The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-02-03
Letter from the National Metropolis.

all shades of politics are paying him, now that
I he is about retiring from the control OF the
Treasury to resume his old position In the
Senate Chamber. 1t is very seldom that
statesman SO distinguished as ne Is, ana SO
closely and sharply identified with leading
nolitieal organization, has been able to CON-
mand the almost unqualified commendation of
hostile press. 1t is easy enough to secure
the applause of those whose interest it is to
invariably approve the acts of their superiors.
But when, in times like these-when party
feeling runs high and ferce--a great political
leader is able to secure to himself such signal
expressions of appreciation from antagonistic
organs he may well congratulate himsslf and
feel sure that he is in the line of wise, success
full craftsmanship. do not exactly sympa-
thize in the general expression of qualification
over the reelection of Mr.. r. to the Sen
ate, for the reason that 1t is much easiersto
find competent Senator chan a Secretary of
the Treasury whose financial abilityis match
! for the labors and difficulties of the position
in such times as these, 1t is well known that
Mr.. F. accepted the position with extreme re-
luctance, and only by the earnest persuasion
of friends, and that his health is entirely mad
equate to the performance of the great labors
devolving upon the chief of the Treasury De-
partment.
The peace rumors, of which we have had
surfeit of late, seem to have vanished into
thin air. The latest accounts from the rebel
Congress and papers breathe universal def
ance. One member of the Confederate House
declares that "he is only just beginning to
get mad" He will find himself rather late in
raising steam, I predict. His effort will almost
parallel the old adage about Stocking the door
after the steedi is stolen" 1t is easy enough
to penetrate this affected confidence. 1t is
but the beginning of despair, andsis assumed
for the purpose of re inspiring the hearts of
the Southern masses, who are giving signs,
all over the South, of q desire for peace and
reconciliation. There are evidences In album
dsnce to show that the suffering of the South
is intense. The appearance of the rebel pris-
oners who are frequently arriving here shows
ito say nothing of the famished condition
of our own exchanged soldiers, whom ] have
seen, and who are fed, rebel authorities say,
as well as their own soldiers are, or at least as
plentifully as they have the means of doing
If this be SO, it proves enough OF Southern
want and destitution. With all their ports of
entry Theoretically sealed, with our armies
ploughing their, almost unebstructed way
| hither and thither through the wealthiest por-
tons of the Confedsracy, marking their path.
way with the debris of universal confagration,
how long win it be before the people of the
South will be generally inclined to tendersub-
mission when they see, as in the case of Sa-
yannah, that the fruits of submission are
peace, relief, and a return of zthe old-time
prosperity Pinot piliage, plumber and rapine
as they have been educated to believe? The
example Of humanity set by Gen. Sherman,
after the capture Of Savannah, will be found,
predict, toexert a healthier influence over
the question of ultimate union restoration,
than scoreof successful battles. w
Onmy first visit to the Capitol last Wednes-
day It was my sad privilegeto view, from the
western windows Of the House, the confagra-
tion of the Smithsonian Institute. The day
was severe, and the engines (of which Wash
ington has but three) were slow to get at work,
so the flames, for time had it pretty much
their own way. In the vicinity ofs25u years
ago II think Mr.. Smithsun, Of England,
lsaid to be an illegitimate son of an English
Duke.) bequeathed the sum Of $515OOO to our
Government, for the purpose of -.dffdsing
useful reformation among men" When first
obtained, the amount was invested, during
Mr.. Van Buren's administration, in Arkansas
State bonds, which, subsequently became
worthless. Congress replaced the funds, how
ever, from the U. s. Treasury-and after the
lapse Of many years and much discussion, the
present building was constructed, costly as it
was, from The interest of that fund, without
touching the principal. Since then the fund
has increased to $500 O00-thus leaving an in
crease over the original amountfar exceeding
whatewi be required to repair the building
for it is only partially destroyed-the fire orr
ginafing ia the western wing, second story,
leaving the lower story and eastern portion of
the structure unchanged. The great and ir-
reparable loss is in SANKEY'S magnificent col
lection of Indian portraits-the result of years
of artistic toll Of the highest order, besides
many other works Of art, curiosities from all
parts ofthe world, which can never, probably,
be replaced. The library, consisting of 10,
O00syolames Of standard works, u am hap
py to say, uninjured. Thebuilding, no doubt,
will besspeedilg repaired. II was The fayorlte
resort Of strangers in Washington, and form
ed ore of the principal points of attraction in
the national metropolis. The particulars of
the fire win have been published in the Press,
no doubt, long before this invaluable epistle
reaches the hands of its accomplished editor.
"An old hand at the quill" am, you say,
in gour issue containing my first and last CON-
mnnication. That may be trus enough, Mr..
Gilman, but can't '''see" the policy Of telling
folks of 1t. The fact is, professional quill
drivers are not held in such sublime apprecia-
ton in these days of general popular enlight-
eminent as they were in the dark ages" In
those good old times" they were invested, in
the popular mind, with an Importance worth
erjoyiDg-now they are regarded, am sorry
to say, as only men, and very .fdllibie men at
that. Tbs village schoolmaster, who sboards
r.uad, is more the popular dety of the two,
decidedly. However, il you can get to it, this
alusion is made for the purpose of saying
that, while do not expect the editor OF the
Press to endorse the sentiments of my letters,
undertake to say that, on all points, sin Fly
relating to an active and vigorous prosecutor
of this war, for the sake of Union restoration,
we look from the same identical standpoint"
-unless you hare turned "secesh' since the
20th of January, Of which have no present
evidence. Seriously, however, we both be-
lieve Mr.. Lincoln to be the present constiiu-
tional President, and to be constitutionalv