they would be votes for President, etc., but in either case- is elected President of the United States, and in the same manner for VicePresident." Senate having retired, Mr. Butler offered a resolution that "the House protest that the counting of the vote of Georgia, by order of the Vice-President pro tem., was a gross act of oppression, and an invasion of the privileges of the House." This was ruled by the Speaker of the House, Mr. Colfax, who had taken the chair, to be a question of privilege. He then proceeded to sum up the state of the case; the conclusion being that the President of the Senate, in ordering the vote to be taken and announced as prescribed by the joint resolution, complied with the duty imposed upon him. Mr. Butler, amidst much confusion, continued to press his resolution; but before any action was taken upon it the House adjourned. Some further talk was had subsequently in regard to the matter; but it was at length suffered to rest, and the whole question was, by a vote of 130 to 55, laid upon the table. On the 13th a joint committee, consisting of Senator Morton and Mr. Wilson, Republicans, and Mr. Pruyn, Democrat, appointed for that purpose, officially announced to the President and Vice-President elect the fact of their election. The proceedings were very quietly conducted, occupying only a few minutes, hardly a score of persons being present. Senator Morton, in presenting to General Grant the official notification of the election, said: "The great majority of your countrymen hail your election An acrimonious discussion arose upon the ob- with delight; while even those who did not supjection raised by Mr. Butler. The presiding port you at the polls entertain for you the highofficer was disposed to carry out the direction est confidence and respect......All cherish full of the Houses in this matter. Mr. Butler insist- faith in your ability and virtue, and entertain ed that this was a question of Constitutional law, the highest hopes of your success, and that durand should be considered in both Houses. Mr. ing your administration the work of reconstrucWade directed the Senate to retire for this pur- tion will be completed, and the wounds of civil pose, and the House decided, by 150 to 41, that war healed, and that our country will take a new the vote of Georgia should not be counted. The departure in growth, progress, and prosperity."— Senate, after consideration, decided that the ob- General Grant's reply had evidently been carefuljection of Mr. Butler was not in order; and the ly prepared beforehand, so as to indicate the gentwo Houses again coming together, the Presi-eral scope of the new Administration, and to put dent of the Senate ordered that the vote should at rest various reports that had been widely cirbe announced as directed by the concurrent res-culated. He said: olution. A scene of great tumult ensued. Mr. Butler appealed vehemently, declaring that the decision of the Senate should not overrule the resolution of the House. The Chairman refused to admit the appeal, and directed the tellers to go on with the count. The tumult now became so great that the Sergeant-at-Arms was ordered to arrest any member who should disobey the orders of the Convention. Finally, however, the result was officially announced by Mr. Wade, as follows: "I can promise the Committee that it will be my endeavor to call around me as assistants such men only as I think will carry out the principles which you have said the country desires to see successful-economy, retrenchment, faithful collection of the revenne, and payment of the public debt. If I should fail in my first choice, I shall not at any time hesitate to make a second, or even a third trial, with the concurrence of the Senate, who have the confirming power, and should just as soon remove one of my own appointees as the appointee of my predecessor. It would make erly speak of here, and that is the selection of a Cabno difference. There is one matter that I might propinet. I have always felt that it would be rather indelicate to announce or even to consult with the gentlemen whom I thought of inviting to positions in my Cabinet, before the official declaration of the result of the election was made, although I presumed that there was no doubt about what that declaration would be. But after consideration I have come to the conclusion that there is not a man in the country who could be invited to a place in the Cabinet without friends of some other gentleman making an effort to secure the position; not that there would be any objection to the party named, but that there would be others whom they had set their hearts upon having in the place. I can tell that from the great number of requests which come to me, in writing and otherwise, for this particular person or that one, from different sets and delegations. If announced in advance efforts would be made to change my determination, and therefore I have come to the conclusion not to announce who I am going to invite to seats in the Cabinet until I send in their names to the Senate for