The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1878-10-08
WASHINGTON LETTER.
correspondence of the standard.

Correspondence OF the standard.
WASHINGTON, ID. O.. Sept. %. '7s.
While Republicans have real cause
for felicitation on the sturd Y position
taken by their party associates in
Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania and other States when
they have authoritatively defined ID up
on pending issues, and because OF the
unfinching courage they have mani
tested In standing firmly up TO their
convictions OF duty while assailed in
front. flank and rear by the mongrel
alliance. il is apprehended that the
seeming disposition to parley and tenn
porize with the spirit OF communism
and repudiation shown by individual
leaders, is proving a source OF no little
decentralization among a class of voters
whose opinions are the reflected views
OF those above them in social or official
position. From all that reaches us
from Massachusetts, Republicans, there
seems no hesitation among the rank
and file To follow the lead OF their
friends in Maine, ,electing honorable de-
feat to dishonorable victory, purchased
at the sacrifice of vital principles. But
while this is the case elsewhere To a
greater or less extent, some OF those
here looked to as exponents of Repub-
licanism have gwen cause for distrust
by leaving the party standard Temporal
rlly entrusted to their keeping. The
Secretary OF the Republican Congress
sional Committee has invited much hos
tile criticism by the new financial de-
IN NKh ha In
commit his party. Whether true or
not, the impression prevails that the
resembling Of the late order of the
Treasury Department, which looked to
resumption by the exchange
OF silver for greenbacks, was "A conces-
sion to the mongrel alliance, which had
not been made but for the wonderful
growth Of the new financial doctrines !
as shown on the 9th inst. Another ru-
NOR current here for some days rela-
tive to a reported abandonment of Civ |
il Service Reform, or at least of the
fantastic methods by which it sought TO
be enforced, as a distinctive feature of
this administration, seems to show that
some Of our great statesmen are hardly
less prone to fall back on the law OF
expediency TO help them over a hard
place than were their predecessors,
however rigid their adherence ordina-
rily to their convictions of right and
justice. 1t also shows how much cas-
Ter it is to preach than to practice in
any other than a purely ideal sphere.
To most Republicans the failure Of
high officials to come squarely up to
the support OF the great masses OF the
party IN the uncompromising position
they have taken against the remotest
suspicion OF repudiation and against
any trihing with the national credit,
seems as cowardly as il is pregnant with
mischief. II had best be understood
now than later that no trucking or bar
gains that appear concession 10 the
mob spirit that invaded several of the
Departments here few days ago and
was treated with delicate consideration
in some, will be countenanced by the
intelligent masses making up majori-
ty OF che Republican party. IL doomed
to go down before the blows of moboc-
colors. And this fact is the brightest
spot 10 be seen in q horizon black with
the most portentious clouds.
Very few express surprise over But
ler's capture OF one wing of the Bay
State Democracy. Those knowing most
Of the disreputable material OF which
1t is largely made mp, agree that it is a
union eminentlS fit to be made. But
it is making the dry bones in Bourbon
hides rattle most ominously. Democ-
racy has had 10 drain 10 their dregs
many a nauseating cup within the past
two decades but the contents Of none !
has been more productive of involun-
tary grinaces and retching than the |
last pressed to their lips by " Beast |
Butler"
In circular issued by the p. o. De-
partment, 1t is provided that where |
inadyertence any unavailable |
matter reaches the office OF destination,
it shall be delivered to the party to |
whom il is addressed, without any ad- |
charge for postage beyond |
what would be due il the same were /
mailable matter of the third class but |
the postmasters are requested to ascer-
tain from the addresses of such packa-
ges the names aud addresses of the |
senders, and report the same to the Sd /
Postmaster General. The /
responsibility is thus fastened on the
postmaster who receives the unmaila- |
BILE matter. Numerous reports OF the |
kind called for have been received a. |
the p. o. Department The postmas-
ter at one city complains of the post
at another city, and is COM
planned of by third postmaster, while
a fourth complains OF all three. From
this fact il is inferred that more atten-
tion is paid to the matter received than
to the matter sent out. from the post
Offices. MmroN.