The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-11
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Dec, 9th.

@ w ASHlNGTON, Dec. Jth.
THE DUTIES AND RESPoNSrBILITII
OF MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICA
! PARTY.
Every member Of the Republican part
has the unquestioned right, and it is NOR,
over his duty, to advocate the nominatio
for office of those men whom he believe
are best fitted for the place. Thus. til
mere fact that Carl Schurz is opposed [
the denomination of President Grant doe
not impair his standing within the Repub
llcan organization. There would be n
need OF holding convention at all, ifever
| member was bound beforehand to supper
the denomination of a particular man o
ticket. Therefore, men may be anti-Gran
and be precisely as good Republicans a
those who are advocating his denomination
This proposition is we'll understood, and
only allude to it to point out in what man
ner it is abused.
The opposition TO the denomination o
Grant must be conducted in such manne,
as not to prevent the minority from givinc
him, if he should be nominated, their cor
dial support. The man who declares il
advance, as Carl Schurz seems to have
done, II correctly reported, that he will moi
support Grant IN any event; or he who il
SO Intemperate in his opposition to the non-
NATION OF Grant that he cannot give him a
cordial or efficient support in case he should
be nominated, is placing himself in opposi.
ton to the party, and the sooner he ceases
TO be recognized as member the better.
The usage of submitting to regularly made
nominations is necessary to the existence of
all political parties and cannot be dispensed
with, and while | regret that any person
should feel so great a resentment towards
the President of the United States that he
should prefer TO cooperate with the Demo-
Gratis, the sooner his position is known the
better for all.
THE POLITICAL SENTIMENTS OF THE
COUNTRY.
Since the assembling of Congress have
come into contact with members and citi-
zens from every part Of the country. and
from Maine, Michigan, Wis
consin, Mississippi and Ohio. and in the
course OF conversation inquired whether
there was much dissatisfaction with Grants
administrator among the Republicans.
The replies have been uniform that there is
no Indication apparent anywhere that any
Republican is DESTROYS of deserving his
party for the purpose of joining either a
new one or the Democracy. Victorious
armies have few. .stragglers. While it can
not be expected that every member of the
party is completely satisfied, vet on the
whole, the administration measures are
heartily supported by the people, and there
seems to be no doubt either Of the renom-
nation or reelection of President Grant.
1t gives me pleasure to be authorized to
state that the recent caucus committee, of
Which buckingham was chairman, succeed
I'd in harmonizmg all conflicting interests
Their report being adopted without dis
'entng voice. Senator Sumner having
oeen again placed at the head of the Com
nittee of Privileges and Elections, is ex-
'ected to give it the benefit of his large ex-
'erence. The officers of the Senate remain
For the purpose Of aiding the Secretary
II the Treasury in the negotiation Of the
. per cent. loan, and also as compliment
0 our German speaking citizens, Senator
'erry. OF Michigan, has introduced a reso-
ution ordering the printing of twenty thou
and copies of the Presidents Message.
nd five thousand copies of the report Of
he Secretary of the Treasury III the Ger.
nan language. There are, comparatively.
ew German papers that have the facilities
o publish these documents, well transla-
ed, entire, so that the numerous citizens
gho read the English language with diff
ulty are virtually deprived of this import- |
mt information. Our national, local and no.
tlcal leaders have too long and too generally
eglected the political education of the
iermans, and it is to be hoped that politi-
al information in the German language
Till be more largely distributed than hith- |
rto.
There is no doubt that this resolution. or
similar one, will be passed.
A large number of the Republican Sena-
ors, learning on Thursday that Mr.. Fish
ontempated retiring from the State depart
1ent, united In letter urgently requesting
i'm to remain, and stating that this request
1as also urged by other members OF the
.abinet and leading members of both
louses of Congress.
The Senate yesterday ordered the print |
lg of the correspondence connected with |
ne dismissal of the Russian Minister. M. |
'atacazy. These documents have been
elegraphed throughout the country, show
ig highly dishonorable conduct on the |
art of that gentleman, in interfering with !
matters concerning our affairs with other |
overnmcnts than that OF Russia.
LOCAL.
A fatal affray occurred last evening in |
he northern part of the city. John Leary |
ad quarrel with colored man. named |
.iDah Grant, which ended in Leary draw