The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1876-12-22
Our Washington Letter.
lrrom our regular correspondent.l


From our regular Correspondent.l
Carlyle once said to a distinguished
American: America is great coun-
try, but no system of government can
last which would give Jesus and Judas
precisely the same vote ON public affairs. -
This was very pointed language; and
when that venerable cynic uttered it we
only laughed at him, firmly believing
that the stability of our institutions
could never be shaken. The last few
months, however, have done much to-
ward dissolving this vaunted feeling of
security. There never was time, not
even excepting the memorable
winter of 1860 = 81, when
it better behooved extreme
partisans to keep their tempers than
the present moment. The dispute is in
process of settlement; it is in the hands
of Senate and House committees care
fully chosen, and composed for the most
part of honorable and patriotic men.
1t would not be difficult task, how
ever, to construct legal argument by
which either the friends of Mr.. Hayes
or the friends of Mr.. Tilden could make
it quite clear to themselves that their
candidate was fairly elected; and when
convinced of this, it would be easy to
persuade themselves that what appears
SO clearly to be right will be done. But
the desideratum is not merely to con-
struct an argument, but to obtain the
assent of both parties to its force and
conclusiveness. One element of tang
er in the situation is that we have two
hr>1fou ho IN nd l.a ~.
possessing certain right to act upon
its own initiative, each enjoying such
constitutional powers as to give a SEM
blance of legal authority to all its pro-
ceedings, and each SO differing from the
other in its political views as to give
reason to fear that the proceedings of the
two may conflict. Another element of
danger is the great number of points
both questions of law and questions of
fact-upon which disagreement would
be easy under any circumstances, and
under those now existing is almost un-
avoidable. The result seems to grow
more and more indefinite, and circum.
stances have more and more assumed
that peculiar shape which tends to leave
every man to form conclusion in ac-
cordance with his own political lean
ings.
One of the most hopeful signs of the
times is the calm, moderate attitude
assumed by representative Southern
men like Stephens, Hill, Lamar, and
Brown. The scheme to impeach the
President was defeated by the firm
stand taken against it by Southern
Democrats. Hon. Ben. Hill, of Geor-
gia, is reported as saying that If tile
people of this country are not capable of
settling the Presidential question with
out violence, they are not fit to have a
President, and ought to be governed by
hereditary monarch; and further that
if the representatives of the people here
in Washington could not settle AMIGA
bly, the present difficulty, they ought to
go home and give their constituents
chance to put wiser men in their
places.
Congress is often dull, but it has
been uncommonly so during the past
week. Not that our national chunks of
wisdom have been sitting in their seats,
and, Micawber-like, "waiting for some
thing to turn up, Oh, no; but it is
the quality of work which makes it
dull. Every rural member has his pet
bill to present, which must be read and
then referred to its proper committee.
This of course consumes time, and de-
fers to the last moment the more i'm
portant work of Congress.
A new Democratic morning paper has
recently been started in Washington.
1t is the only one of its kind. While
we have two Republican and two inde-
pendent dailies, we have been without
a first-class Democratic sheet for many
years. Mr.. Corcoran, the wealthy
banker, is its principal proprietor;w
the Hon. Montgomery Blair and Mr..
Lovejoy formerly of the capitaD are its
| journalistic talent. With this prerea-
uisite, and the, known capital at its
back, its success is almost assured.
| We shall soon have the gay season
upon us. Balls, parties, and receptions
will be the order of the day, or rather
night, Notwithstanding the election ex-
citement. 1t is said that Mrs. Randall
is distressed with the idea that she will
have to receive on Wednesdays and pos
sibly on Friday nights; and having a
family of small children. she can i'll
spare the time. She is a charming
woman, quick at repartee, and well ac-
quainted with the topics of the day.
| She is devoted wife and mother, and
cares very little for the social gayeties
of Washington. Her house is small,
and without any pretensions to elegance
but it is perfect as home. Congress.
men who exist: in boarding houses otter
refer to it as one of the most delightful
in Washington. Mr.. Randall himself
is very domestic man, knowing ir
what consists the real comforts of life
He is forty-eight years of age; has jet
black hair and a hiuh rnafallic vnica