The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-10-08
LETTER FROM WARRINGTON.

LD1TOR GATx CITY:-For. the ulst
time since December last, am in the
Capitol of our distracted country. Now,
as then, it is dry, dusty, warm and as un-
pleasant place as can be found. Now,
as then, everybody is in suspense and
wondering when this war will end. Now,
as then. the daily news is call quiet
along the Potomac" Now, as then,
some dcnounce Mcclellan as not only in
competent but traitor, while others in
sist that he is the most loyal and able
General Of the age. History will deter
mine this disputed question.
1t has been reported. and do not
doubt the truth Of the report, that Iowa
was the first to make up her quota for the
two calls for men, and that they have vol
unteered for three years or the war, that
there are no nine month men from Iowa.
1t usually makes an Iowa man feel proud
of his State to hear the loyalty and patri'
otism of her people commended wherever
you 60. But cannot refrain from add
ing, when hear them SO highly COM
mended, that their patriotism has been
| more severely tested than that OF any other
people, that they have suffered more in
proportion to their wealth pecuniarily.
In the west and northwest, the Iatri-
otism of the people must be almost ex
hausted, At the long delay to open the
Mississippi river. The effect ofthe block
ade, upon the west, has been very disas-
trous. Tie great lines Of railroads east,
have advanced the tariff of prices to such
roint that wheat, corn, oats, ETC., would
not pay transportation charges to the
eastern seabord, if the farmers of Iowa
were to make you free gift Of their
crops. This state of affairs is fun for
the managers Of these great lines of roads,
but death to the west and north. west.-
/ doubt not, that some of these men have
made the FIRST sincere prayer of their
lives, to have the blockade of the Missis-
sippi river made perpetual.
After arrived here, it occurred to me
that might get contract of some kind,
being DESTROYS to make q little money
hence, after casting about yesterday and
to-day, / concluded that the easiest and
most philanthropio thing could do, would
be to open the Mississippi river, and if !
should fail to make money out of the job,
! should at least secure the everlasting
gratitude of population Of eight to ten
millions, dependent upon the Mississippi
for an outlet to market, for their produce,
now almost worthless.
The Government has my offer to do the
job under consideration. l will advise
you as soon as ! get decision.
Keokuk has just been honored by the
Government deciding to name one of the
iron gun boats, now being built, "Keo-
kuk, so MMr . Hay, TIT psf
Secretary told NE to-day.
l believe I have seen all the Keokuk-
ians. and they number not few, resi-
idents here. They are good looking and
we'll dressed. But nothing has astonish-
ed me 80 much as the conduct of our old
friend, uncle Johnny Graham. He has
become SO rich by holding Office here that
he don't value money at all When / |
called on him yesterday, he entertained
me by burning about million of demand
treasury notes, with premium Of "a per
cent. l demonstrated with him and en-.
tered my protest against it and told him
how he would rejoice the hearts of his
old friends if he would express the mon
ey to keokuk and let i. be divided among
them, or he might give it to the Des
Moines railroad. to complete their road to
Fort Des Moinss, to all Of which be turn.
ed deaf ear, and chucked 1t into the
burning furnace.
The double track horse railroad, from
the Capitol to Georgetown, running
through Pennsylvania Avenue, is . new
feature here, and great ACCOMMODATION
TO the public.
While ] was dining yesterday, at the
National" gentleman walked up
through the dining room, to the carver's
table, near to whore / was seated and
snatched carving knife from the hands
of one of the caruars : nd inaA. nAl.Ar