Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-09-27
Correspondence.
Letter from Washington.

SNsSA AOhA " oShih toAs
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Sept. -. 1877.
There Is tradition that Tom Paine died
a victim TO the keenest remorse, on account
of his nfidel teaching through life and that
he repudiated them on his death bed (; and
Noltaine has been represented as most
abandoned character. In fact, it appears
that Paine enjoyed the esteem and conf
dence OF our revolutionary leaders a. an
incorruptible patriot, and that he was in
strumental in no small degree ia our final
success. stimulated TO his course by his in
nate love OF liberty, his detestaIion OF tyr
amy aud his abiding faith tina; the republi-
can form OF government was ultimately to
prevail over the whole south. Voltaire
lived In very immoral age and Il appears
somewhat doubtful IL he was much better
or worse than the majority of those sur
rounding him. whether Othodox or lletero
dox. Bob" lngersoll deems il of inpor-
lance that the matter be definitely settled
and has issued challenge to the world tn
show by incontestable proof that either,
recanted their religious. (or irreligious)
convictions. or expressed remorse for them
before their death. II is understood that
!. DIR. Prime OF the n. Y. Observer, accepted
the challenge, and that Ingersoll promptly
deposited 81 .0e0 in gold. to be forfeited in
case he was defeated. The conditions are
stated to be as follows: Dr. Prime is 10 be-
allowed co days Ia collect his evidence for
the affirmative. after reading. which Mr.
Ingersoll Is 10 be allowed the same length
OF time to destroy it il possible; then DR.,
Prime another 80 days To rebut, when
the tribunal of ihree-one to be chosen
by each of the disputants. the other By
the two--is to hear the evidence and
give its decision, which is 10 be final to both
disputants. There Is, OF course. much in
terest manifested in the result In the
churches.
The Weakness OF Russia now that she
has been put 10 the test, or what appears
nearer the general opinion. the incompe.
tency OF the generals. is a matter OF great
f''TN ~ - '8f W NittaNN
her ability to crush the sick man" was
J questioned by but few prior TO the crossing
of the Balkans. The disasters that have
since befallen her have been reluctantly
admitted. too. for her friends were COM
paratively numerous. The Turk is essen
TALLY savage. lie comes OF a cruel savage
ancestry, aud Is Incapable of vigorous man
hood savs when engaged IN war-like pur-
suits. Like the American Indian. confine
him 10 peace and be deteriorate.-becom
good for nothing. 4 gland regard, the
Russians humiliation with much compla-
cency. She has trembled for twenty years
lest the Russians should take fancy to
her Indian possession and proceed to All
sorb them Ia her vast empire; and Il " ould
be human II some OF Europe's second-rate
powers proceeded TO redress real or fanoied
wrongs committed agalns; them by their
colossal neighbor.
Political matters are very quiet aud eN-
pected to remain so iii the PresiJent's re-.
turn. There is a vague rumor that the de-
cision TO sacrifice Collector Arthur had
been reconsidered. The city Is slowly fill
Ing up with citizens returning from their
summer jaunts. with the families of mean.
which spend the gay season here. PARTED.
paiing In the round OF designations and con-
trbutIng much to the enjoyment. Then
there Is the advance Of the great many that
comes and goes with Congress. hanging
about the Hobbies during the sessions and
filling the hotel, and boarding houses NJ
| night. \ few of the pioneers have already
arrived, getting their jobs in shape. Ad-
vices from New York leave the politicians
OF that metropolis and Of the Empire State
In a feariully demoralized shape. new
victim falls every time the brazen old Boss
| open, his mouth. lie is cutting them down
in cold blood. Democrats, Republicans and
independents, too pure and guIeless TO
be bound by party slackles, all appear to
have lost their manhood and alt moral
stamina when brought in contact with his
money bags. They have been defiied with
/ the beast; aud the most they can hope is
I TO be permitted 10 sink into oblivion. cray.
| Ing OF the world the charity of its silence.
| Tie enrontery OF Tweed. and the shame
ful character OF his confession. showing
/ him 10 be morally dead; showing how he
/ bought and sold individuals aud legisla-
/ lures, then turned around and stole the
bride 10 buy others. will deprive him of the
little sympathy that had been awakened in
his behalf as the scape goat OF the ring.
! There appears little to choose between the
lot. They were bad according to ability
/ corrupt and rotten to the core; aud Shiny,
insidious things whose touch was poison.
VOLUNTEER.