The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-17
THINGS IN WASHINGTON.

Washington was never before 80 crowded
with anxious looking strangers. Democratic
Congressman linger in its purlieus for the pur-
pose of helping their friends to favor The
White House and the Executive Departments
are every day thronged with ofhce-seekers.
One might suppose that the paupers of all the
States had made descent upou our goodly
city we never beheld 50 many lean, greedy,
aflicted-looking mendicants.
Ex-Presdent Fillmore, during the last week,
has been staying at Wizards Hotel, receiving
the adeus Of the many friends whom his social
qualities have concliated Whatever we
may think Of his official acts, his social life
has been free from political rancor or bigotry
his intercourse with the People graceful and
agreeable. Leaving Washington, he proposes
to make the tour of the South, accompanied
by Mr.. Kennedy, late Secretary of the Navy.
The new President is affable in his manner,
and, socially seems to give general satisfaction
His mansion is crowded every day, but we are
told he grants no private interviews to appli-
cants for office 1t must be delightful to be
obliged to prefer their modest requests and
present their voluminous papers, before so
many inqusitve spectators.
Washington, always gay in winter, has been
peculiarly 80 this season. We have never
known 80 much beauty, talent, and wit, con-
centrated here before. But the beauties and
the lions have generally disappeared, leaving
our hotels and avenues swarming with the bag
gard faces of men, troubled with a fearful
looking for" retribution or reward.
Appropriations were made at the late SEES
sion, amounting to nearly fifteen hundred thou
sand dollars, for public works in Washington,
and for certain local improvements. The Long
Bridge over the Potomac is to be repaired, and
the work of supplying the city with water is
to be commenced
Capital and labor are constantly pouring |
into the city population is advancing new
and handsome dwellings, are springng up
real estate il steadl y increasing in value. Many
Senators, Disguised with hotel life, and FESTIVE
under the privation Of home comforts, are pro-
posing to purchase residences among us, so
rs to spend their six years decently and agree
ably Men of capital and leisure in the East,
m love with the genial climate of Washing
lon and attracted by its society and excite
nents, are beginning to think of building here
for residence during the winter and spring
months. 1t may surprise some of our citizens
10 learn that the Hon. Gerrit Smith, member
elect Of the next Congress, has lately pur-
chased dwelling house on Capitol Hill, in
tending to erect his family altar there, during
his Legislative career.
We shall miss many welcome faces next
winter. Preston King retires Horace Mann
caves public life, and goes to the West; Judge
Allen refused "a denomination Amos Tuck
and Jared Perkins have just been defeated in
New Hampshire Governor Cleveland declined
a nomination DR.. Townshend was gerryman-
iered out Of an election j. w Howe of West
,rn Pennsylvania would not run Allson's
olace will be filled by Hunker; Charles
)urkce was defeated by peculiar combna-
ion of hostile influences Governor Doty goes
0 the shades of private life; and in the SEN I
tie we lose Hale, whose place will be taken by
Atherton, of gag-law memory. Chase and
Summer remain in the Senate, Giddings and
ew Barnburners in the House, and they will
70 reinforced by Wade and Smith
Our Free Soil friends who have taken their
cave, we hope not forever, were all true men,
genial, generous inhexible in the discharge of
public duty, good natured, easy, and joyous in
'ocial life. They promoted the Anti-Slavery
movement not only by their public acts, but
heir private virtues If the People appreciate
hem as they deserve, they will not long be
permitted to remain in state of repose