The New York herald., 1869-03-19
THE RAG TAG AND BOBTAL ARMY IN
WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, March Is, 1869.

WASHINGTON March Is, 1862
ssUneasy lies the head that wears crown,n saith
Shakespeare in the fulness Of his wise reflection,
meaning OF course no more the material diadem Of
gold and jewels than he meant woollen nghtcap,
but conveying in his utterance the great truth Of
universal application that the place OF highest trust
il the place OF highest trial. But two weeks Presi-
dent-nay, not SO much as two-and Grant already
begins to realize the force OF Shakspeare's adage.
The of1ce-seekers are upon him, they have come
from far and near from the frozen regions OF Alaska
to the torrd sands Of Texas and transversey in the
same ratio Of distance. They surge around the
White House, they rush with patriotic ard0r
through the lobbies Of the Capitol, they
clamor about the departments and they
talk loudly and Ion in hotel barrooms the burden
OF their wild amor pdty'iU cry being "wh0 80 base
that would not love his country and serve her for
ever more IN officer' Oh! they are o grand and
patriotic army that claim the occupation OF Wash.
ingon at this tme each soldier in 1t selfexpressed
martyr to principle, hlghtsouled Spartan burning
with no meaner desire than to serve his apprecia-
tive country any Of her lucrative trusts to practice
economy, retrenchment. &C., and retire like Cncin-
Weather man.
1t would do the country good II 1t could look in
here for moment at this host Of splendid fellows
to observe their meek patience in waiting and watch
ing the tireless energy Of their attention to White
House and Capitol, the humble and honest trim OF
their apparel and the fabulous number Of their re-
concentrations from all the respectable citizers In
the land. The country would then take pity on It's
good and earnest children and give o plum or an
Oflce TO each.
Poor Grant is fairly overwhelmed. He pledged
the people he should put none but efficient men In
ONCE but time has arrived since ne said 80 in
which men OF q contrary kind are as scarce as Kohl
moor diamonds. No; ali suddenly the millennium OF
1rtl A a
honest men and true. Grant started out well; he
surveyed the field and saw with prophetic eye that
host greater than Xerxes ever commanded would
charge nlasse upon him; with military skill he
has thrown out defences and adopted plan that
will In some degree break tile irresistible momentum
OF the attack. His generals Of division in the
Cabinet departments will bear the assault IN CON-
mon with their CHIEF. The skirmish line q Office
once. II his sn,e;roos and u ali the
addresses at him. poked their hands into his,
smiled beningny on him, reminded hiIh Of old times
here and there from New YORK to California where
he slept with one, took tea with another saved
from capture by third when the rebel lines were
threatening, and had nifty other kindnesses done IN
bolder feeingly logged his memory about boxes OF
cigars, boots and Shoes pianos and pictures con-
tributed to the list OF his luxures but all were in
turn discounted. Grant shook as few hands as he
could, extended as few compliments as he could and
altogether demoralized the ranks and disgusted the
minds OF his invaders. Yet with all this II still ION,
Muggns charge, patriots, charge, but be and
gran olce.n The first line OF attack may be dis
heartened and dispersed, but another and still
another Will be ever ready to renew the encounter
till the spolls are all exhausted. The attack the
White louise must OF course grow feeber BY degrees,
for Grant has issued his Official order that he will
have none OF IT, and viii tight 1t out Just there II IL
takes all the seasons In HIS quadrennla term. 0ce-
seekers,n he excaims, IN substance right about
face, and II you want promotion IN my force In the
Treasury line go TO the proper officer. Adjutant Gen.
orders to report me-" The ring OF this decree will
soon be heard In the land; but not TILL then can
Grant say with proprety ''let me have peace.r
Is there speck Of war In the distance, is II but
the delusive mutterng OF empty thunder this senate
proclamation that no repeal OF the Tenure OF Once
taken from the Executive breast and hung above his
head by HAIR 10 be cut when II deems lt by the
spirit that decreed It,
Is It extravagant to presume that we have Just be.
gun to travel on the old Roman road to despotism
and destruction-that the Senate, tasting OF the
fu aggression on another branch OF the Legislature,
meditates holding Its advanced ground and entering
on other fields OF triumph In the same direction.
The attitude OF some Senator'S looks ominous. sum
ner stands like figure OF flaming wrath In the path
way OF repeal. Edmunds, Williams, wilson, Conk-
forth their determination TO oppose the expressed
VIII OF the people, But the VIII OF the people IL too
strong and intelligent for this and when the bill OF
supenson reaches the House 1t win be very sum-
marty rejected. Ii is here, perhaps after ALL the
real war will happen, and the extraordinary spec
representatives on the one side contendng under
the constitution against handful OF half and half
representatives on the other.
Grant Will finally win his political Appomattox
mere and dangerous spirit In our highest couDcls
WIN DC crushed II Is to be hoped, forever.