The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-07-13
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. c., July 3, 1877.

nope Which "spr1n9s eternal In the
human bresst," is expressed that there
Is "good time coming" In little
more than three months Congress will
convene in extra session, which, no
doubt, will run into the regular long
session. The greatest interest will
attach to the proceedings of the nat
ional Legislature from the day of meet
ing. The organization of both houses,
about equally divided between both
parties, will be looked for with anxiety,
after which will come up the grave
questions of finance, internal improve
mcnts, tariff, army reduction, inter-
course with foreign nations, civil SER
vice, and scores of other subjects, each
of an exciting character. It's expected
that au unusually large number of
visitors will visit the Capital during the
winter, and make things lively for the
time being.
The one hundred and first anniver-
sary of the Declaration of American
Independence presents itself for the
usual glorification by forty millions of
free people. The restrained cloqueucc
Of the patriotic orators of the land will
burst forth in every city and village
from Maine to the Gulf, and from the
Atlantic to the Pacific. The American
eagle will soar aloft, stretch his pierre
ing glance over our widely extended
territory, and scream his delight that
he presides over this great country that
has outlived one hundred years. The
Star Spangled Banner, with its thiry-
eight stars emblematic Of the states
which form the Union, will be unfurled
to the breeze, and will be wildly cheer
ed by those who are protected by it..
Cannons will peal out the exuberance
of Joy that animates the population,
and the young will revel in the delight
of their pyrotechnics. This, and more,
will mark the return of the birthday
of the nation.
When the Presidents order, relative
TO the officers of the government alb
staining from active participation in
political meetings or political caucuses
and in election campaigns, was first
published, it was interpreted to debar
] the parties named from making the
usual efforts 20 secure Republican tri-
umphs at the polls. Speaking at public
meetings and writing for newspapers
and magazines, it was understood,
were the only exceptions. The with
drawal of prominent offlceholders from
political committees has undoubtedly
been caused by this Interpretation Of
the order.
1t is now contended by some that the
order only contemplates that the dis
charge of official duties is not to be
interfered with, and that those holding
Office are not to make themselves
offensive in the performance of what
they may consider to be political duties
in the support of partisan candidates.
The original order will bear no such con-
struction but if this be accepted by the ap-
pointing power, we apprehend that little
or no change from all old TO new state
of political action will be observable.
No one has ever contended for neglect
of official duty or said anything so
absurd as TO defend otlensiveness in the
performance of party work.
If the so, 900 republicans holding Office
to whose active labors and free contri-
bnfions Of the ''slnovS of war Presi-
dent Hayes and other occupants OF
places of profit and trust owe their cleo
ton, can be liberated from the rod held
IN teyrorem over their heads, it will be
the better for the future of the party
and its candidates. 1t is hardly to BE
expected that all persons Sin commits
sion," will submit TO being deprived of
free action in election campaigns, and
thus barter their "birth-right for mess
of pottage." 1t is repugnant to the
American idea of citizenship, and par
ticularly so TO Republicans who contend
for the largest liberty in everything rel
ative to the elective franchise.
Many persons predict that, during the
term of the 45th Congress, the first OF
the administration of President Hayes
we will have repetition of the contests
between the Executive and Legislative
branches of the government, which dis
tinguished the administration of Presi.
dent Jackson. The financial and inter.
nal Improvement questions were, al
that day, absorbing topics of discussion
particularly the former. The fierce con
flict between Jackson and the bank Of
the United States was one of the mos
acrimonious political contests that evei
occurred in this country. The result
was that the bank was stranglcd, and
gave up the ghost.
The coming battle promises change
, of the positions the combatants. Their
} it was the executive and people agains
f the money power. Now it will proba
bly, be the money power, expecting tc
+ be aided by the executive branch of thu
. government, against the people. Thii
a Is, at least, the outlook at the present
s time. On the question of giving gov
! ernment aid to internal improvements
: then it was Jackson and the people
| against affording assistance from tht
| public treasury; now 1t will be The
} president and the people in favor of tn,
Q measure. Old Hickory came out o
8 these battles with the laurels of victor,
Y upon his brow. Time can only tel
' whether President Hayes will be eqeal
e ly fortunate.
8 A friend seated at our side has pre-
e sented some interrogatories whicl
( would require more space for full an
g swer that we can spare: "What," say
e be edo you think of the present statu
4 OF the Republican party, and who will
= be the Republican srandard-bearer il
= 1902 We replied, that we would pre-
0 fer to have his views on these subjects
i "Well then," he said, ~ consider tina
: President Hayes has made q seriou
\ mistake In adopting policy towards TIN
t south that he must have known hi
] friends in the north will not and canno
0 endorse. So far as his desire to restor
o harmony to that section is concerned h
is right, but he has secured II at too grea
a cost. He has paid too dear for hi
whistler He has recognized wrong an,
given victory TO principles against whicl
II he has always contcnded.
p Further, President Hayes certainl
n will not be so blind as to regard the re
Il cent ovations in New England as an Ell
II dorscmoui Of his southern policy. ii
d will -urly distinguish the differenc
: between honors bestowed upon tn
the presidential Office and honors pal,
!, an individual as testimony ofapproval.
Gas TO the probable candidates Il
1880, regard II as almost certain ths
g the Democrats, being solid in the south
u will nominate q southern man. He ma
be a blue hens chicken In the person Q
n Bayard. But the south will have tn
li balance of DOwer I'm tha Rannhlica