Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1888-06-14
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.

Free Press;
Summer has at last come to Us in earnest
The month Of May, so beloved of Washington
ians, the month gay with roses and stTawber-
ries, sunny skies and clear nights-when the
negroes III the alleys sing the plantation songs
of their fathers, has been this year complete
failure Clouds winds or rains have been with
US each day But now Washington is in her
Summer dress The young girl who last week
was seen on the street in Winter suit, carry
ing, in case of an emergency of rain, tightly
strapped umbrella, few days later, arrayed in
white with flowers at her belt spends her eve
nings on a vine-covered porch dreaming of
boatings on the Potomac and tripSt Bay Ridge.
1t is amost unambitious season. Politics IS
suspended while politicians fix their eyes on
the two great bodies meeting this month at
St. Louis and Chicago. 1t is the lull before the
storm. however. Not many days will elapse
before Congress viii recommence its maneu-
yering tactics, the few newspapers in which we
rejoice will wage bitter conflict, and two torch
light professions, at least, one for either pasty,
will parade the streets. A mild excitement
will possess the people. Signs of this are al
ready seen, if we are to judge by the first red
bandana as an article of dress seen this morn
! ing in the city market. A young girl, intent
| only on her purchases was apparently uncon-
scious of the many looks Of interest directed to
the red silk handkerchief knotted at her throat
In these and many other ways gentle enthu-
siasm will be kept up until the November E.
lection when we will all look on breathlessly
to see which part Of our population is to be
made most happy And this is about all
For our beautiful fortunate city sits serenely,
yoiceless and yoteless while her legislation is
done by people from the North, South East
and West, and like our Indian tribes has her
laws doled out to her according to the pleasure
of others. This is not so undesirable as it
might seem. There is much in having respon-
sibility taken Off ones shoulders and while
the Capital, Washington is also the child ofthe
Nation and all that is asked of her is to look
pretty and be good. Therefore We herpeople,
are very happy and contented. With our
broad streets, our wealth oftrees and clean cut
lawns, our sunny river and beautiful drives,
our friendly climate not often too warm or too
cold, our unconventional, sociable ways and
easy, independent life, we challenge the United
States to produce a fairer dwelling place. Why
should Washington want to mingle in politics.
Near enough to the Capitol and the White
House to see the excitement of political life,
we are also near enough to witness its yicissi-
tudes and Generalization. And while the
great mass Of politicians and aspirants for pub
lie fame who throng Washington nine months
in the year come close enough TO keep our in
terest alive in passing events the sensible
Washingtonian has little desire to mingle with
the crowd as a participant. Not only are our
people at large yoiceless; so also is our noble
Presidentnow at thesummit of American great
ness Soon to be the target for countless shafts
of abuse and party violence, he calmly works
on, inattentiye in his quiet dignity to the at
tacks of Islander and inventions ofmalice, COM
pelling even his enemies to admire the strength
of his moral nature.
Not far from him is another political leader
out Of the contest Fighting his way step by
step into the valley of Death is Gen. Sheridan.
He who years ago never knew defeat seems at
last to have found his conqucror, and though
armed to the teeth with courage, the chances
are that he must surrender, and his voice now
silent to his partys call will soon be silent for
ever.
LOUISE MARSHALL Low.
June 9, 1858.