confeel-firmation. If I say any thing to them about it, it will The certainly not be more than two or three days previous "Including the State of Georgia, Grant and Colfax received 214 votes, and Seymour and Blair 80 votes, and excluding the State of Georgia, Grant and Colfax received 214 votes, and Seymour and Blair 71 votes. I do therefore declare that Ulysses S. Grant, of Illinois, having received a majority of the whole number of electoral votes, is duly elected President of the United States for four years, commencing on the 4th day of March, 1869; and that Schuyler Colfax, of Indiana, having received the majority of the whole number of electoral votes, is duly elected Vice-President of the United States for four years, commencing on the 4th day of March, 1869. The joint Convention having accomplished the business which brought it here, will now retire to the Senate Chamber." The accidental omission of the words "the Senate," in the order to retire, created much laughter, and did much to restore the good ing which had been greatly infringed upon. to sending in their names. I think it well to make a | United States or any State on account of race, color, public declaration of this to the Committee, so that my intentions may be known." After hearing this announcement, Mr. Pruyn, the Democratic member of the Committee, said: "In the great principles which you have marked out for the conduct of your administration you will have the political support of those with whom I am associated, ready to act with you."-The reply of Mr. Colfax to the notification of his election was brief. He said: "Please convey to the two Houses of Congress my acceptance of the office to which I have been elected by the people of the United States, and assure them that I shall endeavor to prove worthy of this mark of confidence by fidelity to principle and duty."-Subsequently, in more formally announcing to Congress his acceptance of the office of President, General Grant wrote: "Please notify the two Houses of Congress of my acceptance of the important trust which you have just notified me of my election as President of the United States; and say to them that it will be my endeavor that they and those who elected me shall have no cause to regret their action." Mr. Colfax's formal reply was almost verbally the same as that given orally to the Committee. CONGRESS. Among the most important measures brought before Congress is a joint resolution for further amendments to the Constitution to be present ed for ratification to the States. The essential clauses in this resolution as it passed the House, where it originated, is as follows: ARTICLE, Sec. 1.-The right of any citizen of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States, or any State, by reason of race or color or previous condition of slavery, of any citizen or class of citizens of the United States. Sec. 2.The Congress shall have power to enforce by appropriate legislation the provisions of this article. The resolution passed the House, January 30, by a vote of 150 to 42. Coming before the Senate, it underwent long and earnest debate, and was returned to the House, February 10, amended as follows: ARTICLE 15. No discrimination shall be made in the United States among the citizens of the United States in the exercise of the elective franchise, or in the right to hold office, in any State, on account of race, color, nativity, property, education, or creed. ARTICLE 16. The second clause of the first section of the second article of the Constitution of the United States shall be amended to read as follows: "Each State shall appoint, by a vote of the people thereof qualified to vote for Representatives in Congress, a number of electors equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State shall be entitled in Congress; but no Senator or Representative, or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be appointed an elector, and Congress shall have power to prescribe the manner in which such electors shall be chosen by the people." This amendment was adopted in the Senate by a vote of 40 to 16. The House refused to concur in this, and returned it with alterations, which the Senate would not accept. A Committee of Conference of the two Houses was appointed, who reported the resolutions as follows: Be it resolved two-thirds of both Houses concurring, That the following Amendment to the Constitution of the United States be submitted to the Legislatures of the several States, and when ratified by three-fourths thereof it shall be a part of said Constitution: ARTICLE 15. The right of the citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the or previous condition of servitude. SECTION 2. The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. This report was adopted in the House, February 25, by 143 to 43, and in the Senate, on the next day, by 39 to 12.