The Donaldsonville chief., 1879-09-20
Our Washington Letter,
WASHINGTON. D. C., Sept. 10. 1879.

EDITOR CHlEF: -.#Ss%
Home! What magic in the simple
word. Around the hearth stones Of
America are woven the warp aud
woof of our real life. The arts Of the
alchemist can not transmute metal
into coin 40 pure as to purchase the
joys that breathe upon the atmosphere
Of our homes. The Government may
have forts, iron -clads and batteries,
but mightier, stronger and more en-
during are the invisible influences
that spring from the dearest spot on
earth, the home. What matters,
though it be turret-mounted and be-
dazzled with elegance, or an adobe
hut away in the far land, If over the
portals is written the sacred. word
Home, it is enough. Within its Holy
of Holes are born the inspiration
which makes men, and eqnips them
for life's labors and responsibilities.
| /" Tho hearth Of home has a constant fame,
And pure as a vestal hre,
Twill burn and burn forever the same
For nature feeds the pyre."
Washington is becoming city Of
monuments, art and culture, and an
other added object of interest is to be
soon unveiled in the statue of the
brave hero and soldier, Gen. Thomas.
Mr.. Ward, the artist, has treated the
statue, not as.an ideal, bat as an en-
bodiment of common sense. The at
titude is calm, digDified and natural.
In the barred left hand are the reins,
and in the gloved right hand are the
Generals hat and other glove-the
arm being extended straight down by
the side. The uncovered head is
massive, strong and manly. The look
seems intently fixed upon the move
ments of troops in battle. The head
is lifted slightly, showing the broad,
solid forehead, the deep set eyes and
the short, curling beard: The body
is clearly indicated under the closely
buttoned military coat, and the legs
are extended forward to accommodate
themselves to the sudden cessation Of
the horse's motion. The animal it.
self is the best of common good
horses; not in any way fancy" but
having resources Of strength to draw
on at sight-a beast to inspire the
confidence. of it's owaser.. Tho horses
feet rest upon tho ground-three Of
them firmly, while the left hind foot
rests only upon tie toe. The lifted
head and ears, the open mouth and
eyes, tue name and tail stirred by the
wind, are indications of excitement
in rest. All who have seen the model
Of Gen. Thomas pronounce it a per-
feet likeness of the brave old Gen.
sral. ~.
An incident has occurred il1ustra-
ting the marvellous prosperity of the
iron manufacturing interest in the
county in connection with the nego-
tiation by government officers for the
irOn-wOrk on the extension wing of
the new State, War and Navy de-
partment building in this city. The
officers in charge Of the work ad
dressed circular Letters to the promi-
nent iron manufacturers and con-
tractors throughout tho couptry re-
questing them to submit estimates
for the iron work. Replies to these
circulars have been received, and,
strange to say, in a majority of cases
the contractors have declined to bid
for the work on account of the la ~ge
number of orders ahead. AS a rule,
there is a great competition for gov
eminent work Of this kind, for the
reason that the prices are usually
very liberal and payments prompt.
Now, however, instead of being en-
barrassed to decide between the bid
ders, the government is likely to OK
! pe,ienee difficulty in getting the
proper person to do the work in any
reasonable time.
The rapid accumulation of gold in
this country from foreign shipments
is taking all the wind out Of the anti
resumption sails of the Greeuback-
: Bourbon campaign. Gen. Hillbouse,
Assistant Treasurer at New York
says: "There has been 10 change
10 the movement Of gold. It still
| continues tn accumulate in our vaults,
whilst the amount of certificates out
standing remains nearly stationary
There is really no demand for gold,
and as it is less convenient than
! notes to handle, not only the annual
production but the imports, which
are likely to be very large this fall,
will naturally take the same direc-
tion. This accumulation iu tho stock
Of coin in the Treasury iu riow of the
fact that the custom duties arc -pow
largely paid in United States notes
and silver certificates is conclusive
evidence of general belief in the