The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1866-05-11
tFor the Jeilersonian.]
WASHINGTON, ID. c., May 4,

WASHINGTON, ID. e., May 4, '66
MEssRs. EDITORS AS some time
has elapsed since / last wrote you,
and believing that line from here
will not be uninteresting to your
readers, submit few hasty tho'ts
without further apology.
The National Capital is always q
place of interest to Americans, but
Congress being in session, makes it
doubly so, and thousands of visitors
throng the city, from all parts Of the
country and the world.
"Merre May" too, is here, and an
evening walk among the green and
fowery trees of the public parks, at
this season of the year, is truly de-
lightful. There you may see hun.
dreds Of beautiful and gaily dressed
ladies, strolling leisurely over the
gravel walks, through .he parterre-
admiring the beauties of some trop.
ical plant, or discussing the merits OF
some piece of statuary; whilst the
murmuring fountains, the songs OF
birds and the balny air, laden with
the fragrant odors of thousand
flowers all combine to charm the
senses and remind one of the "fairy
forms" that move amid the "Elysian
fields and "Amaranthine bowers
of Grecian Mythology. But wha,
interests us most is what transpires
within the marble halls, and beneath
the gilded dome Of yonder magnif.
cent Capitol. 1t is there, for the first
time in our history rs nation, tha,
brave and true men have dared to be
consistent with the Declaration oi
Independence, and legislate in the in.
terests of equal justice, and the sin.
alienable rights" of mankind. The
chief topic of discussion In political
circles just now, is the proposed
amendment to the Constitution,
which the Select Committee on Re-
construction, after five months Of pa.
tient labor and investigation, have
reported.
1t embodies the guarantees Of the
Civil Rights bill into tho National
Compact-it confines the basis of
representation in all the States to the
voters, which will be a powerful in
centive to the Southern States to ex-
tend to all citizens their God. given
rights-it deprives rebels OF the
right to vote Tor President or mem.
bers of Congress until the year 1870,
and, as the freedmen will probably
be four years getting ready for suff.
rage, IL is but fair that the chivalry,
who have forfeited their privileges,
and disdainfully trampled upon the
Constitution should hold on until the
loyal men of the South are ready for
an even start. 1t also settles forever
the question of the repudiation of the
National deb.--of taxation of Ma.
tional securities-of the assumption
of tho Confederate debt, and com.
pensation to ex.traitors for their
former slaves.
This measure has been well ma
tured by the wisest aud purest men
of the nation, and has the unqualified
Endorsement of every Union member
Of the Committee-l2 out of I5--
and / trust it will meet the hearty
approval Of every loyal man through.
out the country; and become a part
Of the organic law of the land.
There is, of course, considerable
speculation and conjecture in regard
to the Presidents opinion of this
measure, but as yet, nothing very
definite has transpired. From what
] can see and hear, (and my oppor.
tunities In that direction are pretty
good) I do not believe the war be.
tween the President and Congress- il
SO bitter, the differences so vital and
momentous, the "chasm'' so deep
and dark, but that in due time tho
war will cease, the differences will bt
amicably adjusted, and the "chasm'
closed or efiectually bridged over.
As l am temporarily connecte(
with journal in this city that re-
quires most OF my leisure moments
beg you to excuse this hastily writ
ten letter, and believe me,
Very Truly, Yours,