The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-12-28
lFrom An Occasional Correspondent.

Opposition.
From An Occasional Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Dec. II, 1878
The topics that have chiefly interested pol.
iiiCans during the past week have been Sena-
tor Blaine's great speech the new army bill
and the cabinet change fiasco II is not at all
probable there will be, during the session, an.
other oratorical sensation that will equal that
just made by Mr.. Blaine. 1t had all the ac.
cessories of cclat-crowded galleries, and such
Il distinguished audience on the floor as only
Washington at this season can present
OF the rumorcd cabinet change It would
seem almost useless to write since Attorney
General Devens has decided to remain, and
one wonders now why the subject OF his resg.
nation was allowed to have such wide public.
ity, unless it was to excite hopes that never
could he realized in the breasts of half a hun
drcc asplrants for the office There is no
doubt, however, that the Attorney General, at
one time, seriously contemplated vacating his
place in the cabinet, and had received from the
President the assurance that he should have
s'iN !" VIZ NdIdIt
by the death of Judge Shepley of Maine, but
it may he the reflection that his confirmation
In this office would depend on democratic
senate, or At best, IA half hostile republican
senate, decided him to clcavc to the honors he
had rather than fly to those he was not so sure
Of l say Il half hostile senate, for, contrary 20
all pacific reports, it is now known that Sena-
tor Conkling will maintain his fight agains,
the presidential nominees to the New York
Custom House and, it is thought scarcely pos
sible that they will be confirmed in the teeth
OF such opposition, both republican and dem
ocralic, as he can rally to his support There
is noteworthy straw that do not think has
been properly weighed since the beginning OF
the session. Not democratic senator or rep
rcsentatlyc, SO far rs | have been able to learn,
has called upon the President Last session
the evening papers published daily Il list Of
distinguished callers, in which the names of
Gordon, Hill, Cockrcll, Withcrs, and Others
were remarkably frequent, and where the
names of almost every democratic senator
and member occasionally appeared There
are II few stalwartS, however, who have never
called, and Senator Thurman, ON Il particular
occasion, took pains to emphasize the fact that
he had never in that way recognized the occu-
pant of the White House aS President. The
cause OF the arrangement of southern repre-
scntajives is the present attitude of the Admin
iStrilon towards the south, is expressed in
that part of his message referring to the south
crn election frauds; and it is significant in the
light Ot the fact that the democrats will, in
about two months, have control of both
branches of Congress.
What will the majority in the senate do
without a leader, has become, within the last
two weeks, a pertinent question. Senator
Thurman it is SAID, must I've the democratic
candidate for governor of Ohio, and when he
leaves the chamber of the upper house there
will be none left in lthca To bend his bow. All
parties agree that he possesses a greater num-
her of the characteristics of leader than any
democrat that has ever belonged To that body
Bayard is able, argumeniaiive, prudent: Lii.
mar is eloquent, impassionod, and learned in
the law; Hill POSSESSES, with great natural
gifts, much training and experience; hut Thur