Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-06-05
From the New York Tribune,
a Period OF Democratic Ascendcn.
Cy Predicted.

There has not been a time within
twenty years, till the present, that
VIM. W. Eaton had the slightest
chance to attain what has notoriously
been the measure of his ambition. q
seat in the Senate of the United States.
That he has at last attained it, and
that Connecticut has deliberately
turned away from the men who have
had her confidence of over twenty
years, to Eft to her highest represen-
tative position the man she has feared
and hated most, and whose political
opinions she has repeatedly repudiated
and dlsowred, is an event of peculiar
significance. Whoever should have
said two years ago, when the Republi-
cans, strong lin their majority, quar-
relied and split into factions over the
election of Senator, that VIM. w. Ea-
ton would be the next Senator elected,
would have been compassionate asa lun-
attic. Such prediction few months
! later, when the State was carried over
whelmingly for Grant, would have
been wilder still.
In the same spirit in which conserv-
ative Connecticut swung over from
Buchanan's administration to Francis
Gillette in 1854, she has swung from
Grants administration to William w.
Eaton in 1874. The people are tired
of platforms and protestations. They
have begun a revolt. Does the party
in power understand the situation?
As for Mr.. Eaton, with all his faults,
and they are such as may seriously i'm
pair his influence, he has distinguish
ing virtues that may make him a very
useful representative. The lesson of
1854 to his own party, and the lesson
of tio twenty ycaIs eApcr1cnce sInc8
then, are not more to his profit By
than those of the last two years, which
seem specially directed to his oppo-
nents. If history does repeat itself,
Mr.. Eaton's election opens a period of
Democratic ascendancy, just as Francis
Gillettes led the way to twenty years
of Republican rule in tho State.
How n Dumb Man Recovered His
Voice.
The Springfield Republican tells q
curious story OF the way in which A.
B. Leonard, a dumb man, at South
bridge, Massachusetts, recently re-
covered his voice, which he lost about
a year ago, after an attack of cerebrO-
spinal meningitis. A few mornings ago
he was awakened about four o'clock
by sense of oppression and faintness.
He became conscious enough to under
stand that gas was escaping from
coal stove, and that he would soon die
unless he could get to fresh air so,
after many falls and tImbles he gained
the outside door, when he tainted, but
was soon aroused by the tapping and
tugging Of q faithful Newfoundland dog.
thn1tc1,t To hot q
wife and child were in the house, and
months he called loudly for help,
his cries, united with the howls of the
dog, soon rousing a neighbor, to
whom he told his troubles, and again
tainted and was insensible for two
hours. On recovering he was unable
to talk, but the doctor, on hear
ing the case ordered him to visit the
gas house and breathe the air i'll the
purifying room. After spending an
hour and half there he could talk III
a whisper, aud since then has gained
the perfect use of his voice.
Queen Victoria and President
Grant.
i ho following letter, purporting to
be the reply Of Queen Victoria to The,
invitation of President Grant to visit
him and the Philadelphia Exposition.
OH the Fonrth OF July, 1876, has been
handed to the New York Evening Post
/ for publication.
FROM QUEEN VICTORIA.
III. Prcaident- Since the decease Of
. NY beloved husband, I have made it a
rule never to quit my kingdom, except
! to visit the scenes associated with his
early youth at Coburg. pray your
| Excellency, therefore, to excuse me
! from accepting the invitation which
| you have been pleased to send me.
! TO give your Exceliency, however,
some idea of the estimate in which the
American people and its government
are held by my court, l
shall allow myself the pleasure
of sending to your bazaar
| full-length portrait of my lamented
grand father, George Ill, of blessed
memory, and a bust of Brigadier-Gen-
eral Benedict Arnold, who, of all your
American heroes, enjoyed: and. so far
as I know, 1nerited the most OF my
grandfather respect. Though may
not be with you in person, l trust the
| sight of these me MORALS of affection
! will convince your Excellency that the
| lapse Of century, with all its curious
vicissitudes, has not in the slightest
! degree diminished those feelings to-
! wards Americans which the event you
are about to commemorate was calcu
lated to inspire in the breast of every
loyal Engiishman.
Kiss my hand, VICTORIA.
Given at my palace at Windsor.
April /, 1874.
Commenting on the passage of the