The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-02-07
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON,
Special correspondence Of the Baltimore Gazette
The Ultra Radical Leaders shorn OF
their Strength.
WASHINGTON, February 4, 1870.

Thave taken some pains to ascertain the
status of members of the Senate and House
upon the question of further aggressive
measures by the Radical leaders, and am
able to state that the majority in the House
If Representatives and minority OF con-
siderable and increasing strength in the
Senate are disposed, at last, to pause be-
fore taking another step in the-dlrectlon OF
civil revolution. The negro has been set
at liberty. He has been accorded the pal
lot when millions of whites have been dis
franchised) he has been put in the jury
box: allowed to testify in courts in cases,
civil and criminal, where whites alone we're
concerned; the children of his race have
been provided, ut the public expense, with
ample means of education, and his equalty
enforced by law in all public conveyances;,
theatres, houses of entertainment ana
public edifces and, finally, ne has been
lifted to the highest positions IN the 10
yernment-executive and legislative. Cor
respondingly the whites have been de-
It would be difficult, indeed, for the
dominant party to go farther on in
the direction Of eleyating the negro or
depressing the white race. Yet 1t Is
felt BY many astute Radical leaders
that to pause for IN instant in this
respect ,uould be death to their organiza-
ton. This argument Internationally
sound) has thus far dragged along many
unwilling votes, which served to swell their
congressional majorities. But I am now
assured by many in whom l have the ut
most confidence that even the certain dis
memberment of the "Republican' party
will not induce an effective majority IN
Congress, even as at present organized, to
follow Sumner and Butler an inch further
in their road to inevitable and final ruin.
The negro, whoever may say to the con-
trary, has all along been the sheet-anchor
of the Radical party. Upon no other ques-
ton could it have been made unit under
the lash of New England. The hallucina-
ton of the northern mind upon this one
point is the most marvellous phenomenon
the world ever witnessed. At this moment
many northern voters (who know nothing at
all Of the race) would not hesitate to 80 the
length of its dedication. Hitherto .every
other question has been made subservient
to this one idea. Even hatred Of secession
and vengeance against secessionists owe
much, If not oil, of their demoniacal ma
lightly to the perfect madness possessing
the popular mind upon this subject, con-
stantly excited as it has been by the lies
of g. purchased and interruptions press.
The end of the tether has at last been
reached. "Othello's occupations gone"
No one can exaggerate the importance OF
the rejection that has taken place in the
past few days. Freed from the incubus
| which weighed SO heavily upon members,
+! and from caucus dictation, its acknowledged
effect, the great questions of the tariff, cur
rency, taxes, &C., may now be discussed and
voted upon with respect alone tothe interests
of the country at large. If western and
southern members shall, therefore, now be
found voting for the eastern money
changers, bond-holders, and manufacturers,
the excuse Of party shackles imposed in
Difference to the eternal and Internal negro
question will not avail them. They must
stand out in bold relief as purchased cattle
ut so much head.
1t must be acknowledged that the evil
dent reelection referred to has been pur-
| chased OF heavy and degrading price.
But it seems negrophilism, like the naoras
multicauis fever, must needs run its
| course. 1t has now eliminated. The day
is not far distant when the whole country
will look back with wonderment at its in
fatuation, and hasten quickly and etfec-
lively to retrace its steps. In the mean
time we must have patience, and do the
best We can under improved prospects.
You will see that Democrats and Con-
servatives in Congress are becoming more
lively and Independent than when "a short
time ago) they were under the daily appre-
hension of expulsion, or worse. Their con-
duct to-day has been unexceptionable. Let
them hereafter hold up their heads man
fully. The threats of Morton, and Sum-
ner, and Butler, and Hoar, have become
vapor indeed. Such men are no longer the
Robespierres, the Dantons, and Marats, of
America. They are forever, from this mo-
Iment, shorn of their strength for further
mischief. X.