Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1868-12-11

The old gentleman bias been photograph
ed, with his remarkable brood of boys
around him-a regular old Priam in the
midst of bis household of Trojans.
OF these boys, the Ex-Governor of
Maine has been said to be the ablest; the
young ones are coming along vigorous
ly. They love and strengthen each 9TH
er up. though each is as independent as a
wood saver.
If any man thinks it is bad quality
to hold on to his family and help them
along, he is entitled to take that opinion
into corner and chew at it.
These boys got little or no start from
home. except prayers and good advice,
and Judging by the old gentleman's pic
ture, l "expect" he switched them often
in the bud, for they, probably, wanted
their own way frequently.
They have paid him back by building
him strong, roomy, comfortable man.
sion for his old age, wherein every boy
has a room reserved for himself, and a
loft fixed up for the children in common.
| never climbed up there to count the
children. If any man wants an office,
and thinks can help him to get it by
making the count, | will have the roll of
children called.
Ehhu Washburne is the oldest contin
uous member of Congress, if i am not
mistaken. He is sent back here by a
wise constituency every year, though
dare say he has enemies up there in the
10. Davies district. While not the most
scholarly Congressman,be is an educated,
independent, and scrupu!ously honest
man, a watch dog indeed, over the pub
lie money, and man of moral courage,
used TO saying mo" with two o's to it.
Ii you want to learn to pronounce
'no' with two c's, come hear after the
adjournment and hear him say them.
He is opposed TO giving any more land
to the Pacific Railways, believing them
to be corrupt from scalp to bowels. He
is opposed to giving away lard any way,
and money more, except on the home
stead principle. He is perfectly reckless
of the effect of any economy upon the
fortunes of his party, and would have
seen General Grant defeated without re-
morse rather than to have voted for any
popular corruption. He has not one
friend in this city amongst the spectators
ring makers and place seekers, and these
constitute the bulk of the town. All Of
these would be so glad to see him 90
away that they would labor with the cor
rupt Senators to get him confirmed for
any executive appointment.
There are several corrupt Senators
here, of course.
Washburne voted against buying
Alaska, which you and | favored, but
even that opposition to empire led to
some advantageous inquiry about the
country.
The terrible episode of this Donnelly
controversy was directed manifestly to
ward disturbing the relations between
Grant and Washburnc, but Grant SEEM
ed to be no village old woman, and the
smell of the affair drove away everybo,
dy so far that they have never found out
what the cause was, though they are
aware of the matter.
All the enemies of Grant, an honest
administration, and of Washburne. are
laboring TO awaken the littleness of Gen
eral Grants nature, il he has any, so as
to make him put away his friend. They
are saying that Washburne will rule,
Washburne is boss, &c.
This they are printing, from Brick
Pomeroy down to the distant rural SEW
Err which appears once week, and lives
on the annual smile of a corrupt Con-
gresham, whom Washburne has meas
ured from the finger nails to the wrist /.
A generous and sagacious nature, as
you conceive Grant to be, will be more
indignant at these insults to its friend
ship than he whom they are meant to scar.
General Grant and Mr.. Washburne
met at the beginning of the war. Wash
burne was up raising men, and took them
as they came. He took Grant without
looking at the roots of his hair to discover
destiny, handed him over to the United
States, shook hands with him. thinking,
probably {:
you're little fellow, but / guess
you'll do your BEST"
Some time afterwards this little fellow
worked along so that Washburne was
glad he had discovered him.
Then Shiloh came, almost disgraced,
the papers and his rivals bowling. The
pen lowered in the air to retire his CON-
mission.
Mr.. Washburne went TO work for a
constituent like a wheel horse, and saved
a President to the United States. If
Grant were anybody but Grant, or if he
were more of politician. should think
that he might want to be rid of so good
friend. Being Grant and soldier,
and great man, | think he would rath
er lose a leg than dismiss his friend to
the wolves that clamor for the blood of
Washburne when they want to make
the meal off Grant.
What does Washburne want! don't
believe that General Grant knows;
don't believe that Washburne has made
up his mind. l don't know that he
wants anything. His friends are Dawes,
of Massachusetts, and Allison, of Iowa,
and only one or two more. Among the
citizens here he has made few acquain-
tances He is very plain man. with a