The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-09-04

The Radicals and tie Test Oath IN
Tirgimaa-Demt cs BOutsoell-Se-
cretary Rasolsns and his Colleagues
IN the Cabinet-Cabsmet Intrigues-
| President Grant and Judge Dcmt-A
| Singular Story-BoutaceN, 7h1loch
and TVade-TXe Waf Department
Rumor-AnotAer BoutaDeU Intrigue
| Complimentary to Secretary Rasolias.
Especial Correspondence Baltimore Gazette. ]
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, l969.-There
are two OR three points which the Radi-
cal organs are taking especial pains, just
now, to mystify. One is the proposed
action of the Federal Government upon
the organization of the Virginia Legis-
lature. Now, it is beyond doubt true
that Gen. Grant has unmistakably ac-
ceded to the policy of the Boutwell, fac
tion: whatever it may be, ia this mat
ter, as he has in respects to those of all
the unreconstructed States. The only
question is as to the practicability Of
applying the test oath so as to secure
Radical supremacy. But (as I have
heretofore written) it is by no means
certain that this object can be accom-
plished | need not say that an' opin-
ion" from Attorney General Hoar, to
suit any exigency, may be obtained
without trouble. The President, too,
has another card to play in his little
game of duplicity. He may, if he choos-
es, throw the responsibility upon the
shoulders of Gen. Sherman.
Another matter about which extreme
sensitiveness is felt, is the status in
those squabbles of the Secretary of War.
Judge Dent could make some highly
important and new revelations as to the
uncertainty of the Secretary's official
tenure if he saw proper. And if Bout
wells dogs are not ca led off, and that
quickly, learn he will make them! I
am informed upon good authority that
Gen. Rawlins does not agree with the
majority of his colleagues upon scarcely
a single point of political policy, and
that the Secretaries of State and of the
Interior have generally sided with him,
although being professional trimmers,
little reliance is to be placed on the
stability of their support. 1t is a mat
ter of notariety here that the balance
Of the Cabinet have been intriguing for
months past to oust Gen. Rawlins. His
health has no bearing whatever upon
the frequent reports Of his contemplated
"retiracy'-and never had. Whatever
relations of friendship may be presumed
to exist between him and the President,
the latter, it is known, has suffered him
to be snubbed without stint by the
extreme wing of ",he party"
1t is rumored here to-day that the
President has expressed a desire (which
has been telegraphed far and near) that
the Radical partisan prints should stop
their attacks upon his brother-in-law,
Judge Dent. lam quite sure Democrat
ic newspapers everywhere will second
the motion to smother this "embarrass-
ing and indelicate family quarrel as it
is called by the organ here. It is dis
graceful, may become scandalous, and
will sound badly abroad, where this
great country is yet held in high esteem
for its supposed purity and perfectly
disinterested patriotism. So long, how:
ever, as the Judge is mereilessly abused
by the Presidents friends, he must needs
be defended by those in whose behalf
be is sin ply telling the truth!
A singular story is running the rounds
of political circles here, growing, per-
haps, out of the extraordinary and other
wise unaccountable regeneration Of
the President in turning suddenly upon
a party he had just himself formed. 1t
is to the effect that the Boutwell, gang
has promised, in consideration Of Grants
total abandonment of reelection. to
create tor him a new military Office
higher than that of "General," under
some new name to be hereafter invented,
and to include command over both sea
and land-the salary to equal at least
that of President, to be paid in gold
and to commence the instant his present
office expires. A proviso, it is said' is
to be added, in plain words, giving a
clear field to gifts and donations, and
qualifications, foreign or domestic. The
only difficulty in the way of carrying out
the stipulations of this treaty. it would
seem, is the possibility that Boutwell,
may hirnself be defeated before the peo-
pie and Democratic House of Represen-
tatives installed before the time allotted
for exchanging the ratifcations.
Summer, I hear, yet thinks the Secre-
tary of the Treasury is working" for
him, and tells him to "stick" What
credulity vanity engenders! Old Ben
Wade recently wrote to Tullock most
humble and adulatory epistle, winding
up with hope Of being remembered
when the ticklish time came" He re-
ferred to the Vice Presidency. In tell
ing Of this evidence of dotage in the old
gentleman, the new economical Receiv-
er of Internal Revenue, an old and prt-
sent engineer of the Treasury Depart
ment, plainly said II the Boutwell, ma,
chine could be made to run, he should
expect to be ON the ticket himself for the
second place! I know people will laugh
at this suggestion But softly-have
we not now a Colfax? I declare this
man Tullock has at this moment more
real political power than any ten sena-
tors in Congress!, I appeal for the
truth of what I say as to the power and
impudenee of this humpbacked mounte-
bank to Senator Nye, Of Nevada, whose
testimony will be taken by Radicals, as
mine win be by all Democratic Conser-
vatives. Boutwell, and Tullock"-
that's the ticket.
WAsH1NeroN, Aug. ls.-Tbe Bible
tells us that mans bittsrest enemies
ora ofsep of his own household. It does