, 1873-03-17

Political affairs at Washington aro already
shaping themselves upon tho noxt Presidential
election. Among tho probable candidates for
the Republican nomination, Senator Morton and
Speaker Blaine are just now tho most conspicu-
ous. They represent opposing elements in tho
party, and opposing ideas in tho country. Mr.
Morton is tho representative of that principle
which seeks to submorGe everything
in the party interests. Ho lstons to
no proposition, tolorates no policy, and
countenances no reform which would directly or
remotely damage tho organization. Tho posi-
ton which ho has taken In tho Louisiana difll-
Guilty notably illustrates Ills policy, and the
succoss which lo las achieved in tho struggle
attests his powor as party "whip." Whilo con-
strained to concur with his colleagues in con-
demning tho conduct Of Judge Duroll and III
doprecating its resulss ho refused to follow ont
tho logic Of that position, and inslstod that tho
Kellogg Government, tho creation Of Durols
illegal and high-landed interference, should bo
recognized as tho dc jacto Government. Tho
majority Of the Senate woro ngainst him, but lie
brought them under. Tho laah was applied to
Carpenter, Lcgan, Anthony, Edmunds, and
They wero takon by tho ear aud
lcd buck into the ranks. Washington
gossip has it that Mr. Morton proposes to bnae
his Presidential aspirations upon tho iudopond-
enco and ultimate annexation Of Canada. This
is not probable, Bucll a doctrine, confined to
glittering gonoralitos, rnny DO TN incident of
hlr. A1orton's future career bnt the destiny of
Caunda ia too remote and complex to afford him
or anybody olBo any firm standing ground It is
much more likely that he will ground his hopes
upon tho idea Of atrict devotion to party, anl
upon tho evidence ho can bring forward Of his
ability to run tho machine. In this particular
field lie iB not likely to have riyal.
Mr. Dlalno's chances will lingo upon tho de-
velopmont Of another element in tho party,-tl.o
more liberal wing, which regards it aB essential
to party pormanonce thas abuses should ne
rooted out, aud that reforms should be encour-
aged rather than opposed. 10 this wing Of the
party belong Dawcs, Garleld Kelley, scofloll,
| and Bingham. It IL thousand pitlca that
those men should have allowed themselves
| to DO amirclod with Credit Mobiiier,
! while their opponents In tho House, hoaled
by Butler, WHO arc every way loHB entitled to
public confidence, escape unscatAod. But for
this unluclsy circumstance thoy might hayo
boon strong enough to control tho next Propi-
Dental nomination, either for Blaine or aomo-
body reproHenting tho eanle sido In tho con-
tents botween Senate and House, last year, prior
to tho political campaign, Morton was tho origi-
nator and ongincor OF all tho vio'ont and iucon-
diary measures sought to 10 pushed through,
whio Dlaino waa their silent and eiroctlyo oppo.
mont. II ho is ro-olcctod speakor thoro is little
doubt that Mr. Dlaino's administration of the
Office will DO directed, as heretofore, to obatruci
aud Btave of dangerous policios. There can be
no doubt that ho would hayo sided with Carpon.
tor and Logan in tho Louisiana dispute
Whether he would have ainolea when they did