WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY IN CINCINNATI.

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CINCINNATI, Feb. 25th, 1856.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS: DEAR SIR:—The 22nd was a big day—a great day—a day long to be remembered by Cincinnatians. It was the inauguration of the Birthday of George Washington. Of course, there was a great opening for gas, firing of a national salute, decorating the windows of nearly every house with innumerable flags, posted in conspicuous positions the bust of the old soldier, placing on a pedestal an eagle, and every time a drum was struck, or a horn was blown near the "creature," it would flap its wings, and the rabble would rave like madmen. Groups of people were stationed on every corner talking savagely, furiously, earnestly, and without the benefit of a clergy, about British aggression, British oppression, British arrogance and insolence, and especially how we whipped the British on Lake Erie, but did not say a word of our retreat through the Delaware hors de combat . The procession was immense, and stretched from square to square. Imagine yourself standing on the corner of Broadway and Front, on the corner of Front and Western Row, in front of the old Hospital buildings in Texas, and on the corner of Main and Vine Streets at the junction, and you have a faint notion of the mammoth procession. It was at least four miles in length. The Continentals, a company from Cumberland, Md., were exceedingly uniform, and exhibited a rare acquaintance with Scott's military tactics. The men were nearly of a size, and their step as regular as a clock. I regretted in this company the absence of a representation of the black Continentals, who stood side by side with Washington, and Green, and Gen. LaFayette in the struggle for independence. There was a company from Cleveland, O., the '76, who would have done honor to the citizen soldiery of any country.

Cincinnati was well represented by the Independent Gutharie Grays, and the Rover Guards. In the afternoon, the Grays were out in their winter dress, and were the subjects of universal admiration. The Masonic fraternity, and the Odd Fellows made a fine show, especially that ancient branch of the Order, the Knight Templars. All the benevolent associations were represented.

Our Public Schools had a delegation of boys and girls and on their flag was inscribed "Free Schools— Free Country." I saw a commission from a religious organization, and on its banner was written, "Liberty of Conscience the right of every person." The city Council, too, and the old pioneers of the West, who helped to cut down the trees, and to clear away the rubbish from the soil upon which our beautiful city has been erected, were also represented. His Excellency, S. P. Chase, the Governor of Ohio, and members of the General Assembly, together with a goodly number of distinguished citizens, were in carriages, (fifty or sixty vehicles in number.) leading the procession. It was a grand union demonstration, in which every small-potato chap felt it his duty, by the grace of God, to participate. Verily,

"All the word's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players."

Every body was in the gathering— the Irish, the Dutch, the Italian, the Frenchman, the Jew, the Saxon, the Anglo-American—men of all climes, and kingdom, and tongues, and nations, except "niggers and dogs." What a country! what a people! what an audacious set of hypocrites are the Northern Yankees ! Capt. Furgison, of the Attuck blues, addressed a note to the Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements requesting a position for his company and that quasi official had not even the manliness to answer it. All of the benevolent and religious colored associations of our city, were served in a similar way.

I care not a straw for the occasion; but I insist that natives of every hue should exercise the right and the privilege of American citizens. Any scape gallows from Europe, any convict from Van Dieman's Land, if his skin be white, is placed in advance of genuine natives of the soil. If George Washington had been half as true to the interest of the blacks, as he was to the interest of the whites, there would

not at present be a slave in the country. Washington, though a great man, though possessed of many virtues, of a high moral character, of a lofty bearing, of a supreme love of country—although he was

"First in War, first in Peace, and
First in the hearts of his countrymen"—

he had not the magnanimity of soul to raise above the storm, the slavery factions which surrounded him, and while President of the United States, do justice to the men of color, who had passed with him through the trials of the Revolution.

About noon to-day, the Ohio river broke, and caused much damage to boats at the landing. Eight were instantly sunk, and others are in a critical situation. Their names are, the Yorktown. Grape Shot, Flag, Bridge City, Salem, Madona, Albertine, and the barge United States. The loss is estimated at $100-000.

Yours, Truly,

G.

The ice in the Oswego harbor extends out ten or fifteen miles.