Arkansas true Democrat., 1862-06-19
From The KlChmOnd EXamneT Washington as it Was and Is-A COutraSt

x In times gobe by 1t was the custom of every one visiting Washington 10 saunt,ar into the halls of congress and listen to the de~ bates of the master minds upon the affairs Of the nation. We remember day spent in the senate chamber when the destnes of the nation were trembling in the balance ot heated debate The noble Brcckinridge was in the speaker chair There was awe in the thr0nged galleries and soemuty in every word that came from the supporters of Southern rights. Theirs were words of weight that fell like hammers on the forging iron, in strange contrast to tLs aippant taunts of the abolitionists. This followed in | few days by the withdrawal of the south ern members.
 Enter the. halls of legislation now-the house of representatives. A motley mob of soldiers and civilians, male and female h the galleries, and grandly uniformed Yankee officials crowd the vestibule and iobbies of the politicians.- The debate on the expulsion of a member for the expression of sympathy with the rebellion is before the house. Lovejov pours out his vial of wrath, and pnngent remark brings down the house and galleries. The speaker enjoys 1t, but raps the desk, upon which the hilary in- creases, and boisterous saies of coarse wit are banded between the representatives on the floor and their constituents in the galleries.
 "Halloa Jim!' is likely to be answered from the floor to gallery as at any town meetlf z in New England; and The peanut eaters above think nothing of calling the attention of the speaker below by a peanut reminder alongside If his head with " l say, San won't you come out and take drink?" But now there IS silence for once Vallandingham rises to address the house It IS wonderful what respect brave man can wiring from his enemies, even while in their power. As Mr. FalandingLan 5 Nr. Speaker rings through the house, the hum dies out in the gallarleS, and the members turn ln their chairs with coeiemptuUus jeer on their faces 10 listen to his remarks.
 Like 8 Roman gladiator he stands studying the prelude in his remarks, looking around on his enemies, who, if they dared, would knife or pistol him at his seat. His words begin to come hot, heavy, scorching, in his denuacia,ion of the illegal measures of the administration. The speaker grows uneasy, the members grin and wrgge in their seats. and the galleries burst out into a paudemonium of hisses, wells and curses The speaker raps his gayel, but the storm continues, the hissiug dartng down like the tongues ot serpents upon the unshieded head of Mir. Nailahdingham, who stands un~ | moved, toying with his watchguard waiting for the restoration of order which comes by and by and he proceeds with intervals of interruptions such as We have described. Frequently dis patches from the Yankee generals are read in the house and senate, announcing "another glo rious Union victory amid hand shaking and congratulations on the floor and cheers and cries | from the galleries.
 Such coitditioa of things as we have de scrbed can be witnessed any day at the capitol during the session of congress- But the most humiIiating result of the condition of affairs | there is the uses to which the public buildings | are prostituted. The basement of the capitol | has been turned into an immense bakehouse for the manufacture of bread for the soldiers. The | basement of the Baptist church. including the | school and lecture room, have been converted into stable for horses, and a proposition Is now entertained of taking Trinity church for a sol 1 dier's hospital, Tn retaliation for the supposed disoyalty ot it's pastor, people and vestry, in the pastor refusing to read the prayer of thanks 1 giving for the success of the Yankee govern ment.
 The capitol, public buildings and squares have been greatly injured hg the quartering oi soldiers | and the picketing of horses therein. The in- jury to the capitolhas been repaired in meas ure, but the walls still bear the wounds of bayo- net thrus:s, nail raarks and grease. May tEey 1 ever remain the marks of the infamy of the l Yankee government
 The scenes to be. witnessed at the White House receptions of Lincoln would greatly ex- cite the disabilities of any southern lady or gen | tleman who has attended on such occasion on former times, when the beauty and fashion of the South graced tie east room. They are "backwoods" alloy and the etiquette dsylay- ed is of that style wheh slaps one on the back and says How are you old boy?'' The old women hiring the bales for their chief mags- trate to kss and theold men the boys, that they may recaiye a mai onthe head to he remamh hared in after times.
 The Jenkins" ofihe press make the recep- tions more ridiculous by their attempts to de. scribe them, for whrh they are occasions no more suitable than would be husking or an apple.pearing,