Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-07-20
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER,
Correspondence of the Bulletin.
WASHINGTON, D. G., July ID, 1877

OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Correspondence of the Bulletin.
WASHINGTON, D. G., July 10, 1877.
MEXICO.
The thieving bands of Mexicans have
at last been pursued into their own
country and received a good drubbing
from our troops. This kind Of a policy
is more likely to succeed than any other
yet adopted by the Government. A
peace policy in settling disputes is I'M
doubtedly preferable when dealing with
enlightened nations, such as Great Brit
ain. But when we have a difficulty to
settle with nation too weak to control
it's subjects, then it is better to strike
at the root of the evil at once by thrash
ing or DISCRIMINATING the guilty parties,
than to appeal to their governments and
receive no reparation beyond merest
wordy apology. Whether our troops
will follow up the advantages they have
gained on the Rio Grande, and by force
of arms retake all property captured, or
rather, stolen, from American citizens
by the bands of lawless Greascrs, who
have neither courage enough to meet
our troops in an open fight nor sense
enough to get away after one of their
raids, is yet to be seen. But we are
sure that the whole country will hearth
ly applaud everything done whereby
the marauders may get their just de-
serts, and life and property become as
safe from destruction as in Massachu-
sets. just now the Cabinet is firm.
But we have had so much of the fifty
four, forty or fight and subsequent back
down spirit in our nations history, that
we are content to await results One
OF our most noted women has passed
away, and the grave covers all that is
mortal Of Mrs. Francis p. Blair She
was s. years old, and, like her husband,
who at 80 proceeded her some two years
past to the grave, occupied prominent
place in Washington society prior to
the war. We often saw this aged cou-
pie in 1865 &C riding into the city from
their country home,.Silver Spring,
beautiful farm lying about eight miles
distant. They also owned city resi-
dence, and divided their time between
the two places, coming in daily, and in
summer time always on horseback, he
in front and she following closely in the
rear. This order of riding was never va
ried Both preserved their vitality to
the last. Mr.. Blair always attributed
his perfect health and strength to his
answering habit of daily exercise on
horse back. and at so years he seemed
as strong and vigorous upon his horse
as young cavalryman. We often Won
dered when the end of life would be
reached by him, for decrepitude was
not to be seen in his actions at four
score. Mrs. Eaton, another lady who
obtained national reputation during
the administration of Gen. Jackson, and
with the Blairs possessed great infu-
ehce with him. is still alive and may
often be seen upon our streets. Mrs.
Eaton at one time was one of the pow
ers behind the throne" and was the
means of disrupting one of Mr.. Jack
sons cabinets. Though aged, she bears
every indication that Father Time is
dealing gently with her. She is so quiet
in her demeanor and evinces SO little Of
her powers possessed in the past, by
which she was able to rule our Presi-
dent and dictate for the Nation it's Ell
quette in the White House, as well as
hold the gift of highest Office in her
hand, that the acquaintance cannot help
wondering how was it, or by what spell
was it that she could accomplish what
she did. She is not the only instance Of
the once great who are now in our city
in some quiet, unknown and unfelt ca
pacity, whose all, save life itself, has
been swallowed up by Times changes;-
and none so low as to do them rever-
ence.
Prof Hayden has left for the West
with his European visitors, Stracher
and Hooker, and will soon be in the
midst of his duties. He is one of the
most indefatigable workers we ever saw
in the field. While spending the sum-
mer months in Georgetown, Colorado,
in 1875, we had an opportunity of seeing
him in his labors. and he seems as much
at home in the Rocky Mountains as in
his Office here. 10 many those high lat
itudes give much trouble, owing to the
ratification of the atmosphere and con
sequent difficulty in breathing. But the
Professor seemed never idle, for he was
constantly climbing the peaks or delving
in the silver mines in search Of some
item of interest for his report.
OUR HEALTH
Some New York papers have been
stating that an epidemic is raging here,
and yet our city was never more healthy
than just at present. Our death and
sick rate are less than at this season
last year, and we are at a loss to sur
mise the object of reporting such false
hoods Washington compares favorably
for heathfulness with any other city of
it's size in the Union, and under the Wig
liant watchfulness of the Board of
Health no epidemic can get foothold
here. In the past it has always stamped
out both smallpox and typhoid fever,
combining each disease to the one case
first appearing, and we feel assured that
such will be, the case in future so long
as the Board is given it's present plenary
powers to check sickness arising from.
general causes. No city has purer
sources of supply for it's drinking water
than we. Our sewerage system is as
near perfect as tide water will permit.
Our streets are as wide and clearly as
they can be made, and we see no reason
for change from our present healthy
standard, and certainly no grounds for
reports that we have an epidemic of any