The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1882-12-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.
from our Regular Correspondent


WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 5, 1882.
Great expectations in the Garfield Fair
are doomed to disappointment. The fair
itself is second rate affair. A few good
pictures in the rotunda of the Capitol and
some stupid statuary. A bust by Winnie
Ream, which makes Garfield somewhat
sinister face look worse even than his
photographs. A number OF garish booths
in the old Hall OF Representatives in the
which are sold candies, perfumery, pen
holders, envelopes, bouquets, photo
graphs, etc. In each booth number of
matrons and maidens, who, God pity
them, seem to have nothing to do at
home, playing saleswomen. This is a
Coup doe2 OF the fair as it appeared to
your correspondent when he went there
and boughta Garfield poem of the pro-
fessional beauty, Miss Gipsie Gilbert,
whose portrait was displayed in Il recent
number of the Graphic as tpye of
American beauty.
| was walking around the booths mus
ing on the vanity of vanity and trying to
find an item, when | heard q mellifluous
voice say "Can't sell you a Garfield
poem !? Oh, do buy one-only thirty-five
cents" Looking in the direction OF the
voice | saw somewhat dazzlinn woman
with fine dark eyes, red cheeky cheeks
and teeth as white as dogs. bought
the doggerel on the merits of the sales
woman, but ! would not read it even for
her. went little further, when Mrs.
Sara J. Spencer asked me to buy Gar
field medal. told her did not like the
man, whereupon she turned her back to
me with an expression of disgust in that
strong 'Grecian bend feature.
Four years ago Garfield made sopho-
morical speech at the commencement Of
the Spencer business colege,an after he
was nominated for the Presidency, the
Spencers published his speech in their
catalogue and paraded him for an adver-
Using boom as the patron saint OF the
college.
Yes, the fair is failure. The Garfield
legend does not wear; it excites no en-
thusiasm. Men have at last asked them
selves "what great thing did he do; what
worthy enduring work did he perform ;
what noble cause did he lead to fruition
that he should deserve an imperishable
monument? The second choice of the
warning factions of the party which had
subsisted for four years on the spoils ola
stolen presidency and which Garfield
had helped to steal, he was elected only
by spols money distributed by the ex-
carpet bag, Star Route Senator Dorsey
for whom the penitentiary yawns.
Half-demagogue, half-pedagogue, Gar
field was great only in the eyes and ears
Of that lncdiocrity in which history will
classify him. President Arthur is not a
great man, but he is OF larger mould and
finer grain than Garfield. As IN orator
he know better what to say aud when to
stop than Garfield knew. As a statesman
he has displayed greater moral courage,
as well as more tact and iienesse than
Garfield displayed.
1t is indeed hi gh time that the Ameri-
can public were getting over the idiocy
that the measure OF q mans greatness i
the amount Of gush and drivel he utters
in the Legislature, III congress, on the
stump and to Sunday schools.
a large number of Members and Sena-
tors are in the city ready for the final
session which will convene on Monday.
The demoralizations OF the Republicans
is as complete as their enemies could
wish. I'll il doubtful il they will keep
ranks, and it IL believed that some Of
them will desert their party after the eS-
ample of the Governor elect Of Mns4a-
rhusetts. \. a. e.