The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1876-06-08
The Blaine Matter.

to the matter of Baines accusation and
defence before the committee of investiga-
ton. The charges affecting the ex-speak-
er's integrity had small beginning, but
the cloud grew broader and darker, until
it seemed that he must be overwhelmed.
And now, under the light of the publica-
ton of the letters and the personal e&pla-
nations by the accused, there appears to
be but little ground even for suspicion in
the transactions. What future revelations
there may be, or how the letters will
square with the whole history Of the bond
transactions, can only be conjectured as
yet.
The sceile ia the house on Monday was
a very exciting and impressive one, and
the effect for the time very favorable to
Blaine. Whether it will be enduring re-
mains to be seen. The dramatic element
can hardly be counted on as effective in
politics. Napoleon used it to some pur-
pose in his remarkable career. but the
Little Corporal played to an audience OF
Frenchnlen. which is very different from
one made up of calm and unimpassioned
Yankees When the glitter and glamour
Of the scene is past, the cool-headed spec
tators will begin to ask themselves what
has transpired out of all this to convince
any one that Mr. Blaine is the ablest and
best man for President of the United States.
Some qualities would seem to be called for
by that high office beyond Il readiness to
repel personal attacks, a nimbleness of in
tellect, or sharp tongue; !. record be-
yond the raking over of the extinguished
embers Of national strife, Of squabbles
over the settlement of railroad stock Job
bing or quarrels about private correspond
ence in the hands of third persons, The
country has had very good Presidents who
won the confidence and sntfrages OF the
people on altogether different grounds,
and will continue to have, even in the i'm
mediate future.
The Senate has passed the japanese in
demnity bill, which provides for return
ing to the government OF Japan the prin-
cipal of the amount recovered by the Uni
ted States as damages for an alleged insult
to our flag In June the United States
steamer Pembroke, on her way from 70
kohama to Shanghai, took her course
through the Strait of Shimmonoscki and
anchored off the town Of the same name
The right to use this strait was not stpu-
lated, and the vessel had no right there
She was warned off by a blank discharge
from shore, and next day was attacked
by two steamers. but escaped without in.
jury. In July the American Minister or
| dered the United States steamer Wyoming
to avenge the insult She proceeded t.
ShimonosEi and engaged the two hostile
steamers and the shore batteries, sinking
the former, killing some fifty japanese
and being badly injured herself, with the
loss of five men killed and six wounded
| In the same month French and Dutch YES
sels We're fired on at the same place. In
September an allied squadron Of Ameri
can, English, French and Dutch vessels
moved on the troublesome batteries, ant
after two days battle, silcnced, captured
and destroyed them. England was fore
most in pushing this scheme of vengeance
though no British vessel has been injured
In October, 1861 the representatives Q
the four foreign power 5 made a demand
on Japan for indemnity in cash., Grea
| A'iir~'rs ~issIuIi"o %vIva VVV, ANA t.tUu u
the other three, S7S5 600. The total ex
penses of the United States in the expedi
ton We're less than twenty-five thousan,
dollars, Japan having no alternative, be
gan to pay these exhorbitant claims il
instruments. the last one being received
by our government in 1875. Our share o
this indemnity now remains in the Treas
Hry, and amounts, principal and interest
to 81 800, 900