The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-04-11
EDITORIAL Correspondence.
AVENUE HOUSE,

Washington, april 6, 81.
DEAR JOURNAL -" Rumors of wars ="
abound in the Federal capital. The Admin
istration seems TO be gradually making
their preparations for a policy looking to
the determined carrying out Of the laws,
and the holding, occupying, and possess
ing" of the forts and other public property
belonging to the Government. This policy
i hailed with enthusiasm by all true Union
men. Activity tfee It IS SAID viii
leave to-day for the Gulf Soldiers have
been moving off from here in great num-
bers, for several days. There are a number
of companies still LETT, and they are under
constant drill The city seems almost like
camp. Look where You may, you will
see uniformed soldiers or marines, and every
day may be heard on the streets the duh
rumble Of artillery, the tramp of infantry
or the rapid patter Of cavalry "The glor-
ious war is here made manifest. to the
great uneasiness of the public mind. The
general impression is that serious trouble is
close at hand.
visited the Washington Monument dav
before yesterday. 1t is situated on q the
Point formed by the junction of the East
and West branches OF the Potomac. over
against the Presidents House. about half a
mile distant. As one approaches this Mon
ument its enormous size impresses the oh
server. Il is not near finished, vet its grcat
dimensions are very impressive. It will he
about forty feet square at the base. and near
600 feet high. Its height now is IT'S feet
The base is now plain, but when coppleted
there will be a tempe-likc structure spr-
rounding it. 1t ia bniIt of white marble
without polish, In a house near the Monn-
ment are stored-a large number of blocks of
stone etc; present ted by various states. as
soclations, and individuals to be placed in
me Monument 4 number of those blocks
are already placed in its walls. few
iteme in regard TO the blocks in the bniJd-
ing alluded to may be of some interest
The most beautiful block is from Tenn
essee. 1t is of a reddish stone. hi0hlv mol
ished and ornamented with gilded letters
and designs. Tbe motto is q the Federal
Union, it must be preserved"
The block from New York Is of black
marble, and has on it the coat of arms. with
the motto g Excelsior"
The Vermont block is of white marble
ana has on It the coat of arms and the mot
to " Freedom and Unity"
Michigan sends block Of native connar
polished on the face, and ornamented with
her coat Of arms overlaid with silver. with
the motto Michigan; an emblem of her
trust in the Union"
Minnesota donates a piece Of red pine
clay. The coat of arms is cut on il. sur
rounded by the word Minnesota" the lat
ter half Of the letters being bat partly fin
ished. The contribution was made before
the State was fully in the Union.
But the richest sight, and at the same time
the coolest and most sarcastic, is the block
presented by Louisiana 1t is a grevish
stone, and has on it the pelican coat of arms.
surrounded by the legend, " Louisiana; ever
faithful to the Constitution and the Union p
What exquisite impudence there is in that
block of monumental stone
From Bunker Hill there is a block of blue
g-aaito, bearing "a representation of the
Bunker Hill Monument There is a piece |
of hard sandstone from Braddocks Field I
Il large piece of lava stone from Mt. Vesu- /
vus-a piece Of black marble from Long
Island batte-field--a piece of bard sand :
stone from Deseret. bearing g has relief of /
a beehive surrounded by a wreath of morn I
ing giOries, and the words, Holiness to the /
Lord \ block from the Cherokee Nation .
"a block Of congl0merate rock, resembling /