Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-03-16
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.


! So far rs yet heard from the Spring elections not
only in Maine, but in New York, Vermont, Penn
sylvania and in fact wherever elections have this
year been had have given an appropriate response
to the dongs Of the present rebel House of Repre-
sentatives. In New York the home of the boosted
reformer, Tilden, the Republicans have gained in
the aggregate G2 supervisors, and several cities of
considerable importance have abandoned their
democratic character; most notably, Rochester,
which is one of the democratic strongholds. The
Republicans have lost only one place of any i'm
portance-Ctica-and that was through an unior-
tunate quarrel between Senator Conkling and eX
Representative Roberts. Utica is as strongly re-
publican to-day any question of national
consequence. The indications are that the demo-
cratic majority in the State of New York, which
last fall was reduced from fifty thousand to twelve
thousand, will this year be wiped out entirely, and
that the State will once return to the repub-
lican fold. Even the independent newspapers ad-
nit that the tidal wave" has receded and carried
all democratic hopes with it. There was great re-
joicing here as well as in New Hampshire, over
the splendid report made by Portland, and other
places in Maine which had elections last week.
| The current Of events goes to prove that the re-
publican party is not to be turned out of its path
by any mistakes over which it had no control. No
one thing has given the rebel democrats as much
delight as the unfortunate fall of Secretary Bel
KNAPP, and they predicted dire misfortune to the
party which is Irresponsible for him, as they
sert. But it turns out that they are not response
BILE for his crime, as no single republican has been
implicated with him. This case illustrates simply
the imposibility of making good Secretary of
War out of a democrat, for Beiknap was a demo-
crat upon his appointment. General Grant has
learned better than to go outside the republican
party for any more appolntees. The democrats
are greatly disappointed not to find the republican
party crumbling to pieces under the weight of the
lBelknap affair, and chat all this "captaf has been
spent for nothing. Why, it is clear as day that
even if New Hampshire and Connecticut should go
democ, attic under the excitement of this scandal,
there would come an awful reaction long before the
fall elections No party can stand alone upon the
mistakes OF its enemies, if this may be called
party mistake, and the democratic party has shown
by the importance it attaches to it, that it has no
other foundation. They had given up the spring
elections until this developement and then Clymer
| dramatically announced to the House the fall of
Belknap, as if asking, "Republicans, do you dare
to enter the contest with us now" They had not
| asked the people to support the democratic party
for its virtuesj they had not offered any measure
of public Importance to gain favor they could not
| agree even upon the most trfing point of policy.
Yet they asked the people to give them power.
Why' They could not answer until the fall of
Belknap gave them words. because Belknap
has disgraced himself beyond any example in the
history of the government, and the republican
party is responsible for him. This is all the plat
form this rebel House of Representatives has been
able to agree upon, and this has fallen from its
own weakness. The republicans have declined to
be responsible for Belknap, have demanded his
conviction, and as Mr.. Blaine said, if the demo-
Gratis would give the republicans the opportunity,
they would not only indict him but impeach him
without delay. And besides. if they were espon-
sible, the crimes of the democrats heretofore SO
far outweigh this, that the people should not give
them moments respite from their inherited in |
fanny.
There can no longer be any doubt that the dem
ocratic committee is responsible for the delay in |
impeaching Belknap. Marsh, the principle wit
ness, dismissed for purpose, and that purpose
was to save some democrats who were under sus-
picion. Clymer and his friends wanted to launch |
the scoundrel upon the country, in order to |
Brighten the New Hampshire voters. They cared |
nothing about Furnishing the guilty Secretary. The
plan was to have Blackburn and Robbins, two |
members of his committee, go to New Hampshire |
to give the people the benefit of their personal
knowledge of the Belknap conspiracy, with the
usual democratic pictures to lend it force. But
the words of these men scorned by the repub
licans, and some interesting facts in relation to
them were ready to meet them in the Granite
State. They did not go Blackburn was ram
pant Kentucky rebel during the war-a brother of
the man who managed the infamous scheme to
spread disease among northern cities by means of
infected clothing. Robbins was penurious rebel
who sold himself for twenty dollars while mem
Der of the North Carolina legislature. They
would be beautiful pair to instruct the New
England voters in their duties, andit is pity they
did not go on the mission intended for them.
The Maine Campaign Club of Washington is do.
ing good work, and proposes to keep it up during
the campaign. la order to extend their useful
ness they ask all Blaine clubs, republican
clubs and committees to communicate with them
They have sent many documents to New Hamp.
shire and Connecticut, feeling the necessity Of
helping their brother republicans in the stress,
holding the first elections. Last week General
Hall of Damariscotta was here, and made a short
speech to the club, which had the true ring in it,
He got his radical ire aroused by the transparent
knavery of the ex-rebels in Congress, and has
gone home doubtless determined to do more than
ever for the republican party in the coming cam
pagn. On Wednesday night Senator IIamln is
expected to address the club. Regular weekly
meetings will probably be held for speaking. and
the will be kept open at nearly all hours Of
the day and evening for work.
The latest news in the Presidential line is that
Mr.. Blaine will obtain the delegation from Virgin
ia, and also that from New jersey 1t is said that
no other candidate is talked of in Virginia. Sem
ator Frelinghuysen of New Jersey, it is expected
will not allow his name used merely for comp-
mentary vote, and the second choice of his friends
; is Mr.. Blaine. At the very worst estimate, Mr..
Blaine will receive the support of more than two
hundred and fifty delegates the first ballot and