The Louisiana Democrat., 1868-06-24
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON

! Correspondence Louisiana Democrat.
WASHINGTON, b. c., June 7th. 1868.
EDITOR DEMocRATc-There is rain to-
night with gusts of wind, and the hail is
patteripg the panes iyelily. To this you
owe this. letter, as it detains me in doors,
I'Will it be less acceptable on that account,
OF will it not rather remind you OF the old
adage, it's an i'll wind that blows nobody
any good.
Ifany one shall doubt the decadence OF
the model republic, let him visit t4e
Chamber of the Senate; and hear such men
as Stewart Of Nevada and Pomeroy Of Kan
sas utter such platitudes as 4 heard from
them yesterday graceless both in person
and character, and without asolitary mem
tai or moral qualification for their posi-
tions, theyy typify the abasement ofIthhe
nation. When I entered the Chamber a
tall and well made man wasspeaking with
| slow utterance, and marked choice Of Ian
guage, approaching too nearly to int intel
lectual foppishness.. l did not think !
could mistake the man, but I satisfied my
self by an inquiry Of my next neighbor,
who informed me with unetuous eagerness
that it was Charles Sumner 1t was re-
freshing to hear Doolittle directly after
wards repel his covert insinuation against
the truthfulness of one Of our public men,
and with clear voice, trenchant manner,
and admirable self-possession yipdicate our our
down-troddep and perpetually abused
South. We owe great deal to Mr.. Doo-
little and the few Republicans, who like
him, dare to believe and to say that the
humiliation oft South has already been
carried beyond the limits which either
wise craftsmanship or a decent regard to
she opinions of the world can Justify.
| j Old Ben Wade was quietly nodding in
his dull seat, ans. exhibited marked con-
trast to his successful rival who,s as en-
tered the House was despatching. business
with ready promptitude. Colfax is young
in appearance, and is well up with his dn-
ties. It was dull day there, and but
few members in their seats, nearly all the
notabilities being absent, and SO, ! did not
1 - f.-.s A,ffs
see the bleareyed Beast, nor Dick Taylor's
commissary. ''1' go 81
But if the Congress has diminished in
respectability and intellectual strength,
the building in which they sit is surely
worthy to be the Legislative Hall Of g
great nation II High above the splendid
pile of white marble; which dazzles the eye
with its unrelieved brightness rises that
magnificent dome with its fretted cornices
and circular coslonade until the sight
grows weary with measuring its graceful
proportions, and rests at last with a sense
Of repose upon the black figure that sur
mounts the pinnacle. Successive flights
Of steps are traversed by you as yon as
4 cend rom the green sward, the ascent be-
ing relieved by terraces, and you enter the
grand vestibule with sort Of impression
that there u before you q gorgeous palace
suspended in mid air whose portals open
their giant folds to receive you. Nor is the
interior unworthy of such architectural
splendor. Graceful columns of dark mar
BILE and richly carved balvstrades charm
the sense, and gilded pendants from splen.
didly wrought ceilings diminish the space
by d pleasing illusion. The Hall Of the
House of Representatives, is by far the
most gorgeoasly decorated, and is spacious
enough for the increase which a rapidly
growing country will require.
| There is, however, one thing wanting,
the absence of which is conspicuous. One
feels there should be in and around such
a building groups Of statuary and paint.
ings Of the first order Of merit. Perhaps ii
is too much to expect that these two de
partments Of tho Fine Arts should receive
their nerited attention from q people
whose distinguishing characteristic is q
passion Of practical utility, bit architec.
ture is one Of the fine arts, and the Capitol
is proof Of that capability for their just
expression is not lacking in the American
mind. 3e . f9es, Sfnt },sgf
Tho political caldron is not yet boiling
but the fires thatlare preparing enable us
to get foretaste of the dish to which the
national palate is to be treated. Without
any doubt the current is setting very
strong towards the nomination at New
York Of the Chief Justice. and moderate
men concede that unless the Democratic
4 Convention make striking blunder ii
July, the Radicals must surely be routed
The impeachment fasoo has done for them
what all the political adversaries in the
world could not have done, and the failure
Of the foul conspiracy is felt to be in some
measure due to the. vulgar insolence o1
Butler, whom the committee Of managers
with rare want Of discernment permitted
to lead the prosecution. If the Chicago
Convention had it's work to do over, Grant
would not be it's nominee. Contrary to
every expectation of the Radical leaders
y a.a Ha. Asa
| the country receives the announcement ol
his candidacy with an indifference that re
sembles torpor, and foreshadows that glo
rious issue for which Southern hearts have
yearnedlso long. The triumph of the con
seryatiye Democracy in this contest-tht
greatest that the world has seen since tht
English Revolution Of 1688-would be til,
first step in, and the sure forerunner o
| the rehabilitation Of the South. It vii
be the assurance of restoration to thei
political rights, and the overthrow of th,