The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-11-01
PARTY PROSPECTS.

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PARTY PROSPECTS.
The Situation in Washington.
From Staff Correspondent Of Philadelphia Times.
~ IWAsH1NeToN, October 19.
If there is matter of surprise to the
average observer of the political situa-
tion, so far as developed by the proceed
ings In and out of Congress during the
first week of the extra session, it is that
there Is 30 little change In the relative
position Of parties. Great things have
happened in six months. The political
complexion of the country has been
modified, if not radically changed, by the
events of Spring and Summer. Mill
tary governments are thing of the past.
Civil service reform has had spasmodic
culver of vitality. The Office holding
class has been estranged from an Admin
istration that is its creature. The South
.ern people have entered into new and
friendly relations with the Federal Gov
'ernment. The negro, once large tigtire,
has become mere cypher in politics.
4 great Republican State, the mother of
the Republican President, has thrown
herself into the arms of the Democracy,
and another is about to follow her exam
ple.- Let the eye fall where it may, .ex-
cept in Washington, and it falls upon a
spectacle of political Generalization.
Storm clouds darken the sky, and none
dare say when or where they will. burst.
but here there is no change perceptible
'on a cursory glance. There are the same
serried lines of Republicans on the one
side and Democrats on the other. There
may be disafection, but there has been
no desertion. It is natural thatgmany
should say, as they do, that afteEall there
is more wind than rain, ,eandstkat itwon't
be very much Of shower. SsisS
But the temple of tranquility is in fact
a whited sepulchre.t Within is rotten
ness and dead mems bones. One has
only to mingle freely with prominent Re-
publicans to learn that the party is not
only in bad way, but that it is in a
most critical condition. Everywhere
there is Disappointment, discomfort and
dependence. I have not yet seen a
man, however long-headed or far-sighted,
who thinks he sees the way out. The
very uncertainty of the issue keeps them
securely within party lines for the pres
ent, but the accompanying vague fear
will make the confusion greater when q
break takes place. Let one or two men
of influence in the Senate, for instance,
take a bold stand in favor of justice to
the State of Louisiana, which has so long
been denied her Senatorial rights, and
the conflict will begin. When it does
begin, sooner or later, there will be a
scramble, not for the honor of leading
charge against the old time. enemy, but
race to|see whichsshsn first get into the
enemy's camp. At present the disposi-
ton is to sacrifice anything, to swallow
anything rather than get into fight with
the Administration, for all fear the re-
suit, and every man in Congress, who has
a afollowing, would rather have some one
else declare war. Can we get along with
out the Administration is the question
that, some Republican Senators are ask
ing themselves over and over again.
CARVE afford to- divide; the Republican
party is the query Of White House and
Cabinet, and so the day of, battle is post
poned, while the Democrats, incongruous
as they are, stand united and smilingly
await the fullness of time when the Lord
will deliver the enemy into their; hands.
For Just now the Democratic policy is
one of patient waiting. They have not
always been wise and rarely yirtuous as
party, but of late the fates that have so
often frowned upon them have fought on
their side. In the past few months
naught but grist has been brought to
their mill. They elevate their standard
where they, will and recruits flock to it
for want of better one. Disgust at the
bloody shirt, sense of ofinjustice in view
of the defeat of the popular will by the
installation of Mr.. Hayes, the wrath of
placemen whose wings have been
clipped, the agitation of the labor ques-
ton, distrust Of the present financial sys-
tenn, the prevailing depression OF busi-
ness, and even the zeal of the stalwart
Republicans who still battle against, the
solid South ali these are SO many recruit
ing Offices for the Democratic party.
They have carried Ohio with slip-shod
candidate; they will carry Pennsylvania
with rotten platform, and New York
with load that would crush the party at
almost any other time. With such sur
roundings and such prospects it would be
like the Democracy to some great mis-
take. Will they do it? / think not
for while at least. The star of the
Bourbon is no longer in the ascent. The
restraining influence. is found where it
might least be expected. In time all
Radicals become Conservatives, and then
Conservatives become Radicals. The
South has learned the folly of Bourbon
ism in the school Of adversely. Her
shoulders still ache with the stripes OF
war and reconstruction. Ben Hill,
Aleck Stephens, L. @. e. Lamar, Wade
Hampton, General Morgan and John
Goode will not consent that the party
shall Justify the predictions of the proph-
cts of evil. They and those whom they
represent will have no share in cam
paign against the man who has taken the
bayonet from the throat of Louisiana.
They have plead that the dead past
mig BIT bury;its dead, and now that the
burial is accomplished they do not care
to dig up the remains for sensational
purposes. 1t is impossible to be here
long without seeing the wholesome infu-
ence of this conservatism, that is the
more potent because it is the offspring Of
gratitude. Bayard and Thurman are ex.
ponents of the same policy in the North
and Randall, in his speech the other day,
put. the, thing in nutshell. >. The actual
adhinistraioniis to betobeyed, repeti:
tion of gross wrongs is to be prevented
by legislation, ,-retrenchment, and reform
are. the imperative requirements of the
hour. This is the8 drift of sentiment
among the better! class of Democrats:rs
The opportunity of the Administration
would seem TO lie in a non-partisan dis
charge ofthe Executive functions. AL
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