The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-10-22
Letter from Washiu gtOm.
WASHINGTON, Oct, 10, 1869.

/ w ASH1NGTON, OCI., H. 1869.
TO the Editor of the Press:
Among the distinguished cergymen of this
city, the Rev. DIR. Newman, pastor of the Met
ropolitan Church, Meth odst is without doubt
the most popular. DIR. Newman is of COM
handing appearance, considerably above me-
dunn height, of large muscular frame, we'll
formed head, forehead quite prominent, and
usually wears his hair a la Beecher His gem
eral appearance in the pulpit is pleasing and
attractive. Without any osten tatious display
he commands at all times the full attention of
his hearers and is one of the most eloquent
and impressive speakers of the present day
After saying this it may appear strange for me
to say that he is poor reader, but such is the
fact. In preaching he never uses any notes
but after reading his text, closes the Bible
takes off his glasses and very deliberately puts
them in his vest pocket, and then commences
his discourse. have never listened to one of
his sermon, yet without having some new
ideas or thoughts suggested, and his sermons
generally abound in practical truths and are
the results of much study. At times, he cleo
trifies his hearers, by imprisoned bursts of
eloquence, That the DR.. has made his style
of oratory study, is very evident from his
manners, but, to a casual nearer it would not
be noticeable. 1t would not be safe for every
aspirant for clerical fame to initiate his style
for there are but few men who have the power
to take an audience by storm, but the Rev. DR..
Newman certainly possesses wonderful con-
troll over his hearers. At this church two
branches of the government are usually repre-
scented, the Executive and Judiciary. Being
present last Sabbath 1 was quite amused to
notice the agitation throughout the church
upon the entrance of Gen. Grant and his fam
lily. A rusting of ribbons and the turning of
heads toward the right main aisle, and a visi-
BILE commotion in the galleries, with an occa-
sional whisper "there he isl indi Gated that |
President Grant was passing down the aisle. |
Strangers and visitors in this city usually at |
tend this church to see the President and after |
the services the side walks in front of the |
church are usually completely thronged with |
people anxious to see him, as he comes out of |
the church, and sometimes it has been neces-
sary to detail police to keep the crowd away.
THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE.
The committee to inquire into the causes
that have led to decline in shipbuilding, and
of which the Hon. John Lynch is chairman, is
one of gleat Importance to the commercial in
terests of your State. From the evidence
so far, it is apparent that something
must be done to relieve the shipbuiders so
hat they may be enabled to compete with
other nations 1t is said by those engaged in
me manufacture of iron that a repeal of the |
iuty upon iron would be such a blow to that |
interest that every furnace in the country
would be closed. 1t is therefore impossible to |
.epeai the duty, but there can be allowed a |
lrawpack upon the material used in construct
ns vessels, which will, it seems to me, satisfy
vi concerned 1t is said that we must protect
ZONE industries, and it seems to me that shin.
uilding is peculiarly New England indns.
ry, and demands protection. Mr.. Lynch ba.
rom the first endeavored to protect this indus
ry by presenting a number of times in Con- c
ress bill for relief, but has as often failed to
,cure his object. 1 think the committee en-
aged upon this work will report to Congress S
nd recomms nd the measure Mr. Lynch has /
lvocated, and that such relief will be granted. b
-- BASE BALL. o
Yesterday afternoon match game of base
Ill was played between the Nationals and
lympcs, both clubs of this city. There has | u