Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1862-05-02
9atlg gutRlItgeuttt.
An Hour win Humboldt.
To he Bda0r Of tie Nsac FORK Ledger:

dLssl Will d SGuAAEA4AdAA VA 14UlN1u
another of Brussels, in making the nee
essary preparations for the Peace Con-
gress at Frankfort In the discharge Of
this duty, we visited nearly all the CAPT
tails and chief towns of Germany, to oh
tain the adhesion of eminent men of diff
ferent positions III society. In the course
Of this tour, We saw and cOnVersed with
many distinguished writers, orators, ju-
rists and philanthropists. But an hour
with the venerable Humboldt surpassed
in interest any other interview with Eu-
ropean celebrities. So long had his name
been familiar to the world, that he seemed
to have lived In bygone generation
Gray-haired men of different countries had
read Of him in their childhood, and nat
uralIy thought that he must have been
long on the stage az that time. As We
approach the Palace Library at Potsdam,
OF which he was curator, u was difficult
for me 10 realize that lie WAS still living
r,ersopage. 1t seems as If | were going
into the presence OF e man born Is far
back in the past as Washington or Frank
lin. whose representation dated as early
as theirs Certainly, never before felt
equally impressed by the majesty Of =
great character, nor ever looked nv first
look upon human c3unIenaRce with
such a sentiment Of admiration and rev
e-ence. Yet there was nothing in his
face OF form 70 sober that YeaeTation into
q Kind If awe, or ~ cool The impulses OF
aiecrionate respect He was a plain
man, plainly dressed, lizzie gray, lit
lie bent, buI with bright and banning
cOuntenance, all suaTity, benign and gen
tie, with voice mOduiatei TO the same
expression On stating the objects for
which we had sought the interview, he
entered into them with great animation.
speaking with youthful yIvacity, alter
nareIy in German, French and English,
as he thought would be most convenient
to different members Of the deputaIion
He fully approved Of the principles and
measures which the Peace Congress al
Frankfort was designed 70 promote, and
appeared well acquainted with the efforts
made by the friends of peace to abolish
the arbirrament of war between civilized
nations.
Having said all on the immediate OBJ
jeet Of the interview which he deemed
proper and desired, he turned to me, and
spoke words Of meaning, manner and
tone never shall forget Indeed, those
eyes, 50 full Of kindly and hopeful light,
now looked at me, and 10 me like those
of the inspired seers Of ancient Isreal:
growing more earnest, serious and search
ing at every sentence. How ! wished ne
were speaking rh0se solemn sentences to
Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, or u some
American statesman who would turn them
TO good account Had the American
Union been an infant handled upon his
knee, aud watched, with fatheriy pride
and affection, through all tine years Of its
growth and promise, he could not have
spoken of it with knowledge more com
piete or minute, or with an interest more
paternal and hearty He was older than
the Republic; and he knew its founders
well, and the history of all their success
orsin the councils of the nation. He
dwelt upon the great hopes for humanity
LIE had predicted upon our institutions
He had watched theiI development and
influence with the deepest interest lie
had contemplated our long and rapid
strides Of progress with admiration. lie
had seen the stars Of our banner more
than doubled in number; and one ofthem
representing a State Of larger population
thJn the old Thirteen United Colonies
contained 10 the Revolutionary struggle.
He saw the Republic expanding and PEG
pliRg the continent, from ocean to ocean,
with Intelligent and enterprising cummu-
mites. He spoke Of the currents of emf
grafton flowing ia from the Old World,
both from the East and West, 10 merge
with the native population and swell It's
area He mad watched with delight the
Development Of our educational institu-
rions. and all our achievements in science,
cur railroads, telegraphs, and unitarian
inventions. lie grew more and more an
mated as he dEelT upon these aspects:
aud said he felt all the interest Of an
American citizen in the well-being of our
country; so much of his life had been
spent on this side of the Atlantic.
Having spoken in this strain for some
time, preparing me for the melancholy
antithesis that was 70 follow, he turned to
that great cause Of all our woes as a ma
ton, which has eliminated in the fearful
cataztropce now upon us. His words
were uttered with such solemnity and
emotion, his manner was 50 impressive.
that he seemed to me like one of the
prophets Of old, declaring what he had
seen IN vision respecting the future of u
nation which had provoked the Judge
ments of Heaven. lie did not speak of
slavery as a radical abolitionist would
have spoken; but as Of a system which
must inevitably involve the Union in q
terrible disaster, if suffered to grow with
It's growth and strengthen with its
strength. He had watched its growth
and influence with the saddest foreboding.
from the tirstyear of the republic to that
hour. lis knew that many wise and pa
trlotic men IN America viewed it with the
same misgiEing and apprehension. But
no statesman, Of any political party, or
any section OF the country, had ever
brought forward measure providing
for the ultimate extinction Of slavery
He mentioned several of our public men
who, he believed, clearly saw that the sys-
TEN was fraught with the deadliest peril to
the Union, bat who had never suggested,
in Congress or out Of it, any plan for its