The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-01-21
Washington correspondence


Washington Corresp0ndence.
WAaulNoToa, Jan. Is, 1861.
The principal topic Of tho moment here -
Mr.. Stewards speech. 1t is looked upon in
various lights by men Of all sections, and is
different thing from wha. any one had an
tcpated. Mr.. Wilson OF Massachusetts is
the only one of tho New England delegation
ahat have heard Of yet who is not displeased
with it. He thinks that there is really no
concession Of, principle involved, and, on the
whole, that it is good and well-timed
speech. The rest--or all from whom have
vet heard from bis section, feel sorry, and
generally disapprove Of II, without feeling
exaspsrated by it, or being moved in any de-
cided manner to deaounce it. But it would
appear as if they were more likely to coin
eide with it, generally, the more deliberately
they consider it.
Gov. Gilmer, Of N. c., was very much
pleased with it. lie thought it would exert
an immensely beneficial influence. Mr..
Branch, another very prominent member
from North Carolina, spoke Of it as likely to
be generally satisfactory to the masses Of
people in his region, except in the extreme
States. Most Of tho border slave State rep
resentatives are satisfied with it and are re.
joicing in it's spirit and at the overtures it
holds out. The great body of the Reputii-
can representatives, out Of New England,
accept it with substantial unanimity. The
Southern Senators representing the secession
States are nearly unanimous in declaring
that it is not adequte to the occasion, does
not afford sufficient basis for "reconstruc
tion," to use their term, and decidedly reject
it.
This is just about exactly tho state Of
opinion concerning it in Congressional cir
Giles at the present moment.
The significance Of it was highly estima-
ted, and on oil hands since delivery it's i'm
porsance is concealed. Evidently, therefore,
it is to have 40 immense circulation, and,
one way or another, will exert q very power
full influence. BY frture events, by it's re-
suits, and by popular criticism its true char
acter is to be estab, shed.
There was q greater anxiety to hear it
than upon any similar occasion within my
observation here or elsewhere. The crowd
was immense. Within the hall it was q sur
focating jam. Outside, oil the lobbies were
full OF people listening TO catch q word
through the crowds that filled the doorways.
I Short movable ladders were posted q. the
doors to enable the last one possible outside
the doors to overlook those standing in the
entrances. Interest and curiosity were in
tense, indeed. Rarely, in this country or
anywhere, had ever one man such an audi
ence. The fame OF the man, the relation he
bore 10 o triumphant party for the first time
coming into power, the position he occupied
as chief minister Of the incoming Admins
/ tration-an Administration into whose hands
the conduct Of public affairs in these peril
Gus times is soon TO fal-all conspired to
render the oceasion one Of absorbing inter.
est and Importance, and the numbers aFs
spirit Of the audience were up to the magni
tude Of the occasion
All the appropriation bills except the army
bill have passed tie House. That bill TIT
House can pass at any moment necessary
Consequently public business 10 that BODY i
not now liable 60 suffer by any amount o
debate, and debate upon that and any othe
bills yet presented will be allowed to any ex
tent likely TO De desired. So, now for few
days, all the bottled bonbast that has bee
accommodating since the opening Of the ses
sion will be uncorEe 81, and Buncombe wil
be adequately attended TO. A goose save,
Rome. Ii that recourse ia a specific for dis
tracted countries, ours is safe, though GU
condition were inconceivabiy dangerous, 70
we shall have more gable henceforwar
than was necessary TO save a million Rome,
Live, Goose! with all the squawkings Of th
crooked neck, if the hopes Of our Union d
, indeed issue thence. For myself, in thj
/, emergency have DO faith in gable, or i
: able articles, or in anything else but ia BAY
onets, bullets, brief words Of command,
: firm appeal to and unfaltering reliance upo
3 whatever Ct loyalty yet lives in the. land.
8 there is not patriotism enough to entort
d the continuance Of the Union, ia emorger
cies like the present, | do not see what sec,
rty we have for its endurance, nor what oil
. ject there is in desiring the existence OF .
!, insecure and uncertain o government. B.
!
WASHINGTON, Jan. Is.
The bill introduced by McKeon in Il
y House on Monday, WAS TO repeal the law m
u king Charleston. Georgetown and Beaufo
il ports OF entry, even in time OF peace. III
collection OF revenue at these ports cos