From Washington.
[Special correspondence of the Dispatch.]
In view of the now distinctly avowed policy of fighting for the Union,"it becomes the duty of the Southern members of the Peace Congress to take a decided position against it. No negotiations can be entered into until the threat of coercion is unequivocally withdrawn. This is the rule which obtains in all settlements between man and man. It will be adhered to by all the members of the Congress who are true to the South and have any pretensions to gentility. Up to last night, only Messrs. Sedden and Sunmer had reached here from our State. Many members from other States came this morning, and more are expected this evening. The attendance will be pretty full.
Yesterday, for the first time, I came in concept with one of the female lobby, of whom I had heard so much, and seen nothing at all. She was a pretty, rosy-faced girl, of 20 or 22, with small clothing grey eyes. If appearing to take a sell by her in the ladies' gallery of the house. I was annoyed when a man, whose little‘"conscientiousness"’ -less (pardon the purelogical expression head I had seen before but where I cannot remember, came up and begged me to give him my seat for a moment, I did so. The girl whispered,‘"W."’ a member from a certain State,) "says he can't vote for the bill, but will do nothing to injure you. A few other words passed, and one than vanished. The girl kept her seat, and busied herself in looking at the members, all or nearly all of whom, she seemed to know ultimately, judging from the remarks she made to another girl sitting by her.
They had a glorious Southern-Rights meeting a Baltimore a day or two ago. I was glad to see the Virginia names of W. H. Ryan, R. V. Lanier, and Dan'l I. Warwick in the list of vice Presidents.
I received a visit this morning from an Indiana gentleman, whose anxiety to know what would be the upshot of Virginia's shilly-shally would-if-I-could-but-if-I-can't-how-can-I position, was painful to witness. I shall never forget the earnestness with which he said."If the South is not united now, we conservatives of the North are lost forever.--Virginia's indecision has nearly crushed its already.
Mr. Zed's compliments and thanks to two young ladies of Salem" for the secession rockade they were kind enough to send him.--He is an‘"old bachelor"’ --inexcusably, almost generally old — and though not‘"rich"’ enough to ride in a carriage, has great wealth of affection — sufficient, he hopes, to enable him to get possession of the fillin' of one of those home-made linsey" dresses of which they make mention.
I send you by express my hat — purchased last spring, but a good hat still. Please distribute it equally to‘"Party Spirit,"’ and‘"A Southern Adopted Citizen,"’ with my thanks for their admirable articles.
During the last week, day and night have been turned wrong-side out, like a pair of socks just come from the wash. The days have been as dark with fogs as a student's room, where a big game of ‘"draw"’ is going on, and is filled with tobacco smoke; and the nights, by contrast and the aid of gas, have been brilliant. In fact, everything, politically and other wisely seems to be turned upside down. Conforming to the new idea of things, I write this letter standing on my head, with the other end of my pen. Please print it backwards, and I'll promise not to be nonsensical no more.
