The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-11-10
Our Washington Letter.
EFnon our srroIAL oonRnsrospnsr.l


TFRoM OUR SrEcIAL CoRREsPoNDEST.l
WASHINGTON, ID. O., Nov. 8, 1883.
General Sheridan and his family have
taken possession of their new house here
the one recently presented 10 them by
the Generals wealthy admirers in Chi
cago. The toadies OF Washington society
who are always talking about President
Arthurs coartly manners. etc.-that
class who follow high officials with their
iulsome talk.-are now seeking to make
General Sheridan the object Of their at
tention. One Of the local papers quotes
a Chicago tailor as saying that Sheridan
has the finest figure of any man he ever
fitted, The Sheridan standard of figure |
can hardly become fashionable one. |
Sheridan is barely I've feet six inches in |
height, while be is nearly as broad as he
is long. He hns a round bullet head set |
down between his shoulders without the
slightest sign of neck. His body is
long enough for man six feet in height.
This naturally leaves his legs trifie
short. He does not need, however, ply
sical beauty to sustain his reputation.
1t was strange chance that gave Sheri-
dan his opportunity. A friendless Ohio
boy of Scotch-Irish parentage, be had no
influence and secured AN appointment to
West Point through the chance favor of
General Ritchey, member of Congress
from Ohio. Iu the early part Of the war
Sheridan was mere quarter-master in
Missouri Early in 1862 he was in Wis
consin, buyii 6 horses for the United
States. But soon after he got under
range of Grants eye, and be gave him
his opportunity, and opportunity was all
Sheridan wanted. He did not marry
until some time after the war. His wife
is daughter of the recently retired
Quartermaster General Rucker.
Since the decision of the Supreme
Court declaring the unconstitutionality
of the civil rights law the colored citizens
of Washington have held many meetings
and listened to many speeches. Colonel
Bob Iugersoll is talking to them in q
very inaammable style, earning much
applause from the rabble. But in all the
uproar the fact is particularly noticeable
that the educated portion of their race
are disposed to acquiesce in the judg'
ment of the court and to map out plan
Of action for securing the rights and
privileges to which they lay claim.
A prominent colored lawyer says: "The
make up his mind that he is no longer
the ward of the nation, but is to be judged
for what he is, and expected to come up
to all the requirements of manhood and
citizenship just as white men are. We
must make our way hereafter without any
special privileges under the law, just as
white men do. or we will demonstrate
that it was grave mistake to make citi-
zens of us at ALL" These are words full
OF wisdom. and may be commended to
those, both white and black, who see in
the action of the Supreme Court reason
to inhame the passions of the more ig-
norant of the colored race by picturing
to them unsubstantial horrors and a re-
turn to slavery as the logical sequence o:
that decision.
Notwithstanding all the talk about
cabinet quarrels and cabinet changes, the
only real event at the White House dur
ing the last week was the presentation to
tho President by Governor Proctor
Knott, of Kentucky, and several other
gentlemen, of a fine fishing rod, said to
be the finest ever made in the United
States. The presentation was pleasing
little affair. Governor Knott conveyed
his message in witty and complimentary
terms, and after the President had re-
sponded the Governor told some of his
best fishing stories. By the way, Mr..
Knott aud Librarian Spofford, of the
Congressional library, are preparing a
work on wit and humor, embracing Sc
leetions of the funny things in literature.
The first volume is said to be nearly
ready. The hope has been expressed
that MIR, Knott's famous Duluth speech
will be included in the collection. Ex-
Senator David Davis was in town few
days ago, and those who saw him report
that he has lost none of his avordupois,
He says Blaine is the most popular man
in the Republican party for President.
The geological society organized here in
1870 is showing renewed signs of life
and is trying to forward scheme, favored
by officers connected with the Smithson-
ian Institution, for the establishment of
a geological garden at the capital. The
Potomac flats or some portion of the
public grounds are suggested for the To-
cation, and Congress is to be asked to
make an appropriation for the ohjrot.
DtM PEDRO.