-An important financial bill, entitled "A bill to strengthen the public credit, and relating to contracts for the payment of coin," was reported in the House by the Committee on Ways and Means. Its chief provisions are that (I.) "The faith of the United States is solemnly pledged to the payment in coin or its equivalent of all interest-bearing obligations of the United States, except in cases where the law authorizing the issue of any such obligation has expressly provided that the same may be paid in lawful money or other currency than gold and silver;" but it is provided that before any of these interest-bearing obligations not yet matured shall be paid, the United States notes, not bearing interest shall be made convertible into coin at the option of the holder; and (2.) Any contract made specially for payment in coin shall be legal, and may be enforced according to its terms. This bill passed the House, February 24, by a vote of 119 to 61.-A bill imposing additional duties upon the importation of Copper was passed in both Houses, vetoed by the President, and passed over the veto. of the session, the result of several important Our Record closing some days before the end some of which have been passed in one House, measures which have been under discussion, is undecided. Among these are the repeal of Tenure-of-Office Act; reconstruction of Mississippi; diminution of the army; the proposed treaties with Great Britain; and, most imporant of all, the pending financial projects. It seems probable that many of these will be laid over to the next Congress. We propose, at as early a day as possible, to give a resumé of the action of this session of Congress. The remains of Booth, Harold, Atzerott, Mrs. Surratt, and others, executed for alleged complicity in the assassination of President Lincoln, which were buried in a storehouse at Washington, have been disinterred, by order of the President, and given to relatives for burial. President has also pardoned Dr. Mudd, who has been imprisoned at the Dry Tortugas. SOUTHERN AMERICA. The From Mexico we have numerous reports of risings and insurrections in various quarters. The general purport of all accounts is that the country is in a state of complete anarchy, with no prospect of amelioration unless a protectorate is established by some foreign Power. The war on the river Plata seems to be nearly at an end. The Paraguayans were driven from their last stronghold near the river, and Lopez, with the remnant of his forces, retreated to the mountains. The Brazilians took possession of Asuncion, the capital, which, however, they found utterly deserted. -A resumé of transactions tained in a proclamation of Lopez, dated on the here, from a Paraguayan point of view, is con28th of December. From this it appears that on the 21st the Brazilians were repulsed from the lines at Villeta; on the 27th they renewed the assault, and as Lopez says, "the lottery of army was contrary to us, more by chance than by his force. Our few dismounted cannon, placed upon mounds of earth, could make but a few shots, and the enemy succeeded in his attack......We suffered a reverse, but our country's cause has not suffered, and its good sons are organizing at this moment to fight with greater stubbornness against the fast-exterminated enemy, whose great numbers stay upon the field of battle only for the completion of their destruction. Already he has little but cannon and horses left. The last days cost him 20,000 men." asserting her right to the throne."-The text of this manifesto appears in European papers of Feb. 12. The ex-Queen declares that the Cortes is illegally convoked, and has been elected by violent and criminal measures, and is about to be convoked in answer to the appeal of four ambitious men, who, by reducing the army and enlisting criminals in their cause, have, by means of terror, succeeded in substituting their cowardly and fatal tyranny for the constitution to which they had sworn fidelity. She declares all their acts null and void, and means to preserve intact all her rights. And so on, day after day, run the reports. The Cortes, however, convened on the 11th of February. Marshal Serrano, the President of the Ministry, presided, and made a congratulatory speech. There were vivas for the Pro Of the rising in Cuba we have only vague and contradictory reports. General Dulce, the Captain-General, issued a proclamation of amnesty to all who would give themselves up; this amnesty expired on the 21st of February, only a few persons having availed themselves of it. It is certain that the insurrection has not been sup-visional Government, for General Prim, for a pressed, notwithstanding considerable reinforcements sent from Spain. It is said, on apparently good authority, that considerable aid, both in men and material, has been given to the insurgents from the United States. EUROPE. Republic, for a Monarchy, but finally they were drowned by a shout for the "sovereignty of the Cortes." At length, on the 18th the Cortes formally requested Serrano to take the head of the Government, and to organize a Cabinet. On the 23d Serrano officially announced the resignation of the late Provisional Government; whereupon a vote of thanks was passed to them, by a vote of 180 to 62, the few Republican