Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-03-25
I'll istelI
A POLITICAL PICTURE.
nHN W. FoRNEY'S ACCOUNT OF THE AD-
MINIsTRATIoN AT WASHINGTON.
From the Philadelphia Press, March l3.)

From the Philadelphia Press, March lS.)
WASHINGTON, Friday March Il, 1858.
| left Philadelphia on Wednesday on hur-
y red visit to some friends here, aad will return
h God willing by this evenings train, carrying
\ with me this hurried letter. which must take
the place of my usual word in the Press, of
tomorrow. What difference between March
1881, and March, 1858 | dwell upon it
With surprise and grief One year ago the
country was full of content, and at peace with
Itself The hearts of all our people beat res
rolsvey to noble inaugural, and the hands
Of men of all parties were uplitted to support
and to strengthen our venerable President
The Democrats were united and joyous, and
gazed hopefully into a tranquil and victorious
future The Republicans were dismayed, and
new political combinations were abandoned
before the prospect of wise and patriotic
policy Mr. SEWARD, in the Senate Mr..
STANTON, in the House Mr.. GREELEY, in the
Tribune, instead of preparing new weapons of
\ attack upon the Administration, were turning
their thoughts to those substantial questions
\ upon which all men agree in this happy coun-
Try. Even the Americans, few i'll Mnber,
\ could see no profit in faction, and were quiet
y considering their plans. The extreme South,
. 50 apt to chafe into a passion, was as calm as
as a Summers morning Conservatism, in its
lis very best sense, had taken possession of
| the Government. An experienced President,
\ a safe aud sagacious Cabinet, ready Senate
10 session, and a still more willing House pre-
pairing for its new term-these constituted the
sterling snperStructure of an enduring coadi-
ton of national prosperity.
And what change has one year produced?
can hardly believe my senses that am writ
Ing from the Capitol OF my country, and that
ny old frend-he to whom | have borne al
most flial relations from my boyhood-he to
Bhom have conhded my few hopes and fears
he for whom l dared the frowns of foes.
and for whom, during four long years in the
lower House of Congress- the patronage in my
gift was fearlessly bestowed, and he knows
how gladly ard how spontaneously, tool
can hardly believe my senses, that this is the
city of Washington, and that JAMES BUcHAN-
Az is President.
What is the aspect now ? One aoide reign
q Terror. A test IS Serected here, ite some hor-
nd instrument Of torture, upon 1ohich Democrats
drs tired and executed for their opinions The
work of decaptation has ceased against life
TINE foes, and is now waged upon old and
cherished friends Men are removed and Ca
Iunniatcd, not for being opposed to Demo
Cratic principles, but for being too much in fa-
1or Of them. The humhest clerk, with his
''IIe family, who struggles along on his thou
sand dollars year. must hide his sentiments
9f leave his place. For the bold and upright
Dsaocrat lchO dares 10 think dL0ud, there IS short
@.nyt If he has an Office he must be ready
\ o' the ominous cartel Of dismissal on the in
slant, If he is an independent citizen, he is
yhcuded exc. from the Departments and from the
hIte House like common leper. An army
q. spies are Oh the alert, hunting for victims.
"o to the unguarded gentleman VINO, in the
presence OF one of these eager eaves-droppers,
ulu? let fall free opinion. 1t is at once
Caught up and carried, with no lack OF exag-
sfeiraIIoO, to the ear of power. If there is on
.us round globe a race more despised In civil
.1sa society than any other, it is the race of
.pgo'nsrs. The noblest invective of the no.
.S .es' Of Irish orators has made them immor-
t1.ng Infamous. These mercenaries now hold
-su service in Washington. could name
ts'eral OF them from our own State. but for
yea .ear Tor the honor of Pennsylvania. They
ssOty IN their shameless trade. Broken in
"'Iaae, reckless of their own fame, laughing
H. conscience in others and rejecting i: for
,5e;l ,5s;aiseiveS, they swarm here anxious to earn
,,. .a guilty wages. The most of these crea-
,aS %,ss, happily, are the men who have pursued
w. Wv prosecuted the President with the same
I1ol NV which they now display towards those
sI from bis Kansas policy.