The national Republican., 1869-02-03
W..hirrter rh.n .na nau.

The. editor Of the Richmond Wig, himself
Virginian, and one Of the COMMITTEE Of
nine" now here for the purpose Of securing
the reconstruction Of the State, writes to his
paper ana compares Washington life before
the late war with Washington life Of the
present day. The comparison Is certainly
favorable to the present times. The South
ern people are beginning to realize the fact
that an infusion Of Northern spirit, energy
and habits are desirable In any community.
"Those familiar with Washington life and
habits In the times that have passed, looking
upon this metropolis az the scene Of one con-
tlnued holiday, would be surprised al The
change that has occurred In II. Whatever Of
Vice and prohlgacy there may be beneath the
surface, II Is due to truth to say that the
public eye encounters but little Of Il. Among
the public men In the Departments, In the
committees and In both houses of Congress,
there is conspicuous earnestness in the
manner In which they address themselves to
their work. Order, system and unremitting
industry are everywhere manifest. The rules
and discipline that obtain In private business
of the North seem to have been introduced
Into the Government business here, and WASH
ington appears to have become hive Of busy
industry. Nor do observe anywhere that
Haunting display and vulgar ostentation Of
which we read go much during and immedl-
ately after the war. .|..
"There Is an air Of quletude about the place
and people that was not prepared for. At
certain hours the public rooms Of the hotels
seen any departure from decorum during my
sojourn here. It is seldom that I have, in
any part Of the city, encountered noisy or in
toxicated people. Washington Is q sort Of
national encampmcnt, and hundreds Of
people come and 60 daily. The great bulk
Of the visitors are from the Northern and
Western States. Formerly the South sup
piled an undue proportion, most Of whom
came for enjoyment. They spent their money
freely and contributed greatly towards giving
to the city that gay and dissipated appear
ance II wore. Recently there have been
numerous visitors from Virginia, attracted
chiefly BY the political movement In progress.
Every day see some new fnces from yir-
ginia. There Is also a sprinkling Of visitors
| from all Of the Southern States, and
have been much pleased at the sobriety,
sedateness and dignity they exhibit. Few Of
them have money to throw away, and they
seem to husband their resources carefully.
Our Northern friends always preferred,
as a general thing, laying up money to
| spending II uselessly. II they have project
Il on hand that requires pressing, they can be
as magnificent and prodigal as princes, but
they do not look upon money thus expended
Us thrown away, and they return to their
steady habits as soon as their object Ia
gained. What they spend Is generally spent
usefully In gathering home comforts around
them. They do not waste money In hack
hire, bar-rooms and other indulgences.
think We are gradually falling Into their
ways. We have spent several miserable
years In the school Of adversely, and have
learnt lessons Of economy. 1t will not be
long before we will be as sharp at bar
gain and as close with a penny as the cutest
and most saving Of our more Northern fell
low-cltlZens.