Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1875-02-25
THE SOUTH TO THE FRONT
The Border State Men in the Next House

The Border State Men in the Next House.
Special Correspondence of the Gin. Gazette.
WARRINGTON, Feb. Is.
A significant incident occurred at the
Capitol few days since, which speaks
volumes concerning. the temper of a
large element on the Democratic side
of the House. .4.. I'D, ....... (.
A correspondent had printed para
graph favoring the election Of Mr.. o.
Brien, of Maryland, as Clerk of the new
House. The correspondent was i'm
mediately waited upon by several
Southern members, who attempted to
persuade him from any further advo-
cacy of this gentlemen. He was in
formed that the objection was not to
Mr.. O'Brien personally, but to the
State which he represented. In the ell
egant and expressive language of the
member speaking for the South, Ma
ryland was a 'puke State'-that is, as
he proceeded to explain, "a Southern
State which during the war was nei-
ther cold nor hot, neither Confederate
nor Union" The South intended to
control the organization of the next
House and had votes enough to do it.
No border State that failed the Confed-
eracy in the war should he recognized
in that organization. The real South,
the old South would hold the balance
of power, and the representatives of
the 'puke State would be made to stand
aside. To the question, "What do you
propose to do with Kentucky?" the re-
ply was "Kentucky is 'puke' State,
too, and she will have to step down.
Doubtless Missouri would have receiv-
ed the same condemnation had she
been named.
Further, at this interview, it was de-
clared that the South intended to claim
prominent committees for ex-Confed-
crate Generals, and two of these were
named: Gen. Eppa Hunton, of Virgin
ia, is the only Southern Democrat now
on the Military Committee who is re-
elected, and he should be Chairman of
that committee in the next Congress.
The South would insist upon that. For
the same reason WhithorDe, of Ten
nessee, would be Chairman of Naval
Affairs.
To this programme the entire delega-
tion of one of the largest Southern
States was committed, according to
this gentleman who was speaking for
them. There was 10 sham about this
interview. There was no bluster or
bravadO about it. 1t was cool busi-
ness consultation between prominent
Southern Democrats and a cOrrespOn-
dent whom they supposed to be in full
accord with themselves. 1t clearly
strongest element that will contend
for the control of the next House.
1t is fair notice to the North Of what
it may expect from the day the present
Congress adjOurns-namely: an active
struggle within the Democratic party
for the full restoration of the South to
political power, so far as that party can
now restore it.
These signs have been frequent and
unmistakable throughout the present
session. In the last Congress, the Con-
iederates bore themselves quietly. The
tone and temper of Lamar's eulogy of
Mr.. Sumner seemed a fair exponent of
their position. Their conduct toward |
the Republican side of the House car
ried with it traces of az admission that |
they held seats in Congress through |
the forbearance and magnanimity of
great Government. But all this has
changed. On that side now the old |
spirit is settling down again, and def
antly asserting itself. There are few
men of large ideas and cool heads like
Lamar, who are constantly eXerting |
themselves to curb these manifestations |
which they understand so well. But
Mclean and John Young Brown now
represent the Southern Democratic ell
emepts, and not Mr.. Lamar. Repub-
lican members who sit on the Opposi-
tion side OF the House have daily cause
to notice the change which has taken
place. They say that at the last ses-
sion the undercurrent of comment upon
the proceedings, which flows on un-
ceasingly among members, contained
mparatively little bitterness of eX-
preston toward Republicans. This
condition has wholly changed, and
now, as these members say, scarcely a
day passes, and never an hour during
political debate, that coarse and insult
ing remarks about Northern men and
Republicans are not heard on The DEM
Ocratic side of the chamber.
Nothing has occurred since the elec-