Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1852-07-31
From our Washington Correspondent

From our Washington Correspondent
WASHINGTON, july &c, 1852.
Dear SIR
1t is said that we might as
well be out of the world as out Of its
fashion. Custom, it is said also, makes
law, us when it is the custom Of a COM
muni,y, or sect, or society, to adopt
certain forms and usages which appear
to be acquicsced in or approved by
the general public by their silence, it
is taken for granted that it is right or
lawful to tolerate them. It's the Gus.
tom Of certain orders in this city, that
when one Of their members die to fol-
low his remains to the grave in pro-
cession, dressed in their appropriate
rcgalia, accompanied by u band of
music. This custom, it appears, isnot
varied from, should tho person die
upon day that it would be proper to
conduct the burial services upon the
Sabbath, accompanied by q band of
music.
Our citizens were yesterday after
noon (Sabbuth) favored with a scene
of this kind. Picture to your mind u
large procession equipped in full uni:
form, keeping time with the music of
u fine band, perhaps playing u waltz
or some other tune entirely unsuited
to the day, and, calculated to drive
from the mind every solemn feeling Of
the heart which such an occasion calls
for. What effect such occurrences
have upon a congregation engaged i'll
worship upon the Sabbath, Ineed not
tell you. And yetthere is scarcely
Sabbath passes i'll Washington with.
out one or two such parades by one
or more of,he "orders." This thing
of drumming a man out Of the world,
especially on Sunday, | think is be-
hind the age of improvement, or at
least, it lily aecords with the feelings
of sorrow which naturally takes hold
of the sincere and honest heart But
every one to his liking, as the old wo'
man said, you know
Why bless me l have almost filed
my sheet with u subject which per-
haps may bring down upon mo the
wrath Of some good friend of an Odd
Fellow, Rcdman or Mason, which,
perhaps in "the long run" l had bet.
ter have loft alone. But perhaps
they arc right after all. They may
justify themselves by citing the burial
Of jacob, in which u great array of
trumpets and other Instruments was
made, or some other ancient custom
which the antideluvians were wont to
practice. l feel 10 disposition to fall
out with any upon the use of any Of
their rites or ceremonies.
Well, really, l find it difficult TO
strike upon another subject which
might interest your readers, unless |
tell you that Washington is the most
torn down best place for printers just
now in all christendom. | tell you
documentary evidence" is being
piled up very high just now by both
parties. And if the c.hundrcl,h
part was true which is said and pub
lished about either candidate, neither
would be fit for a scavenger. This is
lamentable, but it is tho fashion, the
custom. 1t is all right-all necessary.
Generals Scott and Pierce IRE OK.
pected TO meet at Old Point during
tho coming week. Wonder if It
wouldn't be about right for them to
compromise and make u division Of
the spoils? How would it do. Mr..
Editor to call a National Convention
Of the ms and outs, and make II regu.
lar compromise platform, aud make n
divide Of the whole thing. What say
YOU'D
The termination Of tho Hon. /. P.
Kennedy, Of Maryland, as Secretary
of the Navy, was confirmed by the
Senate on Friday last, and he is now
engaged in the performance ofhis du-
ties.
John Day has been tried and con.
victod Of manslaughter in the District
Court and sentenced to eight years
imprisonment in the Penitontiary.-
He had been formerly convicted Of
murder in the first degree, but new
trial was granted him about 6 months
ago, which has just resulted as above.
He deliberately shot his wife and af
forwards boosted of the act.
The .fany tribe appears to he caus.
ing some little disturbance between
this and our "mother country" ut tho
present. Mr. Webster promises that