Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1876-02-05
ON. Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. %, 1876.
MEssRs. EDIroRs:
The dispatches have informed you, ere
this, that the subsidy of 81, 800, 900, to the
Philadelphia Centennial celebration has
passed the House, and will unquestiona-
bly, become law. There is much in the
discussion and vote upon this question to
encourage the patriot and taxpayer
True it will become law, but the close
vote shows that regard for the Consti-
tuition, return to the principles of a
strict construction Of this instrument is
beginning to be entertained by members
of Congress. This is due in great meas
ure to the large number of Southern rep
resentative men who have been return
ed to this body by the people at the late
election. The Constitution actually has
able defenders in the body, and they
made a most gallant fight on the Centen-
NAL question. So grand and heroic it
was, that had the South not been fetter-
ed. it would have been defeated. Many
Southern men doubted the constitution
ality of the act, but were willing to throw
this tub to the Northern whale, to con-
vince it, if possible, that the South was
loyal to the Union. Mr.. Tucker, of Va,
who made the speech, piled up argument
on argument against it, that no one seri-
ously attempted to refute, but they urg-
ed that he was not sincere, that the argu-
ments were only cloaks to hide our envy,
jealousy, malice and hatred toward the
North. Mr.. Townsend, in an hours
speech, ridiculed the honesty of purpose
of its opponents, and twitted them with
| secession, treason and civil war. Mr..
Lamar, who has just been elected to the
Senate from Mississippi, appears to be
running the peace machine between the
| two sections, and can always be relied
upon to advocate any policy calculated to
mollify the prejudices of the North to-
| ward the South, was the ablest advocate
| of the measure from his section.
The battle to be fought in the future is
| between the representatives of n splendid
Government, patterned after the monar-
chy of Europe, or a plain, simple gov
eminent, as illustrated in the admins
| tratiOn of Andrew jackson. The Consti-
| tuition was framed fer the latter; the war,
gave an excuse for the former. Under
the plea of necessity the charter of our
| liberties was violated time and time a
! gain. Precedent became to be regarded
as law, and every day the advocates OF
subsidies quote thom as authority, rs OF
| gospel force. There is no hope of re-
form, no hope of relief from the burthens
that Cypress the taxpayer until the seal
of condemnation is placed upon the idea
of magnificent government. Salaries
must be reduced from the $4,000 and
"eXtras" that the President receives.
down to the $1,000 of the lazy policeman
who slumbers on his post. Until the
people have bread, high officials must
consent to walk on carpets that are cheap
er than administers" Why sir, under
the present royal idea of things, a gentle
man cannot attend the levee of His Ex-
csllency, the President, or of \ cabinet
! Minister or his wife, Senator or mem
Der of Congress, unless, if he is a gentle
man, he DISCUSSES himself in 4 claw.
hammer coat, black pants, white vest
white kid gloves and white neck tie. Ii
4 lady, she must bedeck and bediZen her.
self in silks and laces, diamonds anG