Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-11-03
W WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent.


has taken the place OF Gen. Sher-
man, at the head OF the army, and IL
is undoubtedly true that the latter
was very glad to be relieved. He
bad reached period Of life and a
condition Of mind when rest and the
quiet enjoyment OF home and leisure
and freedom to pursue his own COM
fort aud pleasure in his own way,
were the things he most desired
General Sherman will be much miss
ed in Washington. He is very pop
ular here-a great favorite in many
ways and circles--and the young la
dies, most of all will miss the father.
ly attention, the gallantlies and the
kisses he so freely bestowed upon
them. Our theatre,goers will also
miss his familiar face, for the General
was always to be seen at good per-
| Torrance, and was known to possess
a remarkable fondness for pretty
actresses, like Mary Anderson and
others who are real ladies.
Gen. Sheridan and his family have
taken possession Of their new house
here--the one recently presented to
them by the Generals wealthy ad-
mirers in Chicago. The toadies OF
Washington society who are always
talking about President Arthur'S
courtly manners, etc.,--that class
who follow high officials with their
fulsome taik-are now seeking to
make Gen. Sheridan the object Of
their attention. One Of the local
papers quotes q Chicago tailor as
saying that Sheridan has the finest
figure of any man he ever fitted.
The Sheridan standard of q figure
can hardly become fashionable
one. Sheridan is barely five feet six
inches in height, while he is nearly
as broad as he is long. He has u
round bullet head set down between
his. shoulders without the slightest
sign of u neck. His body is long
enough for a body SIX feet in height.
This naturally leaves his legs
trifIe short. He does not need how
ever, physical beauty to sustain his
reputa tion. 1t was = strange chance
that gave Sheridan his opportunity.
A friendless Ohio boy, of Scotch
Irish parentagc, he had no influence
and yet secured an appointment TO
West Point through the chance IA
vor OF Ger. Ritchey, member Of
Congress from Ohio. In the early
part of the war Sheridan was mere
uuartermaster in Missouri. Early
in 1862 he was in Wisconsin, buying
horses for the United States. But
soon after he got under range OF
Grants eye, and he gave him his OPP.
portunity, and opportunity was all
Sheridan wanted. He did not marry
until after the war. His wife is a
daughter of the recently retired
Ouartermaster General Rucker.
Since the decision of the Supreme
Court declaring the demonstrations
atty of the civil rights law the col
ored citizens of Washington have
held many meetings and listened to
many speeches. Colonel BOD"
Ingersoll is talking to them III a
very inhammable style, earning
much applause from the rab5le. But
in all the uproar the fact is plainly
noticeable that the educated portion
of their race are disposed to acquiesce
in the judgment Of the court and
and to map out plan OF action for
securing the rights and privileges to
which they lay claim. A prominent
colored lawyer says: 1.-The time
has come when the negro must make
up his mind that he is no longer The
word of the nation but will be judged
for what he is, and expected to come
up to all the requirements OF man
hood and citizenship just as while
men are. We must make our way
hereafter without any special priv
ilepes under the law, just as white
men do, or we will demonstrate that
it was "a grave mistake to make
citizens of us at all These are
words full of wisdom, and may be
commended to these, both white and
black, who see in the action OF the
Supreme Court d reason to lnflame
the passions OF the more ignorant
of the colored race, by picturlng to
them unsubstautial horrors and
return To slavery as the logical Sc
quence of that decision.
Notwithstanding all he talk
about cabinet quarrels and cabinet
changes. the only real event at the
White House during the last week
was the presentation to the Pres
ident by Governor Protector Knott,
OF Kentucky, and several other gem
tlemen, of line fishing rod, said to
be the finest ever made III the Uni
ted States. The presentation was a
pleasing little affair. Governor
Knott conveyed his message III witty
and complimentary terms, and after
the President had responded the
Governor told some of his best fish
ing stories. BY the way, Mr.. kuott
and Librarian Spofford, of the Con-
gresslonal library, are preparing
wo:k OH wit and humor, embracing