The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-17
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. c., June 1


bolt the Convention, or TO refuse support to
this or that candidate; tor no Democrat has
done that 10 my knowledge. Still. In spite
of the apparent harmony, the assertion has
come from various Republican sources that
there will be trouble at ST. Louis. We know
to get up the row themselves, or at least by
proxy Judge Edmunds, the Secretary Of the
Republican Congressional Committee, has
been recently trying to make arrangements
with persons here calling themselves Demo-
Gratis, for a demonstration at st. Louis against
the action of the convention, whatever it may
be. such demonstration, 1t will be remem-
Sered, was made at Baltimore in 1872. Judge q.
Edmunds has openly boosted since, that he
organized that movement, and paid its ex-
penses out of the Republican Campaign fund.
The attempt to repeat the farce cannot sue
ceed but it is really interesting to find the
Republican managers so anxious to disturb
the harmony Of the Democratic party They
evidently fear the nomination of Tilden,
knowing as they do that he could not be de-
that Tilden will carry New York against any
man they can nominate, and some of them
think he might carry Massachusetts,. The
Democratic members of Congress from Mas
sachusetts are certain that he would carry
that State.
Only three Democrats are prominently
mentioned in Washington in connection with
the Vice Presdency-William S. Holman, Of
Indiana, Gilbert c. Walker Of Virginia, and
Thomas Swami, OF Maryland. Mr.. Holman
has requested his frieds to abstain from using
his name at st. Louis. He says that the course
he has conscienhously pursued in Congress
has been Of such character as to debar him
from the hearty support of the South, and
that the ticket would be weakened by put
ting his name upon 1t. Mr. Walker is per-
sonally unobjectionable; but the South are
determined that no man from State which
left the Union and joined the Confederacy
shall be placed on the ST. Louis ticket, so that
| Walker is out of the question. Governor
Swann's chances for hehigh Office are, there
fore more than fair; and his friends are mum.
erous, strong and hopeful. Gov. Swann's fit.
ness for the position is unquestioned He is
eminently conservative in thought and feel
Ing, a man of great administrative ability and
Of marked individuality,
recently sat at dinner table with spec,
ial agent of the Post Office Department who
had Just returned from a tour ofthe South.
IT 4 lad hoe % al>o 60
sssippi, and, for the edification Of those with.
IN hearing, he gave an account Of his trip.
lie invariably spoke OF the Southern people
as "rebels;' told how impatient they were of
carpetbag rule; and finally closed by saying
that his life had been threatened, and that he
doubted if he would return. why said he,
"the rebel women OF Jackson complain because
their mails are handed to them by colored
man employed in the post Office! Several
complained to me about the matter, and, do
very plainly if l ever heard any more COM
plants of that kind | would close up their
dam ned post Office. told them the Government
wouldn't stand any nonsense, that they had
been masters and mistresses long enough,
and that it was time the colore6 men had
hand in their affairs. While IN Jackson, l
received several threatening letters, and fin
ally concluded to leave temporarily But l
am going back to teach the damned rebelsto
respect lne." This he said, and much more
OF a similar character, which disguised even
his Republican auditors, and convinced them
of his utter unfitness to represent the Govern
ment in the South. 1t is this class of North
ern men who are sent into the South IS agents
! of Grants administration, and il is just such
people that delay the return of good feeling,
and disgrace the Government they D'tsrepre-
sent
| Harrington, the safe burglar, has not yet
made his appearance, and there is no DOUBT
that he has fled the country. 1t is said by
some of his friends, however, that he VIII De
on hand when the case of Babcock Is called',
and that he will be ready TO tell the whole
story OF the conspiracy-that he VIII sho"
that he, Harrington, has been made The scape-
goat of the Ring long enough, and has borne
more than his share of opprobrium.
! The school amendment TO the Federal Con-
stitutlon, offered by Mr.. Blaine early in the
session. to take the wind out of Grants mes
sage on the same subject, will not be acted
upon at the present session. 1t was well un.
derstood to be mere clap-trap political
dodge, and has been treated accordingly IL
was a bid for anti. Catholic support in the ap-
preaching Presidential campaign.
There are increasing indications that the
dead lock between the House and the Serate
will not be OF long duration after all Inc
Senate exhibits disposition to concur IN
aany of the reductions, and it is quite posi-
Die the House will meet that body halfway
in order that some agreement may be reach
ed.