New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-25
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY AT THE FED
ERAL CAPITAL.
THE DISPLAY OF THE UNITED STATES TROOPS

WASHINGTON, Feb. %, 1861.
The time.hOnOred anniversary of the great VIZ
ginian who led our armies through the War OF
Independence, dedicated his life to the service oil
his country and beQueathed freedom to his bond
men, as testimonial that Liberty is etter than
Slavery, was celebrated with marks OF uncommon
appreciation in this city to-day. The flag which
has brayed the battle and the breeze for more
than three.iOurths Of century tloated proudly
and gayly from all the principal buildings with
not a single stripe erased nor star polluted"
The sun shone brilliantly, and the streets and
public grounds were all alive with people. The
only persons who did not seem to inhoe tbe spirit
of the occasion were the few pestllent traitors
who still remain within the Capitol and the varl-
Gus departments of the Government that they may
the more successfully plot to overthrow institu-
tons which they have sworn to uphold. WINE
the broad spectacle was marked with the unmis-
taxable lineameDts of patriotic pride, and the
star-spangled bunting received many hearty
cheer 40 it 1oated in the faces OF the throng,
these conspiratOrs against the Union and the
Constitution were seen hanging in knots around
of Washington, and hurting harmless threats al
the head of his last duly -elected successor.
The most brilliant feature of the scene was
the military display. 1t bad been given out that
the volunteer corps, recently enrolled ID 'nis
District under the act of Congress which required
officers and priyates TO take an oath 10 support
tho Consultation. would muster in full feather.
tad "a n li,t
attraction from the marshallDg In serried ranks
If the various arms Of Federal troops no"
ouartered in the Capital. Marvellous stories had
been told Of the perfection OF their driil, ard all
eyes were eager to witness the martial bearing
of the gallant cavalry from West Point; the hrm
tread and bold mien of the infantry, said to be
picked men from the whole army; and more
especially the famous flying artillery which won
the fields of Palo Alto and Buens Vista, and
which report said could fire its several pieces
four OF five times minute, vomiting from its
aggregate batteries every sixty seconds barrel
or two of grape and canister into the faces of
foes whether they rallied under the meteor flag
Of England. or the piratical banner of the Pal
metto Republic.
when the crowd, toward noon, learned that Mr..
buchanan had couutermanded the order for the
turn out Of the Federal troops. The unthiUking
part of the throng, not being over-nice in its
taste, and not at all understanding the causes
which had induced this count.rmand, contented
itself with gazing at the highly creditable march
ing and countermarch.Dg Of the volunteers.
Thoughtful persons however, who look upon the
Federal troops now stationed here as gratifying
proofs that we have q Government, and that civil
ians and military have not all gone over TO trea-
SOD, began to inquire why the long-anticipated
display which was to gladden. the eyes and reas.
sure the heart of PATRIOTISM was to be Withheld.
Judge of the notification, the indignation ex.
cited by the well-accredited report that after
officers and men had FURNISHED up their amor,
and dOnned their most gorgeous uniforms, and
were waiting for the bugle-bote aud the drum
tap to march out OF their quarters and form in
front Of the City Hall, Senator Mason waited
upon the President, and demanded that they be
ordered TO disband for the day-that to march
through the streets Of the city bearing the name
| of Washington, on the anniversary of his birth,
would be Disgrace to his memory and an insult
| to Virginia-that that venerable Commonwealth
would not allow this initial step toward mil
itary desptoism to be taken with impunity
| The report further said, that the miserable
dotard of the White House had succumbed to
these threats and had issued perernptOry order
for the dsbanding of the Federal troops!
Whether this TumOr were true or not no one
seemed TO know that the order had been issued /;
everybody believed; aud that NOBODY seemed to
doubt that the assigned cause was the real cause
shows the universal sentiment in respect 10 the
character of the craven who dWells in the Exec.
utiye mansion. The indignation of the masses
was unbOunded. Report said that " our army F"
riyaled that of Flanders in the particular which
has made that corps famous. IL was subse-
duently rumored that Gen. Scott was ineensed at
this rebuff Of the military; that Mr.. Holt and
some other members of the Cabinet had remOn-
strated in pointed terms with the President, de-
claring that to withdraw the troops from partici-
patton in the festivities of the occasion was an
insult to them, would encourage treason, was to
the last degree pusillanimous, and must not be
done; and thereup0n Mr.. Buchanan-with his
usual happy facility for backing down from bis
positions, and his proyerbial faculty for disPleas-
ing all sides in every contrOversy-fnaly, with
many forebodings, allowed the order to be reis-
sued.
As the word " Forward march Il" was given,
the face of the city Lit up with an eager SMILE
and soon the line was formed, the cavalry sitting
their trained steeds most admirably, heading the