The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-12-15
LETTER PROM WASHINGTON.

ploding point, has begun to subside, and |
with genuine Anglo-Saxon caImness all |
classes seem inclined to await the issue
of events. Meanwhile bogus telegraphic
dispatches continue to keep the ball in
motion, and furnish newspaper para
graphs and bar-room conversations.
The lower class of Irish are counting
upon Tilden's election to suppress the
negro, force him to the cotton fields,
confiscate his property, and teach him,
the difference between white and black.
The Southern gentry hail Democratic
rule as harbinger of good. They count
upon the payment of war claims, a
happy release from carpet-bag officials
and negro Congressman and Senators;
they chafe under Yankee rule, and are
as firmly pledged to States rights as
they were before the first gun was fired
at Sumpter; and the negro trembles at
his coming fate, for whichever way the
tide turns, his danger at least seems i'm
minent. The South has waited long
and staked its all upon this issue; it
cannot and will not. brook disappoint-
ment quietly, nor must the North ex-
pect these people to abide by any decis-
ion that is adverse to their interests.
But the greatest excitement exists
amongst department clerks, nearly all
of whom are Republicans, and depend
upon that party for a living. Even
women, although debarred from a polit-
ical exercise of opinion, nevertheless
have strong feelings upon the subject,
and not unusually pay the penalty OF
expressing their sentiments by dis
missal. For the most part, however,
they are prudent, quiet, hard-work-
ing, much-abused class of the COM
munity, always trying to do a mans
and woman's work at one and the same
time, write all day, sew all the evening,
and entertain their acquaintances hall
the night. Very many of these women
are connected with families moving in
fashionable life, and often feel them
selves compelled to keep pupappearances,
dress to the full extent of their means,
and exhaust their strength and brains
by a senseless, hollow, frivolous round
of receptions and evening entertain
ments. Several attempts have been
made within the last few seasons to in
troduce higher tone to the society in
Washington, but alas for ten who en-
joy HOratio Kings SOiree Lteraire,
twenty call to see Mrs. Williams last
Partisan robe, or listen to Mrs. Robson
chatter to diplomatists in language
not ten of her guests can understand.
1t is presumed that several quite fash.
ionable houses will be closed this win,
ter, and all who failed to see Mrs. Shep,
pard's 'white drawing-room" will have
lost their chance, perhaps forever. Uni
versal regret is expressed at the failure
of Alexander R. Sheppard, for whateve
may be his failings, he has beautifieC
Washington beyond conception, ant
laid an everlasting obligation upon it
inhabitants.
Many other failures are expected
should Mr.. Tilden be declared elected
for the most part government clerk
support the commercial houses in th'
city, and as a general thing are creditor
to a greater degree or lesser extent, ant
should these clerks be dismissed sud
denly, they will be unable to meet thei
liabilities.
The pardon of William o. Avery ha
been hailed by the majority of peOpl
as simple act of justice. Few VIII
were personally acquainted with MI
Avery ever believed him guilty of th
grave crime to the extent of which
chain of circumstantial evidence seeme
to encompass him; that he was weaI
enough to allow himself to be made
cats paw of cannot be denied, but it
also true that he was shaved out of tn
chestnuts. His wife, who, since hi
conviction and imprisonment, has bee
employed in the Interior Department
is to-day happy woman, and looks fol
ward to rejOining the husband she ha
never ceased to love and regard. Mrs
Avery has been untiring in her effort
to promote her husbands release, an
Mr.. Avery may well be proud of man.
name and endorsement which is sub
scribed to his application for pardon
Amongst these are the signatures @
Senators of the United States, judges Q
the courts, members of Congress, and
legion of personal friends and acquaint
ances.
Whilst the uncertainty of who tn
: next President will be is agitating tn
public mind, every one takes comfort il
the fact that there is at least one thin
certain in the campaign. Peter Coope
is defeated, no one attempts to den.
that, and all men, too, cOncede the eleC
ton of the widow Butler, the life an
spirit of the House of Representatives
; a prophecy made by an old Quake
lady at least century ago is bein
passed from mouth to mouth, and
creating great excitement in old clique
and in families who are the happy pos
SCISSORS of the old document. The wa
of the Rebellion was an especial poin
in this prophecy, and the details wer
, fully accomplished according to tn
8