The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-05-05
Washington Letter.
Regular Correspondence
WASHINGTON, April 90, Is

W ASHlNGION, hpTll 30, 1000.
The moral and religious status Of the
National Capital has long been subject
of con,emptuous comment by the press of
the country In rural districts the con-
victlon is prevalent that Washington is the
cesspool of national infamy; and it is re.
marked upon as "den of iniquity" and
center OF corruption" ! cannot concur
in this belief. The fact should moi be lost
sight of that the universal interest felt In
events occurring IN this city, rs the pivotal
centre Of our governmental system, causes
them to attain wide publicity, increased
by the transient character of its popula-
ton, which halls from every nook and cor
ner of the United States. No animation
of fraud Is mooted here, that does not have
immedlatelya national circulation. And,
from the many fraudulent developments
that have in the last twenty years been
traced to high places IN this Official center,
II cannot be wondered that the nations eyes
have become suspiciously fixed upon tins
city as the focus of spontaneous corruption.
In truth, the permanent population TO
Washington Is as moral and religious a
people as any in the country. The tlippant
talk about the immortality prevailing here,
so far as it has any real truth, applies to
the various birds Of passage--thc visiting
pleasurers, place. seekers, plunder-hunters,
and that class that fit about all cities, but
about the National Capital at
certain seasons, but DO not represent the
proper of the district. 1t mum
erous churches, church membership, and
church attendance are accepted AS proofs
Of the hlgh morality OF a community, this
city can make as good Gn exhibit accord |
ing to population rs any IN America The
district contains sevcnty.scven churches |
and 1901 communicates. With SO much |
leaven leayenlng at the whole lump, the
moral condition Of the city need not be DIES |
paired Of,
President Arthur has re;urncd from his
angling excursion to Florida, having
reached the city Sunday evening. He looks
quite swarthy from the effects of the south
ern climate, and traces are yet visible of
lis recent illness IN savannah. Next
ime, it may be inferred, be VIII know bet. |
,rabs and champagne after day OF pros
rasllng sea sickness, exhaustion by ex.
)osure to the hot sun, and attendance at a
edious reception. This was too violent
wen for Presidents constitution, and |
indigestion, that conscience Of every bad !
,tomach," punished him with collie
But the President was not so much to
blame. What could he DO but pertake |
ofthesc elaborate preparations, |,
n else appear impollte or hard to please.
Really, no President OF ordinary callore
.ver had a chance Of keeping half well. 1t
might be wise or kind, to select Presidents
with reference to their auacondiac capa-
llitIes.
The President missed seeing Mrs Lang |
~, who, IN his absence, might be called |
DC most interesting parsonage IN Wash
ngtJn during the past week At any rate |
he was talked about and looked at more
han any one else. Indeed, the people ex-
PRESSED much gre alter desire 10 see than |
o hear her, and, although your correspun.
H.. H.. 4. "a,