The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-05-06
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letter from the National Capital.
WASHINGTON. DC. NAV . 1sf

WASHINGTON. d. c., May 2, 1864.
To the Kdiforof the Press:
We are on the eve of very great events,
events in view of which the transactions of
this city, the debates and votes in Congress,
the political maneuyers and current gossip of
the day, all shrink into the comparative trifles
they are. The fate OF this nation rests on no
one captain, on no one army. There is a
power behind General Grant and the army Of
the Potomac, which, rising out of defeat would
replace them II they were stricken out of ex-
istence, and some way and some time vindi-
cate the majesty OF the Republic. Nothing
IN history is more sublime than the grim, al
most unanimous determination of the Amer
ican people, In the face of all unknown disas-
tiers and delays, at length in Gods good time
to rescue their common country in all its
length and breadth from these home-bred
usurpers who have attacked it.
The time seems near at hand. The great
battle, soon to be fought in Virginia, will 60
far TO determine the length though not the
result Of this war. While we listen for the
sound of the cannon, 1t makes little difference
OF what trif1es we talk or write. The House
OF Representatives seemed to have a dim
sense OF this fact, when they adjourned the
other day TO sec a body of troops marching
through the city to the front. The House,
generally in advance OF the Senate in the dis
PabSh VI Uuoiutcc, 10 uUdCtOuUtdDiy Dtnlfld.
this session. Not even the previous question
can confne its attention to the business of
legislation; for the previous question simply
cuts off supertuous debate and cannot shut
out superfuous propositions. A committee
OF nine was actually appointed last Friday to
ascertain whether Secretary Chase was act
ing in good faith when he retired from the
Presidential contest. This investigation was
ordered in consequence of certain loose asser-
k.xE A. I.... l..
should have been left to sink into oblivion, or
turned over TO the newspaper press for dis
cussion and investigation. Meanwhile the
Senate resolution pro"iding for the constitu-
tional abolition of slavery, still sleeps upon
the table of the House.
An order issued by the Provost Mar
shal General last Wednesday, indicates that
the Veteran Reserve is to be restored to its
intended footing, as 4 corps of honor. This it
has long ceased TO be. BY culpable careless
ness, 1t had been allowed TO degenerate into
refuge for towards and shirl<s, known in the
army as btIIlnlers, till the very name of the
Invalid Corps became an ofiense and the first
step toward reform was necessarily the change
TO the present denomination. There were
brave and deserving men in the corps. | met
three within five minutes the other day, two
officers and private, each OF whom had lost
an arm. But so many Of the other class had
been smuggled in, that few good soldiers
were willing TO be associated with them
The new order requires that every man en-
listed for this corps hereafter, shall be exam
ined by boartof enrolment and found not
fit for duty In the fleld, meritorious and de-
serving, and honorably discharged from SER
vice in the field for disability.
An odd sale is in progress TO-DAY at the
store of Messrs. Lewis q Co., on Seventh St.
There are offered-three housewives and one
Child at Home (prime lott, two pairs of
South Carolina fighting gafTs, one gilt-edged
and clasped Key Of Heaven twarranted), one
set Of teeth limperfectl, artificial eyes, storm
detectors flor iamiliesl, radical regenerators
recommended by the Missouri delegation in
Congress- Guesses at Truth flor beginners !,
and no end ofjewelry and patent medicines
all taken from the dead letter office, and du-
ly advertised in the daily papers. Morai-
Be careful about the direction OF letters and
parcels sent by mail, subscribe your full name
and address, and pay the postage.
H. WR