The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1869-01-14
A ForeshadoWlng.

A ForeshadoW1ng.
+. b. Washburn, who represents in Con-
gress the third district Of Illinois, is believed
to be deeper in Gen Grants confidence than
any other man prominent in the politics Of
the country. 1t was he who, living in the
same town with Grant before the war, first
brought him to the notice Of the Governor
Of the State and procured his employment
in the volunteers then organizing. From
that time forward, Washburn and Grant
have been acting Damon and Pythias, and
the representative has been the near adviser,
warm friend and ready defender Of the com
mander. Rumor assigns to Washburn a
high position in the new cabinet. His as
soclates and the public look to him, by COM
mon consent, as one authorized to speak for
the administration that is to be. Under
these circumstances, any declaration con-
corning the policy of Grant, coming from
that source, must be entitled to great
weight, and in fact considered as authori-
tative.
On the 9Th inst, Mr.. Washburn made a
speech in the House, in which he told the
public what must be done in the future.
condemned much recent legislation, and
went on to say;
The statute books are !outled with legisla-
ton, which will impose burdens on future gen
erat0ns. Public land enough TO make empires
has been voted to private railroad corporations.
Subsidies OF untold millions Of bonds, for The
| same purposes, have become Il charge upon the
people, while the letters Of vast monopolies
have been fastened still closer and closer upon
| the public. 1t is time that the representatives
OF the people were admonshed that they are
servants OF the people and arc paid by the peo
| pic, that their constituents have contided to
| them the great trust of guarding their rights
| and protecting their position, and that their
| powers ale TO be used tor the benefit OF TIE
| people whom they represent and not for their
| own benefit and the benefit of lobby the
gamblers md Spectators who have come to
| Washington to make raid upon The Treasury
| The time has come, in my Judgment, when pub
TIC men are to be held to stt.Ct accountability
to more strict discharge Of their duty, and
| when their actions viii be scanned by Il more
critical eye
This speech, it was said, had been sub
mitted to and approved by The President
elect. 1t contains brave words, aud true
ones. 1t is q matter OF notoriety that these
"vast monopolies' have been fastened upon
the public by the connivance OF the very
Congressmeu who should have protected the
rights OF the people, and who have enriched
themselves by fraud and speculation If
indeed Grant has decided to attack this vast
| organization OF corruption, he has resolved
upon an undertaking greater than the over
throw OF the contcderacy. The proHigacy
which this speech arraigus is exclusively the
work of the men who elected Grant. For
eight years they have controlled the govern
ment. Exclusion from office, government
trusts and emoluments, and in many cases
imprisonment and dungeons, have been the
penalties Of differing from them. II Gra1st
Attacks M'S corruption, he attacks ms hitherto
friends anil supporters. And if he defeats
the plunderers, he skaters the republican
party. Ills support must, IN very great
degree, be found outside that orgari cation
Whether the new President will have the
nerve to go through the ordeal remains to
be seen. In the proposed undertaking we
wish him God speed.