Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-11-01
CaSWell OF OrtOn.

of securing Republican majority in
the next Congress 1t is the laws of a
country that most affect its interests
such discretion or power US the Pres-
dent has in executing them is actually
far less extensive. So while the Re-
publicans are carrying on this cam.
paign primarily to elect the national
ticket, 1t is none the less important
that they direct their efforts to the
candidates for representatives in their
respective districts. We should seek
to protect ourselves against the su-
premacy of the rebel element in the
next House. Now, Northern Demo
Gratis are not rebels, but Southern
Democrats have majority in the
Democratic caucus, and that makes
them masters of the situation if the
Democrats secure control of the H House.
1t follows that the Northern voter who
wishes to give Ben Hill and his kind
back seats can best promote that pur-
pose by voting tor the Republican cam
didate for Congress in his district.
La recent al : about Mr.. Caswell
In the NeacS we see it stated that che
has been in Congress now four years,
and it was only last session that he
had to get brother member to vouch
for him TO the doorkeeper of the House
WHO said he didn't know him." Here
are two falsehoods closer toge her than
even Mr.. Thomson is usually able to
pack them. Mr.. Caswel was first
elected to Congress two years ago, and
has served only during single session.
Moreover, the incident narrated in the
above extract is wholly fabrication
SO far from having been an obscure
member of the last House, there is
probably no one among the new men,
oers of the body who attained so much
prominence.
Without indelicate obtrusion on his
part, be came to he looked upon by his
associates as man sound in counsel
and ready in debate The probation
AIRY period which most mem oers of
Congress are required to serve before
they have any further influence than
tuelr vote gives them was in his case
ptionally short, and no informed
person would name the twenty leading
Republicans in the last House without
including l. B Caswell. 1t is to the
credit of the Second~iistrict to be thus
represented, and also greatly to its ad-
vantage. This advantage will grow
with the length of Mr.. Caswell's SER
vice In his present capacity and the
consequent accretion Of acquaintance
and influence. We appeal confidently
TO the Republicans of the Second dis
trlct to give him their earnest and
united support because he is Jealous,
able and answering champion of the
principles of the party, and those of
his constituents who are not Republi.
cans, but who appreciate how far the
district may be profted by faithful
and influential representative, will do
wisely to make his return certain.
Judge Orton is an able and amiable
gentleman. He has talents that in
some respects approach genius; but he
has In notable degree the infrmities
that often accompany genius, lack of
stability of convictions and erratic and
capricious mental habits. Now these
infirmities unfit the possessor for use
tulness in almost any capacity, but
they are peculiarly fatal to his useful
ness as legislator. For that service,
calm, mature and practical Judgment
is to be desired above all things. 1t
is not Judge Orton's fault that he does
not possess it; it is simply not within
the possibilities of his mental constitu-
ton. No man who votes for him
knows or can know what policy or wha,
principles he is voting for. He is no,
inconsistent in the spirit of dema.
gogue, but from mental weakness to
which we refer. There is no caprice
that is not conceivable in him. IF he
should be sent to Congress, and should
there advocate that the United State
be annexed to Mexico, the men wbo
elected him would have no right to be
surprised.
1t would, perhaps, not be fair to class
Judge Orton with the Copperheads,
but it is nevertheless true that his course
during the war was not such as to
commend him to those who believed
that all things should be subordinated
to the preservation of the Union. He
acted throughout with the Democratic
party, which, it need hardly be said,
was constant obstruction to the work
of suppressing the Rebellion. H was
a member of the Democratic National
Convention of 1864, and when the res
olutlon was presented declaring the
war failure and demanding cessa
tion of hosti!ities, instead of raising his
voice IN protest, he aequiesced and
voted for it. And it is greatly to be
feared that in the schemes that "the
united South" will endeavor to force
through the next Congress, he would
again acquiesee. No sane person will
| optorfoIn opu c,,oI A !.