The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1862-05-22

and then attended to numerous persons from
different States who were waiting to speal
tn him. Among the other items Of business
during the brief space we were there, . mes
senger was sent to the President, on account
Of the appointment Of Post Master for som,
Office recently recovered from the rebels If
Virginia. @ s @E 81
Iowa has reason to be proud of John A
Kasson, as one Of her sons, Who, by his
splendid business talents his brilliant socia
qualities, and his ardent and lofty patriotism
has in this hour of national trial contr buted
so materially to uphold and keep in motion
the government of our fathers. We cannot
desire to have him with us while he is SC
useful elsewhere, hut we hope to have him
again with us, in his homestead which ht
has provided at Des Moincs. at som. time
in we trust, more peaceful future. 8i
Of course we spent few hours in the
Capital as everybody does, trying to get a
sight Of the noted and notorious Congress-
men, Of whom we had heard so much. In
this effrt we were greatly assisted as in our
pursuits Of other curiosities in Washington
by Hawkins Taylor, Esq, Of Keoknk. who
ia at present scjourning in Washington, and
knows everybody and everything worth
seeing. We we're under great obligations Il
him. j. R. Briggs, formerly of the Gate
City. is still at Washington, filing some
clerkship. We met in his room, Col. W. H
Wallace, formerly Receiver Of the Land
Office at Fairfield, now Delegate in Congress
from Washington Territory The Homestead
Bill was pending in the Senate, Sen. Pome.
roy Of Kansas, speaking, and the Pacific
Railroad Bin in the 10 use, the day we were
there. Col. Vandcver, member from oul
I'd District, arrived from his command ir
Arkansas. and was on the floor at that time
The further CT nsideration of his case is post
poned to the I'd day Of December. His com
petitor. and the contestant for his seat, L.
Grand Boyington, is still on hand, hoping fol
something to turnsup in his favor. What
ever the legal merits Of the case NAV be. WI
hope the worthier, and battle worn soldier
and hero Of Pea Ridge, viii retain his sea,
| if he wishes to. ~ et8ss5 asia
Among the assembled wisdom of the ma
ton in Congress, there il no delegation which
occupies higher place in public estimation
than the members from Iowa, Hons jaime.
W. Grimes. James Harlan, in the Senate
and James F. Wilson in the House. A.
iowa soldiers have stood by their colors ir
the field, and have reflected imperishabl,
honor on the State, so have these faithful
public servants stood up boldly for the coun
try and the right in the councils of the ma.
ton. and they have done it with boldness
eloquence and a steadfast regard Cor princi
pie. and in harmony with the sentiments 0
their constituents, who will stand by anl
sustain them. This is Mr.. Wilson's frs
session, when not much is expected Of .
member, but ne has already won place
alongside Of the ablest and oldest member.
of the House, and attracted the attention o
the country as one Of the coming men, His
duties the present session have been doubly
laborious, owing to the misrepresentation
Of the I'd District. being obliged to attend Il
the business Of the whole State Of Iowa in
the House,
THE RESULT or EMANCIPATION.
That emancipation in the District works
most satisfactorily, so far as the freed slaves
themselves are concerned. is the testimony
of all. The blacks are exceedingly grateful
for the boon Of freedom. and have not mani
tested the least disposition to take advantage
oft. They continue generally in the EN-
ployment Of their late masters, and are salts
fed with the moderate wages paid them -
Only about so slave owners have reported
to the commission and accepted compensa-
ton. The larger portion still profess to
think that jeff Davis will ultimately take
Washington, when they say they viii get
their slaves back again. ~ car
We went over the Potomac of course, and
satisfied ourself by personal observation that
all was quiet over there. Mr.. Wilson did us
the favor to accompany US, Congress not
being in session. The long bridge being
out Of repair, we went by the Ferry boat,
which runs regularly between Washington
and Alexandria. having. going down and re-
turning, q fine view with glass ofthe places
Of interest, the Notifications Arlington
Heights, and Fairfax Seminary in the dis
lance. We saw the house where Ellsworth
was murdered, visited an old church yard
where are tomb stones dated az far back as
1774, the most modern being only 1915, and
looked round the place generally. There
were plenty of soldiers. but very few male
inhabitants, most of the latter being absent
in the rebel army We did not extend our
trip to Manassas, no passes being obtainable,
and not having time to 90 in any other way.
1t lis said that Washington has improved
latterly. Doubtless under the influence, of q
more enterprising population, and the par
tial removal Of the incubus of slavery. this
is true to certain extent, but it will always
be God forsaken place, during at least thu
present generation. ga .ss
The Presidents PrOclama ton.
The President. it will be seen, has sci
aside Gen. Hunters Proclamation, freeing
the slaves in South Carolina, Georgia, and