Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-07-26
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Muscatine Journal

| AS Wrlte, from my CoinioIldpio oe''' -
the reporters gallery, Frank Blair is addres
sing the House on certain amendments which
; the military committee proposed to one Of the
Senate's war bills Mr. Blair is pleasan
speaker, and decidedly the best looking mar
in the whole Blair family. His mustach'
gives him a little of fierce look, but his
Unborn good nature cannot be concealed, Ii
sparkles from his eye, hangs around loose al
over his fine face He looks like one OF whom
friend would never ask favor in vain.
There are men here Of more talent, but not
one, take it, who has better heart, or :;
sitter backbone, he is in for the war with al
his might and main. No doubt, he is, in pop
ularity and influence among the first Of rep
resentatives. l think there is no member
who imprcsses one more favorably at first
sight than Frank Blair But his amendments
have passed, and will talk of other matters
Since writing the above, l have been to the
gallery of the Senate, to listen to John c.
Breckenridge, of Kentucky. The galleries
are all crowded to suffocatiOn, and it did not
pay to stay very long. l remained long
enough, however, to get good notion of the
Kentuckian's Senatorial oratory, which is an
Improvement, so far as manner is concerned
upon his stump speaking. The history of
John c. Breckenridge is well known to the
country, no man that ever lived was ever more
lucky. He commenced his career at Bur
lington, Iowa, where he ranked as good room
companion and third rate lawyer. He was
overshadowel by the genius of Dodge and
the drinking capacities of a dozen others
He returned, therefore, to Kentucky, and has
been the man of luck ever since Emerson
Etheridge once said that he was like a pros
titute who had led FAST life from girlhood
up to forty, without single symptom of the
venerial disease. The cases Of such good
luck are rare indeed. Mr.. Breckenridge dres
ses in the "mode;" gives palpable evidence of
tonsorial attention; wears the ''shiniest' of
boots and, in short, so far as outward ap-
pearance is concerned is superior to Mr..
Sumner or Mr. Fessenden. He speaks easily
and huently, with an occasional shake of his
ambrosial locks which he no doubt borrowed
from Judge Douglas. "Breck" is decidedly
dish-faced though, and when you look at his
profile it is common enough. 1t is wonder
that man of such small intellect, and such
reasonable proclivitics, should ever have been
selected by the honorcd commonwealth of
Kentucky to fill the seat so long and so ably
occupied by Henry Clay. Mr.. Brcck inridge
knows nothing of what it is to be gentle
man or an honest patriot. The crowds who
listen to him now are there, not to show res
pect, but to crafty curiosity. 1t would be
the same were the exhibition a'woolly horse
instead of dandy Senator.
Returning to the House, found the gale
ries almost deserted, and at least third of
the members out of their seats. 1t was not
long till Mr.. Burnett, of Kentucky, COM
menced to make set speech on ''the state of
the Union" Of course your readers have all
seen much of Burnett, of late. He is in fact,
about the only smon-pure secessionist in the
House, Vallandigham beng too near cross
between the pig and puppy to be counted as
anything, and May, of Baltimore, having
been seriously liz ever since his mysterious
visit to Richmond Burnett is fine looking
fellow, and tip-top declaimer. His COM
handing appearance secured attention and
his fine voice rings in clearest tones to far be-
You'd the farthest seats of the galleries. He
speaks without apparent effort, his manner
being decidedly fine. He is not, however, a
close reasoner, nor has he any of those pow
ers of cloquence which stir the soul to its
lowest depths. In fact, he does not stir the
soul at all. Mr.. Burnett is 3 very clever,
social gentleman, and is much liked by other
members. have heard many men, however,
not known beyond the boundaries Of their
own counties, make much better speeches
than he made just now. He complimented
1.-The venerable Crittenden," who, unfortunate
ly, was not present to take down the dose at
one gulph. As whole, the speech may be
characterized as not very able epitome of
the whole batch of secession lies that have
been floating promiscously over the country
since the election of Mr.. Lincoln. The mans
gree able defamation, however, succeed in
drawing to the galleries all those who were
! strolling about the passage ways, and before
he was through h, had very respectable
house. But as h. spread his noble wings to
make his last and loftiest soar the hammer fell
and for the rest of the fight we will have to
consult the Globe newspaper.
1t is now II o'clock at night, and the side
walks along the Avenue, from Clay's Hotel to
Wizards are alive with squads of men, talking
about the forward movement of the grand
army of tn United States, which has taken
place at last-thanks to the prompt action of
Congress, and the tremendous pressure Of
public opinion. Fifty thousand of as brave
and true men as ever took up arms in defense
of noble cause, now bivouac tog ether beyond
the late lines of the enemy About four
O'Clock, the van guard commenced to move,
and by five, four columns of about II, 900 m9n
each We're rapidly moving toward Fairfax.
From the high grounds beyond Arlington
Heights you could get fine view Of the
whole army, and sight more grand and soul
inspiring was never witnessed on the Ameri-
can continent. An army of fifty thousand
men, with its hundred banners futtcring in
the breeze, with the grand strains of marital
music borne to the hills and then far away
with a thousand steeds smelling the battle
from afar, and its bright cannon and glist-
ening bayonets rejecting back a food of gold
and of silver-it Is enough, the very sight OF
it, to inspire one with a courage like that OF
Ney, and an ardor for the fray like that OF
Macdonald.
| Nv Vap6evor 10 o.-a, tho r;1-or 40