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J. DOWNING, Mqjr,

 ,. Downinguine Militia, 2d Brigade

 Washington, June 20, 1898. PUBLIC OPIEION-POLITICAL PROSPECTS.

 I have but this evening finished tour through some of the Western and Southwes. tern States, and late this evening exhausted in body and wearied in mind as am, can not resist the temptation to say something ot the political prospects, of the Wings in some of the doubtful States of the West and Southwest. I have made running tour through New-York, Michigan, Illinois, Mis- souri, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and part of Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. have seen multitude of men of both politi- cal parties warmly interested in the impor- tant political questions of the day, and have had occasionEand opportunity to learn the hopes, prospects,, anticipations and strength of both of tho great parties in the States have named, and in other parts of the Un. ion.

 Disposed as the Wings arc in different sections of tho country to press the claims of their favorite candidate for the Presidency, find with here and there an exception, and that exceptionratherf for the time being than settled detemination,-that the Wings of the country will move in almost solid pha- lanx in support of tho National Whig Con- vention Candidate for the Presidency, who- ever he may ba whether HENRY CLAY, DAN- EEL WEBSTER or Wv. HENRY HARRISON. 1 have seen many of the warmest personal and political friends of each of these distinguish ed men, and among them all l have seen no man not willing to sacrifice his individual preferences upon the altar of public good. "Who is the best man 2" "Who, from his public services and capacity, is first entitled to the office 2" "Who is the most popular man." &c. &c. are questions which in stage coaches, on board of steamboats, on canal boats, at public houses, in private parties, at stump oratot meetings, and almost every where else, I have heard discoursed with great warmth and earnestness by tho friends of each of the prominent men spoken of for the Presidency. The end of the discussion, however, always has been general express sion of willingness to leave the decision of the question with a National Convention, chosen either by the People or the reprcsen- tatives of the people.

 The opinionyou have seen expressed in the Richmond Enquirer, relative to the non. availability of Mir. Van Buren as the Loco- Foco Candidate for the Presidency, is not confined to correspondent of the Enquirer. have heard inc same opinion warmly ex- pressed elsewhere, and hundreds of men who voted for MT. Van Buren are prompt to ad- init that they mistook their man and will not willingly, if at all, again give him their sup port. Some of General Jackson's best friends whosay they supported the successor" out of pure love to his illustrious predecessor" are frank enough to make this confession, and many more there are who would say us much, but from an unwillingness publicly to acknowledge the error of their ways, forget ting the good maxim that an error acknowl- edged and renounced is sin twice repented of.

 saw several men in Maryland, Illinois, Missouri and Michigan, however, once high m the affections of their party, and distin- gulshed for their usefulness and their servi- ces, who openly renounced both the schemes and the schemers of our modern new fam gled Democrats. The Van Buren men uni. versally are almost as far from being united upon men as measures. Mir. Van Buren they begin to think, is incompetent to be the leader of his party. He is not, they say, fit for his place. Who, then, in the ranks of the friends of the Administration have asked upon two occasions. Amos Kendall or Thomas H. Benton was the answer Hea- ven preserve us from such a leap from bad to worse.

 In Western New York, four weeks since, when was there, the Wings were wide awake, and even ready for the Autumn con- test. "Sleep upon your matchlocks and keep your powder dry" is the spirited watch- word of the unsubdued and unconquerable Wings in this part of the Empire State.

 travelled through Michigan from Detroit to St. Josephs, and in almost every village saw or heard some evidence of change of popular opinion favorable to the Wings. and of course, unfavorable to the Administration. At Detroit, saw an intelligent and patriotic body of young Whigs ready to make any sa- critice and any exertions to rescue this new and thriving State from its present political thraldom. The young men throughout the state, two to one. seemed to be in warm op- position to both national and state admins. trNtions. A majority of the next Legislature will be composed of Whig members almost beyond controversy, and fortunately for the country, and especially the State of Michl.