The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1875-02-05
The Spanish Question and the
next Congress-

The Washington correspondent of the
New Orleans Times, under date Of Jan.
2Sd, says:
There seems to be no doubt, that the
Administration has determined upon an
offensive policy in the Virginius matter,
and will demand an immediate settle
ment. Tt is also thought that a Spanish
war would do much to bring together
the different sections of the country.
Beside the position of u Government
has not been such az to enhance our
reputation abroad. England demanded
and got, too, a settlement OF her claim
for damages, while our diplomats were
discussing platitudes with Spanish gran
dees, who laughed 1.-THE ease with which
they pulled the wool over the eyes of
Uncle Sam. That this policy will be
abandoned L have no doubt. For this
course there are several easOns. The
ring of soldiers, who were all-poWerful,
+ iOsing their prestige, and another
war IL a necessity to them. The Presi-
dent is undoubtedly willing, and if we
can Judge BY the Administration press,
anxious to precipitate such a war. 1t
would place at his disposal b large army,
draw Tito the public service many dis
satisfied men, who are a troublesome
elementin all sections, and place in the
Administration hands enormous patron
e which could be disbursed among
its friends, and used to further corrupt
the body polite at the next election.
So you may rely upon it, we will have
a row with Spain, and that speedily.
Even d Democratic Congress could not
refuse to sustain the President II vote
the army appropriations il we were in a.
H0,asou 1xtyart 81 an 1saT11a I'm han fhn Whyp-
opposed the war OF 1912, and for that the
Democrats kept them at the second table
for forty years. Be sure the President
sees how to make q Democratic Con-
gress support him, or else ruin tile party
before the country. So we will have the
fight.
There is much speculation about the
time Of meeting of the next Congress. I
think it very likely that there will be q
called session, III for no other reason than
the one given above. NJ. g. Kerr, of
Indiana, Wood and Cox Of New York,
are the most prominent candidates for
Speaker. Either Kerr or Fernando
Wood will be the next Speaker said ri
Democratic Senator elect to me to-day.
I believe Mr.. Wood was the last Demo-
crat who presided owe the House. Tall
and stately as an Austrian a~Tchduke, a
thorough pariiamentarlan, lie would
command well the first Democratic ma
iority Id twenty years. But among the
notable men there will be some missing
who should have been where their power
could be felt. Kentucky should have
returned Beck, who for three terms has
led the opposition. Painstaking and
labOri0us, of not much finish perhaps,
but great oil argument and full
of sledgebaminer logic, Beck has been
claSsed, ag he richly deserved to be-
among the very first men ofthe country.
When a mendaci0ns correspondent.
from the Pacific coast, tried to throw
dirt OFT him, men of all parties promptly
resented ii, and united In his Defence
And respectable newspaper men here
of all parties were indignantat the SLAM
der upon b we'll earned reputation.
The Democrats mean to be very care-
full, as they should be. Nearly aIl their
prominent men are here from all sec
tiOns, and that they are quietly matur-
ing some policy, there lis nosort of Doubt
Augustus Sc1ell and Belmont have been
here some days. The election of Me-
Donald To the Senate III Indiana Id d
triumph for the anti-inflationists, who
are gradually hedging for the race zig
1876. Thurman is very quiet, and has
but little to say.
1t Is generally believed, however, that
the friends of Tilden are at work for
him, and that he viii lead the ticket:
and as 4 said ill my last, Kentucky can
have the second place for Magofin ifhe
fts The imitation strength seems
to be failing fast aud this will defeat
PendletoI, even il he had any chance,
and your correspondent Is very sorry he
has none, for Ill he were iii the Presiden-
kial chair, then would We have an honest
gentleman for President again. il.