Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-03-06
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, d. c.,


To tie Editor Of the Journal:
The do-nothing- policy of the ex-Confederate
House of Representatives, except to connve for
the interests Of the South disgusting in the ex-
IRENE, and is every day working immense ad-
vantage to the Republican party. The retrench-
ment and reform which democracy promised,
proves to be partisan ambition to dwarf the
powers of the Government, and an unblushing de-
sire to place foremost the chief actors in the late
rebellion. They would destroy our Army and
Navy, render inefficient our civil force by cutting
down salaries and dlscharging employees, under
the plea of retrepchment, and at the same time
contemplate giving millions of dollars to ex-rebel
soldiers who were pensioners before the war and
suspended for disloyal,y That is retrenchment
which will not suit the loyal men of the country.
1t is premium on disloyalty not sanctioned by
those who fought to make treason odious. If Mr..
Blaine hadn't frightened the rest Of them so ter
rby by the manner in which he chastised Ben
Hill-n other words, if there were no Blaine
in Congress 10 make them growl and show their
rebel teeth, believe that they would have things
about their own way.
While Blaine is holding the rebel element in
Congress at srms'-length, he is drawing towards
him the best sentiment Of the country. The en-
thusiasm for him comes not so much from the fact
that he is one Of the ablest men in the country,
ss because every step he has taken, not only at
this session, but ever since he entered Con-
eress, has been in the right direction. Shaping
his course sagaciousy and consistently in accord
ance with what he believed to be the whistles of
the patriotic millions of the country-not over
estimating under valuing any Of the important
questions before the people-he has constantly
been sewing seeds which springing up
spontaneously all over the land as witnesses of his
fidelity to principle and evidence of his eminent
fitness to administer the laws of the Government
he has done so much to save from contumely and
dishonor. And democratic speakers and papers
have unwittngly assisted to thus favorably estab-
lish his national reputation, by their silly abuse,
iterated and reiterated. He has endeared himself
to the people by his consistency well as by his
ability.
As during the rebellion, every Union officer
who achieved an envious fame by his brilliant
career was made the target for every rebel and
copperhead (pardon the expression, if it is centen-
NAL year, to fire at, so Blaine's continued sue
cess has only reused their ire and made them all
the more bitter and INSCRIPTIONS. But the earnest,
true men of the country shoulder to shoulder
with him. They cling to him as naturally, now
that his name is prominent Presidential can
didate, as vines cling to and entwine themselves
around the grand old tree that always supported
them. The whole people seem to be for him, and
who shall prevail against him? A prominent
Western gentleman remarked in my hearing, a
few days since-"The West is alive with him, and
the feeling for him throughout the country, es-
pecially among the young men, is almost magical.
You might as well attempt to stop an approaching
hurricane by talking to it, to think of success
fully battling against the growing sentiment OF
the loyal people Of this country for JAMES G..
BLAINE. He is bound to be the nert President of
Msss United States, because the people hare so
,oiIled it," d.