Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1876-02-17
Letter from Washington.
February 18th. 1876

i-tn, lcto.
Boiling. boiling, boiling is the political pot.
aud A. ii simme rs and sizzles and Kisses, the
politicians stand and stir the broth now aud
then. then stop 10 wink and consider; which
having done, they find themselves not much
the wiser. There are several puzzlng things
in the situation. First on account of the divis-
ion of sentiment on highly important questions
within the ranks OF both parties. Some dem
ocrats are in favor OF initiation, and some repub-
Leans; some democrats sre for free-tradc, and
some republican,; some democrats are for
protection. and some republicans; some demo
crats are strict consiruciionisis, and some not;
some republicans are, and some not; some go
for 3 e. bond. and some do not; some are Tor
one term, and some for three; and y on. The
parties are in agreement " thin their own ranks
on the subject Of offices, ard thi, holds them
together at present; this, and the old traditions
and association, Of each. which make it easier
for men 10 act in concert with the men they
are accu>' omc1 10 act with. but bow long such
a cord viii hold Is uncertain. for the strain -
it, is immense. We are inclined 10 think, how
ever, that II will answer 10 bind the present
parties for the current year, because il is for
the interest OF the leading candidates in both
parties 10 avoid break. Morton. Blaine and
Conkling can hardly run on any other than a
republican ticket. and neither eau Thurman,
Bayard. or Hendricks be candidates on any
ticket but the democratic. Were there split
in parties on imitation, Tilden would stand a
good chance Of the nOmn uion OF the hard
money men. and William Allen OF the paper
money folks. In that Bri,tow might be
an available man for Vice on the ticket with
ii den. The liberal republican movement
seems 20 have spent II, force, 80 far Con-
gress i concerned. While Schurz, Sumner.
Fenton and Upton remained in the Senate,
they made things lively, but now they have
gone. nothing remains Of tn at element worth
listening 10, SO far a. the Senate is concerned
In the House several liberals act with the DEM
ocrsts all the time such ~ Whiiehou-e and
Chittenden OF New York. while Prof. seele. Of
Mass, finds the democratic aimos phere dis
tasteful and uncongenial. Gen. Banks, on the
other hand, is more a. home with them, having
been reared in the democratic party. yet he
still keeps up the role Of independent, play ing
1t, however, very much alone. Ii is hard
game 10 play. though alone. Were parties
about equally divided in the House 30 that the
vote Of one man could determine questions.
the player might get terms from one side or the
other. but u, it i, be cannot hslp the republi-
cans. and the democrats are so strong they
don't need him. II is probable therefore. that
Banks is agitating the couundrum which once
troubled the mind Of old Daniel Webster, and
will ere long ask Where am 10 go:'
1t would not be wide guess 10 say that
Sunset Cox is disappointed man. He has
been 80 long in Congress, and leader in the
past Of the minority, that he naturally suppos-
ed himself entitled TO either the Speakershp or
position as Chairman Of one OF the two
leading committees. but he got neither. He
has endeayOred, however, 10 make up the loss
BY prominence la debate, and by attack ing
Blaine. The old farmer who decided who had
the worst in the debate-by noting which first
lost his temper-would have TO give the case
against Mr.. Cox who carried his temper to
that degree that he called Blaine ''hyena,r
and Hale, ''Baines' little pup" This last ex-
preston, however, he subsequently disayowed
and affirms that he said 'bub' but not many
accept that theory, though all admit tina the
SUNSET OuOOtti over.
Whether Blaine has made capital or not is q
matter Of debate, though all agree that he has
gained sure position the minority leader,
and has more commanding influence than
any man has exercised since the death OF Old
Thad. Stevens. The man most missed in pol
itics, is Henry Wilson, who hsd way of scent
ing the popular current and drift, and bringing
up the straSglers, that WAS marvellous. By
his death WENDELL Phillips has within reach
another illustration for his lecture the lost
arts" for no man remains that shows sign Of
possessing Wilson's peculiar faculty.
That Conkling and Bristow have had pas
sage Of words of an unparliamentary nature
caunot be doubted, for the Secretaiy's door
| opened just as the Senator was saying the ben
edictioD, and several persons heard it. 1t gave
the Secretary TO understand that hereafter the
light Of the Senatorial countenance is not des-
tined to pervade that particular apartment
where Bristow smokes his fragrant cigar, and
dspenses Treasury fayors to the humble aud
pertinacious seekers.