Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-10-31
Correspondence.
Letter from Washington.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Oct. 10, 1878.

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WASHINGTON, d. c., Oct. 10, 1878.
Conservative Repu ublicans, and many
who have affected to .despise the "bloody
shirt" so called, have had reason to give
some serious thought to the Southern
question, by recent events in South Caro-
lima. In fact, that question begins to as
sumo something of its old Importance.
When the whole truth is out it will appear
that the acts of violence and threats of
bull-dozing there are not the result merely
of momentary political excitement in one
or two localities, but OF the sober, deib-
crate purpose of the Democratic party
under Hampton to force the Republican
party into an obedent minority. Ia proof
of this, it is only necessary to quote the
Charleston NetoS, which is considered the
conservative Hampton organ OF the State.
Remarking on the outrages practiced upon
Mr.. Swails, and his notification to leave
the State, that paper says: There is no
denial TO him or anybody else, of the right
OF free speech. The Radicals are Invited
10 speak at Democratic meetings, and
Democrats ihrite themselves to speak at Rad
icdt meetings. They give and get fair
hearing. Swails, however, wants to be
martyr, while his continued existence is
proof enough to the desire of the people of
Williamsburg to avoid extreme measures
The rebel idea of free speech is well H.
: N hp RI hot
Democrats invite themselves to speak at
Radical meetings" but it would have been
closer to the truth If it had said that the
refusal to grant the Invitation" would be
sare death to the Radicals. There can no
longer be any question that the deliberate
purpose of the Hampton Democrats is to
carry South Carolina by the shot gun pol
icy, and under recent legislation and the
conciliatory methods of the Administra-
ton, there is no hope of preventing it.
Speaking of this bul-dozing system re-
minis me that there is Il movement organ
lied among the prosecuted Republicans of
South Carolina and Florida, aided by phil
anthropistS in the North to colonize on a
large scale in Texas and New Mexico,
where they can organize a system of soc-
ETY. and government that will guarantee
their political right. There is but one serious
drawback to this plan, whicn is in the Sc
rious lack OF railroad facilities n the most
favorable districts for the pilgrims to oc-
cupy. This however, they are assured
will be overcome by the early completion
" IL a
branches. giving them a chance to build
up free State, as the Northern settlers
did in Kansas, years ago. The men who
are engaged in this movement will ask
Congress to give them a helping hand by
aiding the railroad company to a limited
extent. Among Lhese men are some OF the
old aboltionsts of Massachusetts who
helped the free State Kansas movement,
and who believe that with the aid of the
new railroad in the Southwest, they can
give relief to many oppressed men, col
ored and white, in the South, and thus
speedily solve the veXed Southern question.
Two of the most busy places in town Just
now are the Republican and Democratic
headquarters. 1t would be folly to pre-
tend that the loss of Republican Congress-
men already experienced, is deemed OF lit
tie consequence at the former, but the sue
helps the opponents OF Bourbonism to bear
it Dhilosophically, not to say cheerfully,
while Democratic Retormers are still sore
and depressed over that defeat. Though
the November elections will continue a
source OF anxiety to both parties till their
occurrence shall have set all doubt at
rest. it may be said that the general tone
of reports received are encouraging and
lead to the hope OF retrieving our Congress
sIonal losses. In response to the Demo
cratic suggestion that the Republican mem
bers OF Congress just elected from Iowa
may be gotten rid of in the same way and
on the same preteXt as Belford was at the
last session it need only to be said that
Democratic we'll as other partisan and
pon-partlsan authorities were consulted il
that State as to the proper time to elect
Congressman, and they mutually agreed
that the elections held on the 7th inst,
fulfilled all the requirements of the law.
We have no cause To hope, however, that
the Democrats at the next session would
be less INSCRIPTIONS or hesitate to ignore
all precendents. if "a partizan advantage
could thereby be gained, than they were
during the 18th session.
The statements and counter statements
of Army and Indian Bureau officers as to
the cause of the late outbreak among
Northern Cheyennes, makes the serious
differences that have long existed between
some of them more than ever apparent.
The conclusion is also likely to be that the
stampede was from the chronic cause of
trouble, viz: the intidelity of Government
to its pledges.
Reports from every section agree that
confidence and business are reviving to-
gether as we approach resumption and the
prospect OF its poStponemeDt beyond the
date fixed becomes more improbable.
VOLUNTEER.