Middletown transcript., 1877-06-09
Washlngton Letter.
WAsHlSoroN. D. O.. june 6. ls7'

w AbhlhGIONg " O.3 June Of 4ott.
I am just now looking at the Re
publican party and Ben. Butler, some
what as the Rev. Mr.. Battles, Of Ban
gor, looked at the wOod-pile and the
dissipated atheist who was cutting it
up, II can rejoice in the mans labor"
said Mr.. Battles, though ] can't en-
dorse his theology, or commend his
morals" " Butler is just now in a posi-
ton for which nature and experience
have peculiarly fitted him. Incapable
Of achieving a national following, tho
ADLER and more honest than many who
have done SO, he has acquired an acid
turn Of mind that makes him rejoice in
the errors and frailties of more success
full men. Bolder and more reckless
than other prominent Republicans, he
will call black, black, and green, green.
With vast store of knowledge of Re
publican party history, and Of Repub-
lican politicians, he is able to enlight-
en- any Of us as to the true inwardness
of things as they stood, and as they
now hang. He is preparing for what,
whether timid politicians follow him or
not, he will make one Of the warmest
fights in our party history.
AT an. interview last evening with
District men who wished his influence
with Hayes for the appointment of
Republican to an office here, General
Butler said that if their friend was to
succeed he must have the influence of
w. w. Corcoran and General John B.
Gordon. These are excellent gentle
men and Democrats by nature and as
sociations, yet Butler came nearer the
truth than usual in assigning to them
high place in the regard of Mr..
Hayes, and great influence with him.
He may confidently look for a full
and early expression of Buffers feel
ings, and a statement Of what he knows,
and thinks, and guesses about the Pres
ident and his supporters. If the poll
tics Of the country were in more set
tied state, his character would make
him comparatively powerless, but at
this time | know Of no man more dan
gerous to the Republican party.
The recent order of the President to
General Ord to pursue marauders into
Mexican territory whenever he thinks
it necessary, seems to be an unwar
ranted, as it is certainly an unprece-
dented order. It may not be that the
President designs to bring on a war
and acquire territory-to water the
stocks" Of the country, as they say in
Wall street-but it looks much as if |
he intends to do SO. He may believe
that restless spirits, North and South,
will be ready to support him in such a
movement, and that prospective use
for the army viii prevent its reduction
when Congress meets. One-tenth Of
the force that war with Mexico would |
render necessary, would protect the
border settlers from harm, and would |
still allow the expected reduction in
the army. | say nothing Of the spirit
a great nation would exhibit in "bull-
doing" weak one, for a universal
sense of justice viii suggest to every
one the meanness of such a course.
So far as the apparent contradiction
between General Garfield and Mr.. Glib
son, of the New York Sun is concern
ed, it may be said that there is no
doubt Gibson is substantially correct,
and that President Hayes stated in
writing that he wished Garfield to
withdraw from the contest for the Sen
in Ohio, intimating, if not pos
itively stating that the influence Of the
Administration-which the President
then thought would be powerful
would be given to Garfield for the
Speakership. That Garfield should
equivocate is not strange; but Gibson
is one Of the most conscientious men
who write from this city. Anything
like falsehood is not in his line. Be
sides, others saw the Presidents letter,
and their recollection Of its contents,
soon to be published, will substantiate
Gibson's statement. RENO.