Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-02-26
Tor the Spectator.

WASHINGTON Cry,
Feb IA, 1867. J
Dear Spectator While sojourning in the
'sCity Of the Nation, for few days, thought
of dropping you note instead of a Valentine,
which, though not quite SO eonalc as some OF
the pictures seen in the shop windows, L hope
may prove, at least, as interesting to the good
people at home.
Congress is busy on various bills that direct
ly, or more remotely, affect the South The
state of feeling toward us, Judging from the out
side expression which takes its color and form
from the inside talk of Congress, has not i'm
proved much, if any at all. Time seems rather
to have whetted the edge of the sword of their
wrath instead Of bunting it, to say nothing OF
wearing it away Old Ihad. Stevens made a
lengthy and bitter speech on yesterday in the
House in support of his bill for military occu-
pancy of the South, which was passed by the
usual vote Of the Republican party in Congress,
and was so exhausted by the mighty effort that
on to-day he was taken suddenly Ill., tainted, as
[ understand, and had to be carried from the
hall. ! rather expect some one struck him on
the head with brick. If it would only kill
him, in my humble opinion, the world IN gene
raj, and the South in particular, would be bet
ter off, while the Devil would be getting his
due. [ received letter from very interesting
and intelligent young lady Of Lancaster, Pa;,,
(Stevens' home, a short time since, IN which
she spoke very freely of Mr.. Stevens, as very
bad man, morally as we'll as politically.
Congress is holding night sessions, which are
attended by large crowds of spectators, compos-
ed of gentlemen, ladies and negroes. The Aro-
ma de Afique is very perceptible, and no doubt
very agreeable to the afactorles OF many OF the
Radical party. The Capitol, when lighted up
with gas, of WHICH there is a great abundance
inside, makes a very imposing show on the out
side, and is magnificent within The dome Is
very handsomely decorated with paintings taken
from heather anthology. At one side you will
observe, if you can endure to stand on your feet
with your head thrown back at an angle OF for
ty-fve degrees, long enough to draw in the
beauties of the scene-Old Neptune In his sea
shell chariot, drawn by fiery, impetuous hall
horse, half alligator steeds, attended by a num-
Der of mermaids, dressed fashionably thin fol
ladies in the summer time. Then you will OBJ
serve Mercury with his winged wand around
which the two serpents, representing the gov
ernments Of the United States and Confederate
States, are clinging and seem deslrous Of en-
bracing each other, sitting upon throne OF
temporary erection, which represents the he
publican platform, debating an lgnomlnlous
peace to the conquered South, perhaps, Judging
from the stern, threatening aspect of his coun-
down-trodden South to accept negro equality.
Next, you will observe Old Vulcan, with his big
foot on his still larger anvil and resting his pow
erful brawny arm upon the handle of his sledge,
waiting for the time to arrive when he may
''beat the sword into the plow share, and the
spear into the pruning hook" He looks as
though he would do it at once, if Stevens would
only let him alone, (his countenance being
strongly marked with impatience as he looks
into the future, who is represented by the per-
son of one of the attendants bearing In his arms
large bundle Of iron rods representing Davis,
Lee, johnson and the other prominent men of
the South, and urging him to crush them by
one fell blow OF his great hammer, by disfran-
cling them under disability, now and forever
Next. you will observe Venus, proud beauty,
attended by numerous little fairies, who scatter
flowers in her way, casting her smiles and be-
slowing her favors on one side only, the North,
for she, too. is a Republican But [ know you
must be as tired of reading as | was ofstanding
with nv head thrown back, looking at this pic
ture 10 understand and appreciate it's beau
ties, YOU must come and see it for yourself |
must say, Just here that while the execution OF
this work equals, if it does not excel, the cele-
brated work of Raphael in the dome of st. Pc
ter at Rome, it is certainly in bad taste in this
enlightened and polished stage of the world,
more particularly in the Capitol of Nation
that furnishes many splendid historical subjects
ready to the hand Of the artist, and which only
lack a few touches Of his brush to make them
shine ike Furnished gold. But, it is too true
in painting, as in other things, while we are
equialled by few and surpassed by no Nation on
the globe in inventive genius, we are too prone
to borrow from others.
The city itself presents very uninviting ap.
nearance at this time. The streets are not pa
we'd, as far as I have observed, unless Pennsyl
yania Avenue, (which extends from the Presi
dents House to the Capitol, } is, and are very
muddy, Some of them quite deep. The city fol
| the most part is very scatteringly built, there