The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1869-01-14
our washington letter.
WASHINGTON. Jan. 9Th, 1

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9Th, 1869.
To the Editors Of The 4Heghanian:
Impressed with the belief that a brief
epistle, now and then, from this ''city of
magnificent distances" giving the news,
though in condensed form, might inter
est your readers, permit me to introduce
this, my first, messenger, and to bespeak
for it your charitable consideration. You
must not expect details of legislation, or
strung-out argument to back up your cor
respondents private opinion of ''men and
measures" Such an undertaking would
demand more time 90 indite and arrange
than | can devote to it, and more space
than your columns can allow for publica-
ton
Washington, regarded as the political
centre of the nation, is a city sWi gencTiS IN
character, the permanent inhabitants hav-
ing little to do in shaping its distinguish
ing features 1t may be viewed as q grand
stage, upon which stars" stock actors, :"
and ''sgpes" in politics perform drawing
praise. censure, merriment, or rldIcuie
from the audience = the people. In the
great drama of political LIE, OF the actors
it may be said,
"They have their exits and their entrances"
coming and going-shooting up in a blaze
of notoriety, and again vanishing into
dark obscurity. The prominent men Of
to-day were the tyros Of yesterday. The
stirring events Of the late long-to-be-re-
membered epoch in American history,
measured by the beginning and ending of
the war of the rebellion, have brought a
class of men into notice who, Sin piping
times of peace" would have been too short
| lived to have reached an elevation to be
oocu. Much Of merit would have lacked
the opportunity to manifest itself; but the
war called forth the latent ability of the
| country, and, in its progress and close,
furnished material from which the people
will be inclined to select their rulers for a
long time to come 1t must not be sup
posed that prowess in the field Of battle
will alone be considered the recommend
ton to popular favor. Executive, legisla-
tive, and judicial services in the time Of
the country's need are no less meritorious,
and will be as speedily recognized. 10y
atty to the nation, opposition to rebellion
against its integrity, sympathy with the
defenders Of liberty and Union, must, in
| the past, have characterized those who,
IN the present or future, may hope for
popular favor. In the recent elections,
| the people have applied these tests in the
! choosing Of a President, Vice President
and National Congress.
GA the approaching 4th Of March, the
reins of government viii be placed in the
hands of those to whom has been commit
ted the grave responsibility of securing
peace and prosperity throughout the land,
recently the theatcr Of bloody strife, and
inaugurating such an administration of the
government aswill effectually guard against
the uevices Of treason, while giving aid
and protection to loyalty and DEVOTION
1t may not be said OF US that ''thc age of
yirtuous politics is past" The confidence
of the people in the patriotism of the
President, Vice President, and Represen-
tatives elect gives bright hope for the fu-
ture Of our country. Although their
respective tasks will be difficult Of perfor-
nance, yet, as in war, under the leader
! ship Of Grant, there was mo such word as
fail, " 1t may reasonably be anticipated that
a like success will distinguish his incom-
Ing administration.
We are on the eve Of most important
legislation, during this last session Of the
40th Congress The two prominent meas
dyes to be discussed and matured are those
looking to fiscal and tariff policy. On
the question OF finance, there exists a great
variety of views The first and most en-
crossing question seems to be the adoption
Of some plan for improving the currency
for bringing it up TO specie value, and
ultimately for It's redenption-fo supply
ing the necessary circulation after the
proposed retiring Of the ''greenbacks
shall have been accomplished. Some con
tend tor immediate resumption some for
fixing day, month, and year in the future
when the doors OF the Treasury shall be
opened AID the holders OF greenbacks in
yited to walk IN" and draw go5d for paper
promises-some for an indefinite postpone
ment OF the subject, leaving the currency
as 1t IS, without increasing it's volume, to
continue to supply the requirements of
trade, resting upon the ability of the gov
! ernment to redeem at such future time as
sound policy may suggest. This question,
in its several phases, is now calling out the
best financial talent in Congress. What