members unanimously opposing it, and Serrano was form The war cloud which threatened, growing out of the Eastern question, has been for the time dispelled. The peace Conference put forth a protocol demanding that the Greek Governmentally intrusted with full executive powers for the should cease from hostile movements against Turkey; and the Greek Government, against popular feeling, acceded to this demand. In the mean time the Great Powers, especially France and Prussia, keep up their war preparations to the utmost, notwithstanding both profess to be actuated by peaceful motives. From Spain there is nothing which can lead any one to venture to prognosticate, even for a month in advance, the probable course of events. Beyond brief telegraphic reports we have really nothing; and these in most cases are so evidently of a partisan character as to be practically of no value. Thus, under date of Feb. 2, we read: "It is probable that Marshal Prim, General Serrano, and Señor Rivero will constitute the proposed Directory; all those opposed to the Monarchy base their hopes on the Directory when once established......The Cortes will probably make great reductions in the endowments of the clergy and in the expenditures of the army."-Feb. 4. "Bands of Carlists have made their appearance in Catalonia; they seek to produce a rising against the Provisional Government. Troops have been sent out to disperse them. The press of Madrid, fearing a civil war, urge the Government to take active measures, and the people to unite against the reactionary party."-Feb. 7. "The Provisional Government will present the Constituent Cortes the draft of a constitution prohibiting slavery all in the Spanish dominions. The Pope has forbidden the prelates recently elected to take seats in the Cortes. Prince Ferdinand has consented to be a candidate for the throne of Spain. Many rumors prevail about the proposed Directory; some assert that the members are to be elected for five years. The Carlists are very active, and there are indications that they are laboring to produce an insurrection, which may break out at any moQueen Isabella has issued another manifesto, denouncing the revolution in Spain, and ment. The time being, with authority to form a Ministry. Serrano in accepting the position given him made a temperate speech, advising the minority to pursue a policy of conciliation in view of the principles firmly held by a majority of the Cortes. For himself, he promised "loyalty, patriotism, and abnegation." General De Roda, who put down the rising in Malaga, was named as Captain-General of Cuba, to succeed General Dulce, whose brief administration seems to be looked upon as quite too lenient toward the insurgents. In Great Britain the New Parliament was formally opened on the 16th of February. royal speech was read by the Vice-Chancellor, the Queen not being present. It stated that the relations of Great Britain with all friendly Powers were on an excellent footing. The hostilities which had threatened to break out in the East had been prevented by the action of the Great Powers at the Conference in Paris. The estimates to be laid before the House of Commons would be framed on a basis of economy coupled with efficiency in the administration of the service. The continued suppression of the Act of Habeas Corpus in Ireland was regarded as no longer necessary. It was hoped that negotiations in progress would result in placing the relations with the United States upon a permanently friendly basis. The great question of the day, relating to the ecclesiastical arrangements of Ireland, must be considered by Parliament, and their final adjustment would make large demands upon the wisdom of both Houses. "I am persuaded," said the speech, "that careful regard will be had to the interests involved and to the welfare of religion, and that through the application of principles of equal justice to the question before the Parliament will secure the undivided feeling of the people of Ireland on the side of loyalty and law, efface the memory of past contentions, and cherish the sympathies of an affectionate people." If it be good to be merry at all, it is especially good to be mirthful in this goodly month of April, the first day of which was by the Romans consecrated to Venus, the goddess of beauty, the mother of love, the queen of laughter, the mistress of the graces. In this cheery month the business of creation seems resumed. The vital spark rekindles in dormant existences; and all things “live, and move, and have their being." The earth again puts on her livery; the air breathes gently on our cheeks, and conducts to our ears the warblings of the birds and the odors of newborn herbs and flowers; the great eye of the world" sees and shines" with bright and gladdening glances; the waters teem with life; man himself feels the revivifying and all-pervading influence, and his "spirit holds communion sweet With the brighter spirits of the sky." NEARLY fifty years ago an April Number of Blackwood's Magazine opened with a poem on April, the first verse of