National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-04
urIQrn M9IN pnLITLCG

VI ny w
WISCONSIN POLITICS.
Hon. James Allen Barber, Representa-
tive from the Third Wisconsin district, has
published letter declining to be considered
candidate for reelection. Thereupon the
Chicago Tribune charges that he has been
frightened off the track by fear that his
district has become irretrievably anti-Re-
publican. 1t is strange that a journal of the
prominence of the Tribune, published 50
near the scene of its criticism, should make
such an inexcusable blunder. Mr.. Barber
is one of the oldest and most highly re-
spected citizens of the State. He has filed
so many positions Of public honor-asmem-
Der of the convention that formed the State
constitution, Speaker of the Assembly in
1862 and twice a Representative in Con-
gress-and has filled them with such marked
integrity and acceptable ability as to win
the cordial admiration of his constituents
regardless of political prediction, and to
enable him almost invariably to poll a
stronger vote than that received by his CO.
temporaries in nomination on the same
ticket Although his district was carried
last fall by small majority in favor of the
opposition, it may be assumed as certain, in
view of the facts to which we have alluded,
that he would be able, without extraordi.
nary effort, to secure his return in a canvass
in which mere local or State issues would
not be involved. In other words, it is GER
tain that, as regards national topics, the
voters of his district, as well as of the en-
tire State, are not seriously disafected
toward the Republican party. They be-
lieve in its principles now, and will sup
port them at the polls as they did
when they made their glorious record
against the fallacies and treachery Of
Democracy during the war. That Mr..
D~-b.- e ;-s.Ii;oe-t enough W aPpIeCIate
this fact is assured by his long and varied
experience as public man, and his init
mate knowledge of the desires and feelings
of his fellow citizens. 1t is therefore the
most fiimsy nonsense to charge, as the Tri-
6rne does, that he designs to desert his party
because of fears that it cannot regain its
supremacy in the State. A more truthful
explanation of the motives which prompted
the publication of the letter referred to is
an unselfsh desire on his part to give way
to the ambition of some other popular aspi-
rant-perhaps to Mr.. George c. Hazleton,
brother of the present member from the
Second district.
Be this as it may, the political aspect in
Wisconsin is not so discouraging as the
Tribune would lead US to believe, and it
will not, as that paper asserts, brighten either
Mr.. Sawyer, of the Sixth district, or Mr..
Hazleton, of the Second, if they desire to
become candidates for reelection. Both of
these gentlemen, the former having served
in the House continuously since and dur
ing the most trying periods of the war, are
deservedly popular with their constituents.
As working members of the efficiently
practical kind, and as quiet and unostenta-
tious men, they have won the respect of
their fellow members, and consequently
exert an appreciate influence in the de-
alterations of the House. Their assiduous
care of the interests of their State and con-
stituents is noted in all of the Executive
Departments of the General Government,
while their consistent record as supporters
of the Administration and as men of excep-
tional integrity have combined to add ex-
traordinary force to the power of the places
they so acceptably fill. Gen. Rusk, of the
La Crosse district, is not included in the
Tri6une's afrighted members from the
Badger State, probably because his district,
like that of Mr.. Williams, is soundly Re
publican even to its gangrened and envious
vision. As they are both men of marked
and peculiar fitness for their places, 1t should
not have neglected them in this slightful
manner. They deserve to be slandered on
account Of their consistent courage in sup
port of principle as well as Messrs. Barber
and Sawyer, and it is strange that they have
escaped the infection of its spleen.
The animus of the Tribuns's article
however, is to be found in its opposition b
the reelection of Senator Carpenter. As
suning, without giving any reason for tn
assumption, that Mr.. Carpenter is q deaf
weight on the party, it predicts the election
of an opposition Legislature. and insist
that he will demand vindication of hi
character against the ISLANDERS of spitefu
political enemies at the hands Of his con
| stituents, as though he had not already beer
"vindicated by the act of the highes
legislative body in the land in his re-elec
ton to be temporary President Of thu
United States Senate. he is not now ant
never has been dead weight to be carried
by any cause which commended itself Il
his support. His pre-eminent abilities as ,
LAWYER, statesman and publicist have ena-
bled him, on the contrary, to add force to 1t
principles, while his honest differences o
opinion with political friends and support
| tiers regarding matters of minor Importance
have never detracted anything but hav'
|, rather increased the respect and admiration
entertained for him. In addition 70 this WI
may safely assume that every citizen Of TIL
State feels just pride In the honor con
ferred upon it and them by 'the eminen
, and distinguished position which his abil
!, tiles have enabled him TO reach. They re
member. with sense of self qualification
that the nominal rank towhich he has beef
exalted as the choice of the leading states
, men of the country is second only to tina
Iiof the Presidency itself, and they viii neye
AZ. ,,nd;r,oy, 1a.ok;o, &c he o,,r