sen in the minds of the minority that a
considerable number of Republicans would permanently separate
themselves from the party that elected them, and adhere to the policy
and fortunes of the President, were disappointed. The imprudence of
the President himself, in making his unfortunate speech of the 22d of
February, tended to unite the Republicans in Congress against his
policy, and render fruitless the efforts of his new Democratic friends
in his favor.

On the 23d of February, Mr. Fessenden proposed that the pending
constitutional amendment should give way, to enable the Senate to
consider the concurrent resolution passed by the House concerning the
representation of the Southern States.

Mr. Sherman thought it would be better and wiser to allow this matter
to lie over for a few days. He thought it best not to press this
"declaration of political opinion" while the public mind and Senators
themselves were more or less affected by surrounding circumstances. "I
think," said he, "that we ought not to postpone all the important
business now pending in Congress for the purpose of getting into a
political wrangle with the President."

Mr. Fessenden replied: "The Senator from Ohio says we are getting up a
political wrangle with the President of the United States. When the
President of the United States tells Congress that it is transcending
its proper limits of authority, that it has nothing to do in the way
of judgment upon the great question of reconstructing the rebel
States, and Congress assumes to express its own sense upon that
question, I think it is hardly a proper term to apply to such a state
of things. I am not aware that there has been any effort anywhere to
get up a political wrangle or engage in a political wrangle with the
President. Certainly I have not. No man has ever heard me speak of him
except in terms of respect, in my place here and elsewhere.

"I am not sensible myself of any excitement that would prevent my
speaking upon this question precisely in the style which I deem it
deserves. I am not carried away by passion. I have reflected, and I am
ready to express my opinion upon the great question at issue; and the
Senator will allow me to say that, in my judgment, the sooner the
judgment of Congress is expressed, the better.

"He talks about important business to be done by this Congress. Sir,
is there any thing more important than to settle the question whether
the Senate and the House of Repre