Public Ledger

CONGRESS.

Three notable events occurred in that part of the session of Congress which terminated before the Christmas, the egg-nog, and the high time generally. Schurz spoke in the Senate and Drake replied. For the hour, these Missourians divided the attention of the country. The wires blazed with the debate, and the people read, pondered and remained silent. Then came that consummate humbug, Ben Butler, with his amnesty, so framed as to place disabilities upon some now free, and to place a sort of statute of limitation upon his own misconduct. It is a bill to pardon himself. The debate was long, if not able. The bill and the amendments went over to January. The fate of them is uncertain.

The Arlington question, introduced by McCreery in the Senate, fired the Radical heart and precipitated the leaders into a revolution—of words. Sumner sloughed off from the public functionary who ornaments the White House, so far as San Domingo is concerned. His speech in opposition to that measure has drawn a line, both political and personal, between himself and the President. Letters from his admirers are flowing in upon him, full of congratulation. Evidences of disintegration spring up everywhere. Meanwhile, the Democrats gather hope, and with hope comes confidence, and with confidence will come success, all the more glorious because of its long delay. We expect, and the country expects, no good to come from the present session of Congress. In the next Congress something of advantage to the country may be hoped for.