Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-01-09
WASHINGTON, Jan. /, 1868.


Gen. Sarton, etc, etc.
WASHINGTON, Jan. l, 1868.
It is custom Of one Of our religious
denominations to have "Watch Meetings" on
New Years eve, when the members being
gathered together review their experiences
during the last solemn hours of the last night
of the expiring year, and pledge anew their
fidelity to the Church and to God. I have
always thought well of the custom, and am
certain that some of the most effective
eloquence ever listened to came yelling up
from the stirred hearts of men on these very
occasions, albeit they were not known as
public speakers. I went last night, perhaps
by way Of gratifying curiosity, to one of the
many Methodist chapels of this city, whose
members are all colored people. was struck
by the rude simplicity of many of the speak
ers' language, the appropriateness of their
figures of speech, and the deep feeling
exhibited by all. learned then and there
that Uncle Tom was no mere creation of Mrs.
Stoves imagination, but was veritable
delineation of genuine negro character.
have ever thought well of human nature, and
think better Of it than ever now, after hearing
the eloquence heard last night from many
representatives Of the long-oppressed race.
What if their heads were less indicative Of
brain than ours, and their heels little more
extended? Let the Caucassians carry the
weight Of oppression and obloquy with which
the Africans have trudged through the weary
centuries, and see if their noble craniums will
not be somewhat depressed and their delicate
feet fattened out
There is another custom, more generally
observed at Washington than the one of
which l have just spoken, but which is, if l
may be permitted to say so, far less praise
worthy, and oftentimes positively reprehen-
sible. Nobody will object to people COM
mencing the new year cheerfully, happily,
and in great good nature generally. But to
transform custom originally good, into rum
punch and egg-nogg carousals - to make, Of
the renewal of social amenities and hospita-
BILE, neighborly attentions, general, promis-
cuous, big drunk and high old time generally
this is to pervert the social feelings, and to
lead them from their natural channels into
turbulent excess and debauchery. There is
quite as much difference between the old and
the modern way of celebrating New Years
Day as there is between an orderly meeting
of citizens and mob. And yet great many
very respectable people have great admiration
for these social riots. commend them to
the hospitality of Sir Hildebrand Osbaldi-
stone, who thought "a young fellow had
better be thrice drunk in day than sneak
sober to bed like Presbyterian, and leave a
batch of honest fellows and double quart of
claret"
A great deal of drinking was done to-day,
but not half so much drunkenness prevailed
as when the southern bloods were here as
thick as autumn leaves that strew the wales of
Vallambrosia. The Presidents reception was
terrific jam, of course. A vast throng pressed
through the front door, squeezed it's way to
Mr.. Lincoln, shook hands, and hustled itself
out-a wreck of crinoline and crash of
hats. The members of the Cabinet received
visitors at their houses, from noon till two
o'clock, and were pretty generally called up
on. The Iowans paid their respects to Judge
Miller, Hon. j. F. Wilson, and Hon. John A.
Kasson, in goodly numbers. Senator Harlan
and wife, and Maj. Clarke, were at Alexandria
at the convalescent camp, whittier Mrs. Har-
Ian had been called by intelligence of suffer-
ing the day before, and where, dare say, she
found enough to call forth the exercise of her
warm-hearted benevolence. Senator Grimes
was in New York, attending to public bust
ness. Mr.. Kasson's rooms were filled with
men and women from Iowa, between eight
and nine o'clock this evening, and I reckon
plenty of 'em are there yet, enjoying visit
which host and hostess know so well how to
make agreeable.
The Presidents Proclamation of Freedom,
however, so absorbed the public attention
after its publication, about three o'clock, that
it may justly be said nothing else was dis
cussed-the sccessionists, their aiders and
abettors talking like brawlers, inebriates, and
madmen; the friends of the Union and of
Liberty expressing their satisfaction in words
of earnest gratitude which Enthusiastically came
from their Utmost hearts. 1t created most
profound sensation, which will doubtless rap
idly stir the hearts of all loyal, liberty loving
men of the utmost limits of our country
You will, no doubt, have commented at
length on document so important ere this
can reach you, and need say no more.
The new year opens out grandly, whatever
may be the result of it by action in the field.
Nor has the year which has just closed been
without perceptible forward movement of
the Union cause. It is much, that the popu-
lar sentiment advanced from sort of respect
for slavery to condemnatory spirit. 1t is
much, that the people refuse longer to blot
out the moral lights which heaven hangs up
along the pathway of civilization. 1t is very
much, that whole people have discovered
that He who rides upon the storm and directs
the whirlwind-who controls the movements
ofworlds, and notes the falling of sparrow,
is the overruling God Of battles, whose help
in making noble history all nations must Sc.
cure. It is great thing that during the
past year this nation learned to clothe itself
with rectitude, SO that if it shall be compelled
to succumb to its enemies, it will 60 down in
glory and not in shame.
ha~s nj 1oc vr1oA% 10 l.