Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1870-08-06
More Ripplss Indicating the Course Of
the Current.

&C. w tuosS" HWu some
Of the leading Republican papers, Eas.
and West, regarding the present condition
Of that party. Since then the evidence
has accumulated, and it is impossible to
take up Republican paper which makes
any pretentions to candor aud iudepeud-
cnce, without finding it filed with serious
forebodings. The San Francisco Spirit Of
the Times, which has always been az en-.
thusiastic supporter Of Radicslism, thus
alludes to some things it don't like to see
1.-The MarysriUc appeal. with the very
best intention, pleads for harmony in the
Republican party, the burying Of differ.
ences and an endeaver to restore the
organization to its pristine glory and sue.
cess. 1t sounds very sweetly to the ear.
appears nicely to the eye, and almost per-
suades one to follow the good advice Civ.
en-. We admit, We have expressed our
opinions pretty freely as to the condition Of
the party, and have spoken our mind
without regard to the consequences, and
when We read the article in the Appeal
We had about made up our mind to restrain
our youthful impetuosity, and we deter
mined to pacify the first malcontent we
met. we picked up our hat and started
out Of our Office burdened down with good
Intentions, but miraIie dictu, the first man
we met, on emerging into the street, was
Hon. George W. Dent, (brother-in- law TO
President Grant, ex.delegate from Arizo.
ma to the convention which nominated
Seymore for the Presidency; an acknowl.
edged rebel during the war, and rebel
now; and at present Appraiser 10 the
Custom House Of San Francisco peram.
bulating around, making himself plain and
visible to the naked Republicans eye.
This man never did one moments work for
the cause of his country and for the sake
Of the Union, during the war, but on the
contrary, was against it: He never did
seconds work for Grant and the Admins.
tration in this State, and he is sent here by
Grant to hold Office over men who were
loyal and true to the country and who did
labor to save this State for the Administra-
ton. Dent takes Office on the LIST of July
next, and when he does do so hundreds Of
Republicans will abandon a party that
thus abandons them. Can the appeal
indorse this appointment Does it do so?
Does the Republican press of the State
indorse it? Because Dent is the brother.
in-law Of the President, does that make
any difference? We say no, what says the
press! Talk Of cementing the Republican
party, when such things arc permitted;
the idea is prepOstcrous, and will be treat.
ed with scorn and contempt by men who
have the moral courage to resent such an
insult to their manhood and indepen.
dence"
Dom Piatt thus paints the portrait of
the Radical party, at Washington:
II am forced to say there is no more
cohesion beyond mere Office holding and
public plumber, in the Republican party,
than there is in rope Of sand. For over
year l have been in Washington, cm-
ployed to criticise our public men, and, to
put to newspaper record their political
acts. l wrote the fact that, while the De.
mocracy is compact, well-orgauized
body, representing certain feelings. that
make. Of its parts one efficient whole. the
Republicans arc of one party only 10 name,
and each leader is the representative Of d
faction in deadly hostility to some other
faction inside the organization. We're
caucus to be called for the purpose of con-
sidering any one of the more important
measures now under consideration, its de-
alterations would be marked by violent
discussions, personal abuse, and every
evidence Of hate and suspicion, to end in
violent dissolution. No such caucus has
been held since I have been in Washing.
ton, and no such caucus can be held. The
fact is significant that no measure of pub.
lie interest passes Congress, except as a
compromise log rolled throug h with
schemes Of public plumber"
Coming nearer towards home, let us
read what the Dalles Mountaineer thinks
of the situation:
awe have fallen upon the iron age of
our politics. Our Government has become
lamentably corrupt both in principle and
practice. The entire machinery Of state,
whatever party chances to come into power,
seems to have fallen into the hands of
clique Of tricksters. Time was in this
country, without entering upon the do.
main OF political idealism, when men in
high position were men of distinguished
ability and eminent virtues. Washington,
Hamilton, and Jefferson had indeed enc.
mics in their day, but their blemishes have
been forgotten, and they are remembered
only as public men who 10 the early days
OF the Republic we're ambitious for no high.
er dignity, or more lasting fame, than to
be patriot statesmen. Search our present
annals through and one may not 6nd
names which the world will care long ID
remember. except with contempt and
scorn. Webster's greatness is not lessened
by time, and the political abilities Of Cali.
houn, Notwithstanding his impracticable
vagaries, are still held in recognition. ;.
We know not where to 60 to-day to iiud
their like. The war produced some lead.