Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-06-11
ALEXANDRIA, VA.
SATURDAY, JUNE II. 1870

SATURDAY. JUNE II. 1870.
Wherever the English language is spoken
q, read this day, there will be sorrow for tho
death Of CHARLES DICKENS. We forget or
overlook Whatever may have been the faults or
follies of the man, in our admiration OF the
genius OF the author. For years he has been
deighting us with his humor and his pathoS;
there is no moro 10 store for Us, from his pen'
for the future. But he has lett enough Tor US,
To establish his fame. No writer Of our age
has been more popular-none who has con,
tributed more to the innocent pleasure OF the
nnbl;e His characters are rs familiar as it we
had personally known them: his happy
sketches his vivid descriptions, arc imprinted
upon our memories. All his works sho"
genial nature, and heart full Of kindness to
his fellow men. We were looking for further
carnations from his intellect. That was not
to be! As johnson said when the inevitable
hour came to Garrick, "his death has eclipsed
the gayety of nations" Tributes to his mem
DRY are paid in Europe and America; and oil
would place upon his grave flower, and not
one thorn.
In the House Of Representatives yesterday
the subject of the newspaper statements that a
Cuban lobby had used money in Congress to
procure action favorable for the insurgents, was
taken up. Mr.. Butler, Chairman of the COM
mittee appointed to examine into the charges,
stated that there had been 10 evidence to sus-
tain the charges against members OF Congress-
Mr.. W. Scott Smith, the correspondent OF the
New York Post who first made public the
charges, was summoned before the bar OF the
House to give his authority for them. lie
stated that he procured them from official
documents and personal conversation with
General Butler, that the official document was
the affidavit OF N. B. Taylor, and that it had
been shown to him in confidence. Alter con-
siderable debate the whole subject was referred
to select committee of FIVE, and Mr.. Smith
discharged from the custody of the House.
The democratic Senators and Representa-,
tives in Congress, held caucus at the Capitol
last night. A proposition for an effective cam
paiRn organization in the close congressional
districts, with view Of eleotiDg democratic
Representatives next fall, was discussed, and 1t
was 6pall8 agreed to . TO
For DO not desire TO see
the elections in the States inter!ered with by
members of Congress. and would prefer se
have moi campaign" or Executive committees
10 Washington" Both parties resort to this
procedure in party times-but, NC believe,
they not only do DO good-but oftcntimes
much harm. Let the members of Congress
attend to their duties, and let !ectons in the
States alone.
A committee of the Episcopal Convention Of
The Diocese of Ohio has reported against u
general revision OF the book of Common Prayer,
tut recommending revision Of the baptisma
service by slight change. as recommended by
line Bishops. This report elected discussion,
and the Convention seem ed pretty evenly I'll
vided. The resolutions finally went on the
table by adjournment.
The new Illinois constitution sets out Tor
perfection, By first ordaiulng that it shall never
be changed, We are very conservative in our
upluiOue, Out lulS ~ u HuChelUcIiy DCSuEu
our persimmon, as vein Virginia, say Con-
servatism means to preSerre all that is good
and valuab!o-not to oppose changes which
may result in beneit-if they should be found
necessary.
Winnie Ream writes from Rome that she
hopes to have her Lincoln statue completed
by January next. She will accompany it to
America in February next, and present it to
Congress before it sdourns. She will spend
the summer and autumn at Carrara, at work
on the marble.
1t is considered quite "a good joke, y now by
several of the ultra Radical leaders IN Con-
gress, to talk about any thing being ''contrary
to tho constitution" That's "old fogyism,'
they say. Constitution, indeed "a fico for the
phrasc!'
The late Charles Dickens was born at Ports.
mouth, England, February :, 1872. He com
menced his career as reporter for the press
ia London.
We begin to hear complaints OF damage done
10 the wheat, in portions of, Virginia and
Maryland, by the late rains But, VIC hope,
for the best.
1t is said that the army officers and the
officials do not look for any happy results from
the visit OF the Indians to Washington.
LoUDoUN CoUNTY.-The memorial cere-
lnSk h, .ci