The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1871-02-04
FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, d. c.,
FEB. LIST, 1871.

= EDITOR PALLADIUM :--On We'd
nesday evening q large number Of
spectators assembled in the rotun-
da Of the Capitol to witness the
ceremonies incident to unvailing
the statue of Lincoln, the handi-
work Of Miss Winnie Ream. Many
were unable to gain admittance on
account of the density Of The
crowd within. President Gran,
and other prominent officials were
seated on the platform where the
exercises took place. The statue
was unvailed by Judge Davis, and
addresses were delivered by Sena-
tors Trumbull, Carpenter and Pat
terson, Representative Cullom and
B, ooks, General Banks. At the
close of the last address, the fair
artist was introduced to the as
semblage, and greeted with d eaf-
ening applause. She gracefully
bowed her Acknowledgements. The
Marine band enlivened the occa-
sion with some choice music.
Hotels, boarding houses and
fashionable Restaurants of Wash
ington are now truly in flourish
ing condition. The prospects Of
the 42nd Congress meeting on the
4,h of March and remaining with
us until May, has given an impe-
tus to all kinds of business here,
I'D strnnoers arc moro 49, ---~-'
thel e'ore, than they would other
wise be-
An erroneous impression in re-
lation to the sale Of Arms by the
Government, has occasioned much
uneasiness and some dissatisfac-
tor among the friends here in this
country, of both the Prussians and
the French, which I think requires
some explanation. The facts are
that the Government found itself
in possession of a vast quantity of
Arms for which it had no use, and
which it was not, in consequence
of new mprovements, desirab BILE to
retain for any future emergency.
Both the Prussian and French Go
vernments made application to
purchase these arms, but our Co.
vernment refused to sell to either,
or to any agent of either Govern
ment. The Arms were, however,
advertised and sold-all bids from
the French or other Government
being rejected - and the Arms
awarded On the bids of private
| parties.
These parties have doubtless
sold to both the French and Prus-
sian Governments, as they had an
undoubted leg al right to do. Both
Prussia and England did the same
in our war for the suppression of
the rebellion. And further. all
Governments admit the right of
their citizens to deal with belliger-
ents at their own risk, and, OF
course, until the law and usage of
nations shall be changed, tina:
right must be accorded citizens OF
the United States, and it supplies
no ground Of complaint against
any nation atty or any administra-
ton.
Recent and authentic informa
ton from San Domingo is to the
effect that the portion of the Presi-
dents message relating to annex
alton, has been translated into
Spanish, published throughout the
Republic and received with un.
bounded enthusiasm by all classes
| The Commissioners will be re-
ceived in the most friendly man
ner, and their arrival is awaited
with the most intense interest.
So much has been said by those
opposed to the annexation Of Sar
Domingo, about its being an out
| lying dependency, to be governed
and protected at great cost, that its
friends hero think that the real ad
vantages of its position are liable
to be overlooked. 1t is. in fact
only four days from New York, a.
announced in the Senate by Mr.
Sumner himself; that he was il
receipt of advices from San Do
mingo only four days old. Thi:
shows it to be nearer the CONNER
cial and political Capitol than thu
larger half of its present territory
and the means of communication
(mainly by water) are cheape
than in any direction. SO far from
its being at any extraordinary dis
J lance from what may be termed
the centripedal influence of GU
, political system, it will be seen BY
reference to the most recent geo
graphical surveys, that line from
Cape Cod, due south, will intersec
the Capital city of San Domingo
and circle drawn from New
York, as center, will pass east 0
Galveston, and but little to tn
west of Omaha and Duluth, leaving
all of our great Western empir
outside, and Alaska and the Pacifi
Coast, at further remote, b,
thousands Of miles, from Ncv
+, York or Washington. But tn,
9 great advantage Of its position i
| its central and commanding posi-
ton in the great chain Of West In
dia Islands, which, beginning wit
Cuba and the Bahamas. completed
e encircles the Arabian Sea, thereb
e commanding the Gulf Of Mexic
. and the adjacent countries.
The aggregate value Of the i'm
. ports and exports Of the West In
e dia groups, according to rccer
report Of Commissioners dispatch
). ed by the British Government o
= q tour of examination, is four hur
r G., III