The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-25

WASHINGTON, Jan. a. 1878
THE REPUBLICAN COUNCILS LUKEwARM-No
PLEDGES TO DE SUBMITTED To-RADICAL
COURAGE MoDERATED-THE THIRD TERM
SENTIMENT PARALYzINa THE PARrY-rHE
PRESIDENT FEARED AND DETEsTED.
The republican caucus begins to assume some OF
the features OF decayiug protracted meetng.
The faithful and truly loyal meet together night
after night with painful zeal. MIR. Maynard
presldes solemnly and with assiduty There
Is no lack OF speakers most OF them members
whose difndence prevents their voices from being
heard in the House, but all or them lnnamcd with
sentiments OF the most exalted loyalty. Unfor.
tunately the more they speak the less eject
they produce, and the number OF repub-
licans who do not believe in o new rebel
lion continually increases. Last nights caucus
was particularly disheartening to any one who
has spark or patriotic feeling. The Speaker was
absent, and while few Southern patriots were
fervenry attempting to arouse the feeling of tho
faithful to the dangers OF the situation and the
horrible frequency OF Southern outrages, num-
Der OF members, OF whom better things
might have been expected, stood around
on tho door, and 1t was suspected from their fire.
quent and indecorous laughter, were telling each
other funny stories. 1t must have panied Mr..
these frivolous souls Messrs Dawes, GARFIELD,
Ellis H. Roberts, Phelps, Hale, OF Maine,
and number OF others-in fact, the
brains OF the republican side of the
House. Mr.. Tremain's vigorous argument for
the binding nature OF a caucus did not seem to
AFFECT these trlners and 1t Is not surprising that
one Of the most eminent carpet-baggers was
reminded BY this unseemly spectacle of
Nero nddllng while Rome was burning,
and 1t must have grlevousy discouraged
him to hear one OF the outsiders
remark that they might as well fiddle, because the
IRE from so far did not seem to be very serious.
One OF the most exhtlaratng events OF the
evening was the appearance on the moor OF a
new member. who fills the place OF a deceased
Congressman for the remainder OF this session,
and having only about six weeks to
serve addressed the caucus twice on the
same evening with uncommon, though sad to
say, ineffective eloquence. The caucus determined
that there should be hencelorth allowed but one
dilatory motion upon any measure before the
House. AS to policy. no agreement
was arrived at and 1t is very we'll
understood that large number OF republicans,
and those the ablesr and most sensible men or
the party have determined to refuse to bind
themselves TO support or 10 vote ondy for any
measure which the caucus may choose TO ADOPT.
II the caucus rule is insisted on they Will
not remain. 1t Is possible, therefore, that
even the prohibition OF datory motions
may not be carried out, If any violent
measures should be adopted BY the caucus and
carried into the House.
There is still talk OF strong policy and OF bills
for two years. appropriations for the army, for
provisional governments for Ave Southern States,
for q revival OF the Martial Law act and
Tor the establishment OF new revolution
IN Arkansas; but the courage Of the Independent
republicans increases, and IL Is jus. doubtful
whether such series OF measures or any one OF
Them, can be carried in the House. 1t is noticed
that the Senate caucus, which for while ruled
and began to dictate policy, has assumed less
awe.inspiring attitude. The Vice President, who
occupies an independent position, Is busy counsel.
ling moderation, and the great success In the
country of his letter and OF other
expressions OF his well known opinions against q
third term ana in favor OF concatory policy
has produced wholesome effect here. There are
even q few people bold enough to whisper that
tho republicans have made q blunder in not in-
peaching General Grant, and, though such
thought is not openly expressed, 1t Is very gen.
orally confessed by the ablest members OF that
side that the President is almost the sole
obstacle in the way OF successful
campaign in 1876 1t is seen that the
democrats are not united on general policy for
the country and that every attempt to unite them
breaks down. THE only point on which they can
hope to appeal TO the country without fatal dill
ferences among themselves" said an eminent
republican yesterday, us non-intererence
In the South, and II we allow them to
make that point they will beat us without
doubt, but II we were wise we should cut that
ground from under them. We could very well
afford to repeal the enforcement acts, which are
the only excuse for federal interference in the
democrats and defeat them, for that and the third
term are the only points on which our own
party would split, and on which the country
would not support us; and without federal inter.
erence IN the Southern states the third term fades
away and becomes rdculous.n
1t Is odd that from whichever side people here
consider the political problem, the third term
stands in the way. There Is no doubt In the
minds OF the most astute republicans that
clear and outright declaration by the President
against third term. made autnortatively and
published to the country IN the express language
OF the President by committee OF republicans or
by the Vice President alone, for mat matter
would 60 very far to redeem tho repub-
can defeat OF last fall. Every member
Of Congress has wide correspondence with his
most important constituents, and all have reason
to know and to dread the effect OF the feeling
against third term upon their fortunes-all
except the southern republicans. That Is to saw
II the President should openly declare against a
third term they would probably begin to set their
houses in order. 1t would not be surprising II an
attempt were made to unite the leading republi-
cans in and out OF Congress- before the ses.
sion closes, In some definite and public ex preston
against third term, to set the peoples minds
at ease upon this question. Dread OF the Prest.
dents displeasure and It's annoying consequences
to themselves alone prevents such a declaration,
for nobody Internationally nobody-any longer
pretcnds TO doubt that the President does mean a
third term. Those who oppose it have no doubt
upon the subject; those who favor 1t are for the
most part silent, taking their cue from the Pr est.
dent himself
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.