The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-11-05
- Washington Letter.
fProrp Onr Regular Correapondent.)

WA1HIN0TON, ID. ", Oct., SOth, 1861.
The past week has been unoventful in the
way Of Washington news, fer the President
Senate, heads of executive departments, to
gether with the national guests, have been
away to Yorktown. There has been lull in
interest about the Cabinet changes, from the
fact that newspaper men and politicians have
begun to learn that the President does not tell
Everything he knows, and to realize that 1t is
better to await the evolution of surprises than
to guess, however brilliantly, without data.
The appointment of Mr.. Morgan To the Treas
ury Secretaryship was surprise to many; but
the day before, he had said he would not &C.
cept the place. 1t IS believed, IN political cir.
Giles, that he will hold 1t for but short time,
and that there Is an understanding that he
may soon resign in favor of another from his
own state. 1t Is not necessary, and as safe, not
to mention his own name. Meanwhile, 1t IS
believed that Mr.. Robeltson's resignation 10
collector of customs will not be unacceptable
II is said that the new Secretary is Weather
by five millions than any former Incumbent
Of the office. Ex.Secretarv Sherman was sup.
posed TO possess 81 100000.
Those who are IN the Presidents confidence
say that Gen. Long street will not be appointed
in the new Cabinet, that the President has not
for one moment thought of appointing HIM.
General Grant has teen in the city two
days, and was called upon by the French and
the German guests. The French will leave to-.
morrow for Boston; the Germans for Baltl.
more. General Grant will make Washington
his home during the coming winter, and his
daughter, Mrs. Sartoris, and her babies, there
are four of them believe, will be with him.
After Secretary Blaine il relieved OF his du.
ties in the State Department, he expects to
make md winter tour of the Southern States.
During the time he was speaker of the House,
The made many personal friends among the
Southern members, and prominent Southern
gentlemen whom he met during his long resi-
dence in Washington. His enthusiastic recep.
ton at Yorktown has, no doubt, persuaded him
that he will be kindly received in the South
Moreover, he is identified with Southern rail
raod Improvements, and the prospects are
bright for successful pleasure, political, and
business combinatio tour. Work has notbeen
suspended OR the palatal residence which he
commenced building as soon as he knew he
was to be made Secretary Of state Mr.. Blame
is as yet only fifty years old, and his political
career is not yet run. If he had been able to
control the votes OF the Southern delegation at
Chicago, that made up such large part OF the
Grant phalanx, General Garfield would have
been to-day in the Senate of the United States.
Perhaps 1t is the intention of MIR. Blaine to
magnetic that vote. But votes from Southern
States in National nominating conventions de-
pend much upon official patronage previously
distributed, and to struggle successfully
against the influence of this patronage will
call forth the best energies even of such a work
er as Mr.. Blaine. He mas no offices to distrib-
ute. Others have. The plot thickons We
shall see. as~saas-.
The most brilliant entertainment of the sea-
son was given last night by Secretary Blame
In honor of the foreign guests. The elite of
the Diplomatic corps, Army. Navy, official
and society circles were present. The rooms,
as well as the table, were marvel of floral
decoration and from the quantity, excellence,
and variety of the wine, 1t may be said that,
when Mrs. Blame is mistress of the White
House, it will not be the headquarters of total
abstinence propagandism. 3D.. ........t ...-l