Wilmington journal., 1869-08-13
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Tennessee Election Radicalism i'm the
SOuth-Ti,e Senatorshtp and the Aegtsla-
ture-The Future of MfssIssfppf
and Texas--The Cabinet of Duty-The
Eclipse, &c. Sc --i..

SOuth-Fiae Senatorshtp and the AeGtsla-
ture-The Future of Politics. MissIssfppi
and Texas-The Cabinet OF Duty-Ths
Eclipse, &c, sc. -3i.
/ WAsuINaToN C1TY, August 7th, 1869.
Dear Journal The election in Tennes-
see resulted in more complete and crush
ing defeat to the Radicals than was at first
anticipated. The people of East Tonnes
see would, it was thought. vote against any
concession of rights to the mon who fought
in the Confederate army or synpathized
with that cause. The late conflict in that
part of the State had assumed more of the
character of n relentless and bloody per-
sonal one than in any other section Of the
country and the bitterness there engen-
dered would last at least this generation.
These prognostications have been disap-
pointed. It was the aim of the Radical
party to keep mp this bitterness, SO there
by they could preserve power the longer.
That whole communities, when the irritat-
ing influences are removed, swih continue
to exercise the same vindictive feelings
they entertained during the war, is an nm
tenablo supposition. We had, in South
Carolina, during the Revolution. . bitterer
personal conflict between Wings and To-
ries, stimulated by other causes than hos
tilities growing out of g rebellion" than
in tho rest of the, United Colonies. Upon
the success of the patriots some Of the less
| jndicious Of the triumphant Wings sought
to confscate the PROPERTY of the, ,vanquish-
ed Tories. But even in that State tho obi
Gus confscatiGn laws" wero Indignantly
rejected, and the reign of good feeling re-
stored. So in East Tennessee, and we SEQ
by the result how nneongenial is Radical
istc New England ideas to the people of
the South. 49,. t..
The most marked feature Of this cleo
ton, however, is the triumph of the Con
servatives in the Legislature which inauros
tho election to the United States Senate OF
Bailie PeytOn, or snmn other good man,
firm in the ancient faith, but wise and pru-
dent enough not to risk the approaching
triumph of the party by ali inju,licOus and
partisan Conrse of action. Andrew johnson,
who has been spoken Of in cOnnec-
ton with that office, and whose
vigorous intellect and stubborn obstinacy
Of purpose make him doughty champion,
is yet entirely too pugnacions and partisan
lor the purpose l think the Democracy
should instruct their public men to attain.
That purpose, Of course, Is the final demol-
ition ofthe Radical party now SO brilliant
ly begun and 50 favorlbly progressing.-
With the breach betweon Grant and Bout
well widening so rapidly, whose inevitable
rosnlt in a short tin1n' Will be tho hffiliation
of Grant with those of his friends who will
unite with the Democracy upon the plat
form for tho determination OF Radicaism,
it will not be long ere the latter party is
thoroughly as dend rs its Old federal pre-
decessor. And would not hazard or dc
lay such devout!y to be wished for con-
summation by tho exercise of anything
which did not partake Of tho fullest wis
dom.
20 Mississippi and Texas arc the two South
ern States to follow suit. Tho Democracy
will assuredly win in them, upon stronger
pronounced Democratic party basis and by
larger maj jorities than in Virginia and
Tennessee. We shall soon see tho benefits
accruing to the country from this change
of political dominancy
Secretary Robeson and wet-nursc Porter !
will emulate the action of their predeccs- |
sor, and take,a trip the first of next week
along the line of the Atlantic ports. They
will be accompanied by Secretary Cox and
General Sherman, and other distinguished
officials The Secretary Of the Navy, |
being connected with marine affairs,
should consider it part of his duty to get !
used to seassickness, but the Interior is
tho place for Cox, and he will regret being
seduced from his duties by that insinuating
and practical joke maker Admired Porter.
It is, however, high time that the Generals
Of our ARMY with the President at their
head, should cease spending so much of
their official time at these various watering
places for which the Atlantic coast is
famous. It is a standing reflection to the |
moral, and economical members of the
press and one not highly creditable to the
dignity of the army, that its chief repre-
sentatives should spend official hours for
their private pleasure while ostensibly en-
gagged upon public duty. But it is getting
to be the custom of Americans, even st
this busy epoch in their country's history,
to make their country pay their expenses.
The eclipse to-day was general subject
of discussion, and all day long the smoke
of "burning glasses went up to heaven |
in anticipatory preparations for the grand |
event. It was indeed, even here in Wash
ipgton, where the observation was not total, |
a solemn and awe inspiring sight, and
scientific love and knowledge cannot |
wholly Danish from the mind of civilized |
man somewhat of that gloom that such a
scene inspires in the breast of his ignorant |
brother eli -
4 landslide at Stockport, Columbia |
county, New York, carried away, on Mon
day evening, the 2d instant, about three (