The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1876-05-31
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
WAsH1NGToN,
May %, 1861

WASHINGTON,
May %, 1861 |
1p1roR DEMOCRAT
No attempt is made by leading
Democrats here to conceal the regret
hey feel at the defeat of Thurman
N Ohio. And this is wholly apart
from the issue upon which he was
beaten, or from any hostility to Gov
ernor Allen. It is solely . regret
that one of the great leaders OF the
party has been removed, by the &C.
ton of his own State, from the list OF
possible candidates for the Presiden-
CIV. 1t seems to be an accepted fact
that, if we are to succeed in the CON-
ing Presidential contest, it must be
brought about on the issue OF Ad-
ministrative Reform; and that all
other questions, upon which good
Democrats differ, as in Ohio, must be
for the time laid aside, if We would
not invite defeat. Those persons
who have an opportunity of knowing
how intensely earnest the Southern
Democrats are in their determination
to support only those candidates who
can be elected will understand the
regret with which they see any diff
ferences of opinion among Democrats
in the North likely to affect the in
tegrity of the party. They argue
that it takes a very simple calcula-
ton that, given solid vote from the
South, it requires only the vote of
New York, New Jersey and Connec-
ticut to secure the election ola Dem
ocratic President. It is not necessa-
ry to success, therefore, that we shall
carry Ohio and Indiana; for with the
vote of those States We shall be de-
feated if we lose New York and Con-
necticut, to say nothing of New Jer-
sey. 1t was believed that Mr.. Thur
man would receive a more hearty
support in the East than almost any
other Western man; and it being ad-
mittcd that strength in the East is
necessary condition of success, you
will readily understand the regret at
Mr.. Thurman's defeat on the part of
those who inclined toward a Western
candidate. Some of Thurman's most
earnest supporters now declare their
preference for an Eastern man; as it
is evident that we cannot depend on
the vote of Ohio, either in October
or November. On every hand I hear
the expression that the party mus:
make this a National and not q sec.
tional fight.
THE CONTRAST.
One cannot fail to be struck with
the decisive action of the Democrat
ic House in the Fitzhugh matter, az
affordinga violent contrast to the &C
tion of the same body under similar
circumstances, when controlled by
the Republicans. No sooner were
the evidences of Fitzhugh's unfit.
ness presented, than the House took
immediate action upon the matter
There was no dilly t'allying, nc
Sinking from responsibility, no par
tisan attempt to shield him, but .
unanimous desire to sift the matter
to the bottom, and, If the charges
proved true, to summarily dismis:
him, or demand his immediate resig
nation. The letters, papers, etc.
bearing on the case, were referred t.
the Committee on Rules. 1t is nov
day risk for the dismissal of the door
keeper, and it is known that Mr.
certain that the Committee will to
Springer's resolution providing fol
the consolidation of the Office Will
that of Sergeant alarms will be pass
ed, thus settling the question of sue
censorship to an Office whose varied
responsibilities, onerous duties ant
lofty dignity, have been described il
such glowing terms by the presen
incumbent, as to largely increase il
the bosoms Of those who aspire t.
his place, the desire to dispense th
favors of so high a station. AS
contrast to the decided action of tb
House, whether they have proved til
sincerity of their professions, W
may note the undecided and partisa
action of the Senate in the Belkna
matter. Here they have been, fc
four or five weeks, debating the que'
ton Of jurisdiction. The object {
delay is to gain time in order to d,
wise some plan whereby the Repul
lican party can be saved from tn
odium of Belknap's impeachment.
INFRINGEMENT.