The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-04-06
From the New York Tribune.l

of politicians is scanning the polltlcal
horizon with so much care and anxiety
as the Republican members OF the
House of Representatives They read
the newspapers with unusual attention,
and the letters they receive from their
constituents are no longer glanced at
only to see what troublesome requests
must be complied with, but are care
fully perused for expressions OF opln-
ion which may show the direction OF
the political wind at home. They
show these letters to each other. They
compare notes and discuss probablil-
ties. They depreeate dissensions IN
the party, and suggest schemes for
aIlaying them which are often absurd.
and compromises which are ridiculous
or impossible, although we'll meant.
They are timid, even to coWardlce, III
expressing their views when they fear
that what they say may get into print.
There is scarcely a man among them
who would not dread to have his hon
est sentiments upon the political sit
uation known to the people he repre-
SCENTS. One does not have to go far to
find the reason for this reticence i'll
men who are fond of thinking them
selves popular leaders. Their cleo
tions are to come off next fall, the
nominating conventions that are to
decide their fate are close at hand, and
they are afraid of taking step in any
direction lest their attitude should not
meet with the favor of their constltu-
ents. They are, therefore, standing
still and watching the signs III the
political heavens. They see every
thing from their standpoint OF self
interest, and their observations are,
therefore, not worth very much as
trustworthy indications OF future
events, but the vigilance of the watch
they maintain gives to these obserVa-
lions some positive value.
These fearful Congressman are bad
" frightened at the Cincinnati move
ment. They think it fraught with
nothing but disaster for them. They
dare not say word in its support, and
they are afraid to condemn it i'll pos
tive language. If it should result IN
great uprising for reform that
should triumph at the Presidential
election, they predict nothing but
calamity to themselves, 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 its favor. There
would be no room for such tardy re-
eruits 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
principles that animate it, and would
joyfully welcome its success if they
could be sure no harm would come
thereby to themselves. But this is
where the doubt comes. The chances
in such an event are against them, and
their eager study of indications and
weighing of probabilities has led linear
ly all of them to the conclusion that
the safest course Is, in 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 condemna-
ton of the evils that have given &C.
casion for the Cincinnati convention
that Mr.. Dawes made use of in his let
ter disclaiming the secret sympathy
with the movement which Senator
Upton had attributed to him. In
fact, since he assumed the nominal
leadership of the House, Mr.. Dawes
has never so well expressed the views
OF the majority upon any subject as in
that letter. He struck the keynote,
and his fellow members are fast taking
up the tune.
The attitude of Mr.. Dawes has
rather treasured the doubling Con-
gressmen. Mr.. Garfield, too, whose
opinions, courage and antecedents
appeared to indicate him, more than
any man in the House, a probable
champion of the new movement, has
refused to take ground in its favor,
and has spoken of it as likely to re-
suit in bringing the old Democratic
party into power. These declarations,
and other events of the past week,
have unquestionably set the faces Of
Vacillating members more than ever in
the direction OF Philadelphia. For
the last few days there has been a
more decided and cheerful tone on
the Republican side of the House than
at any time fer month past. There
seems to be a more decided hope that
the threatening storm will blow ever.
:. / don't believe it will be much of a
shower" said Pennsylvania MEM
Der yesterday, speaking of the Gin
cinnati convention; &. it looks rather
black, / confess, but itwon't amount
to much. The old Republican party
will weather it safely " Four years
from this time, !" said an Ohio member,
"a movement for. reform like that at
Cincinnati will sweep the board; but
tits too soon now-the people are not
ripe for it. 1t may be that the Re-
publican party has done its work, and
has no longer any vitalizing principles;
but there is force in the body of a
great political organization that makes