The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-11-03
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent ]

WASHINGTON, D. C., Nov. /, 1888.
Without commotion, or interruption of
the usual routine, Gen. Sheridan has taken
the place of Gen. Sherman at the head Of
the army. and it is undoubtedly true that
the latter was very glad to be relieved.
He had reached period of life and con-
dition of mind when rest aud the quiet en-
ioyment of home and leisure, and freedom
to pursue his own comfort and pleasure in
his own way, were the things he most
desired General Sherman will be much
missed in Washington. He is very popu-'
lar here-a great favorite in many ways
and circles-and the young ladies, most
of all, will miss the fatherly attention, the
gallantries and the kisses he so freely be-
slowed upon them Our theatre goers
will also miss his familiar face, for the
general was also to be seen at Il good
performance, and was known to possess a
remarkable fondness for pretty actresses,
like Mary Anderson and others who are
real ladies. Mrs. Sherman, who has been
for some time at their new home in ST.
Louis, wrote to the general last week that
she was delighted with her reception and
surroundings there and with the prospect
of at last having settled home.
General Sheridan and his family have
taken possession of their new house here
the one recently presented to them by
the generals wealthy admirers in
Chicago. The toadies of Washing
ton society who are always talking
about President Arthurs courtly man
nerS, etc, that class who follow high
| officials with their fulsome talk
are now seeking to make General Sheri-
dan the object of their attention. One
of the local papers quotes 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. Sheri-
dan is barely five feet six inches in height,
while he is nearly rs broad as he is long
He has q round bullet head set down be
tween his shoulders without the slightest
sign of neck His body is long enoIgh
for man six feet in height. This nat
urally leaves his legs a ritle short He.
does not need however physical beauty
to sustain his reputation. II was a
strange chance that gave Sheridan his
opportunity. A friendess Ohio boy of
Scotch-lrish parentage, he had no intin-
ence and secured an appointment TO West
Point through the chance favor of Gen.
Ritchey, member of congress from Ohio.
In the early part Of the war Sheridan was
a mere quartermaster 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 opportunity, and op
portunity was all Sheridan wanted. He
did not marry until some time after the
war His wife is daughter of the re-
Gently retired Quartermaster General
Rucker.
Since the decision of the supreme cour
declaring the unconstitutionality of thu
civil rights law the colored citizens o
Washington have held many meetings ant
listened to many speeches. Col. Bob
Ingersoll is talking to them in very in
fiammable style, earning much applaus
from the rabble. But IN all the nproa
the fact is particularly noticeable that tht
educated portion of their race are disposet
to acquiesce in the judgment of the eour
and to map out plan of action for Sc
: curing the rights and privileges to whic
they lay claim A prominent eolore,
lawyer saws: ''Thc time has come whe
the negro must make up his mind that b
is no longer the ward of the nation, but
to be Judged for what he is, and expecte
to come up to all the requirements G
manhood and citizenship just as whit
men are. We must make our way here
after without any special privileges unde
the law, just as white men do, or we wi
demonstrate that it was grave mistak,
to make citizens Of us at ALL :" These al
words full of wisdom, and may be CON
mended to those, both white and blaci
who see in the action of the supreme coul
asreason to inhame the passions of the MOI
ignorant of the colored race, by picturin
to them substantial horrors and retur
to slavery as the logical sequence of tina
decision.
Notwithstanding all the talk abot
cabinet quarrels and cabinet changes, Ii
only real event at the white house durin
last week was the presentation to tt
President by Governor Proctor Knott, {
Kentucky. and several other gsnIlemel
of a fine fishing rod, said to be the fine
ever made in the United States. The pre-
sentation was pleasing little affail
Governor Knott conveyed his message
witty and complimentary terms, and aft
the President had responded the Go
ernor told some of his best fishing stori
By the way, Mr.. Knott his best and 1
brairian Spofford, of the Congression
library, are preparing work on wit al
humor, embracing selections of the be
funny thingsin literature. The first yo
ume is said to be nearly ready The hol
has been expressed that Mr., Knots I