Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-12-03
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.


Plymouth Rock gave birth to the Amer.
ican idea Of God, as controlling the af-
fairs Of men and nations. The idea OF
Thanksgiving was voiced with booming
cannon at Lexington in the Nations in
fancy In its first baptism Of blood, and II
was oft and oft repeated in the second
baptism amidst the battle OF musketry,
and the din Of conflict, through four years
OF this Nations conflict. With such a his.
tory tits not strange that such Nation by
the most solemn edlcts, trumpet-tongued,
Of Its rulers State and national should stop
the hum Of spindles, and its ten thousand
industries and invite its millions of citi-
2ens TO stand one day with bowed heads
so near the Infinite as to catch an inspira-
tiOn that should move all hearts to dsvout
thankfulness. No Nation ever had greater
cause for thanksgiving; for abundant har-
vest; for political deliverance; for health
for peace; for unbounded prosperity, and
for ten thousand such blessings which are
enjoyed by no other people, which should
make us profoundly grateful TO the Giver
Of all good. In such spirit was the day
hallowed and Kept at the National Capital.
The subject Of new Presidential man
zion to be located on the highlands north
of the city, will come before Congress at
the present session. The old executive
Mansion was we'll enough adapted to the
wants OF the country in its infancy, but
is not at all suited to the necessities Of the
nation in its manhood. There is now no
possible privacy for the family Of the
President and II is not always comfortable
to have Mrs. Betsy Jones know all that the
Presidential party had for dinner. The
old mansion will be used as an Executive
office.
The Post Master-General has made a
wise recommendation for the building OF
new postofiloe department, 10 answer the
demands Of the constantly increasing
business Of the department. In 1850 its
total receipts were %, 400, ,954. 80; in 1850,
$9,5ls, 00640;in 1870 $40, az, ,ei0. 65; and
In 1880, sS8, 1918, ,470.84. Our expanding
territories will swell the revenues TO full
500, ,OOO,O 600, by 1890, The government is
paying now 100000 each year for the
rent Of buildings that are little better
than tinder'boxes, yet the necessities Of
the public service demand IL. With the
ability 10 borrow money at three per cent,
10 Is a question how long this penny wise
and pound foolish practice win continue.
President Garfield made a flying visit to
the city and was driven m President
Hayes carriage to his modest home on /
street. At his special request, no public
demonstration was made. He has the
same genial manner as when he was sim
ply General Garfield, months ago. His
irst declaration on stopping of the cars
was how are you Bob as he took Inger.
soil by the hand The boys Of the ball
and the bat here at the Capital hold the
General In high esteem as he has for sew
eral years been q frequent visitor at the
National Grounds, takinga hand at bat
ting occasionally oshow the boys just how
to do II.
Representatives OF commercial interests
are here to urge the passage by the present
Congress OF general bankrupt law. In
a country with suoh vast and varied in
terests Il Is evident that some iuaipiops
law should be enacted TO protect creditors
and relieve unfortunate bankrupta from
liabilities that can never be paid. This
measure has the approval Of Senator.
Oonkling, Edmunds aud Thurman as well
as the wleest men In commercial circles al