The Portland daily press., 1870-08-03
Letter fram Washiugten.
AeHINUIUN, D. o., JUl
SOUTHERN AEFAIRS.

NAshlN6ION, " w., Juty ~, 10 ~.
SOUTHERN AFFAIRS.
These have not yet lost interest ia New
England, at least where the people understand
what is at Stakeholder civilization Or veneer
ed barbarism; Objectionable doctrines freely
talked, though not believed, at the district
school-a village Wendell Phillips at the de-
batting club-or the Ku-Klux in power l
have just left friend, keen, observaut, acute
as business man; critical and phiosophic
in politics; radical as politician. This gem
tleman has just returned from long and qui-
ct tour in the South. He gives me his sum-
mings up. They are not remarkably encour-
aging. Let me outline his views for they coin.
eide with what L know myself of the state of
affairs there. Generally, then, the South is
prosperous. Assuredly it is saucy, and grow
ing more so. I refer by the South in this
last particular, to the white eement-the "old
residents" Last years cotton crop set the
planters, the disaffected South, with those
classes who live by patronage, on their feet.
This year promises well. If the crops are as
good as my friend thinks they will be and 9th
er reports indicate, and there should be apy
marked increase Of Democratic strength at
the next elections, there will be no BEARING
the insolence of the rebel South, outside of
the large towns and perhaps off the main
lines of travel-not, at least, by unfortunate
Union men, Northern or Southern born, who
happen to be among them.
The South goes with France-no. with tbe
Emperor. They would fight for him and with
him to-day, if thereby the United States
would become involved. All are rebel TO the
core. "Can the lion change his skin. or the
leopard his spots? 1t is true that in the
larger cities and very slowly elsewhere-very
slowly indeed-republican ideas are gaining
converts among the whites. The negroes are
faithful. Wherever we are in power schools
increase; in the States the enemy holds they
stagnate. Let us see the condition, political
H,of
VIRGINIA.
Ihere is still believed to be small Repub-
Hcan majority in this State, could the Reprb-
leans once be united. But the rebel denoc--
racy are in power, and this increases tbeir
ability to hold the same. There will he A..
hotly-contested election this fall. Renresan.
tatives are to be chosen, and Senator is TO
be elected in place Of Mr. Johnston. Little
doubt exists as to who his successor will be.
Governor Walker is to receive the reward of
his treacherous subservience by seat in the
Senate. There is a wheel within wheel.
Senator Lewis was Lieutenant Governor.
His place is vacant. The President of the
State Senate, Judge Daniels, the ablest and
most inscriptions Democrat in the State
will become Governor. That's a point gain
ed for the future on their part, though so far
Walker has been as supple an agent as was
needed.
The next point is, how TO secure the Con-
gressional delegation, eight in number. Tour
OF these districts are undoubtedly Republican,
and II the proper efforts are made, would
seem that six could be secured. The
first-named are Ayers, Platts, Porter and
Booker. The two probable ones are the |
sixth ard seventh, in which Conselya-
tive Republicans were elected, Mckenzie |
and Mileres, by majorities of 1906 and 5.3os |
The rebel Democracy however propose |
to make this safe, by converting the Leg
islature in October and re districting the
State so as through enough rebel counties in
each to neutralize, at the same time doing
this only just before election. In this way
there will be no opportunity left for Republi-
cans to canvass the new districts, while the
politicians say that the Democrats will know
before hand, where in the main their lines ex-
tend
There has been a disregard of obligations
on the part Of the party in other respects.
Inc Judge of the Hastings Court at Rich
mond fails to order a new civic election,
though acknowledging that the Democrats