The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-12-02
Letter from Washington.

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In Washington thore are but two classes OF
opnionists on the election question; the
Government clerks who insist that Hayes is
elected by a majority of one electoral vote,
and another class, whom Carlyle might call
the "non Government clerks, who say that
Tilden has a majority eqnal to the combined
electoral vote of Louisiana, Florida, and per-
haps of South Carolina. There is no COM
promise between them and the lines are so
sharply drawn between those who are in Gov
eminent employ, and those who try to make
living honestly, III t it is hard for those of
us who look at the situation from Washing
ton standpoint to understand how any but an
office holder can, in the face Of figures and
developments, say that Hayes is elected.
As TO the intentions of the President, and
the influential wing Of his cabinet, there can,
since his action in the South Carolina case,
be no doubt. By the influential portion Of
his cabinet, mean those political parvenus
and Adventures whose fortune is identified
with the fortune of Grant, specifically Chand
Ter, Robson, Cameron and Taft. AS for
Mr.. Tyner, he is plus quantity only so far
as he represents his great patron, Senator
Morton. But the others have no political
future except in the chances Of revolution,
and in this respect, they represent the des-
perate, and, in fact, only portion Of the Re
publican party that is heard at present. 1t is
possible that when Congress assemblies the
calmer voice of wisdom may be heard from
men in the party who have political future
independent of Grant and Grantism, from
such men, for instance, as Edmonds, Chris
tiancy, Cameron, Of Wisconsin, and, perhaps
from Senator Conkling. These distinguished
men have so far preserved silence that
apl 9TH
wise than ominous, and it is asserted by
many, that when Congress assemblies, they
will come to the front and condemn the un-
constitutional and unrepublican methods that
have been pursued in the southern states by
the Executive, and the state authorities. One
Of them, at least, Mr.. Chrstiancy, the sena-
torial successor of Mr.. Chandler, to be con-
sstent with his record, cannot do otherwise
than condemn the recent federal usurpations
in Louisiana and South Carolina. At any
rate, it may be taken for granted, that their
utterances and actions will reflect, in a de-
gree, the change in public sentiment of their
respective states, and this is believed to be
very pronounced. But, at present, is is quite
apparent from judicial usurpations in South
Carolina, and from the timid dispatch OF
chief Justice Waite, that the administration
and judiciary are, to an alarming extent,
in the hands of the reckless freebooters
who are behind the throne. General Grant
is the most efficient tool with which fortune
could have favored them. They will hatter
and control him in the future as they
have done in the past, aid those who
solace themselves with the reflection, that the
destinies of the nation, in this centennial
crisis, are in the hands of an obtuse but well
meaning president, make the fatal mistake OF
ignoring the many selfish and desperate pc.
litical Adventures who lead him. Influenced
by them, he will not hesitate to attempt, in
Washington, the role he played two years
ago in Louisiana, and to-day in South Caro-
lima; indeed he is making elaborate prepare
tons for it; more troops arrived last night;
and the country has by frequent enervate ac-
quiescence been educated to submission.
There is that in our psycho-political condition
worthy the serious study Of the philosophical
historian, something that sits at naught the
supposed laws of hereditary; for we are the
physical, if not the moral, progeny of those
who thought life dear and peace execrable
when purchased by submission to far less
! fragrant abuses. Can it be that the evolution
of one or two hundred years has produced
such deterioration in the political decen-
dents of Cromwell and Washington, that we
| HtuI INT pbNtilul press anu thGlNubS
lionaire piping:-"betier endure the ills we
have, than fly to others that we know not Of?
The situation is becoming quite interesting
here and there is much smothered feeling.
A number of members of Congress have ar
rived, among them the distinguished physical
and political phoenix, Hon. Alexander II.
Stephens, of Georgia. Though weighing ten
pounds more than during his recent illness,
he is still mere shadow, and his presence
and conversation suggest forcibly the idea OF
disembodied intellect. He told your CORES.
pendent that he regarded the situation as very
critical he left home with the impression
that Florida, at least of the so called doubt
full States, would finally be conceded to Til.
den, but that he is now of the opinion that il
is the programme of the Radical wing of the
Republican party, to count in the Hayes elec.
tors, cost what it may. He hopes, however,
for more peaceable solution of the presiden.
tial question than is apprehended by many,
basing his hope on the moderation and pa.
triotism of the people AS to the question Of
settlement by Congress, he said emphatically;
''the Vice President has no more right to
count the electoral vote than have, his duty
is simply to declare the count after it has been
made by tellers appointed by the House and
Senate" c. A. s.