New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-04-23


audiences with which tic Gral Issue has been
brought upon Us, unfortunately for myself gives
me no opportunity to change my Plaos; but
reserve the receive 10 come back vita the first
steamer that brings disastrous tidin2s. No true
American can doubt Tie flLa result, because
there is God in Heaven.
Tho Cabinet was in session, and Mr.. Seward
was douied 10 every orc for the day. AS re-
turned with the passport in my hand, OYER
heard several oiiice-huntcrs say: "Hc has com
mission" ia a tone Of Mingled envy and de-
spordcrcy. There sill sw"rns OF thls class
OF citizcrs OF the hotels, and many OF them are
earning claim to gratitude by Temporal j. en-
listing for the deleLse OF the city. Dependencies,
bran-ncw, were piled up i'll tue hall OF the State
Department. Tie new Ministers were mostly On
baud, receiving their final Instructions The COM
marding form Of Cassius NJ. Clay swept through
the crowd of spies 81 Wizards, leaving quite
temporary wake bohind it. / also saw Senators
Wimot aud Covan, Messrs. PARROT and aughan
Of Kansas, and many nicer political lights
Leutze, Tie artist, is stopping ia Washington
DAY or two, on his retarn from Virginia Much
as appreciate his genius, wish him no crrcr-
tlluity Of psinting another battle field
. In the afternoon, had the honor Of short
interview With the President. | Lad never seen
Mr. Lincoln, AID had not the right to expect
scarccly the right 10 reQues,--adnsttancc to him
at such an important time; but l wished before
leaving home, for no matter how short q period,
tle satisfaction Of saying to him, as did;
"President Lincoln, let me thauk you for en-
&" abling me still to hold up my head as au Ameri-
"can, ard TO speak Of my country without
s' t,ushing." l need not describe the Presidents
personal appearance, for nearly everybody he's
seen him. Honesty, frnness aud sound common
sense, were the characteristics with which, pr
sonaity. he impressed me. l was very glad to
notice tic tough, enduring vitality of his tempera-
ment--hc needs it all. He does not appear to be
worn or i'll, as / have heard, bat, on tie con-
trary, very fresh and vigorous. His demeanor
was thoroughly calm and collected, and he spoke
OF tie present crisis with that solemn, earnest
compcsurc, which is the sign Of a soul lot easily
perturbed. l came away from his presence
cheered and encouraged.
Coming down from the White House TO the
Treasury Building, past hedges of the Pyrns
japon;ca in scarlet blossom, l net Gen. Scott,
erect aud firn as ever, but walking slowly, with
his head slightly bent, and apparently absorbed
in thought. scanned HIM closely knowing what
weight Of responsibility rests on bis shoulders
what chapters of unwrtten history moy take
their celoring from the schemes of that good,
gray head His air was absorbed as i have
said bat calmly rctolute and self-reliaut Yet
tho most startling rumOrs, purPcrting TO emanate
from the War Department, were flying to and
fro though the air.
At Wizards, the excitement was greater than
ever, and presently felt the same rush of blood
as sOlaieTs experience ia g cannon-fevef.' Let
me gi7e you few of the rumors. to show how
fcyerish and wild is the general feeling: |
/. Harper's Ferry is taken. |
g The war vessels at Gosport are seized
3 Wise may attack Washington tonight.
4. JOHN NJ. Bolts has been hung by the mob. |
5. The bridges have been destroyed between |
Baltimore and Philadelphia
s. All trains will be stopped, and oil strangers |
Impressed for tie defense of the city.
Exhausted at last, By the repetition and denial |
of these repOrts--becausc, even when you don't |
believe you are mqgaeticoRy excited by the agl-
taton Of your informant, took a carriage, and |
drove to the Capitol, in company with poet.
saw its empty halls, it's marble staircases' Its
imitation mosaic payements (encsustic tlles), Its
bronze doors and plaster ornaments, and ieit
strengthened in my belief that the American
People would never allow its courts to be pro-
famed by the presence of traitors. Stepping ont
OF the Rotuuda, upon the eastern 'front.' the green
square and leadDg trees appeared, framed be.
tween the white pillars, and, beyond all, sat the
marble Washington, lifting his right hand toward |
Heaven. Yes, lift thy hand, Venerable Father of |
the Republic! Cali down Gods help aud bcne- |
dction upon that awful sword which must be |
lifted TO save the nation now, it was saved |
before, though it strike through brothers heart!
From Capitol Hill we overlooked the beautiful
city, the Potomac shining in the soft afternoon
light, and the far purple slope Of the Virginia
shore. 1t was grand peaceful picture, tinted
with warm lues and brcathed upon by bslmy
air. Yet in few days its streets might be
dyed with carnage, and the smoke Of its ruin
blot the sky. God Was ever wickedness IKE
70 that which would attempt this deed Is thcre
in all history so causeless rebellion, 80 recl-
less al invocation of the last desperate argument
OF battle
For war, or at least, prompt acceptance OF
tho challenge to war, is the only course leu us.
IL the nation is TO be prescryed-if the Republic
uudcr which we have prospered for eshty-fiye
years is not to be wrctched failure at LAST