The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-08-30

.
was, indeed, a great toOl.'
And, dear reader, | perfectly agree
with John Holt.
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. August Il, 1876.
ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESs-A FEEL
ING OF UIsGUsT-REBELs IN POWER
\ SHAMEFUL sPECTACLE-NOTHING
/ LIKE IT IN THE WORLDS HISTORY
IT MAY RESULT IN GOoD-WHAr
HILL et a. MIGHT HAVE DoNE-RE-
PUBLICANs ALL RIGHT-oRGANIZED
LYING AGAINST SOUTHERN REpUB-
LICANs.
On Tuesday, October 18th, the
House Of Congress adjourned after
being in session three-fourths Of a
wear. What has been done and what
left undone by our National Legisla-
ture has already become a subject Of
critical comment to the country at
large. There Is no hesitation in as
sertiBg that such comment is highly
uDiavorable. 4 feeling of disgust
has oveFshadowed the people, under
the conviction that a pure spirit Of
demagogueism held sway in the
House Of Representatives
The Republicans in that body were
powerless, and the responsibility Of
such a state of affairs rests with the
Democracy exclusively.
Upon assembling in December last
it was seen that only those Of the
Democracy coming from the South
were particularly exultaat Although
chiefly from the Confederate army.
with their hands hardly yet dry from
shedding the blood of Union soldiers.
they imperiously assumed direction.
and dictated terms, as Of vore The
singular and anomalous spectacle
was presented, Of rampant rebels,
who should have been hung wears
ago for their treason, now conducting
the popular branch Of Congress. The
friends Of the Union bowed their
heads in shame, and deplored the ex-
tent of the magnanimity which pro-
duced such a result, before much Of
the session had elapsed The utter
ances on the floor, showing implaca-
bic hate Of our Government and flag.
lily concealed, always and often over
leaping prudential bounds, made
many an honest heart regret that
strict and impartial justice had not
been allowed 10 take its course Is
pecially was this so when the country
was obliged to listen to a eulogy on
Jefferson Davis, and a defence Of the
atrocities at Andersonville, delivered,
strange as it may seem, in the House
which, only a few years ago, Thade-
Gus Stevens led, by an impassioned
orator from Georgia, whose people
were made the especial objects of
Union clemeney during the war. In
he history Of all governments, since
the creation of the world, nothing
like this has ever been known. The
Congress which saw the first century
of national existence out, and the sec
ond one fairly installed, will present
undisputed evidence of the American
people tolerating, under the influence
of law, those who had Indignantly
stricken at the throat of the Govern
ment and trampled upon an honOred
flag, as a power in the land
Perchance all this may be correct, I
and is intended as an example for
our benefit. But to those who have
borne the burden and heat Of the day
in maintaining the integrity Of the
Government, it is very CALLING TO have
rebels in high places, armed with
power to dictate the policy Of the
country IL may be that the very ex-
eesses INDUCED in by these unrepent-
ant traitors will have reaction, and
in this wsy, through the instrumen-
tality of an aroused feeling, the :eins
of government will not be permitted
to pass away from the party now in
power.
Indeed, indications Of this state Of
feeling are plentiful, so much so as to
create the remark that, had We not
had such a House of Representatives,
perhaps Republieanism might have
been beaten at the coming Presiden-
tial election. This, no doubt, is q
reflection TO some, but
somehow there is disgrace, stigma
resting upon our free country, in per-
mittinga lot Of red-handed rebels
from the South and their eOpperhead
allies from the North TO dictate for
single moment, let alone for two years,
our legislation Of rational charac-
ter. The record is infamous, even
though good NAV come Of il in the
end.
Had Hill and Lamar and Tucker,
he really dangerous men Of the
South, counseled with their coafTeres
Of the North, aud their abject slaves
IS well, and consented to remain stu
liously in the back ground during the
session of Congress just elosed-had
nothing but the velvety paw Of the
.st been felt, the claw neyer-the adj
mission is freely made that the pres
INT condition of Republicanism might
rave been more peri.ous. In other
words, the disposition 10 change rul-
RS would have been improperly in
lulged, because Of no apparent dan
,er, and all the crying sloud might
lave been Of no avail As matters
tand the people DO not seem the lease
disposed 10 pu: 10 power those who
viii advocate the blo;ting out Of re-
ent amendments, the payment Of