Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-08-17
A VISIT TO NO-MAN'S LAND,
WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF ITS GREAT
MACHINE.

vision OF Its marvellous blessings as re-
ported in ornate and polished periods of
selfdelcgated advocates; or by choice cd
itorals not published as official or if the
immediate cause Of my visit was latent
mistrust that possibly all this brilliant show
Of intellectual and oratorcal glory might
not be reflection from pure gold, or even
unalloyed silver, nor yet good, honest
braius-though savoring somewhat strong
ly of the latter, politically, is of no conse-
quencc to the reader.
Sufficient herein to say I did so visit,
and under exceedingly favorable auspices.
1t SO happens that Don Henriqucs Seq.
undo is distant relative Of mine; and
more fortunate still, it happens that he is
a banker, Of much renown in No-Man's
Land and consequently useful acquaint-
ancc for one about visiting that country.
Hearing from the Don that influence
official, financial and personal-was the
great dcsidcyatum to insure success in any
undertaking, l supplied myself with nu-
merous sacks Of golden ducats, and some
thing like dray load Of recommcndatory
letters to various magnatcs of his wonder
full land, and taking passage by the most
approved route, arrivel without accident.
There was met by great surprise. The
news Of my expected arrival had preceded
me.
Don llenriques, with praiscworthy ad-
hcrcncc to a custom that pertains else
where, of making every possible occasion
c,nduce to ones individual importance,
had made known the fact, adding sundry
picturesque embellishments regarding my
political life and services, of highly i'm
aginativc character.
The result was to secure for Inc a pub
licity neither welcome nor desircd--iu
which may remark that Don Hcnriqucs
shonc with great splendor; and the free
dom of the city was rendered me, in the
formal address Of an official committee Of
welcome.
The freedom of the city (whatcvcr it
meant) | declined; but as knowledge of
such committee may be Of service to the
gracclcss youths of my own country, am
tempted to give brief description Of it
here.
1t was made up of honorable members,
holding official relations with nearly every
department, Bureau and Board of the
Government, none of whom, as l after.
wards heard, held less rank than that of
General or Colonel. CThere had been a
private detailed to act as Secretary, Don
ITenriqucs said; but all the Colonels had
taken turns in drilling him for carcass
duty* at conventions, and he was in con-
sequence too much discouraged to appear
at the rcception.)
Tho committee was understood to be
composed of the leading citizens, and, as
such, deemed my visit one of political sig
ailicance very properly comprised Of Gus
tom officials, revenue officials, postoflice
officials, treasury officials, and officials de-
tective and judiciary, with front and
rear rank of homo veterans and peace
patriots.
There were also sub-committces acting
as Aankers to the main body-like the
others, sacrificing themselves in the ser.
vice of the government. OF these l only
remember few by designation.
There were the Senatorial Committee, the
Representation Committee, tho Legisla-
tive, the Couucilmanic, tho Building, the
Special, the Private, the Personal, the Ap-
preparation, the Ex-Army, the Aldcrmauic,
tho Privilc god, the General Committee
(and, perhaps, the Corporal Committed,
tho Executive Committee and tho Univer-
sal-Religio-C -Constitutional-tiukeriug Com
mittccs.
Most of these honorable gentlemen
{" They wcro all honorable mcn") wore a
gold,crestcd favor in his button.hole, in-
scribed with singular legend in the dia-
lect of No.Man's Land,
"Policy as tie Best Honestyl"
l had noticed at the reception that hardly
any of the committee wore coats precisely
alike, although strong effort seemed to be
made individually to secure uniformity in
cut and ft-blue aud gray walked side by
side with black and brown, aud motley
was especially prominent.
asked Don Hcnriques, after the affair
*This is probably the dialect Of No-Man's
Land fos caucus duty.