of Maryland succeeded to the seat made vacant the
preceding autumn by the death of James Alfred Pearce. Mr. Johnson
had long been eminent at the Bar of the Supreme Court. He was a
warm supporter of Mr. Clay, and was chosen to the Senate as a Whig
in 1845. He was attorney-general in the Cabinet of President
Taylor, and after the defeat of the Whigs in 1852 had co-operated
with the Democrats. He had stood firmly by the Union, and his re-
appearance in the Senate added largely to the ability and learning
of that body. Thomas A. Hendricks entered from Indiana as the
successor of Jesse D. Bright, who had been expelled upon a charge
of disloyalty. Mr. Hendricks had served in the House of Representatives
from 1851 to 1855. He was but thirty-one years of age when first
chosen and his record in the House had not prepared the public to
expect the strength and ability which he displayed as senator. He
was in the full maturity of his powers when he took his seat, and
he proved able, watchful, and acute in the discharge of his public
duties. He was always at his post, was well prepared on all
questions, debated with ability, and rapidly gained respect and
consideration in the Senate. Charles R. Buckalew of Pennsylvania
succeeded David Wilmot. Both he and Mr. Hendricks were fruits of
the violent re-action against the Administration the preceding
year. Mr. Buckalew came with high reputation, but did not gain so
prominent a position in the Senate as his friends had anticipated.
He did not seem ambitious, was not in firm health, and though his
ability was recognized, his service did not strengthen his party
either in the Senate or in his State. A Democrat from Pennsylvania
is somewhat out of harmony with the members of his party elsewhere,
on account of the advocacy of the Protective system to which he is
forced by the prevailing opinion among his constituents.

THE MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.

Congress assembled in December, 1863, in very different spirit from
that which prevailed either at the opening or at the adjournment
of the preceding session. The President in his annual message
recognized the great change for which "our renewed and profoundest
gratitude to God is due." Referring to the depressing period of
the year before, he said "The tone of public feeling at home and
abroad was not satisfactory. With other signs the popular elections
then just passed indicated unea