The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1877-11-17
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, d. c., N,

WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. l3, 1877.
The openly aggressive attitude of
Conkling and the demise of Senator
Morton are two events which are des.
tined to exert an important bearing up
on the contest between the President
and the Republicans of the Senate. Yes
tprday member of the Administration,
speaking about Conklings recent pro-
nunciamento in the colloquial form of
all interview, characterized it rs " bold
aud aggressive, an that it must be met
In the same spirit" He did not, how.
ever, evince much belief that it would
be thus effectively treated, aud rather
deplored the sentimentality which may
apply to the pious walks Of Christian
life-such forgiveness or forbeRrance as
receiving smite on one cheek and
turning the other for similar applica-
tiOn, ct cetera-but which is mighty in
convenient as applied to politics. In
plain English, the proposition has re-
solved itself into question whether
onkliDg shall destroy the Administra-
ton or the Administration destroy
COnkling. The stately Senator from
New York has his war paint on, and is
pOIltlSul
much to the satisfaction Of other Re-
publican Senators. who think that they
also have a cause OF war and are ready
to follow such splendid leadership.
On Saturday the Republican Senators
held caucus, which was practically a
council of war. Although intimations
of other subjects under consideration
we're given out, the matter of the nomi-
nations before the Senate and what
course to pursue with regard to them,
was the principal topic, and gave rise
TO some very free expressions of Opin.
ion respecting the Administration. II
was evident that COnklug, Edmunds,
Cameron, and other Senators of that
standard of Importance, were ready for
war and those of lesser consequence,
(except numerically speaking, when il
comes to the common level, the ballot, J
were not iLdspOsed to unite. At pres,
ent there is every indication of perfect
unity of action upon all measures.
To meet this tide Of opposition, which
was fully expected, the administration
depended upon the late Senator Morton
His large experience in public affairs
his skill and ability as a debater, anC
his popularity in the Senate, all con
dueed to his success as the leader O
the Administration forces. 1t was be
lieved, and rightly so too, that he cOulC
muster on his side at least majority o
the Republicans, who, with the Demo
Gratis disposed to support the nOmina
ton Of good men to office, would hav,
completely frustrated the efforts of In,
opposing faction. The death of Senate
Morton, therefore, Is more than an or
dinary luss. His removal from tn
scene OF the contest for political ascen
deney leaves the administration with
out champion In the Senate. Staule,
Matthews has already repeatedly show
himself unequal to the respOnsibilitie
of the hour. The veteran Senators
who have pronounced themselves hos
tile TO the President, are waiting wit
guns pointed for Matthews, or Hoar, o
any one elsa who may undertake I
stanu up In the way OF their hOstiI
purposes, IN order to show by snmmar
example what it is to oppose them /
their determination to make the admin
istratiOB pay the penalty OF indlffeTenc
tO their wishes, aud what they TeRar
As the interests OF the Republiea
party. Morton was the only man VIII
could have 0atlled their purposes. Wha
the administration will do to recover
IOOIh0ld in the Senate remaius to b
seen. In looking over the list of RI
luhliean SENATOR, there is not one {
any Importance who cap now be reel
OLrd N. Blaine, who has been cC