The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1861-07-10

room is set apart for the library OF the
Department. where Mr.. Cobb, the Libra
rian, furnishes books for the use of al
commissioned officers resident in town
ard varies his duties byFdispensing the
courtesies of the Office to all deserving
visitors. At an early hour each day
General Cameron stops in this room q
moment, before passing ON to his owr
cabinet, looking, as fresh and alert as
though he did not have to read bushe
of dispatches, and append hundred sig
natures every morning and afternoon
His tall, thin, wiry Scotch frame is full oil
nervous and muscular vigor. What few
words he says, are uttered, and his cane
| is carried with decision of manner
strongly akin to thateremembered of An
drew Jackson; yet his bearing is that OF
the polished gentleman of the old school.
No former Secretary has displayed moye
courtliness of mien, or has been able to
Isay a few complimentary words more
gracefully to gallant officer. Stopping
in the library moment, he moves rapidly
along through the hungry crowd of tap
plicants in the hallgto his own retired
apartment. Three rooms! are ea suite
with it, land in these is often gathered
such a group of officerslhigh in rank, with
the C Commauderlin. chief at,their head. as
one secs only in Washington, and only
during the progress ofa,g grand campaign.
Ds Butaoh, that crowd ofapplicantss with
outl Oh, that patient, persistent throng
of place seekers, 5contracsors, pensioners,
jebbersS would.be captains and colonelsl
Rich'snd poor aschemers and honest men,
albmingledetogesher,e each insisting that
histbasiness is of special importance to
the department, ard vainly eAtreatihg the
Gerebas in the entry to- present hisoeard
aad requestS0r' az Interview TO the Sec
retary9 of War; How the spectators
swarml What hundreds ARE ready to
make patriotic sacrifices to supply, for q
consideration beef pork, -four, and Penn
syivauia uniforms, in any amount which
the army may require. The Marchainaux
of Western office seekers upon the White
House was not half So idreadfalg And
then the patience of these lmenla Many
are suffers in that entry for half4aslozen
successive weeks. from eight A. NJ. till
-four Z NJ, daily, pacing toiand fro with
out getting q word with the Secretary,
yet never leaving their beat except to buy
q lunch from the old black lady below,
when noontide reminds them Of their hu-
manity. 'eThe many fail; the one sue.
eeeds;p and his dwelling place. on inyes-
tigation of Wizards register, will not be
snfrequently found in some rural village
of the Keystone State. e.-
So much of the daily scene at the War
Department in war time But. as the
visitor turns down the staircase for his
departure, q sound greets his ear more
suggestive of the wonders of the time
! thar. all the phrases, Of thought and &C.
lion which have met his vision. The
":click, click, click" of telegraphic in
dex, is heard from behind a newly made
partition across the platform Of the grand
staircase. What a marvel, that from tha
narrow room messengers should diverge
not only to every camp of soldiers Withir
a birds eye view, but to every State il
the vast North, to every army division, t.
every general commander, swifter thar
thought. bearing orders that shall decid'
q nations liberties, bringing notices of {
hundred hourly movements to the mind
that s have this sacred reds strpggle. IL thei the
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