Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-08-17
WssuiNsroS, D. q, Aug 7, 1876


look is very encouraging. The signs
Of the times are growing portentious,
and all the omens anger success at the
fall election
Washington is the political zodiac
the political heart of the country, where
every affection of the administration is
first felt. and every disease Of the body
polite is FIRST discovered. The wan
ing of their characteristic enthusiasm is
a commentary upon Republican con-
fdeuce in the result of the presidential
election, and
AS sTRAws TELL HOW THE WIND BLOWS,
so the non committal policy of the
department cosrnorants and those politi-
cal diyiners-the willy chapmen of the
Avenue and Seventh Street is indica-
tive of future contingencies. Demo-
cratic meetings that short time since
were almost obsolete are now beng
most enthusiastically patronlzed, much
after the manner in which west-end
belle will affect the latest mode; and it
is not an uncommon spectacle to see
PROCESSION or EMBRYO FouucIANs,
with their CANDY transparencles and
Democratic banners and Illuminated
notices traversing the avenues and
principal streets in mimic seriousness.
TILpEN CIGARS
and other Democratic laxunes are ad
yertised in shop windows with great
ehromatic effect, and
DEMOCRATIC BUNTING,
the insignia Of Clubs aud party Head
quarters gives the Capital an air, at
least, of eclectic politics.
But, there are other and abundant
| 'reasoas for the faith that is in Us"
besides these little waits stirred by the
political breeze, which will soon swell
into cyclone The
SPLIT IN TIE REPUBLICAN PARrr,
occasioned by the Hayes letter OF ac-
ceptance, will, of itself prove destruc-
tive to their organization. Mr.. Hayes
promise Of reform has TOO unequivocally
limited at administrative corruption TO
be pleasing to Grant and his abettorF,
and the political guiliotine has been
already put to work, as in the case OF
Bristow, Jewell and other endorsers of
the Hayes reform school of Republi-
cans, and it is positively understood
that this modern simon Of the guilIotine
will let no traduoer (even by lmpllca~
tom of the administration escape
Besides, the Hayes pronunciamento
does not sufficiently guarantee the
spoils of Office to the present inculnbents
to insure their active snpport-thus
creating negative split even more
damaging than an open rupture.
THE CAMPAIGN
opened in most anomalous manner.
With grand flourish Of bunting the
Republican candidate was announced
and landed for negative merits-too
obscure to be assai'ed by the OPPOSE
ton and possessing 30 positive charac-
ter to give him rank as statesman.
Through policy they must not make
him the champion of the administra'
ton, and as a Republican he needs
must be non~committal upon the issues
Of reform. Thus in their dire dilemma
without an open issue
THEY FbAUNr THE BLOODY SHIRT
in the face OF the country, and trust to
drive reason mad by exciting the
passions and prejudice Of the sections.
But the southern~ontrage mills are
turning out inferior grists, and the ka-
klux stories are no longer sensational.
The country has again returned to
reason and the great masses have de"
termined to '.haye peace. The 'investi~
cations have unearthed such stupen-
deous frauds and corruption in the Re
publican party that the present cans
paign has assumed rather the propor~
tions ct revolution than a presidential
canvass.
THE LETTERS OF ACCEPTANCE
of Tilden and Hendricks have occasion
ed wonderful calm in Republican
circles where a great disagreement be-
tween the Democratic candidates upon
vital questions was confidently pre-
dlcted. But the country receives them
as pair Of documents exhaustive as
political treaties and they are velcom-
ed as the key note of the campaign,
and will be regarded as an earnest OF
that reform which the Democracy
promise the country.
THE LAST DAYS.
of the Session Of Congress are being
taken advantage of for party political
purposes, and some of the most mastery
displays Of forensic cloquence have
occurred within the last few days.
Lamar took the country by surprise last
week, in one of his brilliant outbnrsts