The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1862-02-22

Photographed to the Daily Rock Island Argus.
NEW YORK., Feb. 22.--lhc Pennsylvania
Inquirer Of to-day says 1t !, reported that
frauds upon the government in articles Of
clothing and military horse tFappings have
been discovered amounting to over one mil
hon of dollars. The name, Of the parties have
not been made public, but it is indicated they
are from New York and Pennsylvania
An editorial in the Richmond Examiner
of the l9th, states that large portion Of the
foreign population Of Richmond is disaFect
ed.
BUFFALO, Feb. % THE day was appropri
ately celebrated here by military and civic
professions and the reading Of Wa>hington's
Farewell Address by Ex.Presideut Fillmore
to the Union ContncntaIS and citizens. Ike.
ports from most of the eastern cities show
that the day Is being generally observed.
WASHINGTON, Feb. %. - House. The
house Of representatives being the great scene
of attraction, as early as half-past 9 o'clock
the galleries set apart for the public wero
dcnseIy crowded, while the doors leading
thithcr were blocked with standing occupants,
ii portion Of the gallery reserve! for the
families # the diplomatic corps, aud those If
other invited spectators and members of con.
grcss.
Immediately over the speakers chair was
Il large painting Of Washington surmountcd
by great eagle, and over this golden.
starred American flag while from each Of the
upper corners Of the painting hung banners
OF a smaller pattern.
Crowds continued to penetrate tie capitol,
and many pcrs On- were unable to obtain ad
mission.
At l. o'clock the speaker called the house
u order, when the journal Of yesterday was
read. At he request Of the speaker, the
members proceeded to occupy seats on the
/ left of the hall, leaving the three front cir
clcs Tor invited guo4ts.
Mr.. Blair OF Mo, made an Intellectual sng
gcstion that the Ladder in the Hobbies be aI-
mitted to the unOccupled spaces on the floor.
The speaker requested those in the gallery
to preserve older, saying that if decorum
should,be violated, it would become his dix.
agreeable duty to have them cleared.
Mr.. Crittepden said the Joint resouticn, re
garding the celebration, did not contemplate
the presentation Of flags. He therefore moved
that this be Omitted as part Of the ceremo.
MES.
Mr.. LovCjoy supposed from the general tc.
nor Of Mr.. Critenden's remarks that he
would NOT oppose what any military man de-
sired, and TINS flag presentation had been ar.
ranged by the secretary Of war.
Mr.. Dawes inquired how could the flags be
received if congress would not take them He
/ did not propose TO magnify the rebel flags in
this way, and hoped they would respectfully
! yecline to receive them.
Mr.. Campbell said these were trophies won
by our brave troops in holly contested bat
ties. He would magnify the deeds OF our
troops lie trusted these badges or flags would
be received with respect
Mr.. Roscoe Conklin remarked that these
flags were not trophies to be treated either
with respect or consideration by the govern
ment He submitted that they were badges
or tokens carried by armed rebels men red,
handed with the murder Of citizens of the
country men who were not entitled to carry
any flag. aud men whom we DO not recognize
IN any national aspect.
Suppose there had occurred here II riot Of
formidable diminsions and the municipal au.
thorlties had succeeded in quelling it. and
that at n meeting Of the common council,
it should be proposed that public assemb-
lage should be called to receive the flags or
tokens Of the consprators, did any one sup.
pose they could be received with selrrcspect
or public deceucy? If not, why should con
gress accept the presentation Of these flags
They We're nothing more than tokens, coming
simply from the rebels, and Of no national
Importance.
He would 60 as far as any other gentleman
III this house or out OF it in his respect and
admiration of those who have left their homes .
TO sustain, on n distant battle field, the ex-
istence of this government, but he wished, |
un this occasion, to act in manner consist .
ent with selt.respect and official propriety.