Year: 1878




Murphy, his blue ribbon converts, the
various local temperance organizations
with their red ribbon adherents, had a
monopoly of the celebrating business
on the 22nd inst, ,Washingtons birthday
Beyond far display of bunting and the
sterotyped annual observances indul-
ged in by the Oldest Inhabitants Asso-
citation, no formal ceremonies were
attempted by the Government or the
municipality, though the day had been
decreed holiday within the District
confines. The streets were crowded as
usual whenever the Departmental en-
ploye is let loose and don't really know
what to do with him or herself Then
the ladies composing the cream of
Washington society were abroad ON their
daily round of calls to excite the admir-
alton of the many beaus stationed along
the line of that thoroughfare to review
them, or to exasperate their sister less
successful in obtaining her share of
masculine attention and who was COR
respondingly indignant with those
possessed of greater attractions. But the
celebration by the temperance men was
the great feature of the day. Considering
the number of people in Washington
the procession was not large; but the
very fact that public sentiment has so
far advanced here as to tolerate tena
perance celebration at all is encouraging.
Up to within very few years those here
who were az all sensitive to the drift of
pubic. or society" opinion, shrunk
iro-.l Identifying themselves in any con-
spiciOus way with temperance reform,
because of the ridicule and other un-
pleasant things they were sure to invite.
1t appeared to be the same up through
the various graduations of society till
the upper crust-rather the most intol-
Grant probably-was reached. Even the
churches hung tenaciously to the old
doctrines and practices of the fathers
Total abstinence was regarded as one of
the outcroppings of New England fana-
ticism and was cordially hated of course,
by the old Washingtonian, who moulded
public opinion till the Yankee hoides
brought by the war voted him out and
took his place. But to-day / believe
every pastor Of an evangelical church in
this city is a teetotaler as are many of
the lay members. And the growth OF
sound healthy sentiment here since
the close Of the war has been noted by
all interested. But it is to be regretted
that the good Murphy have done has
been much restricted and impaired from
the lack Of perfect accord between him
and his friends on the one hand, and
some of the temperance organizations
on the other. | will not attempt to de
eide between them. Murphy seems to
have lost none ofh popularity with the
public. He yesterday addressed nine
or ten thousand hearers from the east
steps Of the Capitol. One Of the signifi-
cant features of the celebration Friday
was the spectacle presented Of one Of
Washington's most popular Catholic
priests, on the stage with Protestant
clergymen. working shoulder to shoul-
der for the cause. The original movers
III the RECOMMENDATION cause-some Of
them at least-appear about the only
ones verysunhappy over the modified
silver bill as passed by the Senate and
concurred in by the House and which
goes 10 the President to-day for his sig
nature. Now that little time has been
allowed for reflection, believe the great
mass who were opposed to the Bland
movement because they feared it cover
ed scheme for imitation, are not very
valid in their hostility, even ifnot quite
reconciled TO the measure, as it now
stands. No one appears to have any
well founded opinion as to what the
Presidents action will be; but as we may
reasonably expect the matter decided in
few days at most iIlindulge in no
speculations.


The Convention of the Export Trade
interest met in this city Tuesday and
adjourned Wednesday sine die to wait
on the President in body. Twenty
States and Territories were represented,
including this District. The discussions
were earnest and very interesting, many
Of them displaying perfect familiarity
with the commercial and industrial his
tory of the country, running away back
in Colonial times. The sentiment was
proven Overwhelmingly in favor OF pro-
lection, subsidy to American ships, and
such legislation as isnecessary to exclude
foreign built bottoms from participating
in our coast wise and foreign carrying
trade, by separate votes taken after full
discussion. 1t was a meeting Of wide
awake men, representing millions of
capital and vitality interested in the
revival of business; and legislation can
hardly fail to be more or less influenced
by their presence here in their represen-
tstive capacity.


The National Agricultural Convention