The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-03-11
Our Washington Correspondence
WAsnINGroN. March 81 1874

WASHINGTON, March FL, 1854.
Campbell Hospital Entertainment -Judq,
Spau1din9's Bill Senator Sumner, !,
Report on tie Repeal of tie Fugitive
Siuve act.
Awaiting myself Of an invitation to be
present al one Of The regular Friday even
ing entertainments at the Campbell Hos
pital, which is near the terminus of Sew.
enth Street railroad, l was there at the
appointed time /; and, as some Of your
readers will, doubtless, be interested in
the way hospital inmates amuse them.
selves. and are amused, will describe
what l saw. The reading .room,in which
they are held, occupies central place
among the hospital buildings, is used also
as chapel, and is capable OF holding
severAl hundred persons. AT one end
OF It a stage is erected, furnished with
shaded foot-lights, scenery, &c. The
drop curtain representing "a view of
Mt. Vernon, and the Potomac in front
OF it. very credilable painting, was,
together with the stage scenery, The work
OF one OF the inmates, soldier from Con :
necticut. In front of the stage was a
piano; chairs and benches filed the au.
dlence space, and were occupied by such
OF the patients as were well enough to be
present, the wives and families of the
physicians. end persons in charge, and
by invited guests. Every available
sitting and standing place was taken pos
session OF. II was pleasing to see the
interest shown by all connected with il.
AT the appointed hour. the curtain rose,
and band OF Ethiopian minstrels, seven
in number, with paint, wigs and fantastic
dresses, with banjo, bones. violin and
songs, with dance, and the talk peculiar
to negro minstrelsy, made more credita.
BILE display than many OF the travelling
houpes have witnessed. Then followed
burlesque drama entitled "The Last
of tLe Pollywsgs," representing the con-
test between the departing Indian and the
encroaching and aggressive white man.
The play was written and performed
by those attached TO the hospital, and. the
programme even was printed there. The
originality OF the exercises reflected great
credit, not only upon the capacity, but
the energy and versatility OF American
soldiers. They are varied each evening,
sometimes recitaiions, reading or lectures.
During the intervals between the acts
and scenes. few fine amateur players
on The violin and flute, accompanied by
the piano, discourseG most excellent mu.
sic. am informed that, at many il not
all of the hospitals, similar entertainments
are provided, which afford pleasant re-.
lief TO the monotonous hours of the con-
valescent.
Judge spaulding, while vigilant in
looking after matters of present import
ance, does not forget those who, in times
past, bas been OF service to their country.
A few days since, he introduced bill
granting pensions 10 the soldiers of the
war Of 1919, and, at the proper time, will
support it with such arguments as we
trust will secure its passage, and thus
late though tardy justice may be done to
these brave and deserving men.
Senator Summers report accompanying
the bill to repeal all laws for the rendi.
ton of fugitive slaves, is a very able
document. Going to the sources of pow
er to pass such laws, by an impregnabe
argument based upon elementary law
and legal decisions. he demonstrates their
Illegality under the Constitution and
recommends their repeal, not on abstract
grounds, but on the solid basis of legal
right. Mr.. Summers report should be
widely circulated, as it will clear away
the mists that slaveholding rule has SO
long kept before the eyes of the eeople,
preventing a right apprehension of the
true intent OF the Constitution in relation
to the subject of the rendition of fugitive
slaves. M.