Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-02-28
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON Feb. 20.

starting nature IMAM any since Che |
credit mobilier swindle first opened
the eyes of confding constituencies to
the mine of fraud in which trusted
representatives, had been wallowing.
The action of the Arbitration Court ia |
the Lou s'ana case, though not unex-
pected, added not a little to the ex-
element prevailing over the Oregon
dispatches; and the discontinue of
Fields three witnesses - Littlefeld,
Maddox and Pick ett-had wrought it
up to white heat at the time the de-
cision was rendered. It is almost
needless to state that their testimony
has been iiddled past repair, and their
characters swamped in a slough of
moral filth, mend~city and treason to
every good word and work. The time
has hardly come for final judgment in
MIR. Ti'den's case; enough, however,
has come to light to establish beyond a
reasonable doubt his completely in the
conspiracy to steal the Government
through the subornatiou or theft of an
elector; and be is believed to have
been the chief who directed guilty
subordinates in the plot The chain
OF clrcumstantial evidence-every pre-
sumption, in facts SO complete that
patriotic men, Republicans. Democrats,
Liberals and Neutrals, feel that they
have abundant cause for rejoicing
and gladness OF heart over his amost
assured defeat and our Geliverance from
terrible and imminent disaster.
A half-hour after the PRONUNCIATION
of the Louisiana decision it was known
even in the suburbs, and was being
discussed by men, women and children
everywhere. The Republicans had
awaited it confidently. but, wthal,
somewhat anxiously; the Democrats
very anxlously, but, also, not without
hope. But no one was altogether pre-
| pared for it when IT came. A great
matter, freighted with the hopes of
millions, involving in many instances
the issues Of life and death, virtually
hanging upon the decision of one
| human mind 1t came at last. The
feeling OF relief or disappointment was
too intense and deep for cheers or
groans. Strong men silently clasped
hands In congratulation or moved ST.
| lently away into the darkness, bowed
down under the first agony of an out
rageous fortune wrecked the hope and
anticipations Of years, and many a gor-
geous castle in the clouds came tum-
bling earthward and dissolved into
thin air. Comments favorable, and
abusively and profanely unfavorable
were heard later at the hotels, On the
| streets, at the theatres and at home.
The 'wah' Dem ocracy made up what
they lacked in numbers in very loud
and blatant "chin music;;'' and at a
caucus Saturday nj ght it was kicked,
cuffed and so despitefully treated that
Mr.. Field could find only II followers
in favor of cutting off supplies or fill
clustering, preferring to direct his cor.
| receive for the Infamous decision
| against the stomach and bowels of the
Republican party, but willing to COM
promise on the last named to right his
client. This apprehension of Republic
cans was promptly set at rest by the
vote of the caucus; and there is
, feeling of great good will towards those
who from pure motives voted against
the revolutionary schemes. They pat
riotically resisted strong temptation
under peculiarly trying circumstances;
they were urged to the fatal course
with all the force of cunning and
subtihty by an adept in some of the
arts that proved SO persuave with the
woman in the Garden Of Eden. Many
Southern men have come to recognize
the absurdity of their longer acting
with party that has only brought
their section suffering, poverty and
widespread restitution; and the dis
intergrating forces Of antagonistic
principles and interests are rapidly
loosening the grip of copperhead De-
moeracy on them. This change of
party allegiance involves nothing dis
honorable. The shattered condition of