Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-12-13
THE SCENES AND SIGHTS IN THE
FEDERAL CITY.

Washington presents lively and hpstlng
appearance at the meeting OF every Congress.
But never before, perhaps, has it exhibited
such medy Of human beings as it does at the
present time. OF course there have been larger
crowds in the city, on such occasions as the
ceremonies of Presidential inaugurations, but
never, perhaps, was there such assemblage
of human contrarieties and antagonisms as
now Not only is every shade of political
party and opinion represented in Congress, but
out of Congress The hotels are filled with
excited party managers, and eager disputants,
and the streets crowded with people of every
stamp and character. Caucusses and confer.
ences are daily and nightly held The busiest
and most active Of the politicians and mana
gers are those of the Black Republican persua-
sion, who have larger representation than they
ever before had in Congress. They are strong
with hope, and full of confidence. To aid their
plans, and, promote their success, they have
brought on to Washington many of their
most distinguished leaders, who watch the
proceedings of Congress with the eyes of
hawks.
But it is not politicians alone, who have been
attracted here Many strangers have come on
to see the federal city, and to witness the first
proceedings of the opening Congress. An
idea got abroad that there would be great
outbreak furious struggle between the pro
and anti-slavery parties, and that the very first
proceedings would menace the integrity Of the
Union.
This expectation has thus far happily been
disappointed Notwithstanding the great gulf
that separates the two antagonistic parties
notwithstanding the irritating nature of the
sectional questions in issue-notwithstanding
the continued and long protracted struggle to
elect a Speaker, and notwithstanding the pro.
bable success Of the Freesoil elements in effect
ing an notwithstanding all these
things, there have been no angry excitements,
and no turbulent scenes in the House. What
cannot be foretold. We may, with some con-
6depce, however, expect that the calm that
now prevails will not continue when the Kan
sas contested election shall be brought upon
the taps. II is TO be supposed that this subject
will do more to scatter cliques and minor poll
teal divisions and to distinctly array the con.
stitutional and unconstitutional parties against
each other, than any other subject whatever.
There is one thing observable at the meeting
Of every Congress. it is that all the hospitals,
in6rm aries, and poorbouses seem TO pour into
our steets all Of their blind, lame, halt, and
mendicants. These poor creatures besege ho-
tells, private houses, and street corners, to ply
all corners and al passers.by with earnest en-.
treaties for charity. On such occasions, there
are more blind, crippled, aud deformed people
in Washington than our largest Northern cities
can show. They flock here from all quarters,
and really seem to take a high degree OF de.
light and pride IN exhibiting themselves. Beg.
gar women, with pitiful little children in arms,
may be seen every day at the corners implor-
ing charity, which few are hard hearted
enough to dem.