The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-05-04
HAMILTON.
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, d. c., April 20, 1876.
THE NEW YORK DEMOCRATIC CON-
YENTION.


in political circles of both parties, in the
proceedings of the New York State Dem
ocratic Convention than in that of any
other State. 1t being admitted that the
Democratic party cannot elect Presi-
dent without the vote of New York, the
harmonious action of the party in that
State became of the utmost importance.
For some time past, it had been myste-
riously whispered about that an irrecon-
cilable difference existed in the party
there, and it was therefore surprise to
many when the report came that the
convention had been absolutely unanimous
in its action. The speech of Horatio
Seymour before the convention is pro-
nounced by leading Democrats here to be
the grandest statement Of the position
and duty of the Democratic party in this
campaign that has yet been made. The
noble sentiments uttered by Gov. Sey-
mour should be learned by heart by
every Democrat in the land. Such q
declaration of principles has not been
heard at political convention for many
years; and the Democratic party may
we'll look forward to n glorious future
when its most honored leaders are ami
mated by such lofty aspirations. Such
utterances have double significance,
coming, as they do, from the lips of the
man whom the Democratic party last
honored as its candidate for the Presi-
dency. What follower or supporter of
Grants Administration has ever spoken
words like these:
I say once more to the Democratic party
and to our Republican friends, we propose
to enter into this contest, not for the pur-
pose of showing which party is the most
ignoble, not merely for the purpose OF bring
ing discredit upon them, not with the view
of gaining victory because they have gone
wrong-I scorn such victory on the part OF
the Democratic party-but we intend to win
we are more fit to hold power. We have the
better claims, not because they are so bad,
but because we have the positive virtues to
enable us to carry on this Government; and
until we do show that, !, for one, pray to
God that we may never come into power.
1t is because believe that now we have this
revival of public morality, and this refresh
ing of the purer sentiments Of the people,
and an enlarged intelligence with regard to
the evils of bad government, that l stand
before you, at this moment, buoyed up with
the conviction that, for many years to come,
we are to have better government better
people, q better condition of things, and a
more active and earnest patriotism; and
that is to be brought about because We have
returned to the principles and to the wisdom
of our fathers, and to the great principles
which the Democratic party has ever upheld.
1t is in this view do congratulate you most
earnestly upon the success which believe
will attend our efforts.
The unanimous declaration of the con-
vention in favor of Tilden for President
is considered here as certain to have a
decisive effect in his favor in several
States hitherto unpledged. 1t is certain
ly an indication of the spirit which ami
mates the Democratic party, that not one
ungenerous word has been spoken in this
connection by the friends of any other
Democratic candidate. This is in glaring
contrast with the conduct of the Repub-
licans, who are to be heard, on every
side, reviling the best men in their own
party, in the interest of rivals.
ANOTHER PROSPECTIVE CASE OF ooN-
TUMACY.
Congressional Printer Clapp has ad-
dressed an impertinent letter to the
House Committee on Printing, which has
recently been engaged in investigating
him, intimating that, hereafter, he may
deem it proper to decline to recognize
their authority. He thus attempts to
escape investigation, because he claims
to be not an officer of Congress, but Of
the Senate only. Nominally, he un-
doubtedly is an officer of that body, but
virtually he is an employee of Congress
as he prints all documents ordered by
either House, and as his concern is sup
ported by appropriations made by both
Houses. The trouble with Jlapp is that
the House Committee has discovered
Irregularities in his accounts involving
several thousand dollars, and naturally
insists that he be brought to book as q
derelict public officer, and be made tc
give an account of his stewardship. In
seeking to shield himself from further
investigation, the Congressional Printer
virtually says: "You have no jurisdic'
ton in my case. If 1 have misappro'
priated public funds, and Republican
Senate does not see fit to investigate me-
you have no right to do it." This will
raise a nice point between the two
Houses; and it will be determined
whether creature of Congress is amen
able only to one branch of that body
Clapp's main backer is the Republican
Presidential aspirant, the grandiloquent
Senator Conkling, of New York; but
whether he will support his prOtegc in his
ridiculous assumption remains to be seem
THE CASE OF THE PEOPLE VERSUS W. W
BELKNAP.
1t looks now as if, Notwithstanding the
dilatory motions of Belknap's counsel.
the trial of the respondent" will pro-
ceed. The Senate has no time to lose
The appropriation bills are all behind
hand, as well as much important business
of a legislative character, and it is essen
tial that the Belknap matter shall be dis
posed of as soon as possible, if Congress
would adjourn before August. A wide
latitude is allowed the counsel for Bel
knap, and at least one of them, Matt