which is also pat to the present Number: "This being the first of April, we intend To launch out on our theme without a fetter; Shunning absurdity, it will be the delight of the Drawer in the future, as it has been in the past, to be the receptacle and recorder of the floating wit and humor of the country. Let the wags therefore continue to send on their little jocularities. Drawer. my own experience, which may perhaps amuse chief guest of the evening recalled an incident in some of your readers, as it serves to illustrate the indifference and contempt with which the early labors of scientists and inventors are regarded by the world at large: In the spring of 1841 I was searching for a studio in which to set up my easel. My "househunting" ended at the New York University, where I found what I wanted in one of the turrets of that stately edifice. When I had fixed my choice the janitor, who accompanied me in my examination of the rooms, threw open a door on the opposite side of the hall and invited me to enter. I found myself in what was evidently an artist's studio, but every object in it bore indubitable signs of unthrift and neglect. The statuettes, busts, and models of various kinds were covered with dust and cobwebs; dusty canvases were faced to the wall, and stumps of brushes and scraps of paper littered the floor. The only signs of industry consisted of a few masterly crayon drawings and little luscious studies of color pinned to the wall. "You will have an artist for your neighbor," said the janitor, "though he is not here much of late; he seems to be getting rather shiftless; he is wasting his time over some silly invention, a machine by which he expects to send messages from one place to another. He is a very good painter, and might do well if he would only stick to his business; but, Lord!" he added, with a sneer of supreme contempt, "the idea of telling by a little streak of lightning what a body is saying at the other end of it! His friends think he is crazy on the subject, and are trying to dissuade him from it, but he persists in it until he is almost ruined." Judge of my astonishment when he informed me that the "shiftless" individual, whose foolish waste of time so excited his commiseration, was none other than the President of the National Academy of Design-the most exalted position, in my youthful artistic fancy, it was possible for mortal to attain-S. F. B. Morse, since much better known as the inventor of the electric telegraph. But a little while after this his fame was flashing through the world, and the unbelievers who voted him insane were forced to confess that there was at least "method in his madness." A CORRESPONDENT at La Crosse, Wisconsin, whose chief pleasure appears to be in reading the concluding pages of each Number of this periodical, mentions an incident that occurred at a lec- THE amorous young man of the West is fairly ture given in that locality on the naughty habit sketched in the following from an Iowa correof gambling. The reverend lecturer said: "You spondent: A young Montana chap got on hoard of take a hand of cards and commence playing; you the sleeping car of our train, and said, "See here, bet 25 cents, the next man goes 50 cents better, Mr. Conductor, I want one of your best bunks for the next 'sees' it and goes 50 cents better, and I this young woman, and one for myself individu'raise' it to $100." Before going further an old ally. One will do for us when we get to the Bluff player, who had dropped in to hear what a-hey, Mariar ?" (Here he gave a playful poke preacher could say about "keerds," made the remark, in tones a little too audible: " "By the Lord, old fellow, you must have had a 'flush!" AN artist correspondent sends the following reminiscence of one of the most gifted of American artists and inventors: In reading over the very interesting report of the dinner given in honor of Professor Morse at Delmonico's, some of the reminiscences of the at "Mariar," to which she replied, "Now, John, the train had stopped, and that his tones could be heard throughout the car. ་་ "Now, Mariar, you might give a feller jes one. "John, you quit, or I'll git out right here, and hoof it back to Montanny in the snow-storm!" "Only one little kiss, Mariar, and I hope to die if I don't." "John-!" Just at this time a gray-headed old party poked his head out of his berth, at the other end of the car, and cried out, "Mariar, for God's sake, give John one kiss, so that we can go to sleep sometime to-night!" John didn't ask for any more of that delicious little lip business during the evening; "Mariar" slept peacefully. A NEW JERSEY correspondent mentions the existence of an eccentric old farmer in his neighborhood who has the reputation of being a "freethinker," and consequently the subject of much solicitude to the village clergyman. Not long since he was taken sick, and, being quite old and feeble, his recovery was considered a matter of doubt, and the visit of the minister was desired by his family. After the usual friendly greetings were over the clergyman, to introduce the object of his visit, remarked: "Friend W- -, you are now getting to be an old man, and have lived a careless life; would it not be well to take the present opportunity to make your peace with God?" "Lord bless your soul!" replied the feeble old man, "he and I hain't never had no fallin' out yet!" THIS old gentleman's property adjoins a cemetery, and at one time a person who was looking at it with a view to purchase objected to it on this ground, and asked if its proximity did not cause him some annoyance. "No, indeed, my dear Sir," said he; "the folks in the graveyard are the peaceablest neighbors I've got!" THE American soldier, whether Federate or Confederate, is commonly supposed to become a chivalric person, especially when sick and the probabilities adverse to recovery. But how about this? When a part of General Curtis's army, under General Steele, was at Reeves Station, Missouri, a private in the Thirty-third Illinois was attacked with fever. The surgeon gave him by mistake an overdose of valerian, and his pulse sunk so rapidly that all thought him to be dying. To keep him up they gave him whisky, and when this began to operate he gasped out to his captain, "My dear captain, I think I have made my peace with God. The chaplain has read the Bible and prayed with me, and I want you to tell mother that I die happy. There is only one thing I want. I have been a soldier several months, and have done nothing for the country. If you will be kind enough to bring out one of those 'yellow legs' [Confederates] in the guardhouse, and let me shoot him, I can die in peace!" THERE are persons in Illinois who have the proper reverence for places of public worship. One of this class having had the misfortune to be detained in Chicago over Sunday, slowly sauntered down Wabash Avenue in the morning, about the hour of morning service. Arriving at the Presbyterian church, and stopping a moment, the organist commenced playing one of those lively compositions with which the "performance" of religious service is now generally commenced. Just then a gentleman passing into the church invited him to enter and take a seat. "Not exactly, Mister," replied our friend; "I ain't used to such doin's on Sunday; and, besides, I don't dance!" CAN "the force of orthography further go" than in the following application to the Superintendent of the Eastern Division of the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad for a humble but responsible position in that Company? We copy verbatim: HARTLETON December 27, 1968. Der sir i set down to in forme you that i Wod like to have a burth on the Carse at braking and i Wod if i can hav a burth. My Pos Toffice is Hartleton union Com eny time that you Wod Wont me sow let me Now co Pa J. C. B Now that President Grant is fairly seated in the presidential saddle, and entertaining his political and personal friends with appropriate hospitality, we may as well tell the following anecdote, which shows, as well as any thing we have read of him, the humorous side of his character, and his uniform solicitude that the people of his command should be well fed. He knew the truth of the old maxim, "An army moves upon its belly." Grant, at the time we speak of, was a Brigadier, commanding an expedition in Arkansas: Lieutenant Wickfield, of the Indiana Cavalry, commanded the advanced-guard of eight mounted men. Provisions were scarce on the march of 110 miles. On the third day Lieutenant Wickfield came up to a small farm-house, and, thinking there might be something to eat, accosted the inmates of the house, imperatively demanding the food; and, on being questioned, he said that he was General Grant. With loud professions of loyalty the inmates served up the best meal they could produce, and refused to accept payment; whereupon our lieutenant went on his way rejoicing. Presently General Grant came up to the same house, and asked if they would cook him some food. "No," was the answer; "General Grant and his staff have just been here, and eaten all in the house except one pumpkin-pie." Having inquired the name of the good lady who gave him his information, Grant induced her by half a dollar to promise to keep the pie till he should send for it. That evening a grand parade was ordered at half past six for orders to be read, and the troops were formed up, ten columns deep and a quarter of a mile long; officers were called to the front, and the following order was read by the Assistant Adjutant-General: "Lieutenant Wickfield, of the Indiana Cavalry, having on this day eaten every thing in Mrs. Selvidg's house, at the crossing of the Trenton and Pocahontas and Black River and Cape Giraudeau roads, except one pumpkin-pie, is hereby ordered to return with an escort of one hundred cavalry and eat that pie also.-U. S. Grant, Brigadier-General, commanding." At seven o'clock, amidst the cheers of the army, the lieutenant and his hundred men filed out of camp, and in the course of the night duly returned, and with all due formality the pie was reported as eaten. THE conversational part of the following is |