Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-10-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent,

point during part of the week and
Washington was for the time pretty
much deserted by its officials and
celebrities. For several days the CON-
ing and going of troops en- route and
arrival here of various Governors
and their stats, filled the city with
strangers and enlivened our streets,
to say nothing of the hotel corridors.
The old Potomac has not presented
such a gala appearance before du-
ring my sojourn at the Capital. All
the steamers on the river, with sew
eral Navy vessels, profusely decora-
ted with bunting, have gone up and
down the river loaded to the water
line with human freight. sThe Pres
ident and Cabinet, Army and Navy
officers, Senators, Congressman and
foreign diplomats were among the
passengers. Along the river front
and about the harbor flags have been
displayed while the unusual stir and
the beating of drums almost sugges-
ted actual preparations for war.
Upon the historical spot where
CORVALLIS surrendered there was
gathered larger crowd, military
and civil, than it is likely ever to
see again. In all its main features
the Yorktown of to day, which was
the scene of the eliminating strug-
gle that virtually brought the war of
independence to triumphant close,
finds it chief difference from the lit
tie port of entry, where the Nelson's
and the Pages lived in patriarchal
fashion a century ago, in the rava-
ges that time has wrought. The prin-
cipal features Of the place are the
same. The little custom house still
remains. There are still traces of
earthworks thrown up during the
siege, and the fine old Nelson man
sion still rears it's stately head,
though in a condition of dilapidation
and decay. Yorktown Of century
ago was again the seat of mimic war.
Soldiers were encamped on its now
barren fields, and on its water ships
rode at anchor, with the flags of
France and America unfurled. 1t
was greatfal act of courtesy to in
vite the descendants and representa-
tives of those who participated in
our revolutionary struggle to assist
at the centennial celebration of its
successful termination On the spot
where CORVALLIS laid down his arms
and surrendered the 1000 men of his
command prisoners of war. To La
fayette and Rochambeau, Count de
Grasse and the naval and military
forces of France the country owes a
deep debt of gratitude, as well as to
the able German soldiers, Stuben and
De Kalb, whom France engaged to
assist us in our struggle. But for
France the war might have contin-
ued indefinitely as forlorn and des-
perate conflict, such as people in
tent on liberty can wage with all
the odds against them. She suppl
ed the colonial Government with
money, arms, men and munitions of
war. 1t was her fleet of "a ships of
war that participated in the siege of
Yorktown, and of the 10000 men
that constituted the beseiging force
under Washington, France contrib
uted 1900.
Mr.. Field has just given out bull
letin showing the condition of the
Mrs. Garfield fund, stating that af-
ter purchasing registered four per-
cent bonds to the amount of $780,
600. there is still about $12 900 on
hand. The premium of these bonds
amounted to S43, 968.75. Nothing
better illustrates the impulsiveness
of American character than the out
pouring of this large sum of money
from private purses to the widow of
the late President. And while all
are glad to see her amply provide for,
cannot help thinking that the mat
ter is being over done. Mrs. Gar
field has in addition to this fund, a
comfortable home in Mentor, worth
$4,000, a house in Washington
worth $4,000, besides $4,000 in
money from life insurance policies
and the probability of $4,000 or