Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-03-12
CHICAGO LETTER.
Correspondence Public Ledger


dismally, and the flames ola fierce FIR
illumined the dreary landscape. TIL
fire started out very vicious, but tn
rapid action of our superb FIRE brigad
soon calmed the wrath of the destroy
ing demon, and in a few hours the las
spark was out. What promised a
first to be a disastrous blaze turned
out to be one Of minor moment. Blu.
in bringing about this o-be-thankful
for result, quite q number Of the fire
men were frost bitten by exposure.
From the I'd inst. to the 9th a con.
slant snow-storm ragged, suspendinl
business and utterly impeding travel
Since the latter date the prospect has
been more cheerful, and to-day is quite
lovely with a bright outlook for the
continuance of the same for an indef-
mite period.
General Garfeld's inaugural address
seems to have met the appreciation Of
all classes in Chicago, with the excep-
ton of those portions referring to the
education Of the colored mar and the
position Of the national banks. Prom
inent men Of all shades of politics
consider that enough legislation has
been had for the negro, and that his
superior claims upon the nation
should be left to the states in which
he resides to consider the steps neces-
sary to be taken for his intellectual
advancement. AS to the national
banks, these same men think the
president should have fought shy of
them, if he could not have said any
thing condemnatory of the arbitrary
power yielded by the general mo1op-
oily. The intelligent and patriotic zen
timent here is positively against non
ster moneyed corporations. From the
makeup of Mr.. Garfeld's cabin IT.
that is, because Of his apparent liberal
action as to its composition-wuch
good is expected from the future con-
duct Of his excellency. As to one
member Of the cabinet l can speak
from acquaintance. That one is Bob"
Lincoln. He is a fine gentleman.
Although young in years, he is old in
learning, and especially as to law and
political economy. In most respects
he is the exact counterpart of his
martyred father. There can be
no doubt as TO his ability
to grasp the responsibilities of
the position to which he has been
elevated by the wishes of a host of
prominent friends. Most people think
that this appointment was a compli-
ment to the memory Of his murdered
sire, but such is not tho case. His
staunch republican ideas first attract
ed attention toward him Of many dis
tinguished men Of his party, who soon
discovered beneath his marked unob-
%trusiye exterior a wealth of both adj
ministratiye and executive ability sell
dom found in the composition of any
man. Among these gentlemen was
General Garfield. To further show
how Bob is appreciated it is
only necessary TO say that last night
quite a number Of Chioago's best men
assembled to honor him with a part
ing dinner. 1t was a most enjoyable
affair and a fitting send off" to the
new secretary Of war.
Mr.. Archibald Forbes, the great
European correspondent for Ameri-
can journals, is in Chicago. Some Of
his remarks on Irish affairs have drawn
down upon his ancient head the
wrath ofsome Of Ohicago's inveteratt
Celts. One Of them, John Gibbons
Esq, gives him a scoring in the Tines
Of this morning. IF Mr.. G.'s position
is tenable, hen the illustrious luilI
driver is very shallow as 70 history
and exceedingly prejudiced against tn,
Irish. Mr.. G.. seems to be we'll backe,
by facts to sustain bis arrangement o
Mr.. Forbes, and no doubt that gentle
man will think he made a great blum
der when he reads the Times. Prob
ably the great literary light imsginer
that his bombastic twaddle would no
e meet the indignant gaze Of an Irish
man in Chicago intelligent enough t
y brand it asst deserved. Let it be re
T membered that some Of Chicago
s most prominent intellects are Irish
S men, aud true lovers Of the green isl,
and ever ready to hold up to publ
scorn those ignorant or malciou
Ie enough to trSduce her.
Mayor Harrison is back from Ne,
Orleans. lie and party are delighte
ID over the Alardi Gras festivities an
the Joyous reception they met wit
n in New Orleans. The first thing II.
HOnor-did on his return was to ord,
ID the banks Of snow that everywhere il
ID tsrfered with travel aud the progrsI
It. Of the pedestrian removed. Sever