The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-03-22
Especial Correspondence to the Dispatch. /
WASHINGTON, Mnrch 90. 1871

The reconstruction party in Congress il
dying hard, and is perfectly at sea with re-
gard to the manner Of saving itself. Even
with the Massachusetts Butler for q leader
1t is flonndering In the depths of helnlesa.
ness. Its last aim Is special legislation even
to the extent Of BUSTING States that have
already been reconstructed, and for this
purpose the much-vaunted kuklux bills
have been caucused and mooted over md
over again until the majority in Congress-
not including the Democrats-are weary
and disguised with the round. In the
Senate long debate has originated, which,
notwithstanding the intense anxiety Of the
House to adjourn, promises to drag its
The far-seeing Radicals such men rs
Conkling of New York, or Dawes Of Mas
sachusetts, for stance-appreciate the
bad results which will enure to their party
by the continuance of = this discussion.
The Democrats will not suffer their
clear case to 60 by default, and are
making the Radicals very uneasy by the
presentation of facts from official-often
miiitary-records in opposition to the SLAM
ders and unwarranted assertions of ire
sponsible adventures all over the South.
The speech OF Senator Bayard to-day was
not calculated to help the advocates Of a
kuklux bill in the slightest degree, and
they will probably put forth their staunch-
est champion to reply to it. There is a
bridge over which they can retreat, perhaps
with some credit, but with no chance of flu
ture success-that is, by adjourning, after
the appointment of committee to investi-
gate the condition Of affairs South, which the
tyro in political forethought can see that
the Radical Senator'S who are pursuing the
phantom reconstruction at this late day are
falling to make out case, and it will be a
relief to them, tomorrow or next day,
when Mr.. Commissioner Wade returns
with his preliminary reports from his San
Domingo experiences, to turn the tide OF
attention, and give Senator Sumner a
chance to get off his great speech.
The recent events in the camp of the
Radical warriors and lawmakers have,
among other things, set them thinking
about who they shall nominate for their
next President, and as there is better
freedom from the restraint which seems to
have been imposed by the Grant faction
since the Sumner decapitation, no few are
| willing to admit that they must look out
for another leader, although there is very
glance to the President. There is vague
idea prevalent that they will endeayor to
harmonic their differences; but as this, il
it is attempted, will be in the interest of the
Grant wing of the party, there is not much
| show for success. Perhaps it is too early to
speculate in this direction, but signs are
not wanting to convey the impression.
| Think, however, Of conciliating Sumner
and Fish, Blaine and Butler, Farnsworth
and Butler, or Schurz and Grant, and it
will be seen what q difficulty exists, and all
| this without considering the great material
issues which have not yet commenced to
engage the attention Of the present Con.
gress. ...s- ~. ~. .......~ ~ s..-.r.
1t is gratifying sign to notice the Demo.
cratic force in the House-the solid front
| they present, which has more than once
interrupted bad designs on the part of the
enemy. There is the utmost harmony and
decision manifested in every proceeding
| that meets earnest discussion from that
part of the House. Discussions relative TO
the Democratic candidates for the next
Presidency and Vice-Presidency are rare.
The party is acting in the living present,
but with watchful eye the future interests
OF the Government and their noble organl.
cation. The ranks are close, and there
will be no wavering. The sagacious men
of the party will be called upon to counsel
together in due time, and there is not the
slightest indication of fault-fnding or fail
ure. The party will be liberal, earnest,
and anti-proscriptive in every sense and
just now it seems that nothing can mar the
harmony of the political organization.
TIHoE ~