Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-03-03
LETTEI. FROM w ASIIING-
TON.
Changing our Name-Autographs;-
Color-phobia VS.. ReligicA.
Washington. Feb II. 1866.

Washington, Feb IL. 1866.
A.resolution was recently intrcducedsiuto
Congress TO change our mans from "The
United States of America TO simply "Ame-
rica." 1t was regarded with considerable ia
vor, and probably some definite action will
be taken upon the subject, in due time. It's
desirableness impresses every one 'Anieri-
ca" is a single, beautiful. and signif cant
name. and we are certainly entitled to it
above all other natl ons on this continent -
Most other nations are known BY single
name, thus: Russia, England, France, Ger
many, Austria, Italy. China, Arabia, India,
Brazil, Peru, Chill and nearly all others -
Why not ours
Onr present name is a combination OF sever
al nafncs. or words together. and is certainly
less appropriate than would be a single word.
Change'ani progress. seem to be indelibly
stamped on everything now-a-days.
One of the bores'to which man becomes
increasingly subject in almost exact ratio t.
his Increasing greatness is the being impdr-
lance for his autograph, by. all the relique,
and curiosity seekers. whom he chances to
meet. Gen. Sherman entered the House,
the other day. and after receiving the homage
Of that illustrious body of men. seated him
self quietly TO hear'the discussion-but no
soon from gallery and hall, albums ami dia-
rics came flowing in with polite requests for
his autograph. and--the Gen'l. was kept
''cleI king it, for some little time
Fred. Douglass whom Chief Justice Chase
calls one of the rst of American orators. is
now in the city. young gentleman asked
his autograph. when he wrote the
following:
Right is of no nation,
Truth is of no color.
God is the Father of ali.
And all men are brothers."
The Presbyterian church or A. street. one
of the strongest and most popular churches
in the city, is just now in terri bic commotion.
on account of the sacreligious desccration of
its pulpit by being used by friedrich Doug
lass TO deliver lecture
Many prominent ladies here. Mrs. Senator
Wade amongst them, wishing to aid the
Home for INDECENT colored widows, and or,
phans, TO get funds, invited Douglas to lee
ture before their society. The Pastor of the
Church. DR.. Sunderland. who has just return
ed from two years tour in Europe, wiling
ly gave his consent for. them to use the Church.
but some of his most prominent members OPP
posed it most bitterly. Some went so far as
to say if Douglas lectured from their pulpit
they would never cross the threshold again.
These were wealthy men, and the clluich
needed their support, but the brave DR.. re-
manned firm. and being. supported by the
numerical majority, the lecture was given
Fears Were entertained of disturbance, but
the worst the chivalry dare do. was: to
sprinkle cayenne pepper on the floor, which
they did quite plentifully.
The audience were quietly admouisl,ed TO
refrain from stamping, so the pepper was al
lowed to lay peacefully where it was dropped.
and but very slight noise or coughing was
caused. not enough to interfere with the lee
ture in the least.
Douglas gave one of his most eloquent lee
lures upon The Assassination and it's lessons
showing conclusively that the only way to
secure lasting and unruffled harmony. was
now to reconstruct our government on the ba.
sis ofjustice and TRUTH
The church is the largest of the city, vet
it was filled in every seat, and aisle. and the
benevolent ladies realized for their noble object
the snug little sum of $4,000.
Sharp correspondence is going on in the
city parers now, regarding the affair, between
the seceeded members, and the ladies with
their friends The exact elimination of the
affair, it is yet hard TO determine. but DIR.
Sutherland viii make for every friend he has
lost by his firm stand, many more valuable
A few decades hence how deep in oblivion
will be the names of such as now put them
selves in the way of the car of human liberty