Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-12-30
From Our washington Correspondent.

ton by the devoted and faithful servants Of the
people who annually cOnuognte at Washington.
Congress adjourned on Monday, the 2lst, until
the 9th Of January, and the outgoing trains that
night were crowded with senators, members, ana
/ lobbyists, who with carpct-bag in hand, were hur
ryng home to enjoy the festivities OF the season
with their families.
Christmas is regarded much more as q holiday
here than in New England, and is celebmtcd as
though it were Fourth Of July and Ihanksgiy-
ing combined. II strikes one at first as singu-
lar and shOckingly inappropriate why oi celebiat-
ing the anniversary Of the birth Of the Savior, by
firing guns, pistols and crackers, and other NOISY
aud riotOus demonstrations.
10 enable the officers and employee. To prepare
for and 90 participate in the proper observance Of
che occasion, the various Departments were closed
entirely ON Christmas day, and 40 one clock on
the day preceding and the entire force were pnid
oil for The month"; The making Of presents b. not
confined 10 the donations OF Santa Claus to the
children, but in illustration Of the truth, That
Men arc but children ofa larger growth
Everybody is expected 10 present something TO
everybody else the extent and value Of the pres
ent depending upon the means and relation of
the parties. This season Is the hay day Of thut
modest and conscientious clns- who seemingly
comprise one-third of the population Of Washing
ton, viz booksellers, fancy goods Dealers and
Traders genemly. who religiously observe Poor
Richards maxim about making hay while the
sun shines, by advancing the price of their wares
rom my % h'e hundred per cent. during the
holidays.
The various churches of all denominations were
open Tor worship during The forenoon and well
attended. and interesting exercises were held dur
ing tle day lbs the various Sunday and mission
schools.
Contributions were taken up through the De-
portmcnts, the lbcml donations Of Che poorly
paid clerks amounting to hundreds of dollars,
with which Christmas dinner was furnished 20
the inmates of the various Orphan Asylums, the
Industrial home school and other charitable and
benevolent institutions Al some of the mission
schools the children of the entire school were pre-
+ scented with complete suits Of warm winter cloth
/ ing.
40 those who were not disposed Go participate
in these religious OF benevolent exercises. the
theatres and various places of amusements which
were open in the afternoon and evening, offered
their attractions, while others found more con-
genial employment in the cruel sport Of pigeon
shooting.
The skating parks were in splendid condition.
aud here hundreds OF gay reyclers crowded the
ice There are two of these institutions here.
which uIc fitted up with every appliance that can
cunduco 90 the comfort and enjoyment of their
patrons, such as well warmed dressing and wait
/ Ing rooms, relrcshment rooms &C.
Bands of music are constantly in attendance.
and in the evening the parks are gaily decked
with Chinese lanterns or brilliantly Illuminated
by calcium. or the new magnesium light
During the short season when ice will form,
these parks are crowded with merry skaters, and
are a source of great profit % their managers
Secretary Scward ACCOMPANIED Ly the English
and French ministers. and other members of the
diplomatic corps, has gone % spend the HOLIDAYS
at his home in Auburn, ~ Y. where the cares OF
State are for a time 10 De exchanged for merry
mnkinqs.
The President having previously parl1ned
EVERYDAY who would c1ndtcend t6 ask for Il
but doubtless presuming that there were some
who had not been thrs noticed in detail. on
Christmas morning issued n general proclamation
of amnesty procaimin,s and declrinr IS uue.,ndi-
tionally and without reservation. no. NH and 10
every person who. directly or Indirectly partiri-
pated In the late insurreetinn ar rebellion n fnn
pordon and amnesty for the offence ~ tr,,.,n
against the United States or of adberinr In their
enemies during the late civil war. with rcs,0ra-
tion pf an righfs Driyileges md iuiuup;tio. ,,ey
the constitution and me laws which have Leen
made In pursuance thereof"
This long expected exersiSc Of the executive
power has received but litte notice from the
press. and scarcely ELECTS a remark in c1nvcrsl-
ton here The time has lpnr since messed whom
there was any hone or expeefoti1n tb5t ann If the
pains and penalties were to be inflicted for tie
sum Of all crimes, treason, and it is PERHAPS as
we'll that all traitors who have not otherwise re-
ceiyed one. should now be compelled 10 accent an
unconditional pardon
The United States Court " III no longer be called
upon to galyanize the corpse Of the JET. Davis
indictment
/ Two or three weeks since the New Englnnders
and descendants Of New Englanders. residing in
| Washington organized themselves into New
England Society, which j. designed to be perpet-
uh. The two hundred aud iorty-eiIhth anniver-
% t oa ,e , INV vi ~ ti'e gls' T.s '1ieoted
the Kirkwooi House. at which ebat tr b,,,,'
bred and fifty of the sons and daughters OF New
inSlend a., were assembled IN
show tbat the Shirts of onr maternoi ancc.l
presided in the kitchen, and directed the feast
clam chowder' bean soup, goldfish, pork and
eeF cre heaf a rs. .urhg3, chcTe PIE, I?as'
npple sauce. cranberry sauce annie Jumol,ngs
Boston brown bread, doughnats, Johnny cake,
I miuce ME uumpkin ME nnulee and cider -