The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-05-18
Spe cisi Correspondence Of The Democrat
The Editorial Excursion,
WASHINGTON, May 9Th, 1860.

The Excursion party left Baltimore ia
divisions. Those having but little time TO
spare from home, came here on Monday,
the rest remaining until Tuesday morning.
On Monday, the city authorities, provided
with carriages, waited upon the party,
and visited the various institutions, mon
uments and points OF interest in the city.
In the evening. brilliant reception was
given at the Eutaw House, by the mer-
chants and the press Of Baltimore
Speeches, toasis, &c, onlvened the en-.
tertainment. At the same ;ime, those Of
the delegates TO the Union Convention
that had arrived, had a banquet at one
end Of the tables; so that, between saving
the Union and stirring up the editors, there
was a hilarious time.
Tuesday morning. the Excursionists left
! Baltimore. and arrived at Washington
about 8 o'clock. They were met at the
depot, by train OF omnibusses provided
| by w. p. Smith, Master of Transportation
Of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, to
whose generosity the Western editors are
indebted for this excursion, and to whose
urbanity and provident foresight must
they ascribe the larger share Of the pleas.
ure attending it.
Accompanied by Mr.. Smith. they first
visited the Capitol, and were conducted
through its principal rooms to the old
Senate chamber. now uroccupied,( where
! tic great men OF tie early time achieved
their renown, where Webster made his
celebrated speech in reply to llayne, and
where Sumner fell by blow from the
hand of Slavery; TO the new Chamber,
rich with decorations, and gorgeous with
its rainbow-linled hues TO the Hall Of
the House OF Representatives, more elab-
orate in its architectural adornments than
he other chamber through the Com.
mitee rooms, Clerks room, DC, all
splendidly fitted and furnished and last,
though not least, the Rotunda, about
whose walls are magnificent paintings,
representing the landing of Columh hus
the discovering of the Mississippi, the en-
barkalion of the Pilgrims, the baptism Of
Pocahoulas, the surrender of Burgoyne
and of CORVALLIS, the signing of the Dec.
iaration OF Independence, &c.
Wihou, stopping TO wander through
the beautiful grounds that surround the
| Capitol, we went to the Office ol the Coast
Survey, occupying a number of buildings
a short distance from the Capitol. Prot
Bache met us, and kindly depuled guides
10 facilitate our examination We were
shown into the Engraving rooms, the
Copper Plate Printing rooms. the stand
ard weights Of the U S., of such delicate
workmanship and adjustment. that piece
OF white paper half an inch square, quickly
moves them. A sett Of these weights are
furnished each OF the States upon their ap.
plication, and AN agreement TO find a suit
able place 10 keep them. To me the most
in eresting thing in the office was the re-
duc'ion of surveys for engraving, by
which original surveys, embracing many
miles of territory, were compressed into
the smallest possible space. We were
shown some OF this work, occupying upon
the map, an inch by one and halt inches,
representing the Hudson above New York
in which every spot and house, even TO
the windows Of the houses, were define
ated yet it required the aid of magni
flying glass TO see them. This is esteemed
the office. The time occupied in making
this lllle reduction was six weeks it is
worth one hundred dollars the square
inch, and is done with the pencil and the
naked eye. Alter partakng of collation.
served by the wife OF Prof. Bacle, we re
sumed our places in the carriages and pro.
ceeded so the Smithsonian Institute, where
i nala / .hul
pass too much upon your space, to give a
detailed account Of what we saw in this
temple dedicated to science and art, and
can only say, that the collection OF stuffed
birds, animals, insects and reptiles, was so
extensive and interesting, that we regret
| time was not allotted us to examine them
more minuely. The gallery of Indian
portraits was large, and the paintings of
| Indian battles and hunting scenes, were
spirited and beautiful representations. -
We were shown into the room where is
preserved the silver plate and o. her relics
of MIR. Smithson, with portrait Of him at
the Rge Of twenty. The endowment OF
Mr.. SmiIhson was q munifcent one, snd
to him 1t will be an enduring monument
From tho Smithsonian we went TO the
Presidents House.an wore ushored into the
East Room, which for spendor, takes thc
first rank among American parlors Il
actual dimonsfons are increased by the aid
of eight large mirrors. which not only in
crease its size. but add largely to tho mum
bcr of its occupants
Tho President came in soon nftor our ar
> rival. accompanied bv the Commissioner o
Public Buildings. "Old Bnck" is n health,
looking old man. with good digestion wor,
white vest. neckcloth and slippers. an,
seems to havo suffered little from the wastin,
clfec,s of Office lifo He is we'll represented
by tho engTavings of him that cnliven tn,
general dimncss of our Western Post.oflicps
Mr. Mitchell, of the st. Louis .N-rtrs. ad
1 dressed him on bchnlf Of tho Editors. Il
reply he said he was happy to mcet so man
of tho editorial fraternity Of tho West; spok
of their loyalty to tho Union. Of thoir in
: tluenco. that no hoped would he exerted 10
. tho promotion of good ends said that Their
was at present general disruption of par
: ties. and such u number OF aspirants for tn
D Presidency that every issue was likely 4
: : be gratifiod by having its own candidate
! The labors of tho Presidential office wer
!, various, and, while no had been ondcavorin
" to do his duty to tho best of his ability, h
7 had been followed hy fre in tho rear
7 The President was tho servant of tho people
aud 10 them only responsible Senators wer
y elected by States members of Congress. b
districts; tho President alone by The people