The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-07-20
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

Secretaries SchurZ and Key are at
their desks again, and express much
qualification at the civilities extended
the President and his party throughout
the entire Boston tour. Our govern
ment machine, which has been running
itself in the absence of Mr.. Hayes and
nearly all the members of the Cabinet,
is now properly cared for through the
return of all excepting Secretary Nc
Crary, who has gone upon an extended
Western tour, and to visit his home in
Iowa. We have become so thoroughly
accustomed to the absence of the ad-
ministration during the summer months
that we now regard its presence here
somewhat unnecessary, excepting for
the benefit of office-seekers, whose de-
mands are of course more important
than other affairs of State.
Among the callers on the President
prior to his departure was Colonel J. NJ.
Keating, editor of the Memphis Appeal,
who assured Mr.. Hayes he would be
HhOSO OOul GSOuoly llOaISu every WHeIS
should he (Mr. Hayes make a tour
throughout the South. We have
known Colonel Heating for many years
as a gentleman of the highest type, and
would unhesitatingly accept his assur-
ances, knowing that his people would
carry out to the letter any arrange
ments which the Colonel would make
looking to Presidential tour through
the Southern States. When Mr.. Hayes
went from here to New Orleans in the
winter of 1861, Colonel Heating was
one of the gentlemen in charge of the
party, and being myself one of the in
vited guests, and enjoying at his hands,
with the others, the rendered hospital
tiles of the various Southern cities
where we sojourned, appreciate now
the full meaning of the present wish
that Mr.. Hayes as President should
again visit their cities and see how
nearly the terrible effects of war have
been obliterated. At Memphis grand
banquet was spread for US, and the
American flag decorated the dining hall
on all sides. The band played the
"Star-Spangled Banner" and supple
mented it with "Dixie," that we might
realize the occasion was one of fraternal
feelings only, and one in which it was
but meet both sections should mingle
their warmest memories without Of
fense or desire to offend in the slightest
degree. We earnestly trust the present
invitation may be accepted, for we re-
gard it as Mr.. Hayes duty to go among
the people everywhere, without regard
to section or sentiment of the inhab-
itants, though we would deprecate per-
manent residence at watering places.
The South particularly should be seen
by him, for the whole country is most
deeply interested in every matter con-
nected with it's welfare and develop
ment. The war is over, and now before
him lies that problem of craftsmanship,
what should be done that would soonest
and most wisely repair the terrible re-
suits and losses of that conflict? 1t is no
longer question how much in the right
or in the wrong was this or that section
in bringing the war upon the country;
but to the contrary, what shall be done
in the future by both North and South
toward securing fullest restoration of
peace, harmony, and fraternal feeling,
and development of all material inter-
ests.
There is no better way to remove
prejudice and to get broad and prudent
views of any people than to associate
with them and ascertain their real SEN
timents by personal contact. England
tried to govern America in the last GEN.
tury by refusing to comprehend her
needs and wants. The aristocracy
hedged themselves in by their preju-
dices, and lost thereby her strongest
child. But had her lords and king
came among the Colonists and gained
true insight thereby into the real needs
of her people, no one doubts that none
of the oppressive legislation that led to
the Revolution would have been en-
acted. The South feels that Mr.. Hayes
means they shall stand precisely as
Pennsylvania does in the Union, and
they wish to express personally their
thanks. Now seems the proper time
he should meet them in person; hence
my wish he should accept Colonel Keat-
ing's invitation to again visit the South.
Colonel K. is an extremist in his South
ern views. The President should, how
ever, meet the radicals of every section,
for through them he can all the better
find the golden medium that lies be-
tween all extremes.
Our community was considerably as
tonished by an attack made upon Sir
Edward Thornton, the British minis
ter, by one of our morning papers. The
paper in question accused him of swim
ding a Washington builder out of S1O,-
600 for repairs upon the legation build
ing. The falsity of this accusation is
beyond doubt, for the British govern
ment has always fulfilled its monied
fobligations to private citizens in this
city with promptness. Sir Edward has
always shown himself to be the soul of
honor aud probity, both as a citizen and
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