Middletown transcript., 1877-08-18
washington Letter.

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1
WAsHISaToS, D. O., August Is, 1877.
There seems to be movement
throughout the State of Maryland to
elect to her Legislature this fall the
best men to be found. The press-the
local press of the State is more infu-
entail than anywhere else in my knowl-
edge-has taken up the subject in good
earnest. The Union is at this time
face to face with questions of the high
est Importance, involving as they do a
return to the constitutional ideas Of
States rights, and no State will do JUS
tice to herself or to the general govern
ment which does not put forward for
the Legislature, and for other positions,
her best men.
The politics of Maine, heretofore,
have been easy to understand. The
Republican party has been the blind
follower of Mr.. Blaine. That shity
politician, without the ability to organ
ize policies or measures, has shown
wonderful readiness in adopting and
advocating what the Maine Repubh-
cans were willing to accept. In the
meantime, thro' disagreements among
its leaders, or through apathy born Of
eeaseless despair, or through both, the
Democratic party has not for years
polled its full vote, to say nothing of
the thousands of Republicans who have
been restive under Mr.. Blaine's impe-
rious leadership, and who might have
beeninduced, by vigorous and judicious
acts of the Democratic party, to come
into its organization. am not speak
ing now Of the dozen or 50 noisy Re
publican politicians who might have
been bought in 1858, or 1872, or 1876,
butofquietand intelligent men through
out all the counties Of the State. Ju-
dieious action in the Democratic con-
vention to-day may change the politi-
cal complexion Of the State.
This mornings dispatches deny some
previous statements as to the extent
of the Indian victory over portion of
General Howard's command, but these
dispatches bear the stamp Of that YER
satile and vOluminous aide of How
ards, who has all along been making
victories out of defeats, and activity
out Of practical Imprisonment in the
mountains. The losses as given amount
still to an annihilation Of Colonel Glib
bon's command. But General How
ard has arrived at camp and will COM
mence pursuit of the Indians as soon,
etc.
If Virginia Democrats could not
nominate a man unequivo-
eally opposed to any project of "ad-
justing" her debt, and stand upon a
platform denouncing everything but
full payment, they conld not do better |
than they have done. The candidate
Is everywhere well spoken Of, and the
platform is not open to serious obiec-
ton. I cannot doubt, however, that
the State would have received imme- |
date benefits from palmer declara-
tion in regard to her debt.
Gen. Ben. P. Runkle, recently re-
stored to the army after having suffer
ID for FIVE years through the unjust
Of a court martial, receives
many congratulations by mail and BY
daily. Few men had more
friends in the volunteer army than
Gen. Runkle, and all seem to rejoice
N his complete vindication. In late
letter | alluded to the revival of inter
st among Southern negroes, in the
scheme for colonizing at Liberia. The
negroes are divided on the policy of
arge emigration, and much bitterness
s exhibited by each side toward the
,tber. It is not likely that the present
will lead to any great in
,rease in the number of emigrants.
The man whose name appears in the
National Republican as "editor and pro-
1rietor," but who does not own or edit
he paper, received Gaming on the
tFeet yesterday, the alleged cause be-
ng the publication of an item reflect
ng on newspaper man from Ken
ucky. The news columns Of the Re
'ublican have for some time past indi-
ated a disposition on the part of those
Who controlled them, to reap financial
,rofit from the errors and weaknesses
f others. In short, the paper appears
nuch like blackmailing institution.
is editorial columns are now devoted
0 a support Of the Administration. !
What they will support next week is
pcertain. Camp-meetings in this sec
on are not up to the standard Of past
ears. Many are perhaps awaiting the
rival Of Moody and Sankey before
living their attention to religious mat
srs. These champions will pass the !
III and part Of the winter here and in !
baltimore, and great results are ex-
eeted. SoLLoN.