The Portland daily press., 1865-02-04

Letter from the Federal Capital.
m rh~s,t;ou Consmission--A Admiral Far
rao,,t--R etasfatton-Ertra Compensation
a ,uhits day In Congress--An Interest
ing Scene ~ Go.
WASHINGTON, jan, 3d. 1855.
To the Rdiior " the Press: Ns -
The Christian Commission held Its anniver-
sary meeting 10 the Hall of Representatives
on the eve of Sunday, January 10Th. The
meeting was larger than that of '63 or "a.
have many times seen the spacious ball filed,
as 1t seemed, to its utmost capacity, but mere
were more people in it on that occasion than
ever saw there before. -Four thousand are
estimated to have been present and an equal
number to have gone away unable to getinside
the doors, or even very near them. The great
numbers in attendance indicated well the gen
eral interest in the meeting, and though 1t
could not be more interesting or enthusiastic
than that held one year since, it was one of
the most stirring ever witnessed.
Though there was no speaker who equaled
in power the Rev. Mr.. Mingins, whose humor,
pathos and lofty eloquence so electrified
melted and swayed the great audience last
year, there was no lack of excel lent speeches,
The Chairman, Mr.. Seward, Rev. Drs. j. w.
Smith, and @. N. Butler, of Philadelphia, and
Senator Foster, OF Connecticut. made excel
lent addresses, but the most elective speak
ing was by men who by their connection with
the army or through their labors under the
Christian Commission, had not only learned
the theory of the Commission, but had been
brought to realize and feel the beneacence of
its workings. f ~ -o
The President of the Commission, Mr.. Stuart
gave very brief but very interesting state
ment of its operations during the year 1884.
1t received In cash 81 100000 and in contri-
buttons, including Railroad facilities, $685.
247. It had commissioned 2,217 ministers
and laymen, keeping in the field an average
number of 2l7 men, paid only by the God
bless you" of the soldier and sailor. 1t has
distributed since its organization 100000
worth OF articles, including 1900 boxes Of
clothing. stationery, &C., $40. 900 copies Of thu
word of God, $4,000 hymn books, has erected
705 chapels and done 1880 days work. As
an evidence of the Intelligence of our army,
it was stated that after the battle of Nashville,
35 900 sheets of paper were distributed daily
in the army of Gen. Thomas.
Gen. Patrick, Provost Marshal of the Army
of the Potomac, and General @. B. Fisk, of
No., were introduced and made very hap
by speeches, especially the latter, bearing the
most ample testimony to the usefulness and
efficiency Of the Commission. Chaplain Nc
Cabe, of Illinois, made some remarks Of
thrilling interest and sang the Battle Hymn
Of the Republic, sung by him and his brave
associates in the Libby, July, 1868, on the re-
ceipt of the good news from Gettysburg. and
also sung by himself at the last anniversary o.
the Commission. All the immense audience
rose and joined in the chorus:
Glory Hallelujah
| Our God Is marching on"
Whatever marvels may have been wrough
through the agency of music, it may be con
sidered a settled fact that the Hall of Repre-
sentatives will never be unroofed by singing
1t was very pleasant incident when in an
swer to suggestion of Senator Clarke, of N
e., "that the Vice Admiral go to the main
top" sold Farragut" rather Reluctantly as
cended the platform. As the modest sailor
stood before the people, the scene was Jade
seribable. Handkerchiefs waved aud futter.
ed, as If numberless focks of white pigeons
had suddenly taken wing, and the applause
was tempestuous. ave promised" said the
Senator, as soon as his voice could be heard
mot to ask the Admiral to make speech. but
we will make oRe to him: Hip, Hip, Hurrah ?
and the voices of the people rose like thu
voice of many waters in honor Of that true
son of the sea. a
Mr.. Richardson, the Tribune correspondent
who has SO lately escaped from q rebel prison
after twenty months experience of captivity
made some remarks full of the most powerful
interest. He described, evidently without any
attempt at producing sensation, the dread
full condition of the prisoners in the Salisbu
ry, N. O., prison, where he was last confined
and advocated retaliatory measures upon th.
rebel officers in our hands. His suggestions
were received with evident appreciation by the
audience, and were listened to with profount
attention by the President, who was present
as well as the Vice President, Chief Justice
Chase, P. M. General Dennison. Maj. Gen
Hancock, Ex-Governor Farwell, of Wiscon.
sin, Senators Fl. S. Lane, Clark, Farwell, and
vary many other distinguished men.
The question of retaliation, though very
distressing one to contemplate, is urging it.
self upon public attention with terrible force.
1t has been discussed long and earnestly in
the Senate without any very decisive results.
1t is not strange that there should be great
differences of opinion as to whether the treat
ment of our prisoners can or ought 10 be re-
taliated by Christian people; as to the mode
Of retaliation-should any be adopted-and
as to the action of Congress in the matter,
whether in reference to the e. ecutive, 1t
ought to be recommendatory or mandatory
it is pretty clear that nothing very decisive
will be done by the present Congress. II,
however, beginning be made, an initiation
AIKEN, public opinion will, before another year
has passed, demand something stern and ei-
ectual, should the rebels continue their dia-