Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-09-06

1t is, indeed, impossible to regard with indif-
ference the fight which has such enormous in
terests and great principles involved In tbs
ISSUE but 1t is unfortunate for the United States
that it has by turns afronted nearly every
Government in Europe, and left to itself only
the natural sympathies Of the peoples for those
who appear before them as the friends of lib
erty. There is one thing to be said about civil
wars-they do not last long. 1t is probable
that the "exceptionaiism, !" if one may use the
word, on which the Americans rather pride
themselves, will not prevail In the case Of the
struggle between North and South. Each Of
the contending parties, however, believes it is
sure to win. The voices from the South are,
TO be sure, rather deadened and those Of the
North are swollen and blown out through
penny trumpets and brass whistles; but there
is still reason to think that both are bent on
''haying it out" And, indeed, the North
must do 30, even if separation comes, for there
would not and could not be an honorable peace
If 1t followed an unavenged defeat in a contest
wherein the victOrs had announced beforehand
that their opponents were destitute of cour-
age and manhood. 1t would not be DOS
sible for the North to live on terms
of decent amity with the South if the lead
ers OF both sides were to agree to a peace to-
morrow. The violence and triumpha jubila-
tion Of the conquerors would render it mere
srmistice Of short duration. Those who can
see the reconstruction of the great Republic in
the warning elements Of the great convulsion
must believe in some new atomic theory and
in some novel chemistry of political afinities
As passed the State Department the other
day, observed on the ground great columns
OF marble In wooden cofhn.like cases living by
the road side; near the White House there was
similar food for ruins. Above the unfinished
dome OF the Capitol rises great machinery of
scafoldage and leverage, motionless and life
less, and around the very building in which
Senator and Representative keep high debate,
lie the vast fragments which at some future
day are meant TO supplement arch and dome
the ideas OF conception not yet brought into
being. There are, then, two sorts of ruins
those OF the thing which has been, and those
OF the thing which is not yet, and may never
be at all. 1t was strange to see that all the
effect Of the work of years could be produced
by the materials of work unaccomplished The
public buildings Of W ashington are surrounded
before they are completed by the evidences of
what they must be when they shall have been
destroyed. Before the Republic has finished
its temples the worship of the deities to whom
they are erected is assailed by terrible heresies
The Capitol can never sec within it's dome the
Senators and Deputies Of the Union, of which
1t seems no inspt type in its aspiring incom-
pleteness. Can any even Of the powers most
menaced and affronted by the Republic rejoice
In It's researches among the fragments? Ger
tainly England has not by word or deed within
her borders exhibited a trace of the passions
attributed TO her by many bitter enemies
The reports industriously circulated in some
American journals, that Great Britain has de-
manded, or solicited, the establishment of a
free port for the exit of cotton are untrue
There is no foundation whatever fer such
statements, which are prepared by the same
people who originate the stories Of Admiral
Mines dispatches and views in reference to
the blockade. The Indifference to foreign
polftlcs which has marked the proceedings
Of the Congress has been q suitable commen-
tary on the mode in which American affairs
have been treated in Europe. Mr.. Sumner
was severely rebuked for alluding to the prob
able effects of the increase of the Morrill, Tariff
on the sentiments of France and England; as
If the Senate regarded such an allusion as a
confession OF weakness or an indecent intro
duction Of an unsuitable element of consider
alton. The bill confscsting the property of
rebels passed, by division of 40 to 68, not
wlthstanaing the energies and argumentative
oppodtion Of Mr.. Breckenridge and others;
and send elsewhere some reflections on the
mode In which 1t will be carried into effect
Congress adjourns tomorrow till the 5th of
December, unless summoned by the President
at an earlier day. Members of Congress are
the first to touch nice new paper money. On
receiving their salaries they wore presented
with $50 IN gold and with $3.50 in the Treasury
notes az payment for the month. They did
not like 1t. The brokers charge per cent.
discount, although the Government pays per
cent interest on the two-year notes so that
there is loss to the original holder of 81 per
cent per annum if he submits to the discount
these, however, are very triiing matters in
consideration Of that which is to come There
Is rumor Of an attack on Cairo. 1t can only
succeed In consequence of incapacity and cow
ardice on the part of the defenders.