The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1862-02-28
OUR WASHINGTON CORRESPOND
ENCE.

| rain n continuation OF the unexaMpleu pho
ueether that has characterized the month OF
February. No bright aurora greeted the
coming Of the l30th anniversary of this mem
orable day.
" Blu, cloud. instead and ever.durIng dark"
A salute was fred from the various forts
around the city, ut sunrise, or about the time
"the glorious monarch of the day was sup
posed to make his appearance, " rejoicing in
the east" for if he got up at all, nobody was
aware Of the fact
The Observance Of the day was general
throughout the city, the shops and places Of
business were closed and at an early hour
in the morning the Avenue was thronged with
citizens and strangers, notwithstanding tho
unproptious weather, with their fees gen.
orally set towards the capitol, where the
grand exercises of the day would occur an
impression, and very correct one, too, pre-
vailed that not one in a hundred would DO
able to obtain admittance. if they should de-
lay their visit till noon, the hour atwhlch tho
ceremonies commenced.
The order of proceedings of the two hou''
cs of congress read as follows;
"At o'clock precisely. the senate will
proceed to the hall of the house Of represcn.
tatives, with invited guests, in the following
order:
1.-THE vice.president and secretary Of the
senate, preceded by the sergeant'atarms.
"SenatOrs.
"The president and heads Of tho several
departments.
''The chief justice and associate justices Of
the supreme court.
Representatives from foreign governments
near this government.
Invited officers Of the army and navy.
Distinguished citizens and other invited
guests.
Proceedings IN the HaH Of Representatives..
prayer by the chaplain. Reading Of
WashngtOn'S Farewell Address after which
flags captured from the rebel armies will DO
presented from the army and navy depart
ments to congress-
As passed the White House, on my way
to the capitol the black Grape at the door
caught my eye, the mourntul token Of the
great sorrow which pcryade, that stately
mansion. The expressive lines Of Horace
struck me with rcdoubed force, as the black
| symbol betokcncl that the lordlic,t home is
not exempt from the skeleton tread OF death
''pallida m0rs wquo pulsat pedr, pauperuln ia.
/ befGGs, fcqumque turres.'
Or a. the translation hath it
With equal step impatient fate
Knocks at the cottage and the palace gate
The gloom at the White House has cast it
SHADOW over the city and dampcnei the joy
Gus exultation with which our rcccn. victor
les and the return Of this honorcd day would
otherwise be celebrated Through sympathy
with the afflicted head of the nation, the
grand Examinations Of the public buildings
is therefore omitted, and the congratulations
Of the senate and house upon the glOrou,
successes Of our arms, are mingled with res,
olutions OF coincidence for the bereaved pres
ident.
As continued my way along the crowded
thoroughiare the tramp Of cavalry is heard ,anC
turning my glance met the splendid body
guard of thecommandcr n-chici our own Hi
nois boys, led by Maj Chas. W, Barker, a fine
spirited corps, the young general Hour arnie
in then midst. They dash by, and are soon fol
lowed by carriages, containing various dis
tinguished officers Of our army and navy, OF
their way to the house.
! reached the capital at II o'clock. Hun
dreds unable to gain an entrance to the al
ready overcrowded galleries, were returning
down the long flight OF steps and the broad
promenade Of the western front, feeling hnl
foolish, halt yexcd at their futile efforts to &c
in, yet smiling with malicious satisfaction a
they met the ascending crowus, doomed to
similar disappointment Having the com
Portable assurance of u ticket to the reporters
, gallery in my pocket, felt that those NIGH
9 laugh who win" and quietly proceeded Of
my way, despite dubious shakings of tn
head, or supercilious smiles. With tn
open sesame" of the simple words "corre,
pendent of the press" | passed the Cebcr
that guarded tho approaches to the hall, an
took my seat among the numerous rcprcScn
tatives of the fourth estate" there Assem-
bled. The reporters gallery is situated in
mediatelv above the speakers chair, and CON
manls perfect view of the entire house, EN-
bracing gallery and floor The scene present
ed was at once striking and interesting
On the right OF the chair is the ladies' gale
ry, filled with brilliant assemblage of la
, dies, in their gay winter colors. The long
gallery IN front is black with the dcnsel,
packed masses of the ruder sex. On the lef
the eyeis again relieved Ivy the brighter col
ors Of lair women. On the floor to the right
the space is unoccupied, these being the re
served seats for the distinguished visitors
the heavy cushioned oakep chairs for white
use, contrasting pleasantly with the graceful
light, cane bottomed, maple wood of those o.
the lett, the chairs for summer use. On thi
side are the members of the house-a noise
set cannot be found in christeniom. As usu
al, they were in squabble about some quc>
ton or resolution, and half dozen on the foo
AT once, vainly attempting to catch the speak
ers attention.
1t seems that Mr. CrittenQen had made
motion to omit that part of the exercises prl
vlding for the presentation Of the flags an
- trophies captured from the Contederates b
Y our troops. A sharp discussion immedjate
J. sprung up-Messrs. Loveoy, Campbell am
others 0nnosing the mntinn Messrs CnnL