The weekly Butte record., 1862-02-08
0dteklp &ntte RetorO
Washington Letter.
WAsHrNGrox. D. C. Dec. 10


blue cloth and metal buttons constitute about
the only display noticeable here now. So nu-
merous are the military that the citizens dress
is almost the exception, and l suppose if those
who retain them were not above suspicion,
they would be regarded as rebels or, at least,
as sympatAizing with secession. Squads of
Corporal Guards parade the avenue,-their
arms glowing in the bright December sun
to pick up any stray secesher who may chance
to drop into the city, and Lieutenants and
Captains and Majors now constitute the swell
mob of the Capital. 1t appears TO me that if
they were all in the field, Oh the other side of
the river, they would be sufficient to march
through Manassas or elsewhere. But, not be-
ing military q cuss, of course I do not un-
derstand such questions, and their appearance
in the streets may be necessary to qualify them
for an advance. If, as stated by the papers,
the great majority of our officers now remain
with the troops on the south side of the Poto-
mac, | should like to have seen Washington
just after the mastery advance our army
made upon it from Bull Run. l suppose, how
ever, their stay in the city is only temporary
and that they are daily on duty, and will be
found at their posts when needed.
Just now, the Capital presents a singular
spectacle to the eyes of the world,-at least it
seems SO to me: Soldiers here to prevent the
dissolution of the Union, and to protect Mem
borg of HonoracS u,E,1 10 of I,t41
Willingly perhaps, are doing their best to rend
it asunder. Senator Sumner keeps up well
directed fire upon the Union army from his
masked Abolition battery. On yesterday he
fred the following bomb-shell into the Senate :
BY Mr.. SUMNER: From citizens of Tonsham
Vermont, earnestly urging upon Congress the
Immediate repeal of toe Fugitive Slave law,
for four distinct causes lst, That that law is
violently cruel and unjust, and in direct viola
iion of Divine law, which expressly declares
" thou shalt not deliver unto the master the
servant who has escaped 2d, because the en-
iorcement of said law has been an insult to the
Divine lawgiver, burning approach to the na-
ton, and source of perpetual strife: 81, be-
cause its continuance on the statute book is
without shadow of excuse, since the great body
OF those for whose benefit it was enacted are
now In open rebellion against the Government;
4th, because, on account of the enforcement of
law so inquitious the God of Justice has
had and still has a controversy with the nation.
and that we cannot hope for the reyersion of
his Judgments until said law is repealed"
There seems 10 be no doubt entertained by
the public generally, but that another division
OF political parties will take place. The ultra
sentiment Of the country is fast breaking loose
from the Administration, and that it will cul-
inmate in an Abolition, and constitutional
Union party is very generally expected. Ere
mont is in New York, preparing his defence
against the accusations of the BIsir-&sAy and
is occasionally waited upon by deputations of
preachers and other ultraists who would over
turn the Constitution aud supercede the Ad-
ministration, if possible, by those who would
make the war an Abolition one. am the
more thoroughly impressed with the con yiction
that political parties will be divided as above
intmated from the fact that Sumner, Wade
and Others, omit no favorable opportunity to
give the policy of the Administration, as fore
ton, thrust as severe as their own delicate
position will admit. 1t is generally admitted,
whether correct or not, that Shermans procla-
nation was prepared in Washington, and fore
shadows the policy of the Administration
This understanding, together with the resolu-
tion of Congress that, it was a war on the part
of the Government for the supremacy of the
Constitution and the maintenance of the Gov
ernment and that the war should cease when
that was accomplished, has given 10 the Ad-
minstration the cordial support Of every pa
triotic, Uuion loving man, and their auathemas
are hurled equally against Abolitionists and
armed rebels. The followers of Fremont, Sum-
ner, Wade, Cameron Ct ID omne genus, are re-
garded as much the enemies of the Union as
the secessonists who are armed for its deStruc-
tion. 1t is this feeling that has enabled the
Democracy of Illinois, aided by = conservative
D Administration clement of that State. to chose
Constitutional Union men to remodel their
State Constitution. The Abolition element
had assumed control of the Republican party.
aud the conservative portion OF the Republi-
cars arc glad 10 be freed from their tolls, and
will join the Northern Democracy il support
Ing the efforts Of the Administration to restore
the supremacy of the Constitution. 1t was
feared for 8 while that Fremont was killed too
dead to form an Abolition party, ahd that the
ultras would still maintain an undue influence
With the Administration but that idea was
dispelled by Secretary Cameron, who promu!-
gated Abolition doctrines in his report That
was more than honest old Abe could stand.
and the obnoxious passages were expunged,
and the report made TO correspond with the
policy Of the Administration Such disagree
ment must Of course, lead to the resignation or
Insmoval Of Cameron. l have no doubt but
that he viii be rendered position where bis
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