New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-03-30
THE PRESIDENTIAL CANVASS.

|
| Reticence OF C0nRresemen-What They
! Think Of Aflairs-Fears for the Success,
Of the Reform Moyement-A Free Dis.
| cussiOn.
Prom the New York Tribune.
! WASHINGTON. March 23-No class OF
politicians Is scanning the political horizon
| with so much care and anxiety as the Re
| publican members Of the House of Repre-
sentatives. They read the newspapers
with unusual attention, and the letters
| they receive from their constituents are nc
| longer glanced at only to see what trouble
some requests must be complied with, but
are carefully perused for expressions OF
| opinion which may show the direction OF
the political wind at home. They show
these letters TO each other. They compare
notes and discuss probabilities. They dep
recate dissensions in the party, and suggest
schemes for allayiug them which are often
absurd, and compromises which are Idicu-
lous or impossible, although well meant.
They are tilnid, even to cOwardice. in ex-
pressing their views when they fear that
what they say may get into print.
There is scarcely man among them
who would not dread to have his
honest sentiments upon the political situa-
ton known to the people he represents
| One does not have to 20 far TO find tie
reason for this reticence in men who are
fond of thinking themselves popular lead
ers. Their elections are to come OF next
fall the nominating conventions that are to
decide their fate are close at hand, and
they are afraid of taking step in any dl-
recfion lest their attitude should not meet
with the favor of their constituents They
are. therefore, standing still aud Watching
A.. %Io hao har
see everything from their standpoint of
self-interest. and their observations are,
therefore, lot worth very much as trust
worthy indications of future events, but
the vigilance OF the watch they maintain
gives to these observations some positive
value.
These fearful congressman are badly
frightened at The Cincinnati movement.
They think it fraught with nothing but dis
aster for them They dare not say a word
in it's support and they are afraid to con-
denim it in positive language. If it should
result in Il great uprising for reform that
should triumph at the Presidential election,
they predict nothing but calamity to them
selves. for they know that new men would
become its leaders. and secure control of it
long before they would venture to take the
risk of declaring in it's favor. There would
be no room for such tardy recruits among
the captains of the hosts of reform, and they
would have to fall in as privates in the
ranks. They, therefore, hope for the failure
of the Cincinnati movement although many
OF them at heart sympathize with the princi-
pies that animate it, and would joyfully
welcome its success if they could
be sure no harm would come thereby
to themselves. But this sis where
the doubt comes. The chances in such
an event are against them, and their eager
study of iN)icatiOns and weighing Of prob
abilities has led nearly all of them to the
language of Mr.. Dawes. ''to look alone to
the Philadelphia convention for authorita-
tive action of the Republican party" They
do this, however, with the same expression
of regret for, or condemnation of. the evils
that have gwen occasion fer the Cincinnati
that Mr.. Dawes made use of in
his letter disclaiming the secret sympathy
with the movement which Senator Tipton !
had attributed TO him. In fact, since he as |
sumed the nominal leadership Of the House, |
Mr.. Dawes has neve. SO well expressed the |
views of the majority upon any subject as
in that letter He struck the keynote. and |
his fellow member are fast taking uo the |
tune.
The attitude of Mr.. Dawes has rather re- |
the doubling congressman. Mr.. |
Garfield. too whose opinions, courage and |
appeared to indicate him, more
han any man in the House, as a probable |
champion of the new movement has re-
used to take ground in its favor and has
spoken OF 1t as likely to result III bringing |
he old Democratic party into bower These |
declarations, and other events of the past
week, have un4uestionably set the faces of
Facilitating members more than ever in the |
direction of Philadelphia. For the last few
lays there has been a more decided and
cheerful tone on the Republican side of the
House than at any time for a month past.
There seems TO be more decided hope that
he threatening storm will blow ever. Il
lon't believe it will be much of shower"
aid Pennsylvania member yesterday, |
peaking of .the Cincinnati convention;
it looks rather black, | confess. but
t won't amount to much. The old
republican party will weather it safe
y" -Four years from this time
aid an Oljo member. "a movement for re-
OF Ill like that at Cincinnati will sweep the
BOARD but 1t is too soon now-the people
re not ripe for it. 1t may be that the Re
publican party has done its work, and has
10 longer any vitalizing principles but
here is force in the body of great polit-
al orgaDza ton that makes it power long
tier its life has departed. In otle: words,
party Is like a machine, which will con-
niue to run for some time after the |
lotivo power is removed. ! thiak we
an all see unlDistakable sigma Of dis
oluticn III our party, but il will
old together long enough to run through
le next campaign with scarcely diminished {
momentum. That being the case suppose
e Republican politicians might better {
lick to the machine until we feel it break ,
= "o"n uhuer Us. am SaIiShea from
IL can iearn' remarked New England !
- that the hostiIitv to
rart,s ra.eiection has NOT rn nISa 10