The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-10-17
Matters i'm Washington.
WAsHINaroN We,lnes(


WASHINGTON. Wednesday, Oct. Z.
the most important event OF the ias'
week my Republican week is from Weo-
nesday to Wednesday, is Postmaster-peh-
eral Biair's speech a. Rockville on Satur'
day. The speech itself is not much-in
ability itwould not DO justice toa fourth rate
lawyer-bnt it's Purpose and the peculiar
language Of portions render it an event
having great political significance. 1t is
an anti-Chase s; eecn from beginning tc
end. Besides, il endsayors to propitiate
Mr.. Lincoln--to draw him tenderly to-
wards-the Blairs The speech is Blair al
over, that is it is roagk and aggressive
The Blaire can never let other people
alone. Long ago, Montgomery Blair, in
one of his letters to Fremont before these
men had become enemies), pronounced
Mr.. Chase 10 be more DESTROYS of keeping
his own treasury notes at par than OF saving
the Union. Frank Blair said the other
evening, in his speech at St. Louis, that
Mr.. Chase was companion of black.
guards! This time Montgomery Flair is
more civil al around the board, but he has
a sly dab at Mr.. Chase nevertheless. and
he rides rough shod over Mr.. Sumner.
The speech is put out rs a feeler for the
platform of the republican noDrinating
convention next June. Elair wants a con-
sentative platform, and Mr.. Lincoln upon
il; and he does not wish radical platform
the real political significance of his speech.
Mr.. Lincoln lies back at his ease, watching
this bv-play between Mr.. Biair, Mr.Chase,
Mr.. Sumner, and others, and has notmade
up his mind what policy he will adopt
which platform he will favOs. Just ROW it
looks very much as if Blair was the man
of power behind the throne. Perhaps one
of the most remarkable features of his
speech is the enimosity shown towards the
DGiIS Chronicle, Mr.. Forney's paper. Blair
calls it "a department organ.'' This is a
singing hit at brother Stanton of the war
department. This is queer kind of Ell
quette-tor cabinet officer to pitch into
other members of the same cabinet, bat
the Blsirs are not hampered by any incon-
yenient notions.about etiquette!
Blair also hes had dab at the radical
Missourians. Ee hates them more than he
dose Summers catholic article, and he
means to beat them, and dare say he will
succeed. In maay points of their case the
Missourians are right, but they have been
exceedingly unfortunate in their manage
ment of it. The delegation sent or here
began to threaten as soon as they arrived,
and when they went on to New York made
some very in udicions speeches. Mr.. Lin
coin, as a natural sesult, feels that an at
tempt has been made TO compel him to
change his policy, and he rebels against
it, is little sore about it, and is inclined
W stlCh W inc ulell WHO IdtteT ulfH.
For one propose to criticise freely the
acts of the president, to say in friendly
way just what please about them-but to
stick TO him. He has done so WELL upon
the whole that / am willing to pardon a
great many mistakes, and to remember
all the time that there are great many
republicans not nearly SO radical as am,
agree with my notions OF things, and he
must act as he pleases, and if that chances
to be in way not pleasing to me, why
must put up with it and endeavor to get
him to do better in the future. Is not that
correct doctrine? 1t is the only kind which
will answer in our present troubles. Be-
sides, Abraham Lincoln is progressive
man, and if he is not exactly right in his
position to day, he is pretty sure of being
entirely so tomorrow.
You know very well that I am no adj
mirer of Mr.. Stanton in his general charac-
ter; but l must admit that in some of his
traits, he commands admiration. l like
his persistency. He is as persistent as a
bull dog, and he is utterly oblivious of
what his enemies say of him. So he has
gone straight on in the midst of an unpop-
ularity that would have crushed most of
our public men. AT one time he was about
the most unpopular man in America-cer-
ta!nly the most unpopular loyal man. But
he gave no heed to the criticisms even of
his friends, but bullied his way along, and
by sheer obstinacy crushed out his enc
mics, or rather tired them out. The Presi-
dent knew him to be unpopular, but liking
him upon the whole, stuck to him. This
is one of Mr.. Lincoln's best traits. He ne
yer throws an old friend and companion
over for light cause. He has always liked
Stanton's blunt way. OF course the War
Secretary does not scold the President, as
he sometimes does people of less impor-
lance, and he (Mr. Lincoln) does not fully
understand this side of Stanton's charac-
ter. l believe there is no longer any doubt
upon one point; the Secretary of War is
among the radicals. He nay be ranked
with Mr.. Chase and Mr.. Sumner rather
than with Bates, Blair and the old fogies.
This fact does credit to his intellect. and to
his moral character. But enough of him
for this time.-COr. Springfield Repub.