Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1872-10-08

The District Of Columbia holds to-day her
second Congress election under the Territorial
act. Gen. Chapman, who headed our ticket
year ago last April, Is again the candidate OF
the Republican party of the District for the
highest Office in the gift Of ourPcoplc. lIewas
selected because Of the superb service he rem.
dered the District in a most difficult and try
ing position; because of his ability, Integrity
and fidelity to the best interests of his con-
stituents. The Republican party asks, and
we ask Tor him, the support Of all parties and
classes Of our citizens because his selection
gress means Improvement and progress,
means the advancement OF our city to the
position which she ought long ago to have
occupied in the front rank Of the cities Of the
Union; in fact as well a. in name, the capital
city of the republic. We ask for him the sup
port of all our citizens without distinction of
action or of party, because his defeat would
mean that we are inscnsible 10 all that has
been done to make us a community greater
and more prosperous, socially and materially;
because his defeat would mean that we
favored rctrogrCssion aud were content to
follow where We should lead.
During the last two years Washington has
prospered as no city in the Union has pros
pered. From being mere wilderness Of de-
iormity and Of decay we have grown into a
loyelincss and a beauty until to-day we stand
almost peerless among, not only the cities Of
the Union, but Of the cities Of the world. It
Is true that the marvellous changes that have
been wrought have not been achieved with
out discomfort, and, In some few instances,
without individual suffering; but THE, in the
very nature of things, was inevitable The
difficulties were great and almost iusur-
mountable; opposition was encountered In
places where sympathy and assistance were
to be expected. Feelings and motives Of per
sonal rivalry, Jealousy and ill-will obtained
sway among men whom national and NUM-
cipal pride aud patriotism alone should have
animated. But the history Of reform every
where shows that great ends can be attained
only through the strife aud the bitterness Of
sharp and relentless opposition. Washing
ton has proved T. be no exception to the
worldwide rule. The gentlemen who have
led In the movement to make her all that she
should be have been assaulted with storm OF
Calumny and viluperatiOn that has had
scarcely parallel in municipal history In
any country In any age. Injunction suits
have hurled through the air, su.
horned witnesses, backed aud led by
men whom we do not care now TO char
acterlzc, have for months and months planted
themselves resOlutely against Improvement
and advancement, and declared II should not
go on. But II did go on, and to-day We sec
the result In avenues and streets that even
Paris can never hope to surpassi in stately
rows Of mansions Of which any city might
be proud In the Immense appreciation Of
real property; in the vast increase of per-
sOnal estate; In comprehensive plans fIr the
future; In renewed and rcvINlAcd activity
aud energy In spirit Of municipal pride
and emulation that promises to carry US to
heights that the most sangulne never dared
TO Imagine.
Among those gentlemen wau have done 50
much In the last eighteen months General
Chapman slunds faithful aud an outhusts-
tic cOidjutpr. NJ man Ia either House Of
Congress has, during the last twelve months,
worked more faithfully, more zealOusy aud
more tirclcssly for his constituents than Gen
eral Chapman has for Washington. NJ one
has shown broader appreciation Of the
wants and necessities Of his section aud local
lty than he lie bus proved lit and worthy
In every way To represent Washington In
Congress, and when We say that We bcstow
upon him tue highest and the fullest praise.
Against his competitor We choose to say only
this: That be Is not the III lu to represent Us Ia
tho present condition Of our city. lie know
our wants aud necossittc' As we'll perhaps
a. any man; but hc would be powcrless IL
assist Us. llo Is not familiar with national
Ieglrlatlnn; hc would not In the very nature
OF things be in sympathy with the majority
ia Congress, who will have 1t In their
power to assist and help us onward. lie
would represent a Democratic Victory he
would represent u defeat of the Administra-
ton; he would have to take his scat IN Con
gress with the Democratic opposition. 1t is