Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1861-12-14


All eyes arc turned to day toward the
Capitol aud the new Congress, which meets
for the first Time in regular session. In
many respects it is doubtless the most
important Congress ever elected and as
much inteBse interest centers in tue present
session as will ever attach 10 any hat can
follow. The extra session made all neees-
sury provision TO carry on the war I'LL next
spring and no immediate legislation is need
cd TO carry on the war during the winter
months. But it seems TO be the general
impression that the present Congress is 10
settle certaii great questions, and probably
in the first session. The members general
ly seem to bc animated by u liberal and pat
! riolic spirit There are sCme who are still
welded 10 their old abject worship of sla-
very and Shareholders. This class favor
peace at any price," and are very small in
numbers anu Influence. Certain members
on the other hand, are inclined TO be hyper
critical of all acts Of the Administration,
and TO see in every movement pro.sluvery
action, or au intent TO curry favor with the
shareholders of the border states.
This Congress will doubtless decide the
objects Of The war, aud iu degree will fix
the mode in which it shall be conducted.
The disposition Of the great majority OF the
members of the new Congress is TO trust the
Administration. Even Charles Sumner
does not demand an immediate proclama-
tion of freedom to the slaves, but simply
asks the government to divestitsolf OF all
prc-slayery pLjudccs, and then ''strike for
| freedom" The feeling among nearly all
the more radical members of Congress IA
vors vigorous prosecution of The war, aud
a determination 20 use all slaves that come
within our lines to advance the cause of The
government. Gen. HOlleck's proclamation
TO the people of Missouri finds friends chief
ly among he opponents OF the war. t
The capitol was never before except on
inauguration day, so crowded as now. No
other spot in the country is so interesting as
Washington with Congress and gigantic
army present. Governors, editors, and i'm
portant personages from all parts OF the
land crowd our hotels and streets. The
old citizens of Washington are amazed
Said one of them day or Two since. 'Oui
city is like New York-Pennsylyana
avenue like Broadway. This war will re-
volutiouze our city. 1t has already be
come q Northern rather than a Southern
CITY. When the war euds Washingl OIL
will not relapse into its former condition
He might have added with truth-neithel
will Virginia or any other state through
which Northern army has passed The
war is q revolution all through the border
slave states in a social and business point ,
view. Northern thrift and enterprise vii
make over anew the barren waste OF Nlr
giuia, and will throw current OF tresl
blood into the sluggish veins OF the slave
states. This alone will drive slavery to lh'
wall in time, unless a fresh compromise will
it should give it new lease OF vigorous
life. Such contingency would at th'
present time seem impossible.
The army upon the Potomac is still near
ing its old position. Some OF the brlgade
have pushed down to Accolink Run, anC
: several strong reconnoiSauces into the enc
my's country have been made, with no i'm
portaht results. The rebel army stands il
, ground, aud seems 10 be ready TO winter a
/ Manassas if not driven from its position b.
the Federal troops. There is talk now ol
putting at least twothirdS of the govern
= ment troops-perhaps all-iDto barracks
The cold weather it is found is producing
vast deal of sickness, and unleSs somethinI
is speedily done 10 secure comfort to III
| soldiers, the sick list will reckon its thou
. sands and tens of thousands. The iacreas
r of candidates for hospital attentions ha
\ been very great within a fortnight IN
{ wooden hut and litlle army stove will sav
4 the country more men than would be los
: in another attack upon Manassas. 81