Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-04-12
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE times are
indeed sadly out of joint" and the question
is daily and hourly asked whittier are we
tending" Is it not surprizng that in these
days of political decentralization, when 8
moral epidemic is sweeping over the coun-
try, threatening the overthrow of the wisest
and most benefcent institutions which have
yet been devised for the Government of men
when all the channels of commerce ore chok-
ed, trade and industry paralized, and conf
dence annihilated; amidst the wreck of
matter" and the crushing out of everything
valuable, is it not strange, | again ask, that
some citizen of towering mind, large heart,
devout patriotism, and. dauntless courage
should not present himself and exert his
great powers to ''heal the bleeding wounds"
which have been inflicted and restore peace
and prosperity to distracted country.
1t is true the llustrious paciicator, the
sage of Ashland, has been removed from
time to eternity, but with all my admiration
70" the great Harry of the West, cannot
believe that all the wisdom and patriotism
OF the country were buried in Kentucky
grave. There are few who expect mere
politician with sufficient grasp of mind, and
expansive heart, TO come to the rescue of the
country in this, its day Of peril and disaster,
but there are many philosophers at the
ploug h-manY great men in obscurity, and
is it too much to hope and expect that one of
these will emerge from his retirement, and
be the instrument in the hands of the Deity
in rescuins from ruin, anarchy, wretched-
ness, and woe, his beloved country? Allu-
sion has been made to the Supreme Ruler of
the universe. President John O. Adams in
his inaugural address quoted most pertinent
ly and ielicitousIy the passage:
"CnlesS the Lord keep the city, the watch
men walketh but in vain"
All eyes are anxiously turned towards
Charleston, but as yet the .elegraphic wires
have failed to impart any intelligence
Several Marylanders of distinction reach
ed the city this morning, among whom were
Governor Hicks, and Ex-Governor Pratt
1t is surrnised that the object of their pre-
sence here is to contribute their influence in
aid Of settling our political troubles.
Union men Of influence, at present in
Washington, are pursuing most liberal
course As evidence OF this | will mention
thas Joseph Segar urges the continuance in
Office of Douglas Union Democrats in his
section Of Virginia, and that John Mi
nor Bolts has strongly recommended the
administration TO continue Tim Riyes in
the office Of collector of Petersburg on the
ground Of his being an honest, upright
and faithful officer gentleman of unble-
mished reputation, and one of the sound
est and most reliable Union men in the
Convention, or in the State Mr.. Bolts
further recommends that the same line
Of policy be pursued in regard to Union men,
no matter what their antecedents may have
been, that the patronage Of the Government
may be fairly and literally distributed be-
tween the Union Wings aud Douglas Union
Democrats OF Virginia.
hazard nothing in saying that this libe-
raj policy will be carried into effect by the
appointing power. HOMO.