The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-01-11
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

Saturday last was no exception. Though
many Of the members had left for their
homes, yet enough remained to conduct
the closing proceedings after the same
manner Of preceding adjournment days.
In the House Mr.. Wood endeavOred TO
secure adoption Of the resolutions TO in
vestigate the workings OF the executive
departments. But as he had not a ma
jOrity, in consequence Of the absence Of
so many OF his political brethren, the
Republicans interposed dilalory mo
tions and then refused 60 vote upo
them, thus showing the lack OF a quo
rum. Ii was queer spectacle; legis-
lative body eOustructively without
quorum, aud yet nearly one-half its
members were sitting mutely in their
seats. From twelve to after three o'clock
this dumb show continued, aud then
the Democrats conceded themselves
beaten by agreeing 10 let the resolutions
go over till January 10th. This brought
the usual rush for passage Of private
bills. But the House was not in the
temper for transacting business, as a
motion 10 adjourn was soon carried,
though score of members were on their
feet excitedly trying TO secure action on
their "liftle matters" II is not till the
day Of final adjournment that such little
matters can be put through, as then
every body is too sleepy from the pro-
traeted sessions preceding or too much
discOmpOsed from other causes to pay
sufficient attention TO what is going on
to even enter an objection, which would
bar the passage OF any bill, no matter
how important. The Senate had so
completely subsidized that il reached an
adjournment without a delay or de-
bale. Monday found our city in all its
accustomed quiet ofthe recess, for hardly
a legislator was left to disturb our peace
The mild and beautiful weather Of
this week has been improved 10y our
people in bnsied preparation for the hoI-
idays, now that all national matters
have been settled by the solons at the
Capitol prior to adjournment. Our shops
have put on their gaiety attires, aud
anxious parents and expectant young
America throng our streets from early
morning till late at night seeking after
Santa Claus knick-knacks aud means
for Christmas enjoyments. We are not
far enough removed, IS yet, from old
slavery times to forget or lose that pc
culiar sanciity which attached to Christ
mas in the southern States. To the
slave Christmas week was the one great
epoch OF his life, 20 which he looked
forward as his only Elysian. He could
endure the stripes aud hari-hips of fifty
one weeks without a murmur, providing
the fifty-second week brought him the
usual round of festivities, which always
characterized the end of the year among
the slaves. Old and young, freed and
b0ndman, universally devoted Christ
mas week TO pleasure-seeking, aud he
was hgrd master, indeed, who dared
exact work from his slaves during this
period. Master aud mistress, save in
the rarest exception, laid aside their
customary dignity and became wit
nesses, aud often sharers, Of the negroes
pleasures, which were uninterruptedly
pursued day and night by all upon the
plantation until New Years day came,
bringing with il the iuflexible rule that
the slave must begin his work on the
first day Of the new year. Then his fun
was over, though the Northern labOrer
claims il as holiday. While cam
paiguing in the South during the war,
We were struck with the deep hold
which Christmas week and its jollities
had upon the mind of the slave, and
how he seemingly forgot the hardships
OF to-day, or OF weeks, or months, pro-
vided be became his own master during
/ Christmas week. The whole week was
I Christmas to him, as he knew neither
day nor night during its continuance
thrown in official contact with the
[ freedman in the South, and everywhere
we found these Christian customs, and
| in them saw one bright spot, at least,
in the institution Of slavery. In them
| all hardness was lost, aud the slave
stood 10 his master precisely as the
child Of the North to his parents. Gus
/ tom gave the boudman full release from
his bondage, aud the master removed
every burden, assisting with his means,
that the slave might have no bar to that
exquisite enjoyment which only a slave
could experience. He could impose
cruelest tasks upon the slave at other
seasons. But he had 10 face strong
public sentiment when he attempted 10
curtail the slaves holiday.
The new specimen silver dollars, Of
which Senator Jones presented two to
I President Hayes the other day, are ex-
ceediugly perfect aud beautiful pieces OF
workmanship, SURPRISING in sharpness
and finish aus coins ever struck la this
OF in any other country. Two speei-
mems have been made. each Of the same
size and weight, 4l25 grains, aud eOu-
forming in device and inscription ia
legal requirements. The most marked
change from the old dollar is the repre-
sentation Of Liberty" which, instead
of sitting figure, is a large, sharply-euI
female head, in one wearing the hai
confined in a circlet, on the front o
which is the Liberty" aud in the othe
wearing a loose cap, wreathed witt