Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-02-17


Public Hen not Cordial.
WASHINGTON, February I2, 1868.
The past two years of war has wrought
great changes in Washington. Two years
sincea shoulder strap might not be seen
once day. Now, you cannot go the
length of block without meeting enough
to officer company, and soldiers enough
to fill it.
To their credit, am proud to say these
soldiers are peaceable, well-behsved per-
sOns-neither insOlent, noisy or drunk
One half the spectators in the galleries of
the two Houses are soldiers, who listen pa
tiently to the proceedings.
To-day the quasi secessionist Salisbury
from Delaware, made long and very vO-
ciferOus harrangue against the Missouri
Emancipation bill. He was apparently
somewhat elevated in spiritual sense,
and went as near to open treason as he
thought it prudent to go. The whole cata-
lOgue of Federal usurpstiOns, and of State
rights vsgaries was repeated. He never
spoke Of our Government-but of your
Government. His efforts were repeti-
ton of those of Breckinridge in his last
speech before going over to the enemy
A cavalry soldier in the gallery, not a lit
tie soiled, but with a good, bright intelli-
gent face, whispered to his fellow cavalry
men, "tbere is cussed traitor, if he dare
be-"
In one respect, Washington is as of old.
Hundreds of workmen are engaged as
usual on public buildings Nothing short
of rebel occupation will stop the tearing
down and building up of these public
structures. This business Of anchoring
the Federal Capitol on the shores Of the
Potomac goes on as though the nation was
not weighed down by debt, and distracted
by revolution.
The Capitol is in every respect badly
located. Every one of those costly stones
that go up hour by hour to the top of the
walls of the enlarged Treasury building
and the enlarged Capitol, helps to fasten it
upon this unfortunate spot. 1t is region
thst produces nothing and manufactures
nothing. Everything that is used or con-
sumed comes from abroad. There is nei-
ther lumber or timber for building, or wood
or coal for fires. Its rocks are not for |
stone, or its soil for cultivation. The sit |
uation is exposed to the domestic foe as well |
TO foreign foes. 0ne-fourth of the expen-
diture Of this war has been used to make |
Washington safe. Every man, woman and |
child in the city is supported by the Gov
ernment, Of whom one-hslf are its secret |
enemies. But costly columns, pilasters,
capitals and srchitrsves are being raised |
every day to fasten upon the nation the
support and defence of a city, which,
without the presence of the Government
would not number half thousand human
beings, negroes and paupers included.
Zousves flourish here profusely. It is
now very seldom that their outlandish gear
is seen in western camps. Here, they are
conspicuous-wherein lies the ornament
the comfort, or the military taste of this
style Of adornment ordinary mortals find
it difficult to perceive. The uniform of the
United States Army is not imposing, but
genteel and comfortable. The importation
Of this oriental, half savage, wild, Arab
from the coast of Africa, to be
worn in the Northern climate of the West
ern world, is proof that we are a free peo.
pie certainly.
The Washington Zouave is, in himself.
free and independent of all other Zouaves.
The cut and the color of his decorations
are his own. Some have red cap and q
yellow tassel thaE gracefully flaps about
their shoulders. Some have their legs in red
aannel bags, the lower parts Of which 20
into leather leggings Others have blue
,loth boxes on their heads, wrapped to-
yether, fore and aft, with white tassels.
There are blue jackets, red jackets, and
yellow jackets, with flaming facings of
Iome counter color.
Congress will soon depart, and Wash
ngton become again a military camp and
hospital. The wives, sisters, cousins, and
rieuds Of the Army Of the Potomae con-
itute large portion of the citizens pre-
eht1 but, with all these, the military is in
he majority. --
General Halleck, ind to be far from
,opulsr. As to the other Generals, little
8 said. The breach between Senators and
Members Of the Cabinet is not being
essened. Lamentsble as this view is, I
conceive it to be true. Yours, &c.
TE1PUs FUGIT.
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