The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1860-06-06
WAsHINGToN, May a,
L. A. T.

Washington is the Capitol of the Uni
ted States, and is spread out over great
deal of territory. A great many big
men congregate here. which is doubtless,
the reason why the streets and side walks
are of such an unnatural width. The
National Debating Society" meets here,
and the upper branch of that body are
discussing the question: "Ought Doug
las to be nominated for the Presidency 2"
The argument and the general opinion
seems to be in the negative. The mem
bers of the lower branch, are chiefly oc-
cupicd in reading newspapers, answering
correspondence, spatting their hands,
shouting, "Mr. Speaker" and botheFing
each other in various little, mean, miser-
able ways. One would suppose it was a
town meeting, only it was too noisy, and
the men all wore clean linen and good
clothes.
The Capitol itself, defes description
Its extent and magnifcence, its spacious
halls and countless offices, mosaic floors,
and marble stairways, its splcndor Of
paintings and wealth of statues, all its "a
red and costly adornrncnts, and the
grounds around it, beautiful as Nature
and Art can make them, filled with The
fragrance, and clothed with the yendure
Of early simmer; all this must be seen to
be realized. | can only say that it is
worthy to be the Capitol of thIrty-thrce
great and powerful States. As stood
in the vast rotunda. surrounded by mag
nifi paintings, commemorative of
some of the proudest scenes in American
History, thanked Gcd that l was an
Anne lean citizen, and also felt a concous
glow of pride in the fact that l was a
Republican.
The other public buildings are on an
equal style of magnifcence, with the ex-
ception of the "White House." which is
simply large, 6nc residence, with very
beautiful grounds attached. 1t is gener-
ally known that this house is now occu-
pied by one ]. B., somewhat old and
very feeble functionary, bat there is a
current report, which seems to be well
founded, that next spring it will be occu-
pied by wide-awake Western fellow
one ABE LINCOLN, who, they say, has
blood and spirit in him.
At the same time it is expected that
HANNIBAL HAMLIN, will be the President
of the u. S. Senate.
Mr.. Hamlin has the honor OF boarding
at the same hotel at which | am stopping
and am I pleased TO notice that he is not
at all arestocratic in his habits. He eats
soup with a spoon, beef with knife and
fork, and tlows his nose with his thumb
and finger, just as we do up in Wisconsin.
The Japansese are the great objects OF
curiosity here now. By remarkable
coincidence they visited the House Of
Representatives the same day did, and
I presume we were alike disguised with
the rowdish disorder on the floor, and
pleased with the crowd Of gayly dressed
ladies who thronged the galleries.
These japanese are probably "high
old fellows" OF home, but here they are
only about five feet tall. Their garments
are of richest silk, with costly embroidery
and consist of straight, loose frock, or
tunic, and pants about as large as flour
sack. Their hair is shaved from the front
of the head, and the remainder tied in a
knot on the top. Their features are fine
and regular, almost Caucasian, and they
would be good looking fellows if they