Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-07-31
Soldiers and CongreSsmep,

EDITOR STAR Sir: In looking over the pro-
ceedins OF the House some days since as reported
in the Sun, find the following:
air Diven replied, that If this Congress shall
ADJOURN without providing the requisite means
demanded by the government tbev will he
greater dastards than those who fed from the hat.
te-held on Thursday and on Sunday he con.
fessed that the probability Of this House adjourn
Ing ithout passing this bill was to him more
dpaalIng man the disasters which befell the gov
eminent on Sunday.
In justice to the thousands of men who have m
nobly come up to the defense of our common
county In this hour Of need, and who fought so
biavely or Sunday last at Bull Run, desire to
state what came directly under my own personal
observation
About O'Clock p. N. on Sunday, 1 started from
the Potomac river, in company with a large train
OF Government wagons Iadened with provisions.
ammunition, &c, destined to the army. About
10 O'CLOCK In the evening we began to meet large
numbers OF carriages among the passengers
noticed many whom have often seen occupying
seals both on the floor Of the Senate ard House
They seemed to be accompanied by MANY more
wnom have often heard talk politics, and never,
to my recollection, have heard them talk anv.
thing e.se-all hurrying along the ROAD in the
rectlon OF w ashington city, and when meeting
with obstacles, expressed great uneasiness and no
little anxiety.
The next (and close In the rear) We're LARGE
numbers Of ambulances and wagons, some officers
with their servants, wagon horses with harness
still on, and as many as three men, In some
Instances, upon one horse. Each seemed deter.
mined not to be distanced by the Carriages with
thelr precious burdens, IN the lead Next came
the common soldiers by Thousands, apparently
fatigued, some wounded, blre footed, bare headed
and not few nearly naked, starved and thirsty.
scarcely two Of the same reg iment together, "a
few henorcbEe exceptions,) presenting a most
striking contrast to their favored and aristo
cratic leaders, many Of whom (no doubt) had 80
calamity led so many OF them to the polls On
former occasions, and were then anx ously see king
shelter In the great metropolis Of the nation.
die not see Mr.. Diven among the number who I
have good reason to believe led out and. tn a
great extent, was the first cause Of the general
stanlpsdsj but desire, In justice to some of the
brave men Of his own State, as well as of Others
s2d my own-to protest, In the name Of all that IA
honorable, against the term "dastards.n unles,
difefsntly applied.
Every days experience convinces me more
thoroughly that " secession" is not the ONLY evil
that exists to very great extent, even among the
good people Of the North, and while feel the
greatest degree Of snxiety that the poisonous doc
trine Of the right Of secession" may be effectu
ally put down, at whatever sacrifice Of life and
treasure 1t may require, cannot but hope that In
the future officers of the Government will be con-
tnually reminded that they are the servants of
the people and that they (the peope) are entitled
to little courtesy well after as previous TO an
election
IL Mr. Diven and ais colleagues will turn their
attention more especially to terreting out and
putting astop to the corruptions generally believed
10 De SO common in the different departments Of
the army and Government, and furnish the "das-
tards Gas be sees 1T to call them) with whole
some food in abundance and CO comfortable clothing,
and experienced officers, instead Of poIt clans to
command, and confne each department to its
own sphere Of action, there would he Ie.s ads..
tards" in the Geld, and no doub, al to the ,ns,
result
Speaking Of corruptiops, nearly fifty wears aoo
Alexande, Hamilton gave utte,ance to the follow.
ing prophetic language, to wit: "Now, mari
my words: SO long as we are a young and vi,.
tuous people, this instrument" speaking of the
constitution) twill bind us together In mutual
interests, mutual welfare, and mutual happiness
but when we become old and corrupt, It will
biDd us no longer.p W HIN
Washington, July ~.