The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-03-11
wAsHINGrON LETTER.

Observation-Disclosures Sheridan, Etc.
wAsHISGTos, d. c., March Il have seen
and heard so much since my last letter that
j can only give hasty and imperfect de.
scription.
/ did not 90 to the monument Oh the 2lst..
as the weather was feartully cold, bat at
o'clock stationed myself In the gallery of
the House 10 await the arrival Of those who
had been in attendance at the dedicatory
ceremonies. 1 was In tine 70 get good seat,
but many who came IN later had ID stand.
at about 2:30 they came pouring in.
President Arthur and HE Cabinet land
really Arthur is q fne-looking old
gentlemsD), the foreign ministers,
and many other notable people. w. w
Corcoran, founder of the Corcoran Art Gal
lery, and George Bancroft, the historian,
came in together. and these two men, with
their snow.white hair and slow step, drew
forth more loud end extended applause than
any others. The foreign Ministers were in
court dress, and I am told they very rarely
appear so except on Inauguration Days. The
Chinese and Japanese representatives of
course wore the gayest and most striking
costumes, and the contrast between these
dried-up looking men and our own large,
well developed Americans was most marked
Speaker Carlisle occupied his usual
seat, and the President Of the Senate,
Er. Edmunds sat at his right as Chairman
Of the meeting. Mr.. Edmunds wore little
round black cap, / don't know why, which
II ede him look very odd. Mr.. Carlisle is
rather MISUNDERSTANDING man. Three
Episcopal clergymen in long white robes sat
ID n a nd he S~a aEor.
tctOr from Mount Vernon made the open.
N 2 prayer. The reason / presume for az.
Letting Episco palian divines was that &c 0rge
Washington was himself member of that
church, but why three should have been
necessary / could not understand. After
the prsyer Mr.. Edmunds announced that
Hon. John ID. Long, OF Massachusetts,
would now read the Grafton of Hon. Robert
&. Winthrop, who was unable to be present.
Prolonged cheers greeted ex Governor Long
rs be arose. he rs. a hne looking man in
the prime Of life, with q voice so clear and
strong that every word was easily heard. 1t
took him about an hour to read the address
and he undoubtedly did 1t better than Mr..
Winthrop himself could have done. But it
seemed great pity that Mr.. Winthrop could
not be present at least, for he is, as be stated
in the oration sort of connecting link be-
tween Washington and this generation, hay
ing received his commission as Speaker
OF the House from John Quincy
hCdms, VINO, years before, received his
from President Washington himself.
Mr.. Winthrop's address was in every respect
perfectly admirable, and the contrast be-
tween 1t end that OF Mr.. Daniel of Vir-
ginia, which followed, was most marked. In
this case Massachusetts left Virginia very
far in the rear, the effort of Mr.. Daniel
being highly rhetorical and sophomoricsl in
its character.
On the following Friday visited the Cor.
coran Art Gallery, where saw some msgnih-
cent copies of the Greek Slave, Venus of
Milo, Apollo, etc but what attracted me
most was life size statue of Napoleon,
which is considered one of the greatest sculp.
tural works Of modern times he is seated
IN chair supported by pillow,
while his dressing gown, partly
open, shows his massive but wasted chest.
In one hand he nervously clutches map of
Europe of 1914" The earnest gaze of the
eyes, the classic brow, the thin nostrils and
compressed lips show the indomitable spirit
OF the conqueror, who, however, is about to
yield to the last conqueror death. The sub.
jeot ia pathetic and is certainly executed
with power.
On Sunday night had the pleasure of
hearing Mrs. Mary A. Livermore preach in
All Souls (Unitariau) Church. Her discourse
was admirable and admirably spoken. But
it seemed to me that she was not ex-
sctly suited for the ministry. She
is too purely intellectual, il this was q
sample of her preaching. There was not
sentiment and emotion enough to reach the
hearts and stir the rec Ives of her audience.
But she is considered as perhaps the most
gifted among the women who are now agita-
ting the question of their rights and is do
ing an excellent work as one OF the few
really popular lecturers.
At All Souls Church / was introduced to
Senator Hoar. OF Massachusetts, and was
charmed by his handsome features, beauti-
FIJI complexion and innocent look. lam
told that he is very irascibe in temper and
given 10 harsh and severe words, but l saw
nothing In his face but "sweetness and
light"
Monday morning went with some friends
TO the top of the Washington Monument.
When We reached the base OF the monument
We looked up, and the sensation Was fright.
fuI, for the whole massive structure seemed |
TO be tumbling over on us The effect was |
startling. and was caused by the motion of |
The clouds. We found quite crowd wait |
III their turn. although We went early in
order 10 be sure OF our passage. From thirty
TO torty persons can 90 up on the elevator
at a time, and there evident feeling
OF trepidsiion as we began 10 ascend. AT
The end OF three minutes we found ourselves
al the top, where We spent about five
minutes IN looking cut through the
vii dows 81 the world below. 1t was
like looking from any other great eleva
zion, except in the extremely diminutive
appearance OF every object in sight The
men aud women near the Monument be.
low. looked like grasshoppers or lilliputs as
they tTipped 10 and fro. The legs Of the
men seemed about as large rs pipe-stems.
Humanity from this height was most ridden
lousy contemplate; and even the Capitol
with IFS great dome was dwarfed and spoiled
by our view. / never before had any just
conception of the effect of mere altitude IN
diminishing all objects below. Oar journey
mp and down the Monument was la every
way exciting and gratifying and will ALWAYS
he one OF the pleasant memories OF this visit
10 Washington.
was indebted 10 the kindness OF Senator
Voorhees, for a ticket to the Senate gallery
on the 4th, and very fortunately 1 secured a
seat nearly opposite where Mr.. Arthur and
~ n 4