Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-03-13
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. c., March Z. 1875.
LSpscinL C0rreSpOnGence

WASHINGTON, D. c., March Z, 1875.
Special Correspondence.
The telegraph has flashed the intelli-
gence of our centennial disgrace-the fall
Of Gen. Belknap-under seas and over
mountains to the nations Of the world.
will not seek, in advance Of knowl-
edge Of the facts in the case which will
be developed during the progress of his
impeachment trial and criminal prosecu-
ton, to prejudice your readers for or
against him by repetition of current
gossip here which IS just as unreliable
as a means to an impartial verdict as
that of your own locality. But there
are some phazes Of the social surround
ings Of official life here, so misehievous
in their tendencies that a reference to
them can jeopardize no legitimate inter
est nor prejudice any good cause.
The tyranical behests of society"
sO-ealled. here are so antagonistic to the
spirit Of our institutions and so menae-
ing to the life Of this Republic that the
united voice Of its friends should from
this moment be lifted up. calling halt
in this mad race Of folly, and to such
purpose that the ears Of the deafest Of
fetal s0journing here may be reached
The great and growing evils connected
with surroundings Of Washington society
leave but two alternatives as to the
character and qualifications Of men called
aud sent to fill official positions here.
Either they must be selected from the
money aristocraey, to monopolize all the
places Of trust and honor, or We must
wink at their stealings and speculations
SO as to provide for the extrayagant de-
mands made By society upon every de-
voice, and which those poor in this
worlds goods. are unable to provide from
any legitimate source The infection
has spread to all classes. The church
in too many instances tacitly encourages
BY It's silence this reckless spirit Of dis
regard for the most obvious teachings of
morality; and by the presence Of its
ministers and influential laymen at fash
iOnable receptions. hops, levees, ETC., in
vests them With character entirely
foreign to their purposes It's methods
involve an utter perversion Of many Of
the most benefeient Of natures gifts and
an abrOgation Of her most salutatory
| hygienie laws. Some Of the visible
fruits are strife, envy, talebearing. in
temperance, ruined health. perversiOn Of
noble faculties and their prostitution to
the most base uses. Eretchedness, sen
tenee to the penetentiary and suicide.
May this last admOnition in the case Of
the disgrzced Secretary lead to radical
reform in the practices Of social life
here at the National Capital.
The present attitude Of the democracy
On the question Of the currency, one Of
the most vital issues Of the coming
presidential contest Is a confession Of
incompetency, double-dealing and treach.
cry that viii reach IN a very damaging
way upon that party before next No.
yember.
The unsuccessful effort Of the Whit.
Leaguerz, Of louisiana, 70 secure eontro
Of that state BY the impeachment Of Gov
Kellogg. which for the time il oyershad
owed By the Belknap matter. Is fitting
commentary On their professions Of fair
dealing aud an opposite illustration o
the sense Of honor animating the rebe
democratic party. Il wilI Jet return 4
plague it, inventors
Very little progress has been mad,
during the week By the House in an,
direction. Quite three months hau
been eonsumed and nothing Of any im
portance effected
1t ia suspected that this do-DothiBi
policy is the only ore possible beeaus1
Of their domestic Affections and fsmil
Disagreement.
Il seems 70 Be generally conceded tia
since the designation 81 St Louis a. ID
place u meeting for the Demeerati
National Convention, Hepdricks' chance
] have teen materially strengthened 70
; receiving the termination.
II the weight Of te<tirnouy eosniu