The Olivia Letters: Being Some History of Washington City for Forty Years as Told by the Letters of a Newspaper CorrespondentBriggs, Emily Edson
History
The Olivia Letters: Being Some History of Washington City for Forty Years as Told by the Letters of a Newspaper Correspondent
Briggs, Emily Edson
United States -- Politics and government -- 1865-1933; Washington (D.C.) -- History
If, then, sharp Benjamin Butler has knocked a hole in his keel by
cruising amongst the financial breakers, Senator Sprague, so much
younger, with much less experience, need not be ashamed to strike his
colors before he goes down. No man in the Senate has a better record
than this intrepid young Senator. We may question his good taste
about bringing his Rhode Island battle upon the floor of the American
Senate, but this harms no one but himself. In the strife for honor
and fame at a nation’s hands he has had two difficulties to overcome.
The talent of his early life has been obscured by his immense wealth;
in later years he has dwelt in the blighting shadows of greatness.
Our first recollection of the rebellion cluster around his head. When
the great coal mines of Pennsylvania tossed out their grimy workers,
and they rushed to the defence of Washington, without stopping to
change their clothes or bid their wives farewell, William Sprague was
at the scene of action, giving his time, money, all that a man has to
give, that these citizen-soldiers might have wherewith to preserve
life. With the boom of the first cannon this citizen of Rhode Island
flung his soul into the struggle for the life of the Republic. Away
up in the rocky ledges of the American continent is a magic spring
of smallest proportions. If at a certain period of the world’s life a
foreign substance, no larger than a man’s boot, had been thrust into
it, the course of the mighty Mississippi would have been changed.
Who can estimate the incalculable blessing to this nation produced
by a single man coming forward at exactly the right moment with the
real bone and sinew of war in his hands. He bought the blankets, and
tincups, and loaves of bread for the new recruits, whilst General
Jim Lane was guarding Abraham Lincoln. It is superfluous to recall
his meritorious conduct as an officer in every fearful trial which
has rocked our ship of state, for it is fresh within the memory of
us all. It may be said that many speeches for polish and elegance
of diction surpass those of the Senator from Rhode Island, but the
inquiry naturally arises, is a man dear to our hearts for his words
or his deeds? For both, we answer. But if the two are not always
found wedded like husband and wife, give us the substance, and whilst
the Creator is filling anew his generous order for more men, let us
humbly petition that he send a good round number no better, no worse,
than Senator Sprague.
OLIVIA.
SEALED SISTERS OF MORMONISM.
INTERVIEW WITH ONE OF THE RIBS OF BRIGHAM YOUNG.
WASHINGTON, _April 23, 1